Cleaning methods for range hood cleaning systems

Abstract

This invention provides a cleaning method for a range hood cleaning system, belonging to the field of kitchen appliances. The cleaning method includes: detecting the water level in the water tank; turning on the inlet pump to draw water into the tank when the water level has not reached a preset high level; turning off the inlet pump when the water level reaches the preset high level; introducing water from the tank into the heater, turning on the heating element while keeping the drain pump off to heat the water in the heater; turning off the heating element and introducing hot water into the range hood for cleaning when the water temperature probe detects that the water temperature has reached a preset temperature value; turning off the drain pump when the water level in the tank is detected to be lower than a preset low level; and repeating the above steps until the water in the storage tank is used up. This cleaning method can produce hot water for cleaning according to the water level, thus avoiding dry burning of the heating element, preventing scale buildup, significantly increasing the lifespan of the heater, and generating high-temperature, high-pressure hot water to clean the range hood.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of kitchen utensils, and in particular to a cleaning method for a range hood cleaning system. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of the times, kitchen hygiene has become increasingly important, and the ease of cleaning kitchen utensils has also received more and more attention.

[0003] Currently, there are range hoods on the market with easy-clean features, but most of them only use an easy-clean coating or a hot melt oil cleaning method. Very few range hoods have cold water cleaning or steam cleaning functions.

[0004] These range hoods all have drawbacks. For example, the easy-to-clean coating is prone to aging at high temperatures and may peel off after prolonged use; the hot melt oil only heats the volute, allowing the oil inside to flow down by gravity, but it cannot clean the impeller; cold water washing is limited by water pressure, only cleaning surface grease and not providing deep cleaning. They also cannot generate enough high-temperature, high-pressure hot water to prevent the heating element from dry-burning. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cleaning method for a range hood cleaning system. The cleaning method can produce hot water for cleaning according to the water level, which avoids the dry burning of the heating element, does not produce scale, greatly increases the service life of the heater, and can produce high-temperature and high-pressure hot water to clean the range hood.

[0006] To achieve the objectives of this invention, the following technical solution is adopted:

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a cleaning method for a range hood cleaning system is provided. The range hood cleaning system includes a heater, a water tank, a water storage tank, an inlet pump, a drain pump, a water temperature probe, a water level probe, and a controller. The heater is connected to the water tank, the water tank is connected to the water storage tank via the inlet pump, and the drain pump connects the heater to the range hood. The heater includes a heating element. The water temperature probe is located at the bottom of the heater, and the water level probe is located inside the water tank. The controller is electrically connected to the heater, the inlet pump, the drain pump, the water temperature probe, and the water level probe. The cleaning method includes: detecting… The water level in the water tank is adjusted as follows: when the water level has not reached the preset high water level, the inlet pump is turned on to draw water into the water tank, and when the water level reaches the preset high water level, the inlet pump is turned off; water from the water tank is introduced into the heater, the heating element is turned on, and the drain pump is turned off to heat the water in the heater; when the water temperature probe detects that the water temperature has reached the preset temperature value, the heating element is turned off and hot water is introduced into the range hood for cleaning; and when the water level in the water tank is detected to be lower than the preset low water level, the drain pump is turned off; and the above steps are repeated until the water in the water storage tank is used up.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of "until the water in the water storage tank is used up" includes: when the water inlet pump pumps water continuously for more than 10 seconds and the water level probe still does not detect that the water level has reached a low level, it is determined that the water in the water storage tank has been used up.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of introducing water from the water tank into the heater includes: placing the water tank on the upper part of the heater, wherein water in the water tank flows into the heater by gravity, and water in the heater cannot flow back into the water tank.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning method further includes: the water tank and the heater are connected by a hose so that there is always water at the bottom of the heater to prevent dry burning and scale formation.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water level probe includes a high water level probe and a low water level probe, wherein the high water level probe cooperates with the low water level probe to detect whether the water level in the water tank has reached a preset high water level or a preset low water level.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method of detecting the water level in the water tank includes: determining the water level status, performing water level detection using an interval detection mode, and activating a continuous detection mode when a change in the water level status is detected for the first time to determine that the change in the water level status is complete.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the determination of water level status, which employs an interval detection mode for water level detection and activates a continuous detection mode to determine the water level status change when a change in water level status is detected for the first time, includes: when the water level status is no water, when a water signal is detected for the first time, the continuous detection mode is activated, and water level status detection is performed once every 1 second; when a water signal is detected three times consecutively, the water level status is considered to be water, and the interval detection mode is activated again, and water level status detection is performed once every 3 seconds.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the determination of water level status, which involves using an interval detection mode to detect water level and activating a continuous detection mode to determine the completion of the water level status change when a change in water level status is detected for the first time, further includes: when the water level status is water present, if no water signal is detected for the first time, a continuous detection mode is activated, and water level status detection is performed once every 1 second; if no water signal is detected for three consecutive times, it is considered that the water level status is waterless, and the interval detection mode is activated again, and water level status detection is performed once every 3 seconds.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the detection of the water level in the water tank further includes: using a 1KHz pulsed voltage signal, outputting 10 cycles totaling 10ms each time as the detection time; the detection of preset high and low water levels is performed alternately, and the detection of preset low water level is stopped when the preset high water level is in a water state.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the range hood cleaning system further includes an air pressure balancing pipe, and the cleaning method further includes: adjusting the air pressure in the heater and the water tank to be consistent through the air pressure balancing pipe, so as to prevent the water level at the bottom of the heater from fluctuating with the water level in the water tank.

