Air inlet assembly for cleaning machine and cleaning machine

Abstract

The utility model relates to an air inlet assembly for a cleaning machine and the cleaning machine, the air inlet assembly comprises an air inlet pipe, the air inlet pipe is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet which are communicated with the interior of the air inlet pipe, and the air outlet is used for being communicated with a washing cavity of the cleaning machine; the fan is used for driving airflow to flow from the air inlet to the air outlet; the impeller is rotatably arranged in the air outlet, the rotating axis of the impeller is the same as the extending direction of the center line of the air outlet, and when the impeller rotates, the direction of air entering a washing cavity of the cleaning machine is changed, so that on one hand, airflow cannot flow back, on the other hand, the impeller rotates to diffuse the airflow to the periphery, and the tableware covering area of the airflow is increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of cleaning machines that can clean tableware and / or fruits and vegetables, specifically to an air inlet assembly for a cleaning machine and a cleaning machine. Background Technology

[0002] Cleaning machines, such as dishwashers, are becoming increasingly common in kitchens. After the dishes are washed, there is a lot of moisture in the washing chamber of the dishwasher. In order to dry the dishes and prevent the growth of bacteria, a drying component is installed on the outer wall of the cabinet to heat the airflow in the washing chamber. The drying component inputs hot airflow into the washing chamber to dry the dishes.

[0003] For example, the Chinese utility model patent CN202320953636.2 (publication number CN220344366U) discloses a "Washing Machine," in which the drying assembly includes an air inlet duct, a heating element, and a second airflow drive component. The air inlet duct has a second air inlet and a second air outlet. The second air inlet is in fluid communication with the outside environment, and the second air outlet is in fluid communication with a second air inlet hole on the housing. Along the airflow direction, the second air outlet is located downstream of the second air inlet. The second airflow drive component is installed on the air inlet duct and is used to drive the outside airflow through the air inlet duct to the second air outlet. In this embodiment, the second airflow drive component is a second fan, and the air outlet of the second fan faces the second air inlet of the air inlet duct, and the air inlet of the second fan is in fluid communication with the outside environment.

[0004] The heating element can be a PTC heating element, installed inside the air inlet duct, located in the airflow path from the second air inlet to the second air outlet. The heating element heats the airflow entering the air inlet duct into hot air, which then enters the washing chamber to dry the tableware.

[0005] Currently, most air inlet ducts are fixed to the cabinet with nuts, and the position and area of ​​the air inlet are fixed. This results in a small air intake coverage area for the airflow entering from the air inlet. Furthermore, due to the obstruction of tableware, some hot air is blocked back, causing turbulence. It also causes the speed of hot air entering the washing chamber to decrease rapidly, and it can only slowly cover the tableware through pressure gradient, resulting in low drying efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0006] The first technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide an air inlet component for a cleaning machine that enables the airflow entering the washing chamber to cover a large area, in light of the current state of the technology.

[0007] The second technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a cleaning machine that uses the above-mentioned air intake component, in view of the current state of the prior art.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the first technical problem mentioned above is: an air inlet assembly for a cleaning machine, comprising...

[0009] An air inlet pipe is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet that are connected to its interior. The air outlet is used to connect to the washing chamber of the cleaning machine.

[0010] A fan is used to drive airflow from the air inlet to the air outlet.

[0011] Its characteristic is that it also includes

[0012] An impeller is rotatably disposed in the air outlet, and the axis of rotation of the impeller is in the same direction as the extension of the center line of the air outlet.

[0013] In order to rotatably mount the impeller in the air outlet, the central part of the air outlet of the air inlet pipe is provided with a mounting base connected thereto. The impeller includes a mounting shaft and blades connected to the mounting shaft. The mounting shaft is mounted on the mounting base and can rotate relative to the mounting base about its axis.

[0014] The mounting base can be directly formed onto the air inlet pipe, but this process is relatively cumbersome. Therefore, preferably, an air outlet sleeve is installed on the air inlet pipe, the air outlet sleeve is located in the air outlet and the center lines of the two are parallel or coincident, the mounting base is located in the center of the air outlet sleeve and the two are connected, and the impeller is rotatably located in the air outlet sleeve. In this way, the air outlet sleeve and the mounting base are processed first, and then the air outlet sleeve is installed on the air inlet pipe, which simplifies both processing and assembly.

