Laundry treating apparatus and control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus and a control method thereof, in which power supply to the laundry treating apparatus is restarted after termination, or a progress of the laundry treating apparatus has changed or restarted after pause, if a door of the laundry treating apparatus is not opened and closed, the power supply to the laundry treating apparatus is restarted after termination, or the progress of the laundry treating apparatus has changed or restarted after pause. And a record for detecting a previous amount of laundry is stored in the storage unit, so that a process for re-detecting the amount of laundry can be omitted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a laundry treatment apparatus and a control method thereof. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an interface that allows a laundry treatment apparatus and a user to communicate with each other and a method of using the interface. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a laundry treatment apparatus refers to an apparatus that can perform washing, drying, or both washing and drying of laundry. In this regard, the laundry treatment apparatus may perform only a washing or drying function, or may perform both washing and drying.

[0003] Such a laundry treatment apparatus is equipped with any process or option for performing washing or drying of laundry, and calculates an execution time of the process or option based on the amount of laundry. For example, when the amount of laundry is large, the execution time is set relatively large, and when the amount of laundry is small, the execution time is set relatively small.

[0004] Figure 1 A control method of performing any process or option of an existing laundry treatment apparatus is shown (see Korean Patent Application Publication Nos. 10-2009-0077097, 10-2008-0102611, etc.).

[0005] Figure 1 (a) in shows a control method of an existing laundry treatment apparatus performing any process or option.

[0006] Referring to Figure 1 (a) of, an existing laundry treatment apparatus may include a power supply step S1 of supplying power to the laundry treatment apparatus by pressing a power button (turning on power), a selection step S2 of selecting an appropriate process or option on a control panel of the laundry treatment apparatus, and a start step S3 of pressing an execution button for executing the process or option.

[0007] When the existing laundry treatment apparatus is a front-loading washing machine equipped with an opening for loading laundry in the front surface of the cabinet, a door locking step S4 of fixing the opening to the cabinet may be performed when performing the start step S3.

[0008] Thereafter, the existing laundry treatment apparatus performs a laundry amount sensing step S5: sensing the amount of laundry by a current value applied while a drum or the like that houses the laundry rotates. When the amount of laundry is calculated, a controller of the existing laundry treatment apparatus performs a time display step S6 of displaying an expected execution time of the selected process or option to the user and an execution step S7 of automatically executing the process or option.

[0009] However, the clothing quantity sensing step S5 and the time display step S6 of the existing clothing treatment device are executed after the start step S3 of the process or option executed by the user. Therefore, there is a problem that the user is forced to input the execution of the process or option without receiving information about the clothing quantity or the expected execution time.

[0010] Therefore, the user cannot actively control the execution time of the process or option, and the time display step S6 cannot serve any purpose other than simply displaying information to the user as a service.

[0011] In addition, even when the execution time displayed in the time display step S6 is not suitable for the user's current intention or situation, the existing clothing treatment device does not allow the user to take proactive actions such as adding or reducing clothing.

[0012] In addition, the existing clothing treatment device has the problem that, unless a proactive action such as arbitrarily turning off the washing machine is taken to change the execution time of the selected process or option, the process or option cannot be cancelled or changed even in a situation that does not conform to the intention.

[0013] When remotely controlling the existing clothing treatment device, this inconvenience is further maximized.

[0014] Figure 1 (b) in shows the rotation state of the drum when the existing clothing treatment device senses the clothing quantity.

[0015] Reference Figure 1 Referring to (b) in, the existing clothing treatment device rotates the drum D in the direction I to sense the quantity of the clothing L.

[0016] Specifically, the existing clothing treatment device calculates the weight of the clothing L by measuring the current value applied to the driver that rotates the drum while rotating the drum D in the direction I or output from the driver.

[0017] When the existing clothing treatment device rotates the drum D to sense the clothing quantity, the clothing L on the bottom surface of the drum has no choice but to rise inside the drum D and then fall along the direction II under the action of gravity and separate from the inner wall of the drum.

[0018] Therefore, the existing clothing treatment device has the limitation that the current value applied or output must be arranged while continuously rotating the drum D in the direction I one or more times to sense the accurate weight of the clothing L.

[0019] As a result, the existing clothing treatment device has the problem that it takes more time to sense the clothing quantity compared to continuously rotating the drum.

[0020] In addition, existing laundry treatment devices have the problem that the time required for the laundry amount sensing step S5 is set relatively long, such that the time display step S6 for displaying the execution time of a process or option cannot be quickly guided to the user.

[0021] In addition, existing laundry treatment devices perform laundry amount sensing only after the start step S3 in which a user selects a process or option and presses an execution button.

[0022] Therefore, there is a limitation in that the user cannot pre-identify the laundry amount and select a process or option, and in most cases, the user has left the laundry treatment device when sensing the laundry amount.

[0023] Therefore, existing laundry treatment devices have a fundamental problem in that the user cannot check or actively utilize information regarding the laundry amount.

[0024] Since existing laundry treatment devices perform laundry amount sensing only after executing a process, even when the process stops and then changes and the changed process is restarted, laundry amount sensing is automatically performed. Existing laundry treatment devices automatically perform laundry amount sensing even without opening and closing the door and even when the laundry amount has not changed, due to a process change, which results in high energy consumption and washing delay.

[0025] In addition, existing laundry treatment devices are configured to turn off when a process is completed. When a user turns on the device and executes an arbitrary process to process laundry again without opening and closing the door, existing laundry treatment devices perform laundry amount sensing again, which results in washing delay. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0026] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0027] The present disclosure aims to provide a laundry treatment device that can immediately execute a new process by skipping laundry amount sensing when changing a process during the execution of the process.

[0028] The present disclosure aims to provide a laundry treatment device that, while cutting off power after a process is completed, can continuously utilize previous laundry amount information when power is supplied again and the door has not been opened and closed.

[0029] TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0030] To solve the above problems, the present disclosure provides a laundry treatment device that skips the process of sensing the laundry amount when the door has not been opened and closed and there is a previous history of sensing the laundry amount.

[0031] When the door has not been opened and closed, the laundry amount does not change, such that even if the process is changed later or the process is stopped and then restarted, the process of sensing the laundry amount can be skipped.

[0032] Accordingly, when the door is not opened and closed, the step of rotating the drum before executing the process or before supplying water can be skipped.

[0033] In addition, to solve the above problems, even when the laundry processing apparatus is turned off and then turned on again, the laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure can utilize the existing amount of laundry as it is without opening and closing the door.

[0034] The existing amount of laundry value can be stored in a memory, and the memory can utilize a backup power source or be configured as a non-volatile memory so that the existing amount of laundry can be stored as it is unless a new amount of laundry is updated.

[0035] Therefore, even when a process is selected and executed when the laundry processing apparatus is turned on from the off state, the process of re-sensing the amount of laundry can be skipped.

[0036] This can be accomplished by skipping the step of rotating the drum before executing the process or supplying water, and the state of directly displaying the existing amount of laundry value on the display unit can be maintained.

[0037] In addition, the display unit can also display information indicating that the sensing of the amount of laundry has been skipped.

[0038] To solve the above problems, the present disclosure provides a laundry processing apparatus including: a cabinet in which an opening is defined; a door that opens and closes the opening; a sensor provided in at least one of the cabinet and the door and sensing the opening and closing of the door; a drum accommodated in the cabinet and configured to accommodate laundry therein; a driver connected to the drum and rotating the drum; and a controller that rotates the drum together with the driver to sense the amount of laundry and execute one of any processes for processing the laundry.

[0039] When the controller does not sense the opening and closing of the door after sensing the amount of laundry, the controller can skip sensing the amount of laundry even after the process is completed.

[0040] When the controller does not sense the opening and closing of the door after the process is completed, the controller can skip rotating the drum to sense the amount of laundry when executing the next process.

[0041] The laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a display unit that displays information about the amount of laundry and the execution time of the process to the outside.

[0042] When the display unit does not sense the opening and closing of the door after the process is completed, when executing the next process, before rotating the drum, it can display information about the amount of laundry or the execution time of a process associated with the amount of laundry.

[0043] The laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may further include: a tub configured to accommodate the drum therein and store water therein; and a water supply unit including a water supply valve for supplying water to the tub.

[0044] When the controller does not sense the opening and closing of the door after sensing the amount of laundry, before controlling the water supply valve, it can skip rotating the drum to sense the amount of laundry.

[0045] The controller may be configured such that after the process is completed, but when the opening and closing of the door are not sensed or there is no history of door opening or closing after the process is completed, the power supply to the controller is cut off, and even after re-powering, rotating the drum to sense the amount of laundry is skipped.

[0046] The laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may further include a power unit provided on the cabinet and receiving a power command to supply power to at least one of the controller, the sensor, and the driver. The controller may be controlled such that the power supply to the controller is cut off, and the sensor may be controlled such that the power supply to the sensor is maintained after the process is completed.

[0047] The controller may sense the amount of laundry when the power unit is pressed, but when there is no opening / closing history of the door, even when the power unit is pressed, rotating the drum to sense the amount of laundry is skipped.

[0048] The laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may further include: a process selector receiving a selection command for selecting one of the arbitrary processes; and an execution unit receiving an execution command for executing the process or stopping the process.

[0049] The controller may rotate the drum to sense the amount of laundry before the process selector or the execution unit is pressed.

[0050] Even when a new process is executed after the process is stopped during the execution of the process, the controller may skip re-sensing the amount of laundry.

[0051] The process selector may receive a selection command for changing the process when the execution unit is pressed during the execution of the process. The execution unit may receive an execution command for executing the changed process, and the controller may skip sensing the amount of laundry and execute the process.

[0052] The display unit may display information about the amount of laundry or the execution time of a process associated with the amount of laundry before the drum rotates.

[0053] The laundry treatment apparatus may further include a storage unit that stores the open / close sensing history of the door or the amount of laundry, and the storage unit may be controlled such that power is supplied to the storage unit even after the process is completed.

[0054] The storage unit may be provided in one of the controller and the sensor, or may be provided to communicate with the controller or the sensor.

[0055] The laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a control panel including a power unit, an input unit, and a display unit. The power unit is disposed on the cabinet and receives a power command for supplying power. The input unit receives a selection command for selecting one of the arbitrary processes and sends the selection command to the controller. The display unit displays the state of the controller to the outside. The storage unit may be provided in the control panel.

[0056] Even when the power supply to the controller is cut off, the control panel may always receive power.

[0057] The control panel may further include a communication module that establishes communication between an external server and the controller. Even when the power supply to the controller is cut off, the communication module may always receive power, and the storage unit may receive power from the communication module.

[0058] Advantageous Effects

[0059] The present disclosure may skip the laundry amount sensing when changing the process during the execution of the process, thereby immediately executing the new process.

[0060] The present disclosure may continuously utilize the previous laundry amount information without opening and closing the door when power is supplied again while cutting off the power supply after the process is completed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] Figure 1 A method for controlling an existing laundry treatment apparatus is shown.

[0062] Figure 2Shows the appearance of the laundry treatment device of the present disclosure.

[0063] Figure 3 Shows the internal structure when the laundry treatment device of the present disclosure is configured as a washing machine.

[0064] Figure 4 Shows the internal structure when the laundry treatment device of the present disclosure is configured as a dryer.

[0065] Figure 5 Shows the internal structure when the laundry treatment device of the present disclosure is configured as a combined device equipped with a washing machine 10 and a dryer 20.

[0066] Figure 6 Shows the structure of the control panel P of the laundry treatment device of the present disclosure.

[0067] Figure 7 Shows an embodiment of the first control panel P divided into the interface I.

[0068] Figure 8 Shows an embodiment of the second control panel P2 divided into the interface I.

[0069] Figure 9 Shows an embodiment of the third control panel P divided into the interface I.

[0070] Figure 10 Shows the method for sensing the amount of laundry in the laundry treatment device of the present disclosure.

[0071] Figure 11 Shows the calculation scheme for sensing the amount of laundry in the laundry treatment device of the present disclosure.

[0072] Figure 12 Shows the basic structure in which the controller P can measure the current value of the driver 32 in the laundry treatment device of the present disclosure.

[0073] Figure 13 Shows an embodiment in which the controller P senses the amount of laundry via the acceleration and deceleration of the drum.

[0074] Figure 14 Shows an embodiment of the laundry treatment device of the present disclosure using the laundry amount sensing scheme.

[0075] Figure 15 Shows an embodiment of the control method in which the laundry amount sensing can be skipped in the laundry treatment device of the present disclosure.

[0076] Figure 16 Shows another embodiment of the control method in which the laundry amount sensing can be skipped in the laundry treatment device of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0077] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this document, even in different embodiments, the same or similar components are given the same or similar reference numerals, and their descriptions are replaced by the first description. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular expressions used herein include the plural expressions. In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed herein, when it is determined that the detailed description of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings are only for facilitating easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and the technical idea disclosed herein should not be construed as being limited by the accompanying drawings.

[0078] Figure 2 The appearance of the laundry treatment device 100 of the present disclosure is shown.

[0079] The laundry treatment device 100 of the present disclosure may be equipped with a washing machine 10 or a dryer 20, may be equipped with multiple washing machines 10 or multiple dryers 20 stacked or arranged in a single cabinet, or may be equipped with a washing machine 10 and a dryer 20 stacked or arranged in a single cabinet.

[0080] Therefore, the laundry treatment device of the present disclosure can be equipped with any shape and any form as long as it can process laundry.

[0081] Figure 2 (a) of shows an embodiment in which the laundry treatment device 100 of the present disclosure is equipped with a washing machine 10 for removing foreign substances from laundry or a dryer 20 for drying laundry, Figure 2 (b) of shows an embodiment in which the laundry treatment device 100 of the present disclosure is equipped with a washing machine 10 for removing foreign substances from laundry and a dryer 20 for removing moisture from laundry.

[0082] The laundry treatment device of the present disclosure may include a first control panel P1 that provides an algorithm for performing a washing cycle for removing foreign substances from laundry with water and detergent, a rinsing cycle for removing foreign substances from laundry and detergent, a dehydration cycle for removing water from laundry using centrifugal force or the like, a drying cycle for removing moisture from laundry using at least one of air and steam, and a refreshing cycle for deodorizing, wrinkle-removing, and sterilizing laundry using at least one of air and steam.

[0083] The first control panel P1 may include a device capable of communicating between the user and the laundry treatment device (including other electronic devices for the laundry treatment device).

[0084] The communication between the user and the laundry treatment device may include the process of the user inputting various control commands to the laundry treatment device, and the process of the laundry treatment device sending a response (feedback) to the control command or information generated from the laundry treatment device to the user.

[0085] Referring to Figure 2 In (a) of, the laundry treatment device 100 of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 1 forming an appearance.

[0086] The first control panel P1 of the laundry treatment device of the present disclosure may include a first control panel P1, which is provided on the cabinet 1 and can control a washing machine 10 or a dryer 20.

[0087] The first control panel P1 may be configured to receive at least one of the following: a power command for supplying power to or cutting off power from the laundry treatment device, a selection command for selecting any process or option for treating laundry, an execution command for executing the selected process or option, and a stop command for stopping the currently executing process or option.

[0088] The treatment of laundry may include a washing cycle for removing foreign substances from the laundry using water and detergent, a drying cycle for drying the water contained in the laundry, and a refresh cycle for deodorizing and removing wrinkles from the laundry using hot air and steam.

[0089] The first control panel P1 may include a screen P8, which displays the operating state of the laundry treatment device or information about the process or option to the user.

[0090] The screen P8 may display a state in which at least one of the power command, selection command, execution command, and stop command has been input.

[0091] In addition, the screen P8 may display an error message indicating a problem situation that has occurred in the laundry treatment device or guidance information for guiding the user on what action to take.

[0092] The screen P8 may display information intuitively. The screen P8 may include a liquid crystal display that emits light to the outside.

[0093] In one example, the first control panel P1 may include at least one of a speaker capable of outputting a voice signal and sound.

[0094] In the laundry treatment device 100 of the present disclosure, the cabinet 1 may include a front panel 13 forming the front side and a top panel 11 coupled to the upper side of the front panel 13. The front panel 13 and the top panel 11 may be made of a metal material and may be formed in the shape of a steel plate.

