CLOTHES TREATMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME

Abstract

A clothes treatment apparatus of the present invention includes a drum to accommodate a load; a contact sensor, to be provided in the drum, to detect contacts with a load; and a processor to control the rotation of the drum, acquiring a number of contacts between the load and the contact sensor per time based on the basis of electrical signals received from the contact sensor; and controlling the clothes treatment operation for a capacity of the load determined based on th number of contacts per time.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a), of international application No. PCT/KR2024/012396, filed Aug. 21, 2024, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0178149, filed Dec. 8, 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a clothes treatment apparatus for controlling a clothes treatment operation based on a capacity of a load, and a control method thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a clothes treatment apparatus is an apparatus that washes or dries a load by rotating a cylindrical drum containing the load.

Clothes treatment apparatuses are categorized into a front-loading type clothes treatment apparatus in which the drum is positioned horizontally and a laundry inlet is formed at the front, and a top-loading type clothes treatment apparatus in which the drum is positioned vertically and a laundry inlet is formed at the top.

The clothes treatment apparatus performs a clothes treatment operation based on clothes treatment information or a clothes treatment course input by a user.

For example, a dryer among the clothes treatment apparatuses manually dries a load (hereinafter, a “drying object”) to be dried based on a time and temperature set by a user, or dries a drying object based on a drying course set by a user.

As another example, a washing machine among the clothes treatment apparatuses manually washes a load (hereinafter, “laundry”) to be washed based on a time and cycle set by a user, or washes laundry based on a washing course set by a user.

There has been an issue that, when clothes treatment information set by a user is not suitable for the capacity of a load accommodated in the drum, clothes treatment performance deteriorates.

Particularly, in the case of a large-capacity load, underdrying or overdrying of a drying object has occurred, or washing, rinsing, and dehydration performance of laundry has deteriorated.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

An aspect of the disclosure provides a clothes treatment apparatus for recognizing a capacity of a load based on contact information on contacts between the load and a contact sensor and controlling a clothes treatment operation based on the recognized capacity of the load, and a control method thereof.

Another aspect of the degradation provides a clothes treatment apparatus for recognizing a capacity of a load based on contact information on contacts between the load and a contact sensor and a current flowing through a motor and controlling a clothes treatment operation based on the recognizing capacity of the load, and a control method thereof.

Technical Solution

A clothes treatment apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure may include: a drum to accommodate a load; a contact sensor, to be provided in the drum, configured to detect a contact with the load; and a processor configured to obtain a number of contacts between the load and the contact sensor per time based on electrical signals received from the contact sensor while controlling a rotation of the drum in which the load is accommodated, and control a clothes treatment operation for a capacity of the load determined based on the number of contacts per time.

The processor of the clothes treatment apparatus according to an aspect may be configured to obtain first envelope values per time by connecting peak values of the obtained number of contacts per time, obtain a first index based on whether the first envelope values per time are the same, obtain second envelope values per time by connecting trough values of the obtained number of contacts per time, obtain a second index based on whether the second envelope values per time are the same, and recognize the capacity of the load based on the first index and the second index.

The processor of the clothes treatment apparatus according to an aspect may be configured to recognize the capacity of the load as a large capacity based on a sum of the first index and the second index being equal to or greater than a reference index.

The processor of the clothes treatment apparatus according to an aspect may be configured to, based on the sum of the first index and the second index being equal to or greater than the reference index, recognize the capacity of the load as any one of a plurality of large capacities based on the sum of the first index and the second index and control the clothes treatment operation based on the recognized large capacity.

The clothes treatment apparatus according to an aspect may further include: a motor configured to rotate the drum; and a current sensor configured to detect a current flowing through the motor. The processor of the clothes treatment apparatus according to an aspect may be configured to obtain a weight of the load based on the current detected by the current sensor, recognize the capacity of the load based on the obtained weight being identified to be equal to or less than a reference weight, and recognize the capacity of the load based on the number of contacts per time.

The clothes treatment apparatus according to an aspect may further include an input device. The processor of the clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment may be configured to, based on the obtained weight exceeding the reference weight, control the clothes treatment operation based on a clothes treatment course received through the input device.

The processor of the clothes treatment apparatus according to an aspect may be configured to perform control of rotating the motor for a first time to obtain the weight of the load, perform control of stopping the motor based on the first time having elapsed, perform control of rotating the motor for a third time according to elapse of a second time from a time at which the motor has stopped, and obtain the number of contacts per time based on electrical signals of the contact sensor received for the third time.

The processor of the clothes treatment apparatus according to an aspect may be configured to obtain a deviation value of the number of contacts per time and recognize the capacity of the load based on the obtained deviation value being within a reference deviation range.

The processor of the clothes treatment apparatus according to an aspect may be configured to obtain a section where the obtained deviation value is within the reference deviation range and assign a weight value to the first index and the second index according to a time corresponding to the obtained section being shorter than a time corresponding to a reference section.

The clothes treatment apparatus according to an aspect may further include a communication device. The processor of the clothes treatment apparatus according to an aspect may be configured to transmit the recognized capacity of the load to a server through the communication device and control the clothes treatment operation based on clothes treatment operation information received from the server.

The processor of the clothes treatment apparatus according to an aspect may be configured to obtain maintenance times for which the number of contacts are the same based on the number of contacts per time, obtain, as valid maintenance times, maintenance times that are equal to or longer than a reference time among the obtained maintenance times, and recognize the capacity of the load based on the obtained valid maintenance times.

The processor of the clothes treatment apparatus according to an aspect may be configured to obtain first envelope values per time by connecting peak values of the obtained number of contacts per time, obtain the maintenance times for which the first envelope values are the same based on the obtained first envelope values per time, obtain second envelope values per time by connecting trough values of the obtained number of contacts per time, and obtain the maintenance times for which the second envelope values are the same based on the obtained second envelope values per time.

The processor of the clothes treatment apparatus according to an aspect may be configured to obtain difference values between the obtained valid maintenance times and the reference time and recognize the capacity of the load as a large capacity based on a sum of the difference values being equal to or greater than a reference value.

A control method of a clothes treatment apparatus according to another aspect may include: detecting a current flowing through a motor while a drum connected to the motor rotates, obtaining a weight of a load based on the detected current, obtaining electrical signals through a contact sensor provided in the drum based on the obtained weight of the load being identified to be equal to or less than a reference weight, obtaining the number of contacts between the load and the contact sensor per time based on the obtained electrical signals, and controlling a clothes treatment operation for a capacity of the load determined based on the number of contacts per time.

The control method of the clothes treatment apparatus according to another aspect may further include obtaining a deviation value of the number of contacts per time, and recognizing a capacity of the load based on the obtained deviation value being within a reference deviation range.

The recognizing of the capacity of the load may include: obtaining first envelope values per time by connecting peak values of the obtained number of contacts per time, obtaining a first index based on whether the first envelope values per time are the same, obtaining second envelope values per time by connecting trough values of the obtained number of contacts per time, obtaining a second index based on whether the second envelope values per time are the same, and recognizing a capacity of the load as a large capacity based on a sum of the first index and the second index being equal to or greater than a reference index.

The control method of the clothes treatment apparatus according to another aspect may further include: obtaining a section where the obtained deviation value is within the reference deviation range, and assigning a weight value to the first index and the second index according to a time corresponding to the obtained section being shorter than a time corresponding to a reference section.

The control method of the clothes treatment apparatus according to another aspect may further include: recognizing the capacity of the load as a small capacity based on a sum of the first index and the second index being less than the reference index, and controlling the clothes treatment operation based on a clothes treatment course received through an input device or a communication device.

The control method of the clothes treatment apparatus according to another aspect may further include, based on clothes treatment operation information received through the input device being different from clothes treatment operation information corresponding to the large capacity, outputting change guidance information regarding changing clothes treatment operation information through a display or a speaker.

The control method of the clothes treatment apparatus according to another aspect may include, based on the obtained weight exceeding the reference weight, receiving a clothes treatment course through the input device or the communication device, and controlling the clothes treatment operation based on the received clothes treatment course.

Advantageous Effects

According to the disclosure, by recognizing a capacity of a load and performing a clothes treatment operation corresponding to the recognized capacity of the load, clothes treatment performance may be improved.

That is, according to the disclosure, by automatically recognizing a capacity of a drying object and performing a drying operation corresponding to the recognized capacity of the drying object, drying performance of the drying object may be improved.

According to the present disclosure, by, even when a drying course is wrongly input by a user, automatically switching the drying course to a drying course corresponding to a capacity of a drying object, a user's convenience and satisfaction may be improved.

