阅读说明：本技术 一种洗衣机、内桶及搅拌波轮 (Washing machine, inner barrel and stirring impeller ) 是由 杨鹏 于 2019-10-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明所提供的一种洗衣机、内桶及搅拌波轮,包括：内桶、搅拌波轮和驱动机构,其中,所述驱动机构包括与所述搅拌波轮连接的连接轴,所述搅拌波轮固定设置在所述内桶中,所述驱动机构用于驱动所述内桶转动。本发明通过设置内桶与搅拌波轮,所述内桶在驱动机构的带动下转动,且能够带动搅拌波轮同步转动,实现了洗衣机的洗涤功能。(The invention provides a washing machine, an inner barrel and a stirring impeller, which comprise: the device comprises an inner barrel, a stirring impeller and a driving mechanism, wherein the driving mechanism comprises a connecting shaft connected with the stirring impeller, the stirring impeller is fixedly arranged in the inner barrel, and the driving mechanism is used for driving the inner barrel to rotate. The washing machine is provided with the inner barrel and the stirring impeller, the inner barrel is driven by the driving mechanism to rotate, and the stirring impeller can be driven to synchronously rotate, so that the washing function of the washing machine is realized.)

1. A washing machine comprising: the inner barrel, the stirring impeller and the driving mechanism are characterized in that the driving mechanism comprises a connecting shaft connected with the stirring impeller, the stirring impeller is fixedly arranged in the inner barrel, and the driving mechanism is used for driving the inner barrel to rotate.

2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pulsator includes: the stirring rod is formed by upwards extending the impeller disc, or the stirring rod is connected to the upper end of the impeller disc.

3. A washing machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the outer rim of the agitator bar is provided with agitator blades.

4. The washing machine as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: the circulating water channel is communicated with a water inlet and a jet orifice; the circulating water channel comprises a main flow channel, and the main flow channel is arranged on the stirring rod.

5. The washing machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the circulation water passage further comprises: the branched runner is arranged on the wave wheel disc.

6. A washing machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein the jet opening opens into the pulsator disk.

7. A washing machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the agitator bar is provided at its upper end with a filter and the water inlet opens into the filter.

8. The washing machine as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the inner tub comprises a tub bottom and a tub body integrally formed, the tub body comprises a non-porous tub body and a dewatering tub top sequentially formed from bottom to top, and the dewatering tub top is provided with dewatering holes.

9. The washing machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the height of the water inlet is not lower than the lowest washing water level of the washing machine, and the pulsator disk is provided with agitating protrusions.

10. The washing machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the agitating protrusion is provided in plurality, and the plurality of agitating protrusions are spaced apart along a circumferential direction of the pulsator disk.

11. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner tub comprises a tub bottom and a tub body integrally formed, the tub body comprises a non-porous tub body and a dewatering tub top sequentially formed from bottom to top, and the dewatering tub top is provided with dewatering holes.

12. The washing machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein an outer tub is sleeved outside the inner tub, and a drain port is provided at a bottom end of the outer tub.

13. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein a door cover is further provided on the washing machine, and a door lock for locking the door cover is provided on the door cover.

14. An inner tub, characterized in that it is applied to a washing machine as claimed in any one of claims 8-12.

15. An agitator pulsator, characterized in that it is applied to a washing machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of washing machines, in particular to a washing machine, an inner barrel and a stirring impeller.

Background

The inner tub and the pulsator used in the current pulsator washing machine need to realize that the pulsator and the inner tub separately rotate under different washing conditions through a clutch, so as to achieve the purpose of washing. The existing inner barrel and the impeller are complex in structure, and the clutch and related components are required to be added for realizing the separated rotation of the inner barrel and the impeller, so that the impeller washing machine is complex in processing technology and high in production cost.

Therefore, the prior art has defects and needs to be improved and developed.

Disclosure of Invention

The technical problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a washing machine, an inner barrel and a stirring impeller aiming at solving the problem that the impeller type washing machine in the prior art is high in production cost.

