CN113062081A

CN113062081A - Lint self-cleaning device for washing machine and washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN113062081A
Application number: CN202110324792.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 薛欣洋; 付仕波; 喻光安
Original assignee: Wuxi Little Swan Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hefei Midea Laundry Appliance Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-03-26
Filing date: 2021-03-26
Publication date: 2021-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 2041-03-26
Also published as: CN113062081B

Abstract

The application discloses a flock self-cleaning device and washing machine for washing machine, flock self-cleaning device includes: the box body is internally provided with an accommodating cavity, and the box body is also provided with a water inlet, a first water outlet and a second water outlet which are communicated with the accommodating cavity; the one-way valve is arranged at the water inlet and used for opening or closing the water inlet; the filtering piece is arranged at the first water discharging port and is used for filtering water flow entering the box body; the stop piece is arranged at the second water outlet and is suitable for opening or closing the second water outlet under the action of buoyancy and self gravity. According to the flock self-cleaning device, the structure is simple, the cost is low, the flock automatic discharging function is achieved in the washing machine drainage process in time only through the stop part, the flock self-cleaning effect in the washing machine is achieved, manual operation is not needed in the flock cleaning process, the washing experience of a user can be improved, secondary pollution is avoided, and the potential safety hazard of consumers is eliminated.

Description

Lint self-cleaning device for washing machine and washing machine

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of household appliances, in particular to a lint self-cleaning device for a washing machine and the washing machine.

Background

When clothes washing enters an intelligent era, the flock cleaning still needs manual operation, the amount of labor is increased, the experience of consumers is reduced, if the flock is not cleaned in time or is forgotten to be cleaned, bacteria are easy to breed in a damp and shaded environment, even the flock is rotten, and the harmful effect is caused on the health of the consumers.

Disclosure of Invention

The present application is directed to solving at least one of the problems in the prior art.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a lint self-cleaning device for a washing machine, which utilizes the principle of buoyancy to realize the function of automatically discharging lint after collection;

another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine including the above lint self-cleaning device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present application provides, in one aspect, a lint self-cleaning apparatus for a washing machine, including: the box body is internally provided with an accommodating cavity, and the box body is also provided with a water inlet, a first water outlet and a second water outlet which are communicated with the accommodating cavity; the one-way valve is arranged at the water inlet and is used for opening or closing the water inlet; the filter element is arranged at the first water outlet and is used for filtering water flow entering the box body; a stopper disposed at the second drain opening, the stopper adapted to open or close the second drain opening under the influence of buoyancy and self gravity.

According to the flock self-cleaning device, the structure is simple, the cost is low, the automatic flock discharging function is timely realized in the washing machine drainage process only by utilizing the buoyancy and the gravity of the stop part, the flock self-cleaning effect in the washing machine is achieved, manual operation is not needed in the flock cleaning process, the laundry experience of a user can be promoted, secondary pollution is avoided, and the potential safety hazard of a consumer is eliminated.

Further, the second drain opening is provided in a peripheral wall of the case, and the stopper is slidably provided on the case to selectively open or close the second drain opening.

Further, the second water outlet is disposed at the bottom wall of the box body, and the stopper is configured to be away from or close to the box body under the action of buoyancy and self gravity to selectively open and close the second water outlet.

Further, the stopper is configured as a stopper having a size larger than that of the second drain opening.

Further, still include: the support, the support sets up on the box body just be provided with in the support and supply the gliding spacing passageway of stop member.

Further, the support is fixed with the box body in a clamping mode.

Furthermore, the box body is provided with a clamping supporting leg, and the free end of the clamping supporting leg is provided with a bending part.

Furthermore, the stop piece is provided with a limiting column, and the support is provided with a limiting hole matched with the limiting column.

Further, the first drain port is provided on the bottom wall, and the filter member is provided at the first drain port.

Further, the height of the middle part of the bottom wall is smaller than the height of the periphery of the bottom wall, and the second water outlet is arranged on the middle part of the bottom wall.

Another aspect of the present application provides a washing machine including: a tub wall and a tub bottom provided at a lower side of the tub wall and defining a washing space with the tub wall; the impeller is rotatably arranged at the barrel bottom; the flock self-cleaning device is fixed at the barrel bottom and is arranged at the lower side of the impeller.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present application.

Drawings

The above and/or additional aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent and readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a first schematic view of a lint self-cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of a lint self-cleaning device in accordance with the present application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the structure of a stopper according to one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view of a stent according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the upper cover according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cartridge body according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a second drain opening closure according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a second drain opening according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is an internal assembly view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is an assembly view of the position of the lint self-cleaning device within the washing machine, according to an embodiment of the present application.

