Washing machine

The motor speed is controlled through water level detection and diversion drainage device, which solves the noise and vibration problems during the dehydration of the washing machine, and achieves high-speed dehydration without increasing time and improves the user experience.

CN120273148APending Publication Date: 2025-07-08HISENSE(SHANDONG)REFRIGERATOR CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202410019116.3
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-01-05
Publication Date
2025-07-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

During the dehydration process, existing washing machines are prone to strong noise and vibration caused by dehydration with water. Extending the idle dehydration time or reducing the dehydration speed will increase the running time, resulting in the dehydration of clothes and reducing the user experience.

Method used

The water level detection device is used to monitor the water level of the outer barrel in real time, and the motor speed is controlled through the main drainage device and the shunt drainage device to ensure that dehydration with water is avoided during the dehydration process. The water level is quickly lowered by the shunt drainage device, combined with the highest speed dehydration to avoid noise and vibration, while not increasing the dehydration process time.

Benefits of technology

It effectively avoids noise and vibration during the dehydration process, ensures high-speed dehydration without extending the dehydration time, and improves user experience.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a washing machine. The washing machine comprises a shell; an inner barrel and an outer barrel; a motor; a main drainage device; a water level detection device and a shunt drainage device; the controller is connected with the motor, the main drainage device, the water level detection device and the flow division drainage device and executes the following steps that when a starting instruction of a drainage program is received, the main drainage device is started for drainage; if the water level detection device detects that the water level of the outer barrel is below the first water level in the drainage process, the washing machine is controlled to run a dewatering program; in the dewatering process, if the water level detection device detects that the water level of the outer barrel reaches a second water level or above, the shunt drainage device is started to drain water, and the second water level is higher than the first water level; when the water level detection device detects that the water level of the outer barrel is below the second water level, the motor is controlled to drive the inner barrel to operate for a first time at the highest rotating speed and then stop. According to the invention, strong noise and vibration can be avoided, and the dehydration time is not increased while high-speed dehydration is ensured.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of washing machines, and more particularly to a washing machine. Background Art

[0002] A washing machine is a cleaning appliance that uses electrical energy to generate mechanical action to wash clothes. In the dehydration process of existing washing machines, strong noise and vibration are often generated due to dehydration with water. Currently, in the industry, in order to avoid strong noise and vibration caused by dehydration with water, the method of extending the idle dehydration time before reaching high speed or reducing the dehydration speed when detecting dehydration with water is selected. However, this will increase the running time of the entire dehydration program and there is also a risk of not being able to reach high speed, which may ultimately lead to incomplete dehydration of the clothes and thus reduce the user experience.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a washing machine that can avoid strong noise and vibration during the operation of the dehydration program and does not increase the running time of the dehydration program while ensuring high-speed dehydration. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the above technical problems, an embodiment of this application provides a washing machine.

[0005] According to one aspect of the embodiment of this application, the washing machine provided by the embodiment of this application includes: a housing; an inner tub and an outer tub disposed within the housing; a motor for providing power to drive the inner tub to rotate; a main drainage device for draining water from the inner tub; a water level detection device disposed on the inner side of the bottom of the outer tub and a shunt drainage device disposed on the outer side of the bottom of the outer tub; a controller respectively connected to the motor, the main drainage device, the water level detection device, and the shunt drainage device, and the controller is configured to perform the following steps: when receiving a start instruction for the drainage program, turn on the main drainage device to drain water; if it is detected through the water level detection device during the drainage process that the water level in the outer tub is below a first water level, control the washing machine to run the dehydration program; if it is detected through the water level detection device during the dehydration process that the water level in the outer tub reaches above a second water level, turn on the shunt drainage device to drain water, where the second water level is higher than the first water level; when it is detected through the water level detection device that the water level in the outer tub is below the second water level, control the motor to drive the inner tub to run at the highest speed for a first period of time and then stop.

