CLOTHING TREATMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING CLOTHING TREATMENT APPARATUS

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for treating laundry and control method thereof to display an estimated time of a course or option before a command for executing the course or option of performing washing or drying is inputted.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/KR2022/002637, filed on Feb. 23, 2022, which claims the benefit of Korean application No. 10-2021-0024379, filed on Feb. 23, 2021. The contents of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus and control method thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, the term “laundry treating apparatus” refers to a device capable of washing, drying, or washing/drying laundry. Here, the laundry treating apparatus may perform only a washing or drying function, or may perform both washing and drying.

Such a laundry treating apparatus includes a course or option (collectively also referred to as a course or courses) for washing or drying laundry, and an execution time of the course or option is calculated based on the amount of laundry. For example, when the laundry amount is large, the execution time may be set to be relatively long. When the laundry amount is small, the execution time may be set to be relatively small.

FIG. 1 shows a control method for performing a course or option of a laundry treating apparatus of related art.

FIG. 1(a) shows a control method of performing a course or option by a laundry treating apparatus of the related art.

Referring to FIG. 1(a), a laundry treating apparatus of the related art may include a power supplying step S1 of supplying power to the laundry treating apparatus by inputting a power button (on), a selecting step S2 of selecting an appropriate course or option from a control panel of the laundry treating apparatus, and a starting step S3 of inputting an execution button for executing the course or option.

When the laundry treating apparatus of the related art is provided as a front load type washer having an opening provided to a front side of a cabinet to put laundry therethrough, if the starting step S3 is performed, a door locking step S4 of fixing the opening to the cabinet may be performed.

Thereafter, the laundry treating apparatus of the related art performs a laundry amount detecting step S5 of detecting a laundry amount through a current value applied while a laundry received drum and the like is rotated. Once the laundry amount is calculated, a controller of the laundry treating apparatus of the related art performs a time displaying step S6 of displaying an estimated execution time of the selected course or option to a user and an executing step S7 of executing the course or option automatically.

However, the laundry amount detecting step S5 and the time displaying step S6 of the laundry treating apparatus of the related art are performed after the starting step S3 of executing the course or option by the user. Therefore, there is a problem that the user is forced to input an execution of the course or option while failing to receive information on the laundry amount or the estimated execution time.

As a result, there are problems that the user is unable to control the execution time of the course or option actively and that the time display step S6 is unable to function beyond displaying only simple information at a service level to the user.

Furthermore, although the execution time displayed in the time displaying step S6 fails to fit user's current intention or situation, there is a problem that the laundry treating apparatus of the related art does not allow for the user to take active measures such as adding or reducing laundry.

In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the related art has a problem that the course or option cannot be canceled or changed unless active measures such as arbitrarily turning off the power of the washer are taken to change the selected course or option even if the execution time of the selected course or option does not fit the intention.

This inconvenience becomes worse when remotely controlling the laundry treating apparatus of the related art.

FIG. 1(b) shows a rotational state of a drum when a laundry treating apparatus of the related art senses a laundry amount.

Referring to FIG. 1(b), the laundry treating apparatus of the related art rotates the drum D in a direction I to detect a laundry amount of the laundry L.

Specifically, the laundry treating apparatus of the related art calculates the weight of the laundry L by measuring a current value applied to or outputted from the drive portion that rotates the drum D while rotating the drum in the direction I.

When the laundry treating apparatus of the related art rotates the drum D to detect the laundry amount, the laundry L paced on a floor surface of the drum is lifted and then falls in direction II by gravity within the drum D so as to be separated from an inner wall of the drum.

Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus of the related art has a limitation in that a current value, which is applied or outputted while continuously rotating the drum D one or more times in the direction I, should be aligned in order to detect an accurate weight of the laundry L.

As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the related art has a problem that the time for sensing the laundry amount inevitably requires more time than the time for continuously rotating the drum.

In addition, since the time required for the laundry amount detecting step S5 is set to be relatively long, the laundry treating apparatus of the related art has a problem that the time displaying step S6 for displaying the execution time of the course or option may not be quickly guided to the user.

Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the related art has a problem that a user is fundamentally prohibited from utilizing information on a laundry amount of laundry or an estimated execution time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Technical Tasks

One technical task of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of detecting an amount of laundry prior to performing a course or option set for the laundry treating apparatus.

Another technical task of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of immediately informing a user of an estimated execution time of a course or option prior to performing the course or option.

Another technical task of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus for allowing a user to change a course or option immediately when an estimated execution time of the course or option fails to fit a situation.

Another technical task of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus for providing a degree of freedom to enable a user to change a course or option by checking an estimated execution time prior to performing the course or option of the laundry treating apparatus.

Another technical task of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of checking an executing an appropriate course or option while checking an amount of laundry or an estimated execution time.

Another technical task of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of indicating an amount of laundry immediately (e.g., within 1 second).

Further technical task of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of immediately detecting and indicating a laundry amount when a power of the laundry treating apparatus is supplied or opening/closing of a door is completed.

Another further technical task of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of immediately detecting and indicating a laundry amount when a course or option is selected.

Technical Solutions

In one technical aspect of the present disclosure, provided is an apparatus for treating laundry, the apparatus including a control panel displaying a course or option for setting a method of operating a water supply portion, a drive portion and a drain portion or receiving an input of a command for executing the course or option.

The control panel may include a display portion displaying an estimated time of one course or option of the courses or options and an execution portion of receiving the input of the command for executing the one course or option of the courses or options.

The display portion may display the estimated time of the prescribed course or option before the execution portion is inputted.

The apparatus may further include a controller calculating the estimated time of the course or option by detecting an amount of the laundry and forwarding the calculated estimated time to the display portion. The controller may detect the amount of the laundry before the execution portion is inputted.

The controller may detect the amount of the laundry by controlling the drive portion.

The control panel may further include a power portion of receiving an input of a command for supplying power to the water supply portion, the drive portion and the drain portion. Based on inputting the power portion, the controller may detect the amount of the laundry before the execution portion is inputted.

The cabinet may further include an opening for putting the laundry and a door coupled to the cabinet to open/close the opening. Based on failing to detect the amount of the laundry, the controller may wait until detecting opening/closing of the door.

Based on detecting the opening/closing of the door, the controller may additionally detect the amount of the laundry.

Based on detecting opening/closing of the door, the controller may detect the amount of the laundry before the execution portion is inputted.

Based on inputting the power portion and detecting the opening/closing of the door, the controller may detect the amount of the laundry before the execution portion is inputted.

The apparatus may further include a storage portion storing an opening/closing history of the door. If the power portion is inputted and the history exists in the storage portion, the controller may detect the amount of the laundry before the execute portion is in putted.

Based on failing to detect the amount of the laundry, the controller may wait until re-detecting the opening/closing of the door.

Based on detecting the opening/closing of the door, the controller may additionally detect the amount of the laundry.

The control panel may further include a selection portion of receiving the input of the command for selecting one course or option of the courses or options, and based on inputting the selection portion, the controller may detect the amount of the laundry before the execution portion is inputted.

Based on inputting the power portion and the selection portion, the controller may detect the amount of the laundry before the execution portion is inputted.

Based on inputting the power portion and the selection portion and opening/closing the door, the controller may detect the amount of the laundry before the execution portion is inputted.

Based on inputting the execution portion, the controller may re-calculate the estimated time of the course or option by additionally detecting the amount of the laundry.

The cabinet may include an opening for putting the laundry, a door coupled to the cabinet to open/close the opening, and a lock portion coupling the door and the cabinet together

Based on inputting the execution portion, the controller may re-calculate the estimated time of the course or option in a manner of activating the lock portion, temporarily activating the water supply portion, and then additionally detecting the amount of the laundry.

The controller may be configured to detect an amount of the laundry by controlling the drive portion

Based on being supplied with power, the controller may be configured to detect an amount of the laundry.

