Washing machine drain line flush device, washing machine, and control method thereof

Abstract

The application provides a washing machine drain pipe flushing device, a washing machine and a control method thereof, and belongs to the field of washing machine design. The flushing device comprises a flushing medium storage tank and an expansion and pressurization tank. The flushing medium storage tank is provided with a first outlet, and the first outlet is connected with a discharge pipe. The expansion and pressurization tank is provided with a second outlet. The discharge pipe is provided with a first on-off valve at the outlet, and the outlet of the discharge pipe is used for being communicated with the washing machine drain pipe through a flushing pipe. The expansion and pressurization tank contains pressurized medium. The pressurized medium can be in an expanded state after absorbing heat. The second outlet is communicated with the discharge pipe through a pressurizing pipe. The pressurizing pipe is provided with a pressure applying member. The pressure applying member can be driven to be close to the side of the discharge pipe to apply pressure to the flushing medium in the discharge pipe when the pressurized medium is in the expanded state. The application effectively prevents the phenomenon that stains in the washing machine drain pipe accumulate at wrinkle positions, and effectively prevents bacteria from breeding and peculiar smell from being generated in the washing machine drain pipe.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of washing machine design, and particularly relates to a washing machine drain pipe flushing device, a washing machine and a control method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] At present, washing machines have become very popular household appliances, and are loved by users due to their convenience. The existing washing machines are provided with a heating function and a drain structure. The drain structure is a drain pipe with folds that can compensate for length. If the drain pipe is not cleaned in time after draining, some stains will accumulate in the annular folds of the drain pipe over time, bacteria will breed, and odor will be generated. The above problems of the drain pipe are more obvious for drum washing machines and other machine types with relatively complex drain pipe replacement. Therefore, the present application is proposed. SUMMARY

[0003] Therefore, the present application provides a washing machine drain pipe flushing device, a washing machine and a control method thereof, which can solve the technical problem that stains in the drain pipe of the washing machine easily accumulate in the folds of the drain pipe, and then breed bacteria and generate odor.

[0004] To solve the above problems, the present application provides a washing machine drain pipe flushing device, which comprises a flushing medium storage tank and an expansion and pressurization tank. The flushing medium storage tank is provided with a first outlet, and a drain pipe is connected to the first outlet. The expansion and pressurization tank is provided with a second outlet. The outlet of the drain pipe is provided with a first on-off valve, and the outlet of the drain pipe is used to communicate with the drain pipe of the washing machine through a flushing pipe. The expansion and pressurization tank contains a pressurized medium. The pressurized medium can be in an expanded state after absorbing heat. The second outlet communicates with the drain pipe through a pressurizing pipe. The pressurizing pipe is provided with a pressure applying member. The pressure applying member can be driven to approach the side of the drain pipe to apply pressure to the flushing medium in the drain pipe when the pressurized medium is in the expanded state.

[0005] In some embodiments, the pressurizing pipe is provided with a first limiting member and a second limiting member extending along the length direction of the pressurizing pipe. The first limiting member is located on the side of the pressurizing pipe close to the expansion and pressurization tank, and has a limiting state for preventing the pressure applying member from approaching the drain pipe and a release state for allowing the pressure applying member to approach the drain pipe. The second limiting member is located on the side of the pressurizing pipe close to the drain pipe and is used to prevent the pressure applying member from approaching the drain pipe.

[0006] In some embodiments, the pressure applying member is slidingly connected in the pressurizing pipe; and / or the second limiting member can be driven to move towards the side of the expansion and pressurization tank.

[0007] In some embodiments, a second on-off valve is arranged in the discharge pipe between the first outlet and the first on-off valve, a pipe section between the first on-off valve and the second on-off valve is a first pipe section, and an outlet of the pressurizing pipe is communicated with the first pipe section.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first on-off valve is an electromagnetic two-way valve, and / or the second on-off valve is a one-way valve, and a conducting direction of the one-way valve is from the flushing medium storage tank to the discharge pipe.

[0009] The present application also provides a washing machine comprising a washing machine drain pipe and the washing machine drain pipe flushing device as described above, wherein the discharge pipe of the washing machine drain pipe flushing device is communicated with the washing machine drain pipe through the flushing pipe.

[0010] In some embodiments, the washing machine drain pipe is an extendable pipe with a threaded groove.

[0011] In some embodiments, the washing machine further comprises a temperature raising module, and the expansion and pressurizing tank is capable of absorbing heat generated by the temperature raising module.

