CN220566382U - Connector for household appliance, detergent box assembly and household appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a connector for a household appliance for connecting a first part and a second part of the household appliance. The connector includes a connector body and a resilient arm. The elastic arm is provided with a first stopper and a second stopper on opposite first and second sides, respectively, and is elastically deformable in a first direction directed from the first side to the second side and a second direction opposite thereto, to allow the first member to be mounted to the connector body from the first side through the first stopper in a mounting direction perpendicular to the first direction and to allow the second member to be mounted to the connector body from the second side through the second stopper in the mounting direction, respectively. The first stopper and the second stopper block the first member and the second member, respectively, in a direction opposite to the mounting direction with the elastic arm in the non-deformed state. The application also provides a corresponding detergent box assembly and a household appliance. According to certain embodiments of the present application, it is possible to conveniently connect a first component to a second component.

Description

Connector for household appliance, detergent box assembly and household appliance

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of household appliances, and in particular to a connection piece for a household appliance, a detergent box assembly for a household appliance and a household appliance.

Background

In household appliances, it is often necessary to interconnect a plurality of components that are manufactured separately. For example, the multiple components may be joined together using adhesives or screws, or the like. However, such a connection may have certain requirements with respect to the shape, material, etc. of the components to be connected, so that some components cannot be applied to such a connection. Alternatively, a plurality of components may be connected together using specialized connectors. Such connectors typically have a relatively complex structure. During assembly, the connection may need to be made by means of additional tools or by complex operations.

At present, the household appliances remain to be improved in terms of the connection of the various components. For example, the existing connection mode has the defects of complex structure, inconvenient assembly and the like.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of embodiments of the present application to provide an improved connection for a household appliance, a detergent box assembly for a household appliance and a household appliance, so as to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present application, embodiments of the present application provide a connection for a household appliance for connecting a first part of the household appliance to a second part of the household appliance. The connecting piece includes: a connector body; and an elastic arm provided with a first stop portion and a second stop portion at opposite first and second sides thereof, respectively. The resilient arm is configured to be adapted to be resiliently deformed in a first direction directed from the first side to the second side and in a second direction opposite to the first direction, thereby allowing the first component to be mounted to the connector body from the first side past the first stop in a mounting direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second component to be mounted to the connector body from the second side past the second stop in said mounting direction, respectively. The first and second stops are each configured to block the first and second components mounted to the connector body in a direction opposite the mounting direction with the resilient arm in the non-deformed state.

The connecting member can make full use of elastic deformation of the elastic arm in the opposite first and second directions to connect the first and second members to both sides of the connecting member, respectively, and the elastic arm in the non-deformed state can reliably prevent the first and second members from being separated. The connecting piece has simple structure and is easy to manufacture. In the process of connecting the first member and the second member by the connecting member, there is no strict requirement on the order of installation of the first member and the second member. No additional connecting parts, such as screws or nuts etc., nor additional tools are needed during the connection. The assembly of the first member, the second member and the connecting member can have a stable and compact structure.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present application, the first stop and the second stop may be located at corresponding positions along the first direction. Thereby, the stability of the connection between the first and second parts and the connection piece is facilitated to be improved. In particular, it is possible to strengthen the local strength of the elastic arm while avoiding a decrease in the elastic deformability of the elastic arm.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present application, the first stop and the second stop may be configured mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the first direction. This helps to strengthen the resilient arm and also helps to give the resilient arm a structure that is easy to form.

According to an alternative embodiment of the application, the first stop may be provided with a first ramp adapted to contact the first part passing the first stop in the mounting direction, the first ramp being tiltable in the mounting direction in a direction pointing from the second side to the first side. Alternatively or additionally, the second stop may be provided with a second ramp adapted to contact a second part passing the second stop in the mounting direction, the second ramp being tiltable in the mounting direction in a direction pointing from the first side to the second side. Thereby, the installation process can be further simplified.

