A control method of a washing and drying integrated machine and the washing and drying integrated machine

Abstract

This invention discloses a control method for a washer-dryer combo and the combo itself. The control method includes: acquiring the dynamic washing time of the washing drum during the current cycle and the set pre-drying time of the drying drum during the current cycle; determining the start time of the drying drum's pre-drying based on the difference between the dynamic washing time and the set pre-drying time; using the time from the start of pre-drying to the drying drum reaching the set pre-drying temperature as the actual pre-drying time; and ending the pre-drying process when the actual pre-drying time is reached. By dynamically adjusting the washing time of the washing drum, the pre-drying time of the drying drum is dynamically adjusted, preventing the drying drum from starting pre-drying prematurely, saving electricity, and effectively improving the user experience. A washer-dryer combo is also provided, comprising a washing machine and a dryer stacked on top of the washing machine. The washing machine has a washing drum, and the dryer has a drying drum, employing the aforementioned control method for the washer-dryer combo.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of household appliance technology, specifically, it relates to a control method for a washer-dryer combo and the washer-dryer combo itself. Background Technology

[0002] With societal development and rising living standards, people's demands for clothing washing and care are also increasing. In contemporary urban life, laundry and care equipment is becoming increasingly scenario-based. Coupled with rising housing prices and the scarcity of urban housing, the demand for integrated laundry and care modules with different functions is growing. The need for designing integrated functional modules from different products is becoming increasingly apparent. A novel modular laundry treatment device combines two separate products, providing a stable connection while allowing control of both products from a single control structure. This offers user convenience, enhances the user experience, and is cost-effective. Multiple functional modules share a single control structure, using a stacked arrangement to save space, facilitate human-computer interaction, and enable simultaneous washing and drying of different modules in different scenarios, further improving the user experience.

[0003] Currently, it is common to stack washing machines and dryers to form a new type of combined washer-dryer. Existing washer-dryer combos have a washing and drying linkage mode, which can realize the washing machine washing and the dryer pre-drying at the same time. If fixed operating parameters are set for the washing machine and dryer, such as the dryer starting to preheat when the washing machine has 15 minutes left to run, the preheating time of the dryer will be greatly extended because the spin-drying time of the washing machine is uncertain and can be as long as ten or twenty minutes. This will waste a lot of electricity and cause consumer complaints. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a clothing processing device and a washer-dryer combo. By dynamically adjusting the washing time of the washing drum, the pre-drying time of the drying drum can be dynamically adjusted, avoiding the drying drum from starting the pre-drying prematurely, thereby saving electricity and effectively improving the user experience.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] This invention provides a control method for a washer-dryer combo, the washer-dryer combo having a washing drum and a drying drum, comprising:

[0007] Obtain the dynamic washing duration of the washing drum in this operation and the set pre-drying duration of the drying drum in this operation;

[0008] The time for the dryer to begin pre-drying is determined based on the difference between the dynamic washing time and the set pre-drying time.

[0009] The actual pre-drying time of the clothes dryer is defined as the time from the start of pre-drying until the pre-drying temperature of the clothes dryer reaches the set pre-drying temperature.

[0010] The pre-drying process ends when the pre-drying time of the clothes dryer reaches the actual pre-drying time of the clothes dryer.

[0011] Furthermore, the set washing duration for each run of the washing drum is recorded. The washing drum runs N times, and N set washing durations are obtained. The N set washing durations are T1, T2, ..., TN. The median of the N set washing durations is taken as the dynamic washing duration of the Nth run of the washing drum.

[0012] Furthermore, the actual pre-drying time of the clothes dryer is obtained by measuring the difference between the time it takes for the clothes dryer to reach the set pre-drying temperature and the time it takes for the clothes dryer to start pre-drying.

[0013] Furthermore, the washer-dryer combo has an initial pre-drying time. If the actual pre-drying time of some clothes is less than or equal to the initial pre-drying time, the actual pre-drying time will not be adjusted; if the actual pre-drying time of some clothes is longer than the initial pre-drying time, the actual pre-drying time will be adjusted.

