An additive dispensing device and an additive liquid level detection method

Abstract

The present invention discloses an additive dispensing device and an additive liquid level detection method. The additive dispensing device includes a liquid storage box, a receiving portion for installing the liquid storage box, and a guide rail installed in the receiving portion; the liquid storage box can be inserted into or pulled out of the receiving portion along the guide rail, and a photoelectric sensor module for monitoring the remaining amount of additive in the liquid storage box is provided on the guide rail. After the liquid storage box is inserted into the receiving portion along the guide rail, the light emitting portion of the photoelectric sensor module on the guide rail emits light into the liquid storage box, and the liquid level information of the additive in the liquid storage box is inferred based on the light beam information received by the light receiving portion of the photoelectric sensor module. The present invention adds a guide rail in the receiving portion to assist the liquid storage box in inserting or pulling out of the receiving portion, and installs the photoelectric sensor module on the guide rail. While being able to accurately detect the remaining amount of detergent in the liquid storage box, disassembly and installation are also more convenient and quick.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of clothing processing equipment, and in particular, relates to an additive dispensing device and an additive liquid level detection method. Background Art

[0002] At present, external dispensing devices for washing machines are gradually emerging, but most of the existing dispensing devices have a single function and a relatively simple structure, which can only meet the simple needs of users and are far from the standards of high-tech products for intelligent dispensing. In particular, the problem of residual additive detection is that the detection device has a complex structure, difficult assembly, low detection accuracy, and false alarms.

[0003] The invention patent with application number 201810179883.5 discloses an automatic dispensing device for washing additives, including a container for holding washing additives and a mounting portion for carrying the container, wherein the container is arranged in a removable manner in the mounting portion, and the device also includes at least one set of liquid level detection structures for detecting the liquid level inside the container. The liquid level detection structure includes a detection portion, which is a conductive probe, a conductive portion connected to a circuit, one end of the detection portion is sealed and inserted into the container, and the other end contacts the conductive portion to conduct the circuit when the container is placed in the mounting portion, and is separated from the conductive portion to disconnect the circuit when the container is taken out of the mounting portion.

[0004] The automatic additive dispensing device disclosed in the above application can detect the remaining amount of additive in the container by means of a conductive probe arranged in the container for the detergent additive, but it is necessary to make major changes to the structure of the container, which makes the structure of the entire automatic dispensing device complicated, and also increases the production and manufacturing costs of the container for the additive and the dispensing device. In addition, the detection accuracy by means of the conductive probe is not high, and the detection result is easily affected by external interference factors.

[0005] In addition, the existing automatic additive dispensing device has a photoelectric sensor module installed in the installation part for the detergent box, and detects the liquid level in the detergent box by photoelectric sensing. Although it has high recognition efficiency and recognition accuracy, the photoelectric sensor module is directly installed in the installation part, which makes it difficult to disassemble and install.

[0006] In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide an additive dispensing device, in which a guide rail is added in the accommodating portion for inserting or removing an auxiliary liquid storage box from the accommodating portion, and a photoelectric sensor module is installed on the guide rail. While being able to accurately detect the detergent remaining information in the liquid storage box, the photoelectric sensor module is arranged on the guide rail, which makes disassembly and installation more convenient and quicker than being arranged on the accommodating portion.

[0008] In order to solve the above technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0009] An additive delivery device comprises a liquid storage box, a receiving portion for installing the liquid storage box, and a guide rail installed in the receiving portion;

[0010] The liquid storage box can be inserted into or pulled out of the accommodating portion along the guide rail. The liquid storage box has a closed chamber for storing additives. A photoelectric sensor module for monitoring the remaining amount of additives in the liquid storage box is arranged on the guide rail.

[0011] Furthermore, the guide rail has a first guide rail support portion and a second guide rail support portion arranged at a set angle, and a guide rail groove for inserting or removing the liquid storage box is formed between the first guide rail support portion and the second guide rail support portion;

[0012] The photoelectric sensor module includes a light emitting part arranged on the first guide rail support part and a light receiving part correspondingly arranged on the second guide rail support part. The light emitting part emits detection light toward the inside of the liquid storage box, and the light receiving part correspondingly receives the light emitted after being refracted by the additive in the liquid storage box.

[0013] Further, a first support surface is formed inside the first guide rail support portion, a second support surface is formed inside the second guide rail support portion and is arranged at an angle α with the first support surface, and the guide rail groove is formed between the first support surface and the second support surface, wherein: 0°<α<180°;

[0014] The liquid storage box has a guide rail matching portion that cooperates with the guide rail groove for sliding limit, and at least one side surface of the guide rail matching portion can slide along the first support surface or the second support surface; the first guide rail support portion is provided with a first mounting position for installing the light emitting portion, and the second guide rail support portion is correspondingly provided with a second mounting position for installing the light receiving portion.