According to an alternative embodiment of the application, the first stop portion may be provided with a first stop surface on the side facing the connector body, adapted to abut against the first part, the first stop surface being perpendicular to the mounting direction. Alternatively or additionally, the second stop may be provided with a second stop surface on the side facing the connector body, adapted to abut against the second part, said second stop surface being perpendicular to the mounting direction. Thereby, the first member or the second member connected to the connection member can be reliably prevented from being detached from the connection member.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present application, the elastic arm may comprise: a bracket fixed to the connector body; and a spring having a spring distal end distal from the connector body and a spring proximal end proximal to the connector body. The spring plate is fixed with its spring plate distal end to the bracket and extends in the mounting direction in a cantilever manner, whereby the spring plate proximal end is adapted to oscillate in a first direction and a second direction relative to the spring plate distal end by means of elastic deformation of the spring plate. Thereby, the force required during mounting of the first part and/or the second direction to the connection piece can be reduced, thereby facilitating the mounting of the first part and the second part. Meanwhile, the strength and stability of the whole elastic arm are not reduced.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present application, the stent may have a distal stent end distal from the connector body and a proximal stent end proximal to the connector body. The bracket is fixed with its bracket proximal end to the connector body and extends in a cantilever manner in a direction opposite to the mounting direction, such that the bracket distal end is adapted to oscillate in a first direction and a second direction relative to the first end of the bracket by means of elastic deformation of the bracket. The spring distal end may be fixed to the bracket distal end and the spring proximal end may be remote from the bracket distal end, such that the spring proximal end is adapted to oscillate in the first and second directions relative to the bracket distal end by elastic deformation of the spring. Thus, during mounting of the first component and/or the second direction to the connector, displacement of the proximal end of the spring in the first direction and/or the second direction is a result of the superposition of the amount of elastic deformation of the bracket and the amount of elastic deformation of the spring. Thereby, the installation of the first member and the second member can be facilitated.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present application, the first stop and/or the second stop may be provided at the proximal end of the dome. This may also facilitate the mounting of the first and second parts.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present application, the bracket and the spring are formed as a one-piece sheet having a U-shaped aperture therethrough in the first direction, the U-shaped aperture surrounding the spring and separating the spring from the bracket. This allows the resilient arm to have a compact structure and be easy to manufacture.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present application, the connection is constructed as a one-piece component. Thereby, the manufacturing and assembling processes can be simplified. In particular, no additional operations for assembling the connection are required during the assembly process.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present application, the connector body may be provided with a first connection structure adapted to connect the first part and a second connection structure adapted to connect the second part. The first connection structure and/or the second connection structure may be configured as a plug-in structure allowing the first component and/or the second component to be plugged in the mounting direction. The plug-in structure may be provided with a limit portion adapted to prevent the first component and/or the second component from being detached in the mounting direction. The first part and/or the second part can be mounted to the connection piece in an easy-to-handle manner by plugging and can be stably restrained.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present application, at least one of the first and second connection structures may comprise a containment housing configured to surround at least a portion of the respective first or second component in a circumferential direction relative to the mounting direction. This can improve the stability of the connection.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the first connection structure and the second connection structure may comprise a socket extending in the mounting direction, the socket having a socket cavity and a socket opening open in the first direction or the second direction, wherein the width of the socket opening is smaller than the width of the socket cavity at least in a partial section of the socket. With such a socket, the movement of the first or second part connected to the connection piece can also be limited. The socket can have a more flexible design.

According to a second aspect of the present application, embodiments of the present application provide a detergent box assembly for a household appliance. The detergent box assembly comprises: an inner case adapted to contain a detergent; an outer case provided with a receiving chamber adapted to receive the inner case; a driving member adapted to drive the inner case to move outwardly from the accommodating chamber in the opening direction; an outer connection terminal adapted to form an electrical connection with the inner case, which is detachably connected to the inner case; and a connecting member according to the present application, which connects the driving element as the first member to the external connection terminal as the second member.

By means of the connection, the drive element can be connected to the external connection terminal conveniently. The assembly process is easy to operate without the need for additional tools and mounting components. The driving mechanism may directly drive the outer connection terminal so that the outer connection terminal may be moved in the opening direction in synchronization with the inner case without being detached from the inner case during the movement of the inner case outward from the accommodating chamber in the opening direction. This makes it unnecessary for the driving force for driving the inner case to overcome the connecting force between the outer connecting terminal and the inner case during the opening of the inner case. In addition, the outer connection terminal is not driven by the inner case to move outward, but both the outer connection terminal and the inner case are driven by the driving element. The connection between the outer connection terminal and the inner case is more stable than the case in which the outer connection terminal is driven by the inner case to move outwardly therewith. This is particularly advantageous for the outer connection terminals for making electrical connection with the inner box.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present application, the opening direction of the inner box may be parallel to the mounting direction. The driving element can be abutted against the first stop part. The outer connecting terminal can be abutted against the second stop part. Thereby, the stability of the detergent box assembly can be improved during movement.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present application, the driving element may be connected to the inner box only by means of the connection piece and the outer connection terminal, whereby the outer connection terminal is adapted to drive the inner box outwards from the receiving cavity in the opening direction of the inner box under the drive of the driving element. Thereby, the drive element need not be directly connected to the inner box. Further, the structure of the detergent box assembly can be simplified and the use is convenient.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present application, the outer connection terminal is detachably connected to the inner box in a disengagement direction opposite to the opening direction of the inner box, whereby the outer connection terminal is adapted to be blocked by the connection member for disengagement from the inner box in case the inner box moves beyond the extreme position of the opening stroke. After the outer connection terminal is detached from the inner case by means of the connection member, the inner case can be completely withdrawn from the accommodation chamber, so that, for example, cleaning or maintenance can be facilitated.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present application, the connector body of the connector may be provided with a socket extending in the mounting direction. At least one of the first and second parts may be provided with a plug portion inserted into the plug groove and a latch portion abutting on the first or second stopper portion of the connection member, the plug portion and the latch portion being spaced apart from each other in the mounting direction. Thereby, assembly may be facilitated and larger manufacturing tolerances are allowed.

According to a third aspect of the present application, embodiments of the present application provide a household appliance, wherein the household appliance comprises a connection according to the present application or a detergent box assembly according to the present application.

Drawings

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

fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a connection piece for a household appliance and a first and a second part of the household appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a connector and a second component mounted to the connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4A, 4B and 4C schematically illustrate a process of mounting the second component to the connection in an exemplary embodiment according to the present application;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a connector and first and second components mounted to the connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application; and

Fig. 7, 8 and 9 schematically illustrate a detergent box assembly for a home appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

List of reference numerals

1. Connecting piece

11. Connector body

111. First connecting structure

112. Second connecting structure

113. Housing case

114. Insertion groove

12. Elastic arm

121. First stop part

1211. First slope

1212. A first stop surface

122. Second stop part

1221. Second slope

1222. Second stop surface

123. Support frame

1231. Distal end of the stent

1232. Proximal end of the stent

124. Spring plate

1241. Far end of spring plate

1242. Spring sheet proximal end

125 U-shaped hole

2. First part

21. Plug-in part

22. Latch part

3. Second part

4. Inner box

5. Outer box

50. Accommodating chamber

6. Driving element

7. External connection terminal

Detailed Description

In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantageous technical 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 a plurality of exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application.

