Patent Description:
In order to prevent a washing device from overtime water intake, in the related art, an overtime water intake warning algorithm is generally used for overtime water intake detection. The washing device is controlled to stop water intake in response to detecting overtime water intake, while a warning message is transmitted. However, the overtime water intake warning algorithm may cause misjudgments, such as misjudging that a siphon phenomenon is overtime water intake, which may interfere with after-sales maintenance work. <CIT> and <CIT> relate generally to methods of controlling a washing machine. <CIT> relates generally to a method of controlling water intake of a washing machine.

In the following, each of the described methods, apparatuses, embodiments, examples, and aspects, which do not fully correspond to the invention as defined in the claims is thus not according to the invention and is, as well as the whole following description, present for illustration purposes only or to highlight specific aspects or features of the claims. Embodiments not falling under the scope of the claims should be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the invention. The present invention provides a washing device and a water inlet control method therefor, and a drum washing machine, for controlling a water inlet process of the washing device based on a water-level variation value, and thus fault conditions and a siphon phenomenon in the washing device during the water inlet process can be accurately detected, facilitating the after-sales maintenance work.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a water inlet control method for a washing device, includes: controlling the washing device to inflow water; obtaining a first water-level variation value of the washing device at intervals of a first preset time; and controlling, based on the first water-level variation value, a water inlet process of the washing device.

According to the water inlet control method for the washing device in the embodiment of the present invention, the control of the water intake of the washing device based on the first water-level variation value is beneficial to accurately detect the fault conditions and siphon phenomenon in the washing device during the water inlet process, facilitating the after-sales maintenance work.

In addition, the water inlet control method for the washing device according to the above embodiments of the present invention may also have the following additional technical features.

According to the invention said controlling, based on the first water-level variation value, the water inlet process of the washing device includes: controlling, in response to determining based on the first water-level variation value that a water-level rise amount is greater than a first preset value, the washing device to maintain normal water intake; and performing a siphon processing in response to determining based on the first water-level variation value that a water-level fall amount is greater than a second preset value.

According to the invention, said controlling, based on the first water-level variation value, the water inlet process of the washing device further includes: in response to accumulating N1 determinations based on the first water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is smaller than or equal to the second preset value, or in response to accumulating N1 determinations based on the first water-level variation value that the water-level rise amount is smaller than or equal to the first preset value, controlling the washing device to stop the water intake for a second preset time, and obtaining a second water-level variation value, wherein N1 is a natural number greater than or equal to <NUM>; and performing the siphon processing in response to determining based on the second water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is greater than or equal to a third preset value.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, said performing the siphon processing includes: controlling the washing device to stop the water intake for a third preset time; obtaining a third water-level variation value; and controlling, in response to accumulating N2 determinations based on the third water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is greater than or equal to a fourth preset value, the washing device to send a first warning message, wherein N2 is a natural number greater than or equal to <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes:
controlling, in response to determining based on the second water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is smaller than the third preset value, the washing device to resume the water intake for a fourth preset time, and obtaining a fourth water-level variation value; controlling, in response to determining based on the fourth water-level variation value that the water-level rise amount is greater than the first preset value, the washing device to maintain the normal water intake; controlling, in response to determining based on the fourth water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is greater than the second preset value, the washing device to send a first warning message; and controlling, in response to determining based on the fourth water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is greater than or equal to the first preset value or the water-level rise amount is smaller than or equal to the second preset value, the washing device to send a second warning message.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a washing device, which includes a control module and an obtaining module. The control module is configured to control the washing device to inflow water. The obtaining module is configured to obtain a first water-level variation value of the washing device at intervals of a first preset time. The control module is further configured to control, based on the first water-level variation value, a water inlet process of the washing device.

According to the invention, the control module is further configured to: control, in response to determining based on the first water-level variation value that a water-level rise amount is greater than a first preset value, the washing device to maintain normal water intake; and perform a siphon processing in response to determining based on the first water-level variation value that a water-level fall amount is greater than a second preset value.