[0012] In some embodiments, the washing machine further comprises an inner drum and an outer drum sleeved outside the inner drum, and the expansion and pressurizing tank is arranged in a gap between the inner drum and the outer drum; and / or the temperature raising module is a drying module and / or a water heating module.

[0013] In some embodiments, the flushing medium storage tank is provided with a water replenishing port, and the water replenishing port is controllably communicated with a water filling system of the washing machine.

[0014] The present application also provides a control method of a washing machine, comprising the following steps:

[0015] judging whether a washing program or a drying program of the washing machine is ended;

[0016] controlling the washing machine drain pipe flushing device to operate when the washing program or the drying program is ended.

[0017] In some embodiments, the controlling the washing machine drain pipe flushing device to operate comprises:

[0018] controlling the flushing medium in the flushing medium storage tank to fill in the discharge pipe and controlling the first on-off valve to be in a conducting state, and controlling the first limiting member to be in the releasing state.

[0019] In some embodiments, the method further comprises, before the controlling the washing machine drain pipe flushing device to operate:

[0020] controlling the flushing medium in the flushing medium storage tank to be at a preset water level.

[0021] In some embodiments, after controlling the operation of the washing machine drain pipe flushing device, the turbidity of the flushing medium flowing out of the washing machine drain pipe is detected. When the turbidity is higher than a preset turbidity, water is injected into the flushing medium storage tank to make the flushing medium in the tank reach a preset water level, the first on-off valve is controlled to be in a cut-off state, and the first limiting member is controlled to be in the limiting state.

[0022] This invention provides a washing machine drain pipe flushing device, a washing machine, and a control method thereof. It utilizes the characteristic that the pressurizing medium in the expansion and pressurization chamber expands when heated, allowing the volume of the pressurizing medium to expand within a reasonable range. This expansion then drives the pressure-applying component, flushing the washing machine drain pipe with the flushing medium filling the drain pipe at a higher pressure. This effectively prevents dirt from accumulating in the folds of the washing machine drain pipe, effectively eliminating the growth of bacteria and the generation of odors within the washing machine drain pipe. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of the washing machine drain pipe rinsing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of some components of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the washing machine drain pipe;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a logic control diagram of a washing machine control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] The reference numerals in the attached figures are as follows:

[0028] 1. Flushing medium storage tank; 11. First outlet; 12. Discharge pipe; 13. First on / off valve; 14. Second on / off valve; 2. Expansion and pressurization tank; 21. Second outlet; 22. Pressurization pipe; 221. First limiting component; 222. Second limiting component; 23. Pressurizing component; 100. Washing machine drain pipe; 101. Flushing pipe; 102. Outer drum. Detailed Implementation

[0029] See also Figures 1 to 4As shown, according to the embodiment of the present application, a washing machine drainpipe flushing device is provided, which comprises a flushing medium storage tank 1 and an expansion pressurizing tank 2, the flushing medium storage tank 1 is provided with a first outlet 11, the first outlet 11 is connected with a discharge pipe 12, the expansion pressurizing tank 2 is provided with a second outlet 21, the discharge pipe 12 is provided with a first on-off valve 13 at the outlet thereof and the outlet of the discharge pipe 12 is used to communicate with a washing machine drainpipe 100 through a flushing pipe 101, the expansion pressurizing tank 2 contains a pressurizing medium, the pressurizing medium can be in an expanded state after absorbing heat, the second outlet 21 communicates with the discharge pipe 12 through a pressurizing pipe 22, the pressurizing pipe 22 is provided with a pressurizing member 23, the pressurizing member 23 can be driven to approach the side of the discharge pipe 12 to pressurize the flushing medium in the discharge pipe 12 when the pressurizing medium is in the expanded state, the flushing medium can be water in general, of course, it can also be water mixed with detergent, the pressurizing medium is specifically a medium which has a large expansion amount due to temperature rise and has a reduced expansion amount or even returns to the initial volume size due to temperature drop, for example, a relatively safe noble gas such as argon. In this technical solution, the pressurizing medium in the expansion pressurizing tank 2 is expanded after being heated, so that the volume of the pressurizing medium is expanded within a reasonable range, and then the expansion work is used to drive the pressurizing member 23 to flush the flushing medium filled in the discharge pipe 12 at a high pressure to the washing machine drainpipe 100, which effectively prevents the phenomenon that stains in the washing machine drainpipe 100 accumulate at the wrinkle, and effectively prevents bacteria breeding and odor generation in the washing machine drainpipe 100. It can be understood that the first on-off valve 13 should be controlled to be in a conducting state when flushing the washing machine drainpipe 100, and before flushing, the first on-off valve 13 should be controlled to be in a cutting state so that the pressurizing member 23 can fully pressurize the flushing medium filled in the discharge pipe 12, and then a large flushing inertia can be accumulated.