First, in order to facilitate understanding, returning to the description of the background art section, the related art home appliances have problems in that a connection manner for a plurality of parts has a complicated structure, inconvenient assembly, and the like.

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 connection for a home appliance for connecting a first part of the home appliance to a second part of the home appliance, wherein the connection comprises: a connector body; and an elastic arm provided with a first stopper and a second stopper on opposite first and second sides thereof, respectively, wherein the elastic arm is configured to be elastically deformed in a first direction directed from the first side toward the second side and a second direction opposite to the first direction, thereby allowing the first member to be mounted to the connector body from the first side through the first stopper in a mounting direction perpendicular to the first direction and allowing the second member to be mounted to the connector body from the second side through the second stopper in the mounting direction, respectively, the first stopper and the second stopper being configured to be adapted to block the first member and the second member mounted to the connector body in a direction opposite to the mounting direction with the elastic arm in a non-deformed state.

For a better understanding of the present application, exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Before beginning the detailed description, it should be pointed out that directional terms used during the description refer to the state of normal use of the household appliance for convenience of description and are not to be interpreted as absolute definitions of the respective features.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a connection piece 1 for a household appliance and a first part 2 and a second part 3 of the household appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. Fig. 2 schematically shows a connection 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

The home appliances may include, for example, a washing machine, dryer, refrigerator, microwave oven, etc. The connection 1 can be used in various household appliances for connecting a first part 2 to a second part 3 of the household appliance. For example, the connector 1 may be used in a refrigerator to connect a pipeline to a housing. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the first part 2 is a rack and the second part 3 is an electrical connection terminal, to which the connection 1 connects the rack.

As shown in fig. 1, the connector 1 includes a connector body 11 and a resilient arm 12. The resilient arm 12 is provided with a first stop 121 and a second stop 122 on opposite first and second sides thereof, respectively. The elastic arm 12 is configured to be elastically deformed in a first direction D1 directed from the first side to the second side and a second direction D2 opposite to the first direction D1, thereby allowing the first member 2 to be mounted to the connector body 11 from the first side through the first stopper 121 and the second member 3 to be mounted to the connector body 11 from the second side through the second stopper 122 in the mounting direction D3, respectively, in a mounting direction D3 perpendicular to the first direction D1. The first and second stoppers 121 and 122 are respectively configured to block the first and second members 2 and 3 mounted to the connector body 11 in a direction opposite to the mounting direction D3 with the elastic arms 12 in the non-deformed state.

The connector 1 is able to make full use of the elastic deformation of the elastic arms 12 in the opposite first and second directions D1 and D2, to connect the first and second parts 2 and 3 to both sides of the connector 1, respectively, and to prevent the first and second parts 2 and 3 from coming off. Such a connection 1 is itself simple in construction and easy to manufacture. In connecting the first member 2 and the second member 3 by the connecting member 1, the order of installation of the first member 2 and the second member 3 is not critical. No additional tools are needed during the connection. The assembly of the first part 2, the second part 3 and the connection 1 can have a compact structure.

Alternatively, the first and second stoppers 121 and 122 may be located at positions corresponding to the first direction D1. Thereby, the stability of the connection between the first and second members 2, 3 and the connection member 1 is facilitated to be improved. This arrangement is particularly advantageous in that it can strengthen the local strength of the resilient arm 12 while avoiding reducing the elastic deformability of the resilient arm 12. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the first and second stoppers 121 and 122 may be disposed at the same position on the first and second sides of the elastic arm 12, respectively, so that the local strength of the elastic arm 12 at the position can be improved. Thus, for example, when the first part 2 has a tendency to move in a direction opposite to the mounting direction D3, the first part 2 exerts a force on the first stop 121. Since the second stop 122 increases the local strength of the spring arm 12 at the corresponding location on the second side, the spring arm 12 can more stably block the first component 2 with the first stop 121, while the likelihood of undesired deformation or fracture of the spring arm 12 can be reduced. Conversely, when the second member 3 has a tendency to move in a direction opposite to the mounting direction D3, the first stopper 121 increases the local strength of the elastic arm 12 at the corresponding position of the first side.

The first stop 121 and the second stop 122 may in particular be configured mirror-symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the first direction D1. In this case, the first and second stoppers 121 and 122 will be located at positions corresponding to the first direction D1, thereby helping to strengthen the strength of the elastic arm 12. This also contributes to the resilient arm 12 having an easily shaped structure. For example, the elastic arm 12 may be integrally formed to have a structure mirror-symmetrical with respect to the symmetry plane.

As can be seen in connection with fig. 1 and 2, the connector body 11 may be provided with a first connection structure 111 adapted to connect the first part 2 and a second connection structure 112 adapted to connect the second part 3. The first connection structure 111 and/or the second connection structure 112 may, for example, be configured as a plug-in structure allowing the first component 2 and/or the second component 3 to be plugged in the mounting direction D3, which plug-in structure is provided with a limit adapted to prevent the first component 2 and/or the second component 3 from being detached in the mounting direction D3. The first part 2 and/or the second part 3 can be mounted to the connection piece 1 in an easy-to-handle manner by plugging and can be stably restrained.

