Laundry stain removal method, apparatus, laundry treatment apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

The application provides a clothes decontamination method and device, a clothes treatment equipment and a storage medium. The method comprises the following steps: receiving an opening instruction of a dry cleaning program, and controlling a fan to be opened; controlling a steam device to be opened, determining whether the opening time length of the steam device reaches a first preset time length, and controlling a solution feeding device to be opened; determining whether the opening time length of the solution feeding device reaches the first preset time length, and controlling the solution feeding device and the steam device to be closed; and controlling the fan and a heating pipe in a drying channel to be opened. The steam is used to sufficiently wet the load, so that the stains attached to the surface or the inside of the fiber are softened by the steam and separated from the fiber. The dry cleaning solvent is mixed in the steam and penetrates into the load, so that the stains are dissolved in the dry cleaning solvent or the steam to form liquid crystals, and the decontamination efficiency is improved. The steam and the dry cleaning solvent are volatilized by hot air, the stains dissolved in the dry cleaning solvent or the steam are taken away, and the stains are removed in a trace water environment. The fabric does not need to be sent to a dry cleaning shop for cleaning, and the cost of fabric decontamination treatment is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of electrical equipment technology, specifically relating to a method, apparatus, clothing treatment equipment, and storage medium for removing stains from clothing. Background Technology

[0002] In daily life, cleaning large items of clothing and garments made of special materials can be quite troublesome. For example, clothing made of cashmere, down, wool, and silk cannot be washed with water and must be taken to a dry cleaner. However, dry cleaning is expensive and time-consuming.

[0003] For these types of clothes that cannot be washed with water, the clothing processing equipment such as washing machines, washer-dryer combos, and dryers currently only offer simple care using traditional air-wash programs. These programs can only perform wrinkle removal and odor removal, but cannot remove stains. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application proposes a method, apparatus, garment processing equipment, and storage medium for stain removal from clothing. It utilizes steam to wet the garment load, facilitating the penetration of dry cleaning solvents into the fibers of the load, dissolving and emulsifying stains. The dissolved stains are then dissolved in the dry cleaning solvent or steam, forming a liquid crystal. Hot air is introduced into the drum, causing the steam and dry cleaning solvent to evaporate, carrying away the stains dissolved in the solvent or steam from the load. This achieves stain removal in a minimal water environment. It eliminates the need to send fabrics to a dry cleaner, and the garments can be used immediately after washing without drying, reducing the financial and time costs of stain removal.

[0005] The first aspect of this application provides a method for removing stains from clothing, including:

[0006] Receives the command to start the dry cleaning program;

[0007] Control the steam device to inject steam into the tank;

[0008] Once the steam device is turned on for a first preset duration, the solution dispensing device is controlled to dispense dry cleaning solvent into the tank.

[0009] Once the operating time of the solution dispensing device reaches a second preset time, control the solution dispensing device and the steam device to shut down.

[0010] Hot air is introduced into the barrel.

[0011] In some embodiments of this application, the method further includes:

[0012] The heating tubes inside the drying tunnel are turned on to heat the steam passing through the drying tunnel.

[0013] In some embodiments of this application, the steam control device injects steam into the tank, including:

[0014] The steam generator and fan are turned on, and the steam generated by the steam generator is blown into the barrel by the fan.

[0015] In some embodiments of this application, the steam control device injects steam into the tank, including:

[0016] Control the water inlet valve to open and fill the tank with water to a preset water level, which is higher than the heating pipe at the bottom of the tank;

[0017] The heating element at the bottom is turned on to evaporate the water inside the barrel and generate steam.

[0018] The blower is turned on to circulate the steam.

[0019] In some embodiments of this application, the step of introducing hot air into the barrel includes:

[0020] The heating pipes and fans in the drying tunnel are turned on, and hot air is introduced into the barrel through the fans and the heating pipes in the drying tunnel.

[0021] In some embodiments of this application, the controlled solution dispensing device dispenses dry cleaning solvent into the tank, including:

[0022] Obtain the dry cleaning agent selection information submitted by the user, which includes the stain type, clothing material type, or dry cleaning agent type;

[0023] Determine the solvent container that holds the dry cleaning solvent corresponding to the selected dry cleaning agent;

[0024] The solution dispensing device controls the injection of dry cleaning solvent from the solvent box into the barrel through one or more dispensing ports.

[0025] In some embodiments of this application, the controlled solution dispensing device dispenses dry cleaning solvent into the tank, including:

[0026] The solution dispensing device uses a vacuum pump or an ultrasonic atomizer to dispense dry cleaning solvent into the barrel.

