Laundry treating apparatus and power system and control method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a clothes processing device, a power system and a control method thereof. The power system comprises an energy storage battery, a first driving part configured to be powered by a power supply end of the clothes processing device and used to drive a power shaft of the clothes processing device to rotate, and a second driving part configured to be powered by the energy storage battery and used to assist the first driving part to drive the power shaft to rotate. The energy storage battery is configured to be charged by inertia rotation of the power shaft. The energy storage battery is used to collect kinetic energy during inertia rotation of the power shaft, and the collected kinetic energy is used to power the second driving part to assist the first driving part to drive the power shaft to rotate during initial starting or speed increasing, so that the initial torque of the power shaft is increased, the torque and power consumption of the first driving part are reduced, the purpose of energy saving and emission reduction is achieved without reducing the user experience and under the condition of universality of the program.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Currently, how to achieve energy conservation and emission reduction in garment processing equipment is a hot research topic.

[0003] Current energy-saving washing methods mostly rely on software-level control of water intake and spin speed through weighing or analyzing material and degree of soiling. This method requires various auxiliary facilities, is costly, and has poor energy-saving effects. Furthermore, if the user selects an energy-saving wash, the control unit of the garment processing equipment lowers the default spin speed and reduces heating time, sacrificing user experience. If software weighing or sensors detect soiling and control quantitative heating, this method requires a weighing component in the program, but in practice, there are too few weighing programs and too many parameter setting programs. None of these methods achieve satisfactory energy savings.

[0004] In addition, for clothing processing equipment, if the load increases, the motor needs to output a large torque during initial start-up or speed-up, resulting in excessive instantaneous power consumption, which causes significant wear and tear on the washing motor and high power consumption.

[0005] Chinese patent application CN201410584437.4 discloses an energy recycling system for braking and starting auxiliary motors in rotary household appliances. Utilizing torque spring energy storage elements and function switching control, the system effectively collects the kinetic energy dissipated during braking of rotary household appliances when they stop, storing it in an energy storage device. When the motor restarts, the collected energy is released to assist in starting the motor and reduce peak energy consumption during startup. The system includes a transmission speed change module (A), a graded energy storage module (B), and a function switching module (C). The transmission speed change module consists of a clutch, a gearbox, and a converter; the graded energy storage module consists of four-stage energy storage torque springs combined with a ratchet and pawl mechanism; and the function switching module is implemented by an electromagnetic controller. The system collects energy without multi-stage energy conversion, stores it briefly, and releases it promptly. The released energy directly acts on the motor to assist in starting, reducing peak energy consumption during startup, effectively lowering motor energy consumption, and optimizing motor selection.

[0006] However, the above scheme has a relatively complex structure, which is not conducive to its application in actual production.

[0007] In view of this, the present invention is hereby proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a power system for a clothing processing device. The system collects kinetic energy during the inertial rotation of the power shaft through an energy storage battery and stores it to power the second drive unit during initial start-up or acceleration to assist the first drive unit in driving the power shaft to rotate. This increases the initial torque of the power shaft and reduces the torque and power consumption of the first drive unit. The system achieves the purpose of energy saving and emission reduction without compromising user experience and with universal applicability to the program.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a clothing processing device including the above-described power system.

[0010] Another objective of this invention is to provide a control method for a garment processing device.

[0011] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0012] A power system for a garment processing device includes:

[0013] Energy storage batteries;

[0014] The first drive unit is configured to be powered by the power supply terminal of the garment processing equipment and is used to drive the power shaft of the garment processing equipment to rotate.

[0015] The second drive unit is configured to be powered by the energy storage battery and is used to assist the first drive unit in driving the power shaft to rotate.

[0016] The energy storage battery is configured to be charged by utilizing the inertial rotation of the power shaft.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first drive unit and / or the second drive unit are further configured to charge the energy storage battery by utilizing the inertial rotation of the power shaft;

[0018] Alternatively, the power system may also include:

[0019] An energy conversion device is connected at one end to the energy storage battery and at the other end to the power shaft. The energy conversion device is configured to charge the energy storage battery by utilizing the inertial rotation of the power shaft.

[0020] In some implementations, the power system further includes:

[0021] A clutch portion is movably connected to the power shaft, and the clutch portion is configured to move along the power shaft to connect with or disengage from the second drive portion;

[0022] in:

[0023] When the clutch is connected to the second drive unit, the second drive unit assists the first drive unit in driving the power shaft to rotate.

