Clothing processing apparatus

Abstract

Regarding a clothing treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the clothing treatment device includes a fluid circulation unit including a cabinet, a drum, and a compressor sensor, an air circulation unit including a fan, a drive unit including a first drive and a second drive, and a control unit, and the drying process includes an increase rate process for increasing the drying efficiency in the drum, a constant rate process for maintaining the drying efficiency, and a decrease rate process for decreasing the drying efficiency, and the control unit performs the drying process by distinguishing between the increase rate process, the constant rate process, and the decrease rate process based on the measurement value of the compressor sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clothing treatment apparatus, and more particularly to a clothing treatment apparatus that performs a drying process for clothing accommodated in a drum.

Background Art

[0002] A clothing treatment apparatus is a device that treats clothing placed inside a cabinet, and examples include washing machines, dryers, and fresheners. A freshener is a device that removes dust, bacteria, etc. attached to clothing that has been worn once.

[0003] A dryer is one type of clothing treatment apparatus in which a drying process for clothing is performed, and it removes moisture from the clothing accommodated in a drum inside a cabinet. The dryer uses a method in which air is heated, and the moisture of the clothing evaporates and is removed as the heated high-temperature air passes through the clothing.

[0004] Dryers are classified into exhaust dryers or circulation dryers according to the air heating method and the air flow path. An exhaust dryer heats air with a heater, and the air that has passed through the clothing is discharged to the outside. A circulation dryer heats air by a fluid circulation unit including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, and the air that has passed through the clothing recirculates inside the dryer.

[0005] In a clothing treatment apparatus in which a drying process is performed, the drying process is divided into a plurality of processes. Related document KR10-2006-0023715A discloses a clothing treatment apparatus in which a drying process including a plurality of drying sections is performed.

[0006] The clothing treatment apparatus of related document KR10-2006-0023715A discloses a structure that uses an exhaust drying method using an electric heater, which determines the moisture content by the temperature change of the air discharged from the drum and divides a plurality of drying sections.

[0007] However, in the heat pump drying method equipped with a compressor or the like, the classification of the drying section using the temperature change of air has no relation to the change in drying efficiency or energy efficiency, nor is it related to the establishment of an appropriate control strategy for various driving devices provided in the clothing treatment apparatus.

[0008] That is, the method of dividing the drying process according to the change in the air temperature on the drum outlet side, centering on the exhaust type clothing treatment apparatus using a heater as a heat source, is difficult to apply to a heat pump type clothing treatment apparatus, that is, a condensation type clothing treatment apparatus, which has different drying mechanism characteristics.

[0009] On the other hand, the related document EP03143190B1 discloses a clothing treatment apparatus that performs a drying process including a stabilization process of various driving devices provided in the clothing treatment apparatus.

[0010] In the clothing treatment apparatus of the related document EP03143190B1, when the drying process is performed, a stabilization section in which each driving device is stabilized is determined, and the stabilization section is grasped by measuring the fluid temperature of the heat pump system.

[0011] However, this stabilization section is only directly related to the stabilization of each system of the clothing treatment apparatus, and has little direct relevance to the changes in drying efficiency and energy efficiency for effective drying, and the processes other than the stabilization section in the drying process are not classified.

[0012] In addition, the related document EP3124680B1 discloses a clothing treatment apparatus in which the drying process is divided into a plurality of processes, and the presence or absence of simultaneous driving of the drum and the fan and the rotation direction of the fan are set for each process.

[0013] Related document EP3124680B1 discloses a drying process limited to a small load of clothing. The drying process is only divided into multiple processes by improving the distribution of clothing and the fluid temperature of the heat pump, and there is no direct relationship with changes in drying efficiency and energy efficiency. In the simultaneous driving situation of the drum and the fan, the drum and the fan cannot have different RPM changes from each other. Therefore, it is difficult to establish a more advantageous control strategy in terms of energy efficiency and drying efficiency.

[0014] Therefore, in a clothing treatment apparatus in which a drying process is performed, dividing the drying process into multiple processes according to drying efficiency or energy efficiency, grasping the multiple processes in an effective manner, and efficiently establishing a control strategy for each driving device for each process to improve drying efficiency and energy efficiency is an important issue in this technical field.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a clothing treatment apparatus that can efficiently perform a drying process by dividing the drying process of clothing into multiple drying processes according to drying efficiency.

[0016] Also, embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a clothing treatment apparatus that can effectively establish a control strategy for each driving device without reflecting changes in drying efficiency in real time by dividing the drying process of clothing into multiple drying processes according to the trend of drying efficiency behavior.

[0017] Also, embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a clothing treatment apparatus that can efficiently perform a drying process by effectively setting the entry conditions for each of the multiple drying processes that make up the drying process of clothing.

[0018] Also, embodiments of the present invention aim to provide an economically advantageous clothing treatment apparatus by effectively determining the entry conditions for multiple drying processes by utilizing sensors required for the operation of the fluid circulation section and the air circulation section.

[0019] Moreover, an embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a clothing treatment apparatus that efficiently operates each drive device for each of a plurality of processes included in the clothing drying process to effectively improve energy efficiency. **Means for Solving the Problem**

[0020] One embodiment of the present invention divides the drying process in which clothing is dried in a clothing treatment apparatus into a plurality of processes based on a generally applied sensor, and in each drying process, the operating conditions of the compressor, fan, drum, etc. corresponding to the main drive device are individually set according to the evaporation of clothing and the dehumidification characteristics of moisture, thereby improving energy efficiency.

[0021] One embodiment of the present invention divides the clothing drying process according to drying efficiency to perform an effective drying process. The drying process includes an increasing rate process for increasing drying efficiency, a constant rate process for effectively maintaining the drying efficiency increased in the increasing rate process, and a decreasing rate process for effectively reducing the drying efficiency after the constant rate process to complete the drying process (including; comprising; constituting; constructing; setting; enclosing; including; containing).

[0022] One embodiment of the present invention can effectively separate the drying process by utilizing simple and inexpensive sensors, such as electrode sensors and temperature sensors in the fluid circulation section, in a condensing type clothing treatment apparatus where moisture evaporation and air dehumidification are performed while air circulates.

[0023] Moreover, in one embodiment of the present invention, since the drum and the fan are provided with rotational forces by different drive motors, the RPM of the drum and the RPM of the fan can be controlled at different rates of change for each process of the drying process, and the drying efficiency and energy efficiency of the drying process can be effectively improved by various operating conditions of the drum, fan, and compressor.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, a drive unit for rotating a drum and a fan includes a first drive motor and a second drive motor. The first drive motor rotates the drum, the second drive motor rotates the fan, and the control unit can formulate various drive strategies by controlling the first drive motor and the second drive motor independently of each other.

[0025] In such a clothing treatment apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the drive unit includes a first drive motor for rotating the drum and a second drive motor for rotating the fan. The control unit controls the compressor, the first drive motor, and the second drive motor respectively to perform a clothing drying process.

[0026] The drying process includes an increasing rate process for increasing the drying efficiency in the drum, a constant rate process for maintaining the drying efficiency, and a decreasing rate process for decreasing the drying efficiency. The control unit differentiates the increasing rate process, the constant rate process, and the decreasing rate process based on the measured value of the compressor sensor to perform the drying process.

[0027] The drying efficiency is derived from the actual evaporation amount with respect to the maximum evaporation amount of moisture expected in the drum.

[0028] When the measured value of the compressor sensor reaches a predetermined constant rate entry compressor sensor value in the increasing rate process, the control unit ends the increasing rate process and performs the constant rate process.

[0029] When the measured value of the evaporator sensor reaches a predetermined constant rate entry evaporator sensor value in a state where the measured value of the compressor sensor has reached the constant rate entry compressor sensor value, the control unit performs the constant rate process.

[0030] The control unit corrects the constant rate entry compressor sensor value to a higher value as the measured value of the outside air sensor is higher.

[0031] The control unit controls the frequency of the compressor to a higher value than the constant rate process in the increasing rate process.

[0032] The rate increase interval includes a first rate increase process and a second rate increase process that occurs after the end of the first rate increase process. The control unit controls the drive unit and the compressor such that the increase rate of the drying efficiency is greater in the first rate increase process than in the second rate increase process. After the control unit performs the first rate increase process for a predetermined first rate increase process execution time, the control unit performs the second rate increase process.

[0033] In the first rate increase process, the increase rate of the measurement value of the compressor sensor may be greater than that in the second rate increase process. The control unit controls the second drive motor such that the RPM of the fan is lower in the first rate increase process than in the second rate increase process.

[0034] The control unit controls the compressor such that the frequency of the compressor is constant during the rate increase process.

[0035] The control unit controls the first drive motor such that the RPM of the drum is the same in the first rate increase process and the second rate increase process, and controls the second drive motor such that the RPM of the fan is lower in the first rate increase process than in the second rate increase process.

[0036] The first rate increase process includes a laundry amount determination process in which the control unit controls the first drive motor to rotate the drum to determine the amount of laundry in the drum. After the laundry amount determination process in the first rate increase process, the control unit controls the first drive motor such that the RPM of the drum is constant.

[0037] The control unit controls the drive unit such that the RPM of the drum and the RPM of the fan are the same in the second rate increase process and the constant rate process.

[0038] When the measurement value of the compressor sensor reaches the predetermined rate decrease entry compressor sensor value in the constant rate process, the control unit ends the constant rate process and performs the rate decrease process.

[0039] When the measurement value of the compressor sensor reaches the rate decrease entry compressor sensor value and the change rate of the measurement value of the evaporator sensor reaches the predetermined rate decrease entry change rate in the constant rate process, the control unit ends the constant rate process and performs the rate decrease process.

[0040] The drum is provided with an electrode sensor for measuring the moisture content in contact with the clothes, and when the measured value of the compressor sensor reaches the decelerating entry compressor sensor value and the measured value of the electrode sensor reaches the predetermined decelerating entry electrode sensor value in the constant rate process, the control unit ends the constant rate process and performs the decelerating process.

[0041] When the change rate of the measured value of the evaporator sensor reaches the predetermined decelerating entry change rate or the measured value of the electrode sensor reaches the predetermined decelerating entry electrode sensor value in the state where the measured value of the compressor sensor has reached the decelerating entry compressor sensor value, the control unit ends the constant rate process and performs the decelerating process.

[0042] The drying process includes a laundry amount determination process in which the control unit controls the drive unit to rotate the drum to determine the amount of clothes in the drum. When the amount of clothes is equal to or greater than the predetermined small amount reference value, the control unit uses the measured value of the electrode sensor to determine the decelerating process.

[0043] The decelerating process includes a first decelerating process and a second decelerating process performed after the end of the first decelerating process. The control unit controls the drive unit and the compressor so that the reduction rate of the drying efficiency in the first decelerating process is lower than that in the second decelerating process.

[0044] After performing the first decelerating process, the control unit performs the second decelerating process for a predetermined second decelerating process execution time.

[0045] When the measured value of the electrode sensor corresponds to the predetermined second decelerating entry electrode sensor value during the predetermined observation time in the first decelerating process, the control unit ends the first decelerating process and performs the second decelerating process.

[0046] When the amount of clothes is equal to or greater than the predetermined small amount reference value and the measured value of the electrode sensor reaches the second decelerating entry electrode sensor value, the control unit performs the second decelerating process.

[0047] When the amount of clothes is less than the small amount reference value, after performing the first decelerating process for a predetermined first decelerating process execution time, the control unit performs the second decelerating process.

[0048] The control unit controls the RPM of the drive unit and the frequency of the compressor to values below the constant rate process in the first deceleration process, and controls the RPM of the drive unit and the frequency of the compressor to values lower than those in the first deceleration process in the second deceleration process.

[0049] When the amount of clothing is equal to or greater than a predetermined large amount reference value, the control unit controls the RPM of the drive unit and the frequency of the compressor to be the same as in the constant rate process in the first deceleration process.

[0050] When the amount of clothing is less than the large amount reference value, the control unit controls the compressor so that the frequency of the compressor is lower than that in the constant rate process in the first deceleration process.

[0051] When the amount of clothing is less than the large amount reference value, the control unit controls the first drive motor in the first deceleration process to control the RPM of the drum to the same value as in the constant rate process, and controls the second drive motor to control the RPM of the fan to a value lower than that in the constant rate process.

