U.S. patent application number 13/515769 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-04 for control method of laundry treatment apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Yang Hwan Kim, Hye Yong Park.
Application Number | 20120246839 13/515769 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44167503 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120246839 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Hye Yong ; et
al. |
October 4, 2012 |
CONTROL METHOD OF LAUNDRY TREATMENT APPARATUS
Abstract
A control method of a laundry treatment apparatus is disclosed.
A control method of a laundry treatment apparatus configured to
supply steam and/or heated air to an accommodating space
accommodating laundry therein, the control method includes a water
supplying/heating step supplying water to a water supplying device
configured to supply steam and heating the water, a re-supplying
step re-supplying water to the water supplying device, a steam
supplying step heating the water inside the water supplying device
and supplying steam to the accommodating space, with the laundry
kept still, a cooling step cooling the accommodating space, and a
drying step supplying heated air having a predetermined temperature
to the accommodating space.
Inventors: |
Park; Hye Yong;
(Changwon-si, KR) ; Kim; Yang Hwan; (Changwon-si,
KR) |
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
44167503 |
Appl. No.: |
13/515769 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
December 14, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR10/08945 |
371 Date: |
June 13, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
8/137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 58/10 20130101;
D06F 58/203 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
8/137 |
International
Class: |
D06F 33/00 20060101
D06F033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 15, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0124668 |
Claims
1. A control method of a laundry treatment apparatus configured to
supply steam and/or heated air to an accommodating space
accommodating laundry therein, the control method comprising: water
supplying/heating step supplying water to a water supplying device
configured to supply steam and heating the water; re-supplying step
re-supplying water to the water supplying device; steam supplying
step heating the water inside the water supplying device and
supplying steam to the accommodating space, with the laundry kept
still; a cooling step cooling the accommodating space; and a drying
step supplying heated air having a predetermined temperature to the
accommodating space.
2. The control method of claim 1, further comprising: a preheating
step supplying heated air having a predetermined temperature to the
accommodating space, the preheating step performed prior to the
re-supplying step.
3. The control method of claim 1, wherein the drying step applies a
predetermined motion to the laundry.
4. The control method of claim 1, wherein the water
supplying/heating step and the re-supplying step supplies the water
to a full-water level of the water supplying device.
5. The control method of claim 1, wherein the re-supplying step
includes a heating step heating the water inside the water
supplying device to a predetermined temperature.
6. The control method of claim 2, wherein the preheating step
supplies heated air to the accommodating space until the
temperature of the accommodating space reaches 35.degree. C. to
45.degree. C.
7. The control method of claim 2, wherein the preheating step
supplies heated air by a heat pump.
8. The control method of claim 1, wherein the drying step supplies
heated air having a predetermined temperature of 45.degree. C. to
60.degree. C.
9. A control method of a laundry treatment apparatus configured to
supply stem and/or heated air to an accommodating space having
laundry accommodated therein, the control method comprising: first
water supplying step supplying water to a water supplying device
configured to supplying steam into the accommodating space; first
steam supplying step heating water inside the water supplying
device and supplying steam into the accommodating space, with
laundry kept still; second water supplying step re-supplying water
to the water supplying device; second steam supplying step heating
the inside the water supplying device and supplying steam into the
accommodating space, with the laundry kept still; cooling step
cooling the accommodating space; and drying step supplying heated
air having a predetermined temperature to the accommodating
space.
10. The control method of claim 9, further comprising: first
preheating step supplying heated air having a predetermined
temperature to the accommodating space, the preheating step
performed after the first water supplying step; and second
preheating step supplying heated air having a predetermined
temperature to the accommodating space, the second preheating step
performed after the first steam supplying step.
11. The control method of claim 9, wherein a predetermined motion
is applied to the laundry in the drying step.
12. The control method of claim 10, wherein the first preheating
step supplies heated air to the accommodating space until the
temperature of the accommodating space reaches 30.degree. C. to
35.degree. C.
13-15. (canceled)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a control method configured
to supply moisture, mist and steam to clothes to perform
sanitization for clothes.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In recent, various kinds of laundry treatment apparatuses
are used together with washing machines used to wash laundry items
including clothes, cloth items, beddings and the like. For example,
there have been developed a variety of laundry treatment
apparatuses including drum type dryers capable of drying laundry
items having being washed, cabinet type dryers capable of drying
laundry items hung thereon, and refreshers capable of refreshing
laundry items by using hot air supplied to the laundry items.
