WASHING MACHINE CONTROL METHOD AND DEVICE, WASHING MACHINE, STORAGE MEDIUM AND PROGRAM PRODUCT

Abstract

A washing machine control method includes: in response to determining that water inflow of a first washing drum is completed, closing an inlet valve, and then in case that the inlet valve is closed, closing a directional valve. A washing machine including a controller configured to perform the control method is also described.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a washing machine, wherein the washing machine comprises an inlet valve and a directional valve, the inlet valve is connected with a water inlet of the directional valve through a first waterway, a first water outlet of the directional valve is connected with a water inlet of a first washing drum through a second waterway, and a second water outlet of the directional valve is connected with a water inlet of a second washing drum through a third waterway, the method comprises: closing the inlet valve in response to determining that water inflow of the first washing drum is completed; and closing the direction valve in response to that the inlet valve is closed.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein closing the direction valve in response to that the inlet valve is closed comprises: closing the direction valve in response to the inlet valve being closed for a first preset duration.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the water inlet of the first washing drum is higher than the water inlet of the second washing drum, and closing the direction valve in response to that the inlet valve is closed comprises: performing a preset water washing program in response to the inlet valve being closed for the first preset duration; and closing the direction valve in response to the preset water washing program being performed for a second preset duration.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the water inlet of the first washing drum is higher than the water inlet of the second washing drum, an end of the second waterway near the first water outlet is provided with a flowmeter, and closing the direction valve in response to that the inlet valve is closed comprises: determining, according to a detection result of the flowmeter, that no residual water exists in the second waterway; and closing the direction valve in response to that the inlet valve is closed.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: in response to the water inflow of the first washing drum reaching a target water level, determining that the water inflow of the first washing drum is completed.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first washing drum is arranged diagonally above the second washing drum and on a side of the second washing drum away from the directional valve, and the method further comprises: determining the target water level according to a predetermined water level required by a laundry task performed by the first washing drum, a volume of the first washing drum and a volume of the second waterway.

7. A washing machine, comprising an inlet valve, a directional valve and a controller, wherein the inlet valve is connected with a water inlet of the directional valve through a first waterway, a first water outlet of the directional valve is connected with a water inlet of a first washing drum through a second waterway, and a second water outlet of the directional valve is connected with a water inlet of a second washing drum through a third waterway; and the controller is respectively connected with the inlet valve and the directional valve in communication, and comprises a memory and a processor, the memory stores a computer program, and the processor, upon executing the computer program, is configured to close the inlet valve in response to determining that water inflow of the first washing drum is completed, and close the direction valve in response to that the inlet valve is closed.

8. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the processor is specifically configured to: close the direction valve in response to the inlet valve being closed for a first preset duration.

9. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the water inlet of the first washing drum is higher than the water inlet of the second washing drum, and the processor is specifically configured to: perform a preset water washing program in response to the inlet valve being closed for the first preset duration; and close the direction valve in response to the preset water washing program being performed for a second preset duration.

10. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the water inlet of the first washing drum is higher than the water inlet of the second washing drum, an end of the second waterway near the first water outlet is provided with a flowmeter, and the processor is specifically configured to: determine, according to a detection result of the flowmeter, that no residual water exists in the second waterway; and close the direction valve in response to that the inlet valve is closed.

11. The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine, in response to the water inflow of the first washing drum reaching a target water level, that the water inflow of the first washing drum is completed.

12. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein the first washing drum is arranged diagonally above the second washing drum and on a side of the second washing drum away from the directional valve, and the processor is further configured to: determine the target water level according to a predetermined water level required by a laundry task performed by the first washing drum, a volume of the first washing drum and a volume of the second waterway.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein when the program is executed by a processor, steps of a method for controlling a washing machine are implemented, wherein the washing machine comprises an inlet valve and a directional valve, the inlet valve is connected with a water inlet of the directional valve through a first waterway, a first water outlet of the directional valve is connected with a water inlet of a first washing drum through a second waterway, and a second water outlet of the directional valve is connected with a water inlet of a second washing drum through a third waterway, and the method comprises: closing the inlet valve in response to determining that water inflow of the first washing drum is completed; and closing the direction valve in response to that the inlet valve is closed.

14. The storage medium according to claim 13, wherein closing the direction valve in response to that the inlet valve is closed comprises: closing the direction valve in response to the inlet valve being closed for a first preset duration.

15. The storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the water inlet of the first washing drum is higher than the water inlet of the second washing drum, and closing the direction valve in response to that the inlet valve is closed comprises: performing a preset water washing program in response to the inlet valve being closed for the first preset duration; and closing the direction valve in response to the preset water washing program being performed for a second preset duration.

