Reservation control method for clothing care equipment and clothing care equipment

Abstract

According to the reservation control method for the clothes care equipment and the clothes care equipment, for the clothes care equipment without an automatic detergent putting function, after a user selects a care program through a control panel or an intelligent terminal and sets reservation time, different from the mode that a reservation program is directly started in the prior art, the reservation time is set; instead, the weighing process is started firstly, the feeding amount of the nursing agent is calculated based on the weighing result, the user is prompted to feed the nursing agent according to the calculated feeding amount, and the reservation program is started after the user feeds the nursing agent. According to the invention, the weighing process is preposed before confirmation of the appointment program, so that the user can accurately put the detergent according to the weighing result and then confirm the appointment program. And on the other hand, through the design of the pre-weighing process, the problem that the reservation process is interrupted if the weighing is abnormal before the washing program is started can be avoided, and the reliability of the reserved nursing clothes and the user experience are remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of garment care equipment, specifically, it relates to a reservation control method for garment care equipment and garment care equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In modern life, washing machines have become an essential household appliance, bringing great convenience to people's daily lives. As users' demands for washing machine functions continue to increase, the timer function has emerged, aiming to allow users to plan their laundry time in advance, achieve off-peak laundry, and avoid disrupting their daily routines. However, current washing machine timer functions still reveal many problems in practical applications.

[0003] Traditional washing machines have a timer function, allowing users to set a timer via buttons on the control panel. However, users cannot know the weight of the clothes in advance. For washing machines without automatic detergent dispensing, users can only estimate the amount of detergent based on experience. Using too much detergent not only leads to waste but may also result in incomplete rinsing and detergent residue that can irritate the skin. Using too little detergent, on the other hand, will not guarantee a clean wash and will not thoroughly clean the clothes.

[0004] While some existing washing machines are equipped with a weighing function, the weighing operation is generally performed only when the reservation ends and the washing program is about to start. The weighing method mainly relies on the motor load sensor to estimate the weight of the clothes by detecting the change in the motor load when the drum rotates. This weighing method lacks a clear abnormal handling mechanism. If the weighing fails due to reasons such as clothes misalignment, false start under no-load conditions, or sensor failure, the entire reservation process will be forced to be interrupted, requiring manual troubleshooting and reoperation. This is extremely inconvenient for busy users and seriously affects the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, this invention proposes a reservation control method and garment care equipment for garment care devices. By advancing the weighing process to before the reservation confirmation, users can accurately add detergent based on the weighing results before confirming the reservation. This also avoids the problem of reservation interruption caused by weighing anomalies before the washing program starts, significantly improving the reliability of garment care reservations and the user experience.

[0006] The present invention is implemented using the following technical solutions: A reservation control method for garment care equipment is proposed, comprising: S1, Select the nursing procedure and set the appointment time; S2, start the weighing process; S3, determine the dosage of the nursing agent based on the weighing results and issue a prompt; S4, initiate the appointment process after administering the care solution.

[0007] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages and positive effects of this invention are as follows: The reservation control method for garment care equipment proposed in this invention, targeting garment care equipment without automatic detergent dispensing function, allows users to select a care program and set a reservation time via the control panel or smart terminal. Unlike existing technologies that directly start the reservation program, this invention first initiates a weighing process, calculates the detergent dosage based on the weighing results, and prompts the user to dispense the detergent according to the calculated amount. The reservation program is then initiated only after the user has dispensed the detergent. This invention moves the weighing process before the reservation confirmation, allowing users to accurately dispense detergent based on the weighing results before confirming the reservation. Furthermore, in existing technologies, the weighing process lags behind the reservation process. Therefore, if a weighing anomaly occurs during the execution of the care program, the reservation process will be interrupted, and the care program cannot execute normally. By designing the weighing process in advance, this invention not only improves the accuracy of the detergent dosage but also avoids the problem of reservation interruption due to weighing anomalies before the washing program starts, significantly improving the reliability of scheduled garment care and the user experience.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present invention, in step S2, the method further includes: If no valid weighing result is obtained after the preset weighing time has elapsed, the weighing process will end, and the weighing result will be configured to the multi-load preset value.

