Washing machine

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a washing machine. The washing machine comprises a box body; a door body and an electric door lock are arranged on the box body; the electric door lock comprises a door hook and a lock body. A direct current motor; a control circuit is arranged in the box body and comprises a driving module; the first limiting module is used for generating a door closing limiting signal when the door body is attached to the box body and the door hook is inserted into the lock body, and generating a door opening limiting signal when the door body is far away from the box body and the door hook is not inserted into the lock body; the controller is configured to control the driving module to drive the direct current motor to rotate when it is detected that the first limiting module generates the door closing limiting signal, so that the electric door lock is switched to a door locking state or an unlocking state; and when it is detected that the first limiting module does not generate the door closing limiting signal and the door opening limiting signal, the driving module is controlled to drive the direct current motor to rotate, so that the electric door lock is switched to the unlocking state. According to the technical scheme, the door body can be fixed to the box body through the direct current motor, so that noise is reduced, and safety is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of electromechanical control, and more particularly, to a washing machine. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of people's living standards, using a washing machine to wash clothes is a commonly used way of clothing washing. However, how to prevent the door on the washing machine body from opening abnormally during the washing process of the clothes, causing the clothes to be thrown out of the washing machine is also a difficult point. In the related art, a washing machine with an electric door lock is proposed, which generates a magnetic force after being energized at both ends of the coil of the electric door lock, thereby attracting the lock head in the electric door lock to move, and then realizing locking or unlocking. However, when the electric door lock is locked, it will generate a relatively large noise due to its own characteristics, which reduces the user experience. Moreover, the electric door lock needs high-voltage alternating current to work, which poses a relatively large safety risk when the user accidentally touches the electric door lock. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To solve the above technical problems, an embodiment of this application provides a washing machine.

[0004] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a washing machine is provided, including: a body; a door and an electric door lock are provided on the body; wherein, the door is openably and closably arranged on the body; the electric door lock includes: a door hook and a lock body, wherein, the door hook is arranged on the door; a DC motor that rotates when detecting a DC voltage and drives a gear inside the lock body to rotate; a control circuit is provided inside the body, and the control circuit includes: a driving module electrically connected to the DC motor for driving the DC motor to rotate; a first limiting module for generating a closing limit signal when the door fits on the body and the door hook is inserted into the lock body, and generating an opening limit signal when the door is away from the body and the door hook is not inserted into the lock body; a controller configured to control the driving module to drive the DC motor to rotate when detecting that the first limiting module generates the closing limit signal, so that the electric door lock switches to the locked state or the unlocked state; when detecting that the first limiting module does not generate the closing limit signal and the opening limit signal, control the driving module to drive the DC motor to rotate, so that the electric door lock switches to the unlocked state.

[0005] In the above embodiments, the driving module drives the DC motor to rotate under the control of the controller, so that the electric door lock can be switched to the door-locking state to fix the opening and closing end of the door body on the box body, preventing the clothes in the washing machine from being thrown out. At the same time, the first limiting module can ensure that the controller can only control the electric door lock to switch to the door-locking state when the door body of the washing machine is attached to the box body, thus improving the safety of the door body of the washing machine when locking the door. Moreover, the method of driving the gear of the lock body to rotate by the rotation of the DC motor for locking or unlocking the door can effectively reduce the noise of the electric door lock, thereby improving the user's satisfaction with the use of the washing machine. Secondly, the DC supply voltage of the DC motor is relatively low compared to the AC voltage at which the washing machine operates. When the electric door lock leaks electricity, it can effectively reduce the safety risk of users accidentally touching the leaking electric door lock and improve the safety of users when using the washing machine. In addition, considering that the vibration of the washing machine during use may cause the opening and closing end of the door body to displace, resulting in the problem that the door body fails to fit the box body, but the door body cannot move away from the box body. Therefore, when the controller detects that the first limiting module does not generate a door-closing limit signal and a door-opening limit signal, it controls the driving module to drive the DC motor to rotate, so that the electric door lock is switched to the unlocking state, thereby facilitating the restoration of the opening and closing setting of the door body on the box body and further improving the user's satisfaction with the use of the washing machine.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first limiting module includes a first limit switch, which has a first moving end, a first non-moving end, and a second non-moving end. When the first non-moving end is conducted with the first moving end, a door-closing limit signal is generated. When the second non-moving end is conducted with the first moving end, a door-opening limit signal is generated; the door hook is driven to move by the door body, so that the first non-moving end or the second non-moving end of the first limit switch is conducted with the first moving end.

[0007] In some embodiments, the control circuit further includes: a second limiting module, configured to generate a door-locking limit signal when the electric door lock is switched to the door-locking state and generate an unlocking limit signal when the electric door lock is switched to the unlocking state; the controller is further configured to receive the door-locking limit signal or the unlocking limit signal generated by the second limiting module when controlling the driving module to drive the DC motor to rotate; and determine that the electric door lock is switched to the door-locking state or the unlocking state according to the received door-locking limit signal or unlocking limit signal.

[0008] In the above embodiments, during the process of the controller controlling the driving module to drive the DC motor to rotate, based on the door-locking limit signal or the unlocking limit signal generated by the second limiting module, the accuracy of determining whether the electric door lock is switched to the door-locking state or the unlocking state can be improved, so as to achieve the purpose of timely cutting off the power supply of the DC motor and ensuring that the electric door lock is not easily damaged.

