Water drainage control method of washing equipment and washing equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a drainage control method of washing equipment and the washing equipment, and belongs to the technical field of clothes treatment.The drainage control method comprises the steps that when drainage starts, a drainage pump is started, and drainage duration is accumulated; when the drainage duration reaches the first drainage duration, a current noise value and an air pressure value in the drainage cavity are obtained, and if the noise value is larger than or equal to a first noise threshold value and the air pressure value is within a first set range, the drainage pump is closed. The washing equipment adopts the drainage control method of the washing equipment to control drainage. Through cooperation of the noise value and the air pressure value, the drainage completion time can be accurately detected and judged, the drainage pump can be timely shut down, idling of the drainage pump is avoided, and noise and energy consumption are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In washing equipment, drainage pumps are often used for drainage. The rotating impeller in the drainage pump can play a role in drainage. The control of the drainage pump is completed by the CPU on the computer program controller. The CPU generally controls the start and shut-off time of the drainage pump. For example, a fixed sequence such as 10 seconds on and 3 seconds off. The fixed drainage time has limitations. If the time is too short, it cannot ensure that all the water in the machine is completely drained. If the time is too long, it will not only increase energy consumption, but also cause the drainage pump to run idle and cause noise pollution. In the later stage of drainage, there is almost no water flowing into the water inlet of the drainage pump, and there will be air and residual water in the cavity where the impeller is located. The idling of the drainage pump will cause water vapor noise. In addition, since the residual water at the outlet of the drainage pump flows back to the chamber of the drainage pump, the drainage pressure of the impeller is unstable, and the water flow oscillates at a high frequency in the drainage pipe, generating additional noise.

[0003] In the prior art, water level detection is generally used to detect whether drainage is complete. A water level sensor is set in the washing machine to determine whether the water is completely drained based on the water level detection. However, the location of the water level sensor has a great influence on the drainage result. If it is set too high, it cannot ensure that all the water in the machine is completely drained. If it is set too low, the drainage pump will run idle and cause noise pollution. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a drainage control method for a washing device and a washing device, which can accurately detect and determine the drainage completion time, facilitate timely shutdown of the drainage pump, and avoid idling of the drainage pump.

[0005] As conceived above, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0006] A drainage control method for a washing device, comprising:

[0007] When drainage starts, the drainage pump is turned on and the drainage time is accumulated;

[0008] When the drainage time reaches the first drainage time, the current noise value and the air pressure value in the drainage chamber are obtained. If the noise value is greater than or equal to the first noise threshold and the air pressure value is within the first set range, the drainage pump is turned off.

[0009] When the noise value is greater than or equal to the first noise threshold, the noise duration is accumulated. If the air pressure value is greater than the first air pressure threshold and the noise duration reaches the first set duration, the noise reduction program is executed.

[0010] Among them, when the air pressure value is greater than the first air pressure threshold and the noise duration is less than the first set duration, if the noise value is greater than or equal to the second noise threshold, and the second noise threshold is greater than the first noise threshold, the noise reduction program is executed.

[0011] In the process of accumulating the duration of the noise, if the air pressure value is less than or equal to the first air pressure threshold, the drainage pump is turned off.

[0012] Among them, when the noise reduction program starts, the noise duration is reset to zero. After the noise reduction program ends, the noise value and air pressure value are re-acquired. If the noise reduction program is executed for a set number of times, a first alarm message is issued.

[0013] Wherein, during the execution of the noise reduction program, if the air pressure value is less than or equal to the first air pressure threshold, the noise reduction program is stopped and the drainage pump is turned off.

[0014] If the noise value is less than the first noise threshold, and the air pressure value is equal to the first air pressure threshold and lasts for a second set time, the drainage pump is turned off.

[0015] Among them, during the entire drainage process, if the air pressure value is equal to the first air pressure threshold and remains unchanged, a second alarm message is issued.

[0016] Among them, if the drainage time reaches the total drainage time, the drainage pump is turned off.

