Patent Description:
In general, a laundry processing apparatus having a drying function, such as a washing machine or a dryer, is an apparatus for evaporating moisture from laundry by supplying hot air to wet clothes put thereinto.

For example, the dryer may include a drum that is rotatably disposed in a main body and into which laundry is put; a drive motor which drives the drum; an air blower fan which blows air into the drum; and a heating means which heats air flowing into the drum.

On the other hand, the dryer may be classified into a circulation type dryer and an exhaust type dryer according to a method of discharging hot and humid air. Air coming out from the drum absorbs the moisture of the laundry in the drum and thus becomes high-temperature and high-humidity air. The circulation type dryer cools air below a dew point temperature through a heat exchange means while circulating without discharging hot and humid air to the outside of the dryer, and re-supplies the air after condensing the moisture contained in the hot and humid air. The exhaust type dryer has a method of directly discharging high-temperature and high-humidity air passing through the drum to the outside.

On the other hand, there may be a heater method using high-temperature electrical resistance heat generated by electrical resistance or using combustion heat generated by burning gas as the heating means.

Alternatively, there may be a heat pump system as the heating means. The heat pump system includes a heat exchanger, a compressor, and an expander. After a refrigerant circulating through the system recovers energy of hot air exhausted from a drum, air supplied to the drum is heated, thereby increasing energy efficiency.

On the other hand, a dryness level sensor which senses a dry state (i.e., dryness level) of laundry may be provided in the laundry processing apparatus. For example, when two metal plates are disposed side by side and laundry is placed between the metal plates to form a circuit, the dryness level sensor may sense the dryness level of the laundry by measuring the resistance value of the laundry through a change in voltage.

The dryness level sensor may be provided at a lower end of a door part to indirectly sense the dryness level, but it may be difficult to accurately sense the dryness level.

In order to accurately sense the dryness level, the dryness level sensor has to be implemented in the drum to directly contact the laundry. That is, since the dryness level sensor has to be implemented in the drum, the laundry processing apparatus has to be manufactured to connect the outside and inside of the drum through cables or terminals so as to supply power to the dryness level sensor. However, since the drum is rotated by a drive motor, it may be difficult to connect the outside and inside of the drum through the cables or terminals.

In this regard, Patent Document <NUM> (<CIT>) discloses a configuration in which an insulating band and a metal band are disposed on an outer circumferential surface of a drum, a brush coming into close contact with the metal band is provided on an inner surface of a main body, and the brush is connected to a power source through an electric wire so that the power is supplied to a dryness level sensor inside the drum.

However, according to Patent Document <NUM>, it is necessary to additionally implement the insulating band, the metal band, and the brush, which may increase the difficulty of the process. In addition, when the dryer is used for a long period of time, the contact force between the brush and the metal band may be reduced due to abrasion of the brush. In this case, power supply to the inside of the drum may not be smooth.

<CIT> discloses a wireless communication assembly including a driver module connected to a first portion of a machine, and a receiver module connected to a second portion of the machine. <CIT> discloses a laundry treating apparatus comprising a tub, a drum rotatably mounted inside the tub, at least one electrical powered element mounted in the drum, a wireless power transmitter unit and a wireless power receiver unit, wherein the wireless power receiver unit supplies power to the electrical powered element.

An object of the present invention is to provide a laundry processing apparatus capable of simplifying configurations for supplying power to a dryness level sensor provided in a drum.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry processing apparatus capable of more accurately measuring the dryness level of laundry through a dryness level sensor.

The present invention to solve the above-identified problem is defined by the appended independent claim, and preferred aspects of the invention are defined by the appended dependent claims.

In a laundry apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a dryness level sensing device and a wireless power receiver connected thereto are disposed in a lifter provided in a drum, and a wireless power transmitter is disposed at a position corresponding to the wireless power receiver in a space outside the drum. Since the dryness level sensing device can operate by receiving power according to a wireless power transmission method, a configuration of a cable or electric wire for supplying power between the inside and the outside of the drum is unnecessary. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the difficulty of the process and to save the number of parts during the manufacturing of the laundry processing apparatus.

In addition, the laundry processing apparatus is implemented to sense the dryness level when the dryness level sensor is positioned below the center of the drum during rotation of the drum. Therefore, the dryness level of laundry can be detected more accurately.

