A water softener and a dishwasher

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of household appliances, and particularly relates to a water softener and a dishwasher. The water softener includes a water softening resin chamber, a salt chamber, and an electrolysis chamber. An electrolysis electrode is provided in the electrolysis chamber. The water softener has a water inlet. A water softening water outlet is communicated with the water softening resin chamber, and a disinfected water outlet is communicated with the electrolysis chamber. The water inlet is adapted to be connected to a water inlet pipe. A first control valve is provided at the water inlet. The first control valve has a first state in which the water inlet pipe communicates with the water softening resin chamber and a second state in which the water inlet pipe communicates with the salt chamber. A second control valve is provided between the salt chamber and the electrolysis chamber. When the second control valve is opened, the salt chamber communicates with the electrolysis chamber. A third control valve is provided between the salt chamber and the water softening chamber. When the third control valve is opened, the salt chamber communicates with the water softening resin chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of household appliances, and in particular to a water softener and a dishwasher. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of living standards, dishwashers have gradually entered our ordinary households, improving our quality of life.

[0003] Generally speaking, the main core components of existing dishwashers usually include: inner tank assembly, water cup assembly, spray arm assembly, filter assembly, washing pump, drainage pump and pipelines, etc. The dishwashers currently on the market generally use high temperature (usually around 70°C) for main cleaning and tableware disinfection. Some are also equipped with UVC ultraviolet light disinfection, adding silver ions to the parts to inhibit bacteria, steam high temperature disinfection, hot air drying, etc. Summary of the invention

[0004] The invention provides a water softener and a dishwasher.

[0005] The present invention provides a water softener, comprising a water softening resin chamber, a salt chamber, and an electrolysis chamber, wherein the electrolysis chamber is provided with an electrolysis electrode, the water softener has a water inlet, the water softening resin chamber is connected to a soft water outlet, the electrolysis chamber is connected to a disinfectant water outlet, and the water inlet is suitable for connecting to a water inlet pipe;

[0006] A first control valve is provided at the water inlet, and the first control valve has a first state that enables the water inlet pipe to communicate with the soft water resin chamber, and a second state that enables the water inlet pipe to communicate with the salt chamber;

[0007] A second control valve is arranged between the salt chamber and the electrolysis chamber, and when the second control valve is opened, the salt chamber is communicated with the electrolysis chamber;

[0008] A third control valve is arranged between the salt chamber and the soft water chamber. When the third control valve is opened, the salt chamber is communicated with the soft water resin chamber.

[0009] Also included is a controller, the controller being configured to:

[0010] In soft water mode, controlling the first control valve to switch to the first state;

[0011] In the resin reduction mode, the first control valve is controlled to switch to the second state, the third control valve is controlled to open, and the second control valve is controlled to close;

[0012] In the disinfection mode, the first control valve is controlled to switch to the second state, the second control valve is controlled to open, and the third control valve is controlled to close.

[0013] The water softening resin chamber, the salt chamber, and the electrolysis chamber are arranged side by side, and the salt chamber is arranged between the water softening resin chamber and the electrolysis chamber.

[0014] The top of the salt chamber is provided with a salt adding port.

[0015] The salt chamber is provided with a salt deficiency sensor.

[0016] The salt deficiency sensor comprises:

[0017] A shell is arranged in the salt chamber and communicated with the salt chamber, wherein a light source is arranged on one side of the shell near the top and a receiving source is arranged on the other side;

[0018] A float is arranged in the housing.

[0019] The present invention also provides a dishwasher, comprising the water softener.

[0020] The soft water outlet and the disinfectant water outlet are both connected to the water cup through pipelines.

[0021] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0022] 1. The water softener provided by the present invention can directly utilize the brine in the salt chamber to generate disinfectant water by electrolysis by integrating an electrolysis chamber on the water softener, so as to disinfect the inside of the dishwasher with good disinfection effect. At the same time, since the electrolyzer is integrated on the water softener, unnecessary installation procedures caused by connecting various structures through connecting pipes are avoided, and the hidden danger of water leakage at the sealing point caused by the connecting pipes can also be reduced.

[0023] 2. The water softener provided by the present invention also includes a controller, which is used to: in the soft water mode, control the first control valve to switch to the first state; in the resin reduction mode, control the first control valve to switch to the second state, and control the third control valve to open, and control the second control valve to close; in the disinfection mode, control the first control valve to switch to the second state, and control the second control valve to open, and control the third control valve to close, so as to be able to perform automatic control.

[0024] 3. In the water softener provided by the present invention, the water softening resin chamber, the salt chamber, and the electrolysis chamber are arranged side by side, and the salt chamber is arranged between the water softening resin chamber and the electrolysis chamber. It is only necessary to add an electrolysis chamber next to the salt chamber of the water softener in the prior art, which is convenient for modifying the existing water softener.

[0025] 4. In the water softener provided by the present invention, a salt adding port is provided at the top of the salt chamber, so that the user can add salt to the salt chamber conveniently.

[0026] 5. In the water softener provided by the present invention, the salt chamber is provided with a salt shortage sensor, which can remind the user to add salt to the salt chamber in time when salt is insufficient.

