Laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application discloses a clothes processing device, which comprises a shell, a door, a lock mechanism and an unlocking operation component; the shell comprises a shell body and a base, the shell body has a clothes feeding port, and the base is connected to the bottom of the shell body; the door is movably connected with the shell body and is used for opening and closing the clothes feeding port; the lock mechanism is used for locking or unlocking the door and the shell body; one end of the unlocking operation component is adjacent to the lock mechanism, and the other end extends towards the outside of the shell body and can be exposed on the side or rear part of the shell body; when the unlocking operation component is pulled, the lock mechanism can be unlocked. Therefore, the technical scheme of the present application can unlock the door of the clothes processing device according to the needs of the user when the door is locked, thereby improving the reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of clothing processing apparatus, and more specifically, to a clothing processing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] There are now many clothing handling devices on the market with different functions and appearances, such as washing machines and dryers. As a commonly used clothing handling device, washing machines come in a wide variety of types. According to the installation method, they include floor-standing washing machines, wall-mounted washing machines, and countertop washing machines; according to the working principle, they include top-loading washing machines and front-loading washing machines.

[0003] In the relevant technical field, when the door lock of a washing machine is stuck due to faults such as jammed latch, electromagnetic lock failure, or power failure during normal operation, and the door lock remains locked and cannot be unlocked, the user has no emergency operation means and can only open the door by disassembling the machine for repair, thus losing the emergency unlocking function and having low reliability. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a clothing handling device designed to unlock doors as needed when they are locked, thereby improving reliability.

[0005] This application provides a garment handling device, including a housing, a door, a locking mechanism, and an unlocking operation component. The housing includes a body and a base. The body has a garment inlet, and the base is connected to the bottom of the body. The door is movably connected to the body and is used to open and close the garment inlet. The locking mechanism is used to lock or unlock the door to the body. One end of the unlocking operation component is adjacent to the locking mechanism, and the other end extends outward toward the side of the body and can be exposed on the side or rear of the body. The unlocking operation component is configured to unlock the locking mechanism when it is pulled out.

[0006] In some embodiments, the unlocking operation component is a rod-shaped object, with one end connected to the locking mechanism and the other end exposed on the side or rear of the housing.

[0007] In some embodiments, a frame is also included, which is fixedly connected to the housing. The unlocking operation component includes an unlocking element and an operating element. The unlocking element is connected to the frame. One end of the operating element is connected to the unlocking element, and the other end is an operating end that extends toward the outside of the housing and can be exposed on the side or rear of the housing. The operating element is configured to, when pulled, drive the unlocking element to unlock the locking mechanism.

[0008] In some embodiments, the end of the unlocking operation component away from the locking mechanism extends to the rear side of the housing opposite to the clothing insertion port.

[0009] In some embodiments, a wire buckle is provided inside the housing, and the wire buckle has a thread hole through which the unlocking operation component passes.

[0010] In some embodiments, the buckle restricts the unlocking operation component to extend in a front-to-back direction away from the garment insertion port.

[0011] In some embodiments, the housing includes an outer shell and a cover plate. The front side of the outer shell is provided with the clothing insertion port, and the rear side of the outer shell is provided with a limiting groove. The cover plate is detachably connected to the rear side of the outer shell and covers the limiting groove. The end of the unlocking operation component away from the locking mechanism is limited to the limiting groove.

[0012] In some embodiments, the end of the unlocking operation component away from the locking mechanism is provided with a pull ring, which engages with the limiting groove.

[0013] In some embodiments, an air vent is provided on the rear side of the housing, the limiting groove is provided near the periphery of the air vent, and the cover plate covers the air vent and the opening of the limiting groove.

[0014] In some embodiments, the air vent includes a first air vent and a second air vent arranged side by side, and the limiting groove is formed between the peripheries of the first air vent and the second air vent.

[0015] In some embodiments, the air vent is angled upwards in a front-to-back direction.

[0016] Based on the garment handling device of this application, the other end of the unlocking operation component extends toward the outside of the housing and can be exposed on the side or rear of the housing. The unlocking operation component is configured to unlock the locking mechanism when it is pulled out, thereby enabling the garment handling device to be unlocked as needed by the user when the door is locked by the locking mechanism, thus improving reliability.

[0017] The front of the casing no longer needs to provide space for the unlocking mechanism, allowing for a focus on the core functional areas such as the clothing loading port. There is also no need to reserve a separate access port for the unlocking mechanism, avoiding a cluttered front design. This allows for a more reasonable and clearer size for the clothing loading port, aligning with users' intuitive and efficient front-facing operation habits.

[0018] The sides and rear of the casing are mostly unused space, used only for mounting against walls or cabinets in embedded models. Extending the unlocking and operating parts to these areas allows for a concealed layout without increasing the overall size of the unit. This maintains the compactness of the machine and eliminates the need for additional storage or installation space, making it suitable for narrow spaces such as small balconies and kitchen corners. Even when the sides of the casing are close to the wall, as long as a gap is left, a hand can be easily reached in to operate the machine without having to completely remove it from the wall. This is suitable for wall-mounted installations and scenarios requiring minimal movement, as well as embedded designs and easy maintenance. The design of the unlocking mechanism, which is exposed on the side or rear of the casing, allows users to operate it while standing upright. The side-mounted mechanism allows the user's hand to hang naturally at side height without bending over; the rear-mounted mechanism requires only a slight bend to reach, making the operation more ergonomic and particularly suitable for prolonged use or frequent unlocking scenarios. Users do not need to lift or tilt the machine; simply turning the garment handling unit around allows for easy operation. A single hand is sufficient to rotate the machine to expose the side or rear, making it easy to reach the unlocking mechanism. This significantly reduces the effort required and avoids the risk of physical exhaustion or damage to the machine. Attached Figure Description

[0019] 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.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the clothing handling device of this application; Figure 2 for Figure 1 The enlarged view of point A shown in the image; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the locking mechanism and the unlocking operation component in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 for Figure 1 An exploded view of part of the structure of the garment processing device shown in the figure; Figure 5 for Figure 4 The enlarged view of point B shown in the image.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 10. Clothing handling device; 100. Housing; 110. Housing body; 111. Clothing inlet; 112. Wire buckle; 113. Guide buckle; 114. Outer shell; 1141. Limiting groove; 1142. First air vent; 1143. Second air vent; 115. Cover plate; 120. Base; 200. Door; 300. Locking mechanism; 310. Lock tongue; 320. Lock assembly; 321. Driving component; 3211. Lock groove; 322. Lock hook; 400. Unlocking component; 410. Driving section; 500. Operating component; 600. Frame; 700. Connecting component. Detailed Implementation

[0022] 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.