[0024] When the clutch is disengaged from the second drive unit, only the first drive unit drives the power shaft to rotate.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first drive unit includes a first motor, a first belt, and a first pulley, wherein the first pulley is fixedly connected to the power shaft, and the first belt is disposed between the power output end of the first motor and the pulley;

[0026] The second drive unit includes a second motor and a connecting device for connecting the power transmission end of the second motor to the clutch unit.

[0027] In some embodiments, the connecting device includes a second belt and a second pulley, the second belt being disposed between the power output end of the second motor and the second pulley;

[0028] The clutch portion is connected to or disconnected from the second pulley.

[0029] Alternatively, the connecting device includes a first wheel, a second wheel, and a chain, wherein the first wheel is connected to the power output end of the second motor, and the chain is disposed between the first wheel and the second wheel;

[0030] The clutch is connected to or disconnected from the second wheel.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first motor is a DC motor or an AC motor; and

[0032] The second motor is a DC motor.

[0033] A garment processing device, comprising:

[0034] The power system described above;

[0035] A rotating component, connected to the power shaft, is used to drive the clothes to rotate and can be a washing drum and / or a pulsator.

[0036] A control method for a garment processing device, applied to the garment processing device as described above, comprising:

[0037] Receive instructions to start the rotating component or to increase the speed of the rotating component;

[0038] Control the first drive unit and the second drive unit to start;

[0039] Once the rotational speed of the rotating component reaches the set speed, the energy storage battery is controlled to stop supplying power to the second drive unit.

[0040] In some embodiments, controlling the start-up of the first drive unit and the second drive unit includes:

[0041] The first drive unit and the second drive unit are controlled to start at the same speed.

[0042] In some embodiments, upon receiving a command to stop the rotating component or to slow down the rotating component, the charging module of the energy storage battery is activated to charge the energy storage battery.

[0043] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0044] The power system of the clothing processing device provided in this embodiment of the invention collects kinetic energy from the inertial rotation of the power shaft through an energy storage battery. This energy is used to power the second drive unit during initial startup or acceleration to assist the first drive unit in driving the power shaft to rotate. This increases the initial torque of the power shaft and reduces the torque and power consumption of the first drive unit. The goal of energy saving and emission reduction is achieved without compromising user experience and with universal applicability to the program.

[0045] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0046] 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:

[0047] Figure 1 These are schematic diagrams of clothing processing equipment in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 2 These are schematic diagrams of clothing processing equipment in other embodiments of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the control method of the garment processing equipment of the present invention;

[0050] In the picture: 100, clothing processing equipment;

[0051] 200. Power system; 210. Energy storage battery; 220. First drive unit; 230. Second drive unit; 240. Energy conversion device; 250. Clutch unit; 260. Drive shaft; 270. Connecting device;

[0052] 300. Washing drum; 310. Outer drum; 320. Inner drum.

[0053] 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

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the present invention provides a garment processing device and its power system and control method.

[0058] In some embodiments, the garment processing equipment 100 may be a dryer, a washing machine, or a washer-dryer combo, etc. The garment processing equipment 100 may be a drum-type garment processing equipment or a pulsator-type garment processing equipment.

[0059] In some implementations, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the laundry handling apparatus 100 includes a washing drum 300, which includes an outer drum 310 and an inner drum 320 rotatably disposed within the outer drum 310, and a power system 200 for driving the inner drum 320 to rotate. For example, the washing drum 300 may also be a non-perforated inner drum.

[0060] In some embodiments, an impeller assembly (not shown) may also be provided in the inner drum 320, and the power system may also drive the impeller assembly to rotate during the washing process.

[0061] For drum-type garment processing equipment, during the washing process, the inner drum 320 rotates at a low speed under the drive of the power system 200, washing the clothes inside. During the spin-drying process, the inner drum 320 rotates at a higher speed under the action of the power system 200, using centrifugal force to shake off the water from the clothes inside, achieving the purpose of drying the clothes. After the spin-drying process is completed, the control unit of the garment processing equipment 100 controls the power supply terminal of the power system 200 to be in a de-energized state. At this time, the inner drum 320 continues to rotate at a high speed due to inertia. The power system 200 of this application can recover this kinetic energy generated by the rotation of the inner drum 320, convert it into electrical energy for storage, and output the energy when starting the inner drum 320 or increasing its speed, assisting the inner drum 320 in starting or increasing its speed, thereby achieving the purpose of energy saving and emission reduction.

