EP4733472A1 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Washing machine

Info

Publication number
EP4733472A1
EP4733472A1 EP25210876.6A EP25210876A EP4733472A1 EP 4733472 A1 EP4733472 A1 EP 4733472A1 EP 25210876 A EP25210876 A EP 25210876A EP 4733472 A1 EP4733472 A1 EP 4733472A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
drum
washing machine
cover
protrusion
siphon
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP25210876.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Yunfei Zheng
Yongjie HU
Shuowen CHEN
Ruize HOU
Qi Zhang
Jian Zhang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Xiaomi Smart Appliances Wuhan Co Ltd
Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Xiaomi Technology Wuhan Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Xiaomi Smart Appliances Wuhan Co Ltd
Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Xiaomi Technology Wuhan Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Xiaomi Smart Appliances Wuhan Co Ltd, Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd, Xiaomi Technology Wuhan Co Ltd filed Critical Xiaomi Smart Appliances Wuhan Co Ltd
Publication of EP4733472A1 publication Critical patent/EP4733472A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06FLAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/12Casings; Tubs
    • D06F39/14Doors or covers; Securing means therefor
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06FLAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/02Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06FLAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F29/00Combinations of a washing machine with other separate apparatus in a common frame or the like, e.g. with rinsing apparatus
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06FLAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/02Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
    • D06F39/022Devices for adding soap or other washing agents in a liquid state

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a washing machine. The washing machine includes: a first drum (1); a second drum (2), in which a diameter of the second drum is smaller than a diameter of the first drum; and a door assembly (3) selectively covering an opening of the second drum, wherein the door assembly includes a door body (31), a protrusion (32) and a dispensing device (33), the protrusion is arranged on an inner side of the door body, and the dispensing device is arranged on the protrusion and has a feeding port (50), a water inlet (10) and an outlet (20) being communication with both the feeding port and the water inlet. The washing machine enables manual dispensing of laundry detergent into the second drum.

