Drying tunnel assembly and clothes processing device

Abstract

The utility model provides a drying tunnel assembly and a clothes processing device.The drying tunnel assembly is used for the clothes processing device.The drying tunnel assembly comprises an air duct cover, a draught fan and a heating piece, the air duct cover comprises an air duct upper cover and an air duct lower cover which are connected with each other, and an air duct cavity is defined by the air duct upper cover and the air duct lower cover; the air duct cavity is provided with an air outlet and an air inlet penetrating through two ends of the air duct cover; the fan is connected to the air duct cover; an air supply outlet of the fan is communicated with the air inlet; the heating piece is arranged in the air duct cavity; wherein one of the air duct upper cover and the air duct lower cover is provided with a sealing convex rib, the other one of the air duct upper cover and the air duct lower cover is provided with a sealing groove, and the sealing convex rib abuts against the groove wall of the sealing groove so that the air duct upper cover and the air duct lower cover can be connected in a sealed mode. According to the embodiment, the mounting and dismounting efficiency of the drying tunnel cover can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of garment processing technology, and in particular to a drying tunnel assembly and a garment processing device. Background Technology

[0002] Garment handling equipment refers to a series of devices used in homes and laundromats to wash, dry, and remove wrinkles from clothes. These devices include washing machines, dryers, washer / dryer combos, garment care machines, steam irons, etc. In modern garment handling equipment, the drying function has become one of the key features for enhancing the user experience. With the fast pace of life, users' demand for quick drying of clothes after washing is increasing, and the drying tunnel assembly plays a crucial role. The drying tunnel assembly is not only responsible for guiding hot air flow through the clothes to achieve drying, but also involves maintaining thermal efficiency and the sealing of the machine's interior.

[0003] In related technologies, the drying duct cover with air duct cavity is formed by an upper shell and a lower shell, and the connection between the upper shell and the lower shell is fixed with multiple screws, which makes the installation and disassembly of the drying duct cover complicated and increases the difficulty of maintenance and repair. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a drying tunnel assembly and a garment processing device, which aims to improve the efficiency of installing and removing the drying tunnel cover.

[0005] On one hand, embodiments of this application provide a drying tunnel assembly for a garment processing device, the drying tunnel assembly comprising:

[0006] The air duct cover includes an upper air duct cover and a lower air duct cover that are connected to each other. The upper air duct cover and the lower air duct cover enclose and define an air duct cavity. The air duct cavity has an air outlet and an air inlet that run through both ends of the air duct cover.

[0007] A fan, connected to the duct cover, with its air outlet and air inlet connected; and

[0008] Heating element, located inside the air duct cavity;

[0009] The upper and lower covers of the duct are provided with a sealing rib, and the other cover is provided with a sealing groove. The sealing rib abuts against the wall of the sealing groove to make the upper and lower covers of the duct sealed together.

[0010] In some of these embodiments, the duct cover includes a cover body and a first connecting portion, the first connecting portion being connected to the outer edge of the cover body;

[0011] The lower cover of the air duct includes a lower cover body and a second connecting part, the second connecting part being connected to the outer edge of the lower cover body;

[0012] The upper cover body and the lower cover body are provided with a sealing rib, and the other of the upper cover body and the lower cover body are provided with a sealing groove. The first connecting part and the second connecting part are both used to connect with the outer wall surface of the tubular assembly of the clothing processing device.

[0013] In some embodiments, at least two first connecting portions are provided, and at least two first connecting portions are used for screwing onto the cylindrical assembly;

[0014] At least two second connecting parts are provided, and at least two second connecting parts are used for screwing onto the cylinder assembly;

[0015] Wherein, the line connecting at least two first connecting parts intersects with the line connecting at least two second connecting parts.

[0016] In some embodiments, at least one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is provided with a slot for engaging the water inlet pipe of the clothing handling device.

[0017] In some of these embodiments, when the number of slots is at least two, at least two slots are located on the same side of the duct cover.

[0018] In some embodiments, the lower cover body includes:

[0019] The main body segment, together with the upper cover body, defines a portion of the air duct cavity;

[0020] The air outlet section is connected to the main body section and is set at an angle to the main body section. The air outlet section has an air outlet and is used to connect with the door seal of the garment handling device so that the air outlet can communicate with the tube assembly.

[0021] The main body section and the air outlet section are integrally formed.

[0022] In some embodiments, one of the air outlet section and the air duct cover is provided with a through hole, and the other of the air outlet section and the air duct cover is provided with a hook. The through hole communicates with the air duct cavity, and the through hole and the hook are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction of the drying tunnel assembly.

[0023] The drying tunnel assembly also includes a temperature sensor, which is partially inserted through the through hole and has a snap-fit ​​hole that engages with a hook to limit the vertical movement of the upper and lower covers of the air duct.

[0024] In some embodiments, the latch is disposed on the upper cover of the air duct, and the latch includes:

[0025] The through-hole, one end of which is connected to the upper cover of the air duct, extends in a direction away from the upper cover of the air duct, and the through-hole passes through the snap-fit ​​hole; and

[0026] The hooking part is connected to the other end of the through part away from the air duct cover, and hooks with the outer wall surface of the temperature sensor away from the air duct cover.