[0023] There are now many clothing handling devices on the market with different functions and appearances, such as washing machines and dryers. As a commonly used clothing handling device, washing machines come in a wide variety of types. According to the installation method, they include floor-standing washing machines, wall-mounted washing machines, and countertop washing machines; according to the working principle, they include top-loading washing machines and front-loading washing machines.

[0024] However, when the washing machine door lock is stuck due to a jammed latch, a malfunctioning electromagnetic lock, or the power supply is not disconnected during normal operation, causing the door lock to remain locked and unable to be unlocked, the user has no emergency operation methods and can only open the door by disassembling the machine for repair. This results in the loss of the emergency unlocking function and low reliability.

[0025] To resolve the above issues, please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 1 to 3 This application proposes a clothing processing device 10. In the embodiments of this application, the clothing processing device 10 includes a housing 100, a door 200, a locking mechanism 300, and an unlocking operation component.

[0026] The housing 100 can be a one-piece structure or a separate structure. In order to better support the various components inside the housing 100, the housing 100 can be made of a material with high structural strength, such as engineering plastics and steel.

[0027] The housing 100 includes a base 120 and a housing body 110. The base 120 is connected to the bottom of the housing body 110. The housing body 110 has a clothing insertion port 111, through which users can put and take out clothing. The opening shape of the clothing insertion port 111 can be circular, near-circular, or other shapes, making it convenient to put and take out clothing.

[0028] The housing 110 includes an outer shell 114, with a clothing inlet 111 on the front side of the outer shell 114. The material of the outer shell 114 can be the same as or different from that of the base 120. Understandably, to facilitate user control of the clothing handling device 10, the housing 100 also includes a front panel connected to the front side of the outer shell 114. The clothing inlet 111 extends through the front panel. The front panel may include multiple operation buttons and simple text instructions for user convenience.

[0029] It should be noted that in actual use, the direction the user faces towards the clothing handling device 10 is the front-to-back direction, the directions to the sides of the user are the left-to-right direction, and the direction at the user's height is the up-to-down direction. In this embodiment, the front panel is inclined relative to the vertical plane, and the bottom of the front panel is closer to the front of the washing machine than the top of the front panel. That is, the front panel is tilted upwards towards the user, thus better facing the user during use and facilitating the user to take and put away clothes from the clothing loading port 111.

[0030] Door 200 is movably connected to housing 110 and is used to open and close clothing inlet 111. Door 200 can be made of a transparent material, such as polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and tempered glass, so that even when clothing inlet 111 is closed, the laundry inside can still be observed from the outside of the clothing handling device 10 through door 200, enhancing visibility and making it more convenient for users.

[0031] In this embodiment, the clothes handling device 10 is a desktop washing machine. The following is a detailed description of the structure of the clothes handling device 10 as a desktop washing machine. The clothes handling device 10 also includes a drum assembly, which is disposed within the housing 100 and used to hold clothes. The drum assembly includes a drum, and washing and spin-drying functions are achieved by controlling the rotation of the drum. This results in less wear on clothes, better water conservation, multiple washing functions, and higher washing efficiency. It is understood that the drum assembly may also include a pulsator drum. The pulsator drum achieves washing and spin-drying functions through up-and-down wave-shaped troughs and rotational motion. The clothes tumble up and down inside the pulsator drum, resulting in greater friction and better washing effect.

[0032] When the drum assembly includes a roller, the drum assembly is tilted upwards in the direction from front to back. That is, the drum assembly and the front panel are both tilted upwards together. The drum assembly is coaxially arranged and connected to the clothing loading and unloading port. This makes it more convenient for users to load and unload clothes from the clothing loading and unloading port relative to the drum assembly, improving ease of use.

[0033] The locking mechanism 300 can be an electromagnetic lock used to lock or unlock the door 200 and the housing 110. One end of the unlocking operation component is adjacent to the locking mechanism 300. In this embodiment, the other end of the unlocking operation component extends outward toward the housing 110 and can be exposed on the side or rear of the housing 110. The unlocking operation component is configured to unlock the locking mechanism 300 when it is pulled. Thus, when the door 200 of the garment handling device 10 is locked by the locking mechanism 300, it can be unlocked according to the user's needs, thereby improving reliability.

[0034] The front of the casing 110 no longer needs to provide space for the unlocking mechanism, allowing for a focused layout of core functional areas such as the clothes inlet 111 and the control panel. There's also no need to reserve a separate access panel for the unlocking mechanism, avoiding a cluttered front design. This is especially beneficial for small clothes handling devices 10 like countertop washing machines, where the front area is limited. This design allows for a more rationally sized clothes inlet 111 and a clearer control panel layout, aligning with users' intuitive and efficient front-facing operation habits.

[0035] The sides and rear of the 110 housing are mostly unused space. In embedded models, this space is only used for mounting against the wall or cabinet. Extending the unlocking operation section to this area allows for a hidden layout without increasing the overall size of the unit. This maintains the compactness of the unit and eliminates the need for additional storage or installation space, making it suitable for narrow spaces such as small balconies and kitchen corners.

