Laundry Treatment Apparatus and Contol Method for the same

Abstract

The present application relates to a clothing processing device comprising: a tub providing a space for storing water; a drum rotatably provided inside the tub for storing clothing; and a sensor capable of determining the contamination level of the drum and the contamination level of the water stored in the tub; wherein the sensor comprises: a mounting part fixed to the tub so as to be located below a horizontal line passing through the center of the tub; a first light-emitting part fixed to the mounting part and emitting light toward the circumferential surface of the drum; a second light-emitting part fixed to the mounting part and emitting light toward the water stored in the tub; and a light-receiving part fixed to the mounting part to detect the intensity of reflected light reflected from the drum when light is emitted from the first light-emitting part, and to detect scattered light scattered in the water when light is emitted from the second light-emitting part.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present application relates to a clothing processing device and a method for controlling the clothing processing device. Background Technology

[0002] Among the garment processing devices, there was one configured to remove dirt from laundry items (hereinafter referred to as garments), comprising a tub for storing water and a drum rotatably provided inside the tub for storing garments. If the garment processing device of the above-described structure is used for a long period, a problem may arise in which detergent or foreign substances separated from the garments remain in the tub and the drum.

[0003] In order to resolve the problem of detergent or foreign substances remaining in the above-mentioned tub or drum, among conventional garment processing devices, there was a feature that counts the number of times the garment processing device operates and requests cleaning of the tub or drum when the number of operations reaches a preset standard number.

[0004] However, since the degree of contamination of the tub and drum varies depending on the operating environment of the garment processing device, the conventional method of cleaning the tub and drum based on the number of operations of the garment processing device had limitations in accurately determining when cleaning was required due to the level of contamination of the tub and drum.

[0005] To solve the aforementioned problem, among conventional garment processing devices, there was one that determined the degree of contamination of the tub and drum by detecting the intensity of light reflected from the drum, and accordingly determined the time for washing the tub and drum.

[0006] In addition, among conventional clothing processing devices, there was one that detects the contamination level (turbidity) of water stored in the tub and controls the supply and drainage of water according to the turbidity (Published Patent 10-2009-0107848). The problem to be solved

[0007] The present application aims to solve the problem of providing a garment processing device and a control method for the garment processing device capable of detecting the contamination level of a drum and the cloudiness (turbidity) of water stored in the tub using a single sensor.

[0008] In addition, the present application aims to solve the problem of providing a clothing processing device and a method for controlling the clothing processing device capable of detecting the contamination level of the drum and the turbidity of the water stored in the tub through a sensor composed of two light-emitting parts and one light-receiving part.

[0009] In addition, the present application aims to solve the problem of providing a garment processing device and a method for controlling the garment processing device that notify the user of the time of washing the drum.

[0010] In addition, the present application aims to solve the problem of providing a garment processing device and a method for controlling the garment processing device that adjusts the time set for washing or the time set for rinsing according to the turbidity of the water stored in the tub. means of solving the problem

[0011] The present application provides a clothing processing device comprising: a tub providing a space for storing water; a drum rotatably provided inside the tub for storing clothing; and a sensor capable of determining the contamination level of the drum and the contamination level of the water stored in the tub; wherein the sensor comprises: a mounting part fixed to the tub so as to be located below a horizontal line passing through the center of the tub; a first light-emitting part fixed to the mounting part and emitting light toward the circumferential surface of the drum; a second light-emitting part fixed to the mounting part and emitting light toward the water stored in the tub; and a light-receiving part fixed to the mounting part to detect the intensity of reflected light reflected from the drum when light is emitted from the first light-emitting part, and to detect scattered light scattered in the water when light is emitted from the second light-emitting part.

[0012] The second light-emitting part may be configured to emit light in the width direction of the tub.

[0013] The second light-emitting part may be configured to emit light in the longitudinal direction of the tub.

[0014] The intersection angle between the light incident on the light receiving part and the light emitted from the second light emitting part can be set to 80 to 100 degrees.

[0015] The intersection angle between the light incident on the light receiving part and the light emitted from the second light emitting part can be set to 90 degrees.

[0016] The above mounting portion may include a mounting body fixed to the tub; a first mounting surface provided on the mounting body to which the first light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion are fixed; and a second mounting surface provided on the mounting body to which the second light-emitting portion is fixed.

