A detergent automatic dispensing method and a washing machine

Abstract

The application discloses a detergent automatic feeding method, and belongs to the technical field of household appliances. The method comprises the steps of installing a detergent box, reversely operating a negative pressure generating device, and forwardly operating the negative pressure generating device. The pressure in the detergent box is increased by reversely operating the negative pressure generating device, so that the detergent in the detergent box flows into a detection device quickly. Then, the detergent in the detection device is pumped into a washing drum by forwardly operating the negative pressure generating device. Through the above steps, the detergent can flow into the detection device quickly, and the user can use conveniently. When the laundry treatment agent in the detergent box is used up, the detection device can automatically alarm after detection, so as to remind the user to replace the detergent box. The application also relates to a washing machine for executing the above-mentioned detergent automatic feeding method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of household appliances, and in particular to a method for automatically dispensing detergent and a washing machine for executing the method. Background Art

[0002] Washing machines, as cleaning devices, are essential to people's daily lives. Washing machines are equipped with a detergent box for storing detergent and softener. Before each wash cycle, the required amount of detergent and softener must be manually added to the box, a cumbersome process. Currently, washing machines are available with detergent boxes that facilitate loading and unloading, allowing for multiple washes with a single box, eliminating the need for frequent refills.

[0003] The detergent in the detergent box first flows by gravity into the detection device and then enters the washing machine through the negative pressure device. When the detergent in the detergent box is used up, the detection device reminds the user to replace the detergent box. The existing detergent flow rate is slow, and it takes a long time to fill the detection device, which affects user use. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a method for automatically dispensing detergent into a detergent rapid inflow detection device.

[0005] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, a second object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine with a detergent rapid inflow detection device.

[0006] One of the purposes of the present invention is achieved by the following technical solution:

[0007] A method for automatically dispensing detergent comprises the following steps:

[0008] Install the detergent box: Install the detergent box into the washing machine;

[0009] The negative pressure generating device works in reverse: the negative pressure generating device is controlled to work in reverse to inflate the detergent box to increase the pressure in the detergent box so that the detergent quickly flows from the detergent box into the detection device;

[0010] The negative pressure generating device works in the forward direction: the negative pressure generating device is controlled to work in the forward direction to pump the detergent in the detection device into the washing tub.

[0011] Furthermore, before the step of reverse operation of the negative pressure generating device, a step of sensing the installation of the detergent box is included, specifically: the sensor senses the installation of the detergent box and sends a signal to the controller, and the controller controls the negative pressure generating device to work in reverse.

[0012] Furthermore, in the reverse working step of the negative pressure generating device, the duration of the reverse working of the negative pressure generating device is determined according to the flow rate of the negative pressure generating device when working in the reverse direction, the volume of the detergent box and the volume of the detection device.

[0013] Furthermore, in the reverse working step of the negative pressure generating device, an air pressure sensor is installed in the negative pressure generating device to sense the pressure in the negative pressure generating device, and the reverse working time of the negative pressure generating device is controlled according to the preset pressure.

[0014] Furthermore, the automatic detergent dispensing method also includes a step of prompting the user to replace the detergent box, specifically: detecting whether there is detergent inside the detection device, and when there is no detergent inside the detection device, prompting the user that the detergent in the detergent box is exhausted and the detergent box needs to be replaced.

[0015] Furthermore, a liquid level detector is provided in the detection device, and the liquid level detector detects the height of the liquid level in the detection device to determine whether the detergent in the detergent box is exhausted.

[0016] Furthermore, the detergent box is a sealed structure and is connected to the negative pressure generating device only through the detection device.

[0017] Furthermore, in the step of installing the detergent box, the detergent box is arranged at an angle.

[0018] Furthermore, in the step of installing the detergent box, the detergent box is plugged into the detection device. When the detergent box is plugged into the detection device, the detergent box is communicated with the detection device.

[0019] The second object of the present invention is achieved by adopting the following technical solution:

[0020] A washing machine adopts any one of the above-mentioned automatic detergent dispensing methods to dispense detergent.

