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WO2022053053A1 - 洗衣设备和添加剂分配组件 - Google Patents

洗衣设备和添加剂分配组件 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022053053A1
WO2022053053A1 PCT/CN2021/118093 CN2021118093W WO2022053053A1 WO 2022053053 A1 WO2022053053 A1 WO 2022053053A1 CN 2021118093 W CN2021118093 W CN 2021118093W WO 2022053053 A1 WO2022053053 A1 WO 2022053053A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
additive
drum
door
dryer
fluid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CN2021/118093
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
莱布曼亚历山大·B
多拉尔布莱恩·詹姆斯
阿里什丹杜
萨拉梅内梅塔拉
特雷霍卡罗莱纳
Original Assignee
青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司
海尔美国电器解决方案有限公司
海尔智家股份有限公司
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司, 海尔美国电器解决方案有限公司, 海尔智家股份有限公司 filed Critical 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司
Priority to CN202180062920.4A priority Critical patent/CN116157567B/zh
Publication of WO2022053053A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022053053A1/zh

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/20—General details of domestic laundry dryers 
    • D06F58/203—Laundry conditioning arrangements
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
    • D06F39/022—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents in a liquid state

Definitions

  • the present subject matter relates generally to laundry appliances, such as dryer appliances, and more particularly to additive dispensers for laundry appliances.
  • Laundry appliances such as dryer appliances, typically include a cabinet having a drum mounted therein.
  • the motor rotates the drum during its operation (eg, to tumble items located within the cavity defined by the drum).
  • Dryer equipment also typically includes a heater assembly that passes heated air through the chamber of the drum in order to dry moisture-laden items disposed within the chamber. This internal air then passes from the chamber through the ventilation duct to the discharge duct through which the air exits the dryer device.
  • dryer sheets are often placed within the drum of a dryer apparatus to affect the odor of fabrics or garments being treated (eg, tumbled or dried) during a particular laundry load.
  • anti-wrinkle fluids eg, fluids including fabric relaxants, fabric softeners, isopropyl alcohol, vinegar, etc.
  • UV fabric protectants eg, fluids containing titanium oxide, bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, etc.
  • UV fabric protectants for absorbing or repelling UV light radiation may be dried by the user on the item Spray on items before or after treatment with machine equipment.
  • the user typically must remember to supply each individual dry load with a specific object or fluid.
  • the user must estimate or guess the amount of a particular object or fluid that is suitable for an individual load. While some existing dryer equipment is set up to automatically (eg, without direct user input) provide steam to individual dryer loads, existing dryer equipment is generally not capable of automatically supplying specific additives to items therein.
  • laundry appliance with an additive dispensing assembly for delivering certain additives that affect the odor or performance of fabrics. More specifically, laundry appliances with additive dispensing assemblies that provide suitable additive volume loadings in a range of applications would be particularly desirable.
  • a dryer apparatus may include a cabinet, drum, door, and additive distribution assembly.
  • the drum may be rotatably mounted within the casing.
  • the drum may define a space for receiving laundry to be dried.
  • a door may be removably mounted to the cabinet to selectively restrict access to the drum.
  • An additive dispensing assembly may be retained on the door and configured to provide a spray of additive to the drum.
  • the additive dispensing assembly may include an additive reservoir, a fluid pump, and a dispenser nozzle.
  • the additive storage tank may define a storage tank volume to store dryer additives therein.
  • a fluid pump may be in fluid communication with the additive reservoir to drive a volume of dryer additive therefrom.
  • the distributor nozzle may be directed towards the drum downstream of the fluid pump to direct the volume of dryer additive into the space defined by the drum.
  • Laundry appliances may include cabinets, drums, doors, and additive dispensing assemblies.
  • the drum may be rotatably mounted within the casing.
  • the drum may define a space for receiving laundry.
  • a door may be removably mounted to the cabinet to selectively restrict access to the drum.
  • the additive dispensing assembly may include an additive reservoir, fluid pump, dispenser nozzle, and one-way valve.
  • the additive storage tank may define a storage tank volume to store liquid additive therein.
  • the additive reservoir may be removably mounted in the interior cavity.
  • a fluid pump may be in fluid communication with the additive reservoir to drive a volume of liquid additive therefrom.
  • the dispenser nozzle may be directed towards the drum downstream of the fluid pump to direct the volume of liquid additive into the space defined by the drum.
  • a one-way valve may be in fluid communication between the additive reservoir and the dispenser nozzle to allow the volume of liquid additive to pass from the additive reservoir to the dispenser nozzle.
  • FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a laundry apparatus provided as a dryer apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the exemplary dryer apparatus of FIG. 1 with portions of the cabinet of the dryer apparatus removed to reveal certain components of the dryer apparatus.
  • FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of an isolated door of a laundry appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of the exemplary door of FIG. 3 with various components removed to reveal portions of the door.
  • FIG. 5 provides a schematic rear elevation view of the exemplary door of FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 6 provides a schematic diagram of the additive dispensing assembly of the exemplary door of FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of an isolated door of a laundry appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 8 provides a perspective view of the exemplary door of FIG. 7 with various components removed to reveal portions of the door.
  • FIG. 9 provides a schematic front elevational view of the exemplary door of FIG. 7 .
  • FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of an additive reservoir of an additive dispensing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (ie, “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”).
  • the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” are used interchangeably to distinguish one element from another, and are not intended to denote the location or importance of an individual element.
  • upstream and downstream refer to relative flow directions with respect to fluid flow in a fluid path. For example, “upstream” refers to the direction of flow from which the fluid flows, while “downstream” refers to the direction of flow from which the fluid flows.
  • clothing includes, but is not limited to, fabrics, textiles, garments, linens, paper, or other items that require moisture extraction.
  • load or “laundry load” refers to different or similar types or kinds of fabrics, textiles, garments, and linens that can be washed together in a washing machine or dried together in a dryer apparatus (eg, a laundry dryer). a mixture of different or similar items of clothing.
  • FIG. 1 provides a laundry apparatus (eg, dryer apparatus 10 ) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 provides another perspective view of the dryer device 10 with a portion of the cabinet or housing 12 of the dryer device 10 removed in order to show certain components of the dryer device 10 .
  • the dryer apparatus 10 generally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a lateral direction T, each of which are perpendicular to each other, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is defined.
  • dryer apparatus 10 is provided by way of example only.
  • Other laundry appliances such as washing machine appliances (eg, front-loading washing machines) or other dryer appliances with different appearances and different features may also be used with this subject.
  • the enclosure 12 includes a front panel 14 , a rear panel 16 , a pair of side panels 18 and 20 spaced apart from each other by the front panel 14 and the rear panel 16 , a bottom panel 22 and a top cover 24 .
  • a drum or container 26 mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis.
  • the drum 26 defines a chamber 25 for receiving items of laundry (eg, for tumbling or drying).
  • Roller 26 extends between front portion 37 and back portion 38.
  • the drum 26 also includes a back or rear wall 34 (eg, at the back portion 38 of the drum 26).
