CN217922683U - Connecting piece for water inlet and outlet system of washing machine, water inlet and outlet system and washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment of the present application provides a connector for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine, the connector being configured to be disposed on an inner side of a back plate of the washing machine and to be connected with a hose, wherein the connector includes: a substrate; at least one nipple formed on the base body, wherein the at least one nipple is configured to be connected to the hose by a clip; and a first limit structure formed on the at least one adapter tube and configured to be suitable for presetting a minimum spacing of a chuck of the clamping band relative to a top cover of the washing machine in a connection state of the hose and the at least one adapter tube through the clamping band. The application also relates to a water inlet and outlet system and a washing machine. Through setting up limit structure, can avoid the dop of clamp and the contact between the washing machine top cap effectively, reduce the noise and improve the protection to after sale/assembly personnel.

Description

Connecting piece for water inlet and outlet system of washing machine, water inlet and outlet system and washing machine

Technical Field

The application relates to the field of household appliances, in particular to a connecting piece of a water inlet and outlet system for a washing machine. In addition, the application also relates to a corresponding water inlet and outlet system for the washing machine and a corresponding washing machine.

Background

As a common household appliance in life, for example, a washing machine has been introduced into thousands of households. The demand of people for the washing machine is also increasing. At present, in the design of the water inlet and outlet system of the washing machine, a rubber hose is generally adopted as the water inlet and outlet pipe, and other parts (such as a detergent storage box is generally a plastic part) are connected with each other by a clamp, as shown in fig. 3.

When the water inlet and outlet system is designed, the installation orientation of the clamp is required to be clearly limited, so that the clamping head of the clamp is not contacted with the top cover of the washing machine. However, when the washing machine is operated in a more severe operating mode, for example during dewatering or in the event of resonance, the clamping band may hit the washing machine top cover, and even the clamping band may rotate relative to the hose so that the clamping head of the clamping band moves in the direction of the washing machine top cover. In both cases, noise is generated in the washing machine and there is a risk of damage to the washing machine top cover.

Generally, due to the compact structure of the inner space of the washing machine, a wire harness for the washing machine is also arranged particularly near the water inlet and outlet system of the washing machine. Also in both cases described above, the clip may also come into contact with the wiring harness due to vibration. In some cases, the clip of the clip may interfere with and interfere with the wiring harness routing and in extreme cases may sever the wiring harness, thereby causing the washing machine to fail in function.

In addition, before installing the washing machine water inlet and outlet system into the washing machine, workers need to fasten the rubber hose to the connecting pipe of the water return prevention device by means of a clamp. However, additional structural elements for defining the installation orientation of the bracket need to be provided when installing the bracket, in order to ensure that incorrect installation of the bracket, in particular of the clip head of the bracket, with respect to the washing machine top cover does not occur when the washing machine inlet and outlet system is installed in a washing machine. This additionally increases the number of structural elements and increases the structural complexity in the washing machine.

Furthermore, the sharp edges of the clamp or the clamping head can also cause injury to the personnel who are performing the preassembly or who are after-market or who are repairing the user.

Disclosure of Invention

Based on this, it is an object of embodiments of the present application to provide an improved connection for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine, a corresponding water inlet and outlet system for a washing machine and a corresponding washing machine.

According to a first aspect of the present application, embodiments of the present application provide a connector for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine, the connector being configured to be disposed on an inner side of a back plate of the washing machine and to be connected with a hose, the connector comprising: a substrate; at least one nipple formed on the base body, wherein the at least one nipple is configured to be coupled to the hose by a clip; and a first limit structure formed on the at least one adapter tube and configured to be suitable for presetting a minimum spacing of a chuck of the clamping band relative to a top cover of the washing machine in a connection state of the hose and the at least one adapter tube through the clamping band.

The connecting piece for the water inlet and outlet system of the washing machine can ensure the correct installation orientation of the clamp and at least effectively avoid the small distance between the clamp and the top cover, so that noise caused by contact or impact of the clamp and the top cover under some working conditions is avoided. Furthermore, additional structural elements are also avoided by the present application and thus effective integration is achieved without increasing the complexity of the structure and the manufacturing costs.

According to an alternative embodiment of the connection piece for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine according to the application, the connection piece further comprises a second stop structure which is formed on the at least one connection pipe and is designed and adapted to predefine a maximum spacing of the clamping heads relative to the washing machine top cover in the connected state of the hose with the at least one connection pipe by means of the clamping heads. By this embodiment, the maximum movement boundary at which the cartridge is likely to move downward can be effectively defined. This prevents the clamp or the clamping head from coming into contact with the wire harness, which is arranged below the connecting part, for example, and thus prevents the clamp or the clamping head from damaging the wire harness or even cutting it off in some operating conditions.

