Drainage control method for washing machine and washing machine
By using a water level sensor to control the opening and closing of the drain pump in the washing machine, the noise and power consumption problems of the drain pump when there is insufficient water are solved, achieving the effect of reducing noise and power consumption.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TCL HOME APPLIANCES (HEFEI) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2022-11-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-16
AI Technical Summary
When there is insufficient water, the washing machine drain pump generates a gas-liquid mixture, which causes noise and increases power consumption, affecting the user experience.
The system uses a water level sensor to detect the water level frequency value and controls the drainage pump to continue draining for a period of time after the water level reaches a preset value, and then turn it off. It also turns it back on after a timer when the water level starts to decrease, ensuring that the pump chamber is full of water before operation and avoiding gas-liquid mixing.
It reduces the noise and power consumption of the drain pump, improves the user experience, and reduces the overall power consumption of the washing machine.
Smart Images
Figure CN115710798B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application belongs to the field of washing machine technology, and particularly relates to a drainage control method for a washing machine and a washing machine. Background Technology
[0002] As people's living standards continue to improve, washing machines have become an indispensable appliance for most families. Currently, the noise of the washing machine's drain pump is one of the main sources of washing machine noise. During the spin-drying process, when there is little water remaining in the washing machine and it is insufficient to fill the pump chamber, air will enter the drain pump, causing a gas-liquid mixture inside the pump, known as air binding. Therefore, the impeller of the drain pump will produce a periodic, low-pitched noise when rotating, affecting the user experience. Summary of the Invention
[0003] This application provides a spin-drying control method and a washing machine, which can reduce the power consumption of the washing machine drain pump and solve the problem of noise generated by the drain pump due to internal water vapor mixing.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:
[0005] A drainage control method for a washing machine, the washing machine including a drain pump and a water level sensor, the water level sensor being used to detect the water level frequency value of the washing machine, the drainage control method comprising:
[0006] When the drainage pump is turned on, if the water level frequency value reaches a preset value, the drainage pump will continue to drain for a first duration and then be turned off.
[0007] Determine whether the washing machine has completed the spin-drying process;
[0008] If the washing machine has not completed the spin-drying process, a timer will start when the water level frequency value is detected to decrease from the preset value.
[0009] When the timing duration reaches the second duration, the drain pump is controlled to start.
[0010] In some embodiments, before starting the timing, the following is included:
[0011] Obtain the third time interval from when the drainage pump is turned off until the water level frequency value begins to decrease from the preset value;
[0012] The second duration is determined based on the third duration.
[0013] In some embodiments, the second duration is determined according to the following formula:
[0014] t = N × T;
[0015] Where T is the third duration, t is the second duration, and N is a preset value.
[0016] In some embodiments, obtaining a third duration from when the drain pump is shut off until the water level frequency value begins to decrease from the preset value includes:
[0017] Obtain the first moment when the drainage pump shuts down;
[0018] Obtain the second moment when the water level frequency value begins to decrease from the preset value;
[0019] The third duration is determined based on the first time point and the second time point.
[0020] In some embodiments, before starting the timing, the method further includes:
[0021] Obtain the spin-drying rate of the washing machine;
[0022] The second duration is determined based on the dehydration rate.
[0023] In some embodiments, the second duration is negatively correlated with the dehydration rate.
[0024] In some embodiments, before shutting down the drain pump after it has continued draining for a first duration, the method further includes:
[0025] Obtain the drainage rate of the drainage pump;
[0026] The first duration is determined based on the drainage rate.
[0027] In some embodiments, the first duration is negatively correlated with the drainage rate.
[0028] A washing machine, comprising:
[0029] Drain pump;
[0030] A water level sensor is used to detect the frequency value of the water level in the washing machine.
[0031] The controller, connected to the drainage pump and the water level sensor, is used for:
[0032] When the drain pump is turned on, if the water level frequency value reaches a preset value, the drain pump is controlled to continue draining for a first duration and then turned off; it is determined whether the washing machine has completed the spin-drying process; if the washing machine has not completed the spin-drying process, when the water level frequency value is detected to start decreasing from the preset value, a timer is started; when the timer duration reaches a second duration, the drain pump is controlled to turn on.
[0033] In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to:
[0034] Obtain a third time interval from when the drainage pump is turned off until the water level frequency value begins to decrease from the preset value; determine the second time interval based on the third time interval.
