Control method of roller washing machine and roller washing machine

Abstract

The invention provides a roller washing machine control method and a roller washing machine. The roller washing machine comprises a box body; a drum; a hanging piece; a steam generator; the steam generator includes: a housing; a heating body; a heating tube; an automatic temperature controller; the control method comprises the steps that the heating pipe is controlled to conduct power-on and power-off circulation so as to preheat the heating body, after preheating of the heating body is completed, the heating pipe is controlled to continuously heat the heating body to generate steam, the automatic temperature controller monitors the temperature of the heating body, and the steam is sprayed out through the steam outlet; when the automatic temperature controller monitors that the temperature of the heating body is a first set temperature, the heating pipe is controlled to stop heating, and water is injected into the heating body through the water injection opening; and when the automatic temperature controller monitors that the heating body is cooled to a second set temperature through water injection, water injection is stopped, and the heating pipe is controlled to continuously heat the heating body so as to circularly heat the heating body to generate steam. The problem that the steam generator of the roller washing machine sprays water in the using process is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of drum washing machines, and in particular to a drum washing machine and a method for detecting water consumption of the drum washing machine. Background Art

[0002] In order to better treat clothes, the method of using steam generators in drum washing machines to treat clothes has become more and more common. However, the current drum washing machines pursue ultra-thinness and large capacity, resulting in very small space for the steam generator inside. It is easy for too much water to enter, so that water occupies a large volume in the steam generator. When heated again, the water and air expand due to heat, and the steam generated is ejected out of the generator at once, causing water spraying. Water spraying can easily wet clothes locally, causing uneven dryness and wetness on the clothes, further resulting in greatly reduced wrinkle removal and other care effects, giving users a very bad experience.

[0003] Therefore, how to make the steam generator used in the drum washing machine only spray steam during use is a problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application aims to solve the technical problem of how to make a steam generator used in a drum washing machine only spray steam during use.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a control method for a drum washing machine, wherein the drum washing machine comprises: a casing, which is constructed as an outer shell of the drum washing machine and provides installation space for a drum and a steam generator; a drum, which provides a processing space for clothes to be processed; a steam generator, which is used to generate steam and spray steam into the drum to process clothes; a hanger, which is used to fix the steam generator to the inner wall of the casing; the steam generator comprises: a shell, on which a water injection port and a steam outlet are provided; a heating body, water is injected into the heating body through the water injection port connected to the heating body, and the heating body is used to contain and heat water in the heating body; a heating pipe, which is used to heat the heating body; an automatic thermostat, which is used to monitor the temperature of the heating body; the steam outlet is connected to the heating body to discharge the steam generated by the heating body to the outside of the shell. Steam; wherein the automatic temperature controller is installed on the outer surface of the heating body and is located below the water flow out of the water injection port; the control method comprises: controlling the heating tube to perform on-off power cycle to preheat the heating body, and controlling the steam outlet to discharge the steam generated by the heating body during the preheating period; after completing the preheating of the heating body, controlling the heating tube to heat the heating body to generate steam, and enabling the automatic temperature controller to monitor the temperature of the heating body, and the steam is ejected through the steam outlet; when the automatic temperature controller detects that the heating body is at a first set temperature, controlling the heating tube to stop heating and injecting water into the heating body through the water injection port; when the automatic temperature controller detects that the heating body is cooled to a second set temperature after water injection, stopping water injection, and controlling the heating tube to continue heating the heating body, so as to perform cyclic heating on the heating body to generate steam.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present application, before the heating body is continuously powered on and heated by the heating tube, the heating tube in the steam generator is powered on and off in a cycle to preheat the heating body. The temperature of the heating body is gradually increased by repeatedly powering on and off the heating tube, and the air and steam that expand inside the heating are discharged. After the interior is stabilized, the depyrogenic body is continuously heated by the heating tube, thereby generating stable steam to treat the clothes.

[0007] Furthermore, the water flows directly from the water injection port to the top of the automatic temperature controller, which greatly shortens the time it takes for the heating body to drop from the first temperature to the second temperature, thereby reducing the water injection time for the heating body, that is, reducing the water in the heating body and avoiding water spraying when heating the heating body.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present application, the heating tube is controlled to perform an on-off cycle to preheat the heating body, and the steam outlet is controlled to discharge the steam generated by the heating body heating the water during the preheating period, including: controlling the heating tube to perform on-off cycles at fixed intervals until a standard time or number of on-off cycles is reached; controlling the steam outlet to discharge the steam in the heating body to complete the preheating of the heating body.

[0009] In this embodiment, the process of preheating the heating body through the heating tube in the steam generator is further considered. Specifically, in the process of preheating the heating body through the heating tube, the heating body needs to be preheated as soon as possible so that the steam generator can be put into the process of processing clothes as soon as possible. Therefore, in the process of preheating the heating body, the steam outlet of the steam generator is not opened to discharge the steam generated in the preheating process, but the steam in the steam generator is discharged after the preheating of the heating body is completed through the on-off cycle of the heating tube. On the one hand, the heat loss in the heating body is avoided, and the heat generated by the heating tube is maximized to preheat the heating body in the same preheating time. On the other hand, the steam generated by each on-off cycle of the heating tube is filled in the heating body, and can also heat the air in the heating body to prevent the steam generator from spraying water due to thermal expansion and contraction of the air in subsequent use.

