Patent Publication Number: US-2012036900-A1

Title: Washing machine

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a washing machine that washes clothes using a mechanical force. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Generally, a washing machine refers to an apparatus to remove various contaminants attached to clothes and the like, using chemical degradation, for example emulsification by detergent, and a physical impact such as friction of a water current and impact applied to laundry generated by a pulsator or rotation of a drum. 
     The washing machine, using an electric motor as a main power source, performs washing, rinsing and spin-drying processes using detergent and water, thereby separating contaminants from the clothes, that is, laundry. For this purpose, the washing machine includes a mechanical unit equipped with an electric motor as a power unit to transmit power to laundry, a control unit to control the overall washing process, and a water supply unit and a water drain unit to supply and drain water. 
     According to methods of applying an impact to laundry, the washing machine may be classified into a pulsator washing machine that directly applies an impact to laundry and a drum washing machine that applies an impact to laundry by tumbling the laundry through rotation of a drum. 
     The drum washing machine has a reduced height compared to the pulsator washing machine wherein a drum functioning as a washing tub is rotated in a vertical position. Also, the drum washing machine is more effective at preventing entanglement of laundry and adding a drying function, than the pulsator washing machine. 
     Various functions of the washing machine, including starting, stopping, time setting, control of a supplied water quantity, and selection of courses are input through an input unit. A display unit is provided near the input unit to display various operational states of the washing machine. 
     However, since the display unit of general washing machines only displays washing information, a dedicated input unit becomes necessary for input of control commands. 
     Furthermore, the increase of the size of the display unit is restricted in general washing machines because an installation space supplied for the display unit is insufficient. 
     Meanwhile, in addition, a door for introduction and removal of laundry is disposed on a front side in general washing machines. Nevertheless, aesthetic appeal of the door has rarely been taken into practical use. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a washing machine having a display unit not only functioning as a general input unit for input of information regarding washing but also as an output unit to display the washing information. 
     Another object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a washing machine capable of maximizing the size of the display unit that displays the washing information. 
     A further object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a washing machine with improved aesthetics for users by designing a front exterior appearance thereof in various patterns. 
     A further object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a washing machine capable of supplying respectively different user interfaces to different users in accordance with information on the users. 
     Solution to Problem 
     The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a washing machine including a cabinet forming an exterior appearance of the washing machine and including an opening; a drum rotatably mounted in the cabinet and supplied with laundry through the opening; a door mounted at the cabinet to open and close the opening; and a display unit provided at the door to display washing information. 
     The display unit may be disposed at a position corresponding to the opening. 
     The display unit may include a transparent display panel which transmits light from inside of the drum. 
     The display unit may further include an input unit to select the washing information being displayed on the transparent display panel. 
     The input unit may include a touch panel formed on a surface of the transparent display panel. 
     The door may include a door frame shaped corresponding to the opening, and the input unit may be formed along an outer circumference of the door frame. 
     The input unit may be a button-type input unit including operation buttons. 
     The washing machine may further include a light emitting unit disposed under the buttons to emit light. 
     The washing machine may further include a light transmission unit which transmits light from inside of the drum, and the opening may be partitioned by the light transmission unit and the display unit. 
     The display unit may be a touch screen including a transparent display panel transmitting the light from inside of the drum, and a touch panel disposed on an upper surface of the transparent display panel. 
     The door may include a door frame shaped corresponding to a front outer circumference of the cabinet, and a door glass fixed to an upper surface of the door frame, thereby forming a front exterior appearance of the cabinet, and the display unit may be provided to the door glass. 
     The door glass may include a penetration part into which the display unit is inserted, and the display unit may be supported by the door frame and exposed out of the door glass through the penetration part. 
     The display unit may be disposed at a position corresponding to the opening. 
     The display unit may be a transparent display panel which transmits light from inside of the drum. 
     The display unit may further include an input unit to select the washing information being displayed on the transparent display panel. 
