KR102525465B1 - Method for controlling laundry treatment - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment room accommodating clothes, a steam generating device for generating steam supplied to the laundry treatment room, a valve provided on a drain line connected to the steam generating device, a drain pipe connected to the drain line, and the steam generator. A control method for a laundry treatment apparatus comprising a water supply pump provided on a water supply path connected to a generator and supplying water to the steam generator, a water supply tube connected to the steam generator, and a filter unit provided on the water supply path, the filter comprising: Step (a) of entering a sub-exchange course, and step (b) of operating the water pump for a predetermined time and opening the valve in a state in which water is not supplied from the water tank, The generating device is provided at a higher position than the drain container, and the water supply pump located between the filter unit and the steam generating device supplies residual water from the filter unit to the steam generating device by operation of the water supply pump to discharge the remaining water from the filter unit. It provides a control method of a laundry treatment apparatus characterized in that the removal.

Description

Control method of clothes handling device {METHOD FOR CONTROLLING LAUNDRY TREATMENT}

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus and a control method thereof, and more specifically, to a laundry treatment apparatus capable of performing various treatments such as washing, drying, deodorizing, and wrinkle removal on clothes, and a control method thereof.

A clothes treatment device is a device for performing various treatments on clothes, such as washing clothes, drying wet clothes, removing odors from clothes, and improving wrinkles of clothes.

Recently, a laundry treatment device has been developed so that a washing machine for washing clothes, a dryer for drying clothes, a refresher for refreshing clothes, and a steamer for improving unnecessary wrinkles of clothes are realized in one device. there is a trend

Here, the refresher is a device for making clothes pleasant and fresh, and performs functions such as drying clothes, supplying fragrance to clothes, preventing static electricity generation of clothes, and improving wrinkles of clothes. Pointing to a device, a steamer is a device that removes wrinkles from clothes by supplying steam to clothes, and unlike an iron, it may refer to a device that performs a function of improving and removing wrinkles of clothes without directly applying heat to clothes. .

In order to spray steam toward the clothes accommodated in the clothes treatment room, the steam generator generates steam by heating and boiling supplied water. As the water is repeatedly boiled and cooled in the steam generator, In addition, the concentration of residual components such as calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium sulfate, etc. increases, which causes a decrease in the lifespan of a heater, which is a heating means due to scale, or a problem of forming a film on the surface of a metal water level sensor and causing a detection error. .

In order to solve this problem, the laundry treatment apparatus may include a filter unit to purify or filter water supplied to the steam generator, thereby improving durability of the steam generator.

The replacement of the filter unit is required after the cumulative operation count or accumulated operation time of the steam generator is determined, but when the user replaces the filter unit, there is a problem in that the user is uncomfortable due to residual water remaining in the filter unit.

Therefore, a necessary technology for solving these problems is required.

KR 10-1291276 B1 KR 10-1467775 B1

According to the present invention, a filter unit for purifying or filtering water supplied to a steam generator for steam spraying can be easily replaced without inconvenience by a user in order to treat various types of clothes stored in a laundry treatment room of a laundry treatment apparatus. Provided is a control method of a laundry treatment device.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a laundry treatment room in which clothes are accommodated, a steam generator for generating steam supplied to the clothes treatment room, a valve provided on a drain connected to the steam generator, and A laundry treatment apparatus including a drain pipe connected to the steam generator, a water pump provided on the water supply passage connected to the steam generator, and supplying water to the steam generator, a water supply pipe connected to the steam generator, and a filter provided on the water supply pipe. In the control method, step (a) of entering a filter unit replacement course, and step (b) of operating the water pump for a predetermined time and opening the valve in a state in which water is not supplied from the water tank. Including, but, the steam generator is provided at a position higher than the drain, and the water supply pump located on the water supply path between the filter unit and the steam generator, by operation, the remaining water of the filter unit to the Provided is a control method of a laundry treatment apparatus characterized in that water is supplied to a steam generator to remove residual water from the filter unit.

According to one embodiment, in the step (a), the filter unit replacement course is entered according to a user input, but the valve may be in a closed state.

According to an embodiment, the preset time may be a time required to withdraw residual water in the filter unit to the steam generator by operating the water pump.

According to one embodiment, the step (b) may include detecting a high level of the steam generator, and stopping the operation of the feed water pump when the high level of the steam generator is detected. .

According to one embodiment, in the steam generator, water is supplied and drained at the same time, and the amount of water supplied through the water supply passage may be greater than the amount of water discharged through the drainage passage.

According to an embodiment, the laundry treatment apparatus includes an auxiliary water container provided on a drainage passage connected to the steam generating device, and a drain pump provided on the drainage passage between the auxiliary water container and the drainage passage to drain the auxiliary water container. Further, the step (b) includes detecting the full water level of the auxiliary water tank, and when the full water level of the auxiliary water tank is detected, stopping the operation of the water pump, closing the valve, and closing the drain pump. It may include the step of operating.

According to an embodiment, the step (b) may include detecting the full water level of the drain container, stopping the operation of the drain pump when the full water level of the drain container is detected, and emptying the drain container of water. It may further include the step of notifying.

According to an embodiment, in the step (b), when the full water level of the drain bucket is not detected, the full water level of the auxiliary bucket may be detected to determine whether the drain pump is operated.

According to one embodiment, the step of detecting whether the water bottle is separated or not may be further included before step (b).

