U.S. patent application number 16/617126 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-20 for clothing treating device.
This patent application is currently assigned to QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Yuanyuan CHANG, Wenwei LI, Peishi LV, Jihui PAN, Jinkai WANG, Benfu XING.
Application Number | 20210148029 16/617126 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005382309 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210148029 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LV; Peishi ; et al. |
May 20, 2021 |
CLOTHING TREATING DEVICE
Abstract
A clothing treating device, including a clothes dryer, a washing
machine, and a drying system. The drying system includes a
switching apparatus, and the drying system may generate drying air
flow. The drying air flow may be selectively delivered to the
clothes dryer or the washing machine by means of switching the
state of the switching apparatus. Therefore, the clothing treating
device may dry clothing within the clothes dryer and the washing
machine by way of the drying system, thereby improving user
experience.
Inventors: |
LV; Peishi; (Qingdao,
CN) ; LI; Wenwei; (Qingdao, CN) ; WANG;
Jinkai; (Qingdao, CN) ; XING; Benfu; (Qingdao,
CN) ; PAN; Jihui; (Qingdao, CN) ; CHANG;
Yuanyuan; (Qingdao, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD. |
Qingdao |
|
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE
CO., LTD.
Qingdao
CN
|
Family ID: |
1000005382309 |
Appl. No.: |
16/617126 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
May 14, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2018/086751 |
371 Date: |
November 26, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 25/00 20130101;
D06F 58/24 20130101; D06F 29/005 20130101; D06F 58/26 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 25/00 20060101
D06F025/00; D06F 29/00 20060101 D06F029/00; D06F 58/24 20060101
D06F058/24; D06F 58/26 20060101 D06F058/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 27, 2017 |
CN |
201710406151.0 |
Claims
1-13. (canceled)
14. A laundry treatment apparatus, comprising: a first laundry
treatment device, a second laundry treatment device and a drying
system, wherein the drying system is capable of generating a drying
airflow, and the drying airflow can be simultaneously or separately
delivered into the first laundry treatment device and the second
laundry treatment device.
15. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
the first laundry treatment device comprises a first laundry
treatment cylinder, the second laundry treatment device comprises a
second laundry treatment cylinder, and the drying system delivers
the drying airflow simultaneously or separately into the first
laundry treatment cylinder and the second laundry treatment
cylinder.
16. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 15, wherein
the drying system comprises: a driving device capable of driving
the first laundry treatment cylinder and/or the second laundry
treatment cylinder to rotate; a drying assembly configured to
generate a drying airflow; and a drying airflow circulation device
configured to deliver the drying airflow generated by the drying
assembly into the first laundry treatment cylinder and/or the
second laundry treatment cylinder.
17. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 16, wherein
the drying system further comprises: a first air inlet duct and a
first air outlet duct in communication with an inner cavity of the
first laundry treatment cylinder, respectively; a second air inlet
duct and a second air outlet duct in communication with an inner
cavity of the second laundry treatment cylinder, respectively; a
drying air duct comprising an air inlet end and an air outlet end,
the air inlet end being connected with the first air outlet duct
and the second air outlet duct, and the air outlet end being
connected with the first air inlet duct and the second air inlet
duct; and a switching device, wherein the air inlet end of the
drying air duct is capable of selectively communicating with the
first air outlet duct or the second air outlet duct through the
switching device, and the air outlet end of the drying air duct is
capable of selectively communicating with the first air inlet duct
or the second air inlet duct through the switching device.
18. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
the drying assembly is disposed in the drying air duct, and the
drying airflow circulation device is capable of directing the
drying airflow to circulate in each of the air ducts.
19. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 18, wherein
the drying airflow circulation device is disposed in the drying air
duct.
20. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 19, wherein
the drying assembly comprises a heating device configured to
generate a drying airflow, and a condensing device configured to
remove moisture from the drying airflow.
21. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
the switching device comprises a first switching valve disposed at
the air inlet end of the drying air duct and a second switching
valve disposed at the air outlet end of the drying air duct, and
wherein the first switching valve is configured to selectively
communicate the air inlet end of the drying air duct with the first
air outlet duct or the second air outlet duct, and the second
switching valve is configured to selectively communicate the air
outlet end of the drying air duct with the first air inlet duct or
the second air inlet duct.
22. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 15, wherein
the laundry treatment apparatus comprises a plurality of second
laundry treatment devices, and the drying system is capable of
simultaneously or separately delivering the drying airflow into the
first laundry treatment cylinder of the first laundry treatment
device and the second laundry treatment cylinder of each of the
second laundry treatment devices.
23. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 22, wherein
the laundry treatment apparatus further comprises an engagement
device, and the driving device is connected to the first laundry
treatment cylinder and/or the second laundry treatment cylinder
through the engagement device so as to selectively drive the first
laundry treatment cylinder and/or the second laundry treatment
cylinder to rotate.
24. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 23, wherein
the engagement device is a multi-position engagement device, and
the driving device is further connected to the second laundry
treatment cylinder of each of the second laundry treatment devices
through the multi-position engagement device so as to selectively
drive the second laundry treatment cylinder to rotate.
25. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
the first laundry treatment device is a dryer, and the second
laundry treatment device is a washing machine; or the first laundry
treatment device is a dryer, and the second laundry treatment
device is also a dryer; or the first laundry treatment device is a
washing machine, and the second laundry treatment device is a
dryer; or the first laundry treatment device is a washing machine,
and the second laundry treatment device is also a washing
machine.
26. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 25, wherein
the driving device is a motor; and/or the drying airflow
circulation device is a fan.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure belongs to the field of household
appliances, and in particularly provides a clothing treating
device.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With the improvement of the quality of life, people are
increasingly pursuing a high-quality delicate life. Cloth dryers
have also been gradually used in more and more ordinary families
and become an essential home appliance for a high-quality life. The
dryer is usually stacked on top of a drum washing machine, but
since the washing machine and the dryer are two systems independent
from each other, it is impossible for the washing machine to dry
the laundries by using heating and condensing devices of the dryer.
If the washing machine wants to realize the function of drying
laundries, it is necessary to provide a separate drying module for
the washing machine, which will increase the cost of the washing
machine.
[0003] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a new laundry
treatment apparatus to solve the above problems.
SUMMARY
[0004] In order to solve the above problems in the related art,
that is, to solve the problem that it is impossible for an existing
washing machine to use a drying system of a dryer to dry laundries,
a laundry treatment apparatus is provided by the present
disclosure, which includes a first laundry treatment device, a
second laundry treatment device and a drying system, wherein the
drying system is capable of generating a drying airflow, and the
drying airflow can be simultaneously or separately delivered into
the first laundry treatment device and the second laundry treatment
device.
[0005] In a preferred technical solution of the above-described
laundry treatment apparatus, the first laundry treatment device
includes a first laundry treatment cylinder, the second laundry
treatment device includes a second laundry treatment cylinder, and
the drying system delivers the drying airflow simultaneously or
separately into the first laundry treatment cylinder and the second
laundry treatment cylinder.
[0006] In a preferred technical solution of the above-described
laundry treatment apparatus, the drying system includes: a driving
device capable of driving the first laundry treatment cylinder
and/or the second laundry treatment cylinder to rotate; a drying
assembly configured to generate a drying airflow; and a drying
airflow circulation device configured to deliver the drying airflow
generated by the drying assembly into the first laundry treatment
cylinder and/or the second laundry treatment cylinder.
[0007] In a preferred technical solution of the above-described
laundry treatment apparatus, the drying system further includes: a
first air inlet duct and a first air outlet duct communicating with
an inner cavity of the first laundry treatment cylinder
respectively; a second air inlet duct and a second air outlet duct
communicating with an inner cavity of the second laundry treatment
cylinder respectively; a drying air duct including an air inlet end
and an air outlet end, the air inlet end being connected with the
first air outlet duct and the second air outlet duct, and the air
outlet end being connected with the first air inlet duct and the
second air inlet duct; and a switching device, wherein the air
inlet end of the drying air duct is capable of selectively
communicating with the first air outlet duct or the second air
outlet duct through the switching device, and the air outlet end of
the drying air duct is capable of selectively communicating with
the first air inlet duct or the second air inlet duct through the
switching device.
