Clothes treatment apparatus and method for controlling same

Abstract

A clothes treatment apparatus of the present invention includes: a drum for receiving a load; a contact sensor provided in the drum to detect contacts with a load; and a processor for controlling the rotation of the drum, acquiring the number of contacts between the load and the contact sensor per time on the basis of electrical signals received from the contact sensor, and controlling the clothes treatment operation on the basis of the number of contacts per time.

Description

Garment treatment device and its control method

[0001] The present invention relates to a garment treatment device and a control method thereof that controls a garment treatment process based on the capacity of a load.

[0002] In general, a garment treatment device is a device that washes or dries a load by rotating a cylindrical drum containing the load.

[0003] Garment treatment devices can be divided into front loading type garment treatment devices in which the drum is arranged horizontally and a laundry inlet is formed at the front, and top loading type garment treatment devices in which the drum is arranged vertically and a laundry inlet is formed at the top.

[0004] The garment processing device performs garment processing based on garment processing information or a garment processing course input by the user.

[0005] For example, among clothing treatment devices, a dryer manually dries a load to be dried (hereinafter, an object to be dried) based on a time and temperature set by a user, or dries an object to be dried based on a drying course set by a user.

[0006] As another example, among clothing treatment devices, a washing machine manually washes a load to be washed (hereinafter, laundry) based on the time and number of times set by the user or washes laundry based on a washing course set by the user.

[0007] There was a problem that the garment handling performance was deteriorated when the garment handling information set by the user was not appropriate for the capacity of the load accommodated in the drum.

[0008] Especially in the case of large loads, problems such as underdrying or overdrying of laundry or deterioration of washing, rinsing and dehydration performance of laundry occurred.

[0009] One aspect of the disclosed invention provides a garment treatment device and a control method thereof that recognizes the capacity of a load based on contact information of a load and a contact sensor and controls a garment treatment process based on the recognized capacity of the load.

[0010] Another aspect of the disclosed invention provides a garment treatment device and a control method thereof that recognizes the capacity of a load based on contact information of a load and a contact sensor and current flowing in a motor, and controls a garment treatment process based on the recognized capacity of the load.

[0011] A garment treatment device according to one aspect of the disclosed invention comprises: a drum for receiving a load; a contact sensor provided on the drum for detecting contact with the load; and a processor for controlling rotation of the drum, obtaining the number of times the load and the contact sensor come into contact with each other based on an electrical signal received from the contact sensor, and controlling a garment treatment process based on the number of times the load and the contact sensor come into contact with each other.

[0012] A processor of a garment treatment device according to one aspect obtains a first envelope value by time by connecting peak values ​​of the obtained number of contacts by time, obtains a first index based on whether the first envelope values ​​by time are the same, obtains a second envelope value by time by connecting trough values ​​of the obtained number of contacts by time, obtains a second index based on whether the second envelope values ​​by time are the same, and recognizes the capacity of the load based on the first and second indices.

[0013] The processor of the garment handling device according to one aspect recognizes the capacity of the load as large based on the sum of the first and second indices being greater than or equal to the reference indices.

[0014] A processor of a garment processing device according to one aspect recognizes the capacity of a load as one of a plurality of large capacities based on the sum of the first and second indices based on whether the sum of the first and second indices is greater than or equal to a reference index, and controls the garment processing process based on the recognized large capacities.

[0015] A garment treatment device according to one aspect further includes a motor for rotating a drum; and a current sensor for detecting current flowing through the motor. A processor of the garment treatment device according to one aspect acquires a weight of a load based on the current detected by the current sensor, and primarily recognizes the capacity of the load based on whether the acquired weight is less than or equal to a reference weight, and secondarily recognizes the capacity of the load based on the number of contacts per hour.

[0016] The garment processing device according to one aspect further includes an input unit. The processor of the garment processing device according to one aspect controls the garment processing process based on a garment processing course received through the input unit, based on whether the acquired weight exceeds a reference weight.

[0017] A processor of a garment handling device according to one aspect controls the rotation of a motor for a first time period to obtain the weight of a load, controls the stopping of the motor when the first time period has elapsed, controls the rotation of the motor for a third time period when a second time period has elapsed from the time the motor has stopped, and obtains the number of contacts per hour based on an electric signal of a contact sensor received during the third time period.

[0018] The processor of the garment treatment device according to one aspect obtains a deviation value of the number of contacts per hour and secondarily recognizes the capacity of the load based on whether the obtained deviation value is within a standard deviation range.

[0019] A processor of a garment treatment device according to one aspect obtains a section in which the obtained deviation value is within a reference deviation range, and if the time corresponding to the obtained section is shorter than the time corresponding to the reference section, weights the first and second indices.

[0020] The garment processing device according to one aspect further includes a communication unit. The processor of the garment processing device according to one aspect transmits the capacity of the recognized load to a server via the communication unit and controls the garment processing operation based on the garment processing operation information received from the server.

[0021] A processor of a garment treatment device according to one aspect obtains maintenance times in which the number of contacts is maintained the same based on the number of contacts per hour, obtains maintenance times that are greater than or equal to a reference time among the obtained maintenance times as effective maintenance times, and recognizes the capacity of the load based on the obtained effective maintenance times.

[0022] A processor of a garment treatment device according to one aspect obtains a first envelope value by time by connecting peak values ​​of the acquired number of contacts by time, obtains maintenance times during which the first envelope value remains the same based on the acquired first envelope value by time, obtains a second envelope value by time by connecting trough values ​​of the acquired number of contacts by time, and obtains maintenance times during which the second envelope value remains the same based on the acquired second envelope value by time.

[0023] The processor of the garment handling device according to one aspect obtains a difference value from the reference time for each obtained effective maintenance time, and recognizes the capacity of the load as large based on the fact that the sum of the respective difference values ​​is greater than or equal to the reference value.

[0024] A method for controlling a garment treatment device according to another aspect comprises detecting a current flowing in a motor connected to a drum while the drum is rotating, obtaining a weight of a load based on the detected current, obtaining an electric signal through a contact sensor provided on the drum based on determining that the obtained weight of the load is less than or equal to a reference weight, obtaining a number of contacts per hour between the load and the contact sensor based on the obtained electric signal, and controlling a garment treatment process based on the obtained number of contacts per hour.

[0025] A method for controlling a garment treatment device according to another aspect further includes obtaining a deviation value of the number of contacts per hour and recognizing the capacity of the load based on the obtained deviation value being within a reference deviation range.

[0026] Recognizing the capacity of the load involves connecting peak values ​​of the acquired number of contacts per hour to obtain a first envelope value per hour, obtaining a first index based on whether the first envelope values ​​per hour are the same, connecting trough values ​​of the acquired number of contacts per hour to obtain a second envelope value per hour, obtaining a second index based on whether the second envelope values ​​per hour are the same, and recognizing the capacity of the load as a large capacity based on whether the sum of the first and second indices is greater than or equal to a reference index.

[0027] A method for controlling a garment treatment device according to another aspect further includes obtaining a section in which an acquired deviation value is within a reference deviation range, and assigning weights to the first and second indices when a time corresponding to the acquired section is shorter than a time corresponding to the reference section.

[0028] A method for controlling a garment treatment device according to another aspect further includes recognizing the capacity of the load as small based on the fact that the sum of the first and second indices is less than the reference indices, and controlling the garment treatment process based on the garment treatment course received through the input unit or the communication unit.

[0029] A method for controlling a garment processing device according to another aspect further includes outputting change guidance information for a change in the garment processing administration information through a display unit or a speaker based on differences between the garment processing administration information received through an input unit and the garment processing administration information corresponding to a large volume.

[0030] A method for controlling a garment processing device according to another aspect receives a garment processing course through an input unit or a communication unit based on whether the acquired weight exceeds a reference weight, and controls the garment processing process based on the received garment processing course.

[0031] According to the disclosed invention, the present invention can improve the performance of garment handling by recognizing the capacity of a load and performing a garment handling operation corresponding to the capacity of the recognized load.

[0032] That is, the present invention can improve the drying performance of a drying object by automatically recognizing the capacity of the drying object and performing a drying process corresponding to the recognized capacity of the drying object.

[0033] The present invention can improve user convenience and user satisfaction by automatically switching to a drying course corresponding to the capacity of the object to be dried even when the drying course is incorrectly input by the user.

[0034] The present invention can prevent overdrying of a drying object by performing a drying process corresponding to a large capacity based on the large capacity of the drying object, thereby saving energy, preventing damage to the drying object due to overdrying, and preventing poor drying due to underdrying.

[0035] The present invention can perform a drying process in more detail by dividing a large capacity into multiple capacities (e.g., a first large capacity, a second large capacity, a third large capacity) according to capacity.

[0036] The present invention can improve the safety of a dryer, improve the quality and marketability of a dryer, and further secure the competitiveness of a dryer.

