A Blockage Reminder Device and Method for a Kitchen Waste Processor

Abstract

The present invention provides a kitchen waste disposer blockage reminder device and method. The device includes a kitchen waste disposer, a controller, and a blockage sensor. The kitchen waste disposer has a drive device. The controller is electrically connected to the blockage sensor and the drive device. The controller receives a signal from the blockage sensor to activate the drive device, thereby driving the kitchen waste disposer to operate or stop and providing a blockage signal. With the kitchen waste disposer blockage reminder device and method of the present invention, a user can use the control device to determine whether there is a blockage in the grinding chamber and the specific location of the blockage. Furthermore, the user can determine whether the blockage has been completely cleared, thereby making it more convenient for the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of kitchen garbage disposers, and in particular relates to a kitchen garbage disposer clogging reminder device and a method thereof. Background Art

[0002] A kitchen garbage disposer, also known as a food waste processor, is installed at the drain outlet of a kitchen sink or under the kitchen sink. It conveniently removes food waste, such as leftovers and leftovers, or grinds it into fine particles for drainage. A modern, environmentally friendly household appliance, connected to the drainpipe, disposes of all food waste instantly, conveniently, and quickly, effectively preventing sink clogging and the growth of bacteria and cockroaches, ensuring a clean and comfortable kitchen.

[0003] Typically, a kitchen garbage disposer uses a high-speed motor to drive a grinding element to grind and pulverize food waste into powder or small particles, which are then discharged naturally down the drain. It effectively grinds various kitchen waste, such as small pieces of pork bones, chicken bones, fish bones, eggshells, melon peels, fruit peels and cores, tea leaves, vegetable roots and leaves, coffee grounds, leftover rice, soup scraps, and breadcrumbs, into a paste-like liquid that is then discharged naturally through a pipe, thereby cleaning the environment and eliminating odors. This can reduce kitchen odors, reduce pest infestation, and promote family health.

[0004] However, when grinding long-fibered waste, such as those that are difficult to grind, kitchen garbage disposers can easily get stuck on the grinding disc and prevent it from being completely discharged into the sewer. Users have no way of knowing where the waste is stuck in the chute, and after cleaning, they can't tell whether the waste has been removed. This can lead to odors if the waste remains unremoved for extended periods. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the above technical problems, the technical solution of the present invention provides a kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device and method thereof to realize the blockage reminder function and remind the user whether the blockage is completely cleared.

[0006] A kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device includes a kitchen garbage disposer, a controller, and a blockage sensor. The kitchen garbage disposer has a driving device. The controller is electrically connected to the blockage sensor and the driving device. The controller can receive a signal transmitted by the blockage sensor to control the driving device to stop and output a blockage signal or drive the kitchen garbage disposer to operate.

[0007] In one embodiment, the kitchen garbage disposer has a grinding disc, an edge of the grinding disc is provided with a garbage passing groove, and the blockage sensor is provided in the garbage passing groove.

[0008] In one embodiment, the occlusion sensor is an electret or pressure sensor.

[0009] In one embodiment, the blockage sensor is an array sensor composed of a plurality of electrets or an array pressure sensor.

[0010] In one embodiment, the kitchen garbage disposer has a frame shell with a grinding chamber formed therein. The blockage sensor is located in the grinding chamber and is arranged on an inner side wall of the frame shell below an edge of the grinding disc.

[0011] In one embodiment, the controller has a display screen to prompt the user of the blockage location via a screen or sound.

[0012] In one embodiment, the kitchen garbage disposer has a frame shell, the frame shell has a water inlet, the water inlet on the frame shell or the water inlet pipe is provided with a solenoid valve, and the solenoid valve is electrically connected to the controller.

[0013] In one embodiment, the kitchen garbage disposer has a frame shell, which has a drain outlet. The garbage is connected to the drain outlet through a groove. After being ground, the garbage enters the drain outlet through the garbage groove. A grinding chamber is formed inside the frame shell, and the grinding disc is arranged in the grinding chamber. The grinding disc is connected to the driving device.

[0014] The present invention also provides a method for reminding garbage blockage using the above-mentioned kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device, including: step one, after the kitchen garbage disposer grinding operation is completed, the controller detects whether the blockage sensor has a blockage signal, if there is no blockage signal, the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device does not operate, if there is a blockage signal, the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device operates, and the controller starts the solenoid valve to add water and starts the grinding disc to perform the grinding operation; step two, after the controller starts the solenoid valve to add water and starts the grinding disc to perform the grinding operation in step one, the controller again detects whether the blockage sensor has a blockage signal, if there is no blockage signal, the controller controls the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device to stop operating, if there is a blockage signal, the controller reminds the user of the blockage position that needs to be cleaned, and the user cleans the blockage position.

[0015] In one embodiment, it also includes: step three, the controller again detects whether the blockage sensor has a blockage signal. If there is no blockage signal, the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device stops running. If there is a blockage signal, the controller reminds the user of the blockage position that needs to be cleaned, and the user cleans the blockage position until there is no blockage signal from the blockage sensor, and the controller controls the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device to stop running.

