EP-4741563-A1 - DRUM WASHING MACHINE

EP4741563A1EP 4741563 A1EP4741563 A1EP 4741563A1EP-4741563-A1

Abstract

A drum washing machine comprising a drum (400), wherein a door (200) capable of being correspondingly opened and closed is provided at the drum opening; an automatic dispensing device (100) is mounted on the door (200); the automatic dispensing device (100) comprises: a liquid storage chamber (114) for storing washing additives; a water supply waterway (102) for controllably introducing inlet water flow of the drum washing machine; and an automatic dispensing mechanism (101) for extracting washing additives stored in the liquid storage chamber (114) and dispensing them into the drum (400) of the drum washing machine along with the inlet water flow introduced by the water supply waterway (102). Through this configuration, an automatic dispensing device is added to the door of the drum washing machine to achieve the effect of automatically dispensing washing additives into the drum using the dispensing device on the door of the drum washing machine, thereby achieving significant technical progress wherein the automatic dispensing device on the door can automatically dispense pre-stored washing additives into the drum during multiple washing programs. Meanwhile, the structure is simple, the effect is significant, and it is convenient for promotion and use.

Inventors

HUANG, TAO
CHENG, Baozhen
SONG, Qichao

Assignees

Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd.
HAIER SMART HOME CO., LTD.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20240620

Claims (20)