Alternatively, at least one of the first and second connection structures 111 and 112 may include the receiving case 113. The containment case 113 may be configured to be adapted to surround at least a portion of the respective first or second component 2, 3 in a circumferential direction with respect to the mounting direction D3. The housing case 113 can restrict the surrounded first member 2 or second member 3 in various directions perpendicular to the mounting direction D3, so that the stability of connection can be improved.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the first connection structure 111 and the second connection structure 112 may comprise a socket 114 extending in the mounting direction D3. The insertion groove 114 may have a groove cavity and a groove opening opened to the first direction D1 or the second direction D2. At least in a partial section of the insertion groove 114, the width of the groove opening can be smaller than the width of the groove cavity. With such a socket 114, the movement of the respective first part 2 or second part 3 can also be limited. The mating groove 114 may have a more flexible design, and may be formed with a smaller volume, for example. Alternatively, in a cross section perpendicular to the mounting direction D3, the cross sectional area of the insertion groove 114 may be smaller than the cross sectional area of the first member 2 or the second member 3 connected to the insertion groove 114.

For example, in the embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, the first connection structure 111 and the second connection structure 112 may include the above-described insertion groove 114 and the receiving case 113, respectively.

Fig. 3 schematically shows a connector 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application and a second part 3 mounted to the connector 1. Fig. 4A, 4B and 4C schematically show the process of mounting the second component 3 to the connector 1 in an exemplary embodiment according to the present application.

As shown in fig. 3, the second stop 122 may be provided with a second slope 1221 adapted to contact the second part 3 passing the second stop 122 in the mounting direction D3. The second slope 1221 may be inclined in the installation direction D3 in a direction directed from the first side to the second side. Referring to fig. 4A, during the mounting of the second part 3 to the connector 1, the second part 3 passes the second slope 1221 in the mounting direction D3. Here, the second member 3 may abut against the second slope 1221 and apply a pushing force to the elastic arm 12 at the second slope 1221. Since the second slope 1221 is tiltable in the mounting direction D3 in a direction pointing from the first side to the second side, the force exerted by the second part 3 on the resilient arm 12 during the movement of the second part 3 in the mounting direction D3 has a component in the second direction D2. Referring to fig. 4B, the elastic arm 12 may be elastically deformed in the second direction D2 by the pushing of the second member 3 such that the second stopper 122 is offset in the second direction D2 with respect to the initial position thereof, thereby allowing the second member 3 to pass the second stopper 122 in the mounting direction D3. In this process, the operator only has to move the second member 3 in the mounting direction D3 without additionally applying an operation of elastically deforming the elastic arm 12. For example, the operator only has to push the second member 3 in the mounting direction D3. Thereby, the installation process can be simplified.

Optionally, the second slope 1221 forms an angle with the mounting direction D3 of less than 45 °, in particular less than 30 °. For example, in the case where the operator applies the same thrust force to the second member 3 in the mounting direction D3, the smaller angle between the second slope 1221 and the mounting direction D3 helps to increase the component of the thrust force applied by the second member 3 to the elastic arm 12 in the second direction D2.

As shown in fig. 4C, after the second member 3 passes the second stopper 122 in the mounting direction D3, the elastic arm 12 can be restored to the non-deformed state. The second stop 122 can return to its original position. In this embodiment, the second member 3 is inserted into the housing case 113 in the mounting direction D3, and is restrained by the housing case 113 in the mounting direction D3 and in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction D3. In the direction opposite to the mounting direction D3, the second member 3 is stopped by the second stopper 122 returned to the initial position. Alternatively, the second stop 122 may be provided with a second stop surface 1222 adapted to abut against the second part 3 on the side facing the connector body 11, said second stop surface 1222 being in particular perpendicular to the mounting direction D3. In case the second part 3 has a tendency to move in a direction opposite to the mounting direction D3, the second part 3 applies a pushing force to the resilient arm 12 at the second stop surface 1222, which pushing force is parallel to the mounting direction D3 and has no component in the second direction D2. The second stopper 122 can stably apply a reaction force to the second member 3 in a direction opposite to the mounting direction D3. Thereby, the second member 3 can be reliably prevented from being detached from the connector 1.

Similarly, the first stopper 121 may have a similar structure to the second stopper 122 described above. For example, the first stop 121 may be provided with a first slope 1211 adapted to come into contact with the first component 2 passing the first stop 121 in the mounting direction D3. The first slope 1211 may be inclined in the installation direction D3 in a direction directed from the second side to the first side. The angle between the first slope 1211 and the mounting direction D3 may in particular be less than 45 °, in particular less than 30 °. The first stop 121 may be provided with a first stop surface 1212 adapted to abut against the first component 2 on a side facing the connector body 11, the first stop surface 1212 being in particular perpendicular to the mounting direction D3.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a connector 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application and a first part 2 and a second part 3 mounted to the connector 1. Fig. 5 shows schematically, in dashed lines, a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the first direction D1, with respect to which the first stop 121 and the second stop 122 can be configured mirror-symmetrical, for example. In further embodiments, the first and second stops 121, 122 may also have different shapes and/or be arranged at different positions.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the first connection 111 can be embodied as a socket 114, and the first component 2 can be provided with a socket 21 which is inserted into the socket 114 and a catch 22 which rests against a first stop 121 of the connection 1. The plug-in portion 21 and the latching portion 22 can be spaced apart from one another, in particular, in the mounting direction D3. Thereby, assembly may be facilitated and larger manufacturing tolerances are allowed. The second connection 112 can be embodied, for example, as a receiving housing 113, which receiving housing 113 can surround the second component 3 in the circumferential direction relative to the installation direction D3.

