CLOTHES CARE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME

BACKGROUND
1. Field

The disclosure relates to a clothes care apparatus for controlling a steam mode in the event of scale formation on a water level sensor, and a method for controlling the clothes care apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

A clothes care apparatus is a device that performs clothes care, such as drying wet clothes, removing dirt or odor from clothes, and reducing wrinkles in clothes.

In general, the clothes care apparatus may include a cabinet forming a garment care room for accommodating garments, and a door for opening and closing the cabinet.

The clothes care apparatus may include a cycle device supplying hot air to the garment care room to dry clothes, a steam device performing refreshing functions such as removing wrinkles in garments, deodorizing garments, removing static electricity from garments, and the like, a water supply supplying water to the steam device, a drain device draining residual water from the steam device, and the like.

Among the above, the steam device may include a steam chamber, a water level sensor for detecting a water level of water stored in the steam chamber, a heater for heating the water stored in the steam chamber, and a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the water in the steam chamber.

The water stored in the steam chamber of the steam device is hard water containing a large amount of minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. As a result, scale may form on the water level sensor in the steam chamber, and the amount of scale formed on the water level sensor may increase as the period of use and number of uses of the steam device increase.

In a case where scale forms on the water level sensor, the water level sensor may output a water level detection signal due to an electrical conduction, even though the water level sensor has not come into contact with the water in the steam chamber. In this case, the steam device may erroneously detect that water is present in the steam chamber, and operate the heater.

As such, the heater operates in a state where there is no water in the steam chamber, causing the heater to overheat. In addition, the overheating of the heater may lead to a malfunction of the heater or a fire in the clothes care apparatus.

SUMMARY

It is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a clothes care apparatus and a method for controlling the same that may confirm mode operation information of a previous steam mode based on receiving a water level detection signal corresponding to a preset water level from a water level sensor at a start of a current steam mode, and control supply of the water based on the confirmed mode operation information of the previous steam mode.

It is another aspect of the disclosure to provide a clothes care apparatus and a method for controlling the same that may obtain and store, as mode operation information of a current steam mode, water temperature information over time and heater off information during operation of the current steam mode.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a clothes care apparatus may include: a steam chamber; a water supply configured to supply water to the steam chamber; a heater configured to heat water in the steam chamber; a water level sensor disposed in the steam chamber and configured to detect a first reference water level and a second reference water level higher than the first reference water level; a memory configured to store mode operation information of a previous steam mode; and a processor configured to, based on a water level detection signal corresponding to the second reference water level being received from the water level sensor at a start of a current steam mode, control the water supply and the heater based on the mode operation information of the previous steam mode.

The processor of the clothes care apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may be configured to obtain a change time during which a water temperature of the steam chamber changes from a first reference water temperature to a second reference water temperature based on the obtained water temperature information over time, determine that supplying the water is not required based on the obtained change time being greater than or equal to a reference time, and determine that supplying the water is required based on the obtained change time being less than the reference time. The first reference water temperature is lower than the second reference water temperature.

The processor of the clothes care apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may be configured to obtain a steam generation time from the water temperature information over time and the heater off information based on the obtained change time being less than the reference time, obtain a water supply amount based on the obtained steam generation time, and control an operation of the water supply based on the water supply amount.

The processor of the clothes care apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may be configured to obtain a reaching time at which the water temperature of the steam chamber reaches the second reference water temperature based on the water temperature information over time, obtain an off time at which the heater is turned off based on the heater off information, and obtain a period of time between the obtained reaching time and the obtained off time as the steam generation time.

The clothes care apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may further include a temperature sensor configured to detect a water temperature of the steam chamber. The processor of the clothes care apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may be configured to obtain water temperature information over time based on the current steam mode being in operation and water temperature information being received from the temperature sensor, control the memory to store the obtained water temperature information over time as mode operation information of the current steam mode, change the mode operation information of the previous steam mode stored in the memory to the mode operation information of the current steam mode.

The clothes care apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may further include an input interface. The processor of the clothes care apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may be configured to control the heater to be turned off based on a course received through the input interface and water temperature information received from the temperature sensor, and control the memory to store an off time at which the heater is turned off as the mode operation information of the current steam mode.

The processor of the clothes care apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may be configured to control the water supply to supply water based on the water level detection signal corresponding to the second reference water level not being received from the water level sensor at the start of the current steam mode, and control the water supply to stop supplying the water based on the water level detection signal corresponding to the second reference water level being received from the water level sensor while the water supply is being controlled.

The clothes care apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may further include a temperature sensor configured to detect a water temperature of the steam chamber. The processor of the clothes care apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may be configured to obtain a change time during which the water temperature of the steam chamber changes from a first reference water temperature to a second reference water temperature based on water temperature information received from the temperature sensor, obtain a steam generation time between a reaching time at which the water temperature reaches the second reference water temperature and an off time at which the heater is turned off, and control the memory to store the obtained change time and the steam generation time as mode operation information of the current steam mode.

The clothes care apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may further include a display. The processor of the clothes care apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may be configured to control the display to display an error based on a water level detection signal corresponding to the first reference water level not being received and the water level detection signal corresponding to the second reference water level being received.

The mode operation information of the previous steam mode of the clothes care apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may include water temperature information over time. The processor of the clothes care apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may be configured to obtain a change time during which a water temperature of the steam chamber changes from a first reference water temperature to a second reference water temperature based on the obtained water temperature information over time, and determine a water supply amount based on the obtained change time.

The first reference water temperature of the clothes care apparatus according to an aspect is lower than the second reference water temperature.

The mode operation information of the previous steam mode of the clothes care apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may include water temperature information over time and heater off information of the heater. The processor of the clothes care apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may be configured to obtain a current water level of the steam chamber based on the water temperature information over time, obtain a water use amount based on the heater off information, and determine a water supply amount based on the obtained current water level and the obtained water use amount.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method for controlling a clothes care apparatus may include: obtaining mode operation information of a previous steam mode stored in a memory, based on a water level detection signal corresponding to a preset water level being received from a water level sensor at a start of a current steam mode; and controlling a water supply and a heater based on the obtained mode operation information of the previous steam mode.

The controlling of the water supply may include determining whether to supply water based on the obtained mode operation information of the previous steam mode, and controlling the water supply to operate or stop based on whether the water is supplied.

The controlling of the water supply may include obtaining a change time during which a water temperature of a steam chamber changes from a first reference water temperature to a second reference water temperature based on the obtained mode operation information of the previous steam mode, stopping the water supply based on the obtained change time being greater than or equal to a reference time, obtaining a steam generation time from the obtained mode operation information based on the obtained change time being less than the reference time, obtaining a water supply amount based on the obtained steam generation time, and controlling an operation of the water supply based on the water supply amount. The first reference water temperature is lower than the second reference water temperature.

The obtaining of the steam generation time may include obtaining a period of time between a reaching time at which the water temperature reaches the second reference water temperature and an off time at which the heater is turned off based on the obtained mode operation information of the previous steam mode, and obtaining the obtained period of time as the steam generation time.

The method according to another aspect of the disclosure may further include: obtaining water temperature information over time based on water temperature information being received from a temperature sensor during operation of the current steam mode; obtaining heater off information of the heater based on a course received through an input interface and the water temperature information received from the temperature sensor; and storing the water temperature information over time and the heater off information as mode operation information of the current steam mode in the memory.

The method according to another aspect of the disclosure may further include: controlling supply of the water to be performed based on the water level detection signal corresponding to the preset water level not being received from the water level sensor at the start of the current steam mode, controlling supply of the water to stop based on the water level detection signal corresponding to the preset water level being received during supply of the water, and controlling the heater to be turned on.

The method according to another aspect of the disclosure may further include: controlling the heater to be turned off based on a course received through an input interface and water temperature information received from a temperature sensor; storing, as mode operation information of the current steam mode, heater off information including an off time at which the heater is turned off, in the memory; and storing water temperature information over time as the mode operation information of the current steam mode in the memory, based on the water temperature information being received from the temperature sensor.

