Water intake control method for multi-drum washing machine, and multi-drum washing machine

Abstract

A water intake control method for a multi-drum washing machine. The method comprises: when a plurality of drums require simultaneous water intake, if one washing drum is executing a water intake procedure, controlling the other washing drums to avoid simultaneously performing the water intake procedure. Therefore, the water intake efficiency of each washing drum can be ensured; moreover, the water intake sequence of the plurality of washing drums is controlled, such that water intake conflicts therebetween can be prevented, thereby ensuring the washing effect, and improving the washing efficiency. The present invention further relates to a multi-drum washing machine.

Description

Water inlet control method for multi-drum washing machines and multi-drum washing machines

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. CN202411045443.2, filed on July 31, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to the field of multi-drum washing machine technology, specifically providing a water inlet control method for a multi-drum washing machine and a multi-drum washing machine. Background Technology

[0003] With the continuous improvement of living standards, washing machines have long been a common household appliance, becoming an important part of daily life. As consumers increasingly demand separate washing of clothes and higher washing efficiency, multi-drum washing machines capable of this function have gradually appeared on the market. Multi-drum washing machines typically have two or more washing drums to meet the washing needs of ordinary families.

[0004] When a multi-drum washing machine is running a washing program and multiple drums simultaneously require water intake, controlling the water intake of all drums at the same time will result in a reduced water flow to each drum. Conversely, controlling the water intake of the drums to be out of sync will cause conflicts between the water intake needs of each drum. Therefore, to ensure the normal operation of a multi-drum washing machine, those skilled in the art need to provide a new technical solution to address the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned technical problem, namely, to solve the problem of conflicting water inlet requirements among existing multi-drum washing machines that have water inlet requirements at the same time.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a water inlet control method for a multi-drum washing machine, the washing machine including at least two washing drums, the control method including: when multiple drums need to be filled with water simultaneously, if one washing drum is performing a water inlet program, controlling the other washing drums not to perform a water inlet program simultaneously.

[0007] In a specific implementation of the water inlet control method for the multi-drum washing machine described above, the step of "controlling other washing drums not to execute water inlet programs simultaneously when one of the washing drums is executing a water inlet program" specifically includes: obtaining the water inlet sequence of the washing drums; and controlling multiple washing drums to execute the water inlet program sequentially according to the water inlet sequence.

[0008] In a specific embodiment of the water inlet control method for the multi-drum washing machine described above, the step of "obtaining the water inlet sequence of the washing drum" specifically includes: sorting the water inlet sequence of the washing drum according to the water inlet determination conditions; obtaining the water inlet sequence of the washing drum; wherein, the water inlet determination conditions include at least one of the required water inlet volume of the washing drum, the remaining running time of the washing drum, and the heating requirement of the washing drum.

[0009] In a specific implementation of the water inlet control method for the multi-drum washing machine described above, the step of "sorting the water inlet order of the washing drum according to the water inlet determination conditions" specifically includes: obtaining the user's washing habits; prioritizing the various water inlet determination conditions according to the user's washing habits; and sorting the water inlet order of the washing drum according to the sorted water inlet determination conditions.

[0010] In a specific implementation of the water inlet control method for the multi-drum washing machine described above, the step of "prioritizing the various water inlet determination conditions according to the user's washing habits" specifically includes: if the user's washing habit is single-drum washing, the priority of the various water inlet determination conditions is as follows: the remaining running time of the washing drum has a higher priority than the heating requirement of the washing drum has a higher priority than the required water volume of the washing drum.

[0011] When employing the above technical solution, if the user's washing habit is single-drum washing, the program determines that the user expects to complete the washing cycle of one drum first; that is, the program defaults to completing the washing cycle of multiple drums one by one as the washing standard. Therefore, when the user is washing multiple drums simultaneously and all drums need to be filled with water at the same time, the program first compares the remaining running time of each drum and controls the drums to be filled with water sequentially in ascending order of remaining running time. Further, if two or more drums have the same remaining running time, the program then determines the heating requirement of each drum and controls the drum requiring heating to be filled with water first. Even further, if two or more drums both require heating, the program controls the drums to be filled with water sequentially in ascending order of heating time required for heating. If two or more drums do not require heating, the program then compares the required water volume of each drum and controls the drums to be filled with water sequentially in ascending order of water volume required for heating.

