Patent Abstract:
The present invention is related to a home appliance such as a dish washer, a laundry machine, a refrigerator, etc. One embodiment of a home appliance according to the present invention comprises a control panel and a controller. The controller panel may include a power switch which allows a user to input a command for switching on or off a power of the appliance and an input device which allows the user to input a command in connection with an operation of the appliance.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0096570, filed on Sep. 21, 2007 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is related to a home appliance such as a dish washer, a laundry machine, a refrigerator, etc. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Generally speaking, home appliances are electric devices used at home. 
         [0006]    Generally, dish washers are used for removing dirty and remaining food from food dishes and eating utensils (hereinafter, collectively referred to as dishes) by injecting wash water onto the dishes at a high pressure. 
         [0007]    Such a dish washer includes a tub forming a cleaning chamber and a sump disposed at a lower portion of the tub for storing wash water. A pump is installed in the sump to pump the wash water to an injection nozzle connected to the sump. The wash water arrived at the injection nozzle is injected through a nozzle hole formed in an end of the injection nozzle at a high pressure. Two injection nozzles can be disposed at upper and lower portions of the tub, respectively, and the upper injection nozzle can be connected to the sump by a water guide. 
         [0008]    Laundry machines are generally devices for treating laundry. Laundry machines may be clothes dryers or clothes washers. 
         [0009]    Generally, clothes dryers are for drying wet laundry and clothes washers are for washing laundry. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    One embodiment of a home appliance according to the present invention comprises a control panel and a controller. 
         [0011]    The controller panel may include a power switch which allows a user to input a command for switching on or off a power of the appliance and an input device which allows the user to input a command in connection with an operation of the appliance. 
         [0012]    The controller may be configured to reduce or switch off the power of the appliance when a command is not inputted through the input device within a predetermined period of time after the appliance has been switched on. 
         [0013]    The input device may comprise a course selector which allows a user to select a course and an option selector which allows the user to select an option in connection with the course. 
         [0014]    Taking a clothes washer as an example, the course may be a normal washing course, lingerie washing course, or the like. 
         [0015]    There may be a plurality of courses which the user can select. 
         [0016]    The user may select options for the selected course with the option selector. For instance, the user may select a temperature of water for washing clothes with the option selector. In a similar way, there may be plurality of options which the user can select through the option selector. 
         [0017]    The power switch may comprise a touch switch which only has to be touched by the user to operate. Further, the touch switch may comprise a capacitance touch switch or a resistance touch switch. 
         [0018]    A capacitance touch switch works using body capacitance, a property of the human body that gives it great electrical characteristics. When a person touches it, it increases the capacitance and triggers the switch. 
         [0019]    A resistance touch switch works by lowering the resistance between two pieces of metal. Placing one or two fingers across the plates achieves a turn on or closed state. 
         [0020]    Alternatively, the power switch may comprise a sensor which senses a user&#39;s touch. When the user touches the power switch, the sensor may sense the touch and send a signal to the controller. Then, the controller may reduce or switch off the power of the appliance. 
         [0021]    The sensor may comprise a pressure sensor or a heat sensor. The pressure sensor senses the user&#39;s touch by pressure, and the heat sensor senses the user&#39;s touch by a transmitted heat from the user. 
         [0022]    Another embodiment of a home appliance according to the present invention may comprise a controller to reduce or switch off a power of the appliance when a command for switching off the power is inputted twice or more. 
         [0023]    The control panel of the previously presented embodiment may be comprised in this embodiment. 
         [0024]    The controller may reduce or switch off the power when the command is inputted twice or more through the power switch. 
         [0025]    Further, the controller may do so when the number of commands is inputted within a predetermined period of time. 
         [0026]    An embodiment of a controlling method of a home appliance may comprises switching on a power of the appliance; and reducing or switching off the power of the appliance when a command in connection with an operation of the appliance is not inputted within a predetermined period of time after the appliance has been switched on. 
