Control method for clothing processing equipment

Abstract

We propose a method for cleaning and sterilizing the water collection area. [Solution] This is achieved by a control method for a garment processing apparatus, which includes: a heating step of operating the transfer unit and the heat exchange unit to raise the temperature of the drum and the flow path; a standby step of maintaining the state in which the operation of the heat exchange unit has ended after the completion of the heating step; a moisture supply step of having the steam generator inject steam into the flow path after the completion of the standby step; and a sterilization step of sterilizing the drum, the flow path, the first heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger by circulating the steam inside the flow path through the transfer unit.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present application relates to a laundry treatment apparatus and a control method for a laundry treatment apparatus. [[Background Art]]

[0002] A laundry treatment apparatus is a general term for an apparatus capable of washing washable articles typified by clothing (objects to be washed), drying dryable articles (objects to be dried), and performing both washing and drying of the aforementioned objects.

[0003] A conventional dryable laundry treatment apparatus has a structure including a drum that provides a space for accommodating laundry, a flow path portion that guides air discharged from the drum back to the drum, a transfer portion that moves air along the flow path portion, and a heat exchange portion that sequentially performs dehumidification and heating on air flowing into the flow path portion.

[0004] The heat exchange portion configured with the above-mentioned structure is provided to include a first heat exchanger that cools air inside the flow path portion, and a second heat exchanger that heats air that has passed through the first heat exchanger. Since air discharged from the drum is condensed while passing through the first heat exchanger, a water collecting portion for collecting condensed water has been provided inside or outside the flow path portion. The condensed water stored in the water collecting portion is either discharged to the outside of the laundry treatment apparatus via a drain portion, or stored in a drain tank provided inside the laundry treatment apparatus.

[0005] Some conventional laundry treatment apparatuses manage the hygiene of the drum and the flow path portion by injecting steam into the drum, activating the transfer portion, and circulating the steam inside the drum along the flow path portion (Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1467775). However, conventional laundry treatment apparatuses that sterilize the drum and the flow path portion using steam adopt a method of circulating steam injected into the drum through the transfer portion, which has the drawback that it is difficult to effectively sterilize the flow path portion and the heat exchangers (the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger) located inside the flow path portion.

[0006] In other words, some of the steam injected into the drum condenses inside the drum, making it difficult to supply to the flow path. Furthermore, even if the steam injected into the drum does move to the flow path, the temperature and humidity decrease during the process (reducing the sterilizing effect), making it difficult to effectively sterilize the flow path and heat exchanger. In order to sterilize the flow path and heat exchanger using steam at a relatively low temperature, it is necessary to maintain a high humidity level in the space that needs to be sterilized. However, the aforementioned drawbacks of conventional garment processing equipment could lead to the problem of having to increase the amount of steam supplied for sterilization, and the problem of requiring a lot of time for steam sterilization.

[0007] On the other hand, in a garment processing device equipped with a heat pump as the heat exchanger, the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger (evaporator) is at a relatively low temperature while the heat pump is operating, and the refrigerant passing through the second heat exchanger (condenser) is at a relatively high temperature. This means that immediately after the heat pump operation ends, the temperature of the first heat exchanger is lower than the temperature of the second heat exchanger, so a large amount of steam may be required to sterilize the first heat exchanger with steam. It is also possible to consider a method of raising the temperature of the first heat exchanger to reduce the amount of steam required for sterilization of the first heat exchanger, but in this case, there is a problem that the operating time of the heat pump must be increased (increased energy consumption).

[0008] Furthermore, conventional garment processing devices, in which the water collection section is located outside the flow channel, have the disadvantage that it is difficult to supply steam moving along the flow channel to the water collection section, making it difficult to clean and sterilize the water collection section. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The present invention aims to solve the problem of providing a garment processing apparatus and a control method for the garment processing apparatus that enable hygienic management of the drum, flow path section, and heat exchange section.

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a garment processing apparatus and a control method for the garment processing apparatus that enable hygienic management of the drum, flow path, and heat exchange section while maintaining a relatively small steam supply volume and a relatively short steam supply time.

[0011] The present invention aims to solve the problem of providing a garment processing apparatus and a control method for the garment processing apparatus that can sterilize a first heat exchanger that condenses air with a relatively small amount of steam.

[0012] The present invention aims to solve the problem of providing a clothing processing apparatus and a control method for the clothing processing apparatus that enable hygienic management of the water collection section.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention aims to solve the problem of providing a clothing processing apparatus and a control method for the clothing processing apparatus that can easily remove foreign matter accumulated in the water collection section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The present invention relates to a control method for a garment processing apparatus comprising: a drum for storing garments; a flow path section for guiding air discharged from the drum to the drum; a transfer section for moving air along the flow path section; a compressor for moving refrigerant along a refrigerant pipe; a pressure regulator provided on the refrigerant pipe; a heat exchange section comprising a first heat exchanger for dehumidifying air by exchanging heat between air flowing into the flow path section and refrigerant that has passed through the pressure regulator, and a second heat exchanger for heating air by exchanging heat between air that has passed through the first heat exchanger and refrigerant supplied from the compressor; a water collection section for storing condensed water removed from air passing through the first heat exchanger; and a steam generator for injecting steam into the flow path section.

