Laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a garment processing device, the garment processing device comprising: a housing, the housing including a front panel having a first opening; a receiving unit disposed inside the housing to receive garments; and a control panel mounted in the first opening to be positioned in the front panel and displaying an image thereon, wherein the front panel is provided with operation buttons, the operation buttons being spaced apart from the control panel in the width direction, and the bottom of the operation buttons being positioned higher than the bottom of the control panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a garment processing device, and more particularly to a garment processing device with a control panel including an output screen. Background Technology

[0002] A garment processing device is a device capable of performing various processing procedures for processing garments, such as a washing program for removing contaminants from garments by immersing clothes, bedding and other garments (hereinafter referred to as "garments") in a drum, or a drying program for removing moisture present in garments.

[0003] The garment handling device includes a housing defining its appearance, and may include a garment receiving unit disposed inside the housing and receiving garments therein. Furthermore, when water is used in the garment handling process, a tank may be disposed inside the housing, and the garment receiving unit may be installed inside the tank.

[0004] The housing may include a control panel. The control panel may be defined by a portion of the outer surface of the housing, or the control panel may be separately mounted such that at least a portion of it is exposed to the outside from the housing.

[0005] A control panel can be configured to provide various information to the user or receive commands input by the user. For example, a control panel can be configured to output screens that provide visual information to the user, or it may include buttons that the user can manipulate to generate operation signals.

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

[0007] The control panel may include an output area for the display screen. The output area can refer to the area within the control panel where the monitor is located. Increasing the output area of ​​the control panel is an important task in this technical field because it improves usability, for example, by increasing the screen size.

[0008] Furthermore, effectively determining the arrangement and dimensions of various components other than the control panel to improve usability and maximize space utilization is an important task in this technical field. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical Purpose

[0010] The embodiments of this disclosure aim to provide a clothing processing apparatus that can effectively increase the area of ​​the output screen in a control panel.

[0011] Furthermore, embodiments of this disclosure are intended to provide a garment handling apparatus that can efficiently arrange various components (such as control panels) within a limited area.

[0012] Furthermore, embodiments of this disclosure aim to provide a garment processing apparatus that can increase the area of ​​the output screen in the control panel while minimizing the unnecessary area of ​​the display.

[0013] Technical solution

[0014] A garment handling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a front panel, the front panel being provided with a control panel and operating buttons. The operating buttons may be arranged on at least one of two opposite sides of the control panel along the width direction of the housing.

[0015] The control buttons can be located below the horizontal center line of the control panel to provide users with design integrity and usability.

[0016] However, when the control buttons are positioned too low, usability can become quite poor, and structural interference may occur relative to components located below the door of the control panel.

[0017] Therefore, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the control buttons are located above the lower end of the control panel, thereby achieving an efficient arrangement.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, such a garment handling apparatus includes: a housing including a front panel defining a first opening; a garment receiving section disposed within the housing and receiving garments therein; and a control panel mounted in the front panel to fill the first opening and displaying a screen.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, such a garment handling apparatus includes: a housing including a front panel defining a first opening; a garment receiving section disposed inside the housing and receiving garments therein; and a control panel mounted in the first opening and positioned in the front panel, and displaying a screen from the control panel.

[0020] The front panel may be provided with operation buttons spaced apart from the control panel along the width direction, and the vertical height of the lower end of the operation buttons may be higher than the vertical height of the lower end of the control panel.

[0021] The vertical height of the upper end of the control button may be lower than the vertical height of the horizontal center line of the control panel. The control button may include multiple control buttons, including a first control button located on one side of the control panel in the width direction and a second control button located on the other side of the control panel in the width direction.

[0022] The distance between the first control button and the control panel can be equal to the distance between the second control button and the control panel. The first control button can be used as a power button for supplying power, and the second control button can be used as an execution button for performing a clothing processing procedure.

[0023] The front panel may also include a second opening on one side of the control panel in the width direction, a movable part may be inserted into the second opening to retract toward the interior of the housing, and the control buttons may be located between the control panel and the movable part.

[0024] The vertical height of the lower end of the control panel may be higher than the vertical height of the lower end of the movable part. The vertical height of the upper end of the control panel may be higher than the vertical height of the upper end of the movable part.

[0025] The handle groove can be recessed rearward in the front surface of the movable part, and the vertical height of the lower end of the control panel can be lower than the vertical height of the lower end of the handle groove.