[0027] 6. The dishwasher provided by the present invention includes the water softener, and the dishwasher can perform both normal washing work and disinfection work.

[0028] 7. In the dishwasher provided by the present invention, the soft water outlet and the disinfectant water outlet are both connected to the water cup through pipelines. The spray arm assembly in the dishwasher can spray the water or disinfectant in the water cup onto the tableware for cleaning or disinfection. At the same time, the disinfectant flows through the circulation pipeline of the dishwasher, which can disinfect the internal parts, and the disinfection effect is better. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0030] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the water softener provided in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the water softener provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention from another angle;

[0032] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of

[0033] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the salt deficiency sensor.

[0034] Description of reference numerals:

[0035] 1-soft water resin chamber; 2-salt chamber; 3-electrolysis chamber; 4-water inlet; 5-soft water outlet; 6-disinfectant water outlet; 7-first control valve; 8-second control valve; 9-third control valve; 10-salt adding port; 11-salt deficiency sensor; 111-housing; 112-float; 113-light source; 114-receiving source. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The technical solution of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0038] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0039] In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0040] Example 1

[0041] This embodiment provides a water softener. In one embodiment, Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the water softener comprises a water softening resin chamber 1, a salt chamber 2, and an electrolysis chamber 3. The electrolysis chamber 3 is provided with an electrolysis electrode. The water softener has a water inlet 4. The water softening resin chamber 1 is connected to a soft water outlet 5. The electrolysis chamber 3 is connected to a disinfectant water outlet 6. The water inlet 4 is suitable for connecting to a water inlet pipe.

[0042] A first control valve 7 is provided at the water inlet 4, and the first control valve 7 has a first state that allows the water inlet pipe to communicate with the soft water resin chamber 1, and a second state that allows the water inlet pipe to communicate with the salt chamber 2;

[0043] A second control valve 8 is provided between the salt chamber 2 and the electrolysis chamber 3. When the second control valve 8 is opened, the salt chamber 2 and the electrolysis chamber 3 are connected.

[0044] A third control valve 9 is arranged between the salt chamber 2 and the soft water chamber. When the third control valve 9 is opened, the salt chamber 2 is communicated with the soft water resin chamber 1 .

[0045] The water softener in this embodiment can be applied to a dishwasher. When it is necessary to soften water normally, the first control valve 7 is switched to the first state, so that water enters the water softening resin chamber 1 through the water inlet 4. The water softening resin chamber 1 can absorb calcium and magnesium ions in the water to soften the water quality. The softened water flows out through the soft water outlet 5 to the inside of the dishwasher for cleaning. When the resin in the water softening resin chamber 1 softens water for a certain number of times, the water softening ability decreases, and it is necessary to restore the softening ability of the resin with salt water. At this time, the first control valve 7 is switched to the second state, the third control valve 9 is opened, and the second control valve 8 is closed. Water enters the salt chamber 2 through the water inlet 4, dissolves the salt in the salt chamber 2 to generate salt water, and the salt water enters the water softening resin chamber 1 through the third control valve 9 to restore the softening ability of the resin. After that, the water flows out through the soft water outlet 5 to the inside of the dishwasher and is finally discharged from the dishwasher. When disinfection is required, the first control valve 7 is switched to the second state, the second control valve 8 is opened, and the third control valve 9 is closed. Water enters the salt chamber 2 through the water inlet 4, dissolves the salt in the salt chamber 2 to generate brine, and the brine enters the electrolysis chamber 3 through the second control valve 8. Under the action of the electrolysis electrode, the disinfection water containing sodium hypochlorite solution is electrolyzed to generate disinfection water. Sodium hypochlorite has strong oxidizing properties and can be used for disinfection. The disinfection water flows out through the disinfection water outlet 6 and enters the dishwasher for disinfection. The water softener provided in this embodiment can directly use the brine in the salt chamber 2 to generate disinfection water by electrolysis by integrating the electrolysis chamber 3 on the water softener, and the disinfection effect is good. At the same time, because the electrolyzer is integrated on the water softener, unnecessary installation procedures caused by connecting various structures through connecting pipes are avoided, and the hidden danger of water leakage at the sealing point caused by the connecting pipes can also be reduced.

[0046] On the basis of the above embodiment, in one embodiment, a controller is further included, and the controller is used to: in the soft water mode, control the first control valve 7 to switch to the first state; in the resin reduction mode, control the first control valve 7 to switch to the second state, and control the third control valve 9 to open, and control the second control valve 8 to close; in the disinfection mode, control the first control valve 7 to switch to the second state, and control the second control valve 8 to open, and control the third control valve 9 to close. Automatic control can be achieved.

[0047] On the basis of the above embodiments, in one embodiment, the water softening resin chamber 1, the salt chamber 2, and the electrolytic chamber 3 are arranged side by side, and the salt chamber 2 is arranged between the water softening resin chamber 1 and the electrolytic chamber 3. It is only necessary to add an electrolytic chamber 3 next to the salt chamber 2 of the water softener in the prior art, so as to facilitate the modification of the existing water softener. In an alternative embodiment, the water softening resin chamber 1, the salt chamber 2, and the electrolytic chamber 3 can be arranged in other shapes.