In addition, the laundry processing apparatus is implemented to obtain the sensing result of the dryness level sensor through a short-range wireless communication method such as NFC. Therefore, a cable for communication connection between the dryness level sensor inside the drum and a controller outside the drum may be removed. Therefore, the difficulty of the process can be effectively reduced during the manufacturing of the laundry processing apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and the technical idea disclosed in the present specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a laundry processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal configuration of the laundry processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the following drawings, a dryer <NUM> is described as an example of the laundry processing apparatus. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not applied only to the dryer <NUM>, and may also be applied to various laundry processing apparatuses such as a washing machine having a drying function.

The dryer <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may form an overall appearance by a main body <NUM> and a door <NUM>. In the main body <NUM>, an inlet <NUM> through which clothes are put may be formed on one side, and the door may open or close the inlet <NUM>.

A drum <NUM> rotatably disposed to dry clothes may be provided in the main body <NUM>. The drum <NUM> may be opened toward the inlet <NUM> so that a user can put clothes into the drum <NUM> through the inlet <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may be provided with an operation interface <NUM> which operates the dryer <NUM>. The operation interface <NUM> may be disposed above the inlet <NUM>.

The operation interface <NUM> may include an operation button which selects a function provided to the dryer <NUM>, a rotary switch, and the like. For example, a user may operate the operation button or the rotary switch provided in the operation interface <NUM> to turn on or off the power of the dryer <NUM>, input a drive start or drive stop command, or set an operation mode and drying time.

The operation interface <NUM> may further include a display <NUM>. The operation state of the dryer <NUM>, the set operation mode, time information, and the like may be output on the display <NUM>.

A drawer <NUM> may be provided on one side of the main body <NUM>, and a liquid to be sprayed onto the drum may be stored in the drawer <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may be provided with a drive motor <NUM> which provides rotational power to the drum <NUM>. A power transmission member <NUM> which rotates the drum <NUM> may be provided on one rotational shaft of the drive motor <NUM>, and the drum <NUM> may be connected to the drive motor <NUM> by the power transmission member <NUM> and receives power. The power transmission member <NUM> may be a pulley or a roller.

The main body <NUM> may be provided with a duct defining a supply passage through which heated air is supplied to the drum <NUM> and an exhaust passage through which air inside the drum <NUM> is discharged. The duct may include a supply duct <NUM> defining the supply passage and an exhaust duct <NUM> defining the exhaust passage.

The main body <NUM> may be provided with an air blower fan <NUM> which forces the flow of air. The air blower fan <NUM> may communicate with the supply duct <NUM> and the exhaust duct <NUM> so that air is supplied to the inside of the drum <NUM> through the supply duct <NUM> and air inside the drum <NUM> is forcibly discharged through the exhaust duct <NUM>.

The air blower fan <NUM> may be provided on the exhaust passage so that air discharged from the drum <NUM> is suctioned into the exhaust duct <NUM>.

The air blower fan <NUM> may be connected to the rotational shaft of the drive motor to rotate simultaneously with the drum <NUM>. Of course, the air blower fan <NUM> may be connected to a motor separate from the drive motor to rotate independently of the drum <NUM>.

On the other hand, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, a circulation type dryer in which air inside the dryer circulates will be described as an example, but it should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the circulation type dryer and is also applicable to an exhaust type dryer.

When the dryer <NUM> is a circulation type dryer, the exhaust duct <NUM> may be provided to guide forcibly blown air to the supply duct <NUM>.

On the other hand, when the dryer <NUM> is an exhaust type dryer, the exhaust duct <NUM> may be provided to guide forcibly blown air to the outside.

The supply duct <NUM> may extend to the rear of the drum <NUM>, and a discharge port through which heated air is discharged to the drum may be provided at an end portion thereof.

The exhaust duct <NUM> may extend to the lower front of the drum <NUM>, and a suction port through which air inside the drum is suctioned may be formed at an end portion thereof.

A heater (not shown) which heats air supplied by electric resistance heat may be further provided on the supply passage of the supply duct <NUM>. As the heater is provided, the heating property of the supplied air may be further improved.

A filter <NUM> which filters out foreign matter such as lint contained in air discharged from the drum <NUM> may be provided on the exhaust passage of the exhaust duct <NUM>.

On the other hand, the main body <NUM> may be provided with a heat pump system <NUM> which absorbs waste heat from the air discharged from the drum <NUM> and heats air to be supplied to the drum <NUM>.