16. The storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the water inlet of the first washing drum is higher than the water inlet of the second washing drum, an end of the second waterway near the first water outlet is provided with a flowmeter, and closing the direction valve in response to that the inlet valve is closed comprises: determining, according to a detection result of the flowmeter, that no residual water exists in the second waterway; and closing the direction valve in response to that the inlet valve is closed.

17. The storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: in response to the water inflow of the first washing drum reaching a target water level, determining that the water inflow of the first washing drum is completed.

18. The storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the first washing drum is arranged diagonally above the second washing drum and on a side of the second washing drum away from the directional valve, and the method further comprises: determining the target water level according to a rated water level required by a laundry task performed by the first washing drum, a volume of the first washing drum and a volume of the second waterway.

19. A computer program product, comprising a computer program, when the computer program is executed by a processor, steps of the method for controlling the washing machine according to claim 1 are implemented.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] The drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this description, illustrate examples consistent with the present disclosure and together with the description, explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of the washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the washing machine control method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a structural schematic diagram of another washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a structural block diagram of the washing machine control device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a structural block diagram of the washing machine control device according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Exemplary embodiments will be explained in detail, examples of which are shown in the drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings indicate the same or similar elements. The implementations described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the present disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure as detailed in the attached claims.

[0021] In the existing double-drum partitioned washing machine, water inflow of two drums is controlled by adopting the mode of inlet valve plus directional valve. When water inflow of one drum is completed, the inlet valve and directional valve are closed, but the residual water in the waterway water will flow into another drum. Moreover, if the other drum is not working at this time, water will flow out, thereby affecting the user experience.

[0022] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a double-drum partitioned washing machine 100 may include an inlet valve 101 and a directional valve 102, where the inlet valve 101 is connected with the water inlet of the directional valve 102 through the first waterway 103, the first water outlet of the directional valve 102 is connected with the water inlet of the first washing drum 105 through the second waterway 104, and the second water outlet of the directional valve 102 is connected with the water inlet of the second washing drum 107 through the third waterway 106. When the directional valve 102 is energized, water may be directed to the first washing drum 105, and when the directional valve 102 is closed, the directional valve 102 may direct water to the second washing drum 107.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, in some implementations, during water inflow of the first washing drum 105, the inlet valve 101 is opened and the directional valve 102 is started at the same time. At this time, external water flows into the first washing drum 105 through the first waterway 103 and the second waterway 104. After water inflow of the first washing drum 105 is completed, the inlet valve 101 and the directional valve 102 are usually closed simultaneously. At this time, the directional valve 102 directs water to the second washing drum 107, so that the residual water in the first waterway 103 and the second waterway 104 will flow into the second washing drum 107 through the third waterway 106, thereby affecting the user experience.

[0024] In order to solve the above problems, disclosed herein are the washing machine control method, the washing machine control device, the washing machine, the storage medium and the program product according to embodiments of the present disclosure, where, in response to determining that the water inflow of the first washing drum is completed, the washing machine closes the inlet valve, and in case that the inlet valve is closed, closes the directional valve. In this way, the residual water in the waterway can continue to move during the time interval between closing the inlet valve and closing the directional valve, thereby reducing the amount or energy of the residual water, further reducing the amount of water flowing into the second washing drum after the directional valve is closed, avoiding the situation that the residual water flows into the second washing drum, and further improving the user experience.

[0025] It should be noted that in FIG. 1, the water inlet of the first washing drum is higher than the water inlet of the second washing drum. In some implementations, the water inlet of the first washing drum may be lower than the water inlet of the second washing drum, or the water inlet of the first washing drum may be flush with the water inlet of the second washing drum. Examples of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the washing machine control method according to an exemplary embodiment. The method may be applied to a washing machine, where the washing machine includes an inlet valve and a directional valve, the inlet valve is connected with a water inlet of the directional valve through a first waterway, a first water outlet of the directional valve is connected with a water inlet of the first washing drum through a second waterway, and a second water outlet of the directional valve is connected with a water inlet of the second washing drum through a third waterway. As shown in FIG. 2, the method includes the following steps:

[0027] in S210, in response to determining that water inflow of the first washing drum is completed, the inlet valve is closed.

[0028] In S220, in case that the inlet valve is closed, the directional valve is closed.

[0029] In some implementations, the first washing drum may be an upper drum, and accordingly, the second washing drum may be a lower drum.

[0030] In some implementations, the first washing drum may have the same size as the second washing drum.

