U.S. patent application number 15/754485 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-23 for washing machine and control method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Rongshuai CAI, Wenfeng JIANG, Wenwei LI, Xiao NING, Jinkai WANG, Jun WU.
Application Number | 20180237976 15/754485 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58099580 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180237976 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LI; Wenwei ; et al. |
August 23, 2018 |
WASHING MACHINE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
A washing machine comprises a control panel and at least two
washing devices, and a control system separately connected with the
control panel and the washing devices, wherein the control panel is
provided with a knob which can be used as a selection key for
selecting one washing device to execute next operation, and also
can be used for selecting programs of the washing device, a set of
control keys which are shared by the washing devices, and used for
controlling the programs and parameters of the corresponding
washing device after the washing device is selected by the
selection key, and at least two display units corresponding to the
washing devices and used for displaying settings and operating
states of the washing devices. The washing machine can control and
display two washing devices by using only one control panel.
Inventors: |
LI; Wenwei; (Qingdao,
Shandong, CN) ; CAI; Rongshuai; (Qingdao, Shandong,
CN) ; WANG; Jinkai; (Qingdao, Shandong, CN) ;
WU; Jun; (Qingdao, Shandong, CN) ; JIANG;
Wenfeng; (Qingdao, Shandong, CN) ; NING; Xiao;
(Qingdao, Shandong, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD. |
Qingdao, Shandong |
|
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE
CO., LTD.
Qingdao, Shandong
CN
|
Family ID: |
58099580 |
Appl. No.: |
15/754485 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
August 9, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2016/094135 |
371 Date: |
February 22, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 2212/02 20130101;
D06F 29/00 20130101; D06F 2216/00 20130101; D06F 2214/00 20130101;
D06F 33/00 20130101; D06F 58/30 20200201; D06F 34/28 20200201; D06F
31/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 39/00 20060101
D06F039/00; D06F 31/00 20060101 D06F031/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 26, 2015 |
CN |
201510532881.6 |
Claims
1. A washing machine, comprising at least two washing devices, a
control panel shared by the washing devices, and a control system
separately connected with the control panel and the washing
devices, wherein the control panel comprises: a selection key which
is used for selecting one washing device to execute next operation,
a set of control keys which are shared by the washing devices, and
used for controlling programs and parameters of the washing device
after the washing device is selected via the selection key, and at
least two display units which are corresponding to the washing
devices one by one and used for displaying settings and operating
states of the washing devices.
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing
devices comprise a first washing device and a second washing
device, and the control panel is provided with a first display unit
and a second display unit for correspondingly displaying settings
and operating states of the first washing device and the second
washing device; and a set of control keys is arranged between the
first display unit and the second display unit; areas,
corresponding to one or more control keys, of the first display
unit and the second display unit separately display a set of
parameters of the control keys.
3. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the set of
control keys is transversely arranged between the first display
unit and the second display unit, and a set of parameters
corresponding to one or more control keys is longitudinally
arranged and displayed on the display units on two sides of the
control keys.
4. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the set of
control keys at least comprises one or more control keys for
controlling items selected from a group containing temperature,
rotation speed, washing and rinsing; display areas, corresponding
to the control keys for controlling one or more items selected from
a group containing temperature, rotation speed, washing and
rinsing, of the first display unit and the second display unit
separately display the set of one or more items selected from a
group containing temperature value parameters, rotation speed value
parameters, washing time parameters and rinsing times of the first
washing device and the second washing device.
5. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the first
display unit comprises a display area for displaying a current
washing program and a remaining time thereof of the first washing
device, and the second display unit comprises a display area for
displaying a current washing program and a remaining time thereof
of the second washing device.
6. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the set of
control keys comprises the control keys for controlling appointment
and night washing, and display areas, for displaying the washing
programs and remaining times thereof, of the first display unit and
the second display unit are correspondingly arranged on two sides
of the control keys for controlling appointment and night
washing.
7. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the selection
key is provided with selection icons corresponding to the washing
devices; the washing device is selected after the selection icon
corresponding to the washing device is activated; after the
selection icon for one washing device on the selection key is
activated, the control key controls the programs and parameters of
the washing device, and the programs and parameters are displayed
on the corresponding display unit; and after the selection icon for
another washing device on the selection key is switched, the
control key is switched to control the programs and parameters of
the other washing device, and the programs and parameters are
displayed on the other corresponding display unit.
8. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control
panel is also provided with multiple sets of clothes material icons
and washing program icons, clothes material icons and washing
program icons are separately arranged around the selection key; the
control panel is provided with a rotary knob or a touch knob used
for selecting the clothes material icons and washing program icons;
each washing device is corresponding to one set of clothes material
icons and one set of washing program icons; when the selection icon
for one washing device on the selection key is activated, selection
operation is performed according to the set of clothes material
icons and washing program icons corresponding to the washing device
by operating the rotary knob or the touch knob.
9. A control method of the washing machine according to claim 1,
the washing machine comprising at least two washing devices, a
control panel, and a control system separately connected with the
control panel and the washing devices, wherein the control method
comprising following steps: a selection key receiving a selection
control signal of one washing device; and the control system
controlling the corresponding washing device to operate
independently according to the selection control signal, the
control key controlling programs and parameters corresponding to
the washing device; and the control system also controlling display
units to simultaneously display the operating states of the washing
device according to the operating states of the corresponding
washing device.
10. The control method of the washing machine according to claim 9,
comprising following steps: activating one selection icon on the
selection key, after receiving a signal of the selection icon
activated of the selection key, the control system controlling the
washing device to operate independently, and a set of control keys
and the selection key controlling adjustment of the programs and
parameters of the washing device; and when the other selection icon
on the selection key is switched and activated, the control system
switching to control the other washing device to operate
independently, and the set of control keys and the selection key
being switched to control adjustment of the programs and parameters
of the other washing device.
11. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein, the
selection key is arranged on the rotary knob or the touch knob.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The disclosure relates to the technical field of washing
devices, and in particular relates to a washing machine and a
control method thereof.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In modern life, every household cannot live without the
washing machine; the washing machine has become a good helper for
life of people. At present, the washing machines have more and more
styles, and stronger and stronger functions; along with increase of
the functions and the styles, dual-drum washing machines gradually
appear in the life of household. The dual-drum washing machine has
two mutually independent washing drums, a user can select to use
any washing drum to wash clothes, or simultaneously select two
washing drums to wash clothes separately. Therefore, the dual-drum
washing machine can wash more clothes at a time, repeated operation
of the user is avoided, and workload of the user is reduced. In
addition, the dual-drum washing machine can wash the clothes in a
classified manner according to clothes material types, or audit and
baby clothes types. Thus, the user experience is enhanced;
meanwhile, the washing efficiency is improved by using the
dual-drum washing machine.
[0003] However, the existing dual-drum washing machine mostly
adopts two control panels to control two washing drums separately,
so as to be relatively high in production cost. Furthermore, the
control panel of the washing machine is not compact in structure,
and complex in user operation. In addition, the existing dual-drum
washing machine adopts one control panel to separately control the
two washing drums by using keys or other mechanical ways, so as to
be unreasonable in operating mode, tedious in operating process,
not elegant in appearance, and inconvenient for the user to check
the operating states of the washing drums and set working
parameters.
[0004] Therefore, the present disclosure is provided.
SUMMARY
[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the first aim of the
present disclosure is to provide a washing machine, and to achieve
a reasonable operating mode, a more compact display interface and a
lower production cost for the control panel of the dual-drum
washing machine,. Specifically, the following technical scheme is
adopted:
[0006] a washing machine comprises at least two washing devices, a
common control panel shared by the washing devices, and a control
system separately connected with the control panel and the washing
devices. The control panel is provided with a selection key used
for selecting one washing device to execute next operation; a set
of control keys which are shared by the washing devices, and used
for controlling programs and parameters of the corresponding
washing device after the washing device is selected via the
selection key; and at least two display units which are
corresponding to the washing devices one by one and used for
displaying settings and operating states of the washing
devices.
[0007] Furthermore, the washing devices comprise a first washing
device and a second washing device, and the control panel is
provided with a first display unit and a second display unit for
correspondingly displaying settings and operating states of the
first washing device and the second washing device.
[0008] A set of control keys is arranged between the first display
unit and the second display unit; areas of the first display unit
and the second display unit which are corresponding to one or more
control keys separately display a set of parameters of the control
keys.
