Double-drum washing machine control method and double-drum washing machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a control method and a dual-drum washing machine. The dual-drum washing machine includes two water drums. When the first water drum is executing a draining process, the method detects whether the second water drum is also executing a draining process. If so, the method controls the first and second water drums to execute the draining process simultaneously for at least a portion of the time period, and controls both water drums to terminate the draining process simultaneously. If not, the first water drum executes the draining process normally. This arrangement allows the two water drums to execute the draining process simultaneously, overlapping for at least a portion of the time period, achieving a significant technical advancement in reducing the waiting time for either water drum to execute the draining process and reducing the overall operating time of the dual-drum washing machine. Furthermore, by synchronizing the termination of drainage in the two water drums, the drain outlets of the water drums are affected by the drainage water flow, preventing water in the washing machine's drain pipe from flowing back into the drums.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of clothing processing equipment, and specifically relates to a washing machine with multiple drums, and more particularly to a drainage control method for a double-drum washing machine. Background Art

[0002] Currently, most drum washing machines on the market have only one washing drum. As people's awareness of hygiene increases, more and more users need to wash different types of clothes separately or wash a small amount of clothes in a timely manner.

[0003] As people's quality of life improves, their awareness of hygiene is also growing. This is especially true when it comes to home laundry, with more and more people washing clothes separately. Using existing washing machines for multiple loads of laundry doesn't allow for the required washing time. Buying two or more washing machines for simultaneous washing not only wastes energy and water but also takes up a lot of space, making it unsuitable for home use. Therefore, multi-drum washing machines can meet these needs and address the energy, water, and space waste.

[0004] When a conventional double-drum washing machine executes the drainage process, the two water drums discharge water into the same washing machine drain pipe through pipes connected to their respective drain outlets. In order to prevent the drainage water flows of the two water drums from interfering with each other, especially the drainage water flow flowing into the drain pipe backflowing into the other water drum, it is necessary to make the two water drums execute the drainage process in an alternating manner.

[0005] However, with this control method, if both drums need to drain simultaneously, one drum will have to wait until the other drum has finished draining before it can begin draining. This results in a long wait time for one drum to drain, making the entire wash cycle of the dual-drum washing machine excessively long, impacting the user experience.

[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 existing technology and provide a control method for a double-drum washing machine, so that multiple water drums of the washing machine can drain water at the same time without mutual interference, thereby achieving the purpose of shortening the operation time of the double-drum washing machine.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0009] The present invention provides a control method for a dual-drum washing machine, which includes two water drums. When the first water drum is executing a drainage program, it is detected whether the second water drum is executing the drainage program. If so, the first water drum and the second water drum are controlled to execute the drainage program simultaneously for at least part of the time period, and the two water drums are controlled to end the drainage program at the same time; if not, the first water drum executes the drainage program normally.

[0010] In the existing double-drum washing machine, since the drain pipe is connected to both water drums, when one of the water drums finishes the drainage process, the control valve on the pipe connected to the drain outlet of the water drum is closed, which will generate a certain negative pressure, drawing the drainage in the drain pipe back to the water drum. The present application uses the above-mentioned control method to make the two water drums end the drainage process synchronously, which can effectively prevent the drainage water in the drain pipe from flowing back into the water drum and polluting the load in the drum, and thus the two water drums that execute the drainage process at the same time will not interfere with each other, so that the double-drum washing machine can truly achieve synchronous and simultaneous drainage control.

[0011] Furthermore, when the first water tank is executing the drainage procedure, it is detected that the second water tank is executing the drainage procedure, then the remaining time t2 of the drainage procedure of the second water tank and the time t1 required for the drainage procedure of the first water tank are obtained; the first water tank is controlled to delay for a certain time |t1-t2| before starting to execute the drainage procedure, or the second water tank is controlled to suspend the drainage procedure for a certain time |t1-t2| and then continue to execute the drainage procedure, so that the first water tank and the second water tank end the drainage procedure synchronously.

[0012] Furthermore, when t2 is less than t1, the first water holding drum is controlled to start executing the drainage program, and the second water holding drum is synchronously stopped from executing the drainage program for a certain time t1-t2; then the first water holding drum and the second water holding drum are controlled to execute the drainage program at the same time until the two drums synchronously complete the drainage program.

