TECHNICAL FIELD
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The present invention generally relates to the field of household electrical appliances, and more particularly relates to a washing machine.
BACKGROUND
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With the rapid development of science and technologies, many washing machines with washing functions have become indispensable appliances in the daily lives of people. Among the washing machines, single-drum washing machines, which meet basic household needs, have gained popularity among users.
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However, in the related technologies, single-drum washing machines are limited by the single-drum structure and unitary functionality thereof, failing to fulfill the needs of users for separate drum operations when washing different types of laundry items, such as clothes, garments, and the like.
SUMMARY
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According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a washing machine, including: a cabinet, a first drum disposed within the cabinet, and a second drum disposed within the cabinet, where a diameter of the first drum is larger than a diameter of the second drum, and a ratio of the diameter of the first drum to the diameter of the second drum is in a range of 1.2 to 4.
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In some embodiments, the ratio of the diameter of the first drum to the diameter of the second drum is in a range of 2.5 to 3.
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In some embodiments, the diameter of the first drum is in a range of 516 mm to 567 mm, and the diameter of the second drum is in a range of 145 mm to 165 mm.
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In some embodiments, the first drum has a first volume, and the second drum has a second volume, where a ratio of the first volume to the second volume is in a range of 10 to 70.
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In some embodiments, the first volume is in a range of 50 L to 70 L, and the second volume is in a range of 1 L to 5 L.
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In some embodiments, the second drum is disposed laterally above the first drum.
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In some embodiments, the cabinet includes two cabinet side panels opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other in a first direction; a first axis of the first drum and a second axis of the second drum both extend in a second direction, and the first axis is equidistant from the two cabinet side panels in the first direction, where the first direction and the second direction are both located in a horizontal plane and intersect with each other.
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In some embodiments, two second drums are provided, where the two second drums have an identical diameter and are symmetrically disposed in the first direction, or the two second drums have different diameters.
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In some embodiments, the cabinet includes two cabinet side panels opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other in a first direction; a first axis of the first drum extends in a second direction, and the first axis is equidistant from the two cabinet side panels in the first direction; at least one second drum is provided, and a second axis of the at least one second drum extends in a third direction, where the first direction and the second direction are both located in a horizontal plane and intersect with each other, and the third direction is inclined relative to the horizontal plane. Optionally, two second drums are provided, a second axis of each second drum extends in a third direction, and the two second drums have an identical diameter and are symmetrically disposed in the first direction.
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In some embodiments, the cabinet includes two cabinet side panels opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other in a first direction; a first axis of the first drum extends in a second direction, and the first axis is equidistant from the two cabinet side panels in the first direction; two second drums are provided, a second axis of one second drum extends in a third direction, and a second axis of the other second drum extends in the second direction, where the first direction and the second direction are both located in a horizontal plane and intersect with each other, and the third direction is inclined relative to the horizontal plane.
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In some embodiments, the cabinet includes two cabinet side panels opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other in a first direction; a first axis of the first drum extends in a second direction, and the first axis is equidistant from the two cabinet side panels in the first direction; two second drums are provided, a second axis of one second drum extends in a third direction, and a second axis of the other second drum extends in a fourth direction, where the first direction and the second direction are both located in a horizontal plane and intersect with each other, and the third direction and the fourth direction are each inclined relative to the horizontal plane and intersect with each other.
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In some embodiments, the second drum is disposed laterally below the first drum. Optionally, two second drums are provided, and the two second drums have an identical diameter, are disposed in two lower lateral portions of the cabinet below the first drum, respectively, and are symmetrically disposed in a first direction.
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In some embodiments, the first drum is any one of a drying drum, a washing drum, or a washing-drying drum; and the second drum is any one of a drying drum, a washing drum, or a washing-drying drum.
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In some embodiments, the first drum includes a first outer tub and a first inner drum, where the first inner drum is movably disposed within the first outer tub, optionally, where multiple detachable first lifters are disposed at an inner wall of the first inner drum in a protruding manner; and/or the second drum includes a second outer tub and a second inner drum, where the second inner drum is movably disposed within the second outer tub, optionally, where multiple detachable second lifters are disposed at an inner wall of the second inner drum in a protruding manner.
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In some embodiments, the cabinet has a width in a range of 550 mm to 650 mm, and a height in a range of 800 mm to 900 mm.
