Patent Application
20220064844
The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of clothing treatment, and specifically provides an air washing device for a clothing treatment apparatus, and a clothing treatment apparatus.
A clothing treatment apparatus is an apparatus capable of washing, drying, sterilizing and/or deodorizing clothing. With the continuous improvement of production level and ongoing growth of users' needs, users have raised higher and higher requirements on the clothing treatment apparatus.
In the prior art, taking a washing machine as an example, the clothing is generally washed by water. The washing process is accompanied by mechanical rotation, so that stains on the clothing are washed away. However, this washing method has a limitation in that if a large amount of water is injected into a washing drum at the beginning, the stains on a surface of the clothing will directly enter a lining of the clothing in a state where a washing liquid is not completely dissolved, so that more time, water amount, washing liquid and mechanical action are required for washing the clothing clean in the subsequent washing process, thus resulting in a poor washing effect. In existing clothing treatment apparatuses, other functions are often added on the basis of a washing machine, such as adding a drying function to become a washing-drying integrated machine, etc. Such an improvement does not significantly improve the washing effect of the washing machine. Moreover, current washing machines still cannot achieve in-depth treatment of clothing made of special materials, such as cashmere, wool and other materials. If the traditional washing by water is used, it is highly possible that fiber structures of the clothing will be damaged, which will cause a very big limitation on an applicable range of the clothing of the washing machine.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a new air washing device for a clothing treatment apparatus, and a corresponding clothing treatment apparatus, so as to solve the above problems.
In order to solve the above problems in the prior art, that is, to solve the problems of poor washing effect and very limited applicable range of clothing of existing clothing treatment apparatuses with a washing function, the present disclosure provides an air washing device for a clothing treatment apparatus, and a clothing treatment apparatus.
A first technical solution of the present disclosure provides an air washing device for a clothing treatment apparatus, the clothing treatment apparatus includes a clothing treatment drum, and the air washing device includes a water supply valve, a connection mechanism and an atomization generator; in which the water supply valve is connected with the atomization generator through the connection mechanism, the connection mechanism is provided with a one-way check structure, the one-way check structure is arranged to be isolated from the atmosphere when the water supply valve is opened and to communicate with the atmosphere when the water supply valve is closed, and an outlet of the atomization generator is arranged facing an inner cavity of the clothing treatment drum.
In a preferred technical solution of the above air washing device, the connection mechanism is a connection pipe.
In a preferred technical solution of the above air washing device, the connection mechanism is a water delivery channel of a dispensing device of the clothing treatment apparatus.
In a preferred technical solution of the above air washing device, the one-way check structure is arranged close to a water inlet end of the water delivery channel.
In a preferred technical solution of the above air washing device, the water supply valve is arranged outside of the dispensing device.
In a preferred technical solution of the above air washing device, a position where the one-way check structure is arranged is at a different height from a position where the outlet of the atomization generator is arranged.
In a preferred technical solution of the above air washing device, the position where the one-way check structure is arranged is higher than the position where the outlet of the atomization generator is arranged.
In a preferred technical solution of the above air washing device, the one-way check structure is a one-way check valve.
In another aspect, the present disclosure also provides a clothing treatment apparatus, which includes the air washing device described above.
In a preferred technical solution of the above clothing treatment apparatus, the clothing treatment apparatus is a drum washing machine, and the clothing treatment drum is a drum of the drum washing machine; the drum washing machine further includes a window gasket connected with the drum, and the atomization generator is arranged on the window gasket.
It can be understood by those skilled in the art that in the preferred technical solutions of the present disclosure, by providing a one-way check structure on the connection mechanism, water can be injected into the connection mechanism when the water supply valve is opened, and then the one-way check structure communicates with the atmosphere when the water supply valve is closed, so that the water in the connection mechanism is sprayed from the atomization generator, and the water is converted into small particles of atomized water droplets under the atomization action of the atomization generator, thereby realizing a tender treatment of the clothing by atomized air. Specifically, before washing by water, the clothing can be moistened first by atomized water droplets, so that the stains on the surface of the clothing are removed first, preventing the stains on the surface of the clothing from entering the lining of the clothing. Therefore, less time, water amount, washing liquid and mechanical action can be used to wash the clothing clean in the subsequent washing process so that the washing effect on the clothing is improved and the clothing treatment apparatus is more energy-saving. In addition, the use of this atomized air washing method can treat clothing of special materials such as cashmere, wool, etc., which not only can make the surface of the clothing of this material smoother and softer, but also can quickly remove stains on the clothing without damaging the fiber structures of the clothing, thereby increasing the applicable range of the clothing of the clothing treatment apparatus and further improving the user experience.
Further, the connection mechanism is a connection pipe; with such an arrangement, the atomized air washing of the clothing can be realized through a very simple structure, thereby facilitating the design of the product by the technicians and reducing the cost.
