LAUNDRY TREATING APPARATUS INDICATING ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND METHOD FOR INDICATING ENERGY EFFICIENCY THEREOF

Abstract

A laundry treating apparatus may include a drum that receives laundry item therein, a heat pump that circulates a heating medium, a compressor that compresses the heating medium, a condenser that heats air to be transmitted to the drum, an expander that expands the heating medium, and an evaporator that cools air transmitted from the drum. A heater may re-heat air heated by the heat pump, and a sensing device may sense a state, such as temperature, of the heating medium. A controller may calculate energy efficiency based on the sensed state of the heating medium. Energy related information including the calculated energy efficiency may be displayed on a display so that energy efficiency may be monitored real time.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Application No. 10-2012-0117468 filed on Oct. 22, 2012, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This relates to a laundry treating apparatus, and more particularly, to a laundry treating apparatus capable of calculating and indicating energy efficiency, and a method for indicating energy efficiency of such a laundry treating apparatus.

2. Background

A laundry treating apparatus may supply hot air may to an interior of a drum to evaporate moisture from laundry that has gone through a wash and spin cycle. In, for example, a dryer, a drum may be rotatably installed within a body, a driving motor may drive the drum, a blower may blow air into the drum, and a heater may heat air to be introduced into the interior of the drum. The heater may use, for example, electrical resistance heat or combustion generated by burning gas. Air released from a drum of a laundry treating apparatus may contain moisture from the laundry within the drum, and have of high temperature and humidity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment as broadly described herein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an internal structure of the laundry treating apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a heat pump and a sensing device illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system for indicating energy efficiency of the laundry treating apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a process of indicating energy efficiency carried out by the system shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a pressure-enthalpy diagram of a heating medium circulating in a heat pump;

FIG. 7 illustrates a display of the laundry treating apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a system for indicating energy efficiency of the laundry treating apparatus shown in FIG. 1, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a process of indicating energy efficiency and a saved power rate carried out by the system shown in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a display according to an embodiment as broadly described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings such that they may be easily practiced by those skilled in the art. If a detailed explanation for a related known function or construction is considered to unnecessarily divert the disclosure, such explanation will be omitted and considering to be understood by those skilled in the art.

Dryers may be classified into a condensing-type dryer (or circulating dryer) and an exhaust-type dryer according to the way in which high temperature, high humidity is treated. In the case of the condensing-type dryer, air having high temperature and humidity may be circulated, rather than being discharged to the outside, and cooled as it is circulated to have a temperature lower than a dew-point temperature, thus condensing moisture in the air. In the case of the exhaust-type dryer, air high temperature, high humidity air which has passed through the drum may be directly discharged to the outside.

In the case of the condensing-type dryer, in order to condense air discharged from the drum, air may be cooled to below a dew point, and before it is supplied again to the drum, air may be heated by the heater. In this case, as air is cooled during the condensing process, thermal energy loss may occur, and an additional heater may be used in order to heat air to a temperature sufficient for drying.

In the case of the exhaust-type dryer, high temperature, high humidity air may be discharged to the outside, room temperature ambient air may be introduced, and the ambient air may be heated to reach a required temperature level by a heater. In particular, high temperature air discharged to the outside may contain thermal energy transmitted by the heater, but since it is discharged to the outside, heat efficiency may be degraded.

A laundry treating apparatus capable of enhancing energy efficiency by recovering energy used to generate hot air and energy discharged to the outside may include a heat pump having, for example, two heat exchangers, a compressor, and an expander, to recover energy from exhaust hot air and reuse it to heat air supplied to a drum.

Such a heat pump may transmit thermal energy of high temperature, high humidity air introduced from the drum through the evaporator to a refrigerant, and transmit thermal energy of the refrigerant to air flowing into the drum through the condenser, thereby generating hot air using discarded energy. The use of such a heat pump may enhance energy efficiency in comparison drying using a heater.

However, a laundry treating apparatus having only a heat pump may have a relatively long drying time compared to that of a laundry treating apparatus having a heater. Thus, a laundry treating apparatus may include both a heater for heating again air heated while passing through a condenser, in addition to a heat pump.

However, because a laundry treating apparatus including a heat pump does not necessarily specify energy efficiency when a drying process is actually performed, energy efficiency. Also, since substantial energy efficiency cannot be known, a substantially reduced amount of energy cannot also be known and corresponding reduction in energy consumption may be difficult to assess.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 is applied to a dryer, but embodiments are not limited only to a dryer and may also be applicable to a certain laundry treating apparatus for drying laundry by supplying hot air into a drum, e.g., a washing machine having a drying function, and the like.