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It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are illustrative and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic partial perspective view of a washing machine according to an illustrative embodiment, in which a first drum is located at a middle position of a cabinet in a first direction, and a second drum is provided and located laterally above the first drum.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a washing machine according to an illustrative embodiment, in which a first drum is located at a middle position of a cabinet in a first direction, and a second drum is provided and located laterally above the first drum.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a washing machine according to an illustrative embodiment, in which a first drum is located at a middle position of a cabinet in a first direction, and two second drums are provided and located at both upper lateral sides of the first drum in the first direction, respectively.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a washing machine according to an illustrative embodiment, in which a first axis of a first drum and a second axis of a second drum both extend in a second direction.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a washing machine according to an illustrative embodiment, in which a first axis of a first drum extends in a second direction, and a second axis of a second drum extends in a third direction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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Reference will now be made in detail to illustrative embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description refers to the accompanying drawings in which the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise represented. The implementations set forth in the following description of illustrative embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the invention. Instead, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the invention as recited in the appended claims.
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In the present invention, unless otherwise specified, directional terms such as "inner" and "outer" as used herein refer to the inside and outside of a specific structural outline, respectively; directional terms such as "up," "down," "front," "rear," "left," and "right" as used herein refer to the up, down, front, rear, left, and right directions as defined when a washing machine is in normal use, respectively, which may be specifically shown in FIG. 1; the directional term "first direction" as used herein may correspond to a left-right direction, and the directional term "second direction" as used herein may correspond to a front-rear direction, which may also be specifically shown in FIG. 1; the directional term "third direction" as used herein may be specifically shown in FIG. 5; and terms such as "first" and "second" as used herein are used to merely distinguish one element from another and do not imply any order or importance.
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Unless specified or stated otherwise, the term "about" in reference to a number or range of numbers is understood to mean the stated number and numbers +/-10% thereof, or 10% below the lower listed limit and 10% above the higher listed limit for the values listed for a range.
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Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the present invention provides a washing machine. The washing machine includes a cabinet or casing 1, and a first drum or tub 2 and a second drum or tub 3 disposed within the cabinet 1, respectively. A diameter of the first drum 2 is larger than a diameter of the second drum 3, and a ratio of the diameter of the first drum 2 to the diameter of the second drum 3 is in a range of about 1.2 to about 4.
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In the above-mentioned technical solutions, firstly, by disposing the first drum 2 and the second drum 3 in the cabinet 1, a user may choose to use the first drum 2 and/or the second drum 3 according to independent drum usage needs, to improve the washing efficiency. Secondly, the diameter of the first drum 2 is larger than that of the second drum 3, i.e., the first drum 2 and the second drum 3 are designed with different dimensions, which may meet different laundry washing needs of the user. Additionally, by setting the ratio of the diameter of the first drum 2 to the diameter of the second drum 3 in the range of about 1.2 to about 4, the first drum 2 and the second drum 3 may effectively utilize the space within the cabinet 1, thus enhancing the compactness of the structural design. Furthermore, at this ratio, the dimensional fitting between the first drum 2 and the second drum 3 may ensure that the dual drums coordinate with each other within the cabinet 1, thus preventing the cabinet 1 from tipping over during simultaneous operations of the dual drums.
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It is to be noted that the quantity of the first drums 2 and the second drums 3 mentioned above is not limited in the present invention, and may be set according to needs. Additionally, regarding the specific types of the first drum 2 and the second drum 3, the first drum 2 and the second drum 3 may be drying drums, washing drums, or washing-drying drums, respectively, which is not limited in the present invention.
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Furthermore, it is to be noted that the first drum 2 includes a first outer tub (not shown) and a first inner drum (not shown), where the first inner drum is movably disposed within the first outer tub. Similarly, the second drum 3 includes a second outer tub (not shown) and a second inner drum (not shown), where the second inner drum is movably disposed within the second outer tub. Here, the ratio of the diameter of the first drum 2 to the diameter of the second drum 3, as defined above, refers to the ratio of the diameter of the first outer tub to the diameter of the second outer tub.
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The specific ratio of the diameter of the first drum 2 to the diameter of the second drum 3 may be about 1.2, about 3, or about 4, which is not limited in the present invention.
