Clothing treatment apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to an interface and a clothing treatment apparatus comprising the interface, the interface comprising: a visible area defined as a space exposed to the outside; a supply command input part which is provided in the visible area and receives a supply command; an execution command input part which is provided in the visible area to be positioned at a point spaced apart from the supply command input part and receives an execution command; a first interaction part which is positioned between the supply command input part and the execution command input part and enables display of information configured in a control command and selection of the displayed control command; and a second interaction part provided in the visible area, positioned in at least one of a space between the supply command input part and the first interaction part and a space between the execution command input part and the first interaction part, and enabling image display of the control command and selection of the displayed control command.

Description

Garment processing equipment

[0001] The present application relates to an interface and a garment treatment device equipped with the interface.

[0002] A garment treatment device is a device that removes foreign substances from a subject to be treated (a laundry subject) or removes moisture from a subject to be treated (a drying subject). The garment treatment device may include a cabinet and a receiving section provided within the cabinet to receive the subject to be treated.

[0003] The receiving unit provided in a garment treatment device for washing the subject matter may be composed of a tub for storing water and a drum for receiving the subject matter, while the receiving unit provided in a garment treatment device for drying the subject matter may be composed of a drum for receiving the subject matter.

[0004] Conventional garment treatment devices are equipped with a user interface (Korean Patent Publication No. KR10-1960309). The interface of a conventional garment treatment device may include a control panel provided in a cabinet, a display device provided in the control panel, and an input device provided in the control panel. The control panel may be defined as a portion of the space provided by the cabinet in which a display device or input device is installed, or may be defined as a separate panel fixed to the cabinet and equipped with a display device or input device.

[0005] Conventional interfaces typically include a control panel, a display device mounted on the control panel for displaying information, and an input device positioned in a separate space from the display device. Conventional interfaces typically have rectangular control panels, which have the disadvantage of creating unnecessary space around the input device. Therefore, there was a need to develop an interface shape or structure that minimizes the installation space for the input device while providing sufficient installation space for the display device.

[0006] Furthermore, since the interface is fixed or exposed on one side of a cabinet equipped with a door, etc., it was necessary to design the interface by taking into account the location and shape of other devices equipped on one side of the cabinet in order to improve the aesthetics and visibility of the interface.

[0007] The present application aims to solve the problem of providing an interface with excellent space utilization and improved user convenience and a garment treatment device equipped with the interface.

[0008] In addition, the present application aims to solve the problem of providing an interface that provides high visibility through the arrangement of an output area and an input area, and a garment treatment device equipped with the interface.

[0009] In addition, the present application aims to provide an interface and a garment treatment device equipped with the interface, which can efficiently use the space provided by the front panel and improve visibility and user convenience through the positions and shapes of the components exposed on the front panel of the cabinet.

[0010] The present invention provides a garment treatment device comprising: a front panel having an inlet that opens and closes by a door and a mounting hole; a receiving section that provides a space for receiving a treatment object supplied to the inlet; a treatment section that performs washing or drying of the treatment object; and an interface that enables at least one of input of a supply command that instructs the supply of power, display of a control command necessary for controlling the treatment section, selection of a displayed control command, display of information set in a control command, and input of an execution command that instructs the execution of a selected control command.

[0011] The above interface may include a visible area defined as a space exposed to the outside through the mounting hole; a supply command input unit provided in the visible area to receive the supply command; an execution command input unit provided in the visible area to be located at a point spaced apart from the supply command input unit and to receive the execution command; a first interaction part provided in the visible area and positioned between the supply command input unit and the execution command input unit, the first interaction part enabling display of information set in the control command and selection of the displayed control command; and a second interaction part provided in the visible area and positioned in at least one of a space between the supply command input unit and the first interaction unit and a space between the execution command input unit and the first interaction unit, the second interaction part enabling display of an image of the control command and selection of the displayed control command.

[0012] The image output to the second interaction unit may be set to at least one of an icon, a static image, and a dynamic image symbolizing the control command.

[0013] The visible area outer line, which is an imaginary vertical line passing through the edge of the visible area, may be located between the vertical quadrant closest to the edge of the door among the imaginary vertical lines dividing the door into four parts in the width direction of the front panel and the door outer line, which is an imaginary vertical line passing through the edge of the door.

[0014] The visible area outer line, which is an imaginary vertical line passing through the edge of the visible area, may be located between the first vertical octant closest to the edge of the door and the second vertical octant adjacent to the first vertical octant among the seven imaginary vertical lines dividing the door into eight equal parts in the width direction of the front panel.

[0015] The above visible area may include an output area where the first interaction unit and the second interaction unit are located; a first input area where the supply command input unit is located and connected to one of the left and right sides of the output area; and a second input area where the execution command input unit is located and connected to the other of the left and right sides of the output area.

[0016] The output area outer line, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the edge of the output area, may be located between the vertical quadrant closest to the edge of the door among the virtual vertical lines dividing the door into four parts in the width direction of the front panel and the door outer line, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the edge of the door.

[0017] The output area outer line, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the edge of the output area, may be located between the first vertical octant closest to the edge of the door and the second vertical octant adjacent to the first vertical octant among the seven virtual vertical lines dividing the door into eight parts in the width direction of the front panel.

[0018] At least one of the first input area and the second input area may be located between a vertical quadrant closest to the edge of the door among virtual vertical quadrants dividing the door into four parts in the width direction of the front panel and an outer door line, which is a virtual vertical line that touches the edge of the door.

[0019] At least one of the first input area and the second input area may be located between a vertical octant closest to the edge of the door and a vertical octant neighboring the vertical octant closest to the edge of the door among seven virtual vertical octants that divide the door into eight equal parts in the width direction of the front panel.

[0020] The center of the supply command input section and the center of the execution command input section may be located between the vertical octant closest to the edge of the door and the vertical octant neighboring the vertical octant closest to the edge of the door among the seven virtual vertical octants that divide the door into eight parts in the width direction of the front panel.

[0021] The center of the supply command input section and the center of the execution command input section may be located between the vertical octant closest to the edge of the door and the vertical octant neighboring the vertical octant closest to the edge of the door among the seven virtual vertical octants that divide the door into eight parts in the width direction of the front panel.