[0009] Furthermore, the set of control keys is transversely
arranged between the first display unit and the second display
unit, and a set of parameters displayed corresponding to one or
more control keys are longitudinally arranged on the display units
on two sides of the control keys.
[0010] Furthermore, the set of control keys at least comprises one
or more control keys for controlling items selected from a group
containing temperature, rotation speed, washing and rinsing.
Display areas, corresponding to the control keys for controlling
one or more items selected from a group containing temperature,
rotation speed, washing and rinsing, of the first display unit and
the second display unit separately display one or more items
selected from a group containing temperature value parameters,
rotation speed value parameters, washing time parameters and the
rinsing times of the first washing device and the second washing
device.
[0011] Furthermore, the first display unit comprises a display area
for displaying a current washing program and remaining time thereof
of the first washing device; and the second display unit comprises
a display area for displaying the current washing program and
remaining time thereof of the second washing device.
[0012] Furthermore, the set of control keys also comprises the
control keys for controlling appointment and night washing. The
display areas, for displaying the current washing programs and
remaining times thereof, of the first display unit and the second
display unit are correspondingly arranged on two sides of the
control keys for controlling appointment and night washing.
[0013] Furthermore, the selection key is provided with selection
icons corresponding to each washing device; the washing device
corresponding to the selection icon is selected after the
corresponding selection icon is activated.
[0014] After the selection icon, for one washing device, on the
selection key is activated, the control key controls the programs
and parameters of the washing device; and the programs and
parameters are displayed on the corresponding display unit.
[0015] After the selection icon of the other washing device in the
selection key is activated, the control key is switched to control
the programs and parameters of the other washing device, and the
programs and parameters are displayed on the other corresponding
display unit.
[0016] Furthermore, the control panel is also provided with
multiple sets of clothes material icons and washing program icons
which are separately arranged around the selection key.
[0017] The control panel is provided with a rotary knob or a touch
knob used for selecting the clothes material icons and washing
program icons.
[0018] Each washing device is corresponding to one set of clothes
material icons and one set of washing program icons. When the
selection icon, for one washing device, on the selection key is
activated, selection operation is performed in the one set of
clothes material icons and one set of washing program icons
corresponding to the washing device by operating the rotary knob or
the touch knob.
[0019] Preferably, the selection key is arranged on the rotary knob
or the touch knob.
[0020] The second aim of the present disclosure is to provide a
control method of the washing machine, the washing machine
comprises at least two washing devices, a control panel and a
control system separately connected with the control panel and the
washing devices, and the control method comprises the steps as
follows:
[0021] The selection key receives a selection control signal of any
washing device.
[0022] The control system controls the corresponding washing device
to operate independently according to the selection control signal,
and the control key controls programs and parameters corresponding
to the washing device; and the control system also controls display
units to simultaneously display the operating states of the
corresponding washing units according to the operating states of
the corresponding washing devices.
[0023] Furthermore, the method comprises the steps as follows:
[0024] one selection icon on the selection key is activated, and
after receiving a signal of the activated selection icon of the
selection key, the control system controls the corresponding
washing device to operate independently, and a set of control keys
and the selection key control adjustment of the programs and
parameters of the washing device.
[0025] And when the other selection icon on the selection key is
switched to be activated, the control system switches to control
the other corresponding washing device to operate independently,
and the set of control keys and the selection key are switched to
control adjustment of the programs and parameters of the other
washing device.
[0026] The washing machine provided by the present disclosure is
provided with at least two washing devices which can operate
independently, functions of the control panel of each washing
device is integrated on one control panel. The control panel is
provided with the selection key used for selecting one of two
washing device, and a set of control keys is shared by the washing
devices. One washing device is selected by the selection key, and
thus the set of control keys is able to control the washing
programs and parameters of the washing device. When the selection
key is switched to select the other washing device, the set of
control keys is changed to control the washing programs and
parameters of the other washing device. In addition, the control
panel of the present disclosure is also provided with a plurality
of display units corresponding to the washing devices one by one
for displaying settings and operating states of the washing
devices, so as to be more intuitive and obvious and facilitate user
operation.
