A damping device and a washing apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of household appliances, and discloses a damping device and a washing equipment, wherein the damping device comprises a hanger rod, a buffer damping assembly and an elastic connecting assembly; the buffer damping assembly is arranged at the bottom end of the hanger rod; the elastic connecting assembly comprises an elastic piece, a mounting piece and a first rotating piece arranged on the mounting piece; the mounting piece is arranged on the hanger rod; one end of the elastic piece is used for being hingedly connected with a washing barrel of the washing equipment, the other end of the elastic piece is hingedly connected with the mounting piece through the first rotating piece, and the first rotating piece can move on the mounting piece along the extension direction of the elastic piece. The damping device has the advantages that the horizontal elastic connecting assembly is arranged on the hanger rod, the inertial impact force of the washing barrel during the operation of the washing machine is effectively reduced, and the impact between the washing barrel and the box body is avoided; the elastic connecting assembly allows the elastic piece to be adjusted in the up-down and horizontal directions when the elastic piece is stressed through the rotating piece, the local stress concentration is avoided, the elastic piece is ensured not to be damaged due to the excessive local stress, and the durability and reliability of the damping device are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of washing appliance technology, and more particularly to a vibration damping device and washing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Due to their unique structure and program design, some top-loading washing machines require effective reduction and mitigation of the outer tub's sway during washing or spin-drying to minimize vibration noise and prevent collisions between the outer tub and the outer casing. To this end, a buffer damping assembly is typically installed between the outer tub and the hanging rods. However, during spin-drying, the tub's rotation may cause centrifugal deviation, leading to an impact between the tub and the outer casing.

[0003] Chinese invention patent CN 206616370 U discloses a suspension rod assembly for a pulsator washing machine. This assembly effectively avoids impact noise between the drum and the outer casing caused by centrifugal deviation during the spin-drying process by installing tension springs on four suspension rods and symmetrically mounting these four springs at the four corners of the inner drum. However, in this design, the tension springs are connected to guide tubes on the inner drum and suspension rods respectively via hooks at both ends. This connection method has certain limitations: when the outer drum moves excessively under special circumstances (such as when it collides with the casing), the tension springs may experience localized stress, leading to damage.

[0004] Therefore, an improved vibration damping structure is needed to enhance the stability and reliability of washing machine operation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the technical problem of vibration damping devices being easily damaged by localized stress in existing technologies, this invention provides a vibration damping device in which the elastic connecting component allows the elastic element to adjust its position in the vertical and horizontal directions when subjected to force through a rotating component. This avoids localized stress concentration in the elastic element, ensures that the elastic element will not be damaged due to excessive localized stress, and improves the durability and reliability of the vibration damping device.

[0006] This invention provides a vibration damping device, comprising: A vibration damping device for washing equipment, comprising: boom; A buffer damping assembly is located at the bottom end of the boom; The elastic connection assembly includes an elastic element, a mounting element, and a first rotating element disposed on the mounting element; the mounting element is disposed on the hanger rod; one end of the elastic element is hinged to the washing tub of the washing equipment, and the other end is hinged to the mounting element through the first rotating element, and the first rotating element is movable on the mounting element along the extension and retraction direction of the elastic element.

[0007] In some embodiments, the mounting member is provided with a mounting hole, which is an elliptical hole or an elongated hole, and the first rotating member is disposed in the mounting hole and has a clearance fit with the mounting hole.

[0008] In some embodiments, the mounting component includes: A sleeve portion, which is sleeved on the lifting rod; A rotating component mounting part is provided on one side of the sleeve part. The rotating component mounting part has two opposing support arms, and the mounting holes are provided on the support arms.

[0009] In some embodiments, the mounting component is sleeved on the boom, and the boom is provided with a limiting structure to restrict the downward movement of the mounting component along the boom.

[0010] In some embodiments, the elastic connection assembly further includes a second rotating member, one end of which is hinged to the washing tub of the washing device via the second rotating member.

[0011] In some embodiments, the elastic element is a tension spring.

[0012] In some embodiments, the resilient connection assembly is disposed near the top of the boom.

