Household appliance and method of cleaning a household appliance

By introducing an automated cleaning cycle that pumps cleaning solution into household appliances, the problem of complex cleaning of ice-making units has been solved, achieving the effects of simplifying the cleaning process and extending service life.

CN117980671BActive Publication Date: 2026-03-03HAIER SMART HOME CO LTD +2
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-09-28
Publication Date
2026-03-03

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The cleaning process for existing ice-making units is complex and requires a lot of user involvement. In particular, for appliances that are not connected to residential or municipal water supply networks, the lack of automated cleaning methods leads to inconvenience in cleaning and difficulty in maintenance.

Method used

A household appliance has been designed, including a casing, a water tank, an ice maker, a pump, a discharge pipe, and a controller. The controller initiates a cleaning operation, pumping cleaning solution through the ice maker and guiding it to the discharge pipe to achieve an automated cleaning cycle.

Benefits of technology

It simplifies the cleaning process of the ice-making unit, reduces user involvement, improves cleaning efficiency and automation, and extends the service life of the ice-making unit.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A household appliance includes a housing, a water tank, and an ice maker. The water tank may be attached to the housing. The ice maker is disposed within the housing. The ice maker is in fluid communication with the water tank. The household appliance may further include a pump disposed within the housing, at least one discharge pipe attached to the housing, and a controller. The pump may be in fluid communication with the water tank and the ice maker to allow water to flow from the water tank to the ice maker. At least one discharge pipe may define an outlet point located vertically below the ice maker. The controller may initiate a cleaning cycle comprising pumping a volume of cleaning solution through the ice maker and directing the volume of cleaning solution through at least one discharge pipe.
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Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Automated method and device for cleaning of blended ice machine

    CN104105411A

  • Drain pipe of electron equipment having water outlet

    CN1534131A

  • Apparatus and methods for producing beverages

    US20100242497A1

  • Methods and systems for harvesting ice in an ice making apparatus

    US5829257A