[0027] In some embodiments, the air duct shroud also has a limiting groove, which communicates with the air duct cavity, and the drying duct assembly further includes:

[0028] The heat insulation component is located in the limiting groove and has a receiving cavity. The heating component is housed in the receiving cavity so that the heating component is spaced apart from the upper cover and lower cover of the air duct.

[0029] In some embodiments, the thermal insulation is a plastic thermal insulation; and / or

[0030] The upper cover of the air duct is made of plastic, and the lower cover of the air duct is also made of plastic.

[0031] In some of these embodiments, it also includes:

[0032] An elastic seal, in the form of a ring, is located at the connection between the duct cover and the fan to seal the connection between the fan's air outlet and the air inlet.

[0033] In some of these embodiments, the resilient seal is a silicone or rubber component.

[0034] In some embodiments, the drying duct assembly further includes snap-fit ​​buckles and snap holes, one of which is located on the upper cover of the duct and the other on the lower cover of the duct.

[0035] On the other hand, embodiments of this application also provide a garment processing device, including:

[0036] A tubular assembly has spaced-apart garment handling chambers and a discharge channel, the discharge channel having a connecting opening penetrating the side wall of the tubular assembly; and

[0037] In any of the above drying tunnel components, the side of the fan with the air inlet is attached to the side wall of the cylinder assembly, and the air inlet of the fan is connected to the connecting port so that the liquid entering the fan can be discharged to the outside through the discharge channel.

[0038] In some embodiments, the garment handling chamber has a garment inlet, and the garment handling device further includes:

[0039] A door seal, connected to the cylinder assembly and surrounding the garment inlet, and the end of the air duct cover having the air outlet connected to the door seal so that the air outlet communicates with the garment handling chamber; and

[0040] A spray head is installed on the door seal and arranged adjacent to the air duct cover, with the water outlet of the spray head located inside the air duct cavity.

[0041] In this embodiment, the sealing ribs and sealing grooves between the upper and lower covers of the air duct effectively ensure the airtightness of the air duct cavity, prevent the leakage of hot air inside the air duct cavity, and improve the drying efficiency of the clothing processing device.

[0042] Compared to related technologies, the connection between the upper and lower covers of the air duct is made by screws. The addition of sealing ribs and sealing grooves reduces the complexity of assembly and makes maintenance and replacement easier. Attached Figure Description

[0043] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a clothing processing device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a garment processing device provided in one embodiment of this application from another angle;

[0046] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Cross-sectional view along the AA direction;

[0047] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a drying tunnel assembly provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle;

[0049] Figure 6 An exploded view of a drying tunnel assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the drying tunnel assembly provided in one embodiment of this application from another angle;

[0051] Figure 8 This is an exploded view of the drying tunnel assembly provided in one embodiment of this application from another angle;

[0052] Figure 9 This is a structural schematic diagram of a clothing processing device provided in one embodiment of this application from another angle.

[0053] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0054] 100. Clothing processing device;

[0055] 10. Drying tunnel assembly; 11. Air duct cover; 11a. Air duct cavity; 11b. Air outlet; 11c. Air inlet; 11d. Limiting groove; 111. Air duct upper cover; 1111. Upper cover body; 1111a. Sealing groove; 1112. First connecting part; 1112a. Slot; 1113. Hook; 1114. Slot; 1113a. Through part; 1113b. Hooking part; 112. Air duct lower cover; 1121. Lower cover body ; 1121a, Sealing rib; 1121b, Main body section; 1121c, Air outlet section; 1121c1, Through hole; 1122, Second connecting part; 1123, Buckle; 12, Fan; 12a, Air outlet; 13, Heating element; 14, Temperature sensor; 141, Sensor body; 142, Snap-fit ​​part; 142a, Snap-fit ​​hole; 15, Heat insulation element; 15a, Receiving cavity; 16, Elastic sealing element; 16a, Annular groove;

[0056] 20. Tube assembly; 20a. Clothing handling chamber; 20a1. Clothing inlet; 20b. Discharge channel; 20b1. Connecting port; 30. Door seal; 40. Spray head; 50. Water inlet pipe; 60. Connecting parts. Detailed Implementation

[0057] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0058] This application relates to a clothing handling device. Currently, there are many types of clothing handling devices. Functionally, they typically include washing machines, dryers, and spin dryers. In modern clothing handling devices, drying has become a key feature for enhancing user experience. With the accelerating pace of life, users' demand for quick drying of clothes after washing is increasing. Furthermore, washing machines are typically designed for washing large quantities of household laundry and are relatively large, making them unsuitable for single individuals or users who need to wash small batches of clothes. In this situation, a more flexible and space-saving option is a countertop washing machine.

[0059] A countertop washing machine is a smaller version of a front-loading washing machine. Its compact size allows it to be placed on a table or countertop, making it ideal for studio apartments, dormitories, or small homes. Despite its small size, this type of washing machine includes a drying function, which significantly reduces the overall time spent processing clothes and improves efficiency.

[0060] The following description uses a desktop washing machine as an example to illustrate this embodiment; other clothing processing devices can be considered similarly.