[0013] Furthermore, when t2 is greater than t1, the first water holding drum is controlled to pause the drainage procedure for a certain time t2-t1, and the second water holding drum is synchronously controlled to continue the drainage procedure; then the first water holding drum and the second water holding drum are controlled to execute the drainage procedure at the same time until the two drums synchronously complete the drainage procedure.

[0014] Furthermore, when the first water tank is executing the drainage program, it is detected that the second water tank is executing the drainage program, then the first water tank and the second water tank are controlled to execute the drainage program simultaneously, and part of the drainage water flow in the first water tank is controlled to flow into the second water tank, or part of the drainage water flow in the second water tank is controlled to flow into the first water tank, so that the first water tank and the second water tank end the drainage program synchronously.

[0015] Furthermore, before part of the drainage water from the first water tank flows into the second water tank, the turbidity value D1 of the water in the first water tank is compared with the turbidity value D2 of the water in the second water tank; if D1 is greater than D2, the drainage water from the first water tank no longer flows into the second water tank; if D1 is less than D2, part of the drainage water from the first water tank continues to flow into the second water tank;

[0016] Alternatively, before part of the drainage water flow from the second water tank flows into the first water tank, compare the turbidity value D1 of the water in the first water tank with the turbidity value D2 of the water in the second water tank; if D1 is less than D2, the drainage water flow from the second water tank no longer flows into the first water tank; if D1 is greater than D2, part of the drainage water flow from the second water tank continues to flow into the first water tank.

[0017] Furthermore, when the first water storage drum is performing the drainage process, it is detected that the second water storage drum is performing the drainage process, and the remaining time t2 of the drainage process of the second water storage drum and the required time t1 of the drainage process of the first water storage drum are obtained;

[0018] When t2 is less than t1, the drain outlet of the first water tank is controlled to be connected to the water inlet of the second water tank and the drain pipe of the washing machine for a certain time t3;

[0019] When t2 is greater than t1, the drain outlet of the second water tank is controlled to be connected to the water inlet of the first water tank and the drain pipe of the washing machine for a certain time t3;

[0020] The t3 is |t1-t2| / 2.

[0021] After adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0022] Through the above-mentioned arrangement, the drainage procedures of the two water drums are executed at the same time with at least part of the time period overlapping, so that at least part of the drainage time of the two water drums overlaps, thereby achieving significant technical progress in reducing the waiting time when any water drum executes the drainage procedure and reducing the overall operating time of the double-drum washing machine.

[0023] At the same time, by synchronizing the drainage of the two water tanks, the drainage outlets of the water tanks are affected by the drainage water flow, thereby preventing the occurrence of water backflow in the drainage pipe of the washing machine, thereby achieving a significant technical progress in that the drainage flow of any water tank will not backflow into the other water tank, and the two water tanks can drain at the same time without interfering with each other.

[0024] The control method of the present invention is applicable to a double-drum washing machine with two water drums arranged at any position, for example, the two water drums are arranged horizontally left and right, staggered up and down, inclined, etc.

[0025] At the same time, when the two water drums are arranged in an up-and-down staggered manner, the height difference between the two drums will prevent the drainage water in the washing machine drain pipe from flowing back into the upper water drum. Therefore, the present invention also provides a control method applicable only to a double-drum washing machine arranged in an up-and-down staggered manner, so as to achieve the purpose of simultaneously draining the upper and lower water drums of the washing machine without mutual interference, thereby achieving the purpose of shortening the operation time of the double-drum washing machine. The specific settings are as follows:

[0026] The present invention also provides a control method for a double-drum washing machine, which includes two water drums arranged one above the other, an upper water drum and a lower water drum; when the upper water drum executes a drainage program, it is detected whether the lower water drum is executing the drainage program; if so, the upper water drum and the lower water drum are controlled to execute the drainage program simultaneously in at least part of the time period, and the end time node of the drainage program of the upper water drum is controlled to be earlier than or equal to the end time node of the drainage program of the lower water drum.

[0027] Furthermore, when the upper water storage drum is executing the drainage procedure, it is detected whether the lower water storage drum is executing the drainage procedure;

[0028] If not, the upper water container starts to perform the drainage procedure and the lower water container continues to perform the drainage procedure;

[0029] If so, obtain the remaining time t2 of the drainage program of the lower water cylinder and the time t1 required for the drainage program of the upper water cylinder; then, determine whether t2 is less than t1. If so, control the upper water cylinder to start executing the drainage program and synchronously stop the lower water cylinder from executing the drainage program for a certain time t1-t2, and then control the first water cylinder and the second water cylinder to execute the drainage program at the same time until the two cylinders complete the drainage program.

