Method and device for drying clothes

Abstract

Provided in the invention is a method and a device for drying clothes. The method includes: acquiring an initial temperature currently at a target component comprising at least one of a roller and a drying duct; determining a control parameter for a drying procedure according to the initial temperature, the control parameter comprising at least a target temperature controlling range of a heating unit and / or a target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure; and controlling a clothes processing device to execute the drying procedure according to the control parameter.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of smart home, and specifically to a method and a device for drying clothes.BACKGROUND

[0002] The existing clothes processing devices dry clothes in a roller according to default drying control parameters, which, however, results in a drying procedure unmatched with the actual situation, leading to poor effects on clothes drying or large energy consumption.SUMMARY

[0003] The present invention provides a method and a device for drying clothes.

[0004] The technical solutions disclosed herein are as follows.

[0005] According to a first aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method for drying clothes, including: acquiring an initial temperature currently at a target component comprising at least one of a roller and a drying duct; determining a control parameter for a drying procedure according to the initial temperature, the control parameter comprising at least a target temperature controlling range of a heating unit and / or a target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure; and controlling a clothes processing device to execute the drying procedure according to the control parameter.

[0006] According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a controller for drying clothes, including: a temperature acquiring module, configured to acquire an initial temperature currently at a target component comprising at least one of a roller and a drying duct; a parameter determining module, configured to determine a control parameter for a drying procedure according to the initial temperature, the control parameter comprising at least a target temperature controlling range of a heating unit and / or a target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure; and a procedure executing module, configured to control a clothes processing device to execute the drying procedure according to the control parameter.

[0007] According to a third aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a clothes processing device, including: a controller for drying clothes provided in the second aspect of embodiments of the present invention; and a first roller and a second roller, wherein a capacity of the second roller is larger than a capacity of the first roller, wherein the controller is configured to perform a drying control to the first roller of the clothes processing device.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device, including: a memory; and a processor; wherein the memory has stored therein executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, achieve the method for drying clothes provided in the first aspect of embodiments of the present invention.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, achieves the method for drying clothes provided in the first aspect of embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] According to a sixth aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, achieves the method for drying clothes provided in the first aspect of embodiments of the present invention.

[0011] According to a seventh aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a system on chip including an interface circuit and a processing unit acquiring through the interface circuit program instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, achieves the method for drying clothes provided in the first aspect of embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] The technical solutions provided in embodiments of the present invention may have following advantageous effects.

[0013] According to embodiments of the present invention, the method for drying clothes monitors an initial temperature in the roller or drying duct, so that some control parameters of the drying procedure can be determined according to the initial temperature. Based on the actual temperature in the drying duct or the roller, some control parameters of the drying procedure that are dynamically determined, rather than fixed control parameters, are provided for the drying procedure, rendering the control parameters of the drying procedure more matched with the actual condition, which not only ensures the clothes drying effect, but also realizes the rational utilization of resources, thereby avoiding energy waste and facilitating energy conservation and environmental protection.

[0014] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present invention, as claimed.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method for drying clothes according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for drying clothes according to another exemplary embodiment. Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for drying clothes according to yet another exemplary embodiment. Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a controller for drying clothes according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating a clothes processing device according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical device according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating a system on chip according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Technical solutions of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the description and claims of the present invention and the above drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, but are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that data so used may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that embodiments of the invention described herein may be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with aspects of the present invention as detailed in the appended claims.

[0018] Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method for drying clothes according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the method for drying clothes includes, but is not limited to the following steps: S101 to S103.

[0019] At the S101, an initial temperature of a target component is acquired.

[0020] In some embodiments, the initial temperature of the target component may be acquired before a drying procedure is selected for a clothes processing device and a drying element is started.

[0021] In some embodiments, the target component includes, but is not limited to a roller and / or a drying duct.

[0022] In some embodiments, the clothes processing device is capable of drying, for example, the clothes processing device may be a roller washing machine, a clothes dehydrator or a dry cleaning machine, which is not limit herein.

[0023] Optionally, the roller washing machine may be a sectionalized double-roller washing machine including a first roller and a second roller.

[0024] Optionally, the first roller has a smaller capacity relative to the second roller, i.e., the first roller is a small roller, while the second roller is a larger roller. Optionally, the first roller, i.e. the small roller has the capacity of 1 L to 10 L.

[0025] It should be noted that a roller includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, and the capacity of a roller is a water volume for filling the inner one, when the inner cylinder, taken out from the outer cylinder and removed with lifting ribs arranged therein, is poured with water.

[0026] In some embodiments, before entering the drying procedure, the clothes may have some heat after washing due to, for example, washing process, water inflow or seasons, rendering the temperature in the drying duct or roller increased. For example, the clothes processing device washes the clothes with high temperature washing, which may raise the temperature of the roller. For another example, hot water from the water heater flowing into the clothes processing device may raise the temperature of the roller. For still another example, the temperature of the inflowing water for the clothes processing device in summer will be higher than that in winter, which may also lead to different temperatures in the roller.

[0027] In some embodiments, in the case of the clothes processing device having double rollers and one of them being a small roller, an initial temperature in the drying duct or roller of the small roller may be affected by the larger roller, leading to a higher temperature in the drying duct or roller of the small roller. In embodiments of the present invention, the method for drying clothes may be applied on the drying procedure of the small roller.

[0028] In some embodiments, an initial temperature currently in the roller and / or drying duct may be acquired, to optimize one or more control parameters of a drying procedure based on the initial temperature, so as to utilizing the clothes own temperature during the drying procedure.