[0012] In a specific implementation of the water inlet control method for the multi-drum washing machine described above, the step of "prioritizing the various water inlet determination conditions according to the user's washing habits" further includes: if the user's washing habit is multi-drum washing, then first determine whether the washing drum has a heating requirement; if the washing drum has a heating requirement, then set the heating requirement of the washing drum as the highest priority of the water inlet determination conditions; if the washing drum does not have a heating requirement, then the priority of the various water inlet determination conditions is ranked as follows: the priority of the required water volume of the washing drum is higher than the priority of the remaining running time of the washing drum.

[0013] When using the above technical solution, if the user's washing habit is multi-drum washing, the program defaults to using efficiency as the washing standard. Therefore, when the user is performing multi-drum washing and all drums need water simultaneously, the program first determines whether each drum requires heating. If heating is required, this requirement is set as the highest priority in the water intake determination, and the number of drums requiring heating is determined. If only one drum requires heating, that drum is prioritized for water intake. If multiple drums require heating simultaneously, they are controlled to enter water sequentially according to their heating time requirements, from shortest to longest. If no heating is required, the required water volume is set as the highest priority in the water intake determination, and the required water volumes of each drum are compared, controlling the drums to enter water sequentially in ascending order of water volume. Furthermore, if two or more drums have the same required water volume, the remaining running time of each drum is compared, controlling the drums to enter water sequentially in ascending order of remaining running time.

[0014] In a specific embodiment of the water inlet control method for the multi-drum washing machine described above, the step of determining the water inlet condition as the required water inlet amount of the washing drum specifically includes: obtaining the water inlet amount of each washing drum; and the water inlet sequence of the multiple washing drums is to enter water sequentially in order of increasing water inlet amount.

[0015] In a specific embodiment of the water inlet control method for the multi-drum washing machine described above, the step of determining the water inlet condition as the remaining running time of the washing drum specifically includes: obtaining the remaining running time of each washing drum; and the water inlet sequence of the multiple washing drums is to enter water sequentially in ascending order of the remaining running time.

[0016] In a specific embodiment of the water inlet control method for the multi-drum washing machine described above, the step of determining the water inlet condition as the heating requirement of the washing drum specifically includes: obtaining the number of washing drums with heating requirements; when the number of washing drums is equal to 1, the water inlet order of the multiple washing drums is that the washing drums with heating requirements are given priority in water inlet; when the number of washing drums is greater than 1, the water inlet order of the multiple washing drums is that water is added sequentially in order of heating time from shortest to longest according to the heating requirements.

[0017] In a specific implementation of the water inlet control method for the multi-drum washing machine described above, the step of "obtaining the water inlet sequence of the washing drum" further includes: sorting the water inlet sequence of the washing drum according to user instructions; and obtaining the water inlet sequence of the washing drum.

[0018] The present invention also provides a multi-drum washing machine, including a controller configured to perform the water inlet control method described above.

[0019] When the above technical solution is adopted, if multiple washing drums need to be filled with water at the same time, and one washing drum is performing the water filling program, controlling the other washing drums to not perform the water filling program at the same time can ensure the water filling efficiency of each washing drum. At the same time, controlling the water filling sequence of multiple washing drums can avoid water filling conflicts between them, ensure the washing effect, and improve the washing efficiency.

[0020] Furthermore, by prioritizing various water intake determination conditions based on users' washing habits, the multi-tub system can both meet user needs and provide personalized services while ensuring water intake efficiency.

[0021] Furthermore, the water intake sequence of each washing drum can be executed sequentially according to the user's specified order, meeting user needs and making it more user-friendly. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 is a flowchart of the main steps of the water inlet control method for the multi-drum washing machine of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 is a possible complete flowchart of the water inlet control method for the multi-drum washing machine of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 is a flowchart of another possible complete steps of the water inlet control method of the multi-drum washing machine of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make adjustments as needed to adapt to specific application scenarios.

[0027] It should be noted that although the steps of the control method of the present invention are described in a specific order in the description of the present invention, these orders are not restrictive. Without departing from the basic principles of the present invention, those skilled in the art can perform the steps in different orders.

[0028] The washing machine of the present invention includes a cabinet, within which at least two washing drums are disposed. Each washing drum is provided with a water inlet pipe connected to it, and each washing drum independently receives water and independently runs a washing program. It should be noted that the number of washing drums and their positions within the cabinet can be set by those skilled in the art according to actual needs, and the present invention does not impose any limitations in this regard. However, in actual implementation, the technical solution described in the present invention must be satisfied. Of course, the washing machine of the present invention can be a drum washing machine or a top-loading washing machine. The control method of the present invention is described below using a drum washing machine as an example.

