A cleaning machine and a cleaning method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning machine, comprising a box body, a water inlet connected to a washing chamber is provided on the side wall of the box body, a drain port is provided at the bottom of the box body, a drain pump and a first drain pipe are connected to the drain port, a water inlet vent assembly and an overflow assembly are provided on the side wall of the box body, the water inlet vent assembly has a water inlet port and a vent port connected to the water inlet, the top of the overflow assembly is not higher than the lower edge of the water inlet, the water inlet end of the overflow assembly is connected to the first drain pipe, the water outlet end is connected to the second drain pipe, and a control valve capable of controlling whether water flows is provided on the first drain pipe. When it is necessary to wash fruits and vegetables, the present invention can make the overflow assembly in an inactive state through the control valve, thereby meeting the water level requirements for washing fruits and vegetables, and avoiding blocking the vent port, which is beneficial to water inlet and drainage; after washing fruits and vegetables, it can be switched to other washing modes, and the overflow assembly can be enabled through the control valve, thereby meeting the needs of consumers and being more convenient to use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning machine and a cleaning method thereof. The cleaning method is particularly suitable for cleaning fruits and vegetables. Background Art

[0002] As people's living standards continue to improve, dishwashers, as a kitchen appliance, are increasingly entering households. Currently, dishwashers on the market are generally divided into three types: desktop, cabinet, and tank. Among them, desktop dishwashers are integrated independent structures and are generally placed on the table for use; cabinet dishwashers are also independent structures, but need to be embedded in kitchen cabinets for use; tank dishwashers are combined with sinks and are generally installed in kitchen cabinets for use.

[0003] In order to avoid abnormal water inflow problems, it is usually necessary to set an overflow protection device on the cleaning machine. For example, the Chinese patent "Ventilation, overflow protection and cleaning agent addition device for sink type cleaning machine" (application number: CN201410851060.4) with authorization announcement number CN104545751B of the applicant integrates the ventilation, overflow protection and cleaning agent addition structures into one in order to save space; the Chinese patent application "A ventilation, overflow and water inlet integrated structure" (application number: CN201610622462.6) with application publication number CN106088263A of the applicant integrates the ventilation, overflow and water inlet structures into one in order to facilitate the discharge of moisture. Although the above structures effectively save assembly space and simplify the production process of the overall components, after integration, the various functions are easily affected by each other due to the relatively concentrated structure. Since the overflow structure is usually connected to the external drainage, and the external drainage pipe is connected to an odor-proof basket or an S-shaped elbow for odor prevention, there is bound to be a space between the overflow structure and the drainage pump. The existence of this space of air is likely to affect the realization of the overflow function, which in turn affects the ventilation and other functions, affecting the normal use of the cleaning machine; and if the overflow structure and the water inlet and ventilation structure are set separately, then the height of the overflow structure is difficult to control. If the highest point of the overflow structure is low, it is difficult to meet the water level requirements for fruit and vegetable washing. If the highest point of the overflow structure is high, it is easy to block the ventilation port, causing the inside of the washing chamber to become a closed space, which is not conducive to water inlet and drainage. Summary of the invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a washing machine which can meet the requirements of fruit and vegetable washing and avoid blocking the air vent by lowering the arrangement position of the overflow structure and controlling the overflow.

[0005] Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a cleaning method for the above-mentioned cleaning machine in view of the current status of the prior art. The method can limit the activation of the overflow structure after the overflow water level is reached to meet the requirements of fruit and vegetable cleaning, and activate the overflow structure after the fruit and vegetable cleaning is completed to adapt to other cleaning modes, while meeting the requirements of the cleaning machine for ventilation and drainage.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is: a cleaning machine, comprising a box body with a washing chamber, a water inlet connected to the washing chamber is opened on the side wall of the box body, and a drain outlet is provided at the bottom of the box body, and a drain pump and a first drain pipe are connected to the drain outlet. It is characterized in that: a water inlet ventilation component and an overflow component are arranged on the side wall of the box body, the water inlet ventilation component has a water inlet port and a ventilation port connected to the water inlet, the top of the overflow component is not higher than the lower edge of the water inlet, the water inlet end of the overflow component is connected to the first drain pipe, and the water outlet end is connected to the second drain pipe, and the first drain pipe is provided with a control valve that can control whether the water flows or not.

