Patent Description:
In an existing washing machine, an inner tub and an outer tub are communicated with each other, the inner tub is used to hold clothes, the outer tub is used to hold water, a large number of water passing holes are arranged in the inner tub, so that the inner tub and the outer tub are communicated through the water passing holes, water in the outer tub enters the inner tub, injection and drainage of water is implemented through the outer tub. In this type of washing machine, dirt is easily accumulated between the inner tub and the outer tub, which breeds bacteria and is not easy to be cleaned. To this end, a washing machine with a single tub used for washing is present in the related art is different from existing washing modes in that the inner tub is a non-porous inner tub and is isolated from the outer tub, and the single tub is not only used to hold clothes and beat or stir the clothes, but also used to hold water. However, drainage and dewatering of the washing machine with a single tub used for washing has become a difficult technology urgently to be overcome.

In the related art, a side wall of the inner tub is provided with a dewatering port and a dewatering valve, the dewatering valve is connected to the inner tub through a spring, and when dewatering is performed in the inner tub, the dewatering valve opens the dewatering port under an action of a centrifugal rotation force of the inner tub, and water in the inner tub may be discharged out of the inner tub through the dewatering port; and when washing is performed in the inner tub, the dewatering valve closes the dewatering port under an action of the spring.

In the above solution, the dewatering valve may be opened only when the inner tub rotates at a high speed. When a washing process in the inner tub is finished, a large amount of water is held in the inner tub, and a motor needs to drive the inner tub and water in the inner tub to rotate at a high speed to implement drainage. On one hand, drainage of water may not be implemented when the inner tub rotates at a low speed, and on the other hand, the motor may operate in an overload manner. <CIT> relates to the technical field of electric appliance manufacturing, in particular to a washing machine. <CIT> relates to the technical field of a laundry equipment, specifically, relates to water-free washing machine between inner and outer barrels. <CIT> relates to the field of washing machines, and in particular relates to a discharge control mechanism for an inner tub of a washing machine and the washing machine. <CIT> relates to a washing machine that can inhibit the generation of dirt or mold in and around a dehydrating tub. <CIT> relates to washing machine equipment in household appliances, in particular to a top-opening type drum washing machine. <CIT> relates to the washing machine technology fields, and in particular to ones where the rotatable inner cylinder can be filled with water <CIT> relates to the bucket drain valve structure in a kind of water-saving impeller-type or the stirring type fully automatic washing machine. <CIT> relates to the flush of the toilet. It more specifically relates to the kind of draining valve starting drive, a kind of a kind of water-closet bowl flushing apparatus and method of applying the draining valve starting drive. <CIT> relates to providing a drain valve drive unit with clutch operation mechanism, that implements an opening and closing operation of the drain valve in conjunction with a clutch operation that has a simplified composition and reduced load on a motor.

In view of this, it is desirable for embodiments of the application to provide a drainage valve assembly which facilitates drainage, and a laundry treatment device. In the following, each of the described methods, apparatuses, embodiments, examples, and aspects, which do not fully correspond to the invention as defined in the claims is thus not according to the invention and is, as well as the whole following description, present for illustration purposes only or to highlight specific aspects or features of the claims. Embodiments not falling under the scope of the claims should be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the invention.

In order to achieve the above purpose, an embodiment of the invention provides a drainage valve assembly, including a valve core, a transmission rod mechanism, and an elastic reset member.

The valve core is configured to seal a drainage hole, and has a drainage position and a sealing position.

The transmission rod mechanism has a rotation center line, and includes a transmission rod and a first shifting rod connected to each other, a first end of the transmission rod directly or indirectly drives the valve core to move so that the valve core is switched between the sealing position and the drainage position, and a second end of the transmission rod is connected to the first shifting rod.

The elastic reset member is configured to drive the transmission rod to be reset to an initial position thereof.

According to the invention, the drainage valve assembly comprises a valve seat of which a side is opened, at least a part of the valve core is arranged in the valve seat, and the first shifting rod is positioned outside the valve seat.

According to the invention, the elastic reset member is a first torsion spring sleeved on the transmission rod, two rotation arms of the first torsion spring abutted against the valve seat in a separable way, and in a process of the transmission rod driving the valve core to rotate or translate, the transmission rod mechanism is operative to alternatively toggle one of the rotation arms to move therewith.

In some implementations, at the initial position, the transmission rod may be operative to rotate forward or backward, a pre-tightening force is formed between each of the two rotation arms and the valve seat, and the first torsion spring is operative to be kept at the initial position under an action of pre-tightening forces corresponding to the two rotation arms.

In some implementations, any one of the rotation arms may move toward a direction of tightening the first torsion spring by toggling of the transmission rod mechanism.

In some implementations, the transmission rod mechanism may comprise a toggling rod moving synchronously with the transmission rod and positioned between the two rotation arms to alternatively toggle any one of the rotation arms.

In some implementations, a bottom surface of the valve seat may be provided with a convex rib extending along a length direction of the transmission rod, and when the transmission rod is positioned at the initial position: in a plane projection perpendicular to the rotation center line, the two rotation arms are intersected and then abutted against opposite sides of the convex rib, and the toggling rod is positioned between an intersection point of the two rotation arms and the convex rib.

In some implementations, the transmission rod mechanism may comprise a sleeving member including a sleeve portion and the toggling rod, the sleeve portion is sleeved on the transmission rod and synchronously rotates along with the transmission rod, and the toggling rod is connected to the sleeve portion.

In some implementations, a circumferential surface of the sleeve portion may be provided with a boss, the toggling rod extends along an axial direction of the sleeve portion, and an end of the toggling rod is connected to the boss.

In some implementations, one of the valve seat or the valve core may be provided with a guide groove, the other of the valve seat or the valve core may be provided with a guide rib, and the guide rib is sliding-fitted with the guide groove.

In some implementations, the drainage valve assembly may comprise an elastic positioning member, the valve core is operative to be kept at the sealing position or the drainage position under an action of the elastic positioning member, and the elastic reset member is operative to drive the transmission rod to idle to be reset to the initial position.

In some implementations, the valve core may have an intermediate critical position between the sealing position and the drainage position, and when the transmission rod drives the valve core to cross the intermediate critical position, the elastic positioning member is operative to drive the valve core to continue to move to the sealing position or the drainage position, and the elastic reset member is operative to drive the transmission rod to idle to be reset.