[0052] In the second deceleration process, the control unit controls the first drive motor to control the RPM of the drum to a cooling RPM lower than that in the constant rate process during a predetermined cooling time, and after the cooling time has elapsed, controls the RPM of the drum to a value lower than the cooling RPM.

[0053] For example, the RPM of the drum corresponds to the constant rate RPM in the constant rate process and corresponds to the first deceleration RPM in the first deceleration process. For effective drying in the deceleration process, the first deceleration RPM is set to be the same as the constant rate RPM.

[0054] The first drive motor is controlled by the control unit so that the RPM of the drum corresponds to the cooling RPM in the second deceleration process, and the cooling RPM has a value lower than the first deceleration RPM. The drum rotates at a low speed at the cooling RPM in the second deceleration process to induce cooling of the clothing. On the other hand, the control unit controls the second drive motor so that the RPM of the fan is constant in the deceleration process.

[0055] In a clothing treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the drying process includes a constant rate process for maintaining the drying efficiency in the drum and a falling rate process in which the drying efficiency decreases. When the measured value of the electrode sensor reaches a predetermined falling rate entry electrode sensor value in the constant rate process, the control unit ends the constant rate process and performs the falling rate process.

[0056] In addition, a control method for a clothing treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an increasing rate stage in which the control unit controls the compressor, the first drive motor, and the second drive motor to increase the drying efficiency in the drum, a constant rate entry determination stage in which the control unit determines whether the measured value of the compressor sensor satisfies a predetermined constant rate stage entry condition, a constant rate stage in which when the measured value of the compressor sensor satisfies the constant rate stage entry condition in the constant rate entry determination stage, the control unit controls the compressor and the drive unit to perform a constant rate process for maintaining the drying efficiency, a falling rate entry determination stage in which the control unit determines whether the measured value of the compressor sensor satisfies a predetermined falling rate stage entry condition, and a falling rate stage in which when the measured value of the compressor sensor satisfies the falling rate stage entry condition in the falling rate entry determination stage, the control unit controls the compressor and the drive unit to perform a falling rate process for decreasing the drying efficiency.

Effect of the Invention

[0057] The embodiments of the present invention can provide a clothing treatment apparatus that can efficiently perform the drying process by dividing the drying process of clothing into a plurality of drying processes according to the drying efficiency.

[0058] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can provide a clothing treatment apparatus that can effectively establish a control strategy for each drive device without reflecting the change in drying efficiency in real time by dividing the drying process of clothing into a plurality of drying processes according to the behavior trend of the drying efficiency.

[0059] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can provide a clothing treatment apparatus that can effectively set the entry conditions for each of the plurality of drying processes that make up the drying process of clothing and efficiently perform the drying process.

[0060] In addition, embodiments of the present invention can provide a clothing treatment apparatus that is economically advantageous by effectively determining the entry conditions of a plurality of drying processes by utilizing sensors necessary for the operation of a fluid circulation unit and an air circulation unit.

[0061] In addition, embodiments of the present invention can provide a clothing treatment apparatus that effectively improves energy efficiency by efficiently operating each drive device for each of a plurality of processes included in the clothing drying process.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0063] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement them.

[0064] The present invention can be embodied in various forms and is not limited to the embodiments described here. And in order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts unnecessary for the explanation are omitted, and similar reference numerals are used for similar parts throughout the specification.

[0065] In this specification, duplicate descriptions of the same components are omitted.

[0066] Also, in the specification, when it is mentioned that a certain component is "connected to" or "connected with" another component, it should be understood that it can be directly connected to or connected with the other component, but other components can also exist in the middle. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a certain component is "directly connected to" or "directly connected with" another component, it should be understood that no other components exist in the middle.

[0067] Also, the terms used in this specification are only used to explain specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0068] The singular expressions used in this specification include plural expressions unless the context clearly interprets them otherwise.

[0069] Also, in this specification, terms such as "including" or "having" are used to specify the presence of implemented features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof, and it should be understood that the presence or addition possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof is not precluded in advance.

[0070] Also, in this specification, the term "and / or" includes combinations of the described multiple items or any of the described multiple items. In this specification, "A or B" includes "A", "B", or "A and B".

[0071] FIG. 1 shows a clothing treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows the inside of the clothing treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a clothing treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 10 and a drum 20. The cabinet 10 forms the appearance of the clothing treatment apparatus 1, and its shape is various.

[0073] A control unit 30 is provided in the cabinet 10. At least a part of the control unit 30 is exposed outside the cabinet 10 and is located at the upper end of the front surface of the cabinet 10.

[0074] The control unit 30 includes a display unit and an operation unit that can be operated by a user. The display unit visually represents the operating state of the clothing treatment apparatus 1 and the like. The display unit further includes a sound output unit that emits sound, and the user can be notified of the operating state of the clothing treatment apparatus 1 and the like by sound through this sound output unit.

[0075] The operation unit includes a plurality of buttons, a dial, a touch pad, etc., and the commands input by the user through the operation unit are transmitted to the control unit 400. Inside the control unit 30, a control unit 400 for controlling the clothing treatment apparatus 1 is provided. As will be described later, the control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 and the fluid circulation unit 100.

[0076] Note that a clothing opening 15 is formed in the cabinet 10, and a clothing door 40 for opening and closing the clothing opening 15 is provided. The clothing opening 15 and the clothing door 40 are formed in various positions and in various shapes in the cabinet 10.

[0077] FIG. 1 shows that a clothing opening 15 and a clothing door 40 are provided on the front surface of the cabinet 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 discloses a front loader type clothing treatment apparatus 1 in which the clothing opening 15 and the clothing door 40 are provided on the front surface of the cabinet 10, but it may also be a top loader type clothing treatment apparatus 1 in which the clothing opening 15 and the clothing door 40 are provided on the upper surface of the cabinet 10.

[0078] A drum 20 is provided inside the cabinet 10. The drum 20 is rotatably provided, and clothing is accommodated inside. The drum 20 communicates with the clothing opening 15, and the clothing introduced through the clothing opening 15 is accommodated inside the drum 20.

[0079] The drum 20 is cylindrical with a space formed inside, and one side is open. The open side faces the clothing opening 15 of the cabinet 10, and thus the clothing introduced from the clothing opening 15 is accommodated inside the drum 20 through the open side of the drum 20.

[0080] The drum 20 is also provided with a lifter for moving the clothing up and down and stirring it, and a gasket is provided between the clothing opening 15 of the cabinet 10 and the open side of the drum 20 to prevent the clothing from falling.

[0081] On the one hand, FIG. 2 shows an air circulation unit 200 provided inside the cabinet 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air circulation unit 200 includes a flow path through which air flows and a fan 210 for flowing air.

[0082] The air circulation unit 200 is provided such that the air flowing inside circulates through the drum 20. The air in the air circulation unit 200 is heated through the fluid circulation unit 100 described later. That is, an embodiment of the present invention corresponds to the condensing type clothing treatment apparatus 1.

[0083] The air circulation unit 200 includes a passage unit 240. The passage unit 240 is provided to pass through at least a part of the fluid circulation unit 100, and serves as a path through which the internal air is dehumidified and heated while passing through the fluid circulation unit 100.

[0084] The air circulation unit 200 further includes a drum inlet unit 220. The drum inlet unit 220 corresponds to an air flow path connecting the passage unit 240 and the drum 20. The high-temperature and low-humidity air that has passed through the passage unit 240 flows along the drum inlet unit 220 and is supplied to the drum 20.

[0085] The high-temperature and low-humidity air supplied to the drum 20 contacts the clothing inside the drum 20 or passes through the clothing. The moisture of the clothing evaporates due to the high-temperature and low-humidity air, and the air with increased humidity containing the evaporated moisture is discharged from the drum 20.

[0086] The air circulation unit 200 further includes a drum discharge unit 230. The drum discharge unit 230 corresponds to an air flow path connecting the drum 20 and the passage unit 240. The air discharged from the drum 20 flows along the drum discharge unit 230 and reaches the passage unit 240, is dehumidified and heated while passing through the passage unit 240, and is supplied to the drum 20 again through the drum inlet unit 220 to dry the clothing.

[0087] In an embodiment of the present invention, the drive unit 300 rotates the drum 20 and the fan 210. That is, the drive unit 300 is connected to the drum 20 and the fan 210 and provides a rotational force to the drum 20 and the fan 210.

[0088] In one embodiment of the present invention, the drive unit 300 consists of a single motor or multiple motors. FIG. 2 shows a drive unit 300 including a first drive motor 310 connected to the drum 20 and a second drive motor 320 connected to the fan 210. The first drive motor 310 and the second drive motor 320 correspond to motors that consume power to generate rotational force.

[0089] When the drive unit 300 includes the first drive motor 310 and the second drive motor 320, the first drive motor 310 and the second drive motor 320 have different operating states. For example, the control unit 400 is connected to the first drive motor 310 and the second drive motor 320 to make the rotational RPMs of the first drive motor 310 and the second drive motor 320 different from each other, or to operate only one of the first drive motor 310 and the second drive motor 320, or to make the rates of change of the rotational RPMs of the first drive motor 310 and the second drive motor 320 different from each other.

[0090] On the other hand, FIG. 3 shows a fluid circulation unit 100 and an air circulation unit 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows the operating relationship between the fluid circulation unit 100 and the air circulation unit 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] At least a part of the fluid circulation unit 100 and the air circulation unit 200 is provided in a base part provided at the lower part of the clothing treatment apparatus 1. In the fluid circulation unit 100, the fluid circulates while repeating the heat absorption process and the heat release process.

[0092] The fluid circulation unit 100 includes a condenser 110 through which the fluid circulates, a compressor 120, an expansion valve 140, and an evaporator 130. The types of fluids are various. The fluid is compressed while passing through the compressor 120, releases heat to the outside while passing through the condenser 110, has its pressure decreased while passing through the expansion valve 140, and absorbs heat from the outside while passing through the evaporator 130.

[0093] That is, the fluid in the fluid circulation unit 100 undergoes a heat dissipation process and a heat absorption process while passing through the compressor 120, the condenser 110, the expansion valve 140, and the evaporator 130 in sequence, and repeats the circulation process of being supplied to the compressor 120 again.

[0094] The condenser 110 and the evaporator 130 of the fluid circulation unit 100 are arranged in the passage part 240 of the air circulation unit 200. That is, the air flowing along the passage part 240 in the air circulation unit 200 passes through the evaporator 130 and the condenser 110 of the fluid circulation unit 100.

[0095] The air in the air circulation unit 200 has its temperature decreased by the evaporator 130 that forms a low temperature, and the moisture in the air condenses and accumulates on the surface and the lower part of the evaporator 130. The water generated in the evaporator 130 in this way is utilized for internal cleaning of the clothing treatment apparatus 1 as needed, utilized during the drying process, or discharged to the outside.

[0096] The air in the air circulation unit 200 is heated while passing through the condenser 110 that forms a high temperature, and the air heated through the condenser 110 is supplied into the drum 20 again. That is, the air in the air circulation unit 200 has its humidity increased while passing through the inside of the drum 20, is dehumidified while passing through the evaporator 130, and is heated while passing through the condenser 110, and is supplied into the drum 20 again in a high-temperature and low-humidity state. FIG. 4 conceptually shows the relationship between the fluid circulation unit 100 in which the fluid circulates and the air circulation unit 200 in which the air circulates.

[0097] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the fluid circulation unit 100 includes a compressor sensor 150 that measures the temperature of the fluid discharged from the compressor 120. FIG. 3 shows the compressor sensor 150 provided on the discharge flow path of the compressor 120, and FIG. 4 conceptually shows the position of the compressor sensor 150 in the fluid circulation unit 100.

[0098] The compressor sensor 150 measures the temperature of the fluid discharged from the compressor 120. The compressor sensor 150 is provided on the compressor 120 or on the discharge flow path of the compressor 120 through which the fluid discharged from the compressor 120 flows.

[0099] Also, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 400 controls the compressor 120 and the drive unit 300 to perform a clothes drying process.

[0100] The control unit 400 is provided in the control unit 30 or in the cabinet 10. The control unit 400 is connected to the control unit 30 to receive user commands and provides information on the operating state to the user via the display unit of the control unit 30.

[0101] The control unit 400 is connected to the fluid circulation unit 100 and the drive unit 300 to control the fluid circulation unit 100 and the drive unit 300. For example, the control unit 400 controls the frequency at which the compressor 120 operates in the fluid circulation unit 100 or controls the rotational RPM of each of the first drive motor 310 and the second drive motor 320 of the drive unit 300.

