Electrode anti-corrosion method and clothes treatment equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses an anti-corrosion method of electrodes, the electrodes comprise a low-water-level electrode, a high-water-level electrode and a common electrode, the electrodes are arranged in an electrolyte solution, and the current direction between the common electrode and the low-water-level electrode and the current direction between the common electrode and the high-water-level electrode are continuously converted. The invention further discloses clothes treatment equipment applying the anti-corrosion method of the electrode. According to the anti-corrosion method for the electrodes and the clothes treatment equipment, electrolytic corrosion of the electrodes can be distributed to all the electrodes, the service life of the electrodes is prolonged, and the detection performance of the electrodes is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of household appliances, and in particular relates to an electrode anti-corrosion method and clothing processing equipment. Background Art

[0002] Existing clothing treatment equipment mostly uses steam generators to generate steam to sterilize, deodorize and relieve wrinkles on clothing. The steam generator needs to be filled with water to a specified water level, which requires a detection and judgment solution. Currently, most steam generators use electrode detection to detect water levels. However, electrode detection has certain disadvantages: when the electrodes are energized in water, electrolytic corrosion will occur over time, causing the equipment detection performance to deteriorate.

[0003] The Chinese patent application number 200710092301.1 discloses a steam generator capable of preventing a water level sensor from malfunctioning and a washing machine having the steam generator. The steam generator comprises a common electrode portion, a low water level electrode portion for detecting a low water level, and a high water level electrode portion for detecting a high water level, wherein the high water level electrode portion has a lower end located above the lower end of the low water level electrode portion and an upper end located above the low water level electrode portion.

[0004] The steam generator disclosed in the patent is provided with at least three electrodes, which can generate low water level detection signals and high water level detection signals. However, as the electrodes are powered on for longer time, electrolytic corrosion will occur in the electrodes in the water, causing the detection performance of the equipment to deteriorate.

[0005] In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the invention

[0006] One purpose of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide an anti-corrosion method for an electrode.

[0007] A second object of the present invention is to provide a clothes treating device using the electrode anti-corrosion method.

[0008] To achieve the first purpose, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0009] An electrode anti-corrosion method, the electrodes include a low water level electrode, a high water level electrode and a common electrode, the electrodes are arranged in an electrolyte solution, and the current directions between the common electrode and the low water level electrode, and between the common electrode and the high water level electrode are continuously switched.

[0010] Preferably, there is a first interval time, and the first interval time is the period of current direction switching.

[0011] Preferably, during the first interval, the current direction between the common electrode and the low water level electrode, and between the common electrode and the high water level electrode is switched once.

[0012] Preferably, during the first interval, the power-on time between the common electrode and the low water level electrode, and between the common electrode and the high water level electrode in the positive direction and the reverse direction is half of the first interval.

[0013] Preferably, the current flowing in the positive direction between the common electrode and the low water level electrode is as follows: it flows out from the positive electrode of the power supply, passes through the low water level electrode, the electrolyte solution, the common electrode in sequence, and flows into the negative electrode of the power supply; the current flowing in the positive direction between the common electrode and the high water level electrode is as follows: it flows out from the positive electrode of the power supply, passes through the high water level electrode, the electrolyte solution, the common electrode in sequence, and flows into the negative electrode of the power supply.

[0014] Preferably, the current flowing in the reverse direction between the common electrode and the low water level electrode is as follows: it flows out from the positive electrode of the power supply, passes through the common electrode, the electrolyte solution, the low water level electrode in sequence, and flows into the negative electrode of the power supply; the current flowing in the forward direction between the common electrode and the high water level electrode is as follows: it flows out from the positive electrode of the power supply, passes through the common electrode, the electrolyte solution, the high water level electrode in sequence, and flows into the negative electrode of the power supply.

[0015] Preferably, the time points at which the current directions between the common electrode and the low water level electrode and between the common electrode and the high water level electrode are switched are the same.

