KR102191546B1 - Laundry treatment machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A laundry treatment machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a drum rotatably installed inside a main body, a drive motor providing rotational power to the drum, a lifter mounted on an inner circumferential surface of the drum, and provided in the lifter, at least A sterilization device including one ultraviolet light source, a first wireless power receiving unit electrically connected to the sterilizing device and provided in the lifter or the drum, and disposed between the main body and the drum corresponding to the first wireless power receiving unit And a control unit for controlling the wireless power transmission unit and driving the driving motor and supplying power to the wireless power transmission unit.

Description

Laundry treatment machine {LAUNDRY TREATMENT MACHINE}

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment device.

In general, a laundry treatment device having a drying function, such as a washing machine or a dryer, is a device that evaporates moisture from laundry by supplying hot air to input wet clothing.

As an example of a dryer, a drum that is rotatably installed inside the body and into which laundry is injected, a driving motor that drives the drum, a blower fan that blows air into the drum, and a fan that heats the air flowing into the drum. Heating means may be provided.

Meanwhile, dryers may be classified into circulation dryers and exhaust dryers according to a method of discharging hot and humid air. The air that exits the drum has moisture from the laundry inside the drum and becomes air in a state of high temperature and humidity. The circulation type dryer has a method of condensing moisture contained in the high-temperature and high-humidity air by condensing the moisture contained in the high-temperature and high-humidity air by cooling the air to a dew point temperature or lower through a heat exchange means while circulating without being discharged to the outside of the dryer. In addition, the exhaust type dryer has a method of directly discharging air in a high-temperature and high-humidity state that passes through the drum and exits.

Meanwhile, as the heating means, there may be a heater method using high-temperature electrical resistance heat generated by electric resistance or combustion heat generated by burning gas.

Alternatively, there may be a heat pump system as the heating means. The heat pump system includes a heat exchanger, a compressor, and an expander, and increases energy efficiency by allowing the refrigerant circulating the system to recover energy of the hot air exhausted from the drum and then heat the air supplied to the drum.

On the other hand, conventional laundry treatment equipment does not have a separate sterilization device, so it is insufficient to completely sterilize bacteria such as microorganisms or bacteria remaining in the laundry. These bacteria remain on the inner wall of the drum or in the duct of the heat pump system, and thus There was a problem that caused a bad smell.

In this regard, in Patent Document 1 (Publication Patent Publication No. 10-2006-0114101, published on November 6, 2006), an ultraviolet ray generating means for irradiating ultraviolet rays into the drum is installed on the door, A drum washing machine for sterilizing and disinfecting microorganisms or bacteria is disclosed.

However, according to Patent Document 1, since a wire must be provided on a door hinge or the like in order to supply power to the ultraviolet ray generating means in the door, the difficulty of the process may be increased. In addition, when ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the door to the inside of the drum, the sterilization performance may be degraded because ultraviolet rays are not sufficiently irradiated to laundry located inside the drum. In addition, it is impossible to sterilize mold or bacteria that may occur in the space between the housing (or case) of the drum washing machine and the drum.

1. Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-2006-0114101 (published on November 6, 2006)

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of improving sterilization performance by providing a sterilization device in a lifter inside a drum.

Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment device with a simplified structure for supplying power to a sterilizing device provided in a lifter inside a drum.

A laundry treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sterilization device including at least one ultraviolet light source in a lifter, and a wireless power receiving unit electrically connected to the sterilization device and provided in the lifter or the drum, And a wireless power transmitter disposed between the main body and the drum corresponding to the wireless power receiver, so that a cable or wire for supplying power between the inside and the outside of the drum is unnecessary. Accordingly, the difficulty of a process for connecting the cables or wires may be reduced.

The wireless power receiving unit may include a receiving coil, and the wireless power transmitting unit may include a transmitting coil disposed to face the receiving coil.

According to an embodiment, the transmission coil may be disposed above the drum in the interior of the main body. The control unit of the laundry treatment device calculates the position of the lifter based on the rotational state of the drum, and when the calculated position is within a reference distance from the wireless power transmission unit, the wireless power transmission unit supplies power to the wireless power reception unit. Can be controlled.

According to an embodiment, the controller rotates the drum by controlling the driving of the driving motor when performing a drying process, calculates a proximity period between the receiving coil and the transmitting coil based on the rotation speed of the drum, and calculates By controlling to supply power to the wireless power receiving unit based on the set period, efficient use of power can be achieved.

According to an embodiment, the control unit may maximize sterilization efficiency by supplying power to the sterilization device when the remaining drying time of the drying process is less than the reference time.

During the sterilization operation, the controller emits ultraviolet light for a predetermined time and then stops the emission of ultraviolet light, thereby preventing discoloration or damage of laundry due to continuous ultraviolet light emission.

According to an embodiment, the control unit senses the rotation speed of the drum during the drying process and controls to emit ultraviolet light when the detected rotation speed is less than the reference speed, thereby maximizing sterilization efficiency.

According to an embodiment, the controller may control a driving motor to rotate the drum in both directions, and control to emit ultraviolet light in a section in which the rotation speed of the drum is less than the reference speed according to the rotation in both directions.

According to an embodiment, the laundry treatment device may further include an external sterilization device including at least one ultraviolet light source disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the drum to provide a sterilization function for a space between the drum and the main body.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry treatment device may provide an effective sterilization function by directly irradiating ultraviolet light onto the laundry in the drum by disposing the sterilization device in the lifter provided in the drum.

In addition, the laundry treatment device may arrange a sterilization device and a wireless power receiver connected thereto in the drum, and may place a wireless power transmitter at a position corresponding to the wireless power receiver in a space outside the drum. Since the sterilization device can operate by receiving power according to a wireless power transmission method, a configuration of cables or wires for supplying power between the inside and outside of the drum is unnecessary. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the difficulty of the process and save the number of parts when manufacturing the laundry treatment device.