[0035] The washing machine drainage control method and washing machine provided in this application embodiment have a drain pump that is turned on when the washing machine starts draining. As the drain pump drains, the water level drops. When the water level sensor detects that the water level frequency value reaches a preset value, the drain pump is controlled to continue draining for a first duration and then turned off. As the washing machine spins, the water level gradually rises. When the water level frequency value is detected to start decreasing from the preset value, a second timer is started and the drain pump is turned on. Therefore, it can prevent the drain pump from entering the internal working state due to insufficient water in the washing machine and continuing to operate when a gas-liquid mixture is formed inside, thereby generating noise and improving the user experience. Since the drain pump only starts working when the pump chamber is full of water, the working time of the drain pump is reduced, thus reducing the power consumption of the drain pump and consequently reducing the power consumption of the entire washing machine. Attached Figure Description
[0036] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a first structure of a washing machine provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0038] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a second structure of a washing machine provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0039] Figure 3 This is a first flowchart of a drainage control method provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0040] Figure 4 This is a second flowchart of a drainage control method provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0041] Figure 5 This is a third flowchart of the drainage control method provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0042] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0043] To gain a more complete understanding of this application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.
[0044] This application provides a washing machine, which can be a drum washing machine, a top-loading washing machine, or a top-loading washing machine, and can be a top-draining washing machine or a bottom-draining washing machine.
[0045] For example, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a first structural schematic diagram of a washing machine 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. The washing machine 1000 includes a drain pump 100, a water level sensor 200, and a controller 300.
[0046] The drain pump 100 is used to drain the water from the washing machine 1000.
[0047] The water level sensor 200 is used to detect the water level frequency value of the washing machine in real time. The water level frequency value is based on the formula for the parallel resonant frequency of an inductor and a capacitor: Therefore, L represents the inductance of the inductor coil in the water level sensor. The higher the water level in the washing machine, the greater the water pressure, which in turn increases the inductance of the inductor coil in the sensor. Then, according to the formula: The smaller the resonant frequency, the smaller the water level frequency value; the lower the water level, the lower the water pressure, which in turn leads to a smaller inductance in the inductor coil of the sensor, resulting in a larger resonant frequency and a larger water level frequency value. In other words, the water level sensor 200 can detect the water level frequency value to reflect the water level: a larger water level frequency value indicates a lower water level, and a smaller water level frequency value indicates a higher water level.
[0048] The controller 300 is connected to the drain pump 100 and can control the drain pump 100 to turn on or off.
[0049] A water level sensor 200 is connected, enabling real-time acquisition of the water level frequency value measured by the water level sensor 200. The water level sensor 200 is, for example, a pressure sensor.
[0050] When the drain pump 100 is turned on, if the obtained water level frequency value reaches the preset value, the controller controls the drain pump 100 to continue draining for a first duration and then turn it off. After the drain pump 100 is turned off, the controller 300 immediately determines, for example, whether the washing machine 1000 has completed the spin-drying process. If it is determined that the washing machine 1000 has not completed the spin-drying process, a timer is started when the water level frequency value is detected to decrease from the preset value. When the timer reaches the second duration, the controller controls the drain pump 100 to turn on.
[0051] In practical applications, preset values are stored in the controller 300 beforehand. As the drain pump 100 drains water, the water level frequency reaches the preset value, indicating that the water level in the washing machine 1000 has dropped to the preset height. At this time, there is little water in the drain pump 100. If the drain pump 100 is still turned on, after a period of time, air will enter the drain pump, forming a gas-liquid mixture. If the drain pump 100 continues to work in this state, it will generate significant noise. Therefore, it is necessary to control the drain pump 100 to continue draining for a first period of time before turning it off to prevent the drain pump 100 from continuing to work while the internal gas-liquid mixture is still present.
[0052] As the washing machine 1000 spins, the water level inside rises again. When the water level frequency value starts to decrease from the preset value, after a second time interval, the pump chamber of the drain pump 100 fills with water. At this point, the drain pump 100 is activated to drain the water until the water level frequency value reaches the preset value again, i.e., the water level drops to the preset height. Then, the drain pump 100 is turned off again. This cycle continues until the washing machine 1000 has finished spinning.
[0053] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a second structural schematic diagram of a washing machine 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. The washing machine 1000 includes an inner drum 400, an outer drum 500, a drain pipe 600, a water level sensor 200, a drain pump 100, and a water outlet pipe 700.
[0054] The inner drum 400 is fitted inside the outer drum 500 and is used to rotate under the drive of the motor of the washing machine 1000, and to wash clothes under the action of water and detergent in the drum.
