DETERGENT BOX ASSEMBLY AND WASHING APPARATUS

Abstract

 The present application relates to the technical field of laundry treatment. Provided are a detergent box assembly and a washing apparatus. The detergent box assembly comprises a detergent box and a scale inhibition device, wherein a water injection flow channel, an accommodating cavity and a liquid output flow channel are formed in the detergent box; the liquid output flow channel is in communication with the accommodating cavity; the scale inhibition device is arranged in the accommodating cavity, is located below the water injection flow channel, and is provided with a water inlet and a water outlet; and the water inlet is open towards the water injection flow channel. The scale inhibition device is mounted in the detergent box and is located below the water injection flow channel, the water inlet is open towards the water injection flow channel, and a water flow from the water injection flow channel enters the water inlet from top to bottom and is in a dispersed state under the action of gravity, etc.; in this way, the surface area of the water flow, and the contact area between the water flow and the scale inhibition device are relatively large, such that the reaction efficiency can be effectively improved.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is filed based on and claims priorities to Chinese patent application No. 202210342297.4 filed on March 31, 2022 and Chinese patent application No. 202220738865.8 filed on March 31, 2022, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The application relates to the technical field of laundry treatment, and in particular to a detergent box assembly and a washing apparatus.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Tap water flows into a washing drum of a washing apparatus to wash laundries. Calcium ions, magnesium ions, or the like in the tap water may easily form inorganic salt precipitation which is difficult to be soluble in water. The inorganic salt precipitation which is difficult to be soluble in water may be easily deposited on surfaces of parts such as the washing drum or the like, which results in premature aging of the parts, reduces performance of the washing apparatus, and shortens service life of the washing apparatus. Calcium ions and magnesium ions may also easily cause the laundries to turn yellow, and make the laundries dull, stiff and rough to touch by hand.

SUMMARY

[0004] In view of this, the application is desired to provide a detergent box assembly and a washing apparatus which may reduce scales.

[0005] In order to achieve the above purpose, the application provides a detergent box assembly, the detergent box assembly comprises a detergent box and an anti-fouling device.

[0006] The detergent box is provided with a water injection channel, an accommodation cavity and a liquid outlet channel, the liquid outlet channel communicates with the accommodation cavity.

[0007] The anti-fouling device is arranged in the accommodation cavity, and is located below the water injection channel, and is provided with a water inlet and a water outlet, the water inlet is opened facing the water injection channel.

[0008] In some implementations, the anti-fouling device may comprise a flow-passage housing and an anti-fouling member, the flow-passage housing is provided with the water inlet, a flow-passage chamber and the water outlet, the anti-fouling member is arranged in the flow-passage chamber, the flow-passage housing is arranged in the accommodation cavity and is located below the water injection channel, the water inlet is communicated with the water injection channel and the flow-passage chamber, and the plurality of water outlets are communicated with the flow-passage chamber and the accommodation cavity.

[0009] In some implementations, the detergent box may comprise a box main body and a liquid dispensing member, both the water injection channel and the liquid outlet channel are formed in the box main body, the accommodation cavity is formed in the liquid dispensing member, the box main body is provided with an access opening, and the liquid dispensing member is configured to be inserted into the box main body or be pulled out from the box main body through the access opening.

[0010] In some implementations, the accommodation cavity may be provided with an opening at a top side thereof, and the anti-fouling device is configured to be taken out from the accommodation cavity or be put into the accommodation cavity through the opening at the top side of the accommodation cavity.

[0011] In some implementations, the box main body may comprise a box cover and a box body.

[0012] The water injection channel is formed on the box cover.

[0013] The box body is provided with an opening groove, the opening groove is provided with an opening at a top side thereof, the liquid dispensing member is located in the opening groove, and the box cover covers the opening at the top side of the opening groove, to cooperate together to form the liquid outlet channel.

[0014] In some implementations, the box cover may comprise an upper cover and a lower cover, the upper cover is provided with an injection opening, the lower cover is provided with a water injection groove and a spray hole communicated with the water injection groove, the water injection groove is provided with an opening at a top side thereof, and the upper cover covers the opening at the top side of the water injection groove, the water injection channel is formed by the injection opening, the water injection groove and the spray hole together.

[0015] In some implementations, the anti-fouling device may be detachably connected to the detergent box.

[0016] In some implementations, the detergent box may comprise an elastic member, the elastic member is arranged in at least one side surface of the accommodation cavity and abuts against the anti-fouling device tightly.

[0017] In some implementations, the detergent box may be provided with a detergent groove and an incoming water channel, the incoming water channel is separated from the water injection channel, the detergent groove is separated from the accommodation cavity, both the liquid outlet channel and the incoming water channel are communicated with the detergent groove.

