KR20100046352A - Laundry machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A washing apparatus is provided to enable a user to readily know the cycle operation time of a washing machine by forming a cycle indicating unit outside. CONSTITUTION: A washing apparatus(100) comprises a cabinet(110), a tub, a drum, an operation panel(160) and a cycle indicating unit(170). The cabinet forms the appearance of the washing apparatus. The operation panel and the cycle indicating unit are formed at the outer side of the cabinet. The cycle indicating unit indicates the lapse of the operation time of the washing apparatus with a certain volume. The cycle indicating unit is extended along the outer circumference of a door at the outer side of the cabinet.

Description

Washing machine {Laundry machine}

The present invention relates to a laundry machine, and more particularly, to a laundry machine to display the operating time and the completion time of the washing water in the form of volume that is easy for the user to recognize when the washing machine is operated.

In general, the washing machine is a product that removes various contaminants attached to clothes and bedding by using the emulsification of the detergent and friction action of the water flow due to the rotation of the pulsator or drum and impact on the laundry. Recently appeared automatic washing machine automatically proceeds a series of steps leading to a washing course, rinsing course, dehydration course, etc. without the user's operation in the middle.

Recently, the demand for a drum-type washing machine, which can reduce the overall height as compared to the pulsator washing machine that rotates with the washing tank standing, and hardly causes the laundry to be twisted and wrinkles on the laundry, is increasing. Is in.

These washing machines are automated with various administrations such as washing, rinsing, dehydration and drying according to various needs of users, and various functions are being developed and applied to actual products.

This briefly describes a washing apparatus according to the prior art.

According to the related art, a washing apparatus includes a key input unit for inputting various washing-related operation commands, a motor for rotating a drum, a display unit for displaying a function and an operation state of the washing apparatus, and a key input unit. And a control for controlling the motor, the display unit, etc. to perform the washing operation corresponding to the user's operation command.

Referring to the operation of the laundry machine according to the prior art configured as described above are as follows.

First, the user turns on the washing apparatus, inputs laundry into the washing tank, and then inputs a washing instruction through a key input unit.

Subsequently, the control unit recognizes the washing instruction and controls various components of the washing apparatus such as a motor according to the washing instruction to perform washing, and simultaneously displays various washing courses and the current washing progress by controlling the display unit.

On the other hand, the display unit as described above is provided with a variety of display devices for displaying the operation of the washing machine, for example, to display the stroke of the washing machine, the administrative display unit such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, and cold water of the wash water being supplied. And a cold / hot water display unit for distinguishing hot water, and a time display unit for displaying the remaining time (or progress time) of the current stroke.

The display parts are mostly displayed by a combination of a phrase and a single LED printed on the display part, and in the case of the time display part, a time is displayed by a combination of a plurality of 7-segment LEDs formed by a combination of a plurality of LEDs. Is displayed.

In addition, recently, in order to display various functions of the washing machine and to add aesthetic appearance, a single color or multicolor LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is used to display the washing machine function and administration.

Accordingly, the corresponding LED is turned on according to the operation of the washing machine, and the user can recognize the operation state of the washing machine and the passage of the operating time by visually recognizing the lit lamp.

As described above, the washing apparatus according to the related art is configured to allow a user to recognize the passage of the operating time of the washing apparatus by turning on a lamp corresponding to the operation of the washing apparatus.

However, in the conventional display unit, when the elapsed time (or remaining time) of the washing machine is displayed, the user may not easily recognize the 7-segment LED or the small LCD.

In other words, in order to recognize the operating time and the elapsed time of the washing machine, the user is inconvenient to recognize the time displayed on the 7-segment LED or the small LCD after approaching the washing machine.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing apparatus that allows the user to visually easily recognize the elapsed time of the washing apparatus.

Washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is a cabinet that forms the outer appearance of the washing machine, a tub provided in the interior of the wash water is stored, the drum provided inside the tub and It is preferable that the operation panel provided on the outside of the cabinet and provided on the outside of the cabinet and the administration display unit for displaying the passage of time according to the operation of the laundry machine in the form of a volume.