The technical scheme adopted by the invention for solving the technical problem is as follows:

a washing machine comprising: the device comprises an inner barrel, a stirring impeller and a driving mechanism, wherein the driving mechanism comprises a connecting shaft connected with the stirring impeller, the stirring impeller is fixedly arranged in the inner barrel, and the driving mechanism is used for driving the inner barrel to rotate.

Further, the agitating impeller includes: the stirring rod is formed by upwards extending the impeller disc, or the stirring rod is connected to the upper end of the impeller disc.

Further, the outer edge of the stirring rod is provided with stirring blades.

Further, the washing machine further includes: the circulating water channel is communicated with a water inlet and a jet orifice; the circulating water channel comprises a main flow channel, and the main flow channel is arranged on the stirring rod.

Further, the circulation waterway further includes: the branched runner is arranged on the wave wheel disc.

Further, the jet orifice is opened in the wave wheel disc.

Further, a filter is arranged at the upper end of the stirring rod, and the water inlet is formed in the filter.

Furthermore, the inner barrel comprises a barrel bottom and a barrel body which are integrally arranged, the barrel body comprises a non-porous barrel body and a dehydration barrel top which are sequentially arranged from bottom to top, and the dehydration barrel top is provided with dehydration holes.

Furthermore, the height of the water inlet is not lower than the lowest washing water level of the washing machine, and the impeller disc is provided with a stirring bulge.

Further, the stirring bulges are provided with a plurality of stirring bulges which are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the wave wheel disc.

Furthermore, the inner barrel comprises a barrel bottom and a barrel body which are integrally arranged, the barrel body comprises a non-porous barrel body and a dehydration barrel top which are sequentially arranged from bottom to top, and the dehydration barrel top is provided with dehydration holes.

Further, an outer barrel is sleeved on the outer side of the inner barrel, and a water outlet is formed in the bottom end of the outer barrel.

Furthermore, the washing machine is also provided with a door cover, and the door cover is provided with a door cover lock for locking the door cover.

The invention also provides an inner tub, wherein the inner tub is applied to the washing machine.

The invention also provides a stirring impeller, wherein the stirring impeller is applied to the washing machine.

The invention provides a washing machine, an inner barrel and a stirring impeller, which comprise: the device comprises an inner barrel, a stirring impeller and a driving mechanism, wherein the driving mechanism comprises a connecting shaft connected with the stirring impeller, the stirring impeller is fixedly arranged in the inner barrel, and the driving mechanism is used for driving the inner barrel to rotate. According to the invention, the stirring impeller is fixedly arranged in the inner barrel, and when the inner barrel is driven by the driving mechanism to rotate, the inner barrel can drive the stirring impeller to synchronously rotate, so that the washing function of the washing machine is realized by utilizing the rotation of the inner barrel and the stirring impeller, the condition that the inner barrel and the stirring impeller separately rotate due to the addition of a clutch is avoided, the arrangement of related components is reduced, and the production cost of the washing machine is reduced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a washing machine in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the pulsator according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the pulsator disk according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inner barrel according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the labeling: 1. a washing machine; 2. an inner barrel; 21. a wave wheel disc; 211. an ejection port; 212. a stirring boss; 22. a stirring rod; 23. a water inlet; 213. a stirring blade; 24, the bottom of the barrel; 25. a barrel body; 251. a dewatering hole; 3. an outer tub; 4. a balance ring; 5. a boom.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer and clearer, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to the present invention. As shown in fig. 1, a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: the inner barrel comprises an inner barrel 2, a stirring impeller and a driving mechanism, wherein the driving mechanism is fixedly connected with the inner barrel 2 through a connecting shaft, the driving mechanism comprises a motor, and the motor can drive the inner barrel 2 to rotate at different rotating speeds. The inner tub 2 is provided with a stirring impeller which is fixedly connected with the inner tub 2, when the inner tub 2 rotates, the inner tub 2 drives the stirring impeller to synchronously rotate, and the stirring impeller has a stirring function and is used for stirring water and clothes in the inner tub 2, so that the washing function of the washing machine 1 is realized. It can be understood that the pulsator may be non-detachably connected to the inner tub 2, or may be detachably connected thereto, so that when the pulsator is detachably connected to the inner tub 2, the pulsator may be conveniently cleaned and replaced.

