CLOTHES TREATMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME

A clothes treatment apparatus for identifying a noise course in which abnormal noise occurs, the clothes treatment apparatus including: a frame forming a skeleton of a cabinet; a cover plate surrounding the frame to form an external appearance of the cabinet; a tub provided in the cabinet; a drum rotatably provided in the tub; a drum motor configured to rotate the drum; and a vibration sensor provided on the frame.

BACKGROUND

The disclosed relates to a clothes treatment apparatus and a method of controlling the same, and more specifically, to a clothes treatment apparatus capable of identifying a noise source and reducing noise and a method of controlling the same.

2. Description of Related Art

In general, a clothes treatment apparatus may refer to a washing machine that washes a washing object by rotating a drum in which the washing object and wash water are contained, or a drying machine that dries a drying object by rotating a drum in which the drying object is contained and supplying hot air.

In the case of the clothes treatment apparatus, various types of noise may occur due to vibration generated as the drum rotates at a high speed during an operation cycle.

For example, when a washing object or a drying object is unevenly disposed inside the drum (occurrence of unbalance), eccentricity may occur in the rotating drum, increasing vibration of a tub, causing abnormal noise.

As another example, according to the installation environment of the clothes treatment apparatus, vibration of the tub may increase, causing abnormal noise.

As such, noise occurring during the operation cycle of the clothes treatment apparatus may cause inconvenience to the user.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a clothes treatment apparatus including: a frame to from a skeleton of a cabinet; a cover plate surrounding the frame and forming an external surface of the cabinet; a tub to be positioned in the cabinet; a drum to be positioned in the tub and configured to be rotatable; a motor configured to rotate the drum; and a vibration sensor which is positioned on the frame to sense a vibration of the frame and output a vibration signal related to the vibration of the frame.

The clothes treatment apparatus may further include a processor configured to convert the vibration signal in a time domain into a vibration signal in a frequency domain, classify the vibration signal in the frequency domain into a plurality of orders based on a rotation speed of the motor, and determine a noise source of the clothes treatment apparatus based on amplitudes of the plurality of orders.

The processor may be configured to: compare the amplitude of each of the plurality of orders with a reference amplitude corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of orders; determine a defect order having an amplitude exceeding the reference amplitude from among the plurality of orders; and determine an object corresponding to the defect order as the noise source.

The clothes treatment apparatus may further include a communicator configured to communicate with an external device, wherein the processor may be configured to control the communicator to transmit information about the noise source of the clothes treatment apparatus to the external device.

The clothes treatment apparatus may further include a display, wherein the processor may be configured to control the display to display information about the noise source of the clothes treatment apparatus.

The processor may be configured to determine an installation environment of the clothes treatment apparatus based on the vibration signal in the time domain.

The processor may be configured to adjust the rotation speed of the drum motor based on the vibration signal in the time domain.

The cabinet further comprising a door at a front of the cabinet, the frame may include a plurality of post frames corresponding to edges along a longitudinal direction of the cabinet, and the vibration sensor may be attachable to a post frame on a front side of the cabinet among the plurality of post frames.

The post frame on the front side of the cabinet may include: a left side post frame including a first panel formed to extend rightward with respect to a left side longitudinal edge of the cabinet and a second panel formed to extend rearward with respect to the left side longitudinal edge of the cabinet, and a right side post frame including a third panel formed to extend leftward with respect to a right side longitudinal edge of the cabinet and a fourth panel formed to extend rearward with respect to the right side longitudinal edge of the cabinet, wherein the vibration sensor may be attachable to one of a rear surface of the first panel, a right surface of the second panel, a rear surface of the third panel, and a left surface of the fourth panel.

The vibration sensor may be attachable to an upper side of the post frame.

The frame may include a plurality of horizontal frames corresponding to edges in a traverse direction of the cabinet, and the vibration sensor may be attachable to an upper horizontal frame on a front side of the cabinet among the plurality of horizontal post frames.

The cover plate may include a front plate corresponding to the front of the cabinet, and the vibration sensor may be attachable to the upper horizontal frame without being in contact with the front plate.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of controlling a clothes treatment apparatus, the method including: receiving a vibration signal in a time domain output from the vibration sensor attached to a frame forming a cabinet of the clothes treatment apparatus; converting the vibration signal in the time domain into a vibration signal in a frequency domain; classifying the vibration signal in the frequency domain into a plurality of orders based on a rotation speed of a drum motor; and determining a noise source of the clothes treatment apparatus based on amplitudes of the plurality of orders.

The determining of the noise source may include: comparing the amplitude of each of the plurality of orders with a reference amplitude corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of orders; determining a defect order having an amplitude exceeding the reference amplitude from among the plurality of orders; and determining an object corresponding to the defect order as the noise source.

The method may further include transmitting information about the noise source of the clothes treatment apparatus to an external device.

The method may further include displaying information about a noise source of the clothes treatment apparatus on a display.

The method may further include determining an installation environment of the clothes treatment apparatus based on a vibration signal in the time domain.

The method may further include adjusting a rotation speed of the drum motor based on the vibration signal in the time domain.

The adjusting of the rotation speed of the drum motor may include decelerating the rotation speed of the drum motor based on an amplitude of the vibration signal in the time domain being greater than or equal to a preset value.