[0061] Please see Figure 1 This embodiment provides a clothing processing device 100, including a cylinder assembly 20 and a drying tunnel assembly 10. The cylinder assembly 20 has a clothing processing chamber 20a for holding clothing to be processed. The clothing processing chamber 20a has a clothing inlet 20a1, through which a user can place clothing to be processed into the clothing processing chamber 20a. The drying tunnel assembly 10 is connected to the outer wall of the cylinder assembly 20 and extends along the axial direction of the cylinder assembly 20. The drying tunnel assembly 10 is used to generate hot air and blow the hot air into the clothing processing chamber 20a, thereby achieving the drying of clothing.

[0062] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The garment handling device 100 also includes a door seal 30, which is connected to the drum assembly 20 and surrounds the garment inlet 20a1. The door seal 30 cooperates with the door of the garment handling device 100 to provide a seal, ensuring that water and hot air in the garment handling chamber 20a do not leak to the outside through the garment inlet 20a1 when the garment handling device 100 is in operation. The end of the drying tunnel assembly 10 with an air outlet 11b is connected to the door seal 30 so that the air outlet 11b is located in the garment handling chamber 20a. The hot air blown out of the air outlet 11b can dry the clothes in the garment handling chamber 20a, directly acting on the clothes and helping to improve drying efficiency.

[0063] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 This embodiment also provides a drying tunnel assembly 10 for the clothing processing device 100. The drying tunnel assembly 10 includes an air duct cover 11, a fan 12, and a heating element 13. The air duct cover 11 has an air duct cavity 11a, in which airflow can flow. The air duct cavity 11a has an air outlet 11b and an air inlet 11c that run through both ends of the air duct cover 11. The heating element 13 is disposed in the air duct cavity 11a. The fan 12 is connected to the air duct cover 11. The air outlet 12a of the fan 12 is connected to the air inlet 11c. The function of the fan 12 is to generate airflow. When the fan 12 is started, it can blow external air from the air outlet 12a into the air inlet 11c. The airflow flows in the air duct cavity 11a. After being heated by the heating element 13 in the air duct cavity 11a, the hot air flows out from the air outlet 11b and participates in the drying process of the clothes.

[0064] Furthermore, the fan 12 can be connected to the outer wall of the cylinder assembly 20 by screwing, which provides a stable connection and is easy to disassemble.

[0065] Please continue reading. Figure 6It should be noted that the air duct cavity 11a is roughly a straight cavity, ensuring straight airflow and reducing turbulence and resistance during the flow process. This allows the airflow generated by the fan 12 to be efficiently directed towards the heating element 13, improving heat exchange efficiency. Furthermore, the heating element 13 is a positive temperature coefficient heater (PTC). Once a certain temperature is reached, the resistance of the PTC increases sharply, limiting the increase in current and power, achieving automated temperature control without the need for additional temperature control devices. The PTC can also respond quickly to temperature changes, rapidly heating and providing instant heat, making it suitable for applications requiring rapid temperature rise.

[0066] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 Specifically, the duct cover 11 includes an upper duct cover 111 and a lower duct cover 112 connected to each other. The lower duct cover 112 is disposed adjacent to the cylinder assembly 20, and the upper duct cover 111 is located on the side of the lower duct cover 112 away from the cylinder assembly 20. The upper duct cover 111 and the lower duct cover 112 enclose and define the aforementioned duct cavity 11a. One of the upper duct cover 111 and the lower duct cover 112 is provided with a sealing rib 1121a, and the other of the upper duct cover 111 and the lower duct cover 112 is provided with a sealing groove 1111a. The sealing rib 1121a abuts against the groove wall of the sealing groove 1111a, so that the upper duct cover 111 and the lower duct cover 112 are sealed together. The sealed connection ensures the airtightness of the duct cavity 11a and prevents heat loss and the infiltration of external air. During installation, the sealing rib 1121a is tightly pressed into the sealing groove 1111a to complete the assembly of the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct. Compared with related technologies, where the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct are connected by screws, the sealing rib 1121a and the sealing groove 1111a can reduce the complexity of assembly and reduce the difficulty of maintenance and replacement.

[0067] When the garment handling device 100 is a countertop washing machine, its small size means that using traditional screw connections to link the upper duct cover 111 and the lower duct cover 112 would occupy internal space, limiting the layout and design of other components. Furthermore, the precise alignment and tightening required by screw connections become more complex and difficult in a miniaturized countertop washing machine. Subsequent maintenance or replacement of the duct cover 11 is also inconvenient, requiring the removal of all screws and the use of additional tools. Over time, the screws may loosen, leading to decreased sealing performance and affecting drying efficiency.

[0068] The use of sealing ribs 1121a and sealing grooves 1111a simplifies the assembly process, reduces space requirements, and is suitable for miniaturized desktop washing machines. Furthermore, the absence of exposed screws makes the appearance of the air duct cover 11 neater and more aesthetically pleasing.

[0069] In one configuration, the sealing rib 1121a is press-fitted into the sealing groove 1111a, meaning the size of the sealing rib 1121a is slightly larger than the size of the sealing groove 1111a. During assembly, the sealing rib 1121a can be squeezed into the sealing groove 1111a, generating tight contact and pressure, reducing vibration or loosening displacement during operation, reducing internal hot air leakage, and improving drying efficiency.

