A laundry-drying integrated apparatus control method and laundry-drying integrated apparatus

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of washing and drying integrated equipment control method and washing and drying integrated equipment, the washing and drying integrated equipment has washing and drying linkage mode, the washing and drying linkage mode includes the clothes washing stage that clothes is cleaned in washing machine and the clothes drying stage that clothes is dried in dryer, dryer starts preheating before clothes washing stage ends, the temperature in the dryer reaches preheating temperature T after clothes washing stage ends.The application can directly dry clothes after clothes washing by letting dryer start preheating before clothes washing stage ends and letting the temperature in the dryer reach preheating temperature after clothes washing stage ends, speeds up the rate of clothes drying, reduces the time required for clothes drying, and facilitates user use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of washer-dryer integrated equipment, specifically, it relates to a control method for washer-dryer integrated equipment and washer-dryer integrated equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional washing machines only have a washing function. After washing clothes, users often find water stains remaining on the clothes, making them unsuitable for immediate wear. While washing machines have a spin-drying function, this doesn't completely remove moisture. Clothes remain damp after spin-drying, and the high-speed rotation of the drum, using centrifugal force, often results in wrinkles, affecting their appearance. Air-drying completely removes moisture, but this process is time-consuming. When users urgently need to use their clothes, this lengthy process is unacceptable. This led to the development of dryers. Dryers quickly dry clothes, but having both a washing machine and dryer in the same home is inconvenient and requires significant space.

[0003] A washer-dryer combo combines the washing and drying functions of a washing machine, quickly drying clothes after washing. Current washer-dryer combos are divided into single-drum and multi-drum types. A single-drum washer-dryer combo has only one washing drum, where washing and drying occur simultaneously. A multi-drum washer-dryer combo has multiple washing drums, with at least one drum used for drying and the others for washing, with washing and drying taking place in separate drums.

[0004] Since washer-dryer combos dry clothes after washing, they need to be heated for a certain period of time before the clothes drying drum reaches the set temperature, which affects the working efficiency of the washer-dryer combo.

[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 and a washing and drying integrated equipment. After the clothes are washed, the temperature inside the dryer reaches the preheating temperature, which can quickly dry the washed clothes and improve the working efficiency of the washing and drying integrated equipment.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0008] A control method for a washer-dryer combo device, wherein the washer-dryer combo device has a washer-dryer linkage mode, the washer-dryer linkage mode includes a clothes washing stage in the washing machine and a clothes drying stage in the dryer, wherein the dryer begins to preheat before the clothes washing stage ends, and the temperature inside the dryer reaches the preheating temperature T after the clothes washing stage ends.

[0009] Preferably, the remaining time of the clothes washing stage is detected in real time. If the dryer preheating start time is reached, the dryer starts preheating; if the dryer preheating start time is not reached, the dryer stands by.

[0010] Preferably, the clothes washing stage includes a washing step, a washing and dehydrating step, a rinsing step, and a rinsing and dehydrating step in sequence. The remaining time of the washing step is detected in real time, and the dryer is started to preheat when the remaining time of the washing step is t1. The remaining time t1 is a preset value.

[0011] More preferably, the remaining time t1 is calculated based on the time t2 required for the dryer to reach the preheating temperature T.

[0012] Preferably, the remaining time t1 of the washing step is:

[0013] t1 = t2 / a,

[0014] Where t2 is the time required for the dryer to reach the preheating temperature T, calculated according to the drying program in the washing and drying linkage mode, and a is the delay coefficient.

[0015] Preferably, if the number of rinsing steps is greater than 1, the rinsing and dehydration steps will be entered after the rinsing steps are completed. The delay coefficient a is calculated based on the duration t3 of the washing and dehydration steps and the duration t4 of the rinsing and dehydration steps.

[0016] If the number of rinses in the rinsing step is equal to 1 or 0, the rinsing and dehydration step is not entered after the rinsing step is completed. The delay coefficient a is calculated only based on the duration t3 of the washing and dehydration step.

[0017] Preferably, the weight W1 of the clothes to be washed is obtained before the start of the washing stage, and the preheating temperature T is calculated based on the weight W1 of the clothes to be washed and the dryer capacity W2.