[0102] In the clothes drying process, the control unit 400 controls the fluid circulation unit 100 and the drive unit 300 to perform a drying process for drying the clothes. The drying process is divided into a plurality of drying steps as described below, and the control unit 400 controls the operating states of the fluid circulation unit 100 and the drive unit 300 according to each drying step.

[0103] In one embodiment of the present invention, the clothes drying process includes a rate increasing process (P10) for increasing the drying efficiency (G3) in the drum 20, a constant rate process (P20) for maintaining the drying efficiency (G3), and a rate decreasing process (P30) in which the drying efficiency (G3) decreases. That is, one embodiment of the present invention divides the clothes drying process into a plurality of drying steps according to the drying efficiency (G3) and performs the drying process.

[0104] The drying efficiency (G3) corresponds to the actual evaporation amount with respect to the theoretical maximum evaporation amount that can occur within the drum 20. The drying efficiency (G3) is calculated from the difference between the maximum absolute humidity with respect to the air temperature discharged from the current drum 20 and the humidity amount of the air supplied into the drum 20 for the theoretical maximum evaporation amount, and the actual evaporation amount is calculated from the difference between the actual absolute humidity of the air discharged from the drum 20 and the humidity amount of the air supplied into the drum 20.

[0105] Continuing the drying process for an excessive long time in a state where the drying efficiency (G3) is low, setting the power consumption of the drive unit 300, the compressor 120, etc. unnecessarily even though the drying efficiency (G3) is the maximum value that can be reached under the current conditions, or controlling the operating states of the drive unit 300, the compressor 120, etc. to maintain a high drying efficiency (G3) even after the drying process enters the latter half is disadvantageous in terms of energy efficiency.

[0106] That is, in the clothing drying process, it is important for improving the energy efficiency of the clothing treatment apparatus 1 to grasp the change in the drying efficiency (G3), effectively divide a plurality of drying processes, and effectively operate the drive unit 300, the compressor 120, etc. so that an appropriate drying efficiency (G3) is provided for each drying process.

[0107] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the actual evaporation amount (G1) within the drum 20 during the clothing drying process in an embodiment of the present invention. The horizontal axis of FIG. 5 indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the actual evaporation amount (G1). Referring to FIG. 5, the actual evaporation amount (G1) during the drying process continuously increases in the initial and middle stages of the drying process and decreases in the latter stage.

[0108] The reason for the decrease in the actual evaporation amount (G1) in the latter stage of the drying process is that the moisture content of the clothing has reached a certain amount or less, so the moisture that can be evaporated under the same conditions itself has decreased, and the moisture content of the clothing has reached a certain amount or less, so the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 have reduced their output, gradually lowering the temperature of the fluid and the temperature of the air.

[0109] On the one hand, FIG. 6 is a graph showing the moisture content (G2) of clothing during the drying process. The horizontal and vertical axes of FIG. 6 represent time, and the vertical axis represents the moisture content (G2). The graph in FIG. 6 is the result of calculating the moisture content (G2) of the clothing as a ratio to the total load in the drum 20.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 6, the moisture content (G2) of the clothing decreases throughout the drying process. However, it can be confirmed that the rate of decrease in the moisture content (G2) of the clothing increases in the middle stage rather than in the initial stage of the drying process and decreases again in the later stage.

[0111] That is, during the initial stage of the clothing drying process, rapidly increasing the rate of decrease in the moisture content (G2) of the clothing is advantageous for improving the energy efficiency along with the increase in the drying efficiency (G3). During the later stage of the drying process, gently decreasing the rate of decrease in the moisture content (G2) of the clothing can allow the drying to proceed while effectively reducing the power consumption of the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120, which is advantageous for improving the energy efficiency.

[0112] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the drying efficiency (G3) calculated based on the actual evaporation amount with respect to the theoretical maximum evaporation amount that can occur in the drum 20 during the clothing drying process according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the drying efficiency (G3).

[0113] In an embodiment of the present invention, the drying process is divided into a rate-increasing process (P10), a constant-rate process (P20), and a rate-decreasing process (P30). The rate-increasing process (P10) corresponds to the drying process for increasing the drying efficiency (G3).

[0114] In an embodiment of the present invention, by increasing the rate of change of the drying efficiency (G3) during the rate-increasing process (P10) and shortening the time to reach the maximum drying efficiency, the total required time of the drying process can be shortened and the energy efficiency can be improved.

[0115] The constant rate process (P20) is a drying process in which the drying of clothes proceeds while maintaining the drying efficiency (G3) that has increased rapidly by the increasing rate process (P10). In fact, in the constant rate process (P20), it may proceed while allowing fluctuations within a certain range of the drying efficiency (G3) due to changes in the outside air, the quality and quantity of the laundry, etc.

[0116] In the clothes drying process, even if the fluid temperature of the fluid circulation unit 100 or the air temperature of the air circulation unit 200 is increased by controlling the drive unit 300 or the compressor 120, the drying efficiency (G3) under the corresponding conditions may not increase further or may reach the maximum region where the increase amount is meaningless.

[0117] In one embodiment of the present invention, the constant rate process (P20) is a process in which the drying efficiency (G3) maintains the maximum region, and the drying efficiency (G3) in the constant rate process (P20) corresponds to a predetermined range value rather than a specific value, and may be the maximum value under the corresponding conditions or a predetermined arbitrary value for substituting the maximum value.

[0118] In one embodiment of the present invention, the increasing rate process (P10) is used to quickly increase the drying efficiency (G3) to shorten the delay time for the drying efficiency (G3) to reach the maximum value, and the constant rate process (P20) is used to control the drive unit 300, the compressor 120, etc. without wasting unnecessary power consumption, and the clothes are dried while maintaining the maximum drying efficiency (G3).

[0119] In the decreasing rate process (P30), after the constant rate process (P20), when the moisture content of the clothes becomes below a certain level, the drying efficiency (G3) gradually decreases even under the same conditions. In one embodiment of the present invention, in the decreasing rate process (P30), the outputs of the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 are appropriately reduced so that the drying of the clothes ends together with the cooling of the fluid and air by the decreasing rate process (P30).

[0120] In the decreasing rate process (P30), the drying efficiency (G3) decreases due to the decrease in the moisture content of the clothes itself, but it is a drying process for ending the drying process while minimizing the power consumption of the unnecessary drive unit 300 and compressor 120 for increasing the decreasing drying efficiency (G3).

[0121] In one embodiment of the present invention, the drying process of clothing is divided into an increasing rate process (P10), a constant rate process (P20), and a decreasing rate process (P30) according to the variation characteristics of the drying efficiency (G3). In addition, by minimizing unnecessary energy consumption according to each drying process and efficiently adjusting the drying efficiency (G3), the energy efficiency can be effectively improved.

[0122] On the other hand, FIG. 8 is a graph showing the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 in the clothing drying process according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150, which indicates the temperature of the fluid derived from the compressor 120.

[0123] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 400 performs the drying process by dividing it into an increasing rate process (P10), a constant rate process (P20), and a decreasing rate process (P30) according to the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150.

[0124] That is, the control unit 400 uses the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 to grasp the end of the increasing rate process (P10) and the entry point of the constant rate process (P20), and the end of the constant rate process (P20) and the entry point of the decreasing rate process (P30).

[0125] As described above, in order to derive the drying efficiency (G3), measurement of the humidity amount on the inlet side of the drum 20, the humidity amount on the outlet side of the drum 20, and the temperature is required. However, the humidity sensor used for measuring the humidity amount has a relatively expensive configuration, which increases the manufacturing cost of the clothing processing apparatus 1. In addition, the calculation of the drying efficiency (G3) using each humidity amount and temperature increases the calculation load of the control unit 400.

[0126] Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, by dividing the drying process of clothing using other measured values representing specific states of the drying efficiency (G3) without expensive components such as humidity sensors, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the calculation load of the control unit 400 can be effectively reduced while effectively dividing the drying process of clothing.

[0127] Specifically, in the drying process of the clothing, the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 shows specific behavior along with the change in the drying efficiency (G3). Thus, even if a plurality of drying processes are distinguished by the change in the drying efficiency (G3), the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 corresponding to the entry point of each drying process also shows specific behavior. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the conversion of the drying process is performed based on the characteristics of the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 corresponding to the entry point of each drying process.

[0128] There are various methods of using the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 in the control unit 400. That is, the characteristics of the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 representing the entry points of a plurality of drying processes are various.

[0129] For example, as will be described later, when the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 corresponds to a predetermined specific value, the control unit 400 ends or enters the increasing rate process (P10), the constant rate process (P20), and the decreasing rate process (P30). The end and entry points of each drying process can be grasped based on the change rate of the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150, and each drying process can also be distinguished by deriving a further index using the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 as a variable.

[0130] Thus, one embodiment of the present invention divides the drying process of the clothing into a plurality of drying processes based on the drying efficiency (G3) in consideration of improving the energy efficiency, and by using the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 having a meaningful value at the conversion point of each drying process, the drying process can be efficiently distinguished only by a normal sensor without adding another configuration.

[0131] Also, the control unit 400 can efficiently control the compressor 120, the first drive motor 310, and the second drive motor 320 based on the behavior of the desired drying efficiency (G3) in each drying process, and can efficiently execute a plurality of drying processes.

[0132] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, the end of the increasing rate process (P10) and the entry point of the constant rate process (P20) can be grasped from the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150.

[0133] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 reaches a predetermined constant rate entry compressor sensor value (V1) in the rate increase process (P10), the control unit 400 ends the rate increase process (P10) and performs the constant rate process (P20).

[0134] For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the drying efficiency (G3) for entering the constant rate process (P20) is specified as the constant rate entry drying efficiency, and the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 is specified as the constant rate entry compressor sensor value (V1) in a state where the drying efficiency (G3) has reached the constant rate entry drying efficiency.

[0135] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, even if the direct grasp of the drying efficiency (G3) is omitted, when the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 reaches a predetermined constant rate entry compressor sensor value (V1), the control unit 400 ends the rate increase process (P10) and enters the constant rate process (P20), and appropriately controls the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120.

[0136] Referring to FIG. 8, the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 has a relatively linear change in the process of the drying process. Therefore, it is advantageous for specifying the measured value for grasping the time point of entering the constant rate process (P20) representing the drying efficiency (G3). FIG. 8 shows the constant rate entry compressor sensor value (V1) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0137] Also, as will be described later, in the rate increase process (P10), since the compressor 120 operates at a high frequency to increase the fluid temperature of the fluid circulation unit 100 and the air temperature of the air circulation unit 200, the discharge temperature of the compressor 120 in the rate increase process (P10) becomes an index representing the temperature changes of the fluid circulation unit 100 and the air circulation unit 200 with priority.

[0138] Therefore, it is advantageous in terms of accuracy to utilize the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 instead of the drying efficiency (G3) for the end of the rate increase process (P10) and the time point of entering the constant rate process (P20).

[0139] Ultimately, one embodiment of the present invention can accurately determine the end of the increasing rate process (P10) and the entry condition of the constant rate process (P20) with high reliability by utilizing the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 for controlling the fluid circulation unit 100 without expensive components such as a humidity sensor.

[0140] On the other hand, FIG. 4 schematically shows one of the evaporator sensors 160 in the clothing treatment apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 shows a graph indicating the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 during the drying process of the clothing. In FIG. 10, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160, which indicates the temperature of the fluid discharged from the evaporator 130.

[0141] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fluid circulation unit 100 further includes an evaporator sensor 160 for measuring the temperature of the fluid flowing into or out of the evaporator 130. When the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 reaches a predetermined constant rate entry evaporator sensor value (V2) while the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 reaches the constant rate entry compressor sensor value (V1), the control unit 400 performs the constant rate process (P20).

[0142] The evaporator sensor 160 is disposed on the inlet side or the outlet side of the evaporator 130 to measure the temperature of the fluid passing through the evaporator 130. The evaporator sensor 160 may be provided in the evaporator 130 or disposed in the inlet flow path or the outlet flow path of the evaporator 130.