[0021] Compared with the existing technology, the automatic detergent dispensing method of the present invention controls the negative pressure generating device to work in reverse first to increase the pressure in the detergent box so that the detergent quickly flows from the detergent box to the detection device, and then controls the negative pressure generating device to work forward to pump the detergent in the detection device into the washing drum. Through the above steps, the detergent quickly flows into the detection device, which is convenient for users to use; when the clothes treatment agent in the detergent box is used up, the detection device will automatically alarm after detection, reminding the user to replace the detergent box. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of an automatic detergent dispensing device corresponding to the automatic detergent dispensing method of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2for Figure 1 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of an automatic detergent dispensing device;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 An exploded view of the detergent box of the automatic dispensing device;

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a detection device of an automatic delivery device;

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 4 An exploded view of the detection device;

[0027] Figure 6 for Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a detection device;

[0028] Figure 7 A perspective view of an automatic detergent dispensing device installed on a washing machine;

[0029] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of a washing machine;

[0030] Figure 9 The figure is a flow chart of the automatic detergent dispensing method of the present invention.

[0031] In the figure: 10, detergent box; 11, box body; 111, liquid outlet; 112, storage chamber; 13, liquid blocking assembly; 130, elastic member; 131, sealing ring; 132, sealing rod; 133, mounting member; 14, locking portion; 20, detection device; 21, push rod; 22, main body; 221, mounting hole; 223, mounting surface; 224, outer surface; 225, liquid inlet chamber; 226, detection chamber; 23, sealing member; 24, detection member; 27, liquid outlet pipe; 30, negative pressure generating device; 40, shell; 50, door; 60, frame; 70, depression; 80, washing drum. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" another component, it may be directly on the other component or there may be another intermediate component through which it is fixed. When a component is considered to be "connected to" another component, it may be directly connected to the other component or there may be another intermediate component at the same time. When a component is considered to be "set on" another component, it may be directly set on the other component or there may be another intermediate component at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms used in this specification of the present invention are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0035] Figure 1 The automatic detergent dispensing device for implementing the automatic detergent dispensing method of the present invention includes a detergent box 10 , a detection device 20 and a negative pressure generating device 30 .

[0036] Please continue reading Figure 2 and Figure 3 The detergent box 10 includes a box body 11 , a liquid blocking assembly 13 and a locking portion 14 .

[0037] The box body 11 is hollow and defines a storage cavity 112. Storage cavity 112 is used to store laundry treatment agent. The box body 11 also has a liquid outlet 111 located at the bottom of the box body 11. The box body 11 is a sealed structure and communicates with the detection device 20 only through the liquid outlet 111 when in use.

[0038] The liquid blocking assembly 13 includes an elastic member 130, a sealing ring 131, a sealing rod 132 and a mounting member 133. The mounting member 133 is fixed to the liquid outlet 111, and the elastic member 130 is sleeved on the sealing rod 132. The sealing ring 131 is mounted on the bottom of the sealing rod 132. The sealing rod 132 is located in a receiving portion of the box body 11 and can move along the receiving portion, and the end of the receiving portion is the liquid outlet 111. When the detergent box 10 is not plugged into the detection device 20, the end of the sealing rod 132 blocks the liquid outlet 111, sealing the detergent box 10. When the detergent box 10 is plugged into the detection device 20, the push rod 21 contacts the sealing rod 132, the sealing rod 132 moves, and the elastic member 130 is compressed and deformed. At this time, the end of the sealing rod 132 is separated from the liquid outlet 111, and the clothes treating agent in the storage cavity 112 can flow out. Specifically, the elastic member 130 is a spring.

[0039] The locking portion 14 extends from the bottom of the box body 11. When the detergent box 10 is plugged into the detection device 20, the locking portion 14 is locked with other components of the washing machine to fix the position of the detergent box 10. Specifically, the locking portion 14 is a protrusion.

[0040] Please continue reading Figure 2 and Figures 4 to 6 The detection device 20 includes a push rod 21, a main body 22, a sealing member 23, a detection member 24 and a liquid outlet pipe 27.

[0041] The top rod 21 is hollow, forming a flow channel for the laundry treatment agent. The top rod 21 is attached to the main body 22 via a seal 23, which prevents leakage between the main body 22 and the top rod 21. The top rod 21 is tilted to facilitate insertion of the detergent box 10 and allow it to be positioned on the front of the washing machine, creating both aesthetic appeal and ease of use.

[0042] The main body 22 is provided with a mounting hole 221, a mounting surface 223, and an outer surface 224. The mounting surface 223 and the outer surface 224 are arranged opposite each other and are inclined. A liquid inlet cavity 225 is formed between the mounting surface 223 and the outer surface 224. The liquid inlet cavity 225 has a conical shape, which not only allows the insertion of the ejector rod 21 but also helps reduce the volume of the liquid inlet cavity 225, thereby facilitating miniaturization of the washing machine.

