ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application, claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. § 365(c), of an International application No. PCT/KR2024/009056, filed on Jun. 28, 2024, which is based on and claims the benefit of a Korean patent application number 10-2023-0088657, filed on Jul. 7, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosure relates to an electronic apparatus and a control method therefor. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an electronic apparatus that prevents fire generating from a switch in advance and a control method therefor.

2. Description of Related Art

With recent developments in electronic technology, there is an increase in households that no longer carry out natural drying using sunlight, but use electronic apparatuses for performing drying functions to dry clothing. For example, dryers or electronic apparatuses including a drying function correspond thereto.

Meanwhile, on a switch or a relay that is connected with a heater and provides driving power to the heater, contact resistance may occur for reasons such as a long period of use of an electronic apparatus, and wear of a contact portion of the switch or relay. For the reasons above, a problem of malfunction of the electronic apparatus may occur. Specifically, unlike other components in the electronic apparatus, high driving voltage may be applied to the heater, and the contact resistance generated on the switch or relay may together with the high driving voltage lead to a problem of fire occurring in the electronic apparatus.

The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide an electronic apparatus that prevents fire generating from a switch in advance and a control method therefor.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a drying apparatus is provided. The drying apparatus includes a housing that includes a drying object insertion port for inserting drying objects, at least one door for opening and closing the drying object insertion port, a drum provided to accommodate the drying objects, a motor configured to rotate the drum, at least one fan, at least one heater that heats air supplied inside the drum through the at least one fan, a first switch connected to selectively supply power to the motor, a second switch connected to selectively supply power to the at least one heater according to rotation of the motor, a third switch connected to selectively supply power to the at least one heater, a temperature sensor that detects temperature surrounding the third switch, memory, comprising one or more storage media, storing instructions, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the motor, the at least one fan, the at least one heater, the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, cause the drying apparatus to turn-on, based on a driving command being input, the at least one fan for air to be supplied inside the drum, turn-on the first switch and the third switch for the motor to rotate in order to rotate the drum, and control, based on a temperature detected from the temperature sensor being greater than or equal to a preset temperature, the first switch for the first switch to be turned-off.

The at least one processor is configured to detect temperatures of the temperature sensor on a preset period basis, and control, based on a temperature detected from the temperature sensor being greater than or equal to the preset temperature for a preset time or more, the first switch for the first switch to be turned-off.

In addition, the drying apparatus further includes a non-volatile memory, and the at least one processor is configured to store, based on a temperature detected from the temperature sensor being greater than or equal to a preset temperature, error information in the non-volatile memory.

In addition, the drying apparatus further includes a non-volatile memory, and the at least one processor is configured to check, based on the drying apparatus being turned-on, whether there is abnormality of the third switch by checking whether there is storing of error information in the non-volatile memory, and set an operating mode of the drying apparatus to an error mode when abnormality of the third switch is verified.

In addition, at least one heater includes a first heater and a second heater, the third switch selectively provides power to the first heater, the drying apparatus further includes a fourth switch disposed adjacently with the third switch, and selectively provides power to the second heater. Then, the temperature sensor detects temperatures surrounding the third switch and the fourth switch.

In addition, the drying apparatus further includes a power supply device that generates first driving power and second driving power which is greater than the first driving power, outputs the first driving power to the first switch, and provides the second driving power to the second switch.

Here, the second switch is configured such that one end is connected to a first end that outputs second driving power of the power supply device, and the other end is connected to one end of a heater, and the third switch is configured such that one end is connected to the other end of the heater, and the other end is connected to a second end that outputs second driving power of the power supply device.

Meanwhile, the temperature sensor is a Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) thermistor temperature sensor.

In addition, the second switch is turned-on when the motor is rotated at a preset rotation speed, and turned-off when rotated at less than or equal to the preset rotation speed.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method for controlling a drying apparatus that includes a drum and at least one heater that heats air supplied inside the drum through at least one fan is provided. The method includes turning-on, based on a driving command being input, a first switch connected to selectively supply power to a motor for the motor connected to the drum to rotate, turning-on, according to a rotation of the motor, a second switch connected to selectively supply power to at least one heater of the drying apparatus according to rotation of the motor, detecting a temperature surrounding a third switch connected to selectively supply power to the at least one heater using a temperature sensor of the drying apparatus, and controlling, based on a temperature detected from the temperature sensor being greater than or equal to a preset temperature, the first switch for the first switch to be turned-off.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media storing one or more computer programs including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a drying apparatus individually or collectively, cause the drying apparatus to perform operations is provided. The operations include turning-on, based on a driving command being input, a first switch connected to selectively supply power to a motor for the motor connected to a drum to rotate, turning-on, according to a rotation of the motor, a second switch connected to selectively supply power to at least one heater of the drying apparatus according to rotation of the motor, detecting a temperature surrounding a third switch connected to selectively supply power to the at least one heater using a temperature sensor of the drying apparatus, and controlling, based on a temperature detected from the temperature sensor being greater than or equal to a preset temperature, the first switch for the first switch to be turned-off.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses various embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating circuitry of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating a temperature detection part according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a matching table of temperatures and data according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a graph of temperatures and data according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating in detail an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

In the disclosure, expressions such as “have,” “may have,” “include,” and “may include” are used to designate a presence of a corresponding characteristic (e.g., elements such as numerical value, function, operation, or component), and not to preclude a presence of additional characteristics.