[0030] Furthermore, when the upper water storage drum is executing the drainage procedure, it is detected whether the lower water storage drum is executing the drainage procedure;

[0031] If not, the upper water container starts to perform the drainage procedure and the lower water container continues to perform the drainage procedure;

[0032] If so, the remaining time t2 of the lower water drum's drainage process and the required time t1 of the upper water drum's drainage process are obtained; then, it is determined whether t2 is less than t1. If so, the drain outlet of the upper water drum is controlled to be connected to the drain outlet of the lower water drum and the washing machine drain pipe for a certain time t3, while the drain outlet of the lower water drum continues to be connected to the washing machine drain pipe. Then, the first water drum and the second water drum are controlled to execute the drainage process simultaneously until the drainage process of the two drums is completed;

[0033] The t3 is |t1-t2| / 2.

[0034] Furthermore, before part of the drainage water flow from the upper water tank flows into the lower water tank, it is determined whether the turbidity value D2 of the water in the upper water tank is greater than the turbidity value D1 of the water in the lower water tank; if D1 is greater than D2, the drainage water flow from the upper water tank no longer flows into the lower water tank; if D1 is less than D2, part of the drainage water flow from the upper water tank continues to flow into the lower water tank.

[0035] Through the above-described method, the present invention allows the upper and lower water drums of a twin-drum washing machine to drain simultaneously, eliminating the need for either drum to wait for drainage, thereby achieving a significant technological advancement in reducing washing machine draining time and improving drainage efficiency. Furthermore, it also prevents the drain water from the upper drum from flowing into the washing machine drain pipe and then backflowing from the drain pipe into the lower drum.

[0036] The present invention also provides a double-drum washing machine using the above control method, which includes a first water drum and a second water drum; the drain outlet of the first water drum and the drain outlet of the second water drum are respectively connected to the washing machine drain pipe through controllable opening and closing pipes.

[0037] Furthermore, the first water holding cylinder and the second water holding cylinder are arranged in an upper and lower staggered manner, the upper first water holding cylinder is an upper water holding cylinder, and the lower second water holding cylinder is a lower water holding cylinder; the bottom of the upper first water holding cylinder is higher than the maximum water level of the lower second water holding cylinder;

[0038] Furthermore, the first water storage cylinder and the second water storage cylinder are respectively provided with turbidity sensors for detecting the turbidity of the water in the cylinder.

[0039] Furthermore, the drain outlet of the first water storage drum is connected to the inlet of the first three-way valve, and the two outlets of the first three-way valve are respectively connected to the water inlet of the second water storage drum and the drain pipe of the washing machine. The inlet of the first three-way valve can be connected to one of the two outlets or simultaneously.

[0040] The drain outlet of the second water storage drum is connected to the inlet of the second three-way valve. The two outlets of the second three-way valve are respectively connected to the water inlet of the first water storage drum and the second drain pipe of the washing machine. The inlet of the second three-way valve can be connected to one of the two outlets or simultaneously.

[0041] At the same time, the present invention has a simple structure, a concise method, and a significant effect, and is suitable for promotion and use.

[0042] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] 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 undue limitation of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without inventive effort. In the accompanying drawings:

[0044] Figure 1 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a double-drum washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a control method for a double-drum washing machine in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a control method for a double-drum washing machine in a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a control method for a double-drum washing machine in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a control method for a double-drum washing machine in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Description of the main components in the figure:

[0050] 1. The first water container; 2. The second water container; 3. The upper water container; 4. The lower water container.

[0051] 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 rather to illustrate the concept of the present invention for those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] 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.

[0053] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating directions or positional relationships, are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0054] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed, detachable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; and direct or indirect connections through an intermediary. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0055] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention introduces a dual-drum washing machine comprising a first washing unit and a second washing unit that can independently perform laundry washing steps. The first and second washing units can independently perform any one or a combination of a water filling cycle, a washing cycle, a draining cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a dehydration cycle on the laundry to achieve the purpose of washing the laundry. Preferably, the first and second washing units can also be equipped with drying devices to perform a drying cycle after the dehydration cycle to achieve the purpose of drying the laundry in the first and / or second washing units. Preferably, the first washing unit includes a first water drum 1, which is provided with a first washing drum that can rotate relative to the first washing drum and a first heater for heating the wash water therein; and a second water drum 2, which is provided with a second washing drum that can rotate relative to the second washing drum and a second heater for heating the wash water therein. Thus, during the washing cycle, the wash water in the corresponding water drums is stirred and heated, achieving the effects of washing, dehydrating, and adjusting the water temperature of the laundry.

