Defoaming method and control device for washing machine and washing machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of defoaming technology, and more particularly to a defoaming method, control device, and washing machine for a washing machine. The washing machine includes an inner drum and a motor that drives the inner drum to rotate. The defoaming process includes N defoaming stages, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and each defoaming stage corresponds to a different spin speed. The defoaming method includes: in each defoaming stage, controlling the inner drum to rotate at a spin speed corresponding to the defoaming stage while maintaining an open drain valve; obtaining motor operating parameters while the inner drum rotates at the spin speed corresponding to the defoaming stage, and determining the quality of spray water and the progress of the defoaming process based on the motor operating parameters. The present invention can achieve a good defoaming effect, shorten the defoaming time, and improve the laundry cleaning effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of defoaming, and in particular to a defoaming method and a control device for a washing machine, and a washing machine. Background Art

[0002] In the daily washing process, the amount of detergent added has a great influence on the washing effect of clothes. If the amount of detergent added is too little, the clothes are difficult to wash clean. If the amount of detergent added is too much, it is easy to trigger the defoaming program, making it difficult to rinse clean. In the related art, when the washing machine runs the defoaming program, it usually sprays tap water on the clothes in the drum, and cooperates with high-speed dehydration to dissolve and eliminate the defoaming. However, since tap water contains a large amount of calcium and magnesium ions, it is easy to combine with the surfactants in the foam to form metal soap base, which condenses on the surface of the foam, making it difficult for the foam to break and eliminate, hindering the dissolution and elimination of the foam, reducing the effect of spraying defoaming, and leaving a large amount of foam and detergent in the clothes, resulting in poor defoaming effect and long defoaming time. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to overcome the problems of poor defoaming effect and long defoaming time in the related art, the first aspect of the present invention provides a defoaming method for a washing machine, wherein the washing machine includes an inner drum and a motor driving the inner drum to rotate. The defoaming process includes N defoaming stages, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and each defoaming stage corresponds to a different spin speed. The defoaming method includes:

[0004] In each defoaming stage, the inner drum is controlled to rotate at a dehydration speed corresponding to the defoaming stage while keeping the drain valve open;

[0005] The motor operating parameters are obtained during the process of the inner drum rotating at a dehydration speed corresponding to the defoaming stage, and the water quality of the spray water and the progress of the defoaming process are determined according to the motor operating parameters.

[0006] In some embodiments, during the execution of the nth defoaming stage, determining the quality of the spray water and the progress of the defoaming process according to the motor operating parameters includes:

[0007] When the motor operating parameter is less than or equal to the parameter determination value corresponding to the spin speed, performing a first spray defoaming treatment on the clothes and then ending the defoaming process;

[0008] When the motor operating parameter is greater than the parameter judgment value corresponding to the dehydration speed, the clothes are subjected to a second spray defoaming treatment and then enter the next defoaming stage;

[0009] Wherein: 1≤n<N, n is an integer, the spray water of the first spray defoaming treatment does not contain soft water, and the spray water of the second spray defoaming treatment at least contains soft water.

[0010] In some embodiments, in the first spray defoaming treatment and the second spray defoaming treatment in the nth defoaming stage, the inner drum is controlled to rotate at a spraying speed corresponding to the defoaming stage, and the spraying speed is less than the dehydration speed corresponding to the defoaming stage.

[0011] In some embodiments, the dehydration speed of the nth defoaming stage is smaller than the dehydration speed of the (n+1)th defoaming stage.

[0012] In some embodiments, the defoaming process includes a first m defoaming stage and a last t defoaming stage performed sequentially;

[0013] In the first m defoaming stages, controlling the first spray defoaming treatment and / or the second spray defoaming treatment to intermittently spray the clothes;

[0014] In the last t defoaming stages, controlling the first spraying defoaming treatment and / or the second spraying defoaming treatment to continuously spray the clothes;

[0015] Wherein: m+t=N-1, m is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and t is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0016] In some embodiments, when the Nth defoaming stage is executed, when the motor operating parameter is less than or equal to the parameter judgment value corresponding to the dehydration speed of the Nth defoaming stage, the defoaming process is ended;

[0017] When the motor operating parameter is greater than the parameter judgment value corresponding to the dehydration speed of the Nth defoaming stage, repeatedly performing the second spray defoaming process of the N-1th defoaming stage and then entering the Nth defoaming stage again;

[0018] The dehydration speed in the Nth defoaming stage is greater than the dehydration speed in the N-1th defoaming stage, and the dehydration speed in the Nth defoaming stage is greater than or equal to 600 revolutions.

