Dryer and method for controlling the same

Abstract

A dryer includes: a cabinet; a first electrode inside the cabinet; a second electrode inside the cabinet spaced apart from the first electrode inside the cabinet; a third electrode attachable to the cabinet between the first electrode and the second electrode; a radio frequency (RF) power supplier configured to supply RF power to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode; at least one sensor configured to, with at least one object in the cabinet, obtain data about the object in the cabinet; and a processor configured to divide the internal space into a plurality of accommodation spaces based on the third electrode being attached to the cabinet and adjust the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode to selectively generate an electric field in the accommodation spaces to dry the object in the cabinet.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a), of international application No. PCT / KR2025 / 012380, filed Aug. 14, 2025, which claims priority under 35 U. S. C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0110831, filed Aug. 19, 2024, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates to a dryer capable of drying an object using dielectric heating and a method for controlling the same.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] A dryer is a device that capable of drying an object (e.g., clothing) by removing moisture contained in the object. There are various types of drying devices that may dry an object. For example, there is a dryer that supplies hot air into a drum that accommodates an object. In the method for supplying hot air into the drum, heat is transferred from air having high heat to water having low heat, and thus, heat transfer efficiency is low and drying efficiency decreases accordingly. Furthermore, the hot air supplied into the drum may damage the object.

[0004] In another example, there is a dryer capable of drying an object through dielectric heating that uses radio frequency (RF). In existing dryers that use dielectric heating, an object is placed between two flat electrodes arranged in parallel and water contained in the object is heated by producing an electric field between the two flat electrodes. However, such dryers using dielectric heating may not be able to appropriately dry objects made of various materials at the same time.DISCLOSURETechnical Solution

[0005] The disclosure provides a dryer having a cabinet divided into a plurality of accommodation spaces using a attachable and detachable electrode and capable of selectively using the plurality of accommodation spaces as a drying space, and a method for controlling the same.

[0006] The disclosure provides a dryer that may dry objects made of various materials independently and simultaneously, and a method for controlling the same.

[0007] The disclosure provides a dryer that may provide information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces, and a method for controlling the same.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a dryer may include: a cabinet; a first electrode inside the cabinet; a second electrode inside the cabinet spaced apart from the first electrode; a third electrode attachable to the cabinet between the first electrode and the second electrode; a radio frequency (RF) power supplier configured to supply RF power to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode; at least one sensor configured to, with at least one object in the cabinet, obtain data about the at least one object in the cabinet; and a processor. The processor may be configured to divide an internal space of the cabinet into a plurality of accommodation spaces based on the third electrode being attached to the cabinet. The processor may be configured to adjust the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode from the RF power supplier to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces, based on the data obtained by the at least one sensor, to dry the at least one object in the cabinet.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in a method for controlling a dryer including a cabinet; a first electrode provided inside the cabinet; a second electrode inside the cabinet spaced apart from the first electrode; a third electrode attachable to the cabinet between the first electrode and the second electrode; a radio frequency (RF) power supplier configured to supply RF power to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and a third electrode; at least one sensor configured to, with at least one object in the cabinet, obtain data about the at least one object in the cabinet and a processor, the method may include: dividing, by the processor, an internal space of the cabinet into a plurality of accommodation spaces based on the third electrode being attached to the cabinet and adjusting, by the processor, the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode from the RF power supplier to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces, based on the data obtained by the at least one sensor, to dry the at least one object in the cabinet.

[0010] According to the disclosure, a dryer and a method for controlling the same may have a cabinet divided into a plurality of accommodation spaces using a detachable electrode and selectively use the plurality of accommodation spaces as a drying space, thereby improving usability and energy efficiency of dryer.

[0011] According to the disclosure, a dryer and a method for controlling the same may dry objects made of various materials independently and simultaneously, thereby performing drying operations suitable for each material and preventing the objects from being damaged.

[0012] According to the disclosure, a dryer and a method for controlling the same may provide information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces, thereby improving user convenience.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a network system implemented by various electronic devices.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a dryer with an open door according to an embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a dryer according to an embodiment viewed from one side.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which an electric field is selectively generated in a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which an electric field is selectively generated in a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates a structure of an impedance matching circuit according to an embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a control block diagram of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a table illustrating an example of drying courses suitable for objects made of various materials.

[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a user interface screen for providing information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0025] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a user interface screen for providing information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0026] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a user interface screen for providing information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0027] FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a user interface screen for providing a pause notification during a drying operation.

[0028] FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a user interface screen presented after drying is complete in all of the plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0029] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adjusting radio frequency (RF) power described in FIG. 17 in more detail.

[0031] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adjusting RF power in a case where a plurality of materials are identified in a single drying space.

[0032] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing information about an operation of a dryer according to an embodiment.MODES OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0033] Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0034] In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

[0035] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0036] In the disclosure, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B or C”, “at least one of A, B and C”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0037] Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the element in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

[0038] When an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being “(functionally or communicatively) coupled” or “connected” to another element (e.g., a second element), the first element may be connected to the second element, directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third element.

[0039] It will be understood that when the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including”, and / or “comprising” are used in the disclosure, they specify the presence of the specified features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

[0040] When a given element is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another element, it is to be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element. When a given element is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element through a third element.

[0041] It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.

[0042] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0043] Hereinafter, the principles of operation and embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a network system implemented by various electronic devices.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, a home appliance 10 may include a communication module capable of communicating with another home appliance, a user device 2, or a server 3, a user interface that receives a user input or outputs information to a user, at least one processor that controls an operation of the home appliance 10, and at least one memory that stores a program for controlling the operation of the home appliance 10.

[0046] The home appliance 10 may be at least one of various types of home appliances. For example, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the home appliance 10 may include a refrigerator 11, a dishwasher 12, an electric range 13, an electric oven 14, an air conditioner 15, a clothes treating apparatus 16, a washing machine 17, a dryer 18, and a microwave oven 19.

[0047] However, the home appliance 10 is not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the home appliance 10 may include various types of appliances not shown in the drawings, such as a cleaning robot, a vacuum cleaner, a television, and the like. Furthermore, the aforementioned home appliances are by way of example only, and in addition to the aforementioned home appliances, other appliances connected to other home appliance, the user device 2, or the server 3 to perform operations described below may be included in the home appliance 10 according to an embodiment.

[0048] The server 3 may include a communication module communicating with another server, the home appliance 10, or the user device 2, at least one processor that processes data received from another server, the home appliance 10, or the user device 2, and at least one memory that stores programs for processing data or processed data. The server 3 may be implemented as a variety of computing devices, such as a workstation, a cloud, a data drive, a data station, and the like. The server 3 may be implemented as one or more server physically or logically separated based on a function, detailed configuration of function, or data, and may transmit and receive data through communication between servers and process the transmitted and received data.

[0049] The server 3 may perform functions, such as managing a user account, registering the home appliance 10 in association with the user account, managing or controlling the registered home appliance 10, and the like. For example, a user may access the server 3 via the user device 2 and may create a user account. The user account may be identified by an identifier (ID) and a password set by the user. The server 3 may register the home appliance 10 with the user account according to a predetermined procedure. For example, the server 3 may link identification information of the home appliance 10 (e.g., a serial number or MAC address) to the user account to register, manage, and control the home appliance 10. The user device 2 may include a communication module capable of communicating with the home appliance 10 or the server 3, a user interface that receives a user input or outputs information to a user, at least one processor that controls an operation of the user device 2, and at least one memory that stores a program for controlling the operation of the user device 2.

[0050] The user device 2 may be carried by a user, or placed in a user's home or office, or the like. The user device 2 may include a personal computer (PC), a terminal, a portable telephone, a smartphone, a handheld device, a wearable device, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0051] The memory of the user device 2 may store a program for controlling the home appliance 10, i.e. An application. The application may be sold installed on the user device 2, or may be downloaded from an external server for installation.

[0052] By running the application installed on the user device 2 by a user, the user may access the server 3, create a user account, and communicate with the server 3 based on the login user account to register the home appliance 10.

[0053] For example, by operating the home appliance 10 to allow the home appliance 10 to access the server 3 according to a procedure guided by the application installed on the user device 2, the server 3 may register the home appliance 10 with the user account by assigning the identification information (e.g., a serial number or a MAC address) of the home appliance 10 to the corresponding user account.

[0054] A user may control the home appliance 10 using the application installed on the user device 2. For example, by logging into a user account with the application installed on the user device 2, the home appliance 10 registered in the user account appears, and by inputting a control command for the home appliance 10, the control command may be delivered to the home appliance 10 via the server 3.

[0055] A network may include both a wired network and a wireless network. The wired network may include a cable network or a telephone network, and the wireless network may include any networks transmitting and receiving a signal via radio waves. The wired network and the wireless network may be interconnected.

[0056] The network may include a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN) formed around an access point (AP), and a short-range wireless network that does not use an AP. The short-range wireless network may include Bluetooth™ (IEEE 802.15.1), Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), Wi-Fi Direct, near field communication (NFC), and Z-Wave, but is not limited thereto.

[0057] The AP may connect the home appliance 10 or the user device 2 to a WAN connected to the server 3. The home appliance 10 or the user device 2 may be connected to the server 3 via a WAN.

[0058] The AP may communicate with the home appliance 10 or the user device 2 using wireless communication, such as Wi-Fi™ (IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth™ (IEEE 802.15.1), Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), and the like, and access a WAN using wired communication, but is not limited thereto.

[0059] According to various embodiments, the home appliance 10 may be directly connected to the user device 2 or the server 3 without going through an AP.

[0060] The home appliance 10 may be connected to the user device 2 or the server 3 via a long-range wireless network or a short-range wireless network.

[0061] For example, the home appliance 10 may be connected to the user device 2 via a short-range wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi Direct).

[0062] In another example, the home appliance 10 may be connected to the user device 2 or the server 3 via a WAN using a long-range wireless network (e.g., a cellular communication module).

[0063] In still another example, the home appliance 10 may access a WAN using wired communication, and may be connected to another home appliance 10 or the server 3 via a WAN.

[0064] When accessing a WAN using wired communication, the home appliance 10 may also act as an AP. Accordingly, the home appliance 10 may connect another home appliance 10 to a WAN to which the server 3 is connected. In addition, another home appliance 10 may connect the home appliance 10 to the WAN to which the server 3 is connected.

[0065] The home appliance 10 may transmit information about an operation or state to other home appliances, the user device 2, or the server 3 via the network. For example, the home appliance 10 may transmit information about an operation or state to other home appliances, the user device 2 or the server 3 upon receiving a request from the server 3, in response to an event in the home appliance 10, or periodically or in real time. Upon receiving the information about the operation or state from the home appliance 10, the server 3 may update the stored information about the operation or state of the home appliance 10 and transmit the updated information about the operation and state of the home appliance 10 to the user device 2 via the network. Here, updating the information may include various operations in which existing information is changed, such as adding new information to the existing information, replacing the existing information with new information, and the like.

[0066] The home appliance 10 may obtain various information from other home appliances, the user device 2, or the server 3, and may provide the obtained information to a user. For example, the home appliance 10 may obtain information related to a function of the home appliance 10 (e.g., recipes, washing instructions, etc.) from the server 3 and various environmental information (e.g., weather, temperature, humidity, etc.), and may output the obtained information via a user interface.

[0067] The home appliance 10 may operate in accordance with a control command received from other home appliances, the user device 2, or the server 3. For example, the home appliance 10 may operate in accordance with a control command received from the server 3, based on a prior authorization obtained from a user to operate in accordance with the control command of the server 3 even without a user input. Here, the control command received from the server 3 may include a control command input by the user via the user device 2 or a control command based on preset conditions, but is not limited thereto.

[0068] The user device 2 may transmit information about a user to the home appliance 10 or the server 3 via the communication module. For example, the user device 2 may transmit information about a user's location, a user's health condition (i.e., state), a user's preference, a user's schedule, and the like to the server 3. The user device 2 may transmit information about the user to the server 3 based on the user's prior authorization.

[0069] The home appliance 10, the user device 2, or the server 3 may use techniques, such as artificial intelligence (AI) to determine a control command. For example, the server 3 may receive information about an operation or a state of the home appliance 10 or information about a user of the user device 2, process the received information using techniques, such as AI, and transmit a processing result or a control command to the home appliance 10 or the user device 2 based on the processing result

[0070] A dryer 1 described below may be the home appliance 10 described above.

[0071] FIG. 2 illustrates a dryer according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates a dryer with an open door according to an embodiment.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 2, the dryer 1 may include a main body 1a forming an exterior, and a door 30 rotatably coupled to the main body 1a. The main body 1a may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open front. An opening may be formed on the open front of the main body 1a. The door 30 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 1a to open and close the open front of the main body 1a. The door 30 may be coupled to the main body 1a by a hinge.

[0073] The main body 1a may be formed such that a length of the front side extending in a first direction X and a length of the side surface extending in a second direction Y are different. That is, the length L1 of the front side of the main body 1a may be longer than the length L2 of the side surface of the main body 1a. The length of the front side of the main body 1a may be defined as the first length L1, and the length of the side surface of the main body 1a may be defined as the second length L2.

[0074] A user interface 100 for interaction between a user and the dryer 1 may be provided on the front side of the door 30. The position of the user interface 100 is not limited to that shown. The user interface 100 may also be disposed in various positions on the main body 1a.

[0075] The user interface 100 may receive various commands from the user. In addition, the user interface 100 may display various information about an operation of the dryer 1. For example, the user may use the user interface 100 to set a drying course appropriate for an object to be dried. The user interface 100 may include an input interface for obtaining user input and an output interface for outputting various information.

[0076] The input interface may include various buttons and / or a dial. For example, the input interface may include at least one of a power button for turning the dryer 1 on or off, a start / stop button for starting or stopping a drying operation, a drying course button for selecting a drying course, a temperature button for setting a drying temperature, or a time button for setting a drying time. The various buttons may be provided as physical buttons or touch buttons.

[0077] The dryer 1 may perform drying according to the selected drying course. A drying course may include drying parameters such as a drying temperature and a drying time. A different drying course may be selected based on a position of an object accommodated in a drum 20, a material of the object, a size of the object, and / or an amount of the object.

[0078] The output interface may include a display. The display may be provided as various types of display panels. For example, the display may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, or a micro LED panel. The display may also be used as an input device by including a touch screen.

[0079] The display may display information input by the user or information provided to the user on various screens. The display may display information related to the operation of the dryer 1 as at least one of an image or text. In addition, the display may display a graphic user interface (GUI) that enables control of the dryer 1. That is, the display may display user interface (UI) elements such as an icon.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 3, the main body 20 may include cabinets 21 and 22. The cabinets 21 and 22 may include the outer cabinet 21 and the inner cabinet 22. The inner cabinet 22 may be disposed inside the outer cabinet 11. The cabinets 21 and 22 may form an accommodation space in which an object is accommodated.

[0081] A plurality of electrodes may be disposed in the cabinets 21 and 22. For example, a first electrode 61, a second electrode 62, a third electrode 63, and a fourth electrode 64 may be arranged in the cabinets 21 and 22. The first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64 may each have a flat plate shape.

[0082] The first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64 may be spaced apart from and parallel to each other. The first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64 may be disposed horizontally with the lower side of the cabinets 21 and 22.

[0083] For example, the first electrode 61 may be located in the lower portion of the cabinets 21 and 22. The first electrode 61 may be located on the lower side of the inner cabinet 22. The first electrode 61 may also be disposed between the outer cabinet 21 and the inner cabinet 22 in the lower portion of the cabinets 21 and 22. The second electrode 62 may be located in the upper portion of the cabinets 21 and 22. The second electrode 62 may be located on the upper side of the inner cabinet 22. The second electrode 62 may also be disposed between the outer cabinet 21 and the inner cabinet 22 in the upper portion of the cabinets 21 and 22. The first electrode 61 and the second electrode 62 may be fixed to the cabinets 21 and 22 or detachably provided.

[0084] The third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64 may be disposed between the first electrode 61 and the second electrode 62. The third electrode 63 may be located below the fourth electrode 64 in the vertical direction. Each of the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64 may be detachably provided in the cabinets 21 and 22.

[0085] An electronic equipment chamber 50 may be disposed in the cabinets 21 and 22. The electronic equipment chamber 50 may be located below the accommodation space. Various components required for operating the dryer 1 may be disposed in the electronic equipment chamber 50. For example, a circuit system for supplying radio frequency (RF) power to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64 may be located in the electronic equipment chamber 50.

[0086] In addition, the dryer 1 may include an image sensor 71 for obtaining image data of the inside of the cabinets 21 and 22. For example, the image sensor 71 may be disposed on the door 30 to have a field of view toward an inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22. The position of the image sensor 71 is not limited to the door 30. The image sensor 71 may also be disposed at the upper front of the cabinets 21 and 22 to have a field of view from the upper side to the lower side in the cabinets 21 and 22. The image sensor 71 may include various types of cameras.

[0087] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a dryer according to an embodiment viewed from one side.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 4, the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64 are disposed in the cabinets 21 and 22, and thus the inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 may be divided into a plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. The first accommodation space 41 may be formed between the first electrode 61 and the third electrode 63. The second accommodation space 42 may be formed between the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64. The third accommodation space 43 may be formed between the fourth electrode 64 and the second electrode 62. At least one object may be placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. Because the electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 may serve as shelves supporting objects, the electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 may also be referred to as ‘shelf electrode’.

[0089] An object may be placed on at least one of the upper side of the first electrode 61, the upper side of the third electrode 63, or the upper side of the fourth electrode 64. An object may also be hung from the lower side of the second electrode 62, the lower side of the third electrode 63, and the lower side of the fourth electrode 64 by a separate rack (e.g., a hanger).

[0090] Although the four electrodes spaced apart in the vertical direction are described, the number and position of the electrodes are not limited to those illustrated. For example, one of the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64 may be omitted. In addition, three or more electrodes may be disposed between the first electrode 61 and the second electrode 62. The number of accommodation spaces formed in the cabinets 21 and 22 and the size of the accommodation spaces may vary depending on the number and position of the electrodes disposed in the cabinets 21 and 22.

[0091] The first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64 may include a connector 61c, 62c, 63c, and 64c formed on one side (e.g., the rear side), respectively. A plurality of terminals 80a, 80b, 80c, and 80d connected to each of the connectors 61c, 62c, 63c, and 64c of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64 may be provided on the inner side (e.g., the rear inner side) of the cabinets 21 and 22. The connectors 61c, 62c, 63c, and 64c may include a plurality of pins, and the terminals 80a, 80b, 80c, and 80d may include a plurality of holes corresponding to the plurality of pins.

[0092] When the connectors 61c, 62c, 63c, and 64c are coupled with the terminals 80a, 80b, 80c, and 80d, the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 may be electrically connected to an RF power supplier to be described below. In addition, when the connectors 61c, 62c, 63c, and 64c are coupled with the terminals 80a, 80b, 80c, and 80d, an electrical signal corresponding to the arrangement of the electrodes may be transmitted to a processor 310 of the dryer 1.

[0093] The electrode may include a conductor, an electrode cover, and a connector. The conductor and the electrode cover may each have a flat plate shape. Depending on the design, the conductor and the electrode cover may be formed integrally or separably. In addition, the electrode may not include the electrode cover.

[0094] The first electrode 61 may include a first conductor 61a, a first electrode cover 61b, and the first connector 61c. The first conductor 61a may be accommodated in the first electrode cover 61b. The first connector 61c may be positioned on one side (e.g., the rear side) of the first electrode 61 and may be electrically connected to the first conductor 63a. The first connector 61c may protrude to the outside of the first electrode cover 63b. The first connector 61c may be coupled with the first terminal 80a.

