A spray arm assembly and a dishwasher

Abstract

The application relates to the field of dishwashers, and provides a spray arm assembly and a dishwasher, which comprises a water supply pipe, a spray arm base and a water distribution valve; the spray arm base is provided with a hollow inner cavity and a plurality of water inlet channels communicated with the inner cavity, the water supply pipe is rotationally connected with the spray arm base, a plurality of limiting columns are arranged on the water inlet channels at intervals, a plurality of inclined guide inclined surfaces are arranged at the bottom of the inner cavity, and guide grooves are formed between adjacent guide inclined surfaces; the water distribution valve comprises a valve body, a rib, limiting guide walls and limiting stop flaps; the valve body is movably arranged in the inner cavity and located between the limiting columns and the guide inclined surfaces; the rib and the limiting guide walls are respectively arranged at two ends of the valve body; the rib is in position correspondence with the guide grooves in the up-down direction; the limiting guide walls are multiple; limiting grooves are formed between adjacent limiting guide walls; the limiting grooves are used for cooperating with the limiting columns; and the limiting stop flaps are arranged on the outer side of the valve body and used for shielding part of the water inlet channels when the water distribution valve floats.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of dishwashers, and more particularly to a spray arm assembly and a dishwasher. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, dishwashers typically use rotating spray arms to clean dishes placed in the inner tub. These spray arms usually have several spray nozzles, and water is sprayed from these nozzles during operation. However, dishwasher spray arms can only rotate in one direction, making it difficult for some areas of the dishes to be thoroughly rinsed, resulting in incomplete cleaning. Currently, some spray arms on the market can spray water in both directions, but these are all driven by motors. Switching between forward and reverse rotation requires a separate motor and related electronic control components, resulting in complex structures, space occupation, and negatively impacting the overall cleaning performance of the dishwasher. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application aims to improve at least one technical problem in the background art.

[0004] This application provides a spray arm assembly, which includes a water supply pipe, a spray arm base, and a water distribution valve;

[0005] The spray arm base has a hollow inner cavity and multiple water inlet channels communicating with the inner cavity. The water supply pipe is rotatably connected to the spray arm base and extends into the inner cavity. Multiple limiting posts are spaced apart on the water inlet channels. Multiple inclined guide slopes are provided at the bottom of the inner cavity, and guide grooves are formed between adjacent guide slopes.

[0006] The water distribution valve includes a valve body, ribs, limiting guide walls, and limiting baffles. The valve body is movably disposed within the inner cavity and located between the limiting post and the guide inclined surface. The ribs and the limiting guide walls are respectively disposed at both ends of the valve body. The ribs correspond to the guide grooves. There are multiple limiting guide walls, and a limiting groove is formed between adjacent limiting guide walls. The limiting groove is used to cooperate with the limiting post. The limiting baffles are disposed on the outside of the valve body to block part of the water inlet channel when the water distribution valve floats.

[0007] The spray arm assembly provided in this application has at least the following beneficial effects: the water distribution valve is driven to rise and fall by the buoyancy of the water flow, and the valve body is rotated by the sliding cooperation of the limiting guide wall and the limiting column, the rib and the guide slope, so that when the valve body is rotated to different positions, the outer shielding plate can block different water inlet channels, so as to realize the change of the rotation direction of the spray arm seat. The structure is simple and the reversing is convenient.

[0008] According to some technical solutions of this application, the spray arm base includes a base and multiple outwardly extending support arms. The support arms are sleeved on the water supply pipe through connecting holes. The water supply pipe is provided with a slot. The inner wall of the support arm is provided with a hook. The hook and the slot cooperate. The base is fixedly connected to the multiple support arms. The water inlet channel is formed inside the support arm. The limiting baffle abuts against the bottom surface of the support arm when it floats up.

[0009] According to some technical solutions of this application, the support arm is provided with spray holes, and there are multiple spray holes, which are spaced apart along the length direction of the support arm.

[0010] According to some technical solutions of this application, the valve body is cylindrical, and a plurality of limiting guide walls are arranged around the inner wall of the upper end of the valve body. The ribs are distributed circumferentially along the outer edge of the lower end of the valve body. The guide groove is provided with a limiting slot. The ribs are used to cooperate with the limiting slot. There are two limiting baffles and they are arranged opposite to each other on the outside of the valve body.

[0011] According to some technical solutions of this application, a limiting cylinder is sleeved on the water supply pipe, the limiting cylinder is rotatably connected to the water supply pipe, the limiting post is located on the outer edge of the limiting cylinder, and the limiting cylinder is connected to the spray arm seat by a snap fastener.

