CN116888319A

CN116888319A - Laundry treatment apparatus and control method of laundry treatment apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN116888319A
Application number: CN202280016705.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 金正勋; 金经勋; 裴纯哲; 赵映汉; 韩仁佑
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2021-02-23
Filing date: 2022-02-23
Publication date: 2023-10-13
Also published as: WO2022182113A1; US20240125032A1; AU2022226822A1; KR20220120365A; EP4299817A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus and a control method thereof. The laundry treating apparatus is capable of receiving an input of an instruction for changing an execution time of a process or option of performing washing or drying, and of extending or shortening the execution time when the instruction is input.

Description

Laundry treatment apparatus and control method of laundry treatment apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus and a control method of the laundry treatment apparatus.

Background

In general, a laundry treating apparatus refers to an apparatus capable of performing washing, drying, or both washing and drying of laundry or the like. Here, the laundry treating apparatus may perform only a washing or drying function, or may perform both washing and drying.

Such a laundry treatment apparatus includes any course or option for performing washing or drying of laundry, the execution time of which is calculated based on the laundry amount. For example, if the laundry amount is large, the execution time is set relatively long, and if the laundry amount is small, the execution time is set relatively short.

Fig. 1 shows a control method of a conventional laundry treating apparatus for performing an arbitrary process or option (refer to korean laid-open patent publication nos. 10-2009-007097 and 10-2008-0102611, etc.).

Fig. 1 (a) illustrates a control method of the conventional laundry treating apparatus to perform any process or option.

Referring to fig. 1 (a), the conventional laundry treating apparatus may include: a power supply step s1 of supplying power to the laundry treating apparatus by inputting (on) a power button; a selection step s2 of selecting an appropriate course or option from a control panel of the laundry treating apparatus; and a start step s3 of inputting an execution button for running the process or option.

In the case where the conventional laundry treatment apparatus is provided as a front loading type (front load type) washing machine in which an opening into which laundry is put is provided in front of a cabinet, if the starting step s3 is performed, a door locking step s4 of fixing the opening to the cabinet may be performed.

After that, the conventional laundry treating apparatus performs a laundry amount detecting step S5 of rotating a drum or the like accommodating laundry and detecting the amount of laundry by the value of the applied current. If the laundry amount is calculated, the control part of the existing laundry treating apparatus performs a time display step S6 of displaying the estimated execution time of the selected course or option to the user, and then performs an operation step S7 of automatically operating the course or option.

However, the laundry amount detecting step S5 and the time displaying step S6 of the existing laundry treating apparatus are performed after the starting step S3 of causing the user to perform a process or option. Therefore, there is a problem in that the user is forced to input the operation of the process or option in a state where information about the laundry amount or the estimated execution time is not received.

As a result, there is a problem that the user cannot actively control the execution time of the procedure or option, and the time display step S6 cannot exert a function from the service level other than simply displaying simple information to the user.

Further, the conventional laundry treatment apparatus has a problem in that, even if the execution time displayed at the time display step S6 does not meet the current intention or situation of the user, the user is not given a room to take an active measure such as increasing or decreasing laundry.

In addition, the conventional laundry treatment apparatus has a problem in that, even if the execution time of a selected course or option does not meet the intention, if a change is desired, an active measure such as arbitrarily re-turning off (off) the power of the washing machine must be taken, otherwise the course or option cannot be canceled or changed.

Such inconvenience has a problem of being further maximized in case of remotely controlling the existing laundry treating apparatus.

Fig. 1 (b) shows a rotation state of the drum when the conventional laundry treating apparatus detects the laundry amount.

Referring to fig. 1 (b), the conventional laundry treating apparatus rotates the drum D in the I direction to detect the amount of the laundry L.

Specifically, the conventional laundry treating apparatus rotates the drum D in the I direction, and calculates the weight of the laundry L by measuring a current value applied to or outputted from a driving part rotating the drum.

In the conventional laundry treating apparatus, when the drum D is rotated in order to detect the laundry amount, only the laundry L located on the bottom surface of the drum is lifted up inside the drum D, and then falls down in the direction II by gravity and is separated from the inner wall of the drum.

Therefore, the conventional laundry treating apparatus has a limitation in that it is necessary to continuously rotate the drum D in the I direction for more than one turn and calibrate the current value applied or outputted in order to detect the exact weight of the laundry L.

As a result, the conventional laundry treatment apparatus has a problem in that a time for detecting the laundry amount is inevitably longer than a time for continuously rotating the drum.

In addition, the conventional laundry treating apparatus has a problem in that the required time of the laundry amount detecting step S5 is set to be relatively long, and thus the time displaying step S6 of displaying the execution time of a course or option cannot be rapidly guided to the user.

Accordingly, the conventional laundry treating apparatus has a problem of fundamentally preventing a possibility that a user can apply laundry amount information or estimate an execution time.

Further, the conventional laundry treatment apparatus has a problem in that convenience of a user cannot be ensured because the user cannot adjust the execution time of a certain process or option.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention provides a clothes treating apparatus capable of informing a user of estimated execution time of a process or an option immediately before executing the process or the option.

The present invention provides a clothes treating apparatus capable of adjusting the execution time of a process or options for executing a washing program, a rinsing program and a dewatering program within a preset range.

The present invention provides a clothes treatment device capable of enabling a user to adjust execution time within an upper limit or a lower limit of any process or option.

The present invention provides a clothes treatment device capable of changing the execution time of one or more of a washing program, a rinsing program and a dewatering program when a user changes the execution time of any process or option.

The invention provides a clothes treatment device capable of maintaining washing effect even if a user changes the execution time of any process or option.

The present invention provides a clothes treatment device capable of maintaining dewatering effect even if a user changes the execution time of any process or option.

Technical proposal for solving the problems

The laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may include: a time adjustment section that receives an input of an instruction for extending or shortening an execution time of the selected process or option; and a control unit that, if the time adjustment unit is input, extends or shortens the execution time of the selected process or option to execute the process or option.

If the time adjustment unit is inputted, the control unit may lengthen or shorten the execution time of one or more of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process, which are executed in the selected course or option.

When the time adjustment unit is input, the control unit may change the rpm of the drum set in at least one of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process, or may change the ratio (actual operation rate) of the drum rotation in any one of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process.

The control part may change an actual operation rate of the drum in the washing course if the time adjustment part is inputted.

If the time adjustment part is inputted with an instruction to extend the execution time, the control part may decrease the actual operation rate in the washing program.

The control part may increase an actual operation rate in the washing program if the time adjustment part is inputted with an instruction to shorten an execution time.

The control part may further increase the execution time or the number of times of the rinsing process if the time adjustment part is inputted with an instruction to extend the execution time.

If the time adjustment part is inputted with an instruction to shorten the execution time, the control part may maintain the execution time or the number of times of the rinsing process.

If the time adjustment unit receives an instruction to extend the execution time, the control unit may decrease the rpm of the drum in the dehydration process.

The control part may maintain an rpm of the drum higher than a medium speed rpm at which the laundry is separated from the inner wall of the drum in the dehydrating process.

If the time adjustment part is inputted with an instruction to shorten the execution time, the control part may increase the rpm of the drum in the dehydration process.

If the time adjustment part is inputted, the control part may proportionally lengthen or shorten the respective execution times of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process.

The control part may detect the laundry amount by controlling the driving part, calculate an execution time of the selected course or option according to the detected laundry amount, and transmit the calculated execution time to the display part.

The control unit may display a signal for guiding the adjustment of the time adjustment unit on the display unit if the execution time is equal to or longer than a reference time.

