U.S. patent application number 16/979037 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-31 for washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is HAIER SMART HOME CO., LTD., QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Baozhen CHENG, Jinsheng DONG, Mei LI, Lingchen WANG, Shuo WANG, Juanjuan ZHANG.
Application Number | 20200407908 16/979037 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005122437 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200407908 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHENG; Baozhen ; et
al. |
December 31, 2020 |
WASHING MACHINE
Abstract
A washing machine includes a washing tub which can be used for
containing water during a washing process and a water collecting
device used for collecting drain water from the washing tub,
wherein the water collecting device includes a water collecting
cavity, and the water collecting cavity is internally provided with
a volume expansion structure for expanding a volume of the water
collecting cavity. The water collecting cavity of the water
collecting device of the present disclosure is internally provided
with the volume expansion structure for expanding the volume of the
water collecting cavity, and the volume expansion structure
achieves a purpose of expanding the volume by outward expanding the
water collecting cavity as much as possible under the condition
that a height of the water collecting device remains unchanged, so
that the problem of water splashing or overflow in the water
collecting device is avoided.
Inventors: |
CHENG; Baozhen; (Shandong,
CN) ; WANG; Lingchen; (Shandong, CN) ; LI;
Mei; (Shandong, CN) ; DONG; Jinsheng;
(Shandong, CN) ; WANG; Shuo; (Shandong, CN)
; ZHANG; Juanjuan; (Shandong, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.
HAIER SMART HOME CO., LTD. |
Shandong
Shandong |
|
CN
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO.,
LTD.
Shandong
CN
HAIER SMART HOME CO., LTD.
Shandong
CN
|
Family ID: |
1000005122437 |
Appl. No.: |
16/979037 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
March 7, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2019/077251 |
371 Date: |
September 8, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 37/12 20130101;
D06F 39/083 20130101; D06F 23/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 39/08 20060101
D06F039/08; D06F 23/04 20060101 D06F023/04; D06F 37/12 20060101
D06F037/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 7, 2018 |
CN |
201810188481.1 |
Claims
1. A washing machine, comprising a washing tub for containing water
during a washing process and a water collecting device for
collecting drain water from the washing tub, wherein, the water
collecting device comprises a water collecting cavity, and the
water collecting cavity internally provided with a volume expansion
structure for expanding a volume of the water collecting
cavity.
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein, a bottom wall
of the water collecting cavity comprises a bottom wall body located
in middle and a water collecting groove recessed and located on an
outer periphery of the bottom wall body, the water collecting
device comprises a drainage port communicating with the water
collecting groove, and the volume expansion structure is located on
a side wall, close to the bottom wall body, of the water collecting
groove, and is used for expanding a volume of the water collecting
groove.
3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein, the volume
expansion structure comprises a first volume expansion part, and
the first volume expansion part is formed by the side wall
extending obliquely toward the bottom wall body, close to the
bottom wall body, of the water collecting groove.
4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein, the side
wall, close to the bottom wall body, of the water collecting groove
extends obliquely toward the bottom wall body in an entire
circumferential direction to form a circle of the first volume
expansion part.
5. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein inclination
angles of the first volume expansion parts at positions in the
entire circumferential direction of the bottom wall body are
same.
6. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the volume
expansion structure comprises a second volume expansion part, and
the second volume expansion part is formed by recessing the side
wall, close to the bottom wall body, of the water collecting groove
toward the bottom wall body.
7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein the second
volume expansion part comprises inward recesses distributed around
the outer periphery of the bottom wall body and formed by partially
recessing the side wall, close to the bottom wall body, of the
water collecting groove toward the bottom wall body, wherein at
least one of the inward recesses corresponds to a position of the
drainage port.
8. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a part, below
a highest water level, of a tub wall of the washing tub is
impermeable, and the washing tub is for containing water during the
washing process; a part, above the highest water level, of the tub
wall of the washing tub is provided with a dehydration hole, and
the washing tub discharges water from the dehydration hole during a
dehydration process; and a dehydration and drainage device is
arranged on an outer wall of the washing tub, a water inlet end of
the dehydration and drainage device is communicated with the
dehydration hole, and a water outlet end of the dehydration and
drainage device is in the water collecting cavity of the water
collecting device.
9. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the water
collecting device is located under the washing tub and arranged
coaxially with the washing tub, an upper opening of the water
collecting device is lower than the dehydration hole of the washing
tub, and the dehydration and drainage device comprises a drainage
channel extending into the water collecting groove of the water
collecting device from top to bottom; and a depth of the water
collecting groove in a vertical direction gradually increases along
a direction in which the washing tub rotates during the dehydration
process.
10. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein dehydration
holes are formed at a tub opening of the washing tub, drainage
channels are arranged and are in one-to-one corresponding to the
dehydration holes, upper ends of the drainage channels are
communicated with the dehydration holes, and lower ends of the
drainage channels are in the water collecting groove of the water
collecting device; or, dehydration hole groups are uniformly formed
at the tub opening of the washing tub, each of the dehydration hole
groups comprises the dehydration holes, and the drainage channels
are in one-to-one corresponding to the dehydration hole groups, an
upper end of each of the drainage channels is communicated with the
dehydration holes in one of the dehydration hole groups, and the
lower ends of the drainage channels are in the water collecting
groove of the water collecting device.
11. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein, the side
wall, close to the bottom wall body, of the water collecting groove
partially extends obliquely toward the bottom wall body to form
first volume expansion parts distributed along the outer periphery
of the bottom wall body.
12. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein inclination
angles of the first volume expansion parts at positions in the
entire circumferential direction of the bottom wall body are
same.
13. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the
inclination angles of the first volume expansion parts gradually
increase in the entire circumferential direction of the bottom wall
body.
14. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the volume
expansion structure comprises a second volume expansion part, and
the second volume expansion part is formed by recessing the side
wall, close to the bottom wall body, of the water collecting groove
toward the bottom wall body.
15. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the volume
expansion structure comprises a second volume expansion part, and
the second volume expansion part is formed by recessing the side
wall, close to the bottom wall body, of the water collecting groove
toward the bottom wall body.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of
laundry equipment, in particular to a washing machine.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A washing machine is designed as a device for washing
clothing through electricity. Generally speaking, a washing machine
includes: a tub for containing washing water; a rotating tub
rotationally installed in the tub; impellers rotationally installed
at a bottom of the rotating tub; a motor and a clutch which are
configured to rotate the rotating tub and the impellers. When the
rotating tub and the impellers rotate in a state in which clothing
and detergents are put into the rotating tub, the impellers agitate
washing water together with the clothing put into the rotating tub,
thereby removing stains from the clothing.
[0003] In order to increase the washing capacity of the washing
machine, a larger rotating tub is required, that is, a height or
diameter of the rotating tub needs to be increased. If the rotating
tub is larger, an accommodating tub and a machine shell which are
used for accommodating the rotating tub also need to be enlarged as
the rotating tub is enlarged.
[0004] The enlargement of the machine shell corresponding to the
appearance of the washing machine is limited by the space of an
area where the washing machine is installed. General users have a
limited space for the washing machine in the home, so that it is
not realistic to enlarge the washing machine shell to increase the
capacity of the washing tub. How to increase the capacity of the
rotating tub without enlarging the machine shell of the washing
machine has become a major problem for designers.
[0005] In view of this, the present disclosure is proposed.
SUMMARY
[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an object of the
present disclosure is to provide a washing machine. Specifically,
the following technical solutions are adopted.
[0007] A washing machine includes a washing tub which can be used
for containing water during a washing process and a water
collecting device used for collecting drain water from the washing
tub, wherein the water collecting device includes a water
collecting cavity, and the water collecting cavity is internally
provided with a volume expansion structure for expanding a volume
of the water collecting cavity.
[0008] Further, a bottom wall of the water collecting cavity
includes a bottom wall body located in the middle and a concave
water collecting groove located on the outer periphery of the
bottom wall body, the water collecting device includes a drainage
port communicating with the water collecting groove, and the volume
expansion structure is located on a side wall, close to the bottom
wall body, of the water collecting groove, and is used for
expanding the volume of the water collecting groove.
[0009] Further, the volume expansion structure includes a first
volume expansion part, and the first volume expansion part is
formed by the side wall, close to the bottom wall body, of the
water collecting groove extending obliquely toward the bottom wall
body.
[0010] Further, the side wall, close to the bottom wall body, of
the water collecting groove extends obliquely toward the bottom
wall body in an entire circumferential direction to form a full
circle of the first volume expansion part; or,
[0011] the side wall, close to the bottom wall body, of the water
collecting groove partially extends obliquely toward the bottom
wall body to form a plurality of first volume expansion parts
distributed along the outer periphery of the bottom wall body.
[0012] Further, inclination angles of the first volume expansion
part at positions in the entire circumferential direction of the
bottom wall body are the same; or, the inclination angles of the
first volume expansion part at the positions in the entire
circumferential direction of the bottom wall body gradually
increase.
[0013] Further, the volume expansion structure includes a second
volume expansion part, and the second volume expansion part is
formed by recessing the side wall, close to the bottom wall body,
of the water collecting groove toward the bottom wall body.
[0014] Further, the second volume expansion part includes a
plurality of inward recesses distributed around the outer periphery
of the bottom wall body and formed by partially recessing the side
wall, close to the bottom wall body, of the water collecting groove
toward the bottom wall body, wherein
[0015] at least one inward recess corresponds to the position of
the drainage port.
[0016] Further, a part, below a highest water level, of a tub wall
of the washing tub is closed, and the washing tub is used for
containing water during the washing process; a part, above the
highest water level, of the tub wall of the washing tub is provided
with dehydration holes, and the washing tub discharges water from
the dehydration holes during a dehydration process. A dehydration
and drainage device is arranged on an outer wall of the washing
tub, a water inlet end of the dehydration and drainage device
communicates with the dehydration holes, and a water outlet end of
the dehydration and drainage device extends into the water
collecting cavity of the water collecting device.
[0017] Further, the water collecting device is located under the
washing tub and arranged coaxially with the washing tub, an upper
opening of the water collecting device is lower than the
dehydration holes of the washing tub, and the dehydration and
drainage device includes drainage channels extending into the water
collecting groove of the water collecting device from top to
bottom; and a depth of the water collecting groove in a vertical
direction gradually increases along a direction in which the
washing tub rotates during dehydration.
[0018] Further, a plurality of dehydration holes are formed at a
tub opening of the washing tub, a plurality of drainage channels
are arranged and are in one-to-one corresponding to the dehydration
holes, upper ends of the drainage channels communicate with the
dehydration holes, and lower ends of the drainage channels extend
into the water collecting groove of the water collecting
device.
[0019] Or, a plurality of dehydration hole groups are uniformly
formed at the tub opening of the washing tub, each dehydration hole
group includes a plurality of dehydration holes, a plurality of
drainage channels are arranged and are in one-to-one corresponding
to the dehydration hole groups, the upper end of each drainage
channel communicates with a plurality of dehydration holes in one
dehydration hole group, and the lower end of each drainage channel
extends into the water collecting groove of the water collecting
device.
[0020] The washing tub of the washing machine of the present
disclosure is used for containing water during the washing process,
so that the washing tub adopts a "non-porous washing tub" design,
meanwhile, the structural design of an outer tub is omitted, the
water collecting device is adopted for replacing the outer tub to
collect and discharge water, and therefore the washing machine of
the present disclosure has the following technical effects.
[0021] 1. The capacity of the washing tub can be increased under
the condition that the volume of a shell remains unchanged, and
thus a volume expansion effect of the washing machine is
achieved.
[0022] 2. Water only exists in the washing tub during the washing
process, which avoids the problem of "dirt remaining" on an inner
wall of an outer tub and the outer wall of the washing tub caused
by water stored between an inner tub and an outer tub of a
traditional washing machine, and a better washing effect is
achieved.
