Patent Application
20250188668
The present disclosure relates to a clothes treating apparatus and a clothes treating system including the same.
A clothes treating apparatus is a device for processing and/or caring for clothes. The clothes treating apparatus may include a washing machine and a dryer.
The washing machine is a device that uses a driving force of a driving motor to agitate laundry, water, and detergent, which are put into a tub together, thereby allowing washing to occur through mutual friction. Regardless of the type of washing machine, a process performed by the washing machine includes a washing process in which detergent and water are supplied to the tub containing the laundry and the laundry is washed by rotating the drum, a rinsing process in which water is supplied to the tub and the drum is rotated to rinse the laundry, and a spin-drying process in which water is discharged from the tub and the drum is rotated to remove moisture from the laundry.
The dryer is a device that dries an object with hot and dry air. The dryer is configured to dry the object by allowing hot air to pass through a drum while rotating the drum containing the object at low speed. A process performed by the dryer may include a drying process for drying the object.
A plurality of clothes treating apparatuses may be connected and used for use of convenience.
The present disclosure is directed to providing a clothes treating apparatus and a clothes treating system including an improved mounting structure.
Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing a clothes treating apparatus and a clothes treating system having improved structural stability.
The technical objectives of the disclosure are not limited to the above, and other objectives may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on the following description.
An aspect of the present disclosure provides a clothes treating apparatus that may include: a housing including: a side frame, a support frame mounted on the side frame and including: a support upper surface portion, and a support forming portion protruding from the support upper surface portion to strengthen the support frame against bending and/or twisting, and a front frame mounted to a front side of the side frame and to the support upper surface portion, and including: a frame front surface portion facing forward, and a frame upper surface portion facing upward and supported by the support upper surface portion, and a drum inside the housing to accommodate laundry inside the drum.
The front frame may include a frame forming portion protruding from the frame upper surface portion.
The frame forming portion may include: a first frame forming portion having a first size and first shape, a second frame forming portion having a second size and a second shape, and the first size may be different from the second size or the first shape may be different from the second shape.
The support frame may include a support front surface portion that is spaced apart from the frame front surface portion to form an accommodating space so that at least a portion of a user interface device is accommodatable in the accommodating space.
The support upper surface portion may longitudinally extend in a first direction, the support front surface portion may longitudinally extend in a second direction, and the support frame may include a support rib that extends in a third direction that is different from the first direction and the second direction to support the frame upper surface portion.
The support frame may include a protrusion protruding from the support rib.
The support frame may include a bent portion along at least one edge portion of the support rib.
The front frame may include: a first portion supported by the support rib, and a second portion supported by the first portion.
The support frame may include a mounting guide between the support upper surface portion and the support front surface portion, inclined with respect to the support upper surface portion and the support front surface portion, and configured so as to guide the front frame while the front frame is mounted on the support frame.
The front frame may include: a frame opening configured so that the user interface device is mountable thereon; and a frame seating portion on an edge of the frame opening and configured so that the user interface device may be seatable thereon.
The support frame may include a recessed portion recessed so that a portion of the frame seating portion may be located thereon.
The support frame may include: a fixing hole through which a fastening member passes to fix the front frame to the support frame, and a guide line to guide a position of the fixing hole.
The front frame may include a mounting portion couplable to the support frame, and the support frame may include a mounting hole configured to accommodate at least a portion of the mounting portion in response to the front frame being mounted on the support frame.
The support frame may include an inclined portion along an edge of the mounting hole and inclined upward from the support upper surface portion toward the mounting hole.
The support frame may include a deformable support portion that is deformed by the mounting portion while the front frame is mounted on the support frame, and is restored, in response to the front frame being mounted on the support frame, to support the mounting portion so that the front frame is coupled to, and is prevented from being separated from, the support frame.
An aspect of the present disclosure provides a clothes treating apparatus including a housing, and a drum accommodated inside the housing. The housing includes a side frame, a front frame mounted to a front side of the side frame and including a frame front surface portion facing forward and a frame upper surface portion facing upward, and a support frame mounted on the side frame to support the front frame and including a support upper surface portion supporting the frame upper surface portion and a support front surface portion spaced apart from the frame front surface portion. The support frame includes a mounting guide extending between the support upper surface portion and the support front surface portion, and extending in a direction inclined with respect to the support upper surface portion and the support front surface portion so as to guide the front frame while the front frame is mounted on the support frame.
An aspect of the present disclosure provides a clothes treating system including a first clothes treating apparatus including a first housing, a second clothes treating apparatus provided on one side of the first clothes treating apparatus and including a second housing, an integrated user interface device mounted on the first housing and configured to control the first clothes treating apparatus and the second clothes treating apparatus, and an individual user interface device mounted on an upper portion of the second housing and configured to control the second clothes treating apparatus. The second housing includes a side frame, a front frame mounted to a front side of the side frame and including a frame front surface portion facing forward and a frame upper surface portion facing upward, and a support frame mounted on the side frame to support the front frame and including a fixing hole through which a fastening member for fixing the front frame to the support frame passes, and a guide line for guiding a position of the fixing hole.
Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.
In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.
The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.
In the disclosure, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B or C”, “at least one of A, B and C”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the element in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).
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.
It will be understood that when the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including”, and/or “comprising” are used in the disclosure, they specify the presence of the specified features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.
When a given element is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another element, it is to be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element. When a given element is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element through a third element.
It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.
A washing machine according to various embodiments may perform washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying processes. The washing machine is an example of a clothes treating apparatus, and the clothes treating apparatus is a concept including a device capable of washing clothes (objects to be washed, and objects to be dried), a device capable of drying clothes, and a device capable of washing and drying clothes.
The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a top-loading washing machine in which a laundry inlet for inserting or removing laundry is provided to face upward, or a front-loading washing machine in which a laundry inlet is provided to face forward. The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a washing machine of a loading type other than the top-loading washing machine and the front-loading washing machine.
For the top-loading washing machine, laundry may be washed using water current generated by a rotating body such as a pulsator. For the front-loading washing machine, laundry may be washed by repeatedly lifting and lowering laundry by rotating a drum. The front-loading washing machine may include a dryer combined washing machine capable of drying laundry stored in a drum. The dryer combined washing machine may include a hot air supply device for supplying high-temperature air into the drum and a condensing device for removing moisture from air discharged from the drum. For example, the dryer combined washing machine may include a heat pump device. The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a washing machine using a washing method other than the above-described washing method.
The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a housing accommodating various components therein. The housing may be provided in the form of a box including a laundry inlet on one side thereof.
The washing machine may include a door for opening and closing the laundry inlet. The door may be rotatably mounted to the housing by a hinge. At least a portion of the door may be transparent or translucent to allow the inside of the housing to be visible.
The washing machine may include a tub disposed within the housing to store water. The tub may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a tub opening formed on one side thereof. The tub may be disposed inside the housing in such a way that the tub opening corresponds to the laundry inlet.
The tub may be connected to the housing by a damper. The damper may absorb vibration generated when the drum rotates, and the damper may reduce vibration transmitted to the housing.
The washing machine may include a drum provided to accommodate laundry.
The drum may be disposed inside the tub such that a drum opening provided on one side of the drum corresponds to the laundry inlet and the tub opening. Laundry may pass sequentially through the laundry inlet, the tub opening, and the drum opening and then be received in the drum or removed from the drum.
The drum may perform each operation according to washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying while rotating in the tub. A plurality of through holes may be formed in a cylindrical wall of the drum to allow water stored in the tub to be introduced into or to be discharged from the drum.
The washing machine may include a driving device configured to rotate the drum. The driving device may include a drive motor and a rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force generated by the drive motor to the drum. The rotating shaft may penetrate the tub to be connected to the drum.
The driving device may perform respective operations according to washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying, or drying processes by rotating the drum in a forward or reverse direction.
