FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrical appliance manufacturing technology
field, and more particularly to a front-loading washing machine.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the related art, the washing machine includes a front-loading washing machine
and a pulsator washing machine. When the pulsator washing machine operates, the laundry
needs to be completely immersed in water, so that the water saving effect is poor.
Moreover, when loading or unloading the laundry with the front-loading washing machine,
a user needs to bend and squat down, and thus it is much inconvenient for use and
is particularly difficult for operations of special populations, such as the aged.
[0003] European patent application
EP3034668A1, which is prior art under Article 54(3) EPC, discloses a washing machine having a
housing and a drum unit with a cup-like tub and a cylindrical drum, which is rotatably
mounted in the tub about its cylinder axis. The tub and the drum open out at the end
face in a loading and unloading opening of the drum unit. The drum unit can be titled
about a tilt axis that is perpendicular to the cylinder axis, between a loading and
unloading position, wherein the loading and unloading opening points obliquely upward,
and a wash position for a wash cycle. The housing has displaceable front wall coupled
with the drum unit. A door closes a breakthrough in the front wall that always covers
the loading and unloading opening of the drum unit.
[0004] International application
WO 2010/128734 A2 discloses a front-loading washing machine, comprising a tub having an access port,
wherein the tub is disposed in the cabinet and configured in such a manner that the
access port is capable of being moved up and down.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present disclosure seeks to solve at least one of the problems existing in the
related art to at least some extent. Thus, the present disclosure provides a front-loading
washing machine, the front-loading washing machine has advantages of an easy usage,
a low laundry abrasion and a less water cost.
[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a front-loading
washing machine as claimed in claim 1.
[0007] The front-loading washing machine according to embodiments of the present disclosure
has advantages of an easy usage, a low laundry abrasion and a less water cost.
[0008] In addition, the front-loading washing machine according to embodiments of the present
disclosure may further include following additional features.
[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving mechanism is configured
to drive the access port to move up and down between a washing position and a non-washing
position in the opening.
[0010] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the access port is located
at the non-washing position, the access port is driven to move close to an upper edge
of the front panel, and when the access port is located at the washing position, the
access port is driven to move close to a lower edge of the front panel.
[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving mechanism is configured
to drive the access port to move upwards to close to an upper edge of the front panel
and move downwards to close to a lower edge of the front panel.
[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the damping shock absorber
includes at least one group of: a damper supported between the cabinet and the support
frame; and an elastic shock-absorbing member connected to the damper and one of the
cabinet and the support frame.
[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the damper is configured as
a friction damper.
[0014] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the friction damper includes:
an inner damping rod connected to the one of the support frame and the cabinet; and
an outer damping cylinder movably fitted over the inner damping rod along an axial
direction of the inner damping rod, and connected to the other one of the support
frame and the cabinet, in which the elastic shock-absorbing member is connected to
the outer damping cylinder and the one of the support frame and the cabinet respectively.
[0015] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the elastic shock-absorbing
member is configured as a spring and fitted over the inner damping rod.
[0016] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the inner damping rod is mounted
to the cabinet, the outer damping cylinder is mounted to the support frame, and the
elastic shock-absorbing member is connected with the outer damping cylinder and the
cabinet respectively.
[0017] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cabinet is provided with
a support foot, an inserting hole is formed in the support foot, and the inner damping
rod is inserted in the inserting hole.
[0018] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, four groups of the damper and
the elastic shock-absorbing member are provided and distributed at four corners of
a same rectangle.
[0019] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cabinet includes a base
plate located at a bottom thereof, and the damping shock absorber is mounted on the
base plate.
[0020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the base plate is configured
as a plastic member.
[0021] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the front-loading washing machine
further includes an adjustable foot configured to support the cabinet and adjust a
height of the cabinet, wherein the adjustable foot is threadedly fitted to the base
plate and is provided with a shock absorbing cushion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] These and other aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will
become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following descriptions made
with reference to the drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a front-loading washing machine according to embodiments
of the present disclosure, in which an access port is located in a washing position;
Fig. 2 is a partial schematic view of a front-loading washing machine according to
embodiments of the present disclosure, in which an access port is located in a washing
position;
Fig. 3 is a partial schematic view of a front-loading washing machine according to
embodiments of the present disclosure, in which an access port is located in a non-washing
position;
Fig. 4 is a partial schematic view of a front-loading washing machine according to
embodiments of the present disclosure; and
Fig. 5 is a partial schematic view of a front-loading washing machine according to
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0023] Reference numerals:
front-loading washing machine 1, cabinet 100, front panel 110, opening 111, base plate
120, tub 200, door unit 300, driving mechanism 400, longitudinal pushrod 410, driving
part 411, driving-part mounting bracket 4110, mounting plate 4111, mounting ear 4112,
driving-part positioning pin 4113, extending and retracting part 412, extending-and-retracting-part
mounting bracket 4120, extending-and-retracting-part positioning pin 4123, transverse
shaft 420, support frame 430, hole 431, longitudinal bracket 432, protruding part
4320, transverse bracket 433, main part 4330, arc-shaped part 4331, damping shock
absorber 500, damper 510, inner damping rod 511, outer damping cylinder 512, elastic
shock-absorbing member 520, support foot 530, adjustable foot 600, shock absorbing
cushion 610, counterweight 700.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Reference will be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiments
described herein with reference to drawings are explanatory, illustrative, and used
to generally understand the present disclosure. The embodiments shall not be construed
to limit the present disclosure. The same or similar elements and the elements having
same or similar functions are denoted by like reference numerals throughout the descriptions.
