Clothing processing equipment
The garment processing apparatus addresses complex wire arrangements and signal obstruction by using a communication unit with optimized terminal connections and distinct panel materials to enhance signal reception and structural stability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- LG ELECTRONICS INC
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing clothing treatment devices face challenges with complex wire arrangements and connections, unstable wireless signal reception due to metal cabinets obstructing communication, and inefficient terminal couplings, leading to reduced usability and maintenance complexity.
A garment processing apparatus with a control module featuring a communication unit that receives wireless signals through an opening in the cabinet, utilizing a metal external panel and a polymer panel case with different shielding rates, and stable terminal connections for efficient wire arrangement.
Improves wireless signal reception, minimizes user input configuration, and enhances structural stability by optimizing wire connections and terminal couplings within the device.
Smart Images

Figure 2026522581000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a clothing treatment device, and more particularly to a clothing treatment device capable of communicating with an external device.
Background Art
[0002] A clothing treatment device is a device that executes various treatment courses for treating clothing, such as a washing course for putting clothing, bedding, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "laundry") into the inside of a drum and removing dirt attached to the laundry, or a drying course for removing moisture existing in the clothing.
[0003] The clothing treatment device includes a cabinet forming an appearance, and can include a drum provided inside the cabinet and for accommodating clothing. Further, when water is used in the clothing treatment course, a tub is provided inside the cabinet, and the drum can be installed inside the tub.
[0004] On the other hand, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0023986 discloses a clothing treatment device including a display unit and a search unit for providing a plurality of treatment courses to a user.
[0005] The user can operate the clothing treatment device using a search unit or the like, and can check various courses through the display unit. The user can select any one of the various courses and proceed with the clothing treatment process.
[0006] On the other hand, the clothing treatment device can include a control unit connected to the display unit and the search unit, and a plurality of electric wires can be connected to the control unit for electrical / signal connections of various configurations.
[0007] However, since the plurality of electric wires connected to the control unit have a complicated arrangement and connection relationship, there is a risk that the ease of management and maintenance is reduced, and also the coupling between terminals for connecting the electric wires in the manufacturing process may be complicated and unstable.
[0008] On the other hand, the control unit can be provided to communicate with an external device located outside the garment processing device.
[0009] For example, the control unit may include a communication unit for communicating with the external device, and the communication unit can exchange information with the external device using wireless communication methods such as Wi-Fi (WIFI) or Bluetooth (BLUETOOTH®).
[0010] However, the communication unit may be located inside the cabinet, in which case there is a risk that wireless signals transmitted from outside the garment processing device for wireless communication may be obstructed when reaching the communication unit.
[0011] For example, if the cabinet is made of metal to ensure rigidity, the rate at which the wireless signal is blocked by the cabinet may increase, potentially preventing smooth communication in the communication unit.
[0012] If the transmission and reception of wireless signals in the communication unit is not performed smoothly, the control unit will be unable to communicate with external devices, and processes that require cooperation with external devices will not be able to be executed, which may lead to a decrease in usability.
[0013] Therefore, developing a garment processing apparatus that minimizes structural complexity, allows a communication unit located inside the cabinet to effectively receive wireless signals transmitted from outside the cabinet, and further has a stable arrangement and coupling structure for connecting wires between components is a crucial challenge in this field. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0014] Embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a garment processing apparatus that can effectively improve the reception rate of wireless signals in the control unit.
[0015] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a clothing processing apparatus that can improve the reception rate of wireless signals in the control unit while minimizing the configuration of the input unit operated by the user.
[0016] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a garment processing apparatus that can improve the structural stability of the control module provided in the input / output section.
[0017] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a garment processing apparatus in which various wires connected to a control module are efficiently arranged and stable connections between terminals are achieved. [Means for solving the problem]
[0018] A garment processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an input / output unit, the input / output unit including a control module located inside a cabinet. The control module is provided with a communication unit for receiving wireless signals transmitted from the outside, and the communication unit can receive the wireless signals through an opening provided in the cabinet.
[0019] The garment processing device may have a storage unit in which detergent is stored drawn into the cabinet through an opening, or a residual water collection unit for removing residual water generated inside the cabinet may be drawn in.
[0020] The external panel constituting the cabinet may be equipped with the control module, and the external panel has the opening adjacent to the control module, and all other openings adjacent to the control module are removed, thereby shielding the inside of the cabinet.
[0021] The module housing of the control module may include a terminal housing to which the terminals of the wires connected to the control unit can be fixed, and the terminals of the control wires connected to the control board of the control module can be terminal-coupled to wires arranged outside the control module while fixed to the terminal housing.
[0022] The clothing treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above includes a cabinet, a tub, a drum, a detergent section, and an input / output section.
[0023] The tub is provided inside the cabinet and stores water. The drum is rotatably provided inside the tub and houses clothing. The detergent section is provided inside the cabinet and supplies detergent to the tub. The input / output section is provided on the cabinet and provides information to the user or receives the user's commands.
[0024] The cabinet includes an external panel, and the external panel can include an opening that is provided with the input / output section, is disposed adjacent to the input / output section, and communicates the inside and outside of the cabinet.
[0025] The detergent section can include a storage unit that is drawn into the inside of the cabinet through the opening, the input / output section is provided inside the cabinet and includes a control module coupled to the external panel, and the control module can be provided with a communication device that receives a wireless signal on one side facing the opening.
[0026] The external panel is made of a metal material, and the communication device can receive the wireless signal propagated into the inside of the cabinet through the opening. The external panel can be made of a first material having a first shielding rate with respect to the wireless signal.
[0027] The detergent section can include a panel case made of a second material having a second shielding rate lower than the first shielding rate, which is coupled to the external panel and disposed to face the opening, and the communication device can be disposed to face the panel case.
[0028] The external panel is made of a metal material, and the panel case can be made of a polymer material.
[0029] The control module includes a module housing coupled to the external panel and having a control board for controlling the input / output unit provided therein, and the communication device can include a communication board provided outside the module housing and arranged to face the opening.
[0030] The communication board can be provided on one surface of the module housing facing the opening. The module housing can include a board fixing portion to which the communication board is fixed in a state of being exposed toward the opening.
[0031] At least a part of the communication board is arranged to protrude from the module housing, and an electric wire connection portion to which a communication electric wire is connected can be provided.
[0032] The external panel forms the front surface of the cabinet, the control module is arranged adjacent to the opening along the width direction of the cabinet above the external panel, and the electric wire connection portion of the communication device can protrude downward from the module housing.
[0033] The control module includes a module housing coupled to the external panel and having a control board for controlling the input / output unit provided therein, and the communication device can include a communication electric wire connected to a control electric wire drawn out from the control module outside the module housing.
[0034] The module housing includes a first terminal accommodating portion to which either the terminal of the communication electric wire or the terminal of the control electric wire is coupled and fixed, and the other of the terminal of the communication electric wire and the terminal of the control electric wire can be coupled to the one fixed to the first terminal accommodating portion.
[0035] The first terminal housing can be exposed to the outside of the module housing. The control wires may consist of multiple wires, including a first control wire, a second control wire, and a third control wire.
[0036] The terminals of the first control wire can be connected to the terminals of the communication wire outside the module housing, and the second control wire and the third control wire can be connected to each other outside the module housing.
[0037] The module housing includes a second terminal housing to which either the terminal of the second control wire or the terminal of the third control wire is coupled and fixed, and the other terminal of the second control wire or the terminal of the third control wire can be coupled to either of the two terminals fixed to the second terminal housing.
[0038] The control boards are provided in multiple configurations, including a first control board and a second control board. The first control wire and the second control wire are drawn out from the first control board, and the third control wire can be drawn out from the second control board.
