Washing machine water leakage detection method and washing machine

Abstract

The invention discloses a washing machine water leakage detection method, which comprises the following steps: carrying out ultrasonic detection on an easy water leakage position of a washing machine before the washing machine drains water, and judging whether a water leakage point exists and the position of the water leakage point according to sound wave information obtained by ultrasonic detection; the invention also aims to provide the washing machine, and the washing machine applies the washing machine water leakage detection method. The ultrasonic generators are installed at multiple positions where water leakage is prone to happening such as an overflow pipe, a drain valve and a drain pipe, the ultrasonic receiver is installed at the drain pipe, the ultrasonic receiver transmits received ultrasonic information to the information processor, the position where water leakage happens is judged through comparison processing, a user is warned and reminded in time, and the water leakage rate is increased. A user can conveniently and quickly receive and know the water leakage position and the water leakage reason of the washing machine, so that household flood disasters and property loss are avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of household appliances, and in particular relates to a method for detecting water leakage of a washing machine and a washing machine. Background Art

[0002] Washing machines are common household appliances in modern family life. During use, they may leak. Washing machine leakage will not only seriously affect the user experience, but may also cause household flooding and equipment damage. In severe cases, it will lead to immeasurable family property losses. There are many reasons for washing machine leakage, such as damaged or loose seal of drain valve, damaged overflow pipe, damaged drain pipe, water level sensor failure or pressure pipe leakage. For washing machine leakage caused by different reasons, the existing washing machine alarm will only send a single leakage alarm message. Users can only receive a single washing machine leakage information through the leakage alarm, and cannot quickly determine the location and cause of the washing machine leakage.

[0003] In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine. An ultrasonic generator is installed at multiple locations where water leakage is likely to occur, such as an overflow pipe, a drain valve, a drain pipe, etc., and an ultrasonic receiver is installed at the drain pipe. The ultrasonic receiver transmits the received ultrasonic information to an information processor, and the location of the water leakage is determined through comparative processing, and a user is promptly warned, so that the user can quickly receive and understand the location and cause of the water leakage in the washing machine, thereby avoiding household flooding and property losses.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine, wherein the washing machine performs ultrasonic detection on a location prone to water leakage before draining water, and determines whether there is a water leakage point and the location of the water leakage point based on the sound wave information obtained by the ultrasonic detection.

[0007] Furthermore, the washing machine performs ultrasonic detection on the water leakage-prone position of the washing machine before draining water, including:

[0008] An ultrasonic generator is installed at a position where the washing machine is prone to water leakage, so as to emit an ultrasonic wave to detect the corresponding position where the washing machine is prone to water leakage;

[0009] An ultrasonic receiver is installed at the drain pipe of the washing machine to recover sound wave information.

[0010] Further, judging whether there is a water leak according to the sound wave information obtained by the ultrasonic detection includes:

[0011] The ultrasonic receiver transmits the acquired sound wave information to the processor;

[0012] The processor compares the acquired sound wave information with the sound wave standard information pre-stored in the processor and determines the acquired sound wave difference;

[0013] Determine whether there is a water leak based on the difference in sound waves;

[0014] Preferably, the sound wave difference value is an average sound wave difference value, which is obtained by subtracting an average sound wave information data value obtained by performing 3-6 ultrasonic tests on the same leak-prone location from a corresponding sound wave standard value.

[0015] Further, judging whether there is a water leak according to the difference value of the sound wave includes:

[0016] If the sound wave difference value is less than the sound wave difference threshold, the processor determines that there is no water leakage at the detected position;

[0017] If the sound wave difference value is greater than or equal to the sound wave difference threshold, the processor determines that there is a water leak at the detected location and issues a water leak alarm.

[0018] Furthermore, the locations prone to water leakage include one or more of the overflow pipe, the drain valve, the drain pipe, and the pressure-conducting pipe.

