CN112137548A

CN112137548A - Cleaner combined with washing water tank

Info

Publication number: CN112137548A
Application number: CN201911409170.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李良清; 王晓冰
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Zhaoqing Youjia Electronics Co ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-26
Filing date: 2019-12-31
Publication date: 2020-12-29

Abstract

A cleaner for use with a washing tub, wherein a drain opening is formed at a bottom of the tub, the cleaner being provided with a drain valve for opening and closing the drain opening of the tub. The cleaner of the invention fully utilizes the existing space of the water tank, particularly the space of the filter cartridge below the bottom of the water tank (thereby maximizing the utilization of the existing space of the water tank), and simultaneously solves the problems of positioning of the cleaner and opening and closing of the water outlet in a quick or convenient plugging mode.

Description

Cleaner combined with washing water tank

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cleaner for cleaning tableware or fruit waiting for cleaning objects.

Background

Currently, cleaners on the market, such as dishwashers or sterilizers, are generally provided with a separate water container to place objects to be cleaned, such as tableware or fruits, etc. Some cleaners also include only an electronic unit such as a cleaning head without a separate water container attached, and are used by placing it in a sink. Both of the above cleaner configurations have design drawbacks: can not realize automatic drainage and increase the occupied area or the use space.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a cleaner which can be conveniently used in combination with a sink having a drain opening at the bottom.

The cleaner used in combination with the washing tub according to the present invention, in which the bottom of the tub is formed with the drain opening, is provided with the drain valve for opening and closing the drain opening of the tub.

A sink, such as a kitchen sink, is typically formed with a recessed filter cartridge at the bottom, which in turn forms a drain opening. The cleaner has a submerged member which, in use, is immersed in a liquid, such as water, in the tank, the submerged member (at least a lower portion thereof) being configured as a filter cartridge which can be quickly inserted/removed from the tank. A drain valve, such as an electrically driven drain valve, is provided on the immersion member, preferably at the lower or bottom portion thereof.

The cleaner of the invention fully utilizes the existing space of the water tank, particularly the space of the filter cartridge below the bottom of the water tank (thereby maximizing the utilization of the existing space of the water tank), and simultaneously solves the problems of positioning of the cleaner and opening and closing of the water outlet in a quick or convenient plugging mode.

According to a specific example of the invention, the electric drain valve can comprise an electromagnetic coil and an iron valve core, after being electrified, the electromagnetic coil generates magnetic force to attract the iron valve core to a lifting position so as to enable water in the water tank to be discharged through the drain outlet; after power failure, the iron valve core automatically resets (for example, by means of self gravity or elastic pressure generated by an additional spring) to an initial low position for blocking the water outlet so that water in the water tank cannot be discharged. The electric drain valve is simple in structure and convenient and safe to operate.

In the present invention, the "iron core" refers to a core made of a material that can be attracted by a magnet or a magnet, and is not limited to an iron core, and may be, for example, a nickel core.

According to the invention, an ultrasonic transducer, a heater and a disinfection device such as an ozone generator or the like may be mounted in the immersion member.

In a further preferred embodiment of the electrically operated drain valve according to the invention, the immersion member comprises a closed housing, the electromagnetic coil being arranged within the closed housing and around a hollow column (preferably cylindrical) formed by a portion of the closed housing, the hollow column being formed with a blind hole open towards the outside, the valve element being configured to be adapted to move up and down in the blind hole formed by the hollow column. The electric drain valve can reliably control the automatic drainage of the water tank. In addition, the outer side of the valve core can be coated with a flexible film layer (sealing material) to enhance the sealing performance of the valve core for plugging the water outlet of the filter cylinder.

The cleaner according to the present invention may further include a manipulation panel for manipulating the control circuit, and a control circuit for controlling at least an operation of the cleaner. In addition, the immersion member may be provided with a water level sensor (e.g., at the bottom of the immersion member), by which the control circuit controls the water supply and drainage operation of the water tank.