[0022] The second interaction unit may include a first input / output unit and a second input / output unit that are arranged to face each other with the first interaction unit therebetween. The output area may include a first interaction area where the first interaction unit is located, a first input / output area located between the first input area and the first interaction area and where the first input / output unit is located, and a second input / output area located between the first interaction area and the second input area and where the second input / output unit is located.

[0023] The center of the above supply command input section may be located at the center of the left outer line of the visible area, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the left edge of the visible area, and the first input / output section vertical outer line, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the edge of the first input / output area.

[0024] The center of the above execution command input section may be located at the center of the visible area right outer line, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the right edge of the visible area, and the second input / output section vertical outer line, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the edge of the second input / output area.

[0025] The center of the above supply command input section may be located closer to the first input / output section vertical outer line, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the edge of the first input / output area, than to the left outer line of the visible area, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the left edge of the visible area.

[0026] The center of the above execution command input section may be located closer to the second input / output section vertical outer line, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the edge of the second input / output area, than to the visible area right outer line, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the right edge of the visible area.

[0027] The length of the first input area in the width direction of the front panel may be set shorter than the length of the first input / output area in the width direction of the front panel.

[0028] The length of the second input area in the width direction of the front panel may be set shorter than the length of the second input / output area in the width direction of the front panel.

[0029] The above output area is provided in a rectangular shape, and the edge of the first input area is provided in a shape that includes a curved section while connecting two vertices that constitute one side of the output area, and the edge of the second input area may be provided in a shape that includes a curved section while connecting two vertices that constitute the other side of the output area.

[0030] A virtual vertical line passing through the center of the supply command input section may be provided to pass through a curve forming an edge of the first input area, and a virtual vertical line passing through the center of the execution command input section may be provided to pass through a curve forming an edge of the second input area.

[0031] The above output area may be provided in the shape of a rectangle, the first input area may be provided in the shape of a rectangle with rounded corners but sharing one side of the output area, and the second input area may be provided in the shape of a rectangle with rounded corners but sharing the other side of the output area.

[0032] The length of the visible area in the width direction of the front panel may be set to be greater than or equal to 1 / 2 and less than or equal to 2 / 3 of the width of the front panel.

[0033] The length of the visible area in the width direction of the front panel may be set to be 2 / 3 or more and 3 / 4 or less of the door length in the width direction of the front panel.

[0034] The shortest distance between the edge of the front panel and the edge of the visible area in the width direction of the front panel may be set to be 1 / 6 or more and 1 / 4 or less of the width of the front panel.

[0035] The length of the output area in the width direction of the front panel may be set to be 2 / 3 or more and 4 / 5 or less of the length of the visible area in the width direction of the front panel.

[0036] The length of the output area in the width direction of the front panel may be set to be greater than or equal to 1 / 2 and less than or equal to 3 / 5 of the door length in the width direction of the front panel.

[0037] The length of the output area in the width direction of the front panel may be set to be 5 to 6 times greater than or equal to the length of the first input area in the width direction of the front panel or 5 to 6 times greater than or equal to the length of the second input area in the width direction of the front panel.

[0038] The length of the first input area in the width direction of the front panel may be set to be 1 / 20 or more and 1 / 10 or less of the width of the front panel.

[0039] The length of the output area in the width direction of the front panel may be set to be 3.5 times or more and 4.5 times or less than the length of the output area in the height direction of the front panel.

[0040] The length of the first interaction area in the width direction of the front panel may be set to be 2 / 5 or more and 3 / 5 or less of the length of the output area in the width direction of the front panel.

[0041] The length of the first input area in the width direction of the front panel may be set to be 2 / 3 or more and 4 / 5 or less of the length of the first input / output area in the width direction of the front panel.

[0042] The length of the second input area in the width direction of the front panel may be set to be 2 / 3 or more and 4 / 5 or less of the length of the second input / output area in the width direction of the front panel.

[0043] The present invention provides an interface and a garment treatment device including the interface, which includes: a visible area defined as a space exposed to the outside; a supply command input unit provided in the visible area for receiving a supply command; an execution command input unit provided in the visible area at a point spaced apart from the supply command input unit and for receiving an execution command; a first interaction part provided in the visible area and positioned between the supply command input unit and the execution command input unit, the first interaction part enabling display of information set in a control command and selection of the displayed control command; and a second interaction part provided in the visible area and positioned in at least one of a space between the supply command input unit and the first interaction unit and a space between the execution command input unit and the first interaction unit, the second interaction part enabling display of an image of the control command and selection of the displayed control command.

[0044] The present application provides an interface with excellent space utilization and improved user convenience, and a garment treatment device equipped with the interface.

[0045] In addition, the present application provides an interface that provides high visibility through the arrangement of an output area and an input area, and a garment processing device equipped with the interface.

[0046] In addition, the present application provides an interface and a garment processing device equipped with the interface, which can efficiently use the space provided by the front panel and improve visibility and user convenience through the positions and shapes of the components exposed on the front panel of the cabinet.

[0047] Figures 1, 2, and 3 illustrate examples of garment treatment devices equipped with interfaces.

[0048] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate examples of interfaces.

[0049] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate other embodiments of the interface.

[0050] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the clothing treatment device (100) may be equipped with a first treatment device (100a) capable of performing at least one of washing and drying of a treatment target (laundry or dry goods), and a second treatment device (100b) capable of performing at least one of washing and drying of the treatment target.

[0052] Either the first processing device (100a) or the second processing device (100b) may be positioned above the other. FIG. 1 illustrates an example where the first processing device (100a) is positioned above the second processing device (100b). Although not shown in the drawing, the first processing device (100a) and the second processing device (100b) may also be positioned side by side (along the Y-axis).

[0053] The first processing device (100a) may be provided to include a cabinet (1, first cabinet) and a receiving portion (2, first receiving portion) provided inside the first cabinet to provide a space for receiving a processing target, and the second processing device (100b) may be provided to include a cabinet (4, second cabinet) located below the first cabinet and a receiving portion (5, second receiving portion) provided to be withdrawable from the second cabinet to provide a space for receiving a processing target.