In some implementations, the transmission rod mechanism may further comprise a reversal mechanism connected between the valve core and the first end of the transmission rod, and the transmission rod mechanism drives the valve core to translate through the reversal mechanism.

An embodiment of the invention further provides a laundry treatment device, including an inner tub, a driving device, and the drainage valve assembly of any one of the above contents. The inner tub is configured to hold water and be provided with a drainage hole. The drainage valve assembly is connected to the inner tub, and the driving device toggles the first shifting rod to drive the transmission rod mechanism to rotate around the rotation center line.

In some implementations, the laundry treatment device may comprise a lifting rib in which the valve core and the elastic reset member are arranged, the first end of the transmission rod is positioned in the lifting rib, the second end of the transmission rod extends outside an axial end of the inner tub, and the first shifting rod is positioned outside the axial end of the inner tub.

In some implementations, the laundry treatment device may comprise an outer tub in which the inner tub is rotatably arranged, the driving device is arranged on the outer tub, the first shifting rod is positioned between the inner tub and the outer tub, the driving device includes a second shifting rod and a power unit driving the second shifting rod to selectively extend towards the shifting rod or retract, and in an extending state of the second shifting rod, the second shifting rod is operative to selectively toggle the first shifting rod to rotate forward or backward around the rotation center line.

According to the laundry treatment device provided by the embodiments of the invention, application, regardless of a rotation speed of the inner tub, switching of the valve core between the sealing position and the drainage position may be implemented as long as the transmission rod mechanism may rotate, so that the laundry treatment device has a simple structure, facilitates drainage of the inner tub and has high reliability, and service life of the drainage valve assembly may be effectively prolonged.

It should be noted that embodiments of the invention and technical features in the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict, and detailed descriptions in specific implementations should be understood as explanation and illustration of the purpose of the invention, and should not be regarded as an improper limitation to the application.

In descriptions of the embodiments of the application, orientations or positional relationships such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear" are based on an orientation or positional relationship shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, an upper part is "upper", a lower part is "lower", a left part is "front", and a right part is "rear".

It should be understood that these orientation terms are merely intended to facilitate descriptions of the application and simplify the descriptions, rather than indicating or implying that a referred device or element must have a specific orientation, constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be understood as limitation to the application.

An embodiment of the invention provides a laundry treatment device, with reference to <FIG>, the laundry treatment device includes an inner tub <NUM>, a driving device <NUM>, and a drainage valve assembly <NUM>.

The inner tub <NUM> may hold water. That is, washing water is held in the inner tub <NUM> in a process of the laundry treatment device washing laundries, and the inner tub <NUM> may also be referred to as a non-porous inner tub <NUM>, which may avoid the problem of accumulating dirt easily due to water held in the outer tub <NUM> of the related art; and a drainage hole 11a is formed on the inner tub <NUM> (see <FIG>).

In an embodiment, with reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the drainage valve assembly <NUM> includes a valve core <NUM>, a transmission rod mechanism <NUM>, and an elastic reset member.

The valve core <NUM> is configured to seal the drainage hole 11a, and specifically, the valve core <NUM> has a drainage position and a sealing position. With reference to <FIG>, when the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the drainage position, the drainage hole 11a is opened, and water in the inner tub <NUM> may be discharged through the drainage hole 11a. With reference to <FIG>, when the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the sealing position, the valve core <NUM> seals the drainage hole 11a, water in the inner tub <NUM> is not discharged, and the inner tub <NUM> functions as a water tub.

The drainage hole 11a may be arranged at a suitable position of the inner tub <NUM>, as long as water in the inner tub <NUM> may be discharged through the drainage hole 11a. The number and specific shape of the drainage hole 11a are not limited.

In the embodiment of the invention, with reference to <FIG>, the drainage hole 11a is formed in a circumferential direction of rotation of the inner tub <NUM>, so that the inner tub <NUM> spins water out from the drainage hole 11a by a centrifugal force during dewatering.

It should be noted that a rotation axis L1 of the inner tub <NUM> may extend in a horizontal direction, or may extend in a vertical direction, or may extend in an oblique direction between the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, which is not limited here.

In an embodiment of the invention with reference to <FIG>, the rotation axis L of the inner tub <NUM> is approximately in the horizontal direction, and during rotation of the inner tub <NUM>, the drainage hole 11a may circularly pass through a lowest point of a rotation trajectory of the inner tub <NUM>, so that water in the inner tub <NUM> may be emptied without a dead angle.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> has a rotation center line L, that is, the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> revolves around the rotation axis L1 of the inner tub <NUM> while rotating around the rotation center line L.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> includes a transmission rod <NUM> and a first shifting rod <NUM> connected to each other, a first end of the transmission rod <NUM> directly or indirectly drives the valve core <NUM> to move so that the valve core <NUM> is switched between the sealing position and the drainage position, a second end of the transmission rod <NUM> is connected to the first shifting rod <NUM>, and the first shifting rod <NUM> moves synchronously with the transmission rod <NUM>. The elastic reset member is configured to drive the transmission rod <NUM> and the first shifting rod <NUM> to be reset to their respective initial positions.

It should be noted that the initial position refers to a relatively stable position where the first shifting rod <NUM> is positioned before it is toggled by a driving device <NUM>.

During washing or in other cases where drainage is not required, with reference to <FIG>, the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the sealing position, the drainage hole 11a is blocked by the valve core <NUM>, and water in the inner tub <NUM> does not flow out of the inner tub <NUM>. When drainage or dewatering is required, with reference to <FIG>, the valve core <NUM> is switched from the sealing position to the drainage position, the drainage hole 11a is opened, and water in the inner tub <NUM> is discharged from the inner tub <NUM> through the drainage hole 11a.

According to the drainage valve assembly provided by the embodiments of the invention, regardless of a rotation speed of the inner tub <NUM>, switching of the valve core <NUM> between the sealing position and the drainage position may be implemented as long as the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> may rotate, so that the drainage valve assembly has a simple structure, facilitates drainage of the inner tub <NUM> and has high reliability, and service life of the drainage valve assembly <NUM> may be effectively prolonged.

It should be noted that the laundry treatment device discharges water through the drainage hole 11a during washing or after washing is finished, and the laundry treatment device may also discharge water through the drainage hole 11a during dewatering.

It may be understood that the drainage valve assembly <NUM> may be directly or indirectly connected to the inner tub <NUM>, for example, the drainage valve assembly may be connected to a lifting rib <NUM> on an inner side of the inner tub <NUM>, and the lifting rib <NUM> provides a mounting position for the drainage valve assembly <NUM>.

