DRYER APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF

BACKGROUND
1. Field

The disclosure relates to a dryer apparatus and a controlling method thereof, and more particularly, to a dryer apparatus that performs a drying cycle in consideration of humidity of subjects to be dried, and a controlling method thereof.

2. Description of Related Art

A dryer apparatus may perform a drying cycle for subjects to be dried by using hot wind of a specific temperature.

If there is little moisture included in subjects to be dried, there is a problem that foreign substances smeared on the subjects to be dried are stuck by hot wind of a hot temperature, or dye transfer occurs.

In particular, in the case of performing a drying cycle for subjects to be dried of a user who raises a pet, problems as below may occur in the case of performing a general drying cycle.

A basic care of a dryer apparatus to which a pet course is applied is by a method of applying hot wind of a hot temperature to the inside of the drum for a long time, and is mainly aimed at improving performances of removing pet hair and deodorizing.

In the case of putting a product contaminated by pet hair, excrement, feed, etc. into a dryer apparatus and selecting a pet related course, hot wind of a hot temperature is applied regardless of whether washing is to be performed, and thus there is a problem that the contaminants are stuck on the fiber, which leads to permanent discoloring and damage of the fiber.

Also, there is a problem that a bad odor permeates the inside of the dryer apparatus, and thus a bad influence is exerted on the next cycle.

In addition, if an item that was being used by a pet is directly put into a washing machine, there is a high possibility that contaminants such as pet hair, etc. are accumulated in the draining hose, which may cause poor drainage or a breakdown of the washing machine, and thus there is inconvenience for a user of having to remove the hair of the pet stuck on the subject to be washed by himself/herself before putting the subject into the washing machine.

SUMMARY

The disclosure was devised for improving the aforementioned problems, and the purpose of the disclosure is in providing a dryer apparatus that determines humidity of subjects to be dried and performs a washing pre-processing cycle before a drying cycle, and a controlling method thereof.

A dryer apparatus according to various embodiments includes a drum configured to accommodate subjects to be dried, a dryness sensor configured to sense the humidity of the subjects to be dried, a hot wind supplying device configured to provide hot wind to the drum, and at least one processor configured to, based on a user input for a predetermined drying cycle being acquired, acquire a humidity value of the subjects to be dried through the dryness sensor, based on the humidity value of the subjects to be dried being less than a threshold value, perform a washing pre-processing cycle, and based on the humidity value of the subjects to be dried being greater than or equal to the threshold value, control the hot wind supplying device to perform the predetermined drying cycle, wherein the washing pre-processing cycle includes at least one of a cycle of rotating the drum, a cycle of providing moisture to the drum, or a cycle of providing hot wind to the drum based on threshold temperature information.

Meanwhile, the dryer apparatus may further include a driving motor configured to rotate the drum, and the at least one processor may, based on the humidity value of the subjects to be dried being less than the threshold value, control a driving cycle of the driving motor to perform the cycle of rotating the drum and a cycle of stopping the rotation of the drum.

Meanwhile, the dryer apparatus may further include a liquid spray nozzle, and the at least one processor may, based on the humidity value of the subjects to be dried being less than the threshold value, control the liquid spray nozzle to provide moisture to the drum.

Meanwhile, the dryer apparatus may further include a temperature sensor, and the at least one processor may acquire a temperature value inside the drum through the temperature sensor, and based on the humidity value of the subjects to be dried being less than the threshold value, control the hot wind supplying device to provide hot wind to the drum based on the temperature value acquired through the temperature sensor and the threshold temperature information.

Meanwhile, the threshold temperature information may include a threshold temperature range, and the at least one processor may control a driving cycle of the hot wind supplying device such that the temperature value is within the threshold temperature range.

Meanwhile, the hot wind supplying device may include a first heater of a first capacity and a second heater of a second capacity, and the at least one processor may perform the washing pre-processing cycle by using the first heater, and perform the predetermined drying cycle by using the second heater.

Meanwhile, the predetermined drying cycle may include a first drying cycle performed based on first temperature information, a second drying cycle performed based on second temperature information, and a third drying cycle performed based on third temperature information, and a temperature value of the second temperature information may be less than a temperature value of the first temperature information, and a temperature value of the third temperature information may be less than the temperature value of the first temperature information and may be more than the temperature value of the second temperature information.

Meanwhile, the temperature value of the threshold temperature information may be less than the temperature value of the third temperature information and may be more than the temperature value of the second temperature information.

Meanwhile, the first drying cycle may be a cycle for performing at least one of a drying function or a deodorizing function, the second drying cycle may be a cycle for performing at least one of a foreign substance removing function or a static electricity preventing function, and the third drying cycle may be a cycle for performing at least one of a remaining moisture removing function or a residual heat providing function.

Meanwhile, the predetermined drying cycle may be a cycle for performing a function related to a pet.

A controlling method of a dryer apparatus including a drum configured to accommodate subjects to be dried according to the various embodiments includes the steps of, based on a user input for a predetermined drying cycle being acquired, acquiring a humidity value of the subjects to be dried, based on the humidity value of the subjects to be dried being less than a threshold value, performing a washing pre-processing cycle, and based on the humidity value of the subjects to be dried being greater than or equal to the threshold value, performing the predetermined drying cycle, wherein the washing pre-processing cycle includes at least one of a cycle of rotating the drum, a cycle of providing moisture to the drum, or a cycle of providing hot wind to the drum based on threshold temperature information.

Meanwhile, in the step of performing the washing pre-processing cycle, based on the humidity value of the subjects to be dried being less than the threshold value, a driving cycle of a driving motor included in the dryer apparatus may be controlled to perform the cycle of rotating the drum and a cycle of stopping the rotation of the drum.

Meanwhile, in the step of performing the washing pre-processing cycle, based on the humidity value of the subjects to be dried being less than the threshold value, moisture may be provided to the drum.

Meanwhile, in the step of performing the washing pre-processing cycle, a temperature value inside the drum may be acquired, and based on the humidity value of the subjects to be dried being less than the threshold value, hot wind may be provided to the drum based on the temperature value and the threshold temperature information.

Meanwhile, the threshold temperature information may include a threshold temperature range, and in the step of performing the washing pre-processing cycle, a driving cycle of a hot wind supplying device of the dryer apparatus may be controlled such that the temperature value is within the threshold temperature range.

Meanwhile, the hot wind supplying device of the dryer apparatus may include a first heater of a first capacity and a second heater of a second capacity, and in the step of performing the washing pre-processing cycle, the washing pre-processing cycle may be performed by using the first heater, and in the step of performing the drying cycle, the predetermined drying cycle may be performed by using the second heater.

Meanwhile, the predetermined drying cycle may be a cycle for performing a function related to a pet.

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

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

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a dryer apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for illustrating a detailed configuration of the dryer apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for illustrating a drying cycle;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for illustrating a drying cycle including a plurality of detailed cycles;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating a controlling operation according to a drying cycle;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for illustrating a controlling operation according to a washing pre-processing cycle;

FIG. 7 is a diagram for illustrating a controlling operation according to a washing pre-processing cycle according to various embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for illustrating a controlling operation according to a washing pre-processing cycle according to various embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of turning on/off the power of a motor as a washing pre-processing cycle;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of providing moisture as a washing pre-processing cycle;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of providing hot wind as a washing pre-processing cycle;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of turning on/off the power of a motor and an operation of providing hot wind as a washing pre-processing cycle according to various embodiments;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of turning on/off the power of a motor, an operation of providing moisture, and an operation of providing hot wind as a washing pre-processing cycle according to various embodiments;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of additionally performing an operation of turning on/off the power of a motor as a washing pre-processing cycle according to various embodiments;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of performing a cycle by using a plurality of heaters;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of changing a drying cycle based on humidity of subjects to be dried;

FIG. 17 is a diagram for illustrating a manipulation interface and a display for receiving a user input;

FIG. 18 is a diagram for illustrating a UI including information related to a washing pre-processing cycle according to various embodiments;

FIG. 19 is a diagram for illustrating a UI including information related to a washing pre-processing cycle according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 20 is a flow chart for illustrating a controlling method of a dryer apparatus according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 20, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

Hereinafter, the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As terms used in the embodiments of the disclosure, general terms that are currently used widely were selected as far as possible, in consideration of the functions described in the disclosure. However, the terms may vary depending on the intention of those skilled in the art who work in the pertinent field, previous court decisions, or emergence of new technologies, etc. Also, in particular cases, there may be terms that were designated by the applicant on his own, and in such cases, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail in the relevant descriptions in the disclosure. Accordingly, the terms used in the disclosure should be defined based on the meaning of the terms and the overall content of the disclosure, but not just based on the names of the terms.