[0017] One embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages or beneficial effects:

[0018] The cleaning method for a range hood cleaning system described in this application can heat water to a preset temperature value, such as above 95°C, using a heating element.

[0019] This cleaning method uses an independent water tank and a water level probe to ensure that the heating element is always immersed in water during heating, preventing dry burning and scale formation, and significantly increasing the lifespan of the heater.

[0020] The cleaning system of this application has an air pressure balancing pipe, which keeps the water level stable by maintaining the air pressure in the water tank and the heater.

[0021] The cleaning method optimizes the water level detection algorithm, making the water level probe less prone to polarization.

[0022] The water temperature probe is located at the bottom of the heater. When the water at the bottom of the heater is drained, the temperature will exceed 100 degrees due to the residual heat of the heating tube. At this time, the water inlet pump is turned on to bring in water. The water will first run to the position of the temperature probe to cool the temperature probe in time. This can prevent the temperature probe from still being higher than 100 degrees when the water is full, which could lead to a false judgment that the temperature has been reached and the drain pump is turned on. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from a detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a cleaning method for a range hood cleaning system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a range hood cleaning system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0026] The reference numerals in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0027] 1. Heater; 11. Heating element; 12. Heater inlet; 13. Heater outlet; 2. Water tank; 21. Water tank inlet; 22. Water tank outlet; 3. Drain pump; 31. Pump inlet; 32. Pump outlet; 4. Water level probe; 41. High water level probe; 42. Low water level probe; 5. Water temperature probe; 6. Pressure balance pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that the invention will be thorough and complete, and the concept of the exemplary embodiments will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar structures, and therefore their detailed description will be omitted.

[0029] The terms “a,” “one,” “the,” and “the” are used to indicate the existence of one or more elements / components / etc.; the terms “including” and “having” are used to indicate an open-ended meaning of inclusion and that other elements / components / etc. may exist in addition to the listed elements / components / etc.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 2 As shown, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a cleaning method for a range hood cleaning system provided by the present invention is shown. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a range hood cleaning system provided by the present invention is shown.

[0031] This invention illustrates a cleaning method for a range hood cleaning system. The range hood cleaning system includes a heater 1, a water tank 2, a water storage tank, an inlet pump, a drain pump 3, a water level probe 4, a water temperature probe 5, and a controller. The heater 1 is connected to the water tank 2, and the water tank 2 is connected to the water storage tank via the inlet pump. The drain pump 3 connects the heater 1 to the range hood. The heater 1 includes a heating element 11. The water temperature probe 5 is located at the bottom of the heater 1, and the water level probe 4 is located inside the water tank 2. The controller is electrically connected to the heater 1, the inlet pump, the drain pump 3, the water temperature probe 5, and the water level probe 4. The cleaning method includes:

[0032] S1: Detect the water level in water tank 2, turn on the water inlet pump to draw water into water tank 2 when the water level has not reached the preset high water level, and turn off the water inlet pump when the water level is reached.