[0018] Preferably, if W1≤b*W2, the preheating temperature T is the first preset temperature T1; if b*W2<W1≤W2, the preheating temperature is the second preset temperature T2; if W1>W2, feedback information is displayed, where b is the preset dryer capacity coefficient.

[0019] Preferably, after the clothes washing stage is completed, the dryer operates in low power mode for a preset time t5. If the dryer does not receive an instruction within the preset time t5, the dryer stops operating.

[0020] Preferably, if the washing machine and / or dryer issues an alarm during the dryer preheating process, the dryer operation will be paused and the wash-dry linkage mode will be canceled.

[0021] Another objective of this invention is to provide a washer-dryer combo device, employing a washer-dryer combo device control method as described above.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0023] 1. This invention sets up a washing and drying linkage mode, which allows the dryer to preheat before the washing stage ends and the temperature inside the dryer reaches the preheating temperature after the washing stage ends. This allows the clothes to be dried directly after washing, speeding up the drying process, reducing the drying time, and making it more convenient for users.

[0024] 2. This invention detects the remaining time of the clothes washing stage in real time and allows the dryer to start preheating when the preheating start time is reached. This provides sufficient time for the dryer to preheat, ensuring that the temperature inside the dryer reaches the preheating temperature after the clothes washing stage ends. This allows the control method of the washer-dryer integrated equipment described in this invention to adapt to various different washing programs and improves the applicability of the control method of the washer-dryer integrated equipment described in this invention.

[0025] 3. This invention obtains the weight of the clothes to be washed before the washing stage, calculates the preheating temperature based on the weight of the clothes and the capacity of the dryer, and allows different preheating temperatures to correspond to different weights of clothes. This enables accurate calculation of the dryer's preheating start time and improves the dryer's working efficiency.

[0026] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0027] 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:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a control method for an integrated washer-dryer device according to the present invention.

[0029] 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

[0030] 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.

[0031] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "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 limiting this invention.

[0032] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection 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.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the present invention provides a control method for a washer-dryer combo device. The washer-dryer combo device has a washer-dryer linkage mode, which includes a washing stage in the washing machine and a drying stage in the dryer. The dryer starts preheating before the washing stage ends, and the temperature inside the dryer reaches the preheating temperature T after the washing stage ends.

[0034] This invention sets up a wash-dry linkage mode, allowing the dryer to preheat before the washing stage ends. After the washing stage ends, the dryer has been running for a period of time and the temperature inside the dryer has reached the preheating temperature. This allows the clothes to be dried directly after washing, speeding up the drying process, reducing the drying time, and making it more convenient for users.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, the remaining time of the clothes washing stage is detected in real time. If the dryer preheating start time is reached, the dryer starts preheating; if the dryer preheating start time is not reached, the dryer stands by.

[0036] If the washing cycle lasts less than the time required for the dryer to reach the preheating temperature (meaning the dryer cannot reach the preheating temperature after the washing cycle ends), a prompt message will be sent to the user, allowing them to choose whether to continue the washer-dryer combo mode. If the user chooses to continue the washer-dryer combo mode, the dryer will continue running after the washing cycle ends; if the user chooses to cancel the washer-dryer combo mode, the dryer will stop running.

[0037] This invention detects the remaining time of the washing stage in real time and initiates preheating of the dryer when the preheating start time is reached. This provides sufficient time for preheating and ensures that the temperature inside the dryer reaches the preheating temperature after the washing stage ends. This allows the washer-dryer control method of this invention to adapt to various washing programs and improves its applicability.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment of the invention, the clothing washing stage includes a washing step, a washing and dehydration step, a rinsing step, and a rinsing and dehydration step in sequence. The remaining time of the washing step is detected in real time, and the dryer is preheated when the remaining time of the washing step is t1.

[0039] In this embodiment of the invention, the clothing washing process is divided into four steps in chronological order: washing, washing and spin-drying, rinsing, and rinsing and spin-drying. After selecting the wash-drying linkage mode, the washing machine first enters the washing step, followed by the spin-drying step, and then the rinsing step. In the washing step, detergent is added to wash the clothes and remove stains. After the washing step, the spin-drying step begins. During this step, the washing tub inside the washing machine rotates at high speed, using centrifugal force to remove water and some detergent from the clothes, facilitating rinsing. In the rinsing step, water is added to the washing tub, which rotates at low speed. The oscillation of the water flow removes any remaining detergent and washing water from the clothes.

