Clothing treatment apparatus
The laundry treating apparatus addresses inefficiencies by sensing laundry weight and length to adjust operation speeds and supply, ensuring even shaking and customized treatment, enhancing performance and reducing fabric damage.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- LG ELECTRONICS INC
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing laundry treating apparatuses lack the ability to customize their operation based on the weight, length, and material of the laundry, leading to inefficient steam and hot air supply and potential damage due to uneven shaking.
A laundry treating apparatus that includes a moving hanger capable of sensing the weight and length of the laundry, adjusting operation speeds and steam/hot air supply accordingly, and implementing customized treatment schemes.
Optimizes laundry treatment by evenly distributing shaking force, minimizing fabric damage, and providing tailored performance based on laundry characteristics.
Smart Images

Figure IMGAF001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus and a method for controlling the same. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus and a method for controlling the same capable of supplyi ng steam and hot air to laundry to perform a refreshing cycle such as sterilization, wrinkle removal, deodorization, and drying of the laundry.[Background]
[0002] A laundry treating apparatus refers to an apparatus developed to wash and dry laundry and to remove wrinkles from the laundry at home and in a laundry. Apparatuses classified as the laundry treating apparatus include a washing machine that washes the laundry, a dryer that dries the laundry, a washer / dryer that has both a washing function and a drying function, a laundry management apparatus that refreshes the laundry, a steamer that removes the wrinkles from the laundry, and the like.
[0003] In recent years, a laundry treating apparatus corresponding to the laundry management apparatus has emerged that allows the laundry to be kept pleasant and clean without being immersed in water and washed with detergent.
[0004] Such an existing laundry treating apparatus performs a refreshing cycle of supplying one of high-temperature air (hot air) and steam to the laundry to deodorize the laundry, dry the laundry, and remove the wrinkles from the laundry.
[0005] In general, such a laundry treating apparatus receives the laundry therein by hanging the laundry from an upper end thereof. Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus may place each laundry item in a height direction, so that a plurality of laundry items may also be hung along a width direction.
[0006] The laundry treating apparatus may be configured such that a component (hereinafter, referred to as a moving hanger) for hanging the laundry therein is moveable. Thus, the existing laundry treating apparatus may shake the laundry with the moving hanger when hot air and steam are supplied to the laundry, thereby removing dust and foreign substances from the laundry.
[0007] Because the moving hanger is configured to hang the laundry thereon in an upper end of a receiving space of the laundry treating apparatus, a degree of shaking and a form of shaking of the laundry may vary depending on an operation frequency and an operation speed of the moving hanger.
[0008] Accordingly, in order to maximize a refreshing effect by shaking the laundry in an optimal form depending on each time point, the existing laundry treating apparatuses have devised various operation schemes of the moving hanger.
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of shaking laundry in an existing laundry treating apparatus (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-016611A).
[0010] When the laundry is shaken more, foreign substances attached to the laundry or moisture contained in the laundry may be removed more quickly, so that it may be considered to be preferable that the moving hanger is always operated at the highest output.
[0011] However, referring to a left diagram in (a) in FIG. 1, when the moving hanger moves excessively fast, an excitation force generated from the moving hanger may be transmitted only to the upper end of the laundry, and a lower portion of the laundry may not follow the movement of the moving hanger, and thus may not vibrate with sufficient amplitude.
[0012] Accordingly, an effect of shaking the lower portion of the laundry may be slight, and a difference in displacement between the upper portion and the lower portion of the laundry may be great, so that there is a risk that fabric may be stretched or damaged.
[0013] Therefore, referring to a right diagram in (a) in FIG. 1, it is preferable that the moving hanger is operated at an optimal speed at which vibrations generated from the moving hanger may be evenly transmitted from the upper portion to the lower portion of the laundry.
[0014] The laundry received in the laundry treating apparatus may be in the heaviest state at an initial stage because of supply of water or steam thereto. Heavy laundry has a great inertial force, and thus, may not be easily shaken by the moving hanger.
[0015] In addition, as moisture evaporates from the laundry as hot air is supplied, a weight of the laundry may be gradually reduced. As the laundry becomes lighter, its inertial force is correspondingly reduced, so that the lighter laundry may be shaken relatively easily by the moving hanger.
[0016] Therefore, it may be preferable to shake the moving hanger based on the change in the inertial force of the laundry.
[0017] Referring to (b) in FIG. 1, the existing laundry treating apparatus may operate the moving hanger at a maximum speed PV1-1 at the initial stage in which the laundry is estimated to be in the heaviest state, and may operate the moving hanger by gradually decreasing the operation speed of the moving hanger in consideration of the fact that the laundry is lightened as moisture is dried by hot air or moisture is removed by the vibrations of the moving hanger (PV1-2, 3 and PV2).
[0018] Accordingly, a shaking force may be evenly transmitted to the entire laundry while preventing damage to the laundry, as compared with unconditionally operating the moving hanger at a constant speed.
[0019] However, such an existing laundry treating apparatus is not configured to operate the moving hanger based on the weight, a length, a type, a material, and the like of the laundry.
[0020] That is, because the existing laundry treating apparatus is not able to directly sense the weight, the length, the material, and the like of the laundry, the operation speed of the moving hanger is not able to be controlled based on a state of the laundry, and a moving hanger operation scheme is standardized by a simple algorithm.
[0021] In other words, the existing laundry treating apparatus has a limitation that the moving hanger is not able to be operated to suit the state of the laundry although the laundry is moved by the moving hanger in a different form depending on the weight, the length, the material, and the like thereof.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a method for controlling another existing laundry treating apparatus equipped with a moving hanger.
[0023] The laundry treating apparatus equipped with the moving hanger typically refreshes the laundry by supplying steam and hot air to the hung laundry.
[0024] Specifically, the existing laundry treating apparatus is operated in a pre-heating step C1 of pre-heating a steam generator, a steam step C2 of supplying steam from the steam generator, a stay step C3 of stopping the supply of steam such that the supplied steam is introduced into the laundry, a cooling step C4 of lowering a surface temperature of the laundry and lowering a humidity of the receiving space, and a drying step C5 of operating a heater or a compressor to supply hot air to the laundry to dry the laundry.
[0025] Because the existing laundry treating apparatus is not able to directly sense the weight, the length, and the material of the laundry, there are fundamental limitations in that a supply scheme and a spray amount of steam, and a supply amount and a supply duration of hot air are not able to be adjusted to be suitable for the state of the laundry.
[0026] In addition, because the moving hanger is configured to move in the upper portion of the laundry receiving space of the laundry treating apparatus, there is a limitation in that it is difficult to install a separate weight sensor or the like.
[0027] Moreover, the existing laundry treating apparatus has a fundamental limitation in that it is not able to optimally refresh the laundry in consideration of the state of the hung laundry because it has no choice but to rely only on an input of a user for information on a characteristic of the laundry such as the weight, the length, and the material of the laundry.[Summary][Technical Problem]
[0028] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that implements customized performance depending on a characteristic of laundry.
[0029] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that predicts a characteristic of laundry based on one or more of a weight and a length of the laundry and implements customized performance depending on the characteristic of the laundry.
[0030] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of optimally operating a moving hanger depending on a sensed characteristic of laundry.
[0031] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that optimally implements schemes of supplying steam and supplying hot air depending on a sensed characteristic of laundry.
[0032] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that implements customized performance depending on an amount of laundry during laundry treatment.
[0033] The present disclosure is intended to provide a laundry treating apparatus that implements customized performance for each characteristic of laundry based on any one or more of a weight, a length, and a material of the laundry, particularly when treating a small amount of laundry or a single laundry item.[Technical Solutions]
[0034] The present disclosure provides a laundry treating apparatus that performs an arbitrary course of treating laundry. In an embodiment, the laundry treating apparatus includes: a cabinet; an inner casing providing a receiving space where the laundry is hung inside the cabinet; a machine room that is disposed under the inner casing and generates one or more of hot air and steam supplied into the receiving space; and a moving hanger that shakes the hung laundry, wherein the moving hanger shakes the hung laundry at a sensing speed for a sensing duration and then shakes the laundry at a treatment speed, wherein the moving hanger shakes the laundry at different treatment speeds, even when the same course is performed, when the hung laundry has the same weight but different lengths or when the hung laundry has the same length but different weights.
[0035] In an embodiment, the laundry treating apparatus may further include a controller that operates the moving hanger at the sensing speed for the sensing duration to sense one of a weight, a material, and a length of each laundry item, wherein the controller optimally sets at least one of the treatment speed for shaking the laundry, a spraying duration of supplied hot air and steam, and a spraying amount of supplied hot air and steam, or treats the hung laundry by matching the hung laundry to one of n predetermined operation schemes.
[0036] In an embodiment, the moving hanger may shake the hung laundry in correspondence with one of a plurality of predetermined operation schemes.
[0037] In an embodiment, the moving hanger may shake the laundry at a higher treatment speed when the laundry is light than when the laundry is heavy.
[0038] In an embodiment, the moving hanger may shake the laundry at a lower treatment speed when the laundry is long than when the laundry is short.
[0039] In an embodiment, the machine room may set at least one of a supply amount and a supply duration of at least one of hot air and steam differently, even when the same course is performed, when the hung laundry has the same weight but the different lengths or when the hung laundry has the same length but the different weights.
[0040] In an embodiment, the machine room may set the at least one of the supply amount and the supply duration of the at least one of hot air and steam greater when the laundry is heavy than when the laundry is light.
[0041] In an embodiment, the machine room may set the at least one of the supply amount and the supply duration of the at least one of hot air and steam greater when the laundry is long than when the laundry is short.
[0042] In an embodiment, the machine room may include: a heat exchanger that generates hot air by heating air through heat exchange with a refrigerant; a compressor that is connected to the heat exchanger and compresses the refrigerant; and a blowing fan that circulates air and hot air in the receiving space, wherein the machine room may set an operation duration and an operation RPM of at least one of the compressor and the blowing fan differently, even when the same course is performed, when the hung laundry has the same weight but the different lengths or when the hung laundry has the same length but the different weights.
[0043] In an embodiment, the machine room may further include a steam supply that generates steam by heating water, wherein the machine room may set an operation duration of the steam supply differently, even when the same course is performed, when the hung laundry has the same weight but the different lengths or when the hung laundry has the same length but the different weights.
[0044] In an embodiment, the steam supply may include: a first heater that heats water; and a second heater that has power consumption the same as or different from power consumption of the first heater and is operated independently of the first heater, wherein the steam supply may set operation durations of one or more of the first heater and the second heater differently, even when the same course is performed, when the hung laundry has the same weight but the different lengths or when the hung laundry has the same length but the different weights.
[0045] In an embodiment, the treatment speed may be higher than the sensing speed.
[0046] In an embodiment, the sensing speed may include a first sensing speed and a second sensing speed higher than the first sensing speed, wherein the hung laundry may be shaken at the first sensing speed for a first sensing duration, then shaken at the second sensing speed for a second sensing duration, and then shaken at the treatment speed.
[0047] In an embodiment, the second sensing speed may gradually increase over time.
[0048] In an embodiment, the treatment speed may be higher than the first sensing speed.
[0049] In an embodiment, while or after steam is supplied into the receiving space, the moving hanger may shake the laundry at a treatment speed equal to or higher than a standard speed or equal to or lower than the standard speed, wherein the standard speed may be different depending on a weight and a length of the laundry.
[0050] In an embodiment, in a period where a moisture content of the laundry increases by steam supplied into the receiving space, the moving hanger may shake the laundry at the treatment speed equal to or lower than the standard speed.
[0051] In an embodiment, in the period where the moisture content of the laundry increases by steam supplied into the receiving space, the moving hanger may shake the laundry at a treatment speed variable and equal to or lower than the standard speed.
[0052] In an embodiment, in a period where the moisture content of the laundry decreases by hot air supplied into the receiving space, the moving hanger may shake the laundry at the treatment speed equal to or higher than the standard speed.
[0053] In an embodiment, in the period where the moisture content of the laundry decreases by hot air supplied into the receiving space, the moving hanger may shake the laundry at a treatment speed variable and equal to or higher than the standard speed.
[0054] The present disclosure provides a laundry treating apparatus that performs an arbitrary course of treating laundry. In an embodiment, the laundry treating apparatus includes: a cabinet; an inner casing providing a receiving space where the laundry is hung inside the cabinet; a machine room that is disposed under the inner casing and generates one or more of hot air and steam supplied into the receiving space; and a moving hanger that shakes the hung laundry, wherein the moving hanger shakes the laundry at different treatment speeds, even when the same course is performed, when the hung laundry has the same weight but different lengths or has the same length but different weights, when a weight of the hung laundry is equal to or smaller than a set value.[Advantageous Effects]
[0055] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, customized care depending on the characteristic of the laundry is available.
[0056] The present disclosure may optimally operate the moving hanger based on one or more of the sensed weight and length of the laundry.
[0057] The present disclosure may optimally implement the schemes of supplying steam and supplying hot air based on one or more of the sensed weight and length of the laundry.
[0058] The present disclosure may obtain optimized performance by grouping the laundry in consideration of customer's actually worn laundry and providing a customized course for each group.[Brief Description of the Drawings]
[0059] FIG. 1 illustrates an existing laundry treating apparatus. FIG. 2 illustrates a method for controlling an existing laundry treating apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates a structure of a machine room of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of a moving hanger of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates an operation process of the moving hanger. FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the moving hanger of the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure and a scheme in which the moving hanger operates. FIG. 8 illustrates a structure of the moving hanger and illustrates that the moving hanger is removed from the inner casing. FIG. 9 illustrates an operation scheme of the moving hanger according to the present disclosure. FIG. 10 illustrates a system in which the moving hanger operates. FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment in which the controller of the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure accurately identifies the laundry information with the moving hanger. FIG. 12 illustrates a state in which the laundry vibrates when the moving hanger is in operation. FIG. 13 illustrates a change in the vibration pattern of the laundry based on the operation frequency of the moving hanger. FIG. 14 illustrates a process in which the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure senses the weight of the laundry through the moving hanger. FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of the process in which the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure senses the weight of the laundry through the moving hanger. FIG. 16 illustrates a principle in which the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure is able to sense the length of the laundry. FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment in which the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure senses not only the weight but also the length of the laundry. FIG. 18 is a diagram for illustrating a behavior of a sample based on a frequency, and a frequency range defined as the standard frequency, and illustrates a lateral behavior of the sample recorded. FIG. 19 illustrates behaviors based on a result of vibrating a linen sample, a cotton sample, and a silk sample at a standard frequency of the cotton sample. FIG. 20 illustrates behaviors based on a result of vibrating the linen sample, the cotton sample, and the silk sample at a standard frequency of the silk sample. FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment in which the moving hanger is controlled using the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure sensing the weight and the resonance frequency of the laundry. FIG. 22 is a chart illustrating a frequency applied to the laundry by the hanger module. FIG. 23 is a chart illustrating various motion modes provided by the moving hanger according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 24 is a chart illustrating an embodiment of treatment courses provided by the laundry treating apparatus 1 and a motion mode of a hanger module of each cycle. FIG. 25 is a graph illustrating a frequency variation in a fourth motion mode. FIG. 26 is a graph illustrating a frequency variation in a third motion mode. FIG. 27 is a chart illustrating an operation state of each component for each cycle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a control step of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a control step of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in more detail. FIG. 30 illustrates performing of deep learning with data obtained from a laundry treating apparatus. FIG. 31 illustrates that the data obtained from the laundry treating apparatus is input to an artificial intelligence model to obtain output values in which the weight and the length of the laundry are subdivided. FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating classification based on the laundry characteristics according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a control method of determining a standard speed of a moving hanger based on a laundry characteristic and providing a customized course as a control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating in more detail a control method of determining a standard speed of a moving hanger based on a laundry characteristic and providing a customized course as a control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 35 is a diagram further illustrating a control method of providing a customized course based on a pre-classified group for each laundry characteristic as a control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 36 illustrates a control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrates cycle periods for each customized course. [Best Mode]
[0060] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present document, same or similar components will be assigned with same or similar reference numerals even in different embodiments, and a description thereof will be substituted by a first description. A singular expression used herein includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed herein, when it is determined that a detailed description of the related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed description will be omitted. In addition, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings are only for making it easy to understand the embodiments disclosed herein, and a technical idea disclosed herein should not be interpreted as being limited by the accompanying drawings.
[0061] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure.
[0062] Referring to (a) in FIG. 3, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may include a cabinet 100 forming the outer appearance thereof and a door 11 pivotably coupled to the cabinet 10.
[0063] The door 11 may have the same height and width as a front surface of the cabinet 100, and may form a front surface of the laundry treating apparatus 1.
[0064] The door 11 may include an input unit that receives a command for operating the laundry treating apparatus, and a display that externally indicates an operating state of the laundry treating apparatus visually, auditorily, or the like.
[0065] Referring to (b) in FIG. 3, an inner casing 20 having a receiving space 21 for receiving laundry therein may be disposed inside the cabinet 10. The inner casing 20 may have an opening 21 through which the laundry enters and exits at a front side thereof, and the opening 21 may be shielded by the door 11.
[0066] The inner casing 20 may be made of a plastic resin-based material, and may be made of a reinforced plastic resin-based material that is not deformed by air having a temperature higher than a room temperature or heated air (hereinafter, hot air) and steam or moisture.
[0067] The inner casing 20 may have a height greater than a width thereof. Accordingly, the laundry may be received in the receiving space 21 in a state of not being folded or wrinkled.
[0068] The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure may include a clothes hanger capable of hanging the laundry in the receiving space 21 of the inner casing 20. The clothes hanger may be mounted on a moving hanger 100 that is seated in the inner casing 20 and hangs the laundry thereon.
[0069] The moving hanger 100 may be exposed to an inner top surface of the inner casing 20, so that the clothes hanger may be mounted thereon. The moving hanger 100 may be configured to reciprocate on the top surface of the inner casing 20 and shake the laundry. A detailed structure of the moving hanger 100 will be described later.
[0070] When the laundry is hung on the moving hanger 100, the laundry may be hung in a state of being stretched in a height direction while being suspended in air inside the receiving space 21. Accordingly, the laundry hung in the receiving space 21 may be evenly exposed to hot air and steam, and wrinkles thereof may be removed by a self-weight.
[0071] The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may further include a pressurizer 40 coupled to an inner surface of the door 11 to fix the laundry.
