Air conditioner and sweeper interconnection control method and device and air conditioner

Abstract

The invention relates to an interconnection control method and device for an air conditioner and a sweeper and the air conditioner. The air conditioner comprises an indoor unit shell and a water storage tank. A cavity is formed in the indoor unit shell, and the indoor unit shell is provided with an entrance and exit so that the sweeper can enter and exit the cavity through the entrance and exit. The water storage tank is configured to be movably arranged in the indoor unit shell and has a first state that the water storage tank is supported in the indoor unit shell and is separated from the sweeper and a second state that the water storage tank is supported on the sweeper to synchronously move along with the sweeper. The interconnection control method comprises the following steps: receiving a water shortage alarm signal; the water shortage alarm signal is generated when the water level in the water storage tank is lower than a preset water level value; when the sweeper is located in the cavity, the water storage tank is adjusted to be in the second state so that the water storage tank can be supported on the sweeper; and the sweeper and the water storage tank are controlled to move out of the cavity to the outside of the indoor unit shell, so that a user can directly add water into the water storage tank, and the water adding convenience of the water storage tank is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of intelligent control technology, and in particular to an interconnection control method and device for an air conditioner and a sweeping machine, and the air conditioner. Background Art

[0002] As users' requirements for quality of life become higher and higher, more and more families will have both air conditioners and sweeping robots. Among them, air conditioners are mainly used to adjust indoor temperature and indoor humidity, and sweeping robots are mainly used to clean the floor, thereby improving the comfort of life.

[0003] Most of the existing air conditioners and sweeping robots have no connection. Even if some existing technologies leave a space inside the air conditioner as a base station for the sweeping robot in order to save indoor space, this is just a simple combination of the air conditioner and the sweeping robot in terms of spatial structure, and the two have no functional intersection. It can be said that the existing air conditioners and sweeping robots cannot be effectively interconnected, and cannot be intelligently adjusted according to the actual needs of users. From the perspective of intelligence, the user experience is poor. Summary of the invention

[0004] An object of the first aspect of the present invention is to overcome at least one defect of the prior art and to provide an interconnection control method for an air conditioner and a sweeping machine to improve the convenience of adding water to a water tank.

[0005] A further object of the first aspect of the present invention is to intelligently refill a water storage tank in an air conditioner.

[0006] The second aspect of the present invention aims to provide an interconnected control device for an air conditioner and a sweeping machine to improve the convenience of adding water to a water tank.

[0007] A third aspect of the present invention aims to provide an air conditioner having the above interconnection control device.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides an interconnection control method of an air conditioner and a sweeping machine, wherein

[0009] The air conditioner comprises an indoor unit casing, and a water storage tank disposed in the indoor unit casing and used for holding water; a cavity is formed in the indoor unit casing at a lower end thereof, and an entrance and exit communicating with the cavity are opened on the indoor unit casing to allow the sweeper to enter and exit the cavity through the entrance and exit; the water storage tank is configured to be movably disposed in the indoor unit casing, and has a first state in which it is supported inside the indoor unit casing and separated from the sweeper, and a second state in which it is supported on the sweeper to move synchronously with the sweeper; and

[0010] The interconnection control method comprises:

[0011] Receiving a water shortage alarm signal; the water shortage alarm signal is generated when the water level in the water storage tank is lower than a preset water level value;

[0012] When the sweeping machine is in the cavity, adjusting the water tank to the second state so that the water tank is supported on the sweeping machine; and

[0013] The sweeping machine is controlled to carry the water tank and move out of the cavity to the outside of the indoor unit casing.

[0014] Optionally, after receiving the water shortage alarm signal, the interconnection control method further includes:

[0015] determining whether the sweeper is in the cavity;

[0016] If yes, directly control the water tank to move to the second state; and

[0017] If not, the sweeper is controlled to enter the cavity and then the water tank is controlled to move to the second state.

[0018] Optionally, after receiving the water shortage alarm signal, the interconnection control method further includes:

[0019] determining whether the sweeper is in the cavity;

[0020] If yes, directly control the water tank to move to the second state;

[0021] If not, determining whether the sweeping machine is in operation;

[0022] If the sweeping machine is in operation, the sweeping machine is controlled to enter the cavity after the sweeping machine has finished operating, and the water storage tank is controlled to move to the second state after the sweeping machine enters the cavity;

[0023] If the sweeping machine is in an idle state, the sweeping machine is directly controlled to enter the cavity, and after the sweeping machine enters the cavity, the water tank is controlled to move to the second state.

