An outer drum, a water leakage monitoring method, apparatus, and a laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

The application discloses an outer drum, a water leakage monitoring method and device, and a clothes processing apparatus. The water leakage monitoring method comprises the following steps: acquiring an ultrasonic signal on the outer drum wall by using an ultrasonic monitoring device when the clothes processing apparatus performs a washing program; and comparing the ultrasonic signal with a preset ultrasonic signal to determine whether a connection part between the front drum and the rear drum leaks water. The application monitors whether the outer drum leaks water during the large vibration process such as washing and dehydration of the clothes processing apparatus by using the ultrasonic monitoring device, eliminates the risk caused by water leakage, and ensures the safety of the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of garment processing equipment, and more particularly to an outer roller, a leakage detection method, an apparatus, and garment processing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Taking a typical garment processing device—the washing machine—as an example, current washing machines all use a front-and-back drum assembly for easy installation of the inner drum. The front and back drums are secured with numerous screws, and a sealing ring prevents water leakage during washing. However, the outer drum is an injection-molded part, which may develop defects such as bubbles and cracks during the injection molding process. During washing, especially spin-drying, the washing machine experiences significant vibrations, which can cause cracks to widen and misalignment of the front and back drum assembly. Misalignment can also occur after after-sales repairs, leading to water leakage during washing and spin-drying. Leaking water flowing onto electrical wires or the ground poses a safety hazard. Other patents for leak detection compare water intake and water level, but this method can be prone to significant errors or misjudgments due to potential water accumulation in certain areas, and it lacks intelligence. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention discloses an outer roller, a method and device for detecting water leakage, and a garment processing device to solve the problem of roller leakage.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this invention is as follows:

[0005] The first aspect of the present invention discloses an outer roller of a garment processing device. The outer roller includes a front roller and a rear roller that is sealed to the front roller. An ultrasonic monitoring device is provided on the outer roller wall. The ultrasonic monitoring device is used to monitor whether there is water leakage at the connection between the front roller and the rear roller.

[0006] Further optionally, the ultrasonic monitoring device includes at least one set of ultrasonic transceivers, wherein the generator of the ultrasonic transceiver is located on one of the front and rear cylinders and its emitting part is in close contact with the cylinder wall, and the receiver of the ultrasonic transceiver is located on the other of the front and rear cylinders and its receiving part is in close contact with the cylinder wall.

[0007] Alternatively, the receiver and generator in the ultrasonic transceiver may both be located in the lower half or upper half of the outer drum, or one of the receiver and generator may be located in the lower half of the outer drum and the other in the upper half of the outer drum.

[0008] Alternatively, the receiver and generator of the ultrasonic transceiver are axially distributed along the outer peripheral wall of the outer roller.

[0009] Alternatively, the ultrasonic monitoring equipment may be equipped with multiple sets of ultrasonic transceivers, with the generators of the multiple sets of ultrasonic transceivers evenly arranged circumferentially on one of the front and rear cylinders, and the receivers of the multiple sets of ultrasonic transceivers evenly arranged circumferentially on the other of the front and rear cylinders.

[0010] Further optionally, the ultrasonic monitoring device includes a generator and multiple receivers, the generator being located on one of the front and rear cylinders with its emitting portion in close contact with the cylinder wall, and the multiple receivers being located on the other of the front and rear cylinders with the receiving portion of each receiver in close contact with the cylinder wall.

[0011] Alternatively, a generator may be located at the bottom of one of the front and rear cylinders, and multiple receivers may be evenly distributed circumferentially on the other of the front and rear cylinders.

[0012] The second aspect of this invention discloses a method for detecting water leakage in a garment processing device, the garment processing device including an outer roller as described in any of the first aspects, the method comprising:

[0013] When the laundry processing equipment is performing a washing program, ultrasonic monitoring equipment is used to acquire ultrasonic signals on the outer drum wall.