[0072] The pressurizer 40 may be pivotably coupled to an inner side of the door 11 and press the laundry fixed to the inner surface of the door 11 toward the inner surface of the door 11.
[0073] The pressurizer 40 may generate intended creases on both sides of the laundry.
[0074] The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may further include a machine room 30 in which various apparatuses capable of supplying one or more of hot air and steam to the receiving space 21 or purifying or dehumidifying external air of the cabinet 10 are installed.
[0075] The machine room 30 may be disposed to be separated or partitioned from the inner casing 20, but may be in communication with the inner casing 20.
[0076] The machine room 30 may be disposed under the inner casing 20. Accordingly, when hot air and steam having a small specific gravity are supplied to the inner casing 20, the hot air and steam may be naturally supplied to the laundry.
[0077] The machine room 30 may include a circulation duct that circulates air inside the inner casing 20 and a plurality of heat exchangers that are disposed in the circulation duct, cool and condense the air, and heat the air.
[0078] The machine room 30 may include a heat pump system including a compressor that is connected to the plurality of heat exchangers and compresses a refrigerant, which cools or heats the air.
[0079] The machine room 30 may also include a steam supply 50 capable of supplying steam into the inner casing 20. The steam supply 50 may generate steam by heating water. The laundry received in the inner casing may be exposed to hot air generated by the heat pump system and steam generated by the steam supply 50 to be subjected to deodorization, sterilization, wrinkle removal, and drying.
[0080] A water tank 31 that supplies water for generating the steam and a drain tank 32 that collects water condensed in the circulation duct may be disposed in a front portion of the machine room 30.
[0081] The water tank 31 and the drain tank 32 may be detachably disposed in the front portion of the machine room 30. Accordingly, even when the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure is not disposed near a water supply source or a floor drain, a user may detach and transport the water tank 31 and the drain tank 32 whenever necessary.
[0082] The water tank 31 and the drain tank 32 may be arranged side by side along a width direction of the machine room 30.
[0083] In addition, the machine room 30 may further include a drawer 33 for receiving items necessary for managing the laundry. The drawer 33 may be extendable from the machine room 30, and may have a space for receiving the items such as an iron defined therein.
[0084] The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure may have seating brackets 60 on which a separate shelf may be seated inside the inner casing 20. The seating brackets 60 may protrude from both side surfaces of the inner casing 20 at the same vertical level.
[0085] The seating bracket 60 may have a light emitting unit that irradiates light into the inner casing 20. The light emitting unit may be configured to irradiate light toward an inner surface of the inner casing 20 to prevent glare.
[0086] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a structure of a machine room.
[0087] The machine room 30 may be disposed under the inner casing 20 and provide a space in which the heat pump system 80 and the steam supply 50 are installed, and may include a duct 90 providing a flow channel for circulating air inside the inner casing 20.
[0088] The duct 90 may define a circulation flow channel in communication with each of an inlet and an outlet of the inner casing 20, and may define a space in which air inside the inner casing 20 flows. A blowing fan may be disposed inside the duct 90. The blowing fan may generate a pressure difference to suck and discharge air inside the receiving space 21.
[0089] The duct may be defined in a rectangular shape with a partially open upper portion, and a separate cover may be coupled to the upper portion of the duct to complete the internal flow channel. The duct 90 may include an inflow duct 91 in communication with the inner casing 20 and into which air is introduced, a discharge duct 92 spaced apart from the inflow duct 91, in communication with the inner casing 20, and through which air is discharged, and a transfer duct 93 connecting the inflow duct 91 with the discharge duct 92 and defining a flow channel through which air flows.
[0090] The heat pump system 80 may include an evaporator 81 that is received in the duct 90 and cools the air, a condenser 82 that generates hot air by heating air that has passed through the evaporator 81, and a compressor 83 that compresses a refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator 81 to heat the same and supplies the compressed refrigerant to the condenser 82, and may further include an expansion valve that expands and cools the refrigerant that has passed through the condenser 82 and transmits the expanded refrigerant to the evaporator 81.
[0091] The evaporator 81 and the condenser 82 may be received in the transfer duct 93, and the compressor 82 and the expansion valve may be disposed outside the duct 90.
[0092] The evaporator 81 and the condenser 83 may be arranged along a direction in which air flows. For example, the evaporator 81 may be disposed closer to the inflow duct 91 than to the condenser 83, and the condenser 83 may be disposed closer to the discharge duct 92 than to the evaporator 81.
[0093] The steam supply 50 may be disposed inside the duct 90.
[0094] The steam supply 50 may be disposed outside the duct 90 so as not to interfere with the flow of air flowing along the duct 90.
[0095] The steam supply 50 may include a steam generator 51 that receives and stores water therein and generates steam by heating water with a heater or the like inside, and a steam nozzle 52 that supplies steam generated by the steam generator 51 to the receiving space 21.
[0096] In an embodiment, the steam supply 51 may include a first heater and a second heater. The first heater and the second heater may be operated independently of each other. The first heater and the second heater may have the same or different power consumption. For example, power consumption of the first heater may be greater than power consumption of the second heater. When the first heater and the second heater are operated at the same time, although the power consumption is great, steam may be quickly generated. When only one of the first heater and the second heater is operated, the power consumption is relatively lowered, but amounts of steam generated and supplied per unit time are reduced.
[0097] The amount of steam supplied is closely related to a temperature of the receiving space 21. When the amount of steam supplied increases, the temperature of the receiving space 21 increases. When the amount of steam supplied decreases, the temperature of the receiving space 21 is relatively lowered.
[0098] The steam nozzle 52 may be in communication with the inner casing 20, and may be disposed adjacent to the discharge duct 92. The steam generator 51 may be seated and supported on an upper portion of the duct 90, and may support the steam nozzle 52.
[0099] The steam supply 50 may further include a recovery pipe 54 allowing the steam nozzle 52 and the steam generator 51 to be in communication with each other.
[0100] The recovery pipe 54 may recover water condensed without being discharged from the steam nozzle 52 to the outside again into the steam generator 51. The steam nozzle 52 may be disposed upwardly of the steam generator 51, so that steam is naturally supplied to the inner casing 20 by a density difference, and water is recovered into the steam generator 51 by gravity.
[0101] The steam nozzle 52 may not be equipped as a simple hose, but may be made of a plastic material and may be formed in a casing shape in which one or more of steam, air, and water may be received therein.
[0102] The steam supply 50 may further include a steam pipe 53 connecting the steam generator 51 with the steam nozzle 52. Steam generated by the steam generator 51 may be supplied into the steam nozzle 52 along the steam pipe 53 and may be supplied into the inner casing 20.
[0103] The machine room 30 may further include a water supply 60 capable of supplying water for generating steam from the steam supply 50.
[0104] The water supply 60 may receive water from the water tank 31 seated in the front portion of the machine room 30 and supply water to the steam supply 50.
[0105] The water supply 60 may include a water supply pipe 61 that receives water from the water tank 31, a supply pipe 63 that supplies water from the water supply pipe 61 to the steam supply 50, and a water supply pump 62 that supplies power to the water supply pipe 61 to supply water to the supply pipe 63.
[0106] The water tank 31 may be detachably disposed in front of the duct 90, and the water supply pump 62 may be disposed outside the duct 90.
[0107] The supply pipe 63 may be in communication with the steam generator 51 and supply water to the steam generator 51.
[0108] Alternatively, the supply pipe 63 may be in communication with the steam nozzle 52 and supply water to the steam nozzle 52. That is, the water supply 60 may directly supply water to the steam nozzle 52 and indirectly supply water to the steam generator 51 through the recovery pipe 54. Accordingly, the flow channel structure may be simplified.
[0109] The machine room 30 may further include a water discharger 70 configured to collect the water condensed in the evaporator 81 to the drain tank 32.
[0110] The water discharger 70 may include a discharge pipe 71 that is in communication with a bottom surface of the duct 90 and discharges water collected in a lower portion of the duct 90 to the outside of the duct 90, a drain pump 72 that supplies water discharged through the discharge pipe 71 to the drain tank 32, and a drain pipe 73 that supplies water supplied to the drain pump 72 to the drain tank 32.
[0111] In one example, the water discharger 70 may further include a recovery duct 74 that allows the duct 90 and the drain tank 32 to be in communication with each other to re-guide water in the drain tank 32 into the duct 90. Accordingly, even when the drain tank 32 is full, water collected in the drain tank 32 may be prevented from leaking to the outside.
[0112] In the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure, when a refreshing cycle of the laundry of performing the sterilization, the deodorization, the wrinkle removal, the drying, and the like is performed, hot air and steam may be supplied to the inner casing 20 at an appropriate time through the machine room 30, and moisture discharged from the inner casing 20 may be condensed and collected in the drain tank 32.
[0113] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the moving hanger 100 of the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure.
[0114] Referring to (a) in FIG. 5, the moving hanger 100 may include each hanging portion 700 on which the laundry or the clothes hanger 900 is hung, a plurality of power transmitters 400, each of which is coupled to each hanging portion 700 to support a weight of the laundry, a connector 600 connecting the plurality of power transmitters 400 to each other, and a driver 200 that provides power to reciprocate the connector 600 and the plurality of power transmitters 400.
[0115] The plurality of power transmitters 400 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a direction in which the laundry items are arranged in the receiving space 21.
[0116] The plurality of power transmitters 400 may be disposed along the height direction of the laundry treating apparatus, and the connector 600 may be seated on the top surface of the inner casing 20.
[0117] The connector 600 may be integrally formed with the plurality of power transmitters 400, and may be connected to the driver 200 positioned thereon.
[0118] The driver 200 and the connector 600 may be supported by a separate support frame and disposed on top of the inner casing 20.
[0119] The connector 600 may include a connection bar 630 formed in a rod shape, and the connection bar 630 may be connected to the driver 600 in a Scotch yoke structure.
[0120] Accordingly, when the driver 600 generates rotation power, the connection bar 630 may reciprocate along a longitudinal direction or along the direction in which the power transmitters 400 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other.
[0121] The driver 200 may include a motor 210 that transmits power to reciprocate the connection bar 630, a power shaft 240 that rotates by the motor 210, a transmitter 230 that transmits power of the power shaft 240, and a displacement generator 300 that is connected to the transmitter 230 and transforms the rotational motion of the power shaft 240 into a motion along a predetermined trajectory.
[0122] For example, the transmitter 230 may include a transmission rod 236 having one end coupled to the power shaft 240 and a remaining end extending along a radial direction of the rotation shaft 210 and rotating together with the power shaft 240. The displacement generator 300 may include an eccentric shaft 310 coupled to the remaining end of the transmission rod 236 and coupled to the connection bar 630. The eccentric shaft 310 may rotate along a trajectory longer than that of the power shaft 240.
[0123] Referring to (b) in FIG. 5, the connection bar 630 may include a slit 631 into which the eccentric shaft 310 is inserted, and the slit 631 may be defined perpendicular to the movement direction of the connection bar 630. For example, the slit 631 may be defined in a thickness direction of the connection bar 630.
[0124] A length of the slit 631 may be twice or more than a rotation radius R of the eccentric shaft 310, and a width of the slit 631 may be greater than a diameter of the eccentric shaft 310.
[0125] FIG. 6 illustrates an operation embodiment of the moving hanger.
[0126] Referring to (a) in FIG. 6, a position of the power shaft 240 is fixed, and the eccentric shaft 310 continuously rotates in either a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction while drawing a trajectory along the rotation radius R with respect to the power shaft 240.
[0127] The eccentric shaft 310 may move to a right side of the power shaft 240 while rotating the power shaft 240. In this process, the slit 631 defined in the connection bar 630 may receive a force to move to the right by the eccentric shaft 310, and the connection bar 630 may move to the right.
[0128] Referring to (b) in FIG. 6, the eccentric shaft 310 may rotate further continuously in the same direction and may move to a left side of the power shaft 240. In this process, the slit 631 defined in the connection bar 630 receives a force to move to the left by the eccentric shaft 310, and the connection bar 630 may move to the left.
[0129] When the eccentric shaft 310 rotates further, the position in (a) in FIG. 6 and the position in (b) in FIG. 6 may be repeated, and the connection bar 630 may reciprocate left and right.
[0130] As a result, the power transmitter 400 coupled to the connection bar 630 may also reciprocate left and right, and the hanging portion 700 coupled to the power transmitter 400 and the laundry hung on the hanging portion 700 may also be shaken.
[0131] When the eccentric shaft 310 rotates once, the connection bar 630 may reciprocate left and right once, and the movement direction thereof may be changed twice.
[0132] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the moving hanger 100 of the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure and a scheme in which the moving hanger operates.
[0133] The moving hanger 100 of the new embodiment may also include the power transmitter 400 disposed in an upper portion of the inner casing 10 and configured to shake the clothes hanger 900.
[0134] The hanging portion 700 on which the clothes hanger 900 may be seated or hung may be disposed at a lower portion of the power transmitter 400.
[0135] As a result, when the power transmitter 400 moves, the hanging portion 700 moves, and the clothes hanger 900 hung on the hanging portion 700 is shaken, so that the laundry may be shaken.
[0136] The power transmitter 400 may include a plurality of power transmitters, and thus the hanging portion 700 coupled to the power transmitter 400 may also include a plurality of hanging portions. Accordingly, a large number of laundry items, corresponding to the number of power transmitters 400, may be hung inside the inner casing 20 and refreshed.
[0137] The moving hanger 100 may further include the driver 200 that provides power for moving the power transmitter 400.
[0138] The driver 200 may be exposed to the inside of the inner casing 20 as long as it is able to transmit power to the power transmitter 400. However, because the driver 200 is configured to be operated by receiving electric energy, it is preferable that exposure thereof to steam or hot air is blocked.
[0139] Accordingly, the driver 200 may be disposed between the top surface of the inner casing 20 and the cabinet 10 and prevented from being exposed to the receiving space 21.
[0140] The power transmitter 400 may extend through an upper portion of the inner casing 20 upwardly and receive power from the driver 200. The power transmitter 400 may extend through the upper portion of the inner casing 20 and extend downwards to expose a lower end thereof to the receiving space 21.
[0141] The power transmitter 400 may be formed in a rod shape, a tube shape, a plate shape, or the like formed to have a length greater than a thickness.
[0142] In one example, the top surface of the inner casing 20 may support weights of the power transmitter 400 and the driver 200. However, the laundry is hung and moved on the power transmitter 400, and the weight of the driver 200 is relatively great. Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure may further include a support 800 to stably install the moving hanger 100 on the top surface of the inner casing 20.
[0143] The support 800 may be disposed on top of the inner casing 20, but may be supported by being coupled to the cabinet 1. The support 800 may be made of a metal material that is difficult to change in shape.
[0144] The power transmitter 400 and the driver 200 may be seated on the support 800 and disposed on the top surface of the inner casing 20.
[0145] In one example, the driver 200 includes a motor that rotates the rotation shaft. The driver 200 may be configured to move the power transmitter 400 with power of rotating the rotation shaft.
[0146] However, it may be difficult to shake the power transmitter 400 at a sufficient displacement only when the rotation shaft rotates in place.
[0147] Accordingly, the moving hanger 100 may further include the displacement generator 300 coupled to the rotation shaft and configured to generate a sufficient displacement for the power transmitter 400 to move.
[0148] The displacement generator 300 may connect the rotation shaft and the power transmitter 400 to each other and transmit power of the rotation shaft to the power transmitter 400.
[0149] The displacement generator 300 may include the eccentric shaft that rotates while drawing a trajectory greater than a diameter of the rotation shaft by the rotation shaft. The eccentric shaft may generate a displacement that causes the power transmitter 400 to reciprocate within a predetermined range.
[0150] Accordingly, when the driver 200 is in operation, power generated from the rotation shaft may be transmitted to the power transmitter 400, so that the power transmitter may reciprocate within the predetermined range.
[0151] The moving hanger 100 may be configured to shake the laundry by allowing the power transmitter 400 to perform a reciprocating rotational motion instead of reciprocating the power transmitter 400 left and right.
[0152] Specifically, the moving hanger 100 may allow the power transmitter 400 to perform the reciprocating rotational motion within a predetermined angle range rather than reciprocating the same in a straight line.
[0153] Accordingly, the power transmitter 400 may perform the reciprocating rotational motion left and right at a correct position, and thus the laundry hung on the power transmitter 400 may only perform the reciprocating rotational motion left and right and may not linearly reciprocate left and right.
[0154] As a result, even when the laundry rotates inside the inner casing 20 by the power transmitter 400, a movement of a center of gravity thereof inside the inner casing 20 may be limited. Therefore, even when the moving hanger 100 is in operation, the vibrations generated inside the inner casing 20 may be sharply reduced, and as a result, noise generation may be minimized.
[0155] The moving hanger 100 may further include a reciprocating rotational motion generator 500 that converts continuous rotational energy generated by the driver 200 or the displacement generator 300 into the reciprocating rotational motion of the power transmitter 400.
[0156] The reciprocating rotational motion generator 500 may connect the displacement generator 300 and the power transmitter 400 to each other. The reciprocating rotational motion generator 500 may connect the displacement generator 300 and the power transmitter 400 to each other at a position above the inner casing 20, thereby preventing the laundry from being damaged by the moving hanger 100.
[0157] In one example, the moving hanger 100 may allow only one of the plurality of power transmitters 400 to perform the reciprocating rotational motion.
[0158] However, when only one power transmitter 400 is rotated, a laundry item hung on the rotating power transmitter may collide with a laundry item hung on another power transmitter 400, so that there is a concern that the laundry item may be damaged or the moving hanger 100 may be damaged.
[0159] Therefore, it is preferable that the moving hanger 100 is configured to rotate all of the plurality of power transmitters 400. In addition, the moving hanger 100 may be configured to rotate the plurality of power transmitters 400 at the same time through the same angle. Accordingly, the power transmitters 400 may be prevented from colliding with each other.
[0160] In one example, in the moving hanger 100, it may be advantageous in controlling the rotation of all the power transmitters 400 that power of the driver 200 is directly transmitted to all of the plurality of power transmitters.
[0161] However, when the driver 200 includes a plurality of drivers configured to transmit power to the power transmitters 400, respectively, not only an excessive weight may be applied to the upper portion of the inner casing 20, but also an inconvenience of controlling the plurality of drivers 200 may be caused.
