Control method and device of water heater

Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of water heaters, and discloses a control method and device of a water heater. The method comprises the following steps: a plurality of millimeter wave radar modules collect current key posture characteristic parameters of a user to take a shower, wherein the current key posture characteristic parameters comprise the height, the body shape and the action posture; according to the current key posture characteristic parameters, the multiple millimeter wave radar modules determine current shower energy and a target shower trigger threshold value of the user to be showered, and the current shower energy and the target shower trigger threshold value are sent to the water heater; if the current shower energy is larger than the target shower trigger threshold value, the water heater determines a target shower mode of the user to take a shower according to the target shower trigger threshold value; and in response to a water heater opening operation of the to-be-showered user, the water heater operates according to the target showering mode. By the adoption of the method, frequent mechanical manual operation of a user can be simplified, and the use experience of the water heater is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of water heaters, and in particular to a control method and device for a water heater. Background Art

[0002] In a family, there are usually children, the elderly, the male host, and the female host. They have different needs for bathing. Before taking a bath every day, they need to choose the bathing mode, or the water temperature and water output. Therefore, in order to meet the bathing needs of different groups of people, water heaters on the market now have a variety of shower modes. Users can choose the corresponding shower mode according to their personal bathing needs, such as baby bath, elderly bath, waterfall bath, etc. After these shower modes or shower parameters of the water heater are used by one user, they will be adjusted by the next user of the family member when taking a shower. Then, when taking a bath the next day, the first user needs to adjust the shower mode or shower parameters again. The user needs to manually adjust the water heater frequently, which affects the user experience. Summary of the invention

[0003] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a control method and device for a water heater to address the above technical issues.

[0004] In a first aspect, a control method for a water heater is provided, wherein the water heater is equipped with a plurality of millimeter-wave radar modules, the plurality of millimeter-wave radar modules are arranged at different positions of the water heater and have different detection angles, the method comprising:

[0005] The multiple millimeter wave radar modules collect current key body feature parameters of the user who enters the shower range and is waiting to shower, wherein the current key body feature parameters are height, body shape and movement posture;

[0006] According to the current key body feature parameters, the plurality of millimeter wave radar modules determine the current shower energy of the user to be showered and a pre-stored target shower trigger threshold, and send the current shower energy and the target shower trigger threshold to the water heater;

[0007] The water heater compares the current shower energy with the target shower trigger threshold, and if the current shower energy is greater than the target shower trigger threshold, determines the target shower mode of the user to be showered according to the target shower trigger threshold;

[0008] In response to the water heater turning on operation by the user who wants to shower, the water heater is operated according to the target shower mode.

[0009] As an optional implementation, the multiple millimeter wave radar modules collect current key body feature parameters of the user who enters the shower range and is about to take a shower, including:

[0010] The plurality of millimeter wave radar modules transmit radar waveform signals of multiple frequencies and multiple angles to a user who enters a shower range and is waiting to take a shower, and obtains a time difference, a frequency difference and an angle difference of the received radar waveform signals;

[0011] According to the time difference, the frequency difference and the angle difference, the multiple millimeter wave radar modules determine the current key body feature parameters of the user to be showered.

[0012] As an optional implementation manner, determining the target shower mode of the user to be showered according to the target shower trigger threshold comprises:

[0013] In the pre-stored correspondence between the shower trigger threshold and the shower mode, the water heater queries the target shower mode of the user to be showered corresponding to the target shower trigger threshold.

[0014] As an optional implementation, the method further includes:

[0015] For each family member, in response to the shower mode selection instruction of the family member, the water heater determines the shower mode of the family member and stores the corresponding relationship between the shower trigger threshold and the shower mode of each family member.

[0016] As an optional implementation, the method further includes:

[0017] The plurality of millimeter wave radar modules detect a shower preparation signal from a user who is about to take a shower, and send the shower preparation signal to the water heater;

[0018] After receiving the shower preparation signal, the water heater controls the heating tube to heat.

[0019] As an optional implementation, the method further includes:

[0020] The plurality of millimeter wave radars acquire a current designated action of a user to be showered, and send the current designated action to the water heater, wherein the user to be showered is a family member or a non-family member;

[0021] The water heater searches for a target shower mode corresponding to the current designated action in the pre-stored correspondence between designated actions and shower modes, and operates according to the target shower mode.

[0022] As an optional implementation, the method further includes:

[0023] According to the current key body feature parameters, the plurality of millimeter wave radar modules determine a shower holding threshold of the user to be showered;

[0024] If the current shower energy is less than the shower hold threshold, the plurality of millimeter wave radar modules send a shower stop instruction to the water heater;

[0025] After receiving the shower stop instruction, the water heater stops running.

