Patent Application
20250101653
The present application claims priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0129425, filed in the Republic of Korea on Sep. 26, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.
The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus and a method for controlling the same.
A laundry treating apparatus is an apparatus that processes at least one of a washing cycle that removes foreign substances from laundry or a drying cycle that removes moisture from the laundry. Such laundry treating apparatus is able to perform the washing cycle or the drying cycle by accommodating a large amount of laundry in a rotating drum and applying a physical force or a centrifugal force to the laundry.
However, because the corresponding laundry treating apparatus is designed to treat the large amount of laundry, energy efficiency is low when treating a small amount of laundry. Accordingly, even when a user has laundry that needs to be washed or dried, it is common to accumulate a large amount of laundry and then perform the washing cycle or the drying cycle with the laundry treating apparatus. However, while the laundry is left unattended until a large amount is accumulated, the laundry is unnecessarily further contaminated or damaged.
Recently, to solve such problems, an auxiliary apparatus that may be installed in addition to the laundry treating apparatus (hereinafter, a “main apparatus”), which may treat the large amount of laundry, and treat the small amount of laundry has appeared.
The auxiliary apparatus has a volume smaller than that of the main apparatus, and thus, is able to perform the washing cycle or the drying cycle of the small amount of laundry with less water, detergent, or energy. Accordingly, the user is able to treat the laundry with optimal efficiency by using the auxiliary apparatus when the small amount of laundry needs to be treated and using the main apparatus when the large amount of laundry needs to be treated.
Because such auxiliary apparatus is equipped independently of the main apparatus, the auxiliary apparatus is controlled independently of the main apparatus. Therefore, it is common for the auxiliary apparatus to be equipped with a control panel having a plurality of inputters that receive a command to perform the washing cycle or the drying cycle, independently of the main apparatus.
However, because the corresponding auxiliary apparatus has a height and a volume smaller than those of the main apparatus, it is difficult to secure an appropriate area for installing the control panel on the auxiliary apparatus, and it is difficult for the user to manipulate the control panel installed in a narrow area.
In addition, when the main apparatus is equipped as a front-load type apparatus having an opening defined in a front surface thereof and the auxiliary apparatus is equipped as a drawer-type apparatus that is disposed beneath the main apparatus and is withdrawn forward, there is an inconvenience of the user having to bend over to manipulate the corresponding auxiliary apparatus.
In addition, there is a structural waste in that, although a control panel or a controller of the main apparatus has an ability to also manipulate the auxiliary apparatus, the control panel has to be additionally disposed on the auxiliary apparatus.
Furthermore, because the main apparatus and the auxiliary apparatus are not connected to each other in a control manner, it is difficult for the user to integrally control the main apparatus and the auxiliary apparatus, and there is an inconvenience of having to check a state of the main apparatus or the auxiliary apparatus on each apparatus.
The present disclosure is to provide an auxiliary apparatus that may be additionally disposed with a composite apparatus that performs at least one of a washing cycle and a drying cycle to minimize the number of inputters.
The present disclosure is to provide an auxiliary apparatus in which an inputter is equipped to receive a plurality of commands, and thus, the number of inputters is smaller than the number of commands being input.
The present disclosure is to provide an auxiliary apparatus that is equipped such that different commands may be input, depending on a situation, with one inputter.
The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may also control the auxiliary apparatus via the composite apparatus.
The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus in which a composite apparatus and an auxiliary apparatus may be paired with each other.
The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that is equipped such that a pairing command may be input to the auxiliary apparatus via the inputter.
To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present disclosure provides a laundry treating apparatus including an auxiliary cabinet having a width smaller than a height and having an opening defined in a front surface thereof, a drawer accommodated in the auxiliary cabinet and extendable and retractable via the opening, a tub accommodated in the drawer and having an inlet defined in a top surface thereof, wherein the tub is provided to accommodate water therein, a drum rotatably disposed in the tub and provided to accommodate laundry therein, a driver that is coupled to the tub and rotates the drum, and a multi-function inputter that is disposed on an exposed surface of the drawer and receives a command from a user.
The multi-function inputter may receive a different command depending on a situation.
The multi-function inputter may receive a power command to supply power to the driver when power supply to the driver is cut off.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a withdrawer that is disposed in the auxiliary cabinet and withdraws the drawer via the opening.
The multi-function inputter may receive a withdrawal command to extend the drawer from the auxiliary cabinet when the power is supplied to the driver and the withdrawer.
The withdrawer may extend the drawer from the auxiliary cabinet while the driver stops rotating the drum.
The multi-function inputter may be deactivated from receiving the withdrawal command or may receive a command other than the withdrawal command when the drum is rotating.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a water level sensor that senses a water level of the tub.
The multi-function inputter may be deactivated from receiving the withdrawal command or may receive a command other than the withdrawal command when water is accommodated in the tub.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a drawer locker that is disposed on one of the auxiliary cabinet and the drawer and locks the drawer so as not to be withdrawn from the auxiliary cabinet.
The drawer locker may unlock the drawer when the withdrawal command is input.
The drawer locker may unlock the drawer when the driver stops operating the drum.
The drawer locker may unlock the drawer when water has been completely drained from the tub.
The multi-function inputter may receive a stop command to stop the drum when the driver is rotating the drum.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a withdrawer that is disposed in the auxiliary cabinet and withdraws the drawer via the opening.
The multi-function inputter may receive a withdrawal command to extend the drawer from the auxiliary cabinet when the driver stops rotating the drum.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a communication module in communication with a separate apparatus disposed outside the auxiliary cabinet, and the multi-function inputter may receive a connection command for the communication module to be paired with the separate apparatus.
When the multi-function inputter is pressed continuously for a certain period of time, the connection command may be input.
When the communication module is connected to the separate apparatus, the driver may be controlled by the separate apparatus.
The separate apparatus may include a main cabinet seated on top of the auxiliary cabinet, a main tub accommodated in the main cabinet and provided to accommodate water therein, a main drum rotatably accommodated in the main tub and provided to accommodate the laundry therein, a heat supply that is coupled to the main tub and supplies hot air to the main drum, and a main communication module that is in communication with the communication module.
The present disclosure minimizes the number of inputters that receive the commands from the user in the auxiliary apparatus.
The present disclosure provides the auxiliary apparatus that may enhance the sense of unity and the aesthetics with the composite apparatus by minimizing the number of exposed inputters.
The present disclosure may control the small-volume auxiliary apparatus at once with the large-volume composite device.
The present disclosure may allow the user to check the states of both apparatuses by checking only one apparatus.
Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the present document, identical or similar components are assigned identical or similar reference numerals even in different embodiments, and descriptions thereof are replaced with the first description. A singular expression used herein includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed herein, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, it should be noted that the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and the technical ideas disclosed herein should not be construed as being limited by the attached drawings.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may be equipped as one of a washing machine 1 and a dryer 2, or may include at least one of a composite apparatus 4 in which the washing machine 1 and the dryer 2 are integrated, and an auxiliary apparatus 5 disposed beneath the composite apparatus 4.
A following description will be based on a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure being equipped as the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 disposed beneath the composite apparatus 4. However, this is only for a purpose of description, and a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure does not exclude the washing machine 1, the dryer 2, or a form in which the washing machine 1 and the dryer 2 are arranged in a vertical direction.
A composite apparatus 4 of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 10 forming an outer appearance thereof. An opening through which laundry may be withdrawn and inserted may be defined in a front surface of the cabinet 10, and the opening may be opened and closed by a door 200.
The door 200 may be pivotably coupled to the cabinet 10 so as to selectively open and close the opening. When the door 200 is fixed or locked to the cabinet 10, only a transparent material may be exposed from a front surface thereof. To this end, the front surface of the door 200 may be made of glass or a transparent material such as plastic or acrylic.
A control panel 100 that receives a command to control the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure or displays information to the outside may be disposed above the door 200.
The cabinet may include a front panel 11 forming a front surface thereof, and the control panel 100 may be installed on the front panel 11.
The control panel 100 may be equipped with an inputter to receive various commands from the user. The control panel 100 may be equipped with a display that displays information of the laundry treating apparatus on the outside. At least a portion of the control panel 100 may be equipped as a touch panel to perform both functions of the inputter and the display.
