Laundry drying method and laundry treating apparatus
By combining an infrared temperature sensor and a high-speed fan, the problem of clothing wear caused by the rotation of the inner drum in traditional dryers and the failure of the metal strip to determine dryness has been solved, achieving a more accurate and reliable clothing drying process, which is especially suitable for soft or delicate clothing.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- QINGDAO HAIER WASHING ELECTRIC APPLIANCES CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-09
AI Technical Summary
The rotation of the inner drum in traditional tumble dryers causes wear and tear on clothes, and the metal strip method for determining dryness fails when the inner drum is not in contact with the clothes.
Infrared temperature sensors are used to detect the temperature inside the inner drum, generate temperature dot matrix data, identify temperature change trends, and determine that the clothes are dry when the temperature changes tend to stabilize and the stable state continues for a specified time. Combined with a high-speed fan, vortexes are formed to reduce the contact between the clothes and the drum wall.
It improves the accuracy of drying judgment, avoids clothing wear and tear and the failure of the metal strip drying judgment method, protects various types of clothing, and improves drying effect and reliability.
Smart Images

Figure CN122169326A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of home appliance control technology, and in particular to a method for determining the dryness of clothing and a clothing processing device. Background Technology
[0002] In traditional tumble dryers, the inner drum rotates during drying, causing the clothes to come into contact with the drum wall. This rotation can lead to wear and tear on the clothes. Additionally, traditional dryer designs often use metal strips to determine the dryness of the clothes. One or more metal strips are installed inside the dryer drum, passing through the drum wall and contacting the clothes. When wet clothes come into contact with the metal strips, the moisture on the clothes is conductive, causing current to flow between the strips. By detecting the magnitude and changes in this current, the remaining moisture level of the clothes can be determined.
[0003] To prevent wear and tear on clothes caused by the inner drum's rotation, some designs prevent the inner drum from contacting the clothes. When the inner drum and clothes are not in contact, the metal strip also cannot contact the clothes, rendering traditional methods for determining garment dryness ineffective. Summary of the Invention
[0004] This invention provides a method for determining the dryness of clothing and a clothing processing device, which solves the problems of clothing wear caused by the rotation of the inner drum in traditional methods and the failure of the metal strip method for determining dryness.
[0005] In a first aspect, the clothing drying method provided in the embodiments of the present invention is applied to a clothing processing device having a drying function and including an inner drum, comprising:
[0006] Infrared temperature sensors are used to detect the temperature inside the inner cylinder, and temperature matrix data is obtained.
[0007] Identify temperature change trends based on temperature matrix data;
[0008] The clothes are considered dry when the temperature changes tend to stabilize and the stable state continues for a specified duration.
[0009] Optionally, temperature change trends can be identified based on temperature matrix data, including:
[0010] Calculate at least one of the following for each detection time: temperature difference, mean, variance, and standard deviation, based on the temperature matrix data.
[0011] Plot a temperature trend graph based on at least one of the temperature difference, mean, variance, and standard deviation at each detection time.
[0012] Identify temperature change trends based on the trend graph.
[0013] Optionally, the infrared temperature sensor can be rotated at multiple angles.
[0014] Optionally, the inner drum can be rotated during the drying process to tumble the clothes inside. If the temperature changes before and after tumbling tend to be stable, the clothes are determined to be dry.
[0015] Optionally, the tumbling frequency of the tubular clothing increases progressively with the lengthening of the drying time.
[0016] Optionally, when the inner drum is not rotating, the current moisture content of the clothing can be identified;
[0017] The tumbling frequency of tubular underwear is set according to the moisture content. The lower the moisture content, the faster the tumbling frequency of the tubular underwear.
[0018] Optionally, a high-speed fan outlet can be installed at the bottom of the garment processing equipment to generate a vortex that passes through the bottom of the garments, reducing the contact between the garments and the drum wall.
[0019] Optionally, the high-speed fan can be started while keeping the inner cylinder from rotating.
[0020] Optionally, it also includes:
[0021] Get the weight of the clothing;
[0022] The speed of the high-speed fan is adjusted according to the weight of the clothing; the heavier the clothing, the stronger the corresponding airflow.
