Internal drum arrangement and washing machine

Abstract

Inner drum arrangement (100), characterized in that the inner drum arrangement (100) comprises an inner drum (12) and a projection (2), wherein the projection (2) is arranged at a drum opening of the front region of the inner drum (12) and the projection (2) is located at least partially inside the drum opening.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a washing system, in particular an inner drum arrangement and a washing machine. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A washing machine includes an inner drum assembly and a door assembly. The inner drum assembly includes an inner drum for receiving clothes. The door assembly opens or closes the inner drum. The door assembly includes a protruding portion that projects toward the inner drum.

[0003] During washing, small items of clothing, such as socks, may become caught or even stuck in the gap between the protruding section and the inner drum, thereby impairing the washing effect. CONTENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0004] The present application is based on the object of disclosing an inner drum arrangement and a washing machine.

[0005] In the first aspect, the present application discloses an inner drum assembly. The inner drum assembly comprises an inner drum and a projection, wherein the projection is arranged at a drum opening of the front region of the inner drum, and the projection is located at least partially within the drum opening.

[0006] In some embodiments, it is provided that a plurality of projections are provided which are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the drum opening.

[0007] In some embodiments, the projection comprises a projection front portion whose adjacent side surfaces are connected to one another via an arcuate surface.

[0008] In some embodiments, it is provided that the projection is curved along a radial cross section of the inner drum.

[0009] In some embodiments, the projection comprises a projection front end surface, a projection top surface, and a connecting surface, wherein the connecting surface is connected to the projection front end surface and the projection top surface, and the connecting surface is inclined upwards relative to the horizontal plane.

[0010] In some embodiments, the inner drum comprises a drum body and a drum ring, wherein the drum body and the drum ring are mounted to each other and the projection is arranged on the drum ring.

[0011] In some embodiments, the inner drum assembly includes a lifting rib provided within the inner drum, wherein the projection is associated with the lifting rib.

[0012] In some embodiments, it is provided that along the circumferential direction of the inner drum, the projection has an offset angle of a relative to the lifting rib, where -10 degrees ≤ a ≤ 10 degrees.

[0013] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present application discloses a washing machine. The washing machine comprises an inner drum assembly according to any one of the above embodiments and a door assembly for opening or closing the inner drum, wherein the door assembly includes a protruding portion protruding toward the inner drum, the protrusion being located between the protruding portion and the inner drum.

[0014] In some embodiments, it is provided that in the projection of the axial plane of the inner drum, the projection of the projection partially overlaps with the projection of the protruding portion.

[0015] In some embodiments, the protruding portion tapers towards the inner drum.

[0016] In some embodiments, the protruding portion is provided to gradually taper towards the inner drum.

[0017] For the inner drum assembly and the washing machine, after the washing machine is constituted by the inner drum assembly and other components, since the protrusion is provided and the protrusion is located between the inner drum and the protruding portion of the washing machine, the protrusion rotates synchronously with the inner drum.In this way, on the one hand, when the protrusion rotates, eddy currents (or in other words, water waves) are generated, which largely prevent socks and other small items of clothing from getting caught in a gap between the protruding portion and the inner drum. On the other hand, the protrusion rubs against the socks and other small items of clothing during rotation. Due to the rotation of the protrusion together with the inner drum, such friction creates a pulling-out effect throughout the entire operation, whereby the socks and other small items of clothing caught in the gap between the protruding portion and the inner drum can be pulled out. By at least one of the two aforementioned aspects, the socks and other small items of clothing are prevented from getting caught in the gap between the protruding portion and the inner drum and the washing effect is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional representation of an inner drum assembly according to an embodiment of the present application; Fig. 2 shows a main view of the inner drum assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a three-dimensional representation of a drum ring assembly of the inner drum assembly at an angle according to the present application, wherein the drum ring assembly consists of the drum ring and the projection; Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view of part A from Fig. 3 ; Fig. 5 shows a three-dimensional representation of a drum ring assembly of the inner drum assembly at a different angle according to the present application, wherein the drum ring assembly consists of the drum ring and the projection; Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of an assembly with the relevant components of the present application in a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present application; Fig. 7 shows an enlarged view of part B of Fig. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Here, exemplary embodiments are discussed in more detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description with reference to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, like reference numerals represent the same or similar elements in different drawings. Embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. Rather, they merely represent examples of a device consistent with some of the aspects of the application described in detail in the appended claims.

