CN112726124A

CN112726124A - Washing machine with sterilization function and control method

Info

Publication number: CN112726124A
Application number: CN202011573815.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 向凌辉; 梁宇轩; 胡蓉; 张道鹏; 吴磊; 唐阳洋
Original assignee: Gree Electric Appliances Inc of Zhuhai
Current assignee: Gree Electric Appliances Inc of Zhuhai
Priority date: 2020-12-25
Filing date: 2020-12-25
Publication date: 2021-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 2040-12-25
Also published as: CN112726124B

Abstract

The invention provides a washing machine with a sterilization function and a control method. The washing machine comprises a box body and a washing barrel arranged in the box body, wherein an outer barrel sterilization device is arranged in the box body, the outer barrel sterilization device is arranged outside the washing barrel, and the outer barrel sterilization device is used for sterilizing the space outside the washing barrel. The invention can realize sterilization outside the washing barrel, so that the washing machine is healthier.

Description

Washing machine with sterilization function and control method

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of washing machines, in particular to a washing machine with a sterilization function and a control method.

Background

At present, the sterilization modes of the washing machine are various, in order to meet the requirements of users on health performance, a sterilization device is additionally arranged on part of the washing machine, and the washing machine or the washing machine is sterilized, so that the washing clothes are ensured not to be polluted by bacteria.

Washing machines are basically arranged in places such as toilets, balconies, kitchens and the like in the homes of users, and the environments of the places are usually humid and easy to grow germs, so that the washing machines need to be sterilized. Various sterilization modes of the washing machines on the market at present are provided, wherein the most common mode is to sterilize by using a barrel drying method (the barrel drying method means that the inner barrel of the washing machine continuously runs for 30min at the rotating speed of about 770r/min, water drops in the inner barrel are quickly converted into water vapor and are discharged along with air). Can accomplish like this and disinfect in the washing machine bucket, but do not disinfect to positions such as the outside of the bucket, base, long-term in the past, though can not breed the germ basically in the washing machine bucket, positions such as the outside of the bucket, base can become sanitary dead angle, become a health hidden danger in user's family.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, the present invention provides a washing machine with sterilization function and a control method thereof, at least for solving the technical problem of the prior art that sterilization cannot be performed outside a tub, specifically:

in a first aspect, the present invention provides a washing machine with a sterilization function, the washing machine comprising a cabinet and a washing tub disposed in the cabinet, wherein an outside-tub sterilization device is disposed in the cabinet,

the outer-barrel sterilization device is arranged outside the washing barrel and is used for sterilizing the space outside the washing barrel.

Further optionally, the external sterilization device comprises a first sterilization device, and the first sterilization device is disposed in a space between a side wall of a cabinet of the washing machine and the washing tub, and is used for sterilizing the space between the cabinet and the washing tub.

Further optionally, the first sterilization device is disposed on an outer tub wall of the washing tub, and/or the first sterilization device is disposed on a cabinet side wall of the washing machine.

Further optionally, the first sterilization device is an ultraviolet lamp, a plurality of ultraviolet lamps are arranged along the circumferential direction of the washing barrel,

the ultraviolet lamp is disposed at an upper portion of the washing machine and emits ultraviolet rays downward.

Further optionally, the sterilization device outside the tub further comprises a second sterilization device disposed in a space between the base of the cabinet and the washing tub, for sterilizing the space between the base and the washing tub.

Further optionally, the second sterilizing device is disposed on a bottom wall of the washing tub, and/or the second sterilizing device is disposed on the base.

Further optionally, the second sterilization device is an ultraviolet lamp, the ultraviolet lamp is provided with a plurality of ultraviolet lamps,

the ultraviolet lamp is used for emitting ultraviolet rays upwards.

Further optionally, the first sterilizing device and the second sterilizing device form a cross sterilizing zone in the space outside the washing tub.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a control method of the above washing machine with a sterilization function, wherein after a washing process of the washing machine is completed, the sterilization device outside the tub is automatically started, and/or,

the out-of-drum sterilization device is periodically started.

Further optionally, the out-of-bucket sterilization device may also be manually opened.

The washing machine can sterilize the space outside the washing barrel by arranging the sterilizing device outside the barrel, so that bacteria are prevented from breeding due to the humidity of the environment outside the washing barrel, sterilization dead corners are eliminated, pollution to clothes or the environment is avoided, and the washing machine is healthier.