[0006] In the above embodiments, when a start instruction for the drainage program is received, the main drainage device is activated to drain water. During the drainage process, the water level of the outer tub is detected in real time by the water level detection device. If it is detected that the water level of the outer tub is below the first water level, the washing machine is controlled to run the dehydration program. During the dehydration process, the water level of the outer tub is also detected in real time by the water level detection device. If it is detected that the water level of the outer tub reaches above the second water level, the diversion drainage device is activated to drain water so that the water level of the outer tub is below the second water level, thereby effectively preventing strong noise and vibration caused by dehydration with water. When it is detected by the water level detection device that the water level of the outer tub is below the second water level, the motor is controlled to drive the inner tub to run at the highest speed for a first period of time and then stop, thereby ensuring that the washing machine performs high-speed dehydration without increasing the running time of the dehydration program. In summary, this embodiment can avoid strong noise and vibration during the operation of the dehydration program and ensure high-speed dehydration without increasing the running time of the dehydration program.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present application, based on the foregoing solution, the water level detection device includes an air chamber, a pneumatic duct, and a pressure sensor. The air chamber is disposed inside the bottom of the outer tub, and the pneumatic duct connects the air chamber and the pressure sensor for transmitting the water pressure sensed by the air chamber to the pressure sensor. The controller is further configured to determine the water level height of the outer tub according to the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor.

[0008] In the above embodiment, the air chamber is disposed in contact with the water in the bottom inner side of the outer tub, can sense the water pressure and transmit it to the pressure sensor through the pneumatic duct. Furthermore, the water level height of the outer tub can be accurately determined according to the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present application, based on the foregoing solution, if the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor increases, it is determined that the water level of the outer tub rises; if the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor decreases, it is determined that the water level of the outer tub drops.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present application, based on the foregoing solution, the controller is further configured to perform the following steps: preset the warning water level of the outer tub, the warning water level is lower than the second water level and higher than the first water level; when it is detected by the water level detection device that the water level of the outer tub is below the warning water level, the motor is controlled to drive the inner tub to run at the highest speed for a first period of time and then stop.

[0011] In the above embodiments, a warning water level is set that is higher than the first water level but lower than the second water level. If the water level in the outer tub reaches above the warning water level but below the second water level, it indicates that there is a high probability of water-carrying dehydration, resulting in strong noise and vibration. Therefore, when the water level detection device detects that the water level in the outer tub is below the warning water level, the motor is controlled to drive the inner tub to run at the highest speed for a first period of time and then stop, which can more effectively avoid the problem of water-carrying dehydration and further more effectively avoid the generation of strong noise and vibration.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present application, based on the foregoing solution, the main drainage device includes a main inner drainage pipe, an outer drainage assembly connected to the main inner drainage pipe, and an outer drainage pipe connected to the outer drainage assembly.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present application, based on the foregoing solution, the shunt drainage device includes a first shunt inner drainage pipe, a liquid storage box connected to the first shunt inner drainage pipe, and a second shunt inner drainage pipe respectively connecting the liquid storage box and the outer drainage assembly.

[0014] In the above embodiments, by providing a liquid storage box in the shunt drainage device, when the shunt drainage device is opened, the water level in the outer tub can be rapidly decreased, thereby effectively saving the running time of the dehydration program.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present application, based on the foregoing solution, the shunt drainage device includes a third shunt inner drainage pipe, a shunt groove connected to the third shunt inner drainage pipe, and a fourth shunt inner drainage pipe respectively connecting the shunt groove and the outer drainage assembly.

[0016] In the above embodiments, by providing a shunt groove in the shunt drainage device, when the shunt drainage device is opened, the water level in the outer tub can also be rapidly decreased, thereby effectively saving the running time of the dehydration program.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present application, based on the foregoing solution, the outer tub is provided with a first drainage port, a second drainage port or a third drainage port, which are respectively used to connect the main inner drainage pipe, the first shunt inner drainage pipe and the third shunt inner drainage pipe, and the positions of the first drainage port, the second drainage port and the third drainage port are not higher than the bottom surface of the outer tub.

[0018] In the above embodiments, setting the positions of the drainage ports to be not higher than the bottom surface of the outer tub can effectively ensure that the water in the outer tub is completely drained.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present application, based on the foregoing solution, a first switching valve and a second switching valve are respectively arranged on the first shunt inner drain pipe and the second shunt inner drain pipe; the first switching valve is used to control the water in the outer tub to be discharged into the liquid storage box, and the second switching valve is used to control the water in the liquid storage box to be discharged.

