Laundry treating apparatus and system having the same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a home appliance system capable of recognizing state information of another laundry treatment apparatus in one laundry treatment apparatus and selectively controlling the other laundry treatment apparatus when the plurality of laundry treatment apparatuses are paired with each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to an interface and a garment handling apparatus having the interface. Background Technology

[0002] Clothing handling appliances can be classified into laundry appliances that use water and detergent to wash clothes and laundry dryers that dry clothes containing moisture. Recently, there has been a significant increase in the number of households that combine laundry appliances and dryers in one home to wash and dry clothes simultaneously.

[0003] Referring to Korean patent application publication number 10-2020-0014029, a system has been developed in which the laundry washing device and the laundry drying device each have a communication module for communication with each other. Therefore, the laundry drying device can receive information about the processes and options performed by the laundry washing device, select a suitable drying process and option, and then recommend the selected drying process and option to the user.

[0004] Therefore, when operating the washing machine, the user can execute the appropriate processes and options without requiring special operation of the drying unit. This allows for maximum utilization of the drying unit's performance and provides the convenience of not having to frequently operate the control panel.

[0005] However, in conventional systems, the problem is that the washing unit only transmits information to the drying unit, and there are no embodiments where the drying unit transmits information to the washing unit. Specifically, even if the washing unit receives information from the drying unit, there is a problem that there are no suggestions or solutions for utilizing the received information.

[0006] Specifically, when the washing machine and the drying machine are separated from each other, there is a problem that users must be close to both the washing machine and the drying machine in order to identify their status.

[0007] Furthermore, when the control panel of a laundry appliance or a clothes dryer is constructed as a knob or similar device and does not have a large display screen, there is a lack of innovative solutions to display the status of the laundry appliance and the clothes dryer using the laundry appliance or the clothes dryer.

[0008] Therefore, the problem with conventional systems is that, although an environment has been established in which the washing and drying units communicate with each other and can exchange various information, no control methods are provided for actively utilizing this environment. Summary of the Invention

[0009] [Technical Issues]

[0010] This disclosure aims to provide a system that can use one garment handling device to identify the status of another garment handling device.

[0011] This disclosure aims to provide a system in which a garment handling device can display not only its status but also the status of another garment handling device by means of a user's selection.

[0012] This disclosure aims to provide a system that can utilize a garment handling device to input commands for controlling another garment handling device.

[0013] This disclosure aims to provide a system in which a laundry washing device can receive information from a clothes drying device, selectively display the status of the clothes drying device, and directly operate the clothes drying device.

[0014] [Problem Solving]

[0015] One aspect of this disclosure provides a clothing handling apparatus, which includes a communication module and a switching section. The communication module communicates with a household appliance, which is located outside a cabinet and capable of holding clothing therein. The switching section is located on the cabinet and receives connection commands to instruct the communication module to communicate with the household appliance.

[0016] In this regard, when a connection command is entered into the switching section, the display interface shows at least one of the following: the name of the process or option that can be executed by the home appliance, the selected status, the execution status, and the completion status.

[0017] In one implementation, when the connection command is entered again into the switching section, the display interface can again display on it at least one of the following: the name of the process or option that can be selected via the manipulation section, the selected status, the execution status, and the completion status.

[0018] In one implementation, when a connection command is input to the switching section, the control section can receive a selection command for selecting a process or option for a home appliance.

[0019] In one implementation, when a selection command for choosing a process or option for a home appliance is input to the control section, the display interface can show the selected status of the process or option for the home appliance.

[0020] In one implementation, the garment handling device may further include an execution device disposed on a cabinet and configured to receive an execution command for executing a process or option selected by an operating portion, and the execution device may receive the execution command for executing the process or option of the household appliance when the display interface displays the selected status of the process or option of the household appliance.

[0021] In one implementation, when a connection command is entered into the switching section while the home appliance is executing a process or option, the display interface can show the execution status of the home appliance's process or option.

[0022] In one implementation, when the display interface shows the execution status of a process or option of a home appliance, the actuator can receive a stop command to stop the process or option of the home appliance.

[0023] In one implementation, the display interface can continuously show the execution status of the home appliance's process or option until the connection command is entered into the switching section again.

[0024] In one implementation, when a process or option of a household appliance is completed, the display interface may again display on it at least one of the name of the process or option that can be selected via the manipulation part, the selected state, and the execution state.

[0025] In one implementation, the power supply to the display interface can be cut off when a process or option that can be selected via the manipulation section is completed.

[0026] In one implementation, when a selection command is not input to the control unit within a reference time while displaying at least one of the name, selection status, and execution status of a process or option that can be executed by the home appliance, the display interface can display, externally, again the name, selection status, and execution status of a process or option that can be executed by the control unit.

[0027] In one implementation, the garment handling device may further include a power switch disposed on a cabinet and configured to receive a power command for supplying or cutting off power to at least one of the drive, control unit, and display interface, and the power switch may cut off power to the household appliance when the power command is input on the display interface while simultaneously displaying on it at least one of the name, selected status, and execution status of a process or option that can be executed by the household appliance.

[0028] In one implementation, when the power supply to the household appliance is cut off, the display interface can again display externally at least one of the name, selected status, and execution status of a process or option that can be executed by manipulation.

[0029] In one implementation, the display interface can be turned off when the selected process or option can be completed while the home appliance is turned off.

[0030] In one implementation, power can be supplied to the home appliance when a connection command is input to the switching section at the same time the power supply to the home appliance is cut off.

[0031] In one implementation, the switching section can be configured to disable inputting connection commands to the switching section when the communication module is unable to communicate with the home appliance.

[0032] In one implementation, the switching section can be configured to disable input connection commands to the switching section when power to the household appliances is cut off.

[0033] In one implementation, the garment handling device may further include a setting section disposed on a cabinet and configured to receive option commands for changing or resetting options of a process. The setting section may receive option commands for changing or resetting options of a process or option that can be executed by a household appliance when a display interface externally displays on it at least one of the name, selection status, and execution status of a process or option that can be executed by the household appliance.

[0034] In one implementation, the communication module can be formed independently of the cabinet and the home appliance, and is configured to further communicate with the add-on product while accommodating clothing in the add-on product, and when a connection command is input to the switching section, the display interface can display on it at least one of the name, selected status, and execution status of the process or option executed by the add-on product.

[0035] In one implementation, whenever a connection command is sequentially entered into the switching section, the display interface can sequentially display on it at least one of the name, selected status, and execution status of the process or option executed by the home appliance, as well as at least one of the name, selected status, and execution status of the process or option executed by the add-on product.

[0036] In one implementation, whenever a connection command is sequentially input to the switching section in the order of connecting to the communication modules of the add-on products and home appliances or in the order of powering the home appliances and add-on products, the display interface may sequentially display on it at least one of the name, selected status, and execution status of the process or option executed by the home appliance, and at least one of the name, selected status, and execution status of the process or option executed by the add-on product.

[0037] In one implementation, a bucket for housing the drum and storing water, a water supply device for supplying water to the bucket, and a drain device for draining water from the bucket can be arranged inside the cabinet, and the household appliance can include a drying drum for housing clothes and a heat exchanger for supplying hot air to the drying drum.

[0038] [Beneficial effects of the invention]

[0039] This disclosure has the effect of using one garment processing device to identify the status of another garment processing device.

[0040] This disclosure has the following effect: through user selection, a garment processing device can not only display its status, but also the status of another garment processing device.

[0041] This disclosure has the effect of using one garment handling device to input commands for controlling another garment handling device.

[0042] The present invention has the following effects: the washing apparatus can receive information from the drying apparatus, selectively display the status of the drying apparatus, and directly operate the drying apparatus. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Figure 1 A system with a garment handling apparatus according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0044] Figure 2 The structure of the garment washing apparatus and small device of the garment handling apparatus of this disclosure is shown.

[0045] Figure 3 The structure of the clothes drying apparatus of the clothes handling apparatus of this disclosure is shown.

[0046] Figure 4 The structure of the washer in the clothes drying device is shown.

[0047] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a system capable of implementing the communication of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figures 6 to 10 The structure of a control panel that can be installed on the garment handling apparatus disclosed herein is shown.

[0049] Figure 11 An example of the control panel application is shown.

[0050] Figure 12 An embodiment is shown in which the status information of another garment processing device is displayed using the control panel of the garment processing device.

[0051] Figures 13 to 16 Various embodiments of another garment handling device that can be controlled by a control panel are shown.

[0052] Figures 17 to 19 An embodiment of a control method that can be used in the system disclosed herein is shown.

[0053] Figures 20 to 27 An additional embodiment of the control panel of the garment handling apparatus of this disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0054] In the following, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout this specification, even in different embodiments, the same and similar reference numerals are assigned to the same and similar components, and their descriptions are replaced by a first description. As used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments disclosed herein, detailed descriptions of related known techniques will be omitted where it is determined that such detailed descriptions might obscure the essential points of the disclosed embodiments. Moreover, the accompanying drawings are provided only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and it should be noted that the technical ideas disclosed in this specification should not be construed as being limited by the drawings.

[0055] Figure 1 A home appliance system and an online system are shown, in which the garment handling device of this disclosure is installed.

[0056] The clothing treatment apparatus disclosed herein may include: a clothing washing apparatus 10 that performs any washing process or washing option, the any washing process or washing option performing a washing cycle for removing foreign matter from clothing using water and detergent; and a small device 60 disposed near or below the clothing washing apparatus and performing any washing process or washing option, the any washing process or washing option performing a washing cycle for removing foreign matter from clothing using water and detergent.

[0057] The laundry washing device 10 can be a front-loading type, in which clothes are put into the laundry washing device 10 from the front, while the miniature device 60 can be a top-loading type, in which clothes are put into the miniature device 60 from the top.

[0058] As shown in the figure, a small device 60 can be disposed below the laundry washing device 10 to increase the vertical height of the laundry inlet of the laundry washing device 10. In this case, the small device 60 can be a drawer type that extends forward, exposing the laundry inlet for placing clothes.

[0059] Furthermore, the miniature device 60 can be installed on top of the laundry washing device 10. Therefore, the user can easily access the miniature device 60.

[0060] In one example, the clothing handling apparatus of this disclosure may include a clothing drying device 20, which performs any drying process or drying option to dry clothes containing moisture after washing is completed in the clothing washing device 10 or the miniature device 60.

[0061] Users can arrange the laundry washing device 10 and the laundry drying device 20 of the disclosed laundry handling apparatus together in a room, and can include all components of the laundry handling apparatus by additionally including a small device 60.

[0062] Therefore, the small device 60 can wash relatively small and frequently washed garments, such as underwear and baby clothes. In addition, the garment washing device 10 can wash larger and less frequently washed garments, such as jeans and blankets.

[0063] In one example, at least one of the laundry washing device 10, the laundry drying device 20, and the miniature device 60 can access the Internet via a router (AP) 30. At least one of the laundry washing device 10, the laundry drying device 20, and the miniature device 60 may have a communication module connected to the router, and a server 50 provided by the manufacturer of the laundry handling equipment can identify, register, and control the laundry washing device 10, the laundry drying device 20, and the miniature device 60 via port information from the router 30.

[0064] When a user has an external terminal 40 (e.g., a smartphone) equipped with a communication module, the user can use the external terminal 40 to access the server 50 via the Internet to control at least one of the laundry washing device 10, the laundry drying device 20, and the small device 60.

[0065] In addition, users can register at least one of the laundry washing device 10, the laundry drying device 20, and the small device 60 to the server 50 via an external terminal 40.

[0066] In addition, the server 50 can notify the user via the external terminal 40 when there is a notification message or an update to the process or options of at least one of the laundry washing device 10, the laundry drying device 20, and the miniature device 60.

[0067] In one example, the laundry washing device 10, the laundry drying device 20, and the miniature device 60 can be configured to communicate with each other.

[0068] One of the washing machine 10, the drying machine 20, and the miniature device 60 can be configured to communicate with the other two via the router 30 and the server 50. For this purpose, the washing machine 10, the drying machine 20, and the miniature device 60 can all include a communication module such as Wi-Fi.

[0069] Furthermore, the washing machine 10, the drying machine 20, and the miniature device 60 can be configured to communicate with each other without going through the server 50. For example, the washing machine 10, the drying machine 20, and the miniature device 60 can be configured to communicate with each other via a Bluetooth communication module.

[0070] The laundry washing device 10, the laundry drying device 20, and the miniature device 60 can be configured to communicate with each other to share their status and display each other's status.

[0071] For example, a user can identify the status of the clothes drying unit 20 and the miniature unit 60 via the clothes washing unit 10. Therefore, even when the clothes drying unit 20 and the miniature unit 60 are arranged apart from the clothes washing unit 10 or are arranged in a position where the clothes drying unit 20 and the miniature unit 60 are not visible when the user looks at the clothes washing unit 10, the user can still display the status of the clothes drying unit 20 and the miniature unit 60 via the clothes washing unit 10.

[0072] The laundry washing device 10, the laundry drying device 20, and the miniature device 60 can be configured to share with each other the name of their process or option, the selected status of their process or option, the execution status of their process or option, the completion status of their process or option, and the error or notification status, or to display each other's process or option name and status, as well as the error or notification status.

[0073] Furthermore, one of the laundry washing device 10, the laundry drying device 20, and the miniature device 60 can be configured to operate the other two using its control portion for receiving commands.

[0074] The laundry washing device 10, the laundry drying device 20, and the small device 60 can send and receive control commands to each other via their respective communication modules or server 50.

[0075] Therefore, even when the washing device 10, the drying device 20, and the small device 60 are separated from each other, the user can control one device with another, thereby improving convenience.

[0076] Figure 2An embodiment of the internal structure of the laundry washing device 10 and the miniature device 60 is shown.

[0077] Unlike the attached figures, the laundry washing device 10 and the small device 60 can be independently constructed to be separate from each other.

[0078] The laundry washing apparatus 10 may include a cabinet 1 that forms the appearance of the laundry washing apparatus, a tank 2 housed in the cabinet 1 and storing water therein, a drum 3 rotatably disposed in the tank 2 and storing water therein, a drive 32 coupled to the tank 2 to rotate the drum 3, a water supply device 23 configured to supply water to the tank 2, and a drain device 25 configured to drain water from the tank 2.

[0079] Both the tub 2 and the drum 3 may have a clothing inlet on their front for placing clothes into the laundry unit, and the cabinet 1 may also include a door 132 for opening and closing the clothing inlet.

[0080] The driver 32 may include a stator 321 coupled to the back of the drum 2, a rotor 322 rotating through the stator 321, and a rotating shaft 323 coupled to the rotor 322 to rotate the drum 3.

[0081] The water supply device 23 may include a water supply pipe 231 and a water supply valve 232. The water supply pipe 231 allows the external water supply source and the tank 2 to be connected to each other, and the water supply valve 232 opens and closes the water supply pipe 231.

[0082] In one example, the water supply unit 23 may also include a detergent dispenser that extends forward toward the cabinet 1 and is configured to dispense detergent into the bucket 2, with the water supply pipe 231 communicating with the detergent dispenser.

