Slag discharging system of dish-washing machine, dish-washing machine and slag and water discharging control method

Abstract

The invention provides a residue discharge system of a dish-washing machine, the dish-washing machine and a residue water discharge control method, and belongs to the technical field of kitchen appliances. The residue discharging system of the dish washing machine comprises a residue collecting filter and a draining pump. The slag collecting filter is provided with a slag discharging connector; the draining pump is electrically connected with the controller; an inlet of the drainage pump is respectively communicated with a residue discharge connector of the residue collection filter through a main residue discharge pipeline and a bypass residue discharge pipeline; a lower water grating is arranged on the main deslagging pipeline; and an on-off device is arranged on the bypass deslagging pipeline and is electrically connected with the controller. The main deslagging pipeline and the bypass deslagging pipeline are arranged in parallel, so that a redundant deslagging channel design is formed, and the deslagging capacity of the system is remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of kitchen appliance technology, and in particular to a slag discharge system for a dishwasher, a dishwasher, and a method for controlling slag and water discharge. Background Technology

[0002] As the living standards of Chinese families continue to improve, consumers are placing higher demands on the intelligence, automation, and ease of cleaning of kitchen appliances. As an important home appliance for enhancing quality of life, dishwashers have seen a continuous increase in popularity among urban households in recent years. Users are not only concerned with the basic washing performance of dishwashers, but also have an urgent need for a user experience that is "easy to use, worry-free, and maintenance-free." Especially given the diverse food types in Chinese households, food residue on dishes often contains complex components such as rice grains, vegetable fibers, meat scraps, and grease deposits. The resulting food residue after washing is substantial and varies in particle size, posing a significant challenge to the dishwasher's drainage and waste removal system.

[0003] Currently, most mainstream household dishwashers on the market use a drainage structure with a bottom water collection tank and a filtration system. Specifically, during the washing process, the residue washed off enters the waste collection area at the bottom of the dishwasher's inner drum with the water flow. After being intercepted by a multi-stage filtration device (such as a coarse filter basket, a fine filter screen, and a cup-type filter), the clean circulating water is re-drawn by the washing pump for spray cleaning, while the wastewater containing residue is discharged to the sewer by the drain pump after the cycle ends. The drainage path is generally a single-channel design, meaning that the residue and water flow from the water cup into the drain pump through only one main waste discharge pipe, and then are discharged to the external pipe.

[0004] However, with the increasing demand for large-capacity dishwashers, the market's dishwasher capacity has gradually expanded from the traditional 13-15 place settings to 18-23 place settings, or even larger. Larger capacity means washing more dishes simultaneously, resulting in a significant increase in the total amount of food residue, especially in scenarios with high residue loads such as hot pot or after large gatherings. The amount of residue entering the drainage system in a short time is enormous. Traditional single-channel waste discharge systems, due to their limited flow cross-sectional area and lack of effective anti-clogging and self-draining mechanisms, are prone to blockage at the main waste discharge port or filter. Once a blockage occurs, the drain pump cannot draw in sufficient liquid, leading to poor drainage, program interruption, water accumulation in the inner tank, and potentially even motor overload, burnout, or leaks, severely impacting user experience and product reliability.

[0005] While some manufacturers have attempted to improve slag removal performance by optimizing filter structure, increasing the number of screens, or increasing the power of drainage pumps, these improvements often only address the symptoms, not the root cause. For example, simply increasing filtration precision may lead to more frequent clogging; increasing pump power may exacerbate noise and energy consumption during idling; and relying on users to manually clean the filters periodically contradicts the design principles of "automation and no intervention." Furthermore, existing technologies generally lack intelligent identification and proactive response mechanisms for clogging conditions. Most products rely solely on simple timed drainage or water level sensor control, failing to take effective measures in the early stages of clogging, thus exacerbating the problem.

[0006] More importantly, there has long been a technological bias in the industry that "the slag removal system only needs to ensure basic unobstructed flow, and serious blockages should be handled by the user." Therefore, the system design rarely considers active anti-blocking and automatic unblocking functions. This design philosophy can no longer meet the development needs of modern large-capacity, highly intelligent dishwashers. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a slag discharge system and its control method for dishwashers, thereby solving the technical difficulties in the prior art caused by large amounts and complex particles of food residue, such as easy blockage of the slag discharge channel, poor drainage, program interruption, and frequent user maintenance.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a slag discharge system for a dishwasher, a slag collection filter, and a drain pump; The slag collection filter has a slag discharge port; The drainage pump is electrically connected to the controller; The inlet of the drainage pump is connected to the slag discharge interface of the slag collection filter through the main slag discharge pipeline and the bypass slag discharge pipeline, respectively. A drainage grating is installed on the main slag discharge pipeline; The bypass slag discharge pipeline is equipped with an on / off device, which is electrically connected to the controller.

[0009] Furthermore, the main slag discharge pipeline is normally open, and the bypass slag discharge pipeline is normally closed when the on / off device is closed.

[0010] Furthermore, the controller is configured to: when the current of the drainage pump is detected to increase to a preset threshold, determine that the main slag discharge pipeline is blocked, and control the on / off device to open to open the bypass slag discharge pipeline.

