Laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

This invention relates to a garment handling device, comprising: a housing including a front surface panel having a first opening; a receiving portion disposed inside the housing and for receiving garments; a control panel mounted at the first opening and located on the front surface panel; and a display screen disposed behind the control panel and outputting an image for user recognition via the control panel, the control panel having a circular shape, with both ends overlapping the display screen along the width direction of the housing, and the upper and lower ends being spaced apart from the display screen along the vertical direction of the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a garment processing device, specifically a garment processing device with a control panel that includes an output screen. Background Technology

[0002] A garment processing device is a device that can perform various processing procedures for processing garments, such as a washing program that puts garments, bedding, etc. (hereinafter referred to as garments to be washed) into the drum to remove stains from the garments to be washed, or a drying program that removes moisture from the garments.

[0003] The garment handling apparatus may include a box-shaped exterior and a receiving section disposed inside the box to hold garments. Furthermore, when water is used in the garment handling process, an outer tub may be formed inside the box, and the receiving section may be disposed inside the outer tub.

[0004] On the other hand, a control panel may be provided in the enclosure. The control panel may be defined as a portion of the outer surface of the enclosure, or may be separately configured such that at least a portion of it is exposed to the outside of the enclosure.

[0005] Control panels can be configured to provide users with various information or allow users to input commands. For example, a control panel can be configured to output screens that provide visual information to users, or include buttons that users can operate to generate operation signals.

[0006] In this regard, Korean Patent Publication No. KR10-1960309 discloses a control panel that can output a screen and is equipped with buttons, etc.

[0007] The control panel may include an output area for displaying images. The output area may refer to the area within the control panel used for configuring the display screen. Adding this output area to the control panel, for example by increasing the screen size to improve usability, is an important topic in this technical field. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention provide a clothing processing device that can effectively increase the area of ​​the control panel used for outputting images.

[0010] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention provide a clothing processing device that can minimize the unnecessary area of ​​the display screen while increasing the area in the control panel used for outputting images.

[0011] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention provide a garment processing apparatus that efficiently configures an output area for displaying images and a non-output area for not displaying images in a control panel.

[0012] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention provide a clothing handling device that can efficiently configure user-operable buttons and screens.

[0013] Methods for solving problems

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention provides a garment processing apparatus including a control panel for outputting a display screen. The control panel is disposed within a housing and exposed to the outside, and is positioned to cover a display screen, the display screen outputting the display screen.

[0015] The display screen can be longer in the width direction than the control panel. Therefore, the exposed area of ​​the control panel can avoid wasted screen display along its width.

[0016] One embodiment of the present invention provides a clothing handling device comprising: a housing including a front surface panel having a first opening; a receiving portion disposed inside the housing to receive clothing; a control panel disposed on the front surface panel to fill the first opening; and a display screen disposed behind the control panel and outputting an image for user recognition via the control panel.

[0017] Possibly, the garment handling device includes: a housing having a front surface panel with a first opening; a receiving section disposed inside the housing to receive garments; a control panel mounted on the first opening to form the front surface panel; and a display screen disposed behind the control panel and outputting a screen for user recognition via the control panel.

[0018] It is permissible that the control panel has a circular shape, with both ends overlapping the display screen along the width direction of the housing, and the upper and lower ends separated from the display screen along the vertical direction of the housing.

[0019] Alternatively, the display screen may be configured to have a wider width than the control panel. Alternatively, both ends of the display screen along the width direction may be separated from the control panel and covered by the front surface panel.

[0020] Possibly, the control panel includes: an output area that overlaps with the display screen to display the image; and a non-output area other than the output area, wherein both ends of the control panel along the width direction are included in the output area, and the upper and lower ends of the control panel are included in the non-output area.

[0021] Alternatively, the non-output areas may be located between the upper end of the control panel and the upper end of the output area, and between the lower end of the control panel and the lower end of the output area.

[0022] It is possible that the output area has curved edges at both ends along the width direction. It is also possible that the curved edges correspond to a portion of the edge of the control panel.

[0023] Alternatively, the control panel can be configured such that the non-output area has a lower brightness than the output area. Alternatively, the control panel can include user-operated panel buttons located in the non-output area.

[0024] The panel buttons may be located between the upper end of the control panel and the upper end of the display screen. When the panel buttons are activated, the display screen outputs a setting screen, which shows settings for configuring the clothing processing device.

[0025] Alternatively, the garment handling device may be configured to illuminate the icons representing the panel buttons in the control panel. Alternatively, the control panel may have a circular shape corresponding to the first opening, and the display screen may be a square with a width greater than the width of the control panel.

[0026] Alternatively, the upper end of the display screen may be located below the upper end of the control panel, and the lower end of the display screen may be located above the lower end of the control panel. Alternatively, the control panel may be located on the same plane as the front surface of the front panel.

