Water inlet control method of clothes treatment equipment and clothes treatment equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a water inlet control method for clothes treatment equipment, and the method comprises the steps: S1, detecting whether a current passes between a common electrode and a low-water-level electrode or not after the water inlet time T1; if yes, continuing to feed water; if not, judging a water inlet fault; s2, detecting whether the change of a current value and / or a resistance value between the common electrode and the low-water-level electrode is normal or not; if yes, continuing to feed water; if not, judging a water inlet fault; s3, detecting whether current passes between the common electrode and the high-water-level electrode or not after the water inlet time T2 is started; if yes, water feeding is stopped; and if not, judging the water inlet fault. The invention further discloses the clothes processing equipment applying the water inlet control method. According to the water inlet control method of the clothes treatment equipment and the clothes treatment equipment, water inlet can be controlled by detecting the water level change condition in the steam generator in real time, and whether water inlet breaks down or not is detected in real time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of household appliances, and in particular relates to a water inlet control method of a clothing processing device and the clothing processing device. Background Art

[0002] Existing clothing treatment equipment mostly uses a steam generator to generate steam to sterilize, deodorize and smooth wrinkles on clothing. The steam generator needs to be filled with water to reach a specified water level, which requires a detection and judgment solution; currently, most steam generators use electrode detection to detect the water level, but the current electrode detection method cannot achieve real-time detection of the water level in the steam generator; therefore, during the water intake process, if the water intake pump fails or the pipeline is bent or blocked, the actual water intake will be reduced or the water intake cannot be completed, affecting the use of the clothing treatment equipment.

[0003] 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 this patent can generate low water level detection signals and high water level detection signals, but cannot detect the water level changes in the steam generator in real time, nor can it determine whether a water inlet failure occurs based on the real-time changes in the water level in the steam generator.

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

[0006] An object of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and to provide a water inlet control method for a clothing processing device that can detect water level changes in a steam generator in real time to control water inlet and detect in real time whether a water inlet failure occurs.

[0007] A second object of the present invention is to provide a clothes treating apparatus using the water inlet control method of the clothes treating apparatus.

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

[0009] A water inlet control method for a clothes processing device, the clothes processing device comprising a steam generator, the steam generator comprising a common electrode, a low water level electrode and a high water level electrode, the water inlet control method comprising:

[0010] S1: After the water inlet time T1 starts, detect whether there is current passing between the common electrode and the low water level electrode; if so, continue to inlet water; if not, determine that there is a water inlet failure;

[0011] S2: Detect whether the change of the current value and / or resistance value between the common electrode and the low water level electrode is normal; if so, continue to let water in; if not, determine that there is a water inlet failure;

[0012] S3: After the water inlet starts for a time period of T2, it is detected whether there is current passing between the common electrode and the high water level electrode; if so, the water inlet is stopped; if not, it is determined that the water inlet is faulty.

[0013] Preferably, the step S1 comprises:

[0014] After the water intake starts for a time period of T1, it is detected whether there is current passing between the common electrode and the low water level electrode; if so, the water intake continues; if not, the water is heated.

[0015] Preferably, the step S1 comprises:

[0016] After the water is heated for a time period of Ts1, it is detected whether current passes between the common electrode and the low water level electrode; if so, water continues to flow in; if not, it is determined that a water flow failure occurs.

[0017] Preferably, the step S2 comprises:

[0018] Detect whether the change of the current value and / or the resistance value between the common electrode and the low water level electrode is normal; if so, continue to let water in; if not, heat the water.

[0019] Preferably, the step S2 comprises:

[0020] After heating the water for time Ts2, detect whether the change of the current value and / or resistance value between the common electrode and the low water level electrode is normal; if so, continue to let water in; if not, determine that there is a water inlet failure.

[0021] Preferably, step S3 comprises:

[0022] After the water continues to flow in for a time period of T2, it is detected whether there is current flowing between the common electrode and the high water level electrode; if so, the water flow is stopped; if not, the water is heated.

[0023] Preferably, step S3 comprises:

[0024] After the water is heated for a time period of Ts3, it is detected whether there is current passing between the common electrode and the high water level electrode; if so, the water inlet is stopped; if not, it is determined that there is a water inlet failure.

[0025] Preferably, before water intake starts, it is detected whether current flows between the common electrode and the low water level electrode; if so, water intake does not start; if not, water intake starts for time T1.

[0026] Preferably, after determining that a water inlet fault has occurred, the fault information is communicated to the user via a display module and / or a sound reminder module of the clothing processing device.

[0027] To achieve the second purpose, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0028] A clothes processing device adopts the water inlet control method of the clothes processing device.