According to one embodiment, after the step (b), the step of stopping the operation of the water supply pump and closing the valve may be further included.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a filter unit for purifying or filtering water supplied to a steam generating device for steam spraying to perform various treatments on clothes accommodated in a laundry treatment room of a laundry treatment apparatus without inconvenience to the user. can be easily replaced.

1 is a view showing the appearance of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view showing the inside of a clothes treatment room according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view showing an overall appearance of a steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4A and 4B are views for explaining a process of setting a second steam injection time according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a step-by-step flowchart of a control method of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a step-by-step flowchart of a process of setting a first steam injection time according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7A is a step-by-step flowchart of a process of calculating a second steam injection time according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7B is a step-by-step flowchart of a process for explaining the total steam injection time according to the second steam injection time calculated in FIG. 7A.

Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the same or similar elements are given the same reference numerals regardless of reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "unit" and "unit" for the constituent elements used in the following description are given or used interchangeably in consideration of ease of writing the specification, and do not themselves have a meaning or role distinct from each other. In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiment disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the technical idea disclosed in this specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and all changes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention , it should be understood to include equivalents or substitutes.

Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first and second, may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms.

These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

It is understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but other elements may exist in the middle. It should be. On the other hand, when an element is referred to as “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another element, it should be understood that no other element exists in the middle.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In this specification, terms such as "comprise" or "having" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features It should be understood that the presence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof is not precluded.

clothes handling device

1 is a view showing the exterior of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view showing the inside of a laundry treatment room according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the laundry treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a laundry treatment room 11 in which clothes are accommodated, and a laundry treatment room 11 separated at a lower portion of the laundry treatment room 11 . ) It may include a machine room 20 equipped with various devices for dehumidifying, heating, or circulating the air inside to remove dust, odor, wrinkles, or moisture remaining in clothes.

Although not particularly limited, the laundry treatment room 11 and the machine room 20 may be implemented in a form provided in one cabinet 10, and a door ( 140) may be provided.

An outer surface of the cabinet 10 or the door 40 may include a display unit for informing the operating state of each component of the laundry treatment apparatus 1 to the outside and/or an input unit for receiving various operation inputs from a user. .

The clothes treatment room 11 has a space for accommodating or holding clothes therein, and includes an air inlet 12a through which air inside the clothes treatment room 11 is sucked in to circulate air inside the clothes treatment room 11; An air discharge port 12b for resupplying air sucked through the air inlet 12a back to the inside of the laundry treatment room 11 may be provided in the laundry treatment room 11 .

At this time, the air inlet 12a and the air outlet 12b may be provided on the bottom surface of the laundry treatment room 11 adjacent to the machine room 20 . Here, the floor surface is a horizontal plane that divides the laundry treatment room 11 and the machine room 20, and does not necessarily indicate only a horizontal flat shape.

The positions of the air inlet 12a and the air outlet 12b in the laundry treatment room 11 are not particularly limited, but according to an embodiment, as shown in FIG. It may be located on the side of the front door 40, and the air outlet 12b may be located on the rear side of the laundry treatment room 11.

Meanwhile, a steam spraying unit 13 for spraying steam generated by the steam generator 100 provided inside the machine room 20 is provided inside the laundry treatment room 11, specifically, at the inner rear surface of the laundry treatment room 11. When positioned, steam may be sprayed toward the clothes accommodated in the laundry treatment room 11, for example, toward the front.

The steam generator 100 and the steam spraying unit 13 are connected to each other through a hose or duct, and the steam generated by the steam generating unit 100 passes through a flow path formed along the hose or duct to the steam spraying unit 13. ) can be supplied.

Meanwhile, a water supply container 31 accommodating water supplied to the steam generator so that the steam generator can generate steam may be provided below the clothes treatment room 11 and in front of the machine room 20 . At this time, the water tank 31 is implemented to be attachable to and detachable from the clothes handling device 1 in the shape of a substantially square box, and when a user informs the user of the water refill, the water tank 31 is detachable and detachable to replenish water, and then the casing It is desirable to be able to re-install it.

Although not shown in the drawing, the laundry treatment apparatus 1 may include a water supply pump 51 for supplying water from the water supply container 31 to the water supply inlet 170 of the steam generator, and the water supply pump 51 may supply water to the steam generator 200 through a water supply hose connected to one side of the water tank 31.

At this time, a water level sensor for detecting the water level is provided in the water tank 31, and the controller (not shown) uses the water level sensor provided in the water tank 31 to fill the water in the water tank 31 to a predetermined height or more. It is desirable to detect or determine whether there is a water level, and to output a water filling notification to the outside when the water level is low.

Meanwhile, in addition to the water supply container 31, a drain container 32 for collecting condensed water may be provided below the clothes treatment room 11 and in front of the machine room 20. Condensate generated by supplying steam to the inside of the laundry treatment room 11 or machine room 20 is collected in the auxiliary water container 33, and the condensed water collected in the auxiliary water container 33 is drained by the drain pump 52. Can be directed to the barrel 32.

Like the water supply container 31, the drain container 32 is implemented in a substantially rectangular box shape to be attachable to and detached from the laundry treatment device 1, so that the user can detach and detach the drain container 32 when the condensate discharge notification is received. It is desirable to be able to refit the casing after draining the water.