[0143] The evaporator sensor 160 may be provided in either the inlet flow path or the outlet flow path of the evaporator 130, or may be provided in each of the inlet flow path and the outlet flow path of the evaporator 130. The graph in FIG. 10 shows the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 provided in the outlet flow path of the evaporator 130 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0144] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 reaches the constant rate entry compressor sensor value (V1) and the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 reaches the constant rate entry evaporator sensor value (V2), the control unit 400 ends the increasing rate process (P10) and performs the constant rate process (P20). The constant rate entry evaporator sensor value (V2) corresponds to the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 when the drying efficiency (G3) corresponds to the constant rate entry drying efficiency.

[0145] One embodiment of the present invention sets the constant rate entry evaporator sensor value (V2) together with the constant rate entry compressor sensor value (V1) as the constant rate process (P20) entry condition for entering the constant rate process (P20), so that the entry of the constant rate process (P20) can be grasped multiplicatively and the accuracy can be further improved.

[0146] Furthermore, when the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 shows abnormal behavior or the failure of the compressor sensor 150 is detected, the control unit 400 can utilize the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 to determine whether to enter the constant rate process (P20) instead of judging the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150, thereby improving the execution stability of the drying process.

[0147] On the other hand, FIG. 2 schematically shows the outside air sensor 50 provided in the clothing treatment apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 shows a graph showing the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 and the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 corrected by the change in the outside air temperature in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0148] In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis represents the measured value (G6) of the outside air sensor 50, which indicates the temperature of the outside air, and the vertical axis corresponds to the correction value for the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 and the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160.

[0149] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 11, an embodiment of the present invention further includes an outside air sensor 50 that measures the outside air temperature outside the cabinet 10, and the control unit 400 corrects the constant rate inlet compressor sensor value (V1) and the constant rate inlet evaporator sensor value (V2) to higher values as the measured value (G6) of the outside air sensor 50 is higher.

[0150] The outside air sensor 50 measures the outside air temperature outside the cabinet 10. At least a part of the outside air sensor 50 is exposed outside the cabinet 10 or provided inside the cabinet 10.

[0151] Changes in the outside air affect variables such as fluid density, operating conditions of the fluid circulation unit 100, and the theoretical maximum evaporation amount of the drying efficiency (G3). Therefore, by correcting the constant rate inlet compressor sensor value (V1) and the constant rate inlet evaporator sensor value (V2) described above based on the outside air conditions, it is possible to determine the entry point of a more accurate constant rate process (P20).

[0152] On the other hand, in FIG. 11, the horizontal axis corresponds to the measured value (G6) of the outside air sensor 50, and the vertical axis corresponds to the temperature value. The measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to the constant rate inlet compressor sensor value (V1) described above, and the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 corresponds to the constant rate inlet evaporator sensor value (V2) described above.

[0153] Referring to FIG. 11, in an embodiment of the present invention, as the outside air temperature rises, the constant rate inlet compressor sensor value (V1) and the constant rate inlet evaporator sensor value (V2) can be corrected to higher values.

[0154] An increase in the outside air temperature increases the theoretical maximum evaporation amount in the drum 20 described above, thereby reducing the drying efficiency (G3). As a result, in order for the drying efficiency (G3) to reach a predetermined constant rate inlet drying efficiency, the constant rate inlet compressor sensor value (V1) and the constant rate inlet evaporator sensor value (V2) need to be corrected to higher values.

[0155] In one embodiment of the present invention, by using the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 or the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 that represents a specific value or a specific range of the drying efficiency (G3), it is possible to effectively determine the entry point of each drying process without adding sensors. Furthermore, by using the outside air sensor 50, it is possible to determine the entry point of the constant rate process (P20) or the falling rate process (P30) with high reliability even in the case of changes in the outside air.

[0156] Referring to FIG. 7 again, in one embodiment of the present invention, the drying process of the clothing includes a first increasing rate process (P12) and a second increasing rate process (P14). That is, the increasing rate section includes the first increasing rate process (P12) and the second increasing rate process (P14) that is performed after the end of the first increasing rate process (P12).

[0157] The control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 such that the increasing rate of the drying efficiency (G3) in the first increasing rate process (P12) is greater than that in the second increasing rate process (P14).

[0158] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the increasing rate process (P10) is divided into a first increasing rate process (P12) and a second increasing rate process (P14). In the first increasing rate process (P12), the fluid temperature of the fluid circulation unit 100 is rapidly increased, and in the second increasing rate process (P14), the operating states of the fluid circulation unit 100 and the air circulation unit 200 are stabilized so that the drying efficiency (G3) stably reaches the constant rate entry drying efficiency.

[0159] Referring to FIG. 7, the increasing rate of the drying efficiency (G3) in the first increasing rate process (P12) is higher than that in the second increasing rate process (P14). Also, it is confirmed that the drying efficiency (G3) in the second increasing rate process (P14) shows a relatively low increasing rate and gradually reaches the constant rate entry drying efficiency.

[0160] The increasing rate process (P10) shortens the delay time until the start of the constant rate process (P20), and further increases the drying efficiency (G3) rapidly to shorten the total time required for the entire drying process. However, if the second increasing rate process (P14) is omitted and the drying efficiency (G3) is rapidly increased before entering the constant rate process (P20), after entering the constant rate process (P20), the sudden change in the operating state of the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 may cause instability in the circulation cycle of the fluid circulation unit 100 and the air circulation unit 200.

[0161] As a result, when entering the constant rate process (P20), unstable fluctuations in the drying efficiency (G3) may occur, which may deteriorate the clothing drying effect throughout the constant rate process (P20).

[0162] Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, after the control unit 400 performs the first increasing rate process (P12) for a rapid increase in the drying efficiency (G3), a second increasing rate process (P14) is performed in which the fluid circulation unit 100 and the air circulation unit 200 are stabilized by a slow increase in the drying efficiency (G3) compared to the first increasing rate process (P12), thereby effectively ensuring the stability of the entire clothing drying process.

[0163] The control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 in various ways to perform the drying process with the drying efficiency (G3) increase rate in the second increasing rate process (P14) being lower than the drying efficiency (G3) increase rate in the first increasing rate process (P12).

[0164] For example, as described later, the control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 such that the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 is higher in the second increasing rate process (P14) than in the first increasing rate process (P12) while maintaining the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120.

[0165] In the constant rate process (P20), the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 is higher than the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 in the increasing rate process (P10). Therefore, the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 in the second increasing rate process (P14) having a value higher than the first increasing rate process (P12) decreases the fluid temperature increase rate of the fluid circulation unit 100. As a result, it decreases the rising rate of the drying efficiency (G3). Also, in the second increasing rate process (P14), the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 has a value relatively close to the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 performed in the constant rate process (P20), contributing to the stabilization of the drying process.

[0166] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 400 performs the second increasing rate process (P14) after performing the first increasing rate process (P12) for a predetermined first increasing rate process execution time (T1).

[0167] That is, the first increasing rate process execution time (T1) is preset in the control unit 400. When the drying process of the clothing proceeds, the control unit 400 performs the first increasing rate process (P12) for the first increasing rate process execution time (T1) and then enters the second increasing rate process (P14).

[0168] In the first increasing rate process (P12), the fluid circulation unit 100 and the air circulation unit 200 in the operation stop state operate to rapidly increase the drying efficiency (G3), so there may be an accidental change in the compressor sensor 150 or the evaporator sensor 160. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the first increasing rate process (P12) is performed within a certain time to achieve the overall operation stabilization of the clothing processing apparatus 1, and the first increasing rate process (P12) can be effectively performed.

[0169] However, if necessary, the drying efficiency (G3) of the second increasing rate process (P14) for entering the second increasing rate process (P14) is determined, and the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 or the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 corresponding to the drying efficiency (G3) of the second increasing rate process (P14) can also be used.

[0170] On the one hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, in the first rate increase process (P12), the increase rate of the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 is greater than that in the second rate increase process (P14). That is, the control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 such that the increase rate of the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 in the first rate increase process (P12) is greater than the increase rate of the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 in the second rate increase process (P14).

[0171] FIG. 8 shows the measured values (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 in the first rate increase process (P12) and the second rate increase process (P14). The increase rate of the measured value refers to the increase rate at the corresponding time point or corresponds to the average increase rate of each drying process. The average increase rate is derived from the difference between the measured value at the start and the measured value at the end with respect to the execution time of each drying process.

[0172] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the overall increase amount of the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 in the first rate increase process (P12) is greater than the overall increase amount of the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 in the second rate increase process (P14).

[0173] The control unit 400 can control the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 to make the increase rate of the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 in the first rate increase process (P12) greater than that in the second rate increase process (P14). However, it does not necessarily mean that the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 in the first rate increase process (P12) is greater than that in the second rate increase process (P14).

[0174] For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, while maintaining the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 constant, the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 can be changed to make the increase rate of the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 in the first rate increase process (P12) greater than that in the second rate increase process (P14).

[0175] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, the drying process further includes a rate decrease process (P30) that occurs after the constant rate process (P20), and the control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 such that the drying efficiency (G3) in the rate decrease process (P30) decreases compared to the constant rate process (P20).

[0176] For example, the control unit 400 can reduce either the RPM of the drive unit 300 or the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 in at least a part of the deceleration process (P30) so that the drying efficiency (G3) of the deceleration process (P30) is lower than that of the constant rate process (P20).

[0177] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 reaches a predetermined compressor sensor value (V4) for entering the deceleration process, the control unit 400 ends the constant rate process (P20) and performs the deceleration process (P30). FIG. 8 is a graph showing the compressor sensor value (V4) for entering the deceleration process.

[0178] Since the fluid in the fluid circulation unit 100 circulates through the evaporator 130 and the compressor 120, the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 shows a behavior similar to the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, it can be seen that the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 decreases when entering the deceleration process (P30).

[0179] Therefore, the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 has a specific value at the time of entering the deceleration process (P30). In one embodiment of the present invention, the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 at the time of entering the deceleration process (P30) is set as the compressor sensor value (V4) for entering the deceleration process.

[0180] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the change rate of the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 reaches a predetermined change rate (V3) for entering the deceleration process, the control unit 400 ends the constant rate process (P20) and performs the deceleration process (P30). FIG. 10 is a graph showing the change rate (V3) for entering the deceleration process.

[0181] When the moisture content of the clothes becomes less than a certain amount during the constant rate process (P20), the humidity of the air discharged from the drum 20 begins to decrease. Therefore, the amount of water condensed in the evaporator 130 also decreases, and the fluid in the evaporator 130 that absorbs heat through the water condensation process has a reduced heat absorption amount and a lower temperature due to the decrease in humidity.

[0182] That is, when the rate of change of the temperature of the discharged fluid of the evaporator 130 measured by the evaporator sensor 160 has a negative value or the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 at that time point, it represents the time point of entering the rate reduction section where the drying of the clothing progresses beyond a certain level and the drying efficiency (G3) decreases.

[0183] The temperature of the fluid passing through the evaporator 130 varies due to various factors. However, since the adjustment of the fluid temperature of the evaporator 130 in the rate reduction process (P30) reflects the change in the humidity amount relatively faithfully, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the rate of change of the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 reaches a predetermined rate of change for entering the rate reduction (V3), the rate reduction process (P30) is performed by the control unit 400.

[0184] However, the rate of change for entering the rate reduction (V3) is not necessarily limited to a negative value. Even if the gradient of the graph of the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 is 0 or a positive value close to 0, it is determined as the rate of change for entering the rate reduction (V3) as necessary.

[0185] Also, referring to FIG. 10, the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 has an instantaneous rate of change due to various causes. As a result, the graph of the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 includes noise microscopically. In one embodiment of the present invention, noise can be removed in various ways to grasp the rate of change of the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160.

[0186] For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 400 derives an average value for each arbitrary unit interval with respect to the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160, and determines whether the rate of change of the average value corresponds to the rate of change for entering the rate reduction (V3).

[0187] Such an averaging method is advantageous for removing meaningless fluctuations measured by the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 and deriving substantially meaningful measured values and rates of change.

[0188] On the other hand, in the rate reduction process (P30), since the temperature decrease of the fluid circulation unit 100 proceeds from the evaporator 130, in one embodiment of the present invention, instead of the drying efficiency (G3), the change rate of the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 representing the temperature change in the rate reduction process (P30) is used, so that the rate reduction process (P30) can be determined with high reliability.

[0189] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, an electrode sensor 25 for measuring the moisture content in contact with the clothes is provided on the drum 20, and when the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 reaches a predetermined rate reduction entry electrode sensor value (V5), the control unit 400 ends the constant rate process (P20) and performs the rate reduction process (P30).

