Patent Application
20250034790
The disclosure relates to a dryer and a method of controlling the same.
A dryer is an electronic device that dries the laundry with heat or air. The dryer may heat air by using a heater. The dryer may dry the laundry by having the heated air pass a drum having the laundry put therein. The dryer may spin the drum so that the laundry is evenly dried on the whole. The dryer is widely used because it is able to dry the laundry quickly in humid weather.
The dryer may include a filter for capturing foreign substances included in the air. The filter may filter out the foreign substances such as clothing dust contained in the air that has passed through the laundry and send the air with the foreign substances removed therefrom to the heater. Foreign substances may be accumulated on a surface of the filter. In order to maintain dry performance of the dryer, after the dryer performs a dry operation, the user needs to separate the filter from the dryer, clean the foreign substances accumulated on the surface of the filter and then install the filter before performing another dry operation. The existing dryer may make notification to induce filter cleaning when powered on. Once the filter is separated and then installed after completion of a previous dry operation, the existing dryer determines that the filter is cleaned and does not make the notification. The existing dryer may have difficulty in providing the user with a notification fit in with a current state of the filter because it makes the same notification only based on whether the filter was separated after completion of the previous dry operation and has been installed.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a dryer includes a drum, an air blowing module configured to form an air flow to be brought into the drum, a filter configured to filter out foreign substances included in the air discharged from the drum in the air flow, an input/output interface, a memory to store at least one instruction, and at least one processor. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to execute the at least one instruction to determine whether the filter is separated and installed during an operation of the dryer. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to identify an operation type of the dryer in response to the filter being not separated and installed. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to increase a number of successive operation times which indicates a number of times that the dryer has operated while maintaining a non-cleaned state of the filter, based on the operation type. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor may be configured to control the input/output interface to provide a notification to guide separation of the filter from the dryer and cleaning of the separated filter based on the number of successive operation times.
The at least one processor may be configured to execute the at least one instruction to provide the notification at a level corresponding to at least one count range based on the number of successive operation times belonging to the at least one count range among a plurality of ranges of the number of times.
The at least one processor may be configured to execute the at least one instruction to determine an increasing value of the number of successive operation times based on a range of an amount of lint creation depending on the dry operation type.
The at least one processor may be configured to execute the at least one instruction to determine the increasing value of the number of successive operation times based on weight of laundry received in the drum during an operation of the dryer.
The at least one processor may be configured to execute the at least one instruction to: measure weight of laundry received in the drum of the dryer during the operation of the dryer; identify whether the number of successive operation times is at least a threshold number of times; and perform drying for an expected operation time determined based on the weight of the laundry plus an extra time based on the number of successive operation times being at least the threshold number of times.
The at least one processor may be configured to execute the at least one instruction to: identify a difference between the expected operation time and an actual operation time; generate a detection event which determines that the filter is clogged, based on the difference being at least a threshold time; and provide the notification at a level corresponding to a number of occurrences of the detection event.
The input/output interface may comprise a display, and the at least one processor may be configured to execute the at least one instruction to: set at least one of size, color and content of an information object including at least one of an icon and text based on the level; generate the information object, for which at least one of the size, the color and the content is set, as the notification; and display the notification through the display.
The input/output interface may comprise a speaker, and the at least one processor may be configured to execute the at least one instruction to: set at least one of sound volume and voice content of the notification based on the level; and output the notification through the speaker.
The input/output interface may comprise a haptic driver, and the at least one processor may be configured to execute the at least one instruction to: set at least one of vibration intensity and vibration time of the notification based on the level; and output the notification through the haptic driver.
The at least one processor may be configured to execute the at least one instruction to: identify a first time in response to the filter being separated and a second time the filter being reinstalled; and maintain the number of successive operation times in response to a time gap between the first time and the second time being a minimum threshold gap or less.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method of controlling a dryer may include determining whether a filter of the dryer is separated and installed during an operation of the dryer. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further include identifying an operation type of the dryer in response to the filter having not been separated and installed. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further include increasing a number of successive operation times which indicates a number of times that the dryer has operated while maintaining a non-cleaned state of the filter, based on the operation type. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further include providing a notification to guide separation of the filter from the dryer and cleaning of the separated filter from the dryer based on the number of successive operation times.
The providing of the notification may comprise providing the notification at a level corresponding to at least one count range based on the number of successive operation times belonging to the at least one count range among a plurality of ranges of the number of times.
The increasing of the number of successive operation times may comprise determining an increasing value of the number of successive operation times based on a range of an amount of lint creation depending on the dry operation type.
The increasing of the number of successive operation times may comprise determining the increasing value of the number of successive operation times based on weight of laundry received in a drum of the dryer during an operation of the dryer
The method may further comprise: measuring weight of laundry received in the drum of the dryer during the operation of the dryer; identifying whether the number of successive operation times is at least a threshold number of times; and performing drying for an expected operation time determined based on the weight of the laundry plus an extra time based on the number of successive operation times being at least the threshold number of times.
The method may further comprise: identifying a difference between the expected operation time and an actual operation time; generating a detection event which determines that the filter is clogged, based on the difference being at least a threshold time; and providing the notification at a level corresponding to a number of occurrences of the detection event.
The providing of the notification at the level corresponding to the at least one count range may comprise: setting at least one of a size, color and content of an information object including at least one of an icon and text based on the level; generating the information object, for which at least one of the size, the color and the content is set, as the notification; and displaying the notification through a display of the dryer.
The providing of the notification at the level corresponding to the at least one count range may comprise: setting at least one of sound volume and voice content of the notification based on the level; and outputting the notification through a speaker of the dryer.
The providing of the notification at the level corresponding to the at least one count range may comprise: setting at least one of vibration intensity or vibration time of the notification based on the level; and outputting the notification through a haptic driver of the dryer.
The determining of whether the filter is separated and installed may comprise: identifying a first time in response to the filter being separated and a second time the filter being reinstalled; and maintaining the number of successive operation times in response to a time gap between the first time and the second time being a minimum threshold gap or less.
Terms as used herein will be described before detailed descriptions of embodiments of the disclosure are provided.
The terms are selected as common terms that are currently widely used, taking into account principles of the disclosure, which may however depend on intentions of those of ordinary skill in the art, judicial precedents, emergence of new technologies, and the like. Some terms as used herein are selected at the applicant's discretion, in which case, the terms will be explained later in detail in connection with embodiments of the disclosure. Therefore, the terms should be defined based on their meanings and descriptions throughout the disclosure.
Throughout the disclosure, the expression “at least one of a, b or c” indicates only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b and c” may include any of the following: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, a and b and c.
The term “include (or including)” or “comprise (or comprising)” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. The terms “unit”, “module”, “block”, etc., as used herein each represent a unit for handling at least one function or operation, and may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof.
An embodiment of the disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings so as to be readily practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art. However, an embodiment of the disclosure may be implemented in many different forms, and is not limited to that discussed herein. In the drawings, parts unrelated to the description are omitted for clarity, and like numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.