Hereinafter, a laundry treating apparatus indicating energy efficiency, according to an embodiment, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 through 3. The laundry treating apparatus may include a body 100 forming the exterior and a drum 110 rotatably installed within the body 100. The drum may be rotatably supported by, for example, a supporter, provided at at least one of a front or rear end thereof.

The body 100 may include a door 101 for opening and closing one end of the drum 110 to allow a drying target (or a drying object) to be put into the drum 110. A display 102 displaying information such as a drying process mode, a drying progress degree, real-time energy efficiency, and the like, when a drying process is performed, may be provided on the body 100.

An intake duct 120 forming part of a flow path for transmitting air to the interior of the drum 110 may be installed at a lower surface of the drum 110. An end portion of the intake duct 120 may be connected to an end portion of a back duct 122 that extends in a vertical direction of the body 100, between the intake duct 120 and the drum 110, to supply air from the intake duct 120 to the interior of the drum 110. Thus, a flow path transmitting air to the drum 110 may be formed by the intake duct 120 and the back duct 122.

Air supplied through the flow path may be introduced into the body 100 from the outside through an intake port formed in a rear surface or a lower surface of the body 100 and transferred to the intake duct 120. An intake fan 185 may be installed in an end portion of the intake duct 120 to induce air flow. Namely, according to rotation of the intake fan 185, air from within the body 100 may be introduced into the intake duct 120, and pressure within the body 100 may be lowered accordingly to allow ambient air to be introduced into the body 100 through the intake port.

In certain embodiments, it is not necessary for air within the body 100 to be introduced into the flow path, and an example in which only air from outside of the body 100 is introduced may also be considered.

A condenser 130 may be installed in front of the fan 185 (i.e., at an upper stream side on the basis of an air flow path). The condenser 130, together with an evaporator 135, a compressor 150, and an expander 160, may together form a heat pump having a heating medium circulating therethrough. The heating medium may be compressed by the compressor 150 and subsequently supplied to the condenser 130 through a first connection pipe 191 connecting the compressor 150 and the condenser 130. The heating medium may emit heat in the condenser 130 and subsequently be supplied to the expander 160 through a second connection pipe 192 connecting the condenser 130 and the expander 160. The heating medium expanded by the expander 160 may be supplied to the evaporator 135 through a third connection pipe 193 connecting the expander 160 and the evaporator 135. The heating medium may absorb heat in the evaporator 135 and be subsequently supplied to the compressor 150 through a fourth connection pipe 194 connecting the evaporator 135 and the compressor 150. In this manner, the heating medium may circulate in the heat pump. In the present disclosure, the heating medium acts as a refrigerant in the evaporator 135, so the heating medium will be referred to as a refrigerant.

In the condenser 130, a single refrigerant pipe 134 forming a condenser heating medium pipe is disposed an air flow path, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 132 are installed to be perpendicular with respect to the refrigerant pipe 134. Namely, the refrigerant pipe 134 may penetrate through the heat dissipation fins 132 disposed in piles (or in layers) at predetermined intervals therebetween. One end of the refrigerant pipe 134 may be connected to the first connection pipe 191 to receive a compressed refrigerant from the compressor 150, and the other end of the refrigerant pipe 134 may be connected to the second connection pipe 192 to supply a refrigerant to the expander 160. Meanwhile, since the intake fan 185 is positioned downstream of the condenser 130, air drawn in by the intake fan 185 may be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant while passing through the heat dissipation fins 132 of the condenser 130, and thus, air having an increased temperature may be introduced into the interior of the drum 110. A linear expansion valve whose opening degree is controlled by an electrical signal may be used as the expander 160.

A heater 170 may be installed within the back duct 122 to further heat air in a case in which air is not sufficiently or quickly heated by only the condenser 130. The heater 170 may also be installed in the intake duct 120. Air heated while passing through the condenser 130 and the heater 170 may be introduced into the interior of the drum 110 and subsequently dry a drying target accommodated within the drum 110.