[0010] In the second aspect, a drum washing machine comprises: a box body, which is constructed as an outer shell of the drum washing machine and provides installation space for the drum and the steam generator; the drum provides a processing space for the clothes to be processed; the steam generator is used to generate steam and spray steam into the drum to process the clothes; a hanger is used to fix the steam generator to the inner wall of the box body; the steam generator comprises: a shell, the shell of the steam generator is provided with a water injection port and a steam outlet; a heating body, water is injected into the heating body through the water injection port connected to the heating body, and the heating body is used to contain and heat the water in the heating body; a heating pipe is used to heat the heating body; an automatic thermostat is used to monitor the temperature of the heating body; the steam outlet is connected to the heating body to discharge the steam generated in the heating body to the outside of the shell; wherein the automatic thermostat is located at the water outlet The water flows out of the water injection port flow; a controller, the controller being configured as: a preheating unit, used to control the heating tube to perform an on-off power cycle to preheat the heating body, and control the steam outlet to discharge the steam generated by the heating body during the preheating period; a first heating unit, used to control the heating tube to heat the heating body to generate steam after completing the preheating of the heating body, and enable the automatic temperature controller to monitor the temperature of the heating body, and the steam is ejected through the steam outlet; a water injection unit, used to control the heating tube to stop heating when the automatic temperature controller detects that the heating body is at a first set temperature, and to inject water into the heating body through the water injection port; a second heating unit, used to stop injecting water when the automatic temperature controller detects that the heating body is cooled to a second set temperature after water injection, and control the heating tube to continue heating the heating body, so as to perform cyclic heating on the heating body to generate steam.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present application, before the heating body is continuously powered on and heated by the heating tube, the heating tube in the steam generator is powered on and off in a cycle to preheat the heating body. The temperature of the heating body is gradually increased by repeatedly powering on and off the heating tube, and the air and steam that expand inside the heating are discharged. After the inside is stable, the depyrogenic body is continuously heated by the heating tube, thereby generating stable steam to treat the clothes.

[0012] Furthermore, the water flows directly from the water injection port to the top of the automatic temperature controller, which greatly shortens the time it takes for the heating body to drop from the first temperature to the second temperature, thereby reducing the water injection time for the heating body, that is, reducing the water in the heating body and avoiding water spraying when heating the heating body.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present application, a blowout prevention assembly is installed inside the shell, and the blowout prevention assembly is wrapped by the inner wall of the shell to form a chamber connected to the steam outlet; the steam outlet is opened in the chamber formed by the blowout prevention assembly and the inner wall of the shell, and the side of the chamber close to the heating body is a closed surface, and the closed surface isolates the water in the heating body, and the side of the chamber opposite to the steam outlet is a mesh structure, and the mesh structure allows steam to enter the chamber so that the steam is discharged from the steam outlet.

[0014] In this embodiment, a blowout prevention component is provided in the steam generator to isolate water from the steam outlet to prevent water from spraying when the steam generator discharges steam. In the process of heating the heating body by the heating tube, the temperature of the heating body rises, causing the water in the heating body to boil and generate steam, and the steam mixed with water surges toward the blowout prevention component. The blowout prevention component isolates the water mixed with steam on the side close to the heating body, and the blowout prevention component is opposite to the steam outlet, so that the steam passes through the chamber formed by the blowout prevention component and the inner wall of the shell, surges to the steam outlet and is discharged from the steam outlet, so that water and steam will not be discharged together from the steam generator.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present application, a heating tube is embedded in the heating body, and the heating tube heats the heating body to increase the temperature of the heating body to heat the water.

[0016] In the above embodiment, since the surface temperature of the heating tube is too high, if the water is heated directly, the heating effect of the water around the heating tube will be better, but the heating effect of the water far away from the heating tube is not good. In the present application, the heating tube is embedded in the heating body, and the heating body is heated to heat the heating body to complete the heating of the water and generate steam. The area of ​​the heating body in contact with the water is much larger than the heating tube, so the water can be heated more evenly and evenly. On the one hand, steam can be generated evenly, and on the other hand, it can prevent the water in the heating body from spraying water when the steam generator is working due to uneven heating.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present application, an automatic temperature controller of the steam generator is installed on the outer surface of the bottom of the heating body.

[0018] In the above embodiment, the automatic temperature controller is installed on the outer surface of the bottom of the heating body. The temperature of the heating body is obtained by sensing the temperature of the heating body. According to the temperature of the heating body, the heating tube is controlled to continue heating, so that the heating body always heats the water in the heating body at a set temperature range to generate steam, thereby realizing a uniform steam injection from the steam generator, better treating the clothes, and on the other hand, protecting the heating body from damage due to excessively high temperature.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present application, a water injection pipe is provided at the water injection port of the steam generator; the water flowing out through the water outlet side of the water injection pipe flows to the inner surface of the receiving part of the heating body, and the receiving part is a part of the main body of the heating body, which receives the water flowing toward the heating body through the water injection port.

