Control method of clothes treatment equipment and clothes treatment equipment

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of clothes dryers, and discloses a control method of clothes processing equipment and the clothes processing equipment, the clothes processing equipment comprises a water storage box, the control method comprises the steps that a clothes drying instruction is received, and the initial condensate water amount n0 in the water storage box is obtained; and according to a comparison result of the obtained initial condensate water amount n0 and a preset threshold value b, whether a clothes drying program is executed or not is determined. According to the method and the device, the initial condensate water amount n0 in the water storage box is obtained and compared with the preset threshold value b, whether the condensate water treatment capacity of the current equipment is enough to cope with the to-be-started clothes drying program or not can be accurately judged, it is guaranteed that the equipment normally executes the clothes drying program, the clothes drying requirement of a user is guaranteed, and therefore the use experience of the user is improved. Meanwhile, equipment failure or performance reduction caused by excessive accumulation of condensate water is effectively avoided, so that stable operation of equipment is ensured, and the service life of the equipment is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of dryer technology, specifically, it relates to a control method for a clothing processing device and the clothing processing device itself. Background Technology

[0002] Existing dryers produce a certain amount of water during the drying process, which flows into a water tank at the bottom of the dryer. For easy cleaning, dryers are typically equipped with a drain pump that draws water from the tank into a water dispenser at the top. Users can then clean the water dispenser periodically to ensure proper dryer operation.

[0003] However, current dryer water tank full-reminder mechanisms have some problems. Most dryers use an instant reminder method, meaning that when the water tank is detected to be full, a reminder message pops up immediately and the drying program is paused. If the user fails to empty the water tank in time for various reasons, the drying program will stop once the tank is full. In this case, the clothes cannot continue drying, and the user may not even know it. Only when the user goes to retrieve the clothes will they find that they are not dried, forcing them to reschedule the drying time. This undoubtedly causes great inconvenience to the user's need for clothes to be worn immediately and seriously affects the user experience.

[0004] In view of this, the present invention is hereby proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a control method and clothing processing equipment. By obtaining the initial condensate volume n0 in the water storage box and comparing it with a preset threshold b, it is possible to accurately determine whether the current condensate processing capacity of the equipment is sufficient to cope with the upcoming drying program, ensuring that the user's drying needs are met normally and improving user satisfaction.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] A method for controlling a garment processing device, the garment processing device including a water storage box, comprising:

[0008] Upon receiving a clothes drying command, the initial condensate volume n0 in the water storage box is obtained;

[0009] Based on the comparison between the initial condensate volume n0 and the preset threshold b, it is determined whether to execute the drying program.

[0010] Furthermore, if the initial condensate volume n0 is greater than or equal to a preset threshold b, the drying process is paused and a reminder message is issued.

[0011] Furthermore, if the initial condensate volume n0 is less than the preset threshold b, the estimated condensate volume n1 of the clothes is obtained; based on the obtained estimated condensate volume n1 and the comparison result between the initial condensate volume n0 and the rated condensate volume M, it is determined whether to execute the drying program.

[0012] Furthermore, if the sum of the estimated condensate volume n1 and the initial condensate volume n0 is greater than or equal to the rated condensate volume M, the control will pause the drying process and issue a reminder message.

[0013] Furthermore, if the sum of the estimated condensate volume n1 and the initial condensate volume n0 is less than the rated condensate volume M, and the sum of the two is less than the preset threshold b, then the drying program is executed.

[0014] Furthermore, if the sum of the estimated condensate volume n1 and the initial condensate volume n0 is less than the rated condensate volume M, and the sum of the two is greater than or equal to the preset threshold b, then the drying program is executed, and a reminder message is issued after the drying program ends.

[0015] Furthermore, if the initial condensate volume n0 is less than a preset threshold b, the moisture content of the clothing is obtained, and the estimated condensate volume n1 of the clothing is calculated based on the obtained moisture content.

[0016] Further, the initial weight w0 and current weight w1 of the clothing are obtained, and the moisture content D is calculated based on the initial weight w0 and current weight w1 of the clothing.

[0017] The formula for calculating the moisture content D is: D = (w1 - w0) / w0 * 100%.

[0018] Furthermore, the formula for calculating the estimated condensate volume n1 is: n1 = w1 * D.