The cabinet is provided with a door for opening and closing the tub, the stroke display portion is preferably formed to extend along the outer circumferential surface of the door, the outer side of the cabinet.

The administration display unit may include a plurality of light emitting modules, a module controller for controlling the light emitting module, and a control unit for controlling the washing machine and simultaneously applying light emitting signals of the light emitting module to the module controller.

The administration display unit may include a mounting unit formed by being embedded in the cabinet, a plurality of light emitting modules installed in the mounting unit, and a light transmitting plate configured to close the mounting unit and to transmit light generated by the light emitting module. Do.

The cabinet is provided with a door for opening and closing the tub, the mounting portion is preferably formed by a part of the cabinet is embedded along the outer peripheral surface of the door.

The light emitting module preferably includes light emitting means for generating light and a PCB on which the light emitting means is mounted.

The light emitting means is preferably an LED for generating light in accordance with the application of a light emission signal.

The light emitting means is preferably an LE sheet for generating light in accordance with the application of a light emission signal.

Preferably, the light emitting means is an LE wire for generating light in response to the application of a light emission signal.

The floodlight plate is preferably formed of a diffusion plate for diffusing light emitted from the light emitting module.

The stroke display portion is provided in the form of a plurality of sectors, and preferably displays the stroke of the washing apparatus according to the sequential light emission of each sector.

The stroke display portion is provided in the form of a track divided into a plurality, it is preferable to display the stroke of the washing machine according to the sequential light emission of each track.

According to the washing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the user can visually easily recognize the elapsed time of the washing apparatus, thereby providing an effect to the user.

Hereinafter, a washing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In describing the present embodiment, the names and signs of the elements that are defined are defined in consideration of the functions in the present embodiment, it should not be understood as a meaning limiting the technical components of the present embodiment.

First, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be briefly described a washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a front view showing a washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention It is a block diagram which showed the administration display part in the washing machine.

1 to 2, the washing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided in the cabinet 110 and the cabinet 110 to form an appearance, the washing water is stored and the washing water is heated Tub 120 having a heater (not shown) and the drum 130 is provided in the axial direction inside the tub 120 is rotated by the drive unit 140 to perform the washing, rinsing, dehydration function, and A drying apparatus (not shown) for drying the laundry 1 by blowing hot dry air into the tub 120 and an operation panel provided outside the cabinet 110 to manipulate and display an operating state of the washing apparatus 100. 160 and a stroke display unit 170 provided outside the cabinet 110 to display the stroke operation time of the laundry machine 100 in the form of a volume.

The cabinet 110 forms an outer shape of the washing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, and various components to be described later are mounted on the inside and the outside. The front side of the cabinet 110, the door 112 for inserting the laundry 1 is provided rotatably, the operation panel 160 is provided on one side of the door 112.

The tub 120 is provided to accommodate the washing water inside the cabinet 110, and is formed in a shape of an enclosure opened to the door 112 to accommodate the laundry 1 introduced into the door 112.

In addition, although not shown in the drawings, a heater for drying the laundry 1 by injecting air heated in the wet state of the laundry (1) is in communication with the inside of the tub 120 to complete the washing on one side of the tub 120 (Not shown) and a drying device (not shown) including a blowing fan (not shown) is provided.

The drum 130 is rotatably provided inside the tub 120, and the laundry 1 introduced into the door 112 is inserted into the drum 130 and loaded therein. Inside the drum 130, when the drum 130 is rotated, a plurality of locking protrusions 132 are formed to lift and drop the laundry 1 loaded on the drum 130, and the locking protrusion 132 is formed. Washing and drying performance may be improved according to the flow of the laundry 1 by).