[0009] In some embodiments, the second limit module includes a second limit switch, which has a second moving end, a third fixed end, and a fourth fixed end. When the third fixed end is electrically connected to the second moving end, a door-locking limit signal is generated. When the fourth fixed end is electrically connected to the second moving end, an unlocking limit signal is generated. The gear is rotated by the DC motor to electrically connect the third fixed end or the fourth fixed end of the second limit switch to the second moving end.

[0010] In some embodiments, the drive module includes a DC power supply, a power supply switch, and a fuse switch. One end of the power supply switch is electrically connected to the DC power supply, and the other end is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the DC motor. One end of the fuse switch is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the DC motor, and the other end is grounded. The controller is further configured to control both the power supply switch and the fuse switch to conduct when it detects that the first limit module generates the door-closing limit signal or when it detects that the first limit module does not generate the door-closing limit signal and the door-opening limit signal.

[0011] In the above embodiments, when the controller needs to switch the electric door lock to the door-locking state or the unlocking state, it can control the power supply switch and the fuse switch to conduct, so that the DC power supply supplies power to the DC motor, thereby reducing the probability that the DC motor is accidentally powered on and rotates, causing damage to the electric door lock.

[0012] In some embodiments, both the power supply switch and the fuse switch are electrically connected to the first limit module. When the first limit module generates the door-closing limit signal or when the first limit module does not generate the door-closing limit signal and the door-opening limit signal, both the power supply switch and the fuse switch are controlled to conduct.

[0013] In the above embodiments, the power supply switch and the fuse switch can only supply power to the DC motor through the power supply switch and the fuse switch and form a circuit path when the door body is attached to the box body and the door hook is inserted into the lock body, or when the door body cannot be attached to the box body but cannot be far away from the box body. Therefore, on the premise of reducing the accidental power-on rotation of the DC motor, it is ensured that when the door body fails to be attached to the box body due to the vibration during the use of the washing machine, the electric door lock can still be switched to the unlocking state, improving the user's satisfaction with the use of the washing machine.

[0014] In some embodiments, the control circuit further includes a monitoring module, which is electrically connected to the DC motor and is used to monitor the working state of the DC motor. The controller is further configured to control the DC motor to stop working when it determines that the working state of the DC motor monitored by the monitoring module is an abnormal working state.

[0015] In the above embodiments, the working state of the DC motor is monitored through the electrical connection between the monitoring module and the DC motor, so that when the controller determines that the working state of the DC motor monitored by the monitoring module is an abnormal working state, the DC motor is timely controlled to stop working, thereby reducing the probability of damage to the DC motor and prolonging the service life of the DC motor.

[0016] In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to: during the process of controlling the driving module to drive the DC motor to rotate, obtain the starting voltage corresponding to the DC motor; adjust the output voltage of the driving module based on the PWM method corresponding to the starting voltage, where the output voltage is the voltage used to drive the DC motor to rotate.

[0017] In the above embodiments, based on the PWM method, it is possible to reduce the output voltage of the driving module when the driving module drives the DC motor to rotate, so as to reduce the current required by the DC motor at the moment of starting, thereby reducing the power demand for the DC power supply in the driving module and reducing the production cost of the washing machine; and gradually increase the output voltage of the driving module during the process of the driving module driving the DC motor to rotate until the output voltage of the driving module reaches the starting voltage of the DC motor, improving the rotation efficiency of the DC motor.

[0018] In some embodiments, the control circuit further includes: a protection module, electrically connected to the driving module and the DC motor respectively, for controlling the DC motor to stop rotating when the negative voltage of the DC motor exceeds the positive voltage of the DC motor.

[0019] In the above embodiments, through the protection module, when the negative voltage of the DC motor exceeds the positive voltage of the DC motor, the DC motor can be controlled to stop rotating, so that the DC motor can only rotate in one direction, ensuring the consistency of the rotation direction and higher reliability.

[0020] In some embodiments, the protection module includes a diode, the cathode of the diode is electrically connected to the DC motor, and the anode of the diode is electrically connected to the driving module.

[0021] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit this application. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] The drawings here are incorporated into the specification and form a part of this specification, showing embodiments consistent with this application, and are used together with the specification to explain the principles of this application. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of this application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts. In the drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an electric door lock shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of a control circuit shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the first limit module in the control circuit shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of the first limit module in the control circuit shown in another exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the first limit module in the control circuit shown in yet another exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 6 It is provided on the basis of Figure 2 a schematic structural diagram of another control circuit.

[0029] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of the second limit module in the control circuit shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 8 It is a schematic structural diagram of the second limit module in the control circuit shown in another exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 9 It is a schematic structural diagram of the second limit module in the control circuit shown in yet another exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 10 It is a schematic structural diagram of a drive module shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 11 It is provided on the basis of Figure 2 a schematic structural diagram of yet another control circuit.

[0034] Figure 12 It is provided on the basis of Figure 2 a schematic structural diagram of yet another control circuit.

[0035] Figure 13 It is a schematic structural diagram of the protection module in the control circuit shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Figure 14 It is a flowchart of a method for controlling an electric door lock of a washing machine provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed Implementation Manner

[0037] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the example embodiments can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this application will be more complete and comprehensive, and will fully convey the concept of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art.

[0038] In addition, the described features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this application. However, those skilled in the art will realize that the technical solutions of this application can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or other methods, components, devices, steps, etc. can be adopted. In other cases, well-known methods, devices, implementations, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of this application.

[0039] The block diagrams shown in the accompanying drawings are merely functional entities and do not necessarily correspond to physically independent entities. That is, these functional entities can be implemented in software form, or implemented in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or implemented in different networks and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.

