Laundry treatment apparatus

A laundry treatment apparatus according to the present invention comprises: first and second washing units for performing washing, the first and second washing units each having a separate washing space; a first control unit which, when a command for dual washing is input through an input unit, controls the first washing unit such that the same performs washing according to a dual washing course in which the first washing unit and the second washing unit are set to perform washing at the same time, and outputs a dual control signal corresponding to the dual washing course; and a second control unit for controlling, in response to the output dual control signal, the second washing unit such that the same performs washing according to the dual washing course. The present invention efficiently performs washing by using both the first and second washing units at the same time according to the dual washing course.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT Application No. PCT/KR2017/000719, filed Jan. 20, 2017, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0011257, filed Jan. 29, 2016, whose entire disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus for performing washing using a plurality of washing units.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a laundry treatment apparatus is an apparatus that processes laundry through various operations such as washing, spin-dry, rinsing, and drying.

Such a laundry treatment apparatus includes a washing machine that washes laundry such as clothing or bedding by using the emulsifying action of the detergent, the water current action caused by the rotation of the washing tub or the laundry blade, and a mechanical force applied by the laundry blade, a dryer that applies a hot air or a cold air to dry the laundry, and a refresher that removes the crease of the clothes by applying steam. In addition, a washer-drier provides a combination of various functions.

Recently, a laundry treatment apparatus including a plurality of washing units performing washing independently has been under development, and a technology for performing washing by using a plurality of washing units at the same time has been studied.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

It is an object of the present invention to provide a laundry treatment apparatus having a plurality of washing units performing washing independently of each other, and to provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of performing washing by using a plurality of washing units simultaneously, and, when using the plurality of washing units simultaneously, enabling the plurality of washing units to start washing simultaneously and stop washing simultaneously without performing mutual communication during washing.

Technical Solution

In an aspect, there is provided a laundry treatment apparatus including: a first washing unit which performs washing; a second washing unit which has a washing space independent of the first washing unit and performs washing; an input unit which receives a dual washing command; a first control unit which, when the dual washing command is inputted through the input unit, controls the first washing unit to perform washing according to a dual washing course which is set such that the first washing unit and the second washing unit perform washing simultaneously, and outputs a dual control signal corresponding to the dual washing course; and a second control unit which controls, in response to the dual control signal outputted by the first control unit, the second washing unit to perform washing according to the dual washing course.

Advantageous Effects

According to the laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention, in the laundry treatment apparatus including a plurality of washing units that perform washing independently of each other, as it is possible to perform washing by using a plurality of washing units at the same time, washing can be performed at a time when a user desires to perform washing separately, and when the plurality of washing units are used at the same time, the plurality of washing units can start washing at the same time and finish washing at the same time without intercommunication during washing.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with standard to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present embodiment, the same designations and the same standard numerals are used for the same components, and further description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1is a diagram for explaining a shape of a laundry treatment apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, a laundry treatment apparatus100includes a first washing unit140and a second washing unit150.

The first washing unit140and the second washing unit150are disposed vertically. The first washing unit140is in contact with the upper portion of the second washing unit150. The first washing unit140and the second washing unit150can be coupled to and separated from each other, or may be an integral type which cannot be coupled to and separated from each other.

The first washing unit140is in the form of a front load washing machine, and the second washing unit150is in the form of a top load washing machine.

The second washing unit150has a structure in which it is slidably opened and closed in the front and rear direction like a drawer. When the second washing unit150is pulled to the front, the upper end of the second washing unit150is exposed. A second input unit154, a second display unit152, and a second door157are disposed in the upper end of the second washing unit150.

The first washing unit140may include a first input unit144, a first display unit142and a first door147. The second washing unit150may include the second input unit154, the second display unit152, and the second door157.

The first washing unit140and the second washing unit150are provided with separate input units144and154and display units142and152, so that a command can be input independently of each other and an operation corresponding to the inputted command can be performed.

The first washing unit140and the second washing unit150may respectively include a water storage tank for containing water, a washing tub which accommodates laundry and is rotatably installed in the water storage tank, a motor for receiving a control command from a control unit141,151and rotating the washing tub, a water supply device for supplying water into the water storage tank or the washing tub, and a draining device for draining water in the water storage tank, and perform washing independently of each other.

InFIG. 1, it is shown that the capacity of the washing tub of the first washing unit140is larger than the capacity of the washing tub of the second washing unit150. However, the capacity of the washing tub of the first washing unit140may be equal to or smaller than the capacity of the washing tub of the second washing unit150. The washing tub capacity of each of the washing units140and150is not limited.