According to an embodiment of the cleaner according to the invention, the control panel can be provided in the form of a remote control, independent of the immersion member, and is wirelessly connected to the control circuit. In addition, the cleaner preferably further comprises a transmitting function module and a receiving function module for wireless power supply, wherein the receiving function module is disposed within the submerging member, and the transmitting function module is disposed outside the water tank independently of the submerging member and is for connection to an external power source. In this case, the receiving functional module preferably receives the high-frequency ac power directly from the transmitting functional module and supplies the ultrasonic transducer directly with it. The wireless power supply mode in which the receiving function module directly receives the predetermined high-frequency alternating current from the transmitting function module can omit the ultrasonic generator, thereby simplifying the device structure and thus reducing the cost.

In the wirelessly powered embodiment of the cleaner of the present invention, the cleaner may further comprise an electrically powered water inlet valve disposed in the water supply line for controlling an external water source to enter the water tank, wherein the electrically powered water inlet valve is wirelessly or wired connected to a control circuit disposed in the immersion member or the emission function module. In a preferred embodiment, the electrically powered water inlet valve may be wired to a control circuit, which is disposed within the launch function module.

In a remote control embodiment of the cleaner of the present invention, it may further comprise an electrically powered inlet valve for controlling the on/off of an external faucet, the electrically powered inlet valve being wirelessly connected to the control circuit for controlling the inlet of the tank from an external source of water. Thus, automatic water supply and drainage of the water tank can be completely realized, and full automatic operation of the cleaner can be realized.

According to another embodiment of the cleaner of the present invention, a control panel may be integrally provided with and above the immersion member, and the control circuit is wired to the control panel. Under the condition, a suspension platform can be rigidly connected above the immersion piece, the control panel is arranged on the suspension platform, and an external power line for supplying power to the cleaner is also led out through the suspension platform. In addition, the cleaner can further comprise a water inlet pipe connected to an external faucet above the water tank, the water inlet pipe is connected to the suspended platform and directly opened in the water tank, the water inlet pipe is provided with an electric water inlet valve, and the electric water inlet valve is controlled by a control circuit so as to control the water inlet (amount) of the water tank from an external water source. In addition, an ultrasonic generator coupled with the ultrasonic transducer can be further arranged in the immersion piece, the upper portion of the immersion piece is connected to the suspension platform through the rigid pipe, and a power line enters the immersion piece from the suspension platform through the rigid pipe so as to at least supply power to the ultrasonic generator. The embodiment of the invention, namely the suspension platform and the immersion piece, can also realize the full-automatic operation of the cleaner, and enhance the integrity and the durability of the device.

According to another embodiment of the cleaner of the present invention, an ultrasonic generator coupled to the ultrasonic transducer may be further disposed in the immersion member, and an external power line may be directly led out from the immersion member to supply power to at least the ultrasonic generator. In addition, the external power line can be led out from the immersion piece through the lead sleeve, the control circuit is arranged in the immersion piece, the control panel is in wired connection with the control circuit through a signal line, and the signal line and the external power line at least share one section of the lead sleeve. The structure of the embodiment is simple, so that the cost is saved.

Drawings

Figures 1-4 show different embodiments of a cleaner according to the invention for wired powering of the submerged member, respectively;

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a cleaner having a flying platform according to the present invention; and

fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a wirelessly powered cleaner according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the following illustrative embodiments are only for purposes of explanation and not limitation of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a cleaner of an embodiment of the present invention, in which a household washing tub 1 is formed at the bottom with a drain hole 10 and a filter cartridge 11 (with its filter screen removed) hermetically installed in the drain hole 10 and located under the bottom of the tub. A water supply tap 12 is provided near the water tank 1.