[0040] The flowcharts shown in the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative and not necessarily include all the content and operations / steps, nor are they necessarily executed in the order described. For example, some operations / steps can be decomposed, and some operations / steps can be combined or partially combined, so the actual execution order may change according to the actual situation.

[0041] It should be noted that: "a plurality" mentioned herein means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0042] An embodiment of this application provides a washing machine, which includes a cabinet, on which a door body and an electric door lock are provided. The door body is opened and closed on the cabinet, and the electric door lock is used to fix the door body on the cabinet. The structural schematic diagram of the electric door lock 100 can be referred to Figure 1 as shown. The electric door lock 100 includes a door hook 110, a lock body 120, and a DC motor 130.

[0043] The door hook 110 is provided on the door body so that the door hook 110 can move following the opening and closing movement of the door body.

[0044] Both the lock body 120 and the DC motor 130 are arranged in the box body. The DC motor 130 rotates when detecting a DC voltage, thereby driving the gears inside the lock body 120 to rotate, so as to switch the electric door lock 100 to the locked state or the unlocked state.

[0045] A control circuit for controlling the electric door lock 100 to lock or unlock is arranged in the box body. The structural schematic diagram of the control circuit can be referred to Figure 2 As shown, the control circuit 200 includes a driving module 210, a first limit module 220 and a controller 230, and each part will be introduced below.

[0046] The driving module 210 is electrically connected to the DC motor 130, and the driving module 210 is used to drive the DC motor 130 to rotate.

[0047] The first limit module 220 is used to generate a closing limit signal when the door body is attached to the box body and the door hook 110 is inserted into the lock body 120, and generate an opening limit signal when the door body is away from the box body and the door hook 110 is not inserted into the lock body 120.

[0048] The controller 230 is electrically connected to the driving module 210 and the first limit module 220 respectively. The controller 230 is configured to control the driving module 210 to drive the DC motor 130 to rotate when detecting that the first limit module 220 generates a closing limit signal, so as to switch the electric door lock 100 to the locked state or the unlocked state. When detecting that the first limit module 220 does not generate a closing limit signal and an opening limit signal, control the driving module 210 to drive the DC motor 130 to rotate, so as to switch the electric door lock 100 to the unlocked state.

[0049] In the embodiment of the present application, the setting method of the first limit module 220 can be flexibly adjusted according to needs. In one example, the specific setting method of the first limit module 220 can be referred to Figure 3As shown in the figure. The first limit module 220 includes a first limit switch 310. The first limit switch 310 has a first moving end, a first fixed end, and a second fixed end. When the first fixed end and the first moving end are conducted, a door - closing limit signal is generated. When the second fixed end and the first moving end are conducted, an open - door limit signal is generated. The control mode of the first moving end of the first limit switch 310 can be set such that the door hook 110 is driven by the door body to move, so that the first fixed end or the second fixed end of the first limit switch 310 is conducted. That is, the first moving end of the first limit switch 310 acts under the abutment of the door hook 110 that moves with the door body. When the door body approaches the box body to close the door, the door hook 110 is inserted into the lock body 120 and abuts against the first moving end of the first limit switch 310. When the door body fits on the box body, the first moving end of the first limit switch 310 is pushed by the abutment of the door hook 110 to be conducted with the first fixed end, so as to generate a door - closing limit signal indicating that the current door body is in the closed state. When the door body moves away from the box body to open the door, until the opening - and - closing end of the door body is separated from the box body, the door hook 110 is separated from the first moving end of the first limit switch 310, so that the first moving end of the first limit switch 310 is reset and conducted with the second fixed end, so as to generate an open - door limit signal indicating that the current door body is in the open state. Therefore, it is realized that a door - closing limit signal is generated when the door hook 110 is inserted into the lock body 120 when the door body fits on the box door, and an open - door limit signal is generated when the door hook 110 is not inserted into the lock body 120 when the door body moves away from the box door.

[0050] Among them, for the setting method that the first moving end of the first limit switch 310 is reset and conducted with the second fixed end, on the one hand, magnetic parts can be respectively arranged on the first moving end and the door hook 110, so that when the door hook 110 moves away from the box body following the door body, the magnetic attraction of the magnetic parts can be used to move the first moving end towards the second fixed end, so that the first moving end is reset and conducted with the second fixed end. On the other hand, a reset spring for conducting the first moving end and the second fixed end can be arranged in the first limit switch 310. Thus, when the door hook 110 is inserted into the lock body 120 and abuts against the first moving end of the first limit switch 310, the reset spring is forced to deform, so that the first moving end can be conducted with the first fixed end. When the door hook 110 is not inserted into the lock body 120, the first moving end can be reset under the elastic force of the reset spring and conducted with the second fixed end.

[0051] At the same time, according to Figure 3 it can be known that the door - closing limit signal and the open - door limit signal can be set as ground signals. That is, when the controller 230 receives a ground signal through the first limit switch 310, the ground signal can be used as the door - closing limit signal or the open - door limit signal generated by the first limit switch 310. In addition, it can also refer to Figure 4As shown, the first limit module 220 further includes a door - closing limit signal generation module 410 and a door - opening limit signal generation module 420. The door - closing limit signal generation module 410 is disposed between the first fixed end and the controller 230, and the door - opening limit signal generation module 420 is disposed between the second fixed end and the controller 230. When the first moving end of the first limit switch 310 is conducted with the first fixed end, the door - closing limit signal generation module 410 forms a path to the ground through the first limit switch 310, and the door - closing limit signal generation module 410 can generate a door - closing limit signal output to the controller 230. When the first moving end of the first limit switch 310 is conducted with the second fixed end, the door - opening limit signal generation module 420 forms a path to the ground through the first limit switch 310, and the door - opening limit signal generation module 420 can generate a door - opening limit signal output to the controller 230, thereby facilitating the controller 230 to identify the door - opening limit signal and the door - closing limit signal.

