Laundry treating apparatus and method for detecting soil thereof

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of garment processing technology, and discloses a garment processing device and its soiling detection method. The garment processing device includes a housing and a drum assembly. The drum assembly includes an outer drum disposed within the housing, and an inner drum rotatably inside the outer drum. The inner drum has a transparent area, and the outer drum has a detection area. As the inner drum rotates, the transparent area aligns with the detection area. The garment processing device also includes an image acquisition device disposed within the housing, used to acquire images of the transparent area and the corresponding detection area when the transparent area aligns with the detection area. This garment processing device acquires images of the transparent area and the corresponding detection area when they align, and obtains analysis results of the soiling status of the drum assembly based on the images acquired by the image acquisition device, facilitating timely cleaning of the drum assembly and preventing garments from remaining uncleaned.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of clothing treatment technology, and in particular to a clothing treatment device and a method for detecting dirt in clothing. Background Technology

[0002] After prolonged use, existing clothing handling devices (such as washing machines) will accumulate a large amount of dirt in the drum assembly inside the machine. If not cleaned, it will not only be difficult to clean clothes effectively, but bacteria will also grow, causing mold and odor problems, which will endanger human health.

[0003] However, existing washing machines typically have an image acquisition device installed on the outer drum to capture images of the outer wall of the inner drum. The acquired images only show the dirt condition of the inner drum, without considering the dirt condition of the outer drum. This makes it impossible to effectively detect the overall dirt condition of both the outer and inner drums of the washing machine. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a clothing treatment device and a method for detecting dirt, which solves the technical problem in the prior art that only the dirt condition of the inner drum is obtained, while the dirt condition of the outer drum is not considered, resulting in the inability to effectively detect the overall dirt condition of the outer and inner drums of the washing machine.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] This invention provides a garment processing device, including a box and a tube assembly. The tube assembly includes an outer tube disposed in the box, an inner tube rotatably disposed inside the outer tube, a transparent area disposed in the inner tube, and a detection area disposed on the outer tube. When the inner tube rotates, the transparent area can be configured to correspond with the detection area.

[0007] The garment processing device further includes an image acquisition device, which is disposed inside the housing and is used to acquire images of the transparent area and the detection area corresponding to the transparent area when the transparent area corresponds to the detection area.

[0008] This garment processing device has a transparent area on the inner drum and a detection area on the outer drum. When the inner drum rotates, the transparent area can be aligned with the detection area. An image acquisition device captures images of the transparent area and the corresponding detection area when they are aligned, thereby determining the dirt level of the inner and outer drums. This improves the detection accuracy of the dirt level of the drum assembly of the garment processing device, allowing for timely cleaning of the drum assembly and preventing garments from being left uncleaned.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned clothing processing device, the box is provided with a loading port, and a door is provided at the loading port that can open or close the loading port. The image acquisition device is located in the upper middle part of the door.

[0010] Since the inner drum needs to rotate to align the transparent area and the detection area, the image acquisition device is mounted on the door. The inner drum can only rotate when the door is closed, which increases the safety of the garment handling device. The image acquisition device is also located in the upper middle part of the door to prevent it from being submerged in water, thus extending its service life.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned garment processing device, when the inner cylinder rotates a full circle, the area of ​​the outer cylinder corresponding to the rotation path of the transparent area is the detection selection area, and the detection area falls within the detection selection area or overlaps with the detection selection area.

[0012] The detection area falls within or overlaps with the selected detection area, so that the position of the detection area can be adjusted according to actual needs, making it suitable for different usage scenarios.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned garment processing device, the outer cylinder is provided with multiple detection areas, each of which is located within the selected detection area, and the multiple detection areas are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the outer cylinder.

[0014] The outer cylinder is equipped with multiple detection areas, each located within the selected detection area. These detection areas are spaced apart along the circumference of the outer cylinder. By rotating the inner cylinder, the detection areas at different positions can be matched, thereby enabling the detection of dirt and grime in the transparent area and at different locations on the outer cylinder, thus improving detection accuracy.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned clothing processing device, the detection area overlaps with the detection selection area, and the detection area has a ring structure.