[0033] S2: Introduce water from water tank 2 into heater 1, turn on heating pipe 11 and keep drain pump 3 off to heat the water in heater 1;

[0034] S3: When the water temperature probe 5 detects that the water temperature has reached the preset temperature value, the heating element 11 is turned off and hot water is introduced into the range hood for cleaning; and

[0035] S4: When the water level in water tank 2 is detected to be lower than the preset low water level, the drain pump 3 is turned off; and

[0036] S5: Repeat the above steps until the water in the reservoir is used up.

[0037] Water tank 2 draws water from the storage tank by detecting the water level using a water level probe 4. Water enters tank 2 through inlet 21 via a water pump, and outlet 22 at the bottom of tank 2 connects to heater inlet 12 at the bottom of heater 1. Water from tank 2 flows sequentially through outlet 22 and heater inlet 12 to the bottom of tank 2. Heating elements 11 can be one, two, or more, and are submerged in water after water is introduced into heater 1. Water temperature probe 5 is also submerged. Heater outlet 13 is located on the bottom of heater 1 opposite heater inlet 12. Drain pump 3 has inlet 31 and outlet 32, connecting to heater 1 via inlet 31 and outlet 13. After hot water is introduced, it is delivered to the range hood via outlet 32. The cleaning process begins by heating the water to the designated temperature via the heating element 11 at the bottom of water tank 2. The high-temperature water is then guided by the drain pump 3 to the inner casing and impeller of the range hood for cleaning. The water reservoir contains a sufficient amount of water for one cleaning cycle; this repeated operation ensures the range hood is thoroughly cleaned.

[0038] Before drawing water from water tank 2 to heater 1, the water level in water tank 2 needs to be checked. Water is only drawn in when the preset high water level is reached. During this process, the inlet pump is turned on and the drain pump 3 is turned off. The preset high water level can be, for example, 50%, 70%, or 80% of the water volume in water tank 2. After the water from water tank 2 is introduced into heater 1, the water temperature probe 5 is immersed in the water to detect the water temperature. Then, the heating element 11 is turned on to heat the water at the bottom of heater 1 to generate hot water at a preset temperature value. The preset temperature value can be 95℃, 90℃, etc. Once the temperature is reached, the drain pump 3 is turned on to deliver the hot water to the range hood for cleaning. One cleaning session is not enough to completely clean the range hood. When the water level in water tank 2 falls below the preset low water level, the drain pump 3 is turned off, and the above cycle is repeated. This process continues until the water in the storage tank is used up, completing the cleaning operation.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process of waiting until the water in the water tank is used up includes: when the water pump continuously pumps water for more than 10 seconds and the water level probe 4 still does not detect that the water level has reached a low level, it is determined that the water in the water tank has been used up.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, by working together with the water level probe 4 and the water inlet pump, it is possible to detect whether the water in the water storage tank has been used up without human intervention.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, introducing water from water tank 2 into heater 1 includes: placing water tank 2 on the upper part of heater 1, water in water tank 2 flowing into heater 1 by gravity, and water in heater 1 not flowing back into water tank 2.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the height of water tank 2 is generally higher than that of heater 1. Meanwhile, the bottom of water tank 2 has a water outlet 22, which is flush with the heater inlet 12 of heater 1. This allows water in water tank 2 to flow into heater 1 by gravity, while preventing water in heater 1 from flowing back.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning method further includes connecting the water tank 2 and the heater 1 via a hose, so that there is always water at the bottom of the heater 1 to prevent dry burning and the formation of scale.

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, the water temperature in tank 2 is much lower than that in heater 1. Preferably, the heating element 11 is located at the bottom of heater 1, and the water introduced from tank 2 completely submerges the heating element 11 to prevent it from burning dry during operation, thus minimizing the formation of scale.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water level probe 4 includes a high water level probe 41 and a low water level probe 42. The high water level probe 41 and the low water level probe 42 cooperate to detect whether the water level in the water tank 2 has reached a preset high water level or a preset low water level.

