Laundry washing device

Abstract

FIELD: laundry.SUBSTANCE: laundry washing device comprising a main body (100) configured to accommodate laundry for washing and to perform a laundry processing operation, a casing cover (200) configured to cover the main body (100) to define an outer portion and having a first through cavity (201) in its front upper end portion, and a control panel (300) installed in the casing cover (200) and partially accessible from the outside through the first through cavity (201) for introducing a control signal by the user for the processing operation, wherein the control panel (300) comprises a window (310) in which a part of the zone corresponding to the first through cavity (201) serves as a light-transmitting zone (311), and the remaining part serves as a light-impermeable zone (312), and a touch screen (320) connected to the rear surface of the window (310) and displayed through the light-transmitting zone (311).EFFECT: creating a device for washing clothes, in which more diverse external design solutions can be implemented by optimizing the design of the externally accessible part of the control panel.16 cl, 16 dwg

Description

Field of technology to which the invention relates

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a laundry washing apparatus, and more particularly, to a laundry washing apparatus in which a control signal for a processing cycle can be input through a control panel.Background of the invention

[0002] In general, a laundry washing device is a device that processes laundry by applying physical and chemical actions to the laundry. The term "laundry washing device" is used to collectively refer to a washing device that removes contaminants from laundry, a spin-drying device that spin-dries laundry by rotating a washing tub containing the laundry at high speed, and a drying device that dries wet laundry by blowing hot air into the washing tub.

[0003] In this regard, the laundry washing devices that have appeared recently do not simply perform the functions of washing, dry washing and drying separately in the respective devices, but are configured to perform all of the above functions together in one laundry washing device.

[0004] Accordingly, when processing laundry, the sequence of operations such as washing mode, rinsing mode, spin-drying mode, drying mode, etc. can be properly controlled through user manipulation or automatic control.

[0005] A typical laundry washing device includes a control panel configured to display visual information related to the processing operation to the user and to accept user input. In other words, the control panel is provided for the user interface (UI).

[0006] Accordingly, a control panel may include input blocks or selection blocks, such as various buttons for user operation, and various display blocks that provide information to the user. All these various input blocks, selection blocks, and display blocks may be referred to as "user interfaces."

[0007] Meanwhile, in line with the recent trend of prioritizing the external design of laundry machines, the housing cover, which defines the external part of the laundry machine, can be designed as an integrated sheet metal product to achieve a seamless structure. In this case, the control panel provided on the front surface of the laundry machine, designed to facilitate user access and operation, should also match the external design of the laundry machine, which is designed to achieve a seamless structure.

[0008] With respect to a laundry washing apparatus including a control panel as described above, Korean Patent No. 10-2257622 (hereinafter referred to as "Prior Art Document 1" in this document) discloses a laundry washing apparatus.

[0009] In particular, a control panel formed on the front upper portion of the casing cover in such a way that it faces the front side of the product, an operating unit installed on the control panel with the ability to select a specific washing mode and the accompanying parameters by rotating the handle, a display configured to selectively display the washing mode and the parameters based on the operation of the operating unit, and the like are disclosed.

[0010] In the case of the laundry washing device in Prior Art Document 1, given the fact that the control panel is installed so as to be separated from the front surface of the casing cover by a dividing line, limitations inevitably arise in designing the laundry washing device with a seamless structure.

[0011] In addition, since the design of the control panel is relatively complex in that a rotary knob is adopted for user operation, a problem arises in that the structure for attaching the control panel to the casing cover designed as an integrated sheet metal product also becomes complex.

[0012] In addition, Patent Application Publication No. 10-2013-0109356 (Korea) (hereinafter referred to as "Prior Art Document 2" in this document) discloses a washing machine.

[0013] Specifically, a casing, a control panel located on the front surface of the casing, a display unit mounted on the control panel in such a way that its front surface is accessible in front of the control panel, etc. are disclosed.

[0014] In the laundry washing device according to Document 2 of the prior art, since the control panel is also installed separated by a dividing line in the front upper portion of the casing, limitations inevitably arise in designing the laundry washing device in a seamless structure.

[0015] In addition, the display unit is provided in the form of a touchscreen and performs input and display functions. However, a problem arises in that the display unit is not directly attached to the housing, but has a complex design in which the display unit is assembled on the housing while installed in the control panel assembly.

[0016] As described above, in the case of a laundry washing machine that includes a control panel, there is also a problem that the control panel must be easily installed on the casing cover while ensuring that the control panel also matches the external design of the casing cover.

[0017] However, the traditional laundry washing device has such limitations that the above problems cannot be adequately solved.Essence of the inventionTechnical problem

[0018] The present disclosure is to solve the above problems of a laundry washing device including a control panel.

[0019] In particular, the present disclosure is to create a laundry washing apparatus in which the dividing line between the casing cover and the control panel is minimized so that the control panel can have an external design solution matched with a seamless structure.

[0020] In addition, the present disclosure is to create a laundry washing device in which only the parts of the control panel that must necessarily be accessible to the user are accessible from the outside in such a way that the control panel can have an external design solution that matches the seamless structure.

[0021] In addition, the present disclosure is to create a laundry washing device in which more diverse external design solutions can be realized by optimizing the design of an externally accessible portion of the control panel.

[0022]

[0023] The technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the problems described above, and other technical problems that are not described above should be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Technical Solution

[0024] To achieve the above and other objectives, the laundry washing device according to an aspect of the present disclosure has a configuration in which a dividing line is not formed between the housing cover and the control panel on the outer portion. Specifically, the control panel is installed in the housing cover that forms the outer portion in such a way that the control panel is not separated from the housing cover on the outer portion.

[0025] Furthermore, the laundry washing device according to an aspect of the present disclosure has a configuration in which the parts of the control panel that are not directly required for user operation are inaccessible from the outside. Specifically, the control panel is installed in the housing cover, and only a portion of the control panel is configured to be accessible from the outside through a first through-hole provided in the housing cover.

[0026] Furthermore, the laundry washing device according to an aspect of the present disclosure has a configuration in which a portion of the control panel accessible from the outside of the casing cover is suitably formed such that its shape matches the shape of the first through cavity. Specifically, the laundry washing device has a configuration in which the touch screen is displayed through a transmissive area provided in the window portion, and the remaining portion of the window serves as a non-transmissive area.

[0027] In addition, in the laundry washing device according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the first through cavity is opened relatively larger than the touch screen, and a part of the first through cavity in which the touch screen is not displayed can be covered by a non-transmitting window zone.

[0028] In addition, in the laundry washing device according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the touch screen may have a height relatively smaller than the diameter of the first through cavity in the circular shape.

[0029] In addition, in the laundry washing device according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the UI may be arranged in a fixed UI section and an adjustable UI section, which are respectively provided on the control panel, depending on their characteristics.

[0030] In addition, in the laundry washing apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the fixed UI section and the adjustable UI section of the control panel can serve as a non-permeable zone and a permeable zone, respectively.

[0031] In addition, in the laundry washing apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the operations with the fixed UI section can be carried out by means of a contact-type button rod.

[0032] In addition, in the laundry washing device according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the operations with the adjustable UI section can be performed by a touch type.

[0033] In addition, in the laundry washing device according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the window in the control panel may be connected to the inner surface of the housing cover, and the covering guide supporting the touch screen may be attached to the inner surface of the housing cover.

[0034] In addition, in the laundry washing apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the board cover on which the printed circuit board is mounted may be attached to the rear surface of the cover guide.

[0035] In addition, in the laundry washing apparatus according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the panel frame that presses the rear surface of the control panel may be attached to the inner surface of the casing cover.

[0036] In addition, the laundry washing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure may include a first sealing member disposed between the window and the cover guide.

[0037] In addition, the laundry washing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure may include a second sealing member disposed between the cover guide and the board cover.

[0038] In addition, in the laundry washing device according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the control panel may be attached to a hook protrusion protruding from a second through cavity provided in the casing cover.