[0083] The drainer 25 may include a drain pipe 251 disposed below the tank 2 and a drain pump 252 coupled to the drain pipe 252 to provide drainage power.

[0084] The laundry washing apparatus 10 may also include a support 22 for supporting the tub 2 to the cabinet 1, and a heater H1 for heating the water in the tub 2.

[0085] In addition, the laundry washing apparatus 10 may also include a hot air source Ha configured to supply hot air to the tub 2.

[0086] In one example, the laundry appliance 10 may include a control panel P or a washing controller that receives commands for displaying or controlling the status of the laundry appliance 10. The control panel P may be arranged to be coupled to the cabinet 1.

[0087] Furthermore, the control panel P can operate at least one of the drive 32, water supply valve 232, drain pump 252, heater H1, and hot air source Ha to execute any washing process and washing options for removing foreign objects from clothing. The washing process and washing options may consist of a series of control methods capable of performing washing cycles, rinsing cycles, and spin-drying cycles.

[0088] The miniature device 60 may include a miniature cabinet 1C forming the appearance of a miniature cabinet, a miniature tank 2C housed in the miniature cabinet 1C and storing water therein, a miniature roller 3C rotatably disposed in the miniature tank 2C and storing water therein, a miniature drive 32C coupled to the miniature tank 2C to rotate the miniature roller 3C, a miniature water supply 23C configured to supply water to the miniature tank 2C, and a miniature drainer 25C configured to drain water from the miniature tank 2C.

[0089] The small cabinet 1C can be placed below cabinet 1 to support cabinet 1. It is not ruled out that the small cabinet can be placed on top of cabinet 1.

[0090] The small cabinet can be integrated with cabinet 1.

[0091] Both the small drum 2C and the small roller 3C may have a clothing inlet in their top surface for placing clothing into the small device, and the small clothing cabinet 1C may also include a small door 132C for opening and closing the clothing inlet.

[0092] The miniature drive 32C may include a miniature stator 321C coupled to the bottom surface of the miniature drum 2C, a miniature rotor 322C rotating through the miniature stator 321C, and a miniature rotating shaft 323C coupled to the miniature rotor 322C to rotate the miniature drum 3C.

[0093] The small water supply unit 23C may include a small water supply pipe 231C that allows an external water supply source and a small tank 2C to communicate with each other, and a small water supply valve 232C that opens and closes the small water supply pipe 231C.

[0094] In one example, the mini water supply unit 23C may also include a mini detergent dispenser that extends forward toward the cabinet 1 and is configured to dispense detergent into a mini bucket 2C, with a mini water supply pipe 231C in communication with the detergent dispenser.

[0095] The miniature drainer 25C may include a miniature drain pipe 251C disposed below the miniature tank 2C, and a miniature drain pump 252C coupled to the miniature drain pipe 252C to provide drainage power.

[0096] The small device 60 may also include a small support 22C for supporting the small tank 2C to the small cabinet 1C, and a small heater H2 for heating the water in the small tank 2C.

[0097] In addition, the small device 60 may also include a hot air source Hb configured to supply hot air to the small barrel 2C.

[0098] In one example, the miniature device 60 may include a miniature control panel PC or a miniature controller that receives commands for displaying or controlling the status of the miniature device 60. The miniature control panel PC may be arranged to be coupled to the miniature cabinet 1C.

[0099] Furthermore, the small control panel PC can operate at least one of the small drive 32C, small water supply valve 232C, small drain pump 252C, small heater H2, and small hot air source HaC to execute any washing process and washing options for removing foreign objects from clothes. The washing process and washing options can consist of a series of control methods capable of executing all washing cycles, rinsing cycles, and spin-drying cycles.

[0100] The miniature device 60 may also include a drawer D that extends forward toward the miniature cabinet 1C and accommodates a miniature bucket 2C therein. The drawer D may include a front cover DC located on its front side to open and close the entrance through which the drawer D extends from the miniature cabinet 1C.

[0101] A small control panel PC can be mounted on the front cover DC.

[0102] Figure 3 The structure of the clothes drying apparatus 20 of the clothes handling apparatus of this disclosure is shown.

[0103] The clothes drying device 20 may include a drying cabinet 1A, a drying drum 2A, a circulation path 3A, and a heat exchanger 4. The drying drum 2A is rotatably disposed inside the drying cabinet to provide space for storing clothes. The circulation path 3A forms a flow path for resupplying air discharged from the drying drum 2A to the drying drum 2A. The heat exchanger 4 dehumidifies and heats the air introduced into the circulation path 3A and then resupplyes the dehumidified and heated air to the drying drum 2A.

[0104] When the drying drum 2A is formed as a cylindrical drum body 21A with an open front and a back, a first support member 17 that rotatably supports the front of the drying drum 2A and a second support member 19A that rotatably supports the back of the drying drum 2A can be installed inside the cabinet 1A.

[0105] The first support member 17 may include a first fixing body 171, a drum clothing inlet 173, and a first support body 175. The first fixing body 171 is fixed inside the dryer cabinet 1A. The drum clothing inlet 173 is defined to extend through the first fixing body to allow the clothing inlet 111 and the interior of the drum body 21A to communicate with each other. The first support body 175 is disposed on the first fixing body 171 and inserted into the front (first open surface) of the drum body 21A.

[0106] The first fixing body 171 can be of any shape, as long as it allows for the arrangement of the drum clothing inlet 173 and the first support body 175. The first support body 175 can be formed as a tube protruding from the first fixing body 171 toward the drying drum body 21A. The diameter of the first support body 175 can be larger than the diameter of the drum clothing inlet 173, and smaller than the diameter of the front side of the drying drum body 21A. In this case, the drum clothing inlet 173 will be located within the space defined by the first support body 175.

[0107] The first support member 17 may further include a connector 177 that connects the garment inlet 111 and the roller garment inlet 173 to each other. The connector 177 may be formed as a tube extending from the roller garment inlet 173 toward the garment inlet 111. The connector 177 may have an air outlet 178 communicating with the circulation flow path 3A.

[0108] Air outlet 178, as a channel allowing air inside the drying drum 21A to flow to the circulating flow path 3, can be defined as a through hole that extends through connector 177.

[0109] The second support member 19A may include a second fixing body 191 and a second support body 195. The second fixing body 191 is fixed inside the cabinet 1A, and the second support body 195 is disposed on the second fixing body 191 and inserted into the back side (second open surface) of the drum 21A. The second support member 19A includes an air inlet 198 defined to extend through the second fixing body 191 to allow communication between the interior of the drum 21 and the interior of the drying cabinet 1A. In this case, the duct 3A may be configured to connect the air outlet 178 and the air inlet 198 to each other.

[0110] The cylindrical drum 21A with an empty interior can be rotated by various types of drying drives. The following is shown as an example: the drying drives 82, 83, 85 include a motor 82 fixed inside the drying cabinet 1A, a pulley 85 rotated by the motor, and a belt 83 connecting the circumferential surface of the pulley 85 and the circumferential surface of the drum 21A to each other.

[0111] In one example, the drying drive can be positioned on the back of the drying drum 2A to directly rotate the drum 2A. The rotation shafts of the drying drives 82, 83, and 85 can be directly coupled to the drum 2A to rotate the drying drum 2A.

[0112] In this configuration, the second support 19A can support the drying drives 82, 83, and 85 on the back or at the center of the drying drum 2A.

[0113] In one example, a separate reducer can be positioned between the drying drives 82, 83, 85 and the drying drum 2A. In this case, the rotational shaft from the reducer can be directly coupled to the center of the back side of the drum 2A, and the reducer can be coupled to and supported by the second support 19.

[0114] In this respect, the drying drives 82, 83, and 85 can freely change the rotation speed and rotation direction of the drum 2A.

[0115] The first support member 17 may have a first roller 179 that rotatably supports the circumferential surface of the roller body 21A, and the second support member 19 may have a second roller 199 that rotatably supports the circumferential surface of the roller body.

[0116] The circulating flow path 3A may include a pipe connected to the drum 2. The pipe 3A may be connected to the drying drum 2A, so that the pipe 3A can be considered to form a circulating flow path in which air discharged from the drying drum passes through the heat exchanger 4 and is reintroduced into the drum 2A.

[0117] The duct 3A may include an exhaust duct 31A connected to an air outlet 178, a supply duct 33A connected to an air inlet 198, and a connecting duct 35A that connects the exhaust duct and the supply duct to each other.

[0118] The heat exchanger 4 can be configured as various devices, as long as they can sequentially perform dehumidification and heating of the air introduced into the pipe 3A. For example, the heat exchanger 4 can be configured as a heat pump system.

[0119] The heat exchanger 4 may include a fan 49 that allows air to flow along the duct 3A, a first heat exchanger (heat absorber) 41 that removes moisture from the air introduced into the duct 3A, and a second heat exchanger (heater) 43 disposed inside the duct 3A to heat the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger 41.

[0120] The heat absorber 41 can be configured as an evaporator that absorbs heat, and the heater 43 can be configured as a condenser that emits heat.

[0121] Fan 49 may include an impeller 491 disposed inside duct 3A and an impeller motor 493 for rotating the impeller 491 (see Figure 4 Impeller 491 can be installed in any one of discharge pipe 31A, connection pipe 35A, and supply pipe 33A. Impeller 491 can be installed in supply pipe 33A.

[0122] The heat absorber 41 is formed using multiple metal plates arranged along the width direction (Y-axis direction) or the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the connecting pipe 35A, and the heater 43 can also be formed using multiple metal plates arranged along the width direction or the height direction of the connecting pipe. The heat absorber 41 and the heater 43 are arranged sequentially inside the connecting pipe 35A in a direction from the discharge pipe 31A to the supply pipe 33A, and are interconnected via a refrigerant pipe 48 that forms a circulating flow path for the refrigerant.

[0123] The refrigerant moves along the refrigerant pipe 48 via the compressor 45 located outside the pipe 3A, and the refrigerant pipe 48 has a pressure regulator 47 that adjusts the pressure of the refrigerant that has passed through the heater 43.

[0124] The heat absorber 41 is a device for cooling air and evaporating refrigerant by transferring the heat of the air introduced into the discharge pipe 31A to the refrigerant. The heater 43 is a device for heating air and condensing refrigerant by transferring the heat of the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 45 to the air. In this case, the moisture contained in the air will be collected along the surface of the heat absorber 41 on the bottom surface of the connecting pipe 35A as it passes through the heat absorber 41.

[0125] In order to collect the water removed from the air passing through the heat absorber 41, the clothes drying device 20 has a water collection section.

[0126] Water collected in the water collection section can be collected in the water storage tank 7 and later discharged all at once. The water storage tank 7 may include a water storage tank 72 and an inlet 722, the water storage tank 72 being detachably disposed in the cabinet 1 to provide space for storing water, and the inlet 722 being defined to extend through the water storage tank 72 to introduce water discharged from the water storage supply pipe 633 into the water storage tank 72.

[0127] The water tank 72 can be formed as a drawer-shaped box extending from the cabinet 1. In this case, the front panel 11A of the cabinet must have a water tank mounting hole or box opening into which the water tank 72 is inserted. The water tank panel 71 is fixed to the front of the water tank 72. The water tank panel 71 can be detachably coupled to the water tank mounting hole or box opening 115 to form part of the front panel 11A.

[0128] The water tank panel 71 may also include a slot 711 into which a user's hand can be inserted. In this case, the water tank panel 71 will also function as a handle for extending or retracting the water tank 72 from or into the cabinet.

[0129] Inlet 722 can be defined to receive water discharged from nozzle 722A fixed to the drying cabinet 1A. Nozzle 722a can be fixed to the top panel 13 of the cabinet so as to be positioned above inlet 722 when the water reservoir body 72 is inserted into the cabinet 1.

[0130] In the water tank 7 with the above-described structure, the user can discard the water inside the water tank 72 by extending the water tank 72 from the cabinet 1 and then flipping or tilting the water tank 72 in the direction pointed to by the inlet 722. The communication hole 721, which is defined to extend through the top surface of the water tank body 72, can be further defined to allow water inside the water tank 72 to be easily discharged through the inlet 722.

[0131] In one example, the heat exchanger 4 is configured to condense moisture in the air circulating in the heat absorber 41. Therefore, even as the air circulates in the drum 2A, the moisture is removed by the heat absorber 41, so that the clothes inside the drum 2A can be continuously dried.

[0132] The moisture condensed in the heat absorber 41 can first be collected in the water collection section 37A, and then collected again in the water storage tank 7. The water collection section 37A can be located inside the connecting pipe 35, and can be set separately in a space spaced apart from the connecting pipe 35.

[0133] Figure 4 The detailed structure of the water collection section 37A, heat exchanger 4, and scrubber 6 is shown.

[0134] The water collection section 37A can be formed as a water collection body 371A fixed to the bottom surface of the connecting pipe 35A and communicating with the interior of the connecting pipe. A heat exchanger support 372A can also be disposed inside the water collection body 371A, such that the heat absorber 41 and the heater 43 do not come into contact with the water (condensate) stored in the water collection body 371A. The heat exchanger support 372A may include a support plate 373A in contact with the heat absorber 41 and the heater 43, a spacer 375A maintaining a gap between the support plate 373A and the bottom surface of the water collection body 371A, and a support plate through-hole 376A defined to extend through the support plate 373A.

[0135] The through-hole 376A of the support plate can be limited only to the space supporting the heat absorber 41 within the space provided by the support plate 373A, and can be limited to each of the space supporting the heat absorber and the space supporting the heater. When the through-hole 376A of the support plate is also limited to the bottom surface of the heater 43, water flowing along the support plate 373A to the heater 43 can be discharged to the water collection section 371A (to prevent a decrease in heat transfer efficiency that occurs when the heater comes into contact with water).

[0136] In order to minimize the accumulation of foreign matter (lint, etc.) discharged from the drying drum 21A in the heat absorber 41 and heater 43, the clothes drying device 20 may also include a filter for filtering the air.

[0137] The second filter device 8 can be configured to filter air introduced from the drying drum body 21A into the discharge pipe 31A, and the first filter device 5 can be located between the second filter device 8 and the heat absorber 41, and configured to filter air that has already passed through the second filter device. The diameter of the filter holes defined in the first filter device 5 can be set to be smaller than the diameter of the filter holes defined in the second filter device 8.

[0138] The second filter device 8 may include a frame 81 that is detachably inserted into the exhaust pipe 31A through an air outlet 178, and a filter (fourth filter) 83 disposed in the frame to filter air.

[0139] The first filter device 5 can be detachably installed in the connecting pipe 35. In this case, the front panel 11 of the cabinet may have a filter mounting hole from which the first filter device 5 is pulled out, and a mounting hole door for opening and closing the filter mounting hole, and the pipe 3A may have a pipe through hole 34 into which the first filter device 5 is inserted (see...). Figure 3 Therefore, users can remove foreign matter remaining in the first filter device 5 and clean the first filter device after separating it from the clothing treatment device, as needed.

