WATER DRAINING DEVICE OF WASHING MACHINE, WASHING MACHINE AND CONTROL METHOD

Abstract

 A water draining device of a washing machine, a washing machine and a control method, cleaning particles (5) for cleaning a tub wall are provided between an inner tub and an outer tub of a washing machine, the cleaning particles (5) are collected into a particle collecting chamber (6) when the water draining device is draining water, and float upwards from a water inlet (12) to be between the inner tub and the outer tub of the washing machine under a buoyancy force during water feeding. The water draining device (1) of a washing machine comprises a drain valve body (11), a water inlet (12) and a water outlet (13), the water inlet (12) is in communication with a water draining outlet (2) of the outer tub of the washing machine, the drain valve body (11) is provided therein with a particle collecting chamber (6) communicating with the water inlet (12), a particle filtering structure (8)is provided between the particle collecting chamber (6) and the water outlet (13), the water draining device (1) further comprises a water/air access mechanism, the particle collecting chamber (6) is provided therein with a port (61) having a communication with the water/air access mechanism, and the water/air access mechanism controls water or air flow into the particle collecting chamber. The water draining device (1) enables all the added cleaning particles (5) to flow upward, thus enabling faster addition of the cleaning particles, further, line debris can be completely discharged during water draining without casuing a blockage.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a field of a washing machine, and especially relates to a water draining device of a washing machine, a washing machine and a control method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The space between an inner and an outer tub of the existing washing machine is a closed environment where only water can flow through. Due to the limitations of the above-mentioned structure of the washing machine and the specialty of the use environment, dirt will adhere to an outer wall of the inner tub and an inner wall of the outer tub after being used for three to five months, so as to breed bacteria in different degrees, and the vast majority of bacteria is harmful to the human body.

[0003] With the improvement of people's living standards and the improvement of requirements of life quality, the solution of the hygiene problem of the washing machine has been very urgent. The survey of relevant research institutions on the internal environment of the washing machine shows that the seriousness of the internal pollution of the washing machine has get more and more attention by consumers. In order to fundamentally avoid the second pollution to the laundries by the washing machine, and to be better responsible for the health of the users, the internal environment cleaning problem of the washing machine is already an urgent problem needed to be overcome.

[0004] A Chinese patent application No. 200820183308.4 discloses a washing machine with self-cleaning between tubs, which comprises an inner tub, an outer tub and numbers of circular silica balls for cleaning the inner and outer tub walls. The flow of water generated by the rotation of the inner tub in washing the laundry drives the circular silica balls between the inner tub and outer tub to move to constantly impact two walls of the the inner and the outer tub to achieve the purpose of cleaning the walls of the the inner and outer tubs.

[0005] In addition, in a Chinese patent application No. 201010160548.4 filed previously by the the applicant, it discloses a washing machine and a method, using flexible particles to clean the space between the inner and outer tubs of a washing machine. It achieves the cleaning of the space between the inner and outer tubs of the washing machine, through the regular flows of water during a washing process of laundry to drive the flexible particles to impact and frict the walls of the inner and outer tubs of the washing machine.

[0006] However, the structure of the above-mentioned washing machine will produce big noise during the high-speed dehydration process due to the rubber balls or flexible particles in the tubs are in a free scattered state after the drainage, it will increase the energy consumption of the washing machine and will affect the service life of the washing machine. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the structure of the existing water draining device, so as to provide a water draining device with a filter structure for collecting the cleaning particles, and allows fiber debris to be discharged without being clogged, and can automatically deliver the cleaning particles in the next washing procedure, and can be freely disassembled to replace and clean the cleaning particles.

[0007] Besides, in a Chinese patent application No. 201210189764.0 filed previously by the the applicant, it discloses a water draining device of a washing machine. The washing machine comprises an outer tub, an inner tub and a pulsator, and cleaning particles for cleaning tub walls are provided between the inner and outer tubs and a water drain is provided at the bottom of the outer tub. As shown in Fig.1, the described water draining device comprises a particle collecting chamber 1' for collecting cleaning particles during a dehydration process and making the cleaning particles float up into the outer tub to clean the tub walls during water supply process and a drainage chamber 2'. The particle collecting chamber 1' is in communication with the water outlet through a connecting pipe 3'. The particle collecting chamber 1' has an inclined inner wall structure, which allows the cleaning particles 4' to float up along the inclined inner wall with the water level rising and enter into the connecting pipe to enter the outer tub through the water outlet.

