Air duct structure and washing electric appliance

Abstract

The utility model discloses an air duct structure and a washing electric appliance, the washing electric appliance comprises an inner container, the air duct structure comprises an air inlet assembly, the air inlet assembly communicates with the inner container, the air inlet assembly comprises an air inlet part, a connecting part and a ventilation pipe which are connected in sequence, and the two ends of the connecting part are detachably connected with the air inlet part and the ventilation pipe correspondingly; the air inlet part is connected with the top wall of an inner container of the washing electric appliance, the ventilation pipe is arranged on the side wall of the inner container, the connecting part is an elastic piece, the air inlet part is provided with a fan, and the connecting part is arranged adjacent to the fan. Thus, the air inlet part and the ventilation pipe can be simply and rapidly connected through the connecting part, the air inlet part is connected with the top wall of the inner container of the washing electric appliance, the ventilation pipe is arranged on the side wall of the inner container, and the installation convenience and the assembly efficiency are improved while the sealing reliability is guaranteed. In addition, the air inlet assembly is of a multi-section structure, parts with different functions are convenient to disassemble and compatible, and the integration performance of the air duct structure is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of household appliance technology, and in particular to an air duct structure and a washing appliance. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, washing appliances include an inner tank and a heat pump drying system, as well as a duct structure connecting the inner tank and the heat pump drying system. To ensure the airtightness of the duct structure, the assembly precision requirements for the connection between the duct structure and the heat pump drying system and / or the inner tank are high, which leads to problems such as complex structure and inconvenient assembly. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application provides an air duct structure and a washing appliance, which at least solves the technical problem of how to better integrate the air duct structure with the inner tank.

[0004] The air duct structure of this application is applied to a washing appliance. The washing appliance includes an inner tank, and the air duct structure includes an air intake assembly. The air intake assembly is connected to the inner tank. The air intake assembly includes an air intake part, a connecting part, and a vent pipe connected in sequence. The two ends of the connecting part are detachably connected to the air intake part and the vent pipe, respectively. The air intake part is connected to the top wall of the inner tank of the washing appliance. The vent pipe is located on the side wall of the inner tank. The connecting part is an elastic element. The air intake part is equipped with a fan, and the connecting part is located adjacent to the fan.

[0005] In the duct structure of this embodiment, the air inlet and the vent pipe are detachably connected at both ends of the connecting part, allowing for simple and quick connection. The air inlet is connected to the top wall of the washing machine's inner tank, while the vent pipe is located on the side wall of the inner tank. This design ensures reliable sealing while improving installation convenience and assembly efficiency. Furthermore, the multi-segment structure of the air inlet assembly facilitates disassembly and compatibility with components of different functions, improving the integration performance of the duct structure. The connecting part is an elastic element, providing cushioning at the connection between the air inlet and the vent pipe, thus enhancing connection reliability.

[0006] In some embodiments, the connecting portion extends along the vertical direction of the inner liner and is located adjacent to the connection between the top wall and the side wall of the inner liner.

[0007] In some embodiments, the connecting portion is provided with at least one fastener for securing the connecting portion to the vent pipe, and / or, the fastener is used to secure the connecting portion to the air intake portion.

[0008] The connecting part is provided with a stop flange, and the fastener includes a collar and a hook connected to the collar. The collar is sleeved on the outside of the connecting part, and the collar abuts against the stop flange along its own axis. The vent pipe and / or air inlet part are engaged with the corresponding hook.

[0009] In some embodiments, at least one of the vent pipe and the air inlet is provided with a locking block, and a hook engages with the locking block.

[0010] In some embodiments, the collar includes a ring body and a stepped surface. The ring body is circumferentially encircled and extends axially along the collar. One end of the ring body abuts against a stop flange along the axial direction. The radial dimension of the stop flange is larger than the inner diameter of the ring body. A hook is provided on the stepped surface.

[0011] In some embodiments, the connecting portion has a corrugated structure, and the connecting portion is capable of extending and retracting along its own length direction; and, or,

[0012] The length of the connection is less than 1 / 3 of the length of the vent tube.

[0013] The washing appliance of this application includes an air duct structure of any embodiment, and the air duct structure further includes a heat exchange housing that communicates with the air intake assembly, and the heat exchange housing houses the heat exchanger of the heat pump drying system.

