METHOD FOR FAULT DETERMINATION FOR STIRRING MECHANISM IN FLOCCULATION TREATMENT PROCESS, AND WASHING MACHINE

Abstract

A washing machine comprises a flocculation container for flocculation treatment on washing water; and a stirring mechanism driven by a motor to rotate is arranged in the flocculation container; the motor is provided with a current meter for detecting working current of the motor; and the stirring mechanism is provided with a rotating speed sensor for detecting the rotating speed of the stirring mechanism. When the washing machine executes a flocculation program, the stirring mechanism is driven by the motor, working current I and/or power P of the motor are detected, and rotating speed V of the stirring mechanism is detected; and when any one of detection values is beyond a corresponding setting range, a fault alarm signal of the stirring mechanism is given out. Thus, the condition that water which does not complete the flocculation reaction returns to the washing barrel and pollutes clothes can be prevented.

Claims

1. A method for fault determination for a stirring mechanism in a flocculation treatment process, comprising, detecting a working current I and/or a power P of a motor which drives the stirring mechanism to work when a washing machine executes a flocculation program, and detecting a rotating speed V of the stirring mechanism; and giving out a fault alarm signal of the stirring mechanism, when any one of detection values is beyond a corresponding setting range.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the washing machine executes the flocculation program, the fault determination for the stirring mechanism comprises, step S101, the washing machine executing the flocculation program, and the stirring mechanism in a flocculation container being driven by the motor to start rotating; step S102, the working current of the motor being detected in real time to obtain a detection value I of the working current; and, the stirring mechanism working normally when the detection value I is within a setting range from I.sub.min to I.sub.max; and step S103, the rotating speed of the stirring mechanism being detected in real time to obtain a detection value V of the rotating speed; and the stirring mechanism working normally when the detection value V is within a setting range from V.sub.min to V.sub.max, and the washing machine continuing executing the flocculation program.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: when the detection value I of the working current of the motor is greater than the setting value I.sub.max, the washing machine gives out an alarm signal indicating a hindered rotation of a motor shaft and/or the stirring mechanism; and when the detection value I of the working current of the motor is less than the setting value I.sub.min, the washing machine gives out an alarm signal indicating a disengagement of the motor shaft from the stirring mechanism as well as an idling of the motor shaft.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein when the detection value I of the working current of the motor is not within the setting range from I.sub.min to I.sub.max, the flocculation program being executed by the washing machine is suspended, and a corresponding alarm signal is given out.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the washing machine executes the flocculation program, the fault determination for the stirring mechanism comprises, step S201, the washing machine executing the flocculation program, and the stirring mechanism in a flocculation container being driven by the motor to start rotating; step S202, the working power of the motor being detected in real time to obtain a detection value P of the working power; and the stirring mechanism working normally when the detection value P is within a setting range from P.sub.min to P.sub.max; and step S203, the rotating speed of the stirring mechanism being detected in real time to obtain a detection value V of the rotating speed; and the stirring mechanism working normally when the detection value V is within a setting range from V.sub.min to V.sub.max, and the washing machine continuing executing the flocculation program.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein when the detection value V of the rotating speed of the stirring mechanism is less than the setting value V.sub.min, it is determined that the motor is disengaged from the stirring mechanism.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the stirring mechanism is in a transmission connection with the motor shaft through a belt, and the stirring mechanism is driven by the motor through the belt to rotate around a corresponding shaft so as to stir water in the flocculation container; when the detection value V of the rotating speed of the stirring mechanism is less than the setting value V.sub.min, it is determined that a belt skids; when the detection value V of rotating speed is less than a setting value V.sub.1, it is determined that the belt is disengaged from the motor and/or the stirring mechanism; and the setting value V.sub.1 is less than V.sub.min.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein when the detection value V of the rotating speed of the stirring mechanism is within a setting range of 70-80 rpm, the stirring mechanism works normally, and the washing machine continues executing the flocculation program; when the detection value V of the rotating speed of the stirring mechanism is within a setting range of 60-70 rpm, the washing machine gives out a prompt signal indicating the belt skids; and when the detection value V of the rotating speed of the stirring mechanism is below 60 rpm, the washing machine gives out an alarm signal indicating the disengagement of the belt from the motor shaft and/or the stirring mechanism, and the flocculation program of the washing machine is suspended.

