Patent Abstract:
A clothes treatment apparatus includes a case that defines a treatment chamber that is configured to receive clothes. The clothes treatment apparatus further includes a steam unit that is configured to supply steam to the treatment chamber. The clothes treatment apparatus further includes a blower unit that is configured to draw air from the treatment chamber. The clothes treatment apparatus further includes an inlet temperature sensor that is configured to measure an inlet temperature of air drawn by the blower unit. The clothes treatment apparatus further includes a heat pump unit that is configured to heat air drawn by the blower unit and that is configured to supply heated air to the treatment chamber. The clothes treatment apparatus further includes a control unit that is configured to control the steam unit, the blower unit, and the heat pump unit.

Full Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to a clothes treatment apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Clothes treatment apparatuses are apparatuses that treat clothes, e.g. wash and dry clothes and remove wrinkles from clothes, at home or in laundromats. 
         [0003]    Clothes treatment apparatuses may be classified into a washer for washing clothes, a dryer for drying clothes, a washer/dryer having both a washing function and a drying function, a refresher for refreshing clothes, and a steamer for removing wrinkles from clothes. 
         [0004]    The refresher is an apparatus that keep clothes comfortable and fresh. The refresher functions to dry clothes, to supply fragrance to clothes, to prevent the occurrence of static electricity in clothes, or to remove wrinkles from clothes. 
         [0005]    The steamer is an apparatus that supplies steam to clothes in order to remove wrinkles from the clothes. Unlike a general iron, the steamer gently removes wrinkles from the clothes without direct contact between the clothes and a heating plate. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to an innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this application, a clothes treatment apparatus includes: a case that defines a treatment chamber that is configured to receive clothes; a steam unit that is configured to supply steam to the treatment chamber; a blower unit that is configured to draw air from the treatment chamber; an inlet temperature sensor that is configured to measure an inlet temperature of air drawn by the blower unit; a heat pump unit that is configured to heat air drawn by the blower unit and that is configured to supply heated air to the treatment chamber; and a control unit that is configured to control the steam unit, the blower unit, and the heat pump unit. 
         [0007]    The clothes treatment apparatus may include one or more of the following optional features. The control unit is configured to control operation of the heat pump unit based on a preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) that is measured by the inlet temperature sensor at a time of the blower unit beginning to operate and the steam unit performing preheating. At the time of the blower unit beginning to operate and the steam unit performing preheating, the heat pump unit is not operating. The control unit is configured to, based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being equal to or higher than a predetermined reference inlet temperature (T_in), control the heat pump unit to heat air, that is drawn by the blower unit, at a slower rate than based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being lower than the reference inlet temperature (T_in). The control unit is configured to control the heat pump unit based on a comparison of a dried inlet temperature (T 2 ), that the inlet temperature sensor measures while the control unit operates the heat pump unit, with the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ). 
         [0008]    The control unit is configured to, based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being lower than a predetermined reference inlet temperature (T_in), and based on a difference between the dried inlet temperature (T 2 ) and the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being equal to or higher than a predetermined first reference temperature difference (ΔD 1 ), halt operation of the heat pump unit. The control unit is configured to, based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being equal to or higher than the reference inlet temperature (T_in), and based on a difference between the dried inlet temperature (T 2 ) and the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being equal to or higher than a predetermined second temperature difference (ΔD 2 ), halt operation of the heat pump unit. The second reference temperature difference (ΔD 2 ) is less than the first reference temperature difference (ΔD 1 ). The heat pump unit includes a compressor that is configured to compress refrigerant and a condenser that is configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and the air drawn by the blower unit. 
         [0009]    The control unit is configured to operate the compressor at a predetermined first operating speed (V 1 ) based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being lower than a predetermined reference inlet temperature (T_in). The control unit is configured to operate the compressor at a predetermined second operating speed (V 2 ) based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being equal to or higher than the reference inlet temperature (T_in). The second operating speed (V 2 ) is lower than the first operating speed (V 1 ). The control unit is configured to halt operation of the compressor based on a difference between a dried inlet temperature (T 2 ), that the inlet temperature sensor measures while the compressor operates at the first operating speed (V 1 ), and based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being equal to or higher than a first reference temperature difference (ΔD 1 ). The control unit is configured to halt operation of the compressor based on the difference between a dried inlet temperature (T 2 ), that the inlet temperature sensor measures while the compressor operates at the second operating speed (V 2 ), and based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being equal to or higher than a second reference temperature difference (ΔD 2 ). The second reference temperature difference (ΔD 2 ) is less than the first reference temperature difference (ΔD 1 ). 
