CN114108264A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a washing machine, which comprises a treating agent input device for inputting liquid or colloid treating agent into a washing cavity, wherein the treating agent input device comprises an independent treating agent container, a pressing type suction device is arranged on the treating agent container, the suction device comprises a pressing head capable of moving back and forth, a piston in airtight contact with the wall of the treating agent container is arranged in the treating agent container, so that the treating agent container is divided into a first cavity and a second cavity, the treating agent is contained in the first cavity, and the second cavity is communicated with the atmosphere. As the treating agent is consumed, the piston moves towards the first cavity under the action of atmospheric pressure, and the treating agent is ensured to normally flow out of the liquid outlet of the pressure head. The structural feature enables the treating agent container and the pressure head to pump out the treating agent regardless of the installation direction, and the residue of the treating agent after use can be controlled to be less.

Description

Washing machine

[ technical field ] A method for producing a semiconductor device

The invention relates to a washing machine, in particular to the technical field of adding a clothes treating agent of the washing machine.

[ background of the invention ]

Washing machines are generally provided with a laundry treatment agent input device, in which a treatment agent is pre-added, which is input into the washing chamber during the running of the washing program. In the conventional liquid/gel type treating agent feeding device, the treating agent is usually in contact with the electric parts. These electrically powered parts include gear pumps, peristaltic pumps, valves, vacuum pumps, etc. for pumping fluids. The liquid will flow into the pump body and then flow out. It is very inconvenient to change the kind of the treating agent. Most gear pumps and peristaltic pumps are expensive in manufacturing cost, large in size, large in occupied space in batch production and high in cost.

In most of the existing treating agent input devices, the treating agent is in contact with air, and is difficult to ensure not to dry after being stored for a long time. Especially when used in higher temperature applications, such as near heating elements, high temperature elements, or in the vicinity of the drying tunnel of an integrated machine for washing and drying clothes. If the user does not use the water treatment agent for a long time, the water in the treatment agent evaporates and dries, so that the viscosity is increased, and the work of the pump body is even influenced.

The existing treatment agent input device generally adopts contact type induction, namely a probe or a sensor is contacted with liquid to induce whether the residual amount of the treatment agent is insufficient. Such sensing is subject to errors, such as variations in liquid level, tilt angle of the machine, and degree of liquid viscosity (which can be related to sensor sticking and surface tension). In addition, it is inconvenient to change the kind of liquid.

Some bottled treatment agent input devices have a valve at the outlet, which is opened to allow the liquid or gel treatment agent to flow out of the outlet under the influence of gravity. Due to the limitations of the internal space and structure of the washing machine, the outlet is often arranged on the side surface of the mounted treating agent bottle, but not on the bottom surface, so that residues are easy to exist, the treating agent is difficult to be thoroughly emptied, and waste is caused.

[ summary of the invention ]

An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine, which is improved in a treating agent feeding device.

The embodiment of the invention provides a washing machine, which comprises a treating agent input device for inputting liquid or colloid treating agent into a washing cavity, wherein the treating agent input device comprises an independent treating agent container, a pressing type suction device is arranged on the treating agent container, the suction device comprises a pressure head capable of moving back and forth and a conveying channel which is connected with the pressure head and is communicated with the treating agent container in a fluid mode, the pressure head comprises a liquid outlet communicated with the washing cavity in a fluid mode, a pressure applying device controlled by a control device is arranged opposite to the pressure head and can push the pressure head to move towards the direction close to the treating agent container so as to pump the treating agent out of the treating agent container and convey the treating agent to the washing cavity through the liquid outlet, a piston in airtight contact with the wall of the treating agent container is arranged in the treating agent container, so that the treating agent container is divided into a first cavity close to one side of the pressure head and a second cavity far away from the pressure head, the treating agent is contained in the first cavity, the second chamber is in communication with the atmosphere.

The independent treating agent container can be taken out from the mounting cavity, so that the integral replacement is convenient, or treating agents are added into the treating agent container. As the treating agent is consumed, the piston moves towards the first cavity under the action of atmospheric pressure, and the treating agent is ensured to normally flow out of the liquid outlet of the pressure head. The structural feature enables the treating agent container and the pressure head to pump out the treating agent regardless of the installation direction, and the residue of the treating agent after use can be controlled to be less. Thereby reducing the installation design limiting factors of the treating agent container and being very simple and flexible.