[0020] In the above embodiment, after the heating body reaches the first set temperature, the water inlet valve will be opened to inject water into the heating body until the temperature of the heating body drops to the second set temperature. Considering that the water injection time is the same as the time it takes for the heating body to drop from the first set temperature to the second set temperature, in order to control the water injection time within a reasonable time, so that the water level in the heating body is always kept below the standard water level, water will not be sprayed when the steam generator discharges steam due to the water level being too high.

[0021] By setting a water injection pipe in the water injection port to control the direction of water flow, the water flows to the inner surface of the receiving part of the heating body. In this way, the receiving part is the area where the temperature drops fastest in the heating body, which shortens the time it takes for the automatic thermostat to sense that the heating body drops from the first temperature to the second temperature, indirectly shortening the water injection time to reduce the amount of water injected.

[0022] Therefore, by setting a water injection pipe in the steam generator to control the direction of the water flow, the water flow is made to fall to the inner surface of the receiving part of the heating body. In this way, the receiving part is the area where the temperature drops the fastest in the heating body, and it is also the area with the lowest temperature. The temperature of the area around the receiving part decreases successively. Then, by controlling the relative position relationship between the automatic thermostat and the receiving part, the time for the automatic thermostat to sense the decrease of the first temperature of the heating body to the second temperature can be controlled, and finally the water injection time can be controlled so that the water level in the heating body is always maintained at the standard water level, and the steam generator will not spray water when discharging steam through the steam outlet due to the water level being too high. The standard water level is the critical water level value that will not cause the steam generator to spray water when discharging steam through the steam outlet due to the water level being too high.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present application, the water injection pipe of the steam generator is a curved pipe, which changes the direction of water flow so that the water flows through the water injection pipe and falls to the inner surface of the receiving part.

[0024] In the above embodiment, considering that when water is injected into the heating body through the water injection pipe, the water flow velocity will affect the characteristics of the water flow direction, the water injection pipe is set as a curved pipe to guide the water flow so that the water flow can more accurately fall on the inner surface of the receiving part on the heating body.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present application, the automatic temperature controller of the steam generator is installed on the outer surface of the receiving portion.

[0026] In the above embodiment, considering that the water filling time is still too long, resulting in too high water level in the heating body, the automatic temperature controller is installed on the outer surface of the receiving part, so that the automatic temperature controller can sense the cooling of the heating body to the second temperature in the shortest time, thereby minimizing the water filling time. The water level in the heating body is controlled not to exceed the standard water level.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present application, the thickness of the receiving portion is less than the standard thickness of the heating body. When the receiving portion of standard thickness receives water flow for cooling, the receiving portion drops from the first temperature to the second temperature after a standard time.

[0028] In the above embodiment, considering that the wall thickness of the receiving part is too thick, the water flow has no obvious cooling effect on the receiving part, which will cause the time for the receiving part to cool from the first temperature to the second temperature to be too long. Therefore, reducing the thickness of the receiving part will reduce the time for the receiving part to cool from the first temperature to the second temperature, thereby reducing the water injection time and ensuring that the water level in the heating body is always lower than the standard water level.

[0029] Other features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description, or may be learned in part by the practice of the present application.

[0030] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary only and are not restrictive of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a steam generator according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0033] Figure 2 A flow chart of a method for controlling a drum washing machine according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0034] Figure 3 A flowchart of the steps before word segmentation processing of acquired customer conversation data to obtain intent keywords is shown, according to one embodiment of the present application, for controlling the heating tube to perform an on-off power cycle to preheat the heating body, and controlling the steam outlet to discharge steam generated by the heating body heating water during preheating.

[0035] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a steam generator according to another embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0036] Figure 5 A structural diagram of a blowout prevention assembly according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0037] Figure 6 A partial schematic diagram of a steam generator according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0038] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing a water injection pipe as a curved pipe according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0039] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing the connection position between an automatic thermostat and a heating body according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0040] Fig. 9 A structural diagram of a receiving portion according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0041] The following are the descriptions of the reference numerals:

[0042] 100. Steam generator;

[0043] 1. Hanger: 101; Shell: 102; Water inlet: 1021; Steam outlet: 1022; Heating body: 103; Manual thermostat: 104; Automatic thermostat: 105; Insulation layer: 106; Heating pipe: 107; Water inlet pipe: 108; Pressure relief pipe: 109; Steam outlet pipe: 110; Steam nozzle: 1101.

[0044] 200. Steam generator; shell: 201. Steam outlet: 2011. Pressure relief port: 2012. Water injection port: 2013; heating body: 202. Connecting part: 2021; heating pipe: 203; automatic temperature controller: 204; blowout prevention assembly: 205. Side of the blowout prevention assembly opposite to the steam outlet: 2051. Side of the blowout prevention assembly close to the heating body: 2052; water injection pipe: 206. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, example embodiments can be implemented in a variety of forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the description of the present application will be more comprehensive and complete and the concepts of the example embodiments will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings are only schematic illustrations of the present application and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numerals in the figures represent the same or similar parts, and thus their repeated description will be omitted.