In a further embodiment, the second part 3 can also be provided with a plug-in portion 21 for insertion into the plug-in groove 114 and a catch portion 22 which bears against a second stop portion 122 of the connection piece 1, so that the second part 3 can be mounted to the connection piece 1 via the plug-in groove 114.

In an exemplary embodiment according to the present application, at least one of the first part 2 and the second part 3 is movable in a direction parallel to the mounting direction D3 and the other of the first part 2 and the second part 3 is moved therewith by the connection 1. For example, the first part 2 can be moved in the mounting direction D3 in order to bring about a movement of the second part 3 in the mounting direction D3. Alternatively, the first part 2 may abut on the first stop 121 and/or the second part 3 may abut on the second stop 122, see fig. 5. For example, during the movement of the second part 3 in the mounting direction D3 by the first part 2 through the connection 1, the second stop 122 pushes the second part 3 and is subjected to the reaction force of the second part 3, so that the elastic arm 12 has a tendency to move in the first direction D1. By the first part 2 abutting the first stop 121 on the first side, the first part 2 is able to provide a force that resists movement of the resilient arm 12 in the first direction D1. Thereby, the second member 3 can be prevented from being detached from the connector 1 due to elastic deformation of the elastic arm 12 in the first direction D1. Conversely, the second part 3 can be moved by the connection 1 in the mounting direction D3 by the second part 3. In this process, the first stopper 121 pushes the first member 2 and receives a reaction force of the first member 2 so that the elastic arm 12 has a tendency to move in the second direction D2. By the second part 3 abutting the second stop 122 on the second side, the second part 3 is able to provide a force preventing the movement of the resilient arm 12 in the second direction D2, thereby preventing the first part 2 from being detached from the connection 1.

Fig. 6 schematically shows a connection 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. As can be seen in connection with fig. 3 and 6, the resilient arm 12 may include a bracket 123 and a dome 124. The bracket 123 may be fixed to the connector body 11. The dome 124 may have a dome distal end 1241 remote from the connector body 11 and a dome proximal end 1241 adjacent the connector body 11. The spring plate 124 is fixed with its spring plate distal end 1241 to the bracket 123 and extends in a cantilever manner along the mounting direction D3, so that the spring plate proximal end 1241 can be swung in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 with respect to the spring plate distal end 1241 by means of elastic deformation of the spring plate 124, see fig. 4A and 4B. The proximal end 1241 of the spring adjacent to the connector body 11 is formed as a free end of the cantilever spring 124, and thus can be elastically deformed to achieve a larger displacement in the first direction D1 and/or the second direction D2. Thereby, the force required during mounting of the first part 2 and/or the second direction D2 to the connector 1 can be reduced without reducing the strength and stability of the resilient arm 12 as a whole.

The first stop 121 and/or the second stop 122 may be provided, in particular, at the proximal end 1241 of the dome. This helps to fully exploit the elastic deformation of the elastic sheet 124 to achieve displacement of the first stop 121 and/or the second stop 122 in the first direction D1 and/or the second direction D2, thereby facilitating installation of the first member 2 and/or the second member 3.

Fig. 6 also shows that the stent 123 can have a stent distal end 1231 distal from the connector body 11 and a stent proximal end 1232 proximal to the connector body 11. Alternatively, the bracket 123 is fixed with its bracket proximal end 1232 to the connector body 11 and extends in a cantilever manner in a direction opposite to the mounting direction D3, such that the bracket distal end 1231 is adapted to oscillate in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 with respect to the first end of the bracket 123 by means of elastic deformation of the bracket 123, see fig. 4A and 4B. By elastic deformation of the stent 123, the stent distal end 1231 is displaceable in the first direction D1 and/or the second direction D2. The spring distal end 1241 may be fixed to the bracket distal end 1231, and the spring proximal end 1241 may be disposed away from the bracket distal end 1231, such that the spring proximal end 1241 is adapted to oscillate in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 relative to the bracket distal end 1231 by elastic deformation of the spring 124. Thus, during mounting of the first component 2 and/or the second direction D2 to the connector 1, displacement of the dome proximal end 1241 in the first direction D1 and/or the second direction D2 is a result of the superposition of the amount of elastic deformation of the bracket 123 and the amount of elastic deformation of the dome 124. Such elastic arm 12 can realize a larger displacement of the first stop portion 121 and the second stop portion 122 in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 by utilizing the elastic deformation of the bracket 123 and the elastic deformation of the elastic sheet 124, thereby facilitating the installation of the first member 2 and the second member 3. The support 123 and the elastic sheet 124 may be made of the same material or materials having similar elasticity, for example.

Alternatively, the bracket 123 may be formed as a rigid member so that the bracket 124 is not deformed during the installation of the first and second members 2 and 3.