[0056] In the embodiment of the present invention, the drain outlet of the first water storage drum and the drain outlet of the second water storage drum are respectively connected to the drain pipe of the washing machine via controllably openable and closable pipelines.

[0057] In an embodiment of the present invention, a control method for the above-mentioned dual-drum washing machine is introduced. When any water drum of the dual-drum washing machine is executing a drainage program, it detects whether the other water drum is executing a drainage program; if so, the two water drums are controlled to execute the drainage program simultaneously for at least part of the time period, and the two water drums are controlled to end the drainage program at the same time; if not, the water drums execute the drainage program normally.

[0058] Through this arrangement, the two water drums simultaneously execute the drainage process with at least a portion of their time periods overlapping, resulting in at least a portion of the drainage time of the two water drums overlapping, thereby achieving a significant technical advancement in reducing the waiting time when either water drum executes the drainage process and reducing the overall operating time of the dual-drum washing machine. Furthermore, by synchronizing the drainage of the two water drums, the drainage water flow acts on the drain outlets of the water drums, preventing water from backflowing into the washing machine drain pipe. This achieves a significant technical advancement in preventing the drainage flow of one water drum from backflowing into the other, and ensuring that the two water drums can drain simultaneously without interfering with each other.

[0059] Example 1

[0060] This embodiment introduces a control method for a dual-drum washing machine, which includes two water drums, a first water drum and a second water drum. When the first water drum is executing a drainage program, it is detected whether the second water drum is executing the drainage program. If so, the first water drum and the second water drum are controlled to execute the drainage program simultaneously for at least part of the time period, and the two water drums are controlled to end the drainage program at the same time. If not, the first water drum executes the drainage program normally.

[0061] In this embodiment, when the first water storage drum is executing the drainage procedure, it is detected that the second water storage drum is executing the drainage procedure, and the remaining time t2 of the drainage procedure of the second water storage drum and the time t1 required for the drainage procedure of the first water storage drum are obtained; the first water storage drum is controlled to delay for a certain time |t1-t2| before starting to execute the drainage procedure, or the second water storage drum is controlled to suspend the drainage procedure for a certain time |t1-t2| and then continue to execute the drainage procedure, so that the drainage procedures of the first water storage drum and the second water storage drum are synchronously completed.

[0062] In this embodiment, when t2 is less than t1, the first water holding drum is controlled to start executing the drainage program, and the second water holding drum is synchronously stopped from executing the drainage program for a certain time t1-t2; then the first water holding drum and the second water holding drum are controlled to execute the drainage program at the same time until the two drums synchronously complete the drainage program.

[0063] In this embodiment, when t2 is greater than t1, the first water holding drum is controlled to pause the drainage process for a certain time t2-t1, and the second water holding drum is synchronously controlled to continue the drainage process; then the first water holding drum and the second water holding drum are controlled to execute the drainage process at the same time until the two drums synchronously complete the drainage process.

[0064] In this embodiment, the first water container and the second water container can be arranged arbitrarily, for example, up and down, left and right, etc. Preferably, the first water container and the second water container are arranged up and down, and the three-way valve is arranged between the first water container and the second water container.

[0065] like Figure 2As shown, in this embodiment, the specific steps of the control method of the double-drum washing machine are as follows:

[0066] Step S101: Before the first water storage drum executes the drainage process, it is detected whether the second water storage drum is executing the drainage process; if so, step S102 is executed; if not, step S106 is executed;

[0067] Step S102: Obtain the remaining time t2 of the drainage process of the second water storage drum and the required time t1 of the drainage process of the first water storage drum; if t2 is greater than t1, execute step S103; if t2 is less than t1, execute step S104;

[0068] Step S103: Control the drain outlet of the first water drum to be connected to the drain pipe of the washing machine, start the drainage process, and simultaneously control the drain outlet of the first water drum and the drain pipe of the washing machine to be closed, stop the drainage process of the second water drum for a certain time t1-t2, and continue to step S105;

[0069] Step S104, controlling the first water storage drum to pause the drainage process for a certain time t2-t1, and synchronously controlling the second water storage drum to continue the drainage process, and then proceeding to step S105;

[0070] Step S105: The first water storage drum and the second water storage drum simultaneously execute the drainage process until the two drums synchronously complete the drainage process;

[0071] Step S106: The first water container performs the drainage procedure normally.

