CN110387716B

CN110387716B - Drainage method for household appliance

Info

Publication number: CN110387716B
Application number: CN201810681304.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王士坤; 堀端裕司; 王皓宇
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-17
Filing date: 2018-06-27
Publication date: 2022-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-27
Also published as: CN110387717B; CN110387717A; CN208395501U; CN110387716A

Abstract

The invention provides a drainage method of a household appliance device, wherein the household appliance device comprises a water storage container, the water storage container is provided with a first water inlet used for introducing water into the water storage container and a drainage port used for draining the water in the water storage container, and the drainage method comprises the following steps: a water inlet step of introducing water into the water storage container from the first water inlet port with the drain port closed; a water discharge step of opening the water discharge port to discharge the water in the water storage container; and a defoaming step of defoaming the foam in the water storage container. A defoaming step is included in the drainage method, so that the adverse effect of the foam can be reduced.

Description

Drainage method of household appliance device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a drainage method for household appliances such as pulsator type, agitator type, drum type, and the like washing machines, washing and drying machines, spin-dryers, dish washers, and the like.

Background

In the use of household appliance devices such as washing machines, dishwashers, etc., it is common for users to use detergents. When a user improperly puts in too much detergent, it causes a large amount of foam to be generated during the operation of the home appliance devices. On the other hand, in order to make the home appliance devices more intelligent, a large number of sensors or detectors are used in the home appliance devices for controlling the operation of the home appliance devices. In some cases, the foam may cause a false detection by the sensor or detector, thereby affecting the proper operation of the household appliance device. It is desirable to mitigate the adverse effects of foam.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a drainage method for a household electrical appliance apparatus capable of reducing adverse effects of foam.

Means for solving the problems

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a drainage method of a home appliance apparatus including a water storage container formed with a first water inlet for introducing water into the water storage container and a drainage outlet for draining the water in the water storage container, the drainage method including: a water inlet step of introducing water into the water storage container from the first water inlet port with the drain port closed; a water discharge step of opening the water discharge port to discharge the water in the water storage container; and a defoaming step of defoaming the foam in the water storage container.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

With the drainage method of the present invention, since the defoaming step is performed after the drainage step, the adverse effect of the foam can be reduced.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a dehydration process of a washing machine to which the present invention can be applied.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a water discharging action of a washing machine to which the present invention can be applied.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a bubble removing action of a washing machine to which the present invention can be applied.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of the foam removing apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic operation diagram showing the 1 st example of the foam removing apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing 1 st example of the foam removing device of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is another action diagram showing the 1 st example of the foam removing apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic operation diagram showing a 2 nd example of the foam removing apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic operation diagram showing a 3 rd example of the foam removing apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic operation diagram showing the 4 th example of the foam removing apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a schematic structural view showing a 4 th example of the foam removing apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a drainage method of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing one specific example of the drainage method of the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a 1 st water inlet valve; 2: a 2 nd water inlet valve; 3: an air valve; 4: a laundry treating tank; 5: clothing; 6: a laundry treating tub seal; 7: 1, washing water; 8: a water inlet (first water inlet); 9: a spraying device; 10: an air outlet; 11: an air pump; 12: a drain valve; 13: a water storage container; 14: 2 nd washing water; 15: 1 st detection electrode (water level detection means); 16: the 2 nd detection electrode (water level detection means); 17: a bottom surface; 18: a second hole; 19: spraying water flow; 20: a 1 st dewatering pipeline; 21: a drain line; 22: foaming; 23: a 2 nd dehydration pipeline; 24: a water outlet; 25: a water inlet (second water inlet); 26: a machine door; 27: a water inlet pipeline; 28: side water flow; 29: tumbling the water stream; 30: a rotary blade (second rotary blade); 31: a rotating shaft; 32: a baffle plate; 33: a first hole; 34: a rotary blade (first rotary blade); 35: an electric motor; 111: a foam removal device; 1111: a foam refining device; 1112: a foam rolling device.

Detailed Description

Next, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As one example of a home appliance device to which the present invention can be applied, fig. 1 to 3 show a washing machine that can wash, rinse, and dehydrate laundry, etc. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be applied to laundry treatment devices such as pulsator type, agitator type, drum type, etc., washing machines, washing and drying machines, and spin-dryers. In addition, the present invention can be applied to other household appliances such as a dishwasher. In other words, the present invention can be applied to any household electrical appliance that includes a water storage container having a water inlet and a water outlet and requires water to be discharged from the water storage container.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, a suction dehydration system is employed in the washing machine. Hereinafter, the relevant portions of the suction dewatering system will be mainly described, and the description of the other portions of the washing machine will be omitted. The structure of other parts of the washing machine may be any one known in the art.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a dehydration process of a washing machine to which the present invention can be applied. As shown in fig. 1, the washing machine may mainly include a laundry treating tub 4, a laundry treating tub sealing member 6, an air pump 11, a water storage container 13, and a door 26. The washing machine further includes a control unit, not shown, for controlling the operation of the washing machine.

Wherein, the air pump 11 is communicated with the clothes treating tank 4 via a dewatering pipeline composed of a 1 st dewatering pipeline 20 and a 2 nd dewatering pipeline 23, and the water storage container 13 is arranged on the dewatering pipeline and is positioned between the clothes treating tank 4 and the air pump 11.