[0008] However, after a lot of experiments, the above-mentioned structure still has the following problems: 1. The cleaning particles as a whole adhere to the inclined inner wall and cannot immediately float up through the water inlet to the outer tub by the buoyancy during the water supply process of the washing machine, and the upper layer of the cleaning particles cannot float in a long time will cause all cleaning particles crowded under the inclined inner wall. In particular, if the particles stay in the particle collecting chamber for a long period of time, the bottom layer of the cleaning particles are completely adhered to the bottom of the particle collecting chamber under extrusion, and is not conducive to their full delivery, 2. When the washing machine is draining, line debris is easy to gather in the front of the filter structure and cannot be discharged due to the impact of cleaning particles. Accumulation for a longer time will not only affect the drainage efficiency, but also will make the cleaning particles entangled which is not conducive to re-deliver.

[0009] In the view of foregoing, the present disclosure is proposed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior technology and to provide a water draining device of a washing machine with a simple structure, which makes line debris to be completely discharged without causing drainage clogging or secondary contamination.

[0011] Another object of the present disclosure to provide a washing machine with the above-described water draining device.

[0012] A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a control method of the washing machine.

[0013] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the basic ideas of technical schemes adopted in the present disclosure are :

A water draining device of a washing machine comprises a drain valve body, a water inlet and a water outlet. The water inlet is in communication with a water draining outlet of the outer tub of the washing machine. The drain valve body is provided therein with a particle collecting chamber communicating with the water inlet. A particle filtering structure is provided between the particle collecting chamber and the water outlet. The water draining device further comprises a water/air access mechanism. The particle collecting chamber is provided therein with a port, and the port is communicated with the water/air access mechanism, and the water/air access mechanism controls water or air flow into the particle collecting chamber.

[0014] Further, the water/air access mechanism is a water inlet valve of the washing machine, which is in communication with the port through a water guide pipe, and the water inlet valve controls water feeding into the particle collecting chamber.

[0015] Alternatively, the water flow/air flow structure is an air pump which is in communication with the port through an air guide pipe, and the air pump controls air blowing into the particle collecting chamber.

[0016] Further, a check valve is provided between the port and water flow/air flow structure.

[0017] Further, the water flow/air flow direction of the port is set corresponding to the front of the particle filtering structure.

[0018] Further, at least one said port is provided at a upper or side or bottom part of the particle collecting chamber, in communication with the water flow/air flow structure through a multi-pass pipe.

[0019] Further, an inner diameter of the said port get smaller along the direction of the water outlet/air outlet. The structure increases the inlet water pressure/intake air pressure, and it utilizes a larger impact force of water inlet/air intake to agitate cleaning particles in the particle collecting chamber.

[0020] The present disclosure further provides another water draining device of a washing machine comprising a drain valve body, a water inlet and a water outlet, the drain valve body is provided therein with a particle collecting chamber communicating with the water inlet. A particle filtering structure is provided between the particle collecting chamber and the water outlet. The water draining device further comprises a pump device feeding water into the particle collecting chamber.

[0021] The present disclosure utilizes the pump device to feed water into the particle collecting chamber to impact cleaning particles therein and to make the cleaning particles move irregularly. Therefore, blocked or wound fibre debris groups are loosened and a new drainage gap is reformed, the fiber debris are discharged smoothly as drainage continues.

[0022] Further, the pump device comprises a reverse pump, a water outlet of the reverse pump is in communication with the water outlet of the water draining device, and the water inlet of the reverse pump is in communication with a drain pipe of washing machine. During the process of draining water, the stored water in the drain pipe is reversely guided into the particle collecting chamber to impact the fibre debris wound on the cleaning particles and cleaning particles blocked in the front part of the particle filtering structure which affect the pass of the fibre debris.

[0023] Further, a drain pump which drains water outwardly is provided on the rear part of the reverse pump, and the water inlet of the drain pump is communicated with the water inlet of the reverse pump, and the water outlet of the drain pump is communicated with the drain pipe of the washing machine.

[0024] An alternative scheme of the above-mentioned scheme is: the pump device comprises a circulating pump, and the water inlet of the circulating pump is communicated with the bottom of the outer tub of the washing machine, and the water outlet is communicated with the particle collecting chamber.