[0016] The detection area overlaps with the selected detection area. The detection area is a ring structure. By rotating the inner cylinder, the transparent area and the ring structure detection area are continuously aligned, thereby detecting the dirt status of the transparent area and the entire ring structure detection area, improving detection accuracy.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned clothing processing device, a light-sensitive layer is provided on the side of the detection area facing the inner cylinder.

[0018] The addition of a light-sensitive layer can improve the accuracy of image acquisition devices when acquiring images.

[0019] The present invention also provides a method for detecting dirt in a garment processing device, applied to the aforementioned garment processing device, the method comprising the following steps:

[0020] The inner cylinder rotates so that the transparent area is positioned opposite to the detection area;

[0021] The image acquisition device acquires images of the transparent area and the detection area corresponding to the transparent area;

[0022] The analysis results of the dirt status of the cylinder assembly are obtained based on the images acquired by the image acquisition device.

[0023] The dirt detection method of this garment processing device involves rotating the inner drum so that the transparent area and the detection area are positioned opposite each other. An image acquisition device captures images of the transparent area and the detection area corresponding to the transparent area. Based on the images captured by the image acquisition device, the analysis results of the dirt status of the drum assembly are obtained, so as to clean the drum assembly in a timely manner and avoid the situation where the clothes cannot be washed clean.

[0024] As a preferred embodiment of the soiling detection method for the aforementioned clothing treatment device, the step of obtaining the analysis results of the soiling status of the tubular assembly based on the acquired images includes the following steps:

[0025] The image acquired by the image acquisition device is compared with a preset image to obtain the analysis result.

[0026] The analysis results of the dirt status of the cylinder assembly are obtained by comparing the image acquired by the image acquisition device with the preset image. The above judgment method is relatively convenient and easy to obtain analysis results.

[0027] As a preferred embodiment of the soiling detection method of the above-mentioned clothing processing device, the analysis results of the soiling status of the tubular assembly are displayed on the display screen of the clothing processing device, or transmitted to a mobile device via a communication module.

[0028] The analysis results are displayed on the screen of the garment processing device so that users can see the dirt status of the drum assembly.

[0029] As a preferred embodiment of the soiling detection method of the aforementioned clothing treatment device, when the soiling level of the tubular assembly reaches a preset soiling level, cleaning suggestions are provided to the user.

[0030] When the cylinder assembly reaches a preset level of dirt, cleaning suggestions are provided to the user so that the user can clean the cylinder assembly in a timely manner.

[0031] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0032] The clothing processing device proposed in this invention has a transparent area on the inner drum and a detection area on the outer drum. The transparent area can be aligned with the detection area when the inner drum rotates. An image acquisition device captures images of the transparent area and the detection area corresponding to the transparent area when they are aligned, thereby determining the dirt status of the inner and outer drums. This improves the detection accuracy of dirt on the drum assembly of the clothing processing device, allowing for timely cleaning of the drum assembly and preventing clothes from being left uncleaned.

[0033] The present invention proposes a method for detecting dirt in a clothing processing device. By rotating the inner drum, the transparent area is positioned opposite the detection area. An image acquisition device acquires images of the transparent area and the detection area corresponding to the transparent area. Based on the images acquired by the image acquisition device, the analysis results of the dirt status of the drum assembly are obtained, so as to clean the drum assembly in a timely manner and avoid the situation where clothes cannot be washed clean. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the clothing processing device provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 This is a first structural schematic diagram of the cylindrical assembly provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the second structure of the cylindrical assembly provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cylindrical assembly provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the soiling detection method of the clothing treatment device provided in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0039] In the picture:

[0040] 1. Box body; 11. Door body;

[0041] 2. Cylinder assembly; 21. Outer cylinder; 211. Detection area; 212. Detection selection area; 22. Inner cylinder; 221. Transparent area;

[0042] 3. Image acquisition device. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0044] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; 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; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0045] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0046] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, 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 the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0047] Example 1:

[0048] Existing washing machines typically have an image acquisition device installed on the outer drum to capture images of the outer wall of the inner drum. The acquired images show the dirt level of the inner drum, but do not take into account the dirt level of the outer drum, making it impossible to effectively detect the overall dirt level of both the outer and inner drums of the washing machine.