[0011] Furthermore, the controller is also configured to: after controlling the on / off device to open, activate the flushing device to perform reverse flushing or turbulent flushing on the slag collection filter, so as to assist in unblocking the main slag discharge pipeline.

[0012] Furthermore, the slag collection filter includes a water cup, a microfilter, and a lifting cup; The water cup is equipped with a slag discharge port and a water inlet port; The microfilter is installed on the water inlet; The cup is positioned on the inlet at the top of the microfilter.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a flushing device, which is electrically connected to the controller and is used to spray water into the inside of the sludge filter to agitate the residue.

[0014] Furthermore, the flushing device includes a nozzle and a flushing pipeline; The nozzle is disposed on the inner wall or bottom of the slag collection filter; The inlet of the rinsing pipeline is connected to the dishwasher's circulation pump or water inlet valve. The outlet of the flushing pipeline is connected to the nozzle to introduce high-pressure water flow.

[0015] Furthermore, it also includes spray arm supports and water distribution devices; The spray arm support has a cleaning water inlet and a water outlet; The water distribution device is installed at the cleaning water inlet of the spray arm support and is electrically connected to the controller; The inlet of the flushing device is connected to the outlet of the spray arm support.

[0016] Furthermore, there are multiple drainage grilles, which are spaced apart.

[0017] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a dishwasher, comprising: a dishwasher body, a washing pump, and a slag discharge system as described in the above technical solution; The slag collection filter also has a water inlet and a washing pump inlet; The water inlet is connected to the drain channel of the inner tank of the dishwasher and is used to receive washing wastewater. The washing pump interface is connected to the spray arm inside the dishwasher body through the washing pump, forming a washing water circulation loop.

[0018] Thirdly, the present invention provides a method for controlling the discharge of sludge and water from a dishwasher, applicable to the sludge discharge system of the dishwasher described in the above-mentioned technical solution or the dishwasher described in the above-mentioned technical solution, the method comprising: After the dishwasher wash or rinse cycle is completed, the drain pump is started and runs for a first preset time t seconds to perform initial drainage; The controller monitors the operating current of the drainage pump in real time; If the fluctuation of the operating current and the rated current or the reference current is less than the preset fluctuation range, the main slag discharge pipeline is determined to be unobstructed. The drainage pump is kept running to completely discharge the slag and water through the main slag discharge pipeline.

[0019] Fourthly, the present invention provides a method for controlling the discharge of sludge and wastewater from a dishwasher, applicable to the sludge discharge system of the dishwasher described in the above-mentioned technical solution or the dishwasher described in the above-mentioned technical solution, the method comprising: After the dishwasher wash or rinse cycle is completed, the drain pump is started and runs for a first preset time t seconds to perform initial drainage; The controller monitors the operating current of the drainage pump in real time; If the controller detects that the operating current of the drainage pump drops beyond the preset range of its rated current, it determines that the main slag discharge pipeline is blocked. Start the flushing device to spray into the slag filter to agitate the deposited residue; Turn on the on / off device on the bypass slag discharge pipeline to open the bypass slag discharge channel; The drainage pump is restarted and runs for the second preset time t seconds, so that the slag and water are discharged into the drainage pump in parallel through the main slag discharge pipeline and the bypass slag discharge pipeline. If the drain pump current is detected to return to the normal range, the slag discharge process continues; otherwise, the above flushing device is repeated until the slag discharge is completed.

[0020] The present invention has the following advantages or beneficial effects: This system employs a parallel configuration of main and bypass slag discharge pipelines, creating a redundant slag discharge channel design that significantly enhances the system's slag discharge capacity. Under normal drainage conditions, slag and effluent are primarily discharged through the main slag discharge pipeline, ensuring high efficiency during routine operation. When the main slag discharge pipeline becomes partially or completely blocked due to food residue accumulation, the controller immediately activates the on / off device on the bypass slag discharge pipeline, opening a backup channel. This allows slag and effluent to be discharged through the bypass slag discharge pipeline, either alone or in parallel with the main slag discharge pipeline, preventing drainage failures, program interruptions, or water accumulation in the inner tank caused by blockage of a single channel. This greatly improves the reliability and fault tolerance of the slag discharge system.

[0021] The dual-channel design fully utilizes the power resources of existing drain pumps, eliminating the need for additional drain power units. The slag discharge capacity is doubled simply by adding piping and a controllable on / off device. Its simple structure, low cost, and ease of integration into existing dishwasher platforms demonstrate excellent engineering feasibility and promising prospects for industrial application. It effectively addresses drainage needs under high residue load conditions, meeting the demands of modern households for large-capacity, high-efficiency dishwashers.