The heat pump system <NUM> may configure a thermodynamic cycle by including an evaporator which cools air discharged from the drum <NUM>, a compressor which compresses a refrigerant, a condenser which heats air to be supplied to the drum <NUM>, and an expansion valve. The evaporator, the compressor, the condenser, and the expansion valve may be sequentially connected by a pipe, and the refrigerant may circulate through the pipe.

The refrigerant may be compressed by the compressor and become a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous state. The air becomes a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid state in the condenser, and may be heat-exchanged with low-temperature air to be supplied to the drum <NUM>. The air may be expanded in the expansion valve and become a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous state. The evaporator may perform heat exchange with the high-temperature and high-humidity air discharged from the drum <NUM>.

The air supplied to the drum <NUM> may be heat-exchanged in the condenser and heated to a high temperature. The high-temperature and high-humidity air discharged from the drum <NUM> may be heat-exchanged by the evaporator, may be cooled to remove moisture, and may become a dry state. The moisture contained in the high-temperature and high-humidity air may be condensed by the evaporator and collected, and may be discharged to the outside through a drain pipe.

The evaporator may be provided on the exhaust passage of the exhaust duct <NUM>. The condenser may be provided on the supply passage of the supply duct <NUM>.

A machine room communicating with the exhaust duct <NUM> and the supply duct <NUM> may be formed inside the main body <NUM>, and the compressor and the expansion valve may be provided in the machine room. The drive motor may also be provided in the machine room.

On the other hand, at least one lifter <NUM> may be mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the drum <NUM>. At least one lifter <NUM> may function to lift the laundry to a predetermined height so that the laundry falls by gravity when the drum <NUM> rotates. Accordingly, agglomeration or tangle of laundry may be alleviated, and the drying of laundry may be performed more smoothly.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the dryness level sensing device <NUM> may be provided in the at least one lifter <NUM>. The dryness level sensing device <NUM> may include at least one dryness level sensor which senses the dryness level of laundry. For example, when a plurality of metal plates are provided and laundry is placed between the plurality of metal plates to form a circuit, the at least one dryness level sensor may be configured to measure the resistance value of the laundry through a change in voltage. In this case, the plurality of metal plates may be exposed into the drum <NUM> through one surface of the lifter <NUM> in order to come into direct contact with the laundry.

On the other hand, the dryer <NUM> may include a wireless power transmitter <NUM> and a wireless power receiver <NUM> which supply power to the dryness level sensing device <NUM> provided in the lifter <NUM>. The wireless power transmitter <NUM> may be disposed in a space between the main body <NUM> and the drum <NUM> and may be connected to a power supply unit (not shown) in the dryer <NUM> through an electric wire. The wireless power receiver <NUM> may be disposed in the at least one lifter <NUM> and may be connected to the dryness level sensing device <NUM>.

The wireless power transmitter <NUM> may supply power to the wireless power receiver <NUM> through a wireless power supply method such as a magnetic induction method or a magnetic resonance method. For example, in order to maximize the efficiency of power supplied wirelessly, the wireless power transmitter <NUM> and the wireless power receiver <NUM> may be provided at positions corresponding to each other.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the wireless power transmitter <NUM> may be disposed below the drum <NUM> in the main body <NUM>, and the wireless power receiver <NUM> may be disposed in a position corresponding to the wireless power transmitter <NUM> in the lifter <NUM> in a vertical direction. In this case, the wireless power receiver <NUM> may also rotate according to the rotation of the drum <NUM>. When the wireless power receiver <NUM> is positioned below the drum <NUM> during rotation, the wireless power receiver <NUM> may come close to the wireless power transmitter <NUM>, thereby maximizing wireless power reception efficiency.

The wireless power receiver <NUM> may receive power wirelessly from the wireless power transmitter <NUM>, and may supply power based on the supplied power to the dryness level sensing device <NUM>. The dryness level sensing device <NUM> may perform a dryness level sensing operation based on the supplied power.

The dryness level sensing device <NUM> will be described in more detail later with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows that the dryness level sensing device <NUM> and the wireless power receiver <NUM> are provided in the at least one lifter <NUM>, but according to an embodiment, the dryer <NUM> may include the dryness level sensing device <NUM> and the wireless power receiver <NUM> in only one of the at least one lifter <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a control configuration of a laundry processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram of a control configuration of a laundry processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the laundry processing apparatus (dryer <NUM>) may include an input interface <NUM> corresponding to the operation interface <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. The input interface <NUM> may include an operation button which selects a function provided to the dryer <NUM>, a rotary switch, and the like. A user may use the input interface <NUM> to turn on/off the power of the dryer <NUM>, input a drive start or drive stop command, or set a driving mode and drying time.

