CN110387717B

CN110387717B - Household appliance device

Info

Publication number: CN110387717B
Application number: CN201810682529.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王士坤; 堀端裕司
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: 2023-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-27
Also published as: CN110387717A; CN110387716A; CN208395501U; CN110387716B

Abstract

The invention provides a household appliance device, which is characterized by comprising a water storage container, wherein the water storage container is provided with a first water inlet for leading water into the water storage container and a water outlet for discharging the water in the water storage container, and the household appliance device further comprises a foam removing device for removing foam in the water storage container. By providing the foam removing device, the adverse effect of the foam can be reduced.

Description

Household appliance device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a household appliance apparatus such as pulsator type, agitator type, drum type, etc., washing machine, washing dryer, dehydrator, dishwasher, etc.

Background

In the use of household appliances such as washing machines and dish washers, a detergent is generally used by users. When the user improperly inputs excessive detergent, a large amount of foam is generated during the operation of these home appliance devices. On the other hand, in order to make the home appliance apparatus more intelligent, a large number of sensors or detectors are used in the home appliance apparatus for controlling the operation of the home appliance apparatus. In some cases, the foam may cause false detection of the sensor or detector, thereby affecting the proper operation of the household appliance. It is desirable to be able 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 situation, and an object thereof is to provide a household electrical appliance apparatus capable of reducing adverse effects of foam.

Solution for solving the problem

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a home appliance apparatus, characterized in that the home appliance apparatus includes a water storage container formed with a first water inlet for introducing water into the water storage container and a water outlet for discharging water in the water storage container, and further includes a foam removing device for removing foam in the water storage container.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

By adopting the invention, the foam removing device is arranged, so that the adverse effect of 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 drain operation of a washing machine to which the present invention can be applied.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a foam removing operation 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 an operation schematic diagram showing example 1 of the foam removing apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic structural view showing example 1 of the foam removing apparatus of the present invention.

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

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

Fig. 9 is an operational schematic diagram showing example 3 of the foam removing apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is an action diagram showing a 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 showing the 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: 1 st water inlet valve; 2: 2 nd water inlet valve; 3: an air valve; 4: a laundry treating tub; 5: clothing items; 6: a laundry treating tub seal; 7: washing water 1; 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: washing water 2; 15: 1 st detection electrode (water level detection means); 16: 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 line; 21: a drainage pipeline; 22: foaming; 23: a 2 nd dewatering pipeline; 24: a water outlet; 25: a water inlet (second water inlet); 26: a gate; 27: a water inlet pipeline; 28: a side water flow; 29: tumbling the water flow; 30: a rotary blade (second rotary blade); 31: a rotating shaft; 32: a baffle; 33: a first hole; 34: a rotary blade (first rotary blade); 35: a motor; 111: a foam removal device; 1111: a foam refining device; 1112: the foam is rolled into the device.

Detailed Description

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

As an example of a home appliance apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, fig. 1 to 3 show a washing machine in which laundry can be washed, rinsed, dehydrated, and the like. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is applicable to laundry treatment apparatuses such as pulsator, agitator, drum-type washing machines, washing and drying machines, and dehydrators. 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 apparatus that includes a water storage container formed with a water inlet and a water outlet and that requires water to be drained from the water storage container.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, a suction dehydrating system is employed in the washing machine. Hereinafter, the description of the relevant parts of the suction and dehydration system will be mainly omitted, and the description of the other parts of the washing machine will be omitted. The structure of the other parts of the washing machine may be arbitrarily constructed as 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 seal 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 communicates with the laundry treating tub 4 via a dehydration pipe composed of a 1 st dehydration pipe 20 and a 2 nd dehydration pipe 23, and the water storage container 13 is provided between the laundry treating tub 4 and the air pump 11.