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Optionally, the ratio of the diameter of the first drum 2 to the diameter of the second drum 3 is in a range of about 2.5 to about 4. For example, the ratio of the diameter of the first drum 2 to the diameter of the second drum 3 is equal to or greater than about 2.5 and less than about 3. For another example, the ratio of the diameter of the first drum 2 to the diameter of the second drum 3 may be about 2.5, about 3, or about 4. Within the range of about 2.5 to about 4, even in the limited space in the cabinet 1, the volumes of the two drums may be ensured. For different washing purposes of the two drums, such as one drum for large laundry items and the other drum for small laundry items, this ensures that each drum has a sufficient washing volume, thereby improving the washing ratio of the two drums and enhancing the washing effect.
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In an embodiment, the diameter of the first drum 2 is in a range of about 516 mm to about 567 mm, and the diameter of the second drum 3 is in a range of about 145 mm to about 165 mm, where the ratio of the diameter of the first drum 2 to the diameter of the second drum 3 is in a range of about 3.1 to about 3.9. Within this range, the overlapping of the two drums in the limited cabinet space may be further reduced, thereby decreasing the overlapping of the respective drum doors of the two drums and avoiding the interference when the drum doors are opened simultaneously.
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For the first drum 2, for example, the diameter of the first drum 2 may be about 516 mm, about 540 mm, or about 567 mm, which is not limited in the present invention.
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For the second drum 3, for example, the diameter of the second drum 3 may be about 145 mm, about 158 mm, or about 165 mm, which is not limited in the present invention.
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The ratio of the diameter of the first drum 2 to the diameter of the second drum 3 may be about 3.2, about 3.5, or about 3.8, which is not limited in the present invention.
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Optionally, the volume of the first drum 2 is defined as a first volume, and the volume of the second drum 3 is defined as a second volume. The ratio of the first volume to the second volume is in a range of about 10 to about 70.
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That is, the volume of the first drum 2 is much larger than that of the second drum 3 to meet the cleaning needs of the user for different amounts of laundry items. For example, the second drum 3 with a smaller volume may be used to clean undergarments and the like of the user, while the first drum 2 with a larger volume may be used to clean large laundry items and the like of the user. The ratio of the first volume to the second volume may be about 10, about 20, or about 70, which is not limited in the present invention.
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It is important to note that the first drum 2 includes a first outer tub (not shown) and a first inner drum (not shown), where the first inner drum is movably disposed within the first outer tub. The laundry items are placed inside the first inner drum for cleaning. Specifically, multiple detachable first lifters or drum paddles (not shown) are disposed at an inner wall of the first inner drum in a protruding manner. The first volume of the first drum 2 refers to the internal volume of the first inner drum after these first lifters are removed. The specific measurement method of the first volume of the first drum 2 may be as follows. First, all the first lifters are detached from the inner wall of the first inner drum. Then, the inner wall of the first inner drum is completely lined with a water-filled bag. Next, water is filled in the water-filled bag until the water reaches a drum opening of the first inner drum. Thereafter, the volume of water in the water-filled bag is measured, which represents the first volume of the first drum 2.
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Similarly, the second drum 3 includes a second outer tub (not shown) and a second inner drum (not shown), where the second inner drum is movably disposed within the second outer tub. The laundry items are placed inside the second inner drum for cleaning. Specifically, multiple detachable second lifters or drum paddles (not shown) are disposed at an inner wall of the second inner drum in a protruding manner. The second volume of the second drum 3 refers to the internal volume of the second inner drum after these second lifters are removed. The specific measurement method of the second volume of the second drum 3 may be as follows. First, all the second lifters are detached from the inner wall of the second inner drum. Second, all the second lifters are detached from the inner wall of the second inner drum. Then, the inner wall of the second inner drum is completely lined with a water-filled bag. Next, water is filled in the water-filled bag until the water reaches a drum opening of the second inner drum. Thereafter, the volume of water in the water-filled bag is measured, which represents the second volume of the second drum 3.
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Optionally, the first volume of the first drum 2 is in a range of about 50 L (liters) to about 70 L, and the second volume of the second drum 3 is in a range of about 1 L to about 5 L.
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For example, the first volume of the first drum 2 may be about 50 L, about 61 L, or about 70 L, which is not limited in the present invention.
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For example, the second volume of the second drum 3 may be about 1 L, about 3 L, or about 5 L, which is not limited in the present invention.