The washing machine may include a water supply device configured to supply water to the tub. The water supply device may include a water supply pipe and a water supply valve disposed in the water supply pipe. The water supply pipe may be connected to an external water supply source. The water supply pipe may extend from an external water supply source to a detergent supply device and/or the tub. Water may be supplied to the tub through the detergent supply device. Alternatively, water may be supplied to the tub without passing through the detergent supply device.
The water supply valve may open or close the water supply pipe in response to an electrical signal from a controller. The water supply valve may allow or block the supply of water to the tub from an external water supply source. The water supply valve may include a solenoid valve configured to open or close in response to an electrical signal.
The washing machine may include the detergent supply device configured to supply detergent to the tub. The detergent supply device may include a manual detergent supply device that requires a user to enter detergent to be used for each washing, and an automatic detergent supply device that stores a large amount of detergent and automatically adds a predetermined amount of detergent during washing. The detergent supply device may include a detergent container for storing detergent. The detergent supply device may be configured to supply detergent into the tub during a water supply process. Water supplied through the water supply pipe may be mixed with detergent via the detergent supply device. Water mixed with detergent may be supplied into the tub. Detergent is used as a term including detergent for pre-washing, detergent for main washing, fabric softener, bleach, etc., and the detergent container may be partitioned into a storage region for the pre-washing detergent, a storage region for the main washing detergent, a storage region for the fabric softener, and a storage region for the bleach.
The washing machine may include a drainage device configured to discharge water contained in the tub to the outside. The drainage device may include a drain pipe extending from a bottom of the tub to the outside of the housing, a drain valve disposed on the drain pipe to open or close the drain pipe, and a pump disposed on the drain pipe. The pump may pump water from the drain pipe to the outside of the housing.
The washing machine may include a control panel disposed on one side of the housing. The control panel may provide a user interface for interaction between a user and the washing machine. The user interface may include at least one input interface and at least one output interface.
The at least one input interface may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.
The at least one input interface may include a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial (or a course selection button), and a washing/rinsing/spin-drying setting button. The at least one input interface may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone.
The at least one output interface may visually or audibly transmit information related to the operation of the washing machine to a user.
For example, the at least one output interface may transmit information related to a washing course, operation time of the washing machine, and washing/rinsing/spin-drying settings to the user. Information about the operation of the washing machine may be output via a screen, an indicator, or a voice. The at least one output interface may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, or a speaker.
The washing machine may include a communication module 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 and 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 the 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 wide area network WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be integrated as a single 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, and a Zigbee communication module, an 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 a mobile communication circuitry. The mobile communication circuitry transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server in a mobile communication network.
According to an embodiment, the communication module may communicate with an external device such as a server, a user device and other home appliances through an access point (AP). The AP may connect a LAN, to which a washing machine or a user device is connected, to a WAN to which a server is connected. The washing machine or the user device may be connected to the server via the WAN. The controller may control various components of the washing machine (e.g., the drive motor, and the water supply valve). The controller may control various components of the washing machine to perform at least one operation including water supply, washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying according to a user input. For example, the controller may control the drive motor to adjust the rotational speed of the drum or control the water supply valve of the water supply device to supply water to the tub.
The controller may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the controller may include at least one memory for storing an algorithm and program-type data for controlling the operation of components in the washing machine, and at least one processor configured to perform the above-mentioned operation by using the data stored in the at least one memory. The memory and the processor may each be implemented as separate chips. The processor may include one or more processor chips or may include one or more processing cores. The memory may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.
Hereinafter, a clothes treating system according to various embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As illustrated in
The first clothes treating apparatus 10 may be a washing machine or a dryer. For example, the first clothes treating apparatus 10 may be a washing machine.
Referring to
The first clothes treating apparatus 10 may include a first front frame 11a forming a front surface. The laundry inlet 12 may be formed in the first front frame 11a.
The first clothes treating apparatus 10 may include a first door 13 configured to open and close the laundry inlet 12. The first door 13 may be rotatably mounted on the first housing 11 by a first hinge 14. At least a portion of the first door 13 may be transparent or translucent to allow the inside of the first housing 11 to be seen.
The first clothes treating apparatus 10 may include a tub 20 disposed inside the first housing 11 to store water. The tub 20 may be provided in a substantially cylindrical shape with a tub opening 22 formed at one side thereof. The tub 20 may be disposed inside the first housing 11 in such a way that the tub opening 22 corresponds to the laundry inlet 12.
The tub 20 may be connected to the first housing 11 by a damper 29. The damper 29 may absorb vibration generated when a first drum 30 rotates, and the damper 29 may reduce the vibration transmitted to the first housing 11.
The first clothes treating apparatus 10 may include the first drum 30 provided to accommodate laundry.
The first drum 30 may be disposed inside the tub 20 in such a way that a first drum opening 32 provided on one side of the first drum 30 corresponds to the laundry inlet 12 and the tub opening 22. Laundry may sequentially pass through the laundry inlet 12, the tub opening 22, and the first drum opening 32 and be accommodated inside the first drum 30 or withdrawn from the first drum 30.
The first drum 30 may perform each operation according to washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying processes while rotating inside the tub 20. A plurality of through-holes 34 may be formed in a cylindrical wall of the first drum 30 to allow water stored in the tub 20 to be introduced into or to be discharged from the first drum 30. At least one first lifter 35 may be installed on an inner circumferential surface of the first drum 30 to allow laundry to rise and fall when the first drum 30 rotates.
The first clothes treating apparatus 10 may include a first driving device 40 configured to rotate the first drum 30. The first driving device 40 may include a first driving motor 41 and a first rotating shaft 42 for transmitting a driving force generated by the first driving motor 41 to the first drum 30. The first rotating shaft 42 may pass through the tub 20 and be connected to the first drum 30.
The first driving device 40 may perform respective operations according to the washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying, or drying processes by rotating the first drum 30 in a forward or reverse direction
The first clothes treating apparatus 10 may include a water supply device 50 configured to supply water to the tub 20. The water supply device 50 may include a water supply pipe 51 and a water supply valve 52 provided in the water supply pipe 51. The water supply pipe 51 may be connected to an external water supply source. The water supply pipe 51 may extend from an external water supply source to a detergent supply device 53 and/or the tub 20. Water may be supplied to the tub 20 through the detergent supply device 53. Alternatively, water may be supplied to the tub 20 without passing through the detergent supply device 53.
The water supply valve 52 may open or close the water supply pipe 51 in response to an electrical signal from a first controller 23 (refer to
The first clothes treating apparatus 10 may include the detergent supply device 53 configured to supply detergent to the tub 20. The detergent supply device 53 may include a manual detergent supply device that requires a user to input detergent to be used for each washing, and an automatic detergent supply device that stores a large amount of detergent and automatically inputs a predetermined amount of detergent during washing. The detergent supply device 53 may include a detergent box for storing detergent. The detergent supply device 53 may be configured to supply detergent into the tub during a water supply process. Water supplied through the water supply pipe 51 may be mixed with detergent via the detergent supply device 53. Water mixed with detergent may be supplied into the tub 20. Detergent is used as a term including detergent for pre-washing, detergent for main washing, fabric softener, bleach, etc., and the detergent box may be partitioned into a storage region for the pre-washing detergent, a storage region for the main washing detergent, a storage region for the fabric softener, and a storage region for the bleach.
The first clothes treating apparatus 10 may include a drainage device 54 configured to discharge water contained in the tub 20 to the outside. The drainage device 54 may include a drain pipe 55 extending from a bottom of the tub 20 to the outside of the first housing 11, a drain valve 56 disposed on the drain pipe 55 to open and close the drain pipe 55, and a drain pump 57 disposed on the drain pipe 55. The drain pump 57 may pump water from the drain pipe 55 to the outside of the first housing 11.
