Damping device for a washing machine, and washing machine

A damping device for a washing machine and a washing machine are provided. The damping device for a washing machine comprises a damping suspension rod, an upper bracket, a damping spring, a sliding damping support seat, and a sliding damping piece. An upper end of the damping suspension rod is installed on a cabinet of the washing machine, the upper bracket is installed on an outer tub of the washing machine. The damping suspension rod, passes through the upper bracket, the sliding damping piece, the sliding damping support seat and the damping spring in sequence from top to bottom. The outer tub of the washing machine shakes or swings to put an eccentric pressure on the upper bracket, then the damping spring is compressed, and the sliding damping piece is tightened to generate a sliding damping acting on the damping suspension rod.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of damping of a washing machine, in particular to a damping device for a washing machine and a washing machine.

BACKGROUND

When the automatic washing machine starts dehydration process and operates dehydration process, an outer tub will shake or swing along with the motor starting, resulting in greater vibration and noise. Therefore, in order to weaken vibration and noise of the washing machine during dehydration, the existing automatic washing machines are generally provided with a damping device. One end of the damping device is hoisted on a cabinet of the washing machine, while the other end is suspended on a hanging seat of an outer tub of the washing machine. The damping device is internally provided with a damping spring, and when the outer tub shakes or swings, the damping device relieves the eccentricity of the outer tub through the buffering effect of the damping spring to achieve the purpose of damping. However, along with the development of the washing machine, when the eccentricity of the washing machine is large, if only the damping effect of a damping spring is relied on, shaking and swinging of the outer tub cannot be effectively prevented.

Some of the damping devices of the existing washing machine are only provided with a damping spring, and are mostly applied to small-capacity washing machines. For some damping devices, a sliding damping structure is additionally added on the basis of the damping spring. However, the provided sliding damping force is too small, thereby being incapable of playing an effect of damping and noise reduction. Still for some damping devices, a friction rubber piece is added between the sliding damping support seat and the upper bracket, however, such a structure is high in cost and poor in reliability, and after long-term abrasion, the friction damping force will disappear gradually.

In view of this, the present disclosure is hereby proposed.

SUMMARY

In order to solve the above problem, the first inventive objective of the present disclosure is to provide a damping device for a washing machine, in particular, the following technical solution is adopted:

A damping device for a washing machine comprises a damping suspension rod, an upper bracket, a damping spring, a sliding damping support seat and a sliding damping piece. An upper end of the damping suspension rod is installed on a cabinet of the washing machine, the upper bracket is installed on an outer tub of the washing machine, and the damping suspension rod passes through the upper bracket, the sliding damping piece, the sliding damping support seat and the damping spring in sequence from top to bottom; and

the upper bracket is exerted an eccentric pressure by shaking or swinging of the outer tub of the washing machine, the damping spring is compressed, and the sliding damping piece is tightened to generate a sliding damping acting on the damping suspension rod. Along with the increase of the eccentric force, the sliding damping support seat and the sliding damping piece are simultaneously tightened to increase the sliding damping acting on the damping suspension rod; and

the upper bracket is released by shaking or swinging of the outer tub of a washing machine, the damping spring is elongated, the sliding damping support seat and the sliding damping piece are gradually loosened, and the sliding damping acting on the damping suspension rod is gradually reduced.

As a preferred implementation of the present disclosure, an end, close to the sliding damping piece, of the sliding damping support seat is provided with an accommodation chamber, and a first end of the sliding damping piece is against the upper bracket, a second end of the sliding damping piece extends into the accommodation chamber of the sliding damping support seat.

As a preferred implementation of the present disclosure, the sliding damping piece includes an annular damping fin and multiple damping blocks arranged at one side of the annular damping fin and distributed along the inner ring of the annular damping fin, and a through hole located in a center to allow the damping suspension rod to pass through is formed by the damping blocks.

As a preferred implementation of the present disclosure, an upper wall surface of the annular damping fin of the sliding damping piece is contacted with the upper bracket, a lower wall surface of the annular damping fin of the sliding damping piece is contacted with an upper end face of the sliding damping support seat, and the damping block of the sliding damping piece extends into the accommodation chamber of the sliding damping support seat.

As a preferred implementation of the present disclosure, an annular convex rib is arranged on an upper wall surface of the annular damping fin of the sliding damping piece, and a lower wall of the upper bracket is provided with an annular groove matched with the annular convex rib.