[0025] A front-loading washing machine will be described with reference to accompanying
drawings in the following.
[0026] As shown in Figs. 1-5, the front-loading washing machine 1 according to embodiments
of the present disclosure includes a cabinet 100, a tub 200, a rotatable drum (not
shown), a door unit 300 and a driving mechanism 400.
[0027] The cabinet 100 includes a front panel 110 (a front-and-rear direction is shown by
arrow B in Figs. 1-3), and an opening 111 is formed in the front panel 110. The tub
200 has an access port for loading and unloading laundry, and the tub 200 is disposed
in the cabinet 100 and configured in such a manner that the access port is capable
of being moved up and down in the opening 111 (an up-and-down direction is shown by
arrow A in Figs. 1-3). The drum is disposed in the tub 200. The door unit 300 is mounted
to the tub 200, and configured to cover the access port. The driving mechanism 400
is provided in the cabinet 100, coupled to the tub 200 and used to drive the tub 200
to move.
[0028] In the front-loading washing machine 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure,
the tub 200 is configured in such a manner that the access port is capable of being
moved up and down in the opening 111, and thus the front-loading washing machine 1
can move the access port to a position suitable for a user to load and unload laundry
when the user needs to load or unload the laundry, compared with a front-loading washing
machine having the access port disposed in a front surface thereof in the related
art. For example, the access port may be moved upwards. In this way, when loading
or unloading laundry through the access port, the user does not need to squat down
or bend, which thus facilitates loading and unloading laundry through the access port
by the user, and also enables the user inconvenient to bend (such as the aged) to
load and unload laundry successfully, thus improving the use convenience of the front-loading
washing machine 1.
[0029] Moreover, since the access port can be moved up and down in the opening 111, the
access port may be moved to a position suitable for washing laundry after the laundry
has been loaded. For example, the access port may be moved downwards. In this way,
when washing laundry, the drum may roll to tumble the laundry up and down so as to
wash the laundry, thus reducing abrasion of the laundry during washing thereof. Moreover,
because the laundry needs not to be completely immersed in water when being washed,
but only a small amount of water is needed to accomplish the washing thereof, a corresponding
water cost is reduced, which is more environmentally friendly.
[0030] In addition, by disposing the driving mechanism 400, the tub 200 may be driven by
using the driving mechanism 400. In this way, when the user needs to adjust a position
of the access port, the driving mechanism 400 may be used to drive the tub 200. Thereby,
the user can adjust the position of the tub 200 with less effort, so that it is convenient
for the user to adjust the position of the tub 200, and further for the user (such
as the aged) to use the front-loading washing machine 1.
[0031] That is to say, by providing the tub 200 configured in such a manner that the access
port is capable of being moved up and down in the opening 111 and providing the driving
mechanism 400 configured to drive the tub 200 to move, the front-loading washing machine
1 can achieve a desired effect of an ordinary front-loading washing machine when washing
the laundry, and the access port can be adjusted to the position suitable for loading
and unloading laundry when the laundry needs to be loaded or unloaded or additional
laundry needs to be loaded during the washing, so that a problem that it is inconvenient
to load and unload laundry for the traditional front-loading washing machine in the
related art is overcome, thereby facilitating use for the user.
[0032] Therefore, the front-loading washing machine 1 according to embodiments of the present
disclosure has advantages of the convenient use, the low laundry abrasion and the
reduced water cost.
[0033] The front-loading washing machine 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described with reference to accompanying drawings in the following.
[0034] In some specific embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in Figs. 1-5, the
front-loading washing machine 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure
includes a cabinet 100, a tub 200, a rotatable drum, a door unit 300 and a driving
mechanism 400.
[0035] The driving mechanism 400 drives the access port to move up and down between the
washing position and the non-washing position in the opening 111. In this way, when
the laundry needs to be washed, the driving mechanism 400 may be used to drive the
tub 200, so that the access port can be moved to the washing position, thus facilitating
washing the laundry. When the laundry does not need to be washed, the driving mechanism
400 may be used to drive the tub 200, so that the access port can be moved to the
non-washing position, thus facilitating loading and unloading the laundry by the user.
[0036] Specifically, as shown in Figs. 1-3, when the access port is located at the non-washing
position (as shown in Fig. 3), the access port is driven to move close to an upper
edge of the front panel 110. When the access port is located at the washing position
(as shown in Figs. 1 and 2), the access port is driven to move close to a lower edge
of the front panel 110. Thereby, when the user needs to load or unload laundry, the
access port may be moved close to the upper edge of the front panel 110, so as to
facilitate loading and unloading laundry from top by the user, and when the user needs
to wash laundry, the access port may be moved close to the lower edge of the front
panel 110, so as to facilitate washing the laundry through the rolling of the drum.