[0017] The first mounting surface may be provided as a plane parallel to the width direction or the length direction of the tub, and the second mounting surface may be provided as a plane parallel to the height direction of the tub.

[0018] The first mounting surface may be provided as a plane parallel to the width direction or the length direction of the tub, and the second mounting surface may be provided as a plane orthogonal to the first mounting surface.

[0019] The first mounting surface and the second mounting surface may be provided so as not to be exposed in the space between the drum and the tub.

[0020] The first mounting surface may be provided so as not to be exposed in the space between the drum and the tub, and the second mounting surface may be provided so as to be exposed in the space between the drum and the tub.

[0021] The above clothing processing device may further include a display unit that displays a message requesting the washing of the drum by comparing the intensity of the reflected light detected by the light receiving unit with a preset first reference value.

[0022] The above clothing processing device may further include a display unit that displays information regarding the turbidity of water by comparing the intensity of the scattered light detected by the light receiving unit with a preset second reference value.

[0023] A control method for a clothing processing device is provided, comprising: a tub providing a space for storing water; a drum rotatably provided inside the tub for storing clothing; a mounting part fixed to the tub so as to be positioned below a horizontal line passing through the center of the tub; a first light-emitting part fixed to the mounting part and emitting light toward the circumferential surface of the drum; a second light-emitting part fixed to the mounting part and emitting light toward the water stored in the tub; and a light-receiving part fixed to the mounting part to detect the intensity of reflected light reflected from the drum when light is emitted from the first light-emitting part, and to detect scattered light scattered in the water when light is emitted from the second light-emitting part.

[0024] The above control method may include: a water supply step for supplying water to the tub; a foreign substance removal step for removing foreign substances from clothing by rotating the drum; a turbidity measurement step initiated during the execution of the foreign substance removal step, in which the light receiving unit detects the intensity of the scattered light to determine the turbidity of the water; and an adjustment step for increasing the time set in the foreign substance removal step if the measured turbidity is greater than or equal to a preset reference turbidity.

[0025] The above control method is initiated before the execution of the above water supply step and may further include a contamination measurement step in which the light receiving unit detects the intensity of the reflected light and determines the contamination level of the drum.

[0026] The above control method may further include a request step of outputting a message requesting cleaning of the drum through a display unit if the contamination level measured in the contamination level measurement step is greater than or equal to a preset standard contamination level.

[0027] The above control method may further include: a drainage step for discharging water from the tub after the completion of the foreign substance removal step; a dehydration step for discharging water from the clothing by rotating the drum; and a contamination measurement step that is initiated after the completion of the dehydration step, wherein the light receiving unit detects the intensity of the reflected light to determine the contamination level of the drum.

[0028] If the contamination level measured in the contamination level measurement step is greater than or equal to a preset standard contamination level, the control method may further include a request step of outputting a message requesting cleaning of the drum through a display unit.

[0029] The above control method comprises: a water supply step for supplying water to the tub; a foreign substance removal step for removing foreign substances from clothing by rotating the drum for a preset reference time; a drainage step for discharging water stored in the tub after the completion of the foreign substance removal step; and a contamination level measurement step in which the light receiving unit detects the intensity of the reflected light to determine the contamination level of the drum; wherein the contamination level measurement step may be configured to be initiated before the start of the water supply step or after the completion of the drainage step. Effects of the invention

[0030] The present application provides a garment processing device capable of detecting the contamination level of a drum and the cloudiness (turbidity) of water stored in the tub using a single sensor, and a method for controlling the garment processing device.

[0031] In addition, the present application provides a clothing processing device and a method for controlling the clothing processing device, capable of detecting the contamination level of the drum and the turbidity of the water stored in the tub through a sensor composed of two light-emitting parts and one light-receiving part.

[0032] In addition, the present application provides a garment processing device capable of notifying a user of the cleaning time of the drum and a method for controlling the garment processing device.

[0033] In addition, the present application provides a garment processing device and a method for controlling the garment processing device, which adjusts the time set for washing or the time set for rinsing according to the turbidity of the water stored in the tub. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0034] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an example of a clothing processing device. Figure 3 illustrates an example of a sensor composed of two light-emitting parts and one light-receiving part. Figure 4 illustrates an example of a process for measuring the contamination level of a drum, and Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an example of a process for measuring the turbidity of water. FIGS. 7 and FIGS. 8 illustrate an example of a control method for a clothing processing device. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of a clothing processing device and a control method are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a clothing processing device (100) may be configured to include a cabinet (1) equipped with an inlet (11), a tub (2) provided inside the cabinet (1) for storing water, and a drum (3) rotatably provided inside the tub for receiving a processing object (hereinafter 'clothing').

