Household appliance, control method thereof and corresponding computer program product

Abstract

The invention discloses a household appliance (1), in particular a dishwasher, comprising: a chamber (11) for accommodating objects to be treated; and a drying system (12). The drying system (12) comprises a circulating air duct (121) and a circulating air duct (121), wherein the circulating air duct (121) is used for enabling air in the cavity (11) to serve as return air to circulate; the fresh air opening (122) is used for introducing air outside the cavity (11) into the circulating air duct (121) as fresh air; the adjusting device (123) is used for adjusting the fresh air through-flow characteristic of fresh air introduced into the circulating air duct (121) from the fresh air opening (122), and the adjusting device (123) is configured to be capable of achieving at least three different return air and fresh air flow ratios in a controlled mode. A corresponding method for controlling a household appliance and a corresponding computer program product are also disclosed. According to some embodiments, the drying effect can be improved, energy consumption is reduced, and meanwhile the intelligent level is also improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a household appliance, in particular a dishwasher, and also to a corresponding method for controlling a household appliance and a corresponding computer program product. Background Art

[0002] With the development of society and the improvement of people's living standards, various household appliances have begun to enter thousands of households, greatly reducing people's life pressure. In particular, the widespread popularity of dishwashers has freed people from boring labor.

[0003] Current dishwashers are usually equipped with a drying system to keep the cavity of the dishwasher dry after washing, so that the dishes can also be kept dry, which is very important for hygiene maintenance and user experience.

[0004] The drying system usually uses a regenerable moisture absorbing device containing regenerable moisture absorbing materials, such as zeolite. After washing the dishes, the hot and humid gas in the chamber of the dishwasher is heated and dehumidified by flowing through the regenerable moisture absorbing device through the circulating air duct under the action of the fan, and the heated and dehumidified gas is returned to the chamber, and the chamber and the dishes in the chamber are dried through this internal circulation. Then, the dishwasher can enter another stage (which can be called the storage stage), open the valve connected to the circulating air duct, introduce ambient air, i.e., fresh air, into the circulating air duct, and mix it with the gas sucked from the chamber in the circulating air duct, i.e., return air, and enter the chamber through the regenerable moisture absorbing device, and then discharge it from the air outlet to dehumidify it. In this process, because the structure of the circulating air duct has not changed, and the fresh air only enters the circulating air duct and mixes with the return air by the negative pressure of the fresh air outlet, the amount of fresh air is small and heat and mass exchange may only be carried out at the fresh air outlet. Therefore, the amount of fresh air actually entering the cavity of the dishwasher is not enough to replace the hot and humid air in the cavity, so the drying and storage performance is not effectively improved.

[0005] Moreover, the fresh air vent only has fully open and fully closed states, while the drying process of the dishwasher is a gradual process. Therefore, this method of introducing fresh air and the corresponding structure cannot adapt to the changes in the drying process.

[0006] Therefore, corresponding improvements are needed. Summary of the invention

[0007] In order to overcome one of the above disadvantages and / or other possible disadvantages in the prior art not mentioned herein, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved household appliance, a corresponding method for controlling a household appliance and a corresponding computer program product.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a household appliance, comprising: a chamber for accommodating an object to be processed; and a drying system. The drying system comprises: a circulating air duct for circulating the gas in the chamber as return air; a fresh air outlet for introducing the gas outside the chamber as fresh air into the circulating air duct; and a regulating device for regulating the fresh air flow characteristics of the fresh air outlet introducing fresh air into the circulating air duct, wherein the regulating device is configured to be able to controllably achieve at least three different return air to fresh air flow ratios.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the regulating device is configured to realize at least the following three working modes: 100% return air, 100% fresh air, and a mixture of return air and fresh air.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the regulating device is configured to be able to continuously or gradedly adjust the return air to fresh air flow ratio.

[0011] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the regulating device is configured to be able to automatically and associatedly regulate the circulation flow characteristics of the circulation air duct and the fresh air flow characteristics.

[0012] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the regulating device is configured to automatically and mechanically regulate the circulation flow characteristics and the fresh air flow characteristics in a linked manner.

