Laundry treatment apparatus and controlling method for the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024200256-A1
Application number	US-202218288939-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 17, 2022
Priority date	Jun 21, 2021
Publication date	Jun 20, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

A laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet, a drum that is rotatably provided inside the cabinet, a support panel provided on a front surface of the drum, and an infrared sensor installed on the support drum, provided in a direction facing the drum, and configured to receive heat inside the drum. The infrared sensor measures a temperature inside the drum, is disposed at a center based on right and left sides of the drum, and is disposed at an upper end of the support panel.

First claim

1 - 16 . (canceled)

17 . A laundry treatment apparatus comprising:
a cabinet; a rotatable drum located in the cabinet; a support panel located at a front surface of the drum; and an infrared sensor located at the support panel, the infrared sensor arranged to face an interior of the drum to measure a temperature inside the drum, the infrared sensor being centrally located at an upper end of the support panel, the infrared sensor including:
a holder configured to fix the infrared sensor to the support panel;
a sensor unit; and
a cover covering the sensor unit such that the cover is located between the sensor unit and the interior of the drum.

18 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the sensor unit includes:
a printed circuit board (PCB); a sensing unit provided at the PCB to detect an infrared ray from the interior of the drum; and at least one light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit light towards the interior of the drum.

19 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising a controller configured to control the infrared sensor,
wherein the controller does not use the temperature detected by the sensing unit while the at least one LED is operating.

20 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the controller is further configured to control an operation of the drum using the temperature detected using the sensing unit when a predetermined time elapses after the LED is operated.

21 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the at least one LED includes a plurality of LEDs.

22 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the cover includes a flat portion opposite the sensor unit, the flat portion being parallel to the sensor unit.

23 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the flat portion is inclined away from a rear surface of the drum.

24 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the flat portion includes a recess at an inner surface of the flat portion facing the sensor unit.

25 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the cover includes a rib configured to support the sensor unit at an inclination angle, the rib including:
a first member located on an upper side of the cover; and a second member spaced apart from the first member on a lower side of the cover.

26 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the first member is shorter than the second member.

27 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the cover includes a fixing groove, and
wherein the holder includes a protrusion configured to be inserted into the fixing groove.

28 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the cover includes a radially extending flange, the flange contacting the support panel.

29 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the cover is made of a polypropylene material.

30 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising an electrode sensor configured to measure a voltage signal while in contact with clothes accommodated in the drum.

31 . A laundry treatment apparatus comprising:
a cabinet; a rotatable drum located in the cabinet; a support panel located at a front surface of the drum; and an infrared sensor located at the support panel, the infrared sensor arranged to face an interior of the drum to measure a temperature inside the drum, the infrared sensor being centrally located at an upper end of the support panel, the infrared sensor including:
a printed circuit board (PCB);
a sensing unit provided at the PCB to detect an infrared ray from the interior of the drum; and
at least one light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit light towards the interior of the drum.

32 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 31 , further comprising a controller configured to control the infrared sensor,
wherein the controller does not use the temperature detected by the sensing unit while the at least one LED is operating.

33 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the controller is further configured to control an operation of the drum using the temperature detected using the sensing unit when a predetermined time elapses after the LED is operated.

34 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the at least one LED includes a plurality of LEDs.

35 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the infrared sensor further includes:
a holder configured to fix the infrared sensor to the support panel; and a cover covering the PCB, the sensing unit, and the at least one LED.

36 . The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 35 , wherein the cover includes:
a flat portion opposite the sensing unit, the flat portion being parallel to the sensing unit; a recess at an inner surface of the flat portion facing the sensing unit; and a rib configured to support the sensing unit at an inclination angle, the rib including:
a first member located on an upper side of the cover; and
a second member spaced apart from the first member on a lower side of the cover.

Assignees

• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Joo Hyojin
• Kim Younghoon
• Kim Mangeun
• Hwang Jinseong

Classifications

• G01J5/10

  using electric radiation detectors · CPC title

• G01J5/0205

  Mechanical elements; Supports for optical elements · CPC title

• D06F58/20

  General details of domestic laundry dryers  (D06F59/00 takes precedence) · CPC title

• D06F58/04

  Details  (controlling or regulating devices D06F34/00) · CPC title

• D06F39/12

  Casings; Tubs · CPC title