[0070] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 To facilitate the connection between the sealing rib 1121a and the sealing groove 1111a, in some embodiments, the drying tunnel assembly 10 further includes a snap-fit ​​buckle 1123 and a snap-fit ​​hole 1114. One of the snap-fit ​​buckle 1123 and the snap-fit ​​hole 1114 is located on the upper cover 111 of the air duct, and the other is located on the lower cover 112 of the air duct. Understandably, in one configuration, the snap-fit ​​buckle 1123 is located on the outer wall of the lower cover 112 of the air duct and is located on the side close to the upper cover 111 of the air duct, while the snap-fit ​​hole 1114 is located on the outer wall of the upper cover 111 of the air duct and is located on the side close to the lower cover 112 of the air duct. The snap-fit ​​buckle 1123 and the snap-fit ​​hole 1114 are correspondingly provided. During the process of the installer snapping the snap-fit ​​buckle 1123 and the snap-fit ​​hole 1114 together, the sealing rib 1121a is also simultaneously embedded in the sealing groove 1111a, making the installation process simpler and more direct, without the need for complicated alignment and adjustment steps.

[0071] The buckle 1123 and the locking hole 1114 can further strengthen the connection between the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct, provide additional fixing points, enhance the structural stability of the connection between the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct, reduce the risk of structural displacement caused by vibration or thermal expansion, prevent the air duct cover 11 from being accidentally opened during the use of the drying duct assembly 10, and improve the safety of use.

[0072] Furthermore, the upper cover 111 and lower cover 112 of the air duct in the related technology are generally made of aluminum alloy or sheet metal, which are heavy. For compact small home appliances such as desktop washing machines, their overall weight is too heavy. It is necessary to seal them by inserting a sealing strip between the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct and fix them with screws on both sides in the circumferential direction, which makes fixing troublesome and has many screw posts.

[0073] To address the aforementioned issues, in this embodiment, the upper duct cover 111 is made of high-temperature resistant plastic, and the lower duct cover 112 is also made of high-temperature resistant plastic. Firstly, the lightweight nature of plastic components makes them ideal for small products like desktop washing machines where weight is a critical factor. This lightweight design helps reduce the overall weight of the machine, making the desktop washing machine more portable and reducing the burden on the desktop. Secondly, plastic components can be manufactured into more refined and complex structures, such as the sealing ribs 1121a, sealing grooves 1111a, snap-fit ​​1123, and locking holes 1114 in this embodiment. These refined structural designs improve sealing performance and simplify the installation process, eliminating the need for numerous screws to secure the upper and lower duct covers 111 and 112.

[0074] Please continue reading. Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 To prevent the heating element 13 from directly contacting the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct, in some embodiments, the air duct cover 11 also has a limiting groove 11d. Understandably, the limiting groove 11d is disposed on the cavity wall of the air duct cavity 11a and communicates with the air duct cavity 11a. The drying tunnel assembly 10 also includes a heat insulation element 15, a portion of which is embedded in the limiting groove 11d to prevent displacement of the heat insulation element 15 within the air duct cavity 11a, ensuring its stability. The heat insulation element 15 also has a receiving cavity 15a, in which the aforementioned heating element 13 is housed. The receiving cavity 15a provides a stable mounting position for the heat insulation element 15, ensuring that the heating element 13 is spaced apart from the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct. This spaced arrangement not only improves safety but also reduces heat transfer to the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct, helping to heat the flowing air more effectively, thereby improving drying efficiency.

[0075] It should be noted that the receiving cavity 15a is not a sealed cavity, and the airflow around the heating element 13 is unobstructed. This allows the heating element 13 to effectively heat the airflow without reducing heating efficiency due to being enclosed within the receiving cavity 15a. The heat insulation element 15 includes a first heat insulation portion and a second heat insulation portion, which forms the receiving cavity 15a. The heating element 13 is sandwiched between the first heat insulation portion and the second heat insulation portion, and tightly surrounds the four corners of the heating element 13 so that the heating element 13 does not directly contact the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct.

[0076] The heat insulation component 15 is a high-temperature resistant plastic heat insulation component 15, capable of withstanding the high temperatures generated by the heating element 13, and will not deform due to prolonged contact with the heating element 13, ensuring the long-term use of the drying tunnel assembly 10. The plastic component also has good electrical insulation properties, effectively preventing the risk of electric leakage caused by the heat generated by the heating element 13, thus improving safety. Furthermore, the plastic material can be manufactured into complex shapes and structures through processes such as injection molding, allowing the plastic heat insulation component 15 to better clamp the heating element 13.