Thereafter, the hot air, having absorbed moisture from the drying target, may be transmitted to an exhaust duct 140 by an exhaust fan 180, heat-exchanged with a refrigerant having a low temperature passing through the interior of the evaporator 135 disposed in an end portion of the exhaust duct 140, and subsequently discharged to the outside of the body 100. Through the heat-exchanging process, the air, in a state in which it has a lower temperature and humidity, may be discharged to the outside. At this time, a portion of thermal energy of the air discharged from the drum 110, passing through the evaporator 135, may be transmitted to the refrigerant, and the thermal energy may be used again to heat air in the condenser 130. Thus, since thermal energy, which would otherwise be discarded, is collected and recycled to generate hot air, energy consumption may be reduced. Also, in a case in which quick drying is required, the heater 170, providing additional heating, may be operated, whereby drying may be performed flexibly.

A sensing device may sense a quantity/state of a refrigerant. In detail, the sensing device may include a plurality of temperature sensors 175, 176, 177, 178, and 179. The first temperature sensor 175 may measure a temperature of a refrigerant introduced into the evaporator 135. The first temperature sensor 175 may be attached to a portion of the third connection pipe 193 adjacent to the evaporator 135. A temperature of the refrigerant introduced into the evaporator 135 may be inferred by measuring a surface temperature of the evaporator 135 of the third connection pipe 193. Thus, a temperature of the refrigerant may be sensed by simply attaching the first temperature sensor 175 to a surface of the third connection pipe 193.

As described above, the second temperature sensor 176 may be attached a portion of the fourth connection pipe 194 adjacent to the evaporator 135 to sense a temperature of a refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 135. The third temperature sensor 177 may be attached to a portion of the first connection pipe 191 adjacent to the condenser 130 to sense a temperature of a refrigerant introduced into the condenser 130. The fourth temperature sensor 178 may be attached to a portion of the second connection pipe 192 adjacent to the condenser 130 to sense a temperature of a refrigerant discharged from the condenser 130. The fifth temperature sensor 179 may be attached to a portion of the first connection pipe 191 adjacent to the compressor 150 to sense a temperature of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor 150.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system for indicating energy efficiency of the laundry treating apparatus shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a process of indicating energy efficiency, and FIG. 6 is a pressure-enthalpy diagram of a heating medium circulating in a heat pump. A controller for the laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 through 6.

The controller 200 may calculate energy efficiency in real time, based on a quantity of a heating medium of the heat pump. In detail, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the controller 200 may be electrically connected to the plurality of temperature sensors 175, 176, 177, 178 and 179, and may calculate an amount of energy (Qe) absorbed by refrigerant in the evaporator 135 and an amount of energy supplied by refrigerant in the condenser 130 based on a temperature of the heating medium, and may calculate energy efficiency therefrom. The controller 200 may be electrically connected to the display 102, and may transmit this energy efficiency information to the display 102.

A method for calculating and displaying energy efficiency will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

First, a refrigerant temperature sensing operation (S110) is performed by the plurality of temperature sensors 175, 176, 177, 178 and 179. A refrigerant temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor 175 is input as T1 to the controller 200. A refrigerant temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 176 is input as T2 to the controller 200. A refrigerant temperature sensed by the third temperature sensor 177 is input as T3 to the controller 200. A refrigerant temperature sensed by the fourth temperature sensor 178 is input as T4 to the controller 200. A refrigerant temperature sensed by the fifth temperature sensor 179 is input as T5 to the controller 200.

Next, in an energy efficiency calculation operation, energy efficiency is calculated by the controller 200 based on the refrigerant temperature sensed in the sensing operation (S110). In detail, the energy efficiency calculation operation may include a first calculation operation (S120), a second calculation operation (S130), and a third calculation operation (S140).

In the first calculation operation (S120), an enthalpy variation of the refrigerant and a flow rate of the refrigerant may be calculated by the controller 200.

In detail, the controller 200 may calculate a variation (Δhe) between an enthalpy of the refrigerant introduced into the evaporator 135 and an enthalpy of the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 135 based on the temperatures T1 and T2, and may calculate a variation (Δhc) between an enthalpy of the refrigerant introduced into the condenser 130 and an enthalpy of the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 130 based on the temperatures T3 and T4. The enthalpy variation (Δhe) in the evaporator 135 and the enthalpy variation (Δhc) in the condenser 130 may be calculated by calculating an enthalpy according to a quantity of state of the refrigerant in the graph of FIG. 6 corresponding to the respective temperatures T1, T2, T3 and T4. For example, in a case in which when the temperature T1 of the refrigerant corresponds to a point A and the temperature T2 of the refrigerant corresponds to a point B, the enthalpy variation (Δhe) of the refrigerant has a magnitude from A to B along an x axis. In a case in which when the temperature T3 of the refrigerant corresponds to a point C and the temperature T4 of the refrigerant corresponds to a point D, the enthalpy variation (Δhc) of the refrigerant has a magnitude from C to D along the x axis. In the graph of FIG. 6, the x axis represents enthalpy (KJ/Kg) and the y axis represents pressure (Bar).

