Laundry care device and imaging method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a clothes care device and an imaging method thereof, comprising: a barrel; a camera assembly arranged towards the inside of the barrel; the camera assembly comprises a camera and a lens, the camera is arranged in the lens, and is used for acquiring image information of the inside of the barrel; wherein the lens has a transparent window protruding towards the inside of the barrel, and the transparent window is a curved surface structure so that water droplets and stains attached to the surface thereof can be separated under the action of gravity and / or water flow tangential force when the water flow washes. The application can make the water droplets, foam and stains attached to the surface of the lens naturally slide along the curved surface under the action of gravity and water flow washing, and the water droplets, foam and stains are not easy to stay on the surface of the lens, so that the self-cleaning efficiency of the lens during the washing or water flow washing process in the barrel is improved, and it is ensured that the camera assembly can stably acquire clear images of the inside of the barrel for a long time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of clothing care device technology, and specifically to a clothing care device and its imaging method. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of smart home appliance technology, more and more washing machines are equipped with camera structures inside to identify the type, quantity, color, and degree of dirt of clothes, as well as monitor the state of foam and tumbling during the washing process.

[0003] However, during operation, the inside of a washing machine drum is constantly exposed to a complex environment characterized by high humidity, abundant foam, and the presence of detergent, fabric softener, limescale, and fabric residue. The lens surface of a camera is highly susceptible to the accumulation of limescale, detergent residue, foam, and stains. These deposits can reduce lens light transmittance, cause blurred images, and even lead to image distortion due to diffuse reflection. In particular, when water droplets form on the lens surface, they alter the path of light, severely obstructing the imaging view.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a new approach to solve the aforementioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a garment care device and its imaging method.

[0006] The embodiments of this invention disclose: The first objective of this invention is to provide a garment care device, comprising: cylindrical body; A camera assembly is disposed facing the interior of the cylinder; the camera assembly includes a camera and a lens, the camera being disposed within the lens for acquiring image information of the interior of the cylinder; The lens has a transparent window protruding into the barrel, and the transparent window has a curved structure so that water droplets and stains attached to its surface can be removed under the action of gravity and / or the tangential force of the water flow when the water flows.

[0007] Preferably, the lens includes a lens mount and a lens fixed to the lens mount, the lens being used to form the transparent window.

[0008] Preferably, the lens is disposed at the end of the lens mount.

[0009] Preferably, the lens covers the outer surface of the lens mount.

[0010] Preferably, the radius of curvature of the transparent window is R5-R25mm.

[0011] Preferably, the substrate of the transparent window is selected from borosilicate optical glass or sapphire glass.

[0012] Preferably, the transparent window is provided with a composite coating to reduce detergent adhesion and / or water stain residue.

[0013] Preferably, the composite coating includes at least a base coating and a top coating; wherein the base coating is a fluorinated oleophobic and hydrophobic coating, and the top coating is a hydrophilic anti-fog coating.

[0014] Preferably, the camera component is disposed at one or more locations in the door, door seal, or cylinder of the garment care device.

[0015] Preferably, the cylinder body is provided with lifting ribs, and the camera component is arranged inside the lifting ribs.

[0016] Preferably, it further includes: a rinsing device having a water outlet facing the lens for selectively spraying water into the transparent window of the lens.

[0017] A second objective of the present invention is to provide an imaging method for a garment care device, wherein the garment care device configured as described above performs the following steps: Obtain the current operating stage of the garment care device; Determine whether the current operating stage is a preset imaging stage; If so, the camera component is directly triggered to capture images of the inside of the cylinder. If not, upon receiving an imaging trigger signal, a cleaning procedure is first executed to clean the transparent window of the lens before triggering the camera component to capture an image.

[0018] Preferably, the step of performing a cleaning procedure to clean the transparent window of the lens includes: Initiate the rinsing process by spraying water into the lens's transparent viewing window; and / or The inner cylinder is rotated to allow the water flow inside the cylinder to wash the transparent window of the lens.

[0019] Preferably, the preset imaging stage includes at least one of the following: clothing recognition stage, final rinsing stage, and overflow detection stage.

