A water diversion valve and a cleaning machine using the same

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of water distribution valve and the cleaning machine of application this water distribution valve, water distribution valve includes shell;Fixed seat;Movable column;Driving assembly;Driving assembly includes motor and transmission structure, motor includes main body and with the output shaft of main body drive connection, output shaft extends vertically, main body is located below output shaft, when output shaft extends vertically, the vertical distance between the highest point and the lowest point of main body is L1, when output shaft extends transversely, the vertical distance between the highest point and the lowest point of main body is L2, L1<L2, so the height of entire water distribution valve is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of cleaning machines that can clean tableware and / or fruits and vegetables, and specifically to a water distribution valve and a cleaning machine that uses the water distribution valve. Background Technology

[0002] For countertop and cabinet dishwashers, due to their large washing space, they are generally designed with three spray arms: top, middle, and bottom, to achieve better washing results. During operation, the wash pump delivers water through pipes to the top, middle, and bottom spray arms. The water sprays out from these arms, rinsing the dishes before falling back into the water cup at the bottom of the dishwasher. The wash pump then delivers the fallen water back to the top, middle, and bottom spray arms, completing one cycle. Because there are many pipes leading to each spray arm, if all pipes are open, a large amount of water is required to maintain the system's circulation.

[0003] To save water, current dishwashers are generally designed with a water distribution valve. This valve controls the connection or disconnection of pipes leading to each spray arm, thereby controlling the water spraying status of each spray arm as needed and saving water. For example, Chinese invention patent application CN202011635828.6 (publication number CN114688300A) discloses a water distribution valve and a washing machine using the same valve. The water distribution valve includes a housing, a fixed base, a movable column, and a drive assembly. The housing has a first water outlet and a second water outlet. A partition is vertically arranged in the water distribution chamber to divide it into a first cavity corresponding to the first water outlet and a second cavity corresponding to the second water outlet. The bottom of the partition has an opening that connects the first cavity and the second cavity. The top of the movable column has a sealing plug that can close the second water outlet when it rises to the top of the second cavity and close the opening when it descends to the bottom of the second cavity.

[0004] The drive assembly includes a drive wheel and a drive component, which is a motor that makes the drive wheel rotate, thereby causing the guide column to pull the movable column up and down through the guide groove, so as to realize the alternating opening and closing of the first outlet and the second outlet.

[0005] From its Figure 4 As can be seen, the output shaft of the drive component is arranged horizontally, which makes the main body of the drive component have a large vertical height, resulting in a high overall height of the water distribution valve and a large vertical space occupied. Furthermore, due to this design of the drive component, both the first and second microswitches are located below the output shaft of the drive component, and the lowest point of the microswitches is lower than the lowest point of the drive component as a whole, further increasing the vertical height of the water distribution valve.

[0006] Because dishwashers have limited installation space, if the water distribution valve is too high, the height of the dishwasher's washing chamber needs to be reduced, resulting in fewer dishes that can be placed in the washing chamber. If the washing chamber space is not reduced, the overall height of the dishwasher will be too high, making it inconvenient to install drain pipes, etc. Utility Model Content

[0007] The first technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a water distribution valve with a small height, in light of the current state of the prior art.

[0008] The second technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a cleaning machine that uses the above-mentioned water distribution valve, in view of the current state of the prior art.

[0009] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the first technical problem mentioned above is: a water distribution valve, characterized in that it includes...

[0010] The housing has a hollow water distribution cavity. The side of the water distribution cavity has a water inlet for connecting with the drain outlet of the cleaning machine. The top of the water distribution cavity has a first water outlet and a second water outlet. A partition is vertically arranged in the water distribution cavity, which can divide the water distribution cavity into a first cavity corresponding to the first water outlet and a second cavity corresponding to the second water outlet. The water inlet is arranged corresponding to the second cavity. The bottom of the partition is provided with an opening that can connect the first cavity and the second cavity.

[0011] A fixing base is provided below the water distribution chamber, and the fixing base has mounting holes corresponding to the arrangement of the second water outlet;

[0012] The movable column is able to move up and down through the mounting hole and is constrained on the fixed base. The top of the movable column is provided with a sealing plug that can close the second outlet when it rises to the top of the second cavity and close the opening when it descends to the bottom of the second cavity.