In addition, the rear of the tub 120 is mounted with a driving unit 140 for rotating the drum (130). The driving unit 140 is made of a motor or the like to rotate the drum 130 to wash, rinse, and dehydrate the laundry 1 loaded on the drum 130. The structure and type of such a driving unit 140 are well known to those skilled in the art, and various embodiments are possible, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

On the other hand, the tub 120 is elastically supported by the upper spring 122 and the lower damper 124. Accordingly, when the vibration generated when the drum 130 is rotated by the driving unit 140 is transmitted to the cabinet 110 through the tub 120, the drum 130 is buffered and attenuated by the spring 122 and the damper 124 and thus the drum 130. Reduction of vibration caused by the rotation of the cabinet 110 is reduced.

The operation panel 160 is for operating the operating state of the washing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, or to display the operating state of the washing apparatus 100. The operation panel 160 is provided at one front side of the washing apparatus 100 and includes an operation unit 162 for controlling the operation of the washing apparatus 100 and a display unit 168 for displaying an operating state of the washing apparatus 100. do.

The operation unit 162 and the display unit 168 of the operation panel 160 is connected to the control unit 150 (see FIG. 3) of the washing apparatus 100 to control the operation of the washing apparatus 100 or the washing apparatus 100. Display the operating status of

The operation unit 162 is provided with a plurality of buttons and rotary knobs. The operation unit 162 may set the washing course and time desired by the user by operating the washing time, the selection of the washing method, the rinsing and the dehydration method as an input means for operating the washing apparatus 100.

The display unit 168 displays information of the washing apparatus 100 and the operating state of the washing apparatus 100 set by the operation unit 162. The display unit 168 is composed of a plurality of LEDs and LCDs, and blinks of LEDs and letters or symbols on the LCD. Displays various washing information such as washing progress status and remaining time through the user.

The stroke display unit 170 is provided to extend toward the front side of the cabinet 110, and preferably to the outer circumferential side of the door 112 provided in the cabinet 110 so that the user can control the passage of time according to the operation of the washing apparatus 100. It is intended to be represented in form.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stroke display unit 170 includes a mounting unit 171 formed in the cabinet 110 along an outer circumferential surface of the door 112, and a plurality of installation units installed inside the mounting unit 171. The light emitting module 173 and the mounting unit 171 are provided to close the light emitting plate 172 to emit light emitted from the plurality of light emitting modules 173 is provided.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, the stroke display unit 170 includes a module controller 174 for controlling the plurality of light emitting modules 173, and the module controller 174 includes each component of the washing apparatus 100. It is controlled by the controller 150 for controlling.

The mounting part 171 is formed by immersing a part of the cabinet 110 along the outer circumferential surface of the door 112 provided in the cabinet 110. The mounting part 171 is provided to be positioned outside the door 112 even when the door 112 is closed in a form that extends from the shape of the door 112. In addition, the mounting portion 171 is formed corresponding to the shape of the door 112. In other words, when the door 112 is formed in a circular shape, the door 112 may extend from an outer circumferential surface of the door 112 in a circular ring shape. However, the shape of the mounting portion 171 is not limited.

The light emitting module 173 is inserted into and installed in the internal space of the mounting unit 171. The light emitting module 173 is provided in plurality according to the size and shape of the mounting portion 171. The light emitting module 173 may be configured by a combination of a plurality of LEDs and PCBs on which the LEDs are mounted, and various components mounted on the PCBs to control the LEDs. The progress time and the elapsed time of the stroke performed in the washing apparatus 100 by the sequential light emission of the light emitting module 173 are displayed.

In addition, the LEDs used in the light emitting module 173 may add visual aesthetics to the user by using LEDs of different colors. On the other hand, the light emitting module 173 may be implemented by a combination of light emitting means such as an EL (Electro Luminescent) sheet or LE wire other than the LED.

The floodlight plate 172 is coupled to the opening of the mounting portion 171 to close the mounting portion 171 and is provided to cover the plurality of light emitting modules 173 installed at the mounting portion 171. The transparent plate 172 is formed of a synthetic resin of transparent or translucent material. In addition, the light emitting module 173 is preferably formed of a diffusion material to diffuse the light emitted from the light emitting module 173 to add an aesthetic sense.