[0036] If the unlocking mechanism is positioned on the base 120 below the garment handling device 10, the user would have to bend over and kneel to reach into the narrow access panel to fumble for the pull cord, potentially causing lower back pain and hand sluggishness. Furthermore, if the garment handling device 10 is completely tilted, the tabletop may rub against the housing 110, causing wear and tear, damage, or even permanent damage. The design that allows the unlocking mechanism to be exposed on the side or rear of the housing 110 allows the user to operate it while standing upright. For example, if the unlocking mechanism is located on the side of the housing 110, the user's hand can naturally hang at side height without bending over; if the unlocking mechanism is located at the rear of the housing 110, it can be reached with only a slight bend, making the operating posture more ergonomic, especially suitable for long-term use or frequent unlocking scenarios.

[0037] When the unlocking mechanism is located below the garment handling device 10, the machine needs to be tilted during use. Tilting the machine causes additional stress to components inside the housing 100, such as the drum assembly, motor, and water pipes. Frequent tilting can lead to loosening of components and leakage at the water pipe connections, potentially negatively impacting the normal operation of the garment handling device 10. Furthermore, tilting requires both hands, which is not only unfriendly to the elderly or users with limited strength, but also increases the risk of the machine slipping due to imbalance. This makes the operation complex and significantly more dangerous. By extending the other end of the unlocking mechanism outwards from the housing 110 and exposing it on the side or rear, users can operate the machine without straining to lift or tilt it. Simply turning the garment handling device 10 around allows for easy access to the unlocking mechanism with just one hand, pushing the machine to rotate and expose the side or rear. This greatly reduces the effort required and avoids the risk of physical exhaustion or machine damage.

[0038] If the garment handling device 10 is designed for recessed installation and needs to be embedded in the reserved space of a cabinet, the unlocking operation component may be blocked by the side panel of the cabinet, requiring partial removal of the cabinet to pull out and unlock the component. However, when the unlocking operation component is located on the side or rear of the housing 110, the garment handling device 10 can be slightly pulled out of the cabinet to reach the side or rear for operation, without disassembling the cabinet, thus meeting the needs of recessed installation and convenient maintenance. Moreover, most users will place the clothing handling device 10 against a wall, such as on a balcony or in a corner of a bathroom. The unlocking mechanism is located at the rear of the housing 110. Users only need to pull the clothing handling device 10 outwards a certain distance to leave room for hand operation to unlock it. The unlocking mechanism is located on the side of the housing 110. Even if the side of the housing 110 is close to the wall, as long as a gap is left, the hand can be inserted to operate it without having to completely move the machine away from the wall. This is suitable for wall-mounted installation and usage scenarios that require less movement. It should be noted that the clothing handling device 10 of this application is not only applicable to desktop washing machines, but can also be extended to other small-sized devices such as mini wall-mounted washing machines and small baby-specific washing machines. It is only necessary to adjust the exposed installation position of the unlocking operation component according to the structure of the housing 100 of the clothing handling device 10. For example, the unlocking operation component of the wall-mounted washing machine can be exposed on the side for easy operation while standing; the unlocking operation component of the desktop washing machine can be exposed at the rear to adapt to the countertop usage scenario, taking into account user experience, product stability and production compatibility.

[0039] In some embodiments, the unlocking mechanism is a rod-shaped component, with one end connected to the locking mechanism 300 and the other end protruding from the side or rear of the housing 110. The cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped component includes, but is not limited to, circular, elliptical, or square shapes, adaptable to hand gripping, pushing, or pulling actions, and has a small diameter, eliminating the need for a large installation area on the side or rear of the housing 110. Even with only a small gap on the side of the housing 110, the rod can be pulled out by hand without occupying additional external space, perfectly meeting the compact and non-redundant structural requirements of the clothes handling device 10, which is a small machine such as a desktop washing machine. The rod can be made of ABS engineering plastic or metal, such as galvanized steel, which has high hardness and is more wear-resistant and anti-aging. Even if the rod exposed on the side or rear of the housing comes into contact with dust and moisture, it is not prone to breakage or fading. Furthermore, the surface of the metal rod can be treated with rust prevention, making it suitable for humid environments such as bathrooms and balconies. The rod can be rigidly connected to the locking mechanism 300 using snap-fit ​​or bushing connections, resulting in a more secure and stable connection and preventing incomplete unlocking due to loosening of the connection under long-term, frequent operation. Simultaneously, rigid transmission avoids insufficient unlocking stroke caused by loosening at the connection point, reducing wear on the internal structure of the locking mechanism 300 and extending its service life.

[0040] When one end of the rod is connected to the locking mechanism 300, the other end can extend straight along the inside of the shell 110 to the side or back without having to go around internal components (such as motors and water pipes), reducing the internal space occupied by the transmission path. At the same time, it avoids the risk of the rod being tangled due to its flexibility, indirectly reserving more layout space for other internal components (such as rollers and counterweights), which is more conducive to the miniaturization design of the garment handling device 10. When the user pushes or pulls the unlocking operation component, its rigid structure has no elastic deformation, and the force can be directly transmitted to the locking mechanism 300. This avoids the lag problem of stretching before transmission in flexible connections. The response speed of the unlocking action from the unlocking operation component to the locking mechanism 300 is greatly improved. There is no slack when the rod moves, making the operation feedback clearer. Users can clearly perceive the unlocking progress and avoid unlocking failure due to improper operation.

[0041] In some embodiments, the garment handling device 10 further includes a frame 600 fixedly connected within the housing 100, with a tubular assembly mounted on the frame 600, such that the tubular assembly is located within the housing 100 and used to hold garments. The frame 600 can be made of the same material as the housing 100, for example, both can be metal or both can be hard plastic, to better support the tubular assembly and ensure the stability of the tubular assembly during operation. Of course, the two materials can also be different, and this application does not limit this.