[0039] The control module includes a display that outputs a screen, and the first control board controls the display and can be connected to the second control board via the second control wire and the third control wire.
[0040] The garment processing apparatus may further include an internal module located inside the cabinet and signal-connected to the control module, and the control wire may further include a fourth control wire connected to the internal module.
[0041] The module housing may include a wire guide section that guides the position of the fourth control wire.
[0042] The external panel has an opening positioned on one side of the input / output section with respect to the width direction of the cabinet, and the other side of the input / output section can shield the inside of the cabinet.
[0043] The external panel may include a fixed projection that protrudes inward from the cabinet, and the control module may include a module housing that is coupled to the fixed projection and fixed to the external panel.
[0044] The fixed protrusions may be provided in multiple quantities, and the module housing may include multiple insertion couplings that are coupled to the fixed protrusions, with some of the multiple insertion couplings positioned on the outside of the module housing and the remainder positioned on the inside of the module housing and provided to penetrate the module housing. [Effects of the Invention]
[0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a clothing processing apparatus that can effectively improve the reception rate of wireless signals in the control unit.
[0046] Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a clothing processing device in which the configuration of the input unit operated by the user is minimized and the reception rate of wireless signals in the control unit is improved.
[0047] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a garment processing apparatus that can improve the structural stability of the control module provided in the input / output section.
[0048] Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a garment processing apparatus in which various wires connected to the control module are efficiently arranged and stable connections between terminals can be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0049] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a garment processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]This is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of a garment processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows the input / output section of a clothing processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an exploded perspective view showing the input / output section disassembled in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows a storage unit for a clothing processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows a panel case for a garment processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows a control module provided on an external panel in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows the coupling structure between the external panel and the control module in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a front perspective view of an input / output unit, including a control module, as seen from the front, in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a rear perspective view of an input / output section, including a control module, as seen from the rear in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is an exploded perspective view showing the output section of the input / output unit in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a front view of a control module as seen from the front in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This figure shows a communication device provided in a control module in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This is a bottom view of a control module as seen from below in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] This figure shows the terminal housing portion of a control module in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This figure shows a state in which the terminals are connected to the terminal housing portion in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] This figure shows a state in which a control module is equipped with a first control wire and a second control wire in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18]This figure shows a state in which the terminals of the first control wire and the second control wire of the control module are arranged in the terminal housing in one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0050] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, so that they can be easily implemented by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.
[0051] However, the present invention can be realized in various forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, in order to clearly illustrate the present invention, unnecessary parts have been omitted from the drawings, and similar parts throughout the specification are denoted by similar reference numerals.
[0052] In this specification, redundant explanations of the same components are omitted.
[0053] Furthermore, when this specification refers to a component being "connected" or "linked" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected to or linked to the other component, or that other components may exist in between. On the other hand, when this specification refers to a component being "directly connected" or "directly linked" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.
[0054] Furthermore, the terms used in this specification are used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention.
[0055] Furthermore, in this specification, a singular expression includes plural expressions unless the meaning is clearly different in context.
[0056] Furthermore, in this specification, terms such as “includes” or “having” are intended to specify the presence of features, figures, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof as described in the specification, and should be understood not to preemptively exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.
[0057] Furthermore, in this specification, the term "and / or" includes any combination of the listed items or any of the listed items. In this specification, "A or B" includes "A", "B", or "A and B".
[0058] Figures 1 and 2 show a garment processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] Referring to Figure 1, one embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 10. The cabinet 10 forms the exterior of the garment processing apparatus 1, and its interior is defined with a space for housing a drum 20 and the like, which will be described later.
[0060] The cabinet 10 can have various shapes as needed, such as a polygonal prism or a cylinder. As shown in Figure 1, when the cabinet 10 is provided in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, the cabinet 10 may be formed by joining together a plurality of panels, or by integrally molding and folding the plurality of panels.
[0061] If the cabinet 10 includes multiple panels, these multiple panels may include at least some of a front panel, a rear panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, and a pair of side panels.
[0062] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cabinet 10 may include an external panel 13, which may be any one of a front panel, a rear panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, and a pair of side panels.
[0063] The external panel 13 refers to a panel in the cabinet 10 that is exposed to the outside, and can define one side of the cabinet 10. For example, the external panel 13 may be a front panel that forms the front of the cabinet 10.
[0064] The external panel 13 may include an input / output section 80 and an opening 18, which will be described in detail later.
[0065] On the other hand, the cabinet 10 may have a clothing opening 11 for inserting clothes into it. The clothing opening 11 is formed on one side of the cabinet 10 and can serve as an entrance for the user to insert clothes into the cabinet 10.
[0066] The clothing loading opening 11 can be formed on the front panel or top panel of the cabinet 10. That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the clothing loading opening 11 can be formed on the front panel to employ a front-loading system, or it can be formed on the top panel to employ a top-loading system.
[0067] Figure 1 shows a front-loading type garment processing device 1 in which the garment input opening 11 is formed on the front panel of the cabinet 10, but a top-loading type may be adopted if necessary.
[0068] On the other hand, the cabinet 10 may be equipped with a clothing door 12 for opening and closing the clothing slot 11. The clothing door 12 can be provided on the cabinet 10 in various ways that allow the clothing slot 11 to be opened and closed. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which the clothing door 12 is hinged to the cabinet 10, and one side thereof is rotatably connected to the cabinet 10.
[0069] The garment door 12 can rotate around a hinge to determine whether to open or close the garment opening 11. For example, the garment door 12 can open the garment opening 11 by rotating around the hinge away from the cabinet 10, or close the garment opening 11 by rotating around the hinge in a direction that brings it into contact with the cabinet 10.
[0070] On the other hand, the cabinet 10 may be equipped with a door lock mechanism to maintain the locked state of the clothing door 12. The door lock mechanism can fix the clothing door 12 so that it keeps the clothing opening 11 closed.
[0071] One embodiment of the present invention may include a control unit, which is signal-connected to the door lock unit and can control the closed state of the clothing door 12 by controlling the operating state of the door lock unit.
[0072] For example, the door lock is controlled by the control unit, which can fix the clothing door 12 in a locked state so that the closed clothing door 12 does not change to an open state. When the lock on the door lock is released, the clothing door 12 automatically rotates to open the clothing opening 11, or it can be freely operated to the open state by the user. A detailed explanation of the control unit will be given later.
[0073] On the other hand, the cabinet 10 may be equipped with an input / output unit 80 that can be operated by the user to generate input signals. The specific structure of the input / output unit 80 will be described later.
[0074] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, the external panel 13 may include the input / output unit 80 and the opening 18. Furthermore, the external panel 13 may be provided with the aforementioned clothing loading opening 11. For example, the external panel 13 corresponds to the front panel of the cabinet 10, and the input / output unit 80 and the opening 18 may be provided above the clothing loading opening 11.
[0075] The opening 18 may be provided to connect the inside and outside of the cabinet 10. The opening 18 may include a hole that penetrates the outer panel 13, through which the inside and outside of the cabinet 10 can communicate.
[0076] In one embodiment of the present invention, the opening 18 can be positioned adjacent to the input / output section 80. The opening 18 and the input / output section 80 can be positioned parallel to each other and aligned along the width direction of the cabinet 10.
[0077] A garment processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a detergent unit 300, which will be described later, and the storage unit 310 of the detergent unit 300 can be inserted into the cabinet 10 through the opening 18. A detailed description of the detergent unit 300 will be given later.
[0078] On the other hand, Figure 2 shows a garment processing apparatus 1 relating to one embodiment of the present invention, which includes a tab 30 and a detergent unit 300, and is capable of running a course for washing clothes.