[0027] In some embodiments of this application, controlling the fan and the heating pipes in the drying tunnel to supply hot air into the barrel includes:

[0028] Calculate the amount of steam injected into the tank based on the operating time and steam generation rate of the steam device;

[0029] The drying time is calculated based on the steam volume and the preset evaporation rate corresponding to the heating tubes in the drying tunnel;

[0030] Control the fan and the heating pipe in the drying tunnel to supply hot air into the barrel;

[0031] Once the duration of hot air supply reaches the drying time, the fan and the heating element in the drying tunnel are shut off.

[0032] An embodiment of the second aspect of this application provides a garment stain removal device, comprising:

[0033] The receiving module is used to receive the start command of the dry cleaning program;

[0034] The steam injection module is used to control the steam device to inject steam into the tank.

[0035] The dry cleaning agent dispensing module is used to determine that the steam device has been turned on for a first preset time, and to control the solution dispensing device to dispense dry cleaning solvent into the barrel.

[0036] The drying module is used to determine when the solution dispensing device has been turned on for a first preset time, and to control the solution dispensing device and the steam device to be turned off; and to introduce hot air into the tank.

[0037] An embodiment of the third aspect of this application provides a garment processing device, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor executes the computer program to implement the method described in the first aspect above.

[0038] An embodiment of the fourth aspect of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the program being executed by a processor to implement the method described in the first aspect above.

[0039] The technical solutions provided in this application embodiment have at least the following technical effects or advantages:

[0040] In this embodiment, steam is first injected into the drum for a first preset duration to fully wet the load, softening the stains adhering to the surface or inside the fibers and causing them to separate from the fibers. Then, dry cleaning solvent is added. The solvent mixes with the steam and penetrates the load. Upon contact with the softened stains, the stains dissolve more quickly in the solvent or steam, forming liquid crystals, thus accelerating the softening and dissolution of the stains and improving cleaning efficiency. Hot air is then introduced into the drum, causing the steam and dry cleaning solvent to evaporate, thereby carrying away the stains dissolved in the solvent or steam from the load, achieving stain removal in a minimal water environment. This method allows for the use of home laundry equipment to clean fabrics of any material, achieving the desired cleaning effect, completing the wash quickly, and allowing for immediate use without drying, eliminating the need to send fabrics to dry cleaners, thus reducing the financial and time costs of fabric cleaning.

[0041] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0042] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings.

[0043] In the attached diagram:

[0044] Figure 1 A flowchart of a method for removing stains from clothing according to an embodiment of this application is shown;

[0045] Figure 2 Another flowchart of a method for removing stains from clothing provided in one embodiment of this application is shown;

[0046] Figure 3 This illustration shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a clothing stain removal device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 4 This invention provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a garment processing device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0048] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a storage medium provided in one embodiment of this application is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0049] Exemplary embodiments of this application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of this application are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that this application may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to enable a more thorough understanding of this application and to fully convey the scope of this application to those skilled in the art.

[0050] It should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, the technical or scientific terms used in this application shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains.

[0051] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, describes a method, apparatus, garment processing device, and storage medium for removing stains from clothing according to embodiments of this application.

[0052] Fabrics that cannot be washed with water usually need to be sent to dry cleaners, which are expensive and time-consuming. Currently, traditional washing machines, washer-dryers, and dryers can only perform simple care on non-washable fabrics, such as wrinkle removal, odor removal, and sterilization, but cannot remove stains from these fabrics.

[0053] Based on this, this application provides a method for removing stains from clothing. This method improves upon traditional clothing processing equipment by using it to remove stains from fabrics with micro-water. This allows users to remove stains from fabrics of any material using their home clothing processing equipment. It achieves the desired stain removal effect, completes washing in a short time, and allows the fabrics to be used immediately after washing without the need for drying. This eliminates the need to send the fabrics to a dry cleaner, reducing the monetary and time costs of stain removal.

[0054] See Figure 1 The method specifically includes the following steps:

[0055] Step 101: Receive the start command for the dry cleaning program.

[0056] The execution subject of this application embodiment is a garment processing device such as a washing machine, washer-dryer combo, or dryer. When a user needs to run a dry cleaning program on the garment processing device to remove stains from the fabric to be washed, the user first places the fabric to be washed into the drum of the garment processing device. In this application embodiment, the fabric placed in the drum is referred to as the load.

