CN112391804A

CN112391804A - Detergent box assembly for washing machine and washing machine comprising same

Info

Publication number: CN112391804A
Application number: CN201910766448.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 潘超; 杨帆; 黄再超
Original assignee: Bo Xihua Electric Jiangsu Co Ltd; BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: Bo Xihua Electric Jiangsu Co Ltd; BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2019-08-19
Filing date: 2019-08-19
Publication date: 2021-02-23

Abstract

A detergent box assembly (12) for a washing machine (10) and a washing machine (10) including the same, the detergent box assembly (12) comprising: a detergent box (14); a dispenser box (16) movably housed within the detergent box (14); a face plate (18) interfacing with the dispenser box (16); and a driving element (20) including a moving member (22), wherein the pivoting motion of the moving member (22) can drive the dispenser box (16) and the panel (18) to move relative to the detergent box (14). Therefore, the detergent box assembly (12) can be automatically opened and closed, a user is prevented from contacting with water and detergent remained on the panel (18), and the operation experience of the user is improved.

Description

Detergent box assembly for washing machine and washing machine comprising same

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of household appliances, in particular to a detergent box assembly for a washing machine and the washing machine comprising the same.

Background

Detergent box assemblies of current household washing machines are generally opened and closed manually. When the detergent box assembly is opened and closed manually, a user usually contacts a residual area of water and detergent on a panel of the detergent box assembly, so that residual stains are easily contacted, and the user experience is influenced.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to solve at least one of the problems described above, for example.

In view of the above objects, an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a detergent box assembly for a washing machine, including: a detergent box; a dispenser box movably accommodated in the detergent box; a faceplate coupled to the dispenser box; and a driving element including a moving member, the pivotal movement of the moving member driving the dispenser box and the panel to move relative to the detergent box. Therefore, the detergent box assembly can be automatically opened and closed, a user is prevented from contacting with residual water and detergent on the panel, and the operation experience of the user is improved.

Optionally, the driving element includes a fixed end and a movable end opposite to the fixed end, and the moving member includes two cross arms crossing each other and connecting the fixed end and the movable end, and a shaft body pivotally connecting the two cross arms. As such, the drive element occupies less space.

Optionally, the fixed end includes a motor, a bidirectional screw rod connected with the motor, and a nut slider slidably mounted on the bidirectional screw rod, each of the cross arms has a first end connected with the nut slider. In this manner, the opening or closing of the detergent box assembly can be electrically controlled by the motor, the bidirectional screw, the nut runner, and the cross arm.

Optionally, the fixed end comprises a guide rail straight rod extending parallel to the bidirectional screw rod and penetrating through the nut slider. In this manner, it may help provide guidance and stability to the nut runner.

Optionally, the moving end includes a guide bar and a through-hole slider slidably mounted on the guide bar, and each of the cross arms has a second end connected to the through-hole slider. In this manner, it may be helpful to translate the movement of the cross arm into the movement of the moving end.

Optionally, each of the cross arms comprises a number of arm segments pivotally connected by connecting shafts. Thus, the moving distance of the moving end can be improved.

Optionally, each said arm segment is cross-pivotally connected via said axle body to a respective arm segment of another said cross arm. Thus, the moving distance of the moving end can be increased without occupying too much space.

Optionally, the fixed end and the movable end respectively include a first slide bar and a second slide bar, a first slider slidably mounted on the first slide bar, a second slider slidably mounted on the second slide bar, the first slider is connected to the first end of the cross arm, the second slider is connected to the second end of the cross arm, an elastic member is disposed on at least one of the first slide bar and the second slide bar, and the position and the telescopic state of the elastic member are set such that the first slider tends to approach each other and/or the second slider tends to approach each other. In this way, the automatic control of the opening or closing of the detergent box assembly by the first slide bar, the second slide bar, the first slider, the second slider, the cross arm, and the elastic member can be facilitated.

Optionally, the fixed end and the moving end respectively comprise a deceleration damping between the first slide bar and the first slider, and/or between the second slide bar and the second slider. In this way, the first slider and the second slider can be facilitated to move at a constant speed.