[0043] The push rod 21 is mounted perpendicularly to the mounting surface 223. Since the mounting surface 223 is tilted, the push rod 21 is also tilted, facilitating insertion of the detergent box 10. Furthermore, the vertical mounting of the push rod 21 to the mounting surface 223 provides a more stable installation and more evenly distributes force during insertion, making it less likely to break. The main body 22 also includes a detection chamber 226, which communicates with the liquid inlet chamber 225.

[0044] The sealing member 23 is installed between the top rod 21 and the mounting surface 223 to form a seal between the top rod 21 and the mounting surface 223 to prevent leakage of the laundry treatment agent.

[0045] The detection member 24 is installed in the installation hole 221 and extends into the detection cavity 226. The detection member 24 detects the liquid level height of the detection cavity 226. When the clothes treatment agent in the detergent box 10 is exhausted, the liquid level height of the detection cavity 226 changes, and the detection member 24 alarms to remind the user to replenish the clothes treatment agent.

[0046] The liquid outlet pipe 27 extends from the main body 22 and communicates with the detection chamber 226. The liquid outlet pipe 27 is connected to the negative pressure generating device 30, so that the clothes treating agent in the detection chamber 226 is pumped into the inner drum.

[0047] The negative pressure generating device 30 is a micro peristaltic pump. The outlet of the negative pressure generating device 30 is connected to a pipe of the washing machine's washing drum 80. While the negative pressure generating device 30 draws liquid from the detection device 20, it also pumps liquid into the washing machine's washing drum 80. The negative pressure generating device 30 is installed above the liquid level in the detection chamber 226 to prevent liquid in the detection chamber 226 from entering the negative pressure generating device 30. Using the negative pressure generating device 30 to dispense clothing treatment agent into the washing machine's washing drum 80 improves the accuracy of clothing treatment agent dispensing compared to manual dispensing, avoiding waste caused by excessive clothing treatment agent dispensing or poorly cleaned clothes caused by insufficient clothing treatment agent dispensing.

[0048] Please continue reading Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 The present application relates to a washing machine for performing an automatic detergent dispensing method, the washing machine comprising the above-mentioned automatic detergent dispensing device, a housing 40, a door 50, a frame 60, and a washing tub 80. The washing tub 80 is tiltedly arranged in the washing machine.

[0049] The detergent box 10 is located below the door 50 and is plugged into the housing 40. The detergent box 10 is generally arc-shaped, so that when the detergent box 10 is plugged into the housing 40, the end surface of the detergent box 10 is integrated with the housing 40, which is beautiful and elegant. The plugging direction of the detergent box 10 is the same as the tilt direction of the washing tub 80.

[0050] The automatic detergent dispensing device is positioned entirely below the washing drum 80. The frame 60 is provided with a recess 70, which provides space for the automatic detergent dispensing device. This positioning reduces the space occupied by the automatic detergent dispensing device in the washing machine, contributing to the miniaturization of the washing machine. During use, the laundry treatment agent first flows downward along the automatic detergent dispensing device under the influence of gravity, and is then pumped upward into the washing drum 80 by the negative pressure generating device 30.

[0051] Please continue reading Figure 9 The automatic detergent dispensing method implemented based on the above-mentioned automatic detergent dispensing device includes the following steps:

[0052] Installing the Detergent Box 10: The detergent box 10 is filled with laundry treatment agent. The end of the sealing rod 132 blocks the liquid outlet 111, sealing the detergent box 10. Insert the detergent box 10 into the washing machine, and the locking portion 14 locks the detergent box 10. The top rod 21 of the detection device 20 then contacts the sealing rod 132, causing it to move and compress and deform the elastic member 130. The end of the sealing rod 132 then separates from the liquid outlet 111, allowing the laundry treatment agent in the storage chamber 112 to flow along the top rod 21 into the detection chamber 226 of the detection device 20.

[0053] Sensing the installation of the detergent box 10: The sensor senses the installation of the detergent box 10 and sends a signal to the controller.