[0014] In some embodiments, the heat exchanger includes an evaporator and a condenser, which are spaced apart within the heat exchange housing.

[0015] In some embodiments, along the flow direction of the heat exchange shell, the evaporator is located upstream of the condenser. The evaporator is used to cool the gas flowing out of the inner tank of the washing machine, and the condenser is used to heat the gas flowing into the inner tank. The heat pump drying system is configured to cool and dehumidify the gas flowing out of the inner tank of the washing machine by the evaporator, and then heat it by the condenser before returning it to the inner tank of the washing machine.

[0016] In some embodiments, the inner tank includes a bottom wall and a side wall connected to the bottom wall, and the washing appliance includes at least one of an exhaust assembly, an air intake assembly, and an exhaust pipe connected to a corresponding heat exchange housing via a flexible duct joint, the duct joint extending in the vertical direction of the inner tank and disposed adjacent to the junction of the bottom wall and the side wall.

[0017] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this application will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a washing appliance according to certain embodiments of this application;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the inner liner structure of some embodiments of this application;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the air duct structure according to some embodiments of this application;

[0022] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the air duct structure according to some embodiments of this application;

[0023] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the air intake assembly according to certain embodiments of this application;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure in some embodiments of this application;

[0025] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the connection structure;

[0026] Figure 8 This is an exploded view of the connection structure in some embodiments of this application;

[0027] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the connection portion in some embodiments of this application;

[0028] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the connection part;

[0029] Figure 11 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the connection portion in some embodiments of this application;

[0030] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fastener according to certain embodiments of this application;

[0031] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the drying principle of a washing appliance according to certain embodiments of this application.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0033] 1000-Washing appliance, 1100-Inner tank, 1101-Side wall, 1105-Top wall, 1106-Bottom wall, 1200-Heat pump drying system;

[0034] 100-Air duct structure, 10-Heat exchange shell, 12-Heat exchange chamber, 13-Interface part, 133-First interface part, 134-Second interface part, 150-Air duct connector, 151-First connector, 152-Second connector, 180-Fastener, 181-Loop ring, 1811-Ring body, 1812-Step surface, 182-Hook, 191-Block, 192-Limiting rib, 200-Connecting structure;

[0035] 20-Evaporator, 30-Condenser, 40-Fan, 60-Compressor, 70-Inlet assembly, 71-Vent pipe, 72-Inlet section, 721-Receiving shell, 722-Plug-in end, 73-Connecting part, 731-Corrugated structure, 732-Stop flange, 80-Exhaust pipe, 90-Throttling device. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the embodiments of this application, and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of this application.

[0037] In the description of the embodiments of this application, 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," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, 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 indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0038] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linkage" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows for communication; 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. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0039] In embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0040] The following disclosure provides numerous different embodiments or examples for implementing various structures of the embodiments of this application. To simplify the disclosure of the embodiments of this application, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. Of course, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Reference numerals and / or reference letters may be repeated in different examples of the embodiments of this application; such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed. Furthermore, the embodiments of this application provide examples of various specific processes and materials, but those skilled in the art will recognize the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0041] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 13 The washing appliance 1000 includes an inner tank 1100 and a heat pump drying system 1200. The inner tank 1100 provides a place for washing and containing objects to be cleaned, therefore, moisture easily accumulates in the inner tank 1100 after washing, making the air humid. The heat pump drying system 1200 is used to dry the hot and humid air flowing out of the inner tank 1100, and can be connected to the inner tank 1100 through an air duct structure 100, so that the hot and humid air in the inner tank 1100 can flow into the heat pump drying system 1200, and the dried air can flow back into the inner tank 1100, thus achieving the effect of drying the objects in the inner tank 1100. The washing appliance 1000 is, for example, a dishwasher, and the objects to be cleaned are, for example, tableware, cups, kitchen utensils, etc.

[0042] It should be noted that the dried air mentioned above is relative to the humid and hot air in the inner liner 1100, and does not mean that the air contains no moisture at all.

