KR101435799B1 - steam laundry machine - Google Patents

Abstract

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine in which laundry is washed or dried using steam.

According to the present invention, there is provided a washing machine comprising: a drum in which laundry is received; A steam generator for generating steam; And a control unit having a course selection unit configured to allow the user to select various courses and a steam option unit configured to select a time point at which the user supplies steam to the drum during the course of the selected course.

Steam, drum washing machine, course selection part, steam option part

Description

Steam washing machine

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a washing machine in which laundry is washed or dried using steam.

The washing machine generally includes a washing machine for washing laundry, a dryer for drying the laundry, and the like. Hereinafter, the laundry and the laundry are all referred to as laundry for convenience of explanation.

In recent years, a product which improves cleaning power and energy by supplying steam to a laundry by adding a steam generating device to such a washing machine, particularly a drum washing machine, is attracting attention. In addition, various attempts are being made to remove wrinkles and smell of clothes by supplying steam to the laundry by adding a steam generator in a dryer, particularly a drum dryer as well as a drum washing machine.

The steam function in the drum washing machine will be briefly described as follows.

Steam is the gas phase of water and can be said to be extremely hot, at more than 100 degrees Celsius under normal conditions. Accordingly, since the steam is supplied into the drum, the temperature inside the drum and the surface temperature of the laundry can be increased in a very short time. As a result, the activation of the detergent can be promoted, and a high-temperature atmosphere can be produced by consuming only a small amount of energy.

Also, the steam is changed into a liquid phase by lowering the temperature, so that the steam also has an effect of supplying moisture to the laundry. The particle size of the steam is much smaller than the particle size of the water sprayed. Therefore, when water is supplied to the laundry by the steam, it is possible to supply the water evenly through the very small amount of water. It is also possible to prevent concentration of moisture on a specific portion.

When the steam function is applied to the washing machine, the atmospheric temperature in the drum or the temperature of the laundry is increased to promote the drying of the laundry at the initial stage of washing, and the detergent is activated and the detergent is improved. In addition, compared to conventional boiling and boiling water washing in the tub, the use of steam can save much energy compared to the same performance. Therefore, a drum washing machine having such a steam function is currently in the spotlight.

The steam drum washing machine is provided with a control panel for interfacing with a user. That is, the user operates the control panel to select a desired laundry course.

However, the user of the steam-type washing machine receives a variety of steam, and at the same time, a variety of steam demand has been generated. That is, a steam stroke (hereinafter referred to as "steam stroke") in which steam is supplied to the drum from the laundry course provided by the manufacturer simply has to be performed automatically.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a steam drum washing machine that allows a user to use steam more easily and can meet various steam demands.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a steam washing apparatus that allows a user to use steam more easily and can meet various steam demands.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a steam washing apparatus capable of performing a steam stroke in various washing or drying courses by a user's choice or selecting a time point at which a user performs a steam stroke in various washing or drying courses .

It is another object of the present invention to provide a steam washing apparatus in which a user can select a steam stroke to be performed even in a rinse cycle, and in this case, a rinsing cycle is more effectively performed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a steam washing apparatus which prevents a user from malfunctioning of the control panel in relation to steam, thereby preventing waste of energy due to misuse or abuse of steam and damage of laundry do.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a washing machine comprising: a drum for receiving laundry; A steam generator for generating steam; And a control unit having a course selection unit configured to allow the user to select various courses and a steam option unit configured to select a time when the user supplies steam to the drum during the course of the selected course.

Here, it is preferable that the steam option unit is configured to be selected before proceeding with the selected course.

At least one of the various courses may be a steam-containing course in which a steam stroke for supplying steam to the drum is automatically performed. If the steam-containing course is selected, the steam option is not activated.

In addition, at least one of the various courses may be a steam exclusion course in which steam can not be steamed to supply steam to the drum. If the steam exclusion course is selected, the steam option is not activated.

In addition, the various courses may be at least one steam-capable course capable of supplying steam to the drum, and when the steam-capable course is selected and the user selects the steam option, the steam stroke is preferably performed Do.

Here, the steamable course may include at least a washing or rinsing stroke, and may include both a washing stroke and a rinsing stroke. At this time, it is preferable that the steam option unit is configured to select whether the user performs a steam stroke during the washing or rinsing stroke.

