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.

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.