[0027] Alternatively, the display screen can output two screens, in which a program object representing a processing procedure for handling clothing and an option object representing options related to the processing procedure can be selected.

[0028] Alternatively, the control panel may be configured to sense user touch on the screen. Alternatively, the garment handling device may also include operation buttons located on the front surface panel and spaced apart from the control panel along the width direction.

[0029] It is permissible that the upper end of the operation button is located below the horizontal center line of the control panel, and the lower end of the operation button is located above the lower end of the control panel.

[0030] Alternatively, the front surface panel may also include a second opening located at a position spaced apart from the first opening along the width direction, the movable part being able to be pulled out and inserted into the second opening toward the interior of the housing, and the operation button being located between the movable part and the control panel, and being located closer to the control panel than the movable part.

[0031] Alternatively, the operation buttons may be located on both sides of the control panel along the width direction. Alternatively, the garment handling device may also include a control box, which is positioned rearwards from the control panel and integrated with the front surface panel, for housing the display screen.

[0032] Alternatively, the operation buttons may be disposed in the control box through the front surface panel. Alternatively, the front surface panel may also include a third opening facing the receiving portion, with a door for opening and closing the third opening integrated with the front surface panel. The first opening, the control panel, the clothing opening, and the door may all have a circular shape.

[0033] Invention Effects

[0034] Embodiments of the present invention can provide a clothing processing device that can effectively increase the area of ​​the control panel used for outputting images.

[0035] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention can provide a clothing processing device that can minimize the unnecessary area of ​​the display screen while increasing the area in the control panel for outputting images.

[0036] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention can provide a clothing processing device that can efficiently configure an output area for displaying images and a non-output area for not displaying images in a control panel.

[0037] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention can provide a clothing handling device that can be efficiently configured with user-operable buttons and screens. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the appearance of a garment processing apparatus provided in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of a garment processing apparatus provided in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the front surface of a garment processing apparatus provided in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 4This is a diagram showing the first, second, and third openings on the front surface of a garment handling apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the state in which the movable part of the garment handling apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present invention is inserted into the box, viewed from the front.

[0043] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating a second opening in a garment processing apparatus provided according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing a movable part inserted into the box body in a garment handling apparatus provided according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the control panel in a garment processing apparatus provided according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing a program setting screen output via a control panel in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing a setting screen output via a control panel in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating a display screen and control panel disposed in a control box according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the control box in one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the width direction of the box body.

[0050] Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating the output area of ​​the control panel in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing the operation buttons of a garment handling device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing the vertical positional relationship of the control panel and the like in a garment processing apparatus provided according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 16 This is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the control panel and the like in the width direction of a garment processing apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0054] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention.

[0055] However, the present invention can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, for the purpose of clearly illustrating the invention, parts unrelated to the description have been omitted from the drawings, and similar reference numerals have been used to denote similar parts throughout the specification.

[0056] In this specification, repeated descriptions of the same constituent elements are omitted.

[0057] Furthermore, in this specification, when a component is referred to as being 'connected' or 'linked' to another component, it may be directly connected or linked to that other component, but it should be understood that there may be other components in between. Conversely, in this specification, when a component is referred to as being 'directly connected' or 'directly linked' to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0058] Furthermore, the terminology used in this specification is merely for illustrating specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention.

[0059] Furthermore, in this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, singular expressions may include plural expressions.

[0060] Furthermore, in this specification, it should be understood that terms such as 'including' or 'having' are intended only to specify the presence of the features, figures, steps, actions, constituent elements, components, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and not to preclude the presence or additional possibilities of one or more other features, figures, steps, actions, constituent elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0061] Furthermore, in this specification, the term 'and / or' includes a combination of multiple described items or any one of multiple described items. In this specification, 'A or B' may include 'A', 'B', or 'both A and B'.

[0062] Figure 1 The image shows the appearance of a garment processing apparatus 1 provided according to an embodiment of the present invention. The garment processing apparatus 1 includes a housing 10. The housing 10 can form the appearance of the garment processing apparatus 1, and its interior is formed with spaces for configuring various structures.

[0063] The enclosure 10 may be composed of multiple panels. For example, it may include at least one of the following: front surface panel 11, rear surface panel, side surface panel, upper surface panel, and lower surface panel.

[0064] The housing 10 may include the front surface panel 11, and the front surface panel 11 is provided with an output section 200 for providing information to the user. The output section 200 may include a control panel 210 for displaying an output screen. A first opening 12 for setting the control panel 210 may be formed in the front surface panel 11.

[0065] A movable part 100 may be provided on the front surface panel 11, which is inserted into the housing 10 in a manner that allows it to be pulled out of the housing 10. The front surface of the movable part 100 may be exposed to the outside, thereby ensuring user operability. A second opening 13 for inserting the movable part 100 may be formed in the front surface panel 11.