[0054] The first cabinet (1) above includes a front panel (11) forming the front surface of the first processing device, and the front panel (11) may be provided with an inlet (12) communicating with the first receiving portion (2) and a door (13) for opening and closing the inlet (12).

[0055] As shown in Fig. 2, the first receiving portion (2) may be provided to include a tub (21, first tub) fixed inside the first cabinet (1), and a drum (22, first drum) rotatably provided inside the first tub to receive a processing object.

[0056] The first tub (21) above is a means for providing a space for storing water and may include a tub body (211) having a cylindrical shape with an empty interior. The tub body (211) is fixed to the inside of the first cabinet (1) via a tub support member (212), and a tub inlet (213, first tub inlet) is provided on one surface of the tub body (211). The first tub inlet (213) may be connected to the inlet (12) via a connecting member (214).

[0057] The first drum (22) may be provided to include a drum body (221) rotatably fixed inside the tub body (211), and a plurality of drum penetration holes (222, first drum penetration holes) that are provided to penetrate the drum body (221) and connect the inside of the drum body to the tub body. A drum inlet (223, first drum inlet) may be provided on one surface of the drum body for introducing a processing object supplied to the first tub inlet (213) into the inside of the drum body (221).

[0058] The second receiving portion (5) may be provided to include a drawer (51) that can be withdrawn from the second cabinet (4), a tub (52, second tub) provided inside the drawer (51) to store water, and a drum (53, second drum) that is rotatably provided inside the second tub to provide a space for receiving a treatment object.

[0059] In order to allow the processing target to be fed into the second drum (53), a drawer inlet (511) may be provided on the upper surface of the drawer (51), a second tub inlet (521) may be provided on the upper surface of the second tub, and a second drum inlet (531) may be provided on the upper surface of the second drum. In this case, the second tub inlet (521) may be positioned below the drawer inlet (511), and the second drum inlet (531) may be positioned below the second tub inlet (521).

[0060] The drawer inlet (511) should be provided at a position that can be exposed to the outside of the second cabinet (4) when the drawer (51) is withdrawn from the second cabinet (4), and the second tub (52) may be provided with a door (522, second door) that opens and closes the second tub inlet (521). In order to communicate the inside of the second drum (53) with the inside of the second tub (52), the second drum (53) may be provided with a plurality of second drum penetration holes (532).

[0061] In order to wash or dry the subject matter, the garment treatment device (100) may be equipped with a treatment unit that controls the drum (22, 53) to supply fluid (water, air) to the receiving unit (2, 5) or to supply external force (frictional force, dropping impact force) to the subject matter.

[0062] FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the processing unit is equipped with a first processing unit (31) provided in the first cabinet (1) for washing or drying the processing object stored in the first receiving unit (2), and a second processing unit (32) provided in the second cabinet (4) for washing or drying the processing object stored in the second receiving unit (5).

[0063] The first processing unit (31) may be provided to include a driving unit (311, first driving unit) that rotates the first drum (22), a water supply unit (312, first water supply unit) that supplies water to the tub body (211), and a drain unit (313, first drain unit) that discharges water stored in the tub body (211) to the outside of the first cabinet (1).

[0064] The first driving unit (311) may be provided to include a first stator fixed to the rear surface of the tub body (211), a first rotor that rotates by a rotating magnetic field provided by the first stator, and a first rotational shaft that penetrates the rear surface of the tub body (211) and connects the drum body (211) and the first rotor.

[0065] The above first water supply unit (312) may be provided to include a water supply pipe connecting a water source and the connection unit (214), and a first valve provided in the first treatment device (100a) to control the opening and closing of the water supply pipe.

[0066] The above first drainage unit (313) may be provided to include a drainage pump (first drainage pump), a first drainage pipe (first tub first drainage pipe) connecting the tub body (211) and the drainage pump, and a second drainage pipe (first tub second drainage pipe) that guides water discharged from the drainage pump to the outside of the first cabinet (1).

[0067] The first treatment unit (31) described above enables washing of the treatment object stored in the first receiving unit (2), and the first treatment unit (31) may also be equipped to implement a drying function of the treatment object stored in the first receiving unit (2). In this case, the first treatment unit (31) may further be equipped with a heat exchange unit (314).

[0068] The above heat exchange unit (314) may be provided to include a duct (314a) that discharges air inside the tub body (221) to the outside of the tub body (221) and then supplies it back into the tub body (221), a fan (314b) that moves air along the duct, and a heat exchanger that is provided inside the duct and sequentially performs dehumidification and heating of the air.

[0069] The above heat exchanger may be equipped with a heat pump. That is, the heat exchanger may be equipped to include a heat absorber (314c, first heat exchanger) located inside the duct (314a) to remove moisture from air flowing into the duct, and a heat generator (314d, second heat exchanger) to heat air passing through the heat absorber.

[0070] Unlike that shown in Fig. 2, the first processing unit (31) may be provided as a means for only drying the processing target stored in the first drum (22). In this case, the first receiving unit (2) may be provided with a first drum (22) rotatably fixed inside the first cabinet (1), and the first processing unit (31) may be provided to include a first driving unit that rotates the first drum (22), and a heat exchange unit that supplies air into the interior of the first drum (22) to remove moisture from the processing target.

[0071] The second processing unit (32) may be provided to include a second driving unit (321) that rotates the second drum (53), a second water supply unit (322) that supplies water to the second tub (52), and a second drain unit (323) that discharges water inside the second tub (52) to the outside of the second cabinet (4).

[0072] The second driving unit (321) may be provided to include a second stator fixed to the bottom surface of the second tub (52), a second rotor rotated by the second stator, and a second rotation shaft penetrating the bottom surface of the second tub (52) to connect the second drum (53) and the second rotor.

[0073] The second water supply unit (322) may be provided to include a second water supply pipe connecting the second tub (52) and the water supply source, and a second valve provided in the second treatment device (100b) to open and close the second water supply pipe.

[0074] The above second drainage unit (323) may be provided to include a second drainage pump, a second tub first drainage pipe connecting the second tub (52) and the second drainage pump, and a second tub second drainage pipe guiding water discharged from the second drainage pump to the outside of the second cabinet (4).

