Water accumulation box self-sterilization structure, laundry treating apparatus and method
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NANJING ROBOROCK INNOVATION TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-29
Smart Images
Figure CN122105807A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application belongs to the technical field of clothing processing equipment, and particularly relates to a self-sterilizing structure for a water collection box, clothing processing equipment and method. Background Technology
[0002] During the drying process of clothes in a dryer, the residual moisture on the clothes will be collected in the dryer's water collection box through the drying system and then drained through the drainage device. Due to the limitations of the drainage method, the water in the water collection box cannot be completely drained, which leads to water accumulation in the water collection box all year round. Since the water collection box is installed inside the machine body, it is difficult to clean. Over time, bacteria and odors can easily grow in the water collection box, causing trouble and inconvenience to users. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a self-sterilizing structure for a water collection box, a clothing treatment device and method, to solve the technical problem in the prior art where water accumulation in the dryer's water collection box is difficult to drain, leading to the growth of bacteria and odors.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted in this application is as follows:
[0005] A self-sterilizing structure for a water collection box includes:
[0006] A heating device, connected to the water collection box, is used to generate heat to evaporate the water inside the water collection box;
[0007] The control device is connected to the heating device and is used to control the operating status of the heating device.
[0008] In some implementations, the heating device includes an electric heating element, which is embedded in the wall panel of the water collection box, or the electric heating element is disposed on the inner side of the water collection box, or the electric heating element is disposed on the outer surface of the water collection box.
[0009] In some implementations, the electric heating element is an electric heating wire, which is distributed on the inner bottom surface of the water collection box.
[0010] In some implementations, the heating device includes a drying system for the garment processing equipment, an air duct, and a drive fan. The air duct is connected to the drying system of the garment processing equipment, and the drive fan is located on the air duct. The drive fan is used to guide the high-temperature air generated by the drying system through the air duct to the water collection box.
[0011] In some implementations, the self-sterilizing structure of the water collection box also includes a water collection detection device, which is installed on the water collection box and connected to the control device. The water collection detection device is used to detect the water inside the water collection box.
[0012] In some implementations, the water accumulation detection device includes a detection circuit and two electrode plates. The two electrode plates are connected to the detection circuit, and the detection circuit is electrically connected to a control device. The two electrode plates are spaced apart on the inner bottom surface of the water accumulation box.
[0013] A garment processing device includes a water collection box and a self-sterilizing structure for the water collection box as provided in any of the above technical solutions.
[0014] In some implementations, the garment handling equipment includes a drying system for drying garments, which includes a heat pump system and / or a moisture desiccation system;
[0015] A heat pump system includes a compressor, a condenser, a throttling element, and an evaporator connected in sequence;
[0016] The dehumidification system includes a dehumidification disc and a disc dehumidification device. The dehumidification disc has an adsorption zone and a regeneration zone. The disc dehumidification device can generate hot air and blow it towards the regeneration zone.
[0017] In some implementations, when the drying system includes a heat pump system and a moisture absorption and dehumidification system, the dehumidification disc is positioned between the evaporator and the condenser, and the airflow passing through the evaporator can flow to the condenser through the adsorption zone.
[0018] In some implementations, the garment processing equipment includes three operating modes: a single heat pump system dehumidification mode, a single moisture absorption and dehumidification system dehumidification mode, and a dehumidification mode in which the heat pump and molecular sieve work simultaneously.
[0019] In some implementations, the garment processing equipment also includes a drying counting device connected to the main controller of the garment processing equipment. The drying counting device is used to detect the number of times the garment processing equipment dries the garments.
[0020] In some implementations, the garment processing equipment also includes a pump operation count device, which is connected to the main controller of the garment processing equipment and is used to detect the number of times the pump connected to the water collection box operates.
[0021] A method for removing water from a water collection box using a clothing processing device provided by any of the above technical solutions includes the following:
[0022] Determine whether the clothing processing equipment meets the conditions for heating the water collection box;
[0023] If so, the heating device will be activated to generate heat and evaporate the water in the water collection box.
[0024] In some implementations, determining whether the clothing processing equipment meets the conditions for heating the water collection box includes:
[0025] Determine whether the clothing processing equipment has finished drying the clothes;
[0026] If so, determine whether the drain pump connected to the water collection box is not working:
[0027] If so, check if there is water inside the water collection box;
[0028] If so, then the clothing processing equipment meets the conditions for heating the water collection box.
[0029] In some implementations, determining whether the clothing processing equipment meets the conditions for heating the water collection box includes:
[0030] Determine whether the clothing processing equipment has finished drying the clothes;
[0031] If so, determine whether the drain pump connected to the water collection box is not working;
[0032] If so, then determine whether the number of times the drainage pump operates is greater than n, where n is greater than or equal to 1;
[0033] If so, then the clothing processing equipment meets the conditions for heating the water collection box.
