Patent Description:
The application relates to the field of laundry treatment, and in particular to a laundry treatment device, a deodorization control method and apparatus for the laundry treatment device, and a storage medium.

With the advancement of science and technology, people often use laundry treatment devices to replace manpower to achieve laundry washing, drying, or other processing. In real life, it is often necessary to rewash laundry with odors such as smoke odor, hot pot odor, musty odor or other odors, to eliminate peculiar smell. However, this process is not only time-consuming and energy-consuming, but also increases laundry depreciation loss and environmental pollution caused by fiber particles due to frequent laundry washing.

In the related art, the laundry treatment device may decompose odor molecules by using ozone, plasma or other manners. However, plasma may only play a role of decomposition on some types of odor molecules, for example, plasma cannot decompose hydrocarbons and has limitations in terms of application, while ozone affects users' experience due to peculiar smell itself. <CIT> discloses a method to reduce odor in a laundry drying device. <CIT> relates to a method for controlling a laundry care machine, while <CIT> relates to an article odor removal identification method. <CIT> discloses a clothes care method. <CIT> describes a washing machine and deodorizing method. <CIT> relates to a clothes treating apparatus.

In view of this, embodiments of the application provide a laundry treatment device, a deodorization control method and apparatus for the laundry treatment according to the appended claims, and a storage medium, which are intended to effectively improve laundry deodorization effect.

Technical solutions of the embodiments of the application are implemented as follows.

According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the application provides a deodorization control method for a laundry treatment device, the method includes the following operations.

A deodorization type of a to-be-treated laundry is determined.

The laundry treatment device is controlled to execute a corresponding deodorization control program based on the deodorization type.

The deodorization control program of each deodorization type is different based on a control strategy of at least a condensate water supply valve and/or a steam generator.

According to the invention, the operation of controlling the laundry treatment device to execute the corresponding deodorization control program based on the deodorization type includes the following operations.

The laundry treatment device is controlled to alternately operate in a first stage of enhancing odor volatilization of the laundry and a second stage of steam-based deodorization.

The laundry treatment device is controlled to operate in a third stage of drying the laundry.

The steam generator is turned off in the first stage and the third stage; the steam generator is turned on in the second stage; in the first stage, the second stage and the third stage, a fan and a heating apparatus heating a drying tunnel of the laundry treatment device are turned on, and a tub body of the laundry treatment device rotates based on a setting strategy.

According to the invention, the method includes the following operations in case that the deodorization type is a first type for smoke odor. The condensate water supply valve is turned on, in response to starting the deodorization control program.

According to the invention, the method includes the following operations in case that the deodorization type is a second type for at least one of sweat odor, musty odor, smelly sock odor or river snail rice noodle odor. It is determined that temperature in the laundry treatment device is equal to or greater than a first setting temperature, and the condensate water supply valve is turned on.

In some implementations, the method may further include the following operations in case that the deodorization type is a third type for hot pot odor. It is determined that the temperature in the laundry treatment device is equal to or greater than a second setting temperature, and the condensate water supply valve is turned on. The second setting temperature is greater than the first setting temperature.

In some implementations, in at least the first stage and/or the second stage, the tub body of the laundry treatment device rotating based on the setting strategy may include the following operations.

The tub body is controlled to rotate with at least one rotation speed less than a critical rotation speed for a first set duration.

The tub body is controlled to rotate with at least one rotation speed equal to or greater than the critical rotation speed for a second set duration.

The critical rotation speed is a rotation speed that causes the laundry to adhere to an inner wall of the tub body and follow rotation of the tub body.

In some implementations, in the third stage, the tub body of the laundry treatment device rotating based on the setting strategy may include the following operations. The tub body is controlled to rotate with at least one rotation speed less than the critical rotation speed for a third set duration.

In some implementations, the method may further include the following operations. ON duration of the steam generator is determined based on the deodorization type, in the second stage. ON duration of the third type is greater than ON duration of the second type.

In some implementations, the method may further include the following operations before controlling the laundry treatment device to execute the corresponding deodorization control program. The laundry treatment device is controlled to operate in a fourth stage, the fourth stage is configured to pre-heat the steam generator and control the tub body to shake and scatter the laundry.

In some implementations, the method may further include the following operations. The laundry treatment device is controlled to operate in a fifth stage, the fifth stage is configured to cool the laundry in the tub body.

According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the application further provides a deodorization control apparatus for a laundry treatment device, the deodorization control apparatus includes a deodorization type determination module and a deodorization control module.

The deodorization type determination module is configured to determine a deodorization type of a to-be-treated laundry.

The deodorization control module is configured to control the laundry treatment device to execute a corresponding deodorization control program based on the deodorization type.

