Laundry Treating Apparatus and Control Method Thereof

Abstract

A laundry treating apparatus capable of washing and drying laundry and a control method therefore are disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus includes a first laundry treating device (100) configured to process laundry based on preset operating conditions, a second laundry treating device (200) installed adjacent to the first laundry treating device (100) and configured to process laundry based on preset operating conditions independently of the first laundry treating device (100), first and second heaters installed respectively in the first (100) and second (200) laundry treating devices, and a control device to determine the order of priority upon operations of the first and second heaters in consideration of the preset operating conditions and to selectively operate only any one of the first and second heaters after operating the determined heater first.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus capable of washing and/or drying laundry and a control method of the laundry treating apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

As is known, a washing machine and a drying machine function complementary to each other and therefore, may be arranged parallel to each other so as to be used together as necessary. Recently, a laundry treating apparatus has been commercialized, which is a combination of an independent washing machine and drying machine. The laundry treating apparatus is manufactured in such a manner that the washing machine and drying machine have independent structures, but are functionally associated with each other. Alternatively, the laundry treating apparatus may consist of only a pair of washing machines or of a pair of drying machines as necessary. The laundry treating apparatus preferably has a unified design, to allow a user to recognize the laundry treating apparatus as a single system. Furthermore, any one of the washing machine or the drying machine involved in the laundry treating apparatus may take the form of a base, i.e. a pedestal arranged below the other one. In this case, the laundry treating apparatus may achieve a more compact configuration.

As mentioned above, the laundry treating apparatus substantially constitutes a single system and therefore, limited power is supplied to the single laundry treating apparatus. However, in the case where individual devices, such as the washing machine and the drying machine, involved in the laundry treating apparatus are driven together, power consumption may exceed available power. This may cause inappropriate operation of the laundry treating apparatus and, in the worst case, may cause breakage of the laundry treating apparatus.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a laundry treating apparatus capable of assuring stable and efficient operation thereof, and a control method of the laundry treating apparatus.

Technical Solution

The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a control method of a laundry treating apparatus includin putting laundry to be processed into a first laundry treating device and a second laundry treating device installed adjacent to the first laundry treating device respectively, instructing the first and second laundry treating devices to operate, determining the order of priority upon operations of a first heater installed in the first laundry treating device and a second heater installed in the second laundry treating device in consideration of preset operating conditions, and selectively operating only any one of the first and second heaters after the determined heater is operated first.

In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a laundry treating apparatus including a first laundry treating device configured to process laundry based on preset operating conditions, a second laundry treating device installed adjacent to the first laundry treating device and configured to process laundry based on preset operating conditions independently of the first laundry treating device, first and second heaters installed respectively in the first and second laundry treating devices, and a control device to determine the order of priority upon operations of the first and second heaters in consideration of the preset operating conditions and to selectively operate only any one of the first and second heaters after operating the determined heater first.

Advantageous Effects

In a laundry treating apparatus and a control method thereof according to the present invention, only any one of first and second heaters is controlled to be selectively operated during operations of first and second laundry treating devices. With the selective operation of the heaters, the present invention has the effect of controlling power consumption so as not to exceed available power. This consequently may assure stable operation of the laundry treating apparatus. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the first and second heaters are operated based on priority and various operation modes thereof in consideration of preset operating conditions, resulting in effective and efficient operation of the laundry treating apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling the laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating one embodiment of the control method of the laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a table illustrating another embodiment of the control method of the laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of a laundry treating apparatus and a control method of the laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the laundry treating apparatus consists of a set of a first laundry treating device 100 and a second laundry treating device 200. Specifically, as shown, the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 have independent structures and are combined to construct the laundry treating apparatus. More specifically, as shown, the second laundry treating device 200 may take the form of a base, i.e. a pedestal arranged below the first laundry treating device 100. In this case, the laundry treating apparatus has a more compact configuration. On the other hand, although not shown, the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 may be designed to have similar sizes, to assure design conformity.

