Laundry equipment control method and laundry equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of laundry equipment, particularly provides a control method of laundry equipment and the laundry equipment, and aims to solve the problems that the fit clearance between an inner barrel and an outer barrel is too small and even interference occurs due to the fact that the outer barrel of the existing laundry equipment has tolerance in the machining process or shifts and deforms in the using process; therefore, the stability of the equipment in operation is influenced, and the equipment fault is caused. Therefore, the laundry equipment comprises an inner drum and an outer drum, the inner drum can rotate relative to the outer drum to wash clothes, and the control method of the laundry equipment comprises the steps that the minimum distance between the inner drum and the outer drum is obtained; and according to the minimum distance, selectively sending prompt information to the laundry equipment so as to remind a user to overhaul the laundry equipment. Through the arrangement, the change of the distance between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder can be detected in time, so that an early warning is given out on the deformation trend of the outer cylinder, potential fault hazards can be eliminated in advance, and faults are prevented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of laundry equipment, and specifically provides a control method for a laundry equipment and a laundry equipment. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the development of technology and the improvement of people's living standards, laundry equipment has long entered thousands of households and become an essential electrical appliance for home life. Especially as the types and quantities of clothes are increasing, the usage frequency of laundry equipment is also getting higher and higher, resulting in users putting forward higher requirements for the stability and durability of laundry equipment.

[0003] Currently, mainstream laundry equipment all adopts the structural form of an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. When the equipment is running, clothes are placed in the inner cylinder, and the washing or dehydration of the clothes is achieved by the high-speed rotation of the inner cylinder relative to the outer cylinder.

[0004] However, due to the existence of tolerances in the processing process or displacement deformation during use of the outer cylinder of the existing laundry equipment, the clearance between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder is too small, or even interference occurs, which further affects the stability during the operation of the equipment and causes equipment failures.

[0005] Therefore, a new technical solution is needed in this field to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the above technical problems, that is, the technical problems that due to the existence of tolerances in the processing process or displacement deformation during use of the outer cylinder of the existing laundry equipment, the clearance between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder is too small, or even interference occurs, which further affects the stability during the operation of the equipment and causes equipment failures.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a control method for a laundry equipment, the laundry equipment includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, the inner cylinder can rotate relative to the outer cylinder to wash clothes, and the control method includes: obtaining the minimum distance between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder; selectively causing the laundry equipment to send a prompt message according to the minimum distance to remind the user to repair the laundry equipment.

[0008] In a preferred technical solution of the above control method, the specific steps of "selectively causing the laundry equipment to send a prompt message according to the minimum distance" include: comparing the minimum distance with a first preset distance; selectively causing the laundry equipment to send a prompt message according to the comparison result.

[0009] In a preferred technical solution of the above control method, the specific steps of "selectively making the laundry device send a prompt message according to the comparison result" include: if the minimum distance is greater than the first preset distance, the laundry device is not made to send a prompt message; if the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the laundry device is made to send a prompt message.

[0010] In a preferred technical solution of the above control method, in the case where the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the control method further includes: comparing the minimum distance with a second preset distance, the second preset distance being less than the first preset distance; if the minimum distance is not less than the second preset distance, the step of "making the laundry device send a prompt message" specifically includes: making the laundry device send a first prompt message to remind the user to perform maintenance on the laundry device as soon as possible; if the minimum distance is less than the second preset distance, the step of "making the laundry device send a prompt message" specifically includes: making the laundry device send a second prompt message to remind the user to perform maintenance on the laundry device immediately.

[0011] In a preferred technical solution of the above control method, in the case where the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the control method further includes: reducing the rotation speed of the inner tub.

[0012] In a preferred technical solution of the above control method, in the case where the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the control method further includes: comparing the minimum distance with a second preset distance, the second preset distance being less than the first preset distance; if the minimum distance is less than or equal to the second preset distance, the inner tub is stopped from rotating.

[0013] In a preferred technical solution of the above control method, the second preset distance is zero.

[0014] In a preferred technical solution of the above control method, in the case where the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the control method further includes: making the laundry device send the position information on the outer tub at the position where the minimum distance from the inner tub is located.

[0015] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides a laundry device, the laundry device having a controller configured to be able to execute the above control method.

[0016] In a preferred technical solution of the above laundry device, the laundry device is set as a drum washing machine.