The cleaner 2 of the present invention is designed to be used in conjunction with the above-described sink 1. The cleaner 2 has a submerging member 20 which is normally submerged in use by the water in the tank 1. The lower portion of the immersion member 20 forms a fitting 21, the fitting 21 having an outer contour designed to be inserted into the filter cartridge 11 of the sump 1 and to form a sealing connection with the inner wall of the filter cartridge 11 by means of the elastic sealing member 210, so that the water in the sump 1 does not directly flow out through the filtering outlet 110 of the filter cartridge 11 installed in the drainage hole 10. The adapter sleeve 21 and the immersion element 20 can be formed in one piece or can be detachably mounted, for example screwed together.

The fitting body 21 has a drain port 22 formed at a lower end thereof and a water inlet 23 formed at a position above the sealing position for allowing water in the water tub 1 to enter. When inserted into drain hole 10 at the bottom of sink 1 and sealingly engaged with filter cartridge 11 therein, inlet 23 of fitting 21 is slightly below or substantially flush with the bottom of sink 1.

A drain valve device or opening and closing mechanism 24 is provided near the inner lower end of the adapter sleeve 21. The opening/closing mechanism 24 includes an electromagnetic coil 240 and a valve body 241. The solenoid 240 is disposed about a hollow post 242 and the spool 241 has a guide rod 243 and a ferrous sealing bulb 244 integral therewith. The guide rod 243 is adapted to move up and down in the blind hole formed by the hollow post 242. When the power is on, the electromagnetic coil 240 generates magnetic force to attract the ball head 244 to the lifting position so that the water in the water tank 1 can be discharged through the water outlet 22 of the adaptive set 21; the ball 244 is automatically returned by its own weight (although a spring may be added to ensure automatic return sufficiently) to the initial low position for closing off the drain 22 of the adapter 21 after power failure so that water in the sink 1 cannot drain. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that although the illustrated opening and closing mechanism is configured as a normally closed configuration, it may be configured as a normally open configuration if desired: for example, the iron valve core is pulled to the initial high position by the pulling force generated by the permanent magnet or the spring, and then the valve core falls to the closed low position by the counteracting magnetic force generated by electrifying the electromagnet to offset the pulling force.

A water supply line 25 for connecting an external water source such as a faucet 12 and supplying water into the water tub 1 is provided on the immersion member 20, and a control valve 250, such as a conventional solenoid valve, for cutting off and connecting the water supply line 25 is provided in the water supply line 25. The other end of the water supply line 25 is directly led into the water tank 1.

Mounted in immersion member 22 are a cleaning device 26 and a circuit board 27, cleaning device 26 comprising a washing device such as an ultrasonic transducer and/or a disinfecting device such as an ozone generator and/or a heating device, etc. The controller 28, which is wired to the circuit board 27 and externally connected to a power supply line, controls the opening and closing mechanism 24, the control valve 250, and the cleaning device 26 so that the water supply and drainage operation and the cleaning operation of the cleaner 2 are automatically performed.

The embodiment shown in fig. 2 and 3 is similar in structure to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, except that the location of the water supply line 25 is changed: the water supply line 25 in fig. 2 is provided on the controller 28; the water supply line 25 in fig. 3 is then mounted directly on the tap 12. In addition, the embodiment shown in fig. 2 and 3 allows the immersion member 20 to be miniaturized by eliminating the water supply line 25 provided on the immersion member 20, and most of the immersion member 20 except for the uppermost cleaning operation part is located within the filter cartridge 11 installed in the drain hole 10 of the sump 1.

The embodiment of fig. 4 is similar in construction to the embodiment of fig. 2-3, except that the drain opening 22 and the opening and closing mechanism 24 provided therein on the adapter 21 are eliminated, and an integral plug configuration for easy insertion and removal is provided. In addition, the embodiment of FIG. 4 eliminates the water supply line 25. Of course, the embodiment shown in fig. 2-3 may also eliminate the water supply line 25 for manual water supply to the sink 1 via the tap 12.

In practice, after inserting the adapter 21 in the sink 1, the object to be cleaned, such as bowls and chopsticks or fruit, etc., can be placed on the grid and then placed in the sink 1 above the submerging members 20. Then, after water is manually or automatically supplied to a desired water level, a desired cleaning operation such as an ultrasonic cleaning operation is started. Detergent may be added as required during the washing operation. And then, manually or automatically draining. Of course, the secondary rinsing operation or the control of the water temperature may be performed by the controller 28 as necessary.

