Laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed is a laundry treating apparatus, and the laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet having a laundry input port on an upper surface portion thereof, a tub, a drum, and a control panel including a screen output unit, a power button, an execution button, and a plurality of option buttons, and a first option button of the plurality of option buttons is disposed between the power button and the screen output unit, and a second option button is disposed between the execution button and the screen output unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clothes treating apparatus, and more particularly, to a clothes treating apparatus including a control panel that provides information to a user or is manipulated by the user. Background Art

[0002] The laundry processing device is a device for processing laundry (such as clothes and bedding) put into a drum. For example, the laundry processing device can perform various processing processes of the laundry, such as washing and drying.

[0003] A laundry treatment device for performing a laundry washing process may perform processes such as washing, rinsing, dehydrating, and drying. The laundry treatment device may include a cabinet forming its exterior, a tub disposed inside the cabinet, and a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub and accommodating laundry therein.

[0004] When the drum is rotated by the motor while water is stored in the tub and wash water is supplied to laundry contained in the drum, contaminants may be removed from the laundry by friction between the drum and the wash water.

[0005] In one example, clothes treating apparatuses may be classified into a front loading type and a top loading type based on a scheme of putting clothes into a drum.

[0006] In the front loading type, the clothing inlet defined in the cabinet can face the front where the user can be located, and the barrel and the drum can also be opened forward so that the clothing inserted through the clothing inlet can be accommodated in the drum, and the drum can rotate around a rotation axis extending generally in the front-to-rear direction.

[0007] In the top loading type, the clothing inlet defined in the cabinet can be defined in the top surface facing the ceiling, and the barrel and the drum can also be opened upward so that the clothing inserted through the clothing inlet can be accommodated in the drum, and the drum can rotate around a rotation axis extending roughly in the height direction of the cabinet.

[0008] Related document KR10-2014-0038252A1 discloses a top-loading type laundry treatment apparatus. The top-loading type laundry treatment apparatus may include a laundry inlet defined in a top surface of a cabinet and may include a control panel disposed on the top surface of the cabinet for user manipulation.

[0009] The control panel may include an output unit for providing information to a user and an input unit for receiving a command by being manipulated by the user.

[0010] The input unit may include a plurality of buttons for receiving various commands from the user in a differentiated manner. For example, a power button for deciding whether to turn on the device based on user manipulation, an execution button for deciding whether to execute a course for treating laundry, a plurality of option buttons for changing various options of a course, etc. may be provided.

[0011] However, when various buttons are provided as described above, it may be difficult for a user to recognize a change in function due to manipulation of each button, and it may be difficult to distinguish the buttons, which may cause inconvenience in use.

[0012] In addition, when various buttons are indiscriminately provided in a limited control panel area, it may be difficult for a user to recognize the necessity of manipulating each button when manipulating the apparatus for treating clothes, which may cause inconvenience in use.

[0013] Furthermore, a control panel including various components as described above may require alignment of the various components during the assembly process, and furthermore, may require an effective structure for configuring buttons.

[0014] Therefore, effectively arranging components of a control panel including various buttons, etc., effectively aligning multiple components constituting the control panel to improve ease of connection, and further developing an efficient design that effectively includes various buttons are important tasks in this technical field. Summary of the Invention

[0015] Technical issues

[0016] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing a clothes treating apparatus including a control panel having a plurality of buttons.

[0017] In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing a clothes treating apparatus in which a plurality of components are efficiently arranged to improve convenience in use.

[0018] In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing a clothes treating apparatus in which a plurality of components are effectively aligned to improve the convenience of coupling.

[0019] In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing a clothes treating apparatus including a plurality of effectively designed buttons.

[0020] Technical Solution

[0021] The clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a display located at the center of a control panel, and different option buttons may be located on the left and right sides of the display, respectively.

[0022] The display may be located at the center of the control panel, the power unit may be located on one side of the control panel, and the execution unit may be located on the other side of the control panel. Option buttons for selecting and adjusting options may be located on both sides of the display, respectively.

[0023] The laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cabinet, a tub, a drum, and a control panel. The cabinet includes a top surface in which a laundry inlet is defined.

[0024] The tub is disposed within the cabinet and accommodates water therein, the drum is rotatably disposed within the tub and accommodates laundry therein, and the control panel is disposed on the top surface of the cabinet.

[0025] The control panel includes a screen output device, a power button, an execution button, and a plurality of option buttons. The screen output device includes a display, the power button is arranged on one side of the screen output device, and the execution button is arranged on the opposite side of the screen output device.

[0026] The plurality of option buttons adjust options of the laundry treatment course by being manipulated by a user, and among the plurality of option buttons, a first option button is provided between the power button and the screen outputter, and a second option button is provided between the execution button and the screen outputter.

[0027] The first option button can be manipulated to be in one of a lighting state and a lighting off state. The lighting state may include a first lighting state having a first brightness and a second lighting state having a second brightness greater than the first brightness, and the first option button can be manipulated to be in one of the first lighting state, the second lighting state, and the lighting off state.

[0028] The first option button may be illuminated in a first area in the first lighting state, and may be illuminated in a second area wider than the first area in the second lighting state.

