A control method for an air conditioner and an air conditioner

Abstract

This invention provides a control method and an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes an ultraviolet sterilization module and an ozone sterilization module. The control method includes: acquiring the cumulative time a target pet spends outside and the cumulative number of times it goes out; and controlling the air conditioner to activate the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the cumulative time spent outside and the cumulative number of times it goes out. This invention solves the technical problem of pet owners' pets picking up bacteria after playing outside, affecting the health of both the user and the pet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of air conditioner technology, and more specifically, to an air conditioner control method and an air conditioner. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of the national economy, more and more people are keeping pets. For pet-owning families, no matter how much cleaning they do for their dogs and the house, it can never be as clean as it would be without pets. Especially when pets come back from playing outside, they inevitably pick up bacteria. If the house isn't disinfected promptly, it can potentially affect the health of both the user and the pet. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the problem of pets picking up bacteria after playing outside, affecting the health of both users and pets, this invention provides a control method for an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes an ultraviolet sterilization module and an ozone sterilization module. The control method includes: acquiring the cumulative duration and number of times the target pet has been outside; and controlling the air conditioner to activate the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the cumulative duration and number of times the pet has been outside.

[0004] Compared with existing technologies, the technical effects achieved by adopting this technical solution are as follows: By obtaining the cumulative time and number of times the target pet goes out, the risk level of the pet picking up bacteria after going out to play can be determined based on the cumulative time and number of times the target pet goes out. Therefore, when the cumulative time and number of times the target pet goes out meet the sterilization conditions, the air conditioner can be controlled to automatically enter the sterilization mode, and the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or ozone sterilization module can be turned on to sterilize the indoor environment, ensuring the health of users and pets in pet-owning families.

[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the cumulative outing time and the cumulative outing count includes: determining the relationship between the cumulative outing time and a first time and a second time; determining the relationship between the cumulative outing count and a first number threshold and a second number threshold; and controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the determination results; wherein the first time is less than the second time; and the first number threshold is less than the second number threshold.

[0006] Compared with existing technologies, the technical effects achieved by this solution are as follows: By comparing the cumulative time spent outside with the first and second durations, and comparing the cumulative number of times outside with the first and second thresholds, the indoor sterilization requirements can be determined based on the relationship between the target pet's cumulative time spent outside and the first and second durations, as well as the relationship between the cumulative number of times outside and the first and second thresholds. Thus, based on the indoor sterilization requirements, it can be determined whether sterilization is necessary and which sterilization module to use for sterilization treatment.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module according to the judgment result includes: if the cumulative time spent outside is greater than or equal to the first time, and the cumulative number of times outside is greater than or equal to the first number threshold, then controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module.

[0008] Compared with existing technologies, the technical effect achieved by this technical solution is as follows: if the cumulative time spent outside is greater than or equal to the first time, and the cumulative number of times outside is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it indicates that the current target pet has a relatively long cumulative time spent outside and a relatively frequent number of times outside. The combination of these two factors results in a relatively high demand for sterilization in the room. Therefore, the air conditioner is controlled to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module to sterilize the room with ultraviolet light.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module according to the judgment result further includes: if the cumulative time spent outside is greater than or equal to the second time, the air conditioner turns on the ozone sterilization module.

[0010] Compared with the existing technology, the technical effect achieved by adopting this technical solution is as follows: if the cumulative time spent outside is greater than or equal to the second time, it means that the target pet's cumulative time spent outside is very long. Even if the target pet does not go out very frequently, the target pet is likely to pick up bacteria when it comes back from playing outside. At this time, the demand for sterilization in the room is also relatively high. Therefore, the air conditioner turns on the ozone sterilization module to sterilize the room with ozone.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module according to the judgment result further includes: if the cumulative number of times the user goes out is greater than or equal to the second number threshold, the air conditioner turns on the ozone sterilization module.

[0012] Compared with existing technologies, the technical effects achieved by this technical solution are as follows: if the cumulative number of times the pet goes out is greater than or equal to the second threshold, it means that the target pet goes out very frequently. Even if the cumulative time the target pet goes out is not very long, there is still a great risk of carrying bacteria. At this time, the demand for sterilization in the room is also relatively high. Therefore, the air conditioner turns on the ozone sterilization module to sterilize the room with ozone.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module according to the judgment result further includes: if the cumulative time spent outside is less than the first time and the cumulative number of times outside is less than the first number threshold, then the ultraviolet sterilization module and the ozone sterilization module are not turned on.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the technical effect achieved by this technical solution is as follows: if the cumulative time spent outside is less than the first time and the cumulative number of times outside is less than the first threshold, it indicates that the target pet goes out less often and at a lower frequency. In this case, the risk of the target pet carrying bacteria is relatively small, so there is no need to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and the ozone sterilization module for sterilization.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module according to the judgment result further includes: before controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module, obtaining the room usage status; if the room usage status meets a first preset condition, then controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module; if the room usage status does not meet the first preset condition, then temporarily not controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module, and when the target pet is detected to have left the room, issuing a prompt message to the user to remind the user to leave the current room; after the room usage status meets the first preset condition, then controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module; wherein, the first preset condition is that the target pet is out of the room and no one is in the room.