[0012] According to some technical solutions of this application, a first elastic element is sleeved on the water supply pipe, and the first elastic element is disposed between the water supply pipe and the limiting cylinder. One end of the first elastic element extends toward the inner cavity. The inner wall of the water distribution valve is provided with a protrusion, which is used to abut against the first elastic element when floating.

[0013] According to some technical solutions of this application, the spray arm assembly further includes a spray arm retaining ring, which is rotatably connected to the water supply pipe. The spray arm seat is located below the spray arm retaining ring. The bottom of the spray arm retaining ring is provided with a protrusion, and the top of the limiting cylinder is provided with a limiting port. The protrusion and the limiting port cooperate with each other.

[0014] According to some technical solutions of this application, the spray arm retaining ring includes a first retaining ring and a second retaining ring, and the first retaining ring and the second retaining ring are connected by a snap-fit ​​assembly.

[0015] According to some technical solutions of this application, the spray arm assembly further includes a drainage assembly, which includes a valve cover, a valve stem, a second elastic element, and a bottom cover. The base has a limiting hole and a drain outlet located on one side of the limiting hole. The valve cover, valve stem, and second elastic element are all located inside the base. The valve cover and the drain outlet correspond to each other. One end of the valve stem is fixedly connected to the valve cover, and the other end of the valve stem passes through the connecting hole and is fixedly connected to the bottom cover. The second elastic element is sleeved on the valve stem and located between the valve cover and the base.

[0016] This application also provides a dishwasher that includes a spray arm assembly as described in any of the preceding technical solutions. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the spray arm assembly provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0018] Figure 2 A side view of the spray arm assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 3 This is an exploded structural diagram of the spray arm assembly provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0020] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the spray arm assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the spray arm assembly provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 ;

[0022] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the spray arm assembly provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 ;

[0023] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the spray arm assembly provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3 ;

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the drainage component 240 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0025] In the attached diagram: 100 - water supply pipe; 200 - spray arm seat; 300 - water distribution valve; 400 - limit cylinder; 500 - first elastic element; 600 - spray arm retaining ring;

[0026] 110-Slot; 201-Inner cavity; 202-Water inlet channel; 203-Guide slope; 204-Guide groove; 206-Limiting slot; 210-Base; 211-Valve body seat; 212-Drain outlet; 213-Limiting hole; 220-Support arm; 221-Connecting hole; 222-Spray hole; 240-Drainage assembly; 241-Valve cover; 242-Valve stem; 243-Second elastic element; 244-Bottom cover;

[0027] 310-Valve body; 320-Rib; 330-Limiting guide wall; 340-Limiting baffle; 350-Limiting groove; 311-Protrusion; 401-Limiting port; 410-Limiting post;

[0028] 610-First retaining ring; 620-Second retaining ring; 601-Protrusion; 602-Snap fastener assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0030] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., 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 or operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0031] In the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly defined, terms such as "setup," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this application in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0032] The following is combined Figures 1 to 8 The embodiments of this application are described below.

[0033] This application provides a spray arm assembly, which includes a water supply pipe 100, a spray arm seat 200, and a water distribution valve 300;

[0034] The spray arm base 200 has a hollow inner cavity 201 and multiple water inlet channels 202 communicating with the inner cavity 201. The water supply pipe 100 is rotatably connected to the spray arm base 200 and extends into the inner cavity 201. Multiple limiting posts 410 are spaced apart on the water inlet channels 202. Multiple inclined guide slopes 203 are provided at the bottom of the inner cavity 201, and guide grooves 204 are formed between adjacent guide slopes 203.

[0035] The water distribution valve 300 includes a valve body 310, a rib 320, a limiting guide wall 330, and a limiting baffle 340. The valve body 310 is movably disposed within the inner cavity 201 and located between the limiting post 410 and the guide inclined surface 203. The rib 320 and the limiting guide wall 330 are respectively disposed at both ends of the valve body 310. The rib 320 corresponds vertically to the guide groove 204. There are multiple limiting guide walls 330, and a limiting groove 350 is formed between adjacent limiting guide walls 330. The limiting groove 350 is used to cooperate with the limiting post 410. The limiting baffle 340 is disposed on the outside of the valve body 310 to block part of the water inlet channel 202 when the water distribution valve 300 floats.