The laundry treatment tub 4 may be formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having an open upper end (for example, a bottomed cylindrical shape, a bottomed square cylindrical shape, or a bottomed polygonal cylindrical shape, that is, "cylindrical shape" is not limited to a cylinder and includes a square cylinder, a polygonal cylinder, and the like unless otherwise specified in the present application). When in use, laundry 5 in laundry treatment tub 4 is washed and rinsed by driving laundry treatment tub 4 to rotate by a motor, not shown. In addition, the laundry treating tub 4 is also communicated with a pipeline provided with a 2 nd feed valve 2 and an air valve 3, which are opened and closed by a control unit, respectively. The 2 nd inlet valve 2 may be connected to a tap of household tap water, etc., and when the 2 nd inlet valve 2 is opened, water may be supplied into the laundry treating tub 4. The air valve 3 may be connected to the atmosphere, and when the air valve 3 is opened, air may be supplied into the laundry treating tub 4 to increase the air pressure in the laundry treating tub 4. A drain port communicating with the 2 nd dehydration pipe 23 is further provided at the bottom of the laundry treatment tub 4, and the washing water in the laundry treatment tub 4 can be poured into the water storage tank 13 through the drain port, the 2 nd dehydration pipe 23, and a water inlet 8 of the water storage tank 13 described later.

The door 26 may be installed at a top frame of the washing machine and may rotate with one end as a base point to open and close an upper end opening of the laundry treating tub 4, so that a user may put laundry to be washed into the laundry treating tub 4 or take washed laundry out of the laundry treating tub 4.

The laundry treatment tub seal 6 may be attached to the door 26 at a position closer to the laundry treatment tub 4, and may have a substantially disk shape similar to the shape of the door 26, or a shape in which a central portion of the substantially disk is recessed toward the bottom of the laundry treatment tub 4, and may be formed of a material such as resin that can be elastically deformed. In a state where the upper end opening of the laundry treatment tub 4 is closed by the door 26, the outer peripheral edge of the laundry treatment tub seal 6 is air-tightly sandwiched between the door 26 and the upper end opening of the laundry treatment tub 4, thereby forming a closed space in the laundry treatment tub 4. Further, the side of the laundry treating tub seal 6 opposite to the laundry treating tub 4 communicates with the atmosphere through a slit or an opening or the like in the door 26.

The water reservoir 13 may be provided with a water inlet 8, a gas outlet 10 and a water outlet 24. As described above, the water inlet 8 is located above the water storage tank 13 and communicates with the laundry treating tub 4 via the 2 nd drain line 23 and the drain port at the bottom of the laundry treating tub 4. The air outlet 10 is located at the upper part of the water storage container 13 and is communicated with the air pump 11 through a 1 st dewatering pipeline 20. The drain port 24 is located at the bottom of the water storage tank 13 and communicates with the drain valve 12 via the drain line 21.

In the water storage tank 13, gas enters from the water inlet 8 and is discharged through the gas outlet 10 and the 1 st dehydration pipe 20, and liquid enters from the water inlet 8 and accumulates in the lower portion of the water storage tank 13 due to gravity, thereby achieving gas-liquid separation. The liquid accumulated in the water storage container 13 can be finally discharged to the outside of the washing machine through the drain port 24, the drain line 21 and the drain valve 12.

In this example, the drain valve 12 has a structure that becomes airtight when closed, so as to hermetically isolate the inside of the dehydration system from the atmosphere when performing suction dehydration. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, when the drainage mode of the water storage tank 13 is the upper drainage mode, that is, when the water storage tank 13 drains to a higher position, the drain valve 12 may be replaced with a general drain pump, but a check valve needs to be provided on the drain line 21 on the front side or the rear side of the drain pump. Preferably, the check valve is provided at a front side of the drain pump. The one-way valve can realize sealing to gas and liquid. The check valve is conductive in a direction from the water storage tank 13 toward the drain pump and is non-conductive in the reverse direction. When the water is sucked and dehydrated, the one-way valve is automatically closed under the action of negative pressure, and the airtight isolation between the water storage container 13 and the atmosphere is realized. When the dewatering is completed, the negative pressure in the water storage container 13 disappears, and the check valve automatically opens under the action of the gravity of the 2 nd washing water 14 in the water storage container 13, so that the water storage container 13 and the drainage pump are communicated. Instead of the check valve, a valve body whose opening and closing are controlled by a control unit may be used.

In addition, a water level detection device may be provided in the water storage tank 13. The water level detecting means may include a 1 st and a 2

nd detecting electrodes

15 and 16 installed at a sidewall of the water storage container 13 for detecting the position of water within the water storage container 13. In this water level detection device, the 1 st detection electrode 15 is attached to a side wall of the water storage tank 13 at a position near the bottom, and the 2 nd detection electrode 16 is attached to a side wall of the water storage tank 13 at a position near the upper end. When the water level in the water storage tank 13 reaches the mounting position of the 2 nd detection electrode 16, the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16 are electrically connected by water. Therefore, the control unit may determine whether the water level in the water storage container 13 reaches a predetermined position by detecting whether the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16 are conducted. That is, the mounting position of the 2 nd detection electrode 16 corresponds to a predetermined position.