According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the application further provides a laundry treatment device, the laundry treatment device includes a tub body, a fan, a heating apparatus, a drying tunnel, a steam generator and a condensate water supply valve. The fan is configured to drive airflow between the tub body and the drying tunnel to flow circularly, the heating apparatus is configured to heat the drying tunnel, the steam generator is arranged upstream of the heating apparatus and is configured to supply steam or superheated steam to the tub body, and the condensate water supply valve is configured to supply condensate water to condense the airflow. The laundry treatment device further includes a processor and a memory configured to store a computer program executable on the processor. The processor is configured to execute operations of the method of the embodiments of the application when the processor executes the computer program.

According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the application further provides a storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program. The computer program implements operations of the method of the embodiments of the application when the computer program is executed by a processor.

According to the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the application, a deodorization type of a to-be-treated laundry is determined; the laundry treatment device is controlled to execute a corresponding deodorization control program based on the deodorization type, the deodorization control program of each deodorization type is different based on a control strategy of at least a condensate water supply valve and/or a steam generator. In this way, the control strategy of at least the condensate water supply valve and/or the steam generator may be adjusted for different deodorization types, so that deodorization effects of different odors on the laundry may be improved in a targeted manner, to meet people's different requirements of deodorization.

The application will be further described in detail below in combination with the drawings and embodiments.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used here have the same meaning as usually understood by technicians in the technical field to which the application belongs. In the description of the application, terms used here are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the application.

An embodiment of the application provides a deodorization control method for a laundry treatment device. Before describing the deodorization control method, the laundry treatment device relevant thereto will be described first.

The laundry treatment device may be a washer-dryer or a clothes dryer with a drying function, and the laundry treatment device may include a tub body, a drying tunnel, a heating apparatus, a fan, a condenser and a steam generator. The tub body is configured to load laundry, the heating apparatus and the fan may be arranged in the drying tunnel, the fan is configured to introduce airflow in the drying tunnel circularly, and the heating apparatus is configured to heat the airflow in the drying tunnel. Exemplarily, the heating apparatus and the fan may also be arranged outside the drying tunnel, for example, the heating apparatus may transfer heat with the drying tunnel through a heat conduction member, and the fan may communicate with the drying tunnel, as long as the airflow may be introduced into the drying tunnel. The heating apparatus may be a heating pipe, or a heat pump-type heating system. For example, in case of a direct discharging-type or condensing-type washer-dryer, the heating apparatus is a heating pipe; in case of a heat pump-type washer-dryer, the heating apparatus is a heat pump-type heating system, forms of the heating apparatus are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the application.

Here, the condenser is configured to condense and dehumidify airflow in the tub body and then introduce it into the drying tunnel, and the condenser is provided with a condensate water supply valve to supply condensate water.

Here, the steam generator is configured to supply steam or superheated steam to the tub body, and position where the steam generator is arranged is not specifically limited, as long as the generated steam may be introduced into the tub body.

In some implementations, the steam generator is arranged upstream of the heating apparatus. That is to say, in case that the steam generator and the heating apparatus are turned on, the steam generated by the steam generator may enter the tub body after passing through the heating apparatus, and in this case, what enters the tub body is superheated steam; and in case that the steam generator is turned on and the heating apparatus is turned off, the steam generated by the steam generator directly enters the tub body, and in this case, what enters the tub body is steam.

In some implementations, the laundry treatment device further includes a box body, the box body includes a housing and a front sealing door, a laundry access opening for a user to input and take out laundry is opened on the housing, and the front sealing door may be hinged on the housing to close or open the laundry access opening. The tub body is located in the housing and is provided with an opening corresponding to the laundry access opening, and the tub body may rotate under driving of a motor.

Next, based on the foregoing laundry treatment device, the deodorization control method for the laundry treatment device according to the embodiment of the application will be introduced.

As shown in <FIG>, the deodorization control method for the laundry treatment device according to the embodiment of the application includes operations <NUM> and <NUM>.

At <NUM>, a deodorization type of a to-be-treated laundry is determined.

According to the invention, the laundry treatment device determines the deodorization type based on an instruction input by the user. For example, the user may input an instruction to select a deodorization type through a key, a touch screen on the laundry treatment device, or a remote controller wirelessly connected to the laundry treatment device or the like, and the laundry treatment device determines the deodorization type based on the received instruction.

Exemplarily, a display screen may be provided at the top of the box body of the laundry treatment device, and the user may switch a current deodorization type displayed on the display screen based on a key, and select it to confirm the deodorization type of the to-be-treated laundry.

