TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of household appliances, and in particular
to a drum washing machine and a control method.
BACKGROUND
[0002] At present, for users, a space between an inner drum and an outer drum of an existing
drum washing machine is a sealed region which cannot be directly cleaned. After a
period of use of the region, certain dirt will adhere to and be accumulated in the
space, and if the dirt is not cleared for a long time, secondary pollution can be
caused to clothes in a clothes washing process, which not only results in odor in
the washing machine but also brings about the influence on body health due to secondary
pollution to washed clothes.
[0003] Currently, the following processing approaches are mainly adopted to clean the inner
and outer drums of the washing machines: 1, flushing the inner drums by water flow,
so as to reduce dirt adhering to the inner drums; 2, cleaning the washing machines
periodically by virtue of tank cleaning agents, so as to remove the dirt; 3,providing
a hole-free inner drum in a pulsator washing machine so as to avoid dirt, which cannot
avoid dust accumulation between inner and outer drums. However, the approaches have
the following shortcomings: water flow flushing is not thorough; it is long in consumed
time, time-consuming and labor-consuming and it is high in cost in cleaning with agents;
and dirt remains in a space, which serves as a drainage channel, between pulsator
hole-free drums.
[0004] As prescribed within Chinese patent of application number
201410215346.3, the disclosure relates to a drum washing machine. The drum washing machine comprises
a housing, wherein an inner drum and an outer drum are arranged in the housing; a
door seal is arranged between the outer drum and the housing; the inner drum is connected
to a driving device. The inner drum is a hole-free inner drum, and the inner drum
is a conical drum that drum bottom is smaller than drum opening in diameter; the drum
opening of the inner drum shrinks inwards in an arc-shaped form; a water intake conduit
is arranged on the door seal; one end of the water intake conduit is connected to
a washing water rapid heating device; the other end of the water intake conduit penetrates
through the door seal and extends into the inner drum; and a drainage port and a water
pressure detection device are arranged on the outer drum. According to the technical
feature that the hole-free inner drum is adopted, a goal of saving washing water can
be achieved; drainage holes are formed in the outer drum; however, dirt can still
remain between the inner drum and the outer drum at the bottom; and problems still
exist.
[0005] In view of this, the present disclosure is provided.
SUMMARY
[0006] In order to overcome shortcomings of the prior art, the present disclosure provides
a cleaning-free drum washing machine. In the present disclosure, water intake and
drainage can be achieved through a hole area of an inner drum of the washing machine,
and meanwhile, flushing can be implemented conveniently so as to avoid residues; a
hole-free area of the inner drum cooperates with a sealing assembly to form a sealed
region between the inner drum and an outer drum so as to avoid crossed flowing of
washing sewage and to avoid dirt accumulation between the inner drum and the outer
drum; and with the application of the dirt-avoiding washing mode, cleaning-free of
the drum washing machine is achieved.
[0007] To solve the technical problem mentioned above, a technical solution as follows is
adopted.
[0008] The first object of the disclosure is to provide a drum washing machine, including
a housing, an outer drum and an inner drum, wherein the inner drum comprises a hole
area which is provided with holes and a hole-free area; a sealing assembly is arranged
between the inner drum and the outer drum on at least one side of the hole area; and
a sealed region is defined by the sealing assembly, the hole-free area of the inner
drum and the outer drum.
[0009] Furthermore, the sealing assembly is fixedly arranged on the inner wall of the outer
drum and is in dynamic seal with the outer wall of the inner drum.
[0010] Furthermore, a water intake and drainage space is defined by the sealing assembly,
the hole area of the inner drum and the outer drum; and the water intake and drainage
space is in fluid communication with the interior of the inner drum.
[0011] Furthermore, a water intake pipeline and a drainage pipeline are arranged between
the housing and the outer drum; and the water intake pipeline and the drainage pipeline
communicate with the water intake and drainage space.
[0012] Furthermore, a water outlet of the water intake pipeline is arranged on the outer
drum wall of the water intake and drainage space and corresponds to the part, at the
upper part of the inner drum, of the hole area; a water inlet of the drainage pipeline
is arranged on the outer drum wall of the water intake and drainage space and corresponds
to the part, at the lower part of the inner drum, of the hole area; and a drainage
pump is arranged on the drainage pipeline.