[0025] Another alternative scheme is: the pump device comprises a bi-directional drain pump, and the bi-directional drain pump comprises one water inlet and two water outlets. The water inlet is communicated with the water outlet of the water draining device, one water outlet is communicated with the drain pipe of washing machine and the other one is communicated with the particle collecting chamber. By controlling the water outlet direction of the bi-directional drain pump to conduct the circulating water channels in the paricle collecting chamber or draining channels of the washing machine.

[0026] A further alternative scheme is: the described pump device comprises a drain pump, the water inlet of the drain pump is communicated with the water outlet of the water draining device, and the water outlet is communicated with a multi-way reversing valve. A water outlet of the multi-way reversing valve is in communication with the particle collecting chamber.

[0027] Further, a check valve or a shut-off valve is provided on the waterway through which the described particle collecting chamber communicates with the pump device.

[0028] Further, the described particle collecting chamber is provided with a port in communication with the pump device. The size of the port is smaller than the particles or a filtering device is provided.

[0029] Preferably, the port is set at the bottom of the particle collecting chamber corresponding to the side of the filtering device on which the particles are blocked, in order to inlet water and impact directly the cleaning particles and fibre debris on the side.

[0030] The washing machine in the present disclosure comprises an inner tub and an outer tub, and cleaning particles for cleaning a tub wall are provided between an inner tub and an outer tub. The drain outlet of the outer tub is communicated with the water draining device below. The cleaning particles are collected into a particle collecting chamber when the water draining device is draining water, and float upwards through a water inlet to the space between the inner tub and the outer tub of the washing machine under a buoyancy force during water feeding.

[0031] During the washing process of laundry in the present disclosure, the cleaning particles are driven by water flow to impact and rub the walls of inner and outer tubs to realize the cleaning of tub walls between the inner and outer. After completion of cleaning, washing water is drained out through the water draining device, and the cleaning particles are collected in the particle collecting chamber. The cleaning particles can float in water, and impact against the walls of the inner and outer tubs between the inner tub and the outer tub with the water flow.

[0032] Providing cleaning particles between the inner tub and the outer tub to clean walls of the inner and outer tub is learned from a principle that laundries in the inner tub rub against the inner tub making it not stick dirt or breed bacteria. The cleaning particles can be made of sponge material, it can also be made of rubber or plastic foam, such as foam rubber, foam plastic or foam composite polyurethane. These kind of materials have a certain degree of flexibility, and the density is smaller than the water in dry state, with a certain flexibility and wear resistance. They are with a nature of soaked water in the water, and the price is cheap. After using a number of times, the cleaning particles can be taken out and recycled through the open sealing cover on the port of the particle collecting chamber and replaced with new cleaning particles.

[0033] The control method of the washing machine can directly inlet water or blow air to the particle collecting chamber, enabling the cleaning particles to move and flow upward fastly and stably when intaking water. When the washing machine delivers the cleaning particles, the water/air access mechanism intermittently or continuously controls water/air to flow to the particle collecting chamber, the cleaning particles are impacted to move and delivered between the inner tub and the outer tub with the feeding water level rising.

[0034] Further, the water/air access mechanism stops working after the water/air access mechanism controls water/air to flow into the particle collecting chamber for a set time or to a set water level of the outer tub.

[0035] The control method of the washing machine in the present disclosure, druing the draining process, it enables to control the water/air access mechanism or the pump device to supply water/air into the particle collecting chamber, to scatter the fibre debris wound on the cleaning particles and/or fibre debris groups blocked by the particle filtering structure, in order to drain water smoothly.

[0036] Druing the draining process, it is detected that the reducement of the water level in the outer tub is smaller than a set value or the water level reducing to a set water level. At this time, the fibre debris groups are wound and blocked in the front of the particle filtering structure, and the water flow/air flow structure or the pump device controls water/air to flow into the particle collecting chamber.

[0037] Or, druing the draining process, water/air flows to the particle collecting chamber at a set time interval, to prevent fibre debris from being entangled into groups and not being able to be discharged, and to prevent entanglement of cleaning particles from affecting the drainage and the next delivery.

[0038] When it is detected the outer tub drains to a set water level, the water/air access mechanism or the pump device is controled to stop flowing water or air to the particle collecting chamber.