[0023] 3. The outer tub is omitted, and the washing tub is used as
a water containing tub, so that no water is stored between the
inner tub and the outer tub during the washing process, the washing
water consumption is reduced, and washing water is saved.
[0024] 4. The water collecting cavity of the water collecting
device is internally provided with the volume expansion structure
for expanding the volume of the water collecting cavity, and the
volume expansion structure achieves the purpose of expanding the
volume by outward expanding the water collecting cavity as much as
possible on the premise that the height of the water collecting
device remains unchanged, so that the problem of water splashing or
overflow in the water collecting device is avoided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a washing
machine in an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a first schematic diagram of a three-dimensional
structure of a water collecting device of a washing machine in
Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a second schematic diagram of a three-dimensional
structure of a water collecting device of a washing machine in
Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a top view of a water collecting device of a
washing machine in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a water collecting device of a
washing machine in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure along a
plane E-E in FIG. 4;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a water collecting device of a
washing machine in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure along a
plane F-F in FIG. 4;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional
structure of a water collecting device of a washing machine in
Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a top view of a water collecting device of a
washing machine in Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a water collecting device of a
washing machine in Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure along a
plane A-A in FIG. 8;
[0034] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a bottom of a water
collecting device of a washing machine in Embodiment 3 of the
present disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a water collecting device of
a washing machine in Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure along a
plane B-B in FIG. 10;
[0036] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional
structure of a water collecting device of a washing machine in
Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure;
[0037] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a bottom of a water
collecting device of a washing machine in Embodiment 4 of the
present disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a water collecting device of
a washing machine in Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure along a
plane C-C in FIG. 13;
[0039] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional
structure of a water collecting device of a washing machine in
Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure;
[0040] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional
structure of a water collecting device of a washing machine in
another implementation mode of Embodiment 5 of the present
disclosure;
[0041] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a water collecting device of
a washing machine in another implementation mode of Embodiment 5 of
the present disclosure;
[0042] FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a water collecting device of
a washing machine in Embodiment 6 of the present disclosure;
[0043] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional
structure of a reinforcing structure in an implementation mode of
Embodiment 6 of the present disclosure;
[0044] FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a water collecting device of
a washing machine in another implementation mode of Embodiment 6 of
the present disclosure;
[0045] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional
structure of a reinforcing structure in another implementation mode
of Embodiment 6 of the present disclosure;
[0046] FIG. 22 is an exploded view of a water collecting device of
a washing machine in another implementation mode of Embodiment 6 of
the present disclosure;
[0047] FIG. 23 is an exploded view of a water collecting device of
a washing machine in another implementation mode of Embodiment 6 of
the present disclosure; and
[0048] FIG. 24 is a sectional view of a water collecting device of
a washing machine in another implementation mode of Embodiment 6 of
the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] A washing machine of the present disclosure is described in
detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1
[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, a washing machine of the embodiment
includes a washing tub 200 for containing water during a washing
process and a water collecting device 500 for collecting drain
water from the washing tub, wherein the water collecting device 500
includes a water collecting cavity 503.
[0051] The washing tub 200 of the washing machine in the embodiment
is used as a water containing tub, no outer tub is arranged outside
the washing tub 200, only the water collecting device 500 is
arranged at a bottom of the washing tub 200. Thus washing water in
the washing tub is discharged to the water collecting device 500
and then discharged, and therefore the water collecting device 500
is provided with the water collecting cavity 503 to achieve a
function of temporarily storing water.
[0052] The washing tub of the washing machine in the embodiment is
used as the water containing tub, so that the washing tub adopts a
"non-porous washing tub" design, meanwhile, an outer tub is omitted
and replaced by the water collecting device which only collects and
discharges drain water from the washing tub, and therefore the
washing machine of the embodiment has the following technical
effects.
[0053] 1. The capacity of the washing tub can be increased under
the condition that a volume of a shell remains unchanged, and thus
a volume expansion effect of the washing machine is achieved.
[0054] 2. Water only exists in the washing tub in the washing
process, which avoids the problem of "dirt remaining" on an inner
wall of an outer tub and the outer wall of the washing tub caused
by water stored between an inner tub and an outer tub of a
traditional washing machine, and a better washing effect is
achieved.
[0055] 3. The outer tub is omitted, and the washing tub is used as
the water containing tub, so that no water is stored between the
inner tub and the outer tub during the washing process, the washing
water consumption is reduced, and washing water is saved.
[0056] Due to the volume expansion of the washing machine, water is
discharged from an opening of a water channel on the washing tub in
the dehydration stage, as the outer tub is omitted, water
discharged from the water channel enters the water collecting
cavity of the water collecting device. Due to the volume expansion
demand, a height of the water collecting device is limited, a water
level in the water collecting cavity is at a certain height, when
the washing tub rotates at a high speed for dehydration, the water
level increases, and water flow attaches to the inner wall of the
water collecting cavity. If water cannot be discharged in time,
water splashes or rises to overflow out of a water drainage
channel. Therefore, the embodiment aims to increase the volume in
the water collecting cavity as much as possible under the condition
that that the height of the water collecting device remains
unchanged, so as to avoid the problem of water splashing or
overflow in the water collecting device.
[0057] Therefore, the water collecting cavity 503 of the embodiment
is internally provided with a volume expansion structure for
expanding the volume. Due to the volume expansion structure, the
water collecting cavity 503 is outward expanded as much as possible
to achieve the purpose of volume expansion under the condition of
ensuring that the height of the water collecting device remains
unchanged, so as to avoid the problem of water splashing or
overflow in the water collecting device.
[0058] Further, a bottom wall of the water collecting cavity 503 in
the embodiment includes a bottom wall body 505 located in the
middle and a concave water collecting groove 502 located on the
outer periphery of the bottom wall body 505, the water collecting
device 500 includes a drainage port 504 communicating with the
water collecting groove, and the volume expansion structure is
located on a side wall, close to the bottom wall body 505, of the
water collecting groove 502, and is used for expanding a volume of
the water collecting groove 502.