In the washing machine 1, the stirring impeller can stir water and clothes in the washing machine in the washing process, so that the washing function of the washing machine can be realized only by arranging the inner barrel 2 and the stirring impeller, and the condition that the inner barrel 2 and the stirring impeller rotate separately because a clutch and parts for assisting the clutch are required to be additionally arranged on the washing machine in the prior art is avoided. The invention reduces the use of components related to the clutch by arranging the inner barrel 2 and the stirring impeller, optimizes the structure and the processing technology of the washing machine and saves the production cost of the washing machine; meanwhile, the problem of energy consumption of the washing machine caused by resistance generated when the inner barrel 2 and the outer barrel 3 rotate separately is avoided.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in order to better optimize the washing function of the washing machine 1, the pulsator of the present invention includes: the wave wheel disc 21 and the stirring rod 22 are fixedly connected, and there are various specific connection modes, and only two of the embodiments are described here, and the invention is not limited to these embodiments:

scheme one, wave wheel dish 21 with stirring rod 22 is integrative to be set up, stirring rod 22 is formed by wave wheel dish 21 upwards extends. Specifically, one end of the stirring impeller is the impeller disc 21, the other end of the stirring impeller is the stirring rod 22, and the stirring rod 22 is perpendicular to the impeller disc 21.

And in the second scheme, the impeller disc 21 is fixedly connected with the inner barrel 2, and the stirring impeller is vertically arranged at the upper end of the impeller disc 21.

In the specific embodiment of the present invention, the pulsator disc 21 is fixedly connected to the bottom 24 of the inner tub, the agitation shaft is perpendicular to the pulsator disc 21, and the height of the agitation shaft in the inner tub 2 is not higher than the normal washing water level of the washing machine 1.

Specifically, the pulsator disc 21 serves to wash the laundry at the bottom of the inner tub, and to agitate the water at the bottom of the inner tub, so that the laundry in the inner tub 2 and the laundry can be agitated and rotated; the stirring impeller is used for driving water and clothes in the middle and the upper part of the washing machine to rotate. When the washing machine 1 is in a washing process, the inner barrel 2, the impeller disc 21 and the stirring shaft synchronously rotate, so that water in the inner barrel 2 forms a waterless space around the stirring impeller under the action of centrifugal force, water at upper and lower water levels in the inner barrel 2 is conveniently exchanged, sewage is not accumulated at the bottom of the inner barrel 2 any more, the washing degree of clothes can be better detected, meanwhile, the water can be recycled, and water is saved; can exchange through the water level of interior bucket 2 normal water, realize the further washing to the clothing, be favorable to clothing and water to contact better, improve the clean degree of clothing.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in order to achieve a stronger washing of the upper laundry in the washing machine, a stirring blade 213 is provided at the outer edge of the stirring rod 22. The stirring blades 213 may be disposed along the axial direction of the stirring rod 22, may be disposed along the circumferential direction of the stirring rod 22, and may also be disposed along the winding direction of the stirring shaft, and specific disposing manners are various, which will not be described in detail herein.

In a further preferred embodiment, in order to make the contact area of the stirring blades 213 with water larger and make the acting force on water stronger, the stirring blades 213 are provided in plurality and uniformly arranged along the axial direction of the stirring shaft, so that when the water in the inner tub 2 rotates, the stirring blades 213 can play a role of cutting the water current rotating in the inner tub 2, so that the water around the stirring blades 213 can be agitated.