[0026] The control button can be positioned closer to one of the movable part and the control panel than to the other of the movable part and the control panel.

[0027] The vertical height of the lower end of the control button may be higher than the vertical height of the lower end of the movable part. The handle groove may be recessed rearward in the front surface of the movable part, and the vertical height of the upper end of the control button may be lower than the vertical height of the upper end of the handle groove.

[0028] The vertical center line of the control panel can be located on the opposite side of the vertical center line of the front panel in the width direction. The distance between the upper and lower ends of the control panel can be greater than the distance between the upper and lower ends of the movable part.

[0029] The horizontal center line of the control panel can be aligned with the horizontal center line of the movable part.

[0030] The garment handling device may further include a display screen disposed behind the control panel and outputting the image. The control panel may be circular in shape, with both opposite ends of the control panel overlapping the display screen in the width direction. Each of the upper and lower ends of the control panel may be spaced apart from the display screen along the height direction of the housing.

[0031] Beneficial effects

[0032] Embodiments of this disclosure may provide a clothing processing apparatus that can effectively increase the area of ​​the output screen in a control panel.

[0033] Furthermore, embodiments of this disclosure may provide a garment handling apparatus that can effectively arrange various components, such as a control panel, within a limited area.

[0034] Furthermore, embodiments of this disclosure may provide a clothing processing apparatus that can increase the area of ​​the output screen in the control panel while minimizing the unnecessary area of ​​the display. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the appearance of a garment processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of a garment processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the front of a garment handling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening provided in the front of a garment handling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 5 The image shows, viewed from the front, the state in which the movable part of the garment handling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is inserted into the interior of the housing.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a second opening in a garment handling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing a movable part inserted into the interior of a housing in a garment processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 8This is a diagram showing a control panel in a garment handling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing a program settings screen output via a control panel in one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0044] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing a settings screen output via a control panel in one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0045] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a display and control panel installed in a control housing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the control housing as viewed along the width direction of the housing in one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0047] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the output area of ​​the control panel in one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0048] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing the operation buttons of a garment handling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing the positional relationship of a control panel and the like in the height direction in a garment handling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 16 This is a diagram showing the positional relationship of a control panel and the like in the width direction of a garment handling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0051] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains can readily practice the present disclosure.

[0052] However, this disclosure can be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, for clarity, parts not related to the description have been omitted, and the same reference numerals are used to denote the same parts throughout the specification.

[0053] Repeated descriptions of the same parts have been omitted in this specification.

[0054] Furthermore, in this specification, when a component is referred to as "connected" or "attached" to another component, it can be directly connected or attached to that other component. However, it should be understood that there can be another component between them. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as "directly connected" or "directly attached" to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component between them.

[0055] Furthermore, the terminology used in this specification is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0056] Furthermore, in this specification, the singular form may include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0057] Furthermore, in this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to indicate the presence of features, figures, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should not be construed as precluding the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0058] Furthermore, in this specification, the term "and / or" includes a combination of the listed items or any one of the listed items. In this specification, "A or B" can include "A", "B", or "both A and B".

[0059] Figure 1 The appearance of a garment processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The garment processing apparatus 1 includes a housing 10. The housing 10 defines the appearance of the garment processing apparatus 1 and may define a space for arranging various components therein.

[0060] The housing 10 can be provided by combining multiple panels together. For example, the housing 10 may include at least one of a front panel 11, a rear panel, a side panel, a top panel, and a bottom panel.

[0061] The housing 10 includes a front panel 11, and the front panel 11 may be provided with an output unit 200 for providing information to the user. The output unit 200 may include a control panel 210 from which a screen is output. The front panel 11 may be formed with a first opening 12, in which the control panel 210 is mounted.

[0062] The front panel 11 may be provided with a movable portion 100, which is inserted into the interior of the housing 10 so that it can be pulled out therefrom. The movable portion 100 exposes its front surface to the outside to ensure user accessibility. The front panel 11 may be formed with a second opening 13 into which the movable portion 100 is inserted.

[0063] The front panel 11 may be provided with a clothing opening through which the user inserts clothing into the housing 10. The clothing opening in the front panel 11 may also be referred to as the third opening 14.

[0064] The front panel 11 may be provided with a door 15 for opening and closing the third opening 14. The door 15 can open or close the third opening 14 depending on its rotation state.