[0095] The first control panel P1 of the laundry treatment device of the present disclosure may be coupled to the front panel 13.

[0096] Rather than being formed as a separate support panel and disposed on the front panel 13, the first control panel P1 may be directly coupled to the rear surface of the front panel 13. The first control panel P1 may be only partially exposed on the front surface of the front panel 13.

[0097] Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the ratio of the area occupied by the first control panel P1 in the front panel 13, enhance the overall sense of the front panel 13, and maximize the aesthetic property.

[0098] In addition, the manufacturing process of the front panel 13 can be simplified, and the assembly or installation process of the front panel 13 and the first control panel P1 can be simplified. In addition, a separate frame or the like for disposing the first control panel P1 on the front panel 13 can be omitted.

[0099] The first control panel P1 of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may include not only the screen P8 but also the knob P7 that can receive commands for selecting a process or the like from a user.

[0100] The knob P7 may be formed in the shape of a knob, and the screen P8 may be formed as a display unit D including a liquid crystal display device or the like. It can be seen that the screen P8 and a selector R described later are included inside the knob P7.

[0101] The screen P8 may be integrally formed as a touch panel, or at least partially formed as a touch panel. In one example, the screen P8 may be provided as a simple liquid crystal display so as not to receive a separate command and only display information.

[0102] The knob P7 may be provided to rotate on the front panel 13 so that any process or option for treating laundry can be selected.

[0103] The screen P8 may be provided to display a corresponding process or option whenever the knob P7 rotates.

[0104] Accordingly, the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may omit a description of any process or option for rotating the drum described on the front panel 13 in the form of text, guiding text, or the like. Accordingly, the area size or the ratio of the area size occupied by the first control panel P1 on the front panel 13 may be significantly reduced, and since no separate text or guiding text is attached to the front panel 13, the aesthetic property may be maximized.

[0105] In addition, even when the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure is sold to various countries in different languages, it is possible to prevent the front panel 13 or the first control panel P1 from being manufactured differently.

[0106] The knob P7 and the screen P8 can be operated only when powered. For this purpose, in addition to the knob P7 and the display unit, the first control panel P1 of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may further include a power button P46 for inputting a power command to the laundry treatment apparatus.

[0107] The user can activate the knob P7 by pressing the power button P46.

[0108] In addition, the first control panel P1 may further include an execution button P47 for inputting an execution command to execute or stop a selected process or option. The execution button P47 may be formed separately from the knob P7 and the screen P8 so as to receive the user's intention to execute or stop as determined.

[0109] The power button P46 and the execution button P47 may be formed separately from the knob P7 to prevent an excessive number of functions for the knob P7 and the screen P8.

[0110] In one example, the first control panel P1 may further include a setting area P19 that may add or change options for a process on the front panel 13. The user may set options that can change the intensity, duration, etc. of the process via the setting area P19.

[0111] The setting area P19 may include a liquid crystal display device separate from the screen P8. The setting area P19 may include a touch panel or physical buttons through which options can be input.

[0112] The first control panel P1 may be configured to communicate with a controller that can operate the laundry treatment apparatus, or may have a controller mounted thereon. The controller may be formed in the shape of a PCB mounted on the control panel P.

[0113] In one example, the front panel 13 may include an inlet 111 that communicates with a drum housed in the cabinet 1, and a door 14 that is pivotally coupled to the cabinet and opens and closes the inlet 111.

[0114] The first control panel P1 may be positioned above the door 14 to enhance user accessibility.

[0115] In one example, the front panel 13 may further include a lock L that secures the door 14 to the front panel 13. When operating the laundry treatment apparatus, for example, when the drum of the laundry treatment apparatus rotates, the lock L may lock the door 14 to the front panel 13. This can prevent safety accidents. When the laundry treatment apparatus finishes operating, the lock L may unlock the door 14.

[0116] The lock L may be provided as any component as long as it can secure the door 14 to the cabinet 1. The lock L may be provided either as a fastener that secures a hook protruding from the door or as a solenoid valve that holds the hook.

[0117] The laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may include a detergent box 24 that houses a detergent for washing clothes, and a front panel 13 may include a detergent hole 131 from which the detergent box 24 extends.

[0118] The front panel 13 may include a filter hole through which a filter of the laundry treatment apparatus may be replaced.

[0119] Referring to Figure 2 of (b), in the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure, a washing machine 10 and a dryer 20 may be stacked.

[0120] The washing machine 10 may be equipped with a washing machine cabinet 1, and the dryer 20 may include a drying machine cabinet 1A that may be placed or supported on the washing machine cabinet 1.

[0121] In addition, the washing machine 10 and the dryer 20 may share a single cabinet 1.

[0122] The control panel P of the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may include a second control panel P2 that can simultaneously control the washing machine 10 and the dryer 20. Thus, the washing machine 10 and the dryer 20 may share the second control panel P2. Accordingly, inconvenience of controlling the washing machine 10 and the dryer 20 using separate control panels P or installing multiple control panels P can be prevented.

[0123] The second control panel P2 may receive a user's command via a user's touch or the like without a separate physical button.

[0124] The second control panel P2 may include a power region P25 that receives a command to supply power to the washing machine 10 and the dryer 20, a control region P22 that displays a display state of the washing machine 10 and the dryer 20, and an execution region P26 that receives a command to operate the washing machine 10 and the dryer 20.

[0125] In addition, in the second control panel P2, the control region P22 may be provided as a touch panel that receives a command for selecting any process for operating the washing machine 10 and the dryer 20, or a command for selecting an option for adjusting a function or intensity related to the process.

[0126] Accordingly, the control region P22 is provided to not only display information required by the user, but also receive required control commands via the user's touch.

[0127] The control region P22 may display only one of the information of the washing machine 10 and the dryer 20, and send a user input only to one of the washing machine 10 and the dryer 20.

[0128] To this end, the second control panel P2 may further include a switching area P27 that switches the objects displayed on the control areas P22 of the washing machine 10 and the dryer 20, or switches the information input to the control area P22 to be sent to one of the washing machine 10 and the dryer 20.

[0129] In one example, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may commonly include a sensor M in at least one of the door 14 and the cabinet 1, and the sensor M senses the opening and closing of the door 14.

[0130] As long as the sensor M can sense the opening and closing of the door 14, it may be equipped as any component.

[0131] For example, the sensor M may be composed of a magnet generating a magnetic field provided on the door 14, a Hall sensor provided in the cabinet 1 for sensing the position of the magnet, and the like.

[0132] Figure 3 The internal structure when the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure is equipped as the washing machine 10 is shown.

[0133] Figure 3 (a) of is a perspective view of the washing machine 10 of the present disclosure, Figure 3 and (b) of is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine 10 of the present disclosure.

[0134] The washing machine 10 of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 1 forming an appearance, a tub 2 accommodated in the cabinet 1 for storing water, a drum 3 rotatably provided in the tub 2 for storing water, a driver 32 coupled to the tub 2 to rotate the drum 3, a water supply device 23 for supplying water to the tub 2, and a drainage device 25 for discharging water from the tub 2.

[0135] The driver 32 may include a stator 321 coupled to the rear side of the tub 2, a rotor 322 rotated by the stator 321, and a rotating shaft 323 coupled to the rotor 322 to rotate the drum 3.

[0136] The water supply device 23 may include a water supply pipe 231 for communicating an external water source with the tub 2, and a water supply valve 233 for opening and closing the water supply pipe 231.

[0137] In one example, the water supply device 23 may further include a detergent box 234. The detergent box 234 may extend to the front of the cabinet 1 to allow detergent to be injected into the tub 2. The water supply pipe 231 may communicate with the detergent box 234, and the detergent box 234 may be connected to the tub 2 via a supply pipe 232.

[0138] The drainage device 25 may include a drain pipe 251 disposed below the tub 2, a drainage pump 252 coupled to the drain pipe 251 and providing power for discharging water, and a discharge pipe 253 for discharging water from the drainage pump 252 to the outside.

[0139] The laundry treatment apparatus 100 of the present disclosure may further include a support member 22 that supports the tub 2 and the drum 3 to the cabinet 1.

[0140] The support member 22 may include a damper 222 or a spring that supports the tub 2, and a bearing housing module 221 that supports the load of the drum 3 and the driver 32.

[0141] The laundry treatment apparatus 100 of the present disclosure may further include a circulator 26 that circulates the water discharged to the drainage device 25 back to the tub 2. The circulator 26 may include a circulation pump 261 communicating with the drain pipe 251 and a circulation pipe 262 for supplying water from the circulation pump 261 to the upper part of the tub 2. The circulation pump 261 and the drainage pump 252 may be integrally formed.

[0142] The laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may include a hot air supply device Ha that may supply hot air to the tub 2 separately. The hot air can be used to dry clothes.

[0143] In addition, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may include a heater H1 that heats the water stored in the tub 2.

[0144] The heater H1 may be disposed between the bottom surface of the tub and the bottom surface of the drum, preventing water from being exposed to the air inside the tub even when a small amount of water is supplied, and also heating the small amount of water.

[0145] Therefore, the washing machine 10 of the present disclosure can receive commands from the first control panel P1 and operate at least one of the driver 32, the water supply valve 233, and the drainage pump 252 to perform any washing process and washing option for removing foreign substances from clothes. The washing process and washing options may consist of a series of control methods that can perform all washing cycles, rinsing cycles, and dehydration cycles.

[0146] Figure 4 The internal structure is shown when the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure is configured as a dryer 20.

[0147] Figure 4 (a) of is a perspective view of the dryer 20 of the present disclosure, Figure 4 and (b) of is a cross-sectional view of the dryer 20 of the present disclosure.

[0148] The dryer 20 of the present disclosure may include a drying cabinet 1A, a drum 3A rotatably provided in the cabinet to provide a space for storing clothes, a circulation flow path 4 forming a flow path for re-supplying the air discharged from the drum 3A to the drum 3A, and a heat exchanger 5 that dehumidifies and heats the air guided into the circulation flow path 4 and then re-supplies the air to the drum 3A.

[0149] The drying cabinet 1A may be integrally formed with the cabinet 1 or may be separately formed from the cabinet 1.

[0150] The drum 3A may be named the drying drum 3A to distinguish it from the drum 3 of the above-mentioned washing machine.

[0151] A drying sensor for sensing the dryness of clothes may be provided in the drying drum 3A or the cabinet 1A.

[0152] When the drying drum 3A is equipped with a cylindrical drum body 31 having openings on the front and rear surfaces, a first support member 17 rotatably supporting the front surface of the drying drum 3A and a second support member 19 rotatably supporting the rear surface of the drying drum 3A may be provided inside the cabinet 1A.

[0153] The first support member 17 may include a first fixing body 171 fixed inside the cabinet 1, a drum inlet 173 extending through the first fixing body and allowing the inlet 111 to communicate with the inside of the drum body 31, and a first support body 175 provided in the first fixing body 171 and inserted into the front surface (first opening surface) of the drum body 31.

[0154] The first fixing body 171 may be formed in any shape as long as the drum inlet 173 and the first support body 175 can be formed. The first support body 175 may be formed as a tube protruding from the first fixing body 171 toward the drum body 31. The diameter of the first support body 175 may be set to be larger than the diameter of the drum inlet 173 and smaller than the diameter of the front surface of the drum body 31. In this case, the drum inlet 173 will be located within the space defined by the first support body 175.

[0155] The first support member 17 may further include a connecting body 177 connecting the inlet 111 and the drum inlet. The connecting body 177 may be formed as a tube extending from the drum inlet 173 toward the inlet 111. The connecting body 177 may include an air outlet 178 communicating with the circulation flow path 4.

[0156] The air outlet 178 may be a passage for allowing the air in the drum body 31 to flow toward the circulation flow path 4 and may be defined as a through hole extending through the connecting body 177.

[0157] The second support member 19A may include a second fixing body 191 fixed inside the cabinet 1 and a second support body 195. The second support body 195 is disposed in the second fixing body 191 and inserted into the rear surface (the second opening surface) of the drum body 31. The second support member 19A includes an air inlet 198 that extends through the second fixing body 191 and allows the interior of the drum body 31 to communicate with the interior of the drying cabinet 1A.

[0158] In this case, the circulation flow path 4 may be provided as a duct 4 through which air flows, and the air outlet 178 may be connected to the air inlet 198.

[0159] The hollow cylindrical drum body 31 may be rotated by various types of drives. As an example, a case is shown where the drying drive 32A includes a motor fixed inside the cabinet 1A, a pulley rotated by the motor, and a belt 323 connecting the circumferential surface of the pulley to the circumferential surface of the drum body 31.

[0160] In one example, the drying drive 32A may be disposed on the rear surface of the drying drum 3A to directly rotate the drying drum 3A. The rotation axis of the drying drive 32A may be directly coupled to the drying drum 3A to rotate the drying drum 3A.

[0161] In this case, the second support member 19A may support the drying drive 32A such that the drying drive 32A is located on the rear surface or the center of the drying drum 3A.

[0162] In one example, a separate speed reducer may be provided between the drive and the drying drum 3A. In this case, the rotation axis from the speed reducer may be directly coupled to the center of the rear surface of the drying drum 3A, and the speed reducer may be coupled to the second support member 19A and supported by the second support member 19A.

[0163] In this case, the drying drive 32A may freely change the rotation speed and rotation direction of the drying drum 3A.

[0164] The first support member 17 may be equipped with a first roller 179 that rotatably supports the circumferential surface of the drum body 31, and the second support member 19A may be equipped with a second roller 199 that rotatably supports the circumferential surface of the drum body 31.

[0165] The circulation flow path 4 may include a duct 4 that communicates with the drying drum 3A.

[0166] The duct 4 may communicate with the drying drum 3A and may be regarded as forming a circulation flow path in which the air discharged from the drum passes through the heat exchanger 5 and is reintroduced into the drying drum 3A.

[0167] The duct 4 may include an exhaust duct 41 connected to the air outlet 178, a supply duct 43 connected to the air inlet 198, and a connecting duct 45 connecting the exhaust duct and the supply duct.

[0168] In addition, the heat exchanger 5 may be equipped with various devices for sequentially dehumidifying and heating the air introduced into the duct 4. For example, the heat exchanger 5 may be equipped as a heat pump system.

[0169] The heat exchanger 5 may include a fan 59 that causes air to flow along the duct 4, a first heat exchange device (heat absorber) 51 that removes moisture from the air introduced into the duct 4, and a second heat exchange device (heater) 53 that is provided inside the duct 4 and heats the air that has passed through the first heat exchange device (heat absorber) 51.

[0170] The heat absorber 51 may be equipped as an evaporator that absorbs heat, and the heater 53 may be equipped as a condenser that releases heat.

[0171] The fan 59 may include an impeller 591 provided inside the duct 4 and an impeller motor 593 that rotates the impeller 591.

[0172] The impeller 591 may be provided in any one of the exhaust duct 41, the connecting duct 45, and the supply duct 43. The impeller 591 may be provided in the supply duct 43.

[0173] The heat absorber 51 may be equipped as a plurality of metal plates arranged along the width direction (Y-axis direction) or the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the connecting duct 45, and the heater 53 may be equipped as a plurality of metal plates arranged along the width direction or the height direction of the connecting duct 45. The heat absorber 51 and the heater 53 are sequentially arranged inside the connecting duct 45 in the direction from the exhaust duct 41 to the supply duct 43, and are connected to each other via a refrigerant pipe 58 that forms a circulation flow path of the refrigerant.

[0174] The refrigerant moves along the refrigerant pipe 58 through a compressor 55 located outside the duct 4, and the refrigerant pipe 58 includes a pressure regulator 57 that regulates the pressure of the refrigerant passing through the heater 53.

[0175] The heat absorber 51 is a device for cooling the air and evaporating the refrigerant by transferring the heat of the air introduced into the exhaust duct 41 to the refrigerant. The heater 53 is a device for heating the air by transferring the heat of the refrigerant passing through the compressor 55 to the air and condensing the refrigerant. In this case, the moisture contained in the air is collected on the bottom surface of the connecting duct 45 along the surface of the heat absorber 51 when passing through the heat absorber 51.

[0176] To collect the water removed from the air passing through the heat absorber 51, the laundry treatment apparatus 100 includes a water collector.