[0066] The front panel 11 may have a clothing opening for allowing a user to insert clothing into the housing 10. This clothing opening may also be referred to as a third opening 14 in the front panel 11.

[0067] A door 15 for opening and closing the third opening 14 may be provided on the front surface panel 11. The door 15 can open or close the third opening 14 depending on the rotation state.

[0068] Figure 2 The interior of a garment processing device 1 provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0069] The garment processing device 1 can perform various garment processing operations. For example, the garment processing device 1 can be equivalent to a washing machine that can perform the washing process of garments, or equivalent to a dryer that can perform the drying process of garments, or a washer-dryer that can perform both the washing process and the drying process.

[0070] However, for the sake of explanation, Figure 2 The garment handling device 1 is shown as a washing machine capable of performing the washing process of garments. Unless otherwise mentioned, the garment handling device 1 will be described below in relation to the washing machine, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0071] On the other hand, the garment handling device 1 may include an outer tub 30 disposed inside the housing 10. The outer tub 30 may have a space defined inside for containing water. The outer tub 30 may have a generally cylindrical shape and may have an outer tub opening 35 on the front surface facing the front surface panel 11, the outer tub opening 35 facing and communicating with the aforementioned third opening 14.

[0072] The garment handling device 1 may include a receiving section 20. The receiving section 20 may be disposed inside the housing 10 to receive garments. The receiving section 20 may be rotatably disposed inside the outer tub 30.

[0073] The receiving section 20 may have a generally cylindrical shape, and a space for storing clothing may be defined inside it. For convenience, the receiving section 20 may also be referred to as a roller. Multiple holes may be provided on the peripheral surface of the receiving section 20 to allow water stored inside the outer drum 30 to be supplied to the interior of the receiving section 20.

[0074] The receiving part 20 may have a receiving opening 25 on the front surface facing the front surface panel 11 and the front surface of the outer barrel 30, which communicates with the third opening 14 and the outer barrel opening 35.

[0075] When a user puts clothes in through the third opening 14 provided on the front surface panel 11, the clothes can be put into the interior of the receiving part 20 through the third opening 14, the outer tub opening 35 and the receiving opening 25.

[0076] The garment handling device 1 may include a water supply unit 40. The water supply unit 40 may be connected to a water source outside the housing 10 to supply water to the outer tub 30. The water supply unit 40 may include a water supply valve and a water supply pipe.

[0077] The garment handling device 1 may include a drainage section 60. The drainage section 60 may be configured to connect to the outer tub 30 to drain water stored inside the outer tub to the outside of the housing 10. The drainage section 60 may include a drainage pump and a drainage pipe.

[0078] For reference, when the garment handling device 1 is configured to perform a drying process instead of the aforementioned washing process, the outer tub 30, water supply pipe, and drain pipe can be omitted to form a structure for realizing the drying process, such as a hot air supply unit.

[0079] On the other hand, the garment handling device 1 may include a detergent supply unit 50. The aforementioned movable unit 100 may store detergent internally and may be a structure of the detergent supply unit 50.

[0080] The detergent can be supplied to the outer tub 30 along with water for the washing process. The user can remove the movable part 100 to store the detergent and then reinsert it into the casing 10.

[0081] For reference, when the garment handling device 1 is configured to perform a drying process, the detergent supply unit 50 can be omitted, and the moving unit 100 can be configured to store the condensate generated from the garment during the drying process instead of the detergent.

[0082] The garment handling device 1 may include a drive unit 70 for rotating the receiving portion 20. The drive unit 70 may be fixed to the rear surface of the outer tub 30 or the rear surface panel of the housing 10, and connected to the receiving portion 20 via a drive shaft.

[0083] on the other hand, Figure 3 The front surface of a garment processing device 1 provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown in the figure.

[0084] The front surface of the garment handling device 1 can be defined by the aforementioned front surface panel 11. The front surface panel 11 may be provided with the aforementioned control panel 210 of the output section 200, operation buttons 270, moving part 100 and door 15.

[0085] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control panel 210 may be circular. The operation button 270 may also be circular, and the aforementioned door 15 may also be circular, thereby providing the user with a unified design that appears circular when viewed from the front.

[0086] The control panel 210 may be located on the upper side of the front surface panel 11. The control panel 210 may be located above the door 15. The control panel 210 may be positioned approximately in the center of the upper side. The operation buttons 270 may be configured as a pair, positioned on either side of the control panel 210.

[0087] The control panel 210 and the pair of operation buttons 270 can be arranged roughly along the width direction Y of the housing 10, providing users with a unified circular design element. When operating the clothing processing device 1, the first operation button 280, the control panel 210 and the second operation button 290 can be operated sequentially in one direction, thereby improving ease of use.