In the disclosure, expressions such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and/or B”, or “one or more of A and/or B” may include all possible combinations of the items listed together. For example, “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, or “at least one of A or B” may refer to all cases including (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) both of at least one A and at least one B.

Expressions such as “1st”, “2nd”, “first”, or “second” used in the disclosure may limit various elements regardless of order and/or importance, and may be used merely to distinguish one element from another element and not limit the relevant element.

When a certain element (e.g., a first element) is indicated as being “(operatively or communicatively) coupled with/to” or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it may be understood as the certain element being directly coupled with/to the another element or as being coupled through other element (e.g., a third element).

Conversely, when the certain element (e.g., first element) is indicated as “directly coupled with/to” or “directly connected to” another element (e.g., second element), it may be understood as the other element (e.g., third element) not being present between the certain element and the another element.

The expression “configured to . . . (or set up to)” used in the disclosure may be used interchangeably with, for example, “suitable for . . . ”, “having the capacity to . . . ”, “designed to . . . ”, “adapted to . . . ”, “made to . . . ”, or “capable of . . . ” based on circumstance. The term “configured to . . . (or set up to)” may not necessarily mean “specifically designed to” in terms of hardware.

Rather, in a certain circumstance, the expression “an apparatus configured to . . . ” may mean something that the apparatus “may perform . . . ” together with another apparatus or components. For example, a phrase “a sub-processor configured to (or set up to) perform A, B, or C” may mean a dedicated processor for performing a relevant operation (e.g., an embedded processor), or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor) capable of performing the relevant operations by executing one or more software programs stored in a memory device.

The term ‘module’ or ‘part’ used in the embodiments herein perform at least one function or operation, and may be implemented with hardware or software, or implemented with a combination of hardware and software. In addition, a plurality of ‘modules’ or a plurality of ‘parts’, except for a ‘module’ or a ‘part’ which needs to be implemented with a specific hardware, may be integrated in at least one module and implemented as at least one processor.

Meanwhile, various elements and areas of the drawings have been schematically illustrated. Accordingly, the technical spirit of the disclosure is not limited by relative sizes and distances illustrated in the accompanied drawings.

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings below to aid in the understanding of those of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains.

It should be appreciated that the blocks in each flowchart and combinations of the flowcharts may be performed by one or more computer programs which include instructions. The entirety of the one or more computer programs may be stored in a single memory device or the one or more computer programs may be divided with different portions stored in different multiple memory devices.

Any of the functions or operations described herein can be processed by one processor or a combination of processors. The one processor or the combination of processors is circuitry performing processing and includes circuitry like an application processor (AP, e.g. a central processing unit (CPU)), a communication processor (CP, e.g., a modem), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU) (e.g., an artificial intelligence (AI) chip), a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) chip, a Bluetooth® chip, a global positioning system (GPS) chip, a near field communication (NFC) chip, connectivity chips, a sensor controller, a touch controller, a finger-print sensor controller, a display driver integrated circuit (IC), an audio CODEC chip, a universal serial bus (USB) controller, a camera controller, an image processing IC, a microprocessor unit (MPU), a system on chip (SoC), an IC, or the like.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a housing 110, a motor 121, a first switch 122, a second switch 123, a third switch 124, at least one heater 125, at least one fan 126, a temperature sensor 130, and at least one processor 140.

The electronic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be implemented as, using at least one heater 125, a dryer that performs a function of drying objects (e.g., clothing, etc.) in the housing of the electronic apparatus 100, a washer (particularly, a washer provided with a drying function), a clothing managing device, and the like. For convenience of description of the disclosure, it will be described below assuming that the electronic apparatus 100 is the dryer.

The housing 110 may be a configuration for accommodating various components inside the electronic apparatus 100, and may be referred to as a housing 110. The housing 110 may be provided in box form formed with a drying object insertion port formed at one side thereof. The housing 110 may include at least one door 111 and a drum 112.

