Clothing treatment apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed is a clothing treatment apparatus. A clothing treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a cabinet; an accommodation unit in which laundry is accommodated and treated; a moving unit inserted into a front panel; and an output unit outputting a screen. The output unit comprises: a screen unit protruding from the front panel and on the front surface of which a screen is output; and a rotating unit surrounding the circumferential surface of the screen unit and rotatable about the screen unit, wherein, with reference to the widthwise direction of the cabinet, the separation distance between a button and the moving unit and the separation distance between the button and the output unit are different.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus, and more particularly, to a laundry treating apparatus for accommodating and treating laundryBACKGROUND

[0002] A laundry treating apparatus provides various treating courses for treating laundry, such as a washing course that removes contamination from laundry by putting clothes, bedding, etc. (hereinafter referred to as laundry) inside a drum, or a drying course that removes moisture present in laundry.

[0003] The laundry treating apparatus may include a cabinet that forms an outer appearance, and may include a receiving portion provided inside the cabinet to accommodate laundry. When water is used in a laundry processing course, a tub may be provided inside the cabinet, and the receiving portion may be installed inside the tub.

[0004] The cabinet may include a laundry opening connecting the inside and outside of the cabinet. A user may insert laundries into the receiving portion inside the cabinet through the laundry opening.

[0005] The laundry treating apparatus may be classified into a front-loader type and a toploader type depending on the location of the laundry opening. A front loader may have a laundry opening provided in a front panel of the cabinet, and a top loader may have a laundry opening provided in a top panel of the cabinet.

[0006] The cabinet may include a control panel. The control panel may be defined by a portion of an external surface of the cabinet, or may be provided separately and installed such that at least a portion of the cabinet is exposed to the external surface of the cabinet.

[0007] The control panel may provide various information to a user or to receive a command from the user. For example, the control panel may be provided to output a screen to provide visual information to the user or may include buttons that are operated by the user to generate a user operation signal.

[0008] In this regard, Korean Patent Publication No. KR10-1960309 discloses a control panel for outputting a screen and including buttons. The control panel may include an output unit that outputs a screen to provide information to the user.

[0009] The output unit may be provided on the front panel of the cabinet described above together with the laundry opening. In this case, the output unit may be located above the laundry opening in consideration of user accessibility, convenience of operation, and the like.

[0010] However, in the case of a front loader, various components, such as a moving unit for a detergent part or an option part that provides option information, along with the output unit, may be located together above the laundry opening, that is, above the front panel.

[0011] Accordingly, the size and arrangement relationship between the output unit and other components on the front panel may be important. For example, when the output unit occupies an excessively large area, in relation to the moving unit or option part, not only does it lower a degree of product completion in terms of appearance, but an area in which the moving unit or option part is located is limited, which may be disadvantageous in terms of design.

[0012] When the size of the output unit, and the like is excessively reduced, the user convenience may be reduced and it may be disadvantageous for the output unit, and the like to perform its original function.

[0013] This problem may be similarly affected not only by the size of the output unit, but also by the positional relationship therebetween. For example, when a distance between the output unit and the moving unit is reduced, it may be difficult to locate other components between the output unit and the moving unit.

[0014] That is, efficiently and effectively determining the size relationship and arrangement relationship of components arranged on the front panel of the cabinet, such as the output unit, is an important in this technical field.DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

[0015] Objects of embodiments of the present disclosure are to provide a laundry treating apparatus including an output unit that outputs a screen to a cabinet.

[0016] Objects of embodiments of the present disclosure are to provide a laundry treating apparatus in which the sizes and arrangement relationships between various components arranged in the cabinet are efficiently obtained.

[0017] Objects of embodiments of the present disclosure are to provide a laundry treating apparatus in which various components, such as an output unit, are efficiently arranged on the front panel of the cabinet.

[0018] Objects of embodiments of the present disclosure are to provide a laundry treating apparatus in which the sizes and arrangements of a moving unit, an output unit, an option unit, buttons, and the like are efficiently obtained.Technical Solution

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a laundry treating apparatus may include an output unit provided on the front panel to output a screen. The output unit may include a screen portion protruding from the front panel and a rotation portion surrounding the screen portion.

[0020] The output unit may be referred to as a liquid crystal display (LCD) dial, and the LCD dial may be located between an upper end and a lower end of a detergent box to provide a balanced design.

[0021] The output unit may simplify the existing complex output unit structure by applying a circle-shaped LCD knob, provide a simple design shape, and improve usability.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a laundry treating apparatus may include a cabinet including a front panel, a receiving portion provided inside the cabinet to accommodate and treat laundry, a moving unit that is inserted into an opening formed in the front panel to be withdrawn and closes the opening, an output unit provided on the front panel to output a screen, and a button provided on the front panel, located between the moving unit and the output unit, and operated by a user.

[0023] The output unit may include a screen portion protruding from the front panel and outputting a screen from a front surface, and a rotation portion surrounding a circumferential surface of the screen portion and rotatable around the screen portion

[0024] A separation distance between the button and the moving unit in the width direction of the cabinet and a separation distance between the button and the output unit in the width direction of the cabinet may be different from each other.

[0025] The separation distance between the button and the moving unit may be greater than the separation distance between the button and the output unit.

[0026] A vertical center line of the output unit in the front panel may be located on the same line as a vertical center line of the front panel.

[0027] The button may correspond to a first button and is located on one side of the output unit based on the width direction of the cabinet, the front panel includes a second button that is located on another side of the output unit based on the width direction and is operated by a user, and a separation distance between the output unit and the first button may be equal to a separation distance between the output unit and the second button.

[0028] The front panel may include an option unit configured to display an option value for a treating process of laundry, and the output unit may be located between the option unit and the moving unit.

[0029] A width of the option unit in the width direction in the front panel may be less than a width of the moving unit.

[0030] A handle groove recessed rearwards may be provided in a front surface of the moving unit, which is exposed to an outside of the cabinet, and a width of the option unit may be greater than a width of the handle groove.

[0031] The button may correspond to a first button and is located on one side of the output unit based on the width direction of the cabinet, the front panel may include a second button that is located on another side of the output unit based on the width direction and is operated by a user, and based on the width direction, a width of the option unit may be greater than a separation distance between one end of the first button facing the moving unit and one end of the second button facing the option unit.

[0032] The separation distance between the button and the moving unit may be less than the separation distance between the button and the output unit.

[0033] A vertical center line of the front panel in the front panel may be located between vertical center lines of the moving unit and the output unit. The vertical center line of the front panel may cross the output unit.

[0034] A vertical center line of the front panel in the front panel may be located between vertical center lines of the moving unit and the output unit. The horizontal center line of the output unit may cross the button.

[0035] The screen portion may include a display embedded in the screen portion and configured to output a screen, and a window defining a front surface of the screen portion and covering the display.

[0036] The window may have an output area that at least partially overlaps the display and has a light-transmitting property to recognize the screen of the display from an outside.

[0037] The output area may extend from one end of the window to another end in the width direction of the cabinet.

[0038] The output area may be located lower than an upper end of the window, and a state area, in which an indicator indicating a state of the laundry treating apparatus is positioned, may be provided between the upper end of the window and the output area in the window.

[0039] The output area may be located above a lower end of the window, and an operating area, in which an operating button operated by a user is positioned, may be provided between a lower end of the window and the output area in the window. The moving unit may be provided to store water or detergent.Advantageous Effects

[0040] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a laundry treating apparatus including an output unit that outputs a screen to a cabinet.

[0041] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a laundry treating apparatus in which the sizes and arrangement relationships between various components arranged in the cabinet are efficiently obtained.

[0042] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a laundry treating apparatus in which various components, such as an output unit, are efficiently arranged on the front panel of the cabinet.

[0043] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a laundry treating apparatus in which the sizes and arrangements of a moving unit, an output unit, an option unit, buttons, and the like are efficiently obtained.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram showing an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the inside of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an upper portion of a front panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a handle portion of a moving unit inserted into a front panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an opening provided in a front panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional diagram showing a detergent portion of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a detergent portion of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an output unit of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an output unit disassembled from a front panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a output unit of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an option unit of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a height relationship of components provided on an upper portion of a cabinet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a case in which a first button is located closer to an output unit than a moving unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a case in which a first button is located closer to a moving unit than an output unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail so as for those of ordinary skill in the art to easily implement with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to these embodiments. To clearly describe the present disclosure, a part without concerning to the description is omitted in the drawings, and like reference numerals in the specification denote like elements.

[0047] In the specification, a repeated explanation thereof will not be given.

[0048] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.

[0049] The terms used in the present specification are used for explaining a specific exemplary embodiment, not limiting the present disclosure.

[0050] In the specification, the singular expressions in the present specification include the plural expressions unless clearly specified otherwise in context.

[0051] In the specification, terms such as "include" or "comprise" may be construed to denote a certain characteristic, number, step, operation, constituent element, or combination thereof, but may not be construed to exclude the existence of or possibility of addition of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, or combinations thereof.

[0052] In this specification, the term 'and / or' includes a combination of a plurality of listed items or any of the plurality of listed items. In this specification, 'A or B' may include 'A', 'B', or 'both A and B'.

[0053] FIG. 1 illustrates an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cabinet 10.

[0054] The cabinet 10 may form the outer appearance of the laundry treating apparatus 1 and define a space therein in which a receiving portion 20, a tub 30, and the like that are described below are provided. Although FIG. 1 illustrates the cabinet 1 with a hexahedral shape, a specific shape formed by the cabinet 10 may vary.

[0055] The cabinet 10 may include a plurality of panels. The plurality of panels may include at least one of a front panel 11, a side panel, an upper panel, a lower panel, or a rear panel. The plurality of panels may be coupled together to form the cabinet 10.

[0056] The cabinet 10 may include a front panel 11, and a plurality of openings may be formed in the front panel 11. The plurality of openings may include an inlet opening 12 and a laundry opening 13. The inlet opening 12 may be a passage for inserting a moving unit 55 storing detergent or water inside into the cabinet 10. The laundry opening 13 may correspond to a passage for a user to insert laundry into the receiving portion 20 inside the cabinet 10.

[0057] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the front refers to a direction in which the front panel 11 is positioned based on the cabinet 10, and the front panel 11 may be a panel in which the inlet opening 12 and the laundry opening 13 are formed.

[0058] The front panel 11 may include a door 15 for opening and closing the laundry opening 13, and an operating unit may be provided for user to operate the laundry treating apparatus 1. The door 15 may be hinged to the front panel 11 and provided to be rotatable. The laundry opening 13 of the front panel 11 may be opened or closed by the door 15.

[0059] The operating unit may include an output unit 100 that outputs a screen to convey information to the user. The output unit 100 may be provided on the front panel 11 and may output a screen.

[0060] The operating unit may include a button 160 and a dial operated by the user, and may include an option unit 200 for providing option information on a treating course of laundry. Details about the operating unit are described below.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a controller (not shown) may be provided, and the controller may be electrically and signally connected to the operating unit. In addition, the controller may be electrically and signally connected to an object requiring electrical / electronic control, such as a driver 70 for rotating the receiving portion 20 or a water supply unit 40 for supplying water.