[0015] The control method may include (compose; construct; set up; encompass; include; contain; contain; have) a heating step of operating the transfer unit and the heat exchange unit to raise the temperature of the drum and the flow path; a standby step after the completion of the heating step of maintaining the state in which the operation of the heat exchange unit has been stopped; a moisture supply step after the completion of the standby step of the steam generator injecting steam into the flow path; and a sterilization step of sterilizing the drum, the flow path, the first heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger by circulating the steam inside the flow path through the transfer unit.

[0016] The moisture supply step may be provided to supply steam to the first heat exchanger.

[0017] The standby phase can be terminated when the temperature of the first heat exchanger reaches or exceeds a preset reference temperature.

[0018] The aforementioned reference temperature can be set to 40 to 50 degrees Celsius.

[0019] The temperature of the first heat exchanger can be set to at least one of the following: the temperature of the refrigerant located between the pressure regulator and the first heat exchanger, and the temperature of the refrigerant located between the first heat exchanger and the compressor.

[0020] The standby phase can be terminated when the difference between the temperature of the first heat exchanger and the temperature of the second heat exchanger is less than or equal to a preset reference temperature difference.

[0021] The temperature of the first heat exchanger is set to at least one of the temperature of the refrigerant located between the pressure regulator and the first heat exchanger, and the temperature of the refrigerant located between the first heat exchanger and the compressor, and the temperature of the second heat exchanger can be set to at least one of the temperature of the refrigerant located between the compressor and the second heat exchanger, and the temperature of the refrigerant located between the second heat exchanger and the pressure regulator.

[0022] The standby step proceeds for a preset standby time, and the standby time may be set as the time until the temperature of the first heat exchanger reaches 40°C to 50°C.

[0023] The standby step proceeds for a preset standby time, and the standby time may be set as the time until the refrigerant reaches temperature equilibrium.

[0024] The sterilization step may be started during the progress of the water supply step, or may be started after the end of the water supply step.

[0025] When the sterilization step is completed, the control method may terminate the operation of the steam generator and execute a cooling step of keeping the transfer unit in operation.

[0026] A ratio of an operation time of the heat exchange part in the heating step to a steam supply time to the first heat exchanger in the water supply step may be set to 8:1 to 9:1.

[0027] The control method may execute a water collection part cleaning step of discharging water inside the water collection part to the outside of the water collection part after the end of the sterilization step.

[0028] The control method may execute a condensed water draining step of discharging water inside the water collection part to the outside of the water collection part before the start of the water supply step.

Effect of the Invention

[0029] The present invention provides a laundry treatment apparatus and a control method for the laundry treatment apparatus that enable hygienic management of a drum, a flow path part and a heat exchange part.

[0030] The present invention provides a laundry treatment apparatus and a control method for the laundry treatment apparatus that enable hygienic management of a drum, a flow path part and a heat exchange part while maintaining a relatively small steam supply amount and a relatively short steam supply time.

[0031] The present invention provides a garment processing apparatus and a control method for the garment processing apparatus that can sterilize a first heat exchanger that condenses air with a relatively small amount of steam.

[0032] The present invention provides a clothing processing apparatus and a control method for the clothing processing apparatus that enable hygienic management of the water collection section.

[0033] Furthermore, the present invention provides a clothing processing apparatus and a control method for the clothing processing apparatus that can easily remove foreign matter accumulated in the water collection section. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] [Figure 1-3] This is an example of a garment processing device. [Figure 4] This shows an example of a flow channel section. [Figure 5-6] This shows an example of a water collection section, a drainage section, and a washing section. [Figure 7] This is an example of a steam generator. [Figure 8] This is an example of a control method for a garment processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] The following describes in detail embodiments of the garment processing apparatus and the control method for the garment processing apparatus with reference to the attached drawings.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the garment processing apparatus 100 may include a cabinet 1, a drum 2 rotatably mounted inside the cabinet and providing a space for accommodating the garment to be processed (such as clothes), a flow path section 3 and a heat exchange section 4 mounted inside the cabinet 1, which supply high-temperature dry air (air at a temperature higher than the room air temperature and a dryness level higher than the room air) to the drum 2 and remove moisture from the clothes.

[0037] The flow path section 3 is provided as a flow path that discharges the air inside the drum 2 to the outside of the drum and then supplies it back to the drum. Therefore, the drum 2 and the flow path section 3 form a single circulation flow path, and the heat exchange section 4 can be provided as a device (such as a heat pump) that sequentially dehumidifies and heats the air that flows into the circulation flow path.

[0038] The cabinet 1 may be configured to include a front panel 11 located at the front of the garment processing device and a base 15 forming the bottom surface of the garment processing device. As shown in Figure 1, the front panel 11 may be provided with an input unit 112 into which control commands are input from the user, and a display unit 113 into which information such as control commands that can be selected by the user is output. The front panel 11 is provided with a cabinet opening 111 that communicates with the drum 2, and the cabinet opening 111 may be provided to be openable and closable by a door 19.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the drum 2 may be provided with a cylindrical drum body 21 with an open front and rear, a front cover 22 (front of the drum) forming the front of the drum body 21, and a rear cover 23 (rear of the drum) forming the rear of the drum body 21.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, the front cover 22 is provided with a drum inlet 221 that connects the inside of the drum body 21 to the outside, and the rear cover 23 may be provided with a drum supply inlet 231 that allows outside air to flow into the drum body 21. The rear cover 23 may also be provided with a drum shaft 233 that forms the rotation center of the drum body 21.

