JP2019071972A - Apparatus for treating clothing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique capable of estimating a drying period. A technique related to a clothes processing apparatus is disclosed. The clothing processing device stores the clothing and performs a drying process on the clothing, a drying information acquisition unit that acquires drying information related to the drying of the clothing from outside, and the acquired drying information, A period estimating unit for estimating a period required for the clothing to dry. [Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

  The technology disclosed herein relates to an apparatus for treating clothes that performs a drying process on clothes.

  There is known a washing / drying machine that acquires information related to washing from an external server or the like and changes the operation content. For example, a washer / dryer controls a series of washing, rinsing, dewatering and drying processes according to pollen information.

JP 2004-344372 A

  The period of time to dry the clothes varies with different conditions. For this reason, it is difficult to properly estimate the drying period.

  Provided herein are techniques by which the duration of drying can be estimated.

  Disclosed herein is a technique relating to a garment treatment device. The clothes processing apparatus uses a storage unit that stores clothes and performs drying processing on the clothes, a drying information acquisition unit that acquires drying information on drying of the clothing from the outside, and the acquired drying information. The period estimation part which estimates the period concerning the said drying of the said clothing may be provided.

It is a system configuration figure of the washing-drying system concerning an example. It is a structure block diagram of the washing-drying machine which concerns on an Example. It is a flowchart which shows the washing-drying process which concerns on an Example. It is a period database which shows the period of the washing process and drying process which concern on an Example. It is a type | mold database which shows the relationship of the clothing information and weight which concern on an Example.

  A washing and drying machine 10 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "washing machine 10") according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. The washing machine 10 is disposed in the washing system 2. The washing system 2 includes an information providing server 200 and a portable terminal 300 in addition to the washing machine 10.

  The washing machine 10 is communicably connected to the information providing server 200 via the Internet 100. The washing machine 10 is communicably connected to the portable terminal 300 via the Internet 100.

  The washing machine 10 is used at home. As shown in FIG. 2, the washing machine 10 includes a housing 12, a display unit 14, an operation unit 16, a detection unit 18, a control unit 20, a washing tub unit 30, and a communication module 40.

  The housing 12 accommodates the display unit 14, the operation unit 16, the detection unit 18, the control unit 20, the washing tub unit 30, and the communication module 40. The display unit 14, the operation unit 16, the detection unit 18, the washing tub unit 30, and the communication module 40 are communicably connected to the control unit 20. The display unit 14 has a liquid crystal panel. The display unit 14 is controlled by the control unit 20 and displays information necessary for washing and drying (for example, a remaining washing period). The operation unit 16 includes a plurality of buttons such as a start button and a stop button. When the user operates a button, the operation unit 16 transmits a signal according to the operated button to the control unit 20. In the modification, the display unit 14 and the operation unit 16 may include a touch panel.

  The detection unit 18 includes a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and a water temperature sensor. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the room in which the washing machine 10 is mounted. The humidity sensor detects the humidity in the room where the washing machine 10 is mounted. The water temperature sensor detects the temperature of water (for example, tap water) supplied to the washing machine 10. When a request is obtained from the control unit 20, the detection unit 18 supplies the indoor temperature, humidity, and water temperature to the control unit 20 according to the request.

  The washing tub unit 30 includes a washing tub 32 and a reading unit 34. The washing tub 32 has a bottomed cylindrical shape having an opening. The washing tub 32 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. In the modification, the washing tub 32 may be disposed in the vertical direction. The washing tub 32 is rotatably supported relative to the housing 12. The washing tub 32 accommodates the laundry to be put into the housing 12, and performs a washing process including washing, rinsing, dewatering, and a drying process. The washing tub 32 is rotated relative to the housing 12 by a motor. When the motor is driven according to the signal acquired from the control unit 20, the washing tub 32 is rotated. In the drying process, the clothes in the washing tub 32 are dried by a fan and a compressor (not shown).

  The reading unit 34 includes a reader capable of reading an RF tag (hereinafter simply referred to as a “tag”) of an RFID (abbreviation of Radio Frequency Identifier) system. The reading unit 34 reads a tag attached to the laundry placed in the washing tub 32. A tag 402 is attached to each of the clothes 400 to be washed. Clothes information including the type and material of the clothes 400 is recorded in the tag 402. The reading unit 34 transmits the read clothing information to the control unit 20. The type of the clothes 400 indicates, for example, a “shirt”, a “short sleeve T-shirt”, a “one-piece” and the like. The materials include materials such as cotton and synthetic fibers and their proportions.