According to an embodiment, by, based on a drying object being a large capacity, performing a drying operation corresponding to the large capacity, overdrying of the drying object may be prevented, energy may be saved, damage to the drying object due to overdrying may be prevented, and poor drying due to undedrying may be prevented.

According to the present disclosure, by dividing a large capacity into a plurality of capacities (e.g., a first large capacity, a second large capacity, and a third large capacity) depending on the capacity, a more precise drying operation may be performed.

According to the present disclosure, safety of a dryer may be improved, quality and marketability of the dryer, and further, competitiveness of the dryer may be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dryer among clothes treatment apparatuses according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a heat pump provided in a dryer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a control configuration diagram of a dryer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a display example of a display of a dryer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which a large number of drying objects are accommodated in a drum of a dryer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which a small number of drying objects is accommodated in a drum of a dryer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a graph showing the numbers of contacts per time in a case where a small capacity of drying objects is accommodated in a drum of a dryer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7B is a graph showing the numbers of contacts per time in a case where a large capacity of drying objects is accommodated in a drum of a dryer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sampling graph regarding the numbers of contacts per time in a case where a large capacity of drying objects is accommodated in a drum of a dryer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9A is an exemplary diagram connecting peak values of the numbers of contacts per time in a dryer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9B is an exemplary diagram connecting trough values of the numbers of contacts per time in a dryer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10A is a first envelope graph corresponding to the numbers of contacts per time in a dryer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10B is a second envelope graph corresponding to the numbers of contacts per time in a dryer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the numbers of contacts and index counts per time in a dryer according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are control flowcharts of a dryer according to an embodiment.

MODES OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present document and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the corresponding embodiments.

In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or a plurality of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

In this document, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B,” “A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C”, may include any one or all possible combinations of items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items.

Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, or “first” or “second” may be used simply to distinguish a component from other components, without limiting the component in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

Some (e.g., a first) component is referred to as “coupled” or “connected” with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively” to another (e.g., second) component. When mentioned, it means that any of the above components can be connected to the other components directly (e.g., by wire), wirelessly, or via a third component.

It will be understood that when the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

It will be understood that when a certain component is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another component, it can be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component. When a component is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another component, it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other component through a third component.

It will also be understood that when a component is referred to as being “on” or “over” another component, it can be directly on the other component or intervening components may also be present.

Hereinafter, a clothes treatment apparatus according to various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The clothes treatment apparatus may include a washing machine that washes, rinses, and dehydrates laundry by rotating a cylindrical drum accommodating the laundry.

The clothes treatment apparatus may be a washing machine with a drying function that washes, rinses, dehydrates, and dries laundry by rotating a cylindrical drum accommodating the laundry.

The clothes treatment apparatus may be a dryer that dries a drying object by rotating a cylindrical drum containing the drying object and supplying dry, hot air into the drum. The drying object may include all objects capable of being dried through hot air. For example, the drying object may be, but is not limited to, an object implemented with various kinds of fibers or fabrics, such as clothing, clothes, towels, and blankets.

The dryer may be categorized into a heater type, a heat pump type, and a hybrid type utilizing both a heater and a heat pump, according to heat sources that heat air.

A heat pump type dryer will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a dryer according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a heat pump provided in a dryer according to an embodiment.

A dryer 1 may include a main body 110 forming an appearance, a drum 120 provided inside the main body 110, a door 130 provided on an outer side of the main body 110, a fan 140 provided inside the main body 110 to cause air to circulate between inside and outside of the drum 120, a motor 150 provided inside the main body 110 to transfer a rotational force for rotating the drum 120 and the fan 140, and a heat pump 160 provided inside the main body 110 to generate hot air.

The main body 110 may be in a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped that extends vertically. However, this is an example for convenience of description, and the main body 110 may be implemented in various shapes.

A front side of the main body 110 may be provided with an opening. The opening may be positioned to correspond to an opening of the drum 120 and have a shape corresponding to the opening of the drum 120.

The drum 120 may be rotatable inside the main body 110. The drum 120 may rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction inside the main body 110 by a rotational force of the motor 150.

The drum 120 may include a drying space and accommodate a drying object (that is, a load).

The drum 120 may rotate to move a drying object accommodated inside the drum 120. At this time, the drying object put into the drying space of the drum 120 through the opening of the main body 110 may be dried by hot air flowing into the drying space.

On an inner circumferential surface of the drum 120, a plurality of lifters 121 may be provided to lift the drying object. The plurality of lifters 121 may protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the drum 120.

The drum 120 may include an intake port 122 provided in a rear side of the drum to suck in hot air, and an exhaust port 123 provided in a front, lower portion of the drum to discharge air containing moisture to the outside of the drum 120.

A contact sensor (not shown) for detecting dryness of a drying object accommodated inside the drum 120 may be provided around at least one of the intake port 122 or the exhaust port 123 of the drum 120.

The door 130 may have a circular shape corresponding to the shape of the opening of the main body 110 or the opening of the drum 120, and may be formed with a diameter that is larger than the opening.

The door 130 may be pivotally connected to the front side of the main body 110. For example, the door 130 may be connected to a hinge provided on a portion of the front side of the main body 110, which is adjacent to the door 130, and rotate around the hinge.

The door 130 may come into contact with a portion forming the opening of the main body 110 to close the opening of the main body 110 or may be separated from the portion forming the opening of the main body 110 to open the opening.

The door 130 may close or open the drying space of the drum 120.

At least one portion of the door 130 may be transparent or translucent to show the inside of the drum 120.

The fan 140 may suck in hot, humid air inside the drum 120 and supply air heat-exchanged in the heat pump 160 to the inside of the drum 120. The fan 140 may be provided in a fan housing 140a.

The dryer 1 may include a flow path (that is, an exhaust flow path) 141 connecting the drum 120 and the fan housing 140a to allow air inside the drum 120 to move into the fan housing 140a, a flow path (that is, a supply flow path) 142 connecting the heat pump 160 and the drum 120 to allow hot air generated in the heat pump 160 to move into the drum 120, and a flow path (that is, a heat exchange flow path) 143 positioned between the exhaust flow path 141 and the supply flow path 142, wherein heat exchange of air may occur in the heat exchange flow path 143 and heat-exchanged air may move along the heat exchange flow path 143.

The supply flow path 142 may be provided with an inlet through which air is supplied from the outside of the main body 110, and an outlet through which a part of heat-exchanged air is discharged to the outside of the main body 110.

The dryer 1 may further include a filter 144 that collects various foreign materials such as lint included in air discharged from the drum 120 to the exhaust flow path 141.

The filter 144 may be provided at an entrance of the exhaust flow path 141, more specifically, at a connecting portion where the drum 120 is connected to the entrance of the exhaust flow path.

The dryer 1 may purify air generated during a drying operation through the filter 144 and discharge the air to the exhaust flow path 141.

The motor 150 may rotate and transfer a rotational force generated by the rotation to the drum 120.

By adjusting a rotation speed of the motor 150, a rotation speed of the drum 120 may be adjusted. By adjusting a rotation direction of the motor 150, a rotation direction of the drum 120 may be adjusted.

The dryer 1 may further include a pulley 151 that rotates by receiving power of the motor 150, and a belt 152 that rotates the drum 120 by rotating according to a rotation of the pulley 151. That is, the belt 152 may be wound around an outer surface of the pulley 151 and an outer surface of the drum 120, and accordingly, while the pulley 151 rotates according to driving of the motor 150, the drum 120 may rotate.

The motor 150 may transfer a generated rotational force to the fan 140. In this case, a shaft of the motor 150 may extend at both sides. That is, one side of the shaft of the motor 150 may be connected to the pulley 151, and another side may be connected to the fan 140.

The motor 150 may transfer a rotational force to the fan 140 to cause the fan 140 to rotate. Thereby, while a drying object put into the drying space (not shown) of the drum 120 tumbles, hot air may be evenly applied to the drying object through the fan 140.

The dryer 1 may further include a fan motor (not shown) for driving the fan 140. In this case, the fan motor (not shown) may be provided separately from the motor 150 for drum.

The heat pump 160 may perform heat exchange with air circulating inside the main body 110. The heat pump 160 may circulate a refrigerant to allow heat exchange with air discharged from the drum 120 and supply high-temperature air heat-exchanged to the inside of the drum.

As shown in FIG. 2, the heat pump 160 may include a condenser 161, an expansion valve 162, an evaporator 163, and a compressor 164. The refrigerant may circulate while performing a series of phase changes of compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation. The condenser 161 and the evaporator 163 may be implemented as a heat exchanger capable of performing heat exchange with air.

The condenser 161 may heat surrounding air. The heated air may move to the inside of the drum 120 through the supply flow path 142. The surrounding air may be air existing inside the main body or air received from the outside of the main body 110.