[0013] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the regulating device is configured to automatically reversely regulate the circulation flow characteristics and the fresh air flow characteristics so that the circulation flow characteristics and the fresh air flow characteristics change oppositely.

[0014] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the regulating device includes a valve structure arranged at the fresh air inlet.

[0015] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the valve structure includes a closing body for closing the fresh air outlet, the closing body is configured to be able to at least partially move into the circulating air duct when the fresh air outlet is opened, and the adjusting device also includes a driving mechanism for driving the closing body.

[0016] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the valve structure is installed on the circulating air duct.

[0017] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the closing body is swingably mounted at the edge of the fresh air outlet.

[0018] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the driving mechanism is arranged outside the circulating air duct and is used to drive a driven portion of the valve structure that extends outside the circulating air duct and is drivingly connected to the closed body.

[0019] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the enclosing body is configured so that its gravity can at least help the enclosing body move toward a position for enclosing the fresh air inlet.

[0020] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the closed body is at least partially arranged inside the circulating air duct and cannot move out of the circulating air duct.

[0021] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the driving mechanism is configured as a linear driving mechanism, a cam mechanism or a crank-connecting rod mechanism.

[0022] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the closing body is arranged approximately vertically when closing the fresh air outlet.

[0023] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the closing body is configured as a baffle.

[0024] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the driving mechanism is configured as an electromagnetic actuator.

[0025] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the drying system further comprises a regenerable moisture absorption device arranged on the air flow path of the circulating air duct.

[0026] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the drying system further comprises a sensor disposed in the circulating air duct for measuring the temperature and / or humidity of the corresponding gas.

[0027] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the drying system further comprises a fan for circulating the gas in the circulating air duct.

[0028] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the regulating device is arranged upstream of the regenerable moisture absorption device.

[0029] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the regulating device is arranged upstream of the sensor.

[0030] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is arranged upstream of the regenerable moisture absorption device.

[0031] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the regenerable moisture absorption device is arranged upstream of the fan.

[0032] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is arranged adjacent to the fresh air outlet, allowing the regulating device to be controlled by using the sensor to measure the temperature and / or humidity of the ambient air in the case of 100% fresh air, and to measure the temperature and / or humidity of the gas in the chamber in the case of 100% return air.

[0033] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the drying system further comprises a shielding structure disposed upstream of the sensor in the circulating air duct, and the shielding structure is configured to at least prevent condensed water from dripping onto the sensor.

[0034] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the shielding structure is configured as a protrusion that extends obliquely from the inner side of the wall of the circulating air duct.

[0035] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the shielding structure is integrally formed on the circulating air duct.

[0036] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the household appliance further comprises a controller, which is configured to control the regulating device based on a predetermined program arrangement and / or at least based on the measurement result of the sensor.

[0037] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the household appliance is a dishwasher.

[0038] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a household appliance according to any of the above embodiments is provided, the method comprising at least the following steps: controlling the regulating device so that the drying system operates with at least three different return air to fresh air flow ratios.

[0039] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the regulating device is controlled based at least on the temperature and / or humidity of the gas in the chamber of the household appliance and the temperature and / or humidity of the ambient air of the household appliance to adjust the return air to fresh air flow ratio.

[0040] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the drying system is operated successively with 100% return air, a mixture of return air and fresh air, and 100% fresh air.

[0041] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, in the case of a mixture of return air and fresh air, the regulating device is also controlled based on the temperature and / or humidity of the mixed gas of the return air and fresh air to adjust the return air to fresh air flow ratio.

[0042] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, when the temperature and / or humidity of the gas in the chamber of the household appliance drops below a predetermined value, the drying system is operated with 100% fresh air.

[0043] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, a sensor is arranged downstream of the fresh air outlet in the circulating air duct adjacent to the fresh air outlet to measure the temperature and / or humidity of the gas in the chamber of the household appliance under the condition of 100% return air, and the temperature and / or humidity of the ambient air of the household appliance is measured when the fresh air outlet is opened before the drying process or when the fresh air is 100% during the drying process.