[0034] In some implementations, determining whether the clothing processing equipment meets the conditions for heating the water collection box includes:
[0035] Determine whether the number of times the clothes are dried by the current clothes processing equipment is equal to N, where N is greater than or equal to 1;
[0036] If so, determine whether the current clothing processing equipment has finished drying the clothes;
[0037] If so, determine whether the drain pump connected to the water collection box is not working;
[0038] If so, then the clothing processing equipment meets the conditions for heating the water collection box.
[0039] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: The water collection box self-sterilization structure provided in this embodiment has a heating device connected to a control device, and the control device can control the working state of the heating device; the heating device is connected to the water collection box, and when the heating device is working, it can generate heat, which can be used to evaporate the water in the water collection box, thereby keeping the water collection box dry and reducing the growth of bacteria and the generation of odors. Attached Figure Description
[0040] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0041] Figure 1 A simplified structural diagram of the water collection box provided in the embodiments of this application;
[0042] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the connections of the various devices in the self-sterilizing structure of the water collection box provided in the embodiments of this application;
[0043] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the drying system provided in the embodiments of this application;
[0044] Figure 4 Another schematic diagram of the drying system provided in the embodiments of this application;
[0045] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating the method provided in the embodiments of this application;
[0046] Figure 6 Another flowchart of the method provided in the embodiments of this application.
[0047] The following are the labeling elements in the figure:
[0048] 1-Water collection box; 2-Electric heating element; 3-Compressor; 4-Condenser; 5-Throttling element; 6-Evaporator; 7-Dehumidification disc; 8-Heater; 9-First fan; 10-Cooler; 11-Cylinder; 12-Impeller; 13-Filter screen. Detailed Implementation
[0049] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.
[0050] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "thickness", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.
[0051] To facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used to distinguish identical or similar items with essentially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and that the terms "first" and "second" do not necessarily imply that they are different.
[0052] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.
[0053] In this application, "and / or" is merely a way of describing the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist; for example, A and / or B can represent three cases: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.
[0054] It should be noted that, in this application, the words "in one embodiment," "exemplarily," and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described in this application as "in one embodiment," "exemplarily," or "for example" should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "in one embodiment," "exemplarily," and "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.
[0055] A clothes dryer is a household appliance used to dry clothes. It dries clothes by placing them inside a drum, where the rotation of the drum and the circulation of hot air drive away the moisture. Typically, a clothes dryer includes a heat pump system, which consists of a compressor (3), a condenser (4), a throttling element (5), and an evaporator (6) connected in sequence. The heat pump system works as follows: high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant releases heat in the condenser (4) and becomes a high-pressure, medium-temperature liquid refrigerant. This liquid refrigerant is then cooled and depressurized by the throttling element, becoming a low-temperature, low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. It then enters the evaporator (6), absorbs heat, and vaporizes into a medium-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. Finally, the compressor (3) compresses this gaseous refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant.
[0056] The airflow direction inside the dryer is as follows: After passing through the condenser 4, the air is heated into high-temperature dry air, then enters the drum 11 through the impeller 12 to carry away the moisture from the clothes. After passing through the evaporator 6 to cool down and condense into water, the air flows back to the condenser 4 to be heated again, and the cycle repeats continuously. The liquid water condensed on the surface of the evaporator 6 falls into the water collection box 1 below the evaporator 6.
[0057] The drainage method of the water collection box 1 is designed according to the internal structure of the dryer. Currently, the drainage method of the water collection box 1 is difficult to completely drain the water in the box, which results in water accumulation in the water collection box 1 all year round. Since the water collection box 1 is installed inside the whole machine, it is difficult to disassemble and clean the water collection box 1. Over time, bacteria and odors will easily grow in the water collection box 1, causing trouble and inconvenience to users.
[0058] Based on this, this embodiment provides a self-sterilizing structure for a water collection box, used to remove water from the water collection box 1. Specifically, the self-sterilizing structure for the water collection box includes a heating device and a control device, which are connected together.
[0059] The heating device is connected to the water collection box 1. When the heating device is working, it can generate heat, which can be used to evaporate the water in the water collection box 1, thereby keeping the water collection box 1 dry and reducing the growth of bacteria and the generation of odors.
[0060] The heating device is connected to a control device, which controls the operating status of the heating device. In this embodiment, the drain pump connected to the water collection box 1 has a higher priority than the heating device. That is, the clothing processing equipment first determines whether the drain pump needs to work, and only after the drain pump has completed its operation does it determine whether the heating device needs to work.
[0061] Regarding the drain pump, it is connected to the water collection box 1 and is used to pump out the water from the water collection box 1. In existing related technologies, the drainage method of the water collection box 1 makes it difficult to completely drain the water from the water collection box 1; that is, after the drain pump has finished working, there may still be water remaining in the water collection box 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, a heating device is connected to the water collection box 1 to evaporate the residual water in the water collection box 1.