The condenser 161 may be connected to the compressor 164 and condense a refrigerant compressed by the compressor 164 into a liquid refrigerant. At this time, the condenser may emit heat to the surroundings through a condensing process.

The expansion valve 162 may adjust a pressure difference of the refrigerant to expand the liquid refrigerant being in a high-temperature and high-pressure state and condensed by the condenser 161 into a liquid refrigerant being in a low-pressure state. The expansion valve 162 may be an Electronic Expansion Valve (EEV) of which an opening degree changes through an electrical signal. The expansion valve may adjust a flow rate of the refrigerant by adjusting the opening degree.

Also, the heat pump 160 may include a capillary tube for expansion to the liquid refrigerant being in the low-pressure state.

The expansion valve 162 may adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant to adjust a degree of superheat which is a temperature difference between a temperature at an entrance of the evaporator and a temperature at an exit of the evaporator. Also, the expansion valve 162 may adjust a temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 164.

The evaporator 163 may evaporate the liquid refrigerant being in the low-temperature and low-pressure state and received through the expansion valve 162, and supply a gas refrigerant being in a low-temperature and low-pressure state and changed through heat exchange to the compressor 164. At this time, the evaporator 163 may take away heat from the surroundings through an evaporation process of changing a refrigerant liquid into a refrigerant gas. That is, the evaporator 163 may condense moisture contained in surrounding air to thereby remove moisture from the surrounding air.

In other words, high-temperature and humid air discharged from the drum 120 may be cooled in the evaporator 163, and at this time, moisture in the air may be condensed to generate condensed water. The condensed water may fall to a bottom of the evaporator 163 and be collected in a water trap (not shown) provided in the bottom of the evaporator 163. The condensed water collected in the water trap may move to a storage or be discharged to the outside of the main body 110.

The compressor 164 may compress the refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure state and discharge the refrigerant. At this time, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 164 may enter the condenser 161. In this case, the compressor 164 may compress the refrigerant through a reciprocating motion of a piston or a rotation motion of a rotor.

The dryer 100 may further include one, two, or more heaters 165 that heats air to dry a drying object accommodated in the drum.

Each heater 165 may further heat air heat-exchanged in the condenser 162 to raise a temperature of the air, and supply the resultant air to the drum 120.

The heater 165 may be implemented as a heating coil, although not limited thereto.

The heater 165 may be an electric heater. For example, the heater 165 may be a heater using a plurality of heating wires to generate heat by transmitting a current. Alternatively, the heater 165 may be a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater.

The heater 165 may be a gas heater. For example, the heater 165 may include an igniter, and a valve for providing a gas to the igniter. The igniter may be heated by receiving power, and, in response to a temperature of the igniter reaching a preset temperature, the valve may open to supply a gas to the igniter. As a result of a contact of the gas with the igniter being at the preset temperature, the igniter may ignite to heat surrounding air.

Two or more heaters may have the same or different maximum output capacities.

The heater may be a heater of which an output capacity is adjustable. That is, the heater may be a heater of which an amount of heat generation is adjustable.

The heater 165 may, in response to a control command from a processor, apply a current to the plurality of heating wires or adjust a supply amount of gas to adjust an amount of thermal energy to be transferred to air.

The main body 110 may be provided with a user interface 170.

The user interface 170 may display operation information of the dryer 1 and receive a user input.

The user interface 170 may include an input device for receiving user inputs, and a display for displaying operation information of the dryer 1, and may further include a speaker for outputting operation information of the dryer as a sound.

FIG. 3 is a control configuration diagram of a dryer according to an embodiment, which will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

The dryer 1 may include the motor 150, the heat pump 160, the heater 165, the user interface 170, a current sensor 180, a contact sensor 190, a communication device 200, a processor 210, and memory 220.

The motor 150 may rotate at a rotation speed corresponding to a control command from the processor 210 in a rotation direction corresponding to a control command from the processor 210.

The dryer 1 may further include a motor driver (not shown) for driving the motor 150. In this case, the motor driver may generate an operation signal based on a control command from the processor 210 and transfer the generated operation signal to the motor 150.

The motor 150 may be connected to the drum 120 and the fan 140 and output a rotational force for rotating the drum 120 and the fan 140. That is, the motor 150 may transfer a rotational force to the drum 120 and the fan 140 through a rotation shaft.

The motor 150 may be a drum motor for rotating the drum 120. In this case, the motor 150 may be driven during a drying operation and rotate the drum 120 with a driving force due to the driving to cause a drying object accommodated in the drum 120 to tumble.

In the case where the motor 150 is a drum motor, the dryer 1 may further include a fan motor (not shown) for rotating the fan 140. In this case, the fan motor may rotate at a rotation speed corresponding to a control command from the processor 210.

The heat pump 160 may supply dry, hot air to the drum 120 through a cooling cycle and remove moisture from air discharged from the drum 120.

A detailed configuration of the heat pump 160 has been described with reference to FIG. 2, and therefore, a description thereof is omitted.

The compressor 164 of the heat pump 160 may operate based on a control command from the processor 210. The expansion valve 162 of the heat pump 160 may be opened or closed by a control command from the processor 210, or an opening degree of the expansion valve 162 may be adjusted by a control command from the processor 210.

The heater 165 may generate a heat source for heating air in the drum 120.

An output capacity of the heater 165 may be adjusted by a control command from the processor 210.

The user interface 170 may be an input/output device for interactions between a user and the dryer.

The user interface 170 may include at least one input device 171 and at least one output device.

The at least one input device 171 may receive a user input.

The at least one input device 171 may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.

The at least one input device 171 may include a power button, an operation button, a pause button, a drying course dial (or a course button), and a drying setting button, and may further include an artificial intelligence (AI) button.

The drying setting button may include a drying time button, a dryness button, and a drying temperature button.

The at least one input device may include, for example, a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone.

The at least one output device may visually or acoustically transfer information regarding an operation of the dryer to a user. For example, the at least one output device may transfer information regarding a drying course and a drying setting to a user.

The information regarding the operation of the dryer may be output through a screen, an indicator, a voice, etc.

The information regarding the drying setting may include information set by a user. The information regarding the drying setting may include information on at least one of a drying time, a drying temperature, or dryness.

The drying course may include a standard course, a synthetic fiber course, a wool course, a shirt course, a blanket course, a towel course, a small quantity course, a padding course, an outdoor course, and an artificial intelligence course.

The at least one output device may include a display 172 and a speaker (not shown).

The display 172 may display operation information of the dryer 1 as a visual image.

The display 172 may display at least one of a drying course selected by a user or drying setting information selected by a user.

The display 172 may display a total drying time and a remaining drying time.

The display 172 may display an internal temperature of the drum, that is, a drying temperature.

For example, the display 172 may include at least one of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) panel, or a plurality of 7-segments.

The current sensor 180 may be connected to the motor 150 that rotates the drum 120.

The current sensor 180 may detect a current flowing through the motor 150 and transfer information on the detected current to the processor 210.

The contact sensor 190 may be provided on an inner surface of the drum 120. For example, the contact sensor 190 may be provided on a surface of a front, lower end of the drum 120.

The contact sensor 190 may contact a drying object accommodated in the drum 120. A contact or non-contact of the contact sensor 190 with a drying object may depend on a rotation of the drum 120.

The contact sensor 190 may output an electrical signal corresponding to a contact or non-contact with a drying object accommodated in the drum 120. The contact sensor 190 may output an on signal corresponding to a contact with the drying object and an off signal corresponding to a non-contact with the drying object.

A magnitude of an electrical signal output from the contact sensor 190 may change according to an amount of moisture contained in the drying object.

That is, when the contact sensor 190 contacts a drying object, the contact sensor 190 may output an electrical signal corresponding to an amount of moisture contained in the drying object.

The electrical signal detected by the contact sensor 190 may be a signal for recognizing dryness of the drying object.

The electrical signal detected by the contact sensor 190 may be a signal for recognizing a capacity of the drying object. The capacity of the drying object may be a capacity corresponding to about 60% of a capacity of the drum.

The electrical signal detected by the contact sensor 190 may be output in a form of a pulse.

The contact sensor 190 may be a touch sensor in a shape of a plate bar.

The contact sensor 190 may be electrode sensors in a shape of two plate bars through which a current flows by moisture. When a reference voltage is applied to the electrode sensors in the shape of two plate bars, the contact sensor 190 may output an electrical signal corresponding to a current flowing through the two plate bars to which the reference voltage is applied.