According to various embodiments, the first clothes treating apparatus 10 may further include a heater for heating water stored in the tub 20.
According to various embodiments, the first clothes treating apparatus 10 may further include a heater for heating water supplied through the water supply device 50.
The second clothes treating apparatus 60 may be a washing machine or a dryer. For example, the second clothes treating apparatus 60 may be a dryer.
Referring to
The second clothes treating apparatus 60 may include a second front frame 61a forming a front surface. The object inlet 62 may be formed in the second front frame 61a.
The second clothes treating apparatus 60 may include a second door 63 for opening and closing the object inlet 62. The second door 63 may be rotatably mounted on the second housing 61 by a second hinge 64. At least a portion of the second door 63 may be transparent or translucent to allow the inside of the second housing 61 to be seen.
The second clothes treating apparatus 60 may include a second drum 70 provided to accommodate an object. The second drum 70 may be disposed inside the second housing 61 in such a way that a second drum opening 72 provided on one side of the second drum 70 corresponds to the object inlet 62. The object may sequentially pass through the object inlet 62 and the second drum opening 72 and be accommodated inside the second drum 70 or withdrawn from the second drum 70. The second drum 70 may be rotatably provided inside the second housing 61.
The second clothes treating apparatus 60 may include a second driving device 73 configured to rotate the second drum 70. The second driving device 73 may include a second driving motor and a second rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force generated by the second driving motor to the second drum 70.
The second drum 70 may include an inlet 71 through which air flows into the inside of the second drum 70. The air inside the second drum 70 may be discharged to the outside of the second drum 70 through the second drum opening 72. The inlet 71 may be located on a side opposite to the side of the second drum 70 on which the second drum opening 72 is located. For example, the inlet 71 may be located at the rear of the second drum 70, and the second drum opening 72 may be located at the front of the second drum 70.
Hot and dry air may flow into the second drum 70 through the inlet 71 to dry the object contained in the second drum 70. After drying the object, air containing a large amount of moisture may be discharged from the second drum 70 through the second drum opening 72.
At least one second lifter 74 may be provided inside the second drum 70. The second lifter 74 may raise and drop the object to allow the object to come into contact with hot air while floating in the space inside the second drum 70.
A heat pump 80 for heating and condensing air may be disposed inside the second housing 61. An evaporator 81, a condenser 82, a compressor 83, an expansion device, etc., which form the heat pump 80, may be disposed in a lower portion of the second drum 70. A refrigerant may circulate through a series of processes composed of compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation. Particularly, the heat pump 80 may include the evaporator 81, the condenser 82, the compressor 83, and the expansion device. The evaporator 81 and the condenser 82 may exchange heat with air.
The compressor 83 may compress a refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure state and discharge the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. The discharged refrigerant may flow into the condenser 82. The condenser 82 may condense the compressed refrigerant and release heat to the surroundings through the condensation process. Additionally, the expansion device may expand the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant condensed in the condenser 82 to a low-pressure state. The evaporator 81 may evaporate the expanded refrigerant and remove heat from the surroundings through the evaporation process.
As an operating revolution per minute (RPM) of the compressor 83 increases, an amount of heat released to the surroundings through the condensation process of the condenser 82 may increase.
When the second clothes treating apparatus 60 receives an object and is operated in a drying mode, hot and humid air discharged from the second drum 70 may pass through the evaporator 81. Accordingly, the hot and humid air discharged from the second drum 70 may be cooled and changed into low-temperature and dry air as the air passes through the evaporator 81. At this time, condensed water may be generated as the hot and humid air is cooled in the evaporator 81. The condensed water may move to a recovery water tank or be drained to the outside of the second housing 61. Additionally, air dried at low temperature after passing through the evaporator 81 may pass through the condenser 82. Accordingly, the low-temperature and dry air discharged from the evaporator 81 may be heated and changed into hot and dry air as the air passes through the condenser 82. Hot and dry air may flow into the second drum 70 through the inlet 71 to dry the object. As the object is dried, hot and humid air containing a large amount of moisture may flow out through the second drum opening 72. The discharged air may pass through the evaporator 81 again. In summary, air may dry the object contained in the second drum 70 while circulating inside the second housing 61.
In the drying mode, a closed flow path may be formed inside the second housing 61 of the second clothes treating apparatus 60. The closed flow path may be an air movement path (refer to an arrow in
The second clothes treating apparatus 60 may include a heater 86 disposed on the closed flow path. The heater 86 may be implemented through a heating coil, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the heater 86 may be implemented through various known elements. The heater 86 may further heat air that is heated by passing through the condenser 82 or the heater 86 may heat air that is drawn from the outside while not being heated by the heat pump 80.
Referring to
In a state in which the housing cover 67 closes the housing opening 69, the front surface of the housing cover 67 and the front surface of the second housing 61 may be connected to form a smoothly connected surface without any steps. When the filter device 96 is not mounted inside the second housing 61, a user can access the heat pump 80 through the housing opening 69. When using the dryer for a long time, foreign substances such as lint may be attached to the heat pump, and a user can remove the foreign substances through the housing opening 69.
The filter device 96 may be removably mounted on the second clothes treating apparatus 60. Particularly, the filter device 96 may be removably mounted inside the second housing 61 through the housing opening 69. The filter device 96 may be mounted on or separated from the device receiving portion 68.
A fan 90 may be disposed under the second drum 70. The fan 90 may circulate the air inside the second housing 61. The fan 90 may form a circulating airflow passing through the second drum 70 inside the second housing 61.
The second clothes treating apparatus 60 may include a fan motor 91 configured to rotate the fan 90.
A driving force generated by the fan motor 91 may rotate the fan 90.
According to various embodiments, the fan motor 91 for rotating the fan 90 and a second driving motor 73a for rotating the second drum 70 may include the same configuration.
According to one embodiment, a single motor 91 or 73a may be connected to different rotating shafts to simultaneously rotate the fan 90 and the second drum 70.
When the single motor 91 or 73a is connected to different rotating shafts to simultaneously rotate the fan 90 and the second drum 70, a rotation speed of the fan 90 and a rotation speed of the second drum 70 may be different from each other. For example, the rotation speed of the fan 90 may be faster than the rotation speed of the second drum 70.
According to various embodiments, the fan motor 91 for rotating the fan 90 and the second driving motor 73a for rotating the second drum 70 may be provided separately.
Referring to
The first user interface device 15 may provide a user interface for interaction between a user and the first clothes treating apparatus 10.
The first user interface device 15 may include at least one first input interface 16 and at least one first output interface 17.
According to one embodiment, the first user interface device 15 may be disposed on one side of the first housing 11, but the position of the first user interface device 15 is not limited thereto.
The at least one first input interface 16 may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.
The at least one first input interface 16 may include a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial (or a course selection button), and a washing/rinsing/spin-drying setting button. The at least one first input interface 16 may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone.
The at least one first output interface 17 may transmit various data related to the operation of the first clothes treating apparatus 10 to a user by generating sensory information.
For example, the at least one first output interface 17 may transmit information related to a washing course, an operation time of the first clothes treating apparatus 10, and washing/rinsing/spin-drying settings to the user. Information about the operation of the first clothes treating apparatus 10 may be output through a screen, an indicator, or voice. The at least one first output interface 17 may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) panel, or a speaker.
The washing course may include washing setting (e.g., washing temperature, number of rinses, spin speed, etc.) that is set in advance by a designer of the first clothes treating apparatus 10 according to the type (e.g., blanket, underwear, etc.) and material (e.g., wool, etc.) of the laundry. For example, a standard washing may include washing settings that may be applied to most laundry, and a blanket washing may include washing settings optimized for washing a blanket. For example, the washing course may be classified into a standard washing, a power washing, a delicate clothes washing, a blanket washing, a baby clothes washing, a towel washing, a small load washing, a boiled washing, a power saving washing, an outdoor-clothes washing, a rinsing/spin-drying, a spin-drying, etc.