[0018] In some implementations, multiple spray holes may be formed in a lower side surface of the water injection channel, and may be located above the water inlet.

[0019] In some implementations, taking a plane perpendicular to an up-down direction as a projection surface, projections of multiple spray holes may be in a range of projection of the water inlet.

[0020] The application further provides a washing apparatus, the washing apparatus comprises a washing drum and the detergent box assembly as described in any one of the above paragraphs.

[0021] The washing drum is provided with a washing cavity.

[0022] The liquid outlet channel is communicated with the washing cavity.

[0023] On one hand, the detergent box assembly provided in embodiments of the application is equipped with the anti-fouling device in the detergent box, to provide softened water for the washing apparatus. That is, hardness of water from the water injection channel is reduced by the anti-fouling device, so that the water is softened to form the softened water, and the softened water is difficult to form inorganic salt precipitation. In this way, the softened water comes into contact with laundries and/or detergent, which may not only prevent inorganic salt precipitation from depositing on surfaces of parts such as the washing drum or the like, but also prevent inorganic salt precipitation from reacting with the detergent, affecting washing effect, and preventing the laundries from becoming dull and stiff. On the other hand, size of the detergent box in the up-down direction is relatively large, so that size of the accommodation cavity may also be large, which reduces design difficulty of the detergent box assembly, and facilitates assembly of the anti-fouling device into the accommodation cavity. On the other hand, the anti-fouling device is located below the water injection channel, the water inlet is opened toward the water injection channel, water flow from the water injection channel enters the water inlet from top to bottom, and the water flow is in a dispersed state with an action of gravity, etc. In this way, the water flow has a large surface area, and a contact area between the water flow and the anti-fouling device is large, which may effectively improve reaction efficiency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] 

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a detergent box assembly provided in an embodiment of the application.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the detergent box assembly shown in FIG. 1 from another visual angle.

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view of the detergent box assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the detergent box assembly shown in FIG. 2 without showing an upper cover.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view along a direction A-A of FIG. 4, in which dotted arrows schematically show a flow direction of water flow.

FIG. 6 is a schematic enlarged view at B of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded view of a scale inhibition device provided in an embodiment of the application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] It should be noted that embodiments of the application and technical features in the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict. Detailed descriptions in specific implementations should be understood as an explanation and description of the purpose of the application, and should not be considered as undue limitation of the application.

[0026] In the embodiments of the application, orientation or position relationships such as "up", "down", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "left" and "right" are based on orientation or position relationships shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 5. It should be understood that these orientation terms are only intended to facilitate describing the application and simplify descriptions, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the referred device or component must have a specific orientation, or must be configured and operate in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be understood as limitation of the application. The application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0027] In the related art, a tap water channel is formed on a box cover of a detergent box. A scale inhibitor is placed in the box cover of the detergent box. The tap water flushes the scale inhibitor to form softened water. Then, the softened water flows into a washing drum of the washing apparatus. Since size of the box cover in an up-down direction is small, and both the tap water channel and the scale inhibitor are arranged on the box cover, this result in a small size of the tap water channel and a small cross-section for a beam of water flow to pass through; furthermore, the water flow and the scale inhibitor are substantially in the same plane, which results in a small contact area between the water flow and the scale inhibitor, and a low reaction efficiency. If it is desired to increase concentration of the scale inhibitor in the water flow, it needs to increase length of the tap water channel and slow down a flow rate of the water flow, to extend time for the water flow to contact the scale inhibitor. However, the size of the box cover is limited, and the length and cross-section area of the tap water channel are limited. In this way, it is not only difficult to assemble the scale inhibitor into the tap water channel, but also it may affect the flow rate of the tap water, which greatly increase time for water to enter the washing apparatus.

[0028] With reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, an embodiment of the application provides a detergent box assembly. The detergent box assembly includes a detergent box 1 and a scale inhibition device 2. The detergent box 1 is formed with a water injection channel 1a, an accommodation cavity 1b and a liquid outlet channel 1c, the liquid outlet channel 1c is communicated with the accommodation cavity 1b. The scale inhibition device 2 is arranged in the accommodation cavity 1b, and is located below the water injection channel 1a, and is provided with a water inlet 21a and water outlets 21c, the water inlet 21a is opened toward the water injection channel 1a. Specifically, the water injection channel 1a injects water into the scale inhibition device 2 through the water inlet 21a. Water softened by the scale inhibition device 2 enters the accommodation cavity 1b through the water outlets 21c, and then is discharged out of the detergent box 1 from the liquid outlet channel 1c, for example, discharged into the washing drum of the washing apparatus.