A dryer and method of controlling the dryer according to the disclosure is to provide notifications befitting a current state of a filter for the user. A structure of the dryer according to the disclosure will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the drum 110 may be rotationally arranged in the body of the dryer 100. The drum 110 may be shaped like a pillar. For example, the drum 110 may have the form of a cylinder. The drum 110 may be arranged to face a side of the dryer 100. For example, one of the upper side and the lower side of the drum 110 may be arranged to face the door 180 of the dryer 100 and the other may be arranged to face an inner side of the dryer 100. The drum 110 may be arranged such that one of the upper and lower sides is open and the open side faces the door 180. The drum 110 may receive the laundry through the open side. The drum 110 may evenly mix the laundry while spinning.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the motor 120 may rotate the drum 110. The motor 120 may provide rotational force to the drum 110. When a current is applied to the motor 120, the motor 120 may rotate around an axis or shaft. The axis or shaft of the motor 120 may be coupled to a belt 121. The belt 121 may be wound around the drum 110. When the motor 120 rotates, the belt 121 may rotate the drum 110 while moving in one direction.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the heating module 130 may heat the air in the dryer 100. For example, the heating module 130 may heat the surrounding air. The heating module 130 may be arranged outside the drum 110. For example, the heating module 130 may be arranged under the drum 110 and at a distance from an outer side of the drum 110.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the air blowing module 140 may be arranged to be adjacent to the heating module 130. For example, the air blowing module 140 may be arranged to be adjacent to one side of the heating module 130. The air blowing module 140 may include a fan. The air blowing module 140 may force the air in the dryer 100 heated by the heating module 130 to flow into the drum 110. For example, the air blowing module 140 may force the air heated by the heating module 130 to flow into the drum 110 through a first path 191.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the filter 160 may be arranged between the drum 110 and the door 180. The filter 160 may have a separable and installable structure. The filter 160 may filter out foreign substances included in the air. The filter 160 may capture the foreign substances such as dust and lint contained in the air coming out from the drum 110 through a second path 192. The filter 160 may have a structure that is able to capture the foreign substances. For example, the filter 160 may have a mesh structure.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the sensor 150 may be arranged to be adjacent to the filter 160. For example, the sensor 150 may be arranged to be adjacent to the top of the filter 160. The sensor 150 may detect whether the filter 160 is installed. For example, the sensor 150 may distinguish between a case that the filter 160 is separated from the dryer 100 and a case that the filter 160 is installed in the dryer 100. The sensor 150 may generate a detection signal based on whether the filter 160 is installed. The sensor 150 may send the generated detection signal to the at least one processor 170.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may control overall operation of the dryer 100. The at least one processor 170 may include a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), a graphic processing unit (GPU), and an artificial intelligence (AI) processor. The AI processor may be manufactured in the form of a dedicated hardware chip, or manufactured as part of a CPU, an AP or a graphic-dedicated processor and installed in the dryer 100. The AI processor may be designed in a hardware structure specialized in processing an AI model. The Al processor may generate an AI model through learning. For example, the AI processor may generate an AI model having predefined operation rules established to perform a desired feature (or an object) by being trained with a lot of training data according to a learning algorithm. The at least one processor 170 may receive the detection signal from the sensor 150. The at least one processor 170 may determine whether the filter 160 is installed in the dryer 100 based on the detection signal. For example, the at least one processor 170 may determine whether the filter 160 is separated from the dryer 100 based on the detection signal. For example, the at least one processor 170 may determine whether the filter 100 is reinstalled in the dryer 160 based on the detection signal.
A function and role of each component of the dryer 100 according to the disclosure will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the air blowing module 140 may form a flow of air brought into the drum 110. The air blowing module 140 may include a fan. For example, the air blowing module 140 may form a flow of air by rotating the fan. The air blowing module 140 may force the heated air in the dryer 100 to flow toward the inside of the drum 110. For example, the air blowing module 140 may form a flow of the air directed to one side of the heating module 130 by rotating the fan. In the case of forming the flow of air to be directed to the one side of the heating module 130, the air blowing module 140 may force the air heated by the heating module 130 to flow into the drum 110.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the filter 160 may filter out foreign substances contained in the air discharged out of the drum 110 in the flow of the air. The filter 160 may capture the foreign substances such as dust and lint contained in the air coming out from the drum 110.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the memory 210 may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory, a hard disk, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory (e.g., secure digital (SD) or XD memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. The memory 210 may store at least one instruction. The memory 210 may store a program for processing and control operations of the at least one processor 170. The program stored in the memory 210 may be classified into multiple modules on the function basis. The memory 210 may store information input to the at least one processor 170 in relation to an operation of the dryer 100.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the input/output interface 220 may be arranged on an outer side of the door 180 or a surface of the body of the dryer 100. The input/output interface 220 may include at least one of at least one switch, a display or a speaker. The input/output interface 220 may receive an input from the user and output information relating to an operation of the dryer 100. For example, the at least one switch included in the input/output interface 220 may receive the user's push input for the user to set an operation mode of the dryer 100 and to operate the dryer 100. For example, the display included in the input/output interface 220 may visually output information relating to an operation of the dryer 100. For example, the speaker included in the input/output interface 220 may acoustically output information relating to an operation of the dryer 100.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may load data stored in the memory 210. For example, the at least one processor 170 may load input information relating to a dry operation of the dryer 100 stored in the memory 210. The at least one processor 170 may control general dry operations of the dryer 100 based on the data loaded from the memory 210. The at least one processor 170 may execute the at least one instruction stored in the memory 210.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may identify whether the filter 160 is separated and then installed after a previous dry operation. The at least one processor 170 may identify whether the filter 160 was separated from the dryer 100 after the dryer 100 had performed a dry operation before and then the filter 160 was reinstalled. For example, when the dryer 100 is turned on again after finishing the dry operation and being turned off, the at least one processor 170 may identify whether the filter 160 was separated from the dryer 100 and reinstalled in the dryer 100 after completion of the last dry operation, The at least one processor 170 may identify whether the filter 160 is separated and then reinstalled in the dryer 100 based on the detection signal received from the sensor 150.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, when the separation and reinstallation have not been performed, the at least one processor 170 may increase the number of successive operation times based on the dry operation type of the dryer 100. The dry operation type of the dryer 100 may refer to an operation course performed by the dryer 100. The operation course performed by the dryer 100 may include one of a plurality of operation modes which are classified by the type of the laundry to be dried or the method desired by the user to dry the laundry, and operated in predetermined forms. The at least one processor 170 may determine that the filter 160 has not been cleaned when separation and installation of the filter 160 were not performed. When the cleaning has not been performed, the at least one processor 170 may expect an increased amount of foreign substances on the filter 160 or an increase of an extent to which the filter 160 is clogged with the foreign substances by identifying the dry operation type of the dryer 100. The number of successive operation times may refer to the number of times of the dry operation performed by the dryer 100 in a non-cleaned state of the filter 160. The number of successive operation times may refer to the number of times that the dryer 100 successively performs the dry operation while the filter 160 remains installed in the dryer 100 without being cleaned. As the number of successive operation times increases, the amount of lint accumulated on the filter 160 may increase. As the number of successive operation times increases, the extent to which the filter 160 is clogged may increase. The at least one processor 170 may expect an amount of lint created during the dry operation of the dryer 100 based on the dry operation type. The at least one processor 170 may determine an increasing value of the number of successive operation times depending on the amount of lint created during the dry operation of the dryer 100. For example, the at least one processor 170 may increase the number of successive operation times more when the dryer 100 performs the dry operation in a dry operation type that produces much lint. For example, the at least one processor 170 may increase the number of successive operation times less when the dryer 100 performs the dry operation in a dry operation type that produces less lint.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may control the input/output interface 220 to provide a notification for guiding separation of the filter 160 from the dryer 100 and cleaning the filter 160 based on the number of successive operation times. The input/output interface 220 may output the notification in at least one form of visual notification, acoustic notification or tactile notification. For example, the input/output interface 220 may output a visual notification through the display. For example, the input/output interface 220 may output an acoustic notification through the speaker. For example, the input/output interface 220 may output a tactile notification through a haptic driver. The at least one processor 170 may determine a level of the notification according to the number of successive operation times. For example, the at least one processor 170 may increase the level of the notification to the next level when the number of successive operation times reaches a certain number of times. The at least one processor 170 may determine intensity, content or duration of the notification according to the level of the notification. For example, the at least one processor 170 may increase the intensity of the notification with an increase of the level of the notification. For example, the at least one processor 170 may change the content of the notification to one for increasing the user's awareness with an increase of the level of the notification. For example, the at least one processor 170 may increase the duration of the notification with an increase of the level of the notification.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may notify the user of a need for cleaning the filter 160 corresponding to the current state of the filter 160 by providing a notification based on the number of successive operation times. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the dryer 100 may have enhanced dry performance by inducing the user to have awareness to clean the filter 160.
