A washing machine door lock module and a washing machine control method

Abstract

This invention discloses a washing machine door lock module and a washing machine control method. The washing machine door lock module includes: a positioning lock with an internal positioning rod and a door opening rod. The positioning lock has a positioning stroke and an unlocking stroke. During the unlocking stroke, the positioning rod extends, and the door opening rod extends outward of the positioning lock under the drive of the positioning rod, generating an unlocking action that triggers the door lock to unlock; a detection device detects the position of the extended door opening rod to detect whether the door opening rod has completed the unlocking action; by detecting the position of the extended door opening rod through the detection device, the door lock unlocking status can be detected, improving the accuracy of door lock unlocking. The invention also provides a washing machine control method in which, when the washing drum door is opened, after the positioning lock completes its positioning stroke, the positioning rod extends, and the door opening rod extends outward of the positioning lock to a first extended position under the drive of the positioning rod, generating an unlocking action that triggers the door lock to unlock; if the door opening rod is in the first extended position, then the door opening rod has completed the unlocking action.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of household appliance technology, specifically, it relates to a washing machine door lock module and a washing machine control method. Background Technology

[0002] Washing machines can be broadly categorized into top-loading, agitator, and front-loading types. Top-loading washing machines use a central pulsator that rotates left and right to perform the washing operation. Agitator washing machines use rotating vanes in the center of the tub that rotate left and right, utilizing the friction between the water and the clothes to perform the washing operation. Front-loading washing machines use a rotating drum to tumble and agitate the clothes to perform the washing operation. The washing machine casing contains an outer drum and an inner drum. The inner drum, as a crucial component for washing, typically has holes in its wall for introducing washing water or for spin-drying the clothes inside.

[0003] The washing machine has an opening on the front of the washing drum and a washing drum door that can be closed or open. A positioning lock is installed on the washing drum, and a door lock is installed on the washing drum door. The positioning lock has a positioning stroke and an unlocking stroke. The positioning lock contains an opening rod and a positioning rod. During the positioning stroke, the positioning rod extends, and the opening rod extends outward to the first extended position under the action of the positioning rod, thus positioning the washing drum. During the unlocking stroke, the positioning rod extends, and the opening rod extends outward to the second retracted position under the action of the positioning rod, thus triggering the door lock to unlock. Currently, washing machines lack a detection device that detects the door lock unlocking status by detecting the position of the extended opening rod. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a washing machine door lock module and a washing machine control method. The purpose is to detect the position of the door opening rod by a detection device, thereby detecting the door lock unlocking status and improving the accuracy of door lock unlocking.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] This invention provides a washing machine door lock module, comprising:

[0007] The positioning lock has a positioning rod and an unlocking rod. The positioning lock has a positioning stroke and an unlocking stroke. During the unlocking stroke, the positioning rod extends outward and the unlocking rod extends outward under the action of the positioning rod, triggering the unlocking action of the door lock.

[0008] The detection device measures the position of the extended door handle to determine whether the door handle has completed the unlocking action.

[0009] Furthermore, during the positioning stroke, the positioning rod extends, and the door opening rod extends outward towards the positioning lock under the drive of the positioning rod. The positioning rod generates a positioning action to position the washing drum. The detection device detects the position of the extended door opening rod to detect whether the positioning rod has completed the positioning action.

[0010] Preferably, during the positioning stroke, the positioning rod moves independently in the first stage, and in the second stage, the positioning rod drives the door opening rod to extend.

[0011] Furthermore, the washing drum of the washing machine is provided with a positioning hole facing the positioning rod. The positioning rod performs a positioning action and inserts into the first position in the positioning hole; the door opening rod performs an unlocking action and inserts into the second position in the positioning hole.

[0012] Furthermore, the detection device is a photosensitive detection device, which includes a light-shielding plate, a light-emitting photoelectric plate, and two photosensitive detectors;

[0013] A light shield is installed on the door opening rod. One light sensor is installed at the desired position of the light shield after the positioning rod completes the positioning action, and another light sensor is installed at the desired position of the light shield after the door opening rod completes the unlocking action. At least part of the light source and light sensor of the photoelectric panel are installed on opposite sides of the light shield.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a door closing detection device to check whether the machine door is closed properly;

[0015] Preferably, the door closing detection device includes a magnet installed on the door and a reed switch installed on the outer cylinder. The reed switch is used to detect the position of the magnet. The reed switch is located at a position where the magnet on the door can be detected when the door is closed and locked.