9. A washing machine, comprising a flocculation container for flocculation treatment on washing water, wherein, a stirring mechanism is arranged in the flocculation container and is driven by a motor to rotate so as to stir water in the flocculation container; the motor is provided with a current meter for detecting working current of the motor, and the stirring mechanism is provided with a rotating speed sensor for detecting rotating speed of the stirring mechanism; and the washing machine performs fault determination on the stirring mechanism by the method according to claim 1.

10. The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein the stirring mechanism comprises a stirrer which is driven by a drive motor to rotate; the stirrer comprises a rotating shaft, and a plurality of stirring blades rotating around the rotating shaft are connected to the rotating shaft; and a belt pulley is arranged on the rotating shaft, and the belt pulley is in a transmission connection with an output end of the drive motor through a belt so as to enable the drive motor to drive the stirring blades to rotate around the rotating shaft.

11. The method according to claim 5, wherein when the detection value V of the rotating speed of the stirring mechanism is less than the setting value V.sub.min, it is determined that the motor is disengaged from the stirring mechanism.

12. The method according to claim 5, wherein the stirring mechanism is in a transmission connection with the motor shaft through a belt, and the stirring mechanism is driven by the motor through the belt to rotate around a corresponding shaft so as to stir water in the flocculation container; when the detection value V of the rotating speed of the stirring mechanism is less than the setting value V.sub.min, it is determined that a belt skids; when the detection value V of rotating speed is less than a setting value V.sub.1, it is determined that the belt is disengaged from the motor and/or the stirring mechanism; and the setting value V.sub.1 is less than V.sub.min.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are schematic diagrams of a circulating water treatment device of the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are flow charts of a method for fault determination for a stirring mechanism of the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a circulating water treatment device of another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0043] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method for fault determination for a stirring mechanism of another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Description of main elements: 1flocculation container; 2first water pump; 3second water pump; 4drain valve; 5stirring blade; 6drive motor; 7belt; 8belt pulley; 9cleaning granule; 10rotating shaft; 11motor shaft; 12driving wheel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The present disclosure is described in further detail below in conjunction with the embodiments.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, a washing machine of the embodiment of the present disclosure is internally provided with a conventional washing machine structure and is provided with a circulating water treatment device. The washing machine structure comprises an outer barrel, an inner barrel arranged in the outer barrel, a door body, a control panel, a water inlet system and a washing motor, the bottom and the upper part of the outer barrel are connected with a casing framework through a damper and a suspension spring, respectively. And the water inlet system comprises a water inlet structure and an automatic detergent delivery device. The outer barrel is in a containing structure for containing washing water, and the inner barrel arranged in the outer barrel is clothes washing structure. The outer barrel communicates with the water inlet structure.

[0047] The circulating water treatment device in the embodiment of the present disclosure at least comprises a flocculation treatment unit; the flocculation treatment unit comprises a flocculation container communicating with the outer barrel and a flocculant deliverer for delivering a flocculant into the flocculation container, and water is discharged from the outer barrel to the flocculation container for flocculation treatment.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the flocculation container 1 is provided with a water inlet, a water return opening and a drain outlet; a water outlet of the outer barrel communicates with the water inlet of the flocculation container 1 through a conduit provided with a first water pump 2, and the water return opening of the flocculation container 1 communicates with a water inlet of the outer barrel through a conduit provided with a second water pump 3, so that a controllable circulation loop of washing water between the outer barrel and the flocculation container 1 is formed. A drain outlet of the flocculation container 1 communicates with the outside of the washing machine through a conduit provided with a drain valve 4, so that sewage and flocculates after washing are drained.

