Laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed is a laundry treating apparatus, the laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet, a receiving portion for receiving laundry, a door, and a control panel, the control panel including: a central portion including an output region and having a linear edge with respect to a front panel; the side parts are respectively positioned at two ends of the central part and are provided with curved edges relative to the front panel; the control panel is positioned between the upper end of the front panel and the upper end of the door; a first distance between an upper end of the front panel and an upper end of the control panel is equal to or less than a second distance between a lower end of the control panel and an upper end of the door.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a laundry treating apparatus, and more particularly, to a laundry treating apparatus which accommodates and treats laundry. BACKGROUND

[0002] The laundry treating apparatus is an apparatus which can perform various treating programs for treating laundry, such as a washing program in which clothes, bedding, or the like (hereinafter, referred to as a wash) are put inside a drum to remove contaminants on the wash, or a drying program for removing moisture present on laundry.

[0003] The laundry treating apparatus can include a cabinet which forms an appearance, and can include an accommodation portion which is provided inside the cabinet to accommodate laundry. In addition, in the case where water is used in the treating program of laundry, an outer tub can be provided inside the cabinet, and the accommodation portion can be provided inside the outer tub.

[0004] On the other hand, a control panel can be provided in the cabinet. The control panel can be defined by a portion of an outer surface of the cabinet, or can be separately provided to expose at least a portion thereof to the outside of the cabinet.

[0005] The control panel can be provided to provide various information to a user or to be able to receive an instruction of the user. For example, the control panel can be provided to output a screen for providing visual information to the user, or can include a button or the like which generates an operation signal of the user by being operated by the user.

[0006] In this regard, Korean Patent Publication No. KR10-1960309 discloses a control panel which is capable of outputting a screen and has a button or the like.

[0007] The control panel includes an output area in which a screen is output, and buttons are respectively provided at both sides of the output area.

[0008] However, the control panel has a substantially quadrangular edge with respect to the cabinet, and in this case, an unnecessary area is added around the buttons, and thus space utilization can be disadvantageous.

[0009] For example, the control panel needs to develop an effective cross-sectional shape for providing the buttons and a configuration structure between components while sufficiently securing a size of the output area for outputting a screen.

[0010] In addition, the control panel is provided in a module form inside the cabinet except for an area exposed to the outside, and thus occupies a space inside the cabinet, and thus needs to be effectively configured with various components such as a door.

[0011] On the other hand, the shape of the control panel exposed to the outside of the cabinet has the same or similar pattern in relation to the cabinet and the door, etc., thereby enabling to improve the product satisfaction of the user.

[0012] In addition, various components other than the aforementioned outer tub or the accommodation part can be provided inside the cabinet, and in relation thereto, the dimensional relationship and the positional relationship between the components exposed to the outside of the cabinet, such as the height relationship, the width relationship, etc., are important in the design aspect.

[0013] Therefore, it is an important technical issue in the art to develop a control panel which improves the use convenience and the space utilization, and to develop a laundry treating apparatus which effectively determines the dimensional relationship and the positional relationship of the control panel and the cabinet, the door, etc., thereby enabling to improve the space utilization and the use satisfaction. SUMMARY

[0014] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0015] An object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus including a control panel which is excellent in space utilization and enables to improve the use convenience.

[0016] In addition, an object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus including a control panel which effectively implements the arrangement between the components.

[0017] In addition, an object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus which effectively patterns the shape of a plurality of components exposed to the outside of the cabinet.

[0018] In addition, an object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus which effectively improves the space utilization and the use convenience by effectively determining the height, the width, the position, etc. of each of a plurality of components exposed to the outside of the cabinet.

[0019] In addition, an object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus which effectively improves the space utilization and the use convenience by effectively determining the relative height, the width position, etc. of a plurality of components exposed to the outside of the cabinet.

[0020] TECHNICAL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0021] A laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a control panel including a central part and side parts. The side parts are respectively provided at both side ends of the central part, and can have curved edges.

[0022] Accordingly, the control panel of the present application can effectively secure the output area by increasing the width of the central portion including the output area of the picture, effectively realize the control panel shape including the curved edge through the side portions, and effectively secure the space within the control panel where buttons or the like can be disposed.

[0023] The laundry treating apparatus of one embodiment of the present application includes a cabinet including a front panel having a first opening; a receiving portion provided inside the cabinet to receive laundry put through the first opening; a door provided to the front panel to open and close the first opening; and a control panel provided to the front panel to have an output area outputting a picture.

[0024] The control panel includes a central portion including the output area, having a straight edge with respect to the front panel, and side portions respectively located at both ends of the central portion, having curved edges with respect to the front panel.

[0025] The control panel can be located between the upper end of the front panel and the upper end of the door; a first distance between the upper end of the front panel and the upper end of the control panel can be below a second distance between the lower end of the control panel and the upper end of the door.

[0026] A horizontal center line of the control panel can be defined to be parallel to the width direction of the cabinet and to pass through the center of the control panel, and can be located at a position higher than the center between the upper end of the door and the upper end of the front panel.

[0027] Each of the first distance and the second distance can be below 1 / 20 of the height of the cabinet. The first distance can be below 1 / 2 of the height of the control panel defined in the height direction of the cabinet.

[0028] The height of the control panel defined in the height direction of the cabinet can be below 3 times the first distance. The height of the control panel defined in the height direction of the cabinet can be above 1 / 3 and below 2 / 3 of the distance between the upper end of the front panel and the upper end of the door.

[0029] The width of the control panel defined in the width direction of the cabinet can be above the shortest distance between one end of the front panel and the control panel.

[0030] The width of the control panel defined in the width direction of the cabinet can be above 1 / 3 and below 1 / 2 of the width of the front panel. The height of the output area defined in the height direction of the cabinet can be above 2 times the first distance.

[0031] The width of the output region defined with reference to the width direction of the cabinet can be 2 times or more of the height of the output region. The width of the output region defined with reference to the width direction of the cabinet can be 2 / 3 or more of the width of the central portion.

[0032] The center of the door can be located higher than the center of the cabinet. The height of the door defined with reference to the height direction of the cabinet can be 1 / 2 or more of the height of the front panel.

[0033] The width of the door defined with reference to the width direction of the cabinet can be 3 / 4 or more of the width of the front panel. The shortest distance between one of the two ends of the front panel and the door defined with reference to the width direction of the cabinet can be 1 / 8 or less of the width of the front panel.

[0034] The height of the control panel defined with reference to the height direction of the cabinet can be 1 / 8 or more and 1 / 6 or less of the height of the door. The width of the control panel defined with reference to the width direction of the cabinet can be 1 / 3 or more and 1 / 2 or less of the width of the door.

[0035] The distance between the upper end of the front panel and the upper end of the door can be 1 / 5 or more of the height of the door defined with reference to the height direction of the cabinet. The distance between the upper end of the front panel and the upper end of the door can be 1 / 6 or less of the height of the cabinet.

[0036] The front panel includes a door seating portion in which the door in a closed state for closing the first opening is seated, and the door can be seated in the door seating portion without protruding further forward than the front panel in the closed state.

[0037] In the closed state of the door, the front surface of the door can be located in the same plane as the front surface of the front panel. The front panel can be formed of a single panel material, and can be formed with the first opening and a second opening in which the control panel is disposed.

[0038] Effects of Invention

[0039] Embodiments of the present application can provide a laundry treating apparatus including a control panel that is excellent in space utilization and can improve use convenience.