[0040] Users set different washing programs for different laundry scenarios. For example, when there are many clothes to wash and they are not very clean, they are covered with stains. If too little detergent is added, the stains will not be completely removed, and the washing effect will not be ideal. To thoroughly clean the stains, more detergent needs to be added. However, when too much detergent is added, it is easy for detergent residue to remain on the clothes. After washing, the clothes need to be rinsed multiple times to completely remove the detergent residue. On the other hand, for laundry scenarios with fewer clothes to wash and they are not very clean, there are fewer stains. Users do not need to add much detergent. After washing, the clothes do not need to be rinsed. The wash and spin-dry steps can be performed directly to remove the detergent residue during the spin-drying process, or a single rinse is sufficient to remove the detergent residue.

[0041] Since the number of rinses varies in different washing programs, the duration of the rinsing step also varies. Furthermore, some washing programs do not even include a rinsing step, only a washing step and a wash-and-spin-dry step. The wash-and-spin-dry step is relatively short, typically less than the time required for the dryer to preheat to the preheating temperature. Therefore, in this embodiment of the invention, the dryer begins preheating before the washing step ends, providing sufficient time for preheating to ensure that the temperature inside the dryer reaches the preheating temperature T after the clothes washing stage is completed.

[0042] When a user's laundry scenario is relatively simple, that is, the user frequently uses the same washing program, and the types and weights of the clothes being washed are also the same, and the time required for the dryer to reach the preheating temperature is also the same, then the remaining time t1 can be set to a fixed value, reducing the amount of calculation in the wash-dry linkage mode and improving the working efficiency of the washer-dryer combo equipment.

[0043] When a user's laundry scenarios are diverse, meaning the user frequently uses different washing programs and the types and weights of the clothes being washed are also different, the time t2 required for the dryer to reach the preheating temperature will also be different. In this case, the remaining time t1 can be calculated based on the time t2 required for the dryer to reach the preheating temperature. This allows for an accurate calculation of the dryer's preheating start time, providing sufficient time for the dryer to preheat and ensuring that the temperature inside the dryer reaches the preheating temperature T after the clothes washing stage is completed.

[0044] In this embodiment of the invention, the dryer begins preheating when the remaining time in the washing step is t1.

[0045] t1 = t2 / a,

[0046] Where t2 is the time required for the dryer to reach the preheating temperature T, calculated based on the drying program in the wash-dry linkage mode; a is the delay coefficient. If the number of rinses in the rinsing step is greater than 1, the rinsing and dehydration step will begin after the rinsing step, and the delay coefficient a will be calculated based on the duration t3 of the washing and dehydration step and the duration t4 of the rinsing and dehydration step; if the number of rinses in the rinsing step is equal to 1 or 0, the rinsing and dehydration step will not begin after the rinsing step, and the delay coefficient a will be calculated only based on the duration t3 of the washing and dehydration step.

[0047] This invention allows the dryer to preheat when the remaining time in the washing stage is t1. The temperature inside the dryer reaches the preheating temperature T precisely at the end of the washing stage, providing convenience for the user. The remaining time t1 of the washing step is calculated based on the time required for the dryer to reach the preheating temperature T and a delay coefficient a. The number of rinses varies in different washing programs. If the number of rinses is equal to 1 (meaning the clothes are rinsed only once), and the washing stage ends upon completion of the rinse step, the delay coefficient a is calculated only based on the duration t3 of the spin-drying stage.

[0048] If the number of rinses is 0, meaning no rinsing is performed on the clothes, the washing stage does not include a rinsing step. The end of the washing and dehydration steps signifies the end of the washing stage. In the case of 0 rinses, the delay coefficient is calculated only based on the duration t3 of the washing and dehydration steps.