[0026] In a second aspect, a control device for a water heater is provided, wherein the water heater is equipped with a plurality of millimeter-wave radar modules, wherein the plurality of millimeter-wave radar modules are arranged at different positions of the water heater and have different detection angles, and the device comprises:

[0027] A collection module, used for the multiple millimeter wave radar modules to collect the current key body feature parameters of the user who enters the shower range and is waiting to shower, wherein the current key body feature parameters are height, body shape and movement posture;

[0028] a determination module, configured to determine the current shower energy of the user to be showered and a pre-stored target shower trigger threshold value according to the current key body feature parameters and the plurality of millimeter-wave radar modules, and send the current shower energy and the target shower trigger threshold value to the water heater;

[0029] a comparison module, configured for the water heater to compare the current shower energy with the target shower trigger threshold, and if the current shower energy is greater than the target shower trigger threshold, determine the target shower mode of the user to be showered according to the target shower trigger threshold;

[0030] The first operation module is configured to operate the water heater according to the target shower mode in response to the water heater turning on operation of the user who is going to shower.

[0031] As an optional implementation, the acquisition module is specifically used to:

[0032] The plurality of millimeter wave radar modules transmit radar waveform signals of multiple frequencies and multiple angles to a user who enters a shower range and is waiting to take a shower, and obtains a time difference, a frequency difference and an angle difference of the received radar waveform signals;

[0033] According to the time difference, the frequency difference and the angle difference, the multiple millimeter wave radar modules determine the current key body feature parameters of the user to be showered.

[0034] As an optional implementation manner, the comparison module is specifically used to:

[0035] In the pre-stored correspondence between the shower trigger threshold and the shower mode, the water heater queries the target shower mode of the user to be showered corresponding to the target shower trigger threshold.

[0036] As an optional implementation, the device further includes:

[0037] The second determination module is used for determining the shower mode of each family member in response to the shower mode selection instruction of the family member, and storing the corresponding relationship between the shower trigger threshold and the shower mode of each family member.

[0038] As an optional implementation, the device further includes:

[0039] A detection module, used for the plurality of millimeter-wave radar modules to detect a shower preparation signal from a user who is about to take a shower, and to send the shower preparation signal to the water heater;

[0040] The heating module is used to control the heating tube to heat after the water heater receives the shower preparation signal.

[0041] As an optional implementation, the device further includes:

[0042] An acquisition module, used for the plurality of millimeter-wave radars to acquire a current designated action of a user to be showered, and send the current designated action to the water heater, wherein the user to be showered is a family member or a non-family member;

[0043] The query module is used for the water heater to query the target shower mode corresponding to the current designated action in the pre-stored correspondence between the designated action and the shower mode, and operate according to the target shower mode.

[0044] As an optional implementation, the device further includes:

[0045] A third determination module is used to determine a shower holding threshold of the user to be showered according to the current key body feature parameters and the plurality of millimeter wave radar modules;

[0046] a sending module, configured to cause the plurality of millimeter-wave radar modules to send a shower stop instruction to the water heater if the current shower energy is less than the shower hold threshold;

[0047] The second operation module is used for stopping the operation of the water heater after receiving the shower stop instruction.

[0048] In a third aspect, a control system for a water heater is provided, the control system for the water heater comprising: the control method for the water heater as described in the first aspect and the control device for the water heater as described in the second aspect.

[0049] The present application provides a control method and device for a water heater. The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application brings at least the following beneficial effects: the current key body feature parameters of the user to be showered are determined by a millimeter wave radar module. Different family members are set with preferred shower modes. According to the current key body feature parameters, the current shower energy and the target shower trigger threshold are determined. If the current shower energy is greater than the target shower trigger threshold, the target shower mode of the user to be showered is determined according to the target shower trigger threshold, and the water heater operates according to the target shower mode. There is no need for the user to manually adjust the water heater frequently, the control method of the water heater is optimized, the degree of intelligence of home appliances is improved, and the user's experience of using home appliances is improved.

[0050] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0052] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a control system for a water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 2 A flow chart of a water heater control method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a millimeter wave radar module provided in an embodiment of the present application for detecting a user who is about to take a shower;

[0055] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a control system of another water heater implementing stereoscopic perception for the present application;

[0056] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a water heater control device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0058] The water heater control method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the water heater control system. Figure 1 As shown, the control system of the water heater includes a water heater 101 and a plurality of millimeter wave radar modules 102. The plurality of millimeter wave radar modules 102 are arranged at different positions of the water heater 101, have different detection angles, and can communicate.