Based on supplying the power to the controller, the display portion may be controlled to display the amount of the laundry.

The controller may be configured to perform a course or option by activating one or more of the water supply portion, the drain portion, or the drive portion. The controller may be configured to detect the amount before performing the course or option.

The controller may be configured to detect the amount of the laundry before the lock portion locks the door.

Advantageous Effects

The present disclosure provides that an amount of laundry can be detected prior to performing a course or option set for a laundry treating apparatus.

The present disclosure can immediately inform a user of an estimated execution time of a course or option prior to performing the course or option.

The present disclosure provides that a user is allowed to change a course or option immediately when an estimated execution time of the course or option fails to fit a situation.

The present disclosure provides a degree of freedom to enable a user to change a course or option while checking an estimated execution time prior to performing the course or option of the laundry treating apparatus.

The present disclosure provides that an appropriate course or option is changed and executed while an amount of laundry or an estimated execution time is changed.

The present disclosure provides that an amount of laundry can be indicated immediately (e.g., within 1 second).

The present disclosure provides that a laundry amount is immediately detected and indicated when a power of a laundry treating apparatus is supplied or opening/closing of a door is completed.

The present disclosure provides that a laundry amount is immediately detected and indicated when a course or option is selected.

The present disclosure provides that a laundry amount can be detected prior to executing a course or option.

The present disclosure provides that a laundry amount can be detected prior to performing locking of a door.

The present disclosure provides that a detergent corresponding to the laundry amount can be supplied prior to performing locking of a door.

The present disclosure has an effect that a detergent corresponding to the laundry amount can be supplied prior to executing a course or option.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a control method of a laundry treating apparatus of the related art.

FIG. 2 shows an exterior implementation of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows an implementation of an inner structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a control configuration of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows an implementation of a control panel of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows an implementation of a method of controlling a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows an extended implementation of the control method of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows another implementation of a method of controlling a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows an extended implementation of the control method of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows another extended implementation of the control method of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 shows a further extended implementation of the control method of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 shows an additional implementation of a method of controlling a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows another implementation of a method of controlling a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows an implementation of separating a wet laundry and a dry laundry by a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 shows another implementation of separating a wet laundry and a dry laundry by a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 shows a method of detecting a laundry amount in a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 shows a drum rotation angle upon laundry amount detection in a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 shows a detailed process of laundry amount detection in a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 shows an implementation of detecting a laundry amount based only on inertia moment in a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

BEST MODE

Reference will now be made in detail to preferred implementations of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same or similar reference numbers shall be assigned to the same or similar configurations even in different implementations, and the description thereof shall be repeated. The singular representations used in this specification include plural representations unless explicitly meant otherwise in the context. In explaining implementations of the present disclosure, the detailed description of known elements shall be omitted. It should also be noted that the accompanying drawings are intended to facilitate understanding of the implementations disclosed in this specification and should not be construed as limiting the technical ideas disclosed in this specification by the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 shows an implementation of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 shows an inner structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

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

Referring to FIG. 2, a laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 10 forming an exterior and a laundry receiving part 20′ provided within the cabinet 10 to receive laundry therein.

The cabinet 10 forms the exterior of the laundry treating apparatus 1 and may include an opening 12 through which laundry may be put or withdrawn and a door 13 opening/closing the opening 12. The door 13 is rotatably coupled to a front side of the cabinet 10, and the opening 12 may be opened/closed depending on turning the door 13.

Meanwhile, FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a laundry treating apparatus of a front load type, in which the opening 12 and the door 13 are formed on the front side of the cabinet 10. Alternatively, the present disclosure may include a laundry treating apparatus of a top load type, in which the opening 12 and the door 13 are formed on a top side of the cabinet 10.

When the door 13 is coupled to the opening 12, it is locked so as not to open the opening 12 arbitrarily.

The door 13 or the cabinet 10 may include a lock part configured to fix the door 13 to the cabinet 10.

The lock part includes a solenoid, a direct fastening means or the like and may be configured to enable the door 13 to lock the opening 12. A detergent box 14 detachably received in the cabinet to receive a detergent or fabric softener therein and a control panel 16 configured to input an activation command to the laundry treating apparatus or display a status of the laundry treating apparatus may be provided to the front side of the cabinet 10.

The detergent box 14 and the control panel 16 may be disposed above the opening 12 to be easily gripped or touched by a user.

The detergent box 14 is configured to be withdrawable in a front direction and may store a powder or liquid detergent therein. For example, the detergent box 14 may be a drawer type.

The control panel 16 may be provided to one side of the detergent box 14, and may include an input portion 18 to receive an input of an activation command including a washing course and option information related to washing from a user and a display portion 17 to display the inputted information and a washing progress status.

The input portion 18 may be a button type or a rotary knob type and may be provided as a touch panel. The display portion 17 may include a display portion having liquid crystals and a speaker outputting sound. Yet, the display portion 17 may be configured in any shape capable of displaying the status of the laundry treating apparatus 1, and may be integrally provided with the input portion 18.

In some implementations, the control panel 16 may be provided with a controller P to control the laundry treating apparatus 1.

The controller may control the electronic parts of the laundry treating apparatus 1 described later by being supplied with power from an external power source.

In this case, since the electronic parts (hereinafter, a load portion) are connected in parallel to the controller, each load portion (e.g., a drive portion, a water supply valve, a communication module, etc.) may operate independently.

The laundry receiving part 20′ provided in a manner of being received in the cabinet 10 may include a tub 20 storing water therein and a drum 30 rotatably received in the tub 20 to receive laundry therein.

Referring to FIG. 3, the tub 20 is provided within the cabinet 10, and may define a space for storing wash water therein. For example, the tub may have a cylindrical shape.

The tub 20 may include a tub entrance 21 through which laundry is put or withdrawn and a tub support part 23 fixing the tub 20 to an inside of the cabinet 10. The tub entrance 21 may communicate with the entrance 12. The tub support part 23 is provided under the tub 20 and may attenuate the vibration generated from the tub 20. For example, the tub support part may include a damper, a spring, etc.

The tub 20 may further include a water level sensor 90 measuring a water level in the tub. The water level sensor 90 may include an extension pipe extended from a bottom end of the tube to an upper side, a diaphragm provided to seal a top end of the extension pipe, and a sensor detecting a frequency of the diaphragm.

The laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may further include a vibration sensor 92 detecting vibrations within the tub 20. The vibrations sensor 92 is configured to detect at least one of the vibrations on x-, y- and z-axes and may deliver a state of an inside of the tub to the controller.

The drum 30 is rotatably provided within the tub 20, and may include a drum entrance 31 through which laundry may be put or withdrawn. For example, the drum may have a cylindrical shape. The drum entrance 31 may communicate with the entrance 12 and the tub entrance 21. Therefore, laundry may be put into the drum 30 through the entrance 12, the tub entrance 21 and the drum entrance 31 in order.

Meanwhile, between the entrance (also referred to as opening) 12 of the cabinet 10 and the tub entrance 21 of the tub 20, a gasket 19 may be further provided. The gasket 19 restricts the wash water in the tub 20 from leaking to the cabinet 10 and may also restrict the vibration generated from the tub 20 from being delivered to the cabinet 10. For example, the gasket may include an elastic member.

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

In some implementations, the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may include a drive portion coupled to the tub 20 to rotate the drum 30, a water supply portion 70 supplying wash water into the tub 20, and a drain portion 80 discharging the wash water of the tub 20 externally.

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

The water supply portion 70 may include a water supply pipe 71 supplying water to the tub 20 and a water supply valve opening/closing the water supply pipe 71, and the water supply pipe 71 may be configured to communicate with the detergent box 14.

Therefore, the detergent box 14 is configured to communicate, thereby supplying a detergent to the tub 20 automatically for water supply.

