AU2020217449B2 - Apparatus for controlling clothes treating apparatus, clothes treating apparatus and method for controlling clothes treating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for controlling a clothes treating apparatus, the clothes treating apparatus, and a method for controlling 5 the clothes treating apparatus configured to sterilize an evaporator by stopping an operation of a compressor under a specific condition to allow a surface temperature of the evaporator to be at or above a reference temperature due to thermal equilibrium caused by the stopping of the operation of the compressor. 89588219.3 FIG. 1 1000 1510 1410 1520 1430 1500 -- 1730 : 1600 1420 1021 C1050 1030 1020 1011 1 1060 1010 - i I 1220 1310 1220 12 1040 1100

Description

FIG. 1

1000 1510 1410 1520 1430 1500 -- 1730 : 1600

1420

1021 C1050

1030

1020

1011

1 1060 1010 - i I 1220

1310 12 1220 1040 1100

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING CLOTHES TREATING APPARATUS, CLOTHES TREATING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING CLOTHES TREATING APPARATUS TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Disclosed is about a clothes treating apparatus that performs a

drying function, a control apparatus and a control method for controlling the same.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A background technology of the embodiments disclosed in the

present specification relates to a clothes treating apparatus to dry clothes or

bedding.

[0003] The clothes treating apparatus performing the drying function

removes moisture from an object for drying by supplying hot air into a drum while

the object for drying such as clothes or bedding is accommodated in the drum.

The hot air supplied into the drum is generated by electric resistance heat,

combustion heat using gas fuel, or a condenser that configures a heat pump cycle,

and the generated hot air is supplied into the drum by a circulation fan. The air

that has dried the moisture from the object for drying then discharged from the

drum retains the moisture of the object for drying and becomes hot and humid.

Here, a type of the dryer is classified into a condensation type and an exhaust

type according to a method for treating the hot and humid air.

[0004] The condensation type dryer does not discharge hot and humid

air to outside, but condenses moisture contained in the hot and humid air through

heat exchange while circulating the air. On the other hand, the exhaust type dryer

1 89588219.3 directly discharges hot and humid air to the outside. The condensation type dryer and the exhaust type dryer have structural differences in that the condensation type dryer has a structure to treat condensate and the exhaust type dryer has a structure to exhaust air.

[0005] Meanwhile, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0127816

(published on November 25, 2013), which is a prior patent document, discloses

a condensation type dryer equipped with a heat pump system, but such a dryer

has a problem of contamination caused by condensate. Specifically, condensate

is generated in the evaporator as humidity of air that has dried the object while

passing through the drum decreases. And, since the condensate may have

contaminants or bacteria that has been contained in the drum and the object for

drying, it may contaminate configurations through which the condensate passes.

For example, bacteria may remain in at least one of an evaporator, a water

container, a cleaning portion, and a pump. As such, when the configuration of the

heat pump system is contaminated by bacteria or the like, odors caused by

bacteria may remain in the air circulating through a flow path, and these odors

stay in the object for drying, which may cause a problem of deterioration in drying

quality. In addition, large amount of condensate generated in the evaporator

creates an environment favorable for reproduction of bacteria, and contamination

of the evaporator by bacteria is inevitably accelerated.

[0006] As such, the heat pump system configuration of the dryer may be

contaminated by bacteria or contaminants generated in the heat exchange

process, and such a contaminated state can be resolved only when a user cleans

the configuration of the heat pump system. However, due to the structure of the

dryer, the heat pump system provided therein could not be easily cleaned, and

2 89588219.3 limitations such as an inconvenience are inevitably caused as a user him or herself needs to clean the heat pump system.

[0007] That is, in the related art dryer, contamination caused by bacteria

occurs during the heat pump cycle process, but a method for preventing or

eliminating contamination by bacteria has not been prepared, and as a result, the

performance, hygiene and drying quality of the dryer, and user's convenience and

satisfaction were not satisfied.

[0008] It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more disadvantages

or limitations associated with the prior art, provide an apparatus for controlling

clothes treating apparatus, a clothes treating apparatus, and/or a method for

controlling clothes treating apparatus, or to at least provide the public with a

useful alternative.

SUMMARY

[0009] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure may broadly

provide a control apparatus for controlling a clothes treating apparatus, the

clothes treating apparatus comprising a drum rotatably installed inside a main

body, the drum forming an air flow path fluidly connected to an air circulation

passage; a heat exchanger provided to the air circulation passage, the heat

exchanger comprising an evaporator and a condenser configured to exchange

heat with air circulating in the air circulation passage; and a compressor

configured to compress a refrigerant, the control apparatus comprising: a

driving unit configured to drive the compressor; and a controller configured to

control an operation of the compressor by controlling the driving unit, wherein

the controller determines whether an object is accommodated in the drum as a

3 89588219.3 sterilisation mode for sterilising the evaporator is input, performs operation according to the sterilisation mode when no object is accommodated in the drum, and does not perform operation according to the sterilisation mode when an object is accommodated in the drum, and wherein the sterilisation mode is further configured to control the operation of the compressor such that a surface temperature of the evaporator is at or above a preset reference temperature.

[0010] The controller may be further configured to control the operation

of the compressor such that the surface temperature in a no-load state is at or

above the reference temperature.

[0011] The controller may be further configured to control the operation

of the compressor such that the surface temperature of the evaporator is at or

above the reference temperature by driving the compressor, then stopping the

operation of the compressor at a predetermined specific time point.

[0012] The controller may be further configured to stop the operation of

the compressor when: a temperature of air circulating in the evaporator is

maintained at or above a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time

after driving the compressor, or a temperature of air circulating in the

evaporator changes within a predetermined range for a predetermined time

after driving the compressor.

[0013] The controller may be further configured to stop the operation of

the compressor when: a temperature of air circulating in the condenser is

maintained at or above a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time

after driving the compressor, or a temperature of air circulating in the condenser

changes within a predetermined range for a predetermined time after driving the

compressor.

4 89588219.3

[0014] The controller may be further configured to stop the operation of

the compressor when: an operating frequency of the compressor is

maintained at or below a predetermined frequency for a predetermined time

after driving the compressor, or an operating frequency of the compressor

changes within a predetermined range for a predetermined time after driving the

compressor.

[0015] The controller may be further configured to drive the compressor

after driving the drum, then stop the drum after stopping the compressor for a

predetermined stopping time.

[0016] According to another aspect, the present disclosure may broadly

provide a clothes treating apparatus, comprising: a drum rotatably installed

inside a main body; an air circulation passage fluidly connected to the drum; a

heat exchanger provided to the air circulation passage, the heat exchanger

comprising an evaporator and a condenser configured to exchange heat with air

circulating in the air circulation passage; and a compressor configured to

compress a refrigerant that is circulated through the heat exchanger and

exchanges heat with air circulating in the air circulation passage; an input

element for applying a control input corresponding to an operation mode of the

clothes treating apparatus; and a control apparatus configured to control an

operation of the drum or an operation of the compressor, or both, by performing

an operation according to the operation mode in response to the control input;

wherein when a control input for a sterilisation mode to control a surface

temperature of the evaporator is applied, the control apparatus is configured to

drive the compressor, then stop the compressor when a temperature change of

the evaporator or an operating state of the compressor, or both, meets a

5 89588219.3 predetermined reference condition so that the surface temperature of the evaporator is at or above a predetermined reference temperature, wherein the sterilisation mode is performed when no object is accommodated in the drum, and wherein the control apparatus is further configured to block an operation corresponding to the sterilisation mode when an object for drying is accommodated in the drum.

[0017] The specific mode may be performed when no object is

accommodated in the drum.

[0018] The control apparatus may be further configured to block an

operation corresponding to the specific mode when an object for drying is

accommodated in the drum.

[0019] The clothes treating may further comprise: a circulation fan

operatable by the control apparatus to generate a flow of air to flow through the

condenser then into the drum, wherein the control apparatus is further

configured to operate the circulation fan while stopping the operation of the

compressor.

[0020] The clothes treating apparatus may further comprise: a pump

portion configured to drain condensate collected in a water tank installed in a

lower side of the heat exchanger to an outside of the water tank, wherein the

control apparatus is further configured to control an operation of the pump

portion to drain the condensate before driving the compressor and after

stopping the operation of the compressor.

[0021] According to another aspect, the present disclosure may broadly

provide a method for controlling a clothes treating apparatus comprising a heat

exchanger provided to an air circulation passage fluidly connected to a drum,

6 89588219.3 the heat exchanger comprising an evaporator and a condenser configured to exchange heat with air circulating in the air circulation passage, a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; and, a circulation fan configured to generate a flow of air to flow through the condenser then into the drum, the method comprising: receiving input of controlling a sterilisation mode, and determining whether an object is accommodated in the drum, where the sterilisation mode comprises driving the compressor and the circulation fan; stopping operation of the compressor when a temperature change of the evaporator or an operating state of the compressor, or both, meet a predetermined reference condition, and maintaining the stoppage of the operation of the compressor for a predetermined reference time, and wherein the sterilisation mode is performed when no object is accommodated in the drum.

[0022] The step of maintaining the stopping of the compressor may

further comprise changing a rotating speed of the circulation fan after stopping

the operation of the compressor.

[0023] The method for controlling the clothes treating apparatus may

further comprise: restarting driving of the compressor; repeating the step of

stopping operation of the compressor when a temperature change of the

evaporator or an operating state of the compressor, or both, meet a

predetermined reference condition; and repeating the step of maintaining the

stoppage of the operation of the compressor for a predetermined reference

time.

[0024] The present disclosure may provide an apparatus for controlling

a clothes treating apparatus, the clothes treating apparatus, and a control method

7 89588219.3 of the clothes treating apparatus that can overcome the limitations in the related art as described above.

[0025] Specifically, the present disclosure may provide embodiments of

an apparatus for controlling a clothes treating apparatus, the clothes treating

apparatus, and a control method of the clothes treating apparatus capable of

sterilizing an evaporator by an operation of the clothes treating apparatus itself

and preventing contamination of the evaporator.

[0026] That is, the embodiments of the present disclosure may

automatically sterilize the evaporator without a separate means or artificial

process for sterilization.

[0027] In addition, the present disclosure may provide embodiments of

an apparatus for controlling a clothes treating apparatus, the clothes treating

apparatus, and a method for controlling the clothes treating apparatus capable of

effectively sterilizing the evaporator.

[0028] An apparatus for controlling a clothes treating apparatus, the

clothes treating apparatus, and a method for controlling the clothes treating

apparatus according to the present disclosure may have solutions for the above

problems by controlling an operation of a compressor to allow a surface

temperature of an evaporator to stay at or above a reference temperature in

which a sterilization is performed.

[0029] Specifically, by using a principle of thermal equilibrium in a heat

exchanger depending on whether or not the compressor is driven, the operation

of the compressor is stopped at a specific condition so that the surface

temperature of the evaporator is at or above the reference temperature, and the

evaporator is sterilized at or above the reference temperature.

8 89588219.3

[0030] That is, embodiments of the apparatus for controlling the clothes

treating apparatus, the clothes treating apparatus, and the control method of the

clothes treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may solve the

above problems by technical features to sterilize the evaporator at or above a

reference temperature by stopping the operation of the compressor under a

specific condition to allow the surface temperature of the evaporator to be at or

above a reference temperature due to thermal equilibrium caused by the stopping

of the operation of the compressor.

[0031] The technical features described above may be implemented by

being applied to the apparatus for controlling the clothes treating apparatus, a

micro controller of the clothes treating apparatus, the clothes treating apparatus,

a control method of the clothes treating apparatus, a control method of the control

apparatus of the clothes treating apparatus, a control method for sterilizing the

clothes treating apparatus, or a sterilizing operation method of the clothe treating

apparatus. And the present disclosure provides embodiments of the apparatus

for controlling the clothes treating apparatus, the clothes treating apparatus, and

the control method of the clothes treating apparatus having the above technical

features as a solution.

[0032] An embodiment of the apparatus for controlling clothes treating

apparatus having the technical features as a solution is a control apparatus for

controlling the clothes treating apparatus including a drum rotatably installed

inside a main body that defines an exterior, and into and from which an air to dry

an object flows in and out, a heat exchanger provided at an air circulation

passage connected to the drum and including an evaporator and a condenser

that exchange heat with air circulating in the air circulation passage, and a

9 89588219.3 compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, the control apparatus includes a driving unit configured to drive the compressor and a controller (control unit) configured to control an operation of the compressor, wherein the controller controls the operation of the compressor so that a surface temperature of the evaporator is to be at or above a predetermined reference temperature.

[0033] In addition, another embodiment of the apparatus for controlling

clothes treating apparatus having the technical features as a solution is a control

apparatus for controlling the clothes treating apparatus including a drum rotatably

installed inside a main body that defines an exterior, and into and from which an

air to dry an object flows in and out, a heat exchanger provided at an air circulation

passage connected to the drum and including an evaporator and a condenser

that exchange heat with air circulating in the air circulation passage, and a

compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, the control apparatus includes

a detecting unit configured to detect a temperature of the heat exchanger and a

controller configured to control an operation of the compressor so that the

refrigerant is compressed and circulated according to the detection result of the

detecting unit, wherein the controller controls the operation of the compressor

when the sterilizing operation is performed on the evaporator so that the

evaporator is sterilized at or above the reference temperature.

[0034] In addition, an embodiment of the clothes treating apparatus

having the technical features as a solution includes a drum rotatably installed

inside a main body of the clothes treating apparatus, a heat exchanger provided

at an air circulation passage connected to the drum and including an evaporator

and a condenser that exchange heat with air circulating in the air circulation

passage, a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant that is circulated

10 89588219.3 through the heat exchanger and exchanges heat with air circulating in the air circulation passage, input elements in which a control input for an operation mode of the clothes treating apparatus is applied, and a control apparatus configured to control an operation of the drum or an operation of the compressor, or both, so that an operation according to the operation mode is performed in response to the control input, wherein the control apparatus is configured such that, when a control input on a specific mode for controlling a surface temperature of the evaporator is applied, the control apparatus drives the compressor, then stops the operation of the compressor when at least one of a temperature change of the evaporator and an operating state of the compressor corresponds to a predetermined reference condition to allow the surface temperature to be at or above a predetermined reference temperature.

[0035] In addition, another embodiment of the clothes treating apparatus

having the technical features as a solution includes a drum rotatably installed

inside a main body of the clothes treating apparatus, a heat exchanger provided

at an air circulation passage connected to the drum and including an evaporator

and a condenser that exchange heat with air circulating in the air circulation

passage, a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant that is circulated

through the heat exchanger and exchanges heat with air circulating in the air

circulation passage, input elements in which a control input for an operation mode

of the clothes treating apparatus is applied, and a control apparatus configured

to control an operation of the drum or an operation of the compressor, or both, so

that an operation according to the operation mode is performed in response to

the control input, wherein the control apparatus is configured such that, when a

control input for a sterilization mode for sterilizing the evaporator is applied, the

11 89588219.3 control apparatus drives the compressor until at least one of the temperature change of the evaporator and the operating state of the compressor corresponds to a predetermined reference condition, then stops the operation of the compressor to allow the surface temperature to be at or above a reference temperature, so that the evaporator is sterilized at or above the reference temperature.

[0036] In addition, an embodiment of a method for controlling the clothes

treating apparatus having the technical features as a solution including a heat

exchanger provided at an air circulation passage connected to a drum and

including an evaporator and a condenser that exchange heat with air circulating

in the air circulation passage, and a circulation fan configured to generate a flow

of air flowing through the condenser then flowing into the drum, the method

includes driving the compressor and the circulation fan, stopping the operation of

the compressor when a temperature change of the evaporator or an operating

state of the compressor, or both, meet a predetermined reference condition, and

maintaining the stopping the operation of the compressor for a predetermined

reference time.

[0037] In addition, another embodiment of the method for controlling the

clothes treating apparatus having the technical features as a solution including a

drum rotatably installed inside a main body that defines an exterior, a heat

exchanger provided at an air circulation passage connected to the drum and

including an evaporator and a condenser that exchange heat with air circulating

in the air circulation passage, a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant

that is circulated through the heat exchanger and exchanges heat with air

circulating in the air circulation passage, a circulation fan configured to generate

12 89588219.3 a flow of air flowing through the condenser then flowing into the drum, a cleaning portion configured to spray cleaning water to clean a surface of the evaporator toward the surface of the evaporator, and a valve portion having a plurality of cleaning water ports to form a part of a path through which the cleaning water flows, the method includes entering a control input for performing a sterilization mode to sterilize the evaporator, driving the drum, spraying the cleaning water on the evaporator according to a predetermined reference for spraying by controlling the valve portion, driving the compressor and the circulation fan, maintaining the operation of the compressor until at least one of a temperature change of the evaporator and an operating state of the compressor corresponds to a predetermined reference condition, stopping the operation of the compressor when at least one of the temperature change of the evaporator and the operating state of the compressor corresponds to the reference condition, and maintaining the stoppage of the operation of compressor for a predetermined reference time.