  • Supply duct 41 is mounted to rear wall 34 and receives heated air that has been heated by heating assembly or system 40 .
  • a motor 31 is provided to rotate the drum 26 about a horizontal axis (eg, via pulleys and belts, not shown).
  • the drum 26 is generally cylindrical in shape, having an outer cylindrical wall 28 and a front flange or wall 30 that defines an opening 32 of the drum 26 (eg, at the front portion of the drum 26 ). 37) for loading and unloading articles into and from the chambers 25 of the drum 26.
  • a number of lifts or baffles (baffles 27) are provided within the chamber 25 of the drum 26 to lift the items therein and then allow the items to tumble back to the bottom of the drum 26 as the drum 26 rotates.
  • the baffle 27 may be mounted to the drum 26 such that the baffle 27 rotates with the drum 26 during operation of the dryer apparatus 10 .
  • the motor 31 may also be in mechanical communication with the air handler 48 such that the motor 31 spins a fan 49 (eg, a centrifugal fan) of the air handler 48 .
  • the air handler 48 is configured to draw air through the cavity 25 of the drum 26 (eg, to dry items located therein).
  • dryer apparatus 10 may include an additional motor (not shown) for rotating fan 49 of air handler 48 independently of drum 26 .
  • the drum 26 is generally configured to receive heated air that has been heated by the heating assembly 40 (eg, to dry wet items disposed within the cavity 25 of the drum 26).
  • the heating assembly 40 may include a heating element (not shown) for heating the air, such as a gas burner, a resistance heating element, or a heat pump.
  • the motor 31 rotates the drum 26 and the fan 49 of the air handler 48 so that when the motor 31 rotates the fan 49, the air handler 48 draws air through the cavity of the drum 26 25.
  • the air handler 48 pushes ambient air into the inlet 51 , the ambient air enters the heating assembly 40 via the inlet 51 .
  • This ambient air is heated within heating assembly 40 and exits heating assembly 40 as heated air.
  • the air handler 48 draws this heated air into the drum 26 through the supply duct 41 .
  • the heated air enters the drum 26 through a plurality of outlets of the supply duct 41 positioned at the rear wall 34 of the drum 26 .
  • the heated air may accumulate moisture (eg, from wet laundry disposed within the chamber 25).
  • the air handler 48 draws the moisture-saturated air through a mesh filter (not shown) that traps fluff particles.
  • This moisture-saturated air then enters exit duct 46 and passes through air handler 48 to exhaust duct 52 .
  • This moisture-saturated air exits the dryer apparatus 10 from the exhaust duct 52 through the vent 53 defined by the cabinet 12 .
  • a door 33 mounted to the cabinet 12 is provided for closing or entering the drum 26 through the opening 32 .
  • One or more selector inputs 70 may be provided or mounted on the cabinet rear splashback 71 and in operative communication (eg, electrically coupled or otherwise) with the processing device or controller 56 . connected via Wi-Fi). Signals generated in controller 56 direct the operation of motor 31 and heating assembly 40 in response to the position of selector knob 70 . Alternatively, a touch screen type interface may be provided.
  • processing device or “controller” may refer to one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, ASICS or semiconductor devices, and is not necessarily limited to a single element.
  • the controller 56 may be programmed to operate the dryer apparatus 10 by executing non-transitory instructions stored in memory.
  • Controller 56 may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements, such as RAM, ROM, or electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM).
  • the instructions may be any set of instructions or software that, when executed by a processing device, causes the processing device to perform operations.
  • FIGS. 3-6 door 200 and additive dispensing assembly 202 are shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Figures 3-5 provide various views of a door 200 (eg, provided as door 33 or a portion of a door) of a laundry appliance (eg, dryer appliance 10).
  • 5 and 6 show portions of the additive dispensing assembly 202 within the door 200 (FIG. 5) and isolated (FIG. 6) for clarity.
  • additive dispensing assembly 202 may be positioned elsewhere within door 200; may have different components or configurations; or may dispense water, detergent, or other additives. It should be understood that other variations and modifications of the exemplary embodiments described below are possible and are considered to be within the scope of the present subject matter.
  • the door 200 generally includes an outer surface 204 and an inner surface 206 that are spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction T (eg, as defined when the door 200 is in a closed position restricting access to the drum 26, Such as the position shown in Figure 1). It will be appreciated that when the door 200 is rotatably or pivotally mounted on the cabinet 12 , the outer surface 204 is directed away from the drum 26 and the inner surface 206 is directed toward the drum 26 . Thus, the outer surface 204 is away from the drum 26 while the inner surface 206 is closer to the drum 26 .
  • At least a portion of the outer surface 204 is defined by an outer panel 208 (eg, comprising an air-impermeable metal, glass, or polymer), and at least a portion of the inner surface 206 is defined by an inner panel 210 (eg, comprising an air-tight metal, glass, or polymer) air-tight metal, glass, or polymer), the inner panel is joined to the outer panel 208 (eg, separably as discrete elements, or alternatively as a unitary element).
  • an outer panel 208 eg, comprising an air-impermeable metal, glass, or polymer
  • an inner panel 210 eg, comprising an air-tight metal, glass, or polymer
  • an inner cavity 212 is defined.
  • a separate mounting panel 214 may be attached to the inner panel 210 .
  • the mounting panel 214 may form the interior cavity 212 within itself or with at least a portion of the interior panel 210 .
  • the assembly panel 214 may extend generally inwardly toward the drum 26 (eg, from a recessed or planar portion of the inner panel 210 ), thereby forming an interior protruding bulge of the interior surface 206 within which the interior cavity 212 is defined .
  • Opening 220 defined by interior surface 206 (eg, through mounting panel 214 ) may allow a user to selectively access interior cavity 212 when door 200 is in the open position (or not fully closed).
  • a removable or removable cover sheet 222 is provided and selectively covers the opening 220 to the interior cavity 212 .
  • the cover sheet 222 may be moved (eg, pivoted, slid, or detached from the mounting panel 214 ) to an uncovered position separated from the opening 220 .
  • the cover sheet 222 may allow access to the interior cavity 212 in the uncovered position.
  • the covering position eg, as shown in FIG. 3
  • the cover sheet 222 restricts access to the interior cavity 212 such that a user cannot pass a hand or object through the opening 220 to the interior cavity 212 .
  • additive dispensing assembly 202 is retained on door 200 .
  • at least a portion of the additive dispensing assembly 202 may be mounted within the interior cavity 212 .
  • the additive dispensing assembly 202 includes an additive reservoir 228 , a fluid pump 232 and a dispenser nozzle 234 , all of which are in fluid communication with one another to selectively dispense a spray of additive to the drum 26 .
  • one or more portions of additive dispensing assembly 202 are secured within interior cavity 212 via a plurality of mounting features or mechanical fasteners. Additionally or alternatively, one or more portions of the additive dispensing assembly 202 may be secured to the door 200 by adhesive, a snap mechanism, an interference fit mechanism, or any suitable combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the additive dispensing assembly 202 may be mounted to the door 200 using other mounting means according to alternative embodiments.