[0044] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a computer program product, in particular a computer-readable program carrier, is provided, which contains or stores computer program instructions, which when executed by a processor can at least assist in implementing the method according to any of the above embodiments.

[0045] According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the drying effect can be greatly improved, the energy consumption can be reduced, and the intelligence level of household appliances can be greatly improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that the principles, features and advantages of the present invention can be better understood. The accompanying drawings include:

[0047] Figure 1 A schematic principle diagram of a household appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0048] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 An enlarged view of the portion within the dotted box on the right side of FIG. , in which the adjustment device is in a working state.

[0049] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 Another working state of the regulating device shown in .

[0050] Figure 4 Shows Figure 2 Another working state of the regulating device is shown in . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial technical effects to be solved by the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and multiple exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention, rather than to limit the scope of protection of the present invention, and each embodiment may share the same view or multiple views for description, but all features appearing in the same figure cannot be interpreted as features that must be possessed by an embodiment. On the contrary, as long as they are not mutually exclusive technically, they can be combined in any suitable manner. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, different embodiments of different aspects may be presented in the same specific design, but such presentation does not mean that the embodiments of these aspects should appear together. The disassembly and / or combination of all possible embodiments and / or technical features should also take into account the description of the specification and the content that can be directly and unambiguously determined by those skilled in the art based on the description of the specification.

[0052] Before starting the description, it should be pointed out that, for the sake of convenience, this document may use position terms or direction terms for description, and the position terms or direction terms are relative to the normal use state of the household appliance. Those skilled in the art can clearly understand this from the description of the present invention without causing confusion. In this case, the position terms and direction terms should not be simply interpreted as the position or direction in any state.

[0053] Figure 1 A schematic principle diagram of a household appliance 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0054] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 An enlarged view of the portion within the dashed box on the right.

[0055] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a household appliance 1, in particular a dishwasher, is provided, comprising: a chamber 11 for accommodating objects to be processed; and a drying system 12. The drying system 12 comprises: a circulating air duct 121 for circulating the gas in the chamber 11 as return air; a fresh air port 122 for introducing the gas outside the chamber 11 into the circulating air duct 121 as fresh air; and a regulating device 123 for regulating the fresh air flow characteristics of the fresh air port 122 introducing the fresh air into the circulating air duct 121, wherein the regulating device 123 is configured to be able to controllably achieve at least three different return air to fresh air flow ratios.

[0056] For better understanding, those skilled in the art may take a dishwasher as an example, however, the household appliance is not limited to the dishwasher, but may be any household appliance that has internal moisture and heat during operation and needs to be subsequently dried.

[0057] The purpose of the drying system 12 is to reduce the humidity in the chamber 11 so as to achieve the desired storage conditions in the chamber 11 .

[0058] The expression "capable of realizing at least three different return air flow ratios to fresh air" used herein means that at least three different return air flow ratios to fresh air can be realized through the active action of the regulating device 123. In particular, Figure 1As shown, the household appliance 1 also includes a controller 128, and the controller 128 can send a control instruction, especially an electrical signal, to the regulating device 123, and the regulating device 123 can actively adjust in response to the control instruction to achieve a predetermined return air fresh air flow ratio. Obviously, this is different from the situation where other uncontrolled return air fresh air flow ratios may be passed through during the conversion from one return air fresh air flow ratio to another return air fresh air flow ratio. The conversion between only two return air fresh air flow ratios does not actively seek to stay in a certain return air fresh air flow ratio in the middle. Therefore, the conversion between only two return air fresh air flow ratios cannot be interpreted as "being able to controllably achieve at least three different return air fresh air flow ratios."

[0059] Therefore, "at least three different return air to fresh air flow ratios" means that there are at least three states of return air to fresh air flow ratio that can be stably maintained. Obviously, the regulating device 123 having only two working states (such as open and closed) cannot achieve this goal.

[0060] In addition, the term "circulating air duct" in the present invention should be understood in a broad sense, that is, the flow path through which the gas sucked out from the chamber 11 is returned to the chamber 11, and the flow path can be located in the housing of the household appliance 1.