[0039] After adopting the above-mentioned technical solutions, the present disclosure has the following advantageous effects compared with the prior art.

[0040] The water draining device of the present disclosure aimes at the washing machine provided with cleaning particles between the inner and outer tub which clean the walls of the inner and outer tub. It can utilize the draining water to collect cleaning particles to avoid that the cleaning particles between the inner and outer tub hit the walls and make noise while dehydrating. And the cleaning particles can be completely delivered between the inner and outer tubs to clean the walls of tubs by the buoyancy of the water in the next laudry. The improved structure makes it easier to re-deliver and re-use the cleaning particles and it avoids the blockage caused by the cleaning particles adhered to the inner wall. The structure is simple, and costs of production and installation are low.

[0041] The present disclosure utilizes water/air access mechanism to control water/air to flow into the particle collecting chamber to stir the cleaning particles, so that the cleaning particles are loose and do not adhere to the inner walls of the particle collecting chamber, which is conducive to the delivery of cleaning particles. When the washing machine drains, due to the impact of cleaning particles, fibre debris are easy to gather at the front part of the particle filtering structure and can not be discharged. The present disclosure utilizes water flow/air flow to impact the fibre debris groups so that the fibre debris can be completely discharged, and avoids the bacteria breeding caused by drainage clogging and the fibre debris residue. The present disclosure has the advantages of simple structures and reasonable design, and can accelerate the complete delivery of the cleaning particles when the water is introduced, and the drainage can be kept smooth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DARWINGS

[0042] 

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a water draining device of the prior art,

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an installation structure of the washing machine and the water draining device of the present disclosure,

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a water draining device of the present disclosure,

Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional diagram of the water draining device of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the A-direction of the water draining device of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of another water draining device of the present disclosure,

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of another installation structure of the washing machine and the water draining device of the present disclosure,

From Fig. 8 to 12 are schematic diagrams of different structures of the water draining device of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] The following is further and specific description of the present disclosure with the drawings.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 2, the water draining device 1 of the present disclosure is connected to a water draining outlet 2 of the washing machine, and is installed below an outer tub 3 of the washing machine. The washing machine comprises an outer tub 3 and an inner tub 4, cleaning particles 5 for cleaning a tub wall being provided between the inner tub 4 and the outer tub 3 of the washing machine, the cleaning particles 5 can float in water. During the washing process, the cleaning particles are driven by water flow to impact and rub the walls of inner and outer tubs to realize the cleaning of tub walls between the inner and outer. After completion of cleaning, washing water is drained out through the water draining device 1, and the cleaning particles 5 are collected in the water draining device 1. When the next water-supplying, the cleaning particles 5 float upwardly to the space between the inner tub 4 and the outer tub 3 through the water draining outlet 2 and continue cleaning tub walls between the inner and outer tubs.

[0045] The water draining device 1 of the washing machine of the present disclosure comprises a drain valve body 11, a water inlet 12 and a water outlet 13. The inside of the drain valve body 11 is divided into a particle collecting chamber 6 and a drain valve chamber 7 which are communicated with each other. A particle filtering structure 8 is provided between the particle collecting chamber 6 and the drain valve chamber 7. The particle collecting chamber 6 is communicated with the water draining outlet 2 of the outer tub through the water inlet 12. A drain valve plug 9 is provided inside the the drain valve chamber 7. The water outlet 13 is communicated with the drain valve chamber 7. The drain valve plug 9 stretches axially to close/open the water path between particle collecting chamber 6 and the water outlet 13.

[0046] The particle filtering structure 8 of the present disclosure comprises two groups of grids which are opposite to each other, and between two groups of grids is a narrow water passage 80. Each group of grids is formed a comb-like structure by a plurality of baffles 81 extending toward the water passage 80 from one side inner wall(As shown in Figure 5). Sides of the baffles 81 corresponding to the particle collecting chamber 6 are inclined from the edge toward the water passage 80 along the direction of the water outlet, which forms a curved oblique end face structure at the position of the water passage 80 concaving towards the drain valve chamber 7. The gaps between the adjacent baffles 81 in each group of grids are in smooth communication with the water passage 80 at the end of the baffles. When draining, the fiber debris hanging on the baffles 81 slides down to the end of the baffles along curved oblique end face, slides out through the water passage 80 into the drain valve chamber 7. The structure has been disclosed in the previous application by the applicant, and it is not described in detail.