Each of the above described first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 basically may be any one of a washing machine, a drying machine, or a washing machine having a drying function. Both the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 respectively have housings 110 and 210 defining an exterior appearance thereof. In the case of the first laundry treating device 100, a door 120 is installed to the housing 110, to allow input of laundry into the housing 110. On the other hand, in the case of the second laundry treating device 200 in the form of a pedestal, a drawer 220 is provided to be pulled out or pushed into the housing 210, to allow input of laundry into the housing 210. In addition, a control panel 130 is provided at the housing 110 and is used to input an operation. More particularly, assuming that the first or second laundry treating device 100 or 200 is a washing machine, a tub in which wash water is stored is mounted in the corresponding housing 110 or 210 and in turn, a drum in which laundry is received and washed is rotatably mounted in the tub. In addition, a drive mechanism to rotate the drum is provided in the corresponding housing 110 or 210. Assuming that the first or second laundry treating device 100 or 200 is a washing machine having a drying function, in addition to the above described constituent elements, a duct structure and a heating device may be provided in the corresponding housing 110 or 210, to supply hot air into the drum. Assuming that the first or second laundry treating device 100 or 200 is a drying machine, a drum is rotatably mounted in the corresponding housing 110 or 210 and serves to dry laundry received therein. In this case, a heating device and a duct structure for supplying hot air into the drum are provided. Since the second laundry treating device 200 has a smaller interior space than the first laundry treating device 100, constituent elements of the above mentioned washing machine, drying machine, or washing machine having a drying function may be reduced in size, in order to be arranged in the interior space of the drawer 220 of the second laundry treating device 200. Although the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 may have respective control devices, it is preferable for the sake of simplified configuration and reduced manufacturing costs that a single control device be provided to control the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200. The single control device may be installed in any one of the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200.

As shown, the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 may be arranged in parallel to each other. With this configuration, a user may easily access the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 and consequently, may conveniently use the laundry treating apparatus. Similarly, for the sake of user convenience, the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 may be vertically arranged one above another. That is, any one of the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 may be placed on the top of the other one. FIG. 1 illustrates a combination example in which the first laundry treating device 100 is placed on the top of the second laundry treating device 200.

In the above described laundry treating apparatus, the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 are frequently operated in tandem. However, the laundry treating apparatus constitutes a substantially single system and thus, limited power is supplied to the laundry treating apparatus. Therefore, when the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 are driven in tandem, power consumption may exceed available power. This may cause inappropriate operation of the laundry treating apparatus and, in the worst case, may cause breakage of the laundry treating apparatus. In particular, the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 respectively have heaters. These heaters tend to consume the greatest power as compared to other constituent elements. Assuming that the first or second laundry treating device 100 or 200 is a washing machine, a heater to heat at least wash water is provided. Assuming that first or second laundry treating device 100 or 200 is a drying machine, a heater to heat air is provided to produce hot air for laundry drying. That is, the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 substantially have first and second heaters, respectively. If both the first and second heaters are operated simultaneously, power consumption may easily exceed available power. For this reason, in the laundry treating apparatus, when the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 are operated in tandem, it is necessary to control the first and second heaters of the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200, in order to appropriately adjust power consumption. Hereinafter, a configuration of the laundry treating apparatus and a control method of the laundry treating apparatus for the sake of adjustment of power consumption will be described with reference to the associated drawing.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the control method of the laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention.

When both the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 are operated in tandem, first, laundry to be processed is input into the first laundry treating device 100 and the second laundry treating device 200 installed adjacent to the first laundry treating device 100, respectively (S10).

Subsequent to the input step S10, the user instructs the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 to operate, by use of control panels 130 and 230 that are provided respectively at the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 (S20). In the instruction step S20, the user may instruct the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 to operate simultaneously. That is, the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 begin to be operated simultaneously. On the other hand, for several reasons, the user may instruct any one of the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 to operate first and then, the other one to operate later after a predetermined time passes. Thereby, the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 may have different operating beginning times.