[0061] The present invention improves the control process of the household appliance 1 by using at least three different return air to fresh air flow ratios, and can better perform corresponding control according to actual conditions.

[0062] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment device 123 is configured to realize at least the following three working modes: 100% return air, 100% fresh air, and return air and fresh air mixed. Therefore, there are at least three gears to choose from, which provides a certain basis for the fine control of the household appliance 1.

[0063] It is understood that, more preferably, the adjustment device 123 is configured to be able to continuously or gradedly adjust the return air to fresh air flow rate ratio, so that it can be adjusted more finely to adapt to various working states of the household appliance 1.

[0064] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting device 123 is configured to automatically and associatively adjust the circulation flow characteristics and the fresh air flow characteristics of the circulation air duct 121. This means that the adjusting device 123 automatically and associatively adjusts the fresh air flow characteristics while adjusting the circulation flow characteristics, so that the relative relationship between the two can be changed more easily. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that the flow characteristics can be characterized by the flow cross-sectional area.

[0065] Preferably, the regulating device 123 is configured to automatically and in association regulate the circulation flow characteristics and the fresh air flow characteristics in a mechanical manner. The mechanical manner is simple and reliable.

[0066] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting device 123 is configured to automatically adjust the circulation flow characteristic and the fresh air flow characteristic in reverse so that the circulation flow characteristic and the fresh air flow characteristic change in opposite directions. This means that when one of the circulation flow characteristic and the fresh air flow characteristic is adjusted in an increasing direction, the other is automatically adjusted in a decreasing direction.

[0067] Those skilled in the art can understand that the circulating air duct 121 itself has certain flow characteristics when the fresh air outlet 122 is closed, so it is beneficial to adjust the circulating flow characteristics and the fresh air flow characteristics in the opposite way, because there is no new flow cross-sectional area "developed" outward. From the control point of view, the return air and the fresh air can also reach the desired mixing ratio (mixed air characteristics) more quickly, and the control logic of "one increases while the other decreases" formed by increasing one and reducing the other can make the return air and the fresh air achieve a relatively more relative proportional relationship. If the regulating device 123 can be adjusted continuously, theoretically any mixing ratio of 0%-100% can be achieved.

[0068] As a possible implementation, the regulating device 123 includes a valve structure disposed at the fresh air inlet 122 .

[0069] More specifically, if Figure 2 As shown, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the valve structure includes a closing body 1231 for closing the fresh air outlet 122, and the closing body 1231 is configured to be able to at least partially move into the circulating air duct 121 when the fresh air outlet 122 is opened, and the adjusting device 123 also includes a driving mechanism 1232 for driving the closing body 1231.

[0070] It can help us understand that, also as an exemplary embodiment, the circulating air duct 121 can be configured to have at least one section with a rectangular cross-section, and the closed body 1231 can also be a rectangular plate.

[0071] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the valve structure is installed on the circulating air duct 121. This means that the valve structure is directly attached to the circulating air duct 121 so that the circulating air duct 121 itself carries the valve structure, and even no other auxiliary structure is required. Of course, this does not mean that no other auxiliary structure is required, and "installed on the circulating air duct 121" means that the valve structure and the circulating air duct 121 are at least mechanically connected.

[0072] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 Another working state of the regulating device 123 is shown in the figure. At this time, the closing body 1231 swings a certain angle toward the inside of the circulating air duct 121, thereby limiting the circulating flow characteristics to a certain extent, but increasing the air intake capacity from the fresh air outlet 122.

[0073] Figure 4 Shows Figure 2 Another working state of the regulating device 123 shown in FIG. Figure 3 The closed body 1231 swings toward the inside of the circulating air duct 121 at a larger angle and abuts against the inner wall of the circulating air duct 121, thereby completely restricting the circulation flow characteristics, and only the incoming air from the fresh air outlet 122 is sucked downstream.

[0074] It is understandable that Figure 1 As shown, the drying system 12 further includes a fan 126 for circulating the gas in the circulating air duct 121. As an example, the fan 126 can be arranged in the bottom area of ​​the household appliance 1. The fan 126 can be arranged in the circulating air duct 121 or in other positions, as long as the gas can be circulated in the circulating air duct 121.