[0024] Optionally, after controlling the sweeping machine to carry the water tank and move together out of the cavity to the outside of the indoor unit casing, the interconnection control method further includes:

[0025] Prompting a user in the indoor environment space where the air conditioner and the sweeper are located to add water to the water storage tank;

[0026] If the weight in the water tank does not change after a first preset time, controlling the sweeper to return to the cavity; and

[0027] The water storage tank is adjusted to the first state.

[0028] Optionally, the step of prompting a user in the indoor environment space where the air conditioner and the sweeper are located to add water to the water storage tank includes:

[0029] Obtaining the position of the target human body in the indoor environment space where the air conditioner and the sweeping machine are located; and

[0030] The sweeping machine is controlled to move to the position where the target human body is located and then stop moving to prompt the user to add water to the water tank.

[0031] Optionally, the step of prompting a user in the indoor environment space where the air conditioner and the sweeper are located to add water to the water storage tank includes:

[0032] Controlling the sweeping machine to move to a preset target position in the indoor environment space and then stop moving; and

[0033] A water adding prompt signal is sent to a terminal device interconnected with the air conditioner and / or the sweeping machine to prompt the user to move to the preset target position and add water to the water tank.

[0034] Optionally, a humidification air duct located above the cavity is formed in the indoor unit casing; and

[0035] The water storage tank is configured to be controlled to move in the up and down directions so as to be in the first state when the water storage tank moves upward into the humidification air duct, and to be in the second state when the water storage tank moves downward onto the sweeper.

[0036] Optionally, a trigger switch is provided on the sweeping machine, and when the bottom of the water tank touches the trigger switch, a motion stop signal is generated to instruct the water tank to stop moving downward.

[0037] Optionally, a guide plate is provided at the entrance and exit, and the guide plate is configured to controllably open the entrance and exit when the sweeper enters and exits the cavity.

[0038] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention further provides an interconnection control device for an air conditioner and a sweeping machine, comprising:

[0039] A processor and a memory, wherein a machine executable program is stored in the memory, and when the machine executable program is executed by the processor, it is used to implement the interconnection control method described in any of the above schemes.

[0040] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the present invention further provides an air conditioner, comprising:

[0041] An indoor unit casing, wherein a cavity is formed in the indoor unit casing at a lower end thereof, and an entrance and an exit communicating with the cavity are opened on the indoor unit casing to allow a sweeper to enter and exit the cavity through the entrance and an exit;

[0042] a water storage tank configured to be movably disposed in the indoor unit casing and having a first state in which the water storage tank is supported inside the indoor unit casing and separated from the sweeper and a second state in which the water storage tank is supported on the sweeper to move synchronously with the sweeper; and

[0043] The interconnection control device described in any of the above solutions.

[0044] The interconnection control method of the air conditioner and the sweeping machine provided by the present invention is designed on the basis of an air conditioner with a special structure. A cavity is provided in the indoor unit casing of the air conditioner, and an entrance and exit are provided on the indoor unit casing to allow the sweeping machine to enter and exit the cavity through the entrance and exit. In addition, a movable water tank is also provided in the indoor unit casing, and the water tank has a first state separated from the sweeping machine and a second state capable of moving synchronously with the sweeping machine. When receiving a water shortage alarm signal indicating that the water tank is short of water, the interconnection control method of the present invention does not prompt the user to manually add water as in the prior art, but adjusts the water tank to its second state when the sweeping machine is in the cavity, so that the water tank is supported on the sweeping machine; and then controls the sweeping machine to carry the water tank and move out of the cavity to the outside of the indoor unit casing, cleverly utilizing the moving function of the sweeping machine to automatically bring the water-deficient water tank out of the indoor unit casing, exposing the water tank to the outside, so that the user can directly add water to the water tank, thereby improving the convenience of adding water to the water tank. Furthermore, the present invention does not require complex water-adding pipes to be provided on the indoor unit casing, and does not require the user to manually remove the water tank, which not only simplifies the structure but also simplifies the user's water-adding operation, thereby improving the user's experience.

[0045] Furthermore, after the sweeper is equipped with a water tank and moved out of the indoor unit casing, the interconnection control method of the present invention further prompts the user to add water to the water tank, and after a period of time, when the weight in the water tank no longer changes, the sweeper is controlled to return to the cavity, and the sweeper is used to send the water tank back to the indoor unit casing, and the water tank is restored to the first state. During the entire process of adding water to the water tank, the user only needs to perform a simple water adding operation, and does not need to worry about the position change process such as taking out and resetting the water tank, which has a high degree of intelligence. The present invention uses the interconnection of the air conditioner and the sweeper to realize the intelligent water tank filling, and provides a scenario of interconnection of smart home appliances, which has a high degree of intelligence.