[0017] In the case of adopting the above technical solution, the laundry device of the present invention includes an inner drum and an outer drum. The inner drum can rotate relative to the outer drum to wash clothes. The control method of the present invention includes: obtaining the minimum distance between the inner drum and the outer drum; and selectively causing the laundry device to send a prompt message according to the minimum distance to remind the user to perform maintenance on the laundry device. Through such a setting, the minimum distance between the inner drum and the outer drum can be monitored in real time, and a warning prompt is issued when the minimum distance becomes smaller, so as to remind the user to perform maintenance on the device in time before the inner drum and the outer drum interfere, prevent equipment failures caused by their contact, ensure the stability and quietness during the operation of the device, and reduce the failure rate of the device.

[0018] Further, the control method of the present invention further includes: comparing the minimum distance with a first preset distance; and selectively causing the laundry device to send a prompt message according to the comparison result. Through such a setting, that is, the minimum distance between the inner drum and the outer drum can be evaluated through the first preset distance, so as to judge whether the minimum distance between the inner drum and the outer drum is still within a safe distance, whether there is a risk of contact between the inner drum and the outer drum, and provide a basis for sending the prompt message.

[0019] Still further, the control method of the present invention further includes: if the minimum distance is greater than the first preset distance, the laundry device is not caused to send a prompt message; if the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the laundry device is caused to send a prompt message. Through such a setting, the first preset distance is set as the trigger condition for the device to send a prompt message, so that when the minimum distance reaches or is lower than the first preset distance, the device can send a prompt message in time to remind the user that the minimum distance between the inner drum and the outer drum has breached the safe distance and there is a risk of contact, and the device needs to be maintained in time.

[0020] Still further, in the case where the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the control method of the present invention further includes: comparing the minimum distance with a second preset distance, and the second preset distance is less than the first preset distance; if the minimum distance is not less than the second preset distance, the step of "causing the laundry device to send a prompt message" specifically includes: causing the laundry device to send a first prompt message to remind the user to perform maintenance on the laundry device as soon as possible; if the minimum distance is less than the second preset distance, the step of "causing the laundry device to send a prompt message" specifically includes: causing the laundry device to send a second prompt message to remind the user to perform maintenance on the laundry device immediately. Through such a setting, that is, the first preset distance is divided into two intervals by the second preset distance to evaluate whether the minimum distance between the inner drum and the outer drum is in a general danger state or a high danger state, and different prompt messages with different emergency levels are sent according to the two different position states, ensuring the timeliness and accuracy of device detection.

[0021] Furthermore, when the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the control method of the present invention further includes: reducing the rotation speed of the inner tub. With this setting, the influence of the high-speed rotation of the inner tub on the minimum distance can be reduced, especially the exacerbating effect of the eccentric rotation of the inner tub and the laundry on the movement interference between the inner and outer tubs, so as to more effectively protect the equipment.

[0022] Furthermore, when the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the control method of the present invention further includes: comparing the minimum distance with a second preset distance, where the second preset distance is less than the first preset distance; if the minimum distance is less than or equal to the second preset distance, then stop the rotation of the inner tub. With this setting, when the inner tub and the outer tub are very close or even in contact, the rotation of the inner tub can be forcibly stopped in time to prevent greater damage to the equipment.

[0023] Furthermore, the second preset distance of the present invention is zero. With this setting, the second preset distance can represent the critical state of whether interference occurs between the inner tub and the outer tub.

[0024] Furthermore, when the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the control method of the present invention further includes: enabling the laundry equipment to send the position information on the outer tub at the minimum distance from the inner tub. With this setting, the interference position between the inner tub and the outer tub can be quickly and accurately detected, improving the maintenance efficiency.

[0025] In addition, the laundry equipment further provided by the present invention on the basis of the above technical solution adopts the above control method, and thus has the technical effects achieved by the above control method. Compared with the laundry equipment before improvement, the laundry equipment of the present invention can timely send a prompt message before the movement interference between the inner tub and the outer tub occurs by monitoring the clearance between the inner tub and the outer tub, so as to remind the user to perform maintenance and prevent the occurrence of faults.

[0026] Furthermore, the laundry equipment of the present invention is set as a drum washing machine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 is an assembly schematic diagram of the inner tub and the outer tub of the laundry equipment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 is a flowchart of the control method of the laundry equipment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the control method of the laundry equipment of the present invention.