When a drying object with a high moisture content comes into contact with the two electrode sensors, the contact sensor 190 may output an electric signal with a large pulse value as a current flows smoothly, and when a drying object with a low moisture content comes into contact with the two electrode sensors, the contact sensor 190 may output an electrical signal with a small pulse value as a current does not flow smoothly.

The contact sensor 190 may output a current signal or output a voltage signal corresponding to a current signal.

The contact sensor 190 may be implemented as a touch sensor, a switch sensor, etc.

The communication device 200 may perform communication with an external device and may also perform communication between components inside the dryer.

The communication device 200 may transmit information corresponding to a capacity of a drying object (that is, a load) to a server, receive clothes treatment operation information from the server, and transmit the received clothes treatment operation information to the processor 210.

The communication device 200 may receive clothes treatment operation information corresponding to a drying course from the server and transmit the received clothes treatment operation information to the processor 210.

The communication device 200 may include a communication module for communicating with an external device by wire and/or wirelessly.

The communication module may may also include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module or a long-distance wireless communication module.

The communication module may transmit/receive data to/from an external device (e.g., a server, a user device, and/or a home appliance). For example, the communication module may establish communication with a server and/or a user device and/or a home appliance and transmit/receive various data to/from the server and/or the user device and/or the home appliance.

To this end, the communication module may may establish a direct (wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel with an external device and support communication through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the communication module may include a wireless communication module (for example, a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module), or a wired communication module (for example, a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication module). A corresponding communication module among the communication modules may communicate with an external device through a first network (for example, a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (for example, a long-distance communication network, such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, internet, or a computer network (for example, a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)). Such various kinds of communication modules may be integrated into a component (for example, a single chip) or implemented as a plurality of independent components (for example, a plurality of chips).

The short-range wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a Near Field Communication (NFC) communication module, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN; WiFi) communication module, a Zigbee communication module, an IrDA communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, a Ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc., although not limited thereto.

The long-distance wireless communication module may include a communication module that performs various kinds of long-distance communications, and may include a mobile communication device. The mobile communication device may transmit/receive a wireless signal to/from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, or a server on a mobile communication network.

According to an embodiment, the communication module may communicate with a server, a user device, or another home appliance through a surrounding Access Point (AP). The AP may connect a LAN to which the dryer or a user device is connected to a WAN to which a server is connected.

The dryer or the user device may be connected to the server through a WAN.

*General Drying Control Configuration*

The processor 210 may control overall operations of the dryer.

The processor 210 may control a drying operation based on dryness received through the input device 171.

The processor 210 may control a drying operation based on a drying time and a drying temperature received through the input device 171.

The processor 210 may control a drying operation based on a drying course received through the input device 171.

The drying operation may include at least one of Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) of the motor 150, an operating frequency of the compressor 164, a superheating degree of the evaporator 163, a drying time, a drying temperature, or dryness.

When the processor 210 controls a drying operation, the processor 210 may control a superheating degree of the evaporator to adjust a degree of moisture condensation in the evaporator. Here, controlling the superheating degree of the evaporator may include adjusting an opening degree of the expansion valve 162 provided in the heat pump 160.

When the processor 210 controls a drying operation, the processor 210 may rotate the drum 120 and the fan 140 by controlling the motor 150 to cause a drying object to tumble inside the drum 120 and cause air in the drum 120 to circulate.

When the processor 210 controls the drying operation, the processor 210 may control operations of the compressor 164 and the expansion valve 162 of the heat pump 160 to perform heat exchange of air discharged from the drum 120, and transfer the heat-exchanged air to the drum 120.

When the processor 210 controls the drying operation, the processor 210 may identify whether a drying completion time has been reached based on at least one of humidity information, temperature information, and dryness information respectively detected by a humidity sensor (not shown), a temperature sensor (not shown), and the contact sensor 190, and according to the drying completion time having been reached, the processor 210 may stop operations of the motor 150, the compressor 164, and the expansion valve 162.

When the processor 210 controls the drying operation, the processor 210 may obtain dryness of the drying object based on an electrical signal received from the contact sensor 190, and, based on the obtained dryness reaching target dryness, the processor 210 may identify that the drying completion time has been reached.

The target dryness may be preset dryness, dryness set by a user, or dryness corresponding to a drying course set by a user.

When the processor 210 obtains the dryness of the drying object based on the electrical signal received from the contact sensor 190, the processor 210 may count electrical signals received at preset time intervals for a preset time, obtain a pulse value corresponding to the number of the counted electrical signals, and obtain the dryness of the drying object based on the obtained pulse value.

The received electrical signals may be pulse signals and the preset time interval may be one minute.

The counted electrical signals may be pulse signals having values that are equal to or greater than a preset value. For example, the counted electrical signals may be pulse signals having current values that are equal to or greater than a preset current value, or pulse signals having voltage values that are equal to or greater than a preset voltage value.

When the processor 210 controls the drying operation, the processor 210 may control an operation of the heater 165.

More specifically, in a case where the dryer is provided with the heater 165, the processor 210 may control an on/off operation of the heater 165 or control an output capacity of at least one of a voltage or current applied to the heater 165 through pulse width modulation (PWM), thereby adjusting a temperature of air.

The processor 210 may obtain a capacity of the drying object based on a current detected by the current sensor 180 and an electrical signal detected by the contact sensor 190, and control a drying operation based on the obtained capacity of the drying object.

The capacity of the drying object may be a capacity occupied by the drying object inside the drum 120 and may be divided into a small capacity and a large capacity that is larger than the small capacity.

The large capacity may be divided into a first large capacity, a second large capacity that is larger than the first large capacity, and a third large capacity that is larger than the second large capacity.

Based on an artificial intelligence course being received through the input device 171, the processor 210 may transmit information on the obtained capacity of the drying object to a server 2 and control a drying operation based on drying operation information received from the server 2.

When the processor 210 performs the artificial intelligence course, the processor 210 may change at least one of RPM of the motor, a rotation direction of the motor, a drying time, or a drying temperature based on a change in internal temperature of the drum, internal temperature of the exhaust flow path, internal humidity of the drum, and weight of the drying object.

The processor 210 may obtain a drying course corresponding to the obtained capacity of the drying object, identify whether the obtained drying course is identical to a drying course selected by a user, and control the display 172 to display the obtained drying course based on the obtained drying course being identified to be different from the drying course selected by the user.

The processor 210 may control the display 172 and the speaker to output guidance information for changing a course.

As shown in FIG. 4, the display 172 may display guidance information for changing a drying course. The display 172 may also display a ‘Cancel’ button for receiving a user's rejection command to reject to change the drying course.

Based on a signal of selecting the ‘Cancel’ button being not received within a preset time, the processor 210 may control the drying operation with the changed drying course, and, based on a signal of selecting the ‘Cancel’ button being received, the processor 210 may control the drying operation with the drying course selected by the user without changing the drying course.

According to the obtained drying course being identical to the drying course selected by the user, the display 172 may display guidance information indicating that the obtained drying course is identical to the drying course selected by the user.

In a case where drying operation information is set by a user, the processor 210 may identify whether drying operation information corresponding to the obtained drying course is identical to the drying operation information set by the user, and, based on the drying operation information corresponding to the obtained drying course being identified to be different from the drying operation information set by the user, the processor 210 may control the display 172 to display the obtained drying operation information.

The drying operation information may include information on a drying time and a drying temperature.

A configuration for obtaining a capacity of a drying object will be described in more detail.

The processor 210 may control a rotation of the motor 150 for a first time to rotate the drum 120, and recognize a weight of a drying object accommodated in the drum 120 based on a current detected by the current sensor 180 while the drum 120 rotates for the first time.

Based on the recognized weight of the drying object exceeding a reference weight, the processor 210 may recognize the number of the drying object as a large number, and based on the recognized weight of the drying object being equal to or less than the reference weight, the processor 210 may recognize the number of the drying object as a small number.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which a large number of drying objects are accommodated in a drum, and FIG. 6 shows a state in which a small number of drying objects is accommodated in a drum.

Under an assumption that a portion occupied by a large number of pieces of clothes accommodated in the drum 120 in an inside space of the drum 120 is equal to a portion occupied by one blanket accommodated in the drum 120 in the inside space of the drum 120, a weight of the one blanket may be less than a weight of the large number of pieces of clothes. The reason may be because blankets are made of cotton, etc.

That is, a state in which a recognized weight of a drying object is equal to or less than a reference weight may be a state (small-capacity accommodation state) in which a small number of drying objects with a small volume is accommodated or a state (large-capacity accommodation state) in which a small number of drying objects with a large volume is accommodated.

The small capacity may be a capacity when a portion occupied by a drying object in the inside space of the drum is less than a reference portion. A volume of a drying object corresponding to the small capacity may be less than a reference volume. In this case, a kind of the drying object may be clothes R1, towels, summer blankets, etc.