[0059] The water collecting groove 502 of the embodiment increases
a depth of partial of the water collecting cavity, and meanwhile,
outlet ends of drainage channels on the washing tub extend into the
water collecting groove 502 of the water collecting device 500, in
this way, even if the washing tub rotates at a high speed for
dehydration, discharged water directly enters the deeper water
collecting groove 502, so that water splashing or overflow is
avoided.
[0060] It can be seen that since drain water of the washing tub is
directly discharged into the water collecting groove 502 of the
water collecting device, water splashing or overflow is avoided by
arranging the volume expansion structure on the water collecting
groove 502 for expanding the volume of the water collecting groove
502 in the present disclosure without overall deepening, and thus
the height and strength of the water collecting device are
ensured.
[0061] As an implementation of the embodiment, the volume expansion
structure includes a first volume expansion part 512, and the first
volume expansion part 512 is formed by the side wall, close to the
bottom wall body, of the water collecting groove 502 extending
obliquely toward the bottom wall body, so that the volume of the
water collecting groove 502 is increased.
[0062] In the embodiment, an arrangement mode and an inclination
angle of the first volume expansion part 512 need to ensure the
overall height and strength of the water collecting device.
[0063] Specifically, the side wall, close to the bottom wall body
505, of the water collecting groove 502 extends obliquely toward
the bottom wall body 505 in an entire circumferential direction to
form a full circle of the first volume expansion part 512; or,
[0064] the side wall, close to the bottom wall body 505, of the
water collecting groove 502 partially extends obliquely toward the
bottom wall body 505 to form a plurality of first volume expansion
parts 512 distributed along the outer periphery of the bottom wall
body 505.
[0065] In the embodiment, inclination angles of the first volume
expansion part 512 at positions in the entire circumferential
direction of the bottom wall body are the same, and therefore the
volume of the water collecting groove 502 can be expanded as much
as possible.
[0066] Alternatively, the inclination angles of the first volume
expansion part 512 at the positions in the entire circumferential
direction of the bottom wall body gradually increase, thus, a
transition structure is formed between the side wall of the water
collecting groove and the bottom wall body 505, a certain water
guiding effect is achieved, and water is guided from the bottom
wall body to the water collecting groove 502.
[0067] As an implementation mode of the embodiment, the volume
expansion structure includes a second volume expansion part 513,
and the second volume expansion part 513 is formed by recessing the
side wall, close to the bottom wall body 505, of the water
collecting groove 502 toward the bottom wall body 505.
[0068] Further, the second volume expansion part 513 includes a
plurality of inward recesses distributed around the outer periphery
of the bottom wall body and formed by partially recessing the side
wall, close to the bottom wall body, of the water collecting groove
toward the bottom wall body, wherein
[0069] at least one inward recess corresponds to the position of
the drainage port.
[0070] Further, the inward recess corresponding to the drainage
port is larger than the other inward recesses.
[0071] According to the washing machine of the embodiment, a part
of a tub wall, below a highest water level, of the washing tub 200
is closed, and the washing tub 200 is used for containing water
during the washing process; a part of the tub wall, above the
highest water level, of the washing tub 200 is provided with
dehydration holes, and the washing tub 200 discharges water from
the dehydration holes during the dehydration process; a dehydration
and drainage device 300 is arranged on the outer wall of the
washing tub 200, a water inlet end of the dehydration and drainage
device 300 communicates with the dehydration holes, and a water
outlet end of the dehydration and drainage device 300 extends into
the water collecting cavity 503 of the water collecting device
500.
[0072] The washing tub 200 of the washing machine in the embodiment
is a "non-porous washing tub". The washing tub 200 is used as a
water containing tub during the washing process, the part of the
tub wall, above the highest water level, of the washing tub 200 is
provided with the dehydration holes to achieve a dehydration
function, meanwhile, the dehydration and drainage device is
arranged on the tub wall of the washing tub 200, water of the
washing machine during the dehydration process is guided to the
water collecting cavity 503 of the water collecting device 500
through the dehydration and drainage device to be collected and
discharged, and dehydrated water is prevented from splashing into a
shell of the washing machine.
[0073] The water collecting device 500 of the embodiment is located
under the washing tub 200 and is arranged coaxially with the
washing tub, an upper opening of the water collecting device 500 is
lower than the dehydration holes of the washing tub 200, and the
dehydration and drainage device 300 includes drainage channels
extending into the water collecting groove 502 of the water
collecting device 500 from top to bottom. A depth of the water
collecting groove 502 in a vertical direction gradually increases
along a direction in which the washing tub rotates during
dehydration. In the embodiment, the dehydration and drainage device
300 is extended into the water collecting groove 502 of the water
collecting device 500, water in the dehydration process is
collected in the water collecting groove 502 and discharged,
meanwhile, the water collecting groove 502 is deeper than the water
collecting cavity 503, and splashing during dehydration and
drainage can be avoided.
[0074] Further, a plurality of dehydration holes are formed in a
tub opening of the washing tub 200 in the embodiment, a plurality
of drainage channels are arranged and are in a one-to-one
corresponding to the dehydration holes, upper ends of the drainage
channels communicate with the dehydration holes, and lower ends of
the drainage channels extend into the water collecting groove 502
of the water collecting device.
[0075] Alternatively, a plurality of dehydration hole groups are
uniformly formed at the tub opening of the washing tub 200, each
dehydration hole group includes a plurality of dehydration holes, a
plurality of drainage channels are arranged and are in one-to-one
corresponding to the dehydration hole groups, the upper end of each
drainage channel communicates with a plurality of dehydration holes
in one dehydration hole group, and the lower end of each drainage
channel extends into the water collecting groove 502 of the water
collecting device.