[0079] Referring to Figure 2, when the garment processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention executes a washing course for clothes, the garment processing apparatus 1 may include a tab 30 and a detergent unit 300, etc.
[0080] The tab 30 is provided inside the cabinet 10 and can form a space for storing water inside, and can have various shapes. A tab opening 31 can be formed on one side of the tab 30, facing the clothing opening 11 of the cabinet 10.
[0081] For example, the tab 30 can be cylindrical with an internal space, and the front of the tab 30 can include a tab opening 31 facing the garment opening 11. Garments inserted through the garment opening 11 can be inserted into the interior of the tab 30 through the tab opening 31.
[0082] The drum 20 can be housed inside the tab 30. The drum 20 can have various shapes that form a space inside. The drum 20 can be rotatably mounted by the drive unit 70.
[0083] The drum 20 may have a drum opening 21 formed on one side facing the tab opening 31. For example, the front surface of the drum 20 may include a drum opening 21 facing the tab opening 31. The inside of the drum 20 can communicate with the outside through the drum opening 21, the tab opening 31, and the garment loading opening 11.
[0084] Garments inserted by the user through the garment input opening 11 can be housed inside the drum 20 via the garment input opening 11, the tab opening 31, and the drum opening 21. The garment input opening 11, the tab opening 31, and the drum opening 21 can be aligned in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the drum 20.
[0085] The drum 20 may be defined in the present invention as a storage section, as clothing is stored inside it. That is, a clothing processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a drum 20 or a storage section.
[0086] The drum 20 can have a circular cross-section to facilitate rotation around the axis of rotation. For example, the drum 20 can be provided in a cylindrical shape. In addition, multiple through holes can be formed on the circumferential surface of the drum 20.
[0087] The drum 20, which is installed inside the tub 30 that holds water, allows water from inside the tub 30 to flow into the drum 20 through the through-hole, providing water to the clothes.
[0088] The rotating shaft of the drum 20 is connected to the drive unit 70, and rotational force can be supplied to it. In other words, the garment processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a drive unit 70 that rotates the drum 20.
[0089] The drive unit 70 can be located on the outside of the tab 30, and the rear surface of the drum 20 can be connected to the rotating shaft. The drive unit 70 can be directly connected to the rotating shaft or indirectly connected via a belt or the like.
[0090] On the other hand, one embodiment of the present invention may include a water supply unit 40. The water supply unit 40 is connected to an external water source located outside the cabinet 10, such as a city water source, and can supply water to the inside of the cabinet 10.
[0091] The water supply unit 40 may include a water supply valve that controls the flow of water, and water flowing in from outside the cabinet 10 can flow along the water supply pipe and be supplied directly into the tub 30 or to the detergent unit 300.
[0092] The detergent unit 300 stores detergent and can supply the detergent into the tub 30 or drum 20. The detergent unit 300 can supply the detergent into the tub 30 via a detergent pipe connected to the tub 30.
[0093] When the water supply pipe is connected to the detergent section 300, the detergent section 300 can supply both water and detergent supplied via the water supply pipe to the inside of the tab 30 via the detergent pipe.
[0094] On the other hand, one embodiment of the present invention may include a drain unit 60. The control unit can control the drain unit 60 to discharge the water inside the tub 30 to the outside during a washing course or the like, and execute a draining process.
[0095] The drain section 60 is connected to the tab 30 and may include a drain pipe for the water inside the tab 30 to flow to the outside, a drain valve for controlling the flow of water in the drain pipe, and a drain pump for generating the flow of water in the drain pipe.
[0096] On the other hand, one embodiment of the present invention may include a control unit. The control unit is signal-connected to various power-consuming components and can control the operation of each component. The control unit may be divided into multiple units as needed and may include various detailed components.
[0097] For example, the control unit may include a communication device 190 (described later) for functional communication with the outside or other configurations, a storage unit for storing information, and an arithmetic unit for processing information. Furthermore, the control unit may also include sub-control units provided for each configuration, and a main control unit that is signal-connected to the sub-control units and is responsible for controlling them.
[0098] As described above, the detailed configurations of the control units, which are divided by function or configuration, may be arranged spatially apart from each other, or at least a portion of them may be spatially and functionally integrated as needed.
[0099] As an example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may include a control module 100 for controlling the input / output unit 80, and an internal module 160 provided inside the cabinet 10 and signal-connected to the control module 100. The internal module 160 may be provided to control a drive unit 70 or the like.
[0100] On the other hand, the garment processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may also be configured to execute a course for drying clothes. In the garment processing apparatus 1 that executes a course for drying clothes, the components for washing clothes, such as the aforementioned tab 30 and detergent unit 300, may be omitted.
[0101] The garment drying apparatus 1 may include the aforementioned drum 20, i.e., a garment storage unit. The storage unit may be rotatably mounted inside the cabinet 10. The drive unit 70 is located on one side of the cabinet 10 and can be connected to the drum 20 itself or the rotation axis of the drum 20 to provide rotational force to the drum 20.
[0102] On the other hand, the cabinet 10 may be equipped with an air conditioning unit to provide hot, dry air to the clothes inside the drum 20. The air conditioning unit can be provided in various forms.
[0103] For example, the air conditioning unit may be configured to heat the air by consuming electrical energy using a Peltier element or the like, or to heat the air by forming an electromagnetic field to heat a metal drum 20 or the like, or to include a heat pump system using a refrigerant to heat and dehumidify the air.
[0104] On the other hand, the storage unit 310 can store various fluids. The fluid may be detergent or water. The storage unit 310 can be pulled out to the outside of the cabinet 10 or pulled in to the inside through the opening 18.
[0105] When the garment processing device 1 is configured to perform laundry, the storage unit 310 can store detergent as part of the detergent unit 300. The user can pull out the storage unit 310 to store the detergent and then pull it back into the cabinet 10.
[0106] If the garment processing device 1 is configured to perform garment drying, the storage unit 310 can store water. The water in the storage unit 310 may be condensed water generated during the garment drying process.
[0107] Specifically, the storage unit 310 can store condensed water generated during the clothes drying process, i.e., condensed water removed from and collected from the clothes, and the user can separate the storage unit 310 from the cabinet 10 to remove the condensed water. Furthermore, if the clothes processing device 1 includes a steam generator, the water stored in the storage unit 310 can also be supplied to the steam generator and used to generate steam.
[0108] On the other hand, the garment processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be equipped to perform both a washing course and a drying course.
[0109] For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the garment processing apparatus 1 may include a water supply unit 40, a tub 30, a detergent unit 300, etc., for executing a garment washing course, and may also include an air adjustment unit for executing a drying course.
[0110] However, for the sake of convenience, the following explanation will be based on the case where the garment processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is equipped to perform a garment washing course.
[0111] In other words, unless otherwise specified, the following description will be based on a structure in which a tab 30 and a detergent unit 300 are provided inside the cabinet 10, the detergent is stored in a storage unit 310, and the storage unit 310 is pulled in or pulled out through an opening 18 in the external panel 13.
[0112] On the other hand, Figures 3 and 4 show an opening 18 and an input / output section 80 provided in the external panel 13 in one embodiment of the present invention.
[0113] The input / output unit 80 may include an input unit and / or an output unit 90. The input unit can generate input signals through user operation, and the output unit 90 can provide various information to the user through output signals from the control unit.
[0114] The input and output units 90 may be arranged together or separately so as to be distinct from each other. Multiple input and output units 90 may be provided and may be arranged at various positions in the cabinet 10.
[0115] Figure 3 shows an input / output unit 80 in which an input unit and an output unit 90 are integrally arranged, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 3, the input / output unit 80 is located on the front panel above the clothing door 12, but the position of the input / output unit 80 can be changed in various ways as needed.
