Detergent dispenser and washing machine

Abstract

The present invention describes a detergent dispenser and a washing machine appliance, the detergent dispenser including a first chamber having a first water inlet and a second water inlet, a second chamber having a first liquid inlet and a second liquid inlet, a rotation mechanism provided in the first chamber, a speed reduction mechanism connected to the rotation mechanism and reducing the speed of the power output from the rotation mechanism and increasing the torque before outputting it, a power distribution mechanism connected to the output end of the speed reduction mechanism and having first and second output ends for transmitting the power output from the speed reduction mechanism, and a distribution mechanism including the first distribution mechanism and the second distribution mechanism, the first distribution mechanism connected to the first output end and used to control the dispensing of detergent at the first liquid inlet, and the second distribution mechanism connected to the second output end and used to control the dispensing of detergent at the second liquid inlet.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Cross-Citation of Related Applications The present invention is based on and claims priority to a Chinese patent application having application number 202011331497.7 and filing date November 24, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of detergent dispensing, and in particular to a detergent dispensing device and a washing machine appliance. [Background technology]

[0003] In the related art, a washing machine may need to add detergent during a washing operation. Taking a washing machine as an example, it is necessary to add detergent such as liquid detergent and fabric softener. Since adding detergent manually requires extra operations and it is difficult to accurately grasp the amount of detergent to be used and the timing of addition, washing machines with an automatic addition function are becoming more and more popular. Many of the related automatic addition devices realize automatic addition by extracting detergent using a pump body such as an electrically driven peristaltic pump, gear pump, piston pump, etc. As such, it is necessary to separately install an electrically driven pump body, which increases the hardware cost and makes it difficult to popularize washing machines with an automatic addition function. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above circumstances, an embodiment of the present invention provides a detergent dispenser and a washing machine that aims to reduce the cost of the detergent dispenser.

[0005] The technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention is realized as follows.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first chamber having a first water inlet and a second water inlet; a second chamber having a first fluid supply port and a second fluid supply port; A rotation mechanism provided in the first chamber; a speed reduction mechanism connected to the rotation mechanism for reducing the speed of power output from the rotation mechanism and increasing the torque before outputting the power; a power distribution mechanism connected to an output end of the reduction mechanism and having a first output end and a second output end for transmitting the power output from the reduction mechanism; a distribution mechanism including a first distribution mechanism and a second distribution mechanism, a first distributing mechanism connected to the first output end for controlling the dispensing of detergent into the first liquid supply port; The second dispensing mechanism is connected to the second output end and is used for controlling the dispensing of detergent at the second liquid supply port.

[0007] In some embodiments, the detergent dispensing device comprises: A housing is further included, the housing defining first and second chambers spaced apart from one another.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first chamber further comprises a water outlet; the first water inlet and the second water inlet are located on a first side of the housing, and the water outlet is located on a second side of the housing; The second side and the first side are disposed opposite to each other or perpendicular to each other.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first chamber is formed as a substantially cylindrical chamber, a first side of the first chamber extends outward to form a first water supply pipe and a second water supply pipe that are arranged in parallel and are located at both the upper and lower ends of the first chamber, respectively, and a second side of the first chamber extends outward to form a water discharge pipe that is located in the middle of the first chamber.

[0010] In some embodiments, a first water supply port is formed at the inlet of the first water supply pipe, a second water supply port is formed at the inlet of the second water supply pipe, and a water outlet is formed at the outlet of the water outlet pipe, and when water flows in from the first water supply port, the rotating mechanism is driven to rotate along a first direction, and when water flows in from the second water supply port, the rotating mechanism is driven to rotate along a second direction.

[0011] In some embodiments, the pivot mechanism comprises an impeller whose pivot axis is vertically disposed within the first chamber and driven by the water flow through the first chamber, the impeller's pivot axis being connected to an input of the reduction mechanism.

[0012] In some embodiments, the impeller comprises blades that are curved or straight.

[0013] In some embodiments, the reduction mechanism is a gear reducer, a worm gear reducer, or a planetary reducer.

[0014] In some embodiments, the reduction mechanism comprises: A ring gear fixed to the housing; a power shaft connected to the rotation mechanism and driven by the rotation mechanism; a planetary gear disposed between the power shaft and the ring gear and meshing with both the gears of the power shaft and the ring gear; The planetary gear is connected to the carrier, and outputs power to the power distribution mechanism by driving the planetary gear.

[0015] In some embodiments, the reduction mechanism comprises: a power shaft connected to the rotation mechanism and driven by the rotation mechanism; an output shaft for outputting power to a power distribution mechanism; The engine is provided with at least one-stage reduction gear disposed between the power shaft and the output shaft for transmitting the power output from the power shaft to the output shaft.

[0016] In some embodiments, the dispensing mechanism is located in the second chamber.

[0017] In some embodiments, at least two of the reduction mechanism, the power split mechanism and the split mechanism are located in the same chamber.

[0018] In some embodiments, a third chamber that houses the speed reducing mechanism and a fourth chamber that houses the power transfer mechanism are formed within the housing, and the third chamber and the fourth chamber are located between the first chamber and the second chamber.

[0019] In some embodiments, the power transfer mechanism comprises: a drive wheel connected to an output end of the reduction mechanism and having a first ratchet tooth on an inner wall surface; a first ratchet shaft that is fitted inside the drive wheel and engages with the first ratchet teeth to be rotatable in one direction; a driven wheel connected to mesh with the driving wheel and having second ratchet teeth on an inner wall surface; a second ratchet shaft that is fitted inside the driven wheel and engages with the second ratchet teeth to be rotatable in one direction; The first ratchet shaft defines a first output end and the second ratchet shaft defines a second output end.