[0059] The water heater 101 is used to compare the current shower energy with the target shower trigger threshold after receiving the current shower energy and the target shower trigger threshold sent by the multiple millimeter wave radar modules 102. If the current shower energy is greater than the target shower trigger threshold, the target shower mode of the user to be showered is determined according to the target shower trigger threshold. In response to the water heater turning on operation by the user to be showered, the water heater 101 operates according to the target shower mode.

[0060] The multiple millimeter wave radar modules 102 are used to collect the current key body characteristic parameters of the user who is about to shower and enters the shower range. The current key body characteristic parameters are height, body shape and movement posture. According to the current key body characteristic parameters, the multiple millimeter wave radar modules 102 determine the current shower energy of the user who is about to shower and the pre-stored target shower trigger threshold, and send the current shower energy and the target shower trigger threshold to the water heater 101.

[0061] The following will describe in detail a method for controlling a water heater provided in an embodiment of the present application in conjunction with a specific implementation manner. Figure 2 A flow chart of a water heater control method provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 2 As shown, the specific steps are as follows:

[0062] In step 201, a plurality of millimeter wave radar modules collect current key body feature parameters of a shower user who enters a shower range, wherein the current key body feature parameters are height, body shape and movement posture.

[0063] In practice, water heaters on the market now have multiple shower modes to meet the bathing needs of different groups of people. Users can choose corresponding shower modes according to their personal bathing needs, such as baby bath, elderly bath, waterfall bath, etc. After a user uses these shower modes or shower parameters of the water heater, they will be adjusted by the next user of the family member when taking a shower. Then, when the first user takes a shower the next day, he needs to adjust the shower mode or shower parameters again. The user needs to manually adjust the water heater frequently, which affects the user's experience. Therefore, in order to avoid users frequently manually adjusting the water heater to set the shower mode they want, multiple millimeter-wave radar modules can be set in the water heater. Multiple millimeter-wave radar modules can be used to accurately distinguish the height and body shape of children, the elderly, and adults in the family members. Since everyone walks, strides, and swings their arms differently, these postures can be detected. In order to more accurately distinguish family members, the motion posture can also be obtained, and the family members can be distinguished by the motion posture. Then family members choose their own shower mode according to their own shower needs. The water heater associates each user with the corresponding shower mode, simplifies the user's mechanical frequent operation of the water heater, improves the degree of intelligence of home appliances, and enhances the user's experience. Therefore, at the beginning, multiple millimeter-wave radar modules are needed to collect the current key body characteristic parameters of the user who enters the shower range. The current key body characteristic parameters are height, body shape and posture. In the subsequent steps, the water heater can automatically adjust to the shower mode of the user who is about to shower based on the collected current key body characteristic parameters of the user.

[0064] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a millimeter wave radar module provided in an embodiment of the present application for detecting a user who is about to take a shower. Figure 3 As shown, a plurality of millimeter-wave radar modules 2 are installed in the water heater 1, and the millimeter-wave radar modules 2 are arranged at different positions of the water heater 1, and the millimeter-wave radar modules 2 at different positions are adjusted to different detection angles. The water heater 1 and the shower range of the user 3 to be showered are separated by a distance, and the water heater 1 is arranged in opposite sides, so that the plurality of millimeter-wave radar modules 2 can detect the current key body characteristic parameters of the user to be showered.

[0065] Specifically, the specific steps of executing step 201 are as follows:

[0066] Step 1: Multiple millimeter wave radar modules transmit radar waveform signals of multiple frequencies and multiple angles to the shower user who enters the shower range, and obtain the time difference, frequency difference and angle difference of the received radar waveform signals.

[0067] In practice, the working principle of radar is to transmit electromagnetic wave signals, and when these signals hit the target object, they will reflect echoes. The radar receiver can capture these reflected signals, and by analyzing the echo signals, it can obtain information such as the distance, direction and speed of the human body. Therefore, multiple millimeter-wave radar modules can transmit radar waveform signals of multiple frequencies and multiple angles to the shower users who enter the shower range, and obtain the time difference, frequency difference and angle difference of the received radar waveform signals.

[0068] Step 2: Based on the time difference, frequency difference and angle difference, multiple millimeter wave radar modules determine the current key body feature parameters of the user to be showered.

[0069] In implementation, multiple millimeter-wave radar modules are installed on the original water heater. The millimeter-wave radar module has multiple transmitters and receiving antennas. Multiple sets of transceivers are installed at different positions of the water heater. The transceiver modules at different positions are adjusted to different detection angles. According to the radar waveform signals of different frequencies and angles received by multiple sets of transceiver modules, the time difference, frequency difference, angle difference and other parameters in the radar waveform signals are analyzed. Through the time difference, frequency difference and angle difference, multiple millimeter-wave radar modules determine the height, body shape and posture of the current user to be showered, thereby determining whether the user to be showered is a child, an elderly person or a male or female host among family members.