According to the invention, the control module is further configured to: in response to accumulating N1 determinations based on the first water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is smaller than or equal to the second preset value, or in response to accumulating N1 determinations based on the first water-level variation value that the water-level rise amount is smaller than or equal to the first preset value, control the washing device to stop the water intake for a second preset time, and obtain a second water-level variation value, wherein N1 is a natural number greater than or equal to <NUM>; and perform the siphon processing in response to determining based on the second water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is greater than or equal to a third preset value.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control module is further configured to: control the washing device to stop the water intake for a third preset time; obtain a third water-level variation value; and control, in response to accumulating N2 determinations based on the third water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is greater than or equal to a fourth preset value, the washing device to send a first warning message, wherein N2 is a natural number greater than or equal to <NUM>.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a drum washing machine, including the washing device described above.

For the drum washing machine according to the embodiments of the present invention, based on the washing device of the above-mentioned embodiments, the water intake of the washing device can be controlled based on the first water-level variation value, which is beneficial to accurately detect the fault conditions and siphon phenomenon in the washing device during the water inlet process, so as to facilitate the after-sales maintenance work.

The above and/or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood in view of the following description of embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:.

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, and examples of the embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and they should not be construed as limitations of the present invention.

With reference to <FIG>, a washing device, a water inlet control method for the washing device, and a drum washing machine according to the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a water inlet control method for a washing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in <FIG>, the water inlet control method of the washing device includes the following steps.

S1, the washing device is controlled to inflow water.

In this embodiment, when the user sets a washing mode (including a washing process and/or a rinsing process) and runs the washing program corresponding to the washing mode, the washing device automatically enters a water intake step, and a water inlet valve of the washing device is opened to supply water to the washing device.

As an example, before supplying water to the washing device, a display screen of the washing device or a display screen of a control terminal of the washing device can be controlled to display a prompt whether to perform siphon detection, such as a pop-up sliding arrow. If it is required to perform the siphon detection, the user can swipe the arrow to the right to confirm the siphon detection, or if it is not required, the user can press a "Cancel" button. If no confirmation command or cancel command is detected within a preset time after the prompt is displayed, for example within <NUM> to <NUM>, the siphon detection can be performed by default, and the water inlet valve is controlled to be opened to supply water.

S2, a first water-level variation value of the washing device is obtained at intervals of a first preset time.

As an example, when the water inlet valve is opened, a water-level rise data can be detected by a pressure-type water-level sensor. The water-level rise data can be a frequency. A positive value of the water-level rise data indicates that the water level rises, and a negative value of the water-level rise data indicates that the water level falls. Then, the first water-level variation value of the washing device, i.e., the water level rise data, is obtained at intervals of the first preset time (such as <NUM>). Optionally, the first preset time can be set in a setting bar of the display screen, ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, for example, the first preset time can also be set to <NUM>.

S3, a water inlet process of the washing device is controlled based on the first water-level variation value.

According to the invention, a process of controlling the water inlet process of the washing device based on the first water-level variation value includes: controlling, in response to determining based on the first water-level variation value that a water-level rise amount is greater than a first preset value, the washing device to maintain normal water intake; and performing a siphon processing in response to determining based on the first water-level variation value that a water-level fall amount is greater than a second preset value.

The first preset value and the second preset value can be set according to a flow of the water intake of the washing device and the first preset time.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, it is assumed that the first preset time is <NUM>. Within a first detection period, i.e., the first preset time of <NUM>, if it is determined based on respective first water-level variation values that the water-level rise amount is greater than the first preset value, e.g., a frequency greater than <NUM>, it indicates that the water level has been rising. Then, the water inlet valve is controlled to be continuously be opened in a second detection period to control the washing device to maintain normal water intake, and a determination is made for a next detection period while the display screen is controlled to display a message such as "water supply is normal". Within the first detection period, i.e., the first preset time of <NUM>, if it is determined at least one time based on the respective first water-level variation values that the water-level fall amount is greater than the second preset value, e.g., the frequency smaller than -<NUM>, it can be considered that a siphon phenomenon or a water leakage occurs in the washing device, and thus the siphon processing can be performed.