[0041] A lifter 24 may be further provided inside the drum body 21. The lifter 24 is a means for clothes to repeatedly rise and fall inside the drum. The lifter 24 can be provided by a board extending from the front cover 22 toward the rear cover 23, which protrudes from the drum body 21 toward the rotation center of the drum 2 (protruding from the circumferential surface of the drum toward the rotation center of the drum).

[0042] The front cover 22 can be rotatably fixed to the front support portion 12 (first support portion), and the rear cover 23 can be rotatably fixed to the rear support portion 13 (second support portion).

[0043] The first support portion 12 may include a support panel 121 fixed inside the cabinet 1, a support panel through hole 122 (communication hole) provided so as to penetrate the support panel 121, and a support body 123 fixed to the support panel 121 so as to surround the support panel through hole 122 and rotatably supporting the drum body 21.

[0044] The support body 123 is provided to be inserted into the drum opening 221, and the drum opening 221 can be connected to the cabinet opening 111 via the support panel through hole 122. Thus, clothing supplied to the cabinet opening 111 can move into the drum body 21 through the support panel through hole 122 and the drum opening 221.

[0045] The support panel 121 may be further provided with a mounting groove 124 so that the front cover 22 is firmly supported by the support panel 121. The mounting groove 124 may be provided in the support panel 121 so as to surround the support body 123 and may be provided as a ring-shaped groove that accommodates the free end of the front cover 22 which forms the drum input opening 221.

[0046] The support panel 121 may further be provided with a circumferential surface support portion 126 that rotatably supports the circumferential surface of the front cover 22 or the circumferential surface of the drum body 21. The circumferential surface support portion may be provided as a roller that is rotatably fixed to the support panel 121.

[0047] The drum 2 is rotatable via the drive unit 25, and the second support unit 13 may be provided to rotatably support the drum shaft 233 of the drive unit.

[0048] As shown in Figure 3, the second support portion 13 may be provided with a fixed panel 131 to which the drive unit 25 is fixed, and a fixed panel through hole 133 provided in the fixed panel through which the drum shaft 233 passes. As shown in the figure, the fixed panel 131 may be provided to form the rear surface (rear panel) of the cabinet 1.

[0049] As shown in Figure 2, the drive unit 25 may be configured to include a stator 251 fixed to the fixed panel 131 and forming a rotating magnetic field, a rotor 252 that rotates due to the rotating magnetic field, a drive shaft 253 fixed to the rotor 252, and a power transmission unit 254 fixed to the fixed panel 131 and transmitting the rotational motion of the drive shaft 253 to the drum shaft 233.

[0050] The stator 251 may be fixed to the power transmission unit 254 or to the fixed panel 131. When the stator 251 is fixed to the power transmission unit 254, when the fixed panel 131 vibrates, both the power transmission unit 254 and the stator 251 vibrate, thereby minimizing the eccentricity of the drum shaft 233 and the drive shaft 253.

[0051] To prevent the drive unit 25 from being exposed to the outside and to minimize heat loss due to the flow path 3, a cover panel 17 can be fixed to the fixed panel 131 to prevent the drive unit and the flow path body 321 from being exposed to the outside.

[0052] The flow path section 3 may be configured to include an exhaust flow path 31 fixed to the base 15, a supply flow path 32 provided in the fixed panel 131, and a heat exchange flow path 33 connecting the exhaust flow path and the supply flow path, and in which the heat exchange section 4 is provided. The heat exchange flow path 33 may be provided in the base 15.

[0053] The support panel 121 may be provided with a drum exhaust port 125 for discharging air from inside the drum body 21 to the flow path section 3, and the exhaust flow path 31 may be provided as a flow path connected to the drum exhaust port 125. The drum exhaust port 125 is provided in the support body 123 and is configured to communicate with the support panel through hole 122 (communicating with the drum inlet), and an air filtration filter 127 (see Figure 4) may be attached to the drum exhaust port 125.

[0054] As shown in Figure 3, the supply channel 32 can be provided as a channel for supplying air supplied from the heat exchange channel 33 to the drum body 21. The supply channel 32 can be provided as including a channel body 321 provided on the fixed panel 131, a first connecting body 322 connecting the channel body 321 and the heat exchange channel 33, and a second connecting body 323 connecting the channel body 321 and the rear cover 23 of the drum.

[0055] The flow path body 321 may be provided as a groove in which one surface of the fixed panel 131 facing the rear cover 23 is bent away from the rear cover. In this case, the flow path body 321 may be provided as a ring-shaped flow path surrounding the drive unit 25.

[0056] The second connecting body 323 may be provided as a first sealer 323a and a second sealer 323b fixed to the fixed panel 131. The first sealer 323a may be provided so as to surround the outer edge of the flow path body 321, and the second sealer 323b may be provided so as to surround the inner edge of the flow path body 321. As described above, the flow path body 321 may be provided in a shape similar to a ring surrounding the drive unit 25, where the inner edge of the flow path body means the edge with a shorter diameter (the edge closer to the drive unit), and the outer edge of the flow path body means the edge with a longer diameter.

[0057] The first sealer 323a is provided as a pipe-shaped fiber with one end fixed to the fixed panel 131 and the free end in contact with the rear cover 23, and the second sealer 323b can be provided as a pipe-shaped fiber with one end fixed to the fixed panel 131 and the free end in contact with the rear cover 23. An example of the fiber is felt.

[0058] As shown in Figure 4, the heat exchange channel 33 is a channel that guides the air flowing into the exhaust channel 31 to the first connecting body 322 of the supply channel. The inside of the heat exchange channel 33 can be divided into a channel forming space 331 (mounting space) and a drainage space 332 via a partition wall 333.