[0013] Furthermore, the hole area is arranged at the side, close to an laundry input port,
of the inner drum; the sealing assembly is arranged at the side, away from the laundry
input port, of the hole area; and the sealed region is defined by the sealing assembly,
the hole-free area of the inner drum and the outer drum.
[0014] Furthermore, the water intake and drainage space is defined by the sealing assembly,
a sealing window pad of an observing window of the washing machine, the hole area
of the inner drum and the outer drum; and the water intake pipeline and the drainage
pipeline of the washing machine communicate with the water intake and drainage space.
[0015] Furthermore, a guiding structure, by which water is guided from the hole-free area
to the hole area, is arranged on the inner surface of the hole-free area of the inner
drum.
[0016] The second object of the disclosure is to provide a control method for the drum washing
machine, which at least comprises a washing process, a rinsing process and a dewatering
process, wherein during the washing process or the rinsing process of the washing
machine, water, which is supplied, enters the hole-free area from the hole area of
the inner drum; and during drainage or the dewatering process of the washing machine,
water enters the hole area from the hole-free area.
[0017] Furthermore, after the washing process or rinsing process is completed, water is
supplied by the washing machine to flush the water intake and drainage space to thoroughly
flush away sewage.
[0018] With the application of the technical solution, the present disclosure, in comparison
with the prior art, has the following beneficial effects:
- (1) The inner drum of the washing machine provided by the present disclosure comprises
the hole area and the hole-free area, namely the inner drum is merely locally provided
with water intake and drainage holes; the hole-free area of the inner drum cooperates
with the sealing assembly for effectively separating the inner drum from the outer
drum so as to prevent crossed flowing of washing sewage and to avoid dirt accumulation
between the inner drum and the outer drum; and therefore, a dirt-avoiding washing
mode is achieved.
- (2) Water intake and drainage can be effectively achieved through the hole area of
the inner drum of present disclosure; and meanwhile, after drainage of such processes
as washing or rinsing, the water intake and drainage space for water intake and drainage
can be conveniently flushed, so as to further avoid dirt residues.
- (3) The hole area of the inner drum of the present disclosure is preferably arranged
at the front end of the drum body and is close to the laundry input port, so that
coordination with a water intake and drainage system of the existing washing machine
can be achieved; the inner and outer drums can be separated merely by arranging the
sealing assembly at one location; in addition, modification and adding can be implemented
on the basis of the existing washing machine; and therefore, the washing machine is
low in modification cost and easy to implement.
[0019] The specific embodiments of the disclosure will be further described in detail below
in combination with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The drawings, as one part of the present disclosure, are provided for further understanding
of the present disclosure; schematic embodiments of the present disclosure and illustrations
are used for explaining the present disclosure, but not intended to limit the prevent
disclosure. Obviously, the drawings hereinafter are merely some embodiments; and other
drawings can be obtained by normal technicians of the field on the basis of the drawings
under the precondition of not making creative work.
[0021] In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a drum washing machine of the present
disclosure.
[0022] In the figure, 1. housing, 2.outer drum, 3. inner drum, 4. hole area, 5. hole-free
area, 6. sealing assembly, 7. water intake and drainage hole, 8. sealed region, 9.
water intake and drainage space, 10. water intake pipeline, 11. drainage pipeline,
12. observing window, 13. sealing window pad, and 14. drainage pump.
[0023] It is noted that those drawings and text descriptions just explain concept of the
present disclosure to technicians of the field by referring to specific embodiments,
not aiming at limiting the concept scope of the present disclosure in any forms.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0024] For clearer understanding of purposes, technical solutions and advantages of the
embodiments of the present disclosure, the technical solution in the embodiments is
clearly and completely described in the combination with the drawings in the embodiments
of the present disclosure; the embodiments hereinafter are used for explaining the
present disclosure, not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[0025] It is noted that in the descriptions of the present disclosure, orientations or positional
relations indicated by "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical",
"inner", "outer" and the like in terms are shown based on the drawings and are only
provided for convenient and simplified description of the present disclosure, rather
than indicating or implicating that the mentioned device or element must have specific
orientations or be constructed or operated in specific orientation, thus being not
intended to limit the present disclosure.