[0062] Regarding the priority of the drain pump connected to the water collection box 1, it is higher than the priority of the heating device. Specifically, for example, the clothing processing equipment first determines whether the water level in the water collection box 1 has reached the preset level. If it has, it controls the drain pump to operate and pump out the water from the water collection box 1. If it determines that the water level in the water collection box 1 has not reached the preset level, it controls the drain pump not to operate. After the clothing processing equipment has determined whether the drain pump needs to operate, and if it determines that the drain pump needs to operate, after the drain pump has completed its operation, the control device then determines whether the heating device needs to operate. If it determines that the heating device needs to operate, it starts the heating device; if it determines that the heating device does not need to operate, it does not start the heating device. That is, the water in the water collection box 1 is mainly pumped out by the drain pump, and the heating device is mainly used to evaporate the residual water left in the water collection box 1 that was not pumped out by the drain pump.
[0063] The garment processing equipment includes a main controller, which controls the operating status of the garment processing drying system, the operating status of the drain pump, and so on. The control device provided in this embodiment can be integrated into the main controller, in which case the main controller controls the control status of the heating device; however, the control device provided in this embodiment and the main controller are two different control devices, which can be connected via wiring terminals.
[0064] In a specific example, to determine whether the drain pump needs to work in the clothing processing equipment described above, a water level detection device is installed in the water collection box 1. The water level detection device is used to detect whether the water level in the water collection box 1 has reached a preset height value. If the water level detection device detects that the water level in the water collection box 1 has reached the preset height value, the main controller controls the drain pump to work. If the water level detection device detects that the water level in the water collection box 1 has not reached the preset height value, the main controller controls the drain pump not to work.
[0065] The control device mentioned above determines whether the heating device needs to work in the following scenarios:
[0066] For example, in one scenario, the control device controls the operation of the heating device based on the number of times the clothes drying equipment dries the clothes. Specifically, after each drying cycle, the clothes drying equipment is not immediately powered off. Instead, the control device controls the heating device to operate (of course, before the control device controls the heating device to operate, the main controller has already determined whether the drain pump needs to operate. During the drying process, the control device continuously checks whether the drain pump needs to operate. If the main controller determines that the drain pump needs to operate, it has already completed its work before the control device controls the heating device to operate). This evaporates the water in the water collection box 1. When it is determined that the water in the water collection box 1 has evaporated, the control device controls the heating device to stop operating. At this time, the clothes drying equipment issues an indication that the clothes are dried and then disconnects the power. Alternatively, the control device can accumulate the number of times the clothes drying equipment has dried clothes. The control device has a preset parameter N. When the number of times the clothes drying equipment has dried clothes equals N, after the Nth drying cycle, the clothes drying equipment is not immediately powered off. Instead, the control device activates the heating device (of course, before activating the heating device, the main controller has already determined whether the drain pump needs to operate; if the main controller determines that the drain pump needs to operate, it will have already completed its operation before the control device activates the heating device) to evaporate the water in the water collection box 1. Once the water in the water collection box 1 has evaporated, the control device stops the heating device. After each operation of the heating device, the number of times the clothes drying equipment has dried clothes is re-accumulated.
[0067] When it is determined that the water in the water collection box 1 has evaporated, the control device controls the heating device to stop working. In one specific example, after the control device controls the heating device to work for time T, it is determined that the water in the water collection box 1 has evaporated. Alternatively, in another specific example, when it is detected that there is no water in the water collection box 1, it is determined that the water in the water collection box 1 has evaporated.
[0068] Regarding the control device's determination of whether the heating device needs to operate, for example, in another scenario, the control device controls the heating device's operation based on the number of times the drain pump operates. Specifically, during the clothes drying process, the control device determines whether the drain pump has operated. If it determines that the drain pump has operated during the drying process, the clothes drying equipment does not immediately shut off after drying; instead, the control device activates the heating device. If it determines that the drain pump has not operated during the drying process, the clothes drying equipment can issue a drying completion indicator and automatically shut off after drying. Alternatively, the control device can accumulate the number of times the drain pump operates. The control device has a preset parameter n. When the number of times the drain pump operates is greater than n, the clothes drying equipment does not immediately shut off after drying; instead, the control device activates the heating device to evaporate the water in the water collection box 1. When it is determined that the water in the water collection box 1 has evaporated, the control device stops the heating device. After each operation of the heating device, the number of drain pump operations is recalculated.
[0069] Regarding the control device's determination of whether the heating device needs to operate, for example, in another scenario, the control device controls the operation of the heating device based on whether there is water in the water collection box 1. Specifically, the water collection box 1 is equipped with a water accumulation detection device, which is connected to the control device. The water accumulation detection device is used to detect the water accumulation in the water collection box 1. It should be noted that the water level detection device mentioned above is different from the water accumulation detection device. The water level detection device is used to detect whether the water level in the water collection box 1 has reached a preset height value. Specifically, the water level detection device is used to detect whether the water in the water collection box 1 is almost full, while the water accumulation detection device is used to detect whether there is water in the water collection box 1. Therefore, the water accumulation detection device is different from the water level detection device mentioned above. After each drying cycle, and after the clothing processing equipment determines whether the drain pump needs to work, and if it does, the control device controls the operation of the heating device based on the signal transmitted by the water accumulation detection device. That is, when the water accumulation detection device detects water in the water accumulation box 1, it controls the heating device to work; when the water accumulation detection device detects no water in the water accumulation box 1, it controls the heating device to not work.