[0046] In addition, the described features, structures or characteristics may be combined in one or more example embodiments in any suitable manner. In the following description, many specific details are provided to provide a full understanding of the example embodiments of the present application. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the technical solution of the present application may be practiced while omitting one or more of the specific details, or other methods, components, steps, etc. may be adopted. In other cases, known structures, methods, implementations or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring the present application and making the various aspects of the present application obscure.

[0047] Some of the blocks shown in the accompanying drawings are functional entities that do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically independent entities. These functional entities can be implemented in software form, or in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or in different networks and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.

[0048] The present application provides a drum washing machine, comprising a housing, an outer drum, a drum, a steam generator, and a rack.

[0049] The cabinet is usually a rectangular hollow structure, and is constructed as the outer shell of the drum washing machine. The cabinet can also be in other shapes and can be designed according to needs, which is not limited here. The internal space of the cabinet provides installation space for the outer drum, drum and other components.

[0050] The outer cylinder is arranged in the installation space in the box body, and the outer cylinder is relatively fixed inside the box body.

[0051] The drum is rotatably arranged in the accommodating space of the outer drum.

[0052] The steam generator is fixed to the inner wall of the box body through the hanging bracket.

[0053] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 The structural schematic diagram of a steam generator according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. The drum washing machine also includes a hanger 101, which connects the steam generator 100 to the drum washing machine. The steam generator 100 includes: a housing: 102; a heating body: 103; a manual thermostat: 104; an automatic thermostat: 105; an insulation layer: 106; a heating pipe: 107; a water inlet pipe: 108; a pressure relief pipe: 109; a steam outlet pipe: 110, and a steam nozzle: 1101.

[0054] The shell 102 is provided with a water inlet 1021, a steam outlet 1022, and a pressure relief port 1023, which are used for water intake, steam outlet and pressure relief, and are respectively connected to the water inlet pipe 108, the pressure relief pipe 109, and the steam outlet pipe 110; the heating body 103 is used to heat water; the manual thermostat 104 plays a protective role after the automatic thermostat 105 fails; the automatic thermostat 105 controls the temperature of the heating body, and is connected in parallel with the water inlet valve of the steam generator 100 to realize the alternation of water intake and heating. The insulation layer 106 is installed around the heating body 103 for heat preservation to avoid affecting the surrounding parts; the heating pipe 107 is installed in the heating body 103, and is used to heat the heating body 103; the steam outlet pipe 110: is used to transport steam from the steam outlet 1022 to the steam nozzle 1101; the steam nozzle 1101 sprays steam into the drum for clothing care.

[0055] In some embodiments of the present application, the automatic thermostat 105 is installed on the outer surface of the heating body 103 and is located below the water flow out of the water injection port 1021 .

[0056] In another embodiment of the present application, a blowout prevention assembly is installed inside the shell 102, and the blowout prevention assembly is wrapped by the inner wall of the shell 102 to form a chamber connected to the steam outlet 1022. The steam outlet 1022 is opened in the chamber formed by the blowout prevention assembly and the inner wall of the shell 102. The side of the chamber close to the heating body 103 is a closed surface, and the closed surface is used to isolate the water in the heating body 103. The side of the chamber opposite to the steam outlet 1022 is a mesh structure, and the mesh structure allows steam to enter the chamber and be discharged from the steam outlet 1022.

[0057] Based on the above steam generator, such as Figure 2 As shown, a flow chart of a method for controlling a drum washing machine according to an embodiment of the present application. The present application provides a method for controlling a drum washing machine including a steam generator, including:

[0058] Step S210, controlling the heating tube to perform an on-off cycle to preheat the heating body, and controlling the steam outlet to discharge the steam generated by the heating body during the preheating period;

[0059] Step S220, after the preheating of the heating body is completed, the heating tube is controlled to heat the heating body to generate steam, and the automatic temperature controller monitors the temperature of the heating body, and the steam is ejected through the steam outlet;

[0060] Step S230, when the automatic temperature controller detects that the heating body is at the first set temperature, the heating tube is controlled to stop heating, and water is injected into the heating body through the water injection port;

[0061] Step S240, when the automatic temperature controller detects that the heating body is cooled to the second set temperature after water injection, water injection is stopped, and the heating tube is controlled to continue heating the heating body, so as to circulate and heat the heating body to generate steam.

[0062] The above four steps are described in detail below.

[0063] In step S210, before the heating tube 107 starts working, water is injected into the heating body 103 through the water injection port 1021, and then the heating tube 107 is powered on and off so that the heating tube 107 intermittently heats the heating body 103. The temperature of the heating body 103 is gradually increased, and then the heating body 103 gradually heats the water in the heating body 103 through its own heat, so that the water and air in the internal space of the heating body 103 are gradually heated, and finally the air and steam expanded by the heat are discharged, so as to achieve the purpose of changing the water and air in the internal space of the heating body 103 from low temperature to high temperature, so that the temperature of the internal space of the heating body 103 is balanced.