[0075] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the closing body 1231 is swingably installed at the edge 1221 of the fresh air outlet 122. For example, it can be hinged at the edge 1221.

[0076] As for the driving mechanism 1232, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the driving mechanism 1232 is arranged outside the circulating air duct 121 and is used to drive the driven portion 1233 of the valve structure that extends outside the circulating air duct 121 and is drivingly connected to the closing body 1231. It can be understood that it is very advantageous to arrange the driving mechanism 1232 outside the circulating air duct 121. On the one hand, it will not occupy or affect the flow characteristics of the circulating air duct 121, and on the other hand, the arrangement flexibility is also greater.

[0077] Preferably, the driven portion 1233 is integrally formed with the closed body 1231. In this case, the driven portion 1233 and the closed body 1231 can be regarded as forming a lever mechanism, with the fulcrum of the lever located at the edge 1221. Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, an angle, preferably an obtuse angle, may be formed between the driven portion 1233 and the closed body 1231 .

[0078] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the closing body 1231 is configured such that its gravity can at least help the closing body 1231 move toward the position of closing the fresh air outlet 122. This arrangement can rely on the mutual balance between the gravity of the closing body 1231 and the force of the driving mechanism 1232 when opening the fresh air outlet 122 so that the closing body 1231 can be more stably maintained at the desired position, and when it is necessary to return to the fresh air outlet 122, its gravity can be used to return to the position.

[0079] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the closing body 1231 is at least partially arranged inside the circulating air duct 121 and cannot move out of the circulating air duct 121 .

[0080] As several possible implementations, the driving mechanism 1232 is configured as a linear driving mechanism, a cam mechanism, or a crank-connecting rod mechanism.

[0081] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 As shown, the closing body 1231 is arranged substantially vertically in the state of closing the fresh air outlet 122. This facilitates the return of the closing body 1231 and can effectively utilize the gravity of the closing body 1231. The swing end of the closing body 1231 is at the lower end in this state.

[0082] As shown in the figure, the closing body 1231 can be configured as a baffle. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the driving mechanism 1232 is configured as an electromagnetic actuator, especially a linear actuator. The driving shaft of the linear actuator can be directly pressed against the driven part 1233.

[0083] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, the drying system 12 further includes a regenerable moisture absorbing device 124 disposed on the airflow path of the circulating air duct 121. The regenerable moisture absorbing device 124 may include zeolite, and the hot and humid gas in the chamber 11 will be dehumidified and heated after flowing through the regenerable moisture absorbing device 124, thereby obtaining dry and hot gas, which enters the chamber 11 from below to perform a drying operation.

[0084] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the regulating device 123 is arranged upstream of the regenerable moisture absorbing device 124 .

[0085] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the regenerable moisture absorbing device 124 is disposed upstream of the fan 126 .

[0086] In order to be able to keep track of the progress of the drying process and / or provide a basis for control, such as Figure 2-Figure 4 As shown, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the drying system 12 further includes a sensor 125 disposed in the circulating air duct 121 for measuring the temperature and / or humidity of the corresponding gas. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that temperature and humidity are related.

[0087] Preferably, the regulating device 123 is arranged upstream of the sensor 125. In other words, the sensor 125 can measure the temperature and / or humidity of the return air, the fresh air or the mixed gas thereof. Therefore, only one sensor 125 is installed to realize the collection of multiple data.

[0088] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sensor 125 is disposed upstream of the regenerable moisture absorbing device 124 .

[0089] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, more preferably, the sensor 125 is disposed between the regulating device 123 and the regenerable moisture absorbing device 124 .

[0090] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the sensor 125 is arranged adjacent to the fresh air outlet 122, allowing the sensor 125 to be used to measure the temperature and / or humidity of the ambient air in the case of 100% fresh air and the temperature and / or humidity of the gas in the chamber 11 in the case of 100% return air by controlling the regulating device 123.

[0091] Arrangement closer to the fresh air outlet 122 can more accurately measure the temperature and / or humidity of the ambient air in the case of 100% fresh air, and is also convenient for replacement when necessary.