On the other hand, a steam stroke may be required in either or both of the washing operation and the rinsing operation operation due to the steam demand of various users. Accordingly, in order to achieve this, the steam option unit may include a steam washing option unit configured to perform a steam stroke during a washing stroke at the time of user's selection; And a steam rinse option portion configured to perform a steam stroke during a rinse stroke when the user selects the steam rinse option portion separately from the steam rinse option portion.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention also provides a washing machine comprising: a drum in which laundry is received; A steam generator for generating steam to be supplied to the drum; And a steam rinse option section configured to allow the user to select whether or not the steam stroke is to be performed during the rinse stroke process, And a washing machine.

Preferably, the steam rinse option is selected before proceeding to the steam-enabled course. If the steam rinse option is selected, the rinsing cycle may include rinsing the hot water with rinsing with hot water.

The steam stroke is preferably performed before, during, or after the hot water rinse. This is to improve the effect of hot water rinsing through steam and to improve the steam effect by rinsing hot water. However, since the rinsing cycle may follow the dewatering process, it is preferable that the rinsing cycle is finished by rinsing with cold water in terms of cloth protection.

Meanwhile, when the steam-containing course in which the steam stroke is automatically performed by the course selection unit or the steam-elimination course in which the steam stroke is impossible is selected, the steam rinse option unit is not activated.

According to the present invention, the steam rinse option part may be formed by a button, and the course selection part may be formed by a dial knob. In addition, according to the present invention, the control panel may further include an LCD window displaying selected items through the course selection unit and the steam rinse option unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laundry apparatus having a control panel for supplying steam to a drum accommodating laundry and interfacing with a user, wherein the control panel includes a drum A course selecting unit configured to allow a user to select a steamable course including a wash stroke and a rinse stroke, A steam washing option unit configured to allow the user to select whether the steam stroke is to be performed during the washing cycle; And a control panel having a steam rinse option unit configured to allow the user to select whether the steam stroke is to be performed during the rinse cycle.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a laundry apparatus having a control panel for supplying steam to a drum accommodating laundry and having an interface with a user, wherein the control panel includes a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, A drying selection unit configured to be selected by a user so that at least one of the drying steps is performed; And a steam option unit configured to allow a user to select a steam stroke in which steam is supplied to the drum in a stroke selected in the stroke selection unit.

Preferably, the steam option part includes a steam washing option part and a steam rinse option part configured to be selected by the user so as to perform a steam stroke in each of the washing and rinsing strokes.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a steam washing apparatus that allows a user to use steam more easily and can meet various steam demands.

In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a steam washing apparatus for allowing a user to select a time point at which a steam stroke is performed in various washing or drying courses or a user can perform a steam stroke in various washing or drying courses can do.

According to the present invention, the user can select the steam stroke to be performed in the rinse cycle, and in this case, the rinse cycle can be more effectively performed.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a steam washing device in which a user can prevent malfunction of the control panel in relation to steam, thereby preventing waste of energy due to misuse or abuse of steam and damage of laundry.

A preferred embodiment of the washing machine according to the present invention will be described as follows.

1 and 2, a washing machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 110, a tub 120, a drum 130, a steam generator 210, a temperature sensor 150, As shown in FIG. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a drum washing machine.

Here, the main body 110 forms an outer appearance of the drum type washing machine, and a charging port 111 is formed on the front surface thereof.

At this time, a door 140 for opening and closing the loading port 111 is mounted on a portion where the loading port 111 of the main body 110 is formed, and the door 140, And a gasket 112 for sealing between the inlet ports 111 is mounted.

The main body 110 is provided with a washing water supply pipe 113 for supplying washing water into the tub 120. The tub 120 is provided in the main body 110.

At this time, the washing water heater 122 for heating the washing water supplied into the tub 120 may be further provided at the lower end of the tub 120.

A drainage passage 121 for draining wash water is connected to the lower end of the tub 120.

At this time, a drain pump 123 driven for forced drainage of washing water is provided on the drainage passage 121.

The drum 130 is rotatably installed in the tub 120 and is installed such that an opening side of the drum 110 toward the inlet 111 of the drum 110 is positioned. Here, laundry is received in the drum 130, and washing or drying is performed.

At this time, a plurality of through holes 131 are formed in the peripheral surface of the drum 130 so that the washing water supplied into the tub 120 can be introduced into the drum 130.