[0037] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a dryer among clothing treatment devices according to an embodiment.

[0038] Figure 2 is an exemplary diagram of a heat pump provided in a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0039] Figure 3 is a control configuration diagram of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0040] Fig. 4 is an example of a display of a display unit of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0041] Fig. 5 is a drawing showing a state in which a plurality of objects to be dried are accommodated in a drum of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0042] Fig. 6 is a drawing showing a state in which a small number of dry items are accommodated in the drum of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0043] Figure 7a is a graph of the number of contacts per hour when a small amount of dry material is accommodated in the drum of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0044] Figure 7b is a graph of the number of contacts per hour when a large amount of dry material is accommodated in the drum of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0045] Figure 8 is a sampling graph of the number of contacts per hour when a large amount of dry material is received in the drum of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0046] Figure 9a is an exemplary diagram connecting peak values ​​of the number of contacts per hour of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0047] Figure 9b is an exemplary diagram connecting the trough values ​​of the number of contacts per hour of the dryer according to the embodiment.

[0048] Figure 10a is a first envelope graph corresponding to the number of contacts per hour of the dryer according to the embodiment.

[0049] Figure 10b is a second envelope graph corresponding to the number of contacts per hour of the dryer according to the embodiment.

[0050] Figure 11 is an example of the count of the number of contacts and the index per hour of the dryer according to the embodiment.

[0051] Figures 12a and 12b are control flowcharts of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0052] It should be understood that the various embodiments and terms used in this document are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but rather to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments.

[0053] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0054] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0055] In this document, each of the phrases "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 of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0056] The term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0057] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0058] When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0059] The terms "include" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in this document, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0060] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0061] When we say that a component is "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0062] Hereinafter, a garment treatment device according to various embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0063] The garment treatment device may include a washing machine that rotates a cylindrical drum containing laundry to wash, rinse, and spin-dry the laundry.

[0064] The garment treatment device may be a drying washing machine that rotates a cylindrical drum containing laundry to wash, rinse, spin-dry, and dry the laundry.

[0065] A garment treatment device may be a dryer that dries an object by rotating a cylindrical drum containing the object and supplying high-temperature, dry hot air to the drum. The object includes any object that can be dried by hot air. For example, the object includes various types of fibers and fabrics, such as cloth, clothing, towels, and blankets, but is not limited thereto.

[0066] Depending on the heat source that heats the air, dryers can be divided into heater types, heat pump types, and hybrid types that use both a heater and a heat pump.

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a heat pump type dryer will be described.

[0068] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a dryer according to an embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump provided in the dryer according to an embodiment.

[0069] A dryer (1) includes a main body (110) forming an exterior, a drum (120) provided inside the main body (110), a door (130) provided outside the main body (110), a fan (140) provided inside the main body (110) to allow air to circulate between the inside and the outside of the drum (120), a motor (150) provided inside the main body (110) to transmit rotational force for rotating the drum (120) and the fan (140), and a heat pump (160) provided inside the main body (110) to generate hot air.

[0070] The main body (110) may be in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped that extends vertically. However, this is an example for convenience of explanation, and the main body (110) may be implemented in various shapes.

[0071] An opening may be provided on the front of the main body (110). This opening may be provided at a position corresponding to the opening of the drum (120) and may be provided in a shape corresponding to the opening of the drum (120).

[0072] The drum (120) may be provided to be rotatable within the main body (110). This drum (120) may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise within the main body (110) by the rotational force of the motor (150).

[0073] The drum (120) includes a drying space and can accommodate a material to be dried (i.e., a load).

[0074] The drum (120) can allow the received drying material to move within the drum (120) by rotation. In this case, the drying material introduced into the drying space of the drum (120) through the opening of the main body (110) can be dried by hot air introduced into the drying space.

[0075] A plurality of lifters (121) for lifting the drying material may be provided on the inner surface of the drum (120). The plurality of lifters (121) may be provided to protrude from the inner surface of the drum (120).

[0076] The drum (120) may include an intake port (122) provided at the rear of the drum for sucking in hot air, and an exhaust port (123) provided at the lower part of the front of the drum for discharging air containing moisture to the outside of the drum (120).

[0077] A contact sensor (not shown) for detecting the dryness of the material to be dried contained inside the drum (120) may be provided around at least one of the intake port (122) and the exhaust port (123) of the drum (120).

[0078] The door (130) may be circular in shape corresponding to the shape of the opening of the main body (110) or the opening of the drum (120), and may be formed with a diameter larger than the opening.

[0079] The door (130) can be pivotally connected to the front of the main body (110). For example, the door (130) can be connected to a hinge provided on the front surface of the main body (110) adjacent to the door (130) and rotate around the hinge.

[0080] The door (130) can be brought into contact with a surface forming an opening of the main body (110) to open the opening of the main body (110), or can be separated from the surface forming the opening of the main body (110) to close the opening.

[0081] The door (130) can be configured to close or open the drying space inside the drum (120).

[0082] At least a portion of the door (130) may be made transparent or translucent to allow the interior of the housing to be seen.

[0083] The fan (140) sucks in high temperature and humid air inside the drum (120) and supplies the air heat-exchanged in the heat pump (160) to the inside of the drum (120). This fan (140) may be provided inside the fan housing (140a).

[0084] The dryer (1) may include a path (i.e., exhaust path, 141) that connects the drum (120) and the fan housing (140a) and allows air inside the drum (120) to move into the inside of the fan housing (140a), a path (i.e., supply path, 142) that connects the heat pump (160) and the drum (120) and allows high-temperature air generated in the heat pump (160) to move into the drum (120), and a path (i.e., heat exchange path, 143) that is arranged between the exhaust path (141) and the supply path (142) and allows heat exchange of air to occur and the heat-exchanged air to move.

[0085] The air supply passage (142) may be provided with an intake port through which air is supplied from the outside of the main body (110) and an exhaust port through which a portion of the heat-exchanged air is exhausted to the outside of the main body (110).

[0086] The dryer (1) may further include a filter (144) that captures various foreign substances, such as lint, contained in the air discharged from the drum (120) to the exhaust path (141).

[0087] The filter (144) is provided at the inlet of the exhaust passage (141), but may be provided at the connecting portion where the drum (120) and the inlet of the exhaust passage are connected.

[0088] The dryer (1) can purify the air generated during the drying process through a filter (144) and discharge it to the exhaust path (141).

[0089] The motor (150) performs rotation and transmits the rotational force generated by the rotation to the drum (120).

[0090] The rotation speed of the drum (120) can be controlled by controlling the rotation speed of the motor (150). The rotation direction of the drum (120) can be controlled by controlling the rotation direction of the motor (150).

[0091] The dryer (1) further includes a pulley (151) that rotates by receiving power from a motor (150), and a belt (152) that rotates the drum (120) by rotating the pulley (151). That is, the belt (152) is installed so as to be wound around the outer surface of the pulley (151) and the outer surface of the drum (120), so that the drum (120) can be rotated by rotating the pulley (151) according to the driving of the motor (150).

[0092] The motor (150) can also transmit the generated rotational force to the fan (140). In this case, the shaft of the motor (150) can be extended to both sides. That is, a pulley (151) can be connected to one side of the motor (150) shaft, and a fan (140) can be connected to the other side.

[0093] The motor (150) can transmit rotational force to the fan (140) to cause the fan (140) to rotate. Through this, the drying material introduced into the drying space (not shown) within the drum (120) can be tumbling while uniformly applying hot air to the drying material through the fan (140).

[0094] The dryer (1) may further include a fan motor (not shown) for driving a fan (140). In this case, the fan motor (not shown) may be provided separately from the drum motor (150).

[0095] The heat pump (160) performs heat exchange with the air circulated within the main body (110). The heat pump (160) can circulate a refrigerant to perform heat exchange with the air discharged from the drum (120) and supply the heat-exchanged high-temperature air into the interior of the drum.

[0096] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the heat pump (160) includes a condenser (161), an expansion valve (162), an evaporator (163), and a compressor (164). The refrigerant can circulate while undergoing a series of phase changes consisting of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation. The condenser (161) and the evaporator (163) can be implemented in the form of a heat exchanger capable of exchanging heat with air.

[0097] The condenser (161) heats the surrounding air. At this time, the heated air can move into the drum (120) through the air supply passage (142). The surrounding air may be air existing within the main body or air introduced from outside the main body (110).

[0098] The condenser (161) is connected to the compressor (164) and, when compressed refrigerant from the compressor (164) flows in, causes the refrigerant to condense into a liquid phase. At this time, the condenser can release heat to the surroundings through the condensation process.

[0099] The expansion valve (162) can expand the high-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant condensed in the condenser (161) into a low-pressure liquid refrigerant by adjusting the pressure difference of the refrigerant. This expansion valve (162) can include an electronic expansion valve (EEV) whose opening amount is variable through an electric signal. The expansion valve can control the flow rate of the refrigerant by adjusting the opening amount.

