Washing machine control method and pulsator washing machine

Abstract

The invention provides a washing machine control method which comprises the following steps: in a washing process, judging whether clothes in a barrel are wound or not by a washing machine, if so, stopping a current process and executing a shaking process, and if not, continuing to execute the current process. Whether the clothes are wound or not is judged in the washing process, if the clothes are wound, the clothes are dispersed in time through the shaking and dispersing process, the washing effect is prevented from being affected, and therefore the use experience of a user can be guaranteed. The invention further provides the pulsator washing machine adopting the washing machine control method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of washing machines, and in particular, relates to a washing machine control method and a pulsator washing machine. Background Art

[0002] With the advancement of technology and the improvement of people's living standards, users pay more and more attention to the user experience of home appliances. The user experience has a great impact on the user's evaluation of a home appliance product. This is especially true for washing machines, which are common home appliances.

[0003] When washing machines are used, clothes often get tangled. When clothes get tangled during the washing process, the clothes are not washed clean. When clothes get tangled during the dehydration process, the clothes are not dehydrated thoroughly and have a high moisture content. Therefore, how to avoid the influence of clothes tangling on the washing effect during the washing process has become an urgent problem to be solved.

[0004] In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and to provide a washing machine control method, which, when it is determined that clothes are entangled during the washing process, disperses the clothes through a shaking process, thereby ensuring the washing effect of the clothes.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a pulsator washing machine using the above-mentioned washing machine control method.

[0007] In order to achieve the first invention objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] A washing machine control method, during the washing process, the washing machine determines whether the clothes in the barrel are entangled, if so, stops the current process and performs the shaking process, if not, continues to perform the current process.

[0009] Further, determining whether the clothes in the barrel are entangled includes the following steps:

[0010] The washing machine determines whether the difference between the impeller rotation speed and the theoretical rotation speed is within a set range. If so, it is determined that the clothes in the barrel are not entangled; if not, it is determined that the clothes in the barrel are entangled.

[0011] Furthermore, each time the shaking process is executed for the first set time, the washing machine jumps to the preset process and determines whether the difference between the current speed and the theoretical speed is within the set range. If so, the preset process is restored; if not, the shaking process continues.

[0012] Furthermore, within a second set time before the end of the washing stage, the washing machine asks the user whether to add washing time. If so, the washing time equal to the shaking time is added; if not, the subsequent stage is executed at the end of the washing stage.

[0013] Furthermore, when the washing machine asks the user, it determines whether the ratio of the current washing time to the theoretical washing time is greater than a first set value. If so, it recommends the user not to add washing time; if not, it recommends the user to add washing time.

[0014] Furthermore, if the number of times the shaking process is performed during the washing stage is greater than or equal to a second set value, the washing machine reminds the user.

[0015] Furthermore, within the third set time before the end of the dehydration stage, the washing machine asks the user whether to add dehydration time. If so, the dehydration time equal to the shaking-out time is added; if not, the washing process ends when the dehydration stage ends.

[0016] Furthermore, when the washing machine inquires the user, it determines whether the ratio of the current weight in the barrel to the initial weight is greater than a fourth set value. If so, it recommends the user to add dehydration time; if not, it recommends the user not to add dehydration time.

[0017] Furthermore, the shaking process includes setting a number of forward and reverse rotations or a set duration of the washing machine's impeller.

[0018] In order to achieve the second invention objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0019] A pulsator washing machine adopting the above-mentioned washing machine control method includes a driving unit, an identification unit, a collection unit and a control unit. The driving module drives the pulsator to rotate through a belt, the identification module is arranged on the belt, and the control unit receives the position information of the identification unit fed back by the collection unit and determines the pulsator rotation speed.

[0020] After adopting the above technical scheme, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0021] 1. The present invention determines whether the clothes are entangled during the washing process. If entanglement occurs, the clothes are promptly dispersed through a shaking process to avoid affecting the washing effect, thereby ensuring the user experience.

