Control method of laundry treating apparatus and laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of control method of clothes processing equipment, the clothes processing equipment includes cylinder and water box, water box has with cylinder communication drop port, drop port is provided with open and close device to make drop port open and close, water and detergent are dropped into the cylinder by the drop port, during the operation of clothes processing program, when the foam amount in the cylinder is greater than or equal to the set threshold value, the operation of the clothes processing program is interrupted, the drop port is switched from open state to closed state;After the drop port is switched from open state to closed state, the foam amount in the cylinder is less than the set threshold value, then the drop port is switched from closed state to open state, and the clothes processing program continues to run;By more effective defoaming logic, avoid the overflow of foam in the cylinder to the water box.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of home appliance technology, and more specifically, it relates to a control method for a clothing processing device and the clothing processing device itself. Background Technology

[0002] With the improvement of living standards, fully automatic washing machines have become essential household appliances. Currently, fully automatic washing machines are very popular with consumers due to their high degree of automation. However, while bringing convenience, they also bring new problems. When users use high-foaming detergents or when the load is relatively clean, foam is easily generated, and overflow during the washing process can even spill out of the machine. Traditional defoaming methods generally focus on the spin-drying stage, using methods such as spraying and static drainage. However, these methods do not consider the overflow of foam from the water tank during the washing process. Current defoaming methods still cannot solve the problem of foam overflowing into the user's home through the water tank because the foam path was not sealed beforehand.

[0003] Especially with direct-venting washing machines, when users add too much detergent, excessive foam is generated inside the washing machine, which then flows out of the machine, reducing the user experience.

[0004] Therefore, designing a more effective defoaming logic to prevent foam from overflowing into the water box is a problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a control method and garment processing equipment. An opening and closing device is added at the junction of the water tank and the water-holding chamber. This device is driven by a stepper motor, and its operation is controlled according to the amount of foam in the drum. Specifically, when there is excessive foam in the drum, the opening and closing device is activated to prevent foam from overflowing into the water tank.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A control method for a garment processing device, the garment processing device comprising a drum and a water tank, the water tank having a dispensing port communicating with the drum, and an opening and closing device provided at the dispensing port for opening and closing the dispensing port, through which water and detergent are dispensed into the drum.

[0008] During the operation of the clothing processing program, if the amount of foam in the drum is greater than or equal to a set threshold, the operation of the clothing processing program is interrupted, and the dispensing port switches from the open state to the closed state.

[0009] Furthermore, after the dispensing port switches from the open state to the closed state, if the amount of foam in the cylinder is detected to be less than the set threshold, the clothing processing program will continue to run after the dispensing port switches from the closed state to the open state.

[0010] Furthermore, after the dispensing port switches from the open state to the closed state,

[0011] When the defoaming program is run and the amount of foam in the drum is less than the set threshold, the defoaming program is stopped, and the garment processing program continues to run after the dispensing port is switched from the closed state to the open state.

[0012] Furthermore, during the operation of the garment processing program, the water level inside the drum is obtained.

[0013] If the water level is determined to be greater than the set water level threshold, the clothing processing program is interrupted, and the delivery port is switched from the open state to the closed state.

[0014] Furthermore, when the discharge port is detected to be closed, the drainage process during which the defoaming procedure is executed is monitored.

[0015] After the drainage process has run for a set time, the defoaming program continues to run until the water level is lower than the set water level threshold or the amount of foam is lower than the set threshold.

[0016] Furthermore, after the defoaming process is completed, if it is determined that the water level inside the cylinder is less than or equal to the set water level threshold, the dispensing port will switch from the closed state to the open state, and the clothing processing program will continue to run.

[0017] Furthermore, the defoaming process includes a drainage process and a spraying process.

[0018] When running the defoaming program, open the drain valve and the flushing valve to drain the water while flushing and defoaming.

[0019] Furthermore, after the defoaming program finishes running, if it is determined that the amount of foam is less than the set threshold, and the discharge port is detected to be in an open state, the program will continue to run after it is determined that the water level has reached the set water level of the clothing processing program.