In some implementations, the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may further include a circulation portion 80a circulating again the water drained from the tub 20. The circulation portion 80a may include a circulation flow path 81a having both ends connected to the tub 20 and a circulation pump 82b providing a power to the circulation flow path.

The circulation pump 82b communicates with a bottom surface of the tub 20 to pressurize the wash water, and the circulation flow path 81a may be configured to spray the wash water into the drum in a manner that one side of the circulation flow path 81a is connected to the circulation pump while the other side is connected to the gasket 19.

Yet, since the circulation flow path and the circulation pump described above are the components necessary for a case of spraying the wash water stored in the tub, it may not exclude a case of spraying the wash water into the drum through a spray water supply flow path connected to a water supply source outside the cabinet.

Namely, when one side of the spray water supply flow path is connected to the water supply source and the other side is connected to the tub, and when a nozzle capable of spraying wash water into the drum is provided, the wash water may be sprayed into the drum during a filtration motion and a squeeze motion.

In addition, the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may further include balancers 51 and 53 to attenuate the vibration generated from the drum 30. The balancers 51 and 53 may remove or reduce the eccentricity of the drum 30, which is generated as laundry is unequally distributed within the drum 30. Namely, the balancers 51 and 53 are moved to specific positions under the control of the microcomputer, thereby attenuating the unbalance of the drum 30.

In this case, the balancer may be provided to each of front and rear sides of the drum 30 or may be provided to either the front side or the rear side of the drum 30. For example, the balancer may include a front balancer 51 and a rear balancer 53 provided to the front side and the rear side of the drum 30, respectively. The balancers may include ball balancers, liquid balancers, etc.

The drive portion 9 is provided to an outside of the tub 20, and may be connected to the drum 30 in a manner of being coupled to or penetrating a backside of the tub 20. The drive portion 9 is fixed to the backside of the tub 20, and may convert electric energy into mechanical energy. Namely, the drive portion 9 may rotate the drum 30 by an external current being supplied to the drive portion 9.

The drive portion 9 may include a stator 91 generating a magnetic field, a rotor 93 rotated by the magnetic field within the stator 91, and a rotation shaft connecting the drum 30 and the rotor 93 together by penetrating the backside of the tub 20.

The drive portion may include a Bush-Less Direct Current (BLDC) motor. In this case, the stator 41 may include a coil and the rotor 93 may include a permanent magnet. Meanwhile, a rotation shaft bearing 25 rotatably supporting the rotation shaft 95 may be further provided to the backside of the tub 20.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the controller controlling the load of the present disclosure.

The controller P is provided to a control panel and the like and may be configured to perform a washing course and an option by receiving an input of a command for activating the laundry treating apparatus through the input portion 18. Namely, the controller P may be configured to control the water supply valve 72, the drain pump 82 and the drive portion 9 using water level information detected by the water level sensor 90 while performing the determined washing course and option.

In addition, the controller P may provide a current status of the laundry treating apparatus through the display portion 17, and may be provided to detect the vibration of the drum through a vibration sensor 92 or a current value applied to the drive portion 9.

In some implementations, the controller P may further include a parallel operation device P1 capable of receiving and processing a signal value of the vibration sensor 92, a current value applied to the drive portion 40, an RPM of the drum 30, etc.

In addition, the controller P may further include a storage portion P2 capable of storing a data value processed by the parallel operation device, an algorithm for operating the parallel operation device P1, and various electric signals inputted to the parallel operation device P1.

The controller P of the present disclosure may implement an artificial neural network learning logic for generating an artificial neural network with the parallel operation device P1 and the storage portion P2. The artificial neural network may be used to derive one coherent result value by combining and analyzing a plurality of factors.

With a controller of the related art, a single input value can only derive a single output value. However, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure can utilize two or more signals through the parallel operation device P1 and therefore can obtain necessary information more accurately than using a single information.

In some implementations, a plurality of courses or options for operating the laundry treating apparatus may be pre-stored in the storage portion P2. A plurality of the courses or options may include a combination of an operational method, an operational sequence, and an operational strength for operating the water supply valve 72, the drive portion 9 and the drain pump 82 to perform a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a dewatering cycle.

In the storage portion P2, data of matching a current value applied to or outputted from the drive portion 9 to a laundry amount, a laundry texture or the like may be stored as a table and the like.

In the storage portion P2, an estimated time of a plurality of the courses or options corresponding to the amount of laundry may be stored as data.

In addition, an appropriate detergent amount necessary to perform each course or option corresponding to an amount of laundry may be pre-stored as data. The detergent amount may include one or more of a wash detergent, a softener, and a bleach.

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

When the amount of the laundry is detected, the controller P may calculate one or more of an execution time and a necessary detergent amount for a course or option for performing a washing of the laundry.

FIG. 5 shows one implementation of the control panel 16 provided to the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure.

The display portion 17 may be provided as a display panel only, but the input portion 18 may be provided as a physical button that is inputtable separately.

The control panel 16 may include a power portion 120 receiving an input of a command for supplying a power to the laundry treating apparatus 1.

When the power portion 120 receives the input, a power may be supplied to the control panel 16, and the controller P including the drive portion 9 may be supplied with the power all.

The input portion 18 may further include a selection portion for selecting or changing the washing course or option. The selection portion 140 and 160 may include a course selection portion 140 configured to receive an input of selecting one of courses of performing a series of washing processes including washing, rinsing and dewatering cycles of the laundry treating apparatus 1 and an option selection portion 160 configured to receive an input of selecting one of options for adjusting strength and level of the course.

For example, when the laundry treating apparatus 1 is provided as a washer, the course may be classified into a first course including washing methods of removing foreign substances of general laundry or a set thereof, a second course including washing methods of sterilizing the laundry or a set thereof, and a third course including methods of removing foreign substances in consideration of texture of the laundry and a set thereof.

In addition, the option may be classified into a first option of adjusting a washing strength in the selected course, a second option of adjusting the number of rinsing, a third option of adjusting a dewatering strength, and a fourth option of determining a water temperature of a tub receiving laundry and water therein. Adjusting the washing strength and the dewatering strength may mean adjusting an rpm of the drum, a rotation direction change cycle of the drum and the like in the washing cycle and the dewatering cycle.

As the first course is the classification of a general course of washing laundry, it may be referred to as a daily course. As the second course is the classification of a course for sterilization, it may be referred to as a sanitary course. As the third course is the classification of a course in consideration of laundry texture, laundry amount and the like, it may be referred to as a customized course.

The course selection portion 140 may be configured to select a course set or selected sequentially if inputted repeatedly.

The course selection portion 140 may include a first course selection portion 141 configured to select one from the first course, a second course selection portion 142 configured to select one from the second course, and a third course selection portion 143 configured to select one from the third course.

The option selection portion 160 may be configured to select a course set or displayed sequentially by being repeatedly inputted like the course selection portion 140. In addition, the option selection portion 160 may include a first option selection portion 161 adjusting a washing strength in the selected course, a second option selection portion 162 adjusting the number of rinsing, a third option selection portion 163 adjusting a dewatering strength, and a fourth option selection portion 164 adjusting a water temperature of the tub receiving laundry and water therein. The option selection portion 160 may be configured to select a desired option by inputting each option selection portion sequentially.

The display portion 130 may include a liquid crystal display, and may include a light-reflecting lamp, a sound-emitting speaker, etc. The display portion 130 may include a first display portion 131 displaying a course selected from the course selection portion 140 and a second display portion 132 displaying an option selected from the option selection portion 160.

The first display portion 131 may be configured to display the selected course. For example, a portion corresponding to the selected course may be turned on or a name of the course may be represented on the display portion.

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

Specifically, the first display portion 131 may be configured such that, when the course selection portion 140 receives an input, a corresponding course is turned on, or such that when the course selection portion 140 receives an input, a corresponding course is displayed on an LCD or a sound is emitted. The first display portion 131 may include a display panel or a lamp that emits light next to a text that describes the course contents.

