Clothes processing equipment control method and device and clothes processing equipment

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a control method and device of clothes processing equipment and the clothes processing equipment. The control method of the clothes processing equipment comprises the steps that in the process that the clothes processing equipment executes a program including fan operation, the non-maintenance duration of a filter screen of the clothes processing equipment is counted, and the filter screen blockage accumulated duration in the non-maintenance duration of the filter screen is counted; when it is determined that the non-maintenance duration of the filter screen reaches the first duration and the filter screen blockage accumulation duration reaches the first accumulation duration, first prompt information is output; wherein the first prompt information is prompt information for prompting that the filter screen needs to be cleaned. When it is judged that the filter screen is not maintained for a duration reaching the first duration and the filter screen blockage accumulation duration reaches the first accumulation duration, it can be confirmed that the filter screen is severely blocked. At the moment, prompt information for prompting that the filter screen needs to be cleaned is generated, a user can be reasonably prompted to clean the filter screen as soon as possible, and various problems caused by further deterioration of the blockage degree of the filter screen are avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of home appliance technology, specifically to a control method, device, and garment processing equipment for garment processing. Background Technology

[0002] When clothing handling equipment such as dryers performs drying and conditioning programs, a fan is driven to blow conditioning airflow into the clothing handling drum. To prevent the airflow from carrying lint into the return air duct and causing blockage, the clothing handling equipment has a filter at the duct inlet to filter lint. As the equipment ages, more and more lint accumulates on the filter, clogging the filter pores. This makes it difficult for the airflow in the clothing handling drum to return through the return air duct, leading to a series of problems. For example, when the clothing handling equipment is performing a drying program and its heating device is a heat pump, the refrigerant in the heat pump may not circulate properly due to the low airflow velocity, and the compressor may operate at high temperatures and generate significant noise. Furthermore, the low airflow velocity also results in poor drying efficiency for the clothing handling equipment. Accurately alerting the user when the filter is clogged and needs cleaning is crucial to avoiding these problems. However, current technologies do not effectively identify severe filter clogging, necessitating a solution that prompts the user to clean the filter. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this disclosure provides a control method, apparatus, and garment processing equipment for garment processing.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a control method for a garment processing device, comprising:

[0005] During the execution of a program involving the operation of a fan in the garment processing equipment, the duration of the garment processing equipment's filter not being maintained is recorded, as well as the cumulative duration of filter clogging within the duration of the filter not being maintained.

[0006] If it is determined that the duration of the filter not being maintained has reached a first duration and the cumulative duration of the filter blockage has reached a first cumulative duration, a first prompt message is output.

[0007] The first prompt message is a message indicating that the filter needs to be cleaned.

[0008] Optionally, the statistics on the cumulative duration of filter clogging during the continuous period of filter maintenance absence include:

[0009] The first statistical duration during which the fan motor's operating power or operating current is less than a corresponding set threshold during the continuous period of time the filter is not maintained is recorded; this first statistical duration is taken as the cumulative duration.

[0010] Alternatively, a second statistical duration is calculated during the period when the fan operates at constant power and the speed reaches a corresponding set threshold; this second statistical duration is then used as the cumulative duration.

[0011] Optionally, the output of the first prompt information includes: displaying the first prompt information on the control display panel during the operation of the clothing processing equipment; and / or sending the first prompt information to the associated target terminal.

[0012] Optionally, during the execution of a program including fan operation by the garment processing equipment, the remaining execution time is determined in real time;

[0013] The control display panel displays the first prompt information, including: controlling the display panel to alternately display the first prompt information and the remaining execution time.

[0014] Optionally, the output of the first prompt information includes: determining that the clothing processing device has received a start command, and controlling the display panel to display the first prompt information.

[0015] Optionally, the control method for the garment processing equipment further includes: determining that the duration of the filter not being maintained reaches a second duration, and the cumulative duration of the filter blockage reaches a second cumulative duration, pausing the execution of a program including fan operation by the garment processing equipment, and outputting a second prompt message;

[0016] Wherein, the second duration is longer than the first duration, and the second cumulative duration is longer than the first cumulative duration; the second prompt message is a message indicating that the operation can only continue after the filter is cleaned.