As shown in fig. 3, the stirring blade 213 is shaped like a "willow leaf", one end of the long side of the stirring blade is connected to the top end of the stirring rod 22, and the other end of the long side of the stirring blade is connected to the bottom end of the stirring rod 22, and further, a gap exists between the stirring blade 213 and the outer edge of the stirring shaft, so as to prevent the stirring blade 213 from breaking due to the resistance of water which cannot be received during the washing process. Stirring vane 213 also can with stirring rod 22 can dismantle the connection, conveniently changes stirring vane 213 to make when stirring vane 213 damages, need not replace the (mixing) shaft, just can accomplish simple replacement, improved the rate of utilization of (mixing) shaft.

Further, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine 1 can realize the circulation of water in the washing machine inner tub 2 through the inner tub 2 and the pulsator, so as to reduce the arrangement of a circulation pump and a circulation structure in the existing washing machine, and further save the production cost of the washing machine.

Specifically, the washing machine 1 includes a circulation water passage which is respectively communicated with a water inlet 23 and a jet port 211, the water inlet 23 being a water inlet 23 of circulation water in the inner tub 2 for introducing water in the inner tub 2 into the circulation water passage; the injection port 211 is used to inject water in the circulation water passage into the inner tub 2. There are various arrangements of the circulating water channel, two of which are described here:

in the first embodiment, the circulating water channel may be only disposed on the stirring rod 22, that is, the water inlet 23 is disposed on the upper end of the stirring rod 22, the injection port 211 is disposed on the bottom end of the stirring rod 22, and the stirring rod 22 is disposed in a hollow structure. When the water in the inner barrel 2 flows into the stirring rod 22 from the water inlet 23, the water in the stirring rod 22 is sprayed out from the spray opening 211 at the bottom end thereof under the action of gravity and pressure, the spray opening 211 can also be arranged on the side wall of the stirring rod 22, the specific arrangement mode is not described herein, and all modes that the water can be discharged from the circulating water channel and flows into the inner barrel 2 as described in the present invention are alternatives of the present scheme.

In the second embodiment, in order to better achieve the formation of the water spray in the inner tub 2 and increase the spray area of the sprayed water, the spray port 211 is disposed on the pulsator disc 21. Namely, the circulating water passage is divided into a main flow passage and a branch flow passage, the main flow passage is communicated with the water inlet 23, and the branch flow passage is communicated with the injection port 211.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 2, the water inlet 23 is disposed at the upper end of the agitator 22, the height of the water inlet 23 is not lower than the lowest washing water level of the washing machine 1, water flows into the agitator 22 from above the agitator 22 and then enters the pulsator disc 21 through the branch flow passage, and water in the pulsator disc 21 is ejected from the ejection port 211 under the pressure of the water to form an ejection water stream, so that the spraying effect of the water in the inner tub 2 is achieved, and washing water is saved. Further, a plurality of injection ports 211 may be formed at the bottom end of the stirring rod 22 to prevent the stirring rod 22 from being damaged due to excessive water pressure in the stirring rod 22.

Further, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a support frame is disposed on a surface of the wave wheel disc 21 fixedly connected to the tub bottom 24, as shown in fig. 4, the support frame is configured to fix the wave wheel disc 21 to the tub bottom 24, the support frame is formed by a plurality of spacers distributed along a circumferential direction of the wave wheel disc 21 to form the branch flow channels, the branch flow channels are configured to guide water flowing from the main flow channel to between the spacers, and the support frame is configured to contain water flowing from the main flow channel, so as to facilitate water storage between the wave wheel disc 21 and the tub bottom 24, so as to form a certain pressure, and thus, the stored water is injected from the injection port 211, thereby forming a strong injection effect, facilitating water circulation in the inner tub 2, playing a role of sufficient washing, and saving washing water.