[0020] In some embodiments, the second chamber has two isolated first and second conduits; the first distribution mechanism is disposed in the first guide channel and is used to control the introduction of detergent into the first guide channel; The second distribution mechanism is disposed in the second conduit and is used to control the dispensing of detergent in the second conduit.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first distribution mechanism and / or the second distribution mechanism is a pump body.

[0022] In some embodiments, the pump body is at least one of a plunger pump, a vane pump, a diaphragm pump, and a gear pump.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first dispensing mechanism comprises: a first pump housing having a first pump cavity formed therein; a first check valve connected to the first liquid supply port so that the detergent can flow in one direction through the first liquid supply port and the first check valve into the first pump cavity; a second check valve that is in communication with the first liquid discharge port so that the detergent in the first pump cavity can be discharged in one direction through the first liquid discharge port via the second check valve; A first slider-crank mechanism connected to the first output and driven by the first output for pumping and discharging detergent in the first pump cavity.

[0024] In some embodiments, the second dispensing mechanism comprises: a second pump housing having a second pump cavity formed therein; a third check valve connected to the second liquid supply port so that the detergent can flow in one direction through the second liquid supply port and the third check valve into the second pump cavity; a fourth check valve that is in communication with the second liquid discharge port so that the detergent in the second pump cavity can be discharged in one direction via the fourth check valve and the second liquid discharge port; A second slider-crank mechanism connected to and driven by the second output for pumping and discharging detergent in the second pump cavity.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first distribution mechanism comprises a first gear and a second gear located within the first guideway, the first gear is connected to the first output end, and the first gear or the second gear are in external meshing (i.e., meshed externally). In some embodiments, the second distribution mechanism comprises a third gear and a fourth gear located in the second guide channel, the third gear is connected to the second output end, and the third gear or the fourth gear are in external meshing (i.e., meshed externally). In some embodiments, the reduction ratio of the reduction mechanism is between 30:1 and 150:1.

[0026] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a washing machine appliance including a detergent dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] In some embodiments, the laundry appliance is a washing machine or a dishwasher.

[0028] The technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present invention is to drive the rotating mechanism by the water flow, and the power output from the rotating mechanism is decelerated by the speed reducing mechanism and the torque is increased before being transmitted to the power distribution mechanism, and the power distribution mechanism drives the first distribution mechanism or the second distribution mechanism to dispense detergent. Thus, the water flow is used as the power source to realize automatic detergent dispensing, and an electric drive device is not required, which can save costs; the power output from the rotating mechanism is decelerated by the speed reducing mechanism and the torque is increased before being transmitted to the power distribution mechanism, which can effectively widen the operating range of the water flow and water pressure, and improve the operating reliability of the detergent dispensing device; and the power distribution mechanism drives the first distribution mechanism or the second distribution mechanism to dispense detergent, which can realize automatic classified dispensing of different types of detergent, and can further save the control costs for automatic classified dispensing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a detergent dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a detergent dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a detergent dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings. The described embodiments should not be regarded as limitations of the present invention, and all other embodiments obtained, provided that those skilled in the art do not make creative efforts, belong to the scope of the present invention.

[0031] In describing the present invention, "some embodiments" describe a subset of all possible embodiments, but it will be understood that the "some embodiments" may be the same or different subsets of all possible embodiments and may be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict.

[0032] In describing the present invention, such terms "first, second," etc., are used only to distinguish between similar objects and do not imply a particular ordering of the objects, and it will be understood that "first, second," etc., may be interchanged in any particular order or priority where possible, such that embodiments of the invention may be practiced in orders other than those shown or described. Unless otherwise specifically described, "plurality" means at least two.

[0033] In describing the present invention, it will be understood that positions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," and the like are positions or positional relationships based on examples in the drawings, and are merely for convenience and simplification of the description of the embodiments of the present invention, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to necessarily have a specific position or are constructed and operated in a specific position, and should not be considered as limitations on the present invention.

[0034] In the description of the present invention, the terms "attached", "connected" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense unless otherwise specified and limited, for example, they may be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected, or may be directly connected, indirectly connected via an intermediate medium, or may be communicated inside two elements. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application based on the specific circumstances.

[0035] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature includes the first feature and the second feature being in direct contact with each other, and the first feature and the second feature being in contact with each other through another feature without direct contact with each other. And a first feature being "above", "above" and "on the upper surface" of a second feature includes the first feature being directly above and diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "on the lower surface" of a second feature includes the first feature being directly below and diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature.

[0036] The embodiment of the present invention provides a detergent dispenser that utilizes a water flow as a power source to realize automatic detergent dispense. As shown in Figs. 1 to 9, the detergent dispenser includes a first chamber 1A, a second chamber 1C, a rotating mechanism 2, a speed reduction mechanism 3, a power distribution mechanism 4, and a distribution mechanism. The first chamber 1A has a first water supply port 1011 and a second water supply port 1012, and the second chamber 1C has a first liquid supply port 1016 and a second liquid supply port 1018. The rotating mechanism 2 is provided in the first chamber 1A. The speed reduction mechanism 3 is connected to the rotating mechanism 2 and is used to reduce the speed of the power output from the rotating mechanism 2 and output it after increasing the torque. The power distribution mechanism 4 is connected to an output end of the speed reduction mechanism 3 and has a first output end and a second output end for transmitting the power output from the speed reduction mechanism 3. The distribution mechanism includes a first distribution mechanism 5 connected to the first output terminal for controlling the supply of detergent at the first liquid supply port 1016, and a second distribution mechanism 6 connected to the second output terminal for controlling the supply of detergent at the second liquid supply port 1018.