[0019] According to another objective of the present invention, a garment processing apparatus is also provided, which applies the control method of the garment processing apparatus described above.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0021] In this invention, by obtaining the initial condensate volume n0 in the water storage box and comparing it with a preset threshold b, it is possible to accurately determine whether the current condensate processing capacity of the device is sufficient to handle the upcoming drying process, ensuring that the user's drying needs are met normally, guaranteeing the drying effect and quality of the clothes, and improving the user experience and satisfaction.

[0022] In this invention, by intelligently judging and processing the amount of condensate, the equipment can execute the drying program under optimal conditions, ensuring stable operation and high efficiency of the equipment. This effectively avoids equipment failure or performance degradation caused by excessive condensate accumulation, thereby ensuring stable operation and extending the service life of the equipment.

[0023] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The accompanying drawings, as part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the invention are used to explain the invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative effort. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the present invention. Figure 3 .

[0028] It should be noted that these accompanying drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0030] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0031] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0032] Currently, most dryers use an instant reminder system, which displays a notification and pauses the drying process as soon as the water tank is full. If the user fails to empty the water tank in time for any reason, the drying program will stop once the tank is full. When the user retrieves their clothes, they will find that the clothes are not dried, forcing them to reschedule the drying process. This undoubtedly causes great inconvenience to users who want their clothes to be worn immediately, severely impacting the user experience.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] To solve the above problems, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a control method for a garment processing device, which includes a water storage box, comprising:

[0035] Upon receiving a clothes drying command, the initial condensate volume n0 in the water storage box is obtained;

[0036] Based on the comparison between the initial condensate volume n0 and the preset threshold b, it is determined whether to execute the drying program.

[0037] In this embodiment, the control method described above mainly controls whether the clothes handling equipment executes the drying program based on the amount of condensate in the water storage box. The clothes handling equipment includes, but is not limited to, washer-dryer combos and washing machines with drying functions.

[0038] In this embodiment, the dryer in a washer-dryer combo is used as an example for detailed description. The dryer is equipped with a water storage box, which collects condensate generated during the drying process, improving drying efficiency and shortening drying time. A sensor is installed in the water storage box to detect the amount of condensate in it.

[0039] In this embodiment, the control system starts operating when the dryer is powered on. Upon receiving a drying command, the control system uses sensors to obtain the initial condensate volume n0 in the water storage tank. The initial condensate volume n0 refers to the amount of condensate already stored in the water storage tank before the dryer executes the drying program after being powered on. Furthermore, the sensors can detect the water volume in the water storage tank in real time and feed the water volume data back to the control system.

[0040] In this embodiment, the drying procedure corresponding to the above drying instruction is determined based on the comparison result between the obtained initial condensate volume n0 and the preset threshold b.

[0041] Specifically, the preset threshold b can be understood as follows: when the amount of condensate in the water storage box reaches a certain level, it may affect the normal operation of the dryer or the drying effect. Therefore, this water volume is used as a threshold to control the amount of condensate in the water storage box below this threshold. In addition, the preset threshold b can be set according to the dryer's design parameters, drying effect requirements, and other factors, and can be adaptively adjusted according to specific usage needs, which will not be elaborated here.

[0042] As described above, by acquiring the initial condensate volume n0 in the water storage tank and comparing it with a preset threshold b, it is possible to accurately determine whether the current condensate handling capacity of the device is sufficient to handle the upcoming drying process. This ensures that the user's drying needs are met normally, guarantees the drying effect and quality of the clothes, and improves the user experience and satisfaction. Simultaneously, the device can execute the drying program under optimal conditions, ensuring stable operation and high efficiency, avoiding equipment malfunctions or performance degradation caused by excessive condensate accumulation, thereby ensuring stable operation and extending the device's lifespan.

[0043] Furthermore, if the initial condensate volume n0 is greater than or equal to a preset threshold b, the drying process is paused and a reminder message is issued.

[0044] Specifically, when the initial condensate volume n0 is greater than or equal to the preset threshold b, it indicates that the condensate volume in the water storage box is already large, which may lead to the overflow of condensate in the water storage box, or the condensate generated during the drying process cannot be extracted in time, affecting the drying effect or normal operation of the dryer. Therefore, the control system controls the dryer to pause the drying program, thereby maintaining the dryness of the dryer and ensuring the drying effect of the clothes.