[0029] After adopting the above technical solution, the water inlet control method of a clothes processing device provided by the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0030] (1) The water inlet control method for a clothing processing device provided by the present invention can detect the water level change in the steam generator in real time to control the water inlet, thereby improving the practicality of the clothing processing device; and can detect in real time whether a water inlet failure occurs, thereby avoiding the use of the clothing processing device being affected by the occurrence of a water inlet failure.

[0031] (2) The water inlet control method of the clothing treatment device provided by the present invention can heat the water in real time to improve the conductivity of the water when the water in the water tank is too pure and has low conductivity, so that the clothing treatment device can detect the water level with higher accuracy.

[0032] (3) In the water inlet control method for the clothing processing device provided by the present invention, after the software control module determines that there is a water inlet fault, it can convey the fault information to the user, so that the user can check and repair the water inlet fault more quickly, thereby avoiding affecting the use of the clothing processing device due to the occurrence of the water inlet fault.

[0033] 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

[0034] 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.

[0035] In the attached picture:

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the steam generator of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 is a flow chart of the water inlet control method of the clothes processing device of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 It is a flow chart of the water inlet control method of the clothes processing equipment of the present invention.

[0039] Description of the main components in the figure:

[0040] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a shell 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.

[0041] 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

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] The present invention provides a water inlet control method for a clothes processing device and a clothes processing device, such as Figures 1 to 3 shown.

[0046] like Figure 1As shown, in the first embodiment provided by the present invention, the clothing processing device includes a steam generator, and the steam generator includes a shell 1, a water tank 2, a heating tube 3, a water inlet 4, an air outlet 5, a thermometer, a common electrode 6, a low water level electrode 7, a high water level electrode 8 and a software control module.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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 .

[0049] 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.

[0050] The thermometer is arranged on the top of the housing 1 and is used to detect the temperature of the steam in the water storage tank 2, that is, to detect the temperature of the water.

[0051] 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.

[0052] The software control module controls the water inlet, heating, electrode energization and current detection of the steam generator according to a pre-set control program.

[0053] The software control module 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 software control module 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 high water level. If so, the water in the steam generator reaches the high water level.

[0054] In order to ensure the conductivity of the electrodes, it is preferred that the above-mentioned multiple electrodes are all steel needles.

[0055] The software control module supplies power and performs detection 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] The software control module detects the resistance value between the electrodes and the change of the resistance value, determines whether there is current passing and the change of the current, and then determines the real-time change of the water level in the water storage tank 2. When the water in the steam generator is at different water levels, the software control module measures the resistance value between the electrodes as follows:

[0057] When the water in the steam generator is lower than the low water level, no current flows between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7, and the software control module measures that the resistance between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7 is infinite;

[0058] When the water in the steam generator reaches a low water level, a current flows between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7, and the software control module measures a reference resistance value between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7;

[0059] When the water in the steam generator continues to rise from the low water level, the reference resistance value measured by the software control module continues to decrease;

[0060] When the water in the steam generator reaches a high water level, current flows between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8 , and the software control module measures a resistance value between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8 .

[0061] The software control module obtains the current flow between the electrodes based on the resistance detection result, determines the water level of the water storage tank 2, and controls the water inlet of the steam generator:

[0062] When the software control module detects that there is no current flowing between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7, the steam generator is controlled to start taking in water;

[0063] When the software control module detects that current flows between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7 and the reference resistance value changes normally, the steam generator is controlled to continue to take in water;

[0064] When the software control module detects that current flows between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8, the software control module controls the steam generator to stop water intake.

[0065] However, the logic of the above software control module to control the water inlet of the steam generator is an ideal state. In the actual use of the steam generator, the following problems may occur:

[0066] (1) The water in the water tank 2 is relatively pure, with low electrolyte content and low conductivity, which makes it difficult to detect whether current is passing through the electrode.

[0067] (2) The water inlet of the steam generator may fail due to problems such as water inlet pump failure, pipe bend blockage, and water inlet 4 blockage, thus affecting user use.

[0068] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, Figure 2 As shown, in the second embodiment provided by the present invention:

[0069] The software control module stores the water inlet time T1. Before starting the water inlet, it detects whether there is current passing between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7; if so, the water inlet does not start; if not, the water inlet time T1 starts.

[0070] After the steam generator starts to take in water for time T1, the software control module detects whether there is current passing between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7; if so, the steam generator is controlled to continue taking in water; if not, the heating tube 3 is turned on to heat the water.

[0071] Since the conductivity of water increases with the increase of temperature, the conductivity of heated water becomes higher, and the software control module can more easily detect whether there is current passing between the electrodes and the change of the current.

