A dispenser and its dispensing method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a dispenser and a dispensing method thereof. The dispenser has a receiving cavity, and a liquid outlet is formed in the receiving cavity. At least a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode are arranged in the vertical direction of the receiving cavity. The first electrode is arranged at a position close to the bottom of the receiving cavity and below the liquid outlet, the second electrode is arranged at a position close to the top of the receiving cavity, and the third electrode is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode and above the liquid outlet. The structure is simple, and the reliability of liquid level detection can be effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of household appliances, and in particular to a dispenser and a dispensing method thereof. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, in order to improve drying, most dishwashers use a dispenser device to dispense rinse aid into the dishwasher, reduce the surface tension of water, promote the flow of water on the surface of tableware, reduce water droplet residue, and promote the drying of tableware.

[0003] The current dispenser device has the following problems:

[0004] 1. During the liquid dispensing process, due to different liquid levels, a simple same time is used to control the liquid output, and the flow rates at high and low liquid levels differ greatly.

[0005] 2. Pulse dispensers and older volumetric mechanisms are very complex, have a high failure rate, and require high precision for parts. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the problems existing in the related prior art to some extent. For this purpose, the present invention provides a dispenser with a simple structure, which can effectively improve the reliability of liquid level detection.

[0007] In addition, the present invention also provides a dispensing method for the dispenser, which is simple and reliable and can effectively improve the accuracy of dispensing detergent at different liquid levels.

[0008] The above first object is achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0009] A dispenser, the dispenser has a receiving cavity, an outlet is provided on the receiving cavity, at least a first electrode, a second electrode and a third electrode are provided in the vertical direction of the receiving cavity, wherein the first electrode is provided at a position close to the bottom of the receiving cavity and below the outlet, the second electrode is provided at a position close to the top of the receiving cavity, and the third electrode is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode and above the outlet.

[0010] In some embodiments, a liquid outlet cavity is provided outside the receiving cavity, and the liquid outlet cavity is communicated with the receiving cavity through the outlet. One end of the liquid outlet cavity is communicated with a water inlet pipe, and the other end is communicated with a discharge pipe.

[0011] In some embodiments, a switching valve is provided at the outlet position for opening or closing the outlet.

[0012] In some embodiments, an overflow port and / or a liquid filling port are provided at the top position of the cavity.

[0013] In some embodiments, a convex cavity is formed by protruding outward at the bottom position of the accommodating cavity, and the first electrode is disposed in the convex cavity.

[0014] The second above-mentioned object is achieved by the following technical solution:

[0015] A dispensing method of a dispenser, which is applied to the dispenser described in any of the above embodiments. A first preset liquid level is formed at the position of the second electrode, and a second preset liquid level is formed at the position of the third electrode. The position between the second electrode and the third electrode is evenly divided into several scales. The dispensing method of the dispenser includes:

[0016] Calculation parameters are pre-stored, and the calculation parameters include a preset dispensing amount and a preset dispensing time required for dispensing the preset dispensing amount at each of the scales of the liquid level height;

[0017] Obtain the current liquid level height;

[0018] Match the current liquid level height with the calculation parameters to obtain the corresponding preset dispensing time;

[0019] Calculate the preset dispensing time, the preset dispensing amount and the actual dispensing amount of the current time obtained by query to obtain the actual dispensing time required for the current liquid level height when dispensing the actual dispensing amount of the current time.

[0020] In some embodiments, the step of obtaining the current liquid level height specifically includes:

[0021] When the liquid level height reaches the first preset liquid level, start collecting the liquid level height of each dispensing;

[0022] After the mth time, calculate the cumulative liquid level height after the mth dispensing and the liquid level height of the first preset liquid level to obtain the current liquid level height.

[0023] In some embodiments, Hn = Hg - ∑Hm, where Hn is the current liquid level height, Hg is the liquid level height of the first preset liquid level, and ∑Hm is the cumulative liquid level height after the mth dispensing.

[0024] In some embodiments, after the liquid level height reaches the first preset liquid level, convert the actual dispensing amount of each time to obtain the liquid level height of each dispensing.