[0017] Optionally, after suspending the garment processing equipment from performing functions including fan operation, the method further includes:

[0018] If the filter box is detected to have been out of position for a set period of time, the duration of no maintenance of the filter and the cumulative duration of filter blockage will be reset to zero.

[0019] Once the filter box is confirmed to be reinstalled and a continue command is received, the garment processing equipment is controlled to continue executing the program that includes the operation of the fan.

[0020] Optionally, the filter box is disposed inside the front support of the garment processing equipment;

[0021] Determining that the filter box has been reinstalled and receiving a continue execution instruction, controlling the garment processing equipment to continue executing a program including fan operation includes: determining that the filter box has been reinstalled, the door of the garment processing equipment has been closed, and receiving the continue execution instruction, controlling the garment processing equipment to continue executing a program including fan operation.

[0022] Optionally, the control method for the garment processing equipment further includes: if the duration of the filter not being maintained is less than the first duration or the cumulative duration of the filter blockage is less than the first cumulative duration, determining that an instruction to start a program including the operation of a fan has been received, and outputting a third prompt message;

[0023] The third prompt message is a suggestion to clean the filter.

[0024] Secondly, the control device for this garment processing equipment includes:

[0025] The timing unit is used to count the duration of the garment processing equipment's filter not being maintained and the cumulative duration of filter clogging within the duration of the filter not being maintained during the execution of a program including fan operation.

[0026] The control unit is configured to determine that the duration of the filter not being maintained reaches a first duration and the cumulative duration of the filter blockage reaches a first cumulative duration, and output a first prompt message.

[0027] The first prompt message is a message indicating that the filter needs to be cleaned.

[0028] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a garment processing device, including a controller, a timer, and an output device; the controller, during the execution of a program including fan operation in the garment processing device, controls the timer to count the duration of no maintenance of the filter of the garment processing device, and to count the cumulative duration of filter blockage within the duration of no maintenance of the filter;

[0029] The controller is further configured to determine that the duration of the filter not being maintained reaches a first duration, and the cumulative duration of the filter blockage reaches a first cumulative duration, and control the output device to output a first prompt message; wherein, the first prompt message is a prompt message indicating that the filter needs to be cleaned.

[0030] In this embodiment of the disclosure, by statistically analyzing the duration of no maintenance and the cumulative duration of filter blockage in the clothing processing equipment, a first prompt message is output when the duration of no maintenance reaches a first duration and the cumulative duration of filter blockage reaches a first cumulative duration. It is determined that the blockage of the filter will affect the normal operation of the clothing processing equipment. At this time, a prompt message indicating that the filter needs to be cleaned is generated, which reasonably prompts the user to clean the filter as soon as possible to avoid various problems caused by further deterioration of the filter blockage. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure.

[0032] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any creative effort, wherein:

[0033] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the control method for the clothing processing equipment provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a control method for a garment processing device according to another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the control device structure of the clothing processing equipment provided in this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While some embodiments of this disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that this disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of this disclosure. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings and embodiments of this disclosure are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0037] The term "comprising" and its variations as used herein are open-ended, meaning "including but not limited to". The term "based on" means "at least partially based on". The term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment"; the term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment"; the term "some embodiments" means "at least some embodiments". Definitions of other terms will be given in the description below. It should be noted that the concepts of "first", "second", etc., used in this disclosure are only used to distinguish different devices, modules, or units, and are not intended to limit the order of processes performed by these devices, modules, or units or their interdependencies.

[0038] It should be noted that the terms "a" and "a plurality of" used in this disclosure are illustrative rather than restrictive, and those skilled in the art should understand that, unless otherwise expressly indicated in the context, they should be understood as "one or more".

