Automatic additive feeding device, control method and washing machine

Abstract

The invention discloses an additive automatic feeding device, a control method and a washing machine, and the device comprises a liquid storage box which is provided with at least one liquid storage cavity for containing an additive; the liquid storage box is mounted in the water box in a drawable manner; an integrated water path is arranged on the water box and is communicated with the liquid storage cavity; the power unit is mounted on the water box and is used for pumping the additive in the liquid storage cavity to the integrated water path and putting the additive outwards through the integrated water path; an additive detection device is arranged on the integrated water path and used for detecting whether an additive flows through the integrated water path or not. The additive detection device composed of the detection probe and the like is arranged on the integrated water path, so that the effect of accurately judging whether a detergent flows through the integrated water path of the feeding device or not is achieved, and then whether a shell of the feeding device is blocked or not is accurately monitored. Meanwhile, the device is simple in structure, simple in method, remarkable in effect and suitable for application and popularization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to an automatic additive dispensing device in the technical field of clothing treatment. Specifically, it relates to a control method for an automatic additive dispensing device, and also relates to a washing machine equipped with the above automatic dispensing device and applying the above additive automatic dispensing control method. Background Art

[0002] Existing washing machines generally have an outer tub for holding washing water. A rotatable inner tub is arranged inside the outer tub, and dehydration holes communicating inside and outside are formed on the inner tub, so that the washing water flowing into the outer tub can interactively flow inside and outside the inner tub through the dehydration holes, so as to achieve the effect of the washing water contacting the load to be processed placed in the inner tub and using the washing water to process the load.

[0003] In order to achieve the convenience of the washing effect of clothes, an automatic additive dispensing device is generally installed on existing washing machines to automatically extract and dispense the additives pre-stored in the liquid storage cavity.

[0004] For existing automatic additive dispensing devices, generally, a water circuit is integrally arranged inside the upper cover. After the detergent in the liquid storage cavity is extracted, it flows through the integrated water circuit arranged inside the upper cover and then is dispensed outward; however, the above-mentioned automatic additive dispensing device has the following problems: the integrated water circuit is prone to blockage, but the blocked water circuit cannot be detected in time, resulting in the failure of the detergent to be dispensed; and since the integrated water circuit is hidden inside the upper cover, users cannot directly observe whether there is a blockage fault inside the water circuit, and the existing automatic additive dispensing device cannot provide a fault judgment to users in time.

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

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide an automatic additive dispensing device to achieve the purpose of automatically detecting and determining whether there is a blockage fault in the integrated water circuit of the dispensing device. At the same time, the present invention also provides a control method for an automatic additive dispensing device to achieve the purpose of automatically controlling the dispensing of the detergent.

[0007] To solve the above technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0008] An automatic additive dispensing device includes: a liquid storage box having at least one liquid storage cavity for holding additives; a water box, the liquid storage box is slidably installed in the water box; an integrated water circuit is arranged on the water box, and the integrated water circuit is communicated with the liquid storage cavity; a power unit is installed on the water box to extract the additives in the liquid storage cavity to the integrated water circuit and dispense them outward through the integrated water circuit; an additive detection device is arranged on the integrated water circuit for detecting whether additives flow through the integrated water circuit.

[0009] Furthermore, the additive detection device includes two detection probes arranged at intervals in the integrated water channel; the ends of the two detection probes penetrate out of the integrated water channel and are connected through a detection circuit, so as to obtain an additive flow signal in the integrated water channel by changing the potential difference between the two detection probes when the additive flows through.

[0010] Furthermore, a horizontally extending detection pipe section is provided on the integrated water channel; the two detection probes are vertically inserted into the detection pipe section from top to bottom, and the lowest parts of the two detection probes are located at the bottom wall of the detection pipe section; the two detection probes are arranged at intervals along the additive flow direction.

[0011] Furthermore, a feeding port is respectively provided on the bottom walls at both ends of the detection pipe section, and the two feeding ports are respectively connected to the corresponding liquid storage cavities through different power units for respectively injecting additives into the detection pipe section; the two detection probes are located between the two feeding ports for detecting whether any feeding port injects additives; preferably, both ends of the detection pipe section are respectively connected to the upstream part and the downstream part of the integrated water channel through bent pipe sections; preferably, the power unit is a suction pump, and the outlet of the suction pump is connected to the integrated water channel through the feeding port and the inlet is connected to the liquid storage cavity.