[0019] The terms used in this application are intended to describe particular embodiments only, without limiting the application. Unless otherwise defined, technical or scientific terms used in this application are intended to have the common meanings understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the application pertains. The terms "first" and "second" or the like used in the specification and claims of this application do not imply order, quantity, or importance. Rather, they are used only to distinguish various components from one another. Similarly, similar terms such as "one" or "an" do not imply a quantitative limitation, but rather the presence of at least one element. The term "multiple" or "a plurality of" means a number of two or more.Unless otherwise stated, "front area", "rear area", "bottom area" and / or "top area" or similar terms are used solely for convenience of description and do not imply any limitation to position or spatial orientation. "Comprise", "include" or similar terms mean that an element or item preceding the term "comprise" or "include" is covered by an element or item following the term "comprise" or "include" and its equivalent, and does not exclude any other element or item. "Connected", "interconnected" or similar terms in no way indicate a limitation to a physical or mechanical connection. Rather, an electrical connection, whether direct or indirect, is conceivable.The singular forms of "a," "an," "the," and "these" used in the specification and appended claims of this application are intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates other meanings. It should further be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein encompasses any or all possible combinations of one or more of the related listed elements.

[0020] With reference to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the present application discloses, in a first aspect, an inner drum assembly 100. The inner drum assembly 100 comprises an inner drum 12 and a projection 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner drum 12 comprises a drum body 20 and a drum ring 1. The drum ring 1 is annular, wherein the ring shape is determined depending on the shape of the drum body 20. The drum ring 1 and the drum body 20 can be assembled to form an inner drum 12 by any structure (e.g., a snap connection, a weld, a screw, etc.). To facilitate the assembly of the drum ring 1, a guide mechanism can also be provided between the drum body 20 and the drum ring 1. The drum ring 1 and the drum body 20 are assembled through the cooperation of the guide mechanism with a screw or a snap connection.There are no restrictions regarding the design of the guide mechanism; for example, the guide mechanism can be a bevel.

[0021] The projection 2 is arranged at a drum opening of the front region of the inner drum 12, and the projection 2 is at least partially located within the drum opening. The front region is understood to mean a direction of the facing door assembly 200 being defined as the front, or a viewed region is the front region after the door assembly 200 is opened by the consumer. In the illustrated embodiment, the drum ring 1 can be regarded as a drum opening because the inner drum 12 is formed by mounting the drum ring 1 on the drum body 20, whereby the projection 2 is arranged along the circumferential direction of the drum ring 1 on the drum ring 1 and is at least partially located within the drum ring 1. There are no restrictions on the specific manner in which the projection is at least partially located within the ring, as long as the effect described below can be achieved.In the above embodiment, the drum ring 1 and the drum body 20 are formed in a split configuration, and the projection 2 may be formed integrally with the drum ring 1, or may be mounted on the drum ring 1 as an independent component but protrude relative to the drum ring 1. Accordingly, there is no limitation on the structure of the projection 2 as long as the effect described below can be achieved.

[0022] In the above embodiment, the drum ring 1 and the drum body 20 are formed separately. The projection 2 is arranged on the drum ring 1 (for the convenience of the following explanations, the assembly consisting of the drum ring 1 and the projection 2 is referred to as the drum ring assembly 10), and the drum ring 1 is mounted on the drum body 20, whereby the projection 2 is located at the drum opening of the front portion of the inner drum 12. Those skilled in the art can understand that, due to the effect of the projection 2 described below, the provision of the projection 2 is not limited to the embodiments of the application. For example, the drum ring 1 may be integrally formed with the drum body 20 to form the inner drum 12. In short, it is sufficient that the projection 2 is provided at the front portion of the inner drum 12 and that the projection 2 achieves the effect described below.