[0042] The unlocking mechanism includes an unlocking component 400 and an operating component 500. The unlocking component 400 is connected to the frame 600. One end of the operating component 500 is connected to the unlocking component 400, and the other end is the operating end, extending outward toward the outer side of the housing 110 and protruding from the side or rear of the housing 110. The operating component 500 is configured so that when it is pulled, it can drive the unlocking component 400 to unlock the locking mechanism 300. The operating component 500 is not directly connected to the locking mechanism 300. Instead, by pulling the operating component 500, the unlocking component 400 is driven by the unlocking component to unlock the locking mechanism 300. This avoids the user having to resort to complex operations such as forced disassembly when unable to unlock the locking mechanism 300, and solves emergency problems in a safe and controllable way, thus improving reliability.

[0043] Furthermore, the unlocking component 400 is elastic. When the operating end of the operating component 500 is pulled, the unlocking component 400 is driven by the operating component 500 to move, thereby unlocking the locking mechanism 300 and accumulating elastic force. When the operating component 500 is released, the elastic force is released, causing the operating component 500 to reset. The elastic reset function of the unlocking component 400 completely eliminates any obstruction from the operating component 500 to the continued normal use of the locking mechanism 300. For example, if the operating component 500 remains in the unlocked position due to its own weight, or if it becomes stuck and remains in the unlocked position, the locking mechanism 300 can reset itself without interference, ensuring normal locking and closing of the locking mechanism 300 in subsequent use. This effectively solves the core pain point of the locking mechanism 300 being unable to function normally after an emergency unlock due to the operating component 500 becoming stuck, further improving reliability.

[0044] The locking mechanism 300 can be an electromagnetic lock. The locking mechanism 300 includes a bolt 310 and a locking assembly 320. The bolt 310 is mounted on the door 200, and the locking assembly 320 is mounted on the frame 600, cooperating with the bolt 310 to lock and unlock the door 200. The operating member 500 is configured so that when pulled, it drives the unlocking member 400 to push the locking assembly 320, thereby unlocking the locking assembly 320 from the bolt 310.

[0045] The locking assembly 320 is specifically located on the side of the frame 600 away from the drum assembly to avoid interfering with it. The locking assembly 320 can be installed using unused space on the frame 600, such as near the edge of the clothes inlet 111. Since the locking assembly 320 is mounted on the frame 600, there is no need to reserve a large cavity specifically for it, thus avoiding squeezing the installation space of core components such as the motor and drum assembly. This ensures the washing capacity and operational stability of the clothes handling device 10, meeting the miniaturization requirements of clothes handling devices 10 such as countertop washing machines.

[0046] The operating component 500 is a rope-like object, specifically a nylon rope, hemp rope, etc. It provides a good operating feel and has high strength, so it will not easily break when pulled. The operating component 500 can be routed along the gap or corners between the housing 110 and the frame 600, eliminating the need for large openings or wiring space on the surface of the housing 110. This saves space and maintains the simplicity and integrity of the housing 110's appearance.

[0047] If the operating component 500 extends towards the bottom of the garment handling device 10, although thin, it still has its own weight, which becomes more pronounced over long-distance stitching. Furthermore, since the operating component 500 is directly connected to the locking assembly 320, its own weight exerts a continuous downward pull on the locking assembly 320. Even if the user does not actively pull the operating component 500, its own weight will still hold the locking assembly 320 in place, preventing it from returning to the locked position. If the locking assembly 320's own reset spring force is small (e.g., relying solely on a small spring), it will be insufficient to counteract the pulling force of the operating component 500's own weight, causing the latch 310 on the door 200 to fail to properly engage with the locking assembly, resulting in the door remaining in a semi-unlocked or fully unlocked state for an extended period, affecting normal use.

[0048] Therefore, one end of the operating component 500 is connected to the unlocking component 400, and the other end is the operating end, which extends towards the outside of the housing 110 and can be exposed on the housing 110. When operating the operating component 500, the user does not need to move the entire clothing handling device 10, avoiding the physical exertion of lifting the machine and the risk of the machine slipping. Whether it is the elderly or other users with weak strength, they can easily complete the operation. The operation threshold is extremely low, and it is especially suitable for the usage needs of different family members in the family.

[0049] The design of the operating component 500 extending outwards from the housing 110 allows for flexible placement, such as on the back or sides of the housing 110 where it is less likely to get wet or be bumped. This prevents the operating component 500 from getting wet during washing, which could cause it to rust or become stuck. Both the unlocking component 400 and the locking assembly 320 are located inside the housing 110, preventing the intrusion of external dust and debris. Even in humid (such as bathrooms) or dusty (such as balconies) environments, it maintains stable unlocking functionality, improving environmental adaptability.

[0050] In one structural form, please refer again. Figures 1 to 3The unlocking element 400 is a torsion spring, which includes a drive segment 410 extending toward the locking assembly 320. The operating element 500 is connected to the drive segment 410, and the portion of the torsion spring away from the drive segment 410 is fixedly connected to the frame 600 via a connector 700. When the operating element 500 is pulled, the drive segment 410 pushes the locking assembly 320, thereby unlocking the locking assembly 320 from the latch 310. When the operating element 500 is released, the drive segment 410 resets and drives the operating element 500 to reset as well. The torsion spring itself is flat and spiral-shaped and has a small volume, which can utilize the unused gap between the housing 110 and the frame 600 without the need for a separate cavity. This avoids interference with the layout of core components and reserves space for increasing the capacity of the drum assembly and optimizing the heat dissipation channel, which fits the product positioning of the desktop washing machine as a small-sized, multi-functional product.

[0051] When the user pulls the operating component 500, the operating component 500 directly pulls the drive section 410 of the torsion spring. At the moment of force application, the unlocking component 400 simultaneously deforms in the direction of the locking assembly 320 (pushing to unlock) and accumulates its own elastic potential energy. The force transmission has no intermediate loss. The user's force application action of pulling the operating component 500 is almost synchronous with the unlocking action of the door 200. In emergency scenarios such as jamming, it can quickly complete the unlocking, improve the mechanical response speed, and ensure the safety and reliability of the product.