[0029] The second option button may include an option display including a plurality of lighting portions that are illuminated or turned off, and the number of lighting portions illuminated in the option display may be changed based on manipulation of the second option button.

[0030] The control panel may extend in a width direction, the screen outputter may be provided at a center of the control panel, and the power button and the execution button may be provided on one side and opposite sides of the screen outputter based on the width direction, respectively.

[0031] The control panel may further include a peripheral portion that is illuminated while surrounding the image outputter.

[0032] The screen outputter may include an indicator indicating status information, and the indicator may be located outside the screen output by the display in the screen outputter.

[0033] The screen outputter may include a screen manipulation button manipulated by the user, and the screen manipulation button may be located outside the screen output by the display in the screen outputter.

[0034] The screen output from the screen outputter may include at least one entity, and one of the at least one entity is displayed as a selection target, and the screen manipulation button may include a selection button for the user to command selection of the selection target.

[0035] The screen output from the screen outputter may include at least one entity, and one of the at least one entity is displayed as a selection target, and the screen manipulation button may include a move button for changing the selection target to another entity of the at least one entity.

[0036] The screen outputter may output a plurality of different screens, and the screen manipulation buttons may include a return button for the user to command to return to a screen before a currently output screen.

[0037] The control panel may be provided on the top surface in front of the laundry inlet. The control panel may include a main body panel and an external panel. The main body panel may be coupled to the top surface, and the external panel may be coupled to the top surface of the main body panel and form at least a portion of the appearance of the control panel.

[0038] The main body panel may include a display seating portion and a guide, wherein the display may be seated in the display seating portion, and the guide may be provided around the display seating portion and configured to guide a coupling position of the outer panel.

[0039] The guide may be defined as a groove or a hole having an extending direction curved, and the outer panel may include a guide protrusion having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the curve of the guide and inserted into the guide.

[0040] The outer panel may include a screen display portion and a cover portion. The screen display portion may be positioned to overlap a portion of the display, and the screen display portion may have a light-transmitting property so that a screen output from the portion of the display is displayed. The cover portion may be positioned to overlap a remaining portion of the display, and the cover portion may have a light-opaque property so that the remaining portion of the display is covered.

[0041] The screen outputter may include a plurality of screen manipulation buttons that receive user commands by being manipulated by the user, and at least some of the plurality of screen manipulation buttons may be located on the display in the cover portion.

[0042] The display may include a touch panel which senses the user's touch, and at least some of the plurality of screen manipulation buttons may receive the user command through the touch panel.

[0043] Beneficial effects

[0044] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a clothes treating apparatus including a control panel having a plurality of buttons.

[0045] In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a clothes treating apparatus in which a plurality of components are efficiently arranged to improve convenience in use.

[0046] In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a clothes treating apparatus in which a plurality of components are effectively aligned to improve the convenience of coupling.

[0047] In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a clothes treating apparatus including a plurality of effectively designed buttons. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 2 is a sectional view illustrating the interior of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a top surface of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a top surface of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 5 A control panel provided on the top surface in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0053] Figure 6 The first option button in the embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in a lighted state and a lighted off state.

[0054] Figure 7 is a view illustrating a process in which the light amount of a first option button gradually changes in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] Figure 8 is a view illustrating a process in which a lighting area of ​​a first option button gradually changes in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] Figure 9 is a view illustrating a process of changing an option display of a second option button in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] Figure 10 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a screen output device provided on a control panel in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Figure 11 1 is a view showing a state in which a main body panel and an outer panel of a control panel are detached in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] Figure 12 is a view showing a main body panel of a control panel in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] Figure 13 1 is a view showing a display placement portion of a main body panel in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] Figure 14 2 is a view illustrating a guide of a main body panel in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] Figure 15 is a view illustrating a state in which a guide protrusion of an outer panel is coupled with a guide of a main body panel in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] Figure 16 is a view illustrating a movement button provided outside a display in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] Figure 17 is a view illustrating a movement button defined on a display in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail so as to be easily practiced by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains.

[0066] However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and may not be limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to clearly illustrate the present disclosure in the drawings, parts not related to the description are omitted, and similar parts are given similar reference numerals throughout this document.

[0067] In this document, redundant descriptions of the same components are omitted.

[0068] Furthermore, in this document, it should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, the element can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Conversely, in this document, it should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements.

[0069] Furthermore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

[0070] Furthermore, in this document, a singular expression may include a plural expression unless it indicates a meaning clearly different from the context.

[0071] In addition, terms such as “including” or “having” used herein are intended to indicate the presence of features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof used in the following description, and therefore it should be understood that the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more different features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof is not excluded.

[0072] In addition, in this document, the term "and / or" includes a plurality of listed items or a combination of any of the plurality of listed items. In this document, "A or B" may include "A", "B" or "both A and B".

[0073] Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cabinet 10 .

[0074] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, the front-rear direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z may be defined based on the cabinet 10. However, when defined based on each drawing as needed, they are separately shown.