The laundry treatment tank 4 may be formed in a bottomed cylinder (for example, a bottomed cylinder, a bottomed square cylinder, a bottomed polygonal cylinder, that is, a "cylinder" is not limited to a cylinder but includes a square cylinder, a polygonal cylinder, and the like unless otherwise specified in the present application). In use, the laundry 5 in the laundry treatment tank 4 is washed and rinsed by driving the laundry treatment tank 4 to rotate by a motor, not shown. The laundry treating tub 4 is also in communication with a pipe provided with a 2 nd water inlet valve 2 and an air valve 3, which are opened and closed by a control unit, respectively. The 2 nd water inlet valve 2 may be connected to a tap of tap water for home use, or the like, and when the 2 nd water inlet valve 2 is opened, water may be supplied into the laundry treatment tub 4. The air valve 3 can be communicated with the atmosphere, and when the air valve 3 is opened, air can be supplemented into the clothes treatment tank 4, so that the air pressure in the clothes treatment tank 4 is increased. A drain port communicating with the 2 nd dewatering line 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 injected into the water storage container 13 through the drain port, the 2 nd dewatering line 23, and a water inlet 8 of the water storage container 13 described later.

The door 26 may be installed at a top frame of the washing machine and may be rotated at one end as a base point to open and close an upper end opening of the laundry treating tub 4 for a user to insert laundry into the laundry treating tub 4 or to take out washed laundry from the laundry treating tub 4.

The laundry treatment tank seal 6 may be attached to the door 26 at a position closer to the laundry treatment tank 4, and may be formed of a material such as a resin capable of elastic deformation, in a shape of a substantially circular plate having the same shape as the door 26 or in a shape in which a central portion of the substantially circular plate is recessed toward the bottom of the laundry treatment tank 4. 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 hermetically sandwiched between the door 26 and the upper end opening of the laundry treatment tub 4, so that a closed space is formed in the laundry treatment tub 4. Further, the side of the laundry treatment tub seal 6 opposite to the laundry treatment tub 4 is in communication with the atmosphere through a slit or opening or the like in the door 26.

The water reservoir 13 may be provided with a water inlet 8, an air outlet 10 and a water outlet 24. As described above, the water inlet 8 is located at the upper portion of the water storage container 13, and communicates with the laundry treating tub 4 via the 2 nd dehydrating pipe 23 and the water outlet at the bottom of the laundry treating tub 4. The air outlet 10 is positioned 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 container 13 and communicates with the drain valve 12 via the drain line 21.

In the water storage container 13, gas enters from the water inlet 8 and is discharged through the gas outlet 10 and the 1 st dewatering pipeline 20, and liquid enters from the water inlet 8 and is accumulated in the lower part of the water storage container 13 due to gravity, thereby realizing gas-liquid separation. The liquid accumulated in the water storage container 13 may 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 suction dehydration is performed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, when the drain mode of the water storage container 13 is the upper drain mode, that is, when the water storage container 13 drains to a higher position, the drain valve 12 may be replaced with a normal drain pump, but a check valve needs to be provided in the drain line 21 on the front or rear side of the drain pump. Preferably, the check valve is disposed at a front side of the drain pump. The one-way valve can realize sealing of gas and liquid. The one-way valve is conductive in a direction from the water reservoir 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, so that airtight isolation between the water storage container 13 and the atmosphere is realized. When the dehydration is completed, the negative pressure in the water storage container 13 disappears, and the one-way valve is automatically opened under the action of the gravity of the 2 nd washing water 14 in the water storage container 13, so that the communication between the water storage container 13 and the drainage pump is realized. In addition, a valve body whose opening and closing are controlled by a control unit may be used instead of the check valve.

In addition, a water level detecting means may be provided in the water storage container 13. The water level detecting means may include a 1 st detecting electrode 15 and a 2 nd detecting electrode 16 installed at a side wall of the water storage container 13 for detecting the position of water in the water storage container 13. In this water level detection device, the 1 st detection electrode 15 is attached to the side wall of the water storage container 13 near the bottom, and the 2 nd detection electrode 16 is attached to the side wall of the water storage container 13 near the upper end. When the water level in the water storage container 13 reaches the installation position of the 2 nd detection electrode 16, the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16 are conducted by water. Therefore, the control unit can judge whether the water level in the water storage container 13 reaches a predetermined position by detecting whether or not conduction between the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16 is performed. That is, the mounting position of the 2 nd detection electrode 16 corresponds to a predetermined position.