The first washing unit140and the second washing unit150may be a washer-drier for simultaneously providing a washing function and a drying function.

The configurations of the above described first washing unit140and second washing unit150may be a configuration that can be provided in a general laundry treatment apparatus, and can be well known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 2is a diagram for explaining a shape of a laundry treatment apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 2A, both the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150may be in the form of a front load washing machine. In addition, the second washing unit150may be disposed above the first washing unit140.

Referring toFIG. 2B, both the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150may be in the form of a top load washing machine. In addition, the second washing unit150may be disposed above the first washing unit140. In addition, the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150may be disposed laterally.

The laundry treatment apparatus100may include the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150which are washing spaces independently from each other, and the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150may be spaced apart at a certain interval.

The shape of the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150or the disposition of the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150are not limited.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The first washing unit140includes a first input unit144, a first display unit142, a first control unit141for controlling the overall operation of the first washing unit140, a first memory148for storing at least one dual washing course and a first washing unit course, and a communication unit149for performing communication with a preset network.

The second washing unit150includes a second input unit154, a second display unit152, a second control unit151for controlling the overall operation of the second washing unit150, and a second memory158for storing at least one dual washing course and a second washing unit course.

The input unit144,154of the laundry treatment apparatus100includes the first input unit144and the second input unit154. The input unit144,154may be the first input unit144or the second input unit154.

The input unit144,154includes an input means such as at least one bundle switch, and a touch pad, and the setting related to operation of each washing unit such as power input, washing course selection, and wash water temperature setting is inputted through the input unit144,154.

Hereinafter, the input unit144,154of the present invention will be described with reference to the case of the first input unit144, but the same can be applied to the second input unit154as well.

The first input unit144receives a dual washing command. The first input unit144may have a separate key for inputting the dual washing command.

The display unit142,152of the laundry treatment apparatus100includes the first display unit142and the second display unit152. The display unit142,152includes the first display unit142or the second display unit152.

On the display unit142,152, the operation setting or operation state of each washing unit inputted by the input unit144,154is displayed. The display unit142,152may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED), or an organic light emitting diode (OLED). The display unit142,152may be a means by which an image can be displayed, and is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, the display unit142,152of the present invention will be described with reference to the case of the first display unit142, but the same can be applied to the second display unit152as well.

The first control unit141controls the first washing unit140in response to a control command inputted through the first input unit144. In addition, the first control unit141controls the first display unit142to display the operation setting of the first washing unit140inputted by the first input unit144or the operation state of the first washing unit140. The second control unit151performs an operation corresponding to the first control unit141, in the second washing unit150. Hereinafter, the operation of the second control unit151corresponding to the first control unit141will not be described separately.

When a dual washing command is inputted through the first input unit144, the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to perform washing according to a dual washing course that is set in such a manner that the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150perform washing simultaneously, and outputs a dual control signal corresponding to the dual washing course to the second control unit151. The dual control signal includes information on the dual washing course performed by the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150.

The dual control signal is a signal that the first control unit141outputs to the second control unit151when the dual washing command is inputted, and the dual control signal includes information on the dual washing course performed by the second washing unit150so that the signal is not outputted again until the end of the dual washing course once it is outputted.

The second control unit151receives the dual control signal from the first control unit141, and controls the second washing unit150to perform washing according to the dual washing course corresponding to the transmitted dual control signal. Specifically, when the dual control signal is transmitted from the first control unit141, the second control unit151controls the second washing unit150according to information on the dual washing course included in the dual control signal.

The memory148,158stores at least one dual washing course. The memory148,158may be any means which can store data, and is not limited thereto.

The memory148,158includes the first memory148and the second memory158. Accordingly, the memory148,158of the present invention may be the first memory148or the second memory158. Hereinafter, the memory148,158will be described with reference to the case of the first memory148, but the same can be applied to the case of the second memory158as well.

When one of the at least one dual washing course stored in the first memory148is selected through the first input unit144, the first control unit141transmits the dual control signal corresponding to the selected dual washing course to the second control unit151, and controls the first washing unit140to perform washing according to the selected dual washing course. The second control unit151receives the dual control signal from the first control unit141, and controls the second washing unit151to perform washing according to the dual washing course corresponding to the dual control signal.

The dual washing course is a washing course which is a combination of a first washing unit course which is a washing course performed by the first washing unit140and a second washing unit course which is a washing course performed by the second washing unit150.

Accordingly, the dual washing course may be a washing course set such that the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150start washing simultaneously, a washing course set such that the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150finish washing simultaneously, or a washing course set such that the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150start washing simultaneously and finish washing simultaneously.