According to the invention, the main flow passage, the water inlet 23 and the jet orifice 211 are arranged, so that the self-circulation of water in the inner barrel 2 is realized, the problem that the circulating water can be sprayed only by using a circulating pump, a circulating pipe and a spraying assembly in the prior art is avoided, the use of the original circulating assembly is saved, the functions of spraying, water circulation and washing can be simultaneously realized by arranging the stirring rod 22 and the impeller disc 21, the structure of the washing machine is greatly optimized, the production process of the washing machine is optimized, the production cost is reduced, and the water-saving effect can also be realized.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in order to filter the remaining lint in the water, a filter is further disposed at an upper end of the stirring rod 22, in particular, the water inlet 23 is opened on the filter, a strainer is disposed in the filter, the filter is used for collecting the filtered lint, and the filter is detachably connected to the stirring rod 22, so as to facilitate cleaning the lint in the filter.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pulsator disc 21 is provided with agitating protrusions 212, the agitating protrusions 212 are used for performing a washing function of the washing machine 1, and can agitate water and laundry in the inner tub 2, and the agitating protrusions 212 are particularly arranged at an end of the pulsator disc 21 facing away from the tub bottom 24. The agitating protrusions 212 may be provided in one or more, and when provided in one, the agitating protrusions 212 may be provided in the axial direction of the pulsator disk 21 to form a rotating water current; when a plurality of agitating protrusions 212 are provided, the agitating protrusions 212 may be provided in plurality in the axial direction of the wave plate 21, may be uniformly distributed in the radial direction of the wave plate 21, and may be uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction of the wave plate 21.

In a further preferred embodiment, the plurality of agitating lobes 212 are spaced circumferentially about the wave wheel disc 21, as shown in figure 3,

the plurality of agitating protrusions 212 have a shape similar to a pulsator rib structure of a conventional washing machine, and have a structure in which blades are rotatable, and when the inner tub 2 rotates, the agitating protrusions 212 rotate to drive the water in the tub bottom 24 to rotate.

Specifically, a plurality of stirring protrusions 212 are arranged on one surface of the wave wheel disc 21, which faces away from the bucket bottom 24, and the jet port 211 is arranged between the stirring protrusions 212, so that the pressure of water at the jet port 211 is maximum, and a strong jet water flow can be formed. The stirring protrusions 212 also form a concave cavity on the wave wheel disc 21, and the concave cavity is used for storing water and is beneficial to realizing a spraying function.

As shown in fig. 2 and 5, the structure of the inner barrel 2 according to the present invention is that the inner barrel 2 includes a barrel bottom 24 and a barrel body 25, and the difference between the inner barrel 2 and the prior art is that no hole is formed on the inner barrel 2 except for the top of the barrel body 25, and the inner barrel 2 is a receiving cavity having a smooth barrel wall, which does not generate resistance to water during washing and can receive water. That is, the tub 25 is divided, a portion higher than a normal washing water level of the washing machine is referred to as a dehydration tub top, a portion lower than the normal washing water level is referred to as a non-porous tub body, and dehydration holes 251 are formed at the dehydration tub top, and the dehydration holes 251 perform a dehydration function of the washing machine 1.

Specifically, when the washing machine is used for dewatering, the driving mechanism drives the inner tub 2 to rotate, so that the inner tub 2 performs dewatering rotation speed, and simultaneously drives the stirring impeller to rotate, the stirring impeller drives the water in the inner tub 2 to flow upwards from the tub bottom 24 along the tub body 25, and the water in the inner tub 2 is thrown out from the dewatering opening.

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the barrel bottom 24 is connected to the barrel body 25 by roll riveting, the barrel bottom 24 is made of plastic materials such as stainless steel or PP, a mounting hole is formed in the middle of the barrel bottom 24, a mounting groove is formed in the bottom of the pulsator disk 21, the connecting shaft passes through the mounting hole, one end of the connecting shaft is fixedly connected to the mounting groove, so as to fixedly connect the inner barrel 2 and the pulsator disk 21, and the pulsator disk 21 can be detached from the inner barrel 2, so that the pulsator disk 21 and the inner barrel 2 can be cleaned conveniently, and bacteria can be prevented from breeding.