Also, in this specification, expressions such as “have,” “may have,” “include,” and “may include” denote the existence of such characteristics (e.g.: elements such as numbers, functions, operations, and components), and do not exclude the existence of additional characteristics.

In addition, the expression “at least one of A and/or B” should be interpreted to mean any one of “A” or” B” or “A and B.”

Further, the expressions “first,” “second,” and the like used in this specification may be used to describe various elements regardless of any order and/or degree of importance. Also, such expressions are used only to distinguish one element from another element, and are not intended to limit the elements.

In addition, the description in the disclosure that one element (e.g., a first element) is “(operatively or communicatively) coupled with/to” or “connected to” another element (e.g.: a second element) should be interpreted to include both the case where the one element is directly coupled to the another element, and the case where the one element is coupled to the another element through still another element (e.g.: a third element).

Also, singular expressions include plural expressions, as long as they do not obviously mean differently in the context. In addition, in the disclosure, terms such as “include” and “consist of” should be construed as designating that there are such characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or a combination thereof described in the specification, but not as excluding in advance the existence or possibility of adding one or more of other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or a combination thereof.

Further, in the disclosure, “a module” or “a part” performs at least one function or operation, and may be implemented as hardware or software, or as a combination of hardware and software. Also, a plurality of “modules” or a plurality of “parts” may be integrated into at least one module and implemented as at least one processor (not shown), except “a module” or “a part” that needs to be implemented as specific hardware.

In addition, in this specification, the term “user” may refer to a person who uses a dryer apparatus or a device using a dryer apparatus (e.g.: an artificial intelligence dryer apparatus).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a dryer apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a dryer apparatus 100 may include at least one of a drum 122, a hot wind supplying device 124, a dryness sensor 180, and at least one processor 130.

The dryer apparatus 100 may be an apparatus performing a drying cycle. Also, the dryer apparatus 100 may mean a clothes dryer apparatus.

The drum 122 may accommodate subjects to be dried (subjects). The subjects to be dried may also be described as subjects for drying. The drum 122 may mean a drying tub accommodating subjects for drying.

The dryness sensor 180 may sense humidity of subjects to be dried. The dryness sensor 180 may acquire sensing data indicating humidity of subjects to be dried themselves. The dryness sensor 180 may be arranged in the drum 122. When subjects to be dried contact the dryness sensor 180, the dryness sensor 180 may acquire sensing data indicating humidity.

The hot wind supplying device 124 may provide hot wind to the drum 122. The hot wind supplying device 124 may also be described as a heater. The hot wind supplying device 124 may provide a heat source to the drum 122.

The dryer apparatus 100 may include at least one processor 130 that is configured to, if a user input for a predetermined drying cycle is acquired, acquire a humidity value of the subjects to be dried through the dryness sensor 180, and if the humidity value of the subjects to be dried is less than a threshold value, perform a washing pre-processing cycle, and if the humidity value of the subjects to be dried is greater than or equal to the threshold value, control the hot wind supplying device 124 to perform a predetermined drying cycle. The washing pre-processing cycle may include at least one of a cycle of rotating the drum 122, a cycle of providing moisture to the drum 122, or a cycle of providing hot wind to the drum 122 based on threshold temperature information.

The washing pre-processing cycle may mean a cycle that should be performed for laundry (or subjects to be dried) before performing washing. In the case of performing a washing cycle by putting clothes on which foreign substances (e.g., hair of a pet) are smeared directly into a washing machine, the foreign substances may be smeared on the clothes as they are. Accordingly, the washing pre-processing cycle may be performed through the dryer apparatus 100 before performing a washing cycle.

The predetermined drying cycle may be a cycle of performing a drying function. The drying function may be a function for drying subjects to be dried, or a function for lowering the humidity of subjects to be dried. Specifically, the predetermined drying cycle may mean a cycle of performing a drying function related to a pet. A user may put a subject to be dried (or laundry) related to a pet into the dryer apparatus 100. The dryer apparatus 100 may receive an instruction for performing the drying function related to the pet by the user.

The predetermined drying cycle may be at least one cycle among a plurality of drying cycles that can be provided at the dryer apparatus 100. The predetermined drying cycle may also be described as a predetermined mode. The at least one processor 130 may perform the predetermined mode based on a user input.

According to various embodiments, a cycle that can be provided at the dryer apparatus 100 may not be related to a drying function, and thus the predetermined drying cycle may also be described as a predetermined cycle.

The at least one processor 130 may acquire (or receive) a user input for the predetermined drying cycle. According to various embodiments, the at least one processor 130 may acquire a user input through a manipulation interface included in the dryer apparatus 100. The manipulation interface may mean a physical button, a dial, a touch screen, etc. According to various embodiments, the at least one processor 130 may receive a user input from a remote control apparatus for controlling the dryer apparatus 100. A user may input an instruction for the predetermined drying cycle through the remote control apparatus.

The manipulation interface may be implemented as a device such as a button, a touch pad, a mouse, and a keyboard, or implemented as a touch screen that can perform both the aforementioned display function and a manipulation input function. The button may be various types of buttons such as a mechanical button, a touch pad, a wheel, etc. formed in any areas such as the front surface part, the side surface part, the rear surface part, etc. of the exterior of the main body of the dryer apparatus 100.

The predetermined drying cycle may include a cycle of providing hot wind to the inside of the drum 122. Also, the predetermined drying cycle may include a plurality of detailed drying cycles. Detailed explanation regarding the predetermined drying cycle will be described in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5.

If a user input for the predetermined drying cycle is acquired, the at least one processor 130 may acquire sensing data through the dryness sensor 180. The at least one processor 130 may acquire a humidity value of the subjects to be dried based on the sensing data. The humidity value may vary according to the degree of moisture included in the subjects to be dried. As there is more moisture in the subjects to be dried, the humidity value may be higher, and as there is less moisture in the subjects to be dried, the humidity value may be lower.

The at least one processor 130 may compare the acquired humidity value of the subjects to be dried and a threshold value. The threshold value may mean a predetermined humidity value.

According to various embodiments, if the humidity value of the subjects to be dried is less than the threshold value, the at least one processor 130 may perform the washing pre-processing cycle before performing the drying cycle. Detailed explanation in this regard will be described in FIG. 6 to FIG. 16.

Also, according to various embodiments, if the humidity value of the subjects to be dried is less than the threshold value, the at least one processor 130 may change the predetermined drying cycle, and perform a changed drying cycle. Detailed explanation in this regard will be described in FIG. 16.

Meanwhile, the washing pre-processing cycle may include a first washing pre-processing cycle of rotating the drum 122. The first washing pre-processing cycle may include both of the cycle of rotating the drum 122 and a cycle of stopping the rotation of the drum 122. Also, the first washing pre-processing cycle may be a cycle of performing a function of releasing subjects to be dried. Detailed explanation regarding the first washing pre-processing cycle will be described in FIG. 9.

Meanwhile, the dryer apparatus 100 may further include a driving motor 121 rotating the drum 122, and the at least one processor 130 may, if the humidity value of the subjects to be dried is less than the threshold value, control the driving cycle of the driving motor 121 to perform the first washing pre-processing cycle including the cycle of rotating the drum 122 and the cycle of stopping the rotation of the drum 122.

The at least one processor 130 may control the driving motor 121 in an on state for rotating the drum 122. The on state may mean a state of providing a predetermined driving voltage to the driving motor 121.

Also, the at least one processor 130 may control the driving motor 121 in an off state for stopping the rotation of the drum 122. The off state may mean a state of not providing a driving voltage to the driving motor 121.

According to various embodiments, the first washing pre-processing cycle may include a rotation cycle and a reverse-rotation cycle. The rotation cycle may be a cycle of rotating in a first direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction when viewing the dryer apparatus 100 from the front side). The reverse-rotation cycle may be a cycle of rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction (e.g., a clockwise direction when viewing the dryer apparatus 100 from the front side). Through the first washing pre-processing cycle, foreign substances smeared on the subjects to be dried may be separated from the subjects to be dried. When the foreign substances are separated, dye transfer of the foreign substances to the subjects to be dried can be prevented in a cycle of providing hot wind of a hot temperature to the subjects to be dried. Detailed explanation regarding the first washing pre-processing cycle will be described in FIG. 9.