[0019] In some embodiments, the defoaming method comprises:

[0020] During the defoaming process, keep the drain valve open and control the inner drum to remain stationary for a set time;

[0021] Executing a first defoaming stage, controlling the inner drum speed to increase to a first dehydration speed corresponding to the first defoaming stage, and obtaining motor operating parameters at the first dehydration speed;

[0022] When the motor operating parameter is less than or equal to the first parameter judgment value corresponding to the first dehydration speed, the inner drum is controlled to decelerate to the first spraying speed and the first type of spray water is intermittently sprayed on the inner drum, and then the defoaming process is ended; when the motor operating parameter is greater than the first parameter judgment value corresponding to the first dehydration speed, the inner drum is controlled to decelerate to the first spraying speed and the second type of spray water is intermittently sprayed on the inner drum, and then the next defoaming stage is entered;

[0023] Executing the second defoaming stage, controlling the inner drum speed to increase to a second dehydration speed corresponding to the second defoaming stage, and obtaining motor operating parameters at the second dehydration speed;

[0024] When the motor operating parameter is less than or equal to the second parameter judgment value corresponding to the second dehydration speed, the inner drum is controlled to decelerate to the second spraying speed and the first type of spray water is continuously sprayed onto the inner drum, and then the defoaming process is ended; when the motor operating parameter is greater than the second parameter judgment value corresponding to the second dehydration speed, the inner drum is controlled to decelerate to the second spraying speed and the second type of spray water is continuously sprayed onto the inner drum, and then the next defoaming stage is entered;

[0025] executing a third defoaming stage, controlling the inner drum speed to increase to a third dehydration speed corresponding to the third defoaming stage, and obtaining motor operating parameters at the third dehydration speed;

[0026] When the motor operating parameter is less than or equal to the third parameter determination value corresponding to the third spin speed, the defoaming process is terminated; when the motor operating parameter is greater than the third parameter determination value corresponding to the third spin speed, the inner drum is controlled to decelerate to the second spraying speed and the second type of spray water is continuously sprayed onto the inner drum, and the third defoaming stage is performed again;

[0027] Wherein: the first type of spray water does not contain soft water, the second type of spray water contains soft water, and the third dehydration speed is greater than or equal to 600 revolutions.

[0028] The second aspect of the present invention proposes a control device, which includes one or more processors and a non-temporary 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 defoaming method of any washing machine proposed in the first aspect of the present invention.

[0029] A third aspect of the present invention provides a washing machine, which operates according to any of the defoaming methods for washing machines provided in the first aspect of the present invention, or includes the control device provided in the second aspect of the present invention.

[0030] In some embodiments, the washing machine includes a water inlet, a washing part, and a softening part, a first water flow passage and a second water flow passage are provided between the water inlet and the washing part, and the softening part is provided in the first water flow passage;

[0031] The first water flow passage is controlled to be disconnected during the first spray defoaming process in each defoaming stage, and to be connected during the second spray defoaming process in each defoaming stage;

[0032] The second water flow passage is controlled to be open during the first spray defoaming process in each defoaming stage, and to be open during the second spray defoaming process in each defoaming stage.

[0033] The technical solution of the present invention can include the following beneficial effects: the present invention sprays and defoams the clothes in the inner drum at different dehydration speeds in multiple defoaming stages, detects the motor operating parameters respectively in each defoaming stage, and determines the water quality of the spray water in the spray defoaming process according to the motor operating parameters. At the same time, the progress of the defoaming process is also determined according to the motor operating parameters, thereby obtaining a better defoaming effect, shortening the defoaming time, and improving the clothing washing effect.