The control panel 100 may have a width greater than a height, and may be formed in an oval shape or a shape like a running track. Therefore, the control panel 100 may display more information or more easily display completed sentences, phrases, and the like than when it is formed in a circular shape.
The control panel 100 may receive a command to perform a course or display a state of performing the course, information necessary to perform the course or the like.
The control panel 100 may include one or more of a plurality of buttons or a touch panel for receiving the command from the user, a microphone for receiving a user's voice, a camera or a proximity sensor for receiving a user's operation or state, a screen for displaying visual information to the user, and a speaker for transmitting auditory information to the user.
When a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure is equipped in a front-load type in which the opening is defined in the front surface of the cabinet, the control panel 100 may be disposed above the door 200 on the front surface of the cabinet 10. Thus, accessibility and identifiability may be secured.
In one example, when a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure is equipped in a top-load type in which the opening is defined in a top surface of the cabinet, the control panel 100 may be disposed in front of the door 200 on the top surface of the cabinet 10.
When the auxiliary apparatus 5 is disposed beneath the composite apparatus 4, the control panel 100 may be equipped as a composite panel that may control at least one of the composite apparatus 4 and the lower auxiliary apparatus 5 at the same time.
The composite apparatus 4 may further include a main communication module 1400 that is in communication with the outside.
The main communication module 1400 may be equipped as any component as long as it is able to be in communication with at least one of the auxiliary apparatus 5, an external terminal, a router, and a server disposed separately from the composite apparatus 4.
For example, the main communication module 1400 may be equipped as a wireless communication module using technologies such as wifi, Bluetooth, NFC, and the like.
The main communication module 1400 may be connected to the control panel 100 and transmit a signal input from the control panel 100 to the auxiliary apparatus 5, the external terminal, the router, and the server. In addition, the main communication module 1400 may transmit a signal received from the auxiliary apparatus 5, the external terminal, the router, and the server to the control panel 100.
When a composite apparatus 4 of the present disclosure performs an operation of the dryer 2, a filter 99 that filters drum air from the outside of the drum may be disposed in an upper portion of the cabinet 10.
The filter 99 may filter foreign substances in a circulation duct that is accommodated inside the cabinet 10 and circulates air, and the circulation duct may be disposed inside the cabinet 10 closer to the upper portion than to a lower portion of the cabinet 10 such that the filter 99 is able to be withdrawn upward from a top panel 13 of the cabinet. A structure of the circulation duct will be described later.
The door 200 may be coupled to the cabinet 10 in a push button form. When the door 200 is pressed toward the cabinet 10, the door 200 may sequentially repeat opening and closing the opening.
When the door 200 is formed in the push button form, even in a situation in which the user is not able to pull the door 200, such as when the user is holding the laundry in both hands, the door 200 may be sequentially fixed to the cabinet 10 or separated from the cabinet 10 when a pressure is applied toward the opening or the cabinet 10.
The door 200 is pivotably coupled to a hinge disposed on one side of the opening. Therefore, it is preferable that a locker that couples or fixes the door 200 to the cabinet 10 is installed in an area opposite to the hinge with respect to the opening.
The door 200 may have a pressing portion 250 that induces the user to press a place corresponding to the locker on an outer surface thereof. The pressing portion 250 may be marked on a surface to be distinguished from other areas, or may be equipped as a separate light or the like to be visually distinguished.
The door 200 may further include a sensor 240 that receive a user's pressurization or touch and separates the door 200 from the cabinet 10.
The sensor 240 may be equipped as a component that may detect a user's physical contact. For example, the sensor 240 may include any component as long as it is able to sense the user's physical contact, such as a touch film, a touch panel, a physical button, a piezoelectric element, and the like installed on the door 200.
The door 200 may be opened at the cabinet 10 even when it is not pressed toward the cabinet 10 when the user touches or presses the sensor 240. As a result, the door 200 may be prevented in advance from being damaged or scratched when pressed by the user, an object, or the like.
The sensor 240 may be disposed near the pressing portion 250. Accordingly, the user may intuitively recognize that the sensor 240 and the pressing portion 250 are areas that receive a user's input.
The sensor 240 may be built in the door 200, but may be marked on the outer surface of the door 200. Accordingly, the sensor 240 may further include a separate light emitting body. In one example, an area where the sensor 240 is installed may be indicated via marking, shading, and the like on the surface of the door 200.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may additionally include the auxiliary apparatus 5 disposed beneath the composite apparatus 4. The auxiliary apparatus 5 may be disposed beneath the composite apparatus 4, and the composite apparatus 4 may be disposed on top of the auxiliary apparatus 5.
The auxiliary apparatus 5 may include an auxiliary cabinet 10b disposed beneath the cabinet 10 of the composite apparatus 4, and a drawer 80 that is withdrawn forward from the auxiliary cabinet 10b.
An auxiliary inputter 84 that may receive a withdrawal command for extending the drawer 80 forward from the user may be disposed at a front side of the drawer 80.
The auxiliary inputter 84 may receive an additional command in addition to the withdrawal command. Therefore, the auxiliary inputter may be equipped as a multi-function inputter.
The multi-function inputter 84 may be equipped as any component as long as it is able to receive the withdrawal command by coming into contact with a user's body. For example, the multi-function inputter 84 may be equipped as a touch panel or a button.
An installation vertical level of the composite apparatus 4 may become higher because of the auxiliary apparatus 5. Therefore, when the composite apparatus 4 is equipped in the front-load type in which the door 200 is disposed in front of the cabinet 10, a location of an opening 14 also becomes higher, so that the user may easily access the door 200 without bending his or her back.
Detailed configurations of the composite apparatus and the auxiliary apparatus will be described later.
In one example, an auxiliary apparatus 5 of the present disclosure may be seated on top of the cabinet 10. In this case, the auxiliary apparatus 5 may include the auxiliary cabinet 10b, but the drawer 80 may be omitted.
Alternatively, the auxiliary apparatus 5 may be disposed inside the cabinet 10 at an upper side to share the cabinet with the composite apparatus 4.
In this case, the auxiliary inputter 84 may be disposed at an upper front side of the auxiliary apparatus 5 or may be disposed at a front side of the auxiliary apparatus 5.
A following description is based on assumption that the auxiliary apparatus 5 is disposed beneath the cabinet 10 and includes the drawer 80. However, this does not exclude that the auxiliary apparatus 5 is disposed on top of the cabinet 10.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may include a tub 20 accommodated inside the cabinet 10 to store water therein, and a drum 30 rotatably accommodated in the tub 20 to store water therein.
The tub 20 may include a tub body 21 formed in a cylindrical shape and including an inlet 22 at a front side thereof.
The tub body 21 may be made of a plastic material or the like, and the inlet 22 may protrude from a front side of the tub body 21 in a cylindrical shape that has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the tub body 21.
The inlet 22 may be in communication with the opening 14 of the cabinet 10.
In one example, the tub 20 may further include a gasket 23 sealing a space between the inlet 22 and the opening 14.
The gasket 23 may be formed as a separate component from the tub body 21. The gasket 23 may be formed in a ring shape that seals the space between the inlet 22 and the opening 14.
The gasket 23 may be made of an elastic material. Therefore, even when vibration occurs in the tub 20, the gasket 23 may maintain the state of sealing the space between the opening 14 and the inlet 22, and may prevent the vibration from being transmitted to the opening 14 or the door 200.
The drum 30 may include a drum body 31 that is rotatably disposed in the tub body 21 to store the laundry therein, and an entrance 35 that is disposed in front of the drum body 31 and is in communication with the inlet 22 and the opening 14.
The drum body 31 may be formed in a cylindrical shape, and may include a through-hole 33 in communication with the inside of the tub body 21 defined in a rear surface or an outer circumferential surface thereof. The drum body 31 may be made of a metal material.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may include a water supply 50 that supplies water to the tub 20, and a drainage 60 that drains water from the tub 20.
The water supply 50 may include a water supply valve 51 that is coupled to the cabinet 10 and connected to an external water supply source to selectively supply water, and a water supply pipe 52 that withdraws from the water supply valve 51 and transmits water supplied from the external water supply source. The water supply pipe 52 may be coupled to the tub body 21, or may have a distal end coupled to the gasket 23.