[0015] To connect the air outlet sleeve to the mounting base, the air outlet sleeve and the mounting base are connected by connecting ribs. There is one connecting rib or at least two ribs spaced apart circumferentially along the mounting base. This design of the connecting ribs does not significantly affect the airflow.

[0016] The air outlet sleeve can be installed on the air inlet pipe in various ways, such as by screw connection, or by threaded connection between the air outlet sleeve and the air outlet of the air inlet pipe. This method is simple to install and disassemble.

[0017] In order to position the mounting shaft and the mounting base axially and prevent loosening between the components, the mounting shaft and the mounting base are fitted together, and a limiting structure is provided between the mounting shaft and the mounting base to limit the axial movement of the mounting shaft.

[0018] To ensure smooth impeller rotation, the mounting base is provided with a socket, in which a bearing is inserted. The bearing is fixed axially relative to the socket and can rotate circumferentially relative to the socket. The mounting shaft is partially inserted into the bearing.

[0019] The limiting structure can have various structural forms. Preferably, the mounting shaft is provided with a first retaining foot and a first limiting block at intervals along its axial direction. The first retaining foot and the first limiting block abut against two opposite walls of the bearing, and the first retaining foot and the first limiting block together constitute the limiting structure.

[0020] The limiting structure can have various structural forms. Preferably, the mounting base is provided with a socket, and the mounting shaft is partially rotatably inserted into the socket. The mounting base has an upstream end face and a downstream end face arranged sequentially along the airflow direction, and the upstream end face and the downstream end face are arranged opposite to each other. The mounting shaft is provided with a second buckle and a second limiting block spaced apart along its axial direction. When the mounting shaft is inserted into the socket, the second buckle hooks onto the upstream end face of the mounting base, and the second limiting block abuts against the downstream end face of the mounting base. The second buckle and the second limiting block together constitute the limiting structure.

[0021] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the second technical problem mentioned above is: a cleaning machine, characterized in that it includes a housing and the above-mentioned air inlet assembly, wherein the air inlet pipe is disposed on the outer wall of the housing, and the air outlet of the air inlet pipe is connected to the washing chamber of the housing.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are as follows: By setting an impeller in the air outlet, the impeller changes the air intake direction into the washing chamber of the washing machine when it rotates. This prevents the airflow from flowing back and the rotation of the impeller spreads the airflow to all sides, increasing the coverage area of ​​the tableware. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 1 of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure from another direction;

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A sectional view;

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A;

[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the impeller and air outlet sleeve in the middle;

[0028] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A sectional view;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the impeller structure in Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the impeller and air outlet sleeve of Embodiment 2 of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0032] Example 1

[0033] like Figures 1-6 As shown, the cleaning machine of this preferred embodiment includes a housing 1 and an air inlet assembly. The air inlet assembly includes an air inlet pipe 2, a fan 3, an impeller 4, an air outlet sleeve 5, and a mounting base 51.

[0034] The air inlet pipe 2 is provided with an air inlet 21 and an air outlet 22 that are connected to its interior. The fan 3 is used to drive the airflow from the air inlet 21 to the air outlet 22. The fan 3 can adopt an existing structure. The air inlet of the fan 3 is connected to the outside, and the air outlet of the fan 3 is connected to the air inlet 21 of the air inlet pipe 2.

[0035] The air outlet 22 is connected to the washing chamber of the cleaning machine, specifically in the following way: the air inlet pipe 2 is set on the outer wall of the housing 1, and an air outlet sleeve 5 is installed on the air inlet pipe 2. The air outlet sleeve 5 is set in the air outlet 22 and the center lines of the two are parallel or coincident. The air outlet sleeve 5 is threadedly connected in the air outlet 22.

[0036] A through hole 11 is provided on the side wall of the housing 1. The air outlet sleeve 5 partially passes through the through hole 11, and the end of the air outlet sleeve 5 that extends into the housing 1 extends outward to form a ring of pressing part 50. The side wall of the housing 1 located around the through hole 11 is pressed between the pressing part 50 and the air inlet pipe 2. Of course, in order to reduce air leakage and reduce wear on the side wall of the housing 1, a sealing ring 52 is provided between the pressing part 50 and the housing 1 and / or between the air inlet pipe 2 and the housing 1.