[0064] Therefore, when the steam generator 100 is used, the volume of air inside the heating body 103 will not expand due to heat, and the pressure inside the heating body 103 will not increase, causing water and steam to be ejected together.

[0065] See also Figure 3 , Figure 3 According to an embodiment of the present application, a flow chart of controlling a heating tube to perform an on-off power cycle to preheat a heating body, and controlling a steam outlet to discharge steam generated by the heating body heating water during preheating. The present application embodiment provides a step S210 of controlling a heating tube to perform an on-off power cycle to preheat a heating body, and controlling a steam outlet to discharge steam generated by the heating body heating water during preheating, including:

[0066] Step S211, controlling the heating tube to switch on and off at fixed intervals until a set time or number of on and off times is reached;

[0067] Step S212, controlling the steam outlet to discharge the steam in the heating body to complete the preheating of the heating body.

[0068] The above two steps are described in detail below.

[0069] In step S211, in order to enable the heating tube 107 to gradually heat the heating body 103, the heating tube 107 is controlled to be powered on and off at fixed intervals to achieve the purpose of gradually heating the heating body 103. For example, the heating tube 107 is powered on for 10s and off for 10s, and then powered on for 10s and off for 10s, with 20s as a cycle, until a set number of cycles are completed, or the duration of the on-off cycle reaches a set time, and then the heating tube 107 is controlled to stop being powered on and off.

[0070] In step S212 , after the on-off cycle of the heating tube 107 is completed, the steam outlet 1022 of the steam generator 100 is opened to discharge the steam inside the heating body 103 , thereby completing the preheating of the heating body 103 .

[0071] In this embodiment, the process of preheating the heating body 103 through the heating tube 107 in the steam generator 100 is further considered. Specifically, in the process of preheating the heating body 103 through the heating tube 107, the heating body 103 needs to be preheated as soon as possible so that the steam generator 100 can be put into the process of processing clothes as soon as possible. Therefore, in the process of preheating the heating body 103, the steam outlet of the steam generator is not opened to discharge the steam generated in the preheating process, but the steam in the steam generator 100 is discharged after the preheating of the heating body 103 is completed through the on-off cycle of the heating tube 107. On the one hand, the heat loss in the heating body 103 is avoided, and the heat generated by the heating tube 107 is maximized to preheat the heating body 103 in the same preheating time. On the other hand, the steam generated by each on-off cycle of the heating tube 107 is filled in the heating body 103, and can also heat the air in the heating body 103 to prevent the steam generator from spraying water due to thermal expansion and contraction of the air in subsequent use.

[0072] In step S220, after the preheating of the heating body 103 is completed, the heating tube 107 is controlled to continue to heat the heating body 103, so that the heating body 103 heats the water in the heating body 103 to generate steam. The steam flows to the steam outlet through the spray prevention component to be discharged, and the clothes are treated.

[0073] During this process, the automatic temperature controller 105 always monitors the temperature of the heating body 103 to prevent the temperature of the heating body 103 from being too high or too low.

[0074] In some embodiments of the present application, the blowout prevention assembly can be installed inside the housing 102, and is wrapped by the inner wall of the housing 102 to form a chamber. The steam outlet is located in the chamber formed by the blowout prevention assembly and the inner wall of the housing 102. The side of the chamber close to the heating body 103 is a closed surface to isolate the water in the heating body 103. The side of the chamber opposite to the steam outlet is a mesh structure to allow steam to enter the chamber and to be discharged from the steam outlet. This prevents the steam generator from spraying out steam and water together when it is working.

[0075] In step S230, as the heating tube 107 continues to heat the heating body 103, the temperature of the heating body 103 becomes higher and higher. When the automatic temperature controller 105 detects that the temperature of the heating body 103 rises to the first set temperature, the steam generator 100 controls the heating body 103 to stop heating. At the same time, the water inlet valve of the steam generator 100 is opened to inject water into the heating body 103 through the water injection port 1021 to cool down the heating body 103.

[0076] In some embodiments of the present application, the automatic thermostat 105 controls the power on and off of the heating tube 107, and is connected in parallel with the water inlet valve of the steam generator to realize the alternation of water inlet and heating. The automatic thermostat 105 controls the heating tube 107 to start heating, triggering the water inlet valve to automatically close; the automatic thermostat 105 controls the heating tube 107 to stop heating, triggering the water inlet valve to automatically open, and then water flows into the heating body 103 through the water injection port.

[0077] In step S240, when the automatic temperature controller 105 detects that the heating body 103 is cooled to the second set temperature after water injection, the water stop valve is closed. At the same time, the heating tube 107 is controlled to continue heating the heating body 103 until the heating body reaches the first set temperature again. The heating is then stopped and water is added, and the process of heating and heating, and water injection and cooling is circulated to generate steam to treat the clothes.

[0078] In the technical solution of the above embodiment, when the steam generator 100 starts working, the heating body 103 in a cooling state and containing water is directly heated by the heating pipe 107. By preheating the heating body, the problem of water and steam being ejected together due to volume expansion caused by heat in the process of water and air in the steam generator changing from cold to hot is solved.

