JP2022513559A - Washing machine and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a washing machine and a method for controlling the washing machine. The washing machine of the present invention includes a water collecting device and an inner tub. The inner tank is used for storing water in the cleaning process, and a drain hole communicating with the water collecting device is provided at the bottom of the inner tank. Further, a circulation circuit is formed by including a spray water channel communicating with the drain hole and communicating the water discharge end of the spray water channel with the upper part of the inner tank. The present invention further includes a method for controlling the washing machine that realizes a spray by controlling a water pump. The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows. Since the valve plug is provided with a built-in pipeline, it is possible to realize spraying without disturbing the sealing and drainage process of the inner tank and without drawing water into the water collecting device. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the situation where the washing water remains in the water collecting device and cannot be cleaned. Further, while realizing the spray and water level detection functions, the structure is simplified because no extra member is added to the bottom of the inner tank. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention belongs to the field of household electric appliances, and specifically relates to a washing machine and a control method thereof.

In a general pulsator type washing machine, a dehydration hole is provided in the inner tub, and the inner tub and the outer tub communicate with each other. The inner tank is a washing tank and the outer tank is a water storage tank, but the water filled between the side walls of the inner tank and the outer tank is not involved in cleaning, and only the water in the inner tank is actually involved in cleaning. Is. Therefore, a large amount of water resources are wasted. In addition, if there is too much water between the inner tank and the outer tank, the concentration of the liquid detergent / powder detergent in the cleaning liquid will decrease. In addition, since the water flow frequently moves back and forth between the inner tank and the outer tank, the area between the inner tank and the side wall of the outer tank becomes a place for collecting dirt as the use is continued. For this reason, water stains in tap water, free substances from powder detergent, cellulose in clothing, organic substances in the human body, and dust and bacteria brought in by clothing are extremely easily retained between the side walls of the inner tank and the outer tank. These molds propagate because a large amount of dirt accumulated inside a washing machine with a long history of use is not effectively removed. If these stains that are not visible to the user are not removed, bacteria will attach to the clothing and be introduced to the human body after the next wash, leading to the problem of cross-infection.

In the washing machine in which water does not exist between the tubs in the prior art, the dehydration hole on the inner tub wall is omitted, and the dehydration hole is provided only on the upper part. Therefore, there is no water between the inner tank and the outer tank in the process of water supply and cleaning. On the other hand, in a general washing machine, the water in the outer tub is sucked up into the inner tub to realize a circulating spray. However, in the case of a washing machine where there is no water between the tanks, since there is no water between the inner tank and the outer tank, it is not possible to realize a circulating spray, and operations such as water absorption, washing, or defoaming of clothes cannot be realized. Can't do. Further, since the inner tank rotates, the spray pipeline cannot be fixedly connected to the inner tank, and must be connected via a movable member.

In view of the above, the present invention is proposed.

A technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a washing machine and a control method thereof in order to eliminate defects in the prior art.

In order to solve the above technical problems, the basic idea of the technical plan adopted in the present invention is as follows.

The washing machine includes a water collector and an inner tub. The inner tank is used for storing water in the cleaning process, and a drain hole communicating with the water collecting device is provided at the bottom of the inner tank. Further, a circulation circuit is formed by including a spray water channel communicating with the drain hole and communicating the water discharge end of the spray water channel with the upper part of the inner tank.

A valve plug that can be expanded and contracted is provided at the lower end of the drain hole. The valve plug is provided with a built-in pipeline. One end of the built-in pipeline communicates with the inside of the inner tank, and the other end connects with the spray water channel and communicates with the upper part of the inner tank.

The valve plug includes a plug head and a valve stem and is provided in a T-shape. The built-in pipeline penetrates the plug head, communicates with the inside of the inner tank, extends from an opening provided on the side surface of the bottom of the valve stem, and connects to the spray channel.

The built-in pipeline installed in the valve stem portion is a telescopic pipeline. The built-in pipeline expands as the valve stem moves upward to seal the drain hole, and contracts as the valve stem moves downward and separates from the drain hole.

The washing machine further includes a gas chamber. The gas chamber is equipped with a pressure sensor for detecting the water level in the inner tank. A three-way branch structure is provided at one end on the outlet side of the built-in pipeline, and the three ports of the three-way branch structure communicate with the inner tank, the spray water channel, and the gas chamber, respectively.