[0031] In some implementations, the first washing drum may have a different size from the second washing drum. For example, a drum diameter of the first washing drum may be smaller than that of the second washing drum, or the drum diameter of the first washing drum may be larger than that of the second washing drum.

[0032] In some implementations, the first washing drum and the second washing drum may independently complete laundry tasks.

[0033] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the first washing drum performs a laundry task, and water is to be added to the first washing drum, the inlet valve may be opened and the directional valve may be started. At this time, external water flows into the first washing drum through the first waterway and the second waterway. At this time, since the directional valve is in the started state, the directional valve will not direct water to the third waterway, so that water will not flow into the second washing drum.

[0034] As the water inflow continues, at some point, in case that the washing machine determines that water inflow of the first washing drum is completed, the washing machine can close the inlet valve. At this time, the external water will not flow into the first waterway. In some embodiments of the present application, in order to avoid the residual water in the first waterway and the second waterway from flowing into the second washing drum, the directional valve will not be closed at the same time as the inlet valve is closed, but the directional valve will be closed after the inlet valve is closed. In this way, there is a certain time interval between closing the inlet valve and closing the directional valve. During this time interval, the residual water in the first waterway and the second waterway can continue to move, thereby reducing the amount or energy of the residual water, further reducing the amount of water flowing into the second washing drum after the directional valve is closed, and avoiding the situation that the residual water flows into the second washing drum.

[0035] In some implementations, after the directional valve is closed, a preset water washing program may be performed. The preset water washing program may be, for example, a washing program, a rinsing program, etc. This depends on the current actual washing process.

[0036] With the above method, in response to determining that water inflow of the first washing drum is completed, the washing machine closes the inlet valve, and in case that the inlet valve is closed, closes the directional valve. In this way, the residual water in the waterway continues to move during the time interval between closing the inlet valve and closing the directional valve, thereby reducing the amount or energy of the residual water, further reducing the amount of water flowing into the second washing drum after the directional valve is closed, avoiding the situation that the residual water flows into the second washing drum, and further improving the user experience.

[0037] In some implementations, in step S220, in case that the inlet valve is closed, closing the directional valve may include the follow step: [0038] in response to the inlet valve being closed for a first preset duration, closing the directional valve. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in case that the inlet valve is closed and the directional valve is started, the residual water remaining in the first waterway and the second waterway partially or completely flows into the first washing drum under the action of siphon, etc. Even if it does not completely flow into the first washing drum, it will fall back to the low position of the first waterway under the action of gravity and tend to be stable. Therefore, after a certain period of time, even if the directional valve is closed, the residual water in the waterway entering the second washing drum will be greatly reduced. Therefore, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, in case that the inlet valve is closed and the directional valve is started, the time length during which the residual water in the first waterway and the second waterway all flows into the first washing drum or falls back to a low position and tends to be stable may be tested in the experimental environment in advance, and recorded as a preset duration and wrote into the corresponding washing machine program. In this way, in the working stage of the washing machine, in response to the water inlet valve being closed for the first preset duration, the washing machine can close the directional valve.

[0039] For example, in the case that a bottom detergent drawer is used for loading detergent in the double-drum partitioned washing machine, as shown in FIG. 1, there is an upward waterway at one end of the first waterway near the directional valve. In this case, under the condition that the inlet valve is closed and the directional valve is started, part of the residual water in the first waterway and the second waterway will flow into the first washing drum under the action of siphon, etc., and the other part of the residual water will fall back to the low position of the first waterway and tend to be stable under the action of its own gravity. Alternatively, the residual water in the first waterway and the second waterway may all flow into the first washing drum under the action of siphon, etc.

[0040] For another example, even if a top detergent drawer is used for loading detergent in the double-drum partitioned washing machine, there may be no waterway section lower than the directional valve in the first waterway. In this case, under the condition that the inlet valve is closed and the directional valve is started, the residual water in the first waterway and the second waterway will also partially or completely flow into the first washing drum under the action of siphon, etc., which can also avoid the situation that the residual water flows into the second washing drum after the directional valve is closed.

[0041] In some implementations, the water inlet of the first washing drum is higher than the water inlet of the second washing drum. In this case, in step S220, closing the directional valve in case that the inlet valve is closed may include the follow steps: [0042] in response to the inflow valve being closed for the first preset duration, performing the preset water washing program; and [0043] in response to the preset water washing program being performed for a second preset duration, closing the directional valve.

