Patent Description:
A pump is relatively widely applied as a fluid driving device, and is generally used for driving liquid to flow. The pump is also commonly used in the field of household appliances such as washing devices. The pump may be used for draining water or generating a circulating washing liquid flow path.

Document <CIT> discloses a circulation pump of a washing and drying machine.

Document <CIT> discloses a pump for a laundry appliance.

Document <CIT> discloses a centrifugal pump for pumping fiber suspensions.

Document <CIT> discloses a liquid ring machine.

Document <CIT> disclose a liquid ring pump.

Document <CIT> discloses a vacuum washing machine.

The pump generally used for driving liquid cannot be used for driving an airflow simultaneously, especially because suction of the pump is not sufficient to perform air pumping on an enclosed space, thereby generating a negative pressure in the enclosed space.

Therefore, for an application scenario in which both liquid pumping and air pumping are needed, an additional air pumping device is needed in addition to the pump, which inevitably increases space costs and expense costs.

An objective of the present invention is to provide an improved pump.

An embodiment of the present invention includes a pump according to independent claim <NUM>, including a motor, an impeller driven to rotate by the motor, and an impeller chamber arranged around the impeller. The impeller chamber includes a peripheral wall located on an outer side of the impeller in a radial direction, and an end wall located on an outer side of the impeller in an axial direction and opposite to the motor, where a fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet spaced apart from each other are arranged on the end wall, and an edge of the first fluid outlet and the peripheral wall are kept an interval distance from each other in the radial direction.

In some embodiments, an inlet connection port is disposed on the fluid inlet, and a cross-section of the inlet connection port changes from small to large along a direction in which fluid flows into the impeller chamber.

In some embodiments, a first outlet connection port is disposed on the first fluid outlet, and a cross-section of the first outlet connection port changes from large to small along a direction in which the fluid flows out of the impeller chamber.

A second fluid outlet is arranged on the peripheral wall of the impeller chamber, a second outlet connection port is disposed on the second fluid outlet, and the second outlet connection port substantially extends along a tangential direction of the peripheral wall.

The pump in the embodiments of the present invention does not only drive liquid to flow, but also generates a water ring in the peripheral wall of the impeller chamber due to a high-speed rotation of the impeller and a reserved distance between the edge of the first fluid outlet and the peripheral wall of the impeller chamber. A width of the water ring is related to the distance between the first fluid outlet and the peripheral wall. Then in a subsequent process, when liquid in the chamber connected to the fluid inlet is exhausted or only a small amount of liquid is left, air is driven to be discharged from the first fluid outlet by using the pump. The water ring makes an air volume in the impeller chamber smaller, so that the impeller has a better effect of driving air.

An objective of the present invention further includes providing an improved washing device.

An embodiment of the present invention further includes a washing device, including a control device and a washing drum, where the pump of the foregoing various embodiments and combinations is fluidly connected to the washing drum.

An optional embodiment further includes that, the first fluid outlet is connected to a first pipeline, and a first valve is disposed on the first pipeline; the second fluid outlet is connected to a second pipeline, and a second valve is disposed on the second pipeline; and the control device is configured to switch on the first valve and the second valve alternatively or simultaneously.

An embodiment of the present invention further includes that, a water supply unit and the impeller chamber are connected by a fourth pipeline, and the control device is configured to perform an air pumping process on the washing drum, where, during the air pumping process, in a direction in which fluid is released outward from the impeller chamber, the impeller chamber only keeps the first fluid outlet in fluid communication with the outside, and the water supply unit is intermittently switched on, so that the water supply unit intermittently supplies water to the impeller chamber and meanwhile the fluid inlet is kept in fluid communication with the washing drum.

An optional embodiment further includes that, the fluid inlet is connected to the washing drum by a third pipeline, and the fourth pipeline is connected to the third pipeline and then connected to the impeller chamber.

Another embodiment further includes that, an enclosed space is formable in the washing drum.

An optional embodiment further includes that, the washing drum includes a wall made of a flexible material.

An optional embodiment further includes that, a second fluid outlet is arranged on the peripheral wall of the impeller chamber, the second fluid outlet is connected to a second pipeline, a second valve is disposed on the second pipeline, and the control device switches off the second valve during the air pumping process.

The foregoing embodiments may be combined in any feasible manner.

