EP4647541A1

EP4647541A1 - Window gasket and drum clothes treatment apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4647541A1
Application number: EP23914548.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hao XIA; Jingde LI; Jinbo Lu; Fei Yang
Original assignee: Chongqing Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Current assignee: Chongqing Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-01-03
Filing date: 2023-12-26
Publication date: 2025-11-12
Also published as: CN118292242A; EP4647541A4; WO2024146416A1

Abstract

A window gasket and a drum clothes treatment apparatus to solve the problem of existing window gaskets being prone to damage and affect the sealing effect, where the drum clothes treatment apparatus includes the window gasket (100) including a window gasket body (110), a first connection structure (120), and a second connection structure (130), where the second connection structure (130) is connected to a front end of the window gasket body (110) and is configured to be fixedly connected to an access opening of a front plate; the first connection structure (120) includes a first connection wall (121) and a snap-fit structure (122), a front end of the first connection wall (121) is connected to a rear end of the window gasket body (110), the snap-fit structure (122) is provided on a rear side of the first connection wall (121) to achieve a snap-fit positioning with an outer drum front flange (200); additionally, the first connection wall (121) fits against a front side of the outer drum front flange (200) to achieve a fixed connection between the window gasket (100) and the outer drum front flange (200), and meanwhile the outer drum front flange (200) is used to shield the window gasket (100), to prevent friction generated by contacting with loads, for example clothes, inside the drum, thereby prolonging the service life of the window gasket (100) and ensuring the sealing effect of the window gasket (100).

Description

This application claims the priority of the Chinese patent application No. 202310001266.7, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on January 3, 2023 and entitled "WINDOW GASKET AND DRUM CLOTHES TREATMENT APPARATUS ", which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to the technical field of clothes treatment apparatuses, and particularly relates to a window gasket and a drum clothes treatment apparatus.

BACKGROUND

The washing machine is an electrical appliance that utilizes electrical energy to generate mechanical action for cleaning clothes. Common types of washing machines mainly include drum washing machines and pulsator washing machines. Among them, the drum washing machines are widely used due to their advantages such as no tangling, low wear, and water-saving.
In related technologies, a drum washing machine is equipped with a window gasket at the front end of the outer drum. Sealing is achieved by compressing the window gasket using the door, preventing water from flowing out or seeping out during the washing process. With prolonged use of washing machine, the window gasket is prone to damage, affecting the sealing effect.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved window gasket to solve the above issues.

SUMMARY

To address the aforementioned issue in the prior art, specifically to solve the problem where existing window gaskets are prone to damage and affect sealing performance,
The present application provides a window gasket including: a window gasket body, a first connection structure, and a second connection structure. The first connection structure includes a first connection wall and a snap-fit structure. A front end of the first connection wall is connected to a rear end of the window gasket body, and the first connection wall is configured to be attached to a front side of a front flange of an outer drum. The snap-fit structure is disposed on a rear side of the first connection wall and configured to engage with an outer drum front flange. The second connection structure is connected to a front end of the window gasket body and configured to be fixedly connected to an access opening of a front plate.
In an optional technical solution of the aforementioned window gasket, the snap-fit structure includes a plurality of snap fasteners, which are spaced apart circumferentially along the first connection wall. The outer drum front flange is provided with a plurality of snap holes for engagement with the snap fasteners.
In an optional embodiment of the aforementioned window gasket, the snap fastener includes a connection post and a snap head; a first end of the connection post is connected to the rear side of the first connection wall; a second end of the connection post is connected to the snap head; a cross-sectional area of the snap head is greater than that of the connection post; the connection post is inserted through the snap hole; the snap head passes through the snap hole to engage with the outer drum front flange.
In an optional embodiment of the aforementioned window gasket, the snap head is in a frustoconical shape, with its larger end connected to the connection post.
