Dirt blocking condition detection method and device, air conditioner and storage medium

Abstract

The application discloses a dirty blocking condition detection method and device, an air conditioner and a storage medium. If a start instruction for running the air conditioner is detected, a signal emitting module emits a first signal towards a filter screen of the air conditioner. If the signal receiving module receives the first signal reflected by the filter screen, a time length between the signal emitting module emitting the first signal and the signal receiving module receiving the first signal is set as a detection period. The dirty blocking condition of the filter screen is determined according to the relationship between the detection period and a preset standard period. The application can realize automatic detection of the dirty blocking condition of the filter screen of the air conditioner, and improves convenience.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of air conditioners, and particularly relates to a dirty blockage detection method and device, an air conditioner and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of science and technology, air conditioners are becoming more and more intelligent. Current intelligent air conditioners are basically designed to meet the needs of users. For example, an intelligent air conditioner can automatically adjust the temperature according to the current ambient temperature, and can adjust the cooling mode according to whether there is a person in the current indoor environment. However, as the use time increases, the intelligent air conditioner also needs to be overhauled, especially for the overhaul of the filter screen. Most current intelligent air conditioners cannot detect the dirty blockage of the filter screen. The detection of the filter screen still mainly relies on regular manual overhaul. However, the dirty blockage of the filter screen is highly related to the use time of the air conditioner and the external environment. Regular overhaul can easily cause the filter screen to be blocked. When the dust of the filter screen accumulates too much, the dust can enter the indoor unit, affecting the work of other components, and also producing an odor, reducing the user experience. SUMMARY

[0003] Embodiments of the present application provide a dirty blockage detection method and device, an air conditioner and a storage medium, aiming to solve the problem that current air conditioners cannot detect the dirty blockage of their own filter screens.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a dirty blockage detection method applied to an air conditioner, wherein the air conditioner comprises a signal transmitting module and a signal receiving module. The method comprises the following steps.

[0005] If a start instruction for running the air conditioner is detected, the signal transmitting module is controlled to transmit a first signal towards the filter screen of the air conditioner.

[0006] If the signal receiving module receives the first signal reflected back by the filter screen, a time period between the transmission of the first signal by the signal transmitting module and the reception of the first signal by the signal receiving module is set as a detection period.

[0007] The dirty blockage of the filter screen is determined according to the relationship between the detection period and a preset standard period.

[0008] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application also provide a dirty blockage detection device. The device comprises the following components.

[0009] A signal transmitting unit is configured to, if a start instruction for running the air conditioner is detected, control the signal transmitting module to transmit a first signal towards the filter screen of the air conditioner.

[0010] a detection period setting unit, configured to set a time length between when the signal emitting module emits the first signal and when the signal receiving module receives the first signal as a detection period if the signal receiving module receives the first signal reflected by the filter screen;

[0011] a first confirming unit, configured to confirm the dirty blocking condition of the filter screen according to a relationship between the detection period and a preset standard period.

[0012] In a third aspect, an air conditioner is provided, which comprises a signal emitting module, a signal receiving module, a memory and a processor connected to the memory, the signal emitting module and the signal receiving module, the memory stores a computer program, and the processor implements the above method when executing the computer program.

[0013] In a fourth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program, and the computer program can implement the above method when executed by a processor.