[0015] Further, the light emitting part is a light emitting probe installed in the first installation position, the light receiving part is a light receiving probe installed in the second installation position, the outer end wall surface of the light emitting probe does not exceed the plane where the first supporting surface is located, and the outer end wall surface of the light receiving probe does not exceed the plane where the second supporting surface is located;

[0016] Preferably, the outer end wall surface of the light transmitting probe is flush with the first supporting surface, and the outer end wall surface of the light receiving probe is flush with the second supporting surface.

[0017] Furthermore, the length of the guide rail matches the length of the liquid storage box, the guide rail matching portion is formed by two adjacent side walls of the liquid storage box, and the angle α between the first supporting surface and the second supporting surface is not less than the angle between the two adjacent side walls of the liquid storage box;

[0018] Preferably, the liquid storage box is made of transparent material and has a square cross-section, and the corresponding α≥90°.

[0019] Further, the guide rail is vertically arranged in the accommodating portion, the liquid storage box is longitudinally inserted into the accommodating portion along the guide rail groove, and the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are correspondingly arranged at a set height position below the guide rail;

[0020] Alternatively, the guide rail is transversely arranged in the accommodating portion, the first supporting surface and the second supporting surface are gradually inclined outward from bottom to top, the liquid storage box is transversely inserted into the accommodating portion along the guide rail groove, and the light emitting part and the light receiving part are respectively and correspondingly arranged on the first guide rail supporting portion and the second guide rail supporting portion near the bottom position of the intersection line below the first supporting surface and the second supporting surface.

[0021] Furthermore, it also includes an angle adjustment mechanism disposed on the guide rail, wherein the angle adjustment mechanism can adjust the angle between the first guide rail support portion and the second guide rail support portion;

[0022] Preferably, a limiting protrusion is provided at the bottom of the first guide rail support portion, and a protrusion receiving groove matching the limiting protrusion is provided at the bottom of the second guide rail support portion;

[0023] The angle adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment bolt, the limiting protrusion and the second guide rail support portion are respectively provided with threaded through holes, the adjustment bolt passes through the threaded through holes on the second guide rail support portion and the limiting protrusion in sequence, and the angle between the first guide rail support portion and the second guide rail support portion is adjusted and fixed by screwing the adjustment bolt;

[0024] More preferably, it further comprises an angle measuring mechanism disposed on the guide rail, wherein the angle measuring mechanism is used to measure the angle opened by the first guide rail support portion and the second guide rail support portion;

[0025] Preferably, the angle measuring mechanism comprises a measuring panel fixed on an end of the first guide rail support portion or the second guide rail support portion, and scale lines are provided on the measuring panel.

[0026] Furthermore, it also includes a processing unit, which converts the light signal received by the light receiving unit into liquid level information of the additive in the liquid storage box.

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide an additive liquid level detection method having any of the above-mentioned additive dispensing devices, wherein the liquid storage box is inserted into the accommodating portion of the additive dispensing device along a guide rail, and the light emitting part of the photoelectric sensor module on the guide rail emits light into the liquid storage box, and the liquid level information of the additive in the liquid storage box is inferred based on the light beam information received by the light receiving part of the photoelectric sensor module.

[0028] Furthermore, if the additive in the liquid storage box is fully loaded or the liquid level is higher than a set height, the detection light emitted by the light emitting unit is refracted by the liquid additive in the liquid storage box and then received by the light receiving unit. If it is determined that the intensity of the refracted light received by the light receiving unit is higher than a set value, the photoelectric sensor module feeds the signal back to the processing unit, and the processing unit infers that the remaining amount of the additive in the liquid storage box is greater than the set value.

[0029] If the additive level in the liquid storage box is lower than the set height, the emitted light is not refracted by the liquid additive in the liquid storage box, the light receiving part cannot receive the refracted light, or the intensity of the received refracted light is lower than the set value, the photoelectric sensor module feeds back the signal to the processing unit, and the processing unit infers that the remaining amount of additive in the liquid storage box is lower than the set value, and sends an alarm to the user that the remaining amount of additive is insufficient.

[0030] After adopting the above technical scheme, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0031] 1. The additive dispensing device provided by the present invention has a guide rail in the accommodating portion for inserting or removing the auxiliary liquid storage box from the accommodating portion, and the photoelectric sensor module is installed on the guide rail. While being able to accurately detect the detergent remaining information in the liquid storage box, the photoelectric sensor module is arranged on the guide rail, which is more convenient and quick to disassemble and install than directly installing it on the accommodating portion.

[0032] 2. In the present invention, when the residual amount of additive in the liquid storage box is insufficient, the emitted light is not refracted by the liquid in the liquid storage box, and the light receiving part cannot receive the light or the received light is insufficient, then it can be inferred that the residual amount of additive in the liquid storage box is insufficient. The photoelectric sensor module sends the signal to the processing unit and issues an alarm to remind the user to replace the liquid storage box in time to ensure that the normal delivery operation of the additive delivery device is not affected.