[0003] However, such a cabinet type laundry treatment apparatus has
a variety of disadvantages.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0004] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a control
method of a laundry treatment apparatus.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a control
method of a laundry treatment apparatus, which can perform
sanitization by supplying of water, mist, steam and the like to
laundry.
Solution to Problem
[0006] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0007] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a control method of a laundry treatment
apparatus configured to supply steam and/or heated air to an
accommodating space accommodating laundry therein, the control
method includes a water supplying/heating step supplying water to a
water supplying device configured to supply steam and heating the
water; a re-supplying step re-supplying water to the water
supplying device; a steam supplying step heating the water inside
the water supplying device and supplying steam to the accommodating
space, with the laundry kept still; a cooling step cooling the
accommodating space; and a drying step supplying heated air having
a predetermined temperature to the accommodating space.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0008] According to the control method of the laundry treatment
apparatus of the present invention, water, mist, steam and the like
are supplied to laundry. As a result, sanitization for the laundry
may be performed.
[0009] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the disclosure.
[0011] In the drawings:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a door 14 provided in a
laundry treatment apparatus, in an open state;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a laundry treatment
apparatus according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a moving hanger
shown in FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an inner
configuration of a mechanism chamber;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a control method
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a control method
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a control method
according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a control method
according to a still further embodiment of the present
invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0021] Reference will now be made in detail to the specific
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0022] This specification embodies a refresher configured to
refresh clothes, with being capable of supplying heated air, as
laundry treatment apparatus and the present invention is not
limited thereto. A subject matter of the present invention may be
applicable to any devices having a heat pump which will be
described later. Here, `refresh` means a process of performing
wrinkle removal, deodorization, static electricity prevention and
laundry warming and the like by supplying air, heated air, water,
mist and steam to clothes, cloth items and the like (hereinafter,
referenced to as `laundry`). The term `laundry` includes clothes,
apparel, shoes, socks, gloves, hats and mufflers which are wearable
by people and dolls, towels and beddings which useable. That is,
`laundry` includes all kinds of objects of which washing may be
performed.
[0023] In reference to FIG. 1, a laundry treatment apparatus 100
includes a cabinet 10 having a predetermined accommodating space 12
formed therein to accommodate laundry, an air supplying device (22,
see FIG. 2) configured to supply air or heated air to the
accommodating space 12, a water supplying device (30, see FIG. 2)
configured to spray water, mist or steam to the accommodating space
12 selectively, and a control part (not shown) configured to
control the air supplying device 22 and the water supplying device
30.
[0024] A variety of components, which will be described later, are
provided in the cabinet 10 and the accommodating space 12 is formed
in the cabinet 10 to accommodate laundry therein. The accommodating
space 12 is selectively in communication with an outside by a door
14. Various supporters 16 may be provided in the accommodating
space 12 to hang clothes thereon. The supporters 16 are configured
to stand still or to maintain a fixed state to keep the clothes
motionless. Here, the supporters may be configured to apply
predetermined movement to the clothes when air, heated air, water,
mist or steam is supplied to the clothes, which will be described
later. In reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, this configuration will be
described as follows.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a laundry treatment
apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Compared with the above embodiment, the laundry treatment apparatus
according to this embodiment includes a moving hanger configured to
apply a predetermined motion to clothes hung thereon. As follows,
this difference will be described in detail.
[0026] In reference to FIG. 2, laundry is hung on a moving hanger
50 provided in the accommodating space 12 and the moving hanger 50
is configured to apply a predetermined motion to the laundry hung
thereon. If the predetermined motion is applied to the laundry
supplied air, heated air, water, mist or steam, the effect of
laundry refreshing may be enhanced.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the moving hanger
50 and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
moving hanger 50.
[0028] In reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the moving hanger 50 includes
a hanger bar 250 configured to support laundry hung on a hanger 200
and a supporting part 280 configured to support both ends of the
hanger bar 250. A plurality of hanger recesses 251 may be provided
in the banger bar 250 to fix the location of the hanger 200 hung on
the hanger bar 250. The supporting part 280 is connected to a
moving hanger frame 213 and the moving hanger frame 213 is provided
beyond a ceiling of the cabinet 10, not to be seen outside. Both
ends of the hanger bar 250 include supporting part ribs 254,
respectively, and the supporting rib 254 is covering the end of the
supporting part 280.