[0065] Figure 2 The interior of a garment processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0066] The garment processing device 1 can perform various processing on garments. For example, the garment processing device 1 may correspond to a washing machine that can perform a garment washing process, or a dryer that can perform a garment drying process, or a washer / dryer that can perform both washing and drying processes.

[0067] However, in Figure 2 In this description, for ease of description, the garment handling device 1 is shown as a washing machine capable of performing a garment washing process, and unless otherwise stated, the following description will be based on the example of the garment handling device 1 being a washing machine. However, this disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0068] The garment handling device 1 may include a bucket 30 disposed inside the housing 10. The bucket 30 may define a space for containing water. The bucket 30 may have a generally cylindrical shape, and its front portion facing the front panel 11 may be provided with a bucket opening 35 facing and communicating with the aforementioned third opening 14.

[0069] The garment handling device 1 may include a garment receiving unit 20. The garment receiving unit 20 may be disposed inside the housing 10 to receive garments therein. The garment receiving unit 20 may be rotatably disposed within the drum 30.

[0070] The garment receiving section 20 may have a substantially cylindrical shape, and a space may be defined therein for receiving garments. For convenience, the garment receiving section 20 may also be referred to as a roller. The circumferential surface of the garment receiving section 20 may be provided with a plurality of holes, through which water stored inside the bucket 30 may be supplied to the garment receiving section 20.

[0071] The front part of the garment receiving section 20 facing the front panel 11 and the front of the tub 30 may be provided with a receiving opening 25 that communicates with the third opening 14 and the tub opening 35.

[0072] When a user inserts clothing through the third opening 14 provided in the front panel 11, the clothing can pass through the third opening 14, the bucket opening 35 and the receiving opening 25 to be inserted into the clothing receiving section 20.

[0073] 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 tank 30. The water supply unit 40 may include a water supply valve and a water supply pipe.

[0074] The garment handling device 1 may include a drain unit 60. The drain unit 60 may be connected to the tub 30 and is configured to drain water stored inside the tub 30 to the outside of the housing 10. The drain unit 60 may include a drain pump and a drain pipe.

[0075] For reference, when the garment handling device 1 is set to perform a drying process instead of the washing process described above, the tub 30, water supply pipe, drain pipe, etc., can be omitted, and components for the drying process, such as a hot air supply unit, can be provided.

[0076] The laundry handling device 1 may include a detergent supply unit 50. The aforementioned movable part 100 may store detergent therein and may be a component of the detergent supply unit 50.

[0077] Detergent can be supplied to the tank 30 along with water for the washing process. The user can pull out the movable part 100 to store detergent and then reinsert it into the housing 10.

[0078] For reference, when the garment handling device 1 is configured to perform the drying process, the detergent supply unit 50 can be omitted, and the movable part 100 can be configured to store the condensate generated and separated by the garments during the drying process, instead of detergent. In this case, the user can pull the movable part 100 out of the housing 10 and then drain the condensate stored in the storage part 120.

[0079] The garment handling device 1 may include a driver 70 for rotating the garment receiving unit 20. The driver 70 may be fixed to the rear surface of the drum 30 or the rear panel of the housing 10 and connected to the garment receiving unit 20 via a drive shaft.

[0080] Figure 3 The front of a garment handling device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0081] The front of the garment handling device 1 may be defined by the aforementioned front panel 11. The front panel 11 may be provided with the control panel 210 and operation buttons 270 of the aforementioned output unit 200, the movable part 100 and the door 15.

[0082] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the control panel 210 may have a circular shape. The operating buttons 270 may also have a circular shape, and the aforementioned door 15 may also have a circular shape, thereby providing the garment handling device 1 with a unified design feel for all components having a circular shape when viewed from the front by a user.

[0083] The control panel 210 may be located on the upper area of ​​the front 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 its upper area. The operating buttons 270 may be a pair of operating buttons respectively located on two opposite sides of the control panel 210.

[0084] The control panel 210 and a pair of control buttons 270 can be arranged approximately along the width direction Y of the housing 10 to provide the user with a unified circular design element, and when operating the garment handling device 1, the user can operate in one direction in the order of the first control button 280, the control panel 210 and the second control button 290, thereby improving usability.