[0100] Additionally, the refrigeration cycle unit may also include a capillary tube for expanding the low-pressure liquid refrigerant.

[0101] The expansion valve (162) can control the superheat, which is the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet of the evaporator, by controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant, and can also control the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (164).

[0102] The evaporator (163) can evaporate the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant introduced through the expansion valve (162) and supply the low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant changed through heat exchange to the compressor (164). At this time, the evaporator (163) can take away heat from the surroundings through the evaporation process that changes the refrigerant liquid into refrigerant gas. In other words, the evaporator (163) removes moisture in the air by causing moisture contained in the surrounding air to condense.

[0103] In other words, the high temperature and humidity air discharged from the drum (120) is cooled in the evaporator (163), and at this time, moisture in the air condenses, generating condensate. This condensate falls to the bottom of the evaporator (163) and can be collected by a water collecting tank (not shown) provided at the bottom of the evaporator (163). The condensate collected in the water collecting tank can be moved to a storage tank or drained to the outside of the main body (110).

[0104] The compressor (164) compresses the refrigerant at a high temperature and high pressure and discharges it. At this time, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (164) may be introduced into the condenser (161). In this case, the compressor (164) may compress the refrigerant through the reciprocating motion of the piston or the rotary motion of the rotor.

[0105] The dryer (1) may further include one or more heaters (165) that heat air to dry the material contained in the drum.

[0106] The heater (165) further heats the air transferred through heat exchange in the condenser to raise the temperature of the air, and then supplies the raised air into the drum (120).

[0107] The heater (165) may be implemented through a heating coil, but is not limited thereto.

[0108] The heater (165) may be an electric heater. For example, the heater (165) may be a heater using a plurality of heating wires that generate heat when current flows through them. Alternatively, the heater (165) may be a PTC heater (positive temperature coefficient heater).

[0109] The heater (165) may be a gas heater. For example, the heater (165) may include an igniter and a valve for supplying gas to the igniter. The igniter heats when power is applied, and when the igniter reaches a preset temperature, the valve opens to supply gas to the igniter. When the igniter and the gas at the preset temperature come into contact, ignition occurs, thereby heating the surrounding air.

[0110] The maximum output capacity of two or more heaters may be the same or different.

[0111] The heater may be a heater with adjustable output capacity. That is, the heater may be a heater with adjustable heat generation.

[0112] The heater (165) can control the amount of heat energy transferred to the air by applying current to a plurality of heating wires or controlling the amount of gas supplied in response to a control command of the processor.

[0113] A user interface (170) may be provided in the main body (110).

[0114] The user interface (170) can display operation information of the dryer (1) and receive user input.

[0115] The user interface (170) may include an input unit for receiving user input, a display unit for displaying operation information of the dryer (1), and may further include a speaker for outputting operation information of the dryer as sound.

[0116] Fig. 3 is a control configuration diagram of a dryer according to an embodiment, which is described with reference to Figs. 4 to 7.

[0117] The dryer (1) includes a motor (150), a heat pump (160), a heater (165), a user interface (170), a current sensor (180), a contact sensor (190), a communication unit (200), a processor (210), and a memory (220).

[0118] The motor (150) can rotate at a rotation speed and in a rotation direction corresponding to the control command of the processor (210).

[0119] The dryer (1) may further include a motor driver (not shown) for driving the motor (150). In this case, the motor driver may generate an operation signal based on a control command of the processor (210) and transmit the generated operation signal to the motor (150).

[0120] The motor (150) is connected to the drum (120) and the fan (140) and outputs rotational force to rotate the drum (120) and the fan (140). That is, the motor (150) can transmit rotational force to the drum (120) and the fan (140) through the rotation shaft.

[0121] The motor (150) may be a drum motor for rotating the drum (120). In this case, the motor (150) is driven during the drying process, and by rotating the drum (120) with the driving force resulting from the driving, the drying material contained within the drum (120) can be tumbling.

[0122] If the motor (150) is a drum motor, the dryer (1) may further include a fan motor (not shown) for rotating the fan (140). In this case, the fan motor may rotate at a rotation speed corresponding to a control command of the processor (210).

[0123] The heat pump (160) can supply dry hot air to the drum (120) through a refrigeration cycle and remove moisture from the air discharged from the drum (120).

[0124] The detailed configuration of the heat pump (160) is described in Fig. 2, and its description is omitted here.

[0125] The compressor (164) of the heat pump (160) can operate based on a control command of the processor (210). The expansion valve (162) of the heat pump (160) can be opened or closed, or its opening degree can be adjusted, by a control command of the processor (210).

[0126] The heater (165) generates a heat source to heat the air inside the drum (120).

[0127] The heater (165) can have its output capacity adjusted by a control command of the processor (210).

[0128]

[0129] The user interface (170) may be an input / output device for interaction between a user and the dryer.

[0130] The user interface (170) may include at least one input unit (171) and at least one output unit.

[0131] At least one input unit (171) receives user input.

[0132] At least one input unit (171) can convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.

[0133] At least one input unit (171) may include a power button, an operation button, a pause button, a drying course dial (or course button) and a drying setting button, and may further include an artificial intelligence (AI) button.

[0134] The drying setting buttons may include a drying time button, a drying degree button, and a drying temperature button.

[0135] At least one input unit may include, for example, a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and / or a microphone.

[0136] At least one output unit can visually or audibly convey information related to the operation of the dryer to the user. For example, at least one output unit can convey information related to the drying cycle and drying settings to the user.

[0137] Information about dryer operation can be output through screen, indicator, voice, etc.

[0138] Information related to drying settings may include information set by the user. Information related to drying settings may include information regarding at least one of drying time, drying temperature, and drying degree.

[0139] Drying courses may include a standard course, a synthetic fiber course, a wool course, a shirt course, a quilt course, a towel course, a small course, a padding course, an outdoor course, and an artificial intelligence course.

[0140] At least one output unit may include a display unit (172) and a speaker (not shown).

[0141] The display unit (172) can display the operation information of the dryer (1) as a visual image.

[0142] The display unit (172) can display at least one of the drying course selected by the user and the drying setting information selected by the user.

[0143] The display unit (172) can display the total drying time and the remaining drying time.

[0144] The display unit (172) can also display the temperature inside the drum, i.e., the drying temperature.

[0145] For example, the display unit (172) may include at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, and a plurality of seven segments.

[0146] The current sensor (180) can be connected to a motor (150) that rotates the drum (120).

[0147] The current sensor (180) can detect the current flowing in the motor (150) and transmit information about the detected current to the processor (210).

[0148] The contact sensor (190) may be provided on the inner surface of the drum (120). For example, the contact sensor (190) may be provided on the surface of the lower front side of the drum (120).

[0149] The contact sensor (190) can come into contact with the object to be dried contained in the drum (120). Whether the contact sensor (190) and the object to be dried come into contact may vary depending on the rotation of the drum (120).

[0150] The contact sensor (190) can output an electric signal corresponding to whether or not there is contact with the object to be dried contained in the drum (120). The contact sensor (190) can output an on signal corresponding to contact with the object to be dried and an off signal corresponding to non-contact with the object to be dried.

[0151] The size of the electric signal output from the contact sensor (190) may vary depending on the amount of moisture contained in the object to be dried.

[0152] That is, the contact sensor (190) can output an electric signal corresponding to the amount of moisture contained in the contacted object when it comes into contact with the object to be dried.

[0153] The electrical signal detected by the contact sensor (190) may be a signal for recognizing the dryness of the object to be dried.

[0154] The electrical signal detected by the contact sensor (190) may be a signal for recognizing the capacity of the object to be dried. The capacity of the object to be dried may be a capacity corresponding to approximately 60% of the capacity of the drum.

[0155] The electrical signal detected by the contact sensor (190) can be output in the form of a pulse.

[0156] The contact sensor (190) may be a touch sensor in the form of a plate bar.

[0157] The contact sensor (190) may be an electrode sensor in the form of two plate bars through which current flows due to moisture. When a reference voltage is applied to the electrode sensor in the form of two plate bars, the contact sensor (190) can output an electric signal corresponding to the current flowing through the two plate bars to which the reference voltage is applied.

[0158] The contact sensor (190) outputs an electric signal with a large pulse value when a drying object with a high moisture content comes into contact with the two electrode sensors, allowing the current to flow smoothly, and outputs an electric signal with a small pulse value when a drying object with a low moisture content comes into contact with the two electrode sensors, preventing the current from flowing smoothly.

[0159] The contact sensor (190) may output a current signal or may output a voltage signal corresponding to the current signal.

[0160] The contact sensor (190) can also be implemented as a touch sensor, a switch sensor, etc.

[0161] The communication unit (200) can perform communication with an external device and can also perform communication between components inside the dryer.