[0037] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1, the front panel 110 may be inclined backwards from
bottom to top. Thereby, it may be further convenient for the user to load and unload
laundry when the access port is moved to the non-washing position.
[0038] Advantageously, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the driving mechanism 400 is configured
to drive the access port to move upwards to close to the upper edge of the front panel
110 and move downwards to close to the lower edge of the front panel 110. In this
way, when the laundry needs to be loaded or unloaded, the driving mechanism 400 may
be operated to move the access port upwards close to the upper edge of the front panel
110, thereby facilitating loading and unloading the laundry; and when the laundry
needs to be washed, the driving mechanism 400 may be operated to move the access port
downwards close to the lower edge of the front panel 110, thereby facilitating washing
the laundry through the rolling of the drum.
[0039] Optionally, a motion range of the access port in the opening 111 is configured in
such a manner that an included angle between a central axis of the access port and
a horizontal plane ranges from 0° to 90°. In other words, the access port may be moved
between a horizontal position and a vertical position of the central axis thereof.
Specifically, when the access port is located at the non-washing position suitable
for loading and unloading laundry, the central axis of the access port is oriented
in a vertical direction; and when the access port is located at the washing position
suitable for washing laundry, the central axis of the access port is oriented in a
horizontal direction. Thereby, it is convenient for the user to load and unload the
laundry through the access port from top, and also to wash the laundry by the rolling
of the drum.
[0040] It can be understood by those skilled in the art that, the motion range of the access
port may be adjusted according to the actual conditions. For example, when the access
port is located at the non-washing position (as shown in Fig. 3), the central axis
of the access port may be inclined forwards from bottom to top, and thus it is convenient
for the user to load and unload the laundry as well. When the access port is located
at the washing position (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2), the central axis of the access
port may be oriented at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction,
in condition of ensuring the laundry in the drum to be washed in a rolling manner.
[0041] Preferably, the motion range of the access port may be configured in such a manner
that the included angle between the central axis of the access port and the horizontal
plane ranges from 13° to 45°, so that it is convenient for the user to load and unload
laundry from top, and a washing effect of the laundry can be ensured as well. In addition,
it is convenient for the driving mechanism 400 to drive the tub 200, so as to reduce
the time needed for the tub 200 to move between the above two positions, thus improving
a washing efficiency for the user.
[0042] The front-loading washing machine 1 according to a specific example of the present
disclosure is shown in Figs. 2-5. As shown in Figs. 2-5, the driving mechanism 400
includes a longitudinal pushrod 410 disposed at a front side of the tub 200, a transverse
shaft 420 disposed at a rear side of the tub 200 and coupled to the tub 200, and a
support frame 430 disposed in the cabinet 100 and having an hole 431, in which the
transverse shaft 420 may rotate in the hole 431 of the support frame 430. In this
way, the tub 200 may be disposed rotatably to the support frame 430 by the transverse
shaft 420, so that the access port is capable of being moved up and down in the opening
111; moreover, the tub 200 may be driven to move by the longitudinal pushrod 410,
so as to achieve a position adjustment of the access port. In addition, by disposing
the longitudinal pushrod 410 at the front side of the tub 200 and the transverse shaft
420 at the rear side of the tub 200, it is convenient for the longitudinal pushrod
410 to push the front side of the tub 200 to move in the up-and-down direction, thus
further facilitating the position adjustment of the access port.
[0043] Specifically, as shown in Figs. 2-4, the longitudinal pushrod 410 includes a driving
part 411 and an extending and retracting part 412. The extending and retracting part
412 is mounted to the driving part 411 and driven to extend and retract by the driving
part 411. One of the driving part 411 and the extending and retracting part 412 is
mounted in the cabinet 100 and the other one thereof is coupled to the tub 200. Thus,
the driving part 411 may be used to drive the extending and retracting part 412 to
extend and retract, so as to achieve the extending and retracting of the longitudinal
pushrod 410. Therefore, with the longitudinal pushrod 410 driving the front side of
tub 200 to move in the up-and-down direction, the position adjustment of the access
port can be obtained.
[0044] It could be understood by those skilled in the related art that, the tub 200 may
be driven only by the longitudinal pushrod 410. For example, by disposing the longitudinal
pushrod 410, the whole tub 200 can be moved in the up-and-down, and thus the position
adjustment of the access port can be achieved as well.
[0045] Advantageously, as shown in Figs. 2-4, the driving part 411 is coupled to the tub
200 by a driving-part mounting bracket 4110, the extending and retracting part 412
is mounted in the cabinet 100 by a extending-and-retracting-part mounting bracket
4120. Specifically, the extending and retracting part 412 may be mounted on the support
frame 430 by the extending-and-retracting-part mounting bracket 4120. In this way,
it is convenient to mount the driving part 411 to the tub 200, and also to mount the
extending and retracting part 412 in the cabinet 100.
[0046] Specifically, the driving part 411 may drive the extending and retracting part 412
by hydraulic pressure.