[0036] Specifically, after the water supply pipe 100 is connected to the water source, when the water source is turned on, the water flows along the water supply pipe 100 into the inner cavity 201 of the spray arm seat 200. The valve body 310 of the water distribution valve 300 gradually floats up under the action of buoyancy. When the valve body 310 contacts the limiting post 410, since the limiting guide wall 330 is provided with an inclined surface, the inclined surface on the limiting guide wall 330 contacts and slides with the end of the limiting post 410, causing the valve body 310 to rotate until the limiting post 410 is stuck in the limiting groove 350. At this time, the valve body 310 reaches the first position. The limiting baffle 340 is pushed by the water flow force, and part of the water inlet channel 202 is blocked by the limiting baffle 340, so that the water flow can only flow out along the unblocked water inlet channel 202, thereby driving the spray arm seat 200 to spray water in the first direction.

[0037] When the water supply is stopped and the accumulated water is drained, the valve body 310 gradually moves downward. The rib 320 at the bottom of the valve body 310 contacts the guide slope 203. As it slides along the guide slope 203, it drives the valve body 310 to rotate. Then, the rib 320 inserts into the guide groove 204 and cooperates with the guide groove 204, causing the valve body 310 to rotate to the second position and fall to the bottom of the inner cavity 201. When the water supply is resumed, the water flow re-enters the inner cavity 201, and the valve body 310 floats up again. Since the valve body 310 is in the second position, during the floating process, the inclined surface of the limiting guide wall 330 guides the limiting post 410 to slide into another limiting groove 350, thereby causing the limiting baffle 340 to block the entrance of another part of the water inlet channel 202. The water flows out through the other unblocked water inlet channel 202, thus realizing the reversal of the spray arm, without relying on complex electrical control pipelines and components. Compared to structures that only have guide ramps, the ribs inserted into the guide grooves can limit their continued shaking or displacement.

[0038] Therefore, the buoyancy of the water flow drives the water distribution valve 300 to rise and fall, and the valve body 310 is rotated through the sliding cooperation between the limiting guide wall 330 and the limiting column 410, and the rib 320 and the guide inclined surface 203. When the valve body 310 is rotated to different positions, the outer shielding plate can block different water inlet channels 202, so as to change the rotation direction of the spray arm seat 200. The structure is simple and the reversing is convenient. There is no need to set up reversing electrical control components or carry out complex pipeline wiring, thus avoiding the risks of complex pipeline wiring and circuit failure.

[0039] In some embodiments, the spray arm base 200 includes a base 210 and a plurality of outwardly extending support arms 220. The support arms 220 are sleeved on the water supply pipe 100 through a connection hole 221. The water supply pipe 100 is provided with a slot 110. The inner wall of the support arm 220 is provided with a hook. The hook and the slot 110 cooperate to prevent the spray arm base 200 from falling off. The base 210 is fixedly connected to the plurality of support arms 220. The water inlet channel 202 is formed inside the support arm 220. The limiting baffle 340 abuts against the bottom surface of the support arm 220 when it floats up.

[0040] For example, multiple support arms 220 extend outward to form a cross-shaped spray arm. Each support arm 220 has multiple water inlets at the connection between the water inlet channel 202 and the inner cavity 201. When the valve body 310 rotates, it adheres tightly to the lower surface of the spray arm. At this time, the limiting baffle 340 on the outer side of the valve body 310 can block different water inlets. To improve the reliability of the sealing, the limiting baffle can be configured to match the shape of the water inlet of the water inlet of the water inlet 202. When the valve body 310 floats to the top, the limiting baffle 340 adheres tightly to the bottom surface of the support arm 220, thereby reliably sealing the water inlet of the water inlet of the water inlet 202 that needs to be blocked, thus achieving control of the water outlet direction.

[0041] The support arm 220 is provided with spray holes 222. Optionally, there are multiple spray holes 222, which are spaced apart along the length of the support arm 220 to ensure that the sprayed water can cover a larger area. In this way, the water flows into the support arm 220 from the water inlet channel 202 and then sprays out from the spray holes 222, so that the force of the water spray drives the spray arm seat 200 to rotate around the water supply pipe 100.

[0042] In some embodiments, the valve body 310 is cylindrical, and a plurality of limiting guide walls 330 are arranged around the inner wall of the upper end of the valve body 310. The ribs 320 are distributed circumferentially along the outer edge of the lower end of the valve body 310. The guide groove 204 is provided with a limiting slot 206. The ribs 320 are used to cooperate with the limiting slot 206. There are two limiting baffles 340 and they are arranged opposite to each other on the outside of the valve body 310. When the valve body 310 floats, the limiting baffles 340 rotate with the valve body 310, thereby blocking the inlets of different water inlet channels 202.