         [0010]    According to another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this application, a method of controlling a clothes treatment apparatus that includes: a case that defines a treatment chamber that is configured to receive clothes, a steam unit that is configured to supply steam to the treatment chamber; a blower unit that is configured to draw air from the treatment chamber; an inlet temperature sensor that is configured to measure an inlet temperature of air drawn by the blower unit; and a heat pump unit that is configured to heat air drawn by the blower unit and that is configured to supply heated air to the treatment chamber. The method includes the actions of operating the blower unit; in response to operating the blower unit, preheating the steam unit and measuring a preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) of air drawn by the blower unit; supplying, by the steam unit, steam to the treatment chamber; lowering a temperature inside the treatment chamber by operating the blower unit after halting operation of the steam unit; and based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ), heating air drawn by the blower unit and discharging heated air into the treatment chamber by controlling the heat pump unit. 
         [0011]    The method may include one or more of the following optional features. The action of operating the blower unit includes not operating the heat pump unit. The steam unit is preheated and the inlet temperature (T 1 ) is measured in response to operating the blower unit and not operating the heat pump unit. The heat pump unit is configured to, based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being equal to or higher than a predetermined reference inlet temperature (T_in), heat air drawn by the blower unit at a slower rate than based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being lower than the reference inlet temperature (T_in). The actions further include measuring a dried inlet temperature (T 2 ), that is a temperature of air drawn by the blower unit while the heat pump unit operates; and halting operation of the heat pump unit based on a difference between the dried inlet temperature (T 2 ) and the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ). 
         [0012]    The actions further include halting operation of the heat pump unit based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being lower than a predetermined reference inlet temperature (T_in), and based on a difference between the dried inlet temperature (T 2 ) and the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference temperature difference (ΔD 1 ), halting operation of the heat pump unit based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being equal to or higher than the predetermined reference inlet temperature (T_in), and based on a difference between the dried inlet temperature (T 2 ) and the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being equal to or greater than a predetermined second reference temperature difference (ΔD 2 ), and the second reference temperature difference (ΔD 2 ) is less than the first reference temperature difference (ΔD 1 ). The heat pump unit includes a compressor that is configured to compress refrigerant and a condenser that is configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant compressed by the compressor and the air drawn by the blower unit. 
         [0013]    The compressor is configured to operate at a predetermined first operating speed (V 1 ) based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being lower than a predetermined reference inlet temperature (T_in). The compressor is configured to operate at a predetermined second operating speed (V 2 ) based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being equal to or higher than a predetermined reference inlet temperature (T_in). The second operating speed (V 2 ) is lower than the first operating speed (V 1 ). The actions further include halting operation of the compressor based on a difference between a dried inlet temperature (T 2 ), that the inlet temperature sensor measures while the compressor operates at the first operating speed (V 1 ), and based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being equal to or higher than a first reference temperature difference (ΔD 1 ), and halting operation of the compressor based on the difference between a dried inlet temperature (T 2 ), that the inlet temperature sensor measures while the compressor operates at the second operating speed (V 2 ), and based on the preheated inlet temperature (T 1 ) being equal to or higher than a second reference temperature difference (ΔD 2 ). The second reference temperature difference (ΔD 2 ) is less than the first reference temperature difference (ΔD 1 ). 
         [0014]    It is an object of the subject matter described in this application to provide a clothes treatment apparatus, which control a drying cycle in accordance with the environment in which the apparatus is installed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example clothes treatment apparatus. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of example components of an example clothes treatment apparatus. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of example components of an example clothes treatment apparatus. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an example clothes treatment apparatus. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating example cycles of an example clothes treatment apparatus. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an example control process of an example clothes treatment apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example clothes treatment apparatus.  FIG. 2  illustrates example components of an example clothes treatment apparatus.  FIG. 3  illustrates an example partial construction of an example clothes treatment apparatus.  FIG. 4  illustrates an example clothes treatment apparatus. 