[0022] When blockage occurs in the main slag discharge pipeline, a partial blockage area can be bypassed to quickly establish a new drainage path, complementing the main channel and realizing a collaborative working mechanism of "main road filtration and bypass dredging," which not only ensures the filtration effect but also improves drainage efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from a detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of a dishwasher's waste removal system according to an exemplary embodiment; Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of a dishwasher's waste removal system according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 1 ; Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of a dishwasher's waste removal system according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 ; Figure 4 This is a partial structural diagram of a dishwasher's waste removal system according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 3 ; Figure 5 This is a partial structural diagram of a dishwasher's waste removal system according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 4 : Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a first process for controlling the discharge of wastewater from a dishwasher, according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 7 This is a second process diagram illustrating a method for controlling wastewater discharge from a dishwasher according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0025] The reference numerals in the attached figures are explained as follows: 1. Slag collection filter, 2. Drain pump, 3. Controller, 4. Main slag discharge pipeline, 5. Bypass slag discharge pipeline, 6. Flushing device, 7. Spray arm support, 8. Water distribution device, 9. Drainage grid, 10. Washing pump, 11. On / off device. 011. Water cup; 012. Microfilter; 013. Hand cup; 061. Nozzle; 062. Flushing pipeline. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that the invention will be thorough and complete, and the concept of the exemplary embodiments will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar structures, and therefore their detailed description will be omitted.

[0027] The terms “a,” “one,” “the,” and “the” are used to indicate the existence of one or more elements / components / etc.; the terms “including” and “having” are used to indicate an open-ended meaning of inclusion and that other elements / components / etc. may exist in addition to the listed elements / components / etc.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of a dishwasher's waste removal system according to an exemplary embodiment; Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of a dishwasher's waste removal system according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 1 ; Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of a dishwasher's waste removal system according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 ; Figure 4 This is a partial structural diagram of a dishwasher's waste removal system according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 3 ; Figure 5 This is a partial structural diagram of a dishwasher's waste removal system according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 4 : Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a first process for controlling the discharge of wastewater from a dishwasher, according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 7 This is a second schematic diagram of a method for controlling wastewater discharge from a dishwasher according to an exemplary embodiment. The above schematic diagram is only for illustrating the structural relationships related to the inventive point and is not intended to represent an actual product scale.

[0029] Example 1 like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, a dishwasher's waste removal system includes a waste collection filter 1 and a drain pump 2. The waste collection filter 1 has a waste discharge port, and the drain pump 2 is electrically connected to a controller 3.

[0030] The inlet of the drainage pump 2 is connected to the slag discharge interface of the slag collection filter 1 through the main slag discharge pipeline 4 and the bypass slag discharge pipeline 5, respectively. The main slag discharge pipeline 4 and the bypass slag discharge pipeline 5 are connected in parallel. A drainage screen 9 is installed on the main slag discharge pipeline 4. An on / off device 11 is installed on the bypass slag discharge pipeline 5, and the on / off device 11 is electrically connected to the controller 3.

[0031] This waste removal system is suitable for household or commercial dishwashers, especially for built-in, freestanding, or countertop dishwashers with multi-layer spray arms and high waste removal capacity. It can efficiently remove the sludge formed by the mixture of food residue and washing wastewater from the dishwasher drum during the washing, rinsing, and drainage stages, avoiding blockages and improving the stability of the machine's operation and the user experience.

[0032] Specifically, a dishwasher typically includes core components such as an inner tub, door, spray system, circulation pump, water inlet valve, drain pump 2, filtration system, control panel, and electronic control system. The inner tub is the main cavity of the dishwasher, used to hold the dishes to be washed and to receive the high-temperature, high-pressure washing water sprayed from the spray arms. The spray system typically includes an upper spray arm, a lower spray arm, and a middle spray arm (depending on the model). Driven by the circulation pump, water is sprayed in all directions through nozzles on the spray arms, achieving comprehensive rinsing of the tableware surfaces. During the rinsing process, food residue such as rice grains, vegetable fibers, meat scraps, and fruit peel residue are washed away from the tableware surface and settle to the bottom of the inner tub. A water collection tank or area is located at the bottom of the inner tub, which is connected to the waste filter 1, allowing the waste-containing water to flow into the waste filter 1 for preliminary filtration and temporary storage.

[0033] The slag filter 1 is located at the bottom of the inner tank. Its function is to separate the solid and liquid components of the slag and water entering the drainage system, preventing large particles of residue from directly entering the drainage pump 2 and causing impeller jamming or pipe blockage. Specifically, the slag filter 1 includes a water cup 011, a microfilter 012, and a lifting cup 013. The water cup 011 is a hollow container structure, usually injection molded from high-temperature and corrosion-resistant engineering plastic, and is equipped with a slag discharge port and a water inlet port. The slag discharge port is used to connect the main slag discharge pipe 4 and the bypass slag discharge pipe 5, allowing the slag and water to be discharged from the slag filter 1 to the outlet of the drainage pump 2; the water inlet port is used to receive the slag and water from the bottom of the inner tank, and its position is usually located on the side wall or top edge of the water cup 011 to facilitate a smooth water flow.

[0034] A microfilter 012 is installed at the water inlet. The microfilter 012 is a filter screen structure with fine pores used to filter out fine residue. It is typically made of stainless steel wire mesh, nylon mesh, or composite materials, effectively intercepting food residue with a diameter larger than the pore size while allowing water to flow smoothly. The microfilter 012 is detachably installed on the water inlet for easy cleaning or replacement by the user. A cup 013 is located at the top inlet of the microfilter 012 for filtering and collecting larger food residue. The cup 013 is a user-manually gripping handle structure, usually integrally formed with the microfilter 012 or connected by a snap-fit ​​mechanism, allowing the user to easily remove the cup 013 or both the cup 013 and the microfilter 012 from the water cup 011 for quick disassembly and cleaning. The design of the cup 013 not only improves the convenience of human-computer interaction but also enhances the maintainability of the product.