The large capacity may be a capacity when a portion occupied by a drying object in the inside space of the drum is equal to or larger than the reference portion. For example, the reference portion may be about 60%.

A volume of a drying object corresponding to the large capacity may be equal to or larger than the reference volume. The number of a drying object corresponding to the large capacity may be one or two. In this case, a kind of the drying object may be dolls, cushions, fall blankets, winter blankets R2, etc.

To distinguish these, based on a recognized weight of a drying object being equal to or less than the reference weight, the processor 210 may recognize a capacity of the drying object based on an electrical signal received from the contact sensor 190.

That is, the processor 210 may first recognize a capacity of a drying object based on a weight of the drying object being equal to or less than the reference weight and secondly recognize the capacity of the drying object based on an electrical signal received from the contact sensor 190.

The processor 210 may stop the motor 150 according to elapse of the first time to stop rotating the drum 120, and, according to elapse of a second time from a time when the motor 150 has stopped, the processor 210 may control a rotation of the motor 150 to rotate the drum 120 for a third time.

The first time may be equal to or longer than the second time.

The third time may be longer than the first and second times.

The first, second, and third times may be preset times and stored in the memory 220.

The processor 210 may receive electrical signals from the contact sensor 190 for the third time for which the drum 120 rotates and sample the electrical signals received for the third time.

The electrical signals obtained for the third time may be signals generated by contacts between the contact sensor 190 and the drying object. For example, the electrical signals may be on signals, voltage signals that are equal to or larger than a preset magnitude, or current signals that are equal to or larger than a preset magnitude.

The processor 210 may sample the electrical signals received for the third time, obtain the numbers of contacts between the contact sensor 190 and the drying object per time, and recognize a pattern of the electrical signals based on the numbers of contacts per time for the third time.

The processor 210 may obtain at least one of a deviation value or a variance value based on the numbers of contacts per time and recognize whether or not the pattern of the electric signals is constant based on the at least one of the deviation value or the variance value.

As shown in FIG. 7A, when a small capacity of drying objects is accommodated in the drum and a large portion of the inside space of the drum is empty, a deviation value for the numbers of contacts per time for the third time may deviate from a reference deviation range.

When the small capacity of drying objects is accommodated in the drum and thus, the large portion of the inside space of the drum is empty, a variance value for the numbers of contacts per time for the third time may exceed a reference variance value.

The deviation value for the numbers of contacts per time for the third hour deviating from the reference deviation range and the variance value for the numbers of contacts per time for the third hour exceeding the reference variance value may mean that a pattern of electric signals for the third hour is not constant.

The pattern of the electrical signals being not constant may mean that the numbers of contacts between the drying objects tumbling in the inside space of the drum 120 and the contact sensor 190 are not constant.

As shown in FIG. 7B, when a large capacity of drying objects is accommodated inside the drum and thus, a small portion of the inside space of the drum is empty, a deviation value for the numbers of contacts per time for the third time may be within the reference deviation range.

Also, when the large capacity of drying objects is accommodated inside the drum and thus, the small portion of the inside space of the drum is empty, a variance value for the numbers of contacts per time for the third time may be equal to or less than the reference variance value.

The deviation value for the numbers of contacts per time for the third time being within the reference deviation range and the variance value for the numbers of contacts per time for the third time being equal to or less than the reference variance value may mean that a pattern of electrical signals for the third time is constant.

The pattern of the electrical signals being constant may mean that the numbers of contacts between the drying objects tumbling in the inside space of the drum and the contact sensor are constant.

When the processor 210 obtains a deviation value and a variance value for the numbers of contacts per time for the third time, the processor 210 may obtain a deviation value and a variance value for each section. Here, the section may be about 60 seconds.

For example, the processor 210 may obtain a deviation value and a variance value for the numbers of contacts per time at time intervals of 60 seconds for the third time.

Based on a deviation value for at least one section being within the reference deviation range or a variance value for at least one section being equal to or less than the reference variance value, the processor 210 may recognize a capacity of a drying object accommodated in the drum as a large capacity.

As such, the processor 210 may identify whether a capacity of a drying object accommodated in the drum is a large capacity based on a pattern of electrical signals detected by the contact sensor 190 for the third time for which the drum 120 rotates.

As shown in FIG. 8, the processor 210 may sample electrical signals obtained for the third time to obtain the numbers of contacts per time.

The processor 210 may identify whether a capacity of a drying object is a large capacity based on the numbers of contacts per time.

The numbers of contacts per time may be the numbers of contacts per unit time. Here, the unit time may be a reference time based on which the number of contacts is obtained. The unit time may be a preset time and may be about one second.

The processor 210 may obtain maintenance times for which the numbers of contacts are the same based on the numbers of contacts per time, and may identify whether the capacity of the drying object is a large capacity based on the obtained maintenance times.

The processor 210 may obtain, as valid maintenance times, maintenance times that is equal to or longer than a reference time among the obtained maintenance times, obtain difference values between the obtained maintenance times and the reference time, obtain a sum of the difference values, recognize the capacity of the drying object as a large capacity based on the sum being equal to or greater than a reference value, and recognize the capacity of the drying object as a small capacity based on the sum being less than the reference value.

The processor 210 may obtain a time corresponding to a section for which an obtained deviation value is within the reference deviation range, assign a weight value to the sum based on the time corresponding to the section being shorter than a time corresponding to a reference section, recognize the capacity of the drying object as a large capacity based on the sum to which the weight value is assigned being equal to or greater than the reference value, and recognize the capacity of the drying object as a small capacity based on the sum to which the weight value is assigned being less than the reference value.

The processor 210 may obtain a section for which an obtained variance value is equal to or less than the reference variance value, assign a weight value to the sum based on a time corresponding to the section being shorter than the time corresponding to the reference section, recognize the capacity of the drying object as a large capacity based on the sum to which the weight value is assigned being equal to or greater than the reference value, and recognize the capacity of the drying object as a small capacity based on the sum to which the weight value is assigned being less than the reference value.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the processor 210 may connect peak values of the obtained numbers of contacts per time to obtain first envelope values per time.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the processor 210 may connect trough values of the obtained numbers of contacts per time to obtain second envelope values per time.

The first and second envelope values may be indexes for the numbers of contacts between the contact sensor and the drying object.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the processor 210 may, based on the obtained first envelope values per time, obtain first maintenance times for which the first envelope values are the same, obtain, as first valid maintenance times, the first maintenance times that are equal to or longer than the reference time among the obtained first maintenance times, and obtain first difference values between the first valid maintenance times and the reference time.

In a case where the obtained first maintenance times are t1, t2, t3, and t4, the processor 210 may obtain, as first valid maintenance times, the first maintenance times t1, t2, and t4 that are equal to or longer than a reference time r among the first maintenance times t1, t2, t3, and t4.

The processor 210 may obtain first difference values t1−r, t2−r, and t3−r between the first valid maintenance times t1, t2, and t4 and the reference time R.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the processor 210 may, based on the obtained second envelope values per time, second maintenance times for which the second envelope values are the same, obtain, as second valid maintenance times, the second maintenance times that are equal to or longer than the reference time among the obtained second maintenance times, and obtain second difference values between the second valid maintenance times and the reference time.

In a case where the obtained second maintenance times are t5, t6, t7, and t8, the processor 210 may obtain, as second valid maintenance times, the second maintenance times t6 and t8 that are equal to or longer than the reference time r among the second maintenance times t5, t6, t7, and t8.

The processor 210 may obtain first difference values t6−r and t8−r between the second valid maintenance times t6 and t8 and the reference time r.

The processor 210 may obtain a sum of the first difference values and the second difference values and recognize the drying object as a large capacity based on the sum being equal or greater than the reference value.

Based on the sum being equal to or greater than the reference value, the processor 210 may identify which of the first, second, and third large capacities the large capacity is.

In a case where a first setting value corresponding to the first large capacity and a second setting value corresponding to the second large capacity have been stored, the processor may recognize the capacity of the drying object as the first large capacity based on the sum being equal to or less than the first setting value, recognize the capacity of the drying object as the second large capacity based on the sum exceeding the first setting value and being equal to or less than the second setting value, and recognize the capacity of the drying object as the third large capacity based on the sum exceeding the second setting value.

The processor 210 may count a first index per time based on the first envelope values per time, and may count the first index per time based on whether the first envelope values within a preset time range are the same.

The processor 210 may count a second index per time based on the second envelope values per time, and may count the second index per time based on whether the second envelope values within the preset time range are the same.

A time unit based on which the first and second indexes are counted may be one second.

The preset time range may be about 10 seconds.