[0008] In a preferred technical solution of the above-described
laundry treatment apparatus, the drying assembly is disposed in the
drying air duct, and the drying airflow circulation device is
capable of directing the drying airflow to circulate in each of the
air ducts.
[0009] In a preferred technical solution of the above-described
laundry treatment apparatus, the drying airflow circulation device
is disposed in the drying air duct.
[0010] In a preferred technical solution of the above-described
laundry treatment apparatus, the drying assembly includes a heating
device configured to generate a drying airflow, and a condensing
device configured to remove moisture from the drying airflow.
[0011] In a preferred technical solution of the above-described
laundry treatment apparatus, the switching device includes a first
switching valve disposed at the air inlet end of the drying air
duct and a second switching valve disposed at the air outlet end of
the drying air duct, wherein the first switching valve is
configured to selectively communicate the air inlet end of the
drying air duct with the first air outlet duct or the second air
outlet duct, and the second switching valve is configured to
selectively communicate the air outlet end of the drying air duct
with the first air inlet duct or the second air inlet duct.
[0012] In a preferred technical solution of the above-described
laundry treatment apparatus, the laundry treatment apparatus
includes a plurality of second laundry treatment devices, and the
drying system is capable of simultaneously or separately delivering
the drying airflow into the first laundry treatment cylinder of the
first laundry treatment device and the second laundry treatment
cylinder of each of the second laundry treatment devices.
[0013] In a preferred technical solution of the above-described
laundry treatment apparatus, the laundry treatment apparatus
further includes an engagement device, and the driving device is
connected to the first laundry treatment cylinder and/or the second
laundry treatment cylinder through the engagement device so as to
selectively drive the first laundry treatment cylinder and/or the
second laundry treatment cylinder to rotate.
[0014] In a preferred technical solution of the above-described
laundry treatment apparatus, the engagement device is a
multi-position engagement device, and the driving device is further
connected to the second laundry treatment cylinder of each of the
second laundry treatment devices through the multi-position
engagement device so as to selectively drive the second laundry
treatment cylinder to rotate.
[0015] In a preferred technical solution of the above-described
laundry treatment apparatus, the first laundry treatment device is
a dryer, and the second laundry treatment device is a washing
machine; or the first laundry treatment device is a dryer, and the
second laundry treatment device is also a dryer; or the first
laundry treatment device is a washing machine, and the second
laundry treatment device is a dryer; or the first laundry treatment
device is a washing machine, and the second laundry treatment
device is also a washing machine.
[0016] In a preferred technical solution of the above-described
laundry treatment apparatus, the driving device is a motor; and/or
the drying airflow circulation device is a fan.
[0017] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that in a
preferred technical solution of the present disclosure, the drying
system of the first laundry treatment device is capable of
generating a drying airflow, and the drying system is capable of
delivering the drying airflow simultaneously or separately into the
first laundry treatment device and the second laundry treatment
device. Therefore, in a case that the first laundry treatment
device is a dryer and the second laundry treatment device is a
washing machine, the washing machine can use the drying system of
the dryer to dry laundries, thereby reducing the number of hardware
and lowering the cost the apparatus.
[0018] Specifically, the first laundry treatment device is provided
therein with a first laundry treatment cylinder, and the second
laundry treatment device is provided therein with a second laundry
treatment cylinder. The drying system mainly includes a drying
assembly capable of generating a drying airflow, a first air inlet
duct and a first air outlet duct communicating with an inner cavity
of the first laundry treatment cylinder, a second air inlet duct
and a second air outlet duct communicating with an inner cavity of
the second laundry treatment cylinder, a drying air duct and a
switching device. By switching the state of the switching device,
the drying air duct is capable of communicating with the first air
inlet duct and the first air outlet duct so that the drying airflow
generated by the drying assembly is delivered to the first laundry
treatment cylinder, or the drying air duct is capable of
communicating with the second air inlet duct and the second air
outlet duct so that the drying airflow generated by the drying
assembly is delivered to the second laundry treatment cylinder.