[0029] First, refer to Figure 1, which is a flowchart of the main steps of the water inlet control method for the multi-drum washing machine of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the control method of the present invention includes:

[0030] S1, when multiple tubs need to be filled with water at the same time, if one of the washing tubs is performing the water filling program, control the other washing tubs not to perform the water filling program at the same time.

[0031] In the above steps, the situation where multiple tubs need to be filled with water simultaneously includes both cases where the start time of water filling is exactly the same and cases where the difference in the start time of water filling is within a certain range, i.e., multiple tubs need to be filled with water at intervals of time t. In this case, there is also a possibility of water filling conflict between the multiple tubs. For example, suppose there are two washing tubs that need to be filled with water simultaneously, denoted as the first washing tub and the second washing tub, respectively. When the first washing tub is executing its water filling program, after an interval of time t, the water filling program of the first washing tub has not yet been completed, while the second washing tub also needs to execute its water filling program. In this case, there is a water filling conflict between the first washing tub and the second washing tub.

[0032] In step S1, the step of "controlling the other washing drums not to execute the water inlet program simultaneously when one of the washing drums is performing the water inlet program" specifically includes:

[0033] S11, Obtain the water inlet sequence of the washing drum.

[0034] S12 controls multiple washing drums to execute the water intake program sequentially according to the water intake order.

[0035] Step S11 specifically includes:

[0036] S111, Sort the water inlet sequence of the washing drum according to the water inlet determination conditions;

[0037] S112, Obtain the water inlet sequence of the washing drum;

[0038] The water inlet determination criteria include at least one of the following: the required water inlet volume of the washing drum, the remaining running time of the washing drum, and the heating requirement of the washing drum.

[0039] Furthermore, the specific steps for determining the required water intake for the washing drum are as follows:

[0040] Obtain the water intake volume for each washing drum;

[0041] The water inlet sequence for multiple washing drums is in ascending order of water volume.

[0042] The specific steps for determining the remaining running time of the washing drum are as follows:

[0043] Get the remaining running time for each washing drum;

[0044] The water intake sequence for multiple washing drums is based on the remaining running time, from smallest to largest.

[0045] "Remaining runtime" refers to the remaining runtime of the entire washing cycle.

[0046] The specific steps for determining the heating requirement of the washing drum are as follows:

[0047] Obtain the number of washing drums that require heating;

[0048] When the number of washing drums is equal to 1, the order of water intake for multiple washing drums is that the washing drum that requires heating is given priority.

[0049] When the number of washing drums is greater than 1, the water entering the multiple washing drums is in the order of increasing heating time according to the heating requirements.

[0050] Specifically, the water inlet determination conditions mentioned above can be independent of each other when determining the water inlet order of the washing tub. That is, there is no logical relationship between the three determination conditions: the required water volume of the washing tub, the remaining running time of the washing tub, and the heating requirement of the washing tub. In practical applications, those skilled in the art can select at least one of them as the determination condition for which washing tub should be prioritized for water inlet, based on actual needs. Taking two washing tubs with water pressure requirements as an example, when the water inlet determination condition of the program is the required water volume of the washing tub, the washing tub with the lower required water volume is prioritized; when the water inlet determination condition of the program is the remaining running time of the washing tub, the washing tub with the shorter remaining running time is prioritized; and when the water inlet determination condition of the program is the heating requirement of the washing tub, the washing tub with the heating requirement is prioritized.

[0051] Of course, considering users' washing habits and the efficiency of multi-drum washing, there is also a logical relationship between the water inlet determination conditions mentioned above, specifically,

[0052] In step S111, the step of "sorting the water inlet sequence of the washing drum according to the water inlet determination criteria" specifically includes:

[0053] S1111, obtain the user's washing habits;

[0054] S1112 prioritizes various water inlet determination conditions based on the user's washing habits;

[0055] S1113, Sort the water inlet sequence of the washing drum according to the sorted water inlet determination conditions.

[0056] Step S1112 specifically includes:

[0057] S11121, If ​​the user's washing habit is single-drum washing, the priority order of multiple water inlet determination conditions is as follows: the remaining running time of the washing drum has a higher priority than the heating demand of the washing drum, which has a higher priority than the required water inlet volume of the washing drum.