[0035] The drain pump 2 is a centrifugal or positive displacement water pump, installed at the base or rear drainage area of ​​the dishwasher. Its inlet is connected to the sludge discharge port of the sludge filter 1 via a pipe. The drain pump 2 is electrically connected to the controller 3 and controlled by the central control unit of the dishwasher. It can be activated during the drainage phase of the washing program, generating negative pressure to draw the sludge and water from the sludge filter 1 into the pump chamber, and then discharge it into the household sewer pipe through the drain hose. To improve drainage efficiency and prevent blockage, this invention innovatively sets up two sludge discharge paths: a main sludge discharge pipe 4 and a bypass sludge discharge pipe 5. The main sludge discharge pipe 4, as a conventional drainage channel, is always open and is equipped with a drain grille 9. The drain grille 9 is a multi-slatted structure, usually made of plastic or metal, arranged in a grid pattern. It has a certain mechanical strength and filtration function, which can prevent larger sludge from entering the main sludge discharge pipe 4 while ensuring smooth water flow. The multiple drain grilles 9 increase the flow area, reduce the risk of local blockage, and improve drainage capacity.

[0036] The bypass slag discharge pipeline 5 serves as a backup or emergency slag discharge channel, connected in parallel with the main slag discharge pipeline 4 to the inlet of the drainage pump 2. Under normal operating conditions, the bypass slag discharge pipeline 5 is closed, only activated when the main slag discharge pipeline 4 becomes blocked. Therefore, an on / off device 11 is installed on the bypass slag discharge pipeline 5, electrically connected to the controller 3, which controls its opening and closing based on real-time monitoring signals. The on / off device 11 can be a solenoid valve, electric ball valve, electric butterfly valve, or a mechanical valve body driven by a stepper motor, offering rapid opening and closing response and high reliability. When the controller 3 determines that the main slag discharge pipeline 4 is blocked, it immediately sends an opening command to the on / off device 11, opening the bypass slag discharge channel and thus forming a dual-channel parallel drainage mode, significantly improving slag discharge capacity.

[0037] Furthermore, the controller 3 is configured to: when the current of the drainage pump 2 increases to a preset threshold, determine that the main slag discharge pipeline 4 is blocked, and control the on / off device 11 to open, thereby opening the bypass slag discharge pipeline 5. This judgment logic is based on the load characteristics of the drainage pump 2: when the main slag discharge pipeline 4 is unobstructed, the drainage pump 2 sucks in a fluid mainly composed of water, the load is small, and the operating current is stable; however, when the main slag discharge pipeline 4 is partially or completely blocked by residue, the drainage pump 2's suction volume decreases, and the pump chamber forms an idling or semi-idling state, resulting in an abnormal increase in motor load and a corresponding increase in current. The controller 3 collects the operating current of the drainage pump 2 in real time through a built-in current detection module and compares it with a preset threshold. Once the current continues to exceed the threshold for a certain period of time (e.g., more than 2 seconds), it is determined that a blockage event has occurred, and the bypass pipeline opening mechanism is triggered.

[0038] To further improve the dredging effect, the controller 3 is also configured to: after the on / off control device 11 is opened, activate the flushing device 6 to perform reverse flushing or turbulent flushing on the slag collection filter 1 to assist in dredging the main slag discharge pipeline 4. The flushing device 6 is electrically connected to the controller 3 and is used to spray water into the slag collection filter 1 to agitate the deposited residue.

[0039] Specifically, the rinsing device 6 includes a nozzle 061 and a rinsing pipe 062. The nozzle 061 is located on the inner wall or bottom of the sludge filter 1, arranged in a ring, oblique, or radial pattern, and can generate a rotating water flow or impact jet to effectively disturb the residue clumps accumulated on the surface of the microfilter 012 and the bottom of the water cup 011. The inlet of the rinsing pipe 062 is connected to the dishwasher's circulation pump or inlet valve, and the outlet is connected to the nozzle 061 to introduce high-pressure water flow. When the controller 3 issues a rinsing command, the circulation pump starts or the inlet valve opens, and the high-pressure water flow enters the nozzle 061 through the rinsing pipe 062, forming a high-speed jet that impacts the residue, loosens it, and resuspends it in the water, facilitating its discharge through the bypass sludge discharge pipe 5.

