Laundry treating apparatus and control method thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses a garment processing device and its control method. The control method includes starting the garment processing device; confirming connection with an additive dispensing device; receiving washing and care program information sent by the additive dispensing device; and obtaining an instruction to start executing the washing and care program. The garment processing device control method of this invention enables the garment processing device to automatically dispense washing and care additives using the additive dispensing device, expanding the types of washing and care additives that can be dispensed and improving the effect of garment care.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of clothing processing equipment, and more specifically, relates to a clothing processing device and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] With economic development and improved living standards, washing machines have entered more and more households. People have increasingly higher demands for the performance and functions of washing machines, leading to higher levels of intelligence. Low-end fully automatic washing machines generally do not have an automatic detergent dispensing function; only high-end models have this feature. Currently, most washing machines on the market require users to manually add detergent to the detergent dispenser beforehand, and the washing machine then flushes the detergent into the drum according to the washing cycle.

[0003] To enable ordinary washing machines to automatically dispense detergent, Chinese Patent Application No. 201922110159.X provides a universal automatic detergent dispensing device external to the washing machine. This device includes a dispensing unit, a circuit detector, and a dispensing pipe. One end of the dispensing pipe is connected to the dispensing unit, and the other end is connected between a water tap and the washing machine's water inlet pipe. The circuit detector contains a power detection module that detects the washing machine's operating status. The input end of the circuit detector is electrically connected to the washing machine, and the output end is electrically connected to the dispensing unit. The circuit detector has pins and sockets for easy connection to a household power outlet and the washing machine. By detecting the washing machine's current, voltage, and power, and combining this with the water inlet status and flow rate information from the flow detector, the automatic detergent dispensing function of the ordinary washing machine is achieved.

[0004] The general-purpose automatic detergent dispensing device in the above solution can only automatically dispense detergent based on the working status of the washing machine, which is limited in function and lacks flexibility in use.

[0005] In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a control method for clothing treatment equipment, which aims to enable the equipment to receive and run the washing and care program information sent by the additive dispensing device, thereby expanding the function of the clothing treatment equipment and enabling the equipment to automatically dispense washing and care additives, thus improving the effect of clothing care.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a garment processing device for implementing the above-described control method.

[0008] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0009] A method for controlling a garment processing device, comprising:

[0010] Start the garment processing equipment;

[0011] Confirm connection to the additive dispensing equipment;

[0012] Receive washing and care program information sent by the additive dispensing device;

[0013] Obtain the command to start the washing and care program.

[0014] Furthermore, the step of determining the connection between the garment processing equipment and the additive dispensing equipment includes,

[0015] The garment processing equipment receives an identification signal sent by the additive dispensing equipment;

[0016] Confirm the identification signal and complete the communication connection between the garment processing equipment and the additive dispensing equipment.

[0017] Furthermore, the step of determining the connection between the garment processing equipment and the additive dispensing equipment includes,

[0018] The garment processing equipment is confirmed to have a communication connection with the smart terminal;

[0019] The smart terminal is communicatively connected to the additive dispensing device.

[0020] Furthermore, the washing and care process information includes washing and care additive dispensing information on the additive dispensing device and garment processing equipment control parameters that match the information.

[0021] The information on the addition of washing and care additives includes information on the type of washing and care additive, the location of the washing and care additive on the additive dispensing device, and the timing of the addition of the washing and care additive.

[0022] Furthermore, the garment processing equipment receives matching washing and care additive dispensing information from the additive dispensing equipment for all washing and care procedures;

[0023] Modify / select the washing and care program on the garment handling equipment;

[0024] Alternatively, the garment handling equipment may automatically match one of the received washing and care programs based on the load, and / or the material of the load, and / or the degree of soiling, and / or the water volume, and / or the water quality, and / or the water temperature.

[0025] Furthermore, the additive dispensing device obtains the control parameters of the clothing processing equipment from the database of the clothing processing equipment, the smart terminal, or the additive dispensing device.

[0026] Furthermore, after receiving the washing and care program information sent by the additive dispensing device, the garment processing equipment also includes...

[0027] The washing and care program to be executed is confirmed and fed back to the additive dispensing device, which then dispenses the washing and care additives according to the confirmed program.

[0028] The garment processing equipment receives a start command from the additive dispensing equipment.

[0029] Furthermore, the washing and care program information includes instructions to control the garment handling equipment to start the washing and care program.