The electronic apparatus 100 may include at least one door 111 (hereinafter, referred to as a ‘door 111’) for opening and closing the drying object insertion port. The door 111 may be mounted to the housing 110 by a hinge so as to be rotatable. At least one portion of the door 111 may be provided transparently or translucently such that the inside of the housing 110 is visible.

The electronic apparatus 100 may include the drum 112 that is provided to accommodate the drying object. The drum 112 may be a configuration in which objects (e.g., clothing, etc.) are accommodated in the electronic apparatus 100. The drying object may be accommodated inside the drum 112 passing through the drying object insertion port and a drum opening in order, or be taken out from the drum 112.

In addition, the electronic apparatus 100 may include a driving part 120 which is configured to rotate the drum 112. The driving part 120 may include the motor 121, and a rotation shaft for transferring driving force generated from the motor 121 to the drum 112. At this time, the driving part 120 may perform an operation according to a drying cycle by forward rotating or reverse rotating the drum 112.

In particular, the motor 121 may rotate the drum 112 of the electronic apparatus 100 by transferring power to a belt (not shown) and a pulley (not shown) disposed at an outer surface of the drum 112 of the electronic apparatus 100. In addition, the motor 121 may provide power to at least one fan 126 (hereinafter, referred to as a ‘fan’) for air to be suctioned into the inside of the drum 112 of the electronic apparatus 100.

The at least one heater 125 may be a configuration that heats the air suctioned by the fan 126. In particular, the at least one heater 125 may generate air with a high temperature and low humidity by heating the air suctioned by the fan 126 into the electronic apparatus 100. At this time, the generated air of high-temperature and low-humidity may be provided in a cabinet or the drum of the electronic apparatus 100.

The first switch 122 may be a configuration for controlling supply of power to the motor 121. The first switch 122 may selectively supply power to the motor 121. For example, the first switch 122 may be connected so as to selectively supply power to the motor 121. In other words, the first switch 122 may be connected to supply power to the motor 121, or block the supply of power. In particular, the first switch 122 may be turned-on based on a control signal of the at least one processor 140. At this time, a first driving power (voltage or current) may be provided to the motor 121 when the first switch 122 is turned-on, and the motor 121 may rotate. Meanwhile, the first switch 122 may be implemented as a relay.

The second switch 123 may be a configuration for controlling power supply to the at least one heater 125. Specifically, the second switch 123 may selectively supply power to the heater according to rotation of the motor 121. For example, the second switch 123 may be connected to the heater to selectively supply power according to the rotation of the motor 121. In other words, the second switch 123 may be connected to the heater to supply power according to the rotation of the motor 121, or block the supply of power. To this end, in an example, the second switch 123 may be implemented in a form of a centrifugal switch. At this time, the second switch 123 may be turned-off if the motor 121 is stopped or if the motor 121 is rotated less than at a preset speed. Further, the second switch 123 may be turned-on if a rotation speed of the motor 121 is greater than or equal to the preset speed.

Meanwhile, when the second switch 123 is turned-on, second driving power (voltage or current) may be provided to the at least one heater 125.

The third switch 124 may selectively supply power to a heater. For example, the third switch 124 may be connected to selectively supply power to the heater. In other words, the third switch 124 may be connected to supply power to the heater, or block the supply of power. In an example, the third switch 124 may be turned-on based on a control signal of the at least one processor 140 while the second switch 123 is in a turned-on state. At this time, as the third switch 124 is turned-on while the second switch 123 in the turned-on state, a closed loop circuitry structure for the at least one heater 125 may be formed. Accordingly, driving current according to the second driving power may be provided to the at least one heater 125. Meanwhile, the third switch 124 may be implemented as a relay.

In other words, in order to drive the at least one heater 125, the motor 121 has to be proactively driven and rotated, and the second switch 123 has to be turned-on by the rotating motor 121, and then the third switch 124 has to be turned-on by the at least one processor 140.

The temperature sensor 130 may detect the temperature surrounding the third switch 124. In particular, the temperature sensor 130 may be disposed adjacently with the third switch 124 in the dryer, and obtain sensing information associated with the temperature surrounding the third switch 124. Then, the temperature sensor 130 may transfer the obtained sensing information to the at least one processor. Meanwhile, the temperature sensor 130 may be coupled with a resistance and a capacitor and configure a temperature detection part that detects the temperature surrounding the third switch 124. The above will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

In an example, the temperature sensor 130 may be implemented as a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor temperature sensor 130. The NTC thermistor temperature sensor 130 may be a temperature sensor 130 in which a resistance value of internal resistance is changed according to temperature change, and has a characteristic of the resistance value of the internal resistance decreasing when temperature rises. At this time, the NTC thermistor temperature sensor 130 may be a K31SMD-K41 model.

For convenience of description of the disclosure, it will be described assuming that the temperature sensor 130 is implemented as the NTC thermistor temperature sensor 130 below.