[0059] The flow path forming space 331 is provided as a space that forms a path for air discharged from the drum body 21 to move to the supply flow path 32, and the drainage space 332 may be provided as a space that provides a path for condensed water discharged from the air moving along the flow path forming space 331 to move. The drainage space 332 may be provided so as to be located below the flow path forming space 331. The heat exchange section 4 is provided in the flow path forming space 331, and the partition wall 333 may be provided with a partition wall through-hole 334 for discharging condensed water inside the flow path forming space 331 to the drainage space 332.

[0060] The heat exchange unit 4 may include a heat absorption unit 41 (first heat exchanger) and a heating unit 42 (second heat exchanger) provided inside the flow path forming space 331, a refrigerant pipe 48 that provides a flow path for the refrigerant to circulate and to which the first heat exchanger 41 and the second heat exchanger 42 are fixed, a compressor 45 that compresses the refrigerant and circulates it along the refrigerant pipe 48, and a pressure regulator 47 provided in the refrigerant pipe 48 to adjust the pressure of the refrigerant. The refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger 41 may absorb heat from the air, and the refrigerant passing through the second heat exchanger 42 may release heat to the air. Therefore, the air passing through the first heat exchanger 41 is cooled (condensation occurs), and the air passing through the second heat exchanger 42 is heated.

[0061] The heat exchanger 4 may be equipped with a transfer unit 5 (fan) so that after air flows from the drum 2 into the exhaust passage 31, it is resupplied to the drum 2 via the supply passage 32. The transfer unit 5 may be positioned between the second heat exchanger 42 and the first connecting body 322.

[0062] The garment processing apparatus may be equipped with a first heat exchanger temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the first heat exchanger 41 and a second heat exchanger temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the second heat exchanger 42.

[0063] The first heat exchanger temperature sensor may include at least one of a first sensor 481 that measures the temperature of the refrigerant located between the pressure regulator 47 and the first heat exchanger 41, and a second sensor 482 that measures the temperature of the refrigerant located between the first heat exchanger 41 and the compressor 45.

[0064] On the other hand, the second heat exchanger temperature sensor may be provided to include at least one of a third sensor 483 that measures the temperature of the refrigerant located between the compressor 45 and the second heat exchanger 42, and a fourth sensor 484 that measures the temperature of the refrigerant located between the second heat exchanger 42 and the pressure regulator 47.

[0065] The condensed water that flows into the drainage space 332 can be discharged to the water collection section 6 via the drain outlet 335.

[0066] As shown in Figure 5, the water collection section 6 can be provided as a water collection chamber 61 that provides a space for storing condensed water. The water collection chamber 61 can be provided to include a chamber body 611 fixed to the base 15 and capable of storing water (condensed water), and a chamber cover 612 fixed to the chamber body 611 and forming the upper surface of the water collection chamber 61.

[0067] The chamber body 611 may be provided on the base 15 so as to be located outside the flow path section 3 and connected to the drain space 332 via the drain port 335.

[0068] To detect the amount of condensed water stored in the chamber body 611, the water collection unit 6 may be further equipped with a water collection chamber water level detection unit 63. In this case, the water collection chamber water level detection unit 63 can be provided as a plurality of electrodes extending from the chamber cover 612 toward the bottom surface of the chamber body 611.

[0069] The condensed water inside the water collection chamber 61 can be discharged through the drainage section 7. The drainage section 7 may include a drainage pump 71 for discharging the condensed water inside the water collection chamber 611, and a drainage pipe 72 for guiding the condensed water discharged from the drainage pump 71 to the outside of the cabinet 1 (such as a drain outlet). Alternatively, the drainage pipe 72 may be configured to guide the condensed water to a drainage tank 73 located inside the cabinet 1. As shown in Figure 1, the drainage tank 73 may be provided in a form that can be pulled out from the front panel 11 of the cabinet 1.

[0070] As shown in Figure 5, for hygienic management of the garment processing apparatus 100, washing units 91 and 93 may be provided inside the cabinet 1. The washing unit may include at least one of a first washing unit 91 capable of spraying steam onto the first heat exchanger 41, and a second washing unit 93 capable of spraying water onto the first heat exchanger 41. Figure 5 shows an example in which both the first washing unit 91 and the second washing unit 93 are provided.

[0071] As shown in Figure 6, the first washing unit 91 is provided in the flow path unit 3 and may include a steam injection unit 911 for injecting steam into the first heat exchanger 41, and a steam supply pipe 912 for guiding steam supplied from the steam generator 8 to the steam injection unit 911. To adjust the amount or pressure of steam supplied to the first heat exchanger 41, the garment processing apparatus 100 may be provided with a steam supply pipe valve for controlling the opening and closing of the steam supply pipe 912.

[0072] The second cleaning unit 93 is provided in the flow channel 3 and can be configured to spray water onto the first heat exchanger 41. As shown in Figure 6, the second cleaning unit 93 can be configured to include a cleaning water spray unit 931 fixed inside the flow channel 3, a cleaning water supply pipe 932 that supplies water to the cleaning water spray unit 931, and a cleaning water valve 933 that controls the opening and closing of the cleaning water supply pipe 932.

[0073] The washing water supply pipe 932 may be provided to connect a water source installed outside the garment processing device 100 to the washing water injection unit 931, or it may be provided to guide the condensed water inside the water collection chamber 61 to the washing water injection unit 931.