[0022] 2. If the shaking process is executed during the washing stage of the present invention, the washing machine will ask the user whether to add washing time to avoid the shaking process taking up washing time and affecting the washing effect. It can also avoid directly adding washing time to increase the total time and reduce the user's experience.

[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 drawings described below are only some embodiments. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 It is a flow chart of a washing machine control method of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of a pulsator washing machine of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the position of the identification unit of the present invention on the belt.

[0028] Description of the main components in the figure: 1. Outer barrel; 2. Inner barrel; 3. Impeller; 4. Drive unit; 5. Belt; 6. Collection unit; 7. Identification unit; 8. Protective cover.

[0029] It should be noted that these drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the conceptual scope of the present invention in any way, but are intended to illustrate the concept of the present invention for those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] It is inevitable that clothes will get tangled during the use of washing machines. If clothes get tangled during the washing stage, the clothes that are tangled are not easily washed clean, and the user experience cannot be guaranteed. If clothes get tangled during the dehydration stage, the clothes that are tangled are not easily dehydrated thoroughly, and their water content is high, and the user experience cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, how to avoid the influence of clothes tangling on the washing effect has become an urgent problem to be solved.

[0034] Based on this, Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a washing machine control method, the washing machine determines whether the clothes in the barrel are entangled, if so, stops the current process and executes the shaking process; if not, continues to execute the current process.

[0035] In the present invention, when clothes are detected to be entangled during the washing stage, the washing effect of each piece of clothing can be guaranteed by dispersing the clothes through the shaking process; when clothes are detected to be entangled during the dehydration stage, the dehydration effect of each piece of clothing can be guaranteed by dispersing the clothes through the shaking process.

[0036] Preferably, the shaking process in the present invention includes the washing machine's impeller rotating forward and reverse for a set number of times or a set time. During the washing process, the impeller rotates forward for a set number of times or a set time, and then flips over for a set number of times or a set time, and the above process is repeated to separate the clothes that were originally tangled together.

[0037] When clothes get tangled together, the internal structure of the washing machine will be unbalanced, which will affect the speed of the impeller. During normal washing, the difference between the actual speed and the theoretical speed of the impeller is stable within the set range. However, when clothes get tangled in the drum, the fluctuation range of the impeller speed becomes larger, and the difference between the actual speed and the theoretical speed may exceed the set range.

[0038] Therefore, the present invention comprises the following steps of determining whether the clothes in the barrel are entangled:

[0039] The washing machine determines whether the difference between the impeller rotation speed and the theoretical rotation speed is within a set range. If so, it is determined that the clothes in the barrel are not tangled; if not, it is determined that the clothes in the barrel are tangled.

[0040] To implement the above-mentioned judgment step, in one embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine includes, in addition to an outer barrel 1 and an inner barrel 2 arranged inside the outer barrel 1, a driving unit 4, an identification unit 7, a collection unit 6 and a control unit, wherein the driving unit 4 drives the impeller 3 to rotate through a belt 5, the identification unit 7 is arranged on the belt 5 and moves with the belt 5, and the collection unit 6 collects the position information of the identification unit 7 and feeds it back to the control unit.

[0041] Specifically, the collection unit 6 can be arranged on the shield 8 at the bottom of the washing machine. With the rotation of the belt 5, the identification unit 7 periodically approaches the collection unit 6. Each time the identification unit 7 approaches the collection unit 6, the collection unit 6 feeds back the collected position information of the identification unit 7 to the control unit, and the control unit can determine the current rotation speed of the belt 5, that is, the rotation speed of the impeller 3. When the washing machine detects that the difference between the impeller rotation speed and the theoretical rotation speed is not within the set range, it determines that the clothes in the barrel are entangled, stops the current process, and executes the shaking process.

[0042] Every time the shaking process is executed for the first set time, the washing machine jumps to the preset process and determines whether the difference between the current speed and the theoretical speed is within the set range. If so, the preset process is restored; if not, the shaking process continues.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, if the washing machine determines that the clothes in the drum are tangled during the washing stage and performs a shaking process, the subsequent program is executed by default at the end of the washing stage. Although the washing can be completed within the preset time, the washing effect cannot be guaranteed because the shaking process takes up the washing time.