A flow rate (m) of the refrigerant may be obtained by multiplying a specific volume (V) of the heating medium determined according to the temperature T5 by a revolution per minute of the compressor 150 (R), and by capacity (c) of the compressor 150 as expressed by Equation 1 below.

m=R*C*V  [Equation 1]

In the second calculation operation (S130), the controller 200 may calculate an amount of energy (Qe) absorbed by the refrigerant in the evaporator 135 by multiplying the enthalpy variation (Δhe) of the refrigerant in the evaporator 135 and the flow rate (m) of the refrigerant as expressed by Equation 2 below. The controller may also calculate an amount of energy supplied by the refrigerant in the condenser 130 by multiplying the enthalpy variation (Δhc) of the refrigerant in the condenser 130 and the flow rate (m) of the refrigerant as expressed by Equation 3 below.

Qe=m*Δhe  [Equation 2]

Qc=m*Δhc  [Equation 3]

Thereafter, in the third calculation operation (S140), the controller 200 may calculate energy efficiency (Eff) of the heat pump as expressed by Equation 4 below.

$\begin{array}{cc}\mathrm{Eff}=\frac{\mathrm{Qc}}{\mathrm{Qc}-\mathrm{Qe}}& \left[\mathrm{Equation}4\right]\end{array}$

Thereafter, in an output operation (S150), the controller 200 may transmit the calculated energy efficiency Eff information to the display 102, and the display 102 may indicate the energy efficiency by %.

Thereafter, in a drying determination operation (S160), the controller 200 may determine whether a drying process of the dryer is being performed. When it is determined that a drying target, or laundry item, is being continuously dried, the controller 200 may return to the temperature sensing operation (S110) and perform the first, second and third calculation operations (S120, S130 and S140) to re-calculate energy efficiency (Eff). Then, during the output operation (S150), the controller 200 may transmit the re-calculated energy efficiency (Eff) to the display 102, and the display 102 may display the re-calculated energy efficiency (Eff) in real time. When the controller 200 determines that the drying process has been completed in the drying determination operation (S160), energy efficiency (Eff) is no longer re-calculated and the calculation is terminated.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a display 102 of the exemplary apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. The display 102 and a method for displaying information regarding energy by the display 102 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. As illustrated, the display 102 may display information regarding a drying process and information regarding energy.

In detail, a progress degree of a drying process may be output as percentage (%) in a upper left portion of the display 102, and in FIG. 7, 58% is displayed. A process degree of a drying process may also be indicated by a degree to which an empty horizontal bar is filled (or a progress bar) to provide quick visual recognition. In FIG. 7, a horizontal bar is disposed below the indication of 58%. Also, an anticipated remaining duration of the drying process may be displayed (or indicated) by, for example, minute and second in an upper right portion of the display 102. “DRY” indicating that a drying process may be underway is output in a central left portion of the display 102, and energy efficiency (Eff) transmitted from the controller 200 may be output as percentage (%) in a central right portion of the display 102. “ECO OFF” and “ECO ON” may be selectively output in a lower left portion of the display 102 according to whether the heater 170 is operated during a drying process. For example, when only the heat pump is actuated during the drying process, “ECO ON” may be output, and when the heat pump and the heater 170 are actuated together during the drying process, “ECO OFF” may be output.

Information displayed on the display 102 is not limited to this arrangement, and various types of information regarding the drying process and information regarding energy may be displayed in this or another manner as appropriate. Positions in which various types of information are displayed on the display 102 may be changed without being limited to the foregoing positions.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram system for indicating energy efficiency according to another embodiment as broadly described herein, FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a process of indicating energy efficiency and a saved power rate by the system shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a view of a display shown in FIG. 9, according to an embodiment.