In an exemplary embodiment according to the present application, the bracket 123 and the elastic piece 124 may be formed as an integrated sheet-like body. The tab has, for example, a U-shaped aperture 125 extending therethrough in the first direction D1, the U-shaped aperture 125 surrounding the tab 124 and separating the tab 124 from the bracket 123. This allows the resilient arm 12 to have a compact structure and be easily manufactured.

Alternatively, the connector 1 may be constructed as a one-piece component. Thereby, the manufacturing and assembling processes can be simplified. In particular, during the assembly process, only the first part 2 and the second part 3 need be mounted to the connector 1, respectively, without requiring an additional operation of assembling the connector 1. For example, the connection piece 1 can be constructed as an injection-molded part. The resilient arms 12 may be made of plastic and have suitable elastic deformability and structural strength.

Fig. 7, 8 and 9 schematically illustrate a detergent box assembly for a home appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The detergent box assembly may include: an inner case 4 adapted to contain a detergent; an outer case 5 provided with a housing chamber 50 adapted to house the inner case 4; and a driving element 6 adapted to drive the inner case 4 outwards from the containing cavity 50 in the opening direction. The detergent box assembly can be applied to various household appliances, such as washing machines, washing and drying integrated machines, dish washers and the like.

The top cover of the outer case 5 is omitted in fig. 8 and 9 to show the internal structure of the detergent box assembly. Fig. 8 shows the inner case 4 in an unopened state, wherein the inner case 4 is substantially completely located in the accommodation chamber 50. For example, in an unopened state of the inner case 4, the detergent contained in the inner case 4 may be washed into the drum of the washing machine for washing laundry. Fig. 9 shows the inner case 4 in an open state, in which the inner case 4 is moved outwardly from the accommodating chamber 50 so as to be partially exposed to the outside, for example, to facilitate a user to add detergent to the inner case 4. The drive element 6 can be configured, for example, as a toothed rack, by which the inner box 4 can be moved in the opening direction.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the detergent box assembly further comprises an external connection terminal 7 adapted to form an electrical connection with the inner box 4, which is detachably connected to the inner box 4; and a connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present application. The connection 1 connects the drive element 6 as the first part 2 to the external connection terminal 7 as the second part 3. The outer connection terminal 7 may be connected to an inner connection terminal of the inner case 4, for example, and the other end of the outer connection terminal 7 may be connected to a power supply device and/or a control device, for example. For example, the other end of the external connection terminal 7 may be connected with a wire that is connected to a power supply device and/or a control device or the like through the external case. By way of example, by means of the external connection terminals 7, electrical power can be provided for electrical devices, such as pumps, within the inner box 4 and/or a communication connection can be provided between the sensors of the inner box 4 and the control device.

By means of the connection 1, the drive element 6 can be connected to the external connection terminal 7 conveniently. The assembly process is easy to operate without the need for additional tools and mounting components. The driving mechanism can directly drive the outer connection terminal 7 so that the outer connection terminal 7 can be moved in the opening direction in synchronization with the inner case 4 without being detached from the inner case 4 during the outward movement of the inner case 4 in the opening direction from the accommodation chamber 50. This makes it unnecessary for the driving force for driving the inner case 4 to overcome the connection force between the outer connection terminal 7 and the inner case 4 during the opening of the inner case 4. Furthermore, the outer connection terminal 7 is not moved outwardly by the inner case 4, but both the outer connection terminal 7 and the inner case 4 are driven by the driving element 6. The connection between the outer connection terminal 7 and the inner case 4 is more stable than the case where the outer connection terminal 7 is moved outwardly by the inner case 4. This is particularly advantageous for the outer connection terminals 7 for making electrical connection with the inner case 4. Thereby, the connection between the inner case 4 and the outer connection terminal 7 can be prevented from being loosened during the opening stroke of the inner case 4, resulting in unreliable or ineffective electrical connection therebetween. If the connection between the inner case 4 and the outer connection terminal 7 is loosened and the reconnection between the inner case 4 and the outer connection terminal 7 is not ensured when the inner case 4 is closed, it may cause the washing machine to fail to operate normally. According to the present invention, with the inner case 4 opened, it is still possible to maintain a stable and reliable electrical connection between the inner case 4 and the outer connection terminal 7. This may also provide support for the inner box 2 to perform a specific function, such as a detection function, etc., when opened.

Referring to fig. 7, the driving element 6 may be arranged at the upper side of the top cover of the outer case 5, for example. For guiding the movement of the drive element 6, the cover may be provided with a guide slot extending in the opening direction. The guide groove may be provided with a through hole, through which the drive element 6 is connected to the connection piece 1 located in the receiving chamber 50.

Alternatively, the drive element 6 as the first component 2 can be provided with a plug-in portion 21 for insertion into the plug-in groove 114 and a catch portion 22 which abuts against a second stop portion 122 of the connection piece 1, as shown in fig. 5. The plug-in part 21 and the latching part 22 can pass through the through-opening of the cover in order to be connected to the connecting piece 1 located in the receiving space 50.