An operation section that receives an input of an instruction for operating any one of the selected processes or options may be included, and the display section may display an estimated time of the any one of the processes or options before the operation section is input.

Effects of the invention

The present invention has the effect of being able to inform the user of the estimated execution time of the process or option immediately before executing the process or option.

The present invention has the effect of enabling the user to adjust the execution time of the process or option providing the method of executing the washing program, the rinsing program, the dehydrating program within a predetermined range.

The invention has the effect of enabling the user to adjust the execution time within the upper or lower limits of any process or option.

The invention has the effect of changing the execution time of one or more of the washing program, the rinsing program and the dewatering program when the user changes the execution time of any process or option.

The invention has the effect of maintaining the washing effect even if the user changes the execution time of any process or option.

The present invention has the effect of maintaining the dewatering effect even if the user changes the execution time of any process or option.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a control method of a conventional laundry treating apparatus.

Fig. 2 shows an external embodiment of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates an internal structural embodiment of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows a control configuration of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows a control panel embodiment of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a control method of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a control method of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 8 shows an additional embodiment of a control method of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 9 shows a control method of changing operation time of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention.

Fig. 10 illustrates an embodiment of execution time of a change course or option of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 11 illustrates another embodiment of the execution time of the changing process or option of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 12 shows an embodiment of the laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention in which the execution time of the washing program is changed.

Fig. 13 shows an embodiment of the clothes treating apparatus of the present invention in which the execution time of the dehydrating process is changed.

Fig. 14 shows a laundry amount detecting method of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 15 shows a drum rotation angle at the time of laundry amount detection of the laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 16 shows a specific process of laundry amount detection of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 17 shows an embodiment in which the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention detects the laundry amount using only the moment of inertia.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present specification are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same and similar reference numerals are given to the same and similar components even in different embodiments, and the description thereof is replaced with the first description. As used in this specification, the singular includes the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of the related known technology may confuse the gist of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, a detailed description thereof is omitted. In addition, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings are only for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and should not be construed as limiting the technical ideas disclosed in the present specification by the drawings.

Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention, and fig. 3 illustrates an internal structure of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention.

In an orthogonal coordinate system shown in the drawings, positive and negative directions of an x-axis are defined as front and rear of the laundry treating apparatus, respectively, and positive and negative directions of a z-axis are defined as upper and lower of the laundry treating apparatus, respectively. In addition, a positive direction of the y-axis is defined as a right side of the laundry treating apparatus, and a negative direction of the y-axis is defined as a left side of the laundry treating apparatus.

Referring to fig. 2, the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present invention may include: a case 10 forming an external appearance; and a laundry accommodation portion 20' provided inside the cabinet 10 to accommodate laundry.

The case 10 may include: an opening 12 forming an external appearance of the laundry treating apparatus 1, and capable of putting in or taking out laundry through the opening 12; and a door 13 for opening and closing the opening 12. The door 13 may be rotatably connected to the front surface of the case 10, and the opening portion 12 may be opened and closed with the rotation of the door 13.

On the other hand, although fig. 2 shows the front-loading type laundry treating apparatus in which the opening 12 and the door 13 of the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present invention are formed on the front surface of the cabinet 10, this is only an example, and the top-loading type laundry treating apparatus may be provided in which the opening 12 and the door 13 are formed on the upper surface of the cabinet 10.

The door 13 may be configured to be locked (Locking) when coupled with the opening 12 so that the opening 12 cannot be arbitrarily opened. The door 13 may lock the opening 12 by means of a solenoid, a direct fastening member, or the like.

The front surface of the case 10 may be provided with: a detergent box 14 for containing a detergent or a fabric softener and being detachably accommodated in the case; and a control panel 16 capable of inputting an operation instruction to the laundry treating apparatus or displaying a state of the laundry treating apparatus.

The detergent box 14 and the control panel 16 may be disposed at an upper portion than the opening portion 12, and can be easily grasped or contacted by a user.

The detergent box 14 may be provided to be able to be drawn forward, and may store therein a powder detergent or a liquid detergent. For example, the detergent box may be a drawer type.

The control panel 16 may be provided at one side of the detergent box 14, and may include: an input part 18 for receiving an operation instruction including option information related to a washing course and washing inputted by a user; and a display unit 17 for displaying the inputted information and the progress of washing.

The input unit 18 may be a button type or a knob type, or may be provided as a touch panel. The display unit 17 may include a display unit having liquid crystal and a speaker for outputting sound, but may be provided in any form as long as the state of the laundry treating apparatus 1 can be displayed, and may be provided integrally with the input unit 18.

On the other hand, the control panel 16 may be provided with a control portion P for controlling the laundry treatment apparatus 1.

The control section may control the electrical components of the laundry treating apparatus 1 described later by receiving power supply from an external power source.

In this case, since the electric components (hereinafter, load units) are connected in parallel to the control unit, each load unit (driving unit, water supply valve, communication module, etc.) can operate independently of the other.

The laundry accommodation portion 20' provided to be accommodated in the cabinet 10 may include: an outer tub 20 storing water; and a drum 30 rotatably provided inside the tub 20 to accommodate laundry.

Referring to fig. 3, the tub 20 may be disposed inside the cabinet 10, forming a space for storing wash water. For example, the outer tub may have a cylindrical shape.

The outer tub 20 may include: an outer tub putting opening 21 through which laundry can be put in or taken out; and an outer tub supporting part 23 to fix the outer tub 20 to the inside of the cabinet 10. The outer tub delivery port 21 may communicate with the delivery port 12. The tub supporting part 23 may be disposed under the tub 20, and may attenuate vibration generated at the tub 20. For example, the tub supporting part may include a damper, a spring, etc.

The outer tub 20 may further include a water level sensor 90 at one side thereof to measure the water level inside the outer tub. The water level sensor 90 may include: an extension pipe extending from the lower end of the outer tub to the upper part; a diaphragm (diaphragm) arranged to seal the top end of the extension tube; and a sensor that detects a vibration frequency of the diaphragm.

In addition, the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present invention may be further provided with a vibration sensor 92 detecting vibrations inside the tub 20. The vibration sensor 92 may be configured to detect at least one of vibrations of x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis and transmit a state of the inside of the tub to the control part.

The drum 30 may include a drum input port 31 rotatably provided inside the outer tub 20, through which laundry can be put in or taken out. For example, the drum may have a cylindrical shape. The drum input port 31 may communicate with the input port 12 and the tub input port 21. Accordingly, laundry may be introduced into the inside of the drum 30 through the input port 12, the tub input port 21, and the drum input port 31 in sequence.

On the other hand, a gasket 19 may be further provided between the dispensing opening 12 of the case 10 and the outer tub dispensing opening 21 of the outer tub 20. The gasket 19 may prevent the washing water inside the tub 20 from leaking out to the cabinet 10, and may prevent vibration generated at the tub 20 from being transferred to the cabinet 10. For example, the pad may be formed of an elastic member.

A plurality of through holes 33 communicating with the tub 20 may be formed in the inner circumferential surface of the drum 30. The washing water received in the inside of the tub 20 may be supplied to the inside of the drum 30 through the through-holes 33, and the washing water in the inside of the drum 30 may be discharged to the tub 20 through the through-holes 33.

On the other hand, the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present invention may include: a driving part 9 coupled to the tub 20 and rotating the drum 30; a water supply part 70 for supplying washing water to the inside of the tub 20; and a drain portion 80 for draining the washing water of the outer tub 20 to the outside.

The drain part 80 may include a drain pipe 81 communicating with the outer tub 20, and may further include a drain pump 82 connected to the drain pipe and providing power for draining water to the outer tub 20.