[0019] Further, judging the location of the water leakage point according to the sound wave information obtained by the ultrasonic detection includes:

[0020] The processor stores the standard values ​​of sound waves at various water-prone locations;

[0021] The sound wave information obtained by the detection is compared with the sound wave standard value of each water leakage location in turn, and the sound wave type and the sound wave difference between the corresponding sound wave type are obtained in turn;

[0022] The location of the water leakage point is determined according to the sound wave difference value of the sound wave type, or according to the comprehensive situation of the sound wave difference value of the sound wave type and the water inlet flow rate.

[0023] Further, judging the location of the water leakage point according to the sound wave difference value of the sound wave type includes:

[0024] Before the washing machine is filled with water, the location of the water leakage point is directly determined according to the difference value of the sound wave type;

[0025] Preferably, if the A sound wave difference value ≥ x%, it is determined that the overflow pipe is leaking; if the B sound wave difference value ≥ x%, it is determined that the drain valve is leaking; if the C sound wave difference value ≥ x%, it is determined that the drain pipe is leaking; if the sound wave difference value < x%, it is determined that there is no leakage.

[0026] Further preferably, if the A sound wave difference value ≥ x%, it is determined that the overflow pipe has a crack and is leaking; if the B sound wave difference value ≥ x%, it is determined that there is a sealing problem or a crack and leakage at the drain valve; if the C sound wave difference value ≥ x%, it is determined that the drain pipe is cracked and leaking; if the sound wave difference value < x%, it is determined that there is no leakage.

[0027] Furthermore, judging the location of the leakage point according to the comprehensive situation of the sound wave difference value of the sound wave type and the water inlet flow rate includes:

[0028] During the water inlet process of the washing machine, judge the location of the leakage point by comprehensively judging according to the magnitude of the sound wave difference value of the sound wave type and in combination with whether the flow meter detects the water inlet flow rate.

[0029] Preferably, if the A sound wave difference ≥ x% and the water inlet flow rate > 0, it is determined that the overflow pipe is leaking. Further, the leakage of the overflow pipe is caused by the failure of the water level sensor or the air leakage of the pressure guide pipe; if the B sound wave difference ≥ x% and the water inlet flow rate > 0, it is determined that the drain valve is leaking; if the A / B sound wave difference ≥ x% and the water inlet flow rate is 0, it is determined that the water inlet pipe is leaking or there is other failure.

[0030] Furthermore, the washing machine can issue different types of alarm reminders according to the different positions of the determined leakage point, so that the user can quickly find the leakage problem.

[0031] Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine, and the washing machine applies the washing machine leakage detection method described in any one of the above.

[0032] Ultrasonic generators are correspondingly arranged at the overflow pipe, drain valve, drain pipe, and pressure guide pipe of the washing machine, and an ultrasonic receiver is also installed at the drain pipe of the washing machine.

[0033] After adopting the above technical solutions, compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0034] The present invention provides a washing machine leakage detection method. By installing ultrasonic generators at multiple positions where leakage is likely to occur, such as the overflow pipe, drain valve, and drain pipe, and installing an ultrasonic receiver at the drain pipe, the ultrasonic receiver transmits the received ultrasonic information to the information processor. By comparing and processing, the location of the leakage is judged, and the user is timely warned and reminded, which is convenient for the user to quickly receive and understand the leakage location and leakage reason of the washing machine, thereby avoiding household water disasters and property losses.

[0035] By storing the sound wave standard value of each water-leakage-prone location in the processor, the sound wave information obtained by detection is compared with the sound wave standard value of each water-leakage-prone location in turn, and the sound wave type and the sound wave difference between the corresponding sound wave type are obtained in turn; the location of the water leakage point is judged according to the sound wave difference value of the sound wave type, or according to the comprehensive situation of the sound wave difference value of the sound wave type and the water inlet flow rate, and the water leakage location and the cause of the water leakage can be accurately obtained in different washing program stages, and an alarm reminder is issued to the user, thereby helping the user to solve the water leakage problem more quickly and improving the user experience.

[0036] 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

[0037] 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.

[0038] In the attached picture:

[0039] Figure 1 It is a schematic flow chart of the method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 2 It is another schematic diagram of the process of the washing machine leakage detection method of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the washing machine in the present invention.