When a user clicks on the daily course 141, the general course is sequentially turned on in order so as to have a corresponding course recognized by the user.

When a user clicks on the sanitary course, a course sequentially corresponding to the sanitary course is turned on in order. When a user clicks on the customized course, a course sequentially corresponding to the customized course may be turned on in order.

The second display portion 132 may be configured such that when the option selection portion 160 receives an input, a corresponding option is turned on, or such than when the option selection portion 160 receives an input, a corresponding option is displayed on an LCD or a sound is emitted. The second display portion 132 may include a display panel or a lamp that emits light next to a text that describes the option contents.

As the option selection portion 160 is repeatedly clicked or touched, the first to fourth options may be turned on sequentially. Thus, a user may select a desired option.

In some implementations, the option selection portion 160 may further include a switch or a touch zone capable of performing an additional function on the laundry treating apparatus 1 as well as the Wash, Rinse, Dewater, and Water temperature.

The option selection portion 160 may further include a steam adjustment portion 160a adding an option of supplying steam into the laundry treating apparatus 1, a reservation portion 160b of pre-determining an operation time of the laundry treating apparatus 1, an additional setting portion 160d clicked to add laundry during an operation of the laundry treating apparatus 1, a turbo portion 160e forming a strong water current by instantly raising a drum rpm of the laundry treating apparatus 1, a turbo dry portion 160f adding an option of supplying strong hot air, a wind dry portion 160g adding an option of supplying warm or cool air other than hot air, and a time dry portion 160h adding an option of performing natural drying by rotating only a drum at a predetermined speed.

In some implementations, the second display portion 132 may include a display portion capable of displaying status information of the laundry treating apparatus 1 except for a process for inputting a course or option in case that a drying or washing cycle is in progress, that a reservation setting is performed, or that a drying or washing cycle ends, despite displaying details of an option of a course at the moment of determining the course or option.

The display portion 17 may further include a third display portion 133 displaying an execution time estimated when a plurality of the courses or options are performed.

If a prescribed course or option is selected from a plurality of the courses or options, the third display portion 133 may display an execution time of the course or option according to an amount of the laundry to a user.

In addition, the above-described structure is merely an implementation, and the control panel 16 may be provided in any form as long as it may include the input portion 18 receiving an input of a command to drive the laundry treating apparatus and the display portion 17 displaying the status of the laundry treating apparatus.

A user may set a desired course or option by inputting the course selection portion 140 or the option selection portion 160. In addition, even if the user does not input the course selection portion 140 or the option selection portion 160, a standard course or a standard option may be preset.

For example, reference values of the standard washing course and Wash/Rinse/Dewater/Water temperature may be determined as standards.

A user may select a desired course or option by inputting the course selection portion 140 and the option selection portion 160, and may desire to perform a standard course or option set as a reference as it is. For the course of option, the user may select a prescribed course of option by inputting the course selection portion 140 and the option selection portion 160, or may select the standard course or option by not inputting the course selection portion 140 and the option selection portion 160.

The control panel 16 may include an execution portion 170 receiving an input of a command to execute the selected course or option or the preset standard course or option.

When the execution portion 170 receives an input, the controller P may lock the door 13 not to be separated from the cabinet 10. A detection portion detecting whether the door 13 is located to the cabinet 10 may be installed in at least one of the door 13 and the cabinet 10, and the detection portion may be controlled by the controller P.

An execution time of a standard course or option or a course or option selected by a user may be displayed on the third display portion 133.

In some implementations, the display portion 17 may be configured to indicate detergent amounts necessary to perform a plurality of the courses or options. The execution time of the course or option may vary depending on an amount of laundry. In addition, the detergent amount to perform a plurality of the courses or options may vary depending on the amount of the laundry.

Therefore, when detecting the amount of the laundry, the controller P may display at least one of the execution time of the course or option and the detergent amount necessary for the course or option on the display portion 17.

For example, an estimated execution time of the course or option may be displayed on the third display portion 133 and a necessary detergent amount may be displayed on the second display portion 132.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may first detect an amount of the laundry before inputting the execution portion 170 and then display the estimated time of the selected course or option and the necessary detergent amount on the display portion 17.

To this end, the controller P of the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may be configured to detect the amount of the laundry before the execution portion 170 is inputted.

The controller P may calculate the amount of the laundry through a current value applied to or outputted from the drive portion 9 over controlling the drive portion 9, and may display an estimated execution time of the selected course or option to a user even before inputting the execution portion 170.

Thus, the user may be immediately informed on the estimated execution time of the course or option before the selected course or option is executed. If the estimated execution time fails to meet a situation or a user's schedule, the user may be guided to select other courses or options.

Thus, the user may immediately change the course or option initially selected by the user into a course or option appropriate for a situation of the user.

In addition, a user may change a course or option while checking estimated execution times of several courses or options in advance before executing a selected course or option.

In addition, a user may check a necessary detergent amount appropriate for laundry in a current status of a course or option selected from a plurality of courses or options and then put an appropriate amount of detergent.

In some implementations, the control panel 16 of the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a time adjustment portion 200 capable of changing an execution time of the executed course or option.

The time adjustment portion 200 may be configured in a manner of selecting the course or option and then inputting some buttons of the option selection portion 160, or may be provided as a separate button in the control panel 16.

For example, when the time adjustment portion 200 is provided as a separate button, a user may input the time adjustment portion 200 and then extend or reduce an estimated execution time of the selected course or option.

The extension or reduction of the estimated execution time may be performed by inputting some buttons of the option selection portion 160.

For example, an execution time may be adjusted by inputting the option button of Dewater (third option selection portion) 163 and the option button of Water temperature (fourth option selection portion) 164.

FIG. 6 shows one implementation of a control method of detecting an amount of laundry before inputting the execution portion 170.

If the power portion 120 of the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure is selected, the water supply portion 70, the drive portion 9, the drain portion 80 and the like may be provided with power and the controller P may be provided with power as well.

As the power portion 120 is selected, if the controller P is supplied with power, the controller P may be configured to detect at least one of the laundry amount and the laundry texture.

In the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, a prerequisite condition for detecting at least one of the laundry amount and the laundry texture may include an input of the power portion 120.

Therefore, before a user inputs the power portion 120, even if the user opens the door 13, puts laundry into the drum 30, and then closes the door 13, the controller P may immediately detect the amount of the laundry.

The controller P may calculate an estimated time for executing a specific course or option according to the laundry amount.

To this end, the controller P may recognize in a manner of matching the estimated time corresponding to the laundry amount in the storage portion P2.

In addition, a detergent amount necessary for the laundry amount to execute a course or option may be organized as data. The controller P may calculate a detergent amount necessary to perform washing on the laundry according to the course or option in the storage portion P2.

For example, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a power supplying step A1 of supplying a power by inputting the power portion 120 of the laundry treating apparatus and a laundry amount detecting step A2 of detecting an amount of laundry received in the drum 30 based on performing the power supplying step A1.

The laundry amount detecting step A2 may detect a texture of the laundry. Thus, as the laundry amount detecting step may detect one or more of a laundry weight and a laundry texture, it may be regarded as a laundry state detecting step.

The texture of the laundry may be calculated if one or more of a moisture content, a laundry volume and a laundry amount are inputted to the controller.

Hereinafter, detection of an amount of laundry will be mainly described, but detection of a texture of the laundry is not excluded.

If the amount of the laundry is detected in the laundry amount detecting step A2, an information displaying step A3 of displaying at least one of the amount of the laundry, an estimated execution time of a course or option of performing washing of the laundry, and a detergent amount necessary for the course or option on the display portion 17 may be performed.

In the information displaying step A3, an execution time corresponding to a preset standard course or option matched to the amount of the laundry may be displayed.

A user may check the laundry amount and the execution time of the preset course or option, which are displayed in the information displaying step A3, and then compare them with a schedule of the user, and may check a detergent amount.

