Drainage control method of washing machine under water leakage fault and washing machine
By installing a water flow sensor and detecting the power of the water pump drive motor in the water inlet channel of the cleaning machine, the cause of water leakage can be intelligently determined, solving the problem that the cause of water leakage cannot be distinguished in the existing technology. This achieves appropriate drainage control, protects the life of the drain valve, and improves the user experience.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NINGBO FOTILE KITCHEN WARE CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing cleaning machines cannot intelligently determine the cause of water leakage when a leak occurs, resulting in an inability to perform proper drainage control, which affects the lifespan of the inlet and outlet valves and the user experience.
A water flow sensor is installed in the water inlet channel. Combined with the power detection of the water pump drive motor, the cause of leakage is determined through logic design. This enables timely drainage when the water inlet valve leaks and avoids prolonged drainage when there is no leakage from the water inlet valve, thus protecting the life of the drain valve.
It enables differentiated drainage control based on the cause of leakage, ensuring timely drainage, protecting the lifespan of the drain valve, and improving the user experience.
Smart Images
Figure CN117338210B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a drainage control method for a cleaning machine in the event of a water leakage fault, and a cleaning machine using the drainage control method. Background Technology
[0002] Washing machines are used in kitchens to clean tableware, fruits, and vegetables. Existing washing machines generally include a body containing a washing chamber with a water inlet and a drain outlet. A water inlet channel connected to the water inlet is located on the body, containing a water inlet valve. A drain valve connected to the drain outlet is also located on the body. The washing chamber contains a water pump assembly and a spray arm connected to the water pump assembly. A water pump drive motor connected to the water pump assembly is also located on the body. A leak alarm microswitch is located on the bottom cover of the body. When the leak alarm microswitch is triggered, the machine displays a fault code and starts the drain valve to drain once at a preset time or continuously drains water. When a water leak occurs, the drawback of activating the drain valve once at a preset time is that if the inlet valve of the cleaning machine malfunctions, i.e., the inlet valve continuously supplies water, then simply activating the drain valve once at the preset time is far from sufficient. The drawback of continuously activating the drain valve for uninterrupted drainage is that if the water leak is not caused by a malfunction of the inlet valve, the drain valve's prolonged openness will significantly impact its lifespan, and users will also have to endure the prolonged noise from the drain valve. Therefore, the existing technology needs further improvement. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a drainage control method for a cleaning machine under water leakage fault, which is in contrast to the above-mentioned prior art. This drainage control method can intelligently determine whether the water leakage generated by the cleaning machine is caused by a failure of the water inlet valve or by water leakage from other parts during the cleaning process, and perform different drainage control according to different situations.
[0004] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a cleaning machine that can intelligently determine whether a water leak is caused by a malfunction of the inlet valve or by leakage of other parts during the cleaning process, and perform different drainage control according to different situations.
[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the first technical problem mentioned above is as follows: a drainage control method for a cleaning machine under leakage fault, wherein the cleaning machine includes a body with a washing chamber inside, an inlet and a outlet communicating with the washing chamber on the body, an inlet channel communicating with the inlet on the body, an inlet valve in the inlet channel, a drain valve communicating with the outlet on the body, a water pump assembly and a spray arm communicating with the water pump assembly in the washing chamber, a water pump drive motor connected to the water pump assembly on the body; a bottom cover is connected to the bottom of the body, and a leakage alarm micro switch is provided on the bottom cover, characterized in that: a water flow sensor is set in the inlet channel behind the inlet valve, and when the leakage alarm micro switch is triggered, drainage control is performed through the following steps:
[0006] Step 1: Start the drain valve to drain once within the preset time, then close it and proceed to Step 2;
[0007] Step 2: Check if the water flow sensor detects a water flow signal. If yes, count and tally the water flow detected by the water flow sensor, then proceed to Step 3; otherwise, proceed to Step 8.
[0008] Step 3: Determine whether the water flow signal detected by the water flow sensor within A minutes is greater than a. If yes, proceed to step 6; otherwise, proceed to step 5. A and a are preset constants.
[0009] Step 5: Assign the cumulative water flow value detected by the water flow sensor to b, and then determine whether b is greater than a. If yes, proceed to step 6; otherwise, return to step 5.