         [0022]    The clothes treatment apparatus includes a case  10  defining therein a treatment chamber  12  for accommodating clothes, a steam unit  40  for supplying steam to the treatment chamber  12 , a blower unit  30  for drawing air from the treatment chamber  12 , an inlet temperature sensor  39  for measuring the inlet temperature, which is a temperature of the air drawn by the blower unit  30 , a heat pump unit  50  for heating the air drawn by the blower unit  30  to supply the heated air into the treatment chamber  12 , and a control unit  60  for controlling the steam unit  40 , the blower unit  30  and the heat pump unit  50 . 
         [0023]    The case  10  is provided with a partition plate  11  for dividing the internal space into upper and lower parts, that is, a treatment chamber  12 , which is defined above the partition plate  11  so as to accommodate clothes, and a cycle chamber  14 , which is defined below the partition plate  11  so as to accommodate mechanical devices. 
         [0024]    The case  10  is provided with a door  20  for opening or closing the front face of the case  10 . 
         [0025]    The treatment chamber  12  accommodates clothes, and the clothes accommodated in the treatment chamber  12  are treated by the circulation of steam or air, drying or the like so as to remove wrinkles or odors from the clothes. 
         [0026]    The cycle chamber  14  is provided therein with the blower unit  30  for drawing air in the treatment chamber  12  thereinto and circulating the air, the steam unit  40  for supplying steam to the treatment chamber  12 , the heat pump unit  50  for supplying heated air to the treatment chamber  12 , and a control unit  60  for controlling the blower unit  30 , the steam unit  40  and the heat pump unit  50 . 
         [0027]    The blower unit  30  draws the air from the treatment chamber  12  under the control of the control unit  60 . The air drawn into the blower unit  30  is discharged to the heat pump unit  50 . 
         [0028]    The blower unit  30  includes a blower module  32  for drawing the air in the treatment chamber  12  and discharging the air to the heat pump unit  50  by causing the air to flow through rotation of a fan, and an inlet duct  34 , which is disposed at the inlet side of the blower module  32  so as to guide the air in the treatment chamber  12  toward the blower module  32 . 
         [0029]    One side of the inlet duct  34  is connected to the treatment chamber  12 , and the other side of the inlet duct  34  is connected to the blower module  32 . The inlet duct  34  is provided therein with the inlet temperature sensor  39  for measuring the inlet temperature, which is the temperature of the air flowing in the inlet duct  34 . The inlet temperature sensor  39  measures the inlet temperature, which is the temperature of the air drawn into the inlet duct  34  from the treatment chamber  12 , and transfers the inlet temperature to the control unit  60 . 
         [0030]    One side of the blower module  32  is connected to the inlet duct  34 , and the other side of the blower module  32  is connected to the heat pump unit  50 . The blower module  32  is a single module into which a sirocco fan, a duct and a motor are incorporated. 
         [0031]    The steam unit  40  supplies steam to the treatment chamber  12  under the control of the control unit  60 . The steam unit  40  generates heat by application of power. The steam unit  40  receives water from a separate water supply tank, and heats the water so as to convert the water into steam. 
         [0032]    The steam generated from the steam unit  40  is discharged to the treatment chamber  12 . In some implementations, the steam generated from the steam unit  40  flows to the treatment chamber  12  through a flow channel of the heat pump unit  50 . In some implementations, the steam unit  40  is connected to the heat pump unit  50 . 
         [0033]    The steam unit  40  includes a heater  41  for heating water. The steam unit  40  first heats the heater  41  and then generates steam under the control of the control unit  60 . 
         [0034]    The heat pump unit  50  heats the air drawn by the blower unit  30  under the control of the control unit  60 . The heat pump unit  50  supplies the heated air to the treatment chamber  12 . 
         [0035]    The heat pump unit  50  is constituted by a refrigeration cycle, which includes a compressor  51 , a condenser  53 , an evaporator and an expansion valve. The heat pump unit  50  includes a heat pump channel  55 , in which the condenser  53  is disposed and which has a flow channel defined therein. 
         [0036]    The compressor  51  compresses refrigerant so as to cause the refrigerant to be in a high-temperature and high-pressure state. The condenser  53  facilitates the exchange of heat between the refrigerant compressed in the compressor and the air drawn by the blower unit  30  so as to heat the air. The expansion valve expands the refrigerant condensed in the condenser  53 , and the evaporator evaporates the refrigerant expanded at the expansion valve. The evaporated refrigerant is recovered into the compressor  51 . 