Drawings

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings. The drawings described below are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure, and other drawings may be derived from those drawings by those of ordinary skill in the art without inventive effort.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an internal structure of a washing machine provided with an external tub sterilization device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic top view illustrating an internal structure of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure:

10. a box body; 20. a washing tub; 30. a base; 40. a first sterilization device; 50. a second sterilization device.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are some, but not all, embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

The terminology used in the embodiments of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the examples of the present invention and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, and "a" and "an" generally include at least two, but do not exclude at least one, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

It should be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein is merely one type of association that describes an associated object, meaning that three relationships may exist, e.g., a and/or B may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character "/" herein generally indicates that the former and latter related objects are in an "or" relationship.

It is also noted that the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a good or system that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such good or system. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising an … …" does not exclude the presence of other like elements in a commodity or system that includes the element.

The washing machine can sterilize the space outside the washing barrel by arranging the sterilizing device outside the barrel, so that bacteria are prevented from breeding due to the humidity of the environment outside the washing barrel, sterilization dead corners are eliminated, pollution to clothes or the environment is avoided, and the washing machine is healthier. The invention is described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments:

as shown in fig. 1 and 2, the present invention provides a washing machine having a sterilization function, the washing machine includes a cabinet 10 and a washing tub 20 disposed in the cabinet 10, a certain gap is formed between the washing tub 20 and the cabinet 10, an external sterilization device is disposed inside the washing machine, the external sterilization device is disposed outside the washing tub 20, and the external sterilization device is used for sterilizing a space outside the washing tub 20.

Preferably, the outside the tub sterilization device includes a first sterilization device 40, and the first sterilization device 40 is disposed in a space between the cabinet 10 and the washing tub 20 of the washing machine, for sterilizing the space between the cabinet 10 and the washing tub 20. The first sterilization device 40 is disposed on the outer tub wall of the washing tub 20, or the first sterilization device 40 is disposed on the inner wall of the cabinet 10, or the first sterilization device 40 may be disposed on both the outer tub wall and the inner wall of the cabinet 10, as long as the space between the washing tub 20 and the cabinet 10 can be sterilized.

In the present embodiment, the first sterilization device 40 is disposed on the outer wall of the tub, and is located at the upper edge of the tub, and is disposed along the circumferential direction of the tub, so as to ensure that the sterilization space can be fully covered in the circumferential direction. Preferably, in other embodiments, the first sterilization device 40 may be disposed on an inner wall of the cabinet 10, so that the first sterilization device 40 is prevented from being affected by vibration generated by the operation of the washing tub 20, and the first sterilization device 40 is more reliably installed.

Preferably, the first sterilization device 40 is a plurality of ultraviolet lamps arranged along the circumferential direction of the washing tub 20, the ultraviolet lamps are arranged at the upper portion of the washing machine and emit ultraviolet rays downward, and the divergent light emitted by the ultraviolet lamps can irradiate the whole peripheral space of the washing tub 20, so that the existence of sterilization dead angles is avoided, and the sterilization effect is improved.

The outside-tub sterilization apparatus further includes a second sterilization device 50 disposed in a space between the base 30 of the washing machine cabinet and the washing tub 20, for sterilizing the space between the washing machine base 30 and the washing tub 20. The second sterilizing device 50 is disposed on the bottom wall of the washing tub 20, or the second sterilizing device 50 is disposed on the base 30, or the second sterilizing device 50 is disposed on both the bottom wall of the washing tub 20 and the base 30.

In the present embodiment, the second sterilization device 50 is disposed on the base 30, preferably along the circumferential direction of the washing tub 20, and for example, may be disposed opposite to the first sterilization device 40, or may be disposed staggered with the first sterilization device 40 in the circumferential direction of the washing tub 20. Further, the second sterilization device 50 may also be disposed at a lower side of the washing tub 20, i.e., the second sterilization device 50 is located right below the washing tub 20, and may sterilize a space between the washing tub 20 and the pedestal 30.

Preferably, the second sterilizing device 50 is an ultraviolet lamp provided in plurality, for emitting ultraviolet rays upward. Because the ultraviolet lamp emits divergent light, ultraviolet rays can be emitted to the bottom of the washing tub 20 while being emitted upwards by the base 30, or part of the ultraviolet rays can be emitted towards the bottom of the washing tub 20, so that the space at the bottom of the washing tub 20 is mainly sterilized.

The first sterilizing device 40 and the second sterilizing device 50 form a cross sterilizing zone in the outer space of the washing tub 20, that is, in the annular space between the washing tub 20 and the cabinet 10, the ultraviolet rays emitted from the first sterilizing device 40 and the second sterilizing device 50 can cross each other to form the cross sterilizing zone, thereby improving the sterilizing effect, and the formation of the cross sterilizing zone is also beneficial to further ensuring the comprehensive coverage of the sterilizing range, and avoiding the occurrence of sterilizing dead angles.