[0026] In the descriptions of the present disclosure, it is noted that 'installing', 'connected
to' and 'connecting' in the terms are expansive understanding, otherwise clear specifications
and limitations, for example, fixed connection, detachable connection or integrated
connection, mechanical connection, electrical connection, direct connection or indirect
connection through an intermediate. For normal technicians of the field, specific
meanings of the terms in the present disclosure can be understood in accordance with
specific situations.
Embodiment I
[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, the embodiment provides a cleaning-free drum washing machine,
comprising a housing 1, an outer drum 2 and an inner drum 3, wherein the inner drum
3 comprises a hole area 4 which is provided with holes and a hole-free area 5 which
is closed; a sealing assembly 6 is arranged between the inner drum on at least one
side of the hole area 4 and the outer drum; and a sealed region 8 is defined by the
sealing assembly 6, the hole-free area of the inner drum and the outer drum.
[0028] In the existing washing machines, a region between an inner drum and an outer drum
can store water and can cause easy accumulation of dirt, and the region cannot be
directly cleaned; and the region cannot be thoroughly cleaned by virtue of existing
cleaning methods which are time-consuming and labor-consuming. While according to
the drum washing machine provided by the present disclosure, the inner drum is locally
provided with holes in the drum wall, namely a hole area is defined, and other parts
define a closed hole-free area, wherein water intake and drainage can be implemented
through holes in the hole area of the inner drum, and the holes can be distributed
in one or more circles, so that effective water intake and drainage of the washing
machine can be achieved. By virtue of the hole-free area of the inner drum, a sealed
region between the inner drum and the outer drum is formed, so as to prevent invasion
of sewage and to avoid dirt accumulation.
[0029] According to the embodiment, the sealing assembly is arranged in coordination with
the inner drum, so that a region between the hole area and the outer drum and a region
between the hole-free area and the outer drum are hermetically separated, and crossed
flowing of sewage is prevented. The sealing assembly is arranged at one side or two
sides of the hole area of the inner drum, so that the sealed region is defined by
the sealing assembly, the hole-free area of the inner drum and the outer drum; and
the size of the sealed region can be adjusted by setting the positions and number
of the sealing assemblies. The hole area of the inner drum can be arranged at one
side of the inner drum, such as the side close to the laundry input port, and the
hole area can also be arranged in the middle of the inner drum; and the position of
the sealing assembly is determined in accordance with the position of the hole area.
The sealing assembly is arranged at the back side of the hole area when the hole area
is arranged at the front side of the inner drum, namely the side close to the laundry
input port, and the sealed region, which is free from water, is formed between the
hole-free area at the middle and back parts of the inner drum and the outer drum.
[0030] Furthermore, the sealing assembly 6 is fixedly arranged on the inner wall of the
outer drum 2 and is in dynamic seal with the outer wall of the inner drum 3.
[0031] According to the embodiment, the sealing assembly can be fixedly arranged on the
inner wall of the outer drum in any fixing manner; the sealing assembly is matched
with a distance between the inner drum and the outer drum and is in dynamic seal with
the outer wall of the inner drum, and sealing can be still achieved under a circumstance
that the inner drum is rotated; and in addition, the sealing assembly is convenient
to install and is easy to replace.
[0032] According to the embodiment, the sealing assembly comprises a seal ring and a fixing
piece; the seal ring is connected to the inner wall of the outer drum by virtue of
the fixing piece; and the fixing piece can be a bolt and the like. The seal ring comprises
a fixed ring, a connecting part, a dynamic seal ring and a pre-tightening ring. The
fixed ring is connected to the dynamic seal ring by virtue of the connecting part;
the fixed ring, the connecting part and the dynamic seal ring are integrally molded
into a whole body; the fixed ring is arranged on the outer circle of the dynamic seal
ring and is connected to the inner wall of the outer drum; the inner wall of the dynamic
seal ring is in dynamic seal with the outer wall of the inner drum; the pre-tightening
ring is arranged on the outer wall of the dynamic seal ring; and the pre-tightening
ring is used for implementing pre-tightening of the sealing assembly.