[0039] To reduce various problems caused by filter clogging, this disclosure provides a control method for a garment processing device. By identifying the filter status and fan operating status, the method identifies that the filter of the garment processing device is severely clogged and then prompts the user to clean the filter.

[0040] Before analyzing the control method of the clothing processing equipment provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, the structure of the clothing processing equipment will be analyzed first.

[0041] The clothing processing equipment in this embodiment can be a dryer, washer-dryer combo, or other equipment with clothing drying and care functions, which includes a clothing processing drum, a circulating air duct, a fan, and a heating device.

[0042] The garment processing drum is used to drive the load to rotate within its own garment processing chamber. In practical applications, the garment processing drum can be a horizontal roller or a vertical roller. The air outlet and return air inlet of the circulating air duct are respectively connected to the garment processing drum. A fan is installed at the air outlet of the circulating air duct. When the fan is running, it forms a circulating airflow within the garment processing drum. In this embodiment, the fan's drive motor is a motor specifically used for rotating the fan impeller and does not drive other loads. A heating device is installed in the circulating air duct to heat the flowing air. To prevent the airflow from blowing lint from the load back into the circulating air duct, a filter box is installed at the return air inlet of the circulating air duct, and the lint is filtered through the filter screen inside the filter box.

[0043] To avoid ambiguity, a simplified explanation of the aforementioned drying-care function is provided. The drying function uses a fan to generate circulating airflow, which is then heated by a heating device to dry the load. The care function uses a fan to generate circulating airflow to dehumidify, deodorize, and sterilize the load. In some embodiments, the heating device may also need to be activated to achieve the aforementioned dehumidification, deodorization, or sterilization effects. It is conceivable that because the drying-care process generates airflow within the garment handling drum through the fan, lint and debris from the load are blown into the filter box and intercepted by the filter screen during the drying-care process.

[0044] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the control method for the garment processing equipment provided in this embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 1 As shown, the control method for the garment processing equipment provided in this embodiment includes S110-S120.

[0045] S110: During the execution of a program including fan operation by the garment processing equipment, the duration of the garment processing equipment's filter not being maintained is recorded, as well as the cumulative duration of filter clogging within the duration of the filter not being maintained.

[0046] As analyzed earlier, the airflow generated by the fan blows lint from the load towards the return air vent in the circulating air duct, causing the lint to be intercepted and deposited inside the filter. Therefore, it can be determined that fan operation is the core direct cause of filter clogging. Thus, the aforementioned statistical procedure only needs to be performed during the process involving fan operation in the garment handling equipment. For example, if the garment handling equipment is a washer-dryer combo, and the fan does not operate during the washing cycle, then the aforementioned statistical procedure is not necessary.

[0047] The duration of filter maintenance-free operation is the time elapsed since the filter was last maintained (i.e., the filter was cleaned of lint deposits) while the garment processing equipment is running a program that includes fan operation. In practice, the timer for the maintenance-free operation duration can be reset to zero when the filter box is detected to be removed from the garment processing equipment, and the timer can be started again when the garment processing equipment resumes the program that includes fan operation to obtain the duration of filter maintenance-free operation.

[0048] Based on the function of the filter, over the period of time the filter is not maintained, the amount of lint deposited inside the filter will gradually increase, and the smoothness of airflow through the filter gaps will gradually decrease until it becomes clogged. During this process, the garment processing equipment can count the cumulative time of filter clogging over the period of time the filter is not maintained.

[0049] When the filter screen becomes clogged to a certain extent, its gaps are almost completely blocked, at which point the filter acts as an airflow barrier. The airflow generated by the fan, upon reaching the vicinity of the filter, is reversed due to the static pressure layer. Because the fan is located at the outlet connecting the circulating air duct and the laundry detergent drum, the reverse flow of air within the laundry detergent drum due to the static pressure layer effectively reduces the fan's driving distance. This reduced distance decreases the fan's load, consequently altering the fan motor's operating characteristics. In other words, the fan's operating characteristics differ significantly when the filter is clogged compared to when the filter is unclogged. Therefore, in practice, the degree of filter clogging can be determined based on the fan's operating characteristics.