Also, according to various embodiments, the first washing pre-processing cycle may include a first rotation cycle and a second rotation cycle. The first rotation cycle may be a cycle of transmitting a force for rotating the drum 122 in the first direction (e.g., the counterclockwise direction when viewing the dryer apparatus 100 from the front side) to the drum 122. The second rotation cycle may be a cycle of transmitting a force for rotating the drum 122 in the second direction (e.g., the clockwise direction when viewing the dryer apparatus 100 from the front side) to the drum 122.

Meanwhile, the washing pre-processing cycle may include a second washing pre-processing cycle of providing moisture to the drum 122. The second washing pre-processing cycle may be a cycle of providing (or spraying) moisture (or liquid) to the inside of the drum 122. The moisture may be sprayed on the subjects to be dried accommodated in the drum 122. Also, the second washing pre-processing cycle may be a cycle of performing a moisture providing function or a static elasticity preventing function. The moisture providing function may also be described as a mist spraying function. Through the second washing pre-processing cycle, moisture may be provided to the subjects to be dried. In case moisture is provided to the subjects to be dried, dye transfer of the foreign substances to the subjects to be dried can be prevented. Detailed explanation regarding the second washing pre-processing cycle will be described in FIG. 10.

Meanwhile, the dryer apparatus 100 may further include a liquid spray nozzle, and if the humidity value of the subjects to be dried is less than the threshold value, the at least one processor 130 may perform the second washing pre-processing cycle of controlling the liquid spray nozzle to provide moisture to the drum 122.

The liquid spray nozzle may be a moisture supplying device included in the dryer apparatus 100. The liquid spray nozzle may spray (or provide) liquid toward the inside of the drum 122. The liquid spray nozzle may be arranged in the drum 122 itself, and provide moisture.

Meanwhile, the washing pre-processing cycle may include a third washing pre-processing cycle of providing hot wind to the drum 122 based on threshold temperature information. Also, the third washing pre-processing cycle may be a cycle of providing (or discharging) heated air (hot wind) to the inside of the drum 122. Through the third washing pre-processing cycle, foreign substances on the subjects to be dried may be removed. When the foreign substances are separated, dye transfer of the foreign substance to the subjects to be dried can be prevented in a cycle of providing hot wind of a hot temperature to the subjects to be dried. Detailed explanation regarding the third washing pre-processing cycle will be described in FIG. 11.

Meanwhile, the dryer apparatus 100 may further include a temperature sensor 170, and the at least one processor 130 may acquire a temperature value inside the drum 122 through the temperature sensor 170, and if the humidity value of the subjects to be dried is less than the threshold value, the at least one processor 130 may control the hot wind supplying device 124 to perform the third washing pre-processing cycle of providing hot wind to the drum 122 based on the temperature value acquired through the temperature sensor 170 and the threshold temperature information.

The at least one processor 130 may compare the current temperature value inside the drum 122 and the temperature value included in the threshold temperature information. If the temperature value inside the drum 122 is less than the temperature value included in the threshold temperature information, the at least one processor 130 may control the hot wind supplying device 124 to provide hot wind to the inside of the drum 122.

Meanwhile, the threshold temperature information may include a threshold temperature range, and the at least one processor 130 may control the driving cycle of the hot wind supplying device 124 such that the temperature value is within the threshold temperature range.

If the temperature value inside the drum 122 is less than the threshold temperature range (or the minimum temperature value within the range), the at least one processor 130 may control the hot wind supplying device 124 to provide hot wind to the inside of the drum 122.

The threshold temperature range may be greater than or equal to a first temperature value and less than a second temperature value (more than the first temperature value). If the temperature value inside the drum 122 is less than the first temperature value, the at least one processor 130 may control the hot wind supplying device 124 to provide hot wind to the inside of the drum 122.

If the temperature value inside the drum 122 is greater than or equal to the first temperature value, the at least one processor 130 may not provide hot wind to the inside of the drum 122.

According to various embodiments, the at least one processor 130 may control the hot wind supplying device 124 to generate hot wind of a predetermined temperature. If the temperature value inside the drum 122 is less than the first temperature value, the at least one processor 130 may generate hot wind of the predetermined temperature, and provide the hot wind to the inside of the drum 122. If the temperature value inside the drum 122 is greater than or equal to the second temperature value, the at least one processor 130 may not generate hot wind of the predetermined temperature.

For example, when the current temperature inside the drum 122 is 20 degrees, the at least one processor 130 may generate hot wind of 70 degrees Celsius. Then, the at least one processor 130 may generate hot wind of 70 degrees Celsius and provide the hot wind to the inside of the drum 122 until the temperature value inside the drum 122 is within the threshold temperature range (from the first temperature value to the second temperature value). If the temperature value inside the drum 122 is greater than or equal to the second temperature value, the at least one processor 130 may not generate hot wind of 70 degrees Celsius. However, the aforementioned examples of the temperatures and the examples of the temperatures described below are merely an embodiment, and the temperatures may be changed variously depending on implementation examples.

According to various embodiments, the at least one processor 130 may control the hot wind supplying device 124 to generate hot wind of a temperature corresponding to a control instruction.

For example, the hot wind supplying device 124 may generate hot wind of various temperature values according to a control instruction. In the case of performing the first drying cycle, the at least one processor 130 may generate hot wind of 55 degrees Celsius, and provide the hot wind to the inside of the drum 122. In the case of performing the second drying cycle, the at least one processor 130 may generate hot wind of 25 degrees Celsius, and provide the hot wind to the inside of the drum 122. In the case of performing the third drying cycle, the at least one processor 130 may generate hot wind of 45 degrees Celsius, and provide the hot wind to the inside of the drum 122.

Meanwhile, the hot wind supplying device 124 may include a first heater of a first capacity and a second heater of a second capacity, and the at least one processor 130 may perform the washing pre-processing cycle by using the first heater, and perform the predetermined drying cycle by using the second heater.

According to various embodiments, the second capacity may be more than the first capacity. As the first capacity falls under a capacity of a heater necessary for the washing pre-processing cycle, the first capacity may be less than the capacity of a heater necessary for the drying cycle.

Also, according to various embodiments, the first capacity and the second capacity may be identical.

The hot wind supplying device may also be described as a heater. Meanwhile, the capacity may mean the heating capability of the heater. Also, the capacity may refer to the maximum heating temperature. A heater having a bigger capacity may generate air of a higher maximum heating temperature.

For example, the first temperature information may be T11-T12 (53-57 degrees Celsius). The second temperature information may be T21-T22 (23-25 degrees Celsius). The third temperature information may be T31-T32 (40-46 degrees Celsius).

Detailed explanation regarding the first drying cycle, the second drying cycle, and the third drying cycle will be described in FIG. 4.

For example, the threshold temperature information may be T01-T02 (32-36 degrees Celsius).

A foreign substance may mean hair of a person, hair of a pet, lint of a subject to be dried, etc. Meanwhile, the residual heat providing function may mean a function of providing hot wind of a specific temperature to subjects to be dried when the user takes out the accommodated subjects to be dried after the drying cycle is completed, such that the user can feel fine residual heat from the subjects to be dried.

Meanwhile, the predetermined drying cycle may be a cycle for performing a function related to a pet.

Hair of a pet may get stuck on a user's clothes who raises the pet. The dryer apparatus 100 may provide a function of removing the hair of the pet through a specific mode (a specific cycle).

If only the specific mode is performed, the dryer apparatus 100 may automatically figure out the humidity of the subjects (the subjects to be dried), and recognize whether washing is completed or washing is not completed. If the humidity is less than a threshold value, the dryer apparatus 100 may determine that washing is not completed, and perform the washing pre-processing cycle. If the humidity is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the dryer apparatus 100 may determine that washing is completed, and perform the predetermined drying cycle.

According to various embodiments, when the washing pre-processing cycle is completed, the user may take out the subjects (the subjects to be dried) for which the washing pre-processing cycle is completed from the dryer apparatus 100, and put the subjects into the washing machine. Then, the user may perform a washing cycle for the subjects by using the washing machine.