[0074] As shown in Figure 4, the cleaning water injection unit 931 can be fixed to the upper surface of the flow path forming space 331, and the water flowing into the cleaning water injection unit 931 can be discharged to the front or upper surface of the first heat exchanger 41 via the nozzle 934.

[0075] As shown in Figure 7, the steam generator 8 may be configured to include a storage body 81 fixed to the base 15 and storing water, a heater 82 provided inside the storage body 81 for heating the water, a water supply pipe 85 for supplying water to the storage body 81, and a water supply valve 86 for controlling the opening and closing of the water supply pipe 85.

[0076] To detect the water level inside the storage body 81, the steam generator 8 may be equipped with a water level detection unit 83. The water level detection unit 83 may be configured to detect only the maximum water level or the minimum water level set in the storage body 81, or it may be configured to detect both the maximum and minimum water levels. Furthermore, the steam generator 8 may be further equipped with a temperature detection unit 84 to measure the temperature inside the storage body 81 or the temperature of the water stored in the storage body.

[0077] Some conventional garment processing devices manage the hygiene of the drum and flow path by injecting steam into the drum and operating a transfer unit to circulate the steam inside the drum along the flow path. However, conventional garment processing devices that sterilize the drum and flow path by circulating steam injected into the drum have the drawback that it takes a long time to sterilize the flow path 3 and heat exchange unit 4, making it difficult to sterilize the inside of the water collection chamber 61.

[0078] In other words, some of the steam injected into the drum condenses inside the drum, making it difficult to supply to the flow path. Furthermore, even if the steam injected into the drum does move to the flow path, the temperature and humidity decrease during the process, making effective sterilization of the flow path and heat exchanger difficult. Sterilizing the flow path and heat exchanger using relatively low-temperature steam requires maintaining high humidity in the space that needs sterilization. However, the aforementioned drawbacks of conventional garment processing equipment could lead to the problem of having to increase the amount of steam supplied for sterilization, and the problem of requiring a lot of time for steam sterilization.

[0079] The aforementioned garment processing apparatus 100 can easily sterilize the flow channel and heat exchange section by injecting steam into the flow channel section 3 through the first washing section 91, and can also wash the flow channel section 3 and the first heat exchange section 41 through the second washing section 93.

[0080] Figure 8 shows an example of a control method for a garment processing apparatus that enables hygienic management of the drum 2, flow path section 3, and heat exchangers 41 and 42 using the first washing section 91. In other words, the control method in Figure 8 enables hygienic management of the drum 2, flow path section 3, and heat exchangers 41 and 42 while maintaining a relatively small amount of steam supply and a relatively short steam supply time. Furthermore, the control method can also enable hygienic management of the water collection section 6.

[0081] The control method may include a heating step S10 in which the transfer unit 5 and the heat exchange unit 4 are activated to raise the temperature of the drum body 21 and the flow path unit 3; a moisture supply step S50 in which the steam generator 8 injects steam into the flow path unit 3; and a sterilization step S60 in which the steam inside the flow path unit 3 is circulated via the transfer unit 5 to sterilize the drum body 21, the flow path unit 3, the first heat exchanger 41, and the second heat exchanger 42.

[0082] The heating step S10 may be provided as a heat exchange unit operation step S11 for operating the heat exchange unit 4 and a transfer unit operation step S12 for operating the transfer unit 5. The heat exchange unit operation step S11 is a step in which the control unit operates the compressor 45 and the pressure regulator 47 to induce heat exchange between the refrigerant and air, and the transfer unit operation step S12 may be a step in which the control unit moves air through the transfer unit 5 along the circulation path (a path composed of a drum and a flow path section).

[0083] After the start of the heating stage S10, once the set time has elapsed, the control method terminates the operation of the heat exchanger and the transfer unit (S13, heating termination stage).

[0084] After the completion of the heating step S10, the control method may execute the steam generation step S30. The steam generation step S30 is a step of operating the heater 82 provided in the steam generator to generate steam, and may be executed during the progress of the heating step S10 or after the completion of the heating step (S13). The steam generation step S30 may be configured to include a step of controlling the water supply valve 86 to supply water to the storage body 81, and a step of controlling the heater 82 to heat the water inside the storage body 81.

[0085] The moisture supply step S50 may be started after the completion of the steam generation step S30, or it may be started while the steam generation step S30 is in progress.

[0086] The moisture supply step S50 is a step in which steam is supplied into the flow channel section 3 to increase the humidity of the circulation channel formed by the drum body 21 and the flow channel section 3. In the case of a garment processing apparatus in which steam from inside the steam generator 8 is supplied to the flow channel section 3 through the first washing section 91, the moisture supply step S50 may be provided as a step in which steam is injected into the first heat exchanger 41 through the first washing section 91.

[0087] If the moisture supply step S50 is configured to inject steam into the first heat exchanger 41, the control method may be configured to execute a standby step S40 after the end of the heating step S13 to maintain the state in which the operation of the heat exchanger has ended, and to start the moisture supply step S50 after the end of the standby step S40. This is to induce cleaning and sterilization of the water collection chamber 61 by converting the steam injected into the first heat exchanger 41 into hot water and supplying it to the water collection chamber 61.