Reference numerals:

a washing machine 1000 is provided which includes a washing machine,

the lint self-cleaning apparatus 100,

the box body 10 is provided with a plurality of grooves,

the upper cover 11, the snap 111,

a box body 12, a peripheral wall 121, a bottom wall 122,

the locking legs 13, the bent portions 131,

a water inlet 101, a first water discharge port 102, a second water discharge port 103, a containing chamber 104,

the combination of the one-way valve 20, the filter element 30,

a stop member 40, a limit post 41, a convex surface 42, a flat surface 43,

the bracket 50, the limiting hole 501,

the barrel comprises a barrel wall 200, a barrel bottom 300 and a wave wheel 400.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present application, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar function throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are exemplary only for the purpose of explaining the present application and are not to be construed as limiting the present application.

Along with the change of the clothes washing habit of the consumer, the simple and convenient clothes washing mode is well received by the consumer, and when clothes washing enters an intelligent era, the flock cleaning still needs manual operation, so that the labor amount is increased, and the experience of the consumer is also reduced. The filter screen clamp is generally installed on the wall of a washing barrel of a washing machine in the market and used for collecting the lint in the washing process, after washing is finished, a consumer needs to take out the filter screen clamp, clear the lint in the filter screen, accumulate the lint in the filter, and easily breed bacteria or even rot in a damp and shaded environment if the filter screen clamp is not cleared in time or forgotten to clear the lint, so that the health of the consumer is harmfully affected.

This application is to prior art's not enough, aims at providing a washing machine for flock automatically cleaning device based on buoyancy principle, relies on the buoyancy of pouring into the laundry water to come the device that the flock in the driven washing machine can the automatically cleaning, and this application has mainly utilized buoyancy principle to realize the flock collection in the washing process and the flock of dewatering drainage in-process and discharge, reach the purpose of flock automatically cleaning. This process does not need manual operation, can promote user's laundry and experience, and the flock in the washing machine in time obtains clearing up, keeps can not remain the flock in the staving, eliminates the potential safety hazard that influences consumer health, avoids secondary pollution. In addition, the flock self-cleaning device further has the advantages of being simple in structure and low in cost.

A lint self-cleaning device 100 for a washing machine 1000 according to an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 10.

According to one embodiment of the present application, the lint self-cleaning device 100 comprises: a cartridge 10, a one-way valve 20, a filter 30, and a stopper 40.

Specifically, an accommodating cavity 104 is arranged in the box body 10, and a water inlet 101, a first water outlet 102 and a second water outlet 103 which are all communicated with the accommodating cavity 104 are also arranged on the box body 10; a check valve 20 is provided at the water inlet 101, the check valve 20 being used to open or close the water inlet 101; the filter element 30 is arranged at the first drain opening 102, the filter element 30 being intended to filter the flow of water entering the cartridge 10; a stopper 40 is provided at the second drain opening 102, the stopper 40 being adapted to open or close the second drain opening 103 under the influence of buoyancy and self gravity.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a perspective structure of the lint self-cleaning device 100 can be obtained from two drawings of the embodiment.

The amount of washing water injected is related to the type of laundry, the amount of laundry, the volume of laundry, and other factors, the washing water is injected into the tub of the washing machine 1000, the water line will move up slowly from the lower side of the tub, and during draining, the water line will also move down gradually, the bottom of the tub is the position where the washing water is first contacted with the washing water and the washing water is finally drained, in order to completely remove the lint in the tub, the lint self-cleaning device 100 is disposed at the bottom of the tub, so that the effect of the lint self-cleaning device 100 is not affected by the difference of the amount of water injected.

The box body 10 is a three-dimensional structure and is provided with an accommodating cavity 104, a water inlet 101, a first water discharging opening 102 and a second water discharging opening 103 which are communicated with the accommodating cavity 104, and the water inlet 101, the first water discharging opening 102 and the second water discharging opening 103 are all arranged on the box body 10. During washing, the washing water in the washing machine 1000 and the flock in the washing water can enter the box body 10 from the water inlet 101, then the washing water filtered by the filter 30 is discharged from the first water discharge port 102, and the flock in the washing water can be collected in the accommodating cavity 104; after washing, when the washing water in the washing machine 1000 is discharged, the lint collected in the accommodating chamber 104 is discharged through the second water outlet 103 under the washing of the water flow, thereby implementing self-cleaning of the lint collecting device in the washing machine 1000.

It is considered that the washing water discharged from the first drain port 102 is returned to the inside of the washing machine 1000 again through a pipe, or the washing water discharged from the first drain port 102 is directly returned to the inside of the washing machine 1000 for recycling, and the washing water with the lint discharged from the second drain port 103 is directly discharged out of the washing machine 1000, for example, into a sewer pipe, thereby achieving the discharge of the lint in the washing machine 1000.

In a normal condition, the amount of the washing water injected into the washing machine 1000 is large, during the washing process of the washing machine 1000, a large amount of washing water may flow into the box body 10, and due to the fact that the lint self-cleaning device 100 is placed at the lower portion of the tub of the washing machine 1000, the washing water in the box body 10 may be always kept in a full state, and the lint may move along with the flow of the washing water. Therefore, in order to prevent the lint from flowing out of the water inlet 101 after entering the box 10, the one-way valve 20 is disposed at the position of the water inlet 101, so that the lint can only enter the box 10 from the water inlet 101, but not flow out, thereby ensuring that the lint self-cleaning device 100 can collect more lint in the washing machine 1000.