[0088] The movable part 100 may be located on the upper part of the front surface panel 11. The movable part 100 may be disposed on the upper part of the front surface panel 11 on one side of the width direction Y. The movable part 100 may be disposed above the door 15 and may be spaced apart from the control panel 210 along the width direction Y.

[0089] Figure 4 The diagram shows a front surface panel 11 including a first opening 12, a second opening 13, and a third opening 14. Figure 4 The holes used to form the control panel are omitted.

[0090] The housing 10 may include a front panel 11, on which the first opening 12 may be provided. The first opening 12 may provide space for mounting the control panel 210.

[0091] The first opening 12 can be obscured by the control panel 210. The control panel 210 can cover the first opening 12. The control panel 210 can fill the first opening 12. The control panel 210 can be configured in the first opening 12 and located on the same plane as the front surface of the front surface panel 11. However, manufacturing tolerances or unavoidable gaps in the design are permissible.

[0092] The first opening 12 can be a shape corresponding to the control panel 210. For example, the first opening 12 can have the same circular shape as the control panel 210.

[0093] The front surface panel 11 may further include a second opening 13, which is located at a position spaced apart from the first opening 12 along the width direction Y. The second opening 13 may be an opening for inserting the moving part 100. The second opening 13 may be located on the width direction Y side of the control panel 210.

[0094] The second opening 13 may have a shape corresponding to the cross-section of the moving part 100. For example, the second opening 13 may be generally square to correspond to the moving part 100 in the form of a box capable of storing detergent or condensate.

[0095] The front surface panel 11 may further include a third opening 14 facing the receiving portion 20. The third opening 14 may be the aforementioned clothing opening. A door 15 for opening and closing the third opening 14 may be combined with the front surface panel 11, and the first opening 12, the control panel 210, the clothing opening, and the door 15 have a circular shape.

[0096] on the other hand, Figure 5 The image shows the state of the movable part 100 inserted into the second opening 13, viewed from the front. The movable part 100 can be inserted into the second opening 13 in a pull-out manner. The movable part 100 can be inserted into the second opening 13 along the front-rear direction X, or pulled outward.

[0097] The movable part 100 can be pulled out and inserted into the second opening 13 toward the interior of the housing 10. A rearwardly recessed handle groove 115 is provided on the front surface of the movable part 100. The handle groove 115 is recessed from the front surface of the movable part 100 and can extend approximately along the width direction Y of the housing 10.

[0098] With the movable part 100 inserted into the second opening 13, the front surface of the movable part 100 can be located on the same plane as the front surface panel 11.

[0099] Figure 6The image shows a second opening 13 located on the front surface panel 11. Figure 7 The image shows a cross-section of the movable part 100 inserted into the second opening 13, viewed from the width direction Y of the housing 10.

[0100] refer to Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 The movable part 100 may include a front part 110 and a storage part 120. The front part 110 may be located on the front side of the movable part 100, and the front surface of the movable part 100 corresponds to the front surface of the front part 110.

[0101] The aforementioned handle groove 115 may be formed in the front portion 110. The front surface panel 11 may include a rear extension 111 extending rearward from the second opening 13, the rear extension 111 extending along the periphery of the second opening 13 to form a receiving space 112 for receiving the front portion 110.

[0102] The storage section 120 extends rearward from the front section 110 and can have an internal space for storing detergent or condensate. A user can pull the movable section 100 out of the housing 10 using the handle groove 115 of the front section 110. When the movable section 100 is pulled out of the housing 10, detergent can be added to the storage section 120. When the garment handling device is configured to perform a drying process, the storage section 120 can also be configured to store condensate generated during the drying process. In this case, the user can drain the condensate stored in the storage section 120 after pulling the movable section 100 out of the housing 10.

[0103] Figure 8 The diagram shows a control panel 210 provided on the front surface panel 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] The aforementioned output unit 200 may include the control panel 210, which may be disposed on the front surface panel 11 in a manner that fills the first opening 12 for displaying an image. The control panel 210 may have a circular shape, and the first opening 12 may have a circular shape corresponding to the control panel 210.

[0105] The control panel 210 may include an output area 215 (described later), and the screen may be displayed in the output area 215. The control panel 210 may include a non-output area 216 (described later), and panel buttons 225 and their icons 226 (described later) may be provided in the non-output area 216.

[0106] Figure 9The diagram shows a program setting screen P10 displayed on a control panel 210 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned output unit 200 can output a program setting screen P10. That is, the program setting screen P10 can be displayed on the control panel 210, and the display screen 230 can output the program setting screen P10.

[0108] A program object P101 and an option object P102 can be displayed on the program setting screen P10. The program object P101 can present the processing program for handling clothing. The user can select and change the program object P101 on the program setting screen P10 to select the desired processing program.