[0140] The first filtration device 5 may include filter bodies 51, 53 and 55, and filters 531, 551 and 571. The filter bodies 51, 53 and 55 are inserted into the filter mounting holes and the pipe through holes 34 and positioned between the second filtration device 8 and the heat absorber 41. The filters 531, 551 and 571 are disposed in the filter bodies to filter the fluids (air and water) flowing to the heat absorber 41 and the water collection section 371A.

[0141] The filter body can be formed in various forms depending on the shape of the cross-section (YZ plane and XZ plane) of the connecting pipe 35A. Figure 1An example is shown where the filter device body is formed in a hexahedral shape.

[0142] In this case, the filter device body may include a front surface 51, a back surface 53, a bottom surface 55, a first side surface 57, and a second side surface 58. The front surface 51 is formed in a shape that can close the pipe through-hole 34. The back surface 53 is positioned between the front surface and the heat absorber 41. The bottom surface 55 is configured to connect the front surface and the back surface to each other. The first side surface 57 and the second side surface 58 form the left side and right side surface of the filter device body.

[0143] The front panel 51 may have a lock 511 removably coupled to a locking portion 16 disposed in the cabinet. The lock 511 may be formed as a strip rotatably coupled to the front panel 51 of the filter housing, and the locking portion may define a groove for receiving the free end of the strip. Preferably, the locks 511 are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the front panel 51, and the locking portions 16 are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the filter mounting holes.

[0144] To facilitate the insertion of the filter device into or removal from the connecting pipe 35A, the front side 51 may also include a handle 511.

[0145] The back surface 53 and the bottom surface 55 may each have a first filter 531 and a second filter 551 for filtering fluids (air and water) introduced into the filter housing. The back surface 53 has a back through-hole defined therein to allow communication between the interior of the filter housing and the interior space of the pipe 3A, and the first filter 531 is disposed in the back through-hole. The bottom surface 55 has a bottom through-hole to allow communication between the interior of the filter housing and the interior space of the pipe 3A, and the second filter 551 is disposed in the bottom through-hole. Therefore, the first filter 531 is a means for filtering fluids (air and water) supplied to the heat absorber 41, and the second filter 551 is a means for filtering fluids supplied to the water collection section 371A.

[0146] The first side 57 and the second side 58 can be configured to connect the front 51, the back 53 and the bottom 55 to each other.

[0147] The first filter device 5 with the above structure can be connected to the discharge pipe 31A through the top surface or the second side surface 58 of the filter device body. Figure 1 The following case is shown as an example: the first filter device 5 is connected to the discharge pipe 31A through a top surface through-hole defined to extend through the top surface of the filter device body and a side through-hole defined to extend through the second side 58.

[0148] The first filter 531 can be tilted at an angle of 90 to 100 degrees toward the front of the heat absorber 41, based on the bottom surface 55 of the filter body. This is to allow foreign matter remaining in the first filter to easily move to the bottom surface 55 when water is injected into the first filter 531 via the scrubber 6, which will be described later.

[0149] The second filter 551 can be tilted downwards at an angle of 10 to 20 degrees toward the first filter 531 from the front 51 (the second filter can also be tilted upwards at an angle of 10 to 20 degrees along the direction from the lower end of the first filter to the filter mounting hole). When the second filter 551 is tilted downwards toward the first filter 531, since the connection point of the first filter 531 and the second filter 551 will be the lowest point in the space provided by the first filter device, foreign objects in the first filter device 5 may concentrate at the connection point of the first filter 531 and the second filter 551. When foreign objects are concentrated at the connection point of the first filter 531 and the second filter 551, the user will be able to remove foreign objects from the inside of the first filter device 5 more easily.

[0150] However, when foreign matter accumulates at the connection point of the first filter 531 and the second filter 551, it may take a long time for the water sprayed by the scrubber 6 to be discharged into the water collection section 371. To solve this problem, a bypass hole can be provided to allow communication between the interior of the first filter device 5 and the water collection section 371, and a third filter 571 can be provided in the bypass hole.

[0151] The bypass orifice and the third filter 571 can be positioned higher than the uppermost end of the second filter 551 and lower than the uppermost end of the first filter 531. Therefore, the garment handling device can minimize the phenomenon that water sprayed onto the first filter 5 cannot be recovered at the water collection section 371 due to foreign matter remaining in the first filter 5.

[0152] In one example, the clothes drying device 20 may also include a washer 6 that uses water stored in a water collection section 371A to clean the first filter device 5. That is, the water stored in the water collection section 371A may be collected separately into a water reservoir 7 or may be selectively directed to the washer 6.

[0153] The washer 6 can be configured as a means for cleaning at least one of the first filter 531, the second filter 551, the third filter 571, and the heat absorber 41 by spraying water stored in the water collection section 371A onto the first filter device 5. The washer 6 may include an ejector 65 disposed in the pipe 3A to supply water to the first filter device 5, and a washer pump 61 that allows water stored in the water collection section 371A to flow to the ejector 65.

[0154] The washing pump 61 can be connected to the water collection section 371A via a first connecting pipe 611 and to the jet injector 65 via a second connecting pipe 613. When the clothes handling apparatus is configured to allow water from the water collection section 371A to flow to the jet injector 65 and the water reservoir 7 using only one washing pump 61, the clothes drying apparatus 20 may also include a flow path switching section 63. In this case, the flow path switching section 63 can be connected to the washing pump 61 via the second connecting pipe 613, the jet injector 65 can be connected to the flow path switching section 63 via a jet supply pipe 631, and the water reservoir 7 can be connected to the flow path switching section 63 via a water reservoir supply pipe 633.

[0155] In this case, the water supply pipe 633 should connect the nozzle 722a and the flow path switching part 63 to each other.

[0156] The flow path switching section 63 includes a valve for controlling the opening and closing of the jet supply pipe 631 and the water storage supply pipe 633. Therefore, the clothes drying device 20 can control the valve located in the flow path switching section 63 to supply water stored in the water collection section 371A to the jet injector 65 or to the water storage tank 7.

[0157] The following is illustrated as an example: the injector 65 includes a through-hole 651, a first guide 653, and a second guide 655. The through-hole 651 is defined to extend through the connecting pipe 35, and the injection supply pipe 631 is connected to the through-hole 651. The first guide 653 guides water supplied from the through-hole to a first filter 531, and the second guide 655 guides at least a portion of the water supplied through the first guide 653 to the front of the heat absorber 41. In this case, the second guide 655 can be configured as a means to allow water to be supplied to the front of the heat absorber 41 via the first filter 531. That is, when the first filter device 5 is fixed to the connecting pipe 35A, the first filter 531 can be disposed between the first guide 653 and the second guide 655, and the second guide 655 can be formed as an inclined surface sloping downward from the top surface of the connecting pipe 35 toward the first filter 531.

[0158] The first guide 653 may also include a guide through-hole 654. As a hole defined as extending through the first guide 653, the guide through-hole 654 allows water introduced into the pipe through-hole 651 to be supplied through the guide through-hole 654 to the front region of the heat absorber 41. The front region of the heat absorber refers to the area positioned on the side facing the first filter 531 based on a vertical line passing through the center of the heat absorber 41.

[0159] In one example, preferably, the garment handling apparatus of this disclosure includes a water level sensor 92 for the water collection section 371A, which measures the water level in the water collection section 371A and transmits the water level to a controller. When the water level sensor 92 is configured, the garment handling apparatus can determine the point in time when water stored in the water collection section 371A is allowed to flow to the water storage tank 72. Therefore, water flow from the water collection section 371A back into the connecting pipe 35A can be prevented.

[0160] The water level sensing device 92 for the water collection section can be configured as any device capable of sensing the water level inside the water collection section 371A. Figure 3 A sensor with multiple electrodes of different lengths (based on electrical connections to the water level) is shown as an example.

[0161] The clothes drying device 20 may have a dryness sensing device to determine the time point for stopping the operation of the heat exchanger 4 by determining the dryness of the clothes. The dryness sensing device may be formed as at least one of an electrode sensor 95 and a humidity sensor, the electrode sensor 95 being configured to contact the clothes to measure the moisture content contained in the clothes, and the humidity sensor being used to measure the humidity of the air introduced from the drum 3 into the duct 3A.

[0162] The electrode sensor may include a first electrode 951 and a second electrode 953, which may be fixed to a first fixture 171 and may contact the clothes inside the drum 21A. As the dryness increases, the moisture content of the clothes decreases (the resistance of the clothes increases), allowing the clothes drying apparatus 20 to determine the dryness of the clothes by observing the resistance measured when the two electrodes 951 and 953 are interconnected via the clothes. In one example, as the dryness of the clothes increases, the moisture content of the air introduced into the duct 3A decreases, allowing the clothes drying apparatus 20 to determine the dryness of the clothes by observing the humidity of the air introduced into the duct 3A via a humidity sensor.

[0163] In addition, the clothes drying device 20 may also include a temperature sensing device 96 for measuring the temperature of the air introduced into the duct 3A. The temperature sensing device 96 may be fixed to the top surface of the connecting duct 35A and positioned between the first filter 531 and the second filter 551.

[0164] Figure 5 The diagram shows a structure in which the laundry handling apparatus includes a laundry washing device 10, a laundry drying device 20, and a miniature device 60, and the laundry washing device 10, the laundry drying device 20, and the miniature device 60 can communicate with each other.

[0165] The laundry appliance 10 may include a washing control panel P, which is configured to display information and receive commands from the user.

[0166] The washing control panel P may include: a display section P8 capable of displaying the status of the washing apparatus 10; an input device P9 capable of inputting commands to the washing apparatus 10; and a washing speaker K1 capable of outputting notifications generated by the washing apparatus 10. The washing apparatus 10 may include a controller M1, which executes the washing process and options, including the drive of the washing apparatus 10, the water supply, the drain, etc., and the washing apparatus 10 may include a memory S1, which sends information to the controller M1 or stores programs to be used by the controller M1.

[0167] The input device P9 may be a concept that includes all components configured to receive commands from the user to the laundry appliance 10, such as the control part P47, the power switch P46, the execution part P47, the setting part P2, etc., which will be described later.

[0168] In addition, the laundry washing device 10 may include a washing communication module T1. The washing communication module T1 may include: a washing communication modem T11, including a communication device such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth; a washing communication controller T12, configured as a control communication modem; and a washing communication memory T13, which can send received information to the controller M1, or can store a program for controlling the washing communication controller T12 when the power to the washing controller M1 is cut off.

[0169] The washing communication module T1 can be configured to continue receiving power even when the power supply to the control panel P of the laundry appliance 10 is cut off, and can be configured to maintain communication with the external terminal 40 and the server 50.

[0170] In addition, the washing communication module T1 can be configured to be directly paired with the drying communication module T2 and the miniature communication module T31, which will be described later, to maintain communication.

[0171] In addition, when the washing communication module T1 receives a power command to supply power to the control panel P, it can control the supply of power to the control panel P.

[0172] The clothes drying device 20 may include a drying control panel PA, which is configured to display information and receive commands from the user.

[0173] The drying control panel PA may include: a drying display section P8A capable of displaying the status of the clothes drying device 20; a drying input device P9A capable of inputting commands to the clothes drying device 20; and a drying speaker K2 capable of outputting notifications generated from the clothes drying device 20. The clothes drying device 20 may include a drying controller M2 capable of executing the drying process and options of the operating driver, and the clothes drying device 20 may include a drying memory S2 that sends information to the drying controller M1 or stores programs to be used by the drying controller M1.

[0174] The drying input device P9A may be a concept that includes all components configured to receive commands from the user to the laundry washing device 10, such as the control part P47A, the power switch P46A, the execution part P47A, the setting part P2A, etc., which will be described later.

[0175] Additionally, the clothes drying device 20 may include a drying communication module T2. The drying communication module T2 may include: a drying communication modem T21, including a communication device such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth; a drying communication controller T22, configured to control the communication modem; and a drying communication memory T23, which can send received information to the drying controller M2, or store a program for controlling the drying communication controller T22 when the power to the drying controller M2 is cut off.

[0176] The drying communication module T2 can be configured to continue receiving power even when the power supply to the drying control panel PA of the clothes drying device 20 is cut off, and can be configured to maintain communication with the external terminal 40 and the server 50.

[0177] In addition, the drying communication module T2 can be configured to be directly paired with the communication module T1 and the small communication module T31 described later to maintain communication.

[0178] In addition, when the drying communication module T2 receives a power command to supply power to the drying control panel PA, it can control the supply of power to the drying control panel PA.

[0179] The small device 60 may include a small control panel PC configured to display information and receive commands from the user.

[0180] The small control panel PC may include: a small display P8C capable of displaying the status of the small device 60, a small input device P9C capable of inputting commands to the small device 60, and a small speaker K3 capable of outputting notifications generated by the small device 60. The small device 60 may include a small controller M3, which can execute the washing process and options of the drive, water supply, drain, etc. of the small device 60, and the small device 60 may include a small memory S3, which sends information to the small controller M3 or stores programs to be used by the small controller M3.

[0181] The small input device P9C may be a concept that includes all components configured to receive commands from the user to the laundry appliance 10, such as the control part P47C, the power switch P46C, the execution part P4C, the setting part P2C, etc., which will be described later.

[0182] In addition, the miniature device 60 may include a miniature communication module T3. The miniature communication module T3 may include: a miniature communication modem T31, including communication devices such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth; a miniature communication controller T32, configured to control the miniature communication modem; and a miniature communication memory T33, which can send received information to the miniature controller T31, or store programs for controlling the miniature communication controller T32 when the power to the miniature controller T31 is cut off.

[0183] The small communication module T3 can be configured to continue receiving power even when the power supply to the small control panel PC of the small device 60 is cut off, and can be configured to maintain communication with the external terminal 40 and the server 50.

[0184] In addition, the small communication module T3 can be configured to be directly paired with the communication module T1 and the drying communication module T2, which will be described later, to maintain communication.

[0185] In addition, when the small communication module T3 receives a power command for supplying power to the small control panel PC, it can control the supply of power to the small control panel PC.

[0186] In one example, the external terminal 40 may include a short-range communication module 40b configured to communicate directly with the laundry washing device 10, the laundry drying device 20, and the miniature device 60, and a remote communication module 40a configured to communicate with the server 50.

[0187] Furthermore, the external terminal 40 may also include: a terminal display section 42 for displaying information received from the communication module; a terminal input device 44 for sending commands to a home appliance such as a laundry appliance 10 or a server 50; and a terminal controller 46 for controlling the terminal display section 42, the terminal input device 44, and the communication module. The external terminal 40 may also include a terminal memory 48 for storing information received from the communication module or storing programs for controlling the terminal controller 46.

[0188] Server 50 may include: a communication device T5 capable of communicating with external terminal 40, laundry washing device 10, laundry drying device 20, and miniature device 60; a processing unit 52 for calculating information received from or to be sent to external terminal 40, laundry washing device 10, laundry drying device 20, and miniature device 60; and a storage device 54 for storing information received from external terminal 40, laundry washing device 10, laundry drying device 20, and miniature device 60, or storing any processes or options that can operate laundry washing device 10, laundry drying device 20, and miniature device 60.