If the user is satisfied with the information displayed in the information displaying step A3, the user may input the execution portion 170. The controller P may perform an execution inputting step A6 of detecting that the execution portion 170 is inputted.

Once the execution inputting step A6 is performed, the controller P locks the door 13 to the cabinet 10 by controlling the lock portion, thereby preventing the door 13 from being open arbitrarily.

In addition, if the execution inputting step A6 is performed, the controller P may perform one or more of a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle and a dewatering cycle according to the settings of the course or option. After the execution inputting step A6, a procedure for detecting an amount of laundry may be skipped. Therefore, a total washing time may be prevented from being delayed.

In some implementations, after the user has confirmed at least one of the amount of the laundry, the execution time of the preset course or option, and the detergent amount in the information displaying step A3, a course setting step A4 of receiving an input of the course selection portion 140 or the option selection portion 160 may be further performed.

For example, the user may check the amount of the laundry through the course setting step S4 and then input the course selection portion 140 or the option selection portion 160. After confirming the execution time, the user may change the course or option by inputting the course selection portion 140 or the option selection portion 160.

If the course setting step A4 is performed, the controller P may perform a change displaying step A5 of recalculating an estimated execution time or a detergent amount of a changed course or option corresponding to the amount of the laundry and then forwarding it to the display portion 17.

In the change displaying step A5, one or more of the estimated execution time of the changed course or option and the changed detergent amount may be displayed on the display portion 17.

If determining that the estimated execution time or the detergent amount is appropriate, the user may input the execution portion 170. If the estimated execution time or the detergent amount is not appropriate, the user may re-input the course selection portion 140 or the option selection portion 160.

If detecting the input of the execution portion 170, the controller P may perform an execution inputting step A6. If detecting the input of the course selection portion 140 or the option selection portion 160, the controller P may re-perform the course setting step A4 and the change displaying step A5.

FIG. 7 shows an extended implementation of the control method of FIG. 6.

If receiving an input of a command of the power portion 120, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a power inputting step A1 of supplying power to one or more of the controller P, the drive portion 9, the water supply portion 70, the drain portion 80, and the control panel 16.

Once the power inputting step A1 is performed, the laundry treating apparatus may perform a laundry amount detecting step A2 of detecting an amount of laundry.

In doing so, a laundry detecting step A2-1 of detecting whether the laundry is received in the drum 30 may be performed together. If the laundry is in the drum 30 in the laundry detecting step A2-1, the aforementioned control method may be performed.

If the laundry is not received in the drum 3, the controller P may perform a door open/close detecting step A2-2 of waiting until the door 13 is open and closed. Namely, the controller P may wait until detecting the open/close of the door if failing to detect the amount of the laundry.

In doing so, if the door open/close detecting step A2-2 is performed, the controller P may additionally detect an amount of the laundry by re-performing the laundry amount detecting step A2.

Thus, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may immediately detect a laundry amount in a state that the laundry is received in the drum 30 before the input of the power portion 120. Yet, if the laundry is not received in the drum 30 before the input of the power portion 120, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may detect the amount of the laundry in a manner of waiting until the laundry is put into the drum 30.

Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may detect the amount of the laundry before the input of the execution portion 170 and then forward informations such as an execution time of a course or option, a necessary detergent amount and the like to a user.

FIG. 8 shows another control method of detecting a laundry amount before an input of the execution portion 170 of the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

The controller P may be configured to detect an amount of laundry before the execution portion 170 is selected, if opening/closing of the door 13 is detected. portionNamely, a condition for detecting the amount of the laundry may include the opening/closing of the door 13.

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

After the information displaying step B3, the controller P may perform an execution inputting step B6 by detecting whether a user inputs the execution portion 170, or may perform a course setting step B4 and a change displaying step B5 by detecting whether the user changes a course or option.

The information displaying step B3, the course setting step B4, the change displaying step B5, and the execution inputting step B6 may be the same as the aforementioned implementation.

If the door 13 is open/closed, it may mean that it is highly probable that the laundry is already put in the drum 30. In addition, if the door 13 is opened/closed, it may mean that an amount of the laundry is increased/decreased in the drum 30.

Accordingly, upon detecting that the door 13 is opened/closed, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may immediately detect the amount of the laundry and then inform the user of the laundry amount itself, an estimated execution time of a course or option (or a changed execution time), and a necessary detergent amount (or a changed detergent amount).

FIG. 9 shows an extended implementation of FIG. 8.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further perform a power inputting step B0 of detecting whether a power is inputted before the opening/closing step B1.

Only if the power inputting step B0 is performed, the controller P is supplied with power so as to detect whether the door 13 is opened/closed.

Therefore, after the power inputting step B0 has been performed, the controller may perform a laundry amount detecting step B2 if detecting that the door 13 is opened and closed.

If the opening/closing of the door 13 is detected in the opening/closing step B1, the controller P may perform the laundry amount detecting step B2 of detecting an amount of the laundry and an information displaying step B3 of displaying one or more of the amount of the laundry, an execution time of a preset course or option, and a necessary detergent amount according to the detected laundry amount.

After the information displaying step B3, the controller P may perform an execution inputting step B6 by detecting whether a user inputs the execution portion 170, or may perform a course setting step B4 and a change displaying step B5 by detecting whether the user changes a course or option.

The information displaying step B3, the course setting step B4, the change displaying step B5, and the execution inputting step B6 may be the same as the aforementioned implementation.

Accordingly, if detecting that the door 13 is opened/closed while the laundry treating apparatus is supplied with power, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may immediately detect the amount of the laundry and then inform the user of the laundry amount itself, an estimated execution time of a course or option (or a changed execution time), and a necessary detergent amount (or a changed detergent amount).

FIG. 10 shows another extended implementation of FIG. 8.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may be configured to enable the storage portion P2 to store an opening/closing history of the door 13. Namely, regarding the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, although the power portion 120 is not selected, as power is supplied to the control panel 16 or the storage portion P2 via a standby power, a history of opening and closing the door 13 may be stored.

Therefore, even before the power portion 120 is inputted, if the door 13 is opened/closed, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a history storing step B111 of saving an opened/closed history of the door 13 to the storage portion P2.

Thereafter, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, as the power portion 120 is selected, if a power inputting step B0 of supplying power to the controller P and the like is performed, the controller P may perform a laundry amount detecting step B2.

If the opening/closing of the door 13 is detected in the opening/closing step B1, the controller P may perform a laundry amount detecting step B2 of detecting an amount of the laundry and an information displaying step B3 of displaying one or more of the amount of the laundry, an execution time of a preset course or option, and a necessary detergent amount according to the detected laundry amount.

After the information displaying step B3, the controller P may perform an execution inputting step B6 by detecting whether a user inputs the execution portion 170, or may perform a course setting step B4 and a change displaying step B5 by detecting whether the user changes a course or option.

The information displaying step B3, the course setting step B4, the change displaying step B5, and the execution inputting step B6 may be the same as the aforementioned implementation.

Thus, even if a user puts laundry in the drum 30 before the power portion 120 is inputted, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may detect an amount of the laundry. Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may help a user in selecting an optimal course or option or an optimal detergent amount before inputting the execution portion 170.

FIG. 11 shows another extended implementation of FIG. 8.

If opening/closing of the door is detected in an opening/closing step B1, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a laundry amount detecting step B2.

In doing so, the controller P may perform a laundry detecting step B2-1 of detecting whether the laundry is received in the drum 30 together. If the laundry is in the drum 30 in the laundry detecting step B2-1, the aforementioned control method may be performed as it is.

However, if the laundry is not received in the drum 30, the controller P may perform a door opening/closing detecting step B2-2 of waiting until the door 13 is opened and closed. Namely, if failing to detect the amount of the laundry, the controller P may wait until detecting the opening/closing of the door.

In this case, if the door opening/closing detecting step B2-2 is performed, the controller P may additionally detect the amount of the laundry by performing the laundry amount detecting step B2 again.