[0039] In addition, in the laundry washing device according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the hook at the lower end portion of the control panel is inserted and secured to the hook cavity passing through the hook protrusion in the longitudinal direction.

[0040] In addition, in the laundry washing device according to the aspect of the present disclosure, the upper end portion of the control panel may be screwed into the inner surface of the casing cover.

[0041] In addition, in the laundry washing device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, the control button is installed in the housing cover, and a part of the control button can be accessible from the outside through a second through cavity provided in the housing cover.

[0042]

[0043] The solutions to the technical problems to be achieved in the present disclosure are not limited to the solutions described above, and other solutions not described above should be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the following description. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0044] Fig. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a laundry washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Fig. 2 is a view schematically illustrating the main configuration of a laundry washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Fig. 3 is a view illustrating a control panel installed on a housing cover in a laundry washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Fig. 4 is an exploded isometric view illustrating a control panel installed on a housing cover in a laundry washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Fig. 5 and 6 are views illustrating a state in which a control panel window is connected to an inner surface of a housing cover in a laundry washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Fig. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which the cover guide of the control panel is fixed to the inner surface of the casing cover in the laundry washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Fig. 8 is a view illustrating a state in which a panel frame presses the rear surface of the control panel in a laundry washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Fig. 9 is a view illustrating in more detail a hook projection provided on a housing cover in a laundry washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Fig. 10 is a view illustrating a fixed UI section and an adjustable UI section of a control panel in a laundry washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] Fig. 11A is a view illustrating, as an example, a permeable area and a non-permeable area of ​​a control panel in a laundry washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] Fig. 11B and 11C are views illustrating, as an example, a contact-type push-button rod of a control panel in a laundry washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] Fig. 12-14 are views illustrating a structure that provides a permeable area and a non-permeable area of ​​a control panel in a laundry washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0056] Hereinafter in this document, exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and like reference numerals denote like elements, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted. "Module" and "block" for components used in the description below are assigned or used interchangeably only for the sake of simplicity in preparing the description of the invention and do not themselves have different semantic meanings or roles. In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this document, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may obscure the understanding of the invention of the embodiments disclosed in this document, detailed descriptions are omitted.In addition, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings serve only to simplify the understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and that the technical idea disclosed herein is not limited by the accompanying drawings and includes all modifications, equivalents and replacements included in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0057] Terms containing ordinal numbers, such as "first" and "second," may be used to describe different components, but the components are not limited by the terms. These terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0058] When a component is referred to as "connected" or "docked" to another component, it is understood that the component may be directly connected or docked to the other component, but that other components may be present between them. Conversely, when a component is referred to as "directly connected" or "directly docked" to another component, it is understood that other components are not present between them.

[0059] Expressions in the singular include expressions in the plural unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

[0060] In this document, it should be understood that terms such as "include" and "have" are intended to indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the description, but are not intended to exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0061] Fig. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a view schematically illustrating the main configuration of a laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] As illustrated in Fig. 1 and 2, a laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a main body 100, a housing cover 200 and a control panel 300.

[0063] The main body 100 is a part that accommodates laundry so as to perform laundry processing operations and allows at least one of washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying to be performed.

[0064] In this case, the main body 100 may include a washing tub 110, in which laundry is placed in an internal space such that at least one of washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying can be performed. A laundry inlet for placing laundry in the washing tub 110 may be located on one surface of the washing tub 110.

[0065] In addition, the laundry inlet may be configured to be opened / closed by the door 10 such that the laundry inlet can be closed by the door 10 during at least one of washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying.

[0066] Meanwhile, the washing tub 110 may include a tank configured to contain wash water. This tank may be placed on a shock absorber mounted on a base forming the lower surface of the housing cover 200, connected in a suspended manner to a spring installed in the housing cover 200, and may be cushioned and supported by the shock absorber and the spring.

[0067] This tank has a cylindrical structure laid on its side, and the drum can be located in the tank, and the electric motor, which is a drive mechanism configured to rotate the drum, can be installed on the rear surface of the tank.

[0068] The drum is a part configured to accommodate laundry, can be configured as a cylindrical structure in which the lower part is laid on its side, for example, as a tub, with the ability to be immersed in wash water in the tub, and can be positioned so as to rotate in the tub.

[0069] The drum has a plurality of cavities provided in its peripheral portion to allow washing water or air to enter and exit therethrough, and a pusher configured to raise and lower the laundry may be installed on the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral portion.

[0070] The housing cover 200 is a part that covers the main body 100 to form an outer portion, and the main components of the main body 100 can be housed within the interior of the housing cover. Furthermore, the aforementioned door 10 can be mounted on a portion of the housing cover 200. Furthermore, the controller 800 is mounted in the housing cover 200 to control the main components associated with the processing operations of the laundry washing device 1000 described above.

[0071] In addition, the control panel 300 can be installed on the housing cover 200, and through the control panel 300, the laundry washing device 1000 can display visual information related to processing operations to the user and receive user input. In other words, the control panel 300 can serve as a user interface (UI).

[0072] In this case, the control panel 300 may be installed in the front upper portion of the housing cover 200 to facilitate user access and operation. For this purpose, the housing cover 200 may have a first through cavity 201 in the front upper end portion, and the control panel 300 may be positioned in this first through cavity 201.

[0073] Meanwhile, in accordance with the latest trend of attaching importance to the external design of the laundry washing device 1000, the housing cover 200, which defines the external part of the laundry washing device 1000, can be formed into an integrated sheet metal product to achieve a seamless structure.

[0074] In this case, the control panel 300 located in the front upper end portion of the housing cover 200 with the ability to simplify user access and operation should also match the external design of the laundry washing device 1000, which is made in a seamless structure.

[0075] For this purpose, the control panel 300 is installed in the casing cover 200 and can be partially accessible from the outside through the first through cavity 201 so that control signals for processing operations can be input by the user.

[0076] In other words, the control panel 300 may be installed in the housing cover 200, instead of being installed in such a way that it is separated from the front surface of the housing cover 200 by a dividing line.

[0077] Therefore, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, the control panel 300 is installed in the housing cover 200, which forms the outer portion such that the control panel 300 is not separated from the housing cover 200 on the outer portion. Therefore, the aesthetics and performance of the laundry washing device 1000 can be improved by designing the housing cover 200 as an integrated sheet metal product.

[0078] Furthermore, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, the control panel 300 is installed in the housing cover 200, and only a part of the control panel 300 is accessible from the outside through the first through cavity 201 in the housing cover 200. Therefore, by minimizing the accessibility of the parts of the control panel 300 that do not necessarily need to be accessible to the user, the external design of the laundry washing device 1000 can be realized in a seamless structure.

[0079] Fig. 3 is a view illustrating a control panel 300 installed on a case cover 200 in a laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a control panel 300 that is installed on a case cover 200 in a laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figs. 5 and 6 are views illustrating a state in which a window 310 of the control panel 300 is attached to an inner surface of the case cover 200 in a laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which a cover guide 330 of the control panel 300 is fixed to the inner surface of the case cover 200 in a laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0080] In the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel 300 includes a window 310, a touch screen 320 and a cover guide 330.

[0081] The window 310 is a part in which a front surface other than the area corresponding to the first through cavity 201 is connected to the inner surface of the casing cover 200, and may have a structure in which a part of the front surface of the control panel 300 is connected to and supported on the inner surface of the casing cover 200.

[0082] In other words, the window 310 has a relatively larger area than the first through cavity 201 such that the central portion of the window 310 can be located in the first through cavity 201, and the remaining outer portion can be connected to the casing cover 200.

[0083] Meanwhile, the window 310 may have a recess formed between the region corresponding to the first through cavity 201 and the remaining portion. In other words, the central portion of the window 310 may have a shape that protrudes forward from the remaining outer portion such that the central portion of the window 310 can be inserted into the first through cavity 201.

[0084] In this case, there is no ledge between the front surface of the central portion of the window 310 and the outer surface of the casing cover 200, so that an aesthetic appearance can be ensured.