[0062] The controller may receive a signal input to the operating unit by the user and control each component of the laundry treating apparatus 1 based on the received signal. Based on the signals transmitted from each of the components, the operating status of the laundry treating apparatus 1 may be transmitted to the user through the operating unit.

[0063] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal cross-section of the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, the inside of the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically described as follows.

[0064] The laundry opening 13 of the front panel 11 may be shielded by the door 15, and when a user wants to wash laundry, the user may open the laundry opening 13 by rotating the door 15.

[0065] The receiving portion 20 and the tub 30 may be provided inside the cabinet 10. The tub 30 may be provided inside the cabinet 10 and may accommodate water inside. The receiving portion 20 may be rotatably provided inside the tub 30 and may accommodate laundry inside.

[0066] The tub 30 may be fixed inside the cabinet 10, and may have a front surface facing the laundry opening 13, which is opened to form a tub opening 31. The tub 30 may be connected to the front panel 11 through a gasket to prevent laundry from coming off and to prevent water leakage. The tub may be supported on the cabinet 10 via a damper to minimize vibration transmitted to the cabinet 10.

[0067] The receiving portion 20 may be disposed inside the tub 30, and the front surface of the receiving portion 20, which faces the tub opening 31 and the laundry opening 13, may be opened to form a receiving opening 21. That is, the laundry opening 13, the tub opening 31, and the receiving opening 21 may be aligned in parallel and communicate with each other.

[0068] Laundry may be inserted into the laundry opening 13 of the front panel 11, the laundry inserted through the laundry opening 13 may pass through the tub opening 31 of the tub 30 and the receiving opening 21 of the receiving portion 20 and be accommodated inside the receiving portion 20.

[0069] A plurality of holes may be formed in a circumferential surface of the receiving portion 20. Water stored in the tub 30 through the hole may be supplied into the receiving portion 20 and provided to laundry. In the present disclosure, the receiving portion 20 may also be referred to as a drum.

[0070] The receiving portion 20 may be connected to the driver 70 through a rotation shaft. The driver 70 may provide rotational force based on a signal from the controller, and the rotational force of the driver 70 may be transmitted to the receiving portion 20 through the rotation shaft to rotate the receiving portion 20.

[0071] An embodiment of the present disclosure is described as a front loader type in which the rotation shaft of the receiving portion 20 extends in front and rear directions and the laundry opening 13 is provided in the front panel 11 as shown in FIG. 2, but it is not necessarily limited thereto and may be a top loader type in which the laundry opening 13 is formed in an upper panel. However, unless otherwise stated, the description below will be based on the front loader type.

[0072] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a detergent portion 50 may be provided. The detergent portion 50 may be provided inside the cabinet 10 or outside the cabinet 10 to supply detergent into the tub 30 or the receiving portion 20.

[0073] In the present disclosure, the detergent includes not only a laundry detergent for removing foreign substances from laundry, but also a softener for improving the flexibility of fibers and a bleaching agent for improving the color of fibers. Detergents may be defined to include various forms and types, including powdered detergents as well as liquid detergents.

[0074] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the moving unit 55 inserted into the cabinet 10 through the inlet opening 12 described above may store detergent, and the detergent portion 50 may be provided to supply a detergent of the moving unit 55 into the tub 30. A detailed description of the detergent portion 50 will be provided below.

[0075] The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the water supply unit 40, and the water supply unit 40 may be connected to an external water source to receive water.

[0076] The water supply unit 40 may include a water supply valve and a water supply pipe. The controller may supply water into the tub 30 during a washing process and the like by controlling the water supply valve. The water supply pipe may be connected to the detergent portion 50 or the tub 30. The water supply unit 40 may be provided to supply water into the tub 30 through the detergent portion 50 or to supply water directly into the tub 30 separately from the detergent portion 50.

[0077] The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a drain 60, and the drain 60 may be connected to the tub 30 to discharge water accommodated in the tub 30 to the outside.

[0078] The drain 60 may include a drainage pump and a drainage pipe. The drainage pipe may be provided to connect the tub 30 and the outside of the cabinet 10. The drainage pump may be controlled by the controller and may be provided in the drainage pipe to cause water to flow.

[0079] The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may perform various treating processes on laundry accommodated in the receiving portion 20. For example, the laundry treating apparatus 1 may perform a washing process for laundry by using detergent, water, and the like or a drying process for laundry by using hot air and the like.

[0080] When the laundry treating apparatus 1 is provided to perform the washing process, the laundry treating apparatus 1 may include the tub 30 and the detergent portion 50 described above.

[0081] When the laundry treating apparatus 1 is provided to perform the drying process, the tub 30 and the detergent portion 50 described above may be omitted from the laundry treating apparatus 1, and the laundry treating apparatus 1 may include an air supply unit for supplying high-temperature dry air into the receiving portion 20, and in this case, the moving unit 55 described above may be provided to store water instead of detergent.

[0082] The laundry treating apparatus 1 may include the tub 30, the detergent portion 50, and the air supply unit and may be provided to perform both the washing process and the drying process. However, for the convenience of explanation, the following description is based on the case in which the laundry treating apparatus 1 includes the tub 30 and the detergent portion 50 and is configured to perform a laundry washing process.

[0083] FIG. 3 illustrates an upper portion of the front panel 11 of the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0084] The upper portion of the front panel 11 may include an area between an upper end of the door 15 and an upper end of the front panel 11. Various components such as the operating unit described above may be disposed on the upper portion of the front panel 11.

[0085] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the output unit 100, the moving unit 55, the option unit 200, or the button 160 may be disposed on the upper portion of the front panel 11.

[0086] The output unit 100 may output a screen from a front surface thereof. The output unit 100 may include a display 121 for outputting the screen as described below. The output unit 100 may have various shapes, such as a circular shape.

[0087] Based on a width direction of the cabinet 10, the inlet opening 12 described above may be provided on one side of the output unit 100. The inlet opening 12 may be located at one side of the output unit 100. Accordingly, the moving unit 55 described above may be disposed on one side of the output unit 100.

[0088] The option unit 200 that displays an option value for the laundry treating process may be provided on the front panel 11. The option unit 200 may be provided on the other side of the output unit 100. The output unit 100 may be disposed between the option unit 200 and the moving unit 55.

[0089] The button 160 of the operating unit described above may be provided on the upper portion of the front panel 11. The operating unit may include the output unit 100 and the button 160 and the button 160 may be provided in a plural number.

[0090] The button 160 may be provided in various locations. For example, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the front panel 11 may include the button 160 that is located between the moving unit 55 and the output unit 100 and is operated by a user.

[0091] The front panel 11 may include the button 160 that is located between the output unit 100 and the moving unit 55 or the option unit 200 and is operated by the user.

[0092] The front panel 11 may include a first button 161 located between the output unit 100 and the moving unit 55 and a second button 162 located between the output unit 100 and the option unit 200.

[0093] The first button 161 may be located on one side of the output unit 100 based on the width direction of the cabinet 10, and the second button 162 may be located on the other side of the output unit 100 based on the width direction and may be operated by a user.

[0094] The first button 161 may be a power button for determining whether to turn on power of the laundry treating apparatus 1, and the second button 162 may be an execution button for inputting an execution command for the laundry treating process.

[0095] FIG. 4 shows the moving unit 55 inserted into the opening 12 of the front panel 11. FIG. 4 illustrates a handle portion 57 of the moving unit 55.

[0096] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the moving unit 55 may be inserted into the opening 12 formed in the front panel 11 to be withdrawable and may close the opening 12. The opening 12 may be the inlet opening 12 described above.

[0097] As described above, the moving unit 55 may be provided to store water or detergent. The detergent may be provided into the inside of the tub 30 by the detergent portion 50, and the water may be generated by condensation from the air discharged from the tub 30. For convenience of explanation, the following description is based on the case in which detergent is stored in the moving unit 55.

[0098] The handle portion 57 of the moving unit 55 may have a cross-section of approximately a square shape. The cross-section of the handle portion 57 may have a shape and area corresponding to the cross-section of the opening 12.

[0099] Accordingly, when the moving unit 55 is inserted into the cabinet 10 through the opening 12, a front surface of a handle groove 58 may define the same surface as the front panel 11 and may define a front surface of the laundry treating apparatus 1.

[0100] The handle groove 58 recessed rearwards may be provided in a front surface of the moving unit 55, which is exposed to the outside of the cabinet 10, that is, a front surface of the handle portion 57. The user may hold the handle groove 58 and insert the moving unit 55 into the cabinet 10 or withdraw out of the cabinet 10.

[0101] The handle groove 58 may be in a shape of a groove recessed rearwards, and may be in a shape extending in the width direction of the cabinet 10. The width of the handle groove 58 based on the width direction of the cabinet 10 may be smaller than the width of the handle portion 57.

[0102] FIG. 5 illustrates the opening 12 formed in the front panel 11 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0103] At least a portion of the moving unit 55 may be inserted into the cabinet 10 through the opening 12. The opening 12 may be the inlet opening 12 described above. The opening 12 may be located in the upper portion of the front panel 11. The opening 12 may be located above the door 15.

[0104] The opening 12 may be located on one side of the output unit 100 based on the width direction of the cabinet 10. The opening 12 may be located approximately at a corner side of the front panel 11.

[0105] Detergent may be stored inside the moving unit 55, and the moving unit 55 may be a portion of the detergent portion 50. A user may store detergent in the moving unit 55 that is withdrawn out through the opening 12, and when the moving unit 55 in which the detergent is stored is inserted into the cabinet 10 through the opening 12, the detergent portion 50 may supply the detergent stored in the moving unit 55 into the tub 30 for the washing process of laundry.

[0106] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of the detergent portion 50 provided inside the cabinet 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the detergent portion 50.

[0107] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the detergent portion 50 may include a detergent case 52 and a water supply unit 51 that are located at the rear of the opening 12.

[0108] The detergent case 52 may be located at the rear of the opening 12 to provide a space in which the moving unit 55 is accommodated. That is, at least a portion of the moving unit 55 inserted into the cabinet 10 may be accommodated inside the detergent case 52.

[0109] The water supply unit 51 may receive water through the water supply unit 40 and supply water into the detergent case 52 through the open upper surface of the detergent case 52. The detergent case 52 may deliver water supplied by the water supply unit 51 and detergent from the moving unit 55 together to the tub 30.

[0110] The detergent case 52 and the water supply unit 51 may together define a space with an open front surface. The moving unit 55 inserted through the opening 12 may be accommodated in the space with the open front surface.

[0111] The moving unit 55 may include the handle portion 57 described above and a storage body 56. The storage body 56 may be located at the rear of the handle portion 57. The storage body 56 may provide a space for storing detergent.

