Patent Abstract:
The present invention relates to a fabric treating apparatus and method for controlling the same. A fabric treating apparatus according to the present invention includes a treating space within which fabrics are treated; a heating unit configured to supply heated air, or steam, or heated air and steam to the treating chamber; a motor to generate a rotational power; a device receiving the rotational power from the motor, the device configured to move a rack disposed within the treating space; and a control unit adapted to: control the motor according to a sensed electric current of the motor, and drive the motor to rotate at a speed defined by a target number of rotations per minute.

Full Description:
This application claims priority to Korean Application No. 10-2009-0003870, filed Jan. 16, 2009 in the Republic of Korea, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to fabric treating apparatus and method for controlling the same, and more specifically, to apparatus and method for controlling the same, in which a motor for moving a fabric can be effectively drived. 
     2. Description of the Conventional Art 
     Fabric treating apparatus includes all devices for managing or treating fabrics at home or in the laundry shops, such as washing, drying, removing of the wrinkles. 
     For example, the fabrics treating apparatus includes a washing machine for washing fabrics, a dryer for drying fabrics, a washing and drying machine having both washing function and drying function, a refresher for refreshing fabrics, and a steamer for removal of unnecessary wrinkles from fabrics 
     The refresher is a device for making fabrics more comfortable or refreshing. The refresher performs functions of drying fabrics or supplying aroma to the fabrics or preventing generation of static electricity or removing the wrinkles from the fabrics. 
     The steamer is a device for merely supplying steam to fabrics for removing the wrinkles from the fabrics. The steamer removes the wrinkles more finely than a general iron, because a hot plate avoids is not contacted with the fabrics. 
     The fabrics treating apparatus which has functions of the steamer as well as the refresher performs functions of removing the wrinkles and the smells from the fabrics loaded in the fabrics treat apparatus using the steam and hot wind. 
     By these functions, the fabrics loaded in the fabrics treating apparatus can be ironing effect by removing of smelling particles or wrinkles which pollutes the fabrics. And also, it can increase the effect by moving the fabrics using the steam and hot wind. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a fabric treating apparatus and method for controlling the same, which can control effectively a motor for moving a fabric. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fabric treating apparatus and method for controlling the same, which can prevent trouble or restriction of a motor for moving a fabric. 
     An object of the present invention is not restricted by the above objects. The other objects which are not referred to the above will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following. 
     To achieve these objects, a fabric treating apparatus according to the present invention includes a treating space within which fabrics are treated; a heating unit configured to supply heated air, or steam, or heated air and steam to the treating chamber; a motor to generate a rotational power; a device receiving the rotational power from the motor, the device configured to move a rack disposed within the treating space; and a control unit adapted to: control the motor according to a sensed electric current of the motor, and drive the motor to rotate at a speed defined by a target number of rotations per minute. 
     To achieve these objects, method for controlling a fabric treating apparatus according to the present invention includes driving a motor coupled to a device configured to move a rack within the fabric treating apparatus, the motor driven to rotate at a target number of rotations per minute, the target number being a predefined value associated with a course of the fabric treating apparatus; sensing an electric current of the motor; and controlling the motor according to the sensed electric current. 
     The other exemplary embodiments described in the following embodiments and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a fabric treating apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a partial enlarged perspective view of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 3  illusrtates a block diagram of a fabric treating apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illusrtates a flow chart of a method for controlling a fabric treating apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The above and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which. 
     The present invention is not restricted by the following embodiments. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a fabric treating apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  illustrates a partial enlarged perspective view of  FIG. 1   
     A fabric treating apparatus  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a outside cabinet  111 , which forms the exterior of the fabrics treating apparatus, and a inside cabinet  112 , which is disposed in the outside cabinet  111 . A treating chamber  110  is disposed in the inside cabinet  112 . 
     The treating chamber  110  has an opening at the side, and thus, a fabric can be loaded in the treating chamber  110  through the opening. A door  115  is disposed so as to be able to open or close the opening. If the door  115  is closed, the treating chamber  110  is isolated from the exterior. If the door  115  is opened, the treating chamber  110  is exposed to the exterior. A control panel  116  is disposed at the door  115 . The control panel  116  allows a user to input an operation order and displays an operation condition of the fabrics treating apparatus. The control panel  116  includes a control unit  190  and an alarm unit  177 . The control unit  190  and the alarm unit  177  will be said later. The user may select and set a treating course by using the control unit  116 . 
     The treating chamber  110  is a space for treating a fabric to be changed the physical or chemical properties of the fabrics by supplying a steam or hot wind. Namely, the treating chamber  110  is a space for treating the fabrics by using different method. For example, in the treating chamber  110 , the fabrics can be dryed by using a hot wind, or the wrinkles of the fabrics can be removed by using a steam, or the fabrics can be supplied aroma by spraying an aromatic, or the generation of static electricity of the fabrics can be prevented by spraying an antistatic. 