  • additive storage tank 228 is installed upstream of dispenser nozzle 234 to hold liquid additive (eg, dryer additive) that may be dispensed to drum 26 through dispenser nozzle 234 .
  • liquid additive eg, dryer additive
  • one or more suitable fluid conduits or lines may extend from the additive reservoir 228 to the dispenser nozzle 234 .
  • the additive storage tank 228 defines a storage tank volume 230 within the interior cavity 212 and within which the dryer additive may be poured.
  • tank volume 230 may be provided as an isolated (eg, non-vertical) volume.
  • additive eg, liquid dryer additive
  • the user may refill dryer additives directly by opening door 200 , opening interior cavity 212 (eg, by lifting lid 222 ), and entering or removing additive reservoir 228 from interior cavity 212 .
  • the storage tank volume 230 may be sized to store a sufficient amount of dryer additive for multiple cycles in order to avoid requiring the user to add a measured amount of dryer additive prior to each dryer cycle.
  • the dryer additive may include a fragrance material to provide a desired odor or aroma to the dry load.
  • dryer additives may include UV fabric protectants (eg, fluids including titanium oxide, bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, etc.) to absorb or repel UV radiation.
  • dryer additives may include anti-wrinkle fluids (eg, fluids including fabric relaxants, fabric softeners, isopropyl alcohol, vinegar, etc.) to reduce or prevent wrinkle formation in dry loaded articles superior.
  • dryer additives may include medicinal fluids (eg, antibacterial fluids, antiallergic agents, dermatitis treatment fluids, burn treatment fluids, insect repellants, topical cannabinoids, etc.).
  • medicinal fluids eg, antibacterial fluids, antiallergic agents, dermatitis treatment fluids, burn treatment fluids, insect repellants, topical cannabinoids, etc.
  • any other suitable dryer additives may be included.
  • fluid pump 232 is in fluid communication with additive reservoir 228 .
  • one or more suitable fluid conduits or lines may extend from additive storage tank 228 to fluid pump 232 , or alternatively from fluid pump 232 to additive storage tank 228 .
  • fluid pump 232 is downstream of additive storage tank 228 to selectively drive a volume (eg, a predetermined volume) of dryer additive from additive storage tank 228 .
  • a check valve or one-way valve eg, first one-way valve 236
  • first one-way valve 236 is installed in fluid communication between additive reservoir 228 and fluid pump 232 .
  • the first one-way valve 236 may be positioned along a fluid path or conduit extending from the additive reservoir 228 to the fluid pump 232 .
  • the first one-way valve 236 may thus ensure a one-way flow of dryer additive downstream from the additive storage tank 228 (eg, based on gravity or negative pressure generated at the fluid pump 232).
  • fluid pump 232 may be configured as any suitable powered pump (ie, not manually operated) to selectively force or drive liquid or dryer additive from additive storage tank 228 to dispenser nozzle 234 .
  • fluid pump 232 includes a reciprocating pump assembly.
  • the fluid pump 232 may include a fluid cylinder 240 and a reciprocating piston 242 slidably disposed within the cylinder 240 .
  • the cylinder 240 may define separate cylinder inlets 244 and cylinder outlets 246 through which liquid or dryer additives may enter and exit the cylinder 240 accordingly (eg, according to the reciprocating piston 242 in the position within cylinder 240).
  • a pump motor 248 may be connected to or in mechanical communication with the reciprocating piston 242 to control the position or movement of the reciprocating piston 242 relative to the cylinder 240 .
  • the pump motor 248 may include a pinion 250 in mechanical communication with a rack provided on the piston rod 252 of the reciprocating piston 242 .
  • fluid pump 232 is electrically connected to a suitable power source 254 or controller 256 (eg, provided separately or as part of controller 56, FIG. 1).
  • power source 254 and controller 256 may be connected to pump motor 248 .
  • the fluid pump 232 may typically be controlled (eg, selectively activated as directed by the controller 256 ) to drive a volume of liquid or dryer additive from the additive reservoir 228 .
  • one or both of the power source 254 and the controller 256 may remain on the door 200 (eg, within the interior cavity 212 or otherwise separate from the cabinet 12).
  • the controller 256 or the pump motor 248 may be in operative communication with the controller 56 via a wired or wireless communication band.
  • the power source 254 eg, a DC power supply
  • the controller 256 or to the set-up
  • one or more wired electrical connections eg, conductor wires or buses
  • a separate power supply within enclosure 12, Figure 1) operates communications.
  • power source 254 may be inductively coupled to a separate supply on enclosure 12 .
  • the transmitter induction coil 258 may be mounted to the cabinet 12 proximate the door 200 (eg, when the door 200 is in the closed position).
  • a separate receiver induction coil 260 may be mounted to door 200 in electrical communication with fluid pump 232 (eg, indirectly through power source 254).
  • the transmitter induction coil 258 can activate the electromagnetic field emitted therefrom.
  • the emitted electromagnetic field may then be received by the receiver induction coil 260 to generate a corresponding electrical current.
  • a distributor nozzle 234 Downstream of the fluid pump 232 and additive storage tank 228, a distributor nozzle 234 is installed. Typically, the distributor nozzle 234 defines one or more output holes for the additive distribution assembly 202 and faces the drum 26 to direct or distribute a volume of dryer additive into the space defined by the drum 26 .
  • the dispenser nozzle 234 is mounted proximate to or mounted on the interior surface 206 .
  • the dispenser nozzle 234 may be mounted to the mounting panel 214 .
  • the dispenser nozzle 234 may be mounted separate from the mounting panel 214 (eg, rearwardly from the mounting panel in the interior cavity 212).
  • one or more holes are defined through the mounting panel 214 to allow liquid or dryer additives to be sprayed into the space defined by the drum 26 .
  • the dispenser nozzle 234 may comprise or be configured as an atomizer nozzle. Accordingly, fluid flowing from additive storage tank 228 through additive distribution assembly 202 may be directed into drum 26 as an atomized spray stream of liquid or dryer additive.
  • a check valve or one-way valve (eg, second one-way valve 238 ) is installed in fluid communication between fluid pump 232 and dispenser nozzle 234 .
  • the second one-way valve 238 may be positioned along a fluid path or conduit extending from the fluid pump 232 to the dispenser nozzle 234 .
  • the second one-way valve 238 may thus ensure a one-way flow of the dryer additive from the fluid path downstream of the fluid pump 232 (eg, based on gravity or negative pressure generated at the fluid pump 232).
  • FIG. 7-10 a door 200 and additive dispensing assembly 202 are shown in accordance with other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • Figures 7-10 provide various views of a door 200 (eg, provided as door 33 or a portion of a door) of a laundry appliance (eg, dryer appliance 10). 8-10 illustrate portions of additive dispensing assembly 202.