[0077] Please continue reading. Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, the upper cover 111 of the air duct includes an upper cover body 1111 and a first connecting portion 1112, and the lower cover 112 of the air duct includes a lower cover body 1121 and a second connecting portion 1122. The first connecting portion 1112 is connected to the outer edge of the upper cover body 1111, and the second connecting portion 1122 is connected to the outer edge of the lower cover body 1121. Both the first connecting portion 1112 and the second connecting portion 1122 are used to connect to the outer wall surface of the tubular assembly 20 of the clothing handling device 100. The second connecting portion 1122 can fix the position of the air duct cover 11 connected to the tubular assembly 20, so that... The air duct cover 11 remains stable during the operation of the clothes handling device 100. The first connecting part 1112 is connected to the upper cover body 1111 and the drum assembly 20. That is, the first connecting part 1112 provides additional pressing force, so that the upper cover 111 of the air duct firmly presses the lower cover 112 of the air duct and locks the air duct cover 11 to the drum assembly 20. The connection between the first connecting part 1112 and the second connecting part 1122 and the drum assembly 20 forms a solid connection. This dual connection method improves the stability and reliability of the entire drying duct assembly 10 and reduces the problem of loose connection caused by washing machine vibration.

[0078] One of the upper cover body 1111 and the lower cover body 1121 is provided with a sealing rib 1121a, and the other of the upper cover body 1111 and the lower cover body 1121 is provided with a sealing groove 1111a. Understandably, in one configuration, the upper cover body 1111 is provided with a sealing groove 1111a, and the lower cover body 1121 is provided with a sealing rib 1121a protruding towards the upper cover body 1111. That is, the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct are connected by vertical insertion, making the installation process more intuitive and simple. This vertical connection method helps to provide better pressure distribution in the vertical direction between the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct, so as to form a more effective seal between the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct, reducing heat loss and infiltration of external air. Moreover, the vertical connection provides better structural stability, can withstand more vertical forces, and reduce vibration and deformation of the air duct cover 11 during operation. In another configuration, the lower cover body 1121 is provided with a sealing groove 1111a, while the upper cover body 1111 is provided with a sealing rib 1121a protruding in the direction of the lower cover body 1121, which can be adapted to meet the requirements.

[0079] Understandably, the first connecting part 1112 and the upper cover body 1111 are integrally formed, while the second connecting part 1122 and the lower cover body 1121 are integrally formed. Integral forming can reduce weak points at the connection, improve the structural strength and durability of the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct, and help to achieve a better seal between the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct, reducing gaps and potential leakage points.

[0080] In one configuration, at least two first connecting portions 1112 are provided, each for screwing onto the cylinder assembly 20. Similarly, at least two second connecting portions 1122 are provided, also for screwing onto the cylinder assembly 20. Providing at least two first connecting portions 1112 and at least two second connecting portions 1122 offers more fixing points, making the connection between the drying duct assembly 10 and the cylinder assembly 20 more secure and reducing noise and potential damage risks caused by vibration. Furthermore, the screwing method enhances connection strength, ensuring a tight connection between the upper and lower covers of the air duct 111 and the lower cover 112 with the cylinder assembly 20, reducing the risk of the air duct cover 11 loosening or falling off.

[0081] Furthermore, during subsequent maintenance, screw-in components can be installed or removed with a simple rotation, without the need for complex tools or techniques. This makes maintenance and component replacement simple and quick.

[0082] Please see Figure 7 and Figure 8In this configuration, the line connecting at least two first connecting portions 1112 intersects the line connecting at least two second connecting portions 1122. Specifically, at least two first connecting portions 1112 are located on opposite axial sides of the upper cover body 1111, and at least two second connecting portions 1122 are located on opposite axial sides of the lower cover body 1121. Furthermore, the projections of the at least two first connecting portions 1112 and at least two second connecting portions 1122 in the vertical direction do not overlap. This allows for a more even distribution of pressure along both sides of the duct cover 11, preventing the pressing force of the two first connecting portions 1112 from concentrating on one side and resulting in poor pressing effect on the other side of the duct cover 11. Because both sides have a pressing effect, this configuration more effectively ensures the seal between the upper duct cover 111 and the lower duct cover 112, reduces air leakage, improves drying efficiency, and prevents the duct cover 11 from twisting during installation or use, maintaining its shape and functional integrity.

[0083] In other embodiments, the first connecting portion 1112 and the second connecting portion 1122 may be provided in three or more quantities, and this application does not limit this.

[0084] like Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 9 In some embodiments, at least one of the first connecting part 1112 and the second connecting part 1122 is provided with a slot 1112a. The slot 1112a is used to hold the water inlet pipe 50 of the clothing handling device 100. The water inlet pipe 50 can be confined within the slot 1112a. That is, the slot 1112a provides a fixed holding position for the water inlet pipe 50, making the arrangement path of the water inlet pipe 50 more regular and reducing the risk of the water inlet pipe 50 being displaced and colliding with the air duct cover 11 due to vibration of the clothing handling device 100 or external force.

[0085] When there are two slots 1112a, the two slots 1112a are located on the same side of the air duct cover 11, so that the water inlet pipe 50 can be sequentially inserted into the two slots 1112a along the extension direction of the air duct cover 11. This makes the pipe arrangement of the water inlet pipe 50 more neat and orderly. In addition, the two slots 1112a provide two locking points, which enhances the stability of the connection of the water inlet pipe 50 compared with a single locking point and reduces the risk of the water inlet pipe 50 falling off due to external vibration.

[0086] Understandably, when there are multiple first connecting parts 1112 and second connecting parts 1122, there may also be multiple card slots 1112a, and this application does not limit this.