[0072] Example 2

[0073] The difference between this embodiment and the above-mentioned embodiment 1 is that:

[0074] In this embodiment, when the first water tank is executing the drainage program, it is detected that the second water tank is executing the drainage program, then the first water tank and the second water tank are controlled to execute the drainage program simultaneously, and part of the drainage water flow in the first water tank is controlled to flow into the second water tank, or part of the drainage water flow in the second water tank is controlled to flow into the first water tank, so that the first water tank and the second water tank end the drainage program synchronously.

[0075] In this embodiment, when the first water storage drum is executing the drainage process, it is detected that the second water storage drum is executing the drainage process, and the remaining time t2 of the drainage process of the second water storage drum and the required time t1 of the drainage process of the first water storage drum are obtained;

[0076] When t2 is less than t1, the drain outlet of the first water tank is controlled to be connected to the water inlet of the second water tank and the drain pipe of the washing machine for a certain time t3;

[0077] When t2 is greater than t1, the drain outlet of the second water tank is controlled to be connected to the water inlet of the first water tank and the drain pipe of the washing machine for a certain time t3;

[0078] The t3 is |t1-t2| / 2.

[0079] In this embodiment, a first three-way valve is installed at the drain outlet of the first water storage drum 1. The inlet of the first three-way valve is connected to the drain outlet of the first water storage drum 1, and the two outlets of the first three-way valve are connected to the water inlet of the second water storage drum 2 and the first drain pipe of the washing machine, respectively. The inlet of the first three-way valve can be connected to either or both outlets, so that the water flowing out of the first water storage drum 1 can flow into the second water storage drum 2 or the first drain pipe, either alternatively or simultaneously. This achieves adjustable setting of the water flow direction of the water drained from the first water storage drum, so that the water drained from the first water storage drum can be reused in the second water storage drum, directly discharged, or quickly drained through the second water storage drum and the first drain pipe simultaneously.

[0080] At the same time, in this embodiment, a second three-way valve is provided at the drain outlet of the second water drum 2, so that the drain outlet of the second water drum 2 is connected to the inlet of the second three-way valve, and the two outlets of the second three-way valve are respectively connected to the water inlet of the first water drum 1 and the drain pipe of the washing machine, so that the inlet of the second three-way valve can be connected to the two outlets selectively or simultaneously, thereby achieving the effect of adjusting the flow direction of the drainage water of the second water drum (not indicated in the drawings).

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first water drum and the second water drum of the double-drum washing machine are respectively provided with turbidity sensors for detecting the turbidity of the water in the drum.

[0082] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the specific steps of the control method of the double-drum washing machine are as follows:

[0083] Step S201: Before the first water storage drum executes the drainage process, detect whether the second water storage drum is executing the drainage process; if so, execute step S102; if not, execute step S206;

[0084] Step S202: Obtain the remaining time t2 of the drainage process of the second water storage drum and the required time t1 of the drainage process of the first water storage drum; if t2 is greater than t1, execute step S203; if t2 is less than t1, execute step S204;

[0085] Step S203: During a set time period t3 = |t1-t2| / 2, the inlet of the first three-way valve is controlled to connect to both outlets simultaneously, and the inlet of the second three-way valve is controlled to connect only to the outlet connected to the washing machine drain pipe. The first and second water holding drums simultaneously perform a drainage procedure. The drain outlet of the first water holding drum is controlled to connect to the water inlet of the second water holding drum and the washing machine drain pipe simultaneously. Part of the drain water from the first water holding drum flows into the second water holding drum, and the process continues with step S205.

[0086] Step S204: During a set time period t3 = |t1-t2| / 2, the inlet of the first three-way valve is controlled to connect only to the outlet connected to the washing machine drain pipe, the inlet of the second three-way valve is controlled to connect simultaneously to both outlets, and the drain outlet of the second water holding drum is controlled to connect simultaneously to the water inlet of the first water holding drum and the drain pipe of the washing machine. Part of the drain water from the second water holding drum flows into the first water holding drum, and the process continues with step S205.