According to the disclosure, even though a water level of a steam chamber is incorrectly detected due to scale formation on a water level sensor, water may be supplied to the steam chamber up to a preset water level to normally operate a steam mode.

According to the disclosure, even though a water level of a steam chamber is incorrectly detected due to scale formation on a water level sensor, a water level of water stored in the steam chamber may be obtained, and a steam mode may be normally operated based on the obtained water level being an adequate water level for steam generation.

As such, according to the disclosure, water may be supplied despite scale formation on a water level sensor, thereby preventing overheating and malfunction of a heater, and further preventing malfunction of a clothes care apparatus and ensuring safe operation of a steamer of the clothes care apparatus. In addition, a fire in the clothes care apparatus may be prevented by preventing malfunction of the heater.

According to the disclosure, errors in an operation of a steam mode due to scale formed on a water level sensor may be prevented, and even though scale occurs in the water level sensor, a clothes care apparatus may be operated for the life of the clothes care apparatus without replacing the water level sensor.

According to the disclosure, after-sales costs, time, and manpower caused by a water level sensor malfunction due to scale on the water level sensor may be reduced, and user convenience and satisfaction may be improved.

According to the disclosure, a quality and marketability of a clothes care apparatus may be enhanced and safety and competitiveness of the clothes care apparatus may be improved.

Before undertaking the detailed description below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely.

Moreover, various functions described below can be implemented or supported by one or more computer programs, each of which is formed from computer readable program code and embodied in a computer readable medium. The terms “application” and “program” refer to one or more computer programs, software components, sets of instructions, procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or a portion thereof adapted for implementation in a suitable computer readable program code. The phrase “computer readable program code” includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code, and executable code. The phrase “computer readable medium” includes any type of medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), or any other type of memory. A “non-transitory” computer readable medium excludes wired, wireless, optical, or other communication links that transport transitory electrical or other signals. A non-transitory computer readable medium includes media where data can be permanently stored and media where data can be stored and later overwritten, such as a rewritable optical disc or an erasable memory device.

Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view of a clothes care apparatus with an open door according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an exterior of a steamer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an interior of a steamer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of a clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are graphs of water temperature over time of a steamer of a clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment, in a case where a steam mode is determined as a normal mode.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment, in a case where a steam mode is determined as a safe mode.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a clothes care apparatus according to another embodiment, in a case where a steam mode is determined as a safe mode.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a clothes care apparatus according to still another embodiment, in a case where a steam mode is determined as a safe mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 12, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

Various embodiments and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technology disclosed herein to specific forms, and the disclosure should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives to the corresponding embodiments.

In describing the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to designate similar constituent elements.

A singular expression may include a plural expression unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.

The expressions “A or B,” “at least one of A or/and B,” or “one or more of A or/and B,” A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B or/and C,” or “one or more of A, B or/and C,” and the like used herein may include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The term of “and/or” includes a plurality of combinations of relevant items or any one item among a plurality of relevant items.

Herein, the expressions “a first”, “a second”, “the first”, “the second”, etc., may simply be used to distinguish an element from other elements, but is not limited to another aspect (e.g., importance or order) of elements.

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

In this disclosure, the terms “including”, “having”, and the like are used to specify features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, elements, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

When an element is said to be “connected”, “coupled”, “supported” or “contacted” with another element, this includes not only when elements are directly connected, coupled, supported or contacted, but also when elements are indirectly connected, coupled, supported or contacted through a third element.

Throughout the description, when an element is “on” another element, this includes not only when the element is in contact with the other element, but also when there is another element between the two elements.

Hereinafter, a clothes care apparatus according to various embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view of a clothes care apparatus with an open door according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an exterior of a steamer according to an embodiment. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an interior of a steamer according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a clothes care apparatus 1 may include a main body 10 forming an exterior, a door 20 rotatably coupled to the main body 10, and a garment care room 30 disposed in the main body 10 to accommodate clothes to be cared for.

The main body 10 may have a rectangular prism shape with one side open. An opening 10a may be formed in a front side of the main body 10.

A drainage tank 15a and a water supply tank 15b disposed in the main body 10 may be detachable from the main body 10.

The drainage tank 15a and the water supply tank 15b may be disposed below the garment care room 11.

The drainage tank 15a may be provided to facilitate condensate (condensed water) treatment.

The water supply tank 15b may store water for generating steam.

The drainage tank 15a and the water supply tank 15b may be detachable from the main body 10 to facilitate water removal and water refilling.

The door 20 for opening and closing the main body 10 may be disposed at the opening 10a of the main body 10. The door 20 may open and close the garment care room 11. The door 20 may be disposed on the front of the main body 10 via a connection member such as a hinge 22.

The door 20 may include a door guide 21 for guiding movement of condensate. The door guide 21 may guide condensate that condenses and forms on a rear side of the door 20. The door guide 21 may be inclined downward from the rear side of the door 20 toward the garment care room 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, the garment care room 11 is a room where garments are placed. A garment support member 12 may be provided in the garment care room 11 to hold a garment.

The garment support member 12 may be detachably installed in an upper part of the garment care room 11. At least one garment support member 12 may be provided. The garment support member 12 may be provided in the form of a hanger. The garment support member 12 may be provided with an air hole through which air flows inside. The garment support member 12 may remove dust or foreign substances on garments using air supplied through the air hole.

The garment care room 11 may include a first airflow inlet 13a, a second airflow inlet 13b, a first airflow outlet 14a, a second airflow outlet 14b, and a steam outlet 14c.

The first airflow inlet 13a and the first airflow outlet 14a may be formed on a lower side of the garment care room 11. The first airflow inlet 13a may be formed at a front part of the lower side of the garment care room 11, and the first airflow outlet 14a may be formed at a rear part of the lower side of the garment care room 11.

The condensate flowing in through the first airflow inlet 13a may be moved to the drainage tank 15a by a sump 13c.

The sump 13c may be disposed in a machine room 15. The sump 13c may store the condensate flowing in through the first airflow inlet 13a of the garment care room 11.

The second airflow inlet 13b may be formed on a rear side the garment care room 11. The second airflow outlet 14b may be formed at the center of the upper side of the garment care room 11. The second airflow inlet 13b and the second airflow outlet 14b may be disposed close to each other.

The second airflow outlet 14b may be connected to the garment support member 12. Air discharged through the second airflow outlet 14b may be moved to the garment held on the garment support member 12 through the air hole formed in the garment support member 12.

The main body 10 may further include the machine room 15.

The machine room 15 may be provided at a lower part of the main body 10 and below the garment care room 11.

The machine room 15 may be provided behind the drainage tank 15a and the water supply tank 15b.

A cycle device 30 may be disposed in the machine room 15 to heat or dehumidify the air in the garment care room 11.

The cycle device 30 may supply hot air into the garment care room 11.

The cycle device 30 may include a refrigeration cycle.

The cycle device 30 may include a compressor 31, a condenser 32, an evaporator 33, and an expansion valve (not shown) through which refrigerant circulates and may further include a first blower fan 34.

Once the refrigerant vaporized in the evaporator 33 is drawn in, the compressor 31 may compress the refrigerant and transfer the compressed refrigerant to the condenser 32. The compressed refrigerant may be a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant.

The condenser 32 may be connected between the compressor 31 and the expansion valve and receive the compressed refrigerant from the compressor 31. The refrigerant of the condenser 32 may perform heat exchange with the surrounding air, thereby being liquefied. In the condenser 32, the refrigerant supplied from the compressor 31 changes phase into a high-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The condenser 32 may transfer the high-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant to the expansion valve.

The expansion valve may reduce a pressure of the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 32 through a throttling effect. The expansion valve may transfer the refrigerant with the reduced pressure to the evaporator 33.

The evaporator 33 may change the refrigerant supplied from the expansion valve into a gaseous state and transfer the phase-changed refrigerant to the compressor 31. The refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator 33 may be a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. The refrigerant of the evaporator 33 may exchange heat with the surrounding air, thereby being liquefied. The refrigerant of the evaporator 33 may evaporate by itself while absorbing the heat required for evaporation from the surrounding air. In other words, the evaporator 33 may absorb heat by heat exchange, and may condense and remove moisture in the air by heat absorption.