[0040] To achieve water flow path switching, this system also includes a spray arm support 7 and a water distribution device 8. The spray arm support 7 is a fixed structure installed at the bottom of the inner tank, used to support the lower spray arm and provide a water flow channel. The spray arm support 7 has a cleaning water inlet and an outlet, where the cleaning water inlet is connected to the inlet valve or the circulation pump outlet, and the outlet is connected to the spray arm and the rinsing device 6 respectively. The water distribution device 8 is located at the cleaning water inlet of the spray arm support 7 and can be an electromagnetic switching valve, a rotary distribution valve, or a multi-way valve body. Its switching action is automatically controlled by the controller 3 according to program instructions. During the normal washing phase, the water distribution device 8 directs the water flow to the spray arm to clean the dishes; during the slag removal and unblocking phase, the controller 3 controls the water distribution device 8 to switch to the rinsing mode, directing the water flow to the rinsing device 6, thereby achieving directional rinsing of the slag filter 1. This design makes full use of the dishwasher's existing water resources, eliminating the need for an additional water pump, thus reducing system complexity and cost.

[0041] Furthermore, multiple drainage grilles 9 are arranged in an array or concentric circles at intervals at the inlet end of the main slag discharge pipe 4. This not only increases the flow area but also keeps some channels open even in the event of partial blockage, extending the system's adaptive time. Each drainage grille 9 can be designed as a detachable structure for easy deep cleaning. In some extended implementations, pressure sensors or flow sensors can be added to the main slag discharge pipe 4 as a supplementary means of current detection, enabling multi-parameter fusion judgment and further improving the accuracy of blockage identification. For example, when the current of the drainage pump 2 increases and the outlet pressure of the main slag discharge pipe 4 drops abnormally, the blockage status is double-verified to avoid misjudgment.

[0042] In actual operation, the control process of the slag discharge system is as follows: After the dishwasher completes the main wash or rinsing stage, it enters the drainage program. The controller 3 first starts the drainage pump 2 to run for a few seconds (e.g., 5 seconds) and monitors its working current. If the current is stable within the normal range, it is determined that the main slag discharge pipe 4 is unobstructed and continues to complete the drainage. If the current rises rapidly and exceeds the preset threshold, it is determined that the main slag discharge pipe 4 is blocked, and the controller 3 immediately performs the following actions: (1) controls the water distribution device 8 to switch to the flushing mode; (2) starts the circulation pump or opens the water inlet valve so that the high-pressure water flows through the flushing pipe 062 and sprays out from the nozzle 061 to perform turbulent flushing of the inside of the slag filter 1 for 3 to 10 seconds; (3) opens the on / off device 11 on the bypass slag discharge pipe 5 to open the bypass channel; (4) restarts the drainage pump 2. At this time, the slag and water can enter the drainage pump 2 in parallel through the main slag discharge pipe 4 and the bypass slag discharge pipe 5 to achieve dual-channel slag discharge. If the drainage current returns to normal, the slag removal is complete; otherwise, repeat the above flushing and dual-channel drainage operation until successful or the maximum number of retries is reached. If the blockage still cannot be cleared, a fault message such as "Please clean the filter" or "System blockage" will be sent to the user via the control panel or mobile APP.

[0043] The slag discharge system of this invention, through a dual-channel structure of a main slag discharge pipe 4 and a bypass slag discharge pipe 5, combined with technologies such as current monitoring, intelligent judgment, automatic flushing, and multi-path drainage, achieves efficient and reliable slag discharge under high residue load conditions. This significantly reduces the failure rate caused by blockage, extends the dishwasher's service life, and improves user satisfaction. Furthermore, the system has a compact structure, clear control logic, and is easily integrated into existing dishwasher platforms, demonstrating good industrialization prospects and market application value.

[0044] Example 2 A dishwasher includes a dishwasher body, a washing pump 10, and a slag discharge system as described in Embodiment 1.

[0045] The dishwasher body consists of an inner tub, a door, a spray system, a control panel, and an electronic control system. The inner tub holds the dishes to be washed and receives the washing water sprayed by the spray system. During the washing process, food residue settles to the bottom of the inner tub with the water flow and flows into the residue collection filter 1 of the residue discharge system through the drain channel at the bottom for solid-liquid separation.

[0046] The waste collection filter 1 is equipped with a water inlet, a waste discharge inlet, and a washing pump 10 inlet. The water inlet connects to the drain channel of the dishwasher's inner tank, receiving washing wastewater containing food residue discharged from the inner tank, ensuring that the wastewater can be collected and filtered by the waste collection filter 1. The waste discharge inlet connects to the main waste discharge pipe 4 and the bypass waste discharge pipe 5, enabling the directional discharge of wastewater to the drain pump 2.

[0047] The washing pump 10 interface is used to construct a washing water circulation loop. Specifically, one end of the washing pump 10 is connected to the washing pump 10 interface, and the other end is connected to the spray arms inside the dishwasher body through a circulating water pipeline, including the upper spray arm, lower spray arm, and middle spray arm (depending on the model configuration). When the dishwasher enters the washing or rinsing stage, the controller 3 starts the washing pump 10, extracts the pre-filtered clean circulating water from the grease trap 1, pressurizes it, and delivers it to each spray arm. The water is then sprayed out from the nozzles on the spray arms at a certain angle and pressure to rinse the surface of the dishes. The rinsed wastewater carries the residue back to the bottom of the inner drum and re-enters the grease trap 1 through the drain channel, forming a closed washing water circulation loop.