In an optional embodiment of the aforementioned window gasket, the plurality of snap fasteners is located at a bottom of the first connection wall; the first connection wall is provided with a vertical centerline, and the first connection wall is symmetrical about the vertical centerline; and the plurality of snap fasteners is symmetrical about the vertical centerline.
In an optional embodiment of the aforementioned window gasket, the first connection wall includes: a first inclined portion, a first connection portion, a second connection portion, a third connection portion and an extension portion. A front end of the first inclined portion is connected to the rear end of the window gasket body, and the snap-fit structure is disposed on the first inclined portion; a rear end of the first inclined portion is bent backward and extends to form the first connection portion; the first connection portion bends and extends toward a center of the window gasket to form the second connection portion; the second connection portion, first connection portion, and first inclined portion enclose collectively to define a first mating groove; the first mating groove is configured to mate with a first mating protrusion of the outer drum front flange; the second connection portion bends and extends backward away from the first inclined portion to form the third connection portion; the third connection portion then bends and extends away from the center of the window gasket to form the extension portion; the extension portion, third connection portion, and second connection portion form a second mating protrusion for mating with a second mating groove of the outer drum front flange.
In an optional embodiment of the aforementioned window gasket, an inner end of a top portion of the first inclined portion extends toward the center of the window gasket to form a clothes block.
In an optional embodiment of the aforementioned window gasket, the window gasket body includes a corrugated portion and a second connection wall; a rear end of the corrugated portion is connected to the first connection wall, and a front end of the corrugated portion is connected to the second connection wall; and an end of the second connection wall opposite to the corrugated portion is connected to the second connection structure.
A drum clothes treatment apparatus includes: a case, an outer drum, and the aforementioned window gasket; an outer drum front flange is disposed at a front end of the outer drum; the outer drum front flange is engaged with the snap-fit structure of the window gasket; the case includes a front plate, an access opening is provided on the front plate, and an edge of the access opening is fixedly connected to the second connection structure of the window gasket.
In an optional embodiment of the aforementioned drum clothes treatment apparatus, a bottom of the outer drum front flange extends toward the center of the window gasket to form a shielding portion, and the shielding portion is opposite to at least a portion of the window gasket body of the window gasket.
Those skilled in the art will understand that with respect to the drum clothes treatment apparatus according to embodiments of the present application, its window gasket includes a window gasket body, a first connection structure, and a second connection structure, where the first connection structure includes a first connection wall and a snap-fit structure, the front end of the first connection wall is connected to the rear end of the window gasket body, and the first connection wall is attached to the front side of the outer drum front flange. This may not only ensure sealing performance of connection but also enhance reliability of connection. A snap-fit structure is disposed on the rear side of the first connection wall and is configured to be snap-fit positioned with the outer drum front flange, so that the window gasket is fixed to the outer drum front flange, facilitating the window gasket mating with other structures of the outer drum front flange. The second connection structure is connected to the front end of the window gasket body and configured to be fixedly connected to the access opening of the front plate, so that the window gasket is fixed between the front plate and the outer drum front flange. Through the aforementioned configuration, the window gasket of the embodiments of the present application is provided with a snap-fit structure on the rear side of the first connection wall, achieving snap-fit positioning with the outer drum front flange; and the first connection wall fits against the front side of the outer drum front flange, which not only realizes fixing connection between the window gasket and the outer drum front flange, but also utilizes the outer drum front flange to shield the window gasket, preventing it from coming into contact with and rubbing against loads, such as clothes, inside the drum, enhancing the service life of the window gasket and ensuring sealing effect of the window gasket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The optional embodiments of the window gasket and drum clothes treatment apparatus according to the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and taking a drum washing machine as an example.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an outer drum front flange and a window gasket of a drum clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the window gasket according to an embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic view of area Q in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the outer drum front flange and the window gasket of the drum clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic view of area P in FIG. 6.