The evaporator 33 and the condenser 32 of the cycle device 30 may dehumidify or heat the air by heat exchange.

The first blower fan 34 may draw air into the garment care room 11 and allow the drawn air to flow into the machine room 15.

More specifically, the first blower fan 34 may draw air into the machine room 15 and move air from the lower part of the garment care room 11 to the inside of the garment care room 11. In other words, the first blower fan 34 may move air from the lower part of the garment care room 11 to the upper part of the garment care room 11. The first blower fan 34 may include a motor generating rotational force, and a blade rotated by the motor.

The first blower fan 34 may be provided as, but is not limited thereto, a centrifugal fan that draws in air in the axial direction of the motor and discharges air radially outwardly of the blade.

The air flowing by the first blower fan 34 may be dried by passing through the cycle device 30. Accordingly, the garments placed in the garment care room 11 may be supplied with dry air from the lower part of the garment care room 11.

A first duct 35 connecting the evaporator 33 and the condenser 32 of the cycle device 30 and the first blower fan 34 may be further provided in the machine room 15.

The first duct 35 may be connected to the garment care room 11 to form a first circulation flow path circulating between the garment care room 11 and the first duct 35.

The first duct 35 may be connected to the first airflow inlet 13a and the first airflow outlet 14a of the garment care room 11. As a result, air from the garment care room 11 may be introduced into the first duct 35 through the first airflow inlet 13a. The air introduced into the first duct 35 may be dehumidified by the cycle device 30 and then moved back to the garment care room 11 through the first airflow outlet 14a.

The first duct 35 may allow the air introduced through the first airflow inlet 13a to be dehumidified and allow the dehumidified air to be discharged through the first airflow outlet 14a.

The main body 10 may include a second blower fan 40 and a second duct 41 for circulating air in the garment care room 11 and may further include a filter 50.

The second blower fan 40 may be disposed at the upper part of the garment care room 11. The second blower fan 40 may allow air to move from the upper part of the garment care room 11 to the lower part of the garment care room 11.

The second blower fan 40 may allow air to be drawn in from the garment care room 11 through the second airflow inlet 13b and allow the drawn air to be discharged through the second airflow outlet 14b.

The second blower fan 40 may include a motor generating rotational force and a blade rotated by the motor. The second blower fan 40 may be provided as, but is not limited thereto, a centrifugal fan that draws in air in the axial direction of the motor and discharges air radially outwardly of the blade.

The second duct 41 may be connected to the garment care room 11 to form a second circulation flow path circulating between the garment care room 11 and the second duct 41.

The second blower fan 40 may be disposed in the second duct 41. That is, the second blower fan 40 may be provided on the second circulation flow path.

The second duct 41 may be formed at the rear part of the second airflow inlet 13b of the garment care room 11. The second duct 41 may be provided at the upper rear side of the garment care room 11 and may include the filter 50 therein.

The second duct 41 may be connected to the second airflow inlet 13b and the second airflow outlet 14b of the garment care room 11. The second airflow outlet 14b may be connected to the garment support member 12 to allow the air of the second duct 41 to be transferred to the garment support member 12.

Foreign substances contained in the air of the garment care room 11 may be filtered by the filter 50 of the second airflow inlet 13b when flowing into the second duct 41. Foreign substances and odors may be removed from the air flowing into the second duct 41 by the filter 50.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may further include a steamer 100 disposed in the machine room 15 and configured to receive water from the water supply tank 15b to generate steam and supply the generated steam into the garment care room 11.

The steam generated by the steamer 100 may remove foreign substances, such as dust, from the garments in the garment care room 11 and sterilize viruses and bacteria.

The steamer is described with reference to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the steamer 100 may include a water supply 110 connected to the water supply tank 15b, a steam chamber 120 connected to the water supply 110 to store water supplied by the water supply 110 and generate steam using the stored water, a steam ejector 130 (see FIG. 3) for spraying the steam generated in the steam chamber 120 into the garment care room 11, and a steam supply pipe 140 arranged between the steam chamber 120 and the steam ejector 130 to guide the steam generated in the steam chamber 120 to the steam ejector 130.

The water stored in the water supply tank 15b may be hard water containing trace amounts of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

The water supply 110 may include a water supply pipe 111 disposed between the water supply tank 15b and the steam chamber 120, a pump 112 disposed in the water supply pipe 111 to pump the water stored in the water supply tank 15b, and a valve 113 disposed in the water supply pipe 111 to open or close the water supply pipe 111.

Opening of the valve 113 may allow the pumped water to be supplied to the steam chamber 120 and closing of the valve 113 may block the water in the water supply tank 15b from being supplied to the steam chamber 120.

The steam ejector 130 may include a steam outlet and may be provided at the rear side of the garment care room 11.

The steam supply pipe 140 may be connected to an upper part of the steam chamber 120.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the steamer 100 may further include a water level sensor 150, a temperature sensor 160, and a heater 170. The water level sensor 150 may be disposed in the steam chamber 120 to detect a height (i.e., water level) of water stored in the steam chamber 120, the temperature sensor 160 may be disposed in the steam chamber 120 to detect a temperature (i.e., water temperature) of water stored in the steam chamber 120, and the heater 170 may be disposed in the steam chamber 120 to heat the water stored in the steam chamber 120.

Here, the height of the water may be a distance from a bottom side of the steam chamber 120 to a water surface.

The water level sensor 150 may be positioned inside the steam chamber 120 and may be suspended from an upper side toward the lower side of the steam chamber 120.

The water level sensor 150 may include a first level sensor 151 detecting a first reference water level in the steam chamber 120 and a second level sensor 152 detecting a second reference water level.

The first level sensor 151 and the second level sensor 152 may be electrodes. The water level sensor may further include a common electrode 153.

Current may flow when the first level sensor 151 and the second level sensor 152 come into contact with water stored in the steam chamber 120.

Current may flow between the first level sensor 151 and the second level sensor 152 due to scale when scale occurs.

The first level sensor 151 may output a water level detection signal in a case where a water level of the steam chamber 120 is the first reference water level. In other words, the first level sensor 151 may output the water level detection signal in a case where the water level of the steam chamber 120 reaches the first reference water level and the first level sensor 151 comes into contact with water.

The first level sensor 151 may output the water level detection signal by conducting current upon contact with water and may not output the water level detection signal in a case where the first level sensor 151 does not come into contact with water and thus does not conduct current. The water level detection signal of the first level sensor 151 may be a first water level detection signal.

The second level sensor 152 may output a water level detection signal in a case where the water level of the steam chamber 120 is a second reference water level. In other words, the second level sensor 152 may output the water level detection signal in a case where the water level of the steam chamber 120 reaches the second reference water level and the second level sensor 152 comes into contact with water. The water level detection signal of the second level sensor 152 may be a second water level detection signal.

The second level sensor 152 may output the water level detection signal by conducting current upon contact with water and may not output the water level detection signal in a case where the second level sensor 152 does not come into contact with water and thus does not conduct current.

The second reference water level is a preset water level and may be higher than the first reference water level.

The first reference water level may be a height corresponding to a height of the heater 170 disposed in the steam chamber and may be a water level at which the heater 170 is submerged in water.

The temperature sensor 160 may detect a temperature of the water in the steam chamber 120 and output water temperature information about the detected water temperature.

The temperature sensor 160 may include one of a thermocouple, a thermistor, or a resistance temperature detector (RTD).

The temperature sensor 160 may also include a liquid expansion temperature sensor that uses expansion of liquid, or a bimetal temperature sensor that uses a thermal expansion rate of metal according to a temperature. The temperature sensor 160 may also include an infrared temperature sensor that detects a temperature with infrared, or a radiation temperature sensor that detects a temperature by the amount of radiation emitted from the surface of the water. However, the temperature sensor 160 is not limited thereto.

The heater 170 may be disposed in the steam chamber 120. The heater 170 may heat the water stored in the steam chamber 120 to allow a phase change from the water to steam.