[0043] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4The air duct structure 100 of this application embodiment is used in a washing appliance 1000. The washing appliance 1000 includes an inner tank 1100. The air duct structure 100 includes an air intake assembly 70, which is connected to the inner tank 1100. The air intake assembly 70 includes an air intake part 72, a connecting part 73, and a vent pipe 71 connected in sequence. The two ends of the connecting part 73 are detachably connected to the air intake part 72 and the vent pipe 71, respectively. The air intake part 72 is connected to the top wall 1105 of the inner tank 1100 of the washing appliance 1000. The vent pipe 71 is provided on the side wall 1101 of the inner tank 1100. The connecting part 73 is an elastic member. The air intake part 72 is provided with a fan 40. The connecting part 73 is provided adjacent to the fan 40.

[0044] In the air duct structure 100 of this embodiment, the air inlet 72 and the vent pipe 71 are detachably connected at both ends of the connecting part 73, allowing for a simple and quick connection between the air inlet 72 and the vent pipe 71. The air inlet 72 is connected to the top wall 1105 of the inner tank 1100 of the washing appliance 1000, and the vent pipe 71 is located on the side wall 1101 of the inner tank 1100. This design ensures reliable sealing while improving installation convenience and assembly efficiency. Furthermore, the multi-segment structure of the air inlet assembly 70 facilitates disassembly and compatibility with components of different functions, improving the integration performance of the air duct structure 100. The connecting part 73 is an elastic element, which also provides cushioning at the connection between the air inlet 72 and the vent pipe 71, improving connection reliability.

[0045] Specifically, the air intake assembly 70 is connected to the inner liner 1100, allowing the humid and hot air inside the inner liner 1100 to be discharged. The air intake section 72, the connecting section 73, and the vent pipe 71 are connected sequentially along the airflow direction in the air intake assembly 70. The connecting section 73 can be connected to the air intake section 72 and the vent pipe 71 through one or more methods such as plug-in connection, snap-fit ​​connection, or detachable fastener connection. For example, one end of the air intake section 72 in the longitudinal direction is connected to the inner liner 1100, and the other end of the air intake section 72 can be plugged into the connecting section 73, and one end of the vent pipe 71 in the longitudinal direction can be plugged into the connecting section 73.

[0046] The two ends of the connecting part 73 can be detachably inserted into the outer periphery of the air intake part 72 and the outer periphery of the vent pipe 71, respectively. That is, one end of the air intake assembly 70 and the vent pipe 71 respectively extend into the two ends of the connecting part 73.

[0047] When the fan 40 is running, it creates negative pressure, which can promote airflow speed, accelerate airflow circulation, and improve drying efficiency. The fan 40 is located in the air inlet 72, close to the top wall 1105 of the inner liner 1100, which helps to accelerate airflow speed and improve drying efficiency. In addition, the connecting part 73 is an elastic element, which can play a role in shock absorption and noise reduction.

[0048] Optionally, the rigidity and hardness of the vent pipe 71 are greater than those of the connecting part 73.

[0049] Optionally, the connector 73 is made of a flexible material, such as rubber or silicone.

[0050] Optionally, the cross-sectional profile of the ventilator 71 can be circular, elliptical, square, triangular, polygonal, racetrack-shaped, or other shapes, and the cross-sectional profiles of the connecting portion 73 and the first connector 151 match the cross-sectional profile of the ventilator 71. For example, the cross-sectional profile of the ventilator 71 can be rectangular, and the cross-sectional profiles of the connecting portion 73 and the first connector 151 can be flat racetrack-shaped.

[0051] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the connecting portion 73 extends along the vertical direction of the inner liner 1100 and is disposed adjacent to the connection between the top wall 1105 and the side wall 1101 of the inner liner 1100.

[0052] Thus, by extending the connecting part 73 along the vertical direction of the inner liner 1100 and being located near the connection between the top wall 1105 and the side wall 1101 of the inner liner 1100, the airflow from the air intake 72 upward and toward the side wall 1101 is guided to the vent pipe 71 downward. The support from the top wall 1105 and the side wall 1101 makes the structure of the air duct structure 100 more stable and also makes the structure between the air duct structure 100 and the inner liner 1100 more compact.

[0053] Specifically, the inner liner 1100 includes a top wall 1105 and a bottom wall 1106 that are vertically opposed, and a side wall 1101 that connects the top wall 1105 and the bottom wall 1106. The front side of the inner liner 1100 may have an opening for providing a door or drawer for opening and closing.