Fig. 5 shows a cleaner according to another configuration of the present invention. As shown in fig. 5, the bottom of the domestic sink 1 (i.e. at the location indicated by 1) is integrally formed with or fitted with a filter cartridge 11 located beneath the sink bottom. The cleaner 2 is also designed to be used in conjunction with the above-described sink 1. The cleaner 2 has a submerged member 20, a rigid tube 30 and a suspended platform 40. The immersion member 20 is in use typically immersed in water in the tank 1, forms a closed housing and has mounted therein cleaning means 26 and a circuit board 27 or the like, the cleaning means 26 comprising washing means such as an ultrasonic transducer and/or disinfecting means such as an ozone generator and/or heating means or the like. The rigid tube 30 rigidly supports the suspended platform 40 above the immersion member 20 and provides closed interior communication therebetween.

The lower part of the immersion member 20 shown in fig. 5 forms a separate fitting 21, and the fitting 21 has an outer contour designed to be inserted into the filter cartridge 11 of the sump 1 and to form a sealing connection with the inner wall of the filter cartridge 11 through the elastic sealing member 210, so that the water in the sump 1 does not directly flow out through the filtering outlet 110 of the filter cartridge 11. A water flow path is established between the adapter sleeve 21 and the immersion element 20 without a sealing connection being established.

As shown in fig. 5, the fitting body 21 is formed at a lower end thereof with a drain port 22, and is formed above a sealing position with a water inlet 23 for allowing water in the water tank 1 to enter a water flow passage between the fitting body 21 and the immersion member 20. When inserted into and sealingly engaged with the filter cartridge 11 at the bottom of the sink 1, the water inlet 23 of the adapter 21 is slightly below or substantially flush with the bottom of the sink 1.

The lower part of the immersion member 20 shown in fig. 5 is provided with a drain valve device. The drain valve apparatus includes a solenoid 240 and a valve spool 241. The solenoid 240 is arranged around a hollow post 242 forming part of the hermetic housing of the immersion member 20, the valve core 241 being made of a ferrous material and externally coated with a flexible membrane 245. The flexible membrane 245 acts as a sealing material to enhance the sealing of the valve cartridge 241 against the drain opening 22 of the mating set 21. The spool 241 is configured to move up and down in a blind bore formed by the hollow post 242. When the power is on, the electromagnetic coil 240 generates magnetic force to attract the valve core 241 to the lifting position so as to enable the water in the water tank 1 to be discharged through the water outlet 22 of the adaptive set 21; the valve core 241 is automatically reset by its own weight after power failure (although a spring may be added to sufficiently ensure automatic reset) to an initial low position for blocking the drain opening 22 of the fitting 21 so that water in the water tank 1 cannot be drained. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the drain valve apparatus is shown as being configured in a normally closed configuration, it may be configured in a normally open configuration if desired: for example, the iron valve core is pulled to the initial high position by the pulling force generated by the permanent magnet or the spring, and then the valve core falls to the closed low position by the counteracting magnetic force generated by electrifying the electromagnet to offset the pulling force.

As shown in fig. 5, the flying platform 40 is provided with a water supply line 25 for connecting an external water source to allow water to enter the water tank 1, and a control valve 250, such as a conventional solenoid valve, for switching off and on the water supply line 25 is provided in the water supply line 25. The other end of the water supply line 25 is directly led into the water tank 1. In addition, an external power cord 34 is also routed through the flying platform 40 and through the rigid tubing 30 to connect to the circuit board 27. This arrangement of the water supply lines 25 and the external power lines 34 attached to the suspended platform 40 enhances the integrity and controllability of the cleaner.