[0052] After the user releases the operating component 500, the unlocking component 400 does not need to rely on the pushing of other reset structures. The force transmission does not need to go through other components, but is directly released through its own elastic force, which drives the operating component 500 to reset along the original path. Even if there is slight friction between the operating component 500 and the inner wall of the housing 110, the elastic force released by the unlocking component 400 can directly overcome the frictional resistance, ensuring that the operating component 500 is fully reset. This avoids the operating component 500 becoming loose or stuck due to insufficient reset, and thus avoids problems such as the door 200 failing to close properly or the next unlocking failure.

[0053] The torsion spring only needs to be fixedly connected to the frame 600 at the end away from the drive section 410 using the connector 700. The connector 700 can be of the type including but not limited to screws or double-sided tape. The operating part 500 is directly connected to the drive section 410. The number of parts in the entire unlocking system is greatly reduced, avoiding complex assembly relationships. This minimalist structure makes the internal wiring and component arrangement of the garment handling device 10 more regular, reducing problems such as mutual hooking and spatial interference caused by too many parts. At the same time, it reduces the process difficulty during the assembly of the whole machine and improves the structural stability during the production process.

[0054] The operating component 500 is directly connected to the drive section 410 of the torsion spring. When the operating component 500 is pulled, the driving force is directly transmitted to the drive section 410 through the operating component 500, causing the torsion spring to rotate around a fixed point. The end of the drive section 410 directly applies a pushing force to the lock assembly 320. The entire force transmission path is only: operating component 500 → torsion spring → lock assembly 320, without any intermediate medium. Regardless of whether there is slight jamming of the latch 310 of the door 200 (e.g., clothing fibers are wrapped around the latch 310), the drive section 410 of the torsion spring can buffer and store force through its own torsional deformation, continuously applying a stable pushing force to the lock assembly 320, ensuring that the unlocking action is accurate and effective, avoiding the problem of the operating component 500 moving but the unlocking component 400 not pushing the lock assembly 320, and improving the success rate of emergency unlocking.

[0055] After the operating component 500 is released, the torsion spring, without relying on an external structure, directly drives the drive section 410 to rotate in the opposite direction through its own torsional deformation restoring force. The drive section 410 simultaneously pulls the operating component 500 back to its original position along the original path. The restoring force of the operating component 500 comes entirely from the elastic force of the torsion spring and is unrelated to the elastic force of the lock assembly 320 itself. There is no need to worry about insufficient restoring force of the lock assembly 320 causing the operating component 500 to fail to return to its original position. Even if the operating component 500 experiences slight friction with the inner wall of the housing 100 due to wiring, the restoring force of the torsion spring can directly overcome the resistance, ensuring that the operating component 500 fully returns to its initial position, maintaining a safe distance from the lock assembly 320, without affecting the normal locking of the door 200. This completely avoids malfunctions such as the operating component 500 becoming loose and causing failure to unlock next time, or the operating component 500 becoming stuck and causing the door 200 to fail to close.

[0056] Understandably, when the drive section 410 is reset, it moves away from the locking mechanism 300 and separates from the locking mechanism 300. The locking component 320 of the locking mechanism 300 only makes brief contact with the unlocking component 400 when unlocking, avoiding wear at the connection point of the locking component 320 caused by the long-term connection of the operating component 500, extending the service life of the locking mechanism 300, and reducing the user's maintenance and replacement costs.

[0057] In another structural form, the unlocking component 400 is an elastic metal sheet. The elastic metal sheet has a flat sheet structure, which does not require the space reserved for spiral deformation like a torsion spring, nor does it occupy the lateral extension space like a rigid lever. During installation, it can be directly attached to the unused position on the frame 600, and can even be bent to fit curved areas without encroaching on the drum assembly capacity, leaving more space for the core functional components, which fits the small size and high density structural characteristics of desktop washing machines.

[0058] Alternatively, in a non-elastic structure, the unlocking component 400 can employ a gravity reset mechanism, utilizing the gravity difference to replace elastic components for automatic reset. The unlocking component 400 only needs to be designed with two ends of unequal weight (e.g., one end has a metal counterweight, and the other end is a lightweight drive arm). The operating component 500 is connected to the lightweight end (or the heavy end, adapted according to the unlocking direction). No additional elastic components are required, avoiding malfunctions caused by fatigue failure of elastic components and reducing the risk of unlocking system failure at its source.

[0059] The unlocking component 400 adopts a gravity-reset design. It can be designed as a flat, elongated strip, occupying only a fan-shaped area along the axis when rotating around it. This allows for installation at multiple angles and is not strictly limited by the installation direction. The core of gravity-reset is rotation driven by weight difference. As long as the washing machine is placed on a level surface, the unlocking component 400 can reset itself by naturally lowering its heavier end. No strict calibration of the installation angle is required. Even if the machine body is slightly tilted due to the surface, as long as the heavier end can still fall naturally under gravity, reset is achieved, adapting to various practical installation scenarios. The unlocking component 400 avoids the operating component 500 directly pulling the locking assembly 320 while still achieving the reset effect of the operating component 500. This application does not impose specific restrictions on the structural form of the unlocking component 400.

[0060] like Figure 3 As shown, the lock assembly 320 includes a drive member 321 and a lock hook 322. The drive member 321 has a lock groove 3211 at one end away from the drive section 410, and the lock hook 322 is located close to the drive member 321. When one end of the lock hook 322 is limited to the lock groove 3211, the other end of the lock hook 322 can hook the lock tongue 310 to lock the two, so that the door 200 can be locked on the housing 100 and the clothing delivery port 111 is closed.