[0013] In some embodiments, the boom is provided with two or more resilient connection components.

[0014] The present invention also includes a washing device, comprising a housing and a washing tub disposed within the housing, comprising the aforementioned vibration damping device, wherein the vibration damping device is connected between the housing and the washing tub, and the washing tub is provided with a connecting structure, wherein the connecting structure is hinged to one end of the elastic member.

[0015] In some embodiments, four vibration damping devices are provided, each located at one of the four corners of the housing.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the advantages and positive effects of the present invention are: The aforementioned vibration damping device, by setting a horizontal elastic connecting component on the hanger, effectively reduces the inertial impact force of the washing tub during the operation of the washing machine and avoids the collision between the washing tub and the cabinet. The elastic connecting component, through a rotating part, allows the elastic component to adjust its position in the vertical and horizontal directions when under force, thereby significantly dispersing the stress on the elastic component, avoiding local stress concentration, ensuring that the elastic component will not be damaged due to excessive local force, and improving the durability and reliability of the vibration damping device. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the washing equipment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the vibration reduction device of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the elastic connection component in the vibration damping device of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a motion diagram of the elastic element in the vibration damping device of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the elastic connection component in the vibration damping device of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting component and the first rotating component in the vibration damping device of the present invention; Figure 7 for Figure 6 Exploded view; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting components in the vibration damping device of the present invention; Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100 - Outer drum; 110 - Outer drum lid; 111 - Connecting structure; 200-Inner tub; 300 - Vibration damping device; 310 - Hanging rod; 311 - Limiting structure; 320-Buffer Damping Assembly; 330 - Flexible connection assembly; 331-Elastic element; 332-Mounting element; 3321-Sleeve part; 3322-Rotating element mounting part; 3323-Mounting hole; 333-First rotating element; 334-Second rotating element. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described 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.

[0020] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "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 limitations on this invention.

[0021] 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. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances. In the description of the above embodiments, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0022] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0023] Reference Figures 1-8 This is an embodiment of the vibration damping device 300 and washing equipment of the present invention. The washing equipment can be a washing machine, shoe washing machine, etc. Its purpose is to effectively reduce the vibration of the washing tub during washing and dehydration, and improve the stability and reliability of the equipment.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the washing equipment includes a housing and a washing tub disposed within the housing. The washing tub, disposed within the housing, includes an outer tub 100 and an inner tub 200. The outer tub 100 is used to hold washing water, and the inner tub 200 is used to hold items to be washed.

[0025] Vibration damping device 300 is installed between the cabinet and the washing tub to reduce the vibration of the washing tub.

[0026] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, the vibration damping device 300 includes a suspension rod 310, a buffer damping assembly 320, and an elastic connection assembly 330.

[0027] The hanger rod 310 is used to connect the cabinet and the washing tub, providing support. The top of the hanger rod 310 is hung on the outer casing of the washing machine, and the outer tub 100 of the washing machine is movably hung on the hanger rod 310. The damping assembly 320 absorbs the force when the outer tub vibrates, thus reducing the vibration of the outer tub.

[0028] The buffer damping component 320 is located at the bottom end of the hanger 310 and is used to absorb and reduce the energy of the washing tub when it vibrates.

[0029] The flexible connection assembly 330 is connected between the boom 310 and the outer tub 100. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the elastic connection assembly 330 includes an elastic element 331, a mounting element 332, and a first rotating element 333 disposed on the mounting element 332.

[0030] Mounting member 332 is provided on the rod 310. Its function is to connect elastic member 331 to rod 310 and provide mounting position for rotating member.

[0031] One end of the elastic element 331 is hinged to the outer tub 100, and the other end is hinged to the mounting element 332 via the first rotating element 333. The function of the elastic element 331 is to absorb and buffer the impact and vibration generated by the outer tub 100 during movement.