[0116] As described above, the input / output unit 80 is provided in the cabinet 10 and can provide information to the user and receive user commands. In one embodiment of the present invention, the opening 18 and the input / output unit 80 may be arranged adjacent to each other, or they may be arranged parallel to each other along the width direction of the cabinet 10.
[0117] The input unit may include a plurality of buttons and an output unit 90. First, the output unit 90 may include a display 95 that outputs a screen for providing visual information to the user and a screen periphery surrounding the display 95.
[0118] The display unit 95 is connected to the control unit and can output a screen that provides the user with necessary information via the display unit 95. The output unit 90 may further include a speaker for providing the user with auditory signals, such as various notification sounds.
[0119] On the other hand, the input unit can generate various input signals through user operation. For example, the input unit may include at least one button that is physically operated by the user, a touch panel that detects user touch when the user's hand or other object touches it, and a microphone that receives audio signals from the user.
[0120] For reference, the term "button" in this invention includes physical buttons that produce a physical change through user operation and touch buttons that produce an electrical signal through contact with the user's hand or other means. In other words, the buttons in this invention can be provided in various types and shapes as needed.
[0121] The touch panel may be provided on the display 95 and detect user touches on the screen, or it may be provided on the external panel 13 outside the display 95.
[0122] The input section may include a power button 81. When the power button 81 is pressed, power can be supplied to the various components of the garment processing device 1.
[0123] A garment processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is connected to an external power source, but can maintain a standby or sleep state in which power is not supplied to the remaining components, with the exception of some components.
[0124] When the power button 81 is operated in the sleep state, power is supplied to the remaining components, and the device can switch to a powered-on state or a wake-up state, which prepares the device for executing a garment processing course.
[0125] One embodiment of the present invention may include a power standby unit that is always supplied with power from an external power source regardless of whether it is in a standby state or a power supply state, and the power standby unit may be configured to allow power to be supplied to other components such as a control unit when the power button 81 is pressed in the sleep state.
[0126] However, if necessary, the power supply standby unit may be omitted, and the entire configuration of the garment processing device 1 may be configured to switch between a power-off state and a power-on state.
[0127] The input unit may include an execution button 82. The execution button 82 may also be defined as a pause button. In one embodiment of the present invention, various courses for processing clothes stored inside the drum 20 can be executed by control of the control unit or the like. The user can command the execution or pause of a course by operating the execution button 82.
[0128] In one embodiment of the present invention, the input unit may further include, in addition to the power button 81 and the execute button 82, screen buttons for operating the screen output from the output unit 90. The screen buttons may be arranged on the periphery of the screen as described above.
[0129] In one embodiment of the present invention, the input / output unit 80 may omit button-type input means other than the power button 81, the execute button 82, the screen button, and the touchpad. For example, the input / output unit 80 may omit the option adjustment button for adjusting course options.
[0130] On the other hand, Figure 4 shows the input / output unit 80 according to one embodiment of the present invention in a disassembled state.
[0131] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, in one embodiment of the present invention, the input / output unit 80 may include an output unit 90, a power button 81, and an execution button 82, at least a portion of which is exposed outside the external panel 13, and may include a control module 100 provided inside the cabinet 10.
[0132] The control module 100 is located inside the cabinet 10 and can be coupled to the external panel 13, and can control the display 95 of the output unit 90. Here, the display 95 may be understood as part of the control module 100.
[0133] The control module 100 can receive input signals through the input unit and control the output unit 90 to output a screen or the like.
[0134] The output unit 90 may include an output housing 91 that houses a display 95 or the like. The output housing 91 is located outside the external panel 13 and can be connected to the control module 100.
[0135] As described above, the control unit may include a control module 100 and an internal module 160, and the control module 100 may include a control board 150 connected to the input / output unit 80. The control board 150 may include a first control board 151 connected to the display 95, and a second control board 153 located inside the module housing 110 of the control module 100 and connected to the first control board 151.
[0136] The output housing 91 can house the first control board 151, as well as a display 95 connected to the first control board 151. An output base 94 is provided inside the output housing 91, and the display 95 can be seated and fixed on the output base 94.
[0137] For example, the display 95 can be placed on one side of the output base 94, and the first control board 151 can be placed on the other side of the output base 94 and connected to the display 95. A touchpad for detecting user touch on the display 95 can be connected to the first control board 151.
[0138] The output unit 90 may include an outer cover 93. The output housing 91 may have one open side, and the outer cover 93 may be provided to cover the open side of the output housing 91. The output housing may have the display 95, the output housing 91, and the first control board 151 housed in it, to which the outer cover 93 may be attached.
[0139] The outer cover 93 can be exposed to the outside of the cabinet 10 together with the outer panel 13, and the screen output by the display 95 can be provided to the user through the outer cover 93.
[0140] The control module 100 may include a module housing 110 that is coupled to an external panel 13 inside the cabinet 10, and a second control board 153 may be provided inside the module housing 110. The second control board 153 may be signal-connected to the output section 90 and the input section, and the first control board 151 and the second control board 153 may be connected to each other so that they can exchange information.
[0141] On the other hand, Figure 5 shows the storage unit 310 partially pulled out from the cabinet 10. At least a portion of the storage unit 310 can be pulled into the cabinet 10 through the opening 18 in the external panel 13.
[0142] The storage unit 310 allows the user to store detergent. The storage unit 310 has a defined space inside for storing detergent. The detergent can be supplied into the tub 30 during a wash cycle. The user can pull out the storage unit 310 through the opening 18 as needed to wash or store detergent.
[0143] A handle portion 311 that can be grasped by a user can be provided on the portion of the storage unit 310 that is exposed to the outside of the cabinet 10. The handle portion 311 can form the front of the cabinet 10 together with the external panel 13.
[0144] On the other hand, Figure 6 shows a panel case 320 of the detergent unit 300 that is connected to the outer panel 13 from inside the cabinet 10. The panel case 320 is positioned facing the opening 18 and can be connected to the outer panel 13.
[0145] The storage unit 310, which is drawn into the interior of the cabinet 10 through the opening 18, can pass through the panel case 320. That is, the panel case 320 can be penetrated by the storage unit 310. The panel case 320 can accommodate at least a portion of the storage unit 310 that is drawn into the interior of the cabinet 10.
[0146] For example, the panel case 320 can be provided to accommodate the handle portion 311 of the storage unit 310, which is fully retracted into the cabinet 10. That is, the panel case 320 can include space for accommodating the handle portion 311 of the storage unit 310, etc.
[0147] On the other hand, Figure 7 shows one side of the external panel 13 as seen from inside the cabinet 10. Figure 7 shows the inner surface of the cabinet 10, extending from the external panel 13, and shows the control module 100, the opening 18, and the panel case 320.
[0148] The control module 100 can be coupled to an external panel 13. The external panel 13 is provided with a fixed projection 14, described below, that protrudes toward the control module 100, and the module housing 110 may include an insertion coupling portion 112 to which the fixed projection 14 is coupled.
[0149] Multiple fixed protrusions 14 and insertion couplings 112 may be provided. A portion of the fixed protrusions 14 may be located on the outside of the module housing 110 of the control module 100, while the remainder may be located on the inside of the module housing 110 so as to penetrate it.
[0150] In other words, some of the multiple insertion coupling portions 112 can be provided so as to protrude to the outside of the module housing 110, while the remainder can be provided so as to penetrate the module housing 110. A specific description of the fixed protrusion portion 14 and the insertion coupling portion 112 will be given later.
[0151] On the other hand, the control module 100 may include a communication device 190. The communication device 190 may be configured to communicate with an external device located outside the cabinet 10. The communication device 190 may be configured to receive radio signals propagated from outside the cabinet 10.