[0052] In another example, the specific setting method of the first limit module 220 can refer to Figure 5 As shown, the first limit module 220 includes a door - closing limit relay 510 and a door - opening limit relay 520. The door - closing limit relay 510 is used to generate a door - closing limit signal after being conducted. The door - opening limit relay 520 is used to generate a door - opening limit signal after being conducted. The control method of the door - closing limit relay 510 and the door - opening limit relay 520 can be set such that the door hook 110 is driven by the door body to move, so that the door - closing limit relay 510 or the door - opening limit relay 520 is conducted. That is, the conduction methods of both the door - closing limit relay 510 and the door - opening limit relay 520 can be configured to cooperate with the door hook 110. Thus, when the door body is attached to the box body, the depth at which the door hook 110 is inserted into the lock body 120 can trigger the conduction of the door - closing limit relay 510 to generate a door - closing limit signal. When the door body is away from the box body, the door hook 110 synchronously disengages from the lock body 120 to trigger the conduction of the door - opening limit relay 520 to generate a door - opening limit signal.

[0053] In addition, the conduction methods of the door - closing limit relay 510 and the door - opening limit relay 520 can be set as photosensitive conduction or trigger - type conduction. That is, when the door hook 110 is inserted into the lock body 120, it triggers the emission of the conduction laser for the door - closing limit relay 510 and triggers the stop of the emission of the conduction laser for the door - opening limit relay 520, or when the door hook 110 is inserted into the lock body 120, the contact for conducting the door - closing limit relay 510 or the door - opening limit relay 520 is moved to the door - closing limit relay 510, so that the door - closing limit relay 510 is conducted, and when the door hook 110 is away from the lock body 120, it drives the contact to move to the door - opening limit relay 520, so that the door - opening limit relay 520 is conducted.

[0054] In an embodiment of the present application, when the controller 230 detects that the first limit module 220 generates a door - closing limit signal, it indicates that the current door body is already attached to the cabinet body, and the door hook 110 is inserted into the lock body 120. Then, it controls the drive module 210 to drive the DC motor 130 to rotate, so as to drive the gear inside the lock body 120 to rotate through the rotation of the DC motor 130, enabling the electric door lock 100 to switch to the door - locking state or the unlocking state, that is, fixing the opening and closing end of the door body on the cabinet body or restoring the opening and closing setting of the door body on the cabinet body. Correspondingly, when the controller 230 detects that the first limit module 220 does not generate a door - closing limit signal and an opening - door limit signal, it indicates that the current door body neither adheres to the cabinet body nor moves away from the cabinet body. Then, when it is required to restore the opening and closing setting of the door body on the cabinet body, it can also control the drive module 210 to drive the DC motor 130 to rotate, so that the rotation of the DC motor 130 drives the gear inside the lock body 120 to rotate, enabling the electric door lock 100 to switch to the unlocking state.

[0055] Through the above - mentioned embodiment, the drive module 210 drives the DC motor 130 to rotate under the control of the controller 230, enabling the electric door lock 100 to switch to the door - locking state to fix the opening and closing end of the door body on the cabinet body, preventing the clothes in the washing machine from being thrown out. At the same time, through the first limit module 220, it can be ensured that the controller 230 can only control the electric door lock 100 to switch to the door - locking state when the door body of the washing machine adheres to the cabinet body, thus improving the safety of the door - locking of the washing machine door body. Moreover, by the method of driving the gear of the lock body 120 to rotate through the rotation of the DC motor 130 for door - locking or unlocking, the noise of the electric door lock 100 can be effectively reduced, thereby improving the user's satisfaction with the use of the washing machine. In addition, the DC supply voltage of the DC motor 130 is relatively lower than the AC voltage of the washing machine working. When the electric door lock 100 leaks electricity, it can effectively reduce the safety risk of users accidentally touching the leaking electric door lock 100, improving the safety of users when using the washing machine.

[0056] Secondly, considering that the vibration of the washing machine during use may cause the displacement of the opening and closing end of the door body, resulting in the problem that the door body does not adhere to the cabinet body, but the door body cannot move away from the cabinet body. Therefore, when the controller 230 detects that the first limit module 220 does not generate a door - closing limit signal and an opening - door limit signal, it controls the drive module 210 to drive the DC motor 130 to rotate, so that the electric door lock 100 switches to the unlocking state, facilitating the restoration of the opening and closing setting of the door body on the cabinet body, and further improving the user's satisfaction with the use of the washing machine.

[0057] Figure 6 is provided on the basis of Figure 2 a schematic structural diagram of a control circuit 200. As Figure 6As shown, the control circuit 200 further includes a second limit module 610. The second limit module 610 is configured to generate a door-locking limit signal when the electric door lock 100 switches to the door-locking state, and generate an unlocking limit signal when the electric door lock 100 switches to the unlocking state.

[0058] The controller 230 is also electrically connected to the second limit module 610. The controller 230 is further configured to receive the door-locking limit signal or the unlocking limit signal generated by the second limit module 610 when controlling the drive module 210 to drive the DC motor 130 to rotate, and determine that the electric door lock 100 switches to the door-locking state or the unlocking state according to the received door-locking limit signal or unlocking limit signal.