[0109] In one embodiment of the present invention, there are various ways to select or change the various objects displayed on the screen of the control panel 210. For example, the control panel 210 can be configured to sense the user's touch on the screen, and the user can perform touch actions or drag actions on the screen, etc.

[0110] On the other hand, at least one option object P102 can be displayed on the program setting screen P10. The option object P102 can display option information about the current program. The user can select the option object P102 to adjust the option value.

[0111] As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, not only can the processing program be selected on the program setting screen P10, but options can also be adjusted. Therefore, in the front panel 11, apart from the control panel 210, a separate options window for providing option information for the processing program can be omitted.

[0112] Figure 10 The diagram shows a setting screen P20 displayed on a control panel 210, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0113] The setting items P201 for setting the garment processing device 1 can be displayed on the setting screen P20. The user can command the display screen P20 to output the setting screen by operating the control panel 210, etc.

[0114] At least one setting item P201 can be displayed on the setting screen P20. The setting items P201 can be displayed individually for the user to select. Each setting item P201 can correspond to any of the functions used to set the functions of the clothing processing device 1.

[0115] For example, the setting item P201 is different from the options of the processing program, and can be an item used to set the clothing processing device 1, such as a communication item or a reservation program item.

[0116] In one embodiment of the present invention, a panel button 225 may be provided on the control panel 210. The panel button 225 may be configured in a user-operable manner. For example, the panel button 225 may be a mechanical button with adjustable protrusion or a touch button that senses user touch.

[0117] The panel button 225 can have various functions. For example, the panel button 225 can be a setting button for outputting the setting screen P20. By configuring the panel button 225 separately from the control panel 210, the user can output the setting screen P20 when necessary, regardless of the current screen of the control panel 210.

[0118] on the other hand, Figure 11 The image shows the output section 200 of a garment processing apparatus 1 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 The control box 250 and display screen 230 are shown inside the housing 10, and the aforementioned control panel 210 is shown in dashed lines.

[0119] The output unit 200 may include a display screen 230. The display screen 230 may be configured behind the control panel 210, and outputs a screen for user recognition through the control panel 210.

[0120] The image output through the display screen 230 can be viewed by the user through the control panel 210. The control panel 210 can be configured to cover the display screen 230.

[0121] In one embodiment of the present invention, the display screen 230 may be configured to have a width greater than that of the control panel 210. In the present invention, the term "width" may refer to the length along the width direction Y of the housing 10. The width may refer to the distance from one end of the housing 10 along the width direction Y to the other end.

[0122] The display screen 230 can be configured to have a width greater than that of the control panel 210, thereby displaying the image of the control panel 210 that can be recognized from the outside of the housing 10 within the entire range between the two ends 211 and 212 of the width direction Y of the control panel 210, that is, between one end 211 and the other end 212 of the width direction Y of the control panel 210.

[0123] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control panel 210 is configured to output the screen over the entire area between the two ends 211 and 212 in the width direction Y, so that a large screen area can be provided to the user without excessively increasing the size of the control panel 210.

[0124] In the display screen 230, the two ends 231 and 232 along the width direction Y, that is, one end 231 and the other end 232 of the display screen 230 along the width direction Y, can be separated from the control panel 210 along the width direction Y. That is, the two ends 211 and 212 of the control panel 210 along the width direction Y can be located on the display screen 230.

[0125] The two ends 231 and 232 of the display screen 230 in the width direction Y can be located off-center from the control panel 210, and a front surface panel 11 can be disposed in front of it. The two ends 231 and 232 of the display screen 230 in the width direction Y can be located off-center from the first opening 12, and can be covered by the front surface panel 11 disposed in front of it.

[0126] The output unit 200 may include a control box 250. The control box 250 may be combined with the front surface panel 11 inside the housing 10. The control box 250 may include a control board for controlling the display screen 230, etc. A mounting part for mounting the display screen 230 may be provided inside the control box 250.

[0127] The control panel 210 may be disposed on the front surface of the control box 250. The control panel 210 may be combined with the control box 250 and located on the first opening 12.

[0128] like Figure 10 As shown, the aforementioned panel button 225 can be provided in the control box 250. The panel button 225 can be provided in the control box 250 and exposed to the outside through the front surface panel 11. The number of panel buttons 225 can vary.

[0129] In this invention, the panel button 225 can be configured to illuminate. For example, as... Figure 11 As shown, it can be configured to enable the icon 226 representing the panel button 225 to light up in the control panel 210.

[0130] The control box 250 may include a light-emitting body 227 for illuminating the aforementioned panel button 225. The light-emitting body 227 may receive power to emit light and may be positioned behind the icon 226 for displaying the panel button 225 on the control panel 210.