[0070] The water collection box self-sterilization structure provided in this embodiment has a heating device connected to a control device, which can control the working state of the heating device. The heating device is connected to the water collection box 1. When the heating device is working, it can generate heat, which can be used to evaporate the water in the water collection box 1, thereby keeping the water collection box 1 dry and reducing the growth of bacteria and the generation of odors.
[0071] Regarding the location of the heating device on the water collection box 1, in one embodiment, the heating device includes an electric heating part 2, which is embedded in the wall panel of the water collection box 1.
[0072] In this embodiment, an installation groove can be provided on the inner side of the wall panel of the water collection box 1, and the electric heating part 2 can be embedded in the water collection box 1 through the installation groove; or, an installation groove can be provided on the outer side of the wall panel of the water collection box 1, and the electric heating part 2 can be embedded in the water collection box 1 through the installation groove; or, an installation cavity is formed in the wall panel of the water collection box 1, and when the electric heating part 2 is embedded in the wall panel of the water collection box 1 through the installation cavity, the electric heating part 2 cannot be seen from the inner side and the outer side of the water collection box 1. Of course, the wire connected to the electric heating part 2 needs to pass through the outer side of the water collection box 1.
[0073] In this embodiment, by embedding the electric heating unit 2 inside the wall panel of the water collection box 1, it can not only heat and evaporate the water in the water collection box 1 during operation, but also fix the electric heating unit 2 to the water collection box 1 without the need for other fasteners.
[0074] Regarding the location of the heating device on the water collection box 1, in another embodiment, the heating device includes an electric heating part 2, which is disposed on the inner side of the water collection box 1.
[0075] In this embodiment, the electric heating part 2 can be fixed to the inner side of the water collection box 1 by means of a fastener, so that the water in the water collection box 1 can be heated and evaporated when the heating device is working.
[0076] In this embodiment, the electric heating part 2 is disposed on the inner side of the water collection box 1, which facilitates the direct contact between the water in the water collection box 1 and the electric heating part 2, thereby improving the efficiency of water evaporation.
[0077] Regarding the location of the heating device on the water collection box 1, in another embodiment, the heating device includes an electric heating part 2, which is disposed on the outer side of the water collection box 1.
[0078] In this embodiment, the electric heating element 2 can be fixed to the outer side of the water collection box 1 using a fastener. When the heating device is working, the heat from the heating device is transferred to the water inside the water collection box 1 through the wall of the water collection box 1, thereby achieving the heating and evaporation of the water inside the water collection box 1 when the heating device is working.
[0079] Regarding the electric heating unit 2, in one embodiment, please refer to... Figure 1 The electric heating part 2 is an electric heating wire, and the electric heating part 2 is distributed on the inner bottom surface of the water collection box 1.
[0080] In this embodiment, the electric heating wires are distributed on the inner bottom surface of the water collection box 1, so that the water in the water collection box 1 can directly contact the electric heating part 2, which helps to improve the efficiency of water evaporation.
[0081] Regarding the heating device, as mentioned above, the heating device includes an electric heating unit 2. Regarding the structure of the heating device, in another embodiment, the heating device includes a drying system of the clothing processing equipment, an air duct, and a drive fan. The air duct is connected to the drying system of the clothing processing equipment, and the drive fan is located on the air duct. The drive fan is used to guide the high-temperature air generated by the drying system to the water collection box 1 through the air duct.
[0082] In this embodiment, by introducing high-temperature air into the water collection box 1, the heat of the high-temperature air can be transferred to the water inside the water collection box 1 through the wall panel of the water collection box 1, thereby evaporating the water inside the water collection box 1.
[0083] Regarding the drying system of the clothing processing equipment, in one example, the drying system of the clothing processing equipment is a heat pump system, which includes a compressor 3, a condenser 4, a throttling element 5, and an evaporator 6 connected in sequence; in another example, the drying system of the clothing processing equipment is a moisture absorption and dehumidification system, which includes a dehumidification turntable 7 and a turntable dehumidification device, the turntable dehumidification device being able to generate hot air that is blown towards the regeneration zone; or, in another example, the drying system of the clothing processing equipment includes both a heat pump system and a moisture absorption and dehumidification system.
[0084] When the drying system is a heat pump system, the evaporator 6 and condenser 4 of the heat pump system are installed on the air duct. When it is necessary to draw high-temperature air into the water collection box 1 through the drying system, the drying system is started and the fan is driven. The circulating airflow circulates in the evaporator 6, condenser 4 and water collection box 1 to evaporate the water in the water collection box 1.
[0085] When the drying system is a moisture absorption and dehumidification system, the air duct is connected to the rotary dehumidification device. When it is necessary to draw high-temperature air into the water collection box 1 through the drying system, the drying system and the fan are started. The high-temperature hot air generated by the rotary dehumidification device is drawn to the water collection box 1 to evaporate the water in the water collection box 1.