According to an optional embodiment of the connector for the water inlet and outlet system of the washing machine, the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure are respectively and integrally formed with the at least one connecting pipe. This embodiment is simple to produce and compact, and allows structural and functional integration without additional assembly costs.

According to an alternative embodiment of the connection for an inlet and outlet system of a washing machine according to the present application, the first limit structure is arranged opposite to the second limit structure. This embodiment is compact and effectively defines the movement space of the cartridge of the clip.

According to an alternative embodiment of the connection piece for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine according to the present application, the at least one connection pipe has a circular periphery, and the first and second limit structures are respectively configured in a circular arc shape corresponding to the circular periphery. This embodiment is compact and reduces the sharp edges of the stop arrangement to a great extent, thereby increasing the protection for the installation personnel.

According to the application, an optional implementation mode of the connecting piece for the water inlet and outlet system of the washing machine is arranged, the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure form a first limiting included angle and a second limiting included angle in the circumferential direction of the first limiting structure respectively, and the minimum distance and the maximum distance are achieved through the first limiting included angle or the second limiting included angle. This embodiment makes it possible to achieve a movement limitation of the clamping head of the clamping band in a quantitative manner. Therefore, the design of the limiting structure can be simplified, the function of the limiting structure is improved, and the compactness of the water inlet and outlet system is also improved.

According to an optional implementation mode setting of a connecting piece for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine, the first limiting included angle and the second limiting included angle are designed to be the same or different, wherein the chuck can be limited in the first limiting included angle or the second limiting included angle. This embodiment makes it possible to arrange the clamp on the connector in a particularly flexible manner and to ensure the mounting orientation of the clamp. Thereby, a flexible way for the arrangement of the water inlet and outlet system, in particular for the installation of hoses, can be provided.

According to an alternative embodiment of the connection for an inlet and outlet system of a washing machine according to the present application, a through hole is configured on the first and/or second limiting structure, the through hole being configured to be suitable for detecting the installation state of the hose. This embodiment makes it possible to carry out the testing of the hose installation particularly simply, reducing the testing complexity and increasing the testing efficiency.

According to an alternative embodiment of the connection for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine according to the present application, a reinforcing rib is configured on the first limit structure and/or the second limit structure. Through setting up the strengthening rib, limit structure's bulk strength has been improved.

According to an optional embodiment of the connecting piece for the water inlet and outlet system of the washing machine, the connecting piece comprises three connecting pipes, and the first limiting structure and/or the second limiting structure are/is integrally formed on the three connecting pipes respectively. The functions of the water inlet and outlet system can be fully realized and expanded by arranging a reasonable number of connecting pipes, so that the complexity and the space requirement of the structure are greatly improved.

According to an alternative embodiment of the connector for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine according to the present application, the first and second limiting structures are configured as limiting pieces. This embodiment is simple in construction and easy to manufacture.

According to an alternative embodiment of the connector for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine according to the present application, the connector is configured as a back suction prevention device. Such an embodiment enables a particularly reliable function in a washing machine.

According to a second aspect of the present application, embodiments of the present application provide a water inlet and outlet system for a washing machine, the water inlet and outlet system comprising: a hose; the connector for an inlet and outlet water system of a washing machine according to one of the previous embodiments, wherein the hose is connected with a connection pipe of the connector by means of a clip. At least one of the above technical advantages achieved by means of the connection for the water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine is thereby obtained.

According to an alternative embodiment of the water inlet and outlet system for a washing machine according to the application, the water inlet and outlet system is arranged on the inner side of the back plate of the washing machine. Therefore, the optimal arrangement of the water inlet and outlet system can be realized under the condition of saving the installation space.

According to a third aspect of the present application, embodiments of the present application provide a laundry washing machine comprising a connection for a water inlet and outlet system of a laundry washing machine according to one of the preceding embodiments and/or a water inlet and outlet system of a laundry washing machine according to one of the preceding embodiments.

According to an alternative embodiment of the washing machine of the present application, the washing machine is a drum type washing machine. At least one of the above-mentioned technical advantages achieved by means of the connection for the water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine and the water inlet and outlet system can thereby be obtained.