A method of controlling the dryer 100 according to the disclosure will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may identify whether the filter 160 was separated and installed after a previous dry operation, in operation 310. The sensor 150 of the dryer 100 may generate a detection signal based on whether the filter 160 is installed. The at least one processor 170 may receive the detection signal from the sensor 150 after completion of the previous dry operation before the dryer 100 performs the current dry operation. The at least one processor 170 may identify based on the detection signal whether the filter 160 is separated from the dryer 100 and then reinstalled in the dryer 100 after the dryer 100 performs the previous dry operation. For example, the at least one processor 170 may identify whether the filter 160 is separated from the dryer 100 based on the detection signal. For example, the at least one processor 170 may identify whether the filter 100 is reinstalled in the dryer 160 based on the detection signal.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, when the separation and reinstallation of the filter 160 are not performed, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may increase the number of successive operation times based on the dry operation type of the dryer 100, in operation 320. The number of successive operation times may refer to the number of times that the dryer 100 operates in a non-cleaned state of the filter 160. When the separation and installation of the filter 160 are not performed, the at least one processor 170 may determine that the dryer 100 performs the dry operation in the non-cleaned state of the filter 160. The at least one processor 170 may identify a dry operation type during the dry operation of the dryer 100. The at least one processor 170 may expect an amount of lint created during the dry operation of the dryer 100 depending on the dry operation type. The at least one processor 170 may determine an increasing value of the number of successive operation times depending on the amount of lint created during the dry operation of the dryer 100.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may control the input/output interface 220 to provide a notification for guiding separation of the filter 160 from the dryer 100 and cleaning the filter 160 based on the number of successive operation times, in operation 330. The at least one processor 170 may determine a level of the notification output through the input/output interface 220 according to the number of successive operation times. The at least one processor 170 may determine intensity, content or duration of the notification according to the level of the notification.
A method by which the dryer 100 provides the notification at a level corresponding to a count range according to the disclosure will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the dryer 100 may be powered on and may start a dry operation, in operation 410. The input/output interface 220 of the dryer 100 may receive the user's input to power on. For example, the input/output interface 220 may receive the user's push input to power on. For example, when the user operates the dryer 100 with a remote control, the input/output interface 220 may receive a remote control command to power on from the remote control of the dryer 100. The at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may switch the dryer 100 into an ON state from an OFF state in response to receiving the user's input to power on. The at least one processor 170 may receive an additional input from the user that selects a dry operation type. The at least one processor 170 may start a dry operation of the dryer 100 according to a dry operation type selected by the additional input.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may identify whether the filter 160 is separated and installed after the dry operation, in operation 420. When the dryer 100 starts a dry operation, the at least one processor 170 may identify whether the filter 160 is separated from the dryer 100 and reinstalled after a dry operation performed last before the dry operation. When the dryer 100 starts a dry operation, the at least one processor 170 may receive a detection signal from the sensor 150. The at least one processor 170 may determine whether the filter 160 is separated and then installed in the dryer 100 based on the detection signal. When identifying that the filter 160 is separated and installed after a dry operation in operation 420, the at least one processor 170 may proceed to operation 430. When identifying that the filter 160 is not separated and installed after a dry operation in operation 420, the at least one processor 170 may proceed to operation 440.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may reset the count of the number of successive operation times in operation 430. When identifying that the filter 160 is separated and installed after a dry operation, the at least one processor 170 may determine that the user has separated, cleaned and reinstalled the filter 160 and operated the dryer 100. When identifying that the filter 160 is separated and installed after a dry operation, the at least one processor 170 may determine that the filter 160 has been cleaned properly. Based on determination that the filter 160 has been cleaned properly, the at least one processor 170 may reset the count of the number of successive operation times that represents the number of times that the dryer 100 successively performs dry operations in a non-cleaned state of the filter 160 to 0.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may increase the count of the number of successive operation times based on the dry operation type in operation 440. When identifying that the filter 160 is not separated and installed after a dry operation, the at least one processor 170 may determine that the dryer 100 has operated in the non-cleaned state of the filter 160. When identifying that the filter 160 is not separated and installed after a dry operation, the at least one processor 170 may increase the count of the number of successive operation times that represents the number of times that the dryer 100 successively operates in the non-cleaned state of the filter 160. When increasing the count of the number of successive operation times, the at least one processor 170 may determine an amount of lint created during the dry operation based on the dry operation type. The at least one processor 170 may determine a value of how many times the number of successive operation times is to be increased based on the amount of lint created during the dry operation.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may provide a notification at a level corresponding to at least one count range based on the number of successive operation times belonging to the at least one count range among a plurality of ranges of the number of times in operation 450. The at least one processor 170 may define the plurality of ranges of the number of times. For example, the at least one processor 170 may predefine a first count range having 1 to 9 successive operation times, a second count range having 10 to 19 successive operation times, a third count range having 20 to 29 successive operation times and a fourth count range having 30 or more successive operation times.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may determine to which one of the plurality of ranges of the number of times the number of successive operation times belongs. For example, when the number of successive operation times is 12, the at least one processor 170 may determine that the number of successive operation times belongs to the second count range among the plurality of ranges of the number of times. Each of the plurality of ranges of the number of times may correspond to one of a plurality of levels. For example, the first count range may correspond to a first level. For example, the second count range may correspond to a second level. For example, the third count range may correspond to a third level. For example, the fourth count range may correspond to a fourth level. The at least one processor 170 may provide a notification at a level corresponding to a count range to which the number of successive operation times belongs. For example, when the number of successive operation times is 12, the at least one processor 170 may provide the notification at the level 2corresponding to the second count range. Accordingly, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the dryer 100 may provide the user a notification befitting a situation by classifying the number of times that the dryer 100 performs the dry operation with the filter 160 in the non-cleaned state into one of the plurality of ranges.
A notification at each level corresponding to a count range to which the number of successive operation times of the dryer 100 belongs according to the disclosure will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may divide a count range that the filter 160 has not been successively cleaned into multiple ranges. For example, the at least one processor 170 may define a first count range 510 having 1 to 9 successive operation times, a second count range 520 having 10 to 19 successive operation times, a third count range 530 having 20 to 29 successive operation times and a fourth count range 540 having 30 or more successive operation times.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may provide a notification at a level corresponding to at least one count range based on the number of successive operation times belonging to the at least one count range. The at least one processor 170 may provide the notification at a higher level as the number of successive operation times increases and belongs to a higher range among the plurality of ranges of the number of times. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the first count range 510, the at least one processor 170 may provide the notification at the first level corresponding to the first count range. The notification at the first level may be a default notification. For example, the notification at the first level may be one indicating that the filter 160 has not been cleaned and guiding the user to separate and clean the filter 160. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the second count range 520, the at least one processor 170 may provide the notification at the second level corresponding to the second count range. The notification at the second level may be one that arouses higher awareness than in the default notification. For example, the notification at the second level may be one indicating that the filter 160 has been used quite a lot of times successively without having been cleaned, and prompting the user to immediately separate and clean the filter 160. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the third count range 530, the at least one processor 170 may provide the notification at the third level corresponding to the third count range. The notification at the third level may be one that arouses higher awareness than in the notification at the second level. For example, the notification at the third level may be one indicating that the filter 160 has been used quite a long time successively without having been cleaned and it may arouse a problem with operation of the dryer 100 when the filter 160 remains in the non-cleaned state, and guiding the user to immediately separate and clean the filter 160 to use the dryer 100 correctly. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the fourth count range 540, the at least one processor 170 may provide the notification at the fourth level corresponding to the fourth count range. The notification at the fourth level may be a notification about an error occurrence. For example, the notification at the fourth level may be one indicating that an error has occurred in the dry operation of the dryer 100 because the filter 160 has been used successively without having been cleaned.