Reference signs in the drawings:

100- window gasket; 110- window gasket body; 111- corrugated portion; 112-second connection wall; 120- first connection structure; 121- first connection wall; 1211- first inclined portion; 1212- first connection portion; 1213- second connection portion; 1214- third connection portion; 1215- extension portion; 1216- first mating groove; 1217- second mating protrusion; 122- snap-fit structure; 1221- snap fastener; 1222- connection post; 1223- snap head; 130- second connection structure; 131- inner extension wall; 132- outer extension wall; 1321-snap groove; 140- clothes block; 200- outer drum front flange; 210- flange body; 220- fixing portion; 221- snap hole; 222- fixing wall; 223- third connection wall; 224- first mating protrusion; 225- second mating groove; 226- fixing post; 227- water passage hole; 230-shielding portion.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are provided only to explain the technical principles of the embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art may make adjustments as needed to adapt them to specific application scenarios.
Secondly, it should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of the present application, the terms such as "inner", "outer", etc., are based on the directional or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are used only for ease of description and are not intended to indicate or imply that the described device or component must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a particular orientation. Therefore, such terms should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present application.
Furthermore, it should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise expressly specified and defined, the terms "connect" and "couple" should be interpreted broadly. For example, such connection may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; may be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediary medium, or even an internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art may understand the specific meanings of the aforementioned terms in the embodiments of the present application according to the actual circumstances.
In related technologies, drum washing machines are equipped with a window gasket at the front of the outer drum, and the sealing is achieved by compressing the window gasket using the door, to prevent washing water from flowing out or seeping out during the washing process. However, with prolonged use of the washing machines, the window gasket is prone to damage, affecting the sealing effect. Through investigations, researchers have found that in some of the drum washing machines, the inner drum opening is not concentric with the access opening on the front plate of the case, with the access opening positioned higher than the inner drum opening. To reduce the clearance between the inner drum opening and the door, the front flange at the front of the outer cylinder is usually designed to be raised upwards, so that the front flange at the front of the outer cylinder is higher than an edge of the inner drum opening. The window gasket engaged with the flange at the front of the outer cylinder is very easy to directly contact with the loads and produce friction, resulting in damage to the window gasket and affecting the sealing effect.
Researchers found after further research that a conventional window gasket is usually provided with an inner edge for fixed connection with the front flange at the front of the outer drum, and the inner edge is in direct contact with loads to be washed inside the inner drum, causing that the window gasket experiences an excessive friction force of and is highly susceptible to damage.
In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a new window gasket, which attach to the front side of the outer drum front flange and is provided with a snap-fit structure to engage with and position the outer drum front flange. In this way, while achieving a fixed connection between the window gasket and the outer drum front flange, the window gasket is located on the front side of the outer drum front flange, eliminating the design of the inner edge of the window gasket to avoid friction produced by contacting with the load such as clothes inside the drum, improving the service life of the window gasket and ensuring the sealing effect of the window gasket.
The following describes the optional technical solutions of the window gasket and the drum clothes treatment apparatus according to the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, it should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the directional term "front" refers to a side facing the door of the drum clothes treatment apparatus, and "rear" refers to a side facing the bottom of the drum of the drum clothes treatment apparatus; "inner" refers to a side toward the center of the window gasket, and "outer" refers to a side away from the center of the window gasket.
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an outer drum front flange and a window gasket of a drum clothes treatment apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application.
The embodiment of the present application provides a drum clothes treatment apparatus, such as a drum washing machine, a drum dryer, a drum washer-dryer integrated machine, and the like.
Referring to FIG. 1, the drum clothes treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present application includes a case, an outer drum, an inner drum, and a window gasket 100.
Where, the case includes a front plate, a rear plate, a top plate, a bottom plate, and two side plates. The front plate, rear plate, top plate, bottom plate, and two side plates enclose to form a cuboid-shaped housing for mounting other components of the drum clothes treatment apparatus. An access opening is provided on the front plate of the case and is configured to load and unload to-be-washed loads such as clothes and blankets. A door is further mounted on the front plate of the case, and the door can rotate relative to the case to open or close the access opening. The door is provided with an observation window for convenient observation of the washing state.