The water supply part 70 may include a water supply pipe 71 to supply water to the tub 20 and a water supply valve 72 to open and close the water supply pipe 71, and the water supply pipe 71 may be provided to communicate with the detergent box 14.

Accordingly, the detergent box 14 may be further provided to communicate with the tub 20, and automatically supply detergent to the tub 20 when water is supplied.

On the other hand, the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present invention may further include a circulation part 80a to circulate the water discharged from the tub 20 again. The circulating part may include: a circulation passage 81a connected at both ends to the outer tub 20; and a circulation pump 82b for supplying power to the circulation flow path.

The circulation pump 82b may be provided to communicate with the bottom surface of the tub 20 to pressurize the washing water, and the circulation flow path 81a may be provided to have one side connected to the circulation pump and the other side connected to the gasket 19 to be able to spray the washing water into the inside of the drum.

However, the circulation flow path and the circulation pump are required to spray the washing water stored in the tub, and thus it is not excluded that the washing water is sprayed into the drum through the spray water supply flow path connected to the water supply source outside the cabinet.

That is, as long as the spray water supply path has a nozzle having one side connected to a water supply source and the other side connected to the tub so as to spray the washing water into the drum, the washing water can be sprayed into the drum during the filtering and pressing motions.

In addition, the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present invention may further include balancers 51, 53 for attenuating vibration generated at the drum 30. The balancers 51 and 53 can remove eccentricity of the drum 30 caused by the laundry being biased to one side inside the drum 30. That is, the balancers 51, 53 may be moved to a specific position according to the control of the microcomputer, thereby reducing unbalance of the drum 30.

At this time, the balancer may be disposed in front of and behind the drum 30, respectively, or may be disposed only in front of or behind the drum 30. For example, the balancer may include a front balancer 51 and a rear balancer 53 disposed in front of and behind the drum 30, respectively. The balancers 51, 53 may be ball balancers, liquid balancers, or the like.

The driving part 9 may be disposed at an outer side of the tub 20, coupled to a rear surface of the tub 20, or connected to the drum 30 through the rear surface of the tub 20. The driving part 9 may be fixed to the rear surface of the tub 20, and may convert electric energy into mechanical energy. That is, power supply may be received from the outside to rotate the drum 30.

The driving section 9 may include: a stator 91 for generating a magnetic field (magnetic field); a rotor 93 that rotates inside the stator 91 due to the magnetic field; and a rotation shaft 95 penetrating the rear surface of the tub 20 to connect the drum 30 and the rotor 93.

The driving part may be a BLDC (brushless-Less Direct Current) motor. In this case, the stator 41 may be formed of a coil, and the rotor 93 may be a permanent magnet. On the other hand, a rotation shaft bearing 25 rotatably supporting the rotation shaft 95 may be further provided on the rear surface of the outer tub 20.

Fig. 4 shows a configuration of a control unit for controlling a load according to the present invention.

The control part P may be provided to a control panel or the like, and may be configured to receive an instruction to operate the laundry treating apparatus through the input part 16 and perform a washing course and options. That is, the control part P may be configured to perform the determined washing course and option, and control the water supply valve 72, the drain pump 82, and the driving part 9 using the water level information detected by the water level sensor 90.

In addition, the control part P may provide the current state of the laundry treating apparatus through the display part 17, and may be configured to detect the vibration of the drum through a current value applied to the vibration sensor 92 or the driving part 9.

On the other hand, the control unit P may further include a parallel computing device P1 capable of receiving and processing various signals such as a signal value of the vibration sensor 92, a current value applied to the driving unit 40, and rpm of the drum 30.

The control unit P may further include a storage unit P2, and the storage unit P2 may store data values processed by the parallel arithmetic device, may store an algorithm capable of operating the parallel arithmetic device P1, or may store various electric signals input to the parallel arithmetic device P1.

The control unit P of the present invention can implement artificial Neural Network learning Logic (Logic) for generating an artificial Neural Network (Neural Network) by the parallel computing device P1 and the storage unit P2. The artificial neural network may be used to derive a coherent result value by combining and analyzing a plurality of factors.

The conventional control unit has a problem that only one output value can be derived from one input value. However, the laundry processing apparatus of the present invention can apply two or more signals through the parallel operation device P1, and thus, can acquire required information more accurately than when one information is applied.

On the other hand, the storage part P2 may previously store a plurality of processes or options for operating the laundry treating apparatus. A plurality of the processes or options may be constituted by a method or a sequence of operating the water supply valve 72, the driving part 9, the drain pump 82, and a combination of operation intensities to be able to perform a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process.

The storage unit P2 may store data, such as a table, which can be matched with the current value applied to the driving unit 9 or output from the driving unit 9, and the laundry amount, laundry quality, or the like.

The estimated time of a plurality of processes or options corresponding to the laundry amount may be stored in the storage unit P2 as data.

In addition, the storage part P2 may store in advance an appropriate amount of detergent required when executing each process or option corresponding to the laundry amount in data. The detergent amount may be a concept including one or more of a detergent, a softener, and a bleach.

The control part P may control the respective components of the laundry treating apparatus using various algorithms and data stored in the storage part P2.

If the laundry amount is detected, the control part P may calculate one or more of an execution time of any process or option for executing washing of the laundry and a required detergent amount.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a control panel 16 provided to the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present invention.

Only the display unit 17 may be provided as a display panel, and the input unit 18 may be provided as a physical button capable of performing input alone.

The control panel 16 may include a power supply part 120 that receives an instruction to supply power to the laundry treating apparatus 1.

If the power supply part 120 is inputted, power may be supplied to the control panel 16, and power may be supplied to the entire control part P including the driving part 9.

The input 18 may also include a selection portion that selects, alters the washing process or option. The selecting part 140, 160 may include: a course selecting part 140 configured to receive an input for selecting any one of a series of washing courses including washing, rinsing, and dehydrating courses performed by the laundry treating apparatus 1; and an option selecting section 160 configured to receive an input for selecting any one of any options for adjusting the intensity and degree of the process.

For example, in the case where the laundry treating apparatus 1 is provided as a washing machine, the processes may be classified into a first process of a washing method or a set thereof to remove foreign matter of general laundry, a second process of a washing method or a set thereof to perform sterilization of the laundry, and a third process of a washing method or a set thereof to remove foreign matter in consideration of a material of the laundry.

In addition, the options may be classified into a first option to adjust washing intensity, a second option to adjust the number of rinsing, a third option to adjust dehydrating intensity, and a fourth option to determine the water temperature of the tub containing laundry and water in the selected course. Adjusting the washing intensity and the dehydrating intensity may mean adjusting rpm of the drum, a rotation direction changing period of the drum, etc. in a washing process and a dehydrating process.

The first process is a classification of a general process of washing laundry, and thus may be called a daily process, the second process is a classification of a sterilization-related process, and thus may be called a sanitary process, and the third process is a classification of a process considering a material of laundry, a laundry amount, and the like, and thus may be called a customizing process.

If the process selection unit 140 is repeatedly input, a process of sequentially selecting settings or displaying may be set.

The process selection part 140 may include: a first process selection part 141 configured to select any one of the first processes; a second process selection part 142 configured to select any one of the second processes; and a third process selecting part 143 configured to select any one of the third processes.

The option selecting unit 160 may be configured to be repeatedly input to sequentially select a set or displayed process, as in the process selecting unit 140. In addition, the option selecting part 160 may include: a first option selecting part 161 for adjusting the selected washing intensity in the course; a second option selecting part 162 for adjusting the number of times of rinsing; a third option selecting part 163 for adjusting the dehydration strength; and a fourth option selecting part 164 determining a water temperature of the tub containing laundry and water. The option selecting part 160 may be configured to sequentially input the respective option selecting parts to select a desired option.