[0033] 3. The additive delivery device provided by the present invention can properly adjust the angle of the first rail support part and the second rail support part through the angle adjustment mechanism when replacing the liquid storage box with different types of additives or liquid storage boxes of different models and sizes, which can ensure the stability of the liquid storage box on the one hand, and adjust the relative position of the light emitting part and the light receiving part on the other hand. It can effectively avoid the problem that the light receiving part cannot normally receive light when the user replaces different types of liquid storage boxes due to the different refractive indices of light of different types of additives, thereby affecting the measurement accuracy.

[0034] 4. The additive delivery device of the present invention is arranged on the water inlet pipe between the washing machine and the water inlet valve, and the additive is delivered into the washing tub as the water of the washing machine is delivered. Since different washing and care programs of the washing machine have different requirements for the amount of additive delivered, there are different requirements for monitoring the remaining amount of additive in the liquid storage box. The height adjustment mechanism provided in the present invention can appropriately adjust the height of the photoelectric sensor module according to the actual liquid level monitoring requirements, so as to detect the different liquid level heights of the remaining additive in the liquid storage box, ensure that the remaining amount of additive is sufficient to meet the requirements of different delivery amounts, and ensure the cleaning effect of the clothes.

[0035] 5. The additive delivery device provided by the present invention can guide the liquid storage box to be inserted or removed from the storage box quickly and stably through the guide rails arranged in the accommodating part and the photoelectric sensor module arranged on the guide rails, and can also accurately detect the remaining amount of additives in the liquid storage box. In addition, the present invention can also be used as a way to identify the liquid storage box by using the guide rail structure formed by the first guide rail support part and the second guide rail support part arranged at a set angle and the material of the liquid storage box itself to achieve light refraction, which can effectively prevent competitors from imitating it at will.

[0036] The specific implementation modes of the present invention are further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The accompanying drawings are part of the present invention and are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention, but do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work. In the accompanying drawings:

[0038] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of an implementation manner of a guide rail in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a guide rail according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of another implementation manner of the guide rail in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 is a simplified flow chart of the additive level detection method in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 5 Detailed flow chart of the additive level detection method in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] In the figure:

[0044] 1. Guide rail;

[0045] 11. First guide rail support portion; 12. Second guide rail support portion; 101. First support surface; 102. Second support surface; 103. Longitudinal fitting surface;

[0046] 2. Photoelectric sensor module; 21. Light emitting unit; 22. Light receiving unit;

[0047] 3. Height adjustment mechanism; 31. Telescopic sleeve rod; 311. Outer sleeve rod; 312. Retractable sleeve rod; 32. Rotary holder.

[0048] It should be noted that these drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the conceptual scope of the present invention in any way, but are intended to illustrate the concept of the present invention for those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention but are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0050] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside" and "outside" etc. indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying 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 direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0051] 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 an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0052] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0053] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, an additive delivery device is provided in an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a liquid storage box, a receiving portion for installing the liquid storage box, and a guide rail 1 installed in the receiving portion. The liquid storage box has a closed chamber for storing additives, and the receiving portion is a mounting groove provided on the additive delivery device for accommodating and installing the liquid storage box.

[0054] Furthermore, if Figure 1 As shown, the liquid storage box can be inserted into or pulled out of the accommodating portion along the guide rail 1, and a photoelectric sensor module 2 for monitoring the remaining amount of additives in the liquid storage box is provided on the guide rail 1. This embodiment uses photoelectric sensing to monitor the remaining amount of additives in the liquid storage box, and the detection result is not easily affected by external factors, and has high detection efficiency and recognition accuracy.

[0055] The additive dispensing device provided in the embodiment of the present invention adds a guide rail 1 in the accommodating portion for assisting the liquid storage box in inserting or removing the liquid storage box from the accommodating portion, and the photoelectric sensor module 2 is installed on the guide rail 1. While being able to accurately detect the detergent remaining information in the liquid storage box, the photoelectric sensor module 2 is arranged on the guide rail 1, which makes disassembly and installation more convenient and quicker than directly installing it on the accommodating portion.

[0056] Furthermore, if Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the guide rail 1 has a first guide rail support portion 11 and a second guide rail support portion 12 arranged at a set angle, and a guide rail groove with a "V"-shaped cross-section is formed between the first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12 for the liquid storage box to be inserted or pulled out, and the liquid storage box can slide along the inner wall of the guide rail groove.

[0057] The photoelectric sensor module 2 includes a light emitting part 21 arranged on the first guide rail support part 11 and a light receiving part 22 correspondingly arranged on the second guide rail support part 12. The light emitting part 21 emits detection light toward the inside of the liquid storage box, and the light receiving part 22 correspondingly receives the light emitted after being refracted by the additive in the liquid storage box.