[0010] Step 6: If the water pump drive motor is not started, start the water pump drive motor first, then collect the current power of the water pump drive motor, and determine whether the current power of the water pump drive motor is greater than X. If yes, start the drain valve to drain once after a preset time and then close it, clear the water flow count value detected by the water flow sensor to zero, and then return to step 2; if no, restart the water pump drive motor c times, and then proceed to step 7; X and c are preset constants.
[0011] Step 7: Collect the current power of the water pump drive motor and determine whether the current power of the water pump drive motor is greater than X. If yes, return to step 1; if no, restart the water flow sensor c times, clear the water flow count value detected by the water flow sensor to zero, and then return to step 2.
[0012] Step 8: If the water pump drive motor is not started, start the water pump drive motor first, then collect the current power of the water pump drive motor, and determine whether the current power of the water pump drive motor is greater than X. If yes, start the drain valve to drain once after a preset time, then close it, clear the water flow count value detected by the water flow sensor to zero, and then return to step 2; if no, wait for A minutes, clear the water flow count value detected by the water flow sensor to zero, and then return to step 2.
[0013] The water flow sensor is a Hall effect flow sensor, an electromagnetic flow sensor, a capacitive flow sensor, or a piezoelectric flow sensor.
[0014] The duration of A is 1.5 to 1.8 minutes.
[0015] The value of 'a' is 4L to 5L.
[0016] X is 23W to 28W.
[0017] The number c is 2 to 5 times.
[0018] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the second technical problem mentioned above is as follows: a cleaning machine, comprising a body having a washing chamber inside, an inlet and a outlet communicating with the washing chamber, an inlet channel communicating with the inlet, an inlet valve in the inlet channel, a outlet valve communicating with the outlet, a water pump assembly and a spray arm communicating with the water pump assembly in the washing chamber, a water pump drive motor connected to the water pump assembly on the body; a bottom cover connected to the bottom of the body, and a leakage alarm micro switch on the bottom cover, characterized in that: a water flow sensor is installed in the inlet channel behind the inlet valve, and when the leakage alarm micro switch is triggered, the cleaning machine uses the above-mentioned drainage control method for drainage control.
[0019] As an improvement, the water inlet is located on the side of the machine body, and the drain outlet is located on the bottom of the machine body.
[0020] In a further improvement, the machine body has an opening that communicates with the washing chamber, with the opening facing upwards or forwards.
[0021] In a further improvement, the machine body is equipped with an electronic control board, and the water flow sensor, leakage alarm micro switch, water pump drive motor, inlet valve and drain valve are all electrically connected to the electronic control board. The electronic control board runs a computer control program for the drainage control method as described in claim 1.
[0022] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: by performing dual detection of water flow in the water inlet channel and output power of water pump drive motor, and by using logic design to determine whether the water leakage is caused by the water inlet valve or by leakage of parts during the cleaning process, the drain valve can be activated when water is directly flowing through the water inlet valve, and the drain valve will not be activated when water is not directly flowing through the non-water inlet valve. This not only ensures timely discharge of leaks, but also ensures the service life of the drain valve. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning machine in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0024] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0025] like Figure 1 The washing machine shown includes a body 1 with a washing chamber inside. The body 1 has a water inlet 11 and a drain outlet 12 communicating with the washing chamber. An opening 13 communicating with the washing chamber is also formed on the body. The water inlet 11 is located on the side of the body, the drain outlet 12 is located on the lower side of the body, and the opening 13 is located on the front side of the body. A water inlet channel communicating with the water inlet is connected to the body 1, and a water inlet valve 14 is installed in the water inlet channel. A drain valve (not shown in the figure) communicating with the drain outlet is also provided on the body 1. A water pump assembly 2 and a spray arm 3 communicating with the water pump assembly are provided inside the washing chamber. A water pump drive motor (not shown in the figure) connected to the water pump assembly is connected to the body. A bottom cover 5 is connected to the bottom of the body. The water pump drive motor is located in the gap formed between the bottom cover and the bottom of the body. A leakage alarm microswitch (not shown in the figure) is installed on the bottom cover. A water flow sensor 15 is installed in the water inlet channel behind the water inlet valve. The water flow sensor can be a Hall effect flow sensor, an electromagnetic flow sensor, a capacitive flow sensor, or a piezoelectric flow sensor. The machine body is equipped with an electronic control board. The water flow sensor, leakage alarm micro switch, water pump drive motor, inlet valve and drain valve are all electrically connected to the electronic control board. The electronic control board runs a computer control program for drainage control methods.