The at least one processor 140 may control the overall operation and functions of the electronic apparatus 100 by being be electrically connected with the motor 121, the at least one heater 125, the first switch 122, the second switch 123, the third switch 124, and the temperature sensor 130.

The at least one processor 140 may include one or more from among a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a many integrated core (MIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a neural processing unit (NPU), a hardware accelerator, or a machine learning accelerator. The at least one processor 140 may control one or a random combination from among other elements of the electronic apparatus 100, and perform an operation associated with communication or data processing. The at least one processor 140 may execute one or more programs or instructions stored in a memory (not shown). For example, the at least one processor 140 may perform, by executing one or more instructions stored in the memory, a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

When a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations may be performed by one processor, or performed by a plurality of processors. For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by a method according to an embodiment, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by a first processor, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by the first processor (e.g., a generic-purpose processor) and the third operation may be performed by a second processor (e.g., an artificial intelligence dedicated processor).

The at least one processor 140 may be implemented as a single core processor that includes one core, or implemented as one or more multicore processors that include a plurality of cores (e.g., a homogeneous multicore or a heterogeneous multicore). If the at least one processor 140 is implemented as multicore processors, each of the plurality of cores included in the multicore processors may include a memory inside the processor 140 such as a cache memory and an on-chip memory, and a common cache shared by the plurality of cores may be included in the multicore processors. In addition, each of the plurality of cores (or a portion from among the plurality of cores) included in the multicore processors may independently read and perform a program command for implementing a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure, or read and perform a program command for implementing a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure due to a whole (or a portion) of the plurality of cores being interconnected.

When a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations may be performed by one core from among the plurality of cores or performed by the plurality of cores included in the multicore processors. For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by a method according to an embodiment, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by a first core included in the multicore processors, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by the first core included in the multicore processors and the third operation may be performed by a second core included in the multicore processors.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor 140 may refer to a system on chip (SoC), a single core processor, or multicore processors in which the at least one processor and other electronic components are integrated, or a core included in the single core processor or the multicore processors, and the core herein may be implemented as the CPU, the GPU, the APU, the MIC, the NPU, the hardware accelerator, the machine learning accelerator, or the like, but the embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. However, for convenience of description, an operation of the server will be described below using the expression ‘processor 140.’

For convenience of description below, the at least one processor 140 will be referred to as the processor 140

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating circuitry of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the processor 140 may turn-on, based on a driving command for the electronic apparatus 100 being input, the first switch 122 for the motor 121 to rotate in operation S210.

In particular, the processor 140 may receive input of a driving command for the electronic apparatus 100 from a user through a communication interface (not shown) and a user interface (not shown). The driving command may be a control command for executing a drying function of the electronic apparatus 100. The processor 140 may turn-on, based on a driving command for the electronic apparatus 100 being input, the first switch 122 that selectively supplies driving power to the motor 121 for the motor 121 to rotate.

Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic apparatus 100 may include a plurality of active terminals (L1, L2) 11 and 12 and a neutral terminal (N) 13. Here, the plurality of active terminals 11 and 12 and the neutral terminal 13 may be power input terminals, and may receive supply of power for driving the electronic apparatus 100 from an external power source.

In particular, a power wire (not shown) to which 120 V voltage is input may be connected to the plurality of active terminals 11 and 12, and a neutral line may be connected to the neutral terminal 13. The plurality of active terminals 11 and 12 may receive supply of voltage from an external power source through the power wire (not shown). At this time, voltage input through a first active terminal (L1) 11 and voltage input through a second active terminal (L2) 12 may have a phase difference of 180°. Through the above, alternating voltage of 120 V may be applied between the active terminals and the neutral terminal 13, and alternating voltage of 240 V may be applied between the plurality of active terminals 11 and 12.

Meanwhile, the motor 121 of the electronic apparatus 100 may be provided between the first active terminal (L1) 11 and the neutral terminal 13 and receive application of 120 V voltage between the first active terminal (L1) 11 and the neutral terminal 13. In addition, the at least one heater 125 of the electronic apparatus 100 may be provided between the first active terminal (L1) 11 and the second active terminal (L2) 12 and receive application of 240 V voltage between the first active terminal (L1) 11 and the second active terminal (L2) 12.

Meanwhile, according to an example, the at least one heater 125 may be implemented as a plurality of heaters. The plurality of heaters will be respectively referred to as a first heater 125-1 and a second heater 125-2 below.

In addition, the third switch 124 may be implemented as a plurality of switches that respectively provide driving power to the plurality of heaters. In particular, referring to FIG. 3, the third switch 124 may include a switch that selectively provides driving power to the first heater 125-1 and a switch that selectively provides driving power to the second heater 125-2. The switch that provides driving power corresponding to the first heater 125-1 will be referred to as a third-1 switch 124-1 and the switch that provides driving power corresponding to the second heater 125-2 will be referred to as a third-2 switch 124-2 below.