[0062] For pulsator-type garment processing equipment, during the washing process, the pulsator assembly and / or inner drum 320 rotate at a low speed under the drive of the power system 200, washing the clothes in the inner drum 320. After the washing process is completed, the control unit of the garment processing equipment 100 controls the power system 200 to be disconnected from the power supply terminal of the garment processing equipment. At this time, the pulsator assembly continues to rotate at a certain speed due to inertia. In addition, during the spin-drying process, the inner drum 320 rotates at a higher speed under the action of the power system 200, using centrifugal force to shake off the water on the clothes in the inner drum 320, achieving the purpose of spin-drying the clothes. After the dehydration process is completed, the control unit of the garment processing equipment 100 controls the power system 200 to be in a de-energized state with the power supply terminal of the garment processing equipment. At this time, the inner drum 320 continues to rotate at a high speed due to inertia. The power system 200 of this application can recover this part of the kinetic energy generated by the rotation of the impeller assembly and / or the inner drum 320, convert it into electrical energy for storage, and output the energy when starting the inner drum 320 or speeding up the inner drum 320 in the future, so as to assist the inner drum 320 in starting or speeding up, thereby achieving the purpose of energy saving and emission reduction.

[0063] like Figure 1As shown, the power system 200 of the garment processing device 100 provided in this embodiment includes an energy storage battery 210, a first drive unit 220, and a second drive unit 230. The first drive unit 220 drives the power shaft 260 of the garment processing device 100 to rotate; the power shaft 260 is fixedly connected to the exemplary inner drum 320 described above, and the power shaft 260 drives the inner drum 320 to rotate. The second drive unit 230 is configured to be powered by the energy storage battery 210 and assists the first drive unit 220 in driving the power shaft 260 to rotate. The first drive unit 220 and / or the second drive unit 230 are further configured to charge the energy storage battery 210 by the inertial rotation of the power shaft 260 when the first drive unit 220 stops providing driving force to the power shaft 260.

[0064] In some embodiments, the energy storage battery 210 is a rechargeable battery or other rechargeable battery, which is not limited by the present invention. For example, the capacity of the energy storage battery 210 is approximately 10,000mAh to 100,000mAh, and the output power is approximately 20W to 100W.

[0065] The first drive unit 220 is powered by a power shaft 260 that drives the garment handling equipment 100 to rotate when the garment handling equipment 100 is in operation, thereby driving the washing drum 300 or the impeller assembly to rotate. The first drive unit 220 is powered by the power supply terminal of the garment handling equipment 100. Furthermore, the first drive unit 220 is configured to generate electricity by utilizing the inertial rotation of the washing drum 300 during the deceleration process of the washing drum 300.

[0066] The second drive unit 230 is configured to be powered by the energy storage battery 210 and is used to assist the first drive unit 220 in driving the power shaft 260 to rotate when the washing drum 300 or the impeller assembly of the laundry handling device 100 starts or accelerates. The second drive unit 230 may also be configured to generate electricity by utilizing the inertial rotation of the washing drum 300 during the deceleration process of the washing drum 300.

[0067] In the above scheme, the first drive unit 220 and / or the second drive unit 230 serve as both a "power unit" and a "power generation unit" in the power system 200. This not only reduces the cost of the power system 200, but more importantly, it saves space occupied by the power system 200 in the clothing processing equipment 100 by using a dual-purpose approach, which is beneficial for achieving the purpose of capacity expansion.

[0068] like Figure 2As shown, in another embodiment of this application, the power system 200 of the garment processing device 100 includes an energy storage battery 210, a first drive unit 220, a second drive unit 230, and an energy conversion device 240. One end of the energy conversion device 240 is connected to the energy storage battery 210, and the other end is connected to the drive shaft 260. The energy conversion device 240 is configured to charge the energy storage battery 210 by the inertial rotation of the drive shaft 260 when it stops providing driving force to the drive shaft 260.

[0069] Unlike the first drive unit 220 and / or the second drive unit 230 described above, which function as both a "power unit" and a "power generation unit" in the power system 200, in this embodiment, the first drive unit 220 and the second drive unit 230 only function as "power units," while the energy conversion device 240 functions as a "power generation unit." The energy conversion device 240 may be, for example, a generator.