The steam generator is configured to provide a predetermined amount of steam to the tub 120 and / or the drum 130, and at least one steam generator is provided.

The steam generator 210 is installed to generate steam by heating the water to be supplied into the tub 120 and / or the drum 130. In addition, the steam generated in the steam generator 210 is supplied into the drum through the steam supply pipe 220.

Here, the steam supply pipe may be connected to the tub 120 to supply steam into the drum through the through hole 131. In this case, when there is water below the tub 120, the steam supply effect can be reduced by water. Therefore, it is preferable that the upper side of the tub and the steam supply pipe communicate with each other.

Of course, the steam supply pipe may communicate with the inside of the drum 130 directly. This may be possible by allowing the steam supply pipe 220 to pass through the gasket 112, as shown in Fig.

The steam generator further includes an injection nozzle 230 for injecting steam flowing through the steam supply pipe 220 into the tub and / or the drum 130. Here, the injection nozzle 230 may directly pass through the tub or the gasket 112.

At this time, the injection nozzle 230 is formed in the shape of a nozzle so that steam can be sprayed smoothly. The end of the spray nozzle 230, through which the steam is discharged, (112). The high-temperature steam or the high-temperature and high-pressure steam is supplied to the laundry inside the drum through the injection nozzle.

The temperature sensor 150 is provided in a space provided with the washer water heater 122, which is a space on the bottom of the tub 120, to sense the temperature inside the tub 120.

At this time, the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 150 may be used for controlling the operation of the steam generator, and may be used for controlling the temperature of the washing water in the tub. That is, if there is wash water in the tub, it can be used to control the temperature of the wash water. If the tub is not washable, the atmospheric temperature in the drum is measured through the atmospheric temperature in the tub, .

The drum washing machine is provided with a control panel 300 for interfacing with a user. The control panel 300 is preferably positioned above the front surface of the main body 110 in order to improve the accessibility of the user.

A controller (not shown) is incorporated in the control panel 300 to control the operation of the drum washing machine. That is, when the user instructs the operation through the control panel 300, the controller controls the operation of the drum washing machine according to the built-in program.

Reference numeral 161 denotes a washing water supply pipe for supplying wash water into the tub 120. Reference numeral 162 denotes a water supply pipe for supplying steam for generating steam to the steam generating device. In addition, the steam generator is provided separately from the turbine. Therefore, since the water supplied to the steam generator is separated from the washing water supplied into the tub, the washing water containing detergent or the like is not supplied to the steam generator.

In addition, reference numerals 163 and 164 denote opening and closing valves for opening and closing the ducts of the washing water supply pipe 161 and the water supply pipe 162, respectively.

In the foregoing, a washing machine provided with a specific type of steam generator has been described as an embodiment. That is, a steam generating device is shown which accommodates a predetermined amount of water and generates steam by heating the water. However, the present invention is not limited to a specific type of steam generating apparatus.

For example, a tube-shaped steam generating apparatus in which water is heated while flowing into a tubular housing to generate steam may be possible.

On the other hand, it is not strictly speaking that steam can be replaced by a steam generating device in which water is supplied to the heated dry air and water is supplied into the drum together with the heated air. That is, it can be said that this type microstatically generates steam, but it can be said that macroscopically generates a high-temperature humidifier. Thus, in terms of supplying moisture and heat to the interior of the drum, such a device would be sufficient to replace the steam generator, unless its effectiveness and efficiency are taken into account as compared to steam.

Such a configuration may be easily realized by supplying moisture to a drying apparatus of a general dryer, that is, a configuration of a heater and a fan, and a duct on which air flows. Therefore, it is not specifically shown and described.

As a result, it can be said that at least the steam generator according to the present invention includes not only steam but also a device for supplying a high-temperature humidifier.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the control panel in the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

3, the control panel 300 includes a course selection unit 310 configured to allow a user to select various courses and a steam option unit 360 configured to select a time point at which the user supplies steam to the drum .

Here, the term " course " means that a series of operations are started and automatically terminated in the washing machine. For example, the standard course among the courses for washing laundry means a course in which the washing machine is operated in the order of washing, rinsing, and dewatering. Here, each time a course is selected by the user, the washing machine is operated as previously programmed except for a special case. Of course, the specific conditions for each course will vary. For example, the total course progress time, the number of revolutions of the drum, the combination of the sub-strokes, and the like will be programmed to be different from each other.