[0029] On one hand, the detergent box assembly provided in the embodiment of the application is equipped with the scale inhibition device 2 in the detergent box 1, to provide softened water for the washing apparatus. That is, hardness of water from the water injection channel 1a is reduced by the scale inhibition device 2, so that the water is softened to form the softened water, and the softened water is difficult to form inorganic salt precipitation. In this way, the softened water comes into contact with laundries and/or detergent, which may not only prevent inorganic salt precipitation from depositing on surfaces of parts such as the washing drum or the like, but also prevent inorganic salt precipitation from reacting with the detergent, affecting washing effect, and preventing the laundries from becoming dull and stiff. On the other hand, size of the detergent box 1 in the up-down direction is relatively large, so that size of the accommodation cavity 1b may also be large, which reduces design difficulty of the detergent box assembly, and facilitates assembly of the scale inhibition device 2 into the accommodation cavity 1b. On the other hand, the scale inhibition device 2 is located below the water injection channel 1a, the water inlet 21a is opened toward the water injection channel 1a, water flow from the water injection channel 1a enters the water inlet 21a from top to bottom, and the water flow is in a dispersed state with an action of gravity, etc. In this way, the water flow has a large surface area, and a contact area between the water flow and the scale inhibition device 2 is large, which may effectively improve reaction efficiency.

[0030] It should be noted that "up" refers to a direction of the side where the ceiling is located, and "down" refers to a direction opposite to "up".

[0031] It may be understood that the water injection channel 1a may be connected to a user's tap water pipe through a pipeline, so that the tap water may enter a flow-passage chamber 21b through the water injection channel 1a, to reduce hardness of the tap water.

[0032] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, the scale inhibition device 2 includes a flow-passage housing 21 and a scale inhibition member 22, the flow-passage housing 21 is formed with the water inlet 21a, a flow-passage chamber 21b and the water outlets 21c, the scale inhibition member 22 is arranged in the flow-passage chamber 21b, the flow-passage housing 21 is arranged in the accommodation cavity 1b and is located below the water injection channel 1a, the water inlet 21a is communicated with the water injection channel 1a and the flow-passage chamber 21b, and the water outlets 21c are communicated with the flow-passage chamber 21b and the accommodation cavity 1b. Specifically, the water injection channel 1a injects water into the flow-passage chamber 21b through the water inlet 21a. The scale inhibition member 22 is configured to react with the water in the flow-passage chamber 21b, to reduce hardness of the water. The water in the flow-passage chamber 21b enters the accommodation cavity 1b through the water outlets 21c. In this way, a water flow in a dispersed state may quickly enter the flow-passage chamber 21 through the water inlet 21c, the flow-passage chamber 21b provides a certain buffer space for the water, and the water flow may maintain a relatively fast flow rate, which increases time for the water to contact the scale inhibition member 22, so that the water may fully react with the scale inhibition member 22.

[0033] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 6, the water inlet 21a is formed in an upper side surface of the flow-passage housing 21, and the water outlets 21c are formed in a lower side surface of the flow-passage housing 21. In this way, on one hand, the water flow enters from the upper side and exits from the lower side, resistance thereof is small; on the other hand, the water in the flow-passage chamber 21b may be fully drained.

[0034] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the detergent box 1 includes a box main body 11 and a liquid dispensing member 12, both the water injection channel 1a and the liquid outlet channel 1c are formed in the box main body 11, the accommodation cavity 1b is formed in the liquid dispensing member 12, the box main body 11 is formed with an access opening 11a, and the liquid dispensing member 12 is configured to insert into the box main body 11 or pull out from the box main body 11 through the access opening 11a. In this way, it facilitates the user to replace or maintain the scale inhibition device 2. For example, when it needs to replace or maintain the scale inhibition device 2, the user may pull out the liquid dispensing member 12 from the box main body 11 through the access opening 11a, and the user may take out the scale inhibition device 2. After replacement or maintenance is completed, the user may insert the liquid dispensing member 12 into the box main body 11.

[0035] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 5, the access opening 11a may be formed in a front side surface of the box main body 11. In this way, the user may draw and pull the liquid dispensing member 12 from the front side, which facilitates operations.

[0036] It should be noted that "front" refers to a direction facing toward the user, and "rear" refers to a direction opposite to "front".