[0177] The water collected in the water collector may be collected in the water storage unit 9 and then discharged in batches. The water storage unit 9 may include a water storage tank 92 and a water storage inlet 922. The water storage tank 92 is detachably provided in the cabinet 1 and provides a space for storing water. The water storage inlet 922 extends through the water storage tank 92 and allows the water discharged from the water storage supply pipe 633 to flow into the water storage tank 92.

[0178] The water storage tank 92 may be configured as a drawer-type water tank extending from the cabinet 1A. In this case, the front panel 13A of the cabinet should have a water storage mounting hole or a water storage tank hole 131 for inserting the water storage tank 92. A water storage panel 91 is fixed to the front surface of the water storage tank 92. The water storage panel 91 may be detachably coupled to the water storage mounting hole or the water storage tank hole 131 to form a part of the front panel 13A.

[0179] The water storage panel 91 may further include a groove for inserting a user's hand. In this case, the water storage panel 91 will also perform the function of a handle for extending the water storage tank 92 from the cabinet or inserting the water storage tank 92 into the cabinet.

[0180] The water storage inlet 922 may receive the water discharged from the nozzle 823A fixed to the cabinet 1A. The nozzle 823A may be fixed to the top panel 11 of the cabinet in such a way as to be located above the water storage inlet 922 when the water storage tank 92 is inserted into the cabinet 1.

[0181] The water storage unit 9 having the above structure allows the user to discharge the water in the water storage tank 92 by flipping or tilting the water storage tank 92 in the direction toward the water storage inlet 922 after extending the water storage tank 92 from the cabinet 1. A communication hole 921 extending through the top surface of the water storage tank 92 may also be included, so that the water in the water storage tank 92 can be easily discharged via the water storage inlet 922.

[0182] The steam unit 200 may be provided to be spaced apart from the water storage unit 9. As described above, the steam unit 200 may be connected to the internal water supply device 400 and the external water supply device 500 to receive water and generate steam.

[0183] The external water supply device 500 may include a direct water valve 520 adjacent to or fixed to the rear panel 12 and a direct water pipe 510 that supplies the water delivered from the direct water valve 520 to the steam unit 200. The direct water valve 520 may be coupled to an external water source. For example, the direct water valve 520 may be coupled to a water supply pipe extending to the rear surface of the cabinet. Accordingly, the steam unit 200 may directly receive water via the direct water valve 520. Thus, even when the internal water supply device 400 is omitted or there is no water stored in the internal water supply device 400, the steam unit 200 may receive water via the direct water valve 520 when needed. The direct water valve 520 may be directly controlled by the steam controller.

[0184] In one example, the steam unit 200 may be disposed adjacent to the direct water valve 520 but may be close to the front panel 13. Accordingly, steam may be supplied to the front side of the drum and evenly supplied to the entire laundry.

[0185] The internal water supply device 400 may include a water tank 420 that stores water, a water pump 430 that supplies water to the steam unit 200 by receiving water from the water tank 420, and a water tank housing 410 that provides a space for housing the water tank 420 and the water pump 430. The water pump 430 and the water tank 420 may be disposed at a vertical height corresponding to the steam unit 200.

[0186] The water tank extraction hole 131 may be installed in a region corresponding to the portion of the water tank 420 installed in the top panel 11. Thereby, the water pump 430 can be prevented from being unnecessarily exposed to the water tank extraction hole 131 as much as possible.

[0187] The extraction cover 132 is pivotally coupled to the outer peripheral surface of the water tank extraction hole 131 to prevent the water tank 420 from being unnecessarily exposed to the outside.

[0188] The steam unit 200 may communicate with the drying drum 3A or the circulation flow path 4 and supply steam into the drying drum 3A. The steam unit 200 may receive water via the water supply device 300, generate steam, and then supply the steam to the drying drum 3A or the pipe 4 via the steam discharge pipe 213.

[0189] The steam discharge pipe 213 may communicate directly with the drying drum 3A to supply steam to the drying drum 3A, and may communicate with the pipe 4 or the second support 19 to supply steam to the drying drum 3A indirectly.

[0190] The steam discharge pipe 213 may communicate with the supply pipe 43 when connected to the pipe 4, and may communicate with the water storage inlet 922 when connected to the second support 19A. Thereby, the steam can be supplied to the drying drum 3A more smoothly using the power of the fan 59.

[0191] When the steam supply mode using steam is executed during the drying cycle, the steam unit 200 can be controlled to generate steam. The steam supply mode can correspond to a series of drying processes such as sterilizing the laundry, increasing the temperature inside the drum during the drying cycle of the laundry, or removing wrinkles from the laundry at the end of the drying cycle of the laundry.

[0192] The steam unit 200 can be controlled to receive water via the internal water supply device 400 and the external water supply device 500 as needed, so as to supply steam to the drying drum 3A and the like.

[0193] In one example, the heat exchanger 5 condenses the moisture in the air circulating in the heat absorber 51. Therefore, even when the air circulates in the drying drum 3A, since the moisture is removed in the heat absorber 51, the laundry in the drying drum 3A can be continuously dried.

[0194] The moisture condensed in the heat absorber 51 can be collected once in the water collector 47 and then collected secondly in the water storage part 9. The water collector 47 can be located inside the connecting pipe 45 and can be separately formed in a space separated from the connecting pipe 45.

[0195] The rotation center of the drying drum 3A can be set between the steam unit 200 and the heat exchanger 5 based on the height direction of the cabinet. Additionally, based on the height direction of the cabinet, the heat exchanger 5 can be set below the rotation center of the drying drum 3A, and the steam unit 200 can be set above the rotation center of the drying drum.

[0196] The water collector 47 can be provided as a water collecting body 471A, which is fixed to the bottom surface of the connecting pipe 45 and communicates with the inside of the connecting pipe.

[0197] In order to prevent the heat absorber 51 and the heater 53 from coming into contact with the water (condensate) stored in the water collecting body 471A, a heat exchange device support 473A can be further provided inside the water collecting body 471A.

[0198] The heat exchange device support 473A can be provided as a support plate with which the heat absorber 51 contacts the heater 53. The heat exchange device support 473A can also include a spacer 475 that maintains the interval between the support plate and the bottom surface of the water collecting body 471A and a support plate through hole 476 that extends through the support plate.

[0199] The support plate through hole 476 can be defined only in the space that supports the heat absorber 51 provided by the support plate, or can be defined in each of the space that supports the heat absorber and the space that supports the heater. When the support plate through hole 476 is also formed in the lower part of the heater 53, the water flowing along the support plate 373 to the heater 53 can be discharged to the water collecting body 471.

[0200] In order to minimize the accumulation of foreign matters (such as lint) discharged from the drum body 31 on the heat absorber 51 and the heater 53, the laundry treating apparatus 100 may further include a filter for filtering air.

[0201] The second filter 7 may be provided as a device for filtering the air introduced from the drum body 31 into the exhaust duct 41, and the first filter 6 may be provided as a device located between the second filter 7 and the heat absorber 51 and filtering the air that has passed through the second filter 7. The diameter of the filter holes defined in the first filter 6 may be set to be smaller than the diameter of the filter holes defined in the second filter 7.

[0202] The first filter 6 may be detachably provided in the connection pipe 45. In this case, a filter mounting hole for extracting the first filter 6 and a mounting hole door 14 for opening and closing the filter mounting hole may be provided in the front panel 13 of the cabinet, and a pipe through hole 44 for inserting the first filter 6 is defined in the pipe 4.

[0203] Therefore, the user can remove the foreign matters remaining in the first filter 6 and clean the first filter as needed after separating the first filter 6 from the laundry treating apparatus.

[0204] In one example, the laundry treating apparatus 100 may further include a washer 8 that uses the water stored in the water collecting body 471 to clean the first filter 6. That is, the water stored in the water collecting body 471 may be separately collected in the water storage unit 9, or may selectively flow to the gasket.

[0205] The washer 8 may be provided as a device for cleaning the first filter 6 by spraying the water stored in the water collecting body 471.

[0206] The washer 8 may include a spraying unit 85 provided in the pipe 4 for supplying water to the first filter 6, and a cleaning pump 81 for causing the water stored in the water collecting body 471 to flow to the spraying unit 85.

[0207] The cleaning pump 81 may be connected to the water collecting body 471 via a first connection pipe 811, and may be connected to the spraying unit 85 via a second connection pipe 813.

[0208] When the laundry treating apparatus is configured to cause the water in the water collecting body 471 to flow to the spraying unit 85 and the water storage unit 9 using only one cleaning pump 81, the laundry treating apparatus 100 may further include a flow path switch 83.

[0209] In this case, the flow path switch 83 can be connected to the cleaning pump 81 via the second connecting pipe 813, the spraying unit 85 can be connected to the flow path switch 83 via the spraying unit supply pipe 831, and the water storage unit 9 can be connected to the flow path switch 83 via the water storage supply pipe 833.

[0210] The flow path switch 83 can include valves that control the opening and closing of the spraying unit supply pipe 831 and the water storage supply pipe 833. Thus, the laundry treatment apparatus 100 can supply the water stored in the water collecting body 471 to the spraying unit 85 or the water storage unit 9 by controlling the valves provided in the flow path switch 83.

[0211] In order to determine the time point to stop the operation of the heat exchanger 5 by determining the dryness of the laundry, the laundry treatment apparatus 100 can be equipped with a dryness sensor.

[0212] The drying driver 32A can be directly fastened to the rear surface of the drying drum 3A. The drying driver 32A can be provided on the second support member 19A and directly rotate the drying drum 3A.

[0213] The drying driver 32A can include a stator supported by the second support member 19, and a rotor and a rotating shaft rotated by the stator.

[0214] The drying driver 32A can be individually coupled to the speed reducer 28A, and the speed reducer 28A can be coupled to the center (rotation center) of the rear surface of the drying drum 3A to rotate the drying drum 3A. Thus, the speed reducer 28A can reduce the RPM of the rotating shaft while increasing the torque.

[0215] The steam unit 200 can be fixed to the front panel 13 or the first support member 17 that supports the drying drum 3A to achieve space utilization. Additionally, the steam unit 200 can be disposed adjacent to the corner of the cabinet 1.

[0216] The internal water supply device 400 can include a water tank 420 that stores water, a water pump 430 that provides power to supply the water stored in the water tank 420 to the steam unit 200, and a water tank housing 410 that provides a space for installing the water pump 430 and the water tank 420.

[0217] The water tank housing 410 can be formed in a box shape with an open top and can extend along the front-rear direction of the cabinet 1 such that the water pump 430 can be provided in the front portion of the cabinet 1A and the water pump 430 can be provided in the rear portion of the cabinet 1A.

[0218] The water tank housing 410 may include a water tank mounting portion 411 and a pump mounting portion 412. The water tank 420 can be detachably placed on the water tank mounting portion 411, and the water pump 430 can be installed on the pump mounting portion 412. The water tank mounting portion 411 and the pump mounting portion 412 may be formed in a concave shape to prevent water leaked from the water tank 420 or the water pump 430 from flowing out to the drum 3 or the like.

[0219] In addition, the water tank housing 410 may further include a partition wall 413 that separates the water tank mounting portion 411 and the pump mounting portion 412 from each other. Therefore, the water tank 420 can be easily installed in and separated from the water tank housing 410. The partition wall 413 can also function to collect the residual water in the water tank mounting portion 411 or the pump mounting portion 412, so that the residual water does not flow to other positions.

[0220] An extension pipe 416 that connects the water tank 420 and the water pump 430 to each other can be installed in the partition wall 413. A valve structure can be provided on the extension pipe 416 so as to prevent water leakage even when the water tank 420 is separated from the water tank mounting portion 411.

[0221] The extension pipe 416 can extend from the partition wall 413 toward the water pump 430 or the water tank 420.

[0222] In one example, the water tank housing 410 can be formed such that the pump mounting portion 412 is arranged closer to the steam unit 200 than the water tank mounting portion 411. Thereby, the flow path for supplying water from the water tank 420 to the steam unit 200 can be simplified.

[0223] The water tank housing 410 can be formed such that the water tank mounting portion 411 and the pump mounting portion 412 are arranged along the front-rear direction of the cabinet.

[0224] The water supply device 300 may include a joint that can fix the water tank housing 410 to at least one of the support rod 440 and a side surface of the cabinet.

[0225] The components arranged in the cabinet 1A need to be arranged at intervals from the drying drum 3A. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the water supply device 300 and the steam unit 200 from contacting the drum 3. For example, it is necessary to block the steam guide pipe 230 that supplies steam from the steam unit 200 to the drum 3, the direct water pipe 510 that supplies water to the steam unit 200, etc. from contacting the drum 3.

[0226] In one example, it is necessary to support the load of the water tank 420, the water pump 430, and the water contained in the water tank 420.

[0227] Accordingly, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may include a support bar 440 that supports the steam unit 200 and the water supply device 300 to prevent the steam unit 200 and the water supply device 300 from contacting the drum and supports the steam unit 200 and the water supply device 300 within the cabinet.

[0228] The support bar 440 may support at least a part of the steam unit 200 or at least a part of the water supply device 300. Additionally, the support bar 440 may fix or support the water tank housing 410 to the cabinet.

[0229] The support bar 440 may be formed in a rod shape with both ends connected to the front panel 13 and the rear panel 12. Accordingly, the support bar 440 may not only support the load of the water tank housing 410 but also fix the front panel 13 and the rear panel 12. The support bar 440 may be spaced apart from the side panel 14 by a certain distance and may be coupled to the front panel 13 and the rear panel 12. In one example, the support bar 440 may have both ends coupled to the cabinet 1A, but the remaining part thereof may be positioned at a location lower than the upper part of the side surface of the cabinet 1A. As a result, the support bar 440 may prevent interference with the top panel 11 by being spaced apart from the top panel 11. Additionally, a space may be defined between the support bar 440 and the top panel 11 that can support some components of the water supply device 300 and the steam unit 200.

[0230] The support bar 440 may prevent the width of the water tank housing 410 from increasing excessively.

[0231] In one example, the water tank housing 410 may further include a mounting sensor, which, although not shown, may sense the mounting of the water tank 420 on the inner surface. The mounting sensor may be configured as a weight sensor and may be configured to distinguish between light and heavy.

[0232] The mounting sensor may be connected to the control panel P and may send information regarding whether the water tank 420 is mounted and the amount of water contained in the water tank 420.

[0233] The internal water supply device 400 may include a pump discharge pipe 433 that discharges water from the pump housing to the steam unit 200.

[0234] The external water supply device 500 may include a direct water valve 520 disposed on the second support member 19A or the rear panel 12 and a direct water pipe 510 that supplies water from the direct water valve 520 to the steam unit 200.

[0235] The direct water pipe 510 can extend from the rear panel 12 to the steam unit 200, and the direct water valve 520 can open and close the direct water pipe 510. The direct water pipe 510 can extend from the direct water valve 520 across the support rod 440 to the steam generator 210. At this point, at least a portion of the direct water pipe 510 can be supported by the support rod 440 and be prevented from contacting the drying drum 3A.

[0236] The support rod 440 can be disposed between the direct water valve 520 and the water tank 420.

[0237] In addition, the direct water valve 520 can be disposed on the rear panel 12 or the second support member 19 and be exposed to the outside, and the direct water pipe 510 can extend from the direct water valve 520 toward the steam unit 200. Thus, the external water supply device 500 can supply water to the steam unit 200 from an external water source in a direct water manner.

[0238] The steam unit 200 can receive water from each of the external water supply device 500 and the internal water supply device 400. However, when the steam unit 200 is configured to receive water via corresponding pipes, a separate shape of the steam unit 200 should be produced, and the flow path and control method may become complicated.

[0239] For this reason, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure can further include a merging portion 600 that joins the direct water pipe 510 and the pump discharge pipe 433 such that they are joined together. The merging portion 600 can be configured such that the water stored in the internal water supply device 400 and the water supplied from the external water supply device 500 in a direct water manner are both collected.

[0240] In addition, the merging portion 600 can deliver the supplied water to the steam unit 200. The merging portion 600 can be provided as a three-way valve or can be formed in the shape of a merging pipe that joins three pipes together.