The course selection unit 310 may be formed of a dial knob as shown in FIG. Therefore, the user can select the desired course by rotating the dial knob. The steam option unit 360 may be formed as a button as shown in FIG. Therefore, the user can select the desired timing of the steam stroke by pressing the button.

These courses may be variously provided depending on the type of washing machine, the material of the laundry to be washed, the degree of contamination, and a specific purpose.

First, in the drum type washing machine, the courses may include a steam exclusion course, a steam-capable course, and a steam-containing course. Here, these courses relate to the steam stroke in which steam is fed into the drum.

The steam exclusion course 313 is a course on which the steam stroke is automatically excluded and is a course in which the steam stroke is excluded in order to prevent laundry damage due to steam in delicate clothes such as silk and wool. In addition, the quilt course, which is very bulky like a futon and hard to steam train, is an example of this.

The steam-containing course 311 is a course in which the steam stroke is automatically included, and is a course in which the steam stroke is automatically performed during the course. For example, a steam cleaning course using steam, an allergic care course for removing allergen using steam, and the like can be referred to as a steam-containing course that includes a steam stroke in advance. This steam-containing course will often be pre-programmed to allow the course to proceed under optimal conditions.

The steam-enabled course 312 is a course in which the steam stroke can be carried out by the user's choice. For example, the standard course is a course in which there is no damage to the laundry due to steam, and various effects such as sterilization and improvement of cleaning power can be obtained by using steam. Therefore, such a standard course can be regarded as a course capable of steam stroke.

Here, the steam exclusion course, the steam-containing course, and the steam-capable course may each include at least one course. However, it is not necessarily required that the washing machine includes both the steam exclusion course, the steam-containing course and the steam-capable course.

On the other hand, as described above, these courses may include sub-strokes. That is, it may include at least one of a washing step of washing the laundry using water and a detergent, or a rinsing step of washing the laundry using water. Of course, such courses may include a dewatering cycle of draining water from the laundry, and may also include a drying cycle for drying the laundry by supplying dry air into the drum.

Accordingly, the user can select a desired course through the course selection unit 310. [

However, the user can not arbitrarily select through the course selection unit so that the steam stroke is performed during the course. This is because, as described above, the course selection excludes or automatically includes the steam stroke, or only the course capable of steam stroke can be selected.

To this end, according to the present invention, there is further provided a steam option unit 360 that allows a user to selectively perform a steam stroke when the steam-enabled course 312 is selected through the course selection unit 310 desirable.

Here, the steam option unit 360 is preferably activated only when the steamable course 312 is selected. This is so that the user can not select the steam stroke through the steam option part except for the steam-capable course. Such activation may be visibly displayed to the user by turning on the LED (not shown).

As described above, since the steam-containing course 311 can be preprogrammed so as to include the optimum steam stroke, if the steam stroke is selected by the user separately, the optimized function can not be performed and the use of unnecessary steam Can be wasted. Also, if the steam stroke is selected by the user separately from the steam exclusion course, the laundry may be damaged by steam.

Therefore, it is preferable that the steam option unit 360 is activated or not, if necessary, in order to prevent malfunction of the user. More specifically, it is more preferable to display such items to the user through a display such as an LCD window. That is, when the steam exclusion course is selected, it is more preferable that the course displayed on the LCD window 350 indicates that the course is not a steam stroke. In addition, when the steam-containing course is selected, the course in the LCD window indicates that the steam stroke is to be performed, and if the steam-capable course is selected, the course in the LCD window indicates that the steam stroke can be selected desirable.

Meanwhile, the steam option unit 360 may be configured to be selected before the course selected by the course selection unit 310 proceeds. That is, it is preferable that the steam stroke is selected in advance before the course is proceeded. In this case, preferably, the user selects a desired course and steam stroke through the course selection unit 310 and the steam option unit 360, and then the operation of the washing apparatus is started by pressing the start button 330 . However, it is also possible that the steam option section is configured to be selected even after the course is proceeded (e.g., after the start button 330 is pressed).

In the present invention, it is more preferable that the steam option unit 360 is configured to select at what time the steam stroke is to be performed, particularly when the course selected by the course selection unit is advanced. That is, as described above, it is preferable that the steam option unit is configured such that the user selects whether the steam stroke is to be performed at a specific point in time of the steam-enabled state.