In one embodiment, the check valve 20 is configured as a rubber sheet, and one end of the check valve 20 is connected to the case 10 and the other end is a free end that selectively opens the water inlet 101 in a direction into the case 10.

The rubber sheet is arranged in the box body 10 and completely covers the water inlet 101, one end of the rubber sheet is connected to the box body 10, and the other end of the rubber sheet can be opened or closed. The rubber sheet covers the water inlet 101 in a normal condition and is in a closed state; in the washing process, the free end of the rubber sheet is flushed by the impact force of the washing water, the water inlet 101 is opened, the washing water flows into the box body 10 from the water inlet 101, the washing water is mixed with the flock, and the flock enters the box body 10 along with the washing water.

Wherein, the water inlet 101 can have one, also can be a plurality of, the number of check valve 20 and the number one-to-one of water inlet 101, of course, a plurality of water inlets 101 also can correspond a check valve 20, to the flock self-cleaning device 100, the number of check valve 20 and the number one-to-one of water inlet 101 are favorable to the collection of flock, prevent that the flock from flowing out from water inlet 101.

The case 10 may be constructed as a non-detachable unit or may be assembled by a plurality of parts. In one embodiment, the box 10 includes a top cover 11 and a box body 12, and referring to fig. 5 and 6, the top cover 11 is provided with a buckle, and the box body 12 has a groove matching with the buckle, through which the top cover 11 can be fixed on the box body 12. The water inlet 101 and the check valve 20 are formed in the upper cover 11, and the first drain port 102 and the second drain port 103 are formed in the case body 12.

After the washing water and the lint enter the box body 10, the washing water is discharged from the first water discharge opening 102, the washing water can be returned to the tub for recycling, and in order to prevent the lint from being discharged from the first water discharge opening 102, the filtering member 30 is disposed at the position of the first water discharge opening 102, so that the debris in the washing water can be filtered out and left in the box body 10, and the washing water flows out of the box body 10 through the first water discharge opening 102.

In one embodiment, the filter member 30 may be integrally provided on the peripheral wall 121 of the case, the plurality of first drain openings 102 are provided on the peripheral wall 121 of the case, and the filter member 30 is directly formed on the peripheral wall 121, and it can be considered that the holes of the first drain openings 102 on the peripheral wall 121 are so small that only the washing water flows out and the lint is intercepted. Preferably, the first drain port 102 may be provided in plurality, and the plurality of first drain ports 102 are provided on the circumferential wall 121 to accelerate filtration of the washing water in the cabinet 10.

In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, the filter member 30 may be integrally formed on the bottom wall 122 of the case, the plurality of first drain openings 102 are formed on the bottom wall 122 of the case, and the filter member 30 is directly formed on the bottom wall 122, it can be considered that the holes of the first drain openings 102 on the bottom wall 122 are so small that only the washing water flows out and the lint is intercepted. Preferably, the first drain opening 102 may be plural, and the plural first drain openings 102 are formed on the bottom wall 122 to accelerate the filtration of the washing water in the cabinet 10.

Of course, the first drain port 102 is provided on both the bottom wall 122 and the peripheral wall 121 of the box body, so that the function of filtering the washing water in the box body 10 of the present application can be realized, and the present application is also within the protection scope.

The second water outlet 103 is disposed on the box body 10, and can discharge the impurities collected in the box body 10 out of the washing machine 1000, so the diameter of the second water outlet 103 is large, and the flock can be discharged from the second water outlet 103 together by washing with the washing water, and the stopper 40 needs to be stopped at the second water outlet 103 under normal conditions, so as to prevent a large amount of washing water from flowing out of the washing machine 1000, resulting in waste of water, and/or prevent the impurities collected in the accommodating cavity 104 from returning to the inside of the washing machine again. In the washing process, the stopper 40 closes the second water outlet 103, and is in a state of collecting the lint, and the washing water is recycled; during the draining process, the stopper 40 opens the second drain opening 103, and the lint is discharged from the second drain opening 103 together with the washing water.

Preferably, in one embodiment, the shape of the stopper 40 is as shown in fig. 3, the stopper 40 is made of a material having a lower density than water and capable of floating on the water surface, and the second water outlet 103 is opened or closed under the action of the self-gravity and the self-buoyancy of the stopper 40, which is equivalent to a switch for discharging the lint out of the washing machine 1000.

In the process of injecting the washing water into the tub, the self buoyancy of the stopper 40 is greater than the self gravity, the stopper 40 has an upward buoyancy, and under the action of the buoyancy of the stopper 40, the stopper 40 ascends and closes the second water discharge port 103; in the process of draining the washing water, the water level line gradually falls, the buoyancy of the stopper 40 is gradually reduced, the second water outlet 103 is gradually opened by the stopper 40 under the action of the self gravity, and the fluff mixed washing water is drained from the second water outlet 103.