How the dryer 100 determines an increasing amount of count depending on an amount of lint creation according to the disclosure will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, separation and installation of the filter 160 may not be performed for the dryer 100 in operation 610 after a previous dry operation. The dryer 100 may receive an input of the user turning on the dryer 100 without separating and installing the filter 160 and selecting an operation type. The dryer 100 may perform a dry operation according to a dry operation type set with the filter 160 that has not been separated and reinstalled.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may determine an increasing value of the number of successive operation times based on a range of the amount of lint creation depending on the dry operation type in operation 620. The dry operation type may refer to a course preset to operate the dryer 100 to fit into the type of the laundry. The at least one processor 170 may expect an amount of lint created during the dry operation of the dryer 100 based on the dry operation type. The at least one processor 170 may determine an increasing value of the number of successive operation times based on the range of the amount of lint creation to which the expected amount of lint creation belongs. For example, the at least one processor 170 may determine the increasing value of the number of successive operation times to be a large value when the dryer 100 operates in a dry operation type that creates a large amount of lint. For example, the at least one processor 170 may determine the increasing value of the number of successive operation times to be a small value when the dryer 100 operates in a dry operation type that creates a small amount of lint.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may provide a notification based on the increased number of successive operation times in operation 630. The at least one processor 170 may provide a notification at a level corresponding to a count range to which the increased number of successive operation times belongs. Accordingly, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the dryer 100 may provide the user a notification fit into a situation by classifying the number of successive operation times determined by reflecting an amount of lint creation to one of a plurality of ranges.
An increase of count of the number of successive operation times based on an amount of lint creation according to the disclosure will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may preset a plurality of ranges of the amount of lint creation. For example, the at least one processor 170 may preset a first range 710, a second range 720 and a third range 730. The first range 710 may be a range in which a small amount of lint is created during the dry operation of the dryer 100. The second range 720 may be a range in which a medium amount of lint is created during the dry operation of the dryer 100. The third range 730 may be a range in which a large amount of lint is created during the dry operation of the dryer 100.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may preset a dry operation type corresponding to each of the plurality of ranges of the amount of lint creation. The dry operation type may refer to a course in which the dryer 100 operates.
For example, the dry operation type may include a delicate clothing course, a wool course, an air blowing course, a dehumidification course, an internal sterilization course, a standard course, a blouse course, a fitness course, an outdoor course, a towel course, a bedding course, a blanket shaking course, a rack-dry course, or the like. The at least one processor 170 may classify each of the plurality of courses into one of the ranges of the amount of lint creation according to an amount of lint creation of each of the plurality of courses included in the dry operation type. For example, the at least one processor 170 may classify courses that create less lint such as the delicate clothing course, the wool course, the air blowing course, the dehumidification course or the internal sterilization course into the first range 710. For example, the at least one processor 170 may classify courses that create moderate lint such as the standard course, the blouse course, the fitness course or the outdoor course into the second range 720. For example, the at least one processor 170 may classify courses that create a lot of lint such as the towel course, the bedding course, the blanket shaking course or the rack-dry course into the third range 730.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may determine an increasing value of the number of successive operation times based on a range of the amount of lint creation depending on the dry operation type. The at least one processor 170 may determine the increasing value of the number of successive operation times to be a first value when the range of the amount of lint creation belongs to the first range 710. For example, when the first value is determined as the increasing value, the number of successive operation times may increase by 0.5. The at least one processor 170 may determine the increasing value of the number of successive operation times to be a second value when the range of the amount of lint creation belongs to the second range 720. For example, when the second value is determined as the increasing value, the number of successive operation times may increase by 1. The at least one processor 170 may determine the increasing value of the number of successive operation times to be a third value when the range of the amount of lint creation belongs to the third range 730. For example, when the third value is determined as the increasing value, the number of successive operation times may increase by 2. The at least one processor 170 may increase the number of successive operation times by a value corresponding to the range of the amount of lint creation of the dry operation type of the dryer 100. For example, when the dry operation type of the dryer 100 corresponds to the delicate clothing course, the at least one processor 170 may increase the number of successive operation times by 0.5 which is the first value corresponding to the first range 710, the range of the amount of lint creation of the delicate clothing course. For example, when the dry operation type of the dryer 100 corresponds to the towel course, the at least one processor 170 may increase the number of successive operation times by 2 which is the third value corresponding to the third range 730, the range of the amount of lint creation of the towel course. As such, when the dryer 100 performs the dry operation in a dry operation type with a large amount of lint creation such as the towel course as compared to a dry operation type with a small amount of lint creation such as the delicate clothing course, the at least one processor 170 may reflect a situation where an amount of lint accumulation on the filter 160 increases more and the need for cleaning the filter 160 further increases in counting the number of successive operation times. How the dryer 100 determines an increasing amount of count depending on the weight of the laundry according to the disclosure will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, separation and installation of the filter 160 may not be performed for the dryer 100 in operation 810 after a previous dry operation. The dryer 100 may receive an input of the user turning on the dryer 100 without separating and reinstalling the filter 160 and selecting a dry operation type. The dryer 100 may perform a dry operation according to a dry operation type set with the filter 160 that has not been separated and reinstalled.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may determine an increasing value of the number of successive operation times based on laundry weight, in operation 820. The sensor 150 may measure the weight of laundry received in the drum 110. The sensor 150 may generate a weight signal including information about the measured weight of the laundry. The sensor 150 may send the generated weight signal to the at least one processor 170. The at least one processor 170 may obtain the information about the laundry weight included in the received weight signal. The at least one processor 170 may determine an increasing value of the number of successive operation times based on the obtained information about the laundry weight. For example, the at least one processor 170 may determine the increasing value of the number of successive operation times to be a large value with an increase in laundry weight. For example, the at least one processor 170 may preset a plurality of weight ranges having different increasing values, and determine an increasing value of the successive operation times to correspond to a weight range corresponding to the obtained laundry weight.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may provide a notification based on the increased number of successive operation times in operation 830. The at least one processor 170 may provide a notification at a level corresponding to a count range to which the increased number of successive operation times belongs. Accordingly, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the dryer 100 may provide the user a notification fit into a situation by classifying the number of successive operation times determined by reflecting the weight of laundry received in the drum 110 to one of the plurality of ranges.