[0070] Furthermore, after the water heater is started, the desired temperature of water is not immediately available, and the user needs to wait for a while before the water temperature reaches the shower requirement, which affects the experience of some people using home appliances. Before executing step 201, after the user to be showered enters the shower range, when it is detected that the user to be showered intends to shower, the water heater can be started and the cold water heating operation of the heating pipe can be controlled first. The specific steps are as follows:

[0071] Step three, multiple millimeter-wave radar modules detect the shower preparation signal of the user who is about to take a shower, and send the shower preparation signal to the water heater.

[0072] In implementation, after the user who is waiting to shower enters the shower range of the bathroom, he will prepare for the shower before taking a shower. At this time, multiple millimeter-wave radar modules can analyze whether the user who is waiting to shower intends to shower through the shower preparation of the user who is waiting to shower. If there is an intention to shower, the water heater can be controlled to ignite and boil water in advance, and the cold water can be heated first. So that the outlet water temperature can quickly meet the requirements of the shower mode of the user who is waiting to shower, greatly reducing the waiting time for the user to boil water before taking a shower, and avoiding users from waiting too long. Therefore, multiple millimeter-wave radar modules detect the shower preparation signal of the user who is waiting to shower, and send the shower preparation signal to the water heater. Among them, the shower preparation signal can be the shower preparation action of the user who is waiting to shower. That is, the user who is waiting to shower is preparing to take a shower, and the user who is waiting to shower does very conventional actions in the bathroom, such as walking, taking clothes, putting things, taking off clothes, etc., to prepare for the shower. These actions will be detected and identified by the millimeter-wave radar module to determine the shower intention of the user who is waiting to shower.

[0073] Step 4: After receiving the shower preparation signal, the water heater controls the heating tube to heat up.

[0074] In practice, when the water heater receives a shower preparation signal from a user who is about to take a shower, it can control the internal heating pipe to heat up in advance to avoid the user waiting too long. The water heater can clean before taking a shower and check whether the internal pipes are normal. If the pipes are normal, it will start ignition, adjust the valve body, etc. to heat the cold water in the pipes in advance.

[0075] Step 202: Based on the current key body feature parameters, multiple millimeter wave radar modules determine the current shower energy of the user to be showered and a pre-stored target shower trigger threshold, and send the current shower energy and the target shower trigger threshold to the water heater.

[0076] In implementation, after the millimeter-wave radar module detects the human body, it will generate an energy value, which will change with the human body's activities. The greater the amplitude of the human body's movement, the greater the energy value. Since when a user is detected by multiple millimeter-wave radar modules standing in the shower range of the bathroom, it is not necessarily to prepare for a shower, but may have other purposes. Therefore, if the key body characteristic parameters of the user to be showered cannot be detected, the water heater will be controlled to enter the shower preparation work. Therefore, the current shower energy of the user to be showered can be determined by the current key body characteristic parameters. Since different family members have different walking, strides, and arm swings, in order to accurately distinguish family members, corresponding shower trigger thresholds are set in advance for each family member. The corresponding relationship between the key body characteristic parameters of each family member and the shower trigger threshold is pre-stored, and the user's shower trigger threshold can be determined by querying the key body characteristic parameters of the user later. It is also necessary to determine the pre-stored target shower trigger threshold of the user to be showered according to the current key body characteristic parameters of the user to be showered. Later, it can be judged whether the current shower energy of the user to be showered has reached the shower demand according to the target shower trigger threshold. Therefore, the current shower energy and the target shower trigger threshold value need to be sent to the water heater.

[0077] Step 203 : the water heater compares the current shower energy with the target shower trigger threshold. If the current shower energy is greater than the target shower trigger threshold, the target shower mode of the user to be showered is determined according to the target shower trigger threshold.

[0078] In implementation, after the water heater receives the current shower energy and the target shower trigger threshold, it needs to determine whether the current shower energy of the user to be showered has reached the shower demand according to the target shower trigger threshold. The water heater compares the current shower energy with the target shower trigger threshold. If the current shower energy is greater than the target shower trigger threshold, it indicates that the current shower energy of the user to be showered has reached the shower demand, and the shower mode of the user to be showered can be determined. Since different family members have different shower trigger thresholds, and different family members have their own shower needs. At the beginning, each family member selects his own shower mode on the water heater panel, or sets his own shower mode of shower water outlet temperature, water outlet speed, and shower duration. The water heater links the shower trigger threshold of each user with the shower mode. Then, the target shower mode of the user to be showered can be determined according to the target shower trigger threshold.