[0070] In some embodiments, the power system 200 further includes a clutch 250. The clutch 250 is movably connected to the drive shaft 260, and is configured to move along the drive shaft 260 to connect with or disconnect from the second drive unit 230. When the clutch 250 is connected to the second drive unit 230, the second drive unit 230 assists the first drive unit 220 in driving the drive shaft 260 to rotate; when the clutch 250 is disconnected from the second drive unit 230, only the first drive unit 220 drives the drive shaft 260 to rotate.

[0071] Specifically, when the washing drum 300 starts or begins to accelerate its spin-drying process, the clutch 250 connects to the second drive unit 230. At this time, the power shaft 260 is simultaneously connected to both the first drive unit 220 and the second drive unit 230. In other words, the first drive unit 220 and the second drive unit 230 work together to drive the power shaft 260 to rotate, thereby causing the washing drum 300 to rotate. When the washing drum 300 reaches the set rotational speed, the clutch 250 disengages from the second drive unit 230, and only the first drive unit 220 drives the power shaft 260 to rotate.

[0072] In some embodiments, when the washing drum 300 pauses or reduces speed after spin-drying, the clutch 250 remains disengaged from the second drive unit 230. In this case, the inertial motion of the power shaft 260 drives the first drive unit 220 to generate electricity to charge the energy storage battery 210. In other embodiments, the clutch 250 is engaged with the second drive unit 230. In this case, the inertial motion of the power shaft 260 drives the first drive unit 220 and / or the second drive unit 230 to generate electricity to charge the energy storage battery 210.

[0073] It should be noted that the specific structure of the clutch part 250 described above is not limited in this invention, but any clutch that can achieve the above function can be used in this invention.

[0074] In some embodiments, the first drive unit 220 includes a first motor, a first belt, and a first pulley, wherein the first pulley is fixedly connected to the power shaft 260, and the first belt is disposed between the power output end of the first motor and the pulley; the second drive unit 230 includes a second motor and a connecting device 270 for connecting the power transmission end of the second motor to the clutch unit 250.

[0075] Optionally, the connecting device 270 includes a second belt and a second pulley, the second belt being disposed between the power output end of the second motor and the second pulley; wherein the clutch part 250 is connected to or disconnected from the second pulley.

[0076] Alternatively, the connecting device 270 includes a first wheel, a second wheel, and a chain, wherein the first wheel is connected to the power output end of the second motor, and the chain is disposed between the first wheel and the second wheel; wherein the clutch part 250 is connected to or disconnected from the second wheel.

[0077] The above solution connects the second motor to the clutch part 250 via the connecting device 270, which can improve the service life of the second motor.

[0078] In some embodiments, the power system 200 may also include a transmission to address the problem of inconsistent speeds between the first drive unit 220 and the second drive unit 230.

[0079] In some embodiments, the first motor is a DC motor or an AC motor; and the second motor is a DC motor.

[0080] like Figure 3 As shown, the control method for the garment processing device 100 provided in this embodiment of the invention includes the following steps:

[0081] S110, Receive an instruction to start the rotating component or to increase the speed of the rotating component;

[0082] S120: Control the first drive unit 220 and the second drive unit 230 to start;

[0083] S130: Determine that the rotational speed of the rotating component has reached the set speed, and control the energy storage battery 210 to stop supplying power to the second drive unit 230.

[0084] The aforementioned rotating component can be, for example, as follows: Figure 1 or Figure 2The washing drum 300 shown is either a washing drum or a pulsator assembly.

[0085] Specifically, in step S110, when the control unit receives a command to start the washing drum 300 or to increase the spin-drying speed, it controls the clutch 250 to connect with the second drive unit 230. At this time, the power shaft 260 is simultaneously connected to the first drive unit 220 and the second drive unit 230. In step S120, the control unit controls the first drive unit 220 and the second drive unit 230 to start. At this time, the first drive unit 220 and the second drive unit 230 work together to drive the power shaft 260 to rotate, thereby driving the washing drum 300 to rotate. In step S130, when the control unit determines that the rotation speed of the washing drum 300 has reached the set speed, it controls the clutch 250 to disengage from the second drive unit 230. At this time, only the first drive unit 220 drives the power shaft 260 to rotate.

[0086] In some embodiments, controlling the start of the first drive unit 220 and the second drive unit 230 in step S120 includes controlling the first drive unit 220 and the second drive unit 230 to start at the same rotational speed.