[0037] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 3, the accommodation cavity 1b is provided with an opening at a top side thereof, and the scale inhibition device 2 is configured to take out from the accommodation cavity 1b or put into the accommodation cavity 1b through the opening at the top side of the accommodation cavity 1b. For example, the flow-passage housing 21 may be taken out from the accommodation cavity 1b or put into the accommodation cavity 1b through the opening at the top side of the accommodation cavity 1b. With this design, it not only facilitates the user to take or place the scale inhibition device 2 with his/her hands, but also prevents the scale inhibition device 2 from falling out of the accommodation cavity 1b to a certain extent.

[0038] It should be noted that "top" is consistent with an upper direction, and "bottom" is consistent with a lower direction.

[0039] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 3, the scale inhibition device 2 is detachably connected to the detergent box 1. In this way, the scale inhibition device 2 is prevented from moving arbitrarily in the accommodation cavity 1b with an impact of the water flow, and the scale inhibition device 2 is also prevented from falling out of the accommodation cavity 1b after it is touched by mistake.

[0040] Exemplarily, in an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 3, the flow-passage housing 21 is detachably connected to the liquid dispensing member 12. In this way, the scale inhibition device 2 is prevented from moving arbitrarily in the accommodation cavity 1b with an impact of the water flow, and assembly strength between the flow-passage housing 21 and the liquid dispensing member 12 may also be enhanced, to prevent the scale inhibition device 2 from falling out of the accommodation cavity 1b after it is touched by mistake.

[0041] Modes of detachably connecting the flow-passage housing 21 to the liquid dispensing member 12 are not limited. In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the detergent box 1 includes an elastic member 13, the elastic member 13 is arranged in at least one side surface of the accommodation cavity 1b and abuts against the scale inhibition device 2 tightly. For example, the elastic member 13 tightly abuts the flow-passage housing 21 against interior of the accommodation cavity 1b. When the scale inhibition device 2 is assembled, the scale inhibition device 2 is pressed toward interior of the accommodation cavity 1b, until the elastic member 13 abuts against the flow-passage housing 21 tightly to complete installation. In this way, elastic force of the elastic member 13 is used to abut against the flow-passage housing 21 tightly, thereby preventing the scale inhibition device 2 from falling out of the accommodation cavity 1b after it is touched by mistake.

[0042] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, elastic members 13 are arranged in two opposite side surfaces of the accommodation cavity 1b, and two opposite-arranged elastic members 13 tightly abut against two opposite side surfaces of the flow-passage housing 21 respectively. In this way, the scale inhibition device 2 may be stably assembled more reliably and effectively.

[0043] Specific shape of the elastic member 13 is not limited. Exemplarily, in an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the elastic member 13 is substantially in a shape of a sheet, and two elastic members 13 are located at two ends in a length direction of the flow-passage housing 21 respectively. The length direction of the flow-passage housing 21 is consistent with a horizontal direction. In a process of pressing the flow-passage housing 21 downward, the flow-passage housing 21 squeezes the elastic member 13, so that the elastic member 13 generates elastic deformation. When the flow-passage housing 21 moves downward to a set position, pressing force on the flow-passage housing 21 is cancelled, and elastic force of the elastic member 13 abuts against the flow-passage housing 21 tightly. In this way, the elastic member 13 has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture, and two elastic members 13 may effectively limit position in the length direction of the flow-passage housing 21. When the scale inhibition device 2 is disassembled, the user may grasp two side surfaces in a width direction of the flow-passage housing 21, or apply force to the scale inhibition device 2 to press any one of the elastic members 13 so that the elastic member 13 expands in the length direction, while lift and pull the scale inhibition device 2 upward until the scale inhibition device 2 goes out of the accommodation cavity 1b from the opening at the top side thereof, which facilitates the user to operate.

[0044] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, a communication opening 12a is formed at a side of the liquid dispensing member 12 away from the access opening 11a. The communication opening 12a is communicated with the accommodation cavity 1b and the liquid outlet channel 1c. For example, the communication opening 12a is formed in a rear side surface of the liquid dispensing member 12. In this way, liquid in the accommodation cavity 1b enters the liquid outlet channel 1c through the communication opening 12a.

[0045] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a part of a bottom surface of the accommodation cavity 1b away from the communication opening 12a is higher than a part of the bottom surface of the accommodation cavity 1b close to the communication opening 12a. That is, the bottom surface of the accommodation cavity 1b is inclined downward in a direction from being away from the communication opening 12a to being close to the communication opening 12a. With this design, the bottom surface of the accommodation cavity 1b plays a role of guiding flow, to facilitate guiding the liquid in the accommodation cavity 1b to the communication opening 12a, so that the liquid is quickly discharged to the liquid outlet channel 1c.