[0075] The structure of the first treatment device (100a) and the structure of the second treatment device (100b) described above are merely examples of treatment devices capable of washing or drying clothes, and therefore, the shape or structure of the first treatment device and the second treatment device may be set differently from the shape and structure illustrated in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

[0076] The above-described clothing treatment device (100) is equipped with an interface (7), and FIG. 3 illustrates an example in which the interface (7) is equipped on the front panel (11).

[0077] The above interface (7) may be positioned inside the first cabinet (1) and may be provided so as to be exposed to the outside through a mounting hole (14) provided in the front panel, or may be provided so as to be fixed to the surface of the front panel (11) (the surface forming the front surface of the first processing device).

[0078] The above interface (7) is a means for enabling at least one of input of a supply command instructing the supply of power, display of a control command required for controlling the processing unit (31, 32), selection of a displayed control command, display of information set in the control command, and input of an execution command instructing the execution of the selected control command.

[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the interface (7) may be provided to include a visible area (71) provided on the front panel (11), a supply command input unit (72) provided in the visible area (71) to receive the supply command, an execution command input unit (73) provided in the visible area (71) to receive the execution command, a first interaction part (74) provided in the visible area (71) to display information related to the control command (information set in the control command, specific contents or description of the control command, etc.) and to enable selection of the displayed control command, and a second interaction part (75) provided in the visible area (71) to display an image related to the control command and enable selection of the displayed control command.

[0080] The above visible area (71) can be defined as a space formed by the interface (7) or a space provided by the interface that is exposed to the outside of the first cabinet (1) through the mounting hole (14).

[0081] The image displayed on the second interaction unit (75) may be set to at least one of an icon, a static image, and a dynamic image that are set to symbolize the control command. Furthermore, the second interaction unit (75) may be equipped to output the name (characters) of the control command and the image together, or may be equipped to output only the name (characters) of the control command.

[0082] The above visible area (71) may be provided to include an output area (R21) in which the first interaction unit (74) and the second interaction unit (75) are provided, a first input area (R22) in which the supply command input unit (72) is provided, and a second input area (R23) in which the execution command input unit (73) is provided.

[0083] The above output area (R21) can be provided in various shapes, and FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which the above output area (R21) is provided in a square shape.

[0084] The edge (left edge of the visible area) of the first input area (R22) may be provided in a shape including a curved section, connecting two vertices (P1, P2) constituting one side of the output area (R21), and the edge (right edge of the visible area) of the second input area (R23) may be provided in a shape including a curved section, connecting two vertices (P3, P4) constituting the other side of the output area (R21).

[0085] When the first input area (R22) and the second input area (R23) are provided in the above-described shape, the shape of the interface (7) (shape of the visible area) can be defined as a track shape. When the first input area (R22) and the second input area (R23) are provided as described above, the interface (7) can minimize the space where the supply command input unit (72) is located and the space where the execution command input unit (73) is located.

[0086] Meanwhile, when the supply command input unit (72) and the execution command input unit (73) are provided in the above-described shape, a virtual vertical line passing through the center of the supply command input unit (72) may be provided to pass through a curved section forming the edge of the first input area (R22), and a virtual vertical line passing through the center of the execution command input unit (73) may be provided to pass through a curved section forming the edge of the second input area (R23).

[0087] The second interaction unit (75) may be provided to include a first input / output unit (751) and a second input / output unit (752) that are arranged to face each other with the first interaction unit (74) interposed therebetween. Unlike what is shown in the drawing, the second interaction unit (75) may be provided to include only one of the first input / output unit (751) and the second input / output unit (752).

[0088] The first interaction unit (74) and the second interaction unit (75) may be provided with different types of display panels. That is, the display panel implementing the first interaction unit (74) and the display panel implementing the second interaction unit (75) may have at least one of brightness, power consumption, and viewing angle set differently.

[0089] If at least one of the brightness or viewing angle of the first interaction unit (74) and the second interaction unit (75) is set differently, the effect of increasing the visibility of the interface (7) can be expected. In addition, if the power consumption of the first interaction unit (74) and the second interaction unit (75) is set differently, an interface (7) with high visibility and low power consumption can be implemented.

[0090] For example, the second interaction unit (75) may be set to a panel superior to the first interaction unit (74) in terms of brightness, power consumption, and viewing angle, and the first interaction unit (74) may be set to a panel superior to the second interaction unit (75) in terms of brightness, power consumption, and viewing angle.

[0091] That is, if the first interaction unit (74) is equipped with an LCD panel, the first input / output unit (751) and the second input / output unit (752) may be equipped with LED panels. Conversely, if the first interaction unit (74) is equipped with an LED panel, the first input / output unit (751) and the second input / output unit (752) may be equipped with LCD panels.

[0092] Furthermore, one of the first input / output unit (751) and the second input / output unit (752) may be equipped with a display panel of a different type from the first interaction unit (74), and the other may be equipped with a display panel of the same type as the first interaction unit (74).

[0093] Unlike the above, the first interaction unit (74) and the second interaction unit (75) may be provided with the same type of display panel. That is, the first interaction unit (74) and the second interaction unit (75) may be provided with a single LCD panel or a single LED panel. In this case, the first interaction unit (74) and the second interaction unit (75) may be provided with one display panel and one touch panel.

[0094] Since the above first interaction unit (74) is a means capable of displaying information and inputting control commands, it may be provided to include a display panel on which information is output and a touch panel fixed to the surface of the display panel.

[0095] That is, the first interaction unit (74) may be provided to include a first interaction unit display panel positioned in the visible area (71), and a first interaction unit touch panel fixed to the surface of the first interaction unit display panel and positioned in the visible area (71).

[0096] Since the first input / output unit (751) and the second input / output unit (752) are means capable of displaying information and inputting control commands, they may be provided to include a display panel on which information is output and a touch panel fixed to the surface of the display panel.

[0097] That is, the first input / output unit (751) may be provided with a first input / output unit display panel fixed to the visible area (71), and a first input / output unit touch panel fixed to the surface of the first input / output unit display panel and positioned in the visible area (71), and the second input / output unit (752) may be provided with a second input / output unit display panel fixed to the visible area (71), and a second input / output unit touch panel fixed to the surface of the second input / output unit display panel and positioned in the visible area (71).