[0016] Preferably, at the same time, the direction of the current between the common electrode and the low water level electrode, and between the common electrode and the high water level electrode is from the water level electrode to the common electrode or from the common electrode to the water level electrode.

[0017] Preferably, a protective electrode is further provided, and the potential of the protective electrode is higher than that of the low water level electrode, the high water level electrode and the common electrode.

[0018] To achieve the second purpose, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0019] A clothing processing device includes a steam generator, wherein the steam generator applies the above-mentioned electrode anti-corrosion method, wherein the low water level electrode, the high water level electrode, the common electrode and the protective electrode are vertically suspended in the steam generator, and the height of the bottom end of the protective electrode is not higher than the height of the bottom end of any of the other three electrodes.

[0020] After adopting the above technical solution, the electrode corrosion prevention method and clothing processing equipment provided by the present invention have the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0021] (1) The electrode anti-corrosion method provided by the present invention can control the continuous conversion of the current direction between the electrodes, thereby avoiding the electrolytic corrosion of a single electrode as an anode in the electrolyte solution. Instead, the electrolytic corrosion is distributed to all electrodes, thereby increasing the service life of the electrode and ensuring the detection performance of the electrode.

[0022] (2) The electrode anti-corrosion method provided by the present invention, on the basis of converting the current direction, also adds a protective electrode, which can improve the anti-corrosion effect on the water level electrode and the common electrode, increase the service life of the electrode, and ensure the detection performance of the electrode.

[0023] The specific implementation modes of the present invention are further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings are part of the present invention and are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention, but do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments. For ordinary technicians in this field, other accompanying drawings can be obtained based on these accompanying drawings without creative work.

[0025] In the attached picture:

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the steam generator of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the steam generator of the present invention.

[0028] Description of the main components in the figure:

[0029] like Figure 1 to Figure 2 As shown, the housing 1, the water tank 2, the heating tube 3, the water inlet 4, the air outlet 5, the common electrode 6, the low water level electrode 7, the high water level electrode 8, and the protective electrode 9.

[0030] It should be noted that the drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the conceptual scope of the present invention in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of the present invention for those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention but are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0032] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the directions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “inside” and “outside” are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0033] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0034] The present invention provides an electrode corrosion prevention method, such as Figure 1 to Figure 2 As shown, the electrode anti-corrosion method provided by the present invention can be applied to a steam generator of a clothing processing device.

[0035] The clothing processing device comprises a steam generator, which comprises a housing 1, a water storage tank 2, a heating tube 3, a water inlet 4, an air outlet 5, a common electrode 6, a low water level electrode 7, and a high water level electrode 8.

[0036] The heating pipe 3 is arranged at the bottom of the housing 1 and is used to heat the water in the water tank 2 to generate steam.

[0037] The water inlet 4 is arranged on the side wall of the housing 1 , and water enters the water storage tank 2 through the water inlet 4 .

[0038] The air outlet 5 is arranged at the top of the shell 1, and the generated steam is discharged from the water storage tank 2 through the air outlet 5 to treat the clothes.

[0039] The thermometer is arranged on the top of the housing 1 and is used to detect the temperature of the water in the water tank 2 .

[0040] The common electrode 6, the low water level electrode 7 and the high water level electrode 8 are fixedly mounted on the top of the housing 1 and extend downward to a certain height from the bottom of the housing 1. The number and height of the multiple electrodes can be changed according to the water level to be measured.

[0041] In order to ensure the conductivity of the above-mentioned multiple electrodes, the common electrode 6, the low water level electrode 7 and the high water level electrode 8 are all made of metal.

[0042] The clothing processing device detects whether current passes between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7 to determine whether the water in the water tank 2 reaches the low water level. If so, the water in the steam generator reaches the low water level. The clothing processing device also detects whether current passes between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8 to determine whether the water in the water tank 2 reaches the low water level. If so, the water in the steam generator reaches the high water level.