[0085] The touch screen 320 is a portion attached to the rear surface of the window 310, and may be a screen configured to be capable of receiving, when a touch object such as a human hand or an object (for example, a stylus pen) touches the text displayed on the screen or a specific position of the screen, input data directly from the screen, so that the position can be identified and specific processing can be performed by the stored software.

[0086] In this case, the touch screen 320 may comprise touch sensors. The touch sensors may detect touch input applied to the touch screen 320 using at least one of various touch types, such as resistive, capacitive, infrared, ultrasonic, and magnetic field-based.

[0087] Thus, when touch input occurs to the touch sensors, corresponding signals can be sent to the control unit. The control unit can process the signals and then transmit the corresponding data to the controller 800. As a result, the controller 800 can identify which areas of the touchscreen 320 are being touched, etc. Here, the control unit may be a separate component from the controller 800 or may be the controller 800 itself.

[0088] Meanwhile, the controller 800 can perform different types of control or the same type of control depending on the type of touch object that touches the touch screen 320. Whether to perform different types of control or the same type of control depending on the type of touch object can be determined depending on the operating state of the laundry washing device 1000 or the running application.

[0089] Accordingly, the touch screen 320 is capable of not only displaying visual information related to the processing operations of the laundry washing device 1000 to the user, but also receiving user input for the processing operations of the laundry washing device 1000.

[0090] In other words, the touch screen 320 of the control panel 300 can simultaneously perform the functions of various display units for providing information to the user, as well as the functions of an input unit or a selection unit for a user operation.

[0091] In this case, the touch screen 320 may include at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a flexible display, a three-dimensional display, and an electronic ink (e-ink) display.

[0092] The cover guide 330 is a part that is fixed to the inner surface of the casing cover 200 while supporting the touch screen 320 on the rear surface of the touch screen 320, and may have a structure in which a part of the control panel 300 other than the front surface is fixed and supported on the inner surface of the casing cover 200.

[0093] In other words, the cover guide 330 can be attached to the inner surface of the case cover 200 by pressing the rear surface of the window 310 in a state in which the touch screen 320 is attached to the front surface thereof.

[0094] Accordingly, the control panel 300 may have a structure in which a part of the front surface of the overall structure is connected to the inner surface of the casing cover 200, and a part other than the front surface is fixed to the inner surface of the casing cover 200.

[0095] In this case, the cover guide 330 on which the touch screen 320 is supported may be applied in order to prevent external moisture and the like from entering the touch screen 320.

[0096] Therefore, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the window 310 of the control panel 300 is connected to the inner surface of the housing cover 200, and the covering guide 330, which supports the touch screen 320, is fixed to the inner surface of the housing cover 200, the control panel 300 directly connected to the housing cover 200 can be easily and stably installed.

[0097] In the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel 300 may further include a board cover 340 that is attached to the rear surface of the cover guide 340 in a state in which a printed circuit board (PCB) 341 connected to the touch screen 320 is mounted thereon.

[0098] In other words, the printed circuit board 341 may have various circuit components mounted thereon and be connected to the touch screen 320. Accordingly, the input and output signals for the touch screen 320 may be connected to the controller 800 via the printed circuit board 341. In this case, the printed circuit board 341 may be the above-described control unit or the controller 800 itself.

[0099] Meanwhile, in a portion of the cover guide 330, a cavity is provided that enables the front surface and the back surface to communicate with each other, so that the touch screen 320 and the printed circuit board 341 can be electrically connected with each other.

[00100] In order to protect and stably install the printed circuit board 341, the printed circuit board 341 can be installed on the board cover 340 and connected to the touch screen 320. Specifically, the board cover 340 can be attached to the back surface of the cover guide 330, on the front surface of which the touch screen 320 is disposed, thereby enabling the touch screen 320 and the printed circuit board 341 to be positioned next to each other.

[00101] Thus, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the board cover 340 on which the printed circuit board 341 is mounted is attached to the rear surface of the cover guide 330, the stably mounted printed circuit board 341 can be easily connected to the touch screen 320.

[00102] Fig. 8 is a view illustrating a state in which the panel frame 400 presses the rear surface of the control panel 300 in the laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00103] The laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a panel frame 400 configured to press the rear surface of the control panel 300 and attached to the inner surface of the case cover 200.

[00104] Even when the control panel 300 is installed in the case cover 200 with the above-described structure, the control panel 300 may come off due to an impact, vibration, and the like.

[00105] In particular, in view of the fact that a user has to manipulate the control panel 300 installed in the case cover 200 by applying a force inward from the outside of the case cover 200, there is a risk that the control panel 300 may come off to the rear side during continuous use.

[00106] Therefore, by installing the panel frame 400 on the rear surface of the control panel 300 and forcibly pressing the rear surface of the control panel 300 by the panel frame 400, it may be desirable to prevent the control panel 300 from coming off to the rear side.

[00107] Thus, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the panel frame 400 configured to press the rear surface of the control panel 300 is attached to the inner surface of the case cover 200, the control panel 300 can be prevented from being removed due to an impact, vibration, etc.

[00108] In the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the panel frame 400 may have a frame projection 410 that protrudes from its front surface to allow the rear surface of the board cover 340 to be pressed.

[00109] In other words, since the frame projections 410 protrude from the front surface of the panel frame 400, and a part of this frame projection 410 has a curved shape, a margin for elastic deformation is provided when an external force is applied thereto.

[00110] Therefore, even when a shock and vibration are applied to the control panel 300, the frame protrusion 410, which presses the rear surface of the control panel 300, can absorb the shock and vibration by elastic deformation.

[00111] Thus, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the frame protrusion 410 provided on the panel frame 400 presses the rear surface of the board cover 340, the shock and vibration applied to the control panel 300 can be partially mitigated.

[00112] In the laundry washing device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel 300 may further include a first sealing member 361 disposed between the window 310 and the cover guide 330.

[00113] Since the touch screen 320 is located between the window 310 and the cover guide 330, there is a risk that the touch screen 320 may be damaged when the space between the window 310 and the cover guide 330 is excessively narrow.

[00114] Therefore, it may be desirable to minimize the pressure applied to the touch screen 320 by placing the first sealing member 361 between the window 310 and the cover guide 330.

[00115] In addition, when external moisture and the like penetrates into the space between the window 310 and the cover guide 330, there is a risk that the function of the touch screen 320 may deteriorate.

[00116] Therefore, it may be desirable to arrange the first sealing element 361 between the window 310 and the cover guide 330 in order to prevent moisture from penetrating into the parts that are not covered by the cover guide 330.

[00117] Thus, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the first sealing member 361 is arranged between the window 310 and the cover guide 330, the performance of water resistance and impact resistance can be ensured in the connection portion between the window 310 and the cover guide 330.

[00118] In the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel 300 may further include a second sealing member 362 arranged between the cover guide 330 and the board cover 340.

[00119] Since the printed circuit board 341 is arranged between the cover guide 330 and the board cover 340, there is a risk that the printed circuit board 341 may be damaged when the space between the cover guide 330 and the board cover 340 is excessively narrow.

[00120] Therefore, it may be desirable to minimize the pressure applied to the printed circuit board 341 by placing the second sealing member 362 between the cover guide 330 and the board cover 340.

[00121] In addition, when external moisture and the like penetrate into the space between the cover guide 330 and the board cover 340, there is a risk that the function of the printed circuit board 341 may deteriorate.

[00122] Therefore, it may be desirable to place the second sealing member 362 between the cover guide 330 and the board cover 340 in order to prevent moisture from penetrating into parts that are not covered by the board cover 340.

[00123] Thus, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the second sealing member 362 is arranged between the cover guide 330 and the board cover 340, the performance of water resistance and impact resistance can be ensured in the connection portion between the cover guide 330 and the board cover 340.

[00124] Fig. 9 is a view illustrating in more detail the hook projection 210 on the case cover 200 in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00125] In the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing cover 200 may have a hook projection 210 that projects backward from the periphery of the second through cavity 202 present below the center of the first through cavity 201. In this case, the control panel 300 may be attached to the hook projection 210 and connected to the inner surface of the housing cover 200.