[0098] The first interaction unit touch panel, the first input / output unit touch panel, and the second input / output unit touch panel may be provided as electrostatic or pressure-sensitive panels, and may be provided with a transparent material so that information displayed on the first interaction display panel or the input / output unit display panel can be viewed from the outside.

[0099] The above output area (R21) may be provided to include a first interaction area (R211) where the first interaction unit (74) is located, and a second interaction area (R212, R213) where the second interaction unit (75) is located. The second interaction area may be provided to include a first input / output area (R212) where the first input / output unit (751) is located, and a second input / output area (R213) where the second input / output unit (752) is located.

[0100] The first input / output area (R212) may be positioned between the first input area (R22) and the first interaction area (R211), and the second input / output area (R213) may be positioned between the first interaction area (R211) and the second input area (R23).

[0101] The above interface (7) is sequentially provided with a first input area (R22), a first input / output area (R212), a first interaction area (R211), a second input / output area (R213), and a second input area (R23) from the left to the right of the front panel (11). This is the same order as the input order of commands (supply commands, control commands, execution commands) that must be input to the clothing treatment device (100) for washing or drying the subject of treatment.

[0102] That is, the first input area (R22) is provided with a supply command input section (72) into which a supply command for power supply is input, the first input / output area (R212), the first interaction area (R211), and the second input / output area (R213) receive control commands from a user, and the second input area (R23) is provided with an execution command input section (73) that instructs execution of a selected control command, so that the interface (7) can be expected to have improved usability.

[0103] The first input / output area (R212) may be provided so as to be spaced apart from the first interaction area (R211) by a predetermined distance (LW1) in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the visible area (71), and the second input / output area (R213) may be provided so as to be spaced apart from the first interaction area (R211) by a predetermined distance (LW2) in the width direction of the visible area (71). As described above, when the edge of the first input / output unit (751) is spaced apart from the edge of the first interaction unit (74) (LW1) and the edge of the second input / output unit (752) is spaced apart from the edge of the first interaction unit (74) (LW2), an advantageous effect in securing the visibility of the interface (7) can be expected.

[0104] In addition, the upper part of the output area (R21) and the upper part of the visible area (71) may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance (HW1) along the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the visible area (71), and the lower part of the output area (R21) and the lower part of the visible area (71) may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance (HW2) along the height direction of the visible area (71).

[0105] The first horizontal spacing (LW1) and the second horizontal spacing (LW2) may be set at the same interval, and the first vertical spacing (HW1) and the second vertical spacing (HW2) may be set at the same interval.

[0106] In order to increase the visibility of the interface (7) and to efficiently use the space provided by the front panel (11), the interface (7) may be provided as shown in Fig. 5.

[0107] That is, the length (L2, width of the mounting space) of the visible area (71) in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the front panel may be set to be 1 / 2 or more and 2 / 3 or less of the width (L1) of the front panel. In addition, the length (L2) of the visible area in the width direction of the front panel may be set to be 2 / 3 or more and 3 / 4 or less of the door length (L3, width of the door) in the width direction of the front panel.

[0108] Meanwhile, the shortest distance (D1, D2) between the edge of the front panel (11) and the edge of the visible area (71) in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the front panel may be set to be 1 / 6 or more and 1 / 4 or less of the width (L1) of the front panel.

[0109] In order to efficiently use the space provided by the front panel (11) and to enhance the aesthetic sense, the visible area outer line (PLE, PRE), which is an imaginary vertical line passing through the edge of the visible area (71), may be positioned between the door outer line (DLE, DRE) and the vertical quadrant (QV1, QV3) closest to the door outer line among the vertical quadrants (QV1, QV2, QV3) of the door (13).

[0110] The above visible area outer line can be divided into a visible area left outer line (PLE), which is a virtual vertical line passing through the left edge of the visible area (71), and a visible area right outer line (PRE), which is a virtual vertical line passing through the right edge of the visible area (71).

[0111] The above door outer line means an imaginary vertical line passing through the edge of the door (13), and can be divided into a door left outer line (DLE) and a door right outer line (DRE).

[0112] The vertical quadrants of the above door refer to imaginary vertical lines (QV1, QV2, QV3) that divide the door (13) into four parts in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the front panel, and can be divided into a first vertical quadrant (QV1), a second vertical quadrant (QV2), and a third vertical quadrant (QV3).

[0113] The second vertical quadrant (QV2, center quadrant) may be defined as an imaginary vertical line passing through the center of the door (13), the first vertical quadrant (QV1, left quadrant) may be defined as a vertical quadrant closest to the left outer line (DLE) of the door, and the third vertical quadrant (QV3, right quadrant) may be defined as a vertical quadrant closest to the right outer line (DRE) of the door.

[0114] Among the door outer lines (DLE, DRE) and the vertical quadrants (QV1, QV3), the visible area outer lines (PLE, PRE) may be positioned close to the vertical quadrants. That is, the visible area left outer line (PLE) may be positioned close to the first vertical quadrant (QV1), and the visible area right outer line (PRE) may be positioned close to the third vertical quadrant (QV3).

[0115] Meanwhile, the visible area outer line (PLE, PRE) may be positioned between the door outer line (DLE, DRE) and the two vertical octagons (V1 and V2, V7 and V6) closest to the door outer line among the vertical octagons (V1 to V7) of the door (13).

[0116] The vertical octants (V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7) of the door (13) above mean imaginary vertical lines that divide the door (13) into eight equal parts in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the front panel, and can be defined as the first vertical octant (V1, the vertical octant closest to the left outer line of the door), the second vertical octant (V2), the third vertical octant (V3), the fourth vertical octant (V4), the fifth vertical octant (V5), the sixth vertical octant (V6), and the seventh vertical octant (V7, the vertical octant closest to the right outer line of the door) in order of proximity to the left outer line of the door (DLE).

[0117] The second vertical octant (V2) is a vertical octant adjacent to the first vertical octant (V1) and is identical to the first vertical quadrant (QV1, left quadrant). The sixth vertical octant (V6) is a vertical octant adjacent to the seventh vertical octant (V7) and is identical to the third vertical quadrant (QV3, right quadrant). In addition, the fourth vertical octant (V4) is identical to the second vertical quadrant (QV2, central quadrant).