Increases of count of the number of successive operation times based on the laundry weight of the dryer 100 according to the disclosure will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may preset a plurality of ranges for the weight of laundry received in the drum 110 of the dryer 100. For example, the at least one processor 170 may preset a first range 910, a second range 920 and a third range 930. The first range 910 may include at least 1 kg and less than 3 kg of weight of the laundry received in the drum 110. The second range 920 may include at least 3 kg and less than 9 kg of weight of the laundry received in the drum 110. The third range 930 may include at least 9 kg and less than 18 kg of weight of the laundry received in the drum 110.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may preset increasing values of the number of successive operation times corresponding to the preset plurality of ranges, respectively. The at least one processor 170 may determine the increasing value of the number of successive operation times to be a first value when the weight of the laundry received in the drum 110 belongs to the first range 910. For example, when the first value is determined as the increasing value, the number of successive operation times may increase by 0.5. The at least one processor 170 may determine the increasing value of the number of successive operation times to be a second value when the weight of the laundry received in the drum 110 belongs to the second range 920. For example, when the second value is determined as the increasing value, the number of successive operation times may increase by 1. The at least one processor 170 may determine the increasing value of the number of successive operation times to be a third value when the weight of the laundry received in the drum 110 belongs to the third range 930. For example, when the third value is determined as the increasing value, the number of successive operation times may increase by 2.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may determine the increasing value of the number of successive operation times based on the weight of laundry received in the drum 110 of the dryer 100. The at least one processor 170 may increase the number of successive operation times by a value corresponding to a range to which the weight of the laundry received in the drum 110 belongs among the preset plurality of ranges. For example, when the weight of the laundry received in the drum 110 is 2 kg, the at least one processor 170 may increase the number of successive operation times by 0.5 which is the first value corresponding to the first range 910. For example, when the weight of the laundry received in the drum 110 is 11 kg, the at least one processor 170 may increase the number of successive operation times by 2 which is the third value corresponding to the third range 930. As such, as compared to when the weight of the laundry received in the drum 110 is light, when the weight of the laundry received in the drum 110 is heavy, the at least one processor 170 may reflect a situation where more lint is accumulated on the filter 160 and the need for cleaning the filter 160 increases further in counting the number of successive operation times.
How the dryer 100 adds additional time in determining time based on weight detection when the filter 160 has not been cleaned as many as at least a threshold number of times will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the dryer 100 may measure weight of the laundry received in the drum 110 during an operation of the dryer 100, in operation 1010. The sensor 150 of the dryer 100 may measure the weight of the laundry received in the drum 110. The sensor 150 may generate a weight signal including information about the measured weight of the laundry. The sensor 150 may send the generated weight signal to the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100. The at least one processor 170 may obtain information about the laundry weight included in the received weight signal.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may determine an expected operation time based on the laundry weight, in operation 1020. The at least one processor 170 may determine a time expected to be required to complete drying the laundry received in the drum 110 as an expected operation time, based on the measured weight of the laundry. The at least one processor 170 may calculate the expected operation time of the dryer 100 when the dryer 100 starts operation and after a result of measuring the weight of the laundry is received. The at least one processor 170 may increase the expected operation time with an increase in laundry weight.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may determine whether the number of successive operation times is at least a threshold number of times in operation 1030. As described above, the number of successive operation times may refer to the number of times that the dryer 100 has performed the dry operation with the filter 160 kept being installed without having been separated and then reinstalled. The threshold number of times may be the number of times that affects performance or the time for completing drying the laundry in the drum 110 more than a designated degree. For example, the threshold number of times may be 20. When the number of successive operation times is less than the threshold number of times in operation 1030, the at least one processor 170 may proceed to operation 1040. When the number of successive operation times is at least the threshold number of times in operation 1030, the at least one processor 170 may proceed to operation 1050.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may operate according to the expected operation time, in operation 1040. When the number of successive operation times is less than the threshold number of times and the dryer 100 operates as long as the expected operation time, the at least one processor 170 may determine that drying of the laundry received in the drum 110 may be completed. When the number of successive operation times is less than the threshold number of times, the at least one processor 170 may determine that the filter 160 may not affect the expected operation time. When the number of successive operation times is less than the threshold number of times, the at least one processor 170 may control the dryer 100 to perform the dry operation for the expected operation time.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may perform drying for the expected operation time plus an extra time, in operation 1050. When the number of successive operation times is at least the threshold number of times, the at least one processor 170 may determine that at least a certain percentage of foreign substances such as lint have been accumulated on the filter 160. When the number of successive operation times is at least the threshold number of times, the at least one processor 170 may determine that drying performance of the dryer 100 may be degraded due to clogging of the filter 160. When the number of successive operation times is at least the threshold number of times and the dryer 100 operates as long as the expected operation time, the at least one processor 170 may determine that drying of the laundry received in the drum 110 may not be completed. When the number of successive operation times is at least the threshold number of times, the at least one processor 170 may determine that drying of the laundry received in the drum 110 may be completed only when the dryer 100 operates for the expected operation time plus an extra time. The at least one processor 170 may set the extra time based on the number of successive operation times and the laundry weight. For example, the extra time may be set to one hour. When the number of successive operation times is at least the threshold number of times, the at least one processor 170 may control the dryer 100 to perform the dry operation for the expected operation time plus the extra time.
How the dryer 100 generates a detection event that determines that the filter 160 has been clogged when a difference between the expected operation time and an actual operation time is at least a threshold time and provides a notification at a level corresponding to the number of occurrences of the detection event will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the dryer 100 may measure weight of the laundry received in the drum 110 during an operation of the dryer 100, in operation 1110. The sensor 150 of the dryer 100 may measure the weight of the laundry received in the drum 110. The sensor 150 may generate a weight signal including information about the measured weight of the laundry. The sensor 150 may send the generated weight signal to the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100. The at least one processor 170 may obtain the information about the laundry weight included in the received weight signal.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may set an expected operation time based on the laundry weight, in operation 1120. The at least one processor 170 may determine a time expected to be required to complete drying the laundry received in the drum 110 as an expected operation time, based on the measured weight of the laundry. The at least one processor 170 may calculate the expected operation time of the dryer 100 when the dryer 100 starts operation and after a result of measuring the weight of the laundry is received. The at least one processor 170 may increase the expected operation time with an increase in laundry weight.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may determine whether a difference between the expected operation time and the actual operation time is at least the threshold time, in operation 1130. The at least one processor 170 may compare the set expected operation time with the actual operation time for which the dryer 100 has actually operated to dry the laundry completely. The at least one processor 170 may calculate a difference between the expected operation time and the actual operation time. The at least one processor 170 may compare the difference with a preset threshold time. For example, the threshold time may be set to one hour. When the difference between the expected operation time and the actual operation time is less than the threshold time in operation 1130, the at least one processor 170 may proceed to operation 1140. When the difference between the expected operation time and the actual operation time is at least the threshold time in operation 1130, the at least one processor 170 may proceed to operation 1150.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may complete operation of the dryer 100 in operation 1140. When the difference between the expected operation time and the actual operation time is less than the threshold time, the at least one processor 170 may determine that the expected operation time is set to correspond to the actual operation time. When the difference between the expected operation time and the actual operation time is less than the threshold time, the at least one processor 170 may determine that the dry performance of the dryer 100 is maintained in a normal range. The at least one processor 170 may determine that the dryer 100 has operated for the expected operation time and the laundry in the drum 110 has been completely dried as the dry performance is maintained within the normal range, and finish the operation of the dryer 100.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may make a detection event that determines that the filter 160 is clogged, in operation 1150. When the difference between the expected operation time and the actual operation time is at least the threshold time, the at least one processor 170 may determine that the dry performance of the dryer 100 has been out of the normal range. The at least one processor 170 may determine that the cause of the dry performance of the dryer 100 being out of the normal range is clogging of the filter 160. The at least one processor 170 may define the determination that the filter 160 has been clogged as the detection event. The at least one processor 170 may store the fact that the detection event has occurred in the memory 210. The at least one processor 170 may store the number of occurrences of the detection event in the memory 210. When the detection event occurs, the at least one processor 170 may count the number of occurrences of the detection event. For example, when the detection event occurs, the at least one processor 170 may increment the number of occurrences of the detection event by 1.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may provide a notification at a level corresponding to the number of occurrences of the detection event, in operation 1160. The at least one processor 170 may preset a plurality of ranges of the number of occurrences. For example, the at least one processor 170 may set a first range of the number of occurrences having 1 to 3 occurrences of the detection event, a second range of the number of occurrences having 4 to 6 occurrences of the detection event, a third range of the number of occurrences having 7 to 9occurrences of the detection event, and a fourth range of the number of occurrences having at least 10 occurrences of the detection event. The at least one processor 170 may set a level corresponding to each of the plurality of ranges of the number of occurrences. For example, the at least one processor 170 may set a level corresponding to the first range of the number of occurrences as a first level, a level corresponding to the second range of the number of occurrences as a second level, a level corresponding to the third range of the number of occurrences as a third level, and a level corresponding to the fourth range of the number of occurrences as a fourth level. The at least one processor 170 may identify a range of the number of occurrences to which the number of occurrences of the detection event belongs. The at least one processor 170 may provide a notification at a level corresponding to the range of the number of occurrences to which the number of occurrences of the detection event belongs. For example, when the detection event occurs two times, the at least one processor 170 may provide the notification at the first level corresponding to the first range of the number of occurrences. For example, when the detection event occurs eight times, the at least one processor 170 may provide the notification at the third level corresponding to the third range of the number of occurrences.