[0029] Optionally, the clothes processing device may be provided with one or more temperature sensors in its roller and / or drying duct, thus to monitor the initial temperature currently in the roller and / or drying duct via these temperature sensors. Optionally, under multiple temperature sensors, the initial temperature currently within the roller and / or drying duct may be determined based on the multiple temperature sensors in combination to improve the accuracy of temperature monitoring within the roller and / or drying duct.

[0030] In embodiments of the present invention, the initial temperature currently in the roller and / or drying duct may be collected, before a user select a drying procedure and a drying element is started, via the temperature sensor in the roller and / or drying duct. In some embodiments, it may be determined whether the clothes processing device currently enters a drying procedure or not according to a user's instruction. The user's instructions may include, but are not limited to, contact instructions and contactless instructions. In addition, the drying procedure selected by the user may be a single drying procedure or a washing plus drying procedure.

[0031] In some embodiments, the drying element may include, but is not limited to, a heating unit, a draught fan, and the like.

[0032] In some embodiments, the heating unit may include, but is not limited to, a heating tube, a heating part of a heat pump system, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater, and the like.

[0033] In some embodiments, the temperature sensor may be provided in a designated area within the roller and / or drying duct of the clothes processing device. For example, it may be deployed in the center area of the roller, or in the bottom area of the roller. For another example, it may be deployed in the middle area or exit end of the drying duct.

[0034] In some embodiments, the temperature sensor may be provided, uniformly, in the roller and / or drying duct of the clothes processing device.

[0035] In some embodiments, the user's instruction may be a selection operation of a washing stage by the user, and further, it is determined whether the clothes processing device currently enters a drying procedure according to the selection operation. For example, the user may directly select a "Clothes Drying" button on the operation panel, or rotate it to the "Clothes Drying" position. Through such a selection operation, the clothes processing device may be instructed to enter the drying procedure. For another example, the user may perform the selection operation of washing stage on a client terminal associated with the clothes processing device.

[0036] In some embodiments, through monitoring the user's voice instruction and recognizing therefrom keywords such as "clothes drying", "drying"," clothes heating", etc., it may be determined that the clothes processing device enters the drying procedure.

[0037] In some embodiments, through monitoring the user's posture and establishing in advance a mapping relationship between the posture and the washing stage, it may be determined that the clothes processing device enters the drying procedure, if the user makes a posture matching the drying procedure. Optionally, the posture may be a pose of a designated body part such as a posture of the hand, body, head, etc.

[0038] In some embodiments, through monitoring clothes washing progress of the clothes processing device, it may be determined that the clothes processing device enters the drying procedure, in response to the clothes processing device completing the spin-drying procedure.

[0039] In some embodiments, the clothes processing device may dry clothes for a plurality of times, and the temperature in the roller and / or the drying duct will be increased due to the previous drying procedure as completed. Accordingly, before the next drying procedure is executed, the initial temperature currently in the roller and / or drying duct may be obtained again, so that the heat in the roller and / or the drying duct may be reasonably utilized in the subsequent drying.

[0040] At S102, a control parameter for the drying procedure is determined according to the initial temperature.

[0041] In some embodiments, the control parameter includes at least a target temperature controlling range of the heating unit and / or a target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure.

[0042] In some embodiments, the target temperature controlling range of the heating unit may be used to control the heating unit to be turned on and off during the drying procedure running. Illustratively, the target temperature controlling range includes T1-T2, where the monitored temperature corresponding to the heating unit greater than T2 represents that the temperature in the roller or drying duct is relatively high. In order to avoid damage to clothes or elements caused by excessive temperature, the heating unit may be suspended, that is, turning off the heating element, to wait the monitored temperature corresponding to the heating unit to fall again to T1. T1 represents that the temperature in the roller or drying duct is relatively low, and in order to improve the drying effect, the heating unit may be restarted to supply heat to the roller. According to embodiments of the present invention, the target temperature controlling range determined based on the initial temperature can accurately start the heating unit, and avoid clothes damage caused by excessively high drying temperature. Moreover, the heating unit can be restarted after the temperature drops, thus ensuring the drying effect of the clothes. In some embodiments, the target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure may be used to identify whether the clothes in the roller is dried or not. That is, when the target drying confirming condition is satisfied, it may be determined that the clothes in the roller has been dried, and the drying procedure may be stopped; and when the target drying confirming condition is not satisfied, it may be determined that the clothes in the roller has not been dried, and it may be determined that the drying procedure could not be stopped, but needs to continue. According to embodiments of the present invention, the target drying confirming condition determined by the initial temperature can improve the accuracy rate on drying confirming, and prevent the clothes from being incompletely dried or excessively dried due to inaccurate drying judgments therefore causing damage to the clothes.

[0043] In some embodiments, the target drying confirming condition for the drying procedure may be a preset temperature drop amount. If the temperature in the drying duct or roller, after reaching a temperature peak, drops from the temperature peak by the preset temperature drop amount, it is considered that the clothes have been dried. For example, after reaching the temperature peak, the temperature drops by 5 °C from the temperature peak, and the set drop of 5 °C is regarded as the drying confirming condition for the drying procedure.

[0044] In some embodiments, the target drying confirming condition for the drying procedure may be a preset temperature difference. After the temperature in the drying duct or roller reaches the temperature peak, a real-time temperature may be collected continuously to determine a temperature difference between the real-time temperature and the temperature peak. In response to the temperature difference between the real-time temperature and the temperature peak reaches the preset temperature difference, it is considered that the clothes have been dried, and the preset temperature difference may be regarded as the drying confirming condition for the drying procedure.