[0190] That is, one embodiment of the present invention includes a drum 20 rotatably provided in the cabinet 10 and having an electrode sensor 25 for measuring the moisture content of the clothes accommodated therein, and a fluid circulation unit 100 including a condenser 110, a compressor 120, and an evaporator 130 through which the fluid circulates. The drying process includes a constant rate process (P20) for maintaining the drying efficiency (G3) in the drum 20 and a rate reduction process (P30) in which the drying efficiency (G3) decreases. When the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 reaches a predetermined rate reduction entry electrode sensor value (V5) in the constant rate process (P20), the control unit 400 ends the constant rate process (P20) and performs the rate reduction process (P30).

[0191] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the electrode sensor 25 is provided on the drum 20 and measures the moisture content of the clothes accommodated in the drum 20. For example, the electrode sensor 25 includes a pair of electrodes, and when in contact with the clothes, the energization characteristics generated by the pair of electrodes are analyzed to measure the moisture content of the clothes.

[0192] FIG. 9 is a graph showing the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 during the drying process of the clothes in one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25, which is related to the moisture content of the clothes. The measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 corresponds to the resistance value measured in a state where an electric current flows due to the presence of moisture.

[0193] For example, in FIG. 9, the lower the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25, the higher the moisture content of the clothing, and the higher the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25, the lower the moisture content of the clothing.

[0194] The measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 has a slight variation when the moisture content of the clothing is above a certain amount, and shows an increasing behavior when the moisture content of the clothing is less than a certain amount.

[0195] In one embodiment of the present invention, the point in time when the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 increases is similar to the point in time when the change rate of the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 corresponds to the decreasing rate entry change rate (V3). Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 increases and reaches the decreasing rate entry electrode sensor value (V5) representing the decreasing rate entry drying efficiency (G3) or the decreasing rate entry change rate (V3), it is determined that the decreasing rate process (P30) has entered.

[0196] In one embodiment of the present invention, the decreasing rate process (P30) is determined by utilizing the electrode sensor 25 and the temperature sensor that are normally utilized for the operation of the clothing treatment apparatus 1, and the energy efficiency can be effectively improved by controlling the drive unit 300, the compressor 120, etc.

[0197] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, the entry point of the decreasing rate process (P30) can also be grasped with higher reliability by jointly utilizing the measured values of sensors that are different from each other.

[0198] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the change rate of the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 reaches the predetermined decreasing rate entry change rate (V3) in a state where the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 reaches the decreasing rate entry compressor sensor value (V4), or when the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 reaches the decreasing rate entry electrode sensor value (V5), the constant rate process (P20) ends and the decreasing rate process (P30) is performed.

[0199] Or, when the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 reaches the decreasing rate entry electrode sensor value (V5), if the change rate of the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 reaches a predetermined decreasing rate entry change rate (V3), or when the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 reaches a predetermined decreasing rate entry compressor sensor value (V4), the constant rate process (P20) ends and the decreasing rate process (P30) is performed.

[0200] Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, by multiplexing the measured values measured by a plurality of sensors to determine the timing of entering the decreasing rate process (P30), the accuracy can be improved and the decreasing rate process (P30) can be stably determined.

[0201] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, in the drying process, the control unit 400 controls the driving unit 300 to rotate the drum 20, and includes a laundry amount determination process (P11) for determining the amount of laundry in the drum 20.

[0202] The laundry amount determination process (P11) is a process for determining the amount of laundry accommodated in the drum 20. The control unit 400 controls the driving unit 300 to rotate the drum 20 in a predetermined pattern and determines the amount of laundry in the drum 20.

[0203] For example, the driving unit 300 rotates the drum 20 at a predetermined RPM in one direction and the other direction, and the control unit 400 grasps the back electromotive force of the driving unit 300 generated during the rotation and stop process of the drum 20 to determine the amount of laundry.

[0204] The amount of laundry grasped in the laundry amount determination process (P11) is utilized in various ways. Specifically, when the amount of laundry is equal to or greater than a predetermined small amount reference value, the control unit 400 performs the decreasing rate process (P30) when the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 reaches the decreasing rate entry electrode sensor value (V5).

[0205] The electrode sensor 25 is provided on the drum 20 and measures the moisture content of the laundry by contact with the laundry, and is located in a partial area of the inner surface of the drum 20. For example, the electrode sensor 25 is disposed adjacent to the front of the drum 20, that is, the open surface of the drum 20.

[0206] When the drum 20 rotates during the drying process, the clothes tend to be distributed and move while tilting to one side of the drum 20. Generally, when the drum 20 rotates, the clothes tend to move to the front of the drum 20, that is, to the open side of the drum 20.

[0207] Based on such a movement tendency of the clothes, the electrode sensor 25 is arranged adjacent to the open surface of the drum 20 to induce contact with the clothes. However, when the amount of clothes is below a certain level, contact between the contact sensor and the clothes may not occur or the contact may be unstable despite the movement tendency of the clothes.

[0208] Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, an amount of clothes at which the reliability of the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 decreases due to a poor contact relationship between the electrode sensor 25 and the clothes is set in advance as a small amount reference value. The measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 shown in FIG. 9 is a value measured above the small amount reference value.

[0209] The small amount reference value is set by grasping the change in the behavior of the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 according to the amount of clothes. For example, when the maximum value of the amount of clothes accommodated in the drum 20 is determined to be 16 Kg by design, if the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 does not correspond to the change in the moisture content of the clothes when the amount of clothes is 3 Kg or less, a 3 Kg load is set as the small amount reference value. However, the specific values of the maximum value of the amount of clothes and the small amount reference value vary.

[0210] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 400 determines the entry point of the rate reduction process (P30) using the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 in a state where it is grasped that the amount of clothes is above the small amount reference value, thereby effectively improving the reliability of the determination of the entry condition of the rate reduction process (P30) using the electrode sensor 25.

[0211] On the one hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the amount of clothing is less than the small amount reference value, the control unit 400 ends the constant rate process (P20) and performs the rate reduction process (P30) when the change rate of the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 reaches a predetermined rate reduction entry change rate (V3) or the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 reaches a predetermined rate reduction entry compressor sensor value (V4).

[0212] As described above, when the amount of clothing is less than the small amount reference value, it is less reliable and efficient to determine the entry point of the rate reduction process (P30) using the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the amount of clothing is less than the small amount reference value, the entry point of the rate reduction process (P30) is determined using the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 or the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150.

[0213] On the one hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, the rate reduction process (P30) includes a first rate reduction process (P32) and a second rate reduction process (P34) that is performed after the end of the first rate reduction process (P32), and the control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 so that the reduction rate of the drying efficiency (G3) in the first rate reduction process (P32) is lower than that in the second rate reduction process (P34).

[0214] FIG. 7 shows the first rate reduction process (P32) and the second rate reduction process (P34), and it is shown that the reduction rate of the drying efficiency (G3) in the first rate reduction process (P32) is lower than the reduction rate of the drying efficiency (G3) in the second rate reduction process (P34).

[0215] Different from the constant rate process (P20), the rate reduction process (P30) is a drying process in which the moisture content of the clothing becomes below a certain level and the drying efficiency (G3) naturally decreases. Therefore, the rate reduction process (P30) corresponds to the latter stage of the clothing drying process, meaning that the drying of the clothing has progressed above a certain level.

[0216] However, referring to FIG. 6, even when entering the rate reduction process (P30), the moisture content of the clothing still exists and it is necessary to continue the drying process. Therefore, even if there is a decrease in the drying efficiency (G3), it is necessary to continue drying to continuously remove the moisture of the clothing.

[0217] In one embodiment of the present invention, the rate reduction process (P30) includes a first rate reduction process (P32) in which the drying efficiency (G3) slowly decreases and the drying of the clothing proceeds above a certain level, and a second rate reduction process (P34) that performs a cooling process in preparation for the end of operation of the fluid circulation unit and the air circulation unit 200 etc. after the first rate reduction process (P32).

[0218] In one embodiment of the present invention, a first rate reduction process (P32) is performed in which the drying of the clothing proceeds so that the drying process of the clothing is completely carried out even in the rate reduction process (P30). After the first rate reduction process (P32), a second rate reduction process (P34) is performed in which the cooling process of air and fluid and the preparation process for the end of operation of each driving device proceed. By doing so, an efficient drying process can be performed according to the change in the drying efficiency (G3).

[0219] The control unit 400 controls the driving unit 300, the compressor 120, etc. to perform the first rate reduction process (P32) and the second rate reduction process (P34). The strategies for controlling the driving unit 300, the compressor 120, etc. in the first rate reduction process (P32) and the second rate reduction process (P34) are various.

[0220] For example, the control unit 400 makes the outputs of the driving unit 300 and the compressor 120 lower than those in the constant rate process (P20) in the first rate reduction process (P32), and makes the outputs of the driving unit 300 and the compressor 120 lower than or terminate them in the second rate reduction process (P34). Thereby, the control unit 400 can control the driving unit 300, the compressor 120, etc. so that the reduction rate of the drying efficiency (G3) in the second rate reduction process (P34) is lower than the reduction rate of the drying efficiency (G3) in the first rate reduction process (P32).

[0221] On the one hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 corresponds to a predetermined second deceleration entry electrode sensor value (V6) during a predetermined observation time (T4) in the first deceleration process (P32), the control unit 400 ends the first deceleration process (P32) and performs the second deceleration process (P34). FIG. 9 shows a graph of the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 in which the second deceleration entry electrode sensor value (V6) and the observation time (T4) are shown.

[0222] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode sensor 25 can be used to enter the second deceleration process (P34). Since the electrode sensor 25 measures the amount of moisture remaining in the clothing, it is advantageous for determining the end point of the first deceleration process (P32) when the drying of the clothing is substantially completed.

[0223] For example, the drying efficiency (G3) in a state where the moisture content of the clothing has been sufficiently removed so as to end drying is set as the second deceleration entry drying efficiency, and by judging the graph of the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25, the point in time when the current drying efficiency (G3) reaches the second deceleration entry drying efficiency can be grasped.

[0224] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, since it is difficult for the electrode sensor 25 to measure fluctuations in the resistance value when the moisture content of the clothing is too high, the measured value (G10) is substantially constant, and it is also difficult to measure fluctuations in the resistance value when the moisture content of the clothing is too low, so the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 is substantially constant.

[0225] In consideration of such characteristics of the electrode sensor 25, when the drying efficiency (G3) decreases below a certain level in the deceleration process (P30), the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 does not show fluctuations sufficient to distinguish the second deceleration process (P34). Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the entry point of the second deceleration process (P34) can be determined from the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 by reflecting the observation time (T4).

[0226] For example, when the drying efficiency (G3) in a state where the moisture content of the clothing has been sufficiently removed as the first rate reduction process (P32) ends is set as the drying efficiency at the entry into the second rate reduction, even if the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 reaches the maximum value or a predetermined specific value before the current drying efficiency (G3) reaches the drying efficiency at the entry into the second rate reduction, after reaching the specific value, the time elapsed until the drying efficiency (G3) reaches the drying efficiency at the entry into the second rate reduction can be specified. In one embodiment of the present invention, this elapsed time is determined in advance as the observation time (T4) and reflected in the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25, whereby the entry point into the second rate reduction process (P34) can be determined.

[0227] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the maximum value measurable by the electrode sensor 25 or a specific value representing the same is set as the electrode sensor value at the entry into the second rate reduction (V6). After the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 reaches the electrode sensor value at the entry into the second rate reduction (V6), the time point after the observation time (T4) has elapsed can be determined as the entry point into the second rate reduction process (P34).

[0228] After the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 reaches the electrode sensor value at the entry into the second rate reduction (V6) and the observation time (T4) has elapsed, the drying efficiency (G3) is in a state where it has reached the drying efficiency at the entry into the second rate reduction.

[0229] Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, since the entry point into the second rate reduction process (P34) can be determined by the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 that directly presents the moisture content of the clothing, the reliability is improved. Furthermore, even in a situation outside the measurable range of the electrode sensor 25, the entry point into the second rate reduction process (P34) can be effectively grasped by introducing the observation time (T4).

[0230] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, as described above, when the amount of clothing grasped in the laundry amount determination process (P11) is equal to or greater than a predetermined small amount reference value, the reliability of determining the entry point of each drying process can be ensured by utilizing the electrode sensor 25.