[0085] The movable part 100 can be located on the upper part of the front panel 11. The movable part 100 can be provided on one side of the upper part of the front panel 11 in the width direction Y. The movable part 100 can be provided above the door 15 and can be spaced apart from the control panel 210 along the width direction Y.

[0086] Figure 4 A front panel 11 including a first opening 12, a second opening 13, and a third opening 14 is shown. Figure 4 In the original text, the holes used for the control panel have been omitted.

[0087] The housing 10 may include a front panel 11, and the front panel 11 may be provided with a first opening 12. The first opening 12 may provide space for the control panel 210 to be installed therein.

[0088] The first opening 12 can be shielded 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 disposed in the first opening 12, and its front surface can be coplanar with the front surface of the front panel 11. However, tolerances due to manufacturing or unavoidable design gaps are permissible.

[0089] The first opening 12 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the control panel 210. For example, the first opening 12 may have a circular shape, similar to the control panel 210.

[0090] The front panel 11 may also include a second opening 13 spaced apart from the first opening 12 along the width direction Y. The second opening 13 may be an opening into which the movable part 100 is inserted. The second opening 13 may be located on one side of the control panel 210 in the width direction Y.

[0091] The second opening 13 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the cross-section of the movable part 100. For example, the second opening 13 may have a generally rectangular shape to correspond to the shape of the movable part 100, which takes the form of a box that can store detergent or condensate.

[0092] The front panel 11 may also include a third opening 14 facing the garment receiving section 20. The third opening 14 may be the aforementioned garment opening. A door 15 for opening and closing the third opening 14 may be attached to the front panel 11, and the first opening 12, control panel 210, garment opening and door 15 may each have a circular shape.

[0093] Figure 5 A movable portion 100, when viewed from the front, is shown inserted into the second opening 13. The movable portion 100 can retract into the second opening 13 so that it can be withdrawn therefrom. The movable portion 100 can be inserted into or withdrawn from the second opening 13 in the front-rear direction X.

[0094] The movable part 100 can be inserted into the second opening 13 so as to be inserted toward the interior of the housing 10, and a rearwardly recessed handle groove 115 can be provided on the front surface of the movable part 100. The handle groove 115 can be recessed rearward in the front surface of the movable part 100 and can extend approximately along the width direction Y of the housing 10.

[0095] With the movable part 100 inserted into the second opening 13, the front surface of the movable part 100 can be approximately coplanar with the front surface of the front panel 11.

[0096] Figure 6 A second opening 13 is shown in the front panel 11. Figure 7 A cross-section of the movable part 100 inserted into the second opening 13 is shown when viewed along the width direction Y of the housing 10.

[0097] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 The movable part 100 may include a front part 110 and a storage part 120. The front part 110 is located at the front side of the movable part 100, and the front surface of the movable part 100 may correspond to the front surface of the front part 110.

[0098] The aforementioned handle recess 115 may be formed in the front portion 110. The front panel 11 may include a rear extension 111 extending rearward from the second opening 13, and the rear extension 111 may extend along the periphery of the second opening 13 to define a receiving space 112 for receiving the front portion 110.

[0099] The storage section 120 extends rearward from the front section 110 and defines a space for storing detergent or condensate. A user can pull the movable section 100 out of the housing 10 using the handle recess 115 of the front section 110, and when the movable section 100 is pulled out of the housing 10, the user can place detergent into the storage section 120. When the garment handling device is set to perform a drying process, the storage section 120 can be configured to store condensate generated during the drying process. In this case, the user can pull the movable section 100 out of the housing 10 and then drain the condensate stored in the storage section 120.

[0100] Figure 8 A control panel 210 disposed in the front panel 11 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0101] The output unit 200 may include a control panel 210, which may be mounted on the front panel 11 to fill the first opening 12 and display a screen thereon. 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.

[0102] The control panel 210 may include an output area 215, which will be described later, and a screen may be displayed in the output area 215. The control panel 210 may include a non-output area 216, which will be described later, and panel buttons 225 and their icons 226, which will be described later, may be located in the non-output area 216.

[0103] Figure 9 The program settings screen P10 shown is a screen output from the control panel 210 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0104] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the 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 230 can output the program setting screen P10.

[0105] The program settings screen P10 can display program item P101 and option item P102. Program item P101 represents the processing program used to process clothing. Users can select and change program item P101 on the program settings screen P10 to select the desired processing program.