Thereafter, in consideration of preset operating conditions, the control device of the laundry treating apparatus determines the order of priority upon operations of the first heater installed in the first laundry treating device 100 and the second heater installed in the second laundry treating device 200 (S30). As described above, of various constituent elements of the laundry treating apparatus, the first and second heaters are the greatest factor increasing power consumption. Therefore, in order to limit power consumption to within a range of a preset supply power, it is necessary to operate any one of the first and second heaters during the simultaneous operation of the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200. In this case, furthermore, in order to assure efficient operation of the laundry treating apparatus, it is important to give priority to any one of the first and second heaters.

More specifically, in the determination step S30, the control device first compares preset operating conditions of the first laundry treating device 100 with preset operating conditions of the second laundry treating device 200. Next, the control device selects a heater to be operated first from among the first and second heaters based on the result of the comparison. In the comparison step, the control device may compare the quantities of laundry to be processed respectively in the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200, and preset operating times and operating courses of the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 with each other. In addition, the control device may compare required wattages and target heating temperatures of the first and second heaters with each other. Determining to give priority to any one of the heaters whose one of the above mentioned compared parameters has a specific value may be changed based on an operating algorithm. Nevertheless, in the case where the user sets detailed operating conditions, such as an operating time or operating course, of only any one of the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200, the user preferably determines that the heater of the laundry treating device whose operating time or operating course is set is operated first. In addition, in the case where an operating time of any one of the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 is shorter than that of the other one of the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200, it is preferable in view of efficient operation of the laundry treating apparatus that the heater of the laundry treating device having the shorter operating time be operated first. The control panel and the control device may be provided with optional functions, to allow the user to select the operating sequence of the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200. In turn, the operating sequence of the first and second heaters may be previously determined based on the operating sequence of the laundry treating devices selected via the optional functions.

Subsequent to the determination step S30, the control device operates the determined heater first. Then, as described above, the control device selectively operates only any one of the first and second heaters so that power consumption is less than or equal to available power (S40). In the selective operation step S40, the selective operation of the first and second heaters is carried out based on a predetermined operation mode, for the sake of efficient and effective operation of the laundry treating apparatus. In addition, as described above, the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 may be operated simultaneously, or may be operated sequentially with a predetermined time interval, with relation to the instruction step S20. In both the cases, their operation steps, more particularly, operation modes may differ from each other. FIG. 3 illustrates an operation mode in the case where the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 begin to be operated simultaneously. Now, the corresponding operation mode will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

An operation mode P shown in FIG. 3 indicates the operating sequence of the heaters in the case where the first laundry treating device 100 and the second laundry treating device 200 are operated simultaneously. When the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 are operated simultaneously, both the first and second heaters provided in the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 are not operated simultaneously. Accordingly, the operation mode P of FIG. 3 is actually applied to a state in which either of the first and second heaters is not in operation. Meanwhile, even if the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 are not operated simultaneously, but begin to be operated sequentially with a predetermined time interval, the succeeding laundry treating device may begin to be operated before the heater of the previously operated laundry treating device. Even in this case, both the first and second heaters are still not operated simultaneously and thus, the operation mode P shown in FIG. 3 may be applied.

In an operation mode Q shown in FIG. 4 that will be described hereinafter as well as the operation mode P of FIG. 3, the operation step S40 basically includes a first heating step for driving the first heater of the first laundry treating device 100, and a second heating step for driving the second heater of the second laundry treating device 200 that is operated independently of the first heater. More specifically, assuming that the first laundry treating device 100 and/or the second laundry treating device 200 are washing machines, the first heating step and/or the second heating step denotes heating the wash water received in the tub by use of the first heater and/or the second heater. Also, assuming that the first laundry treating device 100 and/or the second laundry treating device 200 are drying machines respectively, the first heating step and/or the second heating step denotes heating air supplied into the drum by use of the first heater and/or the second heater. That is, the first and second heating steps commonly denote heating corresponding heating objects, i.e. the wash water or the drying air, by use of the first and second heaters.