[0017] A washing device, using the above-mentioned drainage control method for washing device to control drainage, the washing device comprising:

[0018] A box body, wherein a washing chamber and a noise collector are arranged in the box body, and the noise sensor is used to obtain the current noise value;

[0019] A drainage assembly having a drainage cavity;

[0020] A conduit, one end of which is connected to the drainage cavity, and the other end of which is sealed and provided with an air pressure sensor, wherein the air pressure sensor is used to obtain the air pressure value in the drainage cavity.

[0021] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0022] The drainage control method of the washing equipment proposed by the present invention obtains the current noise value and the air pressure value in the drainage chamber when the drainage time reaches the first drainage time because at the beginning of drainage, the chamber of the drainage pump is not yet filled with water, and there is residual air. The residual air is difficult to be quickly discharged by the impeller, and it will gather in the drainage chamber and interact with the water flow to generate water vapor noise. In order to avoid the influence of noise and water vapor in the initial drainage on the detection of noise value and air pressure value, the current noise value and air pressure value in the drainage chamber are obtained when the drainage time reaches the first drainage time, so that the detection result is more accurate. In the later stage of drainage, as the water in the drainage pump becomes less and less, the noise generated when the drainage pump is running will become louder and louder. As the water in the drainage chamber decreases, the air pressure in the drainage chamber will also become smaller and smaller. If the noise value is greater than or equal to the first noise threshold, it means that there is little water in the drainage chamber, and the air pressure value is within the first set range, which further proves that there is little water in the drainage chamber, then the drainage pump is turned off. Through the coordination of noise value and air pressure value, the drainage completion time can be accurately detected and judged, which is convenient for timely shutting down the drainage pump, avoiding idling of the drainage pump, and reducing noise and energy consumption. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a washing device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 The process of the drainage control method of the washing equipment provided by the embodiment of the present invention is as follows Figure 1 ;

[0025] Figure 3 The process of the drainage control method of the washing equipment provided by the embodiment of the present invention is as follows Figure 2 ;

[0026] Figure 4 The process of the drainage control method of the washing equipment provided by the embodiment of the present invention is as follows Figure 3 .

[0027] In the figure:

[0028] 1. Box body; 11. Washing chamber;

[0029] 2. Drainage assembly; 21. Drainage chamber; 22. Drainage pump; 23. Drainage valve;

[0030] 3. Noise collector;

[0031] 4. Air pressure sensor;

[0032] 5. Catheter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0034] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected", "connected", and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0035] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0036] The technical solution of the present invention is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through specific implementation methods.

[0037] See also Figure 1 , an embodiment of the present invention provides a washing device, which may be a washing machine, a washer-dryer or a clothes dryer. Taking a washing machine as an example, the washing device includes a housing 1 and a drainage assembly 2. A washing chamber 11 is provided in the housing 1. The drainage assembly 2 has a drainage chamber 21. When the washing chamber 11 is connected to the drainage chamber 21, drainage can be achieved. Usually, the washing chamber 11 has a drainage port, and the drainage assembly 2 includes a drainage pump 22 and a drainage valve 23. The drainage valve 23 is arranged at the drainage port. When draining, the drainage valve 23 is opened to connect the washing chamber 11 with the drainage chamber 21, and the drainage pump 22 is turned on at the same time to achieve rapid drainage.

[0038] The drainage chamber 21 includes not only the inner cavity of the drainage pump 22 , but also the inner cavity of the pipeline connected to the drainage pump 22 . Therefore, any cavity downstream of the drainage valve 23 that allows water to flow out can be considered as the drainage chamber 21 .

[0039] The washing device also includes a detection component, which includes a noise collector 3 and an air pressure sensor 4, both of which are existing sensors, and their structures and working principles are not described in detail here. The noise collector 3 is arranged in the housing 1, and is used to obtain the current noise value. Usually, in the later stage of drainage, as the water in the drainage pump 22 becomes less and less, the noise generated when the drainage pump 22 is running will become louder and louder. Shutting down the drainage pump 22 in time can play a role in noise reduction. There is no specific restriction on the setting position of the noise collector 3. In order to facilitate the collection of the noise of the drainage pump 22, it can be set at a position close to the drainage pump 22. The noise collector 3 can be an existing noise meter for measuring the current noise decibel value.