Exemplarily, in the embodiment of the application, deodorization types are classified based on different odors of the laundry, of which details are shown in Table <NUM> below.

It may be understood that the smoke odor mainly involves hydrocarbons and their oxides, sulfides, nitrides or other components, and is classified into the first type; the sweat odor, smelly sock odor, musty odor, river snail rice noodle odor or other odors mainly involve volatile and water-soluble odor molecules such as isovaleric acid, methyl mercaptan, acetic acid, ammonia, sulfide or other types, and are classified into the second type; the hot pot odor mainly involves volatile while not-easy-water-soluble odor molecules such as grease, spicy molecules or the like, and is classified into the third type.

At <NUM>, the laundry treatment device is controlled to execute a corresponding deodorization control program based on the deodorization type, here, the deodorization control program of each deodorization type is different based on a control strategy of at least a condensate water supply valve and/or a steam generator.

In the embodiment of the application, the deodorization control program of each deodorization type is different based on the control strategy of at least the condensate water supply valve and/or the steam generator. In this way, the control strategy of at least the condensate water supply valve and/or the steam generator may be adjusted for different deodorization types, so that deodorization effects of different odors on the laundry may be improved in a targeted manner, to meet people's different requirements of deodorization.

Exemplarily, different deodorization control programs may be preconfigured in the laundry treatment device for each deodorization type. In the embodiment of the application, in case of the above first type, second type and third type, considering differences in volatility and solubility of odor molecules, each deodorization control program may be distinguished based on an ON moment of the condensate water supply valve and/or ON duration corresponding to a single operation of the steam generator, so that deodorization requirements of different types of odors based on steam deodorization may be met, and temperature and humidity in the tub body may be accurately controlled, to achieve customized laundry care.

It may be understood that in the above first stage, the tub body rotates based on the setting strategy, and the laundry in the tub body may be thrown and scattered repeatedly, and the airflow in the tub body may flow and may be heated under actions of the fan and the heating apparatus, which is beneficial to enhance odor volatilization of the laundry.

It may be understood that in the above second stage, since the steam generator is turned on, steam deodorization may be performed based on the steam generated by the steam generator, in combination with actions of the fan and the heating apparatus. The steam deodorization refers to dissolving odor molecules of peculiar smell by using the steam.

It may be understood that the above third stage is located after alternately operating in the above first stage and second stage multiple times. Considering that the laundry in the tub body may be wetted by the steam and the steam is prevent from rushing out when the door is opened subsequently, the steam generator may be turned off, the laundry in the tub body may be dried in combination with actions of the fan and the heating apparatus.

According to the invention, the method further includes the following operations in case that the deodorization type is a first type for smoke odor. The condensate water supply valve is turned on, in response to starting the deodorization control program.

It may be understood that hydrocarbons and their oxides, sulfides, nitrides or other particulate odor molecules involved in the smoke odor are easily peeled off from surfaces of the laundry, and the condensate water supply valve may be turned on timely to flush particulate odor molecules with condensate water, dissolve the particulate odor molecules in the condensate water and discharge them.

Exemplarily, after the condensate water supply valve is turned on, water may be supplied based on a setting operation rhythm, for example, water may be supplied circularly with a period of turning on for two minutes and turning off for one minute. The operation rhythm of the condensate water supply valve is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the application.

According to the invention, the method further includes the following operations in case that the deodorization type is a second type for at least one of sweat odor, musty odor, smelly sock odor or river snail rice noodle odor. It is determined that temperature in the laundry treatment device is equal to or greater than a first setting temperature, and the condensate water supply valve is turned on.

Exemplarily, a temperature sensor may be arranged at the condenser, and based on comparing a temperature value detected by the temperature sensor to the first setting temperature, it is determined that the detected temperature value is equal to or greater than the first setting temperature, then the condensate water supply valve is turned on. It should be noted that the temperature sensor may also be arranged at other positions, as long as it may characterize a temperature value associated with the airflow in the tub body; the temperature sensor may be a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) temperature sensor, and is not limited in the embodiments of the application.

It may be understood that in case of odor molecules such as isovaleric acid, methyl mercaptan, acetic acid, ammonia, sulfide or the like, it is necessary to accelerate volatilization of the odor molecules at a certain temperature, and then use an easy-water-soluble property of the odor molecules to dissolve the odor molecules in the condensate water and discharge them.

In some embodiments, the method further includes the following operations in case that the deodorization type is a third type for hot pot odor. It is determined that the temperature in the laundry treatment device is equal to or greater than a second setting temperature, and the condensate water supply valve is turned on. The second setting temperature is greater than the first setting temperature.