A structure of the dryer 100 including a display 1210 according to the disclosure will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the display 1210 may be arranged on the front side of the door 180. For example, the display 1210 may be arranged at a location corresponding to the filter 160 on the front side of the door 180. The display 1210 may include at least one of a screen for displaying an image or a light emitter for emitting light. For example, the display 1210 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) lamps, or a set module having the LCD screen and the LED lamps. The display 1210 may visually present information relating to an operation type of the dryer 100. For example, the display 1210 may display in which course the dryer 100 is currently operating. The display 1210 may visually present information relating to a state of the filter 160. For example, the display 1210 may display whether the filter 160 is separated or installed. Furthermore, the display 1210 may visually present a notification to be provided for the user during the operation of the dryer 100. For example, the display 1210 may display a notification for guiding the user to separate the filter 160 from the dryer 100 and clean the filter 160 when the dryer 100 starts an operation. The user may see the notification visually presented on the display 1210 and may be reminded that he/she needs to separate the filter 160 from the dryer 100 and clean the filter 160 for operating the dryer 100.
How the dryer 100 provides a visual notification based on a level on the display 1210 according to the disclosure will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may set at least one of the size, color or content of an information object including at least one of an icon or text based on a level corresponding to a count range to which the number of successive operation times belongs. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the first count range, the at least one processor 170 may set at least one of the size, color or content of a first icon 1311 based on the first level corresponding to the first count range. For example, the at least one processor 170 may set the size of the first icon 1311 to a minimum size and set the color of the first icon 1311 to green. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the first count range, the at least one processor 170 may set at least one of the size, color or content of first text 1321 based on the first level corresponding to the first count range. For example, the at least one processor 170 may set the content of the first text 1321 to “separate filter from dryer and clean it for use”.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may generate an information object for which at least one of the size, color or content is set, as a notification. For example, the at least one processor 170 may generate the first icon 1311 and the first text 1321 as a notification corresponding to the first level. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may display the notification through the display 1210. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the first count range, the at least one processor 170 may display at least one of the first icon 1311 or the first text 1321 through the display 1210.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may set at least one of the size, color or content of an information object including at least one of an icon or text based on a level corresponding to a count range to which the number of successive operation times belongs. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the second count range, the at least one processor 170 may set at least one of the size, color or content of a second icon 1312 based on the second level corresponding to the second count range. For example, the at least one processor 170 may set the size of the second icon 1312 to a larger size than the first icon 1311 and set the color of the second icon 1312 to orange. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the second count range, the at least one processor 170 may set at least one of the size, color or content of second text 1322 based on the second level corresponding to the second count range. For example, the at least one processor 170 may set the content of the second text 1322 to “filter has long been used without having been cleaned. Clean the filter right away. Otherwise, dry performance will deteriorate”.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may generate an information object for which at least one of the size, color or content is set, as a notification. For example, the at least one processor 170 may generate the second icon 1312 and the second text 1322 as a notification corresponding to the second level.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may display the notification through the display 1210. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the second count range, the at least one processor 170 may display at least one of the second icon 1312 or the second text 1322 through the display 1210.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may set at least one of the size, color or content of an information object based on a level corresponding to a count range to which the number of successive operation times belongs. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the first count range, the at least one processor 170 may set at least one of the size, color or content of a first information object 1410 based on the first level corresponding to the first count range. For example, the at least one processor 170 may set the color of the first information object 1410 to green and the content of the first information object 1410 to a pattern that turns on the leftmost one of five points.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may generate an information object for which at least one of the size, color or content is set, as a notification. For example, the at least one processor 170 may generate the first information object 1410 as a notification corresponding to the first level.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may display the notification through the display 1210. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the first count range, the at least one processor 170 may display the first information object 1410 through the display 1210. For example, the at least one processor 170 may control the display 1210 to turn on the leftmost one of the five LED lamps included in the display 1210 in green to display the first information object 1410.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may set at least one of the size, color or content of an information object based on a level corresponding to a count range to which the number of successive operation times belongs. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the second count range, the at least one processor 170 may set at least one of the size, color or content of a second information object 1420 based on the second level corresponding to the second count range. For example, the at least one processor 170 may set the color of the second information object 1420 to orange and the content of the second information object 1420 to a pattern that turns on the left four of the five points.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may generate an information object for which at least one of the size, color or content is set, as a notification. For example, the at least one processor 170 may generate the second information object 1420 as a notification corresponding to the second level.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may display the notification through the display 1210. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the second count range, the at least one processor 170 may display the second information object 1420 through the display 1210. For example, the at least one processor 170 may control the display 1210 to turn on the left four of the five LED lamps included in the display 1210 in orange to display the second information object 1420.
A structure of the dryer 100 including a speaker 1510 according to the disclosure will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the dryer 100 may include the speaker 1510. The speaker 1510 may be arranged on the front side of the dryer 100 on which the door 180 is arranged. For example, the speaker 1510 may be arranged above the door 180 on the front side of the dryer 100. The speaker 1510 may output information relating to an operation type of the dryer 100 in voice. For example, the speaker 1510 may output in which course the dryer 100 is currently operating in voice. The speaker 1510 may output information relating to a state of the filter 160 in voice. For example, the speaker 1510 may output whether the filter 160 is separated or installed in voice. Furthermore, the speaker 1510 may output a notification provided for the user in voice during the operation of the dryer 100. For example, the speaker 1510 may output a notification in voice for guiding the user to separate the filter 160 from the dryer 100 and clean the filter 160 when the dryer 100 starts an operation. The user may hear the notification output in voice through the speaker 1510 and may be reminded that he/she needs to separate the filter 160 from the dryer 100 and clean the filter 160 for operating the dryer 100.