[0020] Preferably, it also includes the following steps: Evaluate the sharpness of the captured images; If the clarity is lower than the preset standard, the cleaning procedure will be repeated and the image will be retaken until the clarity meets the standard or the maximum number of retries is reached.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention are as follows: This invention provides a garment care device with a protruding transparent window on the lens surface facing the inside of the barrel. This allows water droplets, foam, and stains adhering to the lens surface to slide off naturally along the curved surface under their own weight and the rinsing action of the water flow, preventing them from lingering on the lens surface. Compared to traditional flat lenses, the transparent window eliminates dead corners where stains accumulate, significantly improving the self-cleaning efficiency of the lens during rinsing or rinsing with water inside the barrel. Furthermore, because the transparent window effectively guides water droplets and stains away from the lens surface, it prevents water droplets from obstructing the lens's imaging area or causing diffuse reflection of light. Even if there is a small amount of foam or water mist inside the barrel, the transparent window, in conjunction with the water flow, can quickly restore the lens's light transmission performance, thereby ensuring that the imaging component can stably acquire clear images of the inside of the barrel over a long period of time.

[0022] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the present invention and to implement it according to the contents of the specification, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Specific embodiments of the present invention are given in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with their description, serve to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the layout of the camera assembly in the door body, door seal, and cylinder in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the camera component in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the lens of the camera assembly in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the installation method of the lens mount and lens in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the imaging method of the clothing care device in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0024] In the picture: 1. Clothing care device; 10. Cylinder body; 11. Lifting rib; 20. Door body; 30. Door seal; 40. Camera assembly; 41. Camera; 42. Lens; 421. Lens mount; 422. Lens; 4221. Transparent window. 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 a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. 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 accompanying drawings, shapes and dimensions may be enlarged for clarity, and the same reference numerals will be used in all figures to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0027] In the following description, terms such as center, thickness, height, length, front, back, rear, left, right, top, bottom, upper, and lower are defined relative to the structure shown in the accompanying drawings. In particular, "height" corresponds to the dimension from top to bottom, "width" corresponds to the dimension from left to right, and "depth" corresponds to the dimension from front to back. These are relative concepts and may vary depending on their location and usage. Therefore, these or other orientations should not be interpreted as restrictive terms.

[0028] Terms involving attachment, connection, etc. (e.g., “connection” and “attachment”) refer to the relationship in which these structures are directly or indirectly fixed or attached to each other through an intermediate structure, as well as movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless otherwise explicitly stated.

[0029] Example 1 This invention provides a garment care device 1, combined with... Figures 1-4 As shown, it includes: Cylinder 10; A camera assembly 40 is disposed facing the interior of the cylindrical body 10; the camera assembly 40 includes a camera 41 and a lens 42, the camera 41 is disposed within the lens 42, and is used to acquire image information of the interior of the cylindrical body 10, such as clothing type, color, degree of dirt or foam state, etc. The lens 42 has a transparent window 4221 protruding into the barrel 10. The transparent window 4221 has a curved structure so that water droplets and stains adhering to its surface can be removed under the action of gravity and / or the tangential force of the water flow when washed by water. In this embodiment, the transparent window 4221 has a curved structure, which can be a sphere or an aspherical surface (such as a parabola, ellipsoid, etc.), as long as it protrudes outward as a whole and is a smooth and continuous curved surface.

[0030] In this embodiment, a transparent window 4221 is provided on the surface of the lens 42 facing the inside of the barrel 10, so that water droplets, foam and stains attached to the surface of the lens 42 can slide off naturally along the curved surface under their own weight and the rinsing action of the water flow, and are not easy to remain on the surface of the lens 42. Compared with the traditional flat lens 42, the transparent window 4221 eliminates the dead corners for stain accumulation and significantly improves the self-cleaning efficiency of the lens 42 during rinsing or water flow rinsing inside the barrel.

[0031] Furthermore, since the transparent window 4221 can effectively guide water droplets and stains away from the surface of the lens 42, it avoids water droplets from blocking the imaging area of ​​the lens 42 or causing diffuse reflection of light. Even if there is a small amount of foam or water mist inside the barrel, the transparent window 4221 can work with the water flow to quickly restore the light transmission performance of the lens 42, thereby ensuring that the imaging component 40 can obtain clear images of the inside of the barrel 10 stably for a long time.

[0032] In some embodiments, the lens 42 includes a lens mount 421 and a lens 422 fixed to the lens mount 421, the lens 422 being used to form the transparent window 4221. Specifically, the lens mount 421 is a cylindrical or cup-shaped structure, which houses the camera 41 internally and is used to mount the lens 422 externally; wherein, the lens 422 is fixedly connected to the lens mount 421 by means of bonding, welding or integral injection molding; the lens 422 protrudes outward from the central region of one end of the cylindrical body 10 to form the transparent window 4221, while the lens mount 421 provides mechanical support and sealing protection.