[0087] In the above scheme, controlling the first drive unit 220 and the second drive unit 230 to start at the same speed can avoid slippage due to speed difference.

[0088] In some implementations, the control method further includes the following steps:

[0089] S140: Receive an instruction to stop the rotating component or reduce the speed of the rotating component, and control the charging module of the energy storage battery 210 to start charging the energy storage battery 210.

[0090] Specifically, in step S140, when the control unit receives a command to pause or reduce the speed of the washing drum 300 after spin-drying, in some embodiments, the clutch 250 remains disconnected from the second drive unit 230. In this case, the inertial motion of the power shaft 260 drives the first drive unit 220 to generate electricity to charge the energy storage battery 210. In other embodiments, the clutch 250 is connected to the second drive unit 230. In this case, the inertial motion of the power shaft 260 drives the first drive unit 220 and / or the second drive unit 230 to generate electricity to charge the energy storage battery 210. Alternatively, the control energy conversion device 240 is activated to charge the energy storage battery 210.

[0091] Understandably, the charging module of the energy storage battery 210 may include components such as a charging switch and power feedback.

[0092] It should be understood that the steps shown in the above control method are not exclusive, and the method may also include additional steps not shown and / or the steps shown may be omitted; the scope of the invention is not limited in this respect. Furthermore, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the specific steps included in the above control method described in this invention are not limited to the order in which they are described, but can be performed in any order or in parallel.

[0093] 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 power system for a garment processing device, characterized in that, include: Energy storage batteries; The first drive unit is configured to be powered by the power supply terminal of the garment processing equipment and is used to drive the power shaft of the garment processing equipment to rotate. The second drive unit is configured to be powered by the energy storage battery and is used to assist the first drive unit in driving the power shaft to rotate. A clutch is movably connected to the power shaft. The clutch is configured to move along the power shaft and connect or disconnect from the second drive unit. When the clutch is connected to the second drive unit, the second drive unit assists the first drive unit in driving the power shaft to rotate. When the clutch is disconnected from the second drive unit, only the first drive unit drives the power shaft to rotate. An energy conversion device is connected at one end to the energy storage battery and at the other end to the power shaft. The energy conversion device is configured to charge the energy storage battery using the inertial rotation of the power shaft. When receiving an instruction to start the rotating component of the clothing handling device or to increase the speed of the rotating component, the clutch is connected to the second drive.

2. The power system of the garment processing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first drive unit includes a first motor, a first belt, and a first pulley, wherein the first pulley is fixedly connected to the power shaft, and the first belt is disposed between the power output end of the first motor and the first pulley; The second drive unit includes a second motor and a connecting device for connecting the power transmission end of the second motor to the clutch unit.

3. The power system of the garment processing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting device includes a second belt and a second pulley, wherein the second belt is disposed between the power output end of the second motor and the second pulley; The clutch part is connected to or disconnected from the second pulley; or, The connecting device includes a first wheel, a second wheel, and a chain. The first wheel is connected to the power output end of the second motor, and the chain is disposed between the first wheel and the second wheel. The clutch is connected to or disconnected from the second wheel.

4. The power system of a garment processing device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The first motor is a DC motor or an AC motor; and The second motor is a DC motor.

5. The power system of a garment processing device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The rotating part is either a washing drum or a pulsator assembly.

6. A garment processing device, characterized in that, include: The power system as described in claim 1; A rotating component, connected to the power shaft, is used to drive the clothing to rotate.

7. The garment processing equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The rotating part is either a washing drum or a pulsator assembly.

8. A control method for a garment processing device, characterized in that, Applied to the garment processing apparatus as described in claim 6, comprising: Receive instructions to start the rotating component or to increase the speed of the rotating component; Control the first drive unit and the second drive unit to start; Once the rotational speed of the rotating component reaches the set speed, the energy storage battery is controlled to stop supplying power to the second drive unit.

9. The control method for the garment processing equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that, Controlling the start-up of the first drive unit and the second drive unit includes: The first drive unit and the second drive unit are controlled to start at the same speed.

10. The control method for the garment processing equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that, Upon receiving a command to stop the rotating component or to reduce the speed of the rotating component, the system controls the charging module of the energy storage battery to start charging the energy storage battery.

11. The control method for the garment processing equipment according to claim 10, characterized in that, When the control unit receives a command to pause the washing drum or reduce speed after the spin cycle ends, the clutch and the second drive unit remain disconnected.

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