A water collector cover is provided on the upper part of the water collector. The installation height of the water collector cover is higher than the height of the inner tank. The water discharge end of the spray water channel is fixed to the cover of the water collecting device and is provided with a spray port. The spray port faces the inside of the inner tank.

A water pump is provided in the spray channel. The water pump sucks the washing water at the bottom of the inner tank and conveys it to the upper part of the inner tank along the spray water channel.

In the method of controlling the washing machine, the washing machine includes a water collecting device and an inner tub. The inner tank is used for storing water in the cleaning process, and a drain hole communicating with the water collecting device is provided at the bottom of the inner tank. A spray water channel communicates with the drain hole, and a circulation circuit is formed by communicating the water discharge end of the spray water channel with the upper part of the inner tank. A water pump is provided in the spray channel. Control methods include the washing machine controlling the water pump to achieve spraying when water is present in the inner tub. The washing machine further includes a gas chamber. The gas chamber is equipped with a pressure sensor for detecting the water level in the inner tank. The control method includes detecting the water level in the inner tub when the washing machine needs to spray, and activating the water pump to spray if the water level meets the requirements at the time of spraying.

The washing machine activates the water pump in the water supply process / washing process / drainage process to spray.

By using the above technical plan, the present invention has the following beneficial effects as compared with the prior art.

(1) Since the built-in pipeline is installed in the valve plug of the drain hole part at the bottom of the inner tank of the washing machine where there is no water between the tanks, the inner tank is sealed and the drainage process is not hindered in real time. It is possible to detect the water level in the inner tank and perform circulation spraying. Further, since it is not necessary to draw water into the water collecting device, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the washing water remains in the water collecting device and cannot be cleaned.

(2) By providing only one built-in pipeline in the valve plug and connecting a three-way branch member to one end, both the spray channel and the gas chamber installed outside the inner tank can communicate with the inner tank. Can be done. The spray channel realizes the spray function, and the gas chamber realizes the water level detection function. As a result, while realizing a plurality of functions, no extra connecting member is added, so that the structure at the bottom of the inner tub and the inside of the washing machine is simplified.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail in combination with the drawings.

The drawings are used as part of the present invention for further understanding of the present invention. Moreover, although the schematic embodiment of the present invention and the description thereof are used for the interpretation of the present invention, the present invention is not unreasonably limited. Needless to say, the drawings described below are only a part of the embodiments, and those skilled in the art can obtain further drawings from these drawings without requiring creative labor.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a washing machine of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a valve plug of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a three-way branch structure in the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control method of the present invention.

It should be explained that these drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept of the present invention in any way, but are intended to explain the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art with reference to specific embodiments. It is a thing.

In order to further clarify the purpose, technical plan, and advantages of the examples in the present invention, the technical plan of the examples will be described clearly and concisely by combining the drawings according to the examples of the present invention. The following examples are for explaining the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

In the description of the present invention, terms such as "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "inside", and "outside" should be explained. The direction or positional relationship indicated by the above is a direction or positional relationship based on the illustration, which is merely for convenience and simplification of the description of the present invention, and the target device or member has a specific direction. It does not explicitly or imply that it must be possessed and configured and operated in a particular direction. Therefore, it should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

In the description of the present invention, the terms "wearing", "connecting", and "connecting" should be broadly interpreted unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a removable connection, or an integrated connection. Further, it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection. Further, it may be a direct chain or an indirect chain via an intermediate medium. A person skilled in the art can interpret the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention according to the specific circumstances.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention relates to a washing machine. The washing machine includes an inner tub 1 and a water collecting device 2. A dehydration hole is not provided below the maximum water level in the side wall of the inner tank 1, and a dehydration hole is provided around the upper part of the inner tank 1. In the washing process, the washing water is contained only in the inner tank 1. Therefore, it is not necessary to use the outer tank as a water storage tank, and the inner tank 1 becomes a water storage tank. Further, since it is necessary to drain the washing water in the inner tank 1, a drain hole is provided at the bottom of the inner tank 1, and a valve plug 4 for controlling the opening and closing of the drain hole is provided.

The operating process of the washing machine includes a drainage process and a dehydration process. Further, the washing machine is provided with a water collecting device 2. The water collecting device 2 may be mounted coaxially with the inner tank 1 as a tank-shaped structure and laid on the outside of the inner tank 1, or may be installed at the bottom of the inner tank 1 as a tray-shaped structure. ..