[0061] When a user needs to unlock the door 200, they can pull the operating end of the operating component 500. The driving section 410 moves downward under force, and one end of the driving component 321 moves in the same direction as the driving section 410. Since the driving component 321 has a first rotating shaft in the middle and is rotatably connected to the frame 600 through the first rotating shaft, the driving component 321 can rotate around the first rotating shaft. Therefore, the other end of the driving component 321 moves in the opposite direction, so that one end of the lock hook 322 disengages from the lock groove 3211. The lock hook 322 has a second rotating shaft and is rotatably connected to the frame 600 through the second rotating shaft. Under the action of the elastic element (not shown in the figure) connected to it, the lock hook 322 rotates around the second rotating shaft and in a counterclockwise direction, so that the lock tongue 310 and the lock hook 322 are unlocked, thereby unlocking the door 200.

[0062] This design ensures that when the clothing handling device 10 is in an emergency where the door 200 cannot be opened due to a malfunction of the locking mechanism 300 (such as a power outage causing the electromagnetic lock to fail to unlock or the bolt 310 to become stuck), the door 200 can be reliably unlocked. This prevents users from resorting to dangerous actions such as forcibly prying open the door 200 (damaging the housing 110 or the door 200) due to the inability to open it. It provides a safe and controllable solution to emergency problems, protecting the safety of both the user and the equipment. When the locking mechanism 300 malfunctions, the user does not need tools. They only need to locate the operating component 500 located on the side or rear of the housing 110 and pull it to trigger unlocking. The operating component 500 moves the unlocking component 400, which directly pushes the lock assembly 320, separating the lock assembly 320 from the bolt 310.

[0063] The unlocking component 400 bears the direct force that pushes the lock assembly 320. The operating component 500 only needs to drive the unlocking component 400 to move, without having to bear the reaction force when the lock assembly 320 is unlocked (such as the friction force when the lock assembly 320 is stuck). This can effectively reduce the stretching and wear of the operating component 500 and avoid phenomena such as breakage of the operating component 500 and peeling of the outer skin during long-term use of the clothing processing device 10.

[0064] In one embodiment of this application, the unlocking operation component extends to the rear side of the housing 110 away from the clothing delivery port 111. The rear side of the housing 110 is a non-high-frequency interaction area, which usually only needs to reserve a small amount of space for heat dissipation and circuit layout. There are no core functional components. The exposed position of the unlocking operation component can be directly arranged on the rear side of the housing 110 to ensure that the design of the front panel and the clothing delivery port 111 is not restricted by the emergency unlocking function, thus ensuring the user's convenience.

[0065] The unlocking operation component extends to the rear side of the casing 110, away from the clothes inlet 111. Therefore, there is no need to create an outlet for the operation component 500 in the base 120, preserving the structural integrity of the base 120 and ensuring its load-bearing strength. This is especially important for countertop washing machines, which are often placed on a countertop; the contact area between the base 120 and the countertop directly affects the machine's stability. Openings at the bottom can easily cause the center of gravity to shift when the machine is placed, leading to uneven stress and wobbling. Extending the operation component 500 to the rear side of the casing 110 requires no structural modifications to the base 120, allowing it to maintain a completely flat contact design, resulting in a tighter fit with the countertop and greater stability. Simultaneously, the rear wiring can extend along the non-load-bearing area of ​​the casing 110's side wall without affecting the installation layout of internal core components, balancing space utilization, product appearance integrity, and structural strength.

[0066] In the structure of the unlocking operation components, including the aforementioned unlocking element 400 and operating element 500, the unlocking element 400 is positioned adjacent to the lock assembly 320 and close to the front of the housing 110. The operating element 500 extends from the unlocking element 400 to the rear. When the operating element 500 is pulled, the direction of the force is from the front to the rear along the clothing handling device 10, forming a reasonable force transmission angle with the unlocking element 400's pushing action on the lock assembly 320. This avoids misalignment between the unlocking element 400 and the lock assembly 320 due to deviations in the direction of the force, preventing wear on the components. Simultaneously, the user applies force more smoothly when pulling from the rear, making it easier to control the force, such as when standing, preventing deformation of the unlocking element 400 due to improper force application, further improving the reliability of use.

[0067] In some embodiments, please refer to Figures 1 to 4 The housing 110 contains a wire buckle 112 with a thread hole. The unlocking operation component passes through the thread hole, and the wire buckle 112 restricts the unlocking operation component to extend in a front-to-back direction away from the clothing insertion port 111. If the operation component 500 is unrestrained, it may be pulled obliquely or laterally under unexpected external force, causing force misalignment and making it prone to deformation or even breakage. The thread hole of the wire buckle 112 guides the force of the unlocking operation component. Even when pulled, the force is transmitted in a front-to-back direction, consistent with the force direction of the unlocking operation component, extending its service life and reducing repair costs due to accidental damage.

[0068] The wire buckle 112 restricts the extension of the unlocking operation component in the front and back directions through the wire hole. This not only solves the problem of arranging the unlocking operation component in a compact space, but also creates a chain of optimization effects from multiple dimensions such as transmission reliability, operation consistency, production and maintenance efficiency, and safety.

[0069] The continuous downward pull generated by the weight of the unlocking operation component is the key to the passive force and malfunction of the locking mechanism 300. If the wireless buckle 112 of the unlocking operation component is supported in the middle, its weight will continuously pull the locking mechanism 300 through the connection end, causing the locking mechanism 300 to be in a continuous unlocked state that cannot be reset for a long time.

[0070] Furthermore, the buckle 112 is located near the middle of the garment handling device 10 in both the front-to-back and up-to-down directions. This means that the unlocking operation component is divided into two connected sections by the buckle 112: a front half (from the end of the unlocking operation component connected to the locking mechanism 300 to the location of the buckle 112) and a rear half (from the location of the buckle 112 to the other end of the unlocking operation component extending towards the rear of the housing 110). This allows the buckle 112 to be positioned at the horizontal midpoint of the unlocking operation component, precisely supporting the middle section of the unlocking operation component. This disperses the downward pulling force generated by the weight of the unlocking operation component to the buckle 112, which is then transmitted to the frame 600 by the buckle 112 fixing structure, rather than being entirely borne by the unlocking component 400.