[0013] A drive assembly, located below the fixed base, is used to drive the movable column to move up and down;

[0014] The characteristic feature is that the driving component includes a motor, the motor includes a main body and an output shaft that is driven and connected to the main body, the output shaft extends vertically, the main body is located below the output shaft, and the output shaft is connected to the movable column through transmission.

[0015] When the output shaft extends vertically, the vertical distance between the highest and lowest points of the main body is L1; when the output shaft extends horizontally, the vertical distance between the highest and lowest points of the main body is L2. <L2。

[0016] To further reduce the height of the water distribution valve, the main body at least partially coincides with the horizontal projection of the movable column. In this way, the main body and the movable column are at least partially coincident in the horizontal direction. Otherwise, if they do not coincide in the horizontal direction, the height of the water distribution valve will be at least the sum of the heights of the two columns, resulting in a large water distribution valve height.

[0017] In the above scheme, the lowest point of the main body is the lowest point of the entire water distribution valve.

[0018] Because both the output shaft and the movable column extend vertically, in order to achieve power transmission between them, preferably, the drive assembly also includes a drive wheel and a drive component. The drive wheel is rotatably disposed below the fixed base, and the rotation axis of the drive wheel extends laterally. An insert post is eccentrically disposed on the drive wheel and arranged perpendicularly to the movable column. Correspondingly, the lower end of the movable column is provided with a slot into which the insert post can be inserted. The extension direction of the slot, the extension direction of the movable column, and the extension direction of the insert post are perpendicular to each other. The output shaft and the drive wheel are connected by the transmission structure, which is a gear transmission structure.

[0019] The transmission structure can have various structural forms; preferably, the transmission structure includes...

[0020] The first gear is mounted on the output shaft and the two are fixed relative to each other;

[0021] The transmission rod extends laterally, with one end fixedly connected to the drive wheel, and the other end equipped with a second gear, and the two are coaxial.

[0022] A gear assembly connects the first gear and the second gear, enabling power transmission between them. Gear drives have a compact structure.

[0023] The gear assembly can have various structural forms. Preferably, the gear assembly includes a third gear, a fourth gear, and a connecting rod connecting the third gear and the fourth gear. The third gear meshes with the first gear, and the fourth gear and the second gear are both bevel gears and mesh with each other. The connecting rod extends vertically.

[0024] To detect whether the movable column has moved into position, the movable column is provided with a protrusion. The water distribution valve also includes a first microswitch and a second microswitch arranged vertically at intervals. The first microswitch is located above the second microswitch. Both the first and second microswitches are located on the movement path of the protrusion and can be triggered by the protrusion. When the first microswitch is triggered, the second outlet is closed and the opening is open; when the second microswitch is triggered, the second outlet is open and the opening is closed. The arrangement of the first and second microswitches enables the detection of whether the movable column has moved into position. Otherwise, if the movable column does not move into position, it will affect the working reliability of the water distribution valve.

[0025] To facilitate the setting of the above-mentioned convex part, a connecting part perpendicular to the lower end of the movable column is provided. The movable column and the connecting part form an inverted T shape. The slot is provided on the connecting part, and the convex part is provided on the connecting part.

[0026] The technical solution adopted by the present utility model to solve the above-mentioned second technical problem is as follows: A cleaning machine, characterized in that it includes a box body and a water cup located at the bottom of the box body. The bottom wall of the water cup has a sunken bottom cavity. A water pumping mechanism corresponding to the bottom cavity is installed at the bottom of the box body. The drain port is opened at the side of the bottom cavity, and the above-mentioned water distribution valve is provided on the outer bottom wall of the water cup.