Exemplarily, in an embodiment, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the drainage valve assembly <NUM> includes a valve seat <NUM> of which a side facing toward the drainage hole 11a is opened, at least a part of the valve core <NUM> is arranged in the valve seat <NUM>, and an end of the valve core <NUM> may extend out from the opened part of the valve seat <NUM>. The first shifting rod <NUM> is positioned outside the valve seat <NUM>. That is, the transmission rod <NUM> passes through a side wall of the valve seat <NUM>, and exemplarily, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> again, the side wall of the valve seat <NUM> is provided with an avoidance groove 35a, and the transmission rod <NUM> is arranged in the avoidance groove 35a and passes through the avoidance groove 35a.

The valve seat <NUM> provides mounting support for the valve core <NUM> and the transmission rod mechanism <NUM>, and also protects the valve core <NUM> and the transmission rod mechanism <NUM>, thereby avoiding interference with other structures of the laundry treatment device and improving reliability of the drainage valve assembly <NUM>.

It should be noted that in some embodiments, when the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the drainage position, the valve core <NUM> is positioned in the valve seat <NUM> in its entirety, and when the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the sealing position, an end of the valve core <NUM> used to seal the drainage hole 11a extends outside the valve seat <NUM>. In some other embodiments, no matter the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the drainage position or the sealing position, a part of the valve core <NUM> is positioned in the valve seat <NUM>, and the end of the valve core <NUM> used to seal the drainage hole 11a is always positioned at a position of extending outside the valve seat <NUM>.

The valve seat <NUM> protects the valve core <NUM>, the transmission rod <NUM>, the elastic reset member, or the like, and prevents the valve core <NUM>, the transmission rod <NUM>, the elastic reset member, or the like from being scratched by other components.

Specific structural forms of the elastic reset member are not limited, as long as it may drive the transmission rod <NUM> and the first shifting rod <NUM> to be reset. According to the present invention, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the elastic reset member is a first torsion spring <NUM> sleeved on the transmission rod <NUM>, two rotation arms <NUM> of the first torsion spring <NUM> abutted against the valve seat <NUM> in a separable way, and during rotation of the transmission rod <NUM>, the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> may alternatively toggle one of the rotation arms <NUM> to move along therewith.

Specifically, the first shifting rod <NUM> drives the transmission rod <NUM> to rotate synchronously, and the transmission rod <NUM> drives the valve core <NUM> to move, so that the valve core <NUM> is switched between the drainage position and the sealing position. In a process of the transmission rod <NUM> driving the valve core <NUM> to move, the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> synchronously toggles one of the rotation arms <NUM> to move so that the first torsion spring <NUM> stores potential energy. A reaction force of the valve seat <NUM> to the first torsion spring <NUM> is balanced by two rotation arms <NUM> of the first torsion spring <NUM>, so that the transmission rod may be reliably kept at the initial position. Exemplarily, by taking a state shown in <FIG> as an example, when the transmission rod <NUM> rotates counterclockwise in <FIG>, the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> toggles a right one of the rotation arms <NUM> to rotate therewith; and when the transmission rod <NUM> rotates clockwise in <FIG>, the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> toggles a left one of the rotation arms <NUM> to rotate therewith. When the first shifting rod <NUM> loses its driving force, the first torsion spring <NUM> may drive the transmission rod <NUM> and the first shifting rod <NUM> to be reset.

Connection modes of the first shifting rod <NUM> and the transmission rod <NUM> are not limited, as long as the first shifting rod <NUM> and the transmission rod <NUM> may implement synchronous movement, for example, the first shifting rod <NUM> and the transmission rod <NUM> may be integrally formed, clamped, screwed, or the like with respect to each other, which is not limited here.

It may be understood that in order to facilitate connection between the first shifting rod <NUM> and the transmission rod <NUM>, in some embodiments, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first shifting rod <NUM> includes a rod body <NUM> and a barrel body <NUM> which are fixedly connected, the driving device <NUM> is in contact with the rod body <NUM>, the barrel body <NUM> is connected to an end of the rod body and is sleeved on the second end of the transmission rod <NUM>.

It should be noted that the initial position in the embodiment of the invention refers to a stable and balanced position where the transmission rod <NUM> and the first shifting rod <NUM> are positioned without external forces applied to the drainage valve assembly <NUM>.

In an embodiment, at the initial position, the transmission rod <NUM> may rotate forward or backward, that is, when the transmission rod <NUM> is positioned at the initial position, the first shifting rod <NUM> may drive the transmission rod <NUM> to rotate forward or drive the transmission rod <NUM> to rotate backward. For example, with reference to <FIG>, the transmission rod <NUM> is positioned at the initial position in <FIG>, and in this state, the transmission rod <NUM> may rotate counterclockwise in <FIG>, or may rotate clockwise in <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a pre-tightening force is formed between each of the two rotation arms <NUM> and the valve seat <NUM>, that is, at the initial position, the first torsion spring <NUM> has been subjected to torsional deformation, and the first torsion spring <NUM> may be kept at the initial position under an action of pre-tightening forces corresponding to the two rotation arms <NUM>. Specifically, the valve seat <NUM> generates a first acting force on one of the rotation arms <NUM> and generates a second acting force on the other of the rotation arms <NUM>, and the first torsion spring <NUM> keeps balanced under an action of the first acting force and the second acting force, to be maintained at the initial position. In the embodiment, there is a pre-tightening force at the initial position, therefore, even though the transmission rod <NUM> moves close to the initial position when the transmission rod <NUM> is reset, the first torsion spring <NUM> may have a large restoring force to reliably return the transmission rod <NUM> to the initial position, without causing the transmission rod <NUM> to swing near the initial position or unable to return to the initial position, so that reset reliability of the transmission rod <NUM> and the first shifting rod <NUM> may be improved.

In an embodiment, any one of the rotation arms <NUM> moves toward a direction of tightening the first torsion spring <NUM> by toggling of the transmission rod mechanism <NUM>. In this way, the rotation arm <NUM> always moves toward the direction of tightening the first torsion spring <NUM>, on one hand, the first torsion spring <NUM> is not easy to generate failure, and on the other hand, the first torsion spring <NUM> may have a large resilience force.

It should be noted that moving toward the direction of tightening the first torsion spring <NUM> means that a movement direction of the rotation arm <NUM> is consistent with a spiral direction of the first torsion spring <NUM>, and a pitch of the first torsion spring <NUM> is reduced after the rotation arm <NUM> moves.