     The input unit may include a touch panel formed on a surface of the transparent display panel. 
     The display unit may supply respectively different user interfaces to different users based on user information input in advance. 
     The user information may include at least one of a user&#39;s age, gender, living environment, and family members. 
     The display unit may display letters or icons of the user interface in different sizes according to the user&#39;s age input as the user information. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     The present invention provides a washing machine having a display unit capable of both input and display of information. 
     In addition, a front exterior appearance of the washing machine may be variously designed so as to be aesthetically pleasing to users. 
     Also, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine may have a display unit which outputs respectively different user interfaces differently set according to users. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  illustrate views showing the operational state of a display unit of the washing machine according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  illustrate perspective views of a washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a view of a user interface displayed on a display unit; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a view of the user interface being varied in size on the display unit. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In describing the embodiments, the same elements and structures will be denoted by the same reference numerals throughout and will not be repeatedly explained in detail. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     The washing machine includes a cabinet  10  having an open front side and constituting the overall exterior appearance of the washing machine, a front panel  20  connected at the front side of the cabinet  10 , thereby constituting the front exterior appearance of the washing machine, a drawer  30  disposed at a lower part of the cabinet  10  to be withdrawable to the front of the cabinet  10 , a door  40  fixed to the cabinet  10 , and a display unit  60  provided to the door  40  to display information on washing to a user or through which the user may input washing information. 
     Here, the washing information refers to various information regarding washing for the user, including information on a plurality of washing courses classified according to types and characteristics of laundry, information on controlling factors set to the respective washing courses, such as a water temperature, a water level and a steam temperature, and information on the progress of the washing courses, such as an elapsed time and an expected finishing time. 
     The cabinet  10  has a front side which is opened for connection with the front panel  20  having an opening  241 , and is equipped with various components therein to perform the washing of laundry. More specifically, the cabinet  10  may include therein a tub supplied with wash water, a drum (not shown) rotatably mounted in the tub, a damper controlling vibration generated from the tub, and a driving unit to rotate the drum. 
     Laundry introduced through the opening  241  is stacked in the drum. The drum may have a plurality of lifters (not shown) mounted at the inside thereof to move the stacked laundry. 
     More specifically, the lifters are protruded from an inner circumferential surface of the drum. As the drum rotates, the lifters lift the laundry and the laundry lifted in the drum falls to a bottom of the drum due to gravity. Accordingly, the lifters may improve the washing efficiency of the washing machine. 
     The driving unit (not shown) for rotating the drum is disposed at a rear part of the drum. The driving unit may be structured in various manners. For example, a driving force generated by a motor may be transmitted to the drum through a transmission belt. Alternatively, a rotational shaft of a motor may be connected directly to the drum. 
     The tub is elastically supported against the cabinet  10  by a spring (not shown) and a damper (not shown). Therefore, vibration caused by rotation of the drum may be absorbed by the spring and the damper, thereby minimizing the vibration transmitted to the cabinet  10 . 
     Meanwhile, when designing a washing machine with a laundry drying function, components for supplying heated air into the tub may be further provided. 
     Specifically, the components for the drying function may include an air duct (not shown) to introduce air to an inside of the tub, a heater (not shown) to heat the air introduced to the inside of the tub, and a ventilation fan (not shown) to blow air to the tub through the air duct. 
     The front panel  20  is connected to the front side of the cabinet  10 , thereby constituting the exterior appearance of the washing machine. The front panel  20  includes the opening  241  communicated with an inside of the drum. Also, the front panel  20  may include a single panel or two or more separate panels. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the front panel  20  is divided into an upper panel  22  and a middle panel  24  in consideration of ease of assembly of the washing machine  10 , an aesthetic effect, and connection relations with other component parts. 
     The drawer  30  may be disposed at the lower part of the cabinet  10 . The drawer  30  which is withdrawable to the front of the cabinet  10  may perform washing or drying of a small quantity of laundry. 