[0095] The second electrode 62 may include a second conductor 62a, a second electrode cover 62b, and the second connector 62c. The second conductor 62a may be accommodated in the second electrode cover 62b. The second connector 62c may be positioned on one side (e.g., the rear side) of the second electrode 62 and may be electrically connected to the second conductor 62a. The second connector 62c may protrude to the outside of the second electrode cover 62b. The second connector 62c may be coupled with the second terminal 80b.

[0096] The third electrode 63 may include a third conductor 63a, a third electrode cover 63b, and the third connector 63c. The third conductor 63a may be accommodated in the third electrode cover 63b. The third connector 63c may be positioned on one side (e.g., the rear side) of the third electrode 63 and may be electrically connected to the third conductor 63a. The third connector 63c may protrude to the outside of the third electrode cover 63b. The third connector 63c may be coupled with the third terminal 80c.

[0097] The fourth electrode 64 may include a fourth conductor 64a, a fourth electrode cover 64b, and the fourth connector 64c. The fourth conductor 64a may be accommodated in the fourth electrode cover 64b. The fourth connector 64c may be positioned on one side (e.g., the rear side) of the fourth electrode 64 and may be electrically connected to the fourth conductor 64a. The fourth connector 64c may protrude to the outside of the fourth electrode cover 64b. The fourth connector 64c may be coupled with the fourth terminal 80d.

[0098] A length, area, and thickness of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 may vary depending on the design.

[0099] The dryer 1 may include at least one of a weight sensor 72 or a humidity sensor 73. The weight sensor 72 and the humidity sensor 73 may be provided in each of the electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64. For example, the weight sensor 72 and the humidity sensor 73 may be disposed in the respective electrode covers 61b, 62b, 63b, and 64b of each of the electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64. The weight sensor 72 may obtain weight data of an object which is located on or hung from each electrode. The humidity sensor 73 may obtain humidity data of the object located on or hung from each electrode.

[0100] When RF power is applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64, an electric field may be generated in the vertical direction in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. The electric field may vibrate dielectrics (e.g., water molecules) contained in the object. The vibration of the dielectrics (e.g., water molecules) may generate dipole frictional heat to heat the dielectrics. The object may be dried as the heated dielectrics evaporate. The evaporated dielectrics may be discharged out of the dryer 1.

[0101] A polarity of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 may be determined based on a phase of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64. An electric field may or may not be generated in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43 depending on the polarity of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64. In other words, an electric field may be selectively generated in the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. A magnitude of the electric field generated in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43 may vary depending on the magnitude of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64.

[0102] FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 5, the dryer 1 may further include a plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f provided perpendicular to the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64. The plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f may be located in the cabinets 21 and 22. For example, the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f may be disposed between the outer cabinet 21 and the inner cabinet 22.

[0104] The first vertical electrode 90a and the second vertical electrode 90b may be disposed at positions covering both side surfaces of the first accommodation space 41 formed between the first electrode 61 and the third electrode 63. The first vertical electrode 90a may be located on the right side of the first accommodation space 41, and the second vertical electrode 90b may be located on the left side of the first accommodation space 41.

[0105] The third vertical electrode 90c and the fourth vertical electrode 90d may be disposed at positions covering both side surfaces of the second accommodation space 42 formed between the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64. The third vertical electrode 90c may be located on the right side of the second accommodation space 42, and the fourth vertical electrode 90d may be located on the left side of the second accommodation space 42.

[0106] The fifth vertical electrode 90e and the sixth vertical electrode 90f may be disposed at positions covering both side surfaces of the third accommodation space 43 formed between the second electrode 62 and the fourth electrode 64. The fifth vertical electrode 90e may be located on the right side of the third accommodation space 43, and the sixth vertical electrode 90f may be located on the left side of the third accommodation space 43.

[0107] A length, area, and thickness of each of the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f may vary depending on the design.

[0108] In a case where RF power is not applied to the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64, and RF power is applied to each of the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f, an electric field may be generated in the horizontal direction in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43.

[0109] RF power may also be simultaneously applied to the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 and the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f. An electric field may or may not be generated in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43 depending on the phase of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 and the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f. In addition, a direction of the electric field generated in each accommodation space may change depending on the phase of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 and the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f.

[0110] FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which an electric field is selectively generated in a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 6, the dryer 1 may adjust the RF power applied to the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which an electric field is generated in each of the first accommodation space 41 and the third accommodation space 43, but not in the second accommodation space 42.

[0112] The dryer 1 may include at least one sensor for obtaining data about at least one object placed in the cabinets 21 and 22. The dryer 1 may adjust the RF power applied to the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43, based on the data obtained from the at least one sensor.

[0113] The dryer 1 may process the data about the object, thereby identifying that a first object OB1 is placed in the first accommodation space 41 formed by the first electrode 61 and the third electrode 63, and a second object OB2 is placed in the third accommodation space 43 formed by the second electrode 62 and the fourth electrode 64. The dryer 1 may determine the first accommodation space 41 where the first object OB1 is placed and the third accommodation space 43 where the second object OB2 is placed as drying spaces. The dryer 1 may determine the second accommodation space 42 where no object is placed as a non-drying space.

[0114] The dryer 1 may adjust a phase of the RF power applied to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64 to allow the first electrode 61 and the third electrode 63 to have opposite polarities and the second electrode 62 and the fourth electrode 64 to have opposite polarities, thereby allowing the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64 to have the same polarity. For example, the first electrode 61 and the second electrode 62 may have a negative polarity (−), and the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64 may have a positive polarity (+). In other words, the first electrode 61 and the second electrode 62 may each function as cathodes, and the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64 may each function as anodes. Accordingly, an electric field may be generated between the first electrode 61 and the third electrode 63, and between the second electrode 62 and the fourth electrode 64, respectively. However, an electric field may not be generated between the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64.

[0115] The electric field generated between the first electrode 61 and the third electrode 63 may dry the first object OB1. The electric field generated between the second electrode 62 and the fourth electrode 64 may dry the second object OB2.

[0116] FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which an electric field is selectively generated in a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 7, a size and / or volume of the first object OB1 and the second object OB2 may vary. For example, the first object OB1 may have a size and / or volume that occupies only part of the first accommodation space 41 and may be located on the right side of the first accommodation space 41. The second object OB2 may have a size and / or volume that occupies only part of the third accommodation space 43 and may be located on the right side of the third accommodation space 43.

[0118] The dryer 1 may process data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify the position of the object in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. The dryer 1 may adjust RF power applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 and the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f based on the position of the object.

[0119] In the same manner as described in FIG. 6, the dryer 1 may determine a phase of the RF power applied to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64 to generate an electric field in each of the first accommodation space 41 and the third accommodation space 43.

[0120] In addition, the dryer 1 may adjust the phase of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f to concentrate the electric field in the right region of the first accommodation space 41 and the right region of the third accommodation space 43. For example, the dryer 1 may adjust the phase of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f to allow the first vertical electrode 90a and the third electrode 63 to have opposite polarities and the fifth vertical electrode 90e and the second electrode 62 to have opposite polarities. The first vertical electrode 90a may have a negative polarity (−), and the fifth vertical electrode 90e may have a positive polarity (+). Accordingly, an electric field directed from the third electrode 63 to the first vertical electrode 90a may be further generated in the right region of the first accommodation space 41. An electric field directed from the fifth vertical electrode 90e to the second electrode 62 may be further generated in the right region of the third accommodation space 43.

[0121] The dryer 1 may determine the polarity of each of the second vertical electrode 90b, the third vertical electrode 90c, the fourth vertical electrode 90d, and the sixth vertical electrode 90f to prevent the generation of an electric field in the second accommodation space 41 and to minimize the cancellation of the electric fields generated in the first accommodation space 41 and the third accommodation space 43. In FIG. 7, the dryer 1 may adjust the phase of the RF power applied to the second vertical electrode 90b, the third vertical electrode 90c, the fourth vertical electrode 90d, and the sixth vertical electrode 90f to allow all of the second vertical electrode 90b, the third vertical electrode 90c, the fourth vertical electrode 90d, and the sixth vertical electrode 90f to have a positive polarity (+).

[0122] As such, the dryer 1 may improve drying efficiency by generating an electric field corresponding to the position of the object in the drying space.

[0123] FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 8, a controller 300 may be electrically connected to components of the dryer 1 and may control the components of the dryer 1. The controller 300 may include a processor 310 and a memory 320. The memory 320 may include a volatile memory, such as static random access memory (S-RAM) or a dynamic RAM (D-RAM), and a non-volatile memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM) or an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM). The processor 310 and the memory 320 may be implemented as separate chips or as a single chip. In addition, a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories may be provided.

[0125] The processor 310 may process various data and signals using instructions, data, algorithms, programs, and / or software stored in the memory 320. The processor 310 may generate control signals for controlling the components of the dryer 1. The processor 310 may include a single core or a plurality of cores.

[0126] The processor 310 may be configured to perform various operations of the dryer 1. The processor 310 may perform the operations of the dryer 1 according to various embodiments by executing at least one instruction, algorithm, program, and / or software stored in the memory 320. The processor 310 may control one or any combination of the components of the dryer 1. The processor 310 may include various types of circuits. For example, the processor 310 may include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a many integrated core (MIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a neural processing unit (NPU), a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator.

[0127] The dryer 1 may include a sensor 70 for obtaining data about at least one object placed in the cabinets 21 and 22. For example, the sensor 70 may include at least one of the image sensor 71, the weight sensor 72, or the humidity sensor 73. In addition, the sensor 70 may include a door sensor for detecting the opening and closing of the door 30.

[0128] The image sensor 71 may obtain image data of the inside of the cabinets 21 and 22. The image sensor 71 may include various types of cameras. The image sensor 71 may have a field of view toward the inside of the cabinets 21 and 22. The image sensor 71 may transmit the obtained image data to the processor 310.

[0129] The processor 310 may process the image data to obtain various information about characteristics of the object. For example, the processor 310 may process the image data to obtain information about the type, material, color, size, volume, shape, number, and / or position of the object in the accommodation space.

[0130] The weight sensor 72 may be disposed in each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64. The weight sensor 72 may obtain weight data of the object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. For example, the weight sensor 72 may obtain weight data of the object located on the upper side of each electrode or hung from each electrode. The weight sensor 72 may transmit the obtained weight data to the processor 310. The processor 310 may process the weight data to identify a weight of the object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. The processor 310 may identify a moisture content of the object based on a difference between the weight of the object and a predetermined reference weight.

[0131] The humidity sensor 73 may be disposed in each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64. The humidity sensor 73 may obtain humidity data of the object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. For example, the humidity sensor 73 may obtain humidity data of the object located on the upper side of each electrode or hung from each electrode. The humidity sensor 73 may transmit the obtained humidity data to the processor 310. The processor 310 may process the humidity data to identify a humidity of the object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43.

[0132] The door sensor may detect the opening and closing of the door 30. The door sensor may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the opening and closing of the door 30 to the processor 310. The processor 310 may temporarily stop a drying operation in response to the door 30 being open during the drying operation. The processor 310 may resume the drying operation in response to the door 30 being closed again.

[0133] The dryer 1 may include the user interface 100 and a communication interface 200. The user interface 100 may obtain user input and display various information about the operation of the dryer 1. The user interface 100 may include an input interface 101 for obtaining user input and an output interface 102 for outputting information.

[0134] The input interface 101 may include at least one of various buttons and a dial. For example, the input interface 101 may include at least one of a power button for turning the dryer 1 on or off, a start / stop button for starting or stopping a drying operation, a drying course button for selecting a drying course, a temperature button for setting a drying temperature, or a time button for setting a drying time. The various buttons may be provided as physical buttons or touch buttons.

[0135] The output interface 101 may include a display for outputting various visual information. In addition, the output interface 101 may also include a speaker for outputting various sounds.

[0136] The user interface 100 may display various information about the operation of the dryer 1. For example, the processor 310 may control the user interface 100 to display information about each of the plurality of accommodation spaces. The information about each of the plurality of accommodation spaces may include at least one of the type, material, and number of objects, a drying course, a drying temperature, an estimated drying time, or a remaining time until the end of drying.

[0137] The drying course may include predetermined settings (e.g., drying level, additional time for wrinkle prevention, drying time) depending on the type (e.g., shirts, blankets, underwear, etc.) and material (e.g., cotton, wool, etc.) of an object. For example, a standard drying course may include drying settings applicable to most laundry items, and a blanket drying course may include drying settings optimized for blankets. Various drying courses may be stored in the memory 320.

[0138] In addition, the processor 310 may control the user interface 100 to provide a drying completion notification for each of the plurality of accommodation spaces based on the drying being completed for an object in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces. The processor 310 may also control the user interface 100 to provide an object withdrawal notification based on the drying being completed for the object in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces. The user interface 100 may provide the drying completion notification and the object withdrawal notification using various graphic user interfaces.

[0139] The communication interface 200 may perform communication with at least one of the user device 2 or the server 3 via a network. The processor 310 may obtain various information, signals, and / or data from the user device 2 or the server 3 through the communication interface 200. For example, the communication interface 200 may receive a remote control signal from the user device 2. The processor 310 may obtain firmware and / or software for the operation of the dryer 1 from the server 3 through the communication interface 200.

[0140] The communication interface 200 may include various communication circuits. The communication interface 200 may include a wireless communication circuit and / or a wired communication circuit. For example, a communication circuit that supports wireless communication methods such as wireless local area network, home radio frequency, infrared communication, ultra-wide band (UWB) communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™, and Zigbee may be provided.

[0141] The dryer 1 may include a circuit system for drying an object. For example, the circuit system may include a direct current (DC) converter 130, an RF power supplier 140, an impedance matching circuit 160, a first switch SW1, a second switch SW2, a third switch SW3, the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63.

[0142] Although the four electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 arranged in the horizontal direction and the six vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f arranged in the vertical direction are described in FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the number of electrodes is not limited to those illustrated. The dryer 1 may include various numbers of electrodes depending on the design.

[0143] For convenience of description, FIG. 8 illustrates a method for supplying RF power to each electrode using the three electrodes 61, 62, and 63 as an example. RF power may be supplied to each of the fourth electrode 64 and the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f in the same manner as described below.

[0144] The first electrode 61 may be disposed in the lower portion inside the cabinets 21 and 22. The second electrode 62 may be spaced apart from the first electrode 61 inside the cabinets 21 and 22. The second electrode 62 may be located in the upper portion of the cabinets 21 and 22. The third electrode 63 may be disposed between the first electrode 61 and the second electrode 62. The first electrode 61 and the second electrode 62 may be fixed within the cabinets 21 and 22, and the third electrode 63 may be detachably provided. The first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 may be spaced apart and parallel to each other.

[0145] The processor 310 may identify an arrangement of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63. When the connectors 61c, 62c, and 63c of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 are coupled with the terminals 80a, 80b, and 80c of the cabinets 21 and 22, respectively, an electrical signal corresponding to the arrangement of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may be transmitted to the processor 310 of the dryer 1. The processor 310 may identify the arrangement of the electrodes based on the electrical signal generated by the coupling of the electrodes and the terminals.

[0146] The processor 310 may divide an inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 into a plurality of accommodation spaces based on the third electrode 63 being disposed in the cabinets 21 and 22. For example, the inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 may be divided into two accommodation spaces by the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63. The processor 310 may divide the inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 into the first accommodation space 41 between the first electrode 61 and the third electrode 63, and the second accommodation space 42 between the second electrode 62 and the third electrode 63.

[0147] As described above, in a case where the fourth electrode 64 is additionally disposed above the third electrode 63, the processor 310 may divide the inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 into three accommodation spaces.

[0148] The processor 310 may control the DC converter 130, the RF power supplier 140, the impedance matching circuit 160, and the plurality of switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 to supply RF power to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63.

[0149] The DC converter 130 may convert alternating current (AC) power into DC power suitable for the RF power supplier 140. The DC converter 130 may transmit the converted DC power to the RF power supplier 140. The DC converter 130 may be provided as a circuit in which various electronic components such as transistors, inductors, and diodes are electrically connected in parallel and / or in series.

[0150] The DC converter 130 may include an electro magnetic interference (EMI) filter and a power factor correction circuit.

[0151] The EMI filter may remove noise contained in the AC power supplied from a commercial power source. The EMI filter may be provided as a circuit in which various electronic components such as capacitors, inductors, and diodes are electrically connected in parallel and / or in series. The EMI filter may discharge the noise contained in the AC power through a ground wire. The EMI filter may be provided as a passive filter or an active filter. The EMI filter may provide the AC power from which noise has been removed to the power factor correction circuit.

[0152] The power factor correction circuit may compensate a power factor of the AC power provided from the EMI filter. The power factor correction circuit may compensate the power factor by reducing or removing reactive power from among effective power and reactive power constituting the AC power. The compensating of the power factor may reduce power loss. The power factor correction circuit may be provided as a circuit in which various electronic components such as capacitors, inductors, and diodes are electrically connected in parallel and / or in series.

[0153] The DC converter 130 may convert the AC power compensated by the power factor correction circuit into DC power.

[0154] The RF power supplier 140 may generate an RF signal. The RF signal may be transmitted to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63. Sinusoidal power may be supplied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 due to the RF signal. By supplying RF power to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63, an electric field may be generated in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43 for dielectric heating of the object.

[0155] A phase of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may be different. An electric field may be selectively generated in the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43, because RF power having different phases is applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63. As the phase of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63 changes, a polarity of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may change. When the polarities of two electrodes forming one accommodation space are opposite, an electric field may be generated in the accommodation space. Conversely, when the polarities of two electrodes forming one accommodation space are the same, an electric field may not be generated in the accommodation space.

[0156] The processor 310 may control the RF power supplier 140 to adjust the magnitude of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63. An increase in the magnitude of the RF power applied to the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may increase an intensity of the electric field generated in the accommodation space. An increase in the electric field intensity may increase a drying temperature of the object. Conversely, a decrease in the magnitude of the RF power may reduce the intensity of the electric field generated in the accommodation space.

[0157] The RF signal generated by the RF power supplier 140 may be transmitted to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 through the impedance matching circuit 160. The impedance matching circuit 160 may match output impedance of the RF power supplier 140 and electrode impedance of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63. In a case where there is a difference between the output impedance of the RF power supplier 140 and the electrode impedance of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63, reflected power may be generated from the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63, and power transmission efficiency may be reduced. To minimize the reflected power, the output impedance of the RF power supplier 140 and the electrode impedance of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 requires to be matched. The processor 310 may control the impedance matching circuit 160 to perform impedance matching.

[0158] The first switch SW1 may connect the impedance matching circuit 160 and the first electrode 61. The processor 310 may be electrically connected to, and may control the first switch SW1. The processor 310 may control the first switch SW1 to change the phase of the RF power supplied to the first electrode 61. For example, switching the first switch SW1 may change a contact point between the first connector 61c of the first electrode 61 and the first terminal 80a of the cabinets 21 and 22, thereby changing the phase of the RF power supplied to the first electrode 61. The phase of the RF power supplied to the first electrode 61 may be changed by 180 degrees according to the switching of the first switch SW1. In other words, a polarity of the first electrode 61 may be changed according to the switching of the first switch SW1.