[0042] Icons: 1. Water level sensor; 2. Pressure pipe; 3. Drain valve; 4. First ultrasonic generator; 5. Overflow pipe; 6. Second ultrasonic generator; 7. Drain pipe; 8. Ultrasonic receiver; 9. Drain flow meter; 10. Third ultrasonic generator.

[0043] 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

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] Washing machines are household appliances that are often used in modern family life. During use, it is inevitable that water leakage problems will occur. Common causes of washing machine leakage problems are mainly cracks in the overflow pipe 5, sealing problems or cracks or leakage of the drain valve 3, cracks or leakage of the drain pipe 7, failure of the water level sensor 1, and air leakage of the pressure pipe 2. On the one hand, when a washing machine leaks, the user is usually busy with other matters and cannot notice it. On the other hand, even if the user finds that the washing machine is leaking, it is difficult to find the cause of the leakage in time to remedy it. Therefore, washing machine leakage will bring greater safety hazards, and in serious cases, it will cause serious family property losses to users.

[0048] In order to solve the above-mentioned washing machine leakage problem existing in the prior art, Figure 1-2 As shown, the present invention provides a method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine. The washing machine performs ultrasonic detection on the position prone to water leakage before draining water, and determines whether there is a water leakage point and the location of the water leakage point based on the sound wave information obtained by the ultrasonic detection.

[0049] Obviously, the technical solution proposed by the present invention uses ultrasonic detection technology. Ultrasonic waves refer to sound waves with frequencies higher than the human hearing range, generally referring to sound waves with frequencies greater than 20kHz. Ultrasonic waves are generated by ultrasonic generators, and have good directionality and strong penetration. This feature makes ultrasonic technology widely used in equipment flaw detection, thickness measurement, distance measurement, remote control and ultrasonic imaging. At the same time, the present invention also uses the characteristics of good directionality and strong penetration of ultrasonic detection to detect some structural parts set inside the washing machine, and uses the ultrasonic receiver 8 to obtain the reflected sound wave information, and judges whether there is a leak and the location of the leak by processing the sound wave information.

[0050] Furthermore, the washing machine performs ultrasonic detection on the leaking position of the washing machine before draining water, including:

[0051] An ultrasonic generator is installed at the position where the washing machine is prone to water leakage, so as to emit ultrasonic waves to detect the corresponding position where the washing machine is prone to water leakage;

[0052] An ultrasonic receiver 8 is installed at the drain pipe 7 of the washing machine to recover the sound wave information.

[0053] In the embodiment of the present invention, the leaking positions include one or more of the overflow pipe 5, the drain valve 3, the pressure pipe 2, and the drain pipe 7. The overflow pipe 5 is prone to cracks and leaks, the drain valve 3 is prone to sealing problems or cracks that cause valve body leakage, or the drain valve 3 is aging and leaking due to long-term use, the drain pipe 7 is cracked and leaks, or the drain pipe 7 body directly leaks, and the pressure pipe 2 leaks and leaks; since there are multiple leaking positions of the washing machine, the specific leaking position is determined by processing the recovered sound wave information, and the cause of the leak is further investigated, which can help users quickly find the leaking problem, thereby accurately inspecting and repairing it, and improving the user experience.

[0054] As an embodiment of the present application, judging whether there is a water leak based on the sound wave information obtained by ultrasonic detection includes:

[0055] The ultrasonic receiver 8 transmits the acquired sound wave information to the processor;

[0056] The processor compares the acquired sound wave information with the sound wave standard information pre-stored in the processor and determines the acquired sound wave difference;

[0057] Determine whether there is a leak based on the difference in sound waves.

[0058] Preferably, the sound wave difference value is an average sound wave difference value, which is obtained by subtracting an average sound wave information data value obtained by performing 3-6 ultrasonic tests on the same leak-prone location from a corresponding sound wave standard value.