[0087] Specifically, both the first connecting portion 1112 and the second connecting portion 1122 include an installation portion and an extension portion connected to the installation portion. The installation portion has a connecting hole. The drying tunnel assembly 10 also includes a connector 60, which is connected to the cylinder assembly 20 by being inserted into the connecting hole. Understandably, when the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct are both screwed to the cylinder assembly 20, the connector 60 is a screw-on connector. The extension portion surrounds the circumference of the connecting hole and extends along the disassembly direction of the connector 60. The extension portion can guide the installation of the connector 60, ensuring it is accurately inserted into the connecting hole. It can also protect the connector 60 inside the connecting hole, reducing the intrusion of moisture and other contaminants, lowering the risk of failure due to corrosion, and extending the service life of the connector 60.

[0088] Furthermore, the integrated design of the extension section and the installation section enhances the stability of the first connection section 1112 and the second connection section 1122, reducing the risk of damage caused by improper stress on the connector 60.

[0089] Please continue reading. Figure 9 Furthermore, the slot 1112a is provided in the extension portion and communicates with the connection hole. The water inlet pipe 50 can be axially engaged in the slot 1112a towards the cylinder assembly 20. The clothing treatment device 100 also includes a spray head 40, which is provided at the door seal 30, connected radially along the door seal 30, and arranged adjacent to the air duct cover 11. The water inlet of the spray head 40 is connected to the water inlet pipe 50, which simplifies the connection path between the water inlet pipe 50 and the spray head 40 and reduces the installation difficulty. The water outlet of the spray head 40 is provided in the air duct cavity 11a, that is, the water outlet is connected to the end of the air duct cover 11 with the air outlet 11b, so that the water outlet of the spray head 40 can use the diameter of the air outlet 11b. Since the diameter of the air outlet 11b is relatively wide, the water outlet of the spray head 40 is smoother. This embodiment makes the arrangement of the water inlet pipe 50, spray head 40 and drying tunnel assembly 10 more compact, reducing the space occupied inside the desktop washing machine and allowing more space on the drum assembly 20 to install counterweights.

[0090] In related technologies, since the duct cover 11 is made of metal, placing the spray head 40 close to the duct cover 11 can cause heat transfer from the metal duct cover 11 to the spray head 40. However, in this application, the embodiment with the duct upper cover 111 and duct lower cover 112 made of plastic components has a lower thermal conductivity than metal, effectively isolating heat and reducing heat transfer. Therefore, even if there is some contact between the spray head 40 and the duct cover 11 when the spray head 40 is placed close to the duct cover 11, the spray head 40 will not overheat, thus improving the safety of the equipment.

[0091] like Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 9 As shown, in some embodiments, the lower cover body 1121 includes a main body section 1121b and an air outlet section 1121c. The main body section 1121b and the upper cover 111 of the air duct together define a portion of the air duct cavity 11a. The air outlet section 1121c is connected to the main body section 1121b and is set at an angle to the main body section 1121b. The air outlet section 1121c has a pipe structure and has the aforementioned air outlet 11b. The angle with the main body section 1121b allows adjustment of the orientation of the air outlet 11b. The air outlet section 1121c is used to connect with the door seal 30 of the clothing processing device 100. The air outlet section 1121c is inserted radially into the door seal 30 so that the air outlet 11b communicates with the clothing processing cavity 20a of the cylinder assembly 20, so that hot air is blown more directly into the clothing processing cavity 20a, which can dry the clothes more evenly and avoid local overheating or uneven drying.

[0092] The main body section 1121b and the air outlet section 1121c are integrally formed. Compared with the related technologies, which use an adapter to connect the door seal 30 and the duct cover 11, the integrally formed design of this embodiment eliminates the need for an additional adapter, simplifies the manufacturing and installation process, and makes the overall structure of the duct cover 11 more robust. If an adapter is used, gaps and weak points may be generated at the connection, resulting in a better sealing at the air outlet 11b.

[0093] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, one of the air outlet section 1121c and the air duct cover 111 is provided with a through hole 1121c1, and the other of the air outlet section 1121c and the air duct cover 111 is provided with a hook 1113. The through hole 1121c1 communicates with the air duct cavity 11a. The through hole 1121c1 and the hook 1113 are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction of the drying tunnel assembly 10. The drying tunnel assembly 10 also includes a temperature sensor 14. A portion of the temperature sensor 14 passes through the through hole 1121c1, which can monitor the temperature in the air duct cavity 11a near the air outlet 11b, thereby achieving more precise temperature control and improving drying efficiency and drying quality. Furthermore, the temperature sensor 14 has a snap-fit ​​hole 142a. Specifically, the temperature sensor 14 includes a sensor body 141 and a snap-fit ​​part 142. The sensor body 141 and the snap-fit ​​part 142 are connected at an angle. The snap-fit ​​hole 142a is provided on the snap-fit ​​part 142. The snap-fit ​​hole 142a is fastened to the hook 1113, so that the temperature sensor 14 is securely connected to the air duct cover 11 and is easy to install.