[0016] The present invention also provides a control method for a washing machine. Using the washing machine door lock module provided by the above technical solution, when the washing drum door is opened, after the positioning lock completes the positioning stroke, the positioning rod extends outward. Under the drive of the positioning rod, the door opening rod extends outward to the first extension position of the positioning lock and generates an unlocking action that triggers the door lock to unlock. The detection device detects whether the door opening rod is in the first extension position. If the door opening rod is in the first extension position, the door opening rod completes the unlocking action.

[0017] Furthermore, when the washing tub door is opened, the positioning rod extends, and the door opening rod extends outward to the second extended position under the action of the positioning rod. The positioning rod generates a positioning action to position the washing tub. The detection device detects whether the door opening rod is in the second extended position. If the door opening rod is in the second extended position, the positioning rod completes the positioning action.

[0018] Furthermore, the door opening rod can also perform a locking action, and the positioning rod can also perform a non-positioning action. When closing the washing tub door, if the detection device detects that the door opening rod is not in the first extended position, the door opening rod completes the locking action; if the detection device detects that the door opening rod is not in the second extended position, the positioning rod completes the non-positioning action.

[0019] Furthermore, the washing machine door cannot be opened if the positioning rod completes the positioning action but the door opening rod has not completed the unlocking action; the washing machine door can be opened when the door opening rod completes the unlocking action.

[0020] Furthermore, when closing the washing machine drum door, the system checks whether the washing machine door is closed completely. If the washing machine door is closed completely, the motor that powers the movement of the positioning rod and the door opening rod is activated. If the washing machine door is not closed completely, the motor that powers the movement of the positioning rod and the door opening rod cannot be activated.

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

[0022] By detecting the position of the door opening rod, the unlocking status of the door lock can be detected, thereby improving the accuracy of door lock unlocking.

[0023] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The accompanying drawings, as part of this invention, are provided to further illustrate the invention. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the invention are used to explain the invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. Clearly, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the washing drum of a washing machine provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 A partial structural schematic diagram of the washing drum of a washing machine provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view at point A;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the door opening rod provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 A flowchart of a washing machine control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] In the diagram: 1-Washing drum; 11-Positioning hole; 2-Washing drum door; 3-Positioning lock; 32-Door opening rod; 33-Positioning rod; 34-Drive structure; 341-Motor; 342-First gear module; 343-Second gear module; 344-First gear; 345-Second gear; 346-Third gear module; 347-Fourth gear module; 348-First rack; 349-Second rack; 350-Third rack; 4-Light sensor; 41-Light shield; 42-Photoelectric plate; 43-Limiting hole; 5-Door lock; 51-Limiting block.

[0031] It should be noted that these accompanying drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the objectives, 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 with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0033] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0034] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0035] Example

[0036] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the present invention provides a washing machine door lock module 5, comprising:

[0037] The positioning lock 3 has a positioning rod 33 and an opening rod 32. The positioning lock 3 has a positioning stroke and an unlocking stroke. During the unlocking stroke, the positioning rod 33 extends outward, and the opening rod 32 extends outward from the positioning lock 3 under the action of the positioning rod 33, generating an unlocking action that triggers the door lock 5 to unlock.

[0038] The detection device detects the position of the extended door opening rod 32 to determine whether the door opening rod 32 has completed the unlocking action.

[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the position of the door opening rod 32 is detected by a detection device to detect the unlocking status of the door lock 5 and improve the accuracy of unlocking the door lock 5.

[0040] The washing machine includes a washing drum 1 for holding laundry, a washing drum 1 having an opening and a washing drum door 2 with a closed or open opening, a casing and / or an outer drum surrounding the washing drum 1, and a washing machine door facing the washing drum 1 on the casing and / or outer drum.