The display <NUM> may output the operation state of the dryer <NUM>, the set operation mode, time information, and the like. According to an embodiment, the display <NUM> may be implemented as a touch screen including a touch panel, and the touch screen may function as the input interface <NUM>.

The dryer <NUM> may include a memory <NUM> which stores information such as algorithm data and set value data related to the operation of the dryer <NUM>. In addition, the memory <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may store data related to the control of the wireless power transmitter <NUM>. In addition, the memory <NUM> may store algorithm data for measuring the dryness level of laundry from the sensing result received from the dryness level sensing device <NUM>.

In addition, the dryer <NUM> may include a communication module <NUM> which communicates with an external terminal or server, or the dryness level sensing device <NUM> inside the drum <NUM>. The communication module <NUM> may include at least one communication module. For example, the communication module <NUM> may include a Bluetooth communication module and/or a Wi-Fi communication module which connects to a terminal and/or a server. In addition, the communication module <NUM> may include a near field communication (NFC) reader. The controller <NUM> may receive the sensing result from the dryness level sensing device <NUM> through the NFC reader.

On the other hand, the dryer <NUM> may include a controller <NUM> which controls the overall operation of the dryer <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may include at least one processor or controller. Each of the at least one processor or controller may be implemented as a CPU, a microcomputer, an application processor (AP), an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like.

When an operation signal is received through the input interface <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may check information corresponding to the operation signal received from the memory <NUM>. The operations of the drive motor <NUM> and the heat pump system <NUM> may be controlled according to the information stored in the memory <NUM>. For example, when a drying start command is input through the input interface <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may start drying by driving the drive motor <NUM> and the compressor of the heat pump system <NUM>. When a drying end command is input, the drive motor <NUM> and the compressor may be stopped to end drying.

In addition, the controller <NUM> may control the wireless power transmitter <NUM> to supply power to the wireless power receiver <NUM> provided in the lifter <NUM>. The wireless power transmitter <NUM> and the wireless power receiver <NUM> may wirelessly transmit and receive power by a magnetic induction method or a magnetic resonance method. The wireless power receiver <NUM> may supply the dryness level sensing device <NUM> with driving power based on the received power.

According to an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may control the wireless power transmitter <NUM> to supply power when the wireless power receiver <NUM> is in proximity to the wireless power transmitter <NUM> while the drum <NUM> is rotating. The proximity state may refer to a state in which the wireless power receiver <NUM> reaches a preset position while the drum <NUM> is rotating. For example, the memory <NUM> may store the rotation state (rotational speed, etc.) of the drum <NUM> according to the driving of the drive motor <NUM>, and an algorithm which calculates the positions of the lifter <NUM> and the wireless power receiver <NUM> accordingly. The controller <NUM> may calculate the positions of the lifter <NUM> and the wireless power receiver <NUM> based on the algorithm, and may control the wireless power transmitter <NUM> to supply power when the calculated position is a position (preset position) close to the wireless power transmitter <NUM>.

Alternatively, the controller <NUM> may calculates a period in which the wireless power receiver <NUM> approaches the wireless power transmitter <NUM> based on the rotational speed of the drive motor <NUM> or the drum <NUM>, and may control the wireless power transmitter <NUM> to supply power based on the period.

Alternatively, the controller <NUM> may control the wireless power transmitter <NUM> to supply power for a predetermined time every specific period during the drying cycle or to supply power for a predetermined time at every specific cycle after the drying cycle has been performed for a predetermined time.

On the other hand, the controller <NUM> may receive the sensing result from the dryness level sensing device <NUM> through the communication module <NUM> and measure the dryness level based on the received sensing result.

For example, the controller <NUM> may control the driving of the drive motor <NUM> and the compressor based on the measured dryness level or the change in the measured dryness level. For example, when the change in the measured dryness level is equal to or less than a reference value, the controller <NUM> may increase the rotational speed of the drive motor <NUM> or increase the rotation speed of the motor in the compressor.

According to an embodiment, when the measured dryness level is equal to or greater than a reference dryness level, the controller <NUM> may stop the drive motor <NUM> and the compressor to complete the drying cycle.