[0027] The washing machine provided by the present disclosure can
control and display the at least two washing devices by using only
one control panel, so that the washing machine is simplified in
whole structure and reduced in cost. Switching between the multiple
washing devices can be achieved, and the washing programs and
parameters of the washing devices can be further controlled by
arranging a selection key on the control panel of the present
disclosure, so that user operation is facilitated. The control
panel of the present disclosure is provided with a set of control
keys shared by the washing devices, so that the control panel is
simplified in structure, tidier and more elegant in appearance, and
reduced in cost. A plurality of display units are arranged on the
control panel of the present disclosure for separately displaying
settings and operating states of the washing devices, so as to be
more intuitive and facilitate user operation.
[0028] The control method of the washing machine provided by the
present disclosure comprises the steps of selecting the washing
device via the selection key at first, and then setting the washing
programs and parameters according to an existing washing machine
operating mode, wherein settings and operating states of the
selected washing device can be intuitively observed on the display
unit. Therefore, the control method of the washing machine provided
by the present disclosure is simple and reasonable in logic,
achieves control on the dual-drum washing machine even the
multi-drum washing machine, and more facilitates user
operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a control panel provided by
the present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a control panel provided by
one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a washing machine provided
by the present disclosure; and
[0032] FIG. 4 is a flow block of a control method of the washing
machine provided by the present disclosure.
[0033] Reference signs in the drawings: 100-control system,
200-control panel, 210-selection key, 211-first selection icon,
212-second selection icon, 213-rotary knob or touch knob, 221-first
display area, 222-third display area, 231-second display area,
232-fourth display area, 241-first washing program icon, 242-second
washing program icon, 251-first pause/start key, 252-second
pause/start key, 260-control key, 300-second washing device, and
400-first washing device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] In order to achieve clearer aim, technical scheme and
advantages of the present disclosure, the technical scheme of the
present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below
via embodiments with reference to drawings in the present
disclosure, and obviously, the described embodiments are a part of
embodiments of the present disclosure, but not all of them. Based
on the embodiments of the present disclosure, those skilled in the
art can obtain other embodiments, without any inventive work, which
should be within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, a washing machine comprises at least two
washing devices, a control panel 200 shared by the washing devices,
and a control system 100 separately connected with the control
panel 200 and the washing devices. The present disclosure is mainly
to provide a control panel 200 of a drum washing machine with dual
or more drums.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the control panel 200 of the present
disclosure is provided with a selection key 210 used for selecting
one washing device to execute next operation; a set of control keys
260 shared by the washing devices, and used for controlling
programs and parameters of the corresponding washing device after
the washing device is selected via the selection key 210; and at
least two display units corresponding to the washing devices one by
one for displaying settings and operating states of the washing
devices.
[0037] The washing machine provided by the present disclosure is
provided with at least two washing devices which can operate
independently, wherein functions of a control panel of each washing
device are integrated on one control panel 200, the control panel
200 is provided with a selection key 210 for selecting one washing
device and a set of control keys 260 shared by the washing devices.
One washing device can be selected via the selection key 210, and
thus the set of control keys 260 can control the washing programs
and parameters of the selected washing device; when the selection
key 210 is switched to select the other washing device, the set of
control keys 260 is changed to control the washing programs and
parameters of the other washing device. In addition, the control
panel 200 of the present disclosure is also provided with a
plurality of display units corresponding to the washing devices one
by one for displaying settings and operating states of the washing
devices, so as to be more intuitive and obvious and facilitate user
operation.
[0038] The selection key 210 of the present disclosure is provided
with selection icons corresponding to the washing devices; after
the corresponding selection icon is activated, the corresponding
washing device is selected. When the selection icon, for one
washing device, on the selection key is activated, the control keys
260 control the programs and parameters of the selected washing
device, and the programs and parameters are displayed on the
corresponding display unit. When the selection key is switched to
select the selection icon of the other washing device, the control
keys 260 are switched to control the programs and parameters of the
other washing device, and the programs and parameters are displayed
on the corresponding display unit.
[0039] The control panel 200 of the present disclosure is also
provided with multiple sets of clothes material icons and washing
program icons, the clothes material icons and washing program icons
are separately arranged around the selection key. The control panel
200 is also provided with a rotary knob or a touch knob for
selecting the clothes material icons and washing program icons; and
after the selection icon for one washing device on the selection
key is activated, the clothes material icon and the washing program
icon of the washing device can be selected by operating the rotary
knob or the touch knob.