[0162] The communication unit (200) can transmit information corresponding to the capacity of the object to be dried (i.e., load) to the server, receive clothing processing administration information from the server, and transmit the received clothing processing administration information to the processor (210).

[0163] The communication unit (200) can receive clothing processing administration information corresponding to a drying course from the server and transmit the received clothing processing administration information to the processor (210).

[0164] The communication unit (200) may include a communication module for communicating with an external device via wire and / or wirelessly.

[0165] The communication module may include at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-range communication module.

[0166] The communication module can transmit data to or receive data from external devices (e.g., a server, a user device, and / or a home appliance). For example, the communication module can establish communication with a server, a user device, and / or a home appliance, and transmit and receive various data.

[0167] To this end, the communication module may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between external devices, and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. According to one embodiment, the communication module may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Any of these communication modules may communicate with the external device via a first network (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips).

[0168] The short-range wireless communication module may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication module, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, a Zigbee communication module, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication module, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication module, an UWB (ultrawideband) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc.

[0169] The remote communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of remote communication and may include a mobile communication unit. The mobile communication unit transmits and receives wireless signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.

[0170] In one embodiment, the communication module can communicate with external devices, such as a server, user devices, or other home appliances, via a nearby access point (AP). The access point (AP) can connect a local area network (LAN) to which the dryer or user devices are connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected.

[0171] The dryer or user device can be connected to the server via a wide area network (WAN).

[0172] *Typical Dry Control Configuration*

[0173] The processor (210) controls the overall operation of the dryer.

[0174] The processor (210) can also control the drying process based on the dryness level received through the input unit (171).

[0175] The processor (210) can also control the drying process based on the drying time and drying temperature received through the input unit (171).

[0176] The processor (210) can also control the drying process based on the drying course received through the input unit (171).

[0177] The drying process may include at least one of the rotational speed of the motor (150), the operating frequency of the compressor (164), the superheating degree of the evaporator (163), the drying time, the drying temperature, and the dryness.

[0178] The processor (210) can control the degree of condensation of moisture in the evaporator by controlling the superheat of the evaporator during the control of the drying process. Here, controlling the degree of superheat of the evaporator includes controlling the opening degree of the expansion valve (162) provided in the heat pump (160).

[0179] The processor (210) can cause the drum (120) and the fan (140) to rotate by controlling the motor (150) during the drying process, thereby causing the material to be dried to tumble within the drum (120) and circulating the air within the drum (120).

[0180] The processor (210) can control the operation of the compressor (164) and the expansion valve (162) of the heat pump (160) during the control of the drying process, thereby performing heat exchange of the air discharged from the drum (120) and transferring the heat-exchanged air to the drum (120).

[0181] The processor (210) determines whether the drying end point has been reached based on at least one of humidity information, temperature information, and dryness information detected by a humidity sensor (not shown), a temperature sensor (not shown), and a contact sensor (190) during the control of the drying process, and if the drying end point has been reached, the processor (210) can control the operation of the motor (150), the compressor (164), and the expansion valve (162) to be stopped.

[0182] The processor (210) can obtain the dryness of the object to be dried based on an electric signal received through the contact sensor (190) during the control of the drying process, and determine the drying end point based on the obtained dryness reaching the target dryness.

[0183] The target dryness may be a preset dryness, a dryness set by the user, or a dryness corresponding to a drying course set by the user.

[0184] The processor (210) can obtain the dryness of the object to be dried based on the electric signal received through the contact sensor (190), count the electric signals received for a certain period of time at a certain cycle, obtain a pulse value corresponding to the number of counted electric signals, and obtain the dryness of the object to be dried based on the obtained pulse value.

[0185] The electrical signal received here may be a pulse signal, and the period may be 1 minute.

[0186] The counted electrical signal may be a pulse signal having a value greater than a certain value. For example, the counted electrical signal may be a pulse signal having a current value greater than a certain current value, or a pulse signal having a voltage value greater than a certain voltage value.

[0187] The processor (210) can also control the operation of the heater (165) during the control of the drying process.

[0188] More specifically, when a heater (165) is provided in the dryer, the processor (210) can control the temperature of the air by controlling the on / off operation of the heater (165) or controlling the output capacity through pulse width modulation (PWM) of at least one of the voltage and current applied to the heater (165).

[0189] The processor (210) can obtain the capacity of the object to be dried based on the current detected by the current sensor (180) and the electric signal detected by the contact sensor (190), and control the drying process based on the obtained capacity of the object to be dried.

[0190] The capacity of the drying material is the capacity that the drying material occupies inside the drum (120), and can be divided into a small capacity and a large capacity having a larger capacity than the small capacity.

[0191] Large capacity can be divided into first large capacity, second large capacity which is greater than first large capacity, and third large capacity which is greater than second large capacity.

[0192] The processor (210) transmits information on the capacity of the object to be dried to the server (2) based on the artificial intelligence course received through the input unit (171), and can also control the drying process based on the drying process information received from the server (2).

[0193] When performing an artificial intelligence course, the processor (210) can change at least one of the rotation speed of the motor, the rotation direction of the motor, the drying time, and the drying temperature based on changes in the temperature inside the drum, the temperature inside the exhaust passage, the humidity inside the drum, and the weight of the object to be dried.

[0194] The processor (210) can obtain a drying course corresponding to the capacity of the obtained drying material, recognize whether the obtained drying course and the drying course selected by the user are the same, and control the display unit (172) to display the obtained drying course based on the recognition that the obtained drying course and the drying course selected by the user are different.

[0195] The processor (210) can also control the display unit (172) and speaker to output guidance information for course changes.

[0196] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the display unit (172) can display guidance information for changing the drying course. The display unit (172) can also display a 'Cancel' button to receive a user's refusal command for changing the drying course.

[0197] The processor (210) can control the drying process to a changed drying course based on the non-reception of a selection signal of the 'Cancel' button within a certain period of time, and can suspend the change of the drying course based on the reception of a selection signal of the 'Cancel' button, and control the drying process to a drying course selected by the user.

[0198] If the acquired drying course and the drying course selected by the user are the same, the display unit (172) can also display guidance information indicating that the acquired drying course and the drying course selected by the user are the same.

[0199] When drying administration information is set by the user, the processor (210) recognizes whether the drying administration information corresponding to the acquired drying course and the drying administration information set by the user are the same, and it is also possible to control the display unit (172) to display the acquired drying administration information based on the recognition that the drying administration information corresponding to the acquired drying course and the drying administration information set by the user are different.

[0200] Drying administration information may include information about drying time and drying temperature.

[0201] Let us explain in more detail the configuration for obtaining the capacity of the dried material.

[0202] The processor (210) controls the rotation of the motor (150) for a first time period so that the drum (120) rotates, and can recognize the weight of the object to be dried contained in the drum (120) based on the current detected by the current sensor (180) during the rotation of the drum (120) for the first time period.

[0203] The processor (210) can recognize the number of objects to be dried as a majority based on the weight of the recognized objects exceeding the reference weight, and can recognize the number of objects to be dried as a minority based on the weight of the recognized objects to be dried being less than the reference weight.

[0204] Figure 5 is a drawing showing a state in which a plurality of drying materials are accommodated in a drum, and Figure 6 is a drawing showing a state in which a small number of drying materials are accommodated in a drum.

[0205] When it is assumed that the ratio of the internal space occupied by a plurality of clothes accommodated in a drum (120) and the ratio of the internal space occupied by a single blanket accommodated in the drum (120) are the same, the weight of a single blanket may be less than the weight of a plurality of clothes. This is because the blanket is made of cotton, etc.

[0206] That is, a state in which the weight of the recognized dry matter is less than the reference weight may be a state in which a small number of dry matters with a small volume are accommodated (small-capacity accommodation state) or a state in which a small number of dry matters with a large volume are accommodated (large-capacity accommodation state).

[0207] A small capacity can be defined as a capacity where the proportion of the internal space occupied by the object to be dried is less than the standard ratio. The volume of the object to be dried may be less than the standard volume. In this case, the object to be dried may be clothing (R1), towels, summer blankets, etc.

[0208] A large capacity may be defined as a drum capacity where the ratio of the dry material occupying the drum is greater than or equal to the standard ratio. For example, the standard ratio may be approximately 60%.

[0209] The volume of the object in a large volume may exceed the standard volume. The number of objects in a large volume may be one or two. In this case, the objects may be dolls, cushions, fall quilts, or winter quilts (R2).

[0210] To distinguish this, the processor (210) can recognize the capacity of the object to be dried based on an electric signal received from the contact sensor (190) based on the weight of the recognized object being less than or equal to a reference weight.

[0211] That is, the processor (210) can first recognize the capacity of the object to be dried based on the weight of the recognized object being less than or equal to a reference weight, and secondly recognize the capacity of the object to be dried based on an electric signal received from the contact sensor (190).