[0087] Step S205: Control the inlets of the first three-way valve and the second three-way valve to be connected only to the outlet connected to the drain pipe of the washing machine, and the first water storage drum and the second water storage drum simultaneously perform the drainage process until the two drums synchronously complete the drainage process;

[0088] Step S206: The first water container performs the drainage procedure normally.

[0089] In this embodiment, before executing the above-mentioned step S203, the turbidity value of the water in the first water tank and the turbidity value of the water in the second water tank need to be detected respectively to obtain the turbidity value D1 of the water in the first water tank and the turbidity value D2 of the water in the second water tank; then, the turbidity value D1 of the water in the first water tank and the turbidity value D2 of the water in the second water tank are compared; if D1 is greater than D2, step S203 is no longer executed, and the drainage water flow of the first water tank no longer flows into the second water tank; if D1 is less than D2, step S203 is continued to be executed, and part of the drainage water flow of the first water tank continues to flow into the second water tank.

[0090] In this embodiment, before executing the above-mentioned step S204, the turbidity value of the water in the first water tank and the turbidity value of the water in the second water tank need to be detected respectively to obtain the turbidity value D1 of the water in the first water tank and the turbidity value D2 of the water in the second water tank; then, the turbidity value D1 of the water in the first water tank and the turbidity value D2 of the water in the second water tank are compared; if D1 is less than D2, step S204 is no longer executed, and the drainage water flow of the second water tank no longer flows into the first water tank; if D1 is greater than D2, step S204 is continued to be executed, and part of the drainage water flow of the second water tank continues to flow into the first water tank.

[0091] In this embodiment, after the washing machine exits step S203 or step S204, it may continue to execute step 103 or step S104 described in the first embodiment.

[0092] Example 3

[0093] This embodiment introduces a control method for a dual-drum washing machine, which includes two water drums arranged one above the other, an upper water drum 3 and a lower water drum 4; when the upper water drum executes a drainage program, it is detected whether the lower water drum is executing the drainage program; if so, the upper and lower water drums are controlled to execute the drainage program simultaneously in at least part of the time period, and the end time node of the drainage program of the upper water drum is controlled to be earlier than or equal to the end time node of the drainage program of the lower water drum.

[0094] In this embodiment, the upper water cylinder 3 and the lower water cylinder 4 are arranged alternately up and down, and the bottom of the upper water cylinder 3 is higher than the maximum water level height of the lower water cylinder 4, so that the drainage water flowing out of the lower water cylinder 4 cannot flow into the cylinder from the drainage port of the upper water cylinder 3.

[0095] In this embodiment, when the upper water storage drum is executing the drainage process, it is detected whether the lower water storage drum is executing the drainage process;

[0096] If not, the upper water container starts to perform the drainage procedure and the lower water container continues to perform the drainage procedure;

[0097] If so, obtain the remaining time t2 of the drainage program of the lower water cylinder and the time t1 required for the drainage program of the upper water cylinder; then, determine whether t2 is less than t1. If so, control the upper water cylinder to start executing the drainage program and synchronously stop the lower water cylinder from executing the drainage program for a certain time t1-t2, and then control the upper and lower water cylinders to execute the drainage program at the same time until the two cylinders complete the drainage program.

[0098] like Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the specific steps of the control method of the double-drum washing machine are as follows:

[0099] Step S301: Before the upper water container executes the drainage process, check whether the lower water container is executing the drainage process; if so, execute step S302; if not, execute step S306;

[0100] Step S302: Obtain the remaining time t2 of the drainage process of the lower water storage drum and the required time t1 of the drainage process of the upper water storage drum; if t2 is greater than t1, execute step S304; if t2 is less than t1, execute step S303;

[0101] Step S303: Control the upper water storage drum to pause the drainage process for a certain time t2-t1, and synchronously control the lower water storage drum to continue the drainage process, and then proceed to step S304;

[0102] Step S304: The drain outlets of the upper water drum and the lower water drum are connected to the drain pipe of the washing machine, and the drainage process is performed simultaneously until the drainage process is completed;

[0103] Step S305: The upper water storage drum performs the drainage procedure normally.