[0046] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, a circulation opening 12b is formed at the side of the liquid dispensing member 12 away from the access opening 11a. The circulation opening 12b is communicated with a detergent groove 1d and the liquid outlet channel 1c. For example, the circulation opening 12b is formed in the rear side surface of the liquid dispensing member 12. In this way, the detergent enters the liquid outlet channel 1c through the circulation opening 12b.

[0047] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, overflow openings 21d are formed in a rear side surface of the flow-passage housing 21 and are communicated with the flow-passage chamber 21b. Exemplarily, in case that viscosity of the softened water is relatively large, and/or water pressure in the water injection channel 1a is unstable, or in other cases, a problem of flow rates of incoming water and outlet water mismatching phase-wise or other problems easily occur, and a case of upward water overflow may occur to the water inlet 21a. Here, a water outlet area is increased through the overflow openings 21d, and the water in the flow-passage chamber 21b flows out from the water outlets 21c and the overflow openings 21d, to speed up the flow rate of outlet water. Furthermore, since the communication opening 12a is formed in the rear side surface of the liquid dispensing member 12 and the overflow openings 21d are formed in the rear side surface of the flow-passage housing 21, this may also prevent the liquid dispensing member 12 and the flow-passage housing 21 from interfering with each other, so that the water flow smoother.

[0048] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, the box main body 11 includes a box cover 111 and a box body 112. The water injection channel 1a is formed on the box cover 111. The box body 112 is formed with an opening groove 112a, the opening groove 112a is provided with an opening at a top side thereof, the liquid dispensing member 12 is located in the opening groove 112a, and the box cover 111 covers the opening at the top side of the opening groove 112a, to cooperate together to form the liquid outlet channel 1c. In this way, the box cover 111 and the box body 112 may also be manufactured separately, to reduce manufacturing difficulty. The opening groove 112a is formed on the box body 112, and the water flow may substantially in a trend of flowing downward, to reduce resistance of the water flow and facilitate discharging the liquid quickly.

[0049] In some embodiments, the box cover 111 may be connected to the box body 112 in non-detachable modes such as ultrasonic welding, or bonding, etc. The box cover 111 may also be connected to the box body 112 in detachable modes such as snap-fitting or screw connection, etc. An assembly gap between the box cover 111 and the box body 112 may also be sealed through an sealant or a sealing ring or other structures, to improve sealing performance.

[0050] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 3, the box cover 111 includes an upper cover 1111 and a lower cover 1112, the upper cover 1111 is formed with an injection opening 1111a, the lower cover 1112 is formed with a water injection groove 1112a and spray holes 1112b communicated with the water injection groove 1112a, the water injection groove 1112a is provided with an opening at a top side thereof, and the upper cover 1111 covers the opening at the top side of the water injection groove 1112a, the injection opening 1111a, the water injection groove 1112a and the spray holes 1112b, to form the water injection channel 1a together. That is, water from the injection opening 1111a is guided to the spray holes 1112b through the water injection groove 1112a, and then is sprayed through the spray holes 1112b, to enter the water inlet 21a.

[0051] In some embodiments, the injection opening 1111a may be connected to a water inlet valve of the washing apparatus through an injection pipe, and the water inlet valve is connected to the tap water pipe. In this way, the tap water may be introduced into the injection opening 1111a through the injection pipe.

[0052] In some embodiments, the upper cover 1111 may be connected to the lower cover 1112 in non-detachable modes such as ultrasonic welding, or bonding, etc. The upper cover 1111 may also be connected to the lower cover 1112 in detachable modes such as snap-fitting or screw connection, etc. An assembly gap between the upper cover 1111 and the lower cover 1112 may also be sealed through an sealant or a sealing ring or other structures, to improve sealing performance.

[0053] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the detergent box 1 is formed with a detergent groove 1d and an incoming water channel 1e, the incoming water channel 1e is separated from the water injection channel 1a, the detergent groove 1d is separated from the accommodation cavity 1b, both the liquid outlet channel 1c and the incoming water channel 1e are communicated with the detergent groove 1d. The detergent groove 1d is configured to hold the detergent. That is, water cannot circulate between the incoming water channel 1e and the water injection channel 1a, and the detergent in the detergent groove 1d and the water in the accommodation cavity 1b cannot circulate with each other. After water from the incoming water channel 1e enters the detergent groove 1d, the water flushes the detergent into the liquid outlet channel 1c. After water from the water injection channel 1a enters the flow-passage chamber 21b and is softened, the water enters the liquid outlet channel 1c through the accommodation cavity 1b. The detergent and softened water may be mixed in the liquid outlet channel 1c. In this way, it may not only ensure a large amount of incoming water, but also moderately reduce hardness of the water, so that both the amount of incoming water and hardness of the water are taken into account.