[0044] Alternatively, if the washing machine determines that the clothes in the drum are tangled during the washing stage and executes the shaking process, the default washing time equal to the shaking time is added at the end of the washing stage. Although the washing effect can be guaranteed at this time, the total time is increased due to the additional washing time, which may affect the user's subsequent work arrangements and the user's experience cannot be guaranteed.

[0045] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the shaking process is executed in the washing stage, within the second set time before the end of washing, the washing machine asks the user whether to add washing time. If so, add washing time equal to the shaking time; if not, execute the subsequent stage at the end of the washing stage.

[0046] When the washing machine asks the user, it can ask by sending a push message to the user's mobile phone. At this time, the user can directly choose whether to add washing time through the APP associated with the washing machine on the mobile phone.

[0047] Furthermore, when the washing machine asks the user, it determines whether the ratio of the current washing time to the theoretical washing time is greater than a first set value. If so, it recommends the user not to add washing time; if not, it recommends the user to add washing time.

[0048] Preferably, the first set value is 0.75.

[0049] For example, the second set time is 5 minutes, that is, the washing machine asks the user whether to add washing time 5 minutes before the end of the washing stage. At this time, the time allocation of the washing stage is 5 minutes of shaking time, 15 minutes of washing time, and the theoretical washing time is 25 minutes. The ratio of the current washing time to the theoretical washing time is 0.6. When the first set value is set to 0.75, since the ratio of the current washing time to the theoretical washing time is less than the first set value, the washing machine determines that the current washing time cannot guarantee the washing effect, and recommends the user to add washing time. Users can make choices based on their actual situation. If the user's schedule is full and there is other work to do later, they can choose not to add washing time. The washing machine will directly execute the subsequent stage after the washing stage to ensure that the washing is completed within the preset time; when the user chooses to add washing time, after the washing stage, it will add washing time equal to the shaking time, and then execute the subsequent stage.

[0050] Alternatively, when the second set time is 3 minutes, the washing machine asks the user whether to add washing time 3 minutes before the end of the washing stage. At this time, the time allocation for the washing stage is 2 minutes of shaking time, 20 minutes of washing time, and the theoretical washing time is 25 minutes. The ratio of the current washing time to the theoretical washing time is 0.8, which is greater than the first set value of 0.75. The washing machine determines that the current washing time can guarantee the washing effect, and does not recommend the user to add washing time. The relevant APP interface pushes a prompt message that it is not recommended. When the user chooses to add time, the washing machine adds 2 minutes of washing time according to the user's choice, and the total time increases by 2 minutes; when the user chooses not to add washing time, the washing machine directly executes the subsequent stage at the end of the washing stage.

[0051] In this embodiment, the user is asked within the second set time before the end of washing. If the washing machine does not receive user feedback until the end of the washing stage, it is determined whether to add washing time according to the ratio of the current washing time to the theoretical washing time. The current washing time at this time is the washing time at the end of the washing stage.

[0052] Specifically, when the ratio of the current washing time to the theoretical washing time is less than or equal to the first set value, the washing machine determines that the current washing time cannot guarantee the washing effect, and supplements the washing time equal to the shaking time at the end of the washing stage; when the ratio of the current washing time to the theoretical washing time is greater than the first set value, the washing machine determines that the current washing time can guarantee the washing effect, and in order to complete the washing within the preset time, the washing machine directly executes the subsequent stage at the end of the washing stage.

[0053] Furthermore, when the number of times the shaking process is executed during the washing stage is greater than or equal to a second set value, the washing machine reminds the user.

[0054] For example, if the second setting value is set to 3 times, when the shaking process is performed 0 times, 1 time or 2 times during the washing stage, the washing machine performs the shaking process normally. When it is the third time, the washing machine can remind the user by sending a prompt message or buzzer alarm to the user, and the user can choose to adjust the washing clothes or adjust the specific washing parameters. Specifically, the user can take out some of the washing clothes or reduce the speed of the impeller. The user can also adjust the washing parameters through the mobile phone APP.