[0057] It should be noted that in some implementations, such as a dryer, there is only one drying drum, in which the drum refers to the clothes handling chamber; in other implementations, such as a washer-dryer combo, there is an inner drum and an outer drum, with the load placed in the inner drum and the water placed in the outer drum. In this implementation, the drum includes both the inner drum and the outer drum.

[0058] To improve the cleaning effect on the load, users can apply dry cleaning solvent to the stained areas of the fabric before placing it in the tub. For lightly soiled fabrics, pre-application of dry cleaning solvent is not necessary.

[0059] After placing the fabric to be washed into the drum, the user can submit a command to start the dry cleaning program via the garment cleaning panel. The garment processing equipment receives the command from the control panel. Alternatively, the user can use a client application installed on their mobile phone or computer to submit the command, which is then sent to the garment processing equipment. The garment processing equipment receives the command from the user's terminal.

[0060] After receiving the start command for the dry cleaning program, the garment processing equipment also controls the motor to drive the drum to rotate at a certain speed and rhythm. The speed can be 40 rpm, 50 rpm, 60 rpm, or 70 rpm, etc., and the rhythm can be 25 seconds of rotation followed by 5 seconds of pause, 25 seconds of rotation followed by 3 seconds of pause, or 15 seconds of rotation followed by 5 seconds of pause, etc. This embodiment does not limit the drum's speed and rhythm; in practical applications, the speed and rhythm can be determined according to requirements.

[0061] Step 102: Control the steam device to inject steam into the tank.

[0062] After receiving the start command for the dry cleaning program, the garment processing equipment also turns on the steam device, and the steam generated by the steam device is injected into the drum.

[0063] In one implementation, the steam device includes a steam generator, which can be installed inside the garment processing equipment. The steam generator is connected to a steam pipe, the outlet of which is located upstream or downstream of a fan. The fan rotates, driving steam from the drying duct into the garment. If the steam pipe is located upstream of the fan, the fan can be an intake fan; if the steam pipe is located downstream of the fan, the fan can be an exhaust fan.

[0064] A steam generator is used to produce steam, which can generate steam continuously and stably. The time delay between the steam generator starting and the generation of steam is very short and can be ignored. By injecting steam into the tank, the humidity inside the tank is increased, thus achieving the effect of wetting the load.

[0065] In this embodiment, the garment processing equipment includes a drying system, which comprises a drying tunnel, a fan located within the drying tunnel, and heating elements. The fan can be activated before, after, or simultaneously with the injection of steam into the drum. The drying tunnel is connected to the drum, and the fan blows air through the drying tunnel into the drum, creating a circulating airflow within the channel formed by the drum and the drying tunnel. Since the heating elements within the drying tunnel are not activated for heating at this time, the air blown into the drum is referred to as cold air. The air generated by the fan blows steam generated by the steam generator into the drum, causing the steam to circulate.

[0066] After receiving the start command for the dry cleaning program, the garment processing equipment can also activate the heating element inside the drying tunnel. This heating element heats the air, turning the air blown into the drum by the fan into hot air. It also reheats the steam passing through the drying tunnel, creating high-energy steam, which significantly enhances the cleaning effect. Simultaneously, it helps prevent excessive liquefaction of steam inside the drum due to low temperatures, thus avoiding excessive humidity within the drum.

[0067] In another implementation, the steam generator includes a heating element located at the bottom of the tub. When the garment handling equipment receives a command to start the dry cleaning program, it controls the water inlet valve to open, filling the tub with water. During the filling process, a water level sensor monitors the current water level in real time. When the water level reaches a preset level, the water inlet valve is closed. This preset water level is higher than the height of the heating element at the bottom of the tub. After the water inlet valve closes, the heating element at the bottom of the tub is activated. The heating element evaporates the water at the preset level, thereby generating steam within the tub.

[0068] Before, after, or simultaneously with the heating pipes at the bottom of the drum to generate steam, the blower or the heating pipes in the drying tunnel can be turned on. The blower blows the steam to circulate it. The heating pipes in the drying tunnel reheat the steam passing through the tunnel to form high-energy steam.

[0069] Steam is generated using heating elements at the bottom of the container. Although there is a slight delay in steam generation due to the initial water heating process, the power of these bottom heating elements is significantly higher than that of the steam generator. For example, the steam generator might have a power rating of 500W-700W, while the bottom heating elements could have a power rating of 800W-1200W. Therefore, generating steam through these bottom heating elements is more efficient. Heating water through these elements produces a large amount of steam within the container, increasing humidity and effectively wetting the load.