As long as the water supply pipe 52 is able to supply water to the tub 20, the water supply pipe 52 may be coupled to any portion of the tub 20.
The drainage 60 may include a discharge pipe 61 that is connected to a lower portion of the tub 20 to discharge water from the tub 20, a drainage pump that provides power to discharge water supplied from the discharge pipe 61 to the outside of the cabinet 10, and a drainage pipe 63 that extends from the drainage pump to the outside of the cabinet 10 to discharge water.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a water level sensor 24 that senses a water level of the tub 20. The water level sensor 24 may be equipped as any component as long as it is able to sense the water level inside the tub 20. For example, the water level sensor 24 may include a communication pipe in communication with the tub 20 and having a closed distal end, and a device positioned on the communication pipe to sense a pressure change inside the communication pipe.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a support 70 that supports the tub 20 inside the cabinet 10.
The support 70 may include at least one of a suspension that supports a lower portion of the tub 20 and a spring that supports an upper portion of the tub 20.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may include a driver 40 having the same structure as that in the general washing machine 1.
In addition, a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a heat supply 90 that may circulate air inside the tub 20 or the drum 30 and may heat the air.
The heat supply 90 may be disposed downward of the tub 20.
However, because the tub 20 is the closest component to the drum 30 and the drainage 60 is disposed beneath the tub 20, the heat supply 90 may be seated on the tub 20.
The heat supply 90 may be disposed to be seated on the tub 20. That is, the heat supply 90 may be disposed upward of the opening of the tub.
The heat supply 90 may include at least one of a circulation flow channel 91 extending from the tub 20 in at least one of a front and rear direction and a left and right direction to circulate air inside the tub 20, an evaporator 92 accommodated in the circulation flow channel 91 to cool the air and condense moisture, a condenser 93 disposed downstream of the evaporator to heat the air, a compressor 94 disposed outside the circulation flow channel 91 to supply a refrigerant that heats the air to the condenser 93, an expansion valve that expands and cools the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 93 and delivers the refrigerant to the evaporator 92, and a circulation fan 96 disposed inside the circulation flow channel 91 to provide power to circulate the air.
The circulation flow channel 91 may be provided such that one end is connected to an upper rear portion of the tub body 21 and the other end is connected to an upper front portion of the tub body 21 or to the gasket 23.
The circulation fan 96 may operate such that air is sucked into the circulation flow channel 91 from the rear of the drum 30 and the air is discharged into the drum body 31 via the entrance 35.
As a result, hot air generated from the heat supply 90 may be evenly supplied to the drum body 31 by being introduced into the entrance 35, and the laundry may be evenly dried. In addition, air that has dried the laundry may be smoothly introduced into one end of the circulation flow channel 91 by passing through the through-hole 33 by a negative pressure provided by the circulation fan 96.
As a result, the heat supply 90 may be provided to supply hot air into the drum body 31 even when the drum 30 is accommodated in the tub 20, has a plurality of through-holes 33 defined in the outer circumferential surface thereof, and thus has high air resistance.
The heat supply 90 may omit a water collector and a water storage tank that collect condensate because the tub 20 is disposed thereunder. That is, water condensed inside the circulation flow channel 91 may be collected in the tub 20 and discharged to the drainage 60.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a plurality of courses to treat the laundry based on the above-mentioned components. The courses may include a washing course to remove foreign substances from the laundry and a drying course to remove moisture from the laundry.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may include an integrated controller in which a controller that performs the washing course and a controller that performs the drying course are integrated. The integrated controller may be built into the control panel 100, or may be equipped as a control panel disposed separately from the control panel 100 and mounted inside the cabinet 10.
The integrated controller may be equipped separately from the main communication module 1400, and may be directly supplied with the power from an external power source.
However, the main communication module 1400 may be directly supplied with the power from the external power source when the integrated controller is connected to the external power source, regardless of whether the integrated controller is supplied with the power.
The main communication module 1400 may be supplied with standby power, and may supply the standby power to the control panel 100. The control panel 100 may be operated by receiving the power separately, regardless of whether the integrated controller is supplied with the power.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may include the driver 40 coupled to the tub 20 to rotate the drum 30.
The driver 40 may include a stator 41 coupled to a rear portion of the tub body 21, a rotor 42 rotated by the stator 41, and a rotation shaft 43 connecting the rotor 42 with the drum 30.
The tub body 21 may have a bearing housing installed on a rear surface thereof that allows the rotation shaft 43 to pass therethrough and rotatably supports the rotation shaft 43.
The circulation flow channel 91 may be disposed to extend in a ‘-’-shape on the tub 20 to secure a volume for air to flow or area sizes of the evaporator and the condenser.
That is, the circulation flow channel 91 may extend forward from one side at an upper rear portion of the tub body 21, and then extend toward the other side at an upper front portion of the tub body 21.
The circulation flow channel 91 may include an inflow portion 91a extending from the rear portion to the front portion of the tub body 21, a flowing portion 91b extending from the inflow portion to the other side of the front portion of the tub body 21 or to the gasket 23, and an exhaust portion 91c extending downward from the flowing portion and in communication with a space defined inward of the gasket 23.
The duct may extend in the left and right direction on the tub 20, and the filter 99, the evaporator 92, and the condenser 93 may be sequentially disposed therein.
The circulation fan 96 may be provided to be in communication with the circulation flow channel 91.
The circulation fan 96 may be installed inside the circulation flow channel 91, and may include a housing connecting the flowing portion with the exhaust portion.
The circulation fan 96 may be disposed at the front portion of the tub body 21 to evenly distribute a weight of the rear portion of the tub body 21 to which the driver 40 is coupled.
The circulation fan 96 may be operated such that air flows from the inflow portion to the exhaust portion.
The water supply pipe 52 of the water supply 50 may be connected to the gasket 23. A nozzle 500 coupled to a distal end of the water supply 50 may be installed on the gasket 23. The nozzle 500 may evenly spray water supplied from the water supply pipe 52 into the drum body 31.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a circulator that recirculates and supplies water from the tub 20.
The circulator may include a circulation pump that is in communication with the drainage pump or is disposed on one side of the drainage pump 62, and a circulation hose that re-supplies water drained from the tub body 21 to the tub 20.
As a result, water may also be saved by reusing water from the tub 20 during the washing cycle or a rinsing process, and a washing efficiency may also be increased by evenly dissolving the detergent or the like via the circulator.
A laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a detergent box that stores therein the detergent to be supplied to the tub 20.
The detergent box may be disposed downward of the tub 20. The detergent box may be prevented from interfering with the heat supply 90 disposed above, and may be exposed to the user without difficulty even when the composite apparatus 4 is raised because of the auxiliary apparatus 5.
The detergent box may be equipped with a detergent body that accommodates the detergent therein, and a detergent pump that sprays the detergent accommodated in the detergent body into the tub 20. Accordingly, water from the tub 20 may be prevented from arbitrarily infiltrating into the detergent box, or the detergent may be prevented from being arbitrarily supplied into the detergent box.
The detergent box may supply the detergent to at least one of the drainage 60 and the circulator.
When supplying the detergent to the circulator, the detergent may be supplied to the tub 20 while operating the circulation pump or the like, the detergent may be more easily dissolved in water during the circulation process, and the detergent may be evenly supplied to the laundry.
A filter 800 may be disposed between the drainage pump and the circulator, so that the foreign substances discharged from the tub 20 may be prevented from being re-introduced into the circulator.
The filter 800 may be exposed forward on one side of the detergent box and may be detachable forward.
The cabinet may further include a base 15 that supports the filter 800 and the detergent box.
The base 15 may form a bottom surface of the cabinet 10.
The base 15 may support the support 70, and may support the detergent box and the filter 800 so as not to interfere with the support 70.
The detergent box may be detachably disposed on the base 15, and may be withdrawable forward from the base 15. As a result, the user may continuously replenish the detergent in the detergent box, and may also wash the detergent box.
A step panel 16 that guides the withdrawal and the insertion of at least one of the detergent box and the filter 800 and is disposed under the front panel 11 may be further included in front of the base 15.