[0050] In some embodiments, the garment processing device can statistically analyze the first statistical period during which the operating power of the fan motor is less than a set threshold power when the filter is not maintained for a continuous period of time, and use this first statistical period as the cumulative filter clogging time. The aforementioned set threshold power is slightly less than the lower limit power of the fan motor when it operates at the target speed. The set threshold power can be determined through experimental testing.

[0051] In some embodiments, the garment processing device can statistically analyze the first statistical duration during which the motor current of the fan motor is less than a set threshold current when the filter is not maintained for a continuous period of time, and use this first statistical duration as the cumulative duration of filter clogging. The aforementioned set threshold current is slightly less than the lower limit current of the fan motor when it runs at the target speed, and the set threshold current can also be determined through experimental testing.

[0052] In some embodiments, the fan motor of the garment processing equipment operates at constant power. In this case, a second statistical duration can be recorded for the duration during which the fan motor's speed exceeds a set threshold speed during constant power operation. This second statistical duration is then used as the cumulative duration of filter clogging. The aforementioned set threshold speed is slightly higher than the upper limit of the fan motor's speed during normal operation.

[0053] Based on logical analysis, the aforementioned duration of no maintenance is greater than or equal to the cumulative duration. In extreme cases, where the filter cartridge is removed from the garment processing equipment but the lint causing severe clogging is not removed and the cartridge is reinstalled, the duration of no maintenance equals the cumulative duration. In other cases, the duration of no maintenance is greater than the cumulative duration.

[0054] S120: If the filter has not been maintained for a certain duration and the filter has been clogged for a certain duration, output the first prompt message.

[0055] The first duration and the first cumulative duration are predetermined and used as the durations for triggering the threshold. The first duration is inversely related to the set power and can be determined when determining the aforementioned set power.

[0056] The first prompt message is a notification that the filter needs to be cleaned. In practice, the garment processing equipment can output prompt messages in various ways.

[0057] In some embodiments, when the garment processing device is in operation, it can control its own display panel to display the first prompt information, or output the first prompt information by playing sound through its own speaker.

[0058] In other embodiments, the clothing handling device may send a first prompt message to an associated target terminal, triggering the associated target terminal to output the first prompt message. The aforementioned associated target terminal device may be a user's smartphone, a home smart control terminal, etc.

[0059] Based on the analysis above, by statistically analyzing the duration of unmaintained filters and the cumulative duration of filter clogging in the garment processing equipment, a first prompt message is output when both the duration of unmaintained filters and the cumulative duration of filter clogging reach the first cumulative duration. This indicates that the filter clogging is affecting the normal operation of the garment processing equipment, and a prompt message to clean the filter is generated. This reasonably reminds the user to clean the filter as soon as possible to avoid various problems caused by further deterioration of the filter clogging.

[0060] As mentioned earlier, in some embodiments, the garment handling device outputs a first prompt message via a display panel. However, the garment handling device may also need to output other information via the display panel. For example, during the drying process of the load, the garment handling device may also need to output the remaining execution time via the display panel. To simultaneously satisfy both of these needs, the garment handling device can control the system to alternately display the first prompt message and the remaining execution time on the panel.

[0061] In some embodiments, the garment processing device may have output a first warning message during the last execution of a program including fan operation, because it was determined that the filter had not been maintained for a first duration and the filter blockage had accumulated for a first cumulative duration. However, the user ignored the warning message, and the garment processing device automatically stopped after completing the aforementioned program, without disassembling the filter box until the user restarted the garment processing device. In this case, to remind the user, the garment processing device can control the display panel to display the first warning message upon restarting, i.e., upon receiving the power-on command again.