[0058] When the remaining amount of additive in the liquid storage box is insufficient, the emitted light is not refracted by the liquid in the liquid storage box, and the light receiving part 22 cannot receive the light or the received light is insufficient, then it can be inferred that the remaining amount of additive in the liquid storage box is insufficient. The photoelectric sensor module 2 sends the signal to the processing unit and issues an alarm to prompt the user, so that the user can replace the liquid storage box in time to ensure that the normal delivery operation of the additive delivery device is not affected.

[0059] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a first support surface 101 is formed on the inner side of the first guide rail support portion 11, and a second support surface 102 is formed on the inner side of the second guide rail support portion 12, which is arranged at an angle α with the first support surface 101, and the guide rail groove is formed between the first support surface 101 and the second support surface 102, wherein: 0°<α<180°.

[0060] The liquid storage box has a guide rail matching part that is matched with the guide rail groove for sliding and limiting, and at least one side of the guide rail matching part can slide along the first support surface 101 or the second support surface 102; the first guide rail support part 11 is provided with a first installation position for installing the light emitting part 21, and the second guide rail support part 12 is correspondingly provided with a second installation position for installing the light receiving part 22. By installing the light emitting part 21 in the first installation position and the light receiving part 22 in the second installation position, the optical sensor module is installed on the guide rail 1, and compared with directly installing it on the accommodating part of the additive delivery device, it is more convenient and quick to disassemble and install.

[0061] Furthermore, the light emitting part 21 is a light emitting probe installed in the first installation position, and the light receiving part 22 is a light receiving probe installed in the second installation position. The outermost end wall surface of the light emitting probe does not exceed the plane where the first supporting surface 101 is located, and the outermost end wall surface of the light receiving probe does not exceed the plane where the second supporting surface 102 is located.

[0062] The first mounting position and the second mounting position are receiving grooves respectively provided on the first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12. The light emitting probe and the light receiving probe are hidden in the first mounting position and the second mounting position, which improves the aesthetics on the one hand and avoids being exposed to the outside and interfering with the liquid storage box on the other hand, thereby affecting the normal detection of the liquid level.

[0063] Preferably, the first mounting position and the second mounting position can be set to a groove structure that matches the shape and size of the light emitting probe and the light receiving probe, and the outer end wall of the light emitting probe is set flush with the first supporting surface 101, and the outer end wall of the light receiving probe is set flush with the second supporting surface 102, so that the first supporting surface 101 and the second supporting surface 102 of the guide rail 1 appear to be flat and integrated, thereby improving the aesthetics.

[0064] Furthermore, the length of the guide rail 1 matches the length of the liquid storage box, the guide rail matching portion is composed of two adjacent side walls of the liquid storage box, and the angle α between the first supporting surface 101 and the second supporting surface 102 is not less than the angle between the two adjacent side walls of the liquid storage box.

[0065] The liquid storage box includes two end walls arranged up and down or front and back, and a plurality of circumferential side walls connected between the circumferential edges of the two end walls, and the two end walls and the plurality of circumferential side walls together enclose a closed chamber inside the liquid storage box. The angle α between the first support surface 101 and the second support surface 102 can match the angle between the two adjacent circumferential side walls of the liquid storage box or be slightly larger than the angle between the two adjacent circumferential side walls of the liquid storage box.

[0066] In order to ensure accurate detection of the liquid level in this embodiment, the liquid storage box is made of a material with good light transmittance. Preferably, the liquid storage box in this embodiment is made of a transparent material, and the cross section is square, and the corresponding α is ≥ 90°. The liquid storage box in this embodiment is a rectangular parallelepiped, and the two adjacent circumferential side walls are vertically arranged, and the corresponding angle α between the first support surface 101 and the second support surface 102 is greater than or equal to 90°.

[0067] The guide rail 1 has a certain extension length, and the length of the liquid storage box is set to L, and the length of the guide rail 1 is L1, wherein L1>1 / 2L, and the stability of the liquid storage box after being inserted into the accommodating portion is ensured by the above design. Preferably, L1=L, so as to ensure that the liquid storage box can be inserted into place along the guide rail 1.

[0068] In one embodiment, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the accommodating portion is longitudinally arranged for the liquid storage box to be longitudinally inserted, the guide rail 1 is vertically arranged in the accommodating portion, the liquid storage box is longitudinally inserted into the accommodating portion along the guide rail groove, and the light emitting portion 21 and the light receiving portion 22 are correspondingly arranged at set height positions below the guide rail 1.

[0069] The light emitting part 21 and the light receiving part 22 are arranged at a set height position below the guide rail 1. When the liquid level of the additive in the liquid storage box gradually decreases, when the liquid level of the additive in the liquid storage box drops to the set liquid level detection height, since the emitted light is not refracted by the liquid in the liquid storage box, the light receiving part 22 cannot receive the light, or the received light is insufficient, it can be inferred that the remaining amount of the additive in the liquid storage box is insufficient.