[0023] In a second aspect, the present application discloses a washing machine. Fig. 7. The washing machine includes an inner drum assembly 100 and a door assembly 200 according to any embodiment of the application. The door assembly 200 serves to open or close the inner drum 12, whereby the door assembly 200 and the inner drum assembly 100 form a washing chamber when the door assembly 200 closes the inner drum 12. The door assembly 200 includes a protruding portion 201 that protrudes toward the drum body 20. The protruding portion 201 is typically made of a transparent material, such as glass. In some embodiments, the protruding portion 201 is a door glass. The protrusion 200 is located between the protruding portion 201 and the drum body 20.

[0024] As the above configuration, in the inner drum assembly 100 or the washing machine, since the projection 2 is provided and the projection 2 is located between the inner drum 12 and the protruding portion 201, the projection 2 rotates synchronously with the inner drum 12.In this way, on the one hand, when the projection 2 rotates, swirling currents (or in other words, water waves) are generated, which largely prevent socks and other small items of clothing from getting caught in a gap between the protruding portion 201 (door glass) and the inner drum 12. On the other hand, the projection 2 rubs against the socks and other small items of clothing during the rotation. Due to the rotation of the projection 2 together with the inner drum 12, such friction creates a pulling-out-like effect throughout the entire process, whereby the socks and other small items of clothing caught in the gap between the protruding portion 201 and the inner drum 12 can be pulled out. By at least one of the two aforementioned aspects, the pinching of the socks and other small items of clothing in the gap (for example, part E in . Fig. 6) between the protruding portion 201 and the inner drum 12 and improves the washing effect.

[0025] It will be Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 5. Several projections 2 are provided, which are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction of the drum opening (ie the drum ring 1). Although in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, only two projections 2 are schematically illustrated, the number of projections 2 is in no way limited thereto, and rather, a number of three, four, or five, etc. is conceivable. If only two projections 2 are provided, the uniform distribution means that these two projections 2 are distributed over one diameter of the drum ring 1. In other embodiments, it is also conceivable that only one projection 2 is provided and is still located within the drum opening (namely, the drum ring 1).

[0026] As in the above configuration, a plurality of protrusions 2 are provided, evenly distributed along the circumferential direction of the drum opening (i.e., the drum ring 1). This is also useful for generating swirling currents by the protrusions 2 and / or for friction against socks and other small items of clothing by the protrusions 2, thereby preventing socks and other small items of clothing from getting caught in the gap between the protruding portion 201 and the inner drum 12 and improving the washing effect.

[0027] It will be Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 in conjunction with Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The projections 2 include a projection front portion 21, the adjacent side surfaces of which are connected to each other via an arcuate surface 210. The projection front portion is a part of the projections 2 that is visible to the consumer when opening the door assembly 200. The projection front portion is also a part of the projections 2 that may come into contact with socks and other small items of clothing. In the present embodiment, the adjacent side surfaces of the projection 2 include a projection front end surface 211 facing the consumer, a projection top surface 212, a connecting surface 213, a portion of a left projection side surface 214, and a portion of a right projection side surface 215. They are each connected to each other via the arcuate surface 210.Of course, the adjacent side surfaces are not limited to this, as long as the connection via the arcuate surface 210 ensures that no sharp point is present on the projection front section 21. Of course, the arcuate surface 210 is not limited to a circular arc. Rather, a wave-shaped arcuate surface formed by indentations and bulges is also conceivable, as long as this ensures that no sharp point is present on the projection front section 21.

[0028] As the above configuration, because of the adjacent side surfaces of the projection front portion 21 are connected to each other by the arc surface 210, the arc surface 210 causes no sharp point (e.g., sharp corner) to be present on the projection front portion 21, thereby preventing the socks and other small clothes from being entangled and the socks and other small clothes from being torn.

[0029] It will be Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The projection 2 is curved along a radial cross section of the inner drum 12. This curved shape may be a hollow curved shape, as in Fig. 5, or it may also be a solid curved shape. Of course, the curved shape is not limited to including the connecting surface 213 as shown in the drawing, and it may also include no connecting surface 213. In other words, when the connecting surface 213 is present, the projection 2 has five corners, and when the connecting surface 213 is not present, the projection 2 has four corners.