[0054] The bottom wall 1106 is the side wall 1101 of the inner tank 1100 facing the mounting surface (e.g., the ground) of the washing appliance 1000. The mounting surface (not shown) of the washing appliance 1000 is usually a horizontal plane. The bottom wall 1106 may be approximately parallel to the horizontal direction, the vertical direction of the inner tank 1100 is perpendicular to the horizontal direction, and the side wall 1101 may be approximately parallel to the vertical direction.

[0055] Optionally, the air intake 72 may include a housing 721 for accommodating the fan 40 and a plug-in end 722 connected to the housing 721. The housing 721 may be generally disc-shaped, located on the top wall 1105 of the inner liner 1100, and disposed near the edge where the top wall 1105 connects to the side wall 1101. The plug-in end 722 may be disposed at the edge where the top wall 1105 connects to the side wall 1101, forming an opening downwards, and connected to the connecting portion 73 near the junction of the top wall 1105 and the side wall 1101.

[0056] Please see Figures 6-8 , Figures 6-8 This is a schematic diagram of a connection structure 200 in which the air intake 72, the connecting part 73, and the vent pipe 71 are connected in sequence. In some embodiments, the connecting part 73 is provided with at least one fastener 180, which is used to securely connect the connecting part 73 to the vent pipe 71, and / or, the fastener 180 is used to securely connect the connecting part 73 to the air intake 72;

[0057] The connecting part 73 is provided with a stop flange 732. The fastener 180 includes a collar 181 and a hook 182 connected to the collar 181. The collar 181 is sleeved on the outside of the connecting part 73, and the collar 181 abuts against the stop flange 732 along its own axial direction. The vent pipe 71 and / or the air inlet 72 are engaged with the corresponding hook 182.

[0058] Thus, by having the collar 181 of the fastener 180 abut against the stop flange 732 along the axial direction of the collar 181, the vent pipe 71 is engaged with the corresponding hook 182, so that the vent pipe 71 and the connecting part 73 and the air intake part 72 are reliably fastened together, and the connecting part 73 and the air intake part 72 are also engaged, thereby limiting the relative positions of the vent pipe 71, the connecting part 73 and the air intake part 72, preventing the air intake assembly 70 from loosening or falling off when pulled, and improving the internal connection reliability of the air intake assembly 70.

[0059] Specifically, the fastener 180 can be fixedly connected to the outer periphery of the vent pipe 71, the air inlet 72, and the connecting part 73 respectively. The fastener 180 can be fixedly connected to the vent pipe 71, the air inlet 72, and the connecting part 73 by at least one of the following methods: snap-fit, fastening, clamping, gluing, threaded connection, etc. A limiting structure is formed on the fastener 180 to limit the relative position of the connecting part 73 to the vent pipe 71 and the connecting part 70 while being fixedly connected to the vent pipe 71, the air inlet 72, and the connecting part 73.

[0060] Combination Figure 9 The collar 181 can be sleeved on the axial end of the connecting part 73. The radial dimension of the stop flange 732 is larger than the inner diameter of the collar 181. The stop flange 732 protrudes slightly from the outer peripheral surface of the connecting part 73 in the radial direction and forms a discontinuity on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting part 73, and abuts against the collar 181 to play a limiting role and prevent the collar 181 from falling off.

[0061] like Figure 7 As shown, the ends of the vent pipe 71 and the air inlet 72 may extend into the connecting portion 73. The collar 181 may be axially fitted onto the outside of the vent pipe 71 (or air inlet 72) by pushing the stop flange 732 and the connecting portion 73, and the collar 181 may apply a radial fastening force to the connecting portion 73 and the vent pipe 71 (or air inlet 72).

[0062] Optionally, the inner circumferential side of the connecting part 73 may be press-fitted with the outer circumferential surface of the vent pipe 71 (or the air inlet 72), and the outer circumferential surface of the connecting part 73 may be press-fitted with the inner circumferential surface of the collar 181. In this way, a radial sealing effect can be achieved.

[0063] Please see Figures 8-10 The collar 181 includes a ring body 1811 and a stepped surface 1812. The ring body 1811 is circumferentially encircled and extends along the axial direction of the collar 181. One end of the ring body 1811 along the axial direction abuts against the stop flange 732. The stepped surface 1812 may form an angle with the axial direction of the collar 181 and extends outward from the point where the ring body 1811 abuts against the stop flange 732, away from the connecting portion 73.