[0046] Based on the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will become more aware of the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Hereinafter, some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in an exemplary and non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings indicate the same or similar components or parts. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the accompanying drawings:

[0048] Figure 1 and Figure 2 They are schematic structural diagrams of an indoor unit of an air conditioner in different states according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 3 is a schematic flow chart of a method for interconnecting and controlling an air conditioner and a sweeping machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 4 is a schematic flow chart of an interconnection control method of an air conditioner and a sweeping machine according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 5 is a schematic structural block diagram of an interconnection control device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 6 is a schematic structural block diagram of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The present invention firstly provides an interconnection control method of an air conditioner and a sweeping machine, which can realize the intelligent interconnection between the air conditioner and the sweeping machine, provide a scenario of interconnection of smart home appliances, and effectively improve the degree of intelligence.

[0054] Specifically, the sweeping machine and the air conditioner are in the same indoor environment space, so that the air conditioner and the sweeping machine can work together to jointly improve the intelligent experience of users in the indoor environment space.

[0055] It should be noted that the methods of the following embodiments of the present invention are all described from the side of the interconnection control device between the air conditioner and the sweeping machine, that is, the relevant steps are executed by the control device. In addition, the premise for implementing the following embodiments of the present invention is that the air conditioner and the sweeping machine are interconnected. Specifically, an interconnection control device between the air conditioner and the sweeping machine can be provided between the air conditioner and the sweeping machine, through which signals sent by the air conditioner and the sweeping machine can be received, and signals can be sent to the air conditioner and the sweeping machine. The control device can be provided separately or inside the air conditioner.

[0056] The sweeping machine in this embodiment has the characteristic of intelligence, precisely because it can send signals to the control device as mentioned above, and can receive signals sent by the control device. Specifically, it can be realized by setting a controller on the sweeping machine. Similarly, the air conditioner can also be provided with its own controller, so that it can send signals to the control device and receive signals sent by the control device.

[0057] The interconnection control method of the air conditioner and the sweeping machine provided by the present invention is designed on the basis of the air conditioner with a special structure.

[0058] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Schematic diagrams of the indoor unit of an air conditioner in different states according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 and Figure 2 A sweeping machine 2 is also shown.

[0059] The air conditioner includes an indoor unit casing 10 and a water storage tank 30 disposed in the indoor unit casing 10 and used to store water. A cavity 12 is formed in the indoor unit casing 10 at its lower end, and an inlet 13 communicating with the cavity 12 is provided on the indoor unit casing 10 to allow the sweeper 2 to enter and exit the cavity 12 through the inlet 13. The water storage tank 30 is configured to be movably disposed in the indoor unit casing 10, and has a first state in which it is supported inside the indoor unit casing 10 and separated from the sweeper 2 (see Figure 1 ) and a second state in which the vacuum cleaner 2 is supported to move synchronously with the vacuum cleaner 2 (see Figure 2 ).

[0060] That is, when the water tank 30 is in the first state, the water tank 30 and the sweeping machine 2 do not affect each other; when the water tank 30 is in the second state, the water tank 30 can move synchronously with the sweeping machine 2.

[0061] The interconnection control method of the air conditioner and the sweeping machine of the present invention is designed based on the air conditioner with the above structure.

[0062] Figure 3 is a schematic flow chart of a method for interconnecting and controlling an air conditioner and a sweeping machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 , the interconnection control method of the present invention comprises:

[0063] Step S10, receiving a water shortage alarm signal; the water shortage alarm signal is generated when the water level in the water storage tank 30 is lower than a preset water level value;

[0064] Step S20, when the sweeping machine 2 is in the cavity 12, adjusting the water tank 30 to a second state so that the water tank 30 is supported on the sweeping machine 2; and

[0065] Step S30 , controlling the sweeping machine 2 to carry the water tank 30 and move together out of the cavity 12 to the outside of the indoor unit casing 10 .

[0066] When receiving the water shortage alarm signal indicating that the water tank 30 is short of water, the interconnection control method of the present invention does not prompt the user to manually add water as in the prior art, but first adjusts the water tank 30 to its second state when the sweeper 2 is in the cavity 12, so that the water tank 30 is supported on the sweeper 2; and then controls the sweeper 2 to move out of the cavity 12 with the water tank 30 to the outside of the indoor unit casing 10, cleverly utilizing the moving function of the sweeper 2 to automatically bring the water-deficient water tank 30 out of the indoor unit casing 10, exposing the water tank 30 to the outside, making it convenient for the user to directly add water to the water tank 30, thereby improving the convenience of adding water to the water tank 30. In addition, the present invention does not require a complex water adding pipeline to be set on the indoor unit casing 10, and does not require the user to manually remove the water tank 30, which not only simplifies the structure, but also simplifies the user's water adding operation, thereby improving the user's use experience.