[0034] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0036] Figure 1 This is one of the flow charts showing a defoaming method for a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0037] Figure 2 This is a second flowchart of a defoaming method for a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0038] Figure 3 is a structural diagram of a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0039] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0040] 80. Softening unit; 1. Resin softening zone; 2. Regeneration salt reduction zone; 41. Water inlet; 42. First water flow path; 43. Second water flow path; 5. First control valve; 8. Second control valve; 9. Hardness sensor; 10. Flow meter; 20. Housing; 30. Washing unit; 40. Detergent box; 50. Drain pipe; 60. Drain pump; 70. Sprinkler head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when referring to the drawings, like numbers in different figures represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present invention, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0042] The present embodiment is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments and examples may be combined with each other unless there is any conflict.

[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment, this embodiment provides a defoaming method for a washing machine, wherein the washing machine includes an inner drum and a motor for driving the inner drum to rotate. Figure 1 is a defoaming flow chart of a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment, referring to Figure 1 , the defoaming method comprises the following steps:

[0044] S11. In each defoaming stage, the inner drum is controlled to rotate at a dehydration speed corresponding to the defoaming stage while keeping the drain valve open;

[0045] S12. Acquire motor operating parameters during the process of the inner drum rotating at a dehydration speed corresponding to the defoaming stage, and determine the water quality of the spray water and the progress of the defoaming process according to the motor operating parameters.

[0046] In this embodiment, the washing machine must first complete water intake and add detergent during the laundry process, and then start to control the inner drum to rotate forward and reverse at a certain rotation-stop ratio to wash the clothes. During the laundry process, the amount of foam in the drum is also detected in real time. In one possible implementation, a foam sensor is provided in the washing machine, and the amount of foam is detected by the foam sensor. In another possible implementation, the amount of foam is determined by detecting motor operating parameters, such as at least one of motor current, motor voltage, or motor power. Specifically, by continuously collecting the motor power within a set time period and calculating the average power within the set time period, when the average power is higher than the first set power, it means that there is a lot of foam in the drum and it is necessary to enter the defoaming process. When the average power is less than or equal to the first set power, it means that there is less foam in the drum and it is not necessary to enter the defoaming process.

[0047] After the washing machine enters the defoaming process, the drain valve must be opened immediately to drain all the washing water in the washing machine, and then the inner drum stops rotating to prevent a surge in foam. The defoaming process of this embodiment includes N defoaming stages, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. Each defoaming stage corresponds to a different dehydration speed. In each defoaming stage, it is necessary to control the inner drum to rotate at a dehydration speed corresponding to the defoaming stage while keeping the drain valve open, so that a large amount of residual washing water in the clothes is thrown out of the washing machine. Since the detergent and foam remaining inside the clothes cannot be eliminated by themselves, the clothes need to be sprayed for defoaming. This embodiment obtains the motor operating parameters of the inner drum rotation process, and determines the water quality used for spray defoaming and the progress of the defoaming process according to the motor operating parameters. The motor operating parameters are, for example, at least one of the motor current, motor voltage or motor power.

[0048] When the inner drum rotates at the speed corresponding to the defoaming stage, different amounts of foam on the clothes will result in different motor operating parameters. For example, when there is little foam on the clothes, the clothes can be smoothly driven by the motor, and the power feedback to the motor will be low. When there is a lot of foam on the clothes, the foam blocks the clothes from rolling smoothly in the drum, and the power feedback to the motor will be high. Using different water qualities for spray defoaming will produce different defoaming effects. When the amount of foam is low, directly using clear water (not soft water) for defoaming can achieve better defoaming results. When the amount of foam is high, spray defoaming with water containing soft water can accelerate the dissolution and dilution of the foam, shortening the defoaming time. Furthermore, when the amount of foam is low, a single spray defoaming cycle can basically eliminate the foam, and the defoaming process can be terminated immediately. When the amount of foam is high, after a single spray defoaming cycle, it is necessary to confirm the foam elimination status before deciding whether to continue spray defoaming. Therefore, this embodiment determines the amount of foam according to the motor operating parameters, and further determines the water quality of the spray water for spray defoaming and the progress of the defoaming process according to the foam amount, so as to obtain a better foam removal effect.