[0070] This application embodiment can also alternately use a steam generator and a heating element at the bottom of the tank to generate steam, and the two methods can be used alternately once or multiple times. For example, steam can be generated first using a steam generator, then the steam generator can be turned off after a certain period of time, and then the heating element at the bottom of the tank can be used to evaporate water to generate steam.

[0071] Alternating between a steam generator and a heating element at the bottom of the tub to produce steam allows for better control of the humidity inside the tub. This means that steam can be generated immediately upon receiving the start command for the dry cleaning program, while also ensuring high steam generation efficiency. This allows the tub to be filled with steam in a very short time, so that the load can be moistened with steam and the stains on the load can be removed with the help of steam.

[0072] In some embodiments, the heating pipes in the drying tunnel are activated simultaneously with, before, or after the steam injection begins. These heating pipes then reheat the steam passing through the drying tunnel, increasing its temperature and creating high-energy steam. This high-energy steam wets the load upon entering the drum. Due to its high temperature, the steam enhances molecular activity, accelerating the softening and dissolution of stains on the load, thus improving cleaning efficiency.

[0073] Step 103: Determine that the steam device has been turned on for the first preset duration, and control the solution dispensing device to dispense dry cleaning solvent into the tank.

[0074] The timing begins when the steam device is turned on and steam is injected in step 102. The timed duration is compared with a first preset duration. If the timed duration is less than the first preset duration, steam injection continues. If the timed duration reaches the first preset duration, the solution dispensing device is turned on to dispense dry cleaning solvent into the tank.

[0075] The first preset duration can be 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, or 5 minutes, etc. This application embodiment does not limit the specific value of the first preset duration; it can be set according to requirements in practical applications.

[0076] First, steam is injected into the container for a predetermined duration. The steam increases the humidity inside the container, thoroughly wetting the substrate. After the steam wets the substrate, stains adhering to the surface or inside the fibers are softened, causing them to separate from the fibers. Then, dry cleaning solvent is added. The solvent, mixed with the steam, penetrates the substrate. Upon contact with the softened stains, the stains dissolve in the solvent or steam, forming liquid crystals. Therefore, introducing steam first to thoroughly wet the substrate, followed by the introduction of dry cleaning solvent, helps accelerate the softening and dissolution of stains, improving cleaning efficiency.

[0077] This application embodiment requires removing stains from the load in an environment where only a small amount of water is provided by steam. Therefore, a compound dry cleaning solvent is selected. This dry cleaning solvent can emulsify and dissolve stains under certain temperature and humidity conditions, and can evaporate to carry the dissolved stains away from the load, thereby achieving the effect of removing stains from the load.

[0078] In one implementation, the garment handling equipment includes only one solvent container and at least one dispensing port. The solvent container holds the dry cleaning solvent, and the dispensing port connects the solvent container to the drum body. The dry cleaning solvent in the solvent container flows into the drum body through the dispensing port. Before starting the dry cleaning program, the user adds the dry cleaning solvent to the solvent container. The user can determine the required dry cleaning solvent based on the type of stain on the garment or the fabric type, and add the required solvent to the solvent container. After receiving the start command for the dry cleaning program, the garment handling equipment controls the solution dispensing device to release the dry cleaning solvent in the solvent container into the drum body through one or more dispensing ports.

[0079] In another implementation, the garment processing device can automatically select different dry cleaning solvents for different stain types or different garment material types. Specifically, the garment processing device includes multiple solvent containers, each used to hold a dry cleaning solvent corresponding to a different stain type or different garment material type. When the user submits the command to start the dry cleaning program to the garment processing device in step 101, they can submit dry cleaning agent selection information, which includes the stain type, garment material type, or dry cleaning agent type. The control panel of the garment processing device can be equipped with selection buttons corresponding to each stain type, each garment material type, or each dry cleaning agent type, or the display interface of the garment processing device can be equipped with an interface for selecting the stain type, garment material type, or dry cleaning agent type. The user can submit the dry cleaning agent selection information through the selection buttons on the control panel or the interface provided in the display interface. Alternatively, the user can select the stain type, garment material type, or dry cleaning agent type in the client corresponding to the garment processing device in the user terminal, and the user terminal will send the selected stain type, garment material type, or dry cleaning agent type as dry cleaning agent selection information to the garment processing device.