[0020] In the above embodiment, by arranging the first switching valve on the first shunt inner drain pipe, the rate of the water in the outer tub discharged into the liquid storage box can be effectively controlled; by arranging the second switching valve on the second shunt inner drain pipe, the rate of the water in the liquid storage box discharged can be effectively controlled.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present application, based on the foregoing solution, a solenoid valve and a check valve are respectively arranged on the third shunt inner drain pipe and the fourth shunt inner drain pipe; the solenoid valve is used to control the water in the outer tub to be discharged into the shunt groove, and the check valve is used to prevent the water in the outer discharge assembly from flowing back to the shunt groove.

[0022] In the above embodiment, by arranging the solenoid valve on the third shunt inner drain pipe, the rate of the water in the outer tub discharged into the shunt groove can be effectively controlled; by arranging the check valve on the fourth shunt inner drain pipe, the water in the outer discharge assembly can be effectively prevented from flowing back into the shunt groove.

[0023] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The drawings herein are incorporated into the specification and form a part of the specification, showing embodiments consistent with the present application, and are used together with the specification to explain the principles of the present application. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and those of ordinary skill in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the interior of a washing machine provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 2 is a flowchart of steps executable by a controller in a washing machine provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a main drainage device in a washing machine provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a water level detection device in a washing machine provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 5 It is a timing diagram of program operation control provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of a shunt drainage device in a washing machine provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of a shunt drainage device in a washing machine provided by another exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 8 It is a schematic structural diagram of a drainage device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0033] Here, an exemplary embodiment will be described in detail, and its examples are shown in the drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. On the contrary, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the present application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0034] The block diagrams shown in the drawings are only functional entities and do not necessarily correspond to physically independent entities. That is, these functional entities can be implemented in software form, or implemented in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or implemented in different networks and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.

[0035] The flowcharts shown in the drawings are only exemplary illustrations and do not necessarily include all contents and operations / steps, nor do they necessarily need to be executed in the described order. For example, some operations / steps can be decomposed, while some operations / steps can be combined or partially combined, so the actual execution order may change according to the actual situation.

[0036] It should also be noted that: "a plurality of" mentioned in the present application means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0037] In the description, claims and drawings of this application, terms such as "first", "second", "third" and "fourth" are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. The terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally further includes steps or units not listed, or optionally further includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0038] During the dehydration process of existing washing machines, strong noise and vibration are often generated due to dehydration with water. Currently, in the industry, in order to avoid strong noise and vibration caused by dehydration with water, the method of extending the idle dehydration time before reaching high speed or reducing the dehydration speed when detecting dehydration with water is selected. However, this will increase the running time of the entire dehydration program and there is also a risk of not being able to reach high speed, which may ultimately lead to the clothes not being dried thoroughly, thus reducing the user experience.

[0039] Therefore, to solve the above technical problems, this application proposes a washing machine. Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the washing machine provided by an exemplary embodiment of this application. As Figure 1 shown, the washing machine 10 includes a housing, an inner tub 11, a pulsator 12, an outer tub, a motor, a main drainage device, a water level detection device, a diversion drainage device and a controller. Each part of the washing machine 10 will be introduced one by one below.

[0040] The housing is the external structure of the washing machine 10 and is used to fix and protect the internal components. The housing is usually made of metal or plastic; a door is usually provided on the housing for putting clothes into or taking them out of the inner tub 11, and the door is usually equipped with a sealing ring to prevent water leakage; a control panel is usually provided on the housing, and there are buttons, knobs or touch screens on the control panel for the user to select washing programs, temperatures, speeds and make other settings on the control panel.

[0041] The inner tub 11 is arranged inside the housing and is usually made of stainless steel or plastic, and is used to place clothes and perform washing; a washing trough and drum ribs are usually provided inside the inner tub 11 to clean the clothes through friction and impact, which helps to improve the washing effect.

[0042] The pulsator 12 is usually made of plastic or stainless steel, and its surface usually includes raised notches or corrugations. The pulsator 12 is mainly used to stir and mix the clothes during the washing process. When the washing machine 10 rotates the pulsator 12, the raised parts on the pulsator 12 will contact the clothes, which helps to fully mix the detergent and water, make the clothes better contact with the washing liquid, and improve the washing effect.

[0043] The outer tub is usually made of stainless steel or high-strength plastic and can be used to stabilize the inner tub 11 when the inner tub performs a rotational motion. The outer tub and the inner tub can be connected and fixed through a clutch.

[0044] The motor is the power source of the washing machine 10 and is responsible for providing power to drive the inner tub 11 and the agitator 12 to rotate for washing, rinsing, and dehydration operations. The motor can control the rotation speed, rotation angle, rotation direction, and rotation time of the inner tub 11, etc., to adapt to different washing programs and user needs.