[0049] In some embodiments, during the nth defoaming stage, the water quality of the spray water and the progress of the defoaming process are determined based on the motor operating parameters, including: when the motor operating parameter is less than or equal to the parameter determination value corresponding to the spin speed, it indicates that there is less foam on the clothes in the drum at this time, and it is only necessary to spray the clothes with a first type of spray water that does not contain soft water to dissolve and discharge the foam. At this time, the clothes are subjected to the first spray defoaming treatment and the defoaming process ends. The water in the first spray defoaming process does not contain soft water, for example, tap water is directly used to spray the clothes for defoaming. When the motor operating parameter is greater than the parameter determination value corresponding to the spin speed, it indicates that there is more foam on the clothes in the drum at this time, and it is necessary to spray the clothes with a second type of spray water that contains soft water to accelerate the dissolution and dilution of the foam and shorten the defoaming time. At this time, after the clothes are subjected to the second spray defoaming treatment, the next defoaming stage is entered. The water in the second spray defoaming process contains at least soft water. For example, soft water can be mixed with tap water and then sprayed on the clothes for defoaming, or soft water can be directly used to spray on the clothes for defoaming. Because soft water can quickly combine with the detergent on the clothes, it accelerates the dissolution of surfactants and the dilution of foam, which can make the foam on the clothes dissolve and dilute faster in the spray water, and finally be thrown out of the washing machine, reducing the time of defoaming and improving the defoaming effect.

[0050] In one achievable approach, combining Figure 3 The structural diagram of the washing machine shows that the soft water used in the second spray defoaming process is obtained by softening tap water in the water softening part 80 on the washing machine. The washing machine also includes a water inlet part 41 and a washing part 30. The water inlet part 41, the washing part 30 and the water softening part 80 are all arranged on the shell 20. The water inlet part 41 includes a water inlet pipe, which is connected to the municipal water supply pipeline. The washing part 30 includes an inner drum. The water inlet pipe is also equipped with a hardness sensor 9 and a water flow meter 10. The hardness sensor 9 is used to detect the hardness of the water supply, and the water flow meter 10 is used to record the water consumption. A first water flow passage 42 and a second water flow passage 43 are provided between the water inlet part 41 and the washing part 30, and the water softening part 80 is provided in the first water flow passage 42. The first water flow passage 42 is provided with a first control valve 5 for controlling the on-off of the first water flow passage 42, and the second water flow passage 43 is provided with a second control valve 8 for controlling the on-off of the second water flow passage 43. The water softening section 80 comprises a resin softening zone 1 and a regeneration salt reduction zone 2. After water from the first water flow passage 42 enters the resin softening zone 1, the ion resin in this zone displaces the calcium and magnesium ions in the water, resulting in soft water suitable for laundry. When the ion resin reaches saturation with calcium and magnesium ions, water from the first water flow passage 42 is passed into the regeneration salt reduction zone 2. The sodium chloride in this zone dissolves to form regeneration salt water. This regeneration salt water is then passed into the resin softening zone 1, regenerating the ion resin therein and restoring its water softening capacity, enabling it to continue softening water.

[0051] The washing machine also includes a spray head 70. The outlet ends of the first water flow path 42 and the second water flow path 43 are both connected to the spray head 70. The spray water sprayed by the spray head 70 can spray and defoam the clothes in the drum. In a preferred embodiment, the first water flow path 42 and the second water flow path 43 are both connected to the spray head 70 via the detergent box 40. After defoaming the clothes, the water sprayed by the spray head 70 flows between the inner and outer drums, and then flows into the drain pipe 50 through the drain port provided at the bottom of the outer drum. The water is then discharged from the washing machine by the drain pump 60. During the first spray defoaming process, the second water flow path 43 of the washing machine is open, the first water flow path 42 is disconnected, and tap water from the municipal water supply is directly introduced into the detergent box 40. The water is then sprayed and defoamed on the clothes through the spray head 70. In the second spray defoaming process, the first water flow path 42 of the washing machine is connected and the second water flow path 43 is disconnected. The tap water from the municipal water supply is softened by the softening unit 80 to become soft water, then flows into the detergent box 40, and finally sprays the clothes with defoaming through the spray head 70.

[0052] This embodiment directly uses the first type of spray water without soft water for spray defoaming when there is less foam on the clothes, and uses the second type of spray water containing soft water for spray defoaming when there is more foam on the clothes. At the same time, when the amount of foam is small, the defoaming process is directly ended after the first spray defoaming, and when the amount of foam is large, the next defoaming stage is continued after the second spray defoaming, thereby ensuring the defoaming effect, improving the defoaming efficiency, and reducing the defoaming time.