[0040] As a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the
selection key is arranged on the rotary knob or the touch knob.
Therefore, the selection key is integrated on the rotary knob or
the touch knob, and does not need to be independently arranged on
the control panel 200, so that setting area of the control panel is
reduced, and overall simplicity of the control panel 200 is
ensured.
[0041] The washing machine provided by the present disclosure uses
only one control panel 200 to realize the control and display of at
least two washing devices, so that the washing machine is
simplified in whole structure and reduced in cost.
[0042] Switching between the multiple washing devices can be
achieved by arranging a selection key 210 on the control panel 200
of the present disclosure, and washing programs and parameters of
the washing devices can be further controlled, so that user
operation is more facilitated.
[0043] The control panel 200 of the present disclosure is provided
with a set of control keys 260 shared by the washing devices, so
that the control panel is simplified in structure, tidier and more
elegant in appearance, and reduced in cost.
[0044] A plurality of display units are arranged on the control
panel 200 of the present disclosure for separately displaying
settings and operating states of the washing devices, so as to be
more intuitive and facilitate user operation.
[0045] Specifically, the present disclosure further describes by
the dual-drum washing machine which is relatively widely used at
present.
[0046] The washing devices of the washing machine provided by the
present disclosure comprise a first washing device 400 and a second
washing device 300, a control panel 200 is arranged at the front
part of a box of the washing machine, and the control panel 200 can
realize the control and display of the first washing device 400 and
the second washing device 300.
[0047] A first display unit and a second display unit
correspondingly displaying settings and operating states of the
first washing device 400 and the second washing device 300 are
arranged on the control panel of the present disclosure. Therefore,
the first washing device 400 and the second washing device 300 of
the present disclosure share one control panel 200; the control
panel 200 can simultaneously display the settings and the operating
states of the first washing device 400 and the second washing
device 300, so as to be more intuitive and facilitate user
operation.
[0048] In order to facilitate user operation and to display
corresponding results on the display units of the control panel
200, a set of control keys 260 of the present disclosure is
arranged between the first display unit and the second display
unit, so that the two washing devices can share one set of control
keys 260, and thus the control panel is more compact and reasonable
in overall layout. As some control keys in the set of control keys
260 have a plurality of parameters, when the control key is
controlled to adjust the corresponding parameter value, the user
needs to make a judgment immediately according to an adjustment
result; areas, corresponding to one or more control keys, of the
first display unit and the second display unit separately display
the set of parameters of the control key, so that the user can make
a more intuitive judgment.
[0049] Specifically, as a preferred embodiment of the present
disclosure, the set of control keys 260 is transversely arranged
between the first display unit and the second display unit, and a
set of parameters displayed corresponding to one or more control
keys are longitudinally arranged on the display units on two sides
of the control keys. Therefore, the control keys can be
simultaneously close to the two display units as much as possible,
the display units can display the control parameters corresponding
to the control key more directly, so that the user can make a
judgment more intuitively.
[0050] Specifically, as a preferred embodiment of the present
disclosure, the set of control keys 260 at least comprises the
control keys for controlling temperature, rotation speed, washing
and rinsing. Display areas, corresponding to the control keys for
controlling temperature, rotation speed, washing and rinsing, of
the first display unit and the second display unit separately
display sets of temperature value parameters, rotation speed value
parameters, washing time parameters and the rinsing times of the
first washing device and the second washing device.
[0051] lay unit at least comprises a first display area 221 which
is arranged corresponding to the control keys for controlling
temperature, rotation speed, washing and rinsing, and meanwhile,
the first display area 221 displays parameter values corresponding
to the control keys. In a similar way, the second display unit at
least comprises a second display area 231 which is also arranged
corresponding to the control keys for controlling temperature,
rotation speed, washing and rinsing, and meanwhile, the second
display area 231 displays parameter values corresponding to the
control keys.
[0052] In addition, the first display unit of the present
disclosure also comprises a display area, namely, a third display
area 222 in the FIG. 1, for displaying a current washing program
and remaining time thereof of the first washing device; the second
display unit, namely, a fourth display area 232 in the FIG. 1, also
comprises a display area for displaying the current washing program
and the remaining time thereof of the second washing device.