[0012] The present invention also provides a control method for the above-mentioned additive automatic feeding device, which includes: when the additive is fed, the additive detection device is turned on in real time to detect whether the potential difference between the two detection probes in the detection pipeline reaches the additive feeding set value. If so, it is determined that the additive flows through; if not, it is determined that the additive does not flow through; if the additive detection device still determines that the additive does not flow through within the set time period, a fault signal is sent.

[0013] Furthermore, when the power unit is turned on for a set duration t0, the potential difference between the two detection probes in the detection pipeline is detected to determine whether the detected value reaches the additive feeding set value; if not, it is determined that the additive does not flow through and a fault signal is sent.

[0014] Furthermore, the specific process of additive feeding is as follows: the power unit is turned on, and the additive in the liquid storage cavity is pumped into the integrated water channel; until the potential difference between the two detection probes in the detection pipeline of the integrated water channel reaches the additive feeding set value, it is determined that the detection pipeline of the integrated water channel is filled with additives; the power unit is turned off and the water inlet valve of the integrated water channel is opened to let water into the integrated water channel, and the inlet water flow flushes out the additives injected into the integrated water channel and discharges them outward; until the potential difference between the two detection probes in the detection pipeline reaches the full water set value, it is determined that all the additives in the detection pipeline of the integrated water channel are flushed out and the detection pipeline is filled with the inlet water flow, then the additive feeding ends.

[0015] Further, the set value of additive dosing includes different set values of additive dosing corresponding to different types of additives one by one. When the additive automatic dosing device doses the additives in different liquid storage cavities, the corresponding power unit is turned on, and the set value of additive dosing corresponding to the additive in the corresponding liquid storage cavity is called for the additive automatic dosing device to determine and use.

[0016] Further, when the power unit is turned on and reaches the set duration t0, the potential difference between the two detection probes in the pipeline is not up to the set value of additive dosing. Then, the liquid level of the additive in the liquid storage cavity is detected. If the liquid storage cavity is empty, a liquid shortage signal indicating insufficient additive is sent out. If the liquid storage cavity is not empty, a fault signal of the additive automatic dosing device is sent out.

[0017] The present invention also provides a washing machine equipped with the additive automatic dosing device described in any one of the above.

[0018] After adopting the above technical solutions, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0019] By providing an additive detection device composed of detection probes and the like on the integrated waterway, the effect of accurately determining whether there is detergent flowing through the integrated waterway of the dosing device can be achieved, and further, the accurate monitoring of whether the housing of the dosing device is blocked and malfunctioning can be achieved.

[0020] By setting the additive detection device as two detection probes, when the medium between the two detection probes changes, that is, when there is water flow, detergent flow, water and / or detergent with different liquid levels, different potential differences are generated. By detecting the potential difference, it can be obtained whether the space between the two detection probes is filled with detergent or water, etc., and the effect of judging the liquid level change in the integrated waterway can also be achieved.

[0021] At the same time, the present invention has a simple structure, a concise method, and remarkable effects, and is suitable for popularization and use.

[0022] The following further describes in detail the specific embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0023] The drawings, as a part of the present invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The schematic embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention, but do not constitute an improper limitation to the present invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts. In the drawings:

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the automatic detergent dispenser in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 is in the embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 schematic diagram of the A-A cross-section;

[0027] Figure 4 is in the embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 schematic diagram of the B-B cross-section;

[0028] Figure 5 is in the embodiment of the present invention Figure 4 schematic diagram of the C-C cross-section;

[0029] Figure 6 is a control flowchart of the additive dispensing process in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 is a working flowchart of the automatic additive dispenser in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Description of the main components in the figure:

[0032] 100, dispenser; 200, outer cylinder; 300, inner cylinder; 400, window gasket; 500, nozzle structure; 600, conduit; 1, integrated waterway; 2, housing; 3, upper cover; 31, first part; 32, second part; 4, liquid storage cavity; 5, liquid storage box; 6, pump; 7, communicating vessel; 8, liquid extraction flow channel; 9, additive detection device; 10, detection pipe section; 11, outlet; 12, inlet; 13, dispensing port; 91, probe; 92, detection circuit.