[0075] The cabinet 10 may form an exterior of the laundry treating apparatus 1 and may have a space defined therein for embedding components such as the tub 20 and the drum 30. The cabinet 10 may include a top surface 11 in which a laundry inlet 12 is defined.

[0076] Specifically, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cabinet 10 may include a body 15 and a top surface 11. The body 15 may be formed in a box shape with an open top surface, and may include the drum 30 and the tub 20 therein.

[0077] The top surface 11 may be provided at an upper portion of the body 15. The top surface 11 may be provided to cover an open top surface of the body 15, and may form an exterior appearance of the clothes treating apparatus 1 together with the body 15.

[0078] The top surface 11 may form a top surface of the laundry treating apparatus 1 and may include a laundry inlet 12. The laundry inlet 12 may be an opening allowing the inside and outside of the cabinet 10 to communicate with each other, and a user may put laundry into the cabinet 10 via the laundry inlet 12.

[0079] The laundry inlet 12 may be defined in a top surface of the cabinet 10 defined by the top surface 11. That is, the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a top loading type in which the laundry inlet 12 is defined in the top surface and the rotation axis of the drum 30 is substantially perpendicular to the ground.

[0080] The top surface 11 may further include a control panel 100 and / or a rear portion 14 along with the clothing inlet 12. For example, the control panel 100 may be located in front of the clothing inlet 12 on the top surface 11, and the rear portion 14 may be located at the rear of the clothing inlet 12.

[0081] However, the position of the control panel 100 may not necessarily be limited to the position in front of the laundry inlet 12 , and when the control panel 100 is positioned at the rear of the laundry inlet 12 , the front may be provided in front of the laundry inlet 12 .

[0082] The control panel 100 can provide information to the user or receive commands from the user. For example, the control panel 100 may include an output unit capable of outputting various information such as images and sounds, and an input unit capable of receiving user commands in various ways, such as a touch panel, mechanical buttons, touch-type buttons, and a microphone.

[0083] The rear portion 14 may be provided to cover various components provided at the rear side of the top surface 11. For example, a rear space in which various components are embedded may be defined at the rear side of the top surface 11, and the rear portion 14 may be coupled to the rear side of the top surface 11 to shield the rear space.

[0084] In one example, a door 90 may be provided on the top surface 11. The door 90 may be pivotally coupled to the top surface 11 and open and close the laundry inlet 12. The door 90 may be pivoted to be in an open state pivoted away from the laundry inlet 12 or in a closed state pivoted to be in close contact with the laundry inlet 12.

[0085] The door 90 may be disposed between the control panel 100 and the rear portion 14 , a rear end thereof may be pivotably coupled to the top surface 11 , and a front end thereof may be pivoted to move away from or closer to the laundry inlet 12 .

[0086] Figure 2 FIG. 1 shows the interior of the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 , an internal configuration of the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described as follows.

[0087] The tub 20 may have a cylindrical shape with a space defined therein. The tub 20 may contain water therein and may include a tub inlet 25 open toward the laundry inlet 12 defined in a top surface thereof.

[0088] The laundry put into the cabinet 10 via the laundry inlet 12 can be moved into the tub 20 via the tub inlet 25. The tub 20 can be fixed in place inside the cabinet 10 via the tub support 80.

[0089] However, the tub support 80 may include an elastic body to reduce the transmission of vibration from the tub 20 to the cabinet 10, such as a suspension. Due to the tub support 80, the tub 20 can be positioned without contacting the cabinet 10 and can be formed in a suspended form via the tub support 80.

[0090] The drum 30 may be provided inside the tub 20. The drum 30 may have a cylindrical shape defining a space therein, and may have a drum inlet 35 opened toward the tub inlet 25 and the laundry inlet 12 in a top surface thereof.

[0091] The laundry put in through the laundry inlet 12 can pass through the tub inlet 25 and the drum inlet 35 and be accommodated in the drum 30. A plurality of holes can be defined in the circumferential surface of the drum 30, so that the water stored in the tub 20 can be shared within the drum 30 and provided to the laundry. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the drum 30 can be referred to as a laundry receiving portion because it accommodates the laundry therein.

[0092] The drum 30 may be rotatably provided within the tub 20. The drum 30 may be connected to the driver 70 via a driving shaft, and a driving force of the driver 70 may be transmitted to rotate the drum 30.

[0093] The driver 70 may be provided outside and below the tub 20 and connected to the drum 30. The driver 70 may include a motor generating a driving force and a transmission device connected to the motor and regulating a rotational force.

[0094] A drive shaft may connect the driver 70 with the drum 30, and embodiments of the present disclosure may be of a top loading type, wherein the drive shaft is generally perpendicular to the ground.

[0095] The water supplier 40 may be connected to an external water supply source provided outside the cabinet 10 and supplying water. The water supplier 40 may supply water delivered from the external water supply source to the detergent unit 50 and / or the tub 20. The water supplier 40 may be provided on the top surface 11 or the body 15 described above.

[0096] The detergent unit 50 may store detergent supplied by the user. The detergent unit 50 may supply the detergent stored by the user to the tub 20 together with water or separately during the washing process of the laundry. The detergent unit 50 may be provided on the top surface 11 described above.