Further, when bubbles exist in the water storage container 13, even if the water level in the water storage container 13 does not reach the installation position of the 2 nd detection electrode 16, if bubbles floating on the water surface contact the 2 nd detection electrode 16, the bubbles can conduct between the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16 together with the water. Therefore, as will be described in detail below, the bubbles may cause the water level detection apparatus to falsely detect.

The air pump 11 may be a negative pressure pump having a negative pressure suction function for vacuuming the inside of the laundry treating tub 4 during the dehydration.

In addition, the washing machine further includes a shower device 9 as one example of the bubble removing device 111. The shower apparatus 9 is connected to a water inlet pipe 27 via a water inlet 25, and a 1 st inlet valve 1 controlled by a control unit to open and close is provided in the water inlet pipe 27. The 1 st water inlet valve 1 is connected to a tap of household tap water or the like, and when the 1 st water inlet valve 1 is opened, water can be supplied into the shower device 9. The foam removing device 111 and the shower device 9 will be described in detail later.

The dewatering system of the washing machine having the above-described structure will be described below. When the washing machine completes the washing and rinsing processes and starts the dehydration process, the control unit controls the 1 st water inlet valve 1, the 2 nd water inlet valve 2, the gas valve 3, and the drain valve 12 to be in a closed state. After that, the control unit controls the air pump 11 to start operating. At this time, the laundry treating tub 4 and the water reservoir 13 are communicated with each other through the 2 nd dehydration pipe 23 to form a sealed space.

With the continuous operation of the air pump 11, air is continuously pumped out from the air outlet 10, and the pressure inside the laundry treating tub 4 and the water storage container 13 becomes negative pressure. At this time, the atmospheric pressure received by the outer surface of the laundry treatment tub seal 6 is higher than the pressure received by the inner surface of the laundry treatment tub 4, and the laundry treatment tub seal 6 is elastically deformed toward the bottom wall of the laundry treatment tub 4 along the side wall of the cylindrical laundry treatment tub 4 by the pressure difference, thereby pressing the laundry 5 in the laundry treatment tub 4 toward the bottom wall of the laundry treatment tub 4 and squeezing out the 1 st washing water 7.

As shown in fig. 1, the 1 st washing water 7 enters the 2 nd dewatering line 23 together with the air in the laundry treatment tub 4 through a drain port provided in the bottom of the laundry treatment tub 4 by the negative pressure, and flows into the water storage tank 13 through the water inlet port 8.

In the process, the control unit detects the on-off between the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16 in real time. When the 2 nd washing water 14 in the water storage container 13 does not reach the predetermined position, the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16 are not conducted, and the air pump 11 is continuously operated. When the control unit detects the conduction between the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16 as the height of the 2 nd washing water 14 in the water storage container 13 continuously rises, it is determined that the 2 nd washing water 14 in the water storage container 13 reaches the predetermined position. At this time, the control unit controls the air pump 11 to stop its operation, and starts the water discharge operation in the water storage tank 13.

As shown in fig. 2, when starting the water discharge operation, the control unit controls the 1 st water inlet valve 1, the 2 nd water inlet valve 2, and the air pump 11 to be in a closed state, and controls the air valve 3 and the water discharge valve 12 to be in an open state. At this time, the 2 nd washing water 14 in the water storage tank 13 flows out to the outside of the washing machine through the drain line 21 and the drain valve 12. Meanwhile, the air valve 3 in the open state supplies air into the water storage container 13 through the clothes treating tank 4 and the 2 nd dewatering pipeline 23, and the air pressure balance in the water storage container 13 is adjusted, so that the 2 nd washing water 14 in the water storage container 13 can be smoothly discharged.

If the user does not properly input too much detergent, a large amount of bubbles are mixed in the 1 st washing water 7, and a large amount of detergent remains in the 1 st washing water 7. When the mixture of the 1 st washing water 7 and the gas enters the water storage container 13, a part of bubbles are generated again by the mixing action of the washing water containing the detergent and the gas, and the bubbles and bubbles (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "bubbles 22") sucked from the laundry treating tub 4 float on the upper side of the 2 nd washing water 14 stored in the water storage container 13. As shown in fig. 3, even after the completion of the water discharge operation, the foams 22 remain in the water storage tank 13 and are difficult to be discharged smoothly.

If the above-described water supply operation is performed again directly after the above-described water discharge operation is completed, the bubbles 22 remaining in the water storage tank 13 rapidly rise to the position of the 2 nd detection electrode 16 as the washing water enters the water storage tank 13 again, and the control unit determines that the water level in the water storage tank 13 reaches the predetermined position, and then the water discharge operation is performed again. This causes the water supply operation and the water discharge operation to be switched at an abnormally high frequency, which is time-consuming and energy-consuming.

To avoid this, in the present invention, as shown in fig. 3, the foam 22 in the water storage tank 13 is subjected to a foam removal operation after the completion of the water discharge operation, thereby reducing the adverse effect of the foam. As a specific example of the foam removing operation, as shown in fig. 3, the 1 st water inlet valve 1 is opened, water is supplied into the shower unit 9 through the water inlet pipe 27 and the water inlet 25, and the supplied water drops from the shower unit 9 to form a shower water flow 19, thereby removing the foam 22 remaining in the water storage tank 13. During this time, the drain valve 12 is opened and water flows out to the outside of the washing machine via the drain line 21.