[0048] During the drainage stage, controller 3 stops the washing pump 10 and starts the drainage pump 2 to discharge the sludge and water from the sludge filter 1 through the main sludge discharge pipeline 4. If an abnormal increase in the current of the drainage pump 2 is detected, indicating a risk of blockage in the main sludge discharge pipeline 4, the flushing device 6 is started and the bypass sludge discharge pipeline 5 is opened according to the control logic described in Embodiment 1, achieving efficient sludge discharge through dual channels. This structural design achieves the organic integration of washing and drainage functions, ensuring both the efficiency of water circulation during the washing process and the anti-blocking and unblocking capabilities during the drainage stage, thereby improving the stability and intelligence level of the entire machine.

[0049] Example 3 like Figure 6 As shown, a method for controlling the discharge of wastewater from a dishwasher is applied to the wastewater discharge system of the dishwasher described in Embodiment 1 or the dishwasher described in Embodiment 2. The method is executed after the dishwasher completes the main wash stage, intermediate rinse stage, or final rinse stage. It is used to safely and efficiently discharge the wastewater formed by the mixture of washing wastewater and food residue accumulated at the bottom of the inner tank and in the wastewater collection filter 1 to the external drain pipe, ensuring that subsequent processes proceed smoothly or enabling the entire machine to stop and standby.

[0050] Step S101: After the washing or rinsing stage, the dishwasher enters the draining program. At this time, the controller 3 sends a start command to the drain pump 2, causing the drain pump 2 to run for a first preset time t seconds to perform the initial draining operation. The first preset time t seconds is usually set between 3 and 15 seconds, preferably between 5 and 10 seconds. This time period is sufficient to establish a stable water flow state and allow the drain pump 2 to enter a stable operating range, thereby providing a reliable data basis for current detection. During this period, the impeller of the drain pump 2 rotates at high speed under the drive of the motor, forming a negative pressure in the pump chamber, drawing the sludge and water in the water cup 011 of the sludge filter 1 into the pump body through the main sludge discharge pipe 4, and then discharging it into the household drainage network through the drain hose.

[0051] In step S102, the controller 3 monitors the operating current value of the drainage pump 2 in real time through its built-in current sampling circuit or Hall current sensor, and filters and averages the collected current signal to eliminate misjudgments caused by instantaneous fluctuations. The operating current is compared with a preset reference current value. This reference current value can be the theoretical rated current of the drainage pump 2 under rated voltage and standard load conditions, or it can be a reference current value obtained through calibration experiments before the new machine leaves the factory. This reference current value is stored in the non-volatile memory of the controller 3 as the basis for subsequent judgments.

[0052] Step S103: If the controller 3 detects that the fluctuation range between the operating current and the rated current or reference current is less than the preset fluctuation range, for example, the fluctuation range is less than 30%, that is, the current change rate is within ±30%, then it is determined that the main slag discharge pipeline 4 is unobstructed and no obvious blockage has occurred. For example, when the rated operating current of the drainage pump 2 is 1.0A, if the measured current is maintained between 0.7A and 1.3A, then the system is considered to be in normal flow.

[0053] Step S104: At this time, the controller 3 continues to maintain the operation of the drainage pump 2 and enters the continuous drainage stage until the water level sensor detects that the water level in the inner tank has dropped to a safe low level, or the preset maximum drainage time has been reached, thereby completing the entire slag discharge process.

[0054] The judgment logic is based on fluid mechanics and motor load characteristics: when the main slag discharge pipe 4 is unobstructed, the drainage pump 2 can continuously draw in sufficient liquid, the motor load is stable, and the current fluctuation is small; conversely, if there is a blockage, the suction flow rate decreases, and the pump chamber experiences dry running or cavitation, leading to abnormal motor load, increased current, or drastic fluctuations. Therefore, using a current fluctuation of less than 30% as the "unobstructed" criterion has advantages such as fast response, no need for additional sensors, and low cost.

[0055] This normal slag discharge control method achieves intelligent identification and automated processing of slag discharge status by scientifically setting the initial drainage time, accurately monitoring the current of the drainage pump 2, and reasonably defining the unobstructed judgment criteria. It is the basic operating mode of the entire slag discharge control system, providing a comparison benchmark and logical starting point for subsequent anti-blockage and unblocking control that may be triggered, and ensuring the efficient and stable operation of the dishwasher under normal working conditions.

[0056] Example 4 like Figure 7 As shown, a method for controlling the discharge of waste water in a dishwasher is applied to the waste discharge system of the dishwasher described in Embodiment 1 or the dishwasher described in Embodiment 2. The method is automatically activated after the dishwasher completes the main wash program, the intermediate rinsing stage, or the final rinsing process. It aims to solve the problem of poor drainage caused by the blockage of the main waste discharge pipe 4 due to the accumulation of food residue. Through intelligent judgment, multi-path drainage and active flushing, efficient and reliable waste water discharge is achieved.