Another aspect of embodiments of the present invention provides a washing machine including the detergent box assembly as described above.

The subject matter of any independent claim above may be combined with any subject matter or combination of subject matter of any dependent claims as may be permitted under the circumstances of technology to form new claimed subject matter.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings to refer to the same or similar elements in the different embodiments, and the description of the same or similar elements in the different embodiments may be omitted.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a partial schematic view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a partial perspective schematic view of a washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the panel and drive components of the washing machine of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic view of the drive element of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the driving member of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the driving element of FIG. 5 in a closed state;

FIG. 7 is a perspective schematic view of a drive element according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective schematic view of a drive element according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective schematic view of a drive element according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective schematic view of the washing machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 10 in a closed state of a detergent box assembly; and

fig. 12 is a schematic top view of the washing machine of fig. 11.

Detailed Description

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a detergent box assembly 12 for a washing machine 10, including: a detergent box 14; a dispenser box 16 movably housed in the detergent box 14; a faceplate 18 interfacing with the dispenser box 16; and a driving member 20 including a mover 22, wherein the pivotal movement of the mover 22 moves the dispenser box 16 and the panel 18 relative to the detergent box 14. Thus, the detergent box assembly 12 can be automatically opened and closed, so that the user is prevented from contacting with the residual water and detergent on the panel 18, and the operation experience of the user is improved.

The face plate 18 may be separately prepared and assembled with the dispenser box 16, or may be integrally formed with the dispenser box 16.

Referring to fig. 3, the driving element 20 includes a fixed end 24 and a movable end 26 opposite to the fixed end 24, and the moving element 22 includes two cross arms 28 crossing each other and connecting the fixed end 24 and the movable end 26, and a shaft body 30 pivotally connecting the two cross arms 28. As such, the drive element 20 occupies less space.

The fixed end 24 may be fixed to the detergent box 14 as shown in fig. 1, or may be fixed to a lower end of a control panel 60 of the washing machine 10 as shown in fig. 2. As shown in fig. 3, the moving end 26 is fixed to the face plate 18.

Referring also to fig. 4 and 5, the fixed end 24 includes a motor 32, a bidirectional screw 34 connected to the motor 32, and a nut slider 36 slidably mounted on the bidirectional screw 34, and each of the cross arms 28 has a first end 38 connected to the nut slider 36. In this manner, the electric control of the opening or closing of the detergent box assembly 12 by the motor 32, the bidirectional screw 34, the nut runner 36 and the cross arm 28 can be facilitated.

The fixed end 24 includes a guide rail straight bar 40 extending parallel to the two-way lead screw 34 and passing through the nut block 36. In this manner, it may help provide guidance and stability to the nut runner 36.

The moving end 26 includes a guide rod 42 and a through-hole slider 44 slidably mounted on the guide rod 42, and each of the cross arms 28 has a second end 46 connected to the through-hole slider 44. In this manner, it may be helpful to translate the movement of the cross arm 28 into movement of the moving end 26.

When the motor 32 receives signal drive, the bidirectional screw rod 34 is driven to rotate, and the two nut sliders 36 move away from each other, and the cross arm 28 drives the through hole slider 44 to move away from each other. The movable end 26 is thus moved closer to the fixed end 24, while the driving element 20 is in a retracted state, corresponding to the detergent box assembly 12 being slowly closed, see fig. 6 and 11.

Similarly, when the motor 32 rotates in the opposite direction, the two nut sliders 36 move toward each other, and the movable end 26 moves away from the fixed end 24, so that the driving element 20 is extended, corresponding to the detergent box assembly 12 being opened slowly, as shown in fig. 1-5 and 10.

The fixed end 24 only undergoes horizontal displacement of the nut runner 36 along the bidirectional screw 34 during movement. In the movement of the moving end 26, not only the horizontal displacement of the through-hole slider 44 along the guide rod 42 occurs, but also the longitudinal translation approaching and departing from the fixed end 24 is generated due to the change of the structural included angle of the cross arm 28, so as to drive the dispenser box 16 and the panel 18 to realize the effect of telescopic opening and closing.