[0088] During the operation of the heat exchange unit 4, the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger 41 is at a relatively low temperature, while the refrigerant passing through the second heat exchanger 42 is at a relatively high temperature. Therefore, immediately after the operation of the heat exchange unit 4 ends, the temperature of the refrigerant adjacent to the first heat exchanger 41 is lower than the temperature of the refrigerant adjacent to the second heat exchanger 42.

[0089] However, after a certain period of time has elapsed since the operation of the heat exchange unit 4 ended (after a certain period of time has elapsed since the operation of the compressor ended), the temperature of the refrigerant reaches an equilibrium state. That is, after a certain period of time has elapsed since the operation of the heat exchange unit ended, the temperature of the refrigerant adjacent to the first heat exchanger 41 and the temperature of the refrigerant adjacent to the second heat exchanger 42 become the same. This means that the temperature of the refrigerant located in the region where the first heat exchanger 41 is fixed in the refrigerant pipe 48 rises after the operation of the heat exchange unit 4 ends, and the temperature of the refrigerant located in the region where the second heat exchanger 42 is fixed decreases after the operation of the heat exchange unit 4 ends. After a certain period of time has elapsed since the operation of the heat exchange unit 4 ended, the temperature of the first heat exchanger 41 and the temperature of the second heat exchanger 42 become the same.

[0090] Therefore, after the refrigerant reaches a temperature equilibrium state, if the steam generated by the steam generator 8 is injected into the first heat exchanger 41, it is possible to clean and sterilize the first heat exchanger 41 by supplying a small amount of steam in a short time, and the steam can also be converted into water (hot water) at a temperature higher than room temperature. The steam converted into hot water moves to the water collection chamber 61 via the drain space 332 and the drain port 335, thereby enabling the cleaning and sterilization of the water collection chamber 61 as well.

[0091] If steam is injected into the first heat exchanger 41 before the refrigerant temperature reaches equilibrium, cleaning and sterilization of the first heat exchanger 41 is possible, but cleaning and sterilization of the water collection chamber 61 may be difficult. This is because if steam is injected into the first heat exchanger 41 before the refrigerant temperature reaches equilibrium, the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger 41 will be lower than room temperature, and water at a lower temperature than room temperature (chilled water) will be supplied to the water collection chamber 61.

[0092] Maintaining the operation termination state of the heat exchange unit during the standby stage S40 means maintaining the operation termination state of the compressor 45. However, the transfer unit 5 may operate during the standby stage S40, or it may be controlled to maintain the operation termination state. If the transfer unit 5 operates during the standby stage S40, it becomes possible to shorten the time required to reach temperature equilibrium of the refrigerant.

[0093] The standby stage S40 can be maintained for a predetermined time (waiting time) after the end of the heating stage S13. That is, the moisture supply stage S50 can be configured to start after the end of the heating stage S13 and after the waiting time has elapsed.

[0094] The waiting time may be set as the time it takes for the refrigerant to reach thermal equilibrium after the end of the heating stage S13, or it may be set as the time it takes for the refrigerant temperature to reach 40 to 50 degrees Celsius. The time it takes for the refrigerant temperature to reach 40 to 50 degrees Celsius after the end of the heating stage S13 can be determined by experiment.

[0095] Unlike the foregoing, the standby stage S40 may be configured to terminate if the temperature of the first heat exchanger 41 is above a preset reference temperature. That is, the moisture supply stage S50 may be configured to start after the heating stage ends S13 when the temperature of the first heat exchanger 41 reaches the reference temperature. The reference temperature can be set to 40 to 50 degrees Celsius.

[0096] On the other hand, the temperature of the first heat exchanger 41 can be measured via the first heat exchanger temperature sensors 481 and 482. That is, the temperature of the first heat exchanger 41 can be determined based on at least one of the temperatures of the refrigerant located between the pressure regulator 47 and the first heat exchanger 41, and the temperatures of the refrigerant located between the first heat exchanger 41 and the compressor 45.

[0097] Unlike the foregoing, the standby stage S40 may be configured to end when the temperature difference between the first heat exchanger 41 and the second heat exchanger 42 falls below a preset reference temperature difference. That is, the moisture supply stage S50 may be configured to start after the end of the heating stage S13 when the temperature difference between the first heat exchanger 41 and the second heat exchanger 42 falls below the reference temperature difference.

[0098] The temperature of the first heat exchanger 41 can be measured through the first heat exchanger temperature sensors 481 and 482, and the temperature of the second heat exchanger 42 can be measured through the second heat exchanger temperature sensors 483 and 484.

[0099] In other words, the temperature of the first heat exchanger 41 is determined based on at least one of the following: the temperature of the refrigerant located between the pressure regulator 47 and the first heat exchanger 41 (temperature measured by the first sensor), and the temperature of the refrigerant located between the first heat exchanger 41 and the compressor 45 (temperature measured by the second sensor). The temperature of the second heat exchanger 42 can be determined based on at least one of the following: the temperature of the refrigerant located between the compressor 45 and the second heat exchanger 42 (temperature measured by the third sensor), and the temperature of the refrigerant located between the second heat exchanger 42 and the pressure regulator 47 (temperature measured by the fourth sensor).

[0100] In order to raise the temperature of the hot water produced by steam condensation as high as possible, the water supply step S50 may also be started when both the temperature of the refrigerant supplied to the first heat exchanger 41 (temperature measured by the first sensor) and the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger 41 (temperature measured by the second sensor) reach the reference temperature.