[0162] Therefore, the moving hanger 100 may be configured such that one driver 200 rotates the plurality of power transmitters 400.
[0163] In this regard, when the displacement generator 300 is connected to all of the reciprocating rotational motion generators 400 to transmit power transmitted from one driver 200 to all the respective power transmitters 400, an arrangement and structures of the displacement generator 300 and the reciprocating rotational motion generators 400 may become complicated, and thus reliability may be reduced.
[0164] Therefore, the moving hanger 100 according to the present disclosure may transmit power generated from the driver 200 to only some of the plurality of power transmitters 400.
[0165] The reciprocating rotational motion generator 500 may transmit power transmitted from the driver 200 or the displacement generator 300 only to some power transmitters 400.
[0166] Therefore, because a configuration of the reciprocating rotational motion generator 500 is simplified, the reliability in transmitting power may be secured.
[0167] In one example, the moving hanger 100 may further include the connector 600 that transmits power transmitted to the specific power transmitter 400 to another power transmitter 400.
[0168] For example, the connector 600 may connect the plurality of power transmitters 400 to each other. Accordingly, when one power transmitter 400 rotates, all of power transmitters 400 adjacent thereto or spaced apart therefrom may rotate.
[0169] Specifically, the moving hanger 100 may transmit power of the driver 200 to only one of the plurality of power transmitters 400, and transmit power, transmitted to the specific power transmitter, to the remaining power transmitters 400 through the connector 600.
[0170] The displacement generator 300 or the reciprocating rotational motion generator 400 may intensively transmit power generated by one driver 200 to one power transmitter 400. In addition, the connector 600 may transmit power, transmitted to the specific power transmitter 400, to all the power transmitters 400.
[0171] The connector 600 may be equipped as a rigid body and connect all the power transmitters 400 to each other, and all the power transmitters 400 may rotate at the same time in the same direction and through the same angle because of the connector 600.
[0172] Accordingly, the moving hanger 100 according to the present disclosure may allow the plurality of power transmitters 400 to perform the reciprocating rotational motion at the same time through the same angle with one driver 200 through the simple configuration.
[0173] Referring to (a) in FIG. 7, when the driver 200 operates, the power transmitter 400 may rotate to the right by the reciprocating rotational motion generator 500. In this regard, all the power transmitters 400 connected to the connector 600 may also rotate to the right.
[0174] Referring to (b) in FIG. 7, when the driver 200 continues to operate, the power transmitter 400 may rotate to the left by the reciprocating rotational motion generator 500. In this regard, all the power transmitters 400 connected to the connector 600 may also rotate to the left.
[0175] While this process is repeated, the power transmitter 400 may rotate left and right.
[0176] In this regard, the power transmitter 400 may rotate left and right while being fixed at the correct position. The power transmitter 400 may be fixed to the support 800 such that there is no change in position in a front and rear direction and a left and right direction when rotating.
[0177] The power transmitter 400 may be fixed such that there is no change in position in a vertical direction, a front and rear direction, and a width direction.
[0178] However, the power transmitter 400 may rotate left and right using the vertical direction or a height direction in which the power transmitter extends as a rotation axis. As a result, when the driver 200 is in operation, the hanging portion 700 may perform the reciprocating rotational motion left and right around the power transmitter 400, and there may be no change in position thereof.
[0179] Referring to (c) in FIG. 7, the clothes hanger 900 may include a hook 910 hung on the hanging portion 700 and a seating portion 950 coupled to the hook 910. A surface-treated portion 950 that prevents the laundry from being slid may be formed on a surface of the seating portion 950.
[0180] The seating portion 950 may be formed to be bilaterally symmetrical with respect to the hook 910. The clothes hanger 900 may be hung on the hanging portion 700 such that the seating portion 950 is directed in the front and rear direction.
[0181] When the power transmitter 400 rotates to the left, in the clothes hanger 900, based on the hook 910, a left side of the seating portion 950 may rotate to the left and a right side of the seating portion 950 may rotate to the right. In this regard, an angle I through which the left side of the seating portion 950 rotates may be the same as an angle (theta) through which the right side of the seating portion 950 rotates, and a distance at which the left side of the seating portion 950 moves may be the same as a distance at which the right side of the seating portion 950 moves.
[0182] As a result, based on the clothes hanger 900, a weight and a force of moving to the left are the same as a weight and a force of moving to the right, so that they may be offset from each other.
[0183] Similarly, even when the power transmitter 400 rotates to the right, as a result, based on the clothes hanger 900, the weight and the force of moving to the left are the same as the weight and the force of moving to the right, so that they will be offset from each other.
[0184] As a result, even when the power transmitter 400 rotates, the forces applied to the clothes hanger 900 may be offset from each other, and as a result, a vibration force, an excitation force, and an inertial force generated from the clothes hanger 900 itself may be minimized. Accordingly, an inertial force or the like generated from the plurality of power transmitters 400 may be minimized, so that vibrations or noise generated from the entire moving hanger 100 may be minimized, and generation of vibrations or noise from the entire laundry treating apparatus 1 may be sharply reduced.
[0185] As a result, even when the driver 200 is in operation at a maximum output, the vibrations generated from the moving hanger 100 or the entire laundry treating apparatus 1 may not be significant.
[0186] Instead, because each of surfaces of the laundry items hung on the respective clothes hangers 900 rotates left and right and is shaken to remove dust, a great dust removal performance may be secured.
[0187] In addition, the power transmitter 400 may extend through the inner casing 20 to receive power, and perform the reciprocating rotational motion clockwise and counterclockwise.
[0188] The power transmitter 400 may perform the reciprocating rotational motion left and right in a state in which a position thereof is fixed in the upper portion of the receiving space 21.
[0189] The power transmitter 400 is fixed so as not to vary in position in the vertical direction and the left and right direction. In addition, not only an upper portion but also a lower portion of the power transmitter 400 are fixed such that their positions are not varied in the vertical direction and the left and right direction.
[0190] That is, the power transmitter 400 may perform the reciprocating rotational motion through a predetermined angle less than one full rotation in a state in which a center of rotation thereof is fixed.
[0191] No matter how fast the power transmitter 400 rotates, the position of the power transmitter 400 is fixed.
[0192] Therefore, the vibrations and noise generated by the power transmitter 400 inside the inner casing 20 may be minimized.
[0193] FIG. 8 illustrates a structure of the moving hanger 100 and illustrates that the moving hanger 100 is removed from the inner casing 20.
[0194] The moving hanger 100 may include the driver 200 that is fixed to the upper portion of the inner casing 20 and provides power for the power transmitters to move, a plurality of reciprocating rotational motion generators 500 that are coupled to the plurality of power transmitters 400, respectively, and rotate such that a rotation direction thereof is repeatedly changed by receiving power from the driver 200, and the connector 600 that connects the plurality of reciprocating rotational motion generators to each other.
[0195] The connector 600 may include a singular link that connects the plurality of reciprocating rotational motion generators 500 to each other to integrally rotate the plurality of reciprocating rotational motion generators 500.
[0196] The connector 600 may connect the power transmitters 400 to each other.
[0197] When the connector 600 connects the reciprocating transmitters 500 to each other, the connector 600 may be installed upwardly of the support 800, so that the connector 600 may not be exposed to the inside of the inner casing 20.
[0198] When the connector 600 is equipped as the singular link, interference between the driver 200 and the connector 600 may be minimized.
[0199] For example, the singular link may be coupled to a front portion or a rear portion of the reciprocating rotational motion generator 500, and the displacement generator 300 or the driver 200 to be described later may be disposed at the rear of or in front of the reciprocating rotational motion generator 500.
[0200] The connector 600 may rotate the plurality of reciprocating rotational motion generators 500 while reciprocating in a width direction of the inner casing 20.
[0201] The driver 200 may include the motor 210 that rotates the rotation shaft 210, the power shaft 240 that rotates together when the rotation shaft 210 rotates, and the transmitter 230 that connects the power shaft 240 with the rotation shaft 210 and transmits a rotational force of the rotation shaft 210 to the power shaft 240.
[0202] The motor 210 may be fixed to the upper portion of the inner casing 20 and rotate the rotation shaft 220. However, the rotation shaft 220 is configured to rotate at an RPM too high compared to an appropriate cycle for the motor 210 to allow the power transmitter 400 to perform the reciprocating rotational motion. When the RPM of the rotation shaft is lowered in consideration of this, there is a concern that an output of the motor 210 may not be transmitted to the power transmitter 400.
[0203] To solve such a problem, the transmitter 230 may transmit an output of the rotation shaft 220 to the power transmitter 400 as it is, but lower the RPM of the rotation shaft 220.
[0204] The transmitter 230 may rotate by being connected to the rotation shaft 220, but may rotate with a diameter greater than that of the rotation shaft 220. Accordingly, while rotating at an RPM lower than the RPM of the rotation shaft 220, the transmitter 230 may transmit a torque of the rotation shaft 220.
[0205] The power shaft 240 is a component that is rotated by the transmitter 230, is equipped separately from the rotation shaft 230, and directly transmits power to the power transmitter 400.
[0206] The reciprocating rotational motion generator 500 may be coupled to the power transmitter 400 to be rotatable together with the power transmitter 400.
[0207] The reciprocating rotational motion generator 500 may include each reciprocating lever 510 that is coupled to the upper portion of each power transmitter 400 and rotates the power transmitter 400.
[0208] The reciprocating lever 510 may be formed in a rib or rod shape having a center of rotation coupled to a support shaft 410.
[0209] The reciprocating levers 510 may be respectively coupled to upper ends of the plurality of power transmitters 400, and some reciprocating levers 510 may be connected to the transmitter 230 to receive power from the motor 210.
[0210] The reciprocating lever 510 may perform the reciprocating rotational motion through a predetermined angle when the transmitter 230 is rotated by the motor 210. The power transmitter 400 may be coupled to the center of rotation of the reciprocating lever 510 and rotate together with the reciprocating lever 510.
[0211] The plurality of reciprocating levers 510 may be connected to each other by the connector 600.
[0212] The connector 600 may connect respective one ends of the plurality of reciprocating levers 510 to each other.
[0213] Accordingly, even when only one of the plurality of reciprocating levers 510 rotates, the connector 600 may move, so that the plurality of reciprocating levers 510 may rotate simultaneously and at the same time.
[0214] The power transmitter 400 and the reciprocating lever 510 may be supported by the support 800. In addition, the motor 210 and the transmitter 230 may also be supported by the support 800.
[0215] The power transmitter 400 may extend downwards from above the inner casing, and the hanging portion 700 may be coupled to the lower portion of the power transmitter 400.
[0216] Each reciprocating rotational motion generator 500 may be coupled to each power transmitter 400, and may be coupled to the upper portion of the power transmitter 400 to be easily connected to the driver 200.
[0217] The power transmitter 400 and the reciprocating rotational motion generator 500 respectively include a plurality of power transmitters and a plurality of reciprocating rotational motion generators arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the width direction of the inner casing.
[0218] The connector 600 connects the plurality of power transmitters 400 or the plurality of reciprocating rotational motion generators 500 to each other. Accordingly, the connector 600 may simultaneously rotate the entire plurality of power transmitters 400 or the entire plurality of reciprocating rotational motion generators 500.
[0219] The power transmitter 400 may include the support shaft 410 extending through the upper portion of the inner casing 20 and coupled to the reciprocating lever 510.
[0220] The support shaft 410 may extend through the support 800 to be exposed to a space above the support 800 or the inner casing 20.
[0221] The power transmitter 400 may include an auxiliary support 420 coupled to the support shaft 410 and exposed to the receiving space. The auxiliary support 420 may be formed in a rod shape, and the hanging portion 700 may be coupled and fixed to a lower portion of the auxiliary support 420.
[0222] The auxiliary support 420 may be fixed to the support shaft 410 and rotated together with the support shaft 410. Accordingly, when the support shaft 410 is rotated by the reciprocating lever 510, the auxiliary support 420 coupled to the support shaft 410 is also rotated, so that the hanging portion 700 may also be rotated left and right.
[0223] The reciprocating levers 510 may include a main lever 511 that directly receives power from the driver 200 and performs the reciprocating rotational motion and auxiliary levers 512 that receive power from the main lever 511 through the connector 600.
[0224] The main lever 511 may be provided as a single unit and directly receive power from the driver 200.
[0225] In the driver 200, the motor 210 may include a vertical motor 211 coupled to the support 800 and a vertical rotation shaft 221 rotated by the vertical motor 211.
[0226] The transmitter 230 may include a power pulley 231 coupled to the vertical rotation shaft 221 to rotate together with the vertical rotation shaft 221, a transmission pulley 232 coupled to the power shaft 240 to rotate the power shaft 240, and a belt 233 connecting the power pulley 231 with a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the transmission pulley 232.
[0227] The transmitter 230 may further include a pulley support 224 rotatably supporting the power shaft 240 and the transmission pulley 232. The pulley support 224 may support the transmission pulley 232 to be disposed in parallel with the power pulley 231, and may be seated on the support 800.
[0228] The power shaft 240 may transmit power transmitted from the rotation shaft 220 to one of both ends of the main lever 511.
[0229] The power shaft 240 may be coupled with the displacement generator 300 to be described later and allow the main lever 511 to perform the reciprocating rotational motion around the support shaft 410.
[0230] The connector 600 may include a link bar 610 connecting an end of both ends of the main lever 511, which is not connected to the power shaft 240, with respective one ends of the auxiliary levers 512.
[0231] The auxiliary lever 512 may be rotatably coupled to the support shaft 410, and may extend in one direction from a portion thereof coupled to the support shaft 410 to be connected to the link bar 610.
[0232] The link bar 610 may be formed in a shape of a straight frame connecting the one end of the main lever 511 with the respective one ends of the auxiliary levers 512. In this regard, the one end of the main lever 511 and the respective one ends of the auxiliary levers 512 may be arranged in parallel with each other based on the link bar 610 or the width direction.
[0233] The link bar 610 may be provided as a single unit, and rotate the main lever 511 and the auxiliary levers 512 simultaneously and at one time around the respective support shafts 410.
[0234] The inner casing 20 may include a through hole 23 in which a portion of the support 800 is seated to expose the power transmitters 400 to the receiving space 22.
[0235] The through hole 23 may be defined in a top surface 22 of the inner casing, and the through hole 23 may be defined along a direction in which the power transmitters 400 are arranged.
[0236] For example, the power transmitters 400 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the width direction of the inner casing, and the through hole 23 may be defined along the width direction of the inner casing.
[0237] The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure may further include support frames 12 disposed outside the inner casing and supporting the cabinet 1.
[0238] The support frames 12 may be disposed at positions corresponding to edges of the cabinet 1 or edges of the inner casing 20 and may be made of a metal material that maintains the outer appearance of the laundry treating apparatus. Both ends of the support 800 are seated on and supported by the support frames 12, thereby preventing unnecessary impact or weight from being transmitted to the top surface 22 of the inner casing.
[0239] FIG. 9 illustrates an operation scheme of the moving hanger 100 according to the present disclosure.
[0240] Referring to (a) in FIG. 9, the main lever 511 may include a main body 5111 coupled to the support shaft 410 and coupled to the connection bar 610.
[0241] The main body 5111 may include a main central hole 5115 coupled to the support shaft 410 to rotate the support shaft 410, and may extend to both sides from the main central hole 5115.
[0242] The main body 5111 may include a main reception hole 5112 defined at one end thereof to receive power from the driver 200, and a main transmission hole 5113 defined at a remaining end thereof onto which the connection bar 610 is seated and coupled.
[0243] The main body 5111 may further include a stepped portion extending from the central hole to the main reception hole 5112, but forming a step. In the main body 5111, one end of the main body 5111 or the main transmission hole 5113 may be defined lower than the main central hole 5115 because of the stepped portion.
[0244] As a result, a length at which the power shaft 240 disposed on the main central hole 5115 or the eccentric shaft 310 to be described later extends from the transmitter 230 may be secured.
[0245] In one example, the auxiliary lever 512 may include an auxiliary central hole 5125 coupled to the support shaft 410, and an auxiliary body 5121 extending from the auxiliary central hole 5125 to one side and having an auxiliary transmission hole 5123 coupled to the link bar 610.
[0246] The auxiliary body 5121 may be shorter in length than the main body 5111.
[0247] A distance from the main central hole 5115 to the main transmission hole 5113 may be set to be the same as a distance from the auxiliary central hole 5125 to the auxiliary transmission hole 5123.
[0248] The link bar 610 may be seated on the auxiliary transmission holes 5123 and the main transmission hole 5113 to connect the auxiliary levers 512 and the main lever 511 to each other.
[0249] The driver 200 may be constructed such that the power shaft 240 is inserted into the main reception hole 5112. Accordingly, the power shaft 240 may be directly rotated to rotate the main reception hole 5112 left and right.
[0250] In other words, only the rotation of the power shaft 240 may not generate sufficient displacement to rotate the main reception hole 5112 left and right based on the main central hole 5115.
[0251] To this end, the moving hanger 100 according to the present disclosure may include the displacement generator 300 that is coupled to the power shaft 240 and generates a displacement greater than a radius of rotation of the power shaft 240.
[0252] The displacement generator 300 may convert the in-place rotational motion of the power shaft 240 into a displacement motion of moving in a reciprocating manner within a predetermined range. The displacement motion may be transmitted to the reciprocating rotational motion generator 500, so that the power transmitter 400 may perform the reciprocating rotational motion.
[0253] For example, the displacement generator 300 may further include the eccentric shaft 310 extending from the power shaft 240 and rotating along a trajectory of a predetermined radius.
[0254] A diameter of the eccentric shaft 310 may be set to be smaller than a diameter or a width of the main reception hole 5112. Accordingly, the eccentric shaft 310 may be inserted into and supported by the main reception hole 5112.
[0255] However, the predetermined radius at which the eccentric shaft 310 rotates may be set to be greater than the width or the diameter of the main reception hole 5112. As a result, when the eccentric shaft 310 rotates, the main reception hole 5112 may be pushed by the eccentric shaft 310 and move left and right with respect to the main central hole 5115.
[0256] As a result, when the eccentric shaft 310 rotates in a specific direction x, the main reception hole 5112 of the main body 511 may also perform the reciprocating rotational motion along a predetermined direction y, and as a result, the central hole 5115 of the main body may also rotate in the same direction as the main reception hole 5112, and the main transmission hole 5113 may perform the reciprocating rotational motion in a direction z opposite to the predetermined direction.