How the dryer 100 provides an acoustic notification based on a level through the speaker 1510 according to the disclosure will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may set at least one of the sound volume or voice content of the notification based on a level corresponding to a count range to which the number of successive operation times belongs. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the first count range, the at least one processor 170 may set at least one of the sound volume or voice content of a first notification 1621 based on the first level corresponding to the first count range. For example, the at least one processor 170 may set the sound volume of the first notification 1621 to ‘1’ and set the voice content of the first notification 1621 to “separate filter from dryer and clean it for use”.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may output the notification through the speaker 1510 of the dryer 100. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the first count range, the at least one processor 170 may output the first notification 1621 through the speaker 1510. In addition, the at least one processor 170 may show the sound volume being ‘1’ to the user through a first interface 1611.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may set at least one of the sound volume or voice content of the notification based on a level corresponding to a count range to which the number of successive operation times belongs. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the second count range, the at least one processor 170 may set at least one of the sound volume or voice content of a second notification 1622 based on the second level corresponding to the second count range. For example, the at least one processor 170 may set the sound volume of the second notification 1622 to ‘4’ and set the voice content of the second notification 1622 to “filter has long been used without having been cleaned. Clean the filter right away. Otherwise, dry performance will deteriorate”.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may output the notification through the speaker 1510 of the dryer 100. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the second count range, the at least one processor 170 may output the second notification 1622 through the speaker 1510. In addition, the at least one processor 170 may show the sound volume being ‘4’ to the user through a second interface 1612.
How a haptic driver 1710 included in the input/output interface 220 of the dryer 100 according to the disclosure provides a tactile notification based on a level will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the input/output interface 220 may be arranged on an outer side of the door 180 or a surface of the body of the dryer 100. The input/output interface 220 may include at least one switch. The input/output interface 220 may receive an input from the user and output information relating to an operation of the dryer 100. For example, the at least one switch included in the input/output interface 220 may receive the user's push input for the user to set an operation mode of the dryer 100 and to operate the dryer 100.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the haptic driver 1710 may be arranged within or adjacent to the input/output interface 220. For example, the haptic driver 1710 may be arranged under the at least one switch included in the input/output interface 220. For example, the haptic driver 1710 may be arranged on a side of the at least one switch included in the input/output interface 220. The haptic driver 1710 may provide a tactile output such as vibrations. For example, the haptic driver 1710 may receive a haptic feedback signal from the at least one processor 170. The haptic driver 1710 may provide a tactile output such as vibrations in response to the received haptic feedback signal.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may set at least one of the vibration intensity or vibration time of the notification based on a level corresponding to a count range to which the number of successive operation times belongs. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the first count range, the at least one processor 170 may set at least one of the vibration intensity or vibration time of a first notification based on the first level corresponding to the first count range. For example, the at least one processor 170 may set the vibration intensity of the first notification to ‘1’ and the vibration time of the first notification to three seconds. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the second count range, the at least one processor 170 may set at least one of the vibration intensity or vibration time of a second notification based on the second level corresponding to the second count range. For example, the at least one processor 170 may set the vibration intensity of the second notification to ‘2’ and the vibration time of the second notification to five seconds
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may output the notification through the haptic driver 1710. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the first count range, the at least one processor 170 may output the first notification through the haptic driver 1710. For example, when the number of successive operation times belongs to the second count range, the at least one processor 170 may output the second notification through the haptic driver 1710.
How the dryer 100 determines that the filter 160 has not been cleaned when a separation-and-reinstallation time of the filter 160 is a minimum threshold time or less will now be described in connection with
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may identify a first time when the filter 160 is separated and a second time when the filter 160 is reinstalled, in operation 1810. The sensor 150 of the dryer 100 may detect a separation event where the filter 160 is separated from the dryer 100. The sensor 150 may generate a separation detection signal including the first time at which the separation event occurs and send the separation detection signal to the processor 170. The sensor 150 may detect a reinstallation event where the filter 160 is reinstalled in the dryer 100. The sensor 150 may generate an installation detection signal including the second time at which the reinstallation event occurs and send the installation detection signal to the processor 170. The at least one processor 170 may receive the separation detection signal and the installation detection signal. The at least one processor 170 may obtain the first time included in the separation detection signal. The at least one processor 170 may obtain the second time included in the installation detection signal.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may determine whether a time gap between the first time and the second time is equal to or less than a minimum threshold gap, in operation 1820. The minimum threshold gap may be a time set with consideration for a minimum time required by the user for cleaning the filter 160. For example, the minimum threshold gap may be ten seconds. For example, the minimum threshold gap may be a value stored in the memory 210 when the dryer 100 is manufactured, or a value input by the user during initial setting for the dryer 100. When the time gap between the first time and the second time is longer than the minimum threshold gap in operation 1820, the at least one processor 170 may proceed to operation 1830. When the time gap between the first time and the second time is equal to or less than the minimum threshold gap in 1820, the at least one processor 170 may proceed to operation 1840.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may reset the count of the number of successive operation times in operation 1830. When the time gap between the first time and the second time is longer than the minimum threshold gap, the at least one processor 170 may determine that a time for the user to clean the filter 160 is secured until the filter 160 is reinstalled in the dryer 100 after being separated from the dryer 100. When the time gap between the first time and the second time is longer than the minimum threshold gap, the at least one processor 170 may determine that the filter 160 has been cleaned during the process of separation and installation of the filter 160. The at least one processor 170 may reset the count of the number of the successive operation times that represents the number of times that the filter 160 operates in the non-cleaned state, because cleaning of the filter 160 was completed.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may maintain the count of the number of successive operation times in operation 1840. When the time gap between the first time and the second time is equal to or less than the minimum threshold gap, the at least one processor 170 may determine that a time for the user to clean the filter 160 is not secured until the filter 160 is reinstalled in the dryer 100 after being separated from the dryer 100. When the time gap between the first time and the second time is equal to or less than the minimum threshold gap, the at least one processor 170 may determine that the filter 160 has not been cleaned even when the filter 160 was separated and reinstalled. The at least one processor 170 may maintain the count of the number of the successive operation times that represents the number of times that the filter 160 operates in the non-cleaned state, because the filter 160 has not been cleaned. When the dryer 100 operates later on, the at least one processor 170 may increase the number of successive operations based on the operation type. As such, the at least one processor 170 may determine whether the filter 160 has substantially been cleaned by identifying whether the time gap between the separation time and the installation time is equal to or less than the minimum threshold gap.