The lint self-cleaning device 100 of the present application, during the washing water is injected, the stopper 40 ascends along with the water line until the second water discharge opening 103 is completely closed. In the washing process, the washing water continuously flows into the lint self-cleaning device 100, the lint self-cleaning device 100 filters the lint, the impurities in the washing water are intercepted on the filtering element 30, the filtered washing water returns to the washing machine 1000 again to wash the clothes, and finally, all the lint in the washing machine 1000 is collected into the lint self-cleaning device 100. In the dewatering process, the stop member 40 descends along with the water level line to slowly open the second water discharge opening 103 until the second water discharge opening 103 is completely opened, so that the washing water and the flocks can be discharged out of the washing machine 1000 from the second water discharge opening 103, and the self-cleaning of the flocks is completed.

According to the flock self-cleaning device 100 of the application, the structure is simple, the cost is low, the function of timely and automatically discharging flock in the drainage process of the washing machine 1000 is realized only by utilizing the buoyancy and the gravity of the stop part 40, the effect of flock self-cleaning in the washing machine 1000 is achieved, manual operation is not needed in the flock cleaning process, the laundry experience of a user can be improved, secondary pollution is avoided, and the potential safety hazard of a consumer is relieved.

The second water discharge opening 103 may be provided at the peripheral wall 121 of the case, and the stopper 40 is configured as a stopper plate, and the opening or closing of the second water discharge opening 103 is achieved by the upward or downward movement of the stopper plate; the second water discharge opening 103 may also be provided at the bottom wall 122 of the case, and the stopper 40 is configured as a stopper, and the opening or closing of the second water discharge opening 103 is achieved by the upward or downward movement of the stopper.

According to an embodiment of the present application, the second water discharge opening 103 is provided at the peripheral wall 121 of the case, and the stopper 40 is slidably provided on the case 10 to selectively open or close the second water discharge opening 103.

The stopper 40 has a density lower than that of water, the stopper 40 is easily floated on the water surface by buoyancy, the second water discharge opening 103 is formed in the circumferential wall 121 of the case, the stopper 40 is vertically moved upward or downward by its own weight and its own buoyancy, the second water discharge opening 103 is closed when the stopper 40 is moved upward, and the second water discharge opening 103 is opened when the stopper 40 is moved downward. For example: along with the rising of water level line, the backstop board moves upwards along with the water level line, and then plugs up second outlet 103, along with the decline of water level line, the backstop board moves down along with the water level line, and the pulling force of float to the backstop board reduces gradually, and the backstop board moves down under self action of gravity, opens second outlet 103.

According to an embodiment of the present application, the second drain opening 103 is provided at the bottom wall 122 of the case, and the stopper 40 is configured to be distant from or close to the case 10 under the buoyancy and self-gravity to selectively open and close the second drain opening 103.

The second water outlet 103 is arranged on the bottom wall 122 of the box body, the buoyancy of the stop piece 40 is upward force, the gravity of the float is vertical downward force, therefore, the float can only move up and down, the applied force is upward force, the second water outlet 103 is arranged on the bottom wall 122 of the box body, when the stop piece 40 moves up along with the water level line, the stop piece 40 is close to the box body 10, the second water outlet 103 is blocked, when the stop piece 40 moves down along with the water level line, the stop piece 40 is far away from the box body 10, and the second water outlet 103 is opened.

According to one embodiment of the present application, the stopper 40 is configured as a stopper having a size larger than that of the second drain opening 103.

The second water discharge opening 103 is provided to discharge the lint in the case body 10, and a large amount of washing water is washed when the lint is discharged, so that the second water discharge opening 103 needs a large hole, and the second water discharge opening 103 needs to be closed during use to prevent the washing water from leaking from the second water discharge opening 103.

In some embodiments, the shape of the stopper is a hemispherical stopper as shown in fig. 3, the side facing the box body 10 is a convex surface 42, and the side away from the box body 10 is a flat surface 43. The second water discharge opening 103 is generally a circular hole, the spherical diameter of the hemispherical stopper is larger than the diameter of the second water discharge opening 103, and the convex surface 42 of the hemispherical stopper can be applied to a plurality of second water discharge openings 103 having smaller spherical diameters as the convex surface 42 rises to gradually block the circular hole. In addition, it can be considered that the convex surface 42 of the stopper is streamlined, and in the ascending process of the stopper, the resistance of the convex surface 42 to water is smaller, so that the stopper can ascend more easily, the buoyancy mainly acts on one side of the hemispherical stopper far away from the box body 10, namely on the plane 43, the plane 43 is beneficial to the uniform stress of the stopper, and the buoyancy pushes the stopper into the second water outlet 103, so that the stopper is clamped on the second water outlet 103 to realize blocking.

In one embodiment, the lint self-cleaning device 100 further comprises: the bracket 50 is arranged on the box body 10, and a limit channel for the stop piece 40 to slide is arranged in the bracket 50.

