Self-cleaning method for filter assembly of washing machine

Abstract

Provided is a self-cleaning method for a filter assembly of a washing machine, the method comprising: receiving a user operation instruction for starting a self-cleaning process; executing the self-cleaning process, so as to clean the filter assembly of the washing machine, and before the self-cleaning process is completed, only receiving user operation instructions for turning off the washing machine, pausing the self-cleaning process and unpausing the self-cleaning process, and prohibiting receipt of or ignoring the user operation instructions other than user operation instructions for turning off the washing machine, pausing the self-cleaning process and unpausing the self-cleaning process. According to the present invention, the filter assembly of the washing machine is thoroughly cleaned, prolonging the service life of the filter assembly in the washing machine and ensuring that the filter assembly always has a high filtration flux.

1 . A self-cleaning method for a filter assembly of a washing machine, comprising:
 step A: receiving a user operation instruction for starting a self-cleaning process; and   step B: executing the self-cleaning process, so as to clean the filter assembly of the washing machine.   
     
     
         2 . The self-cleaning method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step B further comprises:
 before the self-cleaning process is completed, only receiving a user operation instruction for turning off the washing machine, and prohibiting receipt of user operation instructions other than the user operation instruction for turning off the washing machine, or ignoring the received user operation instructions other than the user operation instruction for turning off the washing machine.   
     
     
         3 . The self-cleaning method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step B further comprises:
 before the self-cleaning process is completed, only receiving user operation instructions for turning off the washing machine, pausing the self-cleaning process and unpausing the self-cleaning process, and prohibiting receipt of user operation instructions other than the user operation instruction for turning off the washing machine, or ignoring the received user operation instructions other than the user operation instruction for turning off the washing machine, pausing the self-cleaning process and unpausing the self-cleaning process.   
     
     
         4 . The self-cleaning method according to  claim 3 , prior to the step A, further comprising step C:
 judging whether or not there is a need to clean the filer assembly according to a pre-set process, if yes, sending an alerting signal for cleaning the filter assembly to alert a user to put a cleaning agent into a dispenser box of the washing machine and start the self-cleaning process.   
     
     
         5 . The self-cleaning method according to  claim 4 , wherein the pre-set process is configured to:
 determine that the filter assembly needs to be cleaned when the accumulated amount of output water of the filter assembly reaches a defined threshold, and to clear the accumulated amount of output water of the filter assembly when the cleaning of the filter assembly is completed.   
     
     
         6 . The self-cleaning method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step B further comprises:
 during the execution of the self-cleaning process, memorizing each of the steps of the self-cleaning process that have been executed to continue execution of the remaining steps of the self-cleaning process in the case that the washing machine is powered off and then powered on again.   
     
     
         7 . The self-cleaning method according to  claim 3 , after the step B, further comprising step D:
 before the self-cleaning process is completed, and after the user operation instruction for turning off the washing machine is received and executed so that the washing machine is turned off, if user operation instruction for starting the washing machine, executing the starting of the washing machine;   and after the washing machine is started, sending an alerting signal for cleaning the filter assembly, and prohibiting receipt of a user operation instruction for starting a clean-water washing process or ignoring the received user operation instruction for starting a clean-water washing process.   
     
     
         8 . The self-cleaning method according to  claim 7 , wherein the clean-water washing process comprises:
 a recycled water rinsing stage for rinsing clothing in a washing tub of the washing machine with rinsing water, in the recycled water rinsing step of the recycled water rinsing stage, the rinsing water in the washing tub flowing into the filter assembly and flowing back into the washing tub after filtration in the filter assembly.   
     
     
         9 . The self-cleaning method according to  claim 1 , wherein the self-cleaning process comprises:
 an alkaline liquid cleaning stage and an acid liquid cleaning stage executed successively, the alkaline liquid cleaning stage and the acid liquid cleaning stage each comprising a respective liquid injection and immersion step in which the cleaning liquid is discharged from the washing tub of the washing machine and is injected into the filter assembly from a water inlet of the filter assembly until a filter membrane of the filter assembly is completely or partially immersed in the cleaning liquid, the injection of the cleaning liquid is stopped, and the injected cleaning liquid is placed in the filter assembly to immerse the filter membrane of the filter assembly.   
     
     
         10 . The self-cleaning method according to  claim 9 , wherein the alkaline liquid cleaning stage and the acid liquid cleaning stage, after their respective liquid injection and immersion steps, further comprise:
 an air cleaning step of injecting an airflow into the filter assembly, and cleaning the filter assembly with the air.   
     
     
         11 . The self-cleaning method according to  claim 10 , wherein the alkaline liquid cleaning stage and the acid liquid cleaning stage, after their respective air cleaning steps, further comprise:
 continuing repeating the liquid injection and immersion step and the air cleaning step until the respective predetermined number of repetitions is completed; wherein the cleaning liquid injected in the liquid injection and immersion step following the air cleaning step displaces the air-washed cleaning liquid in the filter assembly from the filter assembly to outside the washing machine.   
     
     
         12 . The self-cleaning method according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein the alkaline liquid cleaning stage and the acid liquid cleaning step further comprises, prior to their respective first liquid injection and immersion steps, a cleaning liquid preparation step of injecting water into the washing tub, the water flow carrying the cleaning agent which has been placed in the dispenser box of the washing machine into the washing tub, mixing the water and the cleaning agent into the cleaning liquid in the washing tub, and heating the cleaning liquid in the washing tub to the respective initially predetermined temperature;   wherein the dispenser box comprises a first compartment and a second compartment in which an alkaline cleaning agent and an acid cleaning agent are respectively provided, and in the cleaning liquid preparation step of the alkaline liquid cleaning stage and the acid liquid cleaning stage, and the water flows through the first compartment and the second compartment, respectively, into the washing tub; and   the alkaline liquid cleaning stage and the acid liquid cleaning stage, after the respective predetermined number of repetitions of their respective liquid injection and immersion steps and air cleaning steps are carried out, further comprise a flushing step of pumping a predetermined amount of clear water from the washing tub of the washing machine into the filter assembly to flush same, and then discharging the water to the outside of the washing machine.