[0040] In addition, embodiments of the present application can provide a laundry treating apparatus including a control panel that effectively implements the arrangement between components.

[0041] In addition, embodiments of the present application can provide a laundry treating apparatus that effectively patterns the shapes of a plurality of components exposed to the outside of a cabinet.

[0042] In addition, embodiments of the present application can provide a laundry treating apparatus that effectively improves space usability and use convenience by effectively determining a plurality of components that are exposed to the outside of the cabinet in terms of height, width, position, etc.

[0043] In addition, embodiments of the present application can provide a laundry treating apparatus that effectively improves space usability and use convenience by effectively determining a plurality of components that are exposed to the outside of the cabinet in terms of relative height, width, position, etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0044] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0045] Figure 2 is a view showing a door seating portion provided in a cabinet and a door according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0046] Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the inside of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0047] Figure 4 is a front view showing a state in which a lower portion of the front of a cabinet is covered by an additional treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0048] Figure 5 is a side view showing a state in which a lower portion of the front of a cabinet is covered by an additional treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0049] Figure 6 is a front view showing a state in which the cabinet as a whole is located above an additional treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0050] Figure 7 is a side view showing a state in which the cabinet as a whole is located above an additional treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0051] Figure 8 is a view showing a control panel of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0052] Figure 9 is a view showing the height relationship of components in a control panel of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0053] Figure 10 is a view showing the width relationship of components in a control panel of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0054] Figure 11 is a view showing the positional relationship between a control panel and a door in a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0055] Figure 12 is a diagram showing a height relationship between configurations of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0056] Figure 13 is a diagram showing a width relationship between configurations of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so as to be easily practiced by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present application pertains.

[0058] However, the present application can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Also, in order to clearly describe the present application in the drawings, portions unrelated to the description have been omitted and like reference numerals have been assigned to like elements throughout the specification.

[0059] In the present specification, repeated description of the same elements will be omitted.

[0060] Also, in the present specification, when it is referred to that a certain structural element is "connected" or "engaged" with another structural element, it should be understood that although the certain structural element can be directly connected or engaged with the other structural element, there can be other structural elements therebetween. In contrast, in the present specification, when it is referred to that a certain structural element is "directly connected" or "directly engaged" with another structural element, it should be understood that there is no other structural element therebetween.

[0061] In addition, the terms used in the present specification are used only to describe particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0062] Also, in the present specification, unless otherwise defined, a singular expression can include a plural expression.

[0063] Also, in the present specification, "include" or "have" and the like should be understood to denote the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, structural elements, components or combinations thereof disclosed in the present specification, and not to preclude the existence or the possibility of addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, structural elements, components or combinations thereof.

[0064] Also, in the present specification, the term "and / or" includes a combination of the plurality of recited items or any one of the plurality of recited items. In the present specification, "A or B" can include "A" or "B" or "A and B all".

[0065] Figure 1An appearance of a laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present application includes a cabinet 10. The cabinet 10 forms an appearance of the laundry treating apparatus 1, and can define a space in which various components are disposed, inside.

[0066] The cabinet 10 can have a substantially hexahedral shape, formed by combining a plurality of panels. For example, the cabinet 10 can be formed by combining a front panel 11, a side panel, a top panel, a back panel, etc.

[0067] On the other hand, unless otherwise stated, a length direction X, a width direction Y, and a height direction Z referred to in the present application can be defined with reference to the cabinet 10. The length direction X can be a front-rear direction, the width direction Y can be a left-right direction, and the height direction Z can be an up-down direction.

[0068] In addition, unless otherwise stated, a height of each component described below refers to a length of the height direction Z that the component itself has. For example, a height of a certain component can refer to a vertical distance between virtual horizontal lines defined at an uppermost end and a lowermost end of the component, respectively, which can be defined to be parallel to the height direction Z. The height of the component can refer to a length of the height direction Z of the component.

[0069] In addition, unless otherwise stated, a width of each component described below refers to a length of the width direction Y that the component itself has. For example, a width of a certain component can refer to a vertical distance between virtual vertical lines defined at an end on one side of the width direction Y and an end on the other side of the width direction Y of the component, respectively, which can be defined to be parallel to the width direction Y. The width of the component can refer to a length of the width direction Y of the component.

[0070] On the other hand, in an embodiment of the present application, the cabinet 10 can include a front panel 11 forming a front of the cabinet 10, and the front panel 11 can have a first opening 17. The first opening 17 can communicate an outside and an inside of the cabinet 10.

[0071] The first opening 17 communicates with a later-described accommodation portion 20, so that laundry put through the first opening 17 can be accommodated in the accommodation portion 20. In addition, the front panel 11 can be provided with a door 16 for opening and closing the first opening 17. In other words, an embodiment of the present application can be a front-loading type in which the first opening 17 and the door 16 are provided in the front panel 11.

[0072] The door 16 can open and close the first opening 17 in various ways. For example, the door 16 can be hingedly coupled to the front panel 11 so as to rotate to a closed state in which the door 16 is in close contact with the front panel 11 to shield the first opening 17, or can rotate to an open state in which the door 16 is spaced apart from the front panel 11 to open the first opening 17.

[0073] In addition, the cabinet 10 can be provided with a control panel 100. The control panel 100 can be provided on the front panel 11 and have an output area 220 for outputting a screen. The control panel 100 will be described later in detail.

[0074] On the other hand, the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present application can be used in a state in which the laundry treating apparatus 1 is disposed adjacent to an additional treating apparatus 2 provided outside the cabinet 10. For example, the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present application can be used in a state in which the laundry treating apparatus 1 is disposed above the additional treating apparatus 2 in a stacked manner with the additional treating apparatus 2.

[0075] The additional treating apparatus 2 can be provided to accommodate laundry separately from the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present application and to perform a treating program for the laundry separately.

[0076] On the other hand, Figure 2 A door seating portion 15 and a door 16 according to an embodiment of the present application provided on a cabinet 10 are shown.

[0077] Specifically, in the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present application, laundry can be introduced into the cabinet 10 from the outside of the cabinet 10 through a first opening 17 formed in the cabinet 10 and can be accommodated into an accommodation portion 20 provided inside the cabinet 10.

[0078] That is, in the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present application, a first opening 17 communicating with the accommodation portion 20 can be formed in a front panel 11 of the cabinet 10. The accommodation portion 20 can be provided to accommodate laundry introduced through the first opening 17.

[0079] A door 16 can be provided on the front panel 11 to open and close the first opening 17. In addition, a door seating portion 15 in which the door 16 in a closed state to close the first opening 17 can be seated can be provided on the front panel 11.

[0080] The door seating portion 15 can have a recessed surface recessed further rearward than a front surface defined in the front panel 11. That is, the door seating portion 15 can have a groove shape recessed rearward from the front panel 11, and the aforementioned first opening 17 can be located in the center of the door seating portion 15.

[0081] In other words, the door seating portion 15 can extend along the circumference of the first opening 17 to surround the first opening 17. At least a portion of the door 16 that rotates to abut the front panel 11 in order to close the first opening 17 can be inserted into the door seating portion 15.

[0082] Accordingly, the door 16 in the closed state can protrude less toward the front of the front panel 11, and the abutting structure between the door 16 and the front panel 11 can be effectively achieved, thereby effectively achieving the closure of the inside of the cabinet 10.