  The communication module 40 includes a communication interface for connecting the washing machine 10 and the Internet 100, for example, a LAN (abbreviation of Local Area Network) interface. The control unit 20 communicates with the information providing server 200 and the portable terminal 300 on the Internet 100 via the communication module 40.

  The control unit 20 includes a CPU and memories such as a RAM and a ROM. The control unit 20 is controllably connected to each of the units 14, 16, 18, 30, and 40 by wiring (not shown). The control unit 20 stores, in the memory, a computer program for controlling the units 14, 16, 18, 30, 40 of the washing machine 10. The control unit 20 executes various processes including a washing and drying process described later by the CPU and the memory.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the control unit 20 stores the period database 22 and the type database 24 in advance. Each database 22, 24 is stored beforehand by the manufacturer of the washing machine 10, for example. The control unit 20 can also store user information set by the user. Furthermore, the control unit 20 stores, in advance, tables and the like necessary for various processes including the washing and drying process described later. These tables will be described later as needed.

  The period database 22 includes the weight in the case of the clothes 400 in which the material of the clothes 400 is 100% synthetic, the period of the washing process and the period of the drying process, and the weight in the clothes 400 when the material of the clothes 400 is 100% cotton. The period of the laundry treatment and the period of the drying treatment are recorded in association with each other.

  In the type database 24, the type, material, and estimated weight of the clothes 400 are recorded in association with each other. For example, in the case where the type of the clothing 400 is a “long sleeve shirt”, two materials are associated. The control unit 20 specifies the estimated weight according to the material when the type of the clothes 400 is the “long-sleeve shirt”. As described above, a plurality of materials and estimated weights may be recorded in association with one type of clothes 400.

(Initial setting)
The user can set user information by operating the portable terminal 300 or the operation unit 16. When the mobile terminal 300 is used, the user connects the mobile terminal 300 to the washing machine 10 via the Internet 100 to set the user information input to the mobile terminal 300 in the washing machine 10. When the operation unit 16 is used, the user operates the operation unit 16 to input user information. Thereby, user information is set. The user information includes the detergent used by the user for washing, the washing information including the type of softener, and the address (ie, the installation area of the washing machine 10). In the modification, the user may register user information in the information providing server 200. In this case, the washing machine 10 may acquire user information from the information providing server 200 as necessary.

(Washing and drying process)
Then, with reference to FIG. 3, the washing-drying process which the washing machine 10 performs is demonstrated. The washing and drying process is started when the power switch of the washing machine 10 is switched from off to on by the user. In addition, the user can put the clothes 400 into the washing tub 32 before switching the power switch of the washing machine 10 to ON.

  In the washing and drying process, first, in S12, the control unit 20 acquires server-side climate information via the Internet 100. The server-side climate information indicates outdoor temperature information indicating the outdoor temperature of the area where the washing machine 10 is installed (that is, the area of the user's address), outdoor humidity information indicating the outdoor humidity, and outdoor precipitation probability. It includes precipitation probability information and scattering material information indicating the amount of scattering material (for example, pollen, yellow sand, etc.) outdoors. The control unit 20 transmits, to the information providing server 200, a signal for requesting server-side climate information. The request signal includes information indicating an address included in the user information. When the request signal is received, the information providing server 200 transmits server-side climate information to the washing machine 10.

  Next, in S14, the control unit 20 acquires washing machine-side climate information. Specifically, the control unit 20 causes the detection unit 18 to detect indoor temperature information indicating the indoor temperature at which the washing machine 10 is installed and indoor humidity information indicating the indoor humidity. The detection unit 18 supplies the control unit 20 with washing machine-side climate information including the detected indoor temperature information and indoor humidity information.

  Next, in S16, the control unit 20 acquires clothing information. Specifically, the control unit 20 causes the reading unit 34 to read clothing information. The reading unit 34 reads the tags 402 of the one or more clothes 400 stored in the laundry tub 32 and supplies the read clothes information to the control unit 20.

  Next, at S18, the control unit 20 specifies the history information stored in the control unit 20. The history information is information stored in the control unit 20 in S30 described later, and the combination of the laundry information, each information of S12 to S16, and the laundry course and the drying method selected by the user in S26 described later are combined. It is done.