[0031] List of reference numerals:

[0032] 1. Inner cylinder; 2. Outer cylinder. Specific embodiments

[0033] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are only used to explain the technical principle of the present invention and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

[0034] It should be noted that in the description of the present invention, the terms "inner", "outer", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", etc., which indicate directions or positional relationships, are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings. This is only for convenience of description and does not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0035] In addition, it should also be noted that in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "arranged", "connected", "installed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0036] Based on the technical problem pointed out in the background art that due to the existence of tolerances in the processing process of the outer cylinder of the existing laundry equipment or the occurrence of displacement and deformation during use, the clearance between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder is too small, or even interference occurs, which affects the stability during the operation of the equipment and causes equipment failures. For this reason, the present invention provides a control method for a laundry equipment and a laundry equipment, aiming to monitor the minimum distance between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder in real time, and selectively cause the laundry equipment to send a prompt message according to the minimum distance to remind the user to repair the laundry equipment. Thus, the detection ability of the equipment state is improved, the potential faults of the equipment can be discovered in advance, the failure rate of the equipment is effectively reduced, and the stability and service life of the equipment operation are ensured.

[0037] Specifically, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the laundry equipment of the present invention includes an inner cylinder 1 and an outer cylinder 2. The inner cylinder 1 can rotate relative to the outer cylinder 2 to wash clothes. The control method of the present invention includes:

[0038] S100: Obtain the minimum distance between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder;

[0039] S200: Selectively cause the laundry equipment to send a prompt message according to the minimum distance to remind the user to repair the laundry equipment.

[0040] During the installation of the laundry equipment, in order to prevent movement interference between the inner drum 1 and the outer drum 2, a certain fitting clearance needs to be maintained between them to ensure that the inner drum 1 will not rub or collide with the outer drum 2 during rotation, thus ensuring the stability and quietness of the equipment operation. However, in the existing laundry equipment, as the size and capacity of the inner drum 1 continue to increase, the fitting clearance between the inner drum 1 and the outer drum 2 is gradually compressed, causing the outer drum 2 to undergo slight deformation and displacement during long-term high-temperature operation, or the inner drum 1 to undergo eccentric rotation when the laundry is heavy, or there are tolerances during the processing or installation of the equipment, etc. All of the above situations will cause the fitting clearance between the inner and outer drums 2 to change and cause them to come into contact, resulting in increased wear and noise of the equipment when the inner drum 1 is running.

[0041] The laundry equipment of the present invention is equipped with a distance measuring device that can detect the minimum distance between the inner drum 1 and the outer drum 2 in real time and synchronously transmit the minimum distance to the controller, so as to be able to send a prompt message in time when the minimum distance becomes smaller, reminding the user to repair the equipment in time before the inner drum 1 and the outer drum 2 come into contact, preventing movement interference between the inner and outer drums 2 from causing equipment failures, ensuring the stability and quietness of the equipment during operation, and reducing the failure rate of the equipment.

[0042] It should be noted that in actual applications, those skilled in the art can flexibly set the type and position of the distance measuring device. For example, it can be set as an infrared distance measuring sensor, a pressure sensor, or an electromagnetic sensor, etc. The installation position can be installed on the inner drum 1 or on the outer drum 2, as long as it can detect the distance between the inner drum 1 and the outer drum 2. Such flexible adjustment and change do not deviate from the principle and scope of the present invention and should be limited within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0043] The laundry equipment of the present invention preferably installs one or more infrared distance measuring sensors on the outer peripheral surface of the inner drum 1. As the inner drum 1 rotates relative to the outer drum 2, the infrared distance measuring sensors rotate accordingly and can measure the distances at multiple positions around the inner drum 1 and the outer drum 2. Taking the minimum value among them can obtain the minimum distance between the inner drum 1 and the outer drum 2. The principle and structure of this detection method are relatively simple and can ensure the accuracy of the data.

[0044] Preferably, as Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, the specific steps of "selectively making the laundry equipment send a prompt message according to the minimum distance" include:

[0045] S210: Compare the minimum distance with a first preset distance;

[0046] S220: Selectively make the laundry equipment send a prompt message according to the comparison result.

[0047] Based on a large amount of experimental data, a safety distance is set for the minimum distance between the inner cylinder 1 and the outer cylinder 2, ensuring that when the minimum distance is greater than the safety distance, the high-speed rotating inner cylinder 1 will not have kinematic interference with the outer cylinder 2. However, if the minimum distance is equal to or less than the safety distance, there is a risk of frictional collision between the inner cylinder 1 and the outer cylinder 2, and as the minimum distance decreases, the probability of interference between the two increases.