[0033] In some preferred embodiments, combined with Figure 4 As shown in (a), the lens 422 is disposed at the end of the lens mount 421. Disposing the lens 422 at the end of the lens mount 421 results in a simple structure, high assembly precision, and facilitates optical alignment between the lens 422 and the camera 41. Simultaneously, the end-mount method allows the lens 422 to be manufactured independently, while the lens mount 421 can be made from a lower-cost injection-molded part; the combination of the two balances performance and cost. Furthermore, the end-mounted lens 422 is easy to replace, which is beneficial for after-sales maintenance.

[0034] In some alternative embodiments, the lens 422 is embedded in a mounting groove at the end of the lens mount 421. Specifically, the lens mount 421 is a hollow cylindrical shape, with a mounting groove on one end face facing the interior of the cylindrical body 10. The lens 422 is embedded in the mounting groove, with its transparent window 4221 exposed facing the interior of the cylindrical body 10, while the back of the lens 422 faces the camera 41. For example, adhesive can be applied to the mounting groove to press the lens 422 in and cure it, with the adhesive also serving a sealing function. Alternatively, a sealing ring can be provided to prevent moisture from seeping into the lens mount 421 from the edge of the lens 422. The structure with the mounting groove allows for precise positioning of the lens 422, ensuring that the optical center of the lens 422 coincides with the optical axis of the camera 41. The sidewalls of the mounting groove can provide limiting and protection, preventing the lens 422 from shifting when subjected to lateral impact. At the same time, the sealant in the mounting groove or the sealing ring can effectively prevent water and moisture, extending the service life of the camera assembly 40. It facilitates automated assembly and is suitable for mass production.

[0035] In some alternative embodiments, the lens 422 is fixedly attached to the end face of the lens mount 421; specifically, the end face of the lens mount 421 is a flat annular surface, and the back surface of the lens 422 is also a flat annular plane. The back edge of the lens 422 is directly attached to the end face of the lens mount 421; for example, a transparent optical adhesive or UV adhesive can be uniformly coated on the end face of the lens mount 421, the back surface of the lens 422 is attached to the end face, and cured after applying uniform pressure. The end face attachment method is simple in structure and operation, easy to position, and eliminates the need to process mounting grooves on the lens mount 421, reducing mold costs and processing difficulty.

[0036] In some other preferred embodiments, combined with Figure 4 As shown in (b), the lens 422 covers the outer surface of the lens mount 421. Specifically, the lens 422 is cap-shaped, cover-shaped, or sleeve-shaped, wrapping around the end of the lens mount 421 and at least part of its sidewalls from the outside. The front end of the lens mount 421 is inserted into the inner cavity of the lens 422, the transparent window 4221 of the lens 422 faces the interior of the cylinder 10, and the sidewall of the lens 422 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the lens mount 421. In this embodiment, the lens 422 can extend to cover the outer cylindrical surface of the lens mount 421, forming a continuous, smoothly transitioned outer surface; that is, there are no steps or gaps between the transparent window 4221 and the sidewall of the lens mount 421, and dirt and water cannot penetrate into the interior.

[0037] In this embodiment, the lens 422 covers the outer surface of the lens mount 421, achieving an integrated seal for the lens 42 and optimizing waterproof and moisture-proof performance, making it particularly suitable for the high-humidity environment inside the garment care device 1. Since the lens 422 completely covers the front end and side walls of the lens mount 421, there are no gaps, preventing stains from accumulating at the connection point and resulting in more thorough cleaning. Furthermore, this structure has a simpler and more rounded appearance, reducing the risk of scratching clothing.

[0038] In some embodiments, the transparent window 4221 of the lens 422 protrudes from the end face of the lens 422 by a distance H of 0.5-3 mm; wherein, the protrusion distance refers to the vertical distance along the optical axis of the lens 422 from the end face of the lens 422 to the outermost point of the transparent window 4221. In this embodiment, the protrusion distance is preferably 1.5 mm. This embodiment ensures that the transparent window 4221 has sufficient curved surface height, allowing water droplets and stains adhering to its surface to slide off naturally along the curved surface under the action of gravity and the tangential force of the water flow.

