Additive dispensing device, control method and washing equipment

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of washing equipment and discloses an additive dispensing device, a control method and a washing equipment. The additive dispensing device includes a flow channel for supplying water to the washing equipment. The flow channel is provided with a water flow detection module for detecting the water flowing through the water. During a water inlet process to the washing equipment, the additive dispensing device determines the type of additive to be dispensed based on the water flow information detected by the water flow detection module. The additive dispensing device of the present invention can directly obtain the water flow information generated during the water inlet process of the washing equipment, and determine the type of additive to be dispensed in the water according to the water flow information. The additive dispensing device does not need to establish a communication connection with the washing equipment to obtain the operation process of the washing equipment. It only needs to adjust the program of the washing equipment itself so that it generates different water flow information at different water inlet stages, so that the additive dispensing device can automatically dispense different types of additives.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of washing equipment, and in particular relates to an additive dispensing device, a control method and washing equipment. Background Art

[0002] When using a washing machine to wash clothes, additives such as detergent and softener are often needed to achieve better washing results. Additives can be added manually by the user or automatically by an automatic dispensing device. When the user manually adds additives, it is impossible to accurately control the amount of additives added. If the amount added is too small, it will affect the washing effect, and if the amount added is too large, it will cause waste of additives. Automatic dispensing devices are mostly integrated into the washing machine. Due to the size of the entire washing machine, the size of the automatic dispensing device is limited, and the maximum storage capacity of the additive is relatively small, requiring users to frequently refill, which is inconvenient to use.

[0003] Furthermore, the size of the automatic dispensing device limits the number of additive types it can store, making it impossible to automatically dispense multiple additives. As living standards improve, people's demands for clothing care become more complex, and accordingly, the types and functions of additives are becoming more diverse. Existing automatic dispensing devices, due to their limited range of available additives, cannot provide the meticulous care required for special or high-end clothing.

[0004] To address this issue, existing technologies have proposed a dosing device independent of the washing machine. Because the dosing device is independently installed, the amount of additive it can store is no longer limited by the overall size of the washing machine. However, in this solution, because the dosing device and the washing machine each have independent control systems, the dosing device cannot directly access the operating status of the washing machine, and therefore cannot determine when and what type of additive to dispense.

[0005] One solution is to establish a communication connection between the dispensing device and the respective control systems of the washing machines, enabling the dispensing device to monitor the operating status of the washing machines and perform the corresponding dispensing operations. Alternatively, the washing machines can directly send dispensing instructions to the dispensing device to control the dispensing operation. However, this solution requires the washing machines themselves to have communication capabilities, which increases the manufacturing cost of the washing machines. Furthermore, since non-networked washing machines lack communication capabilities, these dispensing devices cannot be used. For users who already own non-networked washing machines, these dispensing devices cannot meet their needs for automatic dispensing.

[0006] The current solution for non-networked washing machines is to install a flow meter on the dispensing device, which can monitor the water inflow status of the washing machine and allow additives to be dispensed during the inflow process. However, since the flow meter can only detect whether the washing machine is inflowing and cannot further determine the specific inflow stage, the dispensing device with a flow meter can generally only dispense a single type of additive, such as detergent, and cannot dispense different types of additives at different stages of the washing machine's operation. Sometimes, detergent may be mistakenly dispensed during the rinsing stage, affecting the user experience.

[0007] In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide an additive dosing device, a control method and a washing equipment. The additive dosing device can determine the type of additive that needs to be added to the water inlet by obtaining the water flow information generated during the water inlet process of the washing equipment. It only needs to adjust the program of the washing equipment itself to achieve the purpose of adding different types of additives at different water inlet stages without the additive dosing device obtaining the operation process of the washing equipment.

[0009] In order to solve the above technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0010] A control method for an additive dosing device, the additive dosing device comprising a flow channel for supplying water to a washing device, the flow channel being provided with a water flow detection module for detecting the water flowing through the flow channel, and during a water supply process to the washing device, the additive dosing device determines the type of additive to be dosed based on the water flow information detected by the water flow detection module.