[0092] In particular, the gas initially drawn from the chamber 11 into the circulating air duct 121 is rich in water vapor. If it directly acts on the sensor 125, it may condense to form water on the sensor 125 or the condensed water formed upstream may drip onto the sensor 125, which will affect the reliable measurement of the sensor 125.

[0093] To this end, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the drying system 12 further includes a shielding structure 127 disposed upstream of the sensor 125 in the circulating air duct 121, and the shielding structure 127 is configured to at least prevent condensed water from dripping onto the sensor 125. This provides shielding for the sensor 125 while still allowing the gas to directly contact the sensor 125, thereby not affecting the normal operation of the sensor 125. Not directly facing the airflow can also improve the accuracy of the measurement.

[0094] As an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the shielding structure 127 is configured as a protrusion that protrudes obliquely from the inner side of the wall of the circulation air duct 121 .

[0095] As an example, the protrusion may be configured as a convex piece. Preferably, the protrusion extends downwardly and obliquely from the inner side of the wall of the circulating air duct 121. In this way, condensed water will flow along the top of the protrusion and will not flow to the sensor 125.

[0096] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the shielding structure 127 is integrally formed on the circulation air duct 121 .

[0097] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As schematically shown in FIG. 1 , the controller 128 is configured to control the regulating device 123 based on a predetermined programming and / or at least based on measurement results of the sensor 125 .

[0098] Those skilled in the art can understand that, for a household appliance 1 of predetermined specifications, through prior testing, simulation or experimentation, the general rules of the drying process of the household appliance 1 can be found, so that, in theory, these rules can be programmed into a program, so that the regulating device 123 can be directly controlled according to the pre-programmed program. At this time, the sensor 125 may not be involved in the control of the regulating device 123, and may only indicate the progress of the drying process.

[0099] However, the regulating device 123 may also be controlled according to the measurement result of the sensor 125 to dynamically adjust the return air to fresh air flow ratio.

[0100] Since the dynamically adjustable regulating device is provided, in particular, the sensor 125 capable of measuring the temperature and / or humidity of the corresponding gas is also provided, this also provides more flexibility for the control method of the household appliance 1. This will be described below.

[0101] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a household appliance 1 according to any of the above embodiments is provided, the method comprising at least the following steps: controlling the regulating device 123 so that the drying system 12 operates with at least three different return air to fresh air flow ratios.

[0102] Those skilled in the art will understand that the temperature and / or humidity of the gas in the chamber 11 of the household appliance 1 and the temperature and / or humidity of the ambient air of the household appliance 1 that provides fresh air will affect the drying process. To this end, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the regulating device 123 is controlled at least based on the temperature and / or humidity of the gas in the chamber 11 of the household appliance 1 and the temperature and / or humidity of the ambient air of the household appliance 1 to adjust the return air to fresh air flow ratio.

[0103] During the drying process of the household appliance 1, the gas in the chamber 11 is initially in a hot and humid state. At this time, the gas is circulated internally with the help of the circulating air duct when the fresh air outlet 122 is closed, and dehumidification is performed by relying on the regenerable moisture absorption device 124. In this case, if fresh air is introduced to discharge moisture outward in large quantities (i.e., the gas is discharged to the outside of the household appliance 1, which is usually relatively dry and the temperature is relatively low), condensed water may be generated at the location of the air outlet of the household appliance 1 or in the vicinity. Therefore, it is necessary to dehumidify for a period of time through the regenerable moisture absorption device 124. However, after a period of dehumidification, the gas in the chamber 11 may still be in a hot and humid state relative to the ambient air. At this time, the fresh air outlet can be opened (such as Figure 3As shown in FIG. 1 ), the return air is mixed with part of the fresh air, and the external condensation water can be reduced while dehumidifying through the air outlet. If the internal humidity has dropped to a safe range (which can be detected by the sensor 125), the fresh air outlet can be opened to the maximum extent (especially even the return air can be completely blocked), and fresh air can be introduced to the maximum extent to replace the hot and humid air in the chamber 11, thereby improving the drying effect.