As a preferred implementation of the present disclosure, the sliding damping support seat is provided with an inclined structure for transferring an eccentric force to generate a sliding damping acting on the damping suspension rod when the outer tub shakes or swings; and an accommodation chamber is formed at the inner of the inclined structure.

As a preferred implementation of the present disclosure, the sliding damping support seat comprises an annular body arranged at one end of the sliding damping support seat and elastomers respectively connected with the annular body, wherein the annular body and the sliding damping piece are against each other, the elastomers extend into the damping spring, and a through hole located in the center to allow the damping suspension rod to pass through is formed by the elastomers; and

a first part of each of the elastomers connected with the annular body is obliquely disposed to form an inclined structure, or the inclined structure is an inclined rib connecting for connecting each of the elastomers and the annular body.

As a preferred implementation of the present disclosure, an outer wall of the sliding damping support seat is provided with an annular blocking rib, and an upper end of the damping spring is abutted against the annular blocking rib.

As a preferred implementation of the present disclosure, the sliding damping support seat is integrally formed from a plastic material, and the sliding damping piece is a rubber damping block.

A second inventive objective of the present disclosure is to provide a washing machine, specifically, the following technical solution is adopted:

A washing machine provided with a damping device for a washing machine mentioned in any of the above items is provided.

The damping device for a washing machine of the present disclosure comprises a sliding damping support seat and a sliding damping piece. The sliding damping support seat can be made of ordinary plastic material, therefore, the manufacturing cost is low. The sliding damping piece is made of rubber material and can gradually increase the sliding damping force when subjected to a large pressure. Along with the shaking or swinging of the outer tub, the upper bracket, the sliding support seat and the sliding damping piece will slide up and down along the damping suspension rod, and the damping spring will be compressed or released.

When the outer tub shakes or swings to put downwards an eccentric force on the upper bracket, the damping spring is compressed, and the sliding damping piece will be tightened under the extrusion of the sliding damping support seat. If the eccentric force is larger, the sliding damping support seat will be also tightened along with the increase of pressure, and will be in friction with the suspension rod to generate a sliding friction damping force. When the outer tub shakes or swings to release the pressure on the upper bracket, the damping spring is elongated, and the sliding damping piece and the sliding damping support seat will be loosened, then the friction with the damping suspension rod is gradually reduced, and the generated sliding friction damping force is reduced or completely released, then each part of the damping device for the washing machine is reset.

The damping device for a washing machine of the present disclosure comprises a sliding damping support seat and a sliding damping piece. When the dehydration process of the washing machine is started and operated, the friction between the sliding damping support seat and the damping suspension rod and the friction between the sliding damping piece and the damping suspension rod respectively provides a sliding damping force to the outer tub, thereby effectively reducing shaking and swinging of the outer tub, especially playing a better damping effect on large-capacity washing machines, and enabling the washing machine to keep quiet and stable dehydration starting and operation.

The washing machine provided with the damping device for the washing machine of the present disclosure can keep quiet and stable dehydration starting and operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A detailed description will be given below on a damping device for a washing machine and a washing machine of the present disclosure in combination with accompanying drawings:

As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 2andFIG. 3, a damping device for a washing machine in the present embodiment comprises a damping suspension rod300, an upper bracket400, a damping spring700, a sliding damping support seat600and a sliding damping piece500. An upper end of the damping suspension rod300is installed on a cabinet of a washing machine, the upper bracket400is installed on an outer tub of the washing machine, and the damping suspension rod300passes through the upper bracket400, the sliding damping piece500, the sliding damping support seat600and the damping spring700in sequence from top to bottom.

The upper bracket is exerted an eccentric pressure by shaking or swinging of the outer tub of the washing machine, the damping spring700is compressed, and the sliding damping piece500is tightened to generate a sliding damping acting on the damping suspension rod300. Along with the increase of the eccentric force, the sliding damping support seat600and the sliding damping piece500are simultaneously tightened to increase the sliding damping acting on the damping suspension rod300. The upper bracket is released by shaking or swinging of the outer tub of a washing machine, the damping spring700is elongated, the sliding damping support seat600and the sliding damping piece500are gradually loosened, and the sliding damping acting on the damping suspension rod300is gradually reduced.