[0054] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG. 3, the detergent groove 1d is provided with an opening at a top side thereof, and the user may add detergent into the detergent groove 1d through the opening at the top side thereof. The detergent may enter a washing cavity through the liquid outlet channel 1c, to wash laundries.

[0055] The incoming water channel 1e and the water injection channel 1a may be separately controlled respectively for water entry, to implement multiple liquid entry modes and enrich functions of the washing apparatus. Exemplarily, in some embodiments, the incoming water channel 1e may be controlled to implement water entry separately, so that the detergent may be separately sent into the washing cavity. In some other embodiments, the water injection channel 1a may be controlled to implement water entry separately, so that the softened water may be separately sent into the washing cavity. In some other embodiments, the water injection channel 1a and the incoming water channel 1e may be controlled to implement water entry synchronously, so that the softened water and detergent may be premixed in the liquid outlet channel 1c and then sent into the washing cavity.

[0056] In some embodiments, the detergent groove 1d may also be communicated with the accommodation cavity 1b. In this way, the incoming water channel 1e may not be provided, instead, the softened water may be used to flush the detergent into the liquid outlet channel 1c, thereby simplifying structures.

[0057] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 3, the detergent groove 1d is formed on the liquid dispensing member 12, and the accommodation cavity 1b and the detergent groove 1d may be arranged at an interval in a left-right direction. In this way, volumes of both the accommodation cavity 1b and the detergent groove 1d may be large without increasing size of the liquid dispensing member 12 in the up-down direction.

[0058] It should be noted that the up-down direction, a front-rear direction and the left-right direction are perpendicular to each other and form a three-dimensional vertical coordinate system together.

[0059] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 5, multiple spray holes 1112b are formed in a lower side surface of the water injection channel 1a, and are located above the water inlet 21a. The spray holes 1112b penetrate the lower side surface of the water injection channel 1a, and are configured to spray the water from the water injection channel 1a into the water inlet 21a. The spray holes 1112b may have small diameters, to disperse the water flow and increase a contact area between the water flow and the scale inhibitor.

[0060] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, taking a plane perpendicular to an up-down direction as a projection surface, projections of multiple spray holes 1112b are in a range of projection of the water inlet 21a. That is, area of the water inlet 21a is greater than a sum of areas of multiple spray holes 1112b. In this way, the water inlet 21a has a large size, which facilitates the water inlet 21a to receive water from the spray holes 1112b.

[0061] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 7, the scale inhibition member 22 includes a filter housing 221 and a scale inhibitor. The filter housing 221 is formed with multiple filter holes (not shown in the figure), and the scale inhibitor is contained in the filter housing 221. The filter holes are communicated with space in the filter housing 221 and the flow-passage chamber 21b. The filter holes are configured to implement water circulation between interior of the filter housing 221 and the flow-passage chamber 21b. The water in the flow-passage chamber 21b enter interior of the filter housing 221 through the filter holes, to react with the scale inhibitor to generate softened water. The softened water flows out of the flow-passage chamber 21b through the filter holes, and is discharged into the accommodation cavity 1b through the water outlets 21c. The scale inhibitor is limited by the filter housing 221, to prevent the scale inhibitor from blocking the water outlets 21c.

[0062] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a length direction of the filter housing 221 is perpendicular to the up-down direction. Drain openings 221a are formed in an end surface of the filter housing 221 facing the overflow openings 21d of the flow-passage housing 21. The drain openings 221a are communicated with the space in the filter housing 221 and the overflow openings 21d. In this way, it prevents the softened water from accumulating in the filter housing 221.

[0063] It should be noted that the softened water refers to water after its hardness is reduced by the scale inhibitor.

[0064] The scale inhibitor refers to a substance which may disperse, interfere or prevent generation of insoluble inorganic salt. The scale inhibitor may be a solid substance, and may be slowly dissolved and released when it is exposed to water. For example, the scale inhibitor is in a shape of granules. In this way, the scale inhibitor may be placed in the filter housing 221, and the scale inhibitor has a volume greater than sizes of the filter holes, which may prevent the scale inhibitor from going out of the filter housing 221 through the filter holes.

[0065] Modes of reducing hardness of the water by the scale inhibitor are not limited. Scale inhibition mechanisms of the scale inhibitor include, but are not limited to chelation and solubilization, agglomeration and dispersion, electrostatic repulsion, or crystal distortion, etc.