[0045] When the dryer pauses its drying cycle, the control system will issue a reminder to the user to empty the condensate in the water tank. The user can empty the water tank as instructed until the amount of condensate in the tank is below a preset threshold b. The dryer will then automatically resume its drying cycle, ensuring the drying process continues as planned and enhancing the user experience.

[0046] Furthermore, when the initial condensate volume n0 is less than the preset threshold b, it indicates that the condensate volume in the water storage box is within a safe range and will not affect the normal operation and drying effect of the dryer. Therefore, after further judgment, the control system controls the dryer to execute the drying program to fulfill the user's drying needs.

[0047] In the above scheme, the sensor used to obtain the initial condensate volume n0 includes a float-type water level sensor. The working principle of the float-type sensor is that the movement of the float will change the switching state or resistance value, and convert this change into an electrical signal or digital signal. The control system receives the signal from the water level sensor and processes and analyzes it. According to the preset algorithm or logic, these signals are converted into specific water volume values.

[0048] In this embodiment, after the dryer receives the drying command, the water level sensor obtains the initial condensate volume n0 in the water storage tank. Furthermore, the water level sensor continuously monitors the water volume changes in the water storage tank and feeds the real-time data back to the control system. The control system can then precisely control the water volume in the water storage tank based on this real-time data, ensuring that the water volume remains within a suitable range and guaranteeing water stability and safety.

[0049] In this embodiment, the sensor may also be a capacitive water level sensor or a weight sensor, and the corresponding installation position may be reasonably selected. It can be adjusted according to the actual use scenario and needs, which will not be elaborated here.

[0050] In the above solutions, the drying instructions received by the dryer can be either the user placing clothes inside the dryer and actively selecting a drying program on the control panel, or the user remotely selecting a drying program via a mobile app. Alternatively, when the user places clothes inside the dryer, the dryer detects information such as the type, humidity, and material of the clothes, and automatically selects the corresponding drying program according to preset drying logic.

[0051] In the above solutions, the way the dryer issues reminders can be selected based on different users' habits and scenario needs. These typically include the following methods: the device can issue an audible reminder through its built-in speaker, such as a beep or voice prompt. Alternatively, it can push notifications to the user's mobile phone via an app, ensuring the user receives the reminder and takes appropriate action regardless of their location.

[0052] Example 2

[0053] This embodiment is a further description of Embodiment 1 described above.

[0054] like Figures 2 to 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the estimated condensate volume n1 of the clothes is obtained, and based on the comparison results of the obtained estimated condensate volume n1, the initial condensate volume n0 and the rated condensate volume M, it is determined whether to execute the drying program.

[0055] Specifically, if the initial condensate volume n0 is less than the preset threshold b, it means that the current condensate volume will not have an adverse effect on the execution of the drying program, and the next step can be carried out. The control system will further obtain the estimated condensate volume n1 of the clothes, and then compare it with the initial condensate volume n0 and the rated condensate volume M. Based on the comparison result, it will determine whether the dryer should execute the drying program.

[0056] The estimated condensate volume n1 mentioned here is the expected amount of condensate to be generated during a single drying cycle. This estimated condensate volume n1 can be calculated based on the current weight of the clothes after washing and their moisture content. It helps to understand the condensate generation during the drying process and, consequently, whether the amount of condensate generated is within the threshold range of the water storage tank, thus determining whether the water storage tank can store all the newly generated condensate.

[0057] The rated condensate capacity M mentioned here can be considered as the maximum amount of condensate that can be stored in the water tank. The amount of condensate generated during the drying process, i.e., the estimated condensate capacity n1, must not exceed the rated condensate capacity M; otherwise, the condensate in the water tank will overflow, which can easily damage the dryer or breed bacteria, affecting the drying effect.

[0058] In this embodiment, if the sum of the estimated condensate volume n1 and the initial condensate volume n0 is greater than or equal to the rated condensate volume M, the drying program is paused and a reminder message is issued.

[0059] Specifically, the control system adds the estimated condensate volume n1 of the clothes to the initial condensate volume n0 to obtain the total condensate volume. The total condensate volume mentioned here can be considered as the total amount of condensate that the water storage box may store after the drying process is completed.