[0039] In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the transparent window 4221 is R5-R25mm, which balances optical imaging quality and self-cleaning effect. If the radius of curvature is less than R5mm, the surface is too steep, resulting in excessive image distortion and affecting the accuracy of clothing recognition. If the radius of curvature is greater than R25mm, the surface approaches a plane, reducing the stain removal effect. This embodiment optimizes this range, allowing the lens 42 to maintain good optical performance while enabling stains to slide off quickly under water flow.

[0040] It should be understood that the specific value of the radius of curvature can be selected according to the optical design and usage requirements of the lens 42. For example, when a larger imaging field of view and less distortion are required, R20-R25mm can be selected; when stronger self-cleaning ability (e.g., faster stain removal) is required, R5-R10mm can be selected. In this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the transparent window 4221 is preferably R12mm.

[0041] Furthermore, optical glass with high chemical stability, temperature resistance, and scratch resistance is selected as the substrate for the transparent window 4221. In some preferred embodiments, the substrate for the transparent window 4221 is selected from borosilicate optical glass or sapphire glass. Specifically, the environment inside the washing machine drum is complex, with water temperatures reaching 85°C, detergents being weakly alkaline, and hard objects such as zippers and buttons on clothing potentially scratching the transparent window 4221. Borosilicate optical glass can effectively resist high temperatures and chemical corrosion, preventing the substrate from whitening or fogging. Sapphire glass provides excellent scratch resistance, making it particularly suitable for installation in locations prone to impact from clothing, such as the lifting rib 11. This solves the problem of conventional acrylic / PC substrates being easily corroded by detergents. Both materials also have extremely low surface roughness potential. The substrate undergoes precision polishing, resulting in a surface roughness Ra≤0.01μm, ensuring basic optical performance while providing an ideal base for the firm adhesion of subsequent coatings.

[0042] In some embodiments, the transparent window 4221 is provided with a composite coating to reduce detergent adhesion and / or water stain residue; preferably, the composite coating is formed on the surface of the transparent window 4221 by a vacuum coating process; specifically, although a simple curved structure can allow most stains to slide off, a small amount of detergent molecules or water film may still remain under high concentration foam or soft water conditions; the composite coating changes the surface energy, making it difficult for residual detergent to adhere firmly and easy to be washed away by water flow, while making the residual water film spread evenly rather than forming water droplets, so that it evaporates quickly during subsequent dehydration or air drying, leaving no water stains; the coating and the curved structure work together to effectively optimize the anti-fouling level of the lens 42.

[0043] In some preferred embodiments, the composite coating includes at least a base coating and a top coating; wherein the base coating is a fluorinated oleophobic and hydrophobic coating, and the top coating is a hydrophilic anti-fog coating.

[0044] In this embodiment, the composite coating has a two-layer structure: The bottom layer is a fluorinated oleophobic and hydrophobic coating with a thickness controlled between 50-200nm. It is prepared using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition process to ensure that the adhesion between the coating and the substrate is ≥4B (cross-cut test). This bottom layer can effectively repel media such as water, laundry detergent / washing powder solution, and soap scum, causing liquids to form beads on the surface of lens 42, making them less likely to spread and adhere. At the same time, it improves the chemical corrosion resistance of the transparent window 4221 surface and isolates the detergent from direct contact with the substrate.

[0045] The top layer is a hydrophilic anti-fog coating with a thickness controlled between 30-100nm. It is prepared using a sol-gel method combined with vacuum coating process and is tightly bonded to the bottom layer coating. This top layer allows a small amount of liquid that comes into contact with the transparent window 4221 to spread evenly into a thin water film. During the dehydration and air drying process in the washing machine drum, the thin water film can evaporate quickly and evenly, leaving no water droplets or water stains. This solves the problem that a single hydrophobic coating is prone to forming water droplets that obstruct imaging.

[0046] In this embodiment, the two functional layers are matched in thickness, material and process, and the bottom coating and top coating also have good adhesion. This double-layer structure solves the long-standing technical problems of single hydrophobic coatings being prone to water droplets and single hydrophilic coatings being not resistant to oil stains.

[0047] In some alternative embodiments, the camera assembly 40 is disposed on the door 20 of the garment care device 1; specifically, as... Figure 1 As shown, the camera component 40a is installed in the door glass window of the door body 20 and the transparent viewing window 4221 of the lens 42 faces the inside of the drum body 10; the door body 20 is fixed in position, has a wide field of view, and can cover the entire front area of ​​the drum body 10, making it suitable for clothing identification, washing process monitoring, etc.