[0057] Step S201: After the washing or rinsing stage, the dishwasher enters the drain mode. At this time, the controller 3 sends a start signal to the drain pump 2, causing the drain pump 2 to run for a first preset time t seconds to perform the initial drain operation. The first preset time t seconds is preferably 5 to 12 seconds, which is sufficient to establish a stable water flow state and allow the drain pump 2 to enter a stable operating range, thereby providing an accurate data basis for subsequent current monitoring. During this process, the sludge and water in the sludge filter 1 are sucked into the chamber of the drain pump 2 through the main sludge discharge pipe 4 and discharged into the external drain pipe through the drain hose.

[0058] In step S202, the controller 3 collects the operating current value of the drainage pump 2 in real time through the built-in current detection module, and performs filtering processing on the original signal (such as using a moving average or low-pass filtering algorithm) to eliminate instantaneous fluctuation interference and obtain stable current feedback data.

[0059] Step S203: If the controller 3 detects that the operating current has decreased by more than a preset range compared to the rated current of the drainage pump 2 or the factory-calibrated reference current, for example, by more than 30%, then it is determined that the main slag discharge pipe 4 is partially or completely blocked. This judgment is based on the motor load characteristics: when the main slag discharge pipe 4 is unobstructed, the drainage pump 2 continuously draws in sufficient liquid, forming a stable hydraulic load, and the motor operating current remains within the normal range; however, once a blockage occurs, the amount of water flowing into the pump body is significantly reduced, and idling, semi-dry running, or cavitation occurs in the pump chamber, resulting in a decrease in load and a significant drop in motor current. For example, if the rated current of the drainage pump 2 is 1.2A, the measured current under normal drainage conditions is approximately 1.1A to 1.3A, and when the current rapidly drops below 0.8A, the blockage judgment logic can be triggered.

[0060] Step S204: After confirming that the main slag discharge pipe 4 is blocked, the controller 3 immediately initiates the emergency unblocking process. First, the flushing device 6 is put into operation, spraying high-pressure water into the slag collection filter 1 to agitate the food residue clumps deposited on the surface of the microfilter 012 and the bottom of the water cup 011. Specifically, the controller 3 sends a switching command to the water distribution device 8, causing it to switch the water flow from the circulation system from the spray arm path to the flushing pipe 062 direction; then the washing pump 10 is started, so that the high-pressure water flow is delivered to multiple nozzles 061 set on the inner wall or bottom of the slag collection filter 1. These nozzles 061 are arranged in a ring, oblique or radial pattern, which can generate rotating turbulence, impact jet or multi-angle cross water flow, effectively flushing the deposits on the filter screen of the microfilter 012, so that the originally clumped residue is resuspended in the water and restored to fluidity.

[0061] In step S205, simultaneously or shortly thereafter, the controller 3 sends an opening signal to the on / off device 11 on the bypass slag discharge pipeline 5. The on / off device 11 is a solenoid valve, an electric ball valve, or a mechanical switching valve driven by a stepper motor. Upon receiving the command, it quickly activates, opening the bypass slag discharge channel. At this time, the slag and water in the slag filter 1 can enter the drainage pump 2 through two parallel paths: one is the existing main slag discharge pipeline 4 (which may still have some flow capacity despite partial blockage), and the other is the newly opened bypass slag discharge pipeline 5. This dual-channel parallel drainage significantly increases the total flow area, reduces the overall system flow resistance, and helps restore the drainage flow rate.

[0062] Step S206: After the flushing device 6 has been running for a certain period of time (e.g., 3 to 8 seconds), the controller 3 stops the flushing operation and restarts the drain pump 2 to run for a second preset time t seconds (preferably 6 to 15 seconds) to make a second drainage attempt.

[0063] Step S207: During this period, continue to monitor the operating current of drainage pump 2. If the current is detected to recover to more than 70% of the rated value or the fluctuation range returns to the normal range, it is determined that the blockage has been cleared, and the system switches to continuous drainage mode until the water level sensor confirms that the water level in the inner tank has dropped to a safe low level, thus completing the entire slag discharge process.

[0064] If the current does not return to normal after the second drainage, i.e., it remains below 70% of the rated value, controller 3 will determine that the blockage has not been cleared and will then repeat the above flushing and dual-channel drainage operation. This cycle can be set to a maximum of N retries (usually N=2-3 times) to prevent infinite looping from causing equipment damage or excessive user waiting time. A short pause (e.g., 1-2 seconds) can be set between each cycle for system pressure release and water redistribution.

[0065] If, after N cycles of attempts, the current of drain pump 2 fails to return to the normal range, controller 3 will generate a fault alarm signal and display prompts such as "Drainage is not smooth, please clean the filter" or "System is blocked" on the dishwasher's control panel. Optionally, the alarm information can be pushed to the user's smartphone app via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to remind the user to intervene manually.

[0066] This method achieves intelligent response and self-recovery capabilities under high residue load conditions through a complete control chain: "current drop detection of blockage—high-pressure flushing turbulence—bypass channel activation—dual-path coordinated drainage—cyclic retry mechanism." Compared to traditional single-path drainage designs, this solution significantly improves residue discharge reliability, reduces program interruptions, leakage risks, or motor burnout caused by blockages, and enhances the dishwasher's adaptability and user experience in complex operating environments. Furthermore, this method requires no additional significant hardware costs, fully utilizing existing pumps, valves, and control system resources, demonstrating good engineering feasibility and promising prospects for industrial application.