[0037] The above-mentioned input port (11) may be provided on the front surface of the cabinet (1) and may be provided to be closed by a door (12) rotatably coupled to the cabinet (1).

[0038] The cabinet (1) may be equipped with a control panel (13), and FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the control panel (13) is positioned above the input port (11) on the front surface of the cabinet (1).

[0039] The above control panel (13) may be equipped with an input unit (131) and a display unit (132). The input unit (131) is a means for receiving control commands from a user, and the display unit (132) may be a means for displaying control commands selectable by the user and displaying execution information of the control command selected by the user.

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the tub (2) may be provided as a tub body (21) that is provided inside the cabinet (1) and provides a space for storing water. The tub body (21) may be provided as a hollow cylinder, and a tub inlet (22) may be provided on one side of the cylinder.

[0041] The tub body (21) can be fixed inside the cabinet (1) through a support member, and FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the support member is equipped with a spring (24) connecting the upper circumferential surface of the tub body (21) to the cabinet (1) and a damper (25) connecting the lower circumferential surface of the tub body (21) to the cabinet (1).

[0042] The tub inlet (22) may be provided to be connected to the inlet (11) through a gasket (23). To prevent water stored inside the tub body (21) from leaking into the cabinet (1), the gasket (23) may be provided as a tube connecting the inlet (11) and the tub inlet (22). Additionally, to minimize the transmission of vibrations from the tub body (21) to the cabinet (1), the gasket (23) may be provided with an elastic material such as rubber.

[0043] The drum (3) may be configured to include a drum body (31) that is provided inside the tub body (21) and provides a space for storing clothing.

[0044] The drum body (31) may be provided as a hollow cylinder, and a drum inlet (32) may be provided on one side of the cylinder (the side facing the direction where the tub inlet is located).

[0045] A communication hole (33) that communicates the interior of the drum body (31) with the interior of the tub body (21) may be provided on the circumferential surface of the drum body (31), and a lifter that raises the clothing inside the drum body (31) when the drum body (31) rotates may be provided on the circumferential surface of the drum body (31).

[0046] The drum body (31) can be rotatably fixed to the tub body (21) through the driving unit (4).

[0047] The above driving unit (4) may be provided to include a stator (41) fixed to the rear surface of the tub body (21) to form a rotating field when current is supplied, a rotor (42) located outside the tub body (21) to rotate by the rotating field, and a rotating shaft (43) that penetrates the rear surface of the tub body (21) and connects the rotor (42) and the rear surface of the drum body (31).

[0048] The above tub body (21) receives water through the water supply unit (5), and the water stored in the above tub body (21) can be discharged to the outside of the above tub body (21) through the drainage unit (6).

[0049] The above water supply unit (5) may be provided to include a water supply pipe (52) connecting a water source (51) to the tub body (21), and a water supply valve (53) that controls the opening and closing of the water supply pipe (52) according to a control signal from a control unit (91).

[0050] The above drainage section (6) may be provided to include a pump (61), a first drain pipe (62) connecting the tub body (21) to the pump (61), and a second drain pipe (63) guiding water discharged from the pump (61) to the outside of the cabinet (1).

[0051] The above clothing processing device (100) may further be provided with a supply unit (7) for supplying detergent to the tub body (21). The supply unit (7) may be provided to include a drawer that is provided to be drawn out from the front surface of the cabinet (1), and a storage space provided in the drawer for storing detergent.

[0052] FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the storage space is configured to connect the water supply pipe (52) and the tub body (21). In this case, the water supply pipe (52) may be configured with a first water supply pipe (521) that guides water supplied from the water source (51) to the storage space, and a second water supply pipe (522) that guides detergent and water discharged from the storage space to the tub body (21).

[0053] The above clothing processing device (100) may be equipped with a water level detection unit (92) for detecting the water level inside the tub body (21). The water level detection unit (92) may be equipped with a connecting pipe (921) connected to the first drain pipe (62) and a pressure detection unit (922) that generates a control signal based on the pressure inside the connecting pipe (921).