In addition, the laundry treatment machine is implemented to emit ultraviolet light when the sterilizing device is positioned above the center of the drum during rotation of the drum, thereby enabling even sterilization of laundry accommodated in the drum.

In addition, the laundry treatment device has an external sterilization device that emits ultraviolet light into a space between the outside of the drum and the inside of the main body, so that even microorganisms and bacteria generated in the space can be effectively sterilized.

1 is a perspective view of a laundry treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of a laundry treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a schematic block diagram of a control configuration of a laundry treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of the sterilizing device shown in FIG. 3.
5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an ultraviolet light source and a wireless power receiver disposed on a lifter of a laundry treatment machine.
6 is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver shown in FIG. 3.
7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation in which the laundry treatment device controls the sterilization device.
8 is a view showing a specific example related to the operation of the sterilization device included in the laundry treatment device.
9 is a flowchart illustrating another example of an operation in which the laundry treatment device controls the sterilization device.
10 is a view for explaining an embodiment in which a sterilization device is disposed outside a drum of a laundry treatment machine.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are only for making it easier to understand the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and the technical idea disclosed in the present specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and all changes and equivalents included in the spirit and scope of the present invention It should be understood to include water or substitutes.

1 is a perspective view of a laundry treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing an internal configuration of a laundry treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings below, the dryer 1 is described as an example of the laundry treatment device, but embodiments of the present invention are not applied only to the dryer 1, but may be applied to various laundry treatment devices such as a washing machine having a drying function.

The dryer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has an overall appearance by a main body 10 having an inlet 11 for inserting clothes on one side and a door 20 for opening and closing the inlet 11 Can be formed.

A drum 15 that is rotatably installed and on which clothes are dried may be provided inside the main body 10. The drum 15 may be opened toward the inlet 11 and may be provided so that a user can insert clothes into the drum 15 through the inlet 11.

The main body 10 may be provided with an operation unit 12 for operating the dryer (1). The operation part 12 may be located above the inlet 11.

The operation unit 12 may be provided with an operation button, a rotary switch, and the like for selecting a function provided to the dryer 1. For example, a user manipulates an operation button or a rotary switch provided in the operation unit 12 to turn on or off the power of the dryer 1, input a drive start or stop command, or an operation mode and You can set the drying time.

A display 13 may be further provided on the manipulation unit 12. The display 13 may display an operating state of the dryer 1, a set operation mode, and time information.

A drawer 14 may be provided on one side of the main body 10, and a liquid to be sprayed onto the drum may be stored inside the drawer 14.

The main body 10 may be provided with a drive motor 300 that provides rotational power to the drum 15. A power transmission member 360 for rotating the drum 15 is provided on one rotation shaft of the driving motor 300, and the drum 15 is connected to the driving motor 300 by the power transmission member 360. It can be connected to receive power. The power transmission member 360 may be a pulley or a roller.

The main body 10 may be provided with a supply passage for supplying heated air to the drum 15 and a duct that forms an exhaust passage through which air inside the drum 15 is discharged. The duct may include a supply duct 30 forming the supply passage and an exhaust duct 40 forming the exhaust passage.

Further, the main body 10 may be provided with a blowing fan 50 for forcing the flow of air. The blowing fan 50 communicates with the supply duct 30 and the exhaust duct 40 so that air is supplied to the inside of the drum 15 through the supply duct 30, and the exhaust duct 40 ) Through the drum 15 can be forced to be discharged.

The blowing fan 50 may be provided on the exhaust flow path so that the air discharged from the drum 15 is sucked into the exhaust duct 40.

The blowing fan 50 may be provided to be connected to a rotation shaft of the driving motor to rotate simultaneously with the drum 15. Of course, the blowing fan 50 may be connected to a motor separate from the driving motor and rotated independently of the drum 15.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment of the present invention, a circulation dryer in which air inside the dryer is circulated is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to a circulation dryer, and it is revealed that it can be applied to an exhaust dryer.

When the dryer 1 is a circulation dryer, the exhaust duct 40 may be provided to guide forcedly blown air to the supply duct 30.

Meanwhile, when the dryer 1 is an exhaust type dryer, the exhaust duct 40 may be provided to guide forcedly blown air to the outside.

The supply duct 30 may extend to the rear side of the drum 15, and a discharge port through which heated air is discharged to the drum may be provided at an end thereof.

The exhaust duct 40 may extend to a front and lower side of the drum 15, and an intake port through which air inside the drum is sucked may be formed at an end thereof.

A heater (not shown) for heating air supplied by electric resistance heat may be further provided on the supply passage of the supply duct 30. As the heater is provided, the heatability of the supplied air may be further improved.

A filter 45 for filtering foreign substances such as lint contained in the air discharged from the drum 10 may be provided on the exhaust passage of the exhaust duct 40.

Meanwhile, the main body 10 may be provided with a heat pump system 60 for absorbing waste heat from the air discharged from the drum 15 and heating air supplied into the drum 15.

The heat pump system 60 includes an evaporator for cooling the air discharged from the drum 15, a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for heating the air supplied to the drum 15, and expansion. The thermodynamic cycle can be configured by including a valve. The evaporator, the compressor, the condenser and the expansion valve are sequentially connected by a pipe, and a refrigerant may circulate through the pipe.