Further, the connection mechanism is the water delivery channel of the dispensing device of the clothing treatment apparatus; that is, the one-way check structure is arranged on the dispensing device, so as to achieve the atomized air washing of the clothing without changing the original structure as much as possible, thereby facilitating the design of the product by the technicians and reducing the cost.
Further, by setting the position where the one-way check structure is arranged at a different height from the position where the outlet of the atomization generator is arranged, a certain liquid level difference is formed, so that the water in the connection mechanism can be smoothly sprayed from the outlet of the atomization generator, which makes it easier to perform the atomized air washing of the clothing and improves the user experience.
In addition, on the basis of the above technical solutions, the present disclosure also provides a clothing treatment apparatus, which includes the air washing device described above, and which therefore has the technical effects of the above air washing device; moreover, as compared with the clothing treatment apparatus before the improvement, the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure can improve the washing effect on the clothing, increase the applicable range of the clothing, meet the user's use requirements, and further improve the user experience.
A second technical solution of the present disclosure provides a clothing treatment apparatus, which includes a clothing treatment drum, a water supply valve, a dispensing device and an atomization generator, in which the dispensing device includes a water delivery channel, the water supply valve is connected with the atomization generator through the water delivery channel, an outlet of the atomization generator is arranged facing an inner cavity of the clothing treatment drum, and the water delivery channel is provided with a water diversion structure which is arranged to be able to communicate with the atmosphere.
In a preferred technical solution of the above clothing treatment apparatus, the water diversion structure is a water diversion port provided on the water delivery channel
In a preferred technical solution of the above clothing treatment apparatus, the dispensing device further includes a clothing treatment agent dispensing box, and the water diversion port is arranged above the clothing treatment agent dispensing box.
In a preferred technical solution of the above clothing treatment apparatus, the water diversion structure is a water diversion pipe connected to the water delivery channel
In a preferred technical solution of the above clothing treatment apparatus, the dispensing device further includes a clothing treatment agent dispensing box, and an outlet of the water diversion pipe is arranged above the clothing treatment agent dispensing box or extends into the clothing treatment agent dispensing box.
In a preferred technical solution of the above clothing treatment apparatus, a position where the water diversion structure is arranged is at a different height from a position where the outlet of the atomization generator is arranged.
In a preferred technical solution of the above clothing treatment apparatus, the position where the water diversion structure is arranged is higher than the position where the outlet of the atomization generator is arranged.
In a preferred technical solution of the above clothing treatment apparatus, the clothing treatment apparatus is a drum washing machine, and the clothing treatment drum is a drum of the drum washing machine.
In a preferred technical solution of the above clothing treatment apparatus, the drum washing machine further includes a window gasket connected to the drum, and the atomization generator is arranged on the window gasket.
In a preferred technical solution of the above clothing treatment apparatus, the atomization generator is arranged on an outer cylinder of the drum.
It can be understood by those skilled in the art that in the preferred technical solutions of the present disclosure, a water diversion structure is provided on the water delivery channel, so that when the water supply valve is opened, water can be injected into the water delivery channel, and then when the water supply valve is closed, the water diversion structure communicates with the atmosphere so that a part of the water in the water delivery channel is sprayed from the atomization generator, and the water is converted into small particles of atomized water droplets under the atomization action of the atomization generator, thereby realizing a tender treatment of the clothing by atomized air. Specifically, before washing by water, the clothing can be moistened first by atomized water droplets, so that the stains on the surface of the clothing are removed first, preventing the stains on the surface of the clothing from entering the lining of the clothing. Therefore, less time, water amount, washing liquid and mechanical action can be used to wash the clothing clean in the subsequent washing process so that the washing effect on the clothing is improved and the clothing treatment apparatus is more energy-saving. In addition, the use of this atomized air washing method can treat clothing of special materials such as cashmere, wool, etc., which not only can make the surface of the clothing of this material smoother and softer, but also can quickly remove stains on the clothing without damaging the fiber structures of the clothing, thereby increasing the applicable range of the clothing of the clothing treatment apparatus and further improving the user experience.
Further, the water diversion structure is a water diversion port, through which the water in the water delivery channel can be injected into the clothing treatment agent dispensing box when the water supply valve is opened, so that the clothing treatment agent in the clothing treatment agent dispensing box is diluted, and finally flows into the clothing treatment drum. When the water supply valve is closed, the water in the water delivery channel can also be drained since the water diversion port communicates with the atmosphere. A part of the water enters the clothing treatment agent dispensing box, and the other part of the water is converted into atomized water droplets by the atomization generator and sprayed onto the clothing. With such an arrangement, the water can be prevented from remaining in the water delivery channel, thereby avoiding the growth of bacteria in the water delivery channel, so that the user does not need to repeatedly clean the dispensing device and the user experience is improved.