[0009] If the weighing process is continuously stalled due to issues such as clothing misalignment, the appointment process may be interrupted, requiring manual intervention from the user, such as rearranging the clothing and restarting the device to set up the appointment program. This would compromise the accuracy of the appointment sequence. However, issues such as clothing misalignment can be resolved through preprocessing in the early stages of subsequent care procedures and are not necessarily caused by interrupting the appointment process. Moreover, clothing misalignment is usually caused by an excessive amount of clothing. Therefore, in this embodiment of the invention, a preset weighing time is set, such as 3 minutes. If the weighing process has not obtained a valid weight result after 3 minutes, the weighing ends, and the weighing result is configured with a multi-load preset value. In other words, a weighing result is forcibly output to drive the appointment process to continue, avoiding interruption and ensuring the accuracy of the appointment sequence.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present invention, in step S3, the method further includes: Set the delivery time window after issuing the prompt; Start the reservation countdown after the release window.

[0011] In this embodiment, after determining the dosage of the care agent based on the weighing result and issuing a prompt, a dosage time window is set, such as 30 seconds. During the dosage time window, the dosage prompt is continuously issued and the user is monitored to see if the care agent is dispensed. After the dosage time window ends, the reservation countdown is automatically started regardless of whether the user dispenses the care agent in time, to ensure that the reservation sequence is not delayed.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, the method further includes: Record the weighing results; The execution parameters of the nursing procedure are determined based on the weighing results.

[0013] In this embodiment, after the weighing process obtains the weighing result, the weighing result is recorded. The execution parameters of the nursing program are calculated or queried based on the weighing result. When the nursing program is executed, the nursing program can be executed based on the execution parameters related to the weighing result. Taking the washing program of a washing machine as an example, the washing water level, washing intensity, etc. can be calculated or queried based on the weighing result.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, the method further includes: If a cancellation instruction is received before initiating the nursing procedure, return to step S1.

[0015] In this embodiment, at any stage before the nursing procedure is started, the user can cancel the appointment process through the control panel. The system will immediately terminate the appointment, unlock the door lock, and return to standby mode.

[0016] The present invention also proposes a garment care device, comprising: The settings unit is used to select care procedures and set appointment times; The weighing unit is used to initiate the weighing process. The prompting unit is used to determine the dosage of the nursing agent based on the weighing results and issue a prompt. The appointment procedure initiation unit is used to initiate the appointment procedure after the nursing agent is administered.

[0017] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages and positive effects of this invention are as follows: The garment care device proposed in this invention, targeting garment care devices lacking automatic detergent dispensing functionality, allows users to select a care program and set a reservation time via a control panel or smart terminal. Unlike existing technologies that directly initiate the reservation program, this invention first starts a weighing process, calculates the detergent dosage based on the weighing results, and prompts the user to dispense the detergent according to the calculated amount. The reservation program is only initiated after the user has dispensed the detergent. This invention moves the weighing process before the reservation confirmation, allowing users to accurately dispense detergent based on the weighing results before confirming the reservation. Simultaneously, it avoids the problem of reservation interruption due to weighing anomalies before the washing program starts, significantly improving the reliability of scheduled garment care and the user experience.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present invention, the device further includes: The first scheduled interruption handling unit is used to terminate the weighing process and configure the weighing result to the multi-load preset value if the weighing unit has not obtained a valid weighing result when the preset weighing time is reached.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present invention, the device further includes: The second reservation interruption handling unit is used to set the delivery time window after the prompting unit issues a prompt, and to start the reservation countdown after the delivery time window.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present invention, the device further includes: The nursing procedure configuration unit is used to record the weighing results and determine the execution parameters of the nursing procedure based on the weighing results after the appointment procedure is started and during the execution of the nursing procedure.

[0021] In some embodiments of the present invention, the device further includes: The appointment cancellation unit is used to cancel the appointment procedure if a cancellation instruction is received after the appointment procedure has been started by the appointment procedure initiation unit but before the nursing procedure has been started.

[0022] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer after reading the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the steps of the reservation control method for clothing care equipment proposed in this invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the steps of the reservation control method for clothing care equipment in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the steps of the reservation control method for clothing care equipment in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the functional structure of the garment care device proposed in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "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 limitations on this invention.