  • a door 200 eg, provided as door 33 or a portion of a door
  • a laundry appliance eg, dryer appliance 10
  • 8-10 illustrate portions of additive dispensing assembly 202.
  • the interior cavity 212 is defined by a partially enclosed (eg, U-shaped) pocket 262 formed by one or more fence walls.
  • the pocket 262 may be pivotally mounted to the door 200 (eg, at the inner panel 210) to rotate or pivot between a covered position (FIG. 7) and an uncovered position (FIG. 8).
  • the inner fence wall 276 of the pocket 262 may define at least a portion of the inner surface 206 .
  • the inner fence wall 276 may engage a portion of the inner panel 210 (eg, at a suitable latch or clasp) such that the inner fence wall 276 remains upright with respect to the vertical direction V, and Access to interior cavity 212 is restricted.
  • the user cannot pass a hand or object through the open end of the U-shaped pocket 262 to the interior cavity 212 .
  • the top end of the inner fence wall 276 is spaced from the inner panel 210 (eg, at an angle of between 20° and 90° with respect to vertical V), allowing access to the inner cavity 212 .
  • the door 200 is in the open position (or not fully closed)
  • the user can pass a hand or object through the open end of the U-shaped pocket 262 .
  • additive dispensing assembly 202 When assembled, at least a portion of additive dispensing assembly 202 (eg, additive reservoir 228 , fluid pump 232 , or dispenser nozzle 234 ) may be mounted to pocket 262 . Thus, such a portion can pivot with the pocket 262 between covered and uncovered positions.
  • additive dispensing assembly 202 may be secured to pocket 262 via various mounting features or mechanical fasteners. Additionally or alternatively, one or more portions of the additive dispensing assembly 202 may be secured to the pocket 262 by adhesive, a snap mechanism, an interference fit mechanism, or any suitable combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the additive dispensing assembly 202 may be installed using other installation means according to alternative embodiments.
  • the additive reservoir 228 is removably mounted within the interior cavity 212 (eg, onto the pocket 262 ), among other things. Thus, a user may selectively remove additive reservoir 228 from door 200 to supply or refill liquid or dryer additive within reservoir volume 230.
  • a removable lid 264 may be provided on the additive reservoir 228 to selectively block the opening to the reservoir volume 230 such that removal of the lid 264 allows the user to access and refill the reservoir volume 230 regardless of the additive reservoir 228 is fixed within the interior cavity 212 or removed from the interior cavity 212.
  • the liquid level sensor 270 is disposed within or in communication with the tank volume 230 .
  • the liquid level sensor 270 may be in wired or wireless communication with the controller 256 and configured to detect when a certain amount of liquid or dryer additive is within the tank volume or to detect whether a certain amount of liquid or dryer additive is present Located within tank volume 230.
  • the liquid level sensor 270 may include a magnetic element 272 (eg, a permanent magnet block) movably disposed within the tank volume 230 .