[0097] The drain device 60 may be connected to the tub 20 and selectively drain water stored in the tub 20 to the outside of the cabinet 10. The drain device 60 may include a drain pipe connected to the tub 20 and a drain pump provided on the drain pipe.

[0098] Figure 3 shows a top surface 11 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 4 An exploded perspective view of the top surface 11 is shown.

[0099] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The top surface 11 may define the top surface of the cabinet 10 as described above, and may include the control panel 100 , the door 90 , the rear portion 14 , and the like.

[0100] Specifically, the top surface 11 may include a top surface base 1100 coupled with the body 15 of the cabinet 10, and the top surface base 1100 may form the body of the top surface 11. The control panel 100, the door 90, the rear portion 14, etc. may be coupled to the top surface base 1100.

[0101] The top surface base 1100 may include a receiving portion 110 formed below the control panel 100. The receiving portion 110 may receive various electrical components provided on the control panel 100 therein, and the control panel 100 may be coupled to the top surface base 1100 to shield the receiving portion 110.

[0102] The top surface base 1100 may include a rear space defined below the rear portion 14. Various components such as the above-described detergent unit 50 may be accommodated in the rear space, and the rear portion 14 may be coupled to the top surface base 1100 and shield the rear space.

[0103] Figure 5 The control panel 100 is shown disposed on the top surface 11. Figure 5 In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel 100 may include a screen outputter 200 .

[0104] The screen outputter 200 may include a display 205. The display 205 may output a screen via information provided by the controller. The display 205 may be an LCD type, but may not necessarily be limited thereto, and may be an LED type if necessary.

[0105] The screen outputter 200 may include various components such as an indicator 220 , a move button 240 , a select button 230 , and a return button 250 in addition to the display 205 , and a detailed description of the screen outputter 200 will be made later.

[0106] For reference, in the present disclosure, a button can be manipulated by a user to generate an input signal. In other words, a button can be manipulated by a user to receive a command from the user.

[0107] In the present disclosure, buttons may include mechanical buttons and touch buttons. For example, a button may be configured as a mechanical button and sense a user's pressing signal based on a height change caused by the user pressing it, or may be configured as a touch button and sense a user's touch signal.

[0108] In one example, the control panel 100 may include a power button 310, and the power button 310 may be provided on one side of the screen output device 200. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a controller, and when the power button 310 is manipulated by a user in a power-off state, the state of the controller may be switched to a power-on state, and when the power button 310 is manipulated in a power-on state, the state of the controller may be switched to a power-off state. That is, when the power button 310 is manipulated, it may be determined whether various electrical components provided in the laundry processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are energized.

[0109] The execution button 320 may be provided at the other side of the screen outputter 200. When the execution button 320 is manipulated, it may be determined whether to execute a laundry treatment course for treating laundry through rotation of the drum 30 or the like.

[0110] For example, when the execution button 320 is manipulated, the controller may control the driver 70 etc. to execute the laundry treatment course, and when the execution button 320 is manipulated during the execution of the laundry treatment course, the controller may control the driver 70 etc. to temporarily suspend or cancel the laundry treatment course.

[0111] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the power button 310 is provided on one side of the screen outputter 200 , and the execute button 320 is provided on the other side of the screen outputter 200 , so that a user can easily distinguish the power button 310 from the execute button 320 .

[0112] In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel 100 may include a plurality of option buttons that can be manipulated by a user to adjust options of a laundry treatment course.

[0113] For example, a plurality of option buttons may correspond to different options of the laundry treatment course, respectively. Therefore, application / non-application of the corresponding option or change of the option value may be performed according to the manipulation of each option button.

[0114] The plurality of option buttons may include a first option button 330 and a second option button 340. The number of each of the first option button 330 and the second option button 340 may be equal to or greater than one.

[0115] The first option button 330 may be provided between the power button 310 and the screen outputter 200. The second option button 340 may be provided between the execution button 320 and the screen outputter 200. Since the power button 310 and the execution button 320 are arranged on opposite sides relative to the screen outputter 200, the first option button 330 and the second option button 340 may also be arranged on opposite sides relative to the screen outputter 200.

[0116] The first option button 330 and the second option button 340 may correspond to different options of the laundry treatment course. The options of the laundry treatment course may be diverse, so the first option button 330 and the second option button 340 may also include a plurality of first option buttons and a plurality of second option buttons, respectively.

[0117] When the first option button 330 and the second option button 340 are disposed at one side with respect to the screen outputter 200 , it may not be easy for a user to distinguish a plurality of densely placed option buttons.

[0118] In addition, since a plurality of option buttons are densely placed on one side of the screen outputter 200 , an area occupied by the buttons on one side of the screen outputter 200 may excessively increase, making it difficult to properly arrange the buttons.

[0119] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of option buttons are classified into a first option button 330 and a second option button 340, and the first option button 330 is placed on one side of the screen outputter 200, and the second option button 340 is placed on the other side of the screen outputter 200. Therefore, an area for arranging option buttons can be effectively ensured, and it may be advantageous for a user to distinguish the positions of the first option button 330 and the second option button 340 to identify the options corresponding to the respective buttons.