[0030] Furthermore, after the garment processing equipment starts the washing and care program, it also includes:

[0031] The detection equipment adds program information not included in the washing and care program, including instructions that need to be executed by the additive dispensing equipment;

[0032] The added procedure information is fed back to the additive dispensing equipment.

[0033] A garment processing device employs the control method described above.

[0034] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0035] 1. The garment processing equipment control method of the present invention enables existing garment processing equipment to automatically dispense detergent additives, expands the types of detergent additives that can be dispensed, and allows many users to enjoy the convenience of automatic additive dispensing without replacing the garment processing equipment, thereby improving the user experience.

[0036] 2. The washing and care program sent by the additive dispensing device of the present invention to the garment processing device is a washing and care program generated based on the information of the washing and care additive and matched with the washing and care additive, so as to avoid the problem of damage to the garment due to the dispensing of washing and care additives that are not suitable for the washing and care program.

[0037] 3. If the clothing processing equipment of the present invention detects that the user has added program information not included in the original washing and care program during operation, and the added program information requires the cooperation of the additive dispensing device to be executed, the added program information should be fed back to the additive dispensing device to avoid control logic confusion caused by user operation.

[0038] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0039] The accompanying drawings, as part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the invention are used to explain the invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative effort. In the drawings:

[0040] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a clothing processing equipment control method in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the control method for a clothing processing device in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection frame between the clothing treatment device and the additive dispensing device in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection frame between the clothing treatment device and the additive dispensing device in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] In the diagram, 100 is a garment processing device; 200 is a smart terminal; and 300 is an additive dispensing device.

[0045] It should be noted that these accompanying drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0046] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0047] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0048] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0049] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the present invention provides a garment processing device and its control method, wherein the control method includes the following steps: starting the garment processing device 100; confirming connection with the additive dispensing device 300; receiving washing and care program information sent by the additive dispensing device 300; and obtaining an instruction to start executing the washing and care program.

[0050] Specifically, the additive dispensing device 300 in the above solution is an independent dispensing device with automatic detergent additive dispensing function, separate from the garment processing device 100. The additive dispensing device 300 can be connected to the garment processing device 100, and it can pre-store detergent program information or retrieve detergent program information from an external source. When the garment processing device 100 starts, it receives the detergent program information sent by the additive dispensing device 300, and, upon receiving the instruction to start executing the detergent program, cares for the garments according to that program.

[0051] The additive dispensing device 300 and the clothing treatment device 100 can be connected via wired communication methods such as RS232 or RS485 to achieve real-time information exchange, or they can be connected directly via wireless communication.

[0052] In the above solution, for some existing garment processing devices 100 that do not have the function of automatically dispensing washing and care additives, the garment processing device control method of the present invention enables them to realize the function of automatically dispensing washing and care additives by utilizing the additive dispensing device 300, thus expanding the types of washing and care additives that can be dispensed. Moreover, the garment processing device 100 of the present invention can receive washing and care program information with different functions sent from the additive dispensing device 300, which greatly expands the function of existing garment processing devices, allowing many users to enjoy the convenience brought by automatic dispensing without replacing the garment processing device, thereby improving the user experience.

[0053] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 3 As shown, the steps for the clothing processing device 100 to determine the connection with the additive dispensing device 300 include: the clothing processing device 100 receiving an identification signal sent by the additive dispensing device 300; confirming the identification signal; and completing the communication connection between the clothing processing device 100 and the additive dispensing device 300.

[0054] For example, additive dispensing devices 300 can be identified by their model number. If multiple additive dispensing devices 300 have the same model number, they can also be identified by their address. Different additive dispensing devices 300 will have different addresses, identified by their prefix or suffix. The address of the additive dispensing device 300 can be obtained from the product manual that came with the purchase.

[0055] In the above scheme, each additive dispensing device 300 has a corresponding identification signal. Therefore, different additive dispensing devices 300 send different identification signals. This ensures that the connection between the garment processing device 100 and the additive dispensing device 300 is one-to-one, avoiding the garment processing device from being connected to an additive dispensing device that should not be connected, thus preventing control confusion.

[0056] In other embodiments of the invention, such as Figure 4 As shown, the step of determining the connection between the garment processing device 100 and the additive dispensing device 300 includes: determining the communication connection between the garment processing device 100 and the smart terminal 200; and the smart terminal 200 communicating with the additive dispensing device 300.