[0159] The second switch SW2 may connect the impedance matching circuit 160 and the second electrode 62. The processor 310 may be electrically connected to, and may control the second switch SW2. The processor 310 may control the second switch SW2 to change the phase of the RF power supplied to the second electrode 62. For example, switching the second switch SW2 may change a contact point between the second connector 62c of the second electrode 62 and the second terminal 80b of the cabinets 21 and 22, thereby changing the phase of the RF power supplied to the second electrode 62. The phase of the RF power supplied to the second electrode 62 may be changed by 180 degrees according to the switching of the second switch SW2. In other words, a polarity of the second electrode 62 may be changed according to the switching of the second switch SW2.

[0160] The third switch SW3 may connect the impedance matching circuit 160 and the third electrode 63. The processor 310 may be electrically connected to, and may control the third switch SW3. The processor 310 may control the third switch SW3 to change the phase of the RF power supplied to the third electrode 63. For example, switching the third switch SW3 may change a contact point between the third connector 63c of the third electrode 63 and the third terminal 80c of the cabinets 21 and 22, thereby changing the phase of the RF power supplied to the third electrode 63. The phase of the RF power supplied to the third electrode 63 may be changed by 180 degrees according to the switching of the third switch SW3. In other words, the polarity of the third electrode 63 may be changed according to the switching of the third switch SW3.

[0161] As such, by providing the plurality of switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 connected to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63, RF power may be supplied to the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 using the single RF power supplier 140. In addition, by using the single RF power supplier 140, design and manufacturing may become easier, and costs may be reduced. The dryer 1 may control the plurality of switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 to change the polarity of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63. Accordingly, an electric field may be selectively generated in the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43.

[0162] The processor 310 may adjust the RF power supplied from the RF power supplier 140 to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43, based on data obtained from the at least one sensor 70.

[0163] The processor 310 may process the data obtained from the sensor 70 to determine each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43 as a drying space or a non-drying space. For example, the processor 310 may process the data obtained from the sensor 70 to identify whether an object is placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43 and a moisture content of the object placed in each of the accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. The processor 310 may determine each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43 as a drying space or a non-drying space based on whether an object is placed and the moisture content of the object. The processor 310 may determine an accommodation space where an object is placed as a drying space, based on a moisture content of the object being greater than or equal to a defined reference value.

[0164] The processor 310 may determine the phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 so that an electric field is generated in the drying space and an electric field is not generated in the non-drying space. The processor 310 may adjust the phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 so that polarities of two electrodes forming the drying space are opposite to each other, and polarities of two electrodes forming the non-drying space are the same.

[0165] Whether an object is placed in an accommodation space may be identified by various methods. For example, the processor 310 may determine whether an object is placed in an accommodation space using at least one of image data obtained by the image sensor 71 or weight data obtained by the weight sensor 72.

[0166] The processor 310 may identify an object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43 using the image data obtained by the image sensor 71. The processor 310 may process the image data using various artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms (e.g., deep learning algorithms) and identify the object from the image data.

[0167] In addition, the processor 310 may identify whether an object is placed using the weight data obtained by the weight sensor 72. The weight sensor 72 may be provided in each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63. In a case where an object is placed on or hung from each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63, the weight sensor 72 may obtain weight data of the object. The processor 310 may determine that the object is placed in the accommodation space formed by each electrode based on the weight data being obtained.

[0168] A moisture content of an object may be identified by various methods. For example, the processor 310 may determine a moisture content of an object using at least one of weight data obtained by the weight sensor 72, humidity data obtained by the humidity sensor 73, or electrode impedance of each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63.

[0169] The memory 320 may store reference weight values corresponding to various objects. The processor 310 may identify a moisture content of an object based on a difference between a weight value of an object obtained by the weight sensor 72 and a reference weight value of the object stored in the memory 320. The processor 310 may determine the difference between the weight value obtained by the weight sensor 72 and the reference weight value as the moisture content of the object. In addition, the processor 310 may determine a moisture ratio of the object by dividing the difference between the weight value obtained by the weight sensor 72 and the reference weight value by the reference weight value.

[0170] The processor 310 may obtain a humidity value in an accommodation space from the humidity sensor 73. The processor 310 may convert the humidity value obtained by the humidity sensor 73 into a moisture content of an object. The processor 310 may determine that the higher the humidity value, the greater the object's moisture content.

[0171] In addition, the memory 320 may store electrode's reference electrode impedances corresponding to various objects. The processor 310 may identify a moisture content of an object based on a difference between a reference electrode impedance corresponding to characteristics of the object and an electrode impedance of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63. The processor 310 may determine the electrode impedance of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 based on a magnitude of voltage detected at an output end of the impedance matching circuit 160. The electrode impedance of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may vary depending on various factors, such as the material, amount, size, and moisture content of an object placed on each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63.

[0172] For example, in a case where there are dielectrics (e.g., water) having a high dielectric constant between two electrodes (e.g., the first electrode and the third electrode), charges may be accumulated on the dielectrics, and thus the intensity of the electric field formed between the two electrodes may be reduced. When the electric field intensity is reduced, the magnitude of voltage, detected at each of the two electrodes, may be reduced and the electrode impedance may be reduced. The processor 310 may determine that the smaller the electrode impedance of the electrode, the greater the object's moisture content.

[0173] The processor 310 may identify a material of the object placed in the drying space by processing the data obtained by various sensors 70. For example, the processor 310 may identify the material of the object by processing the image data obtained by the image sensor 71. One of various materials (e.g., cotton, synthetic fabric, wool, silk, linen, leather, etc.) may be determined as the material of the object according to the processing result of the image data.

[0174] The processor 310 may identify a predetermined drying temperature for the material of the object. The drying temperature for the material of the object may represent an optimal drying temperature for drying the object. The memory 320 may store drying temperature information corresponding to each of a plurality of materials. The processor 310 may set the drying temperature corresponding to the material of the identified object from the drying temperature information stored in the memory 320. The processor 310 may adjust the magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 to allow an intensity of an electric field generated in the drying space to correspond to the drying temperature. The intensity of the electric field generated in the drying space may change depending on the magnitude of the RF power applied to each electrode.

[0175] In a case where a plurality of objects are placed in the drying space, the processor 310 may identify the material of each of the plurality of objects. In a case where a plurality of materials are identified, the processor 310 may identify the lowest drying temperature from among a plurality of predetermined drying temperatures for each of the plurality of materials. The processor 310 may adjust the magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 to allow the intensity of the electric field generated in the drying space to correspond to the lowest drying temperature.

[0176] As described above, the dryer 1 may further include the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f perpendicular to the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 in the cabinets 21 and 22. The processor 310 may identify a position of an object in the drying space by processing the data obtained by various sensors 70. For example, the processor 310 may identify the position of the object in the drying space by processing the image data obtained by the image sensor 71. The processor 310 may adjust the RF power supplied from the RF power supplier 140 to each of the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f based on the position of the object in the drying space.

[0177] The processor 310 may determine whether drying is complete in each accommodation space based on changes in weight, humidity, and electrode impedance of an object in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces. For example, in a case where a drying operation is performed in the first accommodation space 41, a moisture contained in an object placed in the first accommodation space 41 evaporates, and thus a weight of the object placed in the first accommodation space 41 may decrease, and a humidity of the first accommodation space 41 may decrease. The processor 310 may determine that drying is complete in the first accommodation space 41 based on the weight of the object reaching a reference weight or the humidity reaching a reference humidity.

[0178] In addition, as the drying of the object progresses, the moisture contained in the object evaporates, and thus the electrode impedance of each electrode may be gradually detected as larger. In other words, as drying progresses, a difference between a magnitude of voltage, detected at each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63, and a magnitude of a reference voltage may gradually decrease. The processor 310 may determine a dryness (degree of dryness) of the object based on the change in the magnitude of voltage detected at each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 and / or the change in electrode impedance. The processor 310 may determine that drying is complete based on the dryness of the object falling within an allowable error range of a predetermined reference dryness. In addition, the processor 310 may determine that drying is complete based on the electrode impedance of each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 being greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.

[0179] FIG. 9 illustrates a structure of an impedance matching circuit according to an embodiment.

[0180] Referring to FIG. 9, the impedance matching circuit 160 may be provided in a Π (Pi)-type circuit structure. For example, the impedance matching circuit 160 may include an inductor L_mat, a first capacitor C1_mat, and a second capacitor C2_mat. The first capacitor C1_mat and the second capacitor C2_mat may be connected to both nodes of the inductor L_mat, respectively, and the first capacitor C1_mat and the second capacitor C2_mat may be connected in parallel. The inductor L_mat may be provided as a variable inductor. The first capacitor C1_mat and the second capacitor C2_mat may be provided as variable capacitors.

[0181] The electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may be connected to the node where the inductor L_mat and the second capacitor C2_mat are connected. The inductor L_mat, the second capacitor C2_mat, and a capacitor C_load of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may be formed in a T-type circuit structure. The impedance of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may be represented by load resistance R_load and load capacitor C_load.

[0182] The Π-type circuit structure allows quality factor Q to be adjusted to increase an output power relative to an input voltage. The values of the first capacitor C1_mat and the second capacitor C2_mat may be changed depending on the quality factor Q. The impedance matching circuit 160 with the Π-type circuit structure may easily perform matching with the input impedance, even when the output impedance changes. In a case where a T-type circuit structure is added to the Π-type circuit structure, impedance matching may be achieved within a band near an operating frequency, even when the output impedance changes.

[0183] In case of conventional dryer using an impedance matching circuit with an conventional series structure, since the polarity of each of a plurality of flat plate electrodes stacked vertically cannot be changed, two flat plate electrodes require to be disposed adjacent to each other at the boundary of two accommodation spaces (e.g., the first accommodation space 41 and the second accommodation space 42). A large parasitic capacitance occurs between the two adjacent flat plate electrodes, and the parasitic capacitance hinders matching between output impedance and input impedance.

[0184] However, because the dryer 1 according to the disclosure uses an impedance matching circuit having a Π-type circuit structure and may change the polarity of each of the plurality of electrodes, electric fields may be simultaneously generated in a plurality of accommodation spaces by placing only one flat plate electrode between two accommodation spaces. According to the disclosure, parasitic capacitance that occurs between two adjacent flat plate electrodes does not require to be considered.

[0185] Although the switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 are not shown in FIG. 9 between the impedance matching circuit 160 and the electrodes 61, 62, and 63, the switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 may be provided between the impedance matching circuit 160 and the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 as described in FIG. 8.

[0186] The structure of the impedance matching circuit 160 is not limited to that illustrated. The structure of the impedance matching circuit 160 may vary depending on the design. For example, as long as the Π-type circuit structure is maintained, the number and arrangement of inductors and capacitors may vary.

[0187] In addition, a plurality of impedance matching circuits 160 may be provided to correspond to the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63, which will be described in FIG. 10.

[0188] FIG. 10 is a control block diagram of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0189] Referring to FIG. 10, the controller 300, the sensor 70, the user interface 100, and the communication interface 200 are the same as those described in FIG. 9. The dryer 1 of FIG. 10 may include a plurality of circuit systems for supplying RF power to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63.

[0190] For example, a first DC converter 131, a first RF power supplier 141, and a first impedance matching circuit 161 may be provided to supply RF power to the first electrode 61. A second DC converter 132, a second RF power supplier 142, and a second impedance matching circuit 162 may be provided to supply RF power to the second electrode 62. A third DC converter 133, a third RF power supplier 143, and a third impedance matching circuit 163 may be provided to supply RF power to the third electrode 63.

[0191] The first DC converter 131, the second DC converter 132, and the third DC converter 133 may be independently controlled. The first RF power supplier 141, the second RF power supplier 142, and the third RF power supplier 143 may also be independently controlled. Similarly, the first impedance matching circuit 161, the second impedance matching circuit 162, and the third impedance matching circuit 163 may also be independently controlled.

[0192] The processor 310 may control the first RF power supplier 141 to change a phase and magnitude of the RF power supplied to the first electrode 61. The processor 310 may control the second RF power supplier 142 to change a phase and magnitude of the RF power supplied to the second electrode 62. The processor 310 may control the third RF power supplier 143 to change a phase and magnitude of the RF power supplied to the third electrode 63.

[0193] The processor 310 may control the first impedance matching circuit 161 to match an output impedance of the first RF power supplier 141 and an electrode impedance of the first electrode 61. The processor 310 may control the second impedance matching circuit 162 to match an output impedance of the second RF power supplier 142 and an electrode impedance of the second electrode 62. The processor 310 may control the third impedance matching circuit 163 to match an output impedance of the third RF power supplier 143 and an electrode impedance of the third electrode 63.

[0194] FIG. 11 is a table illustrating an example of drying courses suitable for objects made of various materials.

[0195] Referring to a table 1100 of FIG. 11, the dryer 1 may provide various drying courses including various drying settings depending on various materials of objects. For example, the dryer 1 may provide a cotton course, a wool course, a linen course, a thick fabric course, and a leather course. Each drying course may include drying settings optimized for the material of the object. The drying settings may include a drying temperature and a drying time. In addition, the drying course may include precautions for the material of the object.

[0196] The cotton course may be configured to automatically set a drying temperature (e.g., 60° C.) and a drying time (e.g., 55 minutes) for an object made of cotton or synthetic fabric. In addition, the cotton course may be configured to provide a notification via the user interface 100 that the object made of cotton or synthetic fabric may be deformed at relatively high temperatures.

[0197] The wool course may be configured to automatically set a drying temperature (e.g., 30° C.) and a drying time (e.g., 29 minutes) for an object made of wool or silk. In addition, the wool course may be configured to provide a notification via the user interface 100 that the object made of wool or silk may be damaged at relatively low temperatures.

[0198] The linen course may be configured to automatically set a drying temperature (e.g., 40° C.) and a drying time (e.g., 20 minutes) for an object made of linen. In addition, the linen course may be configured to provide a notification via the user interface 100 that the object made of linen may shrink at relatively high temperatures.

[0199] The thick fabric course may be configured to automatically set a drying temperature (e.g., 50° C.) and a drying time (e.g., 60 minutes) for an object made of thick fabrics such as jeans. In addition, the thick fabric course may be configured to provide a notification via the user interface 100 that the object made of thick fabrics may be deformed at relatively high temperatures.

[0200] The leather course may be configured to automatically set a drying temperature (e.g., 22° C.) and a drying time (e.g., 30 minutes) for an object made of leather. In addition, the leather course may be configured to provide a notification via the user interface 100 that the object made of leather should be processed at room temperature.

[0201] As described above, drying temperature information including drying temperatures corresponding to various materials may be stored in the memory 320. The processor 310 may set the drying temperature corresponding to the material of the identified object from the drying temperature information stored in the memory 320.

[0202] The drying courses, drying temperatures, and drying times described in FIG. 11 are merely examples, and the drying courses, drying temperatures, and drying times may be changed by various factors such as user settings, the size of the object, and the moisture content of the object.

[0203] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a user interface screen for providing information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0204] Referring to FIG. 12, the processor 310 of the dryer 1 may control the user interface 100 to display information about each of the plurality of accommodation spaces formed in the cabinets 21 and 22.

[0205] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may control the user interface 100 to display a user interface screen 1200 of FIG. 12, when the objects placed in the plurality of accommodation spaces are completely identified before a drying operation starts. As described above, the dryer 1 may identify at least one object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces using various sensors 70.

[0206] For example, the user interface screen 1200 may include a first information section G1 including information about an A space, a second information section G2 including information about a B space, and a third information section G3 including information about a C space. In addition, the user interface screen 1200 may include a notification section G4 that displays various messages about an operation of the dryer 1. The A space may correspond to the first accommodation space 41 described above. The B space may correspond to the second accommodation space 42 described above. The C space may correspond to the third accommodation space 43 described above.

[0207] For example, the first information section G1 may display text indicating that the objects placed in the A space are a pair of leather shoes. The second information section G2 may display text indicating that the objects placed in the B space are a wool top and a cotton top. The third information section G3 may display text indicating that the objects placed in the C space are cotton pants.

[0208] The notification section G4 may display text informing that four garments are currently accommodated in the dryer 1, and that drying operations will be performed in the A space, the B space, and the C space.

[0209] At least one of the A space, the B space, or the C space may be empty. For example, in a case where the B space is empty, the second information section G2 may display at least one of text or graphic element indicating that the B space is empty. In this case, the dryer 1 may not perform a drying operation in the B space.

[0210] Although the information is illustrated as being displayed in text, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Various information may also be provided as various graphic elements (e.g., colors, icons, patterns, etc.).

[0211] The user interface screen 1200 may also be provided via the user device 2 described in FIG. 1.

[0212] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a user interface screen for providing information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0213] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may control the user interface 100 to display a user interface screen 1300 of FIG. 13, when a drying operation for each of the plurality of accommodation spaces is performed after the user interface screen 1200 of FIG. 12 is displayed. As the drying operation progresses, the content of the information presented in the first information section G1, the second information section G2, the third information section G3, and the notification section G4 may change.

[0214] For example, the first information section G1 may display text indicating that the leather course is being performed in the A space, the drying temperature is set to 22° C., and the drying time is set to 30 minutes. The second information section G2 may display text indicating that the wool course is being performed in the B space, the drying temperature is set to 30° C., and the drying time is set to 29 minutes. A wool top and a cotton top are placed together in the B space. Because the wool top requires a relatively low drying temperature, the dryer 1 may determine the drying course to be performed in the B space as the wool course in order to prevent damage to the wool top.

[0215] The third information section G3 may display text indicating that the cotton course is being performed in the C space, the drying temperature is set to 60° C., and the drying time is set to 55 minutes. The notification section G4 may display text indicating the remaining time (e.g., 3 minutes) until a specific drying course (e.g., the wool course) is complete and the remaining time (e.g., 28 minutes) until the full drying is complete.

[0216] Although the information is illustrated as being displayed in text, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Various information may also be provided as various graphic elements (e.g., colors, icons, patterns, etc.).

[0217] The user interface screen 1300 may also be provided via the user device 2 described in FIG. 1.

[0218] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a user interface screen for providing information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0219] Referring to FIG. 14, once the drying of the object in one of the plurality of accommodation spaces is complete, the processor 310 of the dryer 1 may control the user interface 100 to provide a drying completion notification and / or an object withdrawal notification for the corresponding accommodation space. The processor 310 may determine whether drying is complete in each accommodation space based on changes in weight, humidity, and electrode impedance of the object in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0220] For example, in a case where the wool course is complete in the B space, a user interface screen 1400 of FIG. 14 may be displayed via the user interface 100. Once the wool course is complete, the second information section G2 may be displayed differently from the first information section G1 and the third information section G3. For example, the color and / or pattern of the second information section G2 may be displayed to indicate drying completion. The color and / or pattern of the first information section G1 and the third information section G3 may be displayed to indicate that the drying operation is in progress.

[0221] In FIG. 14, the notification section G4 may be referred to as a first notification section. The first notification section G4 may display text indicating the drying course that will be completed next after the wool course (e.g., the leather course) and text indicating the remaining time until the full drying is complete (e.g., 24 minutes).

[0222] In addition, the user interface screen 1400 may further include a second notification section G5 to provide a drying completion notification and / or an object withdrawal notification about a specific accommodation space (e.g., the B space). The first notification section G4 and the second notification section G5 may also be integrated into one.

[0223] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may identify at least one object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces at predetermined time intervals. After the wool top is removed from the B space, the processor 310 may identify that the cotton top remains in the B space. The processor 310 may determine a drying operation to dry the cotton top in the B space.

[0224] In a case where the wool top is not removed from the B space, the processor 310 may perform a storage operation instead of the drying operation in the B space. The storage operation may refer to an operation of storing the object (the wool top in FIG. 14) at an appropriate temperature (e.g., room temperature).