The refrigerant may be compressed in the compressor to become a high temperature and high pressure gaseous state. In addition, the condenser becomes a liquid state of high temperature and high pressure, and heat exchange with low temperature air to be supplied to the drum 15 may be performed. In addition, the expansion valve may expand into a gaseous state of low temperature and low pressure. In addition, the evaporator may exchange heat with the high temperature and humid air discharged from the drum 15.

Air supplied to the drum 15 may be heat-exchanged in the condenser and heated to a high temperature. In addition, the high-temperature and high-humidity air discharged from the drum 15 may be heat-exchanged in the evaporator and cooled to remove moisture, thereby becoming a dry state. Moisture contained in the high-humidity air may be collected by condensation in the evaporator, and may be discharged to the outside through a drain pipe.

The evaporator may be provided on the exhaust flow path of the exhaust duct 40. In addition, the condenser may be provided on the supply passage of the supply duct 30.

A machine room communicating with the exhaust duct 40 and the supply duct 30 may be formed inside the main body 10, and the compressor and the expansion valve may be provided in the machine room. In addition, the drive motor may also be provided in the machine room.

Meanwhile, at least one lifter 16 may be mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the drum 15. At least one lifter 16 may function to pump laundry to a predetermined height so that the laundry falls by gravity when the drum 15 rotates. Accordingly, clumping or tangling of laundry can be alleviated, and drying of laundry can be performed more smoothly.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a sterilization device 200 may be provided in at least one lifter 16. The sterilization device 200 may include at least one ultraviolet light source that emits ultraviolet light for sterilization of microorganisms or bacteria present in the laundry.

At least one ultraviolet light source may be implemented as a UV-LED. For example, the UV-LED is UV-A having a wavelength of about 315 micrometers to 400 micrometers, UV-B having a wavelength of about 280 micrometers to 315 micrometers, and a wavelength of about 200 micrometers to 280 micrometers. It may emit ultraviolet light including at least one of UV-C having.

Meanwhile, the dryer 1 may include a wireless power transmitter 220 and a wireless power receiver 240 for supplying power to the sterilization device 200 provided in the lifter 16. The wireless power transmission unit 220 may be disposed in a space between the main body 10 and the drum 15 to be connected to a power supply unit (not shown) in the dryer 1 through a wire. The wireless power receiver 240 may be disposed within at least one lifter 16, may be disposed inside/outside of the drum 15, and may be connected to the sterilization device 200.

The wireless power transmitter 220 may supply power to the wireless power receiver 240 through a wireless power supply method such as a magnetic induction method or a magnetic resonance method. For example, in order to maximize the efficiency of wirelessly supplied power, the wireless power transmitter 220 and the wireless power receiver 240 may be provided at positions corresponding to each other.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the wireless power transmitter 220 may be disposed above the drum 15 in the main body 10, and the wireless power receiver 240 is wireless power in the lifter 16. It may be disposed at a position corresponding to the transmission unit 220 in a vertical direction. In this case, the wireless power receiving unit 240 may also rotate according to the rotation of the drum 15, and when the wireless power receiving unit 240 is positioned above the drum 15 during rotation, it is close to the wireless power transmitting unit 220 Therefore, the wireless power reception efficiency can be maximized.

The wireless power receiver 240 may receive power wirelessly from the wireless power transmitter 220 and may supply power based on the supplied power to the sterilization device 200. The sterilization device 200 may emit ultraviolet light based on the supplied power.

The sterilization device 200 will be described in more detail later with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9.

In FIG. 2, it is shown that the sterilization device 200 and the wireless power receiver 240 are provided in each of the at least one lifter 16, but according to the embodiment, the dryer 1 may be any one of the at least one lifter 16 Only one lifter may be provided with the sterilization device 200 and the wireless power receiver 240.

Hereinafter, a control configuration of a laundry treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

3 is a schematic block diagram of a control configuration of a laundry treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the laundry treatment device (dryer 1) may include an input unit 310 corresponding to the operation unit 12 described above in FIG. 1. The input unit 310 may include an operation button, a rotation switch, or the like for selecting a function provided to the dryer 1. The user may turn on/off the power of the dryer 1 through the input unit 310, input a drive start or stop command, or set a drive mode and a drying time.

The display 13 may output an operation state of the dryer 1, a set operation mode, and time information. Depending on the embodiment, the display 13 may be implemented as a touch screen including a touch panel, and the touch screen may function as the input unit 310.

The dryer 1 may include a memory 320 for storing information such as algorithm data and set value data related to the operation of the dryer 1. In addition, the memory 320 according to an embodiment of the present invention may store data related to control of the wireless power transmission unit 220.

In addition, the dryer 1 may include a communication unit 330 for communicating with an external terminal or server, or the sterilization device 200 inside the drum 15. The communication unit 330 may include at least one communication module. For example, the communication unit 330 may include a Bluetooth communication module and/or a Wi-Fi communication module for connecting to a terminal and/or a server. In addition, the communication unit 330 may include a near field communication (NFC) reader. Through the NFC reader, the controller 340 may receive status information of the sterilization device 200 from the sterilization device 200.

Meanwhile, the dryer 1 may include a controller 340 that controls the overall operation of the dryer 1. The controller 340 may include at least one processor or controller. Each of the at least one processor or controller may be implemented as a CPU, a microcomputer, an application processor (AP), an integrated circuit, or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

When a manipulation signal is received through the input unit 310, the controller 340 may check information corresponding to the manipulation signal received from the memory 320. Further, the operation of the driving motor 300 and the heat pump system 60 may be controlled according to the information stored in the memory 320. For example, when a drying start command is input through the input unit 310, the control unit 340 may drive the drive motor 300 and the compressor of the heat pump system 60 to start drying. In addition, when a drying end command is input, driving of the driving motor 300 and the compressor may be stopped so that drying may be terminated.