[0053] In some embodiments, during the first and second spray defoaming processes of the nth defoaming stage, the inner drum is controlled to rotate at the spray speed corresponding to the defoaming stage, which is lower than the spin speed during the corresponding defoaming stage. Before spray defoaming, the inner drum should be rotated at a higher spin speed to determine the impact of foam on motor operating parameters. During the spray defoaming process, the inner drum speed should be appropriately reduced to avoid splashing and surges of foam during the spray defoaming process.

[0054] In some embodiments, the spin speed in the nth defoaming stage is lower than the spin speed in the n+1th defoaming stage. Since most of the foam has been eliminated after the current defoaming stage, increasing the spin speed in the next defoaming stage allows more detergent and foam to be removed from the clothes without worrying about foam splashing or surges.

[0055] In some embodiments, the spin speed is positively correlated with the corresponding parameter determination value. Because higher drum speeds require greater motor power, current, or voltage, a larger parameter determination value corresponding to the spin speed is used to accurately determine the amount of foam in the washing machine.

[0056] In some embodiments, the defoaming process includes the first m defoaming stages and the last t defoaming stages, which are executed successively; in the first m defoaming stages, the clothes are intermittently sprayed in the first spray defoaming treatment and / or the second spray defoaming treatment; in the last t defoaming stages, the clothes are continuously sprayed in the first spray defoaming treatment and / or the second spray defoaming treatment; wherein: m+t=N-1, m is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and t is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Since the first m defoaming stages are the initial stages of defoaming, intermittent spraying is adopted to prevent foam splashing and surge caused by continuous spraying. After the defoaming treatment in the first m defoaming stages, the amount of foam remaining on the clothes is relatively small. In the last t spraying stages, the foam can be quickly defoamed by adopting a continuous spraying method without the problem of foam surge, and the speed of foam dissolution and dilution can be accelerated.

[0057] In some embodiments, when executing the Nth defoaming stage, when the motor operating parameter is less than or equal to the parameter judgment value corresponding to the dehydration speed of the Nth defoaming stage, the defoaming process is terminated; when the motor operating parameter is greater than the parameter judgment value corresponding to the dehydration speed of the Nth defoaming stage, the second spray defoaming treatment process of the N-1th defoaming stage is repeated and the Nth defoaming stage is entered again.

[0058] In this embodiment, during the N-1th defoaming stage, if the motor operating parameters are detected and are greater than the parameter determination value corresponding to the spin speed for the N-1th defoaming stage, indicating that the clothing still contains a lot of foam, the Nth defoaming stage is entered after the second spray defoaming process. The Nth defoaming stage is the last defoaming stage of the defoaming process. During this stage, the inner drum is controlled to spin at a high speed corresponding to the Nth defoaming stage, wherein the spin speed corresponding to the Nth defoaming stage is greater than the spin speed corresponding to the N-1th defoaming stage. The spin speed corresponding to the Nth defoaming stage is greater than 600 rpm. For example, the spin speed corresponding to the Nth defoaming stage is greater than 800 rpm.

[0059] The final defoaming stage involves high-speed dehydration to remove any foam dissolved in the spray water from the washing machine. The motor operating parameters are then monitored. If the motor operating parameters are less than or equal to the parameter judgment value corresponding to the Nth defoaming stage, indicating that the amount of foam in the drum has been substantially eliminated, the washing machine is controlled to exit the defoaming process and continue with the next wash cycle. If the motor operating parameters are greater than the parameter judgment value corresponding to the Nth dehydration stage, indicating that the amount of foam in the drum is still high, the second spray defoaming treatment of the final N-1th defoaming stage is repeated. This involves continuously spraying the clothes with a second type of wash water containing soft water to accelerate the elimination of foam. This process is then repeated, reentering the Nth defoaming stage until the foam is completely eliminated.

[0060] In some embodiments, before executing the first defoaming stage, the inner drum is controlled to stand still for a set period of time.