[0030] In one specific embodiment, referring to Figure 1As shown, the pressurizing pipe 22 has a first limiting member 221 and a second limiting member 222 extending along the length direction of the pressurizing pipe 22. The pressurizing pipe 22 can be a straight pipe with a smooth inner wall. The first limiting member 221 is located at the side of the pressurizing pipe 22 close to the expansion pressurizing tank 2. The first limiting member 221 has a limiting state for preventing the pressurizing member 23 from moving towards the discharge pipe 12 and a release state for allowing the pressurizing member 23 to move towards the discharge pipe 12. The second limiting member 222 is located at the side of the pressurizing pipe 22 close to the discharge pipe 12 and is used for preventing the pressurizing member 23 from moving towards the discharge pipe 12. In the working condition without washing, the pressurizing member 23 is limited by the first limiting member 221 at the side close to the expansion pressurizing tank 2. At this time, even if the pressurizing medium in the expansion pressurizing tank 2 is heated and expanded by absorbing external heat, the pressurizing member 23 cannot move due to the corresponding force. When washing is needed, the first limiting member 221 is controlled to be in the release state. At this time, due to the expansion work accumulated by the pressurizing medium, the pressurizing member 23 is forced to move towards the discharge pipe 12 at a high speed to form pressure on the washing medium. When the first on-off valve 13 is opened, the washing medium under pressure is forced to the washing machine drain pipe 100 to achieve effective washing. It should be noted that the second limiting member 222 limits the displacement of the pressurizing member 23. The first limiting member 221 and the second limiting member 222 can be arranged in the pressurizing pipe 22 to ensure that the expansion pressurization is in an absolutely sealed space.

[0031] In order to ensure smooth pressure of the pressurizing member 23, in some embodiments, the pressurizing member 23 is slidingly connected in the pressurizing pipe 22. Specifically, the inner wall of the pressurizing pipe 22 has a corresponding sliding track, and the pressurizing member 23 is slidingly connected to the sliding track. The second limiting member 222 can be driven to move towards the side of the expansion pressurizing tank 2 to drive the position of the pressurizing member 23 to reset. The specific implementation can use a telescopic rod. When the pressurizing member 23 is reset to the original position, the first limiting member 221 is controlled to be in the limiting state for the next operation of the washing device.

[0032] In some embodiments, a second on-off valve 14 is arranged in the discharge pipe 12 between the first outlet 11 and the first on-off valve 13. The pipe section between the first on-off valve 13 and the second on-off valve 14 is a first pipe section. The outlet of the pressurizing pipe 22 is communicated with the first pipe section. In this way, the washing medium is sealed in the first pipe section with constant volume during pressurization, which can ensure that the pressurizing of the pressurizing member 23 is more effective.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first on / off valve 13 is a solenoid two-way valve, which allows for more convenient control of the opening and closing of the first on / off valve 13. As a preferred embodiment, the second on / off valve 14 is a one-way valve, with the one-way valve's conduction direction from the flushing medium storage tank 1 towards the discharge pipe 12. Thus, when the water level of the flushing medium in the flushing medium storage tank 1 reaches the preset water level, it will automatically open the aforementioned second on / off valve 14 to enter the first pipe section for storage. When flushing and pressurization are performed, the flushing medium stored in the first pipe section is confined within the first pipe section, thereby ensuring the effectiveness of pressurization.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, see Figure 2 As shown, a washing machine is also provided, including a washing machine drain pipe 100 and the aforementioned washing machine drain pipe flushing device. The washing machine drain pipe flushing device has a discharge pipe 12 that is connected to the washing machine drain pipe 100 through a flushing pipe 101. When the washing machine needs to be flushed, the aforementioned washing machine drain pipe flushing device can be controlled to perform high-pressure flushing on the washing machine drain pipe 100.

[0035] See Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the washing machine drain pipe 100 is a telescopic pipe with a threaded groove. Compared with the circular groove in the prior art, the threaded groove in the present invention can guide the drainage water flow, thereby effectively preventing the accumulation of dirt in the groove by utilizing the flow of water.