The bracket 50 serves to define a direction in which the stopper 40 slides, and to define a position in which the stopper 40 slides. As shown in FIG. 4, the bracket 50 has a limit passage, and the stopper 40 is partially inserted into the limit passage, and the limit passage limits the direction in which the stopper 40 moves, and the stopper 40 can only move along the limit passage. Preferably, the limit passage is vertically opened with respect to the bottom wall 122, and the stopper 40 can only vertically move up or down along the limit passage.

In another embodiment, the stop member 40 is provided with a position-limiting post 41, and the bracket 50 is provided with a position-limiting hole 501 matched with the position-limiting post 41.

The position-limiting column 41 of the stop member 40 is partially inserted into the position-limiting hole 501, and the moving direction of the stop member 40 is controlled, so that the stop member 40 can only move upwards or fall downwards. In the process of lifting the stopper 40, the limiting hole 501 limits the moving direction of the limiting post 41, which is equivalent to the moving direction of the limiting stopper 40, and after the second water outlet 103 is completely blocked, part of the limiting post 41 is still inserted into the limiting hole 501; after the stopper 40 is dropped to completely open the second drain opening 103, the stopper 40 is dropped onto the bracket 50, and at this time, the stopper post 41 is partially or completely inserted into the stopper hole 501.

According to one embodiment of the present application, the bracket 50 is snap-fitted to the cassette 10. The box body 10 is provided with a clamping support leg 13, and the free end of the clamping support leg 13 is provided with a bending part 131.

The bracket 50 is fixed on the box body 10, and with reference to fig. 1, 2 and 5, two clamping legs 13 are arranged on the bottom wall 122 of the box body, a bending part 131 is arranged at the free end of each clamping leg 13, and the bending part 131 is matched with the bottom wall 122 of the bracket 50 to clamp and fix the bracket 50.

According to one embodiment of the present application, the first drain opening 102 is disposed on the bottom wall 122 and the filter element 30 is disposed on the first drain opening 102.

As the most preferable option among the plurality of embodiments, the water inlet 101 is disposed on the top wall of the box body 10, the washing water is more easily introduced into the box body 10 from the top wall of the box body 10 by its own weight and the stirring force of the washing machine 1000 during washing, the first water outlet 102 is disposed on the bottom wall 122 of the box body to quickly discharge the washing water, the filter 30 retains the lint in the box body 10 after filtering, the second water outlet 103 is also disposed on the bottom wall 122 of the box body, and the lint can be completely discharged out of the washing machine 1000 without residue during discharging the washing water, thereby achieving self-cleaning of the lint.

According to an embodiment of the present application, the height of the middle of the bottom wall 122 is less than the height of the periphery of the bottom wall 122, and the second drain opening 103 is provided on the middle of the bottom wall 122.

The bottom wall 122 of the box body is in an inclined state with high periphery and low middle, the second water outlet 103 is arranged at the lowest position, namely the middle part, of the bottom wall 122, the second water outlet 103 is used as the position for discharging water finally, and the flocks can be completely discharged out of the washing machine 1000 without residues, so that the self-cleaning of the flocks is realized.

The washing machine 1000 according to an embodiment of the present application includes: a tub wall 200 and a tub bottom 300, and a pulsator 400.

Specifically, the tub bottom 300 is disposed at a lower side of the tub wall 200 and defines a washing space with the tub wall 200; the pulsator 400 is rotatably disposed at the tub bottom 300; the lint self-cleaning device 100, the lint self-cleaning device 100 is fixed at the bottom 300 of the tub and is disposed at the lower side of the pulsator 400.

The clothes can be washed in the barrel body of the washing machine 1000, the barrel body is composed of a barrel wall 200 and a barrel bottom 300, the impeller 400 is installed on the upper side face of the barrel bottom 300, convex ribs are arranged on the impeller 400, water flow in the barrel forms vortex which is clockwise or anticlockwise in time under the driving of the impeller 400, the clothes are driven to rotate and roll, and therefore dirt on the clothes can be removed.

The box body 10 of the lint self-cleaning device 100 is disposed at a lower side of the pulsator 400, and when the pulsator 400 agitates the washing water, an impact force is applied to the washing water, and the washing water may flow into the box body 10, and the washing water may also enter the box body 10 by using the gravity of the washing water itself, disposed at the lower side of the pulsator 400. In addition, the case 10 may be a position for discharging the washing water finally due to the lower side of the pulsator 400 during the draining process, which is advantageous for discharging all the lint inside the tub completely outside the washing machine 1000. The box body 10 is installed at the tub bottom 300, and does not occupy the washing space of the washing machine 1000.

A plurality of lint self-cleaning devices 100 may be installed in the washing machine 1000 of the present application, and distributed around the circumference of the tub bottom 300. The buoyancy is used to drive the operation of the lint self-cleaning device 100 in combination with the characteristic of the water level change of the washing machine 1000 during operation.

In one embodiment, the specific self-cleaning process of the washing machine 1000 of the present application is as follows:

when the washing machine 1000 washes, water starts to enter the tub, the stopper 40 falls on the bracket 50 when the water level does not reach the stopper 40, the second water outlet 103 is in an open state, and when the water level rises, the stopper 40 floats upwards under the action of buoyancy until reaching the bottom wall 122 of the box body 10 to block the second water outlet 103.