Also, according to various embodiments, when the washing pre-processing cycle is completed, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the predetermined drying cycle for the subjects (the subjects to be dried).

Meanwhile, in the above, only simple components constituting the dryer apparatus 100 were illustrated and explained, but various components may additionally be included in actual implementation. Explanation in this regard will be described below with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for illustrating a detailed configuration of the dryer apparatus in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for illustrating a detailed configuration of a dryer apparatus according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the dryer apparatus 100 may include at least one of a communication interface 110, a driving part 120, a driving motor 121, a drum 122, a blast fan 123, a hot wind supplying device 124, a humidity discharging part 125, a processor 130, a display 140, a memory 150, a speaker 160, a temperature sensor 170, or a dryness sensor 180. Meanwhile, overlapping explanation regarding the components described in FIG. 1 will be omitted.

The communication interface 110 is a component performing communication with various types of external apparatuses according to various types of communication methods. For example, the communication interface 110 may include a Wi-Fi module, a Bluetooth module, an infrared communication module, and a wireless communication module, etc. A Wi-Fi module and a Bluetooth module perform communication by a Wi-Fi method and a Bluetooth method, respectively. A wireless communication module may include at least one communication chip that performs communication according to various wireless communication protocols such as Zigbee, 3rd Generation (3G), 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced (LTE-A), 4th Generation (4G), 5th Generation (5G), etc. other than the aforementioned communication methods.

The driving part 120 may drive the driving motor 121 based on a driving control signal generated by the processor 130.

The driving motor 121 may receive power and generate a driving force, and the driving motor 121 may transmit the generated driving force to the drum 122 and the blast fan 123.

The drum 122 may mean a drying tub that accommodates subjects to be dried. Also, the drum 122 may be rotated by the driving force generated from the driving motor 121.

The blast fan 123 may mean a fan that circulates air of a high temperature provided to the drum of the dryer apparatus 100. Specifically, the blast fan 123 may receive the driving control signal generated by the processor 130, and rotate so as to circulate the air inside the drum to which a heat source was provided.

The driving part 120 may receive the driving control signal generated by the processor 130, and drive the hot wind supplying device 124 such that a heat source can be provided to the drum.

The hot wind supplying device 124 may provide a heat source to the drum 122.

The hot wind supplying device 124 may be implemented by a gas type heat source supplying method or an electric type heat source supplying method. The gas type may mean a method of heating air by using gas. The electric type may mean a method of heating air by using electricity. Also, the electric type may be a method of using at least one of the hot wind supplying device or a heat pump. The hot wind supplying device may be by a method of providing a heat source by using a hot wire, etc. The heat pump may be by a method of providing a heat source by using a refrigerant. Also, the heat pump may consist of an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. Specifically, the evaporator may vaporize a refrigerant in a liquid state into a gaseous state. Then, the refrigerant in the gaseous state may be transmitted to the compressor. The compressor may compress the refrigerant in a state of a high temperature and a high pressure. Then, the compressed refrigerant may be transmitted to the condenser. The condenser may perform a heat-exchanging operation from the compressed refrigerant and take the heat, and heat the air of a high temperature with the taken heat and discharge the air. The discharged air of a high temperature may be provided to the drum 122 of the dryer apparatus 100. The refrigerant from which the heat was taken by the condenser may be transmitted to the evaporator and circulated.

The humidity discharging part 125 may reduce humidity inside the dryer apparatus 100. The dryer apparatus 100 may be of a vent type (a hot wind exhaust method) or a condensing type (a hot wind dehumidification method) according to the method of discharging humidity. The vent type may be a method of discharging humid air and dust to the outside of the dryer apparatus 100. The condensing type may filter out the dust in the filter, and make the humid air pass through the condenser (the heat exchanger), and convert the humid air into condensed water. The condensed water may be discharged to the outside of the dryer apparatus 100, or stored in an inner tub of the dryer apparatus 100.

The display 140 may be implemented as displays in various forms such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diodes (OLED) display, a plasma display panel (PDP), etc. Inside the display 140, a driving circuit that may be implemented in forms such as an a-si TFT, a low temperature poly silicon (LTPS) TFT, an organic TFT (OTFT), etc., and a backlight unit, etc. may also be included together. Meanwhile, the display 140 may be implemented as a touch screen combined with a touch sensor, a flexible display, a 3D display, etc.

Also, the display 140 according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure may include not only a display panel outputting images, but also a bezel housing the display panel. In particular, a bezel according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure may include a touch sensor (not shown) for detecting user interactions.

The memory 150 may be implemented as an internal memory such as a ROM (e.g., an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)), a RAM, etc., included in the processor 130, or implemented as a separate memory from the processor 130. In this case, the memory 150 may be implemented in the form of a memory embedded in the dryer apparatus 100, or in the form of a memory that can be attached to or detached from the dryer apparatus 100, according to the usage of stored data. For example, in the case of data for operating the dryer apparatus 100, the data may be stored in a memory embedded in the dryer apparatus 100, and in the case of data for an extended function of the dryer apparatus 100, the data may be stored in a memory that can be attached to or detached from the dryer apparatus 100.

Meanwhile, in the case of a memory embedded in the dryer apparatus 100, the memory may be implemented as at least one of a volatile memory (e.g.: a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), or a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), etc.) or a non-volatile memory (e.g.: an one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a flash memory (e.g.: NAND flash or NOR flash, etc.), a hard drive, or a solid state drive (SSD)). Also, in the case of a memory that can be attached to or detached from the dryer apparatus 100, the memory may be implemented in forms such as a memory card (e.g., compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro secure digital (Micro-SD), mini secure digital (Mini-SD), extreme digital (xD), a multi-media card (MMC), etc.), an external memory that can be connected to a USB port (e.g., a USB memory), etc.

The speaker 160 may be a component that outputs not only various kinds of audio data processed at an input/output interface, but also various kinds of notification sounds or voice messages, etc.

The temperature sensor 170 may sense the temperature inside the dryer apparatus 100. The temperature sensor 170 may include at least one of a first temperature sensor sensing the temperature of the air in the drum 122 inside the dryer apparatus 100, or a second temperature sensor sensing the temperature of the refrigerant inside the dryer apparatus 100. The temperature data sensed by the temperature sensor 170 may be transmitted to the processor 130, and the processor 130 may control the operation of the dryer apparatus 100 based on the sensed temperature data.

The dryness sensor 180 may be an electrode sensor of which voltage changes according to humidity. The dryer apparatus 100 may count the number of times that a voltage acquired at the electrode sensor is more than a predetermined voltage (a reference voltage). Then, the dryer apparatus 100 may determine the humidity (or the humidity value) of the subjects to be dried based on the counted number of times.

The dryer apparatus 100 may include a housing forming the exterior, a cylindrical drum 122 containing subjects to be dried, a heating part generating hot wind to be provided to the drum 122, a hot wind suction flow channel guiding the hot wind generated at the heating part to the drum 122, and a hot wind discharge flow channel guiding the hot wind discharged from the drum 122 to the outside of the housing.

The hot wind supplying device 124 may include a heater diffusing heat in the inside. The heater may be a coil heater. The hot wind supplying device 124 may consist of one or more heaters.

For example, in case the total power capacity (100%) is 5.3 kW, the power capacity of one heater may have a big capacity of about 3.7 kW (70%), and the power capacity of another heater may have a capacity of about 1.6 kW (30%). Here, the capacities of the one or more heaters are not necessarily divided in a ratio of 70%:30%, but the capacities may be divided in various ratios of capacities in search of an optimal condition for division.

In the center of the front surface of the housing of the dryer apparatus 100, an inlet for putting in subjects to be dried, and a door that can be opened/closed may be included. Also, in the upper part of the front surface of the housing of the dryer apparatus 100, a control panel equipped with a key input part for controlling the operations of each driving element and a display part displaying operations, etc. may be included.

The drum 122 is installed to be rotatable inside the housing, and on the hot wind discharge flow channel, a blast fan for generating a flow force of hot wind is installed. By an operation of the driving motor simultaneously driving the drum 122 and the blast fan, hot wind circulates in the drum 122 and the flow channel, and drying of subjects to be dried is thereby performed.