The step panel 16 may have a hole through which the detergent box and the filter 800 are withdrawn and inserted, and may block the base 15 from being exposed to the outside.
The step panel 16 may be formed separately from the front panel 11. As a result, the front panel 11 and the step panel 16 may be made of different materials. As a result, even when the front panel 11 is made of a metal material or the like that is rigid or difficult to form, the step panel 16 may be made of a material that is easy to form so as to guide the withdrawal and the insertion of at least one of the detergent box and the filter 800 or expose at least one of those.
A mode of the control panel 100 may be switched to one of a washing mode that receives the command to perform the washing course or displays a state of the washing course and a drying mode that receives the command to perform the drying course or displays a state of the drying course.
In addition, when there is the auxiliary apparatus to be described below, the mode may be switched to an auxiliary mode that receives a command to execute the auxiliary apparatus or displays a state of the auxiliary apparatus.
The control panel 100 should implement all of the washing modes to perform the washing course, the drying modes to perform the drying course, and the auxiliary modes to execute the auxiliary apparatus.
Therefore, it is preferable that the control panel 100 is equipped entirely as a touch panel with physical buttons or the like omitted, and the washing mode, the drying mode, and the auxiliary mode are selectively displayed. As a result, a plurality of buttons and indicators to respectively perform the washing mode, the drying mode, and the auxiliary mode separately may be omitted.
The control panel 100 may include a display 150 in a central square portion.
The display 150 may display apparatus information I indicating which product's state is currently being displayed.
The apparatus information I may include composite information I1 that may control the composite apparatus 4. For example, the composite information I1 may include one or more of phrases, icons, and pictograms such as “washing and drying” or “composite apparatus”.
The apparatus information I may also include auxiliary information 12 that may control the auxiliary apparatus 5. For example, the auxiliary information 12 may include one or more of phrases, icons, and pictograms such as “mini wash” or “auxiliary apparatus”.
Each of a power unit 110 that receives a power command to supply the power to the control panel 100 and an execution unit 120 that receives an execution command to perform a selected course may be disposed on one side of the display 150.
When the power unit 110 is pressed, the control panel 100 may be activated by standby power and consume the power, but the integrated controller may not consume the power.
The execution unit 120 should be pressed so that the integrated controller may be controlled to perform a course to treat the laundry by receiving the power.
The power unit 110 and the execution unit 120 may be equipped as touch areas where a touch input is available, and thus, illuminate when the touch input is available and turn off when the touch input is not available.
The display 150 may display weight information related to a sensed weight of the laundry and state information related to selected course and option.
In addition, the display 150 may be equipped as a touch panel and also perform roles of a course selector 130 that receives a course selection command to select one of the courses provided by the laundry treating apparatus, and an option selector 140 that receives an option selection command to add additional conditions and functions to the course.
For example, the course selector 130 that may select the course may be displayed on the display 150. For example, a selected course C1 may be displayed in a large size, and alternative course C2 may be displayed in a small size on left and right sides. Thus, the display 150 may perform a function of the course selector 130.
The display 150 may further include a state display that displays the state of the laundry treating apparatus. The state display may display one or more of an internal water level state, an internal temperature state, a lock state, a sound transmission state, and a course progress state in a form of icons or the like.
The option selector 140 may be disposed outward of the course selector 130 or the area where the course is displayed. The option selector 140 may be disposed to be spaced downwardly apart from the state display.
When the option selector 140 is pressed, options that may be selected or adjusted may be displayed on the display 150. During such process, the display of the course selector 130 and the course C may disappear.
In one example, the display 150 may display an apparatus connector M that may activate the auxiliary apparatus 5 or control the auxiliary apparatus 5.
When the apparatus connector M is pressed, the display 150 is able to receive a command related to the auxiliary apparatus 5 while displaying a state related to the auxiliary apparatus 5.
The apparatus connector M may be marked as one or more of phrases such as “mini” or “auxiliary apparatus”, pictograms, and icons.
The auxiliary apparatus 5 may have a height and a volume smaller than those of the composite apparatus 4.
The auxiliary apparatus may be additionally installed to the composite apparatus 4 as the auxiliary laundry treating apparatus. In one example, the auxiliary apparatus 5 may be equipped independently.
When the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure is equipped as the auxiliary apparatus 5, the cabinet 10 may include an auxiliary cabinet 10b whose height is smaller than a width in the left and right direction and a length in the front and rear direction.
Because the auxiliary cabinet 10b has the small height, the auxiliary cabinet 10b may be disposed beneath the composite apparatus 4.
In one example, the auxiliary apparatus 5 may be disposed on top of the composite apparatus 4, but for the convenience of description, a following description will be based on assumption that the auxiliary apparatus 5 is disposed beneath the composite apparatus 4 or is disposed independently.
The auxiliary cabinet 10b may have the opening defined in the front surface thereof.
The auxiliary apparatus 5 may further include the drawer 80 that may be retracted and withdrawn via the opening in the auxiliary cabinet 10b.
The drawer 80 may include a drawer body 82 that accommodates therein a tub accommodating water therein or a rotating drum, a drawer panel 81 that is disposed in front of the drawer body 82 to open and close the opening, and a rail 83 that allows the drawer body 82 to be retracted into and withdrawn from the auxiliary cabinet 10b.
The drawer body 82 may be formed in a casing shape with an open top, and may further include an auxiliary door 29 that opens or closes the tub and the drum inside.
The auxiliary apparatus 5 may have the drawer 80, so that a use thereof may be prevented from being interfered with even when there is another laundry treating apparatus or home appliance thereon.
The auxiliary apparatus 5 may include, inside the drawer 80, an auxiliary tub 21b that accommodates water therein and an auxiliary drum 30b that is rotatably disposed in the auxiliary tub and is able to accommodate the laundry therein.
The auxiliary tub 21b and the auxiliary drum 30b may have heights smaller than diameters, and may have inlets into which the laundry is introduced in top surfaces thereof.
The auxiliary apparatus 5 may further include a water level sensor 26b that senses a water level of the auxiliary tub 21b. The water level sensor 26b may be in communication with the auxiliary tub 21b from the outside of the auxiliary tub 21b and sense the water level of the auxiliary tub 21b in a manner of sensing a pressure change inside the auxiliary tub 21b.
The auxiliary apparatus 5 may include the auxiliary door 29 coupled to an upper portion of the auxiliary tub 21b to prevent water or the laundry inside the auxiliary tub 21b from being arbitrarily leaked.
In addition, the auxiliary apparatus 5 may include an auxiliary driver 40b coupled to the auxiliary tub 21b to rotate the auxiliary drum 30b.
The auxiliary driver 40b may be disposed under the auxiliary tub 21b to rotate the auxiliary drum 30b.
The auxiliary driver 40b may include an auxiliary stator 41b coupled to a lower portion of the auxiliary tub 21b to generate a rotating magnetic field, an auxiliary rotor 42b rotated by the auxiliary stator 41b, and an auxiliary rotation shaft 43b rotated by the auxiliary rotor and coupled to a lower portion of the auxiliary drum 30b.
An auxiliary apparatus 5 of the present disclosure may further include an auxiliary water supply 50b that supplies water to the auxiliary tub 21b.
The auxiliary water supply 50b may include an auxiliary water supply valve 51b coupled to the auxiliary cabinet 10b, an auxiliary water supply pipe 52b that extends from the auxiliary water supply valve 51b to the drawer and supplies water, and an auxiliary box 53b that guides water supplied from the auxiliary water supply pipe 52b to the tub.
The auxiliary water supply pipe 52b may be formed in a structure that extends forward by a length of the drawer 80 that extends from the auxiliary cabinet 10b. The auxiliary box 53b may store the introduced detergent therein.
An auxiliary apparatus 5 of the present disclosure may further include an auxiliary drainage 60b that drains water from the auxiliary tub 21b.
The auxiliary drainage 60b may include an auxiliary discharge pipe 61b that discharges water from the auxiliary tub 21b, an auxiliary pump 62b coupled to the auxiliary discharge pipe 61b to provide power to discharge water, and an auxiliary drainage pipe 63b extending from the auxiliary pump 62b to the outside of the auxiliary cabinet 10b.