Meanwhile, based on a driving command for the electronic apparatus 100 being input, the closed loop circuitry structure may be formed for the motor 121 when the processor 140 turns-on a first relay. Thereby, 120 V voltage input through the first active terminal (L1) 11 may be applied to the motor 121.

More particularly, based on receiving input of a driving command from the user after a door switch is turned-on due to the door of the electronic apparatus 100 being closed, the processor 140 may transfer a control signal for turning-on the first switch 122 to the first switch 122. At this time, one end of the first switch 122 may be connected to the motor 121, and the other end may be connected to the first active terminal (L1) 11. Meanwhile, based on the control signal of the processor 140, 120 V voltage may be applied to the motor 121 when the first switch 122 is turned-on, and accordingly, the motor 121 may rotate.

Referring to FIG. 2, when the motor 121 is rotated according to the first switch 122 being turned-on, the second switch 123 may be turned-on according to the rotation of the motor 121.

In particular, at operation S220, the second switch 123 that is implemented as the centrifugal switch may be turned-on according to the motor 121 rotating. Specifically, the second switch 123 unlike the first switch 122 and the third switch 124 that are turned-on or turned-off by control of the processor 140 may be mechanically turned-on or turned-off by the rotation of the motor 121.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the second switch 123 may include a plurality of switches 123-1 and 123-2. One end of each of the switches 123-1 and 123-2 may be connected to the second active terminal (L2) 12 and the neutral terminal 13. Then, the other end of each of the switches 123-1 and 123-2 may be respectively connected to the plurality of heaters and a plurality of valves.

When the second switch 123 is turned-on, the processor 140 may detect a state of the second switch which has been turned-on, and transfer a control signal to turn-on the third switch 124 to the third-1 switch 124-1 and the third-2 switch 124-2. At this time, one ends of the third-1 switch 124-1 and the third-2 switch 124-2 may be connected to each of the heaters (i.e., first and second heaters 125-1 and 125-2), and the other ends may be connected to the first active terminal (L1) 11. Meanwhile, based on the control signal of the processor 140, the closed loop circuitry structure for the plurality of heaters (first and second heaters 125-1 and 125-2) may be formed when the third-1 switch 124-1 and the third-2 switch 124-2 are turned-on.

Specifically, the closed loop circuitry structure for the motor 121 may be formed by the processor 140 turning-on the third-1 switch 124-1 and the third-2 switch 124-2 while the second switch 123 is in the turned-on state according to the motor 121 rotating. Then, 240 V voltage that is input through the first active terminal (L1) 11 and the second active terminal (L2) 12 may be applied to the first and second heaters 125-2. Accordingly, the first and second heaters 125-1 and 125-2 may heat air that is suctioned into the electronic apparatus 100.

Referring to FIG. 2, the processor 140 may detect the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 that selectively supplies power to the heater in operation S230.

In particular, the processor 140 may detect the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 based on sensing information obtained through the temperature sensor 130. Specifically, the processor 140 may detect a change in the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 based on a change in resistance value of the internal resistance of the temperature sensor 130. For example, the processor 140 may identify, based on the resistance value of the internal resistance of the temperature sensor 130 being identified as decreasing, the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 as increasing.

Then, the processor 140 may control, based on the temperature detected from the temperature sensor 130 being greater than or equal to a preset temperature, the first switch for the first switch 122 to be turned-off in operation S240.

In particular, the processor 140 may determine that, based on the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 being identified as greater than or equal to the preset temperature, there is a possibility of fire occurring on the third switch 124 of the electronic apparatus 100. Accordingly, the processor 140 may transfer a control signal to the first switch 122 for the first switch 122 to be turned-off.

The preset temperature may be set based on an external temperature, an external humidity, a total time of use of the electronic apparatus 100, and the like. For example, the preset temperature may be set at a low value the higher the external temperature is, the lower the external humidity is, and the longer the total time of use of the electronic apparatus 100 is.

Meanwhile, the processor 140 may turn-off not only the first switch 122, but also the third switch 124 when the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 is identified as greater than or equal to the preset temperature. Specifically, when the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 is greater than or equal to the preset temperature, in light of the possibility of fire occurring on the third switch 124, the processor 140 may turn-off the third switch 124 together with the first switch 122 in order to prevent driving current from flowing through the third switch 124.