[0047] The water inlet 12 of the water draining device of the present disclosure is provided at the upper portion of the particle collecting chamber 6, and the water outlet 13 is provided at the lower portion the drain valve chamber 7. The water inlet 12, the particle collecting chamber 6, the drain valve chamber 7 and the water outlet 13 are successively communicated to form ways of water outlet. The way of water outlet between the particle collecting chamber 6 and the water outlet 13 is controled on or off by the drain valve plug 9. An overflow outlet 14 is provided in the side wall of the drain valve chamber 7 (As shown in Fig.4), or, the overflow outlet 14 is provided in the side of the water outlet 13 (As shown in Fig.6), and is communicated with an overflow opening of the outer tub through the overflow pipe (not shown in figures).

Embodiment 1

[0048] As shown in from Fig. 2 to 4 and Fig.7, the particle collecting chamber 6 of the present disclosure is provided with a port 61, and the port 61 is communicated with a water/air access mechanism. The water/air access mechanism controls water /air to flow into the particle collecting chamber 6.

Embodiment 2

[0049] As shown in Fig.2, the water/air access mechanism of the present embodiment is a water inlet valve 16 of the washing machine, the water inlet valve 16 is in communication with the port 61 through a water guide pipe 10, and the water inlet valve controls water feeding into the particle collecting chamber 6.

Embodiment 3

[0050] As shown in Fig.3 and Fig.4, the embodiment is further improved on the basis of the embodiment 2: the port 61 is provided at the bottom of the particle collecting chamber 6. Preferably, the water outlet direction of the port 61 is provided corresponding to the front of the particle filtering structure 8. As shown in Fig.4, the port 61 is provided in front of the baffles 81. When draining, water feeding through the port 61 impacts the fibre debris groups 15 winding and blocking at the top part of the baffles 81, and scatters off the fibre debris groups 15 so that they are discharged smoothly, avoids causing drainage plug.

[0051] Further, the inner diameter of the port 61 is smaller than the minimum diameter of the cleaning particles 5, to prevent the cleaning particles 5 from plugging the port 61, or, the port 61 is provided with a filtering net(not shown in figures). A check valve is provided at the connection of the water guide pipe 10 and the port 61 (not shown in figures), it prevents the washing water from flowing back from the water guide pipe 10 to affect water supplying. The inner diameterof the port 61 of the particle collecting chamber get smaller along the direction of the water outlet (As shown in Fig.4). The structure increases the water pressure of inlet water, and it utilizes a larger impact force generated by feedingwater to agitate cleaning particles in the particle collecting chamber.

Embodiment 4

[0052] As shown in Fig.6, the differences between the present embodiment and the embodiment 3 are: the particle collecting chamber 6 is further provided with a third water inlet 62. The water guide pipe 10 is a three-way pipe, commucating seperately with the water inlet valve, the port and the third water inlet. It is more conducive to impact the cleaning particles in the particle collecting chamber and fiber debris by water feeding in a number of directions. The port and the three-way pipe in this embodiment are seperately provided on two opposite sides of the particle collecting chamber (only the third water inlet 62 is shown in Fig.6, the port not able to be shown as it is on the other side). The water inlet directions of the two water inlets are preferably not on the same line, or, the port and the third water inlet can also be provided on the same side, preferably, the water inlet directions of the two water inlets are set crosswise. The number and the position of the water inlet communicating with the water guide pipe are not limited to structures mentioned above, and other embodiments which can achieve the object of the present disclosure are within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Embodiment 5

[0053] As shown in Fig.7, the differences between the present embodiment and the embodiments from 1 to 4 are: the water/air access mechanism is an air pump 17 which is in communication with the port 61 through an air guide pipe 18, and the air pump 17 controls to blow air into the particle collecting chamber 6. Other structures can be found in the embodiment 3 and the embodiment 4.

Embodiment 6

[0054] As shown in Fig. from 8 to 12, the differences from the embodiments from 1 to 5 are : the water draining device 1 of the present disclsoure comprises a pump device feeding water to the particle collecting chamber 6. It utilizes the pump device to feed water to the particle collecting chamber to impact cleaning particles therein and to make the cleaning particles move irregularly. Therefore, blocked or wound fibre debris groups 15 are loosened and a new drainage gap is reformed, the fibre debris are discharged smoothly as drainage continues.