[0070] Alternatively, in another embodiment, the accommodating portion is arranged horizontally, the liquid storage box is inserted horizontally, and the guide rail 1 is also arranged horizontally in the accommodating portion. The first support surface 101 and the second support surface 102 are gradually inclined outward from bottom to top, and the liquid storage box is inserted horizontally into the accommodating portion along the guide rail groove, and the light emitting portion 21 and the light receiving portion 22 are respectively arranged on the first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12 at the bottom position close to the intersection line below the first support surface 101 and the second support surface 102.

[0071] The light emitting part 21 and the light receiving part 22 are arranged at the bottom position close to the intersection line below the first supporting surface 101 and the second supporting surface 102. When the liquid level of the additive in the liquid storage box is gradually reduced, when the liquid level of the additive in the liquid storage box drops to the set liquid level detection height, since the emitted light is not refracted by the liquid in the liquid storage box, the light receiving part 22 cannot receive the light, or the received light is insufficient, it can be inferred that the remaining amount of the additive in the liquid storage box is insufficient.

[0072] Preferably, in this embodiment, the liquid level of the additive in the liquid storage box is detected by inserting the liquid storage box into the accommodating portion along the guide rail groove longitudinally, and the light emitting portion 21 and the light receiving portion 22 are correspondingly arranged at a set height position below the guide rail 1.

[0073] In this embodiment, the photoelectric sensor module 2 may include a plurality of light emitting parts 21 and light receiving parts 22, and the light emitting parts 21 and light receiving parts 22 are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the guide rail 1 to monitor different liquid level heights of the additive in the liquid storage box.

[0074] Furthermore, the additive delivery device provided in this example also includes an angle adjustment mechanism (not shown in the figure) arranged on the guide rail 1, and the angle adjustment mechanism can adjust the angle between the first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12.

[0075] With the improvement of the quality of life, there are many types of clothing additives currently used in households, such as detergents, softeners, disinfectants, bleaches, etc. Due to the different concentrations, viscosities and other characteristics of different types of additives, the refractive index of different types of additives to light is also different. Therefore, when replacing a liquid storage box with different types of additives, if the position angle of the light emitting part 21 and the light receiving part 22 set on the accommodating part or the guide rail 1 remains unchanged, the same position angle is used for measurement of liquid storage boxes with different types of additives, and the light receiving part 22 cannot accurately receive the refracted light, and the measurement result will also be affected.

[0076] When replacing a liquid storage box with different types of additives, the present invention appropriately adjusts the opening angle of the first guide rail support part 11 and the second guide rail support part 12 through the angle adjustment mechanism, which can ensure the stability of the liquid storage box on the one hand, and adjust the relative position of the light emitting part 21 and the light receiving part 22 on the other hand, effectively avoiding the problem that the light receiving part 22 cannot normally receive light when the user replaces a different type of liquid storage box due to the different refractive index of light of different types of additives, thereby affecting the measurement accuracy.

[0077] When liquid storage boxes of different models and sizes are installed in the accommodating portion, the angle between the first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12 can also be appropriately adjusted through the angle adjustment mechanism, so that the angle between the first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12 can be adapted to liquid storage boxes of different models and sizes, thereby improving the stability of the liquid storage box in the accommodating portion.

[0078] In this embodiment, an angle adjustment mechanism is provided on the guide rail 1 to adjust the angle between the first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12 to adapt to liquid storage boxes of different models and sizes or different types of additives. Of course, multiple models of guide rails 1 can also be provided to adapt to liquid storage boxes of different models and sizes or different types of additives. The first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12 of the guide rails 1 of different models are set at different set angles, and the model of the guide rail 1 matches the corresponding type of additive or the liquid storage box of the corresponding model and size. When replacing the liquid storage box, the matching guide rail 1 is replaced accordingly to achieve accurate detection of the remaining amount of additive in the liquid storage box.

[0079] The angle adjustment mechanism in this embodiment can be implemented by the following scheme: a limiting protrusion is provided at the bottom of the first guide rail support part 11, and a protrusion receiving groove matching the limiting protrusion is provided at the bottom of the second guide rail support part 12, and the limiting protrusion is clamped and limited in the protrusion receiving groove. The angle adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment bolt, and the limiting protrusion and the second guide rail support part 12 are respectively provided with threaded through holes, and the adjustment bolt passes through the threaded through holes on the second guide rail support part 12 and the limiting protrusion in turn, and the angle between the first guide rail support part 11 and the second guide rail support part 12 is adjusted and fixed by screwing the adjustment bolt.