[0086] When the drying system of the clothing processing equipment includes both a heat pump system and a moisture absorption and dehumidification system, the heat pump system can be used to provide high-temperature hot air to the water collection box 1, or the moisture absorption and dehumidification system can be used to provide high-temperature hot air to the water collection box 1.
[0087] In this embodiment, the drying system is used to draw high-temperature air into the water collection box 1, which facilitates the evaporation of the water in the water collection box 1.
[0088] As mentioned in the scenario above, the self-sterilizing structure of the water collection box includes a water collection detection device. This device is mounted on the water collection box 1 and connected to a control device. The water collection detection device is used to detect the water accumulation inside the water collection box 1. (See also...) Figure 2The diagram illustrates that both the water accumulation detection device and the heating device are connected to the control device. Regarding the specific structure of the water accumulation detection device, in one embodiment, the device includes a detection circuit and two electrode plates. The two electrode plates are connected to the detection circuit, which is electrically connected to the control device. The two electrode plates are spaced apart and disposed on the inner bottom surface of the water accumulation box 1.
[0089] In this embodiment, when there is water on the inner bottom surface of the water collection box 1, the two electrode plates can conduct the circuit through the water, and then the detection circuit can send a detection signal to the control device. When there is no water on the inner bottom surface of the water collection box 1, an open circuit is formed between the two electrode plates, and the detection circuit cannot send a detection signal to the control device. At this time, the control device determines that there is no water in the water collection box 1.
[0090] In this embodiment, by setting a water accumulation detection device including a detection circuit and two electrode plates, it is easy to accurately detect whether there is water accumulation in the water accumulation box 1.
[0091] A garment cleaning device includes a water collection box 1 and a self-sterilizing structure for the water collection box as provided in any of the above embodiments. The self-sterilizing structure for the water collection box includes a heating device and a control device, which are connected to each other. The heating device is connected to the water collection box 1 and generates heat when it is working. The generated heat can be used to evaporate the water in the water collection box 1, thereby keeping the water collection box 1 dry and reducing bacterial growth and odor generation.
[0092] Clothing processing equipment includes a drying system for drying clothes, which may include a heat pump system or a moisture desiccation system, or both.
[0093] The heat pump system includes a compressor 3, a condenser 4, a throttling element 5, and an evaporator 6 connected in sequence. When the drying system only includes the heat pump system, the water collection box 1 is located below the evaporator 6 of the heat pump system, and the liquid water condensed on the surface of the evaporator 6 can fall into the water collection box 1.
[0094] The dehumidification system includes a dehumidification disc 7 and a disc dehumidification device. The dehumidification disc 7 has an adsorption zone and a regeneration zone. The disc dehumidification device can generate hot air and blow it towards the regeneration zone.
[0095] In some embodiments, the dehumidifying disc 7 can be a honeycomb or corrugated disc carrying a desiccant, capable of adsorbing and desorbing absorbed water vapor to achieve repeated desorption and regeneration. In other embodiments, the dehumidifying disc 7 includes an inorganic / organic fiber carrier (such as ceramic, glass fiber, MOFs, COFs, cordierite, etc.), coated with a desiccant such as a molecular sieve. The desiccant is uniformly distributed between and on the surface of the fiber carrier to achieve adsorption of moisture in the airflow. The desiccant can be, for example, zeolite, modified / synthetic zeolite, molecular sieves (including but not limited to single-crystal or mixed-crystal molecular sieves such as A-type molecular sieves, X / Y-type molecular sieves, ZSM molecular sieves, Beta molecular sieves, etc.), polymeric desiccant, alkali metal aluminosilicates (13X molecular sieves), lithium chloride, silica gel, modified silica gel, activated alumina, and other materials with hygroscopic properties.
[0096] Please see Figure 3 ,exist Figure 3 In the example, the rotary dehumidifier includes a heater 8, a first fan 9, and a cooler 10. Driven by the first fan 9, the air heated by the heater 8 flows to the regeneration zone, and the airflow in the regeneration zone is dehumidified by the cooler 10 and then flows back to the heater 8. When the drying system only includes a moisture absorption and dehumidification system, the water collection box 1 is located below the cooler 10, and the liquid water condensed on the surface of the cooler 10 can fall into the water collection box 1.
[0097] about Figure 3 In the example, the cooler 10 can be a water-cooled heat exchanger. In this case, the cooler 10 has an inlet and an outlet, both of which are connected to a water flow pipe inside the cooler 10. Water can enter the water flow pipe through the inlet and exit through the outlet. The water flowing inside the cooler 10 can exchange heat with the air passing over its surface. The water absorbs heat from the air, causing the air to cool down and condense into condensate, thus enabling the cooler 10 to dehumidify the air passing through the regeneration zone of the dehumidification turntable 7. Alternatively, a first heat exchange duct and a second heat exchange duct are formed inside the cooler 10. The first heat exchange duct and the second heat exchange duct are not connected. The air passing through the regeneration zone flows to the first fan 9 through the first heat exchange duct. Another fan drives the air outside the clothing processing equipment to flow to the second heat exchange duct. The air flowing in the second heat exchange duct exchanges heat with the air flowing in the first heat exchange duct. That is, the air flowing in the second heat exchange duct absorbs the heat of the air flowing in the first heat exchange duct, so as to achieve condensation and dehumidification of the air passing through the regeneration zone of the dehumidification turntable 7.