  Next, in S20, the control unit 20 determines a laundry course for executing the laundry process. Specifically, the control unit 20 determines the laundry course using the clothing information acquired in S16, the history information identified in S18, and the laundry information stored in the control unit 20. The control unit 20 uses the material of the clothing 400 obtained from the clothing information and the type of the clothing 400 to determine the strength of the laundry processing. For example, the control unit 20 selects a course from the normal course, the soft course whose strength is lower than the regular course, and the strong course whose strength is higher than the regular course. In the modification, the strength may be selected for each of washing, rinsing, and dewatering included in the washing process. Here, it may be difficult to specify the strength of one laundry process only with the material of the clothing 400 and the type of the clothing 400. For example, in the case where the clothing information includes the type of the clothing 400 to be treated carefully and the type of the soilable clothing 400, it can not be specified whether the strength of the laundry processing should be strong or weak. In this case, the control unit 20 determines the strength of the laundry process using the history information, that is, based on the laundry course and the drying method selected by the user in the past.

  In addition, the control unit 20 uses the material of the clothing 400 obtained from the clothing information and the type of the clothing 400, and the type database 24 stored in the control unit 20 to store the clothing 400 in the washing tub 32. Estimate the weight of Thereby, the control unit 20 determines the amount of water at the time of the washing process. Next, the control unit 20 specifies the period of the laundry treatment in the case of 100% synthetic fiber and 100% cotton from the estimated weight and the period database 22. Next, the control unit 20 specifies the ratio of synthetic fiber to cotton in the clothes 400 contained in the laundry tub 32 using the material of the clothes 400 in the clothes information. This determines the duration of the laundry process. For example, in the case where the ratio of the synthetic fiber to the cotton contained in the laundry tub 32 is 2: 1, the period of the washing process in the case of 100% of the synthetic fiber x 2 + 100% of the cotton Period of time / 3 is calculated to determine the period of laundry treatment.

  Next, in S22, the control unit 20 specifies a drying method. The drying method includes a method utilizing the drying process performed by the washing machine 10, a method of hanging indoors outside the washing machine 10, and a method of hanging outdoors. First, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the drying process can be performed. The control unit 20 determines whether or not the drying process can be performed according to the material. Specifically, the control unit 20 stores a table in which clothes information and information indicating whether to execute the drying process are combined and recorded in advance. The control unit 20 determines whether to execute the drying process using the acquired clothing information and the table. For example, the control unit 20 can not execute the drying process when the at least one piece of clothing information includes the clothes information recorded in the table in combination with the information indicating that the drying process can not be performed. It may be determined that In the modification, information on whether or not the drying process can be performed may be recorded in the tag 402. The control unit 20 may determine whether to execute the drying process using the information on whether to execute the drying process. When the drying process can be performed, the control unit 20 determines the period of the drying process using the weight of the clothes 400 estimated in S20, the ratio of synthetic fiber and cotton of the clothes 400, and the period database 22. Do. The determination of the period of the drying process is similar to the determination of the period of the laundry process of S20.

  Next, the control unit 20 determines the drying period of the method of drying indoors, using the washing-machine-side climate information and the clothing information identified in S14. In addition, the control unit 20 determines whether the method of drying outdoors can be performed using the server-side climate information acquired in S12. For example, when the outdoor precipitation probability is relatively high (for example, 40% or more), the control unit 20 determines that the method of drying outdoors is not feasible, and when the precipitation probability is relatively low Determine that the method of drying is feasible. Also, for example, when the scattered matter is relatively large (for example, when the amount of pollen is larger than a predetermined standard), the control unit 20 determines that the method of drying outdoors is not feasible.

  If it is judged that the method of drying outdoors is feasible, the drying period of the method of drying outdoors is estimated using the server-side climate information and clothing information already acquired in S12.

  Next, in S24, the display unit 14 displays the laundry course determined in S20, the drying method specified in S22, and the period thereof. The display unit 14 has, for example, “normal course and water volume V liter” as a laundry course, “drying process: X hours”, “outdoor drying: Y hours”, “indoor drying: Z as a drying method and period thereof. "Time" is displayed. When it is determined that at least one of the drying process and the outdoor drying is not feasible among the drying methods, the drying method and the period thereof which are determined to be infeasible are not displayed. In the modification, the display unit 14 may execute a display indicating that the drying method determined to be impracticable is impracticable.