[0212] The processor (210) controls the operation of the motor (150) to stop the rotation of the drum (120) when the first time period has elapsed, and controls the rotation of the motor (150) to stop the rotation of the drum (120) for a third time period when the second time period has elapsed from the time the motor (150) has stopped.

[0213] The first hour may be equal to or longer than the second hour.

[0214] The third hour may be longer than the first and second hours.

[0215] The first, second and third hours may be stored in the memory (220) as preset times.

[0216] The processor (210) receives an electric signal from the contact sensor (190) during the third time period when the drum (120) rotates, and samples the electric signal received during the third time period.

[0217] The electrical signal acquired during the third hour may be a signal generated by contact between the contact sensor (190) and the object to be dried. For example, the electrical signal may be an on signal, a voltage signal greater than or equal to a preset size, or a current signal greater than or equal to a preset size.

[0218] The processor (210) can sample the electrical signal received during the third hour to obtain the number of contacts between the contact sensor (190) and the object per hour and recognize the pattern of the electrical signal based on the number of contacts per hour during the third hour.

[0219] The processor (210) can obtain at least one of a deviation value and a variance value based on the number of contacts per hour, and can recognize whether the pattern of the electric signal is constant or not based on at least one of the obtained deviation value and variance value.

[0220] As shown in Fig. 7a, when a small amount of dry matter is accommodated in the drum and a large amount of internal space remains in the drum, the deviation value for the number of contacts per hour during the third hour may fall outside the standard deviation range.

[0221] If a small amount of dry matter is stored in the drum and a large amount of space remains inside the drum, the dispersion value for the number of contacts per hour during the third hour may exceed the standard dispersion value.

[0222] The fact that the deviation value for the number of contacts per hour during the third hour is outside the standard deviation range and that the variance value for the number of contacts per hour during the third hour exceeds the standard variance value means that the pattern of the electric signal during the third hour is not constant.

[0223] The fact that the pattern of the electric signal is not constant means that the number of times the tumbling object in the internal space of the drum (120) comes into contact with the contact sensor (190) is irregular.

[0224] As shown in Fig. 7b, when a large amount of dry material is accommodated in the drum and the internal space of the drum is small, the deviation value for the number of contacts per hour during the third hour may be within the standard deviation range.

[0225] In addition, when a large amount of drying material is accommodated in the drum and the internal space of the drum is small, the dispersion value for the number of contacts per hour during the third hour may be lower than the standard dispersion value.

[0226] The fact that the deviation value for the number of contacts per hour during the third hour is within the standard deviation range and that the variance value for the number of contacts per hour during the third hour is less than or equal to the standard variance value means that the pattern of the electric signal during the third hour is constant.

[0227] A constant pattern of electrical signals means that the number of times the tumbling object in the internal space of the drum comes into contact with the contact sensor is constant.

[0228] When the processor (210) obtains the deviation value and variance value for the number of contacts per hour during the third hour, it can obtain the deviation value and variance value for each section. Here, the section can be approximately 60 seconds.

[0229] For example, the processor (210) can obtain deviation values ​​and variance values ​​for the number of contacts per hour at 60-second intervals during the third hour.

[0230] The processor (210) can recognize the capacity of the dry material accommodated in the drum as a large capacity based on whether the deviation value of at least one section is within a reference deviation range or whether the variance value of at least one section is less than or equal to the reference variance value.

[0231] In this way, the processor (210) can recognize whether the capacity of the drying material contained in the drum is large based on the pattern of the electric signal detected by the contact sensor (190) during the third time that the drum (120) rotates.

[0232]

[0233] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the processor (210) can obtain the number of contacts per hour by sampling the electrical signal acquired during the third hour.

[0234] The processor (210) can recognize whether the capacity of the drying material is large based on the number of contacts per hour.

[0235] The number of contacts per hour may be the number of contacts per unit time. Here, the unit time may be the time used as a reference when obtaining the number of contacts. The unit time is a preset time, typically approximately 1 second.

[0236] The processor (210) can obtain maintenance times during which the number of contacts remains the same based on the number of contacts per hour, and can recognize whether the capacity of the object to be dried is large based on the obtained maintenance times.

[0237] The processor (210) acquires, as valid maintenance times, maintenance times greater than or equal to a reference time among the acquired maintenance times, and acquires a difference value from the reference time for each acquired maintenance time, adds up each difference value to obtain a sum value, and recognizes the capacity of the object to be dried as a large capacity based on the acquired sum value being greater than or equal to the reference value, and recognizes the capacity of the object to be dried as a small capacity based on the sum value being less than the reference value.

[0238] The processor (210) can obtain a time corresponding to a section in which the obtained deviation value is within a reference deviation range, and if the time corresponding to the obtained section is shorter than the time corresponding to the reference section, assign a weight to the sum value, and recognize the capacity of the object to be dried as a large capacity based on the weighted sum value being greater than or equal to the reference value, and recognize the capacity of the object to be dried as a small capacity based on the weighted sum value being less than the reference value.

[0239] The processor (210) can obtain a section in which the acquired variance value is less than or equal to a reference variance value, and if the time corresponding to the acquired section is shorter than the time corresponding to the reference section, assign a weight to the sum value, and recognize the capacity of the object to be dried as large based on the weighted sum value being greater than or equal to the reference value, and recognize the capacity of the object to be dried as small based on the weighted sum value being less than the reference value.

[0240] As illustrated in FIG. 9a, the processor (210) can obtain the first envelope value per hour by connecting the peak values ​​of the acquired number of contacts per hour.

[0241] As illustrated in FIG. 9b, the processor (210) can obtain a second envelope value by time by connecting the trough values ​​of the acquired number of contacts by time.

[0242] The first and second envelope values ​​may be indicators of the number of contacts between the contact sensor and the object to be dried.

[0243] As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the processor (210) may obtain first holding times in which the first envelope value is maintained the same based on the obtained first envelope value by time, obtain a first holding time that is greater than or equal to a reference time among the obtained first holding times as a first effective holding time, and obtain a first difference value between the first effective holding time and the reference time, respectively.

[0244] When the acquired first maintenance times are t1, t2, t3, and t4, the processor (210) can acquire the first maintenance times (t1, t2, t4) that are greater than or equal to the reference time (r) among the first maintenance times (t1, t2, t3, and t4) as the first effective maintenance times.

[0245] The processor (210) can obtain a first difference value (t1-r, t2-r, t4-r) from the reference time (r) for each first valid maintenance time (t1, t2, t4).

[0246] As illustrated in FIG. 10b, the processor (210) may obtain second holding times in which the second envelope value remains the same based on the obtained second envelope value by time, obtain a second holding time that is greater than or equal to a reference time among the obtained second holding times as a second effective holding time, and obtain a second difference value between the second effective holding time and the reference time, respectively.

[0247] When the acquired second maintenance times are t5, t6, t7, and t8, the processor (210) can acquire the second maintenance times (t6, t8) that are greater than or equal to the reference time (r) among the second maintenance times (t5, t6, t7, and t8) as the second effective maintenance times.

[0248] The processor (210) can obtain a first difference value (t6-r, t8-r) from the reference time (r) for each second valid maintenance time (t6, t8).

[0249] The processor (210) can recognize the drying object as a large volume based on the sum of the first and second difference values ​​and the summed value being greater than or equal to a reference value.

[0250] The processor (210) can recognize whether the large capacity is one of the first, second, or third large capacities based on whether the sum value is greater than or equal to a reference value.

[0251] When a first setting value corresponding to a first large capacity and a second setting value corresponding to a second large capacity are stored, the processor may recognize the capacity of the object to be dried as the first large capacity if the sum is less than or equal to the first setting value, recognize the capacity of the object to be dried as the second large capacity if the sum exceeds the first setting value and is less than or equal to the second setting value, and recognize the capacity of the object to be dried as the third large capacity if the sum exceeds the second setting value.

[0252]

[0253] The processor (210) counts the first index hourly based on the first envelope value hourly, and can count the first index based on whether the first envelope value is the same within a preset time range hourly.

[0254] The processor (210) counts the second index hourly based on the second envelope value hourly, and can count the second index based on whether the second envelope value is the same within a preset time range hourly.

[0255] The unit of time that serves as the basis for counting the first and second indices may be 1 second.

[0256] The preset time range can be approximately 10 seconds.

[0257] The processor (210) counts by increasing the first index by 1 if all the first envelope values ​​are the same within a preset time range, and does not count the first index if at least one first envelope value among the first envelope values ​​is different from the remaining first envelope values ​​within a preset time range.

[0258] The processor (210) counts by increasing the second index by 1 if all second envelope values ​​are the same within a preset time range, and does not count the second index if at least one second envelope value among the second envelope values ​​is different from the remaining second envelope values ​​within a preset time range.