[0054] One end of the above-mentioned pipe (921) is connected to the first drain pipe (62), and the other end may be provided as a hose fixed inside the cabinet (1) so as to be located at a point higher than the highest water level of the tub body (21) or at a point higher than the horizontal line (H, a straight line passing through the center of rotation of the drum and parallel to the ground).

[0055] The above-mentioned connecting pipe (921) is closed by the pressure sensing unit (922), and the water level inside the connecting pipe (921) changes in the same way as the water level inside the tub body (21). Accordingly, the pressure sensing unit (922) can transmit a control signal to the control unit (91) corresponding to the pressure inside the connecting pipe (921) which fluctuates according to the water level inside the tub body (21), and the control unit (91) can determine the water level inside the tub body (21) through the control signal provided by the sensor (922).

[0056] The above clothing processing device (100) may be provided to include a sensor (8) that detects the contamination level of the drum (3) and the turbidity of the water stored in the tub (2). The sensor (8) is characterized by being able to measure both the contamination of the drum and the contamination level (turbidity) of the water through two light-emitting parts and one light-receiving part. The sensor (8) may be provided to be fixed to the tub body (21) through a mounting hole (26) provided to penetrate the tub body (21).

[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the sensor (8) may be configured to include a mounting part (84) fixed to the tub body (21) through the mounting hole (26), two light-emitting parts (81, 82) provided in the mounting part (84), and a light-receiving part (83) provided in the mounting part (84) to detect whether light is incident or the intensity of the incident light.

[0058] The mounting portion (84) is fixed to the tub body (21) so as to be located below a horizontal line (H) passing through the center of the tub body (21), and FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the mounting portion (84) is fixed at the lowest point of the tub body (21).

[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mounting portion (84) may be provided to include a mounting body (84a) located in the mounting hole (26) and a fixing body (84b) that fixes the mounting body (84a) to the tub body (21).

[0060] The fixed body (84b) may be provided to include a plurality of fixing plates (846) protruding from the circumferential surface of the mounting body (84a), and a bolt (847) that penetrates the fixing plates (846) and is fixed to the tub body (21). Accordingly, when the mounting body (84a) is inserted into the mounting hole (26) and the bolt (847) is fastened to the tub body (21), the sensor (8) will be fixed to the tub body (21).

[0061] The above mounting body (84a) is provided with a first mounting surface (841) and a second mounting surface (844), the first mounting surface (841) is provided with the first light-emitting part (81) and the light-receiving part (83), and the second mounting surface (842) may be provided with the second light-emitting part (82).

[0062] The first light-emitting part (81) is fixed to the first mounting surface (841) to emit light onto the circumferential surface of the drum body (31), the second light-emitting part (82) is fixed to the second mounting surface (844) to emit light onto the water stored in the tub body (21), and the light-receiving part (83) can be fixed to the first mounting surface (841).

[0063] To this end, the first mounting surface (841) may be provided with a first light-emitting part mounting hole (842) and a light-receiving part mounting hole (843), and the second mounting surface (844) may be provided with a second light-emitting part mounting hole (845).

[0064] The first light-emitting unit (81) and the second light-emitting unit (82) may be equipped with LEDs that emit visible light or infrared light. The light-receiving unit (83) may be equipped to detect the intensity of light reflected from the drum body (31) when light is emitted from the first light-emitting unit (81), and to detect the intensity of light scattered in water when light is emitted from the second light-emitting unit (82).

[0065] As illustrated in FIG. 4, in order for the light receiving unit (83) to effectively detect the intensity of the reflected light, the direction of light (L1) emitted from the first light emitting unit (81) and the direction of light (L2) incident on the light receiving unit (83) can be set to be parallel.

[0066] Since the light emitted from the second light-emitting unit (82) is scattered by being reflected by foreign substances contained in the water stored in the tub body (21), as shown in FIG. 5, the intersection angle between the light (L3) emitted from the second light-emitting unit (82) and the light (L4) incident on the light-receiving unit (83) can be set to 90 degrees. In this case, it will be most effective to determine the turbidity of the water through the intensity of the scattered light.

[0067] The intersection angle between the light (L3) emitted from the second light-emitting unit (82) and the light (L4) incident on the light-receiving unit (83) may be set to 80 to 100 degrees. FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which the intersection angle (A) between the light (L4) incident on the light-receiving unit (83) and the light (L3) emitted from the second light-emitting unit (82) is set to an angle greater than 90 degrees.