It may be understood that in case of odor molecules such as grease, spicy molecules or the like, it is necessary to dissolve the odor molecules in water at a certain temperature. In the embodiment of the application, it is determined that the detected temperature is equal to or greater than the second setting temperature, and the condensate water supply valve is turned on, which is beneficial for steam at high temperature to dissolve such odor molecules and discharge them after they are condensed in the condenser.

Exemplarily, a value range of the first setting temperature is <NUM> to <NUM>, and a value range of the second setting temperature is <NUM> to <NUM>.

It should be noted that the operation of controlling the laundry treatment device to alternately operate in the first stage and the second stage may be operating in the first stage first and then operating in the second stage, and circularly operating in this way until a setting circulation number is reached; or, operating in the second stage first and then operating in the first stage, and circularly operating in this way until a setting circulation number is reached, finally operating in the second stage once. That is, operating in the second stage needs to be used as an end condition of the foregoing alternate operation, and a start condition of the alternate operation may be operating in the first stage and/or the second stage. Preferably, the start condition of the alternate operation is operating in the first stage, which is beneficial to fully volatilize odor molecules of peculiar smell on the laundry before steam deodorization.

In some embodiments, in at least the first stage and/or the second stage, the tub body of the laundry treatment device rotating based on the setting strategy includes the following operations.

The critical rotation speed is a rotation speed that causes the laundry to adhere to an inner wall of the tub body and follow the rotation of the tub body.

It may be understood that controlling the tub body to rotate with at least one rotation speed less than the critical rotation speed for the first set duration may allow the laundry in the tub body to be beaten, thrown and scattered in this process, which is beneficial to volatilization of odor molecules and contact between the airflow and surfaces of the laundry. It should be noted that in the first stage, contact between the airflow and surfaces of the laundry may accelerate volatilization of odor molecules; in the second stage, contact between the steam and surfaces of the laundry may dissolve the odor molecules timely.

It may be understood that controlling the tub body to rotate with at least one rotation speed equal to or greater than the critical rotation speed for the second set duration may allow the laundry in the tub body to rotate by adhering to the inner wall of the tub body in this process, so that the laundry in the tub body may be shaped, which is beneficial to eliminate wrinkles generated in the foregoing process of being less than the critical rotation speed.

In some embodiments, in the third stage, the tub body of the laundry treatment device rotating based on the setting strategy includes the following operations. The tub body is controlled to rotate with at least one rotation speed less than the critical rotation speed for a third set duration.

It may be understood that in the third stage, controlling the tub body to rotate at a rotation speed less than the critical rotation speed may allow hot airflow to fully exchange heat with the laundry in the tub body, thereby improving drying efficiency.

In some embodiments, the method further includes the following operations. ON duration of the steam generator is determined based on the deodorization type in the second stage. ON duration of the third type is greater than ON duration of the second type or the first type.

Considering that the third type of odor molecules are difficult to dissolve in water at normal temperature, the ON duration of the steam generator is prolonged in the second stage, so that temperature in the tub body may be increased based on the steam, volatility of odor molecules may be enhanced, and the odor molecules may also be fully dissolved by high-temperature steam and thus carried to the condenser by the steam, condensed by condensate water and then discharged.

In some embodiments, the method further includes the following operations before controlling the laundry treatment device to execute the corresponding deodorization control program. The laundry treatment device is controlled to operate in a fourth stage, the fourth stage is configured to pre-heat the steam generator and control the tub body to shake and scatter the laundry.

Here, considering that the steam generator needs a certain preheating time, the steam generator may be turned on for a fourth set duration before executing the corresponding deodorization control program. The fourth set duration may be determined based on operation performance of the steam generator, for example, the fourth set duration may be determined based on a duration of replenishing water to the steam generator and a heating duration required for preheating. Exemplarily, in the fourth stage, the heating apparatus, the fan and the condensate water supply valve are not turned on, and the tub body rotates at a rotation speed less than the critical rotation speed, thereby shaking and scattering the laundry.

In some embodiments, the method further includes the following operations after controlling the laundry treatment device to operate in the third stage of drying the laundry. The laundry treatment device is controlled to operate in a fifth stage, the fifth stage is configured to cool the laundry in the tub body.

Exemplarily, in the fifth stage, the heating pipe and the steam generator of the laundry treatment device are controlled to be turned off, the fan and the condensate water supply valve are controlled to be turned on, and the tub body is controlled to rotate, thereby reducing temperature of the tub body by using circulation of the airflow and condensation of the condensate water.

It may be understood that the laundry treatment device may also be configured with a default deodorization control program, that is, when the user does not select a deodorization type or it is difficult for the to-be-treated laundry to be classified into the foregoing deodorization types, the default deodorization control program may be executed. The default deodorization control program may be any one of the foregoing various deodorization control programs, which is not limited in the embodiments of the application.