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, a salt adding port 10 is provided at the top of the salt chamber 2, so that the user can add salt to the salt chamber 2. Specifically, a cover body is provided at the salt adding port 10, and the cover body can be screwed on the salt adding port 10 by threads.

[0049] On the basis of the above-mentioned implementation manner, in one implementation manner, the salt chamber 2 is provided with a salt shortage sensor 11, which can remind the user to add salt into the salt chamber 2 in time when salt is shortage, thereby ensuring the disinfection effect.

[0050] Based on the above implementation, in one implementation, Figure 4 As shown, the salt deficiency sensor 11 includes a housing 111 and a float 112. The housing 111 is arranged in the salt chamber 2 and is connected to the salt chamber 2. A light source 113 is provided on one side of the housing 111 near the top, and a receiving source 114 is provided on the other side; the float 112 is arranged in the housing 111. The salt solution in the salt chamber 2 can enter the housing 111. When the concentration of the salt solution is sufficient, the float 112 floats up, and the light source 113 and the receiving source 114 are separated. The receiving source 114 cannot receive the light source 113. When the receiving source 114 can receive the light source 113, the light source 113 information is sent to the controller. At this time, the salt water concentration is not enough, and the user is prompted to add salt. In an alternative embodiment, the salt deficiency sensor 11 includes a housing 111, a float 112, and a switch arranged on the top of the housing 111. When the concentration of the salt solution is sufficient, the float 112 floats up, supports the switch, and closes the switch. When the switch cannot be closed, it means that the salt water concentration is not enough, and the user is prompted to add salt.

[0051] Example 2

[0052] This embodiment provides a dishwasher, including the water softener provided in the above embodiment.

[0053] In one embodiment, the soft water outlet 5 and the disinfectant water outlet 6 are both connected to the water cup through a pipeline, and the spray arm assembly in the dishwasher can spray the water or disinfectant in the water cup onto the tableware for cleaning or disinfection. At the same time, the disinfectant flows through the circulation pipeline of the dishwasher to disinfect the internal parts, and the disinfection effect is good. In an alternative embodiment, the disinfectant water outlet 6 is connected to the inner tank of the dishwasher through a pipeline.

[0054] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for the purpose of clear explanation, and are not intended to limit the implementation methods. For those skilled in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the implementation methods here. The obvious changes or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A water softener, characterized in that, it includes an integrated water softening resin chamber (1), a salt chamber (2), and an electrolysis chamber (3). An electrolysis electrode is provided in the electrolysis chamber (3). The water softener has a water inlet (4). The water softening resin chamber (1) is connected with a water softening outlet (5), and the electrolysis chamber (3) is connected with a disinfected water outlet (6). The water inlet (4) is adapted to be connected to a water inlet pipe; a first control valve (7) is provided at the water inlet (4). The first control valve (7) has a first state in which the water inlet pipe communicates with the water softening resin chamber (1) and a second state in which the water inlet pipe communicates with the salt chamber (2); a second control valve (8) is provided between the salt chamber (2) and the electrolysis chamber (3). When the second control valve (8) is opened, the salt chamber (2) communicates with the electrolysis chamber (3); a third control valve (9) is provided between the salt chamber (2) and the water softening chamber. When the third control valve (9) is opened, the salt chamber (2) communicates with the water softening resin chamber (1). The water softening resin chamber (1), the salt chamber (2), and the electrolysis chamber (3) are arranged side by side, and the salt chamber (2) is provided between the water softening resin chamber (1) and the electrolysis chamber (3).

2. The water softener according to claim 1, characterized in that, it further includes a controller, and the controller is used for: in the water softening mode, controlling the first control valve (7) to switch to the first state; in the resin regeneration mode, controlling the first control valve (7) to switch to the second state, controlling the third control valve (9) to be opened, and controlling the second control valve (8) to be closed; in the disinfection mode, controlling the first control valve (7) to switch to the second state, controlling the second control valve (8) to be opened, and controlling the third control valve (9) to be closed.

3. The water softener according to claim 1, characterized in that, the water softening resin chamber (1), the salt chamber (2), and the electrolysis chamber (3) are arranged side by side, and the salt chamber (2) is provided between the water softening resin chamber (1) and the electrolysis chamber (3).

4. The water softener according to claim 1, characterized in that, a salt addition port (10) is provided at the top of the salt chamber (2).

5. The water softener according to claim 4, characterized in that, a salt shortage sensor (11) is provided in the salt chamber (2).

6. The water softener according to claim 5, characterized in that, the salt shortage sensor (11) includes: a housing (111), which is arranged in the salt chamber (2) and communicates with the salt chamber (2). A light source (113) is provided on one side of the housing (111) close to the top, and a receiving source (114) is provided on the other side; a float (112), which is arranged in the housing (111).

7. A dishwasher, characterized in that, it includes the water softener according to any one of claims 1 - 6.

8. The dishwasher according to claim 7, characterized in that, both the water softening outlet (5) and the disinfected water outlet (6) are communicated with a water cup through pipelines.

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