[0014] The embodiments of the present application provide a dirty blocking condition detection method, device, air conditioner and storage medium. The method comprises: if a start instruction of running the air conditioner is detected, emitting a first signal to the filter screen of the air conditioner by the signal emitting module; if the signal receiving module receives the first signal reflected by the filter screen, setting a time length between when the signal emitting module emits the first signal and when the signal receiving module receives the first signal as a detection period; and confirming the dirty blocking condition of the filter screen according to a relationship between the detection period and a preset standard period. The embodiments of the present application can emit the first signal to the filter screen by the signal emitting module when the air conditioner is running, the filter screen reflects the first signal when receiving the first signal, so that the first signal moves towards the signal receiving module, the detection period from when the signal emitting module emits the first signal to when the signal receiving module receives the first signal is confirmed when the signal receiving module receives the first signal, the more dust accumulated on the filter screen, the more serious the dirty blocking condition of the filter screen, and the thicker the filter screen, the shorter the distance between the filter screen and the signal receiving module, the shorter the detection period, and the preset standard period is a threshold value of whether the dirty blocking condition of the filter screen is light, so that the dirty blocking condition of the filter screen can be confirmed by the relationship between the detection period and the preset standard period, the air conditioner can detect the dirty blocking condition of the filter screen, the dirty blocking condition of the filter screen is avoided to be serious, and the use experience of the user is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments description will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without any creative effort based on these drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 is a flowchart of the dirty plug condition detection method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of the dirty plug condition detection method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 3 is a sub-flowchart of the dirty plug condition detection method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 4 is a sub-flowchart of the dirty plug condition detection method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 5 is a sub-flowchart of the dirty plug condition detection method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 6 is a sub-flowchart of the dirty plug condition detection method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 7 is a sub-flowchart of the dirty plug condition detection method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of the dirty plug condition detection apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram of the detection period setting unit provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of the detection period setting unit provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of the first confirming unit provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram of the first confirming unit provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 13 is a schematic block diagram of the dirty plug condition detection apparatus provided by another embodiment of the present application; and

[0029] Figure 14is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioner provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some of the embodiments of the present application but not all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all the other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0031] It should be understood that, when used in the specification and the appended claims, the terms "comprise" and "include" indicate the presence of the described features, integers, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0032] It should also be understood that the terms used in the specification of the present application are only for the purpose of describing the specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. As used in the specification and the appended claims of the present application, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the term "and / or" as used in the specification and the appended claims of the present application means any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes these combinations.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 is a flowchart of a dirty block condition detection method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The dirty block condition detection method of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to an air conditioner provided with a signal transmitting module and a signal receiving module. As shown in Figure 1 , the method comprises steps S100-S120.

[0034] S100, if a start instruction for running the air conditioner is detected, the signal transmitting module is controlled to transmit a first signal toward a filter screen of the air conditioner.

[0035] In the embodiment of the present application, the start instruction is usually sent by the user through the air conditioner remote controller, when the start instruction is received, the air conditioner is started, at the same time, it is judged whether the air conditioner is first run or not, if the air conditioner is not first run, the air conditioner is run according to the user's instruction. Preferably, the first signal can be emitted by the signal emitting module to the filter screen after the air conditioner runs stably for a period of time. The air conditioner applied in the present application has a signal emitting module and a signal receiving module, the signal emitting module and the signal receiving module can be arranged on the PCB board of the air conditioner or arranged on the adapter box, preferably, the signal emitting module and the signal receiving module are arranged on the PCB board. The PCB board is arranged in parallel with the filter screen, and no components are arranged between the PCB board and the filter screen, so as to ensure that the first signal can be normally transmitted between the PCB board and the filter screen. The PCB board and the filter screen are arranged in parallel, the first signal emitted by the signal emitting module arranged on the PCB board moves vertically to the filter screen, after contacting the filter screen or the dirt on the filter screen, it returns to the original position and is received by the signal receiving module. The signal emitting module can include a plurality of signal emitters, the signal receiving module can include a plurality of signal receivers, preferably, the signal emitting module includes signal emitter X(1), signal emitter X(2), …, signal emitter X(n), the signal receiving module includes signal receiver Y(1), signal receiver Y(2), …, signal receiver Y(n), when arranged, signal emitter X(1) and signal receiver Y(1) are arranged at the same place, for example Figure 2 as shown in Figure 2 the signal transceiver module S1, the signal transceiver module S2, the signal transceiver module S3, the signal transceiver module S4 and the signal transceiver module S5 each include a signal emitter and a signal receiver, for example, the signal transceiver module S1 includes signal emitter X(1) and signal receiver Y(1). Preferably, when there are a plurality of signal transceiver modules, the plurality of signal transceiver modules can be arranged in an array on the PCB board. In addition, the signal emitting module can be an infrared emitting module, and the signal receiving module can be an infrared receiving module.