[0131] In one embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the control panel 210 may be circular, and the display screen 230 may be square. The two ends 231 and 232 of the display screen 230 in the width direction Y may be located outside the two ends 211 and 212 in the width direction Y of the control panel 210.

[0132] on the other hand, Figure 12 The diagram schematically shows a cross-section of the display screen 230 and control panel 210 disposed in the control box 250 as viewed from the width direction Y of the housing 10.

[0133] As described above, the control box 250 can be fixed to the front surface panel 11 by being combined with the rear surface of the front surface panel 11. A display screen 230 can be mounted on the control box 250, and a control panel 210 can be arranged in front of the display screen 230.

[0134] The front surface of the control panel 210 can be exposed to the outside through the first opening 12. On the other hand, the distance between the upper end 213 and the lower end 214 of the control panel 210 can be longer than the distance between the upper end 233 and the lower end 234 of the display screen 230.

[0135] The display screen 230 can be configured to overlap with the control panel 210 with the height direction Z of the housing 10 as the reference. The display screen 230 may not be located between the upper end 213 of the control panel 210 and the upper end 233 of the display screen 230, and the display screen 230 may not be located between the lower end 214 of the control panel 210 and the lower end 234 of the display screen 230.

[0136] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control panel 210 may include an area overlapping with the display screen 230, namely the output area 215 for outputting images, and may also include an area not overlapping with the display screen 230, namely the non-output area 216 for which images cannot be output.

[0137] For example, the area between the upper end 213 of the control panel 210 and the upper end 233 of the display screen 230, and the area between the lower end 214 of the control panel 210 and the lower end 234 of the display screen 230, can be equivalent to a non-output area 216 that does not output images.

[0138] Figure 13 The output area 215 and the non-output area 216 of the control panel 210 are shown.

[0139] refer to Figure 13In one embodiment of the present invention, the two ends 211 and 212 of the control panel 210 along the width direction Y of the housing 10 can overlap with the display screen 230, and the upper end 213 and lower end 214 of the control panel 210 are separated from the display screen 230 along the height direction Z of the housing 10. That is, the width W1 of the control panel 210 can be smaller than the width W2 of the display screen 230.

[0140] The upper end 233 of the display screen 230 can be located below the upper end 213 of the control panel 210, and the lower end 234 of the display screen 230 can be located above the lower end 214 of the control panel 210. That is, the height H2 of the display screen 230 can be smaller than the height H1 of the control panel 210. In this invention, the height refers to the length along the height direction Z of the housing 10. The height can refer to the distance from the upper end to the lower end.

[0141] The control panel 210 may include: an output area 215 that overlaps with the display screen 230 for displaying the image; and a non-output area 216 other than the output area 215. The two ends 211 and 212 of the control panel 210 along the width direction Y may be included in the output area 215, and the upper end 213 and lower end 214 of the control panel 210 may be included in the non-output area 216.

[0142] With the height direction Z of the housing 10 as a reference, the upper and lower parts of the control panel 210 can be respectively equivalent to the non-output area 216, and the central part between the upper and lower parts can be equivalent to the output area 215.

[0143] The central portion can be considered as an output area 215 along the width direction Y of the housing 10. Thus, the two ends of the width direction Y of the output area 215 can correspond to the two ends 211 and 212 of the width direction Y of the control panel 210.

[0144] However, in this invention, assuming that the two ends of the width direction Y of the output area 215 are the same as the two ends 211 and 212 of the width direction Y of the control panel 210, the borders or edges that are unavoidable in the control panel 210 can be ignored as needed.

[0145] In one embodiment of the present invention, the two ends of the output region 215 along the width direction Y may each have curved edges 221. The upper and lower ends of the output region 215 may have straight edges 222. The output region 215 may have an edge formed by connecting a pair of straight edges 222 and a pair of curved edges 221.

[0146] The curved edge 221 can be equivalent to a portion of the edge of the control panel 210. That is, the curved edge 221 of the output area 215 can be defined by the edge of the control panel 210, which has a circular shape.

[0147] The non-output area 216 may be located between the upper end 213 of the control panel 210 and the upper end of the output area 215, and between the lower end 214 of the control panel 210 and the lower end of the output area 215. For example, the non-output area 216 of the control panel 210 may include a first non-output area 217 located above the output area 215 and a second non-output area 218 located below the output area 215.

[0148] The output area 215 needs to allow the image output through the display screen 230 to be fully visible for the user to recognize, while the non-output area 216 may not display the image output through the display screen 230.

[0149] Therefore, the control panel 210 can be configured such that the non-output area 216 has a lower brightness than the output area 215. For example, the output area 215 in the control panel 210 can be transparent or have a color that allows light to pass through, while the non-output area 216 can have a darker color than the output area 215.

[0150] However, with the display screen 230 positioned behind the output area 215, the brightness difference between the output area 215 and the non-output area 216 is not easily discernible to the user.