[0059] Specifically, an ultrasonic generator installed at a location prone to water leakage continuously and repeatedly emits detection sound waves to the location 3-6 times, and each sound wave can last for 1-3s. The ultrasonic receiver 8 transmits the acquired sound wave information to the processor in turn. The processor calculates the average value of multiple sound wave information data, and then subtracts the average value of the sound wave information data from the corresponding sound wave standard value to obtain the sound wave difference average value.

[0060] The processor mentioned above can be an embedded microcontroller or microprocessor installed on the washing machine that can execute sound wave information processing functions and issue different program instructions. It can also be a smart device such as a computer, tablet, mobile phone, etc. that is equipped with the washing machine. Technicians in this field or users can make specific choices according to their needs.

[0061] The acoustic wave information data can be determined by one or several acoustic wave information parameters among the acoustic wave wavelength, amplitude, frequency, reception time, wave crest height, etc.

[0062] Furthermore, determining the location of the water leakage point according to the acoustic wave difference value of the acoustic wave type includes:

[0063] Before the washing machine fills with water, directly determine the location of the water leakage point according to the magnitude of the acoustic wave difference value of the acoustic wave type;

[0064] Preferably, if the A acoustic wave difference value ≥ x%, it is determined that the overflow pipe 5 is leaking; if the B acoustic wave difference value ≥ x%, it is determined that the drain valve 3 is leaking; if the C acoustic wave difference value ≥ x%, it is determined that the drain pipe 7 is leaking; if the acoustic wave difference value < x%, it is determined that there is no leakage.

[0065] For example, the acoustic wave reflected by the overflow pipe 5 received by the ultrasonic receiver 8 is the A acoustic wave, the acoustic wave reflected by the drain valve 3 received by the ultrasonic receiver 8 is the B acoustic wave, and the acoustic wave reflected by the drain pipe 7 received by the ultrasonic receiver 8 is the C acoustic wave. For the A acoustic wave, B acoustic wave, and C acoustic wave, the corresponding acoustic wave information standard values a1, b1, and c1 are pre-stored in the processor. The controller compares and subtracts the acoustic wave information fed back by the ultrasonic receiver 8 with the pre-stored acoustic wave information standard values a1, b1, and c1 in the processor to judge and obtain the acoustic wave difference value. It is easy to understand that the types of acoustic waves that the ultrasonic receiver 8 can receive include but are not limited to the three types of A acoustic wave, B acoustic wave, and C acoustic wave, and can also include other acoustic wave types sent by other easily leaky positions. Similarly, other acoustic wave information standard values other than a1, b1, and c1 can also be pre-stored correspondingly in the processor.

[0066] Before the washing machine fills with water, if the A acoustic wave difference value ≥ x%, it is determined that the overflow pipe 5 has a crack and is leaking; if the B acoustic wave difference value ≥ x%, it is determined that there is a sealing problem or a crack and leakage in the drain valve 3; if the C acoustic wave difference value ≥ x%, it is determined that the drain pipe 7 is cracked and leaking; if the acoustic wave difference value < x%, it is determined that there is no leakage.

[0067] Furthermore, the washing machine can issue different types of alarm reminders according to the different positions of the determined water leakage point, so that the user can quickly find the water leakage problem.

[0068] Specifically, when the controller determines whether there is water leakage and the water leakage location according to the acoustic wave difference value, it can control the alarm device to emit different alarm sounds and / or broadcast the reason for the water leakage for different water leakage locations, so that the user can receive the water leakage warning in time and quickly and obtain the reason for the water leakage, thereby avoiding water leakage losses and improving the user experience at the same time.