In addition, the drain 32 is also provided with a water level sensor for detecting the water level, and the control unit uses the water level sensor provided in the drain 32 to determine whether or not the water in the drain 32 is filled at a predetermined height or higher It is preferable to detect or determine whether the water in the barrel 32 is at a full water level, and to output a water discharge notification to the outside when the water level is high.

Meanwhile, a heat pump device 100 (or an air supply device) for supplying air or heated air to the laundry treatment room 11 may be included in the machine room 20 .

The heat pump device 100 includes an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and a flow rate control valve, similar to a heat pump device used in an air conditioner, etc., to dehumidify and heat the air drawn from the inside of the clothes treatment room 11 so that the clothes are By re-supplying the clothes into the treatment room 11, the clothes in the clothes treatment room 11 may be dried or refreshed.

The refrigerant circulates through the evaporator, the condenser, the compressor, and the flow control valve, and the air drawn from the inside of the laundry treatment room 11 passes through the evaporator and the condenser and circulates along the circulation path supplied back to the laundry treatment room 11. (11) Moisture in the air drawn from the inside can be removed and heated. At this time, a fan may be provided at a front or rear end of the evaporator and the condenser, that is, at an upstream end or a downstream end based on air flow, so that air flows through the evaporator and the condenser, which are heat exchange devices in the heat pump device.

Specifically, the air in the laundry treatment room 11 is introduced into the air inlet through the duct in the machine room 20 through the air inlet 12a located at the upper part of the front end of the machine room 20, and the air introduced through the air inlet 101a. Air has a flow path through which air is discharged to the air outlet 12b of the laundry treatment room 11 through the evaporator and the condenser, and an air flow can be formed by driving a fan provided on the air flow path.

At least one filter (not shown) is provided on an air path drawn from the laundry treatment room 11 and supplied to the laundry treatment room 11, particularly on a duct flowing from the laundry treatment room 11 to the machine room 20. It is preferable to re-supply purified air to the laundry treatment room 11 by filtering various foreign substances contained in the air in the treatment chamber 11 so that they do not flow into the machine room 20 .

In addition, a louver is provided in front of the air outlet 12b in which long and narrow plates are arranged at regular intervals, and the blowing direction is set to a fixed front or upper direction, or the angle of the plate is adjusted to adjust the blowing direction. can switch

Meanwhile, as described above, a steam generating device 200 generating steam using water supplied from the water supply container 31 may be provided inside the machine room 20 .

3 and 4 are views showing the appearance of an apparatus inside a machine room according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 and 4, the steam generator 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing having a space for accommodating water therein, and a heating device for heating the water accommodated in the housing. can do.

The heating device is a means for directly or indirectly heating and vaporizing the water accommodated in the housing according to the control command generated by the control unit. It rises to the top of the steam can be discharged to the outside through the discharge port.

The steam discharged through the steam outlet is supplied to the steam spraying unit 13 along the hose or duct, and the steam spraying unit 13 is provided on the top of the housing so that steam can be supplied to the clothes accommodated in the laundry treatment room 11. Correspondingly, in addition to the steam discharge port, a drain hole may be provided on the lower part of the housing, specifically, on the bottom surface or one side of the housing as a hole for discharging water accommodated in the housing to the outside.

In addition, a water supply port through which water supplied from the outside flows in may be provided on one side of the housing, and water accommodated in the water supply container 31 from the outside may be pressurized by a water pump device and introduced into the housing through the water supply hole. there is.

Reference numeral 194 is a front grill member provided at the air inlet 12a through which air flows from the clothes treatment room 11 to the heat pump device 100 of the machine room 20 and having a plurality of slits of a predetermined size, corresponding to this. Accordingly, reference numeral 195 is a rear grill member provided at the air outlet 12b for discharging air to the clothes treatment room 11 and having a plurality of slits of a predetermined size, and is provided to the clothes treatment room 11 and the heat pump device 100. It is possible to filter foreign substances in the inflowing air, and it is preferable that the front grill member 194 and the rear grill member 195 be detachable as needed by the operator so that they can be replaced or cleaned.

On the other hand, Figure 5 is a configuration diagram of components provided in the water supply line and the drain line of the steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the laundry treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a steam generator 200, a water supply container 31 provided along a water supply path connected thereto, a filter unit 41, and water supply. It may include a pump 51, and may also include a valve 60, an auxiliary water container 33, a drain pump 52, and a drain pipe 32 provided along a drain connected to the steam generator 200. .

The water supply pump 51 may operate according to a control signal from the control unit, and may supply water contained in the water tank 31 to the steam generator 200 by the operation of the water supply pump 51 .

At this time, a filter unit 41 may be provided on the water supply line to filter foreign substances from the water supplied to the steam generator 200 .

The filter unit 41 is not particularly limited as long as it is used to purify the water contained in the water tank 31, but the filter unit 41 according to an embodiment may include an ion exchange resin filter that removes ionic substances from water. there is.

The ion exchange resin filter is for removing metallic ionic substances such as hardness substances by an ion exchange method, and continues to flow water containing ionic substances into the housing in a state in which a large amount of ion exchange resin in the form of fine granules is accommodated in the housing. Ionic substances can be removed by passing through and contacting with an ion exchange resin.

In this way, the ion exchange resin filter can prevent scale from being generated in the steam generator 200 by removing metallic ions from the water supplied to the steam generator 200 .