[0014] Furthermore, if the actual pre-drying time is not adjusted, the dryer will pre-dry for the actual pre-drying time, and the set pre-drying time of the dryer will be the actual pre-drying time; it is determined whether the pre-drying time of the dryer has reached the actual pre-drying time, and if it has, the pre-drying of the dryer ends.

[0015] Furthermore, if the actual pre-drying time is adjusted, the actual pre-drying time will be adjusted to the initial pre-drying time, and the dryer will pre-dry using the initial pre-drying time. The set pre-drying time of the dryer will be the initial pre-drying time. It will be determined whether the pre-drying time of the dryer has reached the initial pre-drying time. If it has, the pre-drying of the dryer will end.

[0016] Furthermore, when the washing drum finishes washing, the dryer drum reaches the set pre-drying temperature, and the pre-drying process ends.

[0017] Furthermore, before the washing cycle of the washing drum ends, the drying drum reaches the set pre-drying temperature, and the drying drum continues to pre-dry and keep warm at a lower temperature until the washing cycle of the washing drum ends.

[0018] Preferably, when the washing cycle ends and the pre-drying temperature of the dryer has not yet reached the set pre-drying temperature, the dryer stops pre-drying or continues pre-drying until the pre-drying temperature of the dryer reaches the set pre-drying temperature.

[0019] Furthermore, if the washing drum and / or the dryer issues an alarm during the pre-drying process, the dryer will stop pre-drying and cancel the wash-dry linkage mode.

[0020] The present invention also provides a washer-dryer combo, comprising a washing machine and a dryer stacked on the washing machine. The washing machine has a washing drum, and the dryer has a drying drum. The control method for the washer-dryer combo provided by the above technical solution is also provided.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0022] By dynamically adjusting the washing time of the washing drum, the pre-drying time of the drying drum can be dynamically adjusted, avoiding the drying drum from starting pre-drying too early, thereby saving electricity and effectively improving the user experience.

[0023] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The accompanying drawings, as part of this invention, are provided to further illustrate the invention. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the invention are used to explain the invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. Clearly, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating the control method for a washer-dryer combo provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] 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

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] This invention provides a control method for a washer-dryer combo, the washer-dryer combo having a washing drum and a drying drum, comprising:

[0031] Obtain the dynamic washing duration of the washing drum in this operation and the set pre-drying duration of the drying drum in this operation;

[0032] The time for the dryer to begin pre-drying is determined based on the difference between the dynamic washing time and the set pre-drying time.

[0033] The actual pre-drying time of the clothes dryer is defined as the time from the start of pre-drying until the pre-drying temperature of the clothes dryer reaches the set pre-drying temperature.

[0034] The pre-drying process ends when the pre-drying time of the clothes dryer reaches the actual pre-drying time of the clothes dryer.

[0035] In embodiments of the present invention, the washing time of the washing drum is dynamically adjusted to achieve dynamic adjustment of the pre-drying time of the drying drum, thereby avoiding the drying drum from starting pre-drying too early, saving electricity, and effectively improving the user experience.

[0036] The control method for a washer-dryer combo is applied to the washer-dryer combo. Specifically, the washer-dryer combo includes a washing machine with a washing drum and a dryer with a drying drum stacked on top of the washing machine. Alternatively, the washer-dryer combo includes a washing machine with a washing drum and a dryer, with the washing machine stacked on top of the dryer. In addition, the washer-dryer combo can also be a washing machine and a dryer arranged side by side. Alternatively, the washer-dryer combo includes a housing with a drying drum and a washing drum inside, with the drying drum stacked on top of the washing drum, or the washing drum stacked on top of the drying drum.

[0037] The aforementioned dryer and washing machine drums can share the same control panel. Specifically, the dryer with the dryer drum is stacked on top of the washing machine with the washing drum. The control panel is located on the outer casing of the dryer. The circuit boards of the dryer and the washing machine are respectively connected to the control panel. The control panel has two control areas corresponding to the washing machine and the dryer, respectively; or...

[0038] The aforementioned dryer and washing machine each use a control panel. Specifically, the control panel of the dryer with the dryer is located on the outer casing of the dryer, and the control panel of the washing machine with the washing machine is located on the outer casing of the washing machine. The circuit board of the dryer is connected to the control panel of the dryer, and the circuit board of the washing machine is connected to the control panel of the washing machine.