[0067] In some embodiments, after receiving the water shortage alarm signal, the interconnection control method of the present invention further includes:

[0068] Determine whether the sweeping machine 2 is in the cavity 12;

[0069] If yes, directly control the water tank 30 to move to the second state; and

[0070] If not, the sweeping machine 2 is controlled to enter the cavity 12 and then the water tank 30 is controlled to move to the second state.

[0071] After receiving the water shortage alarm signal, the sweeping machine 2 may be in the cavity 12 or outside the cavity 12. Therefore, it is necessary to detect and determine the position of the sweeping machine 2. If the sweeping machine 2 is in the cavity 12, the state of the water tank 30 can be adjusted directly; if the sweeping machine 2 is outside the cavity 12, it is necessary to first force the sweeping machine 2 to enter the cavity 12 and then adjust the state of the water tank 30 to ensure that the water tank 30 can be stably supported on the sweeping machine 2.

[0072] In some other embodiments, after receiving the water shortage alarm signal, the interconnection control method of the present invention further includes:

[0073] Determine whether the sweeping machine 2 is in the cavity 12;

[0074] If yes, the water storage tank 30 is directly controlled to move to the second state;

[0075] If not, it is determined whether the sweeping machine 2 is in operation;

[0076] If the sweeping machine 2 is in operation, the sweeping machine 2 is controlled to enter the cavity 12 after the operation is finished, and the water storage tank 30 is controlled to move to the second state after the sweeping machine 2 enters the cavity 12; and

[0077] If the sweeping machine 2 is in an idle state, the sweeping machine 2 is directly controlled to enter the cavity 12 , and after the sweeping machine 2 enters the cavity 12 , the water storage tank 30 is controlled to move to the second state.

[0078] Different from the previous embodiment, when the sweeping machine 2 is outside the cavity 12, it is necessary to further determine the state of the sweeping machine 2. The sweeping machine 2 is outside the cavity 12, and it may be in a running state while performing cleaning tasks or other tasks, or it may be in an idle state without performing any tasks. If the sweeping machine 2 is in a running state, it is necessary to control it to enter the cavity 12 after the sweeping machine 2 has finished running, so as to ensure the priority execution of the sweeping machine 2's own functions. If the sweeping machine 2 is in an idle state, it can be directly controlled to enter the air 12.

[0079] In some embodiments, after controlling the sweeping machine 2 to carry the water tank 30 and move out of the cavity 12 to the outside of the indoor unit housing 10, the interconnection control method of the present invention further includes:

[0080] Prompt the user in the indoor environment space where the air conditioner and the sweeper 2 are located to add water to the water storage tank 30;

[0081] If the weight in the water tank 30 does not change after the first preset time, the sweeper 2 is controlled to return to the cavity 12; and

[0082] The water storage tank 30 is adjusted to its first state.

[0083] After the sweeper 2 is equipped with the water tank 30 and moved out of the indoor unit housing 10, the interconnection control method of the present invention further prompts the user to add water to the water tank 30, and after a period of time, when the weight in the water tank 30 no longer changes, the sweeper 2 is controlled to return to the cavity 12, and the sweeper 2 is used to send the water tank 30 back to the indoor unit housing 10, and the water tank 30 is restored to the first state. During the entire process of adding water to the water tank 30, the user only needs to perform a simple water adding operation, and does not need to worry about the position change process such as taking out and resetting the water tank 30, and the degree of intelligence is relatively high.

[0084] The present invention utilizes the interconnection between the air conditioner and the sweeper 2 to realize the intelligent water filling of the water tank 30, and provides a scenario of intelligent home appliance interconnection with a high degree of intelligence.

[0085] Figure 4 is a schematic flow chart of an interconnection control method of an air conditioner and a sweeping machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 , the interconnection control method of the present invention comprises:

[0086] Step S10, receiving a water shortage alarm signal; the water shortage alarm signal is generated when the water level in the water storage tank 30 is lower than a preset water level value;

[0087] Step S20, when the sweeping machine 2 is in the cavity 12, adjusting the water tank 30 to a second state so that the water tank 30 is supported on the sweeping machine 2;

[0088] Step S30, controlling the sweeping machine 2 to carry the water tank 30 and move out of the cavity 12 to the outside of the indoor unit casing 10;

[0089] Step S40, prompting the user in the indoor environment space where the air conditioner and the sweeping machine 2 are located to add water to the water storage tank 30;

[0090] Step S50, after the first preset time period, determine whether the weight in the water tank 30 changes; if not, proceed to step S60;

[0091] Step S60, controlling the sweeping machine 2 to return to the cavity 12; and

[0092] Step S70, adjusting the water storage tank 30 to its first state.