[0020] Furthermore, if it is determined that the amount of foam is less than the set threshold, then after determining that the water level is less than or equal to the set water level threshold, the discharge port switches from the closed state to the open state, and the clothing processing program continues to run.

[0021] A garment processing device employs the control method described above for a garment processing device.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0023] 1. An opening and closing device is installed at the rear end of the water tank, where it connects to the water chamber. This device is driven by a stepper motor. When the user selects a laundry program and clicks "start," the opening and closing device is open under the drive of the stepper motor during water intake. Tap water flows into the water tank, mixes with the detergent, and then enters the drum through the connection between the water tank and the water chamber, contacting and washing the clothes. During this time, the opening and closing device remains open. When excessive foam is detected by a sensor, the stepper motor reverses its rotation, closing the opening and closing device to a sealed state. This completely isolates the inner drum and the water tank, preventing excessive foam from being squeezed into the water tank.

[0024] 2. Control the opening and closing of the dispensing port based on the amount of foam inside the drum. This effectively prevents foam from overflowing into the water tank and avoids causing foam to overflow into the water tank if the amount of foam inside the drum continues to run when it exceeds the set threshold.

[0025] 3. Based on the amount of foam, the opening and closing of the dispensing port can be controlled by combining the amount of foam in the cylinder. This is beneficial for controlling the opening and closing of the dispensing port when the water level is higher than the set water level threshold, so that the inner cylinder and the water box are completely isolated.

[0026] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The accompanying drawings, as part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the invention are used to explain the invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative effort. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a garment processing device;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a control method for a garment processing device (I);

[0030] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a control method for a garment processing device (II);

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the open and closed states of the loading port of a garment processing device.

[0032] The labels in the diagram are as follows: 1. Water inlet pipe; 2. Water box; 3. Opening and closing device; 4. Motor; 5. Window gasket; 6. Water inlet.

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

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0035] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "inner" and "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0036] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "contact," and "communication" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0037] The clothing processing equipment provided in some of the solutions of this embodiment includes, but is not limited to, drum washing machine equipment, multi-drum washing machine equipment, and washer-dryer combo equipment.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, taking a drum washing machine as an example, the drum washing machine includes a water inlet pipe 1 and a water tank 2 for storing detergent. The washing water flows into the water tank 2 through the water inlet pipe 1 and mixes with the detergent in the water tank 2. The water and detergent in the water tank 2 are introduced into the drum body through the inlet of the water tank 2.

[0039] The drum washing machine also includes a window gasket 5, and the water box 2 is directly connected to the drum body through the inlet, or the water box 2 is connected to the water channel formed inside the window gasket 5 through the inlet, and the water outlet of the water channel of the window gasket 5 is connected to the drum body; furthermore, the water box 2 is located above the window gasket 5.

[0040] The connection between the water tank 2 and the water-holding chamber forms an inlet for adding water and detergent. A rotatable inner drum is located inside the water-holding chamber. An opening and closing device 3 is installed at the inlet, driven by a motor 4. During the water intake process of the laundry treatment program, the motor 4 drives the opening and closing device 3 to keep the inlet open. Washing water flows into the water tank 2, mixes with the detergent in the water tank 2, and is then added to the water-holding chamber through the inlet to contact and wash the clothes. For ease of use, the washing water flows into the water tank 2, mixes with the detergent in the water tank 2, and is then added to the inner drum through the inlet to contact and wash the clothes. During this time, the inlet remains open. Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the open and closed states of the dispensing port. When the dispensing port is closed, the opening / closing device 3 contacts one end of the water box 2, thus closing the dispensing port between the opening / closing device 3 and the water box 2.

[0041] When excessive foam is detected, the sensor detects this and the motor 4 reverses direction, closing the opening and closing device to completely isolate the inner drum and water tank, preventing excessive foam from being squeezed into the water tank. Simultaneously, the washing cycle stops, and the drain pump is activated to lower the foam level. After draining for one minute, a separate flushing valve is opened to flush away the foam while draining for another minute. Water level data is then collected. When the water level is less than or equal to the set threshold, the opening and closing device opens to allow water to enter. Once the set water level is reached, the washing cycle continues. Water flows from the inlet 6 at one end of the inlet pipe 1 of the drum washing machine into the outlet between the water tank 2 and the opening and closing device 3 at the rear of the water tank 2. During this process, the stepper motor 4 controls the opening and closing device 3 to open. During the clothes handling program, if the amount of foam exceeds the set threshold, the stepper motor 4 reverses direction, closing the opening and closing device.