[0259] More specifically, the processor (210) recognizes whether the first envelope values ​​between n hours and n+m hours are the same, and if all the first envelope values ​​between n hours and n+m hours are the same, the processor counts by increasing the first index by 1, and if at least one first envelope value among the first envelope values ​​within a preset time range is different from the remaining first envelope values, the processor does not count the first index.

[0260] Let's explain this with an example. Let's explain assuming that m is 9.

[0261] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the processor (210) counts the first index as 1 when the number of contacts is the same from 1 second to 10 seconds when it is 1 second, the first index as 2 when it is 2 seconds, the first index as 2 when it is 3 seconds, the first index as 3 when it is 3 seconds, the first index as 4 when it is 4 seconds, the first index as 4 when it is 4 seconds, the first index as 4 when it is 5 seconds, the first index as 5 when it is 5 seconds, the first index as 5 when it is 5 seconds, the first index as 5 when it is 6 seconds, the processor (210) does not count the first index based on recognizing that at least one of the number of contacts is different from 6 seconds to 15 seconds. At this time, the first index may be maintained as 5.

[0262] And, the processor (210) can count the first index as 6 when the number of contacts is the same from 18 seconds to 27 seconds when the time is 18 seconds. In this way, the first index can be counted based on the first envelope value for the third time period.

[0263] The processor (210) can also count a first index based on a first envelope value in a section where the pattern of the electric signal is constant, and count a second index based on a second envelope value in a section where the pattern of the electric signal is constant.

[0264] The processor (210) can count the first and second indices in a section where the deviation value is within a standard deviation range, and can count the first and second indices in a section where the variance value is less than or equal to the standard variance value.

[0265] The processor (210) may obtain a section in which a deviation value is within a reference deviation range, and if the time corresponding to the obtained section is shorter than the time corresponding to the reference section, weight may be given to a sum index obtained by adding the first and second indices, and the capacity of the object to be dried may be recognized as a large capacity based on the fact that the weighted sum index is greater than or equal to the reference index, and the capacity of the object to be dried may be recognized as a small capacity based on the fact that the weighted sum index is less than the reference index.

[0266] The processor (210) can obtain a weight based on the time corresponding to the reference section and the time corresponding to the obtained section, obtain a total index by applying the obtained weight to the sum index obtained by adding the first and second indices, and recognize the capacity of the object by comparing the obtained total index with the reference index.

[0267] When the time corresponding to the reference section is 120 seconds and the time corresponding to the acquired section is 60 seconds, the processor (210) obtains a weight (B=2) based on the time corresponding to the reference section and the time corresponding to the acquired section, multiplies the sum index (A) obtained by adding the first and second indices by the obtained weight (B=2) to obtain a total index (2A), and compares the obtained total index with the reference index to recognize the capacity of the object to be dried.

[0268] When the time corresponding to the reference section is 120 seconds and the time corresponding to the acquired section is 40 seconds, the processor (210) obtains a weight (B=3) based on the time corresponding to the reference section and the time corresponding to the acquired section, multiplies the sum index (A) obtained by adding the first and second indices by the obtained weight (B=3) to obtain a total index (3A), and compares the obtained total index with the reference index to recognize the capacity of the object to be dried.

[0269] The processor (210) can obtain a section in which the obtained variance value is less than or equal to a reference variance value, and if the length of the obtained section is shorter than the length of the reference section, weights are given to the first and second indices, and the weighted first and second indices are added, and the capacity of the object to be dried is recognized as a large capacity based on the fact that the sum index is greater than or equal to the reference index, and the capacity of the object to be dried is recognized as a small capacity based on the fact that the weighted sum index is less than the reference index.

[0270] The processor (210) can count the first index when the value of the first envelope is less than 20, and can count the second index when the value of the second envelope is less than 20.

[0271] *Drying process control after capacity recognition*

[0272] The processor (210) can control the drying process based on the weight of the recognized object to be dried when the weight of the recognized object to be dried exceeds the reference weight.

[0273] The processor (210) can control the drying process based on an artificial intelligence course when the weight of the recognized drying object exceeds the reference weight.

[0274] The processor (210) can control the drying process based on the drying process information received through the input unit (171) when the weight of the recognized drying material exceeds the reference weight.

[0275] The drying administration information may include information on at least one of a drying course, drying time, drying temperature, and dryness.

[0276] More specifically, when the weight of the recognized object to be dried exceeds the reference weight, the processor (210) may control the drying process based on the drying course received through the input unit (171), control the drying process based on the drying time and drying temperature received through the input unit (171), or control the drying process based on the dryness level received through the input unit (171).

[0277] The processor (210) can control the drying process based on an artificial intelligence course based on the small capacity of the drying material.

[0278] The processor (210) can control the drying process based on the drying process information received through the input unit (171) based on the small capacity of the drying material.

[0279] The drying administration information may include information on at least one of a drying course, drying time, drying temperature, and dryness.

[0280] More specifically, the processor (210) may control the drying process based on the drying course received through the input unit (171) based on the small capacity of the object to be dried, control the drying process based on the drying time and drying temperature received through the input unit (171), or control the drying process based on the dryness level received through the input unit (171).

[0281] The processor (210) can control the drying process based on a large-capacity course based on the large capacity of the drying material. The large-capacity course may include a quilt course.

[0282] The processor (210) can check whether the drying course received through the input unit (171) is a large-capacity course based on the large capacity of the object to be dried, and can control the display unit (172) to display course change information based on the fact that the drying course received through the input unit (171) is different from the large-capacity course.

[0283] The processor (210) can control the display unit (172) to display course maintenance information based on whether the drying course received through the input unit (171) is the same as the large-capacity course.

[0284] When controlling the drying process based on a large-capacity course, the processor (210) can control the rotation direction of the drum alternately between forward and reverse rotation, and control the operation of the motor so that the number of alternations increases compared to other drying courses.

[0285] When controlling the drying process based on a large-capacity course, the processor (210) can set the target drying temperature to be lower than the target drying temperature of another drying course and set the target drying time to be longer than the target drying time of another drying course.

[0286] The processor (210) can control the drying process based on the set target drying temperature and the set target drying time.

[0287] The processor (210) can control the operation of the heat pump to stop when controlling the forward and reverse rotation of the motor (150).

[0288] The processor (210) controls the forward and reverse rotation of the motor at the first shift number based on the capacity of the drying material being recognized as the first large capacity, and can control the heat pump (160) and the heater (165) based on the first target drying temperature and the first target drying time.

[0289] The processor (210) can control the forward and reverse rotation of the motor with a second shift number based on the capacity of the drying material being recognized as the second large capacity, and can control the heat pump (160) and the heater (165) based on the second target drying temperature and the second target drying time.

[0290] The number of second shifts may be greater than the number of first shifts.

[0291] The second target drying temperature may be lower than the first target drying temperature, and the second target drying time may be longer than the first target drying time.

[0292] The processor (210) controls the forward and reverse rotation of the motor at a third shift number based on the recognition that the capacity of the drying material is the third large capacity, and can control the heat pump (160) and the heater (165) based on the third target drying temperature and the third target drying time.

[0293] The number of third shifts may be greater than the number of second shifts.

[0294] The third target drying temperature may be lower than the second target drying temperature, and the third target drying time may be longer than the second target drying time.

[0295] The processor (210) may be implemented as a memory (not shown) that stores data regarding an algorithm for controlling the operation of components within the dryer or a program that reproduces the algorithm, and a processor (not shown) that performs the aforementioned operations using the data stored in the memory. In this case, the memory and the processor may be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.

[0296] The processor (210) can perform the above-described operation using data stored in the memory (220).

[0297] The processor (210) may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the processor (300) may include one or more processor chips that perform the aforementioned operations using an algorithm for controlling the operations of components within the clothing care device, at least one memory that stores program-type data, and data stored in the at least one memory, or may include one or more processing cores.

[0298] The processor (210) may include a separate NPU that performs the operation of the artificial intelligence model, and may include a graphics-only processor (GPU), etc.

[0299] The memory (220) can store information about the reference weight, reference deviation range, and reference variance value.

[0300] The memory (220) can store information about the first, second, and third times for recognizing the weight of the object to be dried and recognizing the capacity of the object to be dried.

[0301] The memory (220) can store information on a reference time, reference value, reference index, and reference section for recognizing the capacity of the object to be dried.

[0302] The memory (220) can store information on first and second set values ​​for distinguishing multiple large capacities, a first target drying temperature, a first target drying time and a first shift number corresponding to the first large capacities, a second target drying temperature, a second target drying time and a second shift number corresponding to the second large capacities, and a third target drying temperature, a third target drying time and a third shift number corresponding to the third large capacities.

[0303] The memory (220) can store drying administration information for each drying course. In particular, the memory (220) can store drying administration information for a large-capacity drying course.

[0304] The memory (220) can store data for an algorithm for controlling the operation of components within the dryer or a program that reproduces the algorithm.