[0094] Understandably, the combination of the hook 1113 inserted into the snap-fit ​​hole 142a and the part of the temperature sensor 14 inserted into the through hole 1121c1 is equivalent to adding a limiting structure to the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct. This can limit the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct to each other in the vertical direction, enhance the connection strength between the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct, prevent the upper cover 111 and the lower cover 112 of the air duct from undergoing relative displacement in the vertical direction under the action of vibration or thermal expansion and contraction, and improve the stability of the connection.

[0095] The temperature sensor 14 is a negative temperature coefficient thermistor (NTC). NTC thermistors are small in size, making them easy to integrate into a compact desktop washing machine, suitable for the compact design of modern garment handling devices 100. NTC thermistors provide high-precision temperature measurement, enabling the garment handling device 100 to more accurately control the drying temperature and provide protection against overheating by monitoring abnormal temperatures to prevent equipment damage or safety accidents.

[0096] Please continue reading. Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 Specifically, in one configuration, a hook 1113 is disposed on the upper cover 111 of the air duct, connected to the outer side wall of the upper cover body 1111, and located on the side near the lower cover 112 of the air duct. The hook 1113 includes a through portion 1113a and a hook portion 1113b. One end of the through portion 1113a is connected to the upper cover 111 of the air duct and extends in a direction away from the upper cover 111 of the air duct. The through portion 1113a passes through the snap-fit ​​hole 142a, while the hook portion 1113b is connected to the other end of the through portion 1113a away from the upper cover 111 of the air duct. The hook portion 1113b and the through portion 1113a... Part 1113a is connected at an angle and hooks with the outer wall surface of the temperature sensor 14 away from the air duct cover 111, that is, hooked on the outer wall surface of the latching part 142 away from the air duct cover 111. The latching part 1113b can restrict the temperature sensor 14 from moving away from the air duct cover 111. When the temperature sensor 14 moves toward the through hole 1121c1, the latching part 142 can abut against the outer wall of the air duct cover 111 and the lower cover 112, so that the temperature sensor 14 cannot be completely submerged in the through hole 1121c1, so that it can perform temperature monitoring in the correct position.

[0097] Please continue reading. Figure 6To achieve a tight connection between the air outlet 12a of the fan 12 and the air inlet 11c of the duct cover 11, in some embodiments, the drying tunnel assembly 10 further includes an elastic seal 16. The elastic seal 16 has an annular structure, meaning it has an opening. The elastic seal 16 is arranged around the end of the fan 12 with the air outlet 12a through the opening and is sleeved at the connection between the duct cover 11 and the fan 12. Specifically, the side of the elastic seal 16 facing the duct cover 11 has an annular groove 16a. The end of the air duct cover 11 with the air inlet 11c is embedded in the annular groove 16a. The elastic seal 16 can effectively abut against the air duct cover 11 and the fan 12 by elastic contact, so as to seal the connection between the air outlet 12a of the fan 12 and the air inlet 11c, reduce the loss of airflow, and ensure that the airflow between the air outlet 12a of the fan 12 and the air inlet 11c of the air duct cover 11 will not leak, so as to ensure that more airflow enters the air duct cover 11, thereby improving the drying efficiency.

[0098] Furthermore, due to the elasticity of the elastic seal 16, even if the dimensions of the air outlet 12a of the fan 12 and the air inlet 11c of the duct cover 11 are slightly different, it can provide good adaptability. The elasticity of the elastic seal 16 effectively fills the gap at the connection between the fan 12 and the duct cover 11, thereby enhancing the sealing effect.

[0099] For example, the elastic seal 16 can be a silicone part or a rubber part. The silicone part has good high temperature resistance and can maintain its elasticity at high temperatures; while the rubber part has good wear resistance and can withstand long-term use and wear, effectively preventing air leakage.

[0100] In some other embodiments, the fan 12 has a housing and fan blades installed in the housing. The housing of the fan 12 is integrally formed with the air duct cover 11. In this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide an elastic sealing element 16 to seal the air outlet 12a of the fan 12 and the air inlet 11c of the air duct cover 11. This application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0101] In related technologies, the air inlet of the fan 12 of the drying tunnel assembly 10 is usually set in the direction away from the drum assembly 20. However, when the drying tunnel assembly 10 is not in use, for example, when the clothes handling device 100 is washing clothes, the washing foam and liquid generated may flow into the air duct cavity 11a along the air outlet 11b of the drying tunnel assembly 10, and then enter the interior of the clothes handling device 100 through the air inlet of the fan 12, thereby affecting the normal operation of the internal components.

[0102] To solve the above problems, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the tubular assembly 20 of this embodiment has a discharge channel 20b spaced apart from the clothing processing chamber 20a. The discharge channel 20b has a connecting port 20b1 that penetrates the side wall of the tubular assembly 20. The fan 12 has an air inlet on one side that is attached to the side wall of the tubular assembly 20, so that the air inlet of the fan 12 is connected to the connecting port 20b1. When foam and liquid flow into the air duct chamber 11a and out of the air inlet, they can enter the discharge channel 20b through the connecting port 20b1. The discharge channel 20b also has a discharge port. The discharge channel 20b is connected to and communicates with the discharge pipe (not shown). The discharge pipe is connected to the outside, thereby ensuring that the foam and liquid entering the air duct chamber 11a can be safely discharged to the outside of the clothing processing device 100, avoiding damage to the internal components of the clothing processing device 100.