[0098] When the drying system includes both a heat pump system and a desiccant system, the water collection box 1 is located below the evaporator 6 of the heat pump system, allowing liquid water condensed on the surface of the evaporator 6 to fall into the water collection box 1. If the desiccant system also produces condensate, the water collection box 1 also collects the condensate produced by the desiccant system. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 3 The rotary dehumidifier includes a heater 8, a first fan 9, and a cooler 10. When the dehumidification system is operating, condensation can be generated on the surface of the cooler 10. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 4 The rotary dehumidifier includes a heater 8, a first fan 9, and a flow duct. The heater 8 and the first fan 9 are located on the flow duct. Driven by the first fan 9, air outside the garment processing equipment flows through the flow duct to the regeneration zone. Air passing through the regeneration zone is discharged from the outside of the garment processing equipment through the airflow channel. The heater 8 heats the air flowing to the regeneration zone. Because the air passing through the regeneration zone is discharged from the outside of the garment processing equipment through the airflow channel, the dehumidification system does not produce condensate. Therefore, when the drying system includes both a heat pump system and a dehumidification system, and the dehumidification system also produces condensate, the water collection box 1 also collects the condensate produced by the dehumidification system.
[0099] When the drying system includes both a heat pump system and a moisture absorption and dehumidification system, in one embodiment, the dehumidification turntable 7 is disposed between the evaporator 6 and the condenser 4, and the airflow passing through the evaporator 6 can flow to the condenser 4 through the adsorption zone.
[0100] In this embodiment, the adsorption zone of the dehumidification disc 7 is located between the evaporator 6 and the condenser 4. Airflow passing through the evaporator 6 can flow to the condenser 4 via the adsorption zone. That is, after the air is dehumidified by the evaporator 6, it can undergo secondary dehumidification via the adsorption zone of the dehumidification disc 7. When the drying system provided in this embodiment is applied to clothing processing equipment and the heat pump system and the dehumidification system operate simultaneously, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 3 The airflow direction inside the clothing processing equipment is as follows: After passing through the condenser 4, the air is heated into high-temperature dry air, and then enters the cylinder 11 through the impeller 12 to remove the moisture from the clothes. After passing through the filter screen 13, the air flows to the evaporator 6. After being cooled and condensed into water by the evaporator 6, the air flows to the adsorption zone of the dehumidification disc 7. After being dehumidified by the adsorption zone of the dehumidification disc 7, the air flows back to the condenser 4 to be heated, and the cycle repeats.
[0101] The clothing processing equipment provided in this embodiment has three operating modes: a single heat pump system dehumidification mode, a single moisture absorption and dehumidification system dehumidification mode, and a simultaneous heat pump and molecular sieve dehumidification mode. The single heat pump system dehumidification mode means only the heat pump system operates; the single moisture absorption and dehumidification system dehumidification mode means only the moisture absorption and dehumidification system operates; and the simultaneous heat pump and molecular sieve dehumidification mode means both the heat pump system and the moisture absorption and dehumidification system are operating simultaneously.
[0102] Specifically, when using the single moisture absorption and dehumidification system in dehumidification mode, when humid air passes through the adsorption zone of the dehumidification disc 7, the adsorption zone can adsorb the moisture in the air, achieving the dehumidification effect. In addition, as mentioned above, when the regeneration zone of the dehumidification disc 7 is regenerated and forms an adsorption zone by rotating the dehumidification disc 7, the adsorption zone has the heat provided by the disc dehumidification device, which allows the adsorption zone to heat the air passing through it. Therefore, when using the single moisture absorption and dehumidification system in dehumidification mode, it can also achieve the effect of drying clothes inside the drum 11.
[0103] When the clothing processing equipment dries wet clothes, it can operate in one working mode during the drying process. For example, it can operate in a single heat pump system dehumidification mode or in a heat pump and molecular sieve dehumidification mode that operate simultaneously. Alternatively, during the drying process, it can operate in a single heat pump system dehumidification mode or a heat pump and molecular sieve dehumidification mode at different time periods.
[0104] For example, when the ambient temperature is relatively low, in order to improve the drying efficiency of the clothing processing equipment, the clothing processing equipment can be controlled to operate in a dehumidification mode where the heat pump and molecular sieve work simultaneously; when the ambient temperature is relatively high, in order to avoid the heat pump system compressor 3 from shutting down due to heavy workload, the clothing processing equipment can be controlled to operate in a single heat pump system dehumidification mode.
[0105] In one embodiment, the garment processing equipment further includes a drying counter, which is connected to the main controller of the garment processing equipment. The drying counter is used to detect the number of times the garment processing equipment dries clothes. The drying counter transmits the detected signal to the main controller. Specifically, the control flow of the garment processing equipment includes the following:
[0106] The main controller determines whether the current number of times the clothes are being dried by the clothes processing equipment is equal to N based on the signal transmitted by the drying counting device.