[0048] The control method of the present invention sets the first preset distance as the safety distance. Through the first preset distance, the actually measured minimum distance can be evaluated, thereby determining whether the minimum distance at this time is within the safety distance, whether there is a risk of frictional collision between the inner cylinder 1 and the outer cylinder 2, and selectively sending a prompt message based on this to prevent kinematic interference between the inner cylinder 1 and the outer cylinder 2.

[0049] Through experimental calculation, the first preset distance of the present invention is preferably set to 5 millimeters.

[0050] Preferably, as Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, the specific steps of "selectively making the laundry equipment send a prompt message according to the comparison result" include:

[0051] S221: If the minimum distance is greater than the first preset distance, do not make the laundry equipment send a prompt message;

[0052] S222: If the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, make the laundry equipment send a prompt message.

[0053] When the minimum distance is greater than the first preset distance, it indicates that a safe distance is still maintained between the inner cylinder 1 and the outer cylinder 2, allowing the inner cylinder 1 to operate at a normal speed to ensure that the inner cylinder 1 will not have friction or collision with the outer cylinder 2. Therefore, no maintenance is required for the equipment.

[0054] When the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, it indicates that the closest point between the inner cylinder 1 and the outer cylinder 2 has exceeded the safe distance, and the probability of friction or collision between the two has increased significantly. It is necessary to send a prompt message in time to remind the user to perform maintenance on the equipment in time to prevent failures.

[0055] The control method of the present invention sets the first preset distance as the trigger condition for the equipment to send a prompt message, so that when the minimum distance reaches or is lower than the first preset distance, the equipment can send a prompt message in time to remind the user that the minimum distance between the inner cylinder 1 and the outer cylinder 2 has exceeded the safe distance and there is a risk of causing failures.

[0056] Preferably, as Figure 1 shown, in the case where the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0057] Compare the minimum distance with a second preset distance, where the second preset distance is less than the first preset distance;

[0058] If the minimum distance is not less than the second preset distance, the step of "causing the laundry device to send a prompt message" specifically includes:

[0059] Cause the laundry device to send a first prompt message to remind the user to perform maintenance on the laundry device as soon as possible;

[0060] If the minimum distance is less than the second preset distance, the step of "causing the laundry device to send a prompt message" specifically includes:

[0061] Cause the laundry device to send a second prompt message to remind the user to immediately perform maintenance on the laundry device.

[0062] When the minimum distance between the inner drum 1 and the outer drum 2 is not greater than the safety distance, it does not necessarily mean that the device needs to be immediately shut down for maintenance. If the minimum distance between them has not approached zero, it means that there is still a certain distance at the closest point between the inner drum 1 and the outer drum 2 to ensure that the device can continue to operate so that the ongoing washing task can be completed before maintenance. However, if the minimum distance has infinitely approached zero or is already zero, the device cannot be allowed to continue running and needs to be immediately shut down for maintenance to prevent failures caused by the device continuing to run.

[0063] Based on the above considerations, the control method of the present invention sets a second preset distance, and divides the first preset distance into two intervals through the second preset distance to evaluate whether the minimum distance between the inner drum 1 and the outer drum 2 is in a general dangerous state or a highly dangerous state.

[0064] When the minimum distance is between the second preset distance and the first preset distance, it indicates that although the device needs maintenance at this time, the situation is not urgent and can be maintained after the device completes the current washing task; when the minimum distance is less than or equal to the second preset distance, it means that the minimum distance has approached zero at this time, that is, the inner drum 1 and the outer drum 2 are already very close and there is a risk of frictional collision at any time. It is necessary to immediately shut down for maintenance, otherwise it will cause damage to the device. Finally, the system will send prompt messages with different levels of urgency according to the two different position states to ensure the timeliness and accuracy of device detection.

[0065] Preferably, as Figure 1 shown, in the case where the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0066] Reduce the rotational speed of the inner drum.

[0067] When the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, although the inner cylinder 1 and the outer cylinder 2 do not necessarily come into contact, in order to improve the safety factor, the control method of the present invention will still forcibly reduce the rotation speed of the inner cylinder 1 while sending a prompt message, so as to reduce the influence of the inner cylinder 1 on the minimum distance during high-speed rotation, especially reducing the aggravating effect of the eccentric rotation of the inner cylinder 1 and the clothes on the movement interference between the inner and outer cylinders 2, thereby being able to more effectively protect the equipment and at the same time enabling the laundry equipment to retain the most basic washing function to complete the washing task.