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In an implementation, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the second drum 3 may be disposed laterally or obliquely above the first drum 2. That is, the second drum 3 may be disposed at an upper lateral side of the first drum 2. For example, the second drum 3 may be disposed at the upper left or right of the first drum 2.
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In this implementation, by disposing the second drum 3 with a smaller diameter laterally above the first drum 2, the space at the upper corner of the cabinet 1 may be effectively utilized, thus improving the internal space utilization and structural compactness of the cabinet 1.
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In other variant implementations, the second drum 3 may also be disposed laterally below the first drum 2 (not shown). That is, the second drum 3 may be disposed at a lower lateral side of the first drum 2. For example, the second drum 3 may be disposed at the lower left or right of the first drum 2. By disposing the second drum 3 with a smaller diameter laterally below the first drum 2, the space at the lower corner of the cabinet 1 may be effectively utilized, thus improving the internal space utilization and structural compactness of the cabinet 1.
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Optionally, referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the cabinet 1 includes two cabinet side panels or plates 11 opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other in a first direction A. A first axis a of the first drum 2 and a second axis b of the second drum 3 both extend in a second direction B, and the first axis a is equidistant from the two cabinet side panels 11 in the first direction A. The first direction A and the second direction B are both located in a horizontal plane, and intersect with each other.
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In this implementation, one first drum 2 and one second drum 3 may be provided, and the first axis a of the first drum 2 is equidistant from the two cabinet side panels 11 in the first direction A, that is, the first drum 2 is located at a middle position of the cabinet 1 in the first direction A, i.e., the first drum 2 is centrally located in the cabinet 1 in the first direction A. On the one hand, this ensures that the center of gravity of the washing machine is in a stable position, thereby reducing the vibration and displacement caused by the rotation during the operation of the washing machine and thus enhancing its stability. On the other hand, the spaces at both the upper lateral sides of the first drum 2 or at both the lower lateral sides of the first drum 2 may be maximized, i.e., the spaces in both the upper lateral portions of the cabinet 1 above the first drum 2 or in both the lower lateral portions of the cabinet 1 below the first drum 2 may be maximized, for example, the spaces at both the upper left and the upper right of the first drum 2 or at both the lower left and the lower right of the first drum 2 may be maximized, thus facilitating the installation of the second drum 3. Additionally, since the first axis a of the first drum 2 and the second axis b of the second drum 3 both extend in the second direction B, in order to improve the stability of the washing machine, a counterweight (not shown) may be disposed at the opposite upper lateral side of the first drum 2 or at the opposite lower lateral side of the first drum 2 to achieve the balanced weight distribution, i.e., a counterweight may be disposed in the opposite upper lateral portion of the cabinet 1 to the second drum 3 above the first drum 2 or in the opposite lower lateral portion of the cabinet 1 to the second drum 3 below the first drum 2 to achieve the balanced weight distribution. For example, in order to achieve the balanced weight distribution, if the second drum 3 is disposed at the upper left of the first drum 2, then a counterweight may be disposed at the upper right of the first drum 2; and if the second drum 3 is disposed at the upper right of the first drum 2, then a counterweight may be disposed at the upper left of the first drum 2. For another example, in order to achieve the balanced weight distribution, if the second drum 3 is disposed at the lower left of the first drum 2, then a counterweight may be disposed at the lower right of the first drum 2; and if the second drum 3 is disposed at the lower right of the first drum 2, then a counterweight may be disposed at the lower left of the first drum 2.
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Referring to FIG. 3, two second drums 3 may be provided. The two second drums 3 have the same diameter, are disposed at both upper lateral sides of the first drum 2, respectively, i.e., disposed in both the upper lateral portions of the cabinet 1 above the first drum 2, respectively, e.g., disposed at both the upper left and the upper right of the first drum 2, respectively, and are symmetrically disposed in the first direction A. By providing two second drums 3 and disposing the two second drums 3 at both the upper lateral sides of the first drum 2, respectively, two corner spaces at the top of the cabinet 1 may be more fully utilized, thus further enhancing the space utilization inside the cabinet 1. Additionally, by disposing the two second drums 3 at both the upper lateral sides of the first drum 2, respectively, the weight on the two sides may be balanced, thus potentially eliminating the need for a counterweight to achieve the balanced weight distribution and reducing the number of components. Alternatively, the two second drums 3 may have different diameters, which is not limited in the present invention.