[0068] The second light-emitting part (82) may be configured to emit light in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the tub body or in the length direction (X-axis direction) of the tub body, and FIG. 5 illustrates the latter case as an example.

[0069] Unlike what is shown in the drawing, the first light-emitting part (81) may be fixed to the first mounting surface (841), and the second light-emitting part (82) and the light-receiving part (83) may be fixed to the second mounting surface (844).

[0070] To protect the light-emitting parts (81, 82) and the light-receiving part (83), the sensor (8) may also be provided with a cover.

[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cover (85) may be provided with a first cover made of a transparent material that closes the first light-emitting part mounting hole (842), a second cover made of a transparent material that closes the light-receiving part mounting hole (843), and a third cover made of a transparent material that closes the second light-emitting part mounting hole (845).

[0072] Unlike the above, the cover may be provided to include a first body (851) that blocks water from flowing into the mounting part (84) by closing the first light-emitting part mounting hole (842) and the light-receiving part mounting hole (843), and a second body (852) that blocks water from flowing into the mounting part (84) by closing the second light-emitting part mounting hole (845).

[0073] The above cover (85) may be provided with a transparent material and may include a first body (851) that blocks the first mounting surface (841) from being exposed to water, and a second body (852) that blocks the second mounting surface (844) from being exposed to water.

[0074] The first mounting surface (841) may be provided as a plane parallel to the width direction (Y-axis direction) or the length direction (X-axis direction) of the tub body, and the second mounting surface (844) may be provided as a plane parallel to the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the tub body. As described above, when the coupling angle of the first mounting surface (841) and the second mounting surface (844) is set to 90 degrees, the coupling angle of the first body (851) and the second body (852) may also be set to 90 degrees.

[0075] The first body (851) may further be provided with a guide (853). The guide (853) may be provided to form a space for storing water on the upper part of the first body (851). FIG. 3 illustrates an example in which the guide (853) is provided as a plate with its bottom surface fixed to the edge of the first body (851) and both ends fixed to the left and right sides of the second body (852).

[0076] That is, the guide (853) is provided as a board protruding from the edge of the first body (851), and both ends of the board can be fixed to the second body (852) (a guide provided as a semicircular board). In this case, the first light-emitting part mounting hole (842) and the light-receiving part mounting hole (843) will be located inside the space formed by the guide (853) and the second body (852).

[0077] It is preferable that the height of the guide (853) (distance from the surface of the first body to the top of the guide) be set higher than the height of the second light-emitting part (82) (distance from the surface of the first body to the top of the second light-emitting part).

[0078] As described above, if the height of the guide (853) is configured to block the light emitted from the second light-emitting unit (82), the light-receiving unit (83) has a useful effect in detecting the turbidity of the water. If the amount of foreign matter contained in the water is small, the intensity of the scattered light is weak, and a problem may arise in which the light-receiving unit (83) has difficulty detecting the intensity of the scattered light. However, if the guide (853) is provided, the light-receiving unit (83) will be able to effectively detect the intensity of the scattered light even when the amount of foreign matter is small.

[0079] As previously explained, the sensor (8) is fixed to the tub body (21) through the mounting hole (26). To prevent water from leaking from inside the tub body (21) through the mounting hole (26), the sensor (8) may further include a sealer (87) fixed to the circumferential surface of the cover (85). If the cover (85) is provided in a cylindrical shape, the sealer (87) may be provided as an O-ring.

[0080] The above clothing processing device (100) can output a message requesting the washing of the drum (31) to the display unit (132) by the control unit (91) comparing the intensity of the reflected light (L2) detected by the light receiving unit (83) with a preset first reference value.

[0081] Additionally, the clothing processing device (100) may output information related to the turbidity of water to the display unit (132) by the control unit (91) comparing the intensity of the scattered light (L4) detected by the light receiving unit (83) with a preset second reference value. The turbidity-related information may be set as a message notifying an increase in the time (washing time or rinsing time) set in the clothing processing device.

[0082] In the embodiments described above, the first mounting surface (841) and the second mounting surface (844) are shown as being embedded in the tub body (2) so as not to be exposed in the space between the drum body (31) and the tub body (21) (see FIG. 5), but the first mounting surface (841) and the second mounting surface (844) may be provided to be located at a point lower than the circumferential surface of the tub body (21) (H2) or provided to be located at a point higher than the circumferential surface of the tub body (21) (H1).