[0080] Specifically, the adjusting bolt includes a nut and a screw having a certain extension length, one end of the screw passes through the second rail support portion 12 located on both sides of the bump receiving groove and the limiting bump located in the bump receiving groove, and is locked and fixed by the nut. When replacing the storage box of different types of additives, the nut is unscrewed, and the opening angle between the first rail support portion 11 and the second rail support portion 12 is adjusted by screwing the screw, and after adjusting to a suitable angle, it is locked and fixed by the nut.

[0081] This embodiment provides an implementation method for adjusting the opening angle of the first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12 by adjusting the bolt, the protrusion and the groove. Of course, the implementation method of the angle adjustment mechanism is not limited to this, and the opening angle of the first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12 can also be adjusted by structures such as self-locking bolts, latches, and angle adjusters.

[0082] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the guide rail 1 is composed of a first guide rail support portion 11 and a second guide rail support portion 12, and the longitudinal cross-section of the first guide rail support portion 11 / the second guide rail support portion 12 is similar to a right-angled trapezoidal shape, and the two inclined sides of the first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12 are relatively arranged and spliced ​​to form a guide rail groove with a "V"-shaped cross-section.

[0083] A longitudinal cut edge is provided at the lower corner of the inner inclined edge of the first guide rail support portion 11 / the second guide rail support portion 12, so that two longitudinal fitting surfaces 103 are formed at the sharp corners below the first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12, respectively, and the two longitudinal fitting surfaces 103 below the first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12 are fitted together. The limiting protrusion and the protrusion accommodating groove are respectively provided at the longitudinal fitting surfaces 103 of the first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12.

[0084] The additive delivery device provided in this embodiment also includes an angle measuring mechanism arranged on the guide rail 1, which is used to measure the opening angle of the first guide rail support part 11 and the second guide rail support part 12, so that the operator can intuitively obtain the opening angle of the two guide rail parts and improve the efficiency of angle adjustment.

[0085] In one embodiment, the angle measuring mechanism includes a measuring panel fixed on the end of the first guide rail support portion 11 or the second guide rail support portion 12, and the measuring panel is a fan-shaped structure with a central angle greater than or equal to 180°. The measuring panel can be fitted and fixed on the upper end or the lower end of the first guide rail support portion 11 or the second guide rail support portion 12, and the measuring panel is provided with scale lines on the side facing the first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12.

[0086] The additive delivery device provided in the embodiment of the present invention is arranged on the water inlet pipeline between the washing machine and the water inlet valve, and the additive in the liquid storage box is sucked out and delivered to the water inlet pipeline through a delivery pump or a venturi tube, and the additive is delivered to the washing tub as the water inflows into the washing machine. Since different washing and care programs of the washing machine require different amounts of additives to be delivered, there are different requirements for monitoring the remaining amount of additives in the liquid storage box to ensure the cleaning effect of the clothes.

[0087] For example, softener is only added once during the rinsing process in the entire washing and care process, and the required amount is relatively small. However, the amount of detergent required in the entire washing and care process is much larger than that of softener. In order to ensure the smooth progress of the washing and care process, it is necessary to ensure that the remaining amount of detergent in the liquid storage box is much greater than the remaining amount of softener. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the different liquid level heights of the additives in the liquid storage box.

[0088] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, in order to solve the above problems, the additive delivery device provided in this embodiment also includes a height adjustment mechanism 3 for adjusting the height of the photoelectric sensor module 2. The height adjustment mechanism 3 can adjust the height of the photoelectric sensor module 2 by adjusting the height of the guide rail 1.

[0089] Specifically, Figure 3 As shown, the height adjustment mechanism 3 includes a telescopic sleeve rod 31 fixedly supported below the guide rail 1, the telescopic sleeve rod 31 includes an outer rod 311 and an inner retracted rod 312 slidably connected to the inner cavity of the outer rod 311, the upper end of the outer rod 311 is fixed on the guide rail 1, and the lower end of the outer rod 311 is slidably connected to the inner retracted rod 312. Preferably, the telescopic sleeve rod 31 is fixedly supported below the guide rail 1 in two intervals to ensure the balance stability of the guide rail 1.

[0090] Furthermore, an abutment groove is provided on the outer side of the retracted rod 312, and a rotation fixture 32 is provided on the outer rod 311. One end of the rotation fixture 32 passes through the outer rod 311 and can extend to abut on the abutment groove. The relative positions of the outer rod 311 and the retracted rod 312 are adjusted by screwing the rotation fixture 32 to achieve the adjustment of the height of the guide rail 1, thereby enabling the photoelectric sensor module 2 to monitor different liquid level heights of the additive in the liquid storage box.

[0091] Alternatively, in another embodiment, the height of the photoelectric sensor module 2 on the guide rail 1 can be directly adjusted to monitor different liquid levels in the liquid storage box.