[0027] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances. In the description of the above embodiments, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0028] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0029] Existing garment care devices that lack automatic detergent dispensing functionality require users to select a care program and configure parameters via a control panel or smart control terminal before initiating the reservation process. The reservation program then begins a countdown and automatically starts at the preset time. In this method, users must manually estimate the required detergent dosage. This invention aims to address the limitations of automatic detergent dispensing in garment care devices such as washing machines and washer-dryer combos by providing a reservation function that accurately dispenses detergent, thereby improving the effectiveness of the reservation function.

[0030] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the reservation control method for clothing care equipment proposed in this invention includes the following steps: S1: Select a care procedure and set an appointment time.

[0031] Taking a washing machine as an example, after putting the clothes to be washed into the washing machine drum, the user closes the door and selects the desired care program through its control panel, such as the standard washing program, quick washing program, cotton and linen washing program, gentle washing program, etc. Then, the user adjusts the washing parameters (water temperature, duration, number of rinses, etc.) by pressing the buttons, and finally sets the reservation time by pressing the buttons.

[0032] S2: Start the weighing process.

[0033] After setting the appointment time, the user presses the appointment program start button, and the controller starts the weighing process to weigh the clothes in the drum. During the weighing process, the drum rotates at a low speed to obtain the motor current and estimate the weight of the clothes based on the changes in motor current.

[0034] S3: Determine the dosage of the nursing agent based on the weighing results and issue a prompt.

[0035] After weighing, the amount of care agent to be added is calculated based on the weighing results, and the user is then prompted to add the care agent through methods such as beeping and displaying prompts.

[0036] S4: Initiate the appointment process after administering the care solution.

[0037] Users can add the appropriate amount of care solution to the care solution box according to the prompts. After the user closes the care solution box, the controller will automatically start the reservation program.

[0038] Once the appointment process is initiated, a countdown timer will be displayed on the screen, and the nursing procedure will automatically start when the appointment time arrives.

[0039] This invention moves the weighing process forward to before the reservation confirmation, allowing users to accurately add detergent based on the weighing results before confirming the reservation. Furthermore, in existing technologies, the weighing process lags behind the reservation process. Therefore, if a weighing anomaly occurs during the care program, the reservation process will be interrupted, and the care program cannot be executed normally. By designing the weighing process forward in this invention, not only can the accuracy of detergent dosage be improved, but the problem of reservation interruption due to weighing anomalies before the washing program starts can also be avoided, significantly improving the reliability of scheduled garment care and the user experience.

[0040] The following detailed description of the implementation of the reservation control method proposed in this invention in a garment care device is based on specific embodiments.

[0041] The first embodiment of the present invention takes a washing machine as an example, such as... Figure 2 As shown, appointment control includes the following steps: S21: Select the washing program and set the scheduled time.

[0042] After placing the clothes to be washed into the washing machine drum, the user closes the door, selects the desired washing program through the control panel, adjusts the washing parameters (water temperature, duration, number of rinses, etc.) using the buttons, and finally sets the preset time using the buttons.

[0043] S22: Start the weighing process and start the weighing timer.

[0044] After setting the appointment time, the user presses the appointment program start button, and the controller starts the weighing process to weigh the clothes in the drum. At the same time, an overdue weighing limit is set: a preset weighing time, which is used as the start time for a countdown. If the weighing result is obtained before the countdown reaches zero, step S24 is executed; if the weighing result is not obtained when the countdown reaches zero, step S23 is executed.

[0045] While weighing, the display panel can provide prompts to the user, such as "Weighing in progress" or "Weighing in progress, please wait to add detergent."

[0046] S23: If the preset weighing time has not been reached and no valid weighing result has been obtained, end the weighing and configure the weighing result to the multi-load preset value.

[0047] If the weighing process does not obtain a valid load result within the preset weighing time after startup, the weighing will end and the weighing result will be configured with multiple load preset values ​​(timeout fault tolerance mechanism). In other words, a weighing result will be forcibly output to push the reservation process to continue. This "pre-weighing + timeout fault tolerance weighing control mechanism" avoids the reservation process from being interrupted and ensures the accuracy of the reservation sequence.

[0048] S24: Record the weighing results and calculate the detergent dosage based on the weighing results.