In the lower part of the front surface of the drum 122, a dryness sensor 180 that determines the degree of dryness of subjects to be dried by contacting the subjects to be dried rotating according to the rotation of the drum 122 is installed. As the dryness sensor 180, a touch sensor in the form of a plate bar may be used. The touch sensor may determine the degree of dryness of clothes according to a voltage by using the principle that a voltage gets to increase when contacting subjects to be dried. After subjects to be dried are put inside the drum 122 of the dryer apparatus 100, when the drying cycle of the subjects to be dried starts as the driving motor and the heater operate, a value of the dried state of the clothes inside the drum 122 may be acquired through the touch sensor.

The dryness sensor 180 may be in the shape of two sticks in protruding forms which are formed lengthily in a horizontal direction. When wet subjects to be dried simultaneously contact two metal plates, the plates get in a short state, and a specific current may flow minutely. According to the moisture content of the subjects to be dried, the resistance value of the touch sensor may change.

In case the moisture content of the subjects to be dried is high, the resistance value of the touch sensor may become smaller, and a current may get to flow well, and in case the moisture content of the subjects to be dried is low, the resistance value of the touch sensor may become bigger, and a current may not flow well.

A current may be converted into a voltage at a micom (the at least one processor 130). If the voltage is greater than or equal to a reference voltage, the dryer apparatus 100 may detect the voltage as 1, and if the voltage is less than the reference voltage, the dryer apparatus 100 may detect the voltage as 0, and count the number. As the moisture content of the subjects to be dried is lower, the number that 1 is counted may become smaller. The dryer apparatus 100 may determine the features of the subjects to be dried based on the counted number, and control the heater output, the drying temperature, the driving rate, and the dryness based on the determined features.

If the user selects a PET CARE DRY course, the dryer apparatus 100 may change the control temperature in sections of three stages such that the efficiency of drying, hair removal, and deodorization of the pet related mode can be improved. The temperatures of each section may be controlled to become higher in the order of the first section>the third section>the second section. The dryer apparatus 100 may change the location of load from the middle part of drying in the first section through control of the driving rate of the driving motor 121, and may thereby transmit hot wind evenly to the subjects to be dried. Such an operation can contribute to improvement of the pet care performance.

The dryer apparatus 100 may perform the drying and deodorizing functions through the first section. Also, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the hair removing (overdrying preventing, energy saving, static electricity preventing) function through the second section.

In addition, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the remaining moisture removing and sensibility quality functions through the third section. Also, the dryer apparatus 100 may detect the humidity of subjects to be dried put into the drum 122. If the humidity of the subjects to be dried is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the entire drying cycle based on the first section to the third section.

If the humidity of the subjects to be dried is less than the threshold value, the dryer apparatus 100 may omit some drying sections (e.g., the first section and the third section) and perform only the remaining section (e.g., the second section) for preventing product damage.

According to various embodiments, if the humidity of the subjects to be dried is less than the threshold value, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform a course specified for pre-processing (the washing pre-processing cycle).

The washing pre-processing cycle may include a function of controlling the on/off conversion cycle of the driving motor 121 to be lower than the threshold time, a function of spraying mist, and a function of providing hot wind based on the threshold temperature information.

Through the washing pre-processing cycle, the dryer apparatus 100 may reduce the contamination rate of pet hair due to static electricity inside the drum 122 and the lifter. Also, the dryer apparatus 100 may improve the pet hair removing performance without fiber damage in a short time.

In the case of a dryer apparatus 100 not equipped with a mist module, the dryer apparatus 100 may not perform a mist spraying function. The dryer apparatus 100 may perform similar control to the mist spraying function.

If a user instruction for a pet care effect of a fiber product of which contamination degree is relatively low is received, the dryer apparatus 100 may additionally perform a refreshing function by improving the deodorizing effect by heightening the temperature setting.

The dryer apparatus 100 can effectively remove pet hair and odor contaminating the subjects to be dried (fiber products related to a pet or a cohabitant's clothes) without fiber damage through a pet care dedicated course.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for illustrating a drying cycle.

Referring to FIG. 3, the dryer apparatus 100 may receive a user input for a drying cycle. The user input may be an input for operating in a predetermined mode. The predetermined mode may be a mode related to a pet. For example, the predetermined mode may be a pet care mode. A mode related to a pet may be a mode of which main purpose is hair removal or odor deodorization.

The drying cycle may include at least one detailed cycle. The detailed cycle may be described as a first drying cycle, a second drying cycle, a third drying cycle, etc. The drying cycle may include at least one of the first drying cycle, the second drying cycle, or the third drying cycle.

It will be assumed that the drying cycle proceeds in the order of the first drying cycle 310, the second drying cycle 320, and the third drying cycle 330.

The first drying cycle 310 may be a cycle of performing the drying and deodorizing functions based on the first temperature information (a high temperature, T11-T12 degrees Celsius) and the first time information (d1 minutes).

The second drying cycle 320 may be a cycle of performing the hair removing function based on the second temperature information (a low temperature, T21-T22 degrees Celsius) and the second time information (d2 minutes).

The third drying cycle 330 may be a cycle of performing the remaining moisture removing function based on the third temperature information (a middle temperature, T31-T32 degrees Celsius) and the third time information (d3 minutes).

Meanwhile, the aforementioned specific descriptions regarding the temperatures and the time are merely examples, and the embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to the described numbers.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for illustrating a drying cycle including a plurality of detailed cycles.

Referring to FIG. 4, the dryer apparatus 100 may acquire (or receive) a user input for a predetermined drying cycle in operation S405. The predetermined drying cycle may be a drying cycle related to a pet.

Also, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform a first drying cycle based on first temperature information and first time information in operation S410.

In addition, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform a second drying cycle based on second temperature information and second time information in operation S415.

Further, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform a third drying cycle based on third temperature information and third time information in operation S420.

The first temperature information may include a temperature value that is higher than the second temperature information and the third temperature information.

The second temperature information may include a temperature value that is lower than the first temperature information and the third temperature information.

The third temperature information may include a temperature value that is lower than the first temperature information and higher than the second temperature information.

The first time information may include a time value that is more than the second time information and the third time information.

The second time information may include a time value that is less than the first time information and more than the third time information.

The third time information may include a time value that is less than the first time information and the second time information.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating a controlling operation according to a drying cycle.

The graph 510 in FIG. 5 indicates a controlling operation of the driving motor and the heater according to a drying cycle.

The dryer apparatus 100 may perform the first drying cycle during the first period (d1). The first period (d1) may be the time from the initial operating point (0 minute) to the td1 point (60 minutes). During the first period (d1), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the driving motor in on/off states. According to various embodiments, during the first period (d1), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the driving motor in an on state during a specific time period (15 minutes), and control the driving motor in an off state during a specific time period (one minute). Also, according to various embodiments, during the first period (d1), the dryer apparatus 100 may keep controlling the driving motor in an on state. Also, during the first period (d1), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater in on/off states. Further, during the first period (d1), if the temperature is lower than a specific temperature T11 (53 degrees Celsius), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater in an on state, and if the temperature is higher than or equal to a specific temperature T12 (58 degrees Celsius), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater in an off state.

Also, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the second drying cycle during the second period (d2). The second period (d2) may be the time from the td1 point (60 minutes) to the td2 point (80 minutes). During the second period (d2), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the driving motor in on/off states. According to various embodiments, during the second period (d2), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the driving motor in an on state during a specific time period (15 minutes), and control the driving motor in an off state during a specific time period (one minute). Also, according to various embodiments, during the second period (d2), the dryer apparatus 100 may keep controlling the driving motor in an on state. Also, during the second period (d2), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater in on/off states. Further, during the second period (d2), if the temperature is lower than a specific temperature T21 (23 degrees Celsius), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater in an on state, and if the temperature is higher than or equal to a specific temperature T22 (25 degrees Celsius), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater in an off state.

In addition, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the third drying cycle during the third period (d3). The third period (d3) may be the time from the td2 point (80 minutes) to the td3 point (84 minutes). During the third period (d3), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the driving motor in on/off states. According to various embodiments, during the third period (d3), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the driving motor in an on state during a specific time period (10 seconds), and control the driving motor in an off state during a specific time period (three seconds). Also, according to various embodiments, during the third period (d3), the dryer apparatus 100 may keep controlling the driving motor in an on state. Also, during the third period (d3), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater in on/off states. Further, during the third period (d3), if the temperature is lower than a specific temperature T31 (40 degrees Celsius), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater in an on state, and if the temperature is higher than or equal to a specific temperature T32 (46 degrees Celsius), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater in an off state.