[0014] The ultrasonic signal is compared with a preset ultrasonic signal to determine whether there is leakage at the connection between the front and rear cylinders.

[0015] Optionally, the ultrasonic signal can be compared with a preset ultrasonic signal to determine whether there is leakage at the connection between the front and rear cylinders, including:

[0016] At different stages of garment processing, the ultrasonic signal is compared with the preset ultrasonic signal for the corresponding stage to determine whether there is leakage at the connection between the front and rear drums.

[0017] Optionally, the ultrasonic signal can be compared with a preset ultrasonic signal to determine whether there is leakage at the connection between the front and rear cylinders, including:

[0018] When the waveform deviation between the ultrasonic signal and the preset ultrasonic signal is within the set range, it is determined that the connection between the front and rear cylinders is not leaking.

[0019] If the waveform deviation between the ultrasonic signal and the preset ultrasonic signal exceeds the set range, it is determined that there may be water leakage at the connection between the front and rear cylinders.

[0020] Further optionally, when it is determined that there is a possibility of water leakage at the connection between the front and rear drums, the method may also include: alerting the user that there may be water leakage from the drum.

[0021] A third aspect of the present invention discloses a leakage monitoring device, which includes one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions, wherein when the one or more processors execute the program instructions, the one or more processors are used to implement the method according to any one of the second aspects.

[0022] The fourth aspect of the present invention discloses a garment processing apparatus, which includes an outer roller as described in any of the first aspects, or employs a method as described in any of the second aspects, or includes the apparatus of the third aspect.

[0023] Beneficial effects: By using ultrasonic monitoring equipment, the outer drum of the garment processing equipment can be monitored for water leakage during washing and spin-drying processes, which involve significant vibrations. This eliminates the risks associated with water leakage and ensures user safety. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings described below are merely some embodiments disclosed in the present invention; those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any inventive effort.

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an outer roller according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown as an example.

[0026] Figure 2 An exemplary installation diagram of an ultrasonic transceiver according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0027] Figure 3 A schematic flowchart of a leakage monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown as an example.

[0028] Figure 4 A schematic flowchart of a leakage monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown as an example. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] The terminology used in the embodiments of this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in the embodiments of this invention and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. “Multiple” generally includes at least two, but does not exclude the inclusion of at least one.

[0031] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0032] It should also be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a product or system comprising a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a product or system. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the product or system that includes said element.

[0033] Currently, washing machine outer drums are typically designed with a front and rear drum assembly for easy installation of the inner drum. The front and rear drums are secured together with numerous screws, and a sealing ring prevents water leakage during washing. However, the outer drum is an injection-molded part, which may develop defects such as air bubbles and cracks during the injection molding process. During washing, especially spin-drying, the washing machine experiences significant vibrations, which can cause cracks to widen and misalignment of the front and rear drum assembly. Even after after-sales repairs, misalignment of the front and rear drums can occur, leading to water leakage during washing and spin-drying. Leaking water from the drum onto electrical wires or the ground poses a safety hazard.

[0034] Therefore, the first aspect of this embodiment provides an outer roller of a garment processing device, combined with Figure 1 and Figure 2 The outer roller includes a front cylinder 1 and a rear cylinder 4 that is sealed to the front cylinder. The front cylinder 1 and the rear cylinder 4 are connected by multiple fastening screws 2. To ensure the reliability of the connection between the front cylinder 1 and the rear cylinder 4 and to prevent water leakage, a sealing ring 3 is added between the front cylinder 1 and the rear cylinder 4. When the front cylinder 1 and the rear cylinder 4 are brought closer under the tension of the fastening screws 2, they will squeeze the sealing ring 3, thus ensuring a tight seal. An ultrasonic monitoring device is installed on the outer cylinder wall of the outer roller to monitor whether there is water leakage at the connection between the front cylinder 1 and the rear cylinder 4.