Embodiment 7

[0055] As shown in Fig. 8, the pump device of the present embodiment comprises a reverse pump 16, a water outlet of the reverse pump 16 is in communication with the water outlet 13 of the water draining device, and the water inlet of the reverse pump 16 is in communication with a drain pipe 22 of washing machine. During the process of draining water, the stored water in the drain pipe 22 is reversely guided into the particle collecting chamber 6, impacts the fibre debris wound on the cleaning particles and cleaning particles blocked in the front part of the particle filtering structure 8 which affects the pass of the line debris.

Embodiment 8

[0056] As shown in Fig. 9, a drain pump 23 which drains water outwardly is provided on the rear part of the reverse pump 16 on the basis of embodiment 7, and the water inlet of the drain pump 23 is communicated with the water inlet of the reverse pump 16, and the water outlet of the drain pump 23 is communicated with the drain pipe 22 of the washing machine.

Embodiment 9

[0057] As shown in Fig. 10, this embodiment is different from embodiment 7 and embodiment 8. The pump device in this embodiment comprises a circulating pump 24, and the particle collecting chamber 6 is provided with the port 61 which is in communication with the pump device. The water inlet of the circulating pump 24 is communicated with the bottom of the outer tub 3 of the washing machine, and the water outlet is communicated with the port 61 of the particle collecting chamber 6. The water in the outer tub 3 is pressurized by the pump to impact the cleaning particles in the particle collecting chamber and fibre debris groups.

Embodiment 10

[0058] As shown in Fig. 11, the pump device in this embodiment comprises a bi-directional drain pump 19, and the bi-directional drain pump 19 comprises a water inlet and two water outlets. The water inlet is communicated with the water outlet 13 of the water draining device, one water outlet is communicated with the drain pipe 22 of washing machine and the other ontlet is communicated with the port 61 of the particle collecting chamber 6. By controlling the water outlet direction of the bi-directional drain pump to conduct the circulating water channels in the paricle collecting chamber or draining channels of the washing machine.

[0059] Further, a check valve 63 is provided on the waterway between the port 61 of the particle collecting chamber 6 and the bi-directional drain pump 19, to prevent water in the outer tub from being discharged directly through the port 61 of the particle collecting chamber 6, the bi-directional drain pump 19 and the drain pipe 22.

Embodiment 11

[0060] As shown in Fig. 12, this embodiment is different from embodiment 10. The pump device in this embodiment comprises a drain pump 20. The water inlet of the drain pump 20 is communicated with the water outlet 13 of the water draining device, and the water outlet is communicated with a multi-way reversing valve 21. A water outlet of the multi-way reversing valve 21 is in communication with the particle collecting chamber 6. Through the control of the water outlet direction of the multi-way reversing valve 21, the direction of the circulating water channels in particle collecting chamber or draining channels of the washing machine are conducted.

[0061] The port 61 in this embodiment is set at the bottom of the particle collecting chamber 6 corresponding to the side on which the particles are blocked by the particle filtering structure 8, in order to inlet water and impact directly on the cleaning particles and fibre debris of the side. However, it is not limited to the position mentioned above, it can also be set on the side of the particle collecting chamber 6 corresponding to the side on which the particles are blocked by the particle filtering structure 8 (see the position of the third water inlet 62 in Fig. 6).

Embodiment 12

[0062] The cleaning particles 5 of the present disclosure can float in water, and impact against the walls of the inner and outer tubs between the inner tub and the outer tub with the water flow. During the washing process, the cleaning of the walls between the inner tub and the outer tub is realized by the impact and friction of the cleaning particles 5 against walls of the inner and outer tubs driven by the water flow. After the cleaning is over, washing water is drained out through the water draining device 1, and the cleaning particles 5 are collected in the particle collecting chamber 6.

Embodiment 13

[0063] The control method of the washing machine in the present disclosure is a control method for delivery the cleaning particles. Combined with the water draining device in embodiments from 2 to 4, the water/air access mechanism is a water inlet valve 16 of the washing machine. Before the inner tub 4 of the washing machine being fed water, the water inlet valve is firstly controlled to feed water to the particle collecting chamber 6 through the water guide pipe 10 intervally or continuously to impact the cleaning particles 5 to float upward to the space between the inner tub 4 and the outer tub 3 of the washing machine.