[0059] In an embodiment of the present application, the setting manner of the second limit module 610 can be flexibly adjusted as needed. In one example, the specific setting manner of the second limit module 610 can refer to Figure 7 As shown, the second limit module 610 includes a second limit switch 710. The second limit switch 710 has a second moving end, a third fixed end, and a fourth fixed end. When the third fixed end is in conduction with the second moving end, a door-locking limit signal is generated. When the fourth fixed end is in conduction with the second moving end, an unlocking limit signal is generated. The control manner of the second moving end of the second limit switch 710 can be set such that the rotation of the gear driven by the DC motor 130 causes the third fixed end or the fourth fixed end of the second limit switch 710 to be in conduction with the second moving end, that is, the second moving end of the second limit switch 710 moves as the gear rotates. When the gear rotates to a position where the locking body 120 can fix the opening and closing end of the door body on the box body, the second moving end of the second limit switch 710 is in conduction with the third fixed end; when the gear rotates to a position where the locking body 120 can move the opening and closing end of the door body away from the box body, the second moving end of the second limit switch 710 is in conduction with the fourth fixed end. Thus, the purpose of generating a door-locking limit signal when the electric door lock 100 switches to the door-locking state and generating an unlocking limit signal when the electric door lock 100 switches to the unlocking state is achieved.

[0060] Meanwhile, according to Figure 7 it can be known that the door-locking limit signal and the unlocking limit signal can also be set as ground signals, that is, when the controller 230 receives a ground signal through the second limit switch 710, the ground signal can be used as the door-locking limit signal or the unlocking limit signal generated by the second limit switch 710. Secondly, it can also refer to Figure 8As shown, the second limit module 610 further includes a door-locking limit signal generation module 810 and an unlocking limit signal generation module 820. The door-locking limit signal generation module 410 is disposed between the third fixed end and the controller 230, and the unlocking limit signal generation module 420 is disposed between the fourth fixed end and the controller 230. Thus, when the second moving end of the second limit switch 710 is connected to the third fixed end, the door-locking limit signal generation module 810 forms a path to the ground through the second limit switch 710, and the door-locking limit signal generation module 810 can generate a door-locking limit signal output to the controller 230. When the second moving end of the second limit switch 710 is connected to the fourth fixed end, the unlocking limit signal generation module 820 forms a path to the ground through the second limit switch 710, and the unlocking limit signal generation module 820 can generate an unlocking limit signal output to the controller 230, thereby facilitating the controller 230 to identify the door-locking limit signal and the unlocking limit signal.

[0061] In addition, the setting manner of the second limit switch 710 can also be to share the same grounding end for the second moving end of the second limit switch 710 and the first moving end of the first limit switch 310, so as to reduce the required circuit connection contacts and thus save production costs.

[0062] In another example, the specific setting manner of the second limit module 610 can refer to Figure 9 As shown, the second limit module 610 includes a door-locking limit relay 910 and an unlocking limit relay 920. The door-locking limit relay 910 is used to generate a door-locking limit signal after being turned on. The unlocking limit relay 920 is used to generate an unlocking limit signal after being turned on. The control manner of the door-locking limit relay 910 and the unlocking limit relay 920 can be set such that the gear is driven by the DC motor 130 to rotate, so that the door-locking limit relay 910 or the unlocking limit relay 920 is turned on, that is, the turning-on manners of the door-locking limit relay 910 and the unlocking limit relay 920 can both be configured to cooperate with the gear. Thus, when the gear rotates to a position where the lock body 120 can fix the opening and closing end of the door body on the box body, the door-locking limit relay 910 can be turned on to trigger the generation of a door-locking limit signal; when the gear rotates to a position where the lock body 120 can move the opening and closing end of the door body away from the box body, the unlocking limit relay 920 can be turned on to trigger the generation of a door-locking limit signal

[0063] In addition, the turning-on manners of the door-locking limit relay 910 and the unlocking limit relay 920 can also be set to be light-sensitive turning-on or trigger turning-on, that is, the laser for turning on the door-locking limit relay 910 or the unlocking limit relay 920 is triggered and emitted by the gear, or the contact for turning on the door-locking limit relay 910 or the unlocking limit relay 920 is moved to the door-locking limit relay 910 or the unlocking limit relay 920 by the gear.

[0064] Through the above embodiments, during the process of the controller 230 controlling the driving module 210 to drive the DC motor 130 to rotate, based on the door-locking limit signal or the unlocking limit signal generated by the second limit module 610, the accuracy of determining whether the electric door lock 100 switches to the door-locking state or the unlocking state can be improved, so as to achieve the purpose of timely cutting off the power supply of the DC motor 130 and ensuring that the electric door lock 100 is not easily damaged.

[0065] Figure 10 It is a schematic structural diagram of the driving module 210 in the control circuit 200 of the embodiment of the present application. As Figure 10 shown, the driving module 210 includes a DC power supply V1, a power supply switch S1, and a fuse switch S2.

[0066] The DC power supply V1 is used to supply power to the DC motor 130, and the supply DC voltage value of the DC power supply V1 can be set according to the rated voltage of the DC motor 130.

[0067] One end of the power supply switch S1 is electrically connected to the DC power supply V1, and the other end of the power supply switch S1 is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the DC motor 130.

[0068] One end of the fuse switch S2 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the DC motor 130, and the other end of the fuse switch S2 is grounded.

[0069] Among them, both the power supply switch S1 and the fuse switch S2 can be set as a switch relay, a thyristor, a triode, or a MOS transistor according to needs, so as to achieve the purpose of controlling the opening and closing state of the DC motor 130, and its specific setting method can be adjusted according to actual needs and is not limited here.