[0225] Although the information is illustrated as being displayed in text, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Various information may also be provided as various graphic elements (e.g., colors, icons, patterns, etc.).

[0226] The user interface screen 1400 may also be provided via the user device 2 described in FIG. 1.

[0227] FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a user interface screen for providing a pause notification during a drying operation.

[0228] A user interface screen 1500 of FIG. 15 may include a pop-up window G6 for notifying a user that the drying operation has been paused. The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may control the user interface 100 to display the pop-up window G6 in a case where the door 30 is opened during the drying operation.

[0229] In addition, a continue button G7 for inputting a command to continue the drying operation may be displayed via the user interface 100 along with the pop-up window G6. Once the user presses the continue button G7 after the door 30 is closed, the dryer 1 may continue the drying operation.

[0230] Alternatively, even without a user input through the continue button G7, the dryer 1 may automatically continue the drying operation in response to the door 30 being closed. According to various embodiments, the continue button G7 may not be displayed.

[0231] Although the information is illustrated as being displayed in text, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Various information may also be provided as various graphic elements (e.g., colors, icons, patterns, etc.).

[0232] The user interface screen 1500 may also be provided via the user device 2 described in FIG. 1.

[0233] FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a user interface screen presented after drying is complete in all of the plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0234] Referring to FIG. 16, once the drying operation is complete in all of the plurality of accommodation spaces, the processor 310 of the dryer 1 may control the user interface 100 to provide a drying completion notification and / or an object withdrawal notification for all of the plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0235] Once the drying operation is complete in all of the plurality of accommodation spaces, a user interface screen 1600 of FIG. 16 may be displayed via the user interface 100. For example, the color and / or pattern of the first information section G1, the second information section G2, and the third information section G3 may be displayed to indicate drying completion. The notification section G5 may provide the drying completion notification for all of the accommodation spaces and / or object withdrawal notification.

[0236] Although the information is illustrated as being displayed in text, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Various information may also be provided as various graphic elements (e.g., colors, icons, patterns, etc.).

[0237] The user interface screen 1600 may also be provided via the user device 2 described in FIG. 1.

[0238] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0239] Referring to FIG. 17, the processor 310 of the dryer 1 may identify an arrangement of electrodes in the cabinets 21 and 22 (1701). When the connectors 61c, 62c, and 63c of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 are coupled with the terminals 80a, 80b, and 80c of the cabinets 21 and 22, an electrical signal corresponding to the arrangement of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may be transmitted to the processor 310 of the dryer 1. The processor 310 may identify the arrangement of the electrodes based on the electrical signal generated by the coupling of the electrodes and the terminals.

[0240] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may divide an inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 into a plurality of accommodation spaces based on the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 being disposed in the cabinets 21 and 22 (1702). For example, the inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 may be divided into two accommodation spaces by the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63. The processor 310 may divide the inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 into the first accommodation space 41 between the first electrode 61 and the third electrode 63, and the second accommodation space 42 between the second electrode 62 and the third electrode 63.

[0241] The number of accommodation spaces formed in the cabinets 21 and 22 and the size of the accommodation spaces may vary depending on the number and position of the electrodes disposed in the cabinets 21 and 22. For example, in a case where the fourth electrode 64 is additionally disposed above the third electrode 63, the processor 310 may divide the inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 into three accommodation spaces.

[0242] Hereinafter, a method for adjusting RF power applied to each electrode is described based on an example in which the inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 is divided into the two accommodation spaces 41 and 42 by the first electrode 61, the second electrode62, and the third electrode 63.

[0243] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may obtain data about at least one object placed in the cabinets 21 and 22 from the at least one sensor 70 (1703). For example, the data about at least one object may include at least one of image data obtained by the image sensor 71, weight data obtained by the weight sensor 72, or humidity data obtained by the humidity sensor 73. In addition, the data about the object may include electrode impedance of the electrode 61, 62, or 63 on which the object is placed.

[0244] The processor 310 may process the data about at least one object to identify characteristics of each object. For example, the characteristics of the object may include the type, material, color, size, volume, shape, number, and / or position of the object in the accommodation space.

[0245] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may adjust RF power supplied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42, based on the obtained data (1704). In a case where the dryer 1 includes a single RF power supplier 140, the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the third switch SW3 connected to the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63, respectively, the processor 310 may control the RF power supplier 140 and the switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 to adjust the RF power applied to each electrode.

[0246] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may identify whether drying is complete in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42 (1705). For example, the processor 310 may determine whether drying is complete in each accommodation space based on changes in weight, humidity, and electrode impedance of the object corresponding to each of the plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0247] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adjusting the RF power described in FIG. 17 in more detail.

[0248] Referring to FIG. 18, the processor 310 of the dryer 1 may identify a moisture content of the object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42 (1801). The moisture content of the object may be identified by various methods. For example, the processor 310 may determine the moisture content of the object using at least one of the weight data obtained by the weight sensor 72, the humidity data obtained by the humidity sensor 73, or the electrode impedance of each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63.

[0249] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may determine an accommodation space where an object is placed as a drying space based on a moisture content of the object being greater than or equal to a defined reference value (1802). The processor 310 may determine an accommodation space where an object is placed as a non-drying space based on a moisture content of the object being less than the defined reference value (1803).

[0250] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may adjust a phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 so that an electric field is generated in the drying space and an electric field is not generated in the non-drying space (1804). The processor 310 may adjust the phase of the RF power supplied to each of the plurality of electrodes61, 62, and 63 so that polarities of two electrodes forming the drying space are opposite to each other, and polarities of two electrodes forming the non-drying space are the same.

[0251] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may adjust a magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 based on a material of the object placed in the drying space (1805). The processor 310 may identify the material of the object placed in the drying space by processing the data obtained by various sensors 70. For example, the processor 310 may identify the material of the object by processing the image data obtained by the image sensor 71. One of various materials (e.g., cotton, synthetic fabric, wool, silk, linen, leather, etc.) may be determined as the material of the object according to the processing result of the image data.

[0252] The processor 310 may identify a predetermined drying temperature for the material of the object. The drying temperature for the material of the object may represent an optimal drying temperature for drying the object. The memory 320 may store drying temperature information corresponding to each of a plurality of materials. The processor 310 may set the drying temperature corresponding to the material of the identified object from the drying temperature information stored in the memory 320. The processor 310 may adjust the magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 to allow an intensity of an electric field generated in the drying space to correspond to the drying temperature. The intensity of the electric field generated in the drying space may change depending on the magnitude of the RF power applied to each electrode.

[0253] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adjusting RF power in a case where a plurality of materials are identified in a single drying space.

[0254] Referring to FIG. 19, operations 1901, 1902, 1903, and 1904 correspond to operations 1801, 1802, 1803, and 1804 described in FIG. 18. The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may identify a plurality of materials in the drying space (1905). In a case where a plurality of objects are placed in the drying space, the processor 310 may identify the material of each of the plurality of objects.

[0255] In a case where a plurality of materials are identified, the processor 310 may identify the lowest drying temperature from among a plurality of predetermined drying temperatures for each of the plurality of materials (1906). The processor 310 may adjust the magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 to allow an intensity of an electric field generated in the drying space to correspond to the lowest drying temperature (1907). As a result, damage to objects made of different materials may be prevented, even when the objects of different materials are located in a single drying space.

[0256] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing information about an operation of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0257] Referring to FIG. 20, the dryer 1 may provide information about each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42 (2001). The processor 310 may control the user interface 100 to display information about each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42. The information about each of the plurality of accommodation spaces may include at least one of the type, material, and number of objects, a drying course, a drying temperature, an estimated drying time, or a remaining time until the end of drying. The user interface 100 may display the information about each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42 using various graphic user interfaces.

[0258] The dryer 1 may identify whether drying is complete in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42 (2002). The processor 310 may determine whether drying is complete in each accommodation space based on changes in weight, humidity, and electrode impedance of object corresponding to each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42. For example, in a case where a drying operation is performed in the first accommodation space 41, a moisture contained in an object placed in the first accommodation space 41 evaporates, and thus a weight of the object placed in the first accommodation space 41 may decrease, and a humidity of the first accommodation space 41 may decrease. The processor 310 may determine that drying is complete in the first accommodation space 41 based on the weight of the object reaching a reference weight or the humidity reaching a reference humidity.

[0259] In addition, as the drying progresses, the moisture contained in the object evaporates, and thus the electrode impedance of each electrode may be gradually detected as larger. In other words, as drying progresses, a difference between a magnitude of voltage, detected at each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63, and a magnitude of a reference voltage may gradually decrease. The processor 310 may determine a dryness of the object based on the change in the magnitude of voltage detected at each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 and / or the change in electrode impedance. The processor 310 may determine that drying is complete based on the dryness of the object falling within an allowable error range of a predetermined reference dryness. In addition, the processor 310 may determine that drying is complete based on the electrode impedance of each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 being greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.

[0260] The dryer 1 may provide a drying completion notification and an object withdrawal notification about each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42 (2003). The processor 310 may control the user interface 100 to provide the drying completion notification for each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42 based on the drying being completed for the object in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42. The processor 310 may also control the user interface 100 to provide the object withdrawal notification based on the drying being completed for the object in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42. The user interface 100 may provide the drying completion notification and the object withdrawal notification using various graphic user interfaces.

[0261] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a dryer may include: a cabinet; a first electrode inside the cabinet; a second electrode inside the cabinet spaced apart from the first electrode; a third electrode attachable to the cabinet between the first electrode and the second electrode; a radio frequency (RF) power supplier configured to supply RF power to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode; at least one sensor configured to, with at least one object in the cabinet, obtain data about at least one object in the cabinet; and a processor. The processor may be configured to divide an internal space of the cabinet into a plurality of accommodation spaces based on the third electrode being attached to in the cabinet. The processor may be configured to adjust the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode from the RF power supplier to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces, based on the data obtained by the at least one sensor, to dry the at least one object in the cabinet.

[0262] The processor may be configured to process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to determine whether each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces is a drying space or a non-drying space. The processor may be configured to determine a phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode so that an electric field is generated in each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be a drying space and an electric field is not generated in each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be a non-drying space.

[0263] The processor may be configured to process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces, identify whether an object of the at least one object in the cabinet is in the accommodation space and, when it is identified that an object is in the accommodation space, determine a moisture content of the object; and determine whether each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces is the drying space or the non-drying space based on whether an object is identified in the accommodation space and the determined moisture content of the object.

[0264] The processor may be configured to determine that an accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces in which an object is identified as the drying space, based on the determined moisture content of the object being greater than or equal to a defined reference value.

[0265] The processor may be configured to adjust the phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode so that, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be the drying space, two electrodes of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode have opposite polarities so as to generate an electric field for the accommodation space, and for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be the non-drying space, two electrodes of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode have a same polarity so as to not generate an electric field for the accommodation space.

[0266] The processor may be configured to, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be the drying space: process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify whether an object is in the accommodation space, when it is identified that an object is in the accommodation space, process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify a material of the object in the accommodation space. The processor may be configured to identify a drying temperature preset for the material of the object in the accommodation space. The processor may be configured to adjust an magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode so that an intensity of the electric field generated in the accommodation space corresponds to the drying temperature.

[0267] The processor may be configured to, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be the drying space: process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify whether a plurality of objects are in an accommodation space, when it is identified the plurality of objects are in the accommodation space, process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify a material of each of the plurality of objects placed in the accommodation space. The processor may be configured to, based on a plurality of materials being identified, identify a lowest drying temperature respectively among a plurality of drying temperatures preset for the plurality of materials. The processor may be configured to adjust a magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode so that an intensity of the electric field generated in the accommodation space corresponds to the lowest drying temperature.

[0268] The dryer may further include a plurality of vertical electrodes arranged in the cabinet perpendicular to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode. The processor may be configured to, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be the drying space: process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify whether an object is in the accommodation space, when it is identified that an object is in the accommodation space, process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify a position of the object in the accommodation space, and adjust RF power supplied to each of the plurality of vertical electrodes from the RF power supplier based on the position of the object in the accommodation space.

[0269] The dryer may further include: an impedance matching circuit connected to the RF power supplier; a first switch configured to connect the impedance matching circuit and the first electrode; a second switch configured to connect the impedance matching circuit and the second electrode; and a third switch configured to connect the impedance matching circuit and the third electrode. The processor may be configured to control the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch to change a phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode.

[0270] The dryer may include: a first RF power supplier configured to supply RF power to the first electrode; a second RF power supplier configured to supply RF power to the second electrode; and a third RF power supplier configured to supply RF power to the third electrode. The processor may be configured to control the first RF power supplier, the second RF power supplier, and the third RF power supplier to change a phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode.

[0271] The at least one sensor may include at least one of an image sensor configured to obtain image data of the inside of the cabinet; a weight sensor configured to obtain weight data of the at least one object; or a humidity sensor configured to obtain humidity data of the at least one object. The data may include at least one of the image data, the weight data, or the humidity data.

[0272] Each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode may include a connector coupled to a terminal in the cabinet, the terminal electrically connected to the RF power supplier.

[0273] The dryer may further include a user interface. The processor may be configured to control the user interface to display information about each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces. The information may include at least one of a type of an object, a material of the object, a drying course, a drying temperature, or a drying time.

[0274] The dryer may further include a user interface. The processor may be configured to, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces, control the user interface to provide a drying completion notification and an object withdrawal notification based on drying being completed for the object in the accommodation space.

[0275] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in a method for controlling a dryer including a cabinet; a first electrode inside the cabinet; a second electrode inside the cabinet spaced apart from the first electrode; a third electrode attachable to the cabinet between the first electrode and the second electrode; a radio frequency (RF) power supplier configured to supply RF power to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and a third electrode attachable to the cabinet between the first electrode and the second electrode; at least one sensor configured to, with at least one object in the cabinet, obtain data about the at least one object in the cabinet; and a processor, the method may include: dividing, by the processor, an internal space of the cabinet into a plurality of accommodation spaces based on the third electrode attached to the cabinet; and adjusting, by the processor, the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode from the RF power supplier to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces, based on the data obtained by the at least one sensor, to dry the at least one object in the cabinet.

[0276] The adjusting of the RF power may include: determining each of the plurality of accommodation spaces as a drying space or a non-drying space by processing the data; and adjusting a phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode to allow an electric field to be generated in the drying space and prevent an electric field from being generated in the non-drying space.

[0277] The determining of each of the plurality of accommodation spaces as the drying space or the non-drying space may include: identifying whether an object is placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces and a moisture content of the object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces by processing the data; and determining each of the plurality of accommodation spaces as the drying space or the non-drying space based on whether the object is placed and the moisture content of the object.

[0278] The determining of each of the plurality of accommodation spaces as the drying space or the non-drying space may include: determining an accommodation space in which the object is placed as the drying space, based on the moisture content of the object being greater than or equal to a defined reference value.

[0279] The adjusting of the RF power may include: identifying a material of the object placed in the drying space by processing the data; identifying a drying temperature preset for the material of the object; and adjusting a magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode to allow an intensity of the electric field generated in the drying space to correspond to the drying temperature.

[0280] The adjusting of the RF power may include: identifying a material of each of a plurality objects placed in a single drying space by processing the data; based on a plurality of materials being identified, identifying a lowest drying temperature among a plurality of drying temperatures preset for the plurality of materials, respectively; and adjusting a magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode to allow an intensity of the electric field generated in the drying space to correspond to the lowest drying temperature.

[0281] According to the disclosure, the dryer and the method for controlling the same may have a cabinet divided into a plurality of accommodation spaces using a detachable electrode and may selectively use the plurality of accommodation spaces as a drying space, thereby improving usability and energy efficiency of dryer.

[0282] According to the disclosure, the dryer and the method for controlling the same may dry objects made of various materials independently and simultaneously, thereby performing drying operations suitable for each material and preventing the objects from being damaged.

[0283] According to the disclosure, the dryer and the method for controlling the same may provide information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces, thereby improving user convenience.

[0284] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium that stores instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program codes, and when executed by a processor, the instructions may create a program module to perform operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0285] The machine-readable recording medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, when a storage medium is referred to as “non-transitory”, it may be understood that the storage medium is tangible and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but rather that data is semi-permanently or temporarily stored in the storage medium. For example, a “non-transitory storage medium” may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0286] The method according to the various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable recording medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed (e.g., download or upload) through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) online or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., downloadable app) may be stored at least semi-permanently or may be temporarily generated in a recording medium, such as a memory of a server of a manufacturer, a server of an application store, or a relay server.

[0287] Although embodiments of the disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, a person having ordinary skilled in the art will appreciate that other specific modifications may be easily made without departing from the technical spirit or essential features of the disclosure. Therefore, the foregoing embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting in all aspects.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0033]Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0034]In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

[0035]The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0036]In the disclosure, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B or C”, “at least one of A, B and C”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0037]Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the elemen...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a), of international application No. PCT / KR2025 / 012380, filed Aug. 14, 2025, which claims priority under 35 U. S. C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0110831, filed Aug. 19, 2024, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates to a dryer capable of drying an object using dielectric heating and a method for controlling the same.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] A dryer is a device that capable of drying an object (e.g., clothing) by removing moisture contained in the object. There are various types of drying devices that may dry an object. For example, there is a dryer that supplies hot air into a drum that accommodates an object. In the method for supplying hot air into the drum, heat is transferred from air having high heat to water having low heat, and thus, heat transfer efficiency is low and drying efficiency decreases accordingly. Furthermore, the hot air supplied into the drum may damage the object.

[0004] In another example, there is a dryer capable of drying an object through dielectric heating that uses radio frequency (RF). In existing dryers that use dielectric heating, an object is placed between two flat electrodes arranged in parallel and water contained in the object is heated by producing an electric field between the two flat electrodes. However, such dryers using dielectric heating may not be able to appropriately dry objects made of various materials at the same time.DISCLOSURETechnical Solution

[0005] The disclosure provides a dryer having a cabinet divided into a plurality of accommodation spaces using a attachable and detachable electrode and capable of selectively using the plurality of accommodation spaces as a drying space, and a method for controlling the same.

[0006] The disclosure provides a dryer that may dry objects made of various materials independently and simultaneously, and a method for controlling the same.

[0007] The disclosure provides a dryer that may provide information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces, and a method for controlling the same.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a dryer may include: a cabinet; a first electrode inside the cabinet; a second electrode inside the cabinet spaced apart from the first electrode; a third electrode attachable to the cabinet between the first electrode and the second electrode; a radio frequency (RF) power supplier configured to supply RF power to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode; at least one sensor configured to, with at least one object in the cabinet, obtain data about the at least one object in the cabinet; and a processor. The processor may be configured to divide an internal space of the cabinet into a plurality of accommodation spaces based on the third electrode being attached to the cabinet. The processor may be configured to adjust the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode from the RF power supplier to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces, based on the data obtained by the at least one sensor, to dry the at least one object in the cabinet.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in a method for controlling a dryer including a cabinet; a first electrode provided inside the cabinet; a second electrode inside the cabinet spaced apart from the first electrode; a third electrode attachable to the cabinet between the first electrode and the second electrode; a radio frequency (RF) power supplier configured to supply RF power to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and a third electrode; at least one sensor configured to, with at least one object in the cabinet, obtain data about the at least one object in the cabinet and a processor, the method may include: dividing, by the processor, an internal space of the cabinet into a plurality of accommodation spaces based on the third electrode being attached to the cabinet and adjusting, by the processor, the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode from the RF power supplier to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces, based on the data obtained by the at least one sensor, to dry the at least one object in the cabinet.