Description

    TECHNICAL FIELD
  • The invention relates to the field of washing machine technology, especially to a washing machine.
  • BACKGROUND
  • In related technologies, more and more washing machines are equipped with dual drums to meet user's demand for washing different types of clothing in separate compartments. For washing machines with dual drums, which comprises a first drum and a second drum, how to enable manual dispensing of laundry detergent into the second drum is a technical problem to be solved urgently.
  • SUMMARY OF UTILITY MODEL
  • The invention provides a washing machine capable of realizing manual dispensing of laundry detergent into the second drum.
  • To realize the above object, the invention provides a washing machine. The washing machine includes:
    • a first drum;
    • a second drum, in which a diameter of the second drum is smaller than a diameter of the first drum; and
    • a door assembly selectively covering an opening of the second drum, in which the door assembly includes a door body, a protrusion and a dispensing device, the protrusion is arranged on an inside of the door body, and the dispensing device is arranged on the protrusion and has a feeding port, a water inlet and an outlet being in communication with both the feeding port and the water inlet.
  • In an embodiment of the invention, the dispensing device includes a mixing chamber, and the mixing chamber is connected between the water inlet and the outlet, and is also connected between the feeding port and the outlet.
  • In an embodiment of the invention, the dispensing device includes a siphon structure arranged in the mixing chamber, the siphon structure includes a siphon pipe and a siphon cap, the siphon pipe is communicated with the outlet, and the siphon cap is sleeved on the siphon pipe and forms a siphon passage with the siphon pipe.
  • In an embodiment of the invention, the dispensing device includes a feeding chamber, and the feeding chamber is connected between the feeding port and the mixing chamber.
  • In an embodiment of the invention, the protrusion is provided with an accommodating cavity, and both the mixing chamber and the feeding chamber are arranged in the accommodating cavity.
  • In an embodiment of the invention, the dispensing device includes a cover, the cover comprises a first sub-cover covering over the feeding chamber, and the first sub-cover is provided with a vent hole in communication with the feeding chamber.
  • In an embodiment of the invention, the first sub-cover includes a plurality of vent holes arranged in rows and columns.
  • In an embodiment of the invention, the cover comprises a second sub-cover covering over the mixing chamber, the siphon cap is connected to the second sub-cover, and the second sub-cover is provided with the water inlet.
  • In an embodiment of the invention, the cover is detachably connected to the protrusion.
  • In an embodiment of the invention, the protrusion has a first side and a second side opposite to each other in an axial direction of the door assembly, the first side is connected to the door body, and the second side is provided with the outlet.
  • In an embodiment of the invention, the second drum is arranged at the upper-right side of the first drum.
  • Through the above technical solutions, in the washing machine provided by the invention, the use can put the laundry detergent into the dispensing device via the feeding port. When the door assembly closes the opening of the second drum, the second drum can processed with washing the laundry. Since the dispensing device is arranged on the protrusion, the outlet is currently in communication with the interior of the second drum. When water enters the dispensing device through the water inlet, it mixes with the laundry detergent and is flushed into the second drum through the outlet. This enables manual dispensing of laundry detergent into the second drum via the door.
  • Other features and advantages of the invention will be described in detail in the following specific implementations.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The accompanying drawings are used to facilitate understanding of the invention and constitute part of the specification, which serve to explain the invention together with the specific implementations described below, but do not constitute as limitations to the invention, in which:
    • FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a front view of a washing machine provided by an embodiment of the invention.
    • FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic structural diagram of a door assembly in the washing machine provided by an embodiment of the invention.
    • FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a top view of the door assembly in the washing machine provided by an embodiment of the invention.
    • FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a front view of the door assembly in the washing machine provided by an embodiment of the invention.
    SUMMARY OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
  • 1-First Drum, 2-Second Drum, 3-Door Assembly, 31-Door body, 32-Protrusion, 321-Accommodating cavity, 33-Dispensing device, 331-Mixing Chamber, 332-Siphon Pipe, 333-Siphon Cap, 334-Feeding Chamber, 335-Cover, 3351-First sub-cover, 3352-Second sub-cover, 10-Water Inlet, 20-Outlet, 30-Siphon Passage, 40-Vent Hole, 50-Feeding port.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • The specific implementations of the invention will be described in detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific implementations described herein are only intended to illustrate and explain the invention, and do not limit the invention.
  • In the disclosure, unless otherwise specified, directional terms such as "up", "down", "left" and "right" can refer to the directions indicated in FIG. 1. The front-back, up-down, and left-right directions are mutually perpendicular. Generally, the side of the washing machine facing the user is considered the front, and the side away from the user is considered the back. The up-down direction can also refer to the direction of gravity relative to the washing machine. The terms "first" and "second" are used to distinguish one element from another and do not imply any order or importance. In the following description, when referring to the drawings, the same reference numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements, which will not be repeated in the disclosure.
  • In related technologies, for a dual-drum washing machine with a standard cabinet, it includes a first drum and a second drum. The second drum is arranged above the first drum. Due to the design of the standard cabinet, where the cabinet dimensions are fixed, the height of the second drum is typically greater than or equal to the height of a conventional detergent dispenser. Conventional manual dispensing relies on water flow utilizing gravity to flush laundry detergent from the dispenser into the drum. This makes it impossible to manual dispense laundry detergent into the second drum using conventional manual dispensing methods.
  • To solve the above technical problems, the invention provides a washing machine. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the washing machine includes: a first drum 1; a second drum 2, in which a diameter of the second drum 2 is smaller than a diameter of the first drum 1; and a door assembly 3 selectively covering an opening of the second drum 2, the door assembly 3 includes a door body 31, a protrusion 32 and a dispensing device 33, the protrusion 32 is arranged on an inside of the door body 31, the dispensing device 33 is arranged on the protrusion 32 and has a feeding port 50, a water inlet 10 and an outlet 20 being in communication with both the feeding port 50 and the water inlet 10.