[0023] Secondly, the garment processing equipment provided in the embodiments of the present invention employs the garment drying method as described in any embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] In this embodiment of the invention, an infrared temperature sensor detects the temperature inside the inner drum in real time, generating temperature dot matrix data. This allows for a more accurate understanding of the current temperature distribution within the inner drum. The temperature dot matrix data identifies temperature change trends, which effectively determine dryness. When the temperature stabilizes and remains stable for a specified duration, the clothes are determined to be dry. This specified duration avoids false alarms. Compared to traditional metal strip drying methods, the infrared temperature sensor's non-contact detection avoids false alarms caused by poor contact between the clothes and the detection element, improving the accuracy of drying determination. It also completely eliminates the need for clothing contact in traditional metal strip methods, making the drying process more reliable. This method is particularly suitable for soft or finely textured clothing, as insufficient contact area does not affect the detection results. In short, this embodiment of the invention utilizes infrared temperature detection for drying determination, eliminating the need for clothing to contact the drum wall. This solves the problems of clothing wear caused by inner drum rotation and the failure of metal strip drying methods in traditional methods. It not only improves the drying effect but also better protects various types of clothing. Attached Figure Description
[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart of a clothing dryness determination method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] Figure 2a This is another flowchart illustrating the clothing dryness determination method provided in this embodiment of the invention;
[0028] Figure 2b This is an example diagram of a method for detecting the temperature inside the inner cylinder provided in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] Figure 2c This is an example diagram of temperature matrix data provided in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] Figure 2d This is an example diagram of the temperature change trend provided in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] Figure 3 This is another flowchart illustrating the method for determining the dryness of clothing provided in this embodiment of the invention. Detailed Implementation
[0032] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. 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 should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0033] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.
[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart of a clothing drying method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The clothing drying method provided in this embodiment is applicable to scenarios where clothing is dried using a clothing processing device. The clothing processing device can be a household appliance with a drying function and has an inner drum. For example, the clothing processing device can be a dryer, a washer-dryer combo, a garment care machine, etc.
[0035] Before formally introducing the clothing drying method provided in the embodiments of the present invention, let's first introduce the principle of clothing drying in the present invention. The present invention uses an infrared temperature sensor to detect the surface temperature of an object, thereby realizing clothing drying.
[0036] Infrared temperature sensors detect the surface temperature of objects based on infrared radiation thermometry. All objects with a temperature above absolute zero (-273.15°C) radiate infrared radiation. Infrared temperature sensors determine the surface temperature of an object by detecting and analyzing this infrared radiation. An infrared temperature sensor typically consists of a lens system, a detector, a signal processing circuit, and a display or control circuit. The lens system focuses and collects the infrared radiation from the object; the detector converts the infrared radiation into an electrical signal; common detector types include thermopile detectors and thermistors; the signal processing circuit amplifies, digitizes, and processes the electrical signal, typically including an analog-to-digital converter and an amplifier; and the display or control circuit converts the processed data into a temperature reading.
[0037] In this embodiment, the infrared temperature sensor can be installed inside the garment processing equipment. Specifically, it can be installed above the inner drum, and one or more infrared temperature sensors can be installed. The infrared temperature sensor can scan downwards, with its viewing angle covering the entire measurement area from top to bottom. Alternatively, the infrared temperature sensor can be installed in other positions within the garment processing equipment that can illuminate the entire area inside the drum, such as directly in front of the inner drum. The infrared temperature sensor can also be configured to rotate at multiple angles, such as 360 degrees, to achieve comprehensive illumination of the inner drum without blind spots. The infrared temperature sensor can be a multi-point infrared temperature sensor, containing multiple infrared detection units. These infrared detection units form an array that can cover multiple measurement points. Each independent detection unit detects infrared radiation at a specific location, thereby simultaneously measuring the temperature of multiple points. The measured temperature data is presented in the form of an M×N matrix, where M and N are both integers greater than 1, that is, the detection area is divided into an M×N dot matrix, and the temperature data of each point is recorded independently. Infrared temperature sensors detect the temperature inside the inner drum in real time or at short intervals (e.g., 3s, 5s). The detected temperatures can include the surface temperature of the clothing and the temperature of the surrounding environment, such as the temperature of the inner drum wall, the temperature of the inner drum's lifting ribs, and the temperature of the air inside the inner drum. The temperature data is transmitted to the signal processing circuit in matrix form. The signal processing circuit is responsible for converting this data into digital signals for analysis by the control system of the clothing handling equipment.