[0038] In the apparatus for controlling the clothes treating apparatus, the

clothes treating apparatus, and the method for controlling the clothes treating

apparatus according to the embodiments, sterilization of the evaporator can be

effectively performed by controlling the surface temperature of the evaporator to

be at or above a reference temperature in which sterilization is performed.

[0039] In addition, in the apparatus for controlling the clothes treating

apparatus, the clothes treating apparatus, and the method for controlling the

clothes treating apparatus according to the embodiments, the evaporator can be

sterilized in a simple manner without a separate configuration/means for a

sterilizing operation by controlling the operation of the compressor to allow the

surface temperature of the evaporator to be at or above the reference

13 89588219.3 temperature in which sterilization is performed.

[0040] In addition, the evaporator can be automatically sterilized without

artificial cleaning.

[0041] Accordingly, contamination of the evaporator can be easily and

conveniently prevented, and contamination of an object for drying and

deterioration of the performance of the clothes treating apparatus due to

contamination of the evaporator can also be prevented.

[0042] As a result, the embodiments of the apparatus for controlling the

clothes treating apparatus, the clothes treating apparatus, and the method for

controlling the clothes treating apparatus of the present disclosure can overcome

the limitations in the related art, and also enhance convenience, hygiene,

reliability and utility of the clothes treating apparatus.

[0043] The term "comprising" as used in the specification and claims

means "consisting at least in part of." When interpreting each statement in this

specification that includes the term "comprising," features other than that or those

prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms "comprise" and

comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

[0044] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or

information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should

not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion

that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms

part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this

specification relates

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

14 89588219.3

[0045] FIG. 1 is an exemplary view illustrating an example of a structure

of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a side view of a drum and an air circulation passage in a

clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base and components mounted

to the base in a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an internal configuration of

a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0049] FIG. 5A is a block diagram 1 illustrating an example of a control

configuration of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0050] FIG. 5B is a circuit diagram 1 illustrating control circuits of a

clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0051] FIG. 6A is a block diagram 2 illustrating an example of a control

configuration of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0052] FIG. 6B is a circuit diagram 2 illustrating control circuits of a

clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0053] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration according to

an embodiment of an apparatus for controlling a clothes treating apparatus.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a conceptual view illustrating a concept of a heat pump

cycle according to an embodiment.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a conceptual view explaining a cause of contamination

of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0056] FIG. 10 is an exemplary view illustrating examples of reference

conditions according to an embodiment.

[0057] FIG. 11A is an exemplary view 1 explaining a principle of high

15 89588219.3 temperature sterilization related to an embodiment.

[0058] FIG. 11B is an exemplary view 2 explaining a principle of high

temperature sterilization related to an embodiment.

[0059] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing a

sterilizing operation according to an embodiment.

[0060] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration according to

an embodiment of a clothes treating apparatus.

[0061] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence according to an

embodiment of a method for controlling a clothes treating apparatus.

[0062] FIG. 15 is an exemplary view illustrating an implementation result

according to a detailed embodiment of a method for controlling a clothes treating

apparatus.

[0063] FIG. 16A is an enlarged view of section A in the graph in FIG. 15.

[0064] FIG. 16B is an enlarged view of section B in the graph in FIG. 15.

[0065] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence according to a

detailed embodiment of a method for controlling a clothes treating apparatus.

[0066] FIG. 18A is an exemplary view illustrating an example of a first

operation mode according to a detailed application example of an evaporator

sterilization method according to an embodiment.

[0067] FIG. 18B is a conceptual view illustrating cleaning and sterilization

ranges of the first operation mode as illustrated in FIG. 18A.

[0068] FIG. 19A is an exemplary view illustrating an example of a second

operation mode for explaining a detailed application example of an evaporator

sterilization method related to an embodiment.

[0069] FIG. 19B is a conceptual view illustrating cleaning and sterilization

16 89588219.3 ranges of the second operation mode as illustrated in FIG. 19A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] Hereinafter, description will be given in detail of embodiments

disclosed herein. Technical terms used in this specification are merely used for

explaining specific embodiments, and should not be constructed to limit the scope

of the technology disclosed herein.

[0071] In addition, technical terms used in this specification should be

interpreted as meanings generally understood by those skilled in the art in the

field to which the technology disclosed in this specification belongs, unless

otherwise defined in the specification, and it should not be interpreted as a

comprehensive meaning or an excessively reduced meaning.

[0072] Hereinafter, in order to help the understanding of the

embodiments of this specification, firstly, the basic configuration of clothes

treating apparatus related to the embodiments will be described, then particular

embodiments of the apparatus for controlling clothes treating apparatus, the

clothes treating apparatus, and the method for controlling clothes treating

apparatus will be described.

[0073] Firstly, a basic configuration of a clothes treating apparatus to

which an embodiment of this specification is applied will be described.

[0074] Hereinafter, a clothes treating apparatus according to an

embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying

drawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to the drawings, the

same or equivalent components will be provided with the same reference

numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated. A singular representation

17 89588219.3 may include a plural representation unless it represents a definitely different meaning from the context.

[0075] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being

"connected with" another element, the element can be connected with the another

element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an

element is referred to as being "directly connected with" another element, there

are no intervening elements present.

[0076] FIG. 1 is a conceptual view of a clothes treating apparatus 1000

according to an embodiment.

[0077] A cabinet 1010 defines an appearance of the clothes treating

apparatus 1000. A plurality of metal plates constituting a front surface portion, a

rear surface portion, left and right side surface portions, an upper surface portion,

and a lower surface portion of the clothes treating apparatus 1000 are combined

with each other to form the cabinet 1010. A front opening 1011 is formed at a

front surface portion of the cabinet 1010 so that an object for treating can be

introduced into a drum 1030.

[0078] A door 1020 is configured to open and close the front opening

1011. The door 1020 may be rotatably connected tothe cabinet 1010 by a hinge

1021. The door 1020 may be made of a partially transparent material. Therefore,

even when the door 1020 is closed, inside of the drum 1030 may be visually

exposed through the transparent material.

[0079] The drum 1030 is rotatably installed inside the cabinet 1010. The

drum 1030 is defined in a cylindrical shape to accommodate objects for treating.

The drum 1030 is placed to face front and rear directions of the clothes treating

apparatus 1000 so as to receive objects for treating through the front opening

18 89588219.3

1011. An unevenness may be formed along a circumference on an outer

circumferential surface of the drum 1030.

[0080] The drum 1030 has openings opened toward front and rear sides

of the clothes treating apparatus 1000. Objects for treating may be introduced

into the drum 1030 through the front opening. Hot and dry air may be introduced

into the drum 1030 through a rear opening.

[0081] The drum 1030 is rotatably supported by a front supporter 1040,

a rear supporter 1050, and a roller 1060. The front supporter 1040 is disposed

below a front side of the drum 1030, and the rear supporter 1050 is disposed at

a rear side of the drum 1030.

[0082] The front supporter 1040 and the rear supporter 1050 may be

connected to the cabinet 1010 by fastening of a connection member 1013 or the

like. For example, the cabinet 1010 may include a pillar 1012 extending vertically

at a position adjacent to both corners of the front supporter 1040. One part of the

connection member 1013 may be disposed to face the front supporter 1040, and

another part of the connection member 1013 may be bent several times from the

one part to surround the pillar 1012. When screws are fastened through the

connection member 1013 and the front supporter 1040, the connection member

1013 and the front supporter 1040 are connected. Similarly, when the screws are

fastened through the connection member 1013 and the pillar 1012, the

connection member 1013 and the pillar 1012 are connected. In addition to screws,

a variety of connection mechanisms may be applied.

[0083] The roller 1060 may be installed at the front supporter 1040 and

the rear supporter 1050, respectively. The roller 1060 is disposed right below the

drum 1030 and is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drum

19 89588219.3

1030. The roller 1060 is configured to be rotatable, and an elastic member such

as rubber is coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the roller 1060. The

roller 1060 rotates in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the drum 1030.

[0084] Heat pump cycle devices 1100 may be installed under the drum

1030. Here, the under the drum 1030 means a lower portion in a space between

the outer circumferential surface of the drum 1030 and an inner circumferential

surface of the cabinet 1010. The heat pump cycle devices 1100 refer to devices

that configure a cycle to sequentially evaporate, compress, condense, and

expand refrigerant. When the heat pump cycle devices 1100 are operated, air

becomes hot and dry while sequentially exchanging heat with an evaporator 1111

and acondenser1112.

[0085] An inlet duct 1210 and an outlet duct 1220 have a flow path

configured to circulate the hot and dry air generated by the heat pump cycle

devices 1100 to the drum 1030. The inlet duct 1210 is disposed at the rear side

of the drum 1030, and the air that became hot and dry by the heat pump cycle

devices 1100 is supplied to the drum 1030 through the inlet duct 1210. The outlet

duct 1220 is disposed at a lower front side of the drum 1030, and air that has

dried the object for treating is recovered again through the outlet duct 1220.

[0086] A filter 1070 is disposed between the front supporter 1040 and the

outlet duct 1220. An upper portion of the filter 1070 is mounted on a filter mounting

portion (not shown) provided on the front supporter 1040, and a lower portion of

the filter 1070 is inserted into the outlet duct 1220. Dust or lint generated while

the hot and dry air dries the object for treating is filtered by the filter 1070.

[0087] A connecting duct 1230 and a circulation fan cover 1330 are

disposed between the inlet duct 1210 and the outlet duct 1220.

20 89588219.3

[0088] An inlet of the connecting duct 1230 is connected to the outlet duct

1220. The connecting duct 1230 is configured to surround the evaporator 1111

and the condenser 1112 corresponding to the heat exchanger 1110 among the

heat pump cycle devices 1100. An outlet of the connecting duct 1230 is

connected to the circulation fan cover 1330.

[0089] An inlet of the circulation fan cover 1330 is connected to the outlet

of the connecting duct 1230. The circulation fan cover 1330 is configured to

accommodate the circulation fan therein. An outlet of the circulation fan cover

1330 is connected to the inlet duct 1210.

[0090] A base 1310 is installed at a lower side of the drum 1030 and the

heat pump cycle devices 1100. The base 1310 means a molded body that

supports various components of the clothes treating apparatus 1000 including the

heat pump cycle devices 1100 from the lower side.

[0091] A base cover 1320 is installed between the base 1310 and the

drum 1030. The base cover 1320 is configured to cover the heat pump cycle

devices 1100 mounted on the base 1310. When a side wall of the base 1310 and

the base cover 1320 are combined, an air circulation passage is formed. Some

of the heat pump cycle devices 1100 are installed in the air circulation passage.

[0092] A water container 1410 is disposed on an upper left side or an

upper right side of the drum 1030. Here, the upper left side or the upper right side

of the drum 1030 means an upper left portion or an upper right portion in the

space between the outer circumferential surface of the drum 1030 and the inner

circumferential surface of the cabinet 1010. In FIG. 1, the water container 1410

is disposed on the upper left side of the drum 1030. In the water container 1410,

condensate is collected.

21 89588219.3

[0093] When air that has dried objects for treating is recovered through

the outlet duct 1220 to exchange heat with the evaporator 1111, condensate is

generated. More specifically, when the temperature of the air decreases due to

heat exchange in the evaporator 1111, a saturation amount of water vapor that

the air can contain decreases. Since the air recovered through the outlet duct

1220 contains moisture exceeding the saturation amount of water vapor,

condensate is inevitably generated.

[0094] A water pump 1440 (see, FIG. 3) is installed inside the clothes

treating apparatus 1000. The water pump 1440 pumps up the condensate up to

the water container 1410. The condensate is collected in the water container

1410.

[0095] A water container cover 1420 may be disposed at one corner of

the front surface portion of the clothes treating apparatus 1000 to correspond to

a position of the water container 1410. The water container cover 1420 is formed

to be gripped by hand, and is placed on a front surface of the clothes treating

apparatus 1000. When pulling the water container cover 1420 to empty the

condensate collected in the water container 1410, the water container 1410 is

withdrawn from a water container support frame 1430 together with the water

container cover 1420.

[0096] The water container support frame 1430 is configured to support

the water container 1410 inside the cabinet 1010. The water container support

frame 1430 extends along a direction of insertion or withdrawal of the water

container 1410 to guide the insertion or withdrawal of the water container 1410.

[0097] An input/output panel 1500 may be disposed next to the water

container cover 1420. The input/output panel 1500 may include an input unit 1510

22 89588219.3 to receive a selection of a clothes treating course from a user, and an output unit

1520 visually displaying an operating state of the clothes treating apparatus 1000.

The input unit 1510 may be configured as a jog dial, but is not limited thereto.

The output unit 1520 may be configured to visually display the operating state of

the clothes treating apparatus 1000, and the clothes treating apparatus 1000 may

have a separate configuration for audible display in addition to the visual display.

[0098] The controller 1600 is configured to control an operation of the

clothes treating apparatus 1000 based on a user input applied through the input

unit 1510. The controller 1600 may include a printed circuit board and elements

mounted on the printed circuit board. When a user selects a clothes treating

course through the input unit 1510 and inputs a control command such as

operating of the clothes treating apparatus 1000, the controller 1600 controls the

operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1000 according to a preset algorithm.

[0099] The printed circuit board constituting the controller 1600 and the

elements mounted on the printed circuit board may be disposed on the upper left

side or the upper right side of the drum 1030. In FIG. 1, the printed circuit board

is disposed on the upper right side of the drum 1030, which is an opposite side

of the water container 1410. Considering that condensate is collected in the water

container 1410, that air containing moisture is flowing through the heat pump

cycle devices 1100 and ducts 1210, 1220, and 1230, and that electrical products

such as printed circuit boards and elements are vulnerable to water, it is

preferable that the printed circuit board and elements are separated as far as

possible from the water container 1410 or the heat pump cycle devices 1100.

[0100] An interior space of the cabinet 1010 may be divided into a first

space I and a second space II based on the drum 1030. The first space I is a

23 89588219.3 cylindrical space enclosed by the drum 1030, and is a space accommodating objects for treating such as clothes. The second space II is an annular space between the cabinet 1010 and the drum 1030, and is a space in which electrical components and mechanism structures of the clothes treating apparatus 1000 are installed. The space between the cabinet 1010 and the drum 1030 means the second space II.

[0101] When the cylindrical drum 1030 is installed inside the cabinet

1010 having a hexahedral shape as a whole, areas in which electrical

components, mechanism structures, etc. can be installed between the cabinet

1010 and the drum 1030 can be said to be four corners at outersides of the drum

1030 when the clothes treating apparatus 1000 is viewed from the front.

[0102] The evaporator 1111 corresponding to the heat exchanger 1110,

the condenser 1112, and the connecting duct 1230 enclosing the heat exchanger

1110 are eccentrically installed at one side under the drum 1030 to occupy one

of the four corners. A compressor 1120, a drum motor 1800, a blower 1820, etc.

are eccentrically installed at another side under the drum 1030 to occupy another

one of the four corners. The printed circuit board constituting the controller 1600

is eccentrically installed at one side above the drum 1030 to occupy still another

one of the four corners. The water container 1410 is eccentrically installed at

another side above the drum 1030 to occupy last one of the four corners.

[0103] According to this arrangement, the blower 1820, the connecting

duct 1230, the printed circuit board constituting the controller 1600, and the water

container 1410 do not overlap each other in forward and backward direction of

the clothes treating apparatus 1000. In addition, by such an arrangement,

conditions are provided to maximize a size of the drum 1030 inside the cabinet

24 89588219.3

1010 with limited space by efficiently utilizing an inner space of the clothes

treating apparatus 1000.

[0104] In particular, the embodiments of the present specification relate

to the clothes treating apparatus 1000 having a drum of a larger size than the

related art drum. For example, a cross-sectional area of the drum 1030, which

can be calculated in an area of a circle, may be 330,000 mm' to 360,000 mm'.

[0105] Hereinafter, the drum 1030 and the air circulation passage will be

described.

[0106] FIG. 2 is a side view of the drum 1030 and the air circulation

passage. In FIG. 2, a left side corresponds to a front side F of the drum 1030,

and a right side corresponds to a rear side R of the drum 1030.

[0107] In order to dry clothes (object for treating) put into the drum 1030,

a process of supplying hot and dry air to the interior of the drum 1030, recovering

the air that has dried the clothes, and removing moisture from the air shall be

repeated. In order to repeat this process in a condensation type dryer, air must

continuously circulate through the drum 1030. The circulation of air is made

through the drum 1030 and the air circulation passage.

[0108] The air circulation passage is connected to the front opening of

the drum 1030 and the rear opening of the drum 1030. The air circulation passage

forms a path through which air discharged from the front opening of the drum

1030 passes through the heat exchanger 1110 and flows into the rear opening of

the drum.

[0109] The air circulation passage is formed by the inlet duct 1210, the

outlet duct 1220, and the connecting duct 1230 disposed between the inlet duct

1210 and the outlet duct 1220. Each of the inlet duct 1210, the outlet duct 1220,

25 89588219.3 and the connecting duct 1230 may be formed by combining a plurality of members.