The transmission rod mechanism <NUM> may have any suitable structure to selectively toggle two rotation arms <NUM>. Exemplarily, in an embodiment, with reference to <FIG>, the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> includes a toggling rod <NUM> moving synchronously with the transmission rod <NUM> and positioned between the two rotation arms <NUM> to alternatively toggle any one of the rotation arms <NUM>.

Abutting modes of the two rotation arms <NUM> and the valve seat <NUM> are not limited. For example, in an embodiment, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a bottom surface of the valve seat <NUM> is provided with a convex rib <NUM> extending along a length direction of the transmission rod <NUM>, and when the transmission rod <NUM> is positioned at the initial position: in a plane projection perpendicular to the rotation center line, the two rotation arms <NUM> are intersected and then abutted against opposite sides of the convex rib <NUM>, and the toggling rod <NUM> is positioned between an intersection point of the two rotation arms <NUM> and the convex rib <NUM>. In this way, when the toggling rod <NUM> toggles one of the rotation arms <NUM> in any direction, the rotation arm <NUM> may move toward the direction of tightening the first torsion spring <NUM>, and the other of the rotation arms <NUM> may also reliably abutted against the other side of the convex rib <NUM>.

It should be noted that connection modes of the transmission rod <NUM> and the toggling rod <NUM> are not limited, as long as the transmission rod <NUM> and the toggling rod <NUM> may implement synchronous movement. In some embodiments, the toggling rod <NUM> and the transmission rod <NUM> may be fixedly connected, for example, integrally formed, screwed, clamped, or the like with respect to each other. In some other embodiments, the toggling rod <NUM> may move axially relative to the transmission rod <NUM>.

Exemplarily, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> includes a sleeving member <NUM> including a sleeve portion <NUM> and the toggling rod <NUM>, the sleeve portion <NUM> is sleeved on the transmission rod <NUM> and synchronously rotates along with the transmission rod <NUM>, and the toggling rod <NUM> is connected to the sleeve portion <NUM>. Transmission between the barrel portion <NUM> and the transmission rod <NUM> may be implemented through a flat key, a spline, or the like, or torque transmission between the barrel portion <NUM> and the transmission rod <NUM> may be implemented through a non-circular circumferential contour. In the embodiment, during assembly, after the transmission rod <NUM> passes through the side wall of the valve seat <NUM>, the sleeve portion <NUM> may be directly sleeved on the transmission rod <NUM>, and fixation does not require fasteners such as screws or the like, so that disassembly and assembly are convenient.

In an embodiment, with reference to <FIG> again, a circumferential surface of the sleeve portion <NUM> is provided with a boss 3241a, the toggling rod <NUM> extends along an axial direction of the sleeve portion <NUM>, that is, the toggling rod <NUM> is substantially parallel to the transmission rod <NUM>, and an end of the toggling rod <NUM> is connected to the boss 3241a.

In an embodiment, the first torsion spring <NUM> may drive the transmission rod <NUM> to idle to be reset. It should be noted that "idle" refers to that the transmission rod <NUM> does not form a driving force on the valve core <NUM> during idling. When the driving device <NUM> needs to toggle the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> next time, the driving device <NUM> will toggle the first shifting rod <NUM> at the same position, which may simplify driving and fitting structures of the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> and the driving device <NUM>.

In a process of the transmission rod <NUM> idling to be reset, the valve core <NUM> does not move along with the transmission rod <NUM>, that is, at this time, other structures apply an acting force to the valve core <NUM> to prevent the valve core <NUM> from rotating backward along with the transmission rod <NUM>.

Exemplarily, in an embodiment, the drainage valve assembly <NUM> includes an elastic positioning member, and the valve core <NUM> further has an intermediate critical position between the sealing position and the drainage position, and when the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> drives the valve core <NUM> to cross the intermediate critical position, the elastic positioning member may drive the valve core <NUM> to continue to move to the sealing position or the drainage position, and the elastic reset member <NUM> may drive the transmission rod <NUM> to idle to be reset to the initial position.

The intermediate critical position between the sealing position and the drainage position refers to the intermediate critical position between the sealing position and the drainage position in a movement stroke of the valve core <NUM>, that is, the valve core <NUM> passes through the intermediate critical position in a process of the valve core <NUM> moving from the sealing position to the drainage position, and also passes through the intermediate critical position in a process of the valve core <NUM> moving from the drainage position to the sealing position.

When the first end of the transmission rod <NUM> directly or indirectly drives the valve core <NUM> to cross the intermediate critical position, the elastic positioning member may drive the valve core <NUM> to continue to move to the sealing position or the drainage position. Specifically, when the valve core <NUM> moves from the sealing position to the drainage position and crosses the intermediate critical position, the elastic positioning member may drive the valve core <NUM> to continue to move to the drainage position, that is, after the valve core <NUM> crosses the intermediate critical position, even though the transmission rod <NUM> stops driving the valve core <NUM>, the valve core <NUM> may continue to move to the drainage position under an action of the elastic positioning member. When the valve core <NUM> moves from the drainage position to the sealing position and crosses the intermediate critical position, the elastic positioning member may drive the valve core <NUM> to continue to move to the sealing position, that is, after the valve core <NUM> crosses the intermediate critical position, even though the transmission rod <NUM> stops driving the valve core <NUM>, the valve core <NUM> may continue to move to the sealing position under an action of the elastic positioning member.

The elastic positioning member may drive the valve core <NUM> to continue to move to the sealing position or the drainage position, therefore, as long as the transmission rod <NUM> drives the valve core <NUM> to cross the intermediate critical position, even when the driving device <NUM> stops driving the first shifting rod <NUM>, the transmission rod <NUM> and the first shifting rod <NUM> may idle to be reset under an action of the first torsion spring <NUM>. In this way, when the driving device <NUM> needs to toggle the first shifting rod <NUM> next time, the driving device <NUM> will toggle the first shifting rod <NUM> at the same position, which may simplify driving and fitting structures of the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> and the driving device <NUM>.

It should be noted that the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> may drive the valve core <NUM> to rotate, or may drive the valve core <NUM> to translate.

Specific structural forms of the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> are not limited. Exemplarily, in some embodiments, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> includes a reversal mechanism <NUM> connected between the valve core <NUM> and the first end of the transmission rod <NUM>, and the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> drives the valve core <NUM> to translate through the reversal mechanism <NUM>, and the reversal mechanism <NUM> is configured to convert rotation of the transmission rod <NUM> into translation of the valve core <NUM>.