Also, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the fourth drying cycle during the fourth period (d4).

The fourth period (d4) may be the time from the td3 point (84 minutes) to the td4 point (90 minutes). During the fourth period (d4), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the driving motor in on/off states. The fourth drying cycle may be a cycle of controlling only the driving motor without driving the heater. According to various embodiments, the dryer apparatus 100 may omit the fourth drying cycle.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for illustrating a controlling operation according to a washing pre-processing cycle.

Referring to FIG. 6, the dryer apparatus 100 may acquire (or receive) a user input for a predetermined drying cycle in operation S610. The predetermined drying cycle may be a drying cycle related to a pet.

When the user input for the predetermined drying cycle is acquired, the dryer apparatus 100 may acquire a humidity value of subjects to be dried in operation S620. The dryer apparatus 100 may include a sensor for measuring dryness (a dryness sensor). The dryer apparatus 100 may acquire the humidity value of the subjects to be dried based on sensing data acquired from the dryness sensor.

The dryer apparatus 100 may determine whether the humidity value is less than a threshold value in operation S630. If the humidity value is less than the threshold value in operation S630-Y, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform a washing pre-processing cycle in operation S640.

If the humidity value is greater than or equal to the threshold value in operation S630-N, the dryer apparatus 100 may not perform the washing pre-processing cycle, but perform the drying cycle in operation S650.

The washing pre-processing cycle may mean a cycle that is performed prior to the drying cycle. Detailed explanation related to the drying cycle will be described in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5. In case the humidity value of the subjects to be dried is low, the dryer apparatus 100 may determine that a separate additional operation is needed prior to the drying cycle. Specifically, if the humidity value of the subjects to be dried is less than the threshold value, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the washing pre-processing cycle before performing the drying cycle.

Various embodiments related to the washing pre-processing cycle will be described in FIG. 7 to FIG. 14.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for illustrating a controlling operation according to a washing pre-processing cycle according to various embodiments.

The graph 710 in FIG. 7 indicates a controlling operation of the driving motor and the heater according to a washing pre-processing cycle.

The dryer apparatus 100 may perform the first washing pre-processing cycle during the first period (p1). The first period (p1) may be the time from the initial operating point (0 minute) to the tp1 point (two minutes). During the first period (p1), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the driving motor in on/off states. According to various embodiments, during the first period (p1), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the driving motor in an on state during a specific time period (10 seconds), and control the driving motor in an off state during a specific time period (five seconds).

Also, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the second washing pre-processing cycle during the second period (p2). The second period (p2) may be the time from the tp1 point (two minutes) to the tp2 point (three minutes).

During the second period (p2), the dryer apparatus 100 may spray liquid to the inside of the drum through the liquid spray nozzle. The dryer apparatus 100 may control the liquid spray nozzle in on/off states. According to various embodiments, during the second period (p2), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the liquid spray nozzle in an on state during a specific time period (three seconds), and control the liquid spray nozzle in an off state during a specific time period (nine seconds). Also, during the second period (p2), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the driving motor in an on state. In addition, during the second period (p2), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater in on/off states. Further, during the second period (p2), if the temperature is lower than a specific temperature T01 (32 degrees Celsius), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater in an on state, and if the temperature is higher than or equal to a specific temperature T02 (36 degrees Celsius), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater in an off state.

The dryer apparatus 100 may perform the third washing pre-processing cycle during the third period (p3). The third period (p3) may be the time from the tp2 point (three minutes) to the tp3 point (19 minutes). During the third period (p3), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the driving motor in an on state. Also, during the third period (p3), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater in on/off states. In addition, during the third period (p3), if the temperature is lower than a specific temperature (32 degrees Celsius), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater in an on state, and if the temperature is higher than or equal to a specific temperature (36 degrees Celsius), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater in an off state.

The dryer apparatus 100 may perform the fourth washing pre-processing cycle during the fourth period (p4).

The fourth period (p4) may be the time from the td3 point (19 minutes) to the td4 point (20 minutes). During the fourth period (p4), the dryer apparatus 100 may control the driving motor in on/off states. The fourth washing pre-processing cycle may be a cycle of controlling only the driving motor without driving the liquid spray nozzle and the heater. According to various embodiments, the dryer apparatus 100 may omit the fourth washing pre-processing cycle.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for illustrating a controlling operation according to a washing pre-processing cycle according to various embodiments.

The graph 810 in FIG. 8 may correspond to the graph 710 in FIG. 7. Accordingly, overlapping explanation will be omitted. However, in the embodiment in FIG. 8, the starting point of the operation of the heater may be different, unlike in the embodiment in FIG. 7.

Specifically, in the embodiment in FIG. 7, the dryer apparatus 100 operates the heater in the second period (p2). However, in the embodiment in FIG. 8, the dryer apparatus 100 may operate the heater in the third period (p3) without driving the heater in the second period (p2). Accordingly, the temperature inside the drum may increase from the time point when the third period begins (tp2, three minutes).

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of turning on/off the power of a motor as a washing pre-processing cycle.

The operations S910, S920, S930, and S950 in FIG. 9 may correspond to the operations S610, S620, S630, and S650 in FIG. 6. Accordingly, overlapping explanation will be omitted.

If a humidity value is less than the threshold value in operation S930-Y, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the washing pre-processing cycle. The dryer apparatus 100 may perform an operation of turning on/off the power of the driving motor by a predetermined cycle as the washing pre-processing cycle in operation S941. The dryer apparatus 100 may control the driving motor in an on state during a specific time period (10 seconds), and control the driving motor in an off state during a specific time period (five seconds). The predetermined cycle may include a section of controlling the driving motor in an on state as much as the first time (10 seconds), and a section of controlling the driving motor in an off state as much as the second time (five seconds).

The dryer apparatus 100 may control a rotating operation of the drum by performing an operation of turning on/off the driving motor. If the driving motor is controlled in an on state, the drum may rotate. If the driving motor is controlled in an off state, a rotation of the drum may be stopped, or the rotation speed may be reduced.

The dryer apparatus 100 may rotate subjects to be dried by controlling the driving motor in on/off states. Also, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform a function of releasing subjects to be dried by controlling the driving motor in on/off states.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of providing moisture as a washing pre-processing cycle.

The operations S1010, S1020, S1030, and S1050 in FIG. 10 may correspond to the operations S610, S620, S630, and S650 in FIG. 6. Accordingly, overlapping explanation will be omitted.

If a humidity value is less than the threshold value in operation S1030-Y, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the washing pre-processing cycle. The dryer apparatus 100 may provide (or spray) moisture to the inside of the drum as the washing pre-processing cycle in operation S1041. The dryer apparatus 100 may include a liquid spray nozzle. Through the liquid spray nozzle, liquid or moisture may be sprayed to the inside of the drum. If the liquid spray nozzle is controlled in an on state, liquid (or moisture) may be sprayed (or provided) to the inside of the drum. If the liquid spray nozzle is controlled in an off state, liquid (or moisture) may not be sprayed (or provided) to the inside of the drum.

The dryer apparatus 100 may increase the humidity of subjects to be dried by controlling the liquid spray nozzle in on/off states. If the humidity value of the subjects to be dried is too low, contaminants may permanently smear on the subjects to be dried, and thus a problem that dye transfer is generated may occur. Accordingly, the dryer apparatus 100 may solve the problem by providing moisture to the subjects to be dried depending on needs.

The operation of providing liquid or moisture may be described as a mist function. If liquid or moisture is provided to the inside of the drum, static electricity can be prevented.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of providing hot wind as a washing pre-processing cycle.

The operations S1110, S1120, S1130, and S1150 in FIG. 11 may correspond to the operations S610, S620, S630, and S650 in FIG. 6. Accordingly, overlapping explanation will be omitted.

If a humidity value is less than the threshold value in operation S1130-Y, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the washing pre-processing cycle. The dryer apparatus 100 may provide heated air based on the threshold temperature information as the washing pre-processing cycle in operation S1141. The heated air may be described as hot wind. The threshold temperature information may include a temperature value that is more than the second temperature information and less than the first temperature information and the third temperature information described in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

The threshold temperature information may mean a predetermined temperature range. For example, the predetermined temperature range may be from 32 degrees Celsius to 36 degrees Celsius described in FIG. 7. The dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater such that the temperature of the air inside the drum is included in the predetermined temperature range.