Hereinafter, the foam removal, which is the focus of the present invention, will be described in detail.

As shown in fig. 4, the washing machine includes a bubble removing device 111 for removing bubbles in the water storage container 13. The foam removing means 111 may include a foam thinning means 1111 for breaking up the foam in the water storage container 13 to be smaller foam and a foam entrainment means 1112 for forming a tumbling water flow in the water storage container 13 to entrain the foam into the water stored in the water storage container 13. Several examples of the foam removing device 111 will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 5-11. Wherein in these figures the water flow direction is shown by means of arrows.

Example 1

Fig. 5 to 7 show a foam removing device 111 of example 1. In this example, as shown in fig. 5 to 7, the foam removing device 111 includes a shower device 9 provided at the top of the water storage container 13. The shower device 9 serves as a foam thinning device 1111 by forming a shower water flow 19 to break up the foam, and further serves as a foam entrainment device 1112 by forming a side water flow 28 to form a tumbling water flow 29 in the water storage tank 13.

As shown in fig. 5 to 6, the shower unit 9 may be formed with a water inlet 25 (second water inlet) for introducing water into the shower unit 9, and a first hole 33 and a plurality of second holes 18 which communicate with the water inlet 25 and are provided in the bottom surface 17 opposite to the water storage container 13.

Referring to fig. 1, the inlet 25 communicates with an inlet line 27 provided with the 1 st inlet valve 1, and when the 1 st inlet valve 1 is opened, water can be supplied into the shower device 9 through the inlet line 27 and the inlet 25. As shown in fig. 5-6, the water inlet 25 may be formed in the side of the shower unit 9 of the box-like structure. However, the position of the water inlet 25 is not limited thereto, but may be formed at an arbitrary position.

The first hole 33 is provided at a position of the bottom surface 17 close to the side surface of the water storage tank 13, and water falling from the first hole 33 flows into the water storage tank 13 along the side surface of the water storage tank 13 to form a side water flow 28. As shown in fig. 6, the first hole 33 has an elongated shape and an area larger than that of the second hole 18. The first hole 33 is provided adjacent to the water inlet 25, and the drain opening of the water storage container 13 is provided on the side (right side in fig. 5) opposite to the side (left side in fig. 5) where the water inlet 25 and the first hole 33 are provided, so that the side water flow 28 can smoothly flow out of the drain opening.

The second holes 18 are distributed over most of the area of the bottom surface 17, are circular, and have an area smaller than that of the first holes 33. The water flowing from the second hole 18 into the water storage container 13 forms a shower water flow 19. In order to achieve a more uniform spray throughout the water reservoir 13, as shown in fig. 6, it may be configured such that the density of the second holes 18 increases as going away from the water inlet 25 (toward the right side of fig. 6).

A baffle 32 projecting upward is also provided on the bottom surface 17 between the first hole 33 and the second hole 18. The baffle 32 serves to block water flowing from the water inlet 25 into the shower arrangement 9 to avoid that the water passes directly over the first holes 33 so that the side stream 28 has too little water. By providing this baffle 32, a part of the water flows into the first hole 33, and another part of the water enters the inside of the shower device 9 from both ends and the upper side position of the baffle 32 and flows into the second hole 18.

It should be noted that the number, structure, position, and the like of the first holes 33, the second holes 18, and the baffle 32 are not limited to the above-described examples, but may be arbitrarily set. Alternatively, the first hole 33 may be provided on the opposite side to the water inlet 25, i.e., on the right side in fig. 5, and the drain port of the water tank 13 may be provided on the water inlet 25, i.e., on the left side in fig. 5. Preferably, in order to allow the side water stream 28 to smoothly flow out, the first hole 33 may be provided at a position close to a side surface of the water storage tank 13 opposite to the side where the drain port is located. Alternatively, the second holes 18 may be irregularly arranged, and may include a plurality of second holes 18 having different sizes. When the second holes 18 include a plurality of kinds of second holes 18 different in size, it may be arranged that the area of the second holes 18 increases as it goes away from the water inlet 25.

As shown in fig. 5, when the foam removing operation is required, the 1 st water inlet valve 1 is opened to supply water into the shower unit 9, and the side water flow 28 and the shower water flow 19 are formed through the first hole 33 and the second hole 18, respectively. The spray water stream 19 will spray on the foam 22, and the foam 22 will be broken up by the spray water stream 19, and the larger foam will become a number of fine foams. The side water flow 28 enters the bottom of the water storage container 13 along the side wall of the water storage container 13 to form a tumbling water flow 29. The dispersed foam is entrained into the water 14 stored in the water storage tank 13 by the tumble flow 29 and then discharged from the drain line 21 through the drain valve 12.

When the water 14 stored in the water storage tank 13 is small, the side water flow 28 flows along the bottom of the water storage tank 13 as shown in fig. 7, and the bubbles remaining in the water storage tank 13 are flushed away and discharged from the drain line 21.

As described above, the combination of the shower water flow 19 and the side water flow 28 formed by the shower device 9 can effectively remove the foam in the water storage container 13, and avoid the adverse effect of the foam.