Hereinafter, the dryness level sensing device <NUM>, the wireless power transmitter <NUM>, and the wireless power receiver <NUM> included in the laundry processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of the dryness level sensing device illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the dryness level sensing device <NUM> may include a communication module <NUM>, a dryness level sensor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a microcomputer <NUM>.

The communication module <NUM> may transmit the sensing result obtained by the dryness level sensor <NUM> to the controller <NUM> of the dryer <NUM>. For example, the communication module <NUM> may include an NFC transmitter which outputs the sensing result according to an NFC communication method, or a communication module which supports other short-range wireless communication methods.

The dryness level sensor <NUM> may be configured to sense the dryness level of laundry during the drying cycle. As described above, when the dryness level sensor <NUM> includes a plurality of metal plates and laundry is placed between the plurality of metal plates to form a circuit, the dryness level sensor <NUM> may measure the resistance value of the laundry through a change in voltage.

The microcomputer <NUM> may transmit the sensing result including the measured resistance value to the controller <NUM> through the communication module <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the microcomputer <NUM> may receive a sensing command from the controller <NUM> through the communication module <NUM> and obtain a sensing result through the dryness level sensor <NUM> based on the received sensing command.

The memory <NUM> may store various control data or algorithms related to the operation of the dryness level sensing device <NUM>. In particular, the memory <NUM> may store an algorithm which measures the resistance value of the laundry based on the change in voltage sensed by the dryness level sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the algorithm which measures the resistance value of the laundry based on the change in the voltage may be stored in the memory <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. In this case, the microcomputer <NUM> may transmit, to the controller <NUM>, the sensing result including information about the change in the voltage sensed by the dryness level sensor <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may measure the resistance value of the laundry based on the sensing result and the algorithm stored in the memory <NUM>, and may calculate the dryness level of the laundry based on the measured resistance value.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the dryness level sensor and the wireless power receiver disposed on the lifter of the laundry processing apparatus.

Referring to <FIG>, the dryness level sensing device <NUM> may include at least one dryness level sensor. Although <FIG> shows that the dryness level sensing device <NUM> includes three dryness level sensors 204a, 204b, and 204c, the number of dryness level sensors may be freely changed.

Each of the dryness level sensors 204a to 204c may be disposed such that at least a portion thereof is exposed through one surface of the lifter <NUM> (for example, the surface facing the inner center of the drum <NUM>). In addition, the dryness level sensors 204a to 204c may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other, and may effectively sense the dryness level of laundry existing in various areas within the drum <NUM>.

On the other hand, the wireless power receiver <NUM> may include a receiver <NUM> which receives power from the wireless power transmitter <NUM>. The receiver <NUM> may be implemented in the form of a coil, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. The receiver <NUM> may have a different form according to a wireless power transmission method.

For example, when the wireless power transmitter <NUM> and the wireless power receiver <NUM> transmit and receive power according to a magnetic induction method, the receiver <NUM> may receive power by forming an induced current based on an electromagnetic field formed by the transmitter (see <NUM> of <FIG>) of the wireless power transmitter <NUM>.

The receiver <NUM> may be disposed in an area adjacent to the inner surface of the drum <NUM> among areas within the lifter <NUM> in order to be close to the wireless power transmitter <NUM> disposed outside the drum <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver illustrated in <FIG>.

The wireless power transmitter <NUM> and the wireless power receiver <NUM> may wirelessly transmit and receive power according to various wireless power transmission methods such as a magnetic induction method or a magnetic resonance method.

The magnetic induction method uses an electromagnetic induction phenomenon in which a voltage is induced and a current flows when a magnetic field is changed around a conductor through which electricity flows.

According to the magnetic resonance method, when the transmitter and the receiver resonate at the same frequency, power may be transmitted according to wireless power transmission in which electromagnetic waves move from the transmitter to the receiver through an electromagnetic field. A transmitting coil of the transmitter may have a predetermined resonant frequency, and may generate an electromagnetic wave and a magnetic field as power is supplied. At this time, induced power may be generated in a receiving coil of the receiver by the magnetic field.

That is, in the present specification, the transmission of power from the wireless power transmitter <NUM> to the wireless power receiver <NUM> means that the receiver <NUM> of the wireless power receiver <NUM> generates induced power by the magnetic field generated by the transmitter <NUM> of the wireless power transmitter <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the wireless power transmitter <NUM> may include a microcomputer <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, an oscillator <NUM>, and a transmitter <NUM>. As described above, the wireless power transmitter <NUM> may be disposed outside the drum <NUM>, for example, below the drum <NUM> in the main body <NUM>.