The damping device for a washing machine of the present embodiment includes a sliding damping support seat600and a sliding damping piece500. The sliding damping support seat600can be made of ordinary plastic material, therefore, the manufacturing cost is low. The sliding damping piece500is made of rubber material and can gradually increase the sliding damping force when subjected to a large pressure. Along with the shaking or swinging of the outer tub, the upper bracket400, the sliding support seat600and the sliding damping piece500will slide up and down along the damping suspension rod, and the damping spring700will be compressed or released.

As to the damping device for a washing machine of the present embodiment, when the dehydration process of the washing machine is started and operated, the friction between the sliding damping support seat600and the damping suspension rod300and the friction between the sliding damping piece500and the damping suspension rod300respectively provides a sliding damping force to the outer tub, thereby effectively reducing shaking and swinging of the outer tub, especially playing a better damping effect on large-capacity washing machines, and enabling the washing machine to keep quiet and stable dehydration starting and operation.

As to the damping device for a washing machine in the present embodiment, a sliding damping support seat600and a sliding damping piece500are simultaneously installed on the damping suspension rod300. In order to realize that the sliding damping support seat600and the sliding damping piece500can both generate a favorable sliding damping, the sliding damping support seat600and the sliding damping piece500adopt the following installation:

an end, close to the sliding damping piece500, of the sliding damping support seat600of the present embodiment is provided with an accommodation chamber, and a first end of the sliding damping piece500is against the upper bracket400, while a second end of the sliding damping piece extends into the accommodation chamber of the sliding damping support seat600.

The sliding damping piece500of the present embodiment is directly against the upper bracket400, when the outer tub shakes or swings, an eccentric force directly acts on the upper bracket400, then the upper bracket400directly acts on the sliding damping piece500, and the sliding damping piece500is in extrusion friction with the damping suspension rod300to generate a sliding damping. When the outer tub is in general shaking or swinging, the sliding damping generated by the sliding damping piece500can satisfy the requirements of damping. When the outer tub shakes or swings with great amplitude, the eccentric force is larger, and one end of the sliding damping piece500extends into the accommodation chamber of the sliding damping support seat600, therefore, the eccentric force can be further transferred to the sliding damping support seat600, and the sliding damping support seat600can also be in extrusion friction with the damping suspension rod300to generate a sliding damping, so as to further enhance the effect of damping.

As a preferred implementation of the present embodiment, the sliding damping piece500comprises an annular damping fin501and multiple damping blocks502which are arranged at one side of the annular damping fin501and distributed along the inner ring of the annular damping fin, and a through hole which is located in the center to allow the damping suspension rod to pass through is formed by the damping blocks502.

A damping block clearance503is formed between the adjacent damping blocks502of the present embodiment, such that when the outer tub does not shake or swing, the damping blocks502are loosened, the sliding damping between the damping blocks502and the damping suspension rod300is smaller. When the outer tub shakes or swings, the damping blocks502are tightened, then the sliding damping between the damping blocks502and the damping suspension rod300is increased.

Further, in the present embodiment, an upper wall surface of the annular damping fin501of the sliding damping piece500is contacted with the upper bracket400, a lower wall surface of the annular damping fin501of the sliding damping piece500is contacted with an upper end face of the sliding damping support seat600, and the damping block502of the sliding damping piece500extends into the accommodation chamber of the sliding damping support seat600. Through such a setting mode, the eccentric force can be transferred from the upper bracket400to the sliding damping piece500and from the sliding damping piece500to the sliding damping support seat600.

As a preferred implementation of the present embodiment, an annular convex rib is arranged on the upper wall surface of the annular damping fin501of the sliding damping piece500, and a lower wall of the upper bracket400is provided with an annular groove which is in match with the annular convex rib. In this way, on the one hand, coordination between the sliding damping piece500and the upper bracket400can be increased, and on the other hand, the annular convex rib is inclined towards the center, thereby being capable of better transferring the eccentric force to the damping block502.

As a preferred implementation of the present embodiment, the sliding damping support seat600is provided with an inclined structure602for transferring an eccentric force when an outer tub shakes or swings to generate a sliding damping acting on the damping suspension rod300. And the accommodation chamber is formed in the inner of the inclined structure602.