[0064] Optionally, the hook 182 is provided on the step surface 1812 and extends a certain length away from the step surface 1812 along the axial direction, so as to reserve a plug-in allowance for the connection part 73 and the vent pipe 71 (or the air inlet part 72).

[0065] Optionally, the hook 182 abuts against the stop flange 732 radially, thereby enhancing the limiting effect.

[0066] In a specific embodiment, the connection process of the connecting part 73 connecting the air intake part 72 and the vent pipe 71 is as follows: First, one end of the air intake part 72 and one end of the vent pipe 71 are respectively inserted into the two ends of the connecting part 73. Each end of the connecting part 73 is provided with a fastener 180. The collars 181 of the two fasteners 180 are pushed towards the two ends of the connecting part 73 respectively, pressing the two ends of the connecting part 73 so that the connecting part 73 is tightly fitted with the air intake part 72 and the vent pipe 71.

[0067] Please see Figures 6-8 In some embodiments, at least one of the vent pipe 71 and the air inlet 72 is provided with a locking block 191, and a hook 182 is engaged with the locking block 191.

[0068] Thus, by providing a locking block 191 in at least one of the vent pipe 71 and the air inlet 72, the hook 182 is engaged with the locking block 191, thereby restricting the axial displacement of the connecting part 73 along the collar 181 and preventing the connecting part 73 from falling off from the connected vent pipe 71 or the air inlet 72.

[0069] Specifically, the locking block 191 can be disposed on the outer periphery of the vent pipe 71 and the air inlet 72, and protrude from the outer periphery of the vent pipe 71 or the air inlet 72. The locking block 191 has a certain axial distance from the corresponding port on the vent pipe 71 or the air inlet 72, and the axial distance from the locking block 191 to the port of the pipe body or interface matches the axial length of the buckle.

[0070] Optionally, the collar 181 is provided with at least one hook 182 at each of its radially opposite ends to increase connection strength and balance.

[0071] Optionally, the vent pipe 71 and the connecting part 73 are flat tubes, and the collar 181 matches the cross-sectional profile of the connecting part 73. The collar 181 is flat and racetrack-shaped. The collar 181 has a major axis and a minor axis, and the hook 182 and the locking block 191 are correspondingly arranged on opposite sides of the air intake part 72 and the vent pipe 71 along the major axis of the collar 181.

[0072] Please continue reading. Figures 6 to 8 In some embodiments, at least one of the vent pipe 71 and the air inlet 72 is provided with a limiting rib 192, which abuts against the stop flange 732 along the axial direction of the collar 181 to serve as an axial limiting rib.

[0073] Optionally, the latch 182 and the latch block 191 are disposed on opposite sides of the air intake 72 and the vent pipe 71 along the long axis of the collar 181, and the limiting rib 192 is disposed on opposite sides of the vent pipe 71 and the air intake 72 along the short axis of the collar 181. Furthermore, the limiting rib 192 may extend along the long axis of the collar 181.

[0074] Optionally, the limiting rib 192 is provided on both the vent pipe 71 and the air inlet 72, which can limit the connection part 73 in opposite directions at both ends of the connection part 73 in the axial direction, thereby enhancing the limiting effect.

[0075] Please see Figure 6 and Figure 9 In some embodiments, the connecting portion 73 has a corrugated structure 731, and the connecting portion 73 is capable of extending and retracting along its own length direction.

[0076] Thus, by having a corrugated structure 731, the connecting part 73 can extend and retract along its own length direction, thereby meeting the assembly accuracy requirements at the connection between the vent pipe 71 and the air inlet 72, while also helping to reduce vibration and noise, and solving the problem of damage to interconnected parts due to relative displacement during transportation and use.

[0077] Specifically, the connecting part 73 is a hollow tubular structure, and the connecting part 73 can extend in a wavy manner on the wall surface between at least its two ends in its own axial direction, that is, a corrugated structure 731. When the two ends of the connecting part 73 in the axial direction are stretched, the corrugated structure 731 can elongate under tension or compress under pressure, so that the connecting part 73 can correspondingly elongate or shorten along its own length direction, so that the structure connected to the two ends of the connecting part 73 can still maintain a stable and reliable connection under tension.

[0078] Please see Figure 5In some embodiments, the length of the connecting portion 73 is less than 1 / 3 of the length of the vent pipe 71.