The inner drum and outer drum are both mounted inside the case, and the inner drum is rotatably mounted within the outer drum. The inner drum can rotate relative to the outer drum under the action of a drive motor, to perform washing and dehydration of clothes.
The outer drum is suspended within the case by a suspension component, such as suspension spring. The outer drum includes an outer drum body and an outer drum front flange 200 fixed to a front end of the outer drum body. The outer drum front flange 200 and the front plate of the case are interconnected by a ring-shaped window gasket 100, and the observation window extends into a circular space enclosed by the window gasket 100 and fits against the window gasket 100 to act as a seal to prevent water leakage out of the door.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the window gasket according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 2; and FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic view of area Q in FIG. 3.
Referring to FIGs. 2 to 4, the window gasket 100 according to the embodiment of the present application includes: a window gasket body 110, a first connection structure 120, and a second connection structure 130. The first connection structure 120 is disposed at a rear end of the window gasket body 110 and is configured to connect to the outer drum front flange 200; and the second connection structure 130 is disposed at a front end of the window gasket body 110 and is configured to connect to the front plate.
Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the window gasket body 110, the first connection structure 120, and the second connection structure 130 are integrally formed as a single piece, which is conductive to improving the structural strength and sealing performance of the window gasket.
With reference to FIGs. 1 and 2, the first connection structure 120 in the embodiments of the present application includes a first connection wall 121 and a snap-fit structure 122, the front end of the first connection wall 121 is connected to the rear end of the gasket body 110, and the first connection wall 121 fits against the front side of the outer drum front flange 200. This may not only ensure sealing performance of connection but also enhance reliability of connection. In the embodiments of the present application, by setting the first connection wall 121, the window gasket body 110 can maintain the same structure as the original structure, ensuring that a gap between the window gasket 100 and the outer drum front flange 200 remains consistent with the original structure, and facilitates observation and cleaning.
The rear side of the first connection wall 121 is provided with the snap-fit structure 122, which engages with and positions the outer drum front flange 200, thereby securing the window gasket 100 to the outer drum front flange 200. This facilitates mating of the window gasket 100 with other structures of the outer drum front flange 200.
Optionally, the snap-fit structure 122 may be located at any position in the circumferential direction of the first connection wall 121. For example, the snap-fit structure 122 could be disposed at the top of the first connection wall 121. In the embodiments of the present application, the snap-fit structure 122 is arranged at the bottom of the first connection wall 121 and thus may engage with an upward extending portion of the outer drum front flange 200, eliminating the need for an additional snap-fit structure on the outer drum front flange 200.
The snap-fit structure 122 may take various forms. For example, the snap-fit structure 122 may include an arc-shaped connection arm and a snap-fit portion disposed at an end of the arc-shaped connection arm. Correspondingly, the outer drum front flange 200 is provided with a snap-fit groove that engages with the snap-fit portion. Through the engagement between the snap-fit groove and the snap-fit portion, a snap-fit positioning between the snap-fit structure 122 and the outer drum front flange 200 is realized. For another example, the snap-fit structure 122 includes a boss disposed on the rear side of the first connection wall 121, with the boss provided with a snap-fit groove. Correspondingly, the outer drum front flange 200 is provided with a snap-fit protrusion that mates with the snap-fit groove. Through the engagement between the snap-fit protrusion and the snap-fit groove, a snap-fit positioning between the snap-fit structure 122 and the outer drum front flange 200 is achieved.
In the embodiments of the present application, the snap-fit structure 122 includes a plurality of snap fasteners 1221 arranged at intervals along a circumferential direction of the first connection wall 121. Correspondingly, the outer drum front flange 200 is provided with a plurality of snap holes 221 for engaging with the snap fasteners 1221, the number of the snap holes 221 is consistent with the number of the snap fasteners 1221. Exemplarily, the snap-fit structure 122 includes four snap fasteners 1221 spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the first connection wall 121, and there are four snap holes 221 so that each snap fastener 1221 engages with one snap hole 221. The engagement between the snap holes 221 and snap fasteners 1221 may achieve the snap-fit positioning between the snap-fit structure 122 and the outer drum front flange 200.