Drawings

The principles, features and advantages of the present application may be better understood by describing the application in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings include:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an arrangement of a water inlet and outlet system in a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a water inlet and outlet system according to the prior art;

FIGS. 4a and 4b are views showing possible positions of the clip in the water inlet and outlet system of FIG. 3, respectively, relative to a top cover of the washing machine;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a connection to an inlet and outlet water system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a water intake and outlet system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 illustrates another perspective view of the water inlet and outlet system of FIG. 6;

fig. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a movement limit of a bail according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

List of reference numerals

1. Washing machine

10. Washing machine top cover

20. Washing machine door

30. Operation panel

40. Water inlet and outlet system

50. Clothes accommodating part

401. Connecting piece

402. 403, 404 hose

405. Clamp hoop

4011. Connecting pipe

4012. First limit structure

4013. Second limit structure

4014. Base body

4051. Clamping head

40121. Through-hole

40122. Reinforcing rib

Alpha first limit included angle

Beta second limiting included angle.

Detailed Description

In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantageous effects to be solved by the present application more apparent, the present application will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present application and do not limit the scope of the present application.

First, in order to facilitate understanding, returning to the description of the background art section, in the water inlet and outlet system in the related art, in the case where the hose is clamped to the connection pipe of the connection member by the clamp, there are problems in that the installation orientation of the clamp is wrong, the interval between the clamp and the top cover is excessively small, thereby causing noise, the movement of the clamp damages the wire harness and eventually the function failure of the washing machine, and the installer is injured by the clamp.

In view of at least one of the above technical problems or other possible technical problems, an exemplary embodiment of the present application provides a connector for an inlet and outlet system of a washing machine, the connector being configured to be disposed on an inner side of a back plate of the washing machine and to be connected with a hose, the connector including: a base; at least one nipple formed on the base body, wherein the at least one nipple is configured to be coupled to the hose by a clip; and a first limit structure formed on the at least one connection pipe and configured to be suitable for presetting a minimum spacing of a chuck of the clamp relative to a top cover of the washing machine in a connection state of the hose and the at least one connection pipe through the clamp.

For a better understanding of the above-described reinforcement, exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before starting the detailed description, it is pointed out that the directional terms used in the description refer to the normal use of the machine for the convenience of description and are not to be understood as an absolute definition of the corresponding features.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. As schematically shown in fig. 1, the washing machine 1 includes a washing machine top cover 10, a washing machine door 20, and an operation panel 30. According to the exemplary embodiment, the washing machine 1 is configured as a drum type washing machine.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an arrangement of a water inlet and outlet system in a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. According to this exemplary embodiment, the laundry machine 1 further comprises an inlet and outlet water system 40 and a laundry receptacle 50. The water inlet and outlet system 40 is disposed inside the back panel of the washing machine. As can be seen from fig. 2, the water inlet and outlet system 40 comprises a connection piece 401 and hoses 402, 403, 404 arranged on a connection 4011 of the connection piece 401. In the exemplary embodiment, connector 401 is configured as an anti-suck back device.

Since the present application mainly relates to the water inlet and outlet system 40 of the washing machine 1, the other components of the washing machine will not be described in detail in the present application.

Next, the problems of the water inlet and outlet system 40 in the prior art will be described with reference to fig. 3 and 4.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a water inlet and outlet system according to the prior art. In the water inlet and outlet system 40 according to the prior art, the hoses 402, 403, 404 are clamped by means of a clamp 405 to a connection piece 4011 (not shown) formed on the connection piece 401. The attachment orientation of the tabs 4051 of the clamp 405 should be generally horizontal so as not to touch the washing machine top cover 10 or the wiring harness in the vertical direction of the washing machine 1.

Fig. 4a and 4b show views of possible positions of the clamp 405 in the water inlet and outlet system of fig. 3, respectively, relative to the washing machine top cover 10. Fig. 4a shows a schematic spatial view of a theoretical installation position of the clamp 405. In the case of a normal installation of the clamp 405, a predetermined theoretical installation gap exists between the retaining head 4051 of the clamp 405 and the inner wall of the washing machine top cover 10, so that the clamp 405 does not contact the inner wall of the washing machine top cover 10. Further, a wire harness (not shown) is generally arranged below the connector 401. However, as shown in fig. 4b, since the washing machine 1 is shaken strongly in some operating conditions, for example in the case of spin-drying, the yoke 405 may also shake or vibrate accordingly with the connecting element 401 and in the more serious case may rotate loosely. This causes the catch 4051 of the catch 405 to move or rotate from the original horizontal direction in the direction of the washing machine top cover 10 (upward) or downward. Therefore, the chucking head 4051 of the yoke 405 may contact the washing machine top cover 10 and cause operation noise when the washing machine 1 is operated, or the chucking head 4051 of the yoke 405 may touch the wiring harness located under the connection member 401 and damage the wiring harness in a more serious case. Furthermore, the tab 4051 of the clip 405 may be erroneously mounted in the direction of the washing machine top cover 10 or in the downward direction due to a possible wrong mounting orientation, which also leads to the above-mentioned problems.