[0048] In some alternative embodiments, the camera assembly 40 is disposed on the door seal 30 of the garment care device 1; specifically, as Figure 1 As shown, the door seal 30 is a flexible sealing ring connecting the door body 20 and the front frame of the cylinder body 10. The camera component 40b is embedded in the appropriate position of the door seal 30, and the lens 42 is exposed from the surface of the door seal 30 or takes pictures through the transparent window. The lens 42 is closer to the entrance of the cylinder body 10, and the field of view is not easily blocked by clothing. At the same time, the door seal 30 has a certain degree of elasticity, which can buffer the impact of clothing.

[0049] In some alternative embodiments, the camera assembly 40 is disposed within the cylinder 10 of the garment care device 1; specifically, as... Figure 1 As shown, the camera assembly 40c can be installed on the rear or side wall of the inner drum, with the lens 42 facing the inside of the inner drum; this installation method allows for closer shooting of clothing and provides multi-angle dynamic images.

[0050] In some preferred embodiments, the camera component 40 is disposed at one or more of the door 20, door seal 30, or drum 10 of the garment care device 1. That is, the camera component 40 can be disposed at any one of the above locations alone, or it can be disposed at multiple locations simultaneously. For example, a wide-angle camera component 40a can be disposed at the door 20 for overall monitoring, while a miniature camera component 40c can be disposed at the drum 10 for dynamic detail capture. Multiple camera components 40 can work together to select the optimal viewing angle for shooting according to the operating stage of the washing machine, thereby achieving multi-view imaging and obtaining more comprehensive information inside the drum.

[0051] In some preferred embodiments, the cylinder 10 is provided with lifting ribs 11, and the camera assembly 40 is arranged inside the lifting ribs 11.

[0052] Specifically, the lifting ribs 11 are typically raised structures evenly distributed along the circumference of the inner drum, used to lift and then drop the clothes as the drum rotates, thus achieving a tumbling and washing effect; for example Figure 1 As shown, the camera assembly 40c is arranged inside the lifting rib 11. Specifically, a cavity is opened inside the lifting rib 11, and the camera 41 and lens 42 are encapsulated in the cavity. The lens 42 is exposed or embedded from the surface of the lifting rib 11. For example, the transparent window 4221 can be smoothly transitioned to the surface of the lifting rib 11 or slightly protrude. When the lifting rib 11 rotates with the inner tube, the camera 41 also rotates, so as to capture the state of the clothes at different angles and positions inside the tube.

[0053] In this embodiment, the camera component 40 is hidden inside the lifting rib 11, which does not affect the washing space and can achieve 360° panoramic scanning as the lifting rib 11 rotates; this solution is particularly suitable for monitoring the uniformity of clothing tumbling, foam distribution and the cleanliness of the drum.

[0054] In some embodiments, the device further includes a rinsing apparatus having a water outlet facing the lens 42 for selectively spraying water into the transparent window 4221 of the lens 42.

[0055] Furthermore, the rinsing device includes at least one nozzle, a connecting pipe, and a control valve; the nozzle has a water outlet facing the transparent window 4221 of the lens 42 for selectively spraying water onto the surface of the lens 42; the rinsing device can be connected to the water inlet pipe or circulation pipe of the garment care device 1, and its opening and closing are controlled by a controller according to imaging requirements or a preset program.

[0056] Its specific operating procedure includes at least the following: when an image needs to be captured but there may be dirt on the surface of the lens 42, the controller first activates the rinsing device, sprays clean water into the transparent window 4221 of the lens 42 for 10-30 seconds, then stops spraying, waits 1-2 seconds for the residual water film to spread, and finally triggers the camera 41 to capture the image. The rinsing device can also automatically perform lens 42 cleaning periodically (e.g., every 5 washing cycles) to prevent dirt accumulation.

[0057] For example, the camera component 40 is embedded or fixed inside the door seal 30, and its lens 42 is located directly below the water outlet of the water inlet pipe. When the lens 42 needs to be cleaned, the water inlet valve is opened under the control of the controller, and water flows out from the outlet, directly rinsing the transparent window 4221 of the lens 42. The water flows down naturally under gravity and covers the entire surface of the lens 42. With the self-cleaning properties of the convex curved surface, water droplets and stains quickly slide off. After the water flow continues for a certain period of time, it is turned off. The residual water film spreads evenly under the action of the hydrophilic anti-fog coating and then evaporates quickly, restoring the lens 42 to clarity. This fully utilizes the existing water inlet path of the garment care device 1, eliminating the need for an additional rinsing water path, resulting in a simple structure and low cost.