[0062] In practical applications, due to various reasons, users may not remove the filter box, meaning they may not clean the filter, further increasing the degree of clogging. If the filter becomes so clogged that the mesh is completely blocked, airflow can no longer return to the circulation duct through the mesh. This can cause serious problems. For example, in the case of a heat pump dryer, the compressor may overheat and burn out. To avoid this problem, in this embodiment, in addition to performing the aforementioned S110, the following S130 is also performed.

[0063] S130: If the duration of filter maintenance failure reaches the second duration and the cumulative duration reaches the second cumulative duration, pause the execution of the program including fan operation on the garment processing equipment and output a second prompt message.

[0064] The second duration is longer than the first duration, and the second cumulative duration is longer than the first cumulative duration. Both the second duration and the second cumulative duration were determined experimentally.

[0065] If the filter has been unmaintained for a duration exceeding two consecutive durations, and the cumulative duration has reached a second cumulative duration, it can be generally determined that the filter is severely clogged. Continuing to operate the equipment would seriously affect the safety and lifespan of the garment processing equipment. In this case, the garment processing equipment should be paused from executing programs that include fan operation. For example, if the garment processing equipment is performing a drying program on the load, the drying program can be paused.

[0066] While pausing the program that includes fan operation, the garment processing device can output a second prompt message. This second prompt message indicates that the program can only be run after the filter lint has been cleaned. In practice, the garment processing device can display the second prompt message via a control panel, play an audio message including the second prompt message through a speaker, or send the second prompt message to a linked target terminal, which will then output the prompt message.

[0067] Because the garment processing equipment can only continue to execute the program, including the fan operation, after the filter lint is cleaned, users can only trigger the garment processing equipment to continue executing the program, including the fan operation, by cleaning the filter.

[0068] In this embodiment, when the filter is not maintained for a first duration and the filter is clogged for a first cumulative duration, it is determined that airflow can still pass through the filter pores, and the garment processing equipment can still operate (although the operating efficiency of the garment processing equipment may be affected). However, when the filter is not maintained for a second duration and the filter is clogged for a second cumulative duration, it is determined that the filter is completely clogged, and the garment processing equipment can no longer operate normally. At this point, the program including the fan operation is forcibly suspended to prevent garment processing equipment malfunction.

[0069] By adopting the aforementioned two-level reminder and prompt method, the number of shutdowns and congestion errors can be minimized while notifying users, thereby improving the overall user experience.

[0070] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the clothing processing device determines whether the user has cleaned the filter by detecting whether the filter box has been removed and the duration of removal. Accordingly, after executing the aforementioned S130, the following S140-S150 can also be executed.

[0071] S140: If the filter box is not in the installation position for a set period of time, the first continuous duration, the first cumulative duration, the second continuous duration, and the second cumulative duration are reset to zero.

[0072] As analyzed above, the filter screen is housed within a filter box (which is essentially a filter assembly). Users remove the filter screen from the return air vent (the installation location) of the recirculating air system by disassembling the filter box.

[0073] In practice, a small magnet can be installed on the filter box. A filter box detection switch, which can be a Hall effect switch, is activated at the location where the filter box is installed in the garment processing equipment. If the filter box detection switch detects the removal of the small magnet, it is determined that the filter box is not in the installation position. Considering that vibrations from the garment processing equipment may cause the filter box detection switch to be falsely triggered in practical applications, this embodiment does not immediately assume the filter box is not in the installation position after the detection switch is triggered. Instead, it determines that the filter box has been actually removed after a set duration of time since the detection switch was triggered, with the set duration of time indicating it is not in the installation position being reached. This set duration can be 5 seconds.

[0074] In this embodiment of the disclosure, if the filter box is detected to have been removed, it is assumed that the lint inside the filter box will be cleaned. Therefore, the aforementioned duration of filter maintenance failure and cumulative duration of filter clogging can be reset to zero for subsequent re-timing.

[0075] S150: After confirming that the filter box has been reinstalled and receiving the continue instruction, continue to control the garment processing equipment to continue executing the program including the operation of the fan.