[0049] If the number of rinses is greater than 1, meaning the clothes are rinsed multiple times, the clothes will contain a large amount of water after multiple rinses, requiring dehydration. In this invention, when the number of rinses is greater than 1, the rinsing and dehydration step begins after the rinsing step. The washing stage is considered complete only after the rinsing and dehydration step ends. The duration of the rinsing and dehydration step is t4. When the number of rinses is greater than 1, the delay coefficient 'a' is calculated based on the duration of the washing and dehydration step t3 and the duration of the rinsing and dehydration step t4.

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown in the embodiment of the present invention, the weight W1 of the clothes to be washed is obtained before the start of the washing stage. The preheating temperature T is calculated based on the weight W1 of the clothes to be washed and the dryer capacity W2. b is a preset dryer capacity coefficient. If W1≤b*W2, the preheating temperature T is the first preset temperature T1; if b*W2<W1≤W2, the preheating temperature is the second preset temperature T2; if W1>W2, feedback information is displayed.

[0051] In this invention, if W1≤a*W2, meaning there are fewer clothes to be dried, the preheating temperature reached by the dryer is the first preset temperature T1, which is the set temperature in the drying program of the dryer; if a*W2<W1≤W2, meaning there are more clothes to be dried, the preheating temperature reached by the dryer is the second preset temperature T2, which is the highest temperature suitable for different drying programs; if W1>W2, meaning the weight of the clothes to be dried exceeds the capacity of the dryer, feedback information is displayed to remind the user that the weight of the clothes to be dried exceeds the capacity of the dryer.

[0052] This invention obtains the weight W1 of the clothes to be washed before the washing stage, calculates the preheating temperature T based on the weight W1 and the dryer capacity W2, and allows different weights of clothes to correspond to different preheating temperatures. This enables accurate calculation of the dryer's preheating start time and improves the dryer's working efficiency.

[0053] In this embodiment of the invention, after the clothes washing stage is completed, the dryer runs for a preset time t5. If the dryer does not receive an instruction within the preset time t5, the dryer stops running.

[0054] After the washing cycle ends, the dryer reaches the preheating temperature T. At this point, the washed clothes should be removed from the washing machine and placed into the dryer to dry. After the washing cycle, the dryer operates in low-power mode for a preset time t5 to maintain the temperature. Once the washed clothes are placed in the dryer, it begins drying. If the dryer does not receive a command within the preset time t5 (i.e., the washed clothes were not placed in the dryer), it pauses operation. The dryer restarts operation once the washed clothes are placed in the dryer.

[0055] This invention reduces the dryer's power consumption by allowing it to operate in a low-power mode for a preset time t5 after the washing stage, while maintaining the internal temperature. This allows for rapid drying of washed clothes after they are placed inside, improving the dryer's efficiency and user convenience. If the dryer does not receive a command within the preset time t5 (i.e., washed clothes are not placed inside), it will pause operation to prevent wasted electricity from running for extended periods without clothes.

[0056] In this embodiment of the invention, if the washing machine and / or dryer issues an alarm during the preheating process of the dryer, the operation of the dryer is suspended and the washing and drying linkage mode is canceled.

[0057] During the preheating process of the dryer, the washing machine is simultaneously performing operations such as washing, spin-drying, and rinsing the clothes. When the washing machine and / or dryer issues an alarm, it indicates that an unexpected situation has occurred during the operation of the washing machine and / or dryer, causing the washing machine and / or dryer to malfunction. At this time, the operation of the dryer is suspended and the wash-dry linkage mode is canceled.

[0058] For example, during the rinsing step of a washing machine, water needs to be added to the tub. If a malfunction in the water inlet pipe prevents water from entering the tub, the washing machine cannot continue the rinsing step, causing the clothes to not finish washing within the preset time. The washing machine will then issue an alarm. If the dryer continues to preheat, the clothes may still not be finished washing when the temperature inside the dryer reaches the preheating temperature, and the clothes cannot be put into the dryer for drying, wasting energy. Similarly, when the dryer issues an alarm, it indicates that the dryer cannot dry the clothes properly after the washing stage, and the dryer should be stopped to avoid safety hazards.