[0103] In the description of this application, it should be understood that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" 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 application 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, the terms used to describe positional relationships in the accompanying drawings are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting this patent. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0104] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as implying or suggesting relative importance or implicitly indicating 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 application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0105] In the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0106] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0107] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A drying tunnel assembly for a garment processing device, characterized in that, The drying tunnel assembly includes: The air duct cover includes an upper air duct cover and a lower air duct cover that are connected to each other. The upper air duct cover and the lower air duct cover enclose and define an air duct cavity. The air duct cavity has an air outlet and an air inlet that pass through both ends of the air duct cover. A fan, connected to the duct cover, wherein the fan's air outlet is connected to the air inlet; and A heating element is disposed within the air duct cavity; The upper cover and the lower cover of the air duct are provided with a sealing rib, and the other cover is provided with a sealing groove. The sealing rib is press-fitted into the sealing groove so that the upper cover and the lower cover of the air duct are sealed together.

2. The drying tunnel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air duct cover includes a cover body and a first connecting part, the first connecting part being connected to the outer edge of the cover body; The lower cover of the air duct includes a lower cover body and a second connecting part, wherein the second connecting part is connected to the outer edge of the lower cover body; The upper cover body and the lower cover body are provided with the sealing rib, and the other of the upper cover body and the lower cover body is provided with the sealing groove. The first connecting part and the second connecting part are both used to connect with the outer wall surface of the tubular assembly of the clothing processing device.

3. The drying tunnel assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first connecting part is provided in at least two parts, and at least two of the first connecting parts are used to be screwed to the cylindrical assembly; The second connecting part is provided in at least two parts, and the at least two second connecting parts are used to be screwed to the cylinder assembly; Wherein, the line connecting at least two of the first connecting parts intersects with the line connecting at least two of the second connecting parts.

4. The drying tunnel assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, At least one of the first connecting part and the second connecting part is provided with a slot, which is used to hold the water inlet pipe of the clothing processing device.

5. The drying tunnel assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the number of the card slots is at least two, at least two of the card slots are located on the same side of the air duct cover.

6. The drying tunnel assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lower cover body includes: The main body segment, together with the upper cover body, defines a portion of the air duct cavity; An air outlet section is connected to the main body section and is set at an angle to the main body section. The air outlet section has the air outlet and is used to connect to the door seal of the clothing handling device so that the air outlet communicates with the tube assembly. The main body section and the air outlet section are integrally formed.

7. The drying tunnel assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, One of the air outlet section and the air duct cover is provided with a through hole, and the other of the air outlet section and the air duct cover is provided with a hook. The through hole communicates with the air duct cavity, and the through hole and the hook are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction of the drying tunnel assembly. The drying tunnel assembly also includes a temperature sensor, which is partially inserted through the through hole and has a snap-fit ​​hole that engages with the hook to limit the vertical movement of the upper and lower duct cover.

8. The drying tunnel assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The hook is disposed on the upper cover of the air duct, and the hook includes: A through-hole, one end of which is connected to the upper cover of the air duct and extends in a direction away from the upper cover of the air duct, the through-hole passing through the snap-fit ​​hole; and The hooking part is connected to the other end of the through part away from the air duct cover, and hooks with the outer wall surface of the temperature sensor away from the air duct cover.

9. The drying tunnel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air duct cover also has a limiting groove, which communicates with the air duct cavity. The drying tunnel assembly further includes: A heat insulation component is located within the limiting groove. The heat insulation component has a receiving cavity, and the heating component is housed within the receiving cavity, such that the heating component is spaced apart from the upper cover and the lower cover of the air duct.

10. The drying tunnel assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that, The heat insulation component is a plastic heat insulation component; and / or The upper cover of the air duct is a plastic upper cover, and the lower cover of the air duct is a plastic lower cover.

11. The drying tunnel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: An elastic seal, in the form of a ring, is located at the connection between the duct cover and the fan to seal the connection between the fan's air outlet and the air inlet.

12. The drying tunnel assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that, The elastic seal is made of silicone or rubber.

13. The drying tunnel assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The drying tunnel assembly also includes a snap-fit ​​buckle and a snap-fit ​​hole, one of which is located on the upper cover of the air duct and the other is located on the lower cover of the air duct.

14. A garment processing device, characterized in that, include: A tubular assembly has spaced-apart garment handling chambers and a discharge channel, the discharge channel having a connecting opening that penetrates the side wall of the tubular assembly; as well as The drying tunnel assembly as described in any one of claims 1-13, wherein the fan has an air inlet side attached to the side wall of the cylinder assembly, and the air inlet of the fan is connected to the communication port so that the liquid entering the fan can be discharged to the outside through the discharge channel.

15. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that, The garment processing chamber has a garment inlet, and the garment processing device further includes: A door seal, connected to the cylinder assembly and surrounding the garment inlet, and the end of the air duct cover having the air outlet connected to the door seal so that the air outlet communicates with the garment handling chamber; and A spray head is installed on the door seal and arranged adjacent to the air duct cover, with the water outlet of the spray head located inside the air duct cavity.

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