[0076] As an implementation of the embodiment, the bottom wall of
the water collecting cavity 503 includes a bottom wall body 505
flush arranged as a whole and an annular water collecting groove
502 located on the outer periphery of the bottom wall body 505, a
plurality of drainage channels are arranged and evenly distributed
along the outer wall of the washing tub, and water outlet ends of
the plurality of drainage channels communicate to an interior of
the annular water collecting groove.
[0077] Further, the drainage port 504 in the embodiment is formed
in a position at a lowest water level in the annular water
collecting groove 502, the drainage port 504 expands toward the
bottom wall body 505 to meet the water discharge quantity
requirement, thus a diameter of the drainage port can be increased,
a water outflow rate is increased the drainage requirements can be
met, and water accumulation and overflow of the water collecting
device 500 are avoided.
[0078] The bottom wall body 505 of the embodiment is provided with
a valve plug installation part 506 and a locking component
installation part 507, a valve plug is installed on the valve plug
installation part 506, a locking component is installed on the
locking component installation part 507. The bottom of the washing
tub 200 is provided with a positioning hole and a washing tub
drainage port. When the washing tub discharges water, the locking
component moves to be inserted into the positioning hole in the
washing tub 200 so as to lock the washing tub 200 in position, and
meanwhile, the valve plug moves to open the washing tub drainage
port to discharge water in the washing tub.
[0079] The water collecting device 500 of the embodiment is of a
basin-shaped structure internally provided with a cavity. The water
collecting device 500 is arranged inside a shell 100 of the washing
machine in a hoisting manner through suspension rods 400,
suspension rod installation bases 501 for assembling the suspension
rods 400 are arranged on an outer peripheral wall of the water
collecting device, and preferably, four suspension rod installation
bases are arranged and evenly distributed in a circumferential
direction.
[0080] A driving device 600 is installed on a bottom wall of the
water collecting device 500 of the embodiment, and the driving
device is provided with a washing tub shaft and an impeller shaft
which drives the washing tub 200 and impellers 800 to rotate.
[0081] A balance ring 900 is arranged at the opening of the washing
tub 200 of the embodiment, and the dehydration holes of the washing
tub 200 are formed in the opening and blocked by the balance ring
900, thus, the washing tub 200 achieves a "non-porous" effect in
appearance, and the overall integration is improved.
Embodiment 2
[0082] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 7-9, a washing machine of the
embodiment includes a washing tub 200 used for containing water
during a washing process and a water collecting device 500 for
collecting water discharged from the washing tub 200, wherein the
water collecting device 500 includes a water collecting cavity 503
and a drainage port 504 communicating with the water collecting
cavity 503, and a bottom wall of the water collecting cavity 503 is
provided with a water guiding structure for guiding water to flow
to the drainage port 504.
[0083] The washing tub 200 of the washing machine in the embodiment
is used as a water containing tub, no outer tub is arranged outside
the washing tub 200, only the water collecting device 500 is
arranged at a bottom of the washing tub 200 in the embodiment, thus
washing water in the washing tub is discharged to the water
collecting device 500 and then discharged. Therefore the water
collecting device 500 is provided with the water collecting cavity
503 to achieve a function of temporarily storing water. A height of
the water collecting device 500 is less than a height of the
washing tub 200, the bottom wall of the water collecting cavity 503
is provided with the water guiding structure for guiding water to
flow to the drainage port 504, so as to ensure that water is
discharged in time, and avoid overflow caused by excessive water
accumulation in the water collecting device 500.
[0084] As an implementation of the embodiment, all or part of the
bottom wall of the water collecting cavity 503 is arranged in a
transition manner from high to low to form the water guiding
structure, and the drainage port 504 is arranged at a position,
below a highest water level, on the bottom wall of the water
collecting cavity 503. In this way, drain water can be better
discharged to the drainage port 504 along the water guiding
structure of the water collecting cavity 503 to be discharged.
[0085] Further, the bottom wall of the water collecting cavity 503
of the embodiment is provided with a concave water collecting
groove 502, a depth of the water collecting groove 502 in a
vertical direction is set in a transition manner from high to low,
thus the water guiding structure is formed, and the drainage port
504 is arranged in the water collecting groove 502 and is located
at the position below the highest water level. In the embodiment,
the concave water collecting groove 502 is arranged in the water
collecting cavity 503, which increases a water collecting volume on
and prevents water from splashing. Since the water level of the
water collecting groove in the water collecting cavity 503 is the
lowest, arranging the drainage port 504 in the water collecting
groove is more conducive to drainage.
[0086] Specifically, the water collecting groove 502 in the
embodiment is circumferentially arranged along the bottom wall of
the water collecting cavity 503, and the depth of the water
collecting groove 502 is set in a transition manner from high to
low in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, so that the water
guiding structure is formed.
[0087] Preferably, the depth of the water collecting groove in the
vertical direction is set in a transition manner from high to low
in a clockwise direction, so that the water guiding structure is
formed.
[0088] As an implementation of the embodiment, the water guiding
structure is a spiral structure or a stepped structure formed by
the bottom of the water collecting groove 502 from high to low, and
the drainage port 504 is formed in the water collecting groove and
located at the position at the lowest water level of the spiral
structure or the stepped structure. In this way, drain water is
completely discharged, and water is prevented from remaining in the
water collecting cavity 503.
[0089] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, a height difference
between the highest and lowest positions of the bottom of the water
collecting groove 502 is h, and the h is designed according to the
drainage requirements of the washing machine.
[0090] The washing machine of the embodiment adopts the structural
design of a "non-porous washing tub" without an outer tub, and the
water collecting groove of the water collecting device is arranged
in a high-low transition manner, so that water is better guided and
discharged, water collecting and drainage of the water collecting
device are ensured, and water accumulation and overflow are
prevented.