[0049] S25: Prompt the user to add detergent according to the calculated detergent dosage.

[0050] Users can be guided to accurately dispensing detergent through voice prompts or display screen prompts.

[0051] S26: Initiate the reservation procedure after adding detergent.

[0052] Users can add the appropriate amount of detergent, fabric softener, etc. to the detergent dispenser according to the prompts. After the user closes the detergent dispenser, the controller will automatically start the reservation program.

[0053] Once the reservation process is initiated, a countdown timer will be displayed on the screen. At this point, the user's reservation process is complete.

[0054] S27: Determine the execution parameters of the washing program based on the weighing results.

[0055] Before the washing program is executed, the execution parameters of the washing program are calculated or queried based on the weighing results. These execution parameters include, but are not limited to, washing duration, washing water level, and washing intensity. This embodiment reuses the weighing results from the preceding weighing process, determining the corresponding execution parameters before the washing program is executed. This eliminates the need for confirmation after the washing program starts, improving detergent dosing accuracy, avoiding interruptions in the reservation process, and enhancing the efficiency of washing parameter adaptation.

[0056] S28: Determine the start time of the washing program based on the washing duration, and start the washing program when the start time is reached.

[0057] After determining the estimated washing time based on the weighing results, the system calculates the start time for the washing program according to the user's scheduled time. For example, if the user schedules the wash to finish at 6 PM and the estimated washing time is one hour, the washing program will start at 5 PM. When 5 PM arrives, the washing program will automatically start and execute the washing program according to the previously determined washing parameters.

[0058] S29: After the washing program is completed, unlock the door and issue a notification.

[0059] The second embodiment of the present invention still uses a washing machine as an example, such as... Figure 3 As shown, appointment control includes the following steps: S31: Select the washing program and set the scheduled time.

[0060] S32: Start the weighing process and start the weighing timer.

[0061] After setting the appointment time, the user presses the appointment program start button, and the controller starts the weighing process to weigh the clothes in the drum. At the same time, an overdue weighing limit is set: a preset weighing time, which is used as the start time for a countdown. If the weighing result is obtained before the countdown reaches zero, step S34 is executed; if the weighing result is not obtained when the countdown reaches zero, step S33 is executed.

[0062] While weighing, the display panel can provide prompts to the user, such as "Weighing in progress" or "Weighing in progress, please wait to add detergent."

[0063] S33: If the preset weighing time has not been reached and no valid weighing result has been obtained, end the weighing and configure the weighing result to the multi-load preset value.

[0064] If the weighing process does not obtain a valid load result within the preset weighing time after startup, the weighing will end and the weighing result will be configured with multiple load preset values ​​(timeout fault tolerance mechanism). In other words, a weighing result will be forcibly output to push the reservation process to continue. This "pre-weighing + timeout fault tolerance weighing control mechanism" avoids the reservation process from being interrupted and ensures the accuracy of the reservation sequence.

[0065] S34: Record the weighing results and calculate the detergent dosage based on the weighing results.

[0066] S35: Prompt the user to add detergent according to the calculated amount, and set the time window for adding detergent after issuing the prompt.

[0067] Use voice prompts or display screen prompts to guide users to accurately dispense detergent. Simultaneously, set a dispensing time window, such as 30 seconds, to continuously guide users to dispense detergent within that 30-second window.

[0068] S36: Initiate the reservation process after the release time window.

[0069] Users can add the appropriate amount of detergent, fabric softener, etc., to the detergent dispenser according to the prompts, and then close the detergent dispenser. The controller will automatically start the reservation program. If the user does not add detergent according to the prompts (forgot or no detergent is needed), the reservation program will automatically start after the detergent dispensing time window ends to ensure that the reservation sequence is not delayed.

[0070] Once the reservation process is initiated, a countdown timer will be displayed on the screen. At this point, the user's reservation process is complete.

[0071] S37: Determine the execution parameters of the washing program based on the weighing results.

[0072] Before the washing program is executed, the execution parameters of the washing program are calculated or queried based on the weighing results. These execution parameters include, but are not limited to, washing duration, washing water level, and washing intensity. This embodiment reuses the weighing results from the preceding weighing process, determining the corresponding execution parameters before the washing program is executed. This eliminates the need for confirmation after the washing program starts, improving detergent dosing accuracy, avoiding interruptions in the reservation process, and enhancing the efficiency of washing parameter adaptation.