The filter unit 41 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be provided between the water tank 31 and the water pump 51, and the filter unit 41 will be implemented to be attachable and detachable so as to be arbitrarily replaced. can

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the substantially rod-shaped filter unit 41 may be provided with a filter handle 42 that can be gripped by a user at one end, and the filter handle 42 is external to the outside. It is preferably arranged so as to be exposed to the filter handle 42 so that the user can pull out the filter unit 41 by holding the filter handle 42 as needed and then mount another filter unit 41 in the same position again.

A valve 60 may be provided on a drainage channel connected to the steam generator 200 .

The valve 60 is provided on a drain connected to the drain of the steam generator 200, and can open and close the flow path according to a control signal from the control unit. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in one embodiment of the present invention The valve 60 is provided at a position lower than the height of the steam generator 200, and the auxiliary water container 33 and/or the drain container 32 are provided at a position lower than the valve 60, so that the valve 60 When is opened, water stored in the steam generator 200 may be guided to the auxiliary water container 33 and/or the drain container 32 by gravity.

The auxiliary water container 33 can collect not only the steam generating device 200, but also various condensed water in the heat exchanger housing 115 in which the heat exchanger 71 is provided and/or in the laundry treatment room 11, and the auxiliary water container ( The condensed water collected in 33) may be transferred to the drain pipe 32 by the operation of the drain pump 52.

That is, the drain pump 52 is located between the auxiliary water container 33 and the drain container 32, and operates according to a control signal from the control unit to extract the water contained in the auxiliary container 33 and supply the water to the drainage container 32. can

Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the position of the auxiliary water container 33 may be lower than the height of the steam generator 200 and/or the valve 60. As a specific example, the machine room 20 ) as the bottom of the filter unit 41 may be located.

Since the auxiliary water container 33 is located at the bottom of the machine room 20, that is, at the lowest height of the laundry treatment apparatus 1, the laundry treatment chamber 11 as well as the steam generator 200 and the heat exchanger housing 115, etc. It can be located at a lower height.

Meanwhile, the controller (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention may receive various clothes treatment courses from the user through the input unit, and control at least one component of the clothes treatment room 11 according to the input clothes treatment courses. It is possible to process clothes in the clothes treatment room 11 by controlling the operation. At this time, the clothes treatment course may include the type of clothes or the number of clothes, and accordingly, at least one administrative section having a predetermined operation time may be combined. A clothes treatment course is a combination of administrative sections in which a clothes treatment device operates to perform various treatments on clothes. In this specification, the term 'clothes treatment course' will be used interchangeably with the term 'driving course'.

Here, the type of clothing may be classified into cotton material, wool material, rayon material, silk material, polyester material, and the like.

In addition, the administrative sections include a steam administration section for spraying steam into the laundry treatment room 11, a drying treatment section for supplying hot air to the laundry treatment room 11, cooling the clothes treatment room 11, or drying clothes accommodated in the clothes treatment room 11. It may include a blowing operation section for imparting vibrations, a stabilization operation section for keeping clothes in the laundry treatment room 11 in a static state, and the like.

Looking at an example of an operation in each section, in the steam stroke section, the control unit drives the steam generating device to heat water and spray the generated steam to the laundry treatment room 11 through the steam spraying unit 13, and drying In the stroke section, the control unit drives the heat pump device 100 and the fan to heat the air and supply the heated air to the air outlet 12b. The temperature in the laundry treatment room 11 (or the temperature of clothes) is lowered by driving a fan and/or a lower fan provided at the bottom of the laundry treatment room 11 and supplying unheated air to the laundry treatment room 11. Vibration can be applied to the clothes accommodated in (11), and in the stabilization operation section, the control unit can maintain the clothes in a static state without generating air flow in the laundry treatment room 11.

Control method of clothes handling device

6 is a step-by-step flowchart of a control method for discharging residual water in a steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6 , in the control method of the laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit opens the valve 60 before the operation course of the laundry treatment apparatus starts (S140), and the steam generator 200 ) It may include steps (S110 to S130) of inducing the residual water in the drain container 32.

Here, the drainage tube 32 is not particularly limited as long as it is for accommodating condensate therein, and may refer to an auxiliary water container 33 having a housing for collecting condensate without being limited to the drain tube 32.

In addition, the valve 60 is a means for performing an opening and closing operation according to a control signal generated by the control unit, and may be, for example, a solenoid valve.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may start the driving course continuously with user input or other strokes, and before starting the driving course (S140) or entering the driving course, the control unit may turn the valve 60 for a preset time, that is, After the valve 60 is closed after opening for the first set time (S110), residual water in the steam generator 200 may be discharged and removed.

Accordingly, the control unit can control each component of the laundry treatment apparatus 1 in at least one administrative section along the driving course. At this time, when the driving course includes a steam operating section, the steam generating device 200 in advance Since residual water is discharged and removed, the steam generator 200 that generates steam according to the driving course can always maintain a constant steam generation amount.

Here, the first set time is not particularly limited, but is longer than the time required for the residual water remaining in the steam generator 200 or on the drain of the steam generator 200 to be discharged to the drain 32, for example, 1 minute. It is preferable to be more than

Then, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may determine whether a steam administration section is included in the driving course (S150).

If the operation course of the clothes handling apparatus 1 includes a steam administration section, the control unit opens the valve 60 before a predetermined time from the end of the corresponding operation course, that is, a second set time (S170). ~ S190).