[0010] According to the disclosure, a dryer and a method for controlling the same may have a cabinet divided into a plurality of accommodation spaces using a detachable electrode and selectively use the plurality of accommodation spaces as a drying space, thereby improving usability and energy efficiency of dryer.

[0011] According to the disclosure, a dryer and a method for controlling the same may dry objects made of various materials independently and simultaneously, thereby performing drying operations suitable for each material and preventing the objects from being damaged.

[0012] According to the disclosure, a dryer and a method for controlling the same may provide information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces, thereby improving user convenience.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a network system implemented by various electronic devices.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a dryer with an open door according to an embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a dryer according to an embodiment viewed from one side.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which an electric field is selectively generated in a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which an electric field is selectively generated in a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates a structure of an impedance matching circuit according to an embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a control block diagram of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a table illustrating an example of drying courses suitable for objects made of various materials.

[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a user interface screen for providing information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0025] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a user interface screen for providing information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0026] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a user interface screen for providing information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0027] FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a user interface screen for providing a pause notification during a drying operation.

[0028] FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a user interface screen presented after drying is complete in all of the plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0029] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adjusting radio frequency (RF) power described in FIG. 17 in more detail.

[0031] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adjusting RF power in a case where a plurality of materials are identified in a single drying space.

[0032] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing information about an operation of a dryer according to an embodiment.MODES OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0033] Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0034] In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

[0035] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0036] In the disclosure, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B or C”, “at least one of A, B and C”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0037] Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the element in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

[0038] When an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being “(functionally or communicatively) coupled” or “connected” to another element (e.g., a second element), the first element may be connected to the second element, directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third element.

[0039] It will be understood that when the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including”, and / or “comprising” are used in the disclosure, they specify the presence of the specified features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

[0040] When a given element is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another element, it is to be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element. When a given element is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element through a third element.

[0041] It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.

[0042] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0043] Hereinafter, the principles of operation and embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a network system implemented by various electronic devices.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, a home appliance 10 may include a communication module capable of communicating with another home appliance, a user device 2, or a server 3, a user interface that receives a user input or outputs information to a user, at least one processor that controls an operation of the home appliance 10, and at least one memory that stores a program for controlling the operation of the home appliance 10.

[0046] The home appliance 10 may be at least one of various types of home appliances. For example, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the home appliance 10 may include a refrigerator 11, a dishwasher 12, an electric range 13, an electric oven 14, an air conditioner 15, a clothes treating apparatus 16, a washing machine 17, a dryer 18, and a microwave oven 19.

[0047] However, the home appliance 10 is not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the home appliance 10 may include various types of appliances not shown in the drawings, such as a cleaning robot, a vacuum cleaner, a television, and the like. Furthermore, the aforementioned home appliances are by way of example only, and in addition to the aforementioned home appliances, other appliances connected to other home appliance, the user device 2, or the server 3 to perform operations described below may be included in the home appliance 10 according to an embodiment.

[0048] The server 3 may include a communication module communicating with another server, the home appliance 10, or the user device 2, at least one processor that processes data received from another server, the home appliance 10, or the user device 2, and at least one memory that stores programs for processing data or processed data. The server 3 may be implemented as a variety of computing devices, such as a workstation, a cloud, a data drive, a data station, and the like. The server 3 may be implemented as one or more server physically or logically separated based on a function, detailed configuration of function, or data, and may transmit and receive data through communication between servers and process the transmitted and received data.

[0049] The server 3 may perform functions, such as managing a user account, registering the home appliance 10 in association with the user account, managing or controlling the registered home appliance 10, and the like. For example, a user may access the server 3 via the user device 2 and may create a user account. The user account may be identified by an identifier (ID) and a password set by the user. The server 3 may register the home appliance 10 with the user account according to a predetermined procedure. For example, the server 3 may link identification information of the home appliance 10 (e.g., a serial number or MAC address) to the user account to register, manage, and control the home appliance 10. The user device 2 may include a communication module capable of communicating with the home appliance 10 or the server 3, a user interface that receives a user input or outputs information to a user, at least one processor that controls an operation of the user device 2, and at least one memory that stores a program for controlling the operation of the user device 2.

[0050] The user device 2 may be carried by a user, or placed in a user's home or office, or the like. The user device 2 may include a personal computer (PC), a terminal, a portable telephone, a smartphone, a handheld device, a wearable device, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0051] The memory of the user device 2 may store a program for controlling the home appliance 10, i.e. An application. The application may be sold installed on the user device 2, or may be downloaded from an external server for installation.

[0052] By running the application installed on the user device 2 by a user, the user may access the server 3, create a user account, and communicate with the server 3 based on the login user account to register the home appliance 10.

[0053] For example, by operating the home appliance 10 to allow the home appliance 10 to access the server 3 according to a procedure guided by the application installed on the user device 2, the server 3 may register the home appliance 10 with the user account by assigning the identification information (e.g., a serial number or a MAC address) of the home appliance 10 to the corresponding user account.

[0054] A user may control the home appliance 10 using the application installed on the user device 2. For example, by logging into a user account with the application installed on the user device 2, the home appliance 10 registered in the user account appears, and by inputting a control command for the home appliance 10, the control command may be delivered to the home appliance 10 via the server 3.

[0055] A network may include both a wired network and a wireless network. The wired network may include a cable network or a telephone network, and the wireless network may include any networks transmitting and receiving a signal via radio waves. The wired network and the wireless network may be interconnected.

[0056] The network may include a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN) formed around an access point (AP), and a short-range wireless network that does not use an AP. The short-range wireless network may include Bluetooth™ (IEEE 802.15.1), Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), Wi-Fi Direct, near field communication (NFC), and Z-Wave, but is not limited thereto.

[0057] The AP may connect the home appliance 10 or the user device 2 to a WAN connected to the server 3. The home appliance 10 or the user device 2 may be connected to the server 3 via a WAN.

[0058] The AP may communicate with the home appliance 10 or the user device 2 using wireless communication, such as Wi-Fi™ (IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth™ (IEEE 802.15.1), Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), and the like, and access a WAN using wired communication, but is not limited thereto.

[0059] According to various embodiments, the home appliance 10 may be directly connected to the user device 2 or the server 3 without going through an AP.

[0060] The home appliance 10 may be connected to the user device 2 or the server 3 via a long-range wireless network or a short-range wireless network.

[0061] For example, the home appliance 10 may be connected to the user device 2 via a short-range wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi Direct).

[0062] In another example, the home appliance 10 may be connected to the user device 2 or the server 3 via a WAN using a long-range wireless network (e.g., a cellular communication module).

[0063] In still another example, the home appliance 10 may access a WAN using wired communication, and may be connected to another home appliance 10 or the server 3 via a WAN.

[0064] When accessing a WAN using wired communication, the home appliance 10 may also act as an AP. Accordingly, the home appliance 10 may connect another home appliance 10 to a WAN to which the server 3 is connected. In addition, another home appliance 10 may connect the home appliance 10 to the WAN to which the server 3 is connected.

[0065] The home appliance 10 may transmit information about an operation or state to other home appliances, the user device 2, or the server 3 via the network. For example, the home appliance 10 may transmit information about an operation or state to other home appliances, the user device 2 or the server 3 upon receiving a request from the server 3, in response to an event in the home appliance 10, or periodically or in real time. Upon receiving the information about the operation or state from the home appliance 10, the server 3 may update the stored information about the operation or state of the home appliance 10 and transmit the updated information about the operation and state of the home appliance 10 to the user device 2 via the network. Here, updating the information may include various operations in which existing information is changed, such as adding new information to the existing information, replacing the existing information with new information, and the like.

[0066] The home appliance 10 may obtain various information from other home appliances, the user device 2, or the server 3, and may provide the obtained information to a user. For example, the home appliance 10 may obtain information related to a function of the home appliance 10 (e.g., recipes, washing instructions, etc.) from the server 3 and various environmental information (e.g., weather, temperature, humidity, etc.), and may output the obtained information via a user interface.

[0067] The home appliance 10 may operate in accordance with a control command received from other home appliances, the user device 2, or the server 3. For example, the home appliance 10 may operate in accordance with a control command received from the server 3, based on a prior authorization obtained from a user to operate in accordance with the control command of the server 3 even without a user input. Here, the control command received from the server 3 may include a control command input by the user via the user device 2 or a control command based on preset conditions, but is not limited thereto.

[0068] The user device 2 may transmit information about a user to the home appliance 10 or the server 3 via the communication module. For example, the user device 2 may transmit information about a user's location, a user's health condition (i.e., state), a user's preference, a user's schedule, and the like to the server 3. The user device 2 may transmit information about the user to the server 3 based on the user's prior authorization.

[0069] The home appliance 10, the user device 2, or the server 3 may use techniques, such as artificial intelligence (AI) to determine a control command. For example, the server 3 may receive information about an operation or a state of the home appliance 10 or information about a user of the user device 2, process the received information using techniques, such as AI, and transmit a processing result or a control command to the home appliance 10 or the user device 2 based on the processing result

[0070] A dryer 1 described below may be the home appliance 10 described above.

[0071] FIG. 2 illustrates a dryer according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates a dryer with an open door according to an embodiment.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 2, the dryer 1 may include a main body 1a forming an exterior, and a door 30 rotatably coupled to the main body 1a. The main body 1a may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open front. An opening may be formed on the open front of the main body 1a. The door 30 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 1a to open and close the open front of the main body 1a. The door 30 may be coupled to the main body 1a by a hinge.

[0073] The main body 1a may be formed such that a length of the front side extending in a first direction X and a length of the side surface extending in a second direction Y are different. That is, the length L1 of the front side of the main body 1a may be longer than the length L2 of the side surface of the main body 1a. The length of the front side of the main body 1a may be defined as the first length L1, and the length of the side surface of the main body 1a may be defined as the second length L2.

[0074] A user interface 100 for interaction between a user and the dryer 1 may be provided on the front side of the door 30. The position of the user interface 100 is not limited to that shown. The user interface 100 may also be disposed in various positions on the main body 1a.

[0075] The user interface 100 may receive various commands from the user. In addition, the user interface 100 may display various information about an operation of the dryer 1. For example, the user may use the user interface 100 to set a drying course appropriate for an object to be dried. The user interface 100 may include an input interface for obtaining user input and an output interface for outputting various information.

[0076] The input interface may include various buttons and / or a dial. For example, the input interface may include at least one of a power button for turning the dryer 1 on or off, a start / stop button for starting or stopping a drying operation, a drying course button for selecting a drying course, a temperature button for setting a drying temperature, or a time button for setting a drying time. The various buttons may be provided as physical buttons or touch buttons.

[0077] The dryer 1 may perform drying according to the selected drying course. A drying course may include drying parameters such as a drying temperature and a drying time. A different drying course may be selected based on a position of an object accommodated in a drum 20, a material of the object, a size of the object, and / or an amount of the object.

[0078] The output interface may include a display. The display may be provided as various types of display panels. For example, the display may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, or a micro LED panel. The display may also be used as an input device by including a touch screen.

[0079] The display may display information input by the user or information provided to the user on various screens. The display may display information related to the operation of the dryer 1 as at least one of an image or text. In addition, the display may display a graphic user interface (GUI) that enables control of the dryer 1. That is, the display may display user interface (UI) elements such as an icon.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 3, the main body 20 may include cabinets 21 and 22. The cabinets 21 and 22 may include the outer cabinet 21 and the inner cabinet 22. The inner cabinet 22 may be disposed inside the outer cabinet 11. The cabinets 21 and 22 may form an accommodation space in which an object is accommodated.

[0081] A plurality of electrodes may be disposed in the cabinets 21 and 22. For example, a first electrode 61, a second electrode 62, a third electrode 63, and a fourth electrode 64 may be arranged in the cabinets 21 and 22. The first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64 may each have a flat plate shape.

[0082] The first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64 may be spaced apart from and parallel to each other. The first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64 may be disposed horizontally with the lower side of the cabinets 21 and 22.

[0083] For example, the first electrode 61 may be located in the lower portion of the cabinets 21 and 22. The first electrode 61 may be located on the lower side of the inner cabinet 22. The first electrode 61 may also be disposed between the outer cabinet 21 and the inner cabinet 22 in the lower portion of the cabinets 21 and 22. The second electrode 62 may be located in the upper portion of the cabinets 21 and 22. The second electrode 62 may be located on the upper side of the inner cabinet 22. The second electrode 62 may also be disposed between the outer cabinet 21 and the inner cabinet 22 in the upper portion of the cabinets 21 and 22. The first electrode 61 and the second electrode 62 may be fixed to the cabinets 21 and 22 or detachably provided.

[0084] The third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64 may be disposed between the first electrode 61 and the second electrode 62. The third electrode 63 may be located below the fourth electrode 64 in the vertical direction. Each of the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64 may be detachably provided in the cabinets 21 and 22.

[0085] An electronic equipment chamber 50 may be disposed in the cabinets 21 and 22. The electronic equipment chamber 50 may be located below the accommodation space. Various components required for operating the dryer 1 may be disposed in the electronic equipment chamber 50. For example, a circuit system for supplying radio frequency (RF) power to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64 may be located in the electronic equipment chamber 50.

[0086] In addition, the dryer 1 may include an image sensor 71 for obtaining image data of the inside of the cabinets 21 and 22. For example, the image sensor 71 may be disposed on the door 30 to have a field of view toward an inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22. The position of the image sensor 71 is not limited to the door 30. The image sensor 71 may also be disposed at the upper front of the cabinets 21 and 22 to have a field of view from the upper side to the lower side in the cabinets 21 and 22. The image sensor 71 may include various types of cameras.

[0087] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a dryer according to an embodiment viewed from one side.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 4, the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64 are disposed in the cabinets 21 and 22, and thus the inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 may be divided into a plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. The first accommodation space 41 may be formed between the first electrode 61 and the third electrode 63. The second accommodation space 42 may be formed between the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64. The third accommodation space 43 may be formed between the fourth electrode 64 and the second electrode 62. At least one object may be placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. Because the electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 may serve as shelves supporting objects, the electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 may also be referred to as ‘shelf electrode’.

[0089] An object may be placed on at least one of the upper side of the first electrode 61, the upper side of the third electrode 63, or the upper side of the fourth electrode 64. An object may also be hung from the lower side of the second electrode 62, the lower side of the third electrode 63, and the lower side of the fourth electrode 64 by a separate rack (e.g., a hanger).

[0090] Although the four electrodes spaced apart in the vertical direction are described, the number and position of the electrodes are not limited to those illustrated. For example, one of the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64 may be omitted. In addition, three or more electrodes may be disposed between the first electrode 61 and the second electrode 62. The number of accommodation spaces formed in the cabinets 21 and 22 and the size of the accommodation spaces may vary depending on the number and position of the electrodes disposed in the cabinets 21 and 22.

[0091] The first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64 may include a connector 61c, 62c, 63c, and 64c formed on one side (e.g., the rear side), respectively. A plurality of terminals 80a, 80b, 80c, and 80d connected to each of the connectors 61c, 62c, 63c, and 64c of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64 may be provided on the inner side (e.g., the rear inner side) of the cabinets 21 and 22. The connectors 61c, 62c, 63c, and 64c may include a plurality of pins, and the terminals 80a, 80b, 80c, and 80d may include a plurality of holes corresponding to the plurality of pins.

[0092] When the connectors 61c, 62c, 63c, and 64c are coupled with the terminals 80a, 80b, 80c, and 80d, the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 may be electrically connected to an RF power supplier to be described below. In addition, when the connectors 61c, 62c, 63c, and 64c are coupled with the terminals 80a, 80b, 80c, and 80d, an electrical signal corresponding to the arrangement of the electrodes may be transmitted to a processor 310 of the dryer 1.

[0093] The electrode may include a conductor, an electrode cover, and a connector. The conductor and the electrode cover may each have a flat plate shape. Depending on the design, the conductor and the electrode cover may be formed integrally or separably. In addition, the electrode may not include the electrode cover.

[0094] The first electrode 61 may include a first conductor 61a, a first electrode cover 61b, and the first connector 61c. The first conductor 61a may be accommodated in the first electrode cover 61b. The first connector 61c may be positioned on one side (e.g., the rear side) of the first electrode 61 and may be electrically connected to the first conductor 63a. The first connector 61c may protrude to the outside of the first electrode cover 63b. The first connector 61c may be coupled with the first terminal 80a.

[0095] The second electrode 62 may include a second conductor 62a, a second electrode cover 62b, and the second connector 62c. The second conductor 62a may be accommodated in the second electrode cover 62b. The second connector 62c may be positioned on one side (e.g., the rear side) of the second electrode 62 and may be electrically connected to the second conductor 62a. The second connector 62c may protrude to the outside of the second electrode cover 62b. The second connector 62c may be coupled with the second terminal 80b.

[0096] The third electrode 63 may include a third conductor 63a, a third electrode cover 63b, and the third connector 63c. The third conductor 63a may be accommodated in the third electrode cover 63b. The third connector 63c may be positioned on one side (e.g., the rear side) of the third electrode 63 and may be electrically connected to the third conductor 63a. The third connector 63c may protrude to the outside of the third electrode cover 63b. The third connector 63c may be coupled with the third terminal 80c.

[0097] The fourth electrode 64 may include a fourth conductor 64a, a fourth electrode cover 64b, and the fourth connector 64c. The fourth conductor 64a may be accommodated in the fourth electrode cover 64b. The fourth connector 64c may be positioned on one side (e.g., the rear side) of the fourth electrode 64 and may be electrically connected to the fourth conductor 64a. The fourth connector 64c may protrude to the outside of the fourth electrode cover 64b. The fourth connector 64c may be coupled with the fourth terminal 80d.

[0098] A length, area, and thickness of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 may vary depending on the design.

[0099] The dryer 1 may include at least one of a weight sensor 72 or a humidity sensor 73. The weight sensor 72 and the humidity sensor 73 may be provided in each of the electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64. For example, the weight sensor 72 and the humidity sensor 73 may be disposed in the respective electrode covers 61b, 62b, 63b, and 64b of each of the electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64. The weight sensor 72 may obtain weight data of an object which is located on or hung from each electrode. The humidity sensor 73 may obtain humidity data of the object located on or hung from each electrode.

[0100] When RF power is applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64, an electric field may be generated in the vertical direction in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. The electric field may vibrate dielectrics (e.g., water molecules) contained in the object. The vibration of the dielectrics (e.g., water molecules) may generate dipole frictional heat to heat the dielectrics. The object may be dried as the heated dielectrics evaporate. The evaporated dielectrics may be discharged out of the dryer 1.

[0101] A polarity of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 may be determined based on a phase of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64. An electric field may or may not be generated in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43 depending on the polarity of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64. In other words, an electric field may be selectively generated in the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. A magnitude of the electric field generated in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43 may vary depending on the magnitude of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64.

[0102] FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 5, the dryer 1 may further include a plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f provided perpendicular to the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64. The plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f may be located in the cabinets 21 and 22. For example, the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f may be disposed between the outer cabinet 21 and the inner cabinet 22.

[0104] The first vertical electrode 90a and the second vertical electrode 90b may be disposed at positions covering both side surfaces of the first accommodation space 41 formed between the first electrode 61 and the third electrode 63. The first vertical electrode 90a may be located on the right side of the first accommodation space 41, and the second vertical electrode 90b may be located on the left side of the first accommodation space 41.