Embodiment 3
[0091] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 7-11, a washing machine of the
embodiment includes a washing tub 200 used for containing water
during a washing process and a water collecting device 500 for
collecting water discharged from the washing tub 200. The water
collecting device 500 includes a water collecting cavity 503 and a
drainage port 504 communicating with the water collecting cavity
503, a bottom wall of the water collecting cavity 503 is provided
with a concave water collecting groove 502, and the innermost
circumference of the drainage port 504 is located in the outermost
circumference of the water collecting groove 502.
[0092] The washing tub 200 of the washing machine in the embodiment
is used as a water containing tub, no outer tub is arranged outside
the washing tub 200, only the water collecting device 500 is
arranged at a bottom of the washing tub 200 in the embodiment, thus
washing water in the washing tub is discharged to the water
collecting device 500 and then discharged, Therefore the water
collecting device 500 is provided with the water collecting cavity
503 to achieve a function of temporarily storing water. In the
embodiment, the innermost circumference of the drainage port 504 is
located in the outermost circumference of the water collecting
groove 502, so that the drainage port 504 can work at full capacity
to meet drainage requirements.
[0093] As an implementation of the embodiment, the innermost
circumference of the drainage port 504 and the outermost
circumference of the water collecting groove 502 are internally
tangent. In this way, the drainage port 504 can discharge water
quickly, and water accumulated in the water collecting groove 502
is reduced.
[0094] As shown in FIG. 5, the outermost circumference of the water
collecting groove 502 is R0, the innermost circumference of the
drainage port 504 is R1, and the R0 and R1 are internally
tangent.
[0095] As an implementation of the embodiment, at least two
drainage ports 504 are formed and are respectively formed in the
water collecting groove 502 to better meet the drainage
requirements of the water collecting device 500. The innermost
circumferences of the plurality of drainage ports 504 are located
in the outermost circumference of the water collecting groove 502
so that each drainage port 504 can discharge water quickly, and
water accumulated in the water collecting groove 502 is greatly
reduced.
[0096] Preferably, the innermost circumference of at least one of
the drainage ports 504 and the outermost circumference of the water
collecting groove 502 are internally tangent. Further preferably,
the innermost circumferences of the drainage ports 504 are
internally tangent to the outermost circumference of the water
collecting groove 502.
[0097] As an implementation of the embodiment, a depth of the water
collecting groove 502 in a vertical direction is set in a
transition manner from high to low, and the plurality of drainage
ports 504 are distributed in the water collecting groove 502 and
located at positions below a highest water level. At least one of
the drainage ports 504 is formed in a position at a lowest water
level in the water collecting groove 502.
[0098] Further, the drainage ports 504 include a first drainage
port and a second drainage port, the first drainage port is formed
in the position at the lowest water level in the water collecting
groove 502, and the second drainage port is formed in a position
between the highest water level and the lowest water level in the
water collecting groove 502. The innermost circumference of the
first drainage port and the innermost circumference of the second
drainage port are internally tangent to the outermost circumference
of the water collecting groove respectively.
[0099] Preferably, the water collecting groove 502 is
circumferentially arranged along the bottom wall of the water
collecting cavity 503, the depth of the water collecting groove 502
in the vertical direction is set in a transition manner from high
to low in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the first
drainage port and the second drainage port are formed in the water
collecting groove 502, and an included angle A between the first
drainage port and the second drainage port meets the requirement:
90.degree..ltoreq.A.ltoreq.180.degree., and preferably, the
A=180.degree..
[0100] Specifically, the bottom wall of the water collecting cavity
503 in the embodiment includes a bottom wall body 505 flush
arranged as a whole and an annular water collecting groove 502
located on the outer periphery of the bottom wall body 505, the
drainage ports 504 are formed in the annular water collecting
groove 502, one sides of the innermost circumferences of the
drainage ports 504 are tangent to the outermost circumference of
the annular water collecting groove 502, and the other opposite
sides of the innermost circumferences of the drainage ports 504
extend toward the bottom wall body 505.
Embodiment 4
[0101] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 12-14, a washing machine of the
embodiment includes a washing tub 200 used for containing water
during a washing process and a water collecting device 500 for
collecting water discharged from the washing tub 200, wherein the
water collecting device 500 includes a water collecting cavity 503
and a plurality of drainage ports 504 communicating with the water
collecting cavity 503, the plurality of drainage ports 504 are
formed to meet the drainage requirement of preventing overflow of
the water collecting device 500.
[0102] The washing tub 200 of the washing machine in the embodiment
is used as a water containing tub, no outer tub is arranged outside
the washing tub 200, only the water collecting device 500 is
arranged at a bottom of the washing tub 200 in the embodiment, thus
washing water in the washing tub is discharged to the water
collecting device 500 and then discharged Therefore the water
collecting device 500 is provided with the water collecting cavity
503 to achieve a function of temporarily storing water. The
plurality of drainage ports 504 are formed in the embodiment, the
water discharge per unit time of the water collecting device 500 is
increased, rapid drainage is achieved, water accumulated in a water
collecting groove is reduced, and overflow of the water collecting
device 500 is prevented.
[0103] Specifically, as an implementation of the embodiment, a
concave water collecting groove 502 is formed in a bottom wall of
the water collecting cavity 503, and at least two drainage ports
504 are formed in the water collecting groove 502. Since the
position of the water collecting groove 502 is low, the two
drainage ports are formed in the water collecting groove to better
meet the drainage requirements.
[0104] Further, a depth of the water collecting groove 502 in a
vertical direction is set in a transition manner from high to low,
thus water flow is better guided to be discharged, the plurality of
the drainage ports 504 are distributed in the water collecting
groove 502 and located at positions below a highest water level,
and at least one of the drainage ports 504 is formed in a position
at a lowest water level in the water collecting groove to ensure
that water in the water collecting groove 502 is completely
discharged.