[0036] In the case of a plurality of signal emitters and a plurality of signal receivers, when the start instruction is received, all the signal emitters are controlled to emit the first signal to the filter screen, which can be sent simultaneously or at intervals, preferably, all the signal emitters are controlled to emit the first signal to the filter screen at the same time.

[0037] S110, if the signal receiving module receives the first signal reflected by the filter screen, the time length between the first signal emitted by the signal emitting module and the first signal received by the signal receiving module is set as a detection period.

[0038] In the embodiment of the present application, the thickness of the filter screen in the case of complete cleaning is H0, the thickness of the filter screen when a certain amount of dirt accumulates on the filter screen but does not affect the use of the filter screen is H1, and H1=H0+H2, the thickness of the dirt. The PCB board and the filter screen are arranged in parallel, and the distance L0 between the PCB board and the filter screen is related to the thickness H2 of the dirt, i.e., L0=L1+H2, wherein L1 is the distance between the PCB board and the filter screen when the filter screen is completely clean. As can be seen from L0=L1+H2, the more serious the dirt blockage is, the more dirt accumulates on the filter screen, the greater H2 is, the greater L0 is, and the shorter the distance between the PCB board and the filter screen is. The first signal transmitted by the signal receiving module and the signal transmitting module usually goes back and forth between the PCB board and the filter screen at a constant speed, so the shorter the distance between the PCB board and the filter screen is, the shorter the time for the first signal to return to the signal receiving module is. The time spent from the signal transmitting module transmitting the first signal to the signal receiving module receiving the first signal is set as the detection period AT, so the greater H2 is, the shorter AT is, the smaller H2 is, the longer AT is, and the minimum value of H2 is 0.

[0039] In some embodiments, for example in the present embodiment, referring to Figure 3 The step S110 can include steps S111-S112.

[0040] S111, confirming the period T(N) from the signal transmitter X(N) transmitting the first signal to the signal receiver Y(N) receiving the first signal, wherein N=1, 2, …, n;

[0041] S112, calculating the average of the sum of all periods to obtain the detection period.

[0042] In the embodiment of the present application, when the signal transmitting module comprises a plurality of signal transmitters and the signal receiving module comprises a plurality of signal receivers, the time taken by the signal transmitter X(1) from transmitting the first signal to receiving the first signal by the signal receiver Y(1) is the period T(1), the time taken by the signal transmitter X(2) from transmitting the first signal to receiving the first signal by the signal receiver Y(2) is the period T(2), the time taken by the signal transmitter X(3) from transmitting the first signal to receiving the first signal by the signal receiver Y(3) is the period T(3), the time taken by the signal transmitter X(n) from transmitting the first signal to receiving the first signal by the signal receiver Y(n) is the period T(n), and so on, and the period T(1), the period T(2), …, and the period T(n) can be obtained. The sum of all the periods is S = period T(1) + period T(2) + … + period T(n), and the mean of S is AT = S / n. Taking the case that the signal transmitting module comprises five signal transmitters and the signal receiving module comprises five signal receivers as an example, if the period T(1) = 25 ms, the period T(2) = 27 ms, the period T(3) = 30 ms, the period T(4) = 21 ms, and the period T(5) = 28 ms, then S = 25 ms + 27 ms + 30 ms + 20 ms + 28 ms = 130, AT = 130 / 5 = 26 ms, and the detection period AT is 26 ms. The dirt accumulation speed is different at different positions of the filter screen, which results in that the time taken by the first signal to return between the PCB and the filter screen once is inconsistent, and the mean can be used to estimate the overall dirt blocking condition of the filter screen.

[0043] In a further embodiment, referring to Figure 4 , the dirt blocking condition detection method can further comprise steps S113-S115.

[0044] S113, calculating the variance of all the periods to obtain a variance;

[0045] S114, if the variance is less than or equal to a preset standard value, confirming that the filter screen is installed normally;

[0046] S115, if the variance is greater than the preset standard value, confirming that the filter screen is abnormal.