[0105] The third vertical electrode 90c and the fourth vertical electrode 90d may be disposed at positions covering both side surfaces of the second accommodation space 42 formed between the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64. The third vertical electrode 90c may be located on the right side of the second accommodation space 42, and the fourth vertical electrode 90d may be located on the left side of the second accommodation space 42.

[0106] The fifth vertical electrode 90e and the sixth vertical electrode 90f may be disposed at positions covering both side surfaces of the third accommodation space 43 formed between the second electrode 62 and the fourth electrode 64. The fifth vertical electrode 90e may be located on the right side of the third accommodation space 43, and the sixth vertical electrode 90f may be located on the left side of the third accommodation space 43.

[0107] A length, area, and thickness of each of the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f may vary depending on the design.

[0108] In a case where RF power is not applied to the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64, and RF power is applied to each of the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f, an electric field may be generated in the horizontal direction in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43.

[0109] RF power may also be simultaneously applied to the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 and the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f. An electric field may or may not be generated in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43 depending on the phase of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 and the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f. In addition, a direction of the electric field generated in each accommodation space may change depending on the phase of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 and the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f.

[0110] FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which an electric field is selectively generated in a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 6, the dryer 1 may adjust the RF power applied to the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which an electric field is generated in each of the first accommodation space 41 and the third accommodation space 43, but not in the second accommodation space 42.

[0112] The dryer 1 may include at least one sensor for obtaining data about at least one object placed in the cabinets 21 and 22. The dryer 1 may adjust the RF power applied to the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43, based on the data obtained from the at least one sensor.

[0113] The dryer 1 may process the data about the object, thereby identifying that a first object OB1 is placed in the first accommodation space 41 formed by the first electrode 61 and the third electrode 63, and a second object OB2 is placed in the third accommodation space 43 formed by the second electrode 62 and the fourth electrode 64. The dryer 1 may determine the first accommodation space 41 where the first object OB1 is placed and the third accommodation space 43 where the second object OB2 is placed as drying spaces. The dryer 1 may determine the second accommodation space 42 where no object is placed as a non-drying space.

[0114] The dryer 1 may adjust a phase of the RF power applied to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64 to allow the first electrode 61 and the third electrode 63 to have opposite polarities and the second electrode 62 and the fourth electrode 64 to have opposite polarities, thereby allowing the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64 to have the same polarity. For example, the first electrode 61 and the second electrode 62 may have a negative polarity (−), and the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64 may have a positive polarity (+). In other words, the first electrode 61 and the second electrode 62 may each function as cathodes, and the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64 may each function as anodes. Accordingly, an electric field may be generated between the first electrode 61 and the third electrode 63, and between the second electrode 62 and the fourth electrode 64, respectively. However, an electric field may not be generated between the third electrode 63 and the fourth electrode 64.

[0115] The electric field generated between the first electrode 61 and the third electrode 63 may dry the first object OB1. The electric field generated between the second electrode 62 and the fourth electrode 64 may dry the second object OB2.

[0116] FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which an electric field is selectively generated in a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 7, a size and / or volume of the first object OB1 and the second object OB2 may vary. For example, the first object OB1 may have a size and / or volume that occupies only part of the first accommodation space 41 and may be located on the right side of the first accommodation space 41. The second object OB2 may have a size and / or volume that occupies only part of the third accommodation space 43 and may be located on the right side of the third accommodation space 43.

[0118] The dryer 1 may process data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify the position of the object in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. The dryer 1 may adjust RF power applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 and the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f based on the position of the object.

[0119] In the same manner as described in FIG. 6, the dryer 1 may determine a phase of the RF power applied to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, the third electrode 63, and the fourth electrode 64 to generate an electric field in each of the first accommodation space 41 and the third accommodation space 43.

[0120] In addition, the dryer 1 may adjust the phase of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f to concentrate the electric field in the right region of the first accommodation space 41 and the right region of the third accommodation space 43. For example, the dryer 1 may adjust the phase of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f to allow the first vertical electrode 90a and the third electrode 63 to have opposite polarities and the fifth vertical electrode 90e and the second electrode 62 to have opposite polarities. The first vertical electrode 90a may have a negative polarity (−), and the fifth vertical electrode 90e may have a positive polarity (+). Accordingly, an electric field directed from the third electrode 63 to the first vertical electrode 90a may be further generated in the right region of the first accommodation space 41. An electric field directed from the fifth vertical electrode 90e to the second electrode 62 may be further generated in the right region of the third accommodation space 43.

[0121] The dryer 1 may determine the polarity of each of the second vertical electrode 90b, the third vertical electrode 90c, the fourth vertical electrode 90d, and the sixth vertical electrode 90f to prevent the generation of an electric field in the second accommodation space 41 and to minimize the cancellation of the electric fields generated in the first accommodation space 41 and the third accommodation space 43. In FIG. 7, the dryer 1 may adjust the phase of the RF power applied to the second vertical electrode 90b, the third vertical electrode 90c, the fourth vertical electrode 90d, and the sixth vertical electrode 90f to allow all of the second vertical electrode 90b, the third vertical electrode 90c, the fourth vertical electrode 90d, and the sixth vertical electrode 90f to have a positive polarity (+).

[0122] As such, the dryer 1 may improve drying efficiency by generating an electric field corresponding to the position of the object in the drying space.

[0123] FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 8, a controller 300 may be electrically connected to components of the dryer 1 and may control the components of the dryer 1. The controller 300 may include a processor 310 and a memory 320. The memory 320 may include a volatile memory, such as static random access memory (S-RAM) or a dynamic RAM (D-RAM), and a non-volatile memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM) or an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM). The processor 310 and the memory 320 may be implemented as separate chips or as a single chip. In addition, a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories may be provided.

[0125] The processor 310 may process various data and signals using instructions, data, algorithms, programs, and / or software stored in the memory 320. The processor 310 may generate control signals for controlling the components of the dryer 1. The processor 310 may include a single core or a plurality of cores.

[0126] The processor 310 may be configured to perform various operations of the dryer 1. The processor 310 may perform the operations of the dryer 1 according to various embodiments by executing at least one instruction, algorithm, program, and / or software stored in the memory 320. The processor 310 may control one or any combination of the components of the dryer 1. The processor 310 may include various types of circuits. For example, the processor 310 may include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a many integrated core (MIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a neural processing unit (NPU), a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator.

[0127] The dryer 1 may include a sensor 70 for obtaining data about at least one object placed in the cabinets 21 and 22. For example, the sensor 70 may include at least one of the image sensor 71, the weight sensor 72, or the humidity sensor 73. In addition, the sensor 70 may include a door sensor for detecting the opening and closing of the door 30.

[0128] The image sensor 71 may obtain image data of the inside of the cabinets 21 and 22. The image sensor 71 may include various types of cameras. The image sensor 71 may have a field of view toward the inside of the cabinets 21 and 22. The image sensor 71 may transmit the obtained image data to the processor 310.

[0129] The processor 310 may process the image data to obtain various information about characteristics of the object. For example, the processor 310 may process the image data to obtain information about the type, material, color, size, volume, shape, number, and / or position of the object in the accommodation space.

[0130] The weight sensor 72 may be disposed in each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64. The weight sensor 72 may obtain weight data of the object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. For example, the weight sensor 72 may obtain weight data of the object located on the upper side of each electrode or hung from each electrode. The weight sensor 72 may transmit the obtained weight data to the processor 310. The processor 310 may process the weight data to identify a weight of the object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. The processor 310 may identify a moisture content of the object based on a difference between the weight of the object and a predetermined reference weight.

[0131] The humidity sensor 73 may be disposed in each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64. The humidity sensor 73 may obtain humidity data of the object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. For example, the humidity sensor 73 may obtain humidity data of the object located on the upper side of each electrode or hung from each electrode. The humidity sensor 73 may transmit the obtained humidity data to the processor 310. The processor 310 may process the humidity data to identify a humidity of the object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43.

[0132] The door sensor may detect the opening and closing of the door 30. The door sensor may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the opening and closing of the door 30 to the processor 310. The processor 310 may temporarily stop a drying operation in response to the door 30 being open during the drying operation. The processor 310 may resume the drying operation in response to the door 30 being closed again.

[0133] The dryer 1 may include the user interface 100 and a communication interface 200. The user interface 100 may obtain user input and display various information about the operation of the dryer 1. The user interface 100 may include an input interface 101 for obtaining user input and an output interface 102 for outputting information.

[0134] The input interface 101 may include at least one of various buttons and a dial. For example, the input interface 101 may include at least one of a power button for turning the dryer 1 on or off, a start / stop button for starting or stopping a drying operation, a drying course button for selecting a drying course, a temperature button for setting a drying temperature, or a time button for setting a drying time. The various buttons may be provided as physical buttons or touch buttons.

[0135] The output interface 101 may include a display for outputting various visual information. In addition, the output interface 101 may also include a speaker for outputting various sounds.

[0136] The user interface 100 may display various information about the operation of the dryer 1. For example, the processor 310 may control the user interface 100 to display information about each of the plurality of accommodation spaces. The information about each of the plurality of accommodation spaces may include at least one of the type, material, and number of objects, a drying course, a drying temperature, an estimated drying time, or a remaining time until the end of drying.

[0137] The drying course may include predetermined settings (e.g., drying level, additional time for wrinkle prevention, drying time) depending on the type (e.g., shirts, blankets, underwear, etc.) and material (e.g., cotton, wool, etc.) of an object. For example, a standard drying course may include drying settings applicable to most laundry items, and a blanket drying course may include drying settings optimized for blankets. Various drying courses may be stored in the memory 320.

[0138] In addition, the processor 310 may control the user interface 100 to provide a drying completion notification for each of the plurality of accommodation spaces based on the drying being completed for an object in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces. The processor 310 may also control the user interface 100 to provide an object withdrawal notification based on the drying being completed for the object in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces. The user interface 100 may provide the drying completion notification and the object withdrawal notification using various graphic user interfaces.

[0139] The communication interface 200 may perform communication with at least one of the user device 2 or the server 3 via a network. The processor 310 may obtain various information, signals, and / or data from the user device 2 or the server 3 through the communication interface 200. For example, the communication interface 200 may receive a remote control signal from the user device 2. The processor 310 may obtain firmware and / or software for the operation of the dryer 1 from the server 3 through the communication interface 200.

[0140] The communication interface 200 may include various communication circuits. The communication interface 200 may include a wireless communication circuit and / or a wired communication circuit. For example, a communication circuit that supports wireless communication methods such as wireless local area network, home radio frequency, infrared communication, ultra-wide band (UWB) communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™, and Zigbee may be provided.

[0141] The dryer 1 may include a circuit system for drying an object. For example, the circuit system may include a direct current (DC) converter 130, an RF power supplier 140, an impedance matching circuit 160, a first switch SW1, a second switch SW2, a third switch SW3, the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63.

[0142] Although the four electrodes 61, 62, 63, and 64 arranged in the horizontal direction and the six vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f arranged in the vertical direction are described in FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the number of electrodes is not limited to those illustrated. The dryer 1 may include various numbers of electrodes depending on the design.

[0143] For convenience of description, FIG. 8 illustrates a method for supplying RF power to each electrode using the three electrodes 61, 62, and 63 as an example. RF power may be supplied to each of the fourth electrode 64 and the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f in the same manner as described below.

[0144] The first electrode 61 may be disposed in the lower portion inside the cabinets 21 and 22. The second electrode 62 may be spaced apart from the first electrode 61 inside the cabinets 21 and 22. The second electrode 62 may be located in the upper portion of the cabinets 21 and 22. The third electrode 63 may be disposed between the first electrode 61 and the second electrode 62. The first electrode 61 and the second electrode 62 may be fixed within the cabinets 21 and 22, and the third electrode 63 may be detachably provided. The first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 may be spaced apart and parallel to each other.

[0145] The processor 310 may identify an arrangement of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63. When the connectors 61c, 62c, and 63c of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 are coupled with the terminals 80a, 80b, and 80c of the cabinets 21 and 22, respectively, an electrical signal corresponding to the arrangement of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may be transmitted to the processor 310 of the dryer 1. The processor 310 may identify the arrangement of the electrodes based on the electrical signal generated by the coupling of the electrodes and the terminals.

[0146] The processor 310 may divide an inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 into a plurality of accommodation spaces based on the third electrode 63 being disposed in the cabinets 21 and 22. For example, the inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 may be divided into two accommodation spaces by the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63. The processor 310 may divide the inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 into the first accommodation space 41 between the first electrode 61 and the third electrode 63, and the second accommodation space 42 between the second electrode 62 and the third electrode 63.

[0147] As described above, in a case where the fourth electrode 64 is additionally disposed above the third electrode 63, the processor 310 may divide the inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 into three accommodation spaces.

[0148] The processor 310 may control the DC converter 130, the RF power supplier 140, the impedance matching circuit 160, and the plurality of switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 to supply RF power to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63.

[0149] The DC converter 130 may convert alternating current (AC) power into DC power suitable for the RF power supplier 140. The DC converter 130 may transmit the converted DC power to the RF power supplier 140. The DC converter 130 may be provided as a circuit in which various electronic components such as transistors, inductors, and diodes are electrically connected in parallel and / or in series.

[0150] The DC converter 130 may include an electro magnetic interference (EMI) filter and a power factor correction circuit.

[0151] The EMI filter may remove noise contained in the AC power supplied from a commercial power source. The EMI filter may be provided as a circuit in which various electronic components such as capacitors, inductors, and diodes are electrically connected in parallel and / or in series. The EMI filter may discharge the noise contained in the AC power through a ground wire. The EMI filter may be provided as a passive filter or an active filter. The EMI filter may provide the AC power from which noise has been removed to the power factor correction circuit.

[0152] The power factor correction circuit may compensate a power factor of the AC power provided from the EMI filter. The power factor correction circuit may compensate the power factor by reducing or removing reactive power from among effective power and reactive power constituting the AC power. The compensating of the power factor may reduce power loss. The power factor correction circuit may be provided as a circuit in which various electronic components such as capacitors, inductors, and diodes are electrically connected in parallel and / or in series.

[0153] The DC converter 130 may convert the AC power compensated by the power factor correction circuit into DC power.

[0154] The RF power supplier 140 may generate an RF signal. The RF signal may be transmitted to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63. Sinusoidal power may be supplied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 due to the RF signal. By supplying RF power to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63, an electric field may be generated in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43 for dielectric heating of the object.

[0155] A phase of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may be different. An electric field may be selectively generated in the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43, because RF power having different phases is applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63. As the phase of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, 63 changes, a polarity of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may change. When the polarities of two electrodes forming one accommodation space are opposite, an electric field may be generated in the accommodation space. Conversely, when the polarities of two electrodes forming one accommodation space are the same, an electric field may not be generated in the accommodation space.

[0156] The processor 310 may control the RF power supplier 140 to adjust the magnitude of the RF power applied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63. An increase in the magnitude of the RF power applied to the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may increase an intensity of the electric field generated in the accommodation space. An increase in the electric field intensity may increase a drying temperature of the object. Conversely, a decrease in the magnitude of the RF power may reduce the intensity of the electric field generated in the accommodation space.

[0157] The RF signal generated by the RF power supplier 140 may be transmitted to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 through the impedance matching circuit 160. The impedance matching circuit 160 may match output impedance of the RF power supplier 140 and electrode impedance of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63. In a case where there is a difference between the output impedance of the RF power supplier 140 and the electrode impedance of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63, reflected power may be generated from the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63, and power transmission efficiency may be reduced. To minimize the reflected power, the output impedance of the RF power supplier 140 and the electrode impedance of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 requires to be matched. The processor 310 may control the impedance matching circuit 160 to perform impedance matching.

[0158] The first switch SW1 may connect the impedance matching circuit 160 and the first electrode 61. The processor 310 may be electrically connected to, and may control the first switch SW1. The processor 310 may control the first switch SW1 to change the phase of the RF power supplied to the first electrode 61. For example, switching the first switch SW1 may change a contact point between the first connector 61c of the first electrode 61 and the first terminal 80a of the cabinets 21 and 22, thereby changing the phase of the RF power supplied to the first electrode 61. The phase of the RF power supplied to the first electrode 61 may be changed by 180 degrees according to the switching of the first switch SW1. In other words, a polarity of the first electrode 61 may be changed according to the switching of the first switch SW1.

[0159] The second switch SW2 may connect the impedance matching circuit 160 and the second electrode 62. The processor 310 may be electrically connected to, and may control the second switch SW2. The processor 310 may control the second switch SW2 to change the phase of the RF power supplied to the second electrode 62. For example, switching the second switch SW2 may change a contact point between the second connector 62c of the second electrode 62 and the second terminal 80b of the cabinets 21 and 22, thereby changing the phase of the RF power supplied to the second electrode 62. The phase of the RF power supplied to the second electrode 62 may be changed by 180 degrees according to the switching of the second switch SW2. In other words, a polarity of the second electrode 62 may be changed according to the switching of the second switch SW2.

[0160] The third switch SW3 may connect the impedance matching circuit 160 and the third electrode 63. The processor 310 may be electrically connected to, and may control the third switch SW3. The processor 310 may control the third switch SW3 to change the phase of the RF power supplied to the third electrode 63. For example, switching the third switch SW3 may change a contact point between the third connector 63c of the third electrode 63 and the third terminal 80c of the cabinets 21 and 22, thereby changing the phase of the RF power supplied to the third electrode 63. The phase of the RF power supplied to the third electrode 63 may be changed by 180 degrees according to the switching of the third switch SW3. In other words, the polarity of the third electrode 63 may be changed according to the switching of the third switch SW3.

[0161] As such, by providing the plurality of switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 connected to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63, RF power may be supplied to the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 using the single RF power supplier 140. In addition, by using the single RF power supplier 140, design and manufacturing may become easier, and costs may be reduced. The dryer 1 may control the plurality of switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 to change the polarity of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63. Accordingly, an electric field may be selectively generated in the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43.

[0162] The processor 310 may adjust the RF power supplied from the RF power supplier 140 to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43, based on data obtained from the at least one sensor 70.

[0163] The processor 310 may process the data obtained from the sensor 70 to determine each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43 as a drying space or a non-drying space. For example, the processor 310 may process the data obtained from the sensor 70 to identify whether an object is placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43 and a moisture content of the object placed in each of the accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43. The processor 310 may determine each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43 as a drying space or a non-drying space based on whether an object is placed and the moisture content of the object. The processor 310 may determine an accommodation space where an object is placed as a drying space, based on a moisture content of the object being greater than or equal to a defined reference value.

[0164] The processor 310 may determine the phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 so that an electric field is generated in the drying space and an electric field is not generated in the non-drying space. The processor 310 may adjust the phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 so that polarities of two electrodes forming the drying space are opposite to each other, and polarities of two electrodes forming the non-drying space are the same.

[0165] Whether an object is placed in an accommodation space may be identified by various methods. For example, the processor 310 may determine whether an object is placed in an accommodation space using at least one of image data obtained by the image sensor 71 or weight data obtained by the weight sensor 72.

[0166] The processor 310 may identify an object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41, 42, and 43 using the image data obtained by the image sensor 71. The processor 310 may process the image data using various artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms (e.g., deep learning algorithms) and identify the object from the image data.