[0058] S11122, If the user's washing habit is multi-drum washing, first determine whether the washing drum needs heating;

[0059] S32223, If the washing drum requires heating, then set the heating requirement of the washing drum as the highest priority of the water inlet determination condition.

[0060] S11124, If the washing drum does not require heating, the priority order of various water inlet determination conditions is as follows: the priority of the required water inlet of the washing drum is higher than the priority of the remaining running time of the washing drum.

[0061] In the above steps, by prioritizing various water intake determination conditions based on the user's washing habits, the multi-drum system can both meet user needs and provide personalized service while ensuring water intake efficiency. Specifically, if the user's washing habit is single-drum washing, the program determines that the user expects to complete the washing cycle of one drum first; that is, the program defaults to completing the washing cycle of multiple drums one by one as the washing standard. Therefore, when the user is washing multiple drums and all drums need to be filled with water simultaneously, the remaining running time of each drum is compared first, and the drums are controlled to be filled with water in ascending order of remaining running time. Furthermore, if two or more drums have the same remaining running time, the heating needs of each drum are then determined, and the drums requiring heating are prioritized for water intake. Furthermore, if two or more washing drums require heating, the washing drums are controlled to receive water sequentially in order of increasing heating time. If two or more washing drums do not require heating, the required water volume of each washing drum is compared, and the washing drums are controlled to receive water sequentially in order of increasing water volume.

[0062] If the user's washing habit is multi-drum washing, the program defaults to using efficiency as the washing standard. Therefore, when the user is performing multi-drum washing and all drums need water simultaneously, the program first determines whether each drum requires heating. If heating is required, this requirement is set as the highest priority in the water intake determination, and the number of drums requiring heating is determined. If only one drum requires heating, that drum is prioritized for water intake. If multiple drums require heating simultaneously, they are controlled to fill with water sequentially in ascending order of heating time. If no heating is required, the required water volume is set as the highest priority in the water intake determination, and the required water volumes of each drum are compared, controlling the drums to fill with water sequentially in ascending order of water volume. Furthermore, if two or more drums have the same required water volume, the remaining running time of each drum is compared, controlling the drums to fill with water sequentially in ascending order of remaining running time.

[0063] Furthermore, regardless of whether the user's habit is single-drum or multi-drum washing, in special cases, if the remaining running time, heating requirements, and required water volume of each washing drum are the same, then the number of times each washing drum is used within a certain time range, such as the number of times each washing drum is used within a month, is obtained, and the washing drum with the most usage is given priority in water intake. If the number of usages is still the same, then any washing drum is randomly controlled to have priority in water intake.

[0064] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, step S11, the step of "obtaining the water inlet sequence of the washing drum" specifically includes:

[0065] The water intake sequence of the washing drum is arranged according to user instructions;

[0066] Obtain the water inlet sequence of the washing drum.

[0067] In the above steps, the water inlet sequence of each washing drum can be executed sequentially according to the user's specified order, meeting user needs and making it more user-friendly.

[0068] Referring to Figure 2 below, which is a possible complete flowchart of the water inlet control method for a multi-drum washing machine according to the present invention, the control method of the present invention includes the following steps when multiple drums need to be filled with water simultaneously:

[0069] S101, to obtain the user's washing habits;

[0070] If the user's washing habit is single-tub washing, then proceed to step S102;

[0071] If the user's washing habit is multi-tub washing, then proceed to step S103;

[0072] S102, control multiple washing drums to be sorted according to the priority of water inlet determination conditions as follows: the priority of the remaining running time of the washing drum is higher than the priority of the heating demand of the washing drum is higher than the priority of the required water inlet volume of the washing drum.

[0073] S103, determine if the washing drum requires heating;

[0074] If so, proceed to step S104;

[0075] If not, proceed to step S107;

[0076] S104, Obtain the number of washing drums that require heating;

[0077] When the number of washing drums is equal to 1, proceed to step S105;

[0078] When the number of washing drums is greater than 1, proceed to step S106;

[0079] S105, control multiple washing drums to be sorted according to the priority of water inlet determination conditions: the washing drums with heating requirements are given priority to water inlet and the water inlet program is executed in sequence.

[0080] S106, control multiple washing drums to be sorted according to the priority of the water inlet determination conditions as follows: the water inlet program is executed in order of heating time from shortest to longest;

[0081] S107, control multiple washing drums to be sorted according to the priority of the water inlet determination conditions as follows: the priority of the required water inlet volume of the washing drum is higher than the priority of the remaining running time of the washing drum.