[0007] Preferably, the water inlet and air permeable assembly has a cavity connected to the water inlet, one side of the cavity is connected to an overflow protection cavity, and an overflow alarm is arranged in the overflow protection cavity. This structure is conducive to realizing automatic opening and closing of the control valve when switching between fruit and vegetable washing and other washing methods.

[0008] Further preferably, the inner bottom wall of the overflow protection cavity is formed as an inclined surface that gradually slopes upward from the inner bottom wall of the cavity. This structure can prevent water from accumulating in the overflow protection cavity and affecting the sensitivity of the overflow alarm. On the other hand, it is conducive to timely alarming when the overflow water volume is small, thereby improving safety performance.

[0009] Preferably, the overflow assembly includes an overflow pipe formed into an inverted U-shaped structure, the overflow pipe having a first port connected to the water outlet of the first drainage pipe and a second port connected to the water inlet of the second drainage pipe. This structure is conducive to achieving the overflow function.

[0010] As an improvement, an exhaust port arranged in an L shape is provided on the side wall of the overflow pipe to connect the overflow pipe with the outside air, and a floating component is provided in the exhaust port, which can open the exhaust port when the liquid level is lower than the exhaust port, and close the exhaust port when the liquid level is higher than the exhaust port. Such a structure is conducive to quickly exhausting the air between the overflow pipe and the drainage pump, and avoiding failure of the overflow component due to air resistance.

[0011] The floating assembly includes a mounting frame and a floating member. The mounting frame is arranged outside the overflow pipe and has a connecting column that can extend into the exhaust port from top to bottom. A gap is formed between the connecting column and the inner wall of the exhaust port. The floating member is arranged on the connecting column so as to be movable up and down. The floating member moves downward to open the gap, and moves upward to close the gap. When the overflow water in the washing chamber enters the overflow pipe from the first drainage pipe on one side of the drainage pump, the floating member is in a falling state because it does not touch the water surface, the exhaust port is open, and the air in the drainage pipe is gradually discharged from the exhaust port. When the overflow water level reaches the exhaust port position, buoyancy is gradually given to the floating member, so that the floating member moves upward to close the exhaust port. The overflow water continues to be discharged after passing through the top of the overflow pipe, and the exhaust port is closed by the floating member, so that no leakage problem occurs.

[0012] To facilitate assembly, the mounting frame has a top plate suspended above the exhaust port, with support plates on both sides of the top plate for fixing it on the overflow pipe. The connecting column is arranged on the lower wall surface of the top plate, and the lower end of the connecting column has a limit block for preventing the floating part from detaching.

[0013] In order to improve the sealing performance, the inner diameter of the top of the exhaust port is reduced to form a contracted port, and a sealing ring arranged along the circumference and capable of cooperating and sealing with the floating member when the floating member moves upward is provided on the inner wall of the port.

[0014] In order to facilitate production and assembly, the water inlet and air permeable component and the overflow component are formed as one body, and the overflow component is arranged below the overflow protection cavity.

[0015] A cleaning method for the above-mentioned cleaning machine is characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

[0016] (1) When washing fruits and vegetables, the control valve blocks the first drainage pipe, so that the overflow component is in an inactive state; the washing machine starts to take in water through the water inlet port of the water inlet and air permeable component, and the water level for washing fruits and vegetables reaches above the overflow water level but below the upper edge of the water inlet, and the fruits and vegetables are washed;

[0017] (2) After the fruits and vegetables are washed, water flows into the overflow protection chamber, triggering the overflow alarm. The control valve connects the first drainage pipe, and the overflow assembly is activated. The overflow water enters the overflow pipe. When the overflow water level is lower than the exhaust port, the exhaust port is in an open state, and the air in the first drainage pipe and the overflow pipe is gradually discharged from the exhaust port. When the overflow water level gradually reaches the height of the exhaust port, the floating assembly closes the exhaust port, and no leakage problem occurs.