[0152] The external device can be located outside the garment processing device 1, and the control unit can be configured to communicate with the external device via a communication device 190. The communication device 190 can communicate with the external device using a wireless communication method.
[0153] For example, the communication device 190 can be configured to communicate with an external device using a wireless communication method such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and can be configured to receive wireless signals transmitted from the external device for communication.
[0154] External devices can include a variety of devices. For example, external devices can include terminals such as mobile phones and computers provided to the user, and can include servers that communicate with such terminals. They can also include communication devices located outside the clothing processing device 1 that generate wireless signals.
[0155] The communication device can generate a wireless signal containing information transmitted from the terminal or server. The communication device 190 can receive the wireless signal generated by the communication device and can also generate a wireless signal to be transmitted to the communication device.
[0156] The communication device can receive wireless signals transmitted from the communication device 190 and provide them to a server or terminal.
[0157] On the other hand, the communication device 190 can be provided on one side of the control module 100. The control module 100 can have the communication device 190 on one side facing the opening 18. This allows the communication device 190 to receive radio signals propagated into the cabinet 10 through the opening 18.
[0158] The external panel 13 constituting the cabinet 10 can be made of materials including various metal materials such as iron, aluminum, stainless steel, and tin to ensure rigidity. However, such metal materials may interfere with the propagation of the wireless signal due to their compositional characteristics.
[0159] Therefore, the communication device 190 installed inside the cabinet 10 may not be able to smoothly receive wireless signals propagated from outside the cabinet 10. However, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control module 100 is equipped with a communication device 190 that receives wireless signals on one side facing the opening 18, thereby enabling the reception of wireless signals through the opening 18.
[0160] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the external panel 13 may have an opening 18 including a hole, and wireless signals from outside the cabinet 10 can be transmitted into the cabinet 10 through the opening 18 without being subjected to propagation interference by metal materials or the like.
[0161] In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 190 for receiving the wireless signal is positioned on one side of the control module 100 facing the opening 18, thereby minimizing the distance to the opening 18 and enabling easy reception of the wireless signal propagated through the opening 18.
[0162] On the other hand, the configuration of the input / output unit 80 can be simplified to improve user convenience and enable simple and convenient operation. For example, option information for the course of clothing processing and buttons operated by the user can be simplified, thereby minimizing the open area on the external panel 13.
[0163] In other words, in one embodiment of the present invention, the external panel 13 is provided such that, with respect to the width direction of the cabinet 10, the opening 18 is located on one side of the input / output section 80 so that the inside and outside of the cabinet 10 can communicate, while there is no area on the other side of the input / output section 80 that allows the inside and outside of the cabinet 10 to be open.
[0164] In other words, in one embodiment of the present invention, the external panel 13 can form an open area around the input / output unit 80 equipped with the communication device 190, with only the opening 18 forming the open area. Even when the open area of the external panel 13 is minimized as described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 190 can receive wireless signals through the opening 18 for the storage unit 310 to be pulled in, thus enabling a simplification of the input / output unit 80 and realizing a smooth communication environment.
[0165] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control module 100 can be positioned on the upper part of the external panel 13, adjacent to the opening 18 along the width direction of the cabinet 10. The communication device 190 may include a communication board 195 that is capable of receiving wireless signals, and the communication board 195 may be provided on one side of the module housing 110 facing the opening 18.
[0166] This minimizes the distance between the communication device 190 provided in the control module 100 and the opening 18, thereby improving the reception rate of the wireless signal of the communication device 190.
[0167] On the other hand, the external panel 13 can be made of a metal material, and a panel case 320 can be provided at a position corresponding to the opening 18. That is, with respect to the width direction of the cabinet 10, the communication device 190 can be positioned so as to face one side of the panel case 320.
[0168] However, if the external panel 13 is made of a first material having a first blocking rate with respect to the wireless signal, the panel case 320 may be coupled to the external panel 13 and positioned to face the opening 18, and may be made of a second material having a second blocking rate lower than the first blocking rate.
[0169] For example, the external panel 13 may be made of a metal material, and the panel case 320 may be made of a polymer material. Since the polymer material has a low blocking rate for radio signals, it can significantly improve the reception rate of radio signals of the communication device 190.
[0170] In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 190 provided in the module housing 110 of the control module 100 is positioned facing the panel case 320 coupled to the external panel 13, thereby enabling it to effectively receive wireless signals propagated from outside the cabinet 10 by an external device and transmit wireless signals to the external device.
[0171] On the other hand, Figure 8 shows a fixed projection 14 provided on the external panel 13 and an insertion coupling portion 112 provided on the module housing 110, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As an example of multiple fixed projections 14 and multiple insertion coupling portions 112, Figure 8 shows a fixed projection 14 and an insertion coupling portion 112 located on the upper side of the module housing 110.
[0172] Referring to Figure 8, the external panel 13 may include a fixed projection 14 that protrudes inward from the cabinet 10. The fixed projection 14 can be joined to the inner surface of the external panel 13 by various methods such as welding, bolting, or bonding, or it can be formed integrally with the external panel 13, for example, by cutting out a part of the external panel 13.
[0173] The control module 100 may include a module housing 110 that is coupled to the fixed projection 14 and fixed to the external panel 13. The plurality of insertion coupling portions 112 provided in the module housing 110 may be arranged inside the module housing 110 and penetrate the module housing 110, or protrude to the outside of the module housing 110, as described above.
[0174] For the sake of explanation, in the following, the insertion coupling portion 112 located inside the module housing 110 will be defined as the inner insertion coupling portion 1121, and the insertion coupling portion 112 located outside the module housing 110, i.e., on the peripheral edge side of the module housing 110, will be defined as the outer insertion coupling portion 1122.
[0175] Figure 8 shows the external insertion coupling portion 1122. The external insertion coupling portion 1122 can be provided in a manner that protrudes from the module housing 110. For example, the external insertion coupling portion 1122 is provided on the circumferential surface of the module housing 110, into which the fixed projection portion 14 of the external panel 13 can be inserted.
[0176] The internal insertion coupling portion 1121 may include a hole that penetrates the module housing 110, and the fixed projection portion 14 protruding from the external panel 13 can be inserted into the hole of the internal insertion coupling portion 1121. This allows the fixed projection portion 14 to be positioned to penetrate the module housing 110.
[0177] On the other hand, Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a control module 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the external panel 13 side. When the external panel 13 corresponds to the front panel of the cabinet 10, the perspective view in Figure 9 corresponds to a front perspective view of the control module 100.
[0178] The module housing 110 of the control module 100 is coupled to the external panel 13, and a control board 150 for controlling the input / output unit 80 can be provided inside. Input units such as the aforementioned power button 81 and execution button 82 can be coupled to the control board 150, and an output unit 90 can be coupled to it.
[0179] The output unit 90 can house a display 95 in an output housing 91 located outside the cabinet 10, and a knob 92 that is rotatable relative to the output housing 91 may be provided on the periphery of the output housing 91.
[0180] The knob 92 can be understood as a type of input unit. The control unit, including the first control board 151 and the second control board 153, can change the selection target displayed on the screen based on the rotation information of the knob 92.
[0181] In one embodiment of the present invention, of the control boards 150, the second control board 153 described above can be housed inside the module housing 110, and the first control board 151 can be housed inside the output housing 91.
[0182] The communication device 190 may include a communication board 195 provided on the outside of the module housing 110 and positioned facing the opening 18, and the communication board 195 may be positioned exposed to the outside of the module housing 110.
[0183] As a result, in one embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the communication board 195 and the opening 18 can be minimized, and the module housing 110 can prevent interference with the reception of propagation.