[0053] Therefore, the first display unit and the second display
unit of the present disclosure are symmetrically arranged on upper
and lower sides of the set of control keys 260, so that layout of
the control panel is more reasonable, overall area of the control
panel is reduced, and installation area and production cost are
reduced.
[0054] As a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the
control keys of the present disclosure also comprise some special
function keys, specifically, the set of control keys also comprises
the control keys for controlling appointment and night washing. The
display areas, for displaying the washing programs and remaining
times thereof, of the first display unit and the second display
unit are correspondingly arranged on two sides of the control keys
for controlling appointment and night washing. Therefore, the
washing machine provided by the present disclosure has more
functions for selection.
[0055] The selection key 210 of the present intention is provided
with a first selection icon 211 corresponding to the first washing
device 400 and a second selection icon 212 corresponding to the
second washing device 300; the corresponding washing device can be
selected after the corresponding selection icon is activated. When
the first selection icon 211 of the selection key 210 is activated,
the control keys 260 can control the programs and parameters of the
first washing device 400, and the programs and the parameters are
displayed on the first display unit; when the second selection icon
212 on the selection key 210 is switched to be activated, the
control keys 260 are switched to control the programs and
parameters of the second washing device 300, and the programs and
the parameters are displayed on the second display unit.
[0056] The present disclosure can select the first selection icon
211 and the second selection icon 212 by touch control or by press
control.
[0057] The control panel 200 of the present disclosure is also
provided with multiple sets of clothes material icons and washing
program icons which are separately arranged around the selection
key; the selection key comprises a rotary knob or a touch knob for
selecting the clothes material icons and washing program icons; and
after the selection icon, for one washing device, on the selection
key is activated, the clothes material icon and the washing program
icon of the washing device can be selected by operating the rotary
knob or touch knob.
[0058] The first washing device 400 and the second washing device
300 of the present disclosure can share the clothes material icons
and the washing program icons. Therefore, the control panel can be
applicable to the dual-drum washing machine with two drums which
are the same in size or with two drums which are not distinguished
in washing function. Such arrangement mode is simpler, and each
washing device has more functions for selection.
[0059] The first washing device 400 and the second washing device
300 of the present disclosure can also be separately corresponding
to the sets of the clothes material icons and the washing program
icons. Therefore, the control panel can be applicable to the
dual-drum washing machine with a big drum and a small drum, wherein
the small drum is mainly used for washing small clothes, and the
big drum is mainly used for washing big clothes, so that the
washing devices with different functions select different clothes
material icons and different washing program icons, so as to be
more targeted, and misoperation of the user is prevented.
[0060] In addition, in order to further facilitate distinguished
display of the first washing device 400 and the second washing
device 300, a first display interface and a second display
interface of the present disclosure have different display
colors.
Embodiment 1
[0061] As shown in FIG. 2, a washing machine of the present
disclosure comprises a first washing device 400 and a second
washing device 300, wherein a control panel 200 is arranged at the
front part of a box of the washing machine, and the control panel
200 can control and display the first washing device 400 and the
second washing device 300.
[0062] A selection key 210 is arranged on the control panel 200, a
first selection icon 211, namely an upper drum, and a second
selection icon 212, namely a lower drum, are arranged on the
selection key 210, and the upper drum and the lower drum of the
selection key 210 are activated and selected in a touch control
manner.
[0063] Clothes material icons and washing program icons are
arranged around the selection key 210, the upper half part of the
selection key 210 is provided with first washing program icons 241
including clothes material icons and washing program icons of the
first washing device, the lower half part of the selection key 210
is provided with second washing program icons 242 including clothes
material icons and washing program icons of the second washing
device.
[0064] The selection key 210 also comprises a rotary knob 213 which
can be rotated for selection; when the upper drum of the selection
key is selected, the rotary knob 213 can perform selection in the
first washing program icons 241, and when the lower drum of the
selection key is selected, the rotary knob 213 can perform
selection in the second washing program icons 242.