In the embodiment, a movement mode of the valve core <NUM> is translation, so that a side of the valve core <NUM> used to close the drainage hole 11a always faces the drainage hole 11a, and when the valve core <NUM> is switched from the drainage position to the sealing position, the side of the valve core <NUM> used to close the drainage hole 11a may stably, reliably, directly or indirectly press against the periphery of the drainage hole 11a, so that sealing reliability of the drainage hole 11a may be greatly improved, and sealing effect thereof is good.

In an embodiment, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the valve core <NUM> is provided with a sliding groove 31a, and with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the reversal mechanism <NUM> includes a turntable <NUM> and a protruding column <NUM>. The protruding column <NUM> protrudes from a side of the turntable <NUM>, is eccentrically arranged relative to the rotation center line L, extends into the sliding groove 31a and may rotate in the sliding groove 31a. The reversal mechanism <NUM> is equivalent to a cam transmission mechanism, and when the reversal mechanism <NUM> rotates around the rotation center line L, the protruding column <NUM> may drive the valve core <NUM> to translate.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the turntable <NUM> is provided with a first driving groove 3231a, the first driving groove 3231a has first driving surfaces 3231b on opposite sides along a rotation direction respectively, the first end of the transmission rod <NUM> is at least partially positioned in the first driving groove 3231a and may slide in the first driving groove 3231a, and the first end of the transmission rod <NUM> may be alternatively driving-fitted with one of the first driving surfaces 3231b to drive the reversal mechanism <NUM> to rotate around the rotation center line L.

It should be noted that a rotation direction of the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> is related to a rotation direction of the inner tub <NUM>. For example, when the inner tub <NUM> rotates in a clockwise direction of <FIG>, in case that the driving device <NUM> toggles the first shifting rod <NUM>, the first shifting rod <NUM> only drives the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> to rotate around the rotation center line L in a counterclockwise direction of <FIG>. When the inner tub <NUM> rotates in the counterclockwise direction of <FIG>, in case that the driving device <NUM> toggles the first shifting rod <NUM>, the first shifting rod <NUM> only drives the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> to rotate around the rotation center line L in the clockwise direction of <FIG>.

During washing of the laundry treatment device, the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the sealing position. Then, with reference to <FIG>, a part of the first end of the transmission rod <NUM> is in contact with one of the first driving surfaces 3231b, and at this time, the inner tub <NUM> continues to rotate in the same direction. In case that the first shifting rod <NUM> is toggled due to misoperation of the driving device <NUM>, then the first shifting rod <NUM> may drive the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> to rotate in a clockwise direction of <FIG>, and the first end of the transmission rod <NUM> idles in the first driving groove 3231a, that is, the first shifting rod <NUM> and the transmission rod <NUM> generate an idle stroke. At this time, the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> does not drive the valve core <NUM> to move, and the valve core <NUM> may be still kept at the current sealing position, so that reliability of the laundry treatment device may be improved. When the inner tub <NUM> rotates reversely, the first end of the transmission rod <NUM> biases the first driving surface 3231b after the driving device <NUM> toggles the first shifting rod <NUM>, so that the reversal mechanism <NUM> is forced to rotate in a counterclockwise direction of <FIG>. When the reversal mechanism <NUM> rotates to a position shown in <FIG>, the valve core <NUM> has crossed the intermediate critical position, and thereafter, in case that the driving device <NUM> no longer applies an acting force to the first shifting rod <NUM>, the transmission rod <NUM> rotates backward in a clockwise direction of <FIG>, the reversal mechanism <NUM> continues to rotate in a counterclockwise direction shown in <FIG> until the reversal mechanism <NUM> moves to a state shown in <FIG>, in which the valve core <NUM> is successfully switched from the sealing position to the drainage position, the transmission rod <NUM> also returns to the initial position, and at this time, the first end of the transmission rod <NUM> is in contact with the other of the first driving surfaces 3231b.

With reference to <FIG>, when the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the drainage position and the inner tub <NUM> does not change its rotation direction, in case that the first shifting rod <NUM> is toggled due to misoperation of the driving device <NUM>, then the first shifting rod <NUM> may drive the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> to rotate in a counterclockwise direction of <FIG>, and the first end of the transmission rod <NUM> idles in the first driving groove 3231a, that is, the first shifting rod <NUM> and the transmission rod <NUM> generate an idle stroke, the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> does not drive the valve core <NUM> to move, the valve core <NUM> may be still kept at the current drainage position, and after idling, the transmission rod <NUM> still returns to the initial position under an action of the first torsion spring <NUM>, so that reliability of the laundry treatment device may be improved. When the inner tub <NUM> rotates reversely, the first end of the transmission rod <NUM> biases the other of the first driving surfaces 3231b after the driving device <NUM> toggles the first shifting rod <NUM>, so that the reversal mechanism <NUM> is forced to rotate so as to drive the valve core <NUM> to translate, and drive the valve core <NUM> to switch from the drainage position to the sealing position.

Specific connection structures of the turntable <NUM> and the transmission rod <NUM> are not limited.

Exemplarily, in an embodiment, with reference to <FIG>, the turntable <NUM> is formed with a through hole 3231c, an inner wall of the through hole 3231c is provided with two rotationally symmetrical protrusions <NUM> which divide a part of space of the through hole 3231c to form two first driving grooves 3231a distributed in a circumferential direction, the first end of the transmission rod <NUM> is provided with a flat shaft portion <NUM> positioned on the rotation center line L. With reference to <FIG>, opposite ends of the flat shaft portion <NUM> in a radial direction of the through hole 3231c extend into their respective first driving grooves 3231a respectively. In this way, on one hand, torque transmission of the turntable <NUM> and the transmission rod <NUM> may be more stable, and on the other hand, two reaction forces applied by the turntable <NUM> to the flat shaft portion <NUM> may be balanced with respect to each other, thereby avoiding or reducing a shear force borne by the transmission rod <NUM> and improving stressing conditions of the transmission rod <NUM>.

In another embodiment, with reference to <FIG>, a through hole 3231c is formed in the turntable <NUM>, and the first driving groove 3231a penetrates through a part of side wall corresponding to the through hole 3231c in a radial direction of the through hole 3231c, that is, the first driving groove 3231a is generally notch-shaped. With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a bump <NUM> is arranged on a surface of the transmission rod <NUM>, the transmission rod <NUM> is arranged in the through hole 3231c and passes through the through hole 3231c, and the bump <NUM> is positioned in the first driving groove 3231a. In the embodiment, torque transmission is implemented by driving cooperation of the bump <NUM> and two first driving surfaces 3231b of the first driving groove 3231a. It should be noted that specific shapes of the bump <NUM> are not limited.