[0076] In this embodiment, the filter box must be reinstalled to ensure that lint does not enter the circulating air duct during subsequent processing. Therefore, the garment processing equipment can only continue executing the program including fan operation after it is confirmed that the filter box has been reinstalled. Specifically, if the filter box detection switch is deactivated for a certain period of time, it can be determined that the filter box has been reinstalled.

[0077] To ensure user safety and prevent accidents, the garment processing equipment will not immediately continue executing the program including fan operation after confirming that the filter box has been reinstalled. Instead, it will only execute the aforementioned program upon receiving a continue command. In specific implementation, the garment processing equipment can determine that it has received a continue command after the start switch is triggered again.

[0078] In some embodiments, the garment handling device is a dryer, and the filter box is located inside the front support of the garment handling device. The filter box can only be removed by opening the door of the garment handling device. In this case, to ensure safety, the garment handling device will only continue to execute the program including the operation of the fan after the filter box has been reinstalled, the door of the garment handling device has been closed, and a continue command has been received.

[0079] In some other embodiments, the garment handling device is a washer-dryer combo, with the filter box positioned high on the outer side of the front support, allowing it to be directly removed from the outside of the garment handling device. In this case, the garment handling device can continue executing the program including fan operation only after confirming that the filter box has been reinstalled and receiving a continue command.

[0080] In practical applications, even if the filter is not maintained for a shorter period than the first continuous period, or the cumulative time of filter blockage within the filter not maintained period is shorter than the first cumulative period, cleaning the filter will still make the process involving fan operation run more smoothly, and reduce device power consumption and noise. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the aforementioned two conditions are met, if the garment processing device receives an instruction to start the process involving fan operation, that is, before executing the process involving fan operation, it can still output a third prompt message. The third prompt message is a suggestion to clean the filter lint.

[0081] To facilitate a clearer understanding of the specific implementation process of the control method in this embodiment, the control method of the clothing processing equipment of this disclosure embodiment will be analyzed again below through another specific implementation. Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a control method for a garment processing device according to another embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 As shown, another embodiment of the control method for the garment processing equipment includes S210-S290.

[0082] S210: Determine the instruction to start a program that includes the operation of the fan, and determine whether the duration of the filter not being maintained has reached the first duration, and whether the cumulative duration of filter blockage within the duration of the filter not being maintained has reached the first cumulative duration; if both are true, execute S220; if not, execute S230.

[0083] S220: Outputs a prompt message indicating that the filter needs to be cleaned.

[0084] S230: Outputs a prompt message suggesting cleaning the filter.

[0085] S240: Detect whether the filter box detection switch is triggered; if yes, execute S250; if no, execute S270.

[0086] S250: If the filter box is not in the installation position for a set period of time, reset the filter maintenance non-maintenance duration and filter blockage accumulation duration to zero.

[0087] S260: After confirming that the filter box has been reinstalled and receiving the continue instruction, control the garment processing equipment to continue executing the program including the operation of the fan.

[0088] S270: Continue to track the duration of the garment processing equipment's filter not being maintained, and continue to track the cumulative duration of filter clogging.

[0089] S280: If the filter has not been maintained for a certain duration and the filter has been clogged for a certain duration, output a prompt message indicating that the filter needs to be cleaned.

[0090] S290: If the filter has been unmaintained for a period of time and the filter has been clogged for a period of time, the garment processing equipment is suspended from executing the program that includes the operation of the fan, and information is output that the equipment can only be operated after the filter has been cleaned.

[0091] After executing S280-S290, S240 can be executed as before. Specifically, if a pause command is detected after executing S280, S240 can be executed as before.

[0092] In addition to providing the aforementioned control method for clothing processing equipment, this disclosure also provides a control device for clothing processing equipment. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the control device structure of the garment processing equipment provided in this embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 3 As shown, the control device 300 of the garment processing equipment provided in this embodiment includes a timing unit 301 and a control unit 302.

[0093] The timing unit 301 is used to count the duration of the garment processing equipment's filter not being maintained and the cumulative duration of filter clogging within the duration of the filter not being maintained during the execution of a program including the operation of a fan in the garment processing equipment.