In addition, the control unit 340 may control the wireless power transmitter 220 to supply power to the wireless power receiver 240 provided in the lifter 16. The wireless power transmitter 220 and the wireless power receiver 240 may wirelessly transmit and receive power through a magnetic induction method or a magnetic resonance method. The wireless power receiver 240 may supply driving power based on the received power to the sterilization device 200.

Depending on the embodiment, the controller 340 may control the wireless power transmitter 220 to supply power when the wireless power receiver 240 is in a state close to the wireless power transmitter 220 while the drum 15 is rotating. have. The proximity state may mean a state in which the wireless power receiver 240 reaches a preset position while the drum 15 is rotating. For example, in the memory 320, the rotation state (rotation speed, displacement, etc.) of the drum 15 according to the driving of the driving motor 300, and the position of the lifter 16 and the wireless power receiving unit 240 are calculated accordingly. Algorithms can be saved. The control unit 340 calculates the positions of the lifter 16 and the wireless power receiver 240 based on the algorithm, and supplies power when the calculated position is within a reference distance from the wireless power transmitter 220. It is also possible to control the wireless power transmission unit 220.

Alternatively, the control unit 340 calculates a period in which the wireless power receiver 240 approaches the wireless power transmission unit 220 based on the rotation speed of the driving motor 300 or the drum 15, and the power It is also possible to control the wireless power transmission unit 220 to supply.

Alternatively, the control unit 340 may control the wireless power transmission unit 220 to supply power for a predetermined time at a specific period during the drying process or to supply power for a predetermined time at a specific period after the drying process has progressed for a predetermined time.

Hereinafter, a sterilization device 200, a wireless power transmitter 220, and a wireless power receiver 240 included in the laundry treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

4 is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of the sterilizing apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, the sterilization device 200 may include a communication unit 202, at least one ultraviolet light source 204, a memory 206, and a microcomputer 208.

The communication unit 202 may transmit state information or driving information of the sterilization device 200 to the control unit 340 of the dryer 1. For example, the communication unit 202 may include an NFC transmitter that outputs the information according to an NFC communication method, or may include a communication module supporting other short-range wireless communication methods.

The at least one ultraviolet light source 204 may emit ultraviolet light for sterilizing microorganisms or bacteria present in the laundry during the drying process. As described above, at least one ultraviolet light source 204 may be implemented as a UV-LED.

The memory 206 may store various control data or algorithms related to the operation of the sterilization device 200.

The microcomputer 208 may control the operation of components included in the sterilization device 200. When power is supplied from the wireless power receiver 240, the micom 208 may control at least one ultraviolet light source 204 to emit ultraviolet light. In addition, the microcomputer 208 may generate state information related to whether the sterilization device 200 operates normally, and may transmit the generated state information to the control unit 340 through the communication unit 202.

5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an ultraviolet light source and a wireless power receiver disposed on a lifter of a laundry treatment device.

Referring to FIG. 5, the sterilizing device 200 may include at least one ultraviolet light source 204. In FIG. 5, the sterilization device 200 is shown to include three ultraviolet light sources 204a, 204b, and 204c, but the number of ultraviolet light sources can be freely changed. Each of the at least one ultraviolet light source 204a to 204c may be implemented as a UV-LED, but is not limited thereto. As described above, the UV-LED is UV-A having a wavelength of about 315 micrometers to 400 micrometers, UV-B having a wavelength of about 280 micrometers to 315 micrometers, and about 200 micrometers to 280 micrometers. It may emit ultraviolet light including at least one of UV-C having a wavelength of the meter.

Each of the at least one ultraviolet light source 204a to 204c may emit ultraviolet light into the drum 15 through a hole formed on one surface of the lifter 16 (eg, a surface facing the inner center of the drum 15). In addition, at least one of the ultraviolet light sources 204a to 204c are arranged to be spaced apart from each other, so that ultraviolet light can be effectively emitted to laundry existing in various areas in the drum 15.

Meanwhile, the wireless power receiver 240 may include a receiver 246 for receiving power from the wireless power transmitter 220. The receiver 246 may be implemented in the form of a coil, but this is not necessarily the case and may have a different form according to a wireless power transmission method.

For example, when the wireless power transmitter 220 and the wireless power receiver 240 transmit and receive power according to a magnetic induction method, the receiver 246 is formed by the transmitter 228 of the wireless power transmitter 220 (see FIG. 6). Electric power can be supplied by generating an induced current based on the generated electromagnetic field.

The receiver 246 may be disposed in an area adjacent to the inner surface of the drum 15 among areas within the lifter 16 in order to be close to the wireless power transmitter 240 disposed outside the drum 15.

6 is a schematic block diagram of a configuration of a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver shown in FIG. 3.

The wireless power transmitter 220 and the wireless power receiver 240 may transmit and receive power according to various wireless power transmission methods such as a magnetic induction method or a magnetic resonance method.

The magnetic induction method uses an electromagnetic induction phenomenon in which a voltage is induced and a current flows when a magnetic field is changed around a conductor through which electricity flows.

In the magnetic resonance method, when a transmitter and a receiver resonate at the same frequency, electric power may be transmitted according to wireless power transmission in which an electromagnetic wave moves from a transmitter to a receiver through an electromagnetic field. The transmission coil of the transmitter may have a predetermined resonant frequency, and may generate an electromagnetic wave and a magnetic field as power is supplied. In this case, induced power may be generated in the receiving coil of the receiver by a magnetic field.

That is, in the present specification, the transmission of power from the wireless power transmitter 220 to the wireless power receiver 240 means the receiver of the wireless power receiver 240 due to a magnetic field generated by the transmitter 228 of the wireless power transmitter 220 It means that the induced power is generated at (246).