A laundry treating apparatus capable indicating energy efficiency according to an embodiment as broadly described herein may include dryer having a heat pump and the heater 170, and the heat pump may include the condenser 130, the compressor 150, the evaporator 135, and the expander 160, as previously described. The laundry treating apparatus according to another embodiment may also include a controller 200′, a display 102′ and a communication device 300.

The communication device 300 may be connected to an external device 400 in a wired/wireless communication manner to receive power information including, for example, information regarding power rate time slots and information regarding time. The communication device 300 may be connected to the external device 400 in an appropriate manner to transmit and receive data, such as, for example, power line communication, wireless LAN, the Internet, Zigbee, serial communication, and the like.

The external device 400 may be one or more of a power-related device such as, for example, a home server, a smart meter, and the like, and an external power system, in which power information may be stored.

The power rate time slot information received from the external device 400 may include, for example, information regarding a general time slot and a peak time slot. The peak time slot is a time slot in which an overall amount of electricity consumption is at an elevated level so power available to be supplied to each household, or the like, is reduced to below a predetermined value. The peak time slot may be set by a power provider based on data such as statistics, and the like, or results observed in real time. The general time slot may be a time slot other than the peak time slot. In general, the power provider may charge a relatively high rate for power consumed during the peak time slot, so upon receiving information regarding a power rate time slot, a power rate, for example, a cost to operate during a particular time period may be precisely calculated.

The controller 200′ may calculate energy efficiency and a saved power rate in real time based on a quantity of state of the heating medium of the heat pump. Referring to FIG. 8, the controller 200′ may be electrically connected to the plurality of temperature sensors 175, 176, 177, 178 and 179. The configuration and function of the temperature sensors 175, 176, 177, 178 and 179 have been described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The controller 200′ calculate an amount of energy Qe absorbed by a refrigerant in the evaporator 135 based on the temperature of a heating medium sensed by the sensor and an amount of energy Qc supplied by the refrigerant in the condenser 130, and may calculate energy efficiency therefrom. The controller 200′ may also be electrically connected to the communication device 300 to receive power information as described above, and may calculate saved power rates based on the power information and the energy Qe absorbed by the refrigerant in the evaporator 135.

The controller 200′ may also be electrically connected to the display 102′ to transmit information regarding energy to the display 102′. The information regarding energy may include energy efficiency, the energy Qe absorbed by the heating medium in the evaporator 135, the energy Qc supplied by the heating medium in the condenser 130, and the saved power rate.

A method for calculating energy efficiency and a saved power rate and indicating the calculated energy efficiency on the display will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 10.

First, a temperature sensing operation (S210), like the temperature sensing operation (S110) as described above with reference to FIG. 5, is performed, and the temperatures T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 of the refrigerant are sensed by the sensors.

Next, an energy efficiency calculating operation is performed in which energy efficiency of the heat pump is calculated by the controller 200′ based on the temperature sensed in the temperature sensing operation (S210). The energy efficiency calculating operation may include a first calculation operation (S220), a second calculation operation (S230), and a third calculation operation (S310).

In the first calculation operation (S220), like the first calculation operation (S120) described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, an enthalpy variation (Δhe) of the refrigerant in the evaporator 135 and an enthalpy variation (Δhc) of the refrigerant in the condenser 130 may be calculated by the controller 200′, and a flow rate (m) of the refrigerant may be calculated by the controller 200′. In the second calculation operation (S230), like the second calculation operation (S130) described above with reference to FIG. 5, an amount of energy (Qe) absorbed by the refrigerant in the evaporator and an amount of energy (Qc) supplied by the refrigerant in the condenser may be calculated by the controller 200′. In the third calculation operation (S310), like the third calculation operation (S140) described above with reference to FIG. 5, energy efficiency Eff of the heat pump may be calculated by the controller 200′.

A saved power rate calculation step (S410) may be performed simultaneously with the third calculation operation (S310). In the saved power rate calculation operation (S410), a saved power rate EC may be calculated by the controller 200′ based on the power information received from the communication device 300 and the amount of energy (Qe) absorbed by the refrigerant in the evaporator 135. In detail, when power information is power rate (E) per kWh unit, saved power rate (EC) may be calculated as a value obtained by all of the power rate (E) per kWh unit, an amount of energy (Qe) absorbed by the refrigerant in the evaporator 135, and an initial drying operation time (t minutes/60). Here, the drying operation time t may be measured in minutes. The saved power rate EC calculated in this manner may be accumulated to be calculated in real time while the drying process is performed as described hereinafter.