[0041] The washing machine is equipped with a door lock system 5 for locking and unlocking the machine door. The door lock system 5 includes a door lock 5 that can lock the machine door 5 after the machine door is closed and a positioning lock 3 that can unlock the door lock 5 accordingly. The positioning lock 3 can also be used to position the washing drum 1. The door lock system 5 can be applied to the washing machine door and / or the washing drum door 2. The positioning lock 3 is applicable to all washing machine doors, especially to unlocking the washing drum door 2 set on the washing drum 1.

[0042] Door lock 5 includes a door hook fixed to the machine door, which moves along with the door during the closing process. Door lock 5 also includes a lock body for locking the door hook. The lock body has a housing, and when the machine door is closed, the door hook extends into the lock body and is locked by the body, thereby locking the machine door.

[0043] The lock body includes a rotatable locking part. When the locking part rotates in one direction, it can hook onto the door hook; when it moves in the opposite direction, it can disengage from the door hook. The lock body also includes a limiting block 51 that restricts the movement of the locking part. When the door hook is hooked by the locking part, the limiting block 51 abuts against the locking part, keeping the locking part stationary and ensuring that it continuously and stably locks the door hook. When unlocking is required, the limiting block 51 can be moved to release the restriction on the locking part. The locking part rotates in the opposite direction, causing the locking structure to separate from the door hook, thus unlocking the door. The door opening rod 32, driven by the positioning rod 33, contacts the limiting block 51, generating an unlocking action to unlock the door lock 5.

[0044] After the positioning cycle is completed, the unlocking cycle begins, ensuring that the washing drum 1 and the machine door are locked in the preset position before unlocking.

[0045] like Figure 1-4 As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, during the positioning stroke, the positioning rod 33 extends outward, and the door opening rod 32 extends outward towards the positioning lock 3 under the drive of the positioning rod 33. The positioning rod 33 generates a positioning action to position the washing tub 1. The detection device detects the position of the door opening rod 32 to detect whether the positioning rod 33 has completed the positioning action.

[0046] In specific embodiments of the present invention, the washing drum 1 of the washing machine is provided with a positioning hole 11 facing the positioning rod 33. The positioning rod 33 performs a positioning action and inserts into the first position in the positioning hole 11. The door opening rod 32 performs an unlocking action and inserts into the second position in the positioning hole 11.

[0047] In the initial state, both the positioning rod 33 and the door opening rod 32 remain stationary inside the positioning lock 3. The positioning lock 3 undergoes two strokes during positioning and unlocking. The first stroke is the positioning stroke, and the second stroke is the unlocking stroke.

[0048] During the positioning stroke, the positioning rod 33 extends to the outside of the positioning lock 3 and is inserted into the positioning hole 11 provided for positioning the positioning rod 33. The positioning of the washing drum is achieved by inserting the positioning rod 33 into the positioning hole 11.

[0049] The positioning hole 11 can be provided on the washing drum door 2 and / or the washing drum 1. When the washing machine stops running, the washing drum and the washing drum door 2 will stop in a preset position, at which time the position of the positioning hole 11 is opposite to the position of the positioning rod 33. Inserting the positioning rod 33 into the positioning hole 11 ensures that the washing drum 1 and / or the washing drum door 2 are locked in the preset position. Specifically, the positioning hole 11 can be provided on the front flange of the outer drum.

[0050] In this embodiment, the positioning lock 3 can realize that the movement direction of the door opening rod 32 is perpendicular to the movement direction of the positioning rod 33. The door opening rod 32 can move outward of the positioning lock 3 in the horizontal direction, and the positioning rod 33 can position the washing tub 1 in the vertical direction. Both the door opening rod 32 and the positioning rod 33 move in a straight line.

[0051] During the positioning stroke, the positioning rod 33 is inserted into the first position of the positioning hole 11, and the door opening rod 32 moves outward and extends a certain distance, ensuring that when the unlocking stroke operation is performed later, the door opening rod 32 can extend outward to contact the limit block 51 of the door lock 5 and trigger the door lock 5 to unlock.