Thus, as the door 13 is opened and closed, if the laundry is completely put in the drum 30, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may detect the amount of the laundry. Therefore, an estimated execution time or a necessary detergent amount of a course or option to be selected by a user may be quickly provided before the execution portion 170 is inputted.

In addition, although the door 13 is opened and closed, if laundry is not received in the drum 30, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may detect an amount of the laundry by waiting until laundry is put in the drum 30. Although the opening/closing of the door 13 is a prerequisite condition for detection of the amount of the laundry, the laundry amount may be accurately detected after the timing of having the laundry received in the drum 30.

Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure detects an amount of the laundry before inputting the execution portion 170, thereby providing a user with informations such as an execution time of a course or option, a necessary detergent amount for the course or option, and the like.

FIG. 12 shows an additional control method of detecting a laundry amount before the execution portion 170 is selected.

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

An estimated execution time necessary for a user or a necessary detergent amount may include an execution time or a detergent amount of a course or option selected by the user. Therefore, when a user selects a course or option, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may be configured to provide an estimated execution time or detergent amount corresponding to the selected course or option.

Meanwhile, a time point for a user to input the course selection portion 140 and the option selection portion 160 is after the power portion 120 is inputted, and highly likely, after laundry is put in the drum 30 via opening/closing the door 13.

So to speak, if an estimated execution time or a detergent amount according to an amount of laundry is provided to a user after a time point when the course selection portion 140 and the option selection portion 160 are inputted, an estimated execution time or a detergent amount may be accurately provided to the user irrespective of whether the user is a person who has a habit of putting laundry in the drum 30 and then inputting the power portion 120 or a person who inputs the power portion 120 first and puts laundry into the drum 30.

To this end, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a course inputting step C1 of detecting that the course selection portion 140 or the option selection portion 160 is inputted.

Upon detecting that the course selection portion 140 or the option selection portion 160 is inputted, the controller P may perform a laundry amount detecting step C2 of detecting an amount of laundry.

Once the laundry amount detecting step C2 is performed, the controller P may perform an information displaying step C3 of displaying at least one of the amount of the laundry, an estimated execution time of a selected course or option corresponding to the amount of the laundry, and a detergent amount for performing the course or option on the display portion 17.

After the information displaying step C3, the controller P may perform an execution inputting step C6 of detecting whether a user inputs the execution portion 170, or may perform a course setting step C4 and a change displaying step C5 by detecting whether the user changes a course or option.

The information displaying step C3, the course setting step C4, the change displaying step C5, and the execution inputting step C6 may be the same as the aforementioned implementation.

FIG. 13 shows an additional implementation of a method of controlling a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may be configured to additionally detect a laundry amount even after performing a course or option according to an input to the execution portion 170 after laundry amount detection.

Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may check whether an amount of laundry is too large to perform the course or option or whether an estimated laundry amount or a detergent amount is excessively represented as the laundry is excessively weighed due to a hydrated state of the laundry (i.e., wet laundry).

As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure not only quickly detects an amount of laundry, but also accurately detects a state of the laundry even afterwards, thereby making adjustment to perform an optimal course or option.

Referring to FIG. 13(a), the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a power inputting step E1 of supplying power by inputting the power portion 120, an opening/closing step E2 of detecting opening/closing of the door 13, a laundry amount detecting step E3 of detecting an amount of laundry if detecting the input to the power portion 120 and the opening/closing of the door 13, and an information displaying step E4 of displaying an execution time or a necessary detergent amount of a course or option corresponding to the amount of the laundry.

Thereafter, if a course setting step E5 of setting a desired course or option by inputting one or more of the course selection portion 140 and the option selection portion 160 by a user, a change displaying step E6 of displaying an execution time or a necessary detergent amount of the changed course or option may be performed.

If the user confirms the desired course or option in the information displaying step E4 or the change displaying step E6, an execution inputting step E7 of performing the course or option by inputting the execution portion 170 may be performed.

If the course or option is performed, the door 13 may be locked to the cabinet 10.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform an additional detecting step E9 of additionally checking a state of the laundry when there is no risk of water, detergent, or laundry being discharged through the door 13.

If the laundry amount, the estimated execution time and the necessary detergent amount are changed through the additional detecting step E9, the controller P may perform a final displaying step E10 of immediately informing the user of the change.

Accordingly, when a situation change occurs in the matters provided to the user in the information displaying step E4, a control method corresponding thereto may be modified, and the modified control method may be provided to the user.

As a result, a course or option may be performed more appropriately for the laundry and an appropriate response of the user may be induced by informing the user of the changed situation.

For example, when a laundry amount value of the laundry is greater than a reference value for performing a course or option in the additional detecting step E9, the controller P may display guidance on stopping performing a course or option and withdrawing some of the laundry on the display portion 17 in the final displaying step E10.

Moreover, upon detecting that the laundry, which is wet, is weighed excessively in the additional detecting step E9, the controller P may modify and display the estimated execution time or a remaining time or the necessary detergent amount on the display portion 17 in the final displaying step E10.

If the execution portion 170 is selected, the controller P may re-calculate an estimated time of the course or option by additionally detecting an amount of the laundry.

FIG. 14 shows a control method of detecting whether the laundry is wet or dry in the additional detecting step E9 by the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

If the additional detecting step E9 is performed, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a water supplying step E91 of opening the water supply valve 72 and a wet laundry detecting step E91 of detecting whether the laundry was initially wet during or at the end of the water supplying step E91.

The water supplying step E91 may supply water enough to perform the course or option.

In addition, when the laundry is estimated as dry laundry, the water supplying step E91 may include supplying a small amount of water enough to be contained in the laundry only. For example, when the laundry is dry laundry, the water supplying step E91 may include supplying water enough not to raise a water level only.

In this case, after the end of the water supplying step E91, if the water level of the tub 20 is higher than an expected water level, the controller P may determine that the laundry is not dry laundry but wet laundry containing a certain amount of moisture.

When the laundry is the wet laundry, the actual weight of the laundry may be less than the weight of the laundry detected in the laundry amount detecting step E3 by the amount of the water absorbed in the laundry.

Therefore, the controller P may calculate the weigh resulting from eliminating the amount of moisture from the weight of the laundry or the weight of the laundry at a wash water level for performing washing.

Accordingly, the controller P may change an execution time or a detergent amount of the course or option by estimating the weight of the dry laundry and display it in the final displaying step E10.

So to speak, if the execution portion 170 is inputted, the controller P drives the lock portion, temporarily drives the water supply 70, and additionally detects an amount of the laundry, thereby re-calculating an estimated time of the course or option.

In some implementations, the laundry amount detecting step may be performed to start a course or option before supplying water to the tub 20 or to detect a dewatered laundry amount to perform a dewatering cycle after draining the water from the tub 20.

FIG. 15 shows a control method of detecting whether laundry is wet laundry or dry laundry in the additional detecting step E9.

Referring to FIG. 15(a), the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a rotating step E9A of obtaining a state of the laundry by rotating the drum based on performing the additional detecting step E9 and a wet laundry detecting step e9B of detecting whether the laundry was initially wet laundry during or at the end of the rotating step E9A.

The rotating step E9A may include a step of rotating the drum continuously to make one or more revolutions.

The controller P may detect whether the laundry is wet laundry using a current value applied to or outputted from the drive portion 9.

FIG. 15(b) shows differences when the laundry in the drum 30 is wet laundry or dry laundry.

The left drawing shows a case that the laundry is dry laundry such as dry towel and the like, and the right drawing shows a case that the laundry is wet laundry such as wet towel and the like.

When the wet laundry weighs the same (e.g., 5 kg) as the dry laundry, a current value of the drive portion 9 for rotating the drum 30 may not be significantly different. However, the contact force of the wet laundry is greater than that of the dry laundry and thus it is well clustered together, so a large amount of laundry may simultaneously fall into the inner wall of the drum every time the drum makes one revolution. As a result, a vibration value of the wet laundry may be detected to be greater than that of the dry laundry.