[0037] Since the rotating mechanism 2 can be driven by the water flow flowing into the first chamber 1A through the first water supply port 1011 or the second water supply port 1012, the power output from the rotating mechanism 2 is decelerated by the speed reducing mechanism 3, and the torque is increased before being output to the power distribution mechanism 4, which drives the first distribution mechanism 5 to control the supply of detergent through the first liquid supply port 1016, or drives the second distribution mechanism 6 to control the supply of detergent through the second liquid supply port 1018. In this way, the detergent dispenser uses the water flow as a power source to realize automatic detergent dispense, and does not require an electric drive device, thereby saving costs. Here, the detergent may be a liquid or powder laundry product required for washing, and those skilled in the art can reasonably select it as needed, and the present invention does not specifically limit it.

[0038] In addition, since the water pressure of the water flow fluctuates during use, in the embodiment of the present invention, the power output from the rotating mechanism 2 is decelerated by the reduction mechanism 3 and the torque is increased before being transmitted to the power distribution mechanism 4, thereby effectively widening the operating range of the water flow pressure. After the water flow at low water pressure drives the rotating mechanism 2, it is decelerated by the reduction mechanism 3 and the torque is increased, thereby increasing the torque output from the power distribution mechanism 4, so that the first distribution mechanism 5 or the second distribution mechanism effectively controls the dispensing of detergent at each liquid supply port, thereby realizing automatic detergent dispensing. Furthermore, the first distribution mechanism 5 controls the dispensing of detergent at the first liquid supply port 1016, and the second distribution mechanism 6 controls the dispensing of detergent at the second liquid supply port, thereby realizing automatic classification of detergent dispensing, and further saving the control costs for automatic classification.

[0039] 1 and 2, the detergent dispenser includes a housing 1, in which a first chamber 1A and a second chamber 1C are formed spaced apart from each other. A first water inlet 1011 and a second water inlet 1012 are located on a first side of the housing 1, and a water outlet 1013 is located on a second side of the housing 1. When water flows in from the first water inlet 1011 and out from the water outlet 1013, the rotating mechanism 2 is driven to rotate along a first direction, and when water flows in from the second water inlet 1012 and out from the water outlet 1013, the rotating mechanism 2 is driven to rotate along a second direction.

[0040] For example, the first water inlet 1011 and the second water inlet 1012 are located on a first side (i.e., the left side shown in FIG. 2) of the housing 1, and the water outlet 1013 is located on a second side (i.e., the right side shown in FIG. 2) opposite to the first side of the housing 1. When water flows in from the first water inlet 1011 and out from the water outlet 1013, the rotating mechanism 2 is driven to rotate in a first direction (clockwise direction shown in FIG. 2). When water flows in from the second water inlet 1012 and out from the water outlet 1013, the rotating mechanism 2 is driven to rotate in a second direction (counterclockwise direction shown in FIG. 2). When water flows in at similar flow rates into the first water inlet 1011 and the second water inlet 1012 at the same time, the power of the rotating mechanism 2 is offset by each other, i.e., the water can be kept stationary, but the water can flow out normally from the water outlet 1013. In this way, by controlling the water supply state of the first water supply port 1011 and the second water supply port 1012, it is possible to realize switching between clockwise rotation, counterclockwise rotation and stationary state of the rotation mechanism 2 while the first chamber 1A is in a state where water is normally supplied. In practical application, the first water supply port 1011 and the second water supply port 1012 can be connected to the water supply path by an electromagnetic valve, and by controlling the water supply state of the first water supply port 1011 and the second water supply port 1012 by the electromagnetic valve, the rotation state of the rotation mechanism 2 can be effectively controlled.

[0041] The number of the water outlets 1013 may be multiple, and those skilled in the art can install them rationally as needed, and it is understood that this is not a limitation.

[0042] It is understood that a person skilled in the art can reasonably set the position of the water outlet 1013 as needed, and the position is not limited here. For example, the side where the water outlet 1013 is located may be arranged perpendicular to the side where the first water inlet 1011 and the second water inlet 1012 are located, or may be arranged opposite to each other.

[0043] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the first chamber 1A is formed as an approximately cylindrical chamber, a first side of the first chamber 1A extends outward to form a first water supply pipe 1020 and a second water supply pipe 1021, which are arranged in parallel and located at the upper and lower ends of the first chamber 1A, respectively, and a second side of the first chamber 1A extends outward to form a water discharge pipe 1022, which is located in the middle of the first chamber 1A.

[0044] For example, a first water supply port 1011 is formed at the inlet of the first water supply pipe 1020, a second water supply port 1012 is formed at the inlet of the second water supply pipe 1021, and a water outlet 1013 is formed at the outlet of the water outlet pipe 1022, and when water flows in from the first water supply port 1011, it drives the rotating mechanism 2 to rotate along a first direction, and when water flows in from the second water supply port 1012, it drives the rotating mechanism 2 to rotate along a second direction.