[0106] In one embodiment of this disclosure, there are various ways to select or change various items displayed on the screen of the control panel 210. For example, the control panel 210 may be configured to detect user touch on the screen, and the user may perform touch or drag movements on the screen.

[0107] At least one option item P102 can be displayed on the program settings screen P10, and option item P102 can display the option information of the current process. The user can select option item P102 to adjust the option value of the corresponding option.

[0108] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the selection of a processing program and the adjustment of options can be performed on the program setup screen P10 as described above. Therefore, in addition to the control panel 210, a separate options window for providing option information for the processing procedure can be omitted from the front panel 11.

[0109] Figure 10 The setup screen P20 shown is a screen output from the control panel 210 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] The setup screen P20 can display the settings items P201 for setting the garment handling device 1. The user can operate the control panel 210, etc., to command the display 230 to output the setup screen P20.

[0111] At least one setting item P201 can be displayed on the setting screen P20. Each setting item P201 can be displayed individually so that it can be selected by the user. Each setting item P201 can correspond to one of the functions used to set the clothing handling device 1.

[0112] For example, setting item P201 can be an item for setting up clothing handling device 1, such as communication item and reservation program item, which is different from the options of the handling program.

[0113] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the control panel 210 may be provided with panel buttons 225. Panel buttons 225 may be configured to be operable by a user. For example, panel buttons 225 may be mechanical buttons with variable protrusion, or touch-sensitive buttons that detect user touch.

[0114] Panel button 225 can have various functions. For example, panel button 225 can be a setting button for outputting setting screen P20. Since panel button 225 is set separately on control panel 210, the user can operate panel button 225 when necessary, regardless of the current screen on control panel 210, to output setting screen P20.

[0115] Figure 11An output unit 200 of a garment processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 11 The control housing 250 and display 230 are shown inside the housing 10, and the aforementioned control panel 210 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0116] The output unit 200 may include a display 230. The display 230 may be located behind the control panel 210, and can output a user-readable screen through the control panel 210.

[0117] The image output from monitor 230 can be recognized by the user through control panel 210. Control panel 210 can be configured to cover monitor 230.

[0118] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the display 230 may be configured to have a width greater than that of the control panel 210. In this disclosure, the term "width" may refer to the length of the housing 10 in the width direction Y. Width may refer to the distance of the housing 10 from one end to the other in the width direction Y.

[0119] The display 230 can be configured to have a width greater than that of the control panel 210, and therefore, the screen of the control panel 210, which can be seen from the outside of the housing 10, can be displayed across the entire area of ​​the control panel 210 between the two opposite ends 211 and 212 in the width direction Y (i.e., between one end 211 and the other end 212 in the width direction Y of the control panel 210).

[0120] In other words, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the control panel 210 is configured to output the screen across the entire area between two opposite ends 211 and 212 in the width direction Y, thereby providing the user with a screen with a wide area without excessively increasing the size of the control panel 210.

[0121] The two opposite ends 231 and 232 of the display 230 in the width direction Y, that is, one end 231 and the other end 232 of the display 230 in the width direction Y, can be spaced apart from the control panel 210 along the width direction Y. In other words, the two opposite ends 211 and 212 of the control panel 210 in the width direction Y can be positioned on the display 230.

[0122] The two opposite ends 231 and 232 of the display 230 in the width direction Y can be positioned outside the control panel 210, and the front panel 11 can be disposed in front of it. The two opposite ends 231 and 232 of the display 230 in the width direction Y can be located outside the first opening 12 and can be covered by the front panel 11 disposed in front of it.

[0123] The output unit 200 may include a control housing 250. The control housing 250 may be disposed inside the housing 10 and connected to the front panel 11. The control housing 250 may include a control board for controlling the display 230, etc. A mounting part for mounting the display 230 may be disposed inside the control housing 250.

[0124] The control panel 210 can be disposed on the front surface of the control housing 250. The control panel 210 can be connected to the control housing 250 and positioned on the first opening 12.

[0125] like Figure 10 As shown, the aforementioned panel button 225 can be installed in the control housing 250. The panel button 225 can be installed in the control housing 250 and exposed to the outside when passing through the front panel 11. The number of panel buttons 225 can be set differently.

[0126] In this disclosure, panel button 225 can be configured to be illuminated. For example, as Figure 11 As shown, the control panel 210 may be equipped with icons 226 representing panel buttons 225 so that they can be illuminated.