According to the first envelope values within the preset time range being all the same, the processor 210 may count the first index by increasing the first index by 1 and, according to at least one first envelope value of the first envelope values within the preset time range being different from the remaining first envelope values, the processor 210 may not count the first index.

According to the second envelope values within the preset time range being all the same, the processor 210 may count the second index by increasing the second index by 1 and, according to at least one second envelope value of the second envelope values within the preset time range being different from the remaining second envelope values, the processor 210 may not count the second index.

More specifically, the processor 210 may identify whether first envelope values from a n time to a n+m time are the same per time, count the first index by increasing the first index by 1 according to the first envelope values being all the same, and not count the first index according to at least one first envelope value among the first envelope values within the preset time range from the n time to the n+m time being different from the remaining first envelope values.

This will be described as an example. The following description will be provided under an assumption that M is 9.

As shown in FIG. 11, the processor 210 may count the first index as 1 at 1 second as the numbers of contacts from 1 second to 10 seconds are all the same, count the first index as 2 at 2 seconds as the numbers of contacts from 2 seconds to 11 seconds are all the same, count the first index as 3 at 3 seconds as the numbers of contacts from 3 seconds to 12 seconds are all the same, count the first index as 4 at 4 seconds as the numbers of contacts from 4 seconds to 13 seconds are all the same, and count the first index as 5 at 5 seconds as the numbers of contacts from 5 seconds to 14 seconds are all the same. The processor 210 may not count the first index at 6 seconds according to at least one of the numbers of contacts from 6 seconds to 15 seconds being identified to be different. At this time, the first index may be maintained as 5.

Then, the processor 210 may count the first index as 6 at 18 seconds as the numbers of contacts from 18 seconds to 27 seconds are all the same. In this way, the first index may be counted based on first envelope values for the third time.

The processor 210 may count the first index based on first envelope values for a section where electrical signals have a constant pattern and may also count the second index based on second envelope values for a section where electrical signals have a constant pattern.

The processor 210 may count the first and second indexes for a section where a deviation value is within the reference deviation range and may count the first and second indexes for a section where a variance value is equal to or less than the reference variance value.

The processor 210 may obtain a section where a deviation value is within the reference deviation range, assign a weight value to a sum index obtained by summing first and second indexes according to a time corresponding to the obtained section is shorter than a time corresponding to a reference section, recognize a capacity of a drying object as a larger capacity based on the sum index to which the weight value is assigned being equal to or greater than a reference index, and recognize the capacity of the drying object as a small capacity based on the sum index to which the weight value is assigned being less than the reference index.

The processor 210 may obtain a weight value based on the time corresponding to the reference section and the time corresponding to the obtained section, obtain a total index by assigning the obtained weight value to the sum index obtained by summing the first and second indexes, and recognize the capacity of the drying object by comparing the obtained total index to the reference index.

In a case where the time corresponding to the refence section is 120 seconds and the time corresponding to the obtained section is 60 seconds, the processor 210 may obtain a weight value (B=2) based on the time corresponding to the reference section and the time corresponding to the obtained section, obtain a total index 2A by multiplying a sum index A obtained by summing the first and second indexes by the weight value (B=2), and recognize the capacity of the drying object by comparing the obtained total index to the reference index.

In a case where the time corresponding to the refence section is 120 seconds and the time corresponding to the obtained section is 40 seconds, the processor 210 may obtain a weight value (B=3) based on the time corresponding to the reference section and the time corresponding to the obtained section, obtain a total index 3A by multiplying the sum index A obtained by summing the first and second indexes by the weight value (B=3), and recognize the capacity of the drying object by comparing the obtained total index to the reference index.

The processor 210 may obtain a section where an obtained variance value is equal to or less than the reference variance value, assign a weight value to first and second indexes according to a length of the obtained section being shorter than a length of the reference section, obtain a sum index by summing the first and second indexes to which the weight value is assigned, recognize the capacity of the drying object as a large capacity based on the sum index being less than the reference index, and recognize the capacity of the drying object as a small capacity based on the sum index to which the weight value is assigned being less than the reference index.

The processor 210 may count a first index when a first envelope value is less than 20 and count a second index when a second envelope value is less than 20.

*Drying Operation Control After Capacity Recognition*

According to a recognized weight of a drying object exceeding a reference weight, the processor 210 may control a drying operation based on the recognized weight of the drying object.

According to the recognized weight of the drying object exceeding the reference weight, the processor 210 may control the drying operation based on an artificial intelligence course.

According to the recognized weight of the drying object exceeding the reference weight, the processor 210 may control the drying operation based on drying operation information received through the input device 171.

The drying operation information may include information on at least one of a drying course, a drying time, a drying temperature, or dryness.

More specifically, according to a recognized weight of a drying object exceeding the reference weight, the processor 210 may control a drying operation based on a drying course received through the input device 171, control a drying operation based on a drying time and a drying temperature received through the input device 171, or control a drying operation based on dryness received through the input device 171.

Based on a capacity of a drying object being a small capacity, the processor 210 may control a drying operation based on an artificial intelligence course.

Based on the capacity of the drying object being the small capacity, the processor 210 may control a drying operation based on drying operation information received through the input device 171.

The drying operation information may include information on at least one of a drying course, a drying time, a drying temperature, or dryness.

More specifically, based on a capacity of a drying object being a small capacity, the processor 210 may control a drying operation based on a drying course received through the input device 171, control a drying operation based on a drying time and a drying temperature received through the input device 171, or control a drying operation based on dryness received through the input device 171.

Based on a capacity of a drying object being a large capacity, the processor 210 may control a drying operation based on a large-capacity course. The large-capacity course may include a blanket course.

Based on the capacity of the drying object being the large capacity, the processor 210 may identify whether a drying course received through the input device 171 is the large-capacity course, and based on the drying course received through the input device 171 being different from the large-capacity course, the processor 210 may control the display 172 to display course change information.

Based on the drying course received through the input device 171 being identical to the large-capacity course, the processor 210 may control the display 172 to display course maintenance information.

When the processor 210 controls the drying operation based on the large-capacity course, the processor 210 may control a rotation direction of the drum alternately between a forward rotation and a reverse rotation and control an operation of the motor such that the number of alternations increases compared to other drying courses.

When the processor 210 controls the drying operation based on the large-capacity course, the processor 210 may set a lower target drying temperature than target drying temperatures of other drying courses and set a longer target drying time than target drying times of the other drying courses.

The processor 210 may control the drying operation based on the set target drying temperature and the set target drying time.

When the processor 210 controls the forward and reverse rotations of the motor 150, the processor 210 may perform control of stopping the heat pump.

Based on a capacity of a drying object being recognized as a first large capacity, the processor 210 may control forward and reverse rotations of the motor at a first number of alternations and control the heat pump 160 and the heater 165 based on a first target drying temperature and a first target drying time.

Based on a capacity of a drying object being recognized as a second large capacity, the processor 210 may control forward and reverse rotations of the motor at a second number of alternations and control the heat pump 160 and the heater 165 based on a second target drying temperature and a second target drying time.

The second number of alternations may be more than the first number of alternations.

The second target drying temperature may be lower than the first target drying temperature, and the second target drying time may be longer than the first target drying time.

Based on a capacity of a drying object being recognized as a third large capacity, the processor 210 may control forward and reverse rotations of the motor at a third number of alternations and control the heat pump 160 and the heater 165 based on a third target drying temperature and a third target drying time.

The third number of alternations may be more than the second number of alternations.

The third target drying temperature may be lower than the second target drying temperature, and the third target drying time may be longer than the second target drying time.

The processor 210 may be implemented with memory (not shown) that stores data on an algorithm for controlling operations of components in the dryer or a program for embodying the algorithm, and a processor (not shown) that performs the above-described operations by using the data stored in the memory. Here, the memory and processor may be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and processor may be implemented as a single chip.

The processor 210 may perform the above-described operations by using the data stored in the memory 220.

The processor 210 may include hardware, such Central Processing Unit (CPU) or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the processor 210 may include at least one memory that stores data in the form of an algorithm or program for controlling operations of the components in the clothes treatment apparatus, and one or more processor chips or one or more processing cores which perform the above-described operations by using the data stored in the at least one memory.

The processor 210 may include a separate neural processing unit (NPU) that performs operations of an artificial intelligence model, and may include a graphic processing unit (GPU), etc.

The memory 220 may store information on the reference weight, the reference deviation range, and the reference variance value.

The memory 220 may store information on the first, second, third times for recognizing a weight of a drying object and a capacity of a drying object.

The memory 220 may store information on the reference time, the reference value, the reference index, and the reference section for recognizing a capacity of a drying object.