[0231] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the amount of clothing is equal to or greater than a predetermined small amount reference value, the control unit 400 performs a second deceleration process (P34) when the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 reaches the second deceleration entry electrode sensor value (V6).

[0232] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the amount of clothing is less than the small amount reference value, the control unit 400 performs the second deceleration process (P34) after performing the first deceleration process (P32) for a predetermined first deceleration process execution time (T2).

[0233] For example, when the amount of clothing in the drum 20 is less than the small amount reference value and the reliability of the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 is low, in one embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the measured value (G4) of the evaporator sensor 160 or the compressor sensor 150 is utilized to grasp the entry point of the deceleration process (P30).

[0234] Also, by setting in advance the elapsed time from the entry point of the deceleration process (P30) to the entry point of the second deceleration process (P34) as the first deceleration process execution time (T2) based on the change in the drying efficiency (G3), even when it is difficult to utilize the electrode sensor 25, the entry point of the second deceleration process (P34) can be effectively determined.

[0235] Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, without separately providing an expensive sensor or the like, the first deceleration process (P32) and the second deceleration process (P34) classified based on the drying efficiency (G3) can be effectively performed.

[0236] Note that after performing the first deceleration process (P32), the control unit 400 can perform the second deceleration process (P34) for a predetermined second deceleration process execution time (T3).

[0237] Since the second deceleration process (P34) is a drying process for ending the operation cycle of each component of the clothing processing apparatus 1 and performing a cooling process, it ends after being performed for a predetermined second deceleration process execution time (T3) based on the change in the drying efficiency (G3).

[0238] The second deceleration process execution time (T3) is a period during which the cooling of the fluid in the fluid circulation unit 100 or the air in the air circulation unit 200 is completed below a certain level, and the driving of each driving device ends stably, and it is determined in various ways.

[0239] On the other hand, FIGS. 12 and 13 are graphs showing changes in the RPM (G7) of the drum 20, the RPM (G8) of the fan 210, and the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 in each drying process of the drying process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0240] In FIGS. 12 and 13, the horizontal axis corresponds to time, and the vertical axis corresponds to the RPM (G7, G8) of the drum 20 and the fan 210 and the frequency (Hz) (G9) of the compressor.

[0241] FIG. 12 corresponds to the case where the amount of clothing in the drum 20 is less than a predetermined large reference value, and FIG. 13 corresponds to the case where the amount of clothing in the drum 20 is equal to or greater than the large reference value.

[0242] That is, FIG. 12 corresponds to the general load mode based on the amount of clothing, and FIG. 13 corresponds to the large load mode. The detailed contents of the general load mode and the large load mode will be described later.

[0243] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 400 can control the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 to be higher than that in the constant rate process (P20) in the increasing rate process (P10).

[0244] The increasing rate process (P10) is a drying process in which a rapid increase in the drying efficiency (G3) is required. Therefore, it is necessary for the fluid temperature in the fluid circulation unit 100 to increase rapidly. Accordingly, the control unit 400 controls the compressor 120 so that the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 is higher than that in the constant rate process (P20) in the increasing rate process (P10).

[0245] On the other hand, the control unit 400 controls the driving unit 300 so that the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 is lower in the first increasing rate process (P12) than in the second increasing rate process (P14).

[0246] In the increasing rate process (P10), the first increasing rate process (P12) corresponds to the process of rapidly increasing the fluid temperature of the fluid circulation unit 100, and the second increasing rate process (P14) is performed to stabilize the operating cycles of the fluid circulation unit 100 and the air circulation unit 200 while the fluid temperature rises relatively slowly.

[0247] Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, in the first increasing rate process (P12), the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 is decreased to reduce the amount of heat transferred from the fluid of the fluid circulation unit 100 to the air of the air circulation unit 200, and in the second increasing rate process (P14), the fan 210 is operated at an RPM higher than that of the second increasing rate process (P14) so that the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 is the same as that of the constant rate process (P20).

[0248] Thus, one embodiment of the present invention can more effectively perform the increasing rate process (P10) and effectively improve the energy efficiency by controlling the drive unit 300 according to the characteristics of the first increasing rate process (P12) and the second increasing rate process (P14).

[0249] Note that the control unit 400 controls the compressor 120 so that the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 is constant in the increasing rate process (P10). That is, the compressor 120 frequency (G9) is maintained the same in the first increasing rate process (P12) and the second increasing rate process (P14).

[0250] For the fluid circulation unit 100, the stabilization time due to the variation of the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 is important. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, despite the changes in the first increasing rate process (P12) and the second increasing rate process (P14), the increasing rate process (P10) can be effectively performed by changing the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 while maintaining the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 and adjusting the change rate of the drying efficiency (G3).

[0251] On the one hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, the drive unit 300 includes a first drive machine 310 that rotates the drum 20 and a second drive machine 320 that rotates the fan 210. Figures 2 to 4 show the drive unit 300 including the first drive machine 310 that rotates the drum 20 and the second drive machine 320 that rotates the fan 210.

[0252] The operations of the first drive machine 310 and the second drive machine 320 are controlled by the control unit 400 and can be individually and independently controlled. For example, the control unit 400 can operate only one of the first drive machine 310 and the second drive machine 320, control the RPMs of the first drive machine 310 and the second drive machine 320 to be different, or control the rates of change of the RPMs of the first drive machine 310 and the second drive machine 320 to be different.

[0253] Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 and the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 required for each drying process are individually controlled, and the driving of the drum 20 and the fan 210 suitable for each drying process is specifically performed, so that the energy efficiency can be effectively improved.

[0254] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 400 controls the first drive machine 310 such that the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 is the same in the first rate increase process (P12) and the second rate increase process (P14), and controls the second drive machine 320 such that the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 is lower in the first rate increase process (P12) than in the second rate increase process (P14).

[0255] In the rate increase process (P10), changing the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 for increasing the drying efficiency (G3) has little practical benefit and may rather induce a stabilization delay due to the RPM (G7) variation of the drum 20. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the target RPM of the drum 20 is maintained the same in the first rate increase process (P12) and the second rate increase process (P14). Further, for stabilizing the drying process, the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 in the rate increase process (P10) is controlled to the same value as in the constant rate process (P20).

[0256] Note that, as described above, the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 is related to the air flow rate and velocity, and the air flow rate and velocity are ultimately related to the amount of heat lost from the fluid in the fluid circulation unit 100. Therefore, for the efficient temperature increase of the fluid in the fluid circulation unit 100, the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 is set lower than that in the second rate increase process (P14) in the first rate increase process (P12) to contribute to a rapid increase in the drying efficiency (G3).

[0257] As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, in the first rate increase process (P12), the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 is adjusted to match the characteristics of the process of a rapid increase in the drying efficiency (G3) and the fluid temperature in the fluid circulation unit 100. However, by adjusting the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 independently of the RPM (G8) of the fan 210, the energy efficiency can be effectively improved while effectively embodying the characteristics of each drying process.

[0258] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 so that the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 is constant after the laundry amount determination process (P11) in the first rate increase process (P12).

[0259] That is, one embodiment of the present invention performs the first rate increase process (P12) and the above-described laundry amount determination process (P11). For example, when the drying process of clothes is performed, the laundry amount determination process (P11) is performed first, and the first rate increase process (P12) can maintain the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 constant after performing the laundry amount determination process (P11) including the laundry amount determination process (P11).

[0260] In FIGS. 12 and 13, the laundry amount determination process (P11) performed by the control unit 400 controlling the drive unit 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention is represented by the RPM (G7) of the drum 20.

[0261] In one embodiment of the present invention, as described above, even if the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 is changed for the laundry amount determination process (P11), since the drive unit 300 controls the RPMs (G8) of the drum 20 and the fan 210 independently of each other in a manner such as including the first drive machine 310 and the second drive machine 320, the laundry amount determination process (P11) can be performed without unnecessary variation in the RPM (G8) of the fan 210.

[0262] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 such that the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 and the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 are the same in the second rate increase process (P14) and the constant rate process (P20).

[0263] Since the second rate increase process (P14) is a drying process in which the stabilization of each drive device and cycle proceeds in order to be performed after the first rate increase process (P12) and enter the constant rate process (P20), the control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 such that the RPMs (G7, G8) of the drum 20 and the fan 210 in the second rate increase process (P14) are already the same as the RPMs (G7, G8) of the drum 20 and the fan 210 in the constant rate process (P20).

[0264] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 400 controls the RPM of the drive unit 300 and the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 to values below those in the constant rate process (P20) in the first rate decrease process (P32), and controls the RPM of the drive unit 300 and the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 to values lower than those in the first rate decrease process (P32) in the second rate decrease process (P34).

[0265] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in the first rate decrease process (P32), the RPM of the drive unit 300, that is, the RPMs (G7, G8) of the drum 20 and the fan 210 are adjusted to values below those in the constant rate process (P20). For example, in the first rate decrease process (P32), the RPMs (G7, G8) of the drum 20 and the fan 210 are the same as or lower than those in the constant rate process (P20).

[0266] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 so that the RPMs (G7, G8) of the drum 20 and the fan 210 are below those in the constant rate process (P20) in the first rate reduction process (P32) so that there is no further energy consumption for increasing the drying efficiency (G3).

[0267] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, in the second rate reduction process (P34), the RPM of the drive unit 300 and the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 can be controlled to values lower than those in the first rate reduction process (P32). That is, the control unit 400 can stop the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 or control them to an output lower than that in the first rate reduction process (P32) in the second rate reduction process (P34).

[0268] Since the second rate reduction process (P34) is a process of relatively slowly stopping the operating state of the clothing treatment apparatus 1 for the end of the drying process instead of the complete end of the drying process, the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 can still operate in at least a part of the second rate reduction process (P34).

[0269] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, it can be confirmed that in the second rate reduction process (P34), the control unit 400 stops the operation of the drive unit 300, that is, the fan 210 and the compressor 120, and rotates the drum 20 at an RPM (G7) lower than that in the first rate reduction process (P32).

[0270] In the second rate reduction process (P34), a cooling process of the fluid and air is performed. FIGS. 12 and 13 show the cooling process, and in the cooling process, the drum 20 rotates at an RPM (G7) lower than that in the first rate reduction process.

[0271] When the drying process of the clothing ends, the user of the clothing treatment apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention collects the clothing from the drum 20. At this time, due to the temperature of the clothing heated in the drying process of the clothing, it is inconvenient to collect the clothing.

[0272] Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, in the second rate reduction process (P34), the drum 20 is continuously rotated at a predetermined RPM so that the temperature of the fluid and air decreases and the clothing is cooled as well. The rotation of the drum 20 uniformly dissipates the heat of the clothing, which is advantageous for reducing the temperature of the clothing.

[0273] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the amount of clothing is equal to or greater than a predetermined large reference value, the control unit 400 controls the RPM of the drive unit 300 and the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 to be the same as those in the constant rate process (P20) in the first rate reduction process (P32).

[0274] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the amount of clothing grasped by the laundry amount determination process (P11) is equal to or greater than a predetermined large reference value, the control unit 400 proceeds with the drying process in the large load mode.

[0275] The large reference value means the amount of clothing in which the amount of moisture remaining in the clothing is above a certain level even after the constant rate process (P20) is performed, and the large reference value is determined in various ways based on the results of repeated experiments and theoretical results.

[0276] FIG. 13 is a graph showing the control strategy of the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 in the large load mode. In the large load mode, the control unit 400 maintains the RPM of the drive unit 300 and the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 to be the same as those in the constant rate process (P20) in the first rate reduction process (P32).

[0277] The large load mode is a situation where the amount of moisture in the clothing remains relatively large even when entering the rate reduction process (P30) in which the amount of moisture in the clothing decreases and the drying efficiency (G3) decreases due to the constant rate process (P20). Therefore, the drying effect of the clothing can be sufficiently maintained so that the user can be sufficiently satisfied with the result of the drying process.

[0278] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the amount of clothing is less than the large reference value, the control unit 400 controls the compressor 120 so that the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 is lower than that in the constant rate process (P20) in the first rate reduction process (P32).

[0279] That is, when the amount of clothing is less than the large quantity reference value, the control unit 400 controls the compressor 120 and the drive unit 300 in the general load mode, and the control strategies of the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 in such general load mode are shown in the graph of FIG. 12.

[0280] The general load mode is a mode that prioritizes energy efficiency rather than an increase in the drying effect of clothing when compared with the large quantity load mode. It can be understood that the general load mode is a mode in which the moisture content of the clothing is sufficiently removed even when proceeding to a general first rate reduction process (P32) after the constant rate process (P20).