[0040] The air pressure sensor 4 is used to obtain the air pressure value in the drainage chamber 21. In the later stage of drainage, as the water in the drainage chamber 21 becomes less and less, the gas in the drainage chamber 21 increases, so the air pressure in the drainage chamber 21 will change. At the end of drainage, the air pressure value should be equal to the external air pressure value in theory. The air pressure sensor 4 is mainly used to measure the pressure of the gas. In order to avoid inaccurate measurement caused by the contact between the air pressure sensor 4 and water, the washing equipment also includes a conduit 5. One end of the conduit 5 is connected to the drainage chamber 21, and the other end of the conduit 5 is sealed and provided with the air pressure sensor 4. The function of the conduit 5 is to keep the air pressure sensor 4 away from the water in the drainage chamber 21, but it does not affect the detection of the air pressure by the air pressure sensor 4. The sealing is to avoid the external air pressure from affecting the air pressure in the conduit 5.

[0041] In order to prevent water from rising along the conduit 5 and contacting the air pressure sensor 4, the length of the conduit 5 can be increased to raise the height of the air pressure sensor 4. Specifically, the air pressure sensor 4 can be located at the top of the box 1, as long as it is ensured that the air pressure sensor 4 does not contact water, and the conduit 5 can extend in a straight line or a curve in the vertical direction.

[0042] See also Figures 2 to 4 The embodiment of the present invention further provides a drainage control method for a washing device, comprising:

[0043] At the beginning of drainage, the drainage pump 22 is turned on and the drainage time is accumulated;

[0044] When the drainage time reaches the first drainage time, the current noise value and the air pressure value in the drainage chamber 21 are obtained. If the noise value is greater than or equal to the first noise threshold and the air pressure value is within the first set range, the drainage pump 22 is turned off.

[0045] The reason why the current noise value and the air pressure value in the drainage chamber 21 are obtained when the drainage time reaches the first drainage time is that at the beginning of drainage, the drainage chamber 21 is not yet filled with water, and there is residual air. The residual air is difficult to be quickly discharged by the impeller, and it will gather in the drainage chamber 21 and interact with the water flow to generate water vapor noise. In order to avoid the noise in the early stage of drainage affecting the detection of the noise value, the current noise value and the air pressure value in the drainage chamber 21 are obtained when the drainage time reaches the first drainage time. Therefore, the setting of the first drainage time is to avoid the noise when the drainage pump 22 is started from affecting the detection of the noise value.

[0046] The first drainage time can be set according to the total drainage time, for example, the first drainage time is equal to 1 / 2 of the total drainage time, and the total drainage time can be considered as the total time set by the program, or the time when the drainage valve 23 is opened. During the drainage process, if the noise value has not reached the first noise threshold, but the drainage time has reached the total drainage time, the drainage pump 22 is turned off. If the air pressure value is not within the first setting range, but the drainage time has reached the total drainage time, the drainage pump 22 is turned off.

[0047] In the later stage of drainage, as the water in the drainage chamber 21 becomes less and less, the noise generated by the operation of the drainage pump 22 will become louder and louder. As the water decreases, the air pressure in the drainage chamber 21 will also change. If the noise value is greater than or equal to the first noise threshold, it means that there is very little water in the chamber of the drainage pump 22, and the air pressure value is within the first set range, which further proves that there is very little water in the drainage chamber 21, then the drainage pump 22 is turned off.

[0048] The reason why the noise value and the air pressure value are detected simultaneously instead of detecting only the noise value is that during the operation of the drainage pump 22, an inappropriate installation position of the drainage pump 22, bearing wear, loose belts, etc. will all generate loud noises. Detecting only the noise value may result in inaccurate detection.

[0049] At the beginning of drainage, the drainage chamber 21 is not yet filled with water, and there is residual air. When the drainage time reaches the first drainage time, it can be considered that the drainage chamber 21 is full of water and there is very little air. At this time, the air pressure value remains unchanged or fluctuates within a small range. Therefore, when the air pressure value is within the second set range, it is considered that the water in the drainage chamber 21 is in a full pipe state.