[0127] The control housing 250 may be provided with a light-emitting element 227 for illuminating the panel buttons 225. The light-emitting element 227 can emit light when powered and can be positioned behind the icon 226 for displaying the panel buttons 225 on the control panel 210.

[0128] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the control panel 210 may have a circular shape as described above, and the display 230 may be configured as a rectangular shape. The two opposite ends 231 and 232 of the display 230 in the width direction Y may be positioned outside the two opposite ends 211 and 212 of the control panel 210 in the width direction Y, respectively.

[0129] Figure 12 The diagram schematically shows a cross-section of the display 230 and control panel 210 mounted in the control housing 250 when viewed along the width direction Y of the housing 10.

[0130] As described above, the control housing 250 can be attached to and fixed to the front panel 11 while being positioned on the rear surface of the front panel 11. The display 230 can be housed in the control housing 250, and the control panel 210 can be positioned in front of the display 230.

[0131] The front surface of the control panel 210 can be exposed to the outside through the first opening 12. The distance between the upper end 213 and the lower end 214 of the control panel 210 can be greater than the distance between the upper end 233 and the lower end 234 of the display 230.

[0132] Based on the height direction Z of the housing 10, the display 230 can be configured to completely overlap with the control panel 210. The display 230 may not be located between the upper end 213 of the control panel 210 and the upper end 233 of the display 230, and the display 230 may not be located between the lower end 214 of the control panel 210 and the lower end 234 of the display 230.

[0133] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the control panel 210 may include an output area 215 that overlaps with the display 230 and from which an image is output, and a non-output area 216 that does not overlap with the display 230 and from which an image may not be output.

[0134] For example, the area between the upper end 213 of the control panel 210 and the upper end 233 of the monitor 230, and the area between the lower end 214 of the control panel 210 and the lower end 234 of the monitor 230, can each correspond to the non-output area 216 where no image is output.

[0135] Figure 13 The output area 215 and non-output area 216 of the control panel 210 are shown.

[0136] Reference Figure 13 In one embodiment of this disclosure, the opposite ends 211 and 212 of the control panel 210 in the width direction Y of the housing 10 overlap with the display 230, and the upper end 213 and lower end 214 of the control panel 210 can be spaced apart from the display 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 230.

[0137] The upper end 233 of the display 230 can be located below the upper end 213 of the control panel 210, and the lower end 234 of the display 230 can be located above the lower end 214 of the control panel 210. That is, the height H2 of the display 230 can be less than the height H1 of the control panel 210. In this disclosure, the term "height" can refer to the length in the height direction Z of the housing 10. Height can refer to the distance from the upper end to the lower end.

[0138] The control panel 210 includes an output area 215 that overlaps with the display 230 and displays a screen thereon, and a non-output area 216 that does not include the output area 215. The two opposite ends 211 and 212 of the control panel 210 in the width direction Y can be included in the output area 215, and the upper end 213 and lower end 214 of the control panel 210 can be included in the non-output area 216.

[0139] Based on the height direction Z of the housing 10, the upper and lower parts of the control panel 210 can each correspond to the non-output area 216, and the central part between the upper and lower parts can correspond to the output area 215.

[0140] The entire central portion of the control panel can correspond to the output area 215 along the width direction Y of the housing 10. Therefore, the two opposite ends of the output area 215 in the width direction Y can respectively correspond to the two opposite ends 211 and 212 of the control panel 210 in the width direction Y.

[0141] However, in this disclosure, when the two opposite ends of the output area 215 in the width direction Y and the two opposite ends 211 and 212 of the control panel 210 in the width direction Y coincide with each other, the borders that are unavoidably present in the control panel 210 or that are unavoidably present due to the design can be ignored as needed.

[0142] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the two opposite ends of the output region 215 in the width direction Y may each have a curved edge 221. The upper and lower ends of the output region 215 may be straight edges 222. The output region 215 may have edges where each of the pair of straight edges 222 and each of the pair of curved edges 221 are connected to each other.

[0143] The curved edge 221 may correspond to a portion of the edge of the control panel 210. That is, the curved edge 221 of the output area 215 may be defined by the edge of the control panel 210, which has a circular shape.

[0144] The non-output area 216 can 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.

[0145] The image output from the display 230 needs to be fully transmitted through the output area 215 and thus be recognized by the user, while the image output from the display 230 may not be displayed in the non-output area 216.