[0057] In certain special cases, the communication connection method between the garment processing device 100 and the additive dispensing device 300 may differ from that of the garment processing device 100. For example, the garment processing device 100 has a Wi-Fi module, enabling communication with the smart terminal 200 via Wi-Fi, while the additive dispensing device 300 has a Bluetooth module, enabling communication with the smart terminal 200 via Bluetooth. However, the Wi-Fi module of the garment processing device obviously cannot communicate with the Bluetooth module of the additive dispensing device 300. Therefore, this invention utilizes the smart terminal 200 as a communication hub to enable communication between the garment processing device 100 and the additive dispensing device 300, thereby expanding the application scope of both devices.

[0058] In some embodiments of the present invention, the washing and care program information includes washing and care additive dispensing information on the additive dispensing device 300 and control parameters of the garment treatment device 100 that match the information; the washing and care additive dispensing information includes washing and care additive type information, washing and care additive position information on the additive dispensing device 300, and washing and care additive dispensing sequence information.

[0059] In detail, the washing and care program information sent by the additive dispensing device 300 should include information on the type of washing and care additive, the location information of the washing and care additive on the additive dispensing device 300, and the timing information of the dispensing of the washing and care additive, as well as control parameters of the garment processing device 100 that can run on the garment processing device 100 and match the above information.

[0060] Specifically, different types of laundry additives have different ingredients and uses. Users usually purchase the appropriate type of laundry additive according to their family's needs. In addition, with the development of chemical technology, there will be more and more types of laundry additives suitable for clothing care, and the requirements for using laundry additives to care for clothing will also become higher and higher. Different washing and care procedures also require different types of laundry additives. This invention can better wash and care for clothing by sending a washing and care procedure that matches the laundry additive to the clothing treatment equipment 100.

[0061] Preferably, the types of washing and care additives include main detergents and auxiliary detergents. Main detergents include various types of detergents; auxiliary detergents, in terms of function, include softeners, bleaching agents, disinfectants, fragrances, etc.

[0062] Both main detergents and auxiliary detergents can be classified from the perspective of acidity or alkalinity, including acidic detergent additives, neutral detergent additives, and alkaline detergent additives.

[0063] The control parameters of the garment processing equipment 100 include the control parameters in the main wash program and the additional programs.

[0064] The main washing program includes mixed washing, cotton fabric washing, linen fabric washing, silk fabric washing, wool fabric washing, polyester fabric washing, and down jacket washing programs for different fabric materials; it may also include rinsing, dehydration, and washing and rinsing programs for different processes.

[0065] Additional programs include those that perform different functions, such as disinfection, sterilization, steaming, and self-cleaning.

[0066] Each washing and care program is related to the control parameters of the garment processing equipment 100, such as heating temperature, rotation speed, rotation-to-stop ratio, and running time.

[0067] Different types, ingredients, and pH levels of laundry additives are suitable for different laundry procedures.

[0068] For example, cotton fabrics are highly alkali-resistant but not acid-resistant, while silk fabrics should not be washed with alkaline water and are suitable for neutral detergent additives. If all the detergent additives stored in the additive dispensing device 300 are alkaline detergent additives, then the corresponding "cotton fabric wash" for cotton fabrics is a permitted detergent procedure, while the corresponding "silk fabric wash" for silk fabrics is a prohibited detergent procedure.

[0069] The permitted "cotton fabric wash" care program information for cotton fabrics includes information on the type of care additive, the location of the care additive on the additive dispensing device 300, and the timing of the care additive dispensing, as well as the garment processing equipment control parameters that match the above information and can be run on the garment processing equipment 100.

[0070] In other words, the washing and care program information sent by the additive dispensing device 300 to the garment treatment device 100 at this time will not include a washing and care program for silk fabrics, and "Silk Fabric Wash" will not be recommended to the user. If the user wants to care for silk or wool fabrics, they should switch to a washing and care additive suitable for silk fabrics, such as a silk and wool detergent. This links the washing and care additive with the washing and care program, greatly improving the garment treatment device 100's care effect on the garments and preventing damage to the garments due to the user's lack of understanding of the washing and care additive.

[0071] In a further embodiment, the garment processing equipment 100 receives matching washing and care additive dispensing information from the additive dispensing equipment 300 for all washing and care procedures.