The frame may include a plurality of post frames corresponding to longitudinal edges of the cabinet and a plurality of horizontal frames corresponding to traverse edges of the cabinet, and the vibration sensor may be attached to a post frame on a front side of the cabinet among the plurality of post frames or may be attached to an upper horizontal frame on a front side of the cabinet among the plurality of horizontal frames.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only examples of preferred embodiments of the disclosure, and various modifications may be made at the time of filing of the disclosure to replace the embodiments and drawings of the present specification.

The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to restrict and/or to limit the disclosure.

For example, the singular expressions herein may include plural expressions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In addition, the terms “comprises” and “has” are intended to indicate that there are features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another.

The terms, such as “— part”, “—device”, “—block”, “—member”, “— module”, and the like may refer to a unit for processing at least one function or act. For example, the terms may refer to at least process processed by at least one hardware, such as field-programmable gate array (FPGA)/application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), software stored in memories, or processors.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, like reference numbers or signs represent parts or components that perform substantially the same functions.

Hereinafter, the principles and embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a noise source of abnormal noise can be accurately identified by installing a vibration sensor at an optimal position.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, user's complaints about abnormal noise can be reduced by identifying a noise source of abnormal noise occurring in the clothes processing apparatus and providing a user with information about the noise source.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, vibration and noise generated during the operation cycle of the clothes treatment apparatus can be reduced.

FIG.1is a view illustrating an external appearance of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment, andFIG.2is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.

In the disclosure, a clothes treatment apparatus10may refer to a washing machine for washing clothes or a drying machine for drying clothes. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of description, it is assumed that the clothes treatment apparatus10is a washing machine.

However, the clothes treatment apparatus10may also refer to a drying machine, and the drying machine may include components (e.g., a cabinet100, a tub120, a drum130, a control panel110, and a vibration sensor180) that are common to a washing machine to be described below, and may further include additional components (e.g., a heat pump device, a hot air supply passage), and the like.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, the clothes treatment apparatus10may include a cabinet100and a door102provided on a front side of the cabinet100. The cabinet100may be provided at the center of the front with an inlet101afor inputting or withdrawing laundry. The door102may be provided to open or close the inlet101a. The door102may have one side rotatably mounted by a hinge. The closing of the inlet101aby the door102may be detected by a door switch103. When the inlet101ais closed and the clothes treatment apparatus10operates, the door102may be locked by a door lock104.

In addition, the clothes treatment apparatus10may include a control panel110, a tub120, a drum130, a driver140, a water supply150, a drainer160, a detergent supply170, and a vibration sensor180.

The cabinet100may be provided at a front upper side with the control panel110including an inputter112for obtaining a user input and a display for displaying operation information of the clothes treatment apparatus10. The control panel110may provide a user interface for interaction between a user and the clothes treatment apparatus10.

The tub120may be provided inside the cabinet100and accommodate water for washing and/or rinsing. The tub120may include a tub front part121having a front side with an opening121aand a tub rear part122formed in a cylindrical shape and having a rear side closed. The tub front part121may be provided with the opening121afor inputting or withdrawing laundry into or from the drum130. The tub rear part122may be provided at a rear wall thereof with a bearing122afor rotatably fixing a drum motor141.

The drum130may be rotatably provided inside the tub120and accommodate laundry. The drum130may include a drum body131having a cylindrical shape, a drum front part132provided on the front side of the drum body131, and a drum rear part133provided on the rear side of the drum body131. The tub120and the drum130may be disposed to be inclined with respect to the ground. However, the tub120and the drum130may be arranged horizontally with the ground.

The drum body131may be provided on an inner surface thereof with a through hole131aconnecting the inside of the drum130and the inside of the tub120to each other and a lifter131bfor lifting laundry to the upper side of the drum130during rotation of the drum130. The drum front part132may be provided with an opening132afor inputting or withdrawing laundry into or from the drum130. The drum rear part133may be connected to a shaft141aof the drum motor141that rotates the drum130.

The drum motor141may rotate the drum130. The drum motor141may be included in the driver140. The drum motor141may be provided outside the tub rear part122and connected to the drum rear part133through the shaft141a. The shaft141amay pass through the tub rear part122and may be rotatably supported by the bearing122aprovided on the tub rear part122.

The drum motor141may include a stator142fixed to the outside of the tub rear part122and a rotor143rotatably provided and connected to the shaft141a. The rotor143may rotate by magnetic interaction with the stator142, and the rotation of the rotor143may be transmitted to the drum130through the shaft141a. Examples of the drum motor141may include a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor or a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) that facilitates control of the rotation speed.

According to various embodiments, the clothes treatment apparatus10may further include a pulsator (not shown) that rotates independently of the drum130.

The pulsator may rotate independently of the drum130to form a water flow inside the drum130.

In one embodiment, the pulsator may receive power from the drum motor141, or may receive power by a pulsator motor provided separately from the drum motor141.

When the pulsator receives power from the drum motor141, the drum motor141may be implemented as a dual rotor motor having one stator and two rotors (e.g., an inner rotor and an outer rotor), and one of the two rotors may be connected to the drum130, and the other may be connected to the pulsator.

The water supply150may supply water to the tub120and the drum130. The water supply150may include a water supply pipe151connected to an external water supply source to supply water to the tub120, and a water supply valve152provided in the water supply pipe151. The water supply pipe151may be provided on the upper side of the tub120, and may extend from the external water supply source to a detergent container171.