The washing device in various embodiments of the present invention may perform water pumping and/or air pumping on the washing drum, thereby forming a negative pressure in the washing drum, which is extremely advantageous for a situation in which the negative pressure needs to be formed in the washing drum. The water pumping and the air pumping may be simultaneously implemented with one pump. For example, when the washing drum is at least partially made of the flexible material, and the enclosed space is formed inside, the wall of the washing drum may be deformed, laundry is squeezed, a washing effect is enhanced, or the laundry is dehydrated.

The water supply unit is connected to the impeller chamber, and is intermittently switched on during the air pumping process. Therefore, when the water supply unit is switched on, water enters the impeller chamber, and a water ring is generated under the driving of the impeller; or when the water ring already exists, replenished water breaks a balance of the water ring instantaneously, to generate a thicker water ring, and an air space in the impeller chamber is compressed, to generate a higher air pressure. In this case, a width of the water ring exceeds the edge of the first fluid outlet, so water of an added width part is discharged from the first fluid outlet under the action of a high air pressure, while a part of the water ring remains, and the space in the impeller chamber increases. During switching on and switching off of the water supply unit in each cycle, the air space in the impeller chamber is continuously compressed and expanded alternately. Especially in a compression process, the impeller chamber has a momentarily increased air pressure, which generates a strong propulsion force toward the first fluid outlet for the air. Thereby, the pump may generate a strong air pumping effect on the washing drum.

Some specific embodiments of the present invention are exemplified below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in <FIG>, a washing device <NUM> includes a washing drum <NUM>. Laundry is washed and/or undergoes other treatment in the washing drum <NUM>. The washing device <NUM> further includes a control device <NUM>, which controls an electrical element and an electronic element in the washing device <NUM>, and executes a laundry treatment program. A pump <NUM> is fluidly connected to the washing drum <NUM>, so that water pumping and/or air pumping may be performed in the washing drum <NUM>.

During a washing process of the laundry in the washing drum <NUM> or when a washing program is close to the end, outward drainage is performed by using the pump <NUM>;
or a circulating water path is formed by using the pump <NUM>; or the pump <NUM> continues to be kept switched on after the drainage is completed, so as to perform the air pumping outward; or the pump <NUM> is switched on when there is no water in the washing drum <NUM>, and the air pumping process is performed independently.

In some embodiments, an enclosed space is formable in the washing drum <NUM>. A negative pressure is formed in the washing drum <NUM> if the pump <NUM> performs the air pumping outward, which is advantageous for a function or an application that needs a negative pressure scenario. Meanwhile, in some embodiments, the washing drum <NUM> includes a wall <NUM> made of a flexible material. Then the pump performs the air pumping outward to deform the wall <NUM>, to squeeze the laundry, which is advantageous for washing or dehydration. In the embodiment in which the enclosed space is not formed in the washing drum <NUM>, a small amount of water is still contained in the laundry after the pump completes or nearly completes the drainage. In this case, the pump <NUM> continues to be kept switched on, so that an airflow may pass through the laundry, and under the action of suction, the water in the laundry may be further dehydrated under the air pressure, and then be discharged as the airflow enters the pump <NUM>.

To enable the pump <NUM> to effectively achieve functions of water pumping and air pumping, preferably the pump <NUM> may be improved as described below.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, a pump <NUM> includes a motor <NUM>, an impeller <NUM> driven to rotate by the motor <NUM>, and an impeller chamber <NUM> arranged around the impeller <NUM>. The impeller chamber <NUM> includes a peripheral wall <NUM> located on an outer side of the impeller <NUM> in a radial direction, and an end wall <NUM> located on an outer side of the impeller <NUM> in an axial direction and opposite to the motor <NUM>. A fluid inlet <NUM> and a first fluid outlet <NUM> spaced apart from each other are arranged on end wall <NUM>. An edge of the first fluid outlet <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM> are kept an interval distance D from each other in the radial direction.

Under a high-speed rotation of the impeller <NUM>, due to the interval distance D between the edge of the first fluid outlet <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM> of the impeller chamber <NUM>, when water enters the impeller chamber <NUM> from the fluid inlet <NUM>, a water ring with a width close to D is generated in the peripheral wall <NUM> of the impeller chamber <NUM>. Then in a subsequent process, when water in a washing drum <NUM> is exhausted or only a small amount of water is left, air may be driven to be discharged from the first fluid outlet <NUM> by using the pump <NUM>. The water ring makes an air volume in the impeller chamber <NUM> smaller, so that the impeller <NUM> has a better effect of driving air.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a second fluid outlet <NUM> may be further arranged on the peripheral wall <NUM> of the impeller chamber <NUM>. Compared with the first fluid outlet <NUM>, the second fluid outlet <NUM> arranged on the peripheral wall <NUM> is in a centrifugal direction of the impeller <NUM>, so that a higher flow rate may be obtained.