[0047] Optionally, as shown in Figs. 2 -4, at least one of the connection between the driving
part 411 and the driving-part mounting bracket 4110 and the connection between the
extending and retracting part 412 and the extending-and-retracting-part mounting bracket
4120 is a pivotable connection. Thus, the tub 200 can be moved more smoothly to facilitate
the position adjustment of the access port, and also a movement range of the tub 200
is increased to ensure the motion range of the access port.
[0048] Specifically, the driving part 411 is pivotably mounted to the driving-part mounting
bracket 4110 and the extending and retracting part 412 is pivotably mounted to the
extending-and-retracting-part mounting bracket 4120.
[0049] As shown in Figs. 2-4, the driving part 411 is connected with the driving-part mounting
bracket 4110 by a driving-part positioning pin 4113, and the extending and retracting
part 412 is connected with the extending-and-retracting-part mounting bracket 4120
by a extending-and-retracting-part positioning pin 4123. Thus, the pivotable connection
between the driving part 411 and the driving-part mounting bracket 4110 and the pivotable
connection between the extending and retracting part 412 and the extending-and-retracting-part
mounting bracket 4120 can be achieved.
[0050] More specifically, as shown in Figs. 2-4, each of the driving-part mounting bracket
4110 and the extending-and-retracting-part mounting bracket 4120 includes a mounting
plate 4111 and two mounting ears 4112. The mounting ear 4112 is used to assemble the
driving-part positioning pin 4113 or the extending-and-retracting-part positioning
pin 4123, and the two mounting ears 4112 are disposed on the mounting plate 4111 and
spaced apart from each other. Specifically, the mounting ear 4112 may be provided
with a pin hole, and the driving-part positioning pin 4113 or the extending-and-retracting-part
positioning pin 4123 may be fitted in the corresponding pin hole. The mounting plate
4111 may be mounted to the cabinet 100 or the tub 200 by a threaded fastener (such
as a screw or a bolt), or integral with the tub 200 by injection molding. In this
way, a contact area between the driving-part mounting bracket 4110 and the tub 200
is increased, and also a contact area between the extending-and-retracting-part mounting
bracket 4120 and the cabinet 100 is increased, so as to facilitate the mounting of
the driving-part mounting bracket 4110 and the extending-and-retracting-part mounting
bracket 4120, and to ensure the connection strength and stability of the driving-part
mounting bracket 4110 and the extending-and-retracting-part mounting bracket 4120
after being mounted. Moreover, it is convenient for the pivotable connection between
the driving part 411 and the driving-part mounting bracket 4110 and for the pivotable
connection between the extending and retracting part 412 and the extending-and-retracting-part
mounting bracket 4120, so as to ensure the connection strength and stability between
the driving part 411 and the driving-part mounting bracket 4110 and the connection
strength and stability between the extending and retracting part 412 and the extending-and-retracting-part
mounting bracket 4120.
[0051] Specifically, two ends of the driving-part positioning pin 4113 and two ends of the
extending-and-retracting-part positioning pin 4123 may be provided with anti-drop
structures to prevent the driving-part positioning pin 4113 and the extending-and-retracting-part
positioning pin 4123 from dropping off from the pin holes where they are located.
[0052] The front-loading washing machine 1 according to a specific example of the present
disclosure is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the driving mechanism
400 includes the longitudinal pushrod 410, the transverse shaft 420 and the support
frame 430.
[0053] Advantageously, the transverse shaft 420 is integrally formed with the tub 200. Thus,
the connection strength between the transverse shaft 420 and the tub 200 can be ensured,
and the assembly process of the transverse shaft 420 is simplified, thus improving
the producing efficiency of the front-loading washing machine 1.
[0054] Specifically, the transverse shaft 420 may be integral with the tub 200 by the injection
molding.
[0055] Specifically, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the support frame 430 includes two longitudinal
brackets 432 and one transverse bracket 433. The two longitudinal brackets 432 are
disposed on the cabinet 100 and spaced apart from each other, and the hole 431 is
formed in the longitudinal bracket 432. Two ends of the transverse bracket 433 are
respectively connected to the two longitudinal brackets 432, and the longitudinal
pushrod 410 is mounted on the transverse bracket 433. Thus, it is convenient to use
the support frame 430 to support the tub 200, thereby facilitating improving the stability
of the tub 200.
[0056] More specifically, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the transverse bracket 433 includes
a main part 4330 lower than the two longitudinal brackets 432, and two arc-shaped
parts 4331 located respectively at two ends of the main part 4330 and connected with
the two longitudinal brackets 432 respectively. The longitudinal pushrod 410 is mounted
on the main part 4330. In other words, the transverse bracket 433 may have a U shape.
When the front-loading washing machine 1 washes laundry, the rotation of the drum
brings about vibration and displacement of the tub 200, and the vibration and displacement
of the tub 200 will be transferred to the transverse bracket 433 through the two longitudinal
brackets 432. By providing the transverse bracket 433 including the main part 4330
and the two arc-shaped parts 4331, an impact of the vibration on the transverse bracket
433 can be reduced, and the transverse bracket 433 can be used to buffer the vibration
and the displacement of the longitudinal bracket 432, thus reducing a vibration amplitude
of the front-loading washing machine 1, and also decreasing an operation noise of
the front-loading washing machine 1.