[00126] In other words, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the control panel 300 is fixed to the hook projection 210 protruding from the second through cavity 202 provided in the case cover 200, the manufacturing efficiency can be improved by forming the hook projection 210 for fixing the control panel 300 during the formation of the second through cavity 202.

[00127] In the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the hook projection 210 may have a hook cavity 211 passing through the hook projection in its longitudinal direction. In this case, the cover guide 330 can be fixed when the hook 370 provided at its lower end is inserted into the hook cavity 211.

[00128] In other words, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the hook 370 at the lower end portion of the cover guide 330 is inserted and fixed to the hook cavity 211 passing through the hook projection 210 in the longitudinal direction, the control panel 300 can be easily and stably fixed to the hook projection 210.

[00129] In the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper end portion of the cover guide 330 can be screwed into the inner surface of the case cover 200.

[00130] In other words, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the upper end portion of the cover guide 330 is screwed into the inner surface of the case cover 200, the connected state between the case cover 200 and the control panel 300 can be stably maintained.

[00131] The laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an operation button 500 installed in the case cover 200 and partially accessible from the outside through the second through cavity 202 so as to be brought into contact with the operation panel 300 when pressed by the user.

[00132] In other words, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the operation button 500 is installed in the case cover 200 and the operation button 500 is partially accessible from the outside through the second through cavity 202 in the case cover 200, the input of operation signals such as a power supply on / off signal and an operation start / stop signal, for which intuitive operation is desired, can be performed smoothly.

[00133] In the laundry washing device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the pair of second through cavities 202 and the operation buttons 500 may be arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of the control panel 300.

[00134] In other words, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the second through cavities 202 and the operation buttons 500 are arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of the control panel 300, a plurality of control signals can be input through the operation buttons 500, and a balance in the external structure can be achieved.

[00135] In the laundry washing device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the hook projections 210 may be arranged in the second through cavities 202, respectively. In this case, the control panel 300 can be attached to both of the corresponding hook projections 210.

[00136] In other words, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the control panel 300 is fixed to both of the respective hook projections 210 provided in the pair of second through cavities 202, accordingly, the control panel 300 can be fixed to the hook projections 210 while maintaining balance.

[00137] The laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a wireless communication part 600 installed in the case cover 200 to enable transmission and reception of wireless signals to the outside / outside. In this case, the wireless communication part 600 may be installed on the inner surface of the case cover 200 while being attached to the lower portion of the control panel 300.

[00138] In other words, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the wireless communication part 600 is installed on the inner surface of the case cover 200 in a state of being attached to the lower portion of the control panel 300, the main components can be effectively accommodated in the inner space of the case cover 200, and the control panel 300 can be disposed higher in the front upper end portion of the case cover 200.

[00139] Fig. 10 is a view illustrating, as an example, the fixed UI section 301 and the adjustable UI section 302 of the control panel 300 in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 11A is a view illustrating, as an example, a transmissive zone 311 (a light-transmitting zone 311) and a non-transmissive zone 312 (a light-non-transmitting zone 312) of a control panel 300 in a laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.Fig. 11B and 11C are views illustrating a contact-type button rod 390 (contact button 390) of a control panel 300 in a laundry washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 12-14 are views illustrating a structure of providing a transmissive area 311 (light transmitting area 311) and a non-transmissive area 312 (light non-transmitting area 312) of a control panel 300 in a laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[00140] In the laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel 300 may include a fixed UI section 301 in which a first control UI 301a whose display is fixed is disposed, and an adjustable UI section 302 in which a second control UI 302a whose display on / off and type are adjustable are disposed.

[00141] In other words, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the fixed UI section 301 and the adjustable UI section 302 provided in the control panel 300 are arranged according to the UI characteristics, the user can more easily input control signals for processing operations.

[00142] In the laundry washing device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a part of the window area 310 corresponding to the first through cavity 201 can serve as a transmissive area 311, and the remaining part serves as a non-transmissive area 312. In this case, the touch screen 320 can be attached to the rear surface of the window 310 and perform display through the transmissive area 311.

[00143] In other words, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the touch screen 320 is displayed through the transmissive area 311 provided in a portion of the window 310, and the remaining portion of the window 310 is provided as the non-transmissive area 312, various external structural solutions can be implemented regardless of the shape of the touch screen 320.

[00144] The laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body 100, a case cover 200, an operation panel 300, and an operation button 500.

[00145] The main body 100 is a part that accommodates laundry so as to perform processing operations on the laundry and is capable of performing at least one of washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying.

[00146] The case cover 200 is a part that covers the main body 100 to form an outer part, and has a first through cavity 201 provided in a front upper part thereof, and a second through cavity 202 provided below the center of the first through cavity 201.

[00147] In other words, as described above, the first through cavity 201 may be disposed in the case cover 200 to allow a part of the control panel 300 to be accessible from the outside. In addition, the second through cavity 202 may be disposed below the center of the first through cavity 201 so that the control button 500 can be disposed therein.

[00148] The control panel 300 is a part that is installed in the casing cover 200 and is partially accessible from the outside through the first through cavity 201 so that control signals for processing operations can be input by the user.

[00149] The operation button 500 is a part that is installed in the case cover 200 and is partially accessible from the outside through the second through cavity 202 so as to be able to come into contact with the operation panel 300 when pressed by the user.

[00150] In other words, when the operation button 500 is installed in the case cover 200, only the part for performing operations by the user may be accessible from the outside through the second through cavity 202. Accordingly, the user can input specific operation signals associated with the operation button 500 to the laundry washing apparatus 1000 by pressing the part of the operation button 500 accessible from the outside of the case cover 200.

[00151] In this case, the specific operation signals associated with the operation button 500 are essentially used due to its characteristics, such as a power supply on / off signal and an operation start / stop signal, but their types do not necessarily have to be changed.It may be desirable to arrange the control signals in such a way that the user can intuitively perform actions in accordance with the control signals.

[00152] In other words, it may be desirable to arrange signals such as a power supply on / off signal and an operation start / stop signal in such a way that the user can perform actions in accordance with the signals through the control button 500, which is fixedly installed separately from the control panel 300.

[00153] Therefore, when the user presses the control button 500, the parts of the control buttons 500 located in the housing cover 200 come into contact with the control panel 300 in such a way that signals such as a power supply on / off signal and an operation start / stop signal can be input to the controller 800.

[00154] Meanwhile, when the user presses the operation button 500, the part of the operation button 500 located in the case cover 200 may not come into contact with the control panel 300, but signals such as on / off and start / stop of operation may be input to the controller 800 through a separate signal transmission path.

[00155] In the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the case cover 200 may have a hook projection 210 protruding backward from the periphery of the second through cavity 202, and the control panel 300 may be attached to the inner surface of the case cover 200 when attached to the hook projection 210.

[00156] In other words, the periphery of the second through cavity 202 provided through the casing cover 200 may be partially curved toward the rear side to form a hook protrusion 210.In particular, the hook projection 210 is a separate element attached to the second through cavity 202 of the casing cover 200, but can be formed by bending as a single unit with the second through cavity 202, which is formed when the casing cover 200 is manufactured in the form of a sheet metal product.

[00157] In addition, the control panel 300 can be configured in a structure that is supported by being attached to the hook projection 210 provided as a single unit with the periphery of the second through cavity 202.

[00158] Thus, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the control panel 300 is fixed to the hook projection 210 protruding from the second through cavity 202 provided in the case cover 200, the manufacturing efficiency can be improved by forming the hook projection 210 for fixing the control panel 300 during the formation of the second through cavity 202.

[00159] In the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hook cavity 211 may pass through the hook projection 210 in its longitudinal direction, and the control panel 300 may be attached when the hook 370 is inserted into the hook cavity 211.

[00160] In other words, as described above, the hook projection 210 may have a shape protruding rearward from the periphery of the second through cavity 202, and the hook cavity 211 may be provided in a shape passing through the hook projection 210 in the longitudinal direction.