[0032] The first rotating member 333 is capable of moving on the mounting member 332 along the extension and retraction direction of the elastic member 331. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the first rotating member 333 not only enables the elastic member 331 to rotate up and down around one end to accommodate the vertical movement of the outer tub 100, but also allows the elastic member 331 to slide along its length (i.e., the telescopic direction) on the mounting member 332 within a certain range to accommodate the horizontal swing of the outer tub 100. This bidirectional movable design effectively disperses the stress on the elastic member 331, avoids local stress concentration, and thus improves the durability and reliability of the elastic member 331.

[0033] When the outer tub 100 vibrates during washing or spin-drying, the elastic element 331 is stretched or compressed, thereby absorbing vibration energy. The rotating element allows the elastic element 331 to rotate and move within a certain range, thereby preventing the elastic element 331 from being subjected to excessive local stress.

[0034] The aforementioned vibration damping device 300, by setting a horizontal elastic connecting component 330 on the hanger 310, effectively reduces the inertial impact force of the washing tub during the operation of the washing machine and avoids the collision between the washing tub and the cabinet. The elastic connecting component 330, through a rotating part, allows the elastic element 331 to adjust its position in the vertical and horizontal directions when under force, thereby significantly dispersing the stress on the elastic element 331, avoiding local stress concentration, ensuring that the elastic element 331 will not be damaged due to excessive local force, and improving the durability and reliability of the vibration damping device 300.

[0035] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 8 As shown, the mounting component 332 has a mounting hole 3323, which is an elliptical hole or an elongated hole. The first rotating component 333 is disposed in the mounting hole 3323 and is clearance-fitted with the mounting hole 3323. The rotating component can be a pin, which can rotate and slide freely within the mounting hole 3323 of the mounting component 332.

[0036] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the mounting component 332 is sleeved on the lifting rod 310. Specifically, the mounting component 332 includes a sleeve portion 3321 and a rotating component mounting portion 3322 located on one side of the sleeve portion 3321. The sleeve portion 3321 is sleeved on the lifting rod 310. The rotating component mounting portion 3322 has two opposing support arms, each with a mounting hole 3323.

[0037] In some embodiments of this application, the mounting component 332 is sleeved on the hanger rod 310, and the sleeve portion 3321 and the hanger rod 310 are circumferentially rotatable, allowing the elastic connecting assembly 330 to be adjusted at a certain angle in the horizontal plane. This further adapts to the complex motion trajectory that the washing tub may generate during operation, thereby more effectively absorbing and dispersing vibration energy, improving the vibration reduction effect and the overall stability of the equipment. Furthermore, the hanger rod 310 is provided with a limiting structure 311 to restrict the downward movement of the mounting component 332 along the hanger rod 310. The limiting structure 311 ensures that the mounting component 332 will not slip down along the hanger rod 310, thereby maintaining the normal working position of the elastic connecting assembly 330, ensuring the stability and reliability of the vibration damping device 300, and preventing a decrease in vibration reduction effect or equipment failure due to accidental movement of the mounting component 332. The limiting structure 311 can take various forms such as protrusions, retaining rings, and threads.

[0038] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 3As shown, the elastic connection assembly 330 also includes a second rotating member 334, one end of which is hinged to the washing tub of the washing equipment via the second rotating member 334. A connecting structure 111 is provided on the washing tub, and a rotatable connection is formed between the second rotating member 334 and the connecting structure 111. This hinged connection allows the elastic member 331 to swing around the axis of the second rotating member 334 to accommodate various angular changes and displacements of the washing tub during operation.

[0039] Specifically, the connecting structure 111 on the washing tub can be in the form of a lug, bracket, or hole, while the second rotating component 334 can be a pin, bolt, or other suitable connector, passing through the other end of the elastic component 331 and the connecting structure 111 on the washing tub, and can rotate freely. This rotatable connection effectively avoids rigid constraints at the connection between the elastic component 331 and the washing tub, reduces the risk of local stress concentration, improves the flexibility and reliability of the connection, and ensures that the elastic component 331 can better perform its buffering and vibration damping functions.

[0040] In some embodiments of this application, the elastic element 331 is a tension spring. Tension springs have a simple structure, relatively low cost, and provide good elastic performance. When the washing tub shifts, the tension spring extends or contracts accordingly, converting vibration energy into the elastic potential energy of the spring, thereby playing a role in vibration damping.