[0110] The inlet duct 1210, the drum 1030, the outlet duct 1220, and the

connecting duct 1230 are sequentially connected based on the flow of air, and

the connecting duct 1230 is again connected to the inlet duct 1210 to form a

closed flow path.

[0111] The inlet duct 1210 extends from the connecting duct 1230 to a

rear surface of the rear supporter 1050. The rear surface of the rear supporter

1050 refers to a surface facing a rear side of the clothes treating apparatus 1000.

Since the drum 1030 and the connecting duct 1230 are spaced apart from each

other along a vertical direction, the inlet duct 1210 may have a structure extending

in the vertical direction from the connecting duct 1230 disposed under the drum

1030 to the rear side of the drum 1030.

[0112] The inlet duct 1210 is coupled to the rear surface of the rear

supporter 1050. A hole is formed at the rear surface of the rear supporter 1050.

Therefore, hot and dry air is supplied from the inlet duct 1210 to the interior of the

drum 1030 through the hole formed at the rear supporter 1050.

[0113] The outlet duct 1220 is disposed under the front supporter 1040.

Since the front opening for inletting the object for treating shall be provided at the

front side of the drum 1030, the outlet duct 1220 is disposed at a lower portion of

the front side of the drum 1030.

[0114] The outlet duct 1220 extends from the front supporter 1040 to the

connecting duct 1230. The outlet duct 1220 may be extended in the vertical

direction like the inlet duct 1210, but an extended length of the outlet duct 1220

in the vertical direction is shorter than that of the inlet duct 1210. The air that has

26 89588219.3 dried the object for treating in the drum 1030 is recovered into the connecting duct 1230 through the outlet duct 1220.

[0115] The evaporator 1111 and the condenser 1112 among the heat

pump cycle devices 1100 are installed inside the connecting duct 1230. In

addition, a circulation fan 1710 to supply hot and dry air to the inlet duct 1210 is

also installed inside the connecting duct 1230. Based on a flow of air, the

evaporator 1111 is disposed at an upstream side of the condenser 1112 and the

circulation fan 1710 is disposed at a downstream side of the condenser 1112.

[0116] The circulation fan 1710 generates suction power to suck air from

the air circulation passage to supply the air to the drum. The circulation fan 1710

sucks air from the condenser 1112 and generates wind in a direction to the inlet

duct 1210. The circulation fan 1710 is provided inside the circulation fan cover

1330. The inlet of the circulation fan cover 1330 is connected to the connecting

duct 1230, and the outlet of the circulation fan cover 1330 is connected to an inlet

of the inlet duct 1210.

[0117] Next, components under the drum 1030 will be described.

[0118] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base 1310 and components

mounted to the base 1310. In FIG. 3, F indicates the front side of the clothes

treating apparatus 1000, and R indicates the rear side of the clothes treating

apparatus 1000. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an internal configuration

of the clothes treating apparatus 1000.

[0119] The base 1310 is configured to support mechanical elements of

the clothes treating apparatus 1000, including heat pump cycle devices 1100.

The base 1310 includes a plurality of mounting portions 1313 to mount the

mechanical elements. The mounting portions 1313 refer to regions provided to

27 89588219.3 mount the mechanical elements. Each mounting portion 1313 may be partitioned from each other by steps of the base 1310. Hereinafter, components will be described in a counterclockwise direction based on the connecting duct 1230.

[0120] Unlike the drum 1030 disposed in a center based on a left-right

direction of the clothes treating apparatus 1000, the air circulation passage is

eccentrically disposed at the left side or the right side of the drum 1030. In FIG.

3, the air circulation passage is disposed on a lower right side of the drum 1030.

The eccentric arrangement of the air circulation passage is for efficient drying of

the object for treating and efficient arrangement of the components.

[0121] An inlet portion 1311 of the connecting duct 1230 is disposed

below the outlet duct 1220 and is connected to the outlet duct 1220. The inlet

portion 1311 of the connecting duct 1230 is configured to guide air together with

the outlet duct 1220 in an inclined direction. For example, in FIG. 3, the inlet

portion 1311 of the connecting duct 1230 becomes narrower as it goes downward.

In particular, a left surface of the inlet portion 1311 is inclined to a lower right side.

When the air circulation passage is disposed at the lower left side of the drum

1030, a right surface of the inlet portion 1311 will be formed to be inclined to the

lower left side.

[0122] The evaporator 1111, the condenser 1112, and the circulation fan

1710 are sequentially arranged on a downstream side of the inlet portion 1311

based on the flow of air. When the clothes treating apparatus 1000 is viewed from

the front, the condenser 1112 is disposed behind the evaporator 1111 and the

circulation fan 1710 is disposed behind the condenser 1112. The evaporator 1111,

the condenser 1112, and the circulation fan 1710 are mounted on each mounting

portion 1313 provided on the base 1310.

28 89588219.3

[0123] The base cover 1320 may be installed on the evaporator 1111

and the condenser 1112. The base cover 1320 may include a single member or

multiple members. When the base cover 1320 includes multiple members, the

base cover 1320 may include a front base cover 1321 and a rear base cover

1322.

[0124] The base cover 1320 is configured to cover the evaporator 1111

and the condenser 1112. A part of the connecting duct 1230 may be formed in a

manner of the base cover 1320 being coupled to the steps or side walls of the

base 1310 formed at a left side and a right side of the evaporator 1111 and the

condenser1112.

[0125] The circulation fan 1710 is enclosed by the base 1310 and the

circulation fan cover 1330. An outlet portion 1331 of the circulation fan cover 1330

is formed at an upper side of the circulation fan 1710. The outlet portion 1313 is

connected to the inlet duct 1210. The hot and dry air generated by the heat pump

cycle devices 1100 is supplied to the drum 1030 through the inlet duct 1210.

[0126] The circulation fan 1710 is disposed at a most rear side in the

cabinet 1010. The circulation fan 1710 is disposed at a downstream side of the

condenser 1112 based on the flow of air. The circulation fan 1710 may be

configured as a centrifugal fan. The centrifugal fan is configured to suck air in an

axial direction and blow the air in a radial direction. When a rotating shaft of the

circulation fan 1710 is disposed to extend toward the condenser 1112, the

condenser 1112 is disposed in a direction in which the rotating shaft of the

circulation fan 1710 extends.

[0127] The circulation fan 1710 sucks hot and dry air from the condenser

1112. And the hot and dry air sucked by the circulation fan 1710 is blown out to

29 89588219.3 the outlet 1331 of the circulation fan cover 1330 provided at the upper side of the circulation fan 1710. The centrifugal fan forms a strong air volume and a fast wind speed based on a strong suction power compared to an axial fan.

[0128] The water pump 1440 is installed at one side of the condenser

1112 (or one side of the circulation fan 1710). The water pump 1440 is configured

to transfer condensate collected to the mounting portion where the water pump

1440 is installed.

[0129] The base 1310 is configured to drain condensate generated

during an operation of the heat pump cycle devices 1100 to a collecting portion

1414 in which the water pump 1440 is installed. For example, a bottom surface

of the mounting portion 1313 may be inclined to allow condensate to flow to the

mounting portion where the water pump 1440 is installed, or a stepped height of

the collecting portion 1414 in which the water pump 1440 is installed may be

partially low.

[0130] When air circulating through the drum exchanges heat with the

heat exchanger 1110, condensation occurs and condensate drops to a bottom of

a heat exchanger mounting portion. A bottom of a mounting portion of the

evaporator 1111 and the condenser 1112 is inclined downwardly in a direction

from the evaporator 1111 toward the condenser 1112. Accordingly, the

condensate is collected in the mounting portion at a lower portion of the

condenser 1112. Here, the mounting portion in which the condenser 1112 is

installed is provided adjacent to the collecting portion 1414 in which the water

pump 1440 is installed with a partition wall forming the air circulation passage

therebetween.

[0131] The partition wall has a flow path penetrating the partition wall so

30 89588219.3 that the condensate collected in the mounting portion where the condenser 1112 is installed flows to the collecting portion 1414. The collecting portion 1414 is provided at a height lower than a bottom of the mounting portion of the heat exchanger 1110. Therefore, the flow path is inclined downwardly as it goes from the collecting portion 1414 to the mounting portion of the heat exchanger 1110.

[0132] With this configuration of the base 1310, the condensate collected

in the collecting portion 1414 in which the water pump 1440 is installed can be

transferred to the water container 1410 by the water pump 1440 or drained

outside. In addition, the condensate may be transferred by the water pump 1440

and used for cleaning the evaporator 1111 or the condenser 1112.

[0133] The water pump 1440 is connected to a control valve 1470 by an

outlet hose 1451. When the water pump 1440 operates, the condensate collected

in a water collecting portion 1315 is transferred to the control valve 1470. The

control valve 1470 is configured to distribute the condensate transferred by the

water pump 1440 to various hoses 1452 and 1453.

[0134] The hoses 1452 and 1453 connected to the control valve 1470

may be made of a flexible material. Each of the hoses 1452 and 1453 may be

referred to as a condensate supply hose in a sense of supplying condensate. For

convenience of explanation, an ordinal number is added to each of the hoses

1452 and 1453.

[0135] A first hose 1452 is connected to the control valve 1470 and the

water container 1410. The first hose 1452 is not directly connected to the water

container 1410, but is connected to the water container 1410 through an upper

portion of the water container support frame 1430. A hole facing a water container

hole 1412 at the water container 1410 is formed at an upper portion of the water

31 89588219.3 container support frame 1430. When the water container 1410 is inserted into the water container support frame 1430, the two holes are arranged to face each other. A sealing member may be coupled between the two holes or around the two holes.

[0136] When the condensate transferred by the water pump 1440 flows

to the first hose 1452 by an operation of the control valve 1470, the condensate

flows into the water container 1410 through the first hose 1452. The condensate

is temporarily stored in the water container 1410 until a user empties the water

container 1410.

[0137] The second hose 1453 is connected to the control valve 1470 and

a condensate spray portion 1461. The condensate spray portion 1461 is

configured to spray condensate to a surface of the evaporator 1111 or a surface

of the condenser 1112. Dust or foreign matter may adhere to the surfaces of the

evaporator 1111 and the condenser 1112 due to an accumulation of the operating

time of the clothes treating apparatus 1000. Dust or foreign substances cause the

efficiency of the heat exchange between the evaporator 1111 and the condenser

1112 to decrease, and thus need to be quickly removed.

[0138] When the condensate is supplied to the condensate spray portion

1461 through the second hose 1452, the condensate spray portion 1461 sprays

the condensate to the evaporator 1111 or the condenser 1112.

[0139] To this end, a spray port of the condensate spray portion 1461 is

disposed to face the evaporator 1111 or the condenser 1112. When the

condensate is sprayed to the evaporator 1111 or the condenser 1112 through the

spray port, dust or foreign substances may be removed from the evaporator 1111

or the condenser 1112.

32 89588219.3

[0140] The second hose 1452 and the condensate spray portion 1461

may be provided in plural to spray condensate over a wide region. A fixing pin

1462 is configured to fix the condensate spray portion 1461 to the base cover

1321 or 1322.

[0141] The compressor 1120 and a compressor cooling fan 1720 to cool

the compressor 1120 may be installed at one side of the water pump 1440. The

compressor 1120 is an element constituting the heat pump cycle devices 1100,

but does not need to be installed in the air circulation passage because the

compressor 1120 does not directly exchange heat with air. When the compressor

1120 is installed in the air circulation passage, it may rather interrupt the flow of

the air, thus the compressor 1120 is preferably installed outside the air circulation

passage as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0142] The compressor cooling fan 1720 generates wind in a direction

toward the compressor 1120 or in a direction sucking air from the compressor

1120. When a temperature of the compressor 1120 is lowered by the compressor

cooling fan 1720, compression efficiency is improved.

[0143] A gas-liquid separator 1140 is installed at an upstream side of the

compressor 1120 based on a flow of the refrigerant. The gas-liquid separator

1140 separates two-phase refrigerant flowing into the compressor 1120 into a

gas phase and a liquid phase and allows only the gas phase refrigerant to flow

into the compressor 1120. This is because the liquid phase refrigerant causes a

malfunction of the compressor 1120 and a decrease of efficiency.

[0144] The refrigerant evaporates (liquid->gas) while absorbing heat

from the evaporator 1111, becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure gas

state, and is sucked into the compressor 1120. When the gas-liquid separator

33 89588219.3

1140 is installed at the upstream side of the compressor 1120, refrigerant may

pass through the gas-liquid separator 1140 before flowing into the compressor

1120. In the compressor 1120, the refrigerant in the gas phase is compressed

and becomes a high-temperature and high-pressure state, and flows to the

condenser 1112. In the condenser 1112, the refrigerant is liquefied while

releasing heat. Liquefied high-pressure refrigerant is decompressed in an

expander (not illustrated). Low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant is

introduced into the evaporator 1111.

[0145] Hot and dry air is supplied to the drum 1030 through the inlet duct

1210 to dry the object for treating. The hot and dry air evaporates moisture from

the object for treating and becomes hot and humid air. The hot and humid air is

recovered through the outlet duct 1220 and receives heat from the refrigerant

through the evaporator 1111 to become low temperature air. As the temperature

of the air is lowered, a saturation amount of water vapor in the air decreases, and

the vapor contained in the air is condensed. Subsequently, the low-temperature

dry air receives heat from the refrigerant through the evaporator 1111, becomes

high-temperature dry air, and is again supplied to the drum 1030.

[0146] The drum motor 1800 is disposed at a front side of the compressor

1120. The drum motor 1800 has an output shaft protruding in both directions. In

this specification, a part of the output shaft protruding to one side of the drum

motor 1800 is referred to as a first output shaft, and another part of the output

shaft protruding to another side of the drum motor 1800 is referred to as a second

output shaft. However, since the first output shaft and the second output shaft are

one rotating shaft, they are rotated in a same direction and at a same speed.

[0147] The first output shaft and the second output shaft are exposed in

34 89588219.3 opposite directions. It can be seen that the first output shaft is disposed to face the rear side of the clothes treating apparatus 1000, and the second output shaft is disposed to face the front side of the clothes treating apparatus 1000.

[0148] A pulley 1810 is installed to be rotated by the first output shaft.

When the drum motor 1800 is operated, then the first output shaft is rotated

sequentially, the pulley 1810 is also rotated together with the first output shaft in

a rotation direction opposite to that of the first output shaft. For example, the

pulley 1810 may be rotated in engagement with the first output shaft.

[0149] A belt (not illustrated) is coupled to the pulley 1810, and a driving

force of the drum motor 1800 is transmitted to the drum 1030 through the belt.

The drum 1030 is rotated by the driving force of the drum motor 1800 transmitted

through the pulley 1810 and the belt. A rotation speed of the drum 1030 is

adjusted by the pulley 1810. Since the belt is not directly connected to a first

rotating shaft, the rotation speed of the drum 1030 does not necessarily match a

rotation speed of the first output shaft.

[0150] The blower 1820 is installed at the second output shaft. The

blower 1820 includes the axial fan that generates wind in a direction from the rear

side of the clothes treating apparatus 1000 toward the front side of the clothes

treating apparatus 1000.

[0151] The blower 1820 generates wind in a direction in which air is

sucked from the drum motor 1800. The drum motor 1800 may be cooled by the

blower 1820. Since the blower 1820 is directly connected to the second output

shaft, a rotation speed of the blower 1820 matches a rotation speed of the second

output shaft.

[0152] A sealing of the drum 1030 may not be perfect, but when the

35 89,588219.3 blower 1820 rotates, it is possible to suppress an occurrence of condensation due to incomplete sealing of the drum 1030. For example, it is difficult to completely exclude that hot and humid air is discharged into a space between an inner circumferential surface of the drum 1030 and the inner circumferential surface of the cabinet 1010. In particular, when an air leaked from the drum 1030 becomes stagnant, this causes condensation.

[0153] However, since the blower 1820 causes convection, stagnation of

the air leaked from the drum 1030 is suppressed, and an occurrence of

condensation is suppressed. The air leaked from the drum 1030 is exhausted

while continuously flowing by the blower 1820.

[0154] When two output shafts are provided in one drum motor 1800,

there are many advantages in terms of improving power consumption of the

clothes treating apparatus 1000. Basically, compared to a case where a motor to

rotate the drum 1030 and a motor to rotate the blower 1820 are respectively

provided, power consumption is reduced by half.

[0155] Particularly, a time point at which the blower 1820 needs to rotate

is same as a time point at which the drum 1030 rotates. This is because hot and

dry air is supplied to the drum 1030 while the drum 1030 rotates, and hot and

humid air may leak from the drum 1030. Therefore, a situation in which power is

unnecessarily consumed to rotate only the blower 1820 in a state where the

rotation of the drum 1030 is unnecessary does not occur.

[0156] A rear cover 1014 is disposed at a rearmost side of the clothes

treating apparatus 1000 and defines a rear appearance of the clothes treating

apparatus 1000. In this sense, the rear cover 1014 corresponds to a rear wall of

the clothes treating apparatus 1000 or a rearwall of the cabinet 1010. Meanwhile,

36 89588219.3 a front surface portion of the cabinet 1010 located at an opposite side of the rear cover 1014 may be referred to as a front cover.