[0104] To this end, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the drying system 12 is operated successively with 100% return air, a mixture of return air and fresh air, and 100% fresh air.

[0105] Further, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the temperature and / or humidity of the gas in the chamber 11 of the household appliance 1 drops below a predetermined value, the drying system 12 is operated with 100% fresh air to maximize the drying effect.

[0106] In order to adapt to the change of the state of the gas in the chamber 11, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the case of the return air and fresh air mixture, the regulating device 123 can also be controlled based on the temperature and / or humidity of the mixed gas of the return air and fresh air to adjust the return air and fresh air flow rate ratio. Thus, the drying operation can be actively adjusted to improve the drying efficiency.

[0107] It is mentioned above that the special arrangement of the sensor 125 can enable the sensor 125 to measure different objects in different scenarios.

[0108] Here, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the temperature and / or humidity of the gas in the chamber 11 of the household appliance 1 is measured by a sensor 125 arranged downstream of the fresh air outlet 122 adjacent to the fresh air outlet 122 in the circulating air duct 121 under 100% return air, and the temperature and / or humidity of the ambient air of the household appliance 1 is measured when the fresh air outlet 122 is opened before the drying process (for example, when the household appliance 1 is not working) or during the drying process under 100% fresh air.

[0109] As described above, this allows one sensor 125 to have multiple uses at the same time without the need to provide a sensor for measuring the temperature and humidity of the ambient air of the household appliance 1.

[0110] Those skilled in the art will understand that when the surrounding environment is low temperature and high humidity or high temperature and high humidity, if fresh air is directly introduced into the chamber 11 of the household appliance 1, the drying efficiency will be very low. However, in the present invention, as described above, the fresh air will flow through the renewable desiccant device 124, and after being dehumidified and heated, it will enter the chamber 11, which will greatly improve the drying effect.

[0111] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a computer program product, in particular a computer-readable program carrier, is provided, which contains or stores computer program instructions, which when executed by a processor can at least assist in implementing the method according to any of the above embodiments.

[0112] Although specific embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, even when only a single embodiment is described with respect to specific features. The feature examples provided in the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative, not limiting, unless otherwise expressly stated. In specific implementations, multiple features can be combined with each other where technically feasible, depending on actual needs. Various substitutions, changes, and modifications may also be conceived without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A household appliance (1), comprising: A chamber (11) for accommodating an object to be processed; and A drying system (12), the drying system (12) comprising: a circulating air duct (121) for circulating the gas in the chamber (11) as return air; A fresh air port (122) for introducing the gas outside the chamber (11) as fresh air into the circulating air duct (121); and an adjusting device (123) for adjusting the fresh air flow characteristics of the fresh air introduced into the circulating air duct (121) by the fresh air inlet (122), The regulating device (123) is configured to realize at least three different return air to fresh air flow ratios in a controlled manner.

2. The household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The regulating device (123) is configured to realize at least the following three working modes: 100% return air, 100% fresh air, and a mixture of return air and fresh air.

3. The household appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The regulating device (123) is configured to be able to continuously or stepwise adjust the return air to fresh air flow ratio.

4. The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The regulating device (123) is configured to be able to automatically and associatedly regulate the circulation flow characteristics of the circulation air duct (121) and the fresh air flow characteristics.

5. The household appliance (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The regulating device (123) is configured to automatically and mechanically regulate the circulation flow characteristics and the fresh air flow characteristics in a linked manner.

6. The household appliance (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The regulating device (123) is configured to automatically reversely regulate the circulation flow characteristics and the fresh air flow characteristics so that the circulation flow characteristics and the fresh air flow characteristics change in opposite directions.

7. The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The regulating device (123) comprises a valve structure arranged at the fresh air inlet (122).

8. The household appliance (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The valve structure comprises a closing body (1231) for closing the fresh air outlet (122), the closing body (1231) being configured to be able to at least partially move into the circulating air duct (121) when the fresh air outlet (122) is opened, and the regulating device (123) further comprises a driving mechanism (1232) for driving the closing body (1231); and / or The valve structure is installed on the circulating air duct (121).