[0079] Specifically, the specific steps of executing the step of determining the target shower mode of the user to be showered according to the target shower trigger threshold are as follows: in the pre-stored correspondence between the shower trigger threshold and the shower mode, the water heater queries the target shower mode of the user to be showered corresponding to the target shower trigger threshold.

[0080] In implementation, the water heater pre-stores the corresponding relationship between the shower trigger threshold and the shower mode of each family member, and in the pre-stored corresponding relationship between the shower trigger threshold and the shower mode, the water heater queries the target shower mode of the user to be showered corresponding to the target shower trigger threshold. In this way, the target shower mode of the user to be showered is determined according to the target shower trigger threshold.

[0081] Furthermore, if the current shower energy is less than or equal to the target shower trigger threshold, it indicates that the current shower energy of the user to be showered has not yet reached the shower requirement, and the shower mode of the user to be showered cannot be determined. The multiple millimeter wave radar modules continue to determine the current shower energy of the user to be showered.

[0082] Furthermore, it is necessary to establish a correspondence between the shower trigger threshold and the shower mode of each family member. The specific steps are: for each family member, in response to the shower mode selection instruction of the family member, the water heater determines the shower mode of the family member and stores the correspondence between the shower trigger threshold and the shower mode of each family member.

[0083] In implementation, at the initialization stage, each family member selects a shower mode that he or she likes in the water heater, and the water heater determines the shower mode of each family member in response to the shower mode selection instruction of the family member, and stores the corresponding relationship between the shower trigger threshold and the shower mode of each family member.

[0084] For example, the millimeter-wave radar module and the control system of the water heater can communicate bidirectionally. In the system initialization stage, the control interface of the water heater chooses to enter the data acquisition mode, and sends the control command to the multi-millimeter-wave radar module, and the multiple millimeter-wave radar modules switch to the data acquisition mode. Each family member enters the effective identification area (shower range), and the user makes corresponding actions according to the prompts of the control system. Multiple millimeter-wave radar modules analyze the position difference, time difference, frequency difference, and angle difference of the received mixed signal to obtain the key body characteristic parameters of each user's body characteristics. And according to the key body characteristic parameters of each user, set the shower trigger threshold of each user, and send the shower trigger threshold to the control unit of the water heater. Then the user selects his own shower mode on the control panel of the water heater, or sets his own shower water temperature, water outlet speed, and shower duration. The water heater links the user's shower trigger threshold with the shower mode.

[0085] Step 204 : in response to the user turning on the water heater for showering, the water heater operates according to the target shower mode.

[0086] In implementation, after the water heater determines the target shower mode of the user to be showered, it is adjusted according to the shower parameters pre-stored by the user to be showered. The shower parameters may be shower water temperature, water flow rate, shower duration, etc. The user to be showered turns on the shower head, and in response to the water heater turning on operation by the user to be showered, the water heater operates according to the target shower mode.

[0087] As an optional implementation, Figure 4 As shown, the millimeter wave radar module includes a millimeter wave radar detection module and a millimeter wave radar processing module. The millimeter wave radar detection module is connected to the millimeter wave radar processing module. The water heater includes a water heater display operation panel, a load controller, a sensor, a regulating valve, an ignition needle and a fan. The load controller is connected to the water heater display operation panel, the sensor, the regulating valve, the ignition needle and the fan respectively. The millimeter wave radar detection module is used to collect the current key body feature parameters of the user to be showered who enters the shower range, and send the current key body feature parameters to the millimeter wave radar processing module. The millimeter wave radar processing module is used to determine the current shower energy and the target shower trigger threshold of the user to be showered according to the current key body feature parameters, and send the current shower energy and the target shower trigger threshold to the water heater display operation panel. The water heater display operation panel is used to compare the current shower energy with the target shower trigger threshold. If the current shower energy is greater than the target shower trigger threshold, the target shower mode of the user to be showered is determined according to the target shower trigger threshold. According to the target shower mode, the load controller controls the sensor to measure the heating water temperature, determine that the water temperature meets the target shower mode, and detect whether the gas flows to ensure that the pipeline is not blocked. The load controller controls the regulating valve to adjust the gas intake and oxygen intake ratio, controls the ignition needle to perform the ignition operation, and controls the fan to suck air to allow the gas to flow so that the combustion exhaust gas is discharged from the water heater.

[0088] Furthermore, when family members want to experience other shower modes, they can switch shower modes. When non-family members want to shower here, they can also turn on the corresponding shower mode by specifying actions. The specific steps are as follows:

[0089] Step A: multiple millimeter-wave radars obtain the current designated action of the user to be showered, and send the current designated action to the water heater, where the user to be showered is a family member or a non-family member.