[0189] Figure 6 An embodiment of a control panel P applicable to the garment handling apparatus of this disclosure is shown.

[0190] In the following description, the control panel P provided in the laundry washing apparatus 10 will be used as a basis, but the control panel P can be applied to the laundry washing apparatus 10 and the laundry drying apparatus 20 with the same structure, and can also be applied to the small apparatus 60.

[0191] In other words, the control panel P, the drying control panel PA, and the small control panel PC can have the same structure.

[0192] The laundry washing unit 10 includes a cabinet 1 and a control panel P mounted on the cabinet 1.

[0193] A control panel (P) refers to a device capable of communication between the user and the garment handling device (including other electronic devices besides the garment handling device). Communication between the user and the garment handling device means the process of the user inputting control commands to the garment handling device and the process of the garment handling device sending information to the user.

[0194] Users can input at least one of the following via the control panel P: a power command to supply or cut off power to the garment processing device; a selection command to choose any process or option for processing garments; an execution command to execute the selected process or option; and a stop command to stop the currently executing process or option.

[0195] Clothing treatment may include a washing cycle that removes foreign matter from clothing using water and detergent, or a drying cycle that dries the water contained in the clothing.

[0196] The control panel (P) can display information about the operating status, process, or options of the garment handling device to the user.

[0197] For example, control panel P can display the status of at least one of the following input commands: power command, selection command, execution command, performance command, and stop command. Furthermore, control panel P can display error messages or guidance information; error messages indicate problems occurring in the garment handling device, while guidance information directs the user to appropriate actions.

[0198] The cabinet 1 may include a front panel 11 forming the front of the cabinet 1, and a top plate 13 coupled to the top surface of the front panel 11. The front panel 11 and the top plate 13 may be made of metal and may have a steel plate shape.

[0199] The control panel P of the clothing handling device disclosed herein can be coupled to the front panel 11.

[0200] The control panel P can be coupled to the back of the front panel 11 and can be partially exposed on the front of the front panel 11. The front panel 11 can be manufactured as a simple metal plate, and the control panel P can be easily coupled to and fixed to the back of the front panel 11.

[0201] Therefore, the front panel 11 can form most of the front area of ​​the cabinet 1. This enhances the overall aesthetics of the front panel 11 and maximizes its visual appeal. Furthermore, it simplifies the manufacturing process of the front panel 11 and simplifies the assembly or installation of the front panel 11 and the control panel P. Additionally, individual components such as the frame used to mount the control panel P onto the front panel 11 can be omitted.

[0202] The control panel P of the garment processing device disclosed herein may include an operating part P7 rotatably coupled to a cabinet, and a display part P8 disposed inside the operating part P7 to display the status of the garment processing device.

[0203] The control part P7 can be shaped like a knob, and the display part P8 can be shaped like a display D including a liquid crystal or the like. It can be seen that the display part P8 and the selection part R, which will be described later, are included in the control part P7.

[0204] The display portion of P8 can be entirely formed as a touchpad, or at least partially formed as a touchpad.

[0205] The control part P7 can be configured to rotate to select any process or option for processing clothing, and the display part P8 can be configured to display the corresponding process or option whenever the control part P7 is rotated.

[0206] Therefore, the control panel P of the garment handling apparatus disclosed herein can prevent any process or option (described later) that enables the rotation of the drum from being displayed as characters, guide phrases, etc. in a specific area.

[0207] Therefore, the area or proportion of the control panel P in the front panel 11 can be greatly reduced, and the aesthetics can be maximized since there are no separate characters or guiding phrases attached to the front panel 11.

[0208] The display P84 of the display section P8 may include: a status display area D1 for displaying the status of the garment handling device; and a content display area D2 for displaying the status, error message, or guidance information (see [reference needed]) of at least one of the following input commands: power command, selection command, execution command, performance command, and stop command of the garment handling device (see [reference needed]). Figure 11 ).

[0209] The status display area D1 can display the locking status D11 indicating whether the door 132 is locked to the cabinet, the activation status D12 of the communication module T1, the execution status D13 of the process or option, and the notification status D14 indicating that there is a notification message to be sent to the user.

[0210] As the area displayed in the display section P8 with the largest area, the content display area D2 can display the selected status, execution status, stopped status, and completed status of a process or option, and can also display the status of other household appliances, which will be described later.

[0211] In addition, the control panel P may also include a selection section R for the user to input a confirmation command to determine the information to be displayed on the display section P8. The selection section R may be located inside the operating section P7 to further reduce the area occupied by the control panel P.

[0212] The selection portion R can be arranged inside the display portion P8 and can be arranged to be separated from the content display area D2. The selection portion R can be formed as a physical button or touchpad for sensing the user's physical contact.

[0213] The display P84 of the display section may include an input area D3, which can request input to the selection section R at a point corresponding to the selection section R. (See...) Figure 11 )

[0214] The input area D3 can be configured to glow when the selected portion R can be activated to receive commands from the user.

[0215] In one example, the manipulation section P7 and the display section P8 can be operated only when powered on.

[0216] Therefore, the control panel P of the garment processing device disclosed herein may further include a power switch P46 for inputting power commands to the garment processing device, an operation section P7, and a display section.

[0217] The user can activate the control section P7 by inputting the power switch P46.

[0218] The front panel 11 may include a power switch mounting portion 116 configured to allow the mounting of a power switch P46.

[0219] In addition, the Control Panel P may also include an execution section P47, into which execution commands for executing or stopping selected processes or options are entered.

[0220] The execution section P47 can be formed separately from the operation section P7 and the display section P8 to reflect the user's explicit expression or intention to stop. Furthermore, it prevents the operation section P7 and the display section P8 from having too many functions.

[0221] The front panel 11 may include an execution part mounting part 117, which is configured to allow the execution part P47 to be mounted.

[0222] The control panel P may include a control box or housing P41, which may house or mount a power switch P46, an actuator P47, an operating section P7, and a display section P8 (see also...). Figure 8 ).

[0223] In one example, the control panel P may also include a settings section P2, which allows adding or changing options for processes on the front panel 11. Users can configure options via settings section P2 that can change the intensity, duration, etc., of a process.

[0224] The setting section P2 can be formed separately from the housing P41 and can be coupled to the front panel 11. The setting section P2 may include a separate liquid crystal display and may include a touchpad or physical buttons for inputting options.

[0225] The power switch P46, the execution part P47, the control part P7, and the setting part P2 can be collectively referred to as the input device P9.

[0226] In one example, the front panel 11 may have a clothing inlet 111 and a door 132, the clothing inlet 111 being defined in communication with the roller 2, and the door 132 being pivotally coupled to the cabinet to open and close the clothing inlet 111.

[0227] The control panel P can be located above door 132 to improve user accessibility.

[0228] In one example, the front panel 11 may also include a locking device L for securing the door 132 to the front panel 11. When the garment handling device is in operation (e.g., when the rollers of the garment handling device are rotating), the locking device L can lock the door 132 to the front panel 11. This prevents accidents. When the operation of the garment handling device is complete, the locking device L can unlock the door 132.

[0229] The locking device L can be configured as any component, as long as it can secure the door 132 to the cabinet 1. The locking device L can be configured as a fastener for securing a hook protruding from the door, or it can be configured as a solenoid valve for retaining the hook.

[0230] The clothing handling apparatus disclosed herein may include a detergent dispenser 243, which contains detergent for washing clothes, and the front panel 11 may include a detergent hole P24 from which the detergent dispenser 243 extends.

[0231] The control panel P can be coupled to the front panel 11. Therefore, the control panel P may include an input device P9 for receiving control commands from the user, and a display section P8 for outputting information such as user-selectable control commands.

[0232] A main controller M1 can be installed to control commands that execute the drying operation of the garment handling device.

[0233] The input device P9 may include: a power request device P46 for requesting power to the garment handling device, an operation part P7 for enabling the user to select a desired process from multiple processes, and an execution part P47 for requesting the start of the user-selected process.

[0234] The display portion P8 may include at least one of a display panel capable of outputting text and graphics and a speaker capable of outputting voice signals and sounds.

[0235] Figure 7 The structure of the control panel coupled to the front panel is shown.

[0236] As shown in the figure, the laundry apparatus 10 may also include a detergent dispenser P24. The detergent dispenser P24 may include: a detergent cartridge housing 241 disposed in the cabinet 1, a connecting pipe 242 for connecting the detergent cartridge housing to the drum 21, and a detergent cartridge 243 extending from the detergent cartridge housing 241 through a detergent cartridge clothing inlet 133 defined in the front panel 11.

[0237] The detergent dispenser 243 may include a chamber 245 that provides space for storing detergent, and a discharge flow path 247 that discharges the detergent in the chamber into the detergent dispenser housing 241. The discharge flow path 247 may be configured as a dehydrator (such as a siphon flow path) that allows liquid to flow into the detergent dispenser housing 241 when the water level in the chamber 245 exceeds a preset water level.

[0238] When the detergent dispenser P24 is installed in the laundry washing unit 10, the water supply unit 23 may also include a nozzle 232 for supplying water to the chamber 245. The nozzle 232 may be fixed to the cabinet 1 to form the top surface of the detergent dispenser housing 241, and the water supply pipe 231 may connect the nozzle 232 and the water supply source to each other.

[0239] The detergent dispenser panel 248 may be disposed on the front of the detergent dispenser 243. The detergent dispenser panel 248 may be shaped to close the detergent dispenser clothing inlet 133, and the detergent dispenser panel 248 may have a detergent dispenser handle.

[0240] The front panel 11 can be secured to the cabinet 1 via the panel support 12. That is, the panel support 12 can be secured to the cabinet 1, and the front panel 11 can be secured to the panel support 12. The panel support 12 may have a detergent dispenser through-hole 121 through which the detergent dispenser 243 passes.

[0241] The control panel P can be fixed to the cabinet 1 via the panel support 12. The panel support 12 may have an interface mounting slot in which the control panel P is fixed.

[0242] The front panel 11 has a first button mounting portion 116 and a second button mounting portion 117. The first button 461 can be exposed to the outside of the cabinet 1 via the first button mounting portion 136, and the second button 471 can be exposed to the outside of the cabinet 1 via the second button mounting portion 117.

[0243] The first input device 46 and the second input device 47 can be separately disposed in the left and right spaces of the display portion P8, or separately disposed in the upper and lower spaces of the display portion, or disposed vertically or horizontally in one of the left and right spaces of the display portion.

[0244] The cabinet 1 has a panel through-hole 134 that is defined to extend through the front panel 11. A shaft 71 can be inserted into the panel through-hole 134.

[0245] When the clothing handling device is configured as a clothing drying device 20, the rest can be the same except that the components related to the detergent dispenser are changed to a water reservoir 7.

[0246] Figure 8The internal structure of the control panel is shown.

[0247] The control panel P may include a circuit board (first circuit board) P4, an encoder P5, an operating part P7, and a display part P8. The circuit board (first circuit board) P4 is fixed to the panel support 12 and positioned inside the cabinet 1. The encoder P5 is fixed to the circuit board and located inside the cabinet 1. The operating part P7 is connected to the encoder P5 through the front panel 11. The display part P8 is fixed to the encoder P5 or the first circuit board P4 through the front panel 11.

[0248] The first circuit board P4, which is equipped with the necessary control circuitry for at least one of the control (electrical control and operational control) driver 32, steam device 200, water supply section 23, and drainage section 25, can be fixed to the panel support 12 via the housing P41. The housing P41 can have any shape as long as it can fix the first circuit board 4 to the panel support 12.

[0249] The housing P41 can be formed into a hexahedron shape with one face (the face facing the panel support) open.

[0250] A boss for positioning the first circuit board P4 can be disposed in the housing P41. The boss may include a first boss 411 and a second boss 412.

[0251] In this configuration, the first circuit board P4 may have a through-hole P42 and a boss insertion hole P43, with the first boss 411 passing through the through-hole P42 and the second boss 412 passing through the boss insertion hole P43. The second boss 412 may be disposed in each of the left and right spaces of the first boss 411, or it may be disposed in each of the upper and lower spaces of the first boss 411.

[0252] Wire 822 is connected to display unit P8. Wire 822 may be configured as a power line for supplying power to display unit, or as a communication line enabling display unit P8 to communicate with equipment (including first circuit board P4) inside the cabinet.

[0253] The first boss 411 may have a first boss through hole 413 defined therein, and the panel support 12 may have a wire through hole P42 defined therein (see Figure 4 In this case, the wire 822 can be extended into the cabinet 1 by inserting it into the first boss through hole 413 and the wire through hole P42.

[0254] The first circuit board P4 may also include a power switch P46 and an execution part P47. The clothing device P46 may be configured to input a control command requesting power to the clothing handling device 100, and the execution part P47 may be configured to input a command requesting execution of a control command displayed on the display part P8 or a command to temporarily stop the control command being executed by the clothing handling device 10.

[0255] The power switch P46 and the actuator P47 can be configured to generate a control signal by sensing static electricity from the user's body.

[0256] The power switch P46 may include a first button 461 exposed outside the cabinet 1, a first detection sensor 469 fixed to the first circuit board P4, and a conductor (first touch spring) 463 for connecting the first button and the first detection sensor to each other. Similarly, the actuator P47 may include a second button 471 exposed outside the cabinet 1, a second detection sensor 474 fixed to the first circuit board P4, and a conductor (second touch spring) (not shown) for connecting the second button and the second detection sensor to each other.

[0257] The front panel 11 has a first button mounting portion 136 and a second button mounting portion 117. The first button 461 can be exposed to the outside of the cabinet 1 via the first button mounting portion 116, and the second button 471 can be exposed to the outside of the cabinet 1 via the second button mounting portion 117.

[0258] The power switch P46 and the actuator P47 can be respectively located in the left and right spaces of the display part P8, or respectively located in the upper and lower spaces of the display part, or can be vertically or horizontally located in one of the left and right spaces of the display part.

[0259] The first touch spring 463 and the second touch spring can be formed in the shape of coils to provide restoring force to the first button 461 and the second button 471. Furthermore, to prevent the first button 461 and the second button 471 from deviating from the button mounting portions 116 and 117 respectively, the power switch 46 can have a first stop 462 that limits the range of motion of the first button, and the actuator 47 can have a second stop (not shown) that limits the range of motion of the second button.

[0260] The encoder P5 is a device for rotatably fixing the operating part P7 to the first circuit board P4, and is a device for generating an electrical signal (or generating an electrical signal set differently based on the rotation angle of the actuator) during the rotation of the operating part P7.

[0261] The drying control panel PA can have the same structure as the control panel P.

[0262] In addition, the small control panel PC can also have the same structure as the control panel P.

[0263] Figure 9 The structure of the encoder is shown.

[0264] The encoder P5 may include a fixed part P51, a rotating part P52, and a signal generator P54. The fixed part P51 is fixed to the first circuit board P4 and the display part P8 is fixed to the fixed part P51. The rotating part P52 is rotatably disposed on the fixed part P51 and the operating part P7 is fixed to the rotating part P52. The signal generator P54 is used to generate an electrical signal when the rotating part P52 rotates.