[0029] As a result, the clothes received in the laundry treatment
apparatus according to the present invention are hung on at least
one hanger. Because of that, not only an improved refreshing effect
but also improved drying efficiency for the clothes may be
expected, compared with the conventional laundry treatment
apparatus.
[0030] In the meanwhile, the moving hanger 50 includes a motor 230,
a power converting part 260 configured to convert a rotational
force provided by the motor 230 into a horizontally linear motion
of the hanger bar 250, and a power transmitting part 240 configured
to transmit the power generated from the motor 230 to the power
transmitting part 260.
[0031] The power transmitting part 240 includes a driving pulley
241 provided in the motor 230, a driven pulley 242 connected to the
driving pulley 241 by a belt 243, and a shaft 244 coupled to a
center of the driving pulley 242. The shaft 244 may be rotatably
provided in a bearing housing 270 provided in the moving hanger
frame 213.
[0032] The hanger bar 250 may further include a slot 252 which lies
at right angles to its longitudinal direction. Specifically, a slot
housing 253 is provided on the hanger bar 250 and the slot 252 is
located approximately in a center of the slot housing 252. The
power converting part 260 may include a slot inserting portion 263
inserted in the slot 252, a shaft connecting portion 261 connected
to the shaft 244 and a rotation arm 262 connecting the slot
inserting portion 263 and the shaft connecting portion 261 with
each other. The power converting part 260 is covered by a cover 214
not to be seen outside and the cover 214 is provided between the
moving hanger frame 213 and the slot housing 253.
[0033] Under this configuration, when the motor 230 is rotated, the
driving pulley 242 is rotated and the shaft 244 coupled to the
driving pulley 242 is rotated. At this time, the slot inserting
portion 263 will perform a circular motion, with a predetermined
diameter.
[0034] Here, the slot 252 provided in the hanger bar 250 may be
orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the hanger bar 250. By
extension, the length of the slot 252 is larger than a rotational
locus of the slot connecting portion 263. Because of that, the slot
252 may perform a linear motion along a horizontal direction even
when the slot inserting portion 263 performs a circular motion.
[0035] In the meanwhile, a mechanism chamber 20 configured to
accommodate the air supplying device 22 and the water supplying
device 30 may be provided in the cabinet 10. The mechanism chamber
20 may be located below the accommodating space 12 and it includes
the air supplying device 22 and the water supplying device 30
received therein. The reason why the mechanism chamber 20 is
located below the accommodating space 12 is that the heated air or
steam supplied to the accommodating space 12 has a property of
ascending and that the mechanism chamber 20 is located below the
accommodating space 12 to supply the heated air or steam
upwardly.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an
inner configuration of the mechanism chamber 20. To illustrate the
inner configuration of the mechanism chamber 20, only a frame 11 of
the cabinet 10 is shown in FIG. 5 for convenience sake. In
addition, only main components including the air supplying device
22 and the water supplying device 30 are illustrated in FIG. 5 for
convenience sake and a drainage line connecting those components
with each other is not illustrated.
[0037] In reference to FIG. 5, the air supplying device 22
configured to supply air or heated air to the accommodating space
12 may be located within the mechanism chamber 20.
[0038] A heat pump 22 embodied as the air supplying device
according to the present invention may include an evaporator 24, a
compressor 26, a condenser 28 and an expansion valve (not shown)
which allow refrigerant to flow there through. Because of that, air
is dehumidified and heated.
[0039] In other words, latent heat of ambient air is absorbed,
while refrigerant is evaporated in the evaporator 24. After that,
air is cooled and moisture contained in the air is condensed and
eliminated. When refrigerant is condensed in the condenser 28 after
passing the compressor 26, latent heat is exhausted toward ambient
air. After that, the ambient air may be heated. As a result, the
evaporator and the condenser 28 are functioned as heat exchanger.
The air sucked into the mechanism chamber 20 may be dehumidified
and heated while passing the evaporator 24 and the condenser 28, to
be supplied to the accommodating space 12.
[0040] The air heated by the heat pump 22 has a relatively lower
temperature than the air heated by a conventional electric heater.