The drainage hole of the inner tank 1 is provided at the bottom and is used for drainage. The water discharged from the inner tub 1 enters the water collecting device 2 through the drain hole and then is discharged to the outside of the washing machine.

The washing machine of the present invention is further provided with a spray device. An appropriate spray water channel 3 is installed, and the water in the inner tank 1 is pulled up to the upper part of the inner tank 1 and sprayed on the inner tank 1 to absorb water from clothes, enhance the cleaning effect, and defoam. A water pump 31 is installed in the spray water channel 3. As a result, the water in the inner tank 1 is sucked and pulled up to the upper part of the inner tank 1 and sprayed toward the inner tank 1.

One end of the spray water channel 3 may communicate with the inner tank 1 and the other end may be installed in the pipeline above the inner tank 1. Further, generally, it is installed outside the water collecting device 2 and the inner tank 1 is avoided so as not to interfere with the pipeline in the cleaning process.

A water pump 31 is provided in the spray water channel 3. The water pump 31 sucks the washing water at the bottom of the inner tank 1 and conveys it to the upper part of the inner tank 1 along the spray water channel 3.

A spray head 32 may be installed at the end of the spray channel 3 to achieve a better spray effect. That is, since the washing water passes through the spray head 32 before spraying to the inner tank 1, a better distribution can be realized. This achieves the goal of better spraying. Further, a water collecting device cover is provided on the upper part of the water collecting device 2. The installation height of the water collector cover is higher than the height of the inner tank 1. The water discharge end of the spray water channel 3 is fixed to the cover of the water collecting device 2 and is provided with a spray head 32. The spray head 32 faces the inside of the inner tank 1.

When the pulsator rotates to wash the clothes in the inner tank 1, there is no water between the inner tank 1 and the water collecting device 2. At this time, the drainage hole at the bottom of the inner tank 1 must be in a sealed state. In the prior art, a valve plug is installed in the drain hole. The valve plug extends from the bottom of the washing machine through the water collector to the position of the drain hole, and expands and contracts to switch the opening and closing of the drain hole. When the valve plug extends upward, the plug head on the upper part of the valve plug directly hits the inner tank to seal the drain hole. On the other hand, when the valve plug contracts downward, the valve plug separates from the inner tank, so that the water in the inner tank can flow out from the drain hole.

The valve plug does not move in synchronization with the inner tank. The valve plug is fixed relative to the water collector, and the inner tank rotates in the axial direction. Since the drain hole of the inner tank is not always installed in the center position, when the valve plug seals the drain hole, it is guaranteed that the inner tank does not rotate, and the drain hole is just the valve plug. Need to stop at position. Therefore, the washing machine is further provided with a lock device. A positioning hole is provided at the bottom of the inner tub, and a positioning rod is provided at the other bottom of the water collector or the washing machine. When the inner tank has completed dehydration and the valve plug needs to be sealed, the positioning rod extends into the positioning hole to hold the inner tank in place.

In the washing machine of the present invention, a drain hole is provided at the bottom of the inner tub 1 of the washing machine, and communication with the spray water channel 3 is possible through the portion. Therefore, it is not necessary to make a separate hole in other parts of the inner tank 1. Further, since the valve plug 4 is present, a built-in pipeline is provided at a position in the central axis direction of the valve plug 4. One end of the built-in pipeline communicates with the inside of the inner tank 1, and the other end is connected to the spray water channel 3 and communicates with the upper part of the inner tank 1. By making the built-in pipeline of the valve plug 4 a part of the spray channel 3, it is possible to satisfactorily realize a circulation channel for spraying, and since no extra parts are added, the structure of the bottom of the inner tank 1 is simplified. Be made.

The specific installation method of the built-in pipeline is as shown in FIG. The valve plug 4 includes a plug head 42 and a valve stem 43. The plug head 42 is used to seal the drain hole and prevent the water in the inner tank 1 from entering the water collecting device 2. Further, the valve stem 43 is connected to the drive device and is used to control the expansion / contraction movement of the valve plug 4. Since it is necessary to maintain the communication state of the built-in pipeline with the inner tank 1, one end of the built-in pipeline on the plug head 42 side penetrates the plug head 42. That is, a water hole is provided in the upper part of the valve plug 4. The water hole becomes a port for the built-in pipeline. Further, the other end of the built-in pipeline needs to extend from the valve stem 43 and communicate with the spray channel 3. Therefore, an opening for extending the water channel is provided on one side of the valve stem 43. The position may be set according to the position of each device and the position of the water channel connection port. Further, by connecting to the spray water channel 3 through the port, a circulation water channel is formed on the premise that the original functions of the valve plug 4 and the valve stem 43 are not hindered.