The auxiliary drainage pipe 63b may be formed in a structure that extends forward by the length of the drawer 80 that extends from the auxiliary cabinet 10b.
The support 70 may include an auxiliary suspension connecting an inner surface of the drawer 80 with an outer surface of the auxiliary tub 21b.
The drawer 80 should be withdrawn from the auxiliary cabinet 10b so that the user may put the laundry into or withdraw the laundry from the auxiliary drum 30b.
However, because the drawer 80 is withdrawn forward from the auxiliary cabinet 10b and the auxiliary cabinet 10b is disposed beneath the composite apparatus 4, the user may have to excessively bend his/her waist to extend the drawer 80 by hand, which may be inconvenient.
Therefore, the auxiliary apparatus 5 of the present disclosure may further include an withdrawer 87 that automatically withdraws the drawer 80 from the auxiliary cabinet 10b when the user's withdrawal command is input.
The withdrawer 87 may be disposed inside the auxiliary cabinet 10b so as to push the drawer 80 forward by a certain length. When the withdrawer 87 pushes the drawer 80 forward, the drawer 80 may be easily withdrawn forward because of the rail 83.
The withdrawer 87 may be coupled to a bottom surface of a top panel of the auxiliary cabinet 10b and may selectively pressurize the drawer panel 81 forward. The withdrawer 87 may be equipped as an electronic product that may automatically extend the drawer 80 by receiving current.
An auxiliary apparatus 5 of the present disclosure may further include a main controller 851 that controls the auxiliary water supply 50b, the auxiliary drainage 60b, and the auxiliary driver 40b to perform the course to treat the laundry.
The main controller 851 may receive the current and supply the current to the withdrawer 87.
The main controller 851 may operate the withdrawer 87 to push the drawer panel 81 forward.
The main controller 851 may be disposed on a rear surface of the top panel of the auxiliary cabinet 10b. A possibility that the main controller 851 may be interfered with by the extension/retraction of the drawer 80 or exposed to water contained in the tub 20 may be eliminated. The main controller 851 may be disposed close to the auxiliary water supply valve 51b coupled to a rear surface of the auxiliary cabinet 10b to easily control the auxiliary water supply valve 51b.
In one example, even when the withdrawer 87 is able to extend the drawer 80, there may be several situations in which the drawer 80 should be restricted from being withdrawn from the auxiliary cabinet 10b.
For example, because a safety accident may occur while the auxiliary driver 40b operates and the auxiliary drum 30 is rotated, the extension of the drawer 80 needs to be restricted.
In addition, when water is contained in the auxiliary tub 21b and the drawer 80 is withdrawn, an excessive load may be applied to the rail 83, which may damage the rail 83. In addition, when water is contained in the auxiliary tub 21b, the auxiliary apparatus 5 may overturn forward because of a load of the drawer 80 including a weight of the water. In addition, when water is contained in the auxiliary tub 21b, there is a risk that the water and the detergent contained in the auxiliary tub 21b may leak to the outside of the auxiliary cabinet 10b. Therefore, when water is contained in the auxiliary tub 21b, the extension of the drawer 80 needs to be restricted.
In addition, when water is supplied to or drained from the auxiliary tub 21b, the extension of the drawer 80 needs to be restricted.
In addition, when an arbitrary course in which the auxiliary apparatus 5 treats the laundry starts, when the corresponding course is being performed, or before end of the corresponding course, the extension of the drawer 80 needs to be restricted.
As such, when the drawer 80 needs to be restricted from being withdrawn, a state of the drawer 80 needs to be set to an extension unavailable state or the extension of the drawer 80 needs to be blocked.
When the extension of the drawer 80 needs to be restricted, the main controller 851 may control the withdrawer 87 to be blocked from operating.
However, even when the withdrawer 87 does not operate, when the user extends the drawer panel 81 forward and when the drawer 80 receives a force that causes the drawer 80 to be withdrawn forward by vibration generated in the auxiliary drum 30b, the drawer 80 may be arbitrarily withdrawn forward from the auxiliary cabinet 10b.
Therefore, in an auxiliary apparatus 5 of the present disclosure, when the extension of the drawer 80 needs to be restricted, a component that may prevent the extension of the drawer 80 in any case may be required.
To this end, an auxiliary apparatus 5 of the present disclosure may further include a drawer locker 88 that fixes the drawer 80 to the auxiliary cabinet 10b to prevent the drawer 80 from being withdrawn and fix a location where the drawer 80 is disposed.
The drawer locker 88 may be controlled by the main controller 851, and may be equipped as an electronic product that may be operated by receiving current via the main controller 851.
For example, the drawer locker 88 may include an actuator 881 installed in one of the drawer panel 81 and the drawer body 82, and a coupling bar 882 and 883 extending in the left and right direction from the actuator 881 and detachably coupled to the inside of the auxiliary cabinet 10b.
The coupling bar 882 and 883 may reciprocate between the actuator 881 and an inner surface of the auxiliary cabinet 10b by operation of the actuator 881.
The coupling bar 882 and 883 may include a first bar 882 that extends from the actuator 881 to one side and is selectively coupled to an inner surface of one side surface of the auxiliary cabinet 10b, and a second bar 883 that extends from the actuator 881 to the other side and is selectively coupled to an inner surface of the other side surface of the auxiliary cabinet 10b.
When the actuator 881 is installed in the drawer panel 81, it may be disposed to be biased to a left or right side with respect to a center of a width of the drawer panel 81 so as to avoid interference with the auxiliary tub 21b. In this case, the first bar 882 and the second bar 883 may have different lengths.
The main controller 851 may control the actuator 881 to selectively lock the drawer 80 to the auxiliary cabinet 10b, thereby preventing the drawer 80 from being withdrawn.
The drawer locker 88 may be controlled to unlock the drawer 80 in a state in which the extension of the drawer 80 is not restricted. For example, the drawer locker 88 may be controlled to unlock the drawer 80 in a state in which the rotation of the auxiliary drum 30 has stopped, a state in which water has been drained from the auxiliary tub 21b, and a state in which the execution of the course has stopped.
In addition, the withdrawer 87 may be operated to extend the drawer 80 in the state in which the extension of the drawer 80 is not restricted. For example, the withdrawer 87 may be controlled to extend the drawer 80 from the cabinet in the state in which the auxiliary driver 40b has stopped the rotation of the auxiliary drum 30, the state in which water has been drained from the auxiliary tub 21b, and the state in which the execution of the course has stopped.
An auxiliary apparatus 5 of the present disclosure may further include the auxiliary inputter 84 disposed on an exposed surface of the drawer to receive the command from the user.
The auxiliary apparatus 5 may receive a command to control the auxiliary apparatus 5 via the control panel 100 of the composite apparatus 4 by the composite apparatus 4. As a result, the user may avoid inconvenience of having to bend down or sit down to a vertical level at which the auxiliary apparatus 5 is located to control the auxiliary apparatus 5 located beneath the composite apparatus 4.
In addition, the auxiliary apparatus 5 may also omit installation of an independent control panel for the user to select the course of the auxiliary apparatus or for receiving the command to perform the course. As a result, the auxiliary apparatus 5 may form a sense of unity in which it is controlled together with the composite apparatus 4 as one apparatus.
However, because the auxiliary apparatus 5 is a component equipped separately from the composite apparatus 4, the auxiliary apparatus 5 may also need a means to independently receive the command from the user. The auxiliary inputter 84 may perform a role for the auxiliary apparatus 5 to receive an independent command.
However, because the auxiliary apparatus 5 is able to be controlled via the control panel 100 of the composite apparatus 4, it may not be necessary to have a plurality of auxiliary inputters 84 to receive various commands intended for the power unit, execution unit, the selector, and the like of the auxiliary apparatus 5. Accordingly, the auxiliary apparatus 5 may be equipped with a number of inputters 84 smaller than the number of the power unit, the execution unit, the selector, and the like.
Even in such case, even when the number of auxiliary inputters 84 is smaller than the number of commands actually received, it may be necessary to receive additional commands such as the extension of the drawer 80 unrelated to the composite apparatus 4, pairing with the auxiliary apparatus 5, power input of the auxiliary apparatus 5, and activation of the auxiliary apparatus 5.