[0184] The module housing 110 may include a substrate fixing portion 111 on which the communication device 190 is installed. The substrate fixing portion 111 is exposed to the outside of the module housing 110 and can fix the communication board 195 of the communication device 190 in an exposed state outside the module housing 110. The substrate fixing portion 111 may be provided on one side of the module housing 110 facing the opening 18 or the panel case 320.
[0185] On the other hand, the control module 100 may include a plurality of control wires. These control wires can be connected to the control board 150 and serve as signal transmission means for the control board 150. In this invention, the connection of the wires can be achieved by coupling terminals provided on the wires.
[0186] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control wires provided in the control module 100 may include at least one of a first control wire 221, a second control wire 222, a third control wire 223, and a fourth control wire 224.
[0187] The fourth control wire 224 may be a means of signaling connection between a control board 150, for example, a second control board 153, provided inside the module housing 110, and the aforementioned internal module 160. The fourth control wire 224 can be extended from the control board 150 in the module housing 110 toward the internal module 160.
[0188] The module housing 110 may include a wire guide portion 123 for guiding the position of the fourth control wire 224. The wire guide portion 123 may be hook-shaped with one end open. The fourth control wire 224 may extend from the control board 150 and be positioned within the hook defined by the wire guide portion 123.
[0189] On the other hand, Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a control module 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, as seen from inside the cabinet 10. When the external panel 13 corresponds to the front panel of the cabinet 10, the perspective view in Figure 10 corresponds to a rear perspective view of the control module 100.
[0190] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control board 150 of the control module 100 may be a plurality of control boards 150, and may include a first control board 151 and a second control board 153. The first control board 151 may be housed inside the output housing 91, and the second control board 153 may be housed inside the module housing 110.
[0191] The module housing 110 may be located inside the cabinet 10, and the output housing 91 may be located at least partially outside the cabinet 10 and may be connected to or coupled with the module housing 110 by passing through the external panel 13.
[0192] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first control wire 221 and the second control wire 222 can be connected to a first control board 151 provided in the output housing 91. That is, the first control wire 221 and the second control wire 222 can be drawn out from the first control board 151.
[0193] The third control wire 223 can be connected to, or drawn out from, the second control board 153.
[0194] On the other hand, the communication device 190 may include a communication wire 210 connected to a control wire drawn out from the control module 100 outside the module housing 110. The communication device 190 can receive radio signals and transmit information to the control unit via the communication wire 210.
[0195] The communication device 190 can be configured such that the communication wire 210 and the control wire are connected to each other, enabling information exchange with the control board 150. The communication wire 210 and the control wire can be connected by coupling their respective terminals.
[0196] The control wire connected to the communication wire 210 may be the first control wire 221 connected to the first control board 151 that controls the output unit 90. Therefore, information transmitted from the communication device 190 can be transmitted to the first control board 151 via the first control wire 221.
[0197] On the other hand, as mentioned above, the communication device 190 can be located outside the module housing 110, and therefore the terminals of the first control wire 221 and the terminals of the communication wire 210 can be connected outside the module housing 110.
[0198] On the other hand, the module housing 110 may include a first terminal housing 121 to which either the terminals of the communication wire 210 or the terminals of the control wire are connected and fixed. For example, the first terminal housing 121 may house the terminals of the communication wire 210 or the terminals of the first control wire 221.
[0199] In other words, either the terminal of the communication cable 210 or the terminal of the control cable can be housed and fixed in the first terminal housing 121, and the other terminal of the communication cable 210 or the terminal of the control cable can be connected to the one of the two fixed in the first terminal housing 121.
[0200] In one embodiment of the present invention, a first terminal housing 121 is provided for fixing at least one of the terminals of a control wire and a communication wire 210, whose position can be freely changed. This facilitates the connection between the terminals of the control wire and the communication wire 210, and makes it easier to organize the wires.
[0201] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the coupling of the first control wire 221 and the communication wire 210 can be performed outside the module housing 110, and taking this into consideration, the first terminal housing 121 can be exposed to the outside of the module housing 110.
[0202] For example, the first terminal housing 121 can be provided on the circumferential surface of the module housing 110. The first terminal housing 121 can also be provided on the lower surface of the module housing 110.
[0203] On the other hand, the second control wire 222 can be drawn out from the first control board 151, and the third control wire 223 can be drawn out from the second control board 153. The first control board 151 controls the display 95 and can be connected to the second control board 153 via the second control wire 222 and the third control wire 223.
[0204] Specifically, the first control board 151 can exchange information with the second control board 153 via the second control wire 222 and the third control wire 223. The communication device 190 can exchange information with the first control board 151 via the communication wire 210 and the first control wire 221.
[0205] In other words, information from the radio signal received by the communication device 190 can be transmitted to the second control board 153 via the first control board 151. The second control board 153, which collects information from the first control board 151 and the communication device 190, can exchange information with the internal module 160 via the fourth control wire 224.
[0206] The second control wire 222 and the third control wire 223 can be connected to each other through terminal couplings, similar to the communication wire 210 and the first control wire 221. The second control wire 222 and the third control wire 223 can be coupled to each other outside the module housing 110.
[0207] The module housing 110 includes a second terminal housing 122 to which either the terminal of the second control wire 222 or the terminal of the third control wire 223 is connected and fixed, and the other terminal of either the second control wire 222 or the terminal of the third control wire 223 can be connected to the either of the two fixed to the second terminal housing 122.
[0208] Figure 11 shows an exploded view of an output unit 90 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the output unit 90 is exposed to the outside of the cabinet 10 and can provide a screen to the user via the display 95.
[0209] The output unit 90 may include an output housing 91. Inside the output housing 91, an output base 94 capable of securing a display 95 and a first control board 151 is housed, and the display 95 and the first control board 151 can be housed therein. One side of the output housing 91 is open, and an external cover can be attached thereto.
[0210] On the other hand, the output housing 91 may include a hole that opens toward the interior of the cabinet 10, and the aforementioned first control wire 221 and second control wire 222 can be routed out to the module housing 110 side through the hole in the output housing 91.
[0211] Figure 12 shows the control module 100 as viewed from the external panel 13 side. If the external panel is the front panel described above, Figure 12 corresponds to the front view of the control module 100.
[0212] The second control board 153 inside the module housing 110 and the module housing 110 may include wire holes 113 through which the first control wire 221 and the second control wire 222 pass, at positions corresponding to the holes in the output housing 91.
[0213] Referring to Figure 12, the terminals of the communication wire 210 can be fixed to a first terminal housing 121 that is located on the circumferential surface of the module housing 110 and exposed to the outside of the module housing 110. The aforementioned third control wire 223 extends from the second control board 153 and can be housed and fixed to a second terminal housing 122 that is located parallel to the first terminal housing 121.
[0214] The communication wire 210 and the third control wire 223 are housed in the first terminal housing 121 and the second terminal housing 122, and can be fixed from the outside of the module housing 110 so that they can be connected to other terminals, such as the terminals of the first control wire 221 and the second control wire 222 mentioned above.
[0215] Furthermore, the fourth control wire 224 extends from the second control board 153, passes through the aforementioned wire guide section 123, and can extend toward the internal module 160.
[0216] In one embodiment of the present invention, the positions of the communication wire 210, the third control wire 223, and the fourth control wire 224 can be fixed through the first terminal housing 121, the second terminal housing 122, and the wire guide 123 before they are coupled to the first control wire 221 or the second control wire 222, thereby improving convenience in wire management.
[0217] Furthermore, even when the module housing 110 is coupled to the external panel 13, the terminals of the communication wire 210 and the third control wire 223, which are coupled to the first terminal housing 121 and the second terminal housing 122 exposed on the outside of the module housing 110, can be fixed in a manner that facilitates terminal coupling with the first control wire 221 and the second control wire 222 provided from outside the module housing 110.