Embodiment II
[0033] As shown in Fig. 1, the embodiment I is further limited; a water intake and drainage
space 9, which is used for implementing water intake and drainage, is defined by the
sealing assembly 6, the hole area 4 of the inner drum and the outer drum 2; and the
water intake and drainage space 9 is in fluid communication with the interior of the
inner drum.
[0034] The sealing assembly is arranged at one side or two sides of the hole area; a water
intake and drainage space, which is used for implementing water intake and drainage,
can be defined by the sealing assembly, the hole area of the inner drum and the outer
drum while the sealed region is formed; and the water intake and drainage space is
in fluid communication with the interior of the inner drum through holes of the hole
area, so that water intake and drainage of the washing machine can be achieved. When
the hole area is arranged at the side close to the laundry input port, the sealing
assembly can be arranged at the side, away from the laundry input port, of the hole
area, so that the water intake and drainage space is defined by a sealing window pad
of an observing window, the hole area of the inner drum, the outer drum and the sealing
assembly; and the sealed region is defined by the sealing assembly, the hole-free
area of the inner drum and the outer drum.
[0035] Furthermore, a water intake pipeline 10 and a drainage pipeline 11 are arranged between
the housing 1 and the outer drum 2; and the water intake pipeline 10 and the drainage
pipeline 11 communicate with the water intake and drainage space 9.
[0036] The water intake pipeline and the drainage pipeline of the washing machine are arranged
between the housing and the outer drum and communicate with the water intake and drainage
space which is formed between the inner drum and the outer drum, so that water intake
and drainage of the washing machine can be achieved. The water intake pipeline and
the drainage pipeline can penetrate through the outer drum wall of the water intake
and drainage space and be hung in the water intake and drainage space, with openings
corresponding to the hole area on the inner drum; openings of the water intake pipeline
and the drainage pipeline can also be directly arranged on the outer drum wall on
which the water intake and drainage space is formed and correspond to the hole area
on the inner drum. During washing or rinsing, the water intake and drainage space
can be flushed by water which is supplied after drainage; the water intake and drainage
space, which is relatively small in volume, is also relatively small in contact area
with the inner drum, so that the water intake and drainage space can be thoroughly
flushed by water, so as to avoid sewage residues.
[0037] Furthermore, a water outlet of the water intake pipeline 10 is arranged on the outer
drum wall of the water intake and drainage space 9 and corresponds to the part, at
the upper part of the inner drum, of the hole area 4; and a water inlet of the drainage
pipeline 11 is arranged on the outer drum wall of the water intake and drainage space
9 and corresponds to the part, at the lower part of the inner drum, of the hole area
4.
[0038] The water intake pipeline is arranged at the upper end of the washing machine; the
water outlet of the water intake pipeline is arranged on the outer drum wall of the
water intake and drainage space and corresponds to the part, at the upper part of
the inner drum, of the hole area, so that a water flow can enter from the upper end;
therefore, clothes can be soaked, and the water intake and drainage space can be flushed
by water which is supplied after drainage, so as to remove sewage residues. The drainage
pipeline is arranged at the lower end of the washing machine; and the water inlet
of the drainage pipeline is arranged on the outer drum wall of the water intake and
drainage space and corresponds to the part, at the lower part of the inner drum, of
the hole area, so as to facilitate collection and discharge of washing water.
[0039] A drainage pump 14 can be arranged on the drainage pipeline, so as to offer power
for drainage; or a drainage valve can be arranged, so as to control discharge of water
flow.
Embodiment III
[0040] As shown in Fig. 1, the hole area 4 of the inner drum 3 of the embodiment is arranged
at the side close to the laundry input port; the sealing assembly 6 is arranged at
the side, away from the laundry input port, of the hole area; and the sealed region
is defined by the sealing assembly 6, the hole-free area 5 of the inner drum and the
outer drum 2.