To this end, in an auxiliary apparatus 5 of the present disclosure, the auxiliary inputter 84 may be equipped as the multi-function inputter 84 that receives the plurality of commands.
The multi-function inputter 84 may be set to receive different commands depending on situations. That is, even when only one multi-function inputter 84 is equipped, the multi-function inputter 84 may receive at least two commands.
For example, an auxiliary apparatus 5 of the present disclosure may be equipped with only one multi-function inputter 84, and the multi-function inputter 84 may receive all of the plurality of commands. In this case, the multi-function inputter 84 may receive the different commands depending on the situations. Accordingly, even when the multi-function inputter 84 is equipped as the single unit, it may be set to receive variable commands depending on the situation, thereby producing the same effect as if the plurality of inputters were equipped. In addition, the auxiliary apparatus 5 may omit a component that separately receives the commands, other than the multi-function inputter 84. Accordingly, the auxiliary apparatus 5 may minimize the number of multi-function inputters 84, thereby maximizing aesthetics.
In one example, the multi-function inputter 84 may include a plurality of multi-function inputters. However, even when the multi-function inputter 84 is equipped as the single unit, it may receive the plurality of commands and an auxiliary controller 852 may identify those, so that the multi-function inputter 84 may be equipped as the single unit with no problem.
The auxiliary apparatus 5 may receive the various commands even in a situation in which it is not controlled by the composite apparatus 4 by being equipped with the multi-function inputter 84.
The multi-function inputter 84 may be equipped as any component as long as it is able to receive the commands from the user. For example, the multi-function inputter 84 may be equipped as a touch film to sense a physical contact of the user or may be equipped as a button to sense a pressing force applied by the user.
The multi-function inputter 84 may be installed on the drawer panel 81 and always exposed to the outside. The multi-function inputter 84 may be installed on a front surface, which is an exposed surface of the drawer panel 81. The multi-function inputter 84 may be disposed closer to a top surface than to a bottom surface of the drawer panel 81 such that the user's command may be easily input.
The multi-function inputter 84 may be set to receive the different commands depending on the situations, and the user may learn which command the multi-function inputter 84 will receive for each situation.
For example, the multi-function inputter 84 may be set to receive a power command to supply power to the main controller 851 when the main controller 851 is in a power-off state.
The power command may include a so-called wake-up command that not only supplies the power to the main controller 851 when the main controller 851 is in the power-off state, but also activates the main controller 851 so as to be operable when the main controller 851 is in an idle state.
The main controller 851 supplies the power to power-consuming components such as the auxiliary driver 40b, the auxiliary water supply valve 51b, an auxiliary drainage pump 62b, the withdrawer 87, the drawer locker 88, the water level sensor 26b, and the like.
Therefore, when the power is supplied to the main controller 851, the power may be supplied to the auxiliary driver 40b, the auxiliary water supply valve 51b, the auxiliary drainage pump 62b, the withdrawer 87, the drawer locker 88, the water level sensor 26b, and the like, so that the auxiliary apparatus 5 may be set to be in a state in which it is able to treat the laundry.
When the multi-function inputter 84 is pressed and receives the power command, it may be set to supply the power to at least one of the auxiliary driver 40b, the auxiliary water supply valve 51b, the auxiliary drainage pump 62b, the withdrawer 87, the drawer locker 88, and the water level sensor 26b.
The main controller 851 may receive the power from the external power source via a separate outlet or the like. In addition, the main controller 851 may receive the power from the composite apparatus 4.
The multi-function inputter 84 may be set to always receive the power using the standby power even when the main controller 851 is in the power-off state.
The multi-function inputter 84 may be set to receive a command other than the power command when the power is supplied to the main controller 851.
For example, the multi-function inputter 84 may be set to receive the withdrawal command that causes the withdrawer 87 to extend the drawer 80 from the auxiliary cabinet 10b when the power is supplied to the main controller 851.
When the multi-function inputter 84 is pressed, the main controller 851 may consider that the withdrawal command has been input and control the withdrawer 87 to extend the drawer 80 from the auxiliary cabinet 10b.
In one example, the main controller 851 may first determine whether the drawer 80 is in the extendable state, and when the extension of the drawer 80 is not restricted, may sense the multi-function inputter 84 being pressed and extend the drawer 80 from the auxiliary cabinet 10b.
When the power is supplied to the main controller 851, the multi-function inputter 84 may be blocked from receiving the withdrawal command when the extension of the drawer 80 is restricted.
For example, when the multi-function inputter 84 is blocked from receiving the withdrawal command, the multi-function inputter 84 may be deactivated from receiving the withdrawal command. This may mean that the state of the multi-function inputter 84 has been switched to a state in which it is impossible to be pressed.
Alternatively, when the multi-function inputter 84 is blocked from receiving the withdrawal command, this may mean that settings have been switched to a state of receiving a command other than the power command or the withdrawal command. For example, rather than the multi-function inputter 84 being blocked from receiving the input, the multi-function inputter 84 may be set to receive a stop command to stop the operation of the auxiliary apparatus 5.
The multi-function inputter 84 may be set to receive a stop command to pause control performed by the main controller 851 when the power is supplied to the main controller 851, but in the situation in which the drawer 80 described above is restricted from being withdrawn from the auxiliary cabinet 10b.
For example, the multi-function inputter 84 may be set to receive a stop command to stop the auxiliary drum 30b in a state in which the auxiliary driver 40b rotates the auxiliary drum 30b.
In another example, when water is supplied to the auxiliary tub 21b, the multi-function inputter 84 may be set to receive a stop command to close the auxiliary water supply valve 51b.
When the auxiliary driver 40b is operating, the course is being performed, or water is accommodated in the auxiliary tub 21b while the power is supplied to the main controller 851, the main controller 851 may be set such that the pressurization of the multi-function inputter 84 is the stop command, not the withdrawal command.
In one example, when the auxiliary apparatus 5 was in the situation in which the extension of the drawer 80 was restricted, but the extension restriction of the drawer 80 was released and the drawer 80 is allowed to be withdrawn again, the multi-function inputter 84 may be set to receive the withdrawal command.
As a result, the multi-function inputter 84 may be set to receive the withdrawal command of the drawer 80 when the extension of the drawer 80 is not restricted, and may be set to receive the command other than the withdrawal command when the extension of the drawer 80 is restricted.
For example, the multi-function inputter 84 may be set to receive the stop command rather than the withdrawal command when the auxiliary driver 40b rotates the auxiliary drum 30b.
When the multi-function inputter 84 is pressed and the stop command is input, the operation of the auxiliary driver 40b may be stopped and the auxiliary drum 30b may be stopped. Thereafter, when all other situations that restrict the extension of the drawer 80, such as when water in the tub 21b is completely drained, when inside of the tub 21b is empty, when the course is stopped, or when the course is not being performed, are all resolved, the multi-function inputter 84 may be set to receive the withdrawal command again. That is, the multi-function inputter 84 may be set to receive the withdrawal command again when the drawer 80 is in the state in which the extension thereof is not restricted or when the state in which the extension of the drawer 80 is restricted is resolved.
When the multi-function inputter 84 receives the withdrawal command, the drawer locker 88 may be controlled to unlock the drawer. When it is considered that the withdrawal command has been input, the main controller 851 may control the actuator 881 to unlock the drawer 80 and operate the withdrawer 87 to extend the drawer 80 from the auxiliary cabinet 10b.
In one example, the auxiliary apparatus 5 may be controlled by the composite apparatus 4. The composite apparatus 4 may transmit a signal to control the composite apparatus 4 to the main controller 851, and the main controller 851 may control respective components with a corresponding command based on the signal received from the composite apparatus 4.
However, because the auxiliary apparatus 5 is a separate component from the composite apparatus 4 and may not be purchased together, the auxiliary apparatus 5 should first establish a mutual recognition or pairing with the composite apparatus 4 to be controlled by the composite apparatus 4.
To this end, the multi-function inputter 84 may receive a connection command for the auxiliary apparatus 5 to be paired with the composite apparatus 4.