[0016] Compared to existing technologies, the technical effect achieved by this solution is as follows: When the air conditioner activates its UV sterilization and / or ozone sterilization modules, the generated UV light and ozone can harm the health of the user and the target pet. Therefore, before controlling the air conditioner to activate the UV sterilization and / or ozone sterilization modules, the room's usage status must be determined. The sterilization and / or ozone sterilization modules will only be activated when the target pet is outside and no one is in the room. Considering that forcibly leaving the pet might cause resistance or stress, when the room's usage status does not meet the first preset condition, a prompt message will be sent to the user after detecting that the target pet has left the room, reminding the user to leave the current room.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control method of the air conditioner further includes: after the ozone sterilization module has finished sterilizing, obtaining the ozone concentration in the room; if the ozone concentration is greater than the ozone concentration threshold, controlling the air conditioner to turn on the fresh air module, and controlling the speed of the fresh air fan of the air conditioner according to the relationship between the ozone concentration and the ozone concentration threshold.

[0018] Compared to existing technologies, the technical benefits of this solution are as follows: After the ozone sterilization module completes its sterilization process, by detecting the ozone concentration in the room, the system can control the air conditioner to activate the fresh air module for ventilation if the ozone concentration exceeds the ozone concentration threshold. This prevents excessively high residual ozone concentrations from causing discomfort to users and pets after the ozone sterilization module has finished its sterilization process. For example, the speed of the air conditioner's fresh air fan can be controlled by the relationship between the ozone concentration and the ozone concentration threshold, ensuring that the ozone concentration in the room quickly decreases to a safe level after the ozone sterilization module has finished its sterilization process.

[0019] This invention provides an air conditioner that implements any of the control methods described above. The air conditioner includes: an acquisition module for acquiring the cumulative time spent outside and the cumulative number of times a target pet has gone out; and a control module for controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the cumulative time spent outside and the cumulative number of times a target pet has gone out.

[0020] This invention provides an air conditioner that includes a controller for executing an executable program to implement any of the control methods for an air conditioner as described above.

[0021] By adopting the technical solution of the present invention, the following technical effects can be achieved:

[0022] (1) By obtaining the target pet's cumulative outing time and cumulative outing number, the risk level of the pet picking up bacteria after playing outside can be determined based on the target pet's cumulative outing time and cumulative outing number. Thus, when the target pet's cumulative outing time and cumulative outing number meet the sterilization conditions, the air conditioner can be controlled to automatically enter the sterilization mode and turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or ozone sterilization module to sterilize the indoor environment, ensuring the health of users and pets in pet-owning families.

[0023] (2) If the cumulative time spent outside is greater than or equal to the first time, and the cumulative number of times outside is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it means that the current target pet has a relatively long cumulative time spent outside and a relatively frequent number of times outside. The two factors combined result in a relatively high demand for sterilization in the room. Therefore, the air conditioner is controlled to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module to sterilize the room with ultraviolet light.

[0024] (3) When the air conditioner activates the UV sterilization module and / or ozone sterilization module, the generated UV light and ozone can harm the health of the user and the target pet. Therefore, the room's usage status must be assessed before controlling the air conditioner to activate the UV sterilization module and / or ozone sterilization module. The sterilization module and / or ozone sterilization module will only be activated when the target pet is outside and no one is in the room. Considering that forcibly leaving the pet may cause it to resist or exhibit stress, when the room's usage status does not meet the first preset condition, a prompt message will be sent to the user after detecting that the target pet has left the room, reminding the user to leave the current room. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a control method for an air conditioner provided by the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an air conditioner module provided by the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] See Figure 1This is a flowchart illustrating a control method for an air conditioner provided by the present invention. The air conditioner includes an ultraviolet (UV) sterilization module and an ozone sterilization module. The control method includes, for example, the following steps: obtaining the cumulative time a target pet spends outside and the cumulative number of times it leaves the room; and controlling the air conditioner to activate the UV sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the cumulative time and number of times it leaves the room. For example, the UV sterilization module is a UVC-LED lamp tube installed at the air outlet of the air conditioner, emitting ultraviolet light to disinfect the air blown into the room. The ozone sterilization module is an ozone generator installed at the air outlet of the air conditioner, generating ozone and releasing it into the room through the air outlet for indoor sterilization.