Wherein a vent hole may be provided in the bottom of the treating agent container to communicate the second chamber with the atmosphere.

In some embodiments, the treating agent container is a strip-shaped structure, the axial direction is arranged on the washing machine horizontally or obliquely relative to the horizontal plane, and the pressure head is arranged at one end of the axial direction. In this way, the treating agent flowing out of the pressure head can be more easily drained or directly fall to the target position under the action of gravity, so that the mechanism is simpler.

The washing machine also comprises an installation cavity of the treating agent container and a mixing cavity for receiving the treating agent container and water, the mixing cavity is respectively connected with the water inlet channel and the liquid outlet channel, and the liquid outlet channel is connected with the washing cavity, so that the liquid mixed by the treating agent and the water can be guided into the washing cavity.

In some embodiments, the washing machine includes a detection device disposed adjacent to the treatment agent container, and may transmit a signal associated with the remaining amount of the treatment agent detected to the control device. Because the detection device is not in contact with the treating agent, the detection result cannot be influenced by the viscosity of the treating agent and the like, the detection result can be more accurate, and the service life of the detection device is prolonged.

In some embodiments, the detection device comprises a load cell disposed below the treatment agent container. The remaining condition of the treating agent can be intuitively obtained through the weighing sensor, so that a user can be timely reminded.

In some embodiments, the detection device comprises a color sensor. As the treatment agent is consumed, the piston moves. The color sensor initially detects the color of the treating agent and when the color changes to the color of the piston, indicating that the consumption of treating agent has reached a threshold, a signal may be sent.

In some embodiments, the detection means is arranged to detect the position of the piston and to send a corresponding signal to the control means. The piston differs from the treating agent container and the treating agent therein in terms of color, material, transparency, and the like, and the detection of the position of the piston is very effective in obtaining the remaining amount of the treating agent. And the detection of the position of the piston is easier to realize.

In some embodiments, the detection device comprises a magnetic induction sensor and the piston comprises a magnetic body. A magnetic body may be provided on the piston, for example, with a magnetic material added or a magnetic body embedded. And obtaining a signal of the position where the piston approaches the detection device through a Hall effect. The position of the piston detected by the magnetic induction sensor is not interfered by environmental factors, and the detection result is more reliable.

In some embodiments, the detection device comprises a photosensor. The position of the piston can be determined by emitting and receiving light.

The detection means may be arranged close to the side of the first chamber which is close to said ram, so that when the remaining amount of treating agent is small, the piston is moved close to the detection means, whereupon said detection means detects a change in the signal.

The washing machine preferably comprises prompting means arranged to send a prompt when the control means receives the associated signal from the detection means that there is a small amount of remaining treating agent. The prompting message may be voice or visual.

The suction device comprises elastic means acting on the pressure head to restore it.

The delivery passage is provided with a check valve for restricting the treatment agent in the delivery passage from returning to the treatment agent container. The bottom end of the elastic device is pressed against the check valve.

The pressing device comprises a driving part and a moving part driven by the driving part. The moving part is driven to push the pressure head to move.

In some embodiments, the driving part includes a motor, and the moving part includes a reciprocating mechanism or a rotating mechanism, so that the ram can be pushed multiple times by the motor.

In some embodiments, the moving portion comprises a cam.

In some embodiments, the pressure applicator comprises a solenoid valve comprising a spool that is reciprocable to push the ram.

In some embodiments, the control means is arranged to control the number of times the pressing means pushes the ram in dependence on a previously acquired required dose of treatment agent. The stroke of the pressure applying device for pushing the pressure head is usually fixed, so that the amount of the treating agent which can be pumped out by pushing the pressure head each time is measured in advance, and the times of pushing the pressure head is calculated according to the required adding amount of the treating agent. The required dosage of treating agent may be set by the user or obtained by the control device during the program run according to relevant parameters set or detected by the program.