[00161] In addition, the hook 370 may protrude from the lower end portion of the control panels 300, and the hook 370 may be inserted and secured to the hook cavity 211 having a shape passing through the hook protrusion in the longitudinal direction.

[00162] In this case, since the second through cavity 202 is located below the center of the first through cavity 201, the hook 370 at the lower end portion of the control panel 300 can be easily attached to the hook protrusion 210 protruding rearward from the periphery of the second through cavity 202.

[00163] Accordingly, when the hook 370 is inserted and attached to the hook cavities 211, the forward and backward displacement of the control panel 300 can be restricted by the hook protrusion 210. In addition, a part of the control panel 300 can fit on the upper surface of the hook protrusion 210 so that the upward and downward displacement of the control panel 300 can also be restricted to a certain extent.

[00164] Thus, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the hook 370 at the lower end portion of the control panel 300 is inserted and fixed to the hook cavity 211 passing through the hook projections 210 in the longitudinal direction, the control panel 300 can be easily and stably fixed to the hook projection 210.

[00165] In the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper end portion of the control panel 300 can be screwed into the inner surface of the case cover 200.

[00166] As described above, even when the hook 370 at the lower end portion of the control panel 300 is fixed to the hook projection 210 in such a way that it has a limited displacement, a relatively large displacement can occur at the upper end portion of the control panel 300.

[00167] Therefore, in addition to fixing the lower end portion of the control panel 300, it may be desirable to fix the upper end portion of the control panel 300 to the case cover 200 in such a way that the overall displacement of the control panel 300 is restricted. For this purpose, the upper end portion of the control panel 300 may be fixed to the case cover 200 via at least one screw 380.

[00168] Thus, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the upper end portion of the control panel 300 is screwed into the inner surface of the case cover 200, the connected state between the case cover 200 and the control panel 300 can be stably maintained.

[00169] In the laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pair of second through cavities 202 and control buttons 500 may be arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of the control panel 300.

[00170] In other words, in the front outer portion of the laundry washing device 1000, the second through cavities 202 may be arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides of the control panel 300, respectively. In addition, the control button 500 may be arranged in each of the second through cavities 202.

[00171] In this case, one control button 500 may be associated with a power supply on / off signal, and the other control button 500 may be associated with an operation start / stop signal.

[00172] Thus, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the second through cavities 202 and the control buttons 500 are arranged as a symmetrical pair on opposite sides of the control panel 300, a plurality of control signals can be input through the control buttons 500, and a balance in the external design can be achieved.

[00173] In the laundry washing device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the hook projections 210 may be accommodated in the second through cavities 202, respectively, and the control panel 300 may be attached to both of the corresponding hook projections 210.

[00174] In other words, on the front outer portion of the laundry washing device 1000, the second through cavities 202 may be arranged symmetrically on the left and right of the control panel 300, and the hook projections 210 may serve for the second through cavities 202, respectively. In addition, a pair of hooks 370 may be accommodated in a lower end portion of the control panel 300 such that the hook projections 370 can be attached to the hook projections 210, respectively.

[00175] When only one hook 370 is attached to the hook projection 210, the displacement in the forward and backward directions and the up and down directions can be limited to a certain extent, but when the control panel 300 is not balanced left and right relative to the hook 370, there is a risk that rotational displacement may occur.

[00176] Therefore, it may be desirable to provide a pair of hooks 370 at a lower end portion of the control panel 300 in such a way that the hooks are attached together to the hook projections 210 provided in the pair of second through cavities 202, respectively.

[00177] Thus, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the control panel 300 is fixed to both respective hook projections 210 provided in the pair of second through cavities 202, respectively, the control panel 300 can be fixed to the hook projections 210 while maintaining balance.

[00178] The laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body 100, a case cover 200, a control panel 300, and a wireless communication part 600. In this case, the wireless communication part 600 may be installed on the inner surface of the case cover 200 while being connected to the lower portion of the control panel 300.

[00179] The wireless communication part 600 is a part that is installed in the case cover 200 and is configured to transmit and receive wireless signals to the outside. The wireless communication part may be configured to receive signals that are input wirelessly from outside the laundry washing device 1000 and transmit the signals to the controller 800, or may be configured to wirelessly transmit signals that are output from the controller 800 outside the laundry washing device 1000.

[00180] In this case, the wireless communication portion 600 may include at least one of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and RF communication modules. For example, the laundry washing device 1000 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with the user's mobile terminal via a Wi-Fi communication module or a Bluetooth communication module. As another example, the laundry washing device 1000 may be configured to wirelessly communicate with another household appliance (for example, another separate laundry washing device 1000) via an RF communication module.

[00181] The wireless communication portion 600 may be located in the interior of the housing cover 200. However, it may be desirable to locate the wireless communication portion as close as possible to the outer portion of the housing cover 200 in the interior of the housing cover 200 in order to minimize the reduction in the efficiency of the wireless communication.

[00182] In particular, when the case cover 200 is made of a metal material, in order to ensure that the wireless communication part 600 performs wireless communication smoothly, it may be desirable to arrange the wireless communication part 600 near the first through cavity 201 or the second through cavity 202 in the case cover 200.

[00183] In addition, since it is more effective to arrange the wireless communication part 600 near the control panel 300 and the printed circuit board 341, it may be more desirable to install the wireless communication part 600 together with the control panel 300.

[00184] Therefore, the wireless communication part 600 may be installed on the inner surface of the case cover 200 in a state of being attached to the control panel 300, instead of being installed separately from the control panel 300.

[00185] Meanwhile, since the overall height of the laundry washing apparatus 1000 is generally less than the eye height of the user, in order to more easily check and operate the control panel 300 by the user, it may be desirable to arrange the control panel 300 as high as possible in the front upper end portion of the case cover 200.

[00186] Accordingly, the first through cavity 201 configured to ensure that a part of the control panel 300 is accessible from the outside of the case cover 200 must also be arranged as high as possible in the front upper end portion of the case cover 200.

[00187] In this case, when a separate main component is arranged on top of the control panel 300, it may be difficult to arrange the control panel 300 and the first through cavity 201 as high as possible in the front upper end portion of the case cover 200.

[00188] Accordingly, when the wireless communication part 600, connected and installed on the control panel 300, is connected to the lower portion of the control panel 300, an efficient arrangement of the wireless communication part 600 and an optimal arrangement of the control panel 300 can be achieved.

[00189] Thus, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the wireless communication part 600 is installed on the inner surface of the case cover 200 in a state of being connected to the lower portion of the control panel 300, the main components can be efficiently accommodated in the inner space of the case cover 200, and the control panel 300 can be located higher in the front upper end portion of the case cover 200.

[00190] The laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an audio output unit 700 that is installed in the case cover 200 and is configured to output audio signals for processing operations. In this case, the audio output unit 700 may be installed on the inner surface of the case cover 200 while attached to the side surface of the control panel 300.

[00191] The audio output unit 700 is a component that guides the user regarding specific matters or draws the user's attention to specific matters by means of an acoustic sound signal such as a buzzer or a speaker, and can be configured in various ways according to need.

[00192] The audio output unit 700 may be located in the inner space of the case cover 200.However, it may be desirable to arrange the sound output unit as close as possible to the outer portion of the case cover 200 in the inner space of the case cover 200 in order to ensure that sound signals are smoothly transmitted to the user.

[00193] In addition, since it is also more effective to arrange the sound output unit 700 near the control panel 300 and the printed circuit board 341, it may be more desirable to install the sound output unit 700 together with the control panel 300.

[00194] Therefore, the sound output unit 700 may also be installed on the inner surface of the case cover 200 in a state of being attached to the control panel 300, instead of being installed separately from the control panel 300.

[00195] However, as described above, it is not desirable to attach the sound output unit 700 to the upper portion of the control panel 300.In addition, in order to minimize interference with the wireless communication portion 600 connected to the lower portion of the control panel 300, it may be desirable to connect the sound output unit 700 to the side surface of the control panel 300.