[0157] The rear cover 1014 includes a rear cover base portion 1014a, a

rear protrusion 1014b, a connection portion 1014c, ventilation holes 1014d, an

exhaust port 1014e, a bracket 1014f, a water container insertion opening 1014g,

and a protective cover coupling portion 1014h. Hereinafter, these structures will

be described in order.

[0158] A rear base portion 1051 has a flat plate shape. The rear

protrusion 1014b protrudes from the rear cover base portion 1014a toward the

rear side of the clothes treating apparatus 1000. The rear protrusion 1014b is

formed at a position facing the inlet duct 1210 to secure an area to install the inlet

duct 1210.

[0159] The connection portion 1014c extends from an edge of the rear

protrusion 1014b toward the rear cover base portion 1014a, and connects the

edge of the rear protrusion 1014b and the rear cover base portion 1014a.

[0160] A plurality of ventilation holes 1014d may be formed at one region

of the rear protrusion 1014b. The plurality of ventilation holes 1014d may be

formed at a position facing the inlet duct 1210. The plurality of ventilation holes

1014d may have a shape opened toward an inclined direction. The plurality of

ventilation holes 1014d induces passive entry and exit of air into and from the

space between the cabinet 1010 and the drum 1030 to discharge hot and humid

air outside the clothes treating apparatus 1000.

[0161] The exhaust port 1014e and the water container insertion opening

1014g are formed at an upper portion of the rear cover base portion 1014a. The

exhaust port 1014e and the water container insertion opening 1014g may be

37 89588219.3 formed at sides opposite to each other. For example, referring to the drawings, the exhaust port 1014e is formed at the right side, and the water container insertion opening 1014g is formed at the left side. A position of the exhaust port

1014e and a position of the water container insertion opening 1014g may be

switched, and in this case, the positions should be switched to positions of the

water container 1410, the printed circuit board and others constituting the??

controller 1600.

[0162] When the ventilation holes 1014d are intended to induce passive

entry and exit of air, the exhaust port 1014e is related to an exhaust fan 1014i

(not illustrated) for active discharge of air. For the active discharge of air, the

bracket 1014f is installed around the exhaust port 1014e, and the exhaust fan

1014i is installed on the bracket 1014f.

[0163] The bracket 1014f has a shape protruding from a circumference

of the exhaust port 1014e toward the exhaust port 1014e. The bracket 1014f may

be provided at a left side and a right side of the exhaust port 1014e, respectively.

[0164] The exhaust fan 1014i is mounted on the bracket 1014f, and is

arranged to face the exhaust port 1014e. Accordingly, a position of the exhaust

fan 1014i is determined according to a position of the exhaust port 1014e, and

the exhaust fan 1014i may be disposed at an upper left side or an upper right

side of the drum 1030. It may be understood that the rear cover base portion

1014a corresponds to an inner rearwall of the cabinet 1010, and the exhaustfan

1014i is mounted to the inner rearwall of the cabinet 1010.

[0165] The exhaust fan 1014i generates wind to discharge air existing in

the space between the cabinet 1010 and the drum 1030 to the outside of the

clothes treating apparatus 1000. The space between the cabinet 1010 and the

38 89588219.3 drum 1030 means the second spaceII between the inner circumferential surface of the cabinet 1010 and the outer circumferential surface of the drum 1030. The exhaust fan 1014i may be configured as the axial fan that generates wind in a direction toward the rotating shaft. The exhaust fan 1014i generates wind in a direction that blows wind toward the exhaust port 1014e (a direction that sucks air present in the space between the cabinet 1010 and the drum 1030 to discharge the air through the exhaust port 1014e).

[0166] The protective cover coupling portion 1014h is provided at a lower

portion of the rear base portion 1014a. A protective cover 1080 is coupled around

the protective cover coupling portion 1014h. When maintenance of the

compressor 1120 or the drum motor 1800 is needed, an operator can access the

compressor 1120 or the drum motor 1800 by simply opening the protective cover

1080 without disassembling the clothes treating apparatus 1000.

[0167] It has been previously described that the interior space of the

cabinet 1010 is divided into the first space I and the second space II by the drum

1030. The heat pump cycle devices 1100 described above are installed in the

second space II. The connecting duct 1230 is installed in the second space II,

and the evaporator 1111 and the condenser 1112 among the heat pump cycle

devices 1100 corresponding to the heat exchanger 1110 are installed inside the

connecting duct 1230. Therefore, the connecting duct 1230 is configured to

surround the heat exchanger 1110, and is connected to the drum 1030 to form

an air circulation passage between the heat exchanger 1110 and the drum 1030.

[0168] The exhaust fan is installed in the second space II. Even in the

second space II, the exhaust fan is installed outside of the duct. Here, the outside

of the duct means the outside of the connecting duct 1230. In addition to the

39 89588219.3 exhaust fan, it has been previously described that the drum motor 1800 and the blower 1820 are installed outside the connecting duct 1230 in the second space

II. That the blower 1820 and the exhaust fan are installed outside the connecting

duct 1230 is to suppress condensation by circulating and exhausting wet air

leaked from the connecting duct 1230 or the drum 1030 to the second space II.

[0169] An air volume and a size of the exhaust fan are closely related to

the size of the drum 1030. In particular, it should be considered that one of the

important functions of the clothes treating apparatus 1000 is to dry an object for

treating such as clothes by using hot air. This is because, when an exhaust effect

by the exhaust fan is too strong, a temperature inside the cabinet 1010 decreases,

and a drying effect of the clothes treating apparatus 1000 may be deteriorated.

Therefore, the air volume and the size of the exhaust fan 1740 should be set in a

range capable of suppressing the occurrence of condensation without

excessively decreasing the drying effect of the clothes treating apparatus 1000.

[0170] Hereinafter, a control configuration of the clothes treating

apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 5A.

[0171] Referring to FIG. 5A, the clothes treating apparatus may include

at least one of an input unit 310, an output unit 320, a communication unit 330, a

detecting unit 340, an inverter 350, a motor 360, a converter 370, a controller 380,

a valve portion 391, a pump portion 392, and an auxiliary heater 393.

[0172] The input unit 310 may receive a control command related to the

operation of the clothes treating apparatus from a user. The input unit 310 may

include a plurality of buttons or a touch screen.

[0173] Specifically, the input unit 310 may include a control panel on

which an operation mode of the clothes treating apparatus is selected or on which

40 89588219.3 an input related to execution of the selected operation mode is applied.

[0174] The output unit 320 may output information related to the

operation of the clothes treating apparatus. The output unit 320 may include at

least one display.

[0175] The information outputted by the output unit 320 may include

information related to an operating state of the clothes treating apparatus. That

is, the output unit 320 may output information related to at least one of the

selected operation modes, whether or not a failure has occurred, an operation

completion time, and an amount of clothes accommodated in the drum.

[0176] In one example, the output unit 320 maybe a touch screen formed

integrally with the input unit 310.

[0177] The communication unit 330 may perform communication with an

external network. The communication unit 330 may receive a control command

related to the operation of the clothes treating apparatus from the external

network. For example, the communication unit 330 may receive an operation

control command of the clothes treating apparatus sent from an external terminal

through an external network. Accordingly, a user can remotely control the clothes

treating apparatus.

[0178] In addition, the communication unit 330 may transmit information

related to a result of the operation of the clothes treating apparatus to a

predetermined server through the external network.

[0179] Also, the communication unit 330 may communicate with other

electronic devices in order to establish an Internet of Things (IOT) environment.

[0180] The detecting unit 340 may detect information related to the

operation of the clothes treating apparatus.

41 89588219.3

[0181] Specifically, the detecting unit 340 may include at least one of a

current sensor, a voltage sensor, a vibration sensor, a noise sensor, an ultrasonic

sensor, a pressure sensor, an infrared sensor, a visual sensor (camera sensor),

and a temperature sensor.

[0182] In one example, the current sensor of the detecting unit 340 may

sense a current flowing at a point of a control circuit of the clothes treating

apparatus.

[0183] In another example, the temperature sensor of the detecting unit

340 may sense a temperature inside the drum.

[0184] As described above, the detecting unit 340 may include at least

one of various types of sensors, and the type of sensors included in the clothes

treating apparatus is not limited. In addition, the number or installation position of

each sensor may be variously designed according to a purpose.

[0185] The inverter 350 may include a plurality of inverter switches, and

convert smoothed DC power Vdc into three-phase AC power va, vb, and vc

having a predetermined frequency by an on/off operation of the switches so as to

output the three-phase AC power va, vb, and vc to the motor.

[0186] Referring to FIG. 5A, the clothes treating apparatus may include

a plurality of inverters 351, 352, and 353, and each inverter may supply power to

a plurality of motors 361, 362, and 363.

[0187] In FIG. 5A, the clothes treating apparatus has three inverters 351,

352, and 353, and each inverter supplies power to three motors 361, 362, and

363, but the number of inverters and the number of motors are not limited thereto.

[0188] Specifically, a first inverter 351 may supply power to a first motor

361 that rotates the drum 1030, and a second inverter 352 may rotate a second

42 89588219.3 motor 362 that rotates the circulation fan 1710, and a third inverter 353 may supply power to a third motor 363 operating the compressor 1120 of the heat pump.

[0189] A rotating shaft of the first motor 361 and a rotating shaft of the

drum 1030 are connected by a belt (not illustrated), and the first motor 361 may

transmit rotational force to the drum 1030 side through the belt.

[0190] The motor 360 maybe a BLDC motor capable of controlling speed

based on a speed command value, or may be a constant speed motor that does

not perform speed control. In one example, the first motor to rotate the drum and

the third motor to operate the compressor may be configured as the BLDC motor,

and the second motor to rotate the blower may be configured as the constant

speed motor.

[0191] Each of the inverters 351, 352, and 353 has upper-arm switches

Sa, Sb, and Sc and lower-arm switches S'a, S'b, and S'c which are connected in

series as pairs, respectively, and thus three pairs of upper and lower-arm

switches Sa & S'a, Sb & S'b, and Sc & S'c in total are connected in parallel.

Diodes are connected in anti-parallel to the switches Sa, S'a, Sb, S'b, Sc, and

S'c, respectively.

[0192] That is, a first upper-arm switch Sa and a first lower-arm switch

S'a may implement a first phase, a second upper-arm switch Sb and a second

lower-arm switch S'b may implement a second phase, and a third upper-arm

switch Sc and a third lower-arm switch S'c may implement a third phase.

[0193] In one example, the inverter 350 may include a shunt resistor

corresponding to at least one of the first to third phases.

[0194] Specifically, a first shunt resistor may be connected to one end of

43 89588219.3 the first lower-arm switch S'a in the first switch pair Sa and S'a, and similarly, a second shunt resistor may be connected to one end of the second lower-arm switch S'b, and a third shunt resistor may be connected to one end of the third lower-arm switch S'c. The first to third shunt resistors are not essential components, and if necessary, only some of the three shunt resistors can be installed.

[0195] In another example, the inverter 350 may be connected to a

common shunt resistor commonly connected to the first to third phases.

[0196] Meanwhile, the switches in the inverters 351, 352, and 353

operate on/off of each switch based on an inverter switching control signal

generated by the controller 380. Accordingly, the three-phase AC power having

a predetermined frequency is output to the motor 360.

[0197] The inverters 351, 352, and 353 performing the above-described

functions may include intelligent power modules (IPM) in which each of the

switches Sa, S'a, Sb, S'b, Sc, and S'c is formed in a single module.

[0198] The controller 380 may control switching operation of the inverter

351, 352, and 353 in a sensorless type. Specifically, the controller 380 may

control the switching operation of the inverter 350 by using a phase current on

the motor detected by the current sensor of the detecting unit 340.

[0199] The controller 380 outputs the inverter switching control signal to

the inverters 351, 352, and 353 in order to control the switching operation of the

inverters 351, 352, and 353. Here, the inverter switching control signal includes

a pulse width modulation (PWM) type switching control signal.

[0200] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the clothes treating apparatus includes a

plurality of inverters. Since the power consumption may increase as the number

44 89588219.3 of inverters increases, this specification proposes a clothes treating apparatus having a converter 370.

[0201] The converter 370 converts commercial AC power into DC power

and outputs the converted DC power. In more detail, the converter 370 may

convert single-phase AC power or three-phase AC power into DC power and

outputs the converted DC power. An internal structure of the converter 370 also

varies depending on a type of the commercial AC power.

[0202] Meanwhile, the converter 370 may be configured with a diode or

the like without a switching element, and may perform a rectifying operation

without a separate switching operation.

[0203] For example, in a case of a single-phase AC power source, four

diodes may be used in a form of a bridge. In a case of a three-phase AC power

source, six diodes may be used in a form of a bridge.

[0204] The converter 370, for example, may be a half-bridge type

converter in which two switches and four diodes are connected. In a case of a

three-phase AC power source, six switches and six diodes may be used.

[0205] When the converter 370 includes a switching element, the

converter 410 may perform a boosting operation, a power factor correction, and

a DC power conversion by a switching operation of the switching element.

[0206] The valve portion 391 is disposed at one point of the flow path

installed in the clothes treating apparatus, and may regulate a flow of the flow

path. The pump portion 392 may provide a driving force to supply gas or liquid to

the flow path.

[0207] In addition, the auxiliary heater 393 is installed separately from the

heat pump, and may supply heat to the drum. The auxiliary heater 393 may heat

45 89588219.3 the air flowing into the drum.

[0208] The controller 380 may control components included in the

clothes treating apparatus.

[0209] First, the controller 380 may generate at least one of a power

command value, a current command value, a voltage command value, and a

speed command value corresponding to the motor in order to control rotation of

the motor 360.

[0210] Specifically, the controller 380 may calculate the power or load of

the motor 360 based on the output of the detecting unit 340. Specifically, the

controller 380 may calculate a rotation speed of the motor by using a phase

current value sensed by the current sensor of the detecting unit 340.

[0211] In addition, the controller 380 may generate a power command

value corresponding to the motor, and calculate a difference between the

generated power command value and the calculated power. In addition, the

controller 380 may generate a speed command value of the motor based on the

difference between the power command value and the calculated power.

[0212] Furthermore, the controller 380 may calculate a difference

between the speed command value of the motor and the calculated rotation

speed of the motor. In this case, the controller 380 may generate a current

command value to be applied to the motor based on the difference between the

speed command value and the calculated rotation speed.

[0213] In one example, the controller 380 may generate at least one of a

q-axis current command value and a d-axis current command value.

[0214] Meanwhile, the controller 380 may convert a phase current of a

stationary coordinate system or a phase current of a rotating coordinate system

46 89588219.3 based on the phase current detected by the current sensor. The controller 380 may generate a voltage command value applied to the motor by using the converted phase current and the current command value.

[0215] By performing this process, the controller 380 generates the

inverter switching control signal according to the PWM type.

[0216] The controller 380 may adjust a duty ratio of the switch included

in the inverter by using the inverter switching control signal.

[0217] Also, the controller 380 may control an operation of at least one

of the drum, the blower, and the heat pump based on the control command input

by the input unit 310.

[0218] In one example, the controller 380 may control a rotation pattern

of the drum based on the user input applied to the input unit 310.

[0219] In another example, the controller 380 may control the rotation

speed or operation time of the blower based on the user input applied to the input

unit 310.

[0220] In another example, the controller 380 may control an output of

the heat pump to adjust the temperature in the drum based on the user input

applied to the input unit 310.

[0221] In FIG. 5B, the control circuit of the clothes treating apparatus

according to an embodiment is described.

[0222] The control circuit included in the clothes treating apparatus

according to the present disclosure may further include the converter 370, a DC

link voltage detector B, a smoothing capacitor Vdc, a plurality of shunt resistors,

a plurality of inverters 351, 352, and 353, a plurality of diodes D and BD, a reactor

L, and others.

47 89588219.3

[0223] The reactor L is disposed between a commercial AC power source

Vin and the converter 370 to perform a power factor correcting or boosting

operation. In addition, the reactor L may also perform a function of limiting a

harmonic current caused by fast switching of the converter 370.

[0224] The converter 370 converts the commercial AC power source Vin,

which has passed through the reactor L, into DC power and outputs the DC power.

Although the commercial AC power source Vin is illustrated as a single-phase AC

power source in the drawing, the commercial AC power source Vin may be a

three-phase AC power source.

[0225] The smoothing capacitor Vdc smooths input power and stores the

smoothed input power. In the drawing, one element is illustrated as the smoothing

capacitor Vdc, but a plurality of elements may alternatively be provided to ensure

element stability. Both ends of the smoothing capacitor Vdc may be referred to

as a DC-link or a DC-link end since DC power is stored at the both ends of the

smoothing capacitor Vdc.

[0226] The controller 380 may detect an input current is that is inputted

from the commercial AC power source Vin by using the shunt resistor installed in

the converter 370.

[0227] In addition, the controller 380 may detect a phase current of the

motor by using the shunt resistor Rin installed in the inverter 350.