In the embodiment, although a device for heating water is described as a ‘heater’, any device capable of heating water may be used in addition to the heater 170.

FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of a clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of controlling a steam mode based on a first water level detection signal and a second water level detection signal received from a water level sensor of a clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are graphs of water temperature over time of a steamer of a clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may include the steamer 100, a user interface 200, a processor 300, and memory 310.

In the steamer 100, water supplied from the water supply tank 15b through the water supply 110 may be stored in the steam chamber 120, the water stored in the steam chamber 120 may be heated using the heater 170, and once steam is generated by the heating of the water, the generated steam may be supplied to the garment care room 11.

The water level sensor 150 may detect a water level in the steam chamber 120 when receiving water from the water supply 110. The water level sensor 150 of the steamer 100 may transmit a water level detection signal for water level detection to the processor 300.

More specifically, in a case where a first reference water level is detected by the first level sensor 151, the water level sensor 150 (first level sensor 151) of the steamer 100 may transmit a first water level detection signal corresponding to the first reference water level to the processor 300, and in a case where a second reference water level is detected by the second level sensor 152, the water level sensor 150 (second level sensor 152) of the steamer 100 may transmit a second water level detection signal corresponding to the second reference water level to the processor 300.

In response to completion of supplying the water, the steamer 100 may turn on the heater 170 to heat the water and detect the temperature of the water using the temperature sensor 160 while heating the water. That is, the temperature sensor 160 may transmit the detected water temperature information to the processor 300.

In response to completion of a steam mode, the steamer 100 may turn off the heater 170. Upon completion of the steam mode, a water level in the steam chamber may be reduced by a height corresponding to the amount of steam supplied to the garment care room 11 from the second reference water level.

The water supply 110, the water level sensor 150, the temperature sensor 160, and the heater 170 disposed in the steamer 100 may be controlled by the processor 300.

The steamer 100 has been described with reference to FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b, and thus, the description thereof is omitted.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may include a control panel disposed on the door 20 or the main body 10.

The control panel may provide the user interface 200 for interaction between a user and the clothes care apparatus 1. The user interface 200 may include at least one input interface 210 and at least one output interface 220 and 230.

The at least one input interface 210 may convert sensory information received from the user into an electrical signal.

The at least one input interface 210 may include a power button, a plurality of course buttons, an operation command button, and a pause command button.

The plurality of course buttons may include a standard course button, fine dust course button, quick course button, sterilization course button, dehumidification course button, drying course button, wool course button, knit course button, bedding course button, and puffer jacket course button.

The at least one input interface 210 may include a course selection button for selecting one of the courses displayed on a display.

The at least one input interface 201 may include, for example, a keyboard, mouse, track-ball, tact switch, push switch, slide switch, toggle switch, micro switch, touch switch, touch pad, touch screen, jog dial, and/or microphone.

The at least one output interface 220 and 230 may visually or audibly convey information related to operations of the clothes care apparatus 1 to the user.

For example, the at least one output interface 220 and 230 may convey information related to garment care to the user. Information related to garment care may be output through a screen, indicator, voice, or the like.

The at least one output interface 220 and 230 may include a display 220, a speaker 230, and the like.

The display 220 may display a plurality of courses selectable by the user, a course selected by the user, information about total care time of the selected course, information about remaining care time of the selected course, and may also display error information, filter replacement information, and the like.

The display 220 may output, as text or image, notification information for a start of garment care, notification information for an end of garment care, notification information for emptying water, notification information for filling water, and the like.

The display 220 may be provided as a cathode ray tube (CRT), digital light processing (DLP) panel, plasma display panel, liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, electro luminescence (EL) panel, electrophoretic display (EPD) panel, electrochromic display (ECD) panel, light emitting diode (LED) panel, or organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, without being limited thereto.

The speaker 230 may output, as sound, notification information for a start of garment care, notification information for an end of garment care, notification information for emptying water, notification information for filling water, and the like.

The processor 300 may perform overall control related to operations of the clothes care apparatus 1.

The processor 300 may control various components of the clothes care apparatus 1 according to a user input.

Based on receiving a signal of the power button through the input interface 210 during a sleep mode, the processor 300 may switch from the sleep mode to a wake-up mode and may control the display 220 to display a plurality of courses.

Each course may include one or more modes.

For example, a standard course may include an air mode for supplying air through the garment support member, a steam mode for sterilizing viruses and bacteria and removing wrinkles, a dry mode for drying and dehumidifying garments at a low temperature, a clean mode for removing dust, odors, and the like.

A portion of the plurality of courses may include the steam mode, and the other may not include the steam mode.

The courses including the steam mode may include the standard course, quick course, wool course, knit course, bedding course, and puffer jacket course.

The courses not including the steam mode may include a dehumidification course, drying course, fine dust course, and the like.

The processor 300 may obtain (receive) a course selected by a user based on a user input received by the input interface 210, and may control the obtained course.

In controlling operation of the obtained course, the processor 300 may confirm one or more modes included in the obtained course, and control operation of the confirmed one or more modes based on a preset order.

In a case where the standard course is obtained, the processor 300 may control operation of the air mode, control operation of the steam mode upon completion of the air mode, operate the dry mode upon completion of the steam mode, operate the clean mode upon completion of the dry mode, end the garment care upon completion of the clean mode, and control at least one of the display 220 or the speaker 230 to output notification information about the end of the garment care.

In a case where the obtained course includes the steam mode, the processor 300 may obtain mode operation information of the current steam mode during operation of the steam mode and may control the obtained mode operation information of the current steam mode to be stored.

The processor 300 may delete mode operation information of a previous steam mode stored in the memory 310 and may store the mode operation information obtained during the current steam mode as mode operation information of a previous steam mode. In other words, the processor 300 may update the information stored in the memory 310.

In a case where the obtained course does not include the steam mode, the processor 300 may control the mode operation information of the previous steam mode stored in the memory 310 to be maintained.

That is, the processor 300 may allow the mode operation information of the steam mode to be stored, in a case where the steam mode is included in the courses.

The processor 300 may confirm whether a time to start the steam mode is reached during the course and confirm whether a water level detection signal is received from the water level sensor 150 based on reaching the time to start the steam mode.

The processor 300 may recognize a water level detection signal received from the first level sensor 151 as a first water level detection signal and may recognize a water level detection signal received from the second level sensor 152 as a second water level detection signal.

The processor 300 may confirm whether the first water level detection signal is received and whether the second water level detection signal is received and may obtain a water level of the steam chamber 120 based on the confirmed received first water level detection signal and the confirmed received second water level detection signal.

The processor 300 may, based on the obtained water level of the steam chamber 120, control to display an error, control the steam mode as the normal mode, or control the steam mode as the safe mode, which will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of controlling the steam mode based on first and second water level detection signals received from the water level sensor 150.

The heater 170 is required to be submerged in water at all times for the safety of the steamer. The first level sensor 151 of the water level sensor 150 may be a sensor for confirming whether the heater 170 is submerged in water. A minimum water level at which the heater 170 is submerged in water may be a first reference water level.

In a case where the first level sensor 151 is in a normal state, the processor 300 may continuously receive a first water level detection signal corresponding to the first reference water level from the first level sensor 151 of the water level sensor 150.

In addition to the water for immersing the heater 170 in water, the steamer requires water to be used for steam generation. The second level sensor 152 of the water level sensor 150 may be a sensor for confirming whether water to be used for steam generation is present in the steam chamber 120. A water level when the water to be used for steam generation is present in the steam chamber 120 may be a second reference water level. The second reference water level may be higher than the first reference water level.

That is, the second reference water level may be a higher water level than the first reference water level.

In the processor 300, a second water level detection signal may be received from the second level sensor 152 in response to the water level of the steam chamber 120 being the second reference water level, the second water level detection signal may not be received from the second level sensor 152 in response to the water level of the steam chamber 120 being lower than the second reference water level, and the second water level detection signal may be received regardless of the water level of the steam chamber 120 due to scale formed on the second level sensor 152.