[0029] For example, an air conditioner is equipped with a camera that communicates with its controller. The controller has a built-in counter. When the camera captures a target pet entering or leaving the room, the controller records the pet's departure time, return time, and number of departures. The duration the pet is out of the room can be calculated from the recorded departure and return times. The counter then adds up the pet's total outing time and number of departures to obtain the cumulative outing duration and number of departures. When the air conditioner activates its UV sterilization module and / or ozone sterilization module, the counter resets to zero and starts counting again.

[0030] Understandably, by obtaining the target pet's cumulative time spent outside and the number of times it has gone out, the risk level of the pet picking up bacteria after playing outside can be determined. Thus, when the target pet's cumulative time spent outside and the number of times it has gone out meet the sterilization conditions, the air conditioner can be controlled to automatically enter the sterilization mode, turning on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or ozone sterilization module to sterilize the indoor environment, ensuring the health of users and pets in pet-owning households.

[0031] Furthermore, the step of controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the cumulative outing time and the cumulative outing count includes: determining the relationship between the cumulative outing time and a first time and a second time; determining the relationship between the cumulative outing count and a first number threshold and a second number threshold; and controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the determination results; wherein the first time is less than the second time; and the first number threshold is less than the second number threshold.

[0032] Understandably, by comparing the cumulative time spent outside with the first and second durations, and comparing the cumulative number of times outside with the first and second thresholds, the indoor sterilization requirements can be determined based on the relationship between the target pet's cumulative time spent outside and the first and second durations, as well as the relationship between the cumulative number of times outside and the first and second thresholds. Thus, based on the indoor sterilization requirements, it can be determined whether sterilization is necessary and which sterilization module to use for sterilization treatment.

[0033] Furthermore, the step of controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the judgment result includes: if the cumulative time spent outside is greater than or equal to the first time, and the cumulative number of times outside is greater than or equal to the first number threshold, then the air conditioner is controlled to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module.

[0034] Understandably, if the cumulative time spent outside is greater than or equal to the first time, and the cumulative number of times outside is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it means that the current target pet has a relatively long cumulative time spent outside and a relatively frequent number of times outside. The combination of these two factors results in a relatively high demand for sterilization indoors. Therefore, the air conditioner is controlled to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module to sterilize the indoor environment with ultraviolet light.

[0035] Furthermore, the step of controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module according to the judgment result also includes: if the cumulative time spent outside is greater than or equal to the second time, the air conditioner turns on the ozone sterilization module.

[0036] It is understandable that if the cumulative time spent outside is greater than or equal to the second duration, it means that the target pet has been out for a long time. Even if the target pet does not go out very frequently, there is a high possibility that the target pet will pick up bacteria when it comes back from playing outside. At this time, the demand for sterilization in the room is also relatively high. Therefore, the air conditioner turns on the ozone sterilization module to sterilize the room with ozone.

[0037] Furthermore, the step of controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module according to the judgment result also includes: if the cumulative number of times the user goes out is greater than or equal to the second number threshold, the air conditioner turns on the ozone sterilization module.

[0038] Understandably, if the cumulative number of times a pet goes out is greater than or equal to the second threshold, it means that the target pet goes out very frequently. Even if the cumulative time the target pet goes out is not very long, there is still a great risk of carrying bacteria. At this time, the need for sterilization in the room is also relatively high. Therefore, the air conditioner turns on the ozone sterilization module to sterilize the room with ozone.

[0039] Furthermore, the step of controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the judgment result further includes: if the cumulative time spent outside is less than the first time and the cumulative number of times outside is less than the first number threshold, then the ultraviolet sterilization module and the ozone sterilization module are not turned on.

[0040] It is understandable that if the cumulative time spent outside is less than the first duration and the cumulative number of times outside is less than the first threshold, it means that the target pet goes out less often and at a lower frequency. In this case, the risk of the target pet carrying bacteria is relatively small, so there is no need to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and the ozone sterilization module for sterilization.

[0041] Furthermore, the step of controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the judgment result further includes: before controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module, obtaining the room usage status; if the room usage status meets a first preset condition, then controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module; if the room usage status does not meet the first preset condition, then temporarily not controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module, and when the target pet is detected to have left the room, issuing a prompt message to the user to remind the user to leave the current room; after the room usage status meets the first preset condition, then controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module; wherein, the first preset condition is that the target pet is out of the room and no one is in the room.

[0042] It is understandable that when an air conditioner activates its UV sterilization and / or ozone sterilization modules, the generated UV light and ozone can harm the health of the user and the target pet. Therefore, before activating the UV and / or ozone sterilization modules, the room's usage status must be assessed. The sterilization and / or ozone sterilization modules will only be activated when the target pet is outside and no one is in the room. Considering that forcibly leaving the pet might cause resistance or stress, a notification message will be sent to the user after detecting that the target pet has left the room if the room's usage status does not meet the first preset condition, reminding the user to leave the current room.