In addition, when there is foam 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 foam floating on the water surface contacts the 2 nd detection electrode 16, the foam together with water can conduct between the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16. Therefore, as will be described in detail below, the foam may cause erroneous detection of the water level detection means.

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

In addition, the washing machine further includes a shower device 9 as an example of the bubble removing device 111. The shower device 9 is connected to a water inlet line 27 via a water inlet 25, and a 1 st water inlet valve 1 controlled to open and close by a control unit is provided in the water inlet line 27. The 1 st water inlet valve 1 is connected to a tap of domestic 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 unit 111 and the shower unit 9 will be described in detail later.

The following describes a dehydration method of the washing machine having the above-described structure. When the washing machine completes the washing and rinsing steps and starts the dewatering step, the control unit controls the 1 st water inlet valve 1, the 2 nd water inlet valve 2, the air valve 3 and the water discharge 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 storage container 13 communicate with each other via the 2 nd dewatering line 23 to form a closed space.

With the continuous operation of the air pump 11, air is continuously drawn out from the air outlet 10, and the pressures in the laundry treating tank 4 and the water storage container 13 become negative pressures. At this time, the atmospheric pressure received by the outer surface of the laundry treatment tub seal 6 is greater than the pressure in the laundry treatment tub 4 received by the inner surface, and the laundry treatment tub seal 6 is elastically deformed toward the bottom wall of the laundry treatment tub 4 along the sidewall of the tub-shaped 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 by negative pressure through a water outlet provided in the bottom of the laundry treatment tub 4, and flows into the water storage container 13 through the water inlet 8.

In the process, the control unit detects the on-off state 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 preset position, the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16 are not conducted, and the air pump 11 continuously operates. As the level of the 2 nd washing water 14 in the water storage container 13 increases, when the control unit detects that the 1 st detection electrode 15 and the 2 nd detection electrode 16 are conducted, it is determined that the 2 nd washing water 14 in the water storage container 13 reaches a predetermined position. At this time, the control unit controls the air pump 11 to stop operating, and starts the water draining operation in the water storage container 13.

As shown in fig. 2, when the water discharge operation is started, 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 container 13 flows out of the washing machine through the drain pipe 21 and the drain valve 12. At the same time, the air valve 3 in the opened state supplements air in the water storage container 13 through the clothes treatment tank 4 and the 2 nd dewatering pipeline 23, and adjusts the air pressure balance in the water storage container 13, so that the 2 nd washing water 14 in the water storage container 13 can be smoothly discharged.

When the user improperly inputs excessive detergent, a large amount of foam is mixed in the 1 st washing water 7, and at the same time, 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 due to the mixing action of the washing water containing the detergent and the gas, and the bubbles sucked from the laundry treatment tank 4 (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "bubbles 22") 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 water discharge operation is completed, the foam 22 remains in the water storage container 13 and is difficult to be smoothly discharged.

If the water inflow operation is performed again directly after the water discharge operation is completed, the foam 22 remaining in the water storage container 13 will rise rapidly to the position of the 2 nd detection electrode 16 as the washing water enters the water storage container 13 again, and the control unit determines that the water level in the water storage container 13 reaches the predetermined position, and then enters the water discharge operation again. This will result in the water intake and drainage actions switching at abnormally high frequencies, time and energy consuming.

In order to avoid this, in the present invention, as shown in fig. 3, a foam removing operation is performed with respect to the foam 22 in the water storage container 13 after the water draining operation is completed, 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 device 9 through the water inlet pipe 27 and the water inlet 25, and the supplied water falls from the shower device 9 to form the shower water flow 19, thereby removing the foam 22 remaining in the water storage container 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.

The foam removal, which is an important point of the present invention, will be described in detail below.

As shown in fig. 4, the washing machine includes a foam removing device 111 for removing foam in the water storage container 13. The foam removing means 111 may include foam refining means 1111 for breaking up the foam in the water storage container 13 to become smaller foam and 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. Various examples of the foam removal apparatus 111 will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 5-11. In which the direction of water flow is shown by arrows.