Now, the technical solution of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a connection 401 to and from a water system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. According to this exemplary embodiment, connector 401 includes a base 4014; three connecting pieces 4011, which are integrally formed on a base body 4014, the connecting pieces 4011 being connectable to hoses 402, 403, 404 (see fig. 3) by means of a clamp 405. A first stopper structure 4012 is integrally formed above each of the connection tubes 4011. According to the exemplary embodiment, the connection member 401 is made of plastic and can achieve light weight of the washing machine and reduction of manufacturing costs while securing sufficient mounting strength. The three connection tubes 4011 are each designed as a hollow cylindrical connection tube 4011, and the three first limit structures 4012 are each designed as circular-arc-shaped limit lugs which match the outer circumference of the connection tube 4011. Corresponding gaps are formed between the first limiting structures 4012 and the connecting tubes 4011, and the hoses 402, 403 and 404 are clamped in the gaps through the clamping band 405.

As can also be seen from fig. 5, a respective second stop structure 4013 is also integrally formed below each connecting piece 4011, wherein the second stop structure 4013 can be arranged opposite the first stop structure 4012 and is likewise also formed as a circular-arc stop piece. Corresponding gaps are formed between the second limiting structures 4013 and the connecting pipes 4011, and the hoses 402, 403 and 404 are clamped in the gaps through the clamping bands 405.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a water inlet and outlet system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. In fig. 6, three hoses 402, 403, 404 are each clamped to a corresponding connecting tube 4011 by means of a clamp 405. In this exemplary embodiment, a mounting space of the tap 4051 of the yoke 405 is defined in a circumferential direction between the first stopper structure 4012 and the second stopper structure 4013, that is, a mounting orientation of the tap 4051 of the yoke 405 is defined by the mounting space. Thus, the first stopper 4012 defines a minimum spacing of the catch 4051 of the clip 405 relative to the top cover 10 of the washing machine, which ensures that the catch 4051 of the clip 405 does not touch the top cover 10 of the washing machine in any operating condition of the washing machine 1. While the second retention structure 4013 defines a maximum spacing of the tabs 4051 of the clips 405 relative to the washing machine top cover 10 that ensures that the tabs 4051 do not touch the washing machine components, such as the wiring harness, below the connection 401 under any operating conditions of the washing machine 1.

In other words, in extreme conditions, such as the washing machine being dry, the connecting element 401 may vibrate strongly, or the clamp 405 may loosen and rotate, the catch 4051 of the clamp 405 may only move and/or rotate within the spatial range defined by the first and second limiting structures 4012 and 4013.

Fig. 7 shows another perspective view of the water inlet and outlet system of fig. 6. In this perspective view, it can be seen that the first and/or second stopper structures 4012 and 4013 (not shown) are respectively provided with a reinforcement 40122, and the reinforcement 40122 may be configured to extend to the connection tube 4011 in a direction corresponding to the axial direction of the connection tube 4011 and thus improve the overall strength of the stopper structure. Through holes 40121, for example, small circular through holes, are further formed in the first limiting structures 4012, and it can be observed through the through holes whether the hoses 402, 403, 404 are reliably clamped and fixed on the connecting tubes 4011 through the clamps 405. Thus, the inspection work of the installer is simplified without affecting the overall strength of the first stopper structure 4012.

Fig. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a movement limit of the yoke 405 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. According to this exemplary embodiment, taking a clamp 405 as an example, the first limiting structure 4012 is integrally formed above the connecting tube 4011, and the second limiting structure 4013 is integrally formed below the connecting tube 4011. Therefore, a first limit included angle α and a second limit included angle β are formed by the first limit structure 4012 and the second limit structure 4013 in the circumferential direction thereof, respectively. The first and second limiting angles α, β are designed to be different and thus define different angular ranges. With the hose 402, 403, 404 clamped to the connection piece 4011 by means of the clamp 405, the catch 4051 of the clamp 405 can be limited to the first limit angle α or to the second limit angle β, so that in the extreme case the catch 4051 of the clamp 405 can only move within the limit angle. By reasonably designing the limit included angle or the sizes of the first limit structure 4012 and the second limit structure 4013, the minimum distance and the maximum distance between the chuck 4051 of the clamp 405 and the top cover 10 of the washing machine can be limited, so that the chuck 4051 of the clamp 405 can be ensured not to touch the top cover 10 of the washing machine and the parts of the washing machine below the connecting piece 401, such as a wire harness, under any working condition of the washing machine 1.