[0257] When the eccentric shaft 310 rotates, the support shaft 410 may perform the reciprocating rotational motion together with the main central hole 5115, and thus, the power transmitter 400 may perform the reciprocating rotational motion. Further, the main transmission hole 5113 may also perform the reciprocating rotational motion to reciprocate the link bar 610, so that the auxiliary central hole 5125 of the auxiliary lever 521 may also perform the reciprocating rotational motion around the support shaft 410. In addition, the power transmitter 400 coupled to the auxiliary lever 521 may also perform the reciprocating rotational motion.
[0258] The power transmitter 400 may have a screw thread along a circumference of an upper portion of the support shaft 410.
[0259] The main transmission hole 5113 and the auxiliary center hole 5125 may be directly coupled and fixed to the respective support shafts 410 using the screw thread or the like.
[0260] However, the support shaft 410 of the power transmitter 400 may further include a transmitter coupling portion 415 extending through the main transmission hole 5113 or the auxiliary center hole 5125 as it is and then coupled to the screw thread of the support shaft 410 to fix the support shaft 410 to the main transmission hole 5113 or the auxiliary center hole 5125.
[0261] Accordingly, the support shaft 410 and the reciprocating lever 510 are coupled to each other by the transmitter coupling portion 415, so that the support shaft 410 and the reciprocating lever 510 may rotate simultaneously.
[0262] Referring to (a) in FIG. 9, in the main lever 511, the main reception hole 5112 may rotate to the left with respect to the main central hole 5115 by the rotation of the eccentric shaft 310 (No. 1).
[0263] When the main reception hole 5112 rotates to the left, the main center hole 5115 may also rotate counterclockwise (No. 2). In this process, the power transmitter 400 coupled to the main center hole 5115 may rotate counterclockwise.
[0264] The main reception hole 5113 rotates counterclockwise with respect to the main center hole 5115. In this regard, the link bar 610 may move to the right as the main reception hole 5113 moves (No. 3).
[0265] When the link bar 610 moves to the right, the auxiliary accommodation hole 5123 in the auxiliary lever 512 rotates counterclockwise with respect to the auxiliary center hole 5125. Because the link bar 610 is connected to the plurality of auxiliary levers 512, all the auxiliary levers 512 rotate counterclockwise (No. 4).
[0266] When the auxiliary lever 512 rotates counterclockwise, the power transmitter 400 coupled to the auxiliary center hole 5125 also rotates counterclockwise (No. 5).
[0267] Referring to (b) in FIG. 9, in the main lever 511, the main reception hole 5112 may rotate to the right with respect to the main central hole 5115 by the rotation of the eccentric shaft 310 (No. 1).
[0268] When the main reception hole 5112 rotates to the right, the main center hole 5115 may also rotate clockwise (No. 2). In this process, the power transmitter 400 coupled to the main center hole 5115 may rotate clockwise.
[0269] The main reception hole 5113 rotates clockwise with respect to the main center hole 5115. In this regard, the link bar 610 may move to the left as the main reception hole 5113 moves (No. 3).
[0270] When the link bar 610 moves to the left, the auxiliary accommodation hole 5123 in the auxiliary lever 512 rotates clockwise with respect to the auxiliary center hole 5125. Because the link bar 610 is connected to the plurality of auxiliary levers 512, all the auxiliary levers 512 rotate clockwise (No. 4).
[0271] When the auxiliary lever 512 rotates clockwise, the power transmitter 400 coupled to the auxiliary center hole 5125 also rotates clockwise (No. 5).
[0272] When this process is repeated, the main lever 511 may receive the power from the driver 200 and perform the reciprocating rotational motion clockwise and counterclockwise, so that the power transmitter 400 coupled to the main lever 511 may perform the reciprocating rotational motion and the link bar 610 may reciprocate left and right.
[0273] While reciprocating left and right, the link bar 610 may allow the auxiliary lever 512 to perform the reciprocating rotational motion, and may allow the power transmitter 400 coupled to the auxiliary lever 512 to perform the reciprocating rotational motion.
[0274] The link bar 610 is formed as a rigid body, and the auxiliary levers 512 and the main lever 511 are coupled to the link bar 610 at positions spaced apart from the respective support shafts 410 by the same length.
[0275] Accordingly, the auxiliary levers 512 and the main lever 511 may perform the reciprocating rotational motion through the same angle because of the link bar 610, and as a result, all the power transmitters 400 may rotate simultaneously and at the same time through the same angle, and angles at which they perform the reciprocating rotational motion may also be the same as each other.
[0276] The main lever 511 may be disposed between the auxiliary levers 512. In addition, the auxiliary levers 512 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the main lever 511. Accordingly, a load may be evenly applied to both sides of the connection bar 610 connected to the main lever 511.
[0277] However, as long as the power of the main lever 511 may be transmitted to the auxiliary levers 512, the main lever 511 and the auxiliary levers 512 may be arranged in any arrangement or order.
[0278] FIG. 10 illustrates a system in which the moving hanger operates.
[0279] The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may include a controller C that operates one or more of the moving hanger 100, the steam generator 50, and the heat pump system 80 to perform an arbitrary course for treating the laundry.
[0280] The controller C may perform various courses configured by a series of control methods capable of performing the refreshing cycle such as the drying, the deodorization, the sterilization, and the wrinkling removal of the laundry.
[0281] The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may further include an input unit I that inputs a command for performing the course to the controller C, and a display D that receives information from the controller C and indicates a state of the laundry treating apparatus. The input unit I and the display D may be disposed on one of the cabinet 10 and the door 11.
[0282] The controller C may operate the moving hanger 100 when the command for performing the course is input or a command for receiving the power is input from the input unit I or the like.
[0283] The controller C may operate the moving hanger 100 by operating the driver 200. The driver 200 may receive a command from the controller C and operate the transmitter 300 to shake the laundry.
[0284] The controller C may provide a signal for directly operating the driver 200, and may also receive information on the driver 200.
[0285] The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may include a current detector 260 that receives electrical information such as a current and a voltage output from the driver 200 and transmits the electrical information to the controller C.
[0286] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may include a position sensor 270 that senses a position of the power transmitter 400 or the connector 600 and transmits the sensed position to the controller C. The position sensor 270 may sense rotation angles of the rotation shaft 210 and the power shaft 240 or a position of the eccentric shaft 310.
[0287] The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may sense laundry information including one or more of a weight, a length, a material, a property, and a type of the laundry based on a control system for operating the moving hanger 100. The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may optimize and adjust one or more of a strength, a type, a duration, and an option value of a refreshing course for treating the laundry based on the sensed laundry information.
[0288] For example, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may be operated by adjusting one or more of an operation speed of the moving hanger 100, an operation duration and an operation output of the steam generator 50, and an operation duration and an operation rpm of the heat pump 80 based on the sensed laundry information.
[0289] The operation speed of the moving hanger 100 may be defined as one of an operation rpm of the driver 200 and a speed at which the power transmitter 400 moves.
[0290] The operation speed of the moving hanger 100 may be defined based on a speed at which the laundry is shaken or a speed at which an upper end of the laundry is shaken.
[0291] Based on the sensed laundry information, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may differently adjust a mechanical force applied to the laundry, an amount of steam supplied to the laundry and a duration during which the laundry is exposed to steam, and a temperature of hot air supplied to the laundry and a duration during which the laundry is exposed to hot air.
[0292] Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may not perform a uniform course as it is regardless of the laundry information, but may treat the laundry in a customized manner based on the laundry information.
[0293] In one example, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may include a separate sensor to sense the laundry information. For example, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may sense the weight of the laundry by placing a weight sensor or the like on the moving hanger 100, and may sense the length, the material, the type, or the like of the laundry with a radar sensor, the position sensor 270, or the like using light, a radio wave, or the like inside the inner casing.
[0294] However, when multiple sensors for directly sensing the laundry information are installed in the laundry treating apparatus, not only production and repair costs may increase, but also it may be difficult to maintain durability of the sensors because of the characteristic that hot air and steam are supplied into the laundry.
[0295] To this end, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may be configured such that the controller C calculates the electrical information applied to or output from the moving hanger 100 while operating the moving hanger 100.
[0296] The electrical information may include one or more of a current value, a power value, and a waveform, an amplitude, and a period of a current or power applied to or output from the motor 210 while operating the driver 200.
[0297] Typically, in the washing machine, the dryer, and the like, the weight of the laundry is calculated by analyzing a current value output from the driver that rotates the drum receiving the laundry therein. This is possible in the washing machine and the dryer because the received laundry items agglomerate like a lump inside the drum regardless of the type, the material, and the length thereof. In other words, in the washing machine and the dryer, a current value required to rotate the driver or a current value output from the driver is determined based on the weight of the laundry regardless of a state of the laundry, and there are few variables affecting the current value.
[0298] However, in the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure like a laundry management apparatus, only the upper portion of the laundry is hung on the moving hanger 100, and the remaining portion thereof is placed in a state of being stretched in the receiving space 21. As a result, when the moving hanger 100 is in operation, the laundry vibrates along the height direction and forms various waveforms.
[0299] In other words, the laundry vibrates independently of the vibrations of the moving hanger 100, and the vibrations generated from the laundry as such act as a load of the moving hanger 100.
[0300] An amplitude or a form of the vibrations generated from the laundry affect the current value and the power value applied to or output from the driver 200.
[0301] As a result, in the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure, when the weight of the laundry is simply sensed only with the electrical information while operating the moving hanger 100, reliability may be very low.
[0302] For example, the laundry may have different vibration waveforms or amplitudes at the same frequency depending on the length thereof. In addition, when the laundry items have the same weight, but have different lengths, vibration waveforms or amplitudes of the respective laundry items may be different from each other even when they vibrate at the same frequency. As a result, even when the motor 210 of the driver 200 is operated at the same speed, when the lengths of the laundry items hung on the respective power transmitters 400 are different from each other, the controller is highly likely to identify that the weights of the laundry items are different from each other.
[0303] When the moving hanger 100 is operated slowly, the laundry may be shaken while moving along the moving hanger 100 integrally from the upper portion to the lower portion thereof. However, when the moving hanger 100 is operated rapidly, the upper portion of the laundry may start to be shaken with great amplitude and period, but the lower portion of the laundry may not be able to follow the vibrations of the upper portion of the laundry or may follow the vibrations late because of an inertial force, so that diffraction in which the laundry is bent may occur.
[0304] Furthermore, when the operation frequency of the moving hanger 100 or the power transmitter 400 corresponds to a resonance frequency of the laundry, the laundry may vibrate with a normal wave in which an area in which the laundry vibrates and an area in which the laundry is fixed are fixed. When the laundry vibrates with the normal wave, an inertial force different from that when the laundry does not vibrate with the normal wave is transmitted to the moving hanger 100, thereby causing a great error in the electrical information of the driver 200.
[0305] In addition, even when the laundry vibrates while forming the normal wave, a multiple (n) of the normal wave generated from the laundry may vary depending on the operation speed of the driver 200 or the power transmitter 400. In this case, even when the laundry vibrates with the same normal wave, different inertial forces may be provided to the moving hanger 100, so that the electrical information of the driver 200 may be changed.
[0306] In summary, the electrical information applied to the driver 200 or the electrical information output from the driver 200 when the moving hanger 100 is in operation is greatly affected not only by the weight of the laundry but also by a vibration characteristic of the laundry. Because the vibration characteristic of the laundry depends on the operation speed of the driver 200 or the power transmitter 400, factors affecting the electrical information that may be sensed by the driver 200 may be regarded as the weight of the laundry and the operation speed of the driver 200 or the power transmitter 400.
[0307] Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may identify the laundry information including one or more of the weight and the length of the laundry in consideration of not only the weight of the laundry but also the vibration characteristic of the laundry based on the operation speed of the driver 200 or the power transmitter 400.
[0308] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment in which the controller of the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure accurately identifies the laundry information with the moving hanger.
[0309] The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure operates the moving hanger 100 by operating the driver 200 with the controller C.
[0310] The driver 200 may continuously rotate the rotation shaft 210 and the power shaft 240 in one direction and reciprocate the power transmitter 400 through the displacement generator 300 to shake the laundry.
[0311] The reciprocation of the power transmitter 400 is a concept including at least one of a linear reciprocation, a reciprocating rotational motion through a predetermined angle, a pendulum movement, and a periodic movement of the power transmitter 400.
[0312] In other words, even when the moving hanger 100 operates in any embodiment, the moving hanger 100 installed in the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may reciprocate the power transmitter 400 by controlling the driver 200.
[0313] In the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure, when the moving hanger 100 is in operation, the power transmitter 400 may change a movement direction of the hanging portion 700 twice every one cycle, regardless of how the driver 200 and the transmitter 300 operate.
[0314] Whenever the hanging portion 700 and the laundry hung on the hanging portion 700 through the clothes hanger 900 change the movement direction thereof, a considerable inertial force is generated. Accordingly, the hanging portion 700 transmits the inertial force to the power transmitter 400 twice during one reciprocation cycle.
[0315] When the hanging portion 700 reciprocates, the driver 200 receives the inertial force together with the load applied to move the power transmitter 400. Whenever the inertial force is periodically received, the driver 200 is applied with an additional load.
[0316] As a result, because the laundry generates the inertial force based on a predetermined period while the driver 200 is in operation, the electrical information output from the driver 200 or received through the driver 200 may include a graph indicating a motion state of the hanging portion 700.
[0317] Accordingly, the controller C of the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may analyze the electrical information itself and the inertial force of the laundry, which may be sensed from the electrical information, to identify the laundry information including the vibration characteristic of the laundry.
[0318] Furthermore, the controller C may sense the inertial force applied to the driver 200 to recognize the period in which the hanging portion 700 reciprocates and also recognize a time point at which the hanging portion 700 changes the movement direction thereof.
[0319] In addition, the controller C may sense a magnitude of the inertial force and a change in the magnitude of the inertial force to sense a motion state of the laundry.
[0320] For example, when the controller C receives the electrical information from the driver 200, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may extract a DC component and an AC component from the electrical information.
[0321] The DC component is an electrical signal having a predetermined absolute value and includes information on a load required when operating the driver 200 at a specific RPM. As the laundry is heavier, a greater load will be required for the driver 200, so that the DC component may include information reflecting the weight of the laundry. Accordingly, the controller C may obtain information necessary to calculate the weight of the laundry by analyzing the DC component.
[0322] The AC component is an electrical signal having a predetermined period and may include information reflecting the vibration characteristic of the laundry. In the process in which the laundry vibrates or in the process in which the hanging portion 700 periodically changes the movement direction thereof, the inertial force may be transmitted to the driver 200, and the transmitted inertial force may be reflected as the AC component.
[0323] The controller C may analyze the AC component to obtain information necessary for calculating the vibration characteristic of the laundry, a vibration period of the laundry, and the like.
[0324] In the case of having a predetermined period like the AC component, a second harmonic has the clearest signal in the periodic graph, and has reliable information on period. Accordingly, the controller C may preferentially extract or select the second harmonic from among the sensed AC components, and analyze the vibration characteristic of the laundry in detail through the second harmonic.
[0325] The characteristic in which the laundry vibrates may vary depending on the length and the material of the laundry. Therefore, the vibration characteristic includes the laundry information related to the length of the laundry and the material of the laundry. Accordingly, the controller C may identify even the laundry information such as the length and the material of the laundry through the vibration characteristic analyzed through the AC component analysis.
[0326] Furthermore, the controller C may change the operation speed of the driver 200 or the power transmitter 400 to additionally track and sense a change in the electrical information of the driver 200 again, and accordingly, may check the previously sensed laundry information and re-identify the laundry information again.
[0327] As a result, when operating the driver 200, the controller C may analyze both an absolute value of the electrical information including one or more of the current and the voltage during the operation of the driver 200, and the vibration characteristic of the electrical information to identify the laundry information.
[0328] FIG. 12 illustrates a state in which the laundry vibrates when the moving hanger is in operation.
[0329] Referring to (a) in FIG. 12, in the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure, long laundry L may be disposed in the receiving space 20 while being hung on the moving hanger 100.
[0330] Referring to (b) in FIG. 12, the moving hanger 100 in the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may operate the driver 200 to reciprocate the power transmitter 400. Because the hanging portion 700 is coupled to the power transmitter 400 and the clothes hanger 900 is hung on the hanging portion 700, the laundry hung on the clothes hanger 900 may reciprocate and vibrate together with the power transmitter 400.
[0331] The moving hanger 100 may be operated at a specific frequency to shake the laundry supported by the power transmitter 400.
[0332] The moving hanger 100 being operated at the specific frequency means that the moving hanger 100 reciprocates periodically. That is, the moving hanger 100 being operated at the specific frequency means that the power transmitter 400 that actually reciprocates the laundry is periodically operated at a specific frequency. In addition, the driver 200 will operate at a specific speed to operate the power transmitter 400 at the specific frequency. That is, when the motor 210 is operated at a specific RPM, the power transmitter 400 may be operated at the specific frequency, which may be defined as the moving hanger 100 being operated at the specific frequency.
[0333] When the moving hanger 100 starts to be operated at a low frequency, the long laundry L reciprocates along the power transmitter 400. In this process, an upper end of the laundry L moves together with the power transmitter 400, but the farther a portion of the laundry L is from the power transmitter 400, the more inertial force acts thereon, causing it to tend to remain stationary. As a result, the laundry moves in such a manner that a lower portion thereof lags progressively farther behind relative to the upper end thereof, with a lower end of the laundry L moving in the most delayed state.
[0334] In addition, when the power transmitter 400 stops to change the movement direction thereof, the upper end of the laundry L stops together with the power transmitter 400, but the lower end of the laundry tends to continue moving because of the inertial force. As a result, the lower the position along the laundry, the farther it moves relative to the power transmitter 400, so that the lower end of the laundry moves the most.
[0335] When the power transmitter 400 reciprocates at a relatively low speed because the frequency at which the moving hanger 100 or the driver 200 is operated is low, a vibration amplitude at which the lower end of the laundry reciprocates is greater than a vibration amplitude at which the upper end of the laundry reciprocates.
[0336] In this situation, when the frequency at which the moving hanger 100 or the driver 200 is operated becomes higher, the power transmitter 400 reciprocates faster than before, and the magnitude of the inertial force generated by the laundry L becomes greater. As a result, a displacement difference between the lower end of the laundry and the upper end of the laundry may become greater.