[0041] The hole area of the inner drum is arranged at the side close to the laundry input
port, and other parts define the hole-free area; more preferably, the hole area of
the inner drum is arranged at a front flange of the drum body of the drum washing
machine; the holes are arranged in one or more circles, so that the sealed region
can be defined by the sealing assembly, the hole-free area of the inner drum and the
outer drum merely by arranging the sealing assembly at one location at the side, away
from the laundry input port, of the hole area. Therefore, a cleaning-free region,
which can prevent invasion of sewage, can be formed between a large part of inner
drum and the outer drum.
[0042] Furthermore, the water intake and drainage space is defined by the sealing assembly
6, a sealing window pad 13 of an observing window 12 of the washing machine, the hole
area 4 of the inner drum and the outer drum 2; and the water intake pipeline 10 and
the drainage pipeline 11 of the washing machine communicate with the water intake
and drainage space.
[0043] The hole area of the inner drum is arranged at the side close to the laundry input
port; preferably, the hole area of the inner drum is arranged at the front flange
of the drum body of the drum washing machine; the water intake and drainage space,
which is used for implementing water intake and drainage, is defined by a sealing
window pad of an observing window of an existing washing machine, the hole area of
the inner drum and the sealing assembly at one location. Meanwhile, the water intake
pipeline and the drainage pipeline communicate with the water intake and drainage
space, so as to implement water intake and drainage. Therefore, coordination with
the water intake and drainage system of the existing washing machine can be achieved,
and the inner and outer drums can be separated by virtue of the sealing assembly at
one location; and modification and adding can be implemented on the basis of the existing
clothes washing machine; therefore, the drum washing machine is low in modification
cost and easy to implement.
Embodiment IV
[0044] According to the embodiment, a guiding structure, by which water is guided from the
hole-free area to the hole area, is arranged on the inner surface of the hole-free
area of the inner drum.
[0045] A guiding structure, such as a guiding groove and the like, is arranged on the hole-free
area of the inner drum for guiding water from the hole-free area to the hole area
for drainage; and therefore, a drainage effect is enhanced, drainage efficiency is
improved and water accumulation is avoided.
Embodiment V
[0046] According to the embodiment, the present disclosure provides a control method of
the cleaning-free drum washing machine, wherein the control method at least comprises
a washing process, a rinsing process and a dewatering process; during washing process
or rinsing process, water, which is supplied, enters the hole-free area 5 from the
hole area 4 of the inner drum; and during drainage of the washing machine or drainage
of the dewatering process, water enters the hole area 4 from the hole-free area 5.
[0047] When the washing process or the rinsing process is started, tap water enters the
water intake and drainage space between the outer drum and the hole area of the inner
drum from the water intake pipeline, and the water flows into the inner drum from
the hole area and enters the hole-free area. When drainage is implemented or the dewatering
process is started, water in the inner drum enters the hole area from the hole-free
area, or the water, guided by the guiding structure, enters the hole area from the
hole-free area, enters the water intake and drainage space at the bottom from the
hole area and is discharged from the drainage pipeline. Therefore, effective water
intake and drainage of the washing machine can be achieved; meanwhile, invasion of
the sewage can be prevented by the sealed region between the large part of inner drum
and the outer drum, so that dirt accumulation can be prevented; and cleaning can be
avoided.
[0048] Furthermore, after the washing process or the rinsing process is completed, water
is supplied by the washing machine to flush the water intake and drainage space, so
that sewage can be thoroughly flushed away.
[0049] After drainage of the washing or rinsing process, water is supplied by the washing
machine once again so as to flush the water intake and drainage space between the
inner drum and the outer drum; and therefore, the residual sewage can be further flushed
away and residues can be prevented.
[0050] Washing process is as follows.
[0051] Water intake: during washing, the observing window 12 is closed, tap water enters
a space between the outer drum and the hole area of the inner drum from the water
intake pipeline 10 so as to flush the water intake and drainage space 9, and the water
enters the inner drum 3 of the washing machine from the hole area 4 of the inner drum
until reaching a proper level; at this moment, no water enters the sealed region 8,
and water exists in the water intake and drainage space 9 and the inner drum 3.