[0055] The outer tub 500 is equipped with a water outlet, which allows water inside the tub to flow out through the water outlet when the washing machine 1000 is draining. One end of the drain pipe 600 is connected to the water outlet of the outer tub, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the drain pump 100. Water flowing out of the outer tub flows into the drain pump 100 through the drain pipe 600.
[0056] The outlet of the drain pump 100 is connected to the outlet pipe 700. The drain pump 100 is driven by, for example, an electric motor to discharge water from its pump chamber to the outlet pipe 700. The water flows out through the outlet pipe 700 to the outside of the washing machine 1000.
[0057] A water level sensor 200 is installed, for example, inside a drain pipe 600, to detect the water level frequency value, thereby detecting the water level height of the washing machine 1000.
[0058] In practical applications, when the washing machine 1000 enters the spin-drying stage, the drain pump 100 turns on. In some embodiments, as the drain pump 100 drains water, the water level gradually decreases until the water level frequency value measured by the water level sensor 200 reaches its maximum value and no longer changes. Since the water in the drain pipe 600 is not completely drained when the water level frequency value reaches its maximum value, the controller of the washing machine 1000 needs to control the drain pump 100 to continue draining for a period of time after detecting that the water level frequency value has reached its maximum value before stopping its operation, so as to ensure that all the water in the drain pipe 600 is drained before turning off the drain pump 100.
[0059] As the washing machine 1000 continues to spin-dry, the inner drum 400 rotates at high speed driven by the motor to fling the water contained in the clothes out to the drain pipe 600 and the drain pump 100, and the water level gradually rises. When the controller of the washing machine 1000 detects that the water level frequency value begins to decrease, it starts timing for a period of time to ensure that the pump chamber of the drain pump 100 is full of water, and then the drain pump 100 is turned on to drain the water.
[0060] As the drain pump 100 drains water, the water level drops again until the water level frequency value reaches its maximum value again. Then, the controller controls the drain pump 100 to continue draining for a certain period of time before turning it off, and determines whether the washing machine 1000 has completed the spin-drying process. If the spin-drying process is not completed, the drain pump 100 is turned on after a second time when the water level frequency value is detected to start decreasing again. This cycle repeats until the washing machine 1000 has completed the spin-drying process.
[0061] The washing machine 1000 provided in this application, as the drain pump 100 drains water, the water level decreases, and when the water level frequency value reaches a preset value, the drain pump 100 is controlled to discharge water from the washing machine's drain pipe and then shut off. As the washing machine spins, the water level rises, and when the water level frequency value begins to fall below the preset value, the drain pump 100 is activated after a timeout, so that the pump chamber of the drain pump 100 is filled with water before it starts working. Therefore, it can prevent the drain pump 100 from generating noise due to air entering the pump chamber and operating in a gas-liquid mixed state within the pump chamber. In addition, since the operating time of the drain pump 100 is reduced, the power consumption of the drain pump 100 is reduced.
[0062] This application also provides a drainage control method for a washing machine, such as the washing machine 1000 described above, and the drainage control method is executed by the controller of the washing machine 1000.
[0063] For example, please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a first flowchart of a drainage control method provided in an embodiment of this application. The drainage control method includes the following steps:
[0064] Step s101: When the drainage pump is turned on, if the water level frequency value reaches the preset value, the drainage pump is controlled to continue draining for a first duration and then turned off.
[0065] The controller, for example, acquires the water level frequency value detected by the water level sensor in real time and determines whether the water level frequency value has reached a preset value. The preset value is, for example, pre-stored in the controller, and its magnitude is, for example, related to the setting position of the water level sensor. When the controller detects that the water level frequency value has reached the preset value, it sends a first signal to the drain pump. This first signal, for example, has a timing sequence, used to shut off the drain pump after a first duration. Since the drain pump needs to drain the remaining water in the washing machine's drain hose within this first duration, the first duration is, for example, determined based on the drain pump's drainage rate. The drain pump's drainage rate is, for example, related to the selection of the drain pump's drive motor.
[0066] Step s102: Determine if the washing machine has completed the spin-drying process;
[0067] The washing machine determines whether the spin-drying process is complete, for example, based on the spin-drying time. In some embodiments, the washing machine includes, for example, a detection device for detecting the moisture content of the clothes. The principle of this detection device includes, but is not limited to, determining the moisture content of the clothes by detecting the humidity of the air inside the drum or by detecting the weight of the clothes. When the controller determines that the moisture content is within the acceptable range, it considers the spin-drying process complete and ends the spin-drying process.