[0167] In addition, the processor 310 may identify whether an object is placed using the weight data obtained by the weight sensor 72. The weight sensor 72 may be provided in each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63. In a case where an object is placed on or hung from each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63, the weight sensor 72 may obtain weight data of the object. The processor 310 may determine that the object is placed in the accommodation space formed by each electrode based on the weight data being obtained.

[0168] A moisture content of an object may be identified by various methods. For example, the processor 310 may determine a moisture content of an object using at least one of weight data obtained by the weight sensor 72, humidity data obtained by the humidity sensor 73, or electrode impedance of each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63.

[0169] The memory 320 may store reference weight values corresponding to various objects. The processor 310 may identify a moisture content of an object based on a difference between a weight value of an object obtained by the weight sensor 72 and a reference weight value of the object stored in the memory 320. The processor 310 may determine the difference between the weight value obtained by the weight sensor 72 and the reference weight value as the moisture content of the object. In addition, the processor 310 may determine a moisture ratio of the object by dividing the difference between the weight value obtained by the weight sensor 72 and the reference weight value by the reference weight value.

[0170] The processor 310 may obtain a humidity value in an accommodation space from the humidity sensor 73. The processor 310 may convert the humidity value obtained by the humidity sensor 73 into a moisture content of an object. The processor 310 may determine that the higher the humidity value, the greater the object's moisture content.

[0171] In addition, the memory 320 may store electrode's reference electrode impedances corresponding to various objects. The processor 310 may identify a moisture content of an object based on a difference between a reference electrode impedance corresponding to characteristics of the object and an electrode impedance of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63. The processor 310 may determine the electrode impedance of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 based on a magnitude of voltage detected at an output end of the impedance matching circuit 160. The electrode impedance of each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may vary depending on various factors, such as the material, amount, size, and moisture content of an object placed on each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63.

[0172] For example, in a case where there are dielectrics (e.g., water) having a high dielectric constant between two electrodes (e.g., the first electrode and the third electrode), charges may be accumulated on the dielectrics, and thus the intensity of the electric field formed between the two electrodes may be reduced. When the electric field intensity is reduced, the magnitude of voltage, detected at each of the two electrodes, may be reduced and the electrode impedance may be reduced. The processor 310 may determine that the smaller the electrode impedance of the electrode, the greater the object's moisture content.

[0173] The processor 310 may identify a material of the object placed in the drying space by processing the data obtained by various sensors 70. For example, the processor 310 may identify the material of the object by processing the image data obtained by the image sensor 71. One of various materials (e.g., cotton, synthetic fabric, wool, silk, linen, leather, etc.) may be determined as the material of the object according to the processing result of the image data.

[0174] The processor 310 may identify a predetermined drying temperature for the material of the object. The drying temperature for the material of the object may represent an optimal drying temperature for drying the object. The memory 320 may store drying temperature information corresponding to each of a plurality of materials. The processor 310 may set the drying temperature corresponding to the material of the identified object from the drying temperature information stored in the memory 320. The processor 310 may adjust the magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 to allow an intensity of an electric field generated in the drying space to correspond to the drying temperature. The intensity of the electric field generated in the drying space may change depending on the magnitude of the RF power applied to each electrode.

[0175] In a case where a plurality of objects are placed in the drying space, the processor 310 may identify the material of each of the plurality of objects. In a case where a plurality of materials are identified, the processor 310 may identify the lowest drying temperature from among a plurality of predetermined drying temperatures for each of the plurality of materials. The processor 310 may adjust the magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 to allow the intensity of the electric field generated in the drying space to correspond to the lowest drying temperature.

[0176] As described above, the dryer 1 may further include the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f perpendicular to the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 in the cabinets 21 and 22. The processor 310 may identify a position of an object in the drying space by processing the data obtained by various sensors 70. For example, the processor 310 may identify the position of the object in the drying space by processing the image data obtained by the image sensor 71. The processor 310 may adjust the RF power supplied from the RF power supplier 140 to each of the plurality of vertical electrodes 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, and 90f based on the position of the object in the drying space.

[0177] The processor 310 may determine whether drying is complete in each accommodation space based on changes in weight, humidity, and electrode impedance of an object in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces. For example, in a case where a drying operation is performed in the first accommodation space 41, a moisture contained in an object placed in the first accommodation space 41 evaporates, and thus a weight of the object placed in the first accommodation space 41 may decrease, and a humidity of the first accommodation space 41 may decrease. The processor 310 may determine that drying is complete in the first accommodation space 41 based on the weight of the object reaching a reference weight or the humidity reaching a reference humidity.

[0178] In addition, as the drying of the object progresses, the moisture contained in the object evaporates, and thus the electrode impedance of each electrode may be gradually detected as larger. In other words, as drying progresses, a difference between a magnitude of voltage, detected at each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63, and a magnitude of a reference voltage may gradually decrease. The processor 310 may determine a dryness (degree of dryness) of the object based on the change in the magnitude of voltage detected at each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 and / or the change in electrode impedance. The processor 310 may determine that drying is complete based on the dryness of the object falling within an allowable error range of a predetermined reference dryness. In addition, the processor 310 may determine that drying is complete based on the electrode impedance of each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 being greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.

[0179] FIG. 9 illustrates a structure of an impedance matching circuit according to an embodiment.

[0180] Referring to FIG. 9, the impedance matching circuit 160 may be provided in a Π (Pi)-type circuit structure. For example, the impedance matching circuit 160 may include an inductor L_mat, a first capacitor C1_mat, and a second capacitor C2_mat. The first capacitor C1_mat and the second capacitor C2_mat may be connected to both nodes of the inductor L_mat, respectively, and the first capacitor C1_mat and the second capacitor C2_mat may be connected in parallel. The inductor L_mat may be provided as a variable inductor. The first capacitor C1_mat and the second capacitor C2_mat may be provided as variable capacitors.

[0181] The electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may be connected to the node where the inductor L_mat and the second capacitor C2_mat are connected. The inductor L_mat, the second capacitor C2_mat, and a capacitor C_load of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may be formed in a T-type circuit structure. The impedance of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may be represented by load resistance R_load and load capacitor C_load.

[0182] The Π-type circuit structure allows quality factor Q to be adjusted to increase an output power relative to an input voltage. The values of the first capacitor C1_mat and the second capacitor C2_mat may be changed depending on the quality factor Q. The impedance matching circuit 160 with the Π-type circuit structure may easily perform matching with the input impedance, even when the output impedance changes. In a case where a T-type circuit structure is added to the Π-type circuit structure, impedance matching may be achieved within a band near an operating frequency, even when the output impedance changes.

[0183] In case of conventional dryer using an impedance matching circuit with an conventional series structure, since the polarity of each of a plurality of flat plate electrodes stacked vertically cannot be changed, two flat plate electrodes require to be disposed adjacent to each other at the boundary of two accommodation spaces (e.g., the first accommodation space 41 and the second accommodation space 42). A large parasitic capacitance occurs between the two adjacent flat plate electrodes, and the parasitic capacitance hinders matching between output impedance and input impedance.

[0184] However, because the dryer 1 according to the disclosure uses an impedance matching circuit having a Π-type circuit structure and may change the polarity of each of the plurality of electrodes, electric fields may be simultaneously generated in a plurality of accommodation spaces by placing only one flat plate electrode between two accommodation spaces. According to the disclosure, parasitic capacitance that occurs between two adjacent flat plate electrodes does not require to be considered.

[0185] Although the switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 are not shown in FIG. 9 between the impedance matching circuit 160 and the electrodes 61, 62, and 63, the switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 may be provided between the impedance matching circuit 160 and the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 as described in FIG. 8.

[0186] The structure of the impedance matching circuit 160 is not limited to that illustrated. The structure of the impedance matching circuit 160 may vary depending on the design. For example, as long as the Π-type circuit structure is maintained, the number and arrangement of inductors and capacitors may vary.

[0187] In addition, a plurality of impedance matching circuits 160 may be provided to correspond to the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63, which will be described in FIG. 10.

[0188] FIG. 10 is a control block diagram of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0189] Referring to FIG. 10, the controller 300, the sensor 70, the user interface 100, and the communication interface 200 are the same as those described in FIG. 9. The dryer 1 of FIG. 10 may include a plurality of circuit systems for supplying RF power to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63.

[0190] For example, a first DC converter 131, a first RF power supplier 141, and a first impedance matching circuit 161 may be provided to supply RF power to the first electrode 61. A second DC converter 132, a second RF power supplier 142, and a second impedance matching circuit 162 may be provided to supply RF power to the second electrode 62. A third DC converter 133, a third RF power supplier 143, and a third impedance matching circuit 163 may be provided to supply RF power to the third electrode 63.

[0191] The first DC converter 131, the second DC converter 132, and the third DC converter 133 may be independently controlled. The first RF power supplier 141, the second RF power supplier 142, and the third RF power supplier 143 may also be independently controlled. Similarly, the first impedance matching circuit 161, the second impedance matching circuit 162, and the third impedance matching circuit 163 may also be independently controlled.

[0192] The processor 310 may control the first RF power supplier 141 to change a phase and magnitude of the RF power supplied to the first electrode 61. The processor 310 may control the second RF power supplier 142 to change a phase and magnitude of the RF power supplied to the second electrode 62. The processor 310 may control the third RF power supplier 143 to change a phase and magnitude of the RF power supplied to the third electrode 63.

[0193] The processor 310 may control the first impedance matching circuit 161 to match an output impedance of the first RF power supplier 141 and an electrode impedance of the first electrode 61. The processor 310 may control the second impedance matching circuit 162 to match an output impedance of the second RF power supplier 142 and an electrode impedance of the second electrode 62. The processor 310 may control the third impedance matching circuit 163 to match an output impedance of the third RF power supplier 143 and an electrode impedance of the third electrode 63.

[0194] FIG. 11 is a table illustrating an example of drying courses suitable for objects made of various materials.

[0195] Referring to a table 1100 of FIG. 11, the dryer 1 may provide various drying courses including various drying settings depending on various materials of objects. For example, the dryer 1 may provide a cotton course, a wool course, a linen course, a thick fabric course, and a leather course. Each drying course may include drying settings optimized for the material of the object. The drying settings may include a drying temperature and a drying time. In addition, the drying course may include precautions for the material of the object.

[0196] The cotton course may be configured to automatically set a drying temperature (e.g., 60° C.) and a drying time (e.g., 55 minutes) for an object made of cotton or synthetic fabric. In addition, the cotton course may be configured to provide a notification via the user interface 100 that the object made of cotton or synthetic fabric may be deformed at relatively high temperatures.

[0197] The wool course may be configured to automatically set a drying temperature (e.g., 30° C.) and a drying time (e.g., 29 minutes) for an object made of wool or silk. In addition, the wool course may be configured to provide a notification via the user interface 100 that the object made of wool or silk may be damaged at relatively low temperatures.

[0198] The linen course may be configured to automatically set a drying temperature (e.g., 40° C.) and a drying time (e.g., 20 minutes) for an object made of linen. In addition, the linen course may be configured to provide a notification via the user interface 100 that the object made of linen may shrink at relatively high temperatures.

[0199] The thick fabric course may be configured to automatically set a drying temperature (e.g., 50° C.) and a drying time (e.g., 60 minutes) for an object made of thick fabrics such as jeans. In addition, the thick fabric course may be configured to provide a notification via the user interface 100 that the object made of thick fabrics may be deformed at relatively high temperatures.

[0200] The leather course may be configured to automatically set a drying temperature (e.g., 22° C.) and a drying time (e.g., 30 minutes) for an object made of leather. In addition, the leather course may be configured to provide a notification via the user interface 100 that the object made of leather should be processed at room temperature.

[0201] As described above, drying temperature information including drying temperatures corresponding to various materials may be stored in the memory 320. The processor 310 may set the drying temperature corresponding to the material of the identified object from the drying temperature information stored in the memory 320.

[0202] The drying courses, drying temperatures, and drying times described in FIG. 11 are merely examples, and the drying courses, drying temperatures, and drying times may be changed by various factors such as user settings, the size of the object, and the moisture content of the object.

[0203] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a user interface screen for providing information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0204] Referring to FIG. 12, the processor 310 of the dryer 1 may control the user interface 100 to display information about each of the plurality of accommodation spaces formed in the cabinets 21 and 22.

[0205] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may control the user interface 100 to display a user interface screen 1200 of FIG. 12, when the objects placed in the plurality of accommodation spaces are completely identified before a drying operation starts. As described above, the dryer 1 may identify at least one object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces using various sensors 70.

[0206] For example, the user interface screen 1200 may include a first information section G1 including information about an A space, a second information section G2 including information about a B space, and a third information section G3 including information about a C space. In addition, the user interface screen 1200 may include a notification section G4 that displays various messages about an operation of the dryer 1. The A space may correspond to the first accommodation space 41 described above. The B space may correspond to the second accommodation space 42 described above. The C space may correspond to the third accommodation space 43 described above.

[0207] For example, the first information section G1 may display text indicating that the objects placed in the A space are a pair of leather shoes. The second information section G2 may display text indicating that the objects placed in the B space are a wool top and a cotton top. The third information section G3 may display text indicating that the objects placed in the C space are cotton pants.

[0208] The notification section G4 may display text informing that four garments are currently accommodated in the dryer 1, and that drying operations will be performed in the A space, the B space, and the C space.

[0209] At least one of the A space, the B space, or the C space may be empty. For example, in a case where the B space is empty, the second information section G2 may display at least one of text or graphic element indicating that the B space is empty. In this case, the dryer 1 may not perform a drying operation in the B space.

[0210] Although the information is illustrated as being displayed in text, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Various information may also be provided as various graphic elements (e.g., colors, icons, patterns, etc.).

[0211] The user interface screen 1200 may also be provided via the user device 2 described in FIG. 1.

[0212] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a user interface screen for providing information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0213] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may control the user interface 100 to display a user interface screen 1300 of FIG. 13, when a drying operation for each of the plurality of accommodation spaces is performed after the user interface screen 1200 of FIG. 12 is displayed. As the drying operation progresses, the content of the information presented in the first information section G1, the second information section G2, the third information section G3, and the notification section G4 may change.

[0214] For example, the first information section G1 may display text indicating that the leather course is being performed in the A space, the drying temperature is set to 22° C., and the drying time is set to 30 minutes. The second information section G2 may display text indicating that the wool course is being performed in the B space, the drying temperature is set to 30° C., and the drying time is set to 29 minutes. A wool top and a cotton top are placed together in the B space. Because the wool top requires a relatively low drying temperature, the dryer 1 may determine the drying course to be performed in the B space as the wool course in order to prevent damage to the wool top.

[0215] The third information section G3 may display text indicating that the cotton course is being performed in the C space, the drying temperature is set to 60° C., and the drying time is set to 55 minutes. The notification section G4 may display text indicating the remaining time (e.g., 3 minutes) until a specific drying course (e.g., the wool course) is complete and the remaining time (e.g., 28 minutes) until the full drying is complete.

[0216] Although the information is illustrated as being displayed in text, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Various information may also be provided as various graphic elements (e.g., colors, icons, patterns, etc.).

[0217] The user interface screen 1300 may also be provided via the user device 2 described in FIG. 1.

[0218] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a user interface screen for providing information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0219] Referring to FIG. 14, once the drying of the object in one of the plurality of accommodation spaces is complete, the processor 310 of the dryer 1 may control the user interface 100 to provide a drying completion notification and / or an object withdrawal notification for the corresponding accommodation space. The processor 310 may determine whether drying is complete in each accommodation space based on changes in weight, humidity, and electrode impedance of the object in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0220] For example, in a case where the wool course is complete in the B space, a user interface screen 1400 of FIG. 14 may be displayed via the user interface 100. Once the wool course is complete, the second information section G2 may be displayed differently from the first information section G1 and the third information section G3. For example, the color and / or pattern of the second information section G2 may be displayed to indicate drying completion. The color and / or pattern of the first information section G1 and the third information section G3 may be displayed to indicate that the drying operation is in progress.

[0221] In FIG. 14, the notification section G4 may be referred to as a first notification section. The first notification section G4 may display text indicating the drying course that will be completed next after the wool course (e.g., the leather course) and text indicating the remaining time until the full drying is complete (e.g., 24 minutes).

[0222] In addition, the user interface screen 1400 may further include a second notification section G5 to provide a drying completion notification and / or an object withdrawal notification about a specific accommodation space (e.g., the B space). The first notification section G4 and the second notification section G5 may also be integrated into one.

[0223] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may identify at least one object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces at predetermined time intervals. After the wool top is removed from the B space, the processor 310 may identify that the cotton top remains in the B space. The processor 310 may determine a drying operation to dry the cotton top in the B space.

[0224] In a case where the wool top is not removed from the B space, the processor 310 may perform a storage operation instead of the drying operation in the B space. The storage operation may refer to an operation of storing the object (the wool top in FIG. 14) at an appropriate temperature (e.g., room temperature).

[0225] Although the information is illustrated as being displayed in text, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Various information may also be provided as various graphic elements (e.g., colors, icons, patterns, etc.).

[0226] The user interface screen 1400 may also be provided via the user device 2 described in FIG. 1.

[0227] FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a user interface screen for providing a pause notification during a drying operation.

[0228] A user interface screen 1500 of FIG. 15 may include a pop-up window G6 for notifying a user that the drying operation has been paused. The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may control the user interface 100 to display the pop-up window G6 in a case where the door 30 is opened during the drying operation.

[0229] In addition, a continue button G7 for inputting a command to continue the drying operation may be displayed via the user interface 100 along with the pop-up window G6. Once the user presses the continue button G7 after the door 30 is closed, the dryer 1 may continue the drying operation.

[0230] Alternatively, even without a user input through the continue button G7, the dryer 1 may automatically continue the drying operation in response to the door 30 being closed. According to various embodiments, the continue button G7 may not be displayed.

[0231] Although the information is illustrated as being displayed in text, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Various information may also be provided as various graphic elements (e.g., colors, icons, patterns, etc.).

[0232] The user interface screen 1500 may also be provided via the user device 2 described in FIG. 1.

[0233] FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a user interface screen presented after drying is complete in all of the plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0234] Referring to FIG. 16, once the drying operation is complete in all of the plurality of accommodation spaces, the processor 310 of the dryer 1 may control the user interface 100 to provide a drying completion notification and / or an object withdrawal notification for all of the plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0235] Once the drying operation is complete in all of the plurality of accommodation spaces, a user interface screen 1600 of FIG. 16 may be displayed via the user interface 100. For example, the color and / or pattern of the first information section G1, the second information section G2, and the third information section G3 may be displayed to indicate drying completion. The notification section G5 may provide the drying completion notification for all of the accommodation spaces and / or object withdrawal notification.

[0236] Although the information is illustrated as being displayed in text, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Various information may also be provided as various graphic elements (e.g., colors, icons, patterns, etc.).

[0237] The user interface screen 1600 may also be provided via the user device 2 described in FIG. 1.

[0238] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0239] Referring to FIG. 17, the processor 310 of the dryer 1 may identify an arrangement of electrodes in the cabinets 21 and 22 (1701). When the connectors 61c, 62c, and 63c of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 are coupled with the terminals 80a, 80b, and 80c of the cabinets 21 and 22, an electrical signal corresponding to the arrangement of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 may be transmitted to the processor 310 of the dryer 1. The processor 310 may identify the arrangement of the electrodes based on the electrical signal generated by the coupling of the electrodes and the terminals.

[0240] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may divide an inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 into a plurality of accommodation spaces based on the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 being disposed in the cabinets 21 and 22 (1702). For example, the inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 may be divided into two accommodation spaces by the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63. The processor 310 may divide the inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 into the first accommodation space 41 between the first electrode 61 and the third electrode 63, and the second accommodation space 42 between the second electrode 62 and the third electrode 63.

