JP7308941B2 - Washing machine and its control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention belongs to the field of household appliances, and more particularly to a washing machine and its control method.

In a normal pulsator washing machine, the inner tub is provided with a water passage hole, and the inner tub and the outer tub are in communication with each other. The inner tank serves as a cleaning tank and the outer tank serves as a storage tank, but the water that fills between the inner and outer tank walls does not participate in washing, and only the water in the inner tank actually participates in washing. is. Therefore, a large amount of water resources are wasted. In addition, if there is too much water between the inner tub and the outer tub, the concentration of liquid/powder detergent in the cleaning fluid will be reduced. In addition, since water flows frequently between the inner and outer tubs, dirt and grime accumulate in the area between the side walls of the inner and outer tubs as the tub continues to be used. As a result, limescale in tap water, loose matter from powdered detergent, cellulose in clothes, organic matter in the human body, and dust and bacteria brought in by clothes can very easily stay between the side walls of the inner and outer tanks.

In the prior art, there are washing machines that do not have water between tubs during washing. In such a washing machine, dehydration holes are provided around only the upper portion of the inner tub. In addition, a drain hole that can be opened and closed is provided in the upper part, and by closing the drain hole during cleaning, water cannot be present between the inner tank and the outer tank. Since the inner tub and the outer tub of the above-mentioned washing machine are not in communication with each other, the water level detector cannot be directly installed in the inner tub. Therefore, usually, a flow meter is installed in the water supply device, and the amount of water in the inner tank is determined by calculating the total flow rate that has passed through the water supply valve. However, the above installation method indirectly detects the amount of water in the inner tank, so it may not be accurate. In addition, there are cases where the water quality or the like causes the flow rate to lose its function, making it impossible to stop the water supply.

In the washing machine described above, there is also a dual power installation in which both the inner tub and the pulsator rotate during the washing process. In this case, the valve plug installed in the outer tank cannot close the drain hole of the inner tank, and the water level in the inner tank cannot be detected.

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 its control method in order to eliminate the defects of the prior art.

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

A washing machine includes an inner tub and a water collecting device. The inner tub is used to store water during the cleaning process, and a drain hole is provided at the bottom of the inner tub. Moreover, a water level detection device is further included. A normally closed water stop device is provided in the drain hole, and a movable push-up rod is provided at a position corresponding to the water stop device. The push-up rod can push open the water stop device to allow the inner tank and the water level detection device to communicate with each other in a sealed manner.

The washing machine further includes a communication line corresponding to the position of the drain hole, and the push-up rod is installed inside the communication line. One end of the communication conduit communicates with the water level detection device, and the other end is an open opening facing the drain hole.

The communication conduit is an expandable/movable conduit, and one end of the opening extends upward to be able to abut on the bottom of the inner tank. One end of the opening of the communication conduit is fixedly connected to the push-up rod or installed separately from the push-up rod.

A water stop ring is installed at the opening of the communication conduit. The diameter of the water stop ring is greater than the diameter of the drain hole. Preferably, the position of the water stop ring is higher than the top of the push-up rod.

The water stop device includes a water stop lid and a return spring. The push-up rod can come into contact with the water stop cover to push up the water stop cover. The return spring returns the water stop cover to the closed state after the push-up rod is separated from the water stop cover.

The washing machine is further provided with a drain line. One end of the communicating conduit that communicates with the water level detection device further communicates with the drain conduit. Preferably, the communication pipeline is provided with a three-way branch structure that is connected to the water level detection device and the drain pipeline, respectively. The drainage pipeline is provided with a drainage valve for controlling opening and closing of the drainage pipeline.

The push-up rod has a first drive and the communication line has a second drive at its open end. The first drive and the second drive are separately drivable.

In the washing machine control method, the washing machine is the above washing machine. In the control method, when the inner tub is stationary, the washing machine pushes up the water shut-off device with the push-up rod, thereby allowing the inner tub and the water level detection device to communicate with each other to detect the water level.