Although some embodiments of the present application have been described above by taking a drum type washing machine as an example, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the idea of the present application is not limited to the above type of washing machine, but can also be applied in other laundry treatment devices, such as in a washer-dryer, or even in a dishwasher, as long as the above described water inlet and outlet system of the present application is used.

Although specific embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, even if only a single embodiment is described with respect to a particular feature. The characteristic examples provided in the disclosure of the present application are intended to be illustrative, not limiting, unless stated differently. In the specific implementation, a plurality of features can be combined with each other according to actual needs, where technically feasible. Various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be conceived of without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application.

Claims (15)

1. A connection for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine, said connection (401) being configured to be arranged on the inside of a back plate of a washing machine and to be connected with a hose (402, 403, 404), characterized in that said connection (401) comprises:

a substrate (4014);

at least one connection piece (4011), wherein the at least one connection piece (4011) is formed on the base body (4014), wherein the at least one connection piece (4011) is designed to be connected to the hose (402, 403, 404) by means of a clamp (405); and

a first stop structure (4012), wherein the first stop structure (4012) is formed on the at least one connection piece (4011) and is designed to be suitable for predetermining a minimum distance of a catch head (4051) of the catch (405) from a washing machine top cover (10) in the connected state of the hoses (402, 403, 404) with the at least one connection piece (4011) by means of the catch (405).

2. Connection for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection (401) further comprises a second stop structure (4013), said second stop structure (4013) being formed on the at least one connection tube (4011) and being configured and adapted to predefine a maximum spacing of a cartridge (4051) of the clamp (405) relative to the washing machine top cover (10) in the connected state of the hose (402, 403, 404) with the at least one connection tube (4011) by means of the clamp (405).

3. The connection member for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first stopper structure (4012) and the second stopper structure (4013) are integrally formed with the at least one connection pipe (4011), respectively.

4. Connection for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine, according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first limit structure (4012) is arranged opposite to the second limit structure (4013).

5. Connection for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine, according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one connection tube (4011) has a circular circumference, and the first and second limiting structures (4012, 4013) are each configured in the shape of a circular arc corresponding to the circular circumference.

6. The connection piece for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein a first limit included angle (α) and a second limit included angle (β) are formed by the first limit structure (4012) and the second limit structure (4013) in a circumferential direction thereof, respectively, and the minimum interval and the maximum interval are realized by the first limit included angle (α) or the second limit included angle (β).

7. Connection for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine, according to claim 6, characterized in that the first limit angle (α) and the second limit angle (β) are designed to be the same or different, wherein the cartridge (4051) can be limited within the first limit angle (α) or within the second limit angle (β).

8. A connection member for an inlet and outlet system of a washing machine as claimed in any one of claims 2, 3, 5 to 7,

a through-hole (40121) is formed in the first limiting structure (4012) and/or the second limiting structure (4013), wherein the through-hole (40121) is adapted to detect an installation state of the hose (402, 403, 404) and/or the through-hole (40121) is adapted to detect an installation state of the hose (402, 403, 404)

Reinforcing ribs (40122) are formed on the first limiting structure (4012) and/or the second limiting structure (4013).

9. Connection for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine according to one of claims 2, 3, 5 to 7, characterized in that it comprises three connection tubes (4011), on which (4011) the first limit structure (4012) and/or the second limit structure (4013) are respectively integrated.

10. The connection piece for inlet and outlet system of washing machine as claimed in one of claims 2, 3, 5 to 7, wherein the first and second limiting structures (4012, 4013) are configured as limiting pieces.

11. Connection for the inlet and outlet system of a washing machine, according to one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 7, characterized in that said connection (401) is configured as an anti-suck-back device.

12. A water inlet and outlet system for a washing machine, the water inlet and outlet system comprising:

hoses (402, 403, 404);

connection for a water inlet and outlet system of a washing machine as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11,

wherein the hose (402, 403, 404) is connected to the connection piece (4011) of the connection piece (401) by means of a clamping band (405).

13. The water inlet and outlet system for a washing machine as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the water inlet and outlet system (40) is arranged on the inner side of the washing machine back plate.

14. Laundry washing machine, characterized in that the laundry washing machine (1) comprises a connection for a water inlet and outlet system of a laundry washing machine according to one of claims 1 to 11 or comprises a water inlet and outlet system for a laundry washing machine according to one of claims 12 to 13.

15. A washing machine as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the washing machine (1) is a drum washing machine.

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