[0038] In the initial stage of drying, the inner drum heats up while the clothes are damp. Due to moisture evaporation, the temperature of the clothes is lower than that of the drum wall. Therefore, the infrared temperature sensor detects relatively low temperature areas, which can be defined as "wet areas" or "cold areas." As the drying process progresses, the clothes gradually become dry, and the area of the "wet areas" or "cold areas" reflected in the temperature data gradually decreases. The temperature of the clothes gradually rises, eventually approaching the temperature of the surrounding environment, and the temperature change tends to stabilize. Therefore, the temperature change trend can be determined based on the temperature detection data. When the temperature change tends to stabilize and remains stable for a specified period of time, it can be determined that the clothes are dry.
[0039] Continue reading Figure 1 The method for determining the dryness of clothing in this embodiment may include the following steps:
[0040] Step 110: Use an infrared temperature sensor to detect the temperature inside the inner cylinder and obtain temperature matrix data.
[0041] In this embodiment, the clothing may come into contact with the drum wall, or it may have little or no contact with the drum wall. That is, the infrared drying method of this embodiment does not require whether the clothing is in contact with the drum wall. Therefore, it is fully applicable to drying scenarios where the clothing has little or no contact with the drum wall. Less or no contact between the clothing and the drum wall can reduce wear and tear on the clothing from the inner drum. The inner drum is a cylindrical container inside the clothing processing equipment used to hold the clothing to be dried.
[0042] To minimize or eliminate contact between clothes and the drum wall, a high-speed fan can be used. This fan creates a vortex of air within the drum, distributing the clothes evenly. A high-speed fan is a device that generates a strong airflow through rapidly rotating blades or a turbine, producing a large volume of high-speed air. The high-speed fan can be installed near the lint filter at the bottom of the dryer. When the fan is turned on, the airflow passes through the clothes in the drum, creating a vortex and suspending them within the drum, thus reducing contact between the clothes and the drum wall during drying. Reducing contact can include at least one of reducing the contact area, reducing contact pressure, or reducing contact friction. Of course, the high-speed fan can also be installed in other locations on the dryer, such as near the lower rear wall of the drum or at the center of the bottom. There are no specific limitations; the key is that the airflow creates a vortex or suspends the clothes within the drum.
[0043] Specifically, before activating the high-speed fan to distribute the clothes in a vortex within the drum, it can be determined whether the high-speed fan's activation conditions are met. If so, the high-speed fan is activated. For example, the currently selected drying mode can be determined; if the drying mode is vortex drying, the high-speed fan is activated to meet the user's actual drying needs. Additionally, the high-speed fan generates significant noise during operation. The current time can also be determined; if the current time falls outside of rest periods, the high-speed fan is activated to avoid noise disturbance to the user. Non-rest periods can be set or determined based on the household's daily routines. For example, 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM can be designated as rest periods, and the time outside of these rest periods is considered non-rest periods. Furthermore, during non-rest periods, it can be further checked whether anyone is home; if no one is home, the high-speed fan can still be activated without disturbing the user.
[0044] The system can measure the weight of the clothes inside the drum and adjust the high-speed fan's power accordingly. Heavier clothes require a stronger fan, which then blows the clothes into a vortex within the drum. This ensures that clothes of varying weights are evenly distributed within the vortex while avoiding excessive airflow. For example, a 2kg garment can be blown at level 2, and a 4kg garment at level 5.
[0045] Temperature matrix data refers to temperature data collected by an infrared temperature sensor and presented in matrix form. Each point in the matrix corresponds to the temperature value at a specific location within the inner drum. The temperature inside the inner drum can be detected in real-time or at preset time intervals, yielding a set of temperature matrix data each time. Multiple sets of temperature matrix data can be obtained, each corresponding to a specific detection time. The temperature matrix data can include the surface temperature of the clothing and the temperature of the surrounding environment. Specific partitions can be determined based on the location of the infrared temperature sensor or its detection position, or based on the temperature distribution.
[0046] Step 120: Identify temperature change trends based on temperature matrix data.
[0047] Temperature change trend refers to the direction and extent of temperature change over a certain time series. It can be identified by analyzing the changes in temperature matrix data over time, which can help to understand whether the temperature is rising or falling, and the rate of change.
[0048] Specifically, at least one of the temperature difference, mean, variance, and standard deviation at each detection time can be calculated based on each set of temperature matrix data. A temperature trend graph can be plotted based on at least one of the temperature difference, mean, variance, and standard deviation at each detection time. The horizontal axis of the temperature trend graph can represent the detection time, and the vertical axis can represent at least one of the temperature difference, mean, variance, and standard deviation at the corresponding detection time. Alternatively, the vertical axis can also represent a combination of several of the temperature difference, mean, variance, and standard deviation at the corresponding detection time.