[0079] In this way, by setting the length ratio of the connecting part 73 and the vent pipe 71 within a reasonable range, the connecting part 73 will not occupy too much of the length of the intake pipe 70, thereby reducing the size fluctuation of the intake pipe 70, improving structural stability, and also helping to optimize the airflow guiding effect of the intake pipe 70.

[0080] For example, the length ratio of the connecting part 73 to the vent pipe 71 can be 1 / 20, 1 / 18, 1 / 15, 1 / 11, 1 / 7, 1 / 4, 1 / 3, etc.

[0081] As is easily understood, the connecting part 73 is an elastic element and is usually made of flexible material, which can produce elastic deformation under stress, while the vent pipe 71 is made of rigid material and is easy to maintain a fixed shape and structure. Therefore, the air resistance of the airflow in the vent pipe 71 is smaller than that of the connecting part 73, and the length of the vent pipe 71 is significantly greater than that of the connecting part 73. This is beneficial to improving the airflow circulation efficiency and also helps to keep the overall size of the air intake assembly 70 relatively small and the structure more stable.

[0082] Please refer to it again. Figure 1 and Figure 4 The washing appliance 1000 of this application includes an air duct structure 100 of any embodiment. The air duct structure 100 also includes a heat exchange housing 10 that communicates with the air intake assembly 70. The heat exchange housing 10 houses a heat exchanger of a heat pump drying system.

[0083] In this way, by accommodating the heat exchanger of the heat pump drying system in the heat exchange shell 10, the integration of the washing appliance 1000 is improved, and the heat exchanger is easy to disassemble and assemble as a whole.

[0084] Specifically, the heat exchanger 1201 achieves the effect of drying the air by exchanging heat with the flowing air. The heat exchange housing 10 includes a heat exchange chamber 12 and an interface 13. The heat exchange chamber 12 is used to house the heat exchanger 1201 of the heat pump drying system 1200, and the interface 13 is used to connect to the air inlet assembly 70.

[0085] Optionally, the air duct structure 100 also includes an exhaust pipe 80, with both ends of the exhaust pipe 80 connected to the inner liner 1100 and the heat exchange shell 10, respectively. The air intake assembly 70 is used to circulate the airflow from the inner liner 1100 into the heat pump drying system 1200, and the exhaust pipe 80 is used to circulate the airflow that flows back to the inner liner 1100 after being dried by the heat pump drying system 1200, thereby forming a circulating airflow of inner liner 1100 → air intake assembly 70 → heat pump drying system 1200 → exhaust pipe 80 → inner liner 1100, which achieves a good drying effect on the objects in the inner liner 1100.

[0086] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 13 In some embodiments, the heat exchanger includes an evaporator 20 and a condenser 30, which are spaced apart in the heat exchange housing 10.

[0087] In this way, by having the evaporator 20 and condenser 30 spaced apart in the heat exchange shell 10, the evaporator 20 and condenser 30 exchange heat with the air flowing through the heat exchange shell 10 in sequence, thereby reducing the risk of mutual interference between the evaporator 20 and condenser 30 and improving the drying effect on the air.

[0088] Specifically, the evaporator 20 and condenser 30 can be generally flat, and can be placed side by side in the heat exchange housing 10 with their thickness direction being approximately horizontal. The evaporator 20 and condenser 30 can be spaced apart along the air flow direction in the heat exchange housing 10.

[0089] When the heat pump drying system 1200 is working, the evaporator 20 can cool, thereby absorbing heat from the air around the evaporator 20 to lower the temperature of the surrounding air, so that the gas flowing through the evaporator 20 condenses to form condensate water, thus achieving the effect of drying the air.

[0090] When the heat pump drying system 1200 is working, the condenser 30 can generate heat, thereby heating the surrounding air and increasing the temperature of the surrounding air. This allows the gas flowing through the condenser 30 to re-enter the inner tank 1100 of the washing appliance 1000, thus achieving the effect of drying tableware and other items.