[0118] The left outer line (PLE) of the above visible area may be positioned between the first vertical octant (V1) and the second vertical octant (V2), and the right outer line (PRE) of the above visible area may be positioned between the sixth vertical octant (V6) and the seventh vertical octant (V7).

[0119] In this case, the left outer line (PLE) of the visible area may be positioned closer to the first vertical octant (V1) than the second vertical octant (V2), and the right outer line (PRE) of the visible area may be positioned closer to the seventh vertical octant (V7) than the sixth vertical octant (V6).

[0120] In order to efficiently use the space provided by the front panel (11), improve user convenience, and improve visibility, the length of the output area (L21, width of the output area) in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the front panel may be set to be 2 / 3 or more and 4 / 5 or less of the width of the visible area (L2).

[0121] The width (L21) of the above output area may be set to be greater than or equal to 1 / 2 and less than or equal to 3 / 5 of the door width (L3), and the width (L21) of the above output area may be set to be greater than or equal to 5 times and less than or equal to 6 times the width (L22) of the above first input area, and may be set to be greater than or equal to 5 times and less than or equal to 6 times the width (L23) of the above second input area.

[0122] Additionally, the width (L21) of the output area may be set to be 3.5 times or more and 4.5 times or less of the length (H, height of the output area) of the output area in the height direction (Y-axis direction) of the front panel.

[0123] The length (L22, width of the first input area) of the first input area in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the front panel may be set to be 1 / 20 or more and 1 / 10 or less of the width (L1) of the front panel. The length (L23, width of the second input area) of the second input area may also be set to be 1 / 20 or more and 1 / 10 or less of the width (L1) of the front panel.

[0124] At least one of the first input area (R22) and the second input area (R23) may be positioned between the door outer line (DLE, DRE) and the vertical quadrant (QV1, QV3) closest to the edge of the door. FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which the first input area (R22) is positioned between the door left outer line (DLE) and the left quadrant (QV1), and the second input area (R23) is positioned between the right quadrant (QV3) and the door right outer line (DRE).

[0125] Meanwhile, at least one of the first input area (R22) and the second input area (R23) may be positioned between two adjacent vertical octants (V1 and V2, V6 and V7) closest to the edge of the door. FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which the first input area (R22) is positioned between the first vertical octant (V1) and the second vertical octant (V2), and the second input area (R23) is positioned between the seventh vertical octant (V7) and the sixth vertical octant (V6).

[0126] Furthermore, the virtual vertical line passing through the center of the supply command input section (72) may be positioned between the vertical quadrant (QV1, QV3) closest to the edge of the door and the door outer line (DLE, DRE).

[0127] In this case, the center of the supply command input unit (72) may be arranged to be closer to the vertical quadrants (QV1, QV3) than the door outer lines (DLE, DRE). If the center of the supply command input unit (72) is arranged closer to the second input area (R23), the distance that the user must move to operate the garment treatment device (the distance from the supply command input unit to the execution command input unit) is reduced, and thus, the interface will be more convenient to use through the arrangement described above.

[0128] Unlike the above, the virtual vertical line passing through the center of the supply command input unit (72) may be positioned between the first vertical octant (V1) and the second vertical octant (V2). In this case, the vertical line passing through the center of the supply command input unit (72) may be positioned closer to the second vertical octant (V2) than to the first vertical octant (V1).

[0129] The virtual vertical line passing through the center of the execution command input unit (73) may be arranged to be located between the vertical quadrant (QV1, QV3) closest to the edge of the door and the door outer line (DLE, DRE). Fig. 5 illustrates an example in which the center of the execution command input unit (73) is located between the door right outer line (DRE) and the third vertical quadrant (QV3). In this case, the center of the execution command input unit (73) may be arranged to be located closer to the third vertical quadrant (QV3) than to the door right outer line (DRE).

[0130] Unlike the above, the virtual vertical line passing through the center of the execution command input unit (73) may be arranged to be located between the sixth vertical octant (V6) and the seventh vertical octant (V7). In this case, the center of the execution command input unit (73) may be arranged to be located closer to the sixth vertical octant (V6) than to the seventh vertical octant (V7).

[0131] The positions of the supply command input section (72) and the execution command input section (73) may be set as follows.

[0132] That is, the virtual vertical line passing through the center of the supply command input unit (72) may be positioned between the left outer line (PLE) of the visible area and the first input / output unit vertical outer line (RLE), and the virtual vertical line passing through the center of the execution command input unit (73) may be positioned between the right outer line (PRE) of the visible area and the second input / output unit vertical outer line (RRE).

[0133] When defining a virtual vertical line passing through both edges of the output area (R21) as an output area outer line, the output area outer line is a concept including the first input / output unit vertical outer line (RLE, left outer line of the output area) and the second input / output unit vertical outer line (RRE, right outer line of the output area). The first input / output unit vertical outer line (RLE) may be defined as a virtual vertical line passing through the edge of the first input / output area (R212) (a virtual vertical line passing through the left edge of the output area), and the second input / output unit vertical outer line (RRE) may be defined as a virtual vertical line passing through the edge of the second input / output area (R213) (a virtual vertical line passing through the right edge of the output area).

[0134] The center of the supply command input unit (72) may be positioned at the center of the left outer line (PLE) of the visible area and the vertical outer line (RLE) of the first input / output unit, and the center of the execution command input unit (73) may be positioned at the center of the right outer line (PRE) of the visible area and the vertical outer line (RRE) of the second input / output unit.

[0135] Unlike the above, the center of the supply command input unit (72) may be positioned closer to the first input / output unit vertical outer line (RLE) than the left outer line (PLE) of the visible area, and the center of the execution command input unit (73) may be positioned closer to the second input / output unit vertical outer line (RRE) than the right outer line (PRE) of the visible area.

[0136] As the distance between the supply command input unit (72) and the execution command input unit (73) is reduced, the distance that the user must move to operate the garment treatment device is reduced, so the interface will be more convenient to use through the above-described arrangement.