[0045] The main drainage device is usually arranged below the washing machine 10 and is used to drain the sewage washed in the inner tub. When the washing program ends, the main drainage device will start to work and drain the sewage in the inner tub out of the washing machine 10.

[0046] The shunt drainage device is arranged on the outer side of the bottom of the outer tub. When the water level in the outer tub reaches above the second water level during the dehydration process, the shunt drainage device is opened for auxiliary drainage, so that the water level in the outer tub drops rapidly.

[0047] The water level detection device is arranged on the inner side of the bottom of the outer tub and is used to detect the water level of the outer tub.

[0048] The controller is respectively connected to the motor, the main drainage device, the water level detection device, and the shunt drainage device.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 which is a flowchart of steps executable by the controller in the washing machine provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The controller can be configured to execute the following steps S210 - S240:

[0050] S210, when receiving a start instruction for the drainage program, turn on the main drainage device for drainage;

[0051] S220, during the drainage process, if it is detected by the water level detection device that the water level in the outer tub is below the first water level, control the washing machine to run the dehydration program;

[0052] S230, during the dehydration process, if it is detected by the water level detection device that the water level in the outer tub reaches above the second water level, turn on the shunt drainage device for drainage, and the second water level is higher than the first water level;

[0053] S240, when it is detected by the water level detection device that the water level in the outer tub is below the second water level, control the motor to drive the inner tub to run at the highest speed for the first duration and then stop.

[0054] The following will describe these 4 steps in detail respectively.

[0055] In S210, when a start instruction for the drainage program is received, the main drainage device is activated to drain the sewage in the inner tub. Among them, the start instruction for the drainage program can be actively issued by the user. Exemplarily, the user actively issues a start instruction through a button on the control panel; or the user remotely controls and issues a start instruction on a connected mobile terminal to control the washing machine to run the drainage program.

[0056] In addition, the start instruction for the drainage program can also be automatically issued by the washing machine. Exemplarily, in order to ensure the normal operation of the drainage system or for specific needs, a timed drainage task is set, and a start instruction for the drainage program is automatically issued when the predetermined time is reached; or when certain specific emergency situations occur, such as equipment failures and other emergency situations that require immediate drainage, a start instruction for the drainage program is automatically issued when these specific emergency situations are detected.

[0057] Specifically, the main drainage device includes a main inner drainage pipe, an outer drainage component connected to the main inner drainage pipe, and an outer drainage pipe connected to the outer drainage component. Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 which is a schematic structural diagram of the main drainage device in the washing machine provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. As Figure 3 shown, one end of the main inner drainage pipe 31 is connected to the bottom of the outer tub through a drainage port, and the other end is connected to the outer drainage component 32. The outer drainage component 32 is connected to the outer drainage pipe 33, and the water in the inner tub is drained out of the washing machine through the outer drainage pipe 33. Among them, the outer drainage component 32 includes, but is not limited to, a drainage pump or a drainage valve.

[0058] In S220, the water level detection device is arranged inside the bottom of the outer tub and is used to detect the water level of the outer tub. The water level detection device can be an infrared sensor, a gravity sensor or other devices for sensing the water level of the outer tub.

[0059] Preferably, the water level detection device includes an air chamber, an air chamber conduit and a pressure sensor. Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 which is a schematic structural diagram of the water level detection device in the washing machine provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. As Figure 4 shown, the air chamber 41 is arranged inside the bottom of the outer tub, and the air pressure conduit 42 connects the air chamber 41 and the pressure sensor 43, and is used to transfer the water pressure sensed by the air chamber 41 to the pressure sensor 43.

[0060] As can be seen from the above, by arranging the air chamber in contact with the water in the outer tub at the inner side of the bottom of the outer tub, the water pressure can be sensed and transferred to the pressure sensor through the air pressure conduit. Furthermore, the water level height of the outer tub can be accurately determined according to the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor.

[0061] It should be noted that since the water pressure sensed by the air chamber 41 is positively correlated with the water level in the outer tub, that is, the higher the water level in the outer tub, the greater the water pressure sensed by the air chamber 41, and the lower the water level in the outer tub, the smaller the water pressure sensed by the air chamber 41. Moreover, the magnitude of the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 43 is positively correlated with the water pressure sensed by the air chamber 41, that is, the greater the water pressure sensed by the air chamber 41, the greater the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 43, and the smaller the water pressure sensed by the air chamber 41, the smaller the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 43.