[0011] Furthermore, the additive delivery device judges the operation process of the washing equipment according to the inlet water flow information detected by the water flow detection module, and determines the type of additive to be delivered according to the operation process.

[0012] Furthermore, the water inflow information includes the water inflow being generated and continuing for a certain period of time before being interrupted, and the water inflow being continued after the interruption for a certain period of time; the additive dosing device determines the type of additive to be dosed according to the duration of the interruption of the water inflow;

[0013] Preferably, when the water flow is interrupted for a certain period of time and then continues to flow in, if the interruption lasts for a first preset period of time, the additive dispensing device dispenses detergent;

[0014] If the interruption duration is a second preset duration different from the first preset duration, the additive dispensing device dispenses softener;

[0015] Wherein, the first preset time length and the second preset time length are less than the shortest time interval between two adjacent water inflows into the washing device;

[0016] More preferably, when the water flow detection module detects a continuous and uninterrupted inflow of water, the additive delivery device does not deliver the additive.

[0017] Furthermore, the water flow detection module feeds back a first level signal when the water flows in the flow channel, and feeds back a second level signal when the water flows in the flow channel is stationary; the additive delivery device determines the duration of the interruption according to the duration of receiving the second level signal.

[0018] Furthermore, the additive delivery device determines the type of additive to be delivered based on the duration of continuous water inflow before the water flow is interrupted and the duration of the interruption of the water flow in the water flow information;

[0019] Preferably, when the water inflow duration is the third preset duration and the interruption duration is the first preset duration, the additive dispensing device dispenses detergent after water inflow continues;

[0020] When the water inflow duration is the fourth preset duration and the interruption duration is the second preset duration, the additive dispensing device dispenses the softener after the water inflow continues.

[0021] Further, the following steps are included:

[0022] S1, the water flow detection module detects that water begins to enter;

[0023] S2. The water flow detection module detects the interruption of water inflow and obtains the continuous water inflow duration before the interruption of water flow;

[0024] S3. If the continuous water inflow duration in step S2 is the third preset duration, then execute steps S4 and S5; if the continuous water inflow duration in step S2 is the fourth preset duration, then execute steps S4 and S6; otherwise, do not add additives and return to step S1;

[0025] S4. The water flow detection module detects that water inflow continues and obtains the duration of the water flow interruption;

[0026] S5, determining whether the interruption duration in step S4 is the first preset duration, if so, then adding detergent, if not, not adding additives;

[0027] S6. Determine whether the interruption duration in step S4 is the second preset duration. If so, softener is added; if not, additives are not added.

[0028] Another object of the present invention is to provide an additive dispensing device, comprising:

[0029] A water flow detection module is used to obtain water flow information of the washing equipment;

[0030] A delivery module, used to perform the delivery operation of additives;

[0031] The processing module is used to determine the type of additive to be added based on the inlet water flow information detected by the water flow detection module, and control the addition module to add the corresponding type of additive.

[0032] Furthermore, it also includes a timing module for obtaining the duration of the interruption of the water flow; the processing module determines the type of additive to be added according to the duration of the interruption.

[0033] Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine, using the control method of the additive dosing device described above, and / or the additive dosing device described above;

[0034] The washing equipment contains water inlet flow information indicating its category in different water inlet stages of different washing programs, and the water inlet flow information includes the changing water flow at different water inlet nodes.