[0120] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel 100 may extend in the width direction, and the screen outputter 200 may be provided at the center of the control panel 100. In addition, each of the power button 310 and the execution button 320 may be provided on one side or the other side of the screen outputter 200 based on the width direction.

[0121] In addition, a panel coupling portion 140 for coupling the control panel 100 with the top surface 11 may be provided at each side of the control panel 100 .

[0122] Figure 6 The light-on state LO and the light-off state LF of the first option button 330 are shown. Figure 6 (a) in FIG. 3 shows the first option button 330 in the light-off state LF, and Figure 6 (b) in FIG. 3 shows the first option button 330 in the light-on state LO.

[0123] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first option button 330 can be manipulated to be in the light-on state LO or the light-off state LF. That is, the first option corresponding to the first option button 330 can be a selectable option, and its application to the laundry treatment course can be determined based on the manipulation of the first option button 330.

[0124] When the first option is selected, the state of the first option button 330 may switch to a light-on state LO in which light is provided, and when the first option is deselected, the state of the first option button 330 may switch to a light-off state LF in which light disappears.

[0125] The first option button 330 may include a light emitting element for providing light, etc. The controller may control whether the light emitting element provided in the first option button 330 emits light based on the manipulation signal of the first option button 330, thereby switching the state of the first option button 330 to the light on state LO or the light off state LF.

[0126] Figure 7 A light-off state LF, a first light-on state LO1, and a second light-on state LO2 of the first option button 330 are shown. Figure 7 (a) in FIG. 3 shows the light-off state LF of the first option button 330. Figure 7 (b) in FIG. 3 shows a first light state LO1 of the first option button 330, and Figure 7 (c) in FIG. 3 shows the second lighting state LO2 of the first option button 330 .

[0127] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lighting state LO of the first option button 330 may include a first lighting state LO1 and a second lighting state LO2. In the first lighting state LO1, the first option button 330 may have a first brightness, and in the second lighting state LO2, the second option button 340 may have a second brightness greater than the first brightness.

[0128] The first option button 330 may be manipulated by the user to switch its state to one of a first lighting state LO1 , a second lighting state LO2 , and a light-off state LF.

[0129] Specifically, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first option can be set by the user not only as to whether it is applied to the laundry treatment process but also as to the size of its option value. In other words, the first option can be not only a selectable option that can determine whether to apply the laundry treatment process but also an adjustable option that can adjust the size of its option value.

[0130] Therefore, when the user manipulates the first option button 330 and applies the first option, the state of the first option button 330 can be switched to the illuminated light state LO, but can be switched to the first lighting state LO1 or the second lighting state LO2 so as to have a light intensity corresponding to the size of the current option value.

[0131] The lighting state LO of the first option button 330 may be switched to various lighting states LO, such as a first lighting state LO1 , a second lighting state LO2 , and a third lighting state LO.

[0132] The controller may determine whether to apply the first option and its option value based on the manipulation signal of the first option button 330. The controller may determine whether to illuminate the first option button 330 based on whether the first option is applied, and may determine the amount of light emitted by the first option button 330 based on the option value of the first option.

[0133] The controller may control the light emitting element provided in the first option button 330 to determine the amount of light emission. Figure 7 A view of controlling the light emission amount of the entire light emission area defined in the first option button 330 is shown.

[0134] However, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first option may not necessarily be a selective option, and if necessary, the first option may be a non-selective option that is always processed as being in an applied state in the clothing processing device 1, and therefore, the state of the first option button 330 may only be switched between multiple light-on states LO, without being switched to a light-off state LF.

[0135] Figure 8The first option button 330 in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, in which a lighting area that emits light changes based on a light-on state LO. Figure 8 (a) in FIG. 3 shows the first option button 330 in the light-off state LF. Figure 8 (b) in FIG. 3 shows the first option button 330 in the first lighting state LO1 illuminated in the first area 332, and Figure 8 (c) in FIG. 3 shows the first option button 330 in the second lighting state LO2 illuminated in the second area 333 .

[0136] Reference Figure 8 In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first option button 330 may have an illuminated area that changes according to the size of the option value. For example, the first option button 330 may be controlled to be in a first lighting state LO1 in which the first area 332 is illuminated at the first option value, and may be controlled to be in a second lighting state LO2 in which the second area 333 corresponding to an area larger than the first area 332 is illuminated at a second option value corresponding to a value larger than the first option value.

[0137] In this case, the second area 333 may be defined to include the first area 332, and the amount of light emission may increase as the illuminated area gradually increases in the first option button 330. Therefore, the first option button 330 may be illuminated only in the first area 332 in the first lighting state LO1, and may be illuminated in the second area 333 wider than the first area 332 in the second lighting state LO2.

[0138] Figure 9 The state in which the lighting portion 344 that emits light in the option display 342 of the second option button 340 changes is shown. Figure 9 (a) in FIG. 3 shows an option display 342 when the second option corresponding to the second option button 340 has a second option value, and Figure 9 (b) in FIG. 3 shows the option display 342 when the second option has the fourth option value.