Therefore, in a case that the first laundry treatment device is a
dryer, and the second laundry treatment device is a washing
machine, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure
can dry the laundries in the dryer and the washing machine
separately or simultaneously by one drying system, thereby greatly
improving the user experience in use, reducing the number of
hardware and lowering the manufacturing cost.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a front view of a laundry treatment apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a rear view of a laundry treatment apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side view of a laundry treatment apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a first perspective view of a laundry treatment
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a second perspective view of a laundry treatment
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. 5; and
[0025] FIG. 7 is a principle view of a laundry treatment apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0026] 1: dryer; 11: drying drum; 12: first air inlet duct; 13:
first air outlet duct; 14: motor; 15: clutch; 16: first belt; 2:
washing machine; 21: washing drum; 22: second air inlet duct; 23:
second air outlet duct; 24: outer cylinder; 3: drying air duct; 31:
first switching valve; 32: second switching valve; 33: heater; 34:
condenser; 35: fan; 36: second belt.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It
will be understood by those skilled in the art that these
embodiments are only used to explain the technical principles of
the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of
protection of the present disclosure. For example, although the
components in the drawings are drawn based on certain proportional
relationships, such proportional relationships are not constant and
permanent, and those skilled in the art may adjust them as needed
to adapt to specific applications. The adjusted technical solutions
will still fall within the scope of protection of the present
disclosure. Further, although the present application has been
described in connection with a combination of a dryer and a washing
machine, this is merely exemplary, and the technical solutions of
the present disclosure may also be applied to situations of two
dryers, two washing machines, a plurality of dryers and a plurality
of washing machines. Any adjustment in this regard will not depart
from the basic principles and scope of protection of the present
disclosure.
[0028] It should be noted that in the description of the present
disclosure, terms indicating a directional or positional
relationship such as "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right",
"vertical", "horizontal", "inner" and "outer" are based on the
directional or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They
only serve to facilitate description, and do not indicate or imply
that the device or element must have a particular orientation, or
must be constructed or operated in a particular orientation.
Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the present
disclosure. Moreover, terms such as "first", "second" and "third"
are used for descriptive purposes only, and should not to be
construed as indicating or implying a relative importance.
[0029] In addition, it should be noted that in the description of
the present disclosure, terms "install", "connect" and "connect to"
should be understood in a broad sense, unless otherwise explicitly
specified and defined. For example, the connection may be a fixed
connection, or a detachable connection, or an integral connection;
it may be a mechanical connection, or an electrical connection; it
may be a direct connection, or an indirect connection by means of
an intermediate medium, or an internal communication between two
elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of
the above terms in the present disclosure may be interpreted
according to the specific circumstances.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a laundry treatment apparatus of
the present disclosure mainly includes a dryer 1 as a first laundry
treatment device, a washing machine 2 as a second laundry treatment
device, and a drying system (not shown in its entirety in the
figure). The drying system is capable of generating a drying
airflow, and the drying airflow can be simultaneously or separately
delivered into the dryer 1 and the washing machine 2 by the drying
system.
[0031] Specifically, the dryer 1 further includes a drying drum 11
as a first laundry treatment cylinder, and the washing machine 2
includes a washing drum 21 as a second laundry treatment device.
The drying system is capable of delivering the drying airflow
simultaneously or separately into the drying drum 11 and the
washing drum 21.