[0092] Specifically, the first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12 are respectively provided with a slide groove with a certain extension length arranged along the length direction of the guide rail 1, and the height adjustment mechanism 3 includes the slide groove and a slide seat slidably matched with the slide groove. The light emitting portion 21 and the light receiving portion 22 are fixedly mounted on the slide seat, and the slide seat can slide up and down along the slide groove to adjust the height position of the light emitting portion 21 and the light receiving portion 22 on the guide rail 1, thereby realizing the monitoring of different liquid levels of the additive in the liquid storage box.

[0093] Preferably, the height adjustment mechanism 3 further includes a locking mechanism disposed on the slide, and when the light emitting part 21 and the light receiving part 22 are adjusted to a preset height position, the slide is locked at the height position by the locking mechanism. A rotating shaft is fixedly disposed on the slide, and the locking mechanism is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft. The locking mechanism includes a handbrake plate, a friction plate, and a connecting portion connected between the handbrake plate and the friction plate, and the connecting portion is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft. After the photoelectric sensor module 2 is adjusted to a specified position, the handbrake plate is pressed down to drive the friction plate to rotate along the rotating shaft until the friction plate is tightly against the slide groove, thereby achieving a better stabilizing effect.

[0094] The height adjustment mechanism 3 provided in the present invention can appropriately adjust the height of the photoelectric sensor module 2 according to the actual liquid level monitoring requirements, thereby monitoring the different liquid level heights of the remaining additive in the liquid storage box, ensuring that the remaining amount of additive is sufficient to meet the requirements of different dosages and ensure the cleaning effect of the clothes.

[0095] By providing the angle adjustment mechanism and the height adjustment mechanism 3 on the guide rail 1, the additive dispensing device provided in this embodiment has more obvious advantages and higher versatility than the existing additive dispensing device, because the existing additive dispensing device installs the light emitting probe and the light receiving probe on the accommodating part, and its detection angle and height position are not adjustable, and its practicality is poor.

[0096] Furthermore, the additive dispensing device provided in this embodiment also includes a processing unit, which converts the light signal received by the light receiving unit 22 into liquid level information of the additive in the liquid storage box. The processing unit is a processor, which can be set on the control board of the additive dispensing device or on the control board of the washing machine, and transmits signals by wired or wireless communication.

[0097] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention further provides an additive liquid level detection method having the above-mentioned additive dispensing device, wherein the liquid storage box is inserted into the accommodating portion of the additive dispensing device along a guide rail, and the light emitting portion of the photoelectric sensor module on the guide rail emits light into the liquid storage box, and the liquid level information of the additive in the liquid storage box is inferred based on the light beam information received by the light receiving portion of the photoelectric sensor module.

[0098] Furthermore, if Figure 5 As shown, if the additive in the liquid storage box is full or the liquid level is higher than the set height, the detection light emitted by the light emitting unit is refracted by the liquid additive in the liquid storage box and then received by the light receiving unit. If it is determined that the intensity of the refracted light received by the light receiving unit is higher than the set value, the photoelectric sensor module feeds back the signal to the processing unit, and the processing unit infers that the remaining amount of additive in the liquid storage box is greater than the set value.

[0099] If the additive level in the liquid storage box is lower than the set height, the emitted light is not refracted by the liquid additive in the liquid storage box, the light receiving part cannot receive the refracted light, or the intensity of the received refracted light is lower than the set value, the photoelectric sensor module feeds back the signal to the processing unit, and the processing unit infers that the remaining amount of additive in the liquid storage box is lower than the set value, and sends an alarm to the user that the remaining amount of additive is insufficient.

[0100] The additive delivery device provided in the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a guide rail 1 arranged in the accommodating portion and a photoelectric sensor module 2 arranged on the guide rail 1, which can not only guide the liquid storage box to be quickly and stably inserted or pulled out of the accommodating portion, but also accurately detect the remaining amount of additive in the liquid storage box. In addition, the present invention realizes the refraction of light by the guide rail structure formed by the first guide rail support portion 11 and the second guide rail support portion 12 arranged at a set angle and the material of the liquid storage box itself, which can also be used as an identity recognition method for the liquid storage box, effectively preventing competitors from imitating at will.

[0101] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention in any form. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment, it is not used to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with this patent can make some changes or modify the technical contents suggested above into equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention still fall within the scope of the solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. An additive delivery device, characterized in that: It comprises a liquid storage box, a receiving portion for installing the liquid storage box, and a guide rail installed in the receiving portion; The liquid storage box can be inserted into or pulled out of the accommodating portion along the guide rail, the liquid storage box has a closed chamber for storing additives, and a photoelectric sensor module for monitoring the remaining amount of additives in the liquid storage box is arranged on the guide rail; The guide rail comprises a first guide rail support portion and a second guide rail support portion arranged at a set angle, and a guide rail groove for inserting or removing the liquid storage box is formed between the first guide rail support portion and the second guide rail support portion; The photoelectric sensor module includes a light emitting part arranged on the first guide rail support part and a light receiving part correspondingly arranged on the second guide rail support part. The light emitting part emits detection light toward the inside of the liquid storage box, and the light receiving part correspondingly receives the light emitted after being refracted by the additive in the liquid storage box.