     A heating unit  120  is diposed the bottom of the treating chamber  110 . More specifically, the heating unit  120  is disposed between the outside cabinet  111  and the inside cabinet  112 . The heating unit  120  is able to heat the air inhaled from the treating chamber  110 , and to supply the hot wind to the inside of the treating chamber  110 . Also, the heating unit is able to generate a steam by heating the water, and to supply the steam to the inside of the treating chamber  110 . Of course, the heating unit  120  is able to supply both the hot wind and the steam. Also, the heating unit  120  is able to supply any one between the hot wind and the steam. The heating unit  120  is variously embodied by those of ordinary skill in the scope of the present invention 
     The heating unit  120  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an air inlet  121  for inhaling the air from the inside of the treating chamber  110 , and a heater for heating the air inhaled, and an outlet  122  for discharging the hot wind heated by the heater to the inside of the treating chamber  110 , and an injection nozzle  123  for injecting steam to the inside of the treating chamber  110 . 
     The hot wind or the steam generated by the heating unit  120  supplies to the fabrics loaded in the treating chamber  110 , and has an influence on the physical property or the chemical property of the fabrics. Namely, the hot wind or the steam makes the structure of the fabrics to be relaxed, so that the wrinkles of the fabrics can be removed. The steam reacts to the smell particles of the fabrics, so that an unpleasant smell can be removed. Also, the hot wind or the steam generated by the heating unit  120  has a sterilization effect on bacteria of the fabrics. 
     A motor  130  generates rotatory power for driving a hanger rack  150 . A power transmission unit  140  transmits the rotatory power generated by the motor to a power transformation unit  160 . The motor  130  is controlled by the electric current. A sensor  175  for sensing a number of rotations is disposed on the motor  130 . 
     The motor  130  is disposed the upper part of the treating chamber  110 . The motor  130  is disposed between the inside cabinet  112  and the outside cabinet  111 . The motor  130  is built into a motor frame  113  fixed between the inside cabinet  112  and the outside cabinet  113 . The motor frame  113  fixes the motor  130  and absorbs the vibrations generated by the driving of the motor  130 . A control unit  190  and a power supply  171  are described at the following section are disposed on the motor frame  113 . 
     The power transmission unit  140  transmits the rotatory power generated by the motor to the power transformation unit  160 . The power transmission unit  140  transmits a rotary motion of the one unit to another unit. The power transmission unit  140  is variously embodied by those of ordinary skill in the scope of the present invention 
     The power transmission unit  140  includes a driving pulley  141  rotating by the motor  130 , and a driven pulley  142  rotated by a belt  143  which connects the driving pulley  140  and the driven pulley  142 , and a rotary shaft  144  inserted into the driven pulley  142  and rotated by the driven pulley  142 . 
     The power transmission unit  140  may includes a driving sprocket, a driven sprocket, and a chain, instead of said driving pulley  141 , said driven pulley  142  and said belt  143 . And besides, the power transmission unit  140  may includes a driving gear, a driven gear, a belt, and so on. Thus, the power transmission unit  140  is variously embodied. 
     The power transformation unit  160  transforms a rotary motion received from the power transmission unit  140  into a reciprocating motion of the hanger rack  150 . The power transformation unit  160  may use a cam which transforms a rotary motion into a reciprocatin motion. 
     The hanger rack  150  is disposed in the treating chamber  110 . A hanger  200  hangs over the hanger rack  150 . A fabric, such as clothes, hangs over the hanger  200 . The hanger rack  150  reciprocates from left to right. 
     A supporter  180  is connected to the treating chamber  110 . A supporter  180  supports the hanger rack  150 . One side of the supporter  180  is connected to the motor frame  113 . The other side of the supporter  180  is connected to the hanger rack  150 . The supporter  180  is made with elastic material to support a reciprocating motion of the hanger rack  150 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of a fabric treating apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     The fabric treating apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit  190 , a power supply  171 , a sensor  175 , a alarm unit  177 . 
     The control unit  190  controls the motor  130  according to the electric current flowing the motor  130  and rotates the motor  130  by a target number of rotations. The control unit  190  is disposed on a control panel  116  or the motor frame  113 . 
     The control unit  190  includes a microcomputer  191  including a memory  195  which outputs a control command according to a setting data set by a user and a measurement data and so on, and a motor drive  193  which supplies a power regulated according to the control command outputted from the microcomputer  191 . 
     The microcomputer  191  outputs a control command decided according to a command inputted by a user and the number of rotations sensed by the sensor  175  and an electric current sensed by the motor drive  193  to the motor drive  193   
     The microcomputer  191  controls the motor  130  to be rotated by the target number of rotations set by the selected course by a user. And then, the microcomputer  191  regulates the target number of rotations according to the sensed electric current. Also, the microcomputer  191  outputs a control command according to a number of rotations of motor  130 . Refer to  FIG. 4  for further details. 