[0265] The fixed portion P51 may include a fixing body P512 fixed to the first circuit board P4, a support body 511 extending from the fixing body 512 and rotatably fixing the rotating portion P52, and a body through hole 514 connected to the board through hole P42 (connected to the first boss through hole) through the fixing body and the support body.

[0266] The fixing body 512 can be formed in a cylindrical shape. The plate fastening portion 513 can be provided on the circumferential surface of the fixing body 512 or on one side of the fixing body (the side facing the first circuit board). In this case, the first circuit board P4 can have an encoder mounting hole P44 defined therein, into which the plate fastening portion 513 is inserted.

[0267] The plate fastening portion 513 and the encoder mounting hole P44 may each include multiple plate fastening portions and multiple encoder mounting holes, and the encoder mounting hole P44 may be arranged to surround the plate through hole P42.

[0268] Inside the body through hole 514, a fastening fixing part 531 for fastening the display part P8 to the fixing part 51 can be provided, and a position setting groove 532 for preventing the display part P8 from rotating (fixing the position of the display part) when the display part P8 is inserted into the body through hole 514.

[0269] The fastener 531 may be formed as a protrusion protruding from at least one of the support 511 and the fixing body 512 toward the center of the body through hole 514. The accompanying drawings illustrate, as an example, that the fastener 531 is provided on the support 511.

[0270] The positioning groove 532 can be defined as a groove in which one surface of the fixed portion P51 of the body through hole 514 is concavely curved. In this case, the positioning groove 532 can be defined along the longitudinal direction of the body through hole 514.

[0271] The rotating part P52 can be formed as a rotating body 521 rotatably coupled to the support 511. The rotating body 521 should have a rotating body through hole through which the support 511 passes.

[0272] The rotating body 521 may have a shaft fastening portion 522 to which the operating portion P7 is fastened. The shaft fastening portion 522 may be formed as a fastening hole extending through the circumferential surface of the rotating body 521, or it may be formed as a fastening groove defined by the concave curvature of the circumferential surface of the rotating body 521.

[0273] The signal generator P54 may include a magnet fixed to the rotating body 521, a sensor disposed on the fixed body 512 or the support 511 to sense magnetic force, and terminals connecting the sensor and the first circuit board 4 to each other. The magnet may be formed as a plurality of permanent magnets, which are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential surface of the rotating body 521.

[0274] The first circuit board P4, to which the encoder P5 is assembled, may be coated with an insulating material. This is to minimize the possibility of water supply to the first circuit board P4 and short circuits. When the insulating material is coated on one side of the first circuit board P4 (the side facing the front panel), the control panel P may also include an encoder cover P6 to prevent the rotating body 521 from being fixed to the support body 511 by the insulating material.

[0275] The encoder cover P6 can be formed as a tube fixed to the first circuit board P4 and surrounding the encoder P5. That is, as shown in the figure, the encoder cover P6 can include a fixing body cover P61 and a cover through hole P62. The fixing body cover P61 is fixed to the first circuit board P4 and surrounds the fixing body 512, and the cover through hole P62 is defined to extend through the fixing body cover P61 and the encoder 5 is inserted into the cover through hole P62.

[0276] The mounting cover P61 may have a plate fastening portion 611, and the first circuit board P4 may have an encoder cover fixing hole P45 to which the plate fastening portion 611 is fixed. The plate fastening portion 611 and the encoder cover fixing hole P45 may each include multiple plate fastening portions and multiple encoder cover fixing holes, and the encoder cover fixing hole P45 may be arranged around the plate fastening portion 513.

[0277] To drain water introduced into the fixed body cover P61, the cover outlet 612 can also be provided on the circumferential surface of the fixed body cover P61. Preferably, the cover outlet 612 is located at the lowermost end of the circumferential surface of the fixed body cover P61.

[0278] In one example, after both encoder P5 and encoder cover P6 are coupled to the first circuit board P4, the aforementioned insulating material is applied to the first circuit board P4, and the insulating material sprayed on a portion of the first circuit board P4 (the outer space of the encoder cover) flows into the encoder cover P6 through the cover outlet 612. During this process, to prevent the supply of insulating material to the rotating body 521, the distance L1 from the first circuit board to the uppermost point of the stationary body 512 is preferably set to be equal to or greater than the distance L2 from the first circuit board to the uppermost point of the cover outlet 612.

[0279] The encoder cover P6 may also include a support cover P63 extending from the stationary cover P61 and surrounding the rotating body 521 (surrounding the support). The support cover P63 can restrict the movement of the operating part P7 in the radial direction along the cover through hole 62, so that the support cover P63 can prevent the operating part P7 from separating from the rotating body 521.

[0280] Figure 10 The structure of the manipulation and display parts is shown.

[0281] The control unit P7 may include a shaft P71 fixed to the rotating body 521 via the front panel 11, and a handle P73 fixed to the shaft P71 and positioned outside the cabinet 1.

[0282] The cabinet 1 has a panel through-hole 134 that is defined to extend through the front panel 11. The shaft P71 can be configured to be inserted into the panel through-hole 134.

[0283] The shaft P71 can be formed as a tube having a shaft through-hole 711 defined therein. A rotating body 521 disposed in the encoder is inserted into the shaft through-hole 711, and a rotating body fastening portion 712 disposed on the circumferential surface of the shaft P71 and positioned inside the shaft through-hole 711 is coupled to a shaft fastening portion 522 disposed on the rotating body. Therefore, the shaft P71 is fixed to the rotating body 521 via the rotating body fastening portion 712 and the shaft fastening portion 522.

[0284] The handle P73 can be fixed to the shaft P71 so that it is located outside the cabinet 1, and the user can apply the force required to rotate the rotating body 521 to the shaft P71 via the handle P73.

[0285] The handle P73 may include a receiving space 731 and a handle through hole 732. The receiving space 731 is defined inside the handle to communicate with the shaft through hole 711, and the handle through hole 732 extends through one side of the handle P73 to allow the receiving space 731 to communicate with the outside.

[0286] When the diameter of the handle P73 is set to be larger than the diameter of the shaft P71, the shaft P71 may also include a base 713, to which the handle P73 is fixed. The base 713 may be formed as a disc fixed to the circumferential surface of the shaft P71.

[0287] The handle P73 and the base 713 can be interconnected via a base fastening part 734 provided on the handle 73 and a handle fastening part 714 provided on the base 713.

[0288] The base fastening portion 734 can be formed as a plurality of protrusions fixed to the handle so as to be located inside the receiving space 731, and the handle fastening portion 714 can be formed as a groove defined in the base 713 and receiving the protrusions therein.

[0289] To facilitate coupling between the handle P73 and the base 713, the handle P73 may have a fastening guide 735 positioned between one base fastening portion 734 and another base fastening portion 734, and the base 713 may have a guide groove 715 into which the fastening guide 735 is inserted. The guide groove 715 may be defined as a groove in which the circumferential surface of the base 713 is bent toward the through hole 711.

[0290] The display portion P8 may include a housing P81, a display P84, and a circuit board (a second circuit board and a display portion circuit board) P82. The housing P81 is fixed to the encoder's mounting body 512 and is located inside the actuator's receiving space 731. The display P84 is fixed to the housing and displays information (information related to the control, operation, etc. of the garment handling device). The circuit board (a second circuit board and a display portion circuit board) P82 is disposed in the housing and has circuitry for controlling the display P84.

[0291] The housing P81 may include a fastener 81b and a receptacle 81a. The fastener 81b is fixed to the fixing body 512 by extending through the shaft through hole 711 and being inserted into the body through hole 514, and the receptacle 81a is fixed to the fastener 81b and positioned inside the receptacle space 731.

[0292] The container 81a can be formed in any shape, as long as it can be inserted into the receiving space 731. The following case is shown as an example: the container 81a is formed into a cylindrical shape.

[0293] An installation space 811 is defined inside the housing 81a, and the installation space 811 communicates with the housing space 731 defined in the handle via a housing through hole 812 (the housing through hole is defined to communicate with the handle through hole). That is, the housing through hole 812 is defined in a surface of the space provided by the housing 81a oriented in the direction of the handle through hole 732.

[0294] The fastener 81b can be formed in any shape, as long as it can be inserted into the encoder's shaft through-hole 711 and body through-hole 514. The following is shown as an example: the fastener 81b is formed in a cylindrical shape. The fastener 81b has a fastener through-hole 815 that connects to the mounting space 811.

[0295] The fixing part 816 can be provided on the circumferential surface of the fixing body 81b. The fixing part 816 is a device for fixing the housing P81 to the fixing part 531 of the fixing body provided in the encoder.

[0296] In addition, multiple protrusions 817 can be set on the circumferential surface of the solid 81b.

[0297] The position setting protrusion 817 is shaped to be inserted into the position setting slot 532 defined in the encoder, and the position setting protrusion 817 is positioned at a point corresponding to the position of the position setting slot 532. The position setting protrusion 817 and the position setting slot 532 are means to minimize the risk that the fastening part 816 of the fixed body cannot be coupled to the part 531 when the fastener 81b is inserted into the body through hole 514 (means to ensure the coupling of the fastening part of the fixed body and the fastener fixing part).

[0298] The second circuit board P82 can be inserted into the mounting space 811, and the wires 822 connected to the second circuit board P82 can be pulled out to the outside of the housing P81 through the fastening through hole 815. Multiple lamps 821 can be mounted on the second circuit board P82.

[0299] When the handle P73 is rotated, the second circuit board P82 can control the display P84 to display preset information in response to the electrical signal generated from the signal generator 54.

[0300] In order to maintain the gap between the second circuit board P82 and the display P84 and to prevent damage to the lamp 821, the mounting portion P83, which is positioned between the display P84 and the second circuit board P82, can be provided in the mounting space 811.

[0301] The mounting portion P83 can be formed as a mounting body 831 that is fixed to the receiving body 81a and positioned inside the mounting space 811. The mounting body 831 can have any shape, as long as it can be inserted into the mounting space 811.

[0302] A mounting slot 832 for fixing the display P84 is defined in one face of the mounting body 831. The mounting slot 832 may have a connector through-hole 836. A connector 841 (flexible PCB, etc.) provided in the display P84 can be connected to the second circuit board P82 by being inserted into the connector through-hole 836.

[0303] The mounting body 831 may have lamp through holes 835 into which lamps 821 are inserted. Preferably, the number of lamp through holes 835 is the same as the number of lamps 821, and the position of the lamp through holes 835 should be set in the space above the mounting groove 832 or in the space below the mounting groove 832. This is to allow light emitted from the lamps 821 to be transmitted to the outside of the housing P81 through the lamp through holes 835.

[0304] The mounting portion P83 is fixed to the housing P81 via a mounting fastening portion 813 provided on the housing 81a and a housing fastening portion 833 provided on the mounting body 831. The mounting fastening portion 813 may be formed as a plurality of protrusions located inside the mounting space 811, and the housing fastening portion 833 may be defined as a groove or the like defined in the circumferential surface of the mounting body 831 (the surface where the mounting body contacts the housing), and the mounting fastening portion 813 is fixed to the groove.

[0305] The number of mounting fasteners 813 and the number of receiving fasteners 833 should be set to be the same, and the positions of mounting fasteners 813 and receiving fasteners 833 should be set to correspond to each other.

[0306] To increase the fastening force of the mounting body 831, the receiving body fastening portion 833 may include an upper fastening portion positioned above the mounting surface 832 and a lower fastening portion positioned below the mounting surface 832. Unlike the accompanying drawings, the receiving body fastening portion 833 may be located on each of the left and right sides of the mounting surface.

[0307] Window P85 can also be provided on the housing 81a to prevent water and foreign matter from flowing into the display P84 and the second circuit board P82.

[0308] Preferably, the window P85 is fixed to at least one of the housing 81a and the mounting body 831 to close the housing through-hole 812. The window P85 should be made of a material with transparency that allows viewing of the information displayed on the display P84 from the outside and of the light emitted from the lamp 821.

[0309] When the window P85 is fixed to the mounting body 831, the window P85 may have a cover fixing protrusion 851 protruding toward the mounting body 831, and the mounting body 831 may have a fixing protrusion fastening portion 834, to which the cover fixing protrusion 851 is coupled.

[0310] The second circuit board P82 can also be fixed to the mounting body 831. That is, the mounting portion P83 can have a protrusion protruding from the mounting body 831 toward the second circuit board 82, and the second circuit board 82 can have a protrusion through hole 823 into which the protrusion is inserted.

[0311] Furthermore, window P85 may also include a cover sheet 853 for reducing the transparency of the cover. Preferably, the transparency of the cover sheet is set to a level that makes it difficult to see the interior of the mounting space 811 from the outside (the transparency of the cover sheet is set to be lower than the transparency of the cover). The cover sheet 853 may be fixed to the surface of window P85, and the letter or symbol H may be displayed in the area projected by the light aperture 835 of the cover sheet.

[0312] In one example, the lamp through hole 835 in the mounting section P83 corresponding to the input area D3 can provide a signal instructing the user to press the input area D3.

[0313] The selection portion R can be located inside the display portion P8. Specifically, the selection portion R can be formed as a component of the display portion P8, and can be located in the display portion P8 to be located inside the operation portion P7.

[0314] Therefore, it can be seen that the display portion P8 includes a selection portion R, which receives a determination command to determine the status information to be displayed on the display P84. Because the determination command determined by the selection portion R changes based on the status information, the selection portion R can correspond to a variable input device.

[0315] For example, when process and option selection information is displayed on the P84 monitor, the selection section R can be configured to input a confirmation command to select or confirm a process or option. Additionally, when a guide is displayed on the P84 monitor, the selection section R can be configured to input a confirmation command to recognize the guide.

[0316] Therefore, the selection section R can be configured to receive a determination command based on the type of control command displayed on the display 84 so that the user can identify or determine the corresponding control command.

[0317] The selection section R can be configured to determine whether a control command displayed on the monitor P84 has been selected by sensing whether the user's body is in contact with the window P85.

[0318] In other words, the selection part R may include a sensor R3 disposed on the second circuit board 82 to sense the static electricity of the user's body, and a conductor R2 or a physical button R1 for connecting the sensor R3 and the window P85 to each other.

[0319] The selection section R can consist of a receiver R1 and a transmitter R2. The receiver R1 is attached to or coupled to the window P85, and one end of the transmitter R2 is connected to the receiver R1 while the other end is connected to the sensor R3. In this case, the mounting body 831 must have a conductor through-hole 837 into which the transmitter R2 is inserted.

[0320] Receiver R1 is a device for facilitating the input of control commands by expanding the area accessible to the user. In the control panel P with the above structure, display area D1 is formed in the upper space of window P85, and input area D3 is formed in the lower space of window P85. Therefore, when the width of receiver R1 is set to be large, the width of input area D3 is expanded, making it easier for the user to input control commands. Preferably, the width of receiver R1 is set to be equal to or less than 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the width of window P85.

[0321] Transmitter R2 and receiver R1 can be formed as conductors. Therefore, when the user's body comes into contact with transmitter R2 and receiver R1, the current in the user's body can be charged or transmitted, so that the current can be transmitted to sensor R3.