[0072] The software control module stores the heating time Ts1. After the heating tube 3 heats the water for time Ts1, the software control module detects whether current passes between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7; if so, the steam generator is controlled to continue to take in water; if not, the software control module determines that there is a water inlet failure.

[0073] The software control module detects whether the change of the reference resistance value is normal after current passes between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7; if so, the steam generator is controlled to continue to take in water; if not, the heating tube 3 is turned on to heat the water.

[0074] The software control module stores the heating time Ts2. After the heating tube 3 heats the water for time Ts2, the software control module detects whether the change in the reference resistance value is normal; if so, the steam generator is controlled to continue to take in water; if not, the software control module determines that there is a water inlet failure.

[0075] The software control module stores the water inlet time T2. After the steam generator starts to inlet water at time T2, the software control module detects whether there is current passing between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8; if so, the steam generator is controlled to stop inletting water; if not, the heating tube 3 is turned on to heat the water.

[0076] The software control module stores the heating time Ts3. After the heating tube 3 heats the water for time Ts3, the software control module detects whether current passes between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8. If so, the software control module controls the steam generator to stop taking in water; if not, the software control module determines that there is a water inlet failure.

[0077] The water inlet time T1 is preferably greater than or equal to the time taken by the water tank 2 to fill with water from a waterless state to a low water level; the water inlet time T2 is preferably greater than or equal to the time taken by the water tank 2 to fill with water from a low water level to a high water level; the heating time Ts1 is preferably greater than or equal to the time taken to heat all the water below the low water level from room temperature to near boiling; the heating times Ts2 and Ts3 are preferably greater than or equal to the time taken to heat all the water below the high water level from room temperature to near boiling.

[0078] Preferably, after the software control module determines that there is a water inlet failure, the fault information is conveyed to the user through the display module and / or sound reminder module of the clothing processing device, so that the user can check and repair the water inlet failure more quickly, avoiding the use of the clothing processing device being affected by the water inlet failure.

[0079] like Figure 3 As shown, in the third embodiment provided by the present invention, the software control module can also detect the current value between the electrodes and the change of the current value, determine whether there is current passing and the change of the current, and then determine the real-time change of the water level in the water storage tank 2. When the water in the steam generator is at different water levels, the current value between the electrodes measured by the software control module is:

[0080] When the water in the steam generator is lower than the low water level, no current flows between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7, and the software control module measures that the current between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7 is zero;

[0081] When the water in the steam generator reaches a low water level, a current flows between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7, and the software control module measures a reference current value between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7;

[0082] When the water in the steam generator continues to rise from the low water level, the reference current value measured by the software control module continues to increase;

[0083] When the water in the steam generator reaches a high water level, current flows between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8 , and the software control module measures a current value between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8 .

[0084] The software control module obtains the current flow between the electrodes based on the current value detection result, determines the water level of the water storage tank 2, and controls the water inlet of the steam generator:

[0085] When the software control module detects that there is no current flowing between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7, the steam generator is controlled to start taking in water;

[0086] When the software control module detects that there is current flowing between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7 and the reference current value changes normally, the steam generator is controlled to continue to take in water;

[0087] When the software control module detects that current flows between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8, the software control module controls the steam generator to stop water intake.

[0088] The software control module stores the water inlet time T1. Before starting the water inlet, it detects whether there is current passing between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7; if so, the water inlet does not start; if not, the water inlet time T1 starts.

[0089] After the steam generator starts to take in water for time T1, the software control module detects whether there is current passing between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7; if so, the steam generator is controlled to continue taking in water; if not, the heating tube 3 is turned on to heat the water.

[0090] Since the conductivity of water increases with the increase of temperature, the conductivity of heated water becomes higher, and the software control module can more easily detect whether there is current passing between the electrodes and the change of the current.

[0091] The software control module stores the heating time Ts1. After the heating tube 3 heats the water for time Ts1, the software control module detects whether current passes between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7; if so, the steam generator is controlled to continue to take in water; if not, the software control module determines that there is a water inlet failure.

[0092] The software control module detects whether the change of the reference current value is normal after the current passes between the common electrode 6 and the low water level electrode 7; if so, the steam generator is controlled to continue to take in water; if not, the heating tube 3 is turned on to heat the water.

[0093] The software control module stores the heating time Ts2. After the heating tube 3 heats the water for time Ts2, the software control module detects whether the change of the reference current value is normal; if so, the steam generator is controlled to continue to take in water; if not, the software control module determines that there is a water inlet failure.

[0094] The software control module stores the water inlet time T2. After the steam generator starts to inlet water at time T2, the software control module detects whether there is current passing between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8; if so, the steam generator is controlled to stop inletting water; if not, the heating tube 3 is turned on to heat the water.