The application will be further described in detail below in combination with application embodiments.

<FIG> is a schematic flowchart of a deodorization control method for the foregoing first type in an application example. As shown in <FIG>, the deodorization control method includes the following operations <NUM> to <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the steam generator is controlled to be turned on for <NUM> minutes, and the tub body is controlled to rotate.

It may be understood that operation <NUM> corresponds to the foregoing fourth stage. Here, the fan, the heating apparatus and the condensate water supply valve are not turned on, and the steam generator is controlled to be turned on for <NUM> minutes to perform preheating of the steam generator, so that the steam generator may immediately generate steam subsequently. Exemplarily, the tub body may be controlled to alternately rotate forward and reverse at a rotation speed of <NUM> revolutions per minute (rpm) with a rhythm of rotating for <NUM> seconds and pausing for <NUM> seconds. In this way, in the preheating stage of the steam generator, the laundry in the tub body may be shaken and scattered, to prepare for subsequent execution of the deodorization control program. Furthermore, the condensate water is not turned on at this time, the laundry in the tub is only in a shaken and scattered state, and diffusion and volatilization of odor molecules do not begin.

At <NUM>, the steam generator is turned off, the fan, the heating apparatus and the condensate water supply valve are controlled to be turned on, and the tub body is controlled to rotate based on a setting strategy.

It may be understood that operation <NUM> corresponds to the foregoing first stage. In the first stage, the steam generator is turned off, the fan, the heating apparatus and the condensate water supply valve are controlled to be turned on, and the tub body is controlled to rotate based on the setting strategy. Exemplarily, controlling the tub body to rotate based on the setting strategy includes: first, controlling the tub body to alternately rotate forward and reverse at a rotation speed of <NUM> rpm for <NUM> seconds with a rhythm of rotating for <NUM> seconds and pausing for <NUM> seconds; next, controlling the tub body to alternately rotate forward and reverse at a rotation speed of <NUM> rpm for <NUM> seconds with a rhythm of rotating for <NUM> seconds and pausing for <NUM> seconds; then, controlling the tub body to maintain a rotation speed of <NUM> rpm for <NUM> minute.

Here, <NUM> rpm and <NUM> rpm are rotation speeds less than the critical rotation speed, so that the laundry in the tub body is beaten, thrown and scattered in this process, which is beneficial to volatilization of odor molecules and contact between the airflow and surfaces of the laundry.

Here, <NUM> rpm is a rotation speed greater than the critical rotation speed, which may shape the laundry in the tub body, so that it is beneficial to eliminate wrinkles generated in the foregoing process of being less than the critical rotation speed.

It should be noted that hydrocarbons and their oxides, sulfides, nitrides or other particulate odor molecules involved in the smoke odor are easily peeled off from surfaces of the laundry. In this application example, the condensate water supply valve is turned on throughout the deodorization process, to flush particulate odor molecules with condensate water, dissolve the particulate odor molecules in the condensate water and discharge them.

At <NUM>, the steam generator is controlled to be turned on for <NUM> seconds, the fan, the heating apparatus and the condensate water supply valve are maintained to be turned on, and the tub body is controlled to rotate based on the setting strategy.

It may be understood that operation <NUM> corresponds to the foregoing second stage. Exemplarily, in the second stage, controlling the tub body to rotate based on the setting strategy includes: first, controlling the tub body to alternately rotate forward and reverse at a rotation speed of <NUM> rpm for <NUM> seconds with a rhythm of rotating for <NUM> seconds and pausing for <NUM> seconds; next, controlling the tub body to alternately rotate forward and reverse at a rotation speed of <NUM> rpm for <NUM> seconds with a rhythm of rotating for <NUM> seconds and pausing for <NUM> seconds; then, controlling the tub body to maintain a rotation speed of <NUM> rpm for <NUM> minute.

Here, the steam generated by the steam generator may further dissolve odor molecules on the laundry by fully contacting with the laundry in the tub body, and the steam carrying the odor molecules may be condensed into water at the condenser and then discharged.

At <NUM>, the above operations <NUM> and <NUM> are executed circularly, until a circulation number reaches a setting number.

Exemplarily, the circulation number may be <NUM>, which is not limited in the embodiments of the application.

It may be understood that operations <NUM> and <NUM> are executed circularly to achieve switching of repeated startup and shutdown of the steam generator, which may play a role of adjusting humidity and temperature in the tub body, and may reduce phenomena such as wetting laundry caused by excessive steam in the tub body, or air leakage caused by excessive internal air pressure, etc..