[0105] As an implementation of the embodiment, the drainage ports
504 include a first drainage port 5041 and a second drainage port
5042, the first drainage port 5041 is formed in the position at the
lowest water level in the water collecting groove 502, and the
second drainage port 5042 is formed in a position between the
highest water level and the lowest water level in the water
collecting groove 502. Although arranging as many drainage ports as
possible can better meet the drainage requirements, processing,
manufacturing and the overall strength of the water collecting
device 500 are affected, two drainage ports are arranged in the
embodiment, the drainage requirements are well met, and the
manufacturing and strength requirements of the water collecting
device 500 are ensured.
[0106] In the embodiment, the first drainage port 5041 is connected
to a first drainage pipe 701, the second drainage port 5042 is
connected to a second drainage pipe 702, the first drainage pipe
701 and the second drainage pipe 702 are connected to a tee joint
704, the tee joint 704 is connected to a third drainage pipe 703,
and the third drainage pipe 703 communicates to the outside of a
shell 100 of the washing machine.
[0107] Further, the water collecting groove 502 is
circumferentially arranged along the bottom wall of the water
collecting cavity 503, the depth of the water collecting groove 502
in the vertical direction is set in a transition manner from high
to low in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the first
drainage port 5041 and the second drainage port 5042 are formed in
the water collecting groove respectively, an included angle A
between the first drainage port 5041 and the second drainage port
5042 meets the requirement: 90.degree..ltoreq.A.ltoreq.180.degree.,
and thus water in two areas as far away as possible in the water
collecting cavity 503 are discharged simultaneously, and drainage
pressure of the other drainage port is lowered.
[0108] Preferably, the A=180.degree., simultaneous drainage in two
opposite areas in the water collecting cavity 503 can be achieved,
and the drainage pressure of other drainage port is lowered.
[0109] Preferably, the innermost circumferences of the plurality of
drainage ports are located in the outermost circumference of the
water collecting groove.
[0110] Preferably, the innermost circumference of at least one of
the drainage ports is internally tangent to the outermost
circumference of the water collecting groove; and
[0111] Further preferably, the innermost circumference of the first
drainage port and the innermost circumference of the second
drainage port are internally tangent to the outermost circumference
of the water collecting groove.
[0112] As an implementation of the embodiment, diameters of the
plurality of drainage ports are the same or different; and
[0113] preferably, the diameters of the drainage ports increase as
the water levels at the positions where the drainage ports are
located in the water collecting cavity increase.
Embodiment 5
[0114] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 15-17, a washing machine of the
embodiment includes a washing tub 200 used for containing water
during a washing process and a water collecting device 500 for
collecting water discharged from the washing tub 200, wherein the
water collecting device 500 includes a water collecting cavity 503,
an overflow structure 510 is arranged on a side wall of the water
collecting cavity 503, and the overflow structure 510 includes an
overflow port 509 for discharging overflowing water in the water
collecting cavity.
[0115] The washing tub 200 of the washing machine in the embodiment
is used as a water containing tub, no outer tub is arranged outside
the washing tub 200, only the water collecting device 500 is
arranged at a bottom of the washing tub 200 in the embodiment, thus
washing water in the washing tub is discharged to the water
collecting device 500 and then discharged, and therefore the water
collecting device 500 is provided with the water collecting cavity
503 to achieve a function of temporarily storing water. The side
wall of the water collecting cavity 503 of the embodiment is
provided with the overflow structure 510, when accumulated water in
the water collecting cavity 503 reaches the overflow structure 510,
accumulated water in the water collecting cavity 503 is discharged
from the overflow port 509 of the overflow structure 510, so that a
situation that excessive water accumulated in the water collecting
device 500 overflows from the water collecting cavity 503 is
avoided.
[0116] The overflow structure 510 in the embodiment includes an
overflow cavity arranged on the upper side wall of the water
collecting cavity 503, and the overflow port 509 is formed in a
bottom wall of the overflow cavity. When accumulated water in the
water collecting cavity 503 reaches the overflow structure 510, the
accumulated water in the water collecting cavity 503 enters the
overflow cavity of the overflow structure 510 and is directly
discharged through the overflow port 509 to reduce the amount of
the accumulated water in the water collecting cavity 503, and
overflow of the water collecting cavity 503 is prevented.
[0117] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, as an implementation of the
embodiment, the overflow cavity is formed by partially expanding
the upper side wall of the water collecting cavity.
[0118] As shown in FIG. 12, an overflow ring 511 is arranged on an
outer wall of the water collecting cavity 503 in the embodiment,
the overflow ring 511 is internally provided with the overflow
cavity, the overflow port 509 is formed in a bottom of the overflow
ring 511 and communicates with the overflow cavity, and overflowing
water in the water collecting cavity 503 overflows through the
water collecting cavity wall into the overflow cavity in the
overflow ring 511 and is discharged from the overflow port 509.
[0119] Further, the water collecting device 500 is provided with an
opening of the water collecting cavity, the overflow ring 511 is a
ring body with an annular opening in an upper end, and the ring
body is installed on the outer wall of the water collecting cavity
503 in a sealed manner and is close to the opening of the water
collecting cavity.
[0120] As an implementation of the embodiment, the bottom of the
overflow cavity 503 is set in a transition manner from high to low,
and the overflow port 509 is formed in a position at a lowest water
level of the bottom of the overflow cavity 503.
[0121] As shown in FIG. 16, the overflow port 509 in the embodiment
is connected to an overflow pipe 705, the overflow pipe 705 is
directly led to the outside of a washing machine body, and a
drainage pipe connected to a drainage port also extends to the
outside of the washing machine body separately.
[0122] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 15, the water collecting
cavity 503 is internally provided with a drainage port 504, the
drainage port 504 is connected to drainage pipes, the overflow port
509 is connected to an overflow pipe, and the overflow pipe is
connected to the drainage pipes.
[0123] Specifically, the drainage pipes include a first drainage
pipe 701 and a second drainage pipe, one end of the first drainage
pipe 701 communicates with the drainage port 504, and the other end
of the first drainage pipe 701 communicates with a tee joint 704;
one end of the overflow pipe 705 communicates with the overflow
port 509, and the other end of the overflow pipe 705 communicates
with the tee joint 704; one end of the second drainage pipe
communicates with the tee joint 704, and the other end of the
second drainage pipe is led to the outside of the washing machine
body; and preferably, the first drainage pipe, the second drainage
pipe and the overflow pipe are straight pipes.