[0070] The controller 230 is also electrically connected to the power supply switch S1 and the fuse switch S2 respectively, and the controller 230 is further configured to control both the power supply switch S1 and the fuse switch S2 to conduct when detecting that the first limit module 220 generates a door-closing limit signal or detecting that the first limit module 220 does not generate a door-closing limit signal and an opening limit signal.

[0071] In the embodiment of the present application, based on the electrical connection between the controller 230, the power supply switch S1, and the fuse switch S2, when the controller 230 needs to switch the electric door lock 100 to the door-locking state or the unlocking state, it can control the power supply switch S1 and the fuse switch S2 to conduct, so that the DC power supply V1 supplies power to the DC motor 130, thereby reducing the probability of the DC motor 130 being accidentally powered on and rotating, resulting in damage to the electric door lock 100. After the DC motor 130 rotates based on the supply voltage provided by the DC power supply V1, the DC motor 130 drives the gear in the lock body 120 to rotate to the position corresponding to the door-locking state or the unlocking state, so that the electric door lock 100 completes the process of switching to the door-locking state or the unlocking state.

[0072] When the controller 230 does not need to control the electric door lock 100, it controls the power supply switch S1 and the fuse switch S2 to disconnect, so as to completely cut off the power supply to the DC motor 130, thereby avoiding the continuous power supply of the DC power supply V1 to the DC motor 130, causing the abnormal operation of the DC motor 130 and resulting in the damage of the electric door lock 100, and further improving the safety of the electric door lock 100.

[0073] Secondly, in the embodiment of the present application, the power supply switch S1 and the fuse switch S2 can also be connected to the first limit module 220. Based on the above connection relationship, when the first limit module 220 generates a door closing limit signal or the first limit module 220 does not generate an open door limit signal and a door closing limit signal, the power supply switch S1 and the fuse switch S2 are controlled to be turned on. That is to say, only when the door body is attached to the box body and the door hook 110 is inserted into the lock body 120 or the door body fails to be attached to the box body but the door body cannot move away from the box body, the DC motor 130 can obtain the power supply of the DC power supply V1 through the power supply switch S1 and the fuse switch S2 and form a circuit path, so as to ensure that when the door body fails to be attached to the box body due to the vibration during the use of the washing machine, the electric door lock 100 can also be switched to the unlocked state, improving the user's satisfaction with the use of the washing machine on the premise of reducing the mis-energization and rotation of the DC motor 130.

[0074] Figure 11 It is provided on the basis of Figure 2 a schematic structural diagram of a control circuit 200. As Figure 11 shown, the control circuit 200 further includes a monitoring module 1100. The monitoring module 1100 is electrically connected to the DC motor 130, and the monitoring module 1100 is used to monitor the working state of the DC motor 130.

[0075] The controller 230 is also electrically connected to the monitoring module 1100, and the controller 230 is further configured to control the DC motor 130 to stop working when it is determined that the working state of the DC motor 130 monitored by the monitoring module 1100 is an abnormal working state.

[0076] In the embodiment of the present application, the working state of the DC motor 130 can be monitored by the monitoring module 1100 electrically connected to the DC motor 130, and the controller 230 electrically connected to the monitoring module 1100 can control the DC motor 130 to stop working when it is determined that the working state of the DC motor 130 monitored by the monitoring module 1100 is an abnormal working state, thereby reducing the probability of damage to the DC motor 130 and extending the service life of the DC motor 130.

[0077] Among them, the way the monitoring module 1100 monitors the working state of the DC motor 130 can be flexibly set as needed. For example, it can monitor the working current value or the working voltage value of the DC motor 130, which is not limited here.

[0078] Taking the monitoring module 1100 monitoring the working current value of the DC motor 130 as an example, when the controller 230 receives the monitoring current value output by the monitoring module 1100 based on the working current value of the DC voltage value, it can compare the monitoring current value with a preset current threshold. If it is determined that the monitoring current value is greater than the preset current threshold, it indicates that the current working current value of the DC motor 130 is above the maximum operating current of the DC motor 130, resulting in the DC motor 130 being extremely prone to failure. Therefore, it can be determined that the working state of the DC motor 130 is in an abnormal working state, thereby controlling the DC motor 130 to stop working to ensure that the DC motor 130 is not easily damaged.

[0079] Secondly, during the process of the monitoring module 1100 monitoring the working current value of the DC motor 130, the monitoring module 1100 can also be set to output an abnormal signal indicating that the working state of the DC motor 130 is an abnormal working state if the working current value of the DC motor 130 is greater than the preset current threshold. That is, when the DC motor 130 is powered on and rotating, the monitoring module 1100 obtains the working current value of the DC motor 130 to compare the working current value with the preset current threshold. Thus, when the working current value of the DC motor 130 is greater than the preset current threshold, an abnormal signal indicating that the working state of the DC motor 130 is an abnormal working state is output, and the abnormal signal is sent to the controller 230, enabling the controller 230 to directly determine that the current working state of the DC motor 130 is in an abnormal working state based on the abnormal signal. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the controller 230 to judge whether the working current value of the DC motor 130 is greater than the preset current threshold, achieving the purpose of reducing the resource occupancy rate of the controller 230.

[0080] In addition, the monitoring module 1100 can be further set to output a preset fixed current value when the working current value of the DC motor 130 is too low, that is, when the DC motor 130 is not rotating, so as to facilitate the controller 230 to determine that the DC motor 130 is not rotating based on the received preset fixed current value.