[0072] In the above scheme, the additive dispensing device 300 sends all the washing and care programs that allow the dispensing of washing and care additives to the garment processing device 100 according to the type of washing and care additive. The user decides which washing and care program to use to care for the garment. Alternatively, the garment processing device 100 matches one of the receiving washing and care programs according to the load, and / or the load material, and / or the degree of soiling, and / or the water intake, and / or the water quality, and / or the water temperature.

[0073] It's also possible to modify the washing and care program sent by the additive dispensing device 300 to the garment processing device 100.

[0074] Specifically, suppose there are n different shampoo and conditioner additives X1, X2, X3, ..., XN, and for each of these n different additives, there are m different selectable shampoo and conditioner programs Y1, Y2, Y3, ..., YM. The operating parameters of shampoo and conditioner program Y1 allow the addition of shampoo and conditioner additives X1, X2, and XN, thus linking the addition information of shampoo and conditioner additives X1, X2, and XN within program Y1. For example, the dosage, timing, and storage location of shampoo and conditioner additives X1, X2, and XN during the execution of program Y1 are default associations. When a user selects shampoo and conditioner program Y1, the additives X1, X2, and XN are added according to these default associations.

[0075] Optionally, when the operating parameters in the washing and care program Y1 allow the addition of washing and care additives X1, X2, and XN, the washing and care program Y1 will be associated with the addition information of washing and care additives X1, X2, and XN. However, the user can modify the addition information of washing and care additives X1, X2, and XN. For example, the user can modify the dosage and timing of addition, and the user can also cancel the addition information of one or two of the washing and care additives X1, X2, and XN.

[0076] Optionally, the garment handling equipment 100 or the user may make the above modifications based on the load, and / or the material of the load, and / or the degree of soiling, and / or the water inflow, and / or the water quality, and / or the water temperature.

[0077] After the modification is completed, when the user selects the washing and care program Y1, the modified delivery information will be executed.

[0078] In a further embodiment, the additive dispensing device 300 obtains the clothing processing equipment control parameters from the database of the clothing processing equipment 100, the smart terminal 200, or the additive dispensing device 300.

[0079] In the above scheme, the additive dispensing device 300 obtains the control parameters of the clothing processing device through various means, further expanding the function of the clothing processing device 100.

[0080] In some embodiments of the present invention, after receiving the washing and care program information sent by the additive dispensing device 300, the garment processing device 100 further includes confirming the washing and care program to be executed and feeding back the confirmed washing and care program to be executed to the additive dispensing device 300, so that the additive dispensing device 300 can dispense washing and care additives according to the fed-back washing and care program; the garment processing device 100 receives the start command sent by the additive dispensing device 300.

[0081] In detail, as mentioned above, the additive dispensing device 300 may send at least one washing and care program message matching the washing and care additive information to the garment handling device 100. However, after receiving this washing and care program message, the garment handling device 100 should still require the user to confirm which washing and care program to select for garment care. This raises the possibility that the washing and care program message sent by the additive dispensing device 300 to the garment handling device 100 may not meet the user's garment care needs.

[0082] Therefore, after receiving the washing and care program information sent by the additive dispensing device 300, the garment processing device 100 should also send feedback to the additive dispensing device 300 to confirm whether a washing and care program will be executed.

[0083] When it is confirmed that a washing and care program will be executed, the garment processing equipment 100 receives a start command sent by the additive dispensing equipment 300 and executes the confirmed washing and care program.

[0084] In the above scheme, such as Figure 1 As shown, the control method of the present invention specifically includes the following steps:

[0085] S100, start the garment processing equipment 100;

[0086] S101, confirm connection to additive dispensing device 300;

[0087] S102, Receive washing and care program information sent by additive dispensing device 300;

[0088] S103, Confirm the shampoo and conditioner program to be executed;

[0089] S104, The confirmed washing and care procedure to be executed is fed back to the additive dispensing device 300;

[0090] S105, Receive the start command sent by the additive dispensing device 300;

[0091] S106, perform washing and conditioning.

[0092] The above solution enables existing garment processing equipment to 100% meet users' needs for meticulous garment care.

[0093] In some other embodiments of the present invention, the washing and care program information sent by the washing and care additive dispensing device 300 to the garment processing device 100 includes an instruction to control the garment processing device 100 to start the washing and care program.