[0045] The rotating mechanism 2 may be an impeller that is rotated by the drive of the water flow, and can be understood to be, for example, a turbine or a propeller. The present invention is not specifically limited thereto as long as the rotating mechanism 2 can rotate by the water flow flowing in the first chamber 1A and output power.

[0046] 1 and 2, the rotating mechanism 2 includes an impeller 21 with a rotating shaft vertically disposed in the chamber 1A, a first water inlet 1011 and a second water inlet 1012 are located on one side of the impeller 21, and a water outlet 1013 is located on the other side of the impeller 21, suitable for rotating the impeller 21 after the water flow flows in through the first water inlet 1011 or the second water inlet 1012 and flows out through the water outlet 1013, and the rotating shaft of the impeller 21 is connected to the input end of the reduction mechanism 3. In this way, the impeller 21 is rotated by the driving force of the water flow, and the water energy can be converted into mechanical energy. Here, the impeller 21 has a plurality of blades 211 fixed to the output shaft, and the blades 211 may be curved or straight, where a straight blade is one in which the surface of the blade is flat so as to rotate when driven by the water flow, and a curved blade is one in which the surface of the blade is curved with a predetermined radius at the end of the blade to easily form a rotating vortex.

[0047] 1 and 2, the housing 1 includes a casing 101 and a first end cover 102, the first end cover 102 is fitted to the casing 101 to form a first chamber 1A, and the first water inlet 1011 and the second water inlet 1012 are spaced apart on the left side of the casing 101 shown in FIG. 2, for example, the first water inlet 1011 and the second water inlet 1012 are spaced apart vertically on the outside of the casing 101, and the water outlet 1013 is located on the right side of the casing 101 shown in FIG. 2. For example, the direction of water flow is indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2, and the rotating mechanism 2 in the first chamber 1A rotates clockwise or counterclockwise due to the pressure of the water flow, or is stationary due to the offset of the pressure, thereby maintaining normal water supply.

[0048] The reduction mechanism 3 may include, but is not limited to, a gear reducer, a worm wheel reducer, or a planetary reducer, as long as it can convert the power output from the rotating mechanism 2 driven by the water flow into a larger output torque, and it can be understood that the present invention is not specifically limited thereto.

[0049] 1 and 3, the reduction mechanism 3 includes a power shaft 301, a first reduction gear 302, a second reduction gear 303, and an output shaft 304. The first reduction gear 302 has a large end face for meshing with the power shaft 301 and a small end face for meshing with the second reduction gear 303. The power shaft 301 extends into the first chamber 1A, is connected to the rotating mechanism 2, and is driven by the rotating mechanism 2. The power shaft 301 is engaged with the large end face of the first reduction gear 302 to achieve reduction, and the small end face of the first reduction gear 302 is further engaged with the second reduction gear 303 to achieve reduction again, and the second reduction gear 303 is connected to the output shaft 304, so that the power of the water flow can be transmitted to the power distribution mechanism 4 through the output shaft 304 after being decelerated in stages. It can be understood that the number of reduction gears provided between the power shaft 301 and the output shaft 304 can be set as needed to meet the requirement of the reduction ratio.

[0050] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the reduction mechanism 3 includes a power shaft 301 connected to the rotating mechanism 2 and driven by the first rotating mechanism 2, a planetary gear 305, a carrier 306, and a ring gear 307, the ring gear 307 is fixed to the casing 101, the ring gear 307 may be an individually provided ring member, the inner wall of the ring member is provided with internal teeth, and the ring member is fixed within the third chamber 1B, or the ring gear 307 having an annular internal tooth surface may be formed by machining on the inner wall of the third chamber 1B, the planetary gear 305 is disposed between the power shaft 301 and the ring gear 307, and meshes with both the gears of the power shaft 301 and the ring gear 307, the carrier 306 is connected to the planetary gear 305, and power is output to the power distribution mechanism 4 by driving the planetary gear 305. One end of the power shaft 301 may extend into the first chamber 1A and be fixedly connected to the rotating mechanism 2, and the other end of the power shaft 301 may be provided with external teeth that mesh with the planetary gear 305 as the sun gear of the planetary reducer. The carrier 306 has an end that outputs power, and this end is connected to the input end of the power distribution mechanism 4.

[0051] In some embodiments, the reduction ratio of the reduction mechanism 3 is 30 to 150: 1. As described above, the detergent dispenser can operate normally within a water pressure range of 0.03 MPA to 1.0 MPA, and therefore the detergent dispenser has a wide range of applicability, for example, it can be applied to home appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers.

[0052] 1, the distribution mechanism is provided in the second chamber 1C, a third chamber 1B that houses the reduction mechanism 3 and a fourth chamber 1D that houses the power distribution mechanism 4 are formed in the casing 101, and the third chamber 1B and the fourth chamber 1D are located between the first chamber 1A and the second chamber 1C.