  • the magnetic element 272 may be enclosed or supported within a floatable compartment within the additive storage tank 228 .
  • the vertical position of the magnetic element 272 within the additive reservoir 228 may correspond to the level of liquid or dryer additive (eg, associated with and driven by the level of the liquid or dryer additive).
  • the detection element 274 eg, a reed switch
  • the predetermined level may correspond to a minimum level or volume of liquid or dryer additive within tank volume 230 .
  • the detection element 274 may be configured to detect the magnetic element 272 (eg, to detect a magnetic field from the magnetic element). Thus, the detection element 274 may detect a field or signal from the magnetic element 272 in response to the magnetic element 272 dropping to a predetermined level.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Detail Structures Of Washing Machines And Dryers (AREA)

Abstract

一种洗衣设备或干燥机设备（10），可以包括机壳（12）、滚筒（26）、门（200）和添加剂分配组件（202）。滚筒（26）可以安装在机壳（12）内并限定用于接收衣物的空间。门（200）可以可移动地安装至机壳（12），以选择性地限制进入滚筒（26）。添加剂分配组件（202）可以保持在门（200）上，并被配置为向滚筒（26）提供添加剂喷雾。添加剂分配组件（202）可以包括添加剂储罐（228）、流体泵（232）和分配器喷嘴（234）。添加剂储罐（228）可以限定储罐容积，以在其中存储添加剂。流体泵（232）可以与添加剂储罐（228）流体连通，以驱动一定体积的添加剂。分配器喷嘴（234）可以指向流体泵（232）下游的滚筒（26），以将所述体积的添加剂引导到由滚筒（26）限定的空间中。

Description

洗衣设备和添加剂分配组件 技术领域
本主题总体上涉及洗衣设备，比如干燥机设备，并且更具体地涉及用于洗衣设备的添加剂分配器。
背景技术
洗衣设备，比如干燥机设备，通常包括机壳，该机壳具有安装在其中的滚筒。在一些设备中，马达在其操作过程期间旋转滚筒(例如，用于使位于由滚筒限定的腔室内的物品翻滚)。干燥机设备通常还包括加热器组件，该加热器组件使已加热空气穿过滚筒的腔室，以便干燥设置在腔室内的充满水分的物品。这种内部空气然后从腔室穿过通气管道到达排出导管，空气通过该排出导管从干燥机设备排出。
在一些情况下，可能希望提供某些物体或流体来处理设备内的物品。例如，干燥片通常放置在干燥机设备的滚筒内，以在特定洗衣负荷中影响被处理(例如，翻滚或干燥)的织物或衣物的气味。在其他情况下，除皱流体(例如，包括织物松弛剂、织物软化剂、异丙醇、醋等的流体)可以由用户在物品被干燥机设备处理之前或之后喷涂到物品上。在再其他情况下，用于吸收或排斥紫外光照射的UV织物保护剂(例如，包含氧化钛、双-乙基己氧苯酚甲氧苯基三嗪等的流体)可以由用户在物品被干燥机设备处理之前或之后喷涂在物品上。然而，这种方法存在困难。具体来说，用户通常必须记住向每个单独的干燥负载供应特定的物体或流体。此外，在许多情况下，用户必须估计或猜测适用于单独负载的特定物体或流体的数量。尽管一些现有的干燥机设备设置成自动(例如，无需直接的用户输入)向单独的干燥机负载提供蒸汽，但是现有的干燥机设备通常不能自动向其中的物品供应特定的添加剂。
因此，具有用于输送影响织物的气味或性能的某些添加剂的添加剂分配组件的洗衣设备将是期望的。更具体地，具有添加剂分配组件的洗衣设备将是特别期望的，所述添加剂分配组件在一系列应用中提供合适的添加剂体积负载。
发明内容
本发明的方面和优点将部分地在以下描述中阐述，或者可以从描述中显而易见，或者可以通过本发明的实践来学习。
在本公开的一个示例性方面，提供了一种干燥机设备。干燥机设备可以包括机壳、滚筒、门和添加剂分配组件。滚筒可以可旋转地安装在机壳内。滚筒可以限定用于接收待干燥的衣物的空间。门可以可移动地安装至机壳，以选择性地限制进入滚筒。添加剂分配组件可以保持在门上，并被配置为向滚筒提供添加剂喷雾。添加剂分配组件可以包括添加剂储罐、流体泵和分配器喷嘴。添加剂储罐可以限定储罐容积，以在其中存储干燥机添加剂。流体泵可以与添加剂储罐流体连通，以从其中驱动一定体积的干燥机添加剂。分配器喷嘴可以指向流体泵下游的滚筒，以将所述体积的干燥机添加剂引导到由滚筒限定的空间中。
在本公开的另一个示例性方面，提供了一种洗衣设备。洗衣设备可以包括机壳、滚筒、门和添加剂分配组件。滚筒可以可旋转地安装在机壳内。滚筒可以限定用于接收衣物的空间。门可以可移动地安装至机壳，以选择性地限制进入对滚筒。添加剂分配组件可以包括添加剂储罐、流体泵、分配器喷嘴和单向阀。添加剂储罐可以限定储罐容积，以在其中存储液体添加剂。添加剂储罐可以可移除地安装在内部腔体中。流体泵可以与添加剂储罐流体连通，以从其中驱动一定体积的液体添加剂。分配器喷嘴可以指向流体泵下游的滚筒，以将所述体积的液体添加剂引导到由滚筒限定的空间中。单向阀可以在添加剂储罐和分配器喷嘴之间流体连通，以允许所述体积的液体添加剂从添加剂储罐到达分配器喷嘴。
参考以下描述和所附权利要求，将更好地理解本发明的这些和其它特征、方面和优点。包含在本说明书中并构成本说明书的一部分的附图示出了本发明的实施例，并与说明书一起用于说明本发明的原理。
附图说明
参考附图，在说明书中阐述了本发明的针对于本领域普通技术人员来说完整且可行的公开内容，该公开内容包括其最佳模式。
图1提供了根据本公开的示例性实施例的作为干燥机设备提供的洗衣设备的透视图。
图2提供了图1的示例性干燥机设备的透视图，其中干燥机设备的机壳的部分被移除以显露干燥机设备的某些部件。
图3提供了根据本公开的示例性实施例的洗衣设备的隔离出来的门的透视图。
图4提供了图3的示例性门的透视图，其中各种部件被移除以显露门的某些部分。
图5提供了图3的示例性门的示意性后视立视图。
图6提供了图3的示例性门的添加剂分配组件的示意图。
图7提供了根据本公开的示例性实施例的洗衣设备的隔离出来的门的透视图。
图8提供了图7的示例性门的透视图，其中各种部件被移除以显露门的某些部分。
图9提供了图7的示例性门的示意性前视立视图。
图10提供了根据本公开的示例性实施例的添加剂分配组件的添加剂储罐的透视图。
具体实施方式