[0241] When the merging portion 600 is formed in the shape of a pipe, the external water supply device 500 and the internal water supply device 400 can be provided with check valves such that backflow can be prevented. Specifically, the direct water pipe 510 can be provided with a direct water check valve 511 that opens the direct water pipe 510 in one direction, and the pump discharge pipe 433 can be provided with a discharge check valve 434 that opens the pump discharge pipe 433 in one direction.

[0242] In addition, the pump discharge pipe 433 and the direct water pipe 510 can be respectively provided with check valves. The external water supply device 500 can be provided with an external check valve, and the internal water supply device 400 can be provided with an internal check valve.

[0243] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the water supplied to the direct water pipe 510 from flowing back to the water pump 430, and it is possible to prevent the water supplied to the pump discharge pipe 433 from flowing back to the direct water valve 520.

[0244] In one example, when the merging portion 600 is provided as a valve or a merging pipe, it has a relatively large self-weight. In addition, when water passes through the merging portion 600, a relatively large weight may be applied to the merging portion 600.

[0245] Therefore, the merging portion 600 can be placed on the support rod 440.

[0246] The merging portion 600 and the support rod 440 can be coupled to each other via a separate fixing member so that the merging portion 600 can be prevented from separating from the support rod 440. When the merging portion 600 is placed on the support rod 440, the positions of the direct water pipe 510 and the pump discharge pipe 433 can also be stably fixed.

[0247] In one example, the steam unit 200 may include a water guide pipe connected to the merging portion 600 to receive water from the water supply device 300, a steam generator 210 that receives water from the water guide pipe to generate steam, and a steam guide pipe 230 that can guide the steam generated by the steam generator 210 to the drying drum 3A or the pipe 4.

[0248] The steam generator 210 can be provided below the drying drum 3A and stably receive water from the water supply device 300 by gravity, and the generated steam can stably flow to the drying drum 3A through the density difference.

[0249] The steam guide pipe 230 can communicate with a gasket provided in front of the drying drum 3A or the first support member 17. Accordingly, the steam guide pipe 230 can stably supply steam to the drying drum 3A without contacting the drying drum 3A.

[0250] In one example, the water tank housing 410 can be equipped with a mounting sensor that can sense whether the water tank 420 is mounted. For example, the mounting sensor can be provided as a pressure sensor or the like.

[0251] In addition, a water level sensor that can sense the water level of the water tank 420 can be further provided. For example, the water level sensor can be provided as a weight sensor. The mounting sensor or the water level sensor can also be controlled by the control panel P and can send a signal to the control panel P.

[0252] In one example, the control panel P can indirectly identify the water level of the water tank 420 by temporarily operating the water pump 430 and sensing the load added to the water pump 430.

[0253] The water storage tank 92 may have a much larger volume than the water tank 420 and may be arranged to be spaced apart from the water tank 420 to prevent user confusion.

[0254] The water tank 420 and the steam unit 200 may be arranged between the support rod 440 and one side surface of the cabinet, and the water storage tank 92 may be arranged between the support rod 440 and the other side surface of the cabinet.

[0255] Since the water tank 420 is connected to the water tank mounting portion 411, the water tank mounting portion 411 may also be regarded as being arranged between the support rod 440 and one side surface of the cabinet.

[0256] Therefore, the support rod 440 may be arranged between the water storage tank 92 and the steam generator 210 and between the water storage tank 92 and the water tank 420.

[0257] The front panel 13 may be fixed to the cabinet body 11 via the panel support member 12. That is, the panel support member 12 may be fixed to the cabinet body 11, and the front panel 13 may be fixed to the panel support member 12.

[0258] In this case, the control panel P may be fixed to the cabinet 1 via the panel support member 12. The panel support member 12 may be provided with an interface mounting groove, and the control panel P is fixed in the interface mounting groove.

[0259] Figure 5 The internal structure is shown when the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure is configured as a composite apparatus equipped with the washing machine 10 and the dryer 20.

[0260] Refer to Figure 5 , compared with the dryer 20, the washing machine 10 is equipped with the tub 2 and is equipped with a heavier driver 32. Therefore, the washing machine 10 may be arranged below the dryer 20.

[0261] The configurations of the washing machine 10 and the dryer 20 may be the same as those of the washing machine 10 and the dryer 20 described above.

[0262] As the cabinet 1, the cabinet 1 of the washing machine 10 may be integrated with the cabinet 1A of the dryer.

[0263] The control panel P may be configured as the second control panel P2. The second control panel P2 may be arranged at a vertical height corresponding to the space between the drying drum 3A of the dryer and the tub 2.

[0264] Figure 6 The structure of the control panel P of the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure is shown.

[0265] Figure 6 (a) of Figure 6(b) shows the structure of the second control panel P2.

[0266] Referring to Figure 6 (a), the first control panel P1 may include a first circuit board P4 fixed to the panel support 12 and located inside the cabinet 1, an encoder P5 fixed to the first circuit board and located inside the cabinet 1, a knob P7 connected to the encoder P5 by extending through the front panel 13, and a screen P8 fixed to the encoder P5 or the first circuit board P4 by extending through the front panel 13.

[0267] The first circuit board P4, as a board equipped with a control circuit required for controlling (power control and operation control) at least one of the driver 32, the steam unit 200, and the water supply device 300, may be fixed to the panel support 12 via the housing P41.

[0268] The housing P41 may be of any shape that can fix the first circuit board P4 to the panel support 12. The housing P41 may be formed in a hexahedron shape with one surface (the surface opposite to the panel support) open.

[0269] The housing P41 may be equipped with bosses for setting the position of the first circuit board P4. The bosses may be composed of a first boss 411 and a second boss 412.

[0270] The first circuit board P4 may be equipped with a board through-hole P42 through which the first boss 411 extends and a boss insertion hole P43 through which the second boss 412 extends. The second boss 412 may be arranged in each space on the left and right sides of the first boss 411, or may be arranged in each space above and below the first boss 411.

[0271] A wire 822 is connected to the screen P8. The wire 822 may be equipped as a power cord for supplying power to the display, or may be equipped as a communication line for enabling the screen P8 to communicate with devices inside the cabinet including the first circuit board P4.

[0272] The first boss 411 may include a first boss through-hole, and the panel support 12 may include a wire extension hole 123. The wire 822 may extend into the cabinet 1 by being inserted into the first boss through-hole and the wire extension hole 123.

[0273] The first circuit board P4 may further include a power button P46 and an execution button P47. The power button P46 may be equipped as a device for inputting a control command requesting power supply to the laundry treatment device 100, and the execution button P47 may be equipped as a device for inputting a command requesting execution of a control command displayed on the screen P8 or a command requesting temporary suspension of a control command executed by the laundry treatment device 100.

[0274] The power button P46 and the execution button P47 can generate control signals by sensing static electricity from the user's body.

[0275] The power button P46 may include a first button 461 exposed to the outside of the cabinet 1, a first sensor 464 fixed to the first circuit board P4, and a conductor (first touch spring) 463 connecting the first button and the first sensor. Similarly, the execution button P47 may include a second button 471 exposed to the outside of the cabinet 1, a second sensor 474 fixed to the first circuit board P4, and a conductor (not shown, second touch spring) connecting the second button and the second sensor.

[0276] The front panel 13 includes a first button mounting portion 136 and a second button mounting portion 117. The first button 461 may be exposed to the outside of the cabinet 1 via the first button mounting portion 116, and the second button 471 may be exposed to the outside of the cabinet 1 via the second button mounting portion 117.

[0277] The power button P46 and the execution button P47 may be respectively disposed in the left and right spaces of the screen P8, may be respectively disposed in the upper and lower spaces of the display unit, or may be vertically or horizontally disposed in any of the left and right spaces of the display unit.

[0278] The first touch spring 463 and the second touch spring may be formed in a coil shape, which is intended to provide a restoring force to the first button 461 and the second button 471. In addition, in order to prevent the first button 461 and the second button 471 from deviating from the corresponding button mounting portions 116 and 117, the power button P46 may include a first stopper 462 that limits the movement range of the first button, and the execution button P47 may include a second stopper (not shown) that limits the movement range of the second button.

[0279] The encoder P5 is a device for rotatably fixing the manipulator P7 to the first circuit board P4, and is a device for generating an electric signal when the knob P7 rotates (or generating an electric signal that is differently set based on the rotation angle of the actuator).

[0280] The encoder P5 may include a fixed portion P51 fixed to the first circuit board P4 and to which the screen P8 is fixed, a rotatable portion P52 rotatably provided on the fixed portion P51 and to which the knob P7 is fixed, and a signal generator P54 that generates an electric signal when the rotatable portion P52 rotates.

[0281] The first circuit board P4 on which the encoder P5 is assembled may be coated with an insulating material. This is to minimize the possibility of short - circuit caused by water supply to the first circuit board P4. To prevent the rotatable part P52 from being fixed to the fixed part P51 by the insulating material when the insulating material is coated on one surface of the first circuit board P4 (the surface opposite to the front panel), the control panel P may further include an encoder cover P6.

[0282] The encoder cover P6 may be formed to be fixed to the first circuit board P4 and tubular around the encoder P5. That is, as shown in the figure, the encoder cover P6 may include a fixed - body cover P61 fixed to the first circuit board P4 and around the fixed body 512, and a cover through - hole P62 extending through the fixed - body cover P61 and for the encoder 5 to be inserted.

[0283] The fixed - body cover P61 may include a board fastener 611, and the first circuit board P4 may include an encoder - cover fixing hole P45, and the board fastener 611 is fixed to the encoder - cover fixing hole P45.

[0284] The encoder cover P6 may further include a support - body cover P63 extending from the fixed - body cover P61 and around the rotatable part P52 (around the support body). Since the support - body cover P63 can limit the movement of the knob P7 in the radial direction of the cover through - hole 62, the support - body cover 63 can prevent the knob P7 from separating from the rotatable part P52.

[0285] Refer to Figure 6 In (b) of the reference, the second control panel P2 may include a cover panel P21 coupled to the cabinet 1, a control board P24 provided at the rear of the cover panel P21, and a liquid - crystal display P22 provided between the control board P24 and the cover panel P21 to display externally the information sent from the control board P24.

[0286] To prevent the control board P24 and the liquid - crystal display P22 from being exposed to moisture or directly colliding with external objects, etc., the cover panel P21 may be coupled to the cabinet 1.

[0287] The cover panel P21 may be provided as a plate based on a reinforced resin or a metal plate, and may have an area corresponding to the control board P24 or the liquid - crystal display P22 made of a transparent material allowing light to pass through.

[0288] In one example, the cover panel P21 may be made of a material that can be charged by the current generated from the user's body, or a material that can transfer current to the liquid - crystal display P22.

[0289] In one example, a touch film P23 may be further provided so that the liquid - crystal display P22 can perform the function of a touch panel.

[0290] The touch film P23 can be configured as a transparent film, which is configured to not only sense the current received from the user's body but also sense the coordinates where the current has reached.

[0291] The control substrate P24 can include a display controller P241 electrically connected to the liquid crystal display P22 and a touch receiver P242 electrically connected to the touch film P23.

[0292] The liquid crystal display P22 can receive and display information by being connected to the display controller P241 through a wire, and can display various touch information at the coordinates corresponding to the input of the touch film P23.

[0293] The touch film P23 can have an area size corresponding to the area size of the liquid crystal display P22, and can send whether the user's body is in contact with or close to the coordinates displayed in the touch information to the touch receiver P242.

[0294] Therefore, the liquid crystal display P22 can function as a touch panel.

[0295] In one example, the control substrate P24 can sense the user's touch on the power area P25 and the execution area P26.

[0296] However, the second control panel P2 of the present disclosure has a power area P25 and an execution area P26 separately provided from the control substrate P24 to clearly distinguish the touch on the power area P25, the touch on the execution area P26, and the touch on the liquid crystal display P22.

[0297] The power area P25 can be configured as a PCB separately provided from the control substrate P24 and sensing the user's touch, and the power area P25 can include a light emitter that can irradiate light to the cover panel P21.

[0298] The execution area P26 can be configured as a PCB separately provided from the control substrate P24 and sensing the user's touch, and the execution area P26 can include a light emitter that can irradiate light to the cover panel P21.

[0299] That is to say, the power area P25 and the execution area P26 can be configured not as liquid crystal displays but as circuit boards that can sense the input of current, and can include light emitters for guiding the touch area.

[0300] The second control panel P2 of the present disclosure can further include a support panel P28, which supports the power area P25, the execution area P26, and the control substrate P24, and provides a space for arranging the liquid crystal display P22 and the touch film P23.

[0301] The support panel P28 can be made of a resinous material and can be formed into a shape that can accommodate and support the power region P25, the execution region P26, and the control substrate P24.

[0302] In addition, the support panel P28 can also accommodate and support the outer peripheral surfaces of the liquid crystal display P22 and the touch film P23.

[0303] In one example, a fixing panel P29 can be included, and the fixing panel P29 can be coupled to the rear side of the support panel P28 and fix the power region P25, the execution region P26, the control substrate P24, the liquid crystal display P22, and the touch film P23.

[0304] The fixing panel P29 can be coupled to the support panel P28 via a fastening member such as a bolt.

[0305] The support panel P28 can be coupled and fixed to a frame or the like constituting the cabinet 1, or can be fixed by being placed on a curved surface formed by bending the outer peripheral surface of the cover panel P21.

[0306] Therefore, all other components of the second control panel P2 can be accommodated and arranged between the cover panel P21 and the fixing panel P29.

[0307] In one example, as described above, according to the form of the laundry treatment apparatus, the control panel P of the present disclosure can be provided as one of a first control panel P1 including a knob and a screen and a second control panel P2 provided in a touch panel manner.

[0308] In addition, different from the above structure, the control panel P of the present disclosure can be provided as a third control panel P3 described later, and the third control panel P3 has all components that receive user input as physical buttons and displays visual information through a light emitter such as a simple light bulb.

[0309] The control panel P of the present disclosure can be provided with various structures, but the control panel P of the present disclosure can function as an interface I that receives a user's command, displays information to the user, and communicates with the user in the laundry treatment apparatus 100.

[0310] Therefore, even when the control panel P of the present disclosure is provided with various structures, the control panel P of the present disclosure can be distinguished by the fact that it performs the role or function of the interface I rather than its structure.

[0311] Figure 7 An embodiment of the first control panel P distinguished as the interface I is shown.

[0312] The first control panel P of the present disclosure may include: a power unit 710 that receives a power command for supplying power to the laundry treatment device or the control panel P; a process selector 710 that receives a selection command for selecting any process that can perform the treatment of laundry; an option selector 730 that receives a selection command for selecting any option of the conditions of the process; and an execution unit 740 that receives an execution command for executing the selected process and option.

[0313] The process for treating laundry can be regarded as a series of control methods, which can perform a washing cycle for removing foreign substances from the laundry with water and detergent, a rinsing cycle for removing foreign substances from the laundry and the detergent, a dehydration cycle for removing water from the laundry using centrifugal force, etc., a drying cycle for removing moisture from the laundry using at least one of air and steam, and a refreshment cycle for performing at least one of deodorizing, wrinkle-removing, and sterilizing of the laundry using at least one of air and steam.

[0314] The options of the process can be regarded as a series of algorithms, which include various conditions, repetition times, durations, execution intensities, and additional functions that can be added for executing the process.

[0315] In the first control panel P, the power button P46 can be defined as the power unit 710, the execution button P47 can be defined as the execution unit 740, the knob P7 can be defined as the process selector 710, and the setting area P19 can be defined as the option selector 730.

[0316] For example, the option selector 730 can be configured as a touch display that can select any option, and can be equipped with a plurality of lights and a plurality of conductor switches that can sense the user's body.

[0317] The option selector 730 may include a rinse regulator 731, a dehydration regulator 732, and a temperature regulator 733. When the process executes the rinse cycle, the rinse regulator 731 adjusts the rinse intensity related to the rotation speed and duration of the drum, the amount of water, and the number of rinse cycles. When the process executes the dehydration cycle, the dehydration regulator 732 adjusts the dehydration intensity related to the rotation speed and duration of the drum. When the process executes the wash cycle, the temperature regulator 733 adjusts the water temperature.

[0318] In one example, the option selector 730 can receive the additional functions of the process.