According to the invention, the process of controlling the water inlet process of the washing device based on the first water-level variation value further includes: in response to accumulating N1 determinations based on the first water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is smaller than or equal to the second preset value, or in response to accumulating N1 determinations based on the first water-level variation value that the water-level rise amount is smaller than or equal to the first preset value, controlling the washing device to stop the water intake for a second preset time, and obtaining a second water-level variation value, where N1 is a natural number greater than or equal to <NUM>; and performing the siphon processing in response to determining based on the second water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is greater than or equal to a third preset value.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, it is assumed that the first preset time is <NUM>. Within the first detection period, if it is accumulatively determined, based on the first water-level variation value, for <NUM> times that the water-level rise amount is smaller than or equal to the first preset value or the water-level fall amount is smaller than or equal to the second preset value, e.g., the frequency greater than or equal to -<NUM> and smaller than or equal to <NUM> for, the water inlet valve can be controlled to be closed for <NUM>. Within the second preset time (i.e., <NUM>), if it is determined based on the second water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is greater than or equal to the third preset value, e.g., the frequency drops accumulatively by <NUM>, it can be considered that the siphon phenomenon or water leakage occurs in the washing device, and thus the siphon processing is performed.

It should be noted that, subsequent to two consecutive determinations that the water-level rise amount is smaller than or equal to the first preset value or that the water-level fall amount is smaller than or equal to the second preset value, if the water-level rise amount is greater than the first preset value for the third determination, a count value of determinations can be cleared to <NUM> and a new counting begins again.

In an embodiment of the present invention, said performing the siphon processing includes: controlling the washing device to stop the water intake for a third preset time, and obtaining a third water-level variation value, and controlling, in response to accumulating N2 determinations based on the third water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is greater than or equal to a fourth preset value, the washing device to send a first warning message. N2 is a natural number greater than or equal to <NUM>.

For example, it is assumed that the third preset time is <NUM>. When the siphon phenomenon or the water leakage occurs in the washing device, the water inlet valve of the washing device can be closed for <NUM> minutes. Within the first preset time (such as <NUM> minute), if it is determined based on the third water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is greater than the fourth preset value, the number of times of current detections is added by <NUM>. If it is detected for consecutive N2 times (for example, <NUM> times) that the third water-level variation value is greater than the fourth preset value, a buzzer in the washing device is controlled to send a siphon-warning message, and a message such as "Siphon exists" can be displayed on the display screen to prompt the user of the siphon.

In an embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined based on the second water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is smaller than the third preset value, the washing device is controlled to resume the water intake for a fourth preset time, and a fourth water-level variation value is obtained. If it is determined based on the fourth water-level variation value that the water-level rise amount is greater than the first preset value, the washing device is controlled to maintain normal water inflow. If it is determined based on the fourth water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is greater than the second preset value, the washing device is controlled to send a first warning message. If it is determined based on the fourth water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is greater than or equal to the first preset value or the water-level rise amount is smaller than or equal to the second preset value, the washing device is controlled to send a second warning message.