Referring to fig. 9 and 10, the lint self-cleaning device 100 is located below the pulsator 400, and when washing, the pulsator 400 rotates, the water flow of the ribs at the bottom of the pulsator 400 moves to drive the water flow to move downward, the water flow mixed with the lint enters the case 10 through the water inlet 101, the lint is retained in the case 10 through the filter 30, and the washing water is discharged from the first water discharge 102.

In the process of draining water after washing, water in the washing tub is drained away, the stop piece 40 falls on the bracket 50 again along with the falling of the water level, the second water outlet 103 is opened, and the flocks in the box body 10 are drained along with the washing water, so that the self-cleaning of the flocks is realized.

The lint self-cleaning device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application will be described in detail with reference to fig. 1 to 10. It is to be understood that the following description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting.

The lint self-cleaning apparatus 100 includes: a cartridge 10, a one-way valve 20, a filter 30, and a stopper 40. An accommodating cavity 104 is arranged in the box body 10, and a water inlet 101, a first water outlet 102 and a second water outlet 103 which are communicated with the accommodating cavity 104 are also arranged on the box body 10; the check valve 20 is provided on the case 10 and configured to open the water inlet 101 only in a direction into the case 10; the filter element 30 is disposed at the first drain opening 102 and is configured to filter debris in the water flow; the stopper 40 is adapted to selectively close the second drain opening 103 under the influence of buoyancy and its own weight.

The box body 10 is a three-dimensional structure and is provided with an accommodating cavity 104, a water inlet 101, a first water discharging opening 102 and a second water discharging opening 103 which are communicated with the accommodating cavity 104, and the water inlet 101, the first water discharging opening 102 and the second water discharging opening 103 are all arranged on the box body 10. During washing, washing water in the washing machine 1000 and flock in the washing water can enter the box body 10 from the water inlet 101, after being filtered by the filter 30, the washing water is discharged from the first water discharge port 102, and the flock in the washing water can be collected in the accommodating cavity 104; when the washing water in the washing machine 1000 is discharged during draining, the lint collected in the receiving chamber 104 is discharged through the second drain port 103 by the washing of the water flow, thereby achieving self-cleaning of the lint collecting device in the washing machine 1000.

The washing water discharged from the first water discharge port 102 is returned to the inside of the washing machine 1000 again through a pipe, or the washing water discharged from the first water discharge port 102 is directly returned to the inside of the washing machine 1000 for recycling, and the washing water with the lint discharged from the second water discharge port 103 is directly discharged from the washing machine 1000 into the sewer pipe, thereby achieving the discharge of the lint in the washing machine 1000.

Under a normal condition, the amount of washing water injected into the washing machine 1000 is large, during the washing process of the washing machine 1000, a large amount of washing water flows into the box body 10, due to the fact that the lint self-cleaning device 100 is placed at the lower portion of the tub of the washing machine 1000, the washing water in the box body 10 is always kept in a full state, lint moves along with the water flow of the washing water, the washing water with the lint flows to the vicinity of the water inlet 101, the lint flows out of the water inlet 101 along with the water flow, the lint self-cleaning device 100 cannot retain the lint in the box body 10, the lint in the washing machine 1000 cannot be completely removed, and the effect of cleaning the lint cannot be achieved. Therefore, in order to prevent the lint from flowing out of the water inlet 101 after entering the box 10, the one-way valve 20 is disposed at the position of the water inlet 101, so that the lint can only enter the box 10 from the water inlet 101, but not flow out, thereby ensuring that the lint self-cleaning device 100 can collect more lint in the washing machine 1000.

The check valve 20 is constructed as a rubber sheet, and one end of the check valve 20 is connected to the case body 10 and the other end is a free end that selectively opens the water inlet 101 in a direction into the case body 10.

The case 10 may be constructed as a non-detachable unit or may be assembled by a plurality of parts. The box body 10 comprises an upper cover 11 and a box body 12, the upper cover 11 is provided with a buckle, a groove matched with the buckle is formed in the box body 12, and the upper cover 11 can be fixed on the box body 12 through the buckle. The water inlet 101 and the check valve 20 are formed in the upper cover 11, and the first drain port 102 and the second drain port 103 are formed in the case body 12.

The filter member 30 may be integrally provided on the circumferential wall 121 of the case, the plurality of first drain openings 102 may be provided on the circumferential wall 121 of the case, and the filter member 30 may be directly formed on the circumferential wall 121, and it is considered that the holes of the first drain openings 102 on the circumferential wall 121 are so small that only the washing water flows out and the lint is intercepted. Preferably, the first drain port 102 may be provided in plurality, and the plurality of first drain ports 102 are provided on the circumferential wall 121 to accelerate filtration of the washing water in the cabinet 10.