[0319] In the option selector 730, the wash regulator 734, the rinse regulator 731, the spin regulator 732, and the temperature regulator 733 can be generally classified into a condition setting unit and a function setting unit. The condition setting unit selects options related to the cycle conditions for executing a process, and the function setting unit sets additional functions other than the cycle conditions of the process, such as reservation of the time when the process is executed or completed, whether to supply steam, sterilization of the drum 3 and the tub 2, and anti-wrinkle.

[0320] Specifically, the function setting unit of the option selector 730 may include: a wash unit 736 that can input wash options for executing special wash cycles such as functional clothing, soft clothing, and tub cleaning; a reservation manager 737 that inputs a reservation command for executing a wash process at a specific time; a sterilization unit 738 that can select a sterilization option for adding steam to the clothing during the process cycle to achieve sterilization; and an additional function unit 739 that executes a process received from a server or selects to add additional options.

[0321] In one example, a toggle button E that receives a toggle command allowing the first control panel P to control another laundry processing device or communicate with an external terminal may be defined as a toggle unit 750.

[0322] The power unit 710, the process selector 720, the option selector 730, the execution unit 740, and the toggle unit 750 may be collectively referred to as an input unit 700 because they perform the function of receiving various commands from a user.

[0323] The first control panel P may further include a display unit 800 that can display information corresponding to the input of the input unit 700 to the user, or can visually display guidance information for the user, status information of the laundry processing device, etc.

[0324] The screen P8 in the first control panel P may be defined as the display unit 800.

[0325] The display unit 800 may be divided into a status display 810, a content display 820, and an input display 830 based on functions.

[0326] For example, the status display 810 may display in the form of an icon whether the door 14 is locked, whether the communication module is activated, whether a process or an option is being operated, whether a guidance phrase is being generated, etc.

[0327] In addition, the number of pieces of information to be displayed may be displayed on the status display 810 in the form of an icon or a symbol. For example, a plurality of dots may be arranged spaced apart from each other, and one of the plurality of dots may emit light and display the total number of pieces of information that can be checked on the content display 820.

[0328] The content display 820 can display information about the sensed laundry or the amount of laundry, specific details of the selected process or option, the status of the process or option being executed, and guiding information required by the user as text or an image 821.

[0329] The information about the laundry or the amount of laundry displayed on the content display 820 may include information about the weight of the laundry and the amount of detergent required to process the laundry.

[0330] The content of the selected process displayed on the content display 820 may include the type of process suitable for processing laundry of a specific material or a specific load (what to wash), the duration of the process, the remaining time of the process, etc. Thus, the content display 820 can perform the role of a process display.

[0331] In addition, the content of the selection option displayed on the content display 820 may be information on how to execute the process (how to wash), such as the number of repetitions of cycles such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration performed in the process, the intensity of the cycle, the temperature at which the cycle is performed, etc. The content display 820 can also be used as an option display.

[0332] The content display 820 can display the status and functions of the laundry processing device in detail and variably. Thus, the content display 820 can be larger than the status display 810.

[0333] The input display 830 can emit light to prompt the user to press the input unit 700 or a touch area defined on the display unit 800, etc., and can display guiding text on what content the user can input.

[0334] The display unit 800 can be integrally equipped as a touch panel.

[0335] In addition, in the display unit 800, the content display 820 can be equipped as a liquid crystal display capable of displaying a screen, the status display 810 can be equipped as a plurality of light bulbs capable of selectively emitting light, and the input display 830 can be composed of various devices capable of inputting the user's touch and light bulbs capable of selectively emitting light.

[0336] In one example, the display unit 800 may further include an option display 840, which can display selection information about the option.

[0337] The option display 840 can display option information corresponding to the option selector 730. That is, the option display 840 can be equipped as an area for displaying the conditions of the process selected via the option selector 730.

[0338] The option display 840 can display the rinsing power, dehydration power, and temperature in an objective and single way.

[0339] For example, the option display 840 can be divided into parts corresponding to different levels of the rinsing intensity, dehydration intensity, and water temperature selected by the option selector 730, and the parts corresponding to the set levels can be illuminated. The option display 840 can indicate the current level of the selected option.

[0340] When the content display 820 can display the specific content of the confirmed option, the option display 840 can display the entire range from which a specific option can be selected and the intensity of selecting the specific option.

[0341] In one example, the option display 840 and the option selector 730 can be controlled such that the currently available functions or the functions selected by the user are illuminated, and the functions that cannot be executed by the user or are not selected by the user are turned off.

[0342] Figure 8 An embodiment of the second control panel P2 divided into the interface I is shown.

[0343] The second control panel P2 of the present disclosure may include an input unit 700, and the input unit 700 includes a power unit 710 that receives a power command for supplying power to the laundry treatment device or the control panel P, a process selector 710 that receives a selection command for selecting any process capable of performing laundry treatment, an option selector 730 that receives a selection command for selecting any option of the conditions of the process, and an execution unit 740 that receives an execution command for executing the selected process and option.

[0344] The functions of the respective components of the input unit 700 of the second control panel P2 may be the same as those of the input unit 700 of the first control panel P1.

[0345] In addition, the second control panel P2 may further include a display unit 800, and the display unit 800 can display information corresponding to the input of the input unit 700 to the user, or can visually display guiding information for the user, status information of the laundry treatment device, etc.

[0346] The function of the display unit 800 of the second control panel P2 may be the same as that of the display unit 800 of the first control panel P1.

[0347] In the second control panel P2, a power area P25 can be defined as the power unit 710, an execution area P26 can be defined as the execution unit 740, and a switching area P27 can be defined as the switching unit 750.

[0348] In the second control panel P2, processes and options can be selected via the touch film P23. Therefore, the touch film P23 can be defined as a process selector 720 and an option selector 730.

[0349] In one example, the liquid crystal display P22 can be defined as a display unit 800.

[0350] Specifically, in the second control panel P2, the power unit 710 can include a first power unit 711 that receives a power command for the washing machine 10 and a second power unit 712 that receives a power command for the dryer 20.

[0351] In addition, the execution unit 740 can include a first actuator 741 that receives an execution command for the washing machine 10 and a second actuator 742 that receives an execution command for the dryer 20.

[0352] The switching unit 750 can be provided between the power unit 710 and the display unit 800.

[0353] The liquid crystal display P22 and the touch film P23 are provided to overlap each other. As a result, it can be seen that the display unit 800 and the input unit 700 are separated from each other based on the display area of the liquid crystal display P22.

[0354] For example, in the liquid crystal display P22, a lower region for selecting processes and options can be defined, and an upper region and a central region for displaying various information can be defined.

[0355] In the liquid crystal display P22, the upper region can play the role of a status display 810, and the central region can play the role of a content display 820.

[0356] In the content display 820, information about the sensed laundry or the amount of laundry, specific details of the selected process or option, the status of the process or option being executed, and guiding information required by the user can be displayed as text or an image 821.

[0357] The information about the laundry or the amount of laundry displayed on the content display 820 can include information about the weight of the laundry and the amount of detergent required to process the laundry.

[0358] The content of the selected process displayed on the content display 820 can include the type of process suitable for processing laundry of a specific material or a specific load (what to wash), the duration of the process, the remaining time of the process, etc. Therefore, the content display 820 can play the role of a process display.

[0359] In addition, the content of the selection options displayed on the content display 820 may be information on how to execute a process (how to wash), such as the number of repetitions of cycles such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, etc. performed in the process, the intensity of the cycles, the temperature at which the cycles are performed, etc. The content display 820 may also be used as an option display.

[0360] In one example, in the display unit 800, a process selector 720 and an option selector 730 that can receive selections of a process / option may be provided in the lower region.

[0361] Since the lower region of the display unit 800 receives selections of a process / option, it may be regarded as playing the role of the input display 830.

[0362] The process selector 720 may be displayed at the lower left end of the liquid crystal display P22. When the process selector 720 is pressed, the liquid crystal display P22 may switch to display various processes provided by the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure on at least one of the content display 820, the status display 810, and the input display 830, and a specific process may be selected by sensing that a specific area of the touch film P23 is pressed.

[0363] The option selector 730 may be provided on one side of the process selector 720 on the liquid crystal display P22.

[0364] The rinse regulator 731, the dehydration regulator 732, and the temperature regulator 733 may be arranged separately from each other.

[0365] When any one of the rinse regulator 731, the dehydration regulator 732, and the temperature regulator 733 is pressed, selectable conditions that can be changed may be dispersedly displayed on at least one of the content display 820, the status display 810, and the input display 830 of the liquid crystal display P22, and the option may be changed by sensing that a specific area of the touch film P23 is pressed.

[0366] In one example, since the lower region displays content corresponding to options, it may also be considered to play the role of the option display 840.

[0367] The additional function unit 739 may be provided as a separate input unit. When the additional function unit 739 is pressed, the washing unit 736, the reservation manager 737, and the sterilization unit 738 may be displayed together on the display unit 800 so that additional functions of the process can be input to the touch film P23.

[0368] In one example, the display unit 800 may further include a switching display 850 that indicates whether the information currently displayed on the display unit 800 is related to the washing machine 10 or the dryer 20.

[0369] For example, when the lower part is illuminated, the display unit 800 can display information related to the washing machine 10 provided at the bottom.

[0370] Figure 9 An embodiment of the third control panel P3 divided into the interface I is shown.

[0371] The third control panel P3 of the present disclosure may include an input unit 700, and the input unit 700 includes a power unit 710 that receives a power command for supplying power to the laundry treatment device or the control panel P, a process selector 710 that receives a selection command for selecting any process capable of performing laundry treatment, an option selector 730 that receives a selection command for selecting any option of the conditions of the process, and an execution unit 740 that receives an execution command for executing the selected process and option.

[0372] The functions of the respective components of the input unit 700 of the third control panel P3 may be the same as those of the input unit 700 of the first control panel P1.

[0373] In addition, the third control panel P3 may further include a display unit 800, and the display unit 800 can display information corresponding to the input of the input unit 700 to the user, or can visually display guiding information for the user, status information of the laundry treatment device, etc. to the user.

[0374] The function of the display unit 800 of the third control panel P3 may be the same as that of the display unit 800 of the first control panel P1.

[0375] Specifically, the third control panel P3 may be equipped with the power unit 710 and the execution unit 740 as separate buttons.

[0376] The third control panel P3 may be equipped with a process selector 720 as a knob.

[0377] The process selector 720 may be provided between the power unit 710 and the execution unit 740, and the name of the process corresponding to each scale of the rotation step of the knob may be printed on the surface of the third control panel P3 outside the knob.

[0378] The display unit 800 may be provided at an interval from the process selector 720.

[0379] In one example, the option selector 730 may be provided as a separate button combination by being spaced apart from the process selector 720, and may be provided along the periphery of the display unit 800.

[0380] The process selector 720 may include a standard process unit 721 that selects a standard process to process the laundry at an appropriate intensity and appropriate temperature conditions by selecting the average material of the entire laundry that a user typically processes.

[0381] The average material may be cotton or T-shirt material, the appropriate intensity may be an intensity corresponding to an intermediate level among the intensities provided by the laundry processing device, and the appropriate temperature condition may be a cold water condition.

[0382] The process selector 720 may further include: a heavy-duty process unit 722 that selects a stained laundry process to process the laundry at a higher intensity and higher temperature conditions than the standard process; a baby laundry process unit 723 that selects a baby laundry process to process the laundry made of a softer material than the standard process; an ironing process unit 724 that selects an ironing process that uses hot water or the heater H1 to process the laundry for a longer time than the standard process; a functional process unit 725 that selects a functional process to process functional laundry such as waterproof or Gore-Tex laundry; an allergy process unit 726 that selects an allergy care process that performs sterilization by exposing the laundry to a high temperature of 50 degrees or higher for more than 10 minutes; a steam process unit 727 that selects a steam process that supplies steam to the laundry by heating water via the heater H1 or the like; a speed process unit 728 that selects a fast process that processes the laundry in a shorter execution time than the standard process; a quiet process unit 729 that selects a quiet process that processes the laundry at a lower average drum rotation speed than the standard process; a color process unit 720a that selects a color process that uses a lower temperature or average drum rotation speed than the standard process to prevent color transfer and discoloration of the laundry; a duvet process unit 720b that selects a duvet process to process the laundry made of a material with a higher moisture absorption rate and greater weight than the material of the laundry suitable for the standard process; a wool process unit 720c that selects a wool process that processes the laundry made of a material softer than the material of the laundry suitable for the standard process by minimizing the rotation speed of the drum or minimizing the operation time of the drum; a rinse process unit 720d that selects a rinse process that processes the laundry only with water without using detergent; and a download process unit 720e that selects a special process, such as a process provided by another server or a time process in which the user determines the execution time of the process.

[0383] In one example, the surface of the third control panel P3 may display the process types corresponding to the process selector 720. On the third control panel P3, the type of the process may be indicated by printing, or the type of the process specified via the process selector 720 may be indicated by lighting in a manner such as a light bulb. Therefore, it can be seen that the surface of the third control panel P3 serves as a process display.

[0384] In one example, the option selector 730 may include a wash regulator 734 that can select the wash intensity of the laundry, a rinse regulator 731 that can select the rinse intensity of the laundry, a spin regulator 732 that can select the spin intensity of the laundry, and a temperature regulator 733 that can select the temperature condition of the laundry as a condition setting unit.

[0385] In the display unit 800, the option display 840 may be provided above the wash regulator 734, the rinse regulator 731, the spin regulator 732, and the temperature regulator 733 to externally display the cycle conditions selected via the option selector 730.

[0386] In one example, the option selector 730 may include the following as additional function units 739: a steam unit 7395 that selects the steam option to supply steam to the drum 3, a smart care unit 7396 that selects the remote control option to execute a process using an external terminal, a reservation manager 7397 that selects the option for setting the start time or end time of a process, a tub sterilization unit 7398 that selects the option for cleaning and sterilizing the drum 3 and the tub 2 using high-temperature water and the rotational force of the drum, a turbo jet unit 7391 that selects the option for generating a strong water flow inside by rotating the drum faster during the wash cycle and the rinse cycle, a user setting unit 7392 that selects the option for processing the laundry with the wash intensity, rinse intensity, and spin intensity specified by the user, a wrinkle prevention unit 7393 that selects the option for preventing wrinkles in the laundry by intermittently rotating the drum after the process is completed, a laundry addition unit 7394 that selects the option for allowing the door to be opened during the process to add laundry, etc.

[0387] The display unit 800 may include the above-described status display 810 and content display 820.

[0388] The status display 810 may display the current status of the laundry processing device through various icons as described above, and the content display 820 may display information 821 such as the progress time, expected time, or reservation time of a process in text, numbers, images, etc.

[0389] For example, the content display 820 of the third control panel P3 may be equipped with a plurality of light bulbs that open or close the corresponding area, rather than a liquid crystal display that variably displays the screen.

[0390] Figure 10 Aspects of the laundry processing device of the present disclosure for sensing the amount of laundry based on the above configuration are shown.

[0391] The laundry processing device of the present disclosure may perform laundry amount sensing before pressing the execution unit 740.

[0392] Specifically, when the power unit 710 is pressed or the opening / closing of the sensing door 14 is sensed, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may sense the amount of laundry by rotating the drum 3.

[0393] In addition, when laundry is loaded into the drum 3 and vibrations or the like are transmitted to the driver 80, the drum 3 may rotate less than once immediately to sense the amount of laundry.

[0394] As a result, since the drum 3 rotates less than once, even when the user loads laundry with the door 14 open, the amount of laundry can be sensed without the possibility of the user being injured or the laundry being damaged.

[0395] Therefore, the amount of laundry can be sensed before a process or option is selected using the process selector 720 or before a process or option is executed using the execution unit 740. For the sensed amount of laundry, an appropriate amount of detergent can be recommended, an appropriate process can be recommended, or the expected execution time or completion time of the process can be immediately displayed while the user directly views the display unit 800.

[0396] Therefore, the user can be encouraged to increase the utilization rate of the laundry treatment apparatus, and the user can be accurately notified of the laundry collection time.

[0397] In one example, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may be equipped with a weight sensor in the tub 2, the drum 3, or the driver 80 to directly sense the amount of laundry.

[0398] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure that senses the amount of laundry via the rotation of the drum 3 will be described.

[0399] Referring to Figure 10 (a) therein, due to its own weight, the laundry may be disposed on the bottom surface of the drum 3.