As shown in FIG. 6, in a case where neither the first water level detection signal nor the second water level detection signal is received from the first level sensor 151 and the second level sensor 152, respectively, at a start of the currently running steam mode, the processor 300 may control the water supply 110 to supply water in a preset amount. The preset water supply amount may be the amount of water when water is filled up to the first reference water level from a bottom side of the steam chamber 120.

In a case where neither the first water level detection signal nor the second water level detection signal is received from the first level sensor 151 and the second level sensor 152, respectively, after supplying the preset amount of water, the processor 300 may control the display 220 to display an error indicating a failure of the water level sensor 150.

In a case where the first water level detection signal is not received from the first level sensor 151 and the second water level detection signal is received from the second level sensor 152 at the start of the steam mode, the processor 300 may control the display 220 to display an error, because the second reference water level is higher than the first reference water level based on the bottom side of the steam chamber 120.

In a case where the first water level detection signal is received from the first level sensor 151 and the second water level detection signal is not received from the second level sensor 152 at the start of the steam mode, the processor 300 may control the water supply 110 in order to determine whether the water level sensor 150 is normal. In a case where the second water level detection signal is not received during supply of the water, the processor 300 may control the display 220 to display an error, and in a case where the second water level detection signal is received during supply of the water, the processor 300 may control the steam mode as a normal mode.

During supplying of the water, the processor 300 may obtain the amount of water used in the previous steam mode and control the water supply amount based on the obtained amount of water used.

The processor 300 may end the steam mode based on determining that the water level sensor 150 is faulty.

In a case where the first water level detection signal is received from the first level sensor 151 and the second water level detection signal is received from the second level sensor 152 at the start of the steam mode, the processor 300 may control the steam mode as a safe mode.

Hereinafter, controlling the steam mode as the normal mode or safe mode based on the second water level detection signal of the second level sensor of the water level sensor will be described in detail.

At a start of a currently running steam mode, the processor 300 may confirm whether a second water level detection signal corresponding to the second reference water level is received from the water level sensor 150, control the steam mode as the normal mode based on determining that the second water level detection signal is not received, and control the steam mode as the safe mode based on determining that the second water level detection signal is received.

The normal mode is a mode in which a water level detection signal is normally received in response to water contact from the second level sensor 152 where no scale is formed or a small amount of scale is formed, and in the normal mode, the water supply 110 may be controlled based on the water level detection signal of the second level sensor 152 and the heater 170 may be controlled to generate steam.

The safe mode is a mode in which a water level detection signal is abnormally received from the second level sensor 152 where an excessive amount of scale has formed, and in the safe mode, the water supply 110 may be controlled based on mode operation information of a previous steam mode and the heater 170 may be controlled to generate steam.

While the steam mode is operating as the safe mode or the normal mode, the processor 300 may obtain water temperature information over time, obtain off information of the heater 170 (also referred to as ‘heater off information’), and control the memory 310 to store the obtained water temperature information over time and the obtained heater off information.

Hereinafter, the currently running steam mode is described as a current steam mode.

The obtained water temperature information over time and the obtained heater off information may be mode operation information of the current steam mode.

The water temperature information over time and the heater off information stored in the memory 310 may be used as information for controlling supplying of the water in response to a failure of the water level sensor during operation of a subsequent steam mode.

The mode operation information of the current steam mode may become mode operation information of a previous steam mode when the subsequent steam mode is operated.

In a case where the steam mode is operated as the safe mode or the normal mode, the processor 300 may determine an operation time of the steam mode based on a course selected by a user and may control the heater 170 based on the determined operation time of the steam mode.

Here, the operation time of the steam mode may include a period of time for generating steam and from a start time to an end time of supplying steam to the garment care room 11.

That is, the processor 300 may control a time to end the steam mode based on the course. Here, the time to end the steam generation may be a time to turn off the heater 170.

The processor 300 may obtain a steam generation time based on the course and may control an off time at which the heater 170 is turned off based on the obtained steam generation time and water temperature information detected by the temperature sensor 160.

In a case where the current steam mode is determined as the normal mode, the processor 300 may control the water supply 110 to supply water, determine whether a second water level detection signal corresponding to the second reference water level is received from the second level sensor 152 of the water level sensor 150 during supplying of the water, and control the water supply 110 to stop supplying the water based on determining that the second water level detection signal is received.

The processor 300 may control the heater 170 to be turned on to heat the water upon completion of supplying the water during operation of the normal mode and monitor a water temperature received from the temperature sensor 160 during the water heating.

During operation of the normal mode, the processor 300 may determine whether a time to stop the heater 170 is reached based on the monitored water temperature and the course selected by the user.

More specifically, during operation of the normal mode, the processor 300 may determine whether the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches a preset water temperature, may obtain a reaching time at which the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the preset water temperature based on determining that the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the preset water temperature, and may count time from the obtained reaching time.

During operation of the normal mode, the processor 300 may obtain an operation time of the steam mode based on the course, may control the heater 170 to be turned off based on the counted time reaching the obtained operation time of the steam mode, and may obtain the off time at which the heater 170 is turned off.

Here, the preset water temperature may be a water temperature of approximately 90° C.

A period of time between the reaching time at which the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the preset water temperature and the off time at which the heater 170 is turned off may be a time corresponding to the steam generation time.

In a case where the current steam mode is determined as the safe mode, the processor 300 may obtain mode operation information of a previous steam mode stored in the memory 310.

The mode operation information of the previous steam mode may include water temperature information over time of the previous steam mode and heater off information. The heater off information may include information about an off time at which the heater 170 is turned off.

The processor 300 may obtain a first reaching time at which a water temperature reaches a first reference water temperature and a second reaching time at which the water temperature reaches a second reference water temperature based on the water temperature information over time of the previous steam mode and may obtain a change time for the first reaching time and the second reaching time.

Here, the first reference water temperature may be lower than the second reference water temperature. The second reference water temperature may be the same as the preset water temperature.

That is, the processor 300 may obtain the change time during which the water temperature changes from the first reference water temperature to the second reference water temperature during operation of the previous steam mode.

Obtaining the change time during which the water temperature changes is for obtaining the amount of water stored in the steam chamber 120.

The change time during which the water temperature changes may vary depending on the water level of the steam chamber 120.

FIG. 7A is a graph illustrating a change in water temperature in a case where X amount of water is heated in a steam chamber, and FIG. 7B is a graph illustrating a change in water temperature in a case where water is heated in a steam chamber containing more than X amount of water.

Referring to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, it may be seen that in a case where the amount of water in the steam chamber 120 is relatively large, a change time t1-t2 during which a water temperature of the steam chamber 120 changes from the first reference water temperature to the second reference water temperature becomes longer.

Based on the above, the processor 300 may obtain a water level of the steam chamber 120 from the change time of the water temperature of the steam chamber 120.

The processor 300 may determine whether supplying the water is required based on the obtained change time and a reference time.

Here, the reference time may be a time corresponding to the change time during which the water temperature changes from the first reference water temperature to the second reference water temperature in a case where water of an appropriate level is stored in the steam chamber 120.

The appropriate water level is a water level required to perform the steam mode and may be higher than the first reference water level and lower than the second reference water level.

The processor 300 may compare the obtained change time to the reference time and may control to withhold supplying the water based on determining that the obtained change time is greater than or equal to the reference time, and control to supplying the water based on determining that the obtained change time is less than the reference time.

The water level of the steam chamber 120 corresponding to the change time may be obtained and stored by a test. In this case, the processor 300 may obtain the water level of the steam chamber 120 corresponding to the obtained change time, may compare the obtained water level to the appropriate water level, may control supplying the water based on determining that the obtained water level is lower than the appropriate water level, and may control to withhold supplying the water based on determining that the obtained water level is greater than or equal to the appropriate water level.

In controlling to withhold supplying the water, the processor 300 may control the water supply to remain in a stopped state, and in controlling supplying of the water, the processor 300 may control the water supply to be switched to an operating state.

In controlling to withhold supplying the water, the processor 300 may control the pump 112 to stop and the valve 113 to close.