The display unit 130 may be provided as a liquid crystal display, an electric lamp for reflecting light, a speaker for radiating sound, or the like. The display part 130 may include: a first display unit 131 for displaying the process selected by the process selection unit 140; and a second display unit 132 for displaying the options selected by the option selecting unit 160.

The first display 131 may be configured to display the selected process. For example, a portion corresponding to the selected process may be lit, or the name of the process may be presented on the display section.

The second display 132 may be configured to display the selected option. For example, a portion corresponding to the selected option may be lit, or the name of the option may be presented on the display section.

Specifically, the first display unit 131 may be configured to illuminate the corresponding process when the process selection unit 140 is input, or may be configured to display the corresponding process on the liquid crystal or by sound dispersion when the process selection unit 140 is input. The first display part 131 may be provided as a display panel or as a lamp that emits light beside a text in which the contents of the process are recorded.

If the user clicks on the daily course 141, the user can recognize the corresponding course by sequentially lighting the general course in sequence.

In addition, if the user clicks the sanitary process, the process corresponding to the sanitary process may be sequentially lighted up, and if the customized process is clicked, the process corresponding to the customized process may be sequentially lighted up.

The second display part 132 may be configured to illuminate the corresponding option when the option selecting part 160 is inputted, or may be configured to display the corresponding option to a liquid crystal or to be diverged by sound when the option selecting part 160 is inputted. The second display unit 132 may be provided as a display panel or as a light that emits light beside the text in which the option contents are recorded.

The option selecting part 160 may be repeatedly clicked or touched to sequentially light the first option, the second option, the third option, and the fourth option. Thus, the user can select a desired option.

On the other hand, the option selecting part 160 may further include a switch or a touch area capable of performing additional functions other than the washing, rinsing, dehydrating, and water temperature in the laundry treating apparatus 1.

The option selecting part 160 may further include: a steam adjusting part 160a for adding an option of supplying steam to the inside of the laundry treating device 20; a reservation unit 160b that determines in advance an operation time of the laundry treatment apparatus 1; a refresh setting unit 160d that clicks the refresh setting unit 160d to refresh clothes during operation of the clothes treating apparatus 20; the turbine 160e adds an option of forming a strong water flow by momentarily raising the drum rpm of the laundry treatment device 20; a turbine drying unit 160f for adding an option of supplying strong hot air; a wind drying part 160g for additionally supplying warm wind or cold wind instead of hot wind; and a time drying part 160h, which adds an option of performing natural drying by rotating the drum only at a predetermined speed.

On the other hand, the second display part 132 may be provided as a display part that displays the details of the options of the process at the moment of determining the process or the options, but displays the state information of the laundry treating apparatus 1 in the case of performing the drying process or the washing process or the execution reservation setting other than the process of inputting the process or the options, or the case of ending the drying process or the washing process, or the like.

The display unit 17 may further include a third display unit 133 for displaying the estimated execution time when executing a plurality of the processes or options.

If any one of the plurality of processes or options is selected, the third display part 133 may display the execution time of the process or option to the user according to the laundry amount.

The above-described configuration is merely an example, and the control panel 16 may be provided in any form as long as the input unit 18 capable of receiving an instruction to drive the laundry treating apparatus and the display unit 17 displaying the state of the laundry treating apparatus are provided.

The user can set a desired process or option by inputting the process selection part 140 or the option selection part 160. In addition, even if the user does not input the process selection part 140 or the option selection part 160, a standard process or a standard option may be preset.

For example, the reference values of the standard washing course and the washing/rinsing/dehydrating/water temperature may be set as standards.

The user may select a desired process or option by inputting the process selecting part 140 and the option selecting part 160, and may desire to perform according to a standard process or standard option set as a reference. The user may select any one of the processes and options by inputting the process selecting part 140 and the option selecting part 160, and may select the standard process or standard option by not inputting the process selecting part 140 and the option selecting part 160.

The control panel 16 may further include an operation part 170 receiving an instruction to operate the selected process or option or a preset standard process or standard option.

If the operation part 170 is inputted, the control part P may lock the door 13 to prevent it from being separated from the case 10. At least one of the door 13 and the case 10 may be provided with a detecting part detecting whether the door 13 is locked to the case 10, and the detecting part may be controlled by the control part P.

The third display unit 133 may display a process or an option selected by the user or an execution time of a standard process or option.

On the other hand, the display portion 16 may also be configured to guide the amount of detergent required when executing a plurality of the processes or options. The execution time of the process or option is different according to the laundry amount. In addition, the amount of detergent used to perform a plurality of processes or options may also be different according to the laundry amount.

Therefore, if the laundry amount is detected, the control unit P may display at least one of the execution time of the process or option and the amount of detergent required for the process or option on the display unit 17.

For example, the estimated execution time of the process or option may be displayed on the third display part 133, and the required detergent amount may be displayed on the second display part 132.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may detect the laundry amount before the input to the operation part 170, and then display the estimated time of the selected course or option and the required detergent amount on the display part 16.

For this, the control part P of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may be configured to detect the laundry amount before the operation part 170 is inputted.

The control part P may calculate the laundry amount using the current value applied to the driving part 9 by controlling the driving part 9 or outputted by the driving part 9, and may display the estimated execution time of the selected course or option to the user before inputting the operation part 170.

Thus, before executing the process or option selected by the user, the estimated execution time of the process or option can be immediately notified to the user, and when the estimated execution time does not meet the condition or does not meet the travel of the user, the user can be guided to select other processes or options.

Thus, the user can immediately change the process or option selected by himself or herself to a process or option appropriate for the own situation.

In addition, the user may pre-confirm the estimated execution time of various processes or options and change the processes or options before running the selected process or option.

In addition, the user can confirm a required amount of detergent required for the laundry in the current state among any one of a plurality of processes and options, and input an appropriate amount of detergent.

On the other hand, the control panel 16 of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may further include a time adjusting part 200 capable of changing the execution time of the executed process or option.

The time adjustment part 200 may be provided in a manner of inputting a part of buttons of the option selecting part 160 after the process or option is selected, and may be provided as additional buttons at the control panel 16.

For example, in case the time adjustment part 200 is provided as an additional button, the user may input the time adjustment part 200 and then lengthen or shorten the estimated execution time of the selected procedure or option.

The extension or shortening of the estimated execution time may be performed by input of a part of buttons of the option selecting section 160.

For example, the execution time may be adjusted by the input of a dehydration 163 option button and a water temperature 164 option button located at the lower portion of the third display part 133.

Fig. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a control method of detecting the laundry amount before the input to the operation part 170.

When the power supply unit 120 of the laundry machine according to the present invention is inputted, power may be supplied to the water supply unit 70, the driving unit 9, the water discharge unit 80, and the like, and power may be supplied to the control unit P.

The control part P may be set to detect the laundry amount when power is supplied by inputting the power supply part 120.

That is, the necessary condition for the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention to detect the laundry amount may be an input of the power supply part 120.

Therefore, even in the case where the door 13 is opened before the user inputs the power supply part 120 and then laundry is put into the drum 30 and the door 13 is closed, the control part P can immediately detect the laundry amount.

The control part P may calculate an estimated time to perform a specific process or option according to the laundry amount.

For this, the control part P may match and identify the estimated time corresponding to the laundry amount in the storage part P2.

In addition, the storage part P2 may sort the amount of detergent required when executing any process or option of the laundry amount into data. The control part P may calculate the amount of detergent required when washing the laundry according to the course or option in the storage part P2.