One end of the communication line of the washing machine that communicates with the water level detection device is further connected to a drain line. The communication pipeline is provided with a three-way branch structure that is connected to the water level detector and the drain pipeline, respectively. The drainage pipeline is provided with a drainage valve for controlling opening and closing of the drainage pipeline. In the above control method, when it is necessary to detect the water level in the inner tank when the inner tank is stationary, the push-up rod and the communication pipe move upward while the drain valve is closed to push open the water stop cover. , the inner tank and the water level detection device are in sealed communication. When the water needs to be drained, the drain valve is opened and the push-up rod moves upward to push open the water stop cover.

The push-up rod and the communication line of the washing machine are separately drivable. In the above control method, when it is necessary to detect the water level of the inner tank while the inner tank is stationary, the communication pipe moves upward to enclose the drain hole in a sealed manner, and the push-up rod moves upward to close the water stop cover. By pushing open, the water in the inner tank flows into the water level detection device through the communication conduit, and the water level is detected. When the water needs to be drained, the push-up rod is moved upward to push open the water cut-off lid, so that the inner tank and the water collecting device communicate with each other to drain the water.

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

(1) Since there is no water between tanks during the cleaning process, a large amount of water resources can be saved. In addition, it is possible to avoid a situation in which washing water is stored between the tanks, causing bacteria to grow and contaminate the clothes.

(2) The inner tank is provided with a normally-closed water shut-off device, and self-sealing can be achieved without interference from other members. Therefore, there is no need to install a member for blocking the drainage holes in the water collecting device, and the inner tub can be rotated during the cleaning process, thus achieving dual power during the cleaning process.

(3) Drainage and water level detection are achieved by installing a push-up rod that pushes up the normally closed water shut-off device, so the structure is simple and easy to implement. Moreover, since the water level detection is directly performed by communicating with the inner tank, a more accurate detection result can be obtained.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below in combination with the drawings.

The drawings are part of the invention and are used for a further understanding of the invention. Also, the schematic embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used for the interpretation of the invention, but do not unduly limit the invention. It should be understood that the drawings described below are only part of the examples, and those skilled in the art can derive further drawings from these drawings without creative effort.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a washing machine of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control method for water level detection in the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a method of controlling drainage in the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a control method for water level detection in the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a method of controlling drainage in the present invention.

It should be noted that these drawings and written description are not intended to limit the scope of the inventive concept in any way, but rather to explain the inventive concepts to those skilled in the art with reference to specific embodiments. It is.

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments will be described clearly and concisely in combination with the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that the following examples are for the purpose of explaining the present invention, and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

In the description of the present invention, the points to be explained are directions indicated by terms such as "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "inside", "outside", etc. Or the positional relationship is the direction or positional relationship based on the drawings, and is only for the convenience and simplification of the description of the present invention, and the target device or member has a specific direction and It does not express or imply that it must be configured and operated in any particular direction. As such, it should not be construed as limiting the invention.

In the description of the present invention, the terms "attached", "connected", and "connected" should be interpreted broadly, unless explicitly defined and limited otherwise. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a removable connection, or an integral connection. Also, the connection may be mechanical or electrical. Furthermore, it may be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can interpret the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention according to specific situations.

As shown in Figure 1, the present invention relates to a washing machine. The washing machine includes an inner tub 1 and a water collecting device 2 . A drain hole 11 is provided at the bottom of the inner tank 1 . Moreover, the side wall of the inner tank 1 is provided with dewatering holes only in the upper part. In the dehydration process, the inner tub rotates to allow remaining water in the inner tub 1 to escape from the dehydration holes in the upper portion, flow into the water collecting device 2, and be discharged from the main body.

In the prior art, a valve plug is installed in the drain hole. The valve plug is installed in the water collection device and moves up and down to realize the opening and closing of the drain hole. During the cleaning process, the valve plug abuts against the drain hole, so the inner tub cannot rotate during the cleaning process. In other words, the installation of the valve plug restricts the movement of the inner tank. Therefore, in the present invention, a water stop device is installed in the drain hole 11 of the inner tank. Since the water cutoff device is normally closed, the inner tank can store water during water supply and washing, and can rotate to supply power for washing.

