Patents by Inventor Woore KIM

Woore KIM has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11959218
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a laundry machine. More particularly, a laundry machine for generating steam by an induction heater and a control method thereof are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a method of controlling a laundry machine including a tub, a drum rotatably arranged in the tub to accommodate an object and provided with a through hole on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and an induction heater provided to the tub, and configured to perform a steam operation. The steam operation may include heating a heating surface of the drum facing the induction heater by driving the induction heater, spraying, through a spray nozzle, water toward the heating surface heated in the heating operation, and rotating the drum such that the steam is introduced into the drum through the through hole in a space between the tub and the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sangwook Hong, Woore Kim, Beomjun Kim, Hyunwoo Noh
  • Publication number: 20240044067
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus directly heats a drum accommodating clothes. The clothes treatment apparatus includes: a tub; a drum, made of a metal, which accommodates clothes and is rotatably provided inside the tub; and an induction module, provided in the tub so as to have a spacing from a circumferential surface of the drum, for generating an electromagnetic field to heat the circumferential surface of the drum. The induction module includes: a coil which is formed by winding a wire such that electric current is applied thereto to generate a magnetic field; and a base housing mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the tub, wherein the base housing is provided with a coil slot for defining the shape of the coil in such a manner that the wire is mounted therein so as to have a predetermined distance between wire and wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Beomjun KIM, Woore KIM, Bio PARK, Seulgi PARK, Jaehyuk JANG, Sangwook HONG, Changoh KIM, Hyunwoo NOH
  • Patent number: 11840789
    Abstract: A washing machine includes: a tub; a drum of metal material configured to be rotated in the tub; an induction heater configured to be fixed to the tub in a state of being separated from the drum, and to heat the drum; a first temperature sensor configured to have a tube of metal material heated by the induction heater and a thermistor disposed in the tube, at least a part of the tube being exposed between the tub and the drum; a second temperature sensor configured to be disposed in a position further away than the first temperature sensor from the induction heater in a circumferential direction, and detect a temperature of air between the tub and the drum; and a controller configured to control the induction heater based on a first detection value of the first temperature sensor and a second detection value of the second temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seulgi Park, Woore Kim, Sangwook Hong
  • Patent number: 11828016
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clothes treatment apparatus and, more particularly, to a clothes treatment apparatus for directly heating a drum accommodating clothes. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a clothes treatment apparatus comprising: a tub; a drum, made of a metal, which accommodates clothes and is rotatably provided inside the tub; and an induction module, provided in the tub so as to have a spacing from a circumferential surface of the drum, for generating an electromagnetic field to heat the circumferential surface of the drum, wherein the induction module comprises: a coil which is formed by winding a wire such that electric current is applied thereto to generate a magnetic field; and a base housing mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the tub, wherein the base housing is provided with a coil slot for defining the shape of the coil in such a manner that the wire is mounted therein so as to have a predetermined distance between wire and wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Beomjun Kim, Woore Kim, Bio Park, Seulgi Park, Jaehyuk Jang, Sangwook Hong, Changoh Kim, Hyunwoo Noh
  • Patent number: 11725330
    Abstract: A washing machine includes: a tub; a drum; an induction heater disposed in a position spaced apart from the drum and configured to heat the drum; an input power source; a relay configured to interrupt a current applied to the coil of the induction heater from the input power source; a first processor configured to control the relay; and a safety device connected to a circuit connecting the first processor and the relay. The safety device includes: a first thermostat configured to operate according to a temperature of a first air between the drum and the tub, and open the circuit when the temperature of the first air is a first safety control temperature; and a thermal fuse configured to operate according to a temperature of a second air outside the tub, and open the circuit when the temperature of the second air is a second safety control temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Beomjun Kim, Woore Kim, Sangwook Hong
  • Patent number: 11686036
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laundry treating apparatus. The present invention includes a cabinet, a tub provided within the cabinet, a drum provided within the tub to receive a treatment target therein, the drum made of metallic material, an induction module provided to the tub to heat the drum by induction, an infrared sensor provided to the tub to measure a temperature of the drum, and a barrel lens connected to the infrared sensor so that thermal radiation radiated from the drum enters the barrel lens, wherein the barrel lens includes a guide portion guiding vertically incident thermal radiation to the infrared sensor only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Woore Kim, Beomjun Kim, Sangwook Hong
  • Publication number: 20230145979