现在将详细参考本发明的实施例，其一个或更多个示例在附图中示出。提 供每个示例是为了解释本发明，而不是限制本发明。实际上，对于本领域技术人员来说显而易见的是，在不脱离本发明的范围的情况下，可以在本发明中进行各种修改和变化。例如，作为一个实施例的一部分示出或描述的特征可以与另一个实施例一起使用，以产生又一个实施例。因此，本发明旨在覆盖落入所附权利要求及其等同物的范围内的这些修改和变化。
如本文所用，术语“或”通常旨在是包括在内(即，“A或B”旨在意指“A或B或两者”)。术语“第一”、“第二”和“第三”可以互换使用以将一个部件与另一个区分开，并且不旨在表明个别部件的位置或重要性。术语“上游”和“下游”是指相对于流体路径中的流体流动的相对流动方向。例如，“上游”指流体流动来的流动方向，而“下游”指流体流动去的流动方向。术语“衣物”包括但不限于织物、纺织品、服装、亚麻制品、纸张或其他需要提取水分的物品。此外，术语“负载”或“洗衣负载”是指可以在清洗机中一起清洗或在干燥机设备(例如，衣物干燥机)中一起干燥的不同或类似类型或种类的织物、纺织品、服装以及亚麻的衣物的不同或类似物品的混合物。
现在转向附图，图1提供了根据本公开的示例性实施例的洗衣设备(例如，干燥机设备10)。图2提供了干燥机设备10的另一个透视图，其中干燥机设备10的机壳或壳体12的一部分被移除以便展示干燥机设备10的某些部件。干燥机设备10通常限定了竖直方向V、侧向方向L、以及横向方向T，它们中的每个都相互垂直，使得正交坐标系被限定。尽管使用本文公开的教导在干燥机设备10的特定实施例的背景下进行描述，但是理解的是，干燥机设备10仅以示例的方式提供。其他洗衣设备，比如洗衣机设备(例如前装式洗衣机)或具有不同外观和不同特征的其他干燥机设备也可以用于本主题。
机壳12包括前部面板14、后部面板16、由前部面板14和后部面板16彼此间隔开的一对侧面板18和20、底部面板22和顶盖24。在机壳12内的是安装成绕基本水平轴线旋转的滚筒或容器26。滚筒26限定了用于接收衣物物品的腔室25(例如，用于翻滚或干燥)。滚筒26在前部部分37和背部部分38之间 延伸。滚筒26还包括背部壁或后部壁34(例如，在滚筒26的背部部分38)。供应管道41安装至后部壁34并且接收已经由加热组件或系统40加热的已加热空气。
在一些实施例中，提供马达31以使滚筒26绕着水平轴线旋转(例如经由滑轮和带，未示出)。滚筒26通常在形状上是柱形的，从而具有外柱形壁28和前部凸缘或壁30，该前部凸缘或壁限定滚筒26的开口32(例如，在滚筒26的前部部分37处)，用于装载物品到滚筒26的腔室25中和从滚筒的腔室中卸载物品。多个抬升件或挡板(挡板27)设置在滚筒26的腔室25内，以抬升其中的物品，并且然后在滚筒26旋转时允许该物品翻滚回滚筒26的底部。挡板27可以安装至滚筒26，使得挡板27在干燥机设备10的操作期间与滚筒26一起旋转。
马达31还可以与空气处理器48机械连通，使得马达31旋转空气处理器48的风扇49(例如离心风扇)。空气处理器48被配置成用于将空气抽吸通过滚筒26的腔室25(例如，以便干燥位于其中的物品)。在可选的示例性实施例中，干燥机设备10可以包括额外的马达(未示出)，用于独立于滚筒26旋转空气处理器48的风扇49。
滚筒26通常被配置成接收已被加热组件40加热的已加热空气(例如，以便干燥设置在滚筒26的腔室25内的潮湿物品)。例如，加热组件40可以包括用于加热空气的加热元件(未示出)，比如气体燃烧器、电阻加热元件或热泵。如上所述，在干燥机设备10的操作期间，马达31旋转滚筒26和空气处理器48的风扇49，使得当马达31旋转风扇49时，空气处理器48将空气抽吸通过滚筒26的腔室25。特别地，由于空气处理器48将环境空气推动到入口51中，环境空气经由入口51进入加热组件40。这种环境空气在加热组件40内被加热，并作为已加热空气离开加热组件40。空气处理器48通过供应管道41将这种已加热空气抽吸到滚筒26中。已加热空气通过供应管道41的定位在滚筒26的后部壁34处的多个出口进入滚筒26。
在腔室25内，已加热空气可以积聚水分(例如，来自设置在腔室25内的潮湿衣物)。接着，空气处理器48将水分饱和的空气抽吸通过捕集绒毛颗粒的筛网过滤器(未示出)。这种水分饱和的空气然后进入离开管道46，并穿过空气处理器48到达排出管道52。这种水分饱和的空气从排出管道52通过由机壳12限定的通气口53离开干燥机设备10。在衣物干燥后，它们可以经由开口32从滚筒26中移除。安装至机壳12的门33设置用于通过开口32对滚筒26进行关闭或进入。
一个或更多个选择器输入件70(比如旋钮、按钮、触摸屏界面等)可以被设置或安装在机壳后防溅板71上并且与处理装置或控制器56操作通信(例如，电联接或通过无线网络带联接)。控制器56中生成的信号响应选择器旋钮70的位置，指导马达31和加热组件40的操作。替代地，可以设置触摸屏类型的界面。如本文所使用的，“处理装置”或“控制器”可以指一个或更多个微处理器、微控制器、ASICS或半导体装置，并且不必限于单个元件。控制器56可以被编程为通过执行存储在存储器中的非暂时性指令来操作干燥机设备10。控制器56可以包含一个或更多个存储器元件，比如，RAM、ROM或电可擦除可编程只读存储器(EEPROM)，或与其相关联。例如，指令可以为在由处理装置执行时导致处理装置实行操作的任何指令集或软件。
现在参考图3至6，根据本公开的示例性实施例示出了门200和添加剂分配组件202。具体来说，图3至图5提供了洗衣设备(例如，干燥机设备10)的门200(例如，设置为门33或门的一部分)的各种视图。图5和6示出了门200内的(图5)和为了清楚而隔离出来的(图6)添加剂分配组件202的部分。尽管下面的讨论涉及添加剂分配组件202，但是本领域技术人员将会理解，所描述的特征和配置也可以用于其它干燥机设备中的其它添加剂分配器。例如，添加剂分配组件202可以定位在门200内的其他位置；可以具有不同的部件或配置；或者可以分配水、清洁剂或其他添加剂。应当理解，下面描述的示例性实施例的其他变型和修改是可能的，并且这些变型被认为在本主题的范围内。
如图所示，门200通常包括外部表面204和内部表面206，外部表面和内部表面沿着横向方向T彼此间隔开(例如，如当门200处于限制进入滚筒26的关闭位置时限定的那样，比如图1所示的位置)。可以理解，当门200可旋转地或可枢转地安装在机壳12上时，外部表面204远离滚筒26指向，而内部表面206朝向滚筒26指向。因此，外部表面204远离滚筒26，而内部表面206靠近滚筒26。在一些这样的实施例中，外部表面204的至少一部分由外面板208(例如，包括不透空气的金属、玻璃或聚合物)限定，而内部表面206的至少一部分由内面板210(例如，包括不透空气的金属、玻璃或聚合物)限定，内面板连结到外面板208(例如，可分离地作为分立元件，或者替代地作为整体元件)。
在外部表面204和内部表面206之间，限定了内部腔体212。例如，分立的装配面板214可以附接到内面板210。装配面板214可以在其自身内或者与内面板210的至少一部分一起形成内部腔体212。当装配时，装配面板214可以大致朝向滚筒26向内延伸(例如，从内面板210的凹陷或平面部分起)，从而形成内部表面206的内部突出的隆起，内部腔体212限定在该隆起内。当门200处于打开位置(或者没有完全关闭)时，通过内部表面206(例如，通过装配面板214)限定的开口220可以允许用户选择性地进入内部腔体212。
在某些实施例中，提供可移动或可移除的盖片222并选择性地覆盖通向内部腔体212的开口220。例如，可以理解，盖片222可以被移动(例如，枢转、滑动或从装配面板214拆卸)到与开口220分开的未覆盖位置。因此，盖片222可以在未覆盖位置中允许进入内部腔体212。相比之下，在覆盖位置(例如，如图3所示)中，盖片222限制对内部腔体212的进入，使得用户不能使手或物体穿过开口220到达内部腔体212。