[0337] In addition, when the power transmitter 400 moves, the inertial force generated by the displacement difference from the entire laundry L acts as an additional load to be handled by the moving hanger 100. In addition, the load received by the moving hanger 100 from the laundry is most greatly generated when the power transmitter 400 changes the movement direction thereof.
[0338] Referring to (c) in FIG. 12, when the moving hanger 100 or the driver 200 is operated at a higher frequency, the speed at which the power transmitter 400 reciprocates becomes higher. In this regard, the displacement difference between the upper portion and the lower portion of the laundry causes movement directions of the upper portion and the lower portion of the laundry to differ.
[0339] Furthermore, as the displacement difference of the laundry gradually increases from the upper to the lower portion and aligns with a reciprocating displacement of the power transmitter 400, the laundry develops distinct portions that move in different directions from top to bottom, thereby vibrating while forming a waveform.
[0340] When the laundry vibrates, vibration energy is transmitted to the moving hanger 100, and acts as the additional load applied to the driver 200.
[0341] In addition, when the moving hanger 100 is operated at a higher frequency, the laundry vibrates while forming more waveforms. As a result, an entirety of the laundry L vibrates as different portions thereof move in different directions from the upper to the lower portions without moving entirely in the same direction.
[0342] In other words, when the driver 200 is operated by being accelerated from a low speed and thus is operated at a specific speed or higher, the entirety of the laundry L does not move in the same direction, and the different portions thereof move in the different directions. As a result, the laundry may be curved and diffracted while forming a waveform.
[0343] The diffraction occurring in the laundry L may be defined as a state in which points on the laundry L exhibit different movement of amplitude directions.
[0344] When the driver 200 is operated at a speed equal to or higher than a speed at which the diffraction occurs in the laundry L, the laundry L is formed with a node 'n' area that does not vibrate at least instantaneously with respect to the moving hanger 100 and an antinode 'a' area that vibrates the most in a movement direction or an opposite direction thereof with respect to the moving hanger 100.
[0345] When the power transmitter 400 reciprocates faster, more nodes n and antinodes a are formed in the laundry L.
[0346] In addition, when the moving hanger 100 is operated at the same frequency as the resonance frequency of the laundry, the laundry L may vibrate or diffract while forming the normal wave.
[0347] When the laundry vibrates with the normal wave, it means that the laundry vibrates such that a position of the node n, which appears to be stationary on the laundry, does not change over time, and a position of the antinode a, which vibrates with the greatest amplitude on the laundry, also does not change over time.
[0348] The normal wave is generated whenever the moving hanger 100 is operated at an n-multiple of the resonance frequency. As a result, whenever the driver 200 reaches a specific speed section, the laundry vibrates with the normal wave, so that the positions of the area in which the node n is formed and the area in which the antinode a is formed in the laundry may not be changed.
[0349] When amplitude directions of vibrations generated in the laundry are different from each other, the vibrations may be offset from each other and may not be entirely transmitted to the moving hanger 100. When the laundry vibrates with the normal wave, a vibration pattern generated in the laundry may be symmetrically formed along the height direction of the laundry. As a result, when the laundry vibrates with the normal wave, most of the vibrations generated in the laundry may be offset, and vibrations transmitted to the moving hanger 100 may be minimized.
[0350] FIG. 13 illustrates a change in the vibration pattern of the laundry based on the operation frequency of the moving hanger.
[0351] Referring to (a) in FIG. 13, when the moving hanger 100 is operated at a fundamental frequency or lower, the entire laundry L may move in the same direction. When the moving hanger 100 is operated at the fundamental frequency, the portions of the laundry L may only have different amplitudes, and may have the same movement direction.
[0352] The fundamental frequency may be defined as an operation frequency of the moving hanger 100 at which the waveform or the vibration starts to occur on the laundry.
[0353] When the moving hanger 100 is operated at the fundamental frequency or lower, the waveform does not occur in the laundry, so that the entire laundry may move in the same direction.
[0354] A first speed, as a speed at which the driver 200 is operated, may be defined as a speed at which the moving hanger 100 is operated at the fundamental frequency. From a time point when the driver 200 is in a stopped state to a time point when the driver 200 is operated at the first speed at which the diffraction starts to occur in the laundry L, the entire laundry L may move in the same direction.
[0355] In other words, although the amplitude of the upper end of the laundry and the amplitude of the lower end of the laundry may be different from each other, the movement direction of the power transmitter 400 and the movement direction of the entire laundry may be the same as each other.
[0356] Referring to (b) in FIG. 13, when the moving hanger 100 is operated at the fundamental frequency or higher, the diffraction may occur in the laundry L. In addition, when the moving hanger 100 is operated at the resonance frequency higher than the fundamental frequency, the laundry L may vibrate with the normal wave.
[0357] Whenever the frequency corresponds to n-multiple of a minimum resonance frequency, the laundry may vibrate while forming the normal wave. Accordingly, a minimum frequency at which the moving hanger 100 is capable of first vibrating the laundry with the normal wave may be defined as the minimum resonance frequency.
[0358] An operation speed of the driver 200 when the moving hanger 100 is operated at the minimum resonance frequency may be defined as a second speed. The second speed may be set higher than the first speed. The second speed may be defined as a minimum resonance speed.
[0359] When the driver 200 is operated at the first speed or higher, the diffraction may occur in the laundry L. As a result, areas having different vibration directions may be formed in the laundry L along the height direction.
[0360] When the driver 200 is operated at the second speed, the reciprocation period of the moving hanger 100 may correspond to a reciprocal number of the resonance frequency of the laundry L, and the laundry L may vibrate with the normal wave.
[0361] When the laundry L vibrates with the normal wave, the position of the node n, which is the area without the vibrations in the laundry L, is fixed, and the position of the antinode a, which is an area having a maximum amplitude, is also fixed.
[0362] When the driver 200 is operated at the second speed and a first normal wave is generated in the laundry L, one node n may be formed, and the antinodes a may be formed in a number greater by one than the number of node n, including the upper end of the laundry.
[0363] In other words, when the driver 200 is operated at the second speed, the laundry may be shaken at a first resonance frequency f1 and may be vibrated with a first (n=1) normal wave.
[0364] The resonance frequency at which the laundry L vibrates with the normal wave may be determined as a unique characteristic of each laundry item. f n = ν λ n = ν 2 l n n = 1 , 2 , 3 …
[0365] Equation (1) represents the resonance frequency of the moving hanger 100 at which the laundry L may vibrate while forming the normal wave.
[0366] The resonance frequency f corresponds to a reciprocal number of a vibration period T or the reciprocation period T of the moving hanger 100.
[0367] In Equation (1), v is related to tension and line density of the laundry and is able to be determined by a fiber characteristic of each laundry item, and l represents the length of the laundry.
[0368] As a result, the resonance frequency f that generates the normal wave in the laundry L is set differently based on the length l of the laundry, and decreases as the length l of the laundry increases.
[0369] Referring to (c) in FIG. 13, the moving hanger 100 may be operated at a frequency twice higher than the minimum resonance frequency.
[0370] As a result, the operation speed of the driver 200 may become twice as fast, and thus the vibration period of the power transmitter 400 may be reduced by half. As a result, the laundry may vibrate while forming the normal wave at f2 corresponding to twice the first resonance frequency.
[0371] An operation speed of the driver 200 when the moving hanger 100 is operated at the frequency twice (n=2) the minimum resonance frequency may be defined as a third speed.
[0372] That is, the laundry L may vibrate with a form of a second normal wave (n=2) in which two nodes n exist and three antinodes a exist in the laundry L.
[0373] Positions at which the nodes n and the antinodes a are generated when the laundry L vibrates with the second normal wave (n=2) are different from positions at which the node n and the antinodes a are generated when the laundry L vibrates with the first normal wave (n=1).
[0374] Accordingly, when the frequency at which the moving hanger 100 is operated is determined to be a multiple of the resonance frequency, the area in which the maximum amplitude is generated in the laundry may be changed.
[0375] Using this, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may concentrate energy generated from the moving hanger 100 on a specific area of the laundry. In addition, the moving hanger 100 may change the frequency to selectively vibrate different specific areas of the laundry with focus. As a result, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may more strongly shake off dust or the foreign substances on the laundry.
[0376] Referring to (d) in FIG. 13, the moving hanger 100 may be operated at a frequency three times higher than the minimum resonance frequency.
[0377] An operation speed of the driver when the moving hanger 100 is operated at the frequency three times higher than the minimum resonance frequency may be defined as a fourth speed.
[0378] The driver 200 may be operated at a speed three times higher than the second speed, which is the speed at which the laundry vibrates with the first normal wave, and the period of the power transmitter 400 is reduced to 1 / 3.
[0379] As a result, the laundry vibrates at a resonance frequency f3 while forming a third normal wave (n=3), so that three nodes n may be formed and four antinodes a may be formed in the laundry L. Positions at which the nodes n and the antinodes a are generated when the laundry L vibrates with the third normal wave (n=3) are different from both the positions at which the nodes n and the antinodes a are generated when the laundry L vibrates with the first normal wave (n=1) and when the laundry L vibrates with the second normal wave (n=2). In addition, a spacing between one node n and another node n may be narrower than before.
[0380] However, the amplitude of the antinode a may be the same as that when the moving hanger 100 is operated at the minimum resonance frequency or the resonance frequency twice higher than the minimum resonance frequency.
[0381] The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may adjust the frequency of the moving hanger 100 to set a greater number of areas in which the laundry vibrates for even vibration or to set a smaller number of areas in which the laundry vibrates for concentrated vibration.
[0382] Referring to (e) in FIG. 13, when the moving hanger 100 is operated at a frequency four times higher than the minimum resonance frequency and the driver 200 is operated at a speed four times higher than the second speed at which the laundry vibrates with the first normal wave, the reciprocation period of the power transmitter 400 is reduced to 1 / 4.
[0383] An operation speed of the driver when the moving hanger 100 is operated at the frequency four times higher than the minimum resonance frequency may be defined as a fifth speed.
[0384] In such a manner, an operation speed of the driver 200 when the moving hanger 100 is operated at a frequency k times (n=k) higher than the minimum resonance frequency may be defined as a k+1th speed.
[0385] As a result, the laundry vibrates at a resonance frequency of f4, and the laundry L vibrates with a fourth normal wave (n=4). The laundry L vibrates as four nodes n are formed and five antinodes a are formed. Positions at which the nodes n and the antinodes a are generated when the laundry L vibrates with the fourth normal wave (n=4) are different from all of the position at which the nodes n and the antinodes a are generated when the laundry L vibrates with the first normal wave (n=1), when the laundry L vibrates with the second normal wave (n=2), and when the laundry L vibrates at the third normal wave (n=3).
[0386] In addition, the spacing between one node n and another node n may be narrower than before. When the amplitude of the power transmitter 400 is the same, the amplitude of the antinode a may be the same.
[0387] When the driver 200 is operated faster, the spacing between the nodes n formed in the laundry may be narrower, and the positions at which the nodes n are formed may also vary.
[0388] As described above, when the moving hanger 100 vibrates at the n-multiple of the minimum resonance frequency or when the driver 200 vibrates at an n-multiple of the second speed corresponding to the minimum resonance speed, the laundry L may vibrate in a form of a normal wave proportional to the n-multiple.
[0389] According to Equation (1), the resonance frequency at which the laundry vibrates with the normal wave is determined differently depending on the length of the laundry. In addition, an operation speed or an operation RPM of the driver 200 at which the laundry may vibrate with the normal wave may also be determined as a unique value for each laundry.
[0390] In one example, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may distinguish whether the laundry vibrates randomly or vibrates while forming the normal wave.
[0391] In the moving hanger 100, while increasing the operation frequency, when the corresponding operation frequency corresponds to the resonance frequency of the hung laundry, vibration characteristic of the laundry becomes different from that when the laundry does not vibrate with the normal wave.
[0392] In other words, when the laundry does not vibrate with the normal wave, a vibration change is linear or a vibration change amount is predictable. However, when the laundry vibrates with the normal wave, the vibration characteristic is rapidly changed unlike when vibrating at frequencies lower and higher than the resonance frequency.
[0393] Using this, the controller C may sense that the corresponding frequency of the moving hanger 100 is the resonance frequency of the hung laundry through a sudden change in the current value or the power value output from or applied to the motor 210 of the driver 200.
[0394] For example, when the laundry vibrates at the resonance frequency, the current value or the power value sensed by the driver 200 may have a peak value instantaneously.
[0395] Alternatively, when the laundry vibrates with the normal wave, the vibrations may be more attenuated than when the laundry does not vibrate with the normal wave, and thus a smaller amount of vibrations may be transmitted to the moving hanger 100. Accordingly, the controller C may sense that the corresponding frequency is the resonance frequency of the hung laundry through a rapid decrease in the load applied to the driver 200.
[0396] Alternatively, the controller C may sense whether the frequency of the moving hanger 100 corresponds to the resonance frequency of the laundry in the manner described with reference to FIG. 15. The controller C may analyze a characteristic of the second harmonic in the electrical information including the current value or the power value of the driver 200 to sense in real time whether the laundry vibrates at the resonance frequency. For example, the controller C may sense that the corresponding frequency of the moving hanger 100 is the resonance frequency of the hung laundry through an occurrence of a singularity in which at least one of a waveform, an amplitude, and a period of the second harmonic is rapidly changed.
[0397] In addition, the controller C may sense whether the laundry vibrates at the resonance frequency by identifying a change in the operation speed of the driver 200 when the laundry vibrates at the resonance frequency. For example, the controller C may identify the resonance frequency of the laundry by sensing a temporary change in the operation speed of the driver 200 between when the laundry vibrates at the resonance frequency and when the laundry vibrates at a frequency different from the resonance frequency.
[0398] In addition, the controller C may sense the resonance frequency through a temporary change in the inertial force transmitted to the moving hanger 100 when the laundry vibrates at the resonance frequency.
[0399] In addition, even when the actual laundry does not vibrate at the resonance frequency, the controller C may immediately estimate the resonance frequency of the corresponding laundry by matching the second harmonic output from the driver 200 when the corresponding laundry vibrates with a table or data stored in advance.
[0400] In addition, the controller C may identify whether the sensed resonance frequency corresponds to an actual resonance frequency. For example, when the moving hanger 100 is operated at a frequency corresponding to a multiple of the resonance frequency sensed by the controller C, whether the change sensed by the above-described method periodically appears may be checked.
[0401] As a result, the controller C may calculate and sense one or more of the resonance frequency of the laundry, the operation speed of the driver 200 for vibrating the laundry at the resonance frequency, the RPM of the driver 200, and the reciprocation period of the power transmitter 400 through the moving hanger 100.
[0402] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control method in which the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure accurately senses the weight of the laundry using the vibration characteristic of the laundry will be described.
[0403] In one example, when the laundry L vibrates and the node n is formed on the laundry, vibrations generated from below the node n may not be fully transmitted to the moving hanger 100.
[0404] In addition, when the laundry L vibrates with the normal wave, because the position of the node n is always fixed, the vibrations generated in the laundry L may be blocked by the node n and may not be fully transmitted to the moving hanger 100.
[0405] In addition, as the laundry L vibrates with a greater multiple of the normal wave L, the spacing between one node n and another n becomes smaller, and thus a total amount of vibration energy of the laundry remaining between two nodes becomes smaller. As a result, a position of a node closest to the moving hanger 100 becomes closer to the moving hanger 100 as the laundry vibrates with a greater normal wave, so that less vibrations or smaller inertial force is transmitted to the moving hanger 100.
[0406] In summary, even when the weights of the laundry items are the same, the vibration energy or the inertial force transmitted from the laundry L to the moving hanger 100 varies depending on the position at which the node n is generated in the laundry L, the distance between the moving hanger 100 and the node n adjacent thereto, whether the laundry L vibrates with the normal wave or vibrates with an arbitrary waveform, or the like. Therefore, in order to accurately and consistently calculate the weight of the laundry hung on the moving hanger 100, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure needs to minimize or block the vibrations generated from the laundry.
[0407] To this end, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may calculate the weight of the laundry while operating the moving hanger 100 at a frequency lower than the resonance frequency at which the normal wave is generated in the laundry.
[0408] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may calculate the weight of the laundry while operating the moving hanger 100 at a frequency lower than the fundamental frequency (period) at which the waveform or the vibration starts to occur on the laundry.
[0409] That is, when calculating the weight of the laundry hung on the moving hanger 100, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may operate the driver 200 in a speed section equal to or lower than the speed at which the laundry vibrates with the normal wave.
[0410] The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may calculate the weight of the laundry by operating the driver 200 in a speed section equal to or lower than the second speed, which is the minimum resonance speed.
[0411] Specifically, the controller C of the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may sense the weight of the laundry through the electrical information applied to or output from the driver 200 while increasing the operation frequency of the moving hanger 100 in a section from a speed of 0 to the second speed.
[0412] In addition, the controller C may operate the driver 200 in a section equal to or lower than the first speed and sense the weight of the laundry to minimize an influence of the vibrations of the laundry on the driver 200 and to exclude an influence of the node n generated when the laundry vibrates while causing the diffraction.
[0413] That is, the controller C may analyze the load applied to the driver 200 and calculate the weight of the laundry by operating the moving hanger 100 in a speed section lower than a speed at which the diffraction of the laundry starts to occur to exclude the influence of the vibrations of the laundry on the driver 200.
[0414] The calculation of the weight of the laundry through the operation of the driver 200 by the controller C may use the existing scheme of using the motor for rotating the drum in the washing machine, the dryer, or the like as it is, or may apply the scheme described in FIG. 11 as it is.
[0415] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may accurately sense the weight of the laundry. In addition, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may operate the machine room to supply the steam or the hot air to the laundry after sensing the weight of the laundry. That is, one or more of steam and hot air supplied to the laundry may be set differently based on the sensed weight of the laundry, and the operation frequency of the moving hanger 100 may also be controlled differently.
[0416] For example, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may operate the moving hanger 100 at a frequency equal to or lower than the fundamental frequency when sensing the weight of the laundry, but may operate the moving hanger 100 at a frequency higher than the fundamental frequency when performing an arbitrary course for treating the laundry. Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may transmit a greater physical force to the laundry when treating the laundry, so that more foreign substances may be removed from the laundry or the laundry may be more evenly exposed to the supplied steam and hot air.