[0035] Furthermore, the water inlet flow information indicative of the washing water inlet stage includes: after the water inlet flow is generated, the water flow is interrupted at a first water inlet node, and the water flow continues at a second water inlet node, and the time interval between the first water inlet node and the second water inlet node is a first preset time length;

[0036] And / or, the water inlet flow information in the rinsing water inlet stage includes: after the water inlet flow is generated, the water flow is interrupted at a third water inlet node, and the water flow is continued at a fourth water inlet node, and the time interval between the third water inlet node and the fourth water inlet node is a second preset time length;

[0037] Preferably, the washing program includes N rinsing water inflow stages, and the water inflow information from the first to the N-1th rinsing water inflow stages includes: after the water inflow is generated until the water inflow end node, the water inflow continues without interruption;

[0038] The water flow information indicating the Nth rinsing water inlet stage includes: after the water inlet starts, the water flow is interrupted at the third water inlet node, and the water flow continues at the fourth water inlet node.

[0039] After adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0040] The additive delivery device of the present invention can obtain water flow information during the water inlet process of the washing equipment, and determine the type of additive that needs to be delivered during this water inlet process through the water flow information. The additive delivery device does not need to establish a communication connection with the washing equipment to obtain the operation process of the washing equipment. It only needs to adjust the program of the washing equipment itself so that it generates different water flow information at different water inlet stages, so that the additive delivery device can automatically deliver different types of additives.

[0041] The additive delivery device of the present invention determines the type of additive to be delivered based on the duration of continuous water inflow before the interruption of the water flow and the duration of the interruption of the water flow, thereby avoiding unexpected situations such as user misoperation or brief water outage that cause the duration of the interruption of the water flow to exactly match the first preset duration or the second preset duration, thereby causing misjudgment of the additive delivery device and the occurrence of incorrect additive delivery.

[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 It is a flow chart of the control method of the additive delivery device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] 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

[0046] 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.

[0047] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified or limited, the term "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can mean fixed connection, detachable connection, or integral connection; it can mean mechanical connection or electrical connection; it can mean direct connection or indirect connection 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.

[0048] This embodiment provides an additive dispensing device and a control method thereof. The additive dispensing device is used in washing equipment such as a washing machine and a washer-dryer, and can realize automatic dispensing of additives.

[0049] The additive dispensing device of this embodiment includes a water inlet connected to an external water source, a water outlet connected to the washing equipment, and a liquid storage chamber for holding additives. Specifically, the additive dispensing device also includes a flow channel for supplying water to the washing equipment, with the ends of the flow channel connected to the water inlet and water outlet of the additive dispensing device, respectively. The additive dispensing device also includes a dispensing pipeline, the ends of which connect the liquid storage chamber and the flow channel, respectively. The dispensing pipeline is provided with a dispensing mechanism, such as a liquid pump, for dispensing additives into the flow channel.

[0050] During use, the water inlet of the additive dispensing device is connected to an external water source, and the water outlet is connected to the water inlet of the washing machine. When water enters the washing machine, the washing machine's water inlet valve is opened, and the external water flows through the flow channel of the additive dispensing device to the washing machine's water inlet, and then enters the washing machine through the washing machine's water inlet valve. When additives are needed, the dispensing mechanism dispenses the additive from the liquid storage chamber into the flow channel, allowing the additive to enter the washing machine along with the incoming water in the flow channel.

[0051] In this embodiment, multiple liquid storage chambers are provided, each for holding different types of additives. This allows for a more diverse range of additive delivery combinations, resulting in a more refined laundry care experience. Different liquid storage chambers are connected to different delivery pipelines, each equipped with a delivery mechanism. Different actuations of the delivery mechanism deliver the additive from the corresponding liquid storage chamber into the flow channel.

[0052] The additive dispensing device of this embodiment is equipped with a water flow detection module on the flow channel to detect incoming water. The water flow detection module is specifically positioned upstream of the end of the dispensing pipe. When an external water source enters the washing device through the flow channel of the additive dispensing device, the water in the flow channel passes through the water flow detection module. When the washing device is not receiving water, the water in the flow channel is stationary. The water flow detection module can then monitor the flow of water in the flow channel to determine the water inflow status of the washing device.

[0053] The control method of the additive delivery module in this embodiment includes: during a water inflow process of the washing equipment, the additive delivery device determines the type of additive to be delivered according to the inflow water flow information detected by the water flow detection module.