[0035] This embodiment utilizes ultrasonic monitoring equipment to monitor in real time whether there is any water leakage in the outer drum during the washing and spin-drying process of the washing machine, ensuring user safety. The ultrasonic generator and ultrasonic receiver themselves are inexpensive, and the ultrasonic waves will not damage the drum or clothes, making it highly practical.

[0036] Further optionally, the ultrasonic monitoring device includes at least one set of ultrasonic transceivers, wherein the generator of the ultrasonic transceiver is located on one of the front cylinder 1 and the rear cylinder 4 and its emitting part is in close contact with the cylinder wall, and the receiver of the ultrasonic transceiver is located on the other of the front cylinder 1 and the rear cylinder 4 and its receiving part is in close contact with the cylinder wall.

[0037] Specifically, the ultrasonic monitoring device includes at least one set of ultrasonic transceivers. For each set of ultrasonic transceivers, one of the receiver and the generator is located on the front cylinder 1, and the other is located on the rear cylinder 4. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic monitoring device preferably has one set of ultrasonic transceivers, wherein the transmitting part of the ultrasonic generator 5 is in close contact with the rear cylinder 4 to intermittently emit ultrasonic waves to the rear cylinder 4, and then the receiving part of the ultrasonic receiver 6 is in close contact with the front cylinder 1 to receive ultrasonic signals on the outer drum wall.

[0038] Once the washing machine is powered on, the ultrasonic generator 5 prepares to enter working mode. From the moment the user selects a washing program until the entire washing, draining, and spin-drying process begins, the ultrasonic generator 5 remains operational. Its emitting part intermittently emits sound waves to the wall of the rear drum 4. These sound waves travel along the media such as the rear drum 4, sealing ring 3, and front drum 1 to the receiving part of the ultrasonic receiver 6. The ultrasonic receiver 6 generates a corresponding waveform based on the received sound waves and inputs the waveform signal into the control system. The control system compares the sound wave signal input from the ultrasonic receiver 6 with the pre-recorded normal operating signals according to different washing processes. When the sound wave shapes are essentially identical, the entire washing and spin-drying process is completed normally. If a large deviation occurs in the waveform, or if there are intermittent large deviations in the waveform, the control system will determine that there may be a water leakage problem in the drum. The control system will issue a warning and temporarily suspend the washing program, allowing the user to promptly disconnect the power and check, ensuring the safe use of the washing machine.

[0039] Further optional, combined Figure 1 The ultrasonic generator 5 and the ultrasonic receiver 6 are both located in the lower half of the outer roller. Preferably, the ultrasonic generator 5 and the ultrasonic receiver 6 are axially distributed along the outer peripheral wall of the outer roller.

[0040] Further optionally, the ultrasonic generator 5 and the ultrasonic receiver 6 are both located in the upper half of the outer roller. Preferably, the ultrasonic generator 5 and the ultrasonic receiver 6 are axially distributed along the outer peripheral wall of the outer roller.

[0041] Alternatively, taking one set of ultrasonic transceivers as an example, one of its receivers and generators is located on the front cylinder 1, and the other is located on the rear cylinder 4. Furthermore, one of its receivers and generators is situated in the lower half of the outer drum, and the other in the upper half. The outer drum has a rectangular cross-section, allowing the ultrasonic transceivers to be placed diagonally across its cross-section.

[0042] Alternatively, the ultrasonic monitoring device may include multiple sets of ultrasonic transceivers.

[0043] The generators of multiple ultrasonic transceivers are evenly arranged circumferentially on one of the front and rear cylinders, and the receivers of multiple ultrasonic transceivers are evenly arranged circumferentially on the other of the front and rear cylinders.

[0044] Further optionally, the ultrasonic monitoring device includes a generator and multiple receivers, the generator being located on one of the front and rear cylinders with its emitting portion in close contact with the cylinder wall, and the multiple receivers being located on the other of the front and rear cylinders with the receiving portion of each receiver in close contact with the cylinder wall.