[0046] The high-water-level probe 41 and the low-water-level probe 42 are connected by a common terminal probe. The principle of low-water-level detection is as follows: a pulsating voltage of the same frequency is input to the low-water-level probe 42, and the feedback signal on the common terminal probe is simultaneously detected. The presence of water at this location is determined based on the magnitude of the feedback signal voltage. Here, the water is treated as a resistor. If there is water between the low-water-level probe 42 and the high-water-level probe 41, the input pulsating voltage signal will pass through the water to the common terminal probe, and a voltage will be detected on the common terminal probe, indicating the presence of water. If there is no water between the low-water-level probe 42 and the high-water-level probe 41, the input pulsating voltage signal cannot pass through the common terminal probe, and no voltage will be detected, indicating the absence of water. The high-water-level detection method is similar.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, detecting the water level in water tank 2 includes: determining the water level status, performing water level detection using an interval detection mode, and activating a continuous detection mode when a change in the water level status is detected for the first time to confirm the completion of the water level status change. When the water level status is no water, upon the first detection of a water signal, the continuous detection mode is activated, performing a water level status detection every 1 second; after three consecutive detections of a water signal, the water level status is considered to be present, and the interval detection mode is activated again, performing a water level status detection every 3 seconds. When the water level status is present, if no water signal is detected for the first time, the continuous detection mode is activated, performing a water level status detection every 1 second; after three consecutive detections of no water signal, the water level status is considered to be no water, and the interval detection mode is activated again, performing a water level status detection every 3 seconds. A 1kHz pulsed voltage signal is used, with 10 cycles output each time, totaling 10ms, as the detection time; preset high and low water level detections are performed alternately, and the preset low water level detection is stopped when the preset high water level is in a water-containing state.

[0048] If a pulsating voltage is continuously applied to the water level probe 4, the current will constantly shift, causing polarization at both the cathode and anode. This leads to corrosion of the water level probe 4 and a decrease in detection accuracy after prolonged use. The rinsing phase during general cleaning does not exceed 3 minutes. Without the above method, continuous water level monitoring is required for 3 minutes. With the above method, an average of only 30 checks are performed per minute, totaling 90 checks in 3 minutes. Each check takes 10ms, for a total of 900ms. This optimizes the detection time from 3 minutes to less than 1 second, significantly reducing the polarization of the water level probe 4 and extending its service life.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the range hood cleaning system further includes an air pressure balancing pipe 6, and the cleaning method further includes: adjusting the air pressure in the heater 1 and the water tank 2 to be consistent through the air pressure balancing pipe 6, so as to prevent the water level at the bottom of the heater 1 from fluctuating with the water level in the water tank 2.

[0050] The pressure balancing pipe 6 is located at the connection between the water tank 2 and the heater 1. Without the pressure balancing pipe 6, the pressure inside the heater 1 would be higher than the standard atmospheric pressure. There is a high probability that the steam generated by the water heating would flow back into the water tank 2 from the heater inlet 12. This would cause the water level in the water tank 2 to fluctuate with the water level at the bottom of the heater 1, easily leading to dry burning of the heating element 11. With the pressure balancing pipe 6, the pressure in the heater 1 and the water tank 2 are consistent, preventing steam from flowing back into the water tank 2 from the heater inlet 12. The water level in the water tank 2 and the water level at the bottom of the heater 1 will also remain balanced. This further improves the accuracy of water level detection.

[0051] The cleaning method of the present invention for a range hood cleaning system can heat the water to a preset temperature value, such as above 95°C, by using the heating tube 11.

[0052] This cleaning method uses an independent water tank 2 and a water level probe 4 to ensure that the heating tube 11 is always immersed in water during heating, preventing dry burning and the formation of scale, thus greatly increasing the service life of the heater 1.

[0053] The cleaning system of this application has an air pressure balancing pipe 6, which keeps the water level stable by maintaining the air pressure of the water tank 2 and the heater 1.

[0054] The cleaning method optimizes the water level detection algorithm, making the water level probe 4 less prone to polarization.

[0055] The water temperature probe 5 is located at the bottom of the heater 1. When the water at the bottom of the heater 1 is drained, the temperature will exceed 100 degrees due to the residual heat of the heating tube 11. At this time, the water inlet pump is turned on to bring in water, and the water will first run to the position of the water temperature probe 5 to cool the water temperature probe 5 in time. This can prevent the situation where the temperature of the water temperature probe 5 is still higher than 100 degrees when the water is full, which may lead to a false judgment that the temperature has been reached and the drain pump 3 is turned on.