[0137] As illustrated in Fig. 5, if the first input area (R22) shares one side of the output area (R21) and is provided in a shape with a curved edge (such as a semicircle), an optical illusion may occur in which the supply command input unit (72) appears to be biased to one side even if it is located at the center of the width direction of the first input area (R22). To solve this problem, the center of the supply command input unit (72) may be provided to be located closer to the first input / output unit vertical outer line (RLE) than to the left outer line (PLE) of the visible area.

[0138] For the same reason, it is preferable that the center of the execution command input section (73) be positioned closer to the second input / output section vertical outer line (RRE) than to the right outer line (PRE) of the visible area.

[0139] In order to efficiently use the space provided by the front panel (11), the length (L22, width of the first input area) of the first input area in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the front panel may be set shorter than the width (L212) of the first input / output area. In this case, the width (L22) of the first input area may be set to be 2 / 3 or more and 4 / 5 or less of the width (L212) of the first input / output area.

[0140] Meanwhile, the length (L23, width of the second input area) of the second input area in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the front panel may be set shorter than the length (L213, width of the second input / output area) of the second input / output area in the width direction of the front panel. In this case, the width (L23) of the second input area may be set to be 2 / 3 or more and 4 / 5 or less of the width (L213) of the second input / output area.

[0141] In order to improve the visibility of the above output area (R21), the length of the first interaction area (L211, width of the first interaction area) in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the front panel may be set to be 2 / 5 or more and 3 / 5 or less of the length of the output area (L21, width of the output area) in the width direction of the front panel.

[0142] The output area outer line (RLE, RRE) passing through the edge of the output area (R21) may be positioned between the vertical quadrant (QV1, QV3) closest to the edge of the door and the door outer line (DLE, DRE). In this case, the output area outer line (RLE, RRE) may be positioned closer to the vertical quadrant (QV1, QV3) among the door outer line and the vertical quadrant.

[0143] Meanwhile, the output area outer line (RLE, RRE) may be provided to be positioned between the two vertical octants (V1 and V2, V6 and V7) closest to the edge of the door. That is, the output area left outer line (RLE) located on the left side of the output area may be provided to be positioned between the first vertical octant (V1) and the second vertical octant (V2), and the output area right outer line (RRE) located on the right side of the output area may be provided to be positioned between the sixth vertical octant (V6) and the seventh vertical octant (V7). In this case, the output area left outer line (RLE) may be provided to be positioned close to the second vertical octant (V2), and the output area right outer line (RRE) may be provided to be positioned close to the sixth vertical octant (V6).

[0144] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of an interface (7) provided in the garment treatment device (100). The interface according to this embodiment can be provided in the same manner as the interface of FIG. 4, except for the shapes of the first input area (R22) and the second input force (R23).

[0145] That is, the interface (7) provided in the present embodiment may also be provided to include a visible area (71) provided on the front panel (11), a supply command input unit (72) provided in the visible area (71) to receive the supply command, an execution command input unit (73) provided in the visible area (71) to receive the execution command, a first interaction unit (74) provided in the visible area (71) to display information related to the control command (information set in the control command, specific contents or description of the control command, etc.) and enable selection of the displayed control command, and a second interaction unit (75) provided in the visible area (71) to display the control command as an image and enable selection of the displayed control command.

[0146] The above visible area (71) may be provided to include an output area (R21) in which the first interaction unit (74) and the second interaction unit (75) are provided, a first input area (R22) in which the supply command input unit (72) is provided, and a second input area (R23) in which the execution command input unit (73) is provided.

[0147] The above output area (R21) may be provided to include a first interaction area (R211) in which the first interaction unit (74) is located, and a second interaction area (R212, R213) in which the second interaction unit (75) is located. The second interaction area may be provided to include a first input / output area (R212) in which the first input / output unit (751) is located, and a second input / output area (R213) in which the second input / output unit (752) is located.

[0148] The above output area (R21) may be provided in various shapes, and may be provided in a square shape as illustrated in Fig. 6. The first input area (R22) may be provided in the form of a square with rounded corners while sharing one side (M1) of the output area (R21), and the second input area (R23) may be provided in the form of a square with rounded corners while sharing the other side (M2) of the output area (R21).

[0149] That is, the edge of the first input area (R22) may be provided as a rounded rectangle with corners connecting two vertices (P5, P6) of one side (M1) provided in the output area (R21), and the edge of the second input area (R23) may be provided as a rounded rectangle with corners connecting two vertices (P7, P8) of the other side (M2) provided in the output area (R21).

[0150] The first input / output area (R212) may be provided so as to be spaced apart from the first interaction area (R211) by a predetermined distance (LW3) in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the visible area (71), and the second input / output area (R213) may be provided so as to be spaced apart from the first interaction area (R211) by a predetermined distance (LW4) in the width direction of the visible area (71). As described above, when the edge of the first input / output unit (751) is spaced apart from the edge of the first interaction unit (74) (LW3) and the edge of the second input / output unit (752) is spaced apart from the edge of the first interaction unit (74) (LW4), an advantageous effect in securing the visibility of the interface (7) can be expected.

[0151] In addition, the upper part of the output area (R21) and the upper part of the visible area (71) may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance (HW3) along the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the mounting space (71), and the lower part of the output area (R21) and the lower part of the visible area (71) may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance (HW4) along the height direction of the mounting space (71).

[0152] The third horizontal spacing (LW3) and the fourth horizontal spacing (LW4) may be set at the same interval, and the third vertical spacing (HW3) and the fourth vertical spacing (HW4) may be set at the same interval.

[0153] As shown in Fig. 7, the shape, structure, and functional characteristics of the interface (7) according to the present embodiment can be set identically to those posted in Fig. 5.

[0154] For example, the center of the supply command input unit (72) may be positioned at the center of the left outer line of the visible area (PLE) and the first input / output unit vertical outer line (RLE, left outer line of the output area) (or the center of the first input area), and the center of the execution command input unit (73) may be positioned at the center of the right outer line of the visible area (PRE) and the second input / output unit vertical outer line (RRE, right outer line of the output area) (or the center of the second input area).