Example 1

Fig. 5 to 7 show a foam removing apparatus 111 of example 1. In this example, as shown in fig. 5-7, the foam removal device 111 includes a spray device 9 disposed at the top of the water reservoir 13. The spray device 9 serves as a foam refining means 1111 by forming a spray water flow 19 to break up foam and further serves as a foam entrainment means 1112 by forming a side water flow 28 to form a tumbling water flow 29 within the water reservoir 13.

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

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

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

The second holes 18 are distributed over a large 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 reservoir 13 forms a shower flow 19. In order to achieve a more uniform spray over the entire area of the water reservoir 13, the second holes 18 may be configured to increase in density as they go away from the water inlet 25 (toward the right in fig. 6), as shown in fig. 6.

A baffle 32 protruding upward is also provided between the first hole 33 and the second hole 18 at the bottom surface 17. The baffle 32 serves to block water flowing from the water inlet 25 into the shower 9 to avoid that the water passes directly over the first holes 33 causing an excessively small amount of side water flow 28. By providing the baffle 32, a part of the water flows into the first holes 33, and another part of the water enters the interior of the shower 9 from both ends and upper positions of the baffle 32 and flows into the second holes 18.

It should be noted that the number, structure, position, and the like of the first holes 33, the second holes 18, and the shutter 32 are not limited to the above-described examples, but any suitable arrangement may be made. Alternatively, the first hole 33 may be provided on the opposite side of the water inlet 25, i.e., on the right side of fig. 5, and the water outlet of the water container 13 may be provided on the side of the water inlet 25, i.e., on the left side of fig. 5. Preferably, in order to allow the side water flow 28 to smoothly flow out, the first hole 33 may be provided at a position near the side of the water storage container 13 opposite to the side where the water discharge 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 having different sizes, it may be arranged that the area of the second holes 18 increases as it is 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 device 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 19 will spray onto the foam 22, the foam 22 will be broken up under the action of the spray water 19, and the larger foam will become a number of fine foams. The side water flow 28 enters the bottom of the water reservoir 13 along the side wall of the water reservoir 13, forming a tumbling water flow 29. The dispersed foam is caught by the tumbling water flow 29 into the water 14 stored in the water storage container 13, and is 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, as shown in fig. 7, the side water flow 28 flows along the bottom of the water storage tank 13, and the foam remaining in the water storage tank 13 is washed away and discharged from the drain line 21.

As described above, the foam in the water storage container 13 can be effectively removed by the combined action of the shower water flow 19 and the side water flow 28 formed by the shower device 9, and the adverse effect of the foam can be avoided.

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 in the water storage container 13 as the foam entrainment device 1112. The remaining components of example 2 are the same as or similar to those of example 1, and the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components as those of example 1, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

As shown in fig. 8, a rotary vane 30 is provided in the water storage container 13, and a rotation shaft 31 of the rotary vane 30 is fixed to a side surface of the water storage container 13 and parallel to a horizontal plane, and the rotary vane 30 is rotatable around the rotation shaft 31. It should be noted that the parallelism described herein is not limited to the strict parallelism, but includes the case where the angle is made with respect to the horizontal plane but does not affect the generation of the tumble flow 29. Further, in this example, the shower water flow 19 is utilized to drive the rotating blades 30 in rotation. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be configured to drive the rotary blade 30 to rotate using other power sources or a motor provided separately 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 device 9, and shower water flow 19 is formed through the second holes 18. A part of the spray water flow 19 is sprayed onto the foam 22, the foam 22 is broken up under the action of the spray water flow 19, and the larger foam is changed into a plurality of fine foams. Another portion of the spray water stream 19 is sprayed onto the rotating blades 30 causing the rotating blades 30 to begin rotating about the axis of rotation 31 and creating a tumbling water stream 29. The dispersed foam is caught by the tumbling water flow 29 into the water 14 stored in the water storage container 13, and is 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 under the combined action of the spray water flow 19 formed by the spray device 9 and the tumbling water flow 29 formed by the rotating blades 30, and adverse effects of the bubbles can be avoided.