[0043] To realize the above-mentioned multiple electrodes to detect water level, the electrodes need to be energized, but the water used in daily life contains electrolytes, so the electrodes will undergo electrolytic corrosion after being energized in the water, which reduces the service life of the electrodes and causes the detection performance of the equipment to decline. Therefore, a method to prevent or reduce the electrolytic corrosion of the electrodes is needed.

[0044] Of course, the water in the steam generator described in the context is daily water, not pure water, which contains more electrolytes. Therefore, the water described in the context can also be referred to as an electrolyte solution in a broader sense.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, in the first embodiment provided by the present invention, power is supplied between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7 and the flow of current is detected to detect whether the water level has reached the low water level; power is supplied between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8 and the flow of current is detected to detect whether the water level has reached the high water level.

[0046] When the steam generator is in operation, the plurality of electrodes are always energized.

[0047] Between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7, the low water level electrode 7 is connected to the positive pole of the power supply, and the common electrode 6 is connected to the negative pole of the power supply, and the potential of the low water level electrode 7 is higher than that of the common electrode 6. Therefore, when both electrodes are immersed in water, the low water level electrode 7 is the anode, and the common electrode 6 is the cathode. The metal on the low water level electrode 7 loses electrons and is oxidized to become cations and detach from the material surface, forming anode corrosion.

[0048] Between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8, the high water level electrode 8 is connected to the positive pole of the power supply, and the common electrode 6 is connected to the negative pole of the power supply. The potential of the high water level electrode 8 is higher than that of the common electrode 6. Therefore, when both electrodes are immersed in water, the high water level electrode 8 is the anode, and the common electrode 6 is the cathode. The metal on the high water level electrode 8 loses electrons and is oxidized to become cations and detach from the material surface, forming corrosion of the anode.

[0049] In order to reduce the continuous corrosion of a single electrode when detecting the water level, the power supply method between the electrodes can be set to alternately supply current in the positive and reverse directions, that is, the positive and negative poles are continuously switched between the two electrodes at a certain interval, so that the corrosion degree of the common electrode 6, the low water level electrode 7 and the high water level electrode 8 is uniform, thereby ensuring the detection performance of the electrodes.

[0050] A software control module can be set on the clothing processing device to control the energization of the electrodes, so as to achieve more precise control of the current direction conversion between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7, and between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8. At the same time, the water inlet of the steam generator and the water level detection of the water storage tank 2 are also controlled by the software control module.

[0051] The logic of the software control module controlling the start or stop of water inlet is: when the water level in the water tank 2 is lower than the low water level, the software control module controls the steam generator to start water inlet; when the water level in the water tank 2 reaches the high water level, the software control module controls the steam generator to stop water inlet.

[0052] The above interval time can be set according to the rising speed of the water level, the response speed of the software control module, etc., and can be specifically 1 second, 2 seconds or 5 seconds, etc. This embodiment does not limit the selection of this interval time.

[0053] The specific implementation process of converting the positive and negative poles to energize can be:

[0054] The software control module is provided with a first interval time T, which is a period of current direction conversion. During the first interval time T, the current direction between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7 and between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8 is converted once.

[0055] After the clothes processing device is started, the steam generator starts to work and water is taken in, and electricity starts to flow between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7 , and between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8 .

[0056] Specifically, the low water level electrode 7 and the high water level electrode 8 are connected to the positive electrode of the power supply, and the voltage may be 5V; the common electrode 6 is connected to the negative electrode of the power supply, and because a closed path has not been formed, the voltage is 0V.

[0057] When the water level reaches the low water level, the software control module detects that current passes between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7, and the current direction is: flowing out from the positive electrode of the power supply, passing through the low water level electrode 7, water, and common electrode 6 in sequence, and flowing into the negative electrode of the power supply; after T / 2 time, the software control module controls the current direction to change, and the current direction becomes: flowing out from the positive electrode of the power supply, passing through the common electrode 6, water, and low water level electrode 7 in sequence, and flowing into the negative electrode of the power supply; after another T / 2 time, the software control module controls the current direction to change, and the current direction changes back to: flowing out from the positive electrode of the power supply, passing through the low water level electrode 7, water, and common electrode 6 in sequence, and flowing into the negative electrode of the power supply; thereafter, the current direction changes once every T / 2 time, and continues until the water level in the water storage tank 2 is lower than the low water level or the steam generator stops working.