         [0037]    One side of the heat pump channel  55  is connected to the blower module  32  of the blower unit  30 , and the other side of the heat pump channel  55  is connected to the treatment chamber  12 . The condenser  53  is disposed in the heat pump channel  55 . 
         [0038]    A tank module  70  for storing water is disposed in front of the cycle chamber  14 . In some implementations, a tank module frame  71 , on which the tank module  70  is mounted, is disposed in front of the inlet duct  34 . 
         [0039]    The tank module  70  includes a water supply tank  80  for supplying water to the steam unit  40  and a drain tank  90  for storing condensed water collected in the treatment chamber  12 . The water supply tank  80  is connected to the steam unit  40  so as to supply water to the steam unit  40 , and the drain tank  90  is connected to the treatment chamber  12  so as to store water condensed in the treatment chamber  12  or the heat pump unit  50 . 
         [0040]    The control unit  60  receives an inlet temperature from the inlet temperature sensor  39 . The control unit  60  controls the steam unit  40 , the blower unit  30  and the heat pump unit  50  in accordance with user settings or the inlet temperature such that the clothes treatment apparatus performs respective treatment cycles in compliance with the set course. The respective cycles of treating clothes will be described later with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0041]    The control unit  60  operates the blower unit  30  while preheating the steam unit  40  so as to control the heat pump unit  50  based on the preheated inlet temperature, measured by the inlet temperature sensor  39 . 
         [0042]    When the preheated inlet temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference inlet temperature, the control unit  60  controls the heat pump unit  50  to heat the air drawn by the blower unit  30  more slowly than in the case in which the preheated inlet temperature is lower than the reference inlet temperature. 
         [0043]    More specifically, the control unit  60  operates the compressor  51  at a predetermined first operating speed when the preheated inlet temperature is lower than the reference inlet temperature, and operates the compressor  51  at a predetermined second operating speed, which is lower than the first operating speed, when the preheated inlet temperature is equal to or higher than the reference inlet temperature. The operating speed of the compressor  51 , which is the rotational speed of a motor for generating the rotational force required to compress refrigerant, may be expressed as a frequency. The operating speed of the compressor  51  is proportional to the compression ability of the compressor  51 . The higher the operating speed of the compressor  51 , the quicker the heat pump unit  50  heats air. The lower the operating speed of the compressor  51 , the slower the heat pump unit  50  heats air. When the heat pump unit  50  heats air, the control unit  60  controls the heat pump unit  50  based on the result of a comparison between the dried inlet temperature measured by the inlet temperature sensor  39 , and the preheated inlet temperature. In some implementations, the control unit  60  halts the operation of the heat pump unit  50  depending on the difference between the dried inlet temperature and the preheated inlet temperature. 
         [0044]    In some implementations, the preheated inlet temperature is lower than the reference inlet temperature, and the control unit  60  operates the heat pump unit  50  to heat the air drawn by the blower unit  30  and discharge the heated air into the treatment chamber  12 . At this time, when the difference between the dried inlet temperature measured by the inlet temperature sensor  39  and the preheated inlet temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference temperature difference, the control unit  60  halts the operation of the heat pump unit  50 . In some implementations, the preheated inlet temperature is equal to or higher than the reference inlet temperature, and the control unit  60  operates the heat pump unit  50  and discharges the heated air into the treatment chamber  12 . At this time, when the difference between the dried inlet temperature and the preheated inlet temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined second reference temperature difference, the control unit  60  halts the operation of the heat pump unit  50 . Here, the second reference temperature difference is less than the first reference temperature difference. 
         [0045]    In some implementations, the control unit  60  operates the compressor  51  at a first operating speed, and when the difference between the dried inlet temperature measured by the inlet temperature sensor  39  and the preheated inlet temperature is equal to or greater than the predetermined first reference temperature difference, the control unit  60  halts the operation of the compressor  51 . In some implementations, the control unit  60  operates the compressor  51  at a second operating speed, and when the difference between the dried inlet temperature measured by the inlet temperature sensor  39  and the preheated inlet temperature is equal to or greater than the predetermined first reference temperature difference, the control unit  60  halts the operation of the compressor  51 . Here, the second reference temperature difference is less than the first reference temperature difference. 
         [0046]    A detailed description regarding this control will be made below with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 5  illustrates example cycles of an example clothes treatment apparatus.  FIG. 6  illustrates an example control process of an example clothes treatment apparatus. 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  illustrates respective cycles of a general course, in which some of the cycles may be omitted or changed in sequence. 