[0064] After feeding water through the water guide pipe 10 to the particle collecting chamber 6 for a set time, or, after feeding water through the water guide pipe 10 to a set water level of the outer tub via the water draining device 1, the water inlet 12 and the water draining outlet 2 of the outer tub, the water guide pipe 10 stops feeding water. And then the present water-supplying procedure is executed to feed water to the inner tub 4, that is, the water inlet valve feeds water into a detergent box or other water treatment device and then into then inner tub. Or, it is also possible to feed water at the same time to the end of the water-supplying procedure, and it is not limited to the above-mentioned setting method.

Embodiment 14

[0065] The control method of the washing machine in the present disclosure is a control method for delivery the cleaning particles. Combined with the water draining device in the embodiment 5, the water/air access mechanism is an air pump 17. Firstly feeding water to the set water level, the air pump 17 is controlled to blow air into the particle collecting chamber 6 through an air guide pipe 18 intervally or continuously, and to impact the cleaning particles 5 to float upward to the space between the inner tub 4 and the outer tub 3 of the washing machine. Or, the air pump 17 is firstly controlled to blow air through the air guide pipe 18 to loose the cleaning particles 5, then water is fed to make the cleaning particles 5 float upward to the space between the inner tub 4 and the outer tub 3 of the washing machine. Or, it is possible to execute air blowing and water feeding at the same time, and it is not limited to the above-mentioned setting method.

[0066] When air is blew to the particle collecting chamber 6 for a set time, air blowing is stopped, or, it blows air to the end of the water-supplying procedure.

Embodiment 15

[0067] The control method of the washing machine in the present disclosure is a control method for draining. Combined with the water draining device in the above-mentioned embodiments. The washing process is completed and during the draining process, it is detected that the reducement of the water level in the outer tub is smaller than a set value or the water level reducing to a set water level. At this time the fibre debris groups are wound and blocked at the front part of the particle filtering structure 8 (as shown Fig. 2, Fig. from 7 to 9, Fig. 11 and Fig. 12). The water/air access mechanism or the pump device controls water/air to flow into the particle collecting chamber 6, to scatter the fibre debris wound on the cleaning particles and/or fibre debris groups blocked by the particle filtering structure, in order to drain smoothly.

[0068] Or, druing the draining process, water/air flows to the particle collecting chamber 6 at a set time interval, to prevent fibre debris from being entangled into groups and not being able to be discharged, causing entanglement of cleaning particleswhich affects the next delivery.

[0069] Further, when it is detected the outer tub drains to a set water level, the described water/air access mechanism or the pump device is controlled to stop flowing water or air to the particle collecting chamber 6.

[0070] Embodiments of the above-mentioned embodiments may be further combined or replaced, and the embodiments are merely illustrative of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, not the limitation of the ideas and scope of the present disclosure. Without departing from the design concept of the present disclosure, various changes and modifications in the technical solutions of the present disclosure by those skilled in the art are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A water draining device of a washing machine comprising, a drain valve body, a water inlet and a water outlet, the water inlet being in communication with a water draining outlet of an outer tub of the washing machine, the drain valve body being provided therein with a particle collecting chamber communicating with the water inlet, a particle filtering structure being provided between the particle collecting chamber and the water outlet, wherein:

the water draining device further comprises a water/air access mechanism for controlling water or air to flow into the particle collecting chamber, the particle collecting chamber is provided therein with a port, the port is communicated with the water/air access mechanism.

2. The water draining device of the washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: the water/air access mechanism is a water inlet valve of the washing machine, the water inlet valve is communicated with the port through a water guide pipe, and the water inlet valve controls to feed water into the particle collecting chamber.

3. The water draining device of the washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: the water/air access mechanism is an air pump, and the air pump is communicated with the port through an air guide pipe, and the air pump controls to blow air into the particle collecting chamber.

4. The water draining device of the washing machine according to any one of claims from 1 to 3, wherein: a check valve is provided between the port and the water/air access mechanism.

5. The water draining device of the washing machine according to any one of claims from 1 to 3, wherein: a water flow/air flow direction of the port is set corresponding to a front part of the particle filtering structure.

6. The water draining device of the washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: at least one port is provided, which is provided at an upper or a side or a bottom part of the particle collecting chamber, in communication with the water/air access mechanism through a multi-pass pipe.