[0093] In some embodiments, the step S40 of prompting the user in the indoor environment space where the air conditioner and the sweeping machine 2 are located to add water to the water storage tank 30 may specifically include:

[0094] Obtaining the position of the target human body in the indoor environment space where the air conditioner and the sweeping machine 2 are located; and

[0095] The sweeping machine 2 is controlled to move to the position where the target human body is located and then stop moving, so as to prompt the user to add water to the water tank 30 .

[0096] That is to say, when there is a target person in the indoor environment, the target person can be reminded to add water to the water tank 30 by obtaining the position of the target person and moving the sweeper 2 to the position of the target person. This prompting method is more personified and direct, and the user has a better intelligent experience.

[0097] Specifically, the target human body is a preset user with specific identity characteristics, for example, the target human body can be an adult, so as to exclude other users who cannot understand the intention of the sweeping robot 2 or cannot independently perform the water adding operation, such as children, the elderly, etc.

[0098] In other embodiments, the step S40 of prompting the user in the indoor environment space where the air conditioner and the sweeping machine 2 are located to add water to the water storage tank 30 may specifically include:

[0099] Control the sweeping machine 2 to move to a preset target position in the indoor environment space and then stop moving; and

[0100] A water adding prompt signal is sent to a terminal device interconnected with the air conditioner and / or the sweeping machine 2 to prompt the user to move to the preset target position and add water to the water storage tank 30 .

[0101] That is to say, in other embodiments, a preset target location can be set in the indoor environment space in advance, and the preset target location can be selected as a location with a water source or close to a water source, such as a kitchen, a sink, a bathroom, etc., to facilitate the user to perform water adding operations.

[0102] The sweeping machine 2 directly moves to the preset target position and then stops, waiting for the user to come and add water. In order to facilitate the user to know as soon as possible, the present invention further sends a water adding prompt signal to the terminal device, so that the user can move to the preset target position as soon as possible to add water to the water storage tank 30, avoiding the user not knowing and causing the sweeping machine 2 to wait for a long time or the water storage tank 30 to return to the indoor unit housing 10 without successfully adding water.

[0103] It is understandable that the above two prompting methods can be used either one or in combination. For example, a priority order can be preset and executed according to the priority order. For another example, they can be executed alternately. Of course, they can also be used in combination in other ways.

[0104] Preferably, in a specific embodiment, if a target human body is identified in the indoor environment space where the air conditioner and the sweeper 2 are located, the target human body is prompted to add water to the water tank 30 in a first manner; if the target human body is not identified, the corresponding user is prompted to add water to the water tank 30 in a second manner.

[0105] In some embodiments, a humidification air duct 11 is formed in the indoor unit housing 10 above the cavity 12. The water tank 30 is configured to move in a controlled manner in the up and down directions, so that it is in a first state when it moves upward into the humidification air duct 11, and in a second state when it moves downward onto the sweeper 2. That is, the water tank 30 only needs to move linearly up and down to realize the mutual switching between its first state and the second state, and the movement mode is simple and easy to realize.

[0106] Specifically, when the water storage tank 30 is in the first state, humidification water can be provided to the humidification air duct 11 .

[0107] Furthermore, the air conditioner further comprises a humidifying device 20, which is configured to humidify the airflow passing through the humidifying air duct 11 using the water in the water storage tank 30. Specifically, the specific structure and humidification method of the humidifying device 20 can be any one of the prior art, which will not be described in detail here.

[0108] In some embodiments, a trigger switch 201 is provided on the sweeping machine 2. When the bottom of the water tank 30 touches the trigger switch 201, a motion stop signal is generated to instruct the water tank 30 to stop moving downward, so as to prevent the water tank 30 from continuing to move downward after being supported on the sweeping machine 2, thereby squeezing or even damaging the sweeping machine 2.

[0109] In some embodiments, a guide plate 14 is provided at the entrance and exit 13, and the guide plate 14 is configured to open the entrance and exit 13 in a controlled manner when the sweeping machine 2 enters and exits the cavity 12. On the one hand, it ensures that the sweeping machine 2 smoothly enters and exits the indoor unit casing 10. On the other hand, it ensures that the indoor unit casing 10 has a relatively complete appearance when the sweeping machine 2 does not pass through the entrance and exit 13, thereby improving its aesthetic effect.