[0061] In this embodiment, when a large amount of foam is detected during the washing process and the defoaming process begins, the drain valve is immediately opened to drain all the washing water in the washing machine, and the inner drum stops rotating to prevent the surge of foam. At this time, by controlling the set static time of the inner drum, the foam on the surface of the clothes is caused by the reduction of surface tension under the influence of air pressure and temperature and bursts by itself, so as to reduce the surge and splash of foam caused by the rotation of the inner drum in the first defoaming stage. The set time is, for example, 3 minutes to 4 minutes.

[0062] This embodiment dissolves residual surfactants from the clothes and eliminates foam by spraying water onto the clothes in the inner drum multiple times during the defoaming process, intermittently or continuously. The foam is then removed from the washing machine as the inner drum rotates and spins. This embodiment also detects motor operating parameters in stages as the inner drum spins and spins, and determines the quality of the spray water during the defoaming process based on these motor operating parameters. This shortens the defoaming time, improves the cleaning effect, and enhances the user experience.

[0063] Figure 2 is a defoaming flow chart of a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment, referring to Figure 2 , the defoaming method comprises the following steps:

[0064] S21: During the defoaming process, keep the drain valve open and control the inner drum to remain stationary for a set time;

[0065] S22, executing the first defoaming stage, controlling the inner drum speed to increase to a first dehydration speed corresponding to the first defoaming stage, and obtaining motor operating parameters at the first dehydration speed;

[0066] S23. When the motor operating parameter is less than or equal to the first parameter determination value corresponding to the first spin speed, the inner drum is controlled to decelerate to the first spray speed and intermittently spray the first type of spray water into the inner drum, and then the defoaming process ends. When the motor operating parameter is greater than the first parameter determination value corresponding to the first spin speed, the inner drum is controlled to decelerate to the first spray speed and intermittently spray the second type of spray water into the inner drum, and then the next defoaming stage is entered.

[0067] S24, executing the second defoaming stage, controlling the inner drum speed to increase to a second dehydration speed corresponding to the second defoaming stage, and obtaining motor operating parameters at the second dehydration speed;

[0068] S25. When the motor operating parameter is less than or equal to the second parameter determination value corresponding to the second spin speed, the inner drum is controlled to decelerate to the second spray speed and the first type of spray water is continuously sprayed into the inner drum, and then the defoaming process is terminated. When the motor operating parameter is greater than the second parameter determination value corresponding to the second spin speed, the inner drum is controlled to decelerate to the second spray speed and the second type of spray water is continuously sprayed into the inner drum, and then the next defoaming stage is entered.

[0069] S26, executing the third defoaming stage, controlling the inner drum speed to increase to a third dehydration speed corresponding to the third defoaming stage, and obtaining motor operating parameters at the third dehydration speed;

[0070] S27, if the motor operating parameter is less than or equal to the third parameter determination value corresponding to the third spin speed, the defoaming process is terminated; if the motor operating parameter is greater than the third parameter determination value corresponding to the third spin speed, the inner drum is controlled to slow down to the second spray speed and the second type of spray water is continuously sprayed into the inner drum, and the third defoaming stage is executed again;

[0071] The first type of spray water does not contain soft water, the second type of spray water contains soft water, and the third dehydration speed is greater than or equal to 600 revolutions.