[0050] Among them, the first setting range and the second setting range can be set according to actual needs, and the size of the air pressure value of the first setting range and the second setting range can be determined based on multiple tests. It can be understood that in the later stage of drainage, the water level drops, resulting in a drop in water pressure. Taking the position of the drain outlet as a reference, along the drainage direction, the drainage chamber 21 may be partially in a full pipe state and partially in a half-pipe state. The closer to the drain outlet, the easier it is to be in a full pipe state, and the farther away from the drain outlet, the easier it is to be in a half-pipe state. When in the half-pipe state, it is connected to the outside world, but due to the rotation of the impeller of the drainage pump 22, it will drive the flow of water and air, so the air pressure value in the drainage chamber 21 may be different from the outside air pressure value.

[0051] The connection position of the conduit 5 and the drainage cavity 21 is different, and the air pressure value detected by the air pressure sensor 4 may be different at different drainage times. Specifically, different air pressure ranges can be set according to the different connection positions of the conduit 5 and the drainage cavity 21.

[0052] Regarding the detection of the air pressure value in the drain chamber 21, as described above, when the conduit 5 is connected to the upstream position of the drain pump 22 near the drain outlet, when the air pressure in the drain pipe upstream of the drain pump 22 is detected, as long as the liquid level in the washing chamber 11 is higher than the drain outlet, the drain pipe is basically in a full pipe state. When the water in the washing chamber 11 is drained, the liquid level is lower than the drain outlet, and the air pressure in the drain pipe is basically equal to the atmospheric pressure. However, due to the rotation of the impeller of the drain pump 22, the air flow will be driven, so the instantaneous air pressure value in the drain chamber 21 may be lower than the external air pressure value. At this time, it can be considered that the drainage is completed.

[0053] It is understandable that the washing device also includes a timing module and a controller, and the noise collector 3, the air pressure sensor 4, the timing module and the drain pump 22 are all electrically connected to the controller. The start of drainage can be determined by the controller receiving a drainage instruction, then the controller controls the drain pump 22 to start and controls the timing module to start timing. When drainage starts, the noise collector 3 and the air pressure sensor 4 always feed back signals to the controller. The controller is an existing product, having chips and circuits, etc., and its structure and working principle are not described in detail here.

[0054] In the process of obtaining the noise value and air pressure value, when the noise value is greater than or equal to the first noise threshold, it means that the noise value is large, and the noise duration is accumulated. If the air pressure value is not within the first set range and the noise duration reaches the first set duration, the air pressure value does not meet the pump shut-down condition, but the noise has lasted for a long time, then the noise reduction program is executed to reduce the impact of noise on the user. Among them, the noise duration refers to the period during which the noise value has been greater than or equal to the first noise threshold. In the process of accumulating the noise duration, if the noise value is less than the first noise threshold, the noise duration is reset, and the noise value and air pressure value are re-detected. When the noise value is greater than or equal to the first noise threshold again, the noise duration is accumulated again.

[0055] The specific noise reduction program can be set according to actual needs. In some embodiments, executing the noise reduction program includes reducing the rotation speed of the drainage pump 22, and reducing the noise value by reducing the rotation speed. In other embodiments, executing the noise reduction program includes turning on a noise reduction device, which can generate an inverted sound signal according to the noise signal and play the inverted sound signal to offset the noise. Among them, the noise reduction device can adopt an existing device, and its principle is the existing technology.

[0056] When the air pressure value is not within the first set range and the noise duration is less than the first set duration, if the noise value is greater than or equal to the second noise threshold, and the second noise threshold is greater than the first noise threshold, it means that the noise is already very loud, and the noise reduction program is executed.

[0057] During the process of accumulating the duration of the noise, if the air pressure value is within the first setting range, the drainage pump 22 is turned off.

[0058] At the beginning of the noise reduction program, the duration of the noise is reset to zero. After the noise reduction program is completed, the noise value and air pressure value are re-acquired. If the noise reduction program is executed for the set number of times, the first alarm message is issued. If the noise is always loud and the drainage is not completed after multiple noise reductions, there may be a fault, and the alarm is used to notify the user in time for processing.

[0059] During the execution of the noise reduction program, if the air pressure value is within the first setting range, the noise reduction program is stopped and the drainage pump 22 is turned off.