[0032] With continued reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the drying system
of the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure mainly
includes a driving device configured to drive the drying drum 11 to
rotate, a drying assembly configured to generate a drying airflow,
and a drying airflow circulation device driven by the driving
device. The drying airflow circulation device is configured to
deliver hot air generated by the drying assembly into the drying
drum 11 or the washing drum 21. It will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that in addition to driving the drying drum 11
to rotate as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the driving device may be
further configured to drive a washing drum 21 to rotate. Further,
the driving device is connected to the drying drum 11 through an
engagement device to selectively drive the drying drum 11 to
rotate. Further, the driving device is preferably an electric motor
14, and the drying airflow circulation device is preferably a fan
35. Alternatively, other forms of driving devices and other forms
of drying airflow circulation devices may be selected by those
skilled in the art as needed.
[0033] Further referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the drying system of
the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure further
includes a first air inlet duct 12, a first air outlet duct 13, a
second air inlet duct 22, a second air outlet duct 23 and a drying
air duct 3. The first air inlet duct 12 and the first air outlet
duct 13 communicate with an inner cavity of the drying drum 11
respectively, whereas the second air inlet duct 22 and the second
air outlet duct 23 communicate with an inner cavity of the washing
drum 21 respectively. Further, the drying air duct 3 has an air
inlet end (the left end of the drying air duct 3 in FIG. 3) and an
air outlet end (the right end of the drying air duct 3 in FIG. 3),
wherein the air inlet end of the drying air duct 3 communicates
with the first air outlet duct 13 and the second air outlet duct 23
respectively, and the air outlet end of the drying air duct 3
communicates with the first air inlet duct 12 and the second air
inlet duct 22 respectively.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drying system further
includes a switching device (not shown in its entirety in the
figures), and the switching device mainly includes a first
switching valve 31 and a second switching valve 32. The first
switching valve 31 is disposed at the air inlet end of the drying
air duct 3, and the second switching valve 32 is disposed at the
air outlet end of the drying air duct 3. The drying air duct 3 is
capable of selectively communicating with the first air outlet duct
13 or the second air outlet duct 23 through the first switching
valve 31, and the drying air duct 3 is capable of selectively
communicating with the first air inlet duct 12 or the second air
inlet duct 22 through the second switching valve 32. Further, by
switching the positions of the first switching valve 31 and the
second switching valve 32, the drying air duct 3 is capable of
communicating with the drying drum 11 of the dryer 1 or with the
washing drum 21 of the washing machine 2. Therefore, the hot air in
the drying air duct 3 is capable of selectively drying the
laundries in the drying drum 11 or the laundries in the washing
drum 21 when the drying assembly (described later in detail)
disposed in the drying air duct 3 is operating. Further, those
skilled in the art may also configure the switching device in such
a way that it enables the drying system to provide the drying
airflow to the drying drum 11 and the washing drum 21
simultaneously as needed, such as by removing the switching
device.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in a preferred embodiment of the
present disclosure, the motor 14 of the dryer 1 is connected to a
clutch 15 serving as an engagement device through a belt which
facilitates installation of the motor 14 with the clutch 15.
Alternatively, those skilled in the art may also connect the motor
14 with the clutch 15 by other means, such as coaxially fixing the
motor 14 with the clutch 15 through a coupling. The clutch 15 is
also connected to the drying drum 11 through a first belt 16. It
will be understood by those skilled in the art that the drying drum
11 can selectively rotate or keep stationary by switching a state
of the clutch 15 in a case that the motor 14 is rotating.
[0036] Further, a bottom of the drying drum 11 is provided with a
vent hole (not shown) that communicates with the first air inlet
duct 12. A drum opening of the drying drum 11 (specifically, at the
position of a door seal) is sealingly connected with the first air
outlet duct 13 (the left end of the drying drum 11 in FIG. 3); that
is, when the door of the dryer 1 is closed, hot air in the drying
air duct 3 can enter the drying drum 11 from the first air inlet
duct 12 and flow out of the first air outlet duct 13 without
leakage.