Further, the water diversion structure is a water diversion pipe, through which the water in the water delivery channel can be injected into the clothing treatment agent dispensing box when the water supply valve is opened, so that the clothing treatment agent in the clothing treatment agent dispensing box is diluted, and finally flows into the clothing treatment drum. When the water supply valve is closed, the water in the water delivery channel can also be drained since the water diversion pipe communicates with the atmosphere. A part of the water enters the clothing treatment agent dispensing box, and the other part of the water is converted into atomized water droplets by the atomization generator and sprayed onto the clothing. With such an arrangement, the water can be prevented from remaining in the water delivery channel, thereby avoiding the growth of bacteria in the water delivery channel, so that the user does not need to repeatedly clean the dispensing device and the user experience is improved.
Further, by setting the position where the water diversion structure is arranged at a different height from the position where the outlet of the atomization generator is arranged, a certain liquid level difference is formed, so that the water in the water delivery channel can be smoothly sprayed from the outlet of the atomization generator, which makes it easier to perform the atomized air washing of the clothing and improves the user experience.
Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are only used to explain the technical principles of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present disclosure.
It should be noted that in the description of the present disclosure, terms indicating directional or positional relationships, such as “in”, “above”, “below”, “inside”, “outside” and the like, are based on the directional or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only used for ease of description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed or operated in a specific orientation, and therefore they should not be considered as limitations to the present disclosure.
In addition, it should also be noted that in the description of the present disclosure, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, terms “arrange”, “install”, “connect” and “connection” should be understood in a broad sense; for example, the connection may be a fixed connection, or may also be a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection, or an electrical connection; it may be a direct connection, or an indirect connection implemented through an intermediate medium, or it may be an internal communication between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present disclosure can be understood according to specific situations.
In view of the problems of poor washing effect and very limited applicable range of clothing of existing clothing treatment apparatuses with a washing function, the present disclosure provides an air washing device for a clothing treatment apparatus, and a clothing treatment apparatus, aiming at improving the washing effect of the clothing treatment apparatuses with the washing function on the clothing, increasing the applicable range of the clothing, meeting user's requirements on use, and thereby improving the user experience.
First Technical Solution
The clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure includes a clothing treatment drum. As shown in
It should be noted that by using the one-way check structure, the present disclosure enables the atomization generator 2 to smoothly generate atomized water droplets. This is because when the water supply valve 1 is always open, it is very difficult for the atomization generator 2 to form atomized water droplets under the action of water pressure. Therefore, the water supply valve 1 can be opened to accumulate water in the connection mechanism, and then the water supply valve 1 can be closed. At this time, the water in the connection mechanism can be sprayed onto the clothing in the form of atomized water droplets from the atomization generator 2 according to the principle of atmospheric communication, so as to ensure that the atomization generator 2 can perform atomized air washing of the clothing.
In addition, it should be noted that the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may be a drum washing machine, a pulsator washing machine, a washing-drying integrated machine, a clothing care machine, etc., and those skilled in the art may flexibly set the application objects of the technical solutions of the present disclosure. Such adjustments and changes to the application objects do not deviate from the principle of the present disclosure, and should be defined within the scope of protection of the present disclosure. The technical solutions of the present disclosure will be further explained below in conjunction with a drum washing machine.
Specifically, as shown in
Preferably, the position where the one-way check valve 7 is arranged is at a different height from the position where the outlet of the atomization generator 2 is arranged, that is, when the one-way check valve 7 communicates with the atmosphere, a certain liquid level difference can be formed between the one-way check valve 7 and the outlet of the atomization generator 2, so that the water accumulated in the water delivery channel 51 can be sprayed onto the clothing more easily in the form of atomized water droplets through the atomization generator 2. Since the position where the dispensing device 5 is arranged is generally higher than the position where the drum 3 is arranged in the drum washing machine, it is more preferable to set the position where the one-way check valve 7 is arranged to be higher than the position where the outlet of the atomization generator 2 is arranged, thereby making full use of the original structure of the drum washing machine.
Second Technical Solution
As shown in
It should be noted that by using the water diversion structure 5, the present disclosure enables the atomization generator 4 to smoothly generate atomized water droplets. This is because when the water supply valve 2 is always open, it is very difficult for the atomization generator 4 to form atomized water droplets under the action of water pressure. Therefore, the water supply valve 2 can be opened to accumulate water in the water delivery channel 31, and then the water supply valve 2 can be closed. At this time, the water in the water delivery channel 31 can be sprayed onto the clothing in the form of atomized water droplets from the atomization generator 4 according to the principle of atmospheric communication, so as to ensure that the atomization generator 4 can perform atomized air washing of the clothing.