[0151] On the other hand, as described above, the control panel 210 may be provided with a user-operated panel button 225, which is located in the non-output area 216. By positioning the panel button 225 between the upper end 213 of the control panel 210 and the upper end 233 of the display screen 230, user convenience can be improved.

[0152] An icon 226 representing the panel button 225 can be displayed on the control panel 210 so that the user can identify the panel button 225. The icon 226 can be configured to emit light through the aforementioned light-emitting body 227 disposed behind the icon 226.

[0153] on the other hand, Figure 14 The image shows the operation buttons 270 located on the front panel 11.

[0154] The aforementioned operation buttons 270 may be located on the front surface panel 11, and at least one operation button 270 may be configured to be spaced apart from the control panel 210 along the width direction Y.

[0155] When multiple operation buttons 270 are configured, they can be respectively arranged on both sides of the control panel 210 along the width direction Y. As described above, the control box 250 can be configured at a position further back than the control panel 210 and combined with the front surface panel 11 for setting the display screen 230, and the operation buttons 270 can be arranged in the control box 250 in a manner that penetrates the front surface panel 11.

[0156] The operation buttons 270 can be configured as multiple, including: a first operation button 280 located on one side of the width direction Y of the control panel 210; and a second operation button 290 located on the other side of the width direction Y of the control panel 210.

[0157] For example, in the front surface panel 11, a first operation button 280 can be provided on one side of the control panel 210 with the width direction Y of the housing 10 of the control panel 210 as a reference, while a second operation button 290 can be located on the side opposite to the first operation button 280 with the control panel 210 as the center.

[0158] The first operation button 280 can be equivalent to a power button for applying power, and the second operation button 290 can be equivalent to an execution button for processing clothing.

[0159] Users can apply power to the clothing processing device 1 by operating the power button located closest along the width direction Y, set the clothing processing program by operating the control panel 210 located after the power button along the width direction Y, and execute the processing program by operating the execute button located at the next position after the control panel 210.

[0160] on the other hand, Figure 15 The diagram shows the positional relationship between the structures located on the front surface panel 11 along the height direction Z of the housing 10.

[0161] In one embodiment of the present invention, the height H1 of the control panel 210 may be greater than the height H3 of the moving part 100. The distance between the upper end 213 and the lower end 214 of the control panel 210 may be set to be longer than the distance between the upper end 101 and the lower end 102 of the moving part 100.

[0162] In this way, by increasing the height H1 of the control panel 210 to exceed the height H3 of the moving part 100, the size of the screen provided to the user can be effectively increased.

[0163] The height H3 of the moving part 100 can be equivalent to the height of the front surface of the moving part 100. Alternatively, it can be understood as the height of the second opening 13, depending on the requirements.

[0164] The lower end 214 of the control panel 210 may be located above the lower end 102 of the moving part 100, and the upper end 213 of the control panel 210 may be located above the upper end 101 of the moving part 100.

[0165] The control panel 210, which can have a darker color than the moving part 100, can have the effect of being visually positioned lower than its actual position.

[0166] Therefore, even when the screen of the control panel 210 is not displayed, the control panel 210 is located at a higher position than the moving part 100, which provides the user with the visual effect that the moving part 100 and the control panel 210 are aligned side by side in the width direction Y of the housing 10.

[0167] Furthermore, when the output control panel 210 is displaying a screen, it can provide the user with a closer view, thereby improving ease of use and screen recognition accuracy.

[0168] The aforementioned handle groove 115 may be provided on the front surface of the movable part 100, and the lower end 214 of the control panel 210 is located below the lower end 104 of the handle groove 115. For example, the lower end 214 of the control panel 210 may be located between the lower end 102 of the movable part 100 and the lower end 104 of the handle groove 115.

[0169] On the other hand, the horizontal center line G11 of the control panel 210 can be located on the same line as the horizontal center line G2 of the moving part 100. However, it can also be located above the horizontal center line G2 of the moving part 100 as needed.

[0170] When operating button 270, the upper end 271 of the operating button 270 can be located below the horizontal center line G11 of the control panel 210, and the lower end 272 of the operating button 270 can be located above the lower end 214 of the control panel 210.

[0171] That is, the operation button 270 can be located between the horizontal center line G11 of the control panel 210 and the lower end 214 of the control panel 210. The lower end 272 of the operation button 270 can be located above the lower end 102 of the moving part 100.

[0172] The upper end 271 of the operation button 270 can be located below the upper end 103 of the handle groove 115. The lower ends 272 of the first operation button 280 and the second operation button 290 can be located below the lower end 104 of the handle groove 115. The lower end of the output area 215 can be configured to traverse the operation button 270 along the width direction Y.