[0055] Preferably, if the user does not provide timely feedback, in order to avoid affecting the user, the washing machine will no longer remind the user when performing the shaking process subsequently, that is, in this embodiment, the washing machine reminds the user when and only when the shaking times reaches the second set value.

[0056] When the washing machine determines that the clothes in the drum are entangled during the dehydration stage and executes the shaking-out process, water is added to the set water level before the shaking-out process is executed, and then the shaking-out process is executed to avoid friction between the clothes affecting the service life of the clothes. The set water level is determined according to the initial weight of the clothes.

[0057] In the present invention, the user can choose to judge the end of the dehydration stage by the number of dehydration times or by the dehydration time.

[0058] In one embodiment of the present invention, if the user does not want to be disturbed after starting the washing machine, for example, when the user is working at home, the user can choose in advance to determine the end of the dehydration stage by the number of dehydration cycles. At this time, when the washing machine detects that the clothes in the drum are entangled during the dehydration stage and performs the shaking process, the shaking process takes up the dehydration time but does not affect the accumulation of the number of dehydration cycles, thereby avoiding disturbing the user during the work.

[0059] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the user chooses to judge the end of the dehydration stage by the dehydration time.

[0060] In this embodiment, within the third set time before the end of the dehydration stage, the washing machine asks the user whether to add dehydration time. If so, the dehydration time equal to the shaking-out time is added; if not, the washing process ends at the end of the dehydration stage, and the washing machine reminds the user by beeping or sending a prompt message to the user.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the washing machine asks the user, it will also determine whether the ratio of the current dehydration time to the theoretical dehydration time is greater than a third set value. If so, the washing machine determines that the moisture of the clothes can be fully removed at the current dehydration time, and recommends that the user not add dehydration time; if not, the washing machine determines that the moisture content of the clothes is still high at the current dehydration time, and recommends that the user add dehydration time to ensure user experience.

[0062] Alternatively, when the washing machine is provided with a weight sensor, the washing machine compares the current weight in the barrel with the initial weight when asking the user, the current weight in the barrel being the weight of the water absorbed by the clothes, and the initial weight being the weight of the dry clothes. The ratio of the current weight in the barrel to the initial weight can determine the water content of the clothes in the barrel. When the ratio of the current weight in the barrel to the initial weight is greater than the fourth set value, it indicates that the current weight in the barrel is large and the clothes still contain more water. To ensure the dehydration effect of the clothes, the washing machine recommends that the user add dehydration time; when the ratio of the current weight in the barrel to the initial weight is less than or equal to the fourth set value, it indicates that the current weight in the barrel is small and the water contained in the clothes has been relatively fully thrown out. At this time, to ensure that the washing is completed within the preset time, the washing machine does not recommend adding dehydration time.

[0063] Whether to add dehydration time is still determined by the user's choice. When the user chooses to add dehydration time, the dehydration time equal to the shaking time will be added after the dehydration stage, and then the washing process ends; when the user does not choose to add dehydration time, the washing process ends directly after the dehydration stage ends.

[0064] If the washing machine still does not receive user feedback at the end of the dehydration stage, whether to add dehydration time is determined according to the ratio of the current weight in the tub to the initial weight or according to the ratio of the current dehydration time to the theoretical dehydration time, where the current weight in the tub and the current dehydration time are both data at the end of the dehydration stage.

[0065] If the ratio of the current weight in the barrel to the initial weight is greater than the fourth set value or the ratio of the current dehydration time to the theoretical dehydration time is less than or equal to the third set value, the washing machine determines that the water content of the clothes in the barrel is still relatively high. To ensure the user experience, the dehydration time that is the same as the shaking time is supplemented by default.

[0066] When the ratio of the current weight in the drum to the initial weight is less than or equal to the fourth set value or the ratio of the current dehydration time to the theoretical dehydration time is greater than the third set value, the washing machine determines that the water contained in the clothes in the drum has been fully thrown out. To ensure that the washing is completed within the preset time, the dehydration time is not added by default, and the washing process ends at the end of the dehydration stage.