[0110] Furthermore, the guide plate 14 is pivotally connected to the housing 10. The pivot shaft 15 between the guide plate 14 and the housing 10 is located at the bottom of the entrance 13, that is, the guide plate 14 pivots up and down about its pivot shaft, and the bottom of the guide plate 14 when it is in a state of blocking the entrance 13 forms a fixed end connected to the pivot shaft 15, and the top of the guide plate 14 when it is in a state of blocking the entrance 13 forms a movable pivot end. The height of the pivot shaft 15 is higher than the height of the bottom of the housing 10, so that when the guide plate 14 opens the entrance 13, the guide plate 14 is tilted and supported on the ground, so that the sweeping robot 2 can enter and exit the cavity 12 along the guide plate 14.

[0111] That is, the present invention reasonably designs the opening and closing method of the guide plate 14, so that the guide plate 14 not only forms a cover plate for opening or blocking the entrance and exit 13, but also can guide the sweeper 2 to smoothly pass through the entrance and exit 13 in and out of the casing 10 when it opens the entrance and exit 13, thereby playing a better guiding role.

[0112] The invention also provides an interconnection control device for an air conditioner and a sweeping machine. Figure 5 : is a schematic structural block diagram of an interconnection control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The interconnection control device 50 of the present invention includes a processor 51 and a memory 52, the memory 52 stores a machine executable program 53, and the machine executable program 53 is used to implement the interconnection control method described in any of the above embodiments when executed by the processor 51.

[0113] Specifically, the processor 51 can be a central processing unit (CPU), or a digital processing unit, etc. The processor 51 sends and receives data through a communication interface. The memory 52 is used to store the program executed by the processor 51. The memory 52 is any medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, and can also be a combination of multiple memories. The above-mentioned machine executable program 53 can be downloaded from a computer-readable storage medium to a corresponding computing / processing device or downloaded to a computer or an external storage device via a network (such as the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and / or a wireless network).

[0114] As mentioned above, the interconnection control method of the air conditioner and the sweeping machine in any of the above embodiments is described from the side of the interconnection control device 50, that is, the interconnection control device 50 executes the relevant steps. In a specific embodiment, the interconnection control device 50 is connected to the air conditioner and the sweeping machine data, and it can be arranged with network side devices such as servers and the cloud, obtain various data of the set space through the network, and implement relevant adjustments by remotely sending instructions to the air conditioner and the sweeping machine.

[0115] The interconnection control device 50 can also be various centralized control devices, arranged in a set space, and control the air conditioner and the sweeper. The data connection method between the interconnection control device 50 and the air conditioner and the sweeper includes but is not limited to wireless transmission, infrared transmission, ultrasonic transmission, etc.

[0116] In some embodiments, the interconnection control device 50 can also be a part of the air conditioner, set inside the air conditioner, and connected to the data of the air conditioner's own controller. For example, the air conditioner is internally provided with a dedicated interconnection control device, which works in conjunction with a controller dedicated to executing component control.

[0117] The present invention also provides an air conditioner, Figure 6 The air conditioner 1 of the present invention comprises an indoor unit casing 10, a water storage tank 30 and an interconnection control device 50 as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0118] A cavity 12 is formed in the indoor unit casing 10 at the lower end thereof. An entrance 13 communicating with the cavity 12 is provided on the indoor unit casing 10 to allow the sweeper 2 to enter and exit the cavity 12 through the entrance 13 .

[0119] The water tank 30 is configured to be movably disposed in the indoor unit casing 10 , and has a first state in which it is supported inside the indoor unit casing 10 and separated from the sweeper 2 , and a second state in which it is supported on the sweeper 2 to move synchronously with the sweeper 2 .

[0120] In some embodiments, the air conditioner 1 further includes a water tank driving device 40, which is used to drive the water tank 30 to move up and down in a controlled manner, so as to automatically adjust the state of the water tank 30 through the water tank driving device 40, thereby facilitating intelligent control.

[0121] Specifically, the water tank driving device 40 is used to controllably drive the water tank 30 to move linearly in the up and down directions, so as to simplify the structure of the water tank driving device 40 .

[0122] In some embodiments, the water tank driving device 40 includes a first driving motor 41, a first gear transmission mechanism 42 and a rack 43 which are sequentially connected in transmission.

[0123] The rack 43 is formed on the outer side wall of the water tank 30 or is fixedly connected to the water tank 30 to move synchronously with the water tank 30. In addition, the rack 43 extends in the up-down direction to drive the water tank 30 to move up and down when the rack 43 moves up and down.

[0124] The first gear transmission mechanism 42 is used to transmit the driving force generated by the first driving motor 41 to the rack 43, so that the rack 43 drives the water tank 30 to move up and down.