[0090] In implementation, when a shower user is taking a shower, in addition to frequently using his favorite shower mode, he may occasionally want to try other shower modes. Multiple specified actions can be set to quickly switch the shower mode of the water heater through multiple specified actions. Non-family members have not entered key body feature parameters and preferred shower modes into the water heater. Then, when non-family members want to use the water heater for a shower, they can also make specified actions to adjust the water heater to the corresponding shower mode. Among them, the specified action can be a counterclockwise circular motion of the hand, waving the hand from left to right 3 times, and the human body frequently moving away from and close to the water heater in a short period of time. In actual applications, the specified action can also be others, which are not limited here.

[0091] In step B, the water heater searches for the target shower mode corresponding to the current designated action in the pre-stored correspondence between designated actions and shower modes, and operates according to the target shower mode.

[0092] In practice, the water heater pre-wash stores the correspondence between the switching specified action and the shower mode. In the pre-stored correspondence between the specified action and the shower mode, the water heater queries the target shower mode corresponding to the current specified action and operates according to the target shower mode. For example, the counterclockwise circular motion of the hand can be identified as entering the waterfall bath mode, waving the hand from left to right three times to enter the elderly bath mode, and the human body frequently moving away from and close to the water heater in a short period of time as the skin care bath mode. In this way, the shower mode of the water heater can be quickly switched through the specified action, while reducing the number of buttons, it can also allow users to conveniently switch to other shower modes, which can increase the intelligence and user experience of home appliance control and increase the interactive fun between users and water heaters.

[0093] Furthermore, after the user to be showered starts to take a shower according to the target shower mode, it is also necessary to determine whether the shower of the user to be showered is over. The shower holding thresholds of multiple millimeter-wave radar modules can be set to determine whether the user to be showered wants to end the shower.

[0094] Step C: Based on the current key body feature parameters, multiple millimeter wave radar modules determine the shower holding threshold of the user to be showered.

[0095] In implementation, after the millimeter-wave radar module detects the human body, it will generate an energy value, which will change with the human body's activities. The greater the amplitude of the human body's movement, the greater the energy value. It is also possible to determine whether the user to be showered is still in the shower range by setting the shower hold threshold of multiple millimeter-wave radar modules. The shower hold threshold is the current shower energy of the energy continuously detected by the millimeter-wave radar module when the user to be showered continues to move in the shower range of the water heater. The current shower energy exceeds the shower hold threshold. The millimeter-wave radar module believes that the user to be showered is still in the shower range. The current shower energy is lower than the shower hold threshold, and the millimeter-wave radar module believes that the user to be showered has left the shower range. Because different family members have different walking, strides, and arm swings, in order to accurately distinguish family members, different shower hold thresholds are set in advance for each family member. Therefore, when determining whether the user to be showered has left the shower range, it is necessary to first determine the shower hold threshold of the user to be showered based on the current key body feature parameters collected by multiple millimeter-wave radar modules.

[0096] Step D: If the current shower energy is less than the shower hold threshold, multiple millimeter wave radar modules send a shower stop command to the water heater.

[0097] In implementation, the millimeter-wave radar module compares the current shower energy of the user to be showered with the shower hold threshold. If the current shower energy is less than the shower hold threshold, it indicates that the user to be showered has finished showering and has walked out of the shower range. Then, the water heater needs to stop running. Therefore, if the current shower energy is less than the shower hold threshold, multiple millimeter-wave radar modules send a shower stop instruction to the water heater.

[0098] Furthermore, if the current shower energy is greater than or equal to the shower holding threshold, it indicates that the user who is going to shower is within the shower range, and the water heater continues to operate in the target shower mode.

[0099] Step E: After receiving the shower stop instruction, the water heater stops running.

[0100] In implementation, after the water heater receives the shower stop instruction, the load controller of the water heater stops running, and the water heater also stops running.

[0101] The embodiment of the present application provides a control method for a water heater, in which a millimeter wave radar module communicates with a control system of the water heater to exchange information. The millimeter wave radar module receives waveform signals of different frequencies and angles, analyzes parameters such as time difference, frequency difference, angle difference, etc. in the signal, and accurately distinguishes key body characteristic parameters such as height, body shape, and movement posture of children, the elderly, and adults in the family. According to the key body characteristic parameters, the water heater automatically selects the default target bathing mode of the user to be showered. The millimeter wave radar module controls the water heater to ignite and boil water in advance by analyzing the shower intention of the user to be showered, so that the outlet water temperature can reach the target shower mode of the user to be showered, greatly reducing the waiting time for the user to boil water before showering. The millimeter wave radar module identifies the specified actions of the user to be showered in the shower preparation stage, which is used to quickly select or switch other shower modes. Thus, the water heater control method is optimized, the user's mechanical and frequent manual operation method is simplified, a new interaction method is proposed, the degree of intelligence of home appliances is improved, and the user's experience of using home appliances is improved.