The built-in pipeline is installed inside the valve stem 43, and the valve stem 43 has a control function by expansion and contraction. Therefore, the built-in pipeline provided in the valve cover portion may be installed as a stretchable pipeline 411 in whole or in part. In the case of the installation method of FIG. 2, when the valve stem 43 moves upward to seal the drain hole, the built-in pipeline also extends accordingly. Further, when the valve stem 43 moves downward and separates from the drain hole, the built-in pipeline contracts accordingly. Therefore, neither function is affected.

In the prior art, a gas chamber communicating with the bottom of the inner tank is provided, and a pressure sensor is installed in the gas chamber to detect the water level in the inner tank. Since the gas chamber also needs to communicate with the inner tank, in the present invention, the three-way branch structure 6 is provided at one end on the outlet side of the built-in pipeline. The three ports of the three-way branch structure 6 communicate with the inner tank 1, the spray channel 3, and the gas chamber 5, respectively.

The three-way branch structure 6 is as shown in FIG. The three-way branch structure 6 has three connection ports, one of which is generally an inlet that communicates with the inner tank 1, and the other two are a spout that is connected to the gas chamber 5 and the spray channel 3, respectively. Become. The three connection ports are a built-in water channel connection port 61 fixedly connected to one end of the extension side of the built-in water channel 41, a gas chamber connection port 62 fixedly connected to a pipeline extending from the gas chamber 5, and a spray water channel, respectively. It is a spray water channel connection port 63 fixedly connected to 3.

The present invention further includes a method of controlling a washing machine. The washing machine is the washing machine described above, and includes a water collecting device and an inner tank used for storing water in the washing process. The bottom of the inner tank is provided with a drainage hole that communicates with the water collector. A spray water channel communicates with the drain hole, and a circulation circuit is formed by communicating the water discharge end of the spray water channel with the upper part of the inner tank. In addition, a water pump is installed in the spray water channel. Control methods include the washing machine controlling the water pump to achieve spraying when water is present in the inner tub.

The washing machine further includes a gas chamber. The gas chamber is equipped with a pressure sensor for detecting the water level in the inner tank. The control method includes detecting the water level in the inner tub when the washing machine needs to spray, and activating the water pump to spray if the water level meets the requirements at the time of spraying.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the washing machine needs to spray, the spray channel needs to communicate with the inner tub through the built-in pipeline of the valve plug. Therefore, the valve plug must seal the drain holes to ensure that the wash water flows into the spray line through the built-in line. Further, when the valve plug seals the drain hole, it is necessary to lock the inner tank with a locking device to prevent the inner tank from moving in the circumferential direction.

Since the spray system needs to be circulated using the washing water in the inner tank, the water level in the inner tank can be determined through the gas chamber. If water is present in the inner tub and the amount of water can meet the amount of water required for spraying, the washing machine can activate the water pump to aspirate the water in the inner tub. The wash water in the inner tank passes through the built-in pipeline of the valve plug and then flows into the spray channel through the three-way branch structure. Then, the spray head installed at the other end of the spray water channel sprays water so as to disperse it in the inner tank, thereby realizing the purpose of water absorption / cleaning / defoaming.

In the inner tank, the amount of water in the inner tank may be detected by another water level detection device or sensor. The washing machine controls whether or not to start the water pump by feedback from the detection device or the sensor.

If there is no water in the inner tub, or if there is not enough water to achieve a circulating spray, the washing machine will automatically open the water valve to perform a water refill operation on the inner tub. .. Alternatively, it issues a warning to the user and waits for the next operation from the user. Then, after the inner tank is filled with enough water to spray, the water pump is started to spray.

In general, set an appropriate time for spraying. When the set time is reached, the washing machine stops the water pump, finishes spraying, and performs other operations.

It may also be determined from other parameters whether or not the spray should be terminated. For example, when spraying is performed in the drainage process, the water pump is stopped and the spraying is terminated when there is no more water in the inner tank. Alternatively, the condition of the inner tank is determined by another detection device, and it is determined whether or not the purpose of spraying has been achieved. Then, when the purpose of the spray is achieved, the water pump is stopped and the spray is finished.