[0125] Specifically, the first gear transmission mechanism 42 may include at least one gear.

[0126] Specifically, the first driving motor 41 and the first gear transmission mechanism 42 may be disposed inside the housing 10 and outside the water tank 30 .

[0127] In some embodiments, the air conditioner 1 also includes a humidifying device 20, which includes a humidifying drum 21. The humidifying drum 21 is configured to rotate in a controlled manner in the water tank 30 when the water tank 30 is in a first state, and to bring out the water in the water tank 30 when it rotates, thereby utilizing the brought out water to humidify the airflow flowing through the humidifying drum 21 in the humidification duct 11.

[0128] Furthermore, the top of the water storage tank 30 is open, and when the airflow in the humidification air duct 11 flows through the humidification drum 21 rotating in the water storage tank 30, it will contact the water brought out by the humidification drum 21, and the flowing airflow will take away part of the water, and the humidity will increase, forming a humidified airflow. In addition, the flowing airflow may contain impurities such as dust. When the airflow contacts the water, the impurities such as dust are at least partially dissolved in the water, and the water not taken away by the airflow returns to the water storage tank 30 again, achieving the purpose of airflow purification.

[0129] For the humidifying device 20 using a drum for humidification, the humidifying drum 21 does not have the ability to store water, so the water storage tank 30 not only provides a water source for humidification, but also forms an indispensable part of the humidifying device 20 for realizing the humidification function. That is, when the humidifying device 20 is used to humidify the airflow in the humidification air duct 11, the water storage tank 30 must be in the first state of being located in the humidification air duct 11.

[0130] It is understandable that the humidifying drum 21 may move synchronously with the water storage tank 30 , or may not move with the water storage tank 30 .

[0131] In some embodiments, the humidifying device 20 further includes a second driving motor 22 and a second gear transmission mechanism 23 .

[0132] The second drive motor 22 is fixedly disposed in the housing 10. That is, the second drive motor 22 will not move with the movement of the water storage tank 30, so as to facilitate the arrangement of the electrical connection wires and avoid the electrical connection wires being in a disorderly manner.

[0133] The second gear transmission mechanism 23 is in transmission connection with the second drive motor 22 to transmit the driving force generated by the second drive motor 22. The second gear transmission mechanism 23 and the second drive motor 22 always maintain a transmission connection relationship, so the second gear transmission mechanism 23 will not move with the movement of the water tank 30.

[0134] The humidifying drum 21 is arranged inside the water tank 30 and moves synchronously with the water tank 30, so that the humidifying drum 21 is transmission-connected with the second gear transmission mechanism 23 when the water tank 30 moves to its first state, and the humidifying drum 21 is separated from the second gear transmission mechanism 23 when the water tank 30 moves to its second state.

[0135] Specifically, the humidifying drum 21 is rotatably supported inside the water storage tank 30, and the wall of the water storage tank 30 provides support for the humidifying drum 21, so the humidifying drum 21 can move synchronously with the movement of the water storage tank 30. When the water storage tank 30 moves to its first state, the humidifying drum 21 is connected to the second gear transmission mechanism 23, and the driving force of the second driving motor 22 is transmitted to the humidifying drum 21 through the second gear transmission mechanism 23, thereby driving the humidifying drum 21 to rotate. When the water storage tank 30 moves to its second state, the humidifying drum 21 is separated from the second gear transmission mechanism 23, and the humidifying drum 21 no longer rotates due to the lack of driving force.

[0136] In some alternative embodiments, the humidifying drum 21 may not move synchronously with the water tank 30. In this case, the humidifying drum 21 may be supported by a supporting structure outside the water tank 30. When the water tank 30 moves to its first state, the humidifying drum 21 is accommodated therein. At this time, the second drive motor 22 is started to drive the humidifying drum 21 to rotate, and the water in the water tank 30 can be brought out. When the water tank 30 moves to its second state, the humidifying drum 21 is outside the water tank 30. Even if the humidifying drum 21 rotates, it will not bring out the water in the water tank 30 and will not play any humidification role. Therefore, the second drive motor 22 is not started at this time.

[0137] In the description of the present embodiment, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "illustrative embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0138] Those skilled in the art should also understand that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "top", "bottom" and the like used to indicate orientation or positional relationships in the embodiments of the present invention are based on the actual use status of the air conditioner 1. These terms are only used to facilitate the description and understanding of the technical solution of the present invention, and do not indicate or imply that the device or device referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be understood as limitations on the present invention.