[0104] Example 4

[0105] The difference between this embodiment and the third embodiment is that:

[0106] In this embodiment, when the upper water storage drum 3 is executing the drainage process, it is detected whether the lower water storage drum 4 is executing the drainage process;

[0107] If not, the upper water container 3 starts to execute the drainage procedure, and the lower water container 4 continues to execute the drainage procedure;

[0108] If so, the remaining time t2 of the drainage process of the lower water drum 3 and the required time t1 of the drainage process of the upper water drum 4 are obtained; then, it is determined whether t2 is less than t1. If so, the drain outlet of the upper water drum 3 is controlled to be connected to the drain outlet of the lower water drum 4 and the washing machine drain pipe for a certain time t3, while the drain outlet of the lower water drum continues to be connected to the washing machine drain pipe. Then, the upper water drum and the lower water drum 4 are controlled to execute the drainage process simultaneously until the drainage process of the two drums is completed;

[0109] The t3=|t1-t2| / 2;

[0110] Preferably, in this embodiment, before part of the drainage water flow from the upper water tank flows into the lower water tank, it is determined whether the turbidity value D2 of the water in the upper water tank is greater than the turbidity value D1 of the water in the lower water tank; if D1 is greater than D2, the drainage water flow from the upper water tank no longer flows into the lower water tank, and step S303 in the above-mentioned embodiment three can be continued; if D1 is less than D2, part of the drainage water flow from the upper water tank continues to flow into the lower water tank.

[0111] In this embodiment, the upper water storage cylinder 3 and the lower water storage cylinder 4 are respectively provided with turbidity sensors for detecting the turbidity of the water in the cylinder.

[0112] In this embodiment, the drain outlet of the upper water storage drum 3 is connected to the inlet of the first three-way valve, and the two outlets of the first three-way valve are connected to the water inlet of the lower water storage drum 4 and the drain pipe of the washing machine respectively. The inlet of the first three-way valve can be connected to one of the two outlets or both at the same time.

[0113] In this embodiment, the drain outlet of the lower water drum 4 is connected to the inlet of the second three-way valve, and the two outlets of the second three-way valve are respectively connected to the water inlet of the upper water drum 3 and the drain pipe of the washing machine. The inlet of the second three-way valve can be connected to the two outlets selectively or simultaneously.

[0114] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the specific steps of the control method of the double-drum washing machine are as follows:

[0115] Step S401: Before the upper water container executes the drainage process, check whether the lower water container is executing the drainage process; if so, execute step S402; if not, execute step S405;

[0116] Step S402: Obtain the remaining time t2 of the drainage process of the lower water storage drum and the required time t1 of the drainage process of the upper water storage drum; if t2 is greater than or equal to t1, execute step S405; if t2 is less than t1, execute step S403;

[0117] Step S403: During a set time period t3 = |t1-t2| / 2, the inlet of the first three-way valve is controlled to connect only to the outlet connected to the washing machine drain pipe, and the inlet of the second three-way valve is controlled to connect simultaneously to both outlets. The drain outlet of the lower water drum is controlled to connect simultaneously to the water inlet of the upper water drum and the drain pipe of the washing machine, so that part of the drain water from the lower water drum flows into the upper water drum, and the process proceeds to step S404.

[0118] Step S404: Control the inlets of the first three-way valve and the second three-way valve to be connected only to the outlet connected to the washing machine drain pipe, and the upper and lower water drums simultaneously perform the drainage process until the drainage process of the two drums is completed;

[0119] Step S405: The upper water storage drum performs the drainage procedure normally.

[0120] Example 5

[0121] The control method for a dual-drum washing machine described in the above embodiments of the present invention is described using the example of draining the first or upper drum. However, the control method is also applicable to draining the second or lower drum, thereby reducing the overall draining time of the washing machine by simultaneously draining the first or upper drum. This discussion will not be repeated here.

[0122] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any form of limitation to the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed as above in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with this patent can make slight changes or modifications to equivalent embodiments using the above technical content without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention are still within the scope of the solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control method for a double-drum washing machine, the double-drum washing machine comprising a first water drum and a second water drum; characterized in that: When the first water storage drum is executing a drainage process, detecting whether the second water storage drum is executing a drainage process; if so, controlling the first water storage drum and the second water storage drum to execute the drainage process simultaneously for at least part of the time period, and controlling the two water storage drums to end the drainage process at the same time; if not, the first water storage drum executes the drainage process normally; When the first water tank is executing the drainage program, it is detected that the second water tank is executing the drainage program, then the first water tank and the second water tank are controlled to execute the drainage program at the same time, and part of the drainage water flow in the first water tank is controlled to flow into the second water tank, or part of the drainage water flow in the second water tank is controlled to flow into the first water tank, so that the first water tank and the second water tank end the drainage program synchronously.