Accordingly, when the vibration value generated from the drum 30 is equal to or greater than a reference value or a one-time vibration waveform is generated as one rotation occurs, the controller P may detect that the laundry is wet laundry.

When the laundry is wet laundry, an actual weight of the laundry may be less by the amount of water absorbed by the laundry than the weight of the laundry detected in the laundry amount detecting step E3.

Accordingly, the controller P may calculate a weight obtained by removing an amount of moisture from the weight of the laundry, or may calculate the weight of the laundry at a washing level capable of performing washing.

Therefore, the controller P may change an execution time or a detergent amount of the course or option by estimating the weight of the laundry that is dry laundry and then display it in the final displaying step E10.

FIG. 16 shows a method of controlling laundry amount detection in a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

As described above, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a laundry amount detecting step of detecting an amount of laundry before an input of the execution portion 170. The laundry amount detecting step described below may be performed in the aforementioned laundry amount detecting step.

The laundry amount detecting step may include a rotating step D1 of rotating the drum and a calculating step D3 of calculating a weight of laundry by measuring a first current value applied to or outputted in the rotating step.

The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may rotate the drum 30 less than one revolution in the rotating step D1. Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may detect an amount of the laundry before rotating the drum 30 at one revolution.

For example, the laundry amount detecting step may be terminated within 1 second. Accordingly, before determining that a user inputs the power portion 120, opens/closes the door 13, or selects the course or option and inputs the execution portion 170, one or more of an amount of the laundry and an estimated execution time and detergent amount based on the laundry amount may be displayed on the display portion 17.

Accordingly, the user may select or change a course or option while checking the estimated execution time and the detergent amount, and input to the execution portion 170.

As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may quickly detect an amount of laundry before finally determining to perform a course or option selected by a user, thereby providing an estimated execution time or a detergent amount.

In addition, a user may be prevented from waiting for a long time to check an estimated execution time and an appropriate detergent amount of a course or option selected by the user. As a result, washing delay can be prevented.

Meanwhile, in the laundry amount detecting step, the rotating step D1 is terminated before the drum 30 makes one revolution. Hence, in the laundry amount detecting step, a restoring step D2 of returning the drum 30 to a correct position may be performed.

The calculating step D3 may be performed when the rotating step D1 is being performed or when the rotation step D1 is terminated, and may be performed when both the rotating step D1 and the restoring step D2 are performed.

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

In the displaying step D4, the amount of the laundry may be displayed only, an estimated execution time of a specific course or option corresponding to the laundry amount may be displayed, or a required detergent amount necessary to perform the course or option may be displayed.

The laundry amount detecting step may be performed before an input of the execution portion 170, or may be identically performed in an additional detecting step and the like performed after the execution portion 170 has been inputted.

Namely, in each of a dry laundry amount detecting step to perform a washing cycle and a wet laundry amount detecting step to perform a dewatering cycle, the same laundry amount detecting step may be performed. In addition, in a step of checking whether laundry is wet laundry or dry laundry, the laundry amount detecting step may be performed.

FIG. 17 shows an aspect of laundry amount detection in a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 17(a), a laundry may be disposed on a floor surface of the drum 30 by its own weight.

Referring to FIG. 17(b), as the laundry amount detecting step is performed, if the rotating step D1 is performed, the drum 30 may rotate right before making one revolution.

In the rotating step D1, the drum 30 may be rotated up to or less than an angle at which the laundry is separated from an inner wall of the drum or the disposition is varied. Accordingly, while the position of the laundry in the drum 30 is varied, unnecessary loads or impacts may be restricted from being transmitted to the drive portion 9. Accordingly, the controller P may accurately calculate the load of the laundry through a current value applied to or output from the drive portion 9.

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

However, as the rotation angle of the drum 30 decreases, the time for the controller P to detect the laundry amount may be shortened, and an error in detecting the weight of the laundry may decrease. Accordingly, in the rotating step D1, it is preferable that the drum 30 rotates in a range of 10 degrees to 45 degrees or less.

FIG. 18 shows a laundry amount detection calculating method of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 18(a) and FIG. 18(b), once the laundry amount detecting step is performed, the controller P may rotate the drum 30 less than one revolution through the rotating step D1. In the calculating step D3, the controller P may calculate (process) an amount of the laundry by measuring a current value applied to or outputted from the drive portion 9 in the rotating step D1.

The controller P may use an equation of Te=Jdw/dt+Bw+mgrsin θ to detect the laundry amount.

Te is a torque value applied to the drive portion 9 and corresponds to ‘I (current value)×K (drive portion constant)’. That is, since the drive portion constant k is an eigenvalue of the drive portion 9 itself, the controller P may calculate a torque value applied to the drive portion 9 when detecting the current value I.

Here, in the case of sin θ in mgrsinθ, as the rotation angle of the drum decreases, it decreases exponentially, and thus any angle between 15 and 90 degrees or between 10 and 45 degrees may be sufficiently ignored.

In addition, Bw is a friction torque, and when the drum 30 rotates, B becomes very small, so it may be ignored.

As a result, only the formula Te=Jdw/dt may remain. In this case, since dw/dt is an angular acceleration for rotating the drum, the controller p may detect an angular acceleration when rotating the drum in the rotating step dl. The angular acceleration may also be directly calculated through a current value applied to the drive portion 9.

Therefore, when the current value is measured, both the torque value Te applied to the drive portion 9 and the angular acceleration dw/dt may be calculated, and thus an inertial moment J may be calculated.

As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may immediately detect the amount of the laundry by grasping the inertial moment J.

FIG. 19 shows a process for calculating a laundry amount with an inertia moment in a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

In the storage portion, data for describing association between the inertia moment and the laundry amount may be stored.

If the weight of the laundry is obtained, it is able to detect an inertia moment generated when the laundry is rotated in the drum 30. If the inertia moment is obtained, it is able to detect the weight of the laundry.

For example, if the controller P detects the inertia moment as 55000 in the calculating step D3, when the drum 30 is rotated counterclockwise, an amount of the laundry may be confirmed as 2 kg. When the drum 30 is rotated clockwise, the amount of the laundry may be confirmed as 3 kg.

Thus, the controller p may immediately detect the amount of the laundry through data obtained by arranging the inertial moment and the weight of the laundry stored in the storage portion p2 based on a diameter of the drum 30, a rotation direction of the drum 30 and the like.

Consequently, the controller P may detect the amount of the laundry by detecting only a current value applied or output in the rotating step D1. That is, the calculating step D3 may be performed during the rotating step D1 or at the moment when the rotating step D1 is terminated.

As a result, the rotating step D1 and the calculating step D3 may be completely performed before the position of the drum 30 is restored to the original position. That is, the calculating step D3 may already be terminated before the restoring step D2 is terminated.

As a result, the rotating step D1 and the calculating step D3 may be entirely performed within 0.3 to 1 second, and the laundry amount detecting step itself may be performed within 0.3 to 1 second.

Therefore, the controller P may detect the laundry amount in an instant so that a user hardly feels the time for detecting the laundry amount and provide an execution time of a selected course or option.

Meanwhile, when the laundry amount is detected in the calculating step D3, the controller P may calculate and display an execution time or detergent amount of a course or option corresponding to the laundry amount almost at the same time.

As a result, the rotating step D1, the calculating step D3, and the displaying step D4 may be entirely performed before the position of the drum is restored.

Therefore, the rotating step D1, the calculating step D3, and the displaying step D4 may be entirely performed within 0.3 to 1 second.

As described above (refer to the Background of the disclosure), since the related art laundry treating apparatus detects a laundry amount after a course or option has been executed, a user cannot recognize the amount of the laundry until the course or option is selected and executed.