[0083] On the other hand, Figure 3 A cross-sectional view showing the inside of the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0084] The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present application can perform a washing treatment of laundry and / or a drying treatment of laundry.

[0085] In order to perform the washing treatment, the laundry treating apparatus 1 can include an outer tub 30. The outer tub 30 can include a space to accommodate water inside. The laundry treating apparatus 1 can include a water supply portion to receive water from the outside, and the water supply portion can supply water to the inside of the outer tub 30.

[0086] The aforementioned laundry accommodating portion 20 can be included inside the outer tub 30. The laundry accommodating portion 20 can also be named a drum to define a space inside. The laundry accommodating portion 20 can be provided inside the outer tub 30 to be rotatable by a driving portion. The laundry accommodating portion 20 can be provided to be rotatable by a rotational shaft defined by the driving portion.

[0087] The laundry accommodating portion 20 can accommodate laundry inside, and a plurality of holes to communicate the outside and the inside can be formed in the circumferential surface. Accordingly, water stored in the outer tub 30 can be supplied to the inside of the laundry accommodating portion 20, and the washing treatment of laundry can be performed by the rotation of the laundry accommodating portion 20.

[0088] On the other hand, in the embodiment of the present application, a detergent supply portion 50 can be included, and the detergent supply portion 50 can store a detergent for the washing treatment of laundry. The detergent of the detergent supply portion 50 can be supplied to the inside of the outer tub 30 or the inside of the laundry accommodating portion 20.

[0089] The water supply portion can supply water to the detergent supply portion 50. The water supply portion can supply water to the outer tub 30 via the detergent supply portion 50, or can directly supply water to the outer tub 30.

[0090] The outer tub 30 and the accommodation portion 20 can have a substantially cylindrical shape, and can be open toward the first opening 17 provided to the cabinet 10. For example, the outer tub 30 can have an outer tub opening 31 open toward the first opening 17 of the front panel 11, and the accommodation portion 20 can have an accommodation opening 21 open toward the outer tub opening 31 and the first opening 17.

[0091] In an embodiment of the present application, a drain portion can be further included, which is connected to the outer tub 30, so that water inside the outer tub 30 can be drained outside the cabinet 10.

[0092] On the other hand, the laundry treating apparatus 1 of an embodiment of the present application can include an air conditioning portion 40 for a drying process. The air conditioning portion 40 can be provided at various positions inside the cabinet 10.

[0093] For example, in the case where the laundry treating apparatus 1 of an embodiment of the present application is capable of performing the aforementioned washing process, the laundry treating apparatus 1 includes the outer tub 30, and the air conditioning portion 40 can be disposed above the outer tub 30 and communicate with the outer tub 30.

[0094] On the other hand, in the case where the laundry treating apparatus 1 is capable of performing only the drying process and not the washing process, the outer tub 30 can be omitted, and thus the air conditioning portion 40 can be disposed below or above the accommodation portion 20 and communicate with the inside of the accommodation portion 20.

[0095] Hereinafter, for the purpose of explanation of the present application, the laundry treating apparatus 1 capable of performing the washing process and the drying process of laundry will be described as a basis, but only one of the washing process and the drying process can be performed as necessary.

[0096] According to an embodiment of the present application, in the laundry treating apparatus 1 capable of performing the washing process and the drying process of laundry, the air conditioning portion 40 can be provided so that air flows in from the rear portion of the outer tub 30 and flows toward the front portion of the outer tub 30 or the accommodation portion 20. However, the inlet and the outlet of the air conditioning portion 40 can be provided in reverse as necessary.

[0097] The air conditioning portion 40 can dehumidify and heat the air transferred from the outer tub 30 and supply the air to the outer tub 30 again. Thus, the air inside the outer tub 30, which has become humid due to moisture of laundry, can become dry and high-temperature again via the air conditioning portion 40, and the moisture present in the laundry inside the accommodation portion 20 can be vaporized into the air, and the drying process can be performed.

[0098] On the other hand, the laundry treating apparatus 1 of an embodiment of the present application is disposed on the upper face of the aforementioned additional treating apparatus 2, and thus can be positioned above the additional treating apparatus 2. The additional treating apparatus 2 can accommodate laundry separately from the laundry treating apparatus 1 of an embodiment of the present application, and perform treating of the laundry.

[0099] For example, the additional treating apparatus 2 can have an additional accommodation portion 3 for accommodating laundry separately from the aforementioned accommodation portion 20, and can perform treating of the laundry accommodated in the additional accommodation portion 3. The additional treating apparatus 2 can perform washing treating and / or drying treating of the laundry of the additional accommodation portion 3.

[0100] The additional treating apparatus 2 can also receive water or detergent, high-temperature dried air from the laundry treating apparatus 1 of an embodiment of the present application, and can be provided with at least one of the aforementioned water supply portion, the drain portion, the detergent supply portion 50, the air conditioning portion 40, etc. for treating laundry among a plurality of components separately from the aforementioned laundry treating apparatus 1.

[0101] On the other hand, in an embodiment of the present application, the height H1 of the cabinet 10 can be defined as the same as the height of the side face panel of the cabinet 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, even in the case where the height of a part of the plurality of panels, for example, the height of the front face panel 11 is less than the height of the side face panel, the height H1 of the cabinet 10 can be defined by the side face panel. Figure 3

[0102] In an embodiment of the present application, the center of the door 16 can be positioned more upward than the center of the cabinet 10. Here, the center L9 (refer to FIG. 1) of the door 16 means the center on the cross section of the door 16 viewed from the front face, and the center of the cabinet 10 can be understood as the center between the upper end and the lower end of the cabinet 10. Figure 11

[0103] Accordingly, it is also possible to move the position of the first opening 17 and the outer tub 30 or the accommodation portion 20 upward, and the user can easily approach the first opening 17, and it is possible to further secure a space in the lower portion inside the cabinet 10.

[0104] The first opening 17 can be surrounded by the door seating portion 15, and the center of the door seating portion 15 can also be positioned more upward than the center of the cabinet 10. The door 16 can be seated in the door seating portion 15 without protruding more forward than the front face panel 11 in the state of closing the first opening 17.

[0105] ​​In addition, in the closed state, the center of the door 16 can be positioned higher than the center of the door seating portion 15. In an embodiment of the present application, the center of the door 16 is positioned higher than the center of the door seating portion 15, so that the phenomenon of the center of the door 16 sinking downward during use can be compensated.

[0106] In the closed state of the door 16, the front surface of the door 16 can be positioned on the same plane S as the front surface of the front panel 11. That is, the door seating portion 15 can have a depth such that the door 16 forms the same plane S as the front panel 11.

[0107] However, the door seating portion 15 does not necessarily have to be configured such that the door 16 forms the same plane as the front panel 11. The door seating portion 15 can be omitted as needed, or the door 16 can protrude further forward than the front panel 11 even when the door 16 is seated in the door seating portion 15.

[0108] On the other hand, Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which the lower end portion of the front surface of the cabinet 10 of the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present application is shielded by the additional treating apparatus 2, Figure 5 FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which the lower end portion of the front surface of the cabinet 10 of the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present application is shielded by the additional treating apparatus 2, Figure 4 FIG. 3 is a side view of the laundry treating apparatus 1 and the additional treating apparatus 2.

[0109] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5 In an embodiment of the present application, the front panel 11 of the cabinet 10 can have a height H4 that is shorter than the side panels. In addition, the lower side portion of the front panel 11 in the front surface of the cabinet 10 can be shielded from the outside by the front surface portion of the additional treating apparatus 2. In this case, the upper end of the front surface portion of the additional treating apparatus 2 can be positioned in front of the side panel of the cabinet 10 and can be positioned on the lower side of the front panel 11.