[0065] The first washing program icons 241 of the present
disclosure comprise shirt, express service, dewatering, rinsing,
cradle washing, baby clothes washing, underwear washing and
self-cleaning icons, and the second washing program icons 242
comprise mixing, express service, dewatering, rinsing, large
clothes washing, jeans, down feather and self-cleaning icons.
[0066] Control keys 260 comprising a temperature control key, a
rotation speed control key, a washing control key, a rinsing
control key, an appointment control key and a night washing control
key are also arranged on the control panel 200.
[0067] A first display unit is arranged on the upper side of the
set of control keys 260 on the control panel 200, a second display
unit is arranged on the lower side of the same, and the first
display unit comprises a first display area 221 and a third display
area 222. The first display area 221 displays a heating temperature
parameter, which can be 30.degree. C., 40.degree. C., 60.degree. C.
and 95.degree. C., corresponding to the temperature control key;
and when the temperature control key is operated, the selected
heating temperature parameter is lightened. The first display area
221 displays a rotation speed parameter, which can be 600r, 800r,
1000r and 1200r, corresponding to the rotation speed control key;
and when the rotation speed control key is operated, the selected
rotation speed parameter is lightened. The first display area 221
displays a washing time parameter, which can be 10 min, 20 min, 30
min and 40 min, corresponding to the washing control key; and when
the washing control key is operated, the selected washing time
parameter is lightened. The first display area 221 displays the
parameter of rinsing times, which can be 1 time, 2 times, 3 times
and 4 times, etc., corresponding to the rinsing control key; and
when the rinsing control key is operated, the selected parameter of
rinsing times is lightened.
[0068] The second display unit comprises a second display area 231
and a fourth display area 232. The second display unit 231 and the
first display area 221 have the same display interface or are
symmetrically arranged with respect to the control key 260, and a
detailed description is omitted herein.
[0069] The third display area 222 displays a current washing
program and remaining time thereof of the upper drum, and the
fourth display area 232 displays the current washing program and
remaining time thereof of the lower drum.
[0070] The control panel of the embodiment is also provided with a
first pause/start key 251 and a second pause/start key 252.
Embodiment 2
[0071] As shown in FIG. 4, the present embodiment provides a
control method of a washing machine. The washing machine comprises
at least two washing devices, a control panel, and a control system
separately connected with the control panel and the washing
devices. The control method comprises the following steps as
follows:
[0072] S1, a selection key receives a selection control signal of
any washing device; and
[0073] S2, the control system controls the corresponding washing
device to operate independently according to the selection control
signal, and the control key controls programs and parameters
corresponding to the washing device; and the control system also
controls display units to simultaneously display the operating
states of the corresponding washing units according to the
operating states of the corresponding washing devices.
[0074] Specifically, the control method of the washing machine
provided by the embodiment comprises the steps as follows:
[0075] one selection icon on the selection key is activated, and
after receiving a signal of the activated selection icon of the
selection key, the control system controls the corresponding
washing device to operate independently, and a set of control keys
and the selection key control adjustment of the programs and
parameters of the washing device. And when the other selection icon
on the selection key is switched to be activated, the control
system switches to control the other corresponding washing device
to operate independently, and the set of control keys and the
selection key are switched to control adjustment of the programs
and parameters of the other washing device.
[0076] The control method of the washing machine provided by the
present embodiment comprises the steps of selecting the washing
device via the selection key at first, and then setting the washing
programs and parameters according to an existing washing machine
operating mode, wherein settings and operating states of the
selected washing device can be intuitively observed on the display
unit. Therefore, the control method of the washing machine provided
by the present disclosure is simple and reasonable in logic,
achieves control on the dual-drum washing machine even the
multi-drum washing machine, and more facilitates user
operation.
[0077] The above-mentioned embodiments are only preferred
embodiments of the present disclosure, but not intended to limit
the present disclosure in any form. Although the present disclosure
has been described in tennis of preferred embodiments, it is not
intended to be limited to these disclosed embodiments. Equivalent
embodiments, of which some changes or modifications are equivalent
changes, may be made by any skilled in the art by using the
above-mentioned technical contents without departing from the
technical scheme scope of the present disclosure. However, all
simple amendments, equivalent changes and modifications made to the
above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present
disclosure without departing from the technical scheme scope of the
present disclosure all still fall within the protection scope of
the present disclosure.
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