Example 3

Fig. 9 shows a foam removal apparatus 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 vane 30 are provided at the same time, and the side water flow and the rotation of the rotary vane are used to form the tumble water flow so that both of them act at the same time. The remaining components of example 3 are the same as or similar to those of example 1, example 2, and the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components as those of example 1, example 2, and a description thereof will not be repeated here.

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 of the water reservoir 13, while a rotary vane 30 is provided in the water reservoir 13, which is rotatable about an axis parallel to the horizontal plane. Thus, while the side water flow 28 formed by the first holes 33 is used to form the tumble water flow 29, the tumble water flow 29 is also formed by the rotation of the rotary blade 30 around the rotary shaft 31. The foam broken up by the shower flow 19 is caught in the water 14 stored in the water reservoir 13 by the combined action of the two tumbling flows 29, and is then discharged from the water discharge line 21 via the water discharge valve 12.

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

Example 4

Fig. 10 to 11 show a foam removing apparatus 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 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 container 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 reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components as those of examples 1 to 3, and a description thereof will not be repeated here.

As shown in fig. 10, in comparison with the shower device shown in fig. 5, the second hole 18 and the baffle 32 are not formed in the bottom surface 17 of the shower device 9, but only the first hole 33 is remained, and the water falling from the first hole 33 flows into the water storage container 13 along the side surface of the water storage container 13, forming the side water flow 28. The side water flow 28 enters the bottom of the water reservoir 13 along the side wall of the water reservoir 13, forming a tumbling water flow 29.

Further, a rotary vane 34 rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane is provided in the water storage container 13, and the rotary vane 34 is rotated by a motor 35 provided outside the water storage container 13. The vertical direction is not limited to the strict vertical direction, and includes a case where the foam is broken up while being 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 side stream 28 or other power source to drive rotation of rotary blades 34.

As shown in fig. 11, one example of the specific structure of the rotary blade 34 is that each blade is formed in a comb-tooth shape, 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 four blades and a case where each blade is formed with four teeth, 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 teeth on the upper side may be longer than the length of the teeth on the lower side, or the teeth may be parallel to the bottom surface of the water storage container 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 device 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, agitating the foam 22 to break up the foam 22. The dispersed foam is caught by the tumbling water flow 29 into the water 14 stored in the water storage container 13, and is then discharged from the drain line 21 through the drain valve 12.

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

Other modifications

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

Further, alternatively, the foam removing device 111 may also include a rotating blade rotatable about an axis at an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. The rotating blades can stir foam and form tumbling 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 be formed in other configurations. For example, the shower 9 may be formed as a tubular structure, and the first and second holes are formed at the bottom of the tubular structure.

A drainage method according to the present invention including a foam removal operation performed by the foam removal apparatus 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 intake step S100, a drainage step S200, and a bubble removal step S300. In the water inlet step S100, water is introduced into the water storage container 13 from the water inlet 8 with the water outlet of the water storage container 13 closed. In the draining step S200, a drain port of the water container 13 is opened to drain the water in the water container 13. In the bubble removal step S300, the bubbles in the water container are removed by the bubble removal means 111. After the bubble removal step S300 is completed, if the drainage is not completed yet, it may be returned to the water intake step S100 again.

The bubble removal step S300 may include at least one of a bubble refining step S301 for scattering bubbles in the water storage container 13 to become smaller bubbles and a bubble entrainment step S302 for forming a tumbling water flow 29 in the water storage container 13 to entrain bubbles into water stored in the water storage container 13. In the foam refining step S301, the above-described foam refining apparatus 1111 breaks up the foam by spraying water on the foam and/or stirring the foam. In the bubble entrainment step S302, the bubble entrainment device 1112 forms a water flow flowing into the water storage container 13 along the side wall of the water storage container 13 and/or agitates the water stored in the water storage container 13 to form the tumbling water flow 29.

A specific example of the drainage method according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 13. This specific example is a drainage method in the case where the foam removing apparatus shown in fig. 5 is applied to the washing machine shown in fig. 1. The water discharge method is implemented by causing a control unit in the washing machine shown in fig. 1 to execute a program stored in advance. Steps S1301 to 1303 correspond to the water inlet step S100, steps S1304 to 1307, S1311, 1313 to 1315 correspond to the water discharge step S200, and steps S1316 to 1321, 1323 to 1327 correspond to the bubble removal step S300.