Meanwhile, when the first switch 122 is turned-off, the driving power being applied to the motor 121 through the first active terminal (L1) 11 may be stopped. Accordingly, when the first switch 122 is turned-off, the motor 121 of the electronic apparatus 100 that is rotating may be stopped. Then, as the motor 121 is stopped, the second switch 123 may also be turned-off. Then, when the second switch 123 is turned-off, driving power being applied to the at least one heater 125 through the first active terminal (L1) 11 and the second active terminal (L2) 12 may be stopped.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating a temperature detection part according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, a temperature detection part 130 may be a configuration for sensing the temperature surrounding the third switch 124, and may include the temperature sensor 130, a first resistance 131, a second resistance 132, and a first capacitor 133. At this time, one end of the first resistance 131 may be applied with power. Specifically, the one end of the first resistance 131 may be connected with a power supply device (e.g., SMPS, etc.) included in the electronic apparatus 100 and receive application of voltage from the power supply device. At this time, voltage applied to the first resistance 131 may be 5 V.

Then, the other end of the first resistance 131 may be connected to one ends of the temperature sensor 130 and the second resistance 132. Meanwhile, one end of the temperature sensor 130 may be connected with one end of the second resistance 132 mutually with the other end of the first resistance 131. Then, the other end of the second resistance 132 may be connected with the first capacitor 133 and the processor 140. Then, one end of the first capacitor 133 may be connected with the processor 140 mutually with the other end of the second resistance 132. Meanwhile, the second resistance 132 may be set at a relatively smaller value than the first resistance 131.

Specifically, the processor 140 may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 20, and at this time, the other end of the second resistance 132 and the one end of the first capacitor 133 may be connected to an input interface (e.g., port, etc.) of the printed circuit board 20. At this time, as the resistance value of the internal resistance of the temperature sensor 130 is changed according to the change in temperature surrounding the third switch 124, a voltage value input in the input interface of the printed circuit board 20 may also be changed.

For example, when the resistance value of the internal resistance of the temperature sensor 130 decreases according to the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 increasing, voltage input in the input interface of the printed circuit board 20 may also decrease. At this time, the processor 140 may identify, based on the decreasing voltage being identified as less than a preset value, the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 as greater than or equal to the preset temperature.

Specifically, the processor 140 may identify the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 based on a matching table of temperatures and data stored in the memory (not shown)

FIG. 5A is a matching table of temperatures and data according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a graph of temperatures and data according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5A, a matching table of the resistance values of the internal resistance of the temperature sensor 130 which is changed according to the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 and voltage may be stored in the memory (not shown) of the electronic apparatus 100. Specifically, the processor 140 may identify the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 based on data corresponding to voltage, and data corresponding to voltage herein may be data obtained by converting voltage through an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. Referring to FIG. 5B, values of data corresponding to voltage may decrease as the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 is increased.

At this time, the processor 140 may identify, based on data corresponding to voltage being less than or equal to a preset value, voltage input in the input interface of the printed circuit board 20 as less than or equal to the preset value. Then, the processor 140 may identify that the resistance value of the internal resistance of the temperature sensor 130 is less than or equal to the preset value if voltage input in the input interface of the printed circuit board 20 is less than or equal to the preset value, and accordingly, identify that the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 is greater than or equal to the present temperature.

For example, the processor 140 may set the preset temperature to 150° and thereby, identify the resistance value of the internal resistance of the temperature sensor 130 as 0.332 KΩ, and when the resistance value of the internal resistance of the temperature sensor 130 is 0.332 KΩ, identify voltage obtained through the input interface of the printed circuit board 20 as 0.305 V. Then, the processor 140 may set the preset value for data corresponding to voltage to 16 which corresponds to 0.305 V. Accordingly, the processor 140 may identify, based on data corresponding to voltage being identified as less than or equal to 16, the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 as 150°, and determine that there is a risk of fire occurring at the third switch 124.

Meanwhile, the processor 140 may detect the temperature of the temperature sensor 130 on a preset period basis, and control, based on the temperature detected from the temperature sensor 130 being greater than or equal to the preset temperature for a preset time or more, the first switch 122 for the first switch 122 to be turned-off.

In particular, the processor 140 may detect the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 based on sensing information (e.g., data corresponding to voltage, etc.) obtained periodically through the temperature sensor 130. At this time, the processor 140 may determine, even if the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 is identified as greater than or equal to the preset temperature, whether the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 has temporarily increased greater than or equal to the preset temperature. In other words, the processor 140 may identify whether the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 is maintained in a state that is greater than or equal to the preset temperature for the preset time.

For example, assuming that the preset temperature is 150°, and the preset time is 1 second, the processor 140 may determine that, based on the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 detected through the temperature sensor 130 maintaining a temperature greater than or equal to 150° for one second, the temperature increase surrounding the third switch 124 is not temporary. Accordingly, the processor 140 may determine that there is a risk of fire occurring at the third switch 124, and transfer a control signal to the first switch 122 for the first switch 122 to be turned-off.