     The door  40  selectively opens and closes the opening  241  formed at the middle panel  24 , being hinged between the cabinet  10  and the middle panel  24 . 
     Therefore, when the door  40  is opened, the laundry can be inserted into or removed from the inside of the drum which is fluidly communicated with the opening  241 . 
     The door  40  includes a door frame  42  forming the exterior appearance thereof. The door frame  42  may be shaped corresponding to the opening  241 .  FIG. 1  shows the door frame  42  having a ring shape. 
     The door frame  42  may have the display unit  60  that displays the washing information and supplies menus for confirming and selecting the washing information, for example, in the form of a graphic user interface (GUI). The washing information being displayed may include information on a plurality of washing courses classified according to types and characteristics of laundry, information on controlling factors of the respective washing courses, such as a water temperature, a water level and a steam temperature, and information on the progress of the washing courses, such as an elapsed time and an expected finishing time. 
     The display unit  60  may have various forms so long as they are capable of supplying information to the user. Representatively, the display unit  60  may be implemented by a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, a flexible display panel, and a 3D display panel. 
     When the display unit  60  is provided at the door frame  42  to correspond to the opening  241 , the user convenience will be improved since the user is able to easily recognize the washing information. In addition, the aesthetics of the washing machine  10  can be improved. 
     The display unit  60  may take the form of a transparent display panel so that the user can check the laundry in the drum through the door  40 . A transparent OLED (TOLED) is generally used for the transparent display panel that transmits the external light of the panel. 
     When the transparent display panel is employed for the display unit  60 , the user is able to not only be supplied with the washing information but also check a state of the laundry in the drum through the display unit  60  before, after and during the washing. 
     The display unit  60  may further include an input unit for the user to select the washing information being displayed. 
     The input unit may include a device that converts a pressure applied to a specific position of the display unit  60  or variation of capacitance generated at a specific position of the display unit  60  into an electric input signal. 
     For example, a touch panel is representatively used for the input unit, which is capable of sensing a position to which an external force is applied, a surface area of the position, and a magnitude of the external force. 
     That is, the display unit  60  may be a touch screen constituted by a transparent display panel, and a touch screen deposited on a surface of the display unit  60  to generate predetermined signals upon detection of an external force. 
     In this case, the display unit  60  is capable of not only displaying the washing information but also being input with the washing information. Moreover, the display unit  60  enables the user to check the laundry in the drum even while displaying the washing information. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a view showing the display unit  60  supplying the washing information to be selected by the user.  FIG. 3  illustrates a view showing the display unit  60  displaying the washing course selected by the user and time related to the washing course, such as an estimated time remaining. 
     More specifically, in  FIG. 2 , the transparent display panel formed at the door frame  42  is displaying the washing information to be selected regarding setting of the temperature and rinsing, steaming, and spinning operations. 
     The user may select or input desired information among the washing information being displayed on the transparent display panel, by touching the desired information. 
     Thus, the display unit  60  including the touch screen functions as an information selection unit to select the washing courses and set the controlling factors of the selected course, such as a water temperature and a water level, and as an information display unit to display the washing information and the operational state of the washing machine. 
     Although the display unit  60  of the present embodiment has been explained to include a touch screen, the display unit  60  may be structured in a manner that a touch panel is formed on an upper surface of an opaque display panel. In this case, the same effect as when the display unit  60  includes the touch screen can be obtained except that the laundry in the drum cannot be checked. 
     The washing machine  10  may further include an auxiliary display unit  70  to assist the functions of the display unit  60 , being disposed at the upper panel  22 . 
     The auxiliary display unit  70  does not have to be a transparent display panel when provided at the upper panel  22 . However, in this case as well, the auxiliary display unit  70  may include a touch panel for input of the washing information. 
     For example, the auxiliary display unit  70  may include a touch screen to be used as an input unit whereas the display unit  60  includes only a transparent display panel. 