[0322] Furthermore, the transmitter R2 and receiver R1 can be configured as a physical button. Therefore, when a user presses the receiver R1, the pressure from the body can be transmitted to the sensor R3.

[0323] The receiver R1 can be formed as a film printed or attached to the back of the window P85, and can be made of carbon-based materials, etc.

[0324] In one example, the display portion P8 may include an induction device 839 for inducing the user to press and select portion R.

[0325] The guiding device 839 can guide the user to the position of the selection part R to induce the user to press the selection part R.

[0326] The guiding device 839 may include a lamp through-hole 835 and a lamp 821 corresponding to the location of the receiver R1. Specifically, the guiding device 839 may include a lamp through-hole 835 defined below the display P84 and a lamp 821 installed inside the lamp through-hole 835.

[0327] The lamp through-hole 835 and lamp 821 constituting the guiding device 839 can be positioned below the display P84 and at the center of the mounting portion 83.

[0328] Therefore, when lamp 821 emits light in induction device 839, the selected portion R or the area adjacent to the selected portion R can become brighter.

[0329] Furthermore, the light 821 of the guiding device 830 can be formed as an LED element or the like to indicate individual characters or phrases.

[0330] The control panel P with the above structure can display control commands, search for displayed control commands, and select displayed control commands, and can minimize the space required for installation. However, the control panel P with the above structure requires a device to prevent water or foreign objects from flowing into the display part P8 and the operating part P7, or to drain the inflowing water or foreign objects to the outside.

[0331] Whenever the user rotates the handle P73 (whenever the encoder generates an electrical signal) (searches for and changes the control command), the control panel P with the above structure will display the preset control command on the display P84.

[0332] When the desired control command is displayed on the display P84, the user can select the displayed control command via the selection section R, and when the user inputs an execution command via the execution device P47, the control command selected via the selection section R can be activated.

[0333] In one example, the handle P73 is coupled to the first circuit board P4 to enable rotational movement, while the housing P81 of the display portion is fixed to the first circuit board P4, thus requiring a constant gap between the handle P73 and the housing P81. This is because, without maintaining the gap between the handle P73 and the housing P81, the rotation of the handle P73 may be constrained.

[0334] Figure 11 This demonstrates how to use the control panel.

[0335] In the status display area D1 of the display section P8, whether the door is locked, whether the communication module is activated, whether the process or option is operated, and whether the guide phrase is generated can be displayed in the form of icons.

[0336] Furthermore, the amount of content that may appear when rotating the control section P7 can be displayed in the status display area D1. For example, multiple dots can be arranged spaced apart from each other, and when one of the dots is illuminated, it can provide information displayed in the content display area D2.

[0337] In the content display area D2, the content of processes and options, the execution status of processes or options, and the guide phrases required by the user can be displayed.

[0338] The content display area D2 can be larger than the status display area D1.

[0339] In the input area D3, light can be emitted to request input from the user, and a guide phrase indicating what the user should enter can be displayed.

[0340] The power switch P46 can be located on the left side of the display section P8, and the execution section P47 can be located on the right side of the display section P8.

[0341] The control part P7 can be rotatably mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the display part P8, and the barrel 2 can be rotated.

[0342] An arbitrary process can be a series of control methods used to execute a washing cycle (drying cycle) for washing clothes.

[0343] When the control section P7 is rotated, the names of the corresponding processes and simple option names can be displayed in the content display area D2 of the display section P8 according to the set order, and the descriptions of the processes or options can be displayed.

[0344] The options can be selected by the setting section P2. The setting section P2 can be configured to receive a selection command for selecting at least one of the options.

[0345] Any option can include setting additional conditions for the process.

[0346] For example, any option could be a setting algorithm or control method for adjusting at least one of the following: the number of repetitions of each cycle of the execution process, the intensity of each cycle, the rotational speed of the drum during each cycle, the water temperature, the water volume, and the duration of each cycle.

[0347] The setting section P2 can be configured as a touch display for selecting any option and can have multiple lights and multiple conductor switches capable of sensing the user's body.

[0348] For example, the setting section P2 may include an option selection section B and an option display section B4. The option selection section B receives setting commands to set the conditions of the process, and the option display section B4 displays option information corresponding to the option selection section B.

[0349] For example, option selection section B may include: rinsing device B1 for adjusting rinsing force related to drum rotation speed and duration, water volume and number of rinsing cycles during the rinsing cycle; dehydrating device B2 for adjusting dehydrating force related to drum rotation speed and duration during the dehydrating cycle; and temperature device B3 for adjusting water temperature during the washing cycle.

[0350] Option display section B4 can be configured to indicate rinsing force, dehydration force, and temperature in an objective and unitized manner.

[0351] In one example, the setting part P2 may have a user device C that receives a usage command to utilize the functions of the garment handling device.

[0352] For example, the device C may include: a washing device C1 for inputting special washing cycles such as functional laundry, soft laundry, and tub washing; a reservation device C2 for inputting a reservation command to execute the washing process at a specific time; a sterilization device C for promoting sterilization by adding steam to the clothes during the process cycle; and an additional function device C4 for utilizing additional functions such as pairing with other devices.

[0353] In addition, the setting part P2 may include a switching part E for receiving connection commands to communicate with the clothes drying device 20 or the miniature device 60.

[0354] In one example, setting P2 allows functions that are available at the current time or functions selected by the user to be enabled, and allows functions that cannot be executed or have not been selected by the user to be disabled.

[0355] The settings section P2 can display all content via the auxiliary display P19.

[0356] In the following description, embodiments and control methods for displaying and controlling the clothes drying apparatus 20 or the miniature device 60 using the control panel P of the clothes washing apparatus 10 will be described. However, this is merely to avoid repeating the description, and it is equally applicable when the clothes washing apparatus 10 or the miniature device 60 is controlled using the drying control panel PA.

[0357] Furthermore, it can also be used when controlling the laundry washing unit 10 or the laundry drying unit 20 using a small control panel PC. Figure 12 An embodiment is shown in which the entire garment handling device can be controlled by a control panel.

[0358] Reference Figure 12 (a) In this section, the display part P8 can display the status of the laundry washing device 10.

[0359] Display section P8 can display laundry device information D21, which includes at least one of the following: the name of a process or option that can be executed in the laundry device 10, the selected status of the process or option, the execution status of the process or option, the completion status of the process or option, and notification information indicating additional announcements or recommendations to the user.

[0360] Specifically, the name of any washing process or option that can be selected via the operation of the control section P7 can be displayed. Additionally, when the control section P7 selects a process or option, the display section P8 can show the status of that selected process or option.

[0361] In addition, when an execution command is input to the execution device P47 and a process or option is executed, the display section P8 can display the execution status, such as the remaining time of the process or option.

[0362] Additionally, the display section P8 can also display notification information generated by the laundry appliance 10 that needs to be sent to the user. Therefore, the user can identify the operating status of the laundry appliance 10 and recognize the notification information generated by the laundry appliance 10 to take appropriate action.

[0363] In one example, a user might be curious about the status of the clothes dryer 20 and the miniature device 60. Furthermore, the user might intend to use the clothes dryer 20 or the miniature device 60 separately after using the clothes washing device 10.

[0364] It may cause inconvenience when users need to approach the clothes drying unit 20 and the small unit 60 to use the units 20 and 60 separately, for example, by increasing the user's travel distance.

[0365] To reduce this inconvenience, when a connection command is input to the switching section E, the laundry washing apparatus 10 of this disclosure can identify the status of the laundry drying apparatus 20 and the miniature device 60 via the display section P8.

[0366] Reference Figure 12 In (b), when the user inputs a connection command into the switching part E, the display part P8 can display the clothes drying device information D21A to the outside. The clothes drying device information D21A includes at least one of the following: the name of a process or option that can be executed in the clothes drying device 20, the selected status, the execution status, and the completion status.

[0367] Additionally, when a notification message is generated from the clothes drying unit 20, the notification message can be displayed on the display portion P8 of the clothes washing unit 10.

[0368] Therefore, users can identify the status of the clothes drying device 20 via the display section P8 without having to move to the clothes drying device 20 and identify the drying control panel PA.

[0369] For example, when a connection command is entered into the switching section E while the process or option of the clothes drying device 20 is being executed, the execution status of the process or option of the clothes drying device 20 can be displayed.

[0370] Additionally, when a connection command is input to the switching section E and the clothes drying device information D21A is displayed on the display section P8, control can be performed to select the process or option of the clothes washing device 10 without using the operation section P4 or the selection section R, but instead select the process or option of the clothes drying device 20.

[0371] The display section P8 can be configured to display the selected status of the process or option of the clothes drying device 20 when a selection command for selecting the process or option of the clothes drying device 20 is input using the control section.

[0372] Furthermore, when a connection command is input to the switching section E and the clothes drying unit information D21A is displayed on the display section P8, the setting section P2 can also be configured to display option commands for changing or resetting the options of the clothes drying unit. In this respect, when an option command is input to the setting section P2, the option of the clothes drying unit 20 can be changed instead of the option of the clothes washing unit 10. That is, the setting section P2 can be set to receive option commands from the clothes drying unit 20.

[0373] Additionally, when the display P8 shows the selected status of the process or option of the clothes drying device 20, the actuator P47 can be configured to receive an execution command to execute the process or option of the clothes drying device.

[0374] The display section P8 can directly show the progress or execution status of the clothes drying device 20.

[0375] Additionally, when the display is in the process of displaying the process or options of the clothes drying device 20, the actuator P47 can be configured to receive a stop command for stopping the process or options of the clothes drying device 20 instead of the clothes washing device 10. When the execution command is input to the actuator P47, the operation of the clothes drying device 20 can be stopped instead of the operation of the clothes washing device 10.

[0376] In other words, when a connection command is input to the switching section E and the clothes drying device information D21A is displayed on the display section P8, the control panel P can be set to control the dryer 20. Therefore, the clothes drying device 20 can be remotely controlled using the control panel P.

[0377] When a connection command is input to the switching section E, the communication module T and the drying communication module T1 can be configured to pair with each other. When status information is transmitted from the drying communication module T1 to the communication module T1, the controller M1 or the communication controller T11 can display the status information using the display section P8.

[0378] Furthermore, communication module T and drying communication module T1 can be configured to remain paired once pairing is established. In this case, when a connection command is input to the switching section E, status information can be directly transmitted from drying communication module T1 to communication module T. When status information is transmitted from drying communication module T1 to communication module T, controller M1 or communication controller T11 displays the status information using display section P8.

[0379] In one example, this also applies to communication module T and small communication module T3.

[0380] For convenience, based on the laundry washing device 10, the laundry drying device 20 can be defined as a household appliance, and the small device 60 can be defined as an add-on product.

[0381] In one example, when only the laundry washing unit 10 and the laundry drying unit 20 are arranged, the laundry washing unit information D21 can be set to be displayed on the display unit P8 by re-entering the connection command to the switching unit E.

[0382] The driver information D21A can be continuously displayed on the display section P8 until the connection command is entered again into the switching section E.

[0383] Reference Figure 12 In (c) of the above, when a miniature washing machine 60 is also installed, when the user inputs a connection command to the switching section E, the display section P8 can display at least one miniature device information D21B externally. The miniature device information D21B includes the name, selection status, execution status, and completion status of the process or option that can be executed in the miniature device 60. Additionally, when a notification message is generated from the miniature device 60, the notification message can be displayed on the display section P8 of the laundry washing device 10.

[0384] Additionally, when a connection command is input to the switching section E and the miniature device information D21B is displayed on the display section P8, the process or option of the miniature device 60 can be selected using the operation section P4 or the selection section R, instead of the process or option of the laundry appliance 10.

[0385] The display section P8 can be configured to display the selected status of the process or option of the small device 60 when a selection command for selecting the process or option of the small device 60 is input using the operation section.

[0386] Furthermore, when a connection command is input to the switching section E and the miniature device information D21B is displayed on the display section P8, the setting section P2 can also be configured to display option commands for changing or resetting the options of the miniature device. In this respect, when an option command is input to the setting section P2, the option of the miniature device 60 can be changed instead of the laundry washing device 10. That is, the setting section P2 can be set to receive option commands from the miniature device 60.

[0387] Additionally, when the display P8 shows the selected status of the process or option of the clothes drying device 20, the actuator P47 can be configured to receive an execution command for executing the process or option of the clothes drying device.

[0388] The P8 display section can directly show the execution status of the process or options of the small device 60 product.

[0389] Furthermore, when the display is in the process of displaying the process or option of the miniature device 60, the actuator P47 can be configured to receive a stop command for stopping the process or option of the miniature device 60 instead of the laundry appliance 10. When the stop command is input to the actuator P47, the operation of the miniature device 60 can be stopped instead of the laundry appliance 10.

[0390] In other words, when a connection command is input to the switching section E and the device information D21B is displayed on the display section P8, the control panel P can be configured to control the device 60. Therefore, the effect of remotely controlling the device 20 using the control panel P can be achieved.

[0391] When the connection command is repeatedly entered into the switching section E, the clothes drying device information D21A and the small device information D21B can be sequentially displayed on the display section P8. Furthermore, when the connection command is further entered into the switching section E, the clothes washing device information D21 can be displayed again.

[0392] In one example, the communication module T can store the order in which the clothes dryer 20 and the miniature device 60 are connected to the communication module. Therefore, when a connection command is repeatedly entered into the switching section E, the clothes dryer information D21A and the miniature device information D21B can be displayed in the order in which the clothes dryer 20 and the miniature device 60 are paired with the communication module T.

[0393] Furthermore, information regarding the order in which power is supplied to the clothes drying unit 20 and the miniature device 60 can be stored in the communication module memory T13, etc., via the communication module. Using this information, the clothes drying unit D21A and the miniature device information D21B can be displayed on the display section P8 in the order in which power is supplied to the clothes drying unit 20 and the miniature device 60.

[0394] Figure 13 An embodiment is shown in which the laundry washing device 10 can disconnect the power to another household appliance.

[0395] Reference Figure 13 In (a), when the connection command is input to the switching part E, the display P84 of the control panel P of the laundry appliance can display the laundry drying appliance information D21b of the laundry drying appliance 20.

[0396] Reference Figure 13 In (b), a power command can be input to the power switch P46. That is, although the clothes drying device information D21b is displayed on the display P84, a power command can also be input to the power switch P46 of the clothes washing device 10.

[0397] Reference Figure 13 In step (c), the clothes drying device 20 can be in a power-off state because its power supply is cut off. Therefore, the communication module T of the clothes washing device 10 is disconnected from the drying communication module T2, and the display interface P8 can display the clothes washing device information D21a again on it.

[0398] In other words, when a power command is input to the power switch P46 while the display interface P8 shows the clothes drying device information D21A, the clothes drying device 20 can be powered off. Furthermore, when a power command is input to the power switch P46 while the display interface P8 shows the miniature device information D21B, the miniature device 60 can be powered off.

[0399] In other words, the control panel P can remotely disconnect the power to another household appliance via the switching section E.