[0016] The kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device and method of the present invention have the following advantages: the user can use the control device to determine whether there is a blockage in the grinding chamber and where the blockage is, and can also know whether the blockage has been completely and cleanly cleared, making it more convenient for the user to use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the grinding chamber in the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the control logic structure of the controller in the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a logic flow chart of the blockage reminder of the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device of the present invention.

[0022] In the drawings, like parts are given like reference numerals, but the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0023] The accompanying drawings are marked as follows: 10, frame shell; 11, grinding chamber; 12, cover plate; 13, water inlet pipe; 14, drain pipe; 15, grinding disc; 16, garbage passing chute; 17, driving device; 20, blockage sensor; 30, controller; 40, solenoid valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device and the control method thereof of the present invention can be applied to kitchen garbage disposers, wherein the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device includes a frame shell 10, a cover plate 12 is provided at one end of the frame shell 10, a grinding chamber 11 is formed inside the frame shell 10, the frame shell 10 has a water inlet and a water outlet, the water inlet on the frame shell 10 is connected to the water inlet pipe 13, the water outlet on the frame shell 10 is connected to the drain pipe 14, the water inlet on the frame shell 10 or the water inlet pipe 13 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 40, a grinding disc 15 is provided in the grinding chamber 11, the grinding disc 15 is connected to the driving device 17, for example, the grinding disc 15 is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor, and the driving device 17 drives the grinding disc 15 to rotate to grind the garbage.

[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the edge of the grinding disc 15 is provided with a garbage passage 16. After being ground, the garbage passes through the garbage passage 16 on the edge of the grinding disc 15 and enters the drain pipe 14. There are multiple garbage passages 16. The edge of the grinding disc 15 is arranged adjacent to the inner peripheral wall of the grinding chamber 11. After being ground, the garbage can enter the drain pipe 14 through the garbage passage 16.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the kitchen garbage disposer blockage warning device of the present invention also includes a controller 30 and a blockage sensor 20. The drive unit 17, blockage sensor 20, and solenoid valve 40 are all electrically connected to the controller 30. The blockage sensor 20 can be located in the garbage passage 16 and transmits a blockage signal to the controller 30. The controller 30 controls the operation of the kitchen garbage disposer blockage warning device based on the signal received from the blockage sensor 20. The solenoid valve 40 is electrically connected to the controller 30. The water inlet pipe 13 is connected to the solenoid valve 40 and communicates with the grinding chamber 11. The controller 30 controls the operation of the solenoid valve 40 to control the water flow into the water inlet pipe 13. The controller 30 receives the signal from the blockage sensor 20 and controls the activation of the drive unit 17, the opening of the solenoid valve 40, and the function of notifying the user of the blockage location. The solenoid valve 40 also includes a flow monitor to monitor the flow rate to prevent insufficient water flow due to insufficient water pressure.

[0028] The controller 30 may be a controller 30 with a display screen. The controller 30 may display and prompt the user in real time through the screen, sound, etc. the specific blockage location and whether it is completely cleared. The user may also choose to shield the blockage detection function through settings.

[0029] The blockage sensor 20 can be an electret or pressure sensor, preferably an electret array sensor or an array pressure sensor. By using an array sensor composed of multiple sensors and detecting the signal from the blockage sensor 20, it is possible to determine whether the grinding chamber 11 is blocked, the specific location of the blockage, and whether it has been completely cleared.

[0030] The above-mentioned blockage sensor 20 can also be set in other positions instead of in the garbage passage chute 16, or can be set in the garbage passage chute 16 or other positions at the same time. The blockage sensor 20 can be installed in the grinding chamber 11, such as on the inner side wall of the frame shell 10 below the edge of the grinding disc 15, especially at the position on the inner side wall of the frame shell 10 corresponding to the garbage passage chute 16. It can also be installed at the water outlet, sewer U-shaped pipe and other positions to determine whether there is blockage at that position.

[0031] The above-mentioned cover plate 12 serves as the cover plate 12 of the kitchen garbage disposer, and is mainly used to cover the grinding chamber 11 to prevent garbage from splashing out during grinding. The frame shell 10 serves as the overall support structure of the kitchen garbage disposer. The grinding chamber 11 is formed inside the frame shell 10, forming a space for grinding garbage; the above-mentioned drain pipe 14 is arranged under the kitchen garbage disposer. After the garbage is ground by the grinding disc 15, it enters the drain pipe 14 through the garbage groove 16.