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In other implementations (not shown), two second drums 3 may be provided. The two second drums 3 are identical, are disposed at both lower lateral sides of the first drum 2, respectively, i.e., disposed in the lower lateral portions of the cabinet 1 below the first drum 2, respectively, e.g., disposed at both the lower left and the lower right of the first drum 2, respectively, and are symmetrically disposed in the first direction A. By providing two second drums 3 and disposing the two second drums 3 at both the lower lateral sides of the first drum 2, respectively, two corner spaces at the bottom of the cabinet 1 may be more fully utilized, thus further enhancing the space utilization inside the cabinet 1. Additionally, by disposing the two second drums 3 at both the lower lateral sides of the first drum 2, respectively, the weight on the two sides may be balanced, thus potentially eliminating the need for a counterweight to achieve the balanced weight distribution and reducing the number of components. Alternatively, the two second drums 3 may have different diameters, which is not limited in the present invention.
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Optionally, referring to FIG. 5, the cabinet 1 includes two cabinet side panels 11 opposite to each other and spaced apart from each other in a first direction A. A first axis a of the first drum 2 extends in a second direction B, and the first axis a is equidistant from the two cabinet side panels 11 in the first direction A. At least one second drum 3 is provided, and a second axis b of the at least one second drum 3 extends in a third direction C. The first direction A and the second direction B are both located in a horizontal plane and intersect with each other, while the third direction C is inclined relative to the horizontal plane.
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That is, in this implementation, the second drum 3 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane. Specifically, the second drum 3 is arranged such that it extends upwardly from its bottom to its opening in an inclined manner. This makes it more convenient for the user to load and unload the laundry items when using the second drum 3.
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Regarding the specific degree of inclination of the second drum 3, taking the bottom of the second drum 3 as an example, relative to a non-inclined second drum 3 which extends in the second direction B, the height difference between the bottom of the inclined second drum 3 and the bottom of the non-inclined second drum 3 does not exceed about 100 mm, thus making it easier for the user to load and unload the laundry items.
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In other implementations, two second drums 3 may be provided, where one second drum 3 has a second axis b extending in the third direction C, while the other second drum 3 has a second axis b extending in the second direction B. That is, one second drum 3 is arranged in a horizontal direction, and the other second drum 3 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction.
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Alternatively, two second drums 3 may be provided, and the two second drums 3 both have a second axis b extending in the third direction C, and are symmetrically disposed in the first direction A.
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Alternatively, two second drums 3 may be provided, where one second drum 3 has a second axis b extending in the third direction C, and the other second drum 3 has a second axis b extending in a fourth direction (not shown). The fourth direction is inclined relative to the horizontal plane and intersects with the third direction C.
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In summary, for the second drum 3, the quantity of the second drums 3 is not limited in the present invention, which may be set according to needs and the specific layout space of the cabinet 1. Next, the extension direction of the second drum 3 is also not limited in the present invention. Furthermore, in a case where there is more than one second drum 3, the diameters of the second drums 3 may be the same or different, which is not limited in the present invention.
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Regarding the cabinet 1 mentioned above, the width of the cabinet 1 may be in a range of about 550 mm to about 650 mm, and the height of the cabinet 1 may be in a range of about 800 mm to about 900 mm. The width of cabinet 1 may refer to the dimension of cabinet 1 in either the first direction A or the second direction B, which falls within the width range mentioned above.
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For example, the dimension of the cabinet 1 in the first direction A may be in a range of about 550 mm to about 650 mm, such as about 550 mm, about 600 mm, or about 650 mm, which is not limited in the present invention.
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For example, the dimension of the cabinet 1 in the second direction B may be in a range of about 550 mm to about 650 mm, such as about 550 mm, about 600 mm, or about 650 mm, which is not limited in the present invention.
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For example, the height of cabinet 1 may be about 800 mm, about 850 mm, or about 900 mm, which is not limited to the present invention.
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Other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the present invention disclosed here. The present invention is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present invention following the general principles thereof and including such departures from the present invention as come within known or customary practice in the art. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as illustrative only, with a true scope of the present invention being indicated by the following claims.
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It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the exact construction that has been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims. It is intended that the scope of the present invention only be limited by the appended claims.