Meanwhile, the processor 140 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may store, based on the temperature detected from the temperature sensor 130 being greater than or equal to the preset temperature, error information in the memory (not shown). At this time, the memory (not shown) may be a non-volatile memory.

In particular, the processor 140 may identify, based on the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 being identified as greater than or equal to the preset temperature, the third switch 124 as damaged. Accordingly, the processor 140 may generate error information that the electronic apparatus 100 can malfunction or cannot function and store in the memory (not shown). Specifically, the processor 140 may output, based on the error information being generated, error information of the electronic apparatus 100 through an output interface (not shown) and a display (not shown). Through the above, the user may recognize that a reason for an operation of the electronic apparatus 100 being stopped or not operating is due to damage to the third switch 124.

Meanwhile, the processor 140 may check, based on the electronic apparatus 100 being turned-on, whether there is abnormality of the third switch 124 by checking whether there is storing of error information in the non-volatile memory, and set an operating mode of the electronic apparatus 100 to an error mode when abnormality of the third switch 124 is verified.

In particular, the processor 140 may identify whether the error information has been stored in the memory (not shown) when the electronic apparatus 100 is turned-on according to a driving command being input by the user. At this time, the processor 140 may identify, based on the error information being identified as stored in the memory (not shown), the third switch 124 as damaged. In other words, the processor 140 may identify the third switch 124 as damaged as the temperature surrounding the third switch 124 is increased to greater than or equal to the preset temperature. Then, the processor 140 may set, based on the error information being identified as stored in the memory (not shown), the operating mode of the electronic apparatus 100 to the error mode. Here, the error mode may be a mode of the electronic apparatus 100 that prevents the electronic apparatus 100 from being turned-on even if a driving command of the user is input.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating in detail an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, an electronic apparatus 100′ may include a housing 110′, at least one door 111′, a drum 112′, a tub 113′, a driving part 120′, a motor 121′, a first switch 122′, a second switch 123′, a third switch 124′, at least one heater 125′, at least one fan 126′, a temperature sensor 130′, a display 150′, a memory 160′, a speaker 170′, a user interface 180′, a communication interface 190′, and at least one processor 140′. Detailed descriptions of configurations that overlap with the configurations shown in FIG. 2 from among the configurations shown in FIG. 6 will be omitted.

The electronic apparatus 100′ may include a tub 113′ provided inside of the housing 110′ to store water. The tub 113′ may be provided in a roughly cylindrical shape formed with an opening of the tub 113′ at one side thereof, and disposed inside the housing 110′ for the opening of the tub 113′ to be disposed so as to correspond to a laundry insertion port.

The tub 113′ may be connected to the housing 110′ by a damper. The damper may absorb vibration that is generated when the drum is rotating and dampen the vibration transferred to the housing 110′.

In addition thereto, the electronic apparatus 100′ may include a water supply device configured to supply water to the tub 113′. The water supply device may include a water supply pipe, and a water supply valve provided at the water supply pipe. The water supply pipe may be connected with an external water supply source. The water supply pipe may be extended from the external water supply source to a detergent supply device and/or the tub 113′. Water may be supplied to the tub 113′ through the detergent supply device. Water may be supplied to the tub 113′ without passing the detergent supply device.

The water supply valve may open or close the water supply pipe in response to an electrical signal of one or more processors 140′. The water supply valve may allow or block water being supplied from the external water supply source to the tub 113′. The water supply valve may include, for example, a solenoid valve which is opened and closed in response to an electrical signal.

The electronic apparatus 100 may include a detergent supply device configured to supply detergent to a tub 113. The detergent supply device may include a manual-type detergent supply device in which the user has to insert detergent to be used at every laundry, and an automatic detergent supply device that keeps a large amount of detergent stored and automatically inserts a determined amount of detergent during laundry. The detergent supply device may include a detergent container for storing detergent. The detergent supply device may be configured to supply detergent to the inside of the tub 113 during a water supplying process. Water supplied through the water supply pipe may be mixed with the detergent passing through the detergent supply device. Water mixed with the detergent may be supplied to the inside of the tub 113. The detergent may be comprehensively used as a term that includes detergent for pre-washing, detergent for main-washing, a fabric conditioner, bleach, and the like, and the detergent container may be divided into a detergent storage area for pre-washing, a detergent storage area for main-washing, a fabric conditioner storage area, and a bleach storage area.

The electronic apparatus 100′ may include a water draining device configured to discharge the water contained in the tub 113′ externally. The water draining device may include a water draining pipe that is extended from a lower part of the tub 113′ to the outside of the housing 110′, a water draining valve provided at the water draining pipe to open and close the water draining pipe, and a pump provided on the water draining pipe. The pump may pump water in the water draining pipe to the outside of the housing 110′.