Here, the specific time point may be a time point when the course progress time is divided into a plurality of times, and when the course is composed of a plurality of sub-paths, each sub-path may be performed.

For example, if the course includes a wash cycle, the steam option 360 may be configured to allow the user to select a steam stroke to be performed in the wash cycle. Further, if the course includes a rinse stroke, the steam option 360 may be configured to allow the user to select a steam stroke to be performed in the rinse stroke.

Through this steam option, the user can choose to perform the steam stroke at a desired point in time. This allows, for example, the user to select a steam stroke in the laundry stroke so that the user can use steam to perform more effective washing, and the user can select the steam stroke in the rinse stroke to use the steam to perform a more effective rinse. Thus, the steam option unit 360 allows the user to utilize the steam stroke in a variety of ways.

On the other hand, in the washing machine, the steam-capable course will be performed in a very large number including both the washing and rinsing stages. Accordingly, the steam option part may include a steam washing option part 361 and a steam rinse option part 362. That is, the steam washing optional part 361 and the steam rinsing optional part 362 may be separately constructed. The steam rinse option portion 361 is configured to select a steam stroke to be performed in the washing process during the course, and the steam rinse option portion 362 is configured to select a steam stroke to be performed in the rinse stroke Lt; / RTI > In other words, through the steam option unit, the user can select whether to perform the steam stroke at the specific time point at which the steam stroke is performed and at the specific time point.

Likewise, when the present washing machine is a washing machine having a drying function or a dryer, it is possible for the user to select a steam stroke to be performed even in a drying cycle in which dry air is supplied into the drum to dry the laundry. In this case, the steam option unit 360 may further include a steam drying option unit 363.

The steam stroke in the drying process functions to remove water from the laundry and remove the wrinkles. In addition, an appropriate amount of moisture is supplied to the laundry to perform the function of alleviating or eliminating the static electricity. Therefore, when the user selects the course including the drying stroke through the course selection unit 310, it is preferable that the steam drying option unit 363 is also configured so that the user can select the steam stroke to be performed separately at the drying stroke timing .

Here, the operation of the steam option unit 360 is to select whether to perform a steam stroke at a specific time point at which the steam stroke is performed and a specific time point at which the user recognizes the steam stroke. Accordingly, in order to more clearly recognize such a user, the LCD window 350 is preferably configured to display selected items through the steam option unit 360. FIG. For example, when the user selects the steam washing option part 361, it is preferable to indicate to the user that the steam stroke is performed in the washing cycle.

The steam option may be configured to allow the user to select not only the time at which the steam stroke is performed but also the time of the steam stroke, that is, the steam supply time. Of course, the steam option part may be configured so that the user selects the steam supply amount. That is, the steam option may be configured to select various steam conditions.

For example, it is possible to select the steam supply amount while the user selects the steam stroke to be performed in the rinsing stroke through the steam rinse option part 362. [ That is, when the steam rinse option portion is formed by the button, the user selects to perform the steam stroke in the rinsing stroke by pressing the steam rinse option portion 362 once, and on the other hand, to select the steam supply amount so as to be minimum in the steam stroke It is possible. Then, by pressing the steam rinse option part twice, the steam supply amount can be selected to be medium in the steam stroke, and by pressing three times, the steam supply amount can be selected to be maximum in the steam stroke. Finally, by pressing the steam rinse option part four times, the steam stroke can be selected again. Here, for convenience of the user, a plurality of LEDs (not shown) may be additionally provided for indicating such matters according to the number of pressing of the steam rinsing option unit 36. Of course, There will be.

Therefore, through the steam option unit according to the present invention, the user can select various steam conditions in the steam stroke, the steam stroke, and the steam stroke.

On the other hand, when the user selects the steam rinse option portion 362, the rinse cycle preferably includes rinsing the hot water with rinsing with hot water. Preferably, the steam stroke is performed before, during, and after the hot water rinse. This is to increase the effect of rinsing hot water in the rinsing stroke and to enhance the steam stroke effect.

In other words, the hot water rinsing and the steam stroke rinse the residual detergent or the contaminants more efficiently by raising the ambient temperature of the drum and the temperature of the washing water or the laundry. If the steam stroke is overlapped with the cold water rinse for a certain period of time, to be.