[0155] The interface and clothing treatment device described above are merely preferred embodiments, and therefore the scope of the present application is not limited to the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A front panel equipped with an inlet that opens and closes by a door and a mounting hole; A receiving section that provides a space for receiving the treatment target supplied to the above inlet; A processing unit that performs washing or drying of the above processing target; and An interface that enables at least one of input of a supply command that instructs the supply of power, display of a control command necessary for controlling the processing unit, selection of the displayed control command, display of information set in the control command, and input of an execution command that instructs the execution of the selected control command; wherein the interface comprises: Visible area defined as the space exposed to the outside through the above mounting hole; A supply command input unit provided in the above visible area and configured to receive the supply command; An execution command input unit provided in the visible area so as to be located at a point separated from the supply command input unit, and for receiving the execution command; A first interaction part provided in the above visible area and positioned between the supply command input part and the execution command input part, which enables display of information set in the control command and selection of the displayed control command; and A garment treatment device characterized by comprising a second interaction unit provided in the above visible area and located in at least one of the space between the supply command input unit and the first interaction unit and the space between the execution command input unit and the first interaction unit, and enabling display of an image of the control command and selection of the displayed control command.

2. In paragraph 1, A garment treatment device, characterized in that the image output to the second interaction unit is set to at least one of an icon, a static image, and a dynamic image symbolizing the control command.

3. In paragraph 2, The outer line of the visible area, which is an imaginary vertical line passing through the edge of the above visible area, A clothes treatment device characterized in that the door is located between the vertical quadrant closest to the edge of the door among the imaginary vertical lines dividing the door into four parts in the width direction of the front panel and the door outer line, which is an imaginary vertical line passing through the edge of the door.

4. In paragraph 2, The outer line of the visible area, which is an imaginary vertical line passing through the edge of the above visible area, A clothes treatment device characterized in that the door is located between the first vertical octant closest to the edge of the door and the second vertical octant adjacent to the first vertical octant among the seven imaginary vertical lines dividing the door into eight equal parts in the width direction of the front panel.

5. In paragraph 2, The above visible area is, An output area where the first interaction unit and the second interaction unit are located; A first input area where the above supply command input section is located and connected to one of the left and right sides of the above output area; and A garment treatment device characterized in that it includes a second input area where the execution command input section is located and connected to the other side of the left and right sides of the output area.

6. In paragraph 5, The output area outer line, which is an imaginary vertical line passing through the edge of the output area, A clothes treatment device characterized in that the door is located between the vertical quadrant closest to the edge of the door among the imaginary vertical lines dividing the door into four parts in the width direction of the front panel and the door outer line, which is an imaginary vertical line passing through the edge of the door.

7. In paragraph 5, The output area outer line, which is an imaginary vertical line passing through the edge of the output area, A clothes treatment device characterized in that the door is located between the first vertical octant closest to the edge of the door and the second vertical octant adjacent to the first vertical octant among the seven imaginary vertical lines dividing the door into eight equal parts in the width direction of the front panel.

8. In paragraph 5, At least one of the first input area and the second input area, A clothes treatment device characterized in that the door is located between the vertical quadrant closest to the edge of the door among the virtual vertical quadrants that divide the door into four parts in the width direction of the front panel and the door outer line, which is a virtual vertical line that touches the edge of the door.

9. In paragraph 5, At least one of the first input area and the second input area, A clothes treatment device characterized in that the door is located between the vertical octant closest to the edge of the door and the vertical octant adjacent to the vertical octant closest to the edge of the door among the seven virtual vertical octants that divide the door into eight parts in the width direction of the front panel.

10. In paragraph 5, The center of the above supply command input section and the center of the above execution command input section are A clothes treatment device characterized in that the door is located between the vertical octant closest to the edge of the door and the vertical octant adjacent to the vertical octant closest to the edge of the door among the seven virtual vertical octants that divide the door into eight parts in the width direction of the front panel.

11. In paragraph 5, The center of the above supply command input section and the center of the above execution command input section are A clothes treatment device characterized in that the door is located between the vertical octant closest to the edge of the door and the vertical octant adjacent to the vertical octant closest to the edge of the door among the seven virtual vertical octants that divide the door into eight parts in the width direction of the front panel.

12. In paragraph 5, The second interaction unit includes a first input / output unit and a second input / output unit arranged to face each other with the first interaction unit in between, A garment treatment device, characterized in that the output area includes a first interaction area where the first interaction unit is located, a first input / output area where the first input / output unit is located between the first input area and the first interaction area, and a second input / output area where the second input / output unit is located between the first interaction area and the second input area.

13. In paragraph 12, The center of the above supply command input section is located at the center of the left outer line of the visible area, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the left edge of the visible area, and the first input / output section vertical outer line, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the edge of the first input / output area. A clothing treatment device characterized in that the center of the execution command input section is located at the center of the right outer line of the visible area, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the right edge of the visible area, and the second input / output section vertical outer line, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the edge of the second input / output area.

14. In paragraph 12, The center of the above supply command input section is located closer to the first input / output section vertical outer line, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the edge of the first input / output area, than to the left outer line of the visible area, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the left edge of the visible area. A clothing treatment device characterized in that the center of the execution command input section is located closer to the second input / output section vertical outer line, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the edge of the second input / output area, than to the right outer line of the visible area, which is a virtual vertical line passing through the right edge of the visible area.

15. In paragraph 12, A clothing treatment device, characterized in that the length of the first input area in the width direction of the front panel is set shorter than the length of the first input / output area in the width direction of the front panel.

16. In paragraph 12, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the length of the second input area in the width direction of the front panel is set shorter than the length of the second input / output area in the width direction of the front panel.

17. In paragraph 5, The above output area is provided in a rectangular shape, The edge of the first input area is provided in a shape that includes a curved section and connects two vertices that constitute one side of the output area. A garment processing device characterized in that the edge of the second input area is provided in a shape that includes a curved section and connects two vertices constituting the other side of the output area.

18. In paragraph 17, An imaginary vertical line passing through the center of the above supply command input section passes through a curve forming the edge of the first input area, A garment treatment device characterized in that a virtual vertical line passing through the center of the execution command input section is provided to pass through a curve forming the edge of the second input area.

19. In paragraph 5, The above output area is provided in a rectangular shape, The above first input area shares one side of the above output area and is provided in the form of a rectangle with rounded corners. A garment processing device characterized in that the second input area shares another side of the output area but is provided in the form of a square with rounded corners.

Images