[0032] The process of using the kitchen garbage disposer clogging reminder device of the present invention to remind garbage clogging is as follows:

[0033] After the grinding operation is completed, the blockage sensor 20 detects whether there is any garbage remaining on the grinding disc 15. If there is any garbage remaining, it transmits a signal to the controller 30. The controller 30 controls the solenoid valve 40 to continue adding water and controls the operation of the drive device 17 to drive the grinding disc 15 to rotate and continue the grinding and cleaning operation. After the grinding and cleaning operation is completed, if the controller 30 receives no signal from the blockage sensor 20, it means that the blockage signal detected by the blockage sensor 20 indicates that the residual garbage was not washed off after grinding. If the blockage sensor 20 detects a blockage signal again after the water-adding grinding and cleaning operation is completed and transmits it to the controller 30, it means that there is residual garbage around the grinding disc 15. The controller 30 locates the location of the blockage based on which blockage sensor 20 transmits the blockage signal, and prompts the user to the specific blockage location and prompts the user to clean the blockage. After the user has completely cleaned the garbage, the controller 30 detects that there is no signal from any of the blockage sensors 20 and exits.

[0034] like Figure 4 As shown, the method for performing garbage blockage reminder using the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device of the present invention is as follows, comprising:

[0035] Step 1: After the kitchen garbage disposer grinding operation is completed, the controller 30 detects whether the blockage sensor 20 has a blockage signal. If there is no blockage signal, the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device does not operate. If there is a blockage signal, the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device operates, and the controller 30 starts the solenoid valve 40 to add water and starts the grinding disc 15 to perform the grinding operation.

[0036] Step 2: After the controller 30 starts the solenoid valve 40 to add water and starts the grinding disc 15 to perform the grinding operation in step 1, the controller 30 then detects whether the blockage sensor 20 has a blockage signal. If there is no blockage signal, the controller 30 controls the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device to stop running. If there is a blockage signal, the controller 30 reminds the user of the blockage position that needs to be cleaned, and the user cleans the blockage position.

[0037] In step three, the controller 30 detects whether the blockage sensor 20 has a blockage signal. If there is no blockage signal, the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device stops running. If there is a blockage signal, the controller 30 reminds the user of the blockage position that needs to be cleaned, and the user cleans the blockage position until there is no blockage signal from the blockage sensor 20. Then the controller 30 controls the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device to stop running.

[0038] Therefore, the kitchen garbage disposer clogging reminder device of the present invention can realize the clogging reminder function after the kitchen garbage disposer has finished grinding, and has the function of reminding whether the clogging is completely cleared.

[0039] While the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications may be made and equivalent components may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the various technical features described in the various embodiments may be combined in any manner, provided no structural conflicts exist. The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but encompasses all technical solutions within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for reminding a kitchen garbage disposer of garbage blockage by a kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device, characterized in that: The method for reminding of garbage blockage is implemented by using a kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device, which includes a kitchen garbage disposer, a controller, and a blockage sensor. The kitchen garbage disposer has a driving device, and the controller is electrically connected to the blockage sensor and the driving device respectively. The controller can receive a signal transmitted by the blockage sensor to control the driving device to stop or drive the kitchen garbage disposer to operate; The kitchen garbage disposer has a grinding disc, the edge of which is provided with a garbage passing groove, and the clogging sensor is provided in the garbage passing groove; The method for reminding garbage blockage includes: Step 1: After the kitchen garbage disposer grinds, the controller detects whether the blockage sensor has a blockage signal. If there is no blockage signal, the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device does not operate. If there is a blockage signal, the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device operates, and the controller activates the solenoid valve to add water and start the grinding disc to perform the grinding operation. Step 2: After the controller starts the solenoid valve to add water and starts the grinding disc for grinding operation in step 1, the controller then detects whether the blockage sensor has a blockage signal. If there is no blockage signal, the controller controls the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device to stop running. If there is a blockage signal, the controller reminds the user of the blockage position that needs to be cleaned, and the user cleans the blockage position.

2. The method for reminding of garbage blockage according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clogging sensor is a pressure sensor.

3. The method for reminding of garbage blockage according to claim 2, characterized in that: The blockage sensor is an array pressure sensor.

4. The method for reminding of garbage blockage according to claim 1, characterized in that: The kitchen garbage disposer has a frame shell, a grinding chamber is formed in the frame shell, and the blockage sensor is located in the grinding chamber and is arranged on the inner side wall of the frame shell below the edge of the grinding disc.

5. The method for reminding of garbage jam according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The controller has a display screen to prompt the user of the blockage location through a screen or sound.

6. The method for reminding of garbage blockage according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The kitchen garbage disposer has a frame shell, the frame shell is provided with a water inlet, the water inlet on the frame shell or the water inlet pipe is provided with a solenoid valve, and the solenoid valve is electrically connected to the controller.

7. The method for reminding of garbage jam according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The kitchen garbage disposer has a frame shell, which is provided with a drain outlet. The garbage is connected to the drain outlet through a groove. After being ground, the garbage enters the drain outlet through the garbage groove. A grinding chamber is formed inside the frame shell, and the grinding disc is arranged in the grinding chamber. The grinding disc is connected to the driving device.

8. The method for reminding of garbage jam according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: In step three, the controller detects whether the blockage sensor has a blockage signal. If there is no blockage signal, the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device stops running. If there is a blockage signal, the controller reminds the user of the blockage position that needs to be cleaned, and the user cleans the blockage position until there is no blockage signal from the blockage sensor. Then the controller controls the kitchen garbage disposer blockage reminder device to stop running.

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