[0062] Furthermore, it can be concluded that the magnitude of the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 43 is also positively correlated with the water level in the outer tub. Therefore, if the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 43 increases, it is determined that the water level in the outer tub has risen; conversely, if the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor 43 decreases, it is determined that the water level in the outer tub has dropped.

[0063] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 which is a timing diagram of program operation control provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. During the drainage process, if it is detected by the water level detection device at time t1 that the water level in the outer tub is just below the first water level, indicating that the water in the inner tub is about to be drained completely, the washing machine is controlled to start the dehydration program to spin out the moisture in the clothes in the inner tub, where the first water level is a fixed water level value. It should be noted that during the operation of the dehydration program, the main drainage device is still opened to drain the moisture spun out from the clothes in the inner tub. Therefore, the washing machine is running the drainage program while running the dehydration program. As Figure 5 shown, the dehydration program ends at time t2, and the drainage program ends at time t3. The end time point t3 of the drainage program is not earlier than the end time point t2 of the dehydration program. In particular, t2 is equal to t3, that is, the dehydration program and the drainage program end at the same time.

[0064] In S230, since dehydrating the clothes in the inner tub may cause the dehydration speed of the clothes to be greater than the drainage speed of the main drainage device, which may cause the water level in the outer tub to rise instead of drop, there is a risk of water-carrying dehydration. Therefore, if it is detected by the water level detection device during the dehydration process that the water level in the outer tub reaches above the second water level, indicating that water-carrying dehydration is about to occur, resulting in strong noise and vibration, in order to quickly lower the water level in the outer tub to avoid water-carrying dehydration, the shunt drainage device is opened for drainage. Among them, the second water level is higher than the first water level, and the second water level is the difference between the bottom height of the inner tub and the bottom height of the outer tub.

[0065] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 which is a structural schematic diagram of the shunt drainage device in the washing machine provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. AsFigure 6 As shown in the figure, the shunt drainage device includes a first shunt inner drain pipe 61, a liquid storage box 62, a second shunt inner drain pipe 63, and an external drainage component 64. Specifically, one end of the first shunt inner drain pipe 61 is connected to the bottom of the outer tub through a drain port, and the other end is connected to the liquid storage box 62. The second shunt inner drain pipe 63 is respectively connected to the liquid storage box 62 and the external drainage component 64. Similarly, the external drainage component 64 includes, but is not limited to, a drainage pump or a drainage valve.

[0066] As can be seen from the above, by providing a liquid storage box in the shunt drainage device, when the shunt drainage device is opened, the water level in the outer tub can be quickly lowered, thus effectively saving the running time of the dehydration program.

[0067] Preferably, a first switching valve 65 and a second switching valve 66 are respectively provided on the first shunt inner drain pipe 61 and the second shunt inner drain pipe 63. The first switching valve 65 can control the water in the outer tub to drain into the liquid storage box 62, and the second switching valve 66 can control the water in the liquid storage box 62 to drain out.

[0068] In the above embodiment, by providing the first switching valve 65 on the first shunt inner drain pipe 61, the rate of the water in the outer tub draining into the liquid storage box 62 can be effectively controlled; by providing the second switching valve 66 on the second shunt inner drain pipe 63, the rate of the water in the liquid storage box 62 draining out can be effectively controlled.

[0069] In another exemplary embodiment, please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of the shunt drainage device in the washing machine provided by another exemplary embodiment of the present application. As Figure 7 shown, the shunt drainage device may further include a third shunt inner drain pipe 71, a shunt groove 72, a fourth shunt inner drain pipe 73, and an external drainage component 74. Specifically, one end of the third shunt inner drain pipe 71 is connected to the bottom of the outer tub through a drain port, and the other end is connected to the shunt groove 72. The fourth shunt inner drain pipe 73 is respectively connected to the shunt groove 72 and the external drainage component 74. Similarly, the external drainage component 74 includes, but is not limited to, a drainage pump or a drainage valve.

[0070] As can be seen from the above, by providing a shunt groove in the shunt drainage device, when the shunt drainage device is opened, the water level in the outer tub can also be quickly lowered, thus effectively saving the running time of the dehydration program.