[0044] In some embodiments of the present application, after the inlet valve is closed for the first preset duration, considering that there may be wall-hanging water droplets in the second waterway that are not easy to be taken away under the action of gravity or siphon, and because the water inlet of the first washing drum is higher than the water inlet of the second washing drum, the wall-hanging water droplets may flow into the second washing drum after the directional valve is closed. Therefore, after the inlet valve is closed for the first preset duration, the first washing drum may start to execute the preset water washing program, such as washing program or rinsing program, so that the wall-hanging water droplets in the second waterway can be taken away by weak vibration or pressure change generated by the preset water washing program. Therefore, it can be further configured that the directional valve is closed after performing the preset water washing program for the second preset duration.

[0045] In some implementations, the water inlet of the first washing drum is higher than the water inlet of the second washing drum, and an end of the second waterway near the first water outlet is provided with a flowmeter. In this case, in step S220, closing the directional valve in case that the inlet valve is closed may include the follow step:

[0046] in case that the inlet valve is closed and it is determined, according to a detection result of the flowmeter, that there is no residual water in the second waterway, closing the directional valve.

[0047] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, whether there is residual water in the second waterway can be detected by the provided flowmeter. In the case that the water inlet of the first washing drum is higher than the water inlet of the second washing drum, if there is no residual water in the second waterway, it means that the residual water has either flowed into the first washing drum or fallen back to the low position of the first waterway and tended to be stable. In this case, even if the directional valve is closed, there will be no residual water flowing into the second washing drum. Therefore, the directional valve may be closed in case that the inlet valve is closed and it is determined, according to the detection result of the flowmeter, that there is no residual water in the second waterway.

[0048] In some implementations, in order to determine whether the water inflow of the first washing drum is completed, the method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may further include the following step: [0049] in response to the water inflow of the first washing drum reaching a target water level, determining that the water inflow of the first washing drum is completed.

[0050] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the water level of the first washing drum during water inflow can be obtained, and the water inflow completion of the first washing drum can be determined in case that the water inflow of the first washing drum reaching the target water level.

[0051] In some implementations, the target water level may be determined according to the laundry task currently performed by the first washing drum. For example, if the rated water required for the current washing task is 0.8 L, the water level in the first washing drum corresponding to 0.8 L water may be set as the target water level.

[0052] In addition, considering that the double-drum partitioned washing machine to which the washing machine control method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is applicable may be a washing machine with layouts other than the double-drum layout shown in FIG. 1.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 3, embodiments of the present disclosure further provide another double-drum partitioned washing machine 300. The parts of the double-drum partitioned washing machine 300 in FIG. 3 are the same as those of the double-drum partitioned washing machine 100 in FIG. 1, including the inlet valve 101, the directional valve 102, the first waterway 103, the second waterway 104, the first washing drum 105, the third waterway 106 and the second washing drum 107. The difference lies in the layout of parts. As shown in FIG. 3, the first washing drum 105 is arranged diagonally above the second washing drum 107 and on a side thereof away from the directional valve 102. In this case, the first washing drum 105 may be smaller than the second washing drum 107, and the first washing drum 105 could be used for washing small-sized clothes such as socks.

[0054] Under this double-drum layout, the second waterway 104 is to partially cross the second washing drum 107, so that the second waterway 104 is longer and there is more residual water in the second waterway 104. Moreover, due to the small size of the first washing drum 105, the water level of the first washing drum 105 rises after the residual water in the second waterway 104 flows into the first washing drum 105. Accordingly, the water in the first washing drum 105 can be supplemented by this residual water in the second waterway 104. Therefore, in order to ensure the accuracy of the water amount in the first washing drum 105 and avoid the waste of water resources, in some examples, the target water level can also be determined according to the rated water level required for the laundry task performed by the first washing drum 105, the volume of the first washing drum and the volume of the second waterway.

[0055] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the volume of residual water in the second waterway, that may flow into the first washing drum after the inlet valve is closed, can be determined in advance according to the volume of the second waterway. The target water level can be further calculated based on the volume of the first washing drum, the volume of residual water that may flow into the first washing drum, and the rated water level required for the laundry task performed by the first washing drum, and wrote into the corresponding washing machine program. It could be understood that the target water level is lower than the rated water level required for the laundry task performed by the first washing drum.

[0056] In some implementations, for different laundry tasks performed by the first washing drum, the rated water levels required may be different.

[0057] FIG. 4 is a structural block diagram of the washing machine control device 400 according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4, the washing machine control device 400 includes a first control module 410 and a second control module 420.

[0058] The first control module 410 is configured to close an inlet valve in response to determining that water inflow of the first washing drum is completed.

[0059] The second control module 420 is configured to close a direction valve in case that the inlet valve is closed.