[0058] The software control module has two ways of judging whether the high water level has been reached: one way of judging is that when the high water level electrode 8 just contacts the water and current flows between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8, the software control module judges that the water level in the water tank has reached the high water level. When the judgment is made in this way, the high water level electrode 8 is energized in the water for a short time, and the degree of electrolytic corrosion is very slight, so it is not necessary to set the current direction conversion energization between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8, but it can be set, and this is not limited in this embodiment.

[0059] Another judgment method is that the high water level electrode 8 has been partially immersed in water, and the current value between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8 increases to a certain extent, or the resistance value between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8 decreases to a certain extent, the software control module judges that the water level of the water storage tank 2 has reached the high water level. In this judgment method, the high water level electrode 8 is energized for a long time in the water, and the degree of electrolytic corrosion is relatively serious, so the current direction can be changed between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8.

[0060] When the current direction conversion is set between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8, since the two energized circuits have a common electrode, the time point of the current direction conversion between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8 is the same as the time point of the current direction conversion between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7, and the interval time for converting the current direction is also T / 2 time. At the same time, the current direction between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7 and the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 7 is from the water level electrode to the common electrode 6 or from the common electrode 6 to the water level electrode.

[0061] The start of the current direction conversion between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8 requires the simultaneous satisfaction of two conditions: there is current flowing between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8, and the current direction between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8 changes from the high water level electrode 8 to the common electrode 6 to the high water level electrode 8. The current direction conversion between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8 continues until the water level in the water storage tank is lower than the bottom end of the high water level electrode 8 or the steam generator stops working.

[0062] like Figure 2 As shown, in the second embodiment provided by the present invention, in addition to the common electrode 6, the low water level electrode 7 and the high water level electrode 8, a protective electrode 9 is also provided in the steam generator.

[0063] Specifically, the low water level electrode 7 and the high water level electrode 8 are connected to the positive pole of the power supply, and the voltage may be 5V; the common electrode 6 is connected to the negative pole of the power supply, and because a closed path has not been formed, the voltage is 0V; the voltage of the protection electrode 9 may be +12V.

[0064] Therefore, when the steam generator is working, water enters the water tank 2 and the four electrodes are energized. The water in the water tank 2 and the energized electrodes form an electrolytic cell. The protective electrode 9 has the highest potential among the four electrodes in the electrolytic cell. Therefore, the protective electrode 9, as the anode in the electrolytic cell, loses electrons and is oxidized to become a cation that detaches from the material surface, forming anode corrosion, thereby avoiding electrolytic corrosion of other electrodes.

[0065] In order to ensure the conductivity of the protection electrode 9 and its active and easily oxidized properties, the protection electrode 9 is made of metal.

[0066] The low water level electrode 7, the high water level electrode 8, the common electrode 6 and the protective electrode 9 are vertically suspended in the steam generator. To ensure the protective effect of the protective electrode 9 on other electrodes, the height of the bottom of the protective electrode 9 should not be higher than the height of the bottom of any other electrode. Of course, in order to save costs and make the arrangement of the electrodes more reasonable, it is most preferred that the bottoms of the low water level electrode 7, the high water level electrode 8 and the protective electrode 9 are at the same height.

[0067] In the third embodiment provided by the present invention, the steam generator includes a common electrode 6, a low water level electrode 7, a high water level electrode 8, a protection electrode 9 and a software control module.

[0068] While the protection electrode 9 is powered on to protect other electrodes, the software control module controls the current direction conversion between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7, and between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8. The protection methods described in the above two embodiments are performed simultaneously, which can better prevent the common electrode 6, the low water level electrode 7 and the high water level electrode 8 from electrolytic corrosion.