[0110] On the other hand, the front panel 11 can be formed of a single panel material. For example, the front panel 11 can be provided in a plate shape from a single material, and can be composed of a plurality of flange portions bent from a front surface region forming the front surface of the cabinet and an outer side portion of the front surface region. In this case, the plurality of flange portions are welded to each other, so that the interval therebetween can be removed.

[0111] On the other hand, the region corresponding to the front surface in the front panel 11 can form the first opening 17 and the second opening 18 in which the control panel 100 described below is disposed by cutting, stamping, or the like.

[0112] The first opening 17 can be formed larger than the second opening 18. The second opening 18 can be located between the first opening 17 and the upper end of the front panel 11.

[0113] In an embodiment of the present application, the first opening 17 and the door 16 can be formed in a circular shape, respectively. The first opening 17 can be formed in a circular shape, can be opened and closed by the door 16, and the door 16 can have a circular edge with respect to the front panel 11.

[0114] In the present application, it can be understood that the circular shape refers not only to a perfect circle but also to a shape that can be understood as a circular shape by those skilled in the art, such as an ellipse. The door 16 has an area above the first opening 17, so that the first opening 17 can be closed.

[0115] In an embodiment of the present application, the control panel 100 can be located between the upper end of the front panel 11 and the upper end of the door 16 according to the position of the second opening 18. The control panel 100 can be combined with the front panel 11 in such a manner that at least a part thereof is disposed in the second opening 18.

[0116] In an embodiment of the present application, the control panel 100 can have a track shape as described later, and the second opening 18 can have a track shape having a linear edge and a curved edge to correspond to the control panel 100.

[0117] On the other hand, in an embodiment of the present application, the control panel 100 can be understood as a portion, area, and shape exposed to the outside of the cabinet 10 through the second opening 18 or the like. For example, the control panel 100 can be a module occupying a larger area than the second opening 18, but the area of the module that is exposed to the outside through the second opening 18 and is recognized from the outside can be defined as the control panel 100.

[0118] Thus, the second opening 18 can be formed in a track shape having a linear edge and a curved edge, and the control panel 100 can be disposed inside the cabinet 10 and defined as the track shape by the shape of the second opening 18, and exposed to the outside of the cabinet 10.

[0119] Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, a configuration in which the control panel 100 is disposed in the second opening 18, an area or portion exposed to the outside of the cabinet 10 has a track shape is described.

[0120] On the other hand, Figure 6 A front view showing a state in which a lower end portion in the front of the cabinet 10 of a laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present application is exposed to the front without being shielded by an additional treating apparatus 2 is shown, Figure 7 A front view showing a state in which a lower end portion in the front of the cabinet 10 of a laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present application is exposed to the front without being shielded by an additional treating apparatus 2 is shown, Figure 6A side view of the laundry treating apparatus 1 and the additional treating apparatus 2.

[0121] Referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7 In an embodiment of the present application, unlike the foregoing, the lower side portion of the front panel 11 in the front surface of the cabinet 10 can be exposed to the front without being externally shielded by the front surface portion of the additional treating apparatus 2.

[0122] In this case, the lower end portion in the front surface of the cabinet 10 can be covered by the aforementioned front panel 11 or can be externally shielded by an additional lower panel portion disposed at the lower side of the front panel 11.

[0123] In this case, the upper end of the front surface portion of the additional treating apparatus 2 can be located at a lower side than the side panel of the cabinet 10, and can be located at the lower side of the front panel 11. This difference can result from a size change of the laundry treating apparatus 1 of an embodiment of the present application or a model difference of the additional treating apparatus 2.

[0124] The lower end portion of the cabinet 10 shielded by the lower panel portion can be provided with the aforementioned detergent supply portion 50 and / or a hose connection portion, etc. In addition, the door 16 disposed at the front panel 11 can also be more protruded to the front than the front panel 11.

[0125] Only, Figure 4 and Figure 5 The features of the first opening 17, the second opening 18, etc. explained in Figure 6 and Figure 7 may also be applied to the structure shown in and

[0126] , unless otherwise stated, as features disposed in the door seating portion 15. Figure 4 Figure 5 Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the structure in which the upper end of the front surface portion of the additional treating apparatus 2 is located at the lower end portion in the front surface of the cabinet 10 of the laundry treating apparatus 1 of an embodiment of the present application is explained as a basis, but unless otherwise stated, the structure explained in Figure 6 and Figure 7 may also be applied.

[0127] On the other hand, Figure 8 A control panel 100 provided in the laundry treating apparatus 1 of an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0128] As described above, the control panel 100 defined in an embodiment of the present application can be a part of a module structure configured to occupy the cross-sectional area above the second opening 18 of the cabinet 10, and the control panel 100 is defined as being configured to the second opening 18 having the above-described track shape and described unless otherwise specified.

[0129] In an embodiment of the present application, the control panel 100 is provided to the cabinet 10, and can include an output area 220 outputting a screen and a button 140 operated by a user.

[0130] The control panel 100 can be provided to the top surface of the cabinet 10, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, and 100, or can be provided to the front panel 11. Hereinafter, a case where the control panel 100 is provided to the front panel 11 is described as a basis. Figure 1

[0131] The control panel 100 can be configured between the upper end of the front panel 11 and the upper end of the door 16. In other words, the second opening 18 can also be located between the upper end of the front panel 11 and the upper end of the door 16.

[0132] The control panel 100 can include an output area 220 outputting a screen. The shape of the output area 220 can be various. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, and 100, the output area 220 can have a quadrangular shape. Figure 8

[0133] On the other hand, the control panel 100 can include a display for outputting a screen through the output area 220, and the display can have an area above the output area 220. Figure 8 The display configured to overlap the output area 220 is shown as a quadrangular shape with a dotted line.

[0134] The output area 220 can be defined as a part of the display exposed to the outside of the cabinet 10 and recognized by a user. The peripheral side of the display can be covered by the outer surface of the control panel 100, thereby being hidden from the outside, and the output area 220 can be exposed to the outside of the cabinet 10 and output a screen.

[0135] On the other hand, the control panel 100 can include a central portion 200 and a side portion 300. The central portion 200 can include the output area 220 and can have straight edges 210 with respect to the cabinet 10. For example, the central portion 200 can be provided with straight edges 210 parallel to the width direction Y of the cabinet 10, respectively, above and below.

[0136] ​​The side portions 300 can be located at both ends of the central portion 200, respectively. The side portions 300 can have curved edges 310 with respect to the cabinet 10. The curved edges 310 can be in an arc shape. The curvature of the curved edges 310 can be various. The side portions 300 can have only the curved edges 310 with respect to the front panel 11.

[0137] The straight edges 210 of the central portion 200 and the curved edges 310 of the side portions 300 can be connected to each other by a pair of connection points 110. For example, one of both ends of the curved edge 310 of the side portion 300 can be connected to one end of the straight edge 210 located at the upper side of the central portion 200, and the other of both ends of the curved edge 310 can be connected to one end of the straight edge 210 located at the lower side of the central portion 200.

[0138] The control panel 100 as a whole in which the side portions 300 are provided at both sides of the central portion 200 can have a track-and-field stadium-shaped edge with respect to the cabinet 10. The track-and-field stadium-shaped edge can be formed by the straight edges 210 and the curved edges 310.