[0018] (3) When the overflow is completed, the floating assembly opens the exhaust port to keep the overflow pipe connected to the outside air, and the control valve isolates the first drainage pipe again.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: the present invention arranges the overflow component on one side of the water inlet and air permeable structure and below the water inlet, and at the same time, a control valve is arranged on the first drainage pipe. When it is necessary to wash fruits and vegetables, the overflow component can be disabled by the control valve, thereby meeting the water level requirement for washing fruits and vegetables, while avoiding blocking the air permeable port, which is beneficial to water inlet and drainage; after washing fruits and vegetables, the mode can be switched to other washing modes, and the overflow component can be enabled by the control valve, thereby meeting the needs of consumers and being more convenient to use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the combined structure of the middle water inlet ventilation component and the overflow component;

[0022] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of a water inlet and air permeable component and a water overflow component in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the cleaning machine of this embodiment includes a box body 1 with a washing chamber, a water inlet 11 connected to the washing chamber is opened on the side wall of the box body 1, and a drain port 12 is provided at the bottom of the box body 1, and a drain pump 13 and a first drain pipe 14 are connected to the drain port 12. A water inlet vent assembly 2 and an overflow assembly 3 are provided on the side wall of the box body 1, and the water inlet vent assembly 2 has a water inlet port 21 and a vent 22 connected to the water inlet 11, and the top of the overflow assembly 3 is not higher than the bottom edge of the water inlet 11, and the water inlet end 311 of the overflow assembly 3 is connected to the first drain pipe 14, and the water outlet end 312 is connected to the second drain pipe, and the second drain pipe is connected to the external sewage discharge main pipe, and a deodorizing S-bend pipe section can be provided on the second drain pipe. A control valve 4 that can control whether the water flow is flowing or not is provided on the first drain pipe 14.

[0025] The water inlet and air permeable component 2 of this embodiment has a cavity 20 connected to the water inlet 11, and one side of the cavity 20 is connected to the overflow protection cavity 30, and the overflow alarm 301 is arranged in the overflow protection cavity 30. This structure is conducive to realizing the automatic opening and closing of the control valve 4 when switching between fruit and vegetable washing and other washing methods. The inner bottom wall of the overflow protection cavity 30 is formed as an inclined surface 302 that gradually tilts upward from the inner bottom wall of the cavity 20. On the one hand, this structure can avoid the presence of water accumulation in the overflow protection cavity 30, which affects the sensitivity of the overflow alarm 301. On the other hand, it is conducive to timely alarm when the overflow water volume is small, thereby improving safety performance. The overflow component 3 of this embodiment includes an overflow pipe 31 formed as an inverted U-shaped structure, and the overflow pipe 31 has a first port connected to the water outlet end of the first drainage pipe 14 and a second port connected to the water inlet end of the second drainage pipe. The first port is the above-mentioned water inlet end 311, and the second port is the above-mentioned water outlet end 312. This structure is conducive to realizing the overflow function.