[0139] Reference Figure 9 In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the user manipulates the second option button 340, the option value of the second option may be adjusted. The second option may be an adjustable option in which a plurality of option values ​​are adjusted by the user.

[0140] The second option may be set to have one of a plurality of option values ​​such as a first option value, a second option value, and a third option value, and the controller may perform the laundry treatment course based on the option value of the second option.

[0141] The control panel 100 may include an option display 342 including a plurality of lighting portions 344 that are illuminated or extinguished. The number of the lighting portions 344 that are illuminated in the option display 342 may be changed according to the manipulation of the second option button 340.

[0142] Specifically, the option display 342 may indicate the option value of the second option according to the number of illuminated lighting portions 344. The user may recognize the option value of the second option by the number of illuminated lighting portions 344 in the option display 342, or the like.

[0143] For example, the number of illuminated lighting portions 344 in the option display 342 may gradually increase or decrease according to the manipulation of the second option button 340. Therefore, the user can recognize the number of illuminated lighting portions 344 in the option display 342 and manipulate the second option button 340 to adjust the option value of the second option as needed.

[0144] Figure 10 The screen outputter 200 provided on the control panel 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0145] The screen outputter 200 may output a screen for providing information to a user. The screen outputter 200 may include a display 205 for outputting a screen.

[0146] The screen outputter 200 may include a peripheral portion 210 extending along a periphery thereof. That is, the control panel 100 may further include a peripheral portion 210 surrounding the screen outputter 200 and being illuminated.

[0147] The peripheral portion 210 may include a light emitting element to emit light when power is supplied and to turn off again when power is cut off. In addition, the peripheral portion 210 may be a pattern printed on or attached to the control panel 100 so as to be visually recognized by the user.

[0148] Despite Figure 9 , the peripheral portion 210 is shown to have a circular shape, but the peripheral portion 210 may be formed in various shapes, such as a polygonal shape, as needed.

[0149] The screen output device 200 may include an indicator 220. The indicator 220 may indicate status information of the laundry treatment device 1 or the controller or setting information of the laundry treatment process. For example, the indicator 220 may be a communication indicator 220 indicating whether the controller is capable of communication. When the controller is capable of communication, the communication indicator 220 may be displayed in a lighted state LO, and when the controller is not capable of communication, the communication indicator 220 may be displayed in a lighted state LF.

[0150] The indicator 220 may include a plurality of indicators, and the plurality of indicators 220 may indicate different state information. The indicator 220 may be located outside the screen output by the display 205 on the screen outputter 200.

[0151] That is, the control panel 100 may include a plurality of light emitting elements that are provided outside the display 205 and respectively allow the plurality of indicators 220 to emit light. The light emitting elements may be turned on or off by the controller.

[0152] In one example, the screen outputter 200 may include a screen manipulation button that is manipulated by the user. The screen manipulation button may be located inside the peripheral portion 210 of the screen outputter 200.

[0153] The screen manipulation button may include at least one screen manipulation button and may be located outside the screen output by the display 205 on the screen outputter 200 .

[0154] In one example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel 100 may include a body panel 120 and an outer panel 130 to be described later. The body panel 120 may be coupled to the top surface 11 , and various components included in the control panel 100 may be mounted on the body panel 120 .

[0155] The outer panel 130 may be coupled to the body panel 120 to form an exterior appearance of the control panel 100. Various components mounted on the body panel 120 may be covered by the outer panel 130 from the outside.

[0156] In one example, the outer panel 130 may include a screen display portion 134 and a cover portion 136. The screen display portion 134 may be positioned to overlap a portion of the display 205 and may have light-transmitting properties so that a screen output from the portion of the display 205 is displayed.

[0157] The cover 136 may be positioned to overlap the remaining portion of the display 205 and may have light-proof properties so that the remaining portion of the display 205 is covered. The cover 136 may cover a portion of the display 205.

[0158] That is, the screen output from screen outputter 200 may be output in a region overlapping with screen display portion 134 in display 205 , without including overlay portion 136 .

[0159] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the screen manipulation buttons provided on the screen outputter 200 may be provided in the cover portion 136. That is, the screen manipulation buttons may be located outside the screen display portion 134 that outputs the screen from the screen outputter 200.

[0160] In one example, the screen output from the screen outputter 200 may include at least one entity. The entity may be a laundry treatment course pre-stored in the controller. One entity among the at least one entity output on the screen may be displayed as a selection target.

[0161] The selection target may refer to an entity displayed as a target to be selected by a user's command. When multiple entities are displayed on the screen, one of them may be displayed as the selection target, and the user may input a command for selecting the selection target via the execution button 320, the selection button 230 described below, or a touch of the screen.

[0162] The screen manipulation button may include a movement button 240 for changing the selection target to another entity among at least one entity. The movement button 240 may include at least one movement button, and the user may change the target displayed as the selection target from one entity among multiple entities to another entity by manipulating the movement button 240.

[0163] The movement button 240 may be formed in various forms. Figure 10 A pair of movement buttons 240 including arrow shapes in opposite directions arranged on both sides of the screen display portion 134 is illustrated, but the present disclosure may not necessarily be limited thereto.