[0071] In this embodiment of the application, when the clothing handling device 10 is a desktop washing machine, its internal vertical space is compact. If the unlocking operation component is supported by the wireless buckle 112, it will naturally sag due to its own weight, and may hook up with internal components such as wiring harness, water pipe, and motor bracket, forming a jamming force. This force will be transmitted to the locking mechanism 300 through the unlocking operation component, causing the locking mechanism 300 to be jammed and unable to return to its original position.

[0072] It is understandable that in the structure of the unlocking operation components including the aforementioned unlocking element 400 and operating element 500, a guide buckle 113 can also be provided below the unlocking element 400. The operating element 500 is movably inserted through the guide buckle 113 and connected to the unlocking element 400. Since the directions of movement of different unlocking elements 400 differ, if the operating element 500 extends directly from the rear, the direction of the pulling force is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the unlocking element 400. A complex structure is needed to convert the force direction, which can easily lead to force loss. The guide buckle 113 can convert the forward and backward pulling force of the operating element 500 into an up and down pulling force that matches the movement of the unlocking element 400. For example, the unlocking component 400 needs to deform downwards to push the lock assembly 320. The guide buckle 113 is located below the unlocking component 400. When the operating component 500 pulls backwards, it is guided by the guide buckle 113, and the pulling force direction is changed to pull the unlocking component 400 downwards, which is completely consistent with the movement direction of the unlocking component 400. The force transmission efficiency is greatly improved, and the user does not need to apply too much force to pull the unlocking component 400, avoiding the problem of empty pulling when the operating component 500 pulls but the unlocking component 400 does not move.

[0073] The guide buckle 113 forms a movable constraint on the operating component 500. The operating component 500 can slide within the guide buckle 113 but cannot deviate significantly. This effectively prevents the operating component 500 from loosening and shaking due to the vibration of the washing machine and its own weight. When the user pulls the operating component 500, the pulling force can be instantly transmitted to the unlocking component 400 through the guide buckle 113. There is no delay in transmitting force after first straightening the operating component 500, which improves the unlocking response speed. Especially in emergency scenarios such as when the locking mechanism 300 is stuck, it can achieve "unlocking with one pull".

[0074] In some embodiments, please refer again Figures 1 to 5 The housing 110 also includes a cover plate 115. A limiting groove 1141 is formed on the rear side of the housing 114. The cover plate 115 is detachably connected to the rear side of the housing 114 and covers the limiting groove 1141. The end of the unlocking operation component away from the locking mechanism 300 is confined within the limiting groove 1141. The cover plate 115 is connected to the housing 114 using a detachable connection method such as a snap-fit ​​connection. The edge of the cover plate 115 is aligned with the contour of the housing 114, without obvious gaps or protrusions. After connection, it can seamlessly fit with the rear side of the housing 110, visually integrating completely into the housing 114 and avoiding visual discontinuity. The cover plate 115 can also have its contour adjusted according to the size of the housing 114 of different models, meeting users' needs for both practicality and aesthetics when choosing appliances for their countertops.

[0075] After the cover plate 115 seals the limiting groove 1141, the end of the unlocking operation component away from the locking mechanism 300 is completely isolated from the external environment, preventing the unlocking operation component from aging and cracking due to long-term exposure or deformation caused by foreign objects. Even in complex usage scenarios such as humid and dusty environments, the unlocking operation component can maintain good physical condition, significantly extending its service life and reducing the repair and replacement costs for users due to damage to the unlocking operation component.

[0076] The end of the unlocking operation component away from the locking mechanism 300 is confined within the limiting groove 1141. It may be fixedly connected to the groove body and extend along the groove wall into the housing 114, connecting the other end to the unlocking member 400. The width and depth of the limiting groove 1141 are adapted to the diameter of the end of the unlocking operation component away from the locking mechanism 300, forming a tight fit but pullable state. This allows the unlocking operation component to be pulled along the length of the groove wall, satisfying the required unlocking stroke. However, because the end of the unlocking operation component away from the locking mechanism 300 is fixedly connected to the limiting groove 1141, the axial retraction of the unlocking operation component is restricted.

[0077] Even under conditions such as transportation bumps, machine dehydration vibrations, or the unlocking operation component springing back to its original position after unlocking, the end of the unlocking operation component away from the locking mechanism 300 remains stably confined within the limiting groove 1141. It will not slide into the housing 110 due to external force or reset force, ensuring that in an emergency where the door 200 lock fails, the user can directly find the unlocking operation component and pull it to unlock. The user can also easily reach into and pull out the unlocking operation component through the groove shape of the limiting groove 1141, avoiding the risk of the unlocking operation component retracting into the housing 100 and causing the emergency function to be paralyzed.

[0078] In the structure of the unlocking operation components, including the aforementioned unlocking component 400 and operating component 500, the cover plate 115 is detachably connected to the rear side of the housing 110 and covers the limiting groove 1141. Since the operating component 500 is rope-like, the cover plate 115 can not only block the limiting groove 1141 from the outside, but also, through the slight pressing force on the inside of the cover plate 115 (for example, a limiting protrusion can be designed on the edge of the cover plate 115), lightly press the operating component 500 when it cooperates with the limiting groove 1141, further fixing the operating component 500. Even if the operating component 500 becomes slightly loose due to long-term use, the pressing effect of the cover plate 115 can prevent it from coming out of the limiting groove 1141 or retracting, forming a double guarantee of physical constraint of the limiting groove 1141 and auxiliary fixation of the cover plate 115, further improving the stability of the position of the operating component 500.