Example 2

Fig. 8 shows a foam removing apparatus 111 of example 2. In this example, instead of providing the first holes 33 in the bottom surface 17 of the shower device 9 to form the side water flow in example 1, a rotary blade 30 (second rotary blade) rotatable about an axis parallel to the horizontal plane is provided as the foam entanglement unit 1112 in the water storage tank 13. The remaining components of the 2 nd example are the same as or similar to those of the 1 st example, and the same or similar components as those of the 1 st example are designated with the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

As shown in fig. 8, a rotary blade 30 is provided in the water storage tank 13, a rotation shaft 31 of the rotary blade 30 is fixed to a side surface of the water storage tank 13 and is parallel to a horizontal plane, and the rotary blade 30 is freely rotatable around the rotation shaft 31. It should be noted that the parallel described herein is not limited to the strict parallel, but also includes the case of forming a certain angle with respect to the horizontal plane without affecting the generation of the tumbling water stream 29. Furthermore, in this example, the rotating blades 30 are driven to rotate by the shower water flow 19. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured such that the rotary blade 30 is driven to rotate by using another power source or a motor separately provided for the rotary blade 30.

As shown in fig. 8, when the foam removing operation is required, the 1 st water inlet valve 1 is opened to supply water into the shower unit 9, and a shower water flow 19 is formed through the second hole 18. A portion of the spray stream 19 is sprayed onto the foam 22, and the foam 22 is broken up by the spray stream 19, with the larger foam turning into a number of fine bubbles. Another portion of the spray stream 19 is sprayed onto the rotating blades 30 causing the rotating blades 30 to begin to rotate about the axis of rotation 31 and form a tumbling stream 29. The dispersed foam is entrained into the water 14 stored in the water storage tank 13 by the tumble flow 29 and then discharged from the drain line 21 through the drain valve 12.

As described above, the bubbles in the water storage container 13 can be effectively removed by the combined action of the shower water flow 19 formed by the shower device 9 and the tumble water flow 29 formed by the rotary blade 30, and the adverse effect of the bubbles can be avoided.

Example 3

Fig. 9 shows a foam removing device 111 of example 3. In this example, the 1 st and 2 nd examples are combined, that is, the first hole 33 and the rotary blade 30 are provided at the same time, and the side water flow and the rotation of the rotary blade are used to form the tumbling water flow, so that the two tumbling water flows act at the same time. The remaining components of example 3 are the same as or similar to those of examples 1 and 2, and the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components as those of examples 1 and 2, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

As shown in fig. 9, a first hole 33 is provided in the bottom surface 17 of the shower device 9 at a position close to the side surface of the water storage tank 13, and a rotary blade 30 rotatable about an axis parallel to the horizontal plane is also provided in the water storage tank 13. Thereby, while the tumble flow 29 is formed by the side flow 28 formed by the first hole 33, the tumble flow 29 is also formed by the rotation of the rotary blade 30 about the rotary shaft 31. The foam dispersed by the shower water flow 19 is entrained into the water 14 stored in the water storage tank 13 by the combined action of the two tumble water flows 29, and then discharged from the drain line 21 via the drain valve 12.

As described above, the bubbles in the water storage container 13 can be more effectively removed by the combined action of the tumble flow 29 formed by the first holes 33 and the rotary blades 30, and the adverse effect of the bubbles can be avoided.

Example 4

Fig. 10 to 11 show a foam removing device 111 of example 4. In this example, instead of providing the second holes 18 in the shower device 9 to form the shower water flow 19 in the examples 1 to 3, a rotary blade 34 (first rotary blade) rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane is provided in the water storage tank 13 to serve as the foam refining device 1111. The remaining components of example 4 are the same as or similar to those of examples 1 to 3, and the same or similar components as those of examples 1 to 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

As shown in fig. 10, compared with the shower apparatus shown in fig. 5, the second holes 18 and the baffle 32 are not formed on the bottom surface 17 of the shower apparatus 9, but only the first holes 33 are remained, and the water falling from the first holes 33 flows into the water storage container 13 along the side surface of the water storage container 13 to form the side surface water stream 28. The side water flow 28 enters the bottom of the water storage container 13 along the side wall of the water storage container 13 to form a tumbling water flow 29.

Further, a rotary blade 34 rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane is provided in the water storage tank 13, and the rotary blade 34 is rotated by the power of a motor 35 provided outside the water storage tank 13. The vertical direction described here is not limited to a strict vertical direction, and includes a case where the foam is not broken down even if the angle is set at a certain angle with respect to the vertical direction. Further, in this example, the rotary blade 34 is driven to rotate by a separately provided motor 35. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be configured to utilize the side stream 28 or other power source to drive the rotation of the rotating blades 34.

As shown in fig. 11, an example of a specific structure of the above-described rotary blade 34 is that each blade is formed in a comb-like shape, and teeth are formed on both upper and lower sides, the teeth on the upper side are formed corresponding to the teeth on the lower side, and the length of the teeth on the upper side is shorter than the length of the teeth on the lower side. Although fig. 11 shows a case where four blades and four teeth are formed for each blade, the number of blades and teeth is not limited thereto, but may be any number other than that. Also, the shape of the rotary blade 34 is not limited, and the length of the upper teeth may be longer than the length of the lower teeth, or the teeth may be parallel to the bottom surface of the water storage tank 13.