[0173] on the other hand, Figure 16 The diagram shows the positional relationship between the structures located on the front surface panel 11 along the width direction Y of the housing 10.

[0174] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vertical center line G12 of the control panel 210 may be separated from the vertical center line G3 of the front surface panel 11 along the width direction Y of the housing 10. That is, the vertical center line G12 of the control panel 210 and the vertical center line G3 of the front surface panel 11 may not be the same.

[0175] The vertical center line G12 of the control panel 210 can be located on the opposite side of the width direction Y relative to the vertical center line G3 of the front surface panel 11. That is, the vertical center line G12 of the control panel 210 can be separated from the vertical center line G3 of the front surface panel 11 on the opposite side of the width direction Y.

[0176] However, the vertical center line G3 of the front surface panel 11 can be located at a position that crosses the control panel 210. The vertical center line G4 of the door 15 can be located on the same line as the vertical center line G3 of the front surface panel 11, and the vertical center line G12 of the control panel 210 can be separated from the vertical center line G4 of the door 15 in the width direction Y.

[0177] The distance B1 between the first operation button 280 and the control panel 210 can be the same as the distance B2 between the second operation button 290 and the control panel 210. That is, along the width direction Y, the distance B1 between the first operation button 280 and the control panel 210 can be the same as the distance B2 between the second operation button 290 and the control panel 210.

[0178] On the other hand, the first operation button 280 can be configured to be closer to the other than either the moving part 100 or the control panel 210. The first operation button 280 can be located between the moving part 100 and the control panel 210, and at a position closer to the control panel 210 than the moving part 100.

[0179] That is, the distance B3 between the first operation button 280 and the moving part 100 can be set to be longer than the distance B1 between the first operation button 280 and the control panel 210.

[0180] The present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to specific embodiments; however, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and alterations can be made to the present invention without departing from the inventive concept provided in the following claims.

Claims

1. A garment processing device, characterized in that, include: The housing includes a front surface panel having a first opening; A storage compartment, located inside the box, is used to store clothing; A control panel is mounted in the first opening and located on the front surface panel; as well as A display screen is located behind the control panel and outputs images for user recognition via the control panel. The control panel has a circular shape, with both ends overlapping the display screen along the width direction of the housing, and the upper and lower ends separated from the display screen along the vertical direction of the housing.

2. The garment processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display screen is configured to have a wider width than the control panel.

3. The garment processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display screen is separated from the control panel at both ends along the width direction and is not exposed to the outside by the front surface panel.

4. The garment processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control panel includes: an output area that overlaps with the display screen to display the image; and a non-output area other than the output area. The two ends of the control panel along the width direction are included in the output area, and the upper and lower ends of the control panel are included in the non-output area.

5. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The non-output areas are located between the upper end of the control panel and the upper end of the output area, and between the lower end of the control panel and the lower end of the output area.

6. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The width of the output area is composed of curved edges at both ends.

7. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The curved edge forms part of the edge of the control panel.

8. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The control panel is configured such that the non-output area has a lower brightness than the output area.

9. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The control panel is equipped with user-operated panel buttons located in the non-output area.

10. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The panel buttons are located between the top of the control panel and the top of the display screen.

11. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, When the panel buttons are operated, the display screen outputs a setting screen, which displays settings for setting the clothing processing device.

12. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The garment handling device is configured to illuminate the icons representing the panel buttons on the control panel.

13. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control panel has a circular shape corresponding to the first opening, and the display screen is configured as a square with a width greater than that of the control panel.

14. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that, The upper end of the display screen is located below the upper end of the control panel, and the lower end of the display screen is located above the lower end of the control panel.

15. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control panel is located on the same plane as the front surface of the front surface panel.

16. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display screen outputs a screen that shows a program object for processing clothing and an option object that shows options related to the processing program.

17. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control panel is configured to sense user touch on the screen.

18. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The garment handling device also includes an operation button, which is located on the front surface panel and spaced apart from the control panel along the width direction.

19. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that, The upper end of the operation button is located below the horizontal center line of the control panel, and the lower end of the operation button is located above the lower end of the control panel.

20. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that, The front surface panel further includes a second opening located at a position spaced apart from the first opening along the width direction. The movable part is inserted into the second opening in a pull-out manner toward the interior of the housing. The operation button is located between the movable part and the control panel, and is positioned closer to the control panel than the movable part.

21. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that, The operation buttons are respectively located on both sides of the control panel along the width direction.

22. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that, The garment handling device also includes a control box, which is positioned rearward than the control panel and integrated with the front surface panel, for housing the display screen. The operation buttons are positioned on the control box in a manner that extends through the front surface panel.

23. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front surface panel also includes a third opening facing the receiving portion. The door that opens and closes the third opening is connected to the front surface panel. The first opening, the control panel, the clothing opening, and the door are all circular in shape.

Images