Now refer to FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the portion A in FIG. 1, and can more clearly show the structure of the water stop device and the like. The water stop device is a mechanical structure, and can be pushed open by a push-up rod 4 installed in the water collecting device 2 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the push-up rod 4 is provided at its lower portion with a driving device that can be driven to move the push-up rod 4 up and down. When it is necessary to store water in the inner tank 1, the push-up rod 4 separates from the water stop device to close the water stop device. Further, when the water stop device needs to be opened, the push-up rod 4 can move upward to contact the water stop device.

The washing machine of the present invention further includes a water level detection device 6 . The water level detection device 6 is provided with a gas chamber. The gas chamber communicates with the bottom of a water tank, and water pressure within the water tank compresses gas within the gas chamber. Therefore, measuring the pressure of the gas in the gas chamber provides corresponding water level data.

The washing machine of the present invention is further provided with a communication conduit 5 . When the push-up rod 4 pushes open the water stop device, the water in the inner tank 1 flows into the water level detection device 6 through the communication pipe 5, and the water level in the inner tank 1 is detected.

As shown in FIG. 2, the push-up rod 4 is installed inside the communicating pipe line 5 . By installing it inside the communication pipe 5, when the push-up rod 4 pushes open the water stop device, the water can directly enter the communication pipe 5 from the drain hole 11 and flow into the water level detection device 6. It becomes possible.

One end of the communication conduit communicates with the water level detection device 6 . That is, it communicates with the gas chamber. Moreover, the other end is an open type opening, surrounding the drain hole 11 after the movement. As a result, the water in the drain hole 11 flows out along the communication conduit 5 and enters the water level detection device 6 . Since the open-type opening must surround the drain hole 11, the installation position must correspond to the position of the drain hole 11. That is, it is necessary to align the communicating pipe line 5 with the position of the drain hole 11 . After the water shut-off lid 31 installed in the drain hole 11 is opened, the drain hole 11 can be surrounded by the communicating pipe line 5 in a sealed manner. As a result, the water in the inner tank 1 flows into the communication conduit 5 without leaking into the water collecting device 2, and the water level is detected.

The communication conduit 5 moves up and down. Therefore, if the communicating pipe line 5 is retracted when the water cutoff device is in a sealed state, the rotation of the inner tank 1 will not be hindered. The communication pipe line 5 may be a hard pipe line, and the entire pipe line may be movable, or the position near the drain hole 11 may be made an expandable pipe line, and a stretchable portion 52 may be provided to seal and remove the drain hole 11. may be realized. The communication pipe 5 can abut on the bottom of the inner tank 1 when moved upward, and by surrounding all the positions of the drain holes 11, the water in the inner tank 1 flows only along the communication pipe 5. Let

Both the push-up rod 4 and the communication pipe 5 must be moved upward when the water level needs to be detected. Therefore, one end of the communication conduit 5 may be fixedly connected to the push-up rod 4 and moved integrally. However, depending on the difference in drainage settings, the communication conduit 5 and the push-up rod 4 may be provided as separate bodies and driven separately. In this case, the water in the inner tank 1 can be discharged to the water collection device 2 after the push-up rod 4 pushes the water stop device open.

As shown in FIG. 2, a water stop ring 51 is further installed at the opening of the communicating pipe line 5 . The water stop ring 51 is made of a rubber material. When the communication conduit 5 communicates with the inner tank 1, the water stop ring 51 causes water in the inner tank 1 to leak out from the connecting portion and enter the water collecting device 2, resulting in inaccurate water level detection. This is to prevent a situation where That is, by installing the water stop ring 51 , a sealed structure is formed when the communicating pipe line 5 abuts against the bottom of the inner tank 1 . This makes it possible to guarantee that there will be no water leakage and guarantee the accuracy of the detection result.