[0218] On the other hand, Figure 13 shows a communication board 195 to which communication wires 210 are connected. Referring to Figure 13, the communication board 195 of the communication device 190 is fixed to a board fixing part 111 provided in the module housing 110, and can be positioned so that a portion of it protrudes from the module housing 110.
[0219] For example, the external panel 13 may be a front panel, the communication board 195 and the board fixing portion 111 are arranged on the side of the module housing 110 facing the panel case 320, and the communication board 195 can be arranged so that its lower end protrudes below the module housing 110.
[0220] As a result, when the module housing 110 is positioned adjacent to the top of the external panel 13, structural interference by the communication board 195 is eliminated, and the module housing 110 can be efficiently positioned upwards.
[0221] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the communication board 195 may be arranged to protrude from the module housing 110 and may be provided with a wire connection portion 196 to which the communication wire 210 is connected.
[0222] In other words, the wire connection portion 196 of the communication device 190 can protrude downward from the module housing 110. The lower end of the communication board 195 protrudes downward from the module housing 110 and may include a wire connection portion 196 to which the communication wire 210 is provided.
[0223] The lower end of the communication board 195 protrudes below the module housing 110 and is equipped with a wire connection portion 196. This reduces the distance between the wire connection portion 196 and the first terminal housing portion 121 located on the lower surface of the module housing 110, thereby suppressing an unnecessary increase in the length of the communication wire 210.
[0224] On the other hand, Figure 14 shows a first terminal housing portion 121, a second terminal housing portion 122, and a wire guide portion 123 arranged on one side of the module housing 110, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0225] Referring to Figure 14, the first terminal housing section 121, the second terminal housing section 122, and the wire guide section 123 facilitate the position management of the communication wire 210 extending from the communication board 195 and the third control wire 223 and fourth control wire 224 extending from the second control board 153. Even when the module housing 110 is coupled to the external panel 13, the terminal coupling of the first control wire 221 and the communication wire 210 is easy, the terminal coupling of the second control wire 222 and the third control wire 223 is easy, and the position management of the fourth control wire 224 extending toward the internal module 160 can be conveniently performed.
[0226] The first terminal housing section 121, the second terminal housing section 122, and the wire guide section 123 can be arranged on one side of the module housing 110. If the external panel 13 corresponds to the front panel, the first terminal housing section 121, the second terminal housing section 122, and the wire guide section 123 can be arranged on the lower surface of the module housing 110.
[0227] The first terminal housing section 121, the second terminal housing section 122, and the wire guide section 123 can protrude downward from the lower surface of the module housing 110 and be exposed to the outside of the module housing 110, and can be aligned parallel to the width direction of the cabinet 10.
[0228] Figure 15 shows the structure of the first terminal housing section 121 and the second terminal housing section 122. Referring to Figure 15, in one embodiment of the present invention, the terminal housing section can be provided in a manner that can accommodate and fix a terminal provided at the end of either one of the electric wires.
[0229] The terminal housing portion supports one side of a terminal located at the end of a communication wire 210 or a third control wire 223, and may include a terminal seating portion 126 on which the terminal is seated. The terminal seating portion 126 is capable of supporting the lower surface of the terminal, and a hook projection can be provided at the end of the terminal seating portion 126 to suppress movement of the terminal.
[0230] Furthermore, the terminal housing portion may be positioned so that one side faces the other side of the terminal supported by the terminal seating portion 126, for example, the opposite side of the one side, and may include a terminal fixing portion 125 for preventing the terminal placed on the terminal seating portion 126 from falling out.
[0231] The terminal seating portion 126 and the terminal fixing portion 125 extend away from the module housing 110, and a space for accommodating the terminal can be located between them. The terminal seating portion 126 may be shaped to extend backward from the lower surface of the module housing 110, spaced downward, while the terminal fixing portion 125 may be shaped to extend backward from the module housing 110, spaced upward from the terminal seating portion 126.
[0232] Figure 16 shows the terminals housed in the terminal housing. Referring to Figure 16, the terminals can be housed in the terminal housing such that the coupling direction between the terminals faces outward from the module housing 110.
[0233] When the module housing 110 is coupled to the external panel 13 facing forward, the terminals of the communication wire 210 and the third control wire 223 can be routed from the front to the rear of the module housing 110 and housed in the terminal housing.
[0234] The terminal can be seated on the terminal seating portion 126 of the terminal housing, and the hook projection of the terminal seating portion 126 prevents it from detaching backward, while the terminal fixing portion 125 prevents it from detaching upward.
[0235] The terminals housed in the terminal housing are positioned so that they can be connected to other terminals approaching from the rear, while remaining in a fixed position.
[0236] On the other hand, Figure 17 shows the first control wire 221 and the second control wire 222 that are brought out to the outside of the module housing 110, and Figure 18 shows the communication wire 210 and the first control wire 221 that are connected at the first terminal housing 121, and the second control wire 222 and the third control wire 223 that are connected at the second terminal housing 122.
[0237] Referring to Figures 17 and 18, the first control wire 221 and the second control wire 222, which pass through the module housing 110 from inside the module housing 110 or from inside the output housing 91 through the wire hole 113 of the module housing 110 and are brought out to the outside of the module housing 110, can each be terminal-coupled to the communication wire 210 or the third control wire 223.
[0238] Specifically, the first control wire 221 extends from the first control board 151 and can be coupled to the terminals of the communication wire 210 housed in the first terminal housing 121 outside the module housing 110.
[0239] The second control wire 222 can extend from the first control board 151 or branch off from the first control wire 221 and be connected to the terminals of the third control wire 223 housed in the second terminal housing section 122.
[0240] As a result, information from the communication board 195 can be transmitted to the second control board 153 via the communication wire 210, the first control wire 221, the second control wire 222, and the third control wire 223. Information from the first control board 151 can be transmitted to the second control board 153 via the second control wire 222 and the third control wire 223. Information from the second control board 153 can be transmitted to the internal module 160 via the fourth control wire 224.
[0241] In one embodiment of the present invention, the terminals of the communication wire 210 and the third control wire 223, before being coupled to the first control wire 221 and the second control wire 222, are housed and fixed in the first terminal housing 121 or the second terminal housing 122, respectively. This allows for easy terminal coupling between wires even when the module housing 110 is coupled to the external panel 13.
[0242] Although this invention describes specific embodiments, it will be obvious to those with ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be improved and modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea of the invention provided by the following claims.