[00196] As described above, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the sound output unit 700 is installed on the inner surface of the case cover 200 in a state of being connected to the side surface of the control panel 300, the sound output unit 700 can also be configured to match the most efficient arrangement of the control panel 300.

[00197] Meanwhile, with respect to the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, a configuration in which the wireless communication part 600 and the sound output unit 700 are disposed in the lower portion of the control panel 300 and on the side surface of the control panel 300, respectively, is described, but the laundry washing device is not necessarily limited thereto. If necessary, the wireless communication part 600 and the sound output unit 700 may be disposed on the side surface of the control panel 300 and on the lower portion of the control panel 300, respectively.

[00198] In addition, within the limit of preventing the wireless communication part 600 and the sound output unit 700 from interfering with each other, both the wireless communication part 600 and the sound output unit 700 may be disposed in the lower portion of the control panel 300 or disposed on the side surface of the control panel 300.

[00199] In the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel 300 may include a window 310, a touch screen 320, and a cover guide 330 so that the control panel 300 directly attached to the case cover 200 can be easily and stably installed.

[00200] In this case, the wireless communication part 600 may be attached to the bottom of the cover guide 330, and the sound output unit 700 may be attached to the side surface of the cover guide 330.

[00201] As described above, the cover guide 330 is a part that supports the touch screen 320. Taking into account the fact that the cover guide 330 has a certain level of rigidity in the control panel 300 and does not have high functional sensitivity, the cover guide 330 may be most desirable for attachment to other components.

[00202] Therefore, it may be desirable to attach the wireless communication portion 600 to the lower portion of the cover guide 330 in the control panel 300 and attach the sound output unit 700 to the side surface of the cover guide 330.

[00203] Thus, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the wireless communication portion 600 and the sound output unit 700 are attached to the lower and side surfaces of the cover guide 330, respectively, the communication portion 600 and the sound output unit 700 can be attached to the most desirable portions in the control panel 300.

[00204] The laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body 100, a housing cover 200, and a control panel 300. In this case, the control panel 300 may include a fixed UI section 301 and an adjustable UI section 302.

[00205] The control panel 300 is a part that is accessible from the outside of the housing cover 200 so that the user can input control signals for the laundry washing device 1000. The user can input operation signals for each component of the laundry washing device 1000 by operating the control panel 300.

[00206] In this case, UIs are arranged on the control panel 300 so that the user can operate the UIs arranged on the control panel 300 to input operation signals for each component of the laundry washing device 1000.

[00207] On the other hand, among the UIs, a UI may be provided that is essentially used due to its characteristics, but the display of which does not necessarily need to be changed. In addition, among the UIs, a UI may be provided that must necessarily be used while varying according to different types due to its characteristics.

[00208] Thus, since the user operates the UIs located on the control panel 300 differently depending on their characteristics, it may be desirable to arrange the corresponding UIs separately taking into account their characteristics so that the user can use the UI more easily.

[00209] For this purpose, the first control UI 301a, the display of which is fixed, may be located in the fixed UI section 301. In this case, the first control UI 301a (for example, the settings UI) is essentially used due to its characteristics, but its display does not necessarily have to change. Therefore, the user can recognize that the first control UI is always located in this place on the control panel 300.

[00210] In addition, the second control UI 302a, the state and type of which are adjustable, may be located in the adjustable UI section 302.In this case, the second control UI 302a needs to be used in varying according to different types due to its characteristics, and the user needs to operate the second control UI while checking the state and type of the currently implemented UI.

[00211] As described above, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the fixed UI section 301 and the adjustable UI section 302 provided in the control panel 300 are arranged according to the characteristics of the UI, the user can more easily input control signals for processing operations.

[00212] In the laundry washing device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, operation signals for the first control UI 301a can be input to the fixed UI section 301 via a contact type button rod.

[00213] In this case, the contact type button bar may mean a contact type with a structure in which, when the user operates the fixed UI section 301, a separate button bar 390 capable of receiving electrical signals moves and transmits corresponding signals to the control unit or controller 800.

[00214] In other words, when the user touches the fixed UI section 301 by touching, pressing, etc., the button bar 390, which is arranged to be driven into a corresponding portion at one end, is pressed and pushed back. In this case, when the other end of the button bar 390 is brought into contact with the control unit or controller 800, an electrical signal can be sent, and as a result, the control signal that the user wants to input can be transmitted to the controller 800.

[00215] As described above, the first control UI 301a located in the fixed UI section 301 can be controlled by a simple operation by the user without the need to change the display. Therefore, a contact type button bar that is relatively easy to operate may be desirable for the first control UI.

[00216] Thus, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the fixed UI section 301 is operated by the contact type button bar, the user can easily operate the fixed UI section 301 whose display is fixed.

[00217] In the laundry washing device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation signals for the second control UI 302a can be input to the adjustable UI section 302 by a touch type.

[00218] In this case, the touch type may mean a contact type with a structure in which, when a touch object such as a human hand or an object (for example, a stylus pen) touches the second control UI 302a appearing in the adjustable UI section 302 through a separate touch sensor or the like, a corresponding signal may be transmitted to the control unit or controller 800.

[00219] As described above, in consideration of the fact that the second control UI 302a located in the adjustable UI section 302 is to be used while varying according to various types due to its characteristics, a touch type that allows the user to operate the UI while checking the state and type of the UI that is implemented by the user may be desirable for the second control UI.

[00220] In particular, since the type of the second control UI 302a also varies in the adjustable UI section 302, it may be convenient to allow the different types of UI to be varied by touching a specific area on the screen.

[00221] Therefore, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the adjustable UI section 302 is operated by a touch type, the user can effectively operate the adjustable UI section 302 whose display on / off and type are varied.

[00222] Meanwhile, the first control UI 301a may include at least one of a power control UI in which turning on / off the power supply of the laundry washing device 1000 can be selected, an operation UI in which turning on / off the operation of the laundry washing device 1000 can be selected, and a settings UI in which the settings of the laundry washing device 1000 can be selected.

[00223] The second control UI 302a is an operation UI in which the type of operation of the laundry washing device 1000 can be selected, a laundry management UI in which the type of laundry placed in the laundry washing device 1000 can be selected, and a time control UI in which the operating time of the laundry washing device 1000 can be selected.

[00224] The operating UI is used to specify a process to be performed for washing laundry in the laundry washing device 1000.It is necessary to perform actions with the working UI while checking the state and the type of UI that is currently being implemented.

[00225] Similarly, the laundry management UI is used to select the type of laundry that is to be processed in the laundry washing device 1000 so that optimal processing can be performed accordingly. It is necessary to perform actions with the laundry management UI while checking the state and the type of UI that is currently being implemented.

[00226] In addition, similarly, the time management UI is used to set the time for processing the laundry in the laundry washing device 1000. It is also necessary to perform actions with the time management UI while checking the state and the type of UI that is currently being implemented.

[00227] Therefore, it may be desirable to arrange the operation UI, the laundry management UI, and the time management UI in the adjustable UI section 302 in such a way that they are adjustable in terms of display on / off and type.

[00228] In the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel 300 may include a window 310, a touch screen 320, and a cover guide 330 in such a way that the control panel 300 directly attached to the cabinet cover 200 can be easily and stably installed.

[00229] In this case, the touch screen 320 may be arranged in the adjustable UI section 302.

[00230] When the touch screen 320 is a screen configured to: determine when a touch object such as a human hand or an object (for example, a stylus pen) touches a symbol displayed on the screen or a specific location on the screen, the location; and be capable of receiving input material directly from it, so that specific processing can be performed by stored software. The controller 800 can change the display on / off and the type so that they correspond to the type of the touch object touching the touch screen 320.

[00231] As described above, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the touch screen 320 is located in the adjustable UI section 302, the adjustable UI section 302 in which the display on / off and the type are varied can be smoothly realized on the touch screen 320.

[00232] In the laundry washing device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first through cavity 201 may serve as a circular open surface. In this case, the touch screen 320 may be formed in a quadrangular shape with a height Hs that is relatively smaller than the diameter Dh of the first through cavity 201.