[0045] Alternatively, a generator may be located at the bottom of one of the front and rear cylinders, and multiple receivers may be evenly distributed circumferentially on the other of the front and rear cylinders.

[0046] The second aspect of this embodiment provides a method for detecting water leakage in a garment processing device, the garment processing device including an outer roller as provided in any of the first aspects, combined with... Figure 3 The method includes S1 to S2, wherein:

[0047] S1, When the laundry processing equipment executes the washing program, it uses an ultrasonic monitoring device to obtain ultrasonic signals on the outer drum wall;

[0048] S2, compare the ultrasonic signal with the preset ultrasonic signal to determine whether there is leakage at the connection between the front and rear cylinders.

[0049] The ultrasonic system monitors whether the outer drum of the washing machine leaks during washing and spin-drying processes, which involve significant vibrations. This eliminates the risks associated with leaks and ensures user safety.

[0050] An ultrasonic generator installed at the bottom of the outer drum intermittently generates sound waves from the empty drum stage of the washing machine until the washing is complete. An ultrasonic receiver at the other end receives the sound waves, inputs the signal to the washing machine control system, and compares it with the normal waveform that has been recorded in the control system. If the waveform is basically the same, the washing is complete. If an abnormal waveform occurs, the control system issues a warning to remind the user that the washing machine may be leaking.

[0051] The monitoring method pre-records the ultrasonic waveform of the drum under normal operating conditions in the control system so as to compare it with the waveform signal input by the ultrasonic receiver 6.

[0052] Further optionally, step S2 includes:

[0053] At different stages of garment processing, the ultrasonic signal is compared with the preset ultrasonic signal for the corresponding stage to determine whether there is leakage at the connection between the front and rear drums.

[0054] The garment processing stage includes washing, draining, and dehydration.

[0055] Since the vibration level of the outer roller varies at different stages of garment processing, the ultrasonic waveform will also differ when there is no leakage. Therefore, the ultrasonic waveform of the outer roller under normal working conditions at each stage of garment processing will be recorded in the control system in advance, so as to compare it with the waveform signal input by the ultrasonic receiver 6, thereby accurately detecting whether the outer roller is leaking.

[0056] Further optionally, step S2 includes S21 to S22, wherein:

[0057] S21, when the waveform deviation between the ultrasonic signal and the preset ultrasonic signal is within the set range, it is determined that the connection between the front cylinder and the rear cylinder does not leak.

[0058] S22, when the waveform deviation between the ultrasonic signal and the preset ultrasonic signal exceeds the set range, it is determined that there is a possibility of water leakage in the connection between the front cylinder and the rear cylinder.

[0059] Further optionally, when it is determined that there is a possibility of water leakage at the connection between the front and rear drums, the method may also include: alerting the user that there may be water leakage from the drum.

[0060] Combination Figure 4When the washing machine is powered on, the ultrasonic generator 5 prepares to enter working mode. From the moment the user selects a washing program until the entire washing, draining, and spin-drying process, the ultrasonic generator 5 remains operational. Its emitting part intermittently emits sound waves to the wall of the rear drum 4. These sound waves travel along the media such as the rear drum 4, the sealing ring 3, and the front drum 1 to the receiving part of the ultrasonic receiver 6. The ultrasonic receiver 6 generates a corresponding waveform based on the received sound waves and inputs the waveform signal into the control system. The control system compares the sound wave signal input from the ultrasonic receiver 6 with the pre-recorded normal operating signals according to different washing processes. When the sound wave shapes are basically consistent, the entire washing and spin-drying process is completed normally. When there is a large deviation in the waveform, or when there is a large intermittent deviation in the waveform, the control system will determine that there may be a water leakage problem in the drum. The control system will issue a warning and temporarily suspend the washing program, allowing the user to disconnect the power and check in time, ensuring the safe use of the washing machine.