7. A washing machine with the water draining device according to any one of claims from 1 to 6, wherein: the washing machine comprises an inner tub, an outer tub and cleaning particles for cleaning a tub wall being provided between the inner tub and the outer tub, the water draining outlet of the outer tub is communicated with the water draining device below,
the cleaning particles are collected into the particle collecting chamber when the water draining device is draining water, and float upward from the water inlet to a space between the inner tub and the outer tub of the washing machine under buoyancy force during water feeding.

8. A control method of the washing machine according to claim 7, wherein: when the washing machine delivers the cleaning particles, the water/air access mechanism intermittently or continuously controls to flow water/air into the particle collecting chamber, the cleaning particles are impacted to move and delivered the space between the inner tub and the outer tub of the washing machine with a feeding water level rising.

9. The control method according to claim 8, wherein: the water/air access mechanism stops working after the water/air access mechanism controls to flow water/air into the particle collecting chamber for a set time, or the outer tub feeds water to a set water level.

10. A control method of the washing machine according to claim 7, wherein: druing a draining process, when a reducement of the water level in the outer tub is detected to be smaller than a set value or the water level reduces to a set water level per a unit time, the water/air access mechanism controls to flow water/air into the particle collecting chamber,
or, druing the draining process, water/air is flowed into the particle collecting chamber at a set time interval.

11. A water draining device of a washing machine comprising, a drain valve body, a water inlet and a water outlet,
the drain valve body being provided therein with a particle collecting chamber communicating with the water inlet, a particle filtering structure being provided between the particle collecting chamber and the water outlet, wherein:

the water draining device further comprises a pump device feeding water to the particle collecting chamber.

12. The water draining device of the washing machine according to claim 11, wherein: the pump device comprises a reverse pump, a water outlet of the reverse pump is communicated with the water outlet of the water draining device, and a water inlet of the reverse pump is communicated with a drain pipe of the washing machine.

13. The water draining device of the washing machine according to claim 12, wherein: a drain pump which drains water outward is provided on a rear of the reverse pump, and a water inlet of the drain pump is communicated with the water inlet of the reverse pump, and a water outlet of the drain pump is communicated with the drain pipe of the washing machine.

14. The water draining device of the washing machine according to claim 11, wherein: the pump device comprises a circulating pump, and a water inlet of the circulating pump is communicated with a bottom of an outer tub of the washing machine, and a water outlet of the circulating pump is communicated with the particle collecting chamber.

15. The water draining device of the washing machine according to claim 11, wherein: the pump device comprises a bi-directional drain pump, and the bi-directional drain pump comprises one water inlet and two water outlets, the water inlet is communicated with the water outlet of the water draining device, one water outlet is communicated with a drain pipe of the washing machine and the other water outlet is communicated with the particle collecting chamber.

16. The water draining device of the washing machine according to claim 11, wherein: the pump device comprises a drain pump, a water inlet of the drain pump is communicated with the water outlet of the water draining device, and a water outlet of the drain pump is communicated with a multi-way reversing valve, one water outlet of the multi-way reversing valve is communicated with the particle collecting chamber.

17. The water draining device of the washing machine according to claim 15 or 16, wherein: a check valve or a shut-off valve is provided on a waterway connected between the particle collecting chamber and the pump device.

18. A washing machine with the water draining device according to any one of claims from 11 to 17 comprising, an inner tub and an outer tub, and cleaning particles for cleaning a tub wall provided between the inner tub and the outer tub, a water draining outlet of the outer tub is communicated with the water draining device below,
the cleaning particles are collected into the particle collecting chamber when the water draining device is draining or dehydrating, and float upward from the water inlet of the water draining device to a space between the inner tub and the outer tub of the washing machine under a buoyancy force during water feeding.

19. A control method of the washing machine according to claim 18, wherein: druing a draining process, the pump device is controls water to be fed into the particle collecting chamber, to scatter the fibre debris wound on the cleaning particles and/or fibre debris groups blocked by the particle filtering structure, in order to drain smoothly.

20. The control method according to claim 19, wherein: druing the draining process, when a reducement of a water level in the outer tub is detected to be smaller than a set value or the water level reducing to a set water level per unit time, the pump device controls water to flow into the particle collecting chamber, or, druing the draining process, the pump device controls water to be fed into the particle collecting chamber at a set time interval.

Drawing