[0043] Furthermore, the control method of the air conditioner also includes: after the ozone sterilization module has finished sterilizing, obtaining the ozone concentration in the room; if the ozone concentration is greater than the ozone concentration threshold, controlling the air conditioner to turn on the fresh air module, and controlling the speed of the fresh air fan of the air conditioner according to the relationship between the ozone concentration and the ozone concentration threshold.

[0044] Understandably, after the ozone sterilization module finishes sterilizing, by detecting the ozone concentration in the room, if the ozone concentration exceeds the ozone concentration threshold, the air conditioner can be controlled to activate the fresh air module for ventilation. This prevents excessively high residual ozone concentration in the room after sterilization from causing discomfort to users and pets. For example, the speed of the air conditioner's fresh air fan can be controlled by the relationship between the ozone concentration and the ozone concentration threshold, so that the ozone concentration in the room drops to a safe level as quickly as possible after the ozone sterilization module finishes sterilization.

[0045] Furthermore, this invention provides an air conditioner, combined with... Figure 2 The air conditioner 200 includes, for example, an acquisition module 210 and a control module 220. The acquisition module 210 is used to acquire the cumulative duration and number of times the target pet goes out; the control module 220 is used to control the air conditioner to activate the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the cumulative duration and number of times the pet goes out.

[0046] In one specific embodiment, the acquisition module 210 and the control module 220 cooperate with each other to enable the air conditioner to implement any of the control methods of the air conditioner described above and achieve the same effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0047] Furthermore, this invention provides an air conditioner that includes a controller. The controller is used to execute an executable program to implement any of the control methods for air conditioners described above, and to achieve the same effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0048] While the present invention has been disclosed above, it is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A control method of an air conditioner, characterized by, The air conditioner includes an ultraviolet sterilization module and an ozone sterilization module, and the control method of the air conditioner includes: Obtain the target pet's cumulative outing time and cumulative outing count; The air conditioner is controlled to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the cumulative time spent outside and the cumulative number of times outside.

2. The control method of the air conditioner according to claim 1, characterized by, The step of controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the cumulative outing time and the cumulative outing number includes: Determine the relationship between the cumulative outing time and the first and second outing times; Determine the relationship between the cumulative number of outings and the threshold values ​​for the first and second outings; Based on the judgment result, control the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module; Wherein, the first duration is less than the second duration; and the first number threshold is less than the second number threshold.

3. The control method for an air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the judgment result includes: If the cumulative time spent outside is greater than or equal to the first time, and the cumulative number of times someone goes out is greater than or equal to the first number threshold, then the air conditioner is controlled to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module.

4. The control method for an air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the judgment result further includes: If the cumulative time spent outside is greater than or equal to the second time, the air conditioner will turn on the ozone sterilization module.

5. The control method for an air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the judgment result further includes: If the cumulative number of times someone goes out is greater than or equal to the second threshold number, the air conditioner will turn on the ozone sterilization module.

6. The control method for an air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the judgment result further includes: If the cumulative time spent outside is less than the first time, and the cumulative number of times outside is less than the first number threshold, then the ultraviolet sterilization module and the ozone sterilization module will not be activated.

7. The control method for an air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the judgment result further includes: Before controlling the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module, obtain the room usage status; If the room usage status meets the first preset condition, then control the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module; If the room usage status does not meet the first preset condition, the air conditioner will not be controlled to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module. When the target pet is detected to have left the room, a prompt message will be sent to the user to remind the user to leave the current room. Once the room usage status meets the first preset condition, the air conditioner is then controlled to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module. The first preset condition is that the target pet is outside and no one is inside.

8. The control method for an air conditioner according to claim 2, characterized in that, The control method for the air conditioner also includes: After the ozone sterilization module finishes sterilization, the ozone concentration in the room is obtained; If the ozone concentration is greater than the ozone concentration threshold, the air conditioner is controlled to turn on the fresh air module, and the speed of the fresh air fan of the air conditioner is controlled according to the relationship between the ozone concentration and the ozone concentration threshold.

9. An air conditioner, characterized in that, The air conditioner implements the control method of the air conditioner as described in any one of claims 1-8, and the air conditioner includes: The acquisition module is used to obtain the target pet's cumulative outing time and cumulative outing frequency; The control module is used to control the air conditioner to turn on the ultraviolet sterilization module and / or the ozone sterilization module based on the cumulative time spent outside and the cumulative number of times outside.

10. An air conditioner, characterized in that, The air conditioner includes a controller for executing an executable program to implement the control method of the air conditioner according to any one of claims 1-8.

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