[0054] To implement the above control method, the additive delivery device of this embodiment specifically includes:

[0055] A water flow detection module is used to obtain water flow information of the washing equipment;

[0056] A delivery module, used to perform the delivery operation of additives;

[0057] The processing module is used to determine the type of additive to be added based on the inlet water flow information detected by the water flow detection module, and control the addition module to add the corresponding type of additive.

[0058] In this embodiment, the delivery module includes a plurality of delivery mechanisms arranged on different delivery pipelines.

[0059] In the above scheme, by adjusting the program of the washing machine itself, it generates different water flow information at different water inlet stages. When the additive delivery device is in operation, the water flow detection module can obtain the water flow information during the water inlet process of the washing machine, and then determine the type of additive to be delivered to the water inlet according to the water flow information. The delivery of the corresponding type of additive is achieved through the corresponding operation of the delivery mechanism. The additive delivery device does not need to establish a communication connection with the washing machine to obtain the operation progress of the washing machine. It only needs to set up and adjust the program of the washing machine itself in advance to realize the automatic delivery of different types of additives by the additive delivery device at different operation stages of the washing machine, thus meeting the automatic delivery requirements of non-networked washing machines.

[0060] Furthermore, the additive dispensing device pre-stores a correspondence between different inlet water flow information and the operating process of the washing machine. After the water flow detection module obtains the inlet water flow information, the additive dispensing device determines the operating process of the washing machine based on the obtained inlet water flow information and the correspondence between the inlet water flow information and the operating process, and then determines the type of additive to be dispensed based on the operating process.

[0061] In detail, when the processing module of the additive dispensing device determines that the washing equipment is currently in the washing water inlet stage according to the water inlet flow information obtained by the water flow detection module, it sends a detergent dispensing instruction to the dispensing module to control the operation of the dispensing mechanism connected to the detergent liquid storage chamber to dispense detergent.

[0062] When the processing module of the additive dispensing device determines that the washing equipment is currently in the rinsing water inlet stage according to the water flow information obtained by the water flow detection module, it sends a softener dispensing instruction to the dispensing module to control the action of the dispensing mechanism connected to the softener liquid storage chamber to dispense softener.

[0063] In this embodiment, the inlet flow information includes the changing flow at different inlet nodes. Specifically, the inlet flow information in this embodiment includes the inlet flow being generated and continuing for a certain period of time before being interrupted, and the inlet flow resuming after the interruption for a certain period of time. The additive delivery device determines the type of additive to be delivered based on the duration of the inlet flow interruption.

[0064] Specifically, when the water flow is interrupted for a certain period of time and then continues to flow in, if the interruption duration is a first preset duration, the additive delivery device delivers detergent.

[0065] If the interruption duration is a second preset duration different from the first preset duration, the additive dispensing device dispenses softener.

[0066] Wherein, the first preset time length and the second preset time length are less than the shortest time interval between two adjacent water inflows into the washing device.

[0067] Preferably, when the water flow detection module detects a continuous and uninterrupted water flow, the additive delivery device does not deliver the additive.

[0068] For example, in the washing machine of this embodiment, during the wash inlet phase, the water inlet valve is controlled to open for a certain time, then closed for N minutes, then reopened and kept open until the wash inlet is completed. During the rinse inlet phase, the water inlet valve is controlled to open for a certain time, then closed for Q minutes, then reopened and kept open until the rinse inlet is completed. Where N ≠ Q, and the time interval between the wash inlet phase and the rinse inlet phase, as well as between two adjacent rinse inlet phases, is greater than N and Q.

[0069] If the additive dispensing device detects an interruption in the water flow during the water inlet process through the water flow detection module and the interruption lasts for N minutes, it determines that the current stage is the wash water inlet phase and controls the dispensing module to dispense detergent. If the interruption lasts for Q minutes, it determines that the current stage is the rinse water inlet phase and controls the dispensing module to dispense softener.