[0026] In this embodiment, an exhaust port 32 is arranged in an L shape on the side wall of the overflow pipe 3, which connects the overflow pipe 31 with the outside air. A floating assembly 5 is arranged in the exhaust port 32, which can open the exhaust port 32 when the liquid level is lower than the exhaust port 32, and close the exhaust port 32 when the liquid level is higher than the exhaust port 32. Such a structure is conducive to quickly discharging the air between the overflow pipe 31 and the drainage pump 13, and avoiding the failure of the overflow assembly 3 due to air resistance. The floating assembly 5 of this embodiment includes a mounting frame 51 and a floating member 52. The mounting frame 51 is arranged outside the overflow pipe 31 and has a connecting column 511 that can extend from top to bottom into the exhaust port 32. A gap 512 is formed between the connecting column 511 and the inner wall of the exhaust port 32. The floating member 52 is arranged on the connecting column 511 so as to be movable up and down. The floating member 52 moves downward to open the gap 512, and the floating member 52 moves upward to close the gap 512. In order to facilitate assembly, the mounting frame 51 has a top plate 513 suspended above the exhaust port 32, and the top plate 513 has support plates 514 on both sides that can be fixed to the overflow pipe 31 by screws. The connecting column 511 is arranged on the lower wall surface of the top plate 513, and the lower end of the connecting column 511 has a stopper 515 that can prevent the floating member 52 from detaching. In order to improve the sealing performance, the inner diameter of the top of the exhaust port 32 is reduced to form a contracted port, and a sealing ring 53 is arranged along the circumferential direction on the inner wall of the port and can cooperate with the floating member 52 to seal when the floating member 52 moves upward.

[0027] In order to facilitate production and assembly, the water inlet vent assembly 2 and the overflow assembly 3 of this embodiment are formed as one body, and the overflow assembly 3 is arranged below the overflow protection cavity 30 .

[0028] The cleaning method of the cleaning machine in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0029] (1) When washing fruits and vegetables, the main controller of the washing machine causes the control valve 4 to cut off the first drainage pipe 14, so that the overflow component 3 is in a disabled state, and the overflow alarm 301 is in a disabled state; the washing machine starts to take in water through the water inlet port 21 of the water inlet and air permeable component 2, and the water level for washing fruits and vegetables reaches above the overflow water level but below the upper edge of the water inlet 11, and the fruits and vegetables are washed;

[0030] (2) After the fruits and vegetables are washed, the main controller of the washing machine activates the overflow alarm 301, and water flows into the overflow protection chamber 30, triggering the overflow alarm 301, causing the control valve 4 to connect the first drainage pipe 14, activating the overflow assembly 3, and the overflow water enters the overflow pipe 31. When the overflow water level is lower than the exhaust port 32, the exhaust port 32 is in an open state, and the air in the first drainage pipe 14 and the overflow pipe 31 is gradually discharged from the exhaust port 32. When the overflow water level gradually reaches the height of the exhaust port 32, the floating assembly 5 closes the exhaust port 32, and no water leakage problem occurs;

[0031] (3) When the overflow is finished, the floating assembly 5 opens the exhaust port 32 to keep the overflow pipe 31 connected to the outside air, and the control valve 4 isolates the first drainage pipe 14 again.

[0032] In this embodiment, the overflow component 3 is arranged on one side of the water inlet and ventilation component 2 and below the water inlet 11. At the same time, a control valve 4 is arranged on the first drainage pipe 14. When it is necessary to wash fruits and vegetables, the overflow component 3 can be disabled through the control valve 4, thereby meeting the water level requirement for washing fruits and vegetables and avoiding blocking the ventilation port 22, which is beneficial to water inlet and drainage. After washing fruits and vegetables, other washing modes can be switched to, and the overflow component 3 can be enabled through the control valve 4, which meets the needs of consumers and is more convenient to use.

Claims

1. A cleaning machine, comprising a housing (1) having a washing chamber, a water inlet (11) connected to the washing chamber is provided on a side wall of the housing (1), a drain outlet (12) is provided at the bottom of the housing (1), a drain pump (13) and a first drain pipe (14) are connected to the drain outlet (12), and the characteristics are: A water inlet and air permeable component (2) and an overflow component (3) are arranged on the side wall of the box body (1); the water inlet and air permeable component (2) has a water inlet port (21) and an air permeable port (22) which are connected to the water inlet (11); the top of the overflow component (3) is not higher than the bottom edge of the water inlet (11); the water inlet end (311) of the overflow component (3) is connected to a first drainage pipe (14), and the water outlet end (312) is connected to a second drainage pipe; the first drainage pipe (14) is provided with a control valve (4) which can control whether water flows or not.