[0057] More advantageously, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a protruding part 4320 is provided
at an upper surface of each longitudinal bracket 432 and protrudes upwards, and the
hole 431 is formed in the protruding part 4320 of each longitudinal bracket 432. In
this way, it is convenient for the hole 431 to be formed, and the structural strength
of the longitudinal bracket 432 at the hole 431 can be ensured, so as to guarantee
the overall structural strength of the longitudinal bracket 432, and further to improve
the stability of the tub 200.
[0058] Specifically, the hole 431 may run through the longitudinal bracket 432 along a thickness
direction of the longitudinal bracket 432.
[0059] The front-loading washing machine 1 according to a specific example of the present
disclosure is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the transverse shaft
420 is rotatably fitted in the hole 431 by a bearing, so that a friction force suffered
by the transverse shaft 420 when the transverse shaft 420 rotates can be reduced,
and thus the tub 200 can rotate more smoothly, and a force needed by the longitudinal
pushrod 410 to drive the tub 200 can be decreased. Furthermore, a wear speed of the
transverse shaft 420 and the hole 431 can be reduced, to extend a service life of
the front-loading washing machine 1.
[0060] Specifically, a position limiting projection and an assembling groove are provided
at an inner circumferential wall of the hole 431 and spaced apart from each other
along an axial direction of the hole 431, in which a split washer is disposed in the
assembling groove and the bearing is stopped between the position limiting projection
and the split washer. In this way, the split washer and the position limiting projection
may be used to limit a position of the bearing, to prevent the bearing from dropping
off from the hole 431, thus improving the reliability of the front-loading washing
machine 1.
[0061] More specifically, the split washer includes an open ring portion and two stopping
portions, in which the open ring portion is disposed in the corresponding assembling
groove, and the two stopping portions are disposed at two ends of the open ring portion
and extend out from the assembling groove where the open ring portion is located,
respectively. In this way, the two stopping portions may be used to stop the bearing,
so as to achieve the position limitation of the bearing, and thus to prevent the bearing
from dropping off from the hole 431.
[0062] The front-loading washing machine 1 according to a specific example of the present
disclosure is shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5. As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the driving
mechanism 400 includes the longitudinal pushrod 410, the transverse shaft 420 and
the support frame 430.
[0063] Advantageously, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the front-loading washing machine 1
further includes a damping shock absorber 500 supported between the cabinet 100 and
the support frame 430. Thereby, the damping shock absorber 500 may be used to support
the support frame 430, and also to buffer the vibration of the support frame 430,
so as to damp the displacement of the support frame 430, thus making the front-loading
washing machine 1 stable when the front-load washing machine 1 is washing laundry.
[0064] Specifically, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the damping shock absorber 500 includes
at least one group of a damper 510 and an elastic shock-absorbing member 520. The
damper 510 is supported between the cabinet 100 and the support frame 430. The elastic
shock-absorbing member 520 is connected to the damper 510 and one of the cabinet 100
and the support frame 430, respectively. In this way, the elastic shock-absorbing
member 520 can be used to buffer the vibration of the support frame 430, and the damper
510 can be used to damp the displacement of the support frame 430. If an elastic member
is used alone to absorb shock, in order to ensure an shock absorbing effect, the rigidity
of the elastic member needs to be reduced, thus resulting in a shortened life and
a premature failure of the elastic member. If a damper is used alone to absorb shock,
a force large enough is needed to achieve the shock absorbing effect, thus causing
difficulties in speeding up the front-loading washing machine 1, and resulting in
the heavy vibration, the loud noise, the poor washing effect and the reduced washing
efficiency. That is to say, by simultaneously using the damper 510 and the elastic
shock-absorbing member 520 to buffer the vibration and the displacement of the support
frame 430, the damping shock absorber 500 can offset and lessen the stiff impact caused
by the unbalanced load, thus improving a shock absorbing effect on the support frame
430, and lowering the vibration and the noise when the front-loading washing machine
1 operates. Furthermore, the transverse and longitudinal stability of the front-loading
washing machine 1 can be ensured, so that the front-loading washing machine 1 can
keep a dynamically controllable posture within a predetermined range, thus improving
the controllability of the front-loading washing machine 1 and guaranteeing the washing
effect of the front-loading washing machine 1.
[0065] Optionally, the damper 510 is configured as a friction damper. In this way, the vibration
energy may be reduced relying on the friction of the damper 510, which facilitates
performing a vibration control on the support frame 430. For example, by adjustments,
the damper 510 may have a slippage or a deformation under a predetermined load, under
which load main structural parts in the front-loading washing machine 1 have not yielded,
to provide a damping effect, so that the main structural parts are ensured not to
yield due to the vibration and the displacement, and thus a motion range in which
the front-loading washing machine 1 keeps the dynamically controllable posture can
be enlarged.