The stroke of the moving end 26, the dispenser box 16 and the faceplate 18 can be adjusted by changing the configuration of the cross arm 28. As shown in fig. 7, in some embodiments, each of the cross arms 28 includes a plurality of arm segments 58 pivotally connected by connecting shafts 56. In this manner, the moving distance of the moving end 26 can be facilitated to be increased. The length and number of arm segments 58 may be designed according to the travel requirements of the moving end 26, the dispenser box 16, and the face plate 18.

Each of the arm segments 58 is cross-pivotally connected to a corresponding arm segment (58) of the other of the cross arms 28 via the axle body 30. In this manner, it is possible to facilitate the moving distance of the moving end 26 to be increased in multiples without occupying too much space in the collapsed state. For example, the moving end 26 in fig. 7 may move twice as much as in fig. 5 under the same circumstances.

Fig. 8 and 9 are perspective schematic views of a drive element according to further embodiments of the invention. The fixed end 24 and the moving end 26 respectively comprise a first slide bar 48a and a second slide bar 48b, a first slider 50a slidably mounted on the first slide bar 48a, a second slider 50b slidably mounted on the second slide bar 48b, the first slider 50a being connected to the first end 38 of the cross arm 28, the second slider 50b being connected to the second end 46 of the cross arm 28, an elastic member 52 being provided on at least one of the first slide bar 48a and the second slide bar 48b, and the position and the telescopic state of the elastic member 52 being set such that the first slider 50a tends to approach each other and/or the second slider 50b tends to approach each other. In this manner, the automatic control of the opening or closing of the detergent box assembly 12 by the first slide bar 48a, the second slide bar 48b, the first slider 50a, the second slider 50b, the cross arm 28 and the elastic member 52 can be facilitated.

The resilient member 52 may be a spring or may have other resilient configurations. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 8, the elastic member 52 is located inside and between the second slider 50 b. In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 9, the elastic member 52 is located outside the second slider 50 b. In some embodiments, not shown, the elastic element 52 may be located at other positions, such as inside and outside the first slider 50 a.

Optionally, the fixed end 24 and the moving end 26 comprise a deceleration damping 54 between the first slide bar 48a and the first slider 50a, and/or between the second slide bar 48b and the second slider 50b, respectively. In this way, the first slider 50a and the second slider 50b can be assisted in the movement with uniform speed.

The deceleration damper 54 may be a rubber member that is assembled with the sliding

rods

48a, 48b in a certain interference fit, and the resistance generated by sliding friction ensures that the movement of the sliding

blocks

50a, 50b on both sides tends to be uniform.

When the elastic member 52 is located inside the sliding

blocks

50a and 50b, the sliding

blocks

50a and 50b connected to the elastic member 52 at two sides need to rely on the energy generated by the self-contraction of the elastic member 52 to drive the sliding

blocks

50a and 50b to move inwards, so as to complete the popping action. Therefore, in a state where the detergent box assembly 12 is closed, the elastic member 52 in the middle is in a stretched state. When the dispenser box 16 and the panel 18 are required to be opened, the stretching state of the elastic piece 52 is released, the elastic piece 52 is contracted towards the center, the sliding

blocks

50a and 50b on the two sides of the cross arm 28 are driven to move inwards at a constant speed under the action of the deceleration damper 50b, and the moving end 26 drives the dispenser box 16 and the panel 18 to pop out.

When the elastic member 52 is located at the outer side of the sliding

blocks

50a, 50b, the spring principle is changed to that the elastic member 52 at both sides stretches to drive the sliding

blocks

50a, 50b to move inwards. Therefore, in a state where the detergent box assembly 12 is closed, the elastic members 52 are compressed at both sides. Releasing the compression of the elastic member 52 and moving the sliding

blocks

50a and 50b inward can achieve the function of ejecting the dispenser box 16 and the panel 18 by the moving end 26.