According to various embodiments, the washing course may include a plurality of courses customized to the user's needs. For example, the washing course may include an energy saving course, a time saving course, a low noise course, etc.
The energy saving course corresponds to a course to minimize the energy required to perform a washing cycle. When the first clothes treating apparatus 10 performs the washing cycle corresponding to the energy saving course, an operation of the heater for heating the water stored in the tub 20 may be minimized.
The time saving course corresponds to a course to minimize the time required to perform the washing cycle. When the first clothes treating apparatus 10 performs the washing cycle corresponding to the time-saving course, the number of washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying processes may be minimized, or the time required for washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying processes may be minimized.
The low-noise course corresponds to a course to minimize noise generated from the first clothes treating apparatus 10 when performing the washing cycle. When the first clothes treating apparatus 10 performs the washing cycle corresponding to the low-noise course, the maximum RPM of the first drum 30 may be minimized in the washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying processes.
According to the present disclosure, courses according to the user's special needs, such as the energy saving course, time saving course, and low noise course, may be defined as specialized courses.
According to the present disclosure, courses (e.g., standard course) other than specialized courses may be defined as general courses.
A first memory 25 may store algorithms for the plurality of washing courses corresponding to the plurality of washing courses. The algorithm of the plurality of washing courses refers to an algorithm for controlling a plurality of components (e.g., the first driving device 40, the water supply device 50, the drainage device 54, and/or the heater) in the washing cycle.
A first processor 24 may perform a washing course based on an operation course algorithm set based on a user input, among the plurality of washing course algorithms stored in the first memory 25.
The first driving device 40 may include the first driving motor 41 configured to provide a driving force to rotate the first drum 30. The first driving device 40 may operate based on a control signal from the first controller 23.
The water supply device 50 may include the water supply valve 52 configured to open and close the water supply pipe 51 extending from an external water supply source to the detergent supply device 53 and/or the tub 20. The water supply valve 52 may be opened and closed based on a control signal from the first controller 23.
The drainage device 54 may include the drain pump 57 for discharging water from the tub 20 to the outside of the washing machine housing 11. The drain pump 57 may operate based on a control signal from the first controller 23.
The first sensor portion 18 may include at least one sensor configured to obtain information related to an operating state of the first clothes treating apparatus 10.
For example, the first sensor portion 18 may include at least one of a water level sensor configured to detect a water level of the tub 20, a sensor configured to detect an operating state of the first driving device 40, a flow sensor configured to detect a flow rate of water flowing into the tub 20 through the water supply device 50, or a sensor configured to detect an operating state of the drainage device 54.
According to various embodiments, the first sensor portion 18 may include at least one sensor configured to detect a weight of laundry accommodated in the first drum 30.
According to various embodiments, the first sensor portion 18 may include a vibration sensor configured to detect a vibration value of the tub 20. The vibration sensor may detect the vibration of the tub 20. Particularly, the vibration sensor may detect vibration of the tub 20 generated by rotation of the first drum 30 during the washing cycle (e.g., spin-drying process). Due to the unbalance of the laundry placed inside the first drum 30, eccentricity of the first drum 30 may occur, and the vibration of the tub 20 may occur due to the eccentricity of the first drum 30. When the rotation speed of the first drum 30 increases while the laundry is unbalanced, the vibration of the tub 20 may also increase, and noise due to the vibration of the tub 20 may also increase.
According to various embodiments, when the first clothes treating apparatus 10 and the second clothes treating apparatus 60 operate together, the vibration of the tub 20 may increase due to frequency resonance.
The vibration sensor may output a vibration signal related to the vibration of the tub 20. An amplitude of a vibration signal may be defined as a vibration value when the tub 20 vibrates.
In one embodiment, the first controller 23 may convert a time domain vibration signal output from the vibration sensor into a frequency domain vibration signal and may process the frequency domain vibration signal. The vibration sensor may include a 6-axis sensor configured to detect displacement in 6 axes (X, Y, Z, Pitch, Roll, and Yaw).
A sensor configured to detect an operating state of the first driving device 40 may include a current sensor configured to measure a driving current applied to the first driving motor 41, but is not limited thereto.
A sensor configured to detect an operating state of the drainage device 54 may include a current sensor configured to measure a driving current applied to the drain pump 57, but is not limited thereto.
The first clothes treating apparatus 10 may include a first communication circuitry 19 for wired and/or wireless communication with an external device (e.g., server, user device, and/or other home appliance).
User devices and/or other home appliances may include other home appliances such as smartphones, laptops, laptops, smart watches, IoT hub devices, televisions, and/or the second clothes treating apparatus 60, and various electronic devices such as stationary tablets and speakers.
The first communication circuitry 19 may include a short-range communication module and/or a long-range communication module.
The first communication circuitry 19 may transmit data to an external device or receive data from the external device. For example, the first communication circuitry 19 may establish communication with a server, a user device and/or a home appliance, and transmit and receive various types of data
For the communication, the first communication circuitry 19 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 one embodiment, the first communication circuitry 19 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, and 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 a mobile communication circuitry. The mobile communication circuitry transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.
According to one embodiment, the first communication circuitry 19 may communicate with an external device such as a server, a user device and other home appliances through an access point (AP). The access point (AP) may connect a local area network (LAN), to which the first clothes treating apparatus 10 and/or a user device and/or other home appliance is connected, to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The first clothes treating apparatus 10 and/or a user device and/or other home appliance may be connected to the server through the wide area network (WAN).
The first controller 23 may control various components (e.g., the first driving device 40, the water supply device 50, and the drainage device 54) of the first clothes treating apparatus 10. The first controller 23 may control various components of the first clothes treating apparatus 10 to perform at least one process including water supply, washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying according to user input. For example, the first controller 23 may control the first driving motor 41 of the first driving device 40 to adjust the rotation speed (RPM) of the first drum 30. The first controller 23 may control the water supply valve 52 of the water supply device 50 to supply water to the tub 20. The first controller 23 may control the drain pump 57 of the drainage device 54 to discharge water from the tub 20 to the outside.
The first controller 23 may include hardware such as a CPU, Mi-com or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the first controller 23 may include at least one first memory 25 configured to store an algorithm and program-type data for controlling the operation of components in the first clothes treating apparatus 10, and at least one first processor 24 configured to perform the above-mentioned operation by using the data stored in the at least one memory. The first memory 25 and the first processor 24 may each be implemented as separate chips. The first processor 24 may include one or more processor chips or may include one or more processing cores. The first memory 25 may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks. Alternatively, the first memory 25 and the first processor 24 may be implemented as a single chip.
Referring to
The second user interface device 75 may provide a user interface for interaction between a user and the second clothes treating apparatus 60.
The second user interface 75 may include at least one second input interface 76 and at least one second output interface 77.
According to one embodiment, the second user interface device 75 may be disposed on one side of the second housing 61, but the position of the second user interface device 75 is not limited thereto.
The at least one second input interface 76 may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.
The at least one second input interface 76 may include a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial (or a course selection button), a drying setting button and a Wi-Fi button. The at least one second input interface 76 may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone.
The at least one second output interface 77 may transmit various data related to the operation of the second clothes treating apparatus 60 to a user by generating sensory information.
For example, the at least one second output interface 77 may transmit information related to a drying course, an operation time of the second clothes treating apparatus 60, and drying settings to a user. Information about the operation of the second clothes treating apparatus 60 may be output through a screen, an indicator, or voice. The at least one second output interface 77 may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) panel, or a speaker.