[0079] On the one hand, the present application sets a spray prevention component in the steam generator to isolate water from the steam outlet to prevent water from spraying when the steam generator discharges steam. On the other hand, before the heating body 103 is continuously powered on and heated by the heating tube 107, the heating tube 107 in the steam generator 100 is powered on and off to preheat the heating body 103. The heating body 103 gradually increases the temperature of the heating body 103 by repeatedly powering on and off the heating tube 107, and discharges the air and steam that expands due to the heat inside. After the inside is stable, the heating body 103 is continuously heated by the heating tube 107, thereby generating stable steam to treat the clothes.

[0080] Furthermore, when the volume of the steam generator is small (currently, drum washing machines pursue ultra-thinness and large capacity, resulting in very small space for functional modules inside, and the volume of each module is compressed), the water injected into the heating body may fill the entire heating body or occupy a large volume. When heating is performed next time, the water and air expand due to heat and the generated steam are ejected out of the steam outlet at once, causing the water spraying phenomenon. It can be seen from this that the reason why the steam generator sprays water is: the single water intake is too large; the further reason is that the single water intake time is too long; and the further reason is that the temperature controller recovery time is too long. Therefore, the fundamental reason for the steam generator to spray water is that the temperature controller cools down too slowly, causing the steam generator to spray water. The present application also allows the water flow of the water injection port 1021 to flow directly to the top of the automatic temperature controller 105, so that the time for the heating body 103 to drop from the first temperature to the second temperature is greatly shortened, thereby reducing the water injection time of the heating body, that is, reducing the water in the heating body, and avoiding water spraying when the heating body is heated.

[0081] In view of the above problem, another embodiment of the present application discloses a steam generator 200 to further solve the problem of water spraying by the steam generator. It should be clarified that a control method for a drum washing machine applicable to the steam generator 100 is also applicable to the steam generator 200.

[0082] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 The schematic diagram of the structure of a steam generator according to another embodiment of the present application is shown. The steam generator 200 comprises: a housing 201 : a heating body 202 , a heating pipe 203 , an automatic temperature controller 204 , and a blowout prevention assembly 205 .

[0083] The shell 201 is designed with a water inlet 2013, a steam outlet 2011, and a pressure relief port 2012 for water intake, steam outlet and pressure relief. A heating tube 203 is embedded inside the heating body 202 for heating, and an automatic thermostat 204 is provided on the outer surface to monitor the temperature of the heating body. The heating tube 203 is used to heat the heating body 202 inside the heating body; the automatic thermostat 204 controls the on and off of the heating tube 203, and is connected in parallel with the water inlet valve of the steam generator 200 to realize alternating water intake and heating; the blowout prevention assembly 205 is installed inside the shell 201 and is wrapped by the inner wall of the shell 102 to form a chamber.

[0084] See also Figure 5 , Figure 5 A structural diagram of a blowout prevention assembly according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5It can be seen that the steam outlet 2011 is located in the chamber formed by the blowout prevention component 205 and the inner wall of the shell 201, the side 2052 of the blowout prevention component close to the heating body is a closed surface, which isolates the water in the heating body 202, and the side 2051 of the blowout prevention component opposite to the steam outlet is a mesh structure, allowing steam to enter the chamber and be discharged from the steam outlet 2011.

[0085] In some embodiments of the present application, the heating tube 203 is installed inside the heating body 202 so that the heating tube 203 does not contact the water in the heating body 202. Since the surface temperature of the heating tube 203 is too high, if the water is directly heated, the heating effect of the water around the heating tube 203 will be better, but the heating effect of the water far away from the heating tube 203 is not good. In an embodiment of the present application, the heating tube 203 is embedded in the heating body 202, and the heating body 202 is heated to heat the heating body 202 to complete the heating of the water and generate steam. The area of ​​the heating body 202 in contact with the water is much larger than the heating tube 203, so that the water can be heated more evenly, so that the water is heated evenly. On the one hand, steam can be generated evenly, and on the other hand, it can also prevent the water in the heating body from spraying water when the steam generator is working due to uneven heating.

[0086] In some embodiments of the present application, an automatic temperature controller 204 is installed on the surface of the heating body 202. When the heating tube 203 starts to work, the automatic temperature controller 204 monitors the temperature of the heating body 202. The temperature of the heating body 202 continues to rise. When it reaches the first set temperature, the automatic temperature controller 204 controls the heating tube 203 to cut off the power to stop heating, and at the same time opens the water inlet valve switch to start water entering the steam generator 200. The temperature of the heating body 202 begins to decrease. When the temperature of the automatic temperature controller 204 drops to the second set temperature, the automatic temperature controller 204 controls the heating tube 203 to restart heating to generate steam. The above process is repeated to generate steam in a cycle.