For example, the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may perform a power supplying step A1 of supplying power by inputting the power source part 120 of the laundry treating apparatus, and a laundry amount detecting step A2 of detecting the laundry amount accommodated in the drum 30 based on the execution of the power supplying step A1.

If the laundry amount is detected in the laundry amount detecting step A2, an information displaying step A3 of displaying at least one of the laundry amount, estimated execution time of a process or option of executing washing of the laundry, and a detergent amount required for the process or option on the display unit 16 may be performed.

The execution time corresponding to a preset standard course or standard option matched with the laundry amount may be displayed in the information display step A3.

The user can confirm the laundry amount displayed in the information display step A3, the execution time of a preset course or option and compare with his own course, and can confirm the detergent amount.

The operation part 170 may be inputted if the user is satisfied with the information displayed in the information display step A3. The control part P may perform an operation input step A6 of detecting an input of the operation part 170.

If the operation input step A6 is performed, the control part P may LOCK (LOCK) the door 13 to the cabinet 10 by controlling a locking part to prevent the door 13 from being arbitrarily opened.

In addition, if the operation input step A6 is performed, the control part P may perform one or more of a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process according to the setting of the process or option. The step of detecting the laundry amount may be omitted after the operation input step A6. Thus, delay of the entire washing time can be prevented.

On the other hand, after the user confirms at least one of the laundry amount, the execution time of the preset course or option, and the detergent amount in the information display step A3, the course setting step A4 of receiving the input of the course selecting part 140 or the option selecting part 160 may be also performed.

For example, the user may input the course selection part 140 or the option selection part 160 after confirming the laundry amount through the course setting step A4, and may change a course or option through the input of the course selection part 140 or the option selection part 160 after confirming the execution time.

When the process setting step A4 is performed, the control unit P may perform the change display step A5 of recalculating the estimated execution time or the detergent amount of the process or option of the change corresponding to the laundry amount and transmitting the recalculated estimated execution time or the estimated detergent amount to the display unit 16.

In the change display step A5, the display unit 16 may display one or more of the estimated execution time of the changed course or option and the changed detergent amount.

The user may input the operation unit 170 when judging that the estimated execution time or the detergent amount is appropriate, and may input the process selection unit 140 or the option selection unit 160 again when judging that the estimated execution time or the detergent amount is inappropriate.

The control unit P may perform the operation input step A6 when the input of the operation unit 170 is detected, and may perform the process setting step A4 and the change display step A5 again when the input of the process selection unit 140 or the option selection unit 160 is detected.

Fig. 7 illustrates another control method of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention to detect the laundry amount before being input into the operation part 170.

The control part P may be configured to detect the laundry amount before the operation part 170 is input when the opening and closing of the door 13 are detected. That is, the condition for detecting the laundry amount may be the opening and closing of the door 13.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present invention can perform the opening/closing step B1 of detecting the opening/closing of the door 13. If the opening/closing of the door 13 is detected in the opening/closing step B1, the control part P may perform a laundry amount detecting step (B2) of detecting the laundry amount, and may perform an information displaying step B3 of displaying one or more of a laundry amount, a preset course or an execution time of an option, a required detergent amount according to the detected laundry amount.

After the information display step B3, the control section P may perform the operation input step B6 by detecting whether the user inputs the operation section 170, and may perform the process setting step B4 and the change display step B5 by detecting whether the user changes a process or an option.

The information display step B3, the process setting step B4, the change display step B5, and the operation input step B6 may be the same as those of the foregoing embodiments.

The door 13 being opened and closed may mean that the probability that laundry is put into the drum 30 is high. Further, the opening and closing of the door 13 may mean that the amount of laundry in the drum 30 is increased or decreased.

Thus, when the door 13 is detected to be opened or closed, the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention can immediately detect the laundry amount and inform the user of the estimated execution time or the changed execution time of the laundry amount itself, the course or the option, the required detergent amount or the changed detergent amount.

Fig. 8 shows an additional control method capable of detecting the laundry amount before the input to the operation part 170.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may be configured to detect the laundry amount when a user selects a desired course or option from a plurality of courses or options.

The estimated execution time or the amount of detergent required by the user may be the execution time or the amount of detergent of the process or option selected by the user. Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may be configured to inform the estimated execution time or detergent amount corresponding thereto when the user selects a course or option.

On the other hand, the time point at which the user inputs the course selection part 140 and the option selection part 160 is after the power supply part 120 is inputted, and is likely to be after the time point at which the door 13 is opened and closed and laundry is put into the drum 30.

In other words, if the user is informed of the estimated execution time or the detergent amount according to the laundry amount after the time points of inputting the course selection part 140 and the option selection part 160, the user can be accurately informed of the estimated execution time or the detergent amount regardless of whether the user is a person having a habit of inputting the power supply part 120 after inputting the laundry to the drum 30 or a person inputting the laundry to the drum 30 after inputting the power supply part 120.

For this reason, the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may perform the process input step C1 of detecting the input of the process selecting part 140 or the option selecting part 160.

If the control part P detects an input of the course selecting part 140 or the option selecting part 160, a laundry amount detecting step C2 of detecting the laundry amount may be performed.

If the laundry amount detecting step C2 is performed, the control part P may perform an information displaying step C3 of displaying at least one of the laundry amount, the estimated execution time of the selected course or option corresponding to the laundry amount, and the amount of detergent for executing the course or option on the display part 16.

After the information display step C3, the control part P may perform the operation input step C6 of detecting whether the user inputs the operation part 170, and may perform the process setting step C4 and the change display step C5 by detecting whether the user changes a process or an option.

The information display step B3, the process setting step C4, the change display step C5, and the operation input step C6 may be the same as those of the foregoing embodiments.

Fig. 9 illustrates a control method in which a user can change the execution time of a course or option in the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention.

The control part P of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may display the estimated time of the selected arbitrary process or option on the display part 130 in case that an instruction to select the arbitrary process or option is received by the user input selecting part 140, 160.

At this time, the control part P may be configured to lengthen or shorten the execution time of the selected process or option and execute the process or option upon receiving an input of the time adjustment part 200 of an instruction to lengthen or shorten the execution time of the selected process or option.

Of course, for the purpose of washing, the execution time of the process or option may be set to a minimum time (lower limit) and a maximum time (upper limit) for preventing washing delay. The control unit P may change the execution time of the process or option according to the input of the time adjustment unit 200 within the lower limit time and the upper limit time.

The upper limit time may be set to be three times or less the execution time of any process or option, and the lower limit time may be set to be half the execution time of any process or option.

If the time adjustment unit 200 is inputted, the control unit P may lengthen or shorten the execution time of one or more of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process, which are executed in the selected course or option.

For example, the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may perform the process selection step T2 of receiving an instruction from the user to select an arbitrary process or option through the control panel 16 after performing the laundry amount detecting step T1 of detecting the laundry amount.

If any one of the processes or options is selected, an estimated display step T3 of displaying an execution time of the process or option corresponding to the laundry amount may be performed.

At this time, the user may perform the time changing step T4 capable of receiving a change instruction of the execution time in the case where the execution time of the procedure or option displayed in the predictive display step T3 is shorter or longer than expected. If the time adjustment unit 200 is input, the control unit P may change the execution time of the process or option between an upper limit and a lower limit in the time changing step T4.

If the execution time of the process or option is lengthened or shortened at the time varying step T4, an input reflecting step T5 of varying the execution time of the process or option in response thereto may be performed.