2. The additive delivery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first support surface is formed inside the first guide rail support portion, a second support surface is formed inside the second guide rail support portion and is arranged at an angle α with the first support surface, and the guide rail groove is formed between the first support surface and the second support surface, wherein: 0°<α<180°; The liquid storage box has a guide rail matching portion that cooperates with the guide rail groove for sliding limit, and at least one side surface of the guide rail matching portion can slide along the first support surface or the second support surface; the first guide rail support portion is provided with a first mounting position for installing the light emitting portion, and the second guide rail support portion is correspondingly provided with a second mounting position for installing the light receiving portion.

3. The additive delivery device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The light emitting part is a light emitting probe installed in the first installation position, and the light receiving part is a light receiving probe installed in the second installation position. The outer end wall surface of the light emitting probe does not exceed the plane where the first supporting surface is located, and the outer end wall surface of the light receiving probe does not exceed the plane where the second supporting surface is located.

4. The additive delivery device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The length of the guide rail matches the length of the liquid storage box, the guide rail matching portion is composed of two adjacent side walls of the liquid storage box, and the angle α between the first supporting surface and the second supporting surface is not less than the angle between the two adjacent side walls of the liquid storage box.

5. The additive delivery device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The liquid storage box is made of transparent material and has a square cross section, with a corresponding angle α≥90°.

6. The additive delivery device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The guide rail is vertically arranged in the accommodating portion, the liquid storage box is longitudinally inserted into the accommodating portion along the guide rail groove, and the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are correspondingly arranged at a set height position below the guide rail; Alternatively, the guide rail is transversely arranged in the accommodating portion, the first supporting surface and the second supporting surface are gradually inclined outward from bottom to top, the liquid storage box is transversely inserted into the accommodating portion along the guide rail groove, and the light emitting part and the light receiving part are respectively and correspondingly arranged on the first guide rail supporting portion and the second guide rail supporting portion near the bottom position of the intersection line below the first supporting surface and the second supporting surface.

7. The additive delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The invention also includes an angle adjustment mechanism disposed on the guide rail, wherein the angle adjustment mechanism can adjust the angle between the first guide rail support portion and the second guide rail support portion.

8. The additive delivery device according to claim 7, characterized in that: A limiting protrusion is provided at the bottom of the first guide rail support portion, and a protrusion receiving groove matching the limiting protrusion is provided at the bottom of the second guide rail support portion; The angle adjustment mechanism includes an adjusting bolt, and threaded through holes are respectively provided on the limiting protrusion and the second guide rail support part. The adjusting bolt passes through the threaded through holes on the second guide rail support part and the limiting protrusion in sequence, and the angle between the first guide rail support part and the second guide rail support part is adjusted and fixed by screwing the adjusting bolt.

9. The additive delivery device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The invention also comprises an angle measuring mechanism arranged on the guide rail, wherein the angle measuring mechanism is used to measure the angle opened by the first guide rail supporting portion and the second guide rail supporting portion.

10. The additive delivery device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The angle measuring mechanism comprises a measuring panel fixed on the end of the first guide rail support portion or the second guide rail support portion, and the measuring panel is provided with scale lines.

11. The additive delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The invention also includes a processing unit, which converts the light signal received by the light receiving unit into liquid level information of the additive in the liquid storage box.

12. A method for detecting the liquid level of an additive using the additive dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The liquid storage box is inserted into the accommodating part of the additive delivery device along the guide rail, and the light emitting part of the photoelectric sensor module on the guide rail emits light into the liquid storage box, and the liquid level information of the additive in the liquid storage box is inferred based on the light beam information received by the light receiving part of the photoelectric sensor module.

13. The additive level detection method according to claim 12, characterized in that: If the additive in the liquid storage box is full or the liquid level is higher than the set height, the detection light emitted by the light emitting unit is refracted by the liquid additive in the liquid storage box and then received by the light receiving unit. If it is determined that the intensity of the refracted light received by the light receiving unit is higher than the set value, the photoelectric sensor module feeds back the signal to the processing unit, and the processing unit infers that the remaining amount of the additive in the liquid storage box is greater than the set value. If the additive level in the liquid storage box is lower than the set height, the emitted light is not refracted by the liquid additive in the liquid storage box, the light receiving part cannot receive the refracted light, or the intensity of the received refracted light is lower than the set value, the photoelectric sensor module feeds back the signal to the processing unit, and the processing unit infers that the remaining amount of additive in the liquid storage box is lower than the set value, and sends an alarm to the user that the remaining amount of additive is insufficient.

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