Water may flow into the tub120through the detergent container171.

The water supply valve152may open or close the water supply pipe151in response to an electrical signal from a controller190. That is, the water supply valve152may allow or block the supply of water to the tub120from the external water supply source. The water supply valve152may include, for example, a solenoid valve that opens and closes in response to an electrical signal.

The drainer160may discharge the water contained in the tub120and/or the drum130to the outside. The drainer160may include a drain pipe161extending from a lower side of the tub120to the outside of the cabinet100and a drain pump162provided on the drain pipe161. The drain pump162may pump water of the drain pipe161to the outside of the cabinet100.

The detergent supply170may supply detergent to the tub120and/or the drum130. The detergent supply170may include a detergent container171provided on the upper side of the tub120to store detergent, and a mixing pipe172connecting the detergent container171to the tub120. The detergent container171may be connected to the water supply pipe151, and water supplied through the water supply pipe151may be mixed with the detergent of the detergent container171. A mixture of detergent and water may be supplied to the tub120through the mixing pipe172.

FIGS.3A to3Care views for describing an installation position of a vibration sensor according to an embodiment.FIGS.4A to4Care views for describing an installation position of a vibration sensor according to another embodiment.FIGS.5A to5Care views for describing an installation position of a vibration sensor according to another embodiment. The installation position of the vibration sensor180according to various embodiments will be described with reference toFIGS.3A,3B and3C,FIGS.4A,4B and4C, andFIGS.5A and5B.

Referring toFIG.3A, the cabinet100of the clothes treatment apparatus10according to an embodiment may include a frame101constituting a skeleton of the cabinet100and a cover plate105surrounding the frame101to form the external appearance of the cabinet100.

According to various embodiments, the frame101and the cover plate105may be integrally formed with each other or may be provided separately.

In one embodiment, the frame101forming the skeleton of the cabinet100may include horizontal frame101P and post frames101FL,101FR,101BL, and101BR corresponding to each edge of the cabinet100.

For example, the frame101may include a plurality of horizontal frames101P corresponding to edges in the traverse direction and width direction of the cabinet100and a plurality of post frames101FL,101FR,101BL, and101BR corresponding to edges in the longitudinal direction of the cabinet100.

The plurality of horizontal frames101P may include a front upper horizontal frame101PF provided on a front upper side of the cabinet100.

The plurality of horizontal frames101P and the plurality of post frames101FL,101FR,101BL, and101BR may have a varying angle and/or length with respect to the ground according to the shape of the cabinet100.

For example, the upper horizontal frames among the plurality of horizontal frames101P may be provided to form a predetermined angle with the ground. In this case, the plurality of post frames101FL,101FR,101BL, and101BR may have different heights from each other.

For example, the heights of the rear post frames101BL and101BR may be higher or lower than the heights of the front post frames101FL and101FR.

In one embodiment, the frame101may be formed of a metal (e.g., steel) to have a relatively high rigidity.

In one embodiment, the cover plate105forming the external appearance of the cabinet100may include a front plate105F, both side plates105L and105R, a rear plate105B, an upper plate105T, and a lower plate105M.

According to various embodiments, at least two (e.g., the front plate105F and both side plates105L and105R) of the front plate105F, the side plates105L and105R, the rear plate105B, the upper plate105T, and the lower plate105M may be integrally formed with each other, or may be formed separately from each other.

The shape of the cabinet100may be variously changed according to the design of the clothes treatment apparatus10, and accordingly, the shape of the frame101and the cover plate105may also be variously changed.

The conventional clothes treatment apparatus includes a vibration sensor installed on the tub120because vibration mainly occurs in the tub120, However, when the vibration sensor is installed on the tub120, a noise source (e.g., a drum motor, a drain pump, a drum, etc.), from which noise occurs, may not be accurately identified.

To solve the limitation, the clothes treatment apparatus10according to the embodiment may include the vibration sensor180installed on the cabinet100.

More specifically, the vibration sensor180may be installed on the frame101which forms the skeleton of the cabinet100and has a relatively high rigidity.

Compared to when the vibration sensor180is installed on one side (e.g., the cover plate105) of the cabinet100, the vibration sensor180installed on the frame101may more accurately detect the level of vibration of inner parts of the clothes treatment apparatus10and the level of vibration of the clothes treatment apparatus10itself.

According to various embodiments, the vibration sensor180may be installed on one of the plurality of post frames101FL,101FR,101BL, and101BR.

Referring toFIGS.3A,3B and3CorFIGS.4A,4B and4C, the vibration sensor180may be attached to one of front post frames101FL and101FR of the cabinet100.

Referring toFIGS.3A,3B and3C or4A,4B and4C, in one embodiment, a front left post frame101FL (hereinafter, a ‘first post frame’) may include a first panel101FL-1extending rightward with respect to a left side longitudinal edge L of the cabinet100and a second panel101FL-2extending rearward with respect to the left side longitudinal edge L of the cabinet100.

In addition, a front right post frame101FR (hereinafter, a ‘second post frame’) may include a third panel101FR-1extending leftward with respect to a right side longitudinal edge R of the cabinet100and a fourth panel101FR-2extending rearward with respect to the right side longitudinal edge R of the cabinet100.