The water draining method shown in fig. 13 is started when the washing machine shown in fig. 1 completes the washing and rinsing steps and starts the dehydrating step. At this time, the control unit controls the 1 st water inlet valve 1, the 2 nd water inlet valve 2, the air valve 3, and the water discharge 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 continuously determines 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 air pump operation time T1 does not reach the set value, the flow advances to step S1310. The set value used in step S1303 may be set by a preliminary experiment, and may be set to a time during which all the washing water in the laundry treating tub 4 can be discharged by the continuous operation of the air pump 11 for the time period.

In step S1310, the control unit detects the on/off state 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 the on 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, and in step S1312, the timing of the air pump operating time T1 is suspended, followed by starting the water discharge operation in the water storage container 13. In step S1313, the control unit opens the drain valve 12, and in step S1314 times the running drain time T2 of the drain valve 12. In step S1315, the control unit continuously determines whether the running drain time T2 of the drain valve 12 reaches the set value (fourth predetermined time). When the control unit determines that the running drain time T2 has reached the set value, the flow advances to step S1316, where the foam removal operation is started. The set value used in step S1315 may be set by an experiment in advance, and may be set to a time during which all the water in the water storage container 13 can be discharged by the continuous opening of the drain valve 12 for the time period.

In step S1316, the control unit opens the 1 st water inlet valve 1. At this point, the spray device 9 begins to generate the spray water stream 19 and the side water stream 28, as described above, thereby removing foam from the water reservoir 13. In step S1317, the control unit counts the duration of opening of the 1 st water inlet valve 1, i.e., the defoam 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 set value used in step S1318 may be set by a preliminary experiment, and may be set to a time during which most of the foam in the water storage container 13 can be removed by the continuous opening of the 1 st water inlet valve 1 for this time period.

During execution of steps S1316 to S1318, the drain valve 12 may remain open or may be closed first and then opened. Alternatively, it may be configured to keep the drain valve 12 open all the time while spraying water, and the water storage container 13 continues the draining action. It may be configured 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 bubble removal 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 running drain time T2 of the drain valve 12. In step S1321, the control unit continuously determines whether the running drain time T2 of the drain valve 12 reaches the set value (second predetermined time). When the control unit determines that the running drain time T2 reaches the set value, the flow proceeds to step S1322, and in step S1322, the control unit closes the drain valve 12, and the flow then returns to step S1301. The set value used in step S1321 may be the same as the set value 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 container 13 is relatively small, water in the water storage container 13 may overflow into the air outlet 10 and further enter the air pump 11, which may cause breakage of the air pump.

To prevent this problem from occurring, the control unit repeatedly executes step S1323 before the bubble removal duration T3 does not reach the set value. In step S1323, the control unit detects the on/off state 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 intake valve 1, and pauses the timing of the bubble removal duration T3 in step S1325. At this time, if the drain valve 12 is in the closed state, the control unit also simultaneously opens the drain valve 12. In step S1326, the control unit starts timing the running drain time T2. In step S1327, the control unit continuously determines whether the running drain time T2 of the drain valve 12 reaches the set value. When the control unit determines that the running drain time T2 reaches the set value, the flow returns to step S1316, and the foam removal operation is continued. The set value used in step S1327 may be the same as the set value used in step S1315.

Thus, the cycle of water inlet, water drainage and bubble removal is completed once. After that, the next cycle is continuously and repeatedly started, and the control unit continuously counts the air pump running time T1 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 operating and starts the water discharge operation. In step S1305, the control unit opens the drain valve 12. In step S1306, the control unit starts timing the running drain time T2. In step S1307, the control unit continuously determines whether the running drain time T2 of the drain valve 12 has reached the set value (fourth predetermined time). When the control unit determines that the running drain time T2 reaches the set value, the flow advances to step S1308, and the control unit closes the drain valve 12 and ends the dehydration process in step S1309. The set value used in step S1307 may be the same as the set value used in step S1315.