         [0049]    When a user initiates operation of the clothes treatment apparatus, the control unit  60  performs a preheating cycle S 210  of supplying power to the heater  41  of the steam unit  40  to preheat the heater  41 . 
         [0050]    In the preheating cycle S 210 , the control unit  60  operates the blower module  32  of the blower unit  30 . During the preheating cycle S 210 , the heat pump unit  50  is not operated. When the blower module  32  is started to operate, the inlet temperature sensor  39  measures the temperature of the air drawn into the inlet duct  34  of the blower unit  30 , and transfers the measured preheated inlet temperature to the control unit  60 . 
         [0051]    When the preheating of the heater  41  is completed, the control unit  60  performs a steam cycle S 220 . In the steam cycle S 220 , the control unit  60  supplies the water in the water supply tank  80  to the steam unit  40  so as t create steam, and supplies the steam to the treatment chamber  12 . The control unit  60  operates the blower module  32  to circulate the air in the treatment chamber  12 . During the steam cycle S 220 , the heat pump unit  50  is not operated. 
         [0052]    After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the control unit  60  halts the operation of the steam unit  40  so as to terminate the steam cycle S 220 . 
         [0053]    After the steam cycle S 220 , the control unit  60  performs a waiting cycle S 230  and a cooling cycle S 240 . After the operation of the steam unit  40  is halted, the control unit  60  rotates the blower module at a relatively low RPM, and performs the waiting cycle S 230  so as to allow the clothes to be sufficiently treated with steam. 
         [0054]    After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the control unit  60  performs the cooling cycle S 240  of rotating the blower module  32  at a relatively higher RPM to lower the temperature inside the treatment chamber  12 . 
         [0055]    After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the control unit  60  terminates the cooling cycle S 240 . 
         [0056]    After the cooling cycle S 240 , the control unit  60  performs a drying cycle S 250  by operating the blower module  32  and operating the compressor  51  of the heat pump unit  50  so as to supply the heated air to the treatment chamber  12 . 
         [0057]    The state of operation of the compressor  51  in the drying cycle S 250  and the state of termination of the drying cycle S 250  will be described below with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , in the preheating cycle S 210 , the control unit  60  operates the blower module  32  without operating the heat pump unit  50 , and the inlet temperature sensor  39  measures a preheated inlet temperature T 1 , which is the temperature value of air drawn by the blower unit  30  (S 310 ). Since the preheated inlet temperature T 1 , which is measured concurrently with the start of operation of the blower module  32 , is almost equal to the indoor temperature in the space in which the clothes treatment apparatus is installed, the control unit  60  controls the heat pump unit  50  based on the preheated inlet temperature T 1  during the drying cycle S 250 . 
         [0059]    The control unit  60  determines whether the preheated inlet temperature T 1  is lower than the predetermined reference inlet temperature T_in (S 320 ). The reference inlet temperature T_in is set to be 45° C. so as to be prepared for used in torrid zone. 
         [0060]    When the preheated inlet temperature T 1  is lower than the predetermined reference inlet temperature T_in, the control unit  60  operates the compressor  51  at a predetermined first operating speed V 1  in order to perform the drying cycle S 250  (S 330 ). The first operating speed V 1  is set to be relatively high such that the heat pump unit  50  can heat the air drawn by the blower unit  30  relatively quickly so as to be suitable for the drying cycle in temperate zones. 
         [0061]    The control unit  60  operates the compressor  51  at the first operating speed V 1 , and the inlet temperature sensor  39  consecutively measures a dried inlet temperature T 2 , which is the temperature of air drawn by the blower unit  30  (S 340 ). The inlet temperature sensor  39  transfers the measured dried inlet temperature T 2  to the control unit  60 . 
         [0062]    The control unit  60  determines whether the difference between the dried inlet temperature T 2  measured by the inlet temperature sensor  39  in the drying cycle S 250  and the preheated inlet temperature T 1  is equal to or greater than a predetermined first reference temperature difference ΔD 1  (S 350 ). Here, the dried inlet temperature T 2  is a temperature value, which is consecutively measured by the inlet temperature sensor  39  when the compressor  51  is operated, and the preheated inlet temperature T 1  is a temperature value, which is measured by the inlet temperature sensor  39  in the preheating cycle S 210 . The first reference temperature difference ΔD 1  is set to be relatively high such that the heat pump unit  50  can supply heated air to the inside of the treatment chamber  12  for a relatively long period of time so as to be suitable for the drying cycle. 