[0041] In some other embodiments, the elastic element 331 may also be a rubber elastic element 331, a gas spring, etc.

[0042] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 1 As shown, the flexible connecting assembly 330 is positioned near the top of the hanger rod 310. Correspondingly, a connecting structure 111 is provided at the outer tub cover 110 of the outer tub 100, connecting to the flexible connecting assembly 330. Since vibrations of the washing tub are often transmitted to the upper part of the hanger rod 310, placing the flexible connecting assembly 330 here allows for more direct absorption of vibration impacts from above and reduces the transmission of vibrations to the casing. Furthermore, its placement near the top may also result in a more compact structural layout, saving space.

[0043] In some embodiments of this application, the hanger 310 is provided with two or more elastic connection components 330, which can further improve the overall performance and stability of the vibration damping system. Multiple elastic connection components 330 can more evenly distribute the vibration load transmitted from the washing tub, preventing individual elastic elements 331 from bearing excessive stress, thereby improving the durability and reliability of the entire vibration damping device 300. These elastic connection components 330 can be spaced apart along the length of the hanger 310, or they can be symmetrically or asymmetrically distributed in the horizontal direction to adapt to different vibration damping requirements.

[0044] The present invention also includes a washing device, which includes a housing and a washing tub disposed within the housing. The washing device can be a washing machine, a shoe washing machine, a washer-dryer combo, etc. The washing device is equipped with the aforementioned vibration damping device 300, which is connected between the housing and the washing tub. The washing tub is provided with a connecting structure 111, which is hinged to one end of an elastic member 331.

[0045] Furthermore, in order to more effectively balance and absorb the vibrations generated in all directions during the operation of the washing tub, such as Figure 1 As shown, four vibration damping devices 300 are preferably provided and arranged in the four corner areas of the housing. This symmetrical layout allows the vibration force on the washing tub to be transmitted more evenly to each vibration damping device 300, thereby avoiding excessive localized stress and improving the overall vibration damping effect and equipment stability. The four vibration damping devices 300 work together to effectively suppress the horizontal and vertical swaying and rotational motion of the washing tub, ensuring smooth operation of the washing equipment even during periods of intense vibration such as high-speed spin-drying, reducing noise, and extending the equipment's service life.

[0046] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A vibration damping device for washing equipment, characterized in that, include: boom; A buffer damping assembly is located at the bottom end of the boom; The elastic connection assembly includes an elastic element, a mounting element, and a first rotating element disposed on the mounting element; the mounting element is disposed on the hanger rod; one end of the elastic element is hinged to the washing tub of the washing equipment, and the other end is hinged to the mounting element through the first rotating element, and the first rotating element is movable on the mounting element along the extension and retraction direction of the elastic element.

2. The vibration damping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting component is provided with a mounting hole, which is an elliptical hole or an elongated hole. The first rotating component is disposed in the mounting hole and is clearance-fitted with the mounting hole.

3. The vibration damping device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mounting component includes: A sleeve portion, which is sleeved on the lifting rod; A rotating component mounting part is provided on one side of the sleeve part. The rotating component mounting part has two opposing support arms, and the mounting holes are provided on the support arms.

4. The vibration damping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting component is sleeved on the boom, and the boom is provided with a limiting structure to restrict the downward movement of the mounting component along the boom.

5. The vibration damping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic connection assembly further includes a second rotating member, one end of which is hinged to the washing tub of the washing equipment via the second rotating member.

6. The vibration damping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic element is a tension spring.

7. The vibration damping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The resilient connection assembly is positioned near the top of the boom.

8. The vibration damping device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The boom is equipped with two or more elastic connection components.

9. A washing device, comprising a housing and a washing tub disposed within the housing, characterized in that, It also includes a vibration damping device as described in any one of claims 1-8, the vibration damping device being connected between the housing and the washing tub, the washing tub being provided with a connecting structure, the connecting structure being hinged to one end of the elastic member.

10. The washing equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that, The vibration damping device is provided in four parts, which are respectively located at the four corners of the box.

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