         [0027]    Another embodiment of a controlling method of a home appliance may comprises switching on a power of the appliance; and switching off the power of the appliance when a command for switching off the power is inputted twice or more within a predetermined period of time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0028]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a dish washer according to the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the dish washer according to the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a constructional view illustrating an input unit of the dish washer according to the present invention; and 
           [0032]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are flow charts illustrating a method of controlling the input unit of the dish washer according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0033]    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 an embodiment, a dish washer is described; however, the concept of the present invention is applicable to a laundry machine, for example a washer, a dryer, a washer and dryer, or a steam dryer. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a dish washer according to the present invention. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the dish washer includes a case  10  forming the external appearance of the dish washer, the case  10  being opened at the front thereof, a door  11  for opening and closing the open front of the case  10 , a door grip  12  used for a user to open and close the door  11 , and a control panel  100  provided at the upper side of the door  11  for displaying and controlling the operation of the dish washer. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the door  11  is hingedly mounted at the lower part of the case  10 , and the control panel  100  is provided at the top side of the door  11 . When the dish washer is used in a built-in product, cooking equipment, including a microwave oven for cooking, may be mounted at the top of the case  10 . With the door  11  mounted by hinges at the lower part of the case  10  or with the control panel  100  provided at the top side of the door  11 , it is improved in a way of the user&#39;s convenience. That is, the user may open the door  11  and easily put dishes into the case  10 . Also, the user may easily input an operation command to operate the dish washer through the control panel  100  provided at the top of the door  11  while keeping the door  11  open. 
         [0037]    Meanwhile, the control panel  100  includes a signal generator(or a power switch)  110  for generating a predetermined signal to apply electric power to the dish washer or release the electric power applied to the dish washer, an input device  140  for allowing a user to select a desired washing course, and a display device  150  for displaying the operation state of the dish washer. 
         [0038]    The signal generator  110  allows the user to selectively apply electric power to the dish washer or release the electric power applied to the dish washer. The signal generator  110  may be configured in the form of a predetermined button which the user can push. Alternatively, the signal generator  110  may be configured in the form of a predetermined touch sensor or a predetermined touch pad which can sense a touch of the user. When the signal generator  110  is configured in the form of a predetermined button, the signal generator  110  generates a predetermined signal when the user pushes the button. On the other hand, when the signal generator  110  is configured in the form of a predetermined touch sensor or a predetermined touch pad, the signal generator  110  generates a predetermined signal when the user touches the touch sensor or the touch pad. 
         [0039]    Also, the dish washer may further include a controller (not shown) for applying electric power to the dish washer or releasing the electric power when a predetermined signal is generated from the signal generator  110 . The controller will be described hereinafter in detail. 
         [0040]    The input device  140  allows a user to input the detailed commands for a dish washing operation. The input device  140  may include a course selector  120  for allowing the user to select any one of a plurality of predetermined washing courses and an option selector  130  for allowing the user to select any one of a plurality of predetermined options. 
         [0041]    The course selector  120  may have a plurality of buttons  121  for allowing the user to select any one of the plurality of predetermined washing courses. Similarly, the option selector  130  may have a plurality of buttons  131  for allowing the user to select any one of the plurality of predetermined options. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  shows a longitudinal section of the dish washer of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0043]    To describe the internal structure of the dish washer with reference to  FIG. 2 , the dish washer includes a tub  18  mounted in the case  10  for defining a space where dishes are washed and a sump  16  mounted at the bottom of the tub  18  for collecting wash water to wash the dishes and filtering garbage out of the wash water such that the filtered water can be sprayed to the dishes again. 
         [0044]    In the sump  16  is mounted a predetermined pump (not shown), such as an impeller, for pumping out the wash water stored in the sump  16 . A heater (not shown) is also mounted in the sump  16  for heating the wash water stored in the sump  16 . Consequently, detergent may be easily dissolved in the wash water, and food waste on the dishes may be easily soaked by the heated wash water, thereby improving washing efficiency. 
         [0045]    In the tub  18  are mounted racks  13  in which dishes are received, spray arms  14  and  15  for spraying wash water toward the respective racks  13 , and a spray arm  24  for spraying wash water from the upper part to the lower part of the tub  18 . 