The drying course may include drying setting (e.g., drying temperature, drying time, drying intensity, etc.) that is set in advance by a designer of the second clothes treating apparatus 60 according to the type (e.g., blanket, underwear, etc.) and material (e.g., wool, etc.) of the laundry. For example, a standard drying may include drying settings that may be applied to most laundry, and a blanket drying may include drying settings optimized for drying a blanket. For example, the drying course may be classified into a standard drying, a power drying, a delicate clothes drying, a blanket drying, a baby clothes drying, a towel drying, a small load drying, a power saving drying, an outdoor-clothes drying, etc.
According to various embodiments, the drying course may include a plurality of courses customized to the user's needs. For example, the drying course may include an energy saving course, a time saving course, a low noise course, etc.
The energy saving course corresponds to a course to minimize the energy required to perform the drying process. When the second clothes treating apparatus 60 performs the drying process corresponding to the energy saving course, an operation of the heater 86 may be minimized.
The time saving course corresponds to a course to minimize the time required to perform the drying process. When the second clothes treating apparatus 60 performs the drying process corresponding to the time-saving course, the operation time of the heater 86 and/or the operation frequency of the compressor 83 may increase.
The low-noise course corresponds to a course to minimize noise generated from the second clothes treating apparatus 60 when performing the drying process. When the second clothes treating apparatus 60 performs the drying process corresponding to the low-noise course, the maximum RPM of the second drum 70 may be minimized.
According to the present disclosure, courses according to the user's special needs, such as the energy saving course, time saving course, and low noise course, may be defined as specialized courses.
According to the present disclosure, courses (e.g., standard course) other than specialized courses may be defined as general courses.
A second memory 99 may store algorithms for the plurality of drying courses corresponding to the plurality of drying courses. The algorithm of the plurality of drying courses refers to an algorithm for controlling a plurality of components (e.g., the second driving device 73, the heater 86, the fan motor 91, and/or the compressor 83) in the drying process.
A second processor 98 may perform a drying course based on an operation course algorithm set based on a user input, among the plurality of drying course algorithms stored in the second memory 99.
The second driving device 73 may include the second driving motor 73a configured to provide a driving force to rotate the second drum 70. The second driving device 73 may operate based on a control signal from the second controller 97.
According to various embodiments, the second controller 97 may control the second driving device 73 based on an algorithm of an operation course selected by a user.
The heater 86 may further heat air, which is heated air as passing through the condenser 82, or heat air that is air drawn from the outside while not being heated by the heat pump 80.
The heater 86 may operate based on a control signal from the second controller 97.
According to various embodiments, the second controller 97 may control the heater 86 based on an algorithm of an operation course selected by a user.
The fan motor 91 may rotate the fan 90 to circulate air inside the second housing 61.
The fan motor 91 may operate based on a control signal from the second controller 97.
According to various embodiments, the second controller 97 may control the fan motor 91 based on an algorithm of an operation course selected by a user.
As mentioned above, the fan motor 91 for rotating the fan 90 and the second driving motor 73a for rotating the second drum 70 may include the same configuration.
According to one embodiment, when a single motor 91 or 73a is connected to different rotating shafts to simultaneously rotate the fan 90 and the second drum 70, the second controller 97 may drive the single motor 91 or 73a at a target RPM corresponding to a target RPM of the fan 90 or a target RPM of the second drum 70.
According to various embodiments, when the fan motor 91 for rotating the fan 90 and the second driving motor 73a for rotating the second drum 70 are provided separately from each other, the second controller 97 may drive the fan motor 91 based on the target RPM of the fan 90 and drive the second driving motor 73a based on the target RPM of the second drum 70.
The heat pump 80 is configured to generate hot air to be supplied to the second drum 70 and may include the compressor 83 configured to compress the refrigerant.
The compressor 83 may operate based on a control signal from the second controller 97.
According to various embodiments, the second controller 97 may control the compressor 83 based on an algorithm of an operation course selected by a user.
The second sensor portion 79 may include at least one sensor configured to obtain information related to the operating state of the second clothes treating apparatus 60.
According to various embodiments, the second sensor portion 79 may include at least one sensor configured to detect a weight of an object accommodated in the second drum 70.
According to various embodiments, the second sensor portion 79 may include a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature inside the second housing 61 and/or a sensor configured to detect an operating state of the second driving device 73.
The temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature inside the second housing 61 may be disposed at any position inside the second housing 61. According to various embodiments, the temperature sensor may be disposed on an outlet side of the condenser 82 or on a downstream side of the heater 86.
According to various embodiments, the second sensor portion 79 may include a vibration sensor configured to detect a vibration value of the second housing 61.
The second clothes treating apparatus 60 may include a second communication circuitry 94 for wired and/or wireless communication with an external device (e.g., server, user device, and/or other home appliance).
User devices and/or other home appliances may include other home appliances such as smartphones, laptops, laptops, smart watches, IoT hub devices, televisions, and/or the second clothes treating apparatus 60, and various electronic devices such as stationary tablets and speakers.
The second communication circuitry 94 may include a short-range communication module and/or a long-range communication module.
The second communication circuitry 94 may transmit data to an external device or receive data from the external device. For example, the second communication circuitry 94 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 second communication circuitry 94 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 one embodiment, the second communication circuitry 94 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, and 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 a mobile communication circuitry. The mobile communication circuitry transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.
According to one embodiment, the second communication circuitry 94 may communicate with an external device such as a server, a user device and other home appliances through an access point (AP). The access point (AP) may connect a local area network (LAN), to which the second clothes treating apparatus 60 and/or a user device and/or other home appliance is connected, to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The second clothes treating apparatus 60 and/or a user device and/or other home appliance may be connected to the server through the wide area network (WAN).
The second controller 97 may control various components (e.g., the second driving device 73, the heater 86, the fan motor 91, and/or the compressor 83) of the second clothes treating apparatus 60. The second controller 97 may control various components of the second clothes treating apparatus 60 to perform the drying process according to user input. For example, the second controller 97 may control the second driving motor 73a of the second driving device 73 to adjust the rotation speed (RPM) of the second drum 70 or control the operation of the heater 86 to quickly heat the internal air or control the operation of the compressor 83 to generate hot air to be supplied to the second drum 70 or control the operation of the fan motor 91 to circulate hot air, which is generated by the heat pump 80, to the inside of the second drum 70.
The second controller 97 may include hardware such as a CPU, Mi-com or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the second controller 97 may include at least one second memory 99 configured to store an algorithm and program-type data for controlling the operation of components in the second clothes treating apparatus 60, and at least one second processor 98 configured to perform the above-mentioned operation by using the data stored in the at least one memory. The second memory 99 and the second processor 98 may each be implemented as separate chips. The second processor 98 may include one or more processor chips or may include one or more processing cores. The second memory 99 may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks. Alternatively, the second memory 99 and the second processor 98 may be implemented as a single chip.
Referring to
The first clothes treating apparatus 10 and the second clothes treating apparatus 60 may be operatively and/or electrically connected to each other.
Various information obtained by the first clothes treating apparatus 10 may be transmitted to the second clothes treating apparatus 60, and various information obtained by the second clothes treating apparatus 60 may be transmitted to the first clothes treating apparatus 10.
According to one embodiment, the clothes treating system 1 may include a user interface device 100.
The user interface device 100 may be provided in the first clothes treating apparatus 10 and/or the second clothes treating apparatus 60.
According to one embodiment, the user interface device 100 may be disposed on one side of the first housing 11.
The user interface device 100 of the clothes treating system 1 is a component configured to control both the first clothes treating apparatus 10 and the second clothes treating apparatus 60, and may be defined as an integrated user interface device 100.
According to one embodiment, as the clothes treating system 1 includes the user interface device 100, the first clothes treating apparatus 10 may be not provided with the first user interface device 15 configured to control the first clothes treating apparatus 10.