[0400] Referring to Figure 10 When sensing the amount of laundry, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may rotate the drum 3 less than once.

[0401] That is, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may rotate the drum 3 by an angle equal to or less than the angle at which the laundry separates from the inner wall of the drum or the angle at which its arrangement is changed. Therefore, when the position of the laundry in the drum 3 is changed, unnecessary load or impact can be prevented from being transmitted to the driver 32.

[0402] As a result, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure can accurately send the current value applied to or output from the driver 32 to the controller C and accurately calculate the amount of laundry.

[0403] For example, when sensing the amount of laundry, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may rotate the drum within a range of 0 degrees to 90 degrees.

[0404] In one example, the smaller the rotation angle of the drum 3, the shorter the time it takes for the controller C to sense the amount of laundry, and the smaller the error in sensing the laundry weight.

[0405] Therefore, when sensing the amount of laundry, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure can rotate the drum 3 within a range of 10 degrees to 45 degrees.

[0406] As a result, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure can sense the amount of laundry quickly and accurately.

[0407] Therefore, when sensing the pressing of the power unit 710 or the opening / closing of the door 14 before the execution unit 740 is pressed, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure can immediately sense the amount of laundry and display information related to the amount of laundry on the display unit 800.

[0408] Figure 11 A calculation scheme in the sensing of the amount of laundry of the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure is shown.

[0409] Referring to Figure 11 (a) and (b) therein, the controller C can rotate the drum 3 less than once, and in such a process, measure the current value applied to or output from the driver 32.

[0410] The controller C can calculate (process) the amount of laundry based on the current value.

[0411] Specifically, the controller C can use the formula Te = Jdw / dt + Bw + mgrsinθ to sense the amount of laundry.

[0412] Te is the torque value applied to the driver 32, which corresponds to I (current value) × K (driver constant).

[0413] That is, since the driver constant K is a unique value of the driver 32 itself, the controller C can calculate the torque value applied to the driver 32 when sensing the current value I.

[0414] Regarding this, in the case of sinθ in mgrsinθ, since this value decreases exponentially as the rotation angle of the drum decreases, sinθ can be sufficiently ignored when the rotation angle is within the range of 15 degrees to 90 degrees or within the range of 10 degrees to 45 degrees.

[0415] In addition, Bw is the frictional torque, and when the drum 3 rotates, B becomes very small and thus can be ignored.

[0416] As a result, only the formula Te = Jdw / dt can be retained.

[0417] In this regard, since dw / dt is the angular acceleration that rotates the drum, the controller C can sense the angular acceleration during the rotation of the drum when sensing the amount of laundry. The angular acceleration can be directly calculated via the current value applied to the driver 32. A method of calculating the angular acceleration using the current value will be described later.

[0418] Therefore, since both the torque value Te applied to the driver 32 and the angular acceleration dw / dt can be calculated by measuring the current value, the moment of inertia J can be calculated.

[0419] As a result, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure can immediately sense the amount of laundry by identifying the moment of inertia J.

[0420] Figure 12 The basic structure in which the controller C can measure the current value of the driver 32 in the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure is shown.

[0421] Referring to Figure 12 (a) of, the controller C can control the driver 32 by applying current to the driver 32, and can sense the current discharged from the driver 32.

[0422] The controller C controls the driver 32 based on a preset process or option, and the driver 32 rotates the drum 3 in response to a command from the controller C.

[0423] The controller C operates by receiving an operation signal or a control command from the process selector 720, the execution unit 740, or the option selector 730. The washing process and options for performing the washing, rinsing, and dehydration cycles can be selected via the process selector 720 or the option selector 730.

[0424] Therefore, the washing, rinsing, and dehydration cycles can be performed. In addition, the controller C can control the display unit 800 to display the washing process, the washing time, the dehydration time, the rinsing time, the current operation state, and the like.

[0425] The controller C can control the driver 32 to rotate the drum 3 and can also change the rotation speed of the drum 3. Specifically, the controller C can control the driver 32 based on at least one of the current detector 225 that detects the output current flowing through the driver 32 and the position sensor 235 that senses the position of the driver 320. For example, the current detected by the driver 32 or the sensed position signal can be fed back to the controller C, and the controller C can generate a current signal that can appropriately control the driver 32 based on the feedback signal.

[0426] In one example, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may sense the position of the driver 32 by omitting the position sensor 235 and implementing a separate algorithm, such as a known sensorless driver. A sensorless driver 32 may be provided to identify the position of the rotor or stator when the controller C measures the current or voltage output from the driver 32.

[0427] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the controller C controls the driver 32 will be described.

[0428] The driver 32 may be configured as a three-phase motor such that its rotational speed can be controlled, and may be configured as, for example, a BLDC motor.

[0429] Referring to Figure 12 in (b), the controller C may include an inverter 420 and an inverter controller 430 to control the above-described rotor and stator. Additionally, the controller C may further include a converter 410 that supplies input DC power to the inverter 420, etc.

[0430] That is, the controller C may also perform the function of the inverter controller 430. In one example, the inverter controller 430 may be formed separately from the controller C. When the inverter controller 430 outputs a switching control signal Sic of a pulse width modulation (PWM) scheme to the inverter 420, the inverter 420 may perform a high-speed switching operation to supply AC power of a predetermined frequency to the rotor 913 and the stator 911.

[0431] In addition to the converter 410, the inverter 420, and the inverter controller 430, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a DC terminal voltage detector B, a smoothing capacitor C, and an output current detector E. Additionally, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include an input current detector A, a reactor L, etc.

[0432] The reactor L is provided between the commercial AC power supply (vs) 405 and the converter 410, and performs a power factor correction or boost operation. In addition, the reactor L may also perform a function of limiting harmonic currents caused by high-speed switching of the converter 410.

[0433] The input current detector A may detect the input current input from the commercial AC power supply 405. For this purpose, a current transformer (CT), a shunt resistor, etc. may be used as the input current detector A. The detected input current is may be input to the inverter controller 430 as a discrete signal in the form of a pulse.

[0434] Converter 410 converts the power from the commercial AC power supply 405 through the reactor L into DC power and outputs the DC power. In the drawings, the commercial AC power supply 405 is shown as a single-phase AC power supply, but it can also be a three-phase AC power supply. The internal structure of the converter 410 also varies according to the type of the commercial AC power supply 405.

[0435] In one example, the converter 410 can be composed of diodes or the like without a switching element, and can perform a rectification operation without a separate switching operation. For example, in the case of a single-phase AC power supply, four diodes can be used in a bridge configuration, and in the case of a three-phase AC power supply, six diodes can be used in a bridge configuration.

[0436] As the converter 410, a half-bridge converter connected with two switching elements and four diodes can be used, and in the case of a three-phase AC power supply, six switching elements and six diodes can be used. When the converter 410 has a switching element, a boost operation, power factor improvement, and DC power conversion can be performed via the switching operation of the corresponding switching element.

[0437] The smoothing capacitor C smooths the input power and stores the input power. In the figure, one element is illustrated as the smoothing capacitor C, but multiple elements can be provided to ensure the element stability.

[0438] The converter 410 can be connected to the output terminal, but it can also directly input DC power. For example, the DC power from a solar cell can be directly input to the smoothing capacitor C, or can be input after DC-DC conversion. Since the DC power is stored across the smoothing capacitor C, the two terminals of the smoothing capacitor C can also be referred to as DC terminals or DC link terminals.

[0439] The DC terminal voltage detector B can detect the DC terminal voltage Vdc across the smoothing capacitor C. For this purpose, the DC terminal voltage detector B can include a resistance element, an amplifier, etc. The detected DC terminal voltage Vdc can be input to the inverter controller 430 as a discrete signal in the form of a pulse.

[0440] The inverter 420 can include a plurality of inverter switching elements, and can convert the smoothed DC power Vdc into three-phase AC power va, vb, and vc of a predetermined frequency through the on / off operation of the switching elements and output it to the driver 32. In the inverter 420, each of the upper arm switching elements Sa, Sb, Sc is connected in series with each of the lower arm switching elements S'a, S'b, S'c, and a total of three pairs of the upper and lower arm switching elements can be connected in parallel with each other (Sa&S'a, Sb&S'b, Sc&S'c).

[0441] The diode is anti-parallel connected to each of the switching elements Sa, S'a, Sb, S'b, Sc, and S'c.

[0442] The switching elements in the inverter 420 perform on / off operations based on the inverter switching control signal Sic from the inverter controller 430. Thereby, three-phase AC power of a predetermined frequency is output to the driver 32.

[0443] The inverter controller 430 can control the switching operation of the inverter 420. To this end, the inverter controller 430 can receive the output current io detected by the output current detector E.

[0444] The inverter controller 430 outputs the inverter switching control signal Sic to the inverter 420 to control the switching operation of the inverter 420. The inverter switching control signal Sic, as a switching control signal of the pulse width modulation (PWM) scheme, is generated and output based on the output current value io detected by the output current detector E.

[0445] The controller C can sense the state inside the drum by sensing the output current value io detected by the current detector 220. In addition, the controller C can sense the state inside the drum based on the position signal H sensed by the position sensor 235. For example, while the drum 3 is rotating, the amount of laundry, the dehydration rate, the moisture content, etc. can be sensed based on the output current value io of the driver 32. In addition, the controller C can sense the eccentricity of the drum 3, that is, the imbalance UB of the drum 3. This eccentricity sensing can be performed based on the ripple component of the current io detected by the current detector 220 or the change in the rotational speed of the drum 3.

[0446] In addition, the controller C can sense the state inside the drum by sensing the input current value input to the inverter controller. The processes and calculation methods for sensing the state inside the drum via the current value will be described later.

[0447] The output current detector E can detect the output current io flowing between the inverter 420 and the three-phase driver 32. The output current detector E detects the current flowing through the driver 32. The output current detector E can detect all the output currents ia, ib, ic of each phase, or can also detect the output currents of two phases using three-phase balance.

[0448] The output current detector E can be located between the inverter 420 and the driver 32, and current detection can use a current transformer (CT), a shunt resistor, etc. When using a shunt resistor, three shunt resistors can be configured between the inverter 420 and the driver 32, or their respective terminals can be connected to the three lower-arm switching elements S'a, S'b, S'c of the inverter 420 respectively.

[0449] In one example, three-phase balance is used, and two shunt resistors can also be used. Additionally, when using one shunt resistor, a corresponding shunt resistor can be set between the capacitor C and the inverter 420 described above.

[0450] The detected output current io can be applied to the inverter controller 430 as a discrete signal in the form of a pulse, and an inverter switch control signal Sic is generated based on the detected output current io. Hereinafter, the case where the detected output current io corresponds to the three-phase output currents ia, ib, and ic will be described.

[0451] In one example, the three-phase driver 32 has a stator and a rotor, and three-phase AC voltages of a specific frequency are applied to the coils of the a, b, and c phases of the stator to rotate the rotor.

[0452] Such a driver 32 can include a surface-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor (SMPMSM), an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM), a synchronous reluctance motor (Synrm), etc. Among them, SMPMSM and IPMSM are permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM), and Synrm has no permanent magnets.

[0453] In one example, when the converter 410 includes a switching element, the inverter controller 430 can control the switching operation of the switching element in the converter 410. To this end, the inverter controller 430 can receive the input current detected by the input current detector A. In addition, the inverter controller 430 can output a converter switch control signal Scc to the converter 410 to control the switching operation of the converter 410. Such a converter switch control signal Scc, which is a switching control signal in the pulse width modulation (PWM) scheme, can be generated and output based on the input current detected from the input current detector A.

[0454] In one example, the position sensor 235 can sense the rotor position of the driver 32. To this end, the position sensor 235 can include a Hall sensor. The sensed rotor position H is input to the inverter controller 430 and is used as a basis for speed calculation and the like.

[0455] Figure 12 Figure (c) shows an embodiment of the specific circuit structure in which the inverter controller 430 controls the driver 32. The inverter controller 430 can include an axis converter 510, a speed calculator 520, a current command generator 530, a voltage command generator 540, an axis converter 550, and a switch control signal output unit 560.

[0456] The axis converter 510 can receive the three-phase output currents ia, ib, and ic detected by the output current detector E, and convert them into two-phase currents Iα and Iβ in the stationary coordinate system. The axis converter 510 can convert the two-phase currents Iα and Iβ in the stationary coordinate system into two-phase currents id and iq in the rotating coordinate system.

[0457] The speed calculator 520 can calculate the speed based on the position signal H of the rotor input from the position sensor 235. That is, the speed can be calculated by dividing the position signal by time. The speed calculator 520 can output the calculated position and the calculated speed based on the input position signal H of the rotor.

[0458] The current command generator 530 generates a current command value i*q based on the calculated speed w and the speed command value ω*r. For example, in the current command generator 530, the PI controller 535 can perform PI control based on the difference between the calculated speed w and the speed command value ω*r, and generate the current command value iq. In the figure, as the current command value, the q-axis current command value i*q is illustrated, but different from the figure, the d-axis current command value i*d can also be generated together. In one example, the value of the d-axis current command value i*d can be set to 0.

[0459] In one example, the current command generator 530 may further include a limiter (not shown) that limits the level of the current command value i*q so as not to exceed the allowable range. Then, the voltage command generator 540 generates d-axis and q-axis voltage command values v*d and v*q based on the d-axis and q-axis currents id and iq that have been axis-converted by the axis converter in the two-phase rotating coordinate system, and the current command values i*d and i*q in the current command generator 530, etc. For example, the voltage command generator 540 can perform PI control in the PI controller 544 and generate the q-axis voltage command value v*q based on the difference between the q-axis current iq and the q-axis current command value i*q. In addition, the voltage command generator 540 can perform PI control in the PI controller 548 and generate the d-axis voltage command value v*d based on the difference between the d-axis current id and the d-axis current command value i*d. In one example, the value of the d-axis voltage command value v*d can be set to 0 in response to the case where the value of the d-axis current command value i*d is set to 0.

[0460] In one example, the voltage command generator 540 may further include a limiter (not shown) that limits the levels of the d-axis voltage command value v*d and the q-axis voltage command value v*q so as not to exceed the allowable range.

[0461] In one example, the generated d-axis voltage command value v*d and q-axis voltage command value v*q are input to the axis converter 550.

[0462] The axis converter 550 receives the position Q calculated by the speed calculator 520, the d-axis voltage command value v*d, and the q-axis voltage command value v*q, and performs axis conversion. First, the axis converter 550 performs conversion from a two-phase rotating coordinate system to a two-phase stationary coordinate system. In this regard, the position Q calculated by the speed calculator 520 can be used.

[0463] Then, the axis converter 550 performs conversion from a two-phase stationary coordinate system to a three-phase stationary coordinate system. Through such conversion, the axis converter 1050 outputs three-phase output voltage command values v*a, v*b, v*c.

[0464] The switch control signal output unit 560 generates an inverter switch control signal Sic based on the PWM (pulse width modulation) scheme based on the three-phase output voltage command values v*a, v*b, v*c and outputs it.

[0465] The output inverter switch control signal Sic can be converted into a gate operation signal by a gate driver (not shown) and can be input to the gates of each switching element in the inverter 420. Thereby, the switching elements Sa, S'a, Sb, S'b, Sc, S'c in the inverter 420 perform switching operations respectively.

[0466] In one example, the switch control signal output unit 560 can generate and output an inverter switch control signal Sic that mixes a two-phase pulse width modulation scheme and a three-phase pulse width modulation scheme related to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0467] For example, an inverter switch control signal Sic of a three-phase pulse width modulation scheme can be generated and output during the subsequent acceleration rotation, and an inverter switch control signal Sic of a two-phase pulse width modulation scheme can be generated and output during the constant speed rotation to detect the back electromotive force.

[0468] Figure 13 An embodiment is shown in which the controller C senses the amount of laundry via acceleration and deceleration of the drum.

[0469] The laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a sensing step F of sensing the amount of laundry in the drum 3 before executing a washing cycle, before executing a rinsing cycle, and before executing a dehydration cycle.

[0470] To this end, the controller C may execute an acceleration step F1 of accelerating the drum 3, a deceleration step F2 of decelerating the drum 3, and a laundry amount sensing step F3 of sensing the amount of laundry accommodated in the drum via the acceleration measurement value of the driver 32 during the acceleration step and the deceleration measurement value of the driver during the deceleration step.