    Abstract: A clothing treatment apparatus includes a tub for providing a space in which washing water is accommodated; a drum rotatably provided inside the tub; a motor for rotating the drum; and an induction heater which is arranged on the outer surface of the tub and which heats the drum. The motor can rotate the drum at a first rotational speed at which laundry accommodated inside the drum is rotated while adhered to the inner circumferential surface of the drum, during heating of the drum by the induction heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Changoh KIM, Woore KIM, Sangwook HONG
  • Publication number: 20230136799
    Abstract: A clothing treatment apparatus includes a cabinet; a container having a front surface having an opening, a rear surface having an exhaust port, and a body extending between the front surface and the rear surface; a drum in the container; an induction heater is arranged on an outer surface of the body of the container to heat the drum; a supply duct arranged on an outer side of the container and including an outlet portion connected to the front surface of the container; an exhaust duct connected to the supply duct and in communication with the exhaust port; and a ventilation portion for generating the air flow from the exhaust duct toward the supply duct. The front surface of the container includes an inlet port located outside the opening and the outlet portion of the supply duct is in communication with the inlet port of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Woore KIM, Injae HAN, Sangwook HONG
  • Publication number: 20230092538
    Abstract: A clothing management apparatus includes a cabinet, a drum an induction heater that includes a housing accommodating a coil, a first duct provided outside the drum and having an inlet communicating with an inner space of the drum, a chamber provided outside the drum and including a first inlet communicating with the first duct, a first outlet communicating with the inner space, a first flow path connecting the first inlet and the first outlet, a second inlet communicating with an outer space of the drum, a second outlet communicating with the housing, and a second flow path connecting the second inlet and the second outlet, a partition wall provided in the chamber and dividing the first flow path and the second flow path, a first impeller in a flow path communicating with the first flow path, and a second impeller in a flow path communicating with the second flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Woore KIM, Injae HAN, Sangwook HONG
  • Patent number: 11530509
    Abstract: Disclosed are an object treating apparatus, and more particularly, an object treating apparatus for heating a drum using an induction heater and a control method thereof. The object treating apparatus includes a tub; a drum rotatably disposed within the tub and accommodating an object therein; an induction heater disposed on the tub and configured to heat an outer circumferential face of the drum contacting the heater; a motor to rotate the drum; and a processor configured to control an operation of the induction heater to dry the object, wherein the processor is configured to control revolution per minute (RPM) of the drum to perform at least three drum motions having at least three different target RPMs respectively when drying the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Woore Kim, Sangwook Hong
  • Publication number: 20220356630
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clothes treatment apparatus and, more particularly, to a clothes treatment apparatus for directly heating a drum accommodating clothes. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a clothes treatment apparatus comprising: a tub; a drum, made of a metal, which accommodates clothes and is rotatably provided inside the tub; and an induction module, provided in the tub so as to have a spacing from a circumferential surface of the drum, for generating an electromagnetic field to heat the circumferential surface of the drum, wherein the induction module comprises: a coil which is formed by winding a wire such that electric current is applied thereto to generate a magnetic field; and a base housing mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the tub, wherein the base housing is provided with a coil slot for defining the shape of the coil in such a manner that the wire is mounted therein so as to have a predetermined distance between wire and wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Beomjun KIM, Woore KIM, Bio PARK, Seulgi PARK, Jaehyuk JANG, Sangwook HONG, Changoh KIM, Hyunwoo NOH
  • Publication number: 20220356626
    Abstract: A washing machine includes: a tub; a drum of metal material configured to be rotated in the tub; an induction heater configured to be fixed to the tub in a state of being separated from the drum, and to heat the drum; a first temperature sensor configured to have a tube of metal material heated by the induction heater and a thermistor disposed in the tube, at least a part of the tube being exposed between the tub and the drum; a second temperature sensor configured to be disposed in a position further away than the first temperature sensor from the induction heater in a circumferential direction, and detect a temperature of air between the tub and the drum; and a controller configured to control the induction heater based on a first detection value of the first temperature sensor and a second detection value of the second temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Seulgi PARK, Woore KIM, Sangwook HONG
  • Patent number: 11479895
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a laundry machine. More particularly, a laundry machine for generating steam by an induction heater and a control method thereof are disclosed. According to an embodiment, the laundry machine may include a tub, a drum rotatably arranged in the tub to accommodate an object and provided with a through hole on an outer circumferential surface, an induction heater provided to the tub and configured to heat a heating surface of the drum opposing the induction heater on an outer surface of the drum, a motor driven to rotate the drum, a spray nozzle configured to spray water onto the heating surface of the drum opposing and heated by the induction heater to generate steam, and a processor configured to rotate the drum such that the steam is introduced into the drum through the through hole of the drum in a space between the tub and the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sangwook Hong, Woore Kim, Changoh Kim
  • Publication number: 20220290353