[0228] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an apparatus for controlling a

clothes treating apparatus will be described, but descriptions repeating the

above-mentioned contents may be omitted, and a specific embodiment of the

apparatus for controlling the clothes treating apparatus will be mainly described.

[0229] The apparatus for controlling the clothes treating apparatus

48 89588219.3

(hereinafter referred to as a control apparatus) is a control apparatus of the

clothes treating apparatus 1000 as illustrated in FIG. 5A or 6A, it may be the

controller 1600 previously described in the basic configuration of the clothes

treating apparatus 1000.

[0230] The control apparatus 1600 may be configured as a module on

one circuit board.

[0231] A specific circuit configuration of the control apparatus 1600

configured as a module on one circuit board may be as illustrated in FIG. 5B or

6B.

[0232] The control apparatus 1600 is, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a control

apparatus of a clothes treating apparatus configured to control the clothes

treating apparatus 1000 including a drum 1030 rotatably installed inside a main

body (cabinet) 1010 that defines an exterior, and into and from which an air to

dry an object flows in and out; a heat exchanger 1110 provided at an air

circulation passage connected to the drum 1030 and including an evaporator

1111 and a condenser 1112 that exchange heat with an air circulating in the air

circulation passage; and a compressor 1120 configured to compress a refrigerant,

and the control apparatus 1600 is included in the clothes treating apparatus 1000

to control the clothes treating apparatus 1000.

[0233] The control apparatus 1600 may control a plurality of components

included in the clothes treating apparatus 1000 so that the operation of the

clothes treating apparatus 1000 is performed.

[0234] For example, the control apparatus 1600 may control the

operations of the drum 1030 and the compressor 1120 so that a drying operation

of the clothes treating apparatus 1000 is performed.

49 89588219.3

[0235] In addition, the control apparatus 1600 may control an overall

function performance of the internal components to perform the operation of the

clothes treating apparatus 1000.

[0236] For example, the control apparatus 1600 may control the

operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1000 by controlling an operation of

the compressor 1120 to compress the refrigerant circulating through the heat

exchanger 1110 and exchanging heat with the air circulating in the air circulation

passage.

[0237] In this way, the control apparatus 1600 to control the clothes

treating apparatus 1000 includes a driving unit 350 configured to drive the

compressor 1120, and the controller 380 configured to control the driving unit 350

to control the operation of the compressor 1120.

[0238] The control apparatus 1600 may further include a detecting unit

340 that senses a temperature of the heat exchanger 1110.

[0239] In this case, the controller 380 may control the driving unit 350 so

that the refrigerant is compressed and circulated according to the detection result

of the detecting unit 340, and thus to control the operation of the compressor

1120.

[0240] The detecting unit 340 refers to a sensing means to sense the

temperature of the heat exchanger 1110 in the air circulation passage.

[0241] The detecting unit 340 may include one or more temperature

sensors that sense the temperature of the heat exchanger 1110 in the air

circulation passage to transmit the sensed result to the controller 380.

[0242] The detecting unit 340 may include one or more temperature

sensors to sense at least one of a temperature of air and a temperature of

50 89588219.3 refrigerant respectively circulating in the evaporator 1111 and the condenser

1112.

[0243] For example, the detecting unit 340 may include a first sensor to

sense the temperature of the air circulating in the evaporator 1111 and a second

sensor to sense the temperature of the refrigerant circulating in the condenser

1112.

[0244] The detecting unit 340 may further include a plurality of

temperature sensors to sense the temperature of the air flowing into and out of

the drum 1030.

[0245] As described above, the detecting unit 340 including the plurality

of temperature sensors may be configured such that a sensing module sensing

a temperature is provided in the air circulation passage, such as the heat

exchanger 1110, and a sensing module to sense the temperature by receiving

the sensed result of the plurality of temperature sensors to sense the temperature

is provided in the control apparatus 1600.

[0246] The driving unit 350 may refer to an inverter that applies driving

power to the motor.

[0247] The driving unit 350 may include at least one inverter.

[0248] The driving unit 350 may drive the compressor 1120 by applying

driving power to a motor of the compressor 1120 through one or more inverters.

[0249] The driving unit 350 may also drive the drum 1030 and the

circulation fan 1710.

[0250] The driving unit 350 may drive the compressor 1120 by a control

of the controller 380.

[0251] The driving unit 350, including the first to third inverters 351 to 353

51 89588219.3 as illustrated in FIG. 5A, may drive each of the drum 1030, the circulation fan

1710, and the compressor 1120 by applying driving power to each of the first

motor 361 configured to drive the drum 1030, the second motor 362 configured

to the circulation fan 1710, and the third motor 363 configured to drive the

compressor 1120.

[0252] The driving unit 350 may also drive each of the drum 1030, the

circulation fan 1710, and the compressor 1120 by applying driving power to each

of the first to third motors 361 to 363 with one inverter, as illustrated in FIG. 6A.

[0253] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the driving unit 350

will be described based on an embodiment including the first to third inverters

351 to 353 as illustrated in FIG. 5A.

[0254] The controller 380 may control operations of at least one of the

drum 1030, the circulation fan 1710, and the compressor 1120 by driving the

plurality of motors 360 included in the clothes treating apparatus 1000.

[0255] The controller 380, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, may control the

converter 370 that converts and smooths AC power inputted from an external

power included in the control apparatus 1600 into a DC power, and control the

driving unit 350 that converts the DC power smoothed in the converter 370 into a

driving power to drive the plurality of motors 360 configured to drive the clothes

treating apparatus 100 to output the converted driving power to each of the

plurality of motors 360, thereby driving the plurality of motors 360.

[0256] Here, the driving unit 350 may include the plurality of inverters 351

to 353.

[0257] That is, the controller 380 may control the operation of the clothes

treating apparatus 1000 by controlling the converter 370 and the plurality of

52 89588219.3 inverters 350 to control the operation of the plurality of motors 360.

[0258] More specifically, the clothes treating apparatus 1000, which is a

control target of the control apparatus 1600, includes the drum 1030 configured

to accommodate an object for drying to perform the drying operation, the

circulation fan 1710 promoting a flow of air inside the clothes treating apparatus,

the compressor 1120 of the heat pump that removes moisture from the air flew

out from the drum 1030 and exchanges heat, the plurality of motors 360 that

drives each of the drum 1030, the circulation fan 1710, and the compressor 1120.

The control apparatus 1600 includes the first inverter 351 configured to drive the

first motor 361 to drive the drum 1030 in the plurality of motors 360, the second

inverter 352 configured to drive the second motor 362 to drive the circulation fan

1710, and the third inverter 353 configured to drive the third motor 363 to drive

the compressor 1120. The controller 380 may control the operation of the clothes

treating apparatus 1000 by controlling each of the plurality of inverters 350 to

control the operation of the plurality of motors 360.

[0259] The controller 380 may control the operation of the clothes

treating apparatus 1000 of the object for drying by controlling the plurality of

inverters 350 to control the operation of the plurality of motors 360.

[0260] For example, the controller 380 may control the drying operation

on the object for drying or the sterilizing operation to sterilize the evaporator 1111.

[0261] Here, the drying operation and the sterilizing operation may be set

to an operation mode of the clothes treating apparatus 1000, and the controller

380 may control the operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1000 according

to the set operation mode.

[0262] For example, when the clothes treating apparatus 1000 is set to a

53 89588219.3 sterilization mode to perform the sterilizing operation, the controller 380 may control the clothes treating apparatus 1000 to perform an operation according to the sterilization mode.

[0263] When controlling the drying operation, the controller 380 may

control the operation of the compressor 1120 so as to configure a heat pump

cycle as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0264] When the controller 380 controls the drying operation, the

controller 380 controls the operation of the compressor 1120 to allow air and

refrigerant to circulate as illustrated in FIG. 8, so that the drying operation is

performed.

[0265] More specifically, the circulation process of the refrigerant in

which the heat pump cycle is performed is configured such that, when the

controller 380 drives the compressor 1120 to perform the drying operation, the

refrigerant is compressed in a high-temperature and high-pressure state in the

compressor 1120, then discharged to be transmitted to the condenser 1112. The

refrigerant transmitted to the condenser 1112 may exchange heat with the low

temperature dry air passing through the condenser 1112 to be transmitted to the

expander 1113 in a state of low-temperature and high-pressure. The low

temperature and high-pressure refrigerant transmitted to the expander 1113 may

become a low-temperature and low-pressure state by the expander 1113 to be

transmitted to the evaporator 1111. The refrigerant transmitted to the evaporator

1111 may exchange heat with hot and humid air passing through the evaporator

1111 to be sucked into the compressor 1120 in a low-temperature and low

pressure state. The refrigerant sucked into the compressor 1120 may be

compressed again in a high-temperature and high-pressure state, then

54 89588219.3 transmitted to the condenser 1112.

[0266] Meanwhile, the process of circulating air is configured such that,

the air that has exchanged heat with a high-temperature and high-pressure

refrigerant in the condenser 1112 is introduced into the drum 1030 through the

air circulation passage, then dries the object for drying accommodated in the

drum 1030. The air that became hot and humid after being introduced into the

drum 1030 to dry the object for drying may be discharged from the drum 1030

and then to the evaporator 1111 through the air circulation passage. The hot and

humid air discharged from the drum 1030 to the evaporator 1111 becomes a low

temperature and dry air after exchanging heat with a low-temperature and low

pressure refrigerant in the evaporator 1111, then may be transmitted to the

condenser 1112 through the air circulation passage. The air transmitted to the

condenser 1112 becomes a high-temperature and dry air after exchanging heat

with a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant circulating in the

condenser 1112, then may be transmitted to the drum 1030.

[0267] As described above, the drying operation may be performed as

air and refrigerant are exchanging heat while being circulated by the driving of

the compressor 1120.

[0268] Meanwhile, when the drying operation is performed as described

above, condensate is generated in the evaporator 1111 as a humidity of air that

has dried the object while passing through the drum 1030 decreases as illustrated

in FIG. 9. And, since the condensate may include contaminants or bacteria

contained in the drum 1030 and the object for drying, the condensate may

contaminate at least one of the evaporator 1111, the water container 1410, a

cleaning portion 1601, and a pump portion 1440 through which condensate

55 89,588219.3 passes.

[0269] The sterilizing operation is an operation to sterilize the evaporator

1111 that is contaminated during the drying operation. And the controller 380,

when the sterilizing operation is performed in the clothes treating apparatus 1000,

may control the sterilizing operation so that the evaporator 1111 contaminated by

the drying operation is sterilized.

[0270] That is, the control apparatus 1600 may control the clothes

treating apparatus 1000 so that the sterilizing operation is performed on the

evaporator 1111.

[0271] In the control apparatus 1600, the controller 380 controls the

driving of the compressor 1120 so that a surface temperature of the evaporator

1111 is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference temperature.

[0272] That is, the controller 380 may control the driving of the

compressor 1120 so that the surface temperature is equal to or higher than the

reference temperature.

[0273] The controller 380 may control the operation of the compressor

1120 so that the surface temperature is at or above the reference temperature to

allow the sterilizing operation.

[0274] That is, when controlling the sterilizing operation on the

evaporator 1111, the controller 380 may control the driving of the compressor

1120 so that the surface temperature is equal to or higher than the reference

temperature.

[0275] In this way, when the sterilizing operation is performed on the

evaporator 1111, the compressor controls the driving of the compressor 1120 to

allow the surface temperature to stay at or above the reference temperature so

56 89588219.3 that the evaporator 1111 is sterilized at or above the reference temperature.

[0276] That is, the sterilizing operation may be a mode to allow the

surface temperature to be at or above the reference temperature, and when the

clothes treating apparatus 1000 performs the sterilizing operation, the surface

temperature stays at or above the reference temperature by the driving of the

compressor 1120 to sterilize the evaporator 1111.

[0277] The controller 380 may control the driving of the compressor 1120

such that the surface temperature is equal to or higher than the reference

temperature in a no-load state.

[0278] That is, the controller 380 may control the driving of the

compressor 1120 such that the surface temperature is equal to or higher than the

reference temperature in the no-load state.

[0279] The controller 380 may control the sterilizing operation to be

performed in a state in which the object for drying is not accommodated in the

drum 1030.

[0280] When the sterilizing operation is performed on the evaporator

1111, the controller 380 may control the sterilizing operation to be performed in

the no-load state in which the object for drying is not received in the drum 1030.

[0281] That is, the sterilizing operation may be performed in the no-load

state in which the object for drying is not accommodated in the drum 1030.

[0282] Accordingly, the sterilizing operation is an operation performed in

the no-load state in which the object for drying is not accommodated in the drum

1030, and may be performed separately from the drying operation for drying the

object.

[0283] In addition, the sterilizing operation may be performed alone as

57 89588219.3 an operation mode separate from the drying operation performed in the clothes treating apparatus 1000.

[0284] For example, when the sterilization mode is added to the clothes

treating apparatus 1000 as an additional function and the sterilization mode is

selected or set by a user of the clothes treating apparatus 1000, the sterilizing

operation may be performed alone.

[0285] In this way, the controller 380 may control the driving of the

compressor 1120 so that the surface temperature is equal to or higher than the

reference temperature in the no-load state to perform the sterilizing operation in

which the evaporator 1111 is sterilized at or above the reference temperature.

[0286] When the controller 380 controls the operation of the compressor

1120 so that the surface temperature stays at or above the reference temperature,

the controller 380 may drive the compressor 1120, then stop the operation of the

compressor 1120 at a predetermined specific time point.

[0287] That is, the controller 380 may control the surface temperature to

be at or above the reference temperature by stopping the operation of the

compressor 1120 when the compressor 1120 reaches the specific time point after

being driven.

[0288] Here, the specific time point may be a time point for at least one

of a driving time and a driving condition of the compressor 1120.

[0289] For example, it may be a time point for a stable section of the heat

pump cycle due to driving of the compressor 1120.

[0290] According to this, when the heat pump cycle enters the stable

section after the controller 380 drives the compressor 1120, the controller 380

may stop the operation of the compressor 1120 so that the surface temperature

58 89588219.3 is equal to or higher than the reference temperature.

[0291] When the operation of the compressor 1120 is controlled such

that the surface temperature is equal to or higher than the reference temperature,

the controller 380 may stop the operation of the compressor 1120 when a

temperature change of the heat exchanger 1110 or an operating state of the

compressor 1120, or both, meet a predetermined reference condition.

[0292] The controller 380, after driving the compressor 1120, may

determine the temperature change of the heat exchanger 1110 and the operating

state of the compressor 1120 to stop the operation of the compressor 1120 when

at least one of the temperature change of the heat exchanger 1110 and the

operating state of the compressor 1120 corresponds to the reference condition.

[0293] That is, after driving the compressor 1120, the controller 380 may

stop the operation of the compressor 1120 so that the surface temperature stays

at or above the reference temperature, when at least one of the temperature

change of the heat exchanger 1110 and the operating state of the compressor

1120 corresponds to the reference condition as a result of monitoring by

determining the temperature change of the heat exchanger 1110 and the

operating state of the compressor 1120.

[0294] The controller 380 may determine the temperature change of the

heat exchanger 1110 through the detection result of the detecting unit 340, and

determine the operating state of the compressor based on driving control

information on the compressor 1120.

[0295] The temperature change of the heat exchanger 1110 may include

at least one of the temperature changes in the air circulating in the evaporator

1111, the refrigerant circulating in the evaporator 1111, the air circulating in the

59 89588219.3 condenser 1112, and the refrigerant circulating in the condenser 1112.

[0296] For example, the temperature change of the heat exchanger 1110

may include one of the temperature changes in the air introduced into the

evaporator 1111, the air discharged from the evaporator 1111, the refrigerant

introduced into the evaporator 1111, the refrigerant discharged from the

evaporator 1111, the air introduced into the condenser 1112, the air discharged

from the condenser 1112, the refrigerant introduced into the condenser 1112, and

the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 1112.

[0297] Accordingly, the controller 380 may determine each of the

temperature changes in the air introduced into the evaporator 1111, the air

discharged from the evaporator 1111, the refrigerant introduced into the

evaporator 1111, the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 1111, the air

introduced into the condenser 1112, the air discharged from the condenser 1112,

the refrigerant introduced into the condenser 1112, and the refrigerant discharged

from the condenser 1112, through the detection result of the detecting unit 340.

[0298] The operating state of the compressor 1120 may include at least

one of an operating time of the compressor 1120, an operating section of the

compressor 1120, and an operating frequency of the compressor 1120.

[0299] Accordingly, the controller 380 may determine each of the

operating states of the operating time of the compressor 1120, the operating

section of the compressor 1120, and the operating frequency of the compressor

1120, based on the driving control information.

[0300] The reference condition may be a condition for stopping the

compressor 1120 corresponding to each of the temperature change and the

operating state.

60 89588219.3

[0301] The reference condition may be a condition for a stable section of

the heat pump cycle.

[0302] The reference condition may include at least one of the conditions

for stopping the operation of the compressor 1120 corresponding to each of the

temperature change and the operating state.