[0026] When the leak alarm micro switch is triggered, the above drainage control method specifically includes the following steps:
[0027] Step 1: Start the drain valve and drain once for a preset time, then close it. The preset time can be 30s to 50s, preferably 45s; then proceed to Step 2.
[0028] Step 2: Check if the water flow sensor detects a water flow signal. If yes, count and tally the water flow detected by the water flow sensor, then proceed to Step 3; otherwise, proceed to Step 8.
[0029] Step 3: Determine whether the water flow signal detected by the water flow sensor within A minutes is greater than a. If yes, proceed to step 6; otherwise, proceed to step 5. A and a are preset constants. A is the time required for water to enter the normal cleaning volume at 0.24MPa. When the normal cleaning volume is 4.3L and the water flow rate is 2.5L / min, A is 1.72min and a = 4.3L.
[0030] Step 5: Assign the cumulative water flow value detected by the water flow sensor to b, and then determine whether b is greater than a. If yes, proceed to step 6; otherwise, return to step 5.
[0031] Step 6: If the water pump drive motor is not started, start the water pump drive motor first, then collect the current power of the water pump drive motor, and determine whether the current power of the water pump drive motor is greater than X. If yes, start the drain valve to drain once after a preset time, then close it, clear the water flow count value detected by the water flow sensor to zero, and then return to step 2; if no, restart the water pump drive motor c times, and then proceed to step 7; X and c are preset constants, where X is the power value that the water pump drive motor can stably output under the minimum water volume. When a = 4.3L, X = 24W, and c = 3 times;
[0032] Step 7: Collect the current power of the water pump drive motor and determine whether the current power of the water pump drive motor is greater than X. If yes, return to step 1; if no, restart the water flow sensor c times, clear the water flow count value detected by the water flow sensor to zero, and then return to step 2.
[0033] Step 8: If the water pump drive motor is not started, start the water pump drive motor first, then collect the current power of the water pump drive motor, and determine whether the current power of the water pump drive motor is greater than X. If yes, start the drain valve to drain once after a preset time, then close it, clear the water flow count value detected by the water flow sensor to zero, and then return to step 2; if no, wait for A minutes, clear the water flow count value detected by the water flow sensor to zero, and then return to step 2.
[0034] The principle of the above drainage control method is as follows: when the cleaning machine leaks water, it triggers the water leakage alarm micro switch at the bottom cover. The control board then starts to monitor whether the water flow sensor outputs a pulse, that is, to detect whether the water flow sensor detects a water flow signal.
[0035] When the water flow sensor detects a water flow signal, it may indicate a malfunction in the inlet valve (continuous water intake). In this case, the water flow detected by the sensor is counted. If the water flow within A (1.72) minutes is ≤ a (4.3L), it indicates a low water intake. The accumulated water flow count is set to b. After multiple cycles, when b > a (4.3L), the current power of the water pump drive motor is used to determine if there is actually water in the washing chamber, thus eliminating the influence of a malfunctioning water flow sensor. When the current power of the water pump drive motor is > X (25W), the water flow is used to determine if there is water in the washing chamber. The dual results of the sensor and the current power of the water pump drive motor indicate that the inlet valve is directly flowing water. In this case, the drain valve drains once, the water flow count is reset to zero, and the cycle is restarted. When the motor power is ≤X (25W), the water pump drive motor may be faulty. In this case, the water pump drive motor is restarted three times, and the current power of the water pump drive motor is judged again to avoid the influence of the water pump drive motor failure. If the power of the water pump drive motor is still <X (25W), it is judged that the water flow sensor is faulty, and the inlet valve is not continuously open and there is no direct water flow. The water flow sensor is restarted three times, and the cycle is restarted.
[0036] If the water flow sensor does not detect a water flow signal, determine if the current power of the water pump drive motor is greater than X (25W). If it is greater than X (25W), the water flow sensor may be malfunctioning. In reality, the inlet valve is continuously open, allowing water to flow directly. At this time, the drain valve opens to drain water once, and the cycle continues to be checked. If the motor power is less than or equal to X (25W), there are two possibilities: 1. Other components are leaking water during cleaning, which is not the direct flow of water when the inlet valve is continuously open; 2. The water inflow is extremely small and cannot trigger the water flow sensor. Wait for A minutes, check the water flow sensor status again, and enter the cycle. When the water flow is large enough that the motor power is greater than X (25W), drain water once and continue the cycle.