[0095] The software control module stores the heating time Ts3. After the heating tube 3 heats the water for time Ts3, the software control module detects whether current passes between the common electrode 6 and the high water level electrode 8. If so, the software control module controls the steam generator to stop taking in water; if not, the software control module determines that there is a water inlet failure.

[0096] The water inlet time T1 is preferably greater than or equal to the time taken by the water tank 2 to fill with water from a waterless state to a low water level; the water inlet time T2 is preferably greater than or equal to the time taken by the water tank 2 to fill with water from a low water level to a high water level; the heating time Ts1 is preferably greater than or equal to the time taken to heat all the water below the low water level from room temperature to near boiling; the heating times Ts2 and Ts3 are preferably greater than or equal to the time taken to heat all the water below the high water level from room temperature to near boiling.

[0097] Preferably, after the software control module determines that there is a water inlet failure, the fault information is conveyed to the user through the display module and / or sound reminder module of the clothing processing device, so that the user can check and repair the water inlet failure more quickly, avoiding the use of the clothing processing device being affected by the water inlet failure.

[0098] After adopting the above technical solution, the bubble generating device and washing machine provided by the present invention have the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0099] (1) The water inlet control method for a clothing processing device provided by the present invention can detect the water level change in the steam generator in real time to control the water inlet, thereby improving the practicality of the clothing processing device; and can detect in real time whether a water inlet failure occurs, thereby avoiding the use of the clothing processing device being affected by the occurrence of a water inlet failure.

[0100] (2) The water inlet control method of the clothing treatment device provided by the present invention can heat the water in real time to improve the conductivity of the water when the water in the water tank is too pure and has low conductivity, so that the clothing treatment device can detect the water level with higher accuracy.

[0101] (3) In the water inlet control method for the clothing processing device provided by the present invention, after the software control module determines that there is a water inlet fault, it can convey the fault information to the user, so that the user can check and repair the water inlet fault more quickly, thereby avoiding affecting the use of the clothing processing device due to the occurrence of the water inlet fault.

[0102] 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 controlling water inlet of a clothes processing device, wherein the clothes processing device comprises a steam generator, wherein the steam generator comprises a common electrode, a low water level electrode and a high water level electrode, wherein: include: S1: After the water intake starts for T1, detect whether there is current flowing between the common electrode and the low water level electrode; if so, continue to intake water; If not, it is judged that there is a water inlet fault; S2: Detect whether the change of the current value and / or resistance value between the common electrode and the low water level electrode is normal; if so, continue to let water in; if not, determine that there is a water inlet failure; S3: After the water inlet starts for a time period of T2, it is detected whether there is current passing between the common electrode and the high water level electrode; if so, the water inlet is stopped; if not, it is determined that the water inlet is faulty.

2. The water inlet control method of a clothes processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The step S1 comprises: After the water intake starts for a time period of T1, it is detected whether there is current passing between the common electrode and the low water level electrode; if so, the water intake continues; if not, the water is heated.

3. The water inlet control method of the clothes processing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The step S1 comprises: After the water is heated for a time period of Ts1, it is detected whether current passes between the common electrode and the low water level electrode; if so, water continues to flow in; if not, it is determined that a water flow failure occurs.

4. The water inlet control method of a clothes processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The step S2 comprises: Detect whether the change of the current value and / or the resistance value between the common electrode and the low water level electrode is normal; if so, continue to let water in; if not, heat the water.

5. The water inlet control method of a clothes processing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The step S2 comprises: After heating the water for time Ts2, detect whether the change of the current value and / or resistance value between the common electrode and the low water level electrode is normal; if so, continue to let water in; if not, determine that there is a water inlet failure.

6. The water inlet control method of a clothes processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The step S3 comprises: After the water continues to flow in for a time period of T2, it is detected whether there is current flowing between the common electrode and the high water level electrode; if so, the water flow is stopped; if not, the water is heated.

7. The water inlet control method of a clothes processing device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The step S3 comprises: After the water is heated for a time period of Ts3, it is detected whether there is current passing between the common electrode and the high water level electrode; if so, the water inlet is stopped; if not, it is determined that there is a water inlet failure.

8. The water inlet control method of a clothes processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Before water intake starts, it is detected whether current flows between the common electrode and the low water level electrode; if so, water intake does not start; if not, water intake starts for time T1.

9. The water inlet control method of a clothes processing device according to any one of claims 3, 5 and 7, characterized in that: After determining that a water inflow fault has occurred, the fault information is communicated to the user via the display module and / or the sound reminder module of the clothing processing device.

10. A clothes processing device, characterized in that: A water inlet control method for a clothing processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is used.

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