[0053] It can be understood that at least two of the above-mentioned speed reduction mechanism 3, power distribution mechanism 4, and distribution mechanism are located in the same chamber. In some embodiments, the power distribution mechanism 4 is provided in the third chamber 1B, i.e., the fourth chamber 1D may be unnecessary, and the third chamber 1B is located between the first chamber 1A and the second chamber 1C to make the structure compact, and the speed reduction mechanism 3 and the power distribution mechanism 4 are both located in the third chamber 1B to improve the appearance of the detergent dispenser. In some embodiments, the third chamber 1B and the fourth chamber 1D may be unnecessary, so that both the speed reduction mechanism 3 and the power distribution mechanism 4 are provided in the second chamber 1C.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 6, the power distribution mechanism 4 includes a driving wheel 401, a first ratchet shaft 402, a driven wheel 403, and a second ratchet shaft 404. The driving wheel 401 is connected to the output end of the reduction mechanism 3 (the output shaft 304 as shown in FIG. 3 or the carrier 306 as shown in FIG. 4). A first ratchet tooth 4011 is provided on the inner wall surface of the driving wheel 401. The first ratchet shaft 402 is fitted inside the driving wheel 401 and can rotate in one direction by engaging with the first ratchet tooth 4011. The driven wheel 403 is connected to mesh with the driving wheel 401. A second ratchet tooth 4031 is provided on the inner wall surface of the driven wheel 403. The second ratchet shaft 404 is fitted inside the driven wheel 403 and can rotate in one direction by engaging with the second ratchet tooth 4031. The first ratchet shaft 402 forms a first output end of the power distribution mechanism 4, and the second ratchet shaft 404 forms a second output end of the power distribution mechanism 4. The driving wheel 401 and the driven wheel 403 are externally meshed with each other, and the first ratchet shaft 402 and the second ratchet shaft 404 rotate in the same direction in one direction. In this manner, an example is taken of the first ratchet shaft 402 and the second ratchet shaft 404 both rotating in one direction, clockwise. When the driving wheel 401 rotates clockwise, the first ratchet shaft 402 rotates clockwise due to the driving of the first ratchet tooth 4011, the driven wheel 403 rotates counterclockwise, and the second ratchet shaft 404 slides into engagement with the second ratchet tooth 4031. When the driving wheel rotates counterclockwise, the first ratchet shaft 402 slides into engagement with the first ratchet tooth 4011, the driven wheel 403 rotates clockwise, and the second ratchet shaft 404 rotates clockwise due to the driving of the second ratchet tooth 4031.

[0055] The driving wheel 401 is connected to the output end of the speed reducing mechanism 3 so as to rotate by the power transmitted from the speed reducing mechanism 3, that is, it can be understood that it is connected to the end of the output shaft 304 shown in Fig. 3 or the carrier 306 shown in Fig. 4. The driving wheel 401 and the first ratchet shaft 402 constitute a first ratchet module, and the driven wheel 403 and the second ratchet shaft 404 constitute a second ratchet module, specifically, an elastic ratchet wheel that engages with the first ratchet teeth 4011 is provided on the outer wall surface of the first ratchet shaft 402, and the engagement between the ratchet wheel and the first ratchet teeth 4011 rotates the first ratchet shaft 402 in only one direction, and similarly, an elastic ratchet wheel that engages with the second ratchet teeth 4031 is provided on the outer wall surface of the second ratchet shaft 404, and the engagement between the ratchet wheel and the second ratchet teeth 4031 rotates the second ratchet shaft 404 in only one direction. Since the driving wheel 401 is connected to mesh with the driven wheel 403, for example, teeth or pins are connected to mesh externally, so that the rotation directions of the driving wheel 401 and the driven wheel 403 are reversed. As shown in Fig. 6, the ratchet shaft and the ratchet teeth slide counterclockwise and rotate clockwise as an example. When the driving wheel 401 rotates clockwise by the drive of the reduction mechanism 3, the driven wheel 403 rotates counterclockwise. In this case, the first ratchet shaft 402 is pushed by the first ratchet tooth 4011 of the driving wheel 401 and rotates clockwise, but the second ratchet shaft 404 is in a slipping state because the driven wheel 403 rotates counterclockwise, and does not transmit torque. When the driving wheel 401 rotates counterclockwise by being driven by the reduction gear mechanism 3, the driven wheel 403 rotates clockwise, in which case the first ratchet shaft 402 slips and does not transmit torque, but the second ratchet shaft 404 is pushed by the second ratchet teeth 4031 of the driven wheel 403 as the driven wheel 403 rotates clockwise, causing the second ratchet shaft 4042 to rotate clockwise and output torque. In this way, when the output shaft 304 rotates clockwise, power is distributed to the first ratchet shaft 402, and when the output shaft 304 rotates counterclockwise, power is distributed to the second ratchet shaft 404.

[0056] In some embodiments, the second chamber 1C has two mutually isolated first and second conduits 1014 and 1015, for example, the two mutually isolated first and second conduits 1014 and 1015 can be injection molded in the second chamber 1C. Exemplarily, the first distribution mechanism 5 is a pump body disposed in the first conduit 1014. It can be understood that the first distribution mechanism 5 can be an independent pump body or a pump body formed by engaging with the inner wall surface of the first conduit 1014. Exemplarily, the second distribution mechanism 6 is a pump body disposed in the second conduit 1015. It can be understood that the second distribution mechanism 6 can be an independent pump body or a pump body formed by engaging with the inner wall surface of the second conduit 1015.

[0057] 1, the housing 1 further includes a second end cover 103, which is fitted to the casing 101 to form a second chamber 1C. The second chamber 1C has a first liquid supply port 1016, a first liquid discharge port 1017, a second liquid supply port 1018, and a second liquid discharge port 1019. Regarding the first guide path 1014 and the second guide path 1015 that are isolated from each other in the second chamber 1C, as shown in FIG. 7, the first guide path 1014 has a first liquid supply port 1016 and a first liquid discharge port 1017. The second guide path 1015 has a second liquid supply port 1018 and a second liquid discharge port 1019.