Now, the operation mode P of FIG. 3 will be described in more detail. In the following description, “M” represents that the first heater of the first laundry treating device 100 is operated, and “S” represents that the second heater of the second laundry treating device 200 is operated. Also, a subscript “if” represents a step in which the heater initiates an operation to heat a corresponding heating object until the object reaches a preset temperature and then, is turned off. A subscript “i” represents a step in which the operation of the heater is initiated, and a subscript “f” represents a step in which the operation of the heater is finished. In addition, the absence of the subscripts represents that the operation of the heater is in progress.

When it is determined in the determination step S30 that the first heater is operated first, operation modes P1 to P4 indicate that the first heater determined in the determination step S30 is operated first in the operation step S40. In addition, when it is determined in the determination step S30 that the second heater is operated first, operation modes P5 to P8 indicate that the second heater is operated first in the operation step S40.

First, the operation mode P1 indicates a procedure in which the first heater initiates an operation to heat a heating object received in the first laundry treating device 100 to a first preset temperature and then, the operation of the first heater is finished (M_if) and thereafter, the second heater initiates an operation to heat a heating object received in the second laundry treating device 200 to a second preset temperature and then, the operation of the second heater is finished (S_if).

In the operation mode P2, after the first heater initiates an operation first (M_i), the first heater is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time passes. Thereafter, the second heater initiates an operation to heat the heating object of the second laundry treating device 200 to the second preset temperature and then, the operation of the second heater is finished (S_if). Thereafter, the first heater is re-operated to heat the heating object of the first laundry treating device 100 to the first preset temperature and then, the operation of the first heater is finished (M_f).

In the operation mode P3, after the first heater initiates an operation first (M_i), the first heater is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time passes and the second heater initiates an operation (S₁). The operation of the second heater is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time passes. Thereafter, the first heater is re-operated to heat the heating object of the first laundry treating device 100 to the first preset temperature and then, the operation of the first heater is finished (M_f). After the operation of the first heater is finished, the second heater is re-operated to heat the heating object of the second laundry treating device 200 to the second preset temperature and then, the operation of the second heater is finished (S_f).

In the operation mode P4, after the first heater initiates an operation first (M_i), the first heater is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time passes and the second heater initiates an operation (S_i). Thereafter, the operation of the second heater is temporarily stopped and the first heater is re-operated (M). After the operation of the first heater is again temporarily stopped, the second heater is re-operated to heat the heating object of the second laundry treating device 200 to the second preset temperature and then, the operation of the second heater is finished (S_f). Next, the first heater is reoperated to heat the heating object of the first laundry treating device 100 to the first preset temperature and then, the operation of the first heater is finished (M_f).

Meanwhile, the operation modes P5, P6, P7, and P8 are similar to the above described operation modes P1, P2, P3, and P4. Exceptionally, since it is determined in the determination step S30 that the second heater is operated first, only the operating sequence of the first heater and second heater, i.e. the sequence of M and S is exchanged. For example, in the operation mode P5, the second heater initiates an operation first to heat the heating object of the second laundry treating device 200 to the second preset temperature and then, the operation of the second heater is finished (S_if). Thereafter, the first heater initiates an operation to heat the heating object of the first laundry treating device 100 to the first preset temperature and then, the operation of the first heater is finished (M_if).

In conclusion, in the operation mode P1 or in the operation mode P5, after any one step of the first heating step and the second heating step is completely carried out, i.e. after the corresponding heating object is heated to the preset temperature, the remaining steps are carried out. Specifically, according to the operation mode P1 or the operation mode P5, the operation step S40 includes continuously operating any one of the first heater and the second heater, which is determined in the determination step S30, until the object to be heated first is heated to the preset temperature. Subsequent to the operation of the determined heater, the operation step S40 includes operating the other one of the first heater and the second heater until the heating object is heated to the preset temperature.

In the operation modes P3 and P4 or in the operation modes P7 and P8, the first heating step and the second heating step may be alternately carried out until the heating objects of the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 reach the corresponding preset temperatures respectively. Specifically, according to the operation modes P3 and P4 or the operation modes P7 and P8, the operation step S40 includes operating the heater determined in the determination step S30 first for a predetermined time, and alternately operating the first and second heaters for predetermined times respectively until the corresponding heating objects are heated to the preset temperatures respectively. In the alternate operations of the first and second heaters in the operation step S40, the respective operating times of the first and second heaters may be appropriately changed. That is, although the operating times of the first and second heaters may be equal to each other, the operating times of the first and second heaters may be set differently from each other in consideration of preset operating conditions.