According to various embodiments, the vibration sensor180may be attached to the first post frame101FL, specifically, to a rear surface of the first panel101FL-1of the first post frame101FL (seeFIG.4B), or may be attached to a right surface of the second panel101FL-2of the first post frame101FL (seeFIG.4C). That is, the vibration sensor180may be attached to an inner side of the first post frame101FL.

According to another embodiment, the vibration sensor180may be attached to the second post frame101FR, specifically, to a rear surface of the third panel101FR-1of the second post frame101FR (seFIG.3B) or may be attached to a left surface of the fourth panel101FR-2of the second post frame101FR (seeFIG.3C). That is, the vibration sensor180may be attached to an inner side of the second post frame101FR.

As the vibration sensor180is attached to the first post frame101FL and/or the second post frame101FR, vibrations generated from various components of the clothes treatment apparatus10may be most efficiently detected, and thus according to the disclosure, the noise source of the clothes treatment apparatus10may be accurately identified.

In addition, since the vibration sensor180is attached to the inner side of the first post frame101FL and/or the second post frame101FR, the vibration sensor180may be maximally prevented from interfering with other components of the clothes treatment apparatus10and may be efficiently connected to the controller190for receiving vibration signals.

In addition, the vibration sensor180may be attached to an upper side of the first post frame101FL and/or the second post frame101FR.

For example, the vibration sensor180may be installed at a position higher than ⅔ of a height h of the first post frame101FL. In addition, the vibration sensor180may be installed at a position higher than ⅔ of a height h of the second post frame101FR.

When the vibration sensor180is installed at a lower side of the first post frame101FL or the second post frame101FR, a vibration signal obtained from the vibration sensor180may be greatly changed depending on the installation environment (e.g., whether the floor is flat) of the clothes treatment apparatus10. According to the disclosure, since the vibration sensor180is positioned at the upper side the first post frame101FL and/or the second post frame101FR, a change in the vibration signal according to the installation environment of the clothes treatment apparatus10may be prevented, and accordingly, the installation environment of the clothes treatment apparatus10may be identified based on the vibration signal.

In one embodiment, the vibration sensor180may be installed in the vicinity of an area including a bead that provides the first post frame101FL and/or the second post frame101FR with local rigidity.

In addition, the vibration sensor180may be first assembled on the inner side of the first post frame101FL and/or the second post frame101FR and then firmly fixed to the inner side of the first post frame101FL and/or the second post frame101FR through a screw assembly method.

A wire PL connected to the vibration sensor180may include a power line for receiving power and/or a control line for transmitting a vibration signal to the controller190.

In one embodiment, when the vibration sensor180is installed at the upper side of the first post frame101FL and/or the second post frame101FR, the wire PL connected to the vibration sensor180may be easily connected to a rear surface of the control panel110positioned on the front upper side of the cabinet100. That is, as the vibration sensor180is attached to the upper side of the first post frame101FL and/or the second post frame101FR, the vibration sensor180may be maximally prevented from interfering with other components and efficiently connected to the controller190receiving the vibration signal using the short-length wire PL.

In the above description, the vibration sensor180has been illustrated as being installed on the first post frame101FL and/or the second post frame101FR, but the technical idea is not limited thereto, and the vibration sensor180may be located on the rear post frames101BL and101BR or the upper horizontal frames101P.

Referring toFIGS.5A and5B, the vibration sensor180may be attached to the front upper horizontal frame101PF (hereinafter, referred to as a first horizontal frame).

For example, the vibration sensor180may be attached to the center of the first horizontal frame101PF (seeFIG.5A), or may be attached to a side portion of the first horizontal frame101PF (seeFIG.5B).

In addition, the vibration sensor180may be attached to a rear side of the first horizontal frame101PF, and as the vibration sensor180is attached to the rear side of the first horizontal frame101PF, the vibration sensor180may most efficiently detect vibrations generated from various components of the clothes treatment apparatus10.

The rear side of the first horizontal frame101PF may refer to a surface opposite to a surface of the first horizontal frame101PF that comes in contact with the front plate105F.

That is, the vibration sensor180may be attached to the rear side of the first horizontal frame PF so as not to contact the front plate105F.

According to the disclosure, the vibration sensor180may efficiently detect only the vibration transmitted from the first horizontal frame PF without detecting the vibration transmitted from the front plate105F.

In addition, when the vibration sensor180is attached to the first horizontal frame101PF, which is a position that allows the user to optimally recognize the vibration, the vibration sensor180may accurately detect the level of vibration that the user may directly recognize.

In one embodiment, when the vibration sensor180is installed on the first horizontal frame101F, the wire PL connected to the vibration sensor180may be easily connected to a rear surface of the control panel110positioned on the front upper side of the cabinet100. That is, as the vibration sensor180is attached to the upper side of the first horizontal frame101F, the vibration sensor180may be maximally prevented from interfering with other components and efficiently connected to the controller190receiving the vibration signal using the short-length wire PL.

According to the disclosure, the length of the wire PL connected to the vibration sensor180may be minimized, so that a damage to the wire PL due to the vibration of the tub120or an interference with other parts may be prevented.

In the above description, the vibration sensor180has been illustrated as being installed on the first horizontal frame101PF, but the technical idea is not limited thereto, and the vibration sensor180may also be installed on the lower horizontal frames101P.

The vibration sensor180according to the embodiment may detect vibration of the frame101constituting the cabinet100.