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, an outer barrel 3 is sleeved outside the inner barrel 2, a mounting hole is formed in the bottom of the outer barrel 3, a bearing is mounted on the mounting hole, the connecting shaft penetrates through the outer barrel 3 and the bottom 24 of the inner barrel and is fixedly connected with the pulsator disk 21, the inner barrel 2 is connected with the outer barrel 3 through a rigid flange, so that the inner barrel 2 does not wear the outer barrel 3 when rotating, and the inner barrel 2 is ensured to rotate efficiently. A water outlet is further provided at the bottom end of the outer tub 3, and when the washing machine is dehydrating, water in the washing machine is discharged from the dehydration holes 251, enters the outer tub 3, and flows out through the water outlet.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a balance ring 4 is further disposed on the inner tub 2, and the balance ring 4 is used for balancing the rotation amplitude of the inner tub 2, so that the inner tub 2 rotates smoothly.

Further, as shown in fig. 1, the washing machine of the present invention further includes a suspension rod 5, the suspension rod 5 is located between the casing of the washing machine 1 and the outer tub 3, the upper end of the suspension rod 5 is suspended on the casing of the washing machine 1, the suspension rod 5 is used for damping the outer tub 3, when the inner tub 2 rotates, the suspension rod 5 can play a role in damping, so as to prevent the outer tub 3 and the inner tub 2 from rotating synchronously, and prevent the outer tub 3 and the inner tub 2 from colliding with each other, thereby protecting the components of the inner tub 2 from being complete, and ensuring the normal rotation of the inner tub 2.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine 1 is further provided with a door cover, and the door cover is provided with a door cover lock for locking the door cover, so that the door cover cannot be automatically opened when the washing machine washes, water in the washing machine is splashed, and the door cover can play a role of blocking when the washing machine dehydrates, so that water which is separated from the inner tub 2 can be ensured to enter the outer tub 3, and the water is conveniently discharged from the bottom end of the outer tub 3.

The present invention also provides an inner tub 2, the inner tub 2 being applied to the washing machine as described above, and since the inner tub 2 has all the features and advantages of the inner tub 2 in the washing machine as described above, it will not be described herein again.

The invention also provides a stirring impeller which is applied to the washing machine, and the stirring impeller has all the characteristics and advantages of the stirring impeller in the washing machine, so that the details are not repeated.

In summary, the washing machine, the inner tub and the pulsator disclosed in the present invention include: the device comprises an inner barrel, a stirring impeller and a driving mechanism, wherein the driving mechanism comprises a connecting shaft connected with the stirring impeller, the stirring impeller is fixedly arranged in the inner barrel, and the driving mechanism is used for driving the inner barrel to rotate. According to the invention, the stirring impeller is fixedly arranged in the inner barrel, and when the inner barrel is driven by the driving mechanism to rotate, the inner barrel can drive the stirring impeller to synchronously rotate, so that the washing function of the washing machine is realized by the rotation of the inner barrel and the stirring impeller; meanwhile, the circulating water channel is arranged in the inner barrel, so that the automatic circulation of water in the inner barrel is realized, and the spraying nozzle is arranged, so that the spraying of water in the inner barrel is realized, the cyclic utilization of water is realized, and the washing water can be saved; the stirring blades and the stirring bulges on the stirring impeller can play a role in stirring, so that the washing effect of the washing machine is enhanced, and the energy consumption is reduced; the inner tube and the stirring impeller rotate synchronously, so that resistance generated by the separate rotation of the inner tube and the stirring impeller is avoided, and energy consumption in the washing process is saved; the inner barrel is provided with dewatering holes, and the outer barrel is provided with a water outlet, so that the washing machine can drain water conveniently. Therefore, the invention saves the use of related components such as a circulating pump, a clutch, a dehydration valve and the like, simultaneously optimizes the structures of the inner barrel and the stirring impeller, simplifies the production process of the washing machine, saves the production cost, can realize the effects of washing, dehydration, spraying and the like under the condition of saving the cost, enhances the performance of the washing machine, and saves the energy consumption of the washing machine.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the examples described above, but that modifications and variations may be effected thereto by those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the foregoing description, and that all such modifications and variations are intended to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.