A drum washing machine, comprising a drum, wherein a door capable of being opened and closed is provided at a drum opening; characterized in that : an automatic dispensing device is mounted on the door; wherein the automatic dispensing device comprises: a liquid storage chamber for storing washing additives; a water supply waterway for controllably introducing water flow into the drum washing machine; and an automatic dispensing mechanism for extracting the washing additives stored in the liquid storage chamber and dispensing the washing additives into the drum of the drum washing machine along with the water flow introduced by the water supply waterway.
The drum washing machine according to claim 1, wherein, a dispensing chamber is provided on the door; the dispensing chamber has a water inlet, and an outlet of the water supply waterway is connected to the water inlet of the dispensing chamber; the dispensing chamber has a liquid inlet, and a liquid outlet of the liquid storage chamber is connected to the dispensing chamber via the automatic dispensing mechanism, utilizing the automatic dispensing mechanism to controllably extract the washing additives stored in the liquid storage chamber into the dispensing chamber; the dispensing chamber has a dispensing outlet, and the dispensing outlet is connected to the drum for dispensing the washing additives and/or the inlet water flow in the dispensing chamber into the drum.
The drum washing machine according to claim 2, wherein, the automatic dispensing mechanism comprises a pump, wherein an inlet of the pump is connected to the liquid outlet of the liquid storage chamber, and an outlet of the pump is connected to the liquid inlet of the dispensing chamber, for pumping the washing additives contained in the liquid storage chamber into the dispensing chamber by a suction force generated when the pump operates; and/or; the automatic dispensing mechanism comprises a negative pressure suction structure, wherein a negative pressure flow channel is formed inside the negative pressure suction structure, the negative pressure flow channel has a negative pressure port, the negative pressure port is connected to the liquid outlet of the liquid storage chamber, and the negative pressure flow channel is connected in the water supply waterway, for forming negative pressure at the negative pressure port using inlet water flow flowing through the negative pressure flow channel, and then using the negative pressure to draw the washing additives contained in the liquid storage chamber into the dispensing chamber.
The drum washing machine according to claim 2, wherein, the automatic dispensing mechanism comprises a control valve waterway, wherein the liquid outlet of the liquid storage chamber is controllably connected to the liquid inlet of the dispensing chamber via the control valve waterway, for dispensing the washing additives in the liquid storage chamber into the dispensing chamber by gravity when connected; preferably, a control valve for controlling connection and disconnection is installed on the control valve waterway, and the control valve is any one or combination of an electrically controlled valve, a float valve, and a push-bounce valve.
The drum washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the drum washing machine comprises a housing, the drum is installed inside the housing, and a laundry loading opening is provided on the housing corresponding to a drum opening, for forming a passage for loading and unloading laundry in the drum; a door capable of opening and closing the laundry loading opening is installed on the housing, and the automatic dispensing device is installed on the door.
The drum washing machine according to claim 5, wherein, the door is provided with a protruding portion protruding toward an inside of the housing, at least a portion of the protruding portion is extended into the drum opening, the automatic dispensing device is installed in a hollow chamber provided on the protruding portion, and the dispensing outlet of the dispensing chamber of the automatic dispensing device is configured to face an inside of the drum.
The drum washing machine according to claim 5, wherein, the water supply waterway is provided on the housing of the drum washing machine, a spray head is provided at an outlet of the water supply waterway, the spray head has a water spray port for spraying water flow outward, and the water spray port is configured to face the water inlet of the dispensing chamber of the automatic dispensing device provided on the door.
The drum washing machine according to claim 7, wherein, the water inlet of the dispensing chamber is arranged vertically upward; when the door is in a closed position, the spray head is located vertically above the water inlet of the dispensing chamber, and the water spray port is located directly below the spray head, arranged coaxially with the water inlet of the dispensing chamber and provided vertically downward.
The drum washing machine according to claim 5, wherein, the protruding portion provided on the door is made of transparent material, and at least a portion of the protruding portion is arranged in a staggered manner with the automatic dispensing device, for allowing user to observe the inside of the drum through the drum opening from the staggered portion.
The drum washing machine according to claim 5, wherein, a filling port is provided at a top of the liquid storage chamber for user to inject the washing additives into the liquid storage chamber; the liquid outlet of the liquid storage chamber is located at a bottom of the liquid storage chamber, connected to the dispensing chamber via the automatic dispensing mechanism; preferably, an openable and closable cover is installed at the filling port of the liquid storage chamber.
The drum washing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein, a siphon tube structure is provided at the dispensing outlet of the dispensing chamber, for intercepting and mixing the washing additives and inlet water flow flowing into the dispensing chamber to form a washing additive mixture, and dispensing the washing additive mixture into the drum along with the inlet water flow.
The drum washing machine according to claim 11, wherein, the siphon tube structure comprises: a siphon tube provided at the dispensing outlet at a bottom of the dispensing chamber, extending vertically upward into the dispensing chamber; a siphon cap fitted over a top of the siphon tube, having a sleeve portion extending downward and fitted around a periphery of the siphon tube; a first predetermined height difference exists between a bottom end of the sleeve portion of the siphon cap and a bottom wall of the dispensing chamber, and a second predetermined height difference exists between a top of the siphon cap and the top of the siphon tube, for triggering a siphon effect when a liquid level in the liquid storage chamber reaches the top of the siphon tube, such that the washing additive mixture in the liquid storage chamber flows toward the dispensing outlet of the dispensing chamber along a gap between the siphon cap and the siphon tube and a flow channel inside the siphon tube.
An automatic dispensing device, wherein a liquid storage chamber and a dispensing chamber are provided inside the automatic dispensing device, a liquid outlet communicating with the dispensing chamber is provided on the liquid storage chamber, a water inlet is provided on the dispensing chamber, characterized in that , a switch structure is provided in the dispensing chamber for opening and closing the water inlet, and for opening and closing the liquid outlet as a liquid level in the dispensing chamber changes.
The automatic dispensing device according to claim 13, wherein, the switch structure comprises a push-bounce switch provided at the water inlet and a floating switch provided at the liquid outlet, the push-bounce switch is configured to move reciprocally relative to the water inlet in a water inflowing direction to open and close the water inlet, and the floating switch is configured to move reciprocally relative to the liquid outlet in a liquid outflowing direction to open and close the liquid outlet; the push-bounce switch is configured to open and close the water inlet in response to changes in inlet water pressure, the floating switch is linked with the push-bounce switch to open the liquid outlet when the water inlet is opened, and disengages from the push-bounce switch to close the liquid outlet as the liquid level in the dispensing chamber rises.