[0101] In order to enhance the cleaning or sterilization effect of the water collection chamber 61, the water collection chamber 61 must be empty. Therefore, after the end of the heating step S13, the control method can execute the condensed water drainage step S20. The condensed water drainage step S20 may be provided as a step in which the drain pump 71 moves the condensed water inside the water collection chamber 61 to the drain tank 73 or to the outside of the cabinet 1. In this case, the steam generation step S30 may be executed during the condensed water drainage step S20 or after the end of the condensed water drainage step S20.

[0102] The sterilization step S60 is a step in which steam or moist air inside the flow channel section 3 is moved to the drum body 21 via the transfer section 5, and hot, dry air inside the drum body 21 is moved to the flow channel section 3.

[0103] Since the inside of the drum body 21 and the flow path section 3 are at a high temperature through the heating step S10, when the transfer unit 5 supplies steam or humid air to the drum body 21 in the sterilization step S60, the high-temperature steam or high-temperature humid air will circulate along the circulation flow paths 21 and 3. Therefore, the control method can sterilize the drum body 21, the flow path section 3, the first heat exchanger 41, and the second heat exchanger 42 through the sterilization step S60.

[0104] In order to effectively sterilize the first heat exchanger 41 and supply a large amount of hot water to the water collection chamber 61, the sterilization step S60 may be started after the completion of the water supply step S50. However, in order to shorten the sterilization time, the sterilization step S60 may be started while the water supply step S50 is in progress.

[0105] The sterilization step S60 is performed within a predetermined reference time S70, and after the completion of the sterilization step S60, the control method may perform a cooling step S80. The cooling step S80 may be provided as a step to lower the temperature of the circulation channels 21 and 3 by ending the operation of the steam generator 8 and operating the transfer unit 5.

[0106] On the other hand, after the completion of the sterilization step S60, the control method may execute the water collection section cleaning step S90. The water collection section cleaning step S90 is a step in which the drain pump 71 is operated to discharge the water inside the water collection chamber 61 to the drain tank 73 or the outside of the cabinet 1, and may be executed before the cooling step S80, simultaneously with the cooling step S80, or after the completion of the cooling step S80.

[0107] In order to enhance the sterilization effect of the drum body 21, the flow path section 3, and the heat exchangers 41 and 42 through the aforementioned heating stage S10, moisture supply stage S50, and sterilization stage S60, it is necessary to supply a sufficient amount of steam at or above the appropriate temperature.

[0108] By appropriately setting the ratio between the time the heat exchange unit 4 was operating in the heating stage S10 and the time steam was supplied to the first heat exchanger 41 in the moisture supply stage S50, a sufficient amount of steam can be supplied regardless of the volume of the circulation channels 21 and 3.

[0109] Experiments have shown that when the ratio of the time the heat exchange unit 4 operates in the heating stage S10 to the time steam is supplied to the first heat exchanger 41 in the moisture supply stage S50 is set to 8:1 to 9:1, the drum body 21, the flow path 3, and the heat exchangers 41 and 42 can be sterilized. For example, if the heat exchange unit 4 operates for about 40 minutes in the heating stage S10, the moisture supply stage S50 can be configured to spray steam onto the first heat exchanger 41 for about 5 minutes.

[0110] On the other hand, the time for supplying steam to the first heat exchanger 41 can be divided into a water heating time during which the steam generator 8 heats the water and an injection time during which steam is injected into the first heat exchanger 41. In this case, the ratio of the water heating time to the injection time can be set to 1:1. That is, the ratio of the time during which the heat exchange unit 4 operates, the water heating time, and the injection time in the heating stage S10 can be set from 8:1:1 to 9:1:1. For example, if the heat exchange unit 4 operates for about 40 minutes in the heating stage S10, the water supply stage S50 can be provided to have a water heating time of about 5 minutes and an injection time of about 5 minutes.