[0047] In the embodiment of the present application, the variance of all the periods can be further calculated to determine the installation condition of the filter screen. The installation condition of the filter screen can be determined once every time the signal transmitting module transmits the first signal, or the installation condition of the filter screen can be determined once when the filter screen is reinstalled. Taking the case that the period T(1) = 25 ms, the period T(2) = 27 ms, the period T(3) = 30 ms, the period T(4) = 21 ms, and the period T(5) = 28 ms as an example, the detection period AT is 26 ms, the variance D = [(25-26) 2+(27-26) 2 +(30-26) 2 +(21-26) 2 +(28-26) 2 ] / 5 = 23.5. If the preset standard value is 24, then 23.5 is less than 24, indicating that the filter is installed correctly. If the filter is not installed correctly, some of the first signal emitted by the signal transmitter may bypass the filter and come into contact with other components, significantly extending the return time and thus increasing the cycle time. Therefore, the relationship between the variance and the preset standard value can be used to confirm whether the filter is installed correctly. Additionally, after the user reinstalls the filter, it can be reset using the filter cleaning and reset function key on the remote control. If the filter reset command corresponding to the filter cleaning and reset function key is received, the filter status will be set to normal.

[0048] S120, the filter's clogging status is confirmed based on the relationship between the detection cycle and the preset standard cycle.

[0049] In this embodiment of the invention, the preset standard period is the period of the first signal when the filter is in an ideal state. Let the thickness of the filter when it is completely clean be H0, and the thickness when a certain amount of dirt accumulates on the filter but does not affect its use be H1. Then H1 = H0 + the thickness of the dirt H2. When the thickness of the filter is less than H1, the filter is in an ideal state. If the preset standard period is A, then the filter is in an ideal state when the detection period ΔT is greater than the preset standard period A. For example, if the preset standard period is A = 20ms and the detection period ΔT = 26ms, it means that the time taken for the first signal transmitted by the signal transmitting module to return to the signal receiving module is 26ms. Since the preset standard period A = 20ms, the detection period ΔT is greater than the preset standard period A. That is, the distance between the PCB board and the filter is longer than the distance between the PCB board and the filter corresponding to the preset standard period. In other words, the thickness of the dirt H2 is less than the thickness of the dirt corresponding to the preset standard period.

[0050] In some embodiments, such as this one, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The preset standard period includes a first standard period and a second standard period, and step S120 may include steps S121-S126.

[0051] S121, determine the relationship between the detection period and the preset standard period;

[0052] S122, if the detection cycle is greater than the first standard cycle, then the filter screen is confirmed to be slightly clogged.

[0053] S123, if the detection period is less than or equal to the first standard period and greater than the second standard period, confirming that the filter screen is moderately clogged;

[0054] S124, if the detection period is less than or equal to the second standard period, confirming that the filter screen is heavily clogged;

[0055] S125, if the clogging condition is the moderate clogging, issuing a first warning information to remind the user that the filter screen is moderately clogged;

[0056] S126, if the clogging condition is the heavy clogging, issuing a second warning information to remind the user that the filter screen is heavily clogged.

[0057] In the embodiment, the preset standard period can include a first standard period and a second standard period, and the first standard period is greater than the second standard period. When the detection period is greater than the first standard period, it is determined that the filter screen is in a light dirty state; when the detection period is less than or equal to the first standard period and greater than the second standard period, it is determined that the filter screen is in a medium dirty state; and when the detection period is less than or equal to the second standard period, it is determined that the filter screen is in a heavy dirty state. Taking the first standard period A1=20 ms and the second standard period A2=10 ms as an example, if the detection period AT=26 ms, the detection period is greater than the first standard period, and the filter screen is in a light dirty state; if the detection period AT=15 ms, the detection period is less than the first standard period and greater than the second standard period, and the filter screen is in a medium dirty state; and if the detection period AT=8 ms, the detection period is less than the second standard period, and the filter screen is in a heavy dirty state. When the filter screen is in a medium dirty state, a first warning information is sent; and when the filter screen is in a heavy dirty state, a second warning information is sent. The first warning information and the second warning information can be indicated by an LED lamp arranged on a display panel of the air conditioner. Preferably, when the first warning information is sent, the display panel flashes a yellow lamp; and when the second warning information is sent, the display panel flashes a red lamp. In some embodiments, when the second warning information is sent, the air conditioner can be turned off synchronously. In addition, after the first warning information or the second warning information is sent, if a user completes cleaning of the filter screen, the filter screen can be reset by a filter screen cleaning reset function key arranged on a remote controller. If a filter screen reset instruction corresponding to the filter screen cleaning reset function key is received, the fan running time is cleared, and the preset standard period is reset, that is, the first standard period and the second standard period are reset. It should be noted that the reset means that the preset standard period is reset. As can be seen from steps S113-S115, when the filter screen is reinstalled, the filter screen can be reinstalled because the dirty state of the filter screen is relatively serious and the user cleans and then reinstall, or the filter screen is disassembled and then reinstalled due to other reasons. When the filter screen reset instruction is received, the last dirty state can be obtained. If the last dirty state is a light dirty state, the preset standard period is not reset when the filter screen is installed in place. If the last dirty state is a medium dirty state or a heavy dirty state, the preset standard period is reset.