     The motor drive  193  regulates an electric power according to the control command outputted from the microcomputer  191 , so that it may controls the motor  130 . The motor drive  193  regulates a pulse width modulation (PWM) inputted from the power supply  171 , so that it may regulates a number of rotations of motor  130 . Thus, the motor drive  193  controls the pulse width modulation duty (PWM duty), so that it may regulates a number of rotations of motor  130 . 
     The motor drive  193  transmits an electric current of the motor  130  to the microcomputer  191 , wherein the electric current of the motor  130  reflects a load of the motor  130 . The microcomputer  191  may outputs a control command according to the load of the motor. 
     The sensor  175  measures a number of rotations of the motor  130 . The sensor  175  may a hall sensor or an optical encoder. The sensor  175  transmits the measured number of rotations to the microcomputer  191 . 
     The alarm unit  177  warns overload of the motor  130  to the outside. The alarm unit  177  is able to warn to the outside by using a visual method or an auditory method. The alarm unit  177  is disposed on the display panel  116 . Refer to  FIG. 4  for further details about the alarm unit  177 . 
       FIG. 4  illusrtates a flow chart of a method for controlling a fabric treating apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     If the user selects a course by using the control panel  116 , the control unit  190  controls the motor  130  to be rotated by the target number of rotations set by the selected course. (S 211 ) The user selects a course according to a quantity of the fabric or the dirty condition of the fabric. The course is divided into a strong, medium, weak, and night mode. As the course is changed from the strong mode to the night mode, the target number of rotations is controlled to be decreased. The control unit  190  controls the motor  130  to be rotated by the target number of rotations set by the selected course. 
     The control unit  190  senses an electric current of motor. (S 212 ) The more load is applied to the motor, the higher electric current is applied. The control unit  190  compares the sensed electric current of the motor  130  with a maximum permissible limit of an electric current. (S 213 ) If the sensed current of the motor is higher than a maximum permissible limit, the control unit  190  controls the motor  130  to be stopped. (S 214 ) The maximum permissible limit is an electric current when the motor  130  is overloaded. If the motor is overloaded, the control unit  190  controls a power supply to stop an electric power supply to the motor  130 . 
     The control unit  190  checks if the electric current of the motor  130  exceeds a maximum permissible limit less than 3 times. (S 215 ) If the excess number is less than 3 times, the control unit  190  controls the motor to be rotated in reverse direction. (S 216 ) The motor  130  may be overloaded, if one among the power transmission unit  140 , the power transformation unit  160  and the hanger rack  150  is in a temporary trouble. Therefore, the control unit  190  controls the motor to be rotated in reverse direction, and then to be rotated by the target number of rotations. (S 211 ) 
     If the excess number of times is more than three times, the control unit  190  informs the outside of the warning message. (S 217 ) If the fabrics are so many in the treating chamber  110 , or If one of among the motor  130 , the power transmission unit  140 , the power transformation unit  160  has a trouble, the excess number is more than 3 times. Then, the control unit  190  controls the alarm unit  177  to warn the trouble by using a visual method or an auditory method. 
     If an electric current of the motor  130  is lower than the maximum permissible limit, the control unit  190  compares the electric current of the motor  130  with a standard value. (S 218 ) And then, the control unit  190  regulates the target number of rotations of the motor  130 . (S 219 ) The standard value is an electric current of the motor  130  when the motor  130  rotates by the target number of rotations in the normal conditions. In other words, the standard value is an electric current of the motor  130  when the motor  130  has a reasonable load in this case that the fabrics is hanged on the hanger rack  150  in modulation. 
     If the sensed current of the motor  130  is higher than the standard value, the control unit  190  controls the target number of rotations to be decreased. If the sensed current of the motor  130  is lower than the standard value, the control unit  190  controls the target number of rotations to be increased. The sensed current of the motor  130  reflects the load of the motor  130 . Therefore, if the load of the motor  130  is high, the target number of rotations is regulated to be decreased so that an overload of the motor  130  can be prevented. If the load of the motor  130  is low, the target number of rotations is regulated to be increased so that the load of the motor can be high. The control unit  190  regulates the target number of rotations by regulating the pulse width modulation duty. 
     The control unit  190  compares the number of rotations sensed by the sensor  175  with the target number of rotations (S 220 ), and then regulates the pulse width modulation duty. There is a difference between the target number of rotations and the realtime number of rotations because of the external condition as a fabric load. The control unit  190  controls the pulse width modulation duty to be increased when the sensed number of rotations is lower than the target number of rotations. Also the control unit  190  controls the pulse width modulation duty to be decreased when the sensed number of rotations is higher than the target number of rotations. 
     While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. 
     According to the present invention, there are one or more effects as described by the following. 
     The first, it is possible to prevent a trouble of a motor for moving a fabric. 
     The second, it is possible to prevent a restraint of a motor for moving a fabric. 
     The third, it is possible to control a motor for moving a fabric according to a load, effectively. 
     The fourth, it is possible to drive a motor according to the demand of a user without an overload of the motor.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3