[0068] Preferably, as Figure 1 shown, when the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0069] Compare the minimum distance with a second preset distance, and the second preset distance is less than the first preset distance;

[0070] If the minimum distance is less than or equal to the second preset distance, stop the inner cylinder from rotating.

[0071] After the minimum distance is less than or equal to the second preset distance, it indicates that the minimum distance at this time is already very close to zero, that is, the inner cylinder 1 and the outer cylinder 2 are already very close, and there is a risk of frictional collision at any time. It is necessary to forcibly stop the machine for maintenance, otherwise it will cause equipment failure and greater losses.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment of the control method of the present invention, the second preset distance is zero.

[0073] Through such a setting, the second preset distance can represent the critical state of whether there is interference between the inner cylinder 1 and the outer cylinder 2, that is, when the minimum distance reaches the second preset distance, it indicates that the minimum distance between the inner cylinder 1 and the outer cylinder 2 is already zero, and the closest parts of the two have come into contact.

[0074] Preferably, as Figure 1 shown, when the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the control method of the present invention further includes:

[0075] Cause the laundry equipment to send the position information on the outer cylinder at the minimum distance from the inner cylinder.

[0076] Exemplarily, a position sensor is also installed at the position of the distance measuring sensor, which can sense the position information at this position in real time, so as to quickly obtain the position information at the minimum distance between the inner cylinder 1 and the outer cylinder 2, detect the exact position of the deformation or displacement on the outer cylinder 2, and thus quickly and accurately find out the interference position between the inner cylinder 1 and the outer cylinder 2, improving the maintenance efficiency.

[0077] In addition, the laundry equipment further provided by the present invention based on the above technical solution has the technical effects of the above control method due to the adoption of the above control method. Compared with the laundry equipment before improvement, the laundry equipment of the present invention can timely send a prompt message before the movement interference between the inner tub 1 and the outer tub 2 occurs by monitoring the clearance between them, so as to remind the user to perform maintenance and prevent the occurrence of faults.

[0078] Preferably, the laundry equipment of the present invention is set as a drum washing machine.

[0079] So far, the technical solution of the present invention has been described in combination with the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings. However, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the protection scope of the present invention is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principle of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or replacements to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after these changes or replacements will fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control method for a laundry device, characterized in that, The laundry equipment includes an inner drum and an outer drum. The inner drum is capable of rotating relative to the outer drum to wash clothes. The control method includes: Obtaining the minimum distance between the inner drum and the outer drum; According to the minimum distance, selectively causing the laundry equipment to send a prompt message to remind the user to perform maintenance on the laundry equipment.

2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein The specific steps of "selectively causing the laundry equipment to send a prompt message according to the minimum distance" include: Comparing the minimum distance with a first preset distance; According to the comparison result, selectively causing the laundry equipment to send a prompt message.

3. The control method according to claim 2, characterized in that The specific steps of "selectively causing the laundry equipment to send a prompt message according to the comparison result" include: If the minimum distance is greater than the first preset distance, do not cause the laundry equipment to send a prompt message; If the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, cause the laundry equipment to send a prompt message.

4. The control method according to claim 3, characterized in that, In the case where the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the control method further includes: Comparing the minimum distance with a second preset distance, where the second preset distance is less than the first preset distance; If the minimum distance is not less than the second preset distance, the step of "causing the laundry equipment to send a prompt message" specifically includes: Causing the laundry equipment to send a first prompt message to remind the user to perform maintenance on the laundry equipment as soon as possible; If the minimum distance is less than the second preset distance, the step of "causing the laundry equipment to send a prompt message" specifically includes: Causing the laundry equipment to send a second prompt message to remind the user to immediately perform maintenance on the laundry equipment.

5. The control method according to claim 2, wherein In the case where the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the control method further includes: Reducing the rotation speed of the inner drum.

6. The control method according to claim 2, wherein In the case where the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the control method further includes: Comparing the minimum distance with a second preset distance, where the second preset distance is less than the first preset distance; If the minimum distance is less than or equal to the second preset distance, stop the rotation of the inner drum.

7. The control method according to claim 4 or 6, characterized in that, The second preset distance is zero.

8. The control method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, In the case where the minimum distance is not greater than the first preset distance, the control method further includes: Causing the laundry equipment to send the position information on the outer drum at the position where the minimum distance with the inner drum occurs.

9. A laundry device, characterized in that, The laundry equipment includes a controller configured to be able to execute the control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The laundry equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that, The laundry equipment is set as a drum washing machine.

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