However, the air heated by the heat pump 22 may be dehumidified
without using any auxiliary dehumidifying device. As a result, the
air re-supplied to the accommodating space 12 by the heat pump 22
may be corresponding to `relatively low dry air` (here, the term of
`low temperature` means not an absolutely low temperature but a
relatively lower temperature than the temperature of conventional
heated air). The laundry treatment apparatus according to the
embodiment of the present invention may supply low temperature dry
air to the laundry. Because of that, the laundry treatment
apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may
prevent deformity or damage which might be generated by the high
temperature of heated air used in performing refreshing or drying
for the laundry. That is, the air supplied by the heat pump 22 in
the laundry treatment apparatus according to the embodiment of the
present invention may have the lower temperature than the hot air
supplied in the conventional laundry treatment apparatus but it may
be dehumidified without any auxiliary dehumidifying device, to dry
and refresh the laundry efficiently and smoothly.
[0041] Specifically, an air inlet (21A, see FIG. 5) is formed in a
front portion of a top of the mechanism chamber 20 suck air of the
accommodating space 12 into the mechanism chamber 20. An air path
of the air may be formed by an inlet duct 29 configured to connect
the air inlet 21A, the evaporator 24, the condenser 28 and the fan
32 with each other. The air drawn into the mechanism chamber 20 via
the air inlet 21A by the inlet duct 29 may be dehumidified and
heated while passing the heat pump 22. The dehumidified and heated
air may be re-supplied to the accommodating space 12 via an outlet
duct 33 and an air outlet 21B by a fan 32.
[0042] Here, although not shown in the drawings, a filter may be
provided in the air inlet 21A. The filter provided in the air inlet
21A may filter various foreign substances contained in the air
drawn into the mechanism chamber 20 from the accommodating space 12
and only fresh air can be re-supplied to the accommodating space
12.
[0043] Furthermore, the water supplying device 30 may be provided
in the mechanism chamber 20 to supply water, mist or steam
(hereinafter, referenced to as `steam`) to the accommodating space
12 selectively.
[0044] The water supplying device 30 includes a heater (not shown)
configured to heat water and the water is heated to generate steam.
The water supplying device 30 supplies the generated steam to the
accommodating space 12. An external water tap may be used as water
supply source supplying water to the water supplying device 30 or a
water supplying tank (not shown) may be provided in a predetermined
portion of the mechanism chamber 20 as water supply source.
[0045] The water supplying tank may be provided in a door module 60
detachably installed in a predetermined portion of the mechanism
chamber 20. Because of that, a user may separate the water
supplying tank from the mechanism chamber 20 for water refill and
he or she may re-install the tank.
[0046] Also, the steam generated in the water supplying device 30
is supplied to the accommodating space 12 via a steam hose 36 and a
steam nozzle (40, see FIGS. 1 and 2). In this case, it is more
preferable, as the shorter the steam hose 36 is, to prevent the
temperature of the steam from being lowered or condensed while the
steam moving through the steam hose 36. When the mechanism chamber
20 is located below the accommodating space 12, the steam nozzle 40
may supply steam via a top of the mechanism chamber 20 which is a
bottom of the accommodating space 12.
[0047] A circulating fan (not shown) may be provided in a rear
portion of the mechanism chamber 20 and the circulating fan
supplies external air to the mechanism chamber 20. Because of that,
the internal air of the mechanism chamber 20 may be prevented from
increasing too much when the heat pump 22 and the water supplying
device 30 are put into operation.
[0048] As follows, a control method of the laundry treatment
apparatus having the configured described above will be described.
The control method which will be described as follows is a control
method performed when a course for sanitizing the laundry, namely,
a sanitizing course out of refreshing courses is selected.
[0049] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a control method
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0050] In reference to FIG. 6, a control method according to an
embodiment of the present invention includes supplying water to the
water supplying device and heating the water (S610), supplying
steam to laundry by heating and generating the water supplied to
the water supplying device, with the laundry kept still (S650),
cooling the accommodating space (S670), and supplying heated air to
the accommodating space to dry the laundry by using the heated air
(S690).