The sliding damping support seat600of the present embodiment is provided with an inclined structure602which can effectively transfer the force applied by the outer tub. Along with the shaking or swinging of the outer tub, the upper bracket400, the sliding damping piece500and the sliding damping support seat600will slide up and down along the damping suspension rod300, and the damping spring700will be compressed or released. Preferably, in order to realize that the inclined structure602can effectively transfer the eccentric force, generated by shaking or swinging of the outer tub, to a deformable part of the sliding damping support seat600, and a sliding damping is provided to the damping suspension rod to realize a favorable damping effect, the inclined structure602of the present embodiment inclines towards close to the damping suspension rod300along a direction from top to bottom of the damping suspension rod300, such that an eccentricity component during compression generates a component force along a horizontal direction to act on a deformable part of the sliding damping support seat600, and the sliding damping support seat is tightened to generate a sliding damping force.

When the outer tub shakes or swings to put downwards an eccentric force on the upper bracket400, the damping spring700is compressed, the sliding damping support seat600is tightened and is in friction with the damping suspension rod300to generate a damping force. When the outer tub shakes or swings to release the pressure on the upper bracket, the damping spring700is elongated, and the sliding damping support seat600is released, then the friction with the damping suspension rod300is gradually reduced, and the generated sliding friction damping force is reduced or completely released. Then each part of the damping device is reset.

Therefore, the damping device for a washing machine of the present embodiment is provided with a sliding damping support seat600, when the dehydration process of the washing machine is started and operated, the friction between the sliding damping support seat600and the damping suspension rod300provides a sliding damping force to the outer tub, thereby effectively reducing shaking and swinging of the outer tub, playing a favorable damping effect, and enabling the washing machine to keep quiet and stable dehydration starting and operation.

Therefore, the damping device for a washing machine in the present embodiment is provided with a sliding damping support seat600which is designed separately, which can perform good sliding friction damping on the damping suspension rod300and improve the damping effect of the washing machine. The sliding damping support seat600of the present embodiment can be used separately to satisfy damping requirements of general washing machines, or can be matched with the sliding damping block to further enhance the effect of sliding damping, so as to acquire a better damping effect and accommodate to washing machines of a larger specification. In addition, the sliding damping support seat600of the present embodiment can be made of ordinary plastic material, therefore, the manufacturing cost is low and the service life is long.

In order to realize that the sliding damping support seat600of the present embodiment can change the magnitude of the sliding damping on the damping suspension rod300along with the shaking or swinging of the outer tub, specifically, the sliding damping support seat600of the present embodiment includes an annular body601arranged at one end of the sliding damping support seat and elastomers606which are respectively connected with the annular body601. The annular body601and the sliding damping piece500are against each other, the elastomers606extend into the damping spring700, and a through hole located in the center to allow the damping suspension rod300to pass through is formed by the elastomers606.

The outer tub of the washing machine shakes or swings to put an eccentric pressure on the upper bracket400, then the damping spring700is compressed, and the inclined structure602of the sliding damping support seat600transfers an eccentric force to each elastomer606, and each elastomer606is tightened to increase the sliding damping on the damping suspension rod300. The outer tub of the washing machine shakes or swings to release the upper bracket, the damping spring700is elongated, and each of the elastomers606is loosened to reduce or completely release the sliding damping on the damping suspension rod300.

An elastic clearance605is formed between elastomers606of the present embodiment. When the outer tub does not shake or swing, an inner wall of the elastomer is in contact with the damping suspension rod300, but no extrusion friction occurs or the extrusion friction force is not large. When the outer tub shakes or swings, the elastomer606is tightened under the effect of an eccentric force transferred by the inclined structure602, and the inner wall of the elastomer606is in close contact with the damping suspension rod300and the extrusion friction generates a larger sliding friction damping to slow down shaking or swinging of the outer tub and realize the effect of damping.

Preferably, four elastomers606of the present embodiment are available. Four elastomers606form a circle and the elastic clearance605is formed between the adjacent elastomers606.

Specifically, the elastomers606of the present embodiment are distributed at equal intervals along circumference of the annular body601. A first part of each of the elastomers606connected with the annular body601is obliquely disposed to form an inclined structure602, or the inclined structure602is an inclined rib for connecting each of the elastomer606and the annular body601.

The inclined structure602of the present embodiment is inclined towards the center of the annular body601, in this way, the whole sliding damping support seat600tends to be gradually reduced from the annular body601to the elastomer606. The sliding damping support seat600of the present embodiment can be molded in one body, and can also be formed by connecting each part together.