The memory 220 may store the first and second setting values for distinguishing a plurality of large capacities from one another, the first target drying temperature, the first target drying time, and the first number of alternations corresponding to the first large capacity, the second target temperature, the second target drying time, and the second number of alternations corresponding to the second large capacity, and the third target temperature, the third target drying time, and the third number of alternations corresponding to the third large capacity.

The memory 220 may store drying operation information for each drying course. Particularly, the memory 220 may store drying operation information for a large-capacity drying course.

The memory 220 may store data on an algorithm for controlling the operations of the components in the dryer and a program for embodying the algorithm.

The memory 220 may be implemented as at least one of a non-volatile memory device, such as a cache, Read Only Memory (ROM), Programmable ROM (PROM), Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), and flash memory, a volatile memory device, such as Random Access Memory (RAM), or a storage medium, such as Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), although not limited thereto.

The memory 220 may include one, two, or more memory chips or one, two, or more memory blocks.

At least one component may be added or omitted to correspond to performance of components of the dryer shown in FIG. 3. Also, it will be easily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that mutual positions of the components may change to correspond to the performance and structure of the dryer.

Meanwhile, the components shown in FIG. 3 may be software components and/or hardware components, such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

FIGS. 12A and 12B are control flowcharts of a dryer according to an embodiment.

The dryer may control a rotation of the motor 150 such that the drum 120 rotates for a first time (301).

The dryer may detect a current flowing through the motor 150 by using the current sensor 180 while the drum 120 rotates for the first time (302).

When the first time has elapsed, the dryer may stop the motor 150 to stop rotating the drum (303).

The dryer may recognize a weight of a drying object accommodated in the drum 120 based on the detected current (304). In this case, the greater the detected current, the greater the weight of the drying object. Information on weights corresponding to currents may have been obtained through a test and stored in memory.

The dryer may identify whether the recognized weight of the drying object is equal to or less than a reference weight (305).

Based on the recognized weight of the drying object exceeding the reference weight, the dryer may recognize the drying object as a large number of drying objects.

The dryer may check a drying course received through the input device or the communication device and control a drying operation with the checked drying course (306).

In addition, the dryer may obtain a drying course corresponding to the large number of drying objects that exceed the reference weight, and control the drying operation with the obtained drying course.

Based on the recognized weight of the drying object being less than the reference weight, the dryer may recognize the drying object as a small number of drying objects.

The dryer may identify whether the small number of drying objects is a small capacity or a large capacity, based on a pattern of electrical signals received from the contact sensor 190 or the numbers of contacts per time corresponding to the electrical signals.

This will be described in more detail.

*Example 1 of Recognizing Capacity of Drying Object*

When a second time has elapsed from a time at which the motor 150 has stopped, the dryer may control a rotation of the motor 150 to rotate the drum 120 for a third time (307).

The first time may be equal to or longer than the second time.

The third time may be longer than the first and second times.

The first, second, and third times may be preset times and stored in the memory 220.

The dryer may receive electrical signals from the contact sensor 190 for the third time for which the drum 120 rotates (308) and sample the electrical signals received for the third time to obtain the numbers of contacts per time (309).

The electrical signals obtained for the third time may be signals generated by contacts between the contact sensor 190 and the drying object. For example, the electrical signals may be on signals, voltage signals that are equal to or greater than a preset magnitude, or current signals that are equal to or greater than a preset magnitude.

The numbers of contacts per time may be the numbers of contacts per unit time. Here, the unit time may be a reference time based on which the numbers of contacts are obtained. The unit time may be a preset time and may be about one second.

The dryer may connect peak values of the obtained numbers of contacts per time to obtain first envelope values per time (310) and connect trough values of the obtained numbers of contacts to obtain second envelope values per time (311).

The first and second envelope values may be indexes for the numbers of contacts between the contact sensor and the drying object.

The dryer may count a first index per time based on the first envelope values per time and count the first index based on whether the first envelope values within a preset time range are the same (312).

The dryer may count a second index per time based on the second envelope values per time and count the second index based on whether the second envelope values within the preset time range are the same (313).

A time unit based on which the first and second indexes are counted may be one second.

The preset time range may be about 10 seconds.

According to the first envelope values within the preset time range being all the same, the dryer may count the first index by increasing the first index by 1, and, according to at least one first envelope value of the first envelope values within the preset time range being different from the remaining first envelope values, the dryer may not count the first index.

According to the second envelope values within the preset time range being all the same, the processor 210 may count the second index by increasing the second index by 1, and, according to at least one second envelope value of the second envelope values within the preset time range being different from the remaining second envelope values, the dryer may not count the second index.

The dryer may count a first index based on first envelope values for a section where electrical signals have a constant pattern, and may also count a second index based on second envelope values for a section where electrical signals have a constant pattern.

The section where the electrical signals have the constant pattern may be a section where a deviation value of the numbers of contacts is within a reference deviation range or a section where a variance value is equal to or less than a reference variance value.

The dryer may obtain a sum index by summing the counted first and second indexes (314).

The dryer may obtain a section where a deviation value is within the reference deviation range, and, based on a time corresponding to the obtained section being shorter than a time corresponding to a reference section, the dryer may assign a weight value to the sum index obtained by summing the first and second indexes and obtain a sum index to which the weight value is assigned.

Assigning the weight value may include obtaining the weight value based on the time corresponding to the reference section and the time corresponding to the obtained section and assigning the weight value to the sum index obtained by summing the first and second indexes.

The dryer may obtain a section where an obtained variance value is equal to or less than a reference variance value, and, based on a length of the obtained section being shorter than a length of the reference section, the dryer may assign a weight value to the first and second indexes and obtain a sum index by summing the first and second indexes to which the weight value is assigned.

The dryer may identify whether the sum index is equal to or greater than a reference index (315).

Based on the sum index being less than the reference index, the dryer may recognize a capacity of the drying object as a small capacity, obtain a drying course received through the input device 171 or the communication device 200, and perform a drying operation based on the obtained drying course (316).

According to the drying course received through the input device 171 or the communication device 200 being different from a drying course corresponding to the small capacity, the dryer may output guidance information that suggests a drying operation for the drying course corresponding to the small capacity.

The dryer may obtain the drying course corresponding to the small capacity from the server 2 and control a drying operation based on the obtained drying course.

Based on the sum index being equal to or greater than the reference index, the dryer may recognize the capacity of the drying object as a large capacity (317).

The dryer may identify whether a drying course corresponding to the large capacity is different from the drying course received through the input device (318).

Based on the drying course corresponding to the large capacity being identified to be different from the drying course received through the input device, the dryer may change the drying course to the drying course corresponding to the large capacity and output guidance information corresponding to the change of the drying course (319).

Outputting the guidance information may include displaying the guidance information through the display.

Outputting the guidance information may include outputting the guidance information in a form of a sound or voice through a speaker.

The dryer may control the drying operation based on the drying course corresponding to the large capacity (320).

The drying course corresponding to the large capacity may include a blanket course.

Controlling the drying operation may include controlling at least one of the motor 150, the heat pump 160, or the heater 165.

When the dryer controls the drying operation based on the large capacity course, the dryer may rotate the drum alternately in forward and reverse directions. The number of alternations of the large capacity course may be more than those of other drying courses.

When the dryer controls forward and reverse rotations of the motor 150, the dryer may perform control of stopping the heat pump.

When the dryer controls the drying operation based on the large capacity course, the dryer may set a lower target drying than target drying temperatures of the other drying courses, set a longer target drying time than target drying times of the other drying courses, and control the drying operation based on the set target drying temperature and the set target drying time.

Recognizing the capacity of the drying object as the large capacity may include recognizing the capacity of the drying object as any one of first, second, and third large capacities based on the sum index.

The dryer may recognize the capacity of the drying object as the first large capacity based on the sum index being equal to or less than a first setting index, recognize the capacity of the drying object as the second large capacity based on the sum index exceeding the first setting index and being equal to or less than the second setting index, and recognize the capacity of the drying object as the third large capacity based on the sum index exceeding the second setting index.

The dryer may control forward and reverse rotations of the motor at a first number of alternations based on the capacity of the drying object being recognized as the first large capacity, and control the heat pump 160 and the heater 165 based on the first target drying temperature and the first target drying time.

The dryer may control forward and reverse rotations of the motor at a second number of alternations based on the capacity of the drying object being recognized as the second large capacity and control the heat pump 160 and the heater 165 based on the second target drying temperature and the second target drying time.

The second number of alternations may be more than the first number of alternations.

The second target drying temperature may be lower than the first target drying temperature, and the second target drying time may be longer than the first target drying time.