     Hereinafter, a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . Since an input unit of the second embodiment is the only distinctive feature from the first embodiment, the same elements as in the first embodiment will not be described in detail. 
     The washing machine according to the present embodiment includes a cabinet  110  constituting the exterior appearance thereof, a front panel  120  connected to a front side of the cabinet  110  and divided into an upper panel  122  and a middle panel  124 , a drawer  130  that can be withdrawn to the front of the cabinet  110 , and a door  140  opening and closing an opening  1241  formed on the middle panel  124 . 
     The door  140  includes a door frame  142  shaped corresponding to an outer circumference of the opening  1241 . The washing machine may further include a display unit  162  formed at the opening  1241  and fixed to the door frame  142 , a light transmission unit  164  formed at the opening  1241  and fixed to the door frame  142 , and an input unit  166  formed along an outer circumference of the door frame  142 . 
     The input unit  166  may include a plurality of parts sequentially arranged along the outer circumference of the door frame  142 . The user selects the washing information being displayed on the display unit  162  through the input unit  166 . 
     The input unit  166  may be provided although the display unit  162  is implemented by a touch screen. However, the input unit  166  will be more useful when the display unit  162  does not have the touch panel and therefore cannot function as a washing information input unit. 
     That is, if the display unit  162  is merely a transparent display panel incapable of inputting the user&#39;s selection, the user may select or input the washing information through the input unit  166  while confirming the selected or input washing information through the display unit  162 . 
     The input unit  166  may be a button-type input unit. In this case, an LED (not shown) may be provided under the input unit  166  to emit light. 
     More specifically, the LED may be mounted in the door frame  142  corresponding to the input unit  166  and controlled so that a pressed part of the input unit is recognized by the user. 
     As well as notifying the user of the pressed part of the input unit, the LED may flicker or emit respectively different colors according to the washing courses, such as washing and rinsing, in progress, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance of the washing machine. 
     According to this embodiment, the light transmission unit  164  may be further provided, which is made of a material transmitting light from the inside of the drum. The light transmission unit  164  is supported by the door frame  142 . Therefore, the opening  1241  is partitioned by the light transmission unit  164  and the display unit  162 . 
     Here, the display unit  162  may be a touch screen constructed by a transparent display panel and a touch panel, or an opaque display panel. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the light transmission unit  164  includes a transparent plate enabling the user to check the laundry in the drum regardless of characteristics of the display unit  162  such as whether the display unit  162  is transparent or opaque. According to this, the user is able to confirm the washing information through the display unit  162  and check the laundry in the drum through the light transmission unit  164 . That is, the light transmission unit  164  is more useful when the display unit  162  is not a transparent display panel. 
     The washing machine of the present embodiment may further include an auxiliary display unit  170 . The auxiliary display unit  170  may be formed on the upper panel  122  adapted to assist the functions of the display unit  162 . 
     For example, the auxiliary display unit  170  may include a touch panel adapted to perform the same function as the input unit  166 . 
     Hereinafter, a washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 . 
     Since the third embodiment is distinctive from the first and the second embodiments only regarding the door, the other structures which are the same as in the previous embodiments will not be explained in detail. 
     The washing machine shown in  FIG. 5  includes a cabinet  210  constituting the exterior appearance thereof, an upper panel  220  disposed at an upper front part of the cabinet  210 , a drawer  230  that can be withdrawn to the front of the cabinet  210 , and a door  240  disposed between the upper panel  220  and the drawer  230 . 
     In this embodiment, the door  240  serves as the middle panel of the first and the second embodiments. Specifically, the door  240  includes a door frame  242  forming the front exterior appearance of the cabinet  210 , and a door glass  268 . 
     The door frame  242  has a form to constitute the front exterior appearance of the cabinet  210 . For example, the door frame  242  is in the form of a rectangular panel as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     A display unit  260  is provided at the door frame  242 . When the display unit  260  is in the form of a touch screen, the user may be able to select the washing information through a touch panel while confirming the selected washing information through a transparent display panel. 