FIG. 4 illustrates an operation mode in the case where the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 begin to be operated sequentially with a predetermined time interval. Now, the corresponding operation mode will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

The operation mode Q shown in FIG. 4 indicates the operating sequence of the first and second heaters in the case where any one of the first laundry treating device 100 and the second laundry treating device 200 is operated first. As described above, even if the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 are operated sequentially with a predetermined time interval, the succeeding laundry treating device may begin to be operated before the heater of the previously operated laundry treating device. In this case, both the first and second heaters are still not operated simultaneously and thus, the operation mode P shown in FIG. 3 is applied. Accordingly, the operation mode Q shown in FIG. 4 may be applied when the first and second laundry treating devices 100 and 200 initiate operations thereof with a predetermined time interval and any one of the heaters thereof is previously operated. In this case, based on the determined result of the previously implemented determination step S30, the control device may stop or continue the operation of the previously operated heater.

Now, the operation mode Q of FIG. 4 will be described in more detail. In the following description, “M” represents that the first heater of the first laundry treating device 100 is operated, and “S” represents that the second heater of the second laundry treating device 200 is operated. Also, a subscript “if” represents a step in which the heater initiates an operation to heat a corresponding heating object until the object reaches a preset temperature and then, is turned off. A subscript “i” represents a step in which the operation of the heater is initiated, and a subscript “f” represents a step in which the operation of the heater is finished. In addition, the absence of the subscripts represents that the operation of the heater is in progress. Finally, a subscript “s” represents that the operation of the corresponding heater is temporarily stopped.

Operation modes Q1 to Q7 indicate operation modes in the case where the first laundry treating device 100 is operated first and then, the second laundry treating device 200 begins to be operated during operation of the first heater. Also, operation modes Q8 to Q14 indicate operation modes in the case where the second laundry treating device 200 is operated first and then, the first laundry treating device 100 begins to be operated during operation of the second heater.

More specifically, when it is determined in the determination step S30 that the second heater is operated first, the operation modes Q1 to Q3 indicate operation modes in the case where the operation of the first heater of the previously operated first laundry treating device 100 is stopped and the second heater initiates an operation when the second laundry treating device 200 is operated and the second heater needs to be operated. That is, according to the operation modes Q1 to Q3, when any one of the first and second heaters, which is not determined in the determination step S30, is operated, the operation step S40 includes stopping the operated heater and operating the determined heater of the first and second heaters. In addition, when it is determined in the determination step S30 that the first heater is operated first, the operation modes Q4 to Q7 indicate operation modes in the case where the first heater of the first laundry treating device 100 is continuously operated even if the second laundry treating device 200 newly begins to be operated. That is, according to the operation modes Q4 to Q7, when any one of the first and second heaters, which is determined in the determination step S30, is operated, the operation step S40 includes continuously operating the determined heater.

Now, the above described operation modes Q1 to Q7 will be described in more detail. First, in the operation mode Q1, the first heater is operated first (M_i) and the second laundry treating device 200 begins to be operated during the operation of the first heater. When it is determined in the determination step S30 that the second heater is operated first, a step for temporarily stopping the operation of the first heater is carried out (M_s). Thereafter, the second heater initiates an operation to heat the heating object of the second laundry treating device 200 to the second preset temperature and then, the operation of the second heater is finished (S_if). After the first heater is reoperated to heat the heating object of the first laundry treating device 100 to the first preset temperature, the operation of the first heater is finished (M_f).

In the operation mode Q2, the first heater is operated first (M_i) and the second laundry treating device 200 begins to be operated during the operation of the first heater. When it is determined in the determination step S30 that the second heater is operated first, a step for temporarily stopping the operation of the first heater is carried out (M_s). Thereafter, the second heater initiates an operation (S_i). When the second heater is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time passes, the first heater is reoperated (M). After the operation of the first heater is temporarily stopped, the second heater is re-operated to heat the heating object of the second laundry treating device 200 to the second preset temperature and then, the operation of the second heater is finished (S_f). Then, after the first heater is re-operated to heat the heating object of the first laundry treating device 100 to the first preset temperature, the operation of the first heater is finished (M_f).