[0051] First of all, the control part supplies water to the water
supplying device 30 (S610). In this case, the control part supplies
the water up until a full-water level of the water supplying
device. For that, a water level sensor may be provided in the water
supplying device to detect a water level. The control part controls
the water to be supplied to the water supplying device until the
water level sensor detects that the water reaches the full-water
level.
[0052] Here, the control part may further include heating the water
until the temperature of the water reaches a predetermined
temperature in the water supplying step. This step is configured to
reduce the time required to heat the water to generate steam in a
steam generating step which will be described later. The water may
be heated at the moment when the water is supplied or in a
predetermined time after the water is supplied. A heater and the
like may be provided in the water supplying device to heat the
water.
[0053] Hence, the control part controls water to be re-supplied to
the water supplying device (S630). This is configured to supplement
water evaporated while heated in the water supplying step and the
heating step (S610). Especially, when supplying steam to sanitize
the laundry, the steam supplying time in the sanitizing course is
longer than the steam supplying time in other courses such as a
wrinkle removal course, a static electricity prevention course and
deodorizing course. This is because a sanitization effect which
uses steam has to be maximized. As the steam supplying time is
increased, water may be supplied up to the water-full level of the
water supplying device. Even when water is re-supplied to the
accommodating space, the water may be supplied up to the full-water
level of the water supplying device. The amount of the water which
might be evaporated during the water supplying/heating step (S610)
may be supplemented by the re-supply of the water. Because of that,
the water may not be supplemented during the steam supplying. Here,
the control part may further include a heating step configured to
heat the water inside the water supplying device up to a
predetermined temperature, which is performed in the re-supplying
step.
[0054] Hence, the control part controls the water inside the water
supplying device to be heated and controls steam to be supplied to
the accommodating space (S650). The control part controls the
heater provided in the water supplying device to heat the water, to
supply steam. When supplying steam to the accommodating space, the
control part controls the laundry kept still, that is, motionless.
This is because the laundry has to be kept motionless to enable the
steam to penetrate through the laundry smoothly and efficiently. As
a result, when the moving hanger 50 is provided, the control part
controls the moving hanger 50 to maintain an idle state, not
operated, while supplying steam to the accommodating space.
[0055] After supplying steam, the control part controls unheated
air to be supplied to the laundry for a predetermined time period
to perform laundry cooling (S670). Only the fan 32 is operated, not
the heat pump 22, and unheated air is supplied to the accommodating
space 12 to perform the cooling. Because of that, it is possible to
lower the internal temperature of the accommodated space 12 heated
by the steam supplied thereto and the temperature of the
laundry.
[0056] Hence, the control part controls air heated or dried by the
heat pump 22 to the accommodating space 12, to dry the laundry
(S690). When drying the laundry, the control part controls the heat
pump 22 to supply the heated air having a temperature of 45.degree.
C. to 60.degree. C., preferably, 50.degree. C. to 55.degree. C. The
laundry containing relatively much moisture because of the steam
supplying may be dried by the heated air supplied thereto, to be
pleasantly wearable.
[0057] The control part may further include a step of applying a
predetermined motion to the laundry in the drying step according to
the control method of this embodiment. In other words, the control
part may apply a predetermined motion to the laundry when supplying
the heated air to the accommodating space 12. Specifically, the
control part drives the moving hanger 50 to apply the predetermined
motion to the laundry. Especially, the control part drives the
moving hanger 50 to apply a horizontal motion to the laundry with a
preset RPM, for example, a horizontally linear motion, a
horizontally closed curve motion and a horizontally reciprocating
motion. The motion is applied to the laundry, simultaneously
together with supplying the heated air. Compared with the laundry
kept still without any motion, the laundry having the predetermined
motion applied thereto may contact with more heated air and drying
efficiency may be remarkably improved. The heated air supplying
time may be adjustable properly according to the kind of the
laundry, the kind of fabric, a property of fabric. The heated air
supplying time determined according to the kind of the laundry may
be stored in the control part in advance. The laundry moving time
may be continued or periodically repeated for the heated air
supplying time.
[0058] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a control method
according to another embodiment of the present invention. The
control method shown in FIG. 7 includes a step of preheating the
accommodating space after the water supplying/heating step (S710),
compared with the above control method according to the embodiment.
As follows, this difference will be described.