In addition, since the related art laundry treating apparatus rotates a drum at least one rotation or more when detecting a laundry amount, it is unable to quickly perform laundry amount detection, and thus the laundry amount is displayed relatively late even after execution of a course or option.

Therefore, in the case of the related art laundry treating apparatus, since a user does not recognize a laundry amount before executing a course or option, it is difficult to put a suitable detergent, and a detergent may be excessively added to ensure washing performance. This not only wastes the detergent, but also damages health as residual detergent remains in the laundry, and causes environmental pollution.

In addition, in case of the related art laundry treating apparatus, a user usually leaves the laundry treating apparatus without waiting until detecting a laundry amount after executing a course or option, thereby failing to check an execution time or end time of the course or option.

Accordingly, the user often has to visit the laundry treating apparatus to check the end of the course or option. In addition, in the related art laundry treating apparatus, laundry is left in the drum for a long time even after the course or option is terminated, causing wrinkles in the clothes, or in severe cases, decomposition of the laundry may occur.

Furthermore, since the related art laundry treating apparatus performs the locking of a door when a course or option is executed, a user cannot adjust a laundry amount thereafter.

However, a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may detect and display a laundry amount before execution of a course or option.

Accordingly, a user may recognize a laundry amount before executing a course or option and input a detergent in consideration of an appropriate detergent amount corresponding thereto. For example, a user may check a detergent amount corresponding to a laundry amount displayed on a detergent container, and may put the checked detergent into the laundry treating apparatus.

As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure can save a detergent, solve the problem of excessive detergent remaining in the laundry after the end of a course, and prevent environmental pollution.

In addition, since the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure detects a laundry amount by rotating a drum less than one revolution, even if the laundry amount is detected before execution of a course or option, it does not cause washing delay and the like or inconvenience to a user.

For example, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, when a power portion is selected or opening/closing of a door is detected due to the input of laundry, a laundry amount is detected and displayed within 3 seconds, so that a washing delay is not caused.

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

Accordingly, in a process for selecting a prescribed course or option from courses or options, a user may recognize an estimated time or an end time of each course or option. Thus, the user may select a course or option suitable for a current schedule.

In addition, a user may recognize an estimated time or end time of a course or option before executing the course or option. Therefore, since the user checks the estimated time or the end time and then executes the course or option, it is possible to reduce the trouble of checking the laundry treating apparatus until the end of the course or option. Furthermore, since the user can recognize the end time of the course or the option, it is possible to restrict laundry from being left inside a drum after the end of the course.

In addition, since the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure does not lock the door before executing a course or option, a laundry amount is detected and displayed before the door is locked. Accordingly, a user may further put or withdraw laundry by checking the displayed laundry amount.

For example, if a user determines that there is too much laundry amount to perform a specific course or option, the user withdraws some of laundry to prevent an operation of the laundry treating apparatus from being interrupted due to future eccentricity and over-vibration.

For example, when a user confirms that laundry is bulky but weighs less, more laundry can be added to restrict contaminated laundry from being left unattended for a long time.

As described above, unlike the related art laundry treating apparatus, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure quickly detects a laundry amount, and thus displays the laundry amount or an estimated execution time before executing a course or option or locking a door, thereby deriving the aforementioned remarkable effects.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1-21. (canceled)

22. A laundry treating apparatus comprising:

a cabinet having an opening in the front of thereon;

a door coupled to the cabinet to open and close the opening;

a locking portion locking the door to the cabinet;

a drum provided inside the cabinet to accommodate laundry;

a driving portion connected to the drum to rotate the drum;

a control panel including a display portion for displaying information on the outside and a power supply portion that receives a command to supply power;

wherein the drive portion is provided to rotate the drum in a state in which the lock portion unlocks the door based on the power portion is input,

wherein the display portion is provided to display at least one of a weight of the laundry and an execution time of a course for treating the laundry after the drum starts to rotate.

23. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 22, wherein the drive portion is provided to rotate the drum by less than one revolution in a state in which the lock portion unlocks the door.

24. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 22, wherein the drive portion is provided to rotate the laundry below an angle at which the laundry are separated from the inner wall of the drum or the location of the laundry is changed in the drum, in a state in which the lock portion unlocks the door.

25. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 22, wherein the control panel further includes an execution portion that receives an execution command for executing the course,

wherein the execution portion is provided to able to input the execution command in a state in which at least one of the weight of the laundry and the execution time of the course for processing the laundry is displayed on the display portion.

26. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 25, wherein the control panel further includes a course selection portion that receives a selection command for selecting the course,

wherein the course selection portion is provided to allow input of the selection command while at least one of the weight of the laundry and the execution time of the course for processing the laundry is displayed on the display portion.

27. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 25, wherein the drive portion is provided to rotate the drum while the display portion is booted.

28. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 29, wherein the locking portion is provided to lock the door to the cabinet based on that the execution portion is input.

29. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 22, wherein the laundry treating apparatus further comprises a sensing portion for detecting whether the door is opened or closed,

wherein the drive portion is provided to rotate the drum after the door opens and closes the opening,

wherein the display portion is provided to display at least one of the weight of the laundry and the execution time of the course for treating the laundry after the drum starts to rotate.

30. laundry treating apparatus of claim 29, wherein the driving portion rotates the drum again based on that the door opens and closes the opening again,

wherein the display portion is provided to display again at least one of the weight of the laundry and the execution time of the course for treating the laundry after the drum starts to rotate.

31. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 29, wherein the driving portion is provided to rotate the drum again by less than one revolution based on that the door opens and closes the opening again.

32. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 29, wherein the display portion is provided to wait until the opening or closing of the door is detected based on that there are no laundry inside the drum.

33. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 32, when the door opens and closes the opening again after displaying at least one of the weight and the execution time,

wherein the display portion is provided to display again the at least one of the weight and the execution time.

34. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a storage portion for storing a history of opening and closing of the door occurring before the input of the power portion,

when the power portion is input and the history is stored in the storage portion, the display portion is provided to display at least one of the weight and the execution time even before the door is opened or closed.

35. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 34, wherein the display portion is provided to display at least one of the weight and the running time after re-detecting the opening and closing of the door based on that there is no laundry inside the drum.

36. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 25, wherein the display portion is provided to display one or more of the weight and the execution time before the execution portion is input, and is provided to display again at least one of the weight and the execution time again when the execution portion is input.

37. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 36, further comprising:

a tub accommodating the drum and storing water, and

a water supply portion supplying water to the tub,

wherein the water supply portion is provided to supply water to the tub based on that the locking portion locks the door,

wherein the driving portion is provided to start to rotate the drum based on that the locking portion locks the door,

wherein the display portion is provided to display at least one of the weight and the execution time again after the drum starts to rotate.

38. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 36, wherein the drive portion is provided to rotate the drum in a state in which the lock portion unlocks the door, and

the drive portion is provided to rotate again the drum again in a state in which the locking portion locks the door.

39. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 38, wherein the drive portion is provided to rotate the drum longer in a state in which the lock portion locks the door than in a state in which the lock portion unlocks the door.

40. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 38, wherein the drive portion is provided to rotate the drum at a greater angle in a state in which the lock portion locks the door than in a state in which the lock portion unlocks the door.

41. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 39, wherein the drive portion is provided to rotate the drum one rotation or more in a state in which the lock portion locks the door.

42. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 22, wherein the display portion is provided to display whether or not the laundry is wet.

43. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 42, wherein the display portion is provided to displays whether or not the laundry is wet in a state in which the door is unlocked by the locking portion.

44. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 42, wherein the display portion is provided to display whether or not the laundry is wet after the drum rotates.

45. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 42, based on that the laundry is wet, the display portion is provided to display at least one of the weight and the execution time smaller than a detected weight and a detected execution time.

46. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 42, further comprising:

a tub accommodating the drum and storing water, and

a water supply portion supplying water to the tub,

based on that the laundry is wet, the water supply portion is provided to supply less water to the tub than water corresponding to a detected weight of the laundry.