[0080] The garment processing equipment pre-stores mapping relationships between different stain types, garment fabric types, or dry cleaning agent types and solvent cartridge labels. Upon receiving dry cleaning agent selection information submitted by the user, the equipment determines the corresponding solvent cartridge label based on the pre-stored mapping relationships. The solution dispensing device then injects the dry cleaning solvent contained in the solvent cartridge corresponding to that label into the tank through one or more dispensing ports.

[0081] By combining dry cleaning solvents and steam, stains on the garment are dissolved and emulsified, with the dissolved stains absorbing into the solvent or steam. Using a dry cleaning solvent appropriate for the type of stain or fabric improves stain removal. Multiple solvent cartridges store different types of dry cleaning solvents, automatically dispensing them based on user-submitted solvent selection information, increasing automation and improving user experience. Multiple dispensing nozzles ensure even solvent distribution, guaranteeing that all areas of the garment are coated with solvent for enhanced stain removal.

[0082] In one implementation, the solution dispensing device includes a vacuum pump, and the garment processing equipment controls the vacuum pump to dispense dry cleaning solvent from the solvent box into the tank by pressure squeezing.

[0083] When dry cleaning solvent is dispensed using a vacuum pump, the particles are larger, allowing all the dry cleaning solvent in the solvent box to be quickly dispensed into the container, thus shortening the time required for dispensing the dry cleaning solvent.

[0084] In another implementation, the solution dispensing device includes an ultrasonic atomizer. The garment processing equipment controls the ultrasonic atomizer to atomize the dry cleaning solvent in the solvent box, and dispenses the resulting mist-like dry cleaning solvent into the tank through one or more dispensing ports.

[0085] When dry cleaning solvent is dispensed via ultrasonic atomization, the solvent is poured into the container in a mist-like form. The solvent particles are small and have a wide dispersion range, allowing for more even spraying of the solvent onto all parts of the load, which helps to improve the cleaning effect on all parts of the load.

[0086] The mechanism of stain removal mainly includes processes such as penetration, dissolution, entrainment, liquid crystal formation, emulsification, and saponification. Under completely anhydrous conditions, it is difficult to completely dissolve and entrain stains from the surface of the substrate using only a small amount of atomized dry cleaning solvent. Therefore, this application embodiment considers using the combined action of steam and dry cleaning solvent for stain removal. Steam wets the substrate, helping to accelerate the penetration of the dry cleaning solvent into it. The dry cleaning solvent dissolves and emulsifies the stains. The dissolved stains can dissolve in the dry cleaning solvent or steam, forming liquid crystals, which are ultimately carried away by the hot air, achieving the effect of stain removal.

[0087] Step 104: Determine that the solution dispensing device has been turned on for a second preset duration, and then control the solution dispensing device and the steam device to shut down.

[0088] The operating time of the solution dispensing device in step 103 is timed. When the operating time reaches the second preset time, it is considered that the stain has been fully dissolved. At this time, the solution dispensing device and the steam device are turned off.

[0089] The second preset duration can be 7 minutes, 10 minutes, 13 minutes, or 15 minutes, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific value of the second preset duration. In practical applications, the second preset duration can be set according to the dispensing rate of the solution dispensing device and the decontamination effect that can be achieved with different durations.

[0090] Step 105: Introduce hot air into the barrel.

[0091] After shutting down the solution dispensing device and the steam device, control the fan and the heating pipe in the drying tunnel to supply hot air into the barrel. If the heating pipe in the drying tunnel was turned on in step 101, then keep the fan and the heating pipe on to supply hot air into the barrel. If the heating pipe in the drying tunnel was not turned on in step 101, then turn on the heating pipe in the drying tunnel to supply hot air into the barrel after shutting down the solution dispensing device and the steam device in step 104.

[0092] Hot air circulates within the channel formed by the drum and the drying tunnel, reducing the humidity inside the drum and causing water vapor and dry cleaning solvent on the surface of the load to evaporate. This removes stains dissolved in the dry cleaning solvent or steam from the load, achieving the effect of stain removal.

[0093] This application embodiment determines the drying time for final hot air drying based on the amount of steam injected into the drum by the steam device in the current dry cleaning process. Specifically, the garment handling equipment calculates the amount of steam injected into the drum based on the operating time of the steam device and the steam generation rate. Specifically, the product of the operating time of the steam device and the steam generation rate is calculated, and this product is determined as the amount of steam injected into the drum. The drying time is calculated based on the calculated steam amount and the preset evaporation rate corresponding to the heating tubes in the drying tunnel. Specifically, the ratio between the steam amount and the preset evaporation rate is calculated, and this ratio is determined as the drying time.