[0049] To calculate the temperature difference at the current moment using current temperature lattice data, the two extreme values can be identified, and the difference between them can be used to determine the current temperature difference. These extreme values can be the maximum and minimum values in the current temperature lattice data; the difference between the maximum and minimum values is used to determine the current temperature difference. Alternatively, the extreme values can be a combination of several higher and lower temperature values. The average of the higher and lower temperature values can be calculated, and the difference between these two averages is the current temperature difference. Alternatively, the undried area at the current moment can be identified based on temperature matrix data, and the proportion of the undried area in the overall detection area can be determined as the current temperature difference. The undried area typically represents parts of the clothing where moisture has not completely evaporated; it can be the previously mentioned "wet area" or "cold area." Specifically, a temperature threshold can be set as the boundary between dry and undried. For example, if the temperature at a point inside the inner drum is lower than the temperature threshold, that point is considered a low-temperature point, and the clothing at that point is not yet dry. The temperature matrix can be traversed to mark points below the temperature threshold, thus obtaining the low-temperature points. These low-temperature points correspond to specific locations inside the inner drum, and these locations constitute the undried area at the current moment. The number of low-temperature points constituting the undried area can represent the size of the undried area, and the number of points constituting the overall detection area can represent the size of the overall detection area.
[0050] The mean temperature at the current detection time can be obtained by summing all temperatures in the current temperature matrix data and dividing the sum by the number of points in the current temperature matrix data. Variance and standard deviation are two important indicators in statistics used to measure the dispersion of data. Variance can be calculated based on the specific data of each point and the mean temperature, while standard deviation is the square root of the variance.
[0051] For example, the temperature difference, mean, variance, or standard deviation at each detection time can be used as the vertical axis data, and the corresponding detection time can be used as the horizontal axis data to plot a temperature change trend graph. Alternatively, the temperature distribution coefficient can be calculated based on the temperature difference, mean, variance, or standard deviation. The temperature distribution coefficient can be the ratio of the variance to the temperature mean, or it can be the ratio of the standard deviation to the temperature mean. The temperature distribution coefficient at the corresponding detection time can then be used as the vertical axis data, and the corresponding detection time can be used as the horizontal axis data to plot a temperature change trend graph.
[0052] Step 130: When the temperature change tends to stabilize and the stable state continues for a specified duration, determine that the clothes are dry.
[0053] A steady state, also known as a convergent state, refers to a state where temperature changes have slowed down or stopped, reaching a dynamic equilibrium. Specifically, a preset range of temperature change can be established. When the temperature change falls within this preset range, it is considered to have reached a stable state. The preset range can be understood as an upper and lower limit value set in temperature change trend analysis, which can be set according to actual needs, experiments, or experience. When the temperature change (e.g., an increase or decrease in temperature) falls within this range, the temperature change is considered minor and in a relatively stable state. For example, the preset range can be set to 0.02, 0.03, etc.
[0054] In practice, the system can determine that the clothes are dry when the temperature change stabilizes. Alternatively, it can determine that the clothes are dry when the temperature stabilizes for a specified duration. A single stable temperature state may be temporary, caused by changes in ambient temperature, sensor errors, or other interference factors. By setting a specified duration, the influence of these random factors on the judgment can be reduced, improving the reliability of the judgment. The specified duration can be set according to actual needs, experiments, or experience. For example, the specified duration can be set to 2 minutes, 3 minutes, etc.
[0055] During the clothes drying process, the drum can be controlled to rotate or remain stationary. If the drum is controlled to rotate, it can tumble the clothes inside. When determining if the clothes are dry, the temperature change before and after tumbling can be used as a reference. If the temperature change before and after tumbling tends to stabilize and the stable state continues for a preset time, then the clothes are determined to be dry.