[0400] Therefore, when a user needs to stop the operation of another household appliance besides the designated appliance, the user can stop the other appliance immediately and remotely. Similarly, when a user identifies that another appliance has been accidentally operated by a child or others, or has been erroneously operated, the user can use the designated appliance to stop its operation.

[0401] In one example, the process or options of the laundry appliance 10 can be completed even when the clothes drying appliance 20 is powered off. In this case, the laundry appliance 10 can also be powered off.

[0402] Figure 14 An embodiment is shown in which the laundry washing device 10 can supply power to another household appliance.

[0403] Reference Figure 14In (a), the display interface P8 of the laundry appliance 10 can display laundry appliance information D21 when a power command is input to the power switch P46. However, the laundry dryer 20 or the small device 60 may be in a state where no power is supplied.

[0404] Even under these circumstances, the user can still input power commands to the power switch E.

[0405] Reference Figure 14 In (b), the control panel P can display power information on the display interface P8 indicating that the clothes drying device 20 or the small device 60 is in a power-off state.

[0406] For example, even if the power to the clothes dryer 20 is cut off, the display interface P8 can still display the clothes dryer information D21A on the display P84.

[0407] Reference Figure 14 In (c), the clothes drying device information D21A can be displayed on the display interface P8. When power is input to the clothes drying device 20, the clothes drying device information D21A can be in the same state as the screen displayed on the display interface of the clothes drying device 20.

[0408] Therefore, when a connection command is input to the switching section of the laundry appliance 10 without power being supplied to the clothes drying unit 20 or the small device 60, power can be supplied to the household appliance that is paired with it.

[0409] In other words, even if no power is supplied to the clothes drying unit 20 or the miniature unit 60, a connection command can be input to the switching part of the clothes washing unit 10 to supply power to the clothes drying unit 20 or the miniature unit 60.

[0410] The communication module T can transmit commands input to the switching section to the communication module of the clothes drying unit 20 or the miniature unit 60. Since the communication module of the clothes drying unit 20 or the miniature unit 60 is continuously powered, it can receive input commands and input power commands for supplying power to each main controller. Therefore, the clothes drying unit information D21A or the miniature unit information D21B can be displayed on the display interface P8.

[0411] Therefore, the user can supply power to or cut off the power to the clothes drying unit 20 and the miniature unit 60 via the control panel P of the clothes washing unit 10.

[0412] Therefore, users can remotely input electricity into the clothes dryer 20 and the miniature device 60, and can input processes or options. For example, the clothes dryer 20 can be remotely instructed to prepare for processes or options such as heating the refrigerant.

[0413] In another example, when no additional operation is performed within the reference duration while the connection command is input to the switching section E, the power supply to the clothes dryer 20 or the miniature device 60 can be cut off again.

[0414] Figure 15 An embodiment is shown in which the input to the switching section E can be disabled.

[0415] Unlike the above embodiments, the communication module of the laundry washing device 10 is not paired with the laundry drying device 20 or the miniature device 60, so it cannot communicate. Alternatively, the switching part E can be deactivated when the power to the laundry drying device 20 or the miniature device 60 is cut off.

[0416] Therefore, the user can identify that the switching part E is not receiving input, and thus can identify that the clothes drying device 20 or the small device 60 is not in operation.

[0417] Figure 16 An example is shown in which the process of a corresponding home appliance is terminated during remote display.

[0418] Reference Figure 16 In (a), the control panel P can be in a state where it displays the laundry washing device information D21A. At this time, the laundry drying device 20 can be in a state where it is performing the drying process.

[0419] During this process, when a connection command is input to the switching section E, the control panel P can be used as the control panel PA of the clothes drying device 20.

[0420] Reference Figure 16 In (b), the clothes drying device information D21B can be displayed on the display interface P8. For example, the name of the process being executed, the status of each process and option being executed, and its duration can be displayed on the display interface P8.

[0421] The setting section P2 can also be switched to the setting section of the clothes drying device 20.

[0422] Reference Figure 16 In step (c), the process and options of the clothes drying device 20 can be executed. The clothes drying device information P21B on the display interface P8 can be displayed until the process and options of the clothes drying device 20 are executed.

[0423] Therefore, the display interface P8 of the laundry device can display completion information, indicating that the process and options of the laundry drying device 20 have been completed. For example, it can display phrases such as "The clothes have been dried in a dry and soft state".

[0424] Reference Figure 16 In step (d), when the process and options of the clothes drying device 20 have been completed, the display interface P8 can display the clothes washing device information D21A again. At this time, the power to the clothes washing device 10 can also be cut off when the reference duration has elapsed.

[0425] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the display interface P8 from being activated indefinitely and thus prevent the consumption of standby power.

[0426] Figure 17 An embodiment of a control method for a garment handling apparatus according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0427] The control method described above is based on the laundry washing device 10. This description can be equally applied to each of the laundry drying device 20 and the small device 60.

[0428] The communication module T of the laundry washing device 10 can perform a check step N1 to check whether the communication module T is paired or communicatively connected with the laundry drying device 20 or the miniature device 60. Check step N1 can be performed when power is supplied to the laundry washing device 10.

[0429] If no pairing is established in check step N1, a deactivation step N2 can be performed to deactivate the switching section. In deactivation step N2, input to the switching section E can be deactivated, or input to the switching section E may be impossible.

[0430] When a pair is established in inspection step N1, activation step N3 can be performed, in which switching part E is activated to enable input to switching part E. When input to switching part E is enabled, switching step (N4) that detects input to switching part E can be performed.

[0431] When, during the switching step (N4), the switching part E does not receive any input and there is no input to the operation part P4 within the reference duration, the power supply to the laundry washing device 10 can be cut off.

[0432] When a connection command is input to the switching section in switching step N4, display step N5 can be executed. In display step N5, product information of the home appliance corresponding to the connection command to the switching section is displayed on the display interface P8.

[0433] In step N5, the display interface may not display information about the washing machine, but instead display information about the drying machine or other small devices.

[0434] When information about the clothes drying device or small device is displayed on the display interface P8, a signal detection step N6 can be executed to determine whether the waiting time is longer than a reference duration. If there is no separate operation in the signal detection step N6, a return step N13 can be executed, in which the display N8 again displays the clothes washing device information on it.

[0435] The reference duration can be set to a value between 10 seconds and 60 seconds.

[0436] In signal detection step N6, a cut-off detection step N7 can be performed to detect the power outage of the clothes drying device 20 or the small device 60. When the clothes drying device 20 or the small device 60 is de-energized in cut-off detection step N7, a return step 13 can be performed.

[0437] Input step N8 can be executed. The input step N8 detection command is input to the control part P7, the execution device P47, etc. in the signal detection step N6. When input step N8 is executed, the process or option of the clothes drying device 20 or the small device 60 can be selected or executed.

[0438] The display interface P8 can perform feedback display step N9 to show the selected or execution status of a process or option.

[0439] In this regard, the re-input step N10 is performed to sense the input to the switching section E. When a connection command is input to the switching section E, the return step N13 can be performed.

[0440] If no input is made to the switching part E during the re-entry step N10 until the process ends, the process termination determination step N11 is executed to determine whether to terminate the process. If the process is determined not to have ended during the termination determination step N11, the display step N5 can be executed to display the execution status.

[0441] When the process is determined to be finished in the end determination step N11, the device status determination step N12 is executed to determine whether the process or option of the laundry appliance 10 is in an ended state. When it is determined in the device status determination step N12 that the laundry appliance is operating, the return step N13 is executed so that the laundry appliance information can be displayed on the display interface P8.

[0442] When it is determined in the device status determination step N12 that the laundry washing device 10 is not operating, the laundry washing device 10 can be powered off.

[0443] Figure 18 Another embodiment of the control method of the garment handling apparatus according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0444] The communication module T of the laundry washing apparatus 10 according to this disclosure may include a pairing step Y1 for performing pairing with the laundry drying apparatus 20 and the miniature device 60.

[0445] In other words, Figure 18 The control method can be based on the already established pairing state.

[0446] When the laundry washing device 10 is connected to another household appliance via pairing step Y1, the switching part E is activated, enabling the input step Y2, which inputs the connection command to the switching part E, to be executed.

[0447] The control panel P can perform pairing determination step Y3 to determine whether multiple home appliances are paired with the communication module T.

[0448] When only the clothes drying device 20 or the small device 60 is paired with the communication module T, the display step Y4 can be executed. In the display step Y4, the display interface P8 only displays information about the household appliances paired with the communication module T.

[0449] At this time, when the connection command is input to the switching part E again, the return step Y6 can be executed. In the return step Y6, the display interface P8 displays the laundry device information D21 again.

[0450] In one example, when both the clothes dryer 20 and the miniature device 60 are paired with the communication module T, priorities can be assigned to the clothes dryer 20 and the miniature device 60. The display interface P can then prioritize displaying information about the specific household appliance based on these priorities. The priorities can be preset according to the order in which the clothes dryer 20 and the miniature device 60 are powered, or based on the order in which they are paired with the communication module T.

[0451] Priority can be stored in the communication memory T13 of the communication module T or in the main memory S of the control panel P.

[0452] The laundry washing device 10 can perform a re-entry detection step Y8, which involves re-entering the detection to the switching section.

[0453] When the re-entry detection step Y8 is executed, the remaining device display step Y9, which displays information about remaining household appliances, can be executed. The control panel P can execute the remaining device determination step Y10, which determines whether there are any remaining household appliances not displayed on the display interface P8, as per the remaining device display step Y9. If it is determined that there are still remaining devices, the remaining device display step Y9 is executed again when the connection command is re-entered to the switching section E. If it is determined that there are no remaining devices, the return step Y9 can be executed when the connection command is re-entered to the switching section E. Therefore, the laundry appliance information can be displayed on the display interface P8 again.

[0454] Figure 19 Another embodiment of the garment handling apparatus according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0455] In the clothing handling apparatus according to this disclosure, one of a plurality of household appliances may be paired with the remaining household appliances. For example, the laundry washing apparatus 10 may be paired with both the laundry drying apparatus 20 and the small device 60.

[0456] The control method will be described below based on the laundry washing device 10. The same control method can be applied to the laundry drying device 20 or the small device 60.

[0457] Reference Figure 19 In section (a), the laundry appliance information D21 is displayed on the control panel P. Option information or additional functions of the laundry appliance 10 can be displayed on the display P19 in the settings section.

[0458] Unlike the embodiments described above, the display P19 of the setting section can always be configured to display only optional information or additional functions of the laundry appliance 10, so that optional information or additional functions of another household appliance are not displayed on the display P19 of the setting section. Therefore, the display-only interface P8 can include a display P84 such as a liquid crystal display, and the auxiliary display P19 can be set in a simple form by only turning its predetermined area on / off.

[0459] Therefore, users can obtain information while focusing on the display interface P8, and can intuitively identify auxiliary information such as option information and additional functions using the secondary display P19.

[0460] Reference Figure 19 In (b), the connection command can be input to the switching section E. When the connection command is input to the switching section E, the display interface P8 can display selection request information D211 on it, asking the user to select either the clothes drying device 20 or the small device 60, so that the selected one is displayed.

[0461] That is, the display interface P8 can ask the user to choose whether to display the clothes drying device information D21A or the small device information D21B.

[0462] In other words, unlike the above embodiments, when multiple home appliances are paired with the communication module T, the control panel P of the laundry device 10 can assign priorities to the multiple home appliances. Therefore, it cannot randomly display information about a specific home appliance, but can display information about the home appliances that the user expects.

[0463] This prevents users from repeatedly entering connection commands to the switching section E, and also prevents users from confusing the clothes dryer information D21A and the small device information D21B.

[0464] Reference Figure 19 In (c), the selection request information D211 can be configured to allow the user to perform a selection using the control part P7. For example, when the user turns the control part P7 to the left, the clothes drying device information D21A can be displayed. When the user turns the control part P7 to the right, the small device information D21B can be displayed.

[0465] In addition, the user can rotate the control part P7 continuously or in several directions, so that the selection of one of the clothes drying device information D21A and the small device information D21B can be changed from time to time.

[0466] In the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure, multiple household appliances can be paired with a specific household appliance. In this case, information about the desired household appliance selected from among the multiple household appliances via the manipulation part P7 when a connection command is input to the switching part E can be displayed on the display interface P8. Therefore, a quick determination can be made, allowing the user to manipulate the desired household appliance using the control panel P of the specific household appliance.

[0467] For example, a user can manipulate the control part P7 to select the small device information D21B.

[0468] Reference Figure 19 In step (d), when the user finally decides to use the control panel P to control a specific home appliance, the user can input a command into the selection section R. The command input into the selection section can be implemented by the user's body contacting the selection section.

[0469] When a command is entered into the selection section R, the user can confirm the selection of the home appliance using the control section P7.

[0470] For example, the small device information D21B can be displayed on the display interface P8.

[0471] Figure 20 The execution was shown Figure 19Control methods.

[0472] The communication module T of the laundry washing device 10 can perform a pairing status check step O1 to check the pairing status with the communication modules of each of the laundry drying device 20 and the miniature device 60.

[0473] When the switching section input step Q2 is executed, in which the connection command is input to the switching section E, the control panel P can execute the check step Q3, which checks which of the clothes drying unit 20 and the small unit 60 is paired with it.

[0474] When it is determined in inspection step Q3 that only one of the clothes drying device 20 and the miniature device 60 is paired with it, the single device display step Q4a can be performed. In the single device display step Q4a, the display interface P8 only displays information about the paired device among the clothes drying device 20 and the miniature device 60.

[0475] For example, when only the clothes dryer 20 is paired with it, the display interface P8 can only display the clothes dryer information D21A.

[0476] Subsequently, when the detection connection command is re-entered into the re-entry detection step Q7 of the switching section E, the return step Q8 can be executed. In the return step Q8, the display interface P8 displays the laundry device information D21 again.

[0477] In one example, when it is determined in check step Q3 that all of the multiple home appliances are paired with it, a selection request step Q4 can be performed. In selection request step Q4, the control panel P displays a selection request so that the user can select which of the multiple home appliances information will be displayed on the display interface P and use the control panel P to control which of the multiple home appliances.

[0478] For example, when both the clothes drying unit 20 and the miniature unit 60 are paired with the clothes washing unit, the display interface P8 can display a selection request D211, allowing the user to select which of the clothes drying unit 20 and the miniature unit 60 information will be displayed on the display interface P8.

[0479] When selection request D211 is displayed, control panel P can perform determination step Q5 to determine which of the two devices, clothes dryer 20 and miniature device 60, to display information based on input detected to operating part P7. In determination step Q5, the user can rotate operating part P7 to select one of the names of clothes dryer 20 and miniature device 60.

[0480] When the determination step Q5 is executed, the selected device display step Q6 can be executed. In the selected device display step Q6, the display interface P8 displays information about the selected home appliance.

[0481] For example, when a command to select the clothes drying device 20 is input to the operation section P7 and the selection section R, the display interface P8 can display the clothes drying device information D21A.