As shown in fig. 10, when the foam removing operation is required, the motor 35 is started to rotate the rotary blade 34. At the same time, the 1 st water inlet valve 1 is opened to supply water into the shower unit 9, and the side water flow 28 is formed through the first hole 33. The rotating blades 34 rotate about an axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane, stirring the foam 22, and breaking up the foam 22. The dispersed foam is entrained into the water 14 stored in the water storage tank 13 by the tumble flow 29 and then discharged from the drain line 21 through the drain valve 12.

As described above, under the combined action of the side water flow 28 formed by the spraying device 9 and the rotating blades 34, the foam in the water storage container 13 can be effectively removed, and the adverse effect of the foam can be avoided.

Other modifications

In the above example, the foam removing device 111 includes both the foam thinning device 1111 and the foam rolling-in device 1112. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the foam removing means 111 may include only the foam refinement means 1111 or the foam entanglement means 1112. As an example, only the shower device 9 shown in fig. 8 or the rotary blade 34 shown in fig. 10 may be provided as the foam thinning device 1111, or only the shower device 9 shown in fig. 10 or the rotary blade 30 shown in fig. 9 may be provided as the foam roll-in device 1112. In this case, although the foam removal speed is reduced compared to examples 1 to 4, the foam in the water storage container 13 can be effectively removed as well.

Further, optionally, the foam removing device 111 may also comprise a rotating blade rotatable about an axis at an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. The rotating blade can stir foams and form rolling water flow when rotating.

Further, in the above example, the shower device 9 is formed in a box-like structure. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the shower device 9 may have another configuration. For example, the shower device 9 may be formed as a tubular structure, and a first hole and a second hole are formed in the bottom of the tubular structure.

Hereinafter, a water discharge method according to the present invention including a bubble removing operation by the bubble removing device 111 having the above-described structure will be described in detail.

As shown in fig. 12, the drainage method of the present invention may include a water inlet step S100, a drainage step S200, and a bubble removal step S300. In the water supply step S100, when the drain port of the water tank 13 is closed, water is introduced into the water tank 13 through the water inlet port 8. In the water discharge step S200, the water discharge port of the water storage tank 13 is opened to discharge the water in the water storage tank 13. In the bubble removal step S300, bubbles in the water storage tank are removed by the bubble removal device 111. After the bubble removing step S300 is completed, if the drainage is not completed, it may return to the water inlet step S100 again.

The bubble removing step S300 may include at least one of a bubble thinning step S301 for scattering the bubbles inside the water storage container 13 to become smaller bubbles and a bubble rolling-in step S302 for forming the tumble water flow 29 inside the water storage container 13 to roll the bubbles into the water stored inside the water storage container 13. In the foam refinement step S301, the foam refinement device 1111 sprays water on the foam and/or stirs the foam to break up the foam. In the bubble entrainment step S302, the bubble entrainment device 1112 forms a water flow flowing into the water storage tank 13 along the side wall of the water storage tank 13 and/or agitates the water stored in the water storage tank 13 to form the tumble water flow 29.

Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of a specific example as a drainage method of the present invention with reference to fig. 13. This specific example is a drainage method in the case where the bubble removing device shown in fig. 5 is applied to the washing machine shown in fig. 1. The draining method is implemented by causing a control unit in the washing machine shown in fig. 1 to execute a pre-stored program. Steps S1301-1303 correspond to the water inlet step S100, steps S1304-1307, S1311, and 1313-1315 correspond to the water discharge step S200, and steps S1316-1321, and steps S1323-1327 correspond to the bubble removal step S300.

The drainage method shown in fig. 13 is started when the washing machine shown in fig. 1 completes the washing and rinsing process and starts the dewatering process. At this time, the control unit controls the 1 st feed valve 1, the 2 nd feed valve 2, the gas valve 3, and the drain valve 12 to be in a closed state. After that, in step S1301, the control unit controls the air pump 11 to start operating. In step S1302, the control unit starts timing the air pump operation time T1. In step S1303, the control unit continues to determine whether the air pump operation time T1 reaches the set value (third predetermined time). When the control unit determines that the air pump operation time T1 reaches the set value, the flow advances to step S1304. When the control unit determines that the pump operation time T1 has not reached the set value, the flow advances to step S1310. The setting value used in step S1303 may be set by experiments in advance, and may be set as a time during which all the washing water in the laundry treating tub 4 can be drained by the continuous operation of the air pump 11 for the length of time.

In step S1310, the control unit detects the on/off between the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16 in real time. When the control unit detects conduction between the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16, the flow advances to step S1311. When the control unit does not detect conduction between the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16, the flow returns to step S1303.

In step S1311, the control unit controls the air pump 11 to stop operating, suspends the timing of the air pump operating time T1 in step S1312, and then starts the water discharge operation in the water storage tank 13. In step S1313, the control unit opens the water discharge valve 12, and counts the operation water discharge time T2 of the water discharge valve 12 in step S1314. In step S1315, the control unit continuously determines whether the operation drain time T2 of the drain valve 12 reaches a set value (fourth predetermined time). When the control unit determines that the operation drain time T2 reaches the set value, the flow advances to step S1316 to start the foam removal operation. The set value used in step S1315 may be set by experiment in advance, and may be set to a time during which all the water in the water storage tank 13 can be discharged by the continuous opening of the drain valve 12 for that length of time.