         [0046]    At the bottom of the tub  18  may be mounted a filter  17 , which filters garbage out of the wash water. In the tub  18 , at one side thereof, may be provided a wash water tube  19  for supplying wash water to the spray arms  14  and  24 , located at the upper part of the tub  18 . 
         [0047]    Also, the dish washer may further include a steam generator  50  having a predetermined heater  52  for heating water received in the steam generator  50  to generate steam to be supplied into the tub  18 , a steam tube  51  for supplying the steam generated by the steam generator  50  into the tub  18 , and at least one nozzle  60  for spraying the steam supplied from the steam tube  51  into the tub  18 . 
         [0048]    Also, the dish washer may further include a water supply pipe  22  connected to the outside and branched into the tub  18  and the steam generator  50  for supplying water to the tub  18  and the steam generator  50 , a drainage pipe  23  for draining the contaminated wash water after the washing of the dishes, and a tub valve  40  and a steam valve  41  for opening and closing the water supply pipe  22  to control the amount of water supplied through the water supply pipe  22 . The tub valve  40  controls the amount of water supplied to the tub  18 , and the steam valve  41  controls the amount of water supplied to the steam generator  50 . 
         [0049]    Hereinafter, the operation of the dish washer will be described briefly with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0050]    First, when dishwashing is required, a user pushes or touches the signal generator  100  to apply electric power to the dish washer. 
         [0051]    Subsequently, the user opens the door  11 , puts dishes into the racks  13 , and manipulates the input device  140 , while keeping the door  11  open, to select a desired washing course of the dishwashing. Of course, it is possible for the user to manipulate the input device  140  after closing the door  11 . 
         [0052]    Subsequently, when the user closes the door  12  and commences the dishwashing according to the selected washing course, the operation of the dish washer is carried out while the operation state of the dish washer is displayed on the display device  150 . The operation of the dish washer is carried out only while the door  12  is closed. Of course, an additional operation button (not shown) may be provided such that the operation of the dish washer can be carried out only when the operation button is pushed. 
         [0053]    To describe the operation of the dish washer according to the flow sequence of the wash water flowing in the tub  18 , on the other hand, the wash water, sprayed from the spray arms  14 ,  15 , and  24 , washes the dishes placed in the racks  13 , falls downward, and flows into the sump  16 . In the sump  16  is mounted a predetermined pump, such as an impeller. The pump pumps out the wash water such that the wash water is resupplied to the respective spray arms  14 ,  15 , and  24 . 
         [0054]    In this way, food waste is filtered out by the filter  17 , during the circulation of the wash water from the sump  16  to the spray arms  14 ,  15 , and  24 , thereby preventing excessive contamination of the wash water or the clogging of the nozzle. 
         [0055]    Also, the dish washer may carry out a washing process using steam. To carry out the washing process using steam, steam generated by the steam generator  50  is supplied into the tub  18  through the steam tube  51  and the nozzle  60 . 
         [0056]    In the dish washer, therefore, it is possible to expect the improvement of washing efficiency of the dish washer which can be further obtained by high-temperature and high-humidity properties of the steam. For example, when the dishes are washed using the steam and the wash water, food waste fixed to the dishes is soaked by the steam, and the food waste is easily removed from the dishes by the high-pressure wash water. 
         [0057]      FIG. 3  is a constructional view illustrating an input unit of the dish washer. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the input unit of the dish washer includes a signal generator  110 , an input device  140 , and a controller  200 . 
         [0059]    The signal generator  110  generates a predetermined signal to apply electric power to the dish washer or release the electric power applied to the dish washer according to the manipulation of a user. Specifically, the user may push or touch the signal generator  110  to apply electric power to the dish washer or release the electric power applied to the dish washer. The signal generator  110  generates a predetermined signal according to the manipulation of the user. The predetermined signal is an electric signal. 