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a laundry machine. More particularly, a laundry machine for generating steam by an induction heater and a control method thereof are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a method of controlling a laundry machine including a tub, a drum rotatably arranged in the tub to accommodate an object and provided with a through hole on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and an induction heater provided to the tub, and configured to perform a steam operation. The steam operation may include heating a heating surface of the drum facing the induction heater by driving the induction heater, spraying, through a spray nozzle, water toward the heating surface heated in the heating operation, and rotating the drum such that the steam is introduced into the drum through the through hole in a space between the tub and the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Sangwook HONG, Woore KIM, Beomjun KIM, Hyunwoo NOH
  • Patent number: 11427947
    Abstract: A washing machine includes: a tub; a drum of metal material configured to be rotated in the tub; an induction heater configured to be fixed to the tub in a state of being separated from the drum, and to heat the drum; a first temperature sensor configured to have a tube of metal material heated by the induction heater and a thermistor disposed in the tube, at least a part of the tube being exposed between the tub and the drum; a second temperature sensor configured to be disposed in a position further away than the first temperature sensor from the induction heater in a circumferential direction, and detect a temperature of air between the tub and the drum; and a controller configured to control the induction heater based on a first detection value of the first temperature sensor and a second detection value of the second temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seulgi Park, Woore Kim, Sangwook Hong
  • Patent number: 11421369
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clothes treatment apparatus and, more particularly, to a clothes treatment apparatus for directly heating a drum accommodating clothes. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a clothes treatment apparatus comprising: a tub; a drum, made of a metal, which accommodates clothes and is rotatably provided inside the tub; and an induction module, provided in the tub so as to have a spacing from a circumferential surface of the drum, for generating an electromagnetic field to heat the circumferential surface of the drum, wherein the induction module comprises: a coil which is formed by winding a wire such that electric current is applied thereto to generate a magnetic field; and a base housing mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the tub, wherein the base housing is provided with a coil slot for defining the shape of the coil in such a manner that the wire is mounted therein so as to have a predetermined distance between wire and wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Beomjun Kim, Woore Kim, Bio Park, Seulgi Park, Jaehyuk Jang, Sangwook Hong, Changoh Kim, Hyunwoo Noh
  • Patent number: 11414811
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for treating laundry with an induction heater and controlling method thereof. In a laundry treating apparatus including an induction heater, the present invention includes a first step of setting a normal dry mode and an abnormal dry mode for controlling the induction heater with a output relatively lower than that of the normal dry mode, a second step of operating the induction heater in the normal dry mode, a third step of determining whether a dry load is a normal load or an abnormal load using at least one of a temperature of a drum and a current of a motor, and a fourth step of if the dry load is determined as the abnormal load, controlling the induction heater in the abnormal dry mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Woore Kim, Changoh Kim, Sangwook Hong
  • Patent number: 11359324
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a laundry machine. More particularly, a laundry machine for generating steam by an induction heater and a control method thereof are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a method of controlling a laundry machine including a tub, a drum rotatably arranged in the tub to accommodate an object and provided with a through hole on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and an induction heater provided to the tub, and configured to perform a steam operation. The steam operation may include heating a heating surface of the drum facing the induction heater by driving the induction heater, spraying, through a spray nozzle, water toward the heating surface heated in the heating operation, and rotating the drum such that the steam is introduced into the drum through the through hole in a space between the tub and the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sangwook Hong, Woore Kim, Beomjun Kim, Hyunwoo Noh
  • Publication number: 20210395936
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry care apparatus in which an induction module heats the drum uniformly using a magnetic field to dry laundry or heat wash-water, and center and front and rear regions of the drum are uniformly heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Beomjun KIM, Sangwook HONG, Woore KIM, Hongjun CHO
  • Publication number: 20210395935
    Abstract: A washing machine includes: a tub; a drum; an induction heater disposed in a position spaced apart from the drum and configured to heat the drum; an input power source; a relay configured to interrupt a current applied to the coil of the induction heater from the input power source; a first processor configured to control the relay; and a safety device connected to a circuit connecting the first processor and the relay. The safety device includes: a first thermostat configured to operate according to a temperature of a first air between the drum and the tub, and open the circuit when the temperature of the first air is a first safety control temperature; and a thermal fuse configured to operate according to a temperature of a second air outside the tub, and open the circuit when the temperature of the second air is a second safety control temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Beomjun KIM, Woore KIM, Sangwook HONG