[0082] Referring to Figure 3 below, which is another possible complete flowchart of the water inlet control method for the multi-drum washing machine of the present invention, the control method of the present invention includes:

[0083] S201, sort the water inlet sequence of the washing drum according to user instructions;

[0084] S202, Obtain the water inlet sequence of the washing drum;

[0085] S203 controls multiple washing drums to execute the water intake program sequentially according to the water intake order.

[0086] In summary, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when multiple washing drums need to be filled with water simultaneously, controlling one washing drum to perform the water filling program while controlling the other washing drums to not perform the water filling program at the same time can ensure the water filling efficiency of each washing drum. At the same time, controlling the water filling sequence of multiple washing drums can avoid water filling conflicts between them, ensure the washing effect, and improve the washing efficiency.

[0087] Based on the above embodiments, the present invention also provides a multi-drum washing machine, which is configured to perform the water inlet control method described above.

[0088] The technical solution of the present invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of protection of the present invention is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principles of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after such changes or substitutions will all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water inlet control method for a multi-drum washing machine, characterized in that, The washing machine includes at least two washing drums, and the control method includes: When multiple washing tubs need to be filled with water at the same time, if one washing tub is performing the water filling program, the other washing tubs are controlled not to perform the water filling program at the same time.

2. The water inlet control method for a multi-drum washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steps for "controlling the other washing drums to prevent them from simultaneously performing the water intake program when one of the washing drums is executing the water intake program" specifically include: Obtain the water inlet sequence of the washing drum; Control multiple washing drums to execute the water intake program sequentially according to the water intake order.

3. The water inlet control method for a multi-drum washing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The steps for "obtaining the water inlet sequence of the washing drum" specifically include: The order of water intake for the washing drum is sorted according to the water intake determination criteria; Obtain the water inlet sequence of the washing drum; The water inlet determination criteria include at least one of the following: the required water inlet volume of the washing drum, the remaining running time of the washing drum, and the heating requirement of the washing drum.

4. The water inlet control method for a multi-drum washing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The steps of "sorting the water inlet sequence of the washing drum according to the water inlet determination criteria" specifically include: Obtain users' washing habits; Based on the user's washing habits, the various water inlet determination conditions are prioritized. The water inlet sequence of the washing drum is sorted according to the sorted water inlet determination criteria.

5. The water inlet control method for a multi-drum washing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The step of "prioritizing the various water inlet determination conditions according to the user's washing habits" specifically includes: If the user's washing habit is single-drum washing, the priority order of the various water inlet determination conditions is as follows: the remaining running time of the washing drum has a higher priority than the heating requirement of the washing drum, which has a higher priority than the required water volume of the washing drum; and / or If the user's washing habit is multi-drum washing, first determine whether the washing drum needs heating; If the washing drum requires heating, then the heating requirement of the washing drum is set as the highest priority of the water inlet determination condition; If the washing drum does not require heating, the priority order of the various water inlet determination conditions is as follows: the priority of the required water inlet of the washing drum is higher than the priority of the remaining running time of the washing drum.

6. The water inlet control method for a multi-drum washing machine according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that, The step of determining the required water intake volume for the washing drum specifically includes: Obtain the water inlet volume for each of the washing drums; The water inlet sequence of the multiple washing drums is in ascending order of water volume.

7. The water inlet control method for a multi-drum washing machine according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that, The step of determining the water inlet condition as the remaining running time of the washing drum specifically includes: Obtain the remaining running time for each of the washing drums; The water inlet sequence of the multiple washing drums is in ascending order of remaining running time.

8. The water inlet control method for a multi-drum washing machine according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that, The step of determining the water inlet condition based on the heating requirement of the washing drum specifically includes: Obtain the number of washing drums that require heating; When the number of washing tubs is equal to 1, the water inlet sequence of the multiple washing tubs is that the washing tub with heating requirement is given priority in water inlet; When the number of washing tubs is greater than 1, the water inlet sequence of the multiple washing tubs is in ascending order of heating time required for heating.

9. The water inlet control method for a multi-drum washing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The steps for "obtaining the water inlet sequence of the washing drum" specifically include: The water intake sequence of the washing drum is arranged according to user instructions; Obtain the water inlet sequence of the washing drum.

10. A multi-drum washing machine, comprising a controller, characterized in that, The controller is configured to perform the water inlet control method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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