That is, when the laundry treatment device 1 runs an operation course including a steam stroke section, the steam generating device 200 may generate steam by vaporizing water stored therein, and the steam generating device 200 may generate steam by vaporizing water stored therein. Since residual water may remain without generating all of the stored water into steam, the control unit opens the valve 60 for a predetermined time before ending the driving course to discharge and remove residual water in the steam generator 200. can

At this time, the time set before the end of the driving course may be an administrative section for only discharging and removing residual water in the steam generator 200, but preferably, if the time set before the end of the driving course is an administrative section unrelated to steam, the corresponding stroke In the section, the control unit may perform a removal operation by discharging residual water in the steam generator 200 in parallel or simultaneously.

Here, the length of the second set time is not particularly limited, but the residual water remaining after the steam generator 200 operates in the steam stroke section and the residual water on the drain of the steam generator 200 are both drained into the drain 32 ), which is preferably more than the time it takes to drain.

However, according to a preferred embodiment, the first set time is set in the steam generator 200 before starting a new driving course after discharge of residual water in the steam generator 200 has already occurred before the end of the previous driving course. Since it may be a time for discharging residual water, the first set time is preferably shorter than the second set time.

Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the present invention, although not shown in the drawings, in order to check whether the laundry treatment apparatus 1 is normally installed when it is installed, the laundry treatment apparatus 1 is installed in an installation inspection course by a user input. can drive along

At this time, the control unit may open the valve 60 during the operation of the installation inspection course of the steam generator 200 to guide the residual water in the steam generator 200 to the drain container 32 or the auxiliary water container 33. .

When manufacturing the laundry treatment apparatus 1, a test run may be performed to check whether the laundry treatment apparatus 1 is normally operated, and residual water may be generated in the steam generator 200 during the test operation.

Therefore, when the laundry treatment device 1 is installed, it can be operated along the installation inspection course by a user input, and at this time, the remaining water in the steam generator 200 can be discharged and removed by opening the valve 60 .

Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7 , when the laundry treatment apparatus 1 starts operating according to various driving courses (S210), the control unit counts in advance from now. The valve 60 may be opened (S230) and closed (S250) for a preset time, that is, for a third preset time (S240), based on the cumulative operating count or cumulative operating time of the steam generator 200. .

The control unit may cumulatively count the number of operations or operation time of the steam generating device 200 and store them using a storage means.

When the control unit starts operation according to the operation course continuously with user input or other strokes, it first determines whether the cumulative operation number or accumulated operation time of the steam generator 200 is greater than a preset value (S220), and if the steam generator ( 200), if the cumulative operation count or cumulative operation time is greater than the preset value (S220), the valve 60 is opened and closed for a preset time (S230 to S250) to discharge and remove residual water in the steam generator 200. can

That is, by opening the valve 60 for a predetermined time before the laundry treatment device 1 enters the first stroke section according to the driving course (S210), residual water in the steam generator 200 can be discharged and removed. there is.

Of course, differently from this, if the cumulative operation number or cumulative operation time of the steam generator 200 counted in advance is less than a predetermined value (S220), each configuration is operated according to the operation course without opening and closing the valve 60. It is possible to control the elements and end the corresponding driving course (S260).

In this way, the control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, upon initial installation of the laundry treatment apparatus 1, right after various operation courses of the laundry treatment apparatus 1, or before starting various operation courses of the laundry treatment apparatus 1, valves By opening the 60 for a predetermined time and discharging the remaining water in the steam generator 200 or in the drain of the steam generator 200, various problems caused by the residual water in the steam generator 200 can be solved. In addition, it may be determined whether the drainage operation of the steam generator 200 is smoothly and normally operated by detecting the water level in the drain container 32 and/or the auxiliary water container 33 or by detecting the flow rate on the drainage channel. .

On the other hand, although not shown in the drawings, in order to provide the water stored in the water tank 31 to the steam generator 200, the control unit operates the water pump 51 to supply water to the steam generator 200 (not shown). city) may be further included.

In the step of supplying water to the steam generator 200, when the control unit operates the water supply pump 51 to supply water accommodated in the water tank 31 to the steam generator 200 connected thereto along the water supply path, steam is generated. It is preferable to supply water through a filter unit 41 provided on a water supply path connected to the device 200 .

Since the filter unit 41 actively removes ionic substances from water when water is supplied to the steam generator 200, purified water is supplied to the steam generator 200, thereby reducing scale in the steam generator 200. It is desirable to prevent this from happening.

Meanwhile, FIG. 8 is a step-by-step flowchart of a control method for flushing a water supply and drainage passage of a steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8 , according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit can enter a euro flushing operation course by a user input, and according to another embodiment, after installing the laundry treatment apparatus 1, the controller can enter the euro flushing course. When driving the inspection course, it is possible to enter the euro flushing operation course according to the installation inspection course.

Upon entering the euro flushing operation course, the control unit first operates the water supply pump 51 (S320) to supply water stored in the water tank 31 to the steam generator 200.

At this time, the water supplied by the water pump 51 is stored in the water tank 31, and when water is supplied to the steam generator 200, it is between the water tank 31 and the steam generator 200, or the water tank ( 31) and the water pump 51, the ionic material may be filtered by the filter unit 41.

Thereafter, the control unit opens the valve 60 for a preset time, that is, a fourth preset time (S350, S360, S370), so that the remaining water in the steam generator 200 flows into the drain container 32 or the auxiliary water container 33. can be induced. That is, as described above, since the steam generator 200 is provided at a higher position than the drain container 32 or the auxiliary water container 33, the residual water in the steam generator 200 is caused by its own weight only by opening the valve 60. It may be drained into the drain container 32 or the auxiliary water container 33.