[0068] Step s103: If the washing machine has not finished spinning, start timing when the water level frequency value is detected to decrease from the preset value;
[0069] The controller, for example, acquires the water level frequency value detected by the water level sensor in real time and determines whether the water level frequency value is less than a preset value. When the controller first determines that the water level frequency value is less than the preset value, it means that the water level frequency value has started to decrease from the preset value, and at this time, the controller starts the timer.
[0070] Step s104: When the timing reaches the second duration, control the drain pump to start.
[0071] The controller, for example, is used to acquire the timing duration and compare it with a second duration, and to control the drain pump to start when the timing duration reaches the second duration.
[0072] The second duration is, for example, pre-stored in the controller. Since the drain pump is activated after the second duration to ensure the pump chamber is full of water before restarting, the second duration is determined, for example, based on the washing machine's spin-drying rate. The washing machine's spin-drying rate is related to the selection of the drive motor for the inner drum. The more water the drive motor drives the inner drum to spin out within a certain period, the shorter the time it takes for the pump chamber to fill with water, and thus the shorter the second duration is set; conversely, the less water the drive motor drives the inner drum to spin out within a certain period, the longer the time it takes for the pump chamber to fill with water, and thus the longer the second duration is set.
[0073] The second duration is also determined by the controller based on the amount of clothing in the washing machine. The more clothes there are, the more water is spun out of the inner drum within a certain period of time, and the shorter the time it takes for the pump chamber to fill with water, so the second duration is set shorter; the fewer clothes there are, the less water is spun out of the inner drum within a certain period of time, and the longer the time it takes for the pump chamber to fill with water, so the second duration is set longer.
[0074] In some embodiments, the second duration of the timer before restarting the drain pump is longer than the second duration of the timer before the drain pump is turned on the previous time. For example, if the second duration of the timer before the drain pump was turned on the previous time is t, then the second duration of the timer before restarting the drain pump is t' = t + t1.
[0075] In some embodiments, exemplarily, please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a second flowchart of a drainage control method provided in an embodiment of this application. The drainage control method includes the following steps:
[0076] Step s201: When the drainage pump is turned on, if the water level frequency value reaches the preset value, the drainage rate of the drainage pump is obtained.
[0077] Step s202: Determine the first duration based on the drainage rate;
[0078] The first duration is preset in the controller, and the specific duration is determined based on the drainage rate of the drain pump. For example, if the drainage rate of the drain pump is negatively correlated with the first duration, that is, the higher the drainage rate of the drain pump, the shorter the first duration; and the lower the drainage rate of the drain pump, the longer the first duration. In some embodiments, the drainage rate is related to the selection of the drive motor of the drain pump.
[0079] Step s203: Control the drainage pump to continue draining for the first duration and then shut it off;
[0080] Step s204: Determine if the washing machine has completed the spin-drying process;
[0081] Step s205: If the washing machine has not finished spinning, when the water level frequency value is detected to start decreasing from the preset value, obtain the third time period from when the drain pump is turned off to when the water level frequency value starts decreasing from the preset value;
[0082] Obtaining the third duration includes, for example, the following steps:
[0083] Step s2051: Obtain the first moment the drain pump shuts down;
[0084] Step s2052: Obtain the second moment when the water level frequency value begins to decrease from the preset value;
[0085] Step s2053: Determine the third duration based on the first and second time points.
[0086] For example, the third duration can be obtained by starting the timer when the drainage pump is turned off and stopping the timer when the water level frequency value begins to decrease from the preset value. This timer duration can then be taken as the third duration.
[0087] Step s206: Determine the second duration based on the third duration;
[0088] The third duration is, for example, t3. If the second duration is also t3, then t = N * t3, where N is a preset value, for example, 3.
[0089] Step s207: The timer starts counting down;
[0090] Step s208: When the timing reaches the second duration, control the drain pump to start.
[0091] For example, please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a third flowchart of a drainage control method provided in an embodiment of this application. The drainage control method includes the following steps:
[0092] Step s301: Turn on the drain pump when the washing machine starts draining;
[0093] Step s302: Determine whether the water level frequency value has reached the preset value;
[0094] As the drainage pump discharges water, the water level gradually decreases, and the water level frequency value gradually increases. If it is determined that the water level frequency value has not reached the preset value, the drainage pump remains running; if it is determined that the water level frequency value has reached the preset value, the following step s303 is executed.
[0095] Step s303: Control the drain pump to continue draining for 2 seconds and then turn off the drain pump;
[0096] After the drain pump continues to drain for 2 seconds, very little water remains in the pump. If it continues to operate, air will enter the pump, creating a gas-liquid mixture that generates noise. Therefore, the drain pump must be turned off to prevent noise generation.