[0471] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure senses an acceleration measurement value measured by or applied to the driver 32 when accelerating the driver 32, and senses a deceleration measurement value measured by or applied to the driver 32 when decelerating the driver 32. Then, the acceleration measurement value and the deceleration measurement value are calculated to sense the amount of laundry accommodated in the drum 3.

[0472] The acceleration measurement value and the deceleration measurement value may be command values applied to the driver 32 during operation of the driver 32, or may be measurement values measured by the driver 32 during operation of the driver 32.

[0473] For example, the command value may be a current command value or a voltage command value derived from a PI controller 535 for operating the driver 32, and the measurement value may be a current value or a voltage value of the driver 32 itself measured by a position sensor 235 or a current detector 225.

[0474] Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure can significantly shorten the time required to sense the amount of laundry by omitting the step of operating the driver 32 at a constant speed.

[0475] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure can not only save the process of maintaining the driver 32 at a constant speed, but also save the energy and time required to maintain the constant speed. In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure can completely ignore the friction of the driver 32 itself that should be overcome when the driver 32 is maintained at a constant speed during the calculation process.

[0476] When the controller C senses the amount of laundry and uses the command value, the controller C does not need to feedback the actual situation to the driver 32 or consider the actual operation situation of the driver 32. Therefore, the controller C can be made simple and easy to calculate the amount of laundry value. In addition, since the calculation formula for calculating the amount of laundry becomes simple, the amount of laundry value can be obtained quickly.

[0477] Specifically, the acceleration measurement value may include an acceleration current value Iq_Acc measured by the driver 32, and the deceleration measurement value may include a deceleration current value Iq_Dec measured by the driver 32.

[0478] The acceleration current value may include a current command value Iq*_Acc for rotating the driver 32 during the acceleration step, and the deceleration current value may include a current command value Iq*_Dec for rotating the driver 32 during the deceleration step.

[0479] In one example, when using the measurement value while the controller C senses the amount of laundry, the actual situation is reflected as it is in the driver 32, so that the amount of laundry value can be accurately obtained.

[0480] In addition, the command value appears only when the driver 32 is operated or actively controlled by being powered on. Therefore, when using the measured value, the following advantages exist: Even when the power supply to the driver 32 is cut off or the driver 32 is not actively controlled, data for sensing the amount of laundry can be obtained.

[0481] The laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure can decelerate the driver 32 by a dynamic braking scheme or the like by cutting off power in the deceleration step F2. Therefore, the algorithm for controlling the deceleration step F2 can be omitted, and the energy for the deceleration step F2 can be saved.

[0482] In addition, since power is cut off in the deceleration step F2, the voltage command value can be 0. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the amount of laundry can be sensed via a calculation that uses only current and does not include voltage.

[0483] That is, the control method of the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure can ignore or not use the voltage command value or the voltage value itself, and use only the current value, such that the calculation formula for sensing the amount of laundry can be very simple. Because the calculation formula is simple, the calculation can be performed quickly and accurately, such that the amount of laundry can be accurately sensed.

[0484] Specifically, data and algorithms (hereinafter referred to as calculation formulas) for calculating the acceleration measurement value and the deceleration measurement value can be stored in the controller C. The calculation formula may not use the voltage value from the beginning. Therefore, since it is not necessary to calculate the back electromotive force, in the present disclosure, the constant speed rotation step of the driver 32 can be omitted.

[0485] For example, the calculation formula of the present disclosure can be provided as follows.

[0486]

[0487] It can be calculated using the following formula. P and Ke are constant values of the driver 32 itself, which can be measured by the controller C, and the denominator corresponds to the difference between the speed change amount in the acceleration step and the speed change amount in the deceleration step.

[0488] The speed change amount can be measured by the controller C via the position sensor 235, which calculates by measuring the time until acceleration or deceleration is performed, or senses immediately by measuring current or the like.

[0489] Therefore, in the present disclosure, the amount of laundry can be immediately calculated by measuring only the acceleration output current value Iq_Acc during acceleration and the deceleration output current value Iq_Dec during deceleration. That is, it can be considered that the acceleration current value includes the acceleration output current value Iq_Acc output from the driver during the acceleration step, and the deceleration current value includes the deceleration output current value Iq_Dec output from the driver during the deceleration step.

[0490] Additionally, the average value Iqe_Acc of the current value measured by the driver during the acceleration step can be applied to the acceleration output current value, and the average value Iqe_Dec of the current value measured by the driver during the deceleration step can be applied to the deceleration output current value.

[0491] In either case, the amount of laundry can be calculated using only one factor, and the factors of the current value and the voltage value can be omitted, so that the calculation of the amount of laundry can be simplified, and the calculation speed and accuracy of the amount of laundry can be improved.

[0492] Therefore, even when the duration of the acceleration step is very short or the duration of the deceleration step is very short, the amount of laundry can be accurately sensed, so that the time required for the laundry amount sensing itself can be further reduced.

[0493] In one example, the laundry processing device of the present disclosure measures the amount of laundry by immediately performing deceleration after acceleration. Therefore, the time required for measuring the amount of laundry itself is very short, and the laundry in the drum 3 cannot move during this period. Therefore, since the amount of laundry can be sensed within a short period of time while the state of the laundry remains unchanged, the accuracy of the laundry amount calculation can be further improved.

[0494] In one example, the calculation formula applied to the laundry amount sensing in the present disclosure uses the difference between the current value in the acceleration step and the current value in the deceleration step. Therefore, the frictional force of the driver in the acceleration step and the frictional force of the driver in the deceleration step become equal to each other, so that the current compensation formulas considering the frictional force cancel each other out. Therefore, the laundry amount sensing control method of the laundry processing device of the present disclosure does not need to consider the frictional force of the driver 32, so that the process of compensating or adjusting the frictional force can be omitted. Additionally, since the laundry amount sensing in the present disclosure does not use the voltage value, the process of compensating or adjusting the error of the voltage value can be omitted, and since the constant speed process is omitted, the process of compensating or adjusting the movement of the laundry and the frictional force of the driver 32 can be omitted. As a result, the laundry amount sensing control method of the laundry processing device of the present disclosure can sense the amount of laundry very quickly and accurately, because the amount of laundry is immediately derived when the input current value is input, and there is no process for compensating or adjusting the amount of laundry.

[0495] Therefore, the load on the controller C can be reduced, the controller C can be replaced with a relatively simple configuration, or the performance of the controller C can be utilized in other ways.

[0496] In one example, it can be seen from the calculation formula that the acceleration measurement value can further include the amount of speed change in the acceleration step F1, and the deceleration measurement value can further include the amount of speed change in the deceleration step F2.

[0497] The change in speed of the acceleration step F1 and the change in speed of the deceleration step F2 are only necessary for obtaining the difference in inertia between the acceleration step F1 and the deceleration step F2. It is not necessary to separately measure voltage values, etc., and furthermore, it is not necessary to perform compensation or adjustment processing.

[0498] To explain the above in more detail, the above calculation formula is derived through the following calculation formula.

[0499] where

[0500] In this regard, since the amount of laundry is calculated from the difference between the acceleration inertia and the deceleration inertia, a change in speed is required.

[0501] Therefore, when measuring the acceleration measurement value and the deceleration measurement value within the same RPM cycle of the drum, the ranges of speed change are equal to each other, so that the calculation can be simplified. That is, it is desirable for the acceleration step F1 and the deceleration step F2 to share the same speed band.

[0502] In one example, the control method of the laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure senses the amount of laundry by performing the acceleration step F1 and the deceleration step F2 and using the current command value or current value measured by the driver 32.

[0503] In this regard, since the calculation formula uses the current value, the deceleration step F2 can be first performed, and then the acceleration step F1 can be performed to measure the current value and sense the amount of laundry via the same calculation formula.

[0504] In one example, the sensing step F3 may perform a preparation step F0 for checking the position of the driver 32 to set a reference value for performing the acceleration step F1 and the deceleration step F2. In the preparation step F0, the drum 3 may be in a stationary state.

[0505] The acceleration step F1 may further accelerate the drum that is stationary in the preparation step FO to the first rpm, and the deceleration step F2 may decelerate the drum from the first rpm. That is, the acceleration step F1 and the deceleration step F2 may be performed continuously. Since the deceleration step F2 only involves reducing the current command value toward the driver 32 in the acceleration step F1 or cutting off the voltage applied to the driver 32, there is no concern about damage to the controller C or the circuit.

[0506] In this regard, the acceleration measurement value and the deceleration measurement value may be measured within a range between the first rpm and a second rpm lower than the first rpm. That is, the amount of laundry can be sensed by measuring the current value in the period band including the vertex in the speed graph. This has the advantage of minimizing the cases where errors may occur because the amount of laundry is sensed by measuring the current value in a continuous situation.

[0507] In one example, the acceleration measurement value and the deceleration measurement value can be measured within a range between a second rpm lower than the first rpm and a third rpm higher than the second rpm and lower than the first rpm. That is, the amount of laundry can be sensed by measuring the current value in the same speed cycle band, although it is not a cycle including a peak. This has the advantage of improving the accuracy of laundry amount calculation by measuring a stable current value, because the speed changes the most at the peak.

[0508] In one example, the first rpm can be set to an rpm lower than the fixed rpm at which the laundry to be accommodated in the drum 3 adheres to the inner wall of the drum 3. That is, the first rpm can be relatively lower than the rpm applied in the washing, rinsing, and dehydration cycles.

[0509] In this case, the process of the controller C directly calculating the moment of inertia and the process of comparing the moment of inertia with the laundry amount data stored in the storage unit S to extract the moment of inertia can be omitted.

[0510] The amount of current applied in the acceleration step F1 can be defined as the first amount of current, and the amount of current applied in the deceleration step F2 can be defined as the second amount of current. The controller C can sense the amount of laundry via the first amount of current and the second amount of current.

[0511] Figure 14 An embodiment of a laundry processing apparatus according to the present disclosure that uses a laundry amount sensing scheme based on the foregoing structure and scheme is shown.

[0512] Figure 14 (a) in shows an embodiment that basically uses the above-described laundry amount sensing scheme.

[0513] When the power unit 710 of the laundry processing apparatus according to the present disclosure is pressed, power can be supplied to the water supply device 23, the driver 32, the drainage device 25, etc., and power can also be supplied to the controller C.

[0514] The controller C can be set to sense the amount of laundry when the power unit 710 is pressed and power is supplied.

[0515] That is, the laundry processing apparatus according to the present disclosure can have pressing the power unit 710 as a prerequisite for sensing the amount of laundry.

[0516] Therefore, even when the user opens the door 14, puts laundry into the drum 3, and closes the door 14 before pressing the power unit 710, the controller C can immediately sense the amount of laundry.

[0517] The controller C can calculate the expected time required to execute a specific process or option based on the amount of laundry.

[0518] To this end, the controller C can identify the expected time corresponding to the amount of laundry.

[0519] In addition, the controller C can organize the amount of detergent required when executing any process or option based on the amount of laundry as data. The controller C can calculate the amount of detergent required when washing the laundry using the process or option.

[0520] For example, the laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure can perform a power supply step A1 of supplying power by pressing the power unit 710 of the laundry processing apparatus, and a laundry amount sensing step A2 of sensing the amount of laundry accommodated in the drum 3 when performing the power supply step A1.

[0521] In other words, the laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure can sense the amount of laundry before pressing the execution unit 740, rather than after pressing the execution unit 740.

[0522] When the amount of laundry is sensed in the laundry amount sensing step A2, an information display step A3 can be performed, and the information display step A3 displays at least one of the amount of laundry, the expected execution time of the process or option for washing the laundry, and the amount of detergent required for the process or option on the display unit 800.

[0523] In the information display step A3, the execution time corresponding to the standard process or standard option corresponding to the preset amount of laundry can be displayed.

[0524] The user can identify the amount of laundry and the execution time of the preset process or option displayed in the information display step A3, compare them with their schedule, and identify the amount of detergent.

[0525] In other words, the laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure can identify the information related to the amount of laundry before pressing the execution unit 740, select the desired process and option, and press the execution unit 740. That is, when the user is satisfied with the information displayed in the information display step A3, the user can press the execution unit 740. The controller C can perform an execution input step A6 of sensing that the execution unit 740 is pressed.

[0526] When the execution input step A6 is performed, the controller C can control the lock to lock the door 14 to the cabinet 1, thereby preventing the door 14 from being opened arbitrarily.

[0527] When the execution input step A6 is performed, the controller C can perform one or more of a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a dehydration cycle based on the setting of the process or option.

[0528] However, after the user identifies at least one of the amount of laundry, the execution time of a preset process or option, and the amount of detergent in the information display step A3, the process setting step A4 of selecting a process and an option via the process selector 720 and the option selector 730 can be further executed.

[0529] That is, the user can select any process or option instead of the standard process that is executed by default.

[0530] For example, the user can identify the amount of laundry via the process setting step A4, then press one or more of the process selector 720 and the option selector 730, and can identify the execution time associated with the amount of laundry, and then press one or more of the process selector 720 and the option selector 730 to change the process or option.

[0531] When the process setting step A4 is executed, the controller C can execute the change display step A5, which recalculates the expected execution time or the amount of washing detergent of the changed process or option corresponding to the amount of laundry and sends it to the screen P8.

[0532] In the change display step A5, one or more of the expected execution time of the changed process or option and the changed amount of washing detergent can be displayed on the screen P8.

[0533] When it is determined that the expected execution time or the amount of washing detergent is appropriate, the user can press the execution unit 740, and when the expected execution time or the amount of washing detergent is inappropriate, the user can re-press at least one of the process selector 720 and the option selector 730.

[0534] The controller C can execute the execution input step A6 of sensing the pressing of the execution unit 740.

[0535] However, when the re-pressing of one or more of the process selector 720 and the option selector 730 is sensed, the process setting step A4 and the change display step A5 can be executed again.

[0536] As a result, the laundry processing device of the present disclosure can complete the laundry amount sensing before the user selects and executes the final process and option. In addition, by rotating the drum less than once to calculate the amount of laundry within 3 seconds, information about the amount of laundry can be provided before pressing one or more of the process selector 720 and the option selector 730.

[0537] For example, at the time point when the power unit 710 is pressed and the display unit 800 is started, the laundry amount sensing can have been completed, and information corresponding to the amount of laundry can be provided to the user.

[0538] Therefore, while identifying information about the amount of laundry, the user can identify the expected time of the most suitable process and options at the current time point, etc., and set the optimal process and options, or inject the optimal amount of detergent.

[0539] Figure 14 (b) of shows Figure 14 An extended embodiment of the control method in (a) of.

[0540] When the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure receives a command from the power unit P46, it may perform a power input step A1 of supplying power to one or more of the controller C, the driver 32, the water supply device 23, the drainage device 25, and the control panel 16.

[0541] When performing the power input step A1, the laundry treatment apparatus may perform a laundry amount sensing step A2 of sensing the amount of laundry.

[0542] The method of sensing the amount of laundry in the laundry amount sensing step A2 is the method of rotating the drum less than once as described above.

[0543] In this regard, the controller C may also perform a laundry sensing step A2-1 of sensing whether laundry is contained in the drum 3. In the laundry sensing step A2-1, when there is laundry in the drum 3, the control method in (a) of may be performed Figure 13 can be performed.

[0544] However, when no laundry is contained in the drum 3, the controller C may perform a door open / close sensing step A2-2 of waiting for the door 14 to open and close.

[0545] That is, when the amount of laundry is not sensed, the controller C may wait until the opening / closing of the door is sensed.

[0546] Regarding this point, when performing the door open / close sensing step A2-2, the controller C may perform the laundry amount sensing step A2 again to additionally sense the amount of laundry.

[0547] Therefore, when laundry is contained in the drum 3 before pressing the power unit 710, the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure can immediately sense the amount of laundry. However, when no laundry is contained in the drum 3 before pressing the power unit 710, the amount of laundry can be sensed by waiting for the laundry to be put into the drum 3.

[0548] In other words, in principle, the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure can immediately perform laundry amount sensing when the power unit 710 is pressed and power is supplied to the controller C.

[0549] Therefore, when the user first places the laundry into the drum 3 and then presses the power unit 710, the controller C can perform laundry quantity sensing.