[0060] If the total condensate volume is greater than or equal to the rated condensate volume M, it means that the condensate produced during the drying process exceeds the storage capacity of the water tank. The condensate in the water tank may overflow. Therefore, the control system will stop the dryer from executing the drying program and will send a reminder message through sound or mobile APP to prompt the user to clean the water tank in time.

[0061] When the water tank is detected to be cleaned, and the sum of the estimated condensate volume n1 and the initial condensate volume n0 is less than the rated condensate volume M, the dryer is controlled to continue the drying program to ensure the user's drying plan is implemented, ensure the user can dry clothes in a timely manner, and improve user satisfaction.

[0062] Furthermore, if the sum of the estimated condensate volume n1 and the initial condensate volume n0 is less than the rated condensate volume M, and the sum of the two is less than the preset threshold b, then the drying program is executed.

[0063] Specifically, if the sum of the estimated condensate volume n1 and the initial condensate volume n0, i.e., the expected total condensate volume, is less than the rated condensate volume M and also less than the preset threshold b, it indicates that the dryer is executing the drying program. During this process, the condensate produced will not exceed the capacity of the water tank, and the condensate volume remains within a safe range. Therefore, controlling the dryer to execute the drying program normally ensures the user's drying needs and improves the user experience.

[0064] Furthermore, if the sum of the estimated condensate volume n1 and the initial condensate volume n0 is less than the rated condensate volume M, and the sum of the two is greater than or equal to the preset threshold b, then the drying program is executed, and a reminder message is issued after the drying program ends.

[0065] Specifically, if the sum of the estimated condensate volume n1 and the initial condensate volume n0, i.e., the expected total condensate volume, is less than the rated condensate volume M but greater than or equal to the preset threshold b, it means that the condensate generated during the drying process will at most reach the preset threshold b, without exceeding the capacity of the water storage box. However, this may affect the next drying process. Therefore, the dryer is controlled to execute the drying program, and a reminder message is issued after the drying program ends to prompt the user to clean the water storage box in time, ensuring the normal operation of the next drying process, improving the efficiency of clothing processing, and saving the user's time.

[0066] In this embodiment, when the dryer pauses the drying program, the water tank can be cleaned to increase its capacity and store the expected condensate. Alternatively, the amount of condensate generated during drying can be reduced by decreasing the number of clothes dried in a single cycle. Another option is to adjust the drying program parameters to weaken the drying effect and further reduce the amount of condensate generated.

[0067] Example 3

[0068] This embodiment is a further description of the above embodiments one and two.

[0069] In this embodiment, if the initial condensate volume n0 is less than a preset threshold b, the moisture content of the clothing is obtained, and the estimated condensate volume n1 of the clothing is calculated based on the obtained moisture content.

[0070] Specifically, the moisture content is an important indicator for measuring the moisture content of clothing, which directly affects the amount of condensation generated during the drying process. After obtaining the moisture content of the clothing, the control system can calculate the estimated amount of condensation n1 based on the moisture content and the weight of the clothing before drying.

[0071] As mentioned above, the estimated condensate volume n1 is calculated intelligently based on the moisture content of the clothes, and the drying program is then determined based on the storage capacity of the water tank. This ensures the normal operation of the dryer and meets the user's drying needs, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of drying. On the other hand, it can also promptly remind the user to perform cleaning operations, ensuring that the user's drying plan is carried out normally. Furthermore, it can prevent the dryer from being damaged or from becoming damp and breeding bacteria due to excessive condensate overflow.

[0072] In this embodiment, the dryer is equipped with a humidity sensor or a weighing sensor. The control system obtains the moisture content data of the clothes through the built-in humidity sensor or weighing sensor. The humidity sensor can directly measure the humidity of the clothes to obtain the moisture content, while the weighing sensor can indirectly estimate the moisture content of the clothes by comparing the weight change of the clothes before drying.

[0073] In this embodiment, a detailed description is given using a built-in weighing sensor in a clothes dryer as an example. Further, the initial weight w0 and current weight w1 of the clothing are obtained, and the moisture content D is calculated based on the initial weight w0 and current weight w1.

[0074] The initial weight w0 of the clothing mentioned here refers to the weight of the clothing in a dry state. The initial weight w0 of the clothing can be obtained by weighing the clothing before washing. For example, when the clothing handling equipment is a washer-dryer combo or a washing machine with a drying function, the weight of the clothing in a dry state is measured before placing it in the clothing handling equipment for washing, and this weight is taken as the initial weight w0 of the clothing.