Specific structural forms of the elastic positioning member are not limited.

Exemplarily, in an embodiment, with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the elastic positioning member is a second torsion spring <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, the second torsion spring <NUM> includes a spiral body <NUM>, a first rotation arm <NUM> and a second rotation arm <NUM>, position of the first rotation arm <NUM> is fixed relative to the inner tub <NUM>, that is, the first rotation arm <NUM> does not move relative to the inner tub <NUM>; the spiral body <NUM> is suspended, and the second rotation arm <NUM> may move along with the valve core <NUM> or the transmission rod mechanism <NUM>. During movement of the second rotation arm <NUM> along with the valve core <NUM> or the transmission rod mechanism <NUM>, the second rotation arm <NUM> drives the spiral body <NUM> to move therewith. When the second rotation arm <NUM> are positioned at different positions, direction of an acting force applied by the second rotation arm <NUM> to the valve core <NUM> directly or indirectly also changes, so that the second torsion spring <NUM> may drive the valve core <NUM> to translate in a direction within a certain stroke range, and drive the valve core <NUM> to translate in a reverse direction within another stroke range.

In an embodiment, with reference to <FIG>, the second rotation arm <NUM> is connected to the valve core <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, when the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the sealing position, position of the second rotation arm <NUM> is positioned on a side of the first rotation arm <NUM> close to the drainage hole 11a. An acting force applied by the second torsion spring <NUM> to the valve core <NUM> has at least a force component parallel to a movement direction of the valve core <NUM> and facing toward the drainage hole 11a. Specifically, the acting force applied by the second torsion spring <NUM> to the valve core <NUM> has an upward force component in <FIG>, and this force component abuts the valve core <NUM> around the drainage hole 11a.

With reference to <FIG>, when the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the drainage position, position of the second rotation arm <NUM> is positioned on a side of the first rotation arm <NUM> away from the drainage hole 11a. An acting force applied by the second torsion spring <NUM> to the valve core <NUM> has at least a force component parallel to the movement direction of the valve core <NUM> and away from the drainage hole 11a. Specifically, the acting force applied by the second torsion spring <NUM> to the valve core <NUM> has a downward force component in <FIG>, and this force component keeps the valve core <NUM> at the drainage position relatively stably.

When the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the intermediate critical position, an acting force applied by the second torsion spring <NUM> to the valve core <NUM> has a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the valve core <NUM>. Specifically, the acting force applied by the second torsion spring <NUM> to the valve core <NUM> is perpendicular to direction of a paper surface of <FIG>, that is, at this time, the second torsion spring <NUM> does not drive the valve core <NUM> to move upward, and does not drive the valve core <NUM> to move downward.

It should be noted that the intermediate critical position is only a transition position, and the valve core <NUM> is not required to be kept at this position.

In another embodiment, with reference to <FIG>, the second rotation arm <NUM> is connected to the reversal mechanism <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, when the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the sealing position, the second torsion spring <NUM> applies a first torque around the rotation center line L to the reversal mechanism <NUM>, and the reversal mechanism <NUM> abuts the valve core <NUM> around the drainage hole 11a under an action of the first torque, and specifically, direction of the first torque is a clockwise direction of <FIG>. When the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the drainage position, the second torsion spring <NUM> applies a second torque around the rotation center line L to the reversal mechanism <NUM>, and the reversal mechanism <NUM> keeps the valve core <NUM> at the drainage position under an action of the second torque, and the first torque has a direction opposite to the second torque. When the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the intermediate critical position, a torque applied by the second torsion spring <NUM> to the reversal mechanism <NUM> is zero.

In an embodiment, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, one of the valve seat <NUM> or the valve core <NUM> is provided with a guide groove 35b, the other of the valve seat <NUM> or the valve core <NUM> is provided with a guide rib <NUM>, and the guide rib <NUM> is sliding-fitted with the guide groove 35b. In this way, translation reliability of the valve core <NUM> may be improved, and the valve core <NUM> is prevented from biasing.

In an embodiment, with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the drainage valve assembly <NUM> includes a flexible sealing member <NUM> sleeved on the opened side of the valve seat <NUM>, the flexible sealing member <NUM> and the valve seat <NUM> enclose together to form a sealing cavity 3a, and the valve core <NUM>, the elastic positioning member, the first torsion spring <NUM> and the reversal mechanism <NUM> are positioned in the sealing cavity 3a, and the valve core <NUM> is connected to the flexible sealing member <NUM> to drive the flexible sealing member <NUM> to move.

The valve core <NUM>, the reversal mechanism <NUM>, the first torsion spring <NUM>, the elastic positioning member, or the like may not in contact with washing water, since all of them are arranged in the sealing cavity 3a. On one hand, hairs and scraps in the washing water may not enter the sealing cavity 3a, therefore, hairs, scraps and other impurities are prevented from blocking or winding on the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> and the valve core <NUM>, normal movement of the valve core <NUM> may be guaranteed, working reliability and service life of the drainage valve assembly are improved. On the other hand, when the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> or the valve core <NUM> is made of a metal material, corrosion effect of the washing water on the metal material may also be prevented.

Specific structural forms of the flexible sealing member <NUM> are not limited.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the valve core <NUM> includes a valve plate <NUM> and a valve column <NUM> which are fixedly connected, the flexible sealing member <NUM> includes a telescopic pipe <NUM>, a supporting end plate <NUM> and a flange <NUM>. The supporting end plate <NUM> and the flange <NUM> are positioned at opposite ends of the telescopic pipe <NUM>, the flange <NUM> is arranged at an axial end of the telescopic pipe <NUM> and connected to the opened side of the valve seat <NUM>, the supporting end plate <NUM> closes the other end of the telescopic pipe <NUM>, the valve plate <NUM> is stacked on an inner surface of the supporting end plate <NUM>, and when the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the sealing position, the valve plate <NUM> abuts the supporting end plate <NUM> around the drainage hole 11a.

It should be noted that the flexible sealing member <NUM> may be an integrally formed structure to improve structural reliability of the flexible sealing member <NUM>. Material of the flexible sealing member <NUM> is not limited, for example, includes but is not limited to: silica gel, rubber, or the like.