Referring to FIG. 6, the wireless power transmitter 220 may include a microcomputer 222, a memory 224, an oscillator 226, and a transmitter 228. As described above, the wireless power transmitter 220 may be disposed outside the drum 15, for example, on the upper portion of the drum 15 within the main body 10.

The micom 222 may control the overall operation of the wireless power transmitter 220. For example, the microcomputer 222 may transmit power to the wireless power receiver 240 by receiving a control command for transmitting power from the controller 340 and controlling the oscillator 226 according to the received control command.

The memory 224 may store control data related to the operation of components included in the wireless power transmitter 220.

The oscillator 226 may provide AC power to the transmitter 228 under the control of the microcomputer 220. For example, the oscillator 226 controls the frequency of the power supplied to the transmitter 228 to the resonance frequency, thereby maximizing the efficiency of power supply.

The transmitter 228 may supply power to the wireless power receiver 240 based on the AC power provided by the oscillator 226. For example, the transmitter 228 may include a transmission coil that generates a magnetic field when the AC power is provided, but is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, the wireless power transmitter 220 may include only the oscillator 226 and the transmitter 228. In this case, the overall operation of the wireless power transmitter 220 may be controlled by the controller 340. In addition, control data related to the operation of the wireless power transmitter 220 may be stored in the memory 320.

The wireless power receiver 240 may include a microcomputer 242, a memory 244, a receiver 246, and a rectifier 248. As described above, the wireless power receiver 240 may be disposed inside the lifter 16 provided in the drum 15, but is not limited thereto and may be disposed inside/outside the drum 15.

The micom 242 may control the overall operation of the wireless power receiver 240. For example, when the AC power corresponding to the power received through the receiver 246 is rectified by the rectifier 248, the micom 242 may control to supply the rectified power to the sterilization device 200.

The memory 244 may store control data related to the operation of components included in the wireless power receiver 240.

The receiver 246 may receive power from the transmitter 228. For example, the receiver 246 may include a receiving coil that generates induced power based on a magnetic field generated by the transmitter 228, but is not limited thereto.

The rectifier 248 may rectify AC power corresponding to the induced power generated from the receiver 246. Power rectified by the rectifier 248 may be provided to the microcomputer 242 and the sterilization device 200.

Depending on the embodiment, the wireless power receiver 240 may further include a power storage unit 249 for storing power supplied through the receiver 246. For example, the power storage unit 249 may include a capacitor or a battery. In this case, the micom 242 may control charging and discharging of the power storage unit 249 or may provide power based on the power stored in the power storage unit 249 to the sterilization device 200.

Meanwhile, the wireless power receiver 240 may include only the receiver 246 and the rectifier 248, or may include only the receiver 246, the rectifier 248, and the power storage unit 249. In this case, the power supplied through the receiver 246 may be rectified by the rectifier 248 and then directly provided to the sterilization device 200 or stored in the power storage unit 249.

That is, the laundry treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless power transmission unit 220 and a wireless power reception unit 240, so that the sterilization device 200 disposed in the lifter 16 of the drum 15 is wirelessly used. Power can be supplied. Accordingly, the configuration for supplying power from the outside to the inside of the drum 15 can be simplified, and accordingly, the difficulty of the manufacturing process can also be effectively lowered.

7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation in which the laundry treatment device controls the sterilization device.

Referring to FIG. 7, the laundry treatment device (eg, the dryer 1) may start a drying process based on a drying start command received through an input unit 310 or the like (S700).

The control unit 340 may receive a drying start command through the input unit 310 or the like. The drying start command may include information such as a drying mode and a drying time.

In response to the received drying start command, the control unit 340 may control the driving motor 300 and the heat pump system 60 to start the drying process.

The laundry treatment device may check the remaining drying time while performing the drying process (S710).

When the drying process is started, the controller 340 may check the drying progress time using a timer (not shown) or the like.

The control unit 340 may check the remaining drying time based on the difference between the set drying time of the drying process and the drying progress time, and compare the checked remaining drying time with a preset reference time. The reference time may be preset to determine whether or not the sterilization device 200 is operated.

When the checked remaining drying time is greater than or equal to the reference time (NO in S720), the laundry treatment device may not drive the sterilization device 200. That is, the control unit 340 may control the power supply unit (not shown) so as not to supply power to the wireless power transmission unit 220.

For example, in a section in which the remaining drying time is longer than the reference time, the laundry may not be sufficiently dried. In this section, due to entanglement between the laundry, it may not be possible to evenly irradiate ultraviolet light to the laundry. That is, operating the sterilization device 200 in the section may be unnecessary in terms of power consumption. Accordingly, when the remaining drying time is greater than or equal to the reference time, the control unit 340 controls the power supply unit (not shown) so as not to supply power to the wireless power transmission unit 220, so that the sterilization device 200 may not be driven.

On the other hand, when the checked remaining drying time is less than the reference time (YES in S720), the dryer 1 may turn on at least one ultraviolet light source 204 included in the sterilization device 200 (S730).

The sterilization device 200 may be connected to the wireless power receiving unit 240 and may not operate before receiving power from the wireless power receiving unit 240.

Accordingly, the control unit 340 may control the wireless power transmission unit 220 to supply power to the wireless power receiving unit 240 in order to turn on at least one ultraviolet light source 204 included in the sterilization device 200. have.

Specifically, the control unit 340 may control the wireless power transmission unit 220 to supply power to the transmitter 228 of the wireless power transmission unit 220. As described above with reference to FIG. 6, the transmitter 228 may generate an electromagnetic wave and a magnetic field as power is supplied. In the receiver 246 of the wireless power receiver 240, induced power is generated by the magnetic field, and power based on the generated induced power may be provided to the sterilization device 200.