The above embodiments may be variously combined.

Some embodiments of the invention will be illustrated in the following description with reference to the drawings.

[ description of the drawings ]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine in which a cover provided on an opening of a mounting chamber is opened to expose a treating agent container;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a treating agent input device;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a detergent container and solenoid valve;

fig. 4 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the washing machine.

[ detailed description ] embodiments

As shown in fig. 1 to 4, the washing machine 1 includes a cabinet 2. Inside the cabinet 2, there is provided a washing chamber 3 (shown in fig. 2) for treating laundry, and a separate treating agent input device 4 for inputting a liquid or gel treating agent into the washing chamber 3 during a laundry treatment process, particularly a washing process.

The treating agent introducing means 4 includes a separate treating agent container 5 which is accommodated in a mounting chamber 6 provided in the casing 2. The mounting chamber 6 has an opening 61 provided on the front side of the case 2. The treating agent container 5 is mounted into the mounting chamber 6 through the opening 61. A cover 62 for closing or opening the opening 61 is hinged to the case 2. The stopper 7 is provided near the bottom of the treating agent container 5 to restrict the axial movement of the treating agent container 5.

As shown in fig. 2, the treating agent inlet means 4 comprises a mixing chamber 8 arranged adjacent to the installation chamber 6. In practice the mixing chamber 8 is in spatial communication with the mounting chamber 6. The mixing chamber 8 is connected with the water inlet channel 9 and the liquid outlet channel 11 respectively. The outlet channel 11 is connected to the washing chamber 3 so that the liquid obtained by mixing the treating agent with water can be introduced into the washing chamber 3.

The treating agent container 5 is provided with a push-type suction device 10. The suction device 10 comprises a reciprocally movable pressure head 12 and a feed channel 13 (shown in fig. 3) connected to the pressure head 12 and extending into the treatment agent container 5. Head 12 contains a discharge orifice 14. The outlet 14 is in spatial communication with the mixing chamber 8 such that the treating agent passes through the outlet 14 and enters the mixing chamber 8. In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the head 12 is located above the mixing chamber 8 and the outlet 14 is located downwardly so that the treating agent flows out of the outlet 14 and enters the mixing chamber 8 under the influence of gravity. In other embodiments, the installation chamber 6 and the mixing chamber 8 can also be connected by a pipe, through which the treating agent enters the mixing chamber 8.

A pressure-exerting device 15 controlled by a control device 20 is arranged opposite the pressure head 12 and can push the pressure head 12 in the direction of approaching the treating agent container 5 so as to pump the treating agent out of the treating agent container 5.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the pressing device 15 includes a driving part 151 and a moving part 152 driven by the driving part 151. The moving part 152 may include a reciprocating mechanism, a rotating mechanism, and the like, for example, a cam. The driving part 151 includes a motor. In one embodiment, the motor drives the cam to rotate, which in turn pushes the ram 12 to move. The moving part 152 in fig. 2 shows a side structure of the cam. The front view, i.e. in the direction of the axis of rotation, is a normal cam configuration. Fig. 2 in conjunction with the above text will understand the functional relationship of the cam structure to ram 12 to those skilled in the art.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, the pressure applying device 15 may further include a solenoid valve 153. Wherein the solenoid valve 153 includes a spool 154 that reciprocates to push the ram 12, a first spring 155 that acts axially on the spool 154, and a coil 156 that is disposed around the spool 154. The coil 156 is energized to generate electromagnetic force, and after the power is off, the electromagnetic force is removed, and the first spring 155 is engaged to reciprocate the valve element 154.

The pressing device 15 is not limited to the above-described specific embodiment, and may include other various mechanisms that periodically push the adjacent members to move axially.

The control means 20 is arranged to control the number of times the pressing means 15 pushes the ram 12 according to the required dosage of treatment agent obtained beforehand.