Alternatively, as indicated 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 completion of the dehydration process, the flow may go to step S1316 after the running drain time T2 reaches the set value, and the foam removing operation shown in the dotted frame is performed once again, after which the drain valve 12 is closed and the entire dehydration process is completed.

The flowcharts shown above are examples only, and the drainage method of the present invention is not limited thereto.

Alternatively, if the volume of the water storage container 13 is sufficiently large, it may be possible to dispense with the water level detection means, set to allow the air pump 11 to continue to operate for a set time, then close the air pump 11, open the drain valve 12 for a set time, then perform the foam removal action as described above once, 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 reach the set values. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation may be switched based on other conditions. For example, in step S1303, the control unit may determine whether or not a sensor provided at the bottom of the laundry treatment 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 value is used for judgment in steps S1307, S1315, S1321, S1327. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a different set value may be used for the determination in these steps.

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

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 judgment in steps S1310, S1323. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and different water level detection devices may be used. For example, a first water level detecting means and a second water level detecting means having different detection thresholds may be provided, and it is determined whether the water level in the water storage container 13 reaches a first predetermined position by the first water level detecting means in step S1323, and it is determined whether the water level in the water storage container 13 reaches a second predetermined position by the second water level detecting means in step S1310. The first predetermined position and the second predetermined position are each 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 bubble removing device 111 in the home appliance device such as the laundry treating device, the dish washer, etc., and using the bubble removing device 111 to remove bubbles from the water storage container after the water inlet and outlet actions of the water storage container, it is possible to effectively reduce adverse effects of bubbles, such as avoiding the high frequency switching water inlet action and water outlet action described above.

The present invention has been described above by way of embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. For example, other embodiments may be used as the embodiments of the present invention, in which the constituent elements described in the present specification are arbitrarily combined and implemented in addition to a plurality of constituent elements. Further, modified examples obtained by applying various modifications to the above-described embodiments, which modifications are conceivable to those skilled in the art, are also included in the present invention within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention, that is, the meaning expressed by the terms of the claims.

Claims

1. A household appliance device is characterized in that the household appliance device comprises a water storage container, a first water inlet for leading water into the water storage container and a water outlet for discharging the water in the water storage container are formed on the water storage container,

the home appliance apparatus further includes a foam removing means for removing foam in the water storage container,

wherein the foam removing means comprises foam refining means for breaking up the foam in the water storage container to make it smaller,

the foam removing device further comprises foam entrainment means for forming a tumbling water flow within the water reservoir to entrain foam into the water stored in the water reservoir,

the foam removing device comprises a spraying device arranged at the top of the water storage container, the spraying device is used as the foam refining device and the foam winding-in device at the same time,

the spraying device is provided with a second water inlet for guiding water into the spraying device, a first hole communicated with the second water inlet and arranged on the surface opposite to the water storage container, and a plurality of second holes,

the first hole is provided at a position close to a side of the water storage container,

the water entering the spraying device from the second water inlet flows into the water storage container from the first hole along the side surface of the water storage container, thereby forming rolling water flow in the water storage container,

the water entering the spraying device from the second water inlet falls down from a plurality of second holes to spray foam in the water storage container so as to break up the foam,

the first hole is provided at a position near a side surface of the water storage container opposite to a side where the drain port is located,

the area of the first hole is larger than the area of the second hole, and

the density or area of the second holes increases with distance from the second water inlet.

2. The household appliance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the foam refining apparatus breaks up the foam by spraying water on the foam or stirring the foam.

3. The household appliance apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the foam refinement apparatus comprises a first rotary blade rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a horizontal plane,

the first rotating blade rotates around the axis and stirs the foam to break up the foam.

4. The household appliance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the foam entrainment means comprises a second rotary blade rotatable about an axis parallel to the horizontal plane,

the second rotating vane rotates about the axis to create a tumbling flow of water within the water reservoir.

5. The household appliance apparatus of claim 1, wherein the household appliance apparatus is a laundry treatment apparatus,

the laundry treating apparatus further includes:

a laundry treating tub having a bottomed tubular shape for accommodating laundry;

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

an air pump having a negative pressure suction function, communicating with the laundry treating tank through a dehydration pipe, for evacuating the laundry treating tank during dehydration,

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