[0058] In some alternative embodiments, the rinsing device may also selectively spray cleaning agent, cleaning additive or other cleaning solution onto the lens 42 to improve the cleaning effect of the lens 42; by adjusting the concentration of the cleaning agent and controlling the action time of the cleaning agent, the cleaning agent can decompose the dirt or grime on the lens 42, and then, in conjunction with the final water rinsing procedure or the water flow in the tube, remove the residual dirt and cleaning agent on the lens 42.

[0059] In this embodiment, the rinsing device and the curved structure of the lens 42 form an active + passive dual cleaning mechanism; the curved structure makes it easy for stains to slide off, and the rinsing device provides directional and controllable water flow, which is more efficient and uses less water than relying on natural water flow inside the tube; greatly improving the reliability of the camera component 40 in harsh environments and the user experience.

[0060] Example 2 This invention also provides a method for manufacturing a lens for the camera component of the garment care device in Embodiment 1, comprising the following steps: Step 1: Provide a lens substrate and form the lens substrate into a lens blank with a transparent window, wherein the radius of curvature of the transparent window is R5-R25mm; Step 2: Precision polish the transparent window of the lens blank to make its surface roughness Ra≤0.01μm; Step 3: Prepare a composite coating on the polished transparent window. The composite coating includes at least a base coating and a top coating. The base coating is a fluorinated oleophobic and hydrophobic coating, and the top coating is a hydrophilic anti-fog coating.

[0061] This embodiment organically combines curved surface forming, precision polishing, and double-layer coating technology to mass-produce lenses with excellent self-cleaning properties. The curved surface structure provides the geometric conditions for dirt to slide off, while the double-layer coating provides surface energy regulation. The synergy between these two technologies results in a stable process and a high yield rate.

[0062] In some optional embodiments, the specific method for preparing the bottom coating in step three is as follows: using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) with fluorocarbon source gas as the reaction gas, and under the conditions of RF power of 200-400W and deposition time of 3-8 minutes, a fluorinated oleophobic and hydrophobic coating with a thickness of 50-200nm is formed, and the adhesion between the coating and the lens blank is ≥4B (cross-cut test).

[0063] In some optional embodiments, the specific method for preparing the top coating in step three is as follows: using the sol-gel method, a silane coupling agent and a hydrophilic polymer are formulated into a composite sol, which is then applied to the surface of the bottom coating by dip-coating or spin-coating, and then vacuum cured at 80-120℃ for 30-60 minutes to form a hydrophilic anti-fog coating with a thickness of 30-100nm, and the water contact angle of the coating is ≤10°.

[0064] In some alternative embodiments, in step one, the transparent window substrate is selected from borosilicate optical glass or sapphire glass, and the forming method is precision molding or CNC grinding and polishing.

[0065] In some optional embodiments, step two, after precision polishing, further includes: placing the lens blank in a plasma cleaning machine for surface activation treatment to enhance the adhesion between the composite coating and the substrate.

[0066] In some alternative embodiments, step three further includes: performing optical performance testing on the lens with the prepared composite coating, including light transmittance ≥92%, imaging distortion ≤3%, water contact angle and oil contact angle testing.

[0067] Example 3 This invention also provides an imaging method for a garment care device, combined with... Figures 1-5 As shown, the garment care device configured as described in Example 1 performs the following steps: S1. Obtain the current operating stage of the garment care device; S2. Determine whether the current operating stage is a preset imaging stage; wherein, the preset imaging stage refers to the stage where the lens surface is cleanest and has the fewest bubbles and stains in its natural state; S3. If so, the camera component is directly triggered to capture images of the inside of the cylinder. S4. If not, upon receiving the imaging trigger signal, a cleaning procedure is first executed to clean the transparent window of the lens before triggering the camera component to capture images.

[0068] In some implementations, the step of performing a cleaning procedure to clean the lens's transparent window includes: Initiate the rinsing process by spraying water into the lens's transparent viewing window; and / or The inner cylinder is rotated to allow the water flow inside the cylinder to wash the transparent window of the lens.

[0069] This embodiment further specifies two specific methods that can be used in the cleaning procedure. It should be understood that either method can be used, or they can be used in combination: Method 1: Start the flushing program By spraying water through the lens's transparent window, the impact and tangential forces of the water flow are used to wash away the deposits. The rinsing process can reuse the existing water inlet valve and piping of the garment care device without additional hardware, or it can achieve directional spraying using the dedicated rinsing device described in Example 1.