[0069] In summary, as an implementable solution of the present application, the method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine before water inlet specifically includes the following steps:

[0070] S1. Install an ultrasonic generator at the water leakage prone position of the washing machine to emit ultrasonic detection for the corresponding water leakage prone position;

[0071] S2. Install an ultrasonic receiver 8 at the drain pipe 7 of the washing machine to recover acoustic wave information;

[0072] S3. The ultrasonic receiver 8 transmits the obtained acoustic wave information to the processor;

[0073] S4. The processor compares the obtained acoustic wave information with the pre-stored acoustic wave standard information in the processor and judges the obtained acoustic wave difference;

[0074] S5. Directly judge the location of the water leakage point according to the magnitude of the acoustic wave difference value of the acoustic wave type: If the A acoustic wave difference value ≥ x%, it is judged as a crack leakage in the overflow pipe 5; If the B acoustic wave difference value ≥ x%, it is judged as a sealing problem or crack leakage in the drain valve 3; If the C acoustic wave difference value ≥ x%, it is judged as a crack leakage in the drain pipe 7; If the acoustic wave difference value < x%, it is judged that there is no water leakage;

[0075] S6. According to different water leakage positions, the controller controls the alarm device to emit different alarm sounds and / or broadcast the reason for water leakage.

[0076] According to the above water leakage detection method, it is possible to quickly and accurately judge whether there is a water leakage situation, the water leakage position and the reason for water leakage in the washing machine before water inlet, thereby helping the user quickly find the water leakage problem, avoiding property losses of the user and improving the user experience. It is understandable that the above method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine can also be applied after the water inlet of the washing machine is completed and before the washing is completed.

[0077] After the washing machine starts to fill with water, due to the different positions and structures filled with water, the position and reason for water leakage can be judged in combination with the condition of the water inlet flowmeter. That is, during the water inlet process of the washing machine, the location of the water leakage point is comprehensively judged according to the magnitude of the acoustic wave difference value of the acoustic wave type and in combination with whether the flowmeter detects the water inlet flow.

[0078] Furthermore, if the A sound wave difference is ≥x%, and the water inlet flow rate is >0, it is judged that the overflow pipe 5 is leaking. Furthermore, the leakage of the overflow pipe 5 is caused by the failure of the water level sensor 1 or the leakage of the pressure-conducting pipe 2; if the B sound wave difference is ≥x%, and the water inlet flow rate is >0, it is judged that the drain valve 3 is leaking; and when it is found that the overflow pipe 5 is leaking or the drain valve 3 is leaking, the user can close the water inlet valve and open the drain valve 3 to drain the water; if the A / B sound wave difference is ≥x%, and the water inlet flow rate is 0, it is judged that the water inlet pipe is leaking or other faults, and when the controller determines the leakage location and the cause of the leakage, the controller controls the alarm to sound an alarm reminder (sound an alarm and / or broadcast the cause of the leakage).

[0079] As an implementation plan of this application, Figure 2 The method for detecting water leakage of a washing machine during the water inflow process of the washing machine specifically comprises the following steps:

[0080] S1. Install an ultrasonic generator at a location prone to water leakage in the washing machine to emit ultrasonic waves for detection at the corresponding location prone to water leakage;

[0081] S2, installing an ultrasonic receiver 8 at the washing machine drain pipe 7 to recover sound wave information;

[0082] S3, installing a water inlet flow meter at the water inlet pipe of the washing machine to detect the water inlet condition of the washing machine;

[0083] S4, the ultrasonic receiver 8 transmits the acquired sound wave information to the processor;

[0084] S5, the processor compares the acquired sound wave information with the sound wave standard information pre-stored in the processor and determines the acquired sound wave difference;

[0085] S6. According to the difference value of the sound wave type and in combination with whether the flow meter detects the water inlet flow, the location of the water leakage point is comprehensively determined; if the A sound wave difference is ≥x%, the water inlet flow>0, it is determined that the overflow pipe 5 is leaking; if the B sound wave difference is ≥x%, the water inlet flow>0, it is determined that the drain valve 3 is leaking; if the A / B sound wave difference is ≥x%, and the water inlet flow is 0, it is determined that the water inlet pipe is leaking or other faults;

[0086] S7. According to different water leakage locations, the controller controls the alarm device to emit different alarm sounds and / or announce the cause of the water leakage.