[0058] In some embodiments, for example, in the embodiment, referring to Figure 7 , the dirty state detection method further includes steps S130-S140.

[0059] S130, if the air conditioner is in a first running state or it is detected that the filter screen is cleaned, the signal emitting module emits a first signal to the filter screen of the air conditioner.

[0060] S140, set the time length between the signal transmitting module transmitting the first signal and the signal receiving module receiving the first signal as the preset standard period.

[0061] In the embodiment of the present application, the air conditioner needs to set the preset standard period when it is first operated. Similarly, the preset standard period also needs to be reset when the user cleans the filter screen. When setting the standard period, the signal transmitting module transmits the first signal to the filter screen, and the time length between the first signal being transmitted and returned to the signal receiving module is recorded, which is set as the preset standard period.

[0062] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a dirty blockage detection device 200 provided by the embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8 Corresponding to the above dirty blockage detection method, the present application also provides a dirty blockage detection device 200. The dirty blockage detection device 200 includes units for executing the above dirty blockage detection method. Specifically, please refer to Figure 8 The dirty blockage detection device 200 includes a signal transmitting unit 201, a detection period setting unit 202, and a first confirming unit 203.

[0063] The signal transmitting unit 201 is configured to control the signal transmitting module to transmit the first signal to the filter screen of the air conditioner if it detects a start instruction for operating the air conditioner. The detection period setting unit 202 is configured to set the time length between the signal transmitting module transmitting the first signal and the signal receiving module receiving the first signal as the detection period if the signal receiving module receives the first signal reflected by the filter screen. The first confirming unit 203 is configured to confirm the dirty blockage condition of the filter screen according to the relationship between the detection period and the preset standard period.

[0064] In some embodiments, for example, in the present embodiment, referring to Figure 9 The detection period setting unit 202 includes a second confirming unit 2021 and a first calculating unit 2022.

[0065] The second confirming unit 2021 is configured to confirm the period T(N) between the signal transmitter X(N) transmitting the first signal and the signal receiver Y(N) receiving the first signal, where N = 1, 2, …, n. The first calculating unit 2022 is configured to calculate the average of the sum of all periods to obtain the detection period.

[0066] In some embodiments, for example, in the present embodiment, referring to Figure 10 The dirty blockage detection device 200 further includes a second calculating unit 2023, a third confirming unit 2024, and a fourth confirming unit 2025.

[0067] The second calculation unit 2023 is used to calculate the variance of all cycles to obtain the variance D; the third confirmation unit 2024 is used to confirm that the filter is installed normally if the variance D is less than or equal to a preset standard value; the fourth confirmation unit 2025 is used to confirm that the filter is abnormal if the variance D is greater than the preset standard value.

[0068] In some embodiments, such as this one, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 11 The first confirmation unit 203 includes a first judgment unit 2031, a fifth confirmation unit 2032, a sixth confirmation unit 2033, and a seventh confirmation unit 2034.