[0037] The impeller 4 is rotatably located within the air outlet sleeve 5, that is, the impeller 4 is rotatably disposed within the air outlet 22, and the rotation axis of the impeller 4 extends in the same direction as the center line of the air outlet 22. A mounting base 51 is provided at the center of the air outlet 22 of the air inlet pipe 2, connected to it. The mounting base 51 is located at the center of the air outlet sleeve 5, and the two are connected by connecting ribs 53. There is one connecting rib 53 or at least two ribs spaced apart circumferentially along the mounting base 51. The design of the connecting ribs 53 does not significantly affect the airflow. In this embodiment, there are three connecting ribs 53 evenly distributed circumferentially along the mounting base 51.

[0038] The impeller 4 includes a mounting shaft 41 and blades 42 connected to the mounting shaft 41. The blades 42 may be arranged in a ring around the outer periphery of the mounting shaft 41; or, there may be multiple blades 42 spaced apart along the circumference of the mounting shaft 41, with each blade 42 extending radially along the mounting shaft 41; or, there may be multiple blades 42, with some blades 42 arranged in a ring around the outer periphery of the mounting shaft 41, and other blades 42 spaced apart along the circumference of the mounting shaft 41, with each blade 42 extending radially along the mounting shaft 41.

[0039] The mounting shaft 41 is mounted on the mounting base 51 and can rotate relative to the mounting base 51 around its axis. In addition, a limiting structure is provided between the mounting shaft 41 and the mounting base 51 to limit the axial movement of the mounting shaft 41.

[0040] In this embodiment, the mounting shaft 41 is inserted into the mounting base 51. The mounting base 51 has a socket 511, in which a bearing 6 is inserted. The bearing 6 is fixed axially relative to the socket 511 and can rotate circumferentially relative to the socket 511. The mounting shaft 41 is partially inserted into the bearing 6. The structure of the bearing 6 can adopt existing technology, and the fit between the socket 511, the bearing 6, and the mounting shaft 41 adopts existing technology, which will not be described in detail here.

[0041] The mounting shaft 41 is provided with a first retaining foot 411 and a first limiting block 412 spaced apart along its axial direction. The first retaining foot 411 and the first limiting block 412 abut against two opposite walls of the bearing 6, so that the mounting shaft 41 is fixed relative to the bearing 6 in the axial direction. The first retaining foot 411 and the first limiting block 412 together form a limiting structure.

[0042] In this embodiment, there are two air outlets 22 that are spaced apart vertically. There may be one or more air outlets 22. Impellers may be installed in all air outlets 22 or only in some air outlets 22.

[0043] Example 2

[0044] like Figure 7 , 8 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that this embodiment does not include bearing 6; otherwise, please refer to embodiment 1.

[0045] In this embodiment, the mounting base 51 is provided with a socket 511, and the mounting shaft 41 is partially rotatably inserted into the socket 511. The mounting base 51 has an upstream end face and a downstream end face arranged sequentially along the flow direction of the airflow. The upstream end face and the downstream end face are arranged opposite to each other. The mounting shaft 41 is provided with a second retaining foot 413 and a second limiting block 414 spaced apart along its axial direction. When the mounting shaft 41 is inserted into the socket 511, the second retaining foot 413 is upside down and holds the upstream end face of the mounting base 51, and the second limiting block 414 abuts against the downstream end face of the mounting base 51. In this way, the mounting shaft 41 is fixed relative to the mounting base 51 in the axial direction. The second retaining foot 413 and the second limiting block 414 together constitute a limiting structure.

[0046] Both of the above embodiments involve setting an impeller 4. When the impeller 4 rotates, it changes the air intake direction of the airflow into the washing chamber of the washing machine. This prevents the airflow from flowing back and also allows the airflow to spread outwards, increasing the coverage area of ​​the tableware.

[0047] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Since the embodiments disclosed in this utility model can be set in different directions, these terms indicating direction are only for illustration and should not be regarded as limitations. For example, "upper" and "lower" are not necessarily limited to directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity.