[0112] The storage body 56 may be inserted into the cabinet 10 through the opening 12 of the front panel 11 and accommodated in the detergent case 52. The handle portion 57 may be located within the opening 12 of the front panel 11, and the front surface of the handle portion 57 may be located approximately on the same plane as the front surface of the front panel 11.

[0113] FIG. 8 illustrates an operating unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The operating unit may include the output unit 100 and button 160 described above.

[0114] The output unit 100 may be provided on the front panel 11 to output a screen. The output unit 100 may include a screen portion 110 and a rotation portion 120.

[0115] The screen portion 110 may protrude from the front panel 11 to output a screen from the front surface thereof. The screen portion 110 may have a cylindrical shape that protrudes forward from the front panel 11.

[0116] The rotation portion 120 may be provided in a ring shape surrounding a circumferential surface of the screen portion 110. The rotation portion 120 may be provided to be rotatable on the screen portion 110. The rotation portion 120 may be rotated around the screen portion 110.

[0117] The rotation portion 120 may correspond to a dial. The user may rotate the rotation portion 120 described above to generate a command signal for the laundry treating apparatus 1 or the controller described above.

[0118] The command signal generated by rotation of the rotation portion 120 may be of various types. For example, rotation of the rotation portion 120 may correspond to a command signal that changes an object displayed on a screen output from the screen portion 110 or changes a selection object from one of a plurality of objects displayed on the screen to another. That is, the rotation portion 120 may have a function similar to a movement button that generates a movement signal for an object displayed on the screen.

[0119] The screen portion 110 may include the display 121 and a window 122. The display 121 may be at least partially embedded in the screen portion 110 to output a screen. The display 121 may be mounted adjacent to the front surface of the screen portion 110 or may be mounted on the front surface.

[0120] The screen portion 110 may include a body portion protruding from the front panel 11, and the display 121 may be mounted on a front surface of the body portion. The rotation portion 120 described above may be located to surround the circumferential surface of the body portion.

[0121] The window 122 may be provided on the screen portion 110 to cover the display 121. The window 122 may define a front surface of the screen portion 110. The window 122 may be located on the front surface of the body portion to cover the front surface of the body portion.

[0122] The window 122 may include an output area 130. The output area 130 may be located to at least partially overlap the display 121.

[0123] At least a portion of the output area 130 may be located in front of the display 121. The output area 130 may have a light-transmitting property such that the screen of the display 121 may be recognized from the outside.

[0124] For example, the window 122 may include a material such as glass or plastic, and the output area 130 may be provided transparently such that the screen of the display 121 may be visually recognized by the user.

[0125] The output area 130 may extend from one end of the window 122 to the other end along the width direction of the cabinet 10. For example, the output area 130 defined by being spaced apart from the upper end and the lower end of the window 122 in the height direction of the cabinet 10 may occupy the entire center of the window 122.

[0126] The screen portion 110 may have a cross-sectional shape that is approximately circular, and the output area 130 may have upper and lower ends with straight edges, and curved edges at both ends in the width direction that correspond to the edges of the screen portion 110.

[0127] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display 121 may have a shape corresponding to the output area 130 and may overlap the output area 130 approximately as a whole.

[0128] However, the shape of the display 121 is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, a portion of the output area 130 may overlap the display 121 and the other portion may not overlap the display 121. In this case, the display 121 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape and may be located to overlap approximately the central portion of the output area 130 except for both ends in the width direction of the output area 130.

[0129] The output area 130 may be located lower than the upper end of the screen portion 110 and the window 122. That is, the output area 130 may be spaced downward from the upper end of the window 122.

[0130] In the window 122, a state area 140 may be provided between the upper end of the window 122 and the output area 130. An indicator 141 indicating the state of the laundry treating apparatus 1 may be located in the state area 140.

[0131] The indicator 141 may be provided in a plural number and may display various information such as whether Wi-Fi is connected or whether the door 15 is locked. The indicator 141 may include a shape to suggest or imply information to be displayed, and the shape may be provided in the window 122.

[0132] The body portion may include a light-emitting body for each of the plurality of indicators 141. The light-emitting body may be turned on or off to indicate the state of the corresponding indicator 141.

[0133] The output area 130 in the window 122 may be located above a lower end of the window 122. In the window 122, an operating area 150 in which an operating button 151 operated by a user is located may be provided between the lower end of the window 122 and the output area 130.

[0134] The operating area 150 may be defined between an lower edge of the output area 130 and the lower end of the window 122. The operating button 151 may be provided in the operating area 150.

[0135] The operating button 151 may be provided for operating the screen. The user may operate the screen by operating the operating button 151. The user may operate the screen and transmit a desired command to the controller by operating the operating button 151 and the rotation portion 120.

[0136] The operating button 151 may be of various types, such as a mechanical button operated through a physical change in protrusion, a pressure-type button operated by a pressure of a user, or a touch-type button that detects a user touch.

[0137] There may be a plurality of operating buttons 151. The plurality of operating buttons 151 may include a back button and a confirm button.

[0138] The screen portion 110 may output various screens. The back button may generate a command signal to return to a previous screen of the current screen. For example, when a second screen is output while a first screen is output on the screen portion 110, if the user operates the back button, the screen portion 110 may output the first screen again instead of the second screen.

[0139] Various objects may be displayed on the screen of the screen portion 110. For example, a plurality of treating courses for treating laundry may be displayed on the screen of the screen portion 110. Any one of the plurality of treating courses may be a selected object and displayed differently from the others.

[0140] The user may operate the rotation portion 120 such that a desired object among the plurality of objects is a selected object. When the desired object is displayed as the selected object, if the user operates the confirm button, the selection of the selected object among the plurality of objects may be confirmed.

[0141] The buttons 160 may be arranged on both sides of the output unit 100 based on the width direction. The power button described above may be located on one side of the output unit 100 in the width direction, and the execution button described above may be located on the other side of the output unit 100 in the width direction.

[0142] The user may apply power to the laundry treating apparatus 1 by operating the power button, display a desired treating course as a selected object by operating the rotation portion 120 of the output unit 100, and command the execution of the treating course displayed as the selected object by operating the execution button.

[0143] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the power button, the output unit 100, and the execution button may be arranged in one direction parallel to the width direction, and thus the user may use the laundry treating apparatus 1 by operating the operating unit in the one direction from the power button to the execution button, thereby improving the convenience of use.

[0144] FIG. 9 shows the front panel 11 and an operating unit separated from the front panel 11.

[0145] Referring to FIG. 9, the operating unit may be located above the door 15, and may include a module housing 125 coupled to the front panel 11 at the rear of the front panel 11, and the output unit 100 coupled to the front panel 11 at the front of the front panel 11.

[0146] A hole may be formed in the front panel 11 at a position corresponding to the output unit 100, and the output unit 100 may be located to pass through the hole and be coupled to the module housing 125 located inside the cabinet 10.

[0147] The moving unit 55 may be inserted into the cabinet 10 to pass through the front panel 11, through the opening 12 located on one side of the operating unit based on the width direction of the cabinet 10, that is, the inlet opening 12 described above, and the handle portion 57 of the moving unit 55 corresponding to a front end of the moving unit 55 may have a front surface exposed to the front of the front panel 11, and the storage body 56 located at the rear of the handle portion 57 of the moving unit 55 may be located inside the cabinet 10.

[0148] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an operating unit. The operating unit may include the output unit 100, the button 160, and the module housing 125 described above.

[0149] The output unit 100 may protrude forward of the front panel 11. The output unit 100 may include the screen portion 110 and the rotation portion 120 described above. The screen portion 110 may include the body portion and the window 122. The rotation portion 120 may be provided to surround the circumferential surface of the body portion. The rotation portion 120 may define the circumferential surface of the output unit 100.

[0150] The display 121 may be located inside or on the front surface of the body portion. The window 122 covering the display 121 may be located on the front surface of the body portion. The window 122 may define the front surface of the screen portion 110.

[0151] The module housing 125 may be located at the rear of the output unit 100 inside the cabinet 10. The output unit 100 may be connected to the module housing 125. A substrate portion 127 may be provided inside the module housing 125. The output unit 100 and the button 160 described above, for example, the first button 161 and the second button 162 may be connected to the substrate portion 127.

[0152] FIG. 11 illustrates the option unit 200 provided on the front panel 11 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0153] The option unit 200 may include an option adjuster 210 that displays each option information for the laundry treating course and an additional option selection unit 220 that includes settings or course reservations.

[0154] The option adjuster 210 may display option values of options for the laundry treating course. The options displayed in the option adjuster 210 may have option values changed. There may be a plurality of option adjusters 210, and the plurality of option adjusters 210 may correspond to different options.

[0155] Options displayed to the user through the option adjuster 210 may display the current option value, and the option value may be changed by the user. For example, the option adjuster 210 may include an option button, and when the user operates the option button, the option value for the corresponding option may be changed and displayed.

[0156] There may be a plurality of additional option selection units 220, and the plurality of additional option selection units 220 may correspond to different additional options. The additional option selection unit 220 displayed in the option unit 200 may be provided in the form of a button.

[0157] The user may determine whether to apply the corresponding additional option by operating the additional option selection unit 220. For example, a user may select the additional option selection unit 220 corresponding to a setting function from among the plurality of additional option selection units 220, and when the additional option selection unit 220 of the setting function is selected, the screen portion 110 described above may output a setting screen.

[0158] The user may select a course reservation in the additional option selection unit 220, and when the course reservation is selected, a reservation time for the treating course of the laundry currently displayed on the screen portion 110 may be set.

[0159] FIG. 12 illustrates a height relationship between a plurality of components arranged on the upper portion of the front panel 11 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 12, the height of each component is illustrated as an imaginary horizontal line parallel to the width direction of the cabinet 10.

[0160] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an upper end HL1 of the output unit 100 in the front panel 11 may be located lower than an upper end HL4 of the moving unit 55. Accordingly, the module housing 125 of the operating unit described above may be fixed upwards inside the cabinet 10 without coming into contact with the upper surface panel or the like.

[0161] A lower end HL2 of the output unit 100 may be located above a lower end HL5 of the moving unit 55. Accordingly, it is possible to limit the output unit 100 for outputting the screen from being located too far downward, prevent excessive size increase of the output unit 100, and provide a screen of an appropriate size in relation to the moving unit 55.

[0162] The lower end HL2 of the output unit 100 may be located lower than a lower end HL8 of the handle groove 58. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the size of the output unit 100 may be set to correspond to the handle portion 57 of the moving unit 55, and thus, to prevent the size of the output unit 100 from being excessively reduced, the lower end HL2 of the output unit 100 may be located lower than the lower end of the handle groove 58 of the handle portion 57.

[0163] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a horizontal center line for any one component may mean an imaginary horizontal line that is parallel to the width direction of the cabinet 10 and passes through the center of the corresponding component as viewed from the front panel 11.

[0164] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 may be located on the same line as a horizontal center line HL6 of the moving unit 55. Through this, the output unit 100 and the moving unit 55 may provide the user with a visual image aligned in the width direction.