[0037] The above drainage control method can not only ensure that leaks are discharged in a timely manner, but also ensure the service life of the drain valve.
Claims
1. A drainage control method for a cleaning machine under leakage fault, wherein the cleaning machine includes a body with a washing chamber inside, a water inlet and a drain outlet communicating with the washing chamber, a water inlet channel communicating with the water inlet connected to the body, a water inlet valve provided in the water inlet channel, a drain valve communicating with the drain outlet provided on the body, a water pump assembly and a spray arm communicating with the water pump assembly provided in the washing chamber, a water pump drive motor connected to the water pump assembly connected to the body; a bottom cover is connected to the bottom of the body, and a leakage alarm micro switch is provided on the bottom cover, characterized in that: A water flow sensor is installed in the water inlet channel behind the water inlet valve. When the leakage alarm micro switch is triggered, drainage is controlled through the following steps: Step 1: Start the drain valve to drain once within the preset time, then close it and proceed to Step 2; Step 2: Check if the water flow sensor detects a water flow signal. If yes, count and tally the water flow detected by the water flow sensor, then proceed to Step 3; otherwise, proceed to Step 8. Step 3: Determine whether the water flow signal detected by the water flow sensor within A minutes is greater than a. If yes, proceed to step 6; otherwise, proceed to step 5. A and a are preset constants. Step 5: Assign the cumulative water flow value detected by the water flow sensor to b, and then determine whether b is greater than a. If yes, proceed to step 6; otherwise, return to step 5. Step 6: If the water pump drive motor is not started, start the water pump drive motor first, then collect the current power of the water pump drive motor, and determine whether the current power of the water pump drive motor is greater than X. If yes, start the drain valve to drain once after a preset time and then close it, clear the water flow count value detected by the water flow sensor to zero, and then return to step 2; if no, restart the water pump drive motor c times, and then proceed to step 7; X and c are preset constants. Step 7: Collect the current power of the water pump drive motor and determine whether the current power of the water pump drive motor is greater than X. If yes, return to step 1; if no, restart the water flow sensor c times, clear the water flow count value detected by the water flow sensor to zero, and then return to step 2. Step 8: If the water pump drive motor is not started, start the water pump drive motor first, then collect the current power of the water pump drive motor, and determine whether the current power of the water pump drive motor is greater than X. If yes, start the drain valve to drain once after a preset time, then close it, clear the water flow count value detected by the water flow sensor to zero, and then return to step 2; if no, wait for A minutes, clear the water flow count value detected by the water flow sensor to zero, and then return to step 2.
2. The drainage control method for a cleaning machine under leakage fault according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water flow sensor is a Hall effect flow sensor, an electromagnetic flow sensor, a capacitive flow sensor, or a piezoelectric flow sensor.
3. The drainage control method for a cleaning machine under leakage fault according to claim 1, characterized in that: The value of A is 1.5 to 1.
8.
4. The drainage control method for a cleaning machine under leakage fault according to claim 1, characterized in that: The value of 'a' is 4L to 5L.
5. The drainage control method for a cleaning machine under leakage fault according to claim 1, characterized in that: X is 23W to 28W.
6. The drainage control method for a cleaning machine under leakage fault according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number c is 2 to 5 times.
7. A cleaning machine, comprising a body having a washing chamber inside, a water inlet and a drain outlet communicating with the washing chamber, a water inlet channel communicating with the water inlet connected to the body, a water inlet valve provided in the water inlet channel, a drain valve communicating with the drain outlet provided on the body, a water pump assembly and a spray arm communicating with the water pump assembly provided inside the washing chamber, a water pump drive motor connected to the water pump assembly connected to the body; a bottom cover connected to the bottom of the body, and a leakage alarm micro switch provided on the bottom cover, characterized in that: A water flow sensor is installed in the water inlet channel behind the water inlet valve. When the water leakage alarm micro switch is triggered, the cleaning machine uses the drainage control method as described in claim 1 to control drainage.
8. The cleaning machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The water inlet is located on the side of the machine body, and the drain outlet is located on the bottom of the machine body.
9. The cleaning machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The machine body has an opening that communicates with the washing chamber, and the opening is set facing upward or forward.
10. The cleaning machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The machine body is equipped with an electronic control board. The water flow sensor, the water leakage alarm micro switch, the water pump drive motor, the water inlet valve and the drain valve are all electrically connected to the electronic control board. The electronic control board runs a computer control program for the drainage control method as described in claim 1.