A specific embodiment further includes that an inlet connection port <NUM> is disposed on the fluid inlet <NUM>. A cross-section of the inlet connection port <NUM> changes from small to large along a direction in which fluid flows into the impeller chamber <NUM>. In this way, an impact force of a water flow on the impeller <NUM> may be reduced. A first outlet connection port <NUM> is disposed on the first fluid outlet <NUM>. A cross-section of the first outlet connection port <NUM> changes from large to small along a direction in which the fluid flows out of the impeller chamber <NUM>. In this way, the fluid may be accelerated to flow out of the first fluid outlet <NUM>. A second outlet connection port <NUM> is disposed on the second fluid outlet <NUM>. The second outlet connection port <NUM> substantially extends along a tangential direction of the peripheral wall <NUM>.

A washing device <NUM> further includes the following various embodiments.

The first fluid outlet <NUM> of the pump <NUM> is connected to a first pipeline <NUM>. A first valve <NUM> is disposed on the first pipeline <NUM>. An end of the first pipeline <NUM> is connected to an external waste water receiving pipeline, or connected to a water consumption device, or connected to a water storage device, or connected to a washing drum <NUM> to form a circulation, or the like. The specific application manner is not limited.

The second fluid outlet <NUM> of the pump is connected to a second pipeline <NUM>. A second valve <NUM> is disposed on the second pipeline <NUM>. An end of the second pipeline <NUM> is connected to the external waste water receiving pipeline, or connected to the water consumption device, or connected to the water storage device, or connected to the washing drum <NUM> to form a circulation, or the like. The specific application manner is not limited. The end of the second pipeline <NUM> may be connected to a foaming device, and then connected to the washing drum <NUM>, so as to use circulating water to generate air bubbles and improve washing efficiency. This is particularly advantageous for the foaming device to generate air bubbles because fluid flows out of the second fluid outlet <NUM> at a higher flow rate. The foaming device may be in a Venturi structure.

A control device <NUM> controls switching on or switching off of the first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM>. According to an actual need, the control device <NUM> is configured to switch on the first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM> alternatively or simultaneously.

The fluid inlet <NUM> is connected to the washing drum <NUM> by the third pipeline <NUM>, preferably connected to the bottom of the washing drum <NUM>.

A third valve <NUM> controlled by the control device <NUM> is disposed on the third pipeline <NUM>.

An advantageous improvement further includes that a water supply unit <NUM> is connected to the impeller chamber <NUM> by a fourth pipeline <NUM>. The control device <NUM> is configured to perform an air pumping process on the washing drum <NUM>. During the air pumping process, in a direction in which a fluid is released outward from the impeller chamber <NUM>, the impeller chamber <NUM> only keeps the first fluid outlet <NUM> in fluid communication with the outside, and the water supply unit <NUM> is intermittently switched on, so that the water supply unit <NUM> intermittently supplies water to the impeller chamber <NUM> and meanwhile the fluid inlet <NUM> is kept in fluid communication with the washing drum <NUM>.

The water supply unit <NUM> includes a fourth valve <NUM>. The water supply unit <NUM> further includes a water source <NUM>. The water source <NUM> may be an external public water source, a water storage device, or another form of water source. The control device <NUM> controls switching on or switching off of the fourth valve <NUM>.

In a preferable embodiment, the fourth pipeline <NUM> is connected to the third pipeline <NUM>, and then connected to the impeller chamber <NUM>.

When it is only necessary to drain the washing drum <NUM> or generate circulating water, the pump <NUM> is switched on, the fourth valve <NUM> is switched off, the third valve <NUM> is switched on, and meanwhile the first valve <NUM> and/or the second valve <NUM> are switched on.