[0094] For example, assuming the steam generator is on for 10 minutes, the steam generation rate is 150 g / min, and the preset evaporation rate of the heating tubes in the drying tunnel is 100 g / min, then the amount of steam injected into the drum by the steam generator is 1500 g, and the calculated drying time is 15 minutes.

[0095] Hot air is introduced into the drum through the control fan and heating elements in the drying tunnel. If the heating elements in the drying tunnel were turned on in step 101, the duration of hot air introduction is recorded starting from when the steam device and dry cleaning agent dispensing device are turned off in step 104. If the heating elements in the drying tunnel were not turned on in step 101, the duration of hot air introduction is recorded when the steam device and dry cleaning agent dispensing device are turned off and the heating elements in the drying tunnel are turned on. When it is determined that the duration of hot air introduction has reached the drying time, the control fan and heating elements in the drying tunnel are turned off, the drum stops rotating, and the current dry cleaning program ends.

[0096] In other embodiments, considering that some dry cleaning solvent may remain on the load after hot air is introduced into the drum for the aforementioned drying time, the drum can be rotated again and the steam device can be turned on after the fan and heating pipes in the drying tunnel are turned off. Steam is then introduced into the drum to rinse the load and dissolve any remaining dry cleaning solvent. After the steam device is turned on again for a third preset time, it is turned off, and the fan and heating pipes in the drying tunnel are turned on again to introduce hot air into the drum. The hot air circulation causes the steam and dissolved residual dry cleaning solvent to evaporate. This achieves a secondary cleaning effect and significantly reduces the amount of residual dry cleaning solvent on the load, improving the washing effect.

[0097] The aforementioned third preset duration can be 5 minutes or 8 minutes, etc. This application embodiment does not limit the specific value of the third preset duration; it can be set according to requirements in practical applications.

[0098] To facilitate understanding of the dry-state decontamination process provided in the embodiments of this application, the following description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Figure 2 As shown, S1: Receive the start command for the dry cleaning program. S2: Control the motor to drive the drum to rotate, and control the fan and heating elements in the drying tunnel to turn on, introducing hot air into the drum. S3: Control the steam device to turn on, injecting high-temperature steam into the drum. S4: Determine that the steam device has been running for a first preset time, and based on the dry cleaning agent selection information submitted by the user, control the solution dispensing device to dispense the dry cleaning solvent corresponding to the selected agent into the drum. S5: Determine that the solution dispensing device has been running for a second preset time, and control the solution dispensing device and steam generator to turn off. S6: Calculate the drying time based on the amount of steam injected into the drum by the steam device and the preset evaporation rate of the heating elements in the drying tunnel. S7: Keep the fan and heating elements in the drying tunnel running for the specified drying time, introducing hot air into the drum for drying. S8: Determine that the drying time has been reached, turn off the fan and heating elements in the drying tunnel, and turn the steam device on again. S9: After confirming that the steam device has been turned on again for the third preset time, turn off the steam device and turn on the fan and heating pipes in the drying tunnel to introduce hot air into the barrel again.

[0099] The above Figure 2 The execution process shown is only an exemplary execution process of this application embodiment. In actual applications, there may be many other execution processes, which will not be described one by one here with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0100] In this embodiment, steam is first injected into the drum for a first preset duration to fully wet the load, softening the stains adhering to the surface or inside the fibers and causing them to separate from the fibers. Then, dry cleaning solvent is added. The solvent mixes with the steam and penetrates the load. Upon contact with the softened stains, the stains dissolve in the solvent or steam, forming liquid crystals, accelerating the softening and dissolution of the stains and improving cleaning efficiency. Hot air is then introduced into the drum, causing the steam and dry cleaning solvent to evaporate, thereby carrying away the stains dissolved in the solvent or steam from the load, achieving stain removal in a minimal water environment. This method allows for the use of home laundry equipment to clean fabrics of any material, achieving the desired cleaning effect, completing the wash quickly, and allowing for immediate use without drying, eliminating the need to send fabrics to dry cleaners, thus reducing the financial and time costs of fabric cleaning.

[0101] This application provides a garment stain removal device for performing the garment stain removal method provided in any of the above embodiments. Figure 3 As shown, the device includes:

[0102] The receiving module 201 is used to receive the start command of the dry cleaning program;

[0103] Steam injection module 202 is used to control the steam device to inject steam into the tank;

[0104] The dry cleaning agent dispensing module 203 is used to determine when the steam device has been turned on for a first preset time and to control the solution dispensing device to dispense dry cleaning solvent into the tank.