[0091] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 13 In some embodiments, along the flow direction of the heat exchange housing 10, the evaporator 20 is located upstream of the condenser 30. The evaporator 20 is used to cool the gas flowing out of the inner tank 1100 of the washing appliance 1000, and the condenser 30 is used to heat the gas flowing into the inner tank 1100. The heat pump drying system is configured to cool and dehumidify the gas flowing out of the inner tank 1100 of the washing appliance 1000 first by the evaporator 20, and then heat it by the condenser 30 before returning it to the inner tank 1100 of the washing appliance 1000.

[0092] Thus, by positioning the evaporator 20 upstream of the condenser 30, the heat pump drying system can first cool and dehumidify the gas flowing out of the inner tank 1100 of the washing appliance 1000, then reheat it before guiding it back to the inner tank 1100, thereby achieving a good drying effect on the air and the object to be dried in the inner tank 1100.

[0093] Specifically, the evaporator 20 is located upstream of the condenser 30. The heat pump drying system 1200 first cools and dehumidifies the humid gas flowing out of the inner tank 1100, and then heats it to obtain dry high-temperature air, which is then introduced into the inner tank 1100 to achieve a good drying effect on the objects in the inner tank 1100.

[0094] Optionally, the heat pump drying system 1200 includes a compressor 60, a condenser 30, a throttling device 90, and an evaporator 20. The compressor 60, condenser 30, throttling device 90, and evaporator 20 can be connected by pipes to form a closed refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant, as the refrigerant, can circulate in the refrigerant circuit. The cooperation of the compressor 60, condenser 30, throttling device 90, and evaporator 20 can enable the heat pump drying system 1200 to achieve better air drying and heating effects.

[0095] When the heat pump drying system 1200 is in the drying stage, the compressor 60 operates, pumping high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant to the condenser 30 to heat the air. After heat exchange with the air, the refrigerant flows out of the condenser 30, then passes through the throttling device 90 to become low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant, flowing into the evaporator 20 to exchange heat with the air and evaporate. It then returns to the compressor 60 to complete the entire heat pump heating cycle. The dried air is then heated by the condenser 30 and re-enters the inner tank 1100 of the washing appliance 1000. The throttling device 90 can be an expansion valve; more specifically, it can be an electronic expansion valve.

[0096] Optionally, the compressor 60, condenser 30, throttling device 90 and evaporator 20 are connected in sequence.

[0097] Please see Figures 1-3 In some embodiments, the inner tank 1100 includes a bottom wall 1106 and a side wall 1101 connected to the bottom wall 1106. The washing appliance 1000 includes an exhaust pipe 80, an air intake assembly 70, and at least one of the exhaust pipe 80 is connected to the corresponding heat exchange housing 10 via a flexible air duct connector 150. The air duct connector 150 extends along the vertical direction of the inner tank 1100 and is disposed adjacent to the connection between the bottom wall 1106 and the side wall 1101.

[0098] Thus, the air duct connector 150 is flexible, providing a buffer at the connection between the air intake assembly 70 and / or the exhaust pipe 80 and the heat exchange housing 10. This solves the problem that the connection between the heat exchange housing 10 and the air intake assembly 70 and / or the exhaust pipe 80 is easily damaged due to relative displacement, and also plays a role in shock absorption and noise reduction. In addition, the air duct connector 150 is located near the connection between the bottom wall 1105 and the side wall 1106, which also facilitates the placement of the heat exchange housing 10 close to the bottom wall, improving the integration performance of the washing appliance 1000.

[0099] As is easily understood, the air duct connector 150 is airtightly connected to the air intake assembly 70, exhaust pipe 80, and heat exchange housing 10, with high assembly precision. During the production, transportation, and use of the washing appliance 1000, even if significant vibrations cause relative displacement between the air intake assembly 70, exhaust pipe 80, or heat exchange housing 10 and the air duct connector 150, the elastic deformation of the air duct connector 150 can maintain stable connections between the air duct connector 150 and other components. Furthermore, the elasticity of the air duct connector 150 also reduces the transmission of operating noise from the heat pump drying system 1200 to the inner tank 1100.

[0100] Specifically, the heat exchange housing is located at the bottom of the inner tank. As explained above, the evaporator 20 and condenser 30 are located in the heat exchange housing 10, making the heat exchange housing 10 heavier than the air intake assembly 70 and the exhaust pipe 80. The heat exchange housing 10 is located below the air intake assembly 70 and the exhaust pipe 80, which lowers the center of gravity of the washing appliance 1000 and improves structural stability.