[0036] The heat from the aforementioned expansion and pressurization chamber 2 can come from an external heat source. As a preferred embodiment, the washing machine also includes a heating module. The expansion and pressurization chamber 2 can absorb the heat generated by the heating module, meaning that the heating module provides the necessary heat to the pressurized medium within the expansion and pressurization chamber 2. Specifically, the heating module is a drying module and / or a water heating module. In this case, the washing machine is objectively a washer-dryer combo or a washing machine with washing water heating. In a preferred embodiment, the washing machine also includes an inner drum and an outer drum 102 fitted outside the inner drum. The expansion and pressurization chamber 2 is located in the gap between the inner drum and the outer drum 102. Especially for washer-dryer combos, placing the expansion and pressurization chamber 2 outside the inner drum allows the heat from the dried clothes to heat the pressurized medium, preventing any impact on the drying effect of the clothes inside the inner drum. Furthermore, utilizing residual heat to expand the pressurized medium is more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

[0037] The rinsing medium storage tank 1 has a water inlet, which is controllably connected to the water injection system of the washing machine. That is, the water replenishment of the rinsing medium storage tank 1 is achieved through the water injection system of the washing machine, without the need to design a separate water replenishment control system and water replenishment structure, thus simplifying the structure and control design of the washing machine.

[0038] According to the embodiment of the present application, a control method of a washing machine is also provided, comprising the following steps:

[0039] determining whether a washing program (for example, for a washing machine with washing water heating) or a drying program (for example, for a washer-dryer) of the washing machine is finished;

[0040] controlling the washing machine drain pipe flushing device to operate when the washing program or the drying program is finished.

[0041] In the technical solution, the washing machine drain pipe flushing device is controlled to operate after each washing process of the washing machine is finished, so that the dirt generated in each washing process can be timely flushed and cleaned, and the accumulation of the dirt to cause blockage and other adverse phenomena can be effectively prevented. The control of the washing machine drain pipe flushing device to operate comprises: controlling the flushing medium in the flushing medium storage tank 1 to fill in the drain pipe 12 and controlling the first on-off valve 13 to be in an open state, and controlling the first limiting piece 221 to be in a release state.

[0042] Before the control of the washing machine drain pipe flushing device to operate, the following steps are further included: controlling the flushing medium in the flushing medium storage tank 1 to be at a preset water level, and when the flushing medium does not reach the preset water level, controlling the water filling system of the washing machine to fill water into the flushing medium storage tank 1.

[0043] After the control of the washing machine drain pipe flushing device to operate, the following steps are further included: detecting the turbidity of the flushing medium flowing out of the washing machine drain pipe 100, and when the turbidity is higher than a preset turbidity, controlling water to be filled into the flushing medium storage tank 1 so that the flushing medium therein is at the preset water level, controlling the first on-off valve 13 to be in a cut-off state, and controlling the first limiting piece 221 to be in a limiting state.

[0044] The control method of the present application will be further described below by taking a washer-dryer as an example in combination with the accompanying drawings.

[0045] S1 enters a drying detection mode, and whether the drying mode is finished? No, turn to S1, and yes, turn to S2;

[0046] S2 detects whether the water outlet valve (i.e., the first on-off valve 13, the same below) is closed; yes, turn to S3, and no, turn to S4;

[0047] S3 detects the water level of the water storage tank (i.e., the flushing medium storage tank 1, the same below) every time T, and the minimum limit of the water level is H, if >H, execute S6, otherwise execute S5;

[0048] S4 executes S3 after the water outlet valve is closed;

[0049] S5 gives a water shortage prompt of the flushing water storage tank and performs a water supplement operation, and turns to execute S3;

[0050] S6 When the water level of the S6 tank is higher than H, the second on-off valve 14 (i.e. a one-way valve) is opened by gravity, the movable slide stopper A (i.e. a first stopper 221, hereinafter the same) is opened, and the slide plug (i.e. a pressure applying member 23, hereinafter the same) is released to the slide stopper B (i.e. a second stopper 222, hereinafter the same) to pressurize the water in the valve section, and S7 is executed.

[0051] S7 It is judged whether the slide stopper B detects the slide plug abutting, and if yes, S8 is executed, and if no, S9 is executed.

[0052] S8 The water outlet valve is opened to flush, and after a time T1, S10 is executed.

[0053] S9 A time T2 is waited, and S7 is executed.

[0054] S10 It is judged whether the turbidity detection result is qualified, and if yes, S14 is executed, and if no, S11 is executed.

[0055] S11 The water outlet valve is closed.

[0056] S12 The movable slide stopper B pushes the slide plug back to the stopper A position to return to the original position.

[0057] S13 The flushing tank is replenished to a height h, i.e. a water level height H+h, and S6 is executed.

[0058] S14 The whole process is ended.

[0059] It is easily understood by those skilled in the art that the advantageous technical features of the above-mentioned modes can be freely combined and superimposed without conflict.