The diameter of the water stop ring 51 should be larger than the diameter of the drain hole 11 . In addition, if the water stop ring 51 and the drain hole 11 are not circular, the size of the water stop ring 51 should be such that the water stop ring 51 can completely surround the drain hole 11 inside so as to obtain a sealing effect.

In addition, there should be a certain time lag between the timing at which the communication conduit 5 communicates with the drain hole 11 and the timing at which the push-up rod 4 comes into contact with and releases the water stop device. That is, first, the communication pipe line 5 is installed at a predetermined position to form a reliably sealed environment, and then the push-up rod 4 is brought into contact with the water shutoff device to push open the water shutoff device. Water should enter the communication line 5 . Preferably, the position of the water stop ring 51 is higher than the top of the push-up rod 4 . By doing so, the water stop ring 51 comes into contact with the inner tank 1 first to form a sealed structure. In addition, since both the rubber and the pipe line have contractility, even after the water stop ring 51 contacts the inner tank 1, the push-up rod 4 can move upward to push open the water stop device. is.

The water stop device includes a water stop lid 31 . As shown in FIG. 2, the upper portion of the water stop cover 31 has an arcuate spherical surface so that the force acting on the water stop cover when pushing up the push-up rod 4 is reduced. The water shut-off lid 31 is adapted to the drain hole 11 and has a structure such as a packing for preventing water leakage.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the water stop cover 31 has a water stop surface and a push-up portion extending from the lower end of the water stop cover 31 . The push-up portion is provided at a position corresponding to the push-up rod 4 . The push-up rod 4 can push up the entire waterproof lid 31 by abutting against the push-up portion. Further, as a result, the water stop lid 31 is separated from the inner tank 1 and the water in the inner tank 1 flows out from the drain hole 11 .

A return spring 32 is further provided because the water shutoff device shuts off water by a normally closed system. When no external force from the push-up rod 4 or the like acts, the water shut-off device is always closed by the action of the return spring 32, thereby ensuring that the bottom of the inner tank 1 is sealed.

A return spring 32 is attached to the outer circumference of the push-up portion. One end of the return spring 32 abuts against the water shut-off lid 31, and the other end abuts against a fixed position and is positionally regulated in the cavity by a screw.

Usually, the bottom of the inner tank is provided with a drain hole. The drain hole can generally communicate with the water collecting device, and discharges the water in the inner tank to the outside of the main body through the water collecting device. However, in the present invention, since the communication pipe line 5 that can communicate with the water level detector 6 is installed in the drain hole 11 of the inner tank, the inner tank can have two types of embodiments when draining water.

<Example 1>
Drainage from the inner tank is discharged through the communication conduit.

A three-way branch structure is provided at one end of the communicating conduit 5 on the side of the water level detection device 6 . Therefore, the water from the communication conduit 5 can flow into the water level detection device 6 to detect the water level, and can also flow into the drainage conduit to be drained. By installing structures such as valves and controlling them, it is possible to realize the water level detection function and the drainage function.

A drain valve is provided in the drain pipe, and the above functions can be realized by opening and closing the drain valve.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the control method of the installation method. FIG. 3 shows a control method when water level detection is required in the installation situation as described above. FIG. 4 shows a control method when drainage is required in the situation installed as described above.