The washing machine activates the water pump in the water supply process / washing process / drainage process to spray. When the washing machine sprays in the water supply process, the subsequent washing process is facilitated by allowing the non-wet clothes located at the upper part to absorb water. Further, when the washing machine sprays in the washing process, the impact on the clothes in the inner tub can be strengthened, so that spray washing is realized and the washing effect is improved. Further, when the washing machine sprays in the drainage process, effective defoaming can be realized in the inner tub. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a large amount of bubbles enter the pipeline or the water collecting device and the resistance to the system operation increases.

The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows. By installing a built-in pipeline in the valve plug and providing a three-way branch structure, both the spray water channel and the gas chamber installed outside the inner tank can be communicated with the inner tank. The spray channel realizes the spray function, and the gas chamber realizes the water level detection function. As a result, while realizing a plurality of functions, no extra connecting member is added, so that the structure at the bottom of the inner tub and the inside of the washing machine is simplified.

The above is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention to any form. Although the present invention has been disclosed as described above by preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. To the extent that the technical plan of the present invention is not deviated, slight modifications or supplements that can be carried out by those skilled in the art using the technical contents presented above are regarded as equivalently modified and equivalent examples, and all of them are considered to be the present invention. It does not deviate from the contents of the technical plan of. Also, any simple modifications, equivalent modifications and supplements made to the above embodiments based on the technical nature of the invention are all within the scope of the invention.

1 Inner tank 2 Water collector 3 Spray water channel 31 Water pump 32 Spray head 4 Valve plug 41 Built-in water channel 411 Expandable pipe line 42 Plug head 43 Valve stem 5 Gas chamber 6 Three-way branch structure 61 Built-in water channel connection port 62 Gas chamber connection port 63 Spray water channel connection port 7 Lock device

Claims (10)

It ’s a washing machine,
The inner tank includes a water collecting device and an inner tank, and the inner tank is used for storing water in the washing process, and a drain hole communicating with the water collecting device is provided at the bottom of the inner tank.
Further, a washing machine including a spray water channel communicating with the drain hole, wherein a circulation circuit is formed by communicating the water discharge end of the spray water channel with the upper part of the inner tank. An expandable valve plug is provided at the lower end of the drain hole, the valve plug is provided with a built-in pipeline, and one end of the built-in pipeline communicates with the inside of the inner tank and the other end. 1 is the washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine is connected to the spray water channel and communicates with the upper part of the inner tank. The valve plug includes a plug head and a valve stem and is provided in a T-shape, and the built-in pipeline penetrates the plug head and communicates with the inside of the inner tank, and the bottom of the valve stem. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the washing machine extends from an opening provided on the side surface of the water and is connected to the spray water channel. The built-in pipe installed in the valve stem portion is a stretchable pipe, and when the valve stem moves upward to seal the drain hole, the built-in pipe extends and the valve stem moves downward. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the built-in pipeline contracts when moving to and away from the drain hole. The washing machine further includes a gas chamber, the gas chamber is equipped with a pressure sensor for detecting the water level of the inner tank, and a three-way branch structure is provided at one end on the outlet side of the built-in pipeline. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the three ports of the three-way branch structure communicate with the inner tank, the spray water channel, and the gas chamber, respectively. A water collector cover is provided on the upper part of the water collector, the installation height of the water collector cover is higher than the height of the inner tank, and the water discharge end of the spray water channel is the water collector cover. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine is fixed to and is provided with a spray port, and the spray port faces the inside of the inner tub. A water pump is provided in the spray water channel, and the water pump sucks the washing water at the bottom of the inner tank and conveys the washing water to the upper part of the inner tank along the spray water channel. The washing machine according to 1. It ’s a washing machine control method.
The washing machine includes a water collecting device and an inner tank, the inner tank is used for storing water in the washing process, and a drain hole communicating with the water collecting device is provided at the bottom of the inner tank. A circulation circuit is formed by communicating the water discharge end of the spray water channel with the upper part of the inner tank, and a water pump is provided in the spray water channel. A control method comprising controlling the water pump to realize spraying when water is present in the inner tub. The washing machine further includes a gas chamber, the gas chamber is equipped with a pressure sensor for detecting the water level of the inner tank, and the control method requires the washing machine to perform spraying. The washing machine according to claim 8, further comprising detecting the water level in the inner tub and starting the water pump to perform spraying if the water level meets the requirements at the time of spraying. Control method. The method for controlling a washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the washing machine activates the water pump in a water supply process / a washing process / a drainage process to perform spraying.

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