The automatic dispensing device according to claim 14, wherein, the push-bounce switch comprises a push-bounce rod and a return spring, both ends of the return spring are connected to a first end of the push-bounce rod and a side wall of the dispensing chamber respectively, a second end of the push-bounce rod is a blocking end for blocking the water inlet, and the floating switch is provided on an outer periphery of the push-bounce rod and is slidably connected to the outer periphery of the push-bounce rod in an axial direction of the push-bounce rod.
The automatic dispensing device according to claim 15, wherein, a boss portion radially protruding is provided on the outer periphery of the push-bounce rod, a through-hole is provided in the boss portion, an axis of the through-hole is parallel to an axis of the push-bounce rod, the floating switch is a columnar structure, the floating switch is fitted in the through-hole and is slidably connected to an inner periphery of the through-hole, and a blocking portion for blocking the liquid outlet is provided on an end wall of the floating switch, and the blocking portion is exposed outside the through-hole.
The automatic dispensing device according to claim 16, wherein, a slider radially protruding is provided on an outer periphery of the floating switch, a strip-shaped slideway communicating with the through-hole is provided on a peripheral wall of the through-hole, one end of the strip-shaped slideway is a blocking end and an other end is an open end, the slider is inserted in the strip-shaped slideway through the open end of the strip-shaped slideway, and passes through the strip-shaped slideway to be slidable in the strip-shaped slideway.
The automatic dispensing device according to claim 17, wherein, a torsion spring circumferentially extending is provided on an outer peripheral wall of the through-hole, a middle portion of the torsion spring is fitted around a periphery of the slider passing through the strip-shaped slideway, protruding portions are provided on both sides of the strip-shaped slideway on the outer peripheral wall of the through-hole, both sides of the torsion spring are respectively fitted around peripheries of the two protruding portions, and the torsion spring is used to provide a return force for returning the floating switch and the push-bounce rod.
The automatic dispensing device according to claim 15, wherein, the push-bounce switch further comprises a locking rod, the locking rod has a locking segment, a sliding groove axially extending is provided on the outer periphery of the push-bounce rod, a locking groove is provided in the sliding groove, the locking segment is slidable in the sliding groove, and the locking segment is inserted into the locking groove to lock the push-bounce rod when the locking segment slides into a locking position in the sliding groove.
The automatic dispensing device according to claim 19, wherein, the sliding groove comprises a first groove segment, and a second groove segment and a third groove segment formed by bifurcation of the first groove segment, a switching chamber is formed at an intersection of the first groove segment, the second groove segment, and the third groove segment, a rib is provided in the switching chamber, and a recessed portion recessed toward the first groove segment is provided on the rib, the recessed portion is configured to cooperate with an inner wall of the switching chamber to form the locking groove, and the locking segment is configured to periodically move sequentially in the first groove segment, the second groove segment, the locking groove, and the third groove segment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention belongs to a drum washing machine in the technical field of household appliances, and more particularly, relates to a drum washing machine having an automatic washing additive dispensing device mounted on the door. BACKGROUND At present, with the continuous improvement of living standards, household appliances such as washing machines are gradually being widely used. In order to facilitate washing of laundry and the like, washing machines are generally provided with automatic washing additive dispensing devices for dispensing washing additives. The washing additives include detergent for washing, disinfectant for disinfection, fabric softener for improving the softness of laundry, and the like, so as to improve the treatment effect of the washing machine on laundry. Existing automatic washing additive dispensing devices are generally installed on the housing of the washing machine, and utilize the inlet water flow of the washing machine to dispense the extracted washing additives into the drum of the washing machine. However, when the automatic washing additive dispensing device is installed on the housing of the washing machine, it occupies a portion of the space of the housing and affects the overall design of the washing machine. In order to solve the above problems, in some existing technical solutions, the washing additive is installed on the door of the washing machine; in particular, since the door of the drum washing machine is generally provided on the front side of the machine body, when the user opens the door outward to load or unload laundry in the drum, it is convenient to operate on the inner side of the door, so some solutions have provided washing additive dispensing devices on the door. However, since the door needs to be movably and openably/closably installed on the housing of the washing machine, the washing additive dispensing device added to the door generally dispenses the injected washing additives into the drum in a single operation, rather than being an automatic dispensing device that can automatically extract and controllably dispense pre-stored washing additives in multiple batches. In view of this, the present invention is proposed. SUMMARY The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a drum washing machine to achieve the purpose of adding an automatic dispensing device on the door of the drum washing machine; meanwhile, another object of the present invention is to provide a drum washing machine to achieve the purpose of automatically extracting and dispensing pre-stored washing additives using the dispensing device on the door, and utilizing pre-stored washing additives for automatic dispensing in batches during multiple working programs. To solve the above technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: The present invention provides a drum washing machine, comprising a drum, wherein a door capable of being correspondingly opened and closed is provided at the drum opening; an automatic dispensing device is mounted on the door; the automatic dispensing device comprises: a liquid storage chamber for storing washing additives; a water supply waterway for controllably introducing inlet water flow of the drum washing machine; and an automatic dispensing mechanism for extracting washing additives stored in the liquid storage chamber and dispensing them into the drum of the drum washing machine along with the inlet water flow introduced by the water supply waterway. Furthermore, a dispensing chamber is provided on the door; the dispensing chamber has a water inlet, and the outlet of the water supply waterway is correspondingly connected to the water inlet of the dispensing chamber; the dispensing chamber has a liquid inlet, and the liquid outlet of the liquid storage chamber is connected to the dispensing chamber via the automatic dispensing mechanism, utilizing the automatic dispensing mechanism to controllably extract washing additives stored in the liquid storage chamber into the dispensing chamber; the dispensing chamber has a dispensing outlet, and the dispensing outlet is connected to the drum for dispensing washing additives and/or inlet water flow in the dispensing chamber into the drum. Furthermore, the automatic dispensing mechanism comprises a pump, wherein an inlet of the pump is connected to the liquid outlet of the liquid storage chamber, and an outlet of the pump is connected to the liquid inlet of the dispensing chamber, for pumping washing additives contained in the liquid storage chamber into the dispensing chamber using suction force generated when the pump operates; and/or; the automatic dispensing mechanism comprises a negative pressure suction structure, wherein the negative pressure suction structure has a negative pressure flow channel inside, the negative pressure flow channel has a negative