[0052] like Figure 5 As shown, when the washing tub door 2 is opened, during the positioning stroke, the positioning rod 33 moves downward and extends, simultaneously driving the door opening rod 32 to move outward. The positioning rod 33 moves downward to the first position of the positioning hole 11, and the door opening rod 32 moves outward to the second extended position under the drive of the positioning rod 33. The positioning rod 33 generates a positioning action for positioning the washing tub. The detection device detects whether the door opening rod 32 is in the second extended position. If the door opening rod 32 is in the second extended position, the positioning rod 33 completes the positioning action.

[0053] During the unlocking process, the positioning rod 33 continues to be inserted downward into the positioning hole 11, and the door opening rod 32 continues to move outward under the action of the positioning rod 33. The positioning rod 33 is inserted into the second position in the positioning hole 11, and the door opening rod 32 moves outward to the first extended position. The door opening rod 32 contacts the limit block 51 of the door lock 5, and the door opening rod 32 generates an unlocking action, triggering the door lock 5 to unlock. The detection device detects whether the door opening rod 32 is in the first extended position. If the door opening rod 32 is in the first extended position, the door opening rod 32 completes the unlocking action.

[0054] The washing drum door 2 can be opened automatically by motor 341, and the washing drum door 2 can be closed manually.

[0055] When the washing tub door 2 is closed, the door opening lever 32 can also perform a locking action, and the positioning lever 33 can also perform a non-positioning action. When the washing tub door 2 is closed, if the detection device detects that the door opening lever 32 is not in the first extended position, the door opening lever 32 completes the locking action; if the detection device detects that the door opening lever 32 is not in the second extended position, the positioning lever 33 completes the non-positioning action, which means that the positioning lever 33 and the washing tub are about to be released from positioning; after confirming that the locking action is completed, the motor 341 will run again.

[0056] like Figure 3 As shown, specifically, the positioning lock 3 includes a drive structure 34 that provides power for the movement of the door opening rod 32 and the positioning rod 33. The drive structure 34 includes a motor 341. An output gear is provided on the output shaft of the motor 341. The output gear meshes with the first gear 344. The first gear module 342 is mainly used to reduce speed and transmit rotational motion. The first gear module 342 is a reduction gear set. The first gear module 342 includes a first gear 344 and a second gear 345. The first gear 344 and the second gear 345 are coaxially arranged. The output gear meshes with the first gear 344. The rotation of the first gear 344 can drive the second gear 345 to rotate.

[0057] The second gear 345 meshes with the second gear module 343. During the positioning stroke, the second gear module 343 drives the positioning rod 33 to move downward, and at the same time drives the door opening rod 32 to move outward to the second extended position through the third gear module 346. The second gear module 343 can provide power to both the positioning rod 33 and the door opening rod 32 at the same time. The first gear module 342, the second gear module 343, and the third gear module 346 are all fixed gears with fixed rotating shafts.

[0058] A second rack 349 is provided on the positioning rod 33 at a position opposite to the second gear module 343. The second rack 349 is meshed with the second gear module 343, so that the second gear module 343 can drive the second rack 349 to move, thereby driving the positioning rod 33 to move, and finally enabling the positioning rod 33 to perform the positioning action.

[0059] The positioning lock 3 includes a housing, and the first gear module 342, the second gear module 343, and the third gear module 346 are all disposed inside the housing. The positioning rod 33 and the door opening rod 32 can both be retracted into the housing.

[0060] like Figure 3 As shown, specifically, the rotation axis of the second gear module 343 is arranged parallel to the rotation axis of the motor 341. The second gear module 343 has a vertical center plane passing through the rotation axis. The first gear module 342 and the third gear module 346 are arranged on the same side relative to the vertical center plane, and the positioning rod 33 is arranged on the other side relative to the vertical center plane.

[0061] During the unlocking phase, the fourth gear module 347 can push the door opening lever 32 further outward to the first extended position. The fourth gear module 347 is also a fixed gear with a fixed rotating shaft. The fourth gear module 347 is mounted on the third rack 350 of the door opening lever 32, and the fourth gear module 347 and the third rack 350 are always in contact. Once the fourth gear module 347 starts to rotate, it meshes with the third rack 350. The positioning rod 33 has a first rack 348 on its surface opposite to the fourth gear module 347. During the positioning phase, the first rack 348 will continuously descend with the positioning rod 33. When the positioning phase is completed, the first rack 348 will move to the second extended position. When the first rack 348 reaches the position where it meshes with the fourth gear module 347, it will drive the fourth gear module 347 to rotate, thereby causing the fourth gear module 347 to push the door opening lever 32 to complete the unlocking stroke. The door opening rod 32 extends outward again towards the positioning lock 3, triggering the door lock 5 to unlock. The rotation axes of the fourth gear module 347 and the third gear module 346 are equidistant from the vertical distance of the door opening rod 32. This arrangement ensures that the force on the door opening rod 32 is more even, guaranteeing that the door opening rod 32 moves horizontally.