[0165] The horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 may be located above an upper end HL7 of the handle groove 58. In other words, the upper end HL7 of the handle groove 58 may be located lower than the horizontal center line of the handle portion 57. Through this, the size of the handle groove 58 may be limited to an appropriate level.

[0166] The upper end of the button 160 of the operating unit described above may be located lower than the upper end HL1 of the output unit 100. When the button 160 is located too close to the upper end of the front panel 11, the convenience of operation of the user may be reduced, and to prevent this, an upper end HL9 of the button 160 may be located lower than the upper end HL1 of the output unit 100.

[0167] A lower end HL10 of the button 160 may be located lower than the lower end HL2 of the output unit 100. Through this, a visual effect in which the output unit 100 and the button 160 are aligned in the width direction of the cabinet 10, and the button 160 and the output unit 100 may be easily connected to the module housing 125 described above.

[0168] An upper end HL9 of the button 160 may be located above the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100, and the lower end HL10 of the button 160 may be located lower than the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100. That is, the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 may cross the button 160.

[0169] The upper end HL9 of the button 160 may be located above the handle groove 58, and the lower end HL10 of the button 160 may be located lower than the upper end HL7 of the handle groove 58 and may be located above the lower end HL8 of the handle groove 58. That is, the lower end HL10 of the button 160 may be located between the upper end HL7 and the lower end of the handle groove 58.

[0170] Among the buttons 160, the horizontal center line of the first button 161 and the horizontal center line of the second button 162 may be located on the same line. The horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 may cross the button 160.

[0171] A horizontal center line HL11 of the button 160 may be located lower than the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100. That is, the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 may be located lower than the horizontal center line HL11 of the button 160.

[0172] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, upper components arranged on the upper portion of the front panel 11 may be aligned together in the width direction, thereby improving product completeness in appearance. However, as described above, the output unit 100 may display a screen on a front surface thereof, and the front surface of the output unit 100 in which the screen is not output may have a dark color.

[0173] A visual effect in which a surface with low brightness is located behind a surface with high brightness may be provided, and therefore, from the user's perspective, the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 may be perceived as being located slightly lower than a designed position.

[0174] In consideration of this, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the horizontal center line HL11 of the button 160 may be located a certain amount lower than the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100, thereby providing a visual effect in which the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 and the horizontal center line HL11 of the button 160 are located on the same line from the user's perspective.

[0175] As described above, the front surface of the output unit 100 may protrude forward from the front panel 11, and when considering the user's gaze, which is generally higher than the output unit 100, it may be advantageous to locate the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 protruding from the front panel 11 higher than the button 160 in terms of design to provide a visual effect in which the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 and the horizontal center line HL11 of the button 160 are located on the same line in the user's gaze.

[0176] The horizontal center line HL11 of the button 160 may be located on the same line as the upper end HL7 of the handle groove 58 or may be located above the upper end HL7 of the handle groove 58. The upper end HL7 of the handle groove 58 may be located on the same line as or adjacent to the horizontal center line of the handle portion 57.

[0177] An upper end HL12 of the option unit 200 may be located lower than the upper end HL1 of the output unit 100, and a lower end HL13 of the option unit 200 may be located lower than the lower end HL2 of the output unit 100. Accordingly, the vertical length of the option unit 200 may be less than the vertical length of the output unit 100.

[0178] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vertical length of the output unit 100 may be greater than the vertical length of the option unit 200, and the vertical length of the handle portion 57 of the moving unit 55 may be greater than the vertical length of the output unit 100. Accordingly, the handle portion 57, output unit 100, and option unit 200 of the moving unit 55 may gradually decrease in vertical length along the width direction.

[0179] The upper end HL12 of the option unit 200 may be located above the upper end HL7 of the handle groove 58, and the lower end HL13 of the option unit 200 may be located lower than the upper end HL7 of the handle groove 58 and may be located above the lower end HL8 of the handle groove 58.

[0180] The upper end HL9 of the button 160 may be located lower than the upper end HL12 of the option unit 200, and the lower end HL10 of the button 160 may be located above the lower end HL13 of the option unit 200. Accordingly, the vertical length may be gradually reduced in the order of the handle portion 57, output unit 100, option unit 200, and button 160 of the moving unit 55.

[0181] A horizontal center line HL14 of the option unit 200 may be located lower than the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100, and the horizontal center line HL11 of the button 160 may be located on the same line as the horizontal center line HL14 of the option unit 200.

[0182] That is, the horizontal center line HL6 of the output unit 100 and the moving unit 55 may be the same, the horizontal center line HL11 of the option unit 200 and the button 160 may be the same, and the horizontal center line HL6 of the output unit 100 and the moving unit 55 may be located above the horizontal center line HL11 of the option unit 200 and the button 160.

[0183] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a width relationship of upper components of the front panel 11. In FIGS. 13 and 14, the widthwise positions of the components are indicated by an imaginary vertical line perpendicular to the ground.

[0184] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a separation distance between the button 160 and the moving unit 55 and a separation distance between the button 160 and the output unit 100 may be different from each other based on the width direction of the cabinet 10. Here, the button 160 may be the first button 161 described above.

[0185] Here, the separation distance may mean a widthwise distance defined between widthwise ends of the components. For example, the separation distance between the button 160 and the output unit 100 may mean a distance between a vertical line defined at an end of the button 160 toward the output unit 100 and a vertical line defined at an end of the output unit 100 toward the button 160 based on the width direction.

[0186] As described above, the button 160 and the output unit 100 may be connected together to the module housing 125. The cabinet 10 may be changed depending on the capacity of the tub 30 or the receiving portion 20.

[0187] However, if the separation distance between the button 160 and the output unit 100 and the separation distance between the button 160 and the moving unit 55 are kept constant despite a change in the width of the cabinet 10, the position of the opening 12 of the front panel 11 and the position of the moving unit 55 may change depending on the change in the width of the cabinet 10, which may be disadvantageous in design, and the position of the detergent case 52 into which the moving unit 55 is inserted may also have to be adjusted, which may cause disadvantages in manufacturing.

[0188] Accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the separation distance between the button 160 and the output unit 100 and the separation distance between the button 160 and the moving unit 55 may be set differently, thereby maintaining the size of the module housing 125 of the operating unit and the detergent case 52 of the detergent portion 50 and the positions within the cabinet 10 despite changes in the width of the cabinet 10.

[0189] Referring to FIG. 13, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a separation distance W1 between the button 160 and the moving unit 55 may be greater than a separation distance W2 between the button 160 and the output unit 100. The button 160 may be the first button 161 described above.

[0190] The separation distance W1 between the button 160 and the moving unit 55 is determined to be greater than the separation distance W2 between the button 160 and the output unit 100, and thus the design aspects described above may be improved as the width of the cabinet 10 increases.

[0191] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the separation distance W2 between the output unit 100 and the first button 161 may be equal to a separation distance W3 between the output unit 100 and the second button 162. The first button 161 and the second button 162 may be coupled to the module housing 125 described above, and thus the separation distances W2 and W3 between the first button 161 and the second button 162 with respect to the output unit 100 may be kept constant despite changes in the width of the cabinet 10, and the like.

[0192] Accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the separation distance W2 of the first button 161 and the separation distance W3 of the second button 162 with respect to the output unit 100 may be determined to be the same regardless of the change in the width of the cabinet 10 to improve the completeness of the product through a unified image in appearance.

[0193] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a vertical center line VL1 of the output unit 100 on the front panel 11 may be located on the same line as a vertical center line VL2 of the front panel 11. Through this, an image in which the circular output unit 100 and the circular door 15 are completely aligned vertically may be provided to the user.

[0194] A width W5 of the option unit 200 in the width direction of the front panel 11 may be less than a width W6 of the moving unit 55. The width W5 of the option unit 200 may be greater than a width W7 of the handle groove 58.

[0195] Based on the width direction, the width W5 of the option unit 200 may be greater than a separation distance W4 between one end of the first button 161 toward the moving unit 55 and one end of the second button 162 toward the option unit 200.

[0196] Referring to FIG. 14, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the separation distance W1 between the button 160 and the moving unit 55 may be less than the separation distance W2 between the button 160 and the output unit 100.

[0197] As described above, this may have design advantages as the width of the cabinet 10 is reduced. For example, when the width of the cabinet 10 is reduced to be equal to or less than a certain level while the position of the detergent portion 50 or the moving unit 55 based on the inside of the cabinet 10 is fixed, the separation distance W1 between the button 160 and the moving unit 55 may be less than the separation distance W2 between the button 160 and the output unit 100 maintained according to the design size of the module housing 125.

[0198] In this case, to prevent structural interference between the module housing 125 and the detergent case 52 inside the cabinet 10 due to the width of the cabinet 10 being equal to or less than a certain level, the module housing 125 may be located away from the detergent case 52.

[0199] That is, the moving unit 55 in the front panel 11 may be located on one side in the width direction of the output unit 100, and the vertical center line VL1 of the output unit 100 may be spaced apart from the vertical center line VL2 of the door 15 or the front panel 11 on the other side in the width direction.

[0200] Accordingly, the vertical center line VL2 of the front panel 11 may be located between the vertical center line VL1 of the moving unit 55 and the output unit 100. The vertical center line VL2 of the front panel 11 may cross the output unit 100.

[0201] Although the present disclosure has been shown and described in relation to specific embodiments, it is obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be modified and changed in various ways without departing from the technical spirit of the invention as provided by the following claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0045]Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail so as for those of ordinary skill in the art to easily implement with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046]However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to these embodiments. To clearly describe the present disclosure, a part without concerning to the description is omitted in the drawings, and like reference numerals in the specification denote like elements.

[0047]In the specification, a repeated explanation thereof will not be given.

[0048]It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present....

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus, and more particularly, to a laundry treating apparatus for accommodating and treating laundryBACKGROUND

[0002] A laundry treating apparatus provides various treating courses for treating laundry, such as a washing course that removes contamination from laundry by putting clothes, bedding, etc. (hereinafter referred to as laundry) inside a drum, or a drying course that removes moisture present in laundry.

[0003] The laundry treating apparatus may include a cabinet that forms an outer appearance, and may include a receiving portion provided inside the cabinet to accommodate laundry. When water is used in a laundry processing course, a tub may be provided inside the cabinet, and the receiving portion may be installed inside the tub.

[0004] The cabinet may include a laundry opening connecting the inside and outside of the cabinet. A user may insert laundries into the receiving portion inside the cabinet through the laundry opening.

[0005] The laundry treating apparatus may be classified into a front-loader type and a toploader type depending on the location of the laundry opening. A front loader may have a laundry opening provided in a front panel of the cabinet, and a top loader may have a laundry opening provided in a top panel of the cabinet.

[0006] The cabinet may include a control panel. The control panel may be defined by a portion of an external surface of the cabinet, or may be provided separately and installed such that at least a portion of the cabinet is exposed to the external surface of the cabinet.