[0303] The reference condition may include conditions for each of the

temperature change of the heat exchanger 1110 for a predetermined time, the

operating time of the compressor 1120, the operating section of the compressor

1120, and the operating frequency of the compressor 1120.

[0304] For example, the reference condition may include conditions (#1

to #8) for each of the temperature changes in the air introduced into the

evaporator 1111, the air discharged from the evaporator 1111, the refrigerant

introduced into the evaporator 1111, the refrigerant discharged from the

evaporator 1111, the air introduced into the condenser 1112, the air discharged

from the condenser 1112, the refrigerant introduced into the condenser 1112, and

the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 1112, and may include conditions

(#9 to #11) for each of the operating time of the compressor 1120, the operating

section of the compressor 1120, and the operating frequency of the compressor

1120, as illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0305] Accordingly, the controller 380 may stop the operation of the

compressor 1120 when at least one of the operating states including at least one

of the temperature change in the air introduced into the evaporator 1111, the

temperature change in the air discharged from the evaporator 1111, the

temperature change in the refrigerant introduced into the evaporator 1111, the

temperature change in the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator 1111, the

61 89588219.3 temperature change in the air introduced into the condenser 1112, the temperature change in the air discharged from the condenser 1112, the temperature change in the refrigerant introduced into the condenser 1112, the temperature change in the refrigerant discharged from the condenser 1112, the operating time of the compressor 1120, the operating section of the compressor

1120, and the operating frequency of the compressor 1120 correspond to the

reference condition.

[0306] For example, when the controller 380 determines that the

temperature change in the air introduced into the evaporator 1111 is maintained

at 70 °C or above for 20 minutes or longer in a state where a condition in which

the temperature change in the air introduced into the evaporator 1111 is

maintained at 70 °C or above for 20 minutes or longer is set to the reference

condition, the controller 380 may stop the operation of the compressor 1120 as

the determined condition meets the reference condition.

[0307] Alternatively, when the controller 380 determines that the change

of the operating frequency of the compressor 1120 is maintained within a

predetermined range for a predetermined time in a state where a condition in

which the change of the operating frequency of the compressor 1120 is

maintained within a predetermined range for a predetermined time is set to the

reference condition, the controller 380 may stop the operation of the compressor

1120 as the determined condition meets the reference condition.

[0308] As described above, the controller 380 that stops the operation of

the compressor 1120 based on the reference condition may change the setting

of the reference condition by reflecting a weighted value to the reference

condition according to an external temperature and an operating state of the

62 89588219.3 clothes treating apparatus 1000.

[0309] For example, according to the weather or an amount of water in

the clothes treating apparatus 1000, the controller 380 may change the setting of

the reference condition by reflecting a weighted value to the reference condition.

[0310] For a more specific example, in winter or when the external

temperature of the clothes treating apparatus 1000 is below a predetermined

temperature, the controller 380 may change the setting of the reference condition

by reflecting a weighted value of± A C to the reference condition so that a state

in which the temperature of the air circulation passage decreases is reflected to

the reference condition.

[0311] Accordingly, stoppage of the compressor 1120 according to at

least one of the surrounding environment and the operating state of the clothes

treating apparatus 1000 may be appropriately performed.

[0312] As described above, the controller 380 that stops the operation of

the compressor 1120 according to whether or not the reference condition is

satisfied, when at least one of the temperature change and the operating state

corresponds to the reference condition after driving the compressor 1120, stops

the operation of the compressor 1120 to allow the surface temperature to be at

or above the reference temperature, so that the sterilizing operation is performed.

[0313] That is, the controller 380 drives the compressor 1120 and stops

the operation of the compressor 1120 when at least one of the temperature

change and the operating state corresponds to the reference condition, so that

the surface temperature is at or above the reference temperature.

[0314] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, after driving the

compressor 1120, when the operating frequency of the compressor 1120

63 89588219.3 corresponds to a cycle stabilization section pulsating at a constant frequency for a predetermined time, the controller may stop the operation of the compressor

1120 to control the surface temperature to be at or above the reference

temperature of 60 °C.

[0315] Specific examples of the controller 380 stopping the operation of

the compressor 1120 according to at least one of the temperature change and

the operating state are as follows.

[0316] After driving the compressor 1120, the controller 380 may stop the

operation of the compressor 1120 when the temperature of the air circulating in

the evaporator 1111 is maintained at or above a predetermined temperature for

a predetermined time.

[0317] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, when the temperature of

the air circulating in the evaporator 1111 Eva.in - Air is maintained at or above a

predetermined temperature (70 °C) for a predetermined period of time (55 to 75

min section => 20 min), the controller 380 may stop the operation of the

compressor 1120 to make the surface temperature to be 60 °C or above.

[0318] The controller 380 may stop the operation of the compressor 1120

when the temperature of the air circulating in the evaporator 1111 is changed

within a predetermined range for a predetermined time after driving the

compressor 1120.

[0319] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, when the temperature of

the air circulated in the evaporator 1111 Eva.in - Air changes within a

predetermined range X ±5 C for a predetermined time (55 to 75 min section =>

20 min), the controller 380 may stop the operation of the compressor 1120 to

make the surface temperature to be 60 °C or above.

64 89588219.3

[0320] After driving the compressor 1120, the controller 380 may stop the

operation of the compressor 1120 when the temperature of the air circulated in

the condenser 1112 is maintained at or above a predetermined temperature for

a predetermined time.

[0321] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, when the temperature of

the air circulated in the condenser 1112 Cond.in - Air is maintained at or above a

predetermined temperature (90 °C) for a predetermined time (55 to 75 min

section => 20 min), the controller 380 may stop the operation of the compressor

1120 to make the surface temperature to be 60 °C or above.

[0322] The controller 380 may stop the operation of the compressor 1120

when the temperature of air circulated in the condenser 1112 is changed within

a predetermined range for a predetermined time after driving the compressor

1120.

[0323] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, when the temperature of

the air circulating in the condenser 1112 Cond.in - Air changes within a

predetermined range X ±5 C for a predetermined time (55 to 75 min section =>

20 min), the controller 380 may stop the operation of the compressor 1120 to

make the surface temperature to be 60 °C or above.

[0324] After driving the compressor 1120, the controller 380 may stop the

operation of the compressor 1120 when the operating frequency of the

compressor 1120 is maintained at or below a predetermined frequency for a

predetermined time.

[0325] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, when the operating

frequency of the compressor 1120 Comp.rps is maintained at or below a

predetermined frequency (40 HZ) for a predetermined period of time (55 to 75

65 89588219.3 min section => 20 min), the controller 380 may stop the operation of the compressor 1120 to make the surface temperature to be 60 °C or above.

[0326] After driving the compressor 1120, the controller 380 may stop the

operation of the compressor 1120 when a change in the operating frequency of

the compressor 1120 is within a predetermined range for a predetermined time.

[0327] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, when the change in the

operating frequency of the compressor 1120 Comp.rps is made within a

predetermined ranged of frequency (± 10 HZ) for a predetermined period of time

(55 to 75 min section => 20 min), the controller 380 may stop the operation of the

compressor 1120 to make the surface temperature to be 60 °C or above.

[0328] As described above, when the controller 380 stops the operation

of the compressor 1120 as at least one of the temperature change and the

operating state corresponds to the reference condition, the surface temperature

of the evaporator 1111 rises due to a thermal equilibrium caused by stopping the

operation of the compressor 1120. Accordingly, the surface temperature rises up

to or above the reference temperature so that the evaporator 1111 can be

sterilized at or above the reference temperature.

[0329] More specifically, while the compressor 1120 is operated to

maintain the heat pump cycle, the temperature of each of the air circulation

passage and the condenser 1112 is maintained at or above a predetermined

temperature by the heat pump cycle. However, when the operation of the

compressor 1120 is stopped, the heat pump cycle is stopped, such that the

temperature of the air circulation passage and the condenser 1112 cannot be

maintained, and heat from at least one of the air circulation passage and the

condenser 1112 moves to the evaporator 1111 to cause a thermal equilibrium.

66 89588219.3

Accordingly, the temperature of the air circulation passage and the condenser

1112 drops and the surface temperature of the evaporator 1111 rises, so that the

surface temperature rises up to or above the reference temperature.

[0330] Here, the reference temperature is a temperature capable of

sterilizing one or more bacteria contained in the condensate, and may be set to,

for example, 60 °C.

[0331] Accordingly, the controller 380 may control the operation of the

compressor 1120 to allow the surface temperature to be at 60 °C or higher.

[0332] The controller 380 may control the surface temperature to be

maintained at or above the reference temperature for the reference time by

stopping the operation of the compressor 1120 for a predetermined reference

time.

[0333] That is, the controller 380 may maintain the stoppage of the

compressor 1120 for the reference time to control the surface temperature to stay

at or above the reference temperature for the reference time.

[0334] Here, the reference time may refer to a time duration during which

a sterilization on the evaporator 1111 is performed, and may be set to, for

example,10 minutes or longer.

[0335] That is, the reference time may be a time duration for which the

sterilizing operation is performed.

[0336] Accordingly, the sterilizing operation on the evaporator 1111 may

be performed for the reference time.

[0337] FIG. 11B is a table showing a result of a sterilization test for

Staphylococcus aureus that is one of the bacteria contained in the condensate.

When sterilized for more than 10 minutes at or above 60 °C, a death rate of

67 89588219.3

Staphylococcus aureus can be 99 % or more, as shown in FIG. 11B.

[0338] That is, when the reference temperature is set to 60 °C and the

reference time is set to 10 minutes or longer, the Staphylococcus aureus existing

in the evaporator 1111 can be effectively sterilized.

[0339] Accordingly, the controller 380 controls the operation of the

compressor 1120 to allow the sterilizing operation on the evaporator 1111 to be

maintained at or above the reference temperature (60 °C) for the reference time

(10 minutes) so that the Staphylococcus aureus existing in the evaporator 1111

is effectively sterilized.

[0340] The reference time may be set according to the operating

frequency of the compressor 1120.

[0341] For example, the reference time may be set corresponding to a

magnitude of the operating frequency before the compressor 1120 is stopped.

[0342] Specifically, when the magnitude of the operating frequency

before stopping the operation of the compressor 1120 is smaller than a reference

value, the reference time may be set to be longer as much as it is smaller than

the reference value, and when the magnitude of the operating frequency is

greater than the reference value, the reference time may be set to be shorter as

much as it is greater than the reference value.

[0343] Accordingly, after stopping the operation of the compressor 1120,

the controller 380 may maintain the stoppage of the compressor 1120 according

to the magnitude of the operating frequency before stopping the operation of the

compressor 1120.

[0344] That is, the controller 380 may stop the operation of the

compressor 1120 for a period of time corresponding to the magnitude of the

68 89588219.3 operating frequency before stopping the operation of the evaporator 1111, so that the evaporator 1111 is sterilized for the above described period of time.

[0345] As such, the controller 380 controlling the surface temperature to

be maintained at or above the reference temperature for the reference time by

stopping the operation of the compressor 1120 for the reference time, may

complete the sterilizing operation when the reference time elapses.

[0346] That is, the controller 380 may control the sterilizing operation to

be performed for the reference time.

[0347] In this way, the controller 380 controlling the sterilizing operation

may maintain the operation of the drum 1030 while the sterilizing operation is

performed.

[0348] Accordingly, the controller 380 may control the surface

temperature to be at or above the reference temperature by promoting the

thermal equilibrium in the air circulation passage through the operation of the

drum 1030.

[0349] The controller 380 may also control the operation of the circulation

fan 1710 during the sterilizing operation.

[0350] For example, the controller 380 may drive the circulation fan 1710

together with the compressor, or maintain the operation of the circulation fan 1710

while the compressor 1120 is being stopped, to promote a thermal equilibrium on

the air circulation passage by the operation of the circulation fan, so that the

surface temperature rises up to or above the reference temperature.

[0351] The process of controlling the sterilizing operation by the

controller 380 described above may be performed in the order illustrated in FIG.

12.

69 89588219.3

[0352] The controller 380 may control the sterilizing operation such that,

firstly, driving the compressor 1120 [P1], and then controlling the operation of the

compressor 1120 [P2] to configure the heat pump cycle. Here, the controller 380

may control the operation of the compressor 1120 [P2] by determining the

temperature change and the operating state to drive the compressor 1120 until

at least one of the temperature change and the operating state corresponds to

the reference condition [P3]. When at least one of the temperature change and

the operating state does not correspond to the reference condition [P3], the

controller 380 may maintain the operation of the compressor 1120 [P2]. And,

when at least one of the temperature change and the operating state corresponds

to the reference condition [P3], the controller 380 may stop the operation of the

compressor 1120 [P4]. After stopping the operation of the compressor 1120, the

controller 380 may maintain [P4] the stoppage of the operation of the compressor

1120 until the stoppage time duration of the compressor 1120 exceeds the

reference time [P5], and when the stoppage time duration of the compressor 1120

exceeds the reference time [P5], the controller 380 may complete the sterilizing

operation [P6].

[0353] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a clothes treating apparatus will be

described, but descriptions repeating the above-mentioned contents may be

omitted, and a specific embodiment of the clothes treating apparatus will be

mainly described.

[0354] The clothes treating apparatus according to the embodiment is the

clothes treating apparatus illustrated in FIG. 5A or 6A, and may be the clothes

treating apparatus 1000 described above.

[0355] The clothes treating apparatus 1000 includes the drum 1030

70 89588219.3 rotatably installed inside a main body of the clothes treating apparatus 1000; the heat exchanger 1110 provided at an air circulation passage connected to the drum 1030 and including the evaporator 1111 and the condenser 1112 that exchange heat with air circulating in the air circulation passage; the compressor

1120 configured to compress the refrigerant circulated through the heat

exchanger 1110 and exchanging heat with the air circulating in the air circulation

passage; input elements 1700 in which a control input for an operation mode of

the clothes treating apparatus is applied; and the control apparatus 1600

configured to control an operation of the drum 1030 or an operation of the

compressor 1120, or both, so that an operation according to the operation mode

is performed in response to the control input, as illustrated in FIG. 13.

[0356] That is, the clothes treating apparatus 1000 may perform the

operation according to the operation mode, as the control apparatus 1600

controls the operation of at least one of the drum 1030 and the compressor 1120

in response to a control input for the operation mode received through the input

elements 1700.

[0357] Here, the control apparatus 1600 may be the control apparatus

1600 described above.

[0358] As described above, when a control input on a specific mode for

controlling the surface temperature of the evaporator 1111 is applied, the control

apparatus 1600 configured to control the clothes treating apparatus 1000 so that

the operation according to the operation mode is performed controls the surface

temperature to be at or above a predetermined reference temperature by

stopping the operation of the compressor 1120 when at least one of the

temperature change of the evaporator 1111 and the operating state of the

71 89588219.3 compressor 1120 corresponds to the predetermined reference condition after driving the compressor 1120.

[0359] That is, when the control input for the specific mode is applied, the

control apparatus 1600 may drive the compressor 1120 until at least one of the

temperature change and the operating state corresponds to the reference

condition, then stop the operation of the compressor 1120 so that the surface

temperature stays at or above the reference temperature.

[0360] Here, the specific mode may be a mode that operates such that

the surface temperature rises up to or above the reference temperature.

[0361] The specific mode may be, for example, a sterilization mode for

sterilizing the evaporator 1111.

[0362] That is, when a control input for the sterilization mode for

sterilizing the evaporator 1111 is applied through the input elements 1700, the

control apparatus 1600 may drive the compressor 1120 until at least one of the

temperature change and the operating state corresponds to the reference

condition, then stop the operation of the compressor 1120 so that the surface

temperature stays at or above the reference temperature to sterilize the

evaporator 1111.

[0363] The sterilization mode is a mode that sterilizes the evaporator

1111 among the operation modes of the clothes treating apparatus 1000, and

may be a mode of sterilizing the evaporator 1111 contaminated by the

condensate.

[0364] The specific mode may be a mode performed while the object for

drying is not accommodated in the drum 1030.

[0365] That is, the sterilization mode may be performed in the no-load

72 89588219.3 state in which the object for drying is not accommodated in the drum 1030.

[0366] Accordingly, the sterilization mode is a mode performed in the no

load state in which the object for drying is not accommodated in the drum 1030,

and may be performed separately from the drying mode for drying the object.

[0367] The control apparatus 1600 may allow a control input for the

specific mode to be applied, but when the object for drying is accommodated in

the drum 1030, the control apparatus 1600 may control an operation according

to the specific mode not to be performed.

[0368] That is, when a control input for the specific mode is applied in a

loaded state, the control apparatus 1600 may control the operation according to

the specific mode not to be performed.

[0369] In addition, when the control input for the specific mode is applied

in the loaded state, the control apparatus 1600 may also control a display to

indicate that the drum is not in the no-load state on the outside of the clothes

treating apparatus 1000.

[0370] For example, the control apparatus 1600 may transmit information

indicating the loaded state to a remote control means configured to remotely

control the clothes treating apparatus 1000 or may control the output unit 320 to

display the loaded state.