On one hand, the flexible sealing member <NUM> needs to reliably seal the drainage hole 11a when it is positioned at the sealing position, and may reliably elude the drainage hole 11a when it is positioned at the drainage position, to avoid a great movement acting force on the valve core <NUM>, and improve movement reliability of the valve core <NUM>. To this end, in an embodiment of the application, the telescopic pipe <NUM> is a corrugated tube, to be adapted to movement of the valve core <NUM> by stretching or folding of the corrugated tube itself, and does not have great elastic deformation resistance itself.

In some other embodiments, the transmission rod <NUM> drives the valve core <NUM> to rotate. Specifically, the valve core <NUM> is provided with a second driving groove including second driving surfaces on opposite sides along a rotation direction respectively, a first end of the transmission rod <NUM> is positioned in the second driving groove and slidable in the second driving groove, the transmission rod <NUM> may be alternatively driving-fitted with one of the second driving surfaces to drive the valve core <NUM> to rotate, the first shifting rod <NUM> is connected to a second end of the transmission rod <NUM>, and the driving device <NUM> selectively toggles the first shifting rod <NUM>. In the embodiment, structures of the transmission rod <NUM> and the second shifting rod <NUM> may be the same as structures in any one of the above embodiments. The structure of the second driving groove may also be the same as the structure of the first driving groove 3231a in any one of the above embodiments. The principle of the first end of the transmission rod <NUM> fitting with the second driving groove may refer to the principle of the transmission rod <NUM> fitting and the first driving groove 3231a, which are not elaborated here.

The drainage valve assembly <NUM> according to the embodiments of the invention may be arranged at any suitable position of the inner tub <NUM>.

In an embodiment, with reference to <FIG>, the laundry treatment device includes a lifting rib <NUM> in which the valve core <NUM> and the elastic reset member are arranged, the first end of the transmission rod <NUM> is positioned in the lifting rib <NUM>, the second end of the transmission rod <NUM> extends outside an axial end of the inner tub <NUM>, and the first shifting rod <NUM> is positioned outside the axial end of the inner tub <NUM>. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the drainage valve assembly <NUM> including the valve seat <NUM>, the valve seat <NUM> is also arranged in the lifting rib <NUM>, and the valve seat <NUM> is fixedly connected to the lifting rib <NUM>.

In a process of the laundry treatment device washing laundries, the laundries are carried by the lifting rib <NUM> to rotate together with the lifting rib <NUM>, and after the laundries are lifted to a certain height, the laundries fall into water again under an action of gravity of the laundries themselves, so that rod beating and falling effects are generated, achieving washing effect. On one hand, the lifting rib <NUM> protects the drainage valve assembly <NUM> and prevents the laundries from winding on the drainage valve assembly <NUM>. On the other hand, existing structures of the laundry treatment device are fully utilized, space inside the lifting rib <NUM> is fully utilized, and capacity of the inner tub <NUM> used to wash laundries is not reduced.

Specific arrangement positions of the driving device <NUM> are not limited, as long as the driving device <NUM> may provide a mounting position, so that the driving device <NUM> does not rotate along with the inner tub <NUM>.

In an embodiment, with reference to <FIG>, the driving device <NUM> is arranged on the outer tub <NUM>, the first shifting rod <NUM> is positioned between the inner tub <NUM> and the outer tub <NUM>. The driving device <NUM> includes a second shifting rod <NUM> and a power unit <NUM> driving the second shifting rod <NUM> to selectively extend towards the shifting rod or retract, and in an extending state of the second shifting rod <NUM>, the second shifting rod <NUM> may selectively toggle the first shifting rod <NUM> to rotate forward or backward around the rotation center line L.

Movement forms of the second shifting rod <NUM> are not limited, and may be linear movement or rotation.

Specific structures of the power unit <NUM> are not limited. For example, in an embodiment, the power unit <NUM> may be a linear motor driving the second shifting rod <NUM> to extend or retract along a length direction of the second shifting rod <NUM>. In another embodiment, the power unit <NUM> may be a rotation motor with a rotation shaft fixedly connected to the second shifting rod <NUM>, and the rotation motor drives the second shifting rod <NUM> to rotate forward or backward, so as to extend or retract the second shifting rod <NUM>.

The drainage valve assembly <NUM> according to a plurality of specific embodiments of the invention is described below with reference to the drawings.

With reference to <FIG>, in the embodiment, the transmission rod mechanism <NUM> drives the valve core <NUM> assembly to translate.

The drainage valve assembly <NUM> includes the transmission rod mechanism <NUM>, the valve seat <NUM>, the valve core <NUM>, the flexible sealing member <NUM>, the reversal mechanism <NUM>, the first torsion spring <NUM> and the second torsion spring <NUM> as described above.

The first torsion spring <NUM> is sleeved on the transmission rod <NUM>. A first end of the transmission rod <NUM> is provided with a flat shaft portion <NUM>, and a second end of the transmission rod <NUM> is sleeved on the first shifting rod <NUM> so that synchronous rotation may be implemented.

The turntable <NUM> is formed with a through hole 3231c, two rotationally symmetrical protrusions <NUM> are arranged on an inner wall of the through hole 3231c and divide a part of space of the through hole 3231c to form two first driving grooves 3231a distributed in a circumferential direction, and opposite ends of the flat shaft portion <NUM> along a radial direction of the through hole 3231c extend into their respective first driving grooves 3231a respectively.

The turntable <NUM> is connected to a transverse side of the valve column <NUM>, and the second rotation arm <NUM> of the second torsion spring <NUM> is connected to the other side of the valve column <NUM>.

The first rotation arm <NUM> of the second torsion spring <NUM> is connected to the valve seat <NUM>, and specifically, the valve seat <NUM> is provided with a first insertion hole, and the first rotation arm <NUM> is inserted into the first insertion hole and may rotate in the first insertion hole. The second rotation arm <NUM> of the second torsion spring <NUM> is connected to the valve column <NUM>, and specifically, with reference to <FIG>, a side of the valve column <NUM> is provided with a second insertion hole 31b, and the second rotation arm <NUM> is inserted into the second insertion hole 31b and may rotate in the second insertion hole 31b.