Here, the fourth set time may be the time required until the water filled up to the high level in the steam generator 200 is completely discharged to the drain container 32 or the auxiliary water container 33 along the drainage channel.

In this way, by supplying water into the steam generator 200 using the water pump 51, the water supply path connected to the steam generator 200 can be flushed, and then the water stored in the steam generator 200 is discharged through the valve The drain connected to the steam generator 200 can be flushed by opening the 60 and draining the water to the drain trough 32 or the auxiliary trough 33.

However, in order to increase the flushing effect, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the control unit operates the water supply pump 51 to supply water to the steam generator 200, water is supplied to the high level in the steam generator 200 ( S331) may be performed, and conversely, when the control unit opens the valve 60 to discharge residual water to the steam generator 200, drainage (S371) may be performed to less than the low water level in the steam generator 200. there is.

That is, the control unit may enter the euro flushing operation course, operate the feed water pump 51 (S320), and then determine whether the low and high water levels of the steam generator 200 are detected (S331).

The steam generator 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one water level sensor to detect the water level in the housing, and preferably two or more water level sensors to detect the high and low water levels in the housing, respectively. A water level sensor may be included.

The controller controls the steam generator 200 by using signals output from the first water level sensor located at the high level of the housing of the steam generator 200 and the second water level sensor located at the low level of the housing of the steam generator 200, respectively. ) can judge my water level.

Accordingly, the controller operates the water pump 51 to supply water to the steam generator 200 (S320), and the controller determines whether water is detected at each of the low and high water levels of the steam generator 200 (S331). ~ S333), and if water is detected at both the low and high levels of the steam generator 200 (S331), the control unit determines that the water supply in the steam generator 200 has reached the high level, and the water pump ( 51) can be stopped (S340).

Unlike this, the control unit continues to operate the water supply pump 51 when water is detected only at the low water level and the high water level among the low and high water levels of the steam generator 200 (S332) to continuously supply water to the steam generator 200. you can make it

Also, unlike this, when water is detected only at the high level among the low and high water levels of the steam generator 200 (S333), since water is detected at the high level even though water is not detected at the low level, at least one of the two is detected. It is determined that the water level detection sensor has a failure, outputs a failure notification (S334) for the water level monitoring sensor, and stops the operation of the water supply pump 51, thereby ending the flow path flushing operation course.

After the control unit operates the feed water pump 51 to supply water to the steam generator 200 to a high level, the control unit can stop the operation of the feed water pump 51 (S34), and then turn the valve 60 on. It can be opened (S350).

Since it is preferable for the control unit to open the valve 60 until all the water in the steam generator 200 is drained, the control unit opens the valve 60 for a preset time, that is, a fourth set time, and then generates steam. When water is not detected at both the low and high water level of the device 200 (S371), it is determined that the drainage in the steam generating device 200 is all made below the low water level, and the drain flushing process is completed, and the valve 60 is closed. You can end the Euro Flushing driving course.

Unlike this, the control unit determines that the flushing process of the drain is continuing when no water is detected at only the high level among the low and high levels of the steam generator 200 (S372), and the valve 60 maintains the open state. can do.

Also, unlike this, when water is not sensed only at the low level of the low level and the high level of the steam generator 200, since water is not detected at the low level even though water is detected at the high level, the control unit detects at least one of the two water level sensors. Upon determining that there is a failure, a failure notification (S373) for the water level monitoring sensor is output, the valve 60 is closed, and the flow path flushing operation course can be ended.

On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the control unit enters the euro flushing operation course and operates the water pump 51 to supply water to the steam generator 200, whether or not the water tank 31 is installed The water level of the water bottle 31 may be detected (S311).

The water tank 31 may include one or two or more water level sensors to detect whether or not the water tank 31 is filled with water of a predetermined water level. It is possible to output a water supply notification (S312) to fill the water tank 31 with water, and repeatedly detect whether or not the water tank 31 is mounted and the water level of the water tank 31 (S311).

Meanwhile, FIG. 9 is a step-by-step flowchart of a control method for flushing a water supply and drainage passage of a steam generator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may determine whether the steam generating device 200 has elapsed a preset unused time when entering the euro flushing operation course (S410). .

Since the frequency of operation of the laundry treatment device is usually very low in summer, if it is not operated for a long time, condensed water may be generated in the steam generator 200 for various reasons, or water remaining after steam is generated may remain. Before flushing the furnace and the drainage channel, it is preferable to first drain contaminated water that has been stored for a long time and flush the channel with uncontaminated and clean water.

Therefore, the control unit may determine whether the non-use time of the steam generator 200 has elapsed based on the cumulative operation count or accumulated operation time of the steam generator 200 previously counted from the present, and if the steam generator 200 If the valve 200 has elapsed the preset non-use time, the valve 60 is opened (S425) and closed (S427) for a preset time, that is, a fifth preset time, to discharge residual water in the steam generator 200. can

Specifically, when entering the euro flushing operation course, the control unit determines whether the cumulative operation count or accumulated operation time of the steam generator 200 is greater than a preset value, and if the cumulative operation count or accumulated operation time of the steam generator 200 If the operating time is longer than the preset value, since it is preferable for the controller to open the valve 60 until all the remaining water in the steam generator 200 is drained, the controller opens the valve 60 for a preset time, that is, the fifth It can be opened (S425) for the set time.