In addition, the dual washing course is a washing course composed of a plurality of preset processes performed by the first washing unit140and a plurality of preset processes performed by the second washing unit150. Since the order of the plurality of processes respectively performed by the first washing unit140or the second washing unit150and the performance time of each process are previously set, the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150are not necessary to check mutual operation through communication during washing.

The communication unit149communicates with a preset network, and the first control unit141can download the dual washing course from the preset network through the communication unit149. The first control unit141stores the downloaded dual washing course in the memory148.

The preset network may be the Internet, an intranet, or the like, and may be an accessible network, but is not limited thereto.

A newly generated dual washing course can be uploaded to the preset network in addition to the existing uploaded dual washing course, and the first control unit141can download the newly uploaded dual washing course to the preset network.

The first control unit141may display at least one dual washing course stored in the memory148on the display unit142, control the first washing unit140according to the dual washing course selected through the first input144from among at least one dual washing course, and output the dual control signal to operate the second washing unit150.

FIG. 4is a diagram for explaining a dual washing course performed by a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to the embodiment ofFIG. 4, the dual washing course is a washing course set such that the process of the first washing unit140and the process of the second washing unit150are not simultaneously performed.

If the processes performed by the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150are a water supply process, a washing process, a rinsing process, and a spin-dry process, respectively, the dual washing course of the embodiment ofFIG. 4is set such that all processes are performed independently.

When the laundry treatment apparatus100performs washing according to the dual washing course, the first control unit141transmits a dual control signal containing information on the dual washing course at the start of washing, and controls the first washing unit140to perform the water supply process from T0to T1.

The second control unit151controls the second washing unit150to wait from T0to T1according to the dual washing course information contained in the received dual control signal.

From T1to T2, the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to wait after completing the water supply process, and the second control unit151controls to perform the water supply process of the second washing unit150.

From T2to T3, the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to perform washing, and the second control unit151controls the second washing unit150to wait after completing the water supply process.

From T3to T4, the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to wait after completing the washing process, and the second control unit151controls the second washing unit150to perform the washing process.

From T4to T5, the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to perform the rinsing process, and the second control unit151controls the second washing unit150to wait after completing the washing process.

From T5to T6, the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to wait after completing the rinsing process, and the second control unit151controls the second washing unit150to perform the rinsing process.

From T6to T7, the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to perform the spin-dry process, and the second control unit151controls the second washing unit150to wait after completing the rinsing process.

From T7to T8, the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to wait after completing the spin-dry process, and the second control unit151controls the second washing unit150to perform the spin-dry process.

FIG. 5is a diagram for explaining a dual washing course performed by a laundry treatment apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

According to the embodiment ofFIG. 5, the dual washing course is a washing course set such that the spin-dry process, the drying process, or the heating process of one of the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150is not performed simultaneously with the spin-dry process, the heating process, or the drying process of the other.

In the case of the water supply process, the washing process, and a rinsing water supply process of supplying rinsing water, even if the above processes are simultaneously performed in the first and second washing units140and150, there is little probability of damage due to excessive power consumption or vibration. On the other hand, when the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150simultaneously perform the spin-dry process, a large vibration may occur, so that the laundry treatment apparatus100can be damaged. When the drying process or the heating process are simultaneously performed, there is a probability that instantaneous power consumption is sharply increased and power is blocked.

The dual washing course of the present embodiment is a washing course set such that the spin-dry, drying, and heating processes are not performed simultaneously in the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150.

At T0, the first control unit141starts the water supply process according to the dual washing course, and transmits a dual control signal corresponding to the dual washing course to the second control unit151. The second control unit151starts the water supply process according to the dual washing course corresponding to the transmitted dual control signal.

When the water supply process of the second washing unit150is completed at T9, the second control unit151controls the second washing unit150to perform the heating process for heating the supplied water.

Since the heating process of the second washing unit150and the water supply process of the first washing unit140can be performed simultaneously, the first control unit141controls to perform the water supply process of the first washing unit140from T9to T10.

When the water supply process of the first washing unit140is completed at T10, the first control unit141enables the first washing unit140to wait until the heating process of the second washing unit150is completed.

After completing the heating process of the second washing unit150at T11, the second controller151enables the second washing unit150to wait to perform soaking, and the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to perform the heating process.

At T12, the first control unit141completes the heating process of the first washing unit140and controls the first washing unit140to perform washing. The second control unit151controls the second washing unit150to perform washing. This is because even if the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150perform the washing process at the same time, there is a low probability of damage due to excessive power consumption or vibration.