[0037] In a possible embodiment, a front end of the drying drum 11
(the end having the drum opening) is fixed to the body of the
laundry treatment apparatus through a roller, and a rear end of the
drying drum 11 is fixed to the body of the laundry treatment
apparatus through a rolling shaft so that the drying drum 11 is
rotatable about an axis center thereof. Further, a rear plate is
disposed on the body of the laundry treatment apparatus, and a
through hole is disposed in the rear plate. An end of the through
hole communicates with the vent hole of the drying drum 11, and the
other end of the through hole communicates with the first air inlet
duct 12. The front end of the drying drum 11 is provided with a
through hole in the radial direction for communicating the inner
cavity of the drying drum 11 with the first air outlet duct 13. For
example, the first air outlet duct 13 has an annular air duct
disposed around the drying drum 11, the annular air duct is
sealingly connected with the drying drum 11, and the through hole
at the front end of the drying drum 11 is located in the annular
air duct. Of course, the technical solution of the present
disclosure is not limited to this specific arrangement of air duct,
and any air duct structure that is capable of delivering hot air in
the drying air duct 3 into the drying drum 11 and delivering humid
hot air in the drying drum 11 back to the drying air duct 3 can be
applied to the technical solution of the present disclosure.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the washing machine 2
mainly includes the washing drum 21 as the second laundry treatment
device, and an outer cylinder 24. The washing drum 21 is disposed
inside the outer cylinder 24, and a plurality of vent holes are
provided in a circumferential direction of the washing drum 21 so
that an annular cavity between the washing drum 21 and the outer
cylinder 24 communicates with the inner cavity of the washing drum
21. A front end of the outer cylinder 24 (an end close to the drum
opening of the washing drum 21) is sealingly connected with the
second air outlet duct 23, and a rear end of the outer cylinder 24
is sealingly connected with the second air inlet duct 22 to prevent
the hot air inside the drying air duct 3 from being leaked when it
enters the outer cylinder 24 from the second air inlet duct 22 and
is discharged from the second air outlet duct 23, which would
otherwise allow high-temperature humid air to enter the room and
cause discomfort to indoor personnel.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, the air outlet end of the
drying air duct 3 is connected to the first air inlet duct 12 and
the second air inlet duct 22 respectively, and the air inlet end of
the drying air duct 3 is connected to the first air outlet duct 13
and the second air outlet duct 23 respectively. Moreover, the first
switching valve 31 is disposed at the communication position
between the drying air duct 3 and the first air outlet duct 13 and
the second air outlet duct 23, and the second switching valve 32 is
disposed at the communication position between the drying air duct
3 and the first air inlet duct 12 and the second air inlet duct 22.
By changing the states of the first switching valve 31 and the
second switching valve 32, the drying air duct 3 is capable of
communicating with the drying drum 11 through the first air inlet
duct 12 and the first air outlet duct 13, or the drying air duct 3
is capable of communicating with the outer cylinder 24 through the
second air inlet duct 22 and the second air outlet duct 23.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a drying assembly is provided
in the drying air duct 3, and the drying assembly mainly includes a
heater 33 and a condenser 34, wherein the heater 33 is disposed at
a position adjacent to the first air inlet duct 12 and the second
air inlet duct 22, and the condenser 33 is disposed at a position
adjacent to the first air outlet duct 13 and the second air outlet
duct 23. As an example, in the drying air duct 3, a fan 35 (see
FIG. 2) is disposed on a side of the heater 33 that is remote from
the condenser 34, and the fan 35 is connected to the motor 14
through a second belt 36. In addition, those skilled in the art may
also connect the fan 35 with the motor 14 by other means of fixing
as needed. For example, the fan 35 and the motor 14 are coaxially
fixed by a coupling. It is easily understood that when the fan 15
is driven by the motor 14 to rotate, the hot air in the drying air
duct 3 can be delivered to the first air inlet duct 12 or the
second air inlet duct 22. Further, those skilled in the art may
also change the positions of the heater 33, the condenser 34, and
the fan 35 as needed to blow the hot air toward the first air
outlet duct 13 or the second air outlet duct 23. It should be noted
that the fan 15 may be any type of fan, such as a centrifugal fan,
an axial-flow fan, a reciprocating fan, and a rotary fan, as long
as it can circulate the drying airflow in each of the air ducts. It
should also be noted that the heater 33 may be any form of heating
means such as a resistive heater, provided that the air in the
drying air duct 3 can be heated. It should be further noted that
the condenser 34 may be any form of condensing device such as a
water-cooled condenser and an air-cooled condenser, provided that
the moisture in the air in the drying air duct 3 can be
condensed.