[00233] In other words, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the touch screen 320 has a height that is relatively smaller than the diameter of the first through cavity 201 provided in a circular shape, it may be possible to realize a circular display on the external design even when the touch screen 320 is not produced in a relatively expensive circular design.

[00234] In the laundry washing device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a part of the window region 310 corresponding to the first through cavity 201 may serve as a transmissive region 311, and the remaining part serves as a non-transmissive region 312. In this case, the touch screen 320 may be attached to the rear surface of the window 310 and perform display through the transmissive region 311.

[00235] In other words, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the touch screen 320 is displayed through the transmissive region 311 provided in the part of the window 310, and the remaining part of the window 310 is provided as the non-transmissive region 312, various external structural solutions can be implemented regardless of the shape of the touch screen 320.

[00236] The laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body 100, a housing cover 200 and a control panel 300.In this case, the control panel 300 may include a window 310 and a touch screen 320.

[00237] A part of the region of the window 310 corresponding to the first through cavity 201 may serve as a transmissive region 311, and the remaining part may serve as a non-transmissive region 312. In this case, the touch screen 320 may be attached to the rear surface of the window 310 and perform display through the transmissive region 311.

[00238] The transmissive region 311 means a region configured to transmit at least a part of the light in such a way that the opposite side or the inner part is visible. Accordingly, the transmissive region 311 may be a concept that includes a semi-transmissive region.

[00239] In particular, as illustrated in Fig. 12, the window 310 may be made of a transmissive material. In other words, the window 310 may be made of a translucent glass material or a synthetic resin material.

[00240] The shielding layer 312a may be disposed on a portion of the window 310 to form the non-transmitting zone 312. In this case, the shielding layer 312a may be disposed on the front or rear surface of the window 310.

[00241] In Fig. 12, ink is printed onto the rear surface of the window 310 to form the shielding layer 312a. The ink may contain dyes having a specific color group (for example, black, white, and blue).

[00242] In this case, various printing technologies such as screen printing (using a mesh formed from silk, nylon, tetron, stainless steel, and the like), offset printing, and transfer printing may be used as a method for forming the shielding layer 312a.

[00243] The shielding layer 312a is not disposed in the transmitting zone 311.In other words, the transmissive area 311 may be a transparent portion that is not covered by the shielding layer 312a and remains as the transmissive window 310.

[00244] The touch screen 320 may be attached to the rear surface of the window 310 corresponding to the transmissive area 311. The touch screen 320 may be positioned to completely cover the transmissive area 311 in order to detect a touch input to the transmissive area 311.

[00245] The touch screen 320 may be formed in such a way that it has a size larger than the transmissive area 311, and in this case, the touch screen 320 may be configured to cover a portion of the shielding layer 312a that defines the transmissive area 311.

[00246] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the shielding layer 312a defining the transmitting zone 311 of the window 310 may have such a configuration in which its transparency gradually changes towards the transmitting zone 311.

[00247] For example, the non-transmissive zone 312 around the transmissive zone 311 may be configured to gradually become transparent to the transmissive zone 311. For this purpose, the shielding layer 312a may include a plurality of shielding dots 312a-1 provided around the transmissive zone, and the plurality of shielding dots 312a-1 may be provided to have a lower density to the transmissive zone 311.

[00248] By blurring the boundary of the transmissive zone 311 through this halftone technology, a visual transition from the non-transmissive zone 312 to the transmissive zone 311 can be naturally achieved.

[00249] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 14, unlike the above embodiment in which the shielding layer 312a is printed on the rear surface of the window 310, the film 312b may be bonded to the rear surface of the window 310 in order to provide the non-transmitting zone 312.

[00250] The film 312b may include a non-transmitting portion 312b-2 corresponding to the non-transmitting zone and a transmissive portion 312b-1 corresponding to the transmissive zone 311. The non-transmitting portion 312b-2 is provided such that it surrounds the transmissive portion 312b-1, and the transmissive portion 312b-1 may be partitioned by the non-transmitting portion 312b-2.

[00251] Here, the portion corresponding to the non-transmitting portion 312b-2 may function as a shielding layer 312a that provides opacity to the window 310, thereby forming the non-transmitting zone 312. The portion corresponding to the transmissive portion 312b-1 may form the transmissive zone 311 together with the transmissive window 310.

[00252] The touch screen 320 can be attached to the rear surface of the film 312b corresponding to the transmissive portion 312b-1.The touch screen 320 may be disposed to completely cover the transmissive area 311 in order to detect a touch input to the transmissive area 311.

[00253] The touch screen 320 may be provided with a size larger than the transmissive area 311, and in this case, the touch screen 320 may be configured to cover a portion of the non-transmissive portion 312b-2 that defines the transmissive portion 312b-1.

[00254] Thus, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the touch screen 320 is displayed through the transmissive area 311 provided in a portion of the window 310, and the remaining portion of the window 310 serves as the non-transmissive area 312, various external structural solutions can be implemented regardless of the shape of the touch screen 320.

[00255] In the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch screen 320 may be produced in a shape having a flat surface relatively smaller than the open surface of the first through cavity 201, and in the area corresponding to the first through cavity 201 in the window 310, a portion in which the touch screen 320 does not perform display may serve as a non-transmitting area 312.

[00256] Depending on the external design of the laundry washing apparatus 1000, the portion through which the external control panel 300 (i.e., the first through cavity 201) is accessible may have various shapes. However, even when the shape of the first through cavity 201 is provided in various ways from the design perspective, if the flat shape of the touch screen 320 for display does not match the shape of the first through cavity 201, there is a risk that the aesthetics may be deteriorated.

[00257] Therefore, in order to realize various external structural solutions without being limited by the flat shape of the touch screen 320, it may be desirable to cover a part of the first through cavity 201 in which the touch screen 320 is not displayed by the non-transmitting area 312 of the window 310.

[00258] Thus, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, the first through cavity 201 is opened relatively more than the touch screen 320, and a part of the through cavity 201 in which the touch screen 320 is not displayed is covered by the non-transmitting area 312 of the window 310. Therefore, it is possible to realize a structural solution in which only the touch screen 320 is displayed even when the open shape of the first through cavity 201 does not correspond to the flat shape of the touch screen 320.

[00259] In the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first through cavity 201 may serve as a circular open surface, and the touch screen 320 may be produced in a quadrangular shape with a height Hs that is relatively smaller than the diameter Dh of the first through cavity 201.

[00260] Here, the circular shape may include a true circular shape, an oval shape, or a rounded shape that is at least partially rounded.

[00261] The circular touch screen 320 may be more expensive than the widely used quadrangular touch screen 320, and since it is difficult to determine the exact installation location due to its shape, assembly defects may often occur.

[00262] However, according to the structure of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the control panel 300, which appears round to the user, by using the quadrangular touch screen 320, which is inexpensive and can be assembled in the correct position.

[00263] Since the transmissive area 311 is surrounded by the non-transmissive area 312, the visual information output from the part of the touch screen 320 that does not correspond to the transmissive area 311 is invisible to the user. In view of this, the visual information may not be output on the part of the touch screen 320 that does not correspond to the transmissive area 311.

[00264] Thus, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the touch screen 320 has a height relatively smaller than the diameter of the first through cavity 201 provided in a circular shape, it may be possible to implement a circular display on an external design even when the touch screen 320 is not produced in a relatively expensive circular design.

[00265] In the laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel 300 may include a fixed UI section 301 in which a first control UI 301a, the display of which is fixed, is disposed, and an adjustable UI section 302 in which a second control UI 302a, the display on / off and type of which are adjustable, is disposed. Therefore, control signals for processing operations can be input more easily by the user.

[00266] In this case, the fixed UI section 301 may serve as the non-transmissive zone 312, and the adjustable UI section 302 may serve as the transmissive zone 311.

[00267] As described above, since the touch screen 320 is located in the adjustable UI section 302, the adjustable UI section 302 should be formed as the transmissive zone 311. In contrast, it may be desirable to provide the fixed UI section 301 as the non-transmissive zone 312 and to arrange only UIs that are relatively easy to operate in the fixed UI section.