[0007] The control panel may provide various information to a user or to receive a command from the user. For example, the control panel may be provided to output a screen to provide visual information to the user or may include buttons that are operated by the user to generate a user operation signal.

[0008] In this regard, Korean Patent Publication No. KR10-1960309 discloses a control panel for outputting a screen and including buttons. The control panel may include an output unit that outputs a screen to provide information to the user.

[0009] The output unit may be provided on the front panel of the cabinet described above together with the laundry opening. In this case, the output unit may be located above the laundry opening in consideration of user accessibility, convenience of operation, and the like.

[0010] However, in the case of a front loader, various components, such as a moving unit for a detergent part or an option part that provides option information, along with the output unit, may be located together above the laundry opening, that is, above the front panel.

[0011] Accordingly, the size and arrangement relationship between the output unit and other components on the front panel may be important. For example, when the output unit occupies an excessively large area, in relation to the moving unit or option part, not only does it lower a degree of product completion in terms of appearance, but an area in which the moving unit or option part is located is limited, which may be disadvantageous in terms of design.

[0012] When the size of the output unit, and the like is excessively reduced, the user convenience may be reduced and it may be disadvantageous for the output unit, and the like to perform its original function.

[0013] This problem may be similarly affected not only by the size of the output unit, but also by the positional relationship therebetween. For example, when a distance between the output unit and the moving unit is reduced, it may be difficult to locate other components between the output unit and the moving unit.

[0014] That is, efficiently and effectively determining the size relationship and arrangement relationship of components arranged on the front panel of the cabinet, such as the output unit, is an important in this technical field.DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

[0015] Objects of embodiments of the present disclosure are to provide a laundry treating apparatus including an output unit that outputs a screen to a cabinet.

[0016] Objects of embodiments of the present disclosure are to provide a laundry treating apparatus in which the sizes and arrangement relationships between various components arranged in the cabinet are efficiently obtained.

[0017] Objects of embodiments of the present disclosure are to provide a laundry treating apparatus in which various components, such as an output unit, are efficiently arranged on the front panel of the cabinet.

[0018] Objects of embodiments of the present disclosure are to provide a laundry treating apparatus in which the sizes and arrangements of a moving unit, an output unit, an option unit, buttons, and the like are efficiently obtained.Technical Solution

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a laundry treating apparatus may include an output unit provided on the front panel to output a screen. The output unit may include a screen portion protruding from the front panel and a rotation portion surrounding the screen portion.

[0020] The output unit may be referred to as a liquid crystal display (LCD) dial, and the LCD dial may be located between an upper end and a lower end of a detergent box to provide a balanced design.

[0021] The output unit may simplify the existing complex output unit structure by applying a circle-shaped LCD knob, provide a simple design shape, and improve usability.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a laundry treating apparatus may include a cabinet including a front panel, a receiving portion provided inside the cabinet to accommodate and treat laundry, a moving unit that is inserted into an opening formed in the front panel to be withdrawn and closes the opening, an output unit provided on the front panel to output a screen, and a button provided on the front panel, located between the moving unit and the output unit, and operated by a user.

[0023] The output unit may include a screen portion protruding from the front panel and outputting a screen from a front surface, and a rotation portion surrounding a circumferential surface of the screen portion and rotatable around the screen portion

[0024] A separation distance between the button and the moving unit in the width direction of the cabinet and a separation distance between the button and the output unit in the width direction of the cabinet may be different from each other.

[0025] The separation distance between the button and the moving unit may be greater than the separation distance between the button and the output unit.

[0026] A vertical center line of the output unit in the front panel may be located on the same line as a vertical center line of the front panel.

[0027] The button may correspond to a first button and is located on one side of the output unit based on the width direction of the cabinet, the front panel includes a second button that is located on another side of the output unit based on the width direction and is operated by a user, and a separation distance between the output unit and the first button may be equal to a separation distance between the output unit and the second button.

[0028] The front panel may include an option unit configured to display an option value for a treating process of laundry, and the output unit may be located between the option unit and the moving unit.

[0029] A width of the option unit in the width direction in the front panel may be less than a width of the moving unit.

[0030] A handle groove recessed rearwards may be provided in a front surface of the moving unit, which is exposed to an outside of the cabinet, and a width of the option unit may be greater than a width of the handle groove.

[0031] The button may correspond to a first button and is located on one side of the output unit based on the width direction of the cabinet, the front panel may include a second button that is located on another side of the output unit based on the width direction and is operated by a user, and based on the width direction, a width of the option unit may be greater than a separation distance between one end of the first button facing the moving unit and one end of the second button facing the option unit.

[0032] The separation distance between the button and the moving unit may be less than the separation distance between the button and the output unit.

[0033] A vertical center line of the front panel in the front panel may be located between vertical center lines of the moving unit and the output unit. The vertical center line of the front panel may cross the output unit.

[0034] A vertical center line of the front panel in the front panel may be located between vertical center lines of the moving unit and the output unit. The horizontal center line of the output unit may cross the button.

[0035] The screen portion may include a display embedded in the screen portion and configured to output a screen, and a window defining a front surface of the screen portion and covering the display.

[0036] The window may have an output area that at least partially overlaps the display and has a light-transmitting property to recognize the screen of the display from an outside.

[0037] The output area may extend from one end of the window to another end in the width direction of the cabinet.

[0038] The output area may be located lower than an upper end of the window, and a state area, in which an indicator indicating a state of the laundry treating apparatus is positioned, may be provided between the upper end of the window and the output area in the window.

[0039] The output area may be located above a lower end of the window, and an operating area, in which an operating button operated by a user is positioned, may be provided between a lower end of the window and the output area in the window. The moving unit may be provided to store water or detergent.Advantageous Effects

[0040] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a laundry treating apparatus including an output unit that outputs a screen to a cabinet.

[0041] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a laundry treating apparatus in which the sizes and arrangement relationships between various components arranged in the cabinet are efficiently obtained.

[0042] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a laundry treating apparatus in which various components, such as an output unit, are efficiently arranged on the front panel of the cabinet.

[0043] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a laundry treating apparatus in which the sizes and arrangements of a moving unit, an output unit, an option unit, buttons, and the like are efficiently obtained.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram showing an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the inside of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an upper portion of a front panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a handle portion of a moving unit inserted into a front panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an opening provided in a front panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional diagram showing a detergent portion of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a detergent portion of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an output unit of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an output unit disassembled from a front panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a output unit of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an option unit of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a height relationship of components provided on an upper portion of a cabinet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a case in which a first button is located closer to an output unit than a moving unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a case in which a first button is located closer to a moving unit than an output unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail so as for those of ordinary skill in the art to easily implement with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to these embodiments. To clearly describe the present disclosure, a part without concerning to the description is omitted in the drawings, and like reference numerals in the specification denote like elements.

[0047] In the specification, a repeated explanation thereof will not be given.

[0048] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.

[0049] The terms used in the present specification are used for explaining a specific exemplary embodiment, not limiting the present disclosure.

[0050] In the specification, the singular expressions in the present specification include the plural expressions unless clearly specified otherwise in context.

[0051] In the specification, terms such as "include" or "comprise" may be construed to denote a certain characteristic, number, step, operation, constituent element, or combination thereof, but may not be construed to exclude the existence of or possibility of addition of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, or combinations thereof.

[0052] In this specification, the term 'and / or' includes a combination of a plurality of listed items or any of the plurality of listed items. In this specification, 'A or B' may include 'A', 'B', or 'both A and B'.

[0053] FIG. 1 illustrates an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cabinet 10.

[0054] The cabinet 10 may form the outer appearance of the laundry treating apparatus 1 and define a space therein in which a receiving portion 20, a tub 30, and the like that are described below are provided. Although FIG. 1 illustrates the cabinet 1 with a hexahedral shape, a specific shape formed by the cabinet 10 may vary.

[0055] The cabinet 10 may include a plurality of panels. The plurality of panels may include at least one of a front panel 11, a side panel, an upper panel, a lower panel, or a rear panel. The plurality of panels may be coupled together to form the cabinet 10.

[0056] The cabinet 10 may include a front panel 11, and a plurality of openings may be formed in the front panel 11. The plurality of openings may include an inlet opening 12 and a laundry opening 13. The inlet opening 12 may be a passage for inserting a moving unit 55 storing detergent or water inside into the cabinet 10. The laundry opening 13 may correspond to a passage for a user to insert laundry into the receiving portion 20 inside the cabinet 10.

[0057] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the front refers to a direction in which the front panel 11 is positioned based on the cabinet 10, and the front panel 11 may be a panel in which the inlet opening 12 and the laundry opening 13 are formed.

[0058] The front panel 11 may include a door 15 for opening and closing the laundry opening 13, and an operating unit may be provided for user to operate the laundry treating apparatus 1. The door 15 may be hinged to the front panel 11 and provided to be rotatable. The laundry opening 13 of the front panel 11 may be opened or closed by the door 15.

[0059] The operating unit may include an output unit 100 that outputs a screen to convey information to the user. The output unit 100 may be provided on the front panel 11 and may output a screen.

[0060] The operating unit may include a button 160 and a dial operated by the user, and may include an option unit 200 for providing option information on a treating course of laundry. Details about the operating unit are described below.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a controller (not shown) may be provided, and the controller may be electrically and signally connected to the operating unit. In addition, the controller may be electrically and signally connected to an object requiring electrical / electronic control, such as a driver 70 for rotating the receiving portion 20 or a water supply unit 40 for supplying water.

[0062] The controller may receive a signal input to the operating unit by the user and control each component of the laundry treating apparatus 1 based on the received signal. Based on the signals transmitted from each of the components, the operating status of the laundry treating apparatus 1 may be transmitted to the user through the operating unit.

[0063] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal cross-section of the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, the inside of the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically described as follows.

[0064] The laundry opening 13 of the front panel 11 may be shielded by the door 15, and when a user wants to wash laundry, the user may open the laundry opening 13 by rotating the door 15.

[0065] The receiving portion 20 and the tub 30 may be provided inside the cabinet 10. The tub 30 may be provided inside the cabinet 10 and may accommodate water inside. The receiving portion 20 may be rotatably provided inside the tub 30 and may accommodate laundry inside.

[0066] The tub 30 may be fixed inside the cabinet 10, and may have a front surface facing the laundry opening 13, which is opened to form a tub opening 31. The tub 30 may be connected to the front panel 11 through a gasket to prevent laundry from coming off and to prevent water leakage. The tub may be supported on the cabinet 10 via a damper to minimize vibration transmitted to the cabinet 10.

[0067] The receiving portion 20 may be disposed inside the tub 30, and the front surface of the receiving portion 20, which faces the tub opening 31 and the laundry opening 13, may be opened to form a receiving opening 21. That is, the laundry opening 13, the tub opening 31, and the receiving opening 21 may be aligned in parallel and communicate with each other.

[0068] Laundry may be inserted into the laundry opening 13 of the front panel 11, the laundry inserted through the laundry opening 13 may pass through the tub opening 31 of the tub 30 and the receiving opening 21 of the receiving portion 20 and be accommodated inside the receiving portion 20.