[0070] Method 2: Control the rotation of the inner cylinder For garment care devices where the camera assembly is installed within the inner drum's lifting ribs, the controller can control the inner drum's rotation, utilizing the existing water flow within the drum and / or the relative movement of the garment and the lens for cleaning. Specifically: when there is water in the drum (such as during washing or rinsing), the inner drum's rotation causes the water to flow, and the water flow washes the lens surface under the action of centrifugal force and gravity; when there is no water or a small amount of water in the drum, the inner drum's rotation causes the lens to move with the lifting ribs, contacting the residual water film or damp garment on the inner wall of the drum, removing stains through friction and wetting.

[0071] Method 3: Combination of starting the flushing program and controlling the inner cylinder rotation For garment care devices equipped with the rinsing device as described in Example 1 and with the camera component installed inside the inner drum lifting rib, for example, the rinsing device can be started first for directional rinsing, and then the inner drum can be controlled to rotate at a low speed (e.g., 50 rpm) for 5 seconds to use centrifugal force to throw the residual water droplets away from the lens; or the inner drum can be rotated first for cleaning, and if the effect is not good, the rinsing device can be started as a supplement; the two methods work together to achieve better cleaning results.

[0072] Furthermore, the cleaning process employs different cleaning methods depending on the installation location of the camera components: When the camera assembly is installed on the door or door seal: Since the position of the lens installed on the door or door seal is fixed and does not rotate with the inner cylinder, even if the water flow inside the cylinder rotates, it cannot effectively rinse the lens; therefore, the cleaning process must rely on starting the flushing process for targeted cleaning.

[0073] When the camera assembly is installed inside the cylinder (such as inside the lifting rib): the lens mounted on the cylinder rotates together with the inner cylinder. At this time, the water flow generated by the rotation of the inner cylinder can be selectively used for cleaning, reducing reliance on dedicated rinsing devices.

[0074] This embodiment provides multiple cleaning methods, which can be adapted to clothing care devices with different hardware configurations. It can selectively utilize the rinsing program to achieve efficient cleaning and / or achieve cleaning by means of the existing function of inner drum rotation.

[0075] In some alternative implementations, when the camera assembly is installed on the door or door seal, the parameters of the cleaning procedure are: rinsing flow rate 0.5-2L / min, rinsing duration 10-30 seconds, and tap water or filtered water from the cylinder can be used for recycling.

[0076] In some optional embodiments, when the camera assembly is installed inside the cylinder, the parameters of the cleaning procedure are as follows: the inner cylinder is controlled to rotate at a speed of 30-100 rpm for 5-15 seconds, which can satisfy the water flow to rinse the lens surface multiple times; alternating forward and reverse rotation can be used to enhance the turbulence of the water flow; preferably, during the rotation of the inner cylinder, the water inlet system and / or drainage system can be controlled to work intermittently to form a dynamic change in the water level inside the cylinder, thereby enhancing the rinsing effect of the water flow on the lens.

[0077] In some implementations, the preset imaging stage includes at least one of a clothing recognition stage, a final rinsing stage, and a bubble detection stage.

[0078] Clothing recognition stage: This stage occurs after the user places clothing inside, closes the door, and starts the program, but before the water inlet valve opens. At this point, the inside of the container is dry, free of foam and water stains, and the lens surface is at its cleanest. This stage is suitable for photographing the initial state of the clothing to identify its type, color, volume, etc.

[0079] Final rinsing stage: 1-3 minutes before the end of the final rinse. At this time, the water in the drum is very clear, the detergent residue concentration is extremely low, the foam has been basically eliminated, and the water droplets and stains attached to the transparent viewing window can be removed by gravity and / or the tangential force of the water flow, leaving the lens surface clean.

[0080] Overflow detection stage: When the foam sensor detects that the foam height exceeds the set threshold, the main control program will automatically perform defoaming operation (such as increasing drainage, spraying defoaming, reducing speed, etc.). During the short window period before entering the next stage (such as dehydration) after the defoaming action is completed, the amount of foam is at the lowest level. At this time, the water droplets and stains attached to the surface of the transparent window can be removed by gravity and / or the tangential force of the water flow, and the lens surface is clean.

[0081] In some embodiments, when the camera assembly is installed inside the tubing and the garment care device is in the dehydration phase, the washing process further includes: After the dehydration process begins, the inner cylinder is controlled to rotate at a preset speed, using centrifugal force to shake off the residual water droplets on the lens surface.