According to one embodiment, as the clothes treating system 1 includes the user interface device 100, the second clothes treating apparatus 60 may be not provided with the second user interface device 75 configured to control the second clothes treating apparatus 60.
According to various embodiments, even when the clothes treating system 1 includes the user interface device 100, the first clothes treating apparatus 10 may include the first user interface device 15 for controlling only the first clothes treating apparatus 10. Alternatively, even when the clothes treating system 1 includes the user interface device 100, the second clothes treating apparatus 60 may include the second user interface device 75 for controlling only the second clothes treating apparatus 60. Alternatively, even when the clothes treating system 1 includes the user interface device 100, the first clothes treating apparatus 10 may include the first user interface device 15 for controlling only the first clothes treating apparatus 10, and the second clothes treating apparatus 60 may include the second user interface device 75 for controlling only the second clothes treating apparatus 60.
That is, in one embodiment, the clothes treating system 1 may include the user interface device 100 for controlling the first clothes treating apparatus 10 and the second clothes treating apparatus 60, the first user interface device 15 for controlling the first clothes treating apparatus 10 and/or the second user interface device 75 for controlling the second clothes treating apparatus 60.
The user interface device 100 may provide a user interface for interaction between a user and the clothes treating system 1. The user interface for interacting between a user and the clothes treating system 1 may refer to a user interface for interacting between a user and the first clothes treating apparatus 10 and the second clothes treating apparatus 60.
The user interface device 100 may include at least one input interface 106 and at least one output interface 107.
The at least one input interface 106 may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the first clothes treating apparatus 10 and/or the second clothes treating apparatus 60.
The at least one input interface 106 may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone, etc.
According to one embodiment, the at least one input interface 106 may transmit a control command corresponding to a user input, to the first controller 23 of the first clothes treating apparatus 10 and the second controller 97 of the second clothes treating apparatus 60.
The at least one output interface 107 may transmit various data related to the operation of the first and second clothes treating apparatuses 10 and 60 to the user by generating sensory information.
The at least one output interface 107 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc.
A panel on which the at least one input interface 106 and the at least one output interface 107 are formed may be defined as a control panel 101. The at least one input interface 106 and the at least one output interface 107 may be provided in the control panel 101.
The first clothes treating apparatus 10 and the second clothes treating apparatus 60 may communicate with each other through the first communication circuitry 19 of the first clothes treating apparatus 10 and the second communication circuitry 94 of the second clothes treating apparatus 60.
According to one embodiment, the first communication circuitry 19 and the second communication circuitry 94 may directly communicate with each other using a device-to-device (D2D) wireless communication module (e.g., a Bluetooth module).
According to one embodiment, the first communication circuitry 19 and the second communication circuitry 94 may communicate with each other through a server using a wide area network (WAN).
According to various embodiments, the first communication circuitry 19 and the second communication circuitry 94 may include a wired communication module (e.g., a communication connector and/or a communication wire), and the first clothes treating apparatus 10 and the second communication circuitry 94 may be connected to each other by wires.
According to various embodiments, the user interface device 100 may further include a connection circuit board 123. The connection circuit board 123 may be implemented as a printed circuit board.
The connection circuit board 123 may include a communication wire and/or a communication connector to be connected to the first communication circuitry 19 and the second communication circuitry 94.
The connection circuit board 123 may connect the first communication circuitry 19 and the second communication circuitry 94 by wires.
The first communication circuitry 19 and the second communication circuitry 94 may be connected to the connection circuit board 123.
The connection circuit board 123 may mediate data exchange between the first controller 23 and the second controller 97.
For example, the connection circuit board 123 may transmit a signal, which is transmitted from the first controller 23 through the first communication circuitry 19, to the second controller 97 through the second communication circuitry 94.
Further, the connection circuit board 123 may transmit a signal, which is transmitted from the second controller 97 through the second communication circuitry 94, to the first controller 23 through the first communication circuitry 19.
According to various embodiments, the connection circuit board 123 may transmit course information, which is selected by the at least one input interface 106, to the first controller 23 through the first communication circuitry 19.
According to various embodiments, the connection circuit board 123 may transmit course information, which is selected by the at least one input interface 106, to the second controller 97 through the second communication circuitry 94.
According to the present disclosure, because the user interface device 100 includes the connection circuit board 123, the communication between the first clothes treating apparatus 10 and the second clothes treating apparatus 60 may be smoothly performed, and at the same time, the communication between the user interface device 100, and the first clothes treating apparatus 10 and the second clothes treating apparatus 60 may be performed smoothly.
However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the connection circuit board 123 of the user interface device 100 may be omitted.
Referring to
Hereinafter for convenience of description, the second clothes treating apparatus 60 may be referred to as the clothes treating apparatus 60, the second housing 61 may be referred to as the housing 61, the second front frame 61a may be referred to as the front frame 61a, and the second user interface device 75 may be referred to as the user interface device 75.
In addition, for convenience of description, the second clothes treating apparatus 60 and the second housing 61 are described, but components described below may be also applied to the first clothes treating apparatus 10 and the first housing 11.
The housing 61 may include the side frame 61b to form a left side surface, a right side surface, and a rear side surface of the clothes treating apparatus 60. For example, the side frame 61b may be formed by bending one plate. In contrast, a portion for forming the left side surface, a portion for forming the right side surface, and a portion for forming the rear side surface may be separately provided and then coupled to each other so as to form the side frame 61b.
The side frame 61b may be provided with a front coupler 61ba for coupling the front frame 61a. The side frame 61b may be provided with a support coupler 61bb for coupling a support frame 110. The side frame 61b may be provided with a bottom coupler 61bc for coupling the bottom frame 61c.
The bottom frame 61c of the housing 61 may be coupled to a lower side of the side frame 61b. The bottom frame 61c may be provided to cover the open lower side of the side frame 61b. For example, the bottom frame 61c may be provided separately from the side frame 61b, or may be formed integrally with the side frame 61b.
The bottom frame 61c may include a bottom support portion 61ca for supporting the front frame 61a when the bottom frame 61c is coupled to the front frame 61a and the side frame 61b. The bottom support portion 61ca may be provided to support the front frame 61a in the upward direction. The bottom support portion 61ca may be provided to prevent the front frame 61a from sagging in the direction of gravity.
Referring to
The front frame 61a may include a frame front surface portion 61aa facing forward and a frame upper surface portion 61ab facing upward. For example, the frame front surface portion 61aa and the frame upper surface portion 61ab may be formed by bending a single plate. The object inlet 62 may be formed in the frame front surface portion 61aa. The frame upper surface portion 61ab may be coupled to the support frame 110 and supported by the support frame 110.
The front frame 61a may include frame side surface portions 61ac facing left and right sides. For example, the frame side surface portion 61ac may be formed by bending both ends of the frame front surface portion 61aa.
The front frame 61a may include a frame forming portion 61h protruding from the frame upper surface portion 61ab. For example, the frame forming portion 61h may protrude upward or downward from the frame upper surface portion 61ab. For example, the frame forming portion 61h may be formed by bending a portion of the frame upper surface portion 61ab. The frame forming portion 61h may be formed in such a way that a surface, which is opposite to a protruding surface, is recessed from the frame upper surface portion 61ab. The frame forming portion 61h may be formed to be stepped from the frame upper surface portion 61ab. The housing 61 of the clothes treating apparatus 60 according to one embodiment may have an improved strength against bending and/or twisting by including the frame forming portion 61h in the front frame 61a.