[0027] In the above solution, the water cup and the housing are integrally connected.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present utility model are as follows: By vertically arranging the output shaft of the motor and locating the main body below the output shaft, the main body of the motor lies horizontally, which can significantly reduce the overall height of the motor. Because when the output shaft extends vertically, the vertical distance between the highest point and the lowest point of the main body is L₁, and when the output shaft extends horizontally, the vertical distance between the highest point and the lowest point of the main body is L₂, and L₁ < L₂. Therefore, the design of the present utility model reduces the height of the entire water distribution valve. Description of the Drawings

[0029] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 2 For Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram in another direction of

[0031] Figure 3 [[ID=2 (27)]]For Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view of

[0032] Figure 4 [[ID=3 (33)]]For Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the partial structure of

[0033] Figure 5 For Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram in another direction of

[0034] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram when the output shaft of the motor extends horizontally. Detailed Embodiment

[0035] Note: In the translation of the text related to the figure description, there may be some confusion in the original text's numbering and reference relationships. The translation tries to maintain the integrity and consistency of the original text as much as possible. You may need to check and adjust according to the actual figure content for a more accurate understanding. Also, the "(27)" and "(33)" in the translated text are added to clarify the possible misnumbering in the original text.The technical solution of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0036] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more, and the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the direction or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0037] In the description of this utility model patent, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" 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 or an adhesive connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model patent based on the specific circumstances.

[0038] like Figures 1-6 As shown, the cleaning machine of this preferred embodiment includes a housing (not shown in the figure) and a water cup 1 located at the bottom of the housing. The bottom wall of the water cup 1 has a recessed bottom cavity 11. A water pumping mechanism corresponding to the bottom cavity 11 is installed at the bottom of the housing. A drain outlet 12 is provided on the side of the bottom cavity 11. A water distribution valve is provided on the outer bottom wall of the water cup 1.

[0039] The water distribution valve includes a housing 2, a fixed base 3, a movable column 4, and a drive assembly. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the housing 2 has a hollow water-dividing cavity 21. The side of the water-dividing cavity 21 has a water inlet for connecting with the drain outlet 12 of the cleaning machine. The top of the water-dividing cavity 21 has a first water outlet 23 and a second water outlet 24. A partition is vertically arranged in the water-dividing cavity 21, dividing it into a first cavity 25 corresponding to the first water outlet 23 and a second cavity 26 corresponding to the second water outlet 24. The water inlet is arranged corresponding to the second cavity 26. The bottom of the partition has an opening 27 that connects the first cavity 25 and the second cavity 26. The housing 2 and the water cup 1 are integrally formed, and the drain outlet 12 and the water inlet are the same.

[0040] The fixed base 3 is located below the water distribution chamber 21, and the fixed base 3 has a mounting hole 31 corresponding to the second water outlet 24. The movable column 4 can move up and down through the mounting hole 31 and is constrained on the fixed base 3. The top of the movable column 4 is provided with a sealing plug 41 that can close the second water outlet 24 when it rises to the top of the second chamber 26 and close the opening 27 when it descends to the bottom of the second chamber 26. The setting of the sealing plug 41 and the telescopic tube 42 on the outside of the movable column 4 adopt the structural form of the prior art.

[0041] The drive assembly is located below the fixed base 3 and is used to drive the movable column 4 to move up and down. The drive assembly includes a motor 5, which includes a main body 51 and an output shaft 52. The output shaft 52 is drivenly connected to the main body 51.

[0042] The above are all existing technologies, and their structures are the same as those of the patents cited in the background art. Compared to the existing patents in the background art, this application mainly aims to reduce the overall height of the water distribution valve. Therefore, in this embodiment, the output shaft 52 extends vertically, and the main body 51 is located below the output shaft 52. This design method is different from the existing method of horizontally setting the output shaft 52 of the motor 5 (e.g., ...). Figure 6 (Regarding the placement of the motor 5), the height of the motor 5 is reduced because the lowest point of the main body 51 is the lowest point of the entire water distribution valve. The main body 51 at least partially overlaps with the horizontal projection of the movable column 4, thus reducing the overall height of the water distribution valve. In other words, when the output shaft 52 extends vertically, the vertical distance between the highest and lowest points of the main body 51 is L1; when the output shaft 52 extends horizontally, the vertical distance between the highest and lowest points of the main body 51 is L2. <L2。

[0043] Since both the output shaft 52 and the movable column 4 extend vertically, in order to enable power transmission between them, the output shaft 52 and the movable column 4 are connected by a transmission structure.