[0033] It should be noted that these drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept of the present invention in any way, but to illustrate the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art by reference to specific embodiments. Detailed Embodiments

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments 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.

[0035] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is 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 orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0036] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", and "coupling" 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 those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0037] As Figures 1 to 6 shown, in an embodiment of the present invention, a washing machine is also introduced, which includes: an outer tub 200 for holding water, a rotatable inner tub 300 for holding a load to be processed is installed in the outer tub 200, and an additive dispensing device 100 for directly dispensing an additive into the inner tub 300. Through the above arrangement, the washing machine can achieve the use effect of directly dispensing the additive into the inner tub 300 and directly spraying the dispensed additive onto the load to be processed in the inner tub 300, thereby achieving a significant technological progress in improving the utilization rate of the additive.

[0038] As Figures 1 to 6 shown, the additive dispensing device 100 described in an embodiment of the present invention includes: an integrated waterway 1 for allowing the incoming water flowing into the additive dispensing device 100 to flow through; a dispensing unit for dispensing an additive into the integrated waterway 1; a nozzle structure 500, the outlet 11 of the integrated waterway 1 is connected to the nozzle structure 500, and the nozzle structure 500 is arranged towards the inner tub 300 of the washing machine. When the additive is dispensed, a small amount of incoming water flows into the integrated waterway, so that the additive forms an additive solution by mixing with the small amount of incoming water in the integrated waterway 1. The additive solution supplied by the integrated waterway 1 can be directly sprayed onto the load to be processed in the inner tub 300 through the nozzle structure 500, thereby significantly improving the utilization rate of the dispensed additive.

[0039] Through the above device, the additive is directly dispensed outward through the waterway provided on the dispensing device 100, avoiding the additive flowing through the water box, not only reducing the flowing path of the additive, but also reducing the flushing water volume required for additive dispensing, and greatly improving the utilization rate of the additive.

[0040] As Figures 2 to 6 shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides an automatic additive dispensing device, which includes: an integrated waterway 1; a dispensing unit for dispensing an additive into the integrated waterway 1; the outlet of the integrated waterway is connected to any one of the above-mentioned nozzle structures 500, and the nozzle structure 500 sprays the additive solution supplied by the integrated waterway into the inner tub 300 of the washing machine.

[0041] In this embodiment, the integrated waterway 1 is integrated on the housing 2 of the additive dispensing device 100. The outlet 11 of the integrated waterway 1 is provided on the outer side of the housing 2, and the nozzle structure is provided outside the housing 2. The outlet 11 of the integrated waterway 1 is connected to the nozzle structure through a conduit 600. By integrally arranging the integrated waterway 1 on the housing 2 of the additive dispensing device 100, the outlet 11 of the integrated waterway 1 is directly connected to the nozzle structure, so as to jointly spray the additive and the inlet water drawn out through the integrated waterway 1, thereby achieving the purpose that the additive dispensing device 100 directly sprays and dispenses outward through the nozzle structure without passing through the water box part of the dispensing device 100.

[0042] As Figures 2 to 5 shown, in this embodiment, the top of the housing 2 of the additive dispensing device 100 is an upper cover 3. The integrated waterway 1 is arranged inside the upper cover 3. The outlet 11 of the integrated waterway 1 is exposed on the outer peripheral side of the upper cover 3. The inlet end of the conduit 600 is connected to the outlet 11 of the integrated waterway 1, and the outlet end of the conduit 600 is connected to the nozzle structure 500 provided outside the housing 2. Preferably, the upper cover 3 includes a first part 31 and a second part 32 that are buckled with each other up and down. The first part 31 and the second part 32 are spliced relatively and form the integrated waterway 1 at the joint surface. Further preferably, the first part 31 and the second part 32 of the upper cover 3 are connected by a cladding process to form a closed and pressure-bearing waterway structure inside.

[0043] Thus, the integrated waterway 1 of the additive dispensing device 100 is integrally arranged on the upper cover 3, so that the inlet water and the additive of the dispensing device 100 are directly dispensed through the integrated waterway 1 inside the upper cover 3, thereby achieving the effect that the additive directly flows out through the outlet 11 on the outer peripheral side of the upper cover 3 for dispensing.