[0056] In this embodiment, an infrared temperature sensor detects the temperature inside the inner drum in real time, generating temperature dot matrix data. This allows for a more accurate understanding of the current temperature distribution within the inner drum. The temperature dot matrix data identifies temperature change trends, which effectively determine dryness. When the temperature stabilizes and remains stable for a specified duration, the clothes are determined to be dry. This specified duration avoids false alarms. Compared to traditional metal strip drying methods, the infrared temperature sensor's non-contact detection avoids false alarms caused by poor contact between the clothes and the detection element, improving the accuracy of drying determination. It also completely eliminates the need for clothing contact in traditional metal strip methods, making the drying process more reliable. This method is particularly suitable for soft or delicate fabrics, as insufficient contact area does not affect the detection results. In short, this embodiment utilizes infrared temperature detection for drying determination, eliminating the need for clothing contact with the drum wall. This solves the problems of clothing wear caused by inner drum rotation and the failure of metal strip drying methods in traditional methods. It not only improves the drying effect but also better protects various types of clothing.
[0057] The following embodiment uses the example of using a high-speed fan to dry clothes. A high-speed fan outlet can be installed at the bottom of the clothing processing equipment. The airflow creates a vortex that passes through the bottom of the clothes, reducing the contact between the clothes and the drum wall. During the high-speed fan drying process, the inner drum can be controlled to rotate or remain stationary.
[0058] Taking the example of activating a high-speed fan and controlling the inner drum to not rotate, the method for determining the dryness of clothes provided in this embodiment of the invention will be further explained. Figure 2a As shown, the method in this embodiment includes:
[0059] Step 210: While keeping the inner drum from rotating, start the high-speed fan to create a vortex using airflow, which passes through the bottom of the garment and reduces the contact between the garment and the drum wall.
[0060] Specifically, you can first determine whether the currently selected drying mode is vortex drying. If so, then activate the high-speed fan. If not, then do not activate the high-speed fan and use conventional drying.
[0061] The currently selected drying mode can refer to the preset drying mode chosen by the user when using the garment processing equipment. Alternatively, it can be a preset drying mode automatically selected by the garment processing equipment based on user needs and the characteristics of the garments to be dried. Preset drying modes can include various options, such as vortex drying, conventional drying, rapid drying, and timed drying. Vortex drying, proposed in this invention, uses a high-speed fan to blow the garments into a vortex distributed within the inner drum, causing them to suspend or partially suspend within the drum. This reduces contact and friction between the garments and the inner drum wall, improving drying efficiency and protecting the garments.
[0062] If the high-speed fan is selected for drying clothes, the weight of the clothes can be obtained. The fan speed can then be adjusted accordingly; heavier clothes require a stronger fan. This ensures that clothes of varying weights are blown into a vortex distribution while avoiding excessive airflow. After the high-speed fan is activated at the set speed, the clothes may have less or no contact with the inner drum. The clothes will be suspended or partially suspended within the drum, forming a vortex. This prevents the inner drum from rotating, further reducing friction between the drum and the clothes and conserving resources.
[0063] Step 220: Use an infrared temperature sensor to detect the temperature inside the inner cylinder and obtain temperature matrix data.
[0064] For example, such as Figure 2b As shown, the infrared temperature sensor can be positioned at the top front of the inner cylinder, with its viewing angle covering the entire measurement area from top to bottom. It can detect the temperature inside the inner cylinder in real time or at preset time intervals during high-speed fan operation. For example, a set of temperature dot matrix data can be obtained as follows: Figure 2c As shown, the temperature values include multiple points.
[0065] Step 230: Identify the temperature change trend based on the temperature matrix data.
[0066] Specifically, at least one of the temperature difference, mean, variance, and standard deviation at each detection time can be calculated based on the temperature matrix data. A temperature change trend graph can be plotted based on at least one of the temperature difference, mean, variance, and standard deviation at each detection time. The horizontal axis of the temperature change trend graph can represent the detection time, and the vertical axis can represent at least one of the temperature difference, mean, variance, and standard deviation at the corresponding detection time. Alternatively, the vertical axis can also represent a combination of several of the temperature difference, mean, variance, and standard deviation at the corresponding detection time.
[0067] For example, the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean temperature can be used as the temperature distribution coefficient. The temperature distribution coefficient at the corresponding detection time can be used as the vertical axis data, and the corresponding detection time as the horizontal axis data, to plot a temperature change trend graph. For example, the plotted temperature change trend graph can be as follows: Figure 2d As shown, the horizontal axis represents the temperature distribution coefficient, and the vertical axis represents the detection time. Figure 2d Examples of temperature change trends are given for drying clothes of different weights (e.g., 0.5kg, 1kg).
[0068] Step 240: When the temperature change tends to stabilize and the stable state continues for a specified duration, determine that the clothes are dry.