[0066] More specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, the friction damper includes an inner damping
rod 511 and an outer damping cylinder 512. The inner damping rod 511 is connected
to the one of the support frame 430 and the cabinet 100. The outer damping cylinder
512 is movably fitted over the inner damping rod 511 along an axial direction of the
inner damping rod 511, the outer damping cylinder 512 is connected to the other one
of the support frame 430 and the cabinet 100, and the elastic shock-absorbing member
520 is connected to the outer damping cylinder 512 and the one of the support frame
430 and the cabinet 100 respectively. Thus, the friction between the inner damping
rod 511 and the outer damping cylinder 512 may be used to provide a damping force
on the support frame 430, so as to ensure the shock absorbing effect on the support
frame 430.
[0067] As shown in Fig. 5, the elastic shock-absorbing member 520 is configured as a spring
and is fitted over the inner damping rod 511. In this way, it is convenient to mount
the elastic shock-absorbing member 520, and the inner damping rod 511 may be used
to position the elastic shock-absorbing member 520, so as to prevent the elastic shock-absorbing
member 520 from being displaced.
[0068] The front-loading washing machine 1 according to a specific example of the present
disclosure is shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5. As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the inner damping
rod 511 is mounted to the cabinet 100 and the outer damping cylinder 512 is mounted
to the support frame 430, and the elastic shock-absorbing member 520 is connected
with the outer damping cylinder 512 and the cabinet 100 respectively. In this way,
the mounting of the damping shock absorber 500 can be achieved, and also, the shock
absorbing effect of the damping shock absorber 500 can be ensured.
[0069] Advantageously, as shown in Fig. 5, the cabinet 100 is provided with a support foot
530, an inserting hole is formed in the support foot 530, and the inner damping rod
511 is inserted in the inserting hole. In this way, it is convenient to mount the
damping shock absorber 500, and also, the inserting hole may be used to position the
damping shock absorber 500, so as to prevent the damping shock absorber 500 from being
displaced. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of the support
feet 530 may be provided. For example, four support feet 530 are provided as shown
in Fig. 5.
[0070] Optionally, as shown in Fig. 5, four groups of the dampers 510 and the elastic shock-absorbing
members 520 are provided and distributed at four corners of a same rectangle. Thus,
the four groups of the dampers 510 and the elastic shock-absorbing members 520 may
be used to buffer the vibration of the support frame 430, so as to improve the shock
absorbing effect on the support frame 430. Moreover, the support frame 430 is more
uniformly forced, thus further improving the shock absorbing effect on the support
frame 430.
[0071] Specifically, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the cabinet 100 includes a base plate 120
located at a bottom thereof, and the damping shock absorber 500 is mounted on the
base plate 120, so that it is convenient for the damping shock absorber 500 and other
parts to be mounted.
[0072] More advantageously, the base plate 120 is configured as a plastic member, so that
the base plate 120 can absorb the noise in the cabinet 100, thus further decreasing
the operation noise of the front-loading washing machine 1.
[0073] More specifically, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the front-loading washing machine 1
further includes an adjustable foot 600, and the adjustable foot 600 may be used to
support the cabinet 100 and adjust a height of the cabinet 100. The adjustable foot
600 is threadedly fitted to the base plate 120 and is provided with a shock absorbing
cushion 610. In this way, a height of the base plate 120 can be adjusted by adjusting
the adjustable foot 600, and the shock absorbing cushion 610 may be used to further
buffer the vibration of the base plate 120, so as to further decrease the vibration
and the noise of the front-loading washing machine 1. In some embodiments of the present
disclosure, a plurality of the adjustable feet 600 may be provided. For example, four
adjustable feet 600 are provided as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.
[0074] Furthermore, the tub 200 is provided with a counterweight 700. Thus, the counterweight
700 may be used to balance a central position of the tub 200, to add the inertia of
the tub 200, and to decrease the vibration amplitude in a high-speed dewatering.
[0075] Specifically, the tub 200 may include a front tub portion and a rear tub portion,
and the front tub portion is connected with the rear tub portion by a flange. A plurality
of the counterweights 700 may be provided and distributed on the front tub portion
and the rear tub portion according to actual requirements.
[0076] Other components and operations of the front-loading washing machine 1 according
to embodiments of the present disclosure are known to those skilled in the art, and
will not be described in detail herein.
[0077] In the specification, it is to be understood that terms such as "central," "longitudinal,"
"lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left,"
"right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise,"
and "counterclockwise" should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described
or as shown in the drawings under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience
of description and do not require that the present disclosure be constructed or operated
in a particular orientation.
[0078] In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" are used herein for purposes of description
and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance or to
imply the number of indicated technical features. Thus, the feature defined with "first"
and "second" may comprise one or more of this feature. In the description of the present
disclosure, "a plurality of' means two or more than two, unless specified otherwise.
[0079] In the present disclosure, unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted,"
"connected," "coupled," "fixed" and the like are used broadly, and may be, for example,
fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; may also be mechanical
or electrical connections; may also be direct connections or indirect connections
via intervening structures; may also be inner communications of two elements, which
can be understood by those skilled in the art according to specific situations.