If the change of the execution time is satisfied, the user may execute the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process according to the process or the option by inputting the operation unit 170. If the operation part 170 is inputted, the control part P may perform an operation input step T6 of executing a washing program, a rinsing program, a dehydrating program according to the selected course or option.

On the other hand, if the operation part 170 is inputted at the time varying step T4 without the time adjusting part 200, the control part P may perform an operation input step T6 of executing a washing program, a rinsing program, a dehydrating program according to the selected course or option.

On the other hand, if the execution time of the selected procedure or option is lengthened or shortened in the input reflection step T5, the control section P may determine how the execution time of the selected procedure or option is lengthened or shortened.

In the input reflecting step T5, the control part P may determine to lengthen or shorten the execution time of one or more of the washing course, the rinsing course, and the dehydrating course performed in the selected course or option.

Fig. 10 shows an embodiment in which the control part P lengthens or shortens the execution time of a process or option.

Referring to fig. 10 (a), in the case where the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention is provided as a washing machine, any process or option may be constituted by a washing course of removing foreign matter from laundry with water and detergent, a rinsing course of washing the laundry with water, and a dehydrating course of removing water in the laundry. The original execution time of a process or option selected by the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may be defined as a reference time t1.

The washing process may be performed during the reference washing time tw, the rinsing process may be performed during the reference rinsing time tr, and the dehydrating process may be performed during the reference dehydrating time th.

If the execution time of the selected process or option is prolonged or shortened, the control unit P may select and lengthen or shorten the execution time of one or more of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process.

Specifically, the control part P may proportionally lengthen or shorten the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process.

Referring to fig. 10 (b), an execution time extended from an existing execution time of the selected procedure or option may be defined as an extension time t2, and a difference between the extension time t2 and the reference time t1 may be defined as an extension time te.

In the case where the execution time is increased by the extension time te, it may be extended at the ratio of the existing reference washing time tw, reference rinsing time tr, and reference dehydrating time th.

Thereby, the washing process may be performed during an extended washing time tw extended from the reference washing time tw, the rinsing process may be performed during an extended rinsing time tre extended from the reference rinsing time tr, and the dehydrating process may be performed during an extended dehydrating time they extended from the reference dehydrating time th.

Referring to fig. 10 (c), an execution time shortened from an existing execution time of a selected procedure or option may be defined as a shortened time t3, and a difference between the reference time t1 and the shortened time t3 may be defined as a shortened time ts.

In the case that the execution time is shortened by the reduction time ts, it is possible to shorten the ratio of the existing reference washing time tw, the reference rinsing time tr, and the reference dehydrating time th.

Thereby, the washing process may be performed during the shortened washing time tws shortened compared to the reference washing time tw, the rinsing process may be performed during the shortened rinsing time trs shortened compared to the reference rinsing time, and the dehydrating process may be performed during the shortened dehydrating time ths shortened compared to the reference dehydrating time th.

As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention can achieve the object of the original course or option by proportionally extending and reducing the washing course, the rinsing course, the dehydrating course even if the execution time of the selected course or option is extended or reduced.

Fig. 11 shows another embodiment in which the control part P lengthens and shortens the execution time of a process or option.

Referring to fig. 11 (a), in the case where the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention is provided as a washing machine, any process or option may be constituted by a washing course of removing foreign matter from laundry with water and detergent, a rinsing course of washing the laundry with water, and a dehydrating course of removing water in the laundry. The original execution time of a process or option selected by the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may be defined as a reference time t1.

In this case, if the execution time of the selected process or option is prolonged or shortened, the control unit P may select and lengthen or shorten the execution time of one or more of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process.

The control part P may lengthen and shorten only any one of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process, or may lengthen and shorten the rest of the processes except any one.

Referring to fig. 11 (b), in case that the execution time of a process or option is prolonged, the control part P may execute the washing program during a prolonged washing time tw prolonged by a prolonged time te from the reference washing time tw. The execution time of the rinsing or dehydrating process may be maintained unchanged.

In addition, if the execution time of the rinsing process is maintained, the number of times of the rinsing process is not increased, so that the water amount can be saved.

If the execution time of the dehydrating process is maintained, the duration of the physical force applied to the laundry in the drum 30 can be reduced, so that damage of the laundry can be prevented.

Of course, the execution time of the dehydration process may be increased, and the number of times of rinsing or the rinsing time in the rinsing process may be increased, as the case may be.

Referring to fig. 11 (c), in case that the execution time of a process or option is shortened, the control part P may execute the washing program during a shortened washing time tws shortened compared to the reference washing time tw. The execution time or the number of times of the rinsing process may be maintained constant, or the execution time of the dehydrating process may be maintained constant.

If the time of the rinsing process is maintained, an effect of separating foreign matters or detergent from the laundry can be maintained. In addition, the dehydrating effect can be maintained by maintaining the dehydrating process time.

In contrast, if the time adjustment part 200 is inputted with an instruction to extend the execution time, the control part P may further extend the execution time of the rinsing process or further increase the number of rinsing times to further separate foreign matters and detergent from the laundry.

Of course, the execution time of the dehydration process may be shortened, and the dehydration time in the dehydration process may be shortened, as the case may be.

In addition, if the time adjustment unit 200 is inputted, the control unit P may change the rpm of the drum set in at least one of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process, or may change the ratio (actual operation rate) of the drum rotation in any one of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process.

Fig. 12 shows an embodiment in which the control part P reduces or lengthens the execution time of the washing program.

The control method of fig. 12 may be applied when the execution time of the washing program is prolonged or shortened in proportion to the execution time of the washing program or the execution time of the washing program is prolonged specifically.

Referring to fig. 12 (a), in the washing process, the drum may be repeatedly rotated at a washing speed, stopped, and then again rotated at the washing speed.

By intermittently rotating the drum, it is possible to prevent a situation in which washing cannot be uniformly performed due to entanglement of the laundry, and it is possible to provide sufficient physical force to the laundry by changing the rotation direction of the drum. In addition, it is possible to secure a time for allowing the detergent and water to permeate into the laundry or for separating foreign materials together with the detergent.

The ratio of the driving time of the driving part 9 to the total time in the entire washing process may be defined as an actual operation rate. For example, the actual operation rate of the washing program performed in the selected course or option may be defined as 50%. That is, the ratio of the driving time and the stopping time of the driving part 9 in the washing process may be the same.

The control part P may change the actual operation rate if the execution time in the washing course is changed.

Referring to fig. 12 (b), the execution time in the washing process may be prolonged. If the execution time of the washing program is prolonged, the control part P may decrease the actual operation rate. That is, it is possible to prevent excessive physical force from being applied to laundry for a long time by reducing a rotation time ratio of the drum in the execution time of the entire washing course.

On the other hand, in the washing process, the rpm of the drum may be maintained. Thereby, a sufficient physical force can be transferred to the laundry during the rotation of the drum 30 to separate the foreign matter from the laundry.

Referring to fig. 12 (c), the execution time in the washing process may be shortened. If the execution time of the washing program is shortened, the control part P may increase the actual operation rate. That is, it is possible to transmit a sufficient physical force to laundry in a shortened time by increasing the rotation time ratio of the drum 30 in the execution time of the entire washing course.

However, even if the execution time of the washing process is shortened, the control part P may not increase the rpm of the drum. Thereby, damage to the laundry caused by the application of the physical force of the reference value or more to the laundry can be prevented.

Fig. 13 shows an embodiment in which the control part P shortens or lengthens the execution time of the dehydration process.