[0049] To solve the above problems, such as Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a garment processing device, including a housing 1 and a tubular assembly 2, as described above. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the cylinder assembly 2 includes an outer cylinder 21, which is disposed inside the housing 1. An inner cylinder 22 rotates inside the outer cylinder 21, and the inner cylinder 22 has a transparent area 221, such as... Figure 1As shown, the outer drum 21 is provided with a detection area 211, and the inner drum 22 rotates, allowing the transparent area 221 to correspond to the detection area 211. The garment processing device also includes an image acquisition device 3, which is disposed inside the housing 1 and is used to acquire images of the transparent area 221 and the detection area 211 corresponding to the transparent area 221 when they correspond. In this embodiment, the garment processing device can be a washing machine or a washer-dryer combo, etc.

[0050] The garment processing device has a transparent area 221 on the inner drum 22 and a detection area 211 on the outer drum 21. When the inner drum 22 rotates, the transparent area 221 can be aligned with the detection area 211. The image acquisition device 3 acquires images of the transparent area 221 and the detection area 211 corresponding to the transparent area 221 when they are aligned. This allows the device to determine the dirt status of the inner drum 22 and the outer drum 21, improving the detection accuracy of the dirt status of the drum assembly 2 of the garment processing device. This facilitates timely cleaning of the drum assembly 2 and prevents the garments from being left uncleaned.

[0051] Optionally, the housing 1 is provided with a loading port for taking clothes into the inner drum 22. The loading port is equipped with a door 11 that can open or close the loading port. Figure 1 As shown, the image acquisition device 3 is located in the upper middle part of the door body 11. Since the inner tube 22 needs to rotate to make the transparent area 221 and the detection area 211 face each other, the image acquisition device 3 is located on the door body 11. The inner tube 22 can only rotate when the door body 11 is closed, which increases the safety of the clothing handling device. The image acquisition device 3 is located in the upper middle part of the door body 11 to avoid the image acquisition device 3 being constantly immersed in water, thus extending the service life of the image acquisition device 3.

[0052] In this embodiment, the image acquisition device 3 is a camera. The camera supports wide-angle shooting and low-light enhancement functions to ensure accurate image capture under different lighting conditions.

[0053] Optionally, when the inner cylinder 22 rotates a full circle, the area of ​​the rotation path of the outer cylinder 21 corresponding to the transparent area 221 is the detection selection area 212, and the detection area 211 falls within the detection selection area 212.

[0054] Specifically, such as Figure 1As shown, the outer cylinder 21 is provided with a detection area 211, which is located within the detection selection area 212. When the inner cylinder 22 is rotated, the transparent area 221 can be positioned opposite to the detection area 211. When it is necessary to detect the dirt status of the cylinder assembly 2, the transparent area 221 is positioned opposite to the detection area 211 when the inner cylinder 22 is rotated. This allows the image acquisition device 3 to capture an overall image of the transparent area 221 and the detection area 211 opposite to it. The transparent area 221 can reflect the dirt status of the inner cylinder 22, and it can also capture an image of the detection area 211 to reflect the dirt status of the outer cylinder 21.

[0055] It should be noted that when the transparent area 221 is set relative to the detection area 211, the transparent area 221 and the detection area 211 completely overlap.

[0056] Alternatively, when the transparent area 221 is set relative to the detection area 211, the transparent area 221 falls into the detection area 211, that is, the size of the detection area 211 is larger than the size of the transparent area 221, so as to avoid the situation where the transparent area 221 and the detection area 211 cannot be aligned due to rotation error.