[0139] At this point, those skilled in the art should recognize that, although multiple exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications that conform to the principles of the present invention can still be directly determined or derived based on the content disclosed in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and recognized as covering all these other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A method for interconnecting and controlling an air conditioner and a sweeping machine, wherein The air conditioner comprises an indoor unit casing, and a water storage tank disposed in the indoor unit casing and used for holding water; a cavity is formed in the indoor unit casing at a lower end thereof, and an inlet and outlet communicated with the cavity are opened on the indoor unit casing to allow the sweeper to enter and exit the cavity through the inlet and outlet; the water storage tank is configured to be movably disposed in the indoor unit casing, and has a first state in which it is supported inside the indoor unit casing and separated from the sweeper, and a second state in which it is supported on the sweeper to move synchronously with the sweeper; and The interconnection control method comprises: Receiving a water shortage alarm signal; the water shortage alarm signal is generated when the water level in the water storage tank is lower than a preset water level value; When the sweeping machine is in the cavity, adjusting the water tank to the second state so that the water tank is supported on the sweeping machine; and The sweeping machine is controlled to carry the water tank and move out of the cavity to the outside of the indoor unit casing.

2. The interconnection control method according to claim 1, wherein After receiving the water shortage alarm signal, the interconnection control method further includes: determining whether the sweeper is in the cavity; If yes, directly control the water tank to move to the second state; as well as If not, the sweeper is controlled to enter the cavity and then the water tank is controlled to move to the second state.

3. The interconnection control method according to claim 1, wherein After receiving the water shortage alarm signal, the interconnection control method further includes: determining whether the sweeper is in the cavity; If yes, directly control the water tank to move to the second state; If not, determining whether the sweeping machine is in operation; If the sweeping machine is in operation, the sweeping machine is controlled to enter the cavity after the sweeping machine has finished operating, and the water storage tank is controlled to move to the second state after the sweeping machine enters the cavity; If the sweeping machine is in an idle state, the sweeping machine is directly controlled to enter the cavity, and after the sweeping machine enters the cavity, the water tank is controlled to move to the second state.

4. The interconnection control method according to claim 1, wherein After controlling the sweeping machine to carry the water tank and move together out of the cavity to the outside of the indoor unit casing, the interconnection control method further includes: Prompting a user in the indoor environment space where the air conditioner and the sweeper are located to add water to the water storage tank; If the weight in the water tank does not change after a first preset time, the sweeper is controlled to return to the cavity; as well as The water storage tank is adjusted to the first state.

5. The interconnection control method according to claim 4, wherein The step of prompting a user in the indoor environment space where the air conditioner and the sweeper are located to add water to the water storage tank comprises: Obtaining the position of a target human body in the indoor environment space where the air conditioner and the sweeping machine are located; as well as The sweeping machine is controlled to move to the position where the target human body is located and then stop moving to prompt the user to add water to the water tank.

6. The interconnection control method according to claim 4, wherein The step of prompting a user in the indoor environment space where the air conditioner and the sweeper are located to add water to the water storage tank comprises: Controlling the sweeping machine to move to a preset target position in the indoor environment space and then stop moving; as well as A water adding prompt signal is sent to a terminal device interconnected with the air conditioner and / or the sweeping machine to prompt the user to move to the preset target position and add water to the water tank.

7. The interconnection control method according to claim 1, wherein A humidification air duct is formed in the indoor unit casing and is located above the cavity; and The water storage tank is configured to be controlled to move in the up and down directions so as to be in the first state when the water storage tank moves upward into the humidification air duct, and to be in the second state when the water storage tank moves downward onto the sweeper.

8. The interconnection control method according to claim 7, wherein The sweeping machine is provided with a trigger switch, and when the bottom of the water tank touches the trigger switch, a motion stop signal is generated to instruct the water tank to stop moving downward.

9. The interconnection control method according to claim 1, wherein A guide plate is provided at the entrance and exit, and the guide plate is configured to controllably open the entrance and exit when the sweeper enters and exits the cavity.

10. An interconnection control device for an air conditioner and a sweeping machine, comprising: A processor and a memory, wherein a machine executable program is stored in the memory, and when the machine executable program is executed by the processor, it is used to implement the interconnection control method according to any one of claims 1-9.

11. An air conditioner, comprising: An indoor unit casing, wherein a cavity is formed in the indoor unit casing at a lower end thereof, and an entrance and an exit communicating with the cavity are opened on the indoor unit casing to allow a sweeper to enter and exit the cavity through the entrance and an exit; a water storage tank configured to be movably disposed in the indoor unit casing and having a first state in which it is supported inside the indoor unit casing and separated from the sweeper and a second state in which it is supported on the sweeper to move synchronously with the sweeper; as well as The interconnection control device according to claim 10.

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