[0042] Current technology lacks a method to control the opening and closing of the dispensing port based on the amount of foam inside the drum; in other words, the dispensing port remains open. Washing water and detergent flow into the drum through the dispensing port. During the washing process, the drum's rotation causes the amount of foam inside to continuously increase, leading to foam overflowing into the water tank and subsequently spilling into the user's home.

[0043] Therefore, a control method and garment processing device are provided to solve the problem of foam overflowing from the drum into the water box. The specific process is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the laundry treatment equipment includes a drum and a water tank. The water tank has a dispensing port that communicates with the drum. An opening and closing device is provided at the dispensing port to open and close the dispensing port, through which water and detergent are dispensed into the drum.

[0044] In some embodiments of this invention, during the operation of the garment processing program, if the amount of foam inside the drum is detected to be greater than or equal to a set threshold, the running garment processing program is interrupted, and the dispensing port is switched from an open state to a closed state. If, while the dispensing port is closed, the amount of foam inside the drum is detected to be less than the set threshold, the dispensing port is switched from a closed state to an open state. After the dispensing port is switched to an open state, the garment processing program continues to run.

[0045] The opening of the detergent dispenser, controlled by an on / off device, needs to be open during the laundry processing cycle to facilitate subsequent water or detergent replenishment. If the on / off device is closed after the initial water intake, a large amount of foam will accumulate in the drum during the next water replenishment, causing foam to overflow.

[0046] When the inlet is open, it facilitates the direct addition of washing water or detergent into the drum during the washing process, such as during water replenishment, water intake, or detergent refilling. If the inlet is switched from open to closed when the foam level exceeds a set threshold, but not switched back to open when the foam level falls below the threshold, subsequent water intake during the washing cycle will fail due to the closed inlet. Therefore, to ensure smooth operation of subsequent washing cycles, the inlet should be switched from closed to open when the foam level falls below the set threshold, facilitating the addition of washing water or detergent.

[0047] After the dispensing port is switched from the open state to the closed state, the defoaming program starts running. When the amount of foam in the drum is less than the set threshold, the defoaming program stops running, and the clothing processing program continues to run after the dispensing port is switched from the closed state to the open state.

[0048] In some embodiments of this invention, during the operation of the garment processing program, the water level inside the drum is acquired. If the water level is determined to be higher than a set water level threshold, the running garment processing program is interrupted, and the inlet switches from an open state to a closed state. After the inlet switches from an open state to a closed state, a defoaming program begins to run. When the amount of foam inside the drum is detected to be lower than a set threshold, the inlet switches from a closed state to an open state. Furthermore, when the inlet is detected to be in a closed state, the drainage process of the defoaming program is run. After the drainage process runs for a set time, the defoaming program continues to run until the water level is lower than the set water level threshold or the amount of foam is lower than the set threshold.

[0049] The defoaming process includes a drainage process and a rinsing process. When running the defoaming process, the drainage valve and the rinsing valve are opened to drain water while simultaneously rinsing and defoaming. In some embodiments, if the amount of foam exceeds a set threshold but the water level is below a set water level threshold, defoaming can be performed by allowing the water to stand still for a set time.

[0050] In some embodiments of this invention, when the water level in the drum is detected to be higher than a set water level threshold and the amount of foam is also higher than a set threshold, the defoaming program needs to be run first for drainage. This is because directly running the defoaming program would cause the water level to rise during the rinsing process, and even if the defoaming program is run, foam would still overflow into the water box during the next washing stage due to the drum's rotation speed. Therefore, when the water level in the drum is detected to be higher than a set water level threshold and the amount of foam is also higher than a set threshold, the drainage program needs to be run first.