First, when water is not detected at both the low and high levels of the steam generator 200 (S421), the control unit uses the water supply pump 51 for flushing as the feed water, since the residual water in the steam generator 200 is less than the low water level. can operate (S440).

In contrast, when water is detected only at the low level of the low water level and the high level of the steam generator 200 (S422), the control unit determines that there is still water in the steam generator 200 but the amount is not large, and the control unit controls the valve ( 60) may be opened (S425 to S427) for a preset time, that is, a fifth preset time.

Also, unlike this, when water is not sensed at both the low and high water levels of the steam generator 200, but water is not detected only at the low water level of the steam generator 200, the control unit detects water only at the low water level of the steam generator 200. It can be determined whether water is detected only at the high level among the high level and the high level (S423). Therefore, it is determined that at least one of the two water level detection sensors has a failure, a failure notification (S424) for the water level monitoring sensor is output, and the euro flushing operation course can be ended.

Also, unlike this, when water is not sensed at both the low and high water levels of the steam generator 200, but water is not detected only at the low water level of the steam generator 200, the control unit detects water only at the low water level of the steam generator 200. It is possible to determine whether water is detected (S423) only at the high level of the high level and the high level, and at this time, if water is not detected only at the high level of the low level and the high level of the steam generator 200, both the low water level and the high level of the steam generator 200 Determining that water is detected in , the valve 60 may be opened (S425 to S427) for a preset time, that is, a fifth set time.

Here, the fifth set time is the time required until the water filled up to the high level in the steam generator 200 is completely discharged to the drain trough 32 or the auxiliary water trough 33 along the drain, or the steam generator 200 It may be the time required until the water filled up to my low water level is discharged all along the drain into the drain trough 32 or the auxiliary trough 33.

As a result, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit can effectively flush the water supply and drainage channels of the steam generator 200, and when the steam generator 200 is not used for a long time, contamination in the steam generator 200 is prevented. By pre-processing the residual water to be discharged, it is possible to prevent flushing of the water supply and drainage channels of the steam generator 200 with contaminated water.

Since the description of each step below reference numeral S431 in FIG. 9 is the same as the description of each step below reference numeral S311 of FIG. 8, it will be substituted therefor.

Meanwhile, FIG. 10 is a step-by-step flowchart of a control method when replacing a filter unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may enter a filter unit replacement course by a user input. Of course, it is not limited to this, and if the cumulative operation count or cumulative operation time of the steam generator 200 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the filter unit replacement course may be entered, and at this time, a filter unit replacement notification may be output to the outside. .

The filter unit replacement course is an operation course for the user to replace the filter unit 41 that purifies water supplied to the steam generator 200, and the user inputs the filter unit replacement course before replacing the filter unit 41. and allows the laundry treatment apparatus 1 to enter and operate the filter unit replacement course.

In the filter unit replacement course, residual water remaining in the filter unit 41 may be removed before the user replaces the filter unit 41 . That is, if water is supplied to the steam generating device 200 even once, residual water remains in the filter unit 41, so in order to promote user replacement convenience, in the filter unit replacement course, the controller controls the filter unit 41 in the filter unit 41. It is desirable to remove residual water.

Accordingly, when entering the filter unit replacement course, the control unit can first determine whether water is not supplied from the water tank 31 or not. At this time, the valve 60 may be in a closed state.

Specifically, the control unit may determine whether the detachable water bottle 31 is separated (S511).

That is, the control unit detects whether or not the water bottle 31 is separated, and when it is determined that the water bottle 31 is detected and mounted, it outputs a water bottle separation notification to the outside to allow the user to separate the water bottle 31. It can be done (S512).

According to another embodiment, the control unit may detect whether there is no water contained in the water bottle 31 or whether the water level in the water bottle 31 is less than the low water level, and the control unit may detect water contained in the water bottle 31. If it is determined that the water tank is empty, the water tank empty notification may be output to the outside to allow the user to empty the water tank.

Thereafter, the control unit operates the water supply pump 51 for a preset time, that is, for a preset sixth preset time (S2550), so that water is supplied to the steam generator 200, but at this time, the valve 60 is also opened. It can (S520).

Here, the sixth set time is the time required to withdraw all the water in the filter unit 41 to the steam generator 200 by the operation of the feed water pump 51 when the filter unit 41 is filled with water. it could be time

Since the water pump 51 operates while the water tank 31 is separated, the water pump 51 located on the water supply path between the filter unit 41 and the steam generator 200 operates, thereby operating the water pump. Residual water in the filter unit 41 is withdrawn and removed by operation 51, and the residual water in the filter unit 41 may flow into the steam generator 200.

Since the valve 60 is opened along with the operation of the water pump 51, the control unit opens both the water supply line and the drain line connected to the steam generator 200 so that the residual water in the filter unit 41 is steam generator 200. (200).

At this time, the control unit may determine whether the high level of the steam generator 200 is detected (S531), and if the water level of the steam generator 200 is high, stop the operation of the water pump 51 (S532). there is.

Water is supplied to the steam generator 200 by the operation of the feed water pump 51 and drained through the drain of the steam generator 200 at the same time, but the amount of water supplied per unit time through the water supply line of the steam generator 200 Since the amount of water discharged per unit time through the drain of the steam generator 200 may be greater, when the water level of the steam generator 200 becomes high, the operation of the water pump 51 is stopped (S532), and the steam generator It is desirable to prevent the water contained in 200 from flowing back through the water inlet.