[0044] In the embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing unit includes a liquid storage cavity 4 for storing the additive. The liquid storage cavity 4 is connected to the integrated waterway 1. A power unit is also provided on the dispensing device 100 to provide power for pumping the additive in the liquid storage cavity 4 into the integrated waterway.

[0045] In this embodiment, the power unit is a pump 6 provided on the liquid pumping channel 8 connecting the liquid storage cavity 4 and the integrated waterway 1, which provides a driving force for the liquid in the liquid pumping channel 8 to flow from the liquid storage cavity 4 to the integrated waterway 1. In the embodiment of the present invention, the liquid pumping channel 8 is also integrally arranged inside the upper cover 3. The inlet of the liquid pumping channel 8 is connected to the liquid storage cavity 4 through a connector 7. The outlet of the liquid pumping channel 8 is connected to the inlet of the pump 6. The outlet of the pump 6 is connected to the dispensing port 13 provided on the integrated waterway 1. By controlling the start and stop of the pump 6, the purpose of pumping the additive in the liquid storage cavity 4 into the integrated waterway 1 for dispensing is achieved.

[0046] In the embodiments of the present invention, the power unit may also be provided with other existing structures. For example, the power unit is a suction pump, and the suction port of the suction pump is connected to the integrated water circuit 1, so as to form a negative pressure in the integrated water circuit 1 and pump the additives in the liquid storage chamber 4 to the integrated water circuit 1 through the liquid extraction flow channel 8.

[0047] And / or, the power unit may also be a Venturi tube provided on the integrated water circuit 1. The Venturi tube is provided with a negative pressure area where the pipe diameter changes suddenly. The negative pressure area can utilize the flowing water to form a negative pressure here. The negative pressure area of the Venturi tube is provided with a suction port, and the suction port is connected to the liquid storage chamber 4 through the liquid extraction flow channel 8 (not marked in the drawings).

[0048] In this embodiment, the additive dispensing device 100 includes a plurality of liquid storage chambers 4, and each liquid storage chamber 4 can respectively hold different types of additives, such as: detergents, fabric softeners, fragrance agents, disinfectants, etc.; a control device is provided on the dispensing device 100, and the control device is used to control each liquid storage chamber 4 to be selectively or combinedly connected to the integrated water circuit 1, so as to correspondingly dispense any one or simultaneously dispense multiple combined types of additives into the integrated water circuit 1.

[0049] In the embodiments of the present invention, the control device can be set to any existing structure that can realize the above functions; for example:

[0050] In the embodiments of the present invention, each liquid storage chamber 4 can be respectively connected to the integrated water circuit 1 through a flow channel provided with a control valve, so as to realize the effect of separately or combinedly controlling the on-off of each flow channel by controlling the opening and closing of each control valve, and further realize the purpose of independently dispensing any type of additive or simultaneously dispensing multiple types of additives.

[0051] Each liquid storage chamber 4 can also be correspondingly connected to different inlets of the same reversing valve, the outlet of the reversing valve is connected to the integrated water circuit 1, and a rotatable valve core is provided in the reversing valve for controlling any one or a combination of inlets to be connected to the outlet, and the purpose of independently dispensing any type of additive or simultaneously dispensing multiple types of additives can also be realized (not marked in the drawings).

[0052] As Figures 1 to 6 shown, in this embodiment, a liquid storage box 5 is provided in the housing 2 of the dispensing device 100, and the liquid storage box 5 is installed in the housing 2 of the additive dispensing device 100 in a pull-out manner; at least one liquid storage chamber 4 for storing additives is provided in the liquid storage box 5, and each liquid storage chamber 4 on the liquid storage box 5 is connected to the integrated water circuit 1 through a communicating device 7, and a control device is provided on the communicating device 7 for controlling each liquid storage chamber 4 to be selectively or combinedly and controllably connected to the integrated water circuit 1.

[0053] In this embodiment, the inlet 12 of the integrated water channel 1 is provided on the outer wall of the housing 2. The inlet 12 of the integrated water channel 1 is communicated with the washing machine water inlet pipe, so that the washing water can flow into the integrated water channel 1 through the inlet 12. An inlet joint is provided on the housing 2 of the additive dispensing device 100. Both ends of the inlet joint are respectively communicated with the inlet 12 of the integrated water channel 1 and the washing machine water inlet pipe; further preferably, a water inlet valve for controlling the on-off of the water channel is installed at the inlet joint.