[0072] The defoaming method of this embodiment is described in detail below using a specific example. After water intake and detergent addition, the main wash cycle begins, and the amount of foam in the drum is monitored in real time. If the amount of foam is excessive and a high-foam command is triggered, the washing machine is controlled to enter the defoaming process. After the washing machine enters the defoaming phase, the drain valve is immediately opened to drain all the wash water from the washing machine. The inner drum stops rotating to prevent a surge in foam. After the inner drum rests for a set period of time, the foam on the surface of the clothes will spontaneously collapse due to the reduced surface tension caused by air pressure and temperature. After the inner drum rests for a set period of time, the foam inside the drum has collapsed. The residual detergent and foam in the clothes are difficult to eliminate on their own, so spray defoaming is performed while the inner drum is rotating. First, the first defoaming phase begins. In this phase, the motor drives the inner drum to accelerate to 90 rpm for a low-speed spin, removing the large amount of residual wash water in the clothes from the washing machine. The motor's power P1 is then measured. When P1 ≤ 85w, the amount of foam on the clothes is relatively low. Simply open the drain valve, drive the inner drum to rotate at 50rpm, and intermittently spray clean water (tap water) onto the clothes in the inner drum to remove the foam. Intermittent spraying is because this is the initial stage of defoaming and prevents foam splashing and surge caused by continuous spraying. When P1 > 85w, the amount of foam on the clothes is relatively high. Open the drain valve, rotate the inner drum at 50rpm, and intermittently spray soft water onto the clothes. Soft water without calcium and magnesium ions quickly dissolves and dilutes the foam, accelerating its detachment from the clothes and greatly improving the defoaming rate and effectiveness. Then enter the second defoaming stage. In this second defoaming stage, the inner drum is first driven to 350rpm to shake the foam dissolved in the spray water out of the washing machine. The motor power P2 at this time is then measured. When P2 ≤ 220w, after the first defoaming stage, the amount of foam remaining on the clothes is low. Simply open the drain and inlet valves, drive the inner drum to rotate at 150rpm, and continuously spray clean water (tap water) onto the clothes in the drum to remove the foam. After the first defoaming stage, continue spraying the clothes with clean water to eliminate the foam surge and accelerate the foam dissolution and dilution. When P2 > 220w, the amount of foam on the clothes is high. Open the drain and inlet valves, drive the inner drum to rotate at 150rpm, and continuously spray soft water onto the clothes to eliminate foam. Finally, drive the inner drum to 800rpm for high-speed spin, spin the dissolved foam out of the spray water, and detect the motor power P3 at this time. When P3 > 550w, continue spraying soft water onto the clothes in the inner drum to eliminate foam, and repeat the cycle. When P3≤550w, it means that after multiple spraying, dehydration and defoaming, the amount of foam has been completely eliminated, and the washing machine is controlled to exit the defoaming process and continue the next washing process.

[0073] According to an exemplary embodiment, this embodiment proposes a control 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 defoaming method of any washing machine proposed in the above embodiments.

[0074] According to an exemplary embodiment, this embodiment provides a washing machine, which operates according to the defoaming method of any of the above embodiments, or includes the control device of the above embodiments.

[0075] In some embodiments, as Figure 3 As shown, the washing machine includes a water inlet 41, a washing part 30 and a softening part 80. A first water flow passage 42 and a second water flow passage 43 are provided between the water inlet 41 and the washing part 30. The water inlet 41 is located in the first water flow passage 42.

[0076] The first water flow passage 42 is controlled to be disconnected during the first spray defoaming process in each defoaming stage and to be connected during the second spray defoaming process in each defoaming stage.

[0077] The second water flow passage 43 is controlled to be open during the first shower defoaming process in each defoaming stage, and to be closed during the second shower defoaming process in each defoaming stage.

[0078] Since the structure of the washing machine has been described in detail in the corresponding part of the embodiment of the defoaming method, it will not be repeated here.

[0079] Other embodiments of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the embodiments disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow from the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

[0080] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exact construction described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A defoaming method for a washing machine, characterized in that: The washing machine includes an inner drum and a motor driving the inner drum to rotate. The defoaming process includes N defoaming stages, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. Each defoaming stage corresponds to a different spin speed. The defoaming method includes: In each defoaming stage, the inner drum is controlled to rotate at a dehydration speed corresponding to the defoaming stage while keeping the drain valve open; Acquiring motor operating parameters during the process of the inner drum rotating at a dehydration speed corresponding to the defoaming stage, and determining the quality of the spray water and the progress of the defoaming process based on the motor operating parameters; During the execution of the nth defoaming stage, determining the water quality of the spray water and the progress of the defoaming process according to the motor operating parameters includes: When the motor operating parameter is less than or equal to the parameter determination value corresponding to the spin speed, performing a first spray defoaming treatment on the clothes and then ending the defoaming process; When the motor operating parameter is greater than the parameter judgment value corresponding to the dehydration speed, the clothes are subjected to a second spray defoaming treatment and then enter the next defoaming stage; Wherein: 1≤n<N, n is an integer, the spray water of the first spray defoaming treatment does not contain soft water, and the spray water of the second spray defoaming treatment at least contains soft water.