[0069] A steady state can refer to a state where temperature changes have slowed down or stopped, reaching a dynamic equilibrium. Specifically, a range of temperature change can be preset; when the temperature change falls within this preset range, it is determined that the temperature change has tended towards a steady state. For example, such as... Figure 2d As shown, the temperature distribution coefficients in both graphs eventually fall into a relatively small range of variation and remain there for a certain duration, indicating that the clothes are dry.
[0070] Once the system determines that the clothes are dry, it can control the high-speed fan to stop working and stop other drying components from operating. It can also send a drying notification to the user's terminal to remind them that the clothes are dry.
[0071] In this embodiment, a high-speed fan blows the clothes into a vortex, distributing them within the drum. The clothes are partially or completely suspended within the drum, reducing friction between the clothes and the drum wall, thus minimizing wear and tear caused by the drum's rotation during drying. The high-speed fan also reduces or eliminates contact between the clothes and the metal drum, better protecting the fabric and preventing damage and pilling caused by prolonged friction, thereby extending the garment's lifespan. Furthermore, the high-speed fan helps distribute the clothes more evenly within the drum, ensuring each garment receives more uniform hot air, further reducing the risk of localized overheating and wear. This method is particularly suitable for drying delicate and easily damaged fabrics such as silk and lace, avoiding the damage caused by traditional drum drying methods.
[0072] By using an infrared temperature sensor to detect the temperature inside the inner drum in real time and generating temperature dot matrix data, the current temperature distribution inside the inner drum can be more accurately grasped. Temperature change trends can be identified based on the temperature dot matrix data, and drying can be effectively determined based on these trends. When the temperature changes tend to stabilize and remain stable for a specified duration, the clothes are determined to be dry. The specified duration setting avoids false judgments. Compared with the traditional metal strip drying method, the infrared temperature sensor's non-contact detection avoids false judgments caused by poor contact between the clothes and the detection element, improving the accuracy of drying determination. It also completely eliminates the problem of clothing contact required by the traditional metal strip detection method, making the drying process more reliable. It is more suitable for soft or delicate clothing, and the detection results are not affected by insufficient contact area. In other words, this embodiment of the invention uses infrared temperature detection for drying determination, eliminating the need for clothing to contact the drum wall. This solves the problems of clothing wear caused by inner drum rotation and the failure of the metal strip drying method in traditional methods, not only improving the drying effect of clothes but also better protecting various types of clothing.
[0073] During the clothes drying process, controlling the inner drum to not rotate reduces unnecessary mechanical friction and energy consumption, reduces the working time and wear of the inner drum, motor and transmission device, and extends the service life of the equipment.
[0074] The following example, using the activation of a high-speed fan and control of the inner drum rotation, further illustrates the garment drying method provided in this embodiment of the invention. Figure 3As shown, the method in this embodiment includes:
[0075] Step 310: While controlling the inner drum to rotate, start the high-speed fan to use the wind power to form a vortex that passes through the bottom of the clothes and reduces the contact between the clothes and the drum wall.
[0076] You can first obtain the weight of the clothes when the inner drum is not rotating, and then set the airflow of the high-speed fan according to the weight of the clothes. The heavier the clothes, the stronger the corresponding airflow, ensuring that clothes of different weights are blown into a vortex distribution and avoiding excessive airflow. After activating the high-speed fan at the determined airflow, you can control the inner drum to rotate at a low speed. For example, if the inner drum is controlled to rotate at a first speed in the drying mode without the high-speed fan, then in the drying mode with the high-speed fan activated, the inner drum is controlled to rotate at a second speed, which is lower than the first speed. By reducing the speed, the friction between the inner drum and the clothes can be further reduced.
[0077] The inner drum rotates, causing the clothes inside to tumble. The tumbling frequency of the clothes can be increased progressively with longer drying time. As the drying time increases, the clothes become drier, and increasing the tumbling frequency allows more wet areas to be exposed as quickly as possible, ensuring that all sides of the clothes dry evenly and synchronously.
[0078] Alternatively, the system can identify the current moisture content of the clothes without rotating the inner drum. Based on this moisture content, the tumbling frequency of the clothes inside the drum can be set; the lower the moisture content, the faster the tumbling frequency. The inner drum rotates according to the set tumbling frequency to tumble the clothes. Lower moisture content results in higher dryness; increasing the tumbling frequency exposes more wet areas quickly, ensuring even and synchronized drying of all sides of the garment.