The snap-fit structure 122 in the embodiments of the present application provides a plurality of snap fasteners 1221, which not only enhances the installation stability of the window gasket 100 but also facilitates assembling between the window gasket 100 and the outer drum front flange 200.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of snap fasteners 1221 are located at the bottom of the first connection wall 121; the first connection wall 121 has a vertical centerline H, and is symmetrical about the vertical centerline H. The fact that the plurality of snap fasteners 1221 are symmetrical about the vertical centerline H may ensure that engagement forces between the snap fasteners 1221 on both sides of the vertical centerline H and the outer drum front flange 200 are equal, preventing deformation of the window gasket 100 due to uneven forces and thereby affecting the sealing performance of the window gasket 100.
In some possible implementations, the plurality of snap fasteners 1221 are uniformly spaced along the circumferential direction of the first connection wall 121, so that circumferential intervals between adjacent snap fasteners 1221 are the same. This facilitates both arrangement and processing of the snap fasteners 1221.
In other possible implementations, the circumferential interval between at least two adjacent snap fasteners 1221 differs from the circumferential intervals between other pairs of adjacent snap fasteners 1221. Exemplarily, when four snap fasteners 1221 are spaced apart along the first connection wall 121, the circumferential interval between two middle snap fasteners 1221 is smaller, and the circumferential intervals between two edge snap fasteners 1221 and their adjacent snap fasteners 1221 are larger. This configuration may not only ensure stable connection between the bottom of the window gasket 100 (where gravity is concentrated) and the outer drum front flange 200, but also provide a large circumferential engagement distance, thereby further improving the stability of the connection between the window gasket 100 and the outer drum front flange 200.
Referring to FIGs. 3 and 4, the snap fastener 1221 in the embodiments of the present application includes a connection post 1222 and a snap head 1223; a first end of the connection post 1222 is connected to a rear side of the first connection wall 121, and a second end of the connection post 1222 is connected to the snap head 1223. A cross-sectional area of the snap head 1223 is larger than that of the connection post 1222 so that an annular groove is formed by the snap head 1223, the connection post 1222, and the first connection wall 121.
The cross-section of the snap head 1223 and the cross-section of the connection post 1222 are both formed by cutting with a plane perpendicular to an axial direction of the connection post 1222.
In this way, the connection post 1222 may inserted into the snap hole 221, and the snap head 1223 passes through the snap hole 221 to engage with the outer drum front flange 200. This allows a portion of the outer drum front flange 200 surrounding the snap hole 221 to mate with the annular groove, thereby achieving snap-fit fixation between the window gasket 100 and the outer drum front flange 200.
Generally, the window gasket 100 is an elastic component, for example, a rubber component, and it utilizes the elastic deformation of the snap head 1223 to allow the snap head 1223 to pass through the snap hole 221.
The snap head 1223 may take various shapes, such as rectangular prism or cylinder. In the embodiments of the present application, the snap head 1223 is a frustum-shaped, with its larger end connected to the connection post 1222. Such an arrangement may not only achieve engagement with the outer drum front flange 200, but also facilitates the snap head passing through the snap hole 221, so as to improve the convenience of assembly.
Continuing to refer to FIGs. 3 and 4, the first connection wall 121 in the embodiment of the present application includes: a first inclined portion 1211, a first connection portion 1212, a second connection portion 1213, a third connection portion 1214, and an extension portion 1215.
A front end of the first inclined portion 1211 in this embodiment of the present application has a smaller diameter than a rear end of the first inclined portion 1211. The front end of the first inclined portion 1211 is connected to the rear end of the window gasket body 110, and the snap-fit structure 122 is disposed on the first inclined portion 1211.