[0054] In this embodiment, a dispensing port 13 is arranged in the middle of the integrated water channel 1. The dispensing port 13 is communicated with the dispensing unit, so that the additive is sucked into the integrated water channel 1 from the dispensing port 13. Preferably, the dispensing port 13 is communicated with the outlet of the pump 6, the inlet of the pump 6 is communicated with the outlet of the liquid suction channel 8, the inlet of the liquid suction channel 8 is communicated with the outlet of the connector 7, and multiple inlets of the connector 7 are respectively and correspondingly communicated with each liquid storage cavity 4, so as to realize the purpose that the additive in the liquid storage cavity 4 is sucked into the integrated water channel 1 through the above channels under the driving action of the pump 6.

[0055] In this embodiment, the part of the integrated water channel 1 downstream of the dispensing port 13 can mix the additive flowing into the integrated water channel 1 with the water to form an additive solution. Preferably, the dispensing port 13 is arranged close to the inlet 12 of the integrated water channel 1 to extend the length of the integrated water channel 1 downstream of the dispensing port 13 as much as possible, so as to increase the space of the downstream part of the integrated water channel 1 where the additive and water are mixed, and further improve the mixing uniformity between the additive and the water.

[0056] As Figures 1 to 6 shown, in the embodiment of the present invention, an additive detection device 9 is provided on the integrated water channel 1 for detecting whether the additive flows through the integrated water channel 1. The additive detection device 9 can be any detection device in the prior art that can judge the flow of the liquid medium in the water channel; for example: detection probe, detection probe head, etc. By setting an additive detection device composed of a detection probe and the like on the integrated water channel, the effect of accurately judging whether the detergent flows through the integrated water channel of the dispensing device can be realized, and further the accurate monitoring of whether the housing of the dispensing device is blocked can be achieved.

[0057] In an embodiment of the present invention, the additive detection device 9 includes two detection probes 91, which are arranged at intervals in the integrated water channel 1; the ends of the two detection probes 91 penetrate out of the integrated water channel 1 and are connected by a detection circuit 92. The detection circuit detects the potential difference between the two detection probes 91, so as to obtain a signal indicating the flow of the additive in the integrated water channel 1 when the additive flows through, thereby achieving a significant technical progress in accurately determining whether there is detergent flowing through the integrated water channel 1 of the dosing device 100. Preferably, when the medium between the two detection probes 91 changes, that is, when there is water flow, detergent flow, water and / or detergent with different liquid levels, different potential differences are generated, so as to use the detected potential difference to determine whether the space between the two detection probes 91 is filled with detergent or water, etc., and the effect of judging the liquid level change in the integrated water channel 1 can also be achieved.

[0058] In an embodiment of the present invention, a horizontally extending detection pipe section 10 is provided on the integrated water channel 1; the two detection probes 91 are vertically inserted into the detection pipe section 10 from top to bottom, and the lowest parts of the two detection probes 91 are located at the bottom wall of the detection pipe section 10; the two detection probes 91 are arranged at intervals along the flow direction of the additive. By respectively arranging the two detection probes 91 at both ends of the liquid flow direction in the detection pipe section 10, the distance between the detection probes 91 is increased, so that the potential difference between the detection probes 91 covers a wider range, and the accuracy of detecting the potential difference is further improved.

[0059] In an embodiment of the present invention, a dosing port 13 is respectively provided on the bottom walls at both ends of the detection pipe section 10, and the two dosing ports 13 are respectively connected to the corresponding liquid storage chambers 4 through different power units, and are used to inject additives into the detection pipe section 10 respectively; the two detection probes 91 are located between the two dosing ports 13 and are used to detect whether any dosing port 13 injects additives.

[0060] Preferably, both ends of the detection pipe section 10 are respectively connected to the upstream part and the downstream part of the integrated water channel 1 through curved pipe sections; the detection pipe section 10 is an integrated water channel part close to the inlet 12, and a stirring structure for stirring the mixture of the flowing additive and water is further provided in the integrated water channel part downstream of the detection pipe section 10, etc.