For example, the frame forming portion 61h may include a first frame forming portion 61ha and a second frame forming portion 61hb. The frame forming portion 61h may include the first frame forming portion 61ha, and the second frame forming portion 61hb having a different size or shape from the first frame forming portion 61ha. The second frame forming portion 61hb may be provided in a different size and/or shape from the first frame forming portion 61ha. For example, the second frame forming portion 61hb may have a larger size than the first frame forming portion 61ha. For example, the first frame forming portion 61ha and the second frame forming portion 61hb may be provided in asymmetric positions on the frame upper surface portion 61ab of the front frame 61a. With this structure, the front frame 61a may have an improved strength against bending and/or twisting compared to a structure in which the first frame forming portion 61ha and the second frame forming portion 61hb are provided in symmetrical positions.
The front frame 61a may include a frame opening 61d provided to allow the user interface device 75 to be mounted thereon, and a frame seating portion 61e formed on an edge of the frame opening 61d to allow the user interface device 75 to be seated thereon. The frame opening 61d and the frame seating portion 61e may be provided on the frame upper surface portion 61ab of the front frame 61a.
The user interface device 75 may be mounted on the housing 61 to allow at least a portion of the user interface device 75 to be accommodated inside the housing 61 through the frame opening 61d. When the user interface device 75 is mounted on the housing 61, the user interface device 75 may be supported by the frame seating portion 61e. The frame seating portion 61e may be provided to support an edge portion of the user interface device 75.
Referring to
The front frame 61a may include a mounting portion 61f to be coupled to the support frame 110. The mounting portion 61f may be provided on the frame upper surface portion 61ab. As the mounting portion 61f is coupled to a mounting hole 118 of the support frame 110 in a state in which a lower end of the front frame 61a is supported on the bottom support portion 61ca, the front frame 61a may be mounted on the support frame 110.
The front frame 61a may include a fixing portion 61g for being fixed to the support frame 110. The fixing portion 61g may be provided on the frame upper surface portion 61ab of the front frame 61a. As the fastening member is fastened in a state in which the fixing portion 61g is aligned with the fixing hole 117 of the support frame 110, the front frame 61a may be fixed to the support frame 110.
Referring to
The support frame 110 may include a support upper surface portion 111 provided to support the frame upper surface portion 61ab. At least one portion of the support upper surface portion 111 may be provided to face the frame upper surface portion 61ab of the front frame 61a. The support upper surface portion 111 may be provided to be supported by being seated on the side frame 61b. The support upper surface portion 111 may be provided with an upper surface coupler 111a for coupling to the side frame 61b. At least a portion of the support upper surface portion 111 may be supported by the side frame 61b.
The support frame 110 may include a support forming portion 112 protruding from the support upper surface portion 111. For example, the support forming portion 112 may protrude upward or downward from the support upper surface portion 111. For example, the support forming portion 112 may be formed by bending a portion of the support upper surface portion 111. The support forming portion 112 may be formed in such a way that a surface, which is opposite to a protruding surface, is recessed from the support upper surface portion 111. The support forming portion 112 may be formed to be stepped from the support upper surface portion 111. The support frame 110 of the clothes treating apparatus 60 according to one embodiment may have an improved strength against bending and/or twisting by including the support forming portion 112 on the support upper surface portion 111.
For example, the support forming portion 112 may include a first support forming portion 112a and a second support forming portion 112b. The support forming portion 112 may include the first support forming portion 112a and the second support forming portion 112b having a different size or shape from the first support forming portion 112a. The second support forming portion 112b may be provided in a different size and/or shape from the first support forming portion 112a. For example, the second support forming portion 112b may have a larger size than the first support forming portion 112a. For example, the first support forming portion 112a and the second support forming portion 112b may be provided in asymmetric positions on the support upper surface portion 111 of the support frame 110. With this structure, the support frame 110 may have an improved strength against bending and/or twisting compared to a structure in which the first support forming portion 112a and the second support forming portion 112b are provided in symmetrical positions.
The support frame 110 may include a support front surface portion 113 spaced apart from the frame front surface portion 61aa of the front frame 61a to form an accommodating space S (refer to
The support front surface portion 113 may be fixed to the side frame 61b. The support front surface portion 113 may be provided with a front coupler 113a for coupling to the side frame 61b. For example, the support forming portion 112 may be provided on the support front surface portion 113 to improve the strength against bending and/or twisting of the support frame 110.
The support frame 110 may include a support extension portion 113b extending forward from the support front surface portion 113. The support extension portion 113b may extend from the support front surface portion 113 toward the frame front surface portion 61aa of the front frame 61a. The support front surface portion 113 may extend to protrude forward more than the drum 70.
The support frame 110 may include a reinforcement portion 113c provided to protrude forward from the support front surface portion 113. The reinforcement portion 113c may reinforce a strength of the support frame 110. The reinforcement portion 113c may be formed by bending a portion of the support front surface portion 113. The reinforcement portion 113c may be connected to the support extension portion 113b.
The support frame 110 according to one embodiment may be provided to allow the support upper surface portion 111, the support front surface portion 113, and the support extension portion 113b to be formed by bending a single plate.
The support frame 110 may include a support rib 114 extending in a different direction from the support upper surface portion 111 and the support front surface portion 113, so as to support the frame upper surface portion 61ab of the front frame 61a. For example, the support rib 114 may be formed by bending both ends of the support front surface portion 113. The support rib 114 may extend in the direction of gravity. The support rib 114 may be provided to support the first portion 61ab1 and the second portion 61ab2 of the front frame 61a.
The support frame 110 may include a protrusion 114a protruding from the support rib 114. The protrusion 114a may extend in the direction of gravity. The protrusion 114a may be formed in such a way that a surface, which is opposite to a surface protruding from the support rib 114, is recessed from the support rib 114. The protrusion 114a may improve the strength of the support rib 114 while the support rib 114 supports the front frame 61a.
The support frame 110 may be provided in such a way that at least one edge portion of the support rib 114 is bent to form a bending portion 114b. As at least one edge portion of the support rib 114 is bent to form the bent portion 114b, the strength of the support rib 114 of the support frame 110 may be improved.
Referring to
The mounting guide 115 may be provided to guide the front frame 61a while the front frame 61a is mounted on the support frame 110. The mounting guide 115 may guide a rear end of the frame upper surface portion 61ab of the frame 61a while the upper portion of the front frame 61a is mounted on the support frame 110 in a state in which the lower portion of the front frame 61a is coupled to the bottom support portion 61ca of the bottom frame 61c. The mounting guide 115 may guide the frame upper surface portion 61ab to allow the frame upper surface portion 61ab of the front frame 61a to be seated on the support upper surface portion 111 of the support frame 110. The mounting guide 115 may guide the mounting of the front frame 61a. The mounting guide 115 may guide the rear end of the frame upper surface portion 61ab upward while the front frame 61a is mounted.
The support frame 110 may include a recessed portion 116 recessed to allow a portion of the frame seating portion 61e of the front frame 61a to located thereon. The recessed portion 116 may be provided to correspond to a position of the frame seating portion 61e when the front frame 61a is mounted on the support frame 110. The frame seating portion 61e may be accommodated in the recessed portion 116. The recessed portion 116 may be located on one side of the mounting guide 115.
The support frame 110 may include a fixing hole 117 through which a fastening member for fixing the front frame 61a to the support frame 110 passes, and a guide line 117a for guiding a position of the fixing hole 117.
The fixing hole 117 may be provided on the support upper surface portion 111 of the support frame 110. As the fastening member is coupled in a state in which the fixing hole 117 of the support frame 110 and the fixing portion 61g of the front frame 61a are aligned, the front frame 61a may be fixed to the support frame 110. For example, the fixing hole 117 may include a plurality of fixing holes 117.
The guide line 117a may be provided to guide the position for forming the fixing hole 117. The guide line 117a may be formed by being recessed from the support upper surface portion 111 of the support frame 110. The guide line 117a may be formed before the mounting guide 115 or may be formed simultaneously with the mounting guide 115 during the process of manufacturing the support frame 110. For example, the guide line 117a may have a groove shape. For example, the guide line 117a may include a plurality of guide lines 117a.