2. A double drum washing machine control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the first water storage drum is executing the drainage program, it is detected that the second water storage drum is executing the drainage program, then the remaining time t2 of the drainage program of the second water storage drum and the time t1 required for the drainage program of the first water storage drum are obtained; the first water storage drum is controlled to delay for a certain time |t1-t2| before starting to execute the drainage program, or the second water storage drum is controlled to suspend the drainage program for a certain time |t1-t2| and then continue to execute the drainage program, so that the drainage programs of the first water storage drum and the second water storage drum are synchronously completed.

3. A double drum washing machine control method according to claim 2, characterized in that: When t2 is less than t1, the first water holding drum is controlled to start the drainage procedure and the second water holding drum is synchronously stopped from executing the drainage procedure for a certain time t1-t2; then the first water holding drum and the second water holding drum are controlled to execute the drainage procedure at the same time until the two drums synchronously complete the drainage procedure.

4. A double drum washing machine control method according to claim 2, characterized in that: When t2 is greater than t1, the first water holding drum is controlled to pause the drainage process for a certain time t2-t1, and the second water holding drum is synchronously controlled to continue the drainage process; then the first water holding drum and the second water holding drum are controlled to execute the drainage process at the same time until the two drums synchronously complete the drainage process.

5. A double drum washing machine control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: When the first water storage drum is performing the drainage process, it is detected that the second water storage drum is performing the drainage process, and the remaining time t2 of the drainage process of the second water storage drum and the required time t1 of the drainage process of the first water storage drum are obtained; When t2 is less than t1, the drain outlet of the first water tank is controlled to be connected to the water inlet of the second water tank and the drain pipe of the washing machine for a certain time t3; When t2 is greater than t1, the drain outlet of the second water storage drum is controlled to be connected to the water inlet of the first water storage drum and the drain pipe of the washing machine for a certain time t3; The t3=|t1-t2| / 2.

6. A double drum washing machine control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first water container and the second water container are arranged one above the other, and are respectively an upper water container and a lower water container; When the upper water drum is executing the drainage program, check whether the lower water drum is executing the drainage program; if so, control the upper and lower water drums to execute the drainage program simultaneously in at least part of the time period, and control the end time node of the drainage program of the upper water drum to be earlier than or equal to the end time node of the drainage program of the lower water drum.

7. A double drum washing machine control method according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the upper water tank is performing the drainage procedure, detecting whether the lower water tank is performing the drainage procedure; If not, the upper water container starts to perform the drainage procedure and the lower water container continues to perform the drainage procedure; If so, obtain the remaining time t2 of the drainage program of the lower water cylinder and the time t1 required for the drainage program of the upper water cylinder; then, determine whether t2 is less than t1. If so, control the upper water cylinder to start executing the drainage program and synchronously stop the lower water cylinder from executing the drainage program for a certain time t1-t2, and then control the upper and lower water cylinders to execute the drainage program at the same time until the two cylinders complete the drainage program.

8. A double drum washing machine control method according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the upper water tank is performing the drainage procedure, detecting whether the lower water tank is performing the drainage procedure; If not, the upper water container starts to perform the drainage procedure and the lower water container continues to perform the drainage procedure; If so, the remaining time t2 of the lower water drum's drainage process and the time t1 required for the upper water drum's drainage process are obtained; then, it is determined whether t2 is less than t1. If so, the drain outlet of the upper water drum is controlled to be connected to the drain outlet of the lower water drum and the washing machine drain pipe for a certain time t3, while the drain outlet of the lower water drum continues to be connected to the washing machine drain pipe. Then, the upper and lower water drums are controlled to execute the drainage process simultaneously until the drainage process of both drums is completed; The t3=|t1-t2| / 2.

9. A double-drum washing machine using the control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The utility model comprises a first water storage drum and a second water storage drum; the drain outlet of the first water storage drum and the drain outlet of the second water storage drum are respectively connected to the drain pipe of the washing machine through controllable opening and closing pipelines.

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