[0371] The input element 1700, in which the control input is applied, may

refer to a means in which an operation input to control the operation of the clothes

treating apparatus 1000 is applied by a user.

[0372] The input elements 1700 may include at least one of the input unit

310 for manipulation of the operation control of the clothes treating apparatus

1000, a button portion 311 for push manipulation for performing the sterilization

73 89588219.3 mode, a voice portion 312 through which voice for the operation control of the clothes treating apparatus 1000 is inputted, and the communication unit 330 configured to communicate with communication means external to the clothes treating apparatus 1000.

[0373] That is, the control input for the specific mode may be applied

through at least one of the input unit 310, the button portion 311, the voice portion

312, and the communication unit 330.

[0374] The input unit 310 may be configured as a control panel on which

a manipulation of the operation control of the clothes treating apparatus 1000 is

made, so that a control input for performing the sterilization mode is applied in

response to the manipulation on the control panel.

[0375] The button portion 311 is a button provided on an outer surface of

the clothes treating apparatus 1000 or on the input unit 310, and a control input

for performing a specific bacteria mode may be applied in response to a push of

the button.

[0376] For example, when the button portion 311 is pushed, a control

input for performing the specific mode is applied, so that the control apparatus

1600 can control an operation of the specific mode.

[0377] Here, the button portion 311 may include a dedicated button for

performing the specific mode.

[0378] The voice portion 312 is the input unit 310 or a voice recognition

means provided in the input unit 310 and may be input a voice command of a

user of the clothes treating apparatus 1000, so a control input for performing the

specific mode may be applied by inputting the voice command.

[0379] For example, when a voice including "specific", "sterilization",

74 89588219.3

"sterilizing operation" or "sterilization mode" is inputted, a control input for

performing the specific mode is applied, so that the control apparatus 1600 can

control the operation of the specific mode.

[0380] The communication unit 330 is a communication means to

communicate with at least one of the external network and the remote control

means of the clothes treating apparatus 1000, in which a control input for

performing the specific mode may be applied in response to a control command

transmitted from at least one of the external network and the remote control

means of the clothes treating apparatus 1000.

[0381] Accordingly, when a control input for the specific mode is applied

through at least one of the input unit 310, the button portion 311, the voice portion

312, and the communication unit 330 included in the input elements 1700, the

control apparatus 1600 may drive the compressor 1120 until at least one of the

temperature change and the operating state corresponds to the reference

condition, then stop the operation of the compressor 1120 so that the surface

temperature stays at or above the reference temperature.

[0382] The control apparatus 1600 to control the operation according to

the specific mode when a control input for the specific mode is applied, may stop

the operation of the compressor 1120 for the reference time.

[0383] That is, when the control apparatus 1600 controls the specific

mode to be performed, the control apparatus 1600 may drive the compressor

1120 until at least one of the temperature change and the operating state

corresponds to the reference condition, then stop the operation of the compressor

1120 for the reference time so that the surface temperature stays at or above the

reference temperature, and thereby sterilizing the compressor 1120 for the

75 89588219.3 reference time.

[0384] As described above, when a control input for the specific mode is applied through the input elements 1700, the control apparatus 1600 drives the compressor 1120 until at least one of the temperature change and the operating

state corresponds to the reference condition, then stops the operation of the compressor 1120 so that the surface temperature is to be at or above the reference temperature to perform the specific mode. Here, the operation of the

clothes treating apparatus 1000 is controlled by the control apparatus 1600, and

the clothes treating apparatus 1000 further includes the circulation fan 1710 configured to generate a flow of air in which the air is passing through the

condenser 1112 to be introduced into the drum 1030. In addition, the control

apparatus 1600 may drive the circulation fan 1710 while stopping the operation of the compressor 1120.

[0385] That is, the control apparatus 1600 may control the surface

temperature to be at or above the reference temperature by driving the circulation fan 1710 to generate a flow of air, while stopping the operation of the compressor

1120.

[0386] Here, the circulation fan 1710 may be operated while the compressor 1120 is operating.

[0387] That is, the control apparatus 1600 may drive the circulation fan

1710 while the compressor 1120 is operating.

[0388] The control apparatus 1600 may drive the circulation fan 1710 by

changing the rotation speed of the circulation fan 1710 while stopping the

operation of the compressor 1120.

[0389] For example, when the compressor 1120 is operating, the

76 89588219.3 circulation fan 1710 may rotate at a speed of X [HZ], and when the compressor

1120 stops operating, the circulation fan 1710 may rotate at a speed of X-Y [HZ].

[0390] The control apparatus 1600 may drive the circulation fan 1710

according to the number of times the operation of the compressor 1120 isstopped.

[0391] For example, when the operation of the compressor 1120 is

stopped twice or more, the control apparatus 1600 may drive the circulation fan

1710.

[0392] The control apparatus 1600 may also stop the operation of the

circulation fan 1710 while stopping the operation of the compressor 1120.

[0393] For example, when the operation of the compressor 1120 is

stopped less than twice, the control apparatus 1600 may not drive the circulation

fan 1710.

[0394] When a control input for the specific mode is applied through the

input elements 1700, the control apparatus 1600 drives the compressor 1120

until at least one of the temperature change and the operating state corresponds

to the reference condition, then stops the operation of the compressor 1120 so

that the surface temperature is to be at or above the reference temperature to

perform the specific mode. Here, the clothes treating apparatus 1000 further

includes the pump portion 1440 configured to drain condensate collected in the

water tank installed in a lower side of the heat exchanger 1110 to outside of the

water tank. In addition, the control apparatus 1600 may control the operation of

the pump portion 1440 so that the condensate is drained before driving the

compressor 1120, and after the stoppage of the operation of the compressor

1120.

[0395] That is, the control apparatus 1600 controls the operation of the

77 89588219.3 pump portion 1440 before driving the compressor 1120 and after stopping the operation of the compressor 1120 to allow the condensate to be drained from the water tank. By doing so, the condensate collected before and after the evaporator

1111 is sterilized is removed.

[0396] Accordingly, sterilization of the evaporator 1111 before the

sterilization mode operation can be appropriately performed, and by removing a

cause of contamination remaining in the water tank after the sterilization mode

operation, sterilization can be effectively performed.

[0397] When a control input for the specific mode is applied through the

input elements 1700, the control apparatus 1600 drives the compressor 1120

until at least one of the temperature change and the operating state corresponds

to the reference condition, then stops the operation of the compressor 1120 so

that the surface temperature is to be at or above the reference temperature to

perform the specific mode. Here, the clothes treating apparatus 1000 further

includes the cleaning portion 1461 configured to spray cleaning water to clean

the surface of the evaporator 1111 toward the surface of the evaporator 1111,

and the valve portion 391 having a plurality of cleaning water ports to form a part

of a path through which the cleaning water flows. In addition, the control

apparatus 1600 may control the operation of the evaporator 1111 so that the

cleaning water is sprayed based on the predetermined reference for spraying

before the operation of the compressor 1120, and after the stoppage of the

operation of the compressor 1120.

[0398] That is, the control apparatus 1600 controls the operation of the

valve portion 391 before driving the compressor 1120 and after stopping the

operation of the compressor 1120 to allow the cleaning water to be sprayed on

78 89588219.3 the evaporator 1111 according to the reference for spraying. By doing so, the evaporator 1111 is cleaned before and after the evaporator 1111 is sterilized.

[0399] The reference for spraying may be a reference on at least one of

a timing, a region, a time duration and number of times the cleaning water is

sprayed.

[0400] For example, the cleaning water may be set to be sprayed at a

predetermined time, over a predetermined region, for a predetermined time

duration and by a predetermined number of times or more.

[0401] The reference for spraying may be set differently before driving

the compressor 1120 and after stopping the operation of the compressor 1120.

[0402] For example, a reference for spraying before driving the

compressor 1120 and a reference for spraying after stopping the operation of the

compressor 1120 may be set differently.

[0403] Accordingly, the control apparatus 1600 may control the operation

of the valve portion 391, such that the cleaning water is sprayed according to the

respective references for spraying before driving the compressor 1120 and after

stopping the operation of the compressor 1120.

[0404] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a method for controlling a clothes

treating apparatus will be described, but descriptions repeating the above

mentioned contents may be omitted, and a specific embodiment of the method

for controlling the clothes treating apparatus will be mainly described.

[0405] A method for controlling a clothes treating apparatus according to

an embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as a control method) is a control method

for a clothes treating apparatus including a heat exchanger 1110 provided at an

air circulation passage connected to a drum 1030 and including an evaporator

79 89588219.3

1111 and a condenser 1112 that exchange heat with air circulating in the air

circulation passage, a compressor 1120 configured to compress a refrigerant;

and a circulation fan 1710 configured to generate a flow of air in which the air is

passing through the condenser 1112 to be introduced into the drum 1030, which

may be a method for controlling an operation of the clothes treating apparatus

1000 described above.

[0406] The clothes treating apparatus 1000 includes the drum 1030

rotatably installed inside a main body that defines an exterior of the clothes

treating apparatus, the heat exchanger 1110; the compressor 1120, the

circulation fan 1710, a cleaning portion 1461 configured to spray cleaning water

to clean the surface of the evaporator 1111 toward the surface of the evaporator

1111, and a valve portion having a plurality of cleaning water ports to form a part

of a path through which the cleaning water flows, wherein the operation of the

clothes treating apparatus may be controlled according to the control method.

[0407] The control method may also be a control method in which the

control apparatus 1600 as illustrated in FIG. 5A or 6A controls the clothes treating

apparatus 1000.

[0408] That is, the control method may be applied to the clothes treating

apparatus 1000 or the control apparatus 1600 described above.

[0409] The control method is a method for controlling the operation of the

clothes treating apparatus 1000, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the method includes

driving the compressor 1120 and the circulation fan 1710 [Si], stopping the

operation of the compressor 1120 when at least one of the temperature change

of the evaporator 1111 and the operating state of the compressor 1120

corresponds to a predetermined reference condition [S2], maintaining the

80 89588219.3 stoppage of the operation of compressor 1120 for a predetermined reference time

[S3].

[0410] That is, the clothes treating apparatus 1000 may drive the

compressor 1120 and the circulation fan 1710 [S1], and stop the operation of the

compressor 1120 when at least one of the temperature change and the operating

state corresponds to the reference condition [S2] to maintain the stoppage of the

operation of compressor 1120 for the reference time [S3].

[0411] Here, in the maintaining step [S3], the circulation fan 1710 may be

operated by changing the rotation speed of the circulation fan 1710 after the

operation of the compressor 1120 is stopped.

[0412] That is, while the operation of the compressor 1120 is stopped for

the reference time, the circulation fan 1710 may be operated by changing the

rotation speed.

[0413] For example, the circulation fan 1710 may be operated at a speed

slower than the rotation speed when the compressor 1120 is operated during the

reference time.

[0414] The control method including the driving step [S1], the stopping

step [S2] and the maintaining step [S3] may be a method for controlling any one

operation mode of the clothes treating apparatus 1000.

[0415] That is, the control method may be a method for driving the

compressor 1120 and the circulation fan 1710 [S1], stopping the operation of the

compressor 1120 when at least one of the temperature change and the operating

state corresponds to the reference condition [S2], and maintaining the stoppage

of the operation of compressor 1120 for the reference time [S3].

[0416] For example, the control method may be a method for controlling

81 89588219.3 a specific mode, such that the operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1000 is controlled by the driving step [Si], the stopping step [S2], and the maintaining step [S3].

[0417] The control method including the driving [S1], the stopping [S2],

and the maintaining [S3] may further include restarting the compressor 1120 [S4]

and repeatedly performing [S5] the stopping [S2] and the maintaining [S3].

[0418] The step of restarting [S4] may be a step of re-driving the

compressor 1120 after maintaining [S3] the stoppage of the operation of the

compressor 1120 for the reference time.

[0419] The step of performing repetition [S5] may be a step of, after re

driving the compressor 1120 [S4], stopping the operation of the compressor 1120

when at least one of the temperature change and the operating state corresponds

to the reference condition [S2], then maintaining the stoppage of the operation of

compressor 1120 for the reference time [S3].

[0420] That is, in the step of performing repetition [S5], after re-driving

compressor 1120 [S4], the step of stopping [S2] and the step of maintaining [S3]

may be repeatedly performed.

[0421] Accordingly, in the control method, stopping the operation of the

compressor 1120 [S2] and maintaining the stoppage of the operation of the

compressor [S3] may be repeatedly performed a plurality of times.

[0422] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 15, by repeatedly performing

the stopping of the compressor 1120 and the maintaining the stoppage for the

reference time for two times (section A and section B) under the reference

condition, the surface temperature can be at or above the reference temperature

for two times.

82 89588219.3

[0423] In this case, the reference time is set to 10 minutes, and as

illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the operation of the compressor 1120 may be

stopped for 10 minutes in the section A and the section B, respectively.

[0424] According to this, as a time duration where the evaporator 1111

stays at or above the reference temperature is a total of 20 minutes, that is, a

total sterilization time is 20 minutes, a sterilization rate can be close to 99.999

% (see, FIG. 11B).

[0425] In this way, the control method may control the operation of the

clothes treating apparatus 1000, so that the operation according to the specific

mode is repeatedly performed two or more times.

[0426] Accordingly, the clothes treating apparatus 1000 may repeatedly

perform a specific operation in which driving the compressor 1120 and the

circulation fan 1710 [S1], stopping the operation of the compressor 1120 when at

least one of the temperature change and the operating state corresponds to the

reference condition [S2], and maintaining the stoppage of the operation of

compressor 1120 for the reference time [S3], for two or more times.

[0427] As described above, a specific control method for controlling the

operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1000 includes entering a control input

for performing a sterilization mode to sterilize the evaporator 1111 [S10], driving

the drum 1030 [S20], spraying the cleaning water on the evaporator 1111

according to a predetermined reference for spraying by controlling the valve

portion 391 [S30], driving the compressor 1120 and the circulation fan 1710 [S40],

maintaining the operation of the compressor 1120 until at least one of the

temperature change of the evaporator 1111 and the operating state of the

compressor 1120 corresponds to a predetermined reference condition [S50],

83 89588219.3 stopping the operation of the compressor 1120 when at least one of the temperature change of the evaporator 1111 and the operating state of the compressor 1120 corresponds to the reference condition [S60], and maintaining the stoppage of the operation of compressor 1120 for a predetermined reference time [S70].

[0428] That is, the control method may be a method for controlling the

operation of the sterilization mode.

[0429] Accordingly, the control apparatus 1600 may control the operation

of the sterilization mode in the following order of steps, such as entering a control

input for performing a sterilization mode to sterilize the evaporator 1111 [S10],

driving the drum 1030 [S20], spraying the cleaning water on the evaporator 1111

according to a predetermined reference for spraying by controlling the valve

portion 391 [S30], driving the compressor 1120 and the circulation fan 1710 [S40],

maintaining the operation of the compressor 1120 until at least one of the

temperature change of the evaporator 1111 and the operating state of the

compressor 1120 corresponds to a predetermined reference condition [S50],

stopping the operation of the compressor 1120 when at least one of the

temperature change of the evaporator 1111 and the operating state of the

compressor 1120 corresponds to the reference condition [S60], and maintaining

the stoppage of the operation of compressor 1120 for a predetermined reference

time [S70].

[0430] In addition, the sterilization mode may be performed in the clothes

treating apparatus 1000 in the following order of steps, such as entering a control

input for performing a sterilization mode to sterilize the evaporator 1111 [S10],

driving the drum 1030 [S20], spraying the cleaning water on the evaporator 1111

84 89588219.3 according to a predetermined reference for spraying by controlling the valve portion 391 [S30], driving the compressor 1120 and the circulation fan 1710 [S40], maintaining the operation of the compressor 1120 until at least one of the temperature change of the evaporator 1111 and the operating state of the compressor 1120 corresponds to a predetermined reference condition [S50], stopping the operation of the compressor 1120 when at least one of the temperature change of the evaporator 1111 and the operating state of the compressor 1120 corresponds to the reference condition [S60], and maintaining the stoppage of the operation of compressor 1120 for a predetermined reference time [S70].

[0431] The step of entering a control input for performing the sterilization

mode to sterilize the evaporator 1111 [S10] may be a step in which a control input

for performing the sterilization mode is entered through the input elements 1700

included in the clothes treating apparatus 1000.

[0432] Here, the input elements 1700 may include at least one of the

input unit 310, the button portion 311, the voice portion 312, and the

communication unit 330.

[0433] Accordingly, in the step of entering a control input for performing

the sterilization mode to sterilize the evaporator 1111 [S10], the control input for

performing the sterilization mode may be entered through at least one of the input

unit 310, the button portion 311, the voice portion 312, and the communication

unit 330.

[0434] The step of entering a control input for performing the sterilization

mode to sterilize the evaporator 1111 [S10] may be a step of entering a control

input for performing the sterilization mode through the input elements 1700 in the

85 89588219.3 no-load state in which the object for drying is not received in the drum 1030.