[0060] If the noise value is less than the first noise threshold, it means that the noise is not loud. If the air pressure value is equal to the first air pressure threshold and lasts for the second set time, it means that the air pressure value remains unchanged. It may be that the conduit 5 is connected to the outside world. There are two possibilities, one is that the drainage is completed, and the other is that a fault occurs. In either case, the drainage pump 22 needs to be turned off. If a fault occurs, such as air leakage in the conduit 5, the air pressure value remains unchanged throughout the drainage process. Therefore, if the air pressure value is equal to the second air pressure threshold and remains unchanged during the drainage process, a second alarm message is issued. The first air pressure threshold and the second air pressure threshold can be the same or different.

[0061] There may also be a situation where the conduit 5 is blocked. During the entire drainage process, if the air pressure value remains unchanged, a second alarm message is issued. If the air pressure value remains unchanged, it may be that the conduit 5 is blocked, resulting in the inability to detect the air pressure. The alarm is used to promptly notify the user to handle the problem. Different alarm messages can be displayed in different texts.

[0062] As mentioned above, when drainage starts, the drainage pump 22 is turned on and the drainage time is accumulated. Therefore, timing is carried out during the entire drainage process, and all detected noise values ​​have corresponding drainage times. One-to-one corresponding noise values ​​and drainage times can be obtained. According to the noise value, the drainage time can be judged, and the current drainage progress can be obtained.

[0063] The washing machine provided by the embodiment of the present invention adopts the above-mentioned washing machine drainage control method to control drainage. The embodiment of the present invention is mainly used to detect the time when drainage ends, so as to shut down the drainage pump 22 in time. Therefore, the washing machine with the drainage pump 22 is applicable to the above-mentioned washing machine control method.

[0064] The above embodiments are only to illustrate the basic principles and characteristics of the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the above embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the present invention may be subject to various changes and modifications, which are within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A drainage control method for a washing device, characterized in that: include: When drainage starts, the drainage pump is turned on and the drainage time is accumulated; When the drainage time reaches the first drainage time, the current noise value and the air pressure value in the drainage chamber are obtained. If the noise value is greater than or equal to the first noise threshold and the air pressure value is within the first set range, the drainage pump is turned off.

2. The drainage control method of a washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the noise value is greater than or equal to the first noise threshold, the noise duration is accumulated. If the air pressure value is not within the first set range and the noise duration reaches the first set duration, the noise reduction program is executed.

3. The drainage control method of a washing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the air pressure value is not within the first set range and the noise duration is less than the first set duration, if the noise value is greater than or equal to the second noise threshold, and the second noise threshold is greater than the first noise threshold, the noise reduction program is executed.

4. The drainage control method of a washing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: During the accumulative noise duration, if the air pressure value is within the first setting range, the drainage pump is turned off.

5. The drainage control method of a washing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: At the beginning of the noise reduction program, the noise duration is reset to zero. After the noise reduction program is completed, the noise value and air pressure value are re-acquired. If the noise reduction program is executed for a set number of times, the first alarm message is issued.

6. The drainage control method of a washing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: During the execution of the noise reduction program, if the air pressure value is within the first setting range, the noise reduction program is stopped and the drainage pump is turned off.

7. The drainage control method of a washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: If the noise value is less than the first noise threshold, and the air pressure value is equal to the first air pressure threshold and lasts for a second set time, the drainage pump is turned off.

8. The drainage control method of a washing device according to claim 7, characterized in that: During the entire drainage process, if the air pressure value is equal to the second air pressure threshold and remains unchanged, a second alarm message is issued.

9. The drainage control method for a washing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: If the drainage time reaches the total drainage time, the drainage pump will be turned off.

10. A washing device, characterized in that: The drainage control method of a washing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is used to control drainage, and the washing device comprises: A box body, wherein a washing chamber and a noise collector are arranged in the box body, and the noise sensor is used to obtain the current noise value; A drainage assembly having a drainage cavity; A conduit, one end of which is connected to the drainage cavity, and the other end of which is sealed and provided with an air pressure sensor, wherein the air pressure sensor is used to obtain the air pressure value in the drainage cavity.

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