[0044] like Figure 3 , 4 As shown in Figure 5, the drive assembly also includes a drive wheel 7, which is rotatably mounted below the fixed base 3. The rotation axis of the drive wheel 7 extends laterally. An insert 71 is eccentrically mounted on the drive wheel 7 and arranged vertically on the movable column 4. Correspondingly, the lower end of the movable column 4 is provided with a slot 43 into which the insert 71 can be inserted. The extension directions of the slot 43, the movable column 4, and the insert 71 are perpendicular to each other. The output shaft 52 and the drive wheel 7 are connected by a transmission structure, which is a gear transmission structure.

[0045] In this embodiment, the transmission structure includes a first gear 61, a transmission rod 62, and a gear assembly. The first gear 61 is mounted on the output shaft 52 and the two are fixed relative to each other. The transmission rod 62 extends laterally, with one end fixedly connected to the drive wheel 7 and the other end provided with a second gear 66, which are coaxial. The gear assembly is connected between the first gear 61 and the second gear 66, so that power can be transmitted between the first gear 61 and the second gear 66.

[0046] The gear assembly includes a third gear 63, a fourth gear 64, and a connecting rod 65 connecting the third gear 63 and the fourth gear 64. The third gear 63 meshes with the first gear 61, and the fourth gear 64 and the second gear 66 are both bevel gears and mesh with each other. The connecting rod 65 extends vertically.

[0047] The transmission structure of this application is mainly arranged in the horizontal direction, and its height in the vertical direction does not exceed the lowest point of the main body 51, so it will not increase the height of the water distribution valve.

[0048] The movable column 4 is provided with a protrusion 44. Specifically, the lower end of the movable column 4 is provided with a connecting part 45 perpendicular to it. The movable column 4 and the connecting part 45 form an inverted T-shape. The slot 43 is provided on the connecting part 45, and the connecting part 45 is provided with the protrusion 44. The water distribution valve also includes a first micro switch 81 and a second micro switch 82 arranged vertically at intervals. The first micro switch 81 is located above the second micro switch 82. Both the first micro switch 81 and the second micro switch 82 are located on the moving path of the protrusion 44 and can be triggered by the protrusion 44. When the first micro switch 81 is triggered, the second outlet 24 is closed and the opening 27 is open; when the second micro switch 82 is triggered, the second outlet 24 is open and the opening 27 is closed. The setting of the first micro switch 81 and the second micro switch 82 can detect whether the movable column 4 has moved into place. Otherwise, if the movable column 4 has not moved into place, it will affect the working reliability of the water distribution valve.

[0049] The working process of the water distribution valve in this embodiment is as follows:

[0050] When motor 5 is working, it drives the first gear 61 to rotate. Through the transmission of the gear assembly, the second gear 66 rotates, thereby driving the drive wheel 7 to rotate synchronously. Because the insert 71 on the drive wheel 7 is eccentrically set, the drive wheel 7 will drive the movable column 4 to move up and down during rotation. When the first micro switch 81 is triggered, the second outlet 24 is closed and the opening 27 is opened; when the second micro switch 82 is triggered, the second outlet 24 is opened and the opening 27 is closed.

[0051] In this embodiment, the overall height of the water distribution valve H is 85mm, while the arrangement of the motor 5 in the prior art results in an overall height of 108mm for the water distribution valve.