At <NUM>, the steam generator is turned off, the fan, the heating apparatus and the condensate water supply valve are maintained to be turned on, and the tub body is controlled to rotate based on the setting strategy.

It may be understood that operation <NUM> corresponds to the foregoing third stage. Exemplarily, in the third stage, controlling the tub body to rotate based on the setting strategy includes: first, controlling the tub body to alternately rotate forward and reverse at a rotation speed of <NUM> rpm for <NUM> seconds with a rhythm of rotating for <NUM> seconds and pausing for <NUM> seconds; next, controlling the tub body to maintain a rotation speed of <NUM> rpm for <NUM> seconds.

It may be understood that turning off the steam generator may prevent phenomena of the steam wetting the laundry and the steam rushing out before the door is opened. <NUM> rpm and <NUM> rpm are rotation speeds less than the critical rotation speed, which may allow hot airflow to fully exchange heat with the laundry in the tub body, thereby improving drying efficiency.

At <NUM>, the heating pipe and the steam generator are turned off, the fan and the condensate water supply valve are maintained to be turned on, and the tub body is controlled to rotate.

It may be understood that operation <NUM> corresponds to the foregoing fifth stage. Exemplarily, controlling the tub body to rotate includes: first, controlling the tub body to alternately rotate forward and reverse at a rotation speed of <NUM> rpm for <NUM> seconds with a rhythm of rotating for <NUM> seconds and pausing for <NUM> seconds; next, controlling the tub body to maintain a rotation speed of <NUM> rpm for <NUM> minute with a rhythm of rotating for <NUM> seconds and pausing for <NUM> seconds; operating alternately, until a cooling end condition is met.

Here, <NUM> rpm is a rotation speed less than the critical rotation speed, and the process corresponding to this rotation speed may allow the laundry to be beaten, thrown and scattered, which is beneficial for circulating airflow to cool the laundry; <NUM> rpm is a rotation speed greater than the critical rotation speed, which may shape the laundry in the tub body, so that it is beneficial to eliminate wrinkles generated in the foregoing process of being less than the critical rotation speed.

<FIG> is a schematic flowchart of a deodorization control method for the foregoing second type in an application example. As shown in <FIG>, the deodorization control method includes the following operations <NUM> to <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the steam generator is turned off, the fan and the heating apparatus are controlled to be turned on, the tub body is controlled to rotate based on a setting strategy, it is determined that detected temperature is greater than a first setting temperature, and the condensate water supply valve is turned on. In this implementation, the second type of odors includes sweat odor, smelly sock odor, river snail rice noodle odor, ammonia, etc. These odors mainly contain volatile and water-soluble odor molecules, it is necessary to accelerate volatilization of the odor molecules at a certain temperature. Therefore, in case of this type of peculiar smell, after the program is started, temperature of the tub is increased first by using hot air and high-energy steam, and then the condensate water is turned on. At this time, an easy-water-soluble property of the odor molecules may be used to dissolve the odor molecules in the condensate water and discharge them.

Operations <NUM> to <NUM> correspond to the above operations <NUM> to <NUM>, difference there-between lies in that at <NUM>, it requires the condensate water supply valve to be turned on after it is determined that the detected temperature is greater than the first setting temperature. The rest may refer to the foregoing descriptions, which are not elaborated here.

Exemplarily, an NTC temperature sensor is arranged at the condenser, and a detected temperature value is obtained based on the NTC temperature sensor.

It may be understood that in case of odor molecules such as isovaleric acid, methyl mercaptan, acetic acid, ammonia, sulfide or the like, it is necessary to accelerate volatilization of the odor molecules at a certain temperature, and then use an easy-water-soluble property of the odor molecules to dissolve the odor molecules in the condensate water and discharge them. Based on the above, in this application example, an ON moment of the condensate water supply valve is controlled, for example, the condensate water supply valve is turned on when it is determined that the detected temperature value is greater than <NUM>, so that odor molecules volatilized after heating in the tub body may be dissolved in the condensate water and discharged.

<FIG> is a schematic flowchart of a deodorization control method for the foregoing third type in an application example. As shown in <FIG>, the deodorization control method includes the following operations <NUM> to <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the steam generator is turned off, the fan and the heating apparatus are controlled to be turned on, the tub body is controlled to rotate based on a setting strategy, it is determined that detected temperature is greater than a second setting temperature, and the condensate water supply valve is turned on.

Operations <NUM> to <NUM> correspond to the above operations <NUM> to <NUM>, difference there-between lies in that at <NUM>, it requires the condensate water supply valve to be turned on after it is determined that the detected temperature is greater than the second setting temperature; and at <NUM>, ON duration of the steam generator is prolonged. The rest may refer to the foregoing descriptions, which are not elaborated here.