The dryer apparatus 100 may include a temperature sensor. The dryer apparatus 100 may sense the temperature (or the temperature of the air) inside the drum through the temperature sensor. The dryer apparatus 100 may control the heater by comparing the temperature acquired through the temperature sensor and the threshold temperature information. The dryer apparatus 100 may turn on/off the heater such that the temperature inside the drum is maintained within the predetermined temperature range included in the threshold temperature information.

The dryer apparatus 100 may provide hot wind to the inside of the drum by controlling the heater in on/off states. In case hot wind is provided to the inside of the drum, pet hair (hair of a pet) may be removed.

Meanwhile, the dryer apparatus 100 may rotate the drum by controlling the driving motor in an on state at the same time as controlling the heater in on/off states.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of turning on/off the power of a motor and an operation of providing hot wind as a washing pre-processing cycle according to various embodiments.

The operations S1210, S1220, S1230, and S1250 in FIG. 12 may correspond to the operations S610, S620, S630, and S650 in FIG. 6. Accordingly, overlapping explanation will be omitted.

If a humidity value is less than the threshold value in operation S1230-Y, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the washing pre-processing cycle. The dryer apparatus 100 may perform an operation of turning on/off the power of the driving motor by a predetermined cycle as the washing pre-processing cycle in operation S1241. An operation in this regard will be described in FIG. 9.

Then, the dryer apparatus 100 may provide heated air based on the threshold temperature information as the washing pre-processing cycle in operation S1242. An operation in this regard will be described in FIG. 11.

The dryer apparatus 100 may control rotating/stopping operations of the drum by controlling the driving motor in on/off states. After performing the rotating/stopping operations of the drum, the dryer apparatus 100 may provide heated air to the inside of the drum based on the threshold temperature information.

According to various embodiments, the order of the operation S1241 and the operation S1242 may be changed.

The operations S1310, S1320, S1330, and S1350 in FIG. 13 may correspond to the operations S610, S620, S630, and S650 in FIG. 6. Accordingly, overlapping explanation will be omitted.

If a humidity value is less than the threshold value in operation S1330-Y, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the washing pre-processing cycle. The dryer apparatus 100 may perform an operation of turning on/off the power of the driving motor by a predetermined cycle as the washing pre-processing cycle in operation S1341. An operation in this regard will be described in FIG. 9. Also, the operation S1341 may correspond to the first washing pre-processing cycle in

FIG. 7.

Then, the dryer apparatus 100 may provide (or spray) moisture to the inside of the drum as the washing pre-processing cycle in operation S1342. An operation in this regard will be described in FIG. 10. Also, the operation S1342 may correspond to the second washing pre-processing cycle in FIG. 7.

Then, the dryer apparatus 100 may provide heated air based on the threshold temperature information as the washing pre-processing cycle in operation S1343. An operation in this regard will be described in FIG. 11. Also, the operation S1343 may correspond to the third washing pre-processing cycle in FIG. 7.

The dryer apparatus 100 may control rotating/stopping operations of the drum by controlling the driving motor in on/off states. After performing the rotating/stopping operations of the drum, the dryer apparatus 100 may provide moisture to the inside of the drum. After providing moisture to the inside of the drum, the dryer apparatus 100 may provide heated air to the inside of the drum based on the threshold temperature information.

According to various embodiments, the order of the operation S1341, the operation S1342, and the operation S1343 may be changed.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of additionally performing an operation of turning on/off the power of a driving motor as a washing pre-processing cycle according to various embodiments.

The operations S1410, S1420, S1430, S1441, S1442, S1443, and S1450 in FIG. 14 may correspond to the operations S1310, S1320, S1330, S1341, S1342, S1343, and S1350 in FIG. 13. Accordingly, overlapping explanation will be omitted.

After performing the operations S1441, the operation S1442, and the operation S1443 in order as the washing pre-processing cycle, the dryer apparatus 100 may reperform the operation of turning on/off the power of the driving motor by the predetermined cycle again in operation S1444. An operation in this regard will be described in FIG. 9. Also, the operation S1444 may correspond to the fourth washing pre-processing cycle in FIG. 7.

The reason for reperforming the operation of turning on/off the power of the driving motor by the predetermined cycle is for removing the remaining pet hair. The dryer apparatus 100 may perform the rotating/stopping operations of the drum for removing the remaining pet hair that exists in the lift or the drum itself.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of performing a cycle by using a plurality of heaters.

The operations S1510, S1520, S1530 in FIG. 15 may correspond to the operations S610, S620, and S630 in FIG. 6. Accordingly, overlapping explanation will be omitted.

If a humidity value is less than the threshold value in operation S1530-Y, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the washing pre-processing cycle with the first heater in operation S1541. The washing pre-processing cycle may mean the operations described in FIG. 6 to FIG. 14.

If the humidity value is greater than or equal to the threshold value in operation S1530-N, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the drying cycle with the second heater in operation S1551. The drying cycle may mean the operations described in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5.

The first heater may be a heater having the first capacity, and the second heater may be a heater having the second capacity. Also, the first capacity may be a smaller capacity than the second capacity.

For example, the first capacity may mean a power capacity of 1.6 kW, and the second capacity may mean a power capacity of 3.7 kW.

The first heater may have a smaller capacity than the capacity of the second heater. Accordingly, providing hot wind by using the first heater may have lower performance than providing hot wind by using the second heater. However, providing hot wind by using the first heater may save more power than providing hot wind by using the second heater.

It is assumed that the time for increasing the temperature inside the drum to a specific temperature is measured. The time that was taken for increasing the temperature inside the drum to a specific temperature by using the first heater may be the first time. Also, the time that was taken for increasing the temperature inside the drum to a specific temperature by using the second heater may be the second time. As the capacity of the first heater is less than the capacity of the second heater, the first time may be more than the second time. That is, in the case of using the first heater of a low capacity, the time that is taken for increasing the temperature inside the drum to a specific temperature may take more than the case of using the second heater of a high capacity.

The dryer apparatus 100 may use the first heater of a relatively low capacity in performing the washing pre-processing cycle. Meanwhile, the dryer apparatus 100 may use the second heater of a relatively high capacity in performing the drying cycle.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart for illustrating an operation of changing a drying cycle based on humidity of subjects to be dried.

The operations S1610, S1620, S1630, and S1650 in FIG. 16 may correspond to the operations S610, S620, S630, and S650 in FIG. 6. Accordingly, overlapping explanation will be omitted.

If a humidity value is less than the threshold value in operation S1630-Y, the dryer apparatus 100 may change the drying cycle that is basically set in operation S1641. The basic drying cycle may mean the cycle corresponding to the operation S1650. Specifically, the dryer apparatus 100 may change the detailed cycles included in the basic drying cycle.

It is assumed that the first drying cycle, the second drying cycle, and the third drying cycle, etc. are included in the basic drying cycle. Explanation related to the first drying cycle, the second drying cycle, and the third drying cycle was described in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5.

If a humidity value is less than the threshold value in operation S1630-Y, the dryer apparatus 100 may change the schedule of the drying cycle such that only the second drying cycle is performed while the first drying cycle and the third drying cycle are not performed. The feature that only the second drying cycle is performed may mean providing hot wind to the subjects to be dried by using only a relatively low temperature. If it is determined that humidity of the subjects to be dried is low, the dryer apparatus 100 may not perform the cycles of providing hot wind of a middle temperature and a high temperature (the first drying cycle, the third drying cycle).

According to various embodiments, the dryer apparatus 100 may change the drying cycle by changing the detailed setting of the basic drying cycle. The detailed setting may include at least one of the temperature setting inside the drum, the on/off cycle setting of the driving motor, the on/off driving voltage setting of the driving motor, the on/off cycle setting of the heater, or the on/off driving voltage setting of the heater, which are applied in the first drying cycle, the second drying cycle, and the third drying cycle.

The dryer apparatus 100 may change the detailed setting applied to each detailed cycle. The dryer apparatus 100 may perform one of a change of lowering the temperature inside the drum, a change of lowering the on/off cycle of the driving motor, a change of lowering the on/off driving voltage of the driving motor, a change of lowering the on/off cycle of the heater, or a change of lowering the driving voltage of the heater.