2. The cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water inlet ventilation component (2) comprises a cavity (20) connected to the water inlet (11); one side of the cavity (20) is connected to a water overflow protection cavity (30); and a water overflow alarm (301) is arranged in the water overflow protection cavity (30).

3. The cleaning machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inner bottom wall of the overflow protection cavity (30) is formed as a slope (302) that gradually slopes upward outward from the inner bottom wall of the cavity (20).

4. The cleaning machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The overflow assembly (3) comprises an overflow pipe (31) formed into an inverted U-shaped structure, the overflow pipe (31) having a first port connected to the water outlet end of the first drainage pipe (14) and a second port connected to the water inlet end of the second drainage pipe.

5. The cleaning machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: An exhaust port (32) is arranged in an L shape on the side wall of the overflow pipe (31) and connects the overflow pipe (31) with the outside air. A floating component (5) is arranged in the exhaust port (32) and can open the exhaust port (32) when the liquid level is lower than the exhaust port (32) and close the exhaust port (32) when the liquid level is higher than the exhaust port (32).

6. The cleaning machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The floating assembly (5) comprises a mounting frame (51) and a floating member (52); the mounting frame (51) is arranged outside the overflow pipe (31) and has a connecting column (511) which can extend from top to bottom into the exhaust port (32); a gap (512) is formed between the connecting column (511) and the inner wall of the exhaust port (32); the floating member (52) is arranged on the connecting column (511) so as to be movable up and down; the floating member (52) moves downward to open the gap (512); and the floating member (52) moves upward to close the gap (512).

7. The cleaning machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The mounting frame (51) comprises a top plate (513) suspended above the exhaust port (32), and both sides of the top plate (513) are provided with support plates (514) capable of fixing the top plate on the overflow pipe (31). The connecting column (511) is arranged on the lower wall surface of the top plate (513), and the lower end of the connecting column (511) is provided with a limit block (515) capable of preventing the floating member (52) from detaching.

8. The cleaning machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the top of the exhaust port (32) is reduced to form a contracted port, and a sealing ring (53) is provided on the inner wall of the port, which is arranged in the circumferential direction and can cooperate with the floating member (52) to seal when the floating member (52) moves upward.

9. The cleaning machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The water inlet ventilation component (2) and the overflow component (3) are formed as one body, and the overflow component (3) is arranged below the overflow protection cavity (30).

10. A cleaning method for a cleaning machine according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that: The following steps are included (1) When washing fruits and vegetables, the control valve (4) blocks the first drainage pipe (14), so that the overflow component (3) is in an inactive state; the washing machine starts to take in water through the water inlet port (21) of the water inlet and air permeable component (2), and the water level for washing fruits and vegetables reaches above the overflow water level but below the upper edge of the water inlet (11), and the fruits and vegetables are washed; (2) After the fruits and vegetables are washed, water flows into the overflow protection chamber (30), triggering the overflow alarm (301). The control valve (4) connects the first drainage pipe (14), activates the overflow assembly (3), and the overflow water enters the overflow pipe (31). When the overflow water level is lower than the exhaust port (32), the exhaust port (32) is in an open state, and the air in the first drainage pipe (14) and the overflow pipe (31) is gradually discharged from the exhaust port (32). When the overflow water level gradually reaches the height of the exhaust port (32), the floating assembly (5) closes the exhaust port (32), and no water leakage problem occurs; (3) When the overflow is completed, the floating assembly (5) opens the exhaust port (32) to keep the overflow pipe (31) connected to the outside air, and the control valve (4) isolates the first drainage pipe (14) again.

Images