The suspended platform 40 shown in fig. 5 is further provided with a water level sensor (pressure type liquid level meter) 401 for cooperatively controlling the opening and closing of the control valve 250. In addition, a control panel 280 is provided on the flying platform 40 for controlling various operations of the cleaner 2 including water supply and drainage, cleaning operations, and the like. In addition, an additional water level sensor 246 may be provided on the submerged member 20 to assist in monitoring the completion of drainage.

Fig. 6 shows a cleaner according to the present invention in a wirelessly powered configuration. As shown in fig. 6, the bottom of the domestic washing sink 1 is fitted with a filter cartridge 11 located below the sink bottom. The cleaner 2 is also designed to be used in conjunction with the above-described sink 1. The cleaner 2 has a submerged member 20, a wireless power transmitting module 342 and a remote control (not shown in the figures) for wireless or remote control of the submerged member 20. The submerging member 20, which is normally submerged in use by water in the basin 1, forms a closed housing and has mounted therein cleaning means 26, a wireless receiving power module 341, a water level sensor 401, and a circuit board 27, etc., the cleaning means 26 comprising washing means such as ultrasonic transducers and/or disinfecting means such as ozone generators and/or heating means, etc.

The outer contour of the immersion element 20 shown in fig. 6 is designed to be inserted directly into the filter cartridge 11 of the sink 1 without a sealing connection with the inner wall of the filter cartridge 11. The lower portion of the illustrated submerging member 20 is provided with a drain valve device for directly opening and closing the drain port 110 of the filter cartridge 11. The drain valve apparatus includes a solenoid 240 and a valve spool 241. The solenoid 240 is arranged around a hollow post 242 forming part of the hermetic housing of the immersion member 20, the valve core 241 being made of a ferrous material and externally coated with a flexible membrane 245. Flexible membrane 245 acts as a sealing material to enhance the sealing of valve element 241 against drain opening 110 of filter cartridge 11. The spool 241 is configured to move up and down in a blind bore formed by the hollow post 242. After the electricity is conducted, the electromagnetic coil 240 generates magnetic force to attract the valve core 241 to the lifting position so that the water in the water tank 1 can be discharged through the water outlet 110 of the filter cylinder 11; the valve core 241 is automatically reset by its own weight after power off (although a spring may be added to sufficiently ensure the automatic reset) to the initial low position for blocking the drain port 110 of the filter cartridge 11 so that the water in the water tank 1 cannot be drained. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the drain valve apparatus is shown as being configured in a normally closed configuration, it may be configured in a normally open configuration if desired: for example, the iron valve core is pulled to the initial high position by the pulling force generated by the permanent magnet or the spring, and then the valve core falls to the closed low position by the counteracting magnetic force generated by electrifying the electromagnet to offset the pulling force.

Although not specifically shown, the cleaner 2 may also be provided with a solenoid valve at the external faucet to form a wireless connection with the control circuitry in the submerged member 20 and a remote control, as in the embodiment shown in fig. 3. Of course, as another alternative, a solenoid valve may be provided in a water supply line at another location away from the sink water supply tap, for example, below the sink, to form a wired or wireless connection with the control circuit in the wireless transmission power module 342 to be mentioned below, and further perform a control operation through a remote controller.

Unlike the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the embodiment shown in fig. 6 cancels the wired power supply mode and changes to the wireless power supply mode. As shown in fig. 6, a wireless receiving power module 341 provided inside the cleaner 2 receives high frequency ac power, for example, ac power of 20-100 KHz, from a wireless transmitting power module 342 provided outside the water tank 1 (shown below the filter cartridge 11) to directly power the ultrasonic transducer. The wireless transmission power module 342 is wired to an external power source. In addition, the embodiment shown in fig. 6 may use a remote controller instead of the control panel shown in fig. 5 to control various operations including water supply and drainage, cleaning operations, etc. of the running cleaner 2.

Claims

1. A cleaner for use with a washing tub, wherein a drain opening is formed at a bottom of the tub, the cleaner being provided with a drain valve for opening and closing the drain opening of the tub.