EC=EC+E*Qe*(t/60)  [Equation 5]

Thereafter, in an output operation (S500), energy efficiency Eff calculated by the controller 200′ may be displayed by percentage by the display 102′. Also, in the output operation (S500), information regarding energy, e.g., the saved power rate (EC), may be displayed, for example, in monetary units, on the display unit 102′.

In the output operation (S500) as described above, when the energy efficiency and saved power rate are output to the display 102′, the controller 200′ may determine whether the drying process of the dryer is being performed in a drying determination operation (S600).

When it is determined that a drying target, or laundry item, is being continuously dried, the controller 200′ may return to the temperature sensing operation (S210) and perform the first, second and third calculation operations S220, S230 and S310 to re-calculate energy efficiency Eff. In the output operation (S500), the energy efficiency Eff may be displayed in real time on the display 102′ in the output operation (S500).

Also, when it is determined that the drying target is being continuously dried, the controller 200′ may return to the temperature sensing operation (S210) after t minutes and performs the first calculation operation (S220) and the second calculation operation (S230) to re-calculate energy Qe absorbed by the refrigerant in the evaporator. In the saved power rate calculation operation (S410), the controller 200′ may calculate the accumulated saved power rate EC by adding the power rate saved for t minutes to the previously calculated power rate EC. In the output operation (S500), the saved power rate EC may be displayed, for example, in monetary units, on the display 102′.

The foregoing operations may be repeatedly performed during a drying operation and the controller 200′ may calculate information regarding energy including energy efficiency of the heat pump, the amounts (Qe and Qc) of energy absorbed or supplied by the refrigerant, and the saved power rate in real time, and may transmit this information to the display 102′. The display 102′ may display the information regarding energy in real time.

According to the foregoing configuration, since energy efficiency, a substantially saved power rate, and the like, may be calculated and displayed in real time, a user may directly check high energy efficiency of the laundry treating apparatus and corresponding economical effects.

Thereafter, in the drying determination operation (S600), when it is determined that the drying process is complete, the energy efficiency Eff and the saved power rate EC are no longer re-calculated.

An initial screen of the display 102′ may be substantially the same as a screen of the display 102 as described above with reference to FIG. 7. In certain embodiments, each display may be configured as a touch screen and may sense a contact applied thereto in a resistive manner or a capacitive manner.

When a touch applied to a portion of the display is sensed, the screen illustrated in FIG. 7 may be changed to the screen illustrated in FIG. 10. Namely, when a touch applied to the portion in which energy efficiency is displayed is sensed, the display may further display detailed information regarding energy efficiency. For example, as described above, the amount of energy Qe absorbed by the refrigerant in the evaporator 135 and the amount of energy Qc supplied by the refrigerant in the condenser 130 may be displayed together in real time together with energy efficiency. Also, the saved power rate EC may be displayed in real time on the display. Here, the saved power rate EC may be accumulated and re-calculated at every t minutes, so a numerical value thereof may be changed and displayed at every t minutes. The calculated energy efficiency may be displayed by percentage (%), for example, at a right portion of the display. A configuration of the heat pump may be simply displayed, for example, at a left portion of the display, indicating that the heat pump is in operation. Besides, “Dry” and whether the heater 170 is operated may be further displayed as described above with reference to FIG. 7.

However, a display as embodied and broadly described herein is not limited thereto and a current screen thereof may be changed to a screen displaying information regarding energy efficiency in detail by, for example, a button. Namely, it may be configured such that the user may manipulate a button provided separately from the display to change the screen. Also, the method in which information regarding energy is displayed on the screen of the display and the content of the information regarding energy are not limited to the foregoing content.

As the present features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be considered broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

A laundry treating apparatus having a heat pump capable of indicating energy efficiency of the heat pump in real time when a drying process is performed, and a method for indicating energy efficiency of such a laundry treating apparatus, are provided.

A laundry treating apparatus having a heat pump capable of indicating a power rate reduced according to an amount of energy re-used when a drying process is performed, and a method for indicating energy efficiency of such a laundry treating apparatus, are provided.

A laundry treating apparatus having a heat pump capable of usefully displaying information regarding energy efficiency of the heat pump through a display unit thereof when a drying process is performed, and a method for indicating energy efficiency of such a laundry treating apparatus, are provided.