[0069] A plurality of holes may be formed in a circumferential surface of the receiving portion 20. Water stored in the tub 30 through the hole may be supplied into the receiving portion 20 and provided to laundry. In the present disclosure, the receiving portion 20 may also be referred to as a drum.

[0070] The receiving portion 20 may be connected to the driver 70 through a rotation shaft. The driver 70 may provide rotational force based on a signal from the controller, and the rotational force of the driver 70 may be transmitted to the receiving portion 20 through the rotation shaft to rotate the receiving portion 20.

[0071] An embodiment of the present disclosure is described as a front loader type in which the rotation shaft of the receiving portion 20 extends in front and rear directions and the laundry opening 13 is provided in the front panel 11 as shown in FIG. 2, but it is not necessarily limited thereto and may be a top loader type in which the laundry opening 13 is formed in an upper panel. However, unless otherwise stated, the description below will be based on the front loader type.

[0072] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a detergent portion 50 may be provided. The detergent portion 50 may be provided inside the cabinet 10 or outside the cabinet 10 to supply detergent into the tub 30 or the receiving portion 20.

[0073] In the present disclosure, the detergent includes not only a laundry detergent for removing foreign substances from laundry, but also a softener for improving the flexibility of fibers and a bleaching agent for improving the color of fibers. Detergents may be defined to include various forms and types, including powdered detergents as well as liquid detergents.

[0074] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the moving unit 55 inserted into the cabinet 10 through the inlet opening 12 described above may store detergent, and the detergent portion 50 may be provided to supply a detergent of the moving unit 55 into the tub 30. A detailed description of the detergent portion 50 will be provided below.

[0075] The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the water supply unit 40, and the water supply unit 40 may be connected to an external water source to receive water.

[0076] The water supply unit 40 may include a water supply valve and a water supply pipe. The controller may supply water into the tub 30 during a washing process and the like by controlling the water supply valve. The water supply pipe may be connected to the detergent portion 50 or the tub 30. The water supply unit 40 may be provided to supply water into the tub 30 through the detergent portion 50 or to supply water directly into the tub 30 separately from the detergent portion 50.

[0077] The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a drain 60, and the drain 60 may be connected to the tub 30 to discharge water accommodated in the tub 30 to the outside.

[0078] The drain 60 may include a drainage pump and a drainage pipe. The drainage pipe may be provided to connect the tub 30 and the outside of the cabinet 10. The drainage pump may be controlled by the controller and may be provided in the drainage pipe to cause water to flow.

[0079] The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may perform various treating processes on laundry accommodated in the receiving portion 20. For example, the laundry treating apparatus 1 may perform a washing process for laundry by using detergent, water, and the like or a drying process for laundry by using hot air and the like.

[0080] When the laundry treating apparatus 1 is provided to perform the washing process, the laundry treating apparatus 1 may include the tub 30 and the detergent portion 50 described above.

[0081] When the laundry treating apparatus 1 is provided to perform the drying process, the tub 30 and the detergent portion 50 described above may be omitted from the laundry treating apparatus 1, and the laundry treating apparatus 1 may include an air supply unit for supplying high-temperature dry air into the receiving portion 20, and in this case, the moving unit 55 described above may be provided to store water instead of detergent.

[0082] The laundry treating apparatus 1 may include the tub 30, the detergent portion 50, and the air supply unit and may be provided to perform both the washing process and the drying process. However, for the convenience of explanation, the following description is based on the case in which the laundry treating apparatus 1 includes the tub 30 and the detergent portion 50 and is configured to perform a laundry washing process.

[0083] FIG. 3 illustrates an upper portion of the front panel 11 of the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0084] The upper portion of the front panel 11 may include an area between an upper end of the door 15 and an upper end of the front panel 11. Various components such as the operating unit described above may be disposed on the upper portion of the front panel 11.

[0085] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the output unit 100, the moving unit 55, the option unit 200, or the button 160 may be disposed on the upper portion of the front panel 11.

[0086] The output unit 100 may output a screen from a front surface thereof. The output unit 100 may include a display 121 for outputting the screen as described below. The output unit 100 may have various shapes, such as a circular shape.

[0087] Based on a width direction of the cabinet 10, the inlet opening 12 described above may be provided on one side of the output unit 100. The inlet opening 12 may be located at one side of the output unit 100. Accordingly, the moving unit 55 described above may be disposed on one side of the output unit 100.

[0088] The option unit 200 that displays an option value for the laundry treating process may be provided on the front panel 11. The option unit 200 may be provided on the other side of the output unit 100. The output unit 100 may be disposed between the option unit 200 and the moving unit 55.

[0089] The button 160 of the operating unit described above may be provided on the upper portion of the front panel 11. The operating unit may include the output unit 100 and the button 160 and the button 160 may be provided in a plural number.

[0090] The button 160 may be provided in various locations. For example, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the front panel 11 may include the button 160 that is located between the moving unit 55 and the output unit 100 and is operated by a user.

[0091] The front panel 11 may include the button 160 that is located between the output unit 100 and the moving unit 55 or the option unit 200 and is operated by the user.

[0092] The front panel 11 may include a first button 161 located between the output unit 100 and the moving unit 55 and a second button 162 located between the output unit 100 and the option unit 200.

[0093] The first button 161 may be located on one side of the output unit 100 based on the width direction of the cabinet 10, and the second button 162 may be located on the other side of the output unit 100 based on the width direction and may be operated by a user.

[0094] The first button 161 may be a power button for determining whether to turn on power of the laundry treating apparatus 1, and the second button 162 may be an execution button for inputting an execution command for the laundry treating process.

[0095] FIG. 4 shows the moving unit 55 inserted into the opening 12 of the front panel 11. FIG. 4 illustrates a handle portion 57 of the moving unit 55.

[0096] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the moving unit 55 may be inserted into the opening 12 formed in the front panel 11 to be withdrawable and may close the opening 12. The opening 12 may be the inlet opening 12 described above.

[0097] As described above, the moving unit 55 may be provided to store water or detergent. The detergent may be provided into the inside of the tub 30 by the detergent portion 50, and the water may be generated by condensation from the air discharged from the tub 30. For convenience of explanation, the following description is based on the case in which detergent is stored in the moving unit 55.

[0098] The handle portion 57 of the moving unit 55 may have a cross-section of approximately a square shape. The cross-section of the handle portion 57 may have a shape and area corresponding to the cross-section of the opening 12.

[0099] Accordingly, when the moving unit 55 is inserted into the cabinet 10 through the opening 12, a front surface of a handle groove 58 may define the same surface as the front panel 11 and may define a front surface of the laundry treating apparatus 1.

[0100] The handle groove 58 recessed rearwards may be provided in a front surface of the moving unit 55, which is exposed to the outside of the cabinet 10, that is, a front surface of the handle portion 57. The user may hold the handle groove 58 and insert the moving unit 55 into the cabinet 10 or withdraw out of the cabinet 10.

[0101] The handle groove 58 may be in a shape of a groove recessed rearwards, and may be in a shape extending in the width direction of the cabinet 10. The width of the handle groove 58 based on the width direction of the cabinet 10 may be smaller than the width of the handle portion 57.

[0102] FIG. 5 illustrates the opening 12 formed in the front panel 11 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0103] At least a portion of the moving unit 55 may be inserted into the cabinet 10 through the opening 12. The opening 12 may be the inlet opening 12 described above. The opening 12 may be located in the upper portion of the front panel 11. The opening 12 may be located above the door 15.

[0104] The opening 12 may be located on one side of the output unit 100 based on the width direction of the cabinet 10. The opening 12 may be located approximately at a corner side of the front panel 11.

[0105] Detergent may be stored inside the moving unit 55, and the moving unit 55 may be a portion of the detergent portion 50. A user may store detergent in the moving unit 55 that is withdrawn out through the opening 12, and when the moving unit 55 in which the detergent is stored is inserted into the cabinet 10 through the opening 12, the detergent portion 50 may supply the detergent stored in the moving unit 55 into the tub 30 for the washing process of laundry.

[0106] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of the detergent portion 50 provided inside the cabinet 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the detergent portion 50.

[0107] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the detergent portion 50 may include a detergent case 52 and a water supply unit 51 that are located at the rear of the opening 12.

[0108] The detergent case 52 may be located at the rear of the opening 12 to provide a space in which the moving unit 55 is accommodated. That is, at least a portion of the moving unit 55 inserted into the cabinet 10 may be accommodated inside the detergent case 52.

[0109] The water supply unit 51 may receive water through the water supply unit 40 and supply water into the detergent case 52 through the open upper surface of the detergent case 52. The detergent case 52 may deliver water supplied by the water supply unit 51 and detergent from the moving unit 55 together to the tub 30.

[0110] The detergent case 52 and the water supply unit 51 may together define a space with an open front surface. The moving unit 55 inserted through the opening 12 may be accommodated in the space with the open front surface.

[0111] The moving unit 55 may include the handle portion 57 described above and a storage body 56. The storage body 56 may be located at the rear of the handle portion 57. The storage body 56 may provide a space for storing detergent.

[0112] The storage body 56 may be inserted into the cabinet 10 through the opening 12 of the front panel 11 and accommodated in the detergent case 52. The handle portion 57 may be located within the opening 12 of the front panel 11, and the front surface of the handle portion 57 may be located approximately on the same plane as the front surface of the front panel 11.

[0113] FIG. 8 illustrates an operating unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The operating unit may include the output unit 100 and button 160 described above.

[0114] The output unit 100 may be provided on the front panel 11 to output a screen. The output unit 100 may include a screen portion 110 and a rotation portion 120.

[0115] The screen portion 110 may protrude from the front panel 11 to output a screen from the front surface thereof. The screen portion 110 may have a cylindrical shape that protrudes forward from the front panel 11.

[0116] The rotation portion 120 may be provided in a ring shape surrounding a circumferential surface of the screen portion 110. The rotation portion 120 may be provided to be rotatable on the screen portion 110. The rotation portion 120 may be rotated around the screen portion 110.

[0117] The rotation portion 120 may correspond to a dial. The user may rotate the rotation portion 120 described above to generate a command signal for the laundry treating apparatus 1 or the controller described above.

[0118] The command signal generated by rotation of the rotation portion 120 may be of various types. For example, rotation of the rotation portion 120 may correspond to a command signal that changes an object displayed on a screen output from the screen portion 110 or changes a selection object from one of a plurality of objects displayed on the screen to another. That is, the rotation portion 120 may have a function similar to a movement button that generates a movement signal for an object displayed on the screen.

[0119] The screen portion 110 may include the display 121 and a window 122. The display 121 may be at least partially embedded in the screen portion 110 to output a screen. The display 121 may be mounted adjacent to the front surface of the screen portion 110 or may be mounted on the front surface.

[0120] The screen portion 110 may include a body portion protruding from the front panel 11, and the display 121 may be mounted on a front surface of the body portion. The rotation portion 120 described above may be located to surround the circumferential surface of the body portion.