The microcomputer 208 of the sterilization device 200 may turn on at least one ultraviolet light source 204 based on the provided power. As the ultraviolet light source 204 is turned on, the ultraviolet light emitted into the drum 15 may sterilize microorganisms and bacteria present in the laundry.

According to an embodiment, when the wireless power receiving unit 240 includes the power storage unit 249, the micom 242 of the wireless power receiving unit 240 generates the induction power in the receiver 246, and thus the power storage unit The power included in 249 may be provided to the sterilization device 200.

Meanwhile, the power transmission efficiency according to the wireless power transmission method may increase as the distance between the wireless power transmitter 220 and the wireless power receiver 240 is closer. Therefore, the control unit 340 is the wireless power transmission unit 220 while the lifter 16 having the wireless power receiving unit 240 is within a predetermined distance from the wireless power transmitting unit 220 during rotation of the drum 15. It is also possible to control to supply power to the wireless power receiving unit 240.

To this end, the control unit 340 calculates the position of the lifter 16 based on rotation information (rotation speed, reference position, etc.) of the drive motor 300, or is separately provided to detect the position of the lifter 16. The position of the lifter 16 may be calculated by using a sensor (not shown) or the like. When the calculated position corresponds to a preset position, the controller 340 may control the wireless power transmitter 220 to supply power to the wireless power receiver 240.

Based on this, the laundry treatment device may be controlled to turn on only some of the plurality of sterilization devices 200. An embodiment related to this will be described later in FIG. 8.

The dryer 1 may turn off the ultraviolet light source after a predetermined period of time has elapsed (S740).

As the ultraviolet light source 204 is turned on according to step S730 and the ultraviolet light is irradiated to the laundry, sterilization of the laundry may be performed.

In general, it is known that 99.9% of bacteria are sterilized by irradiation with ultraviolet light within tens of seconds (within about 20 seconds). On the other hand, if the laundry is continuously irradiated with ultraviolet light for a long time, there is a concern of discoloration or discoloration of the laundry. Based on this, the dryer 1 turns on the ultraviolet light source 204 and then turns off the ultraviolet light source 204 when a predetermined time elapses, the sterilization device 200, the wireless power transmission unit 220, or The wireless power receiver 240 can be controlled.

For example, the control unit 340 may transmit a command to turn off the ultraviolet light source 204 to the sterilizing device 200 through the communication unit 330. The micom 208 may turn off the ultraviolet light source 204 based on the received OFF command.

As another example, the control unit 340 may control a power supply unit (not shown) to stop supplying power to the wireless power transmission unit 220. As power supply to the wireless power transmitter 220 is stopped, the wireless power supply to the wireless power receiver 240 may also be stopped. Accordingly, power supply from the wireless power receiver 240 to the sterilization device 200 is stopped, and the ultraviolet light source 204 may be turned off.

According to an embodiment, the control unit 340 may control the wireless power receiving unit 240 to stop supplying power to the sterilizing device 200. In this case, the control command for stopping the power supply is provided to the microcomputer 242 of the wireless power receiving unit 240 through the communication unit 202 of the sterilizing device 200 or separately provided in the wireless power receiving unit 240. It may be provided to the microcomputer 242 through a communication unit (not shown). The micom 242 may control the rectifier 248 or the power storage unit 249 to stop supplying power to the sterilization device 200 based on the control command.

The dryer 1 may check whether the drying progress time of the drying process reaches the set drying time (S750).

When the drying time does not reach the set drying time (NO in S750), the dryer 1 may perform the sterilization steps S730 and S740 for the laundry again.

If the drying time has not reached the set drying time, the control unit 340 may turn on the ultraviolet light source 204 according to step S730 to perform sterilization of the laundry again.

At this time, when the ultraviolet light source 204 is turned off in accordance with step S740 and a predetermined time elapses, the controller 340 may perform step S730 again.

That is, when the drying process is not completed, the dryer 1 repeats the sterilization step a predetermined number of times, thereby enabling effective sterilization of laundry.

On the other hand, when the drying progress time reaches the set drying time (YES in S750), the dryer 1 may complete the drying process (S760).

When the drying process time reaches the set drying time, the control unit 340 may complete the drying process by stopping driving of the driving motor 300 and the heat pump system 60.

Depending on the embodiment, the control unit 340, when the ultraviolet light source 204 is in the ON state when the drying process is completed, the sterilization device 200, the wireless power transmission unit 220, or the wireless power to turn off the ultraviolet light source 204 The receiver 240 can be turned off.

8 is a view showing a specific example related to the operation of the sterilization device included in the laundry treatment device.

Referring to FIG. 8, as the drying process of the laundry treatment device is started, the drum 15 may rotate. At least one lifter 16 may be provided in the drum 15, and sterilization devices 200a to 200c may be disposed in each of the at least one lifter 16.

During the rotation of the drum 15, the laundry 800 mainly exists under the drum 15, and some of the laundry 800 may rise to a certain height by the lifter 16 and then fall due to gravity. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, among the lifters 16 in the drum 15, the lifters 16 located at the lower part have a high probability that they are covered by the laundry 800.

In the case of the sterilizing devices 200b and 200c present in the lifter 16 covered by the laundry 800, even if the ultraviolet light is emitted, the ultraviolet light may be concentrated to a predetermined area of a specific laundry. That is, the sterilization efficiency due to ultraviolet light emitted from the sterilization devices 200b and 200c may be relatively low, and deterioration may occur due to concentrated irradiation of ultraviolet light to a predetermined area of the specific laundry.