[0058] It can be understood that when the first distribution mechanism 5 and / or the second distribution mechanism 6 are pump bodies, the input shaft of the pump body is driven by the first ratchet shaft 402 or the second ratchet shaft 404 to realize automatic dispensing of detergent. Here, the pump body may be a plunger pump, a vane pump, a diaphragm pump, a gear pump, etc., and the present invention is not specifically limited thereto.

[0059] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7 , the first ratchet shaft 402 drives the first distribution mechanism 5, and the second ratchet shaft 404 drives the second distribution mechanism 6, the first distribution mechanism 5 includes a first gear 501 and a second gear 502 disposed in the first guide channel 1014, and the first gear 501 and the second gear 502 are fitted with the inner wall of the first guide channel 1014 to form a gear pump, and the first ratchet shaft 402 drives the first gear 501 to rotate, e.g. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the first ratchet shaft 402 rotates counterclockwise, the first gear 501 rotates counterclockwise and the second gear 502 meshing with the first gear 501 rotates clockwise, and due to the cooperative engagement between the first gear 501 and the second gear 502, the detergent flows in through the first liquid supply port 1016, fills the backlash, and is further pushed out by the meshing, flows out from the first liquid discharge port 1017, and is distributed to the corresponding pipeline or container. The second distribution mechanism 6 comprises a third gear 601 and a fourth gear 602 provided in the second guide passage 1015. The third gear 601 and the fourth gear 602 engage with the inner wall of the second guide passage 1015 to form a gear pump. When the second ratchet shaft 404 drives the third gear 601 to rotate, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the second ratchet shaft 404 rotates counterclockwise, the third gear 601 rotates counterclockwise and the fourth gear 602 meshing with the third gear 601 rotates clockwise. Due to the cooperative engagement between the third gear 601 and the fourth gear 602, the detergent flows in through the second liquid supply port 1018, fills the backlash, is further pushed out by the meshing, and flows out from the second liquid discharge port 1019 to be distributed to the corresponding pipe or container.

[0060] In some embodiments, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the first distribution mechanism 5 and / or the second distribution mechanism 6 may be a pump body that is reciprocally displaced by being driven by an external force.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 9, the first distribution mechanism 5 comprises a first pump housing 503, a first check valve 504, a second check valve 505 and a first slider crank mechanism 507, wherein a first pump cavity 506 is formed in the first pump housing 503, the first pump cavity 506 is connected to a first liquid supply port 1016 via the first check valve 504, and detergent can flow into the first pump cavity 506 in one direction via the first liquid supply port 1016 and the first check valve 504, and the first pump cavity 506 is connected to a first liquid discharge port 1017 via the second check valve 505, and detergent in the first pump cavity 506 can be discharged in one direction via the second check valve 505 and the first liquid discharge port 1017. The first slider crank mechanism 507 can convert circumferential motion into linear reciprocating motion by driving the first ratchet shaft 402 in order to move the detergent so that it flows in one direction through the first liquid supply port 1016 and the first check valve 504 and is discharged in one direction through the second check valve 505 and the first liquid discharge port 1017, and displaces the slider that fits into the first pump cavity 506 back and forth along the inner wall surface of the first pump cavity 506. However, the first slider crank mechanism 507 is a planar link mechanism that realizes mutual conversion between rotation and movement by a crank and a slider, and a detailed structure will be omitted here.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 9, the second distribution mechanism 6 includes a second pump housing 603, a third check valve 604, a fourth check valve 605 and a second slider crank mechanism 607, wherein a second pump cavity 606 is formed in the second pump housing 603, the second pump cavity 606 is connected to a second liquid supply port 1018 via the third check valve 604, and detergent can flow into the second pump cavity 606 in one direction via the second liquid supply port 1018 and the third check valve 604, and the second pump cavity 606 is connected to a second liquid discharge port 1019 via the fourth check valve 605, and detergent in the second pump cavity 606 is discharged in one direction via the fourth check valve 605 and the second liquid discharge port 1019. The second slider crank mechanism 607 can convert circumferential motion into linear reciprocating motion by driving the second ratchet shaft 404 in order to move the detergent so that it flows in one direction through the second liquid supply port 1018 and the third check valve 604 and is discharged in one direction through the fourth check valve 605 and the second liquid discharge port 1019, and displaces the slider that fits into the second pump cavity 606 back and forth along the inner wall surface of the second pump cavity 606. However, the second slider crank mechanism 607 is a planar link mechanism that realizes mutual conversion between rotation and movement by a crank and a slider, and a detailed structure will be omitted here.

[0063] As described above, in the process of operating the detergent dispenser according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the water flows into the first chamber 1A through the first water inlet 1011, the rotating mechanism 2 rotates clockwise, and when the water flows into the first chamber 1A through the second water inlet 1012, the rotating mechanism 2 rotates counterclockwise. If the first water inlet 1011 and the second water inlet 1012 are controlled to simultaneously supply water at similar flow rates, the forward and reverse rotational powers of the rotating mechanism 2 cancel each other out and the rotating mechanism 2 remains stationary, but the water can normally flow out through the water outlet 1013. After the rotation of the rotating mechanism 2 is decelerated through the reduction mechanism 3 to increase the torque, the increased power is transmitted to the power distribution mechanism 4, which distributes the increased power. One form of the distributed power is distributed to the first distribution mechanism 5 through the first output end, and the other form of the power is distributed to the second distribution mechanism 6 through the second output end. The first distribution mechanism 5 controls the dispensing of detergent through the first liquid supply port 1016, and the second distribution mechanism 6 controls the dispensing of detergent through the second liquid supply port 1018, thereby allowing different types of detergent to be classified and automatically dispensed, and also allowing one detergent dispensing device to be shared, further reducing control costs.