[0107] If so, the main controller determines whether the current clothing processing equipment has finished drying the clothes;
[0108] If so, the main controller determines whether the drainage pump connected to the water collection box 1 is not in operation;
[0109] If so, the heating device is controlled to work, and heat is generated by the heating device to evaporate the water in the water collection box 1.
[0110] In the above control process, after each heating device completes its operation, the number of times the clothing processing equipment dries clothes will be recalculated.
[0111] In one embodiment, the garment processing equipment further includes a water pump operation count device, which is connected to the main controller of the garment processing equipment. The water pump operation count device is used to detect the number of times the water pump connected to the water collection box operates. The drying count device transmits the detected signal to the main controller. Specifically, the control flow of the garment processing equipment includes the following:
[0112] The main controller determines whether the clothes drying equipment has finished drying the clothes;
[0113] If so, the main controller determines whether the drainage pump connected to the water collection box 1 is not in operation;
[0114] If so, the main controller determines whether the number of times the drainage pump operates is greater than n based on the signal transmitted by the pump operation count device.
[0115] If so, the heating device is controlled to work, and heat is generated by the heating device to evaporate the water in the water collection box 1.
[0116] In the above control process, the number of times the drain pump works will be recalculated after each operation of the heating device.
[0117] For a method of removing water from the water collection box 1 using the clothing processing device provided in any of the above embodiments, please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 5 It includes the following:
[0118] Determine whether the clothing processing equipment meets the conditions for heating the water collection box 1;
[0119] If so, the heating device is controlled to work, and heat is generated by the heating device to evaporate the water in the water collection box 1.
[0120] The method for removing water from the water collection box 1 provided in this embodiment can control the heating device to work when it is determined whether the clothing processing equipment meets the conditions for heating the water collection box 1. When the heating device works, it can generate heat, which can be used to evaporate the water in the water collection box 1, thereby keeping the water collection box 1 dry and reducing the growth of bacteria and the generation of odors.
[0121] Regarding the method for removing water from water collection box 1, for example, in a specific case:
[0122] Determine whether the clothing processing equipment has finished drying the clothes;
[0123] If so, determine whether the drain pump connected to the water collection box 1 is not in operation;
[0124] If so, the heating device is controlled to work, and heat is generated by the heating device to evaporate the water in the water collection box 1.
[0125] In this example, after each time the clothing processing equipment finishes drying the clothes (i.e., after the clothing processing equipment dries the clothes N times), the clothing processing equipment is not immediately powered off. Instead, after confirming that the drain pump is not working, the control device first controls the heating device to work to evaporate the water in the water collection box 1. When it is determined that the water in the water collection box 1 has been evaporated, the control device controls the heating device to stop working. At this time, the clothing processing equipment issues an instruction that the clothes are dried and then cuts off the power.
[0126] Regarding the method for determining whether the water in water collection box 1 has completely evaporated, the specific method in one example is as follows:
[0127] Determine whether the heating device is working for time T.
[0128] If so, determine that the water in water collection box 1 has completely evaporated;
[0129] The specific method for determining whether the water in water collection box 1 has completely evaporated is described in another example:
[0130] Test the water level in water collection box 1;
[0131] If water is still detected, it is determined that the water in water collection box 1 has not completely evaporated;
[0132] If no water accumulation is detected, it is determined that the water in water collection box 1 has evaporated completely.
[0133] The above describes a specific example of a method for removing water from water collection box 1. In another specific example:
[0134] Determine whether the number of times the clothes are dried by the current clothes processing equipment is equal to N, where N is greater than or equal to 2;
[0135] If so, determine whether the current clothing processing equipment has finished drying the clothes;
[0136] If so, determine whether the drain pump connected to the water collection box 1 is not in operation;
[0137] If so, the heating device is controlled to work, and heat is generated by the heating device to evaporate the water in the water collection box 1.
[0138] Determine whether the current number of times the clothing processing equipment is drying clothes is equal to N. That is, including the clothing processing equipment currently performing the drying operation, determine whether to perform the drying operation N times.
[0139] In this example, the water in the water collection box 1 is treated only after the number of times the clothes drying equipment has dried clothes equals N. Once the water in the water collection box 1 has evaporated, the control device stops the heating device. After each heating device completes its operation, the number of times the clothes drying equipment has dried clothes is recalculated.
[0140] In another specific example, regarding the method for removing water from water collection box 1:
[0141] Determine whether the clothing processing equipment has finished drying the clothes;
[0142] If so, determine whether the drain pump connected to the water collection box 1 is not in operation;
[0143] If so, then determine whether the number of times the drainage pump operates is greater than n, where n is greater than or equal to 1;
[0144] If so, the heating device is controlled to work, and heat is generated by the heating device to evaporate the water in the water collection box 1.