In connection with
Furthermore, in connection with
How the dryer 100 performs at least part of the aforementioned operations with the use of an external server and provides the notification through an external device will now be described.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the dryer 100 may include a communication circuit. The dryer 100 may communicate with the external device through the communication circuit. The dryer 100 may be connected to a server to communicate with an external device. The server may form a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. The dryer 100 may be connected to the server through an access point (AP). The AP may form a local area network (LAN) connected to the dryer 100.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the AP may connect the LAN connected to the dryer 100 to the WAN connected to the server. The dryer 100 may be connected to the server through the WAN.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the server may establish a connection for wireless communication with the external device. The external device may be a portable terminal such as a smart phone. It is not, however, limited thereto, and the external device may be an electronic device that supports wireless communication. The external device may include a display for displaying information received from the server through wireless communication.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may transmit, to the server, information relating to whether the filter 160 is separated and installed through the communication circuit. The at least one processor 170 may transmit, to the server, information relating to a dry operation type of the dryer 100 through the communication circuit.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the server may receive the information relating to whether the filter 160 is separated and installed and information relating to the dry operation type from the dryer 100. The server may increase the number of successive operation times that represents the number of times that the dryer 100 operates while the filter 160 of the dryer 100 remains in the no-cleaned state, based on the dry operation type. The server may transmit information relating to the number of successive operation times to the external device.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the external device may receive the information relating to the number of successive operation times from the server. The external device may provide a notification for guiding the user to separate the filter 160 from the dryer 100 and clean the filter 160, based on the number of successive operation times. For example, when the external device is a portable terminal such as a smart phone, the external device may output at least one of an image, a push notification, a voice notification or a vibration notification for guiding the user to separate the filter 160 from the dryer 100 and clean the filter 160.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the dryer 100 may include the drum 110, the air blowing module 140 for producing a flow of air brought into the drum 110, the filter 160 for filtering out foreign substances included in the air discharged from the drum 110 in the air flow, the input/output interface 220, the memory 210 for storing at least one instruction and the at least one processor 170. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may execute the at least one instruction to determine whether the filter 160 is separated and installed after a previous dry operation. In an embodiment of the disclosure, when the separation and installation of the filter 160 is not performed, the at least one processor 170 may increase the number of successive operation times based on the dry operation type of the dryer 100. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may control the input/output interface 220 to provide a notification for guiding the user to separate the filter 160 from the dryer 100 and clean the filter 160 based on the number of successive operation times.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may provide a notification at a level corresponding to at least one count range based on the number of successive operation times belonging to the at least one of the plurality of ranges of the number of times.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may determine an increasing value for the number of successive operation times based on a range of the amount of lint creation depending on the dry operation type.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may determine the increasing value of the number of successive operation times based on the weight of laundry received in the drum 110 during the operation of the dryer 100.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 of the dryer 100 may measure weight of the laundry received in the drum 110 of the dryer 100 during the operation of the dryer 100. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may determine whether the number of successive operation times is at least a threshold number of times. In an embodiment of the disclosure, based on the number of successive operation times being at least the threshold number of times, the at least one processor 170 may perform drying for the expected operation time determined based on the weight of the laundry plus an extra time.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may identify a difference between the expected operation time and an actual operation time. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may generate a detection event that determines that the filter 160 is clogged based on the difference being at least the threshold time. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may provide a notification at a level corresponding to the number of occurrences of the detection event.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the input/output interface 220 may include the display 1210. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may set at least one of the size, color or content of an information object including at least one of an icon or text based on a level. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may generate an information object, for which at least one of the size, color or content is set, as a notification. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may display the notification through the display 1210.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the input/output interface 220 may include the speaker 1510. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may set at least one of the sound volume or voice content of the notification based on the level. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may output the notification through the speaker 1510
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the input/output interface 220 may include the haptic driver 1710. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may set at least one of the vibration intensity or vibration time of the notification based on the level. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may output the notification through the haptic driver 1710.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may identify a first time when the filter 160 is separated and a second time when the filter 160 is reinstalled. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor 170 may maintain the number of successive operation times when a time gap between the first time and the second time is equal to or less than a minimum threshold gap.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, a method of controlling the dryer 100 may include determining whether the filter 160 of the dryer 100 is separated and installed after a previous dry operation. In an embodiment of the disclosure, when the separation and installation of the filter 160 is not performed, the method may include increasing the number of successive operation times based on the dry operation type of the dryer 100. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may include controlling the input/output interface 220 of the dryer 100 to provide a notification for guiding the user to separate the filter 160 from the dryer 100 and clean the filter 160 based on the number of successive operation times.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may include providing a notification at a level corresponding to at least one count range based on the number of successive operation times belonging to the at least one of the plurality of ranges of the number of times.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the increasing of the number of successive operation times may include determining an increasing value of the number of successive operation times based on a range of the amount of lint creation depending on the dry operation type.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the increasing of the number of successive operation times may include determining an increasing value of the number of successive operation times based on the weight of laundry received in the drum 110 during the operation of the dryer 100.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further include measuring weight of the laundry received in the drum 110 of the dryer 100 during the operation of the dryer 100. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further include determining whether the number of successive operation times is at least a threshold number of times. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further include, based on the number of successive operation times being at least the threshold number of times, performing drying for the expected operation time determined based on the weight of the laundry plus an extra time.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further include identifying a difference between the expected operation time and an actual operation time. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further include generating a detection event that determines that the filter 160 is clogged based on the difference being at least the threshold time. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the method may further include providing a notification at a level corresponding to the number of occurrences of the detection event.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the providing of the notification at the level corresponding to at least one count range may include setting at least one of the size, color or content of an information object including at least one of an icon or text based on a level. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the providing of the notification at the level corresponding to at least one count range may include generating an information object, for which at least one of the size, color or content is set, as a notification. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the providing of the notification at the level corresponding to at least one count range may include displaying the notification through the display 1210 of the dryer 100.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the providing of the notification at the level corresponding to at least one count range may include setting at least one of sound volume or voice content of the notification based on the level. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the providing of the notification at the level corresponding to at least one count range may include outputting the notification through the speaker 1510 of the dryer 100. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the providing of the notification at the level corresponding to at least one count range may include setting at least one of vibration intensity or vibration time of the notification based on the level. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the providing of the notification at the level corresponding to at least one count range may include outputting the notification through the haptic driver 1710 of the dryer 100.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the determining of whether the filter 160 is separated and installed may include identifying a first time when the filter 160 is separated and a second time when the filter 160 is reinstalled. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the determining of whether the filter 160 is separated and installed may include maintaining the number of successive operation times when a time gap between the first time and the second time is equal to or less than a minimum threshold gap.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a dryer and method of controlling the same may have an effect of providing a notification corresponding to a degree of need for cleaning the filter depending on the situation and in stages. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a dryer and method of controlling the same may efficiently alert the user to the need for cleaning the filter and have an effect of reducing performance deterioration of the dryer caused by the use of a non-cleaned filter.
The method according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be implemented in program instructions which are executable by various computing means and recorded in computer-readable media. The computer-readable media may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc., separately or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the computer-readable media may be designed and configured specially for the disclosure, or may be well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art of computer software. Examples of the computer readable recording medium include a magnetic medium such as a hard disk, a floppy disk and a magnetic tape, an optical medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) and a digital versatile disc (DVD), a magneto-optical medium such as a floptical disk, and a hardware device specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a flash memory, etc. Examples of the program instructions include not only machine language codes but also high-level language codes which are executable by various computing means using an interpreter.
Some embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented in the form of a computer-readable recording medium that includes computer-executable instructions such as the program modules executed by the computer. The computer-readable medium may be an arbitrary available medium that may be accessed by the computer, including volatile, non-volatile, removable, and non-removable mediums. The computer-readable recording medium may also include a computer storage medium and a communication medium. The computer-readable medium includes all the volatile, non-volatile, removable, and non-removable mediums implemented by an arbitrary method or technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The communication medium generally includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data or other transmission mechanism for modulated data signals like carrier waves, and include arbitrary information delivery medium. Furthermore, some embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented in a computer program or a computer program product including computer-executable instructions.
The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. The term ‘non-transitory storage medium’ may mean a tangible device without including a signal, e.g., electromagnetic waves, and may not distinguish between storing data in the storage medium semi-permanently and temporarily. For example, the non-transitory storage medium may include a buffer that temporarily stores data.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the aforementioned method according to the various embodiments of the disclosure may be provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be a commercial product that may be traded between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a CD-ROM), through an application store, or distributed directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) or online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded). In the case of the online distribution, at least part of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be at least temporarily stored or arbitrarily created in a storage medium that may be readable to a device such as a server of the manufacturer, a server of the application store, or a memory of a relay server.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0097701 | Jul 2023 | KR | national |
This application is a continuation application, filed under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a), of International Application PCT/KR2024/008253 filed Jun. 14, 2024, and is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Applications No. 10-2023-0097701, filed on Jul. 26, 2023 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/KR2024/008253 | Jun 2024 | WO |
| Child | 18768611 | US |