At T13, the second control unit151completes the washing process of the second washing unit150and controls the second washing unit150to perform the rinsing water supply process. The washing process and the rinsing process may be performed simultaneously by other washing unit.

At T14, the first control unit141completes the washing process of the first washing unit140and controls the first washing unit140to perform the rinsing water supply process.

At T15, the second control unit151completes the rinsing water supply process of the second washing unit150and controls the second washing unit150to perform the rinsing spin-dry process. When the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150simultaneously perform the spin-dry process, the laundry treatment apparatus100may be damaged. However, the rinsing water supply process and the rinsing spin-dry process may be simultaneously performed by other washing unit. The rinsing process includes the rinsing spin-dry process and the rinsing water supply process, and the rinsing spin-dry process can generate a large vibration as in the spin-dry process. Thus, it is treated in the same manner as the spin-dry process.

At T16, the first control unit141completes the rinsing water supply process of the first washing unit140and controls the first washing unit140to wait. This is, because the rinsing spin-dry process of the second washing unit150is set until T17, to allow the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150not to simultaneously perform the spin-dry process.

At T17, the second control unit151completes the rinsing spin-dry process of the second washing unit150and controls the rinsing water supply process to be performed. The first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to perform the rinsing spin-dry process.

At T18, the second control unit151completes the rinsing water supply process of the second washing unit150and controls the second washing unit150to wait. This is, because the rinsing spin-dry process of the first washing unit140is set until T19, to allow the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150not to simultaneously perform the spin-dry process.

At T19, the first control unit141completes the rinsing spin-dry process of the first washing unit140and controls the first washing unit140to perform the rinsing water supply process. The second control unit151controls the second washing unit to perform the spin-dry process.

At T21, the first control unit141completes the rinsing water supply process of the first washing unit140and controls the first washing unit140to wait until T22.

From T22to T23, the second control unit151completes the spin-dry process of the second washing unit150and controls the second washing unit150to wait, and the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to perform the spin-dry process.

From T23to T24, the first control unit141completes the spin-dry process of the first washing unit140and controls the first washing unit140to wait, and the second control unit151controls the second washing unit150to perform the drying process. This is because, when the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150perform the drying and spin-dry processes simultaneously, there is a probability of the excessive power consumption and the damage to the laundry treatment apparatus100.

From T24to T25, the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to perform the drying process, and the second control unit151controls the second washing unit150to complete the drying process and wait. This is because there is a probability of excessive power consumption when the first washing unit140and the second washing unit150perform the drying process simultaneously.

FIG. 6is a diagram for explaining a process of selecting a dual washing course in a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 6A, when the laundry treatment apparatus100is turned on, the first control unit141displays a first washing unit course selection key241, a second washing unit course selection key242, and a dual washing course selection key243on the display unit142. The display unit142may be a touch screen integrated with the input unit144.

Referring toFIG. 6B, the first control unit141displays a dual washing course selection window244on which at least one dual washing course stored in the memory148,158on the display unit142, in response to the touch input for the dual washing course selection key243.

The dual washing course selection window244displays at least one selectable dual washing course. For example, the selectable dual washing course may be composed of a standard washing course and a lingerie washing course, may be composed of a standard washing course and a baby clothes washing course, may be composed of a eiderdown washing course and a cold water washing course, or may be composed of a functional clothing washing course or a sterilizing washing course. In addition, the washing course forming the dual washing course may be a speed washing course, a high-grade clothes washing course, or the like, and may be a washing course that can be performed by the first washing unit140or the second washing unit150, and is not limited thereto. One of the two washing courses forming the dual washing course is performed by the first washing unit140, and the other is performed by the second washing unit150.

Referring toFIG. 6C, the first control unit141displays a dual washing course execution window245for receiving the execution of the selected dual washing course on the display unit142, in response to the touch input for one of the at least one dual washing courses displayed on the dual washing course selection window244. In addition, the first control unit141may display the selected dual washing course in the upper end of the dual washing course execution window245.

When an execution key displayed on the dual washing course execution window245is selected, the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140according to the selected dual washing course and outputs a dual control signal. When a cancel key displayed on the dual washing course execution window245is selected, the first control unit141displays the dual washing course selection window244on the display unit142again.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, when the first washing unit course, which is a washing course performed by the first washing unit140, is inputted through the first input unit144, when the second washing unit course, which is a washing course performed by the second washing unit150, is inputted through the second input unit154, and when a dual washing course composed of the inputted first washing unit course and second washing unit course exists in the memory148,158, the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to perform washing according to the dual washing course and outputs a dual control signal corresponding to the dual washing course to the second control unit151, so that the second control unit151controls the second washing unit150according to the dual washing course.