[0069] The first judgment unit 2031 is used to judge the relationship between the detection period and the preset standard period; the fifth confirmation unit 2032 is used to confirm that the filter is slightly clogged if the detection period is greater than the first standard period; the sixth confirmation unit 2033 is used to confirm that the filter is moderately clogged if the detection period is less than or equal to the first standard period and greater than the second standard period; and the seventh confirmation unit 2034 is used to confirm that the filter is severely clogged if the detection period is less than or equal to the second standard period.

[0070] Further, see Figure 12 The first confirmation unit 203 further includes a first warning unit 2035 and a second warning unit 2036.

[0071] The first warning unit 2035 is used to issue a first warning message to remind the user that the filter is moderately clogged if the clog is moderately clogged; the second warning unit 2036 is used to issue a second warning message to remind the user that the filter is severely clogged if the clog is severe.

[0072] In some embodiments, such as this one, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 13 The dirt blockage detection device also includes a signal transmission subunit 204 and a preset standard cycle setting unit 205.

[0073] The signal transmitting subunit 204 is used to control the signal transmitting module to transmit a first signal toward the air conditioner's filter if the air conditioner is running for the first time or if the filter is detected to have been cleaned. The preset standard period setting unit 205 is used to set the time between the signal transmitting module transmitting the first signal and the signal receiving module receiving the first signal as the preset standard period.

[0074] It should be noted that those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the specific implementation process of the above-mentioned dirt blockage detection device and each unit can be referred to the corresponding description in the foregoing method embodiments. For the sake of convenience and brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0075] The aforementioned dirt and blockage detection device can be implemented as a computer program, which can, for example... Figure 14 The air conditioner shown is running.

[0076] Please see Figure 14 , Figure 14 This is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioner provided in an embodiment of this application. It can be a terminal or a server. The terminal can be an electronic device with communication functions, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop computer, personal digital assistant, or wearable device. The server can be a standalone server or a server cluster composed of multiple servers.

[0077] See Figure 14 The air conditioner 300 includes a processor 302, a memory, and an interface 307 connected via a system bus 301. The memory may include a non-volatile storage medium 303 and internal memory 304.

[0078] The non-volatile storage medium 303 can store an operating system 3031 and a computer program 3032. When the computer program 3032 is executed, it causes the processor 302 to perform a method for detecting dirt and blockage.

[0079] The processor 302 is used to provide computing and control capabilities to support the operation of the entire air conditioner 300.

[0080] The internal memory 304 provides an environment for the operation of the computer program 3032 in the non-volatile storage medium 303. When the computer program 3032 is executed by the processor 302, the processor 302 can execute a method for detecting dirt and blockage.

[0081] This interface 305 is used for communication with other devices. Those skilled in the art will understand that... Figure 14 The structure shown is merely a block diagram of a portion of the structure related to the present application and does not constitute a limitation on the air conditioner 300 to which the present application is applied. The specific air conditioner 300 may include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0082] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, the processor 302 may be a central processing unit (CPU), or it may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (FSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), off-the-shelf programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0083] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The computer program may be stored in a storage medium, which is a computer-readable storage medium. The computer program is executed by at least one processor in the computer system to implement the process steps of the embodiments of the above methods.

[0084] Therefore, the present invention also provides a storage medium. This storage medium can be a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium stores a computer program. When executed by a processor, the computer program implements any embodiment of the above-described method for detecting dirt and clogging.

[0085] The storage medium can be any computer-readable storage medium capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, portable hard drive, read-only memory (ROM), magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0086] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate the interchangeability of hardware and software, the components and steps of the various examples have been generally described in terms of functionality in the foregoing description. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this invention.

[0087] In the several embodiments provided by this invention, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of each unit is merely a logical functional division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed.

[0088] The steps in the method of this invention can be adjusted, merged, or reduced in order according to actual needs. The units in the device of this invention can be merged, divided, or reduced according to actual needs. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this invention can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0089] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present invention, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause an air conditioner to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present invention.

[0090] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0091] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Since these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, this invention also intends to include these modifications and variations.