[0041] Furthermore, although not shown in the drawings, in a
preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, a filter screen is
further provided in the drying air duct 3 on a side of the
condenser 34 that is remote from the heater 33, and the filter
screen is configured to filter floccules in the drying drum 11 and
the washing drum 21 that enter the drying air duct 3 with the
airflow to prevent the floccules from entering the drying air duct
3 and accumulating, especially to avoid an adverse effect on the
fan 35 and further on a drying effect of the laundry treatment
apparatus.
[0042] The working principle of the laundry treatment apparatus of
the present disclosure will be described in detail below with
reference to FIG. 7.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 7, the drying drum 11, the washing drum 21,
and the drying air duct 3 located between the drying drum 11 and
the washing drum 21 are illustrated. Two ends of the drying drum 11
in FIG. 7 communicate with the first air inlet duct 12 and the
first air outlet duct 13 respectively, and two ends of the washing
drum 21 communicate with the second air inlet duct 22 and the
second air outlet duct 23 respectively. An end of the drying air
duct 3 communicates with the first air inlet duct 12 and the second
air inlet duct 22 respectively, and the other end communicates with
the first air outlet duct 13 and the second air outlet duct 23
respectively. The first switching valve 31 and the second switching
valve 32 are disposed at two ends of the drying air duct 3
respectively, and the heater 33, the condenser 34 and the fan 35
are further disposed in an intermediate portion of the drying air
duct 3.
[0044] When the user uses the washing drum 21 of the washing
machine 2 to dry the laundry, the first switching valve 31 and the
second switching valve 32 are switched to the positions shown in
FIG. 7, so that a communication between the drying air duct 3 and
the first air inlet duct 12 and the first air outlet duct 13 is
disconnected. At this point, the clutch 15 is disconnected
(disengaged), the drying drum 11 is in a stationary state, the
motor 14 only drives the fan 35 to rotate, and the fan 35 delivers
the airflow heated by the heater 33 to the second air inlet duct
22. The hot airflow enters the washing drum 21 so that the moisture
in the laundry is evaporated, and the airflow having a relatively
high humidity enters the drying air duct 3 through the second air
outlet duct 23. When the hot airflow having a relatively high
humidity contacts the condenser 34, the moisture in the air is
liquefied to dry the air. Further, the dried air is heated again by
the heater 33 to proceed to the next cycle.
[0045] When the user uses the drying drum 11 of the dryer 1 to dry
the laundry, the first switching valve 31 and the second switching
valve 32 are switched from the positions shown in FIG. 7 to lower
ends, so that a communication between the drying air duct 3 and the
second air inlet duct 22 and the second air outlet duct 23 is
disconnected. The clutch 15 is closed (engaged), the motor 14
drives the drying drum 11 and the fan 35 to rotate simultaneously,
and the fan 35 delivers the airflow heated by the heater 33 to the
first air inlet duct 12. The hot airflow enters the rotating drying
drum 11 so that the moisture in the laundry is evaporated, and the
airflow having a relatively high humidity enters the drying air
duct 3 through the first air outlet duct 13. When the hot airflow
having a relatively high humidity contacts the condenser 34, the
moisture in the air is liquefied to dry the air. Further, the dried
air is heated again by the heater 33 to proceed to the next
cycle.