[0417] The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may differently determine a standard frequency for operating the moving hanger 100 depending on the weight and / or length of the laundry. When one or more of the steam and the hot air are supplied to the inner casing 20, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may control the standard frequency of operating the moving hanger 100 to vary depending on the weight and / or length of the laundry.
[0418] FIG. 14 illustrates a process in which the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure senses the weight of the laundry through the moving hanger.
[0419] The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may provide a control method including a sensing step A of sensing the laundry information and an operating step S of operating the machine room 30 to treat the laundry, when a power command for supplying power to the controller C is input or an execution command for performing, by the controller C, the arbitrary course is input through the input unit I, or when it is sensed that the door 12 has opened and then closed the receiving space 21.
[0420] The sensing step A may include a weight sensing step A1 of sensing the weight of the laundry, and the weight sensing step A1 may include operating, by the controller C, the moving hanger 100 and calculating the weight of the laundry through the electrical information applied to the moving hanger 100 or output from the moving hanger 100.
[0421] In the weight sensing step A1, the controller C may sense the weight of the laundry while operating the driver 200 at a first speed V1 for a first duration t1.
[0422] Among the operation speeds of the driver 200, the first speed V1 may be defined as a speed at which the diffraction does not occur in the laundry, and a second speed V2 may be defined as a minimum speed at which the laundry vibrates at the resonance frequency.
[0423] The first speed V1 may correspond to a minimum speed at which the diffraction may never occur in the laundry.
[0424] The controller 100 may sense the weight of the laundry by analyzing the electrical information of the driver 200 while operating the driver 200 at a constant speed, which is the first speed V1. Because an error related to the vibrations of the laundry L is maximally excluded from the electrical information, the controller C may accurately calculate the weight of the laundry only by operating the moving hanger 100.
[0425] The sensing step A may include an acceleration step A2 capable of sensing the resonance frequency of the laundry.
[0426] In the acceleration step A2, the controller C may operate the moving hanger 100 at a speed equal to or higher than the second speed and sense that the laundry vibrates with the normal wave. Because the second speed is a speed at which the laundry vibrates with the normal wave for the first time, the acceleration step A2 may be regarded as a step in which the controller C senses the second speed, and may be regarded as a step in which a minimum speed of the driver 200 at which the laundry vibrates with the normal wave is sensed.
[0427] In the acceleration step A2, the controller C may sense and identify the resonance frequency of the laundry while increasing the operation speed of the driver 200 by a multiple of the second speed.
[0428] In one example, in the operation step S, the controller C may operate the driver 200 at a treatment speed higher than the first speed and the second speed. Accordingly, the sensing step A may correspond to a step of operating the moving hanger 100 at a speed lower than that in the operation step B for a predetermined duration.
[0429] In addition, because the operation step S is performed using the information sensed in the sensing step A, the controller C may set one or more of the operation speed, the operation period, the operation frequency, and the operation RPM of the moving hanger 100 operated in the operation step S differently depending on the laundry information sensed in the sensing step A.
[0430] For example, in the operation step S, the speed of the driver 200 may be gradually increased or decreased in areas corresponding to multiples of the resonance frequency f, and the increase and decrease in speed may be repeated.
[0431] For example, in the operation step S, the controller C may operate the driver 200 at a maximum speed and then continue to operate the driver 200 by decreasing the operation speed to the K+1th speed at which a Kth normal wave is generated in the laundry. The k may be any natural number. That is, the controller C may vibrate the laundry L at various resonance frequencies by arbitrarily changing the k value.
[0432] For example, the controller C may increase the operation speed of the driver 200 again and operate the driver 200 at the maximum speed, then continue to operate the driver 200 by decreasing the operation speed of the driver 200 to a third speed at which the second normal wave is generated, and then continue to operate the driver 200 by decreasing the operation speed of the driver 200 to the second speed at which the first normal wave is generated in the laundry.
[0433] FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of the process in which the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure senses the weight of the laundry through the moving hanger.
[0434] The first speed is the speed at which the diffraction does not occur in the laundry, but is set differently depending on the material or the length of the laundry. Accordingly, it may be difficult for the controller C to identify whether a speed set for the driver 200 in the weight sensing step A1 corresponds to the first speed of the corresponding laundry.
[0435] Accordingly, when the weight sensing step A1 is performed, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may gradually accelerate the driver 200 from the stopped state to sense a section corresponding to the first speed.
[0436] The controller C may operate the driver 200 by accelerating the same to a speed at which the diffraction occurs in the laundry or a speed at which the laundry vibrates while forming the normal wave from the stopped state.
[0437] The controller C may increase the operation speed of the driver 200. When sensing that the diffraction occurs in the laundry or the laundry vibrates with the normal wave at a certain speed, the controller C may define a speed immediately below the certain speed as the first speed.
[0438] In addition, the controller C may increase the operation speed of the driver 200 and then, when sensing that the diffraction occurs in the laundry or the laundry vibrates with the normal wave at the certain speed, store the certain speed. Thereafter, the controller C may decrease the operation speed of the driver 200 again and then increase the operation speed of the driver 200 again to identify whether the stored speed is the speed at which the diffraction occurs in the laundry or the laundry vibrates with the normal wave.
[0439] Through this process, the controller C may identify not only the first speed but also the second speed, and analyze the electrical information of the driver 200 when accelerating the driver 200 to the first speed to calculate the weight of the laundry.
[0440] Alternatively, the controller C may re-operate the moving hanger 100 at a speed equal to or lower than the first speed V1 and analyze the electrical information of the driver 200 to calculate the weight of the laundry.
[0441] In addition, in the acceleration step A2, the controller C may increase the operation speed of the driver 200 to a speed equal to or higher than the second speed V2 to check whether the second speed V2 is the minimum resonance speed that causes the laundry to vibrate with the normal wave.
[0442] For example, in the acceleration step A2, the controller C may also sense the resonance frequency of the laundry by checking the second speed V2 and checking whether the laundry L vibrates with a k-1th normal wave at a speed Vk corresponding to a k multiple of the second speed. The k may correspond to any natural number.
[0443] When the operation step S is performed after the sensing step A, the controller C may accelerate the driver 200 to a maximum speed Vmax and shake the laundry, and then decelerate or accelerate the driver 200 to speed sections corresponding to multiples of the second speed and shake specific areas of the laundry with focus in a stepwise manner.
[0444] In order to prevent overload of the driver 200, in the operation step S, the operation speed of the driver 200 may be reduced in a stepwise manner to sections such as a third speed, a fourth speed, an nth speed, and the like corresponding to the multiples of the second speed.
[0445] FIG. 16 illustrates a principle in which the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure is able to sense the length of the laundry.
[0446] (a) in FIG. 16 illustrates that the driver 200 is operated at a specific speed higher than the second speed V2 in a state in which long laundry L is hung on the moving hanger 100, and (b) in FIG. 16 illustrates that the driver 200 is operated at the same specific speed as when the long laundry L is hung on the moving hanger 100 in a state in which short laundry 1 is hung on the moving hanger 100.
[0447] According to Equation (1), because the resonance frequency is inversely proportional to the length of the laundry, the short laundry 1 may have a resonance frequency greater than that of the long laundry L, and a normal wave of the same order may be formed in the short laundry 1 only when the moving hanger 100 is operated at a higher speed.
[0448] Referring to (a) in FIG. 16, the specific speed may correspond to a speed four times higher than the second speed or the minimum resonance speed with respect to the long laundry L. Accordingly, the long laundry L may vibrate while forming the fourth normal wave.
[0449] Referring to (b) in FIG. 16, even when the short laundry 1 is hung, the driver 200 may be operated at the same speed. In other words, also in (b) in FIG. 16, the driver 200 may be operated at an operation speed capable of forming the fourth normal wave in the long laundry L.
[0450] In the case of the short laundry 1, the operation speed may correspond to an operation speed that forms the second normal wave in the short laundry. That is, in the case of the short laundry 1, because the length of the laundry is smaller than that of the long laundry L, the short laundry 1 has a resonance frequency different from that of the long laundry L.
[0451] The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may also sense the length of the laundry by operating the moving hanger 100 using the properties in which the laundry has the different resonance frequency depending on the length thereof.
[0452] FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment in which the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure senses not only the weight but also the length of the laundry.
[0453] The method for controlling the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may also include a length sensing step A2 of sensing the length of the laundry in the sensing step A. That is, the acceleration step A2 may be considered to include the length sensing step A2. f n = ν λ n = ν 2 l n n = 1 , 2 , 3 …
[0454] Referring to Equation (1) described above, a resonance frequency fn at which the laundry vibrates with the normal wave is inversely proportional to the length of the laundry. However, even when the resonance frequency fn is known, there may be a limit in that the length 1 of the laundry may not be accurately sensed when a value of v in Equation 1 is not clearly known. ν = T μ ≈ mg μ
[0455] Referring to Equation (2) above, the v is a square root of the tension T of the laundry divided by a linear density m, and the tension of the laundry corresponds to the weight of the laundry.
[0456] Because the linear density m corresponds to a constant value when the laundry is the same, the controller C may identify the length l of the laundry when the weight of the laundry and the resonance frequency fn are sensed.
[0457] To this end, the controller C may directly calculate the weight of the laundry through the electrical information of the driver 200 in the weight sensing step A1, and may calculate length of the laundry through the weight of the laundry and the resonance frequency while sensing one or more resonance frequencies at which the laundry may vibrate with the normal wave while changing the operation speed of the driver 200 in the length sensing step A2.
[0458] When the controller C is not able to specifically sense or calculate the linear density m, the controller C may sense two or more resonance frequencies at which the laundry may vibrate with the normal wave, and calculate the length l of the laundry through the same.
[0459] In addition, the controller C may sense the resonance frequency at which the laundry may vibrate with the normal wave through the moving hanger 100, and calculate the length l of the laundry through the electrical information output from the driver 200 when changing the operation frequency of the moving hanger 100.
[0460] As a result, the controller C may calculate the weight of the laundry by operating the driver 200 in a speed section lower than the second speed v2 at which the laundry may initially vibrate at the resonance frequency, and may calculate the length of the laundry by operating the driver 200 in a speed section equal to or higher than the second speed at which the laundry may initially vibrate at the resonance frequency.
[0461] The speed section lower than the second speed may include the first speed, and in an operation section s, the driver 200 may be operated at a speed higher than the second speed.
[0462] Referring to FIG. 17, the controller C may perform the sensing step A of sensing the laundry information.
[0463] The controller C may perform the weight sensing step A1 of calculating the weight of the laundry through the electrical information including the current applied to the driver 200 or output from the driver 200 while operating the driver 200 at the first speed v1 for the first duration t1 in the sensing step A.
[0464] When the weight sensing step A1 is ended, the controller C may perform the length sensing step A2 of sensing the length of the laundry in the sensing step A.
[0465] The length sensing step A2 may be performed in a speed section higher than that of the weight sensing step A1, and may be performed in a speed section including the second speed or resonance speed V2 at which the resonance frequency is initially generated.
[0466] In addition, the length sensing step A2 may be performed for a second duration t2. Because the length of the laundry is calculated while operating the driver 200 at the resonance speed v2 and a speed higher than the resonance speed v2, the second duration t2 may be set to be greater than the first duration t1.
[0467] In one example, the controller C may obtain information for calculating the length l of the laundry while increasing the speed of the driver 200 in a stepwise manner during the second duration.
[0468] For example, the controller C may operate the moving hanger 100 at the second speed or resonance speed, which is a minimum operation speed at which the laundry vibrate with the normal wave, for a 2-1st duration t21 to sense the minimum resonance frequency.
[0469] In addition, the controller C may further accelerate the driver 200 until the laundry vibrates with the normal wave, and when the laundry vibrates with the normal wave again, may operate the moving hanger 100 for a 2-2nd duration t22 to sense a different resonance frequency. During the 2-2nd duration t22, the moving hanger 100 will be operated at a speed twice the second speed.
[0470] The controller C may further accelerate the driver 200 until the laundry vibrates with the normal wave again, and repeat this process k times. When the laundry vibrates with the normal wave again, the controller C may sense the resonance frequency of the laundry while operating the moving hanger 100 at a speed k multiple of the second speed for a 2-kth duration.
[0471] As a result, the controller C may increase the operation speed of the driver 200 up to a section in which the moving hanger 100 is operated at the resonance frequency of the laundry, and when the laundry vibrates at the resonance frequency, maintain the operation speed of the driver 200 and store the electrical information of the driver 200. When the electrical information of the driver 200 is obtained from various resonance speed sections, the controller C may calculate the length of the laundry through one or more of the electrical information and the weight of the laundry.
[0472] When one or more of the length of the laundry and the weight of the laundry are sensed, the controller C may perform the operation step S by optimizing the same based on the laundry information.
[0473] In the operation step S, the moving hanger 100 may be operated for a third duration t3, and the third duration may be set to be greater than the first duration t1 and the second duration t2.
[0474] In the operation step S, the moving hanger 100 may be operated at a speed higher than the speed at which the moving hanger 100 was operated in the sensing step A.
[0475] For example, in the operation step S, the moving hanger 100 may be operated at the maximum speed Vmax, may be operated in the speed section including the second speed but higher than the second speed, or may be operated such that the operation speed thereof is varied linearly or in a stepwise manner in the speed section higher than the second speed.
[0476] FIG. 18 is a diagram for illustrating a behavior of a sample M based on a frequency, and a frequency range defined as the standard frequency. FIG. 18 illustrates a lateral behavior of the sample M recorded.
[0477] The sample M is in a state of being hung on the clothes hanger 900 inside the laundry treating apparatus 1. The behavior of the sample M forms a waveform. The sample M is a cotton fabric, has a size of 20x90cm (width x length), and has a weight of 151g / m2.
[0478] The chart illustrates the sample M moved at progressively higher frequencies from left to right. A frequency range in which two nodes are present is defined as the standard frequency. At a frequency lower than the standard frequency, one node or fewer is present. At the frequency lower than the standard frequency, there may be no nodes. At a frequency higher than the standard frequency, three or more nodes are present.
[0479] In the vibrating laundry, a frequency when the laundry vibrates in a form of the second normal wave (n=2) with two nodes n and three antinodes a may be defined as the standard frequency. When the two nodes are generated, the amplitude of the laundry is sufficiently secured, so that a treatment efficiency is high. When there are the three nodes, the amplitude of the laundry is not greater than that when there are the two nodes, whereas when the laundry is moistened, excessive impact is applied, which may cause deformation of the laundry. In the case of the moving hanger in the embodiment referenced in FIG. 5, the standard frequency may be in a range of 200rpm to 250rpm.
[0480] FIG. 19 illustrates behaviors based on a result of vibrating a linen sample, a cotton sample, and a silk sample at a standard frequency of the cotton sample.
[0481] Each sample has a same size of 20x90cm (width x length). In an experimental example, when the cotton sample vibrates at the standard frequency, two nodes are generated in the cotton sample. When the linen sample vibrates at the standard frequency of the cotton sample, two nodes are generated. When the silk sample vibrates at the standard frequency of the cotton sample, three nodes are generated.
[0482] FIG. 20 illustrates behaviors based on a result of vibrating the linen sample, the cotton sample, and the silk sample at a standard frequency of the silk sample.
[0483] When the silk sample vibrates at the standard frequency of the silk sample, two nodes may be generated. In an experimental example, when the cotton sample vibrates at the standard frequency of the silk sample, one node is generated. When the linen sample vibrates at the standard frequency of the silk sample, 0 nodes may be generated.
[0484] As may be seen from the experimental examples in FIGS. 19 and 20, the more drapeable (flexible) the fabric is, the greater the number of nodes generated at the same rpm. As the number of nodes increases, a size of the antinode (a thick portion of the waveform) formed decreases, so that a degree of concentration of a force also changes. The drapability is largely determined by the weight and the length of the laundry.
[0485] FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment in which the moving hanger is controlled using the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure sensing the weight and the resonance frequency of the laundry.
[0486] The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may determine the standard frequency having a balance between the vibration and the laundry treatment efficiency based on the weight and / or the length of the laundry. The standard frequency may also be determined as a frequency at which the laundry may vibrate maximally while remaining below a limit vibration level that allows the vibrations generated in the laundry to be radiated outside the cabinet 10. The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may operate the moving hanger 100 at the standard frequency to apply a sufficient physical force to the laundry while reducing the vibrations generated in the laundry treating apparatus.
[0487] Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may operate the moving hanger at the resonance frequency at which the laundry vibrates with the normal wave in at least a partial period during the performance of the arbitrary course of treating the laundry.
[0488] The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may be operated at the standard frequency (Optimal Hz) corresponding to the weight of the laundry, but the moving hanger 100 may be operated at the resonance frequency such that the laundry may vibrate with the normal wave in the at least partial period. Accordingly, a concentrated physical force may be transmitted to the specific area of the laundry while minimizing the vibrations generated from the laundry.
[0489] In an embodiment, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may operate the moving hanger 100 at two or more resonance frequencies such that the laundry may vibrate with two or more normal waves. Accordingly, by changing an area of the laundry that intensively vibrates, the intensive physical force may be sequentially applied to the entire laundry. Therefore, the effect of removing the foreign substances from the laundry and the effect of exposing the laundry to steam and hot air may be maximized.
[0490] In addition, the controller C may repeat operating the moving hanger 100 at the standard frequency and the resonance frequency. Accordingly, the specific area of the laundry may be intensively shaken while minimizing the vibrations transmitted to the cabinet 10.
[0491] In addition, the controller C may operate the moving hanger 100 at the first resonance frequency at which the laundry vibrates with the normal wave during the first duration and at the second resonance frequency at which the laundry vibrates with another normal wave during the second duration. The controller C may completely omit the process of operating the moving hanger 100 at the standard frequency.
[0492] The first duration and the second duration may be the same as each other.
[0493] In addition, the first duration may be different from the second duration. For example, the first duration may be set to be smaller than the second duration.
[0494] In addition, the controller C may operate the moving hanger 100 at the first resonance frequency at which the laundry vibrates with the normal wave during the first duration, may operate the moving hanger 100 at the second resonance frequency at which the laundry vibrates with another normal wave during the second duration, and may operate the moving hanger 100 at the standard frequency during the third duration.
[0495] Here, the first resonance frequency, as a frequency at which the laundry may vibrate at the resonance frequency, may be an arbitrary frequency corresponding to an n multiple of the minimum resonance frequency.