[0080] In the present disclosure, unless specified or limited otherwise, a structure in
which a first feature is "on" or "below" a second feature may include an embodiment
in which the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, and may also
include an embodiment in which the first feature and the second feature are not in
direct contact with each other, but are contacted via an additional feature formed
therebetween. Furthermore, a first feature "on," "above," or "on top of' a second
feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature is right or obliquely
"on," "above," or "on top of' the second feature, or just means that the first feature
is at a height higher than that of the second feature; while a first feature "below,"
"under," or "on bottom of' a second feature may include an embodiment in which the
first feature is right or obliquely "below," "under," or "on bottom of' the second
feature, or just means that the first feature is at a height lower than that of the
second feature.
[0081] Reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "one
embodiment", "another example," "an example," "a specific example," or "some examples,"
means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described
in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment
or example of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases such as
"in some embodiments," "in one embodiment", "in an embodiment", "in another example,"
"in an example," "in a specific example," or "in some examples," in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment
or example of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures,
materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more
embodiments or examples.
1. Frontlader-Waschmaschine (1), umfassend:
einen Schrank (100), der eine Frontplatte (110) aufweist, wobei die Frontplatte (110)
mit einer Öffnung (111) versehen ist;
eine Wanne (200), die eine Zugangsöffnung zum Be- und Entladen von Wäsche aufweist,
wobei die Wanne (200) in dem Schrank (100) angeordnet ist;
eine drehbare Trommel, die in der Wanne (200) angeordnet ist;
eine Türeinheit (300), die an der Wanne (200) angebracht und konfiguriert ist, um
die Zugangsöffnung abzudecken; und
einen Antriebsmechanismus (400), der in dem Schrank (100) vorgesehen und mit der Wanne
(200) gekoppelt ist;
wobei der Antriebsmechanismus (400) umfasst:
eine Längsschubstange (410), die an einer Vorderseite der Wanne (200) angeordnet ist;
eine Querwelle (420), die an einer Rückseite der Wanne (200) angeordnet und damit
gekoppelt ist; und
einen Tragrahmen (430), der in dem Schrank (100) angeordnet ist und ein Loch (431)
aufweist, wobei die Querwelle (420) konfiguriert ist, um sich in dem Loch (431) des
Tragrahmens (430) zu drehen;
wobei der Antriebsmechanismus (400) konfiguriert ist, um die Wanne (200) anzutreiben,
um sich um die Querwelle (420) zu drehen, so dass die Zugangsöffnung in der Lage ist,
die Öffnung (111) auf und ab zu bewegen; und
wobei die Frontlader-Waschmaschine (1) weiter einen dämpfenden Stoßdämpfer (500) umfasst,
der zwischen dem Schrank (100) und dem Tragrahmen (430) abgestützt ist.
2. Frontlader-Waschmaschine (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der dämpfende Stoßdämpfer (500)
mindestens eines einer Gruppe umfasst von:
einem Dämpfer (510), der zwischen dem Schrank (100) und dem Tragrahmen (430) abgestützt
ist; und
einem elastischen stoßdämpfenden Element (520), das mit dem Dämpfer (510) und einem
von dem Schrank (100) bzw. dem Tragrahmen (430) verbunden ist.
3. Frontlader-Waschmaschine (1) nach Anspruch 2, wobei der Dämpfer (510) als Reibungsdämpfer
(510) konfiguriert ist.
4. Frontlader-Waschmaschine (1) nach Anspruch 3, wobei der Reibungsdämpfer (510) umfasst:
eine innere Dämpfungsstange (511), die mit einem von dem Tragrahmen (430) und dem
Schrank (100) verbunden ist; und
einen äußeren Dämpfungszylinder (512), der beweglich über der inneren Dämpfungsstange
(511) entlang einer axialen Richtung der inneren Dämpfungsstange (511) befestigt ist
und mit dem anderen von dem Tragrahmen (430) und dem Schrank (100) verbunden ist,
wobei das elastische Dämpfungselement (520) mit dem äußeren Dämpfungszylinder (512)
und dem einen von dem Tragrahmen (430) bzw. dem Schrank (100) verbunden ist.
5. Frontlader-Waschmaschine (1) nach Anspruch 4, wobei das elastische Dämpfungselement
(520) als Feder ausgebildet und über der inneren Dämpfungsstange (511) angebracht
ist.
6. Frontlader-Waschmaschine (1) nach Anspruch 4, wobei die innere Dämpfungsstange (511)
an dem Schrank (100) angebracht ist, der äußere Dämpfungszylinder (512) an dem Tragrahmen
(430) angebracht ist und das elastische Dämpfungselement (520) mit dem äußeren Dämpfungszylinder
(512) bzw. dem Schrank (100) verbunden ist.
7. Frontlader-Waschmaschine (1) nach Anspruch 6, wobei der Schrank (100) mit einem Stützfuß
(530) versehen ist, im Stützfuß (530) ein Einlegeloch ausgebildet ist und die innere
Dämpfungsstange (511) in das Einlegeloch eingesetzt ist.
8. Frontlader-Waschmaschine (1) nach Anspruch 2, wobei vier Gruppen des Dämpfers (510)
und des elastischen Dämpfungselements (520) vorgesehen und an vier Ecken eines gleichen
Rechtecks verteilt sind.