[0059] This invention suspends the operation of the dryer and cancels the wash-dry linkage mode after the washing machine and / or dryer issue an alarm, thereby avoiding the waste of electricity caused by the dryer continuing to run, improving the safety of the washer-dryer combo equipment, and reducing safety hazards.

[0060] This invention provides a washer-dryer combo, comprising a washing machine and a dryer. The washing machine washes clothes, and the dryer dries them. The washer-dryer combo employs the control method described in the above embodiment. Before the washing machine finishes washing the clothes, the dryer begins preheating. When the clothes are finished washing, the temperature inside the dryer reaches the preheated temperature, allowing for direct drying of the clothes after washing, thus accelerating the drying process, reducing drying time, and providing convenience for users.

[0061] Numerous specific details are set forth in the specification provided herein. However, it will be understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

[0062] Except where at least some of such features and / or processes or units are mutually exclusive, any combination may be used to combine all features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) and all processes or units of any method or apparatus so disclosed. Unless otherwise expressly stated, each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by an alternative feature that serves the same, equivalent, or similar purpose.

[0063] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments described herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not others, combinations of features from different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments.

[0064] 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. The implementation schemes in the above embodiments can also be further combined or replaced. 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 washer-dryer combo, characterized in that, The washer-dryer combo has a washing and drying linkage mode, which includes a washing stage in the washing machine and a drying stage in the dryer. The dryer starts preheating before the washing stage ends and the temperature inside the dryer reaches the preheating temperature T after the washing stage ends. The washer-dryer combo includes a washing machine and a dryer. The washing machine is used to wash clothes, and the dryer is used to dry clothes. The laundry process includes washing, washing and dehydration, rinsing, and rinsing and dehydration in sequence. During the washing process, the remaining time is detected. When the remaining time is t1, the dryer is started to preheat. Here, t1 is less than t2, and t2 is the time required for the dryer to reach the preheating temperature T. When a user's laundry scenario is singular, the remaining time t1 is set to a fixed value; when a user's laundry scenario is diverse, the remaining time t1 = t2 / a, where a is the delay coefficient; if the number of rinses in the rinsing step is greater than 1, the delay coefficient a is calculated based on the duration t3 of the washing and dehydration steps and the duration t4 of the rinsing and dehydration steps; if the number of rinses in the rinsing step is equal to 1 or 0, the delay coefficient a is calculated only based on the duration t3 of the washing and dehydration steps.

2. The control method for a washer-dryer integrated equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, If the remaining time of the washing step has not reached t1, the dryer will standby.

3. The control method for a washer-dryer integrated equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: If the duration of the washing stage is less than t2, a prompt message will be sent to the user, allowing the user to choose whether to continue the washing and drying linkage mode. If the user chooses to continue the wash-dry combo mode, the dryer will continue to run after the clothes washing stage is completed. If the user chooses to cancel the wash-dry linkage mode, the dryer will stop running.

4. The control method for an integrated washer-dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before the washing stage begins, obtain the weight W1 of the clothes to be washed, and calculate the preheating temperature T based on the weight W1 of the clothes to be washed and the dryer capacity W2.

5. The control method for a washer-dryer integrated equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, If W1 ≤ b * W2, the preheating temperature T is the first preset temperature T1, and b is the preset dryer capacity coefficient; if b * W2 < W1 ≤ W2, the preheating temperature is the second preset temperature T2; if W1 > W2, feedback information is displayed. The first preset temperature T1 is the set temperature in the drying program of the dryer; the second preset temperature T2 is the highest temperature adapted to different drying programs.

6. A control method for a washer-dryer integrated equipment according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, After the washing stage is completed, the dryer operates in low power mode for a preset time t5. After the washed clothes are put into the dryer, the dryer begins to dry the clothes. If the dryer does not receive an instruction within the preset time t5, the dryer will stop running. After the washed clothes are put into the dryer, the dryer will start running again.

7. A control method for a washer-dryer integrated equipment according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, If the washing machine and / or dryer issues an alarm during the dryer preheating process, the dryer operation will be paused and the wash-dry linkage mode will be canceled.

8. A washer-dryer combo device, characterized in that, The control method for an integrated washer-dryer equipment as described in any one of claims 1-7 above is adopted.

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