[0062] It should be noted that, during the positioning stroke, in order to prevent the door opening rod 32 from moving too far outward from the positioning lock 3 under the action of the positioning rod 33, the positioning rod 33 has two stages during the positioning stroke. The first stage is that the positioning rod 33 moves independently, and the second stage is that the positioning rod 33 drives the door opening rod 32 to extend. The limiting block 51 of the door lock 5 is relatively far away from the door opening rod 32 of the positioning lock 3 in the initial state to avoid occupying a large space.

[0063] like Figure 4 As shown, in an embodiment of the present invention, the detection device is a light-sensing detection device 4, which includes a light-shielding plate 41, a light-emitting photoelectric plate 42, and two light-sensing detectors.

[0064] A light shield 41 is mounted on the door opening rod 32. One light sensor is positioned at the desired position of the light shield 41 after the positioning rod 33 completes the positioning action, and another light sensor is positioned at the desired position of the light shield 41 after the door opening rod 32 completes the unlocking action. At least part of the light source and light sensor of the photoelectric plate 42 are mounted on opposite sides of the light shield 41.

[0065] In the embodiments of the present invention, both the positioning rod 33 and the door opening rod 32 move in a straight line. A light-shielding plate 41 is fixed on the positioning rod 33. The positioning rod 33 will drive the light-shielding plate 41 to move. When the positioning rod 33 moves to different positions, the light-shielding plate 41 will block the light at different positions. By detecting different light-shielding positions through a light-sensing detection device, the position of the door opening rod 32 can be detected, thereby determining whether the door opening rod 32 has completed the unlocking action and whether the positioning rod 33 has completed the positioning action.

[0066] Specifically, some of the light sources of the photoelectric plate 42 and the photodetector are located on opposite sides of the light shield 41. In this way, some of the light emitted by the photoelectric plate 42 that is directed toward the photodetector will be blocked by the light shield 41. The photodetector is located inside the housing and is not shown in the figure.

[0067] A limiting hole 43 is provided on the photoelectric plate 42. The light shield 41 can be inserted into the limiting hole 43 and run in the direction defined by the limiting hole 43. This can limit the operation of the light shield 41. One photosensitive detector is set on the positioning rod 33 to complete the positioning action and the desired position of the light shield 41. Another photosensitive detector is set on the door opening rod 32 to complete the unlocking action and the desired position of the light shield 41. The two photosensitive detectors share one photoelectric plate 42 and are both set on one side of the limiting hole 43.

[0068] Each photodetector can also be equipped with a control switch, which is connected to a motor 341 that powers the movement of the door opening rod 32 and the positioning rod 33. This allows the photodetector to operate only when the motor 341 starts working, thus reducing energy consumption and extending the lifespan of the photodetector.

[0069] In embodiments of the present invention, a door closing detection device is also included to detect whether the machine door is closed in place;

[0070] Preferably, the door closing detection device includes a magnet installed on the door and a reed switch installed on the outer cylinder. The reed switch is used to detect the position of the magnet. The reed switch is located at a position where the magnet on the door can be detected when the door is closed and locked.

[0071] In embodiments of the present invention, since the washing drum door 2 needs to rotate together with the washing drum, it is impossible to control the automatic closing of the washing drum door 2 via an electrical signal, thus preventing the washing drum door 2 from being locked by the closing action. Therefore, when manually closing and locking the washing drum door 2, the door may not be fully closed. In this case, the aforementioned magnet and reed switch can be used to detect whether the door is fully closed. This door closing detection device can also be used to detect whether the washing machine door is fully closed.