In controlling supplying the water, the processor 300 may control the pumping operation of the pump 112 and opening of the valve 113.

During operation of the safe mode, based on determining that supplying water is required, the processor 300 may obtain water temperature information over time and heater off information from mode operation information of a previous steam mode, may obtain water temperature information over time based on the obtained mode operation information of the previous steam mode, may obtain a second reaching time at which the water temperature reaches the second reference water temperature during operation of the previous steam mode based on the water temperature information over time, may obtain an off time at which the heater 170 is turned off based on the heater off information, and may obtain, as a steam generation time, a period of time between the second reaching time at which the water temperature reaches the second reference water temperature and the off time at which the heater is turned off.

The steamer may supply a preset amount of steam per unit time.

The preset amount of steam per unit time may be determined by at least one of a capacity of the steam chamber 120, a capacity of the heater 170, and a voltage applied to the heater 170. The preset amount of steam per unit time may be information obtained by a test.

That is, the processor may obtain the amount of steam from the steam generation time.

The amount of steam supplied to the garment care room during operation of the previous steam mode may correspond to the amount of water used in the steam chamber 120 during operation of the previous steam mode.

The processor 300 may obtain the water supply amount corresponding to the obtained steam generation time and control the water supply 110 based on the obtained water supply amount.

In controlling the water supply 110 based on the water supply amount, the processor 300 may obtain a target water supply time corresponding to the water supply amount, may determine that a time to stop supplying the water is reached based on a water supply time reaching the target water supply time during supplying of the water, and may control the water supply 110 to stop supplying the water.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may further include a flow meter in the water supply pipe 111. In this case, the processor 300 may determine whether the amount of water supplied is the obtained water supply amount based on a flow rate detected by the flow meter and may control the water supply 110 to stop supplying the water based on determining that the amount of water supplied is the obtained water supply amount.

The processor 300 may control the heater 170 to be turned on to heat the water in response to completion of supplying the water during operation of the safe mode and may monitor the water temperature received from the temperature sensor 160 during the water heating.

The processor 300 may determine whether a time to stop the heater 170 is reached based on the water temperature monitored during operation of the safe mode and the course selected by the user.

More specifically, during operation of the safe mode, the processor 300 may determine whether the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the second reference water temperature, may obtain a second reaching time at which the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the second reference water temperature based on determining that the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the second reference water temperature, and may count time from the obtained second reaching time.

During operation of the safe mode, the processor 300 may obtain an operation time of the steam mode based on the course and may control the heater 170 to be turned off based on the counted time reaching the obtained operation time of the steam mode and may confirm an off time at which the heater 170 is turned off.

In a case where the operation time of the steam mode in the selected course is K minutes, a point in time when K minutes have passed from a time at which the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the preset water temperature may be an off time of the heater 170 (also referred to as ‘heater off time’).

The processor 300 may control the memory 310 to store the confirmed heater off time as heater off information.

A water level of the steam chamber 120 corresponding to the change time during which the water temperature changes from the first reference water temperature to the second reference water temperature may be obtained and stored by a test. In this case, the processor 300 may also obtain the water level of the steam chamber 120 based on the obtained change time, may obtain the water supply amount based on the obtained water level of the steam chamber 120 and the second reference water level, and may control the water supply 110 based on the obtained water supply amount.

The processor 300 may also obtain a water supply amount that may reach a water level higher than the second reference water level by a preset water level and may control the water supply 110 based on the obtained water supply amount.

The processor 300 may obtain heater off information from among mode operation information of previous steam mode, may obtain a water use amount in the previous steam mode based on the obtained heater off information, may obtain a first reaching time at which the water temperature of the steam chamber 120 reaches the first reference water temperature and a second reaching time at which the water temperature of the steam chamber 120 reaches the second reference water temperature based on water temperature information over time from among the mode operation information of the previous steam mode, may obtain a change time between the obtained first reaching time and the obtained second reaching time, and may obtain a current water level of the steam chamber 120 based on the obtained change time.

The processor 300 may also determine the water supply amount based on the obtained current water level and the obtained water use amount.

During operation of the safe mode, the processor 300 may also confirm the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 before turning on the heater 170, may control the heater 170 to be turned on based on determining that the confirmed water temperature is greater than or equal to the first reference water temperature, and then may determine whether supplying the water is required based on a change rate in water temperature.

In a case where the water level of the steam chamber 120 is low, the change rate in water temperature may be high, and in a case where the water level of the steam chamber 120 is high, the change rate in water temperature may be low. Considering the above, the processor 300 may also determine whether supplying the water is required based on the change rate in water temperature.

More specifically, in a case where the water temperature of the steam chamber 120 reaches the second reference water temperature while the heater 170 is being turned on, the processor 300 may also obtain a reaching time at which the water temperature of the steam chamber 120 reaches the second reference water temperature, may confirm a water temperature at a time a preset time before the obtained reaching time, may obtain a change rate in water temperature between the confirmed water temperature and the second reference water temperature, may control supplying the water based on determining that the obtained change rate in water temperature is greater than or equal to a reference water temperature change rate, and may control to withhold supplying the water based on determining that the obtained change rate in water temperature is less than the reference water temperature change rate.

During operation of the safe mode, the processor 300 may confirm the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 before controlling the heater 170 to be turned on, may confirm a course including the previous steam mode based on determining that the confirmed water temperature is greater than or equal to the first reference water temperature, may obtain the amount of water used during operation of the previous steam mode based on the confirmed course, and may obtain a water supply amount based on the obtained amount of water used.

The processor 300 may perform the above-described operations by using the data stored in the memory 310.

The processor 300 may include hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU) or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the processor 300 may include at least one memory for storing an algorithm and program-type data for controlling the operation of components in the clothes care apparatus 1. The processor 300 may include at least one processor chips or at least one processing cores that performs the above-described operations by using the data stored in the at least one memory.

The processor 300 may include a separate neural network processing unit (NPU) that performs operations of an artificial intelligence model, a graphic processor unit (GPU), and the like.

The memory 310 may store mode operation information of a previous steam mode.

The memory 310 may delete pre-stored mode operation information of the previous steam mode in response to a control command of the processor 300 and may store mode operation information of a current steam mode as mode operation information of a previous steam mode.

The memory 310 may store mode operation information of a previous steam mode by date a preset number of times.

The mode operation information of the previous steam mode may include water temperature information over time and heater off information of the heater 170.

The water temperature information over time may include information about a time at which the first reference water temperature is reached and a time at which the second reference water temperature is reached.

The heater off information may include an off time at which the heater 170 is turned off.

The mode operation information of the previous steam mode may include course information including the previous steam mode.

The memory 310 may store a first water level detection signal and a second water level detection signal.

The memory 310 may store reference information for the first reference water temperature, the second reference water temperature, and the reference time.

The memory 310 may store a water level of the steam chamber 120 corresponding to a change time.

The memory 310 may store a steam generation time for each course and a water supply amount corresponding to the steam generation time.

The memory 310 may include at least one memory chips or at least one memory blocks.

The memory 310 may store data about an algorithm for controlling operations of components of the clothes care apparatus 1 or a program that reproduces the algorithm.

The memory 310 and the processor 300 may be implemented as separate chips.

Alternatively, the memory 310 and the processor 300 may be implemented as a single chip.

The memory 310 may be implemented as at least one of volatile memory such as a random access memory (RAM), non-volatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM), programmable read only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), and electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), or storage medium such as hard disk drive (HDD) and compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), without being limited thereto.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may further include a communication module (not shown) for wired and/or wireless communication with an external device.

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

The communication module may transmit data to an external device (e.g., a server, a user device, and/or a home appliance) or receive data from the external device. For example, the communication module may establish communication with a server and/or a user device and/or a home appliance and transmit and receive various types of data.

For the communication, the communication module may establish a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between external devices, and support the performance of the communication through the established communication channel.

According to an 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).

Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module may communicate with an external device through a first network (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be integrated as one component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., multiple chips).

The short-range wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, a Zigbee communication module, an infrared data association (IrDA) communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, an ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc., but is not limited thereto.