[0064] The present invention further provides a washing machine including a detergent dispenser according to the embodiment of the present invention. The washing machine can automatically dispense detergent by using the water flow of the water path based on the detergent dispenser. It can be understood that the washing machine can automatically dispense different types of detergent by classifying them based on the detergent dispenser.

[0065] In the embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine may be a washing machine or a dishwasher. Taking the washing machine as an example, the washing machine includes a housing, a washing tub, and a water supply pipe, and the housing is further provided with a storage chamber for storing detergent, which may include a first cavity body for storing a first detergent and a second cavity body for storing a second detergent, and the first water supply port 1011 and the second water supply port 1012 of the detergent dispenser may be connected to the water supply pipe by an electromagnetic valve, the first liquid supply port 1016 may be connected to the first cavity body, the second liquid supply port 1018 may be connected to the second cavity body, and the water outlet 1013, the first liquid outlet 1017, and the second liquid outlet 1019 may all be connected to the washing tub. When it is necessary to dispense different detergents, the electromagnetic valve may be controlled to conduct different water supply ports and operate different dispensing mechanisms so as to extract and dispense the detergents. When water needs to be supplied normally, the solenoid valve can be controlled to simultaneously open the first water inlet 1011 and the second water inlet 1012. In this way, different types of detergents can be automatically classified and dispensed.

[0066] Furthermore, the technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present invention can be arbitrarily combined as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0067] The above are only specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and any modifications or replacements that can be easily thought of by those skilled in the art within the technical scope described in the present invention are included in the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be based on the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1, housing; 1A, first chamber; 1C, second chamber; 1B, third chamber; 1D, fourth chamber; 101, casing; 102, first end cover; 103, second end cover; 1011, 1st water supply port; 1012, 2nd water supply port; 1013, water outlet; 1014, 1st diversion path; 1015, 2nd diversion path; 1016, 1st liquid supply port; 1017, 1st liquid discharge port; 1018, 2nd liquid supply port; 1019, 2nd liquid discharge port; 1020, 1st water supply pipe; 1021, 2nd water supply pipe; 1022, water discharge pipe; 2, rotating mechanism; 21, impeller; 211, blade; 3, reduction mechanism; 301, power shaft; 302, first reduction gear; 303, second reduction gear; 304, output shaft; 305, planetary gear; 306, carrier; 307, ring gear; 4, power distribution mechanism; 401, driving wheel; 4011, first ratchet teeth; 402, first ratchet shaft; 403, driven wheel; 4031, second ratchet teeth; 404, second ratchet shaft; 5, first distribution mechanism; 501, first gear; 502, second gear; 503, first pump housing; 504, first check valve; 505, second check valve; 506, first pump cavity; 507, first slider crank mechanism; 6, second distribution mechanism; 601, third gear; 602, fourth gear; 603, second pump housing; 604, third check valve; 605, fourth check valve; 606, second pump cavity; 607, second slider crank mechanism.

Claims

1. A first chamber (1A) having a first water inlet (1011) and a second water inlet (1012); a second chamber (1C) having a first liquid supply port (1016) and a second liquid supply port (1018); A rotation mechanism (2) provided in the first chamber (1A); a speed reduction mechanism (3) connected to the rotation mechanism (2) for reducing the speed of the power output from the rotation mechanism (2) and increasing the torque before outputting the power; a power distribution mechanism (4) connected to an output end of the reduction gear mechanism (3) and having a first output end and a second output end for transmitting the power output from the reduction gear mechanism (3); a distribution mechanism including a first distribution mechanism (5) and a second distribution mechanism (6), the first distribution mechanism (5) is connected to the first output end and is used to control the supply of detergent to the first liquid supply port (1016); the second distribution mechanism (6) is connected to the second output end and is used to control the dispensing of detergent at the second liquid supply port (1018); Detergent dispenser.

2. The device further includes a housing (1), the housing (1) defining the first chamber (1A) and the second chamber (1C) spaced apart from each other. The detergent dispenser according to claim 1.

3. The first chamber (1A) further comprises a water outlet (1013), The first water inlet (1011) and the second water inlet (1012) are located on a first side of the housing (1), and the water outlet (1013) is located on a second side of the housing (1); The second side and the first side are provided opposite to each other or are provided in directions perpendicular to each other. The detergent dispenser according to claim 2.

4. The second side and the first side are arranged opposite each other, the first chamber (1A) is formed into a cylindrical chamber, the first side of the first chamber (1A) extends outward to form a first water supply pipe (1020) and a second water supply pipe (1021), the first water supply pipe (1020) and the second water supply pipe (1021) are arranged in parallel and are located at both the upper and lower ends of the first chamber (1A), respectively, the second side of the first chamber (1A) extends outward to form a discharge pipe (1022), the up-down direction is perpendicular to the direction from the first side of the first chamber (1A) toward the second side of the first chamber (1A), and the discharge pipe (1022) is located in the middle of the first chamber (1A) in the up-down direction, The detergent dispenser according to claim 3.