[0030] As in the above configuration, the protrusion 2 is curved along a radial cross section of the inner drum 12, thereby increasing the strength of the protrusion 2. Furthermore, the curved shape makes the surface of the protrusion 2 curved and free of sharp points, thereby preventing the entanglement of socks and other small items of clothing.

[0031] It will be Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 in conjunction with Fig. 1. The projection 2 comprises a projection front end surface 211, a projection top surface 212, and a connecting surface 213. The connecting surface 213 is connected to the projection front end surface 211 and the projection top surface 212, wherein the connecting surface 213 is inclined upward relative to the horizontal plane.

[0032] As in the above configuration, the connecting surface 213 connects the protrusion front end surface 211 and the protrusion top surface 212, and the connecting surface 213 is inclined upward relative to the horizontal plane. If the connecting surface 213 is not provided, the protrusion front end surface 211 and the protrusion top surface 212 may be perpendicular. Thus, during transportation, etc., the inner drum 12 rotates so that the protruding portion 201 may collide with the right angle formed by the protrusion front end surface 211 and the protrusion top surface 212. Therefore, the connecting surface 213 serves as a deflection surface to prevent the protrusion 2 from colliding with the protruding portion 201 and thereby damaging the protruding portion 201 (or the glass door).

[0033] It will be Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in conjunction with Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. The inner drum assembly 100 includes a lifting rib 30 provided within the inner drum 12 (in the present embodiment, within the drum body 20). Furthermore, the inner drum assembly 100 also includes a rear cover 40 arranged opposite the drum ring 1. The projection 2 is associated with the lifting rib 30 to jointly generate vortex flows. The association means that the projection 2 is located within a certain area of ​​the lifting rib 30 to facilitate the joint generation of vortex flows by the two components. There is no restriction regarding the structure of the lifting rib 30, and this at least achieves the generation of vortex flows (or in other words, water waves), thereby moving a garment within the inner drum 12.

[0034] As in the above configuration, the projection 2 and the lifting rib 30 generate the combined swirling currents (or in other words, water waves), so that the water currents make the socks and other small clothes not susceptible to being caught between the projecting portion 201 and the inner drum 12, thereby improving the washing effect.

[0035] It will be Fig. 2. In some embodiments, it is provided that along the circumferential direction of the inner drum 12 (or in other words, the circumferential direction of the drum body 20), the projection 2 has an offset angle of a relative to the lifting rib 30, where -10 degrees ≤ a ≤ 10 degrees. In Fig. 2, a = 0 degrees (the projection 2 is directly opposite the lifting rib 30). This means that it is sufficient if the projection 2 is in the range of a. It is understood by those skilled in the art that if in Fig. 2 a is a positive number, a in the other direction is a negative number. Furthermore, in the representation according to Fig. 2, the center of the projection 2 is used as a reference. In some embodiments, it is also conceivable that a side surface of the projection 2 is used as a reference.

[0036] As in the above configuration, along the circumferential direction of the inner drum 12, the protrusion 2 has an offset angle of α relative to the lifting rib 30, where -10 degrees ≤ α ≤ 10 degrees, thereby creating a good effect of the combined swirling flows. Combined with the effect of the protrusion 2, this can prevent socks and other small items of clothing from getting caught between the protruding portion 201 and the inner drum 12, thus improving the washing effect.

[0037] It will be Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. In the projection of the inner drum 12 onto an axial plane, the projection of the projection 2 partially overlaps with the projection of the protruding portion 201. The overlap area is shown in Fig. 7 shown with b.

[0038] As in the above embodiment, in the projection of the inner drum 12 onto an axial plane, the projection of the projection 2 partially overlaps with the projection of the protruding portion 201, so that, on the one hand, the swirling currents (or in other words, water waves) generated by the movement of the water under the drive of the projection 2 can better prevent socks and other small items of clothing from becoming trapped between the protruding portion 201 and the inner drum 12. On the other hand, due to the partial overlap, the projection 2 can exert a pull-out effect, thereby preventing socks and other small items of clothing from becoming trapped between the protruding portion 201 and the inner drum 12 and ultimately improving the washing effect.