On the other hand, among the lifters in the drum 15, the lifter 16 located at the top may be in a state that is not covered by the laundry 800 as the laundry 800 falls downward. Since the ultraviolet light emitted from the sterilizing device 200a present in the lifter 16 may be irradiated to various areas within the drum 15, the sterilization efficiency may be relatively high.

Therefore, the laundry treatment machine arranges the wireless power transmission unit 220 on the top of the drum 15, so that the sterilization device 200a included in the lifter 16 close to the wireless power transmission unit 220 during rotation of the drum 15 By transmitting the furnace power (PW), the sterilization device 200a may be implemented to irradiate ultraviolet light.

On the other hand, as the distance between the sterilizing device 200a and the wireless power transmission unit 220 increases due to the rotation of the drum 15, the sterilizing device 200a may not emit ultraviolet light. Instead, the sterilization device 200c approaching the wireless power transmitter 220 may emit ultraviolet light in the same manner.

That is, according to the embodiment of FIG. 8, since the wireless power transmitter 220 is disposed above the drum 15, only the sterilizing device located at the top relatively when the drum 15 rotates without a separate control signal It can be made to irradiate light. Accordingly, the sterilization efficiency using the sterilization device is improved, and damage due to the concentration of ultraviolet light on a specific area of the laundry can be prevented.

9 is a flowchart illustrating another example of an operation in which the laundry treatment device controls the sterilization device.

Referring to FIG. 9, a laundry treatment device (eg, dryer 1) may start a drying process based on a drying start command received through an input unit 310 (S900). Step S900 is substantially the same as step S700 of FIG. 7, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The laundry treatment apparatus may control the driving motor 300 so that the drum 15 rotates in the first direction (S910).

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, it is assumed that the drum 15 of the laundry treatment machine is implemented to be rotatable in both directions.

The controller 340 may control the driving motor 300 to rotate the drum 15 in the first direction as the drying process is started.

After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the laundry treatment device controls the driving motor 300 to rotate the drum 15 in a second direction opposite to the first direction (S920), and accordingly, the washing machine is rotating in the first direction. The rotational speed of the drum 15 may be reduced (S930).

The controller 340 may control the driving motor 300 to rotate the drum 15 in the first direction for a predetermined time and then rotate the drum 15 in a second direction opposite to the first direction. have. For example, the controller 340 may stop the operation of the driving motor 300 in order to rotate the drum 15 in the second direction after stopping the drum 15.

Under the control of the controller 340, the drum 15 rotating in the first direction is no longer provided with a driving force for rotation in the first direction, so the rotation speed of the drum 15 may gradually decrease. have.

The laundry treatment device may detect the rotational speed of the drum 15 and compare the sensed drum rotational speed with a preset reference speed. Various methods of detecting the drum rotation speed are known in advance, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

As a result of the comparison, when the drum rotation speed is lower than the reference speed (YES in S940), the laundry treatment device may turn on the ultraviolet light source 204 included in the sterilization device 200 (S950).

For example, when the drum rotational speed is higher than the reference speed, laundry moving to the upper side of the drum 15 along the lifter 16 may not fall downward due to the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the drum 15. have. In this case, as the laundry covers the ultraviolet light source 204 included in the sterilization device 200 of the lifter 16, ultraviolet light may not be effectively emitted.

On the other hand, when the drum rotational speed is lower than a preset reference speed, gravity may be greater than the centrifugal force, and laundry moved to the upper side of the drum 15 may fall downward. In this case, the ultraviolet light source 204 of the sterilization device 200 located on the upper side of the drum 15 is not covered by laundry, and may effectively emit ultraviolet light. That is, the reference speed may mean the rotational speed of the drum 15 in a state in which centrifugal force and gravity are the same.

Accordingly, the controller 340 may turn on the ultraviolet light source 204 of the sterilization device 200 when the drum rotation speed is lower than the reference speed. To this end, the control unit 340 may control a power supply unit (not shown) to supply power to the wireless power transmission unit 220.

Meanwhile, after the rotation in the first direction is stopped, the drum 15 may start rotation in the second direction (S960).

For example, as the driving of the driving motor 300 is stopped, the rotation of the drum 15 may be stopped. After the rotation of the drum 15 is stopped, the controller 340 may control the driving motor 300 to rotate the drum 15 in the second direction.

When the drum rotation speed exceeds the reference speed (YES in S970), the control unit 340 may turn off the ultraviolet light source 204 of the sterilization device 200 (S980).

As the control unit 340 controls the driving motor 300, the rotational speed of the drum 15 in the second direction may gradually increase.

The controller 340 may turn off the ultraviolet light source 204 of the sterilization device 200 when the rotational speed of the drum 15 exceeds the reference speed.

Similar to the above, when the rotational speed of the drum 15 exceeds the reference speed, the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the drum 15 may be greater than the gravity. In this case, the laundry moved to the upper side of the drum 15 is lower May not fall. Accordingly, the ultraviolet light source 204 of the sterilizing device 200 located above the drum 15 may be covered by laundry, and in this case, the ultraviolet light may not be effectively irradiated into the drum 15.

Accordingly, when the controller 340 detects that the rotational speed of the drum 15 exceeds the reference speed, the wireless power transmission unit 220, the wireless power receiving unit 240, or the sterilizing device 200 to stop the emission of ultraviolet light. ) Can be controlled.

10 is a view for explaining an embodiment in which a sterilization device is disposed outside a drum of a laundry treatment machine.

2 and 10, a space may exist between the main body 10 (or a tub (not shown) for accommodating the drum 15) and the drum 15 of the laundry treatment device. As the use of the laundry treatment device continues, microorganisms or bacteria may be generated in the space due to humidity or the like. In particular, microorganisms or bacteria generated in the space may be transferred to the inner space of the drum 15, and laundry may be contaminated by microorganisms or bacteria transferred to the inside of the drum 15.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry treatment device may include an external sterilization device 1000 having at least one ultraviolet light source 1004a to 1004c disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the drum 15. Although only one external sterilization device 1000 is shown in FIG. 10 for convenience of description, according to an embodiment, the laundry treatment device may include a plurality of external sterilization devices.