It may be understood that odor molecules such as grease, spicy molecules or the like are volatile while are not easily dissolved in water, it is necessary to accelerate volatilization of the odor molecules at a certain temperature. In the embodiment of the application, the condensate water supply valve is turned on when it is determined that the detected temperature is equal to or greater than the second setting temperature (for example, <NUM>). Since it requires this type of odor molecules to be dissolved in a high temperature condition, this type of odor molecules needs to pass through an amount of steam to accelerate dissolution thereof by using hot steam, which is beneficial for steam at high temperature to dissolve this type of odor molecules and discharge them after they are condensed in the condenser.

In order to implement the method in the embodiments of the application, an embodiment of the application further provides a deodorization control apparatus for a laundry treatment device, the deodorization control apparatus for the laundry treatment device corresponds to the above deodorization control method for the laundry treatment device, operations of embodiments of the above deodorization control method for the laundry treatment device are also fully applicable to embodiments of the deodorization control apparatus for the laundry treatment device.

As shown in <FIG>, the deodorization control apparatus for the laundry treatment device includes a deodorization type determination module <NUM> and a deodorization control module <NUM>. The deodorization type determination module <NUM> is configured to determine a deodorization type of a to-be-treated laundry. The deodorization control module <NUM> is configured to control the laundry treatment device to execute a corresponding deodorization control program based on the deodorization type. The deodorization control program of each deodorization type is different based on a control strategy of at least a condensate water supply valve and/or a steam generator.

According to the invention, the deodorization control module <NUM> is specifically configured to:.

In some embodiments, in case that the deodorization type is a first type for smoke odor, the deodorization control module <NUM> is further configured to turn on the condensate water supply valve, in response to starting the deodorization control program.

In some embodiments, in case that the deodorization type is a second type for at least one of sweat odor, musty odor, smelly sock odor or river snail rice noodle odor, the deodorization control module <NUM> is further configured to determine that temperature in the laundry treatment device is equal to or greater than a first setting temperature, and turn on the condensate water supply valve.

In some embodiments, in case that the deodorization type is a third type for hot pot odor, the deodorization control module <NUM> is further configured to determine that the temperature in the laundry treatment device is equal to or greater than a second setting temperature, and turn on the condensate water supply valve. The second setting temperature is greater than the first setting temperature.

In some embodiments, in at least the first stage and/or the second stage, the deodorization control module <NUM> is specifically configured to:.

In some implementations, in the third stage, the deodorization control module <NUM> is specifically configured to control the tub body to rotate with at least one rotation speed less than the critical rotation speed for a third set duration.

In some implementations, the deodorization control module <NUM> is further configured to: determine ON duration of the steam generator based on the deodorization type in the second stage. ON duration of the third type is greater than ON duration of the second type or the first type.

In some implementations, before controlling the laundry treatment device to execute the corresponding deodorization control program, the deodorization control module <NUM> is further configured to control the laundry treatment device to operate in a fourth stage, the fourth stage is configured to pre-heat the steam generator and control the tub body to shake and scatter the laundry.

In some implementations, the deodorization control module <NUM> is further configured to control the laundry treatment device to operate in a fifth stage, the fifth stage is configured to cool the laundry in the tub body.

In an actual application, the deodorization type determination module <NUM> and the deodorization control module <NUM> may be implemented by a processor in the deodorization control apparatus for the laundry treatment device. Of course, the processor needs to execute a computer program in a memory to implement functions thereof.

It should be noted that when the deodorization control apparatus for the laundry treatment device provided in the above embodiments controls the laundry treatment device, descriptions are made by taking division of the above program modules as an example only. In an actual application, the above processes may be allocated to be completed by different program modules according to requirements, that is, internal structures of the apparatus are divided into different program modules, to complete all or part of the above processes. Furthermore, the deodorization control apparatus for the laundry treatment device provided in the above embodiments belongs to the same concept as embodiments of the deodorization control method for the laundry treatment device, specific implementation processes thereof may refer to the method embodiments for the details and will not be elaborated here.

Based on hardware implementation of the above program modules, and in order to implement the method of the embodiments of the application, an embodiment of the application further provides a laundry treatment device. <FIG> shows only exemplary structures of the laundry treatment device, rather than entire structures thereof, and part or all of the structures shown in <FIG> may be implemented according to requirements.

As shown in <FIG>, the laundry treatment device <NUM> provided in the embodiment of the application includes at least one processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM> and a user interface <NUM>. Various components in the laundry treatment device <NUM> are coupled together through a bus system <NUM>. It may be understood that the bus system <NUM> is configured to implement connection and communication between these components. In addition to inclusion of a data bus, the bus system <NUM> includes a power bus, a control bus and a status signal bus. However, for clarity of illustration, various buses are labeled as the bus system <NUM> in <FIG>.