Another aspect of the present embodiment provides a washing machine 10 including the detergent box assembly 12 as described above.

As shown in fig. 1, 2, and 10-12, the detergent box assembly 12 may be located at the upper left portion of the washing machine 10 below the upper cover 62. The panel 18 may be located above the case front panel 64, adjacent to the control panel 60. The control panel 60 may have a button 66, and the button 66 is connected to the motor 32 and the elastic member 52 for a user to input commands to control the opening and closing of the detergent box assembly 12.

In some embodiments, the detergent box 14 may be connected to a water inlet line (not shown) at the rear, and connected to a washing tub (not shown) at the bottom via a water outlet line (not shown), through which water is mixed with the detergent pumped or manually added from the dispenser box 16 and then introduced into the washing tub.

As can be seen from the above, the embodiment of the present invention can automatically open and close the detergent box assembly 12, so as to prevent the user from contacting with the residual water and detergent on the panel 18, thereby improving the operation experience of the user.

The various embodiments described above and shown in the drawings are illustrative of the invention and are not exhaustive of the invention. Any modification of the present invention by a person of ordinary skill in the related art within the scope of the basic technical idea of the present invention is within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A detergent box assembly (12) for a washing machine (10), comprising:

a detergent box (14);

a dispenser box (16) movably housed within the detergent box (14);

a face plate (18) interfacing with the dispenser box (16); and

a drive element (20) comprising a mover (22), pivotal movement of the mover (22) moving the dispenser box (16) and the panel (18) relative to the detergent box (14).

2. The detergent box assembly (12) according to claim 1, wherein the driving member (20) includes a fixed end (24) and a movable end (26) opposite to the fixed end (24), and the moving member (22) includes two cross arms (28) crossing each other and connecting the fixed end (24) and the movable end (26), and a shaft body (30) pivotally connecting the two cross arms (28).

3. The detergent box assembly (12) as set forth in claim 2 wherein said fixed end (24) includes a motor (32), a bi-directional lead screw (34) connected to said motor (32), and a nut runner (36) slidably mounted on said bi-directional lead screw (34), each of said cross arms (28) having a first end (38) connected to said nut runner (36).

4. The detergent box assembly (12) as recited in claim 3, wherein the fixed end (24) comprises a guide rail straight bar (40) extending parallel to the bidirectional screw (34) through the nut runner (36).

5. The detergent box assembly (12) according to claim 2, wherein said moving end (26) includes a guide bar (42) and a through-hole slider (44) slidably mounted on said guide bar (42), each of said cross arms (28) having a second end (46) connected to said through-hole slider (44).

6. The detergent box assembly (12) as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said cross arms (28) includes a plurality of arm segments (58) pivotally connected by a connecting shaft (56).

7. The detergent box assembly (12) as recited in claim 6, wherein each of the arm segments (58) is cross-pivotally connected to a corresponding arm segment (58) of another of the cross arms (28) via the shaft body (30).

8. The detergent box assembly (12) of claim 2, wherein the fixed end (24) and the movable end (26) comprise a first slide bar (48a) and a second slide bar (48b), respectively, a first slider (50a) slidably mounted on said first slide bar (48a), a second slider (50b) slidably mounted on said second slide bar (48b), the first slider (50a) being connected to the first end (38) of the cross arm (28), the second slider (50b) being connected to the second end (46) of the cross arm (28), an elastic piece (52) is arranged on at least one of the first slide bar (48a) and the second slide bar (48b), and the position and the telescopic state of the elastic member (52) are set so that the first sliders (50a) tend to approach each other and/or the second sliders (50b) tend to approach each other.

9. The detergent box assembly (12) according to claim 8, wherein the fixed end (24) and the moving end (26) comprise a deceleration damping (54) between the first slide bar (48a) and the first slider (50a), and/or between the second slide bar (48b) and the second slider (50b), respectively.

10. A washing machine (10), characterized by comprising a detergent box assembly (12) according to any one of claims 1-9.