[0094] The control unit 302 is used to determine that the filter has not been maintained for a first duration and the filter has been clogged for a first cumulative duration, and outputs a first prompt message; wherein, the first prompt message is a prompt message indicating that the filter needs to be cleaned.

[0095] In some embodiments, the timing unit 301 counts a first statistical duration during which, when the fan motor rotates at a target speed, the operating power or motor current is less than a corresponding set threshold, within the duration during which the filter is not maintained; this first statistical duration is used as the cumulative duration of filter blockage. Alternatively, the timing unit 301 counts a second statistical duration during which, when the fan motor operates at constant power, the speed is higher than a corresponding set threshold, within the duration during which the filter is not maintained; this second statistical duration is used as the cumulative duration.

[0096] In some embodiments, during the operation of the garment processing equipment, the control unit 302 controls the display panel to display a first prompt message; and / or sends the first prompt message to the associated target terminal.

[0097] In some embodiments, during the execution of a program including fan operation by the garment processing equipment, the control unit 302 determines the remaining execution time in real time and controls the display panel to alternately display the first prompt message and the remaining execution time.

[0098] In some embodiments, the control unit 302 determines that the garment processing device has received a power-on command and controls the display panel to display a first prompt message.

[0099] In some embodiments, the control unit 302 determines that the duration of the filter not being maintained has reached a second duration and the cumulative duration has reached a second cumulative duration, and then suspends the execution of a program including fan operation by the garment processing equipment, and outputs a second prompt message; wherein the second duration is longer than the first duration and the second cumulative duration is longer than the first cumulative duration; the second prompt message is a message indicating that operation can only continue after the filter is cleaned.

[0100] In some embodiments, after suspending the garment processing equipment from executing a program that includes fan operation, the control unit 302 detects that the filter box has not been in the installation position for a set period of time, resets the filter maintenance non-maintenance duration and filter blockage accumulation duration to zero; determines that the filter box has been reinstalled and receives a continue execution command, and controls the garment processing equipment to continue executing the program that includes fan operation.

[0101] In some embodiments, the filter box is disposed inside the front support of the garment processing equipment; the control unit 302 will only control the garment processing equipment to continue executing the program including the operation of the fan after determining that the filter box has been reinstalled, the door of the garment processing equipment has been closed, and a continue execution command has been received.

[0102] In some embodiments, if the duration of no filter maintenance is less than a first duration or the cumulative duration of filter blockage is less than a first cumulative duration, the control unit 302 determines that it has received an instruction to start a program that includes fan operation and outputs a third prompt message; the third prompt message is a prompt message suggesting that the filter be cleaned.

[0103] This disclosure also provides a garment processing device. The garment processing device includes a controller, a timer, and an output device. During the execution of a program including fan operation in the garment processing device, the controller controls the timer to count the duration of no maintenance of the garment processing device's filter, and to count the cumulative duration during which the fan motor's operating power is less than a set power. The controller is also used to determine that the duration of no maintenance of the filter reaches a first duration, and the cumulative duration of filter blockage reaches a first cumulative duration, and then controls the output device to output a first prompt message. The first prompt message is a prompt message indicating that the filter needs to be cleaned.

[0104] This disclosure also provides a storage medium storing a program or instructions that cause a computer to execute the control method of any of the garment processing devices provided in this disclosure. When executed by a computer controller, the computer-executable instructions can also be used to execute the control method of any of the garment processing devices provided in this disclosure to achieve the corresponding beneficial effects.