[0139] In an embodiment of the present application, the control panel 100 has a track-and-field stadium-shaped edge, so that the width W3 of the output region 220 can be adjusted by adjusting only the width W2 of the central portion 200 in design, keeping the shape of the side portions 300, thereby minimizing design change and enabling adjustment of the size of the output region 220.

[0140] The boundary line L1 of the central portion 200 and the side portions 300 can be defined to pass through the pair of connection points 110. That is, the boundary line L1 of the central portion 200 and the side portions 300 can be a virtual line connecting the pair of connection points 110 at which the straight edge 210 of the central portion 200 and the curved edge 310 of the side portion 300 meet.

[0141] The boundary line L1 of the central portion 200 and the side portions 300 can be a straight line, which can be defined to be parallel to the height direction Z of the cabinet 10. The central portion 200 can be defined to have a quadrangular shape by the straight edge 210 and the boundary line L1, and the side portion 300 can be defined to have a semicircular shape by the curved edge 310 and the boundary line L1.

[0142] Here, the semicircular shape can be defined as a shape in which one of two lines constituting an edge is a curved line in an arc shape and the other is a straight line.

[0143] On the other hand, the control panel 100 can have a button 140 operated by a user, which is located between the output region 220 and the outermost end of the side portion 300 with reference to the width direction Y.

[0144] The button 140 can be operated by a user to generate an operation signal. The operation signal generated by the button 140 can be transmitted to a control module, which will be described later, as a user's instruction signal.

[0145] The button 140 can have various kinds. For example, the button 140 can be a mechanical button 140 operated by a physical pressing action, or can be a touch button 140 that senses a touch signal of a touch area 145 designed to be touched by a user, as will be described later.

[0146] At least a part of the button 140 can be located in the side portion 300. The button 140 can be located in the side portion 300 as a whole, or a part of the button 140 can be located in the side portion 300, and the remaining part can be located in the central portion 200.

[0147] In an embodiment of the present application, at least a part of the button 140 is located in the side portion 300 having a curved edge 310, thereby minimizing unnecessary area in the control panel 100 except for an area in which the button 140 is disposed.

[0148] For example, in an embodiment of the present application, considering the shape of the side portion 300, the area of the control panel 100 disposed on the upper side and the lower side of the button 140 can be effectively reduced, and the integrity of the shape of the control panel 100 and the efficient use of space of the control panel can be achieved.

[0149] On the other hand, in an embodiment of the present application, the boundary line L1 of the central portion 200 and the side portion 300 can pass through the button 140. As described above, the button 140 can be disposed outside the output area 220 in the control panel 100 in a touch manner, in which case the boundary line L1 of the central portion 200 and the side portion 300 can pass through the touch area 145 of the button 140.

[0150] Various configurations for implementing the button 140 can occupy a larger space inside the case 10 than the appearance of the button 140 exposed to the outside of the case 10. In an embodiment of the present application, a part of the button 140 is disposed in the side portion 300, thereby being able to secure an effective separation distance from the display, and the remaining part of the button 140 is disposed in the central portion 200, thereby being able to effectively dispose a plurality of configurations for implementing the button 140 in the control panel 100.

[0151] On the other hand, the button 140 can display an icon 146 representing a function of the button 140. For example, the button 140 can be a plurality of buttons 140, each of which can display an icon 146 for representing a corresponding function.

[0152] For example, the power button 141 described later can display an icon 146 related to power, and the execution button 142 described later can display an icon 146 related to the start or pause of a clothes treatment.

[0153] At least a part of the icon 146 of the button 140 can be located at the side portion 300. The icon 146 displayed at the button 140 can be located at the side portion 300 as a whole, or only a part thereof can be located at the side portion 300, and the remaining part can be located at the central portion 200.

[0154] In the control panel 100, the side portion 300 can be located at both sides of the central portion 200 with the width direction Y as a reference. The side portion 300 can include a first side portion 301 located at one end of the two ends of the central portion 200 and a second side portion 302 located at the other end.

[0155] The button 140 can include a first button 141 of which at least a part is located at the first side portion 301 and a second button 142 of which at least a part is located at the second side portion 302. The first button 141 and the second button 142 can also each have a plurality of buttons.

[0156] The first button can correspond to a power button 141 for applying power or cutting off power to the control panel 100, and the second button can correspond to an execution button 142 for executing or pausing a program for treating clothes.

[0157] In an embodiment of the present application, the output area 220 can be configured to sense a user's touch input to a screen. The output area 220 can output a screen for setting various programs for treating clothes or for providing information, and a user can set a treatment process for clothes by touching the screen.

[0158] In the use of the clothes treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present application, a user can apply power to the clothes treatment apparatus 1 by operating the power button 141 located at one side of the width direction Y of the control panel 100, can set a treatment process for clothes by the output area 220 located at the central side of the control panel 100, and can instruct the execution of the treatment process by operating the execution button 142 located at the other side of the width direction Y of the control panel 100.

[0159] That is, a user can instruct a treatment process for clothes by sequentially operating a plurality of buttons 140 and the output area 220 in one direction from one side of the width direction Y during the use of the clothes treatment apparatus 1, and thus the use convenience can be improved.

[0160] In the control panel 100, the output area 220 can be disposed apart from the boundary line Ll in the width direction Y of the cabinet 10. That is, the output area 220 can be located as a whole in the central portion 200.

[0161] In addition, the central portion 200 can include an outer side area 230 located outside the output area 220. The outer side area 230 can extend along the periphery of the output area 220, and can surround the output area 220.

[0162] A part of the button 140 can be located in the side portion 300, and the remaining part can be located in the outer side area 230.

[0163] The width of the part of the outer side area 230 located in the horizontal direction of the output area 220 can be greater than the width of the part located in the vertical direction of the output area 220. The control panel 100 can be configured to have a greater width than height.

[0164] On the other hand, Figure 9 The height relationship between the plurality of configurations of the control panel 100 is shown. As described above, the height can correspond to the length in the height direction Z of each configuration.

[0165] Referring to Figure 9 The horizontal center line L3 of the button 140 can be defined as being parallel to the width direction Y of the cabinet 10 and passing through the center of the button 140, and the horizontal center line L3 of the button 140 can pass through the center of the control panel 100.

[0166] In addition, the horizontal center line of the output area 220 and the horizontal center line L7 of the control panel 100 can be defined on the same line.

[0167] That is, in an embodiment of the present application, the horizontal center line L3 of the button 140, the horizontal center line of the output area 220, and the horizontal center line L7 of the control panel 100 can constitute the same line. That is, the distance with respect to the lower end of the control panel 100 can be the same.

[0168] On the other hand, the height H3 of the output area 220 can be 8 / 10 or more of the height H2 of the control panel 100. It is necessary to effectively increase the area of the output area 220 of the display screen, and thus, in an embodiment of the present application, the height H3 of the output area 220 can be 8 / 10 or more of the height H2 of the control panel 100. The height of the touch area 145 of the button 140 can be 1 / 2 or less of the height H2, H3 of the output area 220 or the control panel 100.

[0169] On the other hand, Figure 10The width relationship of the respective components of the control panel 100 and the positional relationship in the width direction Y are shown.

[0170] Referring to Figure 10 The vertical center line L2 of the button 140 can be defined as a line that is perpendicular to the width direction Y of the cabinet 10 and passes through the center of the button 140 and is located in the side portion 300. The vertical center line L2 of the button 140 can be spaced apart from the boundary line L1 between the central portion 200 and the side portion 300.