[0066] Exemplarily, in an embodiment, the scale inhibitor is complex with calcium ions, magnesium ions and other ions, to form a stable water-soluble chelate. The water-soluble chelate is easy to be soluble in water, thereby achieving a scale inhibition effect by chelation and solubilization. In another embodiment, the scale inhibitor is an anionic organic compound, and adsorbs calcium ions, magnesium ions or other cations, to form a water-soluble substance, so that the water-soluble substance is dispersed in water, thereby achieving the scale inhibition effect by adsorption and dispersion. In yet another embodiment, molecules of the scale inhibitor are adsorbed on lattice point needles of crystal active growth points during scale formation, so that scale crystals cannot be normally formed according to a lattice arrangement, and distortion of the scale crystals occurs, which makes internal stress of the scale crystals increase to break the scale crystals, thereby preventing microcrystals from depositing to form scales, this achieves the scale inhibition effect by crystal distortion. In yet another embodiment, the scale inhibitor may generate a weak electrical interference effect with cations and anions in the water, and scale-forming factors are captured in advance and thus deactivated. Cations include, but are not limited to copper ions, iron ions, calcium ions, magnesium ions, etc. Anions include, but are not limited to CO32-, HCO3-, SO42-, etc. Types of the scale inhibitor in the embodiment of the application are not limited to types in the above examples. Any scale inhibitor in the related art which may implement scale inhibition for the water may be used.

[0067] In an embodiment, with reference to FIG. 7, the flow-passage housing 21 includes a shell 211 and two end covers 212. The shell 211 is provided with openings at two ends in a length direction thereof. The two end covers 212 detachably cover the openings at two ends in the length direction of the shell 211 respectively, to define the flow-passage chamber 21b together. Both the water inlet 21a and the water outlets 21c are formed on the shell 211, and the overflow openings 21d are formed on one of the end covers 212.

[0068] Exemplarily, with reference to FIG. 7, one of the two end covers 212 is snap-fitted with the shell 211, and another one of the two end covers 212 is threadedly connected to the shell 211. In this way, it not only facilitates quick assembly of the two end covers 212 and the shell 21, but also facilitates quick assembly and disassembly of the scale inhibition member 22.

[0069] An embodiment of the application further provides a washing apparatus, the washing apparatus includes a washing drum and the detergent box assembly in any one of the embodiments of the application. The washing drum is formed with a washing cavity. The liquid outlet channel 1c is communicated with the washing cavity. Liquid from the accommodation cavity 1b is sent into the washing cavity through the liquid outlet channel 1c.

[0070] In the washing apparatus provided in the embodiment of the application, the scale inhibition device 2 provides softened water to the washing apparatus. In this way, the softened water is in contact with laundries and/or detergent, to prevent inorganic salt precipitation which is difficult to be soluble in water from depositing on surfaces of the washing drum, prevent the inorganic salt precipitation from reacting with the detergent, and prevent the laundries from turning yellow and becoming stiff.

[0071] The washing apparatus may also be provided with a drying function, that is, the washing apparatus may also be provided with a drying air duct communicated with the washing cavity. The drying air duct supplies airflow into the washing cavity, to dry the laundries in the washing cavity.

[0072] In some embodiments, the washing drum is rotatable. In this way, movement of the laundries and water flow may be driven by rotation of the washing drum, to wash the laundries. For example, cleaning, rinsing, dehydration or the like of the laundries may be implemented by rotation of the washing drum.

[0073] In some embodiments, the washing apparatus may also include a tub sleeved out of the washing drum. Through holes may be formed in a circumferential surface of the washing drum. The tub may be configured to hold water, and the water in the tub may enter the washing drum or flow out of the washing drum through the through holes.

[0074] In some embodiments, an axis of the washing drum may be in a horizontal direction. In other words, the washing apparatus may be a drum-type washing apparatus. Exemplarily, axes of both the tub and the washing drum are in the horizontal direction, and both the washing drum and the tub are opened toward their front sides. In this way, the user may put laundries into the washing cavity or take laundries out of the washing cavity through openings at the front sides of the washing drum and the tub.

[0075] In some embodiments, the washing apparatus includes a casing provided with a drawing-pulling opening. Both the washing drum and the detergent box assembly may be arranged in the casing. The box main body 11 may be fixed on the casing, with the access opening 11a facing the drawing-pulling opening. The liquid dispensing member 12 is arranged at the drawing-pulling opening, to be drawable and pullable. The liquid dispensing member 12 may be drawn out of the casing or pushed into the casing through the drawing-pulling opening. The liquid dispensing member 12 is drawn out of the casing from the drawing-pulling opening, so that the user may add detergent into the liquid dispensing member 12 or replace the scale inhibition device 2. After processing is completed, the liquid dispensing member 12 is pushed into the casing. The casing may prevent the user or other objects from touching the liquid dispensing member 12, the scale inhibition device 2 or the like by mistake.