As shown in fig. 3, the suction device 10 comprises elastic means 16 acting on the head 12 to restore the head 12. The delivery passage 13 is provided with a check valve 17 for restricting the treatment agent in the delivery passage 13 from returning to the treatment agent container 5. The bottom end of the elastic means 16 is pressed against the non-return valve 17. In the embodiment shown in fig. 3, the check valve 17 is a ball and the elastic means 16 is a spring.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2 and 3, the treatment agent container 5 is provided with a piston 51 which is in airtight contact with the wall 56 of the container, thereby dividing the treatment agent container 5 into a first chamber 501 on the side close to the ram 12 and a second chamber 502 remote from the ram 12. A treatment agent is contained in the first chamber 501. A vent 57 is provided in the bottom of the treating agent container 5 to vent the second chamber 502 to the atmosphere. As the amount of the treating agent decreases, the piston 51 moves closer to the ram 12 by the pressure difference, so that the treating agent is sufficiently used. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the functional features of the components simply, and in practical applications, it is possible to make the transport path 13 shorter, for example, so that the treating agent in the treating agent container 5 can be discharged sufficiently, and waste can be reduced.

The treating agent container 5 has a long structure, is disposed in the washing machine 1 in an axial direction horizontal or inclined with respect to the horizontal, and has a head 12 disposed at one axial end. This arrangement facilitates the treatment agent to fall under gravity directly into the mixing chamber 8 after being pressed out by the ram 12, thereby making construction and installation simple and easy to implement. Moreover, the piston 51 functions to sufficiently use the treating agent in the treating agent container 5 even when the treating agent container is not in an upright state.

As shown in fig. 1, 3 and 4, a detection device 18 is provided in the installation chamber 6 adjacent to the treatment agent container 5, by means of which detection device 18 a signal relating to the remaining amount of treatment agent can be obtained and transmitted to a control device 20. The control device 20 can then send the remaining amount indication information based on the remaining amount information of the treating agent. The washing machine generally comprises prompting means 40 arranged to send a prompt when the control means 20 receives an associated signal sent by the detection means 18 that there is a small residual amount of treating agent. The prompting message may be voice or visual. For example, the residual amount of the treating agent can be displayed on a display device, or a warning signal can be sent out when the residual grain is less than a set value, so that a user is reminded to replace the treating agent.

In various embodiments, the detection device 18 may be a load cell arranged below the treatment agent container 5; may be an optical sensor that detects a change in the liquid level in the treating agent container 5 or the position of the piston 51.

The detection means 18 may also be arranged to detect the position of the piston 51 and to send a corresponding signal to the control means 20. For example, the detection means 18 is disposed near the side of the first chamber 501 closer to the ram 12, so that when the remaining amount of the treating agent is small, the piston 51 moves to a position near the detection means 18, and the detection means 18 detects a change in the signal.

In some embodiments, the detection device 18 includes a color sensor. As the treating agent is consumed, the piston 51 moves. The color sensor initially detects the color of the treating agent and when the color changes to the color of the piston, indicating that the consumption of treating agent has reached a threshold, a signal may be sent.

In some embodiments, the detection device 18 includes a photosensor. The position of the piston can be determined by emitting and receiving light.

In some embodiments, the detection device 18 comprises a magnetic induction sensor and the piston 51 comprises a magnetic body 510. The signal of the proximity of the piston 51 to the position of the detection device 18 is obtained by the hall effect.

Since the pressing device 15 applies a pushing force to the ram 12, a stopper 30 for restricting the axial movement of the treating agent container 5 is provided in the installation chamber 6.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the stopper portion 30 includes a stopper 31 provided near the bottom of the treating agent container 5. The bottom of the stop block 31 is provided with a second spring 32. Under the action of the second spring 32, the stopper 31 can extend into the space in the mounting cavity 6. And engages with the groove 50 on the treating agent container 5 to restrict the axial movement of the treating agent container 5 with the stopper 31 in the first position. Unlocking piece 33 is in sliding fit with the inclined surface of limiting block 31. The user presses the unlocking member 33 to force the stopper 31 out of engagement with the recess 50, thereby allowing the treating agent container 5 to move axially with the stopper 31 in the second position.