As for the support frame 110 according to various embodiments, it is difficult to measure a position for forming the fixing hole 117 due to the mounting guide 115 formed at an angle with respect to the support upper surface portion 111. However, the guide line 117a may be formed and thus the fixing hole 117 may be formed in the correct position.
The support frame 110 may include a mounting hole 118 provided to accommodate at least a portion of the mounting portion 61f when the front frame 61a is mounted on the support frame 110. The mounting hole 118 may primarily fix the front frame 61a to the support frame 110 before the front frame 61a is fixed to the support frame 110 by a fastening member. The mounting hole 118 may support the mounting portion 61f of the front frame 61a to prevent the front frame 61a from being separated from the support frame 110 before the front frame 61a is fixed to the support frame 110 by the fastening member.
The support frame 110 may include an inclined portion 119 provided along an edge of the mounting hole 118 and provided to be inclined upward from the support upper surface portion 111 of the support frame 110 toward the mounting hole 118. The inclined portion 119 may be provided to prevent water from flowing into the inside of the housing 61 through the mounting hole 118 when water is present in the support upper surface portion 111. The inclined portion 119 may be provided to prevent water present in the support upper surface portion 111 from flowing into the electronic devices disposed inside the housing 61 through the mounting hole 118. The inclined portion 119 may extend along at least one edge of the mounting hole 118.
With this structure, the water present on the support upper surface portion 111 of the support frame 110 may flow down along the mounting guide 115 and/or the recessed portion 116 and fall on the bottom frame 61c or flow into the inside of the drum 70.
The support frame 110 may include a deformable support portion 118a deformable by the mounting portion 61f while the front frame 61a is mounted on the support frame 110, and provided to be restored to support the mounting portion 61f to prevent the front frame 61a from being separated from the support frame 110 when the front frame 61a is mounted on the support frame 110. The deformable support portion 118a may protrude upward from the support upper surface portion 111 of the support frame 110. The deformable support portion 118a may be provided to interfere with the frame upper surface portion 61ab of the front frame 61a while the front frame 61a is mounted on the support frame 110. While the front frame 61a is mounted on the support frame 110, the frame upper surface portion 61ab of the front frame 61a and/or the deformable support portion 118a of the support frame 110 may be deformed and restored. The deformable support portion 118a may be provided to be deformed by being pressed by the frame upper surface portion 61ab of the front frame 61a when the front frame 61a is mounted on the support frame 110. The deformable support portion 118a may support the mounting portion 61f of the front frame 61a to prevent the front frame 61a from being separated from the support frame 110 when the front frame 61a is mounted on the support frame 110.
According to one embodiment, the clothes treating apparatus 60 may include the housing 61 and the drum 70 accommodated inside the housing. The housing may include the side frame 61b, the front frame 61a mounted to the front side of the side frame and including the frame front surface portion 61aa facing forward and the frame upper surface portion 61ab facing upward, and the support frame 110 mounted on the side frame to support the front frame and including the support upper surface portion 111 supporting the frame upper surface portion, and the support forming portion 112 protruding from the support upper surface portion.
The front frame may include the frame forming portion 61h protruding from the frame upper surface portion.
The frame forming portion may include the first frame forming portion 61ha having a first size and first shape, the second frame forming portion 61hb having a second size and a second shape. The first size is different from the second size or the first shape is different from the second shape.
The support frame may include the support front surface portion 113 that is spaced apart from the frame front surface portion to form an accommodating space S for accommodating at least a portion of the user interface device 75.
The support upper surface portion may longitudinally extend in a first direction. The support front surface portion may longitudinally extend in a second direction. The support frame may include the support rib 114 that extends in a third direction that is different from the first direction and the second direction to support the frame upper surface portion.
The support frame may include the protrusion 114a protruding from the support rib.
The support frame may include the bent portion 114b along at least one edge portion of the support rib.
The front frame may include the first portion 61ab1 supported by the support rib, and the second portion 61ab2 supported by the first portion.
The support frame may include the mounting guide 115 between the support upper surface portion and the support front surface portion, inclined with respect to the support upper surface portion and the support front surface portion, and configured so as to guide the front frame while the front frame is mounted on the support frame.
The front frame may include the frame opening 61d configured so that the user interface device is mountable thereon, and the frame seating portion 61e on the edge of the frame opening and configured so that the user interface device is seatable thereon.
The support frame may include the recessed portion 116 recessed so that a portion of the frame seating portion is located thereon.
The support frame may include the fixing hole 117 through which a fastening member passes to fix the front frame to the support frame, and the guide line 117a to guide the position of the fixing hole.
The front frame may include the mounting portion 61f couplable to the support frame. The support frame may include the mounting hole 118 configured to accommodate at least a portion of the mounting portion in response to the front frame being mounted on the support frame.
The support frame may include the inclined portion 119 along an edge of the mounting hole and inclined upward from the support upper surface portion toward the mounting hole
The support frame may include the deformable support portion 118a that is deformed by the mounting portion while the front frame is mounted on the support frame, and is restored, in response to the front frame being mounted on the support frame, to support the mounting portion so that the front frame is coupled to, and is prevented from being separated from, the support frame.
The clothes treating apparatus 60 according to one embodiment may include the housing 61 and the drum 70 accommodated inside the housing. The housing may include the side frame 61b, the front frame 61a mounted to the front side of the side frame and including the frame front surface portion 61aa facing forward and the frame upper surface portion 61ab facing upward, and the support frame 110 mounted on the side frame to support the front frame and including the support upper surface portion 111 supporting the frame upper surface portion and the support front surface portion 113 spaced apart from the frame front surface portion. The support frame may include the mounting guide 115 extending between the support upper surface portion and the support front surface portion, and inclined relative to the support upper surface portion and the support front surface portion so as to guide the front frame while the front frame is mounted on the support frame.
The support frame may include the fixing hole 117 through which a fastening member for fixing the front frame to the support frame passes, and the guide line 117a for guiding the position of the fixing hole.
The support frame may include the support forming portion 112 protruding from the support upper surface portion.
The support frame may include the support rib 114 extending in a different direction from the support upper surface portion and the support front surface portion to support the frame upper surface portion.
The clothes treating system 1 according to one embodiment may include the first clothes treating apparatus 10 including the first housing 11, the second clothes treating apparatus 60 provided on one side of the first clothes treating apparatus and including the second housing 61, the integrated user interface device 100 mounted on the first housing and configured to control the first clothes treating apparatus and the second clothes treating apparatus, and the individual user interface device 75 mounted on the upper portion of the second housing and configured to control the second clothes treating apparatus. The second housing may include the side frame 61b, the front frame 61a mounted to the front side of the side frame and including the frame front surface portion 61aa facing forward and the frame upper surface portion 61ab facing upward, and the support frame 110 mounted on the side frame to support the front frame and including the fixing hole 117 through which the fastening member for fixing the front frame to the support frame passes, and the guide line 117a for guiding the position of the fixing hole.
As is apparent from the above description, the clothes treating apparatus 10 and 60 and the clothes treating system 1 may be provided with at least one forming portion and/or support rib in the support frame 110 to prevent the front frame from sagging and thus the clothes treating apparatus 10 and 60 and the clothes treating system 1 may have the improved structural stability.
Further, the clothes treating apparatus 10 and 60 and the clothes treating system 1 may be provided with the mounting guide on the support frame 110, so as to easily mount the front frame 61a on the support frame 110.
Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure
While the present disclosure has been particularly described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those of skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0176974 | Dec 2023 | KR | national |
This is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a), of International Application No. PCT/KR2024/096217, filed Sep. 20, 2024, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0176974, filed Dec. 7, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/KR2024/096217 | Sep 2024 | WO |
| Child | 18910516 | US |