A laundry treating apparatus, as embodied and broadly described herein, may include a drum configured to accommodate a drying target, a heat pump configured to cool air transmitted from the drum and subsequently heat the same, a heating unit configured to re-heat air heated by the heat pump; a sensing unit configured to sense a quantity of state of the heating medium, a control unit configured to calculate energy efficiency on the basis of the quantity of state of the heating medium; and a display unit configured to display information regarding energy including the energy efficiency.

The heat pump may include a heating medium that circulates; a compressor configured to compress the heating medium, a condenser configured to heat air transmitted to the drum, an expander configured to expand the heating medium, and an evaporator configured to cool air transmitted from the drum.

The control unit may calculate the energy efficiency by calculating an amount of energy absorbed by the heating medium in the evaporator and an amount of energy supplied by the heating medium in the condenser.

The quantity of the heating medium may include a temperature of the heating medium.

The sensing unit may include a plurality of temperature sensing units.

The plurality of sensing units may be installed in a heating medium inlet of the evaporator, a heating medium outlet of the evaporator, a heating medium inlet of the condenser, and a heating medium outlet of the condenser, respectively.

The control unit may calculate energy absorbed by the heating medium in the evaporator on the basis of the heating medium inflow temperature and outflow temperature of the evaporator, and calculate energy supplied by the heating medium in the condenser on the basis of the heating medium inflow temperature and outflow temperature of the condenser.

The information regarding energy may include an amount of energy absorbed by the heating medium in the evaporator and an amount of energy supplied by the heating medium in the condenser.

The clothes treating apparatus may further include a communication unit connected to an external device in a wired/wireless communication manner, and configured to receive power information including information regarding a power rate time slot and time information.

The control unit may further calculate a power rate saved by the heat pump on the basis of the power information and the quantity of state of the heating medium, and the information regarding energy may include the saved power rate.

The control unit may calculate the saved power rate on the basis of energy absorbed by the heating medium in the evaporator.

The sensing unit may include a plurality of temperature sensing units. The plurality of temperature sensing units may be installed in the heating medium inlet and outlet of the evaporator, respectively.

The control unit may calculate an amount of energy absorbed by the heating medium in the evaporator on the basis of the heating medium inflow temperature of the evaporator and the heating medium outflow temperature of the evaporator.

The display unit may further display detailed information regarding energy efficiency including an amount of energy absorbed by the heating medium in the evaporator by external pressure through a touch screen or a button and an amount of energy supplied by the heating medium in the condenser.

A method for indicating energy efficiency of a laundry treating apparatus, as embodied and broadly described herein, may include a sensing operation of sensing a quantity of state of a heating medium that circulates in a heat pump; an energy efficiency calculating operation of calculating energy efficiency of the heat pump on the basis of the quantity of state of the heating medium, and an output operation of displaying information regarding energy including the energy efficiency.

The energy efficiency calculating operation may include calculating an amount of energy absorbed by the heating medium in the evaporator of the heat pump and calculating an amount of energy supplied by the heating medium in the condenser of the heat pump.

In the sensing operation, a temperature of the heating medium introduced to the evaporator, a temperature of the heating medium discharged from the evaporator, a temperature of the heating medium introduced to the condenser, and a temperature of the heating medium discharged from the condenser may be sensed, respectively.

The method may further include a power rate calculating operation of calculating a saved power rate on the basis of an amount of energy absorbed by the heating medium in the evaporator. Here, the information regarding energy may further include the saved power rate.

In the sensing operation, a temperature of the heating medium introduced to the evaporator and a temperature of the heating medium discharged from the evaporator may be sensed.

In the power rate calculating operation, power rates saved for a predetermined period of time may be accumulated and re-calculated at every predetermined time.

When a drying process is performed in a laundry treating apparatus having a heat pump, as embodied and broadly described herein energy efficiency may be checked real time, energy efficiency may be simply calculated by sensing a temperature of a heating medium circulating in the heat pump, energy absorbed by a heating medium and energy supplied by the heating medium may be checked real time, a power rate reduced by energy re-used by the heat pump may be checked in real time and, when energy efficiency of the heat pump is equal to or lower than a particular numerical value, the drying process mode may be appropriately changed to enhance energy efficiency and save power.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A laundry treating apparatus, comprising:

a drum configured to receive laundry items therein;

a heat pump configured to circulate a heating medium, the heat pump including a compressor configured to compress the heating medium, a condenser configured to heat air to be transmitted to the drum, an expander configured to expand the heating medium, and an evaporator configured to cool air transmitted from the drum;