[0121] The window 122 may be provided on the screen portion 110 to cover the display 121. The window 122 may define a front surface of the screen portion 110. The window 122 may be located on the front surface of the body portion to cover the front surface of the body portion.

[0122] The window 122 may include an output area 130. The output area 130 may be located to at least partially overlap the display 121.

[0123] At least a portion of the output area 130 may be located in front of the display 121. The output area 130 may have a light-transmitting property such that the screen of the display 121 may be recognized from the outside.

[0124] For example, the window 122 may include a material such as glass or plastic, and the output area 130 may be provided transparently such that the screen of the display 121 may be visually recognized by the user.

[0125] The output area 130 may extend from one end of the window 122 to the other end along the width direction of the cabinet 10. For example, the output area 130 defined by being spaced apart from the upper end and the lower end of the window 122 in the height direction of the cabinet 10 may occupy the entire center of the window 122.

[0126] The screen portion 110 may have a cross-sectional shape that is approximately circular, and the output area 130 may have upper and lower ends with straight edges, and curved edges at both ends in the width direction that correspond to the edges of the screen portion 110.

[0127] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display 121 may have a shape corresponding to the output area 130 and may overlap the output area 130 approximately as a whole.

[0128] However, the shape of the display 121 is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, a portion of the output area 130 may overlap the display 121 and the other portion may not overlap the display 121. In this case, the display 121 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape and may be located to overlap approximately the central portion of the output area 130 except for both ends in the width direction of the output area 130.

[0129] The output area 130 may be located lower than the upper end of the screen portion 110 and the window 122. That is, the output area 130 may be spaced downward from the upper end of the window 122.

[0130] In the window 122, a state area 140 may be provided between the upper end of the window 122 and the output area 130. An indicator 141 indicating the state of the laundry treating apparatus 1 may be located in the state area 140.

[0131] The indicator 141 may be provided in a plural number and may display various information such as whether Wi-Fi is connected or whether the door 15 is locked. The indicator 141 may include a shape to suggest or imply information to be displayed, and the shape may be provided in the window 122.

[0132] The body portion may include a light-emitting body for each of the plurality of indicators 141. The light-emitting body may be turned on or off to indicate the state of the corresponding indicator 141.

[0133] The output area 130 in the window 122 may be located above a lower end of the window 122. In the window 122, an operating area 150 in which an operating button 151 operated by a user is located may be provided between the lower end of the window 122 and the output area 130.

[0134] The operating area 150 may be defined between an lower edge of the output area 130 and the lower end of the window 122. The operating button 151 may be provided in the operating area 150.

[0135] The operating button 151 may be provided for operating the screen. The user may operate the screen by operating the operating button 151. The user may operate the screen and transmit a desired command to the controller by operating the operating button 151 and the rotation portion 120.

[0136] The operating button 151 may be of various types, such as a mechanical button operated through a physical change in protrusion, a pressure-type button operated by a pressure of a user, or a touch-type button that detects a user touch.

[0137] There may be a plurality of operating buttons 151. The plurality of operating buttons 151 may include a back button and a confirm button.

[0138] The screen portion 110 may output various screens. The back button may generate a command signal to return to a previous screen of the current screen. For example, when a second screen is output while a first screen is output on the screen portion 110, if the user operates the back button, the screen portion 110 may output the first screen again instead of the second screen.

[0139] Various objects may be displayed on the screen of the screen portion 110. For example, a plurality of treating courses for treating laundry may be displayed on the screen of the screen portion 110. Any one of the plurality of treating courses may be a selected object and displayed differently from the others.

[0140] The user may operate the rotation portion 120 such that a desired object among the plurality of objects is a selected object. When the desired object is displayed as the selected object, if the user operates the confirm button, the selection of the selected object among the plurality of objects may be confirmed.

[0141] The buttons 160 may be arranged on both sides of the output unit 100 based on the width direction. The power button described above may be located on one side of the output unit 100 in the width direction, and the execution button described above may be located on the other side of the output unit 100 in the width direction.

[0142] The user may apply power to the laundry treating apparatus 1 by operating the power button, display a desired treating course as a selected object by operating the rotation portion 120 of the output unit 100, and command the execution of the treating course displayed as the selected object by operating the execution button.

[0143] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the power button, the output unit 100, and the execution button may be arranged in one direction parallel to the width direction, and thus the user may use the laundry treating apparatus 1 by operating the operating unit in the one direction from the power button to the execution button, thereby improving the convenience of use.

[0144] FIG. 9 shows the front panel 11 and an operating unit separated from the front panel 11.

[0145] Referring to FIG. 9, the operating unit may be located above the door 15, and may include a module housing 125 coupled to the front panel 11 at the rear of the front panel 11, and the output unit 100 coupled to the front panel 11 at the front of the front panel 11.

[0146] A hole may be formed in the front panel 11 at a position corresponding to the output unit 100, and the output unit 100 may be located to pass through the hole and be coupled to the module housing 125 located inside the cabinet 10.

[0147] The moving unit 55 may be inserted into the cabinet 10 to pass through the front panel 11, through the opening 12 located on one side of the operating unit based on the width direction of the cabinet 10, that is, the inlet opening 12 described above, and the handle portion 57 of the moving unit 55 corresponding to a front end of the moving unit 55 may have a front surface exposed to the front of the front panel 11, and the storage body 56 located at the rear of the handle portion 57 of the moving unit 55 may be located inside the cabinet 10.

[0148] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an operating unit. The operating unit may include the output unit 100, the button 160, and the module housing 125 described above.

[0149] The output unit 100 may protrude forward of the front panel 11. The output unit 100 may include the screen portion 110 and the rotation portion 120 described above. The screen portion 110 may include the body portion and the window 122. The rotation portion 120 may be provided to surround the circumferential surface of the body portion. The rotation portion 120 may define the circumferential surface of the output unit 100.

[0150] The display 121 may be located inside or on the front surface of the body portion. The window 122 covering the display 121 may be located on the front surface of the body portion. The window 122 may define the front surface of the screen portion 110.

[0151] The module housing 125 may be located at the rear of the output unit 100 inside the cabinet 10. The output unit 100 may be connected to the module housing 125. A substrate portion 127 may be provided inside the module housing 125. The output unit 100 and the button 160 described above, for example, the first button 161 and the second button 162 may be connected to the substrate portion 127.

[0152] FIG. 11 illustrates the option unit 200 provided on the front panel 11 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0153] The option unit 200 may include an option adjuster 210 that displays each option information for the laundry treating course and an additional option selection unit 220 that includes settings or course reservations.

[0154] The option adjuster 210 may display option values of options for the laundry treating course. The options displayed in the option adjuster 210 may have option values changed. There may be a plurality of option adjusters 210, and the plurality of option adjusters 210 may correspond to different options.

[0155] Options displayed to the user through the option adjuster 210 may display the current option value, and the option value may be changed by the user. For example, the option adjuster 210 may include an option button, and when the user operates the option button, the option value for the corresponding option may be changed and displayed.

[0156] There may be a plurality of additional option selection units 220, and the plurality of additional option selection units 220 may correspond to different additional options. The additional option selection unit 220 displayed in the option unit 200 may be provided in the form of a button.

[0157] The user may determine whether to apply the corresponding additional option by operating the additional option selection unit 220. For example, a user may select the additional option selection unit 220 corresponding to a setting function from among the plurality of additional option selection units 220, and when the additional option selection unit 220 of the setting function is selected, the screen portion 110 described above may output a setting screen.

[0158] The user may select a course reservation in the additional option selection unit 220, and when the course reservation is selected, a reservation time for the treating course of the laundry currently displayed on the screen portion 110 may be set.

[0159] FIG. 12 illustrates a height relationship between a plurality of components arranged on the upper portion of the front panel 11 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 12, the height of each component is illustrated as an imaginary horizontal line parallel to the width direction of the cabinet 10.

[0160] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an upper end HL1 of the output unit 100 in the front panel 11 may be located lower than an upper end HL4 of the moving unit 55. Accordingly, the module housing 125 of the operating unit described above may be fixed upwards inside the cabinet 10 without coming into contact with the upper surface panel or the like.

[0161] A lower end HL2 of the output unit 100 may be located above a lower end HL5 of the moving unit 55. Accordingly, it is possible to limit the output unit 100 for outputting the screen from being located too far downward, prevent excessive size increase of the output unit 100, and provide a screen of an appropriate size in relation to the moving unit 55.

[0162] The lower end HL2 of the output unit 100 may be located lower than a lower end HL8 of the handle groove 58. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the size of the output unit 100 may be set to correspond to the handle portion 57 of the moving unit 55, and thus, to prevent the size of the output unit 100 from being excessively reduced, the lower end HL2 of the output unit 100 may be located lower than the lower end of the handle groove 58 of the handle portion 57.

[0163] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a horizontal center line for any one component may mean an imaginary horizontal line that is parallel to the width direction of the cabinet 10 and passes through the center of the corresponding component as viewed from the front panel 11.

[0164] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 may be located on the same line as a horizontal center line HL6 of the moving unit 55. Through this, the output unit 100 and the moving unit 55 may provide the user with a visual image aligned in the width direction.

[0165] The horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 may be located above an upper end HL7 of the handle groove 58. In other words, the upper end HL7 of the handle groove 58 may be located lower than the horizontal center line of the handle portion 57. Through this, the size of the handle groove 58 may be limited to an appropriate level.

[0166] The upper end of the button 160 of the operating unit described above may be located lower than the upper end HL1 of the output unit 100. When the button 160 is located too close to the upper end of the front panel 11, the convenience of operation of the user may be reduced, and to prevent this, an upper end HL9 of the button 160 may be located lower than the upper end HL1 of the output unit 100.

[0167] A lower end HL10 of the button 160 may be located lower than the lower end HL2 of the output unit 100. Through this, a visual effect in which the output unit 100 and the button 160 are aligned in the width direction of the cabinet 10, and the button 160 and the output unit 100 may be easily connected to the module housing 125 described above.

[0168] An upper end HL9 of the button 160 may be located above the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100, and the lower end HL10 of the button 160 may be located lower than the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100. That is, the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 may cross the button 160.

[0169] The upper end HL9 of the button 160 may be located above the handle groove 58, and the lower end HL10 of the button 160 may be located lower than the upper end HL7 of the handle groove 58 and may be located above the lower end HL8 of the handle groove 58. That is, the lower end HL10 of the button 160 may be located between the upper end HL7 and the lower end of the handle groove 58.

[0170] Among the buttons 160, the horizontal center line of the first button 161 and the horizontal center line of the second button 162 may be located on the same line. The horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 may cross the button 160.

[0171] A horizontal center line HL11 of the button 160 may be located lower than the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100. That is, the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 may be located lower than the horizontal center line HL11 of the button 160.