  • Through the above technical solutions, in the washing machine provided by the invention, the user can put the laundry detergent into the dispensing device 33 via the feeding port 50. When the door assembly 3 closes the opening of the second drum 2, the second drum 2 can processed with washing the laundry. Since the dispensing device 33 is arranged on the protrusion 32, the outlet 20 is currently in communication with the interior of the second drum 2. When water enters the dispensing device 33 through the water inlet 10, it mixes with the laundry detergent and is flushed into the second drum 2 through the outlet 10. This enables manual dispensing of laundry detergent into the second drum 2 via the door.
  • In some implementations of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, the dispensing device 33 includes a mixing chamber 331. The mixing chamber 331 is connected between the water inlet 10 and the outlet 20, and it is also connected between the feeding port 50 and the outlet 20. This enables more effective mixing of the water flow with the laundry detergent, and facilitates the water flow carrying the laundry detergent to the outlet 20.
  • In some embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the dispensing device 33 includes a siphon structure arranged in the mixing chamber 331. The siphon structure may include a siphon pipe 332 and a siphon cap 333. The siphon pipe 332 is communicated with the outlet 20, and the siphon cap 333 is sleeved on the siphon pipe 332 and forms a siphon passage 30 with the siphon pipe 332.
  • Through the above technical solutions, when water flow is continuously entering the mixing chamber 331, the level of the mixture in the mixing chamber 331 continuously rises. When the level of the mixture exceeds the siphon position of the siphon structure, the mixture undergoes a siphon effect and continuously flows through the siphon passage 30 to the outlet 20, and then flows into the interior of the second drum 2. This thereby enables the manual siphoning of laundry detergent into the second drum 2. Since the diameter of the second drum 2 is smaller than that of the first drum 1, the second drum 2 may be used to wash smaller-sized or lighter clothing, while the first drum 1 may be used to wash larger-sized or heavier clothing.
  • It should be noted that the principle of the siphon effect in the mixture using the siphon pipe 332 and the siphon cap 333 is well known to those skilled in the art, which will not be repeated here. The laundry detergent in the invention at least includes detergent, fabric softener, disinfectant, etc., which is not limited by the invention. The aforementioned mixture is understood as a mixture of water and laundry detergent. In some embodiments, the protrusion 32 is made of glass, which is not limited by the invention.
  • In some implementations of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the dispensing device 33 includes a feeding chamber 334. The feeding chamber 334 is connected between the feeding port 50 and the mixing chamber 331, so that the laundry detergent can enter the feeding chamber through the feeding port and then flow into the mixing chamber, which facilitate the mixing of water flow and washing solution.
  • In some embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the protrusion 32 is provided with an accommodating cavity 321. The mixing chamber 331 and the feeding chamber 334 are both arranged in the accommodating cavity 321. This arrangement utilizes the inherent space of the protrusion 32 to accommodate the mixing chamber 331 and the feeding chamber 334, which reduces the volume of the door assembly 3, and facilitates the efficient utilization of space of the washing machine.
  • In some embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, the dispensing device 33 includes a cover 335. A first sub-cover 3351 of the cover 335 is used for covering over the feeding chamber 334, and the first sub-cover 3351 is provided with a vent hole 40 in communication with the feeding chamber 334. The vent hole 40 enables the communication between the feeding chamber 334 and the atmosphere, which facilitates the siphon effect of the mixture through the siphon structure. The first sub-cover 3351 is provided with the aforementioned feeding port 50.
  • In some implementations, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, there are a plurality of vent holes 40 arranged in rows and columns. The advantage of the configuration is that it allows for a reduction in the diameter of the vent hole 40 while maintaining the same layout area. This prevents foreign objects from entering the feeding chamber 334. Furthermore, the smaller diameter of vent hole 40 also prevents components inside the feeding chamber 334 from leaking out.
  • In some implementations, the feeding chamber 334 includes a plurality of separate compartments. For example, it may include three compartments, with each compartment dedicated to dispense laundry detergent, fabric softener, and disinfectant, respectively, which is not limited in the invention.
  • In some implementations, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, the cover 335 may include a second sub-cover 3352. The siphon cap 333 is connected to the second sub-cover3352. This allows the siphon cap 333 to be simultaneously fitted onto the siphon pipe 332 during the installation of the second portion 3352. The second sub-cover 3352 is used for covering over the mixing chamber 331 and is provided with the water inlet 10 formed therein, facilitating the formation of the water inlet 10.
  • In some embodiments, the cover 335 is detachably connected to the protrusion 32, which facilitates the disassembly, assembly, and replacement of the cover 335. After the cover 335 is removed, the user can clean residual liquid in the feeding chamber 334 and the mixing chamber 331. In some embodiments, the cover 335 and the protrusion 32 may be clutched together. For example, one of the cover 335 and the protrusion 32 is provided with a snap, while the other is provided with a matching slot. After pressing the snap into the slot, the cover 335 is clutched with the protrusion 32. Certainly, the cover 335 and the protrusion 32 may be connected via fasteners, which is not limited by the invention.
  • In some implementations of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the protrusion 32 has a first side and a second side opposite to each other in an axial direction of the door assembly 3, the first side is connected to the door body 31, and the second side is provided with the outlet 20. Since the second side is closer to the interior of the second drum 2 than the first side, this configuration further ensures that the mixture flowing out through the outlet 20 enters the interior of the second drum 2.
  • In some implementations of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the second drum 2 is arranged at the upper-right side of the first drum 1, which facilitates the user to fetch the washing inside the second drum 2. Certainly, in other implementations, the second drum 2 may also be arranged at the upper-left, lower-left or even lower-right side of the first drum 1, which is not limited by the invention.
  • In some implementations of the invention, the first drum 1 may also be configured with the aforementioned door assembly 3, which realizes manual delivery of washing solution into the first drum 1.
  • The preferential implementations of the invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific details of the above implementations, and the scope of the invention is defined by the claims.
  • In addition, it should be noted that the specific technical features described in the above implementations can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. To avoid unnecessary repetition, all possible combinations will not be further illustrated in the disclosure.
  • Moreover, the embodiments of the invention can be freely combined with one another, and provided that such combinations do not depart from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims, these combinations shall likewise be considered as part of the disclosure.