The rear end of the first inclined portion 1211 bends backward and extends to form the first connection portion 1212; the first connection portion 1212 bends toward the center of the window gasket 100 and extends to form the second connection portion 1213; the second connection portion 1213, the first connection portion 1212 and the first inclined portion 1211 collectively enclose to form a first mating groove 1216, which opens toward the center of the window gasket 100.
The second connection portion 1213 bends backward away from the first inclined portion 1211 and extends to form the third connection portion 1214; the third connection portion 1214 bends away from the center of the window gasket 100 and extends to form the extension portion 1215; the extension portion 1215, the third connection portion 1214, and the second connection portion 1213 form a second mating protrusion 1217.
The first connection wall 121 in the embodiments of the present application mates with the outer drum front flange 200 by forming the first mating groove 1216 and the second mating protrusion 1217, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the connection between the window gasket 100 and the outer drum front flange 200.
The engagement structure between the outer drum front flange 200 and the first connection wall 121 in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with FIGs. 5 to 7. Where FIG. 5 is a front view of an outer drum front flange and a window gasket in a drum clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 5; and FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic view of area P in FIG. 6.
Referring to FIGs. 6 and 7, the outer drum front flange 200 in this embodiment of the present application includes a flange body 210 and a fixing portion 220, where a rear end of the flange body 210 is fixedly connected with the outer drum body, a front end of the flange body 210 is fixedly connected with the fixing portion 220, and the fixing portion 220 is provided with the snap holes 221 for connection with the window gasket 100.
The fixing portion 220 includes a fixing wall 222 and a third connection wall 223; an inner end of the flange body 210 bends forward and extends to form the third connection wall 223; and a front end of the third connection wall 223 bends toward the center of the window gasket 100 and extends to form the fixing wall 222, which is provided with the snap holes 221. The front end of the third connection wall 223 bends away from the center of the window gasket 100 and extends to form the first mating protrusion 224, which mates with the first mating groove 1216.
The first mating protrusion 224, the third connection wall 223, and the flange body 210 collectively enclose to form a second mating groove 225 that opens away from the center of the window gasket 100. The second mating groove 225 engages with the second mating protrusion 1217.
The outer drum front flange 200 and the window gasket 100 in this embodiment of the present application achieve a more stable and reliable fixed connection through the engagement between the first mating protrusion 224 and the first mating groove 1216 and the engagement between the second mating groove 225 and the second mating protrusion 1217.
Referring to FIGs. 1 and 7, the fixing wall 222 is provided with the fixing post 226 that can be fixedly connected to the window gasket 100, further enhancing the stability and reliability of the connection between the outer drum front flange 200 and the window gasket 100. Exemplarily, the fixing post 226 is provided with a fixing hole, and the first connection wall 121 of the window gasket 100 is provided with a limiting post that mates with the fixing hole. The mating between the limiting post and the fixing hole may allow the fixing post 226 to be fixedly connected with the window gasket 100.
Optionally, the fixing post 226 may be provided in a plurality, for example, four fixing posts 226 may be provided; the plurality of fixing posts 226 are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the first connection wall 121. This configuration helps improve the stability of the connection between the fixing wall 222 and the window gasket 100. Optionally, the plurality of fixing posts 226 may be evenly spaced along the circumferential direction of the first connection wall 121, thereby enhancing the uniformity of the connection between the window gasket 100 and the outer drum front flange 200, and preventing deformation of the window gasket 100 caused by uneven force distribution.
Continuing to refer to FIGs. 1 and 7, a gap exists between the shielding portion 230 and the window gasket body 110, allowing wash water to easily enter the gap; in this embodiment, the fixing wall 222 is provided with a water passage hole 227 to enable water in the gap to flow into the outer drum. The water passage hole 227 may be a waist-shaped hole as shown in the drawings. Alternatively, the water passage hole 227 may be a circular hole, an oval hole, etc. To improve water passage efficiency, a plurality of water passage holes 227 may be arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the fixing wall 222. The embodiments of the present application have no limitation on the quantity, shape, or arrangement manner of the water passage holes 227.