[0105] Based on the above description of the implementation methods, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented using software and necessary general-purpose hardware, and of course, they can also be implemented using hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, in essence, or the parts that contribute to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as a computer floppy disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, hard disk, or optical disk, etc., including several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods of the various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0106] The above are merely specific embodiments of this disclosure, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not to be limited to these embodiments, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A control method for a garment processing device, characterized in that, include: During the execution of a program involving the operation of a fan in the garment processing equipment, the duration of the garment processing equipment's filter not being maintained is recorded, as well as the cumulative duration of filter clogging within the duration of the filter not being maintained. If it is determined that the duration of the filter not being maintained has reached a first duration and the cumulative duration of the filter blockage has reached a first cumulative duration, a first prompt message is output. The first prompt message is a message indicating that the filter needs to be cleaned.

2. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The statistics include the cumulative duration of filter clogging during the period of continuous filter maintenance absence, including: The statistics are based on the first statistical period during which the operating power or motor current of the fan motor is less than the corresponding set threshold when the fan motor rotates at the target speed during the continuous period of no filter maintenance. Use the first statistical duration as the cumulative duration of filter clogging; or... The second statistical period during which the fan motor operates at constant power and its speed is higher than a corresponding set threshold during the continuous period when the filter is not maintained; The second statistical duration is taken as the cumulative duration.

3. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first prompt message output includes: During the operation of the garment processing equipment, the control display panel displays the first prompt information; and / or, The first prompt message is sent to the associated target terminal.

4. The control method according to claim 3, characterized in that, During the execution of the program including fan operation by the garment processing equipment, the remaining execution time is determined in real time; The control display panel displays the first prompt information, including: controlling the display panel to alternately display the first prompt information and the remaining execution time.

5. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The output of the first prompt information includes: Once the garment processing equipment receives the start command, the control display panel displays the first prompt information.

6. The control method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Also includes: If it is determined that the filter has not been maintained for a certain duration and the filter has been clogged for a certain duration, the execution of the program including the operation of the fan in the clothing processing equipment is paused and a second prompt message is output. Wherein, the second duration is longer than the first duration, and the second cumulative duration is longer than the first cumulative duration; the second prompt message is a message indicating that the operation can only continue after the filter is cleaned.

7. The control method according to claim 6, characterized in that, After suspending the garment processing equipment from performing a program that includes fan operation, the method further includes: If the filter box is detected to have been out of position for a set period of time, the duration of no maintenance of the filter and the cumulative duration of filter blockage will be reset to zero. Once the filter box is confirmed to be reinstalled and a continue command is received, the garment processing equipment is controlled to continue executing the program that includes the operation of the fan.

8. The control method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The filter box is located inside the front support of the garment processing equipment; Determining that the filter box has been reinstalled and receiving a continue execution instruction, controlling the garment processing equipment to continue executing a program including fan operation includes: determining that the filter box has been reinstalled, the door of the garment processing equipment has been closed, and receiving the continue execution instruction, controlling the garment processing equipment to continue executing a program including fan operation.

9. The control method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, Also includes: If the duration of no maintenance of the filter is less than the first duration or the cumulative duration of filter blockage is less than the first cumulative duration, it is determined that an instruction to start a program that includes the operation of the fan has been received, and a third prompt message is output. The third prompt message is a suggestion to clean the filter.

10. A control device for a garment processing equipment, characterized in that, include: The timing unit is used to count the duration of the garment processing equipment's filter not being maintained and the cumulative duration of filter clogging within the duration of the filter not being maintained during the execution of a program including fan operation. The control unit is configured to determine that the duration of the filter not being maintained has reached a first duration, and the cumulative duration of the filter blockage has reached a first cumulative duration, and output a first prompt message. The first prompt message is a message indicating that the filter needs to be cleaned.

11. A garment processing device, characterized in that, It includes a controller, a timer, and an output device; the controller controls the timer to count the duration of the filter of the garment processing equipment not being maintained, and to count the cumulative duration of filter clogging within the duration of the filter not being maintained, during the execution of a program including the operation of a fan in the garment processing equipment; The controller is further configured to determine that the duration of the filter not being maintained reaches a first duration, and the cumulative duration of the filter blockage reaches a first cumulative duration, and control the output device to output a first prompt message; wherein, the first prompt message is a prompt message indicating that the filter needs to be cleaned.

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