The control method of fig. 13 may be applied when the execution time of the dehydration process is prolonged or shortened in proportion to the execution time of the dehydration process or particularly prolonged.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present invention detects the wet laundry amount wo by a laundry amount detecting step or the like at the beginning of a dehydrating process, performs a first dehydrating step I of raising the drum to a medium speed RPM and interrupting it, then decelerates or stops the drum, and then raises the drum to a high speed RPM, which is the highest speed, and performs a second dehydrating step II of removing moisture of laundry. The total dehydration time may correspond to the reference dehydration time th.

If the time adjustment part 200 is inputted with an instruction to extend the execution time, the control part P may decrease the rpm of the drum 30 in the dehydration process, and may further perform the dehydration process during an extended dehydration time that is extended from the reference dehydration time th. Thereby, even if the execution time is prolonged, the laundry can be prevented from being damaged by reducing the total amount of physical force applied to the laundry.

Specifically, the control part P may reduce the rpm of the drum 30 to an extended rpm lower than the high-speed rpm in the second dehydration step II. The extended rpm may be maintained higher than a medium speed rpm at which the laundry is separated from the inner wall of the drum. Therefore, even if the rpm of the drum is lowered, a centrifugal force sufficient to remove water can be transferred to the laundry.

On the other hand, if the time adjustment part 200 is inputted with an instruction to shorten the execution time, the control part P may increase the rpm of the drum in the dehydration process, and may perform the dehydration process during the shortened dehydration time ths, which is shortened from the reference dehydration time th. Thereby, it is possible to secure centrifugal force applied to laundry and maintain a dehydrating effect while shortening an execution time.

Specifically, the control part P may raise the rpm of the drum 30 to a reduced rpm higher than the high-speed rpm in the second dehydration step II.

Of course, the control part P may also minimize the influence of the laundry by extending or shortening the duration of the first dehydrating step I, as in the previous method.

Fig. 14 shows a control method of laundry amount detection of the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention.

As described above, the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may perform the laundry amount detecting step of detecting the laundry amount before the input to the operation part 170. The laundry amount detecting step described below may be performed in the foregoing laundry amount detecting step.

The laundry amount detecting step may include: a rotating step D1, wherein the roller is rotated; and a calculating step D3 of calculating the weight of the laundry by measuring the first current value applied or outputted in the rotating step.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may rotate the drum 30 less than one turn in the rotating step D1. Thus, the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention can detect the laundry amount before the drum 30 makes one rotation.

For example, the laundry amount detecting step may end within 1 second. Accordingly, one or more of the laundry amount, the estimated execution time based on the laundry amount, and the detergent amount may be displayed on the display unit 17 before it is determined that the user inputs the power supply unit 120, or opens and closes the door 13, or selects the arbitrary process or option and inputs the operation unit 170.

Thus, the user can confirm the estimated execution time and the detergent amount, select or change a process or option, and then input the operation part 170.

As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention can rapidly detect the laundry amount before the user finally determines to perform the selected course or option, thereby informing the estimated execution time or detergent amount.

In addition, the user can be prevented from waiting for a long time to confirm the estimated execution time of the selected process or option or the appropriate detergent amount. As a result, washing delay can be prevented.

On the other hand, in the laundry amount detecting step, the rotating step D1 ends before the drum 30 rotates one turn. Accordingly, the laundry amount detecting step may perform the restoring step D2 in which the drum 30 returns to the correct position again.

The calculating step D3 may be performed after the process of performing the rotating step D1 or after the rotating step D1 is completed, or may be performed after both the rotating step D1 and the recovering step D2 are performed.

The laundry amount detecting step may further include a displaying step D4 of displaying the laundry amount on the display portion 17 at the end of the calculating step D3.

In the display step D4, only the laundry amount may be displayed, the estimated execution time of a specific process or option corresponding to the laundry amount may be displayed, and the required amount of detergent required when executing the process or option may be displayed.

The laundry amount detecting step may be performed before the operation part 170 is input, but may be performed identically in an additional detecting step or the like performed after the operation part 170 is input.

That is, the same laundry amount detecting step may be performed in both the dry laundry amount detecting step for performing the washing process and the wet laundry amount detecting step for performing the dehydrating process. In addition, the laundry amount detecting step may also be performed in a step of checking whether laundry is wet laundry or dry laundry, or the like.

Fig. 15 shows a form of laundry amount detection of the laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 15 (a), the laundry may be disposed on the bottom surface of the drum 30 due to the weight of the laundry.

Referring to fig. 15 (b), if the laundry amount sensing step is performed while the rotating step D1 is performed, the drum 30 may be rotated until reaching one turn.

In the rotating step D1, the drum 30 may be rotated below an angle at which the laundry is separated from the drum inner wall or a configuration is changed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent unnecessary load or impact from being transmitted to the driving part 9 as the position of the laundry is changed inside the drum 30. Therefore, the control part P can accurately calculate the load of the laundry by the current value applied to the driving part 9 or outputted by the driving part 9.

For example, in the rotating step D1, the drum may be rotated in a range of 0 degrees to 90 degrees or less.

However, the smaller the angle at which the drum 30 rotates, the shorter the time for the control part P to detect the laundry amount may be, and an error in detecting the weight of the laundry may be reduced. Therefore, in the rotating step D1, the drum 30 is preferably rotated in a range of 10 degrees to 45 degrees or less.

Fig. 16 shows a laundry amount detection calculation method of the laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 16 (a) and 16 (b), if the laundry amount detecting step is performed, the control part P may rotate the drum 30 less than one turn through the rotating step D1. In the calculating step D3, the control part P may calculate (process) the laundry amount by measuring the current value applied to the driving part 9 or outputted by the driving part 9 in the rotating step D1.

The control part P may detect the laundry amount using the formula te= Jdw/dt+bw+mgrsin Θ.

Te is a torque value applied to the driving unit 9, and corresponds to I (current value) ×K (driving unit constant). That is, since the driving unit constant k is an intrinsic value of the driving unit 9 itself, the control unit P can calculate the torque value applied to the driving unit 9 by detecting the current value I.

At this time, in the case of sin Θ in the mgrsin Θ, since it is geometrically reduced as the rotation angle of the drum becomes smaller, it can be sufficiently ignored if it is between 15 degrees and 90 degrees or between 10 degrees and 45 degrees.

In addition, bw is a friction moment, and B becomes very small when the drum 30 rotates, and thus is negligible.

As a result, only the equation te= Jdw/dt may remain. At this time, dw/dt is the angular acceleration of the rotating drum, and thus the control part P may detect the angular acceleration when the rotating drum is rotated in the rotating step D1. The angular acceleration may also be directly calculated by the value of the current applied to the driving section 9.

Therefore, if the current value is measured, both the torque value Te and the angular acceleration dw/dt applied to the driving portion 9 can be calculated, and the moment of inertia J can be calculated.

As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention can immediately detect the laundry amount by grasping the moment of inertia J.

Fig. 17 shows a process of calculating the laundry amount using the moment of inertia in the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention.

The storage unit P2 may store data describing a correlation between the moment of inertia and the laundry amount.

The moment of inertia generated when the laundry is rotated in the drum 30 can be detected if the weight of the laundry is grasped, and the weight of the laundry can be detected if the moment of inertia is grasped.

For example, in the calculating step D3, if the control part P detects that the moment of inertia is 55000, the laundry amount may be determined to be 2kg when the drum 30 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, and the laundry amount may be determined to be 3kg when the drum 30 is rotated in the clockwise direction.

As described above, the control part P can immediately detect the laundry amount using the data stored in the storage part P2, which is prepared by using the moment of inertia and the weight of the laundry as references of the diameter of the drum 30, the rotation direction of the drum 30, and the like.