[0171] The vertical center line L2 of the button 140 can be located at the center of the shortest distance W5 between the outermost end of the side portion 300 and the output area 220 with reference to the width direction Y of the cabinet 10.

[0172] Here, the outermost end of the side portion 300 can refer to a portion of the side portion 300 that is farthest from the central portion 200 with reference to the width direction Y. The outermost end can refer to a portion of the curved edge 310 of the side portion 300 that is located outermost in the width direction Y. The outermost end can be located on the horizontal center line L7 of the control panel 100.

[0173] The shortest distance W5 between the outermost end of the side portion 300 and the output area 220 can refer to the distance between the side of the output area 220 that faces the side portion 300 and the outermost end of the side portion 300.

[0174] For example, the distance between the end of the edge of the output area 220 that faces the side portion 300 in the width direction Y and the outermost end of the side portion 300 can be the shortest distance W5. The shortest distance W5 can be parallel to the width direction Y and the horizontal center line of the cabinet 10.

[0175] The shortest distance W5 between the outermost end of the side portion 300 and the output area 220 can be the horizontal distance between a virtual vertical outer side line L4 that passes through the outermost end of the side portion 300 and is parallel to the height direction Z of the cabinet 10 and a vertical outer side line L5 of the output area 220 that faces the vertical outer side line and is parallel to a side that is parallel to the vertical outer side line.

[0176] That is, the vertical center line L2 of the button 140 can be located at the center between the vertical outer side line L4 of the control panel 100 and the vertical outer side line L5 of the output area 220.

[0177] Thus, the plurality of components for implementing the button 140 can be effectively spaced apart from the edge of the control panel 100 and the display and arranged inside the control panel 100 or the cabinet 10.

[0178] On the other hand, the width W4 of the side portion 300, which can be defined as the distance between the vertical outer side line L4 of the side portion 300 or the outermost end and the boundary line LI of the side portion 300 and the central portion 200, can be 1 / 10 or more of the width W2 of the central portion 200.

[0179] Since the minimum value of the width W4 of the side portion 300 is determined with the central portion 200 as a reference, the control panel 100 can effectively maintain the aforementioned track shape even if the width W2 of the central portion 200 changes.

[0180] However, in order to prevent the width W4 of the side portion 300 from excessively increasing, in an embodiment of the present application, the width W4 of the side portion 300 can be 1 / 2 or less of the width W2 of the central portion 200.

[0181] In addition, the width W3 of the output area 220 can be 1 / 2 or more and 2 / 3 or less of the width Wl of the control panel 100. Thereby, the area of the control panel 100 for disposing the buttons 140, which can be disposed on both sides of the output area 220, can be effectively secured.

[0182] In addition, the width W3 of the output area 220 defined with the width direction Y of the cabinet 10 as a reference can be 2 / 3 or more of the width W2 of the central portion 200, so that the output area 220 can maximize the use of the area of the central portion 200 while securing the disposition position of the buttons 140 and the like.

[0183] The width W3 of the output area 220 defined with the width direction Y of the cabinet 10 as a reference can be 2 times or more of the shortest distance W5 between the outermost end of the side portion 300 and the output area 220. The width of the output area 220 can be determined not only by a ratio with respect to the entire control panel 100 but also by the shortest distance W5 between the outermost end of the side portion 300 and the output area 220 as a reference. Such determination can be used not only to determine the width W3 of the output area 220 but also to determine the width W2 of the central portion 200.

[0184] In an embodiment of the present application, the width W3 of the output area 220 can be 2 times or more of the height H3 of the output area 220. In an embodiment of the present application, the central portion 200 can be used to effectively increase the width W3 of the output area 220.

[0185] On the other hand, Figure 11 The positional relationship between the control panel 100 disposed on the front panel 11 and the door 16 according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0186] The control panel 100 disposed on the front panel 11 and the door 16 need to secure sufficient area while minimizing interference between the outer tub 30, the accommodation portion 20, etc. disposed inside the cabinet 10 and other configurations, and in addition, it can be important to determine the position and size thereof in order to improve the appearance integrity of the product and the satisfaction of the user through visual unity or patterning.

[0187] Referring to Figure 11 The vertical center line L8 of the door 16 can be defined as passing through the center of the shape of the door 16 in parallel with the height direction Z of the cabinet 10. In addition, the vertical quarter line L11 of the door 16 can be defined as passing through the center between the vertical center line L8 of the door 16 and the vertical outer side line L13 defined by the outermost side end of the door 16.

[0188] The vertical quarter line L11 of the door 16 can be defined on both sides of the vertical center line L8 of the door 16 with the width direction Y of the cabinet 10 as a reference, but Figure 11 In the middle, only the vertical quarter line L11 defined on the one side in the lateral direction is shown for convenience of explanation.

[0189] The vertical outer side line L4 defined as passing through the outermost side end of the control panel 100 with the width direction Y of the cabinet 10 as a reference can be positioned between the vertical center line L8 of the door 16 and the vertical quarter line L11 of the door 16.

[0190] In addition, the vertical eighth line L12 of the door 16 can be defined as passing through the center between the vertical center line L8 of the door 16 and the vertical quarter line L11 of the door 16 with the width direction Y of the cabinet 10 as a reference.

[0191] The vertical outer side line L4 of the control panel 100 can be positioned between the vertical quarter line L11 of the door 16 and the vertical eighth line L12 of the door 16. However, the vertical outer side line L4 of the control panel 100 can be positioned closer to the vertical quarter line L11 of the door 16 than the vertical eighth line L12 of the door 16.

[0192] In an embodiment of the present application, the vertical outer side line L5 of the output area 220 can be positioned between the vertical quarter line L11 of the door 16 and the vertical eighth line L12 of the door 16. That is, the output area 220 can be provided to have sufficient width even in comparison with the size of the door 16.

[0193] On the other hand, the side portion 300 of the control panel 100 can be positioned between the vertical quarter line L11 of the door 16 and the vertical eighth line L12 of the door 16 with reference to the width direction Y. That is, the vertical outer side line L4 of the side portion 300 and the boundary line L1 of the side portion 300 and the central portion 200 can be positioned between the vertical quarter line L11 of the door 16 and the vertical eighth line L12 of the door 16. In this regard, the vertical center line L2 of the button 140 can be positioned between the vertical quarter line L11 of the door 16 and the vertical eighth line L12 of the door 16.

[0194] On the other hand, Figure 12 The front panel 11 and the height relationship and the positional relationship of the plurality of components disposed on the front panel 11 are shown.

[0195] As described above, the control panel 100 disposed on the front panel 11 and the door 16 need to secure sufficient area while minimizing interference between the outer tub 30, the accommodation portion 20, etc. disposed inside the cabinet 10 and other components, and in addition, in order to improve the appearance integrity of the product and the satisfaction of the user through visual unity or patterning, it can be important to determine the position and size thereof.

[0196] Referring to Figure 12 In an embodiment of the present application, the door 16 can be positioned lower than the upper end of the front panel 11, and in order to improve the convenience of use by the door 16, etc. to access the first opening 17 and secure the area of the control panel 100, it can be important to determine the distance H6 between the upper end of the front panel 11 and the upper end of the door 16.