  Next, in S26, the control unit 20 monitors the operation unit 16 that the user executes the selection completion operation. The user can select one drying method from the drying methods displayed in S24. The user executes the drying selection operation as to whether or not to select the drying method by the drying process. In addition, the user can execute a course change operation for changing the laundry course. In the course change operation, for example, it is possible to change the amount of water (for example, change from the normal course to a soft course whose strength is lower than that of the normal course). The user executes a predetermined selection completion operation when all selection operations are completed.

  When the selection completion operation is performed (YES in S26), the control unit 20 executes the laundry process in S28. In S28, if the drying process is selected in S26, the control unit 20 executes the drying process following the laundry process. In S28, when the washing process and the execution are finished, the process ends to the drying process in S30. In S30, the control unit 20 determines the server side climate information acquired in S12 and the washing machine side climate information detected in S14. The laundry information that has been read in S16, the laundry information, and the history information including the laundry course and the drying method selected in S26 are stored in the control unit 20, and the laundry drying process is ended.

(effect)
The washing machine 10 estimates the period of drying using the server side climate information, the washing machine side climate information, and the clothing information. According to this configuration, it is possible to appropriately estimate the drying period in consideration of the amount of the clothes 400, the material, the air temperature, the room temperature, and the like.

  The washing machine 10 estimates the drying period for each of the drying methods including the method of drying outdoors and the method of drying indoors in addition to the drying process performed by the washing machine 10. According to this configuration, the user can check the drying period from among the plurality of drying methods, and select the drying method that is most suitable for the user.

  The washing machine 10 specifies the washing course using the washing information and the clothes information. According to this configuration, the user does not have to decide the laundry course by himself. The washing machine 10 also allows the user to change the specified washing course. According to this configuration, the user can arrange the washing course and cause the washing machine 10 to execute a desired washing process.

  The washing machine 10 stores history information, and further uses the history information to specify a laundry course and a drying method. According to this configuration, it is possible to specify the laundry course and the drying method in consideration of the laundry course and the drying method which the user has selected in the past.

(Correspondence relationship)
The washing machine 10 is an example of the “clothing treatment device”, and the washing tub 32 is an example of the “housing unit”. The server side climate information, the washing machine side climate information, and the clothing information are examples of the “dry information”. The control unit 20 that executes the processes of S12, S14, and S16 is an example of the “dry information acquisition unit”, and the control unit 20 that performs the process of S22 is an example of the “period estimation unit”. The control unit 20 that executes the process of S26 is an example of the "selection allowance unit", and the control unit 20 that executes the process of S20 is an example of the "washing information acquisition unit" and the "course determination unit". The control unit 20 that executes the above is a "storage unit".

  While certain embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

(1) In the above embodiment, the control unit 20 acquires server-side climate information from the information providing server 200. However, the control unit 20 may acquire at least one piece of server-side climate information from the portable terminal 300.

(2) In the above embodiment, the washing machine 10 is an example of the "clothing treatment apparatus". However, the "clothing treatment device" may not be able to perform the laundry treatment. That is, the "clothing treatment apparatus" may be a dryer capable of performing only the drying process. In this case, the control unit 20 of the dryer may execute at least one of S12 to S16 and only the drying process of S22 and S28 among the washing and drying processes of FIG. 3.

(3) In the above embodiment, the server side climate information, the washing machine side climate information, and the clothing information are examples of the "dry information". However, the “drying information” may include at least one of server-side climate information, washing-machine-side climate information, and clothing information. In this case, the control unit 20 may execute at least one process of S12 to S16.

(4) In the above embodiment, the control unit 20 estimates the drying period for each of the plurality of drying methods. However, the control unit 20 may estimate only the period of the drying process performed in the washing machine 10. Alternatively, the control unit 20 may estimate the period of drying performed in a drying room outside the washing machine 10 (for example, a room having an air conditioner or a drying facility). In this case, the control unit 20 may obtain information on the temperature and humidity of the drying chamber. In the present modification, the information on the temperature and humidity of the drying chamber is an example of the "drying information".

(5) In the initial setting, the laundry information set in advance by the user may include the family configuration of the user, a life schedule (for example, time at home), and the like. The control unit 20 may specify the laundry course and the drying method in consideration of the information.

(6) In the above embodiment, the control unit 20 estimates the weight of the clothes 400 as the clothes information. However, the control unit 20 may estimate the volume of the clothing 400 together with or instead of the weight of the clothing 400. In this case, the control unit 20 may store a database whose capacity can be estimated together with or instead of each of the databases 22 and 24.