[0087] It is preferred that the automatic thermostat 204 is arranged at the bottom of the heating body 202, so that there is always water on the surface of the area where the automatic thermostat 204 is installed, and the connection part between the automatic thermostat 204 and the heating body 202 will not be cooled down due to lack of water, thereby exceeding the first set temperature, and the heating tube 203 will not stop heating, and the water inlet valve will not be opened to continuously inject water into the heating body.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the automatic temperature controller 204 is installed on the outer surface of the heating body 202, and the current temperature of the heating body 202 is obtained by sensing the temperature of the heating body 202. According to the current temperature of the heating body 202, the heating tube 203 is controlled to continue heating. This allows the heating body 202 to always heat the water in the heating body 202 at a temperature within a set temperature range to generate steam, thereby achieving a uniform amount of steam injection from the steam generator to better treat the clothes. On the other hand, it also protects the heating body 202 from being damaged due to excessive temperature.

[0089] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 A partial schematic diagram of a steam generator according to some embodiments of the present application. Figure 6 It can be seen that in the embodiment of the present application, a water injection pipe 206 can be installed in the water injection port 2013 to guide the injected water flow, and the water flowing out from the water outlet side of the water injection pipe flows to the inner surface of the heating body receiving portion 2021. It should be clear that the receiving portion 2021 is a part of the main body of the heating body 202, and receives the water flowing to the heating body 202 through the water injection port 2013.

[0090] In the above embodiment, after the heating body 202 reaches the first set temperature, the water inlet valve is opened to inject water into the heating body 202 until the temperature of the heating body 202 drops to the second set temperature. Considering that the water injection time is the same as the time it takes for the heating body 202 to drop from the first set temperature to the second set temperature, in order to control the water injection time within a reasonable time so that the water level in the heating body 202 is always kept below the standard water level, water will not be sprayed when the steam generator 200 discharges steam due to an excessively high water level.

[0091] In the embodiment of the present application, a water injection pipe is arranged in the water injection port 2013 to control the direction of the water flow, so that the water flows to the inner surface of the receiving portion 2021 of the heating body 202. In this way, the receiving portion 2021 is the area where the temperature of the heating body 202 drops the fastest, which shortens the time for the automatic thermostat 204 to sense that the heating body 202 drops from the first temperature to the second temperature, thereby indirectly shortening the water injection time to reduce the amount of water injected.

[0092] In some other embodiments of the present application, the time for the heating body 202 to drop from the first temperature to the second temperature can be controlled by changing the relative position relationship between the automatic temperature controller 204 and the receiving part 2021, so as to control the water injection time, so that the water level in the heating body 202 is always maintained at the standard water level, and the steam generator 200 will not discharge steam through the steam outlet 2011 due to the water level being too high.

[0093] It should be clarified that the standard water level refers to the critical water level at which the steam generator 200 will not spray water due to the water level being too high.

[0094] In some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a water injection pipe as a curved pipe according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 As shown, the water injection pipe 206 of the steam generator can also be a curved pipe to change the direction of water flow so that the water flows through the water injection pipe 206 and falls to the inner surface of the receiving part 2021.

[0095] In the above embodiment, considering that when water is injected into the heating body 202 through the water injection pipe 206, the water flow velocity will affect the characteristics of the water flow direction, the water injection pipe 206 is set as a curved pipe to guide the direction of the water flow, so that the water flow can more accurately fall on the inner surface of the receiving part 2021 on the heating body 202.

[0096] In some embodiments of the present application, the automatic temperature controller 204 is installed on the outer surface of the receiving portion 2021. Figure 8 , Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing the connection position of the automatic temperature controller and the heating body according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 8 It can be seen that the automatic thermostat 204 is installed on the outer surface of the receiving portion 2021 .

[0097] In the above embodiment, considering that the water injection time is still too long, resulting in too high a water level in the heating body 202, the automatic temperature controller 204 is further installed on the outer surface of the receiving portion 2021, so that the automatic temperature controller 204 can sense the cooling of the heating body 202 to the second temperature in the shortest time, thereby minimizing the water injection time. The water level in the heating body is controlled not to exceed the standard water level.

[0098] In some embodiments of the present application, the thickness of the receiving part 2021 of the steam generator 200 is less than the standard thickness. The standard thickness refers to the thickness threshold value that makes the time for the heating body 202 to drop from the first temperature to the second temperature less than the standard time. The receiving part 2021 of the standard thickness receives water flow to cool down, and the time for the receiving part 2021 to drop from the first temperature to the second temperature is the standard time. The standard time refers to the time for the water level in the heating body 202 to reach the standard water level after water is injected into the heating body 202. Fig. 9 , Fig. 9 The structure diagram of a receiving portion with a thickness smaller than the standard thickness according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. In an embodiment of the present application, the thickness of the receiving portion is 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.

[0099] In the above embodiment, considering that the wall thickness of the receiving part 2021 is too thick, resulting in the characteristic that the cooling of the receiving part 2021 by the water flow is not obvious, which will affect the time for the receiving part 2021 to cool from the first temperature to the second temperature to be too long. Therefore, reducing the thickness of the receiving part 2021 will reduce the time for the receiving part 2021 to cool from the first temperature to the second temperature, thereby reducing the water injection time and achieving the water level in the heating body 202 always being lower than the standard water level.