[0241] The number of accommodation spaces formed in the cabinets 21 and 22 and the size of the accommodation spaces may vary depending on the number and position of the electrodes disposed in the cabinets 21 and 22. For example, in a case where the fourth electrode 64 is additionally disposed above the third electrode 63, the processor 310 may divide the inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 into three accommodation spaces.

[0242] Hereinafter, a method for adjusting RF power applied to each electrode is described based on an example in which the inner space of the cabinets 21 and 22 is divided into the two accommodation spaces 41 and 42 by the first electrode 61, the second electrode62, and the third electrode 63.

[0243] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may obtain data about at least one object placed in the cabinets 21 and 22 from the at least one sensor 70 (1703). For example, the data about at least one object may include at least one of image data obtained by the image sensor 71, weight data obtained by the weight sensor 72, or humidity data obtained by the humidity sensor 73. In addition, the data about the object may include electrode impedance of the electrode 61, 62, or 63 on which the object is placed.

[0244] The processor 310 may process the data about at least one object to identify characteristics of each object. For example, the characteristics of the object may include the type, material, color, size, volume, shape, number, and / or position of the object in the accommodation space.

[0245] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may adjust RF power supplied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42, based on the obtained data (1704). In a case where the dryer 1 includes a single RF power supplier 140, the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, and the third switch SW3 connected to the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63, respectively, the processor 310 may control the RF power supplier 140 and the switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 to adjust the RF power applied to each electrode.

[0246] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may identify whether drying is complete in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42 (1705). For example, the processor 310 may determine whether drying is complete in each accommodation space based on changes in weight, humidity, and electrode impedance of the object corresponding to each of the plurality of accommodation spaces.

[0247] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adjusting the RF power described in FIG. 17 in more detail.

[0248] Referring to FIG. 18, the processor 310 of the dryer 1 may identify a moisture content of the object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42 (1801). The moisture content of the object may be identified by various methods. For example, the processor 310 may determine the moisture content of the object using at least one of the weight data obtained by the weight sensor 72, the humidity data obtained by the humidity sensor 73, or the electrode impedance of each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63.

[0249] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may determine an accommodation space where an object is placed as a drying space based on a moisture content of the object being greater than or equal to a defined reference value (1802). The processor 310 may determine an accommodation space where an object is placed as a non-drying space based on a moisture content of the object being less than the defined reference value (1803).

[0250] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may adjust a phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 so that an electric field is generated in the drying space and an electric field is not generated in the non-drying space (1804). The processor 310 may adjust the phase of the RF power supplied to each of the plurality of electrodes61, 62, and 63 so that polarities of two electrodes forming the drying space are opposite to each other, and polarities of two electrodes forming the non-drying space are the same.

[0251] The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may adjust a magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode 61, the second electrode 62, and the third electrode 63 based on a material of the object placed in the drying space (1805). The processor 310 may identify the material of the object placed in the drying space by processing the data obtained by various sensors 70. For example, the processor 310 may identify the material of the object by processing the image data obtained by the image sensor 71. One of various materials (e.g., cotton, synthetic fabric, wool, silk, linen, leather, etc.) may be determined as the material of the object according to the processing result of the image data.

[0252] The processor 310 may identify a predetermined drying temperature for the material of the object. The drying temperature for the material of the object may represent an optimal drying temperature for drying the object. The memory 320 may store drying temperature information corresponding to each of a plurality of materials. The processor 310 may set the drying temperature corresponding to the material of the identified object from the drying temperature information stored in the memory 320. The processor 310 may adjust the magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 to allow an intensity of an electric field generated in the drying space to correspond to the drying temperature. The intensity of the electric field generated in the drying space may change depending on the magnitude of the RF power applied to each electrode.

[0253] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adjusting RF power in a case where a plurality of materials are identified in a single drying space.

[0254] Referring to FIG. 19, operations 1901, 1902, 1903, and 1904 correspond to operations 1801, 1802, 1803, and 1804 described in FIG. 18. The processor 310 of the dryer 1 may identify a plurality of materials in the drying space (1905). In a case where a plurality of objects are placed in the drying space, the processor 310 may identify the material of each of the plurality of objects.

[0255] In a case where a plurality of materials are identified, the processor 310 may identify the lowest drying temperature from among a plurality of predetermined drying temperatures for each of the plurality of materials (1906). The processor 310 may adjust the magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the plurality of electrodes 61, 62, and 63 to allow an intensity of an electric field generated in the drying space to correspond to the lowest drying temperature (1907). As a result, damage to objects made of different materials may be prevented, even when the objects of different materials are located in a single drying space.

[0256] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing information about an operation of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0257] Referring to FIG. 20, the dryer 1 may provide information about each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42 (2001). The processor 310 may control the user interface 100 to display information about each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42. The information about each of the plurality of accommodation spaces may include at least one of the type, material, and number of objects, a drying course, a drying temperature, an estimated drying time, or a remaining time until the end of drying. The user interface 100 may display the information about each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42 using various graphic user interfaces.

[0258] The dryer 1 may identify whether drying is complete in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42 (2002). The processor 310 may determine whether drying is complete in each accommodation space based on changes in weight, humidity, and electrode impedance of object corresponding to each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42. For example, in a case where a drying operation is performed in the first accommodation space 41, a moisture contained in an object placed in the first accommodation space 41 evaporates, and thus a weight of the object placed in the first accommodation space 41 may decrease, and a humidity of the first accommodation space 41 may decrease. The processor 310 may determine that drying is complete in the first accommodation space 41 based on the weight of the object reaching a reference weight or the humidity reaching a reference humidity.

[0259] In addition, as the drying progresses, the moisture contained in the object evaporates, and thus the electrode impedance of each electrode may be gradually detected as larger. In other words, as drying progresses, a difference between a magnitude of voltage, detected at each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63, and a magnitude of a reference voltage may gradually decrease. The processor 310 may determine a dryness of the object based on the change in the magnitude of voltage detected at each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 and / or the change in electrode impedance. The processor 310 may determine that drying is complete based on the dryness of the object falling within an allowable error range of a predetermined reference dryness. In addition, the processor 310 may determine that drying is complete based on the electrode impedance of each of the electrodes 61, 62, and 63 being greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.

[0260] The dryer 1 may provide a drying completion notification and an object withdrawal notification about each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42 (2003). The processor 310 may control the user interface 100 to provide the drying completion notification for each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42 based on the drying being completed for the object in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42. The processor 310 may also control the user interface 100 to provide the object withdrawal notification based on the drying being completed for the object in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces 41 and 42. The user interface 100 may provide the drying completion notification and the object withdrawal notification using various graphic user interfaces.

[0261] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a dryer may include: a cabinet; a first electrode inside the cabinet; a second electrode inside the cabinet spaced apart from the first electrode; a third electrode attachable to the cabinet between the first electrode and the second electrode; a radio frequency (RF) power supplier configured to supply RF power to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode; at least one sensor configured to, with at least one object in the cabinet, obtain data about at least one object in the cabinet; and a processor. The processor may be configured to divide an internal space of the cabinet into a plurality of accommodation spaces based on the third electrode being attached to in the cabinet. The processor may be configured to adjust the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode from the RF power supplier to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces, based on the data obtained by the at least one sensor, to dry the at least one object in the cabinet.

[0262] The processor may be configured to process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to determine whether each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces is a drying space or a non-drying space. The processor may be configured to determine a phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode so that an electric field is generated in each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be a drying space and an electric field is not generated in each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be a non-drying space.

[0263] The processor may be configured to process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces, identify whether an object of the at least one object in the cabinet is in the accommodation space and, when it is identified that an object is in the accommodation space, determine a moisture content of the object; and determine whether each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces is the drying space or the non-drying space based on whether an object is identified in the accommodation space and the determined moisture content of the object.

[0264] The processor may be configured to determine that an accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces in which an object is identified as the drying space, based on the determined moisture content of the object being greater than or equal to a defined reference value.

[0265] The processor may be configured to adjust the phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode so that, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be the drying space, two electrodes of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode have opposite polarities so as to generate an electric field for the accommodation space, and for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be the non-drying space, two electrodes of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode have a same polarity so as to not generate an electric field for the accommodation space.

[0266] The processor may be configured to, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be the drying space: process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify whether an object is in the accommodation space, when it is identified that an object is in the accommodation space, process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify a material of the object in the accommodation space. The processor may be configured to identify a drying temperature preset for the material of the object in the accommodation space. The processor may be configured to adjust an magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode so that an intensity of the electric field generated in the accommodation space corresponds to the drying temperature.

[0267] The processor may be configured to, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be the drying space: process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify whether a plurality of objects are in an accommodation space, when it is identified the plurality of objects are in the accommodation space, process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify a material of each of the plurality of objects placed in the accommodation space. The processor may be configured to, based on a plurality of materials being identified, identify a lowest drying temperature respectively among a plurality of drying temperatures preset for the plurality of materials. The processor may be configured to adjust a magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode so that an intensity of the electric field generated in the accommodation space corresponds to the lowest drying temperature.

[0268] The dryer may further include a plurality of vertical electrodes arranged in the cabinet perpendicular to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode. The processor may be configured to, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be the drying space: process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify whether an object is in the accommodation space, when it is identified that an object is in the accommodation space, process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify a position of the object in the accommodation space, and adjust RF power supplied to each of the plurality of vertical electrodes from the RF power supplier based on the position of the object in the accommodation space.

[0269] The dryer may further include: an impedance matching circuit connected to the RF power supplier; a first switch configured to connect the impedance matching circuit and the first electrode; a second switch configured to connect the impedance matching circuit and the second electrode; and a third switch configured to connect the impedance matching circuit and the third electrode. The processor may be configured to control the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch to change a phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode.

[0270] The dryer may include: a first RF power supplier configured to supply RF power to the first electrode; a second RF power supplier configured to supply RF power to the second electrode; and a third RF power supplier configured to supply RF power to the third electrode. The processor may be configured to control the first RF power supplier, the second RF power supplier, and the third RF power supplier to change a phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode.

[0271] The at least one sensor may include at least one of an image sensor configured to obtain image data of the inside of the cabinet; a weight sensor configured to obtain weight data of the at least one object; or a humidity sensor configured to obtain humidity data of the at least one object. The data may include at least one of the image data, the weight data, or the humidity data.

[0272] Each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode may include a connector coupled to a terminal in the cabinet, the terminal electrically connected to the RF power supplier.

[0273] The dryer may further include a user interface. The processor may be configured to control the user interface to display information about each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces. The information may include at least one of a type of an object, a material of the object, a drying course, a drying temperature, or a drying time.

[0274] The dryer may further include a user interface. The processor may be configured to, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces, control the user interface to provide a drying completion notification and an object withdrawal notification based on drying being completed for the object in the accommodation space.

[0275] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in a method for controlling a dryer including a cabinet; a first electrode inside the cabinet; a second electrode inside the cabinet spaced apart from the first electrode; a third electrode attachable to the cabinet between the first electrode and the second electrode; a radio frequency (RF) power supplier configured to supply RF power to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and a third electrode attachable to the cabinet between the first electrode and the second electrode; at least one sensor configured to, with at least one object in the cabinet, obtain data about the at least one object in the cabinet; and a processor, the method may include: dividing, by the processor, an internal space of the cabinet into a plurality of accommodation spaces based on the third electrode attached to the cabinet; and adjusting, by the processor, the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode from the RF power supplier to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces, based on the data obtained by the at least one sensor, to dry the at least one object in the cabinet.

[0276] The adjusting of the RF power may include: determining each of the plurality of accommodation spaces as a drying space or a non-drying space by processing the data; and adjusting a phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode to allow an electric field to be generated in the drying space and prevent an electric field from being generated in the non-drying space.

[0277] The determining of each of the plurality of accommodation spaces as the drying space or the non-drying space may include: identifying whether an object is placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces and a moisture content of the object placed in each of the plurality of accommodation spaces by processing the data; and determining each of the plurality of accommodation spaces as the drying space or the non-drying space based on whether the object is placed and the moisture content of the object.

[0278] The determining of each of the plurality of accommodation spaces as the drying space or the non-drying space may include: determining an accommodation space in which the object is placed as the drying space, based on the moisture content of the object being greater than or equal to a defined reference value.

[0279] The adjusting of the RF power may include: identifying a material of the object placed in the drying space by processing the data; identifying a drying temperature preset for the material of the object; and adjusting a magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode to allow an intensity of the electric field generated in the drying space to correspond to the drying temperature.

[0280] The adjusting of the RF power may include: identifying a material of each of a plurality objects placed in a single drying space by processing the data; based on a plurality of materials being identified, identifying a lowest drying temperature among a plurality of drying temperatures preset for the plurality of materials, respectively; and adjusting a magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode to allow an intensity of the electric field generated in the drying space to correspond to the lowest drying temperature.

[0281] According to the disclosure, the dryer and the method for controlling the same may have a cabinet divided into a plurality of accommodation spaces using a detachable electrode and may selectively use the plurality of accommodation spaces as a drying space, thereby improving usability and energy efficiency of dryer.

[0282] According to the disclosure, the dryer and the method for controlling the same may dry objects made of various materials independently and simultaneously, thereby performing drying operations suitable for each material and preventing the objects from being damaged.

[0283] According to the disclosure, the dryer and the method for controlling the same may provide information about each of a plurality of accommodation spaces, thereby improving user convenience.

[0284] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium that stores instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program codes, and when executed by a processor, the instructions may create a program module to perform operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0285] The machine-readable recording medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, when a storage medium is referred to as “non-transitory”, it may be understood that the storage medium is tangible and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but rather that data is semi-permanently or temporarily stored in the storage medium. For example, a “non-transitory storage medium” may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0286] The method according to the various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable recording medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed (e.g., download or upload) through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) online or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., downloadable app) may be stored at least semi-permanently or may be temporarily generated in a recording medium, such as a memory of a server of a manufacturer, a server of an application store, or a relay server.

[0287] Although embodiments of the disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, a person having ordinary skilled in the art will appreciate that other specific modifications may be easily made without departing from the technical spirit or essential features of the disclosure. Therefore, the foregoing embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting in all aspects.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0033]Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0034]In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

[0035]The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

[0036]In the disclosure, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B or C”, “at least one of A, B and C”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0037]Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the elemen...

Claims

1. A dryer, comprising:a cabinet;a first electrode inside the cabinet;a second electrode inside the cabinet spaced apart from the first electrode;a third electrode attachable to the cabinet between the first electrode and the second electrode;a radio frequency (RF) power supplier configured to supply RF power to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode;at least one sensor configured to, with at least one object in the cabinet, obtain data about the at least one object in the cabinet; anda processor configured to:divide an internal space of the cabinet into a plurality of accommodation spaces based on the third electrode being attached to the cabinet, andadjust the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode from the RF power supplier to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces based on the data obtained by the at least one sensor, to dry the at least one object in the cabinet.

2. The dryer of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to:process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to determine whether each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces is a drying space or a non-drying space, anddetermine a phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode so that an electric field is generated in each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be the drying space and an electric field is not generated in each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be a non-drying space.

3. The dryer of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to:process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces, identify whether an object of the at least one object in the cabinet is in the accommodation space and, when it is identified that an object is in the accommodation space, determine a moisture content of the object, anddetermine whether each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces is the drying space or the non-drying space based on whether an object is identified in the accommodation space and the determined moisture content of the object.

4. The dryer of claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to determine that an accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces in which an object is identified as the drying space based on the determined moisture content of the object being greater than or equal to a defined reference value.

5. The dryer of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to adjust the phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode so that,for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be the drying space, two electrodes of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode have opposite polarities so as to generate an electric field for the accommodation space, andfor each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be the non-drying space, two electrodes of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode have a same polarity so as to not generate an electric field for the accommodation space.

6. The dryer of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be the drying space:process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify whether an object is in the accommodation space,when it is identified that an object is in the accommodation space,process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify a material of the object in the accommodation space,identify a drying temperature preset for the material of the object in the accommodation space, andadjust a magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode so that an intensity of the electric field generated in the accommodation space corresponds to the drying temperature.

7. The dryer of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be the drying space:process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify whether a plurality of objects are in an accommodation space,when it is identified the plurality of objects are in the accommodation space,process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify a material of each of the plurality of objects in the accommodation space,based on a plurality of materials being identified, identify a lowest drying temperature among a plurality of drying temperatures respectively preset for the plurality of materials, andadjust a magnitude of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode so that an intensity of the electric field generated in the accommodation space corresponds to the lowest drying temperature.

8. The dryer of claim 2, further comprising:a plurality of vertical electrodes arranged in the cabinet perpendicular to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode,wherein the processor is configured to, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces determined to be the drying space:process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify whether an object is in the accommodation space,when it is identified that an object is in the accommodation space,process the data obtained by the at least one sensor to identify a position of the object in the accommodation space, andadjust RF power supplied to each of the plurality of vertical electrodes from the RF power supplier based on the position of the object in the accommodation space.

9. The dryer of claim 1, further comprising:an impedance matching circuit connected to the RF power supplier;a first switch configured to connect the impedance matching circuit and the first electrode;a second switch configured to connect the impedance matching circuit and the second electrode; anda third switch configured to connect the impedance matching circuit and the third electrode;wherein the processor is configured to control the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch to change a phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode.

10. The dryer of claim 1, wherein the RF power supplier includesa first RF power supplier configured to supply RF power to the first electrode;a second RF power supplier configured to supply RF power to the second electrode; anda third RF power supplier configured to supply RF power to the third electrode;wherein the processor is configured to control the first RF power supplier, the second RF power supplier, and the third RF power supplier to change a phase of the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode.

11. The dryer of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one of:an image sensor configured to obtain image data of inside the cabinet,a weight sensor configured to obtain weight data of the at least one object, ora humidity sensor configured to obtain humidity data of the at least one object,wherein the data obtained by the at least one sensor includes at least one of the image data, the weight data, or the humidity data.

12. The dryer of claim 1, wherein each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode includes a connector coupled to a terminal in the cabinet, the terminal electrically connected to the RF power supplier.

13. The dryer of claim 1, further comprising:a user interface,wherein the processor is configured to control the user interface to display information about each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces, the information including at least one of a type of an object, a material of the object, a drying course, a drying temperature, or a drying time.

14. The dryer of claim 1, further comprising:a user interface,wherein the processor is configured to control the user interface to provide, for each accommodation space of the plurality of accommodation spaces, a drying completion notification and an object withdrawal notification based on drying being completed for an object in the accommodation space.

15. A method for controlling a dryer that includes a cabinet; a first electrode inside the cabinet; a second electrode inside the cabinet spaced apart from the first electrode; a third electrode attachable to the cabinet between the first electrode and the second electrode; a radio frequency (RF) power supplier configured to supply RF power to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and a third electrode; at least one sensor configured to, with at least one object in the cabinet, obtain data about the at least one object in the cabinet; and a processor, the method comprising:dividing, by the processor, an internal space of the cabinet into a plurality of accommodation spaces based on the third electrode being attached to the cabinet; andadjusting, by the processor, the RF power supplied to each of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode from the RF power supplier to selectively generate an electric field in the plurality of accommodation spaces, based on the data obtained by the at least one sensor, to dry the at least one object in the cabinet.

Images