[0083] Additionally, the first mounting surface (841) may be provided (H2) so as not to be exposed in the space between the drum body (31) and the tub body (21), and the second mounting surface (844) may be provided (H1) so as to be exposed in the space between the drum body (31) and the tub body (21).

[0084] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a control method for the clothing processing device described above.

[0085] The control method of Fig. 7 includes a water supply step (S30), a foreign matter removal step (S40), and a drainage step (S60).

[0086] The above water supply step (S30) is a step in which the control unit (91) controls the water supply valve (53) to supply water to the tub (2). In the above water supply step (S30), the amount of water supplied to the tub (2) can be set to increase in proportion to the amount of clothing put into the drum (3). To this end, the control method may further include a quantity detection step (S20) executed before the above water supply step (S30) to determine the amount of clothing put into the drum (3).

[0087] The above quantity detection step (S20) may be configured to determine the amount of clothing through the amount of current supplied to the stator (41) to rotate the drum (3) to a preset angle, or may be configured to determine the amount of clothing through the angle at which the drum is rotated when a preset amount of current is supplied to the stator (41).

[0088] Whether the amount of water supplied to the tub (2) in the above water supply step (S30) has reached the amount of water set in the amount can be checked by the control unit (91) through the data transmitted from the water level detection unit (92).

[0089] The above foreign substance removal step (S40) may be initiated when a preset amount of water is supplied to the tub (2), and in the above foreign substance removal step (S40), the control unit (91) rotates the drum body (31).

[0090] When the drum (3) rotates while water is supplied to the tub (2), foreign substances remaining on the clothing are separated from the clothing through friction with the water and friction with the drum body (31). The foreign substance removal step (S40) can be set as a washing process (a process of rotating the drum after supplying both water and detergent to the tub) or a rinsing process (a process of rotating the drum after supplying water to the tub).

[0091] The drainage step (S60) is a step in which the control unit (91) operates the pump (61) to discharge water stored in the tub body (21) to the outside of the cabinet (1). After the completion of the drainage step (S60), the control method may proceed to a dehydration step (S70), which may be provided as a step of separating water from clothing by rotating the drum body (31).

[0092] The above control method may further include a contamination level measurement step (S10) for determining the contamination level of the drum (3) before the execution of the water supply step (S30) or after the completion of the drainage step (S60).

[0093] FIG. 7 illustrates a case where the contamination level measurement step (S10) is executed before the water supply step (S30), and the contamination level measurement step (S10) of FIG. 7 may be executed together with the amount detection step (S20) (reduction in the operating time of the clothing processing device).

[0094] The above contamination level measurement step (S10) may be provided as a step in which the first light-emitting unit (81) emits light toward the drum body (31), and the light-receiving unit (83) detects the intensity of the light reflected from the drum body (31) (intensity of reflected light).

[0095] If the contamination level of the drum measured in the contamination level measurement step (S10) is less than a preset standard contamination level, the control method executes the amount detection step (S20). If the contamination level measurement step (S10) and the amount detection step (20) proceed simultaneously and the contamination level of the drum is less than a preset standard contamination level, the control method will execute the water supply step (S30).

[0096] Meanwhile, if the contamination level of the drum measured in the contamination level measurement step (S10) is greater than or equal to a preset standard contamination level (S11), the control method may execute a step (S12, request step) of displaying a message requesting cleaning of the drum through the display unit (132).

[0097] Accordingly, the above clothing processing device and control method enable the user to hygienically manage the clothing processing device by notifying the user of the time when cleaning of the drum (3) is required.

[0098] The above control method may execute a turbidity measurement step (S50) for determining the degree of contamination (turbidity) of water during the execution of the above foreign substance removal step (S40). Since the above turbidity measurement step (S50) must be performed while water is present in the tub body (21), it is preferable that it be initiated during the execution of the above foreign substance removal step (S40).

[0099] The above turbidity measurement step (S50) may be provided with a step in which the second light-emitting unit (82) emits light into the water stored in the tub body (21), and the light-receiving unit (83) detects the intensity of the light scattered by foreign substances in the water (intensity of scattered light).

[0100] If the turbidity measured in the above turbidity measurement step is less than a preset reference turbidity (S51), the control method determines whether the above foreign substance removal step (40) has been performed for a preset reference time (S53). If it is determined that the above foreign substance removal step (S40) has been performed for the above reference time, the control method performs the drainage step (S60) and dewatering step (S70) described above.