The multi-function inputter 84 may receive the connection command in a manner different from the manner of receiving the stop command, the withdrawal command, or the power command. As a result, the multi-function inputter 84 may receive the connection command regardless of the state of the auxiliary apparatus 5.
For example, the multi-function inputter 84 may be set such that the connection command is input when being continuously pressed for a certain period of time.
The main controller 851 may be equipped to receive the connection command.
Alternatively, an auxiliary apparatus 5 of the present disclosure may further include the auxiliary controller 852 that may sense that the connection command is input.
Unlike the main controller 851, the auxiliary controller 852 may always be supplied with the power via the supply of the standby power. Accordingly, even when the main controller 851 is not in the state of being supplied with the power, the multi-function inputter 84 may be supplied with the power via the auxiliary controller 852, and when the connection command is input, the connection may be transmitted to the auxiliary controller 852.
In addition, the multi-function inputter 84 may be controlled by the auxiliary controller 852. Accordingly, the power command, the withdrawal command, and the stop command input from the multi-function inputter 84 may all be transmitted to the auxiliary controller 852.
When receiving the power command, the withdrawal command, the stop command, and the like, the auxiliary controller 852 may request the main controller 851 to execute the corresponding command.
When the main controller 851 is in the state of not being supplied with the power, the auxiliary controller 852 may supply the power to the main controller 851 when the multi-function inputter 84 is pressed. That is, the auxiliary controller 852 may supply the power to the main controller 851 to allow the main controller 851 to operate.
In addition, when the main controller 851 does not operate for a specific time or there is no signal input to the main controller 851 for a specific time, the main controller 851 may enter the idle state that minimizes power consumption.
The auxiliary controller 852 may request the main controller 851 to switch to an activated state again when the multi-function inputter 84 is pressed.
The auxiliary controller 852 may be connected to the multi-function inputter 84 via a first wire 891, and the auxiliary controller 852 may be connected to the main controller 851 via a second wire 892.
When the main controller 851 is connected to the external power source, the auxiliary controller 852 may always receive the power via the second wire 892, regardless of whether the main controller 851 is in the state of not being supplied with the power or whether the main controller 851 is in the idle state.
In addition, the auxiliary controller 852 may supply the power to the multi-function inputter 84 via the first wire 891. The auxiliary controller 852 may also be in communication with the main controller 851 via the second wire 892.
In addition, the main controller 851 may control the withdrawer 87 via a third wire 893 and may control the drawer locker 88 via a fourth wire 894.
In one example, the auxiliary controller 852 may include an auxiliary communication module that may be in communication with the outside. The auxiliary communication module may be equipped as any component as long as it is able to exchange signals with the outside in a wireless method such as WiFi or Bluetooth. Accordingly, the auxiliary controller 852 may be in communication with the main communication module installed in the composite apparatus 4, and may be in communication with an external terminal or a router.
When the multi-function inputter 84 is pressed for 1 second or more, it may be considered that the auxiliary controller 852 has received the connection command. Accordingly, a communication module that may be in communication with the auxiliary controller 852 may be searched. In such process, when the composite apparatus 4 has also received the connection command to be connected to the auxiliary apparatus 5, the main communication module 1400 may also search for the auxiliary controller 852.
When the auxiliary controller 852 and the main communication module 1400 establish the pairing and the mutual recognition with each other, all components of the auxiliary apparatus 5 may be controlled by the control panel 100.
When the multi-function inputter 84 receives the connection command, and when there are settings of being previously paired with the composite apparatus 4 or the like, the settings may be cleared.
That is, information, addresses (mac addresses), or the like for recognizing the main communication module 1400 of the composite apparatus 4 may all be deleted in the auxiliary controller 852, so that the auxiliary controller 852 may be set to be newly paired to the composite apparatus 4.
The control panel 100 may transmit a signal to directly control all components of the auxiliary apparatus 5 to the auxiliary controller 852, the auxiliary controller 852 may transmit the corresponding signal to the main controller 851 via the second wire 892, and the main controller 851 may control the auxiliary apparatus 5 in response to the corresponding signal.
For the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 to be paired with each other, not only should the connection command be input to the auxiliary apparatus 5 via the multi-function inputter 84, but also the connection command should be input to the composite apparatus 4 via the control panel 100.
In other words, the connection command should be input to both of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 so that the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 may recognize each other and be paired with each other. As a result, the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 may be prevented from being arbitrarily paired with an apparatus located at a different location or with another person's product. In addition, arbitrary release of the paring of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 and arbitrary pairing of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 with another person's product may be prevented.
Via the control panel 100, the user may receive the connection command for the composite apparatus 4 to set pairing with the auxiliary apparatus 5. When the connection command is input via the control panel 100, the main communication module 1400 connected to the control panel 100 may receive the connection command and search for the auxiliary controller 852 to set up the pairing (Step a).
When the user presses the multi-function inputter 84 for a set time, the connection command may be input to the auxiliary controller 852. The set time may be set to is or longer.
When receiving the connection command, the auxiliary controller 852 may search for the main communication module 1400 in the composite apparatus 4 (Step b).
Steps a and b may be performed in any order. However, for the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 to be paired with each other, both steps a and b should be performed.
When the main communication module 1400 recognizes the auxiliary controller 852 and the auxiliary controller 852 also recognizes the main communication module 1400, the main communication module 1400 and the auxiliary controller 852 may check whether the counterpart devices are ready for the pairing (Step c).
The main communication module 1400 may provide the auxiliary controller 852 with address information (a mac address) that allows the auxiliary controller 852 to recognize the main communication module 1400 and to be in communication with the main communication module 1400. The auxiliary controller 852 may also provide the main communication module 1400 with address information (a mac address) that allows the main communication module 1400 to recognize the auxiliary controller 852 and to be in communication with the auxiliary controller 852.
The main communication module 1400 may recognize that the auxiliary controller 852 has received the connection command and is in a state of preparing for the pairing by receiving the address information (the mac address) from the auxiliary controller 852.
In addition, the auxiliary controller 852 may recognize that the main communication module 1400 has received the connection command and is in the state of preparing for the pairing by receiving the address information (the mac address) from the main communication module 1400.
The main communication module 1400 and the auxiliary controller 852 may recognize each other's address via the address information exchanged with each other and establish a pairing state, enabling future signal exchange therebetween.
When the main communication module 1400 and the auxiliary controller 852 are paired with each other and recognize each other, the pairing may be established immediately when the power is supplied without receiving the connection command again or receiving the address information (the mac address).
Usually, such pairing process may be performed when the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 are purchased or when one of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 is purchased first and the other is purchased.
Alternatively, such pairing process may be performed when the user replaces or changes one of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5.
In the case of the auxiliary apparatus 5, the connection command may be input by pressing the multi-function inputter 84 for the set time, but the composite apparatus 4 may receive the connection command via the control panel 100.
Referring to
When the composite apparatus 4 has never been paired with the auxiliary apparatus 5 or the pairing thereof with the auxiliary apparatus 5 is released, the control panel 100 may receive the connection command to be paired with the auxiliary apparatus 5 via pressurization of the apparatus connector M.
Referring to
That is, when the connection information is input, the control panel 100 may display, on the display 150, the state in which the main communication module 1400 has recognized the auxiliary controller 852 and is in communication therewith to be paired therewith.
The guidance information G may include recognition information G1 confirming that the auxiliary apparatus 5 where the auxiliary controller 852 that has transmitted the address information is installed has been recognized, and confirmation information G2 for confirming whether the pairing with the auxiliary apparatus 5 will actually be approved.
The recognition information G1 may include at least one of phrases, icons, and pictograms indicating a type of the auxiliary apparatus 5 preparing for the pairing, such as “Mini apparatus confirmed”.
The confirmation information G2 may include at least one of phrases, icons, and pictograms requesting confirmation again on whether the pairing will actually be performed, such as “Would you like to connect?”.
The display 150 may further display an approval inputter for receiving a final command on whether to actually approve the pairing together with the guidance information G.
The approval inputter may include an approval unit Y that receives an approval command for immediately performing the pairing, and a rejection unit N that receives a rejection command for not performing the pairing.
The above approval unit Y and the rejection unit N may be displayed to be spaced apart from each other, and may be set to receive the corresponding commands when areas where they are displayed are pressed.