[0076] In some embodiments, the drawing-pulling opening may be located at an upper left corner or upper right corner of a front side surface of the casing. In this way, the drawing-pulling opening faces the user, and the user may draw and pull the liquid dispensing member 12 without bending down or by bending down slightly, which facilitates operations.

[0077] In an embodiment, the washing apparatus includes a heater, and the heater is configured to heat the water in the washing cavity. Hot water generated by the heater is configured to wash laundries, to improve washing efficiency.

[0078] Position of the heater is not limited. For example, the heater may be located in a space between the washing drum and the tub. In this way, it prevents the laundries in the washing drum from coming into contact with the heater. Since the scale inhibitor may reduce inorganic salt substances which are contained in water and difficult to be soluble in water, it may prevent the inorganic salt substances which are difficult to be soluble in water from depositing on the heater, thereby improving service life and heating efficiency of the heater.

[0079] The above descriptions are only specific implementations of the application, however, the scope of protection of the application is not limited thereto. Variation or replacement easily conceived by any technician familiar with this technical field within the technical scope disclosed in the application, should fall within the scope of protection of the application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the application should be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A detergent box assembly, comprising:

a detergent box, provided with a water injection channel, an accommodation cavity and a liquid outlet channel, the liquid outlet channel communicates with the accommodation cavity; and

an anti-fouling device, arranged in the accommodation cavity, and located below the water injection channel, and provided with a water inlet and a water outlet, the water inlet opened facing the water injection channel.

2. The detergent box assembly of claim 1, wherein the anti-fouling device comprises a flow-passage housing and an anti-fouling member, the flow-passage housing is provided with the water inlet, a flow-passage chamber and the water outlet, the anti-fouling member is arranged in the flow-passage chamber, the flow-passage housing is arranged in the accommodation cavity and is located below the water injection channel, the water inlet is communicated with the water injection channel and the flow-passage chamber, and the plurality of water outlets are communicated with the flow-passage chamber and the accommodation cavity.

3. The detergent box assembly of claim 1, wherein the detergent box comprises a box main body and a liquid dispensing member, both the water injection channel and the liquid outlet channel are formed in the box main body, the accommodation cavity is formed in the liquid dispensing member, the box main body is provided with an access opening, and the liquid dispensing member is configured to be inserted into the box main body or be pulled out from the box main body through the access opening.

4. The detergent box assembly of claim 3, wherein the accommodation cavity is provided with an opening at a top side thereof, and the anti-fouling device is configured to be taken out from the accommodation cavity or be put into the accommodation cavity through the opening at the top side of the accommodation cavity.

5. The detergent box assembly of claim 3, wherein the box main body comprises:

a box cover, on which the water injection channel is formed; and

a box body, provided with an opening groove, the opening groove provided with an opening at a top side thereof, the liquid dispensing member located in the opening groove, and the box cover covering the opening at the top side of the opening groove, to cooperate together to form the liquid outlet channel.

6. The detergent box assembly of claim 5, wherein the box cover comprises an upper cover and a lower cover, the upper cover is provided with an injection opening, the lower cover is provided with a water injection groove and a spray hole communicated with the water injection groove, the water injection groove is provided with an opening at a top side thereof, and the upper cover covers the opening at the top side of the water injection groove, the water injection channel is formed by the injection opening, the water injection groove and the spray hole together.

7. The detergent box assembly of claim 1, wherein the anti-fouling device is detachably connected to the detergent box.

8. The detergent box assembly of claim 7, wherein the detergent box comprises an elastic member, the elastic member is arranged on at least one side surface of the accommodation cavity and abuts against the anti-fouling device tightly.

9. The detergent box assembly of claim 1, wherein the detergent box is provided with a detergent groove and an incoming water channel, the incoming water channel is separated from the water injection channel, the detergent groove is separated from the accommodation cavity, both the liquid outlet channel and the incoming water channel are communicated with the detergent groove.

10. The detergent box assembly of claim 1, wherein a plurality of spray holes are formed in a lower side surface of the water injection channel, and are located above the water inlet.

11. The detergent box assembly of claim 10, wherein taking a plane perpendicular to an up-down direction as a projection surface, projections of the plurality of spray holes are in a range of projection of the water inlet.

12. A washing apparatus, comprising:

a washing drum, provided with a washing cavity; and

a detergent box assembly of any one of claims 1 to 11, a liquid outlet channel communicated with the washing cavity.

Drawing