The microcomputer <NUM> may control the overall operation of the wireless power transmitter <NUM>. For example, the microcomputer <NUM> may receive a control command for transmitting power from the controller <NUM>, and control the oscillator <NUM> according to the received control command, so that power can be transmitted to the wireless power receiver <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> may store control data related to operations of elements included in the wireless power transmitter <NUM>.

The oscillator <NUM> may provide AC power to the transmitter <NUM> under the control of the microcomputer <NUM>. For example, the oscillator <NUM> may maximize the efficiency of power supply by controlling the frequency of the power provided to the transmitter <NUM> as a resonant frequency.

The transmitter <NUM> may supply power to the wireless power receiver <NUM> based on the AC power provided by the oscillator <NUM>. For example, the transmitter <NUM> may include a transmitting coil which generates a magnetic field when the AC power is provided, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

On the other hand, the wireless power transmitter <NUM> may include only the oscillator <NUM> and the transmitter <NUM>. In this case, the overall operation of the wireless power transmitter <NUM> may be controlled by the controller <NUM>. In addition, control data related to the operation of the wireless power transmitter <NUM> may be stored in the memory <NUM>.

The wireless power receiver <NUM> may include a microcomputer <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a receiver <NUM>, and a rectifier <NUM>. As described above, the wireless power receiver <NUM> may be disposed inside the lifter <NUM> provided in the drum <NUM>.

The microcomputer <NUM> may control the overall operation of the wireless power receiver <NUM>. For example, when AC power corresponding to power received through the receiver <NUM> is rectified by the rectifier <NUM>, the microcomputer <NUM> may perform control to supply the rectified power to the dryness level sensing device <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> may store control data related to operations of elements included in the wireless power receiver <NUM>.

The receiver <NUM> may receive power from the transmitter <NUM>. For example, the receiver <NUM> may include a receiving coil which generates induced power based on a magnetic field generated by the transmitter <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The rectifier <NUM> may rectify AC power corresponding to the induced power generated from the receiver <NUM>. Power rectified by the rectifier <NUM> may be provided to the microcomputer <NUM> and the dryness level sensing device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the wireless power receiver <NUM> may further include a power storage <NUM> which stores power supplied through the receiver <NUM>. For example, the power storage <NUM> may include a capacitor or a battery. In this case, the microcomputer <NUM> may control charging and discharging of the power storage <NUM>, or may provide the dryness level sensing device <NUM> with power based on the power stored in the power storage <NUM>.

On the other hand, the wireless power receiver <NUM> may include only the receiver <NUM> and the rectifier <NUM>, or may include only the receiver <NUM>, the rectifier <NUM>, and the power storage <NUM>. In this case, the power supplied through the receiver <NUM> may be rectified by the rectifier <NUM> and then directly provided to the dryness level sensing device <NUM> or stored in the power storage <NUM>.

That is, the laundry processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the wireless power transmitter <NUM> and the wireless power receiver <NUM>, such that power is wirelessly supplied to the dryness level sensing device <NUM> disposed in the lifter <NUM> of the drum <NUM>. Accordingly, the configuration for supplying power from the outside to the inside of the drum <NUM> may be simplified, and thus the difficulty of the manufacturing process may also be effectively lowered.

<FIG> is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the laundry processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the laundry processing apparatus (dryer <NUM>) may start a drying cycle based on a drying start command received through the input interface <NUM> or the like (S700).

The controller <NUM> may receive the drying start command through the input interface <NUM> or the like. The drying start command may include information such as a drying mode and a drying time.

In response to the received drying start command, the controller <NUM> may control the drive motor <NUM> and the heat pump system <NUM> to start the drying cycle.

The dryer <NUM> may control the wireless power transmitter <NUM> to supply power to the wireless power receiver <NUM> in the lifter <NUM> (S710).

When the drying cycle is started, the controller <NUM> may calculate the dryness level of the laundry using the dryness level sensing device <NUM>.

The dryness level sensing device <NUM> may be connected to the wireless power receiver <NUM> and may not operate before receiving power from the wireless power receiver <NUM>.

Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may control the wireless power transmitter <NUM> to supply power to the wireless power receiver <NUM> in order to operate the dryness level sensing device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, since there is a high probability that the laundry will not be completely dried in the initial section of the drying cycle, it may be unnecessary to operate the dryness level sensing device <NUM> in the initial section in terms of power consumption and the like. Therefore, the controller <NUM> may control the wireless power transmitter <NUM> to supply power to the wireless power receiver <NUM> after the drying cycle has been performed for a predetermined time.

According to an embodiment, the power transmission efficiency according to the wireless power transmission method may increase as the distance between the wireless power transmitter <NUM> and the wireless power receiver <NUM> decreases. Therefore, the controller <NUM> may supply power to the wireless power receiver <NUM> by controlling the wireless power transmitter <NUM> while the lifter <NUM> including the wireless power receiver <NUM> exists in a section within a predetermined distance from the wireless power transmitter <NUM> during the rotation of the drum <NUM>.

To this end, the controller <NUM> may calculate the position of the lifter <NUM> based on rotation information (rotational speed, reference position, etc.) of the drive motor <NUM>, or may calculate the position of the lifter <NUM> using a sensor (not shown) separately provided to sense the position of the lifter <NUM>. When the calculated position corresponds to a preset position, the controller <NUM> may control the wireless power transmitter <NUM> to supply power to the wireless power receiver <NUM>.

As described above with reference to <FIG>, the wireless power transmitter <NUM> may provide AC power to the transmitter <NUM> under the control of the controller <NUM>.

As the AC power is applied to the transmitter <NUM>, a magnetic field may be generated from the transmitter <NUM>. The receiver <NUM> of the wireless power receiver <NUM> may receive power by generating induced power based on the magnetic field.

The dryness level sensing device <NUM> disposed in the lifter <NUM> may receive power from the wireless power receiver <NUM> (S720). The dryness level sensing device <NUM> may obtain the sensing result related to the dryness level of laundry based on the received power, and transmit the obtained sensing result to the controller <NUM> (S730).

When the power is supplied from the wireless power transmitter <NUM> in operation S710, the wireless power receiver <NUM> may supply at least a portion of the supplied power to the dryness level sensing device <NUM>.

The microcomputer <NUM> of the dryness level sensing device <NUM> may be activated based on the supplied power. The activated microcomputer <NUM> may obtain the sensing result related to the drying level of laundry through the dryness level sensor <NUM>, and transmit the obtained sensing result to the controller <NUM> through the communication module <NUM>.

As described above, when the dryness level sensor <NUM> includes a plurality of metal plates and laundry is placed between the plurality of metal plates to form a circuit, the dryness level sensor <NUM> may sense the change in voltage. The dryness level sensing device <NUM> may measure a resistance value based on the change in voltage, and transmit the measured resistance value to the controller <NUM> as the sensing result.

Alternatively, the dryness level sensing device <NUM> may transmit the change in voltage to the controller <NUM> as the sensing result.

For example, the communication module <NUM> of the dryness level sensing device <NUM> may include an NFC transmitter which transmits the sensing result through an NFC communication method. On the other hand, the communication module <NUM> connected to the controller <NUM> may include an NFC reader disposed in an area adjacent to the drum <NUM> in the main body <NUM>. The NFC reader may receive the sensing result from the NFC transmitter when the dryness level sensing device <NUM> provided in the lifter <NUM> is close as the drum <NUM> rotates.

The controller <NUM> of the dryer <NUM> may calculate the dryness level of laundry based on the sensing result received from the dryness level sensing device <NUM> (S740).

The memory <NUM> may store an algorithm or data for calculating the dryness level of laundry based on the sensing result. The controller <NUM> may calculate the dryness level based on the sensing result by using the algorithm or data stored in the memory <NUM>.

When the calculated dryness level is equal to or greater than the reference dryness level (YES in S750), the dryer <NUM> may detect that the laundry has been dried and complete the drying cycle (S760).

When the calculated dryness level is equal to or greater than the reference dryness level, the controller <NUM> may complete the drying cycle by stopping the driving of the drive motor <NUM> and the heat pump system <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may output a notification of completion of the drying cycle through an output means such as a display <NUM> or a sound output interface (not shown), or may transmit a drying cycle completion message to a user's terminal or the like through the communication module <NUM>.

On the other hand, when the calculated dryness level is less than the reference dryness level (NO in S750), the dryer <NUM> may re-perform operations S710 to S740.