[0049] Preferably, the circulating water treatment device further comprises a filtering unit which performs filtration treatment on flocculation treatment water after treatment of the flocculation treatment unit to separate flocculates and clean water. However, flocculates can also be separated from clean water without using a filtering device. For example, a water level sensor is arranged in the flocculation container to enable the water level in the flocculation container to always maintain at a certain height, so that flocculates floating at the water surface of the flocculation container always stay in the flocculation container, and the purpose of removing the flocculates in the flocculation water is also achieved.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, a stirring mechanism is arranged in the flocculation container, and the stirring mechanism can be a device of any structure in the prior art and is capable of stirring water in the flocculation container. The stirring mechanism is driven by a motor to rotate to stir water in the flocculation container. However, when the stirring mechanism has a fault, water that does not complete flocculation treatment in the flocculation container is prone to return to the outer barrel, and clothes are polluted.

[0051] Therefore, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the motor is provided with a current meter for detecting working current of the motor and/or a detection device for detecting working power of the motor, and the stirring mechanism is provided with a rotating speed sensor for detecting rotating speed of the stirring mechanism. The working current and power of the motor as well as the rotating speed of the stirring mechanism are detected in real time, and when the working current or power or the rotating speed is beyond setting ranges, a fault of the stirring mechanism can be detected in time and can be classified and determined accurately, so that the condition that water which does not complete the flocculation reaction returns to the washing barrel and pollutes clothes can be prevented.

Embodiment 1

[0052] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in this embodiment, a stirring mechanism in a flocculation container 1 comprises a stirrer which is driven by a drive motor 6 to rotate; the stirrer comprises a rotating shaft 10, and a plurality of stirring blades 5 rotating around the rotating shaft 10 are connected to the rotating shaft 10. And a belt pulley 8 is arranged on the rotating shaft 10, and the belt pulley 8 is in transmission connection with an output end of the drive motor 6 through a belt 7 so as to enable the drive motor 6 to drive the stirring blades 5 to rotate around the rotating shaft 10 through the transmission of the belt.

[0053] In this embodiment, the drive motor 6 is fixedly mounted on the outer side of the side wall of the flocculation container 1 and is arranged in a position beyond the water level of the flocculation container 1, a motor shaft 11 penetrates through the side wall of the flocculation container 1, and a penetrating-in end of the motor shaft 11 is in contact transmission with the belt 7 through a driving wheel 12 or directly. Because the drive motor is arranged in the position above the water level of the flocculation container, water in the flocculation container is not in contact with the drive motor, and a step of water seal treatment on the part, penetrating through the side wall position of the flocculation container, of the motor shaft, is omitted.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in this embodiment, a method for fault determination for the stirring mechanism in a flocculation reaction process of the washing machine specially comprises the following steps that:

[0055] 11) the washing machine executing a flocculation program, and the stirring mechanism in the flocculation container being driven by the drive motor to start rotating;

[0056] 12) detecting working current of the drive motor in real time to obtain a detection value I of the working current;

[0057] 13) comparing the detection value I with preset values I.sub.max and I.sub.min:

[0058] when I is greater than I.sub.min and less than I.sub.max, step 14) is executed;

[0059] when I is greater than I.sub.max, step 15) is executed; and

[0060] when I is less than I.sub.min, step 16) is executed;

[0061] 14) detecting rotating speed of the stirring blades in real time to obtain a detection value V of the rotating speed;

[0062] 15) comparing the detection value V with preset values V.sub.min and V.sub.max:

[0063] when V is greater than V.sub.min and less than V.sub.max, step 19) is executed;

[0064] when V is greater than V.sub.1 and less than V.sub.min, step 18) is executed, wherein V.sub.1 is a preset value less than V.sub.min; and

[0065] when V is less than V.sub.1, step 17) is executed;

[0066] 16) the washing machine giving out a prompt signal indicating hindered rotation of the motor shaft and/or the stirring blades, and the flocculation program being suspended;

[0067] 17) the washing machine giving out a prompt signal indicating disengagement of the belt from the motor shaft and/or the driving wheel and/or the belt pulley as well as idling of the motor shaft, and the flocculation program is suspended;

[0068] 18) the washing machine giving out a prompt signal indicating belt slippage; and

[0069] 19) the stirring program works normally, and the flocculation program continuing executing.