[0100] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present application after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. The present application is intended to cover any modification, use or adaptation of the present application, which follows the general principles of the present application and includes common knowledge or customary techniques in the art that are not disclosed in the present application. The specification and examples are intended to be exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the present application are indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a drum washing machine, characterized in that: The drum washing machine comprises: The cabinet is constructed as the outer shell of the drum washing machine and provides installation space for the drum and the steam generator; The drum provides a processing space for the clothes to be processed; a steam generator, for generating steam and spraying the steam into the drum to treat the clothes; A hanging part, used for fixing the steam generator to the inner wall of the box; The steam generator comprises: The shell of the steam generator is provided with a water injection port and a steam outlet; a heating body, water is injected into the heating body through a water injection port connected to the heating body, and the heating body is used to receive and heat the water in the heating body; A heating tube, used for heating the heating body; Automatic thermostat for monitoring the temperature of the heating body; The steam outlet is connected to the heating body to discharge the steam generated in the heating body to the outside of the shell; Wherein, the automatic temperature controller is installed on the outer surface of the heating body and is located below the water flow out of the water injection port; The control method comprises: Controlling the heating tube to perform an on-off cycle to preheat the heating body, and controlling the steam outlet to discharge the steam generated by the heating body during the preheating period; After the preheating of the heating body is completed, the heating tube is controlled to heat the heating body to generate steam, and the automatic temperature controller monitors the temperature of the heating body, and the steam is ejected through the steam outlet; When the automatic temperature controller detects that the heating body is at a first set temperature, the heating tube is controlled to stop heating and water is injected into the heating body through the water injection port; When the automatic temperature controller detects that the heating body is cooled to the second set temperature after water injection, the water injection is stopped, and the heating pipe is controlled to continue heating the heating body, so as to circulate and heat the heating body to generate steam.

2. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controlling the heating tube to perform an on-off cycle to preheat the heating body, and controlling the steam outlet to discharge steam generated by the heating body heating water during the preheating period, comprises: Controlling the heating tube to switch on and off at fixed intervals until a set time or number of on and off times is reached; The steam outlet is controlled to discharge the steam in the heating body to complete the preheating of the heating body.

3. A drum washing machine, characterized in that: include: The cabinet is constructed as the outer shell of the drum washing machine and provides installation space for the drum and the steam generator; The drum provides a processing space for the clothes to be processed; a steam generator, for generating steam and spraying the steam into the drum to treat the clothes; A hanging part, used for fixing the steam generator to the inner wall of the box; The steam generator comprises: The shell of the steam generator is provided with a water injection port and a steam outlet; a heating body, water is injected into the heating body through a water injection port connected to the heating body, and the heating body is used to receive and heat the water in the heating body; A heating tube, used for heating the heating body; Automatic thermostat for monitoring the temperature of the heating body; The steam outlet is connected to the heating body to discharge the steam generated in the heating body to the outside of the shell; Wherein, the automatic temperature controller is located below the water flow out of the water injection port; A controller, the controller being configured to: A preheating unit, used to control the heating tube to perform an on-off cycle to preheat the heating body, and to control the steam outlet to discharge the steam generated by the heating body during the preheating period; A first heating unit is used to control the heating tube to heat the heating body to generate steam after preheating the heating body, and to enable the automatic temperature controller to monitor the temperature of the heating body, and the steam is ejected through the steam outlet; A water injection unit, used for controlling the heating tube to stop heating and injecting water into the heating body through the water injection port when the automatic temperature controller detects that the heating body is at a first set temperature; The second heating unit is used to stop water injection when the automatic temperature controller detects that the heating body is cooled to a second set temperature through water injection, and control the heating pipe to continue heating the heating body so as to circulate and heat the heating body to generate steam.

4. The drum washing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: A blowout prevention assembly is installed inside the shell, and the blowout prevention assembly is wrapped by the inner wall of the shell to form a chamber connected to the steam outlet; The steam outlet is opened in the chamber formed by the blowout prevention assembly and the inner wall of the shell. The side of the chamber close to the heating body is a closed surface, and the closed surface isolates the water in the heating body. The side of the chamber opposite to the steam outlet is a mesh structure, and the mesh structure allows steam to enter the chamber and be discharged from the steam outlet.

5. The drum washing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The heating pipe is embedded in the heating body, and the heating pipe heats the heating body to increase the temperature of the heating body to heat water.

6. The drum washing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The automatic temperature controller is installed on the outer surface of the bottom of the heating body.

7. The drum washing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The water injection port is provided with a water injection pipe; The water flowing out through the water outlet side of the water injection pipe flows down to the inner surface of the receiving part of the heating body. The receiving part is a part of the main body of the heating body and receives the water flowing down to the heating body through the water injection port.

8. The drum washing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The water injection pipe is a curved pipe to change the direction of water flow so that the water flows through the water injection pipe and falls to the inner surface of the receiving part.

9. The drum washing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The automatic temperature controller is installed on the outer surface of the receiving part.

10. The drum washing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The thickness of the receiving part is smaller than the standard thickness of the heating body. When the receiving part of standard thickness receives water flow for cooling, the receiving part drops from the first temperature to the second temperature within a standard time.

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