[0051] After the defoaming process is completed, if the water level inside the drum is determined to be less than or equal to a set water level threshold, the inlet switches from the closed state to the open state, and the clothing processing program continues to run. In some embodiments of this example, the defoaming process includes opening the drain valve and the rinsing valve to drain water while simultaneously rinsing and defoaming.

[0052] After the defoaming program finishes, if the foam level is determined to be less than a set threshold, and the inlet is detected to be open, the program continues until the water level reaches the set level for the laundry treatment program. If the foam level is determined to be less than the set threshold, and the water level is determined to be less than the set threshold, the inlet switches from closed to open, and the laundry treatment program continues. This effectively prevents foam from overflowing into the water tank during the current laundry treatment stage and reduces the number of times the stepper motor operates during the program, avoiding power consumption issues caused by frequent opening and closing. This improves the washing efficiency of subsequent stages.

[0053] In some embodiments of this invention, a control system for a garment processing device is provided, wherein when the amount of foam is detected to be greater than a set threshold, the controller controls the dispensing port to switch from an open state to a closed state.

[0054] Specifically, in some embodiments of this invention, a control method for a garment processing device is provided. During the washing process, if the amount of foam in the drum is detected to be greater than a set threshold, the defoaming program is started in response to an event that triggers the operation of the defoaming program.

[0055] Before starting the defoaming program, the foam level inside the cylinder is obtained. If the foam level is determined to be less than or equal to the set water level threshold, the defoaming program is started.

[0056] If the foam water level inside the cylinder is determined to be greater than the set water level threshold, the drainage program will be run. After the drainage program runs for a set time, the defoaming program will start.

[0057] After the defoaming program finishes running, if the water level is determined to be less than or equal to the set water level threshold and the foam volume is less than the set threshold, the water intake program will continue to run.

[0058] The garment processing equipment includes a water tank, and an opening and closing device controlled by a motor keeps the water tank in the open state, through which washing water and detergent flow into the drum.

[0059] During the washing process, as the inner drum rotates at high speed, foam is squeezed out and rises through the outer drum tube. Some of the foam flows back into the detergent dispenser through the water inlet pipe, and some even overflows from the gap between the detergent dispenser and the washing machine casing onto the outer surface of the washing machine and the ground, causing great inconvenience to users, reducing the performance and user experience of the washing machine; moreover, the overflowing foam can easily corrode the structure of corresponding components inside the washing machine, leading to a shortened lifespan of the washing machine.

[0060] In some schemes of this embodiment, if the program continues to run after detecting that the amount of foam in the cylinder is less than a set threshold during program operation, and then detects that the amount of foam in the cylinder is greater than or equal to the set threshold and the water level in the cylinder is greater than or equal to the set water level threshold during the continued program operation, then the drainage process of the defoaming program is run first, followed by the drainage process and rinsing process of the defoaming program.

[0061] like Figure 3 As shown, based on the above method, combined with Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a garment processing device and Figure 2 A control method for a garment processing device is provided for illustration. Figure 3 The process flow is as follows: When the user loads the laundry, water and detergent are added to the drum, opening the water inlet and the inlet port. After water inlet is complete, during the washing cycle, the water level in the drum is monitored. If the water level is greater than or equal to a set level, the amount of foam in the drum is further checked to ensure it is greater than or equal to a set threshold. At this point, a stepper motor is driven to close the inlet and the inlet port switches from open to closed. This means that continuing to wash would cause foam to overflow into the water tank. Therefore, after the inlet port switches from open to closed, the laundry program is interrupted, the drain valve is opened to drain the water, and the rinsing valve is opened to rinse the foam in the drum. Both the rinsing and draining times are set. After the set time is completed, the washing program resumes. The set time is at least one minute.

[0062] The aforementioned garment handling procedures include, but are not limited to, gentle washing programs, standard washing programs, water addition programs, soaking programs, washing programs, rinsing programs, spin-drying programs, drying programs, and disinfection programs.

[0063] In some embodiments of this invention, the provided garment processing device includes one or more of the following components: a processing component, a memory, a power component, a sensor component, a communication component, and a processor.