[0054] Reverse Operation of Negative Pressure Generator 30: Controlling the reverse operation of the negative pressure generator 30 to inflate air into the detergent box 10, increasing the pressure within the detergent box 10 and rapidly flowing detergent from the detergent box 10 into the detection device 20. The duration of the reverse operation of the negative pressure generator 30 is determined by the flow rate during the reverse operation of the negative pressure generator 30, the volume of the detergent box 10, and the volume of the detection device 20. Alternatively, an air pressure sensor can be installed within the negative pressure generator 30 to sense the pressure within the negative pressure generator 30 and control the duration of the reverse operation of the negative pressure generator 30 based on a preset pressure.

[0055] The negative pressure generating device 30 works in the forward direction: the negative pressure generating device 30 is controlled to work in the forward direction to pump the detergent in the detection device 20 into the washing tub 80 .

[0056] Prompt to Replace Detergent Box 10: During use, detection element 24 monitors the liquid level in detection chamber 226. When the laundry treatment agent in detergent box 10 is depleted, the liquid level in detection chamber 226 changes, and detection element 24 sounds an alarm to remind the user that detergent box 10 is exhausted and needs to be replaced. To refill the laundry treatment agent, the user simply removes the used detergent box 10 and inserts a new one. The laundry treatment agent in detergent box 10 can be used for multiple washing cycles, eliminating the need to refill the washing machine with laundry treatment agent each time, reducing the number of steps and making operation simple and convenient.

[0057] The automatic detergent dispensing method of the present invention controls the negative pressure generating device 30 to first work in the reverse direction to increase the pressure in the detergent box 10 so that the detergent quickly flows from the detergent box 10 into the detection device 20, and then controls the negative pressure generating device 30 to work in the forward direction to pump the detergent in the detection device 20 into the washing drum 80. Through the above steps, the detergent quickly flows into the detection device 20, which is convenient for the user to use; when the clothes treatment agent in the detergent box 10 is used up, the detection device 20 will automatically alarm after detection, reminding the user to replace the detergent box 10.

[0058] The above embodiments merely illustrate several implementations of the present invention, and while their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patented invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art would be able to make numerous variations and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present invention. These variations and improvements are equivalent modifications and improvements to the above embodiments based on the essential technology of the present invention and fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for automatically dispensing detergent, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Installing the detergent box: installing the detergent box to the washing machine; wherein the detergent box is plugged into the detection device, and when the detergent box is plugged into the detection device, the detergent box and the detection device are communicated; The negative pressure generating device works in reverse: the negative pressure generating device is controlled to work in reverse to inflate the detergent box to increase the pressure in the detergent box so that the detergent quickly flows from the detergent box into the detection device; The negative pressure generating device works in the forward direction: the negative pressure generating device is controlled to work in the forward direction to pump the detergent in the detection device into the washing drum; Wherein, the detergent box is a sealed structure and is connected to the negative pressure generating device only through the detection device; the installation position of the negative pressure generating device is higher than the liquid level in the detection cavity corresponding to the liquid level detector.

2. The automatic detergent dispensing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Before the negative pressure generating device reverse working step, it also includes a detergent box installation sensing step, specifically: the sensor senses the installation of the detergent box and sends a signal to the controller, and the controller controls the negative pressure generating device to reverse work.

3. The automatic detergent dispensing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the reverse working step of the negative pressure generating device, the duration of the reverse working of the negative pressure generating device is determined according to the flow rate of the negative pressure generating device during reverse working, the volume of the detergent box and the volume of the detection device.

4. The automatic detergent dispensing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the reverse working step of the negative pressure generating device, an air pressure sensor is installed in the negative pressure generating device to sense the pressure in the negative pressure generating device, and the reverse working time of the negative pressure generating device is controlled according to the preset pressure.

5. The automatic detergent dispensing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The automatic detergent dispensing method further includes a step of prompting a replacement of the detergent box, specifically: detecting whether the detection device contains detergent, and when there is no detergent in the detection device, prompting the user that the detergent in the detergent box is exhausted and the detergent box needs to be replaced.

6. The automatic detergent dispensing method according to claim 5, characterized in that: A liquid level detector is provided in the detection device, and the liquid level detector detects the height of the liquid level in the detection device to determine whether the detergent in the detergent box is exhausted.

7. The automatic detergent dispensing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the step of installing the detergent box, the detergent box is arranged at an incline.

8. A washing machine, characterized in that: Detergent is dispensed using the automatic detergent dispensing method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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