         [0063]    When the difference between the dried inlet temperature T 2  and the preheated inlet temperature T 1  is less than the first reference temperature difference ΔD 1 , the control unit  60  consecutively measures the dried inlet temperature T 2  and determines whether the difference between the dried inlet temperature T 2  and the preheated inlet temperature T 1  is equal to or greater than the predetermined first reference temperature difference ΔD 1 . 
         [0064]    When the difference between the dried inlet temperature T 2  and the preheated inlet temperature T 1  is equal to or greater than the predetermined first reference temperature difference ΔD 1 , the control unit  60  halts the operation of the compressor  51  and halts the operation of the blower module  32  in order to terminate the drying cycle S 250  (S 390 ). 
         [0065]    When the preheated inlet temperature T 1  is equal to or higher than the predetermined reference inlet temperature T_in, the control unit  60  operates the compressor  51  at a predetermined second operating speed V 2  in order to perform the drying cycle S 250 . The second operating speed V 2  is set to be relatively low such that the heat pump unit  50  can relatively slowly heat the air drawn by the blower unit  30  so as to be suitable for the drying cycle in a torrid zone. Here, the second operating speed V 2  is set to be lower than the first operating speed V 1 . 
         [0066]    The control unit  60  operates the compressor  51  at the second operating speed V 2 , and the inlet temperature sensor  39  consecutively measures the dried inlet temperature T 2 , which is the temperature of the air drawn into the blower unit  30  (S 370 ). The inlet temperature sensor  39  transfers the measured dried inlet temperature T 2  to the control unit  60 . 
         [0067]    The control unit  60  determines whether the difference between the dried inlet temperature T 2  measured by the inlet temperature sensor  39  and the preheated inlet temperature T 1  is equal to or higher than a predetermined second reference temperature difference ΔD 2  (S 380 ). The dried inlet temperature T 2  is a temperature value that is repeatedly measured by the inlet temperature sensor  39  when the compressor  51  is operated, and the preheated inlet temperature T 1  is a temperature value that is measured by the inlet temperature sensor  39  in the preheating cycle S 210 . The second reference temperature difference ΔD 2  is set to be relatively small such that the heat pump unit  50  can supply heated air to the inside of the treatment chamber  12  for a relatively short period of time so as to be suitable for the drying cycle in a torrid zone. Here, the second reference temperature difference ΔD 2  is set to be less than the first reference temperature difference ΔD 1 . 
         [0068]    When the difference between the dried inlet temperature T 2  and the preheated inlet temperature T 1  is less than the second reference temperature difference ΔD 2 , the control unit  60  repeatedly measures the dried inlet temperature T 2 , and determines whether the difference between the dried inlet temperature T 2  and the preheated inlet temperature T 1  is equal to or greater than the predetermined second reference temperature difference ΔD 2 . 
         [0069]    When the difference between the dried inlet temperature T 2  and the preheated inlet temperature T 1  is equal to or greater than the predetermined second reference temperature difference ΔD 2 , the control unit  60  halts the operation of the compressor  51  and halts the operation of the blower module  32  in order to terminate the drying cycle S 250  (S 390 ). 
         [0070]    The clothes treatment apparatus and a method of controlling the same provide at least one of the following effects. 
         [0071]    First, it is possible to check a temperature in the space in which the clothes treatment apparatus is installed by operation of the blower module for circulating air during preheating of the steam unit. 
         [0072]    Second, it is also possible to efficiently perform a drying cycle by controlling the heat pump unit, which is adapted to perform a drying cycle in accordance with the ambient temperature in the environment in which the clothes treatment apparatus is installed. 
         [0073]    Third, it is also possible to efficiently perform a drying cycle by controlling the operating speed of the compressor of the heat pump unit in accordance with the ambient temperature condition in the environment in which the clothe treatment apparatus is installed. 
         [0074]    Fourth, it is also possible to efficiently perform a drying cycle by determining whether to halt the operation of the heat pump unit based on the temperature in the space in which the clothes treatment apparatus is installed and the temperature in the treatment chamber, which accommodates clothes, when the heat pump unit is operated.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3