[0243] [Claims when filing an international application] [Claim 1] A clothing processing device, cabinet; A storage compartment for storing clothing, provided inside the cabinet; and The cabinet includes an input / output unit that provides information to the user or receives commands from the user; The cabinet is provided with the input / output section, and includes an external panel positioned adjacent to the input / output section, which has an opening that connects the inside and outside of the cabinet. The input / output section includes a control module located inside the cabinet and coupled to the external panel. The cabinet is provided with a storage unit that is pulled into the interior of the cabinet through the opening, The garment processing apparatus comprises a control module equipped with a communication device that receives wireless signals on one side facing the opening or the storage unit. [Claim 2] The aforementioned external panel is made of a metal material. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication device receives the wireless signal propagating into the interior of the cabinet through the opening. [Claim 3] The external panel is made of a first material having a first blocking rate for the wireless signal, The interior of the cabinet is provided with a panel case that is coupled to the outer panel facing the opening and is made of a second material having a second blocking rate lower than the first blocking rate. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is arranged to face the panel case. [Claim 4] The aforementioned external panel is made of a metal material. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the panel case is made of a polymer material. [Claim 5] The control module comprises a module housing that is coupled to the external panel and has a control board for controlling the input / output section located inside. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a communication board arranged in the module housing so as to face the opening. [Claim 6] The garment processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the communication board is provided on one side of the module housing facing the opening. [Claim 7] The garment processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the module housing includes a substrate fixing portion for which the communication board is fixed in a state exposed toward the opening. [Claim 8] The garment processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the communication board is arranged to protrude from the module housing and is provided with a wire connection portion to which communication wires are connected. [Claim 9] The external panel forms the front of the cabinet. The control module is positioned on the upper part of the external panel, adjacent to the opening along the width direction of the cabinet, The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the wire connection portion of the communication device protrudes downward from the module housing. [Claim 10] The control module comprises a module housing that is coupled to the external panel and has a control board for controlling the input / output section located inside. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a communication wire connected to a control wire drawn out from the control module outside the module housing. [Claim 11] The module housing includes a first terminal housing into which either the terminal of the communication wire or the terminal of the control wire is connected and fixed. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the other of the terminal of the communication wire and the terminal of the control wire is connected to the one of the two fixed to the first terminal housing. [Claim 12] The garment processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first terminal housing is exposed to the outside of the module housing. [Claim 13] The control wires consist of multiple wires, including a first control wire, a second control wire, and a third control wire. The terminals of the first control wire are connected to the terminals of the communication wire on the outside of the module housing. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second control wire and the third control wire are connected to each other on the outside of the module housing. [Claim 14] The module housing includes a second terminal housing to which either the terminal of the second control wire or the terminal of the third control wire is connected and fixed. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the terminal of the second control wire and the terminal of the third control wire are coupled to the other of the two which is fixed to the second terminal housing. [Claim 15] The control board comprises multiple components, including a first control board and a second control board. The first control wire and the second control wire are drawn out from the first control board. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the third control wire is drawn out from the second control board. [Claim 16] The control module is equipped with a display that outputs a screen, The garment processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first control board controls the display and is connected to the second control board via the second control wire and the third control wire. [Claim 17] An internal module provided inside the cabinet and signalably connected to the control module; further comprising The garment processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the control wire further comprises a fourth control wire connected to the internal module. [Claim 18] The garment processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the module housing comprises a wire guide portion for guiding the position of the fourth control wire. [Claim 19] The control module comprises a module housing that is coupled to the external panel and has a control board for controlling the input / output section located inside. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the module housing is provided such that terminal housings for which terminals of electric wires provided in the control module are fixed are exposed to the outside of the module housing. [Claim 20] The garment processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the electric wire extends from the control board to the outside of the module housing and the terminal is fixed to the terminal housing. [Claim 21] The module housing has one side facing the external panel that is open and is connected to the external panel. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the electric wire is drawn out through the one surface of the module housing. [Claim 22] The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the electric wire extends from the communication device and the terminal is connected to the terminal housing. [Claim 23] The aforementioned external panel is positioned with respect to the width direction of the cabinet, The opening is located on one side of the input / output section. The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other side of the input / output section shields the inside of the cabinet. [Claim 24] The external panel is provided with a fixed projection that protrudes inward from the cabinet. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control module comprises a module housing that is coupled to the fixed protrusion and fixed to the external panel. [Claim 25] The aforementioned fixed protrusions are provided in multiple locations. The module housing comprises a plurality of insertion coupling portions that are coupled to the fixed protrusion, Some of the aforementioned multiple insertion and coupling portions are located on the outside of the module housing. The other parts of the plurality of insertion and coupling portions are located inside the module housing. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 24, provided to penetrate the module housing.
Claims
1. A clothing processing device, cabinet; A storage compartment for storing clothing, provided inside the cabinet; and The cabinet includes an input / output unit that provides information to the user or receives commands from the user; The cabinet is provided with the input / output section, and includes an external panel positioned adjacent to the input / output section, which has an opening that connects the inside and outside of the cabinet. The input / output section includes a control module located inside the cabinet and coupled to the external panel. The cabinet is provided with a storage unit that is pulled into the interior of the cabinet through the opening, The garment processing apparatus comprises a control module equipped with a communication device that receives wireless signals on one side facing the opening or the storage unit.
2. The aforementioned external panel is made of a metal material. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication device receives the wireless signal propagating into the interior of the cabinet through the opening.
3. The external panel is made of a first material having a first blocking ratio with respect to the wireless signal. The interior of the cabinet is provided with a panel case that is coupled to the outer panel facing the opening and is made of a second material having a second shielding ratio lower than the first shielding ratio. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is arranged to face the panel case.
4. The aforementioned external panel is made of a metal material. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the panel case is made of a polymer material.
5. The control module comprises a module housing that is coupled to the external panel and has a control board for controlling the input / output section located inside. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a communication board arranged in the module housing so as to face the opening.
6. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the communication board is provided on one side of the module housing facing the opening.
7. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the module housing includes a substrate fixing portion for which the communication board is fixed in a state exposed toward the opening.
8. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the communication board is arranged to protrude from the module housing and is provided with a wire connection portion to which communication wires are connected.
9. The external panel forms the front of the cabinet. The control module is positioned on the upper part of the external panel, adjacent to the opening along the width direction of the cabinet, The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the wire connection portion of the communication device protrudes downward from the module housing.
10. The control module comprises a module housing that is coupled to the external panel and has a control board for controlling the input / output section located inside. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a communication wire connected to a control wire drawn out from the control module outside the module housing.
11. The module housing includes a first terminal housing into which either the terminal of the communication wire or the terminal of the control wire is connected and fixed. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the other of the terminal of the communication wire and the terminal of the control wire is connected to the one of the two fixed to the first terminal housing.
12. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first terminal housing is exposed to the outside of the module housing.
13. The control wires consist of multiple wires, including a first control wire, a second control wire, and a third control wire. The terminals of the first control wire are connected to the terminals of the communication wire on the outside of the module housing. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second control wire and the third control wire are connected to each other on the outside of the module housing.
14. The module housing includes a second terminal housing into which either the terminal of the second control wire or the terminal of the third control wire is connected and fixed. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the terminal of the second control wire and the terminal of the third control wire are coupled to the other of the two fixed to the second terminal housing.
15. The control board comprises multiple components, including a first control board and a second control board. The first control wire and the second control wire are drawn out from the first control board. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the third control wire is drawn out from the second control board.
16. The control module is equipped with a display that outputs a screen, The garment processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first control board controls the display and is connected to the second control board via the second control wire and the third control wire.
17. An internal module provided inside the cabinet and signal-connected to the control module; further comprising The garment processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the control wire further comprises a fourth control wire connected to the internal module.
18. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the module housing comprises a wire guide portion for guiding the position of the fourth control wire.
19. The control module comprises a module housing that is coupled to the external panel and has a control board for controlling the input / output section located inside. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the module housing is provided such that terminal housings for which terminals of electric wires provided in the control module are fixed are exposed to the outside of the module housing.
20. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the electric wire extends from the control board to the outside of the module housing and the terminal is fixed to the terminal housing.
21. The module housing has one side facing the external panel that is open and is connected to the external panel. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the electric wire is drawn out through the one surface of the module housing.
22. The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the electric wire extends from the communication device and the terminal is connected to the terminal housing.
23. The aforementioned external panel is positioned with respect to the width direction of the cabinet, The opening is located on one side of the input / output section. The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other side of the input / output section is shielded from the inside of the cabinet.
24. The external panel is provided with a fixed projection that protrudes inward from the cabinet. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control module comprises a module housing that is coupled to the fixed protrusion and fixed to the external panel.
25. The aforementioned fixed protrusions are provided in multiple locations. The module housing comprises a plurality of insertion coupling portions that are coupled to the fixed protrusion, Some of the aforementioned multiple insertion and coupling portions are located on the outside of the module housing. The other parts of the plurality of insertion and coupling portions are located inside the module housing. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 24, provided so as to penetrate the module housing.