[0070] In the above solution, the first and second preset durations must be less than the shortest interval between two consecutive water inflows to the washing machine. This prevents the additive-dispensing device from misinterpreting the interval between two consecutive water inflows as a water flow interruption during a single water inflow, thereby causing the incorrect dispensing of additives. The additive-dispensing device determines the type of additive to be dispensed by detecting the duration of the water flow interruption, resulting in simple control logic and easy implementation.

[0071] To implement the above control method, the additive delivery device further includes a timing module for obtaining the duration of the interruption of the inlet water flow. The processing module of the additive delivery device determines the type of additive to be delivered based on the duration of the interruption and then issues a corresponding delivery instruction to the delivery module.

[0072] In a further solution of this embodiment, the water flow detection module feeds back a first level signal when the water flows in the flow channel, and feeds back a second level signal when the water flows in the flow channel is stationary.

[0073] The additive dispensing device determines the interruption duration according to the duration of receiving the second level signal.

[0074] Specifically, the water flow detection module is a flow meter. When the washing machine continues to inlet water, water continues to flow through the flow channel where the flow meter is located, and the flow meter is in a high level state. When the washing machine stops inletting water, the water flow in the flow channel is in a static state, and the flow meter is in a low level state.

[0075] When the low level state lasts for N minutes between two high level states of the flow meter, the additive dispensing device dispenses detergent. If the low level state lasts for Q minutes, the additive dispensing device dispenses softener.

[0076] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the additive delivery device determines the type of additive to be delivered based on the duration of continuous water inflow before the interruption of the water inflow and the duration of the interruption of the water inflow in the water flow information. The timing module of the additive delivery device is further configured to obtain the continuous water inflow duration.

[0077] Specifically, when the duration of continuous water inflow is the third preset duration and the duration of interruption is the first preset duration, the additive dispensing device dispenses detergent after water inflow continues.

[0078] When the water inflow duration is the fourth preset duration and the interruption duration is the second preset duration, the additive dispensing device dispenses the softener after the water inflow continues.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the third preset time duration and the fourth preset time duration may be the same or different, and the set value is less than the total time required for the washing machine to fill with water to the lowest water level. The additive delivery device retrieves the continuous water inflow duration and the interruption duration from the inflow water flow information and compares them with the corresponding preset values. When both match the preset values, the corresponding type of additive is delivered.

[0080] For example, in the washing machine of this embodiment, during the wash water inlet phase, the water inlet valve is controlled to be first opened for M minutes, then closed for N minutes, and then opened and kept open until the wash water inlet is completed. During the rinse water inlet phase, the water inlet valve is controlled to be first opened for P minutes, then closed for Q minutes, and then opened and kept open until the rinse water inlet is completed.

[0081] The additive dispensing device detects water flow information through the water flow detection module. If it detects that the water flow is interrupted after M minutes of continuous water inflow, and then resumes after N minutes of interruption, it determines that the current stage is the wash water inflow phase and controls the dispensing module to dispense detergent. If it detects that the water flow is interrupted after P minutes of continuous water inflow, and then resumes after Q minutes of interruption, it determines that the current stage is the rinse water inflow phase and controls the dispensing module to dispense softener.

[0082] To avoid excessively increasing the total duration of the washing program of the washing machine, the first and second preset durations in this embodiment should not be set too long and can generally be set to ten seconds to two minutes. However, in actual use, the user may need to manually pause the water inlet due to certain circumstances, or the water flow may be interrupted during the water inlet process due to unexpected circumstances such as user misoperation or a temporary water outage at the external water source. If the duration of the water inlet interruption exactly matches the first or second preset duration, if the additive dispensing device controls the additive dispensing based solely on the duration of the interruption, it will cause the additive dispensing device to misjudge and thus lead to the incorrect dispensing of additives.