[0069] The present invention also provides a clothing processing device using the above-mentioned electrode anti-corrosion method.

[0070] After adopting the above technical solution, the electrode corrosion prevention method and clothing processing equipment provided by the present invention have the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0071] (1) The electrode anti-corrosion method provided by the present invention can control the continuous conversion of the current direction between the electrodes, thereby avoiding the electrolytic corrosion of a single electrode as an anode in the electrolyte solution. Instead, the electrolytic corrosion is evenly distributed to all electrodes, thereby increasing the service life of the electrode and ensuring the detection performance of the electrode.

[0072] (2) The electrode anti-corrosion method provided by the present invention, on the basis of converting the current direction, also adds a protective electrode, which can improve the anti-corrosion effect on the water level electrode and the common electrode, increase the service life of the electrode, and ensure the detection performance of the electrode.

[0073] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention in any form. Although the present invention has been disclosed as above in the preferred embodiment, it is not used to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with this patent can make some changes or modifications to equivalent embodiments of equivalent changes by using the technical content suggested above without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. The implementation scheme in the above embodiment can be further combined or replaced. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiment according to the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention still falls within the scope of the solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for anti-corrosion of an electrode, wherein the electrode comprises a low water level electrode, a high water level electrode and a common electrode, and the electrode is arranged in an electrolyte solution, characterized in that: The current directions between the common electrode and the low water level electrode, and between the common electrode and the high water level electrode are continuously switched.

2. The electrode anti-corrosion method according to claim 1, characterized in that: There is a first interval time, and the first interval time is a period of current direction switching.

3. The electrode anti-corrosion method according to claim 2, characterized in that: During the first interval, the current directions between the common electrode and the low water level electrode, and between the common electrode and the high water level electrode are switched once.

4. The electrode anti-corrosion method according to claim 2, characterized in that: During the first interval, the power-on time between the common electrode and the low water level electrode, and between the common electrode and the high water level electrode in the positive direction and the reverse direction is half of the first interval.

5. The electrode anti-corrosion method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The current flowing in the positive direction between the common electrode and the low water level electrode flows in the following direction: it flows out from the positive electrode of the power supply, passes through the low water level electrode, the electrolyte solution, the common electrode in sequence, and flows into the negative electrode of the power supply; the current flowing in the positive direction between the common electrode and the high water level electrode flows in the following direction: it flows out from the positive electrode of the power supply, passes through the high water level electrode, the electrolyte solution, the common electrode in sequence, and flows into the negative electrode of the power supply.

6. The electrode anti-corrosion method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The current flowing in the reverse direction between the common electrode and the low water level electrode is as follows: it flows out from the positive electrode of the power supply, passes through the common electrode, the electrolyte solution, the low water level electrode in sequence, and flows into the negative electrode of the power supply; the current flowing in the forward direction between the common electrode and the high water level electrode is as follows: it flows out from the positive electrode of the power supply, passes through the common electrode, the electrolyte solution, the high water level electrode in sequence, and flows into the negative electrode of the power supply.

7. The electrode anti-corrosion method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The time points at which the current directions between the common electrode and the low water level electrode and between the common electrode and the high water level electrode are switched are the same.

8. The electrode anti-corrosion method according to claim 7, characterized in that: At the same time, the direction of the current between the common electrode and the low water level electrode, and between the common electrode and the high water level electrode is from the water level electrode to the common electrode or from the common electrode to the water level electrode.

9. The electrode anti-corrosion method according to claim 1, characterized in that: A protection electrode is also provided, and the potential of the protection electrode is higher than that of the low water level electrode, the high water level electrode and the common electrode.

10. A clothes processing device, comprising a steam generator, wherein the steam generator is applied with the electrode anti-corrosion method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The low water level electrode, the high water level electrode, the common electrode and the protection electrode are vertically suspended in the steam generator, and the height of the bottom end of the protection electrode is not higher than the height of the bottom end of any other electrode.

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