Then, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the changed drying cycle (or the changed schedule information) in operation S1642. By processing the subjects to be dried with the changed drying cycle, the subjects to be dried may not be damaged even if the humidity of the subjects to be dried is low.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for illustrating a manipulation interface and a display for receiving a user input.

The embodiment 1710 in FIG. 17 indicates a manipulation interface included in the dryer apparatus 100. The manipulation interface of the dryer apparatus 100 may include a dial 1711. The dryer apparatus 100 may acquire a user input that selected the predetermined drying cycle (or the predetermined drying mode) through the dial 1711.

The embodiment 1720 in FIG. 17 indicates the display and the manipulation interface included in the dryer apparatus 100. The display of the dryer apparatus 100 may include light-emitting diodes (LED). Also, the display of the dryer apparatus 100 may include a 7-segment. In addition, the dryer apparatus 100 may include various UIs disclosed in the embodiment 1720, and acquire a user input through the UIs.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for illustrating a UI including information related to a washing pre-processing cycle according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 18, the dryer apparatus 100 may provide a screen 1800 related to the washing pre-processing cycle to the user. The screen 1800 may include at least one of a UI 1810 indicating the weight of the subjects to be dried, a UI 1820 indicating the humidity of the subjects to be dried, or a UI 1830 indicating information related to the washing pre-processing cycle.

The UI 1830 indicating information related to the washing pre-processing cycle may include at least one of a UI 1831 indicating that the humidity of the subjects to be dried is low, a UI 1832 indicating that the washing pre-processing cycle is performed, a UI 1833 indicating that the hair removing function is performed as the washing pre-processing cycle, a UI 1834 indicating that the moisture providing function is performed as the washing pre-processing cycle, a UI 1835 indicating that the hot wind providing function is performed as the washing pre-processing cycle, a UI 1836 for receiving a user input for starting the washing pre-processing cycle, or a UI 1837 for receiving a user input for omitting the washing pre-processing cycle.

The user may include or exclude the hair removing function in the washing pre-processing cycle through the UI 1833.

Also, the user may include or exclude the moisture providing function in the washing pre-processing cycle through the UI 1834.

In addition, the user may include or exclude the hot wind providing function in the washing pre-processing cycle through the UI 1835.

Meanwhile, if the user's separate input is not received, the dryer apparatus 100 may basically provide UIs indicating that all of the hair removing function, the moisture providing function, and the hot wind providing function are performed.

After the user input related to the washing pre-processing cycle is completed, the dryer apparatus 100 may receive a user input for starting the washing pre-processing cycle through the UI 1836. When the user input for starting the washing pre-processing cycle is received through the UI 1836, the dryer apparatus 100 may perform the washing pre-processing cycle based on the functions designated by the user's final selection (or decision) (the hair removing function, the moisture providing function, and the hot wind providing function).

FIG. 19 is a diagram for illustrating a UI including information related to a washing pre-processing cycle according to various embodiments.

The UIs 1910, 1920, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1936, and 1937 in FIG. 19 may correspond to the UIs 1810, 1820, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1836, and 1837 in FIG. 18. Accordingly, overlapping explanation will be omitted.

The dryer apparatus 100 may provide a screen 1900 related to the washing pre-processing cycle to the user. The screen 1900 may include a UI 1930 indicating information related to the washing pre-processing cycle.

The UI 1930 indicating the information related to the washing pre-processing cycle may include a UI 1933 indicating information notifying that there is a problem in the moisture providing function and a user guiding operation.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart for illustrating a controlling method of a dryer apparatus according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 20, a controlling method of a dryer apparatus including a drum configured to accommodate subjects to be dried includes the steps of, based on a user input for a predetermined drying cycle being acquired, acquiring a humidity value of the subjects to be dried (S2005), based on the humidity value of the subjects to be dried being less than a threshold value, performing a washing pre-processing cycle (S2010), and based on the humidity value of the subjects to be dried being greater than or equal to the threshold value, performing the predetermined drying cycle (S2015), wherein the pre-processing cycle (the washing pre-processing cycle) includes at least one of a cycle of rotating the drum, a cycle of providing moisture to the drum, or a cycle of providing hot wind to the drum based on threshold temperature information.

Meanwhile, in the operation S2010 of performing the washing pre-processing cycle, based on the humidity value of the subjects to be dried being less than the threshold value, a driving cycle of the driving motor included in the dryer apparatus may be controlled to perform the cycle of rotating the drum and a cycle of stopping the rotation of the drum.

Meanwhile, in the operation S2010 of performing the washing pre-processing cycle, based on the humidity value of the subjects to be dried being less than the threshold value, moisture may be provided to the drum.

Meanwhile, in the operation S2010 of performing the washing pre-processing cycle, a temperature value inside the drum may be acquired, and based on the humidity value of the subjects to be dried being less than the threshold value, hot wind may be provided to the drum based on the temperature value and the threshold temperature information.

Meanwhile, the threshold temperature information may include a threshold temperature range, and in the operation S2010 of performing the washing pre-processing cycle, the driving cycle of the hot wind supplying device of the dryer apparatus may be controlled such that the temperature value is within the threshold temperature range.

Meanwhile, the hot wind supplying device of the dryer apparatus may include a first heater of a first capacity and a second heater of a second capacity, and in the operation S2010 of performing the washing pre-processing cycle, the washing pre-processing cycle may be performed by using the first heater, and in the operation S2015 of performing the drying cycle, the predetermined drying cycle may be performed by using the second heater.

Meanwhile, the predetermined drying cycle may be a cycle for performing a function related to a pet.

Meanwhile, the controlling method of the dryer apparatus 100 as in FIG. 20 may be executed in the dryer apparatus 100 having the configuration as in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, and the controlling method may also be executed on dryer apparatuses 100 having other configurations.

Meanwhile, the methods according to the aforementioned various embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented in forms of applications that can be installed on conventional dryer apparatuses.

Also, the methods according to the aforementioned various embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented just with software upgrade, or hardware upgrade of conventional dryer apparatuses.

In addition, the aforementioned various embodiments of the disclosure may be performed through an embedded server provided on a dryer apparatus, or an external server of at least one of a dryer apparatus or a display apparatus.

Meanwhile, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the aforementioned various embodiments may be implemented as software including instructions stored in machine-readable storage media, which can be read by machines (e.g.: computers). The machines refer to apparatuses that call instructions stored in a storage medium, and can operate according to the called instructions, and the apparatuses may include a dryer apparatus according to the aforementioned embodiments. In case an instruction is executed by a processor, the processor may perform a function corresponding to the instruction by itself, or by using other components under its control. An instruction may include a code that is generated or executed by a compiler or an interpreter. A storage medium that is readable by machines may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, the term ‘non-transitory’ only means that a storage medium does not include signals, and is tangible, but does not indicate whether data is stored in the storage medium semi-permanently or temporarily.

Also, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the methods according to the aforementioned various embodiments may be provided while being included in a computer program product. A computer program product refers to a product, and it can be traded between a seller and a buyer. A computer program product can be distributed in the form of a storage medium that is readable by machines (e.g.: a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or can be distributed on-line through an application store (e.g.: Play Store™). In the case of on-line distribution, at least a portion of a computer program product may be stored in a storage medium such as the server of the manufacturer, the server of the application store, and the memory of the relay server at least temporarily, or may be generated temporarily.

In addition, each of the components (e.g.: a module or a program) according to the aforementioned various embodiments may consist of a singular object or a plurality of objects. Also, among the aforementioned corresponding sub components, some sub components may be omitted, or other sub components may be further included in the various embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, some components (e.g.: a module or a program) may be integrated as an object, and perform functions that were performed by each of the components before integration identically or in a similar manner. Further, operations performed by a module, a program, or other components according to the various embodiments may be executed sequentially, in parallel, repetitively, or heuristically. Or, at least some of the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, or other operations may be added.

Also, while preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, the disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned specific embodiments, and it is apparent that various modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the disclosure belongs, without departing from the gist of the disclosure as claimed by the appended claims. Further, it is intended that such modifications are not to be interpreted independently from the technical idea or prospect of the disclosure.

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

	Number	Date	Country
Parent	PCT/KR2023/014195	Sep 2023	WO
Child	18503895		US

DRYER APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF

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