As shown in fig. 2, a third spring 63 is provided in the mounting chamber 6. The third spring 63 acts on the end face 55 of the treatment agent container 5 close to the ram 12 in the axial direction of the treatment agent container 5. Thus, when the movement restriction of the treating agent container 5 is released, that is, the stopper 31, 310 is moved from the first position to the second position, the treating agent container 5 is pushed to move in a direction to withdraw from the mounting chamber 6, and it is convenient for the user to take out the treating agent container 5 for replacement.

In addition to replacement of the treating agent container 5, it is also possible to make the treating agent container 5 openable so that the treating agent can be repeatedly added thereto.

The various embodiments described above and shown in the drawings are merely illustrative of the invention. Any modification of the present invention by a person of ordinary skill in the related art within the scope of the basic technical idea of the present invention is within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (20)

1. A washing machine comprising a treatment agent input device (4) for inputting a liquid or gel treatment agent into a washing chamber (3), characterized in that: the treating agent input device comprises an independent treating agent container (5), a pressing type suction device (10) is arranged on the treating agent container, the suction device comprises a pressure head (12) capable of moving in a reciprocating mode and a conveying channel (13) connected with the pressure head and communicated with the treating agent container in a fluid mode, the pressure head comprises a liquid outlet (14) communicated with the washing cavity in a fluid mode, a pressure applying device (15) controlled by a control device (20) is arranged opposite to the pressure head, can push the pressure head to move towards the direction close to the treating agent container so as to pump the treating agent out of the treating agent container and convey the treating agent to the washing cavity through the liquid outlet, a piston (51) which is in airtight contact with the wall (56) of the treating agent container is arranged in the treating agent container, thereby dividing the treating agent container into a first chamber (501) near one side of the ram, in which the treating agent is contained, and a second chamber (502) remote from the ram, which is open to the atmosphere.

2. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the bottom of the treating agent container is provided with a vent hole (57) so as to communicate the second cavity with the atmosphere.

3. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the treating agent container is of a long strip structure, the axial direction is horizontal or the treating agent container is arranged on the washing machine in an inclined mode relative to the horizontal plane, and the pressure head is arranged at one axial end.

4. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein: comprises an installation cavity (6) for receiving a treating agent container, a mixing cavity (8) for receiving the treating agent container and water, the mixing cavity is respectively connected with a water inlet channel (9) and a liquid outlet channel (11), and the liquid outlet channel is connected with a washing cavity so as to guide the liquid mixed by the treating agent and the water into the washing cavity.

5. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein: comprises a detection device (18) arranged adjacent to the treatment agent container and can send a signal related to the remaining amount of treatment agent to the control device.

6. The washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the detection device comprises a weighing sensor arranged below the treating agent container.

7. The washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the detection device includes a color sensor.

8. The washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the detection means is arranged to detect the position of the piston and to send a corresponding signal to the control means.

9. A washing machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein: the detection device comprises a magnetic induction sensor, and the piston comprises a magnetic body.

10. A washing machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein: the detection device includes a photosensor.

11. A washing machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein: the detection means is located close to the side of the first chamber which is close to the ram, so that when the amount of the treating agent remaining is small, the piston is moved close to the detection means, and the detection means detects a change in the signal.

12. The washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein: and a prompting device (40) which is set to send prompting information when the control device receives the related signal that the processing agent residual quantity sent by the detection device is less.

13. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the suction device comprises elastic means (16) acting on the pressure head to restore it.

14. A washing machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein: the delivery passage contains a non-return valve (17) that restricts the return of the treatment agent in the delivery passage to the treatment agent container.

15. A washing machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein: the bottom end of the elastic device is pressed against the check valve.

16. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the pressing device comprises a driving part (151) and a moving part (152) driven by the driving part, wherein the moving part is driven to push the pressing head to move.

17. A washing machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein: the driving part comprises a motor, and the moving part comprises a reciprocating mechanism or a rotating mechanism, so that the pressure head can be pushed for multiple times under the driving of the motor.

18. A washing machine as claimed in claim 17, wherein: the moving portion includes a cam.

19. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the pressure applying means comprises a solenoid valve (153) comprising a spool (154) reciprocable to push the ram.

20. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the control means is configured to control the number of times the pressing means pushes the ram in accordance with a required treatment agent dosage acquired in advance.

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