[0025] In some embodiments, the actual dispensing time required for the current liquid level height when dispensing the actual dispensing amount for this time is obtained through the following calculation formula: where T m+1 is the actual dispensing time for this time, V b is the actual dispensing amount for this time, V a is the preset dispensing amount, and T n is the preset dispensing time required for the current liquid level height to dispense the preset dispensing amount.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0027] 1. The dispenser of the present invention has a simple structure and can effectively improve the reliability of liquid level detection.

[0028] 2. Its design is reasonable and can further improve the production efficiency of the product.

[0029] 3. The dispensing method of the dispenser of the present invention is simple and reliable, and can effectively improve the accuracy of dispensing detergent at different liquid level heights. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the dispenser in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 is a sectional view of the dispenser in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the dispensing method of the dispenser in the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0033] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of the technical solutions claimed by the present invention.

[0034] Embodiment 1:

[0035] Such as Figure 1 and 2As shown in the figure, this embodiment provides a dispenser. The dispenser has a receiving cavity 1, and a liquid outlet 2 is provided on the receiving cavity 1. At least a first electrode 3, a second electrode 4, and a third electrode 5 are provided in the vertical direction of the receiving cavity 1. The first electrode 3 is arranged at a position close to the bottom of the receiving cavity 1 and below the liquid outlet 2. The second electrode 4 is arranged at a position close to the top of the receiving cavity 1. The third electrode 5 is arranged between the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4 and above the liquid outlet 2.

[0036] In this embodiment, the dispenser is preferably used on a dishwasher, but is not limited to dishwashers and can also be applied to other cleaning devices according to actual needs. In this embodiment, the dispenser is described by taking its application on a dishwasher as an example, and its application on other types of cleaning devices will not be elaborated here. The resistance of air and detergent is different. The detergent is the liquid consumable inside the dispenser. Therefore, the resistance between two non-contact electrodes will change whether it is air or liquid. The liquid outlet 2 is arranged on the side wall of the receiving cavity 1. The first electrode 3 is arranged at a position close to the bottom of the receiving cavity 1 and at the bottom position of the liquid outlet 2, so that the first electrode 3 is always in the detergent. A second electrode 4 is arranged at a position close to the top of the receiving cavity 1 to form a first preset liquid level, which is the highest limit liquid level. The third electrode 5 is arranged at the top position of the liquid outlet 2 to form a second preset liquid level, which is the lowest limit liquid level. When the current liquid level height of the detergent reaches the position of the third electrode 5, the user can be reminded to add detergent. In addition, when the liquid level height of the detergent reaches the position of the second electrode 4, the change in the resistance between the first electrode 3 and the second electrode 4 can be used to obtain whether the current liquid level height has reached the position of the second electrode 4. Similarly, when the liquid level height reaches the third electrode 5, the change in the resistance between the third electrode 5 and the first electrode 3 is used to obtain whether the current liquid level height has reached the position of the third electrode 5, thereby effectively improving the reliability of the liquid level detection of the detergent in the dispenser. At the same time, by using electrodes instead of floats for liquid level detection, there is no mechanical structure, the liquid level detection performance is more reliable, and the cost is lower. In this embodiment, due to the cumulative error in multiple dosing, a fourth electrode is arranged at the position between the second electrode 4 and the third electrode 5. Of course, multiple electrodes can also be added at the position between the first electrode 3 and the third electrode 5 according to actual needs.

[0037] Further, a liquid outlet cavity 6 is arranged outside the receiving cavity 1, and the liquid outlet cavity 6 is communicated with the receiving cavity 1 through the liquid outlet 2. One end of the liquid outlet cavity 6 is communicated with a water inlet pipe 61, and the other end is communicated with a discharge pipe 62. Its structure is simple, which can effectively improve the production efficiency of the product and reduce the failure rate of the product during daily use.

[0038] Preferably, a switching valve 7 is provided at the position of the liquid outlet 2 to open or close the liquid outlet 2, and its structure is simple and the design is reasonable.