[0172] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, upper components arranged on the upper portion of the front panel 11 may be aligned together in the width direction, thereby improving product completeness in appearance. However, as described above, the output unit 100 may display a screen on a front surface thereof, and the front surface of the output unit 100 in which the screen is not output may have a dark color.

[0173] A visual effect in which a surface with low brightness is located behind a surface with high brightness may be provided, and therefore, from the user's perspective, the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 may be perceived as being located slightly lower than a designed position.

[0174] In consideration of this, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the horizontal center line HL11 of the button 160 may be located a certain amount lower than the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100, thereby providing a visual effect in which the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 and the horizontal center line HL11 of the button 160 are located on the same line from the user's perspective.

[0175] As described above, the front surface of the output unit 100 may protrude forward from the front panel 11, and when considering the user's gaze, which is generally higher than the output unit 100, it may be advantageous to locate the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 protruding from the front panel 11 higher than the button 160 in terms of design to provide a visual effect in which the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100 and the horizontal center line HL11 of the button 160 are located on the same line in the user's gaze.

[0176] The horizontal center line HL11 of the button 160 may be located on the same line as the upper end HL7 of the handle groove 58 or may be located above the upper end HL7 of the handle groove 58. The upper end HL7 of the handle groove 58 may be located on the same line as or adjacent to the horizontal center line of the handle portion 57.

[0177] An upper end HL12 of the option unit 200 may be located lower than the upper end HL1 of the output unit 100, and a lower end HL13 of the option unit 200 may be located lower than the lower end HL2 of the output unit 100. Accordingly, the vertical length of the option unit 200 may be less than the vertical length of the output unit 100.

[0178] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vertical length of the output unit 100 may be greater than the vertical length of the option unit 200, and the vertical length of the handle portion 57 of the moving unit 55 may be greater than the vertical length of the output unit 100. Accordingly, the handle portion 57, output unit 100, and option unit 200 of the moving unit 55 may gradually decrease in vertical length along the width direction.

[0179] The upper end HL12 of the option unit 200 may be located above the upper end HL7 of the handle groove 58, and the lower end HL13 of the option unit 200 may be located lower than the upper end HL7 of the handle groove 58 and may be located above the lower end HL8 of the handle groove 58.

[0180] The upper end HL9 of the button 160 may be located lower than the upper end HL12 of the option unit 200, and the lower end HL10 of the button 160 may be located above the lower end HL13 of the option unit 200. Accordingly, the vertical length may be gradually reduced in the order of the handle portion 57, output unit 100, option unit 200, and button 160 of the moving unit 55.

[0181] A horizontal center line HL14 of the option unit 200 may be located lower than the horizontal center line HL3 of the output unit 100, and the horizontal center line HL11 of the button 160 may be located on the same line as the horizontal center line HL14 of the option unit 200.

[0182] That is, the horizontal center line HL6 of the output unit 100 and the moving unit 55 may be the same, the horizontal center line HL11 of the option unit 200 and the button 160 may be the same, and the horizontal center line HL6 of the output unit 100 and the moving unit 55 may be located above the horizontal center line HL11 of the option unit 200 and the button 160.

[0183] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a width relationship of upper components of the front panel 11. In FIGS. 13 and 14, the widthwise positions of the components are indicated by an imaginary vertical line perpendicular to the ground.

[0184] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a separation distance between the button 160 and the moving unit 55 and a separation distance between the button 160 and the output unit 100 may be different from each other based on the width direction of the cabinet 10. Here, the button 160 may be the first button 161 described above.

[0185] Here, the separation distance may mean a widthwise distance defined between widthwise ends of the components. For example, the separation distance between the button 160 and the output unit 100 may mean a distance between a vertical line defined at an end of the button 160 toward the output unit 100 and a vertical line defined at an end of the output unit 100 toward the button 160 based on the width direction.

[0186] As described above, the button 160 and the output unit 100 may be connected together to the module housing 125. The cabinet 10 may be changed depending on the capacity of the tub 30 or the receiving portion 20.

[0187] However, if the separation distance between the button 160 and the output unit 100 and the separation distance between the button 160 and the moving unit 55 are kept constant despite a change in the width of the cabinet 10, the position of the opening 12 of the front panel 11 and the position of the moving unit 55 may change depending on the change in the width of the cabinet 10, which may be disadvantageous in design, and the position of the detergent case 52 into which the moving unit 55 is inserted may also have to be adjusted, which may cause disadvantages in manufacturing.

[0188] Accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the separation distance between the button 160 and the output unit 100 and the separation distance between the button 160 and the moving unit 55 may be set differently, thereby maintaining the size of the module housing 125 of the operating unit and the detergent case 52 of the detergent portion 50 and the positions within the cabinet 10 despite changes in the width of the cabinet 10.

[0189] Referring to FIG. 13, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a separation distance W1 between the button 160 and the moving unit 55 may be greater than a separation distance W2 between the button 160 and the output unit 100. The button 160 may be the first button 161 described above.

[0190] The separation distance W1 between the button 160 and the moving unit 55 is determined to be greater than the separation distance W2 between the button 160 and the output unit 100, and thus the design aspects described above may be improved as the width of the cabinet 10 increases.

[0191] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the separation distance W2 between the output unit 100 and the first button 161 may be equal to a separation distance W3 between the output unit 100 and the second button 162. The first button 161 and the second button 162 may be coupled to the module housing 125 described above, and thus the separation distances W2 and W3 between the first button 161 and the second button 162 with respect to the output unit 100 may be kept constant despite changes in the width of the cabinet 10, and the like.

[0192] Accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the separation distance W2 of the first button 161 and the separation distance W3 of the second button 162 with respect to the output unit 100 may be determined to be the same regardless of the change in the width of the cabinet 10 to improve the completeness of the product through a unified image in appearance.

[0193] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a vertical center line VL1 of the output unit 100 on the front panel 11 may be located on the same line as a vertical center line VL2 of the front panel 11. Through this, an image in which the circular output unit 100 and the circular door 15 are completely aligned vertically may be provided to the user.

[0194] A width W5 of the option unit 200 in the width direction of the front panel 11 may be less than a width W6 of the moving unit 55. The width W5 of the option unit 200 may be greater than a width W7 of the handle groove 58.

[0195] Based on the width direction, the width W5 of the option unit 200 may be greater than a separation distance W4 between one end of the first button 161 toward the moving unit 55 and one end of the second button 162 toward the option unit 200.

[0196] Referring to FIG. 14, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the separation distance W1 between the button 160 and the moving unit 55 may be less than the separation distance W2 between the button 160 and the output unit 100.

[0197] As described above, this may have design advantages as the width of the cabinet 10 is reduced. For example, when the width of the cabinet 10 is reduced to be equal to or less than a certain level while the position of the detergent portion 50 or the moving unit 55 based on the inside of the cabinet 10 is fixed, the separation distance W1 between the button 160 and the moving unit 55 may be less than the separation distance W2 between the button 160 and the output unit 100 maintained according to the design size of the module housing 125.

[0198] In this case, to prevent structural interference between the module housing 125 and the detergent case 52 inside the cabinet 10 due to the width of the cabinet 10 being equal to or less than a certain level, the module housing 125 may be located away from the detergent case 52.

[0199] That is, the moving unit 55 in the front panel 11 may be located on one side in the width direction of the output unit 100, and the vertical center line VL1 of the output unit 100 may be spaced apart from the vertical center line VL2 of the door 15 or the front panel 11 on the other side in the width direction.

[0200] Accordingly, the vertical center line VL2 of the front panel 11 may be located between the vertical center line VL1 of the moving unit 55 and the output unit 100. The vertical center line VL2 of the front panel 11 may cross the output unit 100.

[0201] Although the present disclosure has been shown and described in relation to specific embodiments, it is obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be modified and changed in various ways without departing from the technical spirit of the invention as provided by the following claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0045]Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail so as for those of ordinary skill in the art to easily implement with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046]However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to these embodiments. To clearly describe the present disclosure, a part without concerning to the description is omitted in the drawings, and like reference numerals in the specification denote like elements.

[0047]In the specification, a repeated explanation thereof will not be given.

[0048]It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present....

Claims

1. A laundry treating apparatus comprising: a cabinet including a front panel; a receiving portion provided inside the cabinet to accommodate and treat laundry; a moving unit that is inserted into an opening formed in the front panel to be withdrawn and closes the opening; an output unit provided on the front panel to output a screen; and a button provided on the front panel, located between the moving unit and the output unit, and operated by a user, wherein the output unit includes: a screen portion protruding from the front panel and outputting a screen from a front surface; and a rotation portion surrounding a circumferential surface of the screen portion and rotatable around the screen portion, and a separation distance between the button and the moving unit in the width direction of the cabinet and a separation distance between the button and the output unit in the width direction of the cabinet are different from each other.

2. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the separation distance between the button and the moving unit is greater than the separation distance between the button and the output unit.

3. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 2, wherein a vertical center line of the output unit in the front panel is located on the same line as a vertical center line of the front panel.

4. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the button corresponds to a first button and is located on one side of the output unit based on the width direction of the cabinet, the front panel includes a second button that is located on another side of the output unit based on the width direction and is operated by a user, and a separation distance between the output unit and the first button is equal to a separation distance between the output unit and the second button.

5. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the front panel includes an option unit configured to display an option value for a treating process of laundry, and the output unit is located between the option unit and the moving unit.

6. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 5, wherein a width of the option unit in the width direction in the front panel is less than a width of the moving unit.

7. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 5, wherein a handle groove recessed rearwards is provided in a front surface of the moving unit, which is exposed to an outside of the cabinet, and a width of the option unit is greater than a width of the handle groove.

8. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 5, wherein the button corresponds to a first button and is located on one side of the output unit based on the width direction of the cabinet, the front panel includes a second button that is located on another side of the output unit based on the width direction and is operated by a user, and based on the width direction, a width of the option unit is greater than a separation distance between one end of the first button facing the moving unit and one end of the second button facing the option unit.

9. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the separation distance between the button and the moving unit is less than the separation distance between the button and the output unit.

10. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 9, wherein a vertical center line of the front panel in the front panel is located between vertical center lines of the moving unit and the output unit.

11. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 10, wherein the vertical center line of the front panel crosses the output unit.

12. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein a horizontal center line of the output unit is located above a horizontal center line of the button.

13. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 12, wherein the horizontal center line of the output unit crosses the button.

14. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the screen portion includes: a display embedded in the screen portion and configured to output a screen; and a window defining a front surface of the screen portion and covering the display, the window has an output area that at least partially overlaps the display and has a light-transmitting property to recognize the screen of the display from an outside.

15. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the output area extends from one end of the window to another end in the width direction of the cabinet.

16. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the output area is located lower than an upper end of the window, and a state area, in which an indicator indicating a state of the laundry treating apparatus is positioned, is provided between the upper end of the window and the output area in the window.

17. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the output area is located above a lower end of the window, and an operating area, in which an operating button operated by a user is positioned, is provided between a lower end of the window and the output area in the window.

18. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the moving unit is provided to store water or detergent.

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