[0097] Step s304: Determine whether dehydration is complete;
[0098] If it is determined that dehydration is complete, the process ends; if it is determined that dehydration is not complete, then the following step s305 is executed.
[0099] Step s305: Determine whether the water level frequency value has started to decrease from the preset value;
[0100] As the washing machine spins, the water level inside the machine begins to rise again, and the water level frequency value begins to decrease until it reaches the preset value and continues to decrease. If the water level frequency value has not yet started to decrease from the preset value, the drain pump remains off; if the water level frequency value starts to decrease from the preset value, then step s306 below is executed.
[0101] Step s306: Obtain the time T from when the drainage pump is turned off until the water level frequency value begins to decrease from the preset value;
[0102] Step s307: Timing 3T;
[0103] After 3T of timing, for example, immediately start executing step s301 again, and continue executing the steps after s301, and so on, until it is determined in step s304 that dehydration has been completed, then the process ends.
[0104] The drainage control method provided in this application shuts off the drain pump when the water level in the washing machine is low; it then starts the drain pump after a second time interval following the detection that the water level frequency value begins to decrease from a preset value, ensuring the pump chamber is fully filled with water before starting. This avoids noise generated by the drain pump operating in a gas-liquid mixture state due to air entering the pump chamber, thus improving the user experience. Furthermore, reducing the drain pump's operating time lowers its power consumption, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the washing machine.
[0105] The above provides a detailed description of the drainage control method and washing machine provided in the embodiments of this application. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.
Claims
1. A drainage control method for a washing machine, characterized in that, The washing machine includes a drain pump and a water level sensor. The water level sensor is used to detect the water level frequency value of the washing machine. The drain control method includes: When the drain pump is turned on, if the water level frequency value reaches a preset value, the drain pump is controlled to continue draining for a first duration and then be turned off. The drain pump needs to drain the remaining water in the washing machine drain pipe within the first duration. Determine whether the washing machine has completed the spin-drying process; If the washing machine has not completed the spin-drying process, a timer will start when the water level frequency value is detected to decrease from the preset value. When the timing reaches the second duration, the drain pump is controlled to start. The drain pump is started after the second duration is reached so that the pump chamber is filled with water before starting. Before starting the timer, including: Obtain the third time interval from when the drainage pump is turned off until the water level frequency value begins to decrease from the preset value; The second duration is determined based on the third duration; The process of obtaining the third time interval from when the drainage pump is shut down until the water level frequency value begins to decrease from the preset value includes: Obtain the first moment when the drainage pump shuts down; Obtain the second moment when the water level frequency value begins to decrease from the preset value; The third duration is determined based on the first time point and the second time point.
2. The drainage control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second duration is determined according to the following formula: ； Where T is the third duration, t is the second duration, and N is a preset value.
3. The drainage control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before the timing begins, it also includes: Obtain the spin-drying rate of the washing machine; The second duration is determined based on the dehydration rate.
4. The drainage control method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second duration is negatively correlated with the dehydration rate.
5. The drainage control method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, Before shutting down the drainage pump after it has continued to drain for a first period of time, the following measures are also included: Obtain the drainage rate of the drainage pump; The first duration is determined based on the drainage rate.
6. The drainage control method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first duration is negatively correlated with the drainage rate.
7. A washing machine, characterized in that, include: Drain pump; A water level sensor is used to detect the frequency value of the water level in the washing machine. The controller, connected to the drainage pump and the water level sensor, is used for: When the drain pump is turned on, if the water level frequency value reaches a preset value, the drain pump is controlled to continue draining for a first duration and then turned off. The drain pump needs to drain the remaining water in the washing machine drain pipe within the first duration. It is then determined whether the washing machine has completed the spin-drying process. If the washing machine has not completed the spin-drying process, a timer is started when the water level frequency value is detected to decrease from the preset value. When the timer reaches a second duration, the drain pump is controlled to turn on. The drain pump is turned on after the second duration to ensure that the pump chamber is filled with water before turning on again. Before starting the timing, the controller is also used to: Obtain a third time interval from when the drainage pump is turned off until the water level frequency value begins to decrease from the preset value; determine the second time interval based on the third time interval; The process of obtaining the third time interval from when the drainage pump is shut down until the water level frequency value begins to decrease from the preset value includes: Obtain the first moment when the drainage pump shuts down; Obtain the second moment when the water level frequency value begins to decrease from the preset value; The third duration is determined based on the first time point and the second time point.