[0094] In the above scheme, such as Figure 2 As shown, the control method of the present invention specifically includes the following steps:

[0095] S200, start the garment processing equipment 100;

[0096] S201, confirm connection to additive dispensing device 300;

[0097] S202, Receive washing and care program information sent by additive dispensing device 300;

[0098] S203, perform washing and conditioning.

[0099] The above solution simplifies the control method of the garment processing equipment 100, reduces the logical operations of the additive dispensing device 300 and the garment processing equipment 100, improves the equipment response speed, enhances the user experience, and also allows the garment processing equipment 100 to retain the one-button start function when used in conjunction with the washing and care additive dispensing device 300.

[0100] In some embodiments of the present invention, after the garment processing device 100 starts the washing and care program, it further includes detecting additional program information not included in the washing and care program in the garment processing device 100, the program information including instructions that need to be executed by the additive dispensing device 300; and feeding back the additional program information to the additive dispensing device 300.

[0101] In detail, after the garment processing equipment 100 starts the washing and care program, the user can add additional program information midway, such as increasing the number of rinses or heating. The water intake process of the rinsing program requires the cooperation of the additive dispensing device 300, but no washing and care additives need to be added when the water is introduced for this rinsing program.

[0102] Therefore, if the garment processing device 100 of the present invention detects that the user has added program information not included in the original washing and care program during operation, and the added program information requires the cooperation of the additive dispensing device 300 to be executed, the added program information should be fed back to the additive dispensing device 300 so that the additive dispensing device 300 knows that this water intake is an additional rinsing program, and does not need to control the automatic dispensing of washing and care additives, thus avoiding control logic confusion caused by user operation.

[0103] The garment processing device 100 of the present invention can adopt the above-described control method, enabling the garment processing device 100 to automatically dispense washing and care additives using the additive dispensing device 300. Furthermore, the garment processing device 100 of the present invention can receive washing and care program information with different functions sent from the additive dispensing device 300, which greatly expands the functionality of the existing garment processing device 100, allowing many users to enjoy the convenience of automatic additive dispensing without replacing the garment processing device, thus improving the user experience.

[0104] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-described technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control method for a garment processing device, characterized in that, include, Start the garment processing equipment; Confirm connection to the additive dispensing equipment; Receive washing and care program information sent by the additive dispensing device. The washing and care program information includes washing and care additive dispensing information on the additive dispensing device and control parameters of the garment treatment device that match the information. The washing and care additive dispensing information includes washing and care additive type information, washing and care additive location information on the additive dispensing device, and washing and care additive dispensing sequence information. Obtain the instruction to start and execute the shampoo and conditioner program; After the washing and care program is started, the system detects additional program information in the garment processing equipment that is not included in the washing and care program. This additional program information includes instructions that the additive dispensing equipment needs to execute, and the system feeds this additional program information back to the additive dispensing equipment.

2. The control method for clothing processing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steps for determining the connection between the garment processing equipment and the additive dispensing equipment include: The garment processing equipment receives an identification signal sent by the additive dispensing equipment; Confirm the identification signal and complete the communication connection between the garment processing equipment and the additive dispensing equipment.

3. The control method for clothing processing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steps for determining the connection between the garment processing equipment and the additive dispensing equipment include: The garment processing equipment is confirmed to have a communication connection with the smart terminal; The smart terminal is communicatively connected to the additive dispensing device.

4. The control method for clothing processing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The garment processing equipment receives matching washing and care additive dispensing information from the additive dispensing equipment for all washing and care processes; Modify / select the washing and care program on the garment handling equipment; Alternatively, the garment handling equipment may automatically match one of the received washing and care programs based on the load, and / or the material of the load, and / or the degree of soiling, and / or the water volume, and / or the water quality, and / or the water temperature.

5. The control method for clothing processing equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, The additive dispensing device obtains the control parameters of the clothing processing equipment from the database of the clothing processing equipment, the smart terminal, or the additive dispensing device.

6. The control method for clothing processing equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, After receiving the washing and care program information sent by the additive dispensing device, the garment processing equipment also includes, The washing and care program to be executed is confirmed and fed back to the additive dispensing device, which then dispenses the washing and care additives according to the confirmed program. The garment processing equipment receives a start command from the additive dispensing equipment.

7. The control method for clothing processing equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The washing and care program information includes instructions to control the garment processing equipment to start the washing and care program.

8. A garment processing device, characterized in that, The control method described in any one of claims 1-7 is adopted.

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