[0079] Step 320: Use an infrared temperature sensor to detect the temperature inside the inner cylinder and obtain temperature matrix data.
[0080] Step 330: Identify the temperature change trend based on the temperature dot matrix data.
[0081] Step 340: If the temperature change before and after the clothes are turned over tends to be stable and the stable state continues for a specified time, then the clothes are determined to be dry.
[0082] In this embodiment, during the drying process, the inner drum is controlled to rotate, and the rotation of the inner drum drives the clothes to tumble. Therefore, the temperature change trend before and after the clothes are tumbled can be identified. If the temperature change before and after the clothes are tumbled tends to be stable and the stable state continues for a specified time, then it is determined that the clothes have been dried.
[0083] Specifically, temperature data can be measured before each garment is turned over, and then measured again after each garment is turned over. Based on these data, at least one of the temperature difference, mean, variance, and standard deviation at each measurement time can be calculated. A temperature trend graph can be plotted based on at least one of these parameters at each measurement time, and the temperature change trend before and after garment turning over can be identified from the trend graph. For details on identifying the temperature change trend and determining dryness based on the temperature change trend, please refer to the description in the previous embodiments, which will not be repeated here. Identifying the temperature change trend before and after garment turning over to determine dryness can avoid misjudging that the garment is dry due to localized dryness, thus improving the accuracy of dryness determination.
[0084] In this embodiment, during the clothes drying process, the inner drum rotates at a low speed, and the tumbling frequency of the clothes is controlled according to the drying time or the moisture content of the clothes. By rotating the inner drum, the heated surface of the clothes is changed, and the clothes are fluffed up, avoiding the situation where the clothes are tangled together or some areas are not fully heated, thus ensuring that the clothes are dried more evenly. During the clothes drying process, controlling the rotation of the inner drum according to the actual situation and changing the tumbling frequency of the clothes can expose the wet areas in time, which can significantly improve the drying uniformity and efficiency.
[0085] It should be understood that, although Figure 2a , Figure 3 The steps in the flowchart are shown sequentially as indicated by the arrows, but these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless otherwise specified in this document, there is no strict order in which these steps are executed, and they can be performed in other orders. Furthermore, Figure 2a , Figure 3 At least some of the steps in the process may include multiple sub-steps or multiple stages. These sub-steps or stages are not necessarily completed at the same time, but can be executed at different times. The execution order of these sub-steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but can be executed in turn or alternately with other steps or at least some of the sub-steps or stages of other steps.
[0086] This invention also provides a garment processing device, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. When the processor executes the program, it implements the garment drying method provided in any of the above embodiments.
[0087] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used, with steps reordered, added, or deleted. For example, the steps described in this invention can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution of this invention can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.
[0088] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can occur depending on design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.
Claims
1. A method for determining the dryness of clothing, applied to a clothing processing device having a drying function and including an inner drum, characterized in that, include: Infrared temperature sensors are used to detect the temperature inside the inner cylinder, and temperature matrix data is obtained. Identify temperature change trends based on temperature matrix data; The clothes are considered dry when the temperature changes tend to stabilize and the stable state continues for a specified duration.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Identifying temperature change trends based on temperature matrix data, including: Calculate at least one of the following for each detection time: temperature difference, mean, variance, and standard deviation, based on the temperature matrix data. Plot a temperature trend graph based on at least one of the temperature difference, mean, variance, and standard deviation at each detection time. Identify temperature change trends based on the trend graph.
3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Infrared temperature sensors can rotate at multiple angles.
4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, During the drying process, the inner drum is rotated to tumble the clothes inside. If the temperature changes before and after tumbling tend to stabilize, the clothes are considered to be dry.
5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The tumbling frequency of tubular clothing increases progressively with the length of drying time.
6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the inner drum is not rotating, the current moisture content of the clothing is identified. The tumbling frequency of tubular underwear is set according to the moisture content. The lower the moisture content, the faster the tumbling frequency of the tubular underwear.
7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, A high-speed fan outlet is installed at the bottom of the garment processing equipment. The airflow is used to create a vortex that passes through the bottom of the clothes, reducing the contact between the clothes and the drum wall.
8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Start the high-speed fan while keeping the inner cylinder from rotating.
9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, Also includes: Get the weight of the clothing; The speed of the high-speed fan is adjusted according to the weight of the clothing; the heavier the clothing, the stronger the corresponding airflow.
10. A garment processing device, characterized in that, The method for determining the dryness of clothing as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 is adopted.