The vibration sensor180may include an acceleration sensor that measures the acceleration of the frame101in three axes (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis). For example, the vibration sensor180may be provided as a piezoelectric type acceleration sensor, a strain gauge type acceleration sensor, a piezo resistive type acceleration sensor, a capacitive type acceleration sensor, a servo type acceleration sensor, or an optical type acceleration sensor. In addition to the above, the vibration sensor180may be provided as various sensors (e.g., a gyroscope) capable of measuring the vibration of the frame101.

The vibration sensor180may output a sensing value (hereinafter, referred to as a “vibration signal”) regarding vibration of the frame101. For example, the vibration sensor180may output a constant value (hereinafter, a ‘vibration signal’) corresponding to the vibration of the frame101. The vibration sensor180may output a voltage value (hereinafter, a ‘vibration signal’) corresponding to the three-axis acceleration of the frame101.

That is, the vibration sensor180may output a vibration signal in the time domain. The controller190of the clothes treatment apparatus10may determine a vibration displacement of the frame101corresponding to the vibration signal of the vibration sensor180, and adjust the rotation speed of the drum motor141based on the vibration displacement of the frame101.

The vibration sensor180may be provided as a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) sensor. MEMS is a method developed according to the development of semiconductor technology, and a MEMS sensor may be manufactured through deposition, patterning through photolithography, and etching. The vibration sensor180may be formed of various materials, such as silicon, polymer, metal, or ceramic. The vibration sensor180manufactured in the MEMS method may have a size of a micrometer level.

FIG.6is a control block diagram illustrating a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.6, the clothes treatment apparatus10may include the control panel110, the driver140, the water supply valve152, the drain pump162, the vibration sensor180, the controller190, and/or the communicator195. The controller190may be electrically connected to the components of the clothes treatment apparatus10and may control the operation of each component.

The control panel110may include the display111for displaying washing setting and/or washing operation information in response to a user input, and an inputter112for obtaining a user input. The control panel110may provide a user interface for interaction between the user and the clothes treatment apparatus10. The inputter112may include, for example, a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial, and a detailed setting button. In addition, the inputter112may be provided as a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, or a touch switch.

The display111may include a screen for displaying various types of information and an indicator for displaying detailed settings selected by a setting button. The display111may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and/or a light emitting diode (LED).

A washing courses of the clothes treatment apparatus10may include a washing setting (e.g., a washing temperature, a rinsing frequency, and a spin-drying strength) that are predetermined according to the type of laundry (e.g., shirt, pants, underwear, bedclothes), material (e.g., cotton, polyester, wool), and the amount of laundry. For example, a standard washing course may include a washing setting that is general to laundry. A bedclothes washing course may include a washing setting optimized for washing bedclothes. The washing course may include various courses, such as a standard washing course, a strong washing course, a wool washing course, a bedclothes washing course, a baby clothes washing course, a towel washing course, a small amount washing course, a steam washing course, a power-saving washing course, an outdoor ware washing course, a rinse+spin dry course, and a spin-dry course.

The driver140may include a drum motor141and a driving circuit200. The driving circuit200may supply the drum motor141with a driving current for driving the drum motor141in response to a driving signal (a motor control signal) of the controller190. The driving circuit200may rectify alternating current (AC) power of an external power source and convert the rectified AC power into direct current (DC) power, and convert the DC power into sinusoidal driving power. The driving circuit200may include an inverter that outputs the converted driving power to the drum motor141. The inverter may include a plurality of switching elements, and open (off) or close (on) the plurality of switches based on a driving signal of the controller190. A driving current may be supplied to the drum motor141according to the opening or closing of the switching elements. In addition, the driving circuit200may include a current sensor (not shown) capable of measuring the driving current output from the inverter.

The controller190may calculate the rotation speed of the drum motor141based on an electric angle of the rotor of the drum motor141. The rotor electric angle may be obtained from a position sensor (not shown) provided in the drum motor141. For example, the controller190may calculate the rotation speed of the drum motor141based on the amount of change in the rotor electric angle with respect to a sampling time interval. The position sensor (not shown) may be implemented as a hall sensor, encoder, or resolver capable of measuring the position of the rotor143of the drum motor141. In addition, the controller190may calculate the rotation speed of the drum motor141based on a driving current value measured by a current sensor (not shown).

The drum motor141may rotate the drum130under the control of the controller190. The controller190may drive the drum motor141to follow a target rotation speed.

The water supply valve152may be opened in response to a water supply signal from the controller190. In response to the water supply valve152being opened, water may be supplied through the water supply pipe151to the tub120.

The drain pump162may discharge water to the outside of the cabinet100through the drain pipe161in response to a drain signal from the controller190. According to the operation of the drain pump162, the water accommodated in the tub120may be discharged to the outside of the cabinet100through the drain pipe161.

The vibration sensor180may detect the vibration of the frame101. Specifically, the vibration sensor180may detect the vibration of the frame101generated by the rotation of the drum130during a washing course (e.g., a spin-drying cycle). Laundry unevenly disposed inside the drum130may cause an eccentricity of the drum130, and the eccentricity of the drum130may cause vibration of the tub120, and the vibration of the tub120may cause the frame101to vibrate. When the rotation speed of the drum motor141increases in a state in which the laundry is unevenly disposed, the vibration of the tub120may also increase, and noise caused by the vibration of the tub120may also increase.