[0087] Further, in step S6, if the A sound wave difference is ≥x%, and the water inlet flow rate is >0, it is judged that the overflow pipe 5 is leaking, and the cause of the leakage of the overflow pipe 5 is the failure of the water level sensor 1 or the leakage of the pressure pipe 2. The user can stop the water inlet by closing the water inlet valve and open the drain valve 3 to drain the water.

[0088] Through the above-mentioned washing machine leakage detection method, the location and cause of the washing machine leakage can be detected during the water intake process. After receiving the alarm and leakage information issued by the alarm device, the user can promptly and specifically troubleshoot the problem or report it for post-sales processing.

[0089] As a possible embodiment of the present application, a drainage flow meter 9 can also be installed at the drainage pipe 7 of the washing machine to detect the drainage volume of the washing machine during the drainage process, and the drainage flow in the drainage pipe 7 during the drainage process can also be detected.

[0090] During the drainage process of the washing machine, the water level sensor 1 in the washing machine will collect and transmit the detected water level information to the controller. At the same time, the drainage flow meter 9 will count the drainage flow in real time and transmit it to the controller. The controller will compare the reduced water volume data sensed by the water level sensor 1 with the outflow water volume data detected by the drainage flow meter 9. If the difference between the two is ≥y%, it is judged that the drain pipe 7 is leaking, the water inlet valve and the drain valve 3 are closed, and the alarm will sound an alarm and / or broadcast the leakage information; if the difference between the two is <y%, the washing machine drains normally, and the washing program is completed after dehydration.

[0091] Furthermore, the broadcasting of water leakage information in the above technical solution includes but is not limited to broadcasting the location of the water leakage and the cause of the water leakage, and can also broadcast the duration of the water leakage and possible solutions to solve the water leakage problem.

[0092] Furthermore, y% is the drainage difference threshold of the washing machine, and its specific value may be automatically set by the washing machine system or manually set by the user.

[0093] Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine, which uses any one of the above-mentioned washing machine water leakage detection methods.

[0094] Furthermore, a water level sensor 1 is installed in the washing machine. The water level sensor 1 can monitor the amount of water in the washing machine by monitoring the change of the water level in the washing machine. The water level sensor 1 is generally installed near the water inlet valve of the inner drum of the washing machine.

[0095] It is understandable that an ultrasonic generator is installed at a location where the washing machine is prone to water leakage, and an ultrasonic receiver 8 is installed at the drain pipe 7 to monitor the location where the washing machine is prone to water leakage in real time. The location where the washing machine is prone to water leakage includes one or more of the overflow pipe 5, the drain valve 3, the pressure pipe 2, and the drain pipe 7.

[0096] Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, a first ultrasonic generator 4 is installed at the drain valve 3 , a second ultrasonic generator 6 is installed at the overflow pipe 5 , and a third ultrasonic generator 10 is installed at the drain pipe 7 .

[0097] In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, a water inlet flow meter is installed at the water inlet pipe of the washing machine to monitor the water inlet condition of the washing machine in real time, and a drainage flow meter 9 is installed at the drainage pipe 7 to monitor the drainage condition of the washing machine in real time.

[0098] After adopting the technical solutions in the above-mentioned invention embodiments, the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects compared with the prior art:

[0099] The embodiment of the present invention proposes a method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine. An ultrasonic generator is installed at multiple locations where water leakage is likely to occur, such as an overflow pipe 5, a drain valve 3, and a pressure pipe 2, and an ultrasonic receiver 8 is installed at a drain pipe 7. The ultrasonic receiver 8 transmits the received ultrasonic information to an information processor, and determines the location of the water leakage through comparative processing, and promptly warns the user, so that the user can quickly receive and understand the location and cause of the water leakage in the washing machine, thereby avoiding household flooding and property losses.

[0100] The embodiment of the present invention also stores the sound wave standard value of each water leakage-prone location in the processor, compares the sound wave information obtained by detection with the sound wave standard value of each water leakage-prone location in turn, and obtains the sound wave type and the sound wave difference between the corresponding sound wave type in turn; the location of the leakage point is judged according to the sound wave difference value of the sound wave type, or according to the comprehensive situation of the sound wave difference value of the sound wave type and the water inlet flow rate, and the leakage location and the cause of the leakage can be accurately obtained at different stages of the washing program, and an alarm is issued to the user, thereby helping the user to solve the leakage problem more quickly and improving the user experience.