[0197] In an embodiment of the present application, the distance H6 between the upper end of the front panel 11 and the upper end of the door 16 can be 1 / 5 or more of the height H5 of the door 16 defined with reference to the height direction Z of the cabinet 10, and thus, it is possible to secure the area for increasing the heights H2, H3 of the control panel 100 and the output area 220.

[0198] The distance H6 between the upper end of the front panel 11 and the upper end of the door 16 can be 1 / 6 or less of the height H1 of the cabinet 10. Here, the height H1 of the cabinet 10 can be greater than the height H4 of the front panel 11, for example, can be the same as the height of the side panel of the cabinet 10.

[0199] Thereby, it is possible to adjust the position of the door 16 and the first opening 17 upward, and it is possible to improve the convenience of the user to put laundry through the first opening 17.

[0200] The control panel 100 can be positioned between the upper end of the front panel 11 and the upper end of the door 16. The height H2 of the control panel 100 defined with reference to the height direction Z of the cabinet 10 can be 1 / 3 or more and 2 / 3 or less of the distance H6 between the upper end of the front panel 11 and the upper end of the door 16.

[0201] Increasing the height H2 of the control panel 100 can eventually be associated with increasing the height H3 of the output area 220, and thus can be important. Thus, in an embodiment of the present application, the height H2 of the control panel 100 can be 1 / 3 or more of the distance H6 between the upper end of the front panel 11 and the upper end of the door 16, but can be determined to be 2 / 3 or less in consideration of interference of the control panel 100 and other structures in the inside of the cabinet 10, etc.

[0202] The horizontal center line L7 of the control panel 100 can be defined as being parallel to the width direction Y of the cabinet 10 and passing through the center of the control panel 100, and can be positioned at a position higher than the center between the upper end of the door 16 and the upper end of the front panel 11.

[0203] The center of the control panel 100 is positioned at a position higher than the center between the upper end of the front panel 11 and the upper end of the door 16, and thus the proximity of a user using the control panel 100 can be improved, and interference between the control panel 100 and the tub 30, the accommodation portion 20, etc. can be minimized.

[0204] At this time, reducing the distance H6 between the upper end of the front panel 11 and the upper end of the door 16 in the entire front panel 11 can improve the proximity convenience of a user, and thus the distance between the upper end of the front panel 11 and the horizontal center line L7 of the control panel 100 can be 1 / 10 or less of the front panel 11 (or 1 / 10 or less of the height of the cabinet).

[0205] On the other hand, between the upper end of the front panel 11 and the upper end of the door 16, the first distance H8 between the upper end of the front panel 11 and the upper end of the control panel 100 can be 1 / 3 or less of the second distance H7 between the lower end of the control panel 100 and the upper end of the door 16.

[0206] In order to minimize unnecessary waste areas, the first distance H8 and the second distance H7 can each be 1 / 20 or less of the height H1 of the cabinet 10.

[0207] Here, the first distance H8 shorter than the second distance H7 can be 1 / 25 or less of the height H1 of the cabinet 10. The second distance H7 can be 1 / 3 or more and 4 / 3 times or less of the first distance H8.

[0208] In addition, in order to exclude structural interference between the top surface of the cabinet 10 and the outer tub 30, etc., the first distance H8 and the second distance H7 can each be 1 / 3 or more of the height H2 of the control panel 100.

[0209] In addition, in order to secure the heights H2, H3 of the control panel 100 and the output area 220, the height H2 of the control panel 100 defined with reference to the height direction Z of the cabinet 10 can be 2 times or more of the first distance H8 between the upper end of the front panel 11 and the upper end of the control panel 100.

[0210] In other words, the first distance H8 can be 1 / 2 times or less of the height H2 of the control panel 100 defined with reference to the height direction Z of the cabinet 10. On the other hand, the height H2 of the control panel 100 defined with reference to the height direction Z of the cabinet 10 can be 3 times or less of the first distance H8.

[0211] On the other hand, the height H2 of the control panel 100 defined in the front panel 11 can also be understood as the height H3 of the output area 220 having a height similar to the height H2 of the control panel 100. For example, the height H3 of the output area 220 defined with reference to the height direction Z of the cabinet 10 can be 2 times or more of the first distance H8.

[0212] On the other hand, the height H2 of the control panel 100 can also be defined in relation to the door 16. In an embodiment of the present application, the height H2 of the control panel 100 defined with reference to the height direction Z of the cabinet 10 can be 1 / 8 times or more and 1 / 6 times or less of the height H5 of the door 16.

[0213] This is a ratio determined in consideration of the relative sizes of the door 16 and the control panel 100, and among various ratio relationships, the appearance integrity and the configuration efficiency between the components can be considered to be determined.

[0214] From a similar perspective to the control panel 100, the height H3 of the output area 220 defined with reference to the height direction Z of the cabinet 10 can be 1 / 6 times or less of the height H5 of the door 16. The height H3 of the output area 220 defined with reference to the height direction Z of the cabinet 10 can be 1 / 10 times or more of the height H5 of the door 16.

[0215] On the other hand, the height H5 of the door 16 of an embodiment of the present application can also be defined in relation to the front panel 11. In an embodiment of the present application, the height H5 of the door 16 defined with reference to the height direction Z of the cabinet 10 can be 1 / 2 or more of the height H4 of the front panel 11.

[0216] Thus, the size of the first opening 17 can also be effectively increased, and the appearance characteristics of the door 16 including glass or the like in the front of the cabinet 10 can play an important role for the user.

[0217] On the other hand, the distance H10 between the upper end of the door seating portion 15 of the front panel 11 and the upper end of the door 16 can be equal to or less than the distance H9 between the lower end of the door seating portion 15 and the lower end of the door 16.

[0218] Specifically, in order to facilitate the accommodation and seating of the door 16, the door seating portion 15 can have a larger area than the door 16. However, the door 16 coupled to the front panel 11 by the hinge is subject to fatigue deformation over repeated use, and thus the center of the door 16 can gradually move slightly downward due to the weight of the door 16.

[0219] In consideration of the deformation in use described above, in an embodiment of the present application, the distance H10 between the upper end of the door seating portion 15 and the upper end of the door 16 is designed to be equal to or less than the distance H9 between the lower end of the door seating portion 15 and the lower end of the door 16, so that even over repeated use, the center of the door 16 can be inhibited from being located on the lower side of the center of the door seating portion 15 or from being unable to be accommodated in the door seating portion 15 due to interference between the front panel 11 and the door 16.

[0220] On the other hand, Figure 13 The width relationship and the positional relationship of the front panel 11, the control panel 100, and the door 16 in the laundry treating apparatus 1 of an embodiment of the present application are shown.

[0221] In an embodiment of the present application, the vertical center line L6 of the control panel 100, the vertical center line L8 of the door 16, and the vertical center line L10 of the front panel 11 can be located on the same line. That is, the door 16 and the control panel 100 can be located in the center of the front panel 11 with reference to the width direction Y. The vertical center line of the output region 220 disposed in the center of the control panel 100 can also be located on the same line as the control panel 100 or the door 16.

[0222] The shortest distance W11 between one of the two ends of the front panel 11 and the control panel 100 can be 1 / 3 or less of the width W6 of the front panel 11. In other words, the width W1 of the control panel 100 defined with reference to the width direction Y of the cabinet 10 can be 1 / 3 or more of the width W6 of the front panel 11.