Illustratively, the opening direction of the inner case 4 may be parallel to the mounting direction D3. This is advantageous in reducing the volume of the detergent box assembly. The drive element 6 may abut on the first stop 121 and/or the external connection terminal 7 may abut on the second stop 122, see fig. 5. Thereby, the stability of the detergent box assembly can be improved during movement. For example, during the movement of the outer connection terminal 7 in the opening direction of the inner case 4 (here, in the same direction as the mounting direction D3) by the driving member 6 through the connection member 1, the second stopper 122 pushes the outer connection terminal 7 and receives the reaction force of the outer connection terminal 7, so that the elastic arm 12 has a tendency to move in the first direction D1. By the drive element 6 abutting the first stop 121 on the first side, the drive element 6 is able to provide a force that resists movement of the resilient arm 12 in the first direction D1. Thereby, the outer connection terminal 7 can be prevented from being detached from the connector 1 due to elastic deformation of the elastic arm 12 in the first direction D1. Conversely, for example, in the case of an operator manually opening the inner case 4, the outer connection terminal 7 can move the drive element 6 via the connection piece 1 in the opening direction. By abutting the outer connection terminal 7 against the second stopper 122, the drive element 6 is prevented from being detached from the connector 1 due to the elastic deformation of the elastic arm 12 in the second direction D2.

Alternatively, the driving member 6 may be connected to the inner case 4 only through the connection member 1 and the outer connection terminal 7, so that the outer connection terminal 7 is adapted to drive the inner case 4 to move outwardly from the accommodating chamber 50 in the opening direction of the inner case 4 under the driving of the driving member 6. The drive element 6 need not be directly connected to the inner box 4. Thus, the structure of the detergent box assembly can be simplified and the use is convenient. The inner box 4 can be completely extracted from the containing cavity 50, for example for cleaning or maintenance purposes. In this process, since the driving member 6 is not directly connected to the inner case 4, an operation of detaching or engaging the driving member 6 from or with the inner case 4 is not additionally performed.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the outer connection terminal 7 is detachably connected to the inner case 4 in a disengagement direction opposite to the opening direction of the inner case 4, so that the outer connection terminal 7 is adapted to be blocked by the connection member 1 to be disengaged from the inner case 4 in case the inner case 4 moves beyond the limit position of the opening stroke. For example, the outer connection terminals 7 may form a plug connection with the inner case 4. In the event of the movement of the inner casing 4 beyond the limit position of the opening stroke, the connection piece 1 can be stopped, for example, by a blocking structure formed on the outer casing 5, so that the connection piece 1 as well as the outer connection terminal 7 cannot continue to move in the opening direction. For example, guide grooves and/or through holes formed on the top cover may also be used as a stopper structure. That is, when the inner case 4 moves in the opening direction beyond the limit position of its opening stroke, the drive element 6 may be blocked against the end of the guide groove and/or the through hole, so that it cannot continue to move in the opening direction. Alternatively, the through hole may limit the movement range of the driving element at both ends, so that the length of the through hole extending in the opening direction may correspond to the length of the opening stroke of the inner case 4. In the case where the inner case 4 continues to move in the opening direction and exceeds the limit position of the opening stroke, the outer connection terminal 7 is disengaged from the inner case 4, and the inner case 4 can be completely withdrawn from the accommodating chamber 50, so that cleaning or maintenance can be facilitated. As an example, the limit structure of the outer case 5 may be configured to be able to limit the limit position of the movement of the driving element 6 in the opening direction with respect to the outer case 5, thereby indirectly limiting the limit position of the movement of the outer connection terminal 7 in the opening direction with respect to the outer case 5 by means of the connection member 1.

Conversely, during reinstallation of the completely extracted inner case 4 into the containing cavity 50, the inner case 4 can be inserted into the containing cavity 50 in a closing direction opposite to the opening direction. In the process, the inner case 4 can be plugged back into the outer connection terminal 7 in the closing direction. This plug-in connection between the external connection terminal 7 and the inner case 4 can facilitate the complete extraction of the inner case 4 from the accommodation chamber 50 and the reinstallation of the completely extracted inner case 4 into the accommodation chamber 50 without additional operations.

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 this disclosure are intended to be illustrative, not limiting, unless stated otherwise. In a specific implementation, the features may be combined with one another where technically feasible according to the actual requirements. In particular, features from different embodiments may also be combined with one another. Various substitutions, alterations, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the application.

Claims (15)

1. A connection piece for a household appliance for connecting a first part (2) of the household appliance

A second part (3) to be connected to a household appliance, characterized in that the connection (1) comprises:

a connector body (11); and

a resilient arm (12), the resilient arm (12) being provided with, on opposite first and second sides thereof, respectively

A first stop part (121) and a second stop part (122),

wherein the resilient arm (12) is configured and adapted to be oriented in a first direction from the first side to the second side and

a second direction, opposite to the first direction, is elastically deformed, allowing the first part (2) to follow, respectively

A mounting direction perpendicular to the first direction is from the first side through a first stop (121) to the connector

The body (11) allows the second component (3) to pass the second stop from the second side in the mounting direction

The part (122) is mounted to the connector body (11), a first stop part (121) and a second stop part (122)

Respectively configured to be suitable for being matched with the installation direction under the condition that the elastic arm (12) is in a non-deformed state

The first part (2) and the second part (3) mounted to the connector body (11) are blocked in opposite directions.

2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein,

the first stop part (121) and the second stop part (122) are positioned at corresponding positions along the first direction;

and/or

The first stop (121) and the second stop (122) are configured to be perpendicular relative to the first direction

The straight symmetry plane is mirror symmetrical.

3. A connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the first stop part (121) is provided with a first stop part (121) which is suitable for passing through in the installation direction

A first slope (1211) with which the first member (2) is in contact, the first slope (1211) being in the mounting direction

The upper side is inclined in a direction from the second side to the first side; and/or

The second stop part (122) is provided with a stop part (122) which is suitable for passing through the second stop part (122) along the installation direction

A second slope (1221) with which the second member (3) is in contact, the second slope (1221) being in the mounting direction

The upper side is inclined in a direction from the first side toward the second side.