In step S1316, the control unit opens the 1 st water inlet valve 1. As described above, at this time, the shower device 9 starts to generate the shower water flow 19 and the side water flow 28, thereby removing the bubbles in the water storage tank 13. In step S1317, the control unit counts the continuous opening time of the 1 st water inlet valve 1, that is, the bubble removing duration T3. In step S1318, the control unit determines whether the bubble removal duration T3 reaches a set value (first predetermined time). When the control unit determines that the bubble removal duration T3 reaches the set value, the flow advances to step S1319. The setting value used in step S1318 may be set by experiments in advance, and may be set to a time during which most of the bubbles in the water storage tank 13 can be removed by the 1 st feed valve 1 being continuously opened for the length of time.

During the execution of steps S1316 to S1318, the drain valve 12 may be kept open or may be closed and then opened. Alternatively, the water storage container 13 may be configured to continuously perform the water discharge operation while keeping the water discharge valve 12 open all the time while shower water injection is performed. It may be set such that the drain valve 12 is closed first when the shower water injection is started, and the drain valve 12 is opened when a set condition is satisfied (for example, the defoaming duration T3 reaches a set value).

In step S1319, the control unit closes the 1 st water inlet valve 1. At this time, if the drain valve 12 is in the closed state, the control unit also opens the drain valve 12 at this step. In step S1320, the control unit counts the operation drain time T2 of the drain valve 12. In step S1321, the control unit continuously determines whether the operation drain time T2 of the drain valve 12 reaches a set value (a second predetermined time). When the control unit determines that the running water discharge time T2 reaches the set value, the flow advances to step S1322, and at step S1322, the control unit closes the water discharge valve 12, and the flow then returns to step S1301. The setting values used in step S1321 may be the same as the setting values used in step S1315.

During the foam removal action, when the water inlet pressure at the water inlet 25 is too high, the water inlet speed may be greater than the water discharge speed, which may cause water to accumulate in the water storage container 13. If the volume of the water storage tank 13 is relatively small, the water in the water storage tank 13 may overflow into the air outlet 10 and further enter the air pump 11, which may cause the air pump to be damaged.

To prevent this problem, the control unit repeatedly performs step S1323 until the bubble removal duration T3 does not reach the set value. In step S1323, the control unit detects the on/off between the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16 in real time. When the control unit detects conduction between the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16, the flow advances to step S1324. In step S1324, the control unit closes the 1 st water inlet valve 1, and suspends the counting of the defoaming duration T3 in step S1325. At this time, if the discharge valve 12 is in a closed state, the control unit also opens the discharge valve 12 at the same time. In step S1326, the control unit starts counting the running drainage time T2. In step S1327, the control unit continuously determines whether the operation drain time T2 of the drain valve 12 reaches the set value. When the control unit determines that the operation drainage time T2 reaches the set value, the flow returns to step S1316 to continue the foam removal operation. The setting values used in step S1327 may be the same as the setting values used in step S1315.

And finishing the circulation of water inlet, water discharge and bubble removal. And then, continuously and repeatedly starting the next cycle, and simultaneously, continuously timing the air pump running time T1 by the control unit on the basis of the count value of the last cycle. When the control unit determines in step S1303 that the air pump operation time T1 reaches the set value, the flow advances to step S1304. In step S1304, the control unit controls the air pump 11 to stop operation and starts the water discharge operation. In step S1305, the control unit opens the discharge valve 12. In step S1306, the control unit starts counting the running drainage time T2. In step S1307, the control unit continuously determines whether the operation drain time T2 of the drain valve 12 reaches the set value (fourth predetermined time). When the control unit determines that the running drainage time T2 reaches the set value, the flow proceeds to step S1308, the control unit closes the drain valve 12, and the dehydration process is ended in step S1309. The setting values used in step S1307 may be the same as the setting values used in step S1315.

Alternatively, as shown by the dotted arrow in fig. 13, in order to prevent a small amount of foam from remaining in the water storage container 13 after the dehydration process is completed, the flow may enter step S1316 after the operation drainage time T2 reaches the set value, and the foam removal operation shown by the part inside the dotted frame is performed again, and after the foam removal operation is completed, the drain valve 12 is closed and the entire dehydration process is completed.

The above-illustrated flow charts are merely examples, and the drainage method of the present invention is not limited thereto.

Alternatively, if the volume of the water storage container 13 is large enough, it may not be necessary to provide a water level detection device, and it may be set to operate the air pump 11 for a set time continuously, then close the air pump 11, open the drain valve 12, continue to drain for the set time, then perform a foam removal action as described above, close the drain valve 12, and complete the entire drainage action.

In the example of fig. 13, the operation is switched on the condition that T1, T2, and T3 have reached the set values. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation switching may be performed based on other conditions. For example, in step S1303, the control unit may determine whether the sensor provided at the bottom of the laundry treating tub 4 detects water, and if water is detected, the flow proceeds to S1310, and if water is not detected, the flow proceeds to S1304.