a heater configured to re-heat air heated by the heat pump;

a sensing device configured to sense at least one state value of the heating medium;

a controller configured to calculate energy efficiency based on the at least one state value of the heating medium; and

a display configured to display energy related information and the calculated energy efficiency.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to calculate the energy efficiency by calculating an amount of energy absorbed by the heating medium in the evaporator and an amount of energy supplied by the heating medium in the condenser.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one state value of the heating medium includes a temperature of the heating medium at least one point in a circulation path of the heating medium through the heat pump.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sensing device comprises a plurality of temperature sensors respectively installed in a heating medium inlet of the evaporator, a heating medium outlet of the evaporator, a heating medium inlet of the condenser, and a heating medium outlet of the condenser.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the energy related information comprises an amount of energy absorbed by the heating medium in the evaporator and an amount of energy supplied by the heating medium in the condenser.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the display is configured to display an amount of energy absorbed by the heating medium in the evaporator and an amount of energy supplied by the heating medium in the condenser in response to an external input received at a touch screen or a button operably coupled to the display.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to calculate a power rate saved by the heat pump based on the at least one state value of the heating medium, and wherein the energy related information includes the calculated saved power rate.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a communication device configured to communicate with an external device, and to receive power information including power rate time slot information, wherein

the controller calculates the saved power rate based on the power information received from the external device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller calculates the saved power rate based on an amount of energy absorbed by the heating medium in the evaporator.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sensing device comprises a plurality of temperature sensors respectively installed in a heating medium inlet and a heating medium outlet of the evaporator.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the controller accumulates power rates saved within a predetermined period of time and re-calculates the accumulated saved power rate each time the predetermined period of time elapses.

12. A method of operating a laundry treating apparatus, the method comprising:

performing a sensing operation, comprising sensing at least one state value of a heating medium circulating in a heat pump;

performing an energy efficiency calculating operation, comprising calculating energy efficiency of the heat pump; and

performing an output operation, comprising displaying energy related information including the calculated energy efficiency of the heat pump,

wherein the energy efficiency calculating operation comprises: calculating an amount of thermal energy absorbed by the heating medium in an evaporator of the heat pump based on the at least one value state of the heating medium; and calculating an amount of thermal energy supplied by the heating medium in a condenser of the heat pump based on the at least one state value of the heating medium.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein sensing at least one state value of a heating medium comprises sensing a temperature of the heating medium introduced into the evaporator, a temperature of the heating medium discharged from the evaporator, a temperature of the heating medium introduced into the condenser, and a temperature of the heating medium discharged from the condenser.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

performing a power rate calculating operation, comprising calculating a saved power rate based on an amount of energy absorbed by the heating medium in the evaporator, wherein the energy information includes the saved power rate.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein sensing at least one state value of a heating medium comprises sensing a temperature of the heating medium introduced into the evaporator and a temperature of the heating medium discharged from the evaporator, and wherein

performing a power rate calculating operation comprises: determining a total amount of power consumed within a predetermined period of time and calculating a saved power rate based on the total amount of power consumed and an applicable power rate for the predetermined period of time; re-calculating the saved power rate at predetermined intervals corresponding to the predetermined period of time.

16. A method of operating a laundry treating apparatus, the method comprising:

sensing a temperature of a heating medium at least one point in a circulation path of the heating medium through a heat pump;

calculating energy efficiency of the heat pump based on the sensed temperature; and

displaying energy related information related to the operation of the laundry treating apparatus, comprising: receiving power rate information from an external source; calculating an amount of power rate that has been saved within a predetermined period of time based on an amount of energy absorbed by the heating medium circulating through the heat pump within the predetermined period of time and the received power rate information; displaying the calculated energy efficiency and saved power rate on a display; re-calculating the saved power rate and the energy efficiency at predetermined intervals corresponding to the predetermined period of time; and re-displaying the calculated energy efficiency and re-calculated saved power rate on the display.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein calculating energy efficiency comprises:

calculating an amount of thermal energy absorbed by the heating medium in an evaporator of the heat pump based on a first temperature of the heating medium measured at an inlet into the evaporator and a second temperature of the heating medium measured at an outlet of the evaporator; and

calculating an amount of thermal energy supplied by the heating medium in a condenser of the heat pump based on a third temperature of the heating medium measured at an inlet into the condenser and a fourth temperature of the heating medium measured at an outlet of the condenser.