[0496] In addition, the second resonance frequency, as another frequency at which the laundry may vibrate at the resonance frequency, may be an arbitrary frequency corresponding to an n+1 multiple of the minimum resonance frequency.
[0497] Specifically, the controller C may determine the standard frequency for operating the moving hanger based on the sensed weight of the laundry, and also operate the moving hanger 100 at a resonance frequency close to the standard frequency in at least a partial period during the course performance.
[0498] That is, even when the moving hanger 100 is operated at the resonance frequency, the controller C may operate the same at the resonance frequency close to the standard frequency, thereby stably shaking the laundry while suppressing the vibrations transmitted from the laundry as much as possible.
[0499] Referring to (a) in FIG. 21, as the operation frequency of the moving hanger 100 is changed, the positions of the nodes n and the antinodes a formed in the laundry L are changed.
[0500] The controller may operate the moving hanger 100 at a resonance frequency (High Hz) higher than the standard frequency (Optimal Hz) and a resonance frequency (Low Hz) lower than the standard frequency in at least a partial period during the course performance.
[0501] The controller may repeat operating the moving hanger 100 at the resonance frequency (High Hz) higher than the standard frequency (Criteria Hz) for a predetermined duration and at the resonance frequency (Low Hz) lower than the standard frequency for a predetermined duration.
[0502] The controller C may operate the moving hanger 100 at the high resonance frequency (High Hz), operate the same at the standard frequency, and then operate the same at the low resonance frequency (Low Hz), and repeat this process.
[0503] Referring to (b) in FIG. 21, when the moving hanger 100 is operated at the resonance frequency (High Hz) higher than the standard frequency, the laundry may vibrate as illustrated in a right diagram. When the moving hanger 100 is operated at the resonance frequency (Low Hz) lower than the standard frequency, the laundry may vibrate as illustrated in a left diagram.
[0504] Using this, the controller C may repeat operating the driver 200 to vibrate the laundry in a form of the left diagram for the predetermined duration, then, increasing the operation speed of the driver 200 to vibrate the laundry in a form of the right diagram for the predetermined duration, and then again decreasing the operation speed of the driver 200 to vibrate the laundry in the form of the left diagram.
[0505] As such, the controller C may change the positions of the antinodes a formed in the laundry by changing the operation speed or the operation period of the moving hanger 100 to appropriately distribute the shaking force throughout the laundry. The controller C may change the positions of the nodes n and the antinodes a formed in the laundry L, and then fix the positions of the nodes n and the antinodes a again to intensively remove foreign substances in another area again.
[0506] A duration for which the driver 200 is operated at various multiples of the second speed may be set to be greater than a duration for which the driver 200 accelerates or decelerates.
[0507] (b) in FIG. 21 illustrates that the controller C accelerates and decelerates the moving hanger 100 at the two resonance frequencies, but this is merely an embodiment. The controller C may operate the moving hanger 100 to accelerate and decelerate in a stepwise manner at three, four, or more resonance frequencies.
[0508] In one example, the controller C may actively use the minimization of the vibrations transmitted from the laundry during the operation at the resonance frequency. For example, when the laundry vibrates at a frequency other than the resonance frequency and excessive vibrations occur in the laundry, the controller C may operate the moving hanger 100 at a frequency corresponding to the resonance frequency to suppress the vibrations of the laundry L. For example, the controller C may operate laundry at the standard frequency, and when the excessive vibrations occur in the laundry, operate the moving hanger 100 at the frequency corresponding to the resonance frequency to suppress the vibrations of the laundry L.<Improvement of laundry treatment efficiency through frequency variable control>
[0509] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the frequency at which laundry vibrates may be variably controlled, and the laundry treatment efficiency may be increased through the frequency variable control. The frequency applied by the moving hanger 100 to the laundry may be varied in a frequency range in FIG. 22.
[0510] A first frequency is a frequency lower than the standard frequency. In an embodiment, the first frequency is a frequency within a frequency range in which the number of nodes n is one or smaller. The first frequency may be a frequency lower than the standard frequency, and may be a frequency equal to or greater than 40% of the standard frequency. When the laundry vibrates at the first frequency, damage to the laundry may be prevented. For example, stretching of knitwear or the like or occurrence of a clothes hanger mark may be prevented. However, the shaking force and a wrinkle removal power may be low. When the laundry vibrates at the first frequency, the displaced laundry may be aligned in place.
[0511] The standard frequency is referred to as a second frequency. The standard frequency may be determined differently for each laundry item. At the standard frequency, the number of nodes n may be two. When the laundry vibrates at the standard frequency, the vibrations may increase compared to those when the laundry vibrates at the first frequency, but the shaking force and the wrinkle removal power may be improved. In addition, the shaking force and the wrinkle removal power may be lower than those at the third frequency, but the vibrations may also be less than the vibrations at the third frequency. In addition, the damage to the laundry may be less than that at the third frequency. In other words, the standard frequency is a frequency of vibrating the laundry at which elements, such as the vibrations, the shaking force, the wrinkle removal power, and the laundry damage, are balanced.
[0512] The third frequency is a frequency higher than the standard frequency. In an embodiment, the third frequency is a frequency within a frequency range in which the number of nodes n is three or greater. In an embodiment, the third frequency may be a frequency higher than the standard frequency and lower than a fourth frequency. When the laundry vibrates at the third frequency, the shaking force and the wrinkle removal power may be maximized. However, the vibrations and the noise may increase.
[0513] The fourth frequency, which is the highest frequency, may be a frequency based on the maximum output of the motor. The maximum output of the motor may be set in consideration of noise caused by vibrations of the motor itself and the vibrations of the laundry treating apparatus 1. When the laundry vibrates at the fourth frequency, a shaking force higher than that at the third frequency may be secured. However, the vibrations and the noise may increase.
[0514] In case of the moving hanger 100 referred to in FIG. 7, the first frequency may be in a range of 120rpm to 200rpm, the second frequency may be in a range of 200rpm to 300rpm, the third frequency may be in a range of 300rpm to 350rpm, and the fourth frequency may be 350rpm, based on the cotton fabric sample having the size of 20x90cm (width x length) and the weight of 151g / m2. In this case, the first frequency is in a range of 120rpm to 200rpm and the fourth frequency is 350rpm, and thus a difference therebetween reaches 230rpm, which indicates a wide frequency range. Thus, precise laundry treatment may be achieved and high laundry treatment performance may be expected only by varying the frequency.
[0515] In an embodiment, in case of the moving hanger 100 referred to in FIG. 5, the first frequency may be in a range of 80rpm to 150rpm, the second frequency may be in a range of 150rpm to 200rpm, the fourth frequency may be in a range of 200rpm to 250rpm, and a sixth frequency may be 250rpm, based on the cotton fabric sample having the size of 20x90cm (width x length) and the weight of 151g / m2.
[0516] Various motion modes provided by the moving hanger 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 23.
[0517] The motion mode is a control method in which the moving hanger 100 vibrates the laundry. Each motion mode vibrates the laundry using a different frequency.
[0518] A first motion mode is a mode in which the laundry vibrates at the second frequency, which is the standard frequency. In an embodiment, while the laundry is vibrating in the first motion mode, the frequency may be maintained at the set second frequency. Alternatively, while the laundry is vibrating in the first motion mode, the operation speed of the moving hanger may be alternately shifted between two operation speeds within the second frequency range.
[0519] A second motion mode is a mode in which the laundry vibrates at the fourth frequency. In an embodiment, while the laundry is vibrating in the second motion mode, the frequency may be maintained at the set fourth frequency. According to the second motion mode, dust of the laundry may be shaken off by shaking the laundry at the maximum frequency using the maximum output of the motor. In addition, according to the second motion mode, because maximum vibration energy may be transmitted to the laundry, a maximum wrinkle removal effect may be obtained.
[0520] A third motion mode is a mode in which the frequency varies within a frequency range equal to or lower than the standard frequency. In an embodiment, according to the third motion mode, the frequency may vary between the first frequency and the second frequency.
[0521] According to the third motion mode, wind may evenly pass through the laundry items. When the third motion mode is applied to a period of reducing a moisture content of the laundry, a drying efficiency of the laundry may be increased. In an embodiment, the moving hanger 100 may be operated in the third motion mode during a drying cycle. When the third motion mode is applied to a period of increasing the moisture content of the laundry, the moisture content of the laundry may be increased. In an embodiment, the moving hanger 100 may be operated in the third motion mode during a steam cycle.
[0522] The third motion mode will be described with further reference to FIG. 26. In the third motion mode, the frequency varies between the first frequency, which is equal to or higher than the lowest frequency, and the second frequency, which is the standard frequency. A duration for which a specific frequency is maintained may be set to be in a range of 20 seconds to 1 minute. When the duration for which the specific frequency is maintained is smaller than 20 seconds, intended vibrations may not be transmitted to the laundry. When the duration for which the specific frequency is maintained is greater than 1 minute, the frequency variation may not sufficiently occur within a limited cycle duration. However, the specific frequency maintenance duration and a frequency variation period may be changed depending on design specifications.
[0523] A fourth motion mode is a mode in which the frequency varies within a frequency range equal to or higher than the standard frequency. In an embodiment, according to the fourth motion mode, the frequency may vary between the second to fourth frequencies.
[0524] The fourth motion mode will be described with further reference to FIG. 25. In the fourth motion mode, the frequency varies between the second frequency, which corresponds to the standard frequency, the third frequency, and the fourth frequency, which are higher than the second frequency. According to the fourth motion mode, a wrinkle removal performance may be improved because of the change in the position of the node n based on the wave of the laundry. The fourth motion mode may be applied to a period for removing the wrinkles. The fourth motion mode may be applied to a period in which the moisture content increases. When the fourth motion mode is applied, uniform wrinkle removal performance may be obtained.
[0525] A fifth motion mode is a mode in which the laundry vibrates at the first frequency. During the operation in the fifth motion mode, the frequency may be maintained at the set first frequency. Alternatively, during the operation in the fifth motion mode, the frequency may vary within the first frequency range. The fifth motion mode is a mode of treating the knitwear that is easy to stretch and blouses that are weak against damage. According to the fifth motion mode, the stretching of the knitwear may be prevented and the occurrence of the clothes hanger mark in the laundry may be prevented. In one example, when the laundry vibrates at a low frequency within the first frequency range, the displaced laundry may move to its original position.
[0526] FIG. 24 is a chart illustrating an embodiment of treatment courses provided by the laundry treating apparatus 1 and a motion mode of a hanger module of each cycle.
[0527] A standard course according to an embodiment will be described. The standard course may sequentially perform a pre-steam cycle (PreSteam), a pre-heat cycle (PreHeat), a steam cycle (Steam), a stay cycle (Stay), and a drying cycle (Drying). While the pre-steam cycle is performed, the moving hanger 100 is operated in the second motion mode. While the pre-heat cycle is performed, the moving hanger 100 is operated in the fourth motion mode. While the steam cycle is performed, the moving hanger 100 is operated in the fourth motion mode. While the stay cycle is performed, the moving hanger 100 is operated in the second motion mode. While the drying cycle is performed, the moving hanger 100 is operated in the first motion mode. According to the standard course of an embodiment, because the laundry vibrates in the fourth motion mode while the moisture content of the laundry increases, the wrinkles may be effectively removed.
[0528] A first customized course according to an embodiment will be described. The first customized course is a course of treating laundry belonging to a first group to be described later. The first customized course may sequentially perform the pre-steam cycle (PreSteam), the pre-heat cycle (PreHeat), the steam cycle (Steam), the stay cycle (Stay), and the drying cycle (Drying). The moving hanger 100 is operated in the second motion mode while the pre-steam cycle (PreSteam), the pre-heat cycle (PreHeat), the steam cycle (Steam), the stay cycle (Stay), and the drying cycle (Drying) are performed.
[0529] The laundry belonging to the first group is thin and light laundry. The laundry belonging to the first group is easily wrinkled because of a nature of a material thereof. It is necessary to strongly shake off laundry that is frequently worn and is easily wrinkled, and improve a wrinkle removal performance thereof. The first customized course is a specialized course for the laundry belonging to the first group. Because the first customized course vibrates the laundry in the second motion mode, maximum wrinkle removal power and dust removal effect may be obtained.
[0530] A second customized course according to an embodiment will be described. The second customized course is a course of treating the laundry belonging to a second group to be described later. The second customized course may sequentially perform the pre-steam cycle (PreSteam), the pre-heat cycle (PreHeat), the steam cycle (Steam), the stay cycle (Stay), and the drying cycle (Drying).
[0531] While the pre-steam cycle is performed, the moving hanger 100 is operated in the second motion mode. The moving hanger 100 is operated in the third motion mode while the pre-heat cycle (PreHeat), the steam cycle (Steam), the stay cycle (Stay), and the drying cycle (Drying) are performed.
[0532] The laundry belonging to the second group is short and thick laundry. Because of a nature thereof, the thick laundry tends to retain odors and is difficult to deodorize. Therefore, it is necessary to improve a deodorization performance by reliably removing the odors with strong steam. In other words, in the second customized course, it is necessary to increase a steam content of the laundry during the steam cycle. In addition, it is necessary to increase drying power during the drying cycle.
[0533] The second customized course is a specialized course for the laundry belonging to the second group. Because the second customized course vibrates the laundry in the third motion mode during the steam cycle and the drying cycle, effects of increasing the moisture content of the laundry and increasing the drying performance may be obtained. As a result, the second customized course may provide a differentiated performance to the laundry belonging to the second group by enhancing the deodorization performance.
[0534] A third customized course according to an embodiment will be described. The third customized course is a course of treating laundry belonging to a third group to be described later. The third customized course may sequentially perform the pre-steam cycle (PreSteam), the pre-heat cycle (PreHeat), the steam cycle (Steam), the stay cycle (Stay), and the drying cycle (Drying).
[0535] While the pre-steam cycle is performed, the moving hanger 100 is operated in the second motion mode. The moving hanger 100 is operated in the fifth motion mode while the pre-heat cycle (PreHeat), the steam cycle (Steam), the stay cycle (Stay), and the drying cycle (Drying) are performed.
[0536] The laundry belonging to the third group is long and heavy laundry. The long and heavy laundry is generally high-grade laundry. The high-grade laundry needs to minimize damage to the laundry. Because the high-grade laundry is generally vulnerable to heat, it is necessary to optimize temperature control. In addition, the high-grade laundry is required to be treated without a risk of shrinkage or discoloration.
[0537] The third customized course is a specialized course for the laundry belonging to the third group. Because the third customized course vibrates the laundry in the fifth motion mode during the steam cycle and the drying cycle, the damage to laundry may be reduced.
[0538] FIG. 27 is a chart illustrating an operation state of each component for each cycle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0539] The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment may provide five cycles. The laundry treating apparatus 1 may provide the five cycles including the pre-steam cycle (PreSteam), the pre-heat cycle (PreHeat), the steam cycle (Steam), the stay cycle (Stay), and the drying cycle (Drying).
[0540] The pre-steam cycle (PreSteam) is a cycle of generating steam by heating water. In the pre-steam cycle, air in the receiving space 21 may be circulated as the blowing fan operates while generating steam. In this regard, the heat pump remains in a non-operating (Off) state.
[0541] The pre-heat cycle is a cycle of pre-heating the receiving space 21. In the pre-heat cycle, the heat pump operates (On) to heat air in the receiving space 21. Steam may be supplied to the receiving space 21 during the pre-heat cycle. During the pre-heat cycle, the blowing fan operates (On), so that air in the receiving space 21 may be circulated. The moisture content of the laundry may increase during the pre-heat cycle.
[0542] The steam cycle is a cycle of increasing the moisture content of the laundry by supplying steam to the laundry. Steam may be supplied to the receiving space 21 during the steam cycle. During the steam cycle, the blowing fan operates (On), so that air in the receiving space 21 may be circulated. During the steam cycle, the moisture content of the laundry may increase. At this time, the heat pump remains in the non-operating (Off) state.
[0543] The stay cycle is a cycle of maintaining the moisture-containing state of the laundry. No more steam is supplied during the stay cycle. During the stay cycle, the blowing fan operates (On), so that air in the receiving space 21 may be circulated. At this time, the heat pump remains in the non-operating (Off) state. The stay cycle is a cycle of not performing an operation for removing moisture with a moisture removal module such as the heat pump while not supplying steam anymore. The moisture content of the laundry may be maintained during the stay cycle. The moisture content of the laundry may increase or decrease during the stay cycle.
[0544] The drying cycle is a cycle of drying the laundry. The heat pump operates during the drying cycle. The heat pump removes moisture from air in the receiving space 21. During the drying cycle, the blowing fan operates (On), so that air in the receiving space 21 may be circulated. While moist air in the receiving space 21 circulates through the circulation duct by the blowing fan, moisture thereof is removed by the heat pump. During the drying cycle, the moisture content of the laundry decreases.
[0545] The laundry treating apparatus 1 provides various treatment courses. The treatment course is configured by combining one or more of the pre-steam cycle (PreSteam), the pre-heat cycle (PreHeat), the steam cycle (Steam), the stay cycle (Stay), and the drying cycle (Drying).
[0546] While the pre-steam cycle (PreSteam), the pre-heat cycle (PreHeat), the steam cycle (Steam), the stay cycle (Stay), and the drying cycle (Drying) are performed, the hanger module 100 and 100' may be operated in the first motion mode to the fifth motion mode.
[0547] FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a control step of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0548] When the laundry treatment is started, the sensing step may be performed. As described above, the sensing step may include the weight sensing step A1 and the length sensing step A2. The weight sensing step A1 and the length sensing step A2 may be performed simultaneously.
[0549] After the sensing step, a laundry characteristic determination step S3 may be performed. The controller C may derive the characteristic of the laundry using the sensed weight and length.
[0550] In one example, a material sensing step may be included to determine the laundry characteristic. The material sensing step may include identifying the material of the laundry by operating the moving hanger 100 while operating the steam generator 50 to sense the weight of the laundry, the length of the laundry, and the change in the resonance frequency of the laundry. The material sensing step may be performed together with the weight sensing step A1 and the length sensing step A2. When the material sensing step is performed, one or more of the amount of steam supplied and the operation speed of the driver 200 may vary. Accordingly, the controller C may accurately identify the material of the laundry by obtaining various data.
[0551] The laundry treating apparatus may perform a customized course based on the determined characteristic of the laundry. After the laundry characteristic determination step S3, a customized course performing step S4 may be performed.