When it is only necessary to perform air pumping on the washing drum <NUM>, the pump <NUM> is switched on, and the second valve <NUM> is switched off. This is because if the second valve <NUM> is switched on, a water ring cannot be formed in the impeller chamber <NUM>. The first valve <NUM> and the third valve <NUM> are switched on. Meanwhile, the water supply unit <NUM> is switched on intermittently. The foregoing description does not contain a sequential relationship. As shown in <FIG>, before a water supply unit <NUM> is switched on, there may be no water in an impeller chamber <NUM>, or there may be a small amount of accumulated water at the bottom. After the water supply unit <NUM> is switched on, a water ring 1A is formed in the impeller chamber <NUM>. When water is supplied next time, replenished water breaks a balance of the water ring 1A instantaneously, to form a thicker water ring. <FIG> schematically illustrates this process. A thickened sub-ring 1B is formed inside the water ring 1A. In fact, there is no distinguishing water ring 1A and sub-ring 1B, the water ring is still integrated, but the thickness is temporarily increased. <FIG> is only for ease of understanding. In this case, an air space in the impeller chamber <NUM> is compressed, to generate a higher air pressure. In this case, a width of the water ring exceeds an edge of the first fluid outlet <NUM>, so water of an added width part is discharged from the first fluid outlet <NUM> under the action of a high air pressure, while a part of the water ring remains, and a space in the impeller chamber <NUM> increases instantaneously. During switching on and switching off of the water supply unit <NUM> in each cycle, the air space in the impeller chamber <NUM> is continuously compressed and expanded alternately. Especially in a compression process, the impeller chamber <NUM> has a momentarily increased air pressure, which generates a strong propulsion force toward the first fluid outlet <NUM> for the air. Thereby, the pump <NUM> may generate a strong air pumping effect on the washing drum <NUM>.

When the washing drum <NUM> needs to be drained, and the air pumping is further performed after the drainage, the pump <NUM> is switched on, the second valve <NUM> is switched off, and the first valve <NUM> and the third valve <NUM> are switched on. Meanwhile, the water supply unit <NUM> is switched on intermittently. The foregoing description does not contain a sequential relationship. A stable water ring 1A has been formed during the drainage phase. When the water supply unit <NUM> supplies water intermittently, a same air pumping effect as that described above is achieved.

In an intermittent water supply process of the water supply unit <NUM> after the water ring 1A has been stabilized, the control device <NUM> should be set to control an amount of supplied water, so that a thickened water ring is generated each time water is supplied, but the impeller chamber <NUM> is not filled up. If the impeller chamber is filled up, an air pumping path is blocked, to break continuity of the air pumping, and an increased air pressure cannot be formed in the impeller chamber <NUM>. A relationship between an amount of water supplied each time and the impeller chamber <NUM> is related to a volume of the impeller chamber, a unit water flow rate, and a switching-on time of the water supply unit. Generally, it is only necessary to switch on the water supply unit <NUM> for a short time, for example, for no more than <NUM> seconds each time the water is supplied intermittently. A specific control scheme is designed according to an actual case and based on the foregoing principles.

Claim 1:
A pump, comprising a motor (<NUM>), an impeller (<NUM>) driven to rotate by the motor, and an impeller chamber (<NUM>) arranged around the impeller, characterized in that the impeller chamber comprises a peripheral wall (<NUM>) located on an outer side of the impeller in a radial direction, and an end wall (<NUM>) located on an outer side of the impeller in an axial direction and opposite to the motor, wherein a fluid inlet (<NUM>) and a first fluid outlet (<NUM>) spaced apart from each other are arranged on the end wall, and an edge of the first fluid outlet and the peripheral wall are kept an interval distance (D) from each other in the radial direction,
wherein the pump is configured to drive liquid to flow and to generate a water ring in the peripheral wall (<NUM>) of the impeller chamber (<NUM>) due to a high-speed rotation of the impeller (<NUM>) and the reserved distance (D) between the edge of the first fluid outlet and the peripheral wall (<NUM>) of the impeller chamber, wherein a width of the water ring is related to the distance (D) between the first fluid outlet (<NUM>) and the peripheral wall (<NUM>), wherein subsequently, when liquid in the chamber connected to the fluid inlet (<NUM>) is exhausted or only a small amount of liquid is left, air is driven to be discharged from the first fluid outlet (<NUM>) by using the pump, wherein the water ring makes an air volume in the impeller chamber smaller, so that the impeller (<NUM>) has a better effect of driving air,
characterized in that a second fluid outlet (<NUM>) is arranged on the peripheral wall (<NUM>) of the impeller chamber, a second outlet connection port (<NUM>) is disposed on the second fluid outlet, and the second outlet connection port (<NUM>) substantially extends along a tangential direction of the peripheral wall (<NUM>).