The long-range wireless communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-range wireless communication and may include mobile communication circuitry. The mobile communication circuitry transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, or a server on a mobile communication network.

In an embodiment, the communication module may communicate with an external device, such as a server, a user device, and a home appliance, through a nearby access point (AP). An access point (AP) may connect a local area network (LAN) to which the clothes care apparatus 1 or user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected.

The clothes care apparatus 1 or the user device may be connected to the server through the wide area network (WAN).

At least one component may be added or omitted corresponding to the performance of the components of the clothes care apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 5. In addition, it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that the mutual positions of the components may be modified corresponding to the performance or structure of the clothes care apparatus 1.

Meanwhile, each component shown in FIG. 5 may refer to software and/or hardware components such as field programmable gate array (FPGA) and application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may determine whether a time to start a steam mode is reached during control of a course (401) and determine whether a second water level detection signal corresponding to the second reference water level is received from the water level sensor 150 based on determining that the time to start a current steam mode is reached (402).

At the start of the current steam mode, a water level of water stored in the steam chamber 120 is lower than the second reference water level because water was used during a previous steam mode. Accordingly, in a case where the water level sensor is in a normal state, the water level sensor does not output the second water level detection signal, and in a case where the water level sensor is in an abnormal state, the water level sensor may output the second water level detection signal.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may determine the steam mode as the normal mode based on determining that the second water level detection signal not being received from the water level sensor 150 (403) and may determine the steam mode as the safe mode based on determining that the second water level detection signal being received from the water level sensor 150 (404).

During operation of the steam mode in the safe mode or the normal mode, the clothes care apparatus 1 may obtain water temperature information over time, may obtain heater off information of the heater 170, and may store the obtained water temperature information over time and the obtained heater off information in the memory 310 (405).

Here, the water temperature information over time and the heater off information stored in the memory 310 may be information to be used in the event of a water level sensor failure during operation of a subsequent steam mode, and may be stored in the memory 310 as mode operation information of a previous steam mode.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may also store a course selected by a user as mode operation information of a previous steam mode in the memory 310, because a steam generation time is set for each course.

During operation of the steam mode in the safe mode or the normal mode, the clothes care apparatus 1 may also obtain water temperature information over time, may obtain a first reaching time at which a water temperature reaches the first reference water temperature and a second reaching time at which the water temperature reaches the second reference water temperature based on the obtained water temperature information over time, may obtain a change time for the obtained first reaching time and the obtained second reaching time, may obtain an off time at which the heater 170 is turned off, may obtain a period of time between the second reaching time and the off time as a steam generation time, and may store the obtained steam generation time and the obtained change time in the memory as mode operation information.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment, in a case where a steam mode is determined as a normal mode.

In a case where a current steam mode is determined as the normal mode, the clothes care apparatus 1 may control the water supply 110 to supply water from the water supply tank 15b to the steam chamber 120 (411).

Controlling the water supply 110 may include controlling the pump 112 to pump the water in the water supply tank 15b and opening the valve 113 to allow the pumped water to flow to the steam chamber 120.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may determine whether a second water level detection signal corresponding to the second reference water level is received from the second level sensor 152 of the water level sensor 150 during supplying of the water (412) and may control the water supply 110 to stop supplying the water based on determining that the second water level detection signal is received (413).

Controlling the water supply 110 may include stopping the pump 112 to stop pumping water in the water supply tank 15b and closing the valve 113 to block the water in the water supply tank from flowing into the steam chamber 120.

In response to completion of supplying the water, the clothes care apparatus 1 may turn on the heater 170 to heat the water (414). In this case, an output of the heater 170 may be constant.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may monitor a water temperature received from the temperature sensor 160 during the water heating (415).

The clothes care apparatus 1 may determine whether a time to stop the heater 170 is reached based on the monitored water temperature and a course selected by the user (416).

Determining whether the time to stop the heater 170 is reached may include determining whether the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches a preset water temperature, obtaining a reaching time at which the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the preset water temperature based on determining that the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the preset water temperature, counting time from the obtained reaching time, and determining the time to stop the heater 170 based on the counted time reaching an obtained operation time of the steam mode.

Here, the preset water temperature may be a water temperature of approximately 90° C.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may obtain the operation time of the steam mode based on the course selected by the user. The memory 310 of the clothes care apparatus 1 may store information about an operation time of steam mode for each course.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may control the heater 170 to be turned off, based on determining the time to stop the heater 170 (417).

The clothes care apparatus 1 may obtain water temperature information over time by monitoring the water temperature during operation of the steam mode, may obtain an off time at which the heater 170 is turned off as heater off information, and may store the obtained water temperature information over time and the obtained heater off information as mode operation information of the steam mode in the memory 310.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a clothes care apparatus 1 according to an embodiment, in a case where a steam mode is determined as a safe mode.

In a case where the current steam mode is determined as the safe mode, the clothes care apparatus 1 may obtain mode operation information of a previous steam mode stored in the memory 310 (421).

The mode operation information of the previous steam mode may include water temperature information over time and heater off information of the previous steam mode. The heater off information may include information about an off time at which the heater 170 is turned off.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may obtain a change time during which a water temperature changes from a first reference water temperature to a second reference water temperature based on the water temperature information over time of the previous steam mode (422).

More specifically, the clothes care apparatus 1 may obtain a first reaching time at which a water temperature of the steam chamber 120 reaches the first reference water temperature and a second reaching time at which the water temperature of the steam chamber 120 reaches the second reference water temperature based on the water temperature information over time of the previous steam mode, and may obtain the change time between the obtained first reaching time and the obtained second reaching time.

Here, the first reference water temperature may be lower than the second reference water temperature. The second reference water temperature may be the same as a preset water temperature.

The first reference water temperature and the second reference water temperature may be determined by at least one of a capacity of the steam chamber 120, a capacity of the heater 170, or a voltage applied to the heater 170. The first reference water temperature and the second reference water temperature may be information obtained and stored by a test.

Obtaining the change time during which the water temperature changes is for obtaining a water level of the steam chamber 120.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may determine whether supplying water is required by comparing the obtained change time to a reference time.

More specifically, the clothes care apparatus 1 may determine whether the obtained change time is greater than or equal to the reference time (423), may determine that supplying water is not required based on determining that the obtained change time is greater than or equal to the reference time, and may determine that supplying the water is required based on determining that the obtained change time is less than the reference time.

Determining that supplying the water is not required may include determining that water is present in the steam chamber 120 at an appropriate water level to operate the steam mode.

The appropriate water level may be higher than the first reference water level and lower than the second reference water level.

The reference time may be a time corresponding to a change time during which a water temperature changes from the first reference water temperature to the second reference water temperature in a case where water of the appropriate water level is stored in the steam chamber 120.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may withhold supplying the water supply based on determining that supplying the water is not required. In this instance, the pump may be in a stopped state and the valve may be in a closed state.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may determine a required water supply amount based on determining that supplying the water is required.

More specifically, the clothes care apparatus 1 may obtain the water temperature information over time and the heater off information from the mode operation information of the previous steam mode, may obtain the water temperature information over time based on the obtained mode operation information of the previous steam mode, may obtain the second reaching time at which the water temperature of the steam chamber 120 reaches the second reference water temperature during operation of the previous steam mode based on the water temperature information over time, may obtain the off time at which the heater 170 is turned off based on the heater off information, and may obtain a period of time between the second reaching time at which the water temperature of the steam chamber 120 reaches the second reference water temperature and the off time at which the heater 170 is turned off as a steam generation time (424).

The steam generation time may be a time corresponding to the amount of water used during operation of the previous steam mode.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may determine a water supply amount corresponding to the steam generation time based on the information stored in the memory 310 (425).

The clothes care apparatus 1 may supply water by controlling the water supply 110 based on the determined water supply amount (426).

Controlling the water supply 110 may include operating the pump 112 to pump water from the water supply tank 15b and opening the valve 113 to supply the pumped water to the steam chamber 120.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may determine whether a time to stop supplying the water is reached during the supplying of the water (427) and based on determining that the time to stop supplying the water is reached, the clothes care apparatus 1 may stop supplying the water (428).