[0060] In some implementations, the second control module 420 includes:

[0061] a first control submodule, configured to close the direction valve in response to the inlet valve being closed for a first preset duration.

[0062] In some implementations, the water inlet of the first washing drum is higher than the water inlet of the second washing drum, and the second control module 420 includes: [0063] a second control submodule, configured to perform a preset water washing program in response to the inflow valve being closed for the first preset duration; and [0064] a third control submodule, configured to close the directional valve in response to the preset water washing program being performed for a second preset duration.

[0065] In some implementations, the water inlet of the first washing drum is higher than the water inlet of the second washing drum, an end of the second waterway near the first water outlet is provided with a flowmeter, and the second control module 420 includes: [0066] a fourth control submodule, configured to close the directional valve in case that the inlet valve is closed and it is determined, according to a detection result of the flowmeter, that there is no residual water in the second waterway.

[0067] In some implementations, the washing machine control device 400 further includes: [0068] a determining module, configured to determine that the water inflow of the first washing drum is completed in response to the water inflow of the first washing drum reaching a target water level.

[0069] In some implementations, the first washing drum is arranged diagonally above the second washing drum and on a side thereof away from the directional valve, and the target water level is determined according to a rated water level required by a laundry task performed by the first washing drum, a volume of the first washing drum and a volume of the second waterway.

[0070] Regarding the washing machine control device 400 in the above examples, the specific way in which each module performs operations has been described in detail in the embodiments of the method, and will not be described in detail here.

[0071] The present disclosure also provides a washing machine, which includes: [0072] an inlet valve, where the inlet valve is connected with a water inlet of a directional valve through a first waterway, a first water outlet of the directional valve is connected with a water inlet of a first washing drum through a second waterway, and a second water outlet of the directional valve is connected with a water inlet of a second washing drum through a third waterway; and [0073] a controller, where the controller is respectively connected with the inlet valve and the directional valve in communication, and includes a memory and a processor, where the memory stores a computer program, and the processor is used for executing the computer program in the memory to implement the steps of the washing machine control method according to the present disclosure.

[0074] FIG. 5 is a structural block diagram of a washing machine controller 500 according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, the washing machine controller 500 may include one or more of the following components: a processing component 502, a memory 504, a power component 506, an audio component 508, a sensor component 510, a communication component 512 and a processor 514.

[0075] The processing component 502 generally controls the overall operation of the washing machine 500, such as display, prompt sound and operation of various washing programs. The processing component 502 may include one or more processors 514 to execute instructions to complete all or part of the steps of the washing machine control method described above. In addition, the processing component 502 may include one or more modules to facilitate the interaction between the processing component 502 and other components.

[0076] The memory 504 is configured to store various types of data to support operations of the washing machine 500. Examples of these data include instructions, data, and the like for any application program or method operating on the washing machine 500. The memory 504 may be realized by any type of volatile memory device or nonvolatile memory device or the combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, magnetic disk or optical disk.

[0077] The power component 506 provides power to various components of the washing machine 500. The power component 506 may include a power source management system, one or more power sources, and other components associated with generating power, managing power and distributing power for the washing machine 500.

[0078] The audio component 508 is configured to output and/or input audio signals. For example, the audio component 508 includes one microphone (MIC) configured to receive external audio signals when the washing machine 500 is in an operation mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signals may be further stored in the memory 504 or transmitted via the communication component 512. In some embodiments, the audio component 508 also includes a speaker for outputting audio signals.

[0079] The sensor component 510 includes one or more sensors for providing various aspects of state evaluation for the washing machine 500. In some embodiments, the sensor component 510 may further include a flowmeter, an acceleration sensor, a pressure sensor, a vibration sensor or a temperature sensor.

[0080] The communication component 512 is configured to facilitate wired communication or wireless communication between the washing machine 500 and other devices. The washing machine 500 may access a wireless network based on communication standards, such as WiFi, 4G or 5G, or the combination thereof.

[0081] The present disclosure also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including computer program instructions. When the computer program instructions are executed by a processor, the steps of the washing machine control method according to the present disclosure are achieved.

[0082] The present disclosure also provides a computer program product, where the computer program product contains a computer program that can be executed by a programmable device, and the computer program has a code portion for implementing the above-mentioned washing machine control method when executed by the programmable device.

[0083] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will easily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the description and practicing the present disclosure. The present application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the present disclosure, which follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or common technical means in the art that are not disclosed in the present disclosure. The description and embodiments are to be regarded as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

[0084] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications and changes could be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the attached claims.