[0067] In this embodiment of the invention, the term "multiple" refers to two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined. The terms "install," "connect," and "fix" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connect" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this embodiment of the invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0068] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper" and "lower" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or unit referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention.

[0069] In the description of this specification, the terms "an embodiment," "a preferred embodiment," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0070] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the embodiments of the present invention can have various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the embodiments of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dirt discharging system of a dishwasher, characterized in that, include: Slag filter (1) and drainage pump (2); The slag collection filter (1) has a slag discharge port; The drainage pump (2) is electrically connected to the controller (3); The inlet of the drainage pump (2) is connected to the slag discharge interface of the slag collection filter (1) through the main slag discharge pipeline (4) and the bypass slag discharge pipeline (5); A drainage grating (9) is installed on the main slag discharge pipeline (4); The bypass slag discharge pipeline (5) is equipped with a switching device (11), which is electrically connected to the controller (3).

2. The dirt discharging system of the dish washer according to claim 1, wherein The main slag discharge pipeline (4) is normally open, and the bypass slag discharge pipeline (5) is normally closed when the on / off device (11) is closed.

3. The dirt discharging system of the dish washer according to claim 1, wherein The controller (3) is configured to: when the current of the drainage pump (2) is detected to increase to a preset threshold, determine that the main slag discharge pipeline (4) is blocked, and control the on / off device (11) to open so as to open the bypass slag discharge pipeline (5).

4. The dirt discharging system of the dish washer according to claim 1, wherein The controller (3) is also configured to: after controlling the on / off device (11) to open, start the flushing device (6) to perform reverse flushing or turbulent flushing on the slag collection filter (1) to assist in unblocking the main slag discharge pipeline (4).

5. The slag discharge system of the dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slag collection filter (1) includes a water cup (011), a micro filter (012), and a lifting cup (013); The water cup (011) is provided with the slag discharge port and the water inlet port; The microfilter (012) is disposed on the water inlet; The cup (013) is positioned on the inlet at the top of the microfilter (012).

6. The slag discharge system of the dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a flushing device (6), which is electrically connected to the controller (3) and is used to spray water into the sludge filter (1) to agitate the residue.

7. The slag discharge system of the dishwasher according to claim 6, characterized in that, The flushing device (6) includes a nozzle (061) and a flushing pipeline (062); The nozzle (061) is disposed on the inner wall or bottom of the slag collection filter (1); The inlet of the rinsing pipe (062) is connected to the dishwasher's circulation pump or water inlet valve; The outlet of the flushing pipe (062) is connected to the nozzle (061) for introducing high-pressure water flow.

8. The slag discharge system of the dishwasher according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, It also includes a spray arm support (7) and a water distribution device (8); The spray arm support (7) has a cleaning water inlet and a water outlet; The water distribution device (8) is installed at the cleaning water inlet of the spray arm support (7) and is electrically connected to the controller (3); The inlet of the flushing device (6) is connected to the outlet of the spray arm support (7).

9. The slag discharge system of the dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple drainage grilles (9), and the multiple drainage grilles (9) are arranged at intervals.

10. A dishwasher, characterized in that, include: The dishwasher body, the washing pump (10), and the slag removal system of the dishwasher as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; The slag filter (1) also has a water inlet and a washing pump (10) interface; The water inlet is connected to the drain channel of the inner tank of the dishwasher and is used to receive washing wastewater. The washing pump (10) interface is connected to the spray arm inside the dishwasher body through the washing pump (10) to form a washing water circulation loop.

11. A method for controlling wastewater discharge from a dishwasher, characterized in that, The method, applied to a slag removal system of a dishwasher as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 or a dishwasher as described in claim 10, comprises: After the dishwasher wash or rinse cycle is completed, the drain pump is started and runs for a first preset time t seconds to perform initial drainage; The controller monitors the operating current of the drainage pump in real time; If the fluctuation of the operating current and the rated current or the reference current is less than the preset fluctuation range, the main slag discharge pipeline is determined to be unobstructed. The drainage pump is kept running to completely discharge the slag and water through the main slag discharge pipeline.

12. A method for controlling wastewater discharge from a dishwasher, characterized in that, The method, applied to a slag removal system of a dishwasher as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 or a dishwasher as described in claim 10, comprises: After the dishwasher wash or rinse cycle is completed, the drain pump is started and runs for a first preset time t seconds to perform initial drainage; The controller monitors the operating current of the drainage pump in real time; If the controller detects that the operating current of the drainage pump drops beyond the preset range of its rated current, it determines that the main slag discharge pipeline is blocked. Start the flushing device to spray into the slag filter to agitate the deposited residue; Turn on the on / off device on the bypass slag discharge pipeline to open the bypass slag discharge channel; The drainage pump is restarted and runs for the second preset time t seconds, so that the slag and water are discharged into the drainage pump in parallel through the main slag discharge pipeline and the bypass slag discharge pipeline. If the drain pump current is detected to return to the normal range, the slag discharge process continues; otherwise, the above flushing device is repeated until the slag discharge is completed.

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