9. The household appliance (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The closing body (1231) is swingably mounted at the edge (1221) of the fresh air outlet (122); and / or The driving mechanism (1232) is arranged outside the circulating air duct (121) and is used to drive the driven part (1233) of the valve structure that extends outside the circulating air duct (121) and is drivingly connected to the closed body (1231).

10. The household appliance (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The enclosing body (1231) is configured such that its gravity can at least help the enclosing body (1231) move toward a position that closes the fresh air inlet (122); and / or The closed body (1231) is at least partially arranged inside the circulating air duct (121) and cannot move out of the circulating air duct (121); and / or The driving mechanism (1232) is configured as a linear driving mechanism, a cam mechanism or a crank-connecting rod mechanism.

11. The household appliance (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that The closing body (1231) is arranged substantially vertically in a state of closing the fresh air outlet (122); and / or The closing body (1231) is configured as a baffle; and / or The driving mechanism (1232) is configured as an electromagnetic actuator.

12. The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The drying system (12) further comprises a regenerable moisture absorbing device (124) arranged on the air flow path of the circulating air duct (121); and / or The drying system (12) further comprises a sensor (125) disposed in the circulating air duct (121) for measuring the temperature and / or humidity of the corresponding gas; and / or The drying system (12) further comprises a fan (126) for causing the gas to circulate in the circulating air duct (121).

13. The household appliance (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that The regulating device (123) is arranged upstream of the regenerable moisture absorption device (124); and / or The regulating device (123) is arranged upstream of the sensor (125); and / or The sensor (125) is arranged upstream of the regenerable moisture absorption device (124); and / or The regenerable moisture absorption device (124) is arranged upstream of the fan (126).

14. The household appliance (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that The sensor (125) is arranged adjacent to the fresh air inlet (122) so as to allow the sensor (125) to measure the temperature and / or humidity of the ambient air in the case of 100% fresh air and the temperature and / or humidity of the gas in the chamber (11) in the case of 100% return air by controlling the regulating device (123); and / or The drying system (12) further comprises a shielding structure (127) arranged in the circulating air duct (121) upstream of the sensor (125), wherein the shielding structure (127) is configured to at least prevent condensed water from dripping onto the sensor (125).

15. The household appliance (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that The shielding structure (127) is configured as a protrusion that extends obliquely from the inner side of the wall of the circulating air duct (121); and / or The shielding structure (127) is integrally formed on the circulating air duct (121).

16. The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that: The household appliance (1) further comprises a controller (128), which is configured to control the regulating device (123) based on a predetermined programming and / or at least based on a measurement result of the sensor (125).

17. The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that: The household appliance (1) is a dishwasher.

18. A method for controlling a household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, the method comprising at least the following steps: The regulating device (123) is controlled to enable the drying system (12) to operate at least three different return air to fresh air flow ratios.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The regulating device (123) is controlled based at least on the temperature and / or humidity of the gas in the chamber (11) of the household appliance (1) and the temperature and / or humidity of the ambient air of the household appliance (1) to adjust the return air to fresh air flow rate ratio.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that The drying system (12) is operated successively with 100% return air, a mixture of return air and fresh air, and 100% fresh air.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that In the case of a mixture of return air and fresh air, the regulating device (123) is also controlled based on the temperature and / or humidity of the mixed gas of the return air and fresh air to adjust the return air and fresh air flow rate ratio.

22. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that When the temperature and / or humidity of the gas in the chamber (11) of the household appliance (1) drops below a predetermined value, the drying system (12) is operated with 100% fresh air.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that The temperature and / or humidity of the gas in the chamber (11) of the household appliance (1) is measured by a sensor (125) arranged downstream of the fresh air outlet (122) and adjacent to the fresh air outlet (122) in the circulating air duct (121) under the condition of 100% return air, and the temperature and / or humidity of the ambient air of the household appliance (1) is measured under the condition of 100% fresh air when the fresh air outlet (122) is opened before the drying process or under the condition of 100% fresh air during the drying process.

24. A computer program product, in particular a computer-readable program carrier, which contains or stores computer program instructions, which, when executed by a processor, can at least assist in implementing the method according to any one of claims 18 to 23.

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