[0067] After adopting the above technical scheme, the present invention determines whether the clothes are entangled during the washing process. If entanglement occurs, the clothes are dispersed in time through the shaking process to avoid affecting the washing effect, thereby ensuring the user experience; on the other hand, if the present invention executes the shaking process during the washing stage, the washing machine will ask the user whether to add washing time to avoid the shaking process taking up washing time and affecting the washing effect, and it can also avoid directly adding washing time to increase the total time and reduce the user experience.

[0068] like Figure 2-3As shown, the present invention also provides a pulsator washing machine adopting the above-mentioned washing machine control method, comprising an outer barrel 1 and an inner barrel 2 arranged inside the outer barrel 1, a pulsator 3 is arranged at the bottom of the inner barrel 2, clothes are placed in the inner barrel 2, and the pulsator 3 drives water flow by rotation to wash the clothes in the barrel.

[0069] It also includes a driving unit 4 , an identification unit 7 , a collection unit 6 and a control unit, wherein the driving unit 4 drives the impeller 3 to rotate through a belt 5 , the identification unit 7 is arranged on the impeller 3 , and the collection unit 6 is arranged on the protective cover 8 .

[0070] As the belt 5 rotates, the identification unit 7 periodically approaches the collection unit 6. When the identification unit 7 approaches the collection unit 6, the collection unit 6 feeds back the position information of the identification unit 7 to the control unit, and the control unit can calculate the current speed of the belt 5, that is, the speed of the pulsator 3. When the washing machine detects that the difference between the pulsator speed and the theoretical speed is not within the set range, it determines that the clothes in the barrel are entangled, stops the current process, and executes the shaking process.

[0071] 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 a preferred embodiment as above, 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 also be further combined or replaced. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiment based on 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 washing machine control method, characterized in that: During the washing process, the washing machine determines whether the clothes in the barrel are entangled. If so, the current process is stopped and the shaking process is performed. If not, the current process is continued.

2. A washing machine control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Determining whether the clothes in the barrel are entangled includes the following steps: The washing machine determines whether the difference between the impeller rotation speed and the theoretical rotation speed is within a set range. If so, it is determined that the clothes in the barrel are not entangled; if not, it is determined that the clothes in the barrel are entangled.

3. A washing machine control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Every time the shaking process is executed for the first set time, the washing machine jumps to the preset process and determines whether the difference between the current speed and the theoretical speed is within the set range. If so, the preset process is restored; if not, the shaking process continues.

4. A washing machine control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Within the second set time before the end of the washing stage, the washing machine asks the user whether to add washing time. If so, add washing time equal to the shaking time; if not, execute the subsequent stage at the end of the washing stage.

5. A washing machine control method according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the washing machine inquires the user, it determines whether the ratio of the current washing time to the theoretical washing time is greater than a first set value. If so, it recommends the user not to add washing time; if not, it recommends the user to add washing time.

6. A washing machine control method according to claim 4, characterized in that: If the number of times the shaking process is performed during the washing stage is greater than or equal to a second set value, the washing machine reminds the user.

7. A washing machine control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Within the third set time before the end of the dehydration stage, the washing machine asks the user whether to add dehydration time. If so, the dehydration time equal to the shaking time is added; if not, the washing process ends at the end of the dehydration stage.

8. A washing machine control method according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the washing machine inquires the user, it determines whether the ratio of the current weight in the barrel to the initial weight is greater than a fourth set value. If so, it recommends the user to add dehydration time; if not, it recommends the user not to add dehydration time.

9. A washing machine control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The shaking process includes setting the number of forward and reverse rotations or the set duration of the washing machine's impeller.

10. A pulsator washing machine using the washing machine control method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: It includes a driving unit, an identification unit, a collection unit and a control unit. The driving module drives the impeller to rotate through a belt. The identification module is arranged on the belt. The control unit receives the position information of the identification unit fed back by the collection unit and determines the impeller rotation speed.

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