In the operation mode Q3, the first heater is operated first (M_i) and the second laundry treating device 200 begins to be operated during the operation of the first heater. When it is determined in the determination step S30 that the second heater is operated first, a step for temporarily stopping the operation of the first heater is carried out (M_s). Thereafter, the second heater initiates an operation (S_i). When the second heater is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time passes, the first heater is reoperated to heat the heating object of the first laundry treating device 100 to the first preset temperature and then, the operation of the first heater is finished (M_f). After the second heater is re-operated to heat the heating object of the second laundry treating device 200 to the second preset temperature, the operation of the second heater is finished (S_f).

In the operation mode Q4, when it is determined in the determination step S30 that the first heater is operated first, the first heater continues to be operated even if the second laundry treating device 200 begins to be operated during the operation of the first heater (M_i). In particular, the operation of the first heater is finished after the first heater heats the heating object of the first laundry treating device 100 to the first preset temperature (M_f). Thereafter, the second heater initiates an operation to heat the heating object of the second laundry treating device 200 to the second preset temperature and then, the operation of the second heater is finished (S_if).

In the operation mode Q5, when it is determined in the determination step S30 that the first heater is operated first, the first heater continues to be operated (M) even if the second laundry treating device 200 begins to be operated during the operation of the first heater (M_i). The operation of the first heater is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time passes. The second heater initiates an operation to heat the heating object of the second laundry treating device 200 to the second preset temperature and then, the operation of the second heater is finished (S_if). After the first heater is re-operated to heat the heating object of the first laundry treating device 100 to the first preset temperature, the operation of the first heater is finished (M_f).

In the operation mode Q6, when it is determined in the determination step S30 that the first heater is operated first, the first heater continues to be operated (M) even if the second laundry treating device 200 begins to be operated during the operation of the first heater (M_i). The operation of the first heater is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time passes, and the second heater initiates an operation (S_i). Also, the operation of the second heater is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time passes. After the first heater is re-operated to heat the heating object of the first laundry treating device 100 to the first preset temperature, the operation of the first heater is finished (M_f). Then, after the second heater is re-operated to heat the heating object of the second laundry treating device 200 to the second preset temperature, the operation of the second heater is finished (S_f).

In the operation mode Q7, when it is determined in the determination step S30 that the first heater is operated first, the first heater continues to be operated (M) even if the second laundry treating device 200 begins to be operated during the operation of the first heater (M_i). The operation of the first heater is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time passes, and the second heater initiates an operation (S_i). After the operation of the second heater is temporarily stopped, the first heater is operated (M). The operation of the first heater is again temporarily stopped after a predetermined time passes. After the second heater is operated to heat the heating object of the second laundry treating device 200 to the second preset temperature, the operation of the second heater is finished (S_f). Then, after the first heater is operated to heat the heating object of the first laundry treating device 100 to the first preset temperature, the operation of the first heater is finished (M_f).

Meanwhile, the operation modes Q8 to Q14 are similar to the above described operation modes Q1 to Q7. Exceptionally, since the operation modes Q8 to Q14 indicate operation modes in the case where the second laundry treating device 200 is operated first and then, the first laundry treating device 100 is operated during operation of the second heater, only the operating sequence of the first and second heaters, i.e. the sequence of M and S is exchanged.