In this embodiment, within the second preset time (such as <NUM>), if it is determined based on the second water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is smaller than the third preset value, it can be considered that the siphon phenomenon does not occur, and the water inlet valve is controlled to be opened for the fourth preset time (such as <NUM>), and the water-level detection for the next detection period is performed, that is, the fourth water-level variation value of the washing device is detected at intervals of the first preset time (such as <NUM>). Within in the first detection period, if it is detected that the fourth water-level variation value is a positive value and greater than the first preset value, the water inlet valve will be controlled to be opened continuously in the second detection period, and the water-level detection for the next detection period is performed, while the display screen is controlled to display a message such as "water supply is normal". Within in the first detection period, if it is detected that the fourth water-level variation value is a negative value and greater than the second preset value, it can be considered that the siphon phenomenon occurs in the washing device, and the water inlet valve is controlled to be closed, and the washing device is controlled to send the first warning message, for example, the display screen displaying "siphon exists", so as to prompt the user of the siphon. Within the first detection period, if it detected for accumulative <NUM> times that the fourth water-level variation value is a negative value and smaller than the second preset value, or if it detected for accumulative <NUM> times that the fourth water-level variation value is a positive value and smaller than the first preset value, the water inlet valve can be controlled to be closed and the water outlet valve of the washing device can be controlled to be opened, and the washing device is controlled to send the second warning message, for example, the display screen displaying a fault code E10, so as to prompt the user of the fault.

As an example, the change of the water level, such as rise or drop, can also be determined according to the detected frequency, such that the water inlet valve can be controlled based a ratio of the number of rise times to the total detection frequency. The ratio of <NUM>% indicates that the water level is continuously rising. For example, the above ratio is obtained at certain intervals. If the ratio is greater than a first preset ratio, the water inlet valve is controlled to be continuously opened. If the ratio is greater than or equal to the second preset value and smaller than or equal to the first preset value, the water inlet valve is controlled to be closed for a certain period of time, and the change of the water level within this period of time is obtained, and the water inlet valve is controlled based on the change of the water level. The ratio smaller than the second preset value indicates that the siphon or water leakage occurs, and the water inlet valve is controlled to be closed for a certain period of time, and the change of the water level within this period of time is obtained, and the water inlet valve is controlled based on the change of the water level.

The water inlet control method for the washing device according to the embodiments of the present invention can accurately detect the fault condition and siphon phenomenon in the washing device during the water inlet process, thereby facilitating the after-sales maintenance work.

<FIG> is a structural block diagram of a washing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in <FIG>, the washing device <NUM> includes a control module <NUM> and an obtaining module <NUM>.

The control module <NUM> is configured to control the washing device to inflow water.

The obtaining module <NUM> is configured to obtain a first water-level variation value of the washing device at intervals of a first preset time.

The control module <NUM> is further configured to control, based on the first water-level variation value, a water inlet process of the washing device.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control module <NUM> is specifically configured to: control, in response to determining based on the first water-level variation value that a water-level rise amount is greater than a first preset value, the washing device to maintain normal water intake; and perform a siphon processing in response to determining based on the first water-level variation value that a water-level fall amount is greater than a second preset value.

As an example, as illustrated in <FIG>, within the first detection period, i.e., the first preset time of <NUM>, if it is detected that the first water-level variation value is a positive value and greater than the first preset value, the control module <NUM> controls the water inlet valve to be continuously opened during the second detection period, to control the washing device to maintain normal water inlet, and a determination for the next detection period is performed, while the display screen is controlled to display a message of "water supply is normal". Within the first detection period, i.e., the first preset time of <NUM>, if it is detected that the first water-level variation value is a negative value and greater than the second preset value, it can be considered that the siphon phenomenon or water leakage occurs in the washing device, and the siphon processing is performed by the control module <NUM>.

According to the invention, the control module <NUM> is further configured to: in response to accumulating N1 determinations based on the first water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is smaller than or equal to the second preset value, or in response to accumulating N1 determinations based on the first water-level variation value that the water-level rise amount is smaller than or equal to the first preset value, control the washing device to stop the water intake for a second preset time, and obtain a second water-level variation value, where N1 is a natural number greater than or equal to <NUM>; and perform the siphon processing in response to determining based on the second water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is greater than or equal to a third preset value.

Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, within the first detection period, if it detected for accumulative <NUM> times that the first water-level variation value is a negative value and smaller than the second preset value or that the first water-level variation value is a positive value and smaller than the first preset value, the control module <NUM> can control the water inlet valve to be closed for the second preset time (for example, <NUM>). In addition, if it is detected that the second water-level variation value within the second preset time (for example, <NUM>) is a negative value and greater than or equal to the third preset value, it can be considered that the siphon phenomenon or a water leakage occurs in the washing device, and the control module <NUM> performs the siphon processing.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the control module <NUM> is further configured to control the washing device to stop the water intake for a third preset time, and obtain a third water-level variation value, and control, in response to accumulating N2 determinations based on the third water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is greater than or equal to a fourth preset value, the washing device to send a first warning message. N2 is a natural number greater than or equal to <NUM>.

It should be noted that, for other specific implementations of the washing device in the embodiments of the present disclosure, reference may be made to the specific implementations of the water inlet control method for the washing device in the above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure.

The washing device according to the embodiments of the present invention can accurately detect the fault conditions and siphon phenomenon during the water inlet process, thereby facilitating the after-sale maintenance work.

Further, the present invention provides a drum washing machine. As illustrated in <FIG>, the drum washing machine <NUM> includes the washing device <NUM> described above.

For the drum washing machine according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, with the washing device of the above-mentioned embodiments, fault conditions and siphon phenomenon during the water inlet process can be accurately detected, thereby facilitating the after-sales maintenance work.

It should be noted that the logics and/or steps represented in the flowchart or described otherwise herein can be, for example, considered as a list of ordered executable instructions for implementing logic functions, and can be embodied in any computer-readable medium that is to be used by or used with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device (such as a computer-based system, a system including a processing module, or any other system that can retrieve and execute instructions from an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device). For the specification, a "computer-readable medium" can be any apparatus that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transmit a program to be used by or used with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples of computer-readable mediums include, as a non-exhaustive list: an electrical connector (electronic device) with one or more wirings, a portable computer disk case (magnetic devices), a Random-Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM or flash memory), a fiber optic device, and a portable Compact Disk Read Only memory (CDROM). In addition, the computer-readable medium may even be paper or other suitable medium on which the program can be printed, as the program can be obtained electronically, e.g., by optically scanning the paper or the other medium, and then editing, interpreting, or otherwise processing the scanning result when necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

It can be appreciated that each part of the present invention can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof. In the above embodiments, a plurality of steps or methods can be implemented using software or firmware stored in a memory and executed by a suitable instruction execution system. For example, when implemented in hardware, as in another embodiment, it can be implemented by any one or combination of the following technologies known in the art: a discrete logic circuit having logic gate circuits for implementing logic functions on data signals, an application-specific integrated circuit with suitable combined logic gates, a Programmable Gate Array (PGA), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), etc..

Claim 1:
A water inlet control method for a washing device, comprising:
controlling (S1) the washing device to inflow water;
obtaining (S2) a first water-level variation value of the washing device at intervals of a first preset time;
controlling (S3), based on the first water-level variation value, a water inlet process of the washing device, wherein said controlling, based on the first water-level variation value, the water inlet process of the washing device comprises:
controlling, in response to determining based on the first water-level variation value that a water-level rise amount is greater than a first preset value, the washing device to maintain normal water intake;
performing a siphon processing in response to determining based on the first water-level variation value that a water-level fall amount is greater than a second preset value, and wherein said controlling, based on the first water-level variation value, the water inlet process of the washing device further comprises:
in response to accumulating N1 determinations, based on the first water-level variation value, that the water-level fall amount is smaller than or equal to the second preset value, or in response to accumulating N1 determinations, based on the first water-level variation value, that the water-level rise amount is smaller than or equal to the first preset value, controlling the washing device to stop the water intake for a second preset time, and obtaining a second water-level variation value, wherein N1 is a natural number greater than or equal to <NUM>; and
performing the siphon processing in response to determining based on the second water-level variation value that the water-level fall amount is greater than or equal to a third preset value.