The inner tub 1 of the washing machine can be set to rotate during the washing process to achieve dual power washing. Therefore, the push-up rod 4 and the communication pipe 5 are not allowed to come into contact with the inner tank 1 during the rotation of the inner tank 1 so as not to hinder the rotation of the inner tank. The inner tub 1 stops at a predetermined position when rotation is stopped. At this position, the water shut-off device, the push-up rod 4 and the communication pipe 5 are butted against each other to achieve the purpose of opening and communicating.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the inner tank 1 requires water level detection, the communication pipe 5 communicates with both the water level detector 6 and the drain pipe, so whether the drain valve is closed or not is detected. must be determined. If this is not done, the water in the inner tank 1 will flow out from the drain pipe, making it impossible to detect the water level. If the drain valve has opened the device, the washing machine controls the drain valve to close before proceeding. When the drain valve is closed, the push-up rod 4 and the communication pipe 5 move upward (they may be moved simultaneously or may be driven separately), and the water stop ring 51 on the communication pipe 5 is closed. By abutting against the bottom of the inner tank 1, the drain hole 11 is sealed. After the sealing connection is formed, the push-up rod 4 continues to move upward to push open the waterproof lid 31 . At this time, the water in the inner tank 1 can flow out from the drain hole 11 and flows into the water level detection device 6 through the communication pipe line 5 . As a result, the water pressure in the inner tank 1 acts on the gas in the gas chamber, and the air pressure in the gas chamber reacts with the water level in the inner tank 1 . The water level detection process is completed when the water level detection device 6 feeds back the data to the washing machine.

In this embodiment, the push-up rod 4 and the communication conduit 5 may be separately driven so that the drain hole 11 is first sealed and then the water cutoff device is pushed open.

When the inner tank 1 needs to be drained, it is necessary to reliably open the drain valve of the drain pipe. Then, the push-up rod 4 and the communication pipe 5 move upward, and the water stop ring 51 of the communication pipe 5 abuts against the inner tank 1 to surround the drain hole 11, thereby forming a sealed connection. . After that, when the push-up rod 4 pushes up the water stop device, the inner tank 1 is communicated with the drain pipe, and the water in the inner tank is discharged.

In the above method, since it is not necessary to let the water in the inner tank enter the water collecting device during the drainage process, it is possible to avoid the situation where washing water remains in the water collecting device and bacteria breed, which is disadvantageous for cleaning. be done.

<Example 2>
The push-up rod and the communication line are driven separately, and the wastewater is discharged through the water collecting device.

The push-up rod 4 and the communication pipe 5 have different roles. The push-up rod 4 is used to push up the water stop device to achieve communication between the inner tank 1 and the outside. On the other hand, the role of the communicating pipe line 5 is to realize communication between the inner tank 1 and the water level detection device 6 by surrounding the drain hole 11, thereby enabling water level detection. Therefore, by providing the push-up rod 4 with the first driving device and providing the communication pipe line 5 with the second driving device, they can be driven separately. When the inner tank 1 needs to be drained, the water in the inner tank 1 flows into the water collecting device 2 by driving only the push-up rod 4 to push open the water stop device. Then, the washing machine discharges the water in the water collecting device 2 to realize the drainage. On the other hand, when it is necessary to detect the water level of the inner tank 1, both the push-up rod 4 and the communication pipe line 5 are driven. In this case, the communication pipe 5 is first driven to achieve the blockage, and then the push-up rod 4 is driven to open the water shut-off device, and the water in the inner tank 1 rises from the sealed flow path to the water level. It may be allowed to enter the detection device 6 .

5 and 6 show the control method for the installation as described above. FIG. 5 shows a control method when this embodiment requires water level detection. FIG. 6 shows the control method when this embodiment requires drainage.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the inner tank 1 needs to detect the water level, the push-up rod 4 and the communication pipe 5 move upward. A water stop ring 51 of the communication pipe 5 abuts against the bottom of the inner tank 1 and surrounds the drain hole 11 to form a sealed structure. The push-up rod 4 continues to move upward to push open the water shut-off lid 31 to allow communication between the inner tank 1 and the communication pipe line 5 . As a result, the water in the inner tank 1 flows into the water level detector 6 through the communication conduit 5 . After obtaining the water level data, the water level detection device 6 feeds it back to the washing machine and terminates the detection.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the inner tub 1 needs to be drained, only the push-up rod 4 moves upward to push the water cutoff lid 31 open. At this time, the communication between the inner tank 1 and the water collecting device 2 is realized, and the wash water in the inner tank 1 enters the water collecting device 2 and is discharged through the drainage pipeline installed in the water collecting device 2. .