[0281] When comparing the large quantity load mode and the general load mode with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, in the large quantity load mode, in the first rate reduction process (P32), the RPM of the drive unit 300 and the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 can be controlled in the same manner as in the constant rate process (P20) so that the drying effect of the clothing, that is, the amount of moisture evaporation from the clothing, is improved.

[0282] Even if the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 are controlled in the same manner as in the constant rate process (P20) in the first rate reduction process (P32), the drying efficiency (G3) slowly decreases due to the decrease in the moisture content of the clothing.

[0283] On the other hand, in the general load mode, in the first rate reduction process (P32), the outputs of the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 are controlled to be below the constant rate process (P20) so that the energy efficiency due to the energy consumption of the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 is improved.

[0284] For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the amount of clothing is less than the large quantity reference value, the control unit 400 controls the first drive machine 310 in the first rate reduction process (P32) to control the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 to the same value as in the constant rate process (P20), and controls the second drive machine 320 to control the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 to a value lower than that in the constant rate process (P20).

[0285] Referring to FIG. 12, in the general load mode where the amount of clothing corresponds to less than the large quantity reference value, the control unit 400 maintains the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 to be the same as that in the constant rate process (P20), and controls the first drive motor 310 and the second drive motor 320 such that the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 is lower than that in the constant rate process (P20).

[0286] Since the rotation of the drum 20 is involved in the drying effect of the clothing and the decrease in the clothing temperature, it is advantageous to maintain the same RPM as in the constant rate process (P20) even in the first deceleration process. On the other hand, the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 is controlled to be lower than that in the constant rate process (P20), so that the energy consumption can be reduced.

[0287] Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, by individually controlling the first drive motor 310 and the second drive motor 320 to independently and efficiently adjust the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 and the RPM (G8) of the fan 210, the energy efficiency can be improved, and at the same time, the drying efficiency (G3) of the drying process can be effectively improved.

[0288] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 in the second deceleration process (P34) to control the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 to a cooling RPM lower than that in the constant rate process (P20) during a predetermined cooling time, and after the cooling time has elapsed, controls the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 to a value lower than the cooling RPM. The cooling time is set variously as needed, and after the cooling time, the drive unit 300 is controlled such that the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 corresponds to 0.

[0289] One embodiment of the present invention is such that by setting the cooling time, even in the second deceleration process (P34), the drum 20 rotates during the cooling time to cool the clothing, and after the cooling process is performed, the drying process is completed while the rotation of the drum 20 ends.

[0290] Note that the control unit 400 controls the first drive motor 310 so that the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 corresponds to the cooling RPM during the cooling time in the second rate reduction process (P34), and controls the second drive motor 320 so that the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 is constant in the second rate reduction process (P34).

[0291] As described above, in the drum 20, during the cooling process, the clothes are cooled while rotating at a low RPM lower than the RPM in the first rate reduction process (P32). However, the fan 210 stops rotating in advance so that each system in the clothes processing apparatus 1 ends stably.

[0292] In one embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the first drive motor 310 and the second drive motor 320 operate independently so that the rotation of the fan 210 ends together with the rotation of the drum 20 in the second rate reduction process (P34), and the energy efficiency can be improved in the drying process of the clothes.

[0293] On the other hand, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a control method of the clothes processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0294] Referring to FIG. 14, in the control method of the clothes processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the clothes processing apparatus 1 includes a cabinet 10, a drum 20 rotatably provided in the cabinet 10 for storing clothes, a condenser 110, a compressor 120, and an evaporator 130 through which a fluid circulates, and a fluid circulation unit 100 including a compressor sensor 150 for measuring the temperature of the fluid discharged from the compressor 120, an air circulation unit 200 including a fan 210 for flowing the air heated by passing through the fluid circulation unit 100 into the drum 20, a drive unit 300 for rotating the drum 20 and the fan 210, and a control unit 400 for controlling the compressor 120 and the drive unit 300 to perform a drying process of the clothes.

[0295] The control method of the clothes processing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention also includes a rate increase stage (S100), a constant rate entry determination stage (S200), a constant rate stage (S300), a rate reduction entry determination stage (S400), and a rate reduction stage (S500).

[0296] In the increasing rate stage (S100), the control unit 400 controls the compressor 120 and the drive unit 300, that is, the first drive motor 310 and the second drive motor 320, to increase the drying efficiency (G3) in the drum 20.

[0297] In the constant rate entry determination stage (S200), the control unit 400 determines whether the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 satisfies the predetermined constant rate stage (S300) entry condition.

[0298] For example, the constant rate stage (S300) entry conditions include the constant rate entry drying efficiency, the constant rate entry compressor sensor value (V1), etc. The control unit determines whether the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 corresponds to the constant rate entry compressor sensor value (V1).

[0299] In the constant rate stage (S300), when the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 corresponds to the constant rate entry compressor sensor value (V1) in the constant rate entry determination stage (S200), the control unit 400 controls the compressor 120 and the drive unit 300 to maintain the drying efficiency (G3).

[0300] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 14, the control method of the clothing treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described. However, the contents overlapping with the clothing treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be omitted as much as possible.

[0301] The control method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an increasing rate stage (S100), a constant rate entry determination stage (S200), a constant rate stage (S300), a decreasing rate entry determination stage (S400), and a decreasing rate stage (S500). The increasing rate stage (S100) includes a first increasing rate stage (S110), a second increasing rate entry determination stage (S130), and a second increasing rate stage (S140). The decreasing rate stage (S500) includes a first decreasing rate stage (S510), a second decreasing rate entry determination stage (S520), and a second decreasing rate stage (S530).

[0302] When the user commands a clothes drying process using the control unit 30 of the cabinet 10 or the like, the control unit 400 performs a rate increase stage (S100). When performing the rate increase stage (S100), the control unit 400 performs a first rate increase stage (S110), and can perform a laundry amount determination stage (S120) along with the start of the first rate increase stage (S110).

[0303] In the laundry amount determination stage (S120), a laundry amount determination process (P11) is performed in which the control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 to rotate the drum 20 in a predetermined pattern while determining the amount of laundry in the drum 20. The amount of clothing determined in the laundry amount determination stage (S120) is utilized for determining whether to utilize the electrode sensor 25 in the clothes drying process and for differentiating between the general load mode and the large load mode.

[0304] After the laundry amount determination stage (S120), in order to rapidly increase the drying efficiency (G3) based on the first rate increase stage (S110), the control unit 400 rapidly increases the fluid temperature of the fluid circulation unit 100. To this end, the control unit 400 controls the compressor 120 to control the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 higher than that in the constant rate stage (S300), controls the drum 20 to maintain the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 constant with the constant rate process (P20), and controls the fan 210 to adjust the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 lower than that in the constant rate process (P20).

[0305] In the rate increase stage (S100), the control unit 400 performs a second rate increase entry determination stage (S130). In the second rate increase entry determination stage (S130), the control unit 400 determines whether the entry conditions for the second rate increase process (P14) are satisfied.

[0306] The entry conditions for the second rate increase process (P14) are the first rate increase process execution time (T1), the second rate increase entry drying efficiency, and the second rate increase entry humidity sensor value. When the execution time of the first rate increase stage (S110) in which the first rate increase process (P12) is performed has elapsed the predetermined first rate increase process execution time (T1), the control unit 400 ends the first rate increase stage (S110) and performs the second rate increase stage (S140).

[0307] Further, when the current drying efficiency (G3) corresponds to a predetermined second rate increase start drying efficiency, the control unit 400 can also end the first rate increase stage (S110) and perform the second rate increase stage (S140).

[0308] Further, when the current humidity sensor value corresponds to a predetermined second rate increase start humidity sensor value, the control unit 400 can also end the first rate increase stage (S110) and perform the second rate increase stage (S140).

[0309] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, in the second rate increase stage (S140), the control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 and the compressor 120 to stabilize the fluid circulation unit 100 and the air circulation unit 200, and the drying efficiency (G3) can reach a constant rate value. In the second rate increase process (P14) performed in the second rate increase stage (S140), the increase rate of the drying efficiency (G3) may be lower than that in the first rate increase process (P12).

[0310] The control unit 400 controls the compressor 120 so that the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 is maintained the same in the first rate increase stage (S110) and the second rate increase stage (S140). The control unit 400 controls the compressor 120 so that the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 in the rate increase stage (S100) is higher than the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 in the constant rate stage (S300).

[0311] The control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 so that the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 in the second rate increase stage (S140) is higher than that in the first rate increase stage (S110). The control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 so that the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 in the second rate increase stage (S140) is the same as that in the constant rate stage (S300).

[0312] The control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 such that the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 is the same as that in the first rate increase stage (S110) in the second rate increase stage (S140). The control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 such that the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 is the same as that in the constant rate stage (S300) in the second rate increase stage (S140). That is, the control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 such that the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 is constant in the rate increase stage (S100) and the constant rate stage (S300).

[0313] In the constant rate entry determination stage (S200), the control unit 400 determines whether the conditions for entering the constant rate stage (S300) are satisfied. The conditions for entering the constant rate stage (S300) include the constant rate entry compressor sensor value (V1), the constant rate entry evaporator sensor value (V2), the constant rate entry humidity sensor value, and the constant rate entry drying efficiency.

[0314] When any of the conditions for entering the constant rate stage (S300) is satisfied, the control unit 400 ends the rate increase stage (S100) and performs the constant rate stage (S300).

[0315] For example, when the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 reaches the constant rate entry compressor sensor value (V1), the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 reaches the constant rate entry evaporator sensor value (V2), the humidity sensor value reaches the constant rate entry humidity sensor value, or the drying efficiency (G3) reaches the constant rate entry drying efficiency, the control unit 400 ends the rate increase stage (S100) and performs the constant rate stage (S300).

[0316] On the other hand, in the constant rate stage (S300), the control unit 400 performs the constant rate process (P20). In the constant rate process (P20), the control unit 400 controls the compressor 120 and the drive unit 300 such that the drying efficiency (G3) maintains a constant value.

[0317] The control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 such that the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 is constant during the increasing rate process (P10) and the constant rate process (P20), controls the drive unit 300 such that the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 is constant during the second increasing rate process (P14) and the constant rate process (P20), and controls the compressor 120 such that the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 is lower than that during the increasing rate process (P10) during the constant rate process (P20).

[0318] In the decreasing rate entry determination stage (S400), the control unit 400 determines whether or not the conditions for entering the decreasing rate stage (S500) are satisfied. The conditions for entering the decreasing rate stage (S500) include the decreasing rate entry change rate (V3), the decreasing rate entry compressor sensor value (V4), the decreasing rate entry electrode sensor value (V5), the decreasing rate entry humidity change rate, and the decreasing rate entry drying efficiency.

[0319] When any of the conditions for entering the decreasing rate stage (S500) is satisfied, the control unit 400 ends the constant rate stage (S300) and performs the decreasing rate stage (S500).

[0320] For example, when the change rate of the measured value (G5) of the evaporator sensor 160 reaches the decreasing rate entry change rate (V3), the measured value (G4) of the compressor sensor 150 reaches the decreasing rate entry compressor sensor value (V4), the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 reaches the decreasing rate entry electrode sensor value (V5), the change rate of the measured value of the humidity sensor reaches the decreasing rate entry humidity change rate, or the drying efficiency (G3) reaches the decreasing rate entry drying efficiency, the control unit 400 ends the constant rate stage (S300) and performs the decreasing rate stage (S500).

[0321] On the other hand, during the decreasing rate stage (S500), the control unit 400 performs the decreasing rate process (P30). During the decreasing rate process (P30), the control unit 400 controls the compressor 120 and the drive unit 300 such that the drying efficiency (G3) decreases.

[0322] The control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 such that the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 becomes equal to or lower than that in the constant rate stage (S300) in the deceleration stage (S500), controls the drive unit 300 such that the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 becomes equal to or lower than that in the constant rate stage (S300), and also controls the compressor 120 such that the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 is lower than that in the constant rate process (P20).

[0323] In the deceleration stage (S500), the control unit 400 performs the first deceleration stage (S510). In the first deceleration stage (S510), when the control unit 400 performs the first deceleration process (P32) and compares it with the second deceleration process (P34), the control unit 400 controls the compressor 120 and the drive unit 300 such that the drying efficiency (G3) decreases slowly.