         [0060]    The signal generator  110  may be configured to generate a predetermined signal by the user&#39;s touching the signal generator  110 . For example, the signal generator  110  may be configured in the form of a predetermined touch sensor or a predetermined touch pad which can sense a touch of the user. The touch sensor or the touch pad may sense the touch of the user through the sensing of a predetermined pressure or heat. That is, the signal generator  110  senses a touch of the user through the sensing of a predetermined pressure or heat, thereby generating a predetermined signal 
         [0061]    When a predetermined signal is generated from the signal generator  110  according to the manipulation of the user, the controller  200  applies electric power to the dish washer or releases the electric power applied to the dish washer. For example, when a predetermined signal is generated from the signal generator  110 , while the electric power is being applied to the dish washer, the controller  200  releases the electric power applied to the dish washer. On the other hand, when a predetermined signal is generated from the signal generator  110 , while the electric power applied to the dish washer is being released, the controller  200  applies electric power to the dish washer. Of course, the signal generator  110  generates a signal to apply electric power to the dish washer and a signal to release the electric power applied to the dish washer while distinguishing between the signal to apply the electric power to the dish washer and the signal to release the electric power applied to the dish washer, and the controller applies electric power to the dish washer or releases the electric power applied to the dish washer when one of the two signals is generated while the signal to apply the electric power to the dish washer and the signal to release the electric power applied to the dish washer are distinguished from each other. 
         [0062]    The input device  140  may be configured to have a plurality of buttons for allowing a user to select a desired washing course. Alternatively, the input device  140  may be configured in the form of a rotary knob that can be rotated by a predetermined angle for allowing the user to select the washing course. That is, it is possible for the user to select a desired washing course by pressing the button corresponding to the desired washing course or rotating the rotary knob. 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the input device  140  includes a course selector  120  and an option selector  130 . The course selector  120  is an input device component that allows a user to select any one of a plurality of predetermined washing courses, and the option selector  130  is an input device component that allows the user to select any one of a plurality of predetermined options. The predetermined washing courses may include normal washing, strong washing, and rinsing. The predetermined options may include steam and drying. When one of the washing courses and one of the options are selected, dishwashing is carried out according to a course including the selected washing course and the selected option. Also, the input device  140  may further include a detail establisher for allowing a user to establish temperature, time, and the number of repetitions in the washing courses and the options in detail. 
         [0064]    Meanwhile, the controller  200  releases the electric power applied to the dish washer when one of the washing courses is not selected within a predetermined time after the electric power is applied to the dish washer as a result of the generation of a predetermined signal from the signal generator  110 . This is because the electric power may be wasted when the application of the electric power to the dish washer is maintained in a case in which the electric power is applied to the dish washer without the intention of the user as in a case in which electric power is applied to the dish washer as a result of the generation of a predetermined signal from the signal generator  110  caused by the operation of the signal generator  110  due to a mistake or unintended action of the user or other unintended cause. 
         [0065]    That is, a user touches the signal generator  110  to apply electric power to the dish washer, and select one of the washing courses through the input device  140  to perform the dishwashing. At this time, the controller  200  determines that the electric power has been applied to the dish washer without the intention of the user, when one of the washing courses is not selected within a predetermined time after the electric power is applied to the dish washer, and releases the electric power applied to the dish washer, thereby preventing the waste of the electric power. 
         [0066]    Also, the controller  200  releases the electric power applied to the dish washer only when a predetermined signal is generated from the signal generator  110  during the dishwashing and then another predetermined signal is generated from the signal generator  110  within a predetermined time. This is because, the operation of the dish washer may stop without the intention of the user if the electric power applied to the dish washer is released when a predetermined signal is generated from the signal generator  110  during the dishwashing. If the electric power applied to the dish washer is released without the intention of the user during the dishwashing, whereby the operation of the dish washer stops, the user must apply electric power to the dish washer again to perform the dishwashing again from the beginning, which is troublesome and inconvenient. 
         [0067]    Consequently, it is possible to prevent the electric power applied to the dish washer from being released without the intention of the user not by the controller  200  releasing the electric power applied to the dish washer immediately when a predetermined signal is generated from the signal generator  110  during the dishwashing but by the controller  200  releasing the electric power applied to the dish washer only when another predetermined signal is generated from the signal generator  110  within a predetermined time. 