[0083] In this embodiment, the additive delivery device compares the continuous water inflow duration and the interruption duration at the same time. Only when both match the corresponding preset values will the corresponding type of additive be delivered, which greatly reduces the probability of accidental water flow changes that match different types of additives, thereby reducing the situation of additives being delivered by mistake.

[0084] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the control method of the additive delivery device specifically includes the following steps:

[0085] S1, the water flow detection module detects that water begins to enter;

[0086] S2. The water flow detection module detects the interruption of water inflow and obtains the continuous water inflow duration before the interruption of water flow;

[0087] S3. If the continuous water inflow duration in step S2 is the third preset duration, then execute steps S4 and S5; if the continuous water inflow duration in step S2 is the fourth preset duration, then execute steps S4 and S6; otherwise, do not add additives and return to step S1;

[0088] S4. The water flow detection module detects that water inflow continues and obtains the duration of the water flow interruption;

[0089] S5, determining whether the interruption duration in step S4 is the first preset duration, if so, then adding detergent, if not, not adding additives;

[0090] S6. Determine whether the interruption duration in step S4 is the second preset duration. If so, softener is added; if not, additives are not added.

[0091] Furthermore, step S5 specifically includes:

[0092] S51, determining whether the interruption duration in step S4 is the first preset duration, if so, executing step S52, if not, executing step S53;

[0093] S52, adding detergent, and returning to step S1 after detecting that water inflow has stopped;

[0094] S53: No additive is added, and the process returns to step S2.

[0095] Similarly, step S6 specifically includes:

[0096] S61, determining whether the interruption duration in step S4 is the second preset duration, if so, executing step S62, if not, executing step S63;

[0097] S62, adding softener, and returning to step S1 after detecting that water inflow has stopped;

[0098] S63: No additive is added, and the process returns to step S2.

[0099] In the above scheme, the additive delivery device can determine whether to deliver additives and the type of additives to be delivered during each water inflow process of the washing machine based on the water flow information composed of whether the water flow is interrupted, the continuous water inflow duration before the interruption, and the duration of the interruption before the water inflow resumes, thereby automatically delivering the corresponding type of additives at different water inflow stages of the washing machine. The types of additives are not limited to detergents and softeners. It is only necessary to preset multiple different preset values for the continuous water inflow duration and the interruption duration to correspond to different types of additives, and adjust the program of the washing machine accordingly so that it can generate water inflow information that matches the corresponding type of additives at the water inflow stage where additives are required.

[0100] This embodiment also provides a washing device applied to the above-mentioned additive dispensing device, wherein the washing device contains water inlet flow information indicating its category in different water inlet stages of different washing programs, and the water inlet flow information includes the changing water flow at different water inlet nodes.

[0101] In a further embodiment of this embodiment, the water inflow information indicating the wash water inflow stage includes: after the water inflow is generated, the water flow is interrupted at a first water inflow node and resumed at a second water inflow node, and the time interval between the first water inflow node and the second water inflow node is a first preset time duration. Preferably, the time interval between the start water inflow node and the first water inflow node is a third preset time duration.

[0102] The water inflow information indicating the rinsing water inflow phase includes: after the water inflow is generated, the water flow is interrupted at the third water inflow node and resumed at the fourth water inflow node, and the time interval between the third water inflow node and the fourth water inflow node is the second preset time length. Preferably, the time interval between the start water inflow node and the third water inflow node is the fourth preset time length.

[0103] In the preferred solution of this embodiment, the washing program includes N rinsing water inlet stages, and the water inlet flow information from the first to the N-1th rinsing water inlet stages includes: after the water inlet flow is generated until the water inlet end node, the water inlet flow continues without interruption.

[0104] The water flow information indicating the Nth rinsing water inlet stage includes: after the water inlet starts, the water flow is interrupted at the third water inlet node, and the water flow continues at the fourth water inlet node.