[0070] Through the adoption of the method and device, the washing machine performs comparison judgement of the working current of the drive motor and the rotating speed of the stirring mechanism with the corresponding preset ranges, so that whether a fault of the stirring mechanism occurs can be determined in time; besides, it can be accurately determined that the fault of the stirring mechanism is which of slippage or disengagement of the belt or hindered rotation of the stirring mechanism according to the comparison result, and corresponding prompt information can be given by the washing machine automatically and accurately, so that the purpose of accurate determination on the fault of the stirring mechanism can be achieved; and when the stirring mechanism has a fault, the washing machine automatically stops the flocculation reaction, so that pollution to clothes is prevented.

[0071] In this embodiment, after the step 18) is executed by the washing machine, cleanliness detection needs to be performed in advance on recirculation water after flocculation is completed, and the flocculation water can be returned if the cleanliness meets the washing requirements, so that the condition that water which does not complete the flocculation reaction because of belt slippage returns to the washing barrel and pollutes clothes can be prevented.

[0072] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, many times of tests show that the maximum rotating speed V.sub.max of the stirring device is 80 rpm, the minimum rotating speed V.sub.min of the stirring device during normal rotation of the stirring device is 70 rpm, the maximum rotating speed V.sub.1 of the stirring device after belt disengagement is 60 rpm, and these values are preset in the program of the washing machine, so that V.sub.max, V.sub.min and V.sub.1 in the steps from 11) to 19) are correspondingly set to be 80, 70 and 60 rpm in sequence. At the same time, the corresponding I.sub.min and I.sub.max are set according to the size of the stirring blades and the model of the drive motor; and it should be guaranteed that I.sub.max is less than or equal to the locked-rotor current of the motor, and I.sub.min is greater than or equal to the idling current of the motor.

[0073] In this embodiment, when the washing machine executes the steps 16) and 17), the washing machine stops working, and displays corresponding fault prompt information in a control display of the washing machine. Preferably, the washing machine is provided with an alarm light and/or an alarm horn to give out a corresponding alarm signal to a user when the stirring mechanism has a fault.

[0074] In this embodiment, the washing machine can also be provided with a wireless signal transmission interface connected with the Internet, so that the washing machine can be in remote connection with a maintenance platform to upload the fault information of the stirring mechanism to an after-sales system to facilitate maintenance by staff.

[0075] In this embodiment, based on a formula P=UI, the working current I of the drive motor can be replaced with working power P of the drive motor, so that the power P of the drive motor can be detected, and the purpose of fault determination for the stirring mechanism can also be achieved by using the above-mentioned steps in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

Embodiment 2

[0076] As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, a stirring mechanism comprises a stirrer which is driven by a drive motor 6 to rotate; the stirrer comprises a rotating shaft 10, and a plurality of stirring blades 5 rotating around the rotating shaft 10 are connected to the rotating shaft 10. One end of the rotating shaft 10 penetrates through the side wall of the flocculation container 1, and a penetrating-out end is in meshed connection with a motor shaft 11 of the drive motor 6 arranged at a corresponding position of the outer wall of the flocculation container 1 so as to enable drive motor to directly drive the stirring blades to rotate around the rotating shaft. Preferably, the motor shaft 11 and the rotating shaft 10 are designed as one piece. The motor is directly in meshed transmission connection with the rotating shaft, so that the transmission connection between the motor and the stirring mechanism is firmer.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, a method for fault determination for the stirring mechanism in a flocculation reaction process of the washing machine specially comprises the following steps that:

[0078] 21) the washing machine executing a flocculation program, and the stirring mechanism in the flocculation container being driven by the drive motor to start rotating;

[0079] 22) detecting working current of the drive motor in real time to obtain a detection value I of the working current;

[0080] 23) comparing the detection value I with preset values I.sub.max and I.sub.min:

[0081] when I is greater than I.sub.min and less than I.sub.max, step 24) is executed;

[0082] when I is greater than I.sub.max, step 25) is executed; and

[0083] when I is less than I.sub.min, step 26) is executed;

[0084] 24) detecting rotating speed of the stirring blades in real time to obtain a detection value V of the rotating speed;

[0085] 25) comparing the detection value V with preset values V.sub.min and V.sub.max:

[0086] when V is greater than V.sub.min and less than V.sub.max, step 28) is executed; and

[0087] when V is less than V.sub.min, step 27) is executed;

[0088] 26) the washing machine giving out a prompt signal indicating hindered rotation of the motor shaft and/or the stirring blades, and the flocculation program being suspended;

[0089] 27) the washing machine giving out a prompt signal indicating disengagement of the motor shaft from the stirring device as well as idling of the motor shaft, and the flocculation reaction being suspended; and

[0090] 28) the stirring program to work normally, and the flocculation program continuing executing.

[0091] In this embodiment, V.sub.min and V.sub.max in the steps from 21) to 28) are correspondingly set to be 60 rpm and 80 rpm in sequence.

[0092] Through the adoption of the method and the device, relations between the working current and the rotating speed and the corresponding preset ranges are determined, and when hindered rotation of the stirring mechanism without adopting belt pulley transmission or disengagement of the stirring mechanism from the motor occurs, the washing machine automatically and accurately gives out corresponding prompt information and stops the flocculation reaction, so that the purpose of accurate determination on the fault of the stirring mechanism is achieved. Therefore, the fault determination method for the stirring mechanism disclosed by the present disclosure is applicable to a stirring mechanism without adopting belt pulley transmission, so that the scope of application of the control method disclosed by the present disclosure is wide.

Embodiment 3

[0093] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in this embodiment, a plurality of cleaning granules 9 are arranged in the flocculation container 1, so that the flocculates attached to the flocculation container 1 can be removed, and the efficiency of flocculation reaction is improved.

[0094] In this embodiment, the cleaning granules 9 are spherical, square, elliptical, cylindrical, tetrahedral or other irregular bulk granular matters. Preferably, the cleaning granules are set to be spherical or elliptical, so that edges and corners are reduced, and the purpose of enlarging friction areas is achieved; besides, the probability that the cleaning granules are clamped by other structures in the flocculation container is reduced.

[0095] In this embodiment, the density of the cleaning granules 9 is slightly less than that of water; and preferably, the density of the cleaning granules 9 is 0.8 to 0.9999 times of that of the water. Therefore, the cleaning granules can move to any positions in the flocculation container along with the water flows, and the effect of cleaning all parts of the flocculation container is realized. Besides, conditions that the cleaning granules are too light and always stay in the water surface of the flocculation container, or the cleaning granules are too heavy and always stay at the bottom of the flocculation container, can be prevented.

Embodiment 4

[0096] In this embodiment, a rotating speed sensor of the stirring mechanism consists of a Hall sensor, and the specific structure of the rotating speed sensor is as follows: one or more pieces of magnetic steel are fixed in the same circumference of the belt pulley 8, a Hall element for receiving signals is arranged on the side wall of the flocculation container 1, and the Hall element is fixed in a circumference corresponding to the belt pulley 8 (Not shown in the drawing).

[0097] In the rotation process of the belt pulley, when the magnetic steel rotates and passes by the Hall element, the Hall element can generate signals, and the signals are transmitted to the control panel of the washing machine through a signal line; and the control panel calculates the detection value V of the rotating speed of the stirring mechanism by converting the number of signals received per unit time.

[0098] Through the adoption of the arrangement, the rotating speed of the stirring mechanism can be detected accurately, so that the accuracy of the fault determination method disclosed by the present disclosure is improved.

[0099] What described above are only preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, but are not intended to limiting the conception and scope of the present disclosure in any forms. However, without departing from the design idea of the technical solution of the present disclosure, various changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art according to the technical essence of the present disclosure shall all be covered within the scope of the technical solution of the present disclosure.