[0039] It will be Fig. 6 and Fig.7. The protruding portion 201 tapers towards the inner drum 12. There are no restrictions regarding the manner of the taper. For example, the protruding portion 201 is a horizontally laid circular truncated cone (the axis of the circular truncated cone runs horizontally), whereby the taper is achieved. Such taper occurs gradually. In other embodiments, the taper can also occur based on the subsequent effect, namely not gradually. In summary, a side surface of the protruding portion 2011 of the protruding portion 201 is an inclined surface if the protruding portion 201 tapers towards the inner drum 12. There are no restrictions regarding the angle of the inclined surface. Of course, it is also conceivable that the inclined surface is not formed symmetrically like a circular truncated cone.

[0040] As in the above configuration, the protruding portion 201 tapers toward the inner drum 12, so that the side surface of the protruding portion 2011 of the protruding portion 201 is a slant surface. The socks and other small garments are more easily guided back into the inner drum 12 along the side surface of the protruding portion 2011 by the swirling currents (in other words, water waves) generated by the protrusion 2 (or the protrusion 2 and the lifting rib 30), thereby preventing the socks and other small garments from being caught between the protruding portion 201 and the inner drum 12.It goes without saying that the gradual taper of the protruding portion, which gradually tapers towards the inner drum 12, causes the periphery of the protruding portion 201 to point downward, thereby facilitating the return of the socks and other small garments along the inclined surface into the inner drum 12.

[0041] Thus far, only preferred embodiments of the present application have been described, which in no way serve to limit the application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements within the spirit and principle of the application should be included within the scope of the application.

Claims

[1] Inner drum arrangement (100), characterized by in that the inner drum arrangement (100) comprises an inner drum (12) and a projection (2), wherein the projection (2) is arranged at a drum opening of the front region of the inner drum (12) and the projection (2) is located at least partially within the drum opening. [2] Inner drum assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that a plurality of projections (2) are provided which are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the drum opening. [3] Inner drum assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the projection (2) comprises a projection front portion (21) whose adjacent side surfaces are connected to one another via an arcuate surface (210); and / or that the projection (2) is curved along a radial cross section of the inner drum (12). [4] Inner drum assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized byin that the projection (2) comprises a projection front end surface (211), a projection top surface (212) and a connecting surface (213), wherein the connecting surface (213) is connected to the projection front end surface (211) and the projection top surface (212), and the connecting surface (213) is inclined upwards relative to the horizontal plane. [5] Inner drum assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the inner drum (12) comprises a drum body (20) and a drum ring (1), wherein the drum body (20) and the drum ring (1) are mounted on one another and the projection (2) is arranged on the drum ring (1). [6] Inner drum assembly (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the inner drum assembly (100) comprises a lifting rib (30) provided within the inner drum (12), wherein the projection (2) is associated with the lifting rib (30). [7] Inner drum assembly (100) according to claim 6, characterized bythat along the circumferential direction of the inner drum (12) the projection (2) has an offset angle of a relative to the lifting rib (30), where -10 degrees ≤ a ≤ 10 degrees. [8] Washing machine, characterized by in that the washing machine comprises an inner drum assembly (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7 and a door assembly (200) for opening or closing the inner drum (12), wherein the door assembly (200) comprises a protruding portion (201) protruding towards the inner drum (12), wherein the projection (2) is located between the protruding portion (201) and the inner drum (12). [9] Washing machine according to claim 8, characterized by that in the projection of the axial plane of the inner drum (12) the projection of the projection (2) partially overlaps with the projection of the protruding portion (201). [10] Washing machine according to claim 8 or 9, characterized bythat the protruding portion (201) tapers towards the inner drum (12). [11] Washing machine according to claim 10, characterized by that the protruding portion (201) gradually tapers towards the inner drum (12).

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