[0045] In some embodiments, a functional relationship between the initial temperature and different control parameters may be established in advance, for example, a mapping curve between the initial temperature and different control parameters may be generated by fitting based on multiple groups of experimental data, and further, after the initial temperature is obtained, it may be input into the functional relationship or mapping curve to obtain the control parameters matched with the drying procedure.

[0046] In some embodiments, the target temperature controlling range of the heating unit is obtained according to the initial temperature in combination with the functional relationship or functional relationship.

[0047] In some embodiments, a temperature range in which the initial temperature is located is determined and the target temperature controlling range of the heating unit is determined according to the temperature range in which the initial temperature is located.

[0048] Illustratively, the initial temperature in drying duct or roller corresponds to several temperature ranges, T0 (<10 °C), T1 (10- 20 °C), T2 (20- 30 °C), T3 (30- 40 °C) and T4 (> 40 °C). With calibration or experimental data, a temperature controlling range H0 (73-83 °C) may be set to correspond to the temperature range T0, and H1 (72-82 °C) for T1, H2 (71-81 °C) for T2, H3 (70-80 °C) for T3, and H4 (70-80 °C) for T4. For example, if the temperature range in which the initial temperature is located is T2, it may be determined that the target temperature controlling range the heating unit corresponding to is the temperature control range H2. It can be understood that with the increase of the initial temperature, the temperature controlling range the heating unit corresponding to shows a downward trend.

[0049] In some embodiments, a first adjustment parameter for a temperature controlling range of the heating unit is determined based on the initial temperature, and further, a standard temperature controlling range of the heating unit is adjusted according to the first adjustment parameter, to obtain the target temperature controlling range of the heating unit.

[0050] Illustratively, the initial temperature in drying duct or roller corresponds to several temperature ranges, T0 (<10 °C), T1 (10- 20 °C), T2 (20- 30 °C), T3 (30- 40 °C) and T4 (> 40 °C). With calibration or experimental data, a first adjustment parameter for the temperature controlling range of the heating unit corresponding to the temperature range T0 may be set to a0, and a1 for T1, a2 for T2, a3 for T3, and a4 for T4. For example, if the temperature range in which the initial temperature is located is T2, then the first adjustment parameter a2 of the temperature controlling range of the heating unit is determined. Further, the standard temperature controlling range of the heating unit is adjusted according to the first adjustment parameter a2, to obtain the target temperature controlling range of the heating unit.

[0051] In some embodiments, the target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure is obtained according to the initial temperature in combination with the functional relationship or functional relationship.

[0052] In some embodiments, a temperature range in which the initial temperature is located is determined, and the target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure is determined according to the temperature range in which the initial temperature is located.

[0053] Illustratively, the initial temperature in drying duct or roller corresponds to several temperature ranges, T0 (<10 °C), T1 (10- 20 °C), T2 (20- 30 °C), T3 (30- 40 °C) and T4 (> 40 °C). With calibration or experimental data, a target drying confirming condition G0 of the drying procedure may be set to correspond to the temperature range T0, and G1 for T1, G2 for T2, G3 for T3, and G4 for T4. For example, if the temperature range in which the initial temperature is located is T2, then the target drying confirming condition G2 of the drying procedure is determined.

[0054] In some embodiments, a second adjustment parameter for a drying confirming temperature parameter is determined based on the initial temperature, and a standard drying confirming condition of the drying procedure is adjusted according to the second adjustment parameter, to obtain the target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure.

[0055] Illustratively, the initial temperature in drying duct or roller corresponds to several temperature ranges, T0 (<10 °C), T1 (10- 20 °C), T2 (20- 30 °C), T3 (30- 40 °C) and T4 (> 40 °C). With calibration or experimental data, a second adjustment parameter for the drying confirming condition of the drying procedure corresponding to the temperature range T0 may be set to b0, and b1 for T1, b2 for T2, b3 for T3, and b4 for T4. For example, if the temperature range in which the initial temperature is located is T2, then the second adjustment parameter b2 of the drying confirming condition is determined. Further, the standard drying confirming condition of the drying procedure is adjusted according to the second adjustment parameter b2, to obtain the target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure.

[0056] In some embodiments, the real-time temperature at the target component may be collected, and the collected real-time temperature will decline continuously after reaching a temperature peak. The temperature difference between the real-time temperature and the temperature peak reaching a preset temperature difference may be as the target drying confirming condition. In this scenario, the preset temperature difference may be referred to as an inflection point temperature.

[0057] Illustratively, the initial temperature in drying duct or roller corresponds to several temperature ranges, T0 (<10 °C), T1 (10- 20 °C), T2 (20- 30 °C), T3 (30- 40 °C) and T4 (> 40 °C). With calibration or experimental data, a drying confirming condition, i.e., the inflection point temperature or preset temperature difference, of the drying procedure corresponding to the temperature range T0 may be set to 15 °C, and 13 °C for T1, 11 °C for T2, 9 °C for T3, and 8 °C for T4. It can be understood that with the increase of the initial temperature, the preset temperature difference (i.e. the inflection point temperature) shows a downward trend.

[0058] In some embodiments, the real-time temperature at the target component may be collected, and the real-time temperature at the target component increasing to a preset temperature threshold may be as the target drying confirming condition.