The filter member 30 may be integrally provided on the bottom wall 122 of the case body, the plurality of first drain openings 102 are provided on the bottom wall 122 of the case body, and the filter member 30 is directly formed on the bottom wall 122, it can be considered that the holes of the first drain openings 102 on the bottom wall 122 are so small that only the washing water flows out and the lint is intercepted. Preferably, the first drain opening 102 may be plural, and the plural first drain openings 102 are formed on the bottom wall 122 to accelerate the filtration of the washing water in the cabinet 10.

The second water outlet 103 is disposed on the box body 10, and can discharge the impurities collected in the box body 10 out of the washing machine 1000, so the diameter of the second water outlet 103 is large, and the flock can be discharged from the second water outlet 103 together by washing with the washing water, and the stopper 40 needs to be stopped at the second water outlet 103 under normal conditions, so as to prevent a large amount of washing water from flowing out of the washing machine 1000, waste of water is caused, and the impurities collected in the accommodating cavity 104 are prevented from returning to the inside of the washing machine again. In the washing process, the stopper 40 closes the second water outlet 103, and is in a state of collecting the lint, and the washing water is recycled; during the draining process, the stopper 40 opens the second drain opening 103, and the lint is discharged from the second drain opening 103 together with the washing water.

The stopper 40 is made of a material having a lower density than water and capable of floating on the water surface, and the second drain port 103 is opened or closed by the gravity and buoyancy of the stopper 40, which is equivalent to a switch for discharging the lint out of the washing machine 1000.

In the process of injecting the washing water into the tub, the self buoyancy of the stopper 40 is greater than the self gravity, the stopper 40 has an upward buoyancy, and under the action of the buoyancy of the stopper 40, the stopper 40 ascends and closes the second water discharge port 103; in the process of draining the washing water, as the water level line gradually falls, the self-buoyancy of the stopper 40 is reduced, the stopper 40 gradually opens the second water outlet 103, and the washing water mixed with the flocks is drained from the second water outlet 103.

The second water discharge opening 103 is provided at the circumferential wall 121 of the case, and the stopper 40 is slidably provided on the case 10 to selectively open or close the second water discharge opening 103. The stopper 40 has a density lower than that of water, the stopper 40 is easily floated on the water surface by buoyancy, the second water discharge opening 103 is formed in the circumferential wall 121 of the case, the stopper 40 is vertically moved upward or downward by its own weight and its own buoyancy, the second water discharge opening 103 is closed when the stopper 40 is moved upward, and the second water discharge opening 103 is opened when the stopper 40 is moved downward. For example: along with the rising of water level line, the backstop board moves upwards along with the water level line, and then plugs up second outlet 103, along with the decline of water level line, the backstop board moves down along with the water level line, and the pulling force of float to the backstop board reduces gradually, and the backstop board moves down under self action of gravity, opens second outlet 103.

The second drain opening 103 is provided at the bottom wall 122 of the case, and the stopper 40 is configured to be distant from or close to the case 10 under the buoyancy and self-gravity to selectively open and close the second drain opening 103.

The stopper 40 is configured as a stopper having a size larger than that of the second drain opening 103. The second water discharge opening 103 is provided to discharge the lint in the case body 10, and a large amount of washing water is washed when the lint is discharged, so that the second water discharge opening 103 needs a large hole, and the second water discharge opening 103 needs to be closed during use to prevent the washing water from leaking from the second water discharge opening 103.

The stop block is a hemispherical stop, and has a convex surface 42 facing the box body 10 and a flat surface 43 facing away from the box body 10. The second water discharge opening 103 is generally a circular hole, the spherical diameter of the hemispherical stopper is larger than the diameter of the second water discharge opening 103, and the convex surface 42 of the hemispherical stopper can be applied to a plurality of second water discharge openings 103 having smaller spherical diameters as the convex surface 42 rises to gradually close the circular hole.

The lint self-cleaning device 100 further comprises: the bracket 50 is arranged on the box body 10, and a limit channel for the stop piece 40 to slide is arranged in the bracket 50. The bracket 50 serves to define a direction in which the stopper 40 slides, and to define a position in which the stopper 40 slides. The bracket 50 is provided with a limiting channel, the stop piece 40 is partially inserted into the limiting channel, the limiting channel limits the moving direction of the stop piece 40, and the stop piece 40 can only move along the limiting channel. Preferably, the limit passage is vertically opened with respect to the bottom wall 122, and the stopper 40 can only vertically move up or down along the limit passage.

The stop member 40 is provided with a limiting post 41, and the bracket 50 is provided with a limiting hole 501 matched with the limiting post 41. The position-limiting column 41 of the stop member 40 is partially inserted into the position-limiting hole 501, and the moving direction of the stop member 40 is controlled, so that the stop member 40 can only move upwards or fall downwards. In the process of lifting the stopper 40, the limiting hole 501 limits the moving direction of the limiting post 41, which is equivalent to the moving direction of the limiting stopper 40, and after the second water outlet 103 is completely blocked, part of the limiting post 41 is still inserted into the limiting hole 501; after the stopper 40 is dropped to completely open the second drain opening 103, the stopper 40 is dropped onto the bracket 50, and at this time, the stopper post 41 is partially or completely inserted into the stopper hole 501.