For example, the dryer <NUM> may supply power to the dryness level sensing device <NUM> by controlling the wireless power transmitter <NUM> at each preset period in order to calculate the dryness level at each preset period.

According to an embodiment, the cycle may be adjusted according to the calculated dryness level. For example, as the calculated dryness becomes closer to the reference dryness, the period may be shortened.

According to an embodiment, the dryer <NUM> may control the driving of the drive motor <NUM> and the heat pump system <NUM> based on the calculated dryness level.

<FIG> is an exemplary diagram for a detailed description related to the operation of the laundry processing apparatus shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the wireless power transmitter <NUM> may be disposed below the drum <NUM> in the main body <NUM>. In this case, when the dryness level sensing device <NUM> is positioned below the center of the drum <NUM>, power may be more smoothly supplied, and a sensing operation may be performed using the supplied power. That is, since the dryness level sensing device <NUM> can more easily contact the laundry when located below the upper portion of the drum <NUM>, it may be appropriate that the wireless power transmitter <NUM> is disposed below the drum <NUM>.

On the other hand, the NFC reader <NUM> of the communication module <NUM> may be disposed on the upper portion of the drum <NUM> in the inside of the main body <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

As the drying cycle of the dryer <NUM> is started, the drum <NUM> may rotate. As the drum <NUM> rotates, the position of the lifter <NUM> provided on the inner surface of the drum <NUM> may reciprocate while rotating between the lower portion and the upper portion of the drum <NUM>.

When the lifter <NUM> is positioned below the drum <NUM>, the wireless power receiver <NUM> included in the lifter <NUM> may receive power from the wireless power transmitter <NUM>, and may provide at least a portion of the supplied power to the dryness level sensing device <NUM>. The dryness level sensing device <NUM> may obtain the sensing result through the dryness level sensor <NUM> based on the provided power.

When the lifter <NUM> is positioned on the drum <NUM> according to the rotation of the drum <NUM>, the NFC reader <NUM> may receive the sensing result from the NFC transmitter included in the communication module <NUM> of the dryness level sensing device <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> connected to the NFC reader <NUM> may calculate the dryness level based on the received sensing result, may complete the drying cycle based on the calculated dryness level, or may control the driving of the drive motor <NUM> and/or the heat pump system <NUM>.

That is, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the laundry processing apparatus, the dryness level sensing device <NUM> and the wireless power receiver <NUM> connected thereto may be disposed in the lifter <NUM>, and the wireless power transmitter <NUM> may be disposed at a position corresponding to the wireless power receiver <NUM>. Since the dryness level sensing device <NUM> can operate by receiving power according to a wireless power transmission method, a configuration of a cable or electric wire for supplying power between the inside and the outside of the drum <NUM> is unnecessary. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the difficulty of the process and to save the number of parts during the manufacturing of the laundry processing apparatus.

The laundry processing apparatus is implemented to sense the dryness level when the dryness level sensor <NUM> is positioned below the center of the drum <NUM> during rotation of the drum <NUM>. Therefore, the dryness level of laundry can be detected more accurately.

In addition, the laundry processing apparatus is implemented to obtain the sensing result of the dryness level sensor through a short-range wireless communication method such as NFC. Therefore, a cable for communication connection between the dryness level sensor <NUM> inside the drum <NUM> and the controller <NUM> outside the drum <NUM> may be removed. Therefore, the difficulty of the process can be effectively reduced during the manufacturing of the laundry processing apparatus.

Claim 1:
A laundry apparatus comprising:
a main body (<NUM>);
a drum (<NUM>) disposed in the main body (<NUM>);
a drive motor (<NUM>) configured to rotate the drum (<NUM>);
a lifter (<NUM>) disposed at an inner surface of the drum (<NUM>);
a dryness level sensing device (<NUM>) provided at the lifter (<NUM>) to sense information within the drum (<NUM>);
a wireless power receiver (<NUM>) electrically connected to the dryness level sensing device (<NUM>);
a wireless power transmitter (<NUM>) configured to supply power to the wireless power receiver (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to receive a sensing result from the dryness level sensing device (<NUM>), to calculate a dryness level based on the received sensing result, and to control the drive motor (<NUM>) based on the received sensing result,
characterized in that:
the wireless power receiver (<NUM>) is disposed in the lifter (<NUM>); and
the wireless power transmitter (<NUM>) is disposed below the drum (<NUM>) at a position corresponding to the wireless power receiver (<NUM>) in a vertical direction.