Continuing to refer to FIGs. 1 and 7, the bottom of the fixing wall 222 of the outer drum front flange 200 extends toward the center of the window gasket 100 to form the shielding portion 230, the shielding portion 230 is opposite to at least part of the window gasket body 110 of the window gasket 100, serving to shield the window gasket body 110 and prevent the window gasket 100 from coming into direct contact with the load and generating friction. Moreover, a dimension of the shielding portion 230 of the outer drum front flange 200 along the vertical centerline H may be consistent with a height of the front flange of the existing clothes treatment apparatus. By providing the window gasket body 110, the window gasket 100 has a corrugated portion 111, facilitating observation and cleaning.
Referring to FIGs. 2 and 6, an inner end of the top portion of the first inclined portion 1211 of the window gasket 100 extends toward the center of the window gasket 100 to form a clothes block 140, which serves to block the clothes, preventing the clothes from coming into contact with the door and generating noise.
The above have described the connection method between the first connection structure 120 of the window gasket 100 and the outer drum front flange 200. The following will describe the connection method between the second connection structure 130 and the access opening on the front plate.
Referring to FIG. 4, the second connection structure 130 is connected to the front end of the window gasket body 110 and fixedly connected to the access opening on the front plate.
In some embodiments, the second connection structure 130 includes an inner extension wall 131 and an outer extension wall 132, where the inner extension wall 131 and the outer extension wall 132 are both located at the outer end of the window gasket body 110; the inner extension wall 131 is located on the inner side of the window gasket body 110, and the outer extension wall 132 is located on the outer side of the window gasket body 110. The outer extension wall 132 is provided with a snap groove 1321 for engaging with the edge of the access opening of the front plate, so that the second connection structure 130 may be fixedly connected to the front plate. Additionally, the inner extension wall 131 and outer extension wall 132 also abut and seal against the observation window of the door.
Continuing to refer to FIGs. 4 and 7, the window gasket body 110 in this embodiment includes the corrugated portion 111 and the second connection wall 112; a rear end of the corrugated portion 111 is connected to the first connection wall 121, and a front end of the corrugated portion 111 is connected to the second connection wall 112; an end of the second connection wall 112 opposite to the corrugated portion 111 is connected to the second connection structure 130. The corrugated portion 111 may include a plurality of steps arranged continuously. In the embodiments of the present application, by providing the corrugated portion 111 on the window gasket body 110, the window gasket 100 may have good elasticity, preventing tearing and damage to the window gasket 100 and improving the service life of the window gasket.
In summary, the drum clothes treatment apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present application includes a window gasket 100, and the window gasket 100 includes a window gasket body 110, a first connection structure 120, and a second connection structure 130, where the first connection structure 120 includes a first connection wall 121 and a snap-fit structure 122, the front end of the first connection wall 121 is connected to the rear end of the window gasket body 110, and the first connection wall 121 fits against the front side of the outer drum front flange 200. This configuration may not only ensure sealing performance of the connection but also enhance reliability of the connection. The rear side of the first connection wall 121 is provided with the snap-fit structure 122, which may engage with and position the outer drum front flange 200, so that the window gasket 100 may be fixed to the outer drum front flange 200, facilitating the mating of the window gasket 100 with other structures of the outer drum front flange 200. The second connection structure 130 is connected to the front end of the window gasket body 110 and fixedly coupled to the access opening of the front plate, so that the window gasket 100 is fixed between the front plate and the outer drum front flange 200. In this way, the window gasket 100 in the embodiments of the present application may achieve a snap-fit positioning with the outer drum front flange 200 by providing the snap-fit structure 122 on the rear side of the first connection wall 121, may achieve a fixed connection between the window gasket 100 and the outer drum front flange 200 by fitting the first connection wall 121 against the front side of the outer drum front flange 200, and meanwhile may prevent the window gasket 100 from coming into contact with the loads, for example clothes, inside the drum and generating the friction by using the outer drum front flange 200 to shield the window gasket 100, thereby improving the service life of the window gasket and ensuring the sealing effect of the window gasket.