In the example of fig. 13, the same setting values are used for the determinations in steps S1307, S1315, S1321, and S1327. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and different set values may be used for the determination in these steps.

In the example of fig. 13, the control unit continuously determines whether the operation drain time T2 of the drain valve 12 reaches the set value (the second predetermined time) in step S1321. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one or more still operations may be added in step S1321, that is, the discharge valve 12 is temporarily closed and the operation discharge time T2 is temporarily suspended, and after a certain still time elapses, the discharge valve 12 is opened again and the operation discharge time T2 is continuously measured.

In the example of fig. 13, the same water level detection device including the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16 is used for the determination in steps S1310, S1323. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and different water level detecting devices may be used. For example, a first water level detection means and a second water level detection means having different detection thresholds may be provided, and the first water level detection means may be used to determine whether the water level in the water storage container 13 reaches a first predetermined position in step S1323, and the second water level detection means may be used to determine whether the water level in the water storage container 13 reaches a second predetermined position in step S1310. The first predetermined position and the second predetermined position are both set lower than the water inlet 8, the air outlet 10, and the water inlet 25. Alternatively, the first predetermined position may be set higher than the second predetermined position.

In the present invention, by providing the foam removing device 111 in the household appliance device such as the laundry treating device, the dish washer, etc., and removing the foam in the water storage container by using the foam removing device 111 after the water intake and drainage actions of the water storage container, it is possible to effectively reduce the adverse effect of the foam, for example, to avoid the high frequency switching of the water intake action and the water drainage action described above.

The present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, another embodiment in which the constituent elements described in the present specification are arbitrarily combined and some of the constituent elements are excluded may be used as an embodiment of the present invention. Further, a modification example in which various modifications that may occur to those skilled in the art are applied to the above-described embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention and the meaning of the terms described in the claims is also included in the present invention.

Claims

1. A drainage method of a home appliance apparatus including a water storage container formed with a first water inlet for introducing water into the water storage container and a water outlet for discharging the water from the water storage container, the drainage method comprising:

a water inlet step of introducing water into the water storage container from the first water inlet port with the drain port closed;

a water discharge step of opening the water discharge port to discharge the water in the water storage container; and

a bubble removing step of removing bubbles in the water storage container,

the water storage container is also provided with a second water level detection device for detecting whether the water level in the water storage container reaches a second preset position or not, the second water level detection device is arranged at a position lower than the first water inlet,

in the step of water inlet, when the second water level detection device detects that the water level in the water storage container reaches the second preset position, the first water inlet is closed, the step of water discharge is switched, then the step of bubble removal is carried out, and the step of water inlet is returned after the step of bubble removal is finished.

2. A drainage method of a home appliance apparatus including a water storage container formed with a first water inlet for introducing water into the water storage container and a water outlet for discharging the water from the water storage container, the drainage method comprising:

a bubble removing step of removing bubbles in the water storage container,

the household appliance apparatus is a laundry treating apparatus,

the laundry treating apparatus further includes:

a clothes treating tank having a bottomed tubular shape for accommodating clothes;

a laundry treating tub sealing member for sealing the laundry treating tub; and

an air pump with negative pressure air suction function, communicated with the clothing processing groove through a dewatering pipeline and used for vacuumizing the clothing processing groove during dewatering,

the water storage container is arranged on the dewatering pipeline and is positioned between the clothes treating tank and the air pump,

the water draining method is performed in a dehydration process of the clothes treatment device,

in the water inlet step, the air pump is continuously operated for a third preset time,

in the draining step, the air pump is stopped, and the drain port is continuously opened for a fourth predetermined time.

3. A drainage method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the foam removing step includes a foam thinning step for breaking up the foam in the water storage container to become smaller foam.

4. A drainage method according to claim 3, wherein in the foam refinement step, the foam is dispersed by spraying water on the foam and/or stirring the foam.

5. The drainage method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bubble removing step includes a bubble rolling-in step for forming a tumbling water flow in the water storage container to roll in bubbles into water stored in the water storage container.

6. The draining method according to claim 5, wherein in the bubble rolling-in step, the water flow flowing into the water storage container along the side wall of the water storage container is formed, and/or the water stored in the water storage container is stirred to form the tumbling water flow.

7. A method of draining water according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the household appliance device is further provided with a second water inlet, which when opened is capable of supplying water into the water reservoir to break up foam and/or form a tumbling stream,

in the bubble removing step, the second water inlet is continuously/intermittently opened for a first predetermined time.

8. The draining method according to claim 7, wherein in the defoaming step, after the second water inlet is continuously/intermittently opened for the first predetermined time, the second water inlet is closed, and the drain opening is continuously/intermittently opened for a second predetermined time.

9. The drainage method according to claim 7, wherein in the defoaming step, the drainage port is kept open during the first predetermined time in which the second water inlet is continuously/intermittently opened.

10. The draining method according to claim 7, wherein the water storage container is further provided with a first water level detecting means for detecting whether the water level inside the water storage container reaches a first predetermined position, the first water level detecting means being provided at a position lower than the first water inlet and the second water inlet,

in the bubble removing step, during the period that the second water inlet is continuously opened for the first preset time, if the first water level detection device detects that the water level in the water storage container reaches the first preset position, the second water inlet is closed, and the water outlet is opened.