[0059] Illustratively, the initial temperature in drying duct or roller corresponds to several temperature ranges, T0 (<10 °C), T1 (10- 20 °C), T2 (20- 30 °C), T3 (30- 40 °C) and T4 (> 40 °C). With calibration or experimental data, a drying confirming condition, i.e., the preset temperature difference, of the drying procedure corresponding to the temperature range T0 may be set to 60 °C, and 63 °C for T1, 65 °C for T2, 67 °C for T3, and 68 °C for T4. It can be understood that with the increase of the initial temperature, the preset temperature threshold shows an upward trend. On the basis of the above embodiments, correspondences between the temperature ranges T0 (<10 °C), T1 (10- 20 °C), T2 (20- 30 °C), T3 (30- 40 °C) and T4 (> 40 °C) and the temperature controlling range of the heating unit, the preset temperature difference and the preset temperature threshold may be determined, which are shown in Table 1. Table 1T0(<10°C)T1(10-20°C)T2(20-30°C)T3(30-40°C)T4(>40°C)temperature controlling rangeH0 (73-83 °C)H1 (72-82 °C)H2 (71-81 °C)H3 (70-80 °C)H4 (70-80 °C)preset temperature difference15 °C13 °C11 °C9 °C8 °Cpreset temperature threshold60 °C63 °C65 °C67 °C68 °C

[0060] It could be understood that each element in Table 1 exists independently, and these elements are listed exemplarily in the same table, which does not mean that all elements in the table must exist simultaneously as shown in the Table. The value of each element is independent of the value of any other element in Table 1. Therefore, those skilled in the art could understand that the value of each element in Table 1 is an independent embodiment.

[0061] As S103, a clothes processing device is controlled to execute the drying procedure according to the control parameter.

[0062] In some embodiments, after the control parameter is obtained, the clothes processing device may be controlled to execute the drying procedure according to the control parameter. That is, the clothes processing device may be controlled to start the drying heating element and a draught fan to start the drying procedure, so as to dry the clothes in the roller. It could understood that the drying procedure may be monitored during the drying procedure according to the control parameter determined by the above steps, for example, to shut down or restart the heating element based on the target temperature controlling range of the heating unit; or for another example, to determine whether the clothes have been dried already or not based on the target drying confirming condition, thereby determining whether the drying procedure could be stopped.

[0063] It could understood that the clothes processing device may be installed in the drying procedure default control parameters, and after obtaining the control parameters, the clothes processing device will dry the clothes according to the control parameter matched with the initial temperature, instead of the default control parameters, so that the drying procedure is more in line with the requirements of the clothes in the roller.

[0064] According to embodiments of the present invention, the initial temperature in the roller or drying duct may be monitored, so that some control parameters of the drying procedure can be determined according to the initial temperature. Based on the actual temperature in the drying duct or the roller, some control parameters of the drying procedure that are dynamically determined, rather than fixed control parameters, are provided for the drying procedure, rendering the control parameters of the drying procedure more matched with the actual condition, which not only ensures the clothes drying effect, but also realizes the rational utilization of resources, thereby avoiding energy waste and facilitating energy conservation and environmental protection.

[0065] Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for drying clothes according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, the method for drying clothes includes, but is not limited to the following steps: S201 to S204.

[0066] At S201, an initial temperature of a target component is acquired.

[0067] Optional implementation manners in step S201 may refer to those in step S101 in Figure 1 and other related parts in embodiments involved in Figure 1, which will not repeat herein.

[0068] At S202, a weight of clothes inside the roller is acquired.

[0069] In some embodiments, operating parameters of the clothes processing device may be collected, and based on the operating parameters of the clothes processing device, a load of the clothes processing device, i.e., the weight of clothes, may be determined. For example, the weight of clothes in the clothes processing device may be determined according to operating parameters such as operating current, operating power, etc. of a motor within the clothes processing device.

[0070] In some embodiments, a pressure sensor or a weight sensor may be provided in the roller, thus to detect the weight of clothes in the roller via the pressure sensor or the weight sensor.

[0071] In some embodiments, one or more pressure sensors or weight sensors may be provided within the roller. For example, the sensors may be evenly distributed on the inner wall of the roller. Optionally, in case of a plurality of pressure sensors or weight sensors, the current clothes weight inside the roller may be comprehensively determined based on the plurality of pressure sensors or weight sensors, thus to improve the accuracy of weight monitoring inside the roller.

[0072] In some embodiments, the clothes processing device may dry the clothes multiple times, and the weight of the clothes in the roller may vary with drying each time after the previous drying procedure is completed, so that the weight of the clothes in the roller at the time of drying may be obtained again before the next drying procedure is performed.

[0073] It can be understood that other sensing components may also be provided to collect the weight of the clothes, for example, a volume of the clothes may be sensed, and the clothes weight may be estimated based on the volume. The embodiments of the present invention are merely examples, and the means by which the clothes weight in the roller could be determined are all in the protection scheme of the present invention.

[0074] At S203, the control parameter for the drying procedure is determined according to the initial temperature and the weight of clothes.

[0075] In some embodiments, a functional relationship between the initial temperature, the weight of clothes and control parameters for the drying procedure may be established in advance, for example, a mapping curve among the three may be generated by fitting based on multiple groups of experimental data. After the initial temperature and the clothes weight are obtained, the control parameters matched with the drying procedure may be obtained by inputting the initial temperature and the clothes weight into the functional relationship or mapping curve. Optionally, the mapping relation among the initial temperature, the weight of clothes, and control parameters for the drying procedure are shown in Table 2. Table 2Temperature range T0 the initial temperature withinTemperature range T1 the initial temperature within...Temperature range Tn the initial temperature withinWeight range 1 the clothes inControl parameter aControl parameter b...Control parameter iWeight range 2 the clothes in...........................Weight range n the clothes in.........Control parameter z

[0076] It could be understood that each element in Table 2 exists independently, and these elements are listed exemplarily in the same table, which does not mean that all elements in the table must exist simultaneously as shown in the Table. The value of each element is independent of the value of any other element in Table 2. Therefore, those skilled in the art could understand that the value of each element in Table 2 is an independent embodiment.