[0039] The setting of the pre-drying time and temperature of the dryer is related to the weight of the clothes, the material of the clothes, and the outside weather.

[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the set washing duration for each run of the washing drum is recorded. The washing drum runs N times, and N set washing durations are obtained. The N set washing durations are T1, T2, ..., TN. The median of the N set washing durations is taken as the dynamic washing duration for the Nth run of the washing drum.

[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the method for obtaining the dynamic washing time of the washing drum in this operation is as follows: the washer-dryer combo records the set washing time of each operation of the washing drum. If the washing drum runs N times, the washer-dryer combo will record the set washing time of N washing drums. The set washing time of the N washing drums is represented by T1, T2, ..., TN, respectively. T1 represents the set washing time of the washing drum in the first operation, T2 represents the set washing time of the washing drum in the second operation, and TN represents the set washing time of the washing drum in the Nth operation. Then the dynamic washing time of the Nth operation is the median of the N set washing times, and the formula is: dynamic washing time of the Nth operation = m0.5(T1,T2,...,TN). For example, if the set washing time T1 of the washing drum in the first operation is 20 minutes, and the set washing time T2 of the washing drum in the second operation is 30 minutes, then the dynamic washing time of the washing drum in the second operation is 35 minutes, and the dynamic washing time of the third operation is 30 minutes.

[0042] The median represents the general level of all data. The dynamic washing time of this run can be obtained by using the formula of the median, which can reflect the user's washing habits and provide the greatest feedback on the single washing time of the same program. This ensures that the pre-drying time will not vary greatly due to changes in washing time, thus avoiding energy waste caused by large variations in pre-drying time.

[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the actual pre-drying time of the clothes dryer is obtained based on the difference between the time it takes for the clothes dryer to reach the set pre-drying temperature and the time when the clothes dryer begins pre-drying.

[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, the actual estimated drying time of the clothes dryer is obtained as follows:

[0045] The difference between the dynamic washing time of the washing drum and the set pre-drying time of the dryer is calculated, and the pre-drying start time of the dryer is determined based on the difference between the dynamic washing time and the set pre-drying time.

[0046] Obtain the time from the start of pre-drying to the time when the pre-drying temperature of the clothes dryer reaches the set temperature. Calculate the difference between the time from the start of pre-drying to the time when the clothes dryer starts pre-drying. The difference is the actual pre-drying time of the clothes dryer.

[0047] The pre-drying process ends when the time from the start of pre-drying to the time when the pre-drying temperature reaches the set temperature equals the actual pre-drying time of the dryer.

[0048] When the dryer drum finishes pre-drying, the washer-dryer will notify the user that the pre-drying is complete by continuously beeping, beeping intermittently, sending a reminder message, or flashing a signal on the screen.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer-dryer combo has an initial pre-drying time. If the actual pre-drying time of some of the clothes tubs is less than or equal to the initial pre-drying time, the actual pre-drying time is not adjusted; if the actual pre-drying time of some of the clothes tubs is greater than the initial pre-drying time, the actual pre-drying time is adjusted.

[0050] In embodiments of the present invention, the initial pre-drying time of the washer-dryer combo is the factory default pre-drying time of the washer-dryer combo, and the pre-drying time of the washer-dryer combo must not exceed the initial pre-drying time;

[0051] To determine whether the actual pre-drying time of the clothes dryer has reached the initial pre-drying time, and to obtain the pre-drying time of the clothes dryer more accurately;

[0052] Specifically, if the pre-drying time of several clothes tubs is less than or equal to the initial pre-drying time, the actual pre-drying time is not adjusted, and the clothes tubs pre-dry using the actual pre-drying time. The set pre-drying time of the clothes tubs is the actual pre-drying time. It is determined whether the pre-drying time of the clothes tubs has reached the actual pre-drying time. If it has, the pre-drying of the clothes tubs ends. If it has not, the clothes tubs continue to pre-dry. The time from the start of pre-drying to the clothes tubs reaching the set pre-drying temperature is obtained, and it is determined whether the pre-drying time of the clothes tubs has reached the actual pre-drying time.