[0105] The drying module 204 is used to determine when the solution dispensing device has been turned on for a second preset time, and to control the solution dispensing device and the steam device to be turned off; and to introduce hot air into the tank.

[0106] The device also includes a secondary steam heating module, which controls the opening of the heating tubes in the drying tunnel to heat the steam passing through the drying tunnel.

[0107] The steam injection module 202 is used to control the steam generator to start, and blows the steam generated by the steam generator into the tank through a blower.

[0108] The steam injection module 202 is used to control the opening of the water inlet valve to inject water into the tank to a preset water level, which is higher than the heating pipe at the bottom of the tank; control the opening of the heating pipe at the bottom to evaporate the water in the tank and generate steam; and control the opening of the fan to blow the steam to make the steam circulate.

[0109] The drying module 204 is used to control the opening of the heating tubes and fans in the drying tunnel, and to introduce hot air into the barrel through the fans and the heating tubes in the drying tunnel.

[0110] The dry cleaning agent dispensing module 203 is used to obtain the dry cleaning agent selection information submitted by the user, which includes the stain type, clothing material type, or dry cleaning agent type; determine the solvent box that holds the dry cleaning solvent corresponding to the dry cleaning agent selection information; and control the solution dispensing device to inject the dry cleaning solvent in the solvent box into the barrel through one or more dispensing ports.

[0111] The dry cleaning solvent dispensing module 203 is used to control the solution dispensing device to dispense dry cleaning solvent into the barrel using a vacuum pump or an ultrasonic atomizer.

[0112] The dry cleaning agent dispensing module 203 is used to determine when the steam device has been turned on for a second preset time and to control the solution dispensing device to dispense dry cleaning solvent into the tank.

[0113] The drying module 204 is used to calculate the amount of steam injected into the barrel based on the steam device's operating time and steam generation rate; calculate the drying time based on the amount of steam and the preset evaporation rate corresponding to the heating pipes in the drying tunnel; control the fan and the heating pipes in the drying tunnel to introduce hot air into the barrel; and control the fan and the heating pipes in the drying tunnel to shut off when the duration of hot air introduction reaches the drying time.

[0114] The clothing stain removal device and the clothing stain removal method provided in the above embodiments of this application are based on the same inventive concept and have the same beneficial effects as the methods adopted, run or implemented by the applications stored therein.

[0115] This application also provides a garment processing apparatus to perform the above-described garment stain removal method. This garment processing apparatus can be a washing machine or a washer-dryer combo, etc. Please refer to... Figure 4 This illustrates a schematic diagram of a garment processing device provided by some embodiments of this application. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the garment processing device 4 includes: a processor 400, a memory 401, a bus 402, and a communication interface 403. The processor 400, the communication interface 403, and the memory 401 are connected via the bus 402. The memory 401 stores a computer program that can run on the processor 400. When the processor 400 runs the computer program, it executes the garment stain removal method provided in any of the foregoing embodiments of this application.

[0116] The memory 401 may include high-speed random access memory (RAM) or non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device. Communication between this device network element and at least one other network element is achieved through at least one communication interface 403 (which can be wired or wireless), such as the Internet, wide area network, local area network, metropolitan area network, etc.

[0117] Bus 402 can be an ISA bus, PCI bus, or EISA bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. The memory 401 is used to store programs. After receiving an execution instruction, the processor 400 executes the program. The clothing stain removal method disclosed in any of the foregoing embodiments of this application can be applied to the processor 400, or implemented by the processor 400.

[0118] The processor 400 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry in the hardware of the processor 400 or by instructions in software form. The processor 400 may be a general-purpose processor, including a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), etc.; it may also be a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an off-the-shelf programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied in the execution of a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules may reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. The storage medium is located in memory 401. The processor 400 reads the information in memory 401 and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0119] The clothing treatment equipment and the clothing stain removal method provided in this application are based on the same inventive concept and have the same beneficial effects as the methods they adopt, operate or implement.

[0120] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium corresponding to the clothing stain removal method provided in the foregoing embodiments. Please refer to... Figure 5 The computer-readable storage medium shown is an optical disc 30, on which a computer program (i.e., a program product) is stored. When the computer program is run by a processor, it executes the clothing stain removal method provided in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0121] It should be noted that examples of the computer-readable storage medium may also include, but are not limited to, phase-change memory (PRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), other types of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other optical and magnetic storage media, which will not be elaborated here.

