# US 11,299,842 B2 · Drum washing machine

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- Number: US 11,299,842 B2
- Document ID: US11299842B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/766,759
- Filed: 2018-10-12
- Published: 2021-01-14
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2017-11-24
- Assignees: Qingdao Haier Drum Washing Machine Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Qingdao Haier Drum Washing Machine Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Zongyuan Weng; Kai Liu
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299842B2

## CPC

- D06F 37/266: {Gaskets mounted between tub and casing around the loading opening}
- D06F 23/02: and rotating or oscillating about a horizontal axis
- D06F 37/04: adapted for rotation or oscillation about a horizontal or inclined axis
- D06F 39/06: Arrangements for preventing or destroying scum
- D06F 37/02: Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
- D06F: LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES

## Abstract

A drum washing machine comprising: a casing (1), an outer cylinder (2) disposed in the casing (1), an inner cylinder (3) disposed in the casing (1), a door (4) provided on the casing (1), and a window gasket (5) for sealing provided between the casing (1) and the outer cylinder (2); wherein comprises: an inner cylinder front flange (32); a flow guiding structure (323) extending forward, which is provided on the inner cylinder front flange (32) and configured to introduce air into the inner cylinder (3) when entering into a spin phase; and a plurality of vents (541) opened at the window gasket (5) which are communicated with a space between the inner cylinder front flange (32) and the outer cylinder (2). When the drum washing machine enters into a spin phase to dewater, with the configuration of disposing the flow guiding structure (323) on the inner cylinder front flange (32), air in front of the inner cylinder front flange (32) could be introduced to the back side of it, and a negative pressure space could be created between the inner cylinder front flange (32) and the outer cylinder (2), and additionally, air around the window gasket (5) could enter into the space between the inner cylinder front flange (32) and the outer cylinder (2) by the vent (541) to create a high volume airflow circulating around the inner surface of the window gasket 5 to dry it quickly, which could speed up drying time, prevent the breeding of bacteria and eliminate the odor.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A drum washing machine comprising:
a casing,
an outer cylinder disposed in the casing,
an inner cylinder disposed in the casing and including a front flange,
a door provided on the casing,
a window gasket for sealing provided between the casing and the outer cylinder;
a flow guiding structure extending forward, which is provided on the inner cylinder front flange and configured to introduce air into the inner cylinder when entering into a spin phase; and
a plurality of vents opened at the window gasket which are communicated with a space between the inner cylinder front flange and the outer cylinder;
wherein the flow guiding structure comprises:
a first end surface and a second end surface which protrude forward and are inclined toward each other, and the projection of an intersection line between the first end surface and the second end surface onto the front flange coincides a radius of the front flange.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The drum washing machine of claim 1, wherein the drum washing machine comprises:
one or more guiding holes opened on a windward surface of the flow guiding structure when entering into a spin phase.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The drum washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the drum washing machine comprises:
a laundry access formed on a front panel of the casing where the door capable of be opened is installed;
the window gasket comprises:
an inner lip sealing at the outer cylinder,
a fold extending forward from the inner lip,
a rib extending inward from the inner lip along a radial direction, at which a vent is opened, and
a cavity formed between the rib and the fold.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The drum washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the window gasket comprises:
a blocking portion extending rearward which is provided at an inner end of the rib and is configured to prevent air from flowing into via a gap between the rib and the front flange.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The drum washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the inner cylinder front flange comprises:
an inner cylinder edge extending toward the laundry access,
an outer flange provided at a front end of the inner cylinder edge; and
a rear part of the blocking portion is located at the outside of the outer flange.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The drum washing machine according to claim 5, wherein
the blocking portion has a curving surface extending along a rearward-backward direction from the rib.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The drum washing machine according to claim 3, wherein
the fold has a first inclined portion extending forward from the inner lip and a second inclined portion which is bent and extends from a front end of the first inclined portion toward the inner end of the rib.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The drum washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the drum washing machine comprises:
a guiding portion extending along a forward-outward direction which is provided at the rib and is in parallel with the second inclined portion.