[0082] Specifically, when the garment care device performs the spin-drying cycle, a water film may remain on the lens surface due to previous washing or the high humidity environment inside the drum. Although the transparent window and the top hydrophilic coating can help spread the water film evenly, a thick water film can still affect image quality. Therefore, a brief, low-speed rotation step can be added after the spin-drying begins to use centrifugal force to remove residual water droplets. For example, after the spin-drying program starts, the controller can control the inner drum to rotate at 50-100 rpm for 3-8 seconds. This speed is lower than the normal spin-drying speed, but sufficient to generate enough centrifugal force to remove water droplets from the lens surface. After the spin-drying is complete, the camera component can be triggered to take pictures to ensure clear images.

[0083] In some implementations, the steps also include: Evaluate the sharpness of the captured images; If the clarity is lower than the preset standard, the cleaning procedure will be repeated and the image will be retaken until the clarity meets the standard or the maximum number of retries is reached.

[0084] Specifically, if the clarity is lower than the preset standard, the counter is incremented by 1, the controller re-executes the cleaning procedure, and takes another picture. If the image is still unclear after the maximum number of retries (3 times in this embodiment), a prompt is sent to the user terminal, and the last captured image is marked and saved.

[0085] The automatic evaluation and retry mechanism in this embodiment can compensate for imaging failures caused by incomplete cleaning or accidental factors, further improving system reliability. Users can obtain clear images without manual intervention; and statistical data on blurry images can be collected to optimize cleaning strategies or provide early warnings of hardware failures.

[0086] Although embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the specification and embodiments. They can be applied to various fields suitable for the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other modifications can be easily made. Therefore, without departing from the general concept defined by the claims and their equivalents, the present invention is not limited to the specific details and illustrations shown and described herein.

Claims

1. A garment care device, characterized in that, include: cylindrical body; A camera assembly is disposed facing the interior of the cylinder; the camera assembly includes a camera and a lens, the camera being disposed within the lens for acquiring image information of the interior of the cylinder; The lens has a transparent window protruding into the barrel, and the transparent window has a curved structure so that water droplets and stains attached to its surface can be removed under the action of gravity and / or the tangential force of the water flow when the water flows.

2. The garment care device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The lens includes a lens mount and a lens fixed to the lens mount, the lens being used to form the transparent window.

3. The garment care device as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The lens is disposed at the end of the lens mount.

4. The garment care device as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The lens covers the outer surface of the lens mount.

5. The garment care device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The radius of curvature of the transparent window is R5-R25mm.

6. The garment care device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The substrate of the transparent window is selected from borosilicate optical glass or sapphire glass.

7. The garment care device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The transparent window is provided with a composite coating to reduce detergent adhesion and / or water stain residue.

8. The garment care device as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The composite coating includes at least a base coating and a top coating; wherein the base coating is a fluorinated oleophobic and hydrophobic coating, and the top coating is a hydrophilic anti-fog coating.

9. The garment care device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The camera component is located at one or more points in the door, door seal, or cylinder of the garment care device.

10. The garment care device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The cylinder is provided with lifting ribs, and the camera component is arranged inside the lifting ribs.

11. The garment care device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A rinsing device having a water outlet facing the lens for selectively spraying water into a transparent window of the lens.

12. An imaging method for a garment care device, characterized in that, Configure the garment care device as described in claim 1 to perform the following steps: Obtain the current operating stage of the garment care device; Determine whether the current operating stage is a preset imaging stage; If so, the camera component is directly triggered to capture images of the inside of the cylinder. If not, upon receiving an imaging trigger signal, a cleaning procedure is first executed to clean the transparent window of the lens before triggering the camera component to capture an image.

13. The imaging method of the garment care device as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The steps involved in performing a cleaning procedure to clean the lens's transparent window include: Initiate the rinsing process by spraying water into the lens's transparent viewing window; and / or The inner cylinder is rotated to allow the water flow inside the cylinder to wash the transparent window of the lens.

14. The imaging method of the garment care device as described in claim 12, characterized in that: The preset imaging stage includes at least one of the following: clothing recognition stage, final rinsing stage, and overflow detection stage.

15. The imaging method of the garment care device as described in claim 12, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: Evaluate the sharpness of the captured images; If the clarity is lower than the preset standard, the cleaning procedure will be repeated and the image will be retaken until the clarity meets the standard or the maximum number of retries is reached.

Images