[0061] This embodiment provides a water leakage monitoring device, which includes one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions. When the one or more processors execute the program instructions, the one or more processors are used to implement the method provided according to any one of the second aspects.

[0062] The fourth aspect of this embodiment provides a garment processing apparatus, which includes an outer roller as provided in any of the first aspects, or employs a method as provided in any of the second aspects, or includes the apparatus provided in the third aspect.

[0063] In the different embodiments provided by this invention, the same parameters, terms, logic, etc. should be understood to have the same meaning, and this application does not intentionally repeat the description in each embodiment.

[0064] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been specifically shown and described above. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the detailed structures, arrangements, or implementation methods described herein; rather, the present disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements contained within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An outer roller of a garment processing device, the outer roller comprising a front roller and a rear roller sealed and connected to the front roller, characterized in that, An ultrasonic monitoring device is provided on the outer cylinder wall of the outer roller. The ultrasonic monitoring device is used to monitor whether there is water leakage at the connection between the front cylinder and the rear cylinder. The ultrasonic monitoring device includes at least one set of ultrasonic transceivers. The generator of the ultrasonic transceiver is located on one of the front cylinder and the rear cylinder and its emitting part is close to the cylinder wall. The receiver of the ultrasonic transceiver is located on the other of the front cylinder and the rear cylinder and its receiving part is close to the cylinder wall. When the garment processing equipment performs the washing program, the ultrasonic monitoring device acquires ultrasonic signals on the outer drum wall; the ultrasonic signals are compared with preset ultrasonic signals to determine whether there is water leakage at the connection between the front drum and the rear drum; and at different garment processing stages, the ultrasonic signals are compared with preset ultrasonic signals for the corresponding stages to determine whether there is water leakage at the connection between the front drum and the rear drum.

2. The outer roller as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The receiver and generator of the ultrasonic transceiver are both located in the lower half or upper half of the outer cylinder wall, or one of the receiver and the generator is located in the lower half of the outer cylinder wall and the other is located in the upper half of the outer cylinder wall.

3. The outer roller as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The receiver and generator of the ultrasonic transceiver are distributed axially along the outer cylinder wall.

4. A method for detecting water leakage in a garment processing device, characterized in that, The garment processing device includes an outer roller as described in any one of claims 1-3, and the method includes: When the garment processing equipment performs a washing program, the ultrasonic monitoring device is used to acquire ultrasonic signals on the outer drum wall; The ultrasonic signal is compared with a preset ultrasonic signal to determine whether there is water leakage at the connection between the front cylinder and the rear cylinder.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The step of comparing the ultrasonic signal with a preset ultrasonic signal to determine whether there is water leakage at the connection between the front cylinder and the rear cylinder includes: During different clothing processing stages, the ultrasonic signal is compared with the preset ultrasonic signal for the corresponding stage to determine whether there is water leakage at the connection between the front and rear tubing.

6. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The step of comparing the ultrasonic signal with a preset ultrasonic signal to determine whether there is water leakage at the connection between the front cylinder and the rear cylinder includes: When the waveform deviation between the ultrasonic signal and the preset ultrasonic signal is within a set range, it is determined that the connection between the front cylinder and the rear cylinder does not leak water. When the waveform deviation between the ultrasonic signal and the preset ultrasonic signal exceeds the set range, it is determined that there is a possibility of water leakage at the connection between the front cylinder and the rear cylinder.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, When it is determined that there is a possibility of water leakage at the connection between the front drum and the rear drum, the method further includes: alerting the user that there may be water leakage in the drum.

8. A leakage detection device, characterized in that, It includes one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions, wherein when the one or more processors execute the program instructions, the one or more processors are configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 5-7.

9. A garment processing device, characterized in that, It includes an outer roller as described in any one of claims 1-3, or employs the method as described in any one of claims 4-7, or includes the apparatus as described in claim 8.

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