The administration display unit 170 implemented by the above-described configuration may be divided into tracks or sectors as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4B.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the stroke display unit 170 is divided into tracks, the stroke of the washing machine is displayed according to the sequential light emission of the tracks. In addition, when the stroke display unit 170 is divided into sectors as shown in FIG. 4B, the stroke of the washing apparatus 100 is displayed according to the sequential light emission of a plurality of sectors.

Hereinafter will be described the operation of the laundry machine according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above. Components and reference numbers described below should be understood with reference to the above description and drawings.

Here, the washing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is to visualize the elapsed time and the remaining time of each stroke (or the entire stroke) to the user as the washing, rinsing, dehydrating and drying strokes are performed. Detailed description of the washing, rinsing, dehydration and drying administration of the washing apparatus 100 will be omitted, and the operation of the administration display unit 170 will be described in detail.

First, as the washing apparatus 100 performs washing (or rinsing, dehydration, drying, etc.) operation by a user's operation, the controller 150 generates a light emitting signal of the light emitting module 173 according to the progress of each stroke. Is applied to (174). Accordingly, the module controller 174 sequentially emits the light emitting module 173 according to the light emitting signal of the controller 150.

Accordingly, as the light emitting module 173 is turned on in a sector (or track) form on the stroke display unit 170 formed in a volume form on the front side of the washing apparatus 100, the user emits light of the stroke display unit 170 at a near and far distance. By visually recognizing the state, it is possible to know the administrative progress of the washing apparatus 100 not as a numerical concept but as a visual concept.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, The present invention may be modified in various ways. Therefore, changes in the future embodiments of the present invention will not be able to escape the technology of the present invention.

For example, the washing apparatus according to the present invention may be implemented by adding and replacing components and processes having other additional functions. However, all other modified embodiments include the essential elements of the present invention should be considered to be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 is a front view showing a washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an administrative display in the laundry machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A to 4B are exemplary views showing an operating state of the administration display unit in the laundry machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (12)

Cabinet forming the appearance of the washing machine, A tub provided inside the cabinet and storing wash water; A drum provided inside the tub, An operation panel provided at an outside of the cabinet; Washing apparatus characterized in that provided on the outside of the cabinet for displaying the passage of time according to the operation of the washing machine in the form of a volume. The method of claim 1, The cabinet is provided with a door for opening and closing the tub, And the stroke display unit extends along an outer circumferential surface of the door and the outside of the cabinet. The method of claim 1, wherein the administrative display unit A plurality of light emitting modules, A module controller for controlling the light emitting module; And a control unit for controlling the washing apparatus and simultaneously applying a light emission signal of the light emitting module to the module controller. The method of claim 1, wherein the administrative display unit A mounting part formed by being embedded in the cabinet; A plurality of light emitting modules installed in the mounting unit; Closing the mounting portion, washing device characterized in that it comprises a floodlight plate is provided so that the light emitted from the light emitting module is transmitted. The method of claim 4, wherein The cabinet is provided with a door for opening and closing the tub, The mounting unit is a washing device, characterized in that formed in part of the cabinet along the outer peripheral surface of the door. The method of claim 4, wherein the light emitting module Light emitting means for generating light, Washing apparatus comprising a PCB on which the light emitting means is mounted. The method of claim 6, The light emitting device is a washing apparatus, characterized in that the LED for generating light in accordance with the application of the light emission signal. The method of claim 6, The light emitting unit is a washing apparatus, characterized in that the LE sheet for generating light in accordance with the application of the light emission signal. The method of claim 6, The light emitting unit is a laundry machine, characterized in that the LE wire for generating light in accordance with the application of the light emission signal. The method of claim 4, wherein the floodlight plate Washing apparatus characterized in that it is formed of a diffuser plate for diffusing the light emitted from the light emitting module. The method of claim 1, wherein the administrative display unit Washing apparatus is provided in the form of a plurality of sectors, characterized in that for displaying the stroke of the washing machine according to the sequential light emission of each sector. The method of claim 1, wherein the administrative display unit The laundry machine is provided in the form of a plurality of tracks, and displays the stroke of the washing machine according to the sequential light emission of each track.

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