[0164] In one example, the screen manipulation button may include a selection button 230 for the user to command selection of a selection target. The selection button 230 may be located outside the screen display unit 134 on the screen outputter 200.

[0165] The selection button 230 may be illuminated in an activated state that is manipulatable by the user, and turned off in an inactivated state that is not manipulatable by the user.

[0166] In one example, the screen outputter 200 may output various types of screens. For example, the screen outputter 200 may output a course selection screen for selecting one of a plurality of laundry treatment courses, an option screen for displaying option information of a laundry treatment course, a course information screen for displaying execution information of a laundry treatment course when the laundry treatment course is being executed, and the like.

[0167] As described above, the screen outputter 200 may output a plurality of different screens, and the screen manipulation buttons may include a return button 250 for the user to command to return to a screen before the currently output screen.

[0168] When the return button 250 is manipulated, the screen outputter 200 may output the screen outputted immediately before instead of the currently output screen. When the return button 250 is manipulated, the controller may control the screen outputter 200 to switch the screen from the current screen to the previous screen.

[0169] Reference Figure 10 In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the indicator 220 may be disposed above the screen display portion 134 , the move button 240 may be disposed on both sides of the screen display portion 134 , and the select button 230 and the return button 250 may be disposed below the screen display portion 134 .

[0170] Figure 11 1. A separated view of the control panel 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As described above, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel 100 may include a body panel 120 and an outer panel 130.

[0171] The main body panel 120 may be coupled to the top surface 11. The top surface 11 may include the aforementioned receiving portion 110, and the main body panel 120 may be coupled to the top surface 11 to cover the receiving portion 110. Various electrical components and the like constituting the control panel 100 may be accommodated in the receiving portion 110, and the receiving portion 110 may be shielded from the outside by the main body panel 120.

[0172] The outer panel 130 may be coupled to the top surface of the body panel 120 and form at least a portion of the appearance of the control panel 100. Various components of the control panel 100 may be mounted on the body panel 120, and the outer panel 130 may shield the various components mounted on the body panel 120 from the outside.

[0173] Figure 12 1. A view showing the main body panel 120 of the control panel 100. A plurality of holes may be defined in the main body panel 120, and a plurality of light emitting elements or the like corresponding to a plurality of buttons or the like may be provided in the holes.

[0174] Figure 12 Areas corresponding to the screen outputter 200, the power button 310, the execution button 320, the first option button 330, and the second option button 340 respectively provided on the control panel 100 are shown as indicated by dotted lines, and panel connecting portions 140 for connecting to the external panel 130 and / or the top surface 11 can be respectively provided at both ends of the main body panel 120.

[0175] Figure 13 A display seating portion 121 defined in the main body panel 120 in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0176] The display seating portion 121 may accommodate the display 205 therein. That is, the display 205 may be seated in the display seating portion 121. The display seating portion 121 may be formed in the shape of a groove or a hole having an area size larger than that of the display 205.

[0177] Reference Figure 13 , light emitting element seating portions respectively corresponding to the plurality of indicators 220 may be defined above the display seating portion 121 , the movement buttons 240 may be positioned on both sides of the display seating portion 121 , and the selection button 230 and the return button 250 may be positioned below the display seating portion 121 .

[0178] In one example, the guide 122 may be defined at a position corresponding to the screen outputter 200 or at a position adjacent to the display seating portion 121 in the main body panel 120 .

[0179] Figure 14 Shown are guides 122 defined in the body panel 120. Figure 15 A state in which the guide protrusion 132 of the outer panel 130 is inserted into the guide 122 is shown.

[0180] Reference Figure 14 and Figure 15 In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the main body panel 120 may include a guide 122 , and the guide 122 may be defined around the display seating portion 121 and guide a coupling position of the external panel 130 .

[0181] The guide 122 may be defined as a groove or a hole having a curved extension direction. The guide 122 may be positioned adjacent to the display seating portion 121. The guide 122 may be defined in an area corresponding to the screen outputter 200.

[0182] When considering alignment for coupling the outer panel 130 having the cover portion 136 and the screen display portion 134 with the body panel 120 , the portion most requiring alignment accuracy between the outer panel 130 and the body panel 120 may be the screen outputter 200 .

[0183] Therefore, in the main body panel 120 , the guide 122 may be provided adjacent to the display seating portion 121 , so that the alignment accuracy between the screen display portion 134 of the external panel 130 and the display 205 may be improved.

[0184] The outer panel 130 may include a guide protrusion 132 having a curved cross-sectional shape corresponding to the guide 122 and inserted into the guide 122. When the guide protrusion 132 is inserted into the guide 122 during coupling with the body panel 120, the outer panel 130 may be aligned at the coupling position.

[0185] As described above, the guide 122 may be formed in a curved shape in its extending direction, and the guide protrusion 132 may also have a curved shape corresponding to the guide 122. Therefore, alignment in multiple directions may be achieved during the coupling process between the guide 122 and the guide protrusion 132.

[0186] Figure 16 FIG. 2 shows the arrangement relationship between the above-mentioned moving button 240 and the display 205. Figure 16 In (a), the display 205 and the movement button 240 covered by the cover 136 are shown. Figure 16 In (b) of FIG. 1 , the display 205 and the movement button 240 arranged in the display placement portion 121 are indicated by dotted lines.