[0057] Optionally, the outer cylinder 21 is provided with multiple detection areas 211, each located within a selected detection area 212. These multiple detection areas 211 are spaced apart circumferentially along the outer cylinder 21. By rotating the inner cylinder 22, the transparent area 221 can correspond to the detection areas 211 at different positions, thereby enabling the detection of dirt and grime in the transparent area 221 and at different positions of the outer cylinder 21, improving detection accuracy. In this embodiment, as... Figure 3 As shown, the outer cylinder 21 has three detection areas 211, all of equal size, and evenly spaced along the circumference of the outer cylinder 21. These three detection areas are, in sequence, the first, second, and third detection areas. When detecting the dirt level of the cylinder assembly 2, the inner cylinder 22 rotates to align the transparent area 221 with the first detection area, and the image acquisition device 3 captures an image superimposed on the transparent area 221 and the first detection area. Then, the inner cylinder 22 rotates to align the transparent area 221 with the second detection area, and the image acquisition device 3 captures an image superimposed on the transparent area 221 and the second detection area. Then, the inner cylinder 22 rotates to align the transparent area 221 with the third detection area, and the image acquisition device 3 captures the image superimposed on the transparent area 221 and the third detection area. This process detects the dirt level in the transparent area 221 and the outer cylinder at different locations. When any detection result indicates that the dirt level has reached the required cleaning level, the cylinder assembly 2 is cleaned.

[0058] It should be noted that the detection area 211 is not limited to three locations; two, four, or more locations can also be set. Furthermore, the detection order of each detection area 211 is not limited to the order described above. Given that the rotation direction of the inner cylinder 22 is determined, the transparent area 221 is detected relative to the nearest detection area 211 based on the principle of proximity. Then, by rotating the inner cylinder 22, images of the inner cylinder 22 and the corresponding detection area 211 are acquired one by one.

[0059] Optionally, a photosensitive layer is provided on the side of the detection area 211 facing the inner cylinder 22. The photosensitive layer can improve the accuracy of the image acquisition device 3 when acquiring images. The specific structure and material of the photosensitive layer are conventional technologies and are not specifically limited here.

[0060] Example 2:

[0061] This embodiment provides a clothing processing device. The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the detection area 211 in this embodiment is located differently from the detection area 211 in Embodiment 1.

[0062] like Figure 4 As shown, optionally, when the inner cylinder 22 rotates a full circle, the area along the rotation path of the outer cylinder 21 corresponding to the transparent area 221 is the detection selection area 212. In this embodiment, the detection area 211 overlaps with the detection selection area 212, that is, the detection area 211 has a ring structure. By rotating the inner cylinder 22, the transparent area 221 is aligned with the ring structure detection area 211 at multiple points, or the image of the entire detection area 211 is acquired through the transparent area 221, thereby detecting the dirt status of the transparent area 221 and multiple or the entire ring structure detection area 211, improving detection accuracy.

[0063] Example 3:

[0064] like Figure 5 As shown, this embodiment also provides a method for detecting dirt in a clothing treatment device, applied to the clothing treatment device in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 above. The method for detecting dirt in a clothing treatment device includes the following steps:

[0065] The inner cylinder 22 rotates so that the transparent area 221 is positioned opposite to the detection area 211;

[0066] The image acquisition device 3 acquires images of the transparent region 221 and the detection region 211 corresponding to the transparent region 221;

[0067] The analysis results are based on the dirt status of the image acquisition cylinder assembly 2 acquired by the image acquisition device 3.

[0068] The soiling detection method of this clothing treatment device involves rotating the inner drum 22 so that the transparent area 221 is positioned opposite the detection area 211. The image acquisition device 3 acquires images of the transparent area 221 and the detection area 211 corresponding to the transparent area 221. Based on the images acquired by the image acquisition device 3, the analysis results of the soiling status of the drum assembly 2 are obtained, so as to clean the drum assembly 2 in a timely manner and avoid the situation where the clothes cannot be washed clean.

[0069] Specifically, the analysis results of the dirt status of the cylinder assembly 2 based on the acquired images include the following steps:

[0070] The image acquired by the image acquisition device 3 is compared with the preset image to obtain the analysis result of the dirt status of the cylinder assembly 2. The above judgment method is relatively convenient and easy to obtain the analysis result.

[0071] Optionally, the image acquisition device 3 includes an image processing module. The image processing module stores preset images and analyzes and compares the acquired image with the preset images to identify the degree of dirtiness. Alternatively, the image processing module can also analyze the image to identify the distribution and type of dirt. In this embodiment, the preset images are images of different degrees of dirtiness. The image processing module analyzes and compares these images to determine the degree of dirtiness of the cylinder assembly 2. For example, the preset images may be level one, level two, or level three dirtiness images, with higher levels indicating greater dirtiness.