The foregoing are merely preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any form. Although the present invention has been disclosed above through preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention, slight variations or supplements that can be implemented by those skilled in the art using the technical content presented above are regarded as equally modified equivalent embodiments, and any It does not deviate from the content of the technical plan. In addition, any simple modifications, equivalent variations and supplements added to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention are all within the scope of the scheme of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 inner tank 11 drainage hole 2 water collecting device 31 water stop cover 32 return spring 4 push-up rod 5 communicating pipe line 51 water stop ring 52 extension part 6 water level detector

Claims (9)

A washing machine comprising an inner tub and a water collecting device, wherein the inner tub is used to store water during washing, and a drain hole is provided at the bottom of the inner tub,
Furthermore, a water level detection device is included, the drain hole is provided with a normally closed water stop device, and a movable push-up rod is provided at a position corresponding to the water stop device, and the push-up rod It is possible to open the water device and connect the inner tank and the water level detection device in a sealed manner,
Further comprising a communication conduit corresponding to the position of the drain hole, the push-up rod is installed inside the communication conduit, one end of the communication conduit communicates with the water level detection device, and the other end of the communication conduit is the drain hole. It has an open opening facing the
The push-up rod has a first drive, the other end of the communication line with an open-type opening has a second drive, and the first drive and the second A washing machine, characterized in that the drives are separately drivable . The communication pipeline is an expandable/movable pipeline, and one end of the opening extends upward to be able to abut on the bottom of the inner tank, and the one end of the opening of the communication pipeline is The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein the washing machine is fixedly connected to the push-up rod or installed separately from the push-up rod. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1 , wherein a water stop ring is installed at the opening of the communication pipe, and the diameter of the water stop ring is larger than the diameter of the drain hole. 2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position of the water stop ring is higher than the top of the push-up rod. The water stop device includes a water stop lid and a return spring, the push-up rod is capable of contacting the water stop lid and pushing up the water stop lid, and the return spring separates the push-up rod from the water stop lid. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the water shut-off lid is returned to the closed state later. 6. The washing machine is further provided with a drain line, and one end of the communication line that communicates with the water level detection device further communicates with the drain line. washing machine described in . The communication pipeline is provided with a three-way branch structure that is connected to the water level detection device and the drainage pipeline, respectively, and the drainage pipeline is provided with a drainage valve that controls opening and closing of the drainage pipeline. The washing machine according to claim 6, characterized by: A control method for a washing machine, comprising:
The washing machine includes an inner tub and a water collecting device, the inner tub is used to store water during the washing process, a drainage hole is provided at the bottom of the inner tub, and a water level detection device is provided to detect the drainage. A normally closed water stop device is provided in the hole, and a movable push-up rod is provided at a position corresponding to the water stop device. The detection device can be communicated in a sealed manner, and in the control method, when the inner tub is stationary, the washing machine pushes up the water stop device with a push-up rod, thereby communicating the inner tub and the water level detection device. to detect
The push-up rod and the communication conduit of the washing machine can be driven separately, and in the control method, when the water level of the inner tub is required to be detected while the inner tub is stationary, the communication conduit moves upward to open the drain hole. is enclosed in a sealed manner, and the push-up rod moves upward to push open the water shut-off lid, so that the water in the inner tank flows into the water level detector from the communication pipe and is detected. A method characterized in that the push-up rod is moved upward to push open the water cut-off lid, thereby allowing the inner tank and the water collecting device to communicate with each other to drain water. One end of the communication conduit of the washing machine that communicates with the water level detector is further connected to a drain conduit, and the communication conduit is provided with a three-way branch structure that is connected to the water level detector and the drain conduit, respectively. The drain pipe is provided with a drain valve for controlling the opening and closing of the drain pipe. When the valve is closed, the push-up rod and the communication pipe move upward to push open the water shut-off lid, so that the inner tank and the water level detector communicate in a sealed manner. 9. The method of controlling a washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the push-up rod moves upward to push open the water stop cover.

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