2. The cleaner of claim 1 wherein the basin has a recessed filter cartridge formed in a bottom thereof, the basin having a drain port disposed in the bottom of the filter cartridge, the cleaner having a submerged member, at least a lower portion of the submerged member being adapted to be detachably inserted into the filter cartridge of the basin, and a drain valve of the cleaner being disposed in the lower portion of the submerged member.

3. A cleaner as defined in claim 2 wherein the drain valve is a motorized drain valve.

4. A cleaner in combination with a wash tank as claimed in claim 3 wherein the electrically powered drain valve includes a solenoid and a ferrous valve element, the solenoid upon energisation generating a magnetic force to attract the ferrous valve element to a raised position to enable water in the tank to drain through the drain opening; after the power is cut off, the iron valve core automatically resets to the initial low position for plugging the water outlet so that the water in the water tank can not be discharged through the water outlet.

5. The cleaner of claim 4 wherein the immersion member comprises a closed housing, the solenoid disposed within the closed housing and disposed about a hollow post formed by a portion of the closed housing, the hollow post formed with a blind hole opening to the outside, the valve element configured to move up and down and back and forth within the blind hole formed by the hollow post.

6. The cleaner in combination with a wash tank of claim 5 wherein the valve cartridge is further coated on the outside with a flexible membrane layer to enhance the sealing of the valve cartridge against the drain opening of the filter cartridge.

7. The cleaner of claim 2 wherein the submerged member has an ultrasonic transducer disposed therein.

8. The cleaner of claim 7 wherein the immersion member further includes a heater disposed therein.

9. The cleaner of claim 7 further comprising a control panel for operating the control circuit and a control circuit for controlling at least operation of the cleaner.

10. A cleaner in combination with a wash tank as claimed in claim 9 wherein the immersion member is further provided with a water level sensor by which the control circuit controls the water supply and drain operations of the tank.

11. The cleaner of claim 9 wherein the control panel is in the form of a remote control independent of the immersion member and is wirelessly connected to the control circuit.

12. The cleaner of claim 11 further comprising a transmit function module and a receive function module for wirelessly powering, wherein the receive function module is disposed within the immersion member, and wherein the transmit function module is disposed outside of the basin independently of the immersion member and for connection to an external power source.

13. The cleaner of claim 12 wherein the receive function module receives high frequency ac power directly from the transmit function module and uses it to power the ultrasonic transducer directly.

14. The cleaner in combination with the wash tank of claim 12, further comprising an electrically powered water inlet valve disposed in the water supply line for controlling an external water source into the tank, wherein the electrically powered water inlet valve is connected to the control circuit, the control circuit being disposed within the submerger or launch function module.

15. The cleaner of claim 11 further comprising a motorized fill valve for controlling an external faucet, the motorized fill valve being wirelessly connected to the control circuit.

16. The cleaner of claim 9 wherein the control panel is integral with and above the immersion member, and the control circuit is wired to the control panel.

17. The cleaner of claim 16 wherein a suspended platform is rigidly attached to the top of the immersion member, the control panel is mounted on the suspended platform, and an external power cord for powering the cleaner is also routed through the suspended platform.

18. The cleaner of claim 17 further comprising an inlet conduit connected to an external faucet above the sink, the inlet conduit connected to the suspended platform and opening directly into the sink, the inlet conduit having a motorized inlet valve, the motorized inlet valve controlled by the control circuit.

19. The cleaner of claim 17 wherein the immersion member further includes an ultrasonic generator coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, the immersion member being connected to the suspended platform by a rigid tube above the immersion member, and a power cord passing from the suspended platform through the rigid tube into the immersion member to power at least the ultrasonic generator.

20. The cleaner of claim 9 wherein the immersion member further includes an ultrasonic generator coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, and an external power cord extends directly from the immersion member to power at least the ultrasonic generator.

21. The cleaner of claim 20 wherein the external power cord extends from the immersion member through a lead sleeve, the control circuit is disposed within the immersion member, the control panel is wired to the control circuit through a signal cord, and the signal cord and the external power cord share at least one lead sleeve.