Since water is supplied and drained together in the steam generator 200, the control unit can determine whether the auxiliary water tank 33 is full when determining that the water level in the steam generator 200 is not high (S541).

Since the valve 60 and the auxiliary water tank 33 may be sequentially connected to the drain of the steam generator 200, when the auxiliary water tank 33 is full, the steam generator 200 ) may close (S542) the valve 60 so that the water contained therein is no longer drained to the auxiliary water tank 33, and at the same time, the water supply pump ( 51) can be stopped (S542).

In addition, at the same time, the controller may operate the drain pump 52 (S542) to drain the water contained in the auxiliary water container 33 to the drain container 32.

However, the water level of the drain container 32 connected to the auxiliary water container 33 in chain may be the full water level, and the control unit detects the water level of the drain container 32 (S543) so that the water level of the drain container 32 is the full water level. In this case, since not only the drain container 32 but also the auxiliary water container 33 is at a full water level, the operation of the drain pump 52 is stopped (S544), and the drain container empty notification is sent to the user to empty the drain container 32. It can be output to the outside (S545).

If the water level in the drain trough 32 is not the full water level and the full water level in the drain trough is not detected, the control unit maintains the operation of the water supply pump 51 while the valve 60 is open, but maintains the auxiliary water tank. It is possible to determine whether the drainage pump 52 is operated by continuously detecting whether the water level in 33 is full.

On the other hand, the control unit removes residual water in the filter unit 41 by feeding it to the steam generator 200 by operating the water supply pump 51 with the valve 60 open for a preset time in the filter unit replacement course. , A filter unit replacement notification may be output to the outside so that the user can replace the filter unit 41 from which residual water has been removed inside.

Of course, after removing residual water in the filter part 41 by operating the water supply pump 51, the control unit stops the operation of the water supply pump 51, closes the valve 60, and returns to the state prior to the filter part replacement course. can be reversed

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. The description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art will understand that it can be easily modified into other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention.

Therefore, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the following claims rather than the above detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning, scope and equivalent concept of the claims are included in the scope of the present invention. should be interpreted

1: clothes handling device 10: cabinet
11: clothing processing room 11a: inner case
12a: air inlet 12b: air outlet
13: rear air outlet 15a: upper air inlet
15b: upper air outlet 20: machine room
30, 30a: water bottle seating part 31: water bottle
32: drain 33: auxiliary bucket
40: door 41: filter unit
42: filter handle 51: water pump
52: drain pump 60: valve
71: heat exchanger 100: heat pump device
115: heat exchanger housing 140: flow control valve
151: suction duct 194: front grill member
195: rear grill member 200: steam generator

Claims (10)

A clothes treatment room accommodating clothes, a steam generator for generating steam supplied to the clothes treatment room, a valve provided on a drain connected to the steam generator, a drain pipe connected to the drain, and a drain connected to the steam generator. A control method for a laundry treatment apparatus comprising a water supply pump provided on a water supply line to supply water to the steam generator, a water supply pipe connected to the steam generator, and a filter unit provided on the water supply path,
Step (a) of entering a filter unit replacement course; and
(b) operating the water supply pump for a predetermined time and opening the valve in a state in which water is not supplied from the water tank;
Including,
The steam generating device is provided at a position higher than the drain container,
The water supply pump located on the water supply path between the filter unit and the steam generator supplies residual water from the filter unit to the steam generator by operation, thereby removing the remaining water from the filter unit. control method. According to claim 1,
In step (a),
The control method of the laundry treatment apparatus, characterized in that the filter unit replacement course is entered according to a user input, but the valve is in a closed state. According to claim 1,
The control method of the laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined time period is a time required to withdraw residual water in the filter unit to the steam generator by operation of the water supply pump. According to claim 1,
In step (b),
detecting a high level of the steam generator; and
stopping the operation of the feed water pump when the steam generator detects a high level;
A method of controlling a laundry treatment apparatus comprising: According to claim 4,
The control method of the laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the steam generator supplies and drains water at the same time, and the amount of water supplied through the water supply passage is greater than the amount of water discharged through the drainage passage. According to claim 4,
The laundry treatment apparatus further includes an auxiliary water container provided on a drainage passage connected to the steam generating device, and a drainage pump provided on the drainage passage between the auxiliary water container and the drainage passage to drain the auxiliary water container,
In step (b),
detecting a full water level of the auxiliary water container; and
stopping the operation of the water supply pump, closing the valve, and operating the drain pump when the full water level of the auxiliary water tank is sensed;
A method of controlling a laundry treatment apparatus comprising: According to claim 6,
In step (b),
Detecting a full water level in the drain container;
stopping the operation of the drain pump when the full water level of the drain container is sensed; and
Notifying the emptying of the drain container;
A method of controlling a laundry treatment apparatus further comprising: According to claim 7,
In step (b),
and determining whether the drainage pump is operated by detecting the full water level of the auxiliary water container when the full water level of the drain container is not sensed. According to claim 1,
Before step (b),
detecting whether the water bottle is separated;
A method of controlling a laundry treatment apparatus further comprising: According to claim 1,
After step (b),
stopping the operation of the water pump and closing the valve;
A method of controlling a laundry treatment apparatus further comprising:

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