[0053] If the pre-drying time of several clothes drums exceeds the initial pre-drying time, the actual pre-drying time is adjusted to the initial pre-drying time. The clothes drums then pre-dry using the initial pre-drying time, and the set pre-drying time of the clothes drums is the initial pre-drying time. It is then determined whether the pre-drying time of the clothes drums has reached the initial pre-drying time. If it has, the pre-drying of the clothes drums ends. If it has not, the clothes drums continue to pre-dry. The time from the start of pre-drying to the clothes drums reaching the set pre-drying temperature is then continuously acquired, and it is then determined whether the pre-drying time of the clothes drums has reached the actual pre-drying time.

[0054] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the washing drum finishes washing, the drying drum pre-drying temperature reaches the set pre-drying temperature, and the drying drum pre-drying ends.

[0055] Preferably, the pre-drying of the dryer ends when the washing cycle ends. If the pre-drying time of the dryer reaches the actual pre-drying time or the initial pre-drying time before the washing cycle ends, the pre-drying temperature of the dryer will drop and the drying time of the clothes will be longer. If the dryer continues to pre-dry, it will lead to a waste of electricity. Therefore, it is best to end the pre-drying of the dryer when the washing cycle ends.

[0056] However, there are instances where the pre-drying temperature of the dryer reaches the set pre-drying temperature before the washing cycle ends, or the pre-drying time of the dryer reaches the actual pre-drying time or the pre-drying time of the dryer reaches the initial pre-drying time. Therefore, the method adopted is to continue pre-drying and keeping warm at a lower temperature until the washing cycle ends.

[0057] Furthermore, there are instances where the washing cycle ends before the pre-drying temperature of the dryer has reached the set pre-drying temperature, or the pre-drying time has not reached the actual pre-drying time or the initial pre-drying time. In such cases, the appropriate approach is to either stop the pre-drying process or continue the pre-drying process until the pre-drying temperature reaches the set pre-drying temperature.

[0058] In an embodiment of the present invention, if the washing drum and / or the drying drum issue an alarm during the pre-drying process, the drying drum stops pre-drying and cancels the washing and drying linkage mode.

[0059] In embodiments of the present invention, while the washing drum is washing, the drying drum is pre-drying. During the washing and drying linkage process, whether the washing drum, the drying drum, or both the washing drum and the drying drum cause a problem and issue an alarm, the drying drum will stop pre-drying and the washing and drying linkage mode will be canceled to avoid the drying drum from pre-drying for too long or causing problems.

[0060] For example, a washing machine has a drain pipe that connects to a sewer pipe underground. The washing machine uses the drain pipe to transport water to the sewer pipe, which then flows into other places underground. Since some clothing residue remains in the water during the draining process, this residue can cause blockages in the sewer pipe. To prevent these blockages, a sound detection module is installed inside the sewer pipe. This module detects the sound information in the drain pipe during drainage and matches it with pre-set sound information. If the sound information does not match the pre-set sound information, a pipe blockage warning is issued to the user, allowing them to promptly detect potential blockages and improving the user experience. If a mismatch is detected during drainage, the washing drum issues a pipe blockage warning, the washing drum stops draining, and the drying drum stops pre-drying.

[0061] The sound information includes the voiceprint of the sound. If the voiceprint of the sound is the same as or similar to the voiceprint of the set sound information within a first set range, then the sound information is determined to match the set sound information. Alternatively, the sound information includes the frequency of the sound. If the frequency of the sound is the same as or similar to the frequency of the set sound information within a second set range, then the sound information is determined to match the set sound information. Alternatively, the sound information includes the volume of the sound. If the volume of the sound is higher than the volume threshold of the set sound information, then the sound information is determined to match the set sound information.

[0062] like Figure 1 As shown, the control method for the washer-dryer combo of the present invention includes:

[0063] S1. Select the washer-dryer linkage mode and proceed to step S2;

[0064] S2. Select the washing and drying program and proceed to step S3.

[0065] S3. Read the set pre-drying time of the dryer and execute step S4;

[0066] S4. The washing drum runs, and the washing time T1, T2, ..., TN of N washes is recorded. Then, step S5 is executed.