[0305] The memory (220) may be implemented as at least one of a non-volatile memory element such as a cache, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable ROM), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and a flash memory, a volatile memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a CD-ROM, but is not limited thereto.

[0306] The memory (220) may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks.

[0307] At least one component may be added or deleted to correspond to the performance of the components of the dryer illustrated in FIG. 3. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the relative positions of the components may be altered to correspond to the performance or structure of the dryer.

[0308] Meanwhile, each component illustrated in FIG. 3 refers to software and / or hardware components such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

[0309] Figures 12a and 12b are control flowcharts of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0310] The dryer controls the rotation of the motor (150) to rotate the drum (120) for the first hour (301).

[0311] The dryer detects the current flowing from the motor (150) using the current sensor (180) during the rotation of the drum (120) for the first hour (302).

[0312] When the first hour has elapsed, the dryer stops the motor (150) so that the rotation of the drum stops (303).

[0313] The dryer can recognize the weight of the object to be dried (304) contained within the drum (120) based on the detected current. In this case, the greater the detected current, the greater the weight of the object to be dried. Information on the weight corresponding to the current may be acquired through testing and stored in memory.

[0314] The dryer recognizes whether the weight of the recognized object to be dried is less than or equal to the reference weight (305).

[0315] The dryer can recognize a number of objects to be dried based on whether the weight of the recognized objects to be dried exceeds a reference weight.

[0316] The dryer can check the drying course received through the input unit or communication unit and control the drying process with the checked drying course (306).

[0317] In addition, the dryer can obtain a drying course corresponding to drying a number of objects to be dried exceeding a standard weight and control the drying process with the obtained drying course.

[0318] The dryer can recognize the number of objects to be dried as a decimal based on the weight of the recognized objects to be dried being less than or equal to a reference weight.

[0319] The dryer can determine whether the capacity of a small number of objects to be dried is small or large based on the pattern of the electric signal received from the contact sensor (190) or the number of contacts per hour corresponding to the electric signal.

[0320] Let me explain this in more detail.

[0321] *Example 1 of recognizing the capacity of a dry substance*

[0322] The dryer can control the rotation of the motor (150) so that the drum (120) rotates for a third time after a second time has elapsed from the time the motor (150) is stopped (307).

[0323] The first hour may be equal to or longer than the second hour.

[0324] The third hour may be longer than the first and second hours.

[0325] The first, second and third hours may be stored in the memory (220) as preset times.

[0326] The dryer receives an electric signal from the contact sensor (190) during the third hour in which the drum (120) rotates (308), and samples the electric signal received during the third hour to obtain the number of contacts per hour (309).

[0327] The electrical signal acquired during the third hour may be a signal generated by contact between the contact sensor (190) and the object to be dried. For example, the electrical signal may be an on signal, a voltage signal greater than or equal to a preset size, or a current signal greater than or equal to a preset size.

[0328] The number of contacts per hour may be the number of contacts per unit time. Here, the unit time may be the time used as a reference when obtaining the number of contacts. The unit time is a preset time, typically approximately 1 second.

[0329] The dryer can obtain a first envelope value per hour by connecting the peak values ​​of the obtained number of contacts per hour (310), and can obtain a second envelope value per hour by connecting the trough values ​​of the obtained number of contacts per hour (311).

[0330] The first and second envelope values ​​may be indicators of the number of contacts between the contact sensor and the object to be dried.

[0331] The dryer can count the first index hourly based on the first envelope value hourly, and can count the first index based on whether the first envelope value is the same within a preset time range hourly (312).

[0332] The dryer can count the second index hourly based on the second envelope value hourly, and can count the second index based on whether the second envelope value is the same within a preset time range hourly (313).

[0333] The unit of time that serves as the basis for counting the first and second indices may be 1 second.

[0334] The preset time range can be approximately 10 seconds.

[0335] The dryer counts by increasing the first index by 1 if all the first envelope values ​​are the same within a preset time range, and does not count the first index if at least one first envelope value among the first envelope values ​​is different from the remaining first envelope values ​​within the preset time range.

[0336] The dryer counts by increasing the second index by 1 if all second envelope values ​​are the same within a preset time range, and does not count the second index if at least one second envelope value among the second envelope values ​​is different from the remaining second envelope values ​​within a preset time range.

[0337] The dryer can also count a first index based on a first envelope value in a section where the pattern of the electric signal is constant, and count a second index based on a second envelope value in a section where the pattern of the electric signal is constant.

[0338] A section in which the pattern of the electric signal is constant may be a section in which the deviation value of the number of contacts is within the standard deviation range or a section in which the variance value is less than or equal to the standard variance value.

[0339] The dryer can obtain a combined index by adding the counted first and second indices (314).

[0340] The dryer can also obtain a section in which the deviation value is within the standard deviation range, and if the time corresponding to the obtained section is shorter than the time corresponding to the standard section, it can also obtain a weighted sum index by adding the first and second indices.

[0341] Assigning weights may include obtaining weights based on a time corresponding to a reference interval and a time corresponding to an acquired interval, and assigning the obtained weights to a combined index obtained by adding the first and second indices.

[0342] The dryer can also obtain a section in which the acquired variance value is less than or equal to the reference variance value, and if the length of the acquired section is shorter than the length of the reference section, it can weight the first and second indices and obtain a combined index by adding up the weighted first and second indices.

[0343] The dryer determines whether the sum index is greater than or equal to the reference index (315).

[0344] The dryer recognizes the capacity of the drying material as small based on the fact that the total index is less than the reference index, obtains the drying course received through the input unit (171) or the communication unit (200), and controls the drying process based on the obtained drying course (316).

[0345] If the dryer determines that the drying course received through the input unit (171) or the communication unit (200) is different from the drying course corresponding to the small capacity, it is also possible to output guidance information suggesting a drying process for the drying course for the small capacity.

[0346] The dryer can also obtain a drying course corresponding to a small capacity from the server (2) and control the drying process based on the obtained drying course.

[0347] The dryer can recognize the capacity of the drying material as large based on the sum index being greater than or equal to the reference index (317).

[0348] The dryer can determine whether the drying course corresponding to the large capacity is different from the drying course received through the input unit (318).

[0349] The dryer can change the drying course to a drying course corresponding to a large capacity based on determining that the drying course corresponding to the large capacity is different from the drying course received through the input unit, and output guidance information corresponding to the drying course change (319).

[0350] Outputting the guidance information may include displaying the guidance information through a display unit.

[0351] Outputting guidance information may include outputting guidance information as sound or voice through a speaker.

[0352] The dryer can control the drying process based on a drying course corresponding to a large capacity (320).

[0353] Drying courses corresponding to large volumes may include a duvet course.

[0354] Controlling the drying process may include controlling at least one of a motor (150), a heat pump (160) and a heater (165).

[0355] The dryer can alternately rotate the drum in forward and reverse rotation when controlling the drying cycle based on a large-capacity course. For large-capacity courses, the number of rotations may be greater than for other drying courses.

[0356] The dryer can control the operation of the heat pump to stop when controlling the forward and reverse rotation of the motor (150).

[0357] When controlling the drying process based on a large-capacity course, the dryer can set the target drying temperature to be lower than the target drying temperature of another drying course, set the target drying time to be longer than the target drying time of another drying course, and control the drying process based on the set target drying temperature and the set target drying time.

[0358] Recognizing the capacity of the object as a large capacity may include recognizing the capacity of the object as one of the first, second, or third large capacity based on the sum index.

[0359] The dryer may recognize the capacity of the object to be dried as the first large capacity if the sum index is less than or equal to the first setting index, recognize the capacity of the object to be dried as the second large capacity if the sum index exceeds the first setting index and is less than or equal to the second setting index, and recognize the capacity of the object to be dried as the third large capacity if the sum index exceeds the second setting index.

[0360] The dryer can control the forward and reverse rotation of the motor at the first shift number based on the capacity of the object to be dried being recognized as the first large capacity, and can control the heat pump (160) and the heater (165) based on the first target drying temperature and the first target drying time.

[0361] The dryer can control the forward and reverse rotation of the motor with a second shift number based on the capacity of the object to be dried being recognized as the second large capacity, and can control the heat pump (160) and the heater (165) based on the second target drying temperature and the second target drying time.

[0362] The number of second shifts may be greater than the number of first shifts.

[0363] The second target drying temperature may be lower than the first target drying temperature, and the second target drying time may be longer than the first target drying time.

[0364] The dryer can control the forward and reverse rotation of the motor with a third shift number based on the capacity of the object to be dried being recognized as the third large capacity, and can control the heat pump (160) and the heater (165) based on the third target drying temperature and the third target drying time.

[0365] The number of third shifts may be greater than the number of second shifts.

[0366] The third target drying temperature may be lower than the second target drying temperature, and the third target drying time may be longer than the second target drying time.