The bracket 50 is clamped and fixed with the box body 10. The box body 10 is provided with a clamping support leg 13, and the free end of the clamping support leg 13 is provided with a bending part 131. Support 50 is fixed on box body 10, has two joint stabilizer blades 13 on the diapire 122 of box body, and the free end of joint stabilizer blade 13 has kink 131, and kink 131 cooperates with the diapire 122 of support 50, and is fixed with support 50 joint.

The first drain opening 102 is provided on the bottom wall 122, and the filter member 30 is provided on the first drain opening 102. Establish water inlet 101 on the roof of box body 10, the power that washing machine 1000 stirred when washing water relied on self gravity and washing, the washing water gets into in the box body 10 more easily from the roof of box body 10, first drain 102 is established on the diapire 122 of box body, can discharge the washing water fast, filter piece 30 and stay the flock in the box body 10 after filtering, second drain 103 is established on the diapire 122 of box body equally, at the drainage washing water in-process, diapire 122 is as the position of last evacuation water, the flock can be discharged outside washing machine 1000 completely without remaining, realize the automatically cleaning of flock.

The height of the middle of the bottom wall 122 is smaller than the height of the periphery of the bottom wall 122, and the second drain opening 103 is provided on the middle of the bottom wall 122. The bottom wall 122 of the box body is in an inclined state with high periphery and low middle, the second water outlet 103 is arranged at the lowest position, namely the middle part, of the bottom wall 122, the second water outlet 103 is used as the position for discharging water finally, and the flocks can be completely discharged out of the washing machine 1000 without residues, so that the self-cleaning of the flocks is realized.

The washing machine 1000 includes: a tub wall 200 and a tub bottom 300, and a pulsator 400. The tub bottom 300 is disposed at a lower side of the tub wall 200 and defines a washing space with the tub wall 200; the pulsator 400 is rotatably disposed at the tub bottom 300; the lint self-cleaning device 100 is fixed at the bottom 300 of the tub and is disposed at the lower side of the pulsator 400.

In the description of the present application, it is to be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," "circumferential," and the like are used in the orientations and positional relationships indicated in the drawings for convenience in describing the present application and for simplicity in description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the referenced devices or elements must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the present application.

In the description of the present application, "the first feature" and "the second feature" may include one or more of the features.

In the description of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more.

In the description of the present application, the first feature being "on" or "under" the second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, and may also include the first and second features being in contact not directly but via another feature therebetween.

In the description of the present application, the first feature being "on," "above" and "over" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicating that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature.

In the description herein, reference to the description of the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "an illustrative embodiment," "an example," "a specific example," or "some examples" or the like means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the terms used above do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

While embodiments of the present application have been shown and described, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that: various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A lint self-cleaning apparatus for a washing machine, comprising:

the box body is internally provided with an accommodating cavity, and the box body is also provided with a water inlet, a first water outlet and a second water outlet which are communicated with the accommodating cavity;

the one-way valve is arranged at the water inlet and is used for opening or closing the water inlet;

the filter element is arranged at the first water outlet and is used for filtering water flow entering the box body;

a stopper disposed at the second drain opening, the stopper adapted to open or close the second drain opening under the influence of buoyancy and self gravity.

2. The lint self-cleaning device for a washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second drain opening is provided at a peripheral wall of the case, and the stopper is slidably provided at the case to selectively open or close the second drain opening.

3. The lint self-cleaning device for a washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second drain opening is provided at a bottom wall of the case, and the stopper is configured to be moved away from or close to the case by buoyancy and self-gravity to selectively open and close the second drain opening.

4. A lint self-cleaning device for a washing machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the stopper is configured as a stopper having a size larger than that of the second water discharge opening.

5. A lint self-cleaning device for a washing machine as claimed in claim 3 or 4, further comprising: the support, the support sets up on the box body just be provided with in the support and supply the gliding spacing passageway of stop member.

6. The lint self-cleaning apparatus for a washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bracket is snap-fitted to the case.

7. A lint self-cleaning device for a washing machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the box body is provided with a snap-in leg, and a free end of the snap-in leg is provided with a bent portion.

8. A lint self-cleaning device for a washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the stopper is provided with a position-limiting post, and the holder is provided with a position-limiting hole engaged with the position-limiting post.

9. A lint self-cleaning device for a washing machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first drain opening is provided on the bottom wall, and the filter is provided at the first drain opening.

10. The lint self-cleaning device for a washing machine of claim 9, wherein the bottom wall has a middle height smaller than a peripheral height of the bottom wall, and the second drain opening is provided on the middle of the bottom wall.

11. A washing machine, characterized by comprising:

a tub wall and a tub bottom provided at a lower side of the tub wall and defining a washing space with the tub wall;

the impeller is rotatably arranged at the barrel bottom;

the lint self-cleaning device of any one of claims 1 to 10, which is fixed to the tub bottom and disposed at a lower side of the pulsator.