         [0068]    In this case, in order to release the electric power applied to the dish washer during the dishwashing, the user touches the signal generator  110 , such that a predetermined signal is generated from the signal generator  110 , and touches the signal generator  110  again within a predetermined time, such that the electric power applied to the dish washer is released. 
         [0069]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling the input unit of the dish washer. Specifically,  FIG. 4  illustrates a series of processes from the application of electric power to the performance of dishwashing. 
         [0070]    The processes from the application of electric power to the performance of dishwashing will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0071]    First, when a predetermined signal is generated from the signal generator  110 , electric power is applied to the dish washer (S 110 ). When the electric power is applied to the dish washer, it is determined whether any one of the predetermined washing courses has been selected within a predetermined time (S 120 ). 
         [0072]    When it is determined that one of the predetermined washing courses has not been selected within the predetermined time, it is determined that the electric power has been applied to the dish washer without the intention of a user, and the electric power is applied to the dish washer is released (S 130 ). On the other hand, when it is determined that one of the predetermined washing courses has been selected within the predetermined time, it is determined whether any one of the predetermined options has been selected within a predetermined time (S 140 ). 
         [0073]    When it is determined the one of the predetermined options has not been selected within the predetermined time, it is determined whether the door  11  is closed (S 150 ). When it is determined that the door  11  is open, the dish washer is on standby (S 160 ). On the other hand, when it is determined that the door  11  is closed, the dishwashing is carried out according to the selected washing course without any option (S 170 ). 
         [0074]    On the other hand, when one of the predetermined options has been selected within the predetermined time, it is determined whether the door  11  is closed (S 180 ). When it is determined that the door  11  is open, the dish washer is on standby (S 160 ). On the other hand, when it is determined that the door  11  is closed, the dishwashing is carried out according to a course including the selected washing course and the selected option (S 190 ). 
         [0075]    In the method of controlling the input unit of the dish washer, therefore, it is possible to release the electric power applied to the dish washer when the application of the electric power to the dish washer is not intended by the user although the signal is generated from the signal generator  110  with the result that the electric power is applied to the dish washer, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the continuous application of the electric power to the dish washer, thereby preventing the waste of the electric power. That is, in the method of controlling the input unit of the dish washer, it is possible to release the electric power applied to the dish washer when a washing course or a washing course including an option is not selected although a predetermined signal is generated from the signal generator  110  with the result that the electric power is applied to the dish washer. 
         [0076]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling the input unit of the dish washer. Specifically,  FIG. 5  illustrates a process for releasing the electric power applied to the dish washer during the dishwashing. 
         [0077]    The process for releasing the electric power applied to the dish washer during the dishwashing will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0078]    First, when a predetermined signal has been generated from the signal generator  110  during the dishwashing (S 210 ), it is determined whether another predetermined signal has been generated from the signal generator  110  within a predetermined time (S 220 ). 
         [0079]    When it is determined that the another predetermined signal has been generated from the signal generator  110  within the predetermined time, the electric power applied to the dish washer is released with the result that the dishwashing stops (S 230 ). 
         [0080]    On the other hand, when it is determined that the another predetermined signal has not been generated from the signal generator  110  within the predetermined time, the electric power applied to the dish washer is not released with the result that the dishwashing continues (S 240 ). That is, it is determined that the first signal has been generated from the signal generator  110  by a mistake of the user or the malfunction of the dish washer due to an external cause, and therefore, the electric power applied to the dish washer is not released. 
         [0081]    In the method of controlling the input unit of the dish washer, therefore, it is possible to release the electric power applied to the dish washer only when a predetermined signal is generated from the signal generator  110  according to the intention of the user during the dishwashing, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the electric power applied to the dish washer from being released when the signal is generated from the signal generator  110  by a mistake of the user or the malfunction of the dish washer due to an external cause. That is, it is possible to release the electric power applied to the dish washer only when the user pushes or touches the signal generator  111  twice at predetermined time intervals, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the electric power applied to the dish washer from being released by a mistake of the user or the malfunction of the dish washer due to an external cause during the dishwashing. 
         [0082]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3