Embodiment 6
[0124] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 18-24, a washing machine of the
embodiment includes a washing tub 200 used for containing water
during a washing process and a water collecting device 500 for
collecting water discharged from the washing tub 200, wherein the
water collecting device 500 includes a water collecting cavity 503,
and a side wall 508 of the water collecting cavity 503 is provided
with a reinforcing structure for increasing the strength of the
side wall.
[0125] The washing tub 200 of the washing machine in the embodiment
is used as a water containing tub, no outer tub is arranged outside
the washing tub 200, only the water collecting device 500 is
arranged at a bottom of the washing tub 200 in the embodiment, thus
washing water in the washing tub is discharged to the water
collecting device 500 and then discharged, and therefore the water
collecting device 500 is provided with the water collecting cavity
503 to achieve a function of temporarily storing water. Although
the washing machine of the embodiment is no longer provided with an
outer tub, the bottom of the washing tub 200 is still arranged in
the water collecting cavity of the water collecting device 500, the
washing tub 200 needs to be determined relative to the water
collecting cavity of the water collecting device to prevent
collision between the washing tub 200 and the water collecting
device during dehydration. In the embodiment, by arranging the
reinforcing structure on the side wall 508 of the water collecting
cavity 503 to increase the strength of the side wall, the overall
strength of the water collecting device is improved, phenomena that
the water collecting device deforms and then a distance between an
inner tub and an outer tub becomes shorter, resulting "tub
collision" or even "tub abrasion" and the like are prevented, and
the stability of the washing and dehydration conditions of the
washing tub is ensured.
[0126] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 20, the above reinforcing structure
in the embodiment is a reinforcing member that is embedded and
injection-molded in the side wall of the water collecting cavity.
In the embodiment, by injection-molding the reinforcement member
into the side wall of the water collecting cavity, a purpose of
enhancing the strength of the side wall of the water collecting
cavity is achieved.
[0127] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, as an implementation of the
embodiment, the reinforcing member is a sheet reinforcing circular
ring 1001 matched with the side wall of the water collecting cavity
503, and the sheet reinforcing circular ring 1001 is vertically
embedded and injection-molded into the side wall of the water
collecting cavity 503. In this way, the side wall of the water
collecting cavity 503 is strengthened in an entire vertical
direction by the embedded sheet reinforcing circular ring 1001, and
the overall strength is higher.
[0128] As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the reinforcing member is a
steel wire-shaped reinforcing circular ring 1002 matched with the
side wall of the water collecting cavity 503, the water collecting
device includes an opening of the water collecting cavity, and the
steel wire-shaped reinforcing circular ring 1002 is embedded and
injection-molded in the side wall of the water collecting cavity
503 and is close to the opening of the water collecting cavity. The
steel wire-shaped reinforcing circular ring 1002 penetrates through
the side wall of the water collecting cavity 503 in an entire
circumferential direction to increase the strength of the side wall
in the entire circumferential direction, and by arranging the
reinforcing circular ring close to the opening of the water
collecting cavity, the strength at the opening of the water
collecting cavity can be ensured, and the opening cannot deform
easily.
[0129] As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, as an implementation of the
embodiment, the reinforcing structure is a reinforcing member
fastened to the inside of the side wall of the water collecting
cavity, and an outer diameter of the reinforcing member is slightly
smaller than an inner diameter of the water collecting cavity
[0130] Or, the reinforcing structure is a reinforcing member
fastened to the outside of the side wall of the water collecting
cavity, and an inner diameter of the reinforcing member is slightly
larger than an outer diameter of the side wall of the water
collecting cavity.
[0131] As shown in FIG. 22, the reinforcing member is a sheet
reinforcing circular ring 1003 matched with the side wall of the
water collecting cavity, and the sheet reinforcing circular ring
1003 is fastened inside or outside the side wall 508 of the water
collecting cavity 503 by a clamping device 1100.
[0132] The clamping device 1100 in the embodiment includes a
clamping slot 1101, and the clamping device 1100 clamps the sheet
reinforcing circular ring 1003 inside or outside the side wall 508
of the water collecting cavity 503 through the clamping slot.
[0133] Further, an upper opening of the sheet reinforcing circular
ring 1003 in the embodiment is provided with a flanging structure
10031 to further enhance the overall strength of the sheet
reinforcing circular ring 1003.
[0134] As shown in FIG. 23, the reinforcing member is a steel
wire-shaped reinforcing circular ring 1004 matched with the side
wall of the water collecting cavity. The steel wire-shaped
reinforcing circular ring 1004 is connected by a clamp nut 10041 to
form a closed circular ring. The water collecting device 500
includes an opening of the water collecting cavity, and the steel
wire-shaped reinforcing circular ring 1004 is fastened inside or
outside the side wall 508 of the water collecting cavity 503 by
adjusting the clamp nut 10041 and is close to the opening of the
water collecting cavity 503.
[0135] As shown in FIG. 24, the water collecting device includes an
opening of the water collecting cavity, and the reinforcing
structure is a flanging structure 1005 which is turned outward or
inward from an edge of the opening of the water collecting
cavity.
[0136] The above embodiments can be implemented individually, or
can be combined with each other to form a new technical solution
while solving multiple corresponding technical problems.
[0137] The above embodiments are only the preferred embodiments of
the present disclosure, and do not limit the present disclosure in
any form. Although the present disclosure has been disclosed as
above in the preferred embodiments, the present disclosure is not
limited thereto. Any technicians familiar with this patent can make
some variations or modifications to the above technical contents to
form equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes without
departing from the scope of the technical solutions of the present
disclosure, and any simple variations, equivalent changes and
modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical
essence of the present disclosure without departing from the
content of the technical solutions of the present disclosure still
fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
* * * * *