[0061] Preferably, the power unit is a pump 6, the outlet of the pump 6 is connected to the integrated water channel 1 through the dosing port 13, and the inlet is connected to the liquid storage chamber 4. When the pump 6 operates, the detergent in the liquid storage chamber 4 is pumped to the dosing port 13 and enters the integrated water channel 1. The detergent entering the integrated water channel 1 from the dosing port 13 diffuses to both the upstream and downstream sides, and part of the detergent enters the detection pipe section 10, so as to achieve the technical effect of detecting whether there is detergent flowing into the detection pipe section 10 and then accurately judging whether there is detergent flowing through the integrated water channel 1.

[0062] Such asFigures 1 to 6 As shown in the figure, in the embodiment of the present invention, a control method for the above-mentioned additive automatic dosing device is also introduced, which includes: when the additive is being dosed, the additive detection device is turned on in real time to detect whether the potential difference between the two detection probes in the pipeline reaches the additive dosing set value. If so, it is determined that the additive is flowing through; if not, it is determined that the additive is not flowing through; if the additive detection device still determines that the additive is not flowing through within the set time period, a fault signal is sent.

[0063] In the embodiment of the present invention, when the power unit is turned on and reaches the set duration t0, the potential difference between the two detection probes in the detection pipeline is detected to determine whether the detected value reaches the additive dosing set value;

[0064] If not, it is determined that the additive is not flowing through, and a fault signal is sent.

[0065] The above-mentioned fault signal includes, but is not limited to, the following: any one or combination of signals such as voice and image emitted by the washing machine, information pushed by the washing machine to the user's mobile terminal, and so on.

[0066] Such as Figure 7 As shown in the figure, in the embodiment of the present invention, the specific process of additive dosing of the additive automatic dosing device is as follows:

[0067] S1. The power unit is turned on, and the additive in the liquid storage cavity is pumped into the integrated water circuit;

[0068] S2. Until the potential difference between the two detection probes in the detection pipeline reaches the additive dosing set value, it is determined that the detection pipeline of the integrated water circuit is filled with the additive;

[0069] S3. The power unit is turned off, the water inlet valve of the integrated water circuit is opened, water is introduced into the integrated water circuit, and the incoming water flow flushes out the additive injected into the integrated water circuit and discharges it outward;

[0070] S4. Until the potential difference between the two detection probes in the detection pipeline reaches the full water set value, it is determined that all the additive in the detection pipeline of the integrated water circuit has been flushed out and the detection pipeline is filled with the incoming water flow, then the additive dosing ends.

[0071] Preferably, in order to improve the additive dosing effect, the additive can be dosed in batches; that is, the above steps S1 to S4 can be repeated multiple times until the cumulative dosing amount of each time of the additive reaches the set dosing amount, and then the additive dosing ends.

[0072] In the embodiment of the present invention, the additive dosing set value includes different additive dosing set values corresponding to different types of additives one by one;

[0073] When the additive automatic dosing device doses the additives in different liquid storage chambers, the corresponding power unit is turned on, and the additive dosing set value corresponding to the additives in the corresponding liquid storage chamber is called for the additive automatic dosing device to determine and use in the above step S2.

[0074] In the embodiment of the present invention, in the above step S2, when the power unit is turned on for a set duration t0, the potential difference between the two detection probes in the detection pipeline does not reach the additive dosing set value.

[0075] Then, the liquid level of the additive in the liquid storage chamber is detected.

[0076] If the liquid storage chamber is at an empty liquid level, a liquid shortage signal indicating insufficient additive is issued.

[0077] If the liquid storage chamber is not at an empty liquid level, a fault signal of the additive automatic dosing device is issued.

[0078] As Figures 1 to 7 shown, in this embodiment, a washing machine equipped with the above-mentioned additive dosing device 100 is also introduced. It includes: an outer tub 200, an inner tub 300 with the same side as the outer tub and a barrel opening is sleeved inside the outer tub 200. A window gasket 400 protruding and extending outward is connected at the barrel opening of the outer tub 200. The nozzle structure 500 is installed at the window gasket 400, and the spraying outlet 53 of the nozzle structure 500 is on the inner peripheral side of the window gasket 400 and sprays the additive solution towards the barrel opening of the inner tub 300. The washing machine in the embodiment of the present invention sprays the additive solution into the inner tub by using the above additive dosing control method to achieve the washing effect of essence washing for the clothes in the tub.