[0105] Specifically, during the water inlet process, the washing machine of this embodiment generates the aforementioned water flow information by controlling the opening and closing of the washing machine's water inlet pipeline at different water inlet nodes. More specifically, the washing machine includes an inlet valve disposed on the water inlet pipeline. The inlet valve is controlled to open to connect the water inlet pipeline, and is controlled to close to disconnect the water inlet pipeline.

[0106] Specifically, during the wash water inlet phase, the washing machine controls the water inlet valve to open and remain open at the start of water inlet. After reaching the first water inlet node after a third preset time, the water inlet valve is controlled to close and remain closed. After reaching the second water inlet node after the first preset time, the water inlet valve is controlled to open and remain open again until the wash water inlet is completed. This creates a water flow variation in which water inlet continues for the third preset time and is interrupted for the first preset time, allowing the additive dispensing device to dispense detergent after the water inlet valve is opened for the second time.

[0107] During the first to N-1th rinsing water inlet stage, the washing machine controls the water inlet valve to open and keep it open until the rinsing water inlet is completed. At this time, a continuous and uninterrupted water flow is generated, and the additive dosing device does not do additives.

[0108] During the Nth rinse water inlet phase, the washing machine controls the water inlet valve to open and remain open for the first time at the start of water inlet. After reaching the third water inlet node after a fourth preset time, the water inlet valve is controlled to close and remain closed. After reaching the fourth water inlet node after a second preset time, the water inlet valve is controlled to open and remain open for the second time until the rinse water inlet is completed. This creates a water flow variation in which water inlet continues for the fourth preset time and is interrupted for the second preset time, allowing the additive dispensing device to dispense softener after the water inlet valve is opened for the second time.

[0109] In the above scheme, the washing equipment contains water inlet flow information indicating its category in different water inlet stages of different washing programs. Specifically, by controlling the conduction and disconnection of the water inlet pipeline at different water inlet nodes, a changing water flow is generated at different water inlet nodes. The additive delivery device does not need to directly obtain the operation process of the washing equipment, and can complete the automatic delivery process of adding detergent in the washing water inlet stage, not adding additives in the intermediate rinsing water inlet stage, and adding softener in the final rinsing water inlet stage.

[0110] The additive delivery device of this embodiment is used in conjunction with the washing equipment. There is no need to establish a communication connection between the additive delivery device and the washing equipment to directly obtain the operating progress of the washing equipment. It is only necessary to adjust the program of the washing equipment itself so that it can generate a changing water flow by controlling the conduction or disconnection of the water inlet pipeline at different water inlet nodes, thereby generating water inlet flow information that can refer to different horizontal and vertical water inlet stages of different washing programs. The additive delivery device can judge the operating progress of the washing equipment by detecting the water inlet flow information, and then automatically deliver the corresponding type of additive.

[0111] The additive dispensing device of this embodiment can be applied to non-networked washing equipment that does not have a communication function, so as to realize the automatic dispensing of different types of additives at different water inlet stages during the operation of the washing equipment. The control logic is simple and easy to implement, which meets the demand of washing equipment that does not have a communication function for an automatic dispensing function.

[0112] 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 an additive dosing device, wherein the additive dosing device comprises a flow channel for supplying water to a washing device, a water inlet end connected to an external water source, a water outlet end connected to the washing device, and a liquid storage chamber for holding additives, wherein the flow channel is provided with a water flow detection module for detecting the water flowing through the flow channel, characterized in that: During a water inflow process into the washing equipment, the additive delivery device determines the operation process of the washing equipment according to the water flow information detected by the water flow detection module, and determines the type of additive to be delivered according to the operation process; The water inflow information includes the water inflow being generated and continuing for a certain period of time, then being interrupted, and then continuing to inflow after being interrupted for a certain period of time; When the water flow is interrupted for a certain period of time and then resumes, if the interruption lasts for a first preset time, the additive dispensing device dispenses detergent; if the interruption lasts for a second preset time different from the first preset time, the additive dispensing device dispenses softener; Wherein, the first preset time length and the second preset time length are less than the shortest time interval between two adjacent water inflows into the washing device.