The vibration sensor180may output a vibration signal related to the vibration of the frame101. The controller190may receive the vibration signal output from the vibration sensor180and determine the rotation speed of the drum motor141based on the vibration signal.

The amplitude of the vibration signal may be defined as a magnitude (amplitude) of vibration when the frame101vibrates. The controller190may continuously receive the vibration signal output from the vibration sensor180until the course of the clothes treatment apparatus10is completed, and adjust the rotation speed of the drum motor141based on the vibration signal.

In an embodiment, the controller190may convert a vibration signal in the time domain output from the vibration sensor180into a vibration signal in the frequency domain, and process the vibration signal in the frequency domain.

The controller190may include a processor191that generates a control signal related to an operation of the clothes treatment apparatus10, and a memory192that stores programs, applications, instructions, and/or data for the operation of the clothes treatment apparatus10. The processor191and the memory192may be implemented as separate semiconductor devices or as a single semiconductor device. In addition, the controller190may include a plurality of processors or a plurality of memories. The controller190may be provided at various locations inside the clothes treatment apparatus10. For example, the controller190may be included in a printed circuit board provided inside the control panel110.

The processor191may include an arithmetic circuit, a memory circuit, and a control circuit. The processor191may include one chip or a plurality of chips. In addition, the processor191may include one core or a plurality of cores.

The memory192may store a program for performing a washing operation (or drying operation) according to a washing course (or drying course) and data including washing settings (or drying settings) according to the washing course (or drying course). In addition, the memory192may store a washing course (or drying course) and a washing setting (or drying setting) currently selected based on a user input.

In one embodiment, the memory192may store a program including an algorithm for converting a vibration signal in the time domain into a vibration signal in the frequency domain, an algorithm for classifying the vibration signal in the frequency domain into a plurality of orders, and the like, and may store data regarding a plurality of noise sources corresponding to amplitudes of the plurality of orders and data regarding reference amplitudes that are to be compared with the amplitudes of the plurality of orders. The memory192may include a volatile memory, such as an S-RAM, a D-RAM, and the like, and a non-volatile memory, such as a flash memory, a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), and the like. The memory192may include one memory device or a plurality of memory devices.

The processor191may process data and/or signals using a program provided from the memory192, and may transmit a control signal to each component of the clothes treatment apparatus10based on a result of the processing. For example, the processor191may process a user input received through the control panel110. The processor191may output a control signal for controlling the display, the drum motor141, the water supply valve152, and the drain pump162in response to a user input.

As another example, the processor191may use a program provided from the memory192to convert a time domain vibration signal into a frequency domain vibration signal, classify the frequency domain vibration signal into a plurality of orders, and determine a noise source of the clothes treatment apparatus10based on the amplitudes of the plurality of orders.

The processor191may control the driver140, the water supply valve152, and the drain pump162to perform a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a spin-drying cycle. In addition, the processor191may control the control panel110to display washing settings and washing operation information.

In addition, the processor191may control the communicator195to transmit predetermined information to an external device.

Although not shown in the drawings, the controller190may further include various components for processing the vibration signal. For example, the controller190may include various components, such as an amplifier for amplifying an analog vibration signal and an A/D converter for converting the amplified analog vibration signal into a digital vibration signal.

The communicator195may transmit data to or receive data from an external device based on the control of the controller190. For example, the communicator195may transmit/receive various types of data by communicating with a server and/or a user terminal device and/or a home appliance.

For this, the communicator195may support establishment of a direct (e.g., a wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between external electronic devices (e.g., a server, a user terminal device, and/or a home appliance), and communication execution through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the communicator195may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). A communication module among the communication modules may communicate with an external electronic device through a first network (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN). Such various types of communication modules may be integrated into one component (e.g., a single chip) or may be implemented as a plurality of components (e.g., multiple chips) separated from each other.

According to various embodiments, the communicator195may establish communication with a user terminal device through a server.

In various embodiments, the communicator195may include a Wi-Fi module, and may perform communication with an external server and/or user terminal device based on establishing communication with an access point (AP) in the house.

Although the configuration of the clothes treatment apparatus10has been described above, the clothes treatment apparatus10may further include various components within the general technical scope.

For example, when the clothes treatment apparatus10is a drying machine, the clothes treatment apparatus10may further include a heat pump device.

FIG.7is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment,FIG.8is a view illustrating a vibration signal in a time domain obtained from a vibration sensor during an operation of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment,FIG.9is a graph showing a vibration signal in a frequency domain, which is converted from a vibration signal in a time domain obtained from a vibration sensor, according to an embodiment,FIG.10is a view illustrating a plurality of orders corresponding to a plurality of noise sources of the clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment,FIG.11is a view illustrating amplitudes of a plurality of orders corresponding to a plurality of noise sources of the clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment,FIG.12is a graph in which vibration signals corresponding to a plurality of orders are classified in a time domain, andFIG.13is a view illustrating an example in which a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment notifies a noise source.

Referring toFIG.7, the controller190may receive a vibration signal in the time domain from the vibration sensor180(1000).

According to various embodiments, the controller190may adjust a rotational speed (RPM) of the drum motor141based on the vibration signal in the time domain (1050).

Referring toFIG.8, the vibration signal in the time domain may include information about a vibration amount g of the frame according to time t.