[0059] The control method according to this embodiment includes the
preheating step configured to supply heated air to the
accommodating space 12 to increase the temperature of the
accommodating space 12 (S711), after the water supplying/heating
step (S710). If the temperature of the accommodating space 12 is
too low when steam is supplied to the accommodating space 12, the
sanitizing effect using steam will deteriorate. Because of that,
the control part controls the temperature of the accommodating
space 12 to be increased up to a predetermined temperature, for
example, 34.degree. C. to 45.degree. C. In this case, the control
part drives the heat pump 22 to supply heated air to the
accommodating space and the temperature of the accommodating space
may be increased.
[0060] In the meanwhile, there may be the kinds of laundry items
which are difficult for steam to penetrate even if the steam is
supplied. For example, it is not easy to steam to penetrate a
laundry item such as a doll with much hair. When sanitizing such a
laundry item, it is necessary to increase the steam supplying time
or the number of times supplying steam and the sanitizing effect
may be maximized. However, the amount of water which can be
accommodated in the water supplying device may be limited according
to the volume of the water supplying device. Because of that, the
steam supplying time may not be increased more than a
predeterminedly limited value. As follows, the control method
having the number of times supplying steam according to the kind of
laundry items to be two or more will be described.
[0061] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a control method
according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
Compared with the above embodiment shown in FIG. 6, this embodiment
shown in FIG. 8 embodies that the number of steam supplying times
is configured to be two or more. As follows, this difference will
be described in detail.
[0062] In reference to FIG. 8, the control method according to this
embodiment includes a first water supplying step (S811) supplying
water to a water supplying device configured to supply steam, a
first steam supplying step (S812) heating the water inside the
water supplying device and supplying steam to laundry kept still, a
second water supplying step (S813) re-supplying water to the water
supplying device, a second steam supplying step (S814) heating the
water inside the water supplying device and supplying steam to the
laundry which is kept still, a cooling step (S815) cooling the
accommodating space and a drying step (S816) supplying heated air
with a predetermined temperature to the accommodating space.
[0063] Compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, this
embodiment embodies that the number of steam supplying times is
two. The first water supplying step (S811) of FIG. 8 may be
corresponding to the water supplying/heating step (S610) and the
second water supplying step (S813) is corresponding to the
re-supplying step (S630).
[0064] According to this embodiment, the control part supplies
water to the water supplying device (S811) and it heats the water
to supply steam (S812). After performing the second water supplying
(S813), the control part re-heats water and it re-supplies steam
(S814). As mentioned above, the steam is dividedly supplied two
times and this eventually increases the steam supplying time.
Because of that, it may be possible to maximize the sanitizing
effect for laundry items which is not easy for steam to penetrate.
It is identical to the above embodiment to keep the laundry still
motionlessly in each of the steam supplying steps.
[0065] Description of the other steps according to this embodiment
may be similar to the description according to the above embodiment
shown in FIG. 6 and detailed description will be omitted
accordingly.
[0066] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a control method
according to a still further embodiment. Compared with the above
embodiment according to FIG. 8, the control method according to
FIG. 9 includes a pre-heating step increasing the temperature of
the accommodating space, which is performed two times or more.
[0067] In reference to FIG. 9, a control method according to this
embodiment includes a first pre-heating step (S912) supplying
heated air with a predetermined temperature to the accommodating
space after the first water supplying step (S911) and a second
pre-heating step (S914) supplying heated air with a predetermined
temperature to the accommodating space after the first steam
supplying step (S913). The reason why the pre-heating step is
provided is that the sanitizing effect achieved by following first
steam supplying step (S913) and second steam supplying step (S916)
can be maximized.
[0068] The control part preheats the accommodating space to have a
lower temperature in the first preheating step (S912) than in the
second preheating step (S914). For example, the control part
preheats the accommodating space to have a temperature of
approximately 30.degree. C. to 35.degree. C. in the first
preheating step (S912) and it preheats the accommodating space to
have a predetermined temperature of approximately 35.degree. C. to
45.degree. C. in the second preheating step (S914). During the
preheating, the control part supplies heated air to the
accommodating space by using the heat pump. The other steps with
not detailed description shown in FIG. 9 are similar to
corresponding steps according to the above embodiments and the
descriptions thereof are omitted accordingly.
[0069] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0070] According to the control method having the above
configuration and steps enables the laundry to be sanitized by
using water, mist, steam and the like.
* * * * *