[0435] The step of driving the drum 1030 [S20] may be a step in which

the drum 1030 is driven by the control apparatus 1600 according to the control

input, after the control input is entered in the step of entering a control input for

performing the sterilization mode to sterilize the evaporator 1111 [S10].

[0436] That is, the control apparatus 1600 may drive the drum 1030 after

the control input is entered through the input elements 1700.

[0437] The step of spraying the cleaning water on the evaporator 1111

according to a predetermined reference for spraying by controlling the valve

portion 391 [S30] may be a step in which the control apparatus 1600 controls the

valve portion 391 so that the cleaning water is sprayed on the evaporator 1111

according to the reference for spraying, after the drum 1030 is driven in the step

of driving the drum 1030 [S20].

[0438] That is, the control apparatus 1600 may clean the evaporator

1111 by controlling the valve portion 391 to allow the cleaning water is sprayed

on the evaporator according to the reference for spraying, after driving the drum

1030.

[0439] The step of driving the compressor 1120 and the circulation fan

1710 [S40] may be a step in which the compressor 1120 and the circulation fan

1710 are respectively operated by the control apparatus 1600 so that a heat

pump cycle is implemented, after the evaporator is cleaned in the step of spraying

the cleaning water on the evaporator 1111 according to a predetermined

reference for spraying by controlling the valve portion 391 [S30].

[0440] That is, the control apparatus 1600 may drive the compressor

1120 and the circulation fan 1710, respectively, after controlling the valve portion

86 89588219.3

391 so that the cleaning water is sprayed on the evaporator 1111 according to

the reference for spraying.

[0441] The step of maintaining the operation of the compressor 1120 until

at least one of the temperature change of the evaporator 1111 and the operating

state of the compressor 1120 corresponds to a predetermined reference

condition [S50] may be a step in which the control apparatus 1600 determines at

least one of the temperature change and the operating state to maintain the

operation of the compressor 1120 until at least one of the temperature change

and the operating state corresponds to the reference condition, after driving the

compressor 1120 and the circulation fan 1710 in the step of driving the

compressor 1120 and the circulation fan 1710 [S40].

[0442] That is, the control apparatus 1600 may maintain the operation of

the compressor 1120 until at least one of the temperature change and the

operating state corresponds to the reference condition, after driving the

compressor 1120 and the circulation fan 1710.

[0443] The step of stopping the operation of the compressor 1120 when

at least one of the temperature change of the evaporator 1111 and the operating

state of the compressor 1120 corresponds to the reference condition [S60] may

be a step in which the control apparatus 1600 stops the operation of the

compressor 1120 so that the surface temperature stays at or above a

predetermined reference temperature, after maintaining the operation of the

compressor 1120 until at least one of the temperature change and the operating

state corresponds to the reference condition in the step of maintaining the

operation of the compressor 1120 until at least one of the temperature change of

the evaporator 1111 and the operating state of the compressor 1120 corresponds

87 89588219.3 to a predetermined reference condition [S50].

[0444] That is, when at least one of the temperature change and the

operating state corresponds to the reference condition, after maintaining the

operation of the compressor 1120 until at least one of the temperature change

and the operating state meets the reference condition, the control apparatus 1600

may stop the operation of the compressor 1120 so that the surface temperature

stays at or above the reference temperature.

[0445] The step of maintaining the stoppage of the operation of

compressor 1120 for the reference time [S70] may be a step in which the control

apparatus 1600 stops the operation of the compressor 1120 for the reference

time, after stopping the operation of the compressor 1120 in the step of stopping

the operation of the compressor 1120 when at least one of the temperature

change of the evaporator 1111 and the operating state of the compressor 1120

corresponds to the reference condition [S60].

[0446] That is, after stopping the operation of the compressor 1120, the

control apparatus 1600 may maintain the stoppage of the operation of the

compressor 1120 for the reference time so that the surface temperature

maintains at or above the reference temperature for the reference time to allow

the evaporator 1111 to be sterilized for the reference time.

[0447] Also, in the step of maintaining the stoppage of the operation of

compressor 1120 for the reference time [S70], the circulation fan 1710 may be

operated by changing a rotation speed of the circulation fan 1710 after the

operation of the compressor 1120 is stopped.

[0448] That is, the control apparatus 1600 may change the rotation

speed of the circulation fan 1710 while maintaining the stoppage of the operation

88 89588219.3 of the compressor 1120 for the reference time, so that the surface temperature is maintained at or above the reference temperature due to the operation of the circulation fan 1710.

[0449] After maintaining the stoppage of the operation of the compressor

1120 for the reference time, the control apparatus 1600 may complete the

operation of the sterilization mode.

[0450] The control method for controlling the operation of the sterilization

mode may further include re-spraying the cleaning water on the evaporator 1111

[S80].

[0451] The step of re-spraying the cleaning water on the evaporator 1111

[S80] may be a step in which the control apparatus 1600 controls the valve portion

391 to spray the cleaning water on the evaporator 1111, after maintaining the

stoppage of the operation of the compressor 1120 for the reference time [S70].

[0452] That is, the control apparatus 1600 may maintain the stoppage of

the operation of the compressor 1120 for the reference time to allow the

evaporator 1111 to be sterilized during the reference time, and then re-clean the

evaporator 1111.

[0453] Meanwhile, the evaporator sterilization method in the

embodiments of the apparatus for controlling the clothes treating apparatus, the

clothes treating apparatus, and the method for controlling the clothes treating

apparatus described above may be implemented in various operation modes for

cleaning and sterilizing the evaporator.

[0454] For example, the evaporator sterilization may be performed in a

first operation mode in which the entire clothes treating apparatus 1000 is cleaned

89 89588219.3 and sterilized as illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B, and may be performed in a second operation mode in which the evaporator 1111 is cleaned and sterilized as illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B.

[0455] The first operation mode is a mode in which the clothes treating

apparatus 1000 operates as illustrated in FIG. 18Ato clean and sterilizethe entire

clothes treating apparatus 1000 as illustrated in FIG. 18B. When the first

operation mode is started in the no-load state, the first operation mode may be

performed in the following order of courses, such as an automatic cleaning and

sterilizing course in which cleaning water containing citric acid is sprayed on the

evaporator 1111 and the water tank according to a predetermined reference for

spraying, a drum/flow path high-temperature sterilization course in which the

drum 1030 and the air circulation passage is sterilized at a high temperature, and

an evaporator high-temperature sterilization course in which the evaporator 1111

is sterilized at a high temperature. Here, in the automatic cleaning sterilizing

course, the evaporator 1111 is cleaned before being sterilized by controlling the

valve portion 391 to allow the cleaning water is sprayed on the evaporator 1111

according to the predetermined reference for spraying. Thereafter, when a

predetermined time has elapsed after driving the compressor 1120 and the

circulation fan 1710, the operation of the compressor 1120 and the circulation fan

1710 is stopped, and the pump portion 1440 is controlled to drain the condensate

so that the condensate collected after the cleaning is drained. After that, the

drum/flow path high-temperature sterilization course is started by driving the

compressor 1120 and the circulation fan 1710, so that the drying of the drum

1030 and the evaporator 1111 is performed. Thereafter, when at least one of the

temperature change and the operating state corresponds to a predetermined

90 89588219.3 reference condition, the evaporator high-temperature sterilization course can be started by stopping the operation of the compressor 1120. In the evaporator high temperature sterilization course, the evaporator 1111 can be sterilized at or above the reference temperature by stopping the operation of the compressor

1120 so that the surface temperature of the evaporator 1111 stays at or above

the reference temperature for the reference time. Here, as the circulation fan

1710 is operated by changing the rotation speed of the circulation fan 1710, the

surface temperature can be stayed at or above the reference temperature due to

the blowing of the circulation fan 1710. And, the condensate collected in the

drum/flow path high-temperature sterilization course can be drained by

controlling the pump portion 1440 so that the condensate is drained after the

operation of the compressor 1120 is stopped.

[0456] The second operation mode is a mode in which the clothes

treating apparatus 1000 operates as illustrated in FIG. 19A to intensively clean

and sterilize the evaporator 1111 as illustrated in FIG. 19B. When the second

operation mode is started in the no-load state, the second operation mode may

be performed in the following order of courses, such as an automatic cleaning

course in which cleaning water is sprayed on the drum 1030, the air circulation

passage, and the evaporator 1111 according to a predetermined reference for

spraying, and a drum/flow path/evaporator drying course in which the drum 1030,

the air circulation passage, and the evaporator 1111 are sterilized at a high

temperature. Here, in the automatic cleaning course, the evaporator 1111 is

cleaned before being sterilized by controlling the valve portion 391 to allow the

cleaning water to be sprayed on the evaporator 1111 according to the

predetermined reference for spraying while the drum 1030 is operating. In this

91 89588219.3 case, the spraying of the cleaning water may be performed multiple times, for example, may be performed 5 times or more. Thereafter, by driving the compressor 1120 and the circulation fan 1710, the drum/flow path/evaporator drying course may be started. In the drum/flow path/evaporator drying course, the evaporator 1111 can be sterilized at or above the reference temperature by operating the compressor 1120 until at least one of the temperature change and the operating state corresponds to the reference condition, then stopping the operation of the compressor 1120 so that the surface temperature stays at or above the reference temperature. Here, as the circulation fan 1710 is operated by changing the rotation speed of the circulation fan 1710, the surface temperature can stay at or above the reference temperature due to the blowing of the circulation fan 1710. And, the condensate collected in the drum/flow path/evaporator drying course can be drained by controlling the pump portion

1440 so that the condensate is drained after the operation of the compressor

1120 is stopped.

[0457] The first operation mode and the second operation mode are

examples for explaining a detailed application example of an evaporator

sterilization method according to an embodiment. The first operation mode and

the second operation mode may be performed in an order/course/method

different from the ones illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 19A. Also, the detailed

application example of the evaporator sterilization method according to an

embodiment may be performed in a method in which the first operation mode and

the second operation mode illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 19A are modified.

[0458] Embodiments of the apparatus for controlling the clothes treating

92 89588219.3 apparatus, the clothes treating apparatus, and the method for controlling the clothes treating apparatus described above may be performed separately, and may also be performed in a combination of two or more.

[0459] Embodiments of the apparatus for controlling the clothes treating

apparatus, the clothes treating apparatus, and the method for controlling the

clothes treating apparatus described above may be implemented in a part or a

combination of configurations or steps included in each embodiment, or may be

implemented in a combination of the embodiments.

[0460] Embodiments of the apparatus for controlling the clothes treating

apparatus, the clothes treating apparatus, and the method for controlling the

clothes treating apparatus described above may be applied to a control apparatus,

a control module, and a control means controlling the clothes treating apparatus,

a method for controlling the control apparatus that controls the clothes treating

apparatus, a method for controlling the clothes treating apparatus, or a control

system of the clothes treating apparatus, etc.

[0461] Embodiments of the apparatus for controlling the clothes treating

apparatus, the clothes treating apparatus, and the method for controlling the

clothes treating apparatus described above may be usefully applied to, in

particular, a sterilization method for the control apparatus of the clothes treating

apparatus, a sterilization method for the clothes treating apparatus, a sterilizing

operation method for the clothes treating apparatus, or a method for controlling

the sterilizing operation of the clothes treating apparatus.

[0462] Embodiments of the apparatus for controlling the clothes treating

apparatus, the clothes treating apparatus, and the method for controlling the

clothes treating apparatus described above may also be applied to all the clothes

93 89588219.3 treating apparatus, dryers, a control method for the clothes treating apparatus, a control method for operation of the clothes treating apparatus to which a technical idea of the above technology can be applied.

[0463] Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure have been

described so far, but various modifications may be applicable within a scope of

the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure may not

be limited to the described embodiments, but may be determined not only by the

claims below but also by the equivalents of the claims.

[0464] As mentioned above, although the present disclosure has been

described by way of limited embodiments and drawings, but is not limited to the

above-described embodiments, which can be adjusted or modified by those

skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Accordingly, it will be

said that all of the equivalent or equivalent modifications thereof fall within the

scope of the idea of the present disclosure.

94 89588219.3

Claims (13)

CLAIMS:

1. A control apparatus for controlling a clothes treating apparatus, the

clothes treating apparatus comprising a drum rotatably installed inside a main

body, the drum forming an air flow path fluidly connected to an air circulation

passage; a heat pump provided to the air circulation passage, the heat pump

comprising an evaporator and a condenser configured to exchange heat with air

circulating in the air circulation passage; and a compressor configured to

compress a refrigerant,

the control apparatus comprising:

a driving unit configured to drive the compressor; and

a controller configured to control an operation of the compressor by

controlling the driving unit,

wherein the controller determines whether an object is accommodated in

the drum as a sterilisation mode for sterilising the evaporator is input, performs

operation according to the sterilisation mode when no object is accommodated in

the drum, and does not perform operation according to the sterilisation mode

when an object is accommodated in the drum, and

wherein the sterilisation mode is further configured to control the

operation of the compressor such that a surface temperature of the evaporator is

at or above a preset reference temperature.

2. The control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further

configured to control the operation of the compressor such that the surface

temperature in a no-load state is at or above the reference temperature.

95 89588219.3

3. The control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further

configured to control the operation of the compressor such that the surface

temperature of the evaporator is at or above the reference temperature by driving

the compressor, then stopping the operation of the compressor at a

predetermined specific time point.

4. The control apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller is further

configured to stop the operation of the compressor when:

a temperature of air circulating in the evaporator is maintained at or above

a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time after driving the

compressor, or

a temperature of air circulating in the evaporator changes within a

predetermined range for a predetermined time after driving the compressor.

5. The control apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller is further

configured to stop the operation of the compressor when:

a temperature of air circulating in the condenser is maintained at or above

a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time after driving the

compressor, or

a temperature of air circulating in the condenser changes within a

predetermined range for a predetermined time after driving the compressor.

6. The control apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller is further

configured to stop the operation of the compressor when:

96 89588219.3 an operating frequency of the compressor is maintained at or below a predetermined frequency for a predetermined time after driving the compressor, or an operating frequency of the compressor changes within a predetermined range for a predetermined time after driving the compressor.

7. The control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further

configured to drive the compressor after driving the drum, then stop the drum

after stopping the compressor for a predetermined stopping time.

8. A clothes treating apparatus, comprising:

a drum rotatably installed inside a main body;

an air circulation passage fluidly connected to the drum;

a heat pump provided to the air circulation passage, the heat pump

comprising an evaporator and a condenser configured to exchange heat with air

circulating in the air circulation passage; and

a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant that is circulated

through the air circulation passage and exchanges heat with air circulating in

the air circulation passage;

an input element for applying a control input corresponding to an

operation mode of the clothes treating apparatus; and

a control apparatus configured to control an operation of the drum or an

operation of the compressor, or both, by performing an operation according to the

operation mode in response to the control input;

wherein when a control input for a sterilisation mode to control a surface

97 89588219.3 temperature of the evaporator is applied, the control apparatus is configured to drive the compressor, then stop the compressor when a temperature change of the evaporator or an operating frequency of the compressor, or both, meets a predetermined reference condition so that the surface temperature of the evaporator is at or above a predetermined reference temperature, wherein the sterilisation mode is performed when no object is accommodated in the drum, and wherein the control apparatus is further configured to block an operation corresponding to the sterilisation mode when an object for drying is accommodated in the drum.

9. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a circulation fan operatable by the control apparatus to generate a flow of

air to flow through the condenser then into the drum,

wherein the control apparatus is further configured to operate the

circulation fan while stopping the operation of the compressor.

10. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a pump portion configured to drain condensate collected in a water tank

installed in a lower side of the heat pump to an outside of the water tank,

wherein the control apparatus is further configured to control an operation

of the pump portion to drain the condensate before driving the compressor and

after stopping the operation of the compressor.

11. A method for controlling a clothes treating apparatus comprising a heat

98 89588219.3 pump provided to an air circulation passage fluidly connected to a drum, the heat pump comprising an evaporator and a condenser configured to exchange heat with air circulating in the air circulation passage, a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; and, a circulation fan configured to generate a flow of air to flow through the condenser then into the drum, the method comprising: receiving input of controlling a sterilisation mode; and determining whether an object is accommodated in the drum, where the sterilisation mode comprises: driving the compressor and the circulation fan; stopping operation of the compressor when a temperature change of the evaporator or an operating frequency of the compressor, or both, meet a predetermined reference condition, and maintaining the stoppage of the operation of the compressor for a predetermined reference time and wherein the sterilisation mode is performed when no object is accommodated in the drum.

12. The method for controlling the clothes treating apparatus of claim 11,

wherein the step of maintaining the stopping of the compressor further comprises

changing a rotating speed of the circulation fan after stopping the operation of the

compressor.

13. The method for controlling the clothes treating apparatus of claim 11,

the method further comprising:

restarting driving of the compressor;

repeating the step of stopping operation of the compressor when a

99 89588219.3 temperature change of the evaporator or an operating frequency of the compressor, or both, meet a predetermined reference condition; and repeating the step of maintaining the stoppage of the operation of the compressor for a predetermined reference time.

100 89588219.3