[0122] The computer-readable storage medium provided in the above embodiments of this application and the clothing stain removal method provided in the embodiments of this application are based on the same inventive concept and have the same beneficial effects as the methods adopted, run or implemented by the applications stored therein.

[0123] It should be noted that:

[0124] Numerous specific details are set forth in the specification provided herein. However, it will be understood that embodiments of this application may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

[0125] Similarly, it should be understood that, for the sake of brevity and to aid in understanding one or more of the various inventive aspects, in the above description of exemplary embodiments of this application, various features of this application are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof. However, this disclosure should not be construed as reflecting a schematic diagram in which the claimed application requires more features than expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the following claims, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into that detailed description, wherein each claim itself is a separate embodiment of this application.

[0126] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments described herein include certain features but not others included in other embodiments, combinations of features from different embodiments are intended to be within the scope of this application and form different embodiments. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0127] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for removing stains from clothing, characterized in that, include: Receives the command to start the dry cleaning program; Control the steam device to inject steam into the tank; Once the steam device is turned on for a first preset duration, the solution dispensing device is controlled to dispense dry cleaning solvent into the tank. Once the operating time of the solution dispensing device reaches a second preset time, control the solution dispensing device and the steam device to shut down. Hot air is introduced into the barrel; The heating tubes inside the drying tunnel are turned on, and the air is heated through the heating tubes, so that the air blown into the barrel by the fan becomes hot air. The steam enters the barrel through the drying tunnel and is reheated to form high-energy steam. The process includes, after introducing hot air into the barrel, controlling the barrel to rotate and restarting the steam device to introduce steam into the barrel; determining that the duration of restarting the steam device reaches a third preset duration, turning off the steam device, and introducing hot air into the barrel again.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steam control device injects steam into the tank, including: The steam generator and fan are turned on, and the steam generated by the steam generator is blown into the barrel by the fan.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steam control device injects steam into the tank, including: Control the water inlet valve to open and fill the tank with water to a preset water level, which is higher than the heating pipe at the bottom of the tank; The heating element at the bottom is turned on to evaporate the water inside the barrel and generate steam. The blower is turned on to circulate the steam.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process of introducing hot air into the barrel includes: The heating pipes and fans in the drying tunnel are turned on, and hot air is introduced into the barrel through the fans and the heating pipes in the drying tunnel.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controlled solution dispensing device dispenses dry cleaning solvent into the tank, including: Obtain the dry cleaning agent selection information submitted by the user, which includes the stain type, clothing material type, or dry cleaning agent type; Determine the solvent container that holds the dry cleaning solvent corresponding to the selected dry cleaning agent; The solution dispensing device controls the injection of dry cleaning solvent from the solvent box into the barrel through one or more dispensing ports.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The controlled solution dispensing device dispenses dry cleaning solvent into the tank, including: The solution dispensing device uses a vacuum pump or an ultrasonic atomizer to dispense dry cleaning solvent into the barrel.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The control of the fan and the heating pipes in the drying tunnel to supply hot air into the barrel includes: Calculate the amount of steam injected into the tank based on the operating time and steam generation rate of the steam device; The drying time is calculated based on the steam volume and the preset evaporation rate corresponding to the heating tubes in the drying tunnel; Control the fan and the heating pipe in the drying tunnel to supply hot air into the barrel; Once the duration of hot air supply reaches the drying time, the fan and the heating element in the drying tunnel are shut off.

8. A garment stain removal device, characterized in that, include: The receiving module is used to receive the start command of the dry cleaning program; The steam injection module is used to control the steam device to inject steam into the tank. The dry cleaning agent dispensing module is used to determine that the steam device has been turned on for a first preset time, and to control the solution dispensing device to dispense dry cleaning solvent into the barrel. The drying module is used to determine when the solution dispensing device has been turned on for a second preset time, and to control the solution dispensing device and the steam device to be turned off; and to introduce hot air into the tank. The heating tubes inside the drying tunnel are turned on, and the air is heated through the heating tubes, so that the air blown into the barrel by the fan becomes hot air. The steam enters the barrel through the drying tunnel and is reheated to form high-energy steam. The process includes, after introducing hot air into the barrel, controlling the barrel to rotate and restarting the steam device to introduce steam into the barrel; determining that the duration of restarting the steam device reaches a third preset duration, turning off the steam device, and introducing hot air into the barrel again.

9. A garment processing device, comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that, The processor executes the computer program to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-7.

10. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, The program is executed by a processor to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-7.

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