[0077] In some embodiments, an AI model may be pre-trained, and the pre-trained AI model is input with the acquired initial temperature and clothes weight, and the control parameters matched with the drying procedure may be output by the AI model based on the initial temperature and clothes weight.

[0078] In some embodiments, a set of initial temperature control parameter for the drying procedure according to the initial temperature is determined; and further, a third adjustment parameter is determined according to the weight of clothes, and the initial control parameter is adjusted according to the third adjustment parameter, to obtain the control parameter for the drying procedure.

[0079] Illustratively, the initial temperature in drying duct or roller corresponds to several temperature ranges, T0 (<10 °C), T1 (10- 20 °C), T2 (20- 30 °C), T3 (30- 40 °C) and T4 (> 40 °C). With calibration or experimental data, a temperature controlling range H0 may be set to correspond to the temperature range T0, and H1 for T1, H2 for T2, H3 for T3, and H4 for T4.

[0080] Further, different weight ranges the clothes located in correspond to different third adjustment parameters. For example, the clothes weight within a weight range 0 corresponds to a third adjustment parameter c0, and weight range 1 for c1, range 2 for c2, range 3 for c3, and range 4 for c4.

[0081] For example, in the case of the initial temperature within the temperature range T2, it may be determined that the initial temperature control range of the heating unit is the temperature control range H2; the clothes weight within the weight range 3 corresponds to the third adjustment parameter c3. Further, the temperature control range H2 is adjusted according to the third adjustment parameter c3, to obtain the target temperature controlling range of the drying procedure. Correspondingly, in the case of the initial temperature within the temperature range T2, it may be determined that the initial drying confirming condition for the drying procedure is G2; the clothes weight within the weight range 3 corresponds to the third adjustment parameter c3. Further, the drying confirming condition G2 is adjusted according to the third adjustment parameter c3, to obtain the target temperature controlling range of the drying procedure.

[0082] In some embodiments, the control parameter may further includes a drying duration of the drying procedure. Optionally, the drying duration of the drying procedure may be determined according to the initial temperature and the clothes weight. Determination of the drying duration is similar with that of other parameters and will not be repeated herein. For example, when the temperature of the clothes is low and / or there are a large number of clothes, the drying duration may be extended, and when the temperature of the clothes is high and / or there are fewer clothes, the drying duration may be reduced, which not only ensures the clothes drying effect, but also realizes the rational utilization of resources, thereby avoiding energy waste and facilitating energy conservation and environmental protection.

[0083] At S204, a clothes processing device is controlled to execute the drying procedure according to the control parameter.

[0084] Optional implementation manners in step S204 may refer to those in step S103 in Figure 1 and other related parts in embodiments involved in Figure 1, which will not repeat herein.

[0085] According to embodiments of the present invention, the initial temperature in the roller or drying duct may be monitored, so as to provide the basis for the determination of control parameters of the drying procedure. Based on the actual temperature in the drying duct or the roller, the control parameters of the drying procedure dynamically determined are provided for the drying procedure, rather than relying on fixed control parameters, which not only ensures the clothes drying effect, but also realizes the rational utilization of resources, thereby avoiding energy waste and facilitating energy conservation and environmental protection.

[0086] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for drying clothes according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, the method for drying clothes includes, but is not limited to the following steps: S301 to S307.

[0087] At S301, an initial temperature of a target component is acquired.

[0088] Optional implementation manners in step S301 may refer to those in step S101 in Figure 1 and other related parts in embodiments involved in Figure 1, which will not repeat herein.

[0089] At S302, the control parameter for the drying procedure is determined according to the initial temperature.

[0090] In some embodiments, the control parameter includes at least a target temperature controlling range of a heating unit and a target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure.

[0091] Optional implementation manners in step S302 may refer to those in step S102 in Figure 1 and S202-S203 in Figure 2, as well as other related parts in embodiments involved in Figure 1 and Figure 2, which will not repeat herein.

[0092] As S303, a clothes processing device is controlled to execute the drying procedure according to the control parameter.

[0093] In some embodiments, after the control parameter is obtained, the clothes processing device may be controlled to execute the drying procedure according to the control parameter. That is, the clothes processing device may be controlled to start the drying heating element and a draught fan to start the drying procedure, so as to dry the clothes in the roller. It could understood that the drying procedure may be monitored during the drying procedure according to the control parameter determined by the above steps.

[0094] At S304, a temperature of the heating unit is collected continuously during the drying procedure, and the heating unit is shut down in response to the temperature of the heating unit increasing to an upper limit of the target temperature controlling range.

[0095] In some embodiments, a temperature sensor may be provided near a position where the heating unit is installed in the drying duct, to detect the temperature of the heating unit via the temperature sensor. Optionally, the temperature sensor may be provided at the entrance of the drying duct, to detect the temperature of the entrance of the drying duct as the temperature of the heating unit. It can be understood that the entrance temperature of the drying duct may be a temperature of the air inlet of the drying duct connecting to the roller and supplying the air to the roller.

[0096] After obtaining the temperature of the heating unit, it may be compared with the upper limit of the target temperature controlling range, and in response to the temperature of the heating unit rising to the upper limit of the target temperature controlling range which indicates an excessive temperature in the drying duct or the roller, the heating unit may be turned off, thus to avoid the device from damage caused by the excessive temperature of the drying duct.

[0097] At S305, the temperature of the heating unit is continuously collected during the shutting down of the heating unit, and the heating unit is restarted in response to the temperature of the heating unit collected decreasing to a lower limit of the target temperature controlling range.