[0060] The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present application, and is not used to limit the present application, and any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement within the spirit and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application. The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present application, and it should be pointed out that, for those skilled in the art, without departing from the technical principle of the present application, a number of improvements and variations can be made, and these improvements and variations should be regarded as the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A laundry machine characterized by, The washing machine drain pipe (100) and the washing machine drain pipe flushing device, the washing machine drain pipe flushing device includes a flushing medium storage tank (1), an expansion pressure tank (2), the flushing medium storage tank (1) has a first outlet (11), the first outlet (11) is connected with the discharge pipe (12), the expansion pressure tank (2) has a second outlet (21), the outlet of the discharge pipe (12) has a first on-off valve (13) and the outlet of the discharge pipe (12) is used for being communicated with the washing machine drain pipe (100) through the flushing pipe (101), the expansion pressure tank (2) contains a pressurized medium, the pressurized medium can be in an expanded state after absorbing heat, the second outlet (21) is communicated with the discharge pipe (12) through a pressurizing pipe (22), the pressurizing pipe (22) has a pressure applying member (23) therein, the pressure applying member (23) can be driven to be close to one side of the discharge pipe (12) to apply pressure to the flushing medium in the discharge pipe (12) when the pressurized medium is in the expanded state, the pressurizing pipe (22) has a first limiting member (221) and a second limiting member (222) extending along the length direction thereof, wherein the first limiting member (221) is located at the side of the pressurizing pipe (22) close to the expansion pressure tank (2), and the first limiting member (221) has a limiting state for preventing the pressure applying member (23) from being close to the discharge pipe (12) and a release state for allowing the pressure applying member (23) to be close to the discharge pipe (12), the second limiting member (222) is located at the side of the pressurizing pipe (22) close to the discharge pipe (12) and is used for preventing the pressure applying member (23) from being close to the discharge pipe (12), the washing machine drain pipe flushing device has the discharge pipe (12) communicated with the washing machine drain pipe (100) through the flushing pipe (101), further comprising a temperature rising module, the expansion pressure tank (2) can absorb heat generated by the temperature rising module, further comprising an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder (102) sleeved outside the inner cylinder, and the expansion pressure tank (2) is located in the gap between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder (102).

2. A laundry washing machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that The washing machine drain pipe (100) is a telescopic pipe with a threaded groove.

3. A laundry washing machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that The temperature rising module is a drying module and / or a water heating module.

4. A laundry machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flushing medium storage tank (1) has a water replenishing port, and the water replenishing port is controllably communicated with a water injection system of the washing machine.

5. The laundry machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure applying member (23) is slidingly connected in the pressurizing pipe (22), and / or the second limiting member (222) can be driven to move towards the side of the expansion pressure tank (2).

6. A laundry machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, A second on-off valve (14) is arranged in the discharge pipe (12) between the first outlet (11) and the first on-off valve (13), a pipe section between the first on-off valve (13) and the second on-off valve (14) is a first pipe section, and the outlet of the pressurizing pipe (22) is communicated with the first pipe section.

7. A laundry washing machine according to Claim 6, characterized in that The first on-off valve (13) is an electromagnetic two-way valve, and / or the second on-off valve (14) is a one-way valve, and the conducting direction of the one-way valve is from the flushing medium storage tank (1) to the drain pipe (12).

8. A control method of a washing machine, characterized by, The washing machine is the washing machine of any one of claims 1 to 7, and the control method comprises the following steps: judging whether the washing program or the drying program of the washing machine is finished; controlling the washing machine drain pipe flushing device to operate when the washing program or the drying program is finished.

9. The control method according to claim 8, characterized by, controlling the washing machine drain pipe flushing device to operate comprises: controlling the flushing medium in the flushing medium storage tank (1) to fill in the drain pipe (12) and controlling the first on-off valve (13) to be in the conducting state, and controlling the first limiting piece (221) to be in the releasing state.

10. The control method according to claim 8, characterized by Before controlling the washing machine drain pipe flushing device to operate, it further comprises: controlling the flushing medium in the flushing medium storage tank (1) to be at a preset water level.

11. The control method according to claim 8, characterized by, After controlling the washing machine drain pipe flushing device to operate, detecting the turbidity of the flushing medium flowing out of the washing machine drain pipe (100), and when the turbidity is higher than a preset turbidity, controlling water to be injected into the flushing medium storage tank (1) so that the flushing medium therein is at a preset water level, controlling the first on-off valve (13) to be in the blocking state, and controlling the first limiting piece (221) to be in the limiting state.

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