For example, the external sterilization device 1000 may be implemented between the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface of the drum 15. In this case, the receiver 1006 included in the wireless power receiver of the external sterilization device 1000 may be disposed between the outer and inner peripheral surfaces of the drum 15. Meanwhile, at least one hole through which the ultraviolet light sources 1004a to 1004c are exposed may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the drum 15, and the ultraviolet light sources 1004a to 1004c are connected to the outside of the drum 15 through the hole. Ultraviolet light may be emitted into the space between the interior of the body 10.

Depending on the embodiment, the wireless power receiving unit of the external sterilizing device 1000 and the wireless power receiving unit 240 of the sterilizing device 200 may be integrally formed. That is, the wireless power receiving unit 240 is implemented between the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface of the drum 15 or in the lifter 16, and each of the sterilizing device 200 and the external sterilizing device 1000 is said to be through a wire or the like. It may be connected to the wireless power receiver 240.

Meanwhile, the wireless power receiving unit of the external sterilization device 1000 may include a power storage unit (battery or capacitor, etc.) to store power provided through the wireless power transmission unit 220. The external sterilization device 1000 emits ultraviolet light by providing the power stored in the power storage unit to the ultraviolet light sources 1004a to 1004c even if the external sterilization device 1000 is separated from the wireless power transmission unit 220 by a predetermined distance or more according to the rotation of the drum 15. can do. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively sterilize various spaces between the outside of the drum 15 and the inside of the main body 10.

That is, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the laundry treatment device has a sterilizing device 200 and a wireless power receiving unit 240 connected thereto in the lifter 16, and at a position corresponding to the wireless power receiving unit 240. A wireless power transmitter 220 may be disposed. Since the sterilization device 200 can operate by receiving power according to a wireless power transmission method, a configuration such as a cable or wire for supplying power between the inside and the outside of the drum 15 is unnecessary. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the difficulty of the process and save the number of parts when manufacturing the laundry treatment device.

In addition, the laundry treatment device is implemented to emit ultraviolet light when the ultraviolet light source 204 is positioned above the center of the drum 15 during rotation of the drum 15, thereby improving the sterilization efficiency of laundry. It is possible to minimize the concentration of ultraviolet light to a specific area of the laundry.

In addition, the laundry treatment apparatus includes an external sterilization device that emits ultraviolet light into a space between the outside of the drum 15 and the inside of the main body 10, so that even microorganisms and bacteria generated in the space can be effectively sterilized.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but to explain the technical idea, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (13)

A drum rotatably installed inside the body;
A drive motor providing rotational power to the drum;
A lifter mounted on the inner peripheral surface of the drum;
A sterilization device provided in the lifter and including at least one ultraviolet light source;
A first wireless power receiver electrically connected to the sterilization device and provided in the lifter or the drum;
A wireless power transmitter disposed between the main body and the drum corresponding to the first wireless power receiver; And
And a control unit for controlling the driving of the driving motor and power supply to the wireless power transmission unit,
The control unit senses the rotation speed of the drum during the drying process, and controls the wireless power transmitter to supply power to the first wireless power receiver when a sterilization condition is satisfied,
The sterilization conditions,
When the remaining drying time is less than the reference time; And
A laundry treatment device comprising a case where the monitored rotation speed is less than the reference speed. The method of claim 1,
The first wireless power receiver includes a receiving coil,
The wireless power transmitter,
A laundry treatment apparatus comprising a transmitting coil disposed opposite to the receiving coil. The method of claim 2,
The transmission coil is a laundry treatment device disposed above the drum in the body. The method of claim 3,
The control unit,
Calculate the position of the lifter based on the rotational state of the drum,
When the calculated position is within a reference distance from the wireless power transmission unit, the laundry treatment device for controlling the wireless power transmission unit to supply power to the first wireless power reception unit. The method of claim 3,
The control unit,
A laundry processing device configured to control the wireless power transmitter to calculate a proximity period between the receiving coil and the transmitting coil based on the rotational speed of the drum, and to supply power to the first wireless power receiver based on the calculated period. delete The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
A laundry treatment device configured to control the wireless power transmitter to stop supplying the power after a predetermined time elapses from the time when the wireless power transmitter is controlled to supply power to the first wireless power receiver. delete The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
Controlling the drive motor to rotate the drum in a first direction,
After a predetermined time has elapsed, the driving motor is controlled to rotate the drum in a second direction opposite to the first direction,
The sterilization conditions,
The laundry treatment apparatus further comprising a case where the rotation speed of the drum in the first direction is less than the reference speed. The method of claim 9,
The control unit,
When the rotational speed of the drum in the second direction is higher than the reference speed according to the control of the driving motor, the laundry treatment device controls the wireless power transmitter to stop supply of power to the first wireless power receiver. The method of claim 9,
The control unit,
Controlling the drive motor to stop the drum rotating in the first direction,
After the drum is stopped, the laundry treatment machine controls the drive motor to rotate the drum in the second direction. The method of claim 1,
Each of the at least one ultraviolet light source,
A laundry treatment device that emits ultraviolet light into the drum through at least one hole formed on one surface of the lifter. The method of claim 1,
An external sterilization device including at least one ultraviolet light source disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the drum; And
The laundry treatment apparatus further comprises a second wireless power receiving unit electrically connected to the external sterilizing device and disposed in correspondence with the wireless power transmitting unit.

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