The controller190may be configured to, based on the amplitude g of the vibration signal in the time domain exceeding a preset value, reduce the RPM of the drum motor141to a predetermined RPM, and based on the RPM of the drum motor141being maintained at the predetermined RPM for a preset time, increase the RPM of the drum motor141again to a preset RPM value.

According to the disclosure, the RPM of the drum motor141may be adjusted based on the vibration signal in the time domain, so that noise generated by the rotation of the drum130may be reduced.

Referring again toFIG.7, the controller190may convert a vibration signal in the time domain into a vibration signal in the frequency domain (1100).

Referring toFIG.9, the controller190may convert a vibration signal in the time domain into a vibration signal in the frequency domain having a time axis t and a frequency axis f.

The converting of the vibration signal in the time domain into the vibration signal in the frequency domain having a time axis and a frequency axis may be performed by a conventional technique.

Referring again toFIG.7, the controller190may classify the vibration signal in the frequency domain into a plurality of orders based on the rotation speed of the drum motor Specifically, the controller190may calculate the vibration signal in the frequency domain divided by the rotation speed of the drum motor141as orders, to obtain a frequency-order diagram.

The classifying of the vibration signal in the frequency domain into a plurality of orders based on the rotation speed of the drum motor141may be performed by a conventional technique.

The controller190may determine a noise source of the clothes treatment apparatus10based on the amplitudes of the plurality of orders (1300).

Referring toFIG.10, a plurality of orders may respectively correspond to a plurality of noise sources.

For example, the noise source corresponding to the first order (the 1st order) may be the drum130, the noise source corresponding to the second order (the 2ndorder) may be the eccentricity of the drum130, the noise source corresponding to the ninth order (the 9th order) may be the bearing122afor rotatably fixing the drum motor141, and the noise source corresponding to the thirty sixth order (the 36thorder) and/or the seventy second order (the 72ndorder) may be a fundamental noise of the drum motor141or a harmonic noise of the drum motor141.

In addition, the noise sources respectively corresponding to the plurality of orders may include the drum130, the unbalance of clothes inside the drum130, the drum motor141, the bearing122afor rotatably fixing the drum motor141, the shaft141aof the drum motor141, the tub120, the frame101, the drain pump162, the pulsator and/or the pulsator motor, and other various configurations.

In addition, a vibration signal generated by a single component (e.g., the drain pump162) that is not related to a main rotating body component may have a constant frequency, such as 50 Hz or 60 Hz, without a change in the frequency component even when the rotational speed of the drum motor141is changed.

According to the disclosure, the vibration sensor180may be attached to the frame101, so that a vibration signal in the frequency domain may be classified into a plurality of orders, and the amplitude of each order is compared with a reference amplitude so that a noise source may be identified. When the vibration sensor is attached to the tub as in the conventional technology, only a direct vibration signal by the tub is detected, and it is difficult to detect a vibration signal caused by other components of the rotating body. In addition, when the vibration sensor is attached to the cover plate of the cabinet, it is difficult to accurately identify the noise source because the vibration signal caused by other rotating body components is insignificant.

In the embodiment, the controller190may compare the amplitude of each of the plurality of orders with a reference amplitude corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of orders, and determine a defect order having an amplitude exceeding the reference amplitude from among the plurality of orders, and determine an object corresponding to the defect order as a noise source.

To this end, the memory192may store information about objects corresponding to the plurality of orders, respectively, and information about a reference amplitude corresponding to each of the plurality of orders.

That is, the respective reference amplitudes corresponding to the plurality of orders may be different from each other. For example, the reference amplitude corresponding to the first order (the 1storder) and the reference amplitude corresponding to the second order (the 2ndorder) may be different from each other.

Referring toFIG.11, the amplitudes of the plurality of orders may be checked, and referring toFIG.12, the amplitudes of the plurality of orders may be checked in the time domain.

InFIG.11, when the amplitude of the ninth order (the 9thorder) is greater than the reference amplitude corresponding to the ninth order (the 9thorder), the controller190may identify an object (e.g., the bearing122a) corresponding to the ninth order (the 9thorder) as a noise source.

InFIG.12, a first line R1may refer to a reference amplitude corresponding to the first order (the Pt order), and a second line R2may refer to a reference amplitude corresponding to the third order (the 3rdorder), the ninth order (the 9thorder), and/or the tenth order (the 10thorder).

The controller190may be configured to, based on the amplitude corresponding to a specific order being exceeding the reference amplitude for a preset time, determine the specific order as a defect order.

Referring toFIG.12, the controller190may determine the ninth order (the 9thorder) as a defect order based on the amplitude corresponding to the ninth order (the 9thorder) exceeding the reference amplitude R2for about 4 seconds (from 10 s to 14 s), and determine an object (e.g., the bearing122a) corresponding to the defect order as a noise source of the clothes treatment apparatus10.

According to the embodiment of the disclosure, since the vibration sensor180is attached to the frame of the cabinet100, indirect vibration by the tub120may be detected so that the RPM of the drum motor141may be adjusted, and vibration signals may be detected from rotating body related parts through frequency analysis so that noise sources may be accurately identified.

Referring again toFIG.7, the controller190may control the display111to display information about the noise source based on the determined noise source (1400).

In this case, the information about the noise source may include a name and/or identification number that enables identification of the noise source, and may include information indicating the degree to which the amplitude of the order corresponding to the noise source exceeds the reference amplitude.