(7) In the above embodiment, the control unit 20 estimates the weight of the clothes 400 by reading the tag 402. However, the method of acquiring the weight of the clothes 400 is not limited to this, and a weight sensor may be disposed in the washing machine 10, or the load applied to the motor when the control unit 20 rotates the washing tub 32. It may be estimated based on it or may be input by the user. In this case, the tag 402 may not be attached to the clothes 400.

(8) In the above embodiment, various information stored in the control unit 20 may be stored in an external device (for example, the information providing server 200) communicably connected to the washing machine 10. For example, in the above embodiment, the databases 22 and 24 stored in advance in the control unit 20 may be stored in the information providing server 200. The control unit 20 may execute communication of various information with an external device as needed. According to this configuration, the capacity of the memory of the control unit 20 can be saved.

(9) In the above embodiment, the tag 402 records clothing information including the type and material of the clothing 400. However, the tag 402 may store identification information (for example, a character string unique to the clothes 400) for identifying the clothes 400. In this case, the control unit 20 may obtain the clothing information corresponding to the identification information via the memory in the control unit 20 or the Internet 100 using the identification information acquired from the tag 402.

(10) In the above embodiment, the detection unit 18 detects the climate information such as the temperature of the indoor where the washing machine 10 is mounted. However, the detection unit 18 may include a temperature sensor or the like disposed apart from the washing machine 10. For example, when the washing machine 10 is disposed in the washroom, the temperature sensor or the like of the detection unit 18 may be disposed in a room, such as a living room or a bedroom, which is used for indoor drying. In this case, the temperature sensor or the like may be communicably connected to the control unit 20 via the communication module 40. The detection unit 18 may detect the temperature, humidity, and the like of a room used for indoor drying, and may transmit the temperature, the control unit 20, and the like.

(11) The control unit 20 may change the control of dehydration included in the laundry processing, according to the drying method specified in S22. For example, in the case of the indoor drying method, the strength of dehydration may be increased as compared to the outdoor drying method. Alternatively, the period of dehydration may be extended in the case of the indoor drying method as compared with the outdoor drying method. In this case, for each of the washing and rinsing steps, the strength and duration may not be changed depending on the drying method.

  These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof as well as included in the scope and the gist of the invention.

2: washing system 10: washing / drying machine 12: housing 14: display unit 16: operation unit 18: detection unit 20: control unit 22: period database 24: type database 30: washing tub unit 32: washing tub 34: reading unit 100 : Internet 200: Information providing server 300: Mobile terminal 400: Clothing 402: Tag

Claims (8)

An accommodation unit for accommodating clothes and performing a drying process on the clothes;
A drying information acquisition unit that acquires drying information on drying of the clothes from the outside;
A period estimation unit configured to estimate a period of time required for the drying of the clothes using the acquired drying information.   The clothes processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drying information includes clothes information including at least one of the amount of the clothes and the material of the clothes.   The clothes processing device according to claim 1, wherein the dryness information includes climate information on a climate around the clothes processing device. The period estimation unit estimates, using the drying information, a plurality of drying methods for drying the clothes, and the period of time required to dry the clothes for each of the plurality of drying methods.
The clothes processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the clothes processing apparatus further includes a selection permission unit which allows a user to select whether or not to execute the drying process.   The clothes processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of drying methods include a method of using the drying process and a method of allowing the user to dry the clothes out of the clothes processing apparatus. The drying information includes climate information about the climate around the clothes processing device,
The climate information includes indoor temperature information indicating the indoor temperature at which the clothes processing device is disposed, indoor humidity information indicating the indoor humidity, outdoor temperature information indicating the outdoor temperature, and the outdoor humidity. The apparatus for treating clothes according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least one information of: outdoor humidity information to indicate.   The clothes processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the storage unit further performs a washing process of washing the clothes, and the drying process is performed subsequent to the washing process. A laundry information acquisition unit that acquires laundry information on laundry of the clothes;
A course determination unit that determines a laundry course of the laundry process using the laundry information;
And a storage unit for storing history information in which the laundry information, the determined laundry course, the drying information, and the drying method are combined.
The period estimation unit estimates the period of time for the drying using the history information and the drying information,
The clothes processing device according to claim 7, wherein the course determination unit determines the laundry course using the history information and the laundry information.

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