[0324] In the general load mode where the amount of clothing in the drum 20 is less than the large amount reference value, the control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 such that the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 is the same as that in the constant rate process (P20) and higher than that in the second deceleration process (P34) in the first deceleration process (P32), controls the drive unit 300 such that the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 is lower than that in the constant rate process (P20) and higher than that in the second deceleration process (P34), and controls the compressor 120 such that the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 is lower than that in the constant rate process (P20) and higher than that in the second deceleration process (P34).

[0325] In the large load mode where the amount of clothing in the drum 20 is greater than or equal to the large amount reference value, the control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 such that the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 is the same as that in the constant rate process (P20) and higher than that in the second deceleration process (P34) in the first deceleration process (P32), controls the drive unit 300 such that the RPM (G8) of the fan 210 is the same as that in the constant rate process (P20) and higher than that in the second deceleration process (P34), and controls the compressor 120 such that the frequency (G9) of the compressor 120 is the same as that in the constant rate process (P20) and higher than that in the second deceleration process (P34).

[0326] On the one hand, in the second deceleration entry determination stage (S520), the control unit 400 determines whether the entry conditions for the second deceleration stage (S530) are satisfied. The entry conditions for the second deceleration stage (S530) include the second deceleration entry electrode sensor value (V6), the observation time (T4), the second deceleration entry humidity sensor value, and the second deceleration entry drying efficiency.

[0327] When any of the entry conditions for the second deceleration stage (S530) are satisfied, the control unit 400 ends the first deceleration stage (S510) and performs the second deceleration stage (S530).

[0328] For example, when the measured value (G10) of the electrode sensor 25 corresponds to the second deceleration entry electrode sensor value (V6), the observation time (T4) has elapsed, the measured value of the humidity sensor reaches the second deceleration entry humidity sensor value, or the drying efficiency (G3) reaches the second deceleration entry drying efficiency, the control unit 400 ends the first deceleration stage (S510) and performs the second deceleration stage (S530).

[0329] In the second deceleration stage (S530), the second deceleration process (P34) is performed. In the second deceleration process (P34), the control unit 400 controls the compressor 120 and the drive unit 300 so that the drying efficiency (G3) decreases rapidly compared to the first deceleration process (P32), each drive device of the clothing treatment apparatus 1 is stably terminated, and the cooling process of the clothing is performed.

[0330] In the second deceleration process (P34), the control unit 400 controls the drive unit 300 so that the RPM (G7) of the drum 20 is operated lower than that in the first deceleration process (P32) during the cooling process, the rotation of the drum 20 ends after the cooling process, the rotation of the fan 210 ends, and the compressor 120 is controlled so that the operation of the compressor 120 ends.

[0331] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be variously improved and modified within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention provided by the following claims.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0332] 1: Clothing treatment device 10: Cabinet 15: Clothing opening 20: Drum 25: Electrode sensor 30: Control unit 40: Clothing door 50: Outdoor air sensor 100: Fluid circulation section 110: Condenser 120: Compressor 130: Evaporator 140: Expansion valve 150: Compressor sensor 160: Evaporator sensor 200: Air circulation section 210: Fan 220: Drum inlet section 230: Drum discharge section 240: Passage section 300: Driving section 310: First drive motor 320: Second drive motor 400: Control section P10: Rate increase process P11: Laundry quantity determination process P12: First rate increase process P14: Second rate increase process P20: Constant rate process P30: Rate decrease process P32: First rate decrease process P34: Second rate decrease process V1: Compressor sensor value at the entry of the constant rate process V2: Evaporator sensor value at the entry of the constant rate process V3: Rate of change at the entry of the rate decrease process V4: Compressor sensor value at the entry of the rate decrease process V5: Electrode sensor value at the entry of the rate decrease process V6: Electrode sensor value at the entry of the second rate decrease process

Claims

1. A clothing processing apparatus, comprising: a cabinet; a drum rotatably provided in the cabinet for accommodating clothing; a fluid circulation unit including a condenser, a compressor, and an evaporator through which a fluid circulates, and a compressor sensor for measuring the temperature of the fluid discharged from the compressor; an air circulation unit including a fan for passing the fluid circulation unit through the drum to generate heated air; a drive unit including i) a first drive for rotating the drum and ii) a second drive for rotating the fan; and a control unit for controlling the compressor, the first drive, and the second drive respectively to perform a drying process of the clothing; The drying process includes: 1) a rate-increasing process for increasing the drying efficiency in the drum; 2) a constant-rate process for maintaining the drying efficiency; and 3) a rate-decreasing process for decreasing the drying efficiency, Based on the measured value of the compressor sensor, the control unit determines to execute each of the rate-increasing process, the constant-rate process, and the rate-decreasing process, In the rate-increasing process, the constant-rate process, and the rate-decreasing process, the drying process is executed by independently controlling the first drive for rotating the drum and the second drive for rotating the fan at different rotational speeds. A clothing processing apparatus.

2. The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drying efficiency is derived from the actual evaporation amount with respect to the maximum evaporation amount of moisture expected in the drum.

3. The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the rate-increasing process, when the measured value of the compressor sensor reaches a predetermined constant-rate entry compressor sensor value, the control unit ends the rate-increasing process and performs the constant-rate process.

4. The fluid circulation unit further includes an evaporator sensor for measuring the temperature of the fluid flowing into or out of the evaporator, The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein in a state where the measured value of the compressor sensor reaches the constant-rate entry compressor sensor value, when the measured value of the evaporator sensor reaches a predetermined constant-rate entry evaporator sensor value, the control unit performs the constant-rate process.

5. further comprising an outside air sensor for measuring the outside air temperature outside the cabinet; The clothing processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit corrects the constant-rate entry compressor sensor value to a higher value as the measured value of the outside air sensor is higher.

6. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the frequency of the compressor to a value higher than that in the constant rate process during the increasing rate process.

7. The increasing rate process includes a first increasing rate process and a second increasing rate process performed after the end of the first increasing rate process. The control unit controls the drive unit and the compressor in the first increasing rate process such that the increasing rate of the drying efficiency is greater than that in the second increasing rate process. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the second increasing rate process after performing the first increasing rate process for a predetermined first increasing rate process execution time.

8. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the measurement value increasing rate of the compressor sensor in the first increasing rate process is greater than that in the second increasing rate process.

9. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the second drive motor such that the RPM of the fan in the first increasing rate process is lower than that in the second increasing rate process.

10. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit controls the compressor such that the frequency of the compressor is constant during the increasing rate process.

11. The control unit controls the first drive motor such that the RPM of the drum is the same in the first increasing rate process and the second increasing rate process, The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the second drive motor such that the RPM of the fan in the first increasing rate process is lower than that in the second increasing rate process.

12. The first increasing rate process includes a laundry amount determination process in which the control unit controls the first drive motor to rotate the drum to determine the amount of laundry in the drum. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the first drive motor such that the RPM of the drum is constant after the laundry amount determination process in the first increasing rate process.

13. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls the drive unit such that the RPM of the drum and the RPM of the fan are the same in the second increasing rate process and the constant rate process.

14. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit ends the constant rate process and performs the decreasing rate process when the measured value of the compressor sensor reaches a predetermined decreasing rate entry compressor sensor value during the constant rate process.

15. The fluid circulation unit further includes an evaporator sensor that measures the temperature of the fluid flowing into or out of the evaporator. In the constant rate process, when the measured value of the compressor sensor reaches the compressor sensor value at the start of the decreasing rate process and the rate of change of the measured value of the evaporator sensor reaches a predetermined rate of change at the start of the decreasing rate process, the control unit ends the constant rate process and performs the decreasing rate process. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 14.

16. An electrode sensor for measuring the moisture content in contact with the clothing is provided on the drum. In the constant rate process, when the measured value of the compressor sensor reaches the compressor sensor value at the start of the decreasing rate process and the measured value of the electrode sensor reaches a predetermined electrode sensor value at the start of the decreasing rate process, the control unit ends the constant rate process and performs the decreasing rate process. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 14.

17. The fluid circulation unit further includes an evaporator sensor for measuring the temperature of the fluid flowing into or out of the evaporator. An electrode sensor for measuring the moisture content in contact with the clothing is provided on the drum. In a state where the measured value of the compressor sensor has reached the compressor sensor value at the start of the decreasing rate process, when the rate of change of the measured value of the evaporator sensor reaches a predetermined rate of change at the start of the decreasing rate process or the measured value of the electrode sensor reaches a predetermined electrode sensor value at the start of the decreasing rate process, the control unit ends the constant rate process and performs the decreasing rate process. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 14.

18. The drying step includes a laundry amount determination process in which the control unit controls the drive unit to rotate the drum to determine the amount of clothing in the drum. When the amount of clothing is equal to or greater than a predetermined small amount reference value, the control unit determines the decreasing rate process using the measured value of the electrode sensor. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 16.

19. The decreasing rate process includes a first decreasing rate process and a second decreasing rate process performed after the end of the first decreasing rate process. The control unit controls the drive unit and the compressor so that the rate of decrease of the drying efficiency in the first decreasing rate process is lower than that in the second decreasing rate process. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 1.

20. After performing the first decreasing rate process, the control unit performs the second decreasing rate process for a predetermined second decreasing rate process execution time. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 19.

21. An electrode sensor for measuring the moisture content in contact with the clothing is provided on the drum. In the first decreasing rate process, when the measured value of the electrode sensor corresponds to a predetermined second decreasing rate entry electrode sensor value during a predetermined observation time, the control unit ends the first decreasing rate process and performs the second decreasing rate process. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 19.

22. The drying process includes a laundry amount determination process in which the control unit controls the drive unit to rotate the drum to determine the amount of laundry in the drum, wherein when the amount of laundry is equal to or greater than a predetermined small amount reference value, the control unit performs the second rate reduction process when the measured value of the electrode sensor reaches the second rate reduction entry electrode sensor value. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 21.

23. When the amount of laundry is less than the small amount reference value, the control unit performs the second rate reduction process after performing the first rate reduction process for a predetermined first rate reduction process execution time. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 22.

24. In the first rate reduction process, the control unit controls the RPM of the drive unit and the frequency of the compressor to a value below that of the constant rate process, and in the second rate reduction process, the control unit controls the RPM of the drive unit and the frequency of the compressor to a value lower than that of the first rate reduction process. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 19.

25. The drying process includes a laundry amount determination process in which the control unit controls the drive unit to rotate the drum to determine the amount of laundry in the drum, wherein when the amount of laundry is equal to or greater than a predetermined large amount reference value, the control unit controls the RPM of the drive unit and the frequency of the compressor to be the same as that of the constant rate process in the first rate reduction process. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 24.

26. When the amount of laundry is less than the large amount reference value, the control unit controls the compressor so that the frequency of the compressor is lower than that of the constant rate process in the first rate reduction process. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 25.

27. When the amount of laundry is less than the large amount reference value, the control unit controls the first drive motor to control the RPM of the drum to the same value as that of the constant rate process in the first rate reduction process, and controls the second drive motor to control the RPM of the fan to a value lower than that of the constant rate process. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 25.

28. In the second rate reduction process, the control unit controls the first drive motor to control the RPM of the drum to a cooling RPM lower than that of the constant rate process during a predetermined cooling time, and after the cooling time has elapsed, controls the RPM of the drum to a value lower than the cooling RPM. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 24.

29. The control unit controls the second drive motor so that the RPM of the fan is constant in the rate reduction process. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 1. Claim 30 A clothing processing apparatus, comprising: a cabinet; a drum rotatably provided within the cabinet and having an electrode sensor for measuring the moisture content of clothing housed therein; a fluid circulation section including a condenser, a compressor, and an evaporator through which a fluid circulates; an air circulation section having a fan for flowing heated air into the drum through the fluid circulation section; a drive section having a first drive for rotating the drum and a second drive for rotating the fan; and a control section for controlling the compressor and the drive section to perform a drying process for the clothing; wherein the drying process includes a constant rate process for maintaining the drying efficiency within the drum and a falling rate process in which the drying efficiency decreases, in the constant rate process, when the measured value of the electrode sensor reaches a predetermined falling rate entry electrode sensor value, the control section ends the constant rate process and executes the falling rate process, in the increasing rate process, the constant rate process, and the falling rate process, the drying process is executed by independently controlling the first drive for rotating the drum and the second drive for rotating the fan at different rotation speeds. A clothing processing apparatus.

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