[0081] In another exemplary embodiment, the controller 230 is further configured to perform the following steps:

[0082] During the process of controlling the driving module 210 to drive the DC motor 130 to rotate, obtain the starting voltage corresponding to the DC motor 130;

[0083] Adjust the output voltage of the driving module 210 based on the PWM method corresponding to the starting voltage, where the output voltage is the voltage used to drive the DC motor 130 to rotate.

[0084] It should be noted that the basic principle of the PWM method is to control the output voltage or output current by changing the duty cycle of the electrical signal.

[0085] In the above process, considering that the current required by the DC motor 130 at the moment of startup will change with the change of voltage, that is, the higher the voltage obtained at the moment of startup of the DC motor 130, the higher the current required to start the DC motor 130; on the contrary, the lower the voltage, the lower the current required to start the DC motor 130. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present application, when the controller 230 controls the driving module 210 to drive the DC motor 130 to rotate, it can first obtain the starting voltage corresponding to the DC motor 130, and then adjust the output voltage of the driving module 210 based on the PWM method corresponding to the starting voltage, so that the controller 230 can, at the first moment of controlling the driving module 210 to drive the DC motor 130 to rotate, lower the output voltage of the driving module 210 through this PWM method, thereby reducing the current required by the DC motor 130 at the moment of startup, and further reducing the power requirement for the DC power supply in the driving module 210, and reducing the production cost of the washing machine.

[0086] Since the rotation speed of the DC motor 130 when rotating below the starting voltage is relatively low, the controller 230 can also gradually increase the output voltage of the driving module 210 through this PWM method after the DC motor 130 starts to rotate until the output voltage of the driving module 210 reaches the starting voltage of the DC motor 130, thereby improving the rotation efficiency of the DC motor 130 on the premise of reducing the power requirement for the DC power supply 130 in the driving module 210.

[0087] Among them, the way for the PWM method to adjust the output voltage of the driving module 210 can be to set different output duty cycles in the PWM method, so that the controller 230 can control the driving module 210 based on different output duty cycles, so that the output voltage output by the driving module 210 is different voltage values.

[0088] Figure 12 is Figure 2 a schematic structural diagram of a control circuit 200 provided on the basis of. As Figure 12 shown, the control circuit 200 further includes a protection module 1200. The protection module 1200 is electrically connected to the driving module 210 and the DC motor 130 respectively, and the protection module 1200 is used to control the DC motor 130 to stop rotating when the negative voltage of the DC motor 130 exceeds the positive voltage of the DC motor 130.

[0089] In an embodiment of the present application, during the process where the controller 230 controls the driving module 210 to drive the DC motor 130 to rotate, the protection module 1200 can control the DC motor 130 to stop rotating when the negative voltage of the DC motor 130 exceeds the positive voltage of the DC motor 130, so that the DC motor 130 can only rotate in one direction, ensuring the consistency of the rotation direction and higher reliability.

[0090] Among them, the setting method of the protection module 1200 can be flexibly adjusted according to needs. In one example, the specific setting method of the protection module 1200 can refer to Figure 13 as shown. The protection module 1200 includes a diode D1. The cathode of the diode D1 is electrically connected to the DC motor 130, and the anode of the diode D1 is electrically connected to the driving module 210, thereby ensuring that the DC motor 130 can only rotate in one direction by virtue of the one-way conductivity of the diode D1.

[0091] In another example, the protection module 1200 can be set as a comparator circuit. The first input terminal of the comparator circuit is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the DC motor 130, the second input terminal is electrically connected to the driving module 210, and the output terminal is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the DC motor 130. The comparator circuit is configured to use the voltage value received by the second input terminal as the voltage value to be output by the output terminal when the voltage value received by the second input terminal is greater than the voltage value received by the first input terminal, so as to control the DC motor 130 to stop rotating when the negative voltage of the DC motor 130 exceeds the positive voltage of the DC motor 130.

[0092] Figure 14 It is a method for controlling an electric door lock of a washing machine provided by an embodiment of the present application. Combining Figures 1 - 13 with the structural schematic diagram of the electric door lock and the control circuit in, the method for controlling the electric door lock of the washing machine includes the following steps S1401 - step S1411:

[0093] Step S1401, obtain a door - closing limit signal or a door - opening limit signal generated by the first limit module.

[0094] Among them, the door - closing limit signal indicates that the door body of the washing machine is attached to the cabinet door and the door hook is inserted into the lock body, and the door - opening limit signal indicates that the door body of the washing machine is away from the cabinet door and the door hook is not inserted into the lock body.

[0095] Step S1401 includes step S1402. In step S1402, if a door - closing limit signal generated by the first limit module is obtained, it is determined that the door body of the current washing machine is attached to the cabinet door and the door hook is inserted into the lock body and is in the closed state, then step S1403 can be executed, that is, control the driving module to drive the DC motor to rotate according to the control program, so that the DC motor can drive the gear inside the lock body to rotate.

[0096] After performing step S1403, step S1404 can also be executed to determine whether the operating state of the DC motor monitored by the monitoring module is an abnormal operating state.

[0097] Among them, the method for determining whether the operating state of the DC motor monitored by the monitoring module is an abnormal operating state can refer to the above embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0098] In step S1404, if the judgment is yes, it indicates that the current DC motor is operating abnormally, and then step S1405 is executed to control the DC motor to stop working to reduce the probability of damage to the DC motor. If the judgment is no, it indicates that the current DC motor is operating normally, and then step S1406 is executed to receive the door-locking limit signal or the unlocking limit signal generated by the second limit module, and in response to the door-locking limit signal or the unlocking limit signal, control the DC motor to stop working, determine that the control signal initiated by the control program has been executed, and then generate an execution end flag, and determine that the electric door lock has been switched to the door-locking state or the unlocking state according to the door-locking limit signal or the unlocking limit signal generated by the second limit module.