[0043] Optionally, to improve the stability of the valve body 310 when it moves up and down, the top diameter of the valve body 310 is larger than the diameter of the outlet of the water supply pipe 100, so that the top of the valve body 310 can extend into the water inlet channel 202. Alternatively, a valve body seat 211 is provided in the base 210, and a guide slope 203 is provided on the inner wall of the valve body seat 211. The bottom diameter of the valve body 310 is smaller than the diameter of the valve body seat 211, so that the valve body 310 can fall into the valve body seat 211 when it moves down, thereby restricting the position of the valve body 310 and preventing the valve body 310 from shifting in position in the inner cavity 201 and affecting the switching effect.

[0044] In some embodiments, a limiting cylinder 400 is sleeved on the water supply pipe 100. The limiting cylinder 400 is rotatably connected to the water supply pipe 100 and is located in the inner cavity 201 of the spray arm seat 200. The limiting post 410 is located on the outer edge of the limiting cylinder 400. By additionally setting the limiting cylinder 400, the limiting cylinder 400 is used as the carrier of the limiting post 410, reducing the processing complexity of the spray arm seat 200. The limiting cylinder 400 is connected to the spray arm seat 200 by a snap-fit ​​connection to achieve synchronous rotation with the spray arm seat 200. The snap-fit ​​connection improves assembly efficiency.

[0045] In some embodiments, a first elastic member 500 is sleeved on the water supply pipe 100, and the first elastic member 500 is disposed between the water supply pipe 100 and the limiting cylinder 400. One end of the first elastic member 500 extends toward the inner cavity 201. The inner wall of the water distribution valve 300 is provided with a protrusion 311, which is used to abut against the first elastic member 500 when floating.

[0046] Optionally, the first elastic element 500 is a spring, which is positioned between the water supply pipe 100 and the limiting cylinder 400 to prevent the spring from swinging. When the valve body 310 floats, the protrusion 311 on the inner wall of the valve body 310 contacts the downward-extending end of the spring, and the valve body 310 continues to float to continuously compress the spring. When the valve body 310 floats to the top, that is, when the limiting baffle 340 abuts against the bottom surface of the support arm 220, the spring is in a compressed state. After the water supply stops and the water is gradually drained, the spring force acts on the protrusion 311 of the valve body 310, pushing the valve body 310 downward, so that the valve body 310 disengages from the limiting cylinder 400, ensuring that the valve body 310 resets, further improving the switching reliability and reducing the risk of the valve body 310 getting stuck on the limiting cylinder 400.

[0047] In some embodiments, the spray arm assembly further includes a spray arm retaining ring 600, which is rotatably connected to the water supply pipe 100. The spray arm seat 200 is located below the spray arm retaining ring 600. The bottom of the spray arm retaining ring 600 is provided with a protrusion 601, and the top of the limiting cylinder 400 is provided with a limiting port 401. The protrusion 601 and the limiting port 401 cooperate to limit the disorderly rotation of the limiting cylinder 400 itself, ensuring the reversing effect of the water distribution valve 300. Further, the spray arm retaining ring 600 includes a first retaining ring 610 and a second retaining ring 620, which are connected by a snap-fit ​​assembly. Exemplarily, the first retaining ring 610 is provided with a hook, and the second retaining ring 620 is provided with a corresponding slot, which cooperates with the hook. This facilitates opening the retaining ring and placing it on the water supply pipe, and then fastening it in place, making it easy to disassemble and assemble the spray arm retaining ring 600, simplifying the assembly and maintenance process.

[0048] In some embodiments, the spray arm assembly further includes a drainage assembly 240, which includes a valve cover 241, a valve stem 242, a second elastic member 243, and a bottom cover 244. The base has a limiting hole 213 and a drain outlet 212 located on one side of the limiting hole 213. The valve cover 241, the valve stem 242, and the second elastic member 243 are all located inside the base 210. The positions of the valve cover 241 and the drain outlet 212 are corresponding. One end of the valve stem 242 is fixedly connected to the valve cover 241, and the other end of the valve stem 242 passes through the limiting hole 213 and is fixedly connected to the bottom cover 244. The second elastic member 243 is sleeved on the valve stem 242 and located between the valve cover 241 and the base 210.

[0049] When water enters the water supply pipe, the water flows into the inner cavity of the spray arm seat. The water pressure acts on the upper surface of the valve cover, thus pressing the valve cover downwards. This causes the valve cover to compress the spring on the valve stem and press down on the drain port, keeping the drain port closed. Water can only flow out along the water inlet channel. After the water supply stops, the spring force pushes the valve cover upwards, causing the valve cover to leave the drain port. At this time, the water accumulated in the spray arm seat can flow out through the drain port. The system opens and closes according to changes in water pressure. It has a compact structure, does not interfere with the movement of other components, and does not require additional control elements.