[0072] When the positioning rod 33 completes the positioning action but the door opening rod 32 has not completed the unlocking action, the washing machine door cannot be opened; when the door opening rod 32 completes the unlocking action, the washing machine door can be opened, so that the washing drum door 2 opens first, and then the washing machine door opens.

[0073] When the washing drum door 2 is closed, it is checked whether the washing machine door is closed in place. If the washing machine door is closed in place, the motor 341 that powers the movement of the positioning rod 33 and the door opening rod 32 is started. If the washing machine door is not closed in place, the motor 341 that powers the movement of the positioning rod 33 and the door opening rod 32 cannot be started. The door is checked for closed in place by the magnet and reed switch mentioned above.

[0074] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-described technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A washing machine door lock module, characterized in that, include: The positioning lock has a positioning rod and an unlocking rod. The positioning lock has a positioning stroke and an unlocking stroke. During the unlocking stroke, the positioning rod extends outward and the unlocking rod extends outward under the action of the positioning rod, triggering the unlocking action of the door lock. The detection device detects the position of the extended door opening bar to determine whether the door opening bar has completed the unlocking action; During the positioning stroke, the positioning rod extends, and the door opening rod extends outward towards the positioning lock under the action of the positioning rod. The positioning rod generates a positioning action to position the washing drum. The detection device detects the position of the door opening rod to detect whether the positioning rod has completed the positioning action. The washing machine's drum has a positioning hole facing the positioning rod. When the positioning rod performs a positioning action, it inserts into the first position within the positioning hole. When the door opening rod performs an unlocking action, the positioning rod inserts into the second position within the positioning hole.

2. The washing machine door lock module according to claim 1, characterized in that, During the positioning stroke, the positioning rod moves independently in the first stage, and in the second stage, the positioning rod drives the door opening rod to extend.

3. The washing machine door lock module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection device is a light-sensing detection device, which includes a light-shielding plate, a light-emitting photoelectric plate, and two light-sensing detectors; A light shield is installed on the door opening rod. One light sensor is installed at the desired position of the light shield after the positioning rod completes the positioning action, and another light sensor is installed at the desired position of the light shield after the door opening rod completes the unlocking action. At least part of the light source and light sensor of the photoelectric panel are installed on opposite sides of the light shield.

4. The washing machine door lock module according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a door closing detection device to check whether the machine door is closed properly.

5. The washing machine door lock module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The door closing detection device includes a magnet installed on the machine door and a reed switch installed on the outer cylinder. The reed switch is used to detect the position of the magnet. The reed switch is located at the position where the magnet on the machine door can be detected when the machine door is closed and locked.

6. A method for controlling a washing machine, characterized in that, Using the washing machine door lock module according to any one of claims 1-5, when the washing drum door is opened, after the positioning lock completes its positioning stroke, the positioning rod extends outward, and the door opening rod extends outward to the first extended position under the drive of the positioning rod, and generates an unlocking action that triggers the door lock to unlock. The detection device detects whether the door opening rod is in the first extended position. If the door opening rod is in the first extended position, the door opening rod completes the unlocking action.

7. The control method for a washing machine according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the washing tub door is opened, the positioning rod extends, and the door opening rod extends outward to the second extended position under the action of the positioning rod. The positioning rod generates a positioning action to position the washing tub. The detection device detects whether the door opening rod is in the second extended position. If the door opening rod is in the second extended position, the positioning rod completes the positioning action.

8. The control method for a washing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The door opening lever can also perform a locking action, and the positioning lever can also perform a non-positioning action. When closing the washing drum door, if the detection device detects that the door opening lever is not in the first extended position, the door opening lever completes the locking action; if the detection device detects that the door opening lever is not in the second extended position, the positioning lever completes the non-positioning action.

9. The control method for a washing machine according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that, The washing machine door cannot be opened if the positioning rod completes the positioning action but the door opening rod has not completed the unlocking action; the washing machine door can be opened if the door opening rod completes the unlocking action.

10. The control method for a washing machine according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that, When closing the washing machine drum door, check if the washing machine door is closed properly. If the washing machine door is closed properly, start the motor that powers the movement of the positioning rod and door opening rod; if the washing machine door is not closed properly, the motor that powers the movement of the positioning rod and door opening rod will not start.

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