[0079] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not impose any form of limitation on the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with the preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art of this patent, without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention, can make some changes or modifications to the above-mentioned technical content as equivalent embodiments of equivalent changes. The implementation schemes in the above embodiments can also be further combined or replaced. However, as long as it does not depart from the content of the technical solution of the present invention, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic additive dispensing device, comprising: A liquid storage box having at least one liquid storage cavity for holding additives; A water box, and the liquid storage box is slidably installed in the water box; An integrated water circuit is provided on the water box, and the integrated water circuit is connected to the liquid storage cavity; A power unit is installed on the water box, which extracts the additive in the liquid storage cavity into the integrated water circuit and dispenses it outward through the integrated water circuit; It is characterized in that: An additive detection device is provided on the integrated water circuit for detecting whether the additive flows through the integrated water circuit.

2. The automatic additive dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The additive detection device includes Two detection probes, which are arranged at intervals in the integrated water circuit; The ends of the two detection probes penetrate out of the integrated water circuit and are connected through a detection circuit, so as to change the potential difference between the two detection probes when the additive flows through, and obtain the signal of the additive flowing through in the integrated water circuit.

3. The automatic additive dispensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A horizontally extending detection pipe section is provided on the integrated water circuit; The two detection probes are vertically inserted into the detection pipe section from top to bottom, and the lowest parts of the two detection probes are located at the bottom wall of the detection pipe section; The two detection probes are arranged at intervals along the flow direction of the additive.

4. The automatic additive dispensing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: Dosing ports are respectively provided on the bottom walls at both ends of the detection pipe section, and the two dosing ports are respectively connected to the corresponding liquid storage cavities through different power units for injecting additives into the detection pipe section respectively; The two detection probes are located between the two dosing ports for detecting whether any dosing port injects additives; Preferably, both ends of the detection pipe section are respectively connected to the upstream part and the downstream part of the integrated water circuit through curved pipe sections; Preferably, the power unit is a suction pump, and the outlet of the suction pump is connected to the integrated water circuit through the dosing port and the inlet is connected to the liquid storage cavity.

5. A control method for the automatic additive dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 above, characterized in that: When the additive is being dispensed, the additive detection device is turned on in real time to detect whether the potential difference between the two detection probes in the pipeline reaches the set value for additive dispensing. If so, it is determined that the additive has flowed through; if not, it is determined that the additive has not flowed through; If the additive detection device still determines that the additive has not flowed through within the set time period, a fault signal is issued.

6. The control method for the automatic additive dispensing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the power unit is turned on for a set duration t0, the potential difference between the two detection probes in the detection pipeline is detected to determine whether the detected value reaches the set value for additive dispensing; If not, it is determined that the additive has not flowed through and a fault signal is issued.

7. The control method for the automatic additive dispensing device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The specific process of additive dispensing is as follows The power unit is turned on, and the additive in the liquid storage cavity is extracted into the integrated water circuit; Until the potential difference between the two detection probes in the detection pipeline reaches the set value for additive dispensing, it is determined that the detection pipeline of the integrated water circuit is filled with additives; When the power unit is turned off and the inlet valve of the integrated water circuit is opened, water enters the integrated water circuit, and the incoming water flow flushes out the additive injected into the integrated water circuit and discharges it outward. Until the potential difference between the two detection probes in the detection pipeline reaches the full water setting value, it is determined that all the additives in the detection pipeline of the integrated water circuit have been flushed out and filled with the incoming water flow, and then the additive feeding ends.

8. The control method of the additive automatic feeding device according to claim 7, wherein: The additive feeding setting value includes different additive feeding setting values corresponding to different types of additives one by one; When the additive automatic feeding device feeds the additives in different liquid storage cavities, the corresponding power unit is turned on, and the additive feeding setting value corresponding to the additive in the corresponding liquid storage cavity is called for the additive automatic feeding device to determine and use.

9. The control method of the additive automatic feeding device according to claim 7, wherein: When the power unit is turned on and reaches the set duration t0, the potential difference between the two detection probes in the detection pipeline does not reach the additive feeding setting value; Then, the liquid level of the additive in the liquid storage cavity is detected; If the liquid storage cavity is at an empty liquid level, a liquid shortage signal indicating insufficient additive is sent out; If the liquid storage cavity is not at an empty liquid level, a fault signal of the additive automatic feeding device is sent out.

10. A washing machine, characterized in that: Install the additive automatic feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 above.

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