[0039] In this embodiment, a liquid outlet chamber 6 is provided at intervals outside the accommodation chamber 1, and the liquid outlet chamber 6 is communicated with the accommodation chamber 1 through a liquid outlet 2. A switching valve 7 is provided at the position of the liquid outlet 2 to open or close the liquid outlet 2. A water inlet pipe 61 is communicated at the upper end position of the liquid outlet chamber 6, and a discharge pipe 62 is communicated at the lower end position thereof. When the switching valve 7 is energized, the valve core of the switching valve 7 acts to open the liquid outlet 2, so that the detergent enters the liquid outlet chamber 6 from the accommodation chamber 1. The detergent entering the liquid outlet chamber 6 flows out through the discharge pipe 62 for dispensing. The amount of liquid flowing out is controlled by controlling the time for which the switching valve 7 opens the liquid outlet 2, that is, the amount of detergent dispensed outward is controlled. When the height difference between the liquid level and the height of the liquid outlet 2 is different, the flow rate of the liquid flowing out after the switching valve 7 opens the liquid outlet 2 is also different. The greater the height difference, the faster the flow rate of the liquid. Thus, the dispenser can multiply the height difference value between the liquid level and the liquid outlet 2 by a coefficient. The coefficient can be a fixed value or a relational expression, so that the time is shorter when the dispensing liquid level is higher and the time is longer when the dispensing liquid level is lower, thereby achieving the purpose of improving the dispensing amount accuracy. When the detergent in the dispenser is at different liquid levels, the purpose of more accurate dispensing at different liquid levels can be achieved by controlling the dispensing time.

[0040] In this embodiment, to prevent the detergent from remaining in the pipeline, the dispenser can be communicated with the external water supply circuit of the dishwasher through the water inlet pipe 61. After the detergent is dispensed, the external water supply flushes the detergent remaining in the liquid outlet chamber 6 when passing through the liquid outlet chamber 6 to bring the remaining detergent into the inner tank of the dishwasher.

[0041] In this embodiment, the switching valve 7 is preferably an electromagnetic valve, or can be an electromagnetic pump. Of course, it can also be other types of valve elements. When the switching valve 7 is an electromagnetic pump, the electromagnetic pump can be started to pump the detergent in the dispenser outward when the detergent needs to be dispensed outward.

[0042] Specifically, an overflow port 8 and / or a liquid filling port 9 are opened at the top position of the accommodation chamber 1, and its design is reasonable, which is convenient for overflow or liquid filling inside the dispenser.

[0043] In this embodiment, a liquid filling port 9 is provided at the top position of the accommodating cavity 1. The liquid filling port 9 is connected to an opening on the dishwasher through a liquid filling pipe. In addition, when the dispenser does not have an overflow port 8, the liquid filling pipe can not only add detergent into the accommodating cavity 1 but also play a role in ventilation. The liquid filling pipe can be a round pipe, a square pipe or a rectangular pipe, and of course, it can also be a pipe with other shapes. When the liquid filling pipe is a round pipe, the inner diameter of the round pipe is greater than or equal to 4 mm, so as to facilitate the discharge of gas to the outside. At the same time, the lid on the liquid filling pipe needs to be provided with ventilation holes to prevent the liquid in the negative pressure dispenser from not flowing out after the switching valve 7 is opened.

[0044] Specifically, a convex cavity 11 protrudes outward at the bottom position of the accommodating cavity 1, and the first electrode 3 is arranged in the convex cavity 11. Its design is reasonable, so that the first electrode 3 is always in the detergent.

[0045] In this embodiment, at least a part of the bottom of the accommodating cavity 1 protrudes outward to form a convex cavity 11, so that in the vertical direction of the accommodating cavity 1, the height of the bottom of the convex cavity 11 is less than the height of the bottom of the accommodating cavity 1, and further the first electrode 3 is always in the detergent. In this way, the resistance change between the first electrode 3 and other electrodes is used to obtain whether the current liquid level height has reached the position of this electrode.