[0102] It should be understood that although Figure 2 The steps in the flowchart are shown in sequence as indicated by the arrows, but these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless otherwise specified in this document, there is no strict order restriction for the execution of these steps, and these steps can be executed in other orders. Moreover, Figure 2 At least part of the steps may include multiple steps or multiple stages. These steps or stages are not necessarily performed at the same time, but can be performed at different times. The execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but can be performed in turn or alternately with other steps or at least part of the steps or stages in other steps.

[0103] It can be understood that the same / similar parts between the various embodiments of the above method in this specification can refer to each other, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. For related points, please refer to the description of other method embodiments.

[0104] The present application also provides a control device for a water heater, such as Figure 5 As shown, the device comprises:

[0105] The acquisition module 501 is used for the multiple millimeter wave radar modules to collect the current key body feature parameters of the user who enters the shower range and is waiting for showering, wherein the current key body feature parameters are height, body shape and movement posture;

[0106] A determination module 502 is used to determine the current shower energy of the user to be showered and a pre-stored target shower trigger threshold value according to the current key body feature parameters and the plurality of millimeter wave radar modules, and send the current shower energy and the target shower trigger threshold value to the water heater;

[0107] A comparison module 503 is used for the water heater to compare the current shower energy with the target shower trigger threshold, and if the current shower energy is greater than the target shower trigger threshold, determine the target shower mode of the user to be showered according to the target shower trigger threshold;

[0108] The first operation module 504 is configured to operate the water heater according to the target shower mode in response to the water heater turning on operation by the user who is about to take a shower.

[0109] As an optional implementation, the acquisition module 501 is specifically used for:

[0110] The plurality of millimeter wave radar modules transmit radar waveform signals of multiple frequencies and multiple angles to a user who enters a shower range and is waiting to take a shower, and obtains a time difference, a frequency difference and an angle difference of the received radar waveform signals;

[0111] According to the time difference, the frequency difference and the angle difference, the multiple millimeter wave radar modules determine the current key body feature parameters of the user to be showered.

[0112] As an optional implementation manner, the comparison module 503 is specifically configured to:

[0113] In the pre-stored correspondence between the shower trigger threshold and the shower mode, the water heater queries the target shower mode of the user to be showered corresponding to the target shower trigger threshold.

[0114] As an optional implementation, the device further includes:

[0115] The second determination module is used for determining the shower mode of each family member in response to the shower mode selection instruction of the family member, and storing the corresponding relationship between the shower trigger threshold and the shower mode of each family member.

[0116] As an optional implementation, the device further includes:

[0117] A detection module, used for the plurality of millimeter-wave radar modules to detect a shower preparation signal from a user who is about to take a shower, and to send the shower preparation signal to the water heater;

[0118] The heating module is used to control the heating tube to heat after the water heater receives the shower preparation signal.

[0119] As an optional implementation, the device further includes:

[0120] An acquisition module, used for the plurality of millimeter-wave radars to acquire a current designated action of a user to be showered, and send the current designated action to the water heater, wherein the user to be showered is a family member or a non-family member;

[0121] The query module is used for the water heater to query the target shower mode corresponding to the current designated action in the pre-stored correspondence between the designated action and the shower mode, and operate according to the target shower mode.

[0122] As an optional implementation, the device further includes:

[0123] A third determination module is used to determine a shower holding threshold of the user to be showered according to the current key body feature parameters and the plurality of millimeter wave radar modules;

[0124] a sending module, configured to cause the plurality of millimeter-wave radar modules to send a shower stop instruction to the water heater if the current shower energy is less than the shower hold threshold;

[0125] The second operation module is used for stopping the operation of the water heater after receiving the shower stop instruction.

[0126] The embodiment of the present application provides a control device for a water heater, which determines the current key body feature parameters of a user to be showered through a millimeter wave radar module. Different family members are set with preferred shower modes. According to the current key body feature parameters, the current shower energy and the target shower trigger threshold are determined. If the current shower energy is greater than the target shower trigger threshold, the target shower mode of the user to be showered is determined according to the target shower trigger threshold, and the water heater operates according to the target shower mode. There is no need for the user to manually adjust the water heater frequently, the control method of the water heater is optimized, the degree of intelligence of home appliances is improved, and the user experience of using home appliances is improved.