2. The control method of the additive feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the water flow detection module detects a continuous and uninterrupted inflow of water, the additive delivery device does not deliver the additive.

3. The control method of the additive feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water flow detection module feeds back a first level signal when the water flows in the flow channel, and feeds back a second level signal when the water flows in the flow channel. The additive feeding device determines the duration of the interruption according to the duration of receiving the second level signal.

4. The control method of the additive feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The additive delivery device determines the type of additive to be delivered according to the continuous water inflow time before the water inflow is interrupted and the duration of the interruption of the water inflow in the water inflow information.

5. The control method of the additive feeding device according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the water inflow duration is the third preset duration and the interruption duration is the first preset duration, the additive dispensing device dispenses detergent after water inflow continues; When the water inflow duration is the fourth preset duration and the interruption duration is the second preset duration, the additive dispensing device dispenses the softener after the water inflow continues.

6. The control method of the additive feeding device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The steps include: S1, the water flow detection module detects that water begins to enter; S2. The water flow detection module detects the interruption of water inflow and obtains the continuous water inflow duration before the interruption of water flow; S3. If the continuous water inflow duration in step S2 is the third preset duration, then execute steps S4 and S5; if the continuous water inflow duration in step S2 is the fourth preset duration, then execute steps S4 and S6; otherwise, do not add additives and return to step S1; S4. The water flow detection module detects that water inflow continues and obtains the duration of the water flow interruption; S5, determining whether the interruption duration in step S4 is the first preset duration, if so, then adding detergent, if not, not adding additives; S6. Determine whether the interruption duration in step S4 is the second preset duration. If so, softener is added; if not, additives are not added.

7. An additive delivery device, characterized in that: include: Water inlet end, connected to the external water source; The water outlet is connected to the washing equipment; A liquid storage chamber for containing additives; A water flow detection module is used to obtain water flow information of the washing equipment; A delivery module, used to perform the delivery operation of additives; A timing module is used to obtain the duration of the interruption of the water flow; a processing module, configured to determine the operation progress of the washing machine based on the water flow information detected by the water flow detection module and the interruption duration obtained by the timing module, determine the type of additive to be added based on the operation progress, and control the addition module to add the corresponding type of additive; The water inflow information includes the water inflow being generated and continuing for a certain period of time and then being interrupted, and the water inflow continuing after being interrupted for a certain period of time; When the water flow is interrupted for a certain period of time and then resumes, if the interruption duration is a first preset duration, the additive dispensing device dispenses detergent; if the interruption duration is a second preset duration different from the first preset duration, the additive dispensing device dispenses softener; The first preset time length and the second preset time length are less than the shortest time interval between two adjacent water inflows into the washing device.

8. A washing device, characterized in that: A method for controlling an additive dosing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and / or an additive dosing device according to claim 7; The washing equipment contains water inlet flow information indicating its category in different water inlet stages of different washing programs, and the water inlet flow information includes the changing water flow at different water inlet nodes.

9. The washing device according to claim 8, characterized in that The water inlet flow information indicating the washing water inlet stage includes: after the water inlet flow is generated, the water flow is interrupted at the first water inlet node, and the water flow is continued at the second water inlet node, and the time interval between the first water inlet node and the second water inlet node is a first preset time length; And / or, the water flow information referring to the rinsing water inlet stage includes: after the water flow is generated, the water flow is interrupted at the third water inlet node, and the water flow continues at the fourth water inlet node, and the time interval between the third water inlet node and the fourth water inlet node is the second preset time length.

10. The washing device according to claim 9, characterized in that The washing program includes N rinsing water inflow stages, and the water inflow information from the first to the N-1th rinsing water inflow stages includes: the water inflow continues without interruption after the water inflow is generated until the water inflow end node; The water flow information indicating the Nth rinsing water inlet stage includes: after the water inlet starts, the water flow is interrupted at the third water inlet node, and the water flow continues at the fourth water inlet node.

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