如图所示，添加剂分配组件202保持在门200上。例如，添加剂分配组件202的至少一部分可以安装在内部腔体212内。如下文将详细描述的，添加剂分配组件202包括添加剂储罐228、流体泵232和分配器喷嘴234，所有这些都彼此流体连通，以选择性地将添加剂喷雾分配到滚筒26。
在一些实施例中，添加剂分配组件202的一个或更多个部分(例如，添加剂储罐228或流体泵232)经由多个安装特征或机械紧固件固定在内部腔体212内。附加地或替代地，粘合剂、卡扣机构、干涉配合机构或其任何合适的组合可以将添加剂分配组件202的一个或更多个部分固定到门200。本领域技术人员将理解，根据替代实施例，添加剂分配组件202可以使用其他安装手段安装到门200。
通常，添加剂储罐228安装在分配器喷嘴234的上游，以保持液体添加剂(例如，干燥机添加剂)，该液体添加剂可以通过分配器喷嘴234分配到滚筒26。因此，一个或更多个合适的流体导管或管路可以从添加剂储罐228延伸到分配器喷嘴234。在某些实施例中，添加剂储罐228在内部腔体212内限定了储罐容积230，并且在该储罐容积内可以倾倒干燥机添加剂。例如，储罐容积230可以被提供为隔离的(例如，非垂直的)容积。因此，用户可以直接向储罐容积230供应添加剂(例如，液体干燥机添加剂)，然后可以在相应设备的操作期间使用该添加剂。此外，用户可以通过打开门200、打开内部腔体212(例如，通过提升盖片222)以及从内部腔体212进入或移除添加剂储罐228来直接再填充干燥机添加剂。
一般来说，储罐容积230可以定尺寸为存储用于多个循环的足量的干燥机添加剂，以便避免要求用户在每个干燥机循环之前添加经测量的量的干燥机添加剂。可选地，干燥机添加剂可以包括香料物质，以向干燥负载提供期望的气味或香味。附加地或替代地，干燥机添加剂可以包括UV织物保护剂(例如，包括氧化钛、双-乙基己氧苯酚甲氧苯基三嗪等的流体)来吸收或排斥紫外光照射。此外，附加地或替代地，干燥机添加剂可以包括除皱流体(例如，包括织物松弛剂、织物软化剂、异丙醇、醋等的流体)以减少或防止皱褶形成在干燥负载内的物品上。另外，附加地或替代地，干燥机添加剂可以包括药液(例如，抗菌液、抗过敏剂、皮炎治疗液、烧伤治疗液、驱虫剂、局部大麻素等)。此外，应当注意，可以包括任何其他合适的干燥机添加剂。
如图所示，流体泵232与添加剂储罐228流体连通。例如，一个或更多个合适的流体导管或管路可以从添加剂储罐228延伸到流体泵232，或者替代地从流体泵232延伸到添加剂储罐228。
在示例性实施例中，流体泵232在添加剂储罐228的下游，以选择性地从添加剂储罐228中驱动一定体积(例如，预定体积)的干燥机添加剂。在一些这样的实施例中，止回阀或单向阀(例如，第一单向阀236)安装成在添加剂储罐228和流体泵232之间流体连通。换句话说，第一单向阀236可以沿着从添加剂储罐228延伸到流体泵232的流体路径或导管设置。第一单向阀236可以因此确保干燥机添加剂的从添加剂储罐228向下游的单向流动(例如，根据重力或流体泵232处生成的负压)。
通常，流体泵232可以设置为任何合适的动力泵(即，不是手动操作的)，以选择性地迫使或驱动液体或干燥机添加剂从添加剂储罐228到分配器喷嘴234。在示例性实施例中，流体泵232包括往复泵组件。例如，流体泵232可以包括流体缸240和可滑动地设置在缸240内的往复活塞242。如图所示，缸240可以限定单独的缸入口244和缸出口246，液体或干燥机添加剂可以相应地通过所述单独的缸入口和刚出口进入和离开缸240(例如，根据往复活塞242在缸240内的位置)。泵马达248可以连接到往复活塞242或与往复活塞机械连通，以控制往复活塞242相对于缸240的位置或运动。作为示例，泵马达248可以包括小齿轮250，该小齿轮与设置在往复活塞242的活塞杆252上的齿条机械连通。
在附加的或替代的实施例中，流体泵232电连接到合适的电力源254或控制器256(例如，单独提供或作为控制器56的一部分，图1)。例如，电力源254和控制器256可以连接到泵马达248。因此，通常可以控制流体泵232(例如，根据控制器256的指示选择性地激活)，以从添加剂储罐228中驱动一定体积的液体或干燥机添加剂。可选地，电力源254和控制器256中的一个或两个可以保持在门200上(例如，在内部腔体212内或以其他方式与机壳12分开)。
作为示例，可以理解，控制器256或泵马达248可以经由有线或无线通信带与控制器56操作通信。作为附加的或替代的示例，电力源254(例如，直流电力供应)可以经由一个或更多个有线的电连接件(例如，导体线材或总线)或导体连接件与控制器256(或与设置在机壳12内的单独的电力供应，图1)操作通信。可选地，电力源254可以感应地联接至机壳12上的单独供应件。例如，发射器感应线圈258可以安装至机壳12，靠近门200(例如，当门200处于关闭位置时)。单独的接收器感应线圈260可以安装到门200，与流体泵232电连通(例如，通过电力源254间接地电连通)。当门200处于关闭位置时，发射器感应线圈258可以启动从其发射的电磁场。发射的电磁场然后可以被接收器感应线圈260接收，以生成对应的电流。
在流体泵232和添加剂储罐228的下游，安装有分配器喷嘴234。通常，分配器喷嘴234为添加剂分配组件202限定了一个或更多个输出孔，并且朝向滚筒26，以将一定体积的干燥机添加剂引导或分配到由滚筒26限定的空间中。在一些实施例中，分配器喷嘴234靠近内部表面206安装或安装在其上。例如，如图所示，分配器喷嘴234可以安装到装配面板214。替代地，分配器喷嘴234可以安装成与装配面板214分开(例如，在内部腔体212中从装配面板向后)。在一些这样的实施例中，穿过装配面板214限定一个或更多个孔，以允许液体或干燥机添加剂喷涂到由滚筒26限定的空间中。可选地，分配器喷嘴234可以包括或设置为雾化器喷嘴。因此，从添加剂储罐228流动通过添加剂分配组件202的流体可以作为液体或干燥机添加剂的雾化的喷雾流被引导到滚筒26中。
在一些实施例中，止回阀或单向阀(例如，第二单向阀238)安装成在流体泵232和分配器喷嘴234之间流体连通。换句话说，第二单向阀238可以沿着从流体泵232延伸到分配器喷嘴234的流体路径或导管设置。第二单向阀238因此可以确保干燥机添加剂从流体泵232下游的流体路径的单向流动(例如，根据重力或流体泵232处生成的负压)。
现在参考图7至10，根据本公开的其他示例性实施例示出了门200和添加 剂分配组件202。具体来说，图7至图10提供了洗衣设备(例如，干燥机设备10)的门200(例如，设置为门33或门的一部分)的各种视图。图8至10示出了添加剂分配组件202的部分。尽管与图3至6的实施例分开地描述，但是应当理解，这里描述的实施例并不相互排斥。此外，除非另有说明，图7至10的实施例可以包括图3到6的特征，并且反之亦然。
在某些实施例中，由一个或更多个栅栏壁形成的部分封闭(例如，U形)的凹穴262限定了内部腔体212。例如，凹穴262可以可枢转地安装到门200(例如，在内面板210处)以在覆盖位置(图7)和未覆盖位置(图8)之间旋转或枢转。凹穴262的内部栅栏壁276可以限定内部表面206的至少一部分。如图所示，在覆盖位置，内部栅栏壁276可以与内面板210的一部分接合(例如，在合适的闩锁或扣钩处)，使得内部栅栏壁276相对于竖直方向V保持直立，并且限制对内部腔体212的进入。反过来，用户不能使手或物体穿过U形凹穴262的开放端到达内部腔体212。相比之下，在未覆盖位置，内部栅栏壁276的顶端与内面板210间隔开(例如，相对于竖直方向V成20°与90°之间的角度)，使得允许进入内部腔体212。反过来，当门200处于打开位置(或者没有完全关闭)时，用户能够使手或物体穿过U形凹穴262的开放端。