[0223] Here, one of the two ends of the front panel 11 defined with reference to the width direction Y can be one of the two side edges of the front panel 11. The shortest distance W11 between the control panel 100 can refer to the horizontal distance between the outermost end of the side portion 300 toward the one of the two side edges of the control panel 100 and the one of the two side edges.

[0224] The shortest distance W11 between the side direction one end of the front panel 11 and the control panel 100 can be 1 / 3 or less of the front panel 11, and the shortest distance W11 between the side direction other end of the front panel 11 and the control panel 100 can also be 1 / 3 or less of the front panel 11. Thus, the width W1 of the control panel 100 can be 1 / 3 or more of the width W6 of the front panel 11.

[0225] In other words, the width W1 of the control panel 100 defined with reference to the width direction Y of the cabinet 10 can be the shortest distance W11 between one of the two ends of the front panel 11 and the control panel 100 or more.

[0226] The width W1 of the control panel 100 disposed between the upper end of the front panel 11 and the upper end of the door 16 can be sufficiently ensured by determining the width W1 of the control panel 100 with reference to the front panel 11, and a screen displaying more information can be provided by expanding the width W3 of the output region 220.

[0227] However, the width W1 of the control panel 100 can be limited to 1 / 2 or less of the width W6 of the front panel 11 in consideration of the appearance integration with the door 16 and the relationship with other components inside the cabinet 10.

[0228] That is, in one embodiment of the present application, the width W1 of the control panel 100 can be the shortest distance W11 between one of the two ends of the front panel 11 and the control panel 100 or more and 1 / 2 or less of the width W6 of the front panel 11.

[0229] On the other hand, the width W1 of the control panel 100 can also be defined in the relationship with the door 16. In one embodiment of the present application, the width W1 of the control panel 100 defined with reference to the width direction Y of the cabinet 10 can be 1 / 3 or more and 1 / 2 or less of the width W7 of the door 16.

[0230] Further, the width Wl of the control panel 100 can be 2 / 5 or more of the width W7 of the door 16. As described above, by setting the width Wl of the control panel 100 in relation to the door 16, the appearance integrity and the patterning of the shapes of the plurality of configurations of the door 16 and the control panel 100 can be achieved.

[0231] On the other hand, the distance W5 between the outermost end of the output region 220 and the outermost end of the side portion 300, with reference to the width direction Y, can be 1 / 10 or less of the width W6 of the front panel 11.

[0232] In other words, the horizontal distance W5 between the vertical outer side line L4 of one of the pair of side portions 300 provided to the control panel 100 and the vertical outer side line L5 defined in the output region 220 facing the one of the pair of side portions 300 can be 1 / 10 or less of the width W6 of the front panel 11.

[0233] The width W3 of the output region 220 defined with reference to the width direction Y of the cabinet 10 can be 2 times or more of the height H3 of the output region 220, and the width W3 of the output region 220 can be 2 / 3 or more of the width W2 of the central portion 200.

[0234] Further, the width W3 of the output region 220 can be 1 / 4 or more and 1 / 3 or less of the width W7 of the door 16. In an embodiment of the present application, not only the width Wl of the control panel 100, but also the width W3 of the output region 220 can be defined in relation to the door 16.

[0235] On the other hand, the width W7 of the door 16 can also be defined in relation to the front panel 11. For example, in an embodiment of the present application, the width W7 of the door 16 defined with reference to the width direction Y of the cabinet 10 can be 3 / 4 or more of the width W6 of the front panel 11.

[0236] Further, the shortest distance WlO between one of the ends of the front panel 11 and the door 16, with reference to the width direction Y of the cabinet 10, can be 1 / 8 or less of the width W6 of the front panel 11.

[0237] On the other hand, the distance W8 between the width direction Y one end of the door seating portion 15 and the width direction Y one end of the door 16 can be the distance W9 or less between the width direction Y other end of the door seating portion 15 and the width direction Y other end of the door 16.

[0238] At this point, a hinge portion that joins the door 16 and the front panel 11 can be provided at one end in the width direction Y of the door seating portion 15 and one end in the width direction Y of the door 16.

[0239] Specifically, in order to facilitate the accommodation and seating of the door 16, the door seating portion 15 can have a wider area than the door 16. However, the door 16, which is hingedly joined to the front panel 11, is subject to fatigue deformation over repeated use, so the center of the door 16 can gradually move slightly downward, away from the hinge portion, due to the weight of the door 16.

[0240] In consideration of the deformation in use described above, in one embodiment of the present application, the distance W8 between one end in the width direction Y of the door seating portion 15 and one end in the width direction Y of the door 16 adjacent to the hinge portion is designed to be equal to or less than the distance W9 between the other end in the width direction Y of the door seating portion 15 and the other end in the width direction Y of the door 16, so that even over repeated use, the condition in which the center of the door 16 moves more to the other end in the width direction Y than the center of the door seating portion 15, causing the front panel 11 and the door 16 to interfere and fail to be accommodated in the door seating portion 15, can be suppressed.

[0241] Although the present application has been illustrated and described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and substitutions can be without departing from the scope of the application as provided by the following claims.

Claims

1.A laundry treating apparatus, wherein, The laundry treating apparatus includes: a cabinet including a front panel having a first opening; a receiving portion provided inside the cabinet to receive laundry put through the first opening; a door provided to the front panel to open and close the first opening; and a control panel provided to the front panel to have an output area outputting a picture; the control panel includes: a central portion including the output area and having a straight line-shaped edge with respect to the front panel; and side portions respectively located at both ends of the central portion and having a curved line-shaped edge with respect to the front panel; the control panel is located between an upper end of the front panel and an upper end of the door; a first distance between the upper end of the front panel and an upper end of the control panel is equal to or less than a second distance between a lower end of the control panel and the upper end of the door. 2.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein a horizontal center line of the control panel is defined in parallel with a width direction of the cabinet and passes through a center of the control panel and is located more upward than a center between the upper end of the door and the upper end of the front panel. 3.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first distance and the second distance is equal to or less than 1 / 20 of a height of the cabinet. 4.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first distance is equal to or less than 1 / 2 of a height of the control panel defined in a height direction of the cabinet. 5.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the height of the control panel defined in the height direction of the cabinet is equal to or less than 3 times the first distance. 6.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the height of the control panel defined in the height direction of the cabinet is equal to or more than 1 / 3 and equal to or less than 2 / 3 of a distance between the upper end of the front panel and the upper end of the door. 7.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein a width of the control panel defined in a width direction of the cabinet is equal to or more than a shortest distance between one end of the front panel and the control panel. 8.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the width of the control panel defined in the width direction of the cabinet is equal to or more than 1 / 3 and equal to or less than 1 / 2 of a width of the front panel. 9.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein a height of the output area defined in the height direction of the cabinet is equal to or more than 2 times the first distance. 10.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein a width of the output area defined in the width direction of the cabinet is equal to or more than 2 times a height of the output area. 11.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the width of the output area defined in the width direction of the cabinet is equal to or more than 2 / 3 of a width of the central portion. 12.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein a center of the door is located more upward than a center of the cabinet. ​ ​ 13.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein a height of the control panel defined with reference to a height direction of the cabinet is 1 / 8 or more and 1 / 6 or less of a height of the door. 14.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein a width of the control panel defined with reference to a width direction of the cabinet is 1 / 3 or more and 1 / 2 or less of a width of the door. 15.The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the front panel includes a door seating portion in which the door in the closed state of the first opening is seated; the door in the closed state is seated in the door seating portion without protruding more forward than the front panel.

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