[0071] Preferably, a solenoid valve 75 and a check valve 76 are respectively provided on the third shunt inner drain pipe 71 and the fourth shunt inner drain pipe 73. The solenoid valve 75 can control the water in the outer tub to drain into the shunt groove 72, and the check valve 76 can prevent the water in the external drainage component 74 from flowing back to the shunt groove 72.

[0072] In the above embodiments, by providing a solenoid valve on the third shunt inner drain pipe, the rate of water drainage from the outer tub into the shunt tank can be effectively controlled; by providing a check valve on the fourth shunt inner drain pipe, the water in the outer drainage assembly can be effectively prevented from flowing back into the shunt tank.

[0073] It should be noted that the outer tub is provided with a first drain port, a second drain port or a third drain port. The first drain port is connected to the main stream inner drain pipe, the second drain port is connected to the first shunt inner drain pipe, and the third drain port is connected to the third shunt inner drain pipe. Among them, the second drain port and the third drain port can be the same drain port.

[0074] Preferably, the installation positions of the first drain port, the second drain port and the third drain port are all not higher than the bottom surface of the outer tub. By providing drain ports not higher than the bottom surface of the outer tub, the water in the outer tub can be effectively ensured to be drained completely.

[0075] In summary, please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 which is a schematic structural diagram of the drainage device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. As Figure 8 shown, the drainage device includes a main drainage device and a shunt drainage device, specifically including a fifth shunt inner drain pipe 81, a shunt tank 82 or a liquid storage box 82, a sixth shunt inner drain pipe 83, an outer drainage assembly 84, a switching valve 85 or a solenoid valve 85, a switching valve 86 or a check valve 86, a main stream inner drain pipe 87 and an outer drain pipe 88. In particular, the shunt tank 82 or the liquid storage box 82 and the outer drainage assembly 84 can be separately piped for use outside the washing machine.

[0076] Among them, when the drainage device includes a shunt tank 82, a solenoid valve 85 and a check valve 86 can be respectively provided on the fifth shunt inner drain pipe 81 and the sixth shunt inner drain pipe 83, or a switching valve 85 and a switching valve 86 can be respectively provided; similarly, when the drainage device includes a liquid storage box 82, a switching valve 85 and a switching valve 86 can be respectively provided on the fifth shunt inner drain pipe 81 and the sixth shunt inner drain pipe 83, or a solenoid valve 85 and a check valve 86 can be respectively provided.

[0077] In S240, when it is detected by the water level detection device that the water level in the outer tub is below the second water level, it indicates that the problem of dehydration with water will not occur, thus avoiding strong noise and vibration. Then, the motor is controlled to drive the inner tub to continuously accelerate until the inner tub reaches the highest speed and maintains the highest speed for a first period of time. When the inner tub runs at the highest speed for the first period of time, the motor stops. The first period of time is the preset running time of the inner tub at the highest speed.

[0078] By controlling the motor to drive the inner tub to run at the highest speed, it is ensured that the washing machine performs high-speed dehydration without increasing the running time of the dehydration program.

[0079] In another exemplary embodiment, a warning water level of the outer tub is preset, the warning water level is lower than the second water level and higher than the first water level. When the water level of the outer tub detected by the water level detection device is below the warning water level, the motor is controlled to drive the inner tub to run at the highest speed for a first duration and then stop.

[0080] As can be seen from the above, by setting a warning water level that is higher than the first water level but lower than the second water level, if the water level of the outer tub reaches above the warning water level but below the second water level, it indicates that there is a high probability of water-carrying dehydration causing strong noise and vibration. Therefore, when the water level of the outer tub detected by the water level detection device is below the warning water level, the motor is controlled to drive the inner tub to run at the highest speed for a first duration and then stop, which can more effectively avoid causing the problem of water-carrying dehydration, and further more effectively avoid generating strong noise and vibration.

[0081] As can be seen from S210 - S240 described above, when a start instruction for the drainage program is received, the main drainage device is activated for drainage, and during the drainage process, the water level of the outer tub is detected in real time by the water level detection device. If the water level of the outer tub detected is below the first water level, the washing machine is controlled to run the dehydration program; during the dehydration process, the water level of the outer tub is also detected in real time by the water level detection device. If the water level of the outer tub reaches above the second water level, the shunt drainage device is activated for drainage to keep the water level of the outer tub below the second water level, thereby effectively preventing strong noise and vibration caused by water-carrying dehydration; when the water level of the outer tub detected by the water level detection device is below the second water level, the motor is controlled to drive the inner tub to run at the highest speed for a first duration and then stop, thereby ensuring high-speed dehydration of the washing machine without increasing the running time of the dehydration program; in summary, this embodiment can avoid strong noise and vibration during the operation of the dehydration program, and without increasing the running time of the dehydration program while ensuring high-speed dehydration.