当装配时，添加剂分配组件202的至少一部分(例如，添加剂储罐228、流体泵232或分配器喷嘴234)可以安装到凹穴262。因此，这样的部分可以随着凹穴262在覆盖和未覆盖位置之间枢转。
例如，添加剂分配组件202的一个或更多个部分(例如，添加剂储罐228或流体泵232)可以经由多个安装特征或机械紧固件固定到凹穴262。附加地或替代地，粘合剂、卡扣机构、干涉配合机构或其任何合适的组合可以将添加剂分配组件202的一个或更多个部分固定到凹穴262。本领域技术人员将理解，根据替代实施例，添加剂分配组件202可以使用其他安装手段来安装。在可选的实施例中，添加剂储罐228尤其可移除地安装在内部腔体212内(例如，安装到凹穴262上)。因此，用户可以选择性地从门200上移除添加剂储罐228，以 便在储罐容积230内供应或再填充液体或干燥机添加剂。可移动的盖子264可以设置在添加剂储罐228上，以选择性地阻塞通向储罐容积230的开口，使得盖子264的移除允许用户进入和再填充储罐容积230，而不管添加剂储罐228是固定在内部腔体212内还是从内部腔体212移除。
在一些实施例中，液位传感器270设置在储罐容积230内或与其连通。具体而言，液位传感器270可以与控制器256有线或无线通信，并被配置成当一定量的液体或干燥机添加剂位于储罐容积内时进行检测或者检测一定量的液体或干燥机添加剂是否位于储罐容积230内。如图所示，液位传感器270可以包括可移动地设置在储罐容积230内的磁性元件272(例如，永磁块)。例如，磁性元件272可以被封装或支撑在添加剂储罐228内的可漂浮舱内。因此，磁性元件272在添加剂储罐228内的竖直位置(例如，当内部腔体212关闭时，比如当凹穴262处于覆盖位置时)可以对应于液体或干燥机添加剂的液位(例如，与液体或干燥机添加剂的液位相关联并由其驱动)。随着液体或干燥机添加剂的量变化，磁性元件272在储罐容积230内的相对位置也相应变化。检测元件274(例如簧片开关)可以安装或固定在相对于添加剂储罐228或储罐容积230的预定位置处或液位处。预定水平可以对应于储罐容积230内液体或干燥机添加剂的最小液位或体积。此外，检测元件274可以被配置成检测磁性元件272(例如，检测来自磁性元件的磁场)。因此，响应于磁性元件272下降到预定液位，检测元件274可以检测来自磁性元件272的场或信号。
本书面描述使用示例来公开本发明，包括最佳模式，并且允许本领域任何技术人员实践本发明，包括制造和使用任何装置或系统以及执行任何结合的方法。本发明的专利范围由权利要求限定，并且可以包括本领域技术人员想到的其它示例。如果这样的其它示例包括不与权利要求的字面语言不同的结构元件或者如果它们包括与权利要求的字面语言无实质差异的等同结构元件，则这些其它示例意图在权利要求的范围内。

Claims (18)

  1. 一种干燥机设备，包括：
    机壳；
    滚筒，其能够旋转地安装在所述机壳内，所述滚筒限定了用于接收待干燥的衣物的空间；
    门，其能够移动地安装至所述机壳，以选择性地限制进入所述滚筒；以及
    添加剂分配组件，其被保持在所述门上并被配置为向所述滚筒提供添加剂喷雾，所述添加剂分配组件包括：
    添加剂储罐，其限定了用于在其中存储干燥机添加剂的储罐容积，
    流体泵，其与所述添加剂储罐流体连通，以从所述添加剂储罐中驱动一定体积的干燥机添加剂，以及
    分配器喷嘴，其指向所述流体泵下游的滚筒，以将所述体积的干燥机添加剂引导到由所述滚筒限定的空间中。
  2. 根据权利要求1所述的干燥机设备，其中，所述门限定容纳所述添加剂分配组件的内部腔体，其中，所述门包括能够移动地设置在所述门的靠近所述滚筒的内部表面上的腔体盖片，并且其中所述腔体盖片选择性地限制进入所述内部腔体。
  3. 根据权利要求1所述的干燥机设备，其中，所述干燥机添加剂包括香料、UV织物保护剂、除皱流体或药液。
  4. 根据权利要求1所述的干燥机设备，其中，所述流体泵包括流体缸和往复活塞，所述往复活塞能够滑动地设置在所述流体缸内。
  5. 根据权利要求1所述的干燥机设备，其中，所述添加剂分配组件还包括安装成在所述添加剂储罐和所述流体泵之间流体连通的单向阀。
  6. 根据权利要求1所述的干燥机设备，其中，所述添加剂分配组件还包括安装成在所述流体泵和所述分配器喷嘴之间流体连通的单向阀。
  7. 根据权利要求1所述的干燥机设备，其中，所述喷嘴分配器包括定位成在所述流体泵和所述滚筒之间流体连通的雾化器喷嘴。
  8. 根据权利要求1所述的干燥机设备，还包括:
    安装到所述机壳的发射器感应线圈；以及
    安装到所述门、与所述流体泵电连通的接收器感应线圈，所述接收器感应线圈感应地联接到所述发射器感应线圈以从该发射器感应线圈接收电磁场。
  9. 根据权利要求1所述的干燥机设备，还包括能够枢转地安装到所述门的部分封闭的凹穴，其中，所述部分封闭的凹穴限定容纳所述添加剂分配组件的内部腔体。
  10. 一种洗衣设备，包括:
    机壳；
    滚筒，其能够旋转地安装在所述机壳内，所述滚筒限定了用于接收衣物的空间；
    门，其能够移动地安装到所述机壳，以选择性地限制进入所述滚筒，所述门在外部表面和内部表面之间限定了内部腔体；以及
    添加剂分配组件，其设置在所述内部腔体内并被配置为向所述滚筒提供添加剂喷雾，所述添加剂分配组件包括
    添加剂储罐，其限定用于在其中存储液体添加剂的储罐容积，所述添加剂储罐能够移除地安装在所述内部腔体中，
    流体泵，其与所述添加剂储罐流体连通，以从该添加剂储罐中驱动一定体积的液体添加剂，
    分配器喷嘴，其指向所述流体泵下游的滚筒，以将所述体积的液体添加剂引导到由所述滚筒限定的空间中，以及
    单向阀，其在所述添加剂储罐和所述分配器喷嘴之间流体连通，以允许所述体积的液体添加剂从所述添加剂储罐到达所述分配器喷嘴。
  11. 根据权利要求10所述的洗衣设备，其中，所述门限定容纳所述添加剂分配组件的内部腔体，其中，所述门包括能够移动地设置在所述门的靠近滚筒的内部表面上的腔体盖片，并且其中所述腔体盖片选择性地限制进入所述内部腔体。
  12. 根据权利要求10所述的洗衣设备，其中，所述液体添加剂包括香料、UV织物保护剂或除皱流体。
  13. 根据权利要求10所述的洗衣设备，其中，所述流体泵包括流体缸和往复活塞，所述往复活塞能够滑动地设置在所述流体缸内。
  14. 根据权利要求10所述的洗衣设备，其中，所述单向阀安装成在所述添加剂储罐和所述流体泵之间流体连通。
  15. 根据权利要求10所述的洗衣设备，其中，所述单向阀安装成在所述流体泵和所述分配器喷嘴之间流体连通。
  16. 根据权利要求10所述的洗衣设备，其中，所述喷嘴分配器包括定位成在 所述流体泵和所述滚筒之间流体连通的雾化器喷嘴。
  17. 根据权利要求10所述的洗衣设备，还包括:
    安装在所述机壳上的发射器感应线圈；以及
    安装到所述门、与所述流体泵电连通的接收器感应线圈，所述接收器感应线圈感应地联接到所述发射器感应线圈以从该发射器感应线圈接收电磁场。
  18. 根据权利要求10所述的洗衣设备，还包括能够枢转地安装到所述门的部分封闭的凹穴，其中所述部分封闭的凹穴限定容纳所述添加剂分配组件的内部腔体。
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