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a laundry treatment apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The first control unit141receives the input of the first washing unit course, which is a washing course performed by the first washing unit, through the first input unit144(S10), and controls the first washing unit140to operate according to the inputted first washing unit course (S11).

The first control unit141determines whether the second washing unit course is inputted through the second input unit154within a set time after the first washing unit course is inputted through the first input unit144(S12). If it is determined that the second washing unit course is not inputted, or the second washing unit course is inputted after the set time has elapsed from the input of the first washing unit course, the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to continuously performs washing according to the first washing unit course (S14).

If it is determined that the second washing unit course is inputted through the second input unit154within the set time after the first washing unit course is inputted through the first input unit144, the first control unit141determines whether the dual washing course composed of the inputted first washing unit course and second washing unit course exists among at least one dual washing course stored in the first memory148(S13).

If it is determined that the dual washing course composed of the inputted first washing unit course and second washing unit course exists among at least one dual washing course stored in the first memory148, the first control unit141displays a dual washing course notification on the first display unit142to notify that the dual washing course can be performed (S15).

When a dual washing command is inputted through the first input unit144in response to the dual washing course notification, the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to perform washing according to the dual washing course, and outputs a dual control signal corresponding to the dual washing course to the second control unit151, so that the second control unit151controls the second washing unit150according to the dual washing course (S16).

If it is determined that the dual washing course composed of the inputted first washing unit course and second washing unit course does not exist among at least one dual washing course stored in the first memory148, the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to perform washing independently of the second washing unit150(S17). At this time, the second control unit151controls the second washing unit150according to the inputted second washing unit course.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, before completing the water supply process after the first washing unit140starts washing as the first washing unit course is inputted, when the second washing unit course is inputted through the second input unit154, and when the dual washing course composed of the inputted first washing unit course and second washing unit course exists in the memory148,158, the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to perform washing according to the dual washing course, and outputs the dual control signal corresponding to the dual washing course to the second control unit151so that the second control unit151controls the second washing unit150according to the dual washing course.

FIG. 8is a diagram for explaining a process of selecting a dual washing course by inputting a first washing unit course and a second washing unit course according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 8A, when the laundry treatment apparatus100is turned on, the first control unit141enables the display unit142to display the first washing unit course selection key241, the second washing unit course selection key242, and the dual washing course selection key243. In this case, the display unit142may be a touch screen integrated with the input unit144.

Referring toFIG. 8B, the first control unit141controls the first display unit142to display a first washing unit course selection window246, in response to the touch input for the first washing unit course selection key241. The first washing unit course selection window246includes at least one first washing unit course that is selectable.

Referring toFIG. 8C, the first control unit141displays a first washing unit course execution window247and a second washing unit course selection window248on the first display unit142, in response to the touch input for one of at least one selectable first washing unit course displayed on the first washing unit course selection window246.

The first washing unit course execution window247includes a text for checking whether the selected first washing unit course is executed, a first washing unit course execution key247a, and a first washing unit course cancel key247b.

The first control unit141controls the first washing unit140to perform washing according to the selected first washing unit course, in response to the touch input for the first washing unit course execution key247a.

The first control unit141enables the first display unit142to display the first washing unit course selection window246again, in response to the touch input for the first washing unit course cancel key247b.

The second washing unit course selection window248includes at least one second washing unit course that can be combined with the selected first washing unit course. The combination of the second washing unit course with the selected first washing unit course means that the dual washing course composed of the selected first washing unit course and second washing unit course exists among at least one dual washing course stored in the first memory148.

Accordingly, the first control unit141searches the dual washing course including the selected first washing unit course among at least one dual washing course stored in the first memory148, and displays the second washing unit course included in a corresponding dual washing course on the second washing unit course selection window248.

Referring toFIG. 8D, the first control unit141displays, on the display unit142, the dual washing course execution window245which receives the execution of the dual washing course composed of the selected first washing unit course and the second washing unit course, in response to the touch input for one of at least one second washing unit course displayed on the second washing unit course selection window248. In addition, the first control unit141may display a dual washing course to be executed on the upper end of the dual washing course execution window245.

When the execution key displayed in the dual washing course execution window245is selected, the first control unit141controls the first washing unit140according to the dual washing course composed of the selected first washing unit course and second washing unit course, and outputs a dual control signal. When the cancel key displayed on the dual washing course execution window245is selected, the first control unit141displays the first washing unit course execution window247and the second washing unit course selection window248on the display unit142again.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not construed as being limited to the described embodiments but is defined by the appended claims as well as equivalents thereto.