[0046] Embodiment Two:

[0047] As Figure 3 shown, this embodiment provides a dispensing method for the dispenser. By applying the dispensing method in this embodiment to the dispenser described in Embodiment One, when the detergent in the dispenser is at different liquid level heights, the purpose of more accurate dispensing at different liquid level heights can be achieved by controlling the dispensing time.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first electrode is arranged at a position close to the bottom of the accommodating cavity and at the bottom position of the liquid outlet, so that the first electrode is always in the detergent. A second electrode is arranged at a position close to the top of the accommodating cavity to form a first preset liquid level, and the first preset liquid level is the highest limit liquid level. A third electrode is arranged at the top position of the liquid outlet to form a second preset liquid level, and the second preset liquid level is the lowest limit liquid level. The positions between the second electrode and the third electrode are evenly divided into several scales, so as to obtain whether the current liquid level height has reached the position of the second electrode or the third electrode through the resistance change between the first electrode and the second electrode or between the first electrode and the third electrode.

[0049] In this embodiment, the position between the second electrode and the third electrode is evenly divided into 100 scales, that is, the scales are evenly divided at the position between the first preset liquid level and the second preset liquid level, but it is not limited to the above quantity. Specifically, a suitable quantity can be selected according to actual needs. When the position between the second electrode and the third electrode is divided into 100 scales, it is simultaneously assumed that the volume of the detergent between the first preset liquid level hg and the second preset liquid level hd is 100 ml, so that when the liquid level height of the detergent in the dispenser drops by 1 scale, 1 ml of the detergent is dispensed outward.

[0050] The dispensing method of the dispenser in this embodiment includes:

[0051] Step S101, calculation parameters are pre-stored, and the calculation parameters include a preset dispensing amount and a preset dispensing time required to dispense the preset dispensing amount at each scale of the liquid level height.

[0052] In this embodiment, the preset dispensing amount is the recommended standard preset dispensing amount of the dispenser, preferably 3 ml, but it is not limited to 3 ml, and a suitable dispensing amount can also be selected according to actual needs.

[0053] In this embodiment, the specific calculation method of the preset dispensing time required to dispense the preset dispensing amount at each scale of the liquid level height is as follows: First, measure the volume of the detergent between the first preset liquid level hg and the second preset liquid level hd. The volume of the detergent between them is assumed to be 100 ml. Thus, the first preset liquid level hg and the second preset liquid level hd are divided into 100 scales according to each scale representing 1 ml, so that when the liquid level height of the detergent in the dispenser drops by 1 scale, 1 ml of the detergent is dispensed outward. In this way, the required time at different heights of the required liquid volume can be measured in turn. Assuming that the preset dispensing amount is 3 ml, through experimental data and theoretical data, the time values t0 - t100 corresponding to dispensing 3 ml of detergent at the liquid level heights h0 - h100 of each scale from 0 ml to 100 ml can be obtained. In addition, electrodes are respectively arranged at the first preset liquid level hg and the second preset liquid level hd to sense the liquid level of the detergent. Since there will be cumulative errors in multiple dispensings, several electrodes can also be added between the first preset liquid level hg and the second preset liquid level hd to correct the actual height of the liquid level and thus reduce errors.

[0054] Step S102, when the liquid level height reaches the first preset liquid level, start collecting the liquid level height of each dispensing.

[0055] Step S103, after the mth time, calculate the cumulative liquid level height after the mth dispensing and the liquid level height of the first preset liquid level to obtain the current liquid level height.

[0056] In this embodiment, when the detergent in the dispenser is added to be greater than or equal to the first preset liquid level hg, the detergent starts to be dispensed outward. When the liquid level height of the detergent reaches the first preset liquid level hg, it is counted as the first time. In this way, the actual dispensed amount of each dispensing is accumulated. Since the liquid level height of the detergent in the dispenser drops by 1 scale each time, it means that 1 ml of the detergent is dispensed outward. Therefore, by converting the actual dispensed amount of each time, the liquid level height of each dispensing can be obtained. After the dispenser dispenses for the mth time, the cumulative dispensed amount after the mth dispensing is converted to obtain the cumulative liquid level height after the mth dispensing, that is, the cumulative liquid level height dropped by the dispenser after the mth dispensing. Then, the liquid level height after the mth dispensing is obtained through the following calculation formula: Hn = Hg - ∑Hm, where Hn is the current liquid level height after the mth dispensing, Hg is the liquid level height of the first preset liquid level, and ∑Hm is the cumulative liquid level height after the mth dispensing.