[0075] The current weight w1 of the clothing mentioned here refers to the weight of the clothing after washing and before drying, at which point the clothing is in a damp state. The current weight w1 of the clothing can be obtained by weighing it before drying. For example, before placing the clothing in a garment processing device for drying, weigh the clothing in its damp state as the current weight w1.

[0076] Furthermore, the formula for calculating the moisture content D is: D = (w1 - w0) / w0 * 100%.

[0077] Specifically, after the control system obtains the initial weight w0 and the current weight w1 of the clothing, it substitutes these two weight values ​​into the formula for calculation. The initial weight w0 of the clothing is subtracted from the current weight w1 to obtain a difference, which reflects the weight of water in the clothing. Then, this difference is divided by the initial weight w0 of the clothing and multiplied by 100% to obtain the moisture content D of the clothing.

[0078] In this embodiment, the moisture content accurately reflects the moisture content of the clothing, providing an important reference for the dryer to execute the drying program. By making reasonable use of the moisture content data of the clothing, the drying process can be optimized, avoiding over-drying or under-drying, protecting the clothing from damage, and improving the drying quality of the clothing.

[0079] Furthermore, the formula for calculating the estimated condensate volume n1 is: n1 = w1 * D.

[0080] Specifically, the calculation process for the estimated condensate volume n1 is based on the ideal condition that the moisture in the clothes will be converted into condensate during the drying process. After the control system calculates the moisture content D of the clothes, it multiplies the current weight w1 of the clothes by the moisture content D to obtain the estimated condensate volume n1. Through the above calculation formula, the amount of condensate that may be generated during the drying process can be quantified, which helps to adjust the drying effect of the clothes, better control and manage the drying process, and improve the drying efficiency and quality of the clothes.

[0081] Example 4

[0082] This embodiment is a further description of embodiments one to three described above.

[0083] In this embodiment, a garment processing device is also provided, which applies the control method for the garment processing device described above.

[0084] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-described technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control method for a garment processing device, the garment processing device including a water storage box, characterized in that, include: Upon receiving a clothes drying command, the initial condensate volume n0 in the water storage box is obtained; Based on the comparison between the initial condensate volume n0 and the preset threshold b, it is determined whether to execute the drying program.

2. The control method for the garment processing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, If the initial condensate volume n0 is greater than or equal to the preset threshold b, the drying program will be paused and a reminder message will be issued.

3. The control method for the garment processing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, If the initial condensate volume n0 is less than the preset threshold b, then the estimated condensate volume n1 of the clothes is obtained; based on the obtained estimated condensate volume n1 and the comparison result between the initial condensate volume n0 and the rated condensate volume M, it is determined whether to execute the drying program.

4. The control method for the garment processing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, If the sum of the estimated condensate volume n1 and the initial condensate volume n0 is greater than or equal to the rated condensate volume M, the control will pause the drying program and issue a reminder message.

5. The control method for the garment processing equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, If the sum of the estimated condensate volume n1 and the initial condensate volume n0 is less than the rated condensate volume M, and the sum of the two is less than the preset threshold b, then the drying program is executed.

6. The control method for the garment processing equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, If the sum of the estimated condensate volume n1 and the initial condensate volume n0 is less than the rated condensate volume M, and the sum of the two is greater than or equal to the preset threshold b, then the drying program is executed and a reminder message is issued after the drying program ends.

7. The control method for the garment processing equipment according to any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that, If the initial condensate volume n0 is less than the preset threshold b, the moisture content of the clothing is obtained, and the estimated condensate volume n1 of the clothing is calculated based on the obtained moisture content.

8. The control method for the garment processing equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that, Obtain the initial weight w0 and current weight w1 of the clothing, and calculate the moisture content D based on the initial weight w0 and current weight w1 of the clothing; The formula for calculating the moisture content D is: D = (w1 - w0) / w0 * 100%.

9. The control method for the garment processing equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that, The formula for calculating the estimated condensate volume n1 is: n1 = w1 * D.

10. A garment processing device, characterized in that, The control method of the garment processing equipment according to any one of claims 1-9.

Images