[0187] Reference Figure 16 , components constituting the movement button 240 may be provided outside the display 205 in the display seating portion 121. The movement button 240 may be covered by the cover portion 136 of the outer panel 130 and shielded from the outside.

[0188] Figure 17 A view showing movement button 240 defined on display 205 is shown. Figure 17 (a) in FIG. 1 shows the positions of the display 205 and the movement button 240 covered by the cover 136, and Figure 17 (b) in FIG. 2 shows the position of the movement button 240 defined on the display 205 by a dotted line.

[0189] refer to Figure 17 , the screen outputter 200 may include a plurality of screen manipulation buttons that are manipulated by a user and receive user commands, and at least some of the plurality of screen manipulation buttons may be located on the display 205 in the cover portion 136 .

[0190] That is, the display 205 may be configured such that a screen is output in a region corresponding to the screen display portion 134 , and the movement button 240 is defined in the remaining region to sense a user's manipulation signal.

[0191] For example, the display 205 may include a touch panel that senses a user's touch, and at least some of the plurality of screen manipulation buttons may receive a user's command through the touch panel.

[0192] Therefore, even if a separate button part is omitted, the embodiment of the present disclosure can effectively implement the movement button 240 and effectively receive a user's command.

[0193] While the present disclosure has been shown and described with respect to the specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be variously improved and modified without departing from the technical spirit of the present disclosure as provided by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clothes processing device, comprising: a cabinet comprising a top surface having a clothing inlet defined therein; a tub disposed within the cabinet and configured to contain water therein; a drum rotatably disposed within the tub and configured to accommodate laundry therein; as well as a control panel disposed on the top surface of the cabinet, Wherein, the control panel includes: A picture output device, wherein the picture output device includes a display; A power button, the power button being arranged on one side of the image output device; an execution button, the execution button being arranged on the opposite side of the image outputter; and a plurality of option buttons configured to adjust options of the laundry treatment course by being manipulated by a user, Among the plurality of option buttons, a first option button is provided between the power button and the screen outputter, and a second option button is provided between the execution button and the screen outputter.

2. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The first option button is manipulated to be in one of a lighting state and a lighting off state.

3. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The lighting state includes a first lighting state having a first brightness and a second lighting state having a second brightness greater than the first brightness, The first option button is manipulated to be in one of the first lighting state, the second lighting state, and the lighting off state.

4. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: The first option button is illuminated in a first area in the first lighting state, and is illuminated in a second area wider than the first area in the second lighting state. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein: The second option button includes an option display including a plurality of lighting portions configured to be illuminated or turned off, The number of illuminated lighting portions in the option display changes based on manipulation of the second option button. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein: The control panel extends in the width direction, Wherein, the image output device is arranged at the center of the control panel, The power button and the execution button are respectively arranged on one side and an opposite side of the image output device based on the width direction.

7. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The control panel further includes a peripheral portion configured to be illuminated while surrounding the image outputter. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein: The screen output device includes an indicator configured to indicate status information. The indicator is located outside the picture output by the display in the picture output device.

9. The clothes treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The screen output device includes a screen manipulation button manipulated by the user, The image manipulation button is located outside the image output by the display in the image output device.

10. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein The screen output from the screen outputter includes at least one entity, and one entity among the at least one entity is displayed as a selection target, The screen manipulation button includes a selection button, and the selection button is used for the user to command to select the selection target.

11. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein The screen output from the screen outputter includes at least one entity, and one entity among the at least one entity is displayed as a selection target, The screen manipulation button includes a move button, and the move button is used to change the selection target to another entity among the at least one entity.

12. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 9, wherein The picture output device is configured to output a plurality of different pictures. The screen manipulation button includes a return button, and the return button is used by the user to command to return to the screen before the current output screen.

13. The clothes treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The control panel is provided on the top surface in front of the laundry inlet.

14. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The control panel includes: a body panel coupled to the top surface; and An exterior panel is coupled to a top surface of the body panel and forms at least a portion of an exterior appearance of the control panel.

15. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein The main panel includes: a display seating portion in which the display is seated; and A guide is provided around the display seating portion and configured to guide a coupling position of the external panel.

16. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 15, wherein The guide is defined as a groove or hole with a curved extension direction, The outer panel includes a guide protrusion having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a curve of the guide member and inserted into the guide member.

17. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 15, wherein The outer panel comprises: a screen display portion positioned so as to overlap a portion of the display and having a light-transmitting property so that a screen output from the portion of the display is displayed; and A cover portion is positioned to overlap with a remaining portion of the display and has a light-proof property so that the remaining portion of the display is covered.

18. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 17, wherein The screen outputter includes a plurality of screen manipulation buttons configured to receive a user command by being manipulated by the user. At least some of the plurality of screen manipulation buttons are located on the display in the cover portion.

19. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 18, wherein The display includes a touch panel configured to sense a touch of the user, At least some of the plurality of screen manipulation buttons are configured to receive the user command through the touch panel.

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