As such, the composite apparatus 4 may display a list of devices ready for the pairing when the pairing is prepared via the control panel 100, and may receive a final confirmation on whether to actually perform the pairing with the corresponding device.
As a result, even when the separate display is omitted in the composite apparatus 4, when the multi-function inputter 84 of the composite apparatus 4 is pressed for the set time or longer, the composite apparatus 4 may finalize the pairing without requiring any additional command.
In one example, when the composite apparatus 4 is in the state of being paired with the auxiliary apparatus 5, and when the apparatus connector M is pressed, the display 150 may display the power unit, the execution unit, the course selector, the option selector, and the guidance information G for controlling the auxiliary apparatus 5.
The control panel 100 may display respective state information of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 to be divided from each other when the pairing of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 is completed.
The control panel 100 may also display state information of only an apparatus to which the power command has been input from among the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5. In this case, the user may intuitively recognize an apparatus currently in operation or preparing for the operation via the apparatus information I displayed on the control panel 100.
Alternatively, the control panel 100 may display both of the state information of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5, while emphasizing state information of the apparatus that is in the operation preparing state or in the operating state as the power command has been input thereto. In this case, the user may intuitively recognize that the pairing of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 has been completed via display of both the composite information I1 and the auxiliary information 12 on the control panel 100.
The control panel 100 may display the state information of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 to be divided from each other when both the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 are in operation.
The control panel 100 may display the state information of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 to be divided from each other in the left and right direction as illustrated.
Alternatively, the control panel 100 may display the state information of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 to be divided from each other in the vertical direction.
When both the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 are in operation, the composite information I1 may be displayed on one section of the display 150. As a result, the information displayed on the corresponding section may inform the user that the state information for the composite apparatus 4 is displayed. In addition, the auxiliary information 12 may be displayed on the remaining one section of the display 150. Accordingly, the information displayed on the corresponding area may inform the user that the state information for the auxiliary apparatus 5 is displayed.
For example, when the power unit 110 is pressed in the composite apparatus 4 and the weight of the laundry stored in the drum 30 is sensed, the display 150 may display sensing information G1 indicating that the composite apparatus is sensing the weight of the laundry on the section 151 where the composite information I1 is displayed.
The sensing information G1 may include one or more of phrases, icons, and pictogram containing a content indicating that the weight of the laundry is being sensed, such as “Weight measurement in progress”.
When the auxiliary apparatus 5 is performing a course such as “small amount washing”, the display 150 may display, on the section 152 where the auxiliary information 12 is displayed, at least one of course information Cm indicating a name or a type of the course being performed, time information Tm indicating a remaining time of the course being performed, and cycle information Gm indicating which cycle of the course is currently being performed.
In one example, even when the composite apparatus 4 is performing the course, the course information, the time information, and the cycle information may be displayed on the section where the composite information I1 is displayed, and when the auxiliary apparatus 5 measures the weight, the sensing information may be displayed on the section where the auxiliary information 12 is displayed.
As a result, when the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 are paired with each other, the control panel 100 may be set to display both the states of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 and receive a command to control both the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5.
The user may manipulate the control panel 100 to control the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 simultaneously or control only the auxiliary apparatus 5.
The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform an input step A1 in which the connection command is input to both of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5.
The input step A1 may include inputting the connection command to the composite apparatus 4 in a manner that the apparatus connector M is pressed on the control panel 100, and inputting the connection command to the auxiliary apparatus 5 in a manner that the multi-function inputter 84 is pressed for the set time or longer.
In the input step A1, it does not matter which apparatus of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 receives the connection command first, and the input step A1 may be completed when the connection command is input to both the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5.
When the input step A1 is completed, the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 may perform an information transmission step A2 of transmitting information, programs, and the like for them to mutually recognize each other and be in communication with each other.
The information transmission step A2 may include the composite apparatus 4 searching for an apparatus that may be paired therewith, and transmitting the recognition information including the address information (the mac address) for accessing the main communication module 1400 when the corresponding apparatus is found.
In addition, the information transmission step A2 may include the auxiliary apparatus 5 searching for an apparatus that may be paired therewith, and transmitting the recognition information including the address information (the mac address) for accessing the auxiliary controller 852 when the corresponding apparatus is found.
When the information transmission step A2 is completed, the auxiliary apparatus 5 and the composite apparatus 4 may perform a checking step A3 of checking whether the communication is established with the counterpart apparatus that has been recognized and exchanged the recognition information and whether the communication is able to be maintained continuously.
In the checking step A3, the composite apparatus 4 may check whether it is in a state in which it is not only in communication with the auxiliary apparatus 5 in real time, but also is able to continuously transmit and receive signals, and the auxiliary apparatus 5 may check whether it is in a state in which it is not only in communication with the composite apparatus 4 in real time, but also is able to continuously transmit and receive signals.
In the checking step A3, a normal communication state in which the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 not only have completed the mutual recognition, but also are in communication with each other and are able to exchange the signals with each other may be confirmed. Further, an approval step A5 of finally reviewing whether the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 will establish the pairing may be performed.
Because the auxiliary apparatus 5 does not have a separate component that receives a command regarding whether to approve the pairing, the corresponding approval step A4 may be performed in the composite apparatus 4, an external terminal, or the like.
The approval step A4 may include pressing an area corresponding to one of the approval unit Y and the rejection unit N in the approval inputter displayed on the display 150 of the control panel 100.
Alternatively, the approval step A4 may be applied in any way as long as there is a method for confirming whether the pairing with the auxiliary apparatus 5 will actually be performed.
In the approval step A5, when the approval inputter is pressed, a determination step A5 of determining whether to actually perform the pairing or to stop the pairing may be performed.
The determination step A5 may include a confirmation step A5-1 of establishing and maintaining the pairing between the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 as the approval unit Y is pressed in the approval step A4, and a release step A5-2 of releasing the pairing between the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 and also releasing the communication connection as the rejection unit N is pressed in the approval step A4.
When the confirmation step A5-1 is performed, the main communication module 1400 of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary controller 852 of the auxiliary apparatus 5 may store the recognition information of the counterpart apparatuses.
When the main communication module 1400 and the auxiliary controller 852 are equipped to use the standby power, the communication may always be maintained.
When the main communication module 1400 and the auxiliary controller 852 are powered off and then powered back on, they may automatically recognize each other via the address information and establish the pairing therebetween.
When the release step A5-2 is performed, the main communication module 1400 of the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary controller 852 of the auxiliary apparatus 5 may delete the recognition information including the address information received from each other.
The release of the pairing may be based on the assumption that the pairing has already been set.
Therefore, once the pairing between the composite apparatus 4 and the auxiliary apparatus 5 is set, a maintenance step B1 of maintaining the paired state is performed without taking any special measures thereafter.
However, a checking step B2 of checking whether the connection command is input again to the auxiliary apparatus 5 may also be performed at the same time.
In the checking step B2, when the connection command is input, it may be considered that the auxiliary apparatus 5 is performing the pairing again or preparing to pair with another apparatus.
Even though the auxiliary apparatus 5 is already in the state in which the pairing is set with the composite apparatus 4, when the multi-function inputter 84 is pressed a rain for the set time, the auxiliary controller 852 may perform a release step B3 of releasing the pairing with the main communication module 1400. When the release step B3 is performed, the main communication module 1400 may also recognize the state in which the pairing has been released and may transmit information indicating that the pairing has been released to the control panel 100.
The control panel 100 may notify the fact that the pairing has been released via the display 150.
When the release step B3 is performed, the auxiliary controller 852 may perform a deletion step B4 of deleting the recognition information including the address information of the composite apparatus 4 that was previously received. As a result, the auxiliary controller 852 may return to a state for pairing with a new apparatus.
The release step B3 and the deletion step B4 may be limited to those related to the pairing of the composite apparatus 4. That is, when the auxiliary controller 852 has been paired with the external terminal, the pairing may be released from the external terminal.
The present disclosure may be modified and implemented in various forms, so that the scope of rights thereof is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Therefore, when the modified embodiment includes elements of the claims of the present disclosure, it should be considered to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0129425 | Sep 2023 | KR | national |