Determining whether the time to stop supplying the water is reached may include obtaining a target water supply time corresponding to the water supply amount, and determining that the time to stop supplying the water is reached based on a water supply time of supplying the water reaching the target water supply time.

Stopping supplying of the water may include stopping the pump 112 of the water supply 110 and closing the valve 113.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may turn on the heater 170 to heat the water in a case where supplying the water is withheld or supplying the water is completed (429).

The clothes care apparatus 1 may monitor the water temperature received from the temperature sensor 160 during the water heating (430).

The clothes care apparatus 1 may determine whether a time to stop the heater 170 is reached based on the monitored water temperature and a course selected by a user (431).

More specifically, the clothes care apparatus 1 may determine whether the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the second reference water temperature, may obtain the second reaching time at which the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the second reference water temperature based on determining that the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the second reference water temperature, may count time from the obtained second reaching time, and may determine the off time of the heater 170 based on the counted time reaching an obtained operation time of the steam mode.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may control the heater 170 to be turned off based on determining that the off time of the heater 170 is reached (432).

During operation of the steam mode, the clothes care apparatus 1 may obtain the water temperature information over time by monitoring the water temperature, may obtain the off time at which the heater 170 is turned off as the heater off information, and may store the obtained water temperature information over time and the obtained heater off information in the memory 310 as mode operation information of the steam mode.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a clothes care apparatus according to another embodiment, in a case where a steam mode is determined as a safe mode.

In a case where a current steam mode is determined as the safe mode, the clothes care apparatus 1 may obtain mode operation information of a previous steam mode stored in the memory 310 (441).

The mode operation information of the previous steam mode may include water temperature information over time of the previous steam mode.

More specifically, the clothes care apparatus 1 may obtain a first reaching time at which the water temperature of the steam chamber 120 reaches the first reference water temperature and a second reaching time at which the water temperature of the steam chamber 120 reaches the second reference water temperature based on the water temperature information over time of the previous steam mode, may obtain a change time between the obtained first reaching time and the obtained second reaching time, may obtain a current water level of the steam chamber 120 based on the obtained change time, and may determine an water supply amount based on the obtained current water level (442).

The change time during which the water temperature changes may vary corresponding to the water level of the steam chamber 120. In other words, information about the water level corresponding to the change time may be obtained by a test and may be stored in the memory.

For example, the clothes care apparatus 1 may determine a water supply amount corresponding to a water level L2-La obtained by subtracting a water level La from a second reference water level L2, based on determining that the current water level of the steam chamber 120 is lower than the second reference water level L2 by the water level La based on the obtained change time.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may determine the water supply amount corresponding to the water level L2-Lb obtained by subtracting a water level Lb from the second reference water level L2, based on determining that the current water level of the steam chamber 120 is lower than the second reference water level L2 by the water level Lb based on the obtained change time.

Here, the water level Lb may be lower than the water level La.

In a case where the water level of the steam chamber 120 is the water level Lb, the clothes care apparatus 1 may supply a larger amount of water than in a case where the water level of the steam chamber 120 is the water level La.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may control the water supply 110 to perform supplying of the water based on the determined water supply amount (443).

Controlling the water supply 110 may include operating the pump 112 to pump water from the water supply tank and opening the valve 113 to supply the pumped water to the steam chamber 120.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may determine whether a time to stop supplying the water is reached during the water supply (444), and may stop supplying the water based on determining that the time to stop supplying the water is reached (445).

Determining whether the time to stop supplying the water is reached may include obtaining a target water supply time corresponding to the water supply amount and determining that the time to stop supplying the water is reached based on a water supply time of supplying the water reaching the target water supply time.

Stopping supply of the water may include stopping the pump 112 of the water supply 110 and closing the valve 113.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may turn on the heater 170 to heat the water in a case where supplying the water is withheld or supplying the water is completed (446).

The clothes care apparatus 1 may monitor the water temperature received from the temperature sensor 160 during the water heating (447).

The clothes care apparatus 1 may determine whether a time to stop the heater 170 is reached based on the monitored water temperature and a course selected by a user (448).

More specifically, the clothes care apparatus 1 may determine whether the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the second reference water temperature, may obtain the second reaching time at which the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the second reference water temperature based on determining that the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the second reference water temperature, may count time from the obtained second reaching time, and may determine an off time of the heater 170 based on the counted time reaching an obtained operation time of the steam mode.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may control the heater 170 to be turned off based on determining that the off time of the heater 170 is reached (449).

The clothes care apparatus 1 may obtain water temperature information over time by monitoring the water temperature during operation of the steam mode and may store the obtained water temperature information over time in the memory 310 as mode operation information of the steam mode.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a clothes care apparatus according to still another embodiment, in a case where a steam mode is determined as a safe mode.

The mode operation information of the previous steam mode may include water temperature information over time and heater off information of the previous steam mode.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may obtain a water use amount in the previous steam mode based on the obtained heater off information. Here, the water use amount in the previous steam mode may be a steam generation amount in the previous steam mode.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may obtain a first reaching time at which a water temperature of the steam chamber 120 reaches the first reference water temperature and a second reaching time at which the water temperature of the steam chamber 120 reaches the second reference water temperature based on the water temperature information over time of the previous steam mode, may obtain a change time between the obtained first reaching time and the obtained second reaching time, and may obtain a current water level of the steam chamber 120 based on the obtained change time (452).

The clothes care apparatus 1 may compare the obtained current water level to a preset water level.

Here, the preset water level may be lower than the second reference water level and higher than the first reference water level.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may determine a water supply amount based on the obtained current water level and the obtained water use amount (453).

More specifically, the clothes care apparatus 1 may determine the water supply amount to be less than the obtained water use amount based on determining that the obtained current water level is greater than or equal to the preset water level and may determine the water supply amount to be greater than the obtained water use amount based on determining that the obtained current water level is less than the preset water level.

For example, in a case where the obtained current water level is greater than or equal to the preset water level, the clothes care apparatus 1 may determine, as the water supply amount, a water amount obtained by subtracting a preset first water amount from the obtained water use amount, and in a case where the obtained current water level is less than the preset water level, may determine, as the water supply amount, an water amount obtained by adding a preset second water amount to the obtained water use amount.

Here, the preset first water amount and the preset second water amount may be different or the same.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may control the water supply 110 to perform supplying the water based on the determined water supply amount (454).

The clothes care apparatus 1 may determine whether a time to stop supplying the water is reached during the water supply (455) and may stop supplying the water based on determining that the time to stop supplying the water is reached (456).

Stopping supply of the water may include stopping the pump 112 of the water supply 110 and closing the valve 113.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may turn on the heater 170 to heat the water in a case where supplying the water is withheld or supplying the water is completed (457).

The clothes care apparatus 1 may monitor the water temperature received from the temperature sensor 160 during the water heating (458).

The clothes care apparatus 1 may determine whether a time to stop the heater 170 is reached based on the monitored water temperature and a course selected by a user (459).

More specifically, the clothes care apparatus 1 may determine whether the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the second reference water temperature, may obtain a second reaching time at which the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the second reference water temperature based on determining that the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 reaches the second reference water temperature, may count time from the obtained second reaching time, and may determine an off time of the heater 170 based on the counted time reaching an obtained operation time of the steam mode.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may control the heater 170 to be turned off based on determining that the off time of the heater 170 is reached (460).

The clothes care apparatus 1 may obtain the water temperature information over time by monitoring the water temperature during operation of the steam mode, may obtain the heater off information corresponding to the heater off time, and may store the obtained water temperature information over time and the obtained heater off information in the memory 310 as mode operation information of the steam mode.

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

The computer-readable recording medium may include all kinds of recording media storing instructions that may be interpreted by a computer. For example, the computer-readable recording medium may be a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, etc.

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

Although the present disclosure has been described with various embodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

	Number	Date	Country
Parent	PCT/KR2024/015418	Oct 2024	WO
Child	18959236		US

CLOTHES CARE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME

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Abstract

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Priority Claims (1)

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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