In addition, it should also be noted that in the present disclosure, a water inlet end of the water delivery channel 31 is connected to the water supply valve 2 arranged outside of the dispensing device 3, and a water outlet end of the water delivery channel 31 is connected to the atomization generator 4. The water outlet end of the water delivery channel 31 may be directly connected to the atomization generator 4 through a pipe, or a water tank 7 (the structure as shown in
In a possible situation, the water diversion structure 5 is a water diversion port provided on the water delivery channel 31. The water diversion port may be directly connected to the drum 1 through a communication structure (such as a pipe) to inject water into the drum 1, or the drum washing machine has another component that requires water/accumulates water. Then, the water diversion port is connected with this component through a communication structure (such as a pipe) to inject water into this component. For another example, the dispensing device 3 further includes a clothing treatment agent dispensing box, and the water diversion port is arranged above the clothing treatment agent dispensing box. An upper part of the clothing treatment agent dispensing box may have an opening structure, and the water diversion port is aligned with the opening structure. When the water supply valve 2 is opened, water enters the water delivery channel 31, flows out of the water diversion port, enters the clothing treatment agent dispensing box through the opening structure for dilution of the clothing treatment agent, and finally flows into the drum 1. When the water supply valve 2 is closed, the atomization generator 4 is opened, and since the water diversion port communicates with the atmosphere, a part of the water in the water delivery channel 31 flows into the clothing treatment agent dispensing box through the water diversion port, and the other part of the water forms atomized water droplets under the action of the atomization generator 4, which are then sprayed onto the clothing. Moreover, under the action of the atmosphere, if the atomization generator 4 is always turned on, the water in the water delivery channel 31 can be fully drained to avoid residual water and growth of bacteria. In this embodiment, the number of water diversion ports may be one or plural. Those skilled in the art may flexibly set the number and distribution of the water diversion ports in practical applications, as long as the diversion of water and the communication with the atmosphere can be realized through the water diversion ports.
In another possible situation, the water diversion structure 5 is a water diversion pipe provided on the water delivery channel 31. The water diversion pipe may be directly connected to the drum 1 through a communication structure (such as a pipe) to inject water into the drum 1, or the drum washing machine has another component that requires water/accumulates water. Then, the water diversion pipe is connected with this component through a communication structure (such as a pipe) to inject water into this component. For another example, the dispensing device 3 further includes a clothing treatment agent dispensing box, and an outlet of the water diversion pipe is arranged above the clothing treatment agent dispensing box or extends into the clothing treatment agent dispensing box. When the outlet of the water diversion pipe is arranged above the clothing treatment agent dispensing box, an upper part of the clothing treatment agent dispensing box may have an opening structure, and the outlet of the water diversion pipe is aligned with the opening structure. When the outlet of the water diversion pipe extends into the clothing treatment agent dispensing box, it is only required to provide an opening on the clothing treatment agent dispensing box for docking with the outlet of the water diversion pipe. When the water supply valve 2 is opened, water enters the water delivery channel 31, flows out of the outlet of the water diversion pipe, then enters the clothing treatment agent dispensing box for dilution of the clothing treatment agent, and finally flows into the drum 1. When the water supply valve 2 is closed, the atomization generator 4 is opened, and since the water diversion pipe communicates with the atmosphere, a part of the water in the water delivery channel 31 flows into the clothing treatment agent dispensing box through the outlet of the water diversion pipe, and the other part of the water forms atomized water droplets under the action of the atomization generator 4, which are then sprayed onto the clothing. Moreover, under the action of the atmosphere, if the atomization generator 4 is always turned on, the water in the water delivery channel 31 can be fully drained to avoid residual water and growth of bacteria. In this embodiment, the number of water diversion pipes may be one or plural. Those skilled in the art may flexibly set the number and distribution of the water diversion pipes in practical applications, as long as the diversion of water and the communication with the atmosphere can be realized through the water diversion pipes.
Preferably, the position where the water diversion structure 5 is arranged is at a different height from the position where the outlet of the atomization generator 4 is arranged, that is, when the water diversion structure 5 communicates with the atmosphere, a certain liquid level difference can be formed between the water diversion structure 5 and the outlet of the atomization generator 4, so that the water accumulated in the water delivery channel 31 can be sprayed onto the clothing more easily in the form of atomized water droplets through the atomization generator 4. Since the position where the dispensing device 3 is arranged is generally higher than the position where the drum 1 is arranged in the drum washing machine, it is more preferable to set the position where the water diversion structure 5 is arranged to be higher than the position where the outlet of the atomization generator 4 is arranged, thereby making full use of the original structure of the drum washing machine.
Hitherto, the technical solutions of the present disclosure have been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, but it is easily understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of protection of the present disclosure is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principles of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or replacements to relevant technical features, and all the technical solutions after these changes or replacements will fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201811560196.4 | Dec 2018 | CN | national |
| 201811560213.4 | Dec 2018 | CN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN2019/125904 | 11/17/2019 | WO | 00 |