[0098] The drying procedure continues to run during the heating unit is shut down, and correspondingly, the temperature of the heating unit may be continuously collected. Further, the subsequently collected temperature of the heating unit may be compared with the lower limit of the target temperature controlling range, and in response to the temperature of the heating unit decreasing to the lower limit of the target temperature controlling range which indicates that the temperature in the drying duct or the roller has dropped to a lower level, the heating unit is restarted to supply heat inside the drying duct or the roller, to improve the drying effect.

[0099] At S306, a real-time temperature of the target component during the drying procedure is collected continuously; and it is determined, according to the real-time temperature of the target component, whether the clothes processing device meets the target drying confirming condition or not.

[0100] At S307, in response to the clothes processing device meeting the target drying confirming condition, the drying procedure is terminated.

[0101] In some embodiments, a temperature peak of the target component is identified, and the temperature peak of the target component is determined. Then starting from the temperature peak, it is determined whether the clothes processing device meets the target drying confirming condition or not based on the real-time temperature. Starting from the temperature peak, the real-time temperature of the target component is still continuously collected and compared with the target drying confirming condition, to determine whether the real-time temperature meets the target drying confirming condition or not. Optionally, in response to a temperature difference between the temperature peak and the real-time temperature reaching a preset temperature difference, it is confirmed that the clothes processing device meets the target drying confirming condition. Optionally, in response to the real-time temperature dropping by a preset temperature drop amount from the temperature peak, it is confirmed that the clothes processing device meets the target drying confirming condition.

[0102] In some embodiments, it is identified whether the real-time temperature of the target component increases to a preset temperature threshold or not; and in response to the real-time temperature of the target component increasing to the preset temperature threshold, it is confirmed that the clothes processing device meets the target drying confirming condition. Optionally, the real-time temperature of the target component may be the temperature in the roller, and it is judged whether the temperature in the roller increases to the preset temperature threshold or not. Optionally, the real-time temperature of the target component may be the temperature of an air outlet, and it is judged whether the temperature of the air outlet increases to the preset temperature threshold or not.

[0103] In some embodiments, when the clothes processing device meets the target drying confirming condition which indicates that the clothes have been dried, the drying procedure may be terminated, and the clothes processing device is controlled to unlock the door, so that users could take out the dried clothes from the roller.

[0104] In some embodiments, when it is confirmed that the clothes processing device meets the target drying confirming condition where the clothes have been dried, since the temperature in the roller is still high at that time, the drying procedure may continue to run for a set time period during which the drying procedure does not heat, but enters a cooling stage by blowing cold air, to prevent the user from taking the clothes under relatively high temperature. Optionally, when it is confirmed that the clothes processing device meets the target drying confirming condition, the heating unit is turned off and the draught fan is maintained to continue working, thus to cool the roller by fan blowing, so that the real-time temperature of the target component reaches a safe temperature threshold. At this time, the drying procedure is ended, and the clothes processing device is controlled to unlock the door, so that users could take out the dried clothes from the roller.

[0105] According to embodiments of the present invention, the initial temperature in the roller may be monitored, so as to provide the basis for the determination of control parameters of the drying procedure. Further the drying procedure is performed according to the control parameter, thus to make the drying procedure more intelligent. Based on the actual temperature in the drying duct or the roller, the control parameters of the drying procedure dynamically determined are provided for the drying procedure, rather than relying on fixed control parameters, which not only ensures the clothes drying effect, but also realizes the rational utilization of resources, thereby avoiding energy waste and facilitating energy conservation and environmental protection.

[0106] According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a device for implementing the method of any embodiments above. For example, there is provided a device including a unit or module for implementing each steps of the method of any embodiments above.

[0107] It should be understood that the division of each unit or module in the above device is only a division of logical functions, and may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity or physically separated in actual implementation. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of software invoked by a processor. For example, the device includes a processor, and a memory connected with the processor and stored therein instructions that, when invoked by the processor, achieve the method or functions of each unit or module in any embodiments above.

[0108] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a controller for drying clothes according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0109] As shown in Figure 4, the controller 400 for drying clothes includes: a temperature acquiring module 401, a parameter determining module 402 and a procedure executing module 403, where the temperature acquiring module 401 is configured to acquire an initial temperature currently at a target component comprising at least one of a roller and a drying duct; the parameter determining module 402 is configured to determine a control parameter for a drying procedure according to the initial temperature, the control parameter comprising at least a target temperature controlling range of a heating unit and / or a target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure; and the procedure executing module 403 is configured to control a clothes processing device to execute the drying procedure according to the control parameter.

[0110] In some embodiments, the parameter determining module 402 is further configured to: determine a temperature range in which the initial temperature is located; and determine the target temperature controlling range of the heating unit according to the temperature range in which the initial temperature is located.

[0111] In some embodiments, the parameter determining module 402 is further configured to: determine, based on the initial temperature, a first adjustment parameter for a temperature controlling range of the heating unit; and adjust a standard temperature controlling range of the heating unit according to the first adjustment parameter, to obtain the target temperature controlling range of the heating unit.

[0112] In some embodiments, the parameter determining module 402 is further configured to: determine a temperature range in which the initial temperature is located; and determine the target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure according to the temperature range in which the initial temperature is located.

[0113] In some embodiments, the parameter determining module 402 is further configured to: determine, based on the initial temperature, a second adjustment parameter for a drying confirming temperature parameter; and adjust a standard drying confirming condition of the drying procedure according to the second adjustment parameter, to obtain the target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure.

[0114] In some embodiments, the parameter determining module 402 is further configured to: acquire the weight of clothes inside the roller; and determine the control parameter for the drying procedure according to the initial temperature and the weight of clothes.