     Here, since the transparent display panel refers to a light transmitting panel and the touch panel may also include a light transmitting panel, the user is able to check the laundry in the drum through the display unit  260 . 
     The door glass  268  having a form corresponding to the door frame  242  may be further provided on the front side of the door frame  242 . 
     The door glass  268  is connected to the front side of the door frame  242 , thereby constituting the front exterior appearance of the washing machine. 
     In this case, the display unit  260  should not interfere with the door glass  268 . 
     More specifically, the display unit  260  needs to be touchable by the user for input of the washing information by the user. To this end, the display unit  260  may be inserted in the door glass  268  or disposed on an upper surface of the door glass  268 . 
     In order to insert the display unit  260  in the door glass  268 , a penetration part  269  is formed at the door glass  268  so that the display unit  260  can be exposed out of the door glass  268  through the penetration part  269 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     On the other hand, if the display unit  260  does not include a touch panel and therefore functions only as a display device, the display unit  260  may be disposed between the door frame  242  and the door glass  268  as shown in  FIG. 5 . In this case, a dedicated input unit becomes necessary for selection of the washing information. The input unit may be achieved by providing the front panel  220  with a dedicated button or providing an auxiliary display panel  270 . 
     Hereinafter, the user interface (UI) supplied to the user through the display unit will be explained with reference to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . 
     The UI is a device allowing the user to exchange control commands with the washing machine. A graphic user interface (GUI) using graphics such as icons may be employed in the washing machine. 
     In addition, the washing machine according to the embodiments of the present invention may further include a storage unit storing information on the user such as the user&#39;s age, gender, hobby, living environment, family members and the like so that different UIs can be supplied to different users. The washing machine may further include a control unit supplying the display unit with the user information stored in the storage unit. 
     Accordingly, when the user stores user information in the storage unit in advance through the input unit such as the touch panel or the button, the control unit displays the UI corresponding to the user information on the display unit. 
     Since the UI is supplied corresponding to the user information, contents of the washing information, and arrangement pattern and order of the washing information are varied according to the user information. 
     In a case where a GUI is supplied, kinds and arrangement patterns of icons representing the washing information will be variably shown. 
     For example, when the UI is variably supplied according to the users&#39; ages, differences between adult clothes and infant clothes made of a friction-sensitive material may be considered. Therefore, an icon may be displayed, which represents a washing course to minimize friction between clothes and the drum, when infant clothes are to be washed. 
     If the UI is supplied according to the users&#39; genders and the user is male, an icon representing a washing course proper for men&#39;s clothes may be preferentially displayed. Likewise, when information on a female user is input as the user information, an icon representing a washing course proper for women&#39;s clothes will be preferentially displayed. 
     If a user prefers dark clothes, the UI may be set to preferentially display an icon representing a washing course to make a color of the dark clothes clearer or to prevent cross-staining to other clothes. 
     Furthermore, if the UI is supplied according to the users&#39; living environments, an icon representing a washing course proper for thick clothes or thin clothes may be preferentially displayed. 
     Accordingly, the washing machine according to the embodiments of the present invention is capable of supplying the UI based on user information through the display units  60 ,  162  and  260 . 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 8 , sizes of letters or icons displayed on the display units  60 ,  162  and  260  may be varied in consideration of the users&#39; ages. 
     More specifically, a predetermined size of letters or icons may be maintained when the user&#39;s age is set to be lower than a reference age. On the other hand, the letters or icons may be enlarged when the user&#39;s age is set to be equal to or greater than the reference age so that the elderly user can conveniently check and select the washing information. 
     Although the display unit capable of inputting and displaying the washing information has been described only as applied to a washing machine in the above the embodiments, the display unit may be variously applied to any other apparatuses requiring visual inspection of their interiors and input and display of control commands, such as a dish washer. 
     Various embodiments have been described in the best mode for carrying out the invention. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.