[0073] S38: Determine the start time of the washing program based on the washing duration, and start the washing program when the start time is reached.

[0074] After determining the estimated washing time based on the weighing results, the time point for starting the washing program is calculated according to the user's scheduled time. When the time point for starting the washing program arrives, the washing program is automatically started and executed according to the previously determined washing parameters.

[0075] S39: After the washing program is completed, unlock the door and issue a notification.

[0076] Implement closed-loop control for washing completion, door lock unlocking, buzzer prompt, and automatic shutdown.

[0077] In both of the above embodiments, at any stage before the nursing procedure is started, the user can cancel the appointment process through the control panel. The system will immediately terminate the appointment, unlock the door, and return to standby mode.

[0078] The third embodiment of the present invention provides a garment care device, such as... Figure 4 As shown, it includes: The settings unit is used to select care procedures and set appointment times.

[0079] The weighing unit is used to initiate the weighing process.

[0080] The prompting unit is used to determine the dosage of the nursing agent based on the weighing results and to issue a prompt.

[0081] The appointment procedure initiation unit is used to initiate the appointment procedure after the nursing agent is administered.

[0082] The first scheduled interruption handling unit is used to terminate the weighing process and configure the weighing result to the multi-load preset value if the weighing unit has not obtained a valid weighing result when the preset weighing time is reached.

[0083] The second reservation interruption handling unit is used to set the delivery time window after the prompting unit issues a prompt, and to start the reservation countdown after the delivery time window.

[0084] The nursing procedure configuration unit is used to record the weighing results and determine the execution parameters of the nursing procedure based on the weighing results after the appointment procedure is started and during the execution of the nursing procedure.

[0085] The appointment cancellation unit is used to cancel the appointment procedure if a cancellation instruction is received after the appointment procedure has been started by the appointment procedure initiation unit but before the nursing procedure has been started.

[0086] The specific reservation control method for this garment care equipment has been described in detail and will not be repeated here.

[0087] It should be noted that the above description is not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the examples given above. Any changes, modifications, additions, or substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention, such as splitting and combining the contents of the above embodiments to implement several safety control schemes, should also fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A reservation control method for garment care equipment, characterized in that, include: S1, Select the nursing procedure and set the appointment time; S2, start the weighing process; S3, determine the dosage of the nursing agent based on the weighing results and issue a prompt; S4, initiate the appointment process after administering the care solution.

2. The reservation control method for garment care equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S2, the method further includes: If no valid weighing result is obtained after the preset weighing time has elapsed, the weighing process will end, and the weighing result will be configured to the multi-load preset value.

3. The reservation control method for garment care equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S3, the method further includes: Set the delivery time window after issuing the prompt; Start the reservation countdown after the release window.

4. The reservation control method for garment care equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Record the weighing results; The execution parameters of the nursing procedure are determined based on the weighing results.

5. The reservation control method for clothing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: If a cancellation instruction is received before initiating the nursing procedure, return to step S1.

6. A garment care device, characterized in that, include: The settings unit is used to select care procedures and set appointment times; The weighing unit is used to initiate the weighing process. The prompting unit is used to determine the dosage of the nursing agent based on the weighing results and issue a prompt. The appointment procedure initiation unit is used to initiate the appointment procedure after the nursing agent is administered.

7. The garment care device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The device also includes: The first scheduled interruption handling unit is used to terminate the weighing process and configure the weighing result to the multi-load preset value if the weighing unit has not obtained a valid weighing result when the preset weighing time is reached.

8. The garment care device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The device also includes: The second reservation interruption handling unit is used to set the delivery time window after the prompting unit issues a prompt, and to start the reservation countdown after the delivery time window.

9. The garment care device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The device also includes: The nursing procedure configuration unit is used to record the weighing results and determine the execution parameters of the nursing procedure based on the weighing results.

10. The garment care device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The device also includes: The appointment cancellation unit is used to cancel the appointment procedure if a cancellation instruction is received after the appointment procedure has been started by the appointment procedure initiation unit but before the nursing procedure has been started.

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