The laundry treatment device according to the embodiment of the application may be a washer-dryer or a clothes dryer, and the laundry treatment device further includes a box body, a tub body, a drying tunnel, a heating apparatus, a fan, a condenser, and a temperature sensor configured to detect temperature in the laundry treatment device. Reference may be made to the foregoing descriptions for the details, which are not elaborated here.

The user interface <NUM> in the embodiment of the application may include a display, a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a click wheel, a key, a button, a touch panel, or a touch screen, etc..

The memory <NUM> in the embodiment of the application is configured to store various types of data to support operations of the laundry treatment device. Examples of such data include any computer program configured to operate on the laundry treatment device.

The deodorization control method for the laundry treatment device disclosed in the embodiments of the application may be applied to the processor <NUM> or may be implemented by the processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capability. During implementation, operations of the deodorization control method for the laundry treatment device may be completed by an integrated logic circuit of the processor <NUM> in form of hardware or instructions in form of software. The above processor <NUM> may be a general-purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The processor <NUM> may implement or execute various methods, operations and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. Operations of the methods disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the application may be directly embodied as being performed and completed by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware in the decoding processor and software modules. The software modules may be located in a storage medium, the storage medium is located in the memory <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> reads information in the memory <NUM>, and completes operations of the deodorization control method for the laundry treatment device provided in the embodiment of the application, in combination with hardware thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the laundry treatment device may be implemented by one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), DSPs, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), general-purpose processors, controllers, Micro Controller Units (MCUs), microprocessors, or other electronic devices, to perform the foregoing method.

It may be understood that the memory <NUM> may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. The non-volatile memory may be a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a Ferromagnetic Random Access Memory (FRAM), a Flash Memory, a magnetic surface memory, a Compact Disc (CD), or a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM); the magnetic surface memory may be a magnetic disk memory or a magnetic tape memory. The volatile memory may be a Random Access Memory (RAM) which is used as an external cache. By way of exemplary rather than limiting descriptions, many forms of RAMs are available, such as a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Synchronous Static Random Access Memory (SSRAM), a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), a Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), a Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (DDR SDRAM), an Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (ESDRAM), a SyncLink Dynamic Random Access Memory (SLDRAM) and a Direct Rambus Random Access Memory (DR RAM). The memories described in the embodiments of the application are intended to include, but are not limited to these and any other suitable types of memories.

In an exemplary embodiment, an embodiment of the application further provides a storage medium, that is, a computer storage medium. Specifically, the storage medium may be a computer-readable storage medium, for example, including the memory <NUM> storing a computer program. The above computer program may be executed by the processor <NUM> of the laundry treatment device, to complete operations of the method according to the embodiments of the application. The computer-readable storage medium may be a memory such as ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory, a magnetic surface memory, CD, or CD-ROM, etc..

It should be noted that "first", "second" or the like are intended to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily intended to describe a specific order or sequence.

Furthermore, the technical solutions described in the embodiments of the application may be combined arbitrarily without conflict.

Claim 1:
A deodorization control method for a laundry treatment device, comprising:
(S101) determining a deodorization type of a to-be-treated laundry; and
(S102) controlling the laundry treatment device to execute a corresponding deodorization control program based on the deodorization type,
wherein the deodorization control program of each deodorization type is different based on a control strategy of at least a condensate water supply valve and/or a steam generator, characterized in that
controlling the laundry treatment device to execute the corresponding deodorization control program based on the deodorization type comprises:
controlling the laundry treatment device to alternately operate in a first stage of enhancing odor volatilization of the laundry and a second stage of steam-based deodorization; and controlling the laundry treatment device to operate in a third stage of drying the laundry,
wherein the steam generator is turned off in the first stage and the third stage; the steam generator is turned on in the second stage; in the first stage, the second stage and the third stage,
a fan and a heating apparatus heating a drying tunnel of the laundry treatment device are turned on, and a tub body of the laundry treatment device rotates based on a setting strategy,
wherein the deodorization type is determined based on an instruction input by the user,
in case that the deodorization type is a first type for smoke odor, the method further comprising:
turning on the condensate water supply valve, in response to starting the deodorization control program,
wherein
in case that the deodorization type is a second type for at least one of sweat odor, musty odor, smelly sock odor or river snail rice noodle odor, the method further comprises:
determining that temperature in the laundry treatment device is equal to or greater than a first setting temperature, and turning on the condensate water supply valve.