2. The defoaming method for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: In the first spray defoaming process and the second spray defoaming process in the nth defoaming stage, the inner drum is controlled to rotate at a spraying speed corresponding to the defoaming stage, and the spraying speed is lower than the dehydration speed corresponding to the defoaming stage.

3. The defoaming method according to claim 1, wherein The dehydration speed in the nth defoaming stage is smaller than the dehydration speed in the n+1th defoaming stage.

4. The defoaming method according to claim 1, wherein , the defoaming process includes the first m defoaming stages and the last t defoaming stages that are performed successively; In the first m defoaming stages, controlling the first spray defoaming treatment and / or the second spray defoaming treatment to intermittently spray the clothes; In the latter t defoaming stages, controlling the first spray defoaming treatment and / or the second spray defoaming treatment to continuously spray the clothes; Wherein: m+t=N-1, m is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and t is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

5. The defoaming method for a washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: When the Nth defoaming stage is executed, when the motor operating parameter is less than or equal to the parameter judgment value corresponding to the dehydration speed of the Nth defoaming stage, the defoaming process is ended; When the motor operating parameter is greater than the parameter judgment value corresponding to the dehydration speed of the Nth defoaming stage, repeatedly performing the second spray defoaming process of the N-1th defoaming stage and then entering the Nth defoaming stage again; The dehydration speed in the Nth defoaming stage is greater than the dehydration speed in the N-1th defoaming stage, and the dehydration speed in the Nth defoaming stage is greater than or equal to 600 revolutions.

6. The defoaming method for a washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The defoaming method comprises: During the defoaming process, keep the drain valve open and control the inner drum to remain stationary for a set time; Executing a first defoaming stage, controlling the inner drum speed to increase to a first dehydration speed corresponding to the first defoaming stage, and obtaining motor operating parameters at the first dehydration speed; When the motor operating parameter is less than or equal to the first parameter judgment value corresponding to the first dehydration speed, the inner drum is controlled to decelerate to the first spraying speed and the first type of spray water is intermittently sprayed on the inner drum, and then the defoaming process is ended; when the motor operating parameter is greater than the first parameter judgment value corresponding to the first dehydration speed, the inner drum is controlled to decelerate to the first spraying speed and the second type of spray water is intermittently sprayed on the inner drum, and then the next defoaming stage is entered; Executing the second defoaming stage, controlling the inner drum speed to increase to a second dehydration speed corresponding to the second defoaming stage, and obtaining motor operating parameters at the second dehydration speed; When the motor operating parameter is less than or equal to the second parameter judgment value corresponding to the second dehydration speed, the inner drum is controlled to decelerate to the second spraying speed and the first type of spray water is continuously sprayed onto the inner drum, and then the defoaming process is ended; when the motor operating parameter is greater than the second parameter judgment value corresponding to the second dehydration speed, the inner drum is controlled to decelerate to the second spraying speed and the second type of spray water is continuously sprayed onto the inner drum, and then the next defoaming stage is entered; executing a third defoaming stage, controlling the inner drum speed to increase to a third dehydration speed corresponding to the third defoaming stage, and obtaining motor operating parameters at the third dehydration speed; When the motor operating parameter is less than or equal to the third parameter determination value corresponding to the third spin speed, the defoaming process is terminated; when the motor operating parameter is greater than the third parameter determination value corresponding to the third spin speed, the inner drum is controlled to decelerate to the second spraying speed and the second type of spray water is continuously sprayed onto the inner drum, and the third defoaming stage is performed again; Wherein: the first type of spray water does not contain soft water, the second type of spray water contains soft water, and the third dehydration speed is greater than or equal to 600 revolutions.

7. A control device, characterized in that: It 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 defoaming method for the washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A washing machine, characterized in that: The washing machine operates according to the defoaming method of a washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or includes the control device according to claim 7.

9. The washing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that The washing machine comprises a water inlet, a washing part and a water softening part, a first water flow passage and a second water flow passage are provided between the water inlet and the washing part, and the water softening part is provided in the first water flow passage; The first water flow passage is controlled to be disconnected during the first spray defoaming process in each defoaming stage, and to be connected during the second spray defoaming process in each defoaming stage; The second water flow passage is controlled to be open during the first spray defoaming process in each defoaming stage, and to be open during the second spray defoaming process in each defoaming stage.

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