[0056] In this embodiment of the invention, the term "multiple" refers to two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined. The terms "install," "connect," and "fix" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connect" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this embodiment of the invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0057] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper" and "lower" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or unit referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention.

[0058] In the description of this specification, the terms "an embodiment," "a preferred embodiment," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0059] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the embodiments of the present invention can have various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the embodiments of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cleaning method for a range hood cleaning system, characterized in that, The range hood cleaning system includes a heater (1), a water tank (2), a water storage tank, an inlet pump, a drain pump (3), a water level probe (4), a water temperature probe (5), and a controller. The heater (1) is connected to the water tank (2), and the water tank (2) is connected to the water storage tank via the inlet pump. The drain pump (3) connects the heater (1) to the range hood. The heater (1) includes a heating element (11). The water temperature probe (5) is located at the bottom of the heater (1). The water level probe (4) is located inside the water tank (2). The controller is electrically connected to the heater (1), the inlet pump, the drain pump (3), the water temperature probe (5), and the water level probe (4). The cleaning method includes: The water level of the water tank (2) is detected. When the water level has not reached the preset high water level, the water inlet pump is turned on to draw water into the water tank (2), and the water inlet pump is turned off when the water level is reached. Water from the water tank (2) is introduced into the heater (1), the heating pipe (11) is turned on and the drain pump (3) is kept off to heat the water in the heater (1); When the water temperature probe (5) detects that the water temperature has reached the preset temperature value, the heating element (11) is turned off and hot water is introduced into the range hood for cleaning; and When the water level in the water tank (2) is detected to be lower than the preset low water level, the drain pump (3) is turned off; and Repeat the above steps until the water in the water tank is used up; The water level probe (4) includes a high water level probe (41) and a low water level probe (42). The high water level probe (41) and the low water level probe (42) work together to detect whether the water level in the water tank (2) has reached a preset high water level or a preset low water level. The detection of the water level in the water tank (2) includes: determining the water level status, using an interval detection mode to detect the water level, and starting a continuous detection mode when the water level status changes for the first time to determine the completion of the water level status change; The process of determining the water level status, which employs an interval detection mode for water level detection and initiates a continuous detection mode upon first detecting a change in the water level status, includes the following: When the water level is no water, the continuous detection mode is started when a water signal is detected for the first time, and the water level is detected once every 1 second; when a water signal is detected three times in a row, the water level is considered to be in water, and the interval detection mode is started again, and the water level is detected once every 3 seconds.

2. The cleaning method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The phrase "until the water in the water tank is used up" includes: when the water pump continuously pumps water for more than 10 seconds and the water level probe (4) still does not detect that the water level has reached a low level, it is determined that the water in the water tank has been used up.

3. The cleaning method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of introducing water from the water tank (2) into the heater (1) includes: placing the water tank (2) on the upper part of the heater (1), the water in the water tank (2) flowing into the heater (1) by gravity, and the water in the heater (1) not flowing back into the water tank (2).

4. The cleaning method according to claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: The water tank (2) is connected to the heater (1) by a hose so that there is always water at the bottom of the heater (1) to prevent dry burning and scale formation.

5. The cleaning method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process of determining the water level status, which involves using an interval detection mode for water level detection and activating a continuous detection mode when a change in the water level status is first detected, further includes: When the water level is in a state of having water, if no water signal is detected for the first time, a continuous detection mode is started, and the water level is detected once every 1 second; if no water signal is detected for 3 consecutive times, the water level is considered to be in a state of having no water, and the interval detection mode is started again, and the water level is detected once every 3 seconds.

6. The cleaning method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The detection of the water level in the water tank (2) also includes: using a 1KHz pulsed voltage signal, outputting 10 cycles for a total of 10ms as the detection time; The preset high and low water levels are detected alternately. The detection of the preset low water level stops when the preset high water level is in a water state.

7. The cleaning method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The range hood cleaning system also includes an air pressure balancing pipe (6), and the cleaning method further includes: adjusting the air pressure in the heater (1) and the water tank (2) to be consistent through the air pressure balancing pipe (6) to prevent the water level at the bottom of the heater (1) from fluctuating with the water level in the water tank (2).

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