In order to limit movement amplitude of the second torsion spring <NUM>, in an embodiment, with reference to <FIG>, the valve seat <NUM> is provided with a first blocking rib <NUM> and a second blocking rib <NUM>, and the second rotation arm <NUM> may move within a range defined by the first blocking rib <NUM> and the second blocking rib <NUM>. Specifically, with reference to <FIG>, when the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the sealing position, the second rotation arm <NUM> is in blocking-contact with the first blocking rib <NUM>. With reference to <FIG>, when the valve core <NUM> is positioned at the drainage position, the second rotation arm <NUM> is in blocking-contact with the second blocking rib <NUM>. The first blocking rib <NUM> and the second blocking rib <NUM> may limit and block movement of the second rotation arm <NUM> to prevent excessive movement of the second rotation arm <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, guide ribs <NUM> are arranged on opposite sides of the valve core <NUM> along the rotation center line L respectively and extend along the movement direction of the valve core <NUM>, two guide grooves 35b arranged at an interval are arranged in the valve seat <NUM>, the guide ribs <NUM> extend into the guide grooves 35b in a sliding manner respectively, and specifically, the valve core <NUM> is sandwiched between the two guide grooves 35b.

With reference to <FIG>, most of the structures according to the embodiment of the invention are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, and differences there-between comprise structure of the second end of the transmission rod <NUM>, structure of the reversal mechanism <NUM>, and connection position of the second torsion spring <NUM>.

Specifically, the turntable <NUM> is formed with a through hole 3231c, and the first driving groove 3231a penetrates through a part of side wall corresponding to the through hole 3231c along a radial direction of the through hole 3231c, that is, the first driving groove 3231a is generally notch-shaped. A surface of the transmission rod <NUM> is provided with a bump <NUM>, the transmission rod <NUM> is arranged in the through hole 3231c and passes through the through hole 3231c, and the bump <NUM> is positioned in the first driving groove 3231a.

The second torsion spring <NUM> and the reversal mechanism <NUM> are arranged on the same side of the valve core <NUM>, and the second rotation arm <NUM> of the second torsion spring <NUM> is connected to the reversal mechanism <NUM>. Specifically, with reference to <FIG>, the reversal mechanism <NUM> is provided with a third insertion hole 3231d, and the second rotation arm <NUM> extends into the third insertion hole 3231d and may rotate in the third insertion hole 3231d.

The drainage principle of the laundry treatment device is described below.

With reference to <FIG>, it is assumed that the inner tub <NUM> rotates in the clockwise direction of <FIG>, the second shifting rod <NUM> extends towards the drainage valve assembly <NUM>, there is relative movement between the second shifting rod <NUM> and the inner tub <NUM>, and a trajectory of the second shifting rod <NUM> relative to the inner tub <NUM> is a circle I. The second shifting rod <NUM> is in contact with the first shifting rod <NUM> from a right side of the first shifting rod <NUM>, and since the first shifting rod <NUM> continues to rotate along with the inner tub <NUM>, with reference to <FIG>, the second shifting rod <NUM> forces the first shifting rod <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise, and the first shifting rod <NUM> drives the transmission rod <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise synchronously, so as to drive the valve core <NUM> to move. After the first shifting rod <NUM> is disengaged from the second shifting rod <NUM>, the first shifting rod <NUM> rotates clockwise under an action of the first torsion spring <NUM> to be reset to the position shown in <FIG>. Since position of the valve core <NUM> has been switched, then the shifting rod is retracted, or the inner tub <NUM> rotates several circles and then the shifting rod is retracted.

Even though the second shifting rod <NUM> is not retracted, when the inner tub <NUM> rotates for a next circle, the second shifting rod <NUM> toggles the first shifting rod <NUM> again, and the first shifting rod <NUM> and the transmission rod <NUM> may idle without changing the position of the valve core <NUM>. That is, in case that the position of the valve core <NUM> has been successfully switched, even though the second shifting rod <NUM> is not retracted, the second shifting rod <NUM> does not jam the first shifting rod <NUM>, and thus, in subsequent rotation, the second shifting rod <NUM> does not affect rotation of the inner tub <NUM>, and the second shifting rod <NUM> does not hold the inner tub <NUM> and does not mistakenly trigger change of the position of the valve core <NUM>.

When the inner tub <NUM> rotates reversely, i.e., in the counterclockwise direction of <FIG>, the second shifting rod <NUM> extends toward the drainage valve assembly <NUM>, the second shifting rod <NUM> is in contact with the first shifting rod <NUM> from a left side of the first shifting rod <NUM> and forces the first shifting rod <NUM> to rotate clockwise, and the first shifting rod <NUM> drives the transmission rod <NUM> to rotate clockwise synchronously, so as to drive the valve core <NUM> to move. When the first shifting rod <NUM> is disengaged from the second shifting rod <NUM>, the first shifting rod <NUM> rotates counterclockwise under an action of the first torsion spring <NUM> to be reset. Since the position of the valve core <NUM> has been switched, then the shifting rod is retracted, or the inner tub <NUM> rotates several circles and then the shifting rod is retracted.

It should be noted that as long as a rotation angle of the first shifting rod <NUM> enables the valve core <NUM> to bypass the above intermediate critical position, after the valve core <NUM> crosses the critical position, the valve core <NUM> may continue to rotate under an action of the elastic positioning member, until the valve core <NUM> moves to the drainage position.

Claim 1:
A drainage valve assembly (<NUM>), comprising: a valve core (<NUM>), configured to seal a drainage hole, and having a drainage position and a sealing position; a transmission rod mechanism (<NUM>), having a rotation center line, and comprising a transmission rod (<NUM>) and a first shifting rod (<NUM>) connected to each other, a first end of the transmission rod (<NUM>) directly or indirectly driving the valve core (<NUM>) to move so that the valve core (<NUM>) is switched between the sealing position and the drainage position, and a second end of the transmission rod (<NUM>) connected to the first shifting rod (<NUM>); and an elastic reset member, configured to drive the transmission rod (<NUM>) and the first shifting rod (<NUM>) to be reset to their respective initial positions;
further comprising a valve seat (<NUM>) of which a side is opened, at least a part of the valve core (<NUM>) arranged in the valve seat (<NUM>), and the first shifting rod (<NUM>) positioned outside the valve seat (<NUM>);
characterized in that: the elastic reset member is a first torsion spring (<NUM>) sleeved on the transmission rod (<NUM>), two rotation arms (<NUM>) of the first torsion spring (<NUM>) abutted against the valve seat (<NUM>) in a separable way, and in a process of the transmission rod (<NUM>) driving the valve core (<NUM>) to rotate or translate, the transmission rod mechanism (<NUM>) is operative to alternatively toggle one of the rotation arms (<NUM>) to move therewith.