[0127] The specific definition of the water heater control device can be found in the definition of the water heater control method above, which will not be repeated here. Each module in the above water heater control device can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware and a combination thereof. Each of the above modules can be embedded in or independent of the processor in the computer device in the form of hardware, or can be stored in the memory of the computer device in the form of software, so that the processor can call and execute the operations corresponding to each of the above modules.

[0128] It should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprise a ..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the elements.

[0129] It should also be noted that the user information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data used for display, data for analysis, etc.) involved in this application are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties.

[0130] Each embodiment in this specification is described in a related manner, and the same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. In particular, for the system embodiment, since it is basically similar to the method embodiment, the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can be referred to the partial description of the method embodiment.

[0131] The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0132] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a water heater, characterized in that: The water heater is equipped with a plurality of millimeter wave radar modules, which are arranged at different positions of the water heater and have different detection angles. The method includes: The multiple millimeter wave radar modules collect current key body feature parameters of the user who enters the shower range and is waiting to shower, wherein the current key body feature parameters are height, body shape and movement posture; According to the current key body feature parameters, the plurality of millimeter wave radar modules determine the current shower energy of the user to be showered and a pre-stored target shower trigger threshold, and send the current shower energy and the target shower trigger threshold to the water heater; The water heater compares the current shower energy with the target shower trigger threshold, and if the current shower energy is greater than the target shower trigger threshold, determines the target shower mode of the user to be showered according to the target shower trigger threshold; In response to the water heater turning on operation by the user who wants to shower, the water heater is operated according to the target shower mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The multiple millimeter wave radar modules collect the current key body feature parameters of the user who enters the shower range and is waiting to shower, including: The plurality of millimeter wave radar modules transmit radar waveform signals of multiple frequencies and multiple angles to a user who enters a shower range and is waiting to take a shower, and obtains a time difference, a frequency difference and an angle difference of the received radar waveform signals; According to the time difference, the frequency difference and the angle difference, the multiple millimeter wave radar modules determine the current key body feature parameters of the user to be showered.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The step of determining a target shower mode for the user to be showered according to the target shower triggering threshold comprises: In the pre-stored correspondence between the shower trigger threshold and the shower mode, the water heater queries the target shower mode of the user to be showered corresponding to the target shower trigger threshold.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The method further comprises: For each family member, in response to the shower mode selection instruction of the family member, the water heater determines the shower mode of the family member and stores the corresponding relationship between the shower trigger threshold and the shower mode of each family member.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The plurality of millimeter wave radar modules detect a shower preparation signal from a user who is about to take a shower, and send the shower preparation signal to the water heater; After receiving the shower preparation signal, the water heater controls the heating tube to heat.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The plurality of millimeter wave radars acquire a current designated action of a user to be showered, and send the current designated action to the water heater, wherein the user to be showered is a family member or a non-family member; The water heater searches for a target shower mode corresponding to the current designated action in the pre-stored correspondence between designated actions and shower modes, and operates according to the target shower mode.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: According to the current key body feature parameters, the plurality of millimeter wave radar modules determine a shower holding threshold of the user to be showered; If the current shower energy is less than the shower hold threshold, the plurality of millimeter wave radar modules send a shower stop instruction to the water heater; After receiving the shower stop instruction, the water heater stops running.

8. A control device for a water heater, characterized in that: The water heater is equipped with a plurality of millimeter wave radar modules, which are arranged at different positions of the water heater and have different detection angles. The device includes: A collection module, used for the multiple millimeter wave radar modules to collect the current key body feature parameters of the user who enters the shower range and is waiting to shower, wherein the current key body feature parameters are height, body shape and movement posture; a determination module, configured to determine the current shower energy of the user to be showered and a pre-stored target shower trigger threshold value according to the current key body feature parameters and the plurality of millimeter-wave radar modules, and send the current shower energy and the target shower trigger threshold value to the water heater; a comparison module, configured for the water heater to compare the current shower energy with the target shower trigger threshold, and if the current shower energy is greater than the target shower trigger threshold, determine the target shower mode of the user to be showered according to the target shower trigger threshold; The operation module is used for responding to the water heater turning on operation of the user who wants to shower, and the water heater operates according to the target shower mode.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that The acquisition module is specifically used for: The plurality of millimeter wave radar modules transmit radar waveform signals of multiple frequencies and multiple angles to a user who enters a shower range and is waiting to take a shower, and obtains a time difference, a frequency difference and an angle difference of the radar waveform signals; According to the time difference, the frequency difference and the angle difference, the multiple millimeter wave radar modules determine the current key body feature parameters of the user to be showered.

10. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that The comparison module is specifically used for: In the pre-stored correspondence between the shower trigger threshold and the shower mode, the water heater queries the target shower mode of the user to be showered corresponding to the target shower trigger threshold.

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