[0092] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for detecting dirt and blockage, characterized in that, Applied to an air conditioner, the air conditioner including a signal transmitting module and a signal receiving module, the method includes: If a start command for the air conditioner is detected, the signal transmitting module is controlled to transmit a first signal toward the air conditioner's filter. If the signal receiving module receives the first signal reflected back from the filter, the time interval between the signal transmitting module transmitting the first signal and the signal receiving module receiving the first signal is set as the detection period. The signal transmitting module includes multiple signal transmitters, which include signal transmitter X(1), signal transmitter X(2), ..., signal transmitter X(n). The signal receiving module includes multiple signal receivers, which include signal receiver Y(1), signal receiver Y(2), ..., signal receiver Y(n). The number of signal transmitters matches the number of signal receivers. The degree of clogging of the filter is determined based on the relationship between the detection cycle and the preset standard cycle; Confirm the period T(N) between the transmission of the first signal by the signal transmitter X(N) and the reception of the first signal by the signal receiver Y(N), where N = 1, 2, ..., n; The average of the sums of all periods is calculated to obtain the detection period; Calculate the variance for all periods to obtain the variance; If the variance is less than or equal to the preset standard value, then the filter installation is confirmed to be normal. If the variance is greater than the preset standard value, then the filter is confirmed to be abnormal.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The step of controlling the signal transmitting module to transmit a first signal toward the filter of the air conditioner includes: Control all the signal transmitters to simultaneously transmit the first signal toward the filter.

3. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The preset standard cycle includes a first standard cycle and a second standard cycle. The step of confirming the filter's clogging status based on the relationship between the detection cycle and the preset standard cycle includes: Determine the relationship between the detection cycle and the preset standard cycle; If the detection cycle is longer than the first standard cycle, the filter is confirmed to be slightly clogged. If the detection cycle is less than or equal to the first standard cycle and greater than the second standard cycle, then the filter is confirmed to be moderately clogged. If the detection cycle is less than or equal to the second standard cycle, the filter is confirmed to be severely clogged.

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the clogging condition is moderate, a first warning message is issued to remind the user that the filter is moderately clogged; If the clogging condition is severe, a second warning message will be issued to remind the user that the filter is severely clogged.

5. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the air conditioner is running for the first time or the filter is detected to have been cleaned, the signal transmitting module is controlled to transmit a first signal toward the air conditioner's filter. The time interval between the signal transmitting module transmitting the first signal and the signal receiving module receiving the first signal is set as the preset standard period.

6. A device for detecting dirt and blockage, characterized in that, Applied to an air conditioner, the air conditioner includes a signal transmitting module and a signal receiving module, the device includes: A signal transmitting unit is used to control the signal transmitting module to transmit a first signal toward the filter of the air conditioner if a start command for operating the air conditioner is detected. The detection period setting unit is used to set the time between the transmission of the first signal by the signal transmitting module and the reception of the first signal by the signal receiving module as the detection period if the signal receiving module receives the first signal reflected back by the filter. The signal transmitting module includes multiple signal transmitters, including signal transmitter X(1), signal transmitter X(2), ..., signal transmitter X(n). The signal receiving module includes multiple signal receivers, including signal receiver Y(1), signal receiver Y(2), ..., signal receiver Y(n). The number of signal transmitters matches the number of signal receivers. The first confirmation unit is used to confirm the clogging status of the filter screen based on the relationship between the detection cycle and the preset standard cycle. The second confirmation unit is used to confirm the period T(N) between the transmission of the first signal by the signal transmitter X(N) and the reception of the first signal by the signal receiver Y(N), where N = 1, 2, ..., n; The first calculation unit is used to calculate the average of the sum of all periods to obtain the detection period; The second calculation unit is used to calculate the variance of all periods to obtain the variance D; The third confirmation unit is used to confirm that the filter screen is installed normally if the variance D is less than or equal to a preset standard value. The fourth confirmation unit is used to confirm that the filter is abnormal if the variance D is greater than the preset standard value.

7. An air conditioner, characterized in that, The air conditioner includes a signal transmitting module, a signal receiving module, a memory, and a processor connected to the memory, the signal transmitting module, and the signal receiving module; the memory is used to store a computer program; the processor is used to run the computer program stored in the memory to perform the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 1-5.

8. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program that, when executed by a processor, can implement the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 1-5.

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