[0101] The top wall 1105 and bottom wall 1106 are opposite each other in the vertical direction, and the vertical direction of the inner liner 1100 is perpendicular to the horizontal direction, that is, the vertical direction of the inner liner 1100 is parallel to the direction of gravity. The airflow from the inner liner 1100 into the heat pump drying system 1200 flows through the air intake assembly 70; the airflow that has been dried by the heat pump drying system 1200 flows back to the inner liner 1100 through the exhaust pipe 80. The air duct connector 150 extends in the vertical direction, that is, the direction of gravity, which is conducive to guiding the air to flow from top to bottom, and can also reduce the load when delivering air against the direction of gravity.

[0102] Optionally, the duct connector 150 may be made of a flexible material, such as rubber or silicone.

[0103] Optionally, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The air duct connector 150 includes a first connector 151 and a second connector 152. The heat exchange housing 10 includes a heat exchange chamber 12, a first interface portion 133 and a second interface portion 134. The heat exchange chamber 12 is used to accommodate the heat exchanger 1201. The air intake assembly 70 is connected to the first interface portion 133 through the first connector 151, and the exhaust pipe 80 is connected to the second interface portion 134 through the second connector 152.

[0104] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0105] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting this application. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. An air duct structure of a washing electric appliance, the washing electric appliance comprising an inner tub, the air duct structure comprising an air inlet assembly, the air inlet assembly being in communication with the inner tub, characterized in that, The air intake assembly includes an air intake section, a connecting section, and a vent pipe connected in sequence. The two ends of the connecting section are detachably connected to the air intake section and the vent pipe, respectively. The air intake section is connected to the top wall of the inner tank of the washing appliance. The vent pipe is located on the side wall of the inner tank. The connecting section is an elastic element. The air intake section is equipped with a fan. The connecting section is located adjacent to the fan.

2. The air duct structure according to claim 1, wherein The connecting portion extends along the vertical direction of the inner liner and is disposed adjacent to the connection between the top wall and the side wall of the inner liner.

3. The air duct structure according to claim 1, wherein The connecting part is provided with at least one fastener, which is used to securely connect the connecting part to the vent pipe and / or the fastener is used to securely connect the connecting part to the air intake. The connecting part is provided with a stop flange, and the fastener includes a collar and a hook connected to the collar. The collar is sleeved on the outside of the connecting part, and the collar abuts against the stop flange along its own axial direction. The vent pipe and / or the air inlet part are engaged with the corresponding hook.

4. The air duct structure according to claim 3, wherein At least one of the vent pipe and the air inlet is provided with a locking block, and the hook is engaged with the locking block.

5. The air duct structure according to claim 3, wherein The collar includes a ring body and a stepped surface. The ring body surrounds the collar circumferentially and extends along the axial direction. One end of the ring body abuts against the stop flange along the axial direction. The radial dimension of the stop flange is larger than the inner diameter of the ring body. The hook is disposed on the stepped surface.

6. The air duct structure according to claim 1, wherein The connecting part has a corrugated structure and is capable of extending and retracting along its own length. And / or, the length of the connecting part is less than 1 / 3 of the length of the vent pipe.

7. A washing appliance characterised in that, include: The air duct structure according to any one of claims 1-6, the air duct structure further includes a heat exchange housing communicating with the air intake assembly, the heat exchange housing accommodating a heat exchanger of a heat pump drying system.

8. The washing appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that, The heat exchanger includes an evaporator and a condenser, which are spaced apart within the heat exchange housing.

9. The washing appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that, Along the flow direction of the heat exchange shell, the evaporator is located upstream of the condenser. The evaporator is used to cool the gas flowing out of the inner tank of the washing appliance, and the condenser is used to heat the gas flowing into the inner tank. The heat pump drying system is configured to first cool and dehumidify the gas flowing out of the inner tank of the washing appliance by the evaporator, and then heat it by the condenser before returning it to the inner tank of the washing appliance.

10. The washing appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that, The inner tank includes a bottom wall and a side wall connected to the bottom wall. The washing appliance includes an exhaust pipe. At least one of the air intake assembly and the exhaust pipe is connected to the corresponding heat exchange shell through a flexible air duct connector. The air duct connector extends along the vertical direction of the inner tank and is disposed adjacent to the connection between the bottom wall and the side wall.

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