[0482] Subsequently, when the detection connection command is re-entered into the switching section E in the re-entry detection step Q7, the return step Q8, in which the display interface P8 displays the laundry device information D21 again, can be executed.

[0483] Figure 21 Another embodiment of the garment handling device 10 is shown.

[0484] Reference Figure 21 In (a), the control panel P can be configured to allow connection commands to be input to the switching unit E, thereby enabling the control panel P to control another household appliance. For example, the display interface P8 can be configured to display information D21A about the clothes dryer. The power switch P46, the actuator P47, and the operating unit P7 can be configured to transmit commands to the clothes dryer 20.

[0485] Reference Figure 21 In (b) of this document, additional commands can be input to the clothes dryer 20. For example, a user can turn on the power switch P47 of the control panel PA of the clothes dryer 20.

[0486] Even when the control panel P is in a state where the connection command is input to the switching part E, the control panel can control the state of the clothes drying device 20, and the drying control panel PA of the clothes drying device 20 can also receive all control commands, as long as the drying control panel PA is not in a locked state.

[0487] Therefore, when a command is input to the power switch P47, the clothes drying device 20 can be powered off, and its pairing with the communication module T can be stopped.

[0488] Reference Figure 21 In (c), when the clothes drying unit 20 is powered off, the control panel P can be configured to display the clothes washing unit information D21 again. Therefore, the control panel P can be configured to control the clothes washing unit 10 again.

[0489] exist Figure 21 In state (b), the user can operate the drying control panel PA, drying execution device P47, etc., instead of the drying power switch P46A of the clothes drying device 20.

[0490] User operation of the drying control panel PA means that the user does not need to operate the control panel P of the laundry appliance 10.

[0491] Furthermore, confusion may occur when the user operating the control panel P of the laundry appliance 1 and the user operating the drying control panel PA are different from each other.

[0492] Therefore, when the system senses user operation of the drying control panel PA or input of a command to the drying control panel PA, the control panel P can stop controlling the clothes drying device 20. In other words, when a command is input to one of the drying power switch P46A, the drying operation section P7, the drying actuator P47, and the drying setting section P2A of the drying control panel PA, even if a connection command is input to the switching section E, the display interface P8, which already displays the clothes drying device information D21A on it, can again display the clothes washing device information D21 on it.

[0493] Figure 22 It shows Figure 21 Control methods.

[0494] In the home appliance system according to this disclosure, a switching display step W1 can be performed, in which a connection command is input to the switching part E, thereby displaying the status that the control panel P of a specific home appliance can control another home appliance.

[0495] The device input step W2 can be executed, in which the user's operation command is input to the home appliance controlled during the display switching step W1. When the device input step W2 is executed, the home appliance system according to this disclosure can execute the return step W3, in which the control panel P of the specific home appliance stops controlling another home appliance and returns to and controls the corresponding device.

[0496] In other words, when the connection command is input to the switching section E in the switching display step W1, the display interface P8 can be configured to display the name, selection status, and execution status of the processes or options that can be executed by the clothes drying device 20 or the small device 60.

[0497] However, when the clothes drying device 20 or the small device 60 receives a control command for independently selecting or executing a process or option in the device input step W2, the display interface P8 can redisplay the name, selection status, and execution status of the process or option that can be selected using the manipulation part P4 in the return step W3.

[0498] This scheme can prevent user confusion and can assign priority to the operating commands of the actual user operating the home appliances.

[0499] Figure 23Another embodiment of the garment handling apparatus according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0500] Reference Figure 23 In (a), the setting section P2 of the control panel P can be configured so that its display remains unchanged. Therefore, even if a connection command is entered into the switching section E, the setting section P2 may not display option information for another household appliance, etc.

[0501] Reference Figure 23 In (b), when a connection command is input to the switching section E, the display interface P8 can display options for the controllable home appliances that can be changed.

[0502] Specifically, when the connection command is input to the switching section E, the command can be input to the selection section R, or the command can be input to the setting section P2, and the display interface P8 can display a list of options that can be input or changed in another household appliance.

[0503] The display interface P8 can show a list of options, allowing users to input or select only those options that are currently executable in the state of the home appliance. It can also disable options that cannot be executed, preventing them from being selected. Therefore, the user cannot use the control section P7 to select disabled options from the list.

[0504] For example, when any drying process or option is being performed in the clothes drying device 20, it is prohibited to change the setting for the duration of the process or option.

[0505] Therefore, the display interface P8 can set the energy-saving drying D211 and the drying amount D212 for adjusting the drying target value of clothes in the variable menu, but can set the drying duration in the non-variable menu. The energy-saving drying D211 can control energy by changing the temperature of the hot air, the speed of the drum, the driving intensity of the blower fan, etc.

[0506] Furthermore, the list of menus or options can be changed. That is, the list above can be varied because the settings or changes to the options can vary depending on the type and execution status of the process or options of the clothes drying unit 20 or the small unit 60.

[0507] For example, there is no reason to spray steam onto damp clothes at the beginning of the drying process. Therefore, it is impossible to set the steam option at the beginning of the drying process. However, the steam option can be set from the moment when the clothes are more than 50% dry. Additionally, it is also impossible to perform the condenser cleaning option for cleaning heat exchanger 4 at the beginning of the drying process because condensate is not sufficiently collected at that time. However, it is possible to perform the condenser cleaning option from the moment when the clothes are more than 70% dry.

[0508] Therefore, depending on the execution time of the drying process, the steam option or condenser cleaning option can be displayed on the display interface P8 in different ways.

[0509] Reference Figure 23 In section (c), the user can rotate the control section P7 to select the option information to be changed from the list. The control section P7 can be configured to select any option in the list. Commands can be entered into the selection section R to input option information.

[0510] Afterward, users can use the control section P7 and the selection section R to set or change the options of the controlled or displayed home appliances.

[0511] Therefore, even if the control panel P cannot use the setting section P2 to set or change the options of another household appliance, the user can use the operation section P7, the selection section R, and the display interface P8 to set or change the options of another household appliance.

[0512] Figure 24 An embodiment is shown where pairing with household appliances is not possible in the clothing handling apparatus of this disclosure.

[0513] Reference Figure 24 In (a), the control panel P can be configured to control the laundry appliance 10. The display section P8 can be configured to display laundry appliance information D21.

[0514] In this regard, users can input connection commands into the conversion unit E.

[0515] However, the communication module T of the laundry appliance 10 may not be paired with other household appliances or may not be in a paired state.

[0516] However, even in this state, the switching section E can be activated and can receive connection commands. Therefore, the user can confirm that the switching function is working properly.

[0517] Reference Figure 24 In (b), when the switching section E is input, the display section P8 can be configured to display a disabled state, which indicates that the name, selection status, and execution status of processes or options that can be performed by other household appliances cannot be displayed externally.

[0518] In other words, the switching section E can be activated, and the communication module T of the laundry appliance 10 can notify the user of the normal status. Additionally, by displaying a disabled status, the user can be shown that a problem exists outside the laundry appliance 10 (e.g., the clothes dryer 20, the miniature unit 60, or the AP), rather than that the laundry appliance 10 itself is malfunctioning.

[0519] In this way, users can focus on finding problems outside the laundry unit 10 and facilitate quick problem-solving.

[0520] Figure 25 An embodiment is shown in the clothing handling apparatus of this disclosure when the pairing of household appliances is incomplete.

[0521] Reference Figure 25 In (a), when a connection command has been entered into the switching section E, the control panel P of a specific home appliance can be configured to display information about other home appliances.

[0522] For example, the control panel P of the laundry appliance 10 can display information D21A about the clothes drying appliance. In this respect, the pairing status of the laundry appliance 10 and the clothes drying appliance 20 may be unstable.

[0523] Reference Figure 25 In (b), when the communication module T of the laundry washing device 10 and the laundry drying device 20 are not paired with each other, the display part P8 can display loading information D21L, which indicates that at least one of the communication connections with the laundry drying device 20 is unstable or is being restarted.

[0524] When the loading information D21L is displayed on the display section P8, the communication module can retry the communication connection with the clothes drying device 20. In this regard, when the communication connection is re-established, the display section P8 can continue to display the clothes drying device information D21A again.

[0525] Reference Figure 25 In step (c), the communication module T may again fail to pair with the clothes dryer 20. The display section P8 can display a capability failure message D21e, indicating that a communication connection with the clothes dryer 20 cannot be established. Therefore, it prevents the user from waiting indefinitely without even recognizing the clothes dryer information D21.

[0526] Reference Figure 25 In section (d), when the loading information D21L or the inability information D21e is displayed for a continuous reference duration, the display section P8 can display the laundry device information D21 again.

[0527] Figure 26 Another embodiment of the garment handling apparatus of this disclosure is shown when the pairing of household appliances is incomplete.

[0528] Reference Figure 26 In (a), when a connection command has been entered into the switching section E, the control panel P of a specific home appliance can be configured to display information about other home appliances.

[0529] For example, the control panel P of the laundry appliance 10 can display information D21A about the clothes drying appliance. In this respect, the pairing status of the laundry appliance 10 and the clothes drying appliance 20 may be unstable.

[0530] Reference Figure 26 In (b), when the communication module T of the laundry washing device 10 and the laundry drying device 20 are not paired with each other, the display part P8 can display loading information D21L, which indicates that at least one of the communication connections with the laundry drying device 20 is unstable or is being restarted.

[0531] In addition, when the communication connection with the clothes drying device 20 is unstable, the communication module T can also display a no-capacity message D21e.

[0532] Reference Figure 26 In step (c), the connection command can be re-entered into the switching section E. The re-entry of the connection command into the switching section E can be interpreted as an indication that the user intends to reconnect the communication module T to the clothes dryer 20.

[0533] Therefore, when the connection command is input again to the switching section E, the display section P8 can display the reconnection execution information D21R. In this regard, the communication module T can actively perform pairing of the clothes drying device 20, while transmitting signals to the communication module of the clothes drying device 20 or even to the server 50.

[0534] Reference Figure 26 In (d), when the communication module T of the washing device and the drying communication module T2 of the drying device 20 are successfully paired, the display part P8 can display the drying device information D21A again.

[0535] In one example, when pairing still cannot be achieved, the display section P8 can again show the incapacity information D21e.

[0536] Figure 27 An embodiment is shown where a control panel P displays the status of multiple home appliances.

[0537] The display section P8 can be set to display the status of the original home appliance and, alternatively, display the status of another home appliance in a different form or scheme.

[0538] For example, the display portion P8 of the laundry washing device 10 can display laundry washing device information D21, laundry drying device information D21A, and small device information D21B in different ways.

[0539] Reference Figure 27In (a), the display portion P8 of the laundry device 10 can display laundry device information D21 in various ways by mixing icons, remaining time status bars, pictures, etc., in addition to phrases.

[0540] Reference Figure 27 In (b), when a connection command is input to the switching section E, the display section P8 can display clothing dryer information D21A centered on a phrase. For example, the display of the remaining time status bar can be omitted, and only simple information indicating that the clothing dryer 20 is executing a process or option and that the process or option can be stopped can be displayed.

[0541] Therefore, users can intuitively identify which home appliance the information displayed on the P8 is about. Additionally, it prevents confusion regarding remaining time, etc.

[0542] In addition, other users who have not entered connection commands into the switching section E can also intuitively identify whether the display section P8 is showing the status of the corresponding home appliance or the status of another home appliance.

[0543] This disclosure can be modified and implemented in various forms, such that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. Therefore, when a modified embodiment includes elements of the claims of this disclosure, the modified embodiment should be considered to fall within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A garment processing device, comprising: Server rack; A roller, housed in the cabinet, for holding clothing within the roller; A drive, located inside the cabinet, is provided to rotate the rollers; The control unit is used to receive a selection command, which is used to select a process or option that can trigger the operation of the driver; A display interface is provided on which at least one of the name, selection status, and execution status of the process or option is displayed; A communication module is configured to communicate with a household appliance, wherein the household appliance is located outside the cabinet and can hold clothing. A configuration section, located on the rack, is configured to receive option commands for changing or resetting options of the process; and The switching unit, located on the rack, is configured to receive connection commands instructing the communication module to communicate with the home appliance. The setting section is configured to display the switching section based on the communication module's ability to communicate with the home appliance. The display interface includes: Configured to display, when the connection command is input to the switching section, at least one of the following: the name of a process or option that can be executed by the home appliance, its selected status, its execution status, and its completion status; and Configured to return to displaying at least one of the names, selection status, execution status, and completion status of the process or option that can be executed by the home appliance when direct manipulation by the user through the home appliance is detected.

2. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The display interface is configured to, when the connection command is entered again into the switching section, display on it at least one of the following: the name of the process or option selectable via the control section, the selected status, the execution status, and the completion status.

3. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The control unit is configured to receive a selection command for selecting a process or option of the home appliance when the connection command is input to the switching unit.

4. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The display interface is configured to display the selected status of the process or option of the home appliance when the selection command for selecting the process or option of the home appliance is input to the operating part.

5. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: An execution device, disposed on the rack, is configured to receive execution commands for executing a process or option selected via the control section. The execution device is configured to receive an execution command for executing the process or option of the home appliance when the display interface shows the selected state of the process or option of the home appliance.

6. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The display interface is configured to display the execution status of the home appliance's process or option when the connection command is input to the switching section while the home appliance is executing a process or option.

7. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: An execution device, mounted on the rack, is configured to receive a stop command for stopping a running process or option. The actuator is configured to receive a stop command for stopping the process or option of the home appliance when the display interface displays the execution status of the process or option of the home appliance.

8. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, The display interface is configured to, when the process or option of the home appliance is completed, display again at least one of the name, selection status, and execution status of the process or option that can be selected via the control portion.

9. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A power switch, disposed on the rack and configured to receive a power command for supplying or de-supplying power to at least one of the drive, the control unit, and the display interface. The power switch is configured to cut off power to the home appliance when a power command is input, while the display interface displays at least one of the name, selected state, and execution state of a process or option that can be executed by the home appliance.

10. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, While the power supply to the household appliance is cut off, the household appliance is powered on when the connection command is input to the switching section.

11. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The switching section is configured to disable the input of the connection command to the switching section when the communication module is unable to communicate with the home appliance.

12. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The switching section is configured to disable the input of the connection command to the switching section when the power supply to the household appliance is cut off.

13. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, in, The setting section is configured to receive an option command for changing or resetting the option of the process of the home appliance when the display interface displays externally on it at least one of the name, selection status, and execution status of a process or option that can be executed by the home appliance.

14. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The communication module is formed independently of the cabinet and the home appliance, and is configured to further communicate with the accessory while housing the clothing within the accessory. The display interface is configured to display, when the connection command is input to the switching section, at least one of the name, selection status, and execution status of the process or option executed by the add-on product.

15. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, The display interface is configured to, whenever the connection command is sequentially input to the switching section, display at least one of the name, selection status, and execution status of the process or option executed by the home appliance, and at least one of the name, selection status, and execution status of the process or option executed by the add-on product, in the order of connection to the communication modules of the add-on product and the home appliance or in the order of power supply to the home appliance and the add-on product.

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