[0146] 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 control panel 210 can have a transparent or translucent color in the output area 215, and its non-output area 216 can have a darker color than the color of its output area 215.

[0147] However, with the display 230 positioned behind the output area 215, the user may not easily perceive the brightness difference between the output area 215 and the non-output area 216.

[0148] As described above, the control panel 210 is provided with panel buttons 225 operated by the user, and the panel buttons 225 can be located in the non-output area 216. The panel buttons 225 can be located between the upper end 213 of the control panel 210 and the upper end 233 of the display 230, thereby improving user usability.

[0149] The control panel 210 can display icons 226 representing panel buttons 225, allowing users to identify panel buttons 225. Icons 226 can be configured to be illuminated by the aforementioned light-emitting element 227 located behind the icon 226.

[0150] Figure 14 The control buttons 270 are shown on the front panel 11.

[0151] The aforementioned control button 270 may be located on the front panel 11 and may include at least two buttons that are spaced apart from the control panel 210 along the width direction Y.

[0152] When multiple control buttons 270 are provided, they can be respectively located on each of two opposite sides of the control panel 210 along the width direction Y. As described above, the control housing 250 can be located at the rear of the control panel 210 and connected to the front panel 11, and the display 230 can be installed in the control housing, and the control buttons 270 can be installed in the control housing 250 to extend through the front panel 11.

[0153] The control button 270 may include a plurality of control buttons, and may include a first control button 280 located on one side of the control panel 210 in the width direction Y and a second control button 290 located on the other side of the control panel 210 in the width direction Y.

[0154] For example, based on the width direction Y of the housing 10, the front panel 11 may have a first control button 280 on one side of the control panel 210, and a second control button 290 may be located on the opposite side of the first control button 280, with the control panel 210 located in between.

[0155] The first control button 280 may correspond to a power button for supplying power, and the second control button 290 may correspond to an execution button for performing a procedure for handling clothing.

[0156] The user can operate the power button located first along the width direction Y to supply power to the garment processing device 1, operate the control panel 210 located immediately following the power button along the width direction Y to set the processing program for the garment, and operate the execution button located immediately following the control panel 210 to command the execution of the processing program.

[0157] Figure 15 The positional relationship of the components arranged on the front panel 11 according to the height direction Z of the housing 10 is shown.

[0158] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the height H1 of the control panel 210 may be greater than the height H3 of the movable part 100. The distance between the upper end 213 and the lower end 214 of the control panel 210 may be greater than the distance between the upper end 101 and the lower end 102 of the movable part 100.

[0159] As described above, the height H1 of the control panel 210 is greater than the height H3 of the movable part 100, thus effectively increasing the size of the screen provided to the user.

[0160] The height H3 of the movable part 100 can correspond to the height of the front surface of the movable part 100. If necessary, this can be understood as the height of the second opening 13.

[0161] The lower end 214 of the control panel 210 may be located above the lower end 102 of the movable part 100, and the upper end 213 of the control panel 210 may be located above the upper end 101 of the movable part 100.

[0162] The control panel 210, which may have a darker color than the movable part 100, may appear to be positioned lower than its actual location.

[0163] Therefore, when the screen of the control panel 210 is not output, since the control panel 210 is located at a point higher than the point of the movable part 100, the user can be provided with the visual effect that the movable part 100 and the control panel 210 are aligned side by side with each other in the width direction Y of the housing 10.

[0164] In addition, when the screen of the control panel 210 is being displayed, a screen that is closer to the user can be provided, thereby improving usability and screen recognition rate.

[0165] The aforementioned handle groove 115 is provided on the front surface of the movable part 100, and the lower end 214 of the control panel 210 may be 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.

[0166] The horizontal center line G11 of the control panel 210 and the horizontal center line G2 of the movable part 100 can be located on the same horizontal line. However, if necessary, the horizontal center line G11 can be located above the horizontal center line G2 of the movable part 100.

[0167] As for the control button 270, the upper end 271 of the control button 270 can be located below the horizontal center line G11 of the control panel 210, and the lower end 272 of the control button 270 can be located above the lower end 214 of the control panel 210.

[0168] In other words, the control 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 control button 270 can be located above the lower end 102 of the movable part 100.