[0550] However, when there is no laundry in the drum 3 before pressing the power unit 710, the controller C can perform laundry quantity sensing by waiting for the door to open or close. In one example, it can be sensed whether there is laundry in the laundry quantity sensing scheme. In this regard, when no laundry quantity is sensed, the laundry quantity may not be displayed on the display unit 800.

[0551] In one example, when the opening / closing of the door 14 is sensed after pressing the power unit 710, the controller C can determine that laundry has been input and perform laundry quantity sensing. In one example, when no laundry quantity is sensed, the laundry quantity may not be displayed, or information indicating that there is no laundry inside may be displayed on the display unit 800.

[0552] When there is a sensed laundry quantity, the laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure can display at least one of the weight information of the laundry, the execution time of the process and options corresponding to the laundry quantity, and the required amount of detergent on the display unit 800.

[0553] Therefore, the laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure can sense the laundry quantity before pressing the execution unit 740 and send information such as the execution time of the process or options and the required amount of detergent to the user.

[0554] Figure 15 A control method for skipping laundry quantity sensing in the laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure is shown.

[0555] As described above, the laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure can sense the laundry quantity before executing a process using the execution unit 740.

[0556] The laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure can store the sensed laundry quantity in the storage unit S, and when a process is selected using the process selector 720, can accurately calculate the expected execution time of the process based on the stored laundry quantity.

[0557] The laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure can be configured to store and continuously utilize the laundry quantity stored in the storage unit S until the door is opened and closed or until the laundry quantity is sensed again.

[0558] Therefore, when the laundry quantity is sensed once and stored in the storage unit S, the laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure can skip sensing the laundry quantity until the door 14 is opened and closed again, or until the laundry quantity is sensed again and the laundry quantity in the storage unit S is updated.

[0559] Therefore, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure can skip the process of sensing the amount of laundry to prevent washing delay, and can skip the rotation of the rotary drum or apply a load to the controller C when sensing the amount of laundry to improve energy efficiency.

[0560] Referring Figure 15 , the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure can perform a laundry amount sensing step C1 of sensing the amount of laundry by rotating the rotary drum 3 even before pressing the power unit 710 or opening and closing the door 14, and even before pressing the execution unit 740.

[0561] The laundry amount sensing step C1 can even be performed before selecting a process using the process selector 720.

[0562] When the sensing of the amount of laundry is completed in the laundry amount sensing step C1, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure can perform a laundry amount storage step C2 of storing the laundry amount data in the storage unit S.

[0563] The laundry amount storage step C2 can be a step in which the controller C stores one or more of the amount of laundry accommodated in the drum 3 itself, the material of the laundry, and the amount of detergent required to process the corresponding amount of laundry in the storage unit S.

[0564] The storage unit S can be connected to the controller C to receive power, but the storage unit S can be configured to receive power separately from the controller C.

[0565] The storage unit S can be configured to supply backup power for the laundry treatment apparatus and retain data on the amount of laundry.

[0566] Alternatively, the storage unit S can be configured to be continuously powered from the control panels P1, P2, P3 coupled to the cabinet. The storage unit S can be installed in the control panel.

[0567] Alternatively, the storage unit S can be configured to be continuously powered by connecting to the communication module of the laundry treatment apparatus.

[0568] The control panels P1, P2, P3 or the communication module can be configured to be continuously supplied with backup power even when the power supply to the controller C is cut off.

[0569] Thus, the control panels P1, P2, P3 can sense the pressing of the power unit 710 even when power is not supplied to the driver 32, the controller C, etc.

[0570] In addition, the communication module can be configured to communicate continuously with a server or the like even when the power supply to the driver 32, the controller C, etc. is cut off, and thus can always be supplied with backup power.

[0571] Alternatively, the storage unit S may be provided as an inactive memory in which the amount-of-laundry data can be continuously stored even when the power supply is cut off until the stored amount-of-laundry data is updated by other data.

[0572] Thus, even when the power supply to the laundry processing apparatus or the controller C is cut off, the storage unit S can store the amount-of-laundry data sensed in the amount-of-laundry sensing step C1 and maintain the corresponding state.

[0573] In addition, the storage unit S may be provided in the sensor M. The storage unit S may also be provided to store the history of whether the door 14 has been opened and closed for the cabinet 1.

[0574] The sensor M may be provided to sufficiently sense whether the door 14 is opened and closed even when standby power is flowing in the laundry processing apparatus.

[0575] Therefore, the storage unit S can receive and store the open / close history of the door by being connected to the sensor M or via the controller C when powered.

[0576] Alternatively, the sensor M may be provided to store the open / close history of the door 14 and send it to the controller C or the storage unit S immediately or later. For example, the sensor M may include a physical switch capable of sensing whether the door is opened and closed, and may be provided such that when the laundry processing apparatus is powered, the controller C can sense the switch state of the sensor M and identify the open / close history of the door.

[0577] Thus, even when the power supply to the laundry processing apparatus or the controller C is cut off, the storage unit S can store the open / close history of the door, or the controller C can identify the open / close history of the door 14 when powered again.

[0578] The laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a power-off step C3 of cutting off the power supply to the laundry processing apparatus when the process is completed. The power-off step C3 may also be performed when the power unit 710 is pressed.

[0579] When the main power supply is cut off via the power-off step C3, the energy consumption can be minimized.

[0580] In one example, in the power-off step C3, standby power may be allowed to flow. The standby power may be power that can start the control panels P1, P2, and P3, or may be power for sensing the pressing of the power unit 710.

[0581] In addition, the backup power supply flowing in the power-off step C3 can be supplied to one or more of the communication module, the control panels P1, P2, P3, the storage unit S, and the sensor M. Thus, even when in a power-off state, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present disclosure can download a program or be remotely controlled via a server or an external terminal, and maintain the storage state of the laundry amount and the door open / close history.

[0582] In one example, a power-on step C4 of receiving a power command for power supply when the power unit 710 is pressed again can be performed.

[0583] When performing the power-on step C4, the controller C can perform a sensing step C5 of sensing whether there is a door open / close history.

[0584] When the door open / close history is not received from the storage unit S or the sensor M, the controller C can perform an information display step C7 of importing the laundry amount stored in the storage unit S and displaying information about the laundry amount on the display unit 800.

[0585] The information display step C7 can be directly performed without rotating the drum 3. In other words, when power is supplied to the controller C, the laundry amount sensing step itself can be skipped, so that information about the laundry amount can be directly displayed on the display unit 800 without the drum 3 itself rotating.

[0586] The information about the laundry amount can include at least one of information about the laundry amount itself sensed in the laundry amount sensing step C1, the amount of detergent required to process the corresponding amount of laundry, and the expected time for performing a standard process on the corresponding amount of laundry.

[0587] The controller C can perform a process input step C8 of receiving a selection command for selecting a process using the process selector 720.

[0588] When no process is selected in the process input step C8, the controller C can assume that the standard process has been automatically selected.

[0589] When performing the process input step C8, the controller C can perform an execution input step C9 of receiving an execution command for executing the selected process by the execution unit 740.

[0590] When the execution unit 740 is pressed, the controller C can perform a process execution step C10 of sending an execution command for executing the selected process to each component of the laundry treatment apparatus to execute the process.

[0591] Thus, when performing the laundry amount sensing step C1, the subsequent laundry amount sensing steps can be skipped regardless of the power-on / off state, and directly proceed to the process execution step C10 without rotating the drum 3.

[0592] However, when there is an opening / closing history of the door in the sensing step C5, the controller C may execute a resensing step C6 of resensing the amount of laundry. The resensing step C6 is a step of sensing the amount of laundry via the load of the drive 32 by rotating the drum 3. Therefore, information about the resensed amount of laundry can be displayed in the information display step C7.

[0593] Regarding this point, the opening / closing history of the door 14 may include not only the opening / closing history of the door 14 generated between the power-off step C3 and the power-on step C4, but also the opening / closing history of the door 14 generated after the power-on step C4 and before the execution of the input step C9.

[0594] The laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure may be configured to immediately execute the resensing step C6 when the door 14 is opened and closed.

[0595] Figure 16 Another control method for skipping the laundry amount sensing in the laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure is shown.

[0596] The laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure may be configured to, when the execution of a certain process is temporarily suspended by pressing the execution unit 740 or the like during the execution of a certain process, use the process selector 720 to select another process.

[0597] The laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure can change the process to another process based on the user's intention and execute the other process even when a specific process has been executed.

[0598] In one example, when water is being supplied or has been supplied during the execution of a process, when the amount of laundry is resensed when water is absorbed in the laundry, the amount of laundry may be over-sensed. When the process is executed with the over-sensed amount of laundry, not only the amount of water supplied increases, but also the execution time of the process may increase excessively, and the energy consumption may also increase excessively.

[0599] To prevent this, when there is no opening / closing history of the door 14 and the laundry amount sensing has been performed, the laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure may immediately execute the changed process without resensing the amount of laundry even when the process is changed. As a result, the laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure can prevent washing delay while preventing waste of water and energy.

[0600] Specifically, the laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure may execute a process execution step D1 of processing the laundry in the selected process.

[0601] In the process execution step D1, the lock L may lock the door 14.

[0602] In addition, in the process execution step D1, one or more of the process selector 720, the option selector 730, and the display unit 800 can be deactivated without pressing.

[0603] In the process execution step D1, a pause step D2 of receiving a stop command of the process from the execution unit 740 or the like can be executed.

[0604] When the pause step D2 is executed, the locking of the door 14 can be released. In one example, when water is contained in the bucket 2, the locking of the door 14 will be maintained.

[0605] In the pause step D2, the process selector 720 and the option selector 730 can be activated to be pressed.

[0606] Therefore, the controller C can execute a change sensing step D3 of sensing whether the process or the option changes when the process selector 720 and the option selector 730 are pressed.

[0607] In the change sensing step D3, when an execution input step D8 of pressing the execution unit 740 again is executed without changing the process / option, a process re-execution step D9 of re-executing the process can be executed.

[0608] However, when a change in the process / option is sensed in the change sensing step D3, an opening / closing sensing step D4 of sensing whether there is an opening / closing history of the door can be executed.

[0609] The opening / closing sensing step D4 can be a step in which the controller C identifies whether there is an opening and closing of the door in the sensor M.

[0610] When the sensor M senses the opening and closing of the door, the controller C can execute a re-sensing step D5 of re-sensing the amount of laundry via the current value applied to or output from the driver 32 by rotating the drum 3.

[0611] When sensing the amount of laundry in the re-sensing step D5, the controller C can execute an information display step D7 of displaying information about the re-sensed amount of laundry on the display unit 800.

[0612] After that, when the execution input step D8 is executed, a process execution step D9 of executing the changed process and option with the changed amount of laundry can be executed.

[0613] In one example, in the opening / closing sensing step D4, even if the process or the option does not change, the door can be opened and closed. In this case, the re-sensing step D5 and the information display step D7 can also be performed.

[0614] In addition, in the opening / closing sensing step D4, there are sometimes cases where the door is not opened and closed even if there is a change in the process or option. In such a case, the information display step D7 can be executed to immediately display information about the changed process or option.

[0615] The information display step D7 can display information about the process or option based on the amount of laundry initially sensed. For example, in the information display step D7, the name of the changed process or option, the changed item, and the expected execution time of the process or option corresponding to the previous amount of laundry can be displayed on the display unit 800.

[0616] When there is no opening and closing of the door in the opening / closing sensing step D4, even when the process or option changes, the re-sensing step D5 can be skipped and the information display step D7 can be immediately executed.

[0617] The laundry processing apparatus of the present disclosure can use the laundry amount data stored in the storage unit S as it is when first executing the process, in the case where there is no change in the amount of laundry even if the process or option is changed and the door is not opened and closed.

[0618] After the information display step D7, the execution input step D8 and the process execution step D9 are executed so that the laundry processing apparatus can operate again using the changed process or option.

Claims

1. A laundry treatment device, the laundry treatment device comprising: A cabinet, an opening being defined in the cabinet; A door configured to open and close the opening; A sensor provided in at least one of the cabinet and the door and configured to sense the opening and closing of the door; A drum accommodated in the cabinet and arranged to accommodate laundry therein; A drive connected to the drum and configured to rotate the drum; And A controller configured to rotate the drum by controlling the drive to sense the amount of laundry and execute one of any processes for treating the laundry, Wherein, the controller is configured to skip sensing the amount of laundry even after the process is completed in case the opening and closing of the door are not sensed after sensing the amount of laundry.

2. The laundry treatment device according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured to skip rotating the drum to sense the amount of laundry when executing the next process in case the opening and closing of the door are not sensed after the process is completed.

3. The laundry treatment device according to claim 1, the laundry treatment device further comprising a display unit configured to externally display information about the amount of laundry and the execution time of the process, Among them, The display unit is configured to control to display information about the amount of laundry or the execution time of the process associated with the amount of laundry before rotating the drum when executing the next process in case the opening and closing of the door are not sensed after the process is completed.

4. The laundry treatment device according to claim 1, the laundry treatment device further comprising: A tub arranged to accommodate the drum therein and store water therein; And A water supply unit including a water supply valve configured to supply water to the tub, Wherein, the controller is configured to skip rotating the drum to sense the amount of laundry before controlling the water supply valve in case the opening and closing of the door are not sensed after sensing the amount of laundry.

5. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured to cut off the power supply to the controller after the process is completed, but in case the opening and closing of the door are not sensed or there is no history of the door opening or closing after the process is completed, Wherein, the controller is configured to skip rotating the drum to sense the amount of laundry even after the power supply is restored.

6. The laundry treatment device according to claim 1, the laundry treatment device further comprising a power unit provided on the cabinet and configured to receive a power command to supply power to at least one of the controller, the sensor and the drive, Among them, The controller is controlled to keep the power supply to the controller cut off after the process is completed, Wherein, the sensor is controlled to keep the power supply to the sensor after the process is completed.

7. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laundry treating apparatus further includes a power unit disposed on the cabinet and configured to receive a power command to supply power to at least one of the controller, the sensor, and the driver. Among them, The controller is configured to sense the amount of laundry when the power unit is pressed, but if there is no open / close history of the door, the controller is configured to skip rotating the drum to sense the amount of laundry even when the power unit is pressed.

8. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laundry treating apparatus further includes: a process selector configured to receive a selection command for selecting one of the arbitrary processes; and an execution unit configured to receive an execution command for executing the process or stopping the process, wherein the controller is configured to rotate the drum to sense the amount of laundry before the process selector or the execution unit is pressed.

9. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured to skip re-sensing the amount of laundry even when a new process is executed after the process is stopped during the execution of the process.

10. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the laundry treating apparatus further includes: a process selector configured to receive a selection command for selecting one of the arbitrary processes; an execution unit configured to receive an execution command for executing the process or stopping the process; and a display unit configured to externally display information about the amount of laundry and the execution time of the process, wherein the process selector is configured to receive a selection command for changing the process when the execution unit is pressed during the execution of the process, wherein the execution unit is configured to receive an execution command for executing the changed process, wherein the controller is configured to skip sensing the amount of laundry and execute the process.

11. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The display unit is configured to display information about the amount of laundry or the execution time of the process associated with the amount of laundry before the drum rotates.

12. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laundry treating apparatus further includes a storage unit configured to store the open / close sensing history of the door or the amount of laundry, Among them, The storage unit is controlled such that power supply to the storage unit is maintained even after the process is completed.

13. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, The storage unit is provided in one of the controller and the sensor, or is provided to communicate with the controller or the sensor.

14. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the laundry treating apparatus further includes a control panel, the control panel including a power supply unit, an input unit, and a display unit, the power supply unit being disposed on the cabinet and configured to receive a power command for power supply, the input unit being configured to receive a selection command for selecting one of the arbitrary processes and send the selection command to the controller, and the display unit being configured to externally display the status of the controller. Among them, The storage unit is provided in the control panel.

15. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, The control panel is configured to always receive power even when the power supply to the controller is cut off.

16. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, The control panel further includes a communication module, the communication module being configured to establish communication between an external server and the controller. Wherein, the communication module is configured to always receive power even when the power supply to the controller is cut off. Wherein, the storage unit is configured to receive power from the communication module.

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