So far, the technical solutions of the present application have been described in conjunction with the optional embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of protection of the present application is clearly not limited to the above embodiments. Without departing from the principles of the present application, those skilled in the art may make equivalent modifications or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and all such modified or substituted technical solutions shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

A window gasket, comprising: a window gasket body, a first connection structure, and a second connection structure, wherein
the first connection structure comprises a first connection wall and a snap-fit structure, wherein a front end of the first connection wall is connected to a rear end of the window gasket body, and the first connection wall is configured to fit against a front side of an outer drum front flange; and a rear side of the first connection wall is provided with the snap-fit structure, and the snap-fit structure is configured to engage with the outer drum front flange; and

the second connection structure is connected to a front end of the window gasket body and is configured to be fixedly connected to an access opening of a front plate.
The window gasket according to claim 1, wherein the snap-fit structure comprises a plurality of snap fasteners spaced apart along a circumferential direction of the first connection wall, and the outer drum front flange is provided with a plurality of snap holes for engagement with the snap fasteners.
The window gasket according to claim 2, wherein each snap fastener comprises a connection post and a snap head, wherein a first end of the connection post is connected to the rear side of the first connection wall, a second end of the connection post is connected to the snap head, and a cross-sectional area of the snap head is greater than a cross-sectional area of the connection post; and
the connection post is inserted into the snap hole, and the snap head passes through the snap hole to engage with the outer drum front flange.
The window gasket according to claim 3, wherein the snap head is frustum-shaped, and a larger end of the snap head is connected to the connection post.
The window gasket according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of snap fasteners is located at a bottom of the first connection wall; and
the first connection wall has a vertical centerline and is symmetrical about the vertical centerline, and the plurality of snap fasteners are symmetrical about the vertical centerline.
The window gasket according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the first connection wall comprises a first inclined portion, a first connection portion, a second connection portion, a third connection portion, and an extension portion, wherein a front end of the first inclined portion is connected to the rear end of the window gasket body, and the snap-fit structure is disposed on the first inclined portion;
a rear end of the first inclined portion is bent backward and extends to form the first connection portion, the first connection portion is bent toward a center of the window gasket and extends to form the second connection portion, a first mating groove is collectively formed by the second connection portion, the first connection portion, and the first inclined portion, and the first mating groove is configured to engage with a first mating protrusion of the outer drum front flange; and

the second connection portion is bent backward away from the first inclined portion and extends to form the third connection portion, the third connection portion is bent away from the center of the window gasket to form the extension portion, a second mating protrusion is formed by the extension portion, the third connection portion and the second connection portion, and the second mating protrusion is configured to engage with a second mating groove of the outer drum front flange.
The window gasket according to claim 6, wherein an inner end of a top of the first inclined portion extends toward the center of the window gasket to form a clothes block.
The window gasket according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the window gasket body comprises a corrugated portion and a second connection wall, wherein a rear end of the corrugated portion is connected to the first connection wall, a front end of the corrugated portion is connected to the second connection wall, and an end of the second connection wall away from the corrugated portion is connected to the second connection structure.
A drum clothes treatment apparatus, comprising: a case, an outer drum, and the window gasket according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein a front end of the outer drum is provided with an outer drum front flange, and the outer drum front flange is engaged with the snap-fit structure of the window gasket, the case comprises a front plate provided with an access opening, and an edge of the access opening is fixedly connected to the second connection structure of the window gasket.
The drum clothes treatment apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a bottom of the outer drum front flange extends toward a center of the window gasket to form a shielding portion, and the shielding portion is opposite to at least part of the window gasket body of the window gasket.