Referring toFIG.13, for example, the controller190may determine the noise source as the drum motor141based on the thirty sixth order (the 36thorder) being determined as a defect order, and may control the display111to display information indicating that the drum motor141is determined as a noise source, to notify the user of a defect object (i.e., an object that generates noise).

According to various embodiments, the controller190may control the display111to display information about the noise source based on receiving a user input for checking a noise source through the inputter112.

According to the embodiment of the disclosure, a user who has checked the display111may intuitively identify a part of the clothes treatment apparatus10that causes noise, and may take appropriate measures according to the noise source.

Referring again toFIG.7, the controller190may control the communicator195to transmit information about the noise source to an external device based on the noise source being determined (1500).

In this case, the external device may refer to a user terminal device interworking with the clothes treatment apparatus10or an external server interworking with the clothes treatment apparatus10.

According to the embodiment of the disclosure, when the external server corresponds to a management server managing the clothes treatment apparatus10, a seller of the clothes treatment apparatus10may be allowed to take an appropriate action for the clothes treatment apparatus10having noise so that user satisfaction may be improved.

In addition, a user who has received the defect information through the user terminal device may be allowed to take an appropriate action for the clothes treatment apparatus10so that the user's dissatisfaction may be reduced.

FIG.14is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a clothes treatment apparatus according to another embodiment.FIG.15is a graph showing a vibration signal according to a drum revolution per minute (RPM) of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.FIG.16is a view illustrating an example in which a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment notifies an installation environment.

Referring toFIG.14, the controller190may receive a vibration signal in the time domain from the vibration sensor180(2000).

The controller190may determine an installation environment of the clothes treatment apparatus10based on the RPM and the vibration signal of the drum motor141(2100).

To this end, the memory192may store information about a normal waveform of the vibration signal corresponding to the RPM of the drum motor141and store information about an abnormal waveform of the vibration signal corresponding to the RPM of the drum motor141.

The abnormal waveform of the vibration signal corresponding to the RPM of the drum motor141may include a plurality of waveforms, and the plurality of abnormal waveforms may correspond to different installation environments of the clothes treatment apparatus10.

For example, when the vibration signal is similar to a first waveform, the controller190may determine that the clothes treatment apparatus10has an uneven installation condition, and when the vibration signal is similar to a second waveform, the controller190may determine that a part of the clothes treatment apparatus10is in contact with a specific object.

Referring toFIG.15, a vibration signal corresponding to an RPM of the drum motor141may be checked.

Even in the same installation environment, a peak shown inFIG.15may not occur when the vibration sensor180is attached to the tub120.

According to various embodiments, the controller190may determine the installation environment of the clothes treatment apparatus10based on a peak magnitude (e.g., about 2.2 m/s{circumflex over ( )}2) of the vibration signal according to the RPM of the drum motor141.

For example, the controller190may be configured to, based on the peak of the vibration signal being in a first range, determine that the clothes treatment apparatus10is installed on an uneven surface, and based on the peak of the vibration signal being in a second range, determine that a part of the clothes treatment apparatus10is in contact with a specific object.

The controller190may be configured to, based on the amplitude of the vibration signal being greater than or equal to a preset value, identify that abnormal noise has occurred, and determine an installation environment, which causes the abnormal noise, according to the waveform of the vibration signal.

Accordingly, the controller190may control the display111to display information guiding a change in the installation environment when abnormal noise occurs (2200).

In addition, the controller190may control the communicator195to transmit information guiding a change in the installation environment to an external device when abnormal noise occurs.

Referring toFIG.16, when the abnormal noise is caused by an installation environment (e.g., an uneven floor), the display111may notify the user that the floor is not flat, and the user may take appropriate corresponding measures so that the generation of noise may be prevented.

According to the embodiment of the disclosure, since the vibration sensor180is attached to the frame101, in particular, to the inner side of the front post frames101FL and101FR, the vibration of the tub120may be indirectly detected so that the RPM of the drum motor141may be adjusted, and vibrations caused by rotating body related components other than the tub120may be detected so that an accurate noise source may be identified through frequency analysis, and abnormal noise generated according to the installation conditions of the clothes treatment apparatus10may also be determined.

Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied in the form of a recording medium storing instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code and, when executed by a processor, may generate a program module to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be embodied as a computer-readable recording medium.

The computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording media in which instructions which may be decoded by a computer are stored, for example, a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, and the like.

In addition, the computer readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, when a storage medium is referred to as “non-transitory,” it may be understood that the storage medium is tangible and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic waves), but rather that data is semi-permanently or temporarily stored in the storage medium. For example, the ‘non-transitory storage medium’ may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

According to one embodiment, the methods according to the various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) online (e.g., download or upload). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be stored at least semi-permanently or may be temporarily generated in a storage medium, such as a memory of a server of a manufacturer, a server of an application store, or a relay server.

One aspect of the disclosure provides a clothes treatment apparatus capable of identifying a noise source in which abnormal noise occurs and providing a user with information about the noise source, and a method of controlling the same.

One aspect of the disclosure provides a clothes treatment apparatus capable of reducing generation of abnormal noise and a method of controlling the same.

Although embodiments of the disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, a person having ordinary skilled in the art will appreciate that other specific modifications may be easily made without departing from the technical spirit or essential features of the disclosure. Therefore, the foregoing embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting in all aspects.