In addition, it is possible to maintain the state of the drum in a high state for a longer time than simply performing the steam stroke or the hot water rinse, so that the structure of the laundry is relaxed so that the rinse can be more effectively performed.

However, it is preferable that the rinsing process is completed by rinsing the cold water with rinsing with cold water. This is because, for example, when the dewatering process is performed subsequently, if the structure of the laundry is relaxed, the laundry may be damaged during the dewatering process. Therefore, it is preferable to shrink the structure of the laundry through cold water rinsing before the dewatering step. This is also because, when the course is terminated by the rinsing step, there is a fear that the user may get burned when the laundry is taken out by the high temperature in the drum.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, the control panel may include a plurality of course option units 340. Here, the course option part can be configured to be able to select options such as washing, rinsing, dewatering, washing water temperature, and drying.

For example, the washing option may be configured to select various conditions such as the number of washing cycles and the washing cycle time in the course selected by the course selection unit 310, and the rinsing option may include a number of rinsing cycles, Can be configured to be able to select various conditions. Alternatively, the washing option may be configured to select only the washing stroke separately from the course selection unit 310, and the rinsing option may be configured to select only the rinsing stroke separately from the course selection unit 310.

That is, the course option unit 340 can be configured to change the conditions in the course (for example, the temperature of the washing water) and the conditions in the sub-strokes in the course (for example, the number of washing strokes) Or may be configured to perform only the desired stroke on its own. In the latter case, the course option unit 340 is preferably referred to as a stroke selection unit.

For example, if the user simply wants to rinse laundry, he can choose to rinse through the rinse option. In this case, it is also possible for the user to select the steam rinsing option portion 362 so that the steam stroke is performed in the rinsing stroke.

Therefore, the steam option unit 360 in the present invention always assumes course selection of the course selection unit 310. That is, after the selection of the course option unit 340 that allows only a specific stroke of the sub-strokes in the course to be performed, the steam stroke can be performed in the specific stroke corresponding thereto.

Reference numeral 320 denotes a power button of the washing machine.

1 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the washing apparatus shown in FIG. 1,

3 is a front view of the control panel of the washing machine shown in Fig.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

110: main body 130: drum

210: steam generator 300: control panel

310: Course selection unit 311: Steam inclusion course

312: Steam-enabled course 313: Steam-elimination course

340: Course option part (stroke selection part) 350: LCD window

360: Steam option part 361: Steam washing option part

362: Steam rinsing option part 363: Steam drying option part

Claims (23)

A drum for receiving the laundry; A steam generator for generating steam; A control unit having a course selection unit configured to allow the user to select various courses and a steam option unit configured to select a time point at which the user supplies steam to the drum during the course of the selected course; And Wherein the steam option is configured to be selected before proceeding with the selected course. delete delete delete The method according to claim 1, Wherein at least one of the various courses is a steam elimination course in which steam can not be steamed to supply steam to the drum. 6. The method of claim 5, Wherein when the steam exclusion course is selected, the steam option part is not activated. The method according to claim 1, Wherein at least one of the various courses is a steamable course capable of supplying steam to the drum. 8. The method of claim 7, Wherein the steam stroke is performed when the user selects the steam option portion. 8. The method of claim 7, Wherein the steamable course includes at least a washing stroke or a rinse stroke. delete delete A drum for receiving the laundry; A steam generator for generating steam to be supplied to the drum; A course selecting unit configured to allow a user to select a steamable course including a rinsing stroke and capable of performing a steam stroke in which steam is supplied to the drum and a steam selecting unit configured to allow the user to select whether the steam stroke is to be performed during the rinsing stroke A control panel having a rinse option portion; And Wherein the steam rinse option portion is configured to be selected before proceeding with the steam-enabled course. delete 13. The method of claim 12, Wherein when the steam rinse option is selected, the rinsing cycle includes a hot water rinse in which hot water is rinsed. 15. The method of claim 14, Wherein the steam stroke is performed before, during, or after the hot water rinse. 15. The method of claim 14, Wherein the rinsing cycle ends with a cold water rinse in which rinsing is performed with cold water. 13. The method of claim 12, Wherein the steam rinse option part is not activated when a steam-containing course in which the steam stroke is automatically performed by the course selection part or a steam exclusion course in which the steam stroke is impossible is selected. delete delete delete delete delete delete

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