[0101] 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 method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine, characterized in that: Before draining water, the washing machine performs ultrasonic detection on the positions prone to water leakage of the washing machine, and determines whether there is a water leakage point and the location of the water leakage point according to the sound wave information obtained from the ultrasonic detection.

2. The method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic detection performed by the washing machine on the positions prone to water leakage before draining water includes: Installing an ultrasonic generator at the positions prone to water leakage of the washing machine to emit ultrasonic detection to the corresponding positions prone to water leakage; Installing an ultrasonic receiver at the drain pipe of the washing machine to recover the sound wave information.

3. The method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: Determining whether there is a water leakage point according to the sound wave information obtained from the ultrasonic detection includes: The ultrasonic receiver transmits the obtained sound wave information to the processor; The processor compares the obtained sound wave information with the pre-stored sound wave standard information in the processor and determines the obtained sound wave difference; Determining whether there is a water leakage point according to the magnitude of the sound wave difference value; Preferably, the sound wave difference value is the average value of sound wave differences, and the average value of sound wave differences is obtained by taking the difference between the average value of the sound wave information data obtained from 3-6 ultrasonic detections at the same position prone to water leakage and the corresponding sound wave standard value.

4. The method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: Determining whether there is a water leakage point according to the magnitude of the sound wave difference value includes: If the sound wave difference value is less than the sound wave difference threshold, the processor determines that the detected position is not leaking; If the sound wave difference value is greater than or equal to the sound wave difference threshold, the processor determines that the detected position is leaking and issues a water leakage alarm reminder.

5. The method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The positions prone to water leakage include one or more of an overflow pipe, a drain valve, a drain pipe, and a pressure guide pipe.

6. The method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: Determining the location of the water leakage point according to the sound wave information obtained from the ultrasonic detection includes: The sound wave standard values of each position prone to water leakage are stored in the processor; Sequentially comparing the detected sound wave information with the sound wave standard values of each position prone to water leakage, and sequentially obtaining the sound wave type and the sound wave difference existing between the corresponding sound wave types; Determining the location of the water leakage point according to the sound wave difference value of the sound wave type, or according to the comprehensive situation of the sound wave difference value of the sound wave type and the water inlet flow rate.

7. The method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: Determining the location of the water leakage point according to the sound wave difference value of the sound wave type includes: Before the washing machine fills with water, directly determine the location of the water leakage point according to the magnitude of the sound wave difference value of the sound wave type; Preferably, if the A sound wave difference value ≥ x%, it is determined that the overflow pipe is leaking; if the B sound wave difference value ≥ x%, it is determined that the drain valve is leaking; if the C sound wave difference value ≥ x%, it is determined that the drain pipe is leaking; if the sound wave difference value < x%, it is determined that there is no leakage.

8. The method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: Determining the location of the water leakage point according to the comprehensive situation of the sound wave difference value of the sound wave type and the water inlet flow rate includes: During the water inlet process of the washing machine, comprehensively determine the location of the water leakage point according to the magnitude of the sound wave difference value of the sound wave type and in combination with whether the flow meter detects the water inlet flow rate; Preferably, if the A sound wave difference ≥ x% and the water inlet flow rate > 0, it is determined that the overflow pipe is leaking; if the B sound wave difference ≥ x% and the water inlet flow rate > 0, it is determined that the drain valve is leaking; if the A / B sound wave difference ≥ x% and the water inlet flow rate is 0, it is determined that the water inlet pipe is leaking or there is other malfunction.

9. The method for detecting water leakage in a washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The washing machine can send out different types of alarm reminders according to the different locations of the determined water leakage points, so that the user can quickly find the water leakage problem.

10. A washing machine, characterized in that: The washing machine applies the washing machine water leakage detection method described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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