[0169] The upper end 271 of the control button 270 can be located below the upper end 103 of the handle recess 115. The lower ends 272 of the first control button 280 and the second control button 290 can be located below the lower end 104 of the handle recess 115. A virtual horizontal extension line from the lower end of the output area 215 can be configured to extend along the width direction Y across the control button 270.

[0170] Figure 16 The positional relationship of the components arranged on the front panel 11 according to the width direction Y of the housing 10 is shown.

[0171] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the vertical center line G12 of the control panel 210 may be spaced apart from the vertical center line G3 of the front 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 panel 11 may not coincide.

[0172] The vertical center line G12 of the control panel 210 can be located on the opposite side of the vertical center line G3 of the front panel 11 in the width direction Y. That is, the vertical center line G12 of the control panel 210 can be spaced apart from the vertical center line G3 of the front panel 11 on the opposite side in the width direction Y.

[0173] However, the vertical center line G3 of the front panel 11 can be positioned to cross the control panel 210. The vertical center line G4 of the door 15 can be positioned on the same line as the vertical center line G3 of the front panel 11, and the vertical center line G12 of the control panel 210 can be spaced apart from the vertical center line G4 of the door 15 in the width direction Y.

[0174] The distance B1 between the first control button 280 and the control panel 210 can be equal to the distance B2 between the second control button 290 and the control panel 210. That is, the distance B1 between the first control button 280 and the control panel 210 along the width direction Y can be equal to the distance B2 between the second control button 290 and the control panel 210.

[0175] The first control button 280 can be positioned closer to one of the movable part 100 and the control panel 210 than to the other of the movable part 100 and the control panel 210. The first control button 280 can be located between the movable part 100 and the control panel 210, and can be positioned closer to the control panel 210 than to the movable part 100.

[0176] In other words, the distance B3 between the first control button 280 and the movable part 100 can be set to be greater than the distance B1 between the first control button 280 and the control panel 210.

[0177] Although this disclosure has been illustrated and described with respect to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and alterations may be made to this disclosure without departing from the spirit of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A garment processing device, the garment processing device comprising: A housing, the housing including a front panel, the front panel defining a first opening; A clothing receiving section is disposed inside the housing and receives clothing within the clothing receiving section; as well as A control panel, installed in the first opening and located in the front panel, wherein a display screen is shown from the control panel. The front panel is provided with operation buttons spaced apart from the control panel along the width direction, and the lower end of the operation buttons is at a higher vertical height than the lower end of the control panel.

2. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The vertical height of the top of the control button is lower than the vertical height of the horizontal center line of the control panel.

3. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The control buttons include a plurality of control buttons, including a first control button located on one side of the control panel in the width direction and a second control button located on the other side of the control panel in the width direction. Wherein, the distance between the first control button and the control panel is equal to the distance between the second control button and the control panel.

4. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The first control button is used as a power button for supplying electricity, and the second control button is used as an execution button for performing a procedure to process the clothes.

5. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The front panel also includes a second opening located on one side of the control panel in the width direction. The movable part is inserted into the second opening to retract toward the interior of the housing, and The control button is located between the control panel and the movable part.

6. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The vertical height of the lower end of the control panel is higher than the vertical height of the lower end of the movable part.

7. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The vertical height of the upper part of the control panel is higher than the vertical height of the upper part of the movable part.

8. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, A handle groove is recessed rearward in the front surface of the movable part, and the vertical height of the lower end of the control panel is lower than the vertical height of the lower end of the handle groove.

9. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The control button is positioned closer to one of the movable part and the control panel than to the other of the movable part and the control panel.

10. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The control buttons are positioned closer to the control panel than to the movable part.

11. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The vertical height of the lower end of the control button is higher than the vertical height of the lower end of the movable part.

12. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, A handle groove is recessed rearward in the front surface of the movable part, and the vertical height of the upper end of the control button is lower than the vertical height of the upper end of the handle groove.

13. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The vertical center line of the control panel is located on the other side of the vertical center line of the front panel in the width direction.

14. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The distance between the upper and lower ends of the control panel is set to be greater than the distance between the upper and lower ends of the movable part.

15. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, The horizontal center line of the control panel is aligned with the horizontal center line of the movable part.

16. The garment handling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display, the display being disposed behind the control panel and configured to output the image. in, The control panel has a circular shape, with both opposite ends of the control panel overlapping the display in the width direction, and each of the upper and lower ends of the control panel being spaced apart from the display along the height direction of the housing.

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