Claims

1. An air inlet assembly for a washing machine, comprising an air inlet pipe (2) having an air inlet opening (21) and an air outlet opening (22) formed therein and communicating with the interior of the air inlet pipe (2), the air outlet opening (22) being configured to communicate with a washing cavity of the washing machine; a fan (3) configured to drive air flow from the air inlet opening (21) to the air outlet opening (22); characterized in that further comprising a vane (4) rotatably arranged in the air outlet opening (22), the vane (4) having an axis of rotation which is parallel to the central axis of the air outlet opening (22); the air outlet opening (22) of the air inlet pipe (2) has a mounting seat (51) formed therein and communicating with the air outlet opening (22), the vane (4) has a mounting shaft (41) and a plurality of blades (42) formed on the mounting shaft (41), the mounting shaft (41) is mounted on the mounting seat (51) and is rotatable relative to the mounting seat (51) about the axis of the mounting shaft (41); the air inlet pipe (2) has an air outlet sleeve (5) mounted thereon, the air outlet sleeve (5) is arranged in the air outlet opening (22) and has a central axis which is parallel to or coincides with the central axis of the air outlet opening (22), the mounting seat (51) is arranged at the central portion of the air outlet sleeve (5) and is connected to the air outlet sleeve (5), and the vane (4) is rotatably arranged in the air outlet sleeve (5); the plurality of blades (42) are arranged in a plurality of groups, one group of the blades (42) is annularly arranged around the outer periphery of the mounting shaft (41), and another group of the blades (42) is arranged along the circumferential direction of the mounting shaft (41) and each blade (42) extends along the radial direction of the mounting shaft (41).

2. The air intake assembly of claim 1, wherein: the air outlet sleeve (5) and the mounting seat (51) are connected by a connecting rib (53), the connecting rib (53) has one or at least two connecting ribs (53) arranged along the circumferential direction of the mounting seat (51).

3. The air intake assembly of claim 1, wherein: the air outlet sleeve (5) is threadedly connected to the air outlet opening (22) of the air inlet pipe (2).

4. The air intake assembly of any one of claims 1-3, wherein: the mounting shaft (41) is insertedly fitted into the mounting seat (51), and a limiting structure is arranged between the mounting shaft (41) and the mounting seat (51) to limit the axial movement of the mounting shaft (41).

5. The air intake assembly of claim 4, wherein: the mounting seat (51) has a receiving hole (511) formed therein, a bearing (6) is insertedly fitted into the receiving hole (511), the bearing (6) is fixed in the axial direction relative to the receiving hole (511), the bearing (6) is rotatable in the circumferential direction relative to the receiving hole (511), and the mounting shaft (41) is partially insertedly fitted into the bearing (6).

6. The air intake assembly of claim 5, wherein: the mounting shaft (41) has a first clamping leg (411) and a first limiting block (412) arranged along the axial direction of the mounting shaft (41), the first clamping leg (411) and the first limiting block (412) abut against two opposite wall surfaces of the bearing (6), respectively, and the first clamping leg (411) and the first limiting block (412) jointly form the limiting structure.

7. The air intake assembly of claim 4, wherein: The mounting seat (51) is provided with a socket (511), the mounting shaft (41) is partially rotatably inserted into the socket (511), the mounting seat (51) has an upstream end face and a downstream end face which are arranged in sequence along the flow direction of the airflow, the upstream end face and the downstream end face are oppositely arranged, the mounting shaft (41) is provided with a second clamping leg (413) and a second limiting block (414) which are spaced apart along the axial direction of the mounting shaft (41), in the state that the mounting shaft (41) is inserted into the socket (511), the second clamping leg (413) reversely clamps the upstream end face of the mounting seat (51), and the second limiting block (414) abuts against the downstream end face of the mounting seat (51), and the second clamping leg (413) and the second limiting block (414) jointly constitute the limiting structure.

8. A cleaning machine characterized by, The air inlet assembly comprises a box body (1) and the air inlet assembly according to any one of claims 1-7, the air inlet pipe (2) is arranged on the outer wall surface of the box body (1), and the air outlet (22) of the air inlet pipe (2) is communicated with the washing cavity of the box body (1).

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