[0057] Step S104: Match the current liquid level height with the calculation parameters to obtain the preset dispensing time corresponding to the current liquid level height.

[0058] In this embodiment, by calculating the liquid level height after the mth dispensing, the current liquid level height is matched with the time values t0 - t100 corresponding to the 3 ml of detergent dispensed at the liquid level heights h0 - h100 in the calculation parameters, so as to obtain the preset dispensing time T corresponding to the current liquid level height. n 。

[0059] Step S105: The actual dispensing time required for the current liquid level height to dispense the actual dispensed amount of the current time is obtained through the following calculation formula: where T m+1 is the actual dispensing time of the current time, that is, T m+1 is the actual dispensing time required for the next dispensing after the mth time, V b is the actual dispensed amount of the current time, V a is the preset dispensed amount, T n is the preset dispensing time required for the current liquid level height to dispense the preset dispensed amount.

[0060] The above are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, several deformations and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dispensing method for a dispenser, the dispenser having a receiving cavity (1), and a liquid outlet (2) being provided on the receiving cavity (1), characterized in that, At least a first electrode (3), a second electrode (4) and a third electrode (5) are arranged in the vertical direction of the accommodation cavity (1), wherein the first electrode (3) is arranged at a position close to the bottom of the accommodation cavity (1) and below the liquid outlet (2), the second electrode (4) is arranged at a position close to the top of the accommodation cavity (1), and the third electrode (5) is arranged between the first electrode (3) and the second electrode (4) and above the liquid outlet (2); A first preset liquid level is formed at the position of the second electrode, a second preset liquid level is formed at the position of the third electrode, and the position between the second electrode and the third electrode is evenly divided into several scales. The dispensing method of the dispenser includes: Calculation parameters are pre-stored, and the calculation parameters include a preset dispensing amount and a preset dispensing time required to dispense the preset dispensing amount at each of the scales based on the liquid level height; Obtain the current liquid level height; Match the current liquid level height with the calculation parameters to obtain the corresponding preset dispensing time; Calculate the preset dispensing time, the preset dispensing amount and the actual dispensing amount for the current time obtained by querying to obtain the actual dispensing time required for the current liquid level height when dispensing the actual dispensing amount for the current time.

2. The dispensing method for a dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that, A liquid outlet cavity (6) is arranged outside the accommodation cavity (1), and the liquid outlet cavity (6) is communicated with the accommodation cavity (1) through the liquid outlet (2). One end of the liquid outlet cavity (6) is communicated with a water inlet pipe (61), and the other end is communicated with a discharge pipe (62).

3. The dispensing method for a dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that, A switch valve (7) is arranged at the position of the liquid outlet (2) to open or close the liquid outlet (2).

4. The dispensing method for a dispenser according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that, An overflow port (8) and / or a liquid filling port (9) are opened at the top position of the accommodation cavity (1).

5. The dispensing method for a dispenser according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that, A convex cavity (11) protrudes outwards at the bottom position of the accommodation cavity (1), and the first electrode (3) is arranged in the convex cavity (11).

6. The dispensing method for a dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of obtaining the current liquid level height specifically includes: When the liquid level height reaches the first preset liquid level, start collecting the liquid level height of each dispensing; After the mth time, calculate the cumulative liquid level height after the mth dispensing and the liquid level height of the first preset liquid level to obtain the current liquid level height.

7. The dispensing method for a dispenser according to claim 6, characterized in that, The current liquid level height is obtained through the following calculation formula: Hn = Hg - ∑Hm, where Hn is the current liquid level height, Hg is the liquid level height of the first preset liquid level, and ∑Hm is the cumulative liquid level height after the mth dispensing.

8. The dispensing method for a dispenser according to claim 6, characterized in that, After the liquid level height reaches the first preset liquid level, convert the actual dispensing amount each time to obtain the liquid level height of each dispensing.

9. The dispensing method for a dispenser according to claim 6, characterized in that, The actual dosing time required for the current liquid level height to dose the actual dosing amount for this time is obtained through the following calculation formula: where T m+1 is the actual dosing time for this time, V b is the actual dosing amount for this time, V a is the preset dosing amount, and T n is the preset dosing time required for the current liquid level height to dose the preset dosing amount.

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