9. Frontlader-Waschmaschine (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Schrank (100) eine Grundplatte
(120) umfasst, die sich an einem Boden davon befindet, und der dämpfende Stoßdämpfer
(500) auf der Grundplatte (120) angebracht ist.
10. Frontlader-Waschmaschine (1) nach Anspruch 9, weiter umfassend einen verstellbaren
Fuß (600), der konfiguriert ist, um den Schrank (100) zu tragen und eine Höhe des
Schrankes (100) einzustellen, wobei der verstellbare Fuß (600) mit einem Gewinde an
der Grundplatte (120) befestigt ist und mit einem stoßdämpfenden Polster (610) versehen
ist.
1. Machine à laver à chargement frontal (1), comprenant :
un habillage (100) présentant un panneau avant (110), dans laquelle le panneau avant
(110) est doté d'une ouverture (111) ;
une cuve (200) présente un orifice d'accès pour le chargement et le déchargement de
linge, dans laquelle la cuve (200) est disposée dans l'habillage (100) ;
un tambour rotatif disposé dans la cuve (200) ;
une unité de porte (300) montée sur la cuve (200) et configurée pour couvrir l'orifice
d'accès ; et
un mécanisme d'entraînement (400) prévu dans l'habillage (100), et couplé à la cuve
(200) ;
dans laquelle le mécanisme d'entraînement (400) comprend :
une tige de poussée longitudinale (410) disposée sur un côté avant de la cuve (200)
;
un arbre transversal (420) disposé sur un côté arrière et couplé à la cuve (200) ;
et
un cadre de support (430) disposé dans l'habillage (100) et présentant un trou (431),
dans laquelle l'arbre transversal (420) est configuré pour tourner dans le trou (431)
du cadre de support (430) ;
dans laquelle le mécanisme d'entraînement (400) est configuré pour entraîner la cuve
(200) à tourner autour de l'arbre transversal (420) de sorte que l'orifice d'accès
soit apte à être déplacé vers le haut et le bas dans l'ouverture (111) ; et
dans laquelle la machine à laver à chargement frontal (1) comprend en outre un absorbeur
de choc d'amortissement (500) supporté entre l'habillage (100) et le cadre de support
(430).
2. Machine à laver à chargement frontal (1) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'absorbeur
de choc d'amortissement (500) comprend au moins un groupe constitué :
d'un amortisseur (510) supporté entre l'habillage (100) et le cadre de support (430)
; et
d'un élément d'absorption de choc élastique (520) raccordé à l'amortisseur (510) et
un parmi l'habillage (100) et le cadre de support (430), respectivement.
3. Machine à laver à chargement frontal (1) selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle l'amortisseur
(510) est configuré en tant qu'amortisseur de friction (510).
4. Machine à laver à chargement frontal (1) selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle l'amortisseur
de friction (510) comprend :
une tige d'amortissement intérieure (511) raccordée à un premier parmi le cadre de
support (430) et l'habillage (100) ; et
un cylindre d'amortissement extérieur (512) agencé de manière mobile sur la tige d'amortissement
intérieure (511) le long d'une direction axiale de la tige d'amortissement intérieure
(511), et raccordé à l'autre parmi le cadre de support (430) et l'habillage (100)
;
dans laquelle l'élément d'absorption de choc élastique (520) est raccordé au cylindre
d'amortissement extérieur (512) et le premier parmi le cadre de support (430) et l'habillage
(100) respectivement.
5. Machine à laver à chargement frontal (1) selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle l'élément
d'absorption de choc élastique (520) est configuré en tant que ressort et agencé sur
la tige d'amortissement intérieure (511).
6. Machine à laver à chargement frontal (1) selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle la
tige d'amortissement intérieure (511) est montée sur l'habillage (100), le cylindre
d'amortissement extérieur (512) est monté sur le cadre de support (430), et l'élément
d'absorption de choc élastique (520) est raccordé au cylindre d'amortissement extérieur
(512) et à l'habillage (100) respectivement.
7. Machine à laver à chargement frontal (1) selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle l'habillage
(100) est doté d'un pied de support (530), un trou d'insertion est formé dans le pied
de support (530), et la tige d'amortissement intérieure (511) est insérée dans le
trou d'insertion.
8. Machine à laver à chargement frontal (1) selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle quatre
groupes constitués de l'amortisseur (510) et de l'élément d'absorption de chocs (520)
sont prévus et distribués aux quatre coins d'un même rectangle.
9. Machine à laver à chargement frontal (1) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'habillage
(100) comprend une plaque de base (120) située sur un fond de celui-ci, et l'absorbeur
de choc d'amortissement (500) est monté sur la plaque de base (120).
10. Machine à laver à chargement frontal (1) selon la revendication 9, comprenant en outre
un pied ajustable (600) configuré pour supporter l'habillage (100) et ajuster une
hauteur de l'habillage (100), dans laquelle le pied ajustable (600) est inséré de
manière vissée dans la plaque de base (120) et est doté d'un coussin d'absorption
de choc (610).