[0072] Optionally, when the analysis results of the soiling status of the tubing assembly 2 are obtained, the analysis results are displayed on the display screen of the garment processing device so that the user can view the soiling status of the tubing assembly 2. Alternatively, the data can be transmitted to a mobile device (smartphone or tablet) via a communication module (e.g., Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), allowing the user to view the soiling status intuitively through a dedicated app or interface.

[0073] When the soiling level of the drum assembly 2 reaches the preset soiling level set in the image acquisition device 3, it indicates that the soiling level of the drum assembly 2 is relatively high and has reached the point where it needs to be cleaned. The garment handling device then provides cleaning suggestions to the user, who can choose whether to clean the drum assembly 2 in a timely manner to avoid affecting the washing of the garments. The preset soiling level can be a two-level or three-level preset soiling level, etc., and the specific preset soiling level can be set according to needs.

[0074] In this embodiment, when the dirt level of the tubular assembly 2 reaches the preset dirt level, a cleaning suggestion is provided to the user. When the user's cleaning instruction is received, the clothing processing device starts the self-cleaning program.

[0075] In other embodiments, when the dirt level of the cylinder assembly 2 reaches a preset level, the cleaning suggestion provided to the user may be to prompt the user to change the cleaning agent.

[0076] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will be able to make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A garment handling device, comprising a housing (1) and a tubular assembly (2), the tubular assembly (2) comprising an outer tubular assembly (21) disposed within the housing (1), and an inner tubular assembly (22) rotatably disposed within the outer tubular assembly (21), characterized in that, The inner cylinder (22) is provided with a transparent area (221), and the outer cylinder (21) is provided with a detection area (211). When the inner cylinder (22) rotates, the transparent area (221) can be set to correspond with the detection area (211). The garment processing device further includes an image acquisition device (3), which is disposed inside the housing (1) and is used to acquire images of the transparent area (221) and the detection area (211) corresponding to the transparent area (221) when the transparent area (221) corresponds to the detection area (211).

2. The garment processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (1) is provided with a delivery port, and a door (11) is provided at the delivery port that can open or close the delivery port. The image acquisition device (3) is located in the upper middle part of the door (11).

3. The garment processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the inner cylinder (22) rotates a full circle, the area of ​​the outer cylinder (21) corresponding to the rotation path of the transparent area (221) is the detection selection area (212). The detection area (211) falls within the detection selection area (212) or overlaps with the detection selection area (212).

4. The garment processing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The outer cylinder (21) is provided with multiple detection areas (211), each of which is located within the detection selection area (212), and the multiple detection areas (211) are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the outer cylinder (21).

5. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The detection area (211) overlaps with the detection selection area (212), and the detection area (211) has a ring structure.

6. The garment handling apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, A photosensitive layer is provided on the side of the detection area (211) facing the inner cylinder (22).

7. A method for detecting dirt in a garment processing device, characterized in that, The garment processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the soiling detection method of the garment processing apparatus comprises the following steps: The inner cylinder (22) rotates so that the transparent area (221) is positioned opposite to the detection area (211); The image acquisition device (3) acquires images of the transparent area (221) and the detection area (211) corresponding to the transparent area (221); The analysis results of the dirt status of the cylinder assembly (2) are obtained based on the images acquired by the image acquisition device (3).

8. The method for detecting dirt in the garment treatment device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The analysis results of obtaining the dirt status of the cylinder assembly (2) based on the acquired images include the following steps: The image acquired by the image acquisition device (3) is compared with a preset image to obtain the analysis result.

9. The method for detecting dirt in the clothing treatment device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The analysis results of the soiling status of the obtained tube assembly (2) are displayed on the display screen of the garment processing device, or transmitted to a mobile device via a communication module.

10. The method for detecting dirt in the clothing treatment device according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the degree of dirtiness of the cylinder assembly (2) reaches the preset degree of dirtiness, cleaning suggestions are provided to the user.

Images