[0046] In summary, in a preferred embodiment of the present
disclosure, a drying system is shared by the dryer 1 and the
washing machine 2, so that the washing machine 2 can directly dry
the laundry after washing of the laundry is completed. As compared
to the existing technologies in which the washed laundry in the
washing machine is taken out and then placed in the dryer for
drying, the present disclosure is more convenient, simplifies the
operation of the user, and improves the user experience in use. By
providing the clutch 15 between the motor 14 and the drying drum
11, the motor 14 can selectively drive the drying drum 11 to rotate
or to keep stationary at the same time of driving the fan 35 to
rotate. The number of motors is reduced as compared to a situation
where motors are provided separately for driving the drying drum 11
and the fan 35 respectively. Further, those skilled in the art may
also configure the motor 14 to selectively drive the washing drum
21 to rotate through the clutch 15 as needed, thereby omitting the
motor on the washing machine 2 and further reducing the number of
motors. Further, through the technical solution in which the dryer
1 and the washing machine 2 are provided as one piece, the
operation of the dryer 1 and the washing machine 2 can be
controlled simultaneously by one set of control panels, which
simplifies the operation and improves the user experience in
use.
[0047] Further, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present
disclosure can dry the laundry by the dryer 1 at the same time the
user is using the washing machine 2 to wash the laundry, thereby
saving the washing and drying time for the user.
[0048] Moreover, in addition to the above preferred embodiments of
the present disclosure, in another possible embodiment, the first
air outlet duct 13, the second air outlet duct 23 and the air inlet
end of the drying air duct 3 may also directly communicate with the
outside so that external air directly enters the drying air duct 3
to be heated, and the heated airflow enters the dryer 1 or the
washing machine 2 and then directly reaches the outside through the
first air outlet duct 13 or the second air outlet duct 23. The
arrangement of the condenser 34 may be omitted in this embodiment,
but since the airflow from the dryer 1 or the washing machine 2 is
not condensed in this embodiment, the airflow directly enters the
room, the warm and humid air will bring inconvenience to the indoor
personnel, and will also corrode the parts of the laundry treatment
apparatus, thus reducing the service life of the laundry treatment
apparatus. In this embodiment, condensers 34 may be separately
disposed in the first air outlet duct 13 and the second air outlet
duct 23 to prevent humid air from entering the room.
[0049] Further, although not shown in the drawings, a plurality of
the second laundry treatment devices of the present disclosure may
be provided, and the switching device may be appropriately adjusted
so that the drying airflow generated by the drying assembly can be
delivered simultaneously or separately to the second laundry
treatment cylinder of each of the second laundry treatment devices
through the adjusted switching device.
[0050] Further, the engagement device of the present disclosure is
not limited to the one form of the clutch shown in the drawings,
and it may also be any other feasible engagement device as long as
connection/disconnection of power transmission between the motor
and the drying drum or the washing drum can be realized. In
addition, the engagement device of the present disclosure may also
be configured as a multi-position engagement device such that the
driving device (e.g., the motor 14) can selectively drive a
plurality of second laundry treatment cylinders to rotate through
the multi-position engagement device. For example, the motor 14 may
also be selectively connected to the washing drum 21 through the
clutch 15, and when the washing drum 21 is used to dry the laundry,
the clutch 15 may be switched to a position where it is connected
with the washing drum 21, thereby keeping the washing drum 21
rotating at the same time hot air is supplied. Preferably, the
number of positions of the multi-position engagement device is
equal to the sum of the number of the first laundry treatment
devices and the number of the second laundry treatment devices, so
that the driving device can selectively drive each of the laundry
treatment cylinders to rotate through the multi-position engagement
device. In this way, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present
disclosure is capable of driving all of the laundry treatment
cylinders to rotate by only one motor.
[0051] Further, those skilled in the art may select the types of
the first laundry treatment device and the second laundry treatment
device according to actual requirements. For example, the first
laundry treatment device and the second laundry treatment device
may respectively be any one of a washing machine, an integral
washing and drying machine, or a drying machine.
[0052] Heretofore, the technical solutions of the present
disclosure have been described in conjunction with the preferred
embodiments shown in the drawings, but it is obvious to those
skilled in the art that the scope of protection of the present
disclosure is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments.
Those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or
replacements to the related technical features without departing
from the principle of the present disclosure. The technical
solutions after the modification or replacement will fall within
the scope of protection of the present disclosure.
* * * * *