[0067] S5. Take the median m0.5(T1,T2,…,TN) to obtain the dynamic washing time of the dryer drum, and then proceed to step S6.

[0068] S6. Subtract the dynamic washing time from the set pre-drying time to obtain the time when the dryer starts pre-drying, and then proceed to step S7.

[0069] S7. The clothes dryer begins pre-drying; proceed to step S8.

[0070] S8. Subtract the time it takes for the clothes dryer to reach the set pre-drying temperature from the time the clothes dryer starts pre-drying to obtain the actual pre-drying time of the clothes dryer, and then proceed to step S9.

[0071] S9. Is the actual pre-baking time greater than the initial pre-baking time? If yes, proceed to step S10; otherwise, proceed to step S12.

[0072] S10. Adjust the actual pre-baking time to the initial pre-baking time, and then proceed to step S11.

[0073] S11. Determine whether the pre-baking time has reached the initial pre-baking duration. If it has, proceed to step S14; otherwise, proceed to step S7.

[0074] S12. Do not adjust the actual pre-baking time, pre-baking for the actual pre-baking time, and proceed to step S13.

[0075] S13. Determine whether the pre-drying time has reached the actual pre-drying duration. If it has, proceed to step S14 and then step S7.

[0076] S14. The pre-drying of the clothes dryer is complete.

[0077] 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 washer-dryer combo, the washer-dryer combo having a washing drum and a drying drum, characterized in that, include: Obtain the dynamic washing duration of the washing drum in this operation and the set pre-drying duration of the drying drum in this operation; The time for the dryer to begin pre-drying is determined based on the difference between the dynamic washing time and the set pre-drying time. Record the set washing time for each run of the washing drum. The washing drum runs N times and obtains N set washing times, which are T1, T2, ..., TN. Take the median of the N set washing times as the dynamic washing time for the Nth run of the washing drum. The actual pre-drying time of the clothes dryer is defined as the time from the start of pre-drying until the pre-drying temperature of the clothes dryer reaches the set pre-drying temperature. The pre-drying process ends when the pre-drying time of the clothes dryer reaches the actual pre-drying time of the clothes dryer. The actual pre-drying time of the clothes dryer is obtained by measuring the difference between the time it takes for the clothes dryer to reach the set pre-drying temperature and the time it takes for the clothes dryer to start pre-drying. The washer-dryer combo has an initial pre-drying time. If the actual pre-drying time of some clothes is less than or equal to the initial pre-drying time, the actual pre-drying time will not be adjusted. If the actual pre-drying time of several garment rolls is longer than the initial pre-drying time, then the actual pre-drying time should be adjusted. If the actual pre-drying time is adjusted, the actual pre-drying time will be adjusted to the initial pre-drying time, and the dryer will pre-dry for the initial pre-drying time; it will be determined whether the pre-drying time of the dryer has reached the initial pre-drying time. If it has, the pre-drying of the dryer will end.

2. The control method for the washer-dryer combo according to claim 1, characterized in that, If the actual pre-drying time is not adjusted, the dryer will pre-dry for the actual pre-drying time; determine whether the pre-drying time of the dryer has reached the actual pre-drying time, and if so, the pre-drying of the dryer will end.

3. The control method for the washer-dryer combo according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the washing cycle ends, the pre-drying temperature of the dryer reaches the set pre-drying temperature, and the pre-drying process ends.

4. The control method for the washer-dryer combo according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before the washing cycle ends, the dryer reaches the set pre-drying temperature and continues to pre-dry and keep warm at a lower temperature until the washing cycle ends.

5. The control method for the washer-dryer combo according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the washing cycle ends, if the pre-drying temperature of the dryer has not yet reached the set pre-drying temperature, the dryer will continue to pre-dry until the pre-drying temperature reaches the set pre-drying temperature.

6. The control method for a washer-dryer combo according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, If the washing drum and / or the dryer issues an alarm during the pre-drying process, the dryer will stop pre-drying and cancel the wash-dry linkage mode.

7. A washer-dryer combo, comprising a washing machine and a dryer stacked on top of the washing machine, the washing machine having a washing drum and the dryer having a drying drum, characterized in that, The control method for the washer-dryer combo machine as described in any one of claims 1-6 is adopted.

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