In conclusion, according to the operation modes Q1 to Q3 and the operation modes Q8 to Q10, the operation step S40 may include an intermediate heating step for stopping operation of the heater of the previously operated laundry heating device and thereafter, operating the heater of the newly operated laundry treating device. Here, the intermediate heating step may correspond to the step S_if of the operation mode Q1, or may correspond to the step S_i of the operation modes Q2 and Q3. In addition, the intermediate heating step may correspond to the step M_if of the operation mode Q8, or may correspond to the step M_i of the operation modes Q9 and Q10. After completion of the intermediate heating step, the operation step S40 may further include an additional heating step for operating the heater of the previously operated laundry treating device. Here, the additional heating step may correspond to the step M_f of the operation mode Q1, the step M of the operation mode Q2, or the step M_f of the operation mode Q3. In addition, the additional heating step may correspond to the step S_f of the operation mode Q8, the step S of the operation mode Q9, or the step S_f of the operation mode Q10. That is, as can be seen from the operation modes Q1 to Q3 and the operation modes Q8 to Q10, the intermediate heating step and the additional heating step may be alternately carried out until the heating objects of the first and second laundry treating devices reach the preset temperatures. Accordingly, in consideration of the above described intermediate heating step and additional heating step, according to the operation modes Q1 to Q3 and the operation modes Q8 to Q10, the operation step S40 may include operating the determined heater while stopping the operation of the heater that is not determined in the determination step S30 and thereafter, alternately operating the first and second heaters for predetermined times respectively until the heating objects are heated to the preset temperatures. In the alternate operations of the first and second heaters included in the operation step S40, the respective operating times of the first and second heaters may be appropriately changed. That is, although the respective operating times of the first and second heaters may be equal to each other, the operating times of the first and second heaters may differ from each other in consideration of preset operating conditions.

The operation step S40, according to the operation modes Q4 to Q7 and the operation modes Q11 to Q14, may include a continuous heating step for continuously operating the heater provided in the previously operated laundry treating device, and an intermediate heating step for driving the heater provided in the laundry treating device to be newly operated. Here, the continuous heating step may correspond to the step M_f of the operation mode Q4, or the step M of the operation modes Q5 to Q7. In addition, the intermediate heating step may correspond to the step S_if of the operation modes Q4 and Q5, or the step S_i of the operation modes Q6 and Q7. The continuous heating and intermediate heating steps of the operation modes Q11 to Q14 are similar to the corresponding steps of the previously described operation modes Q4 to Q7, and only the sequence of M and S is exchanged.

In the operations modes Q4 and Q11 of the above described operation modes, after a temperature of a corresponding drying object is raised to a preset temperature, the intermediate heating operation is carried out to raise a temperature of a corresponding drying object to a preset temperature. Therefore, the operation step S40 according to the operation modes Q4 and Q11 includes continuously operating the previously operated heater when the heater is one determined in the determination step S30 until the corresponding heating object is heated to the preset temperature and thereafter, operating the other one of the first and second heaters until the corresponding heating object is heated to the preset temperature.

In the remaining operation modes Q5 to Q7 and Q12 to Q14, the continuous heating step and the intermediate heating step are alternately carried out until the heating objects of the first and second laundry treating devices reach the preset temperatures. Accordingly, the operation step S40 according to the operation modes Q5 to Q7 and Q12 to Q14 includes continuously operating the previously operated heater when the heater is one determined in the determination step S30, and alternately operating the first and second heaters for predetermined times respectively until the heating objects are heated to the respective preset temperatures. In the alternate operations of the first and second heaters in the operation step S40, the respective operating times of the first and second heaters may be appropriately changed. That is, although the respective operating times of the first and second heaters may be equal to each other, the operating times of the first and second heaters may differ from each other in consideration of preset operating conditions.

Claims

1. A control method of a laundry treating apparatus comprising:

putting laundry to be processed into a first laundry treating device and a second laundry treating device installed adjacent to the first laundry treating device respectively;

instructing the first and second laundry treating devices to operate;

determining a heater to be operated first in a first heater installed in the first laundry treating device and a second heater installed in the second laundry treating device in consideration of preset operating conditions; and

selectively operating only any one of the first and second heaters after the determined heater is operated first.

2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the instruction step includes instructing the first and second laundry treating devices to operate simultaneously.

3. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the instruction step includes:

instructing any one of the first and second laundry treating devices to operate first; and

instructing the other one of the first and second laundry treating devices to operate after a predetermined time passes.

4. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the determination step includes:

comparing preset operating conditions of the first laundry treating device with preset operating conditions of the second laundry treating device; and

selecting one of the first and second heaters to be operated first based on the result of comparison.