Claims (14)

  1. A washing machine, comprising:
    a first drum (1);
    a second drum (2), wherein a diameter of the second drum (2) is smaller than a diameter of the first drum (1); and
    a door assembly (3) selectively covering an opening of the second drum (2), wherein the door assembly (3) comprises a door body (31), a protrusion (32) and a dispensing device (33), the protrusion (32) is arranged on an inner side of the door body (31), and the dispensing device (33) is arranged on the protrusion (32) and has a feeding port (50), a water inlet (10) and an outlet (20) being in communication with both the feeding port (50) and the water inlet (10).
  2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the dispensing device (33) comprises a mixing chamber (331), and the mixing chamber (331) is connected between the water inlet (10) and the outlet (20), and is also connected between the feeding port (50) and the outlet (20).
  3. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the dispensing device (33) comprises a siphon structure arranged in the mixing chamber (331), the siphon structure comprises a siphon pipe (332) and a siphon cap (333), the siphon pipe (332) is communicated with the outlet (20), and the siphon cap (333) is sleeved on the siphon pipe (332) and forms a siphon passage (30) with the siphon pipe (332).
  4. The washing machine of claim 2 or 3, wherein the dispensing device (33) comprises a feeding chamber (334), and the feeding chamber (334) is connected between the feeding port (50) and the mixing chamber (331).
  5. The washing machine of claim 4, wherein the feeding chamber (334) comprises a plurality of separate compartments.
  6. The washing machine of claim 4 or 5, wherein the protrusion (32) is provided with an accommodating cavity (321), and both the mixing chamber (331) and the feeding chamber (334) are arranged in the accommodating cavity (321).
  7. The washing machine of any one of claims 4-6, wherein the dispensing device (33) comprises a cover (335), the cover (335) comprises a first sub-cover (3351) covering over the feeding chamber (334), and the first sub-cover (3351) is provided with a vent hole (40) in communication with the feeding chamber (334).
  8. The washing machine of claim 7, wherein the first sub-cover (3351) comprises a plurality of vent holes arranged in rows and columns.
  9. The washing machine of claim 7 or 8, wherein the cover (335) comprises a second sub-cover (3352) covering over the mixing chamber (331), the siphon cap (333) is connected to the second sub-cover (3352), and the second sub-cover (3352) is provided with the water inlet (10).
  10. The washing machine of any one of claims 7-9, wherein the cover (335) is detachably connected to the protrusion (32).
  11. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein the cover (335) and the protrusion (32) are clutched together or connected via fasteners.
  12. The washing machine of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the protrusion (32) has a first side and a second side opposite to each other in an axial direction of the door assembly (3), the first side is connected to the door body (31), and the second side is provided with the outlet (20).
  13. The washing machine of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the second drum (2) is arranged at an upper-right side of the first drum (1).
  14. The washing machine of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first drum (1) is further provided the door assembly (3).
EP25210876.6A 2024-10-24 2025-10-23 Washing machine Pending EP4733472A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN202422589000.1U CN223409905U (en) 2024-10-24 2024-10-24 Washing machine

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4733472A1 true EP4733472A1 (en) 2026-04-29

Family

ID=97209185

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP25210876.6A Pending EP4733472A1 (en) 2024-10-24 2025-10-23 Washing machine

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4733472A1 (en)
CN (1) CN223409905U (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070240456A1 (en) * 2006-04-13 2007-10-18 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Drum washing machine with detergent supply device
CN103850085A (en) * 2014-02-21 2014-06-11 合肥荣事达三洋电器股份有限公司 Double-drum washing machine
CN117845554A (en) * 2022-09-30 2024-04-09 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 Detergent dispensing device, door assembly, clothing processing equipment

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070240456A1 (en) * 2006-04-13 2007-10-18 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Drum washing machine with detergent supply device
CN103850085A (en) * 2014-02-21 2014-06-11 合肥荣事达三洋电器股份有限公司 Double-drum washing machine
CN117845554A (en) * 2022-09-30 2024-04-09 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 Detergent dispensing device, door assembly, clothing processing equipment

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN223409905U (en) 2025-10-03

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