[00268] Thus, in the laundry washing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, since the fixed UI section 301 and the adjustable UI section 302 of the control panel 300 are provided as the non-transmissive zone 312 and the transmissive zone 311, respectively, the adjustable UI section 302, the display on / off and type of which are varied, can be realized on the touch screen 320.

[00269] In the laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the fixed UI section 301, an operation signal for the first control UI 301a is input by a contact type button rod so that the user can easily operate the fixed UI section 301 whose display is fixed.

[00270] In addition, in the laundry washing device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the operation signal for the second control UI 302a is input by a touch type in the adjustable UI section 302, the user can effectively operate the adjustable UI section 302, the display on / off and type of which are varied.

[00271] Although specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described above and illustrated in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made as other specific embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention and the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure should not be defined by the described embodiments, but should be defined by the technical idea described in the claims. Industrial Applicability

[00272] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel is installed in a housing cover that defines an outer portion, and the control panel is not separated from the housing cover on the outer portion.Therefore, the housing cover is designed as an integrated sheet metal product so that the aesthetics and performance of the laundry washing device can be improved.

[00273] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel is installed in the housing cover, and only a part of the control panel is accessible from the outside through the first through cavity provided in the housing cover. Therefore, the external design of the laundry washing device can be realized as a seamless structure by minimizing the accessibility of sections of the control panel that do not necessarily need to be accessible to the user.

[00274] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch screen is displayed through a transmissive area provided in a portion of the window, and the remaining portion of the window serves as a non-transmissive area.Therefore, various external structural solutions can be realized regardless of the shape of the touch screen.

[00275] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first through cavity is opened relatively larger than the touch screen, and a part of the first through cavity in which the touch screen is not displayed is covered by a non-transmitting window zone. Therefore, even when the open shape of the first through cavity does not correspond to the flat shape of the touch screen, a structural solution can be realized in which only the touch screen is displayed on the external part.

[00276] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the touch screen has a height relatively smaller than the diameter of the first through cavity, which is provided in a circular shape.Therefore, even when the touch screen is not provided in a relatively expensive round structure, a round display can be realized on an external structure.

[00277] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, UIs are arranged in a fixed UI section and an adjustable UI section, respectively, which are provided in the control panel, depending on their characteristics. Therefore, control signals for a processing operation can be input more easily by a user.

[00278] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, since the fixed UI section and the adjustable UI section of the control panel are provided as a non-transmissive area and a transmissive area, respectively, the adjustable UI section, the display on / off and type of which are varied, can be realized on the touch screen.

[00279] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fixed UI section is operated by a contact type button bar. Therefore, the user can easily operate the fixed UI section whose display is fixed.

[00280] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the adjustable UI section is operated by a touch type. Therefore, the user can effectively operate the adjustable UI section whose display on / off and type are varied.

[00281] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel window is connected to the inner surface of the case cover, and a covering guide supporting the touch screen is fixed to the inner surface of the case cover.Therefore, the control panel, which is directly attached to the case cover, can be installed more easily and stably.

[00282] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the board cover on which the printed circuit board is mounted is attached to the rear surface of the cover guide. Therefore, the stably mounted printed circuit board can be easily connected to the touch screen.

[00283] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the panel frame, which presses the rear surface of the control panel, is attached to the inner surface of the case cover. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the control panel from being detached due to impact, vibration, and the like.

[00284] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first sealing member is disposed between the window and the cover guide.Therefore, the performance of water resistance and impact resistance can be ensured for the connection portion between the window and the cover guide.

[00285] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second sealing member is disposed between the cover guide and the board cover. Therefore, the performance of water resistance and impact resistance can be ensured for the connection portion between the cover guide and the board cover.

[00286] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control panel is fixed to a hook projection protruding from a second through cavity provided in the case cover. Therefore, the manufacturing efficiency can be improved by forming the hook projection for fixing the control panel when forming the second through cavity.

[00287] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hook at the lower end portion of the control panel is inserted and secured to a hook cavity passing through the hook projection in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the control panel can be easily and stably secured to the hook projection.

[00288] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper end portion of the control panel is screwed into the inner surface of the case cover. Therefore, the connected state between the case cover and the control panel can be stably maintained.

[00289] In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, control buttons are installed in the case cover, and some of these control buttons are accessible from the outside through the second through cavities in the case cover.Therefore, the input of desired control signals such as power on / off and operation start / stop, for which intuitive operation is desired, can be performed smoothly.

Claims

1. A device for washing clothes, comprising: a main body (100) configured to accommodate laundry for washing and to perform a laundry processing operation; a casing cover (200) configured to cover the main body (100) to define an outer portion and having a first through cavity (201) in its front upper end portion; and a control panel (300) installed in the cover (200) of the casing and partially accessible from the outside through the first through cavity (201) for the user to input a control signal for the processing operation, wherein the control panel (300) comprises: a window (310) in which a part of the zone corresponding to the first through cavity (201) serves as a light-transmitting zone (311), and the remaining part serves as a light-blocking zone (312); and a touch screen (320) connected to the rear surface of the window (310) and displayed through a light transmitting zone (311).

2. The device according to claim 1, in which the touch screen (320) is made in a shape having a plane that is smaller than the open surface of the first through cavity (201), and in the window (310) the part of the zone corresponding to the first through cavity (201), free from the display of the touch screen (320), serves as a zone (312) that does not transmit light.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first through cavity (201) is defined by a circular open surface, and the touch screen (320) is made in a quadrangular shape with a height less than the diameter of the first through cavity (201).

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control panel (300) comprises: a fixed UI section (301) in which a first control UI (301a) is located, the display of which is fixed; and an adjustable UI section (302) in which a second control UI (302a) is located, the on / off and type of which are adjustable.

5. The device according to claim 4, in which the fixed UI section (301) serves as a light-blocking zone (312), and the adjustable UI section (302) serves as a light-transmitting zone (311).

6. The device according to claim 5, in which the fixed UI section (301) is configured to input an operating signal for the first control UI (301a) by means of a contact button (390).

7. The device according to claim 6, in which the adjustable UI section (302) is configured to introduce an operating signal for the second control UI (302a) by means of a sensor-type introduction.

8. The device according to claim 1, in which the control panel (300) further comprises a cover guide (330) configured to support the touch screen (320) on the rear surface of the touch screen (320) and attached to the inner surface of the cover (200) of the casing, wherein the window (310) is attached to the inner surface of the cover (200) of the casing on its front surface, different from the zone corresponding to the first through cavity (201).

9. The device according to claim 8, in which the control panel (300) further comprises a board cover (340) on which a printed circuit board (PCB) is mounted, connected to the touch screen (320), and connected to the rear surface of the cover guide (330).

10. The device according to paragraph 9, further comprising: a panel frame (400) configured to press the rear surface of the control panel (300) and connected to the inner surface of the cover (200) of the casing.

11. The device according to claim 8, in which the control panel (300) further comprises a first sealing element (361) located between the window (310) and the cover guide (330).

12. The device according to claim 9, in which the control panel (300) further comprises a second sealing element (362) located between the cover guide (330) and the cover (340) of the board.

13. The device according to claim 1, in which the cover (200) of the casing has a hook projection (210) protruding backwards from the periphery of the second through cavity (202) located below the center of the first through cavity (201), and the control panel (300) is attached to the hook projection (210) and is connected to the inner surface of the cover (200) of the casing.

14. The device according to claim 13, in which the hook projection (210) comprises a cavity (211) for the hook, made for the projection-hook (210) to pass through it in the longitudinal direction, and the control panel (300) is secured by inserting the hook (370) present in its lower end part into the cavity (211) for the hook.

15. The device according to claim 14, in which the upper end part of the control panel (300) is screwed into the inner surface of the cover (200) of the casing.

16. The device according to paragraph 13, further comprising: a control button (500) installed in the cover (200) of the casing and partially accessible from the outside through the second through cavity (202) for bringing into contact with the control panel (300) when pressed by the user.

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