[0052] Washing and drainage: after water intake, the inner drum, which is driven by a motor,
is rotated at a certain rotating-stopping ratio so as to conduct washing. After washing,
the drainage pump is turned on so as to conduct drainage; and washing water in the
inner drum enters the bottom lowest point of the water intake and drainage space through
water intake and drainage holes of the hole area 4 and is discharged from the drainage
pipeline 11.
[0053] Flushing: water is supplied by the washing machine through the water intake pipeline
10 to flush the water intake and drainage space, so as to thoroughly flush away the
sewage; and free water is discharged out from the drainage pipeline 11.
[0054] Dewatering: the inner drum 3 undergoes dewatering; water is guided to the hole area
4 from the hole-free area 5 of the inner drum through the guiding structure which
is arranged on the inner surface of the inner drum 3, the water passes through the
lower lowest point of the water intake and drainage space, and enters the drainage
pipeline 11 to be discharged.
[0055] Then, the process is repeated until rinsing and washing are completed.
[0056] Obviously, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the
disclosure, but not intended to limit the disclosure in any form. Those of ordinary
skill in the art can make some changes or modifications to the above-mentioned technical
contents into the equivalent embodiments in equivalent variation without departing
from the scope of the technical solution of the present disclosure, and contents not
departing from the technical solution of the present disclosure and subjected to any
simple change, equivalent variation and modification of the above embodiments in accordance
with the technical essence of the present disclosure should still fall into the scope
of the present disclosure.
1. A drum washing machine, comprising a housing, an outer drum and an inner drum, wherein
the inner drum comprises a hole area provided with holes and a hole-free area;
a sealing assembly is arranged between the inner drum and the outer drum on at least
one side of the hole area;
and a sealed region is defined by the sealing assembly, the hole-free area of the
inner drum and the outer drum.
2. The drum washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the sealing assembly is fixedly
arranged on an inner wall of the outer drum and is in a dynamic seal with an outer
wall of the inner drum.
3. The drum washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a water intake and drainage
space is defined by the sealing assembly, the hole area of the inner drum and the
outer drum; and
the water intake and drainage space is in communication with an interior of the inner
drum.
4. The drum washing machine according to claim 3, wherein a water intake pipeline and
a drainage pipeline are arranged between the housing and the outer drum; and
the water intake pipeline and the drainage pipeline are communicated with the water
intake and drainage space.
5. The drum washing machine according to claim 4, wherein a water outlet of the water
intake pipeline is arranged on a wall of the outer drum defining the water intake
and drainage space and corresponds to the hole area at an upper part of the inner
drum; and
a water inlet of the drainage pipeline is arranged on the wall of the outer drum defining
the water intake and drainage space and corresponds to the hole area at a lower part
of the inner drum.
6. The drum washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the hole area of the inner
drum is arranged at a side close to an laundry input port;
the sealing assembly is arranged at a side, away from the laundry input port, of the
hole area; and
the sealed region is defined by the sealing assembly, the hole-free area of the inner
drum and the outer drum.
7. The drum washing machine according to claim 6, wherein a water intake and drainage
space is defined by the sealing assembly, a sealing window pad of an observing window
of the washing machine, the hole area of the inner drum and the outer drum; and
the water intake pipeline and the drainage pipeline of the washing machine are communicated
with the water intake and drainage space.
8. The drum washing machine according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein a guiding structure
for guiding water from the hole-free area to the hole area, is arranged on an inner
surface of the hole-free area of the inner drum.
9. A control method of the drum washing machine according to any one of claims 1-8, at
least comprising a washing process, a rinsing process and a dewatering process, wherein
during the washing process or the rinsing process of the washing machine, water supplied
enters the hole-free area from the hole area of the inner drum; and
during a drainage or the dewatering process of the washing machine, water enters the
hole area from the hole-free area.
10. The control method according to claim 9, wherein after the washing process or rinsing
process, water is supplied by the washing machine to flush the water intake and drainage
space to thoroughly flush away sewage.