4. A connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the first stop part (121) is provided with a first stop surface (1212) which is suitable for abutting against the first component (2) on one side facing the connector main body (11), and the first stop surface (1212) is perpendicular to the mounting direction; and/or

The second stop (122) is provided with a second stop surface (1222) adapted to abut the second component (3) on the side facing the connector body (11), said second stop surface (1222) being perpendicular to the mounting direction.

5. A connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the elastic arm (12) includes:

A bracket (123) fixed to the connector body (11); and

a spring (124) having a spring distal end (1241) remote from the connector body (11) and a spring proximal end (1242) adjacent to the connector body (11), the spring (124) being secured with its spring distal end (1241) to the bracket (123) and extending in a cantilever manner along the mounting direction, such that the spring proximal end (1242) is adapted to oscillate in a first direction and a second direction relative to the spring distal end (1241) by means of elastic deformation of the spring (124).

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein,

the bracket (123) has a bracket distal end (1231) remote from the connector body (11) and a bracket proximal end (1232) adjacent to the connector body (11), the bracket (123) being fixed with its bracket proximal end (1232) to the connector body (11) and extending in a cantilever manner in a direction opposite to the mounting direction, such that the bracket distal end (1231) is adapted to oscillate in a first direction and a second direction relative to the first end of the bracket (123) by means of elastic deformation of the bracket (123);

the spring distal end (1241) is fixed to the bracket distal end (1231), and the spring proximal end (1242) is remote from the bracket distal end (1231), such that the spring proximal end (1242) is adapted to oscillate in the first and second directions relative to the bracket distal end (1231) by means of elastic deformation of the spring (124).

7. The connector according to claim 5, wherein,

the first stop (121) and/or the second stop (122) are arranged at the proximal end (1242) of the spring plate.

8. The connector according to claim 5, wherein,

the bracket (123) and the spring (124) are formed as a unitary sheet having a U-shaped aperture (125) extending therethrough in a first direction, the U-shaped aperture (125) surrounding the spring (124) and separating the spring (124) from the bracket (123).

9. The connector according to any one of claims 1-2, 6-8,

the connecting piece (1) is constructed as a one-piece component.

10. The connector according to any one of claims 1-2, 6-8,

the connector body (11) is provided with a first connection structure (111) adapted to connect the first component (2) and a second connection structure (112) adapted to connect the second component (3), wherein the first connection structure (111) and/or the second connection structure (112) are configured as a plug-in structure allowing the first component (2) and/or the second component (3) to be plugged in the mounting direction, and the plug-in structure is provided with a limiting part adapted to prevent the first component (2) and/or the second component (3) from being separated in the mounting direction.

11. The connector according to claim 10, wherein,

At least one of the first connection structure (111) and the second connection structure (112) comprises a containment casing (113), the containment casing (113) being configured to be adapted to surround at least a portion of the respective first component (2) or second component (3) in a circumferential direction with respect to the installation direction; and/or

At least one of the first connection structure (111) and the second connection structure (112) comprises a plug-in slot (114) extending in the mounting direction, the plug-in slot (114) having a slot cavity and a slot opening which opens in the first direction or in the second direction, wherein the width of the slot opening is smaller than the width of the slot cavity at least in a partial section of the plug-in slot (114).

12. A detergent box assembly for a household appliance, the detergent box assembly comprising:

an inner case (4) adapted to contain a detergent;

an outer box (5) provided with a housing cavity (50) adapted to house the inner box (4);

a driving element (6) adapted to drive the inner box (4) outwards from the containing cavity (50) in an opening direction;

an outer connection terminal (7) adapted to form an electrical connection with the inner case (4), which is detachably connected to the inner case (4); and

the connection (1) according to any one of claims 1-11, the connection (1) connecting a drive element (6) as a first component (2) to an external connection terminal (7) as a second component (3).

13. The detergent box assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein,

the opening direction of the inner box (4) is parallel to the mounting direction, the driving element (6) is abutted on the first stop part (121), and the outer connecting terminal (7) is abutted on the second stop part (122); and/or

The driving element (6) is connected to the inner box (4) only by the connection piece (1) and the outer connection terminal (7), so that the outer connection terminal (7) is adapted to drive the inner box (4) to move outwards from the accommodation cavity (50) in the opening direction of the inner box (4) under the drive of the driving element (6); and/or

The outer connection terminal (7) is detachably connected to the inner case in a disengagement direction opposite to the opening direction of the inner case (4), so that the outer connection terminal (7) is adapted to be blocked by the connection member (1) so as to disengage from the inner case (4) in case the inner case (4) moves beyond the limit position of the opening stroke.

14. The detergent box assembly as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein,

the connector body (11) of the connector (1) is provided with a socket (114) extending in the mounting direction, at least one of the first component (2) and the second component (3) is provided with a socket (21) inserted into the socket (114) and a latch (22) abutting on the first stop (121) or the second stop (122) of the connector (1), the socket (21) and the latch (22) being spaced apart from each other in the mounting direction.

15. A household appliance, characterized in that it comprises a connection (1) according to any one of claims 1-11 or a detergent box assembly according to any one of claims 12-14.