As a result, the control unit P can detect the laundry amount by detecting the current value applied or outputted in the rotating step D1. That is, the calculation step D3 may be performed during the execution of the rotation step D1 or at the instant when the rotation step D1 ends.

As a result, the rotation step D1 and the calculation step D3 can be performed completely before the position of the drum 30 is restored to the original position. That is, the calculation step D3 may end before the restoration step D2 ends.

As a result, the rotation step D1 and the calculation step D3 may be all performed within 0.3 seconds to 1 second, and the laundry amount detection step itself may be performed within 0.3 seconds to 1 second.

Therefore, the control part P can instantaneously detect the laundry amount such that the user hardly perceives the time of detecting the laundry amount and informs the execution time of the selected course or option.

On the other hand, if the laundry amount is detected in the calculating step D3, the control part P may calculate and display the execution time of a process or option corresponding to the laundry amount or the detergent amount at substantially the same time.

As a result, the rotation step D1, the calculation step D3, and the display step D4 may be all performed before the position of the drum is restored.

Accordingly, the rotation step D1, the calculation step D3, and the display step D4 may all be performed within 0.3 seconds to 1 second.

As described above, the existing laundry treating apparatus detects the laundry amount after the operation course or option, and thus the user cannot recognize the laundry amount until the course or option is selected and operated.

In addition, the conventional laundry treating apparatus rotates the drum at least one turn or more when detecting the laundry amount, and thus the laundry amount detection cannot be rapidly performed, so that the laundry amount can be displayed only relatively late after the operation process or option.

Therefore, in the case of the existing laundry treatment apparatus, the user cannot recognize the laundry amount before the operation process or option, and thus there is no room for putting in a proper detergent, so that too much detergent will be put in order to secure the washing performance. This not only wastes the detergent, but also remains the detergent in the laundry, thus not only endangering health but also causing environmental pollution.

In addition, in the case of the existing laundry treatment apparatus, the user generally does not wait until the laundry amount is detected to leave the laundry treatment apparatus after running the course or option, and thus cannot confirm the execution time or end time of the course or option.

Therefore, the user is inconvenienced by the need to frequently access the laundry treating apparatus as an end of the confirmation process or option. In addition, the existing laundry treatment apparatus may place laundry on the drum for a long time after the process or option is finished, which may cause laundry to wrinkle or, in severe cases, may also cause decay of the laundry.

In addition, the existing laundry treating apparatus will perform locking of the door during operation or options, so that it is impossible for the user to adjust the laundry amount after that.

However, the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may detect and display the laundry amount before the operation course or option.

Thus, the user can recognize the laundry amount before the operation course or option and input the detergent by considering the appropriate detergent amount corresponding thereto. For example, the user can confirm the amount of detergent displayed on the detergent tub corresponding to the amount of laundry, and put the confirmed detergent into the laundry treatment apparatus.

As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention can save the amount of detergent, and also can solve the problem that too much detergent remains in laundry after the end of the process, and can prevent environmental pollution.

In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention detects the laundry amount by rotating the drum less than one turn, so that washing delay or the like is not generated and inconvenience is not brought to the user even if the laundry amount is detected before the operation or the option.

For example, if the power supply unit is input or the opening/closing of the door due to the input of laundry is detected, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention detects and displays the laundry amount within 3 seconds, and thus does not cause a washing delay.

In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention may detect the laundry amount before running a course or option, and display an estimated time or end time of the course or option corresponding to the laundry amount.

Thus, the user may identify the estimated time or end time of each process or option in selecting any of the processes or options. Thus, the user may select a procedure or option that corresponds to the current trip.

In addition, the user may identify an estimated time or end time of a process or option prior to running the process or option. Accordingly, the user confirms the estimated time or the end time to re-run the process or the option, thereby enabling to reduce the trouble of confirming the laundry treating apparatus until the process or the option ends. In addition, the user can recognize the end time of the course or option, and also prevent laundry from being placed inside the drum after the course is ended.

In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present invention does not perform locking of the door before the operation process or option, and thus detects and displays the laundry amount before locking the door. Accordingly, the user can further input or take out laundry by confirming the displayed laundry amount.

For example, if the user determines that the laundry amount is excessively performed for a specific course or option, a portion of the laundry may be removed to prevent the interruption of the operation of the laundry treating apparatus due to the eccentricity, excessive vibration at a later stage.

For example, in case that the user confirms that the laundry is only bulky and has a small weight, it is possible to prevent contaminated laundry from being placed for a long time by putting more laundry in.

As described above, unlike the conventional laundry treatment apparatus, the laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention rapidly detects the laundry amount, thereby displaying the laundry amount or displaying the estimated execution time before the operation process or option or before locking the door, so that the above-described remarkable effects can be derived.

The present invention may be modified to be embodied in various forms, and the scope of the claims is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Therefore, as long as the modified embodiment includes the constituent elements of the claims of the present invention, it should be regarded as falling within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A laundry treating apparatus that performs any process or option of a washing course for washing laundry with water and detergent, a rinsing course for washing the laundry with water, and a dehydrating course for removing water from the laundry, the laundry treating apparatus characterized by comprising:

a selection section that receives an input of an instruction for selecting any one of the arbitrary processes or options;

a display unit for displaying the estimated time of the selected procedure or option;

A time adjustment section that receives an input of an instruction for extending or shortening the execution time of the selected process or option; and

and a control unit that, if the time adjustment unit is input, extends or shortens the execution time of the selected process or option to execute the process or option.

2. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

if the time adjustment unit is inputted, the control unit lengthens or shortens the execution time of one or more of the washing program, the rinsing program, and the dehydrating program executed in the selected course or option.

3. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein,

further comprises:

an outer tub storing water;

a drum rotatably provided to the tub, for accommodating laundry; and

a driving part combined with the outer barrel to rotate the roller,

when the time adjustment unit is input, the control unit changes the rpm of the drum set in at least one of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process, or changes the ratio (actual operation rate) of the drum rotation in any one of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process.

4. A laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein,

the control part changes the actual operation rate of the drum in the washing course if the time adjustment part is inputted.

5. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein,

if the time adjustment unit receives an instruction to extend the execution time, the control unit decreases the actual operation rate in the washing program.

6. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein,

if the time adjustment unit receives an instruction to shorten the execution time, the control unit increases the actual operation rate in the washing program.

7. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein,

if the time adjustment unit receives an instruction to extend the execution time, the control unit further increases the execution time or the number of times of the rinsing process.

8. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein,

if the time adjustment unit receives an instruction to shorten the execution time, the control unit maintains the execution time or the number of times of the rinsing process.

9. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein,

When the time adjustment unit receives an instruction to extend the execution time, the control unit decreases the rpm of the drum in the dehydration process.

10. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 9, wherein,

the control part maintains the rpm of the drum higher than the medium speed rpm at which the laundry is separated from the inner wall of the drum in the dehydration process.

11. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein,

when the time adjustment unit receives an instruction to shorten the execution time, the control unit increases the rpm of the drum in the dehydration process.

12. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein,

if the time adjustment part is inputted, the control part is configured to proportionally lengthen or shorten the respective execution times of the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydrating process.

13. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein,

the control part detects the laundry amount of the laundry by controlling the driving part, calculates the execution time of the selected course or option according to the detected laundry amount, and transmits the calculated execution time to the display part.

14. The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 13, wherein,

and if the execution time is more than the reference time, the control part displays a signal for guiding the time adjustment part on the display part.

15. The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 13, wherein,

comprises an operation part for receiving the input of an instruction for operating any one of the selected processes or options,

the display is configured to display the estimated time of the arbitrary process or option before the operation is input.