5. The first water supply port (1011) is formed at the inlet of the first water supply pipe (1020), the second water supply port (1012) is formed at the inlet of the second water supply pipe (1021), and the water outlet (1013) is formed at the outlet of the water outlet pipe (1022). When water flows in from the first water supply port (1011), the rotating mechanism (2) is driven to rotate along a first direction, and when water flows in from the second water supply port (1012), the rotating mechanism (2) is driven to rotate along a second direction. The detergent dispenser according to claim 4.

6. The rotating mechanism (2) includes an impeller (21) whose rotating shaft is vertically disposed within the first chamber (1A) and driven by the water flow through the first chamber (1A), and the rotating shaft of the impeller (21) is connected to an input end of the reduction mechanism (3). The detergent dispenser according to claim 1.

7. The impeller (21) has blades (211) which are curved blades or straight blades. The detergent dispenser according to claim 6.

8. The reduction mechanism (3) is a gear reducer, a worm wheel reducer, or a planetary reducer. The detergent dispenser according to claim 1.

9. The reduction mechanism (3) is A ring gear (307) fixed to the housing (1); A power shaft (301) connected to the rotating mechanism (2) and driven by the rotating mechanism (2); a planetary gear (305) disposed between the power shaft (301) and the ring gear (307) and meshing with both the gears of the power shaft (301) and the ring gear (307); a carrier (306) connected to the planetary gear (305) and outputting power to the power distribution mechanism (4) by driving the planetary gear (305). The detergent dispenser according to claim 2.

10. The reduction mechanism (3) is A power shaft (301) connected to the rotating mechanism (2) and driven by the rotating mechanism (2); an output shaft (304) for outputting power to the power distribution mechanism (4); and at least one-stage reduction gear provided between the power shaft (301) and the output shaft (304) for transmitting the power output from the power shaft (301) to the output shaft (304). The detergent dispenser according to claim 1.

11. The dispensing mechanism is located in the second chamber (1C). The detergent dispenser according to claim 1.

12. At least two of the reduction mechanism (3), the power distribution mechanism (4) and the distribution mechanism are located in the same chamber. The detergent dispenser according to claim 1.

13. A third chamber (1B) for accommodating the reduction gear mechanism (3) and a fourth chamber (1D) for accommodating the power distribution mechanism (4) are formed in the housing (1), and the third chamber (1B) and the fourth chamber (1D) are located between the first chamber (1A) and the second chamber (1C). The detergent dispenser according to claim 2.

14. The power distribution mechanism (4) A driving wheel (401) connected to an output end of the reduction mechanism (3) and having a first ratchet tooth (4011) on an inner wall surface thereof; a first ratchet shaft (402) that is fitted inside the driving wheel (401) and engages with the first ratchet teeth (4011) to be rotatable in one direction; a driven wheel (403) connected to mesh with the driving wheel (401) and having second ratchet teeth (4031) on its inner wall surface; a second ratchet shaft (404) that is fitted inside the driven wheel (403) and engages with the second ratchet teeth (4031) to be rotatable in one direction; The first ratchet shaft (402) forms the first output end, and the second ratchet shaft (404) forms the second output end. The detergent dispenser according to claim 1.

15. The second chamber (1C) has two mutually isolated first and second channels (1014 and 1015), The first distribution mechanism (5) is provided in the first conduit (1014) and is used to control the introduction of detergent into the first conduit (1014); The second distribution mechanism (6) is provided in the second conduit (1015) and is used to control the dosage of detergent in the second conduit (1015). The detergent dispenser according to claim 1.

16. the first distribution mechanism (5) and / or the second distribution mechanism (6) is a pump body; The detergent dispenser according to claim 1.

17. The pump body is at least one of a plunger pump, a vane pump, a diaphragm pump, and a gear pump. The detergent dispenser according to claim 16.

18. The first distribution mechanism (5) a first pump housing (503) having a first pump cavity (506) formed therein; a first check valve (504) in communication with the first supply port (1016) such that detergent can flow in one direction through the first check valve (504) into the first pump cavity (506); a second check valve (505) that is connected to the first discharge port (1017) so that the detergent in the first pump cavity (506) can be discharged in one direction through the second check valve (505) and the first discharge port (1017); a first slider-crank mechanism (507) connected to and driven by the first output end for extracting and discharging into the detergent in the first pump cavity (506); The detergent dispenser according to claim 1.

19. The second distribution mechanism (6) a second pump housing (603) having a second pump cavity (606) formed therein; a third check valve (604) in communication with the second supply port (1018) such that detergent can flow in one direction through the second supply port (1018), the third check valve (604) and into the second pump cavity (606); a fourth check valve (605) that is connected to the second discharge port (1019) so that the detergent in the second pump cavity (606) can be discharged in one direction through the fourth check valve (605) and the second discharge port (1019); and a second slider-crank mechanism (607) connected to and driven by the second output end for extracting and discharging detergent in the second pump cavity (606). The detergent dispenser according to claim 1.

20. The first distribution mechanism (5) includes a first gear and a second gear located in the first guide passage (1014), the first gear is connected to the first output end, and the first gear is in external mesh with the second gear. The detergent dispenser according to claim 15.

21. The second distribution mechanism (6) includes a third gear and a fourth gear located in the second guide passage (1015), the third gear is connected to the second output end, and the third gear and the fourth gear are in external meshing engagement with each other. The detergent dispenser according to claim 15.

22. The reduction ratio of the reduction mechanism (3) is 30 to 150:

1. The detergent dispenser according to claim 1.

23. A detergent dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 22, Washing machine.

24. The washing machine is a washing machine or a dishwasher.

24. A washing machine appliance as claimed in claim 23.

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