[0099] Step S1401 also includes step S1407. In step S1407, if it is obtained that the first limit module does not generate the door-closing limit signal and the door-opening limit signal, it is determined that the door body of the current washing machine is neither attached to the cabinet nor far from the cabinet. Considering that the door body in this state may be caused by the displacement of the opening and closing end of the door body due to the vibration of the washing machine during use, in order to enable the electric door lock in the door-locking state to be switched to the unlocking state, step S1408 can be executed, that is, according to the control program, control the drive module to drive the DC motor to rotate so that the DC motor can drive the gear inside the lock body to rotate.

[0100] After performing step S1408, it is also possible to determine whether the operating state of the DC motor monitored by the monitoring module is an abnormal operating state, that is, to execute step S1409.

[0101] And during the execution of step S1409, if the judgment is yes, it indicates that the current DC motor is operating abnormally, and then step S1410 is executed to control the DC motor to stop working to reduce the probability of damage to the DC motor. If the judgment is no, it indicates that the current DC motor is operating normally, and then step S1411 is executed to receive the unlocking limit signal generated by the second limit module, and in response to the unlocking limit signal, control the DC motor to stop working, determine that the control signal initiated by the control program has been executed, and then generate an execution end flag, and determine that the electric door lock has been switched to the unlocking state according to the unlocking limit signal generated by the second limit module.

[0102] Other embodiments of the present application will be readily contemplated by those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the embodiments disclosed herein. The present application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present application, which follow the general principles of the present application and include the common general knowledge or conventional technical means in the technical field not disclosed in the present application.

[0103] It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the exact structures described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the present application is only limited by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A washing machine, characterized in that, comprising: a cabinet; a door body and an electric door lock are provided on the cabinet; wherein, the door body is opened and closed on the cabinet; the electric door lock includes: a door hook and a lock body, wherein, the door hook is provided on the door body; a DC motor that rotates when detecting a DC voltage and drives a gear inside the lock body to rotate; a control circuit is provided inside the cabinet, and the control circuit includes: a driving module, electrically connected to the DC motor, for driving the DC motor to rotate; a first limiting module, configured to generate a closing limit signal when the door body fits on the cabinet and the door hook is inserted into the lock body, and generate an opening limit signal when the door body is away from the cabinet and the door hook is not inserted into the lock body; a controller, configured to control the driving module to drive the DC motor to rotate when detecting that the first limiting module generates the closing limit signal, so that the electric door lock switches to the locked state or the unlocked state; when detecting that the first limiting module does not generate the closing limit signal and the opening limit signal, control the driving module to drive the DC motor to rotate, so that the electric door lock switches to the unlocked state.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first limiting module includes a first limit switch, the first limit switch has a first moving end, a first non-moving end and a second non-moving end, the closing limit signal is generated when the first non-moving end is conducted with the first moving end, and the opening limit signal is generated when the second non-moving end is conducted with the first moving end; the door hook is driven to move by the door body, so that the first non-moving end or the second non-moving end of the first limit switch is conducted with the first moving end.

3. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, the control circuit further includes: a second limiting module, configured to generate a locking limit signal when the electric door lock switches to the locked state, and generate an unlocking limit signal when the electric door lock switches to the unlocked state; the controller is further configured to receive the locking limit signal or the unlocking limit signal generated by the second limiting module when controlling the driving module to drive the DC motor to rotate; determine that the electric door lock switches to the locked state or the unlocked state according to the received locking limit signal or unlocking limit signal.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, the second limiting module includes a second limit switch, the second limit switch has a second moving end, a third non-moving end and a fourth non-moving end, the locking limit signal is generated when the third non-moving end is conducted with the second moving end, and the unlocking limit signal is generated when the fourth non-moving end is conducted with the second moving end; the gear is driven to rotate by the DC motor, so that the third non-moving end or the fourth non-moving end of the second limit switch is conducted with the second moving end.

5. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, the driving module includes a DC power supply, a power supply switch and a fuse switch; one end of the power supply switch is electrically connected to the DC power supply, and the other end is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the DC motor; One end of the insurance switch is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the DC motor, and the other end is grounded. The controller is further configured to control the power supply switch and the insurance switch to be turned on when it is detected that the first limit module generates the door closing limit signal or when it is detected that the first limit module does not generate the door closing limit signal and the door opening limit signal.

6. The washing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that both the power supply switch and the insurance switch are electrically connected to the first limit module; when the first limit module generates the door closing limit signal or the first limit module does not generate the door closing limit signal and the door opening limit signal, control both the power supply switch and the insurance switch to be turned on.

7. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the control circuit further includes: a monitoring module, electrically connected to the DC motor, for monitoring the operating state of the DC motor; the controller is further configured to control the DC motor to stop operating when it is determined that the operating state of the DC motor monitored by the monitoring module is an abnormal operating state.

8. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller is further configured to: acquire the starting voltage corresponding to the DC motor during the process of controlling the driving module to drive the DC motor to rotate; adjust the output voltage of the driving module based on the PWM method corresponding to the starting voltage, where the output voltage is the voltage used to drive the DC motor to rotate.

9. The washing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the control circuit further includes: a protection module, electrically connected to the driving module and the DC motor respectively, for controlling the DC motor to stop rotating when the negative voltage of the DC motor exceeds the positive voltage of the DC motor.

10. The washing machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the protection module includes a diode, the cathode of the diode is electrically connected to the DC motor, and the anode of the diode is electrically connected to the driving module.

Images