[0101] However, if the turbidity measured in the above turbidity measurement step is greater than or equal to a preset reference turbidity (S51), the control method proceeds to an adjustment step (S52) that increases the reference time. If the reference time is changed through the adjustment step (S52), the foreign substance removal step (S40) must proceed until the changed reference time has elapsed (S53). Since a turbidity higher than the reference turbidity measured during the execution of the foreign substance removal step (S40) implies that the clothing is highly contaminated, increasing the time set for the foreign substance removal step (S40) through the adjustment step (S52) will allow for more effective removal of foreign substances from the clothing.

[0102] The above-described control method provides a clothing processing device and a control method that improve washing performance or rinsing performance by adjusting the time set for washing or rinsing according to the turbidity of the water stored in the tub (2).

[0103] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a control method for a clothing processing device, wherein the control method according to this embodiment is characterized in that the contamination level measurement step (S80) is initiated after the completion of the drainage step (S60).

[0104] The contamination level measurement step (S80) of FIG. 8 may be configured to proceed together with the dehydration step (S70), or may be configured to proceed after the completion of the dehydration step (S70). If the contamination level measurement step (S80) proceeds together with the dehydration step (S70), the operating time of the clothing processing device can be shortened.

[0105] If the contamination level of the drum measured in the contamination level measurement step (80) is greater than or equal to the standard contamination level (S81), the control method of FIG. 8 may proceed to a request step (S82) of displaying a message requesting cleaning of the drum (3) on the display unit (132).

[0106] The aforementioned clothing processing device may be implemented in various modified forms, and the scope of rights of this application is not limited to the embodiments described above. Explanation of the symbols

[0107] 100: Garment processing unit 1: Cabinet 11: Input 12: Door 13: Control Panel 2: Tub 21: Tub body 3: Drum 31: Drum body 4: Driving unit 5: Water supply unit 6: Drainage unit 8: Sensor 81: First light-emitting unit 82: Second light-emitting unit 83: Receiver 84: Mounting part 84a: Mounting body 841: First mounting surface 842: First light-emitting part mounting hole 843: Light-receiving part mounting hole 844: Second mounting surface 845: Second light-emitting part mounting hole 84b: Fixing part 85: Cover 851: 1st Body 852: 2nd Body 853: Guide 91: Control unit 92: Water level sensor

Claims

Claim 1 A clothing processing device comprising: a tub providing a space for storing water; a drum rotatably provided inside the tub for storing clothing; and a sensor capable of determining the contamination level of the drum and the contamination level of the water stored in the tub; wherein the sensor comprises: a mounting part fixed to the tub so as to be located below a horizontal line passing through the center of the tub; a first light-emitting part fixed to the mounting part and emitting light toward the circumferential surface of the drum; a second light-emitting part fixed to the mounting part and emitting light toward the water stored in the tub; and a light-receiving part fixed to the mounting part to detect the intensity of reflected light reflected from the drum when light is emitted from the first light-emitting part, and to detect scattered light scattered in the water when light is emitted from the second light-emitting part; wherein the mounting part comprises: a mounting body fixed to the tub; a first mounting surface provided on the mounting body to which the first light-emitting part and the light-receiving part are fixed; and a second mounting surface provided on the mounting body to which the second light-emitting part is fixed. Claim 2 A clothing processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second light-emitting part is configured to emit light in the width direction of the tub. Claim 3 A clothing processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second light-emitting part is configured to emit light in the longitudinal direction of the tub. Claim 4 A clothing processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the intersection angle of light incident on the light receiving part and light emitted from the second light emitting part is set to 80 to 100 degrees. Claim 5 A clothing processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the intersection angle between the light incident on the light receiving part and the light emitted from the second light emitting part is set to 90 degrees. Claim 6 delete Claim 7 A clothing processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first mounting surface is provided as a plane parallel to the width direction or the length direction of the tub, and the second mounting surface is provided as a plane parallel to the height direction of the tub. Claim 8 A clothing processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface are provided so as not to be exposed in the space between the drum and the tub. Claim 9 A clothing processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a display unit that displays a message requesting cleaning of the drum by comparing the intensity of the reflected light detected by the light receiving unit with a preset first reference value. Claim 10 A clothing processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays information regarding the turbidity of water by comparing the intensity of the scattered light detected by the light receiving unit with a preset second reference value.

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