[0145] In this example, the operation of the heating device is controlled based on the number of times the drain pump operates. When the number of drain pump operations exceeds n, the clothing processing equipment is not immediately powered off after drying; instead, the control device activates the heating device to evaporate the moisture in the water collection box 1. The number of drain pump operations is recalculated after each operation of the heating device.
[0146] Please see Figure 6 Regarding the method for removing water from water collection box 1, in another specific example:
[0147] Determine whether the clothing processing equipment has finished drying the clothes;
[0148] If so, determine whether the drain pump connected to the water collection box 1 is not in operation:
[0149] If so, then check whether there is water in the water collection box 1;
[0150] If so, the heating device is controlled to work, and heat is generated by the heating device to evaporate the water in the water collection box 1.
[0151] In this example, the operation of the heating device is controlled based on whether there is water accumulation in the water collection box 1. Specifically, a water accumulation detection device is installed on the water collection box 1, which is connected to the control device and is used to detect the water accumulation in the water collection box 1.
[0152] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.
Claims
1. A self-sterilizing structure for a water collection box, characterized in that, include: A heating device is connected to the water collection box (1) and is used to generate heat to evaporate the water in the water collection box (1); A control device is connected to the heating device, and the control device is used to control the working state of the heating device.
2. The self-sterilizing structure of the water collection box as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The heating device includes an electric heating part (2), which is embedded in the wall panel of the water collection box (1), or the electric heating part (2) is disposed on the inner side of the water collection box (1), or the electric heating part (2) is disposed on the outer surface of the water collection box (1).
3. The self-sterilizing structure of the water collection box as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The electric heating part (2) is an electric heating wire, and the electric heating part (2) is distributed on the inner bottom surface of the water collection box (1).
4. The self-sterilizing structure of the water collection box as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The heating device includes a drying system for clothing processing equipment, an air duct, and a drive fan. The air duct is connected to the drying system, and the drive fan is located on the air duct. The drive fan is used to guide the high-temperature air generated by the drying system to the water collection box (1) through the air duct.
5. The self-sterilizing structure of the water collection box as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The self-sterilizing structure of the water collection box also includes a water collection detection device, which is disposed on the water collection box (1) and connected to the control device. The water collection detection device is used to detect the water in the water collection box (1).
6. The self-sterilizing structure of the water collection box as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The water accumulation detection device includes a detection circuit and two electrode plates. The two electrode plates are connected to the detection circuit, and the detection circuit is electrically connected to the control device. The two electrode plates are spaced apart on the inner bottom surface of the water accumulation box (1).
7. A garment processing device, characterized in that, It includes a water collection box (1) and a self-sterilizing structure for the water collection box according to any one of claims 1-6.
8. The garment processing equipment as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The garment processing equipment includes a drying system for drying garments, the drying system including a heat pump system and / or a moisture absorption and dehumidification system; The heat pump system includes a compressor (3), a condenser (4), a throttling element (5), and an evaporator (6) connected in sequence; The dehumidification system includes a dehumidification turntable (7) and a turntable dehumidification device. The dehumidification turntable (7) has an adsorption zone and a regeneration zone. The turntable dehumidification device can generate hot air and blow it toward the regeneration zone.
9. The garment processing equipment as described in claim 8, characterized in that, When the drying system includes a heat pump system and a moisture absorption and dehumidification system, the dehumidification turntable (7) is arranged between the evaporator (6) and the condenser (4), and the airflow passing through the evaporator (6) can flow to the condenser (4) through the adsorption zone; The garment processing equipment includes three working modes: a single heat pump system dehumidification mode, a single moisture absorption and dehumidification system dehumidification mode, and a heat pump and molecular sieve working simultaneously dehumidification mode.
10. A method for removing water from a water collection box using the self-sterilizing structure of any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, Includes the following: Determine whether the clothing processing equipment meets the conditions for heating the water collection box (1); If so, the heating device is controlled to work, and heat is generated by the operation of the heating device to evaporate the water in the water collection box (1).
11. The method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The determination of whether the clothing processing device meets the conditions for heating the water collection box includes: Determine whether the clothing processing equipment has finished drying the clothes; If so, determine whether the drain pump connected to the water collection box (1) is not in operation: If so, then check whether there is water in the water collection box (1); If so, then the clothing processing equipment is deemed to meet the conditions for heating the water collection box (1).
12. The method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The determination of whether the clothing processing device meets the conditions for heating the water collection box includes: Determine whether the clothing processing equipment has finished drying the clothes; If so, determine whether the drain pump connected to the water collection box 1 is not in operation; If so, then determine whether the number of times the drainage pump operates is greater than n, where n is greater than or equal to 1; If so, then the clothing processing equipment is deemed to meet the conditions for heating the water collection box (1).
13. The method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The determination of whether the clothing processing device meets the conditions for heating the water collection box includes: Determine whether the number of times the clothes are dried by the current clothes processing equipment is equal to N, where N is greater than or equal to 1; If so, determine whether the current clothing processing equipment has finished drying the clothes; If so, determine whether the drain pump connected to the water collection box 1 is not in operation; If so, then the clothing processing equipment is deemed to meet the conditions for heating the water collection box (1).