[0115] In some embodiments, the parameter determining module 402 is further configured to: determine an initial control parameter for the drying procedure according to the initial temperature; and determine, according to the weight of clothes, a third adjustment parameter, and adjust the initial control parameter according to the third adjustment parameter, to obtain the control parameter for the drying procedure.

[0116] In some embodiments, the procedure executing module 403 is further configured to: collect continuously a temperature of the heating unit during the drying procedure; shut down the heating unit in response to the temperature of the heating unit increasing to an upper limit of the target temperature controlling range; and collecting continuously the temperature of the heating unit when the heating unit is shut down, and restart the heating unit in response to the temperature of the heating unit collected decreasing to a lower limit of the target temperature controlling range.

[0117] In some embodiments, the procedure executing module 403 is further configured to: collect continuously a real-time temperature of the target component during the drying procedure; determine whether the clothes processing device meets the target drying confirming condition or not, according to the real-time temperature of the target component; and terminate the drying procedure in response to the clothes processing device meeting the target drying confirming condition.

[0118] In some embodiments, the procedure executing module 403 is further configured to: identify a temperature peak of the target component, and continuing to collect the real-time temperature of the target component from then on; and confirm the clothes processing device meeting the target drying confirming condition, in response to a temperature difference between the temperature peak and the real-time temperature reaching a preset temperature difference.

[0119] In some embodiments, the procedure executing module 403 is further configured to: identify whether the real-time temperature of the target component increasing to a preset temperature threshold or not; and confirm the clothes processing device meeting the target drying confirming condition, in response to the real-time temperature of the target component increasing to the preset temperature threshold.

[0120] According to embodiments of the present invention, the initial temperature in the roller may be monitored, so as to provide the basis for the determination of control parameters of the drying procedure. Further the drying procedure is performed according to the control parameter, thus to make the drying procedure more intelligent. Based on the actual temperature in the drying duct or the roller, the control parameters of the drying procedure dynamically determined are provided for the drying procedure, rather than relying on fixed control parameters, which not only ensures the clothes drying effect, but also realizes the rational utilization of resources, thereby avoiding energy waste and facilitating energy conservation and environmental protection.

[0121] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating a clothes processing device 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The clothes processing device 500 includes the controller 400 for drying clothes as shown in Figure 4, a first roller 501 and a second roller 502.

[0122] In some embodiments, a capacity of the second roller is larger than a capacity of the first roller, where the controller is configured to perform a drying control to the first roller of the clothes processing device.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first roller has a capacity of 1 L to 10 L.

[0124] Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical device 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electrical device 600 may be a clothes processing device such as a laundry machine, or a chip, system on chip or processor, etc. that supports the implementation of any of the above methods. The electrical device 600 may be configured to implement the method in any of the above embodiments, for specific details, reference may be made to the description in the above method embodiments.

[0125] As shown in Figure 6, the electronic device 600 includes one or more processors 601. The processor 601 may be a general purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc., for example, a baseband processor or a central processor. The baseband processor may be configured to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processor may be configured to: control a communication device such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, DU or CU, etc., execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the electronic device 600 is configured to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the one or more processors 601 are configured to invoke instructions to cause the electronic device 600 to perform any of the above methods.

[0126] In some embodiments, the electronic device 600 further includes one or more transceivers 603. When the electronic device 600 includes one or more transceivers 603, the transceiver 603 performs at least one of the communication steps of transmitting and / or receiving in the method described above, and the processor 601 performs at least one of the other steps. In alternative embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transmitter-receiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc. may be substituted for each other, the terms transmitter, transmission unit, sending machine, transmission circuit, etc. may be substituted for each other, and the terms receiver, reception unit, receiving machine, reception circuit, etc. may be substituted for each other.

[0127] In some embodiments, the electronic device 600 further includes one or more memories 602 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of memory 602 may also be external to the electronic device 600. In alternative embodiments, the electronic device 600 may include one or more interface circuits 604. Optionally, the interface circuit 604 is coupled to the memory 602, and the interface circuit 604 may be used to receive data from the memory 602 or other devices, and may be used to send data to the memory 602 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 604 may read data stored in the memory 602 and send the data to the processor 601.

[0128] The electronic device 600 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the electronic device 600 described in the present invention is not limited thereto, and the structure of the electronic device 600 may not be limited by Figure 6. The electronic device may be a stand-alone device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the electronic device may be: (i) a stand-alone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or system on chip or subsystem; (ii) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally including memory components for storing data and programs; (iii) an ASIC, such as a modem; (iv) a module embeddable within another device; (v) receivers, terminal devices, intelligent terminal devices, cellular phones, wireless devices, handsets, mobile units, vehicle-mounted devices, network devices, cloud devices, artificial intelligence devices, etc.; and (vi) others, etc.

[0129] Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating a system on chip 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For the case where the electronic device 600 may be a chip or a system on chip, reference may be made to the block diagram of the system on chip 700 shown in Figure 7, but not limited thereto.

[0130] The system on chip 700 include one or more processors 701. The system on chip 700 is configured to perform any of the above methods.

[0131] In some embodiments, the system on chip 700 further includes one or more interface circuits 702. Optionally, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, etc. may be substituted for each other. In some embodiments, the system on chip 700 further includes one or more memories 703 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memory 703 may be external to the system on chip 700. Optionally, the interface circuit 702 is connected to the memory 703, and the interface circuit 702 may be used to receive data from the memory 703 or other devices, and to send data to the memory 703 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 702 may read data stored in the memory 703 and transmit the data to the processor 701.