[0111] The garment processing apparatus and control method described above are merely examples of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0112] [One aspect of the present invention] [Claim 1] A method for controlling a clothing processing device, The garment processing apparatus is A drum in which clothing is stored; A flow path section that guides the air discharged from the drum back to the drum; A transfer unit that moves air along the aforementioned flow path; A heat exchange section comprising a compressor for moving refrigerant along a refrigerant pipe, a pressure regulator provided on the refrigerant pipe, a first heat exchanger for dehumidifying air by exchanging heat between air flowing into the flow path and refrigerant discharged from the pressure regulator, and a second heat exchanger for heating air by exchanging heat between air that has passed through the first heat exchanger and refrigerant discharged from the compressor; A water collection section in which condensed water removed from the air passing through the first heat exchanger is stored; and The device comprises a steam generator that injects steam into the aforementioned flow path; A heating step in which the transfer unit and the heat exchange unit are operated to raise the temperature of the drum and the flow path; A standby phase is performed after the completion of the heating phase, maintaining the state in which the heat exchange unit has ceased operation; After the completion of the standby stage, a moisture supply stage is performed in which the steam generator injects steam into the flow path; and A method for controlling a garment processing apparatus, characterized by including a sterilization step of sterilizing the drum, the flow path, the first heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger by circulating the steam inside the flow path through the transfer section. [Claim 2] The method for controlling a garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the moisture supply step involves supplying steam to the first heat exchanger. [Claim 3] The control method for a garment processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the standby stage ends when the temperature of the first heat exchanger reaches or exceeds a preset reference temperature. [Claim 4] The method for controlling a garment processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the reference temperature is set to 40 to 50 degrees Celsius. [Claim 5] The method for controlling a clothing processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the temperature of the first heat exchanger is set to at least one of the temperature of the refrigerant located between the pressure regulator and the first heat exchanger, and the temperature of the refrigerant located between the first heat exchanger and the compressor. [Claim 6] The control method for a garment processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the standby stage ends when the difference between the temperature of the first heat exchanger and the temperature of the second heat exchanger is less than or equal to a preset reference temperature difference. [Claim 7] The temperature of the first heat exchanger is set to at least one of the temperature of the refrigerant located between the pressure regulator and the first heat exchanger, and the temperature of the refrigerant located between the first heat exchanger and the compressor. The method for controlling a clothing processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the temperature of the second heat exchanger is set to at least one of the temperature of the refrigerant located between the compressor and the second heat exchanger, and the temperature of the refrigerant located between the second heat exchanger and the pressure regulator. [Claim 8] The control method for a garment processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the standby stage progresses during a preset standby time, and the standby time is set as the time until the temperature of the first heat exchanger reaches 40 to 50 degrees Celsius. [Claim 9] The method for controlling a clothing processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the standby stage progresses during a predetermined standby time, and the standby time is set as the time until the refrigerant reaches temperature equilibrium. [Claim 10] The method for controlling a clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sterilization step is started during the progress of the moisture supply step or after the completion of the moisture supply step. [Claim 11] A method for controlling a garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling step in which, upon completion of the sterilization step, the operation of the steam generator is terminated and the transfer unit is operated. [Claim 12] The control method for a garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratio of the time the heat exchange unit was in operation during the heating stage to the time steam was supplied to the first heat exchanger during the moisture supply stage is set to 8:1 to 9:1. [Claim 13] A method for controlling a clothing processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 12, further comprising a water collection section cleaning step of discharging the water inside the water collection section to the outside of the water collection section after the completion of the sterilization step. [Claim 14] A method for controlling a clothing processing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a condensed water drainage step of discharging water from inside the water collection section to the outside of the water collection section before the commencement of the water supply step.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a clothing processing device, The garment processing apparatus is A drum in which clothing is stored; A flow path that guides the air discharged from the drum back to the drum; A transfer unit that moves air along the aforementioned flow path; A heat exchange section comprising a compressor for moving refrigerant along a refrigerant pipe, a pressure regulator provided on the refrigerant pipe, a first heat exchanger for dehumidifying air by exchanging heat between air flowing into the flow path and refrigerant discharged from the pressure regulator, and a second heat exchanger for heating air by exchanging heat between air that has passed through the first heat exchanger and refrigerant discharged from the compressor; A water collection section in which condensed water removed from the air passing through the first heat exchanger is stored; and The system comprises a steam generator that injects steam into the aforementioned flow path; A heating step in which the transfer unit and the heat exchange unit are operated to raise the temperature of the drum and the flow path; A standby phase is performed after the completion of the heating phase, in which the operation of the heat exchange unit is terminated; After the completion of the standby stage, a moisture supply stage is performed in which the steam generator injects steam into the flow path; and A method for controlling a garment processing apparatus, characterized by including a sterilization step of sterilizing the drum, the flow path, the first heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger by circulating the steam inside the flow path through the transfer section.

2. The method for controlling a garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the moisture supply step involves supplying steam to the first heat exchanger.

3. The control method for a garment processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the standby stage ends when the temperature of the first heat exchanger reaches or exceeds a preset reference temperature.

4. The method for controlling a garment processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the reference temperature is set to 40 to 50 degrees Celsius.

5. The method for controlling a clothing processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the temperature of the first heat exchanger is set to at least one of the temperature of the refrigerant located between the pressure regulator and the first heat exchanger, and the temperature of the refrigerant located between the first heat exchanger and the compressor.

6. The control method for a garment processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the standby stage ends when the difference between the temperature of the first heat exchanger and the temperature of the second heat exchanger is less than or equal to a preset reference temperature difference.

7. The temperature of the first heat exchanger is set to at least one of the temperature of the refrigerant located between the pressure regulator and the first heat exchanger, and the temperature of the refrigerant located between the first heat exchanger and the compressor. The method for controlling a clothing processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the temperature of the second heat exchanger is set to at least one of the temperature of the refrigerant located between the compressor and the second heat exchanger, and the temperature of the refrigerant located between the second heat exchanger and the pressure regulator.

8. The control method for a garment processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the standby stage proceeds during a predetermined standby time, and the standby time is set as the time until the temperature of the first heat exchanger reaches 40 to 50 degrees Celsius.

9. The method for controlling a clothing processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the standby stage progresses during a predetermined standby time, and the standby time is set as the time until the refrigerant reaches temperature equilibrium.

10. The method for controlling a clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sterilization step is started during the progress of the moisture supply step or after the completion of the moisture supply step.

11. A method for controlling a garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a cooling step in which, upon completion of the sterilization step, the operation of the steam generator is terminated and the transfer unit is operated.

12. The control method for a garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratio of the time the heat exchange unit was in operation during the heating stage to the time steam was supplied to the first heat exchanger during the moisture supply stage is set to 8:1 to 9:

1.

13. A method for controlling a clothing processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 12, further comprising a water collection section cleaning step of discharging the water inside the water collection section to the outside of the water collection section after the completion of the sterilization step.

14. A method for controlling a clothing processing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a condensed water drainage step of discharging water from inside the water collection section to the outside of the water collection section before the start of the water supply step.

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