[0050] This application also provides a dishwasher that includes a spray arm assembly as described in any of the preceding technical solutions. Since this dishwasher uses the spray arm assembly disclosed in the embodiments of this application, it possesses the technical advantages of the spray arm assembly disclosed in the embodiments of this application, which will not be elaborated upon further in this application.

[0051] Furthermore, certain terms in this specification have been used to describe embodiments of this specification. For example, "an embodiment," "an embodiment," and / or "some embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this specification. Therefore, it is to be emphasized and understood that two or more references to "an embodiment" or "an embodiment" in various parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, specific features, structures, or characteristics may be appropriately combined in one or more embodiments of this specification.

[0052] The preferred embodiments of this application have been described in detail above, but this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described. Those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications or substitutions without departing from the spirit of this application, and these equivalent modifications or substitutions are all included within the scope defined by the claims of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A spray arm assembly, characterized in that: include: Water supply pipes; The spray arm base has a hollow inner cavity and multiple water inlet channels communicating with the inner cavity. The water supply pipe is rotatably connected to the spray arm base and extends into the inner cavity. Multiple limiting posts are spaced apart on the water inlet channels. Multiple inclined guide slopes are provided at the bottom of the inner cavity, and guide grooves are formed between adjacent guide slopes. The water distribution valve includes a valve body, ribs, limiting guide walls, and limiting baffles. The valve body is movably disposed within the inner cavity and located between the limiting post and the guide inclined surface. The ribs and the limiting guide walls are respectively disposed at both ends of the valve body. The ribs correspond to the guide grooves. There are multiple limiting guide walls, and a limiting groove is formed between adjacent limiting guide walls. The limiting groove is used to cooperate with the limiting post. The limiting baffles are disposed on the outside of the valve body to block part of the water inlet channel when the water distribution valve floats.

2. The spray arm assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spray arm base includes a base and multiple outwardly extending support arms. The support arms are sleeved onto the water supply pipe through connecting holes. The water supply pipe is provided with a slot. The inner wall of the support arm is provided with a hook. The hook and the slot cooperate with each other. The base is fixedly connected to the multiple support arms. The water inlet channel is formed inside the support arm. The limiting baffle abuts against the bottom surface of the support arm when it floats upward.

3. The spray arm assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The support arm is provided with multiple spray holes, which are spaced apart along the length of the support arm.

4. The spray arm assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve body is cylindrical, and multiple limiting guide walls are arranged around the inner wall of the upper end of the valve body. The ribs are distributed circumferentially along the outer edge of the lower end of the valve body. The guide groove is provided with a limiting slot. The ribs are used to cooperate with the limiting slot. There are two limiting baffles, which are arranged opposite to each other on the outside of the valve body.

5. The spray arm assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A limiting cylinder is fitted onto the water supply pipe, and the limiting cylinder is rotatably connected to the water supply pipe. The limiting post is located on the outer edge of the limiting cylinder, and the limiting cylinder is connected to the spray arm seat by a snap fastener.

6. The spray arm assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: A first elastic element is sleeved on the water supply pipe and is located between the water supply pipe and the limiting cylinder. One end of the first elastic element extends toward the inner cavity. The inner wall of the water distribution valve has a protrusion, which is used to abut against the first elastic element when floating.

7. The spray arm assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The spray arm assembly also includes a spray arm retaining ring, which is rotatably connected to the water supply pipe. The spray arm seat is located below the spray arm retaining ring. The bottom of the spray arm retaining ring is provided with a protrusion, and the top of the limiting cylinder is provided with a limiting port. The protrusion and the limiting port cooperate with each other.

8. The spray arm assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The spray arm retaining ring includes a first retaining ring and a second retaining ring, which are connected by a snap-fit ​​assembly.

9. The spray arm assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The spray arm assembly also includes a drainage assembly, which includes a valve cover, a valve stem, a second elastic element, and a bottom cover. The base has a limiting hole and a drain outlet located on one side of the limiting hole. The valve cover, valve stem, and second elastic element are all located inside the base. The valve cover and the drain outlet correspond to each other. One end of the valve stem is fixedly connected to the valve cover, and the other end of the valve stem passes through the connecting hole and is fixedly connected to the bottom cover. The second elastic element is sleeved on the valve stem and located between the valve cover and the base.

10. A dishwasher, characterized in that: Includes the spray arm assembly as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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