[0132] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 702 performs at least one of the communication steps of transmitting and / or receiving in the methods described above. The interface circuit 702 performing the communication steps such as transmission and / or reception in the above method means, for example, that the interface circuit 702 performs data interaction among the processor 701, the system on chip 700, the memory 703, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 701 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0133] The modules and / or devices described in embodiments of virtual devices, physical devices, chips, etc. may be arbitrarily combined or separated according to circumstances. Alternatively, some or all of the steps may also be cooperatively performed by multiple modules and / or devices, without limitation herein.

[0134] According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium having stored therein computer executable instructions that, when executed by the electronic device 600, achieves the method in any embodiments above. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a transitory storage medium.

[0135] There is provided in embodiments of the present invention a program product, when executed by the electronic device 600, achieves the method according to any one of the embodiments above. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0136] There is provided in embodiments of the present invention a computer program, when executed by a computer, achieves the method according to any one of the embodiments above.

[0137] Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that various illustrative logical blocks and steps set forth in embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. Whether such functionality is implemented in hardware or software depends on the particular application and overall system design requirements. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functions using various methods for each particular application, but such implementations should not be construed as going beyond the scope of the disclosed embodiments.

[0138] Other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the present invention disclosed here. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present invention following the general principles thereof and including such departures from the present invention as come within known or customary practice in the art. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the present invention being indicated by the following claims.

[0139] It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the exact construction that has been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope thereof. It is intended that the scope of the present invention only be limited by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for drying clothes, comprising: acquiring an initial temperature currently at a target component comprising at least one of a roller and a drying duct; determining a control parameter for a drying procedure according to the initial temperature, the control parameter comprising at least a target temperature controlling range of a heating unit and / or a target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure; and controlling a clothes processing device to execute the drying procedure according to the control parameter.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining a control parameter for a drying procedure according to the initial temperature comprises: determining a temperature range in which the initial temperature is located; and determining the target temperature controlling range of the heating unit according to the temperature range in which the initial temperature is located.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining a control parameter for a drying procedure according to the initial temperature comprises: determining, based on the initial temperature, a first adjustment parameter for a temperature controlling range of the heating unit; and adjusting a standard temperature controlling range of the heating unit according to the first adjustment parameter, to obtain the target temperature controlling range of the heating unit.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining a control parameter for a drying procedure according to the initial temperature comprises: determining a temperature range in which the initial temperature is located; and determining the target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure according to the temperature range in which the initial temperature is located.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining a control parameter for a drying procedure according to the initial temperature comprises: determining, based on the initial temperature, a second adjustment parameter for a drying confirming temperature parameter; and adjusting a standard drying confirming condition of the drying procedure according to the second adjustment parameter, to obtain the target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure.

6. The method according any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein determining a control parameter for a drying procedure according to the initial temperature comprises: acquiring a weight of clothes inside the roller; and determining the control parameter for the drying procedure according to the initial temperature and the weight of clothes.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein determining a control parameter for a drying procedure according to the initial temperature comprises: determining an initial control parameter for the drying procedure according to the initial temperature; and determining, according to the weight of clothes, a third adjustment parameter, and adjusting the initial control parameter according to the third adjustment parameter, to obtain the control parameter for the drying procedure.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein controlling a clothes processing device to performing the drying procedure according to the control parameter comprises: collecting continuously a temperature of the heating unit during the drying procedure; shutting down the heating unit in response to the temperature of the heating unit increasing to an upper limit of the target temperature controlling range; and collecting continuously the temperature of the heating unit during the shutting down of the heating unit, and restarting the heating unit in response to the temperature of the heating unit collected decreasing to a lower limit of the target temperature controlling range.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein controlling a clothes processing device to performing the drying procedure according to the control parameter comprises: collecting continuously a real-time temperature of the target component during the drying procedure; determining whether the clothes processing device meets the target drying confirming condition or not, according to the real-time temperature of the target component; and terminating the drying procedure in response to the clothes processing device meeting the target drying confirming condition.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein determining whether the clothes processing device meets the target drying confirming condition or not, according to the real-time temperature of the target component comprises: identifying a peak temperature of the target component, and collecting continuously the real-time temperature of the target component from the peak temperature; and confirming the clothes processing device meeting the target drying confirming condition, in response to a temperature difference between the peak temperature and the real-time temperature reaching a preset temperature difference.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein determining whether the clothes processing device meets the target drying confirming condition or not, according to the real-time temperature of the target component comprises: identifying whether the real-time temperature of the target component increases to a preset temperature threshold or not; and confirming the clothes processing device meeting the target drying confirming condition, in response to the real-time temperature of the target component increasing to the preset temperature threshold.

12. A controller for drying clothes, comprising: a temperature acquiring module, configured to acquire an initial temperature currently at a target component comprising at least one of a roller and a drying duct; a parameter determining module, configured to determine a control parameter for a drying procedure according to the initial temperature, the control parameter comprising at least a target temperature controlling range of a heating unit and / or a target drying confirming condition of the drying procedure; and a procedure executing module, configured to control a clothes processing device to execute the drying procedure according to the control parameter.

13. A clothes processing device, comprising: a controller for drying clothes of claim 12; and a first roller and a second roller, wherein a capacity of the second roller is larger than a capacity of the first roller, wherein the controller is configured to perform a drying control to the first roller of the clothes processing device, optionally, the first roller has a capacity of 1 L to 10 L.

14. An electronic device, comprising: a memory; and a processor; wherein the memory has stored therein executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, achieve the method for drying clothes according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

15. A computer-readable storage medium having stored therein computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, achieves the method for drying clothes according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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