Preferably, an in-tub sterilization device for sterilizing the inside of the washing tub 20, which may be an ultraviolet lamp, for example, may be further provided to perform sterilization of the inside of the washing tub 20 by emitting light in an outside line. Further, the in-tub sterilization device may be disposed at an upper side edge of the washing tub 20, or may be disposed on a cover of the washing machine, and when the cover is closed, the in-tub sterilization device may irradiate the inside of the washing tub 20.

The present invention also provides a control method of the washing machine with sterilization function, comprising:

after the washing program of the washing machine is finished, the sterilizing device outside the barrel is automatically started:

after the washing machine finishes a washing program each time, the sterilization device outside the barrel is started to sterilize the space outside the barrel and perform real-time protection. Preferably, the sterilization device outside the barrel is started at a certain interval after washing is completed every time, and the sterilization is performed after the humidity inside the washing machine is reduced, so that the bacteria are prevented from breeding again due to high humidity after the sterilization is performed for a long time. For example, the external sterilization device is activated after 1-2 hours after the washing process is completed to sterilize the space outside the washing tub 20, and the sterilization time is preferably 10-30 minutes.

Or, the external sterilization device may be manually opened, for example, the external sterilization device may be manually opened by a user according to the environment of the washing machine, and if the external sterilization device is frequently started in a place with high environmental humidity, such as a toilet, or the frequency of starting the external sterilization device may be reduced in an environment with low environmental humidity, such as a balcony.

Alternatively, the external sterilization device is periodically started, for example, a start timer (for example, one week or half a month) is set for the sterilization program during the washing machine program when the washing machine is shipped, if the sterilization program is not started after the timer is completed, the washing machine automatically starts the sterilization program, and the sterilization program started in any case is reset for timing after the sterilization is completed, so that intelligent protection is realized. For example, in the timing phase, if the user manually starts the out-of-tub sterilization apparatus, the timing is restarted and the next timing cycle is entered.

Preferably, automatic opening is combined with manual opening, so that the problem that the inside of the box body 10 is not sterilized for a long time and becomes a sanitation hidden danger due to the fact that a user forgets to sterilize can be avoided, and the inside of the box body 10 can be manually sterilized by the user according to the specific conditions of each family to achieve a better sterilization effect.

Further, the sterilization device outside the tub is started after the washing procedure is completed, that is, the sterilization device outside the tub is started under the condition that the washing machine is not started, so that the influence of vibration generated during the washing operation on the sterilization device outside the tub can be avoided.

The invention has simple effective mode, avoids the problem that the prior can not process the degerming of the outer barrel, the box body 10, the base 30 and other parts, eliminates the sanitary dead angle that the inner part of the washing machine can not degerming, has good degerming effect, can effectively ensure the health of users, avoids the possible sanitary hidden trouble, and can ensure that the users have a healthier living environment.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are specifically illustrated and described above. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements, instrumentalities, or instrumentalities described herein; on the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A washing machine with a sterilization function is characterized in that: the washing machine comprises a box body and a washing barrel arranged in the box body, wherein an out-barrel sterilization device is arranged in the box body,

2. The washing machine with sterilization function as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the outer-tub sterilization device includes a first sterilization device disposed in a space between a sidewall of a cabinet of the washing machine and the washing tub, for sterilizing the space between the cabinet and the washing tub.

3. The washing machine with sterilization function according to claim 2, wherein: the first sterilization device is arranged on the outer tub wall of the washing tub, and/or the first sterilization device is arranged on the side wall of the cabinet of the washing machine.

4. The washing machine with sterilization function as claimed in claim 3, wherein: the first sterilizing device is ultraviolet lamps, a plurality of ultraviolet lamps are arranged along the circumferential direction of the washing barrel,

5. The washing machine with sterilization function according to claim 2, wherein: the sterilization device outside the barrel further comprises a second sterilization device which is arranged in the space between the base of the box body and the washing barrel and used for sterilizing the space between the base and the washing barrel.

6. The washing machine with sterilization function according to claim 5, wherein: the second sterilizing device is disposed on a bottom wall of the washing tub, and/or the second sterilizing device is disposed on the base.

7. The washing machine with sterilization function as claimed in claim 6, wherein: the second sterilization device is an ultraviolet lamp, a plurality of ultraviolet lamps are arranged,

the ultraviolet lamp is used for emitting ultraviolet rays upwards.

8. The washing machine with sterilization function as claimed in claim 7, wherein: the first sterilizing device and the second sterilizing device form a cross sterilizing zone in an outer space of the washing tub.

9. A control method of a washing machine having a sterilizing function according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that:

after the washing program of the washing machine is finished, the sterilizing device outside the barrel is automatically started, and/or,

the out-of-drum sterilization device is periodically started.

10. The control method according to claim 9, characterized in that: the out-of-drum sterilization device can also be manually opened.