[0064] The processing component typically controls the overall operation of the garment processing equipment, including related operations such as display, audible alerts, water filling programs, soaking programs, washing programs, rinsing programs, spin-drying programs, drying programs, disinfection programs, sterilization programs, and mite removal programs. The processing component may include one or more processors to execute instructions to complete all or part of the steps of the aforementioned garment processing equipment control methods. Furthermore, the processing component may include one or more modules to facilitate interaction between the processing component and other components.

[0065] The memory is configured to store various types of data to support the operation of a multi-drum washing machine. Examples of this data include instructions for any applied laundry processing program or method used to operate on the laundry processing equipment, historical laundry data, etc. The memory can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic storage, flash memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0066] The power components provide power to the various components of the garment handling equipment. The power components may include a power management system, one or more power sources, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power to the garment handling equipment.

[0067] The sensor assembly includes one or more sensors for providing a status assessment of various aspects of the garment handling equipment. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly may also include sensing sensors. For example, a sensor assembly capable of near-field sensing of mobile terminal devices.

[0068] The communication components are configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between the garment handling device and other devices. The garment handling device can access wireless networks based on communication standards, such as WiFi, 2G, or 3G, or combinations thereof.

[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, the garment processing device may be implemented by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic components to execute the control method of the garment processing device described above.

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions is also provided, such as a memory including instructions, which can be executed by a processor of the garment processing device to perform the control method of the garment processing device. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be a ROM, random access memory (RAM), CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, and optical data storage device, etc.

[0071] In another exemplary embodiment, a computer program product is also provided, the computer program product comprising a computer program executable by a programmable device, the computer program having a code portion for performing the control method of the garment processing device described above when executed by the programmable device.

[0072] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-described technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control method for a garment processing device, characterized in that, The garment processing device includes a drum and a water tank. The water tank has a dispensing port that communicates with the drum. An opening and closing device is provided at the dispensing port to open and close the dispensing port. Water and detergent are dispensed into the drum through the dispensing port. During the operation of the clothing processing program, if the amount of foam in the drum is greater than or equal to a set threshold, the operation of the clothing processing program is interrupted, and the dispensing port switches from the open state to the closed state.

2. The control method for a garment processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the dispensing port switches from the open state to the closed state, if the amount of foam in the cylinder is detected to be less than the set threshold, the clothing processing program will continue to run after the dispensing port switches from the closed state to the open state.

3. The control method for a garment processing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, After the dispensing port switches from the open state to the closed state... When the defoaming program is run and the amount of foam in the drum is less than the set threshold, the defoaming program is stopped, and the garment processing program continues to run after the dispensing port is switched from the closed state to the open state.

4. A control method for a garment processing device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, During the operation of the garment processing program, the water level inside the drum is obtained. If the water level is determined to be greater than the set water level threshold, the clothing processing program is interrupted, and the delivery port is switched from the open state to the closed state.

5. The control method for a garment processing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the discharge port is detected to be closed, the defoaming procedure is executed during the drainage process. After the drainage process has run for a set time, the defoaming program continues to run until the water level is lower than the set water level threshold or the amount of foam is lower than the set threshold.

6. The control method for a garment processing device according to claim 5, characterized in that, After the defoaming program finishes running, if it is determined that the water level inside the cylinder is less than or equal to the set water level threshold, the dispensing port will switch from the closed state to the open state, and the clothing processing program will continue to run.

7. A control method for a garment processing device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The defoaming process includes a drainage process and a spraying process. When running the defoaming program, open the drain valve and the flushing valve to drain the water while flushing and defoaming.

8. A control method for a garment processing device according to any one of claims 3-7, characterized in that, After the defoaming program finishes running, if it is determined that the amount of foam is less than the set threshold, and the discharge port is detected to be open, the program will continue to run after the water level reaches the set water level of the clothing processing program.

9. The control method for a garment processing device according to claim 8, characterized in that, If it is determined that the amount of foam is less than the set threshold, then after determining that the water level is less than or equal to the set water level threshold, the discharge port switches from the closed state to the open state, and the clothing processing program continues to run.

10. A garment processing device, characterized in that, The control method of the garment processing equipment according to any one of claims 1-9 is adopted.

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