As a preferred implementation of the present embodiment, the elastomer606includes an inclined section and a vertical section. One end of the inclined section is connected with the annular body, another end of the inclined section is arranged to be inclined towards an inner side of the annular body. The vertical section is connected with the inclined section and is arranged along vertical direction. An inner wall of the vertical section of the elastomer606protrudes inwardly and is in contact with the damping suspension rod to generate a sliding damping on the damping suspension rod. The elastomer606and the inclined structure602of the present embodiment are molded in one body, the inclined section of the elastomer606is the inclined structure602, and the vertical section is the deformed part which is in contact with the damping suspension rod300to generate a sliding friction damping.

As a preferred implementation of the present embodiment, a first end of the inclined rib is connected with the annular body601, a second end of the inclined rib is inclined toward inner of the annular body601and is connected with the elastomer606, and the elastomer606is arranged in a vertical direction. An inner wall of each of the elastomers606protrudes inwardly and is in contact with the damping suspension rod300to generate a sliding damping on the damping suspension rod. The inclined rib of the present embodiment and the annular body601can be molded in one body, and the elastomer606is fixedly connected with the inclined rib, in this way, the elastomer606can be made of rubber material with a higher damping coefficient, and elastomers606of corresponding specifications can be selected according to requirements to satisfy requirements of sliding damping.

In the present embodiment, multiple inclined ribs are available, and the inclined ribs and the elastomers606are in a one-to-one corresponding relationship along a circumferential direction of the annular body601.

Further, in the present embodiment, an outer wall of an intersection between the inclined section and the vertical section of each elastomer606is respectively provided with a blocking rib604, the blocking ribs604form an annular blocking rib, and an upper end of the damping spring700is abutted against the annular blocking rib.

Or, an outer wall of an intersection between each inclined rib and each elastomer606is respectively provided with a blocking rib604, blocking ribs604form an annular blocking rib, and the upper end of the damping spring700is abutted against the annular blocking rib.

The sliding damping support seat600of the present embodiment is arranged between the sliding damping piece500and the damping spring700. The annular body601of the sliding damping support seat600is abutted against the sliding damping piece500. When the sliding damping piece500bears an eccentric force from the outer tub, the eccentric force can directly act on the sliding damping support seat600, and the sliding damping support seat600is also provided with the annular blocking rib which is against the damping spring700. In this way, part of the eccentric force of the outer tub can directly act on the damping spring700through the sliding damping support seat600, and the damping spring700is compressed to provide a damping elastic force. Another part of eccentric force acts on the elastomer606through an inclined structure, and the elastomer606is in friction with the damping suspension rod300to generate a sliding friction damping. Therefore, the sliding damping support seat600of the present embodiment has a favorable damping effect for shaking and swinging of the outer tub of a washing machine.

As a preferred implementation of the present disclosure, a reinforcing rib603is arranged between the blocking rib604and an outer wall of the inclined section of the elastomer606. Or a reinforcing rib603is arranged between the blocking rib604and an outer wall of the inclined rib. The reinforcing rib603is set to enhance overall strength of the sliding damping support seat600. Therefore, the sliding damping support seat600has better abrasion performance and longer service life.

The damping device for a washing machine in the present embodiment further includes a suspension rod seat200which is fixedly installed on an upper end of the damping suspension rod300, and the suspension rod seat200is hoisted on an upper part of a cabinet of the washing machine. A gasket100is additionally added between the suspension rod seat200and the cabinet of the washing machine to enhance the damping effect.

The damping device for a washing machine of the present embodiment further includes a lower bracket800which is fixedly installed on a lower end of the damping suspension rod300, and the lower end of the damping spring700ends at and is abutted against the lower bracket800.

Meanwhile, the present embodiment provides a washing machine provided with the damping device for a washing machine as mentioned in any one of the above items. The washing machine provided with the above damping device for a washing machine in the present disclosure can keep quiet and stable dehydration starting and operation.

The above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than a limitation to the present disclosure in any form. Although the present disclosure is disclosed above through the preferred embodiments, however, the present disclosure is not limited hereto. Those skilled in the art can make some changes or modify to equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes by utilizing the technical contents enlightened above under the premise of not departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present disclosure. As long as the contents do not depart from the technical solution of the present disclosure, any simple alterations, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present disclosure shall still fall within the scope of the solution of the present disclosure.