[0079] Furthermore, the operating end of the operating component 500 is equipped with a pull ring, which engages within the limiting groove 1141. The diameter of the pull ring precisely matches the shape of the limiting groove 1141. When engaged, the edge of the pull ring embeds into the groove of the limiting groove 1141, forming a bidirectional limiting mechanism. This restricts the axial retraction of the operating component 500 into the housing 110, as the edge of the pull ring is blocked by the groove wall of the limiting groove 1141, preventing it from sliding into the housing 110. It also restricts the radial lateral displacement of the operating component 500, as the pull ring is fixed by the side wall of the limiting groove 1141, preventing it from wobbling freely. Even in extreme scenarios, such as when the entire machine tipps over during transport or when strong vibrations during dehydration cause fluctuations in the force on the operating component 500, the pull ring remains stably engaged within the limiting groove 1141. The end of the operating component 500 is always in a ready-to-pull position, completely avoiding the risk of the operating component 500 retracting into the housing 110 and becoming untraceable in an emergency.

[0080] In emergency unlocking, users need to quickly pull the operating piece 500. If only the end of the operating piece 500 is pulled directly, it is easy to slip due to wet hands, a thin rope, or uneven force, making it impossible to efficiently transmit the pulling force. However, the pull ring itself is ring-shaped, and users can insert their fingers into the ring to pull, increasing the force application area. In addition, the smooth edge of the pull ring is not easy to slip. Especially for the elderly, children, or users with weak hand strength, the pull ring's assist function can significantly reduce the difficulty of pulling. There is no need to grip the operating piece 500 tightly; simply hooking the pull ring is enough to easily move the operating piece 500, avoiding unlocking failure and making emergency operation more suitable for a wider range of users.

[0081] In some embodiments, an air vent is also provided on the rear side of the housing 114, a limiting groove 1141 is provided near the periphery of the air vent, and a cover plate 115 covers the air vent and the groove of the limiting groove 1141. The air vent serves as the core channel for the drying function, such as... Figure 5As shown, in the structure where air intake and exhaust are performed separately, the air vents include a first air vent 1142 and a second air vent 1143, one of which is an air inlet and the other is an air outlet. They need to occupy a certain area on the rear side of the outer casing 114. The limiting groove 1141 only needs to surround the unused corners around the air vent, such as the gap between the edge of the air vent and the side wall of the outer casing 114, or the limiting groove 1141 is opened between the periphery of the first air vent 1142 and the second air vent 1143, without the need to open up a separate installation space.

[0082] After the air vent and the limiting groove 1141 share a single cover plate 115, only an integrated area for the air vent and the limiting groove 1141 needs to be reserved on the rear side of the outer casing 114. There is no need to reserve separate installation positions for the air vent cover and the limiting groove 1141 cover, avoiding the structural clutter and inability to accommodate other components caused by dividing the rear space into multiple small areas. The saved space can be used to optimize the drying air duct design, increasing the air vent area to improve drying efficiency, or providing space for power cord storage, foot pad installation, etc., perfectly matching the small size and high density structural characteristics of desktop washing machines.

[0083] It should be noted that the air vent is tilted upwards in a front-to-back direction. Because the limiting groove 1141 is located near the periphery of the air vent, this upward tilt makes it easier for the user to pull the operating component 500, aligning with the user's force inertia. The operating height of a countertop washing machine is typically waist-high. If the air vent were horizontally tilted backwards, hot airflow might overflow from the rear and blow towards the user's waist during drying. If the air vent were downwards, the hot airflow would heat the countertop, potentially causing items placed on it to deform. With the air vent tilted upwards, the hot airflow diffuses upwards, away from the user's operating area and countertop items. Users will not be directly exposed to hot airflow when taking clothes out or putting them in during the drying process, and countertop items will not be damaged by heat, making it safer to use.

[0084] 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 application. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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 garment processing device, characterized in that, include: The housing includes a body and a base, the body having a clothing insertion opening, and the base being connected to the bottom of the body; The door is movably connected to the housing and is used to open and close the clothing loading port; A locking mechanism for locking or unlocking the door from the housing; as well as An unlocking operation component has one end adjacent to the locking mechanism and the other end extending outward toward the outer side of the housing and can be exposed on the side or rear of the housing. The unlocking operation component is configured to unlock the locking mechanism when it is pulled out.

2. The garment processing apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The unlocking mechanism is a rod-shaped component, with one end connected to the locking mechanism and the other end exposed on the side or rear of the housing.

3. The garment processing apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a frame, which is fixedly connected to the housing. The unlocking operation component includes an unlocking component and an operating component. The unlocking component is connected to the frame. One end of the operating component is connected to the unlocking component, and the other end is an operating end that extends toward the outside of the housing and can be exposed on the side or rear of the housing. The operating component is configured to be pulled out so that it can drive the unlocking component to unlock the locking mechanism.

4. The garment processing apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The end of the unlocking operation component away from the locking mechanism extends to the rear side of the housing opposite to the clothing insertion port.

5. The garment processing apparatus as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The housing is provided with a wire buckle, and the wire buckle is provided with a thread hole. The unlocking operation component passes through the thread hole.

6. The garment processing apparatus as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The buckle restricts the unlocking operation component to extend in a front-to-back direction away from the garment insertion port.

7. The garment processing apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes an outer shell and a cover plate. The front side of the outer shell is provided with the clothing insertion port, and the rear side of the outer shell is provided with a limiting groove. The cover plate is detachably connected to the rear side of the outer shell and covers the limiting groove. The end of the unlocking operation component away from the locking mechanism is limited to the limiting groove.

8. The garment processing apparatus as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The unlocking operation component has a pull ring at the end away from the locking mechanism, and the pull ring is engaged in the limiting groove.

9. The garment processing apparatus as described in claim 7, characterized in that, An air vent is provided on the rear side of the outer casing, and a limiting groove is provided near the periphery of the air vent. The cover plate seals the air vent and the opening of the limiting groove.

10. The garment processing apparatus as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The air vent includes a first air vent and a second air vent arranged side by side, and the limiting groove is formed between the periphery of the first air vent and the second air vent.

11. The garment processing apparatus as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The air vent is tilted upwards in a front-to-back direction.

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