[0082] Those skilled in the art will readily conceive of other embodiments of the present application after considering the specification and practicing the disclosed embodiments herein. The present application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present application that follow the general principles of the present application and include known common general knowledge or conventional technical means in the technical field not disclosed in the present application.

[0083] It should be understood that the above content is only a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present application and is not used to limit the implementation of the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art can easily make corresponding adaptations or modifications according to the main concept and spirit of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope required by the claims.

Claims

1. A washing machine, characterized in that, Comprising: A housing; An inner cylinder and an outer barrel disposed within the housing; A motor for providing power to drive the inner cylinder to rotate; A main drainage device for draining water from the inner cylinder; A water level detection device disposed on the inner side of the bottom of the outer barrel and a shunt drainage device disposed on the outer side of the bottom of the outer barrel; A controller connected to the motor, the main drainage device, the water level detection device, and the shunt drainage device respectively, and the controller is configured to perform the following steps: When receiving a start instruction for a drainage program, turn on the main drainage device to drain water; During the drainage process, if it is detected by the water level detection device that the water level in the outer barrel is below a first water level, control the washing machine to run a dehydration program; During the dehydration process, if it is detected by the water level detection device that the water level in the outer barrel reaches above a second water level, turn on the shunt drainage device to drain water, and the second water level is higher than the first water level; When it is detected by the water level detection device that the water level in the outer barrel is below the second water level, control the motor to drive the inner cylinder to run at the highest speed for a first duration and then stop.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water level detection device includes an air chamber, a pneumatic conduit, and a pressure sensor. The air chamber is disposed on the inner side of the bottom of the outer barrel, and the pneumatic conduit connects the air chamber and the pressure sensor for transmitting the water pressure sensed by the air chamber to the pressure sensor; The controller is further configured to determine the water level height of the outer barrel according to the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor.

3. The washing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, If the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor increases, it is determined that the water level in the outer barrel rises; if the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor decreases, it is determined that the water level in the outer barrel drops.

4. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is further configured to perform the following steps: Preset a warning water level for the outer barrel, the warning water level is lower than the second water level and higher than the first water level; When it is detected by the water level detection device that the water level in the outer barrel is below the warning water level, control the motor to drive the inner cylinder to run at the highest speed for a first duration and then stop.

5. The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main drainage device includes a main inner drainage pipe, an outer drainage assembly connected to the main inner drainage pipe, and an outer drainage pipe connected to the outer drainage assembly.

6. The washing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The shunt drainage device includes a first shunt inner drainage pipe, a liquid storage box connected to the first shunt inner drainage pipe, and a second shunt inner drainage pipe respectively connecting the liquid storage box and the outer drainage assembly.

7. The washing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The shunt drainage device includes a third shunt inner drainage pipe, a shunt groove connected to the third shunt inner drainage pipe, and a fourth shunt inner drainage pipe respectively connecting the shunt groove and the outer drainage assembly.

8. The washing machine according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The outer barrel is provided with a first drainage port, a second drainage port, or a third drainage port for connecting the main inner drainage pipe, the first shunt inner drainage pipe, and the third shunt inner drainage pipe respectively, and the positions of the first drainage port, the second drainage port, and the third drainage port are not higher than the bottom surface of the outer barrel.

9. The washing machine according to claim 6, characterized in that A first switching valve and a second switching valve are respectively arranged on the first shunt inner drain pipe and the second shunt inner drain pipe; the first switching valve is used to control the water in the outer tub to be discharged into the liquid storage box, and the second switching valve is used to control the water in the liquid storage box to be discharged.

10. The washing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, A solenoid valve and a check valve are respectively arranged on the third shunt inner drain pipe and the fourth shunt inner drain pipe; the solenoid valve is used to control the water in the outer tub to be discharged into the shunt groove, and the check valve is used to prevent the water in the outer discharge assembly from flowing back to the shunt groove.