The dryer may control forward and reverse rotations of the motor at a third number of alternations based on the capacity of the drying object being recognized as the third large capacity, and control the heat pump 160 and the heater 165 based on the third target drying temperature and the third target drying time.

The third number of alternations may be more than the second number of alternations.

The third target drying temperature may be lower than the second target drying temperature, and the third target drying time may be longer than the second target drying time.

*Example 2 of Recognizing Capacity of Drying Object*

The dryer may obtain at least one of a deviation value or a variance value based on the numbers of contacts per time for a third time, and identify whether or not electrical signals have a constant pattern based on the obtained at least one of the deviation value or the variance value.

Obtaining the deviation value or the variance value based on the numbers of contacts per time for the third time may include obtaining a deviation value and a variance value for each section. Here, the section may be about 60 seconds. For example, the dryer may obtain a deviation value and a variance value for the numbers of contacts per time at intervals of 60 seconds for the third time.

The dryer may recognize a capacity of a drying object accommodated in the drum as a large capacity based on a deviation value of at least one section being within a reference deviation range or a variance value of at least one section being equal to or less than a reference variation value, and based on a deviation value of at least one section deviating from the reference deviation range or a variance value of at least one section exceeding the reference variance value, the dryer may recognize the capacity of the drying object accommodated in the drum as a small capacity.

As such, the dryer may identify whether a capacity of a drying object accommodated in the drum is a large capacity or a small capacity based on a pattern of electrical signals detected by the contact sensor 190 for the third time for which the drum 120 rotates.

*Example 3 of Recognizing Capacity of Drying Object*

The dryer may sample electrical signals obtained for a third time to obtain the numbers of contacts per time, connect peak values of the obtained numbers of contacts per time to obtain first envelope values per time, and connect trough values of the obtained numbers of contacts per time to obtain second envelope values per time.

The dryer may obtain first maintenance times for which the first envelope values are the same based on the obtained first envelope values per time, obtain, as a first valid maintenance time, a first maintenance time that is equal to or longer than a reference time among the obtained first maintenance times, and obtain a first difference value between the first valid maintenance time and the reference time.

The dryer may obtain second maintenance times for which the second envelope values are the same based on the obtained second envelope values per time, obtain, as a second valid maintenance time, a second maintenance time that is equal to or longer than the reference time among the obtained second maintenance times, and obtain a second difference value between the second valid maintenance time and the reference time.

Obtaining the first difference value may include identifying whether the numbers of contacts from a n second to n+m are the same, count a first index by increasing the first index by +1 according to the numbers of contacts being identified to be all the same, obtain a x time for which the numbers of contacts are the same from a time of n+m, and obtain an added count corresponding to the obtained x time. In this case, the first valid maintenance time may be n+m+x. Also, the reference time may be n+m.

The dryer may obtain a first index by additionally counting the added count corresponding to the x time to the first index accumulated.

Obtaining the second difference value may include identifying whether the numbers of contacts from a n second to n+m are the same, count a second index by increasing the second index by +1 according to the numbers of contacts being identified to be all the same, obtain a c time for which the numbers of contacts are the same from a time of n+m, and obtain an added count corresponding to the obtained c time. In this case, the second valid maintenance time may be n+m+c. Also, the reference time may be n+m.

The dryer may obtain a second index by additionally counting the added count corresponding to the c time to the second index accumulated.

The dryer may obtain a sum value by summing the first and second difference values, recognize the capacity of the drying object as a large capacity based on the sum value being equal to or greater than a reference value, and recognize the capacity of the drying object as a small capacity based on the sum value being less than the reference value.

Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of recording medium that stores instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program codes, and when executed by the processor, the instructions may generate a program module to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as computer-readable recording medium.

The computer-readable recording medium may include all kinds of recording media storing instructions that can be decrypted by a computer. For example, the computer-readable recording medium may be Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, flash memory, or an optical data storage device.

So far, the disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent that those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs can make various modifications thereto without changing the technical spirit and essential features of the present disclosure. Thus, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely for illustrative purposes and not for limitation purposes.

Claims

1. A clothes treatment apparatus comprising:

a drum to accommodate a load;

a contact sensor, to be provided in the drum, configured to detect a contact with the load; and

a processor configured to: obtain a number of contacts between the load and the contact sensor per time based on electrical signals received from the contact sensor while controlling a rotation of the drum in which the load is accommodated, and control a clothes treatment operation for a capacity of the load determined based on the number of contacts per time.

2. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the processor is configured to obtain first envelope values per time by connecting peak values of the obtained number of contacts per time, obtain a first index based on whether the first envelope values per time are same, obtain second envelope values per time by connecting trough values of the obtained number of contacts per time, obtain a second index based on whether the second envelope values per time are same, and recognize the capacity of the load as a large capacity based on a sum of the first index and the second index being equal to or greater than a reference index.

3. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a motor configured to rotate the drum; and

a current sensor configured to detect a current flowing through the motor,

wherein the processor is configured to obtain a weight of the load based on the current detected by the current sensor, recognize the capacity of the load based on the obtained weight being identified to be equal to or less than a reference weight, and recognize the capacity of the load based on the number of contacts per time.

4. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 3, further comprising

an input device,

wherein the processor is configured to, based on the obtained weight exceeding the reference weight, control the clothes treatment operation based on a clothes treatment course received through the input device.

5. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 3, wherein

the processor is configured to perform control of rotating the motor for a first time to obtain the weight of the load, perform control of stopping the motor based on the first time having elapsed, perform control of rotating the motor for a third time at a second time from a time at which the motor has stopped, and obtain the number of contacts per time based on electrical signals of the contact sensor received for the third time.

6. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 3, wherein

the processor is configured to obtain a deviation value of the number of contacts per time and recognize the capacity of the load based on the obtained deviation value being within a reference deviation range.

7. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 6, wherein

the processor is configured to obtain a section where the obtained deviation value is within the reference deviation range and assign a weight value to the first index and the second index according to a time corresponding to the obtained section being shorter than a time corresponding to a reference section.

8. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 2, further comprising

a communication device,

wherein the processor is configured to transmit the recognized capacity of the load to a server through the communication device and control the clothes treatment operation based on clothes treatment operation information received from the server.

9. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the processor is configured to obtain maintenance times for which the number of contacts are same based on the number of contacts per time, obtain, as valid maintenance times, maintenance times that are equal to or longer than a reference time among the obtained maintenance times, and recognize the capacity of the load based on the obtained valid maintenance times.

10. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 9, wherein

the processor is configured to obtain first envelope values per time by connecting peak values of the obtained number of contacts per time, obtain the maintenance times for which the first envelope values are the same based on the obtained first envelope values per time, obtain second envelope values per time by connecting trough values of the obtained number of contacts per time, and obtain the maintenance times for which the second envelope values are the same based on the obtained second envelope values per time.

11. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 9, wherein

the processor is configured to obtain difference values between the obtained valid maintenance times and the reference time and recognize the capacity of the load as a large capacity based on a sum of the difference values being equal to or greater than a reference value.

12. A control method of a clothes treatment apparatus, comprising:

detecting a current flowing through a motor while a drum connected to the motor rotates,

obtaining a weight of a load based on the detected current,

obtaining electrical signals through a contact sensor provided in the drum based on the obtained weight of the load being identified to be equal to or less than a reference weight,

obtaining number of contacts between the load and the contact sensor per time based on the obtained electrical signals,

obtaining a deviation value of the number of contacts per time,

recognizing a capacity of the load based on the obtained deviation value being within a reference deviation range, and

controlling a clothes treatment operation based on the recognized capacity of the load.

13. The control method of claim 12, wherein the recognizing of the capacity of the load comprises

obtaining first envelope values per time by connecting peak values of the obtained number of contacts per time,

obtaining a first index based on whether the first envelope values per time are same,

obtaining second envelope values per time by connecting trough values of the obtained number of contacts per time,

obtaining a second index based on whether the second envelope values per time are same, and

recognizing a capacity of the load as a large capacity based on a sum of the first index and the second index being equal to or greater than a reference index.

14. The control method of claim 13, further comprising

obtaining a section where the obtained deviation value is within the reference deviation range,

assigning a weight value to the first index and the second index according to a time corresponding to the obtained section being shorter than a time corresponding to a reference section,

recognizing the capacity of the load as a small capacity based on a sum of the first index and the second index being less than the reference index, and

based on clothes treatment operation information received through an input device or a communication device being different from clothes treatment operation information corresponding to the large capacity, outputting change guidance information regarding changing clothes treatment operation information through a display or a speaker.

15. The control method of claim 12, further comprising:

based on the obtained weight exceeding the reference weight, receiving a clothes treatment course through an input device or a communication device, and

controlling the clothes treatment operation based on the received clothes treatment course.