Claims

1. A water distribution valve, characterized in that, include The housing (2) has a hollow water distribution cavity (21). The side of the water distribution cavity (21) has a water inlet for connecting with the drain outlet (12) of the cleaning machine. The top of the water distribution cavity (21) has a first water outlet (23) and a second water outlet (24). A partition is vertically arranged in the water distribution cavity (21). The partition can divide the water distribution cavity (21) into a first cavity (25) corresponding to the first water outlet (23) and a second cavity (26) corresponding to the second water outlet (24). The water inlet is arranged corresponding to the second cavity (26). The bottom of the partition is provided with an opening (27) that can connect the first cavity (25) and the second cavity (26). A fixing seat (3) is provided below the water distribution chamber (21), and the fixing seat (3) has mounting holes (31) arranged corresponding to the second water outlet (24); The movable column (4) is able to move up and down through the mounting hole (31) and is constrained on the fixed seat (3). The top of the movable column (4) is provided with a sealing plug (41) that can close the second outlet (24) when it rises to the top of the second cavity (26) and close the opening (27) when it descends to the bottom of the second cavity (26). A drive assembly is located below the fixed base (3) and is used to drive the movable column (4) to move up and down. The characteristic is that the driving component includes a motor (5), the motor (5) includes a main body (51) and an output shaft (52) drivenly connected to the main body (51), the output shaft (52) extends vertically, the main body (51) is located below the output shaft (52), and the output shaft (52) is connected to the movable column (4) in a transmission. When the output shaft (52) extends vertically, the vertical distance between the highest and lowest points of the main body (51) is L1; when the output shaft (52) extends horizontally, the vertical distance between the highest and lowest points of the main body (51) is L2. <L2。 2. The water distribution valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main body (51) at least partially overlaps with the projection of the movable column (4) in the horizontal direction.

3. The water distribution valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lowest point of the main body (51) is the lowest point of the entire water distribution valve.

4. The water distribution valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The drive assembly also includes a drive wheel (7) and a drive component. The drive wheel (7) is rotatably disposed below the fixed base (3), and the rotation axis of the drive wheel (7) extends laterally. The drive wheel (7) is eccentrically provided with a pin (71) arranged vertically on the movable column (4). Correspondingly, the lower end of the movable column (4) is provided with a slot (43) into which the pin (71) can be inserted. The extension direction of the slot (43), the extension direction of the movable column (4), and the extension direction of the pin (71) are perpendicular to each other. The output shaft (52) and the drive wheel (7) are connected by a transmission structure, which is a gear transmission structure.

5. The water distribution valve according to claim 4, characterized in that: The transmission structure includes The first gear (61) is mounted on the output shaft (52) and the two are fixed relative to each other; The transmission rod (62) extends laterally, with one end fixedly connected to the drive wheel (7), and the other end is provided with a second gear (66) and the two are coaxial; A gear assembly is connected between a first gear (61) and a second gear (66) to enable power transmission between the first gear (61) and the second gear (66).

6. The water distribution valve according to claim 5, characterized in that: The gear assembly includes a third gear (63), a fourth gear (64), and a connecting rod (65) connecting the third gear (63) and the fourth gear (64). The third gear (63) meshes with the first gear (61), and the fourth gear (64) and the second gear (66) are both bevel gears and mesh with each other. The connecting rod (65) extends vertically.

7. The water distribution valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The movable column (4) is provided with a protrusion (44). The water distribution valve also includes a first micro switch (81) and a second micro switch (82) arranged vertically at intervals. The first micro switch (81) is located above the second micro switch (82). Both the first micro switch (81) and the second micro switch (82) are located on the moving path of the protrusion (44) and can be triggered by the protrusion (44). When the first micro switch (81) is triggered, the second outlet (24) is closed and the opening (27) is open. When the second micro switch (82) is triggered, the second outlet (24) is open and the opening (27) is closed.

8. The water distribution valve according to claim 7, characterized in that: The lower end of the movable column (4) is provided with a connecting part (45) perpendicular to it. The movable column (4) and the connecting part (45) form an inverted T-shape. The slot (43) is provided on the connecting part (45), and the connecting part (45) is provided with a protrusion (44).

9. A cleaning machine, characterized in that: The device includes a housing and a water cup (1) located at the bottom of the housing. The bottom wall of the water cup (1) has a recessed bottom cavity (11). A water pumping mechanism corresponding to the bottom cavity (11) is installed at the bottom of the housing. The drain outlet (12) is opened on the side of the bottom cavity (11). The water distribution valve described in any one of claims 1 to 8 is provided on the outer bottom wall of the water cup (1).

10. The cleaning machine according to claim 9, characterized in that: The shell (2) and the water cup (1) are integrally connected.

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