[0367] *Example 2 of recognizing the capacity of a dry substance*

[0368] The dryer can obtain at least one of a deviation value and a variance value based on the number of contacts per hour for a third hour, and can recognize whether a pattern of an electric signal is constant or not constant based on at least one of the obtained deviation value and variance value.

[0369] Obtaining the deviation and variance values ​​for the number of contacts per hour during the third hour may include obtaining the deviation and variance values ​​for each interval, where the interval may be approximately 60 seconds. For example, the dryer may obtain the deviation and variance values ​​for the number of contacts per hour at 60-second intervals during the third hour.

[0370] The dryer can recognize the capacity of the object to be dried contained in the drum as a large capacity based on the fact that the deviation value of at least one section is within a reference deviation range or the variance value of at least one section is less than or equal to the reference variance value, and can recognize the capacity of the object to be dried contained in the drum as a small capacity based on the fact that the deviation value of at least one section is outside the reference deviation range or the variance value of at least one section exceeds the reference variance value.

[0371] In this way, the dryer can recognize whether the capacity of the drying material contained in the drum is large or small based on the pattern of the electric signal detected by the contact sensor (190) during the third time that the drum (120) rotates.

[0372] *Example 3 of recognizing the capacity of a dry object*

[0373] The dryer can sample the electrical signal acquired during the third hour to acquire the number of contacts per hour, connect the peak values ​​of the acquired number of contacts per hour to acquire the first envelope value per hour, and connect the trough values ​​of the acquired number of contacts per hour to acquire the second envelope value per hour.

[0374] The dryer can obtain first holding times in which the first envelope value remains the same based on the obtained first envelope value by time, obtain a first holding time that is greater than or equal to a reference time among the obtained first holding times as a first effective holding time, and obtain a first difference value between the first effective holding time and the reference time, respectively.

[0375] The dryer can obtain second holding times in which the second envelope value is maintained the same based on the obtained second envelope value by time, obtain a second holding time that is greater than or equal to a reference time among the obtained second holding times as a second effective holding time, and obtain a second difference value between the second effective holding time and the reference time, respectively.

[0376] Obtaining the first difference value includes recognizing whether the number of contacts from n seconds to n+m is the same, counting the first index by +1 if it is recognized that the number of contacts is all the same, obtaining x time from n+m time for which the number of contacts remains the same, and obtaining an additional count corresponding to the obtained x time. In this case, the first valid maintenance time may be n+m+x. And the reference time may be n+m.

[0377] The dryer can obtain the first index by adding an additional count corresponding to x hours to the accumulated first index.

[0378] Obtaining the second difference value includes recognizing whether the number of contacts from n seconds to n+m is the same, counting the second index by +1 if the number of contacts is recognized as all the same, obtaining the time c during which the number of contacts remains the same from time n+m, and obtaining an additional count corresponding to the obtained time c. In this case, the second valid maintenance time may be n+m+c. And the reference time may be n+m.

[0379] The dryer can obtain the second index by adding an additional count corresponding to c hours to the accumulated second index.

[0380] The dryer can recognize the capacity of the object to be dried as a large capacity based on the sum of the first and second difference values, and recognize the capacity of the object to be dried as a small capacity based on the sum of the first and second difference values ​​being greater than or equal to a reference value, and recognize the capacity of the object to be dried as a small capacity based on the sum of the first and second difference values ​​being greater than or equal to a reference value.

[0381] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing computer-executable instructions. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, may generate program modules to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0382] Computer-readable storage media include all types of storage media that store instructions that can be deciphered by a computer. Examples include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic tape, magnetic disks, flash memory, and optical data storage devices.

[0383] The disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to the attached drawings as described above. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in forms other than the disclosed embodiments without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. A drum that accepts the load; a contact sensor provided on the drum and detecting contact with the load; and A garment treatment device including a processor that obtains the number of times the load and the contact sensor come into contact with each other based on an electric signal received from the contact sensor while controlling the rotation of the drum, and controls a garment treatment process based on the number of times the load and the contact sensor come into contact with each other.

2. In the first paragraph, the processor, A clothing processing device which obtains a first envelope value by time by connecting the peak values ​​of the obtained number of contacts by time, obtains a first index based on whether the first envelope values ​​by time are the same, obtains a second envelope value by time by connecting the obtained trough values ​​of the number of contacts by time, obtains a second index based on whether the second envelope values ​​by time are the same, and recognizes the capacity of the load as a large capacity based on whether the sum of the first and second indices is greater than or equal to a reference index.

3. In paragraph 2, a motor for rotating the above drum; and Further comprising a current sensor for detecting the current flowing to the above motor, The above processor is a clothing processing device that first recognizes the capacity of the load based on the current detected by the current sensor, obtains the weight of the load, and secondarily recognizes the capacity of the load based on the number of contacts per hour based on the obtained weight being determined to be less than or equal to a reference weight.

4. In paragraph 3, Including more input sections, The above processor is a garment processing device that controls the garment processing process based on the garment processing course received through the input unit based on the obtained weight exceeding the reference weight.

5. In the third paragraph, the processor, A clothing treatment device that controls the rotation of the motor for a first period of time to obtain the weight of the load, controls the stop of the motor when the first period of time has elapsed, controls the rotation of the motor for a third period of time when a second period of time has elapsed from the time at which the motor has stopped, and obtains the number of contacts per period of time based on an electric signal of the contact sensor received during the third period of time.

6. In the third paragraph, the processor, A clothing processing device that obtains a deviation value of the number of contacts per hour and secondarily recognizes the capacity of the load based on the obtained deviation value being within a reference deviation range.

7. In the 6th paragraph, the processor, A clothing processing device that obtains a section in which the above-mentioned acquired deviation value is within a reference deviation range and assigns weights to the first and second indices when the time corresponding to the above-mentioned acquired section is shorter than the time corresponding to the reference section.

8. In paragraph 2, Including the Department of Communications, A garment processing device in which the processor transmits the capacity of the recognized load to the server through the communication unit and controls the garment processing based on the garment processing administration information received from the server.

9. In the first paragraph, the processor, A clothing processing device that obtains maintenance times in which the number of contacts is maintained the same based on the number of contacts per hour, obtains maintenance times that are longer than a reference time among the obtained maintenance times as valid maintenance times, and recognizes the capacity of the load based on the obtained valid maintenance times.

10. In the 9th paragraph, the processor, A clothing processing device that connects peak values ​​of the acquired number of contacts per hour to obtain a first envelope value per hour, acquires the maintenance times during which the first envelope value remains the same based on the acquired first envelope value per hour, acquires a second envelope value per hour by connecting trough values ​​of the acquired number of contacts per hour, and acquires the maintenance times during which the second envelope value remains the same based on the acquired second envelope value per hour.

11. In the 9th paragraph, the processor, A clothing processing device that acquires a difference value from a reference time for each of the obtained valid maintenance times, and recognizes the capacity of the load as a large capacity based on a value that is greater than or equal to the reference value by adding up the respective difference values.

12. Detect the current flowing to the motor connected to the drum while the drum rotates, Obtain the weight of the load based on the detected current, An electric signal is acquired through a contact sensor provided on the drum based on the weight of the acquired load being determined to be less than or equal to the reference weight, Based on the acquired electrical signal, the number of contacts per hour between the load and the contact sensor is acquired, Obtain the deviation value of the number of contacts per hour above, Recognize the capacity of the load based on the above-mentioned obtained deviation value being within the standard deviation range, A control method of a garment treatment device for controlling garment treatment operations based on the capacity of the above load.

13. In paragraph 12, recognizing the capacity of the load, The peak values ​​of the obtained number of contacts per hour are connected to obtain the first envelope value per hour, Obtain the first index based on the equality of the first envelope values ​​for each hour, The trough values ​​of the number of contacts obtained by time are connected to obtain the second envelope values ​​by time, Obtain a second index based on the equality of the second envelope values ​​for each hour, A method for controlling a garment processing device, comprising recognizing the capacity of the load as a large capacity based on the sum of the first and second indices being greater than or equal to a reference index.

14. In paragraph 13, Obtain an interval in which the above-mentioned acquired deviation value is within the standard deviation range, If the time corresponding to the above-mentioned acquired section is shorter than the time corresponding to the reference section, weights are given to the first and second indices, The capacity of the load is recognized as small based on the sum of the first and second indices being less than the reference index, A method for controlling a garment processing device, further comprising outputting change guidance information for a change in the garment processing administration information through a display unit or a speaker, based on differences between the garment processing administration information received through an input unit or a communication unit and the garment processing administration information corresponding to the large capacity.

15. In paragraph 12, A clothing processing course is received through the input unit or the communication unit based on the above-mentioned acquired weight exceeding the reference weight, A method for controlling a garment treatment device, further comprising controlling the garment treatment process based on the received garment treatment course.

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