[0552] FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a control step of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in more detail.
[0553] The controller C may include a step of sensing an amount of laundry. In an embodiment, the amount of laundry may be obtained through the weight sensing step A1. The amount of laundry may be determined by mapping the sensed weight to a preset classification. In an embodiment, the amounts of laundry may be classified into a single laundry item, a small amount, and a large amount.
[0554] In an embodiment, when the sensed weight is equal to or smaller than a set value, the controller C determines the amount of laundry as the single laundry item. When the sensed weight is greater than the set value, the controller C determines the amount of laundry as the small amount or the large amount. A criterion for distinguishing between the small amount and the large amount may be a difference in weight of the laundry.
[0555] When the amount of laundry is sensed as the single laundry item (S11), the customized course may be performed (S4) through the length sensing step A2 and the laundry characteristic determination step S3.
[0556] In one example, according to the embodiment in which whether there is the single laundry item is determined based on the weight of the hung laundry, in case of laundry such as silk laundry, a shirt, or the like, even when two or three laundry items are received, it may be determined that the single laundry item is present, and the customized course performing step S4 may be performed. Extremely light laundry items such as the silk laundry or the shirt have similar characteristics, so that even when the plurality of laundry items are assumed to be the single laundry item and treated, customized performance corresponding to the laundry characteristic may be provided.
[0557] When the amount of laundry is sensed as the small amount (S12), a standard course may be performed (S5).
[0558] When the amount of laundry is sensed as the large amount (S13), a strong course may be performed (S6). The strong course may be a course in which at least one of a supply amount and a supply duration of one or more of hot air and steam supplied to the receiving space 21 is greater than that in the standard course.
[0559] Hereinafter, the customized course will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0560] FIG. 30 illustrates performing of deep learning with data obtained from a laundry treating apparatus.
[0561] The customized course may be provided based on the laundry characteristic obtained as a result of performing laundry recognition through the deep learning by utilizing a characteristic of a load current of the moving hanger motor.
[0562] The laundry treating apparatus 1 may refer to a plurality of laundry treating apparatuses 1 provided by a seller or a manufacturer. Data including completion and option details of courses used by respective users may be collected to a server 1000 from the plurality of laundry treating apparatuses 1 provided by the seller or the manufacturer.
[0563] The server 1000 may collect and accumulate data provided by the laundry treating apparatuses 1 provided by the manufacturer or the manufacturer and external institutions to generate big data.
[0564] The server 1000 may be configured to perform the deep learning.
[0565] The server 1000 may analyze patterns of the data by performing the deep learning through a learning formula A using the big data. As a learning factor, the load current of the moving hanger motor may be used. The learning formula A may be an algorithm for obtaining the weight and the length from the load current of the moving hanger motor.
[0566] The learning formula A may perform the deep learning on the big data to generate a recommendation formula B, and then, may continuously apply subsequently input data to the recommendation formula B to train (update or improve) the recommendation formula B. The recommendation formula B is generated by the server 1000 through deep neural network (DNN) A, which is the learning formula. The recommendation formula B may be an algorithm or a calculation formula for analyzing the big data and deriving an expected result value when a specific state is input.
[0567] The manufacturer or the seller may input the recommended formula B in advance into the laundry treating apparatus 1 when providing the laundry treating apparatus 1. In addition, the recommendation formula B may be in the server 1000, and whenever there is a request, the laundry treating apparatus 1 may access the server 1000 through a communication module and receive the recommendation formula stored in the server 1000. Alternatively, the laundry treating apparatus 1 may access the learning formula A and the recommendation formula B to use them indirectly.
[0568] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus 1 may predict the characteristic of the laundry by inputting the collected data such as the load current of the moving hanger motor to the recommendation formula B, and calculate, predict, determine, and recommend a customized course or option determined to be necessary.
[0569] FIG. 31 illustrates that, in the weight sensing step A1 and the length sensing step A2, the data obtained from the laundry treating apparatus is input to an artificial intelligence model to obtain output values in which the weight and the length of the laundry are subdivided.
[0570] The data obtained through the weight sensing step A1 and the length sensing step A2 described above may be input to the artificial intelligence model to derive the output values in which the weight and the length of the laundry are subdivided. For example, the load current of the moving hanger motor may be input to the artificial intelligence model to derive the output values in which the weight and the length of the laundry are subdivided.
[0571] FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating classification based on the laundry characteristics according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0572] The laundry may be classified into a first group, a second group, and a third group based on the weight and the length thereof.
[0573] A first group G1 is the group to which the light laundry belongs. The laundry of the first group G1 is easily wrinkled because of the nature of the material thereof. It is necessary to strongly shake off the laundry that is frequently worn and is easily wrinkled, and improve the wrinkle removal performance thereof.
[0574] A first customized course CS1 is a specialized course for the first group G1, and is a course with the enhanced wrinkle removal performance.
[0575] A second group G2 is a group to which the short and thick laundry belongs. The laundry of the second group G2 is laundry heavier than the laundry of the first group G1. Because of a nature thereof, the laundry of the second group G2 tends to retain odors and is difficult to deodorize. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the deodorization performance by reliably removing the odors with strong steam.
[0576] A second customized course CS2 is a specialized course for the second group G2, and is a course with the improved deodorization performance with strong steam.
[0577] The third group G3 is a group to which the long and heavy laundry belongs. The laundry of the third group G3 is laundry heavier than the laundry of the first group G1, and is laundry longer than the laundry of the second group G2. Therefore, the laundry of the third group G3 needs to minimize damage. Because the high-grade laundry is generally vulnerable to heat, it is necessary to optimize the temperature control. In addition, the high-grade laundry is required to be treated without the risk of shrinkage or discoloration.
[0578] A third customized course CS3 is a specialized course for the third group G3, and is a course that minimizes the risk of shrinkage or discoloration.
[0579] FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a control method of determining a standard speed of a moving hanger based on a laundry characteristic and providing a customized course as a control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0580] In an embodiment, the method includes a standard speed determination step S7 of determining the standard speed of the moving hanger based on the characteristic of the laundry determined in the laundry characteristic determination step S3. The standard speed may be defined with the standard frequency described above. The standard speed is determined based on the characteristic of the laundry identified in the laundry characteristic determination step S3.
[0581] The moving hanger performs the customized course (S4) based on the determined standard speed.
[0582] The customized course may be a course provided by comprehensively considering a treatment purpose input by the user and the sensed characteristic of the laundry. Alternatively, the customized course may be a course recommended by the controller C based on the sensed characteristic of the laundry.
[0583] FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating in more detail a control method of determining a standard speed of a moving hanger based on a laundry characteristic and providing a customized course as a control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0584] The laundry characteristic determination step S3 may be a step of matching the weight and the length of the laundry to a group for each characteristic. In the laundry characteristic determination step S3, the characteristics of the laundry may be grouped based on the weight and the length of the laundry. In an embodiment, the laundry characteristic may be assigned to one of a plurality of pre-classified groups. In an embodiment, the plurality of pre-classified groups may be the first to third groups described in FIG. 32.
[0585] The laundry characteristic determination step S3 may include a step S31 of comparing the weight with a reference value and a step S32 of comparing the length with a reference value.
[0586] When the weight is smaller than the reference value in the step S31 of comparing the weight with the reference value, the laundry characteristic is assigned to the pre-classified first group G1 (D11). Then, a standard speed of a customized course to be performed thereafter is determined (D12). The standard speed may be determined with a standard frequency derived based on the weight and the length. The standard frequency may correspond to the first speed.
[0587] In the step S31 of comparing the weight with the reference value, when the weight is greater than the reference value, the step S32 of comparing the length with the reference value is performed.
[0588] In the step S32 of comparing the length with the reference value, when the length is smaller than the reference value, the laundry characteristic is assigned to the pre-classified second group G2 (D21). Then, a standard speed of a customized course to be performed thereafter is determined (D22). The standard speed may be determined with a standard frequency derived based on the weight and the length. The standard frequency may correspond to the second speed. The second speed may be a speed corresponding to a frequency higher than that of the first speed.
[0589] In the step S32 of comparing the length with the reference value, when the length is greater than the reference value, the laundry characteristic is assigned to the pre-classified third group G3 (D31). Then, a standard speed of a customized course to be performed thereafter is determined (D32). The standard speed may be determined with a standard frequency derived based on the weight and the length. The standard frequency may correspond to the third speed. The third speed may be a speed having a frequency lower than that of the second speed.
[0590] In an embodiment, the customized course performing step S4 may be determined based on a treatment purpose input by the user. For example, when the input treatment purpose is wrinkle removal, the first customized course described as an example in FIG. 24 will be performed, and as the standard frequency, the standard speed determined in the standard speed determination step S7 may be applied. For example, when the input treatment purpose is deodorization enhancement, the second customized course described as an example in FIG. 24 will be performed, and as the standard frequency, the standard speed determined in the standard speed determination step S7 may be applied. For example, when the input treatment purpose is damage minimization, the second customized course described as an example in FIG. 24 will be performed, and as the standard frequency, the standard speed determined in the standard speed determination step S7 may be applied.
[0591] FIG. 35 is a diagram further illustrating a control method of providing a customized course based on a pre-classified group for each laundry characteristic as a control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0592] The laundry characteristic determination step S3 according to an embodiment may be a step of matching the weight and the length of the laundry to the group for each characteristic. In the laundry characteristic determination step S3, the laundry characteristic may be assigned to one of the plurality of pre-classified groups based on the sensed weight and length. In an embodiment, the laundry characteristic may be assigned to one of the first to third groups described in FIG. 32.
[0593] The laundry characteristic determination step S3 may include the step S31 of comparing the weight with the reference value and the step S32 of comparing the length with the reference value.
[0594] In the step S31 of comparing the weight with the reference value, when the weight is smaller than the reference value, the laundry characteristic is assigned to the pre-classified first group G1 (D11). Accordingly, a first customized course performing step S41 specialized for the first group G1 is performed. Even in this case, a standard speed may be determined with the standard frequency derived based on the weight and the length.
[0595] In the step S31 of comparing the weight with the reference value, when the weight is greater than the reference value, the step S32 of comparing the length with the reference value is performed.
[0596] In the step S32 of comparing the length with the reference value, when the length is smaller than the reference value, the laundry characteristic is assigned to the pre-classified second group G2 (D21). Accordingly, a second customized course performing step S42 specialized for the second group G2 is performed. Even in this case, a standard speed may be determined with the standard frequency derived based on the weight and the length.
[0597] In the step S32 of comparing the length with the reference value, when the length is greater than the reference value, the laundry characteristic is assigned to the pre-classified third group G3 (D31). Accordingly, a third customized course performing step S43 specialized for the third group G3 is performed. Even in this case, a standard speed may be determined with the standard frequency derived based on the weight and the length.
[0598] FIG. 36 illustrates a control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrates cycle periods for each customized course.
[0599] (a) in FIG. 36 illustrates cycle steps of the first customized course. The first customized course is a course that provides enhanced wrinkle removal power.
[0600] Based on the first customized course, the moving hanger may vibrate the laundry at a frequency higher than the standard frequency in all periods in which the cycles proceed.
[0601] (b) in FIG. 36 illustrates cycle steps of the second customized course. The second customized course is a course that provides enhanced deodorization power.
[0602] Based on the second customized course, the steam cycle (Steam) may be performed for a greater duration than the steam cycle (Steam) in the first customized course. Because steam deodorizes the laundry in the steam cycle (Steam), the second customized course may provide the improved deodorization power.
[0603] As a steam cycle (Steam) duration increases, the moisture content of the laundry increases, so that the drying cycle (Drying) in the second customized course may be performed for a greater duration than that in the first customized course. In one example, the drying cycle (Drying) may be ended early or extended based on the humidity collected through the humidity sensor.
[0604] (c) in FIG. 36 illustrates cycle steps of the third customized course. The third customized course is a course that reduces the damage to the laundry.
[0605] Based on the third customized course, a low-temperature environment may be established in the receiving space 21 during the steam cycle (Steam). In the steam cycle (Steam), the low-temperature environment may be established by independently controlling the heater of the steam supply 51. In an embodiment, the first customized course and the second customized course simultaneously operate the first heater and the second heater to maximize the amount of steam supplied, while the third customized course includes a step of operating only one of the first heater and the second heater to reduce the amount of steam supplied, thereby establishing the low-temperature environment.
[0606] However, to obtain sufficient deodorization power even in the low-temperature environment, the steam cycle (Steam) in the third customized course may be performed for a greater duration than the steam cycle in the first customized course or the second customized course.
[0607] Based on the third customized course, a low-temperature environment may be established in the receiving space 21 during the drying cycle (Drying). In the drying cycle (Drying), the low-temperature environment may be established by controlling an operation duration or an operation rpm of the compressor 82. In an embodiment, the third customized course may establish the low-temperature environment at the operation rpm of the compressor 82 lower than those in the first customized course and the second customized course.
[0608] However, to achieve sufficient drying even in the low-temperature environment, the drying cycle (Drying) in the third customized course may be performed for a greater duration than the drying cycle (Drying) in the first customized course or the second customized course.
[0609] As a result, the third customized course may have a greater overall treatment duration, but may refresh the laundry without damaging the laundry.
[0610] The present disclosure may be modified and implemented in various forms, and thus, the scope of the rights thereof is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Therefore, when the modified embodiment includes the elements of the claims of the present disclosure, it should be regarded as belonging to the scope of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A laundry treating apparatus configured to perform an arbitrary course of treating laundry, the laundry treating apparatus comprising: a cabinet; an inner casing providing a receiving space where the laundry is hung inside the cabinet; a machine room disposed under the inner casing and configured to generate one or more of hot air and steam supplied into the receiving space; and a moving hanger configured to shake the hung laundry, wherein the moving hanger is configured to shake the hung laundry at a sensing speed for a sensing duration and then shake the laundry at a treatment speed, wherein the moving hanger is configured to shake the laundry at different treatment speeds, even when the same course is performed, when the hung laundry has the same weight but different lengths or when the hung laundry has the same length but different weights.
2. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to operate the moving hanger at the sensing speed for the sensing duration to sense one of a weight, a material, and a length of each laundry item, wherein the controller is configured to optimally set at least one of the treatment speed for shaking the laundry, a spraying duration of supplied hot air and steam, and a spraying amount of supplied hot air and steam, or to treat the hung laundry by matching the hung laundry to one of n predetermined operation schemes.
3. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the moving hanger is configured to shake the hung laundry in correspondence with one of a plurality of predetermined operation schemes.
4. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 3, wherein the moving hanger is configured to shake the laundry at a higher treatment speed when the laundry is light than when the laundry is heavy.
5. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 3, wherein the moving hanger is configured to shake the laundry at a lower treatment speed when the laundry is long than when the laundry is short.
6. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the machine room is configured to set at least one of a supply amount and a supply duration of at least one of hot air and steam differently, even when the same course is performed, when the hung laundry has the same weight but the different lengths or when the hung laundry has the same length but the different weights.
7. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 6, wherein the machine room is configured to set the at least one of the supply amount and the supply duration of the at least one of hot air and steam greater when the laundry is heavy than when the laundry is light.
8. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 6, wherein the machine room is configured to set the at least one of the supply amount and the supply duration of the at least one of hot air and steam greater when the laundry is long than when the laundry is short.
9. The laundry treating apparatus of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the machine room includes: a heat exchanger configured to generate hot air by heating air through heat exchange with a refrigerant; a compressor connected to the heat exchanger and configured to compress the refrigerant; and a blowing fan configured to circulate air and hot air in the receiving space, wherein the machine room is configured to set an operation duration and an operation RPM of at least one of the compressor and the blowing fan differently, even when the same course is performed, when the hung laundry has the same weight but the different lengths or when the hung laundry has the same length but the different weights.
10. The laundry treating apparatus of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the machine room further includes a steam supply configured to generate steam by heating water, wherein the machine room is configured to set an operation duration of the steam supply differently, even when the same course is performed, when the hung laundry has the same weight but the different lengths or when the hung laundry has the same length but the different weights.
11. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 10, wherein the steam supply includes: a first heater configured to heat water; and a second heater having power consumption the same as or different from power consumption of the first heater and configured to be operated independently of the first heater, wherein the steam supply is configured to set operation durations of one or more of the first heater and the second heater differently, even when the same course is performed, when the hung laundry has the same weight but the different lengths or when the hung laundry has the same length but the different weights.
12. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the treatment speed is higher than the sensing speed.
13. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing speed includes a first sensing speed and a second sensing speed higher than the first sensing speed, wherein the hung laundry is shaken at the first sensing speed for a first sensing duration, then shaken at the second sensing speed for a second sensing duration, and then shaken at the treatment speed.
14. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second sensing speed gradually increases over time.
15. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 13, wherein the treatment speed is higher than the first sensing speed.
16. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein while or after steam is supplied into the receiving space, the moving hanger is configured to shake the laundry at a treatment speed equal to or higher than a standard speed or equal to or lower than the standard speed, wherein the standard speed is different depending on a weight and a length of the laundry.
17. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 16, wherein in a period where a moisture content of the laundry increases by steam supplied into the receiving space, the moving hanger is configured to shake the laundry at the treatment speed equal to or lower than the standard speed.
18. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 17, wherein in the period where the moisture content of the laundry increases by steam supplied into the receiving space, the moving hanger is configured to shake the laundry at a treatment speed variable and equal to or lower than the standard speed.
19. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 17, wherein in a period where the moisture content of the laundry decreases by hot air supplied into the receiving space, the moving hanger is configured to shake the laundry at the treatment speed equal to or higher than the standard speed.
20. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 19, wherein in the period where the moisture content of the laundry decreases by hot air supplied into the receiving space, the moving hanger is configured to shake the laundry at a treatment speed variable and equal to or higher than the standard speed.
21. A laundry treating apparatus configured to perform an arbitrary course of treating laundry, the laundry treating apparatus comprising: a cabinet; an inner casing providing a receiving space where the laundry is hung inside the cabinet; a machine room disposed under the inner casing and configured to generate one or more of hot air and steam supplied into the receiving space; and a moving hanger configured to shake the hung laundry, wherein the moving hanger is configured to shake the laundry at different treatment speeds, even when the same course is performed, when the hung laundry has the same weight but different lengths or has the same length but different weights, when a weight of the hung laundry is equal to or smaller than a set value.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Clothing washing machine
JP2021016611A