5. The control method according to claim 4, wherein the comparison step includes comparing the quantities of laundry to be processed, preset operating times, or preset operating courses of the first and second laundry treating devices, or required wattages or target heating temperatures of the first and second heaters with each other.

6. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, when a user sets detailed operating conditions of only any one of the first and second laundry treating devices, the determination step determines that the heater of the corresponding laundry treating device will be operated first.

7. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, when an operating time of any one of the first and second laundry treating devices is shorter than an operating time of the other one of the first and second laundry treating devices, the determination step determines that the heater of the laundry treating device having the shorter operating time will be operated first.

8. The control method according to claim 1, wherein, when a user previously determines an operating sequence of the first and second laundry treating devices, the determination step determines an operating sequence of the heaters based on the previously determined operating sequence of the laundry treating devices.

9. The control method according to claim 2, wherein the operation step includes:

continuously operating any one of the first and second heaters that is determined in the determination step until an object to be heated is heated to a preset temperature; and

operating the other one of the first and second heaters until an object to be heated is heated to a preset temperature after the operation of the determined heater.

10. The control method according to claim 2, wherein the operation step includes alternately operating the first and second heaters for predetermined times respectively until corresponding objects to be heated are heated to preset temperatures,

wherein the heater determined in the determination step initiates an operation first.

11. The control method according to claim 3, wherein the operation step includes:

stopping the operation of the heater when the operated heater is not the one determined in the determination step; and

operating the determined heater in the first and second heaters.

12. The control method according to claim 11, wherein the operation step includes alternately operating the first and second heaters for predetermined times respectively until corresponding heating objects are heated to preset temperatures after the operation of the determined heater.

13. The control method according to claim 3, wherein the operation step includes continuously operating the heater when the operated heater is one of the first and second heaters determined in the determination step.

14. The control method according to claim 13, wherein the operation step includes:

continuously operating the determined heater first until a corresponding object to be heated is heated to a preset temperature; and

operating the other one of the first and second heaters until a corresponding object to be heated is heated to a preset temperature after the operation of the determined heater.

15. The control method according to claim 13, wherein the operation step includes alternately operating the first and second heaters for predetermined times respectively until corresponding objects to be heated are heated to preset temperatures after the operation of the determined heater.

16. A laundry treating apparatus comprising:

a first laundry treating device configured to process laundry based on preset operating conditions;

a second laundry treating device installed adjacent to the first laundry treating device and configured to process laundry based on preset operating conditions independently of the first laundry treating device;

first and second heaters installed respectively in the first and second laundry treating devices; and

a control device to determine the heater to be operated first in the first and second heaters in consideration of the preset operating conditions and to selectively operate only any one of the first and second heaters after operating the determined heater first.

17. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 16, wherein any one of the first and second laundry treating devices is any one of a washing machine, a drying machine, and a washing machine having a drying function.

18. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first and second laundry treating devices are arranged in parallel to each other, or are vertically stacked one above another.

19. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 16, wherein any one of the first and second heaters heats wash water to a preset temperature, or heats drying air to a preset temperature.

20. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the control device compares the preset operating conditions of the first laundry treating device with the preset operating conditions of the second laundry treating device, and selects one of the first and second heaters to be operated first based on the result of comparison.

21. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the control device compares the quantities of laundry to be processed, preset operating times, or preset operating courses of the first and second laundry treating devices, or required wattages or target heating temperatures of the first and second heaters with each other.

22. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 16, wherein, when a user sets detailed operating conditions of only any one of the first and second laundry treating devices, the control device operates first the set heater of the corresponding laundry treating device.

23. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 16, wherein, when an operating time of any one of the first and second laundry treating devices is shorter than an operating time of the other one of the first and second laundry treating devices, the control device operates first the heater of the laundry treating device having the shorter operating time.

24. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 16, wherein, when a user previously instructs an operating sequence of the first and second laundry treating devices, the control device determines an operating sequence of the heaters based on the previously instructed operating sequence of the laundry treating devices.