The display 150′ may display various visual information. For example, the display 150′ may display information such as drying time and drying intensity associated with a drying cycle.

The display 150′ may be implemented as displays of various forms such as, for example, and without limitation, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a plasma display panel (PDP), and the like. In the display 150′, a driving circuit, which may be implemented in a form of an a-Si thin film transistor (TFT), a low temperature poly silicon (LTPS) TFT, an organic TFT (OTFT), or the like, a backlight unit, and the like may be included. Meanwhile, the display 150′ may be implemented as a touch screen coupled with a touch sensor, a flexible display, a three-dimensional display (3D display), or the like. In addition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the display 150′ may include a display panel that outputs images.

The memory 160′ may be implemented as an internal memory such as, for example, and without limitation, a read-only memory (ROM) (e.g., an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)), a random-access memory (RAM), and the like included in the one or more processors 140′, or implemented as a memory separate from the one or more processors 140′. In this case, the memory 160′ may be implemented in a form of a memory embedded in the electronic apparatus 100′ according to a data storage use, or implemented in a form of a memory attachable to or detachable from the electronic apparatus 100′. For example, data for the driving of the electronic apparatus 100′ may be stored in the memory embedded in the electronic apparatus 100′, and data for an expansion function of the electronic apparatus 100′ may be stored in the memory attachable to or detachable from the electronic apparatus 100′.

Meanwhile, the memory embedded in the electronic apparatus 100′ may be implemented as at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), or a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), etc.), or a non-volatile memory (e.g., a one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash), a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD)), and the memory attachable to or detachable from the electronic apparatus 100′ may be implemented in a form such as, for example, and without limitation, a memory card (e.g., a compact flash (CF), a secure digital (SD), a micro secure digital (micro-SD), a mini secure digital (mini-SD), an extreme digital (xD), a multi-media card (MMC), etc.), an external memory (e.g., a USB memory) connectable to a USB port, or the like.

The speaker 170′ may be an element that outputs not only various audio data processed in an input and output interface, but also various notification sounds, voice messages, or the like. For example, the speaker 170′ may output, when the drying cycle is completed, a notification sound notifying that the drying cycle has been completed or output a warning sound if the temperature detected from the temperature sensor is greater than or equal to the preset temperature.

The user interface 180′ may be a configuration used by the electronic apparatus 100′ in performing interactions with a user, and the one or more processors 140′ may receive input of various information such as control information of the electronic apparatus 100′ through the user interface 180′. Meanwhile, the user interface 180′ may include at least one from among a touch sensor, a motion sensor, a button, a jog dial, and a switch, but is not limited thereto.

Specifically, the user interface 180′ may be implemented as a control panel disposed at one side surface of the housing 110′. At this time, the control panel may provide a user interface for the user and the electronic apparatus 100′ to interact.

The communication interface 190′ may include at least one of a short range communication interface or a long range communication interface.

The communication interface 190′ may transmit data to an external device (e.g., a server, a user device, and/or a home appliance), or receive data from the external device. For example, the communication interface 190′ may establish communication with a server and/or a user device and/or a home appliance, and transmit and receive various data.

To this end, the communication interface 190′ may establish a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between external devices, and support communication performance through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the communication interface 190′ may include a wireless communication interface (e.g., a cellular communication interface 190′, a short range wireless communication interface, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication interface 190′), or a wired communication interface (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication interface 190′, or a power line communication interface 190′). Relevant communication interfaces 190′ from among the communication interfaces 190′ described above may communicate with external devices through a first network (e.g., a short range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a fifth generation (5G) network, next generation communication network, Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN)). The communication interfaces 190′ of various types as described above may be integrated as one element (e.g., a single chip), or implemented as a plurality of elements (e.g., a plurality of chips) separate from one another.

The short range communication interface (short-range wireless communication module) may include Bluetooth communication interface, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication interface, short range wireless communication interface (Near Field Communication module), wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi) communication interface, Zigbee communication interface, infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication interface, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication interface, ultrawideband (UWB) communication interface, Ant+ communication interface, micro wave (uWave) communication interface, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

The long range communication interface may include a communication interface that performs long range communication of various types, and may include a mobile communicating part. The mobile communicating part may transmit and receive wireless signals with at least one from among a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.

According to an embodiment, the communication interface 190′ may communicate with external devices such as the server, the user device, other home appliances, and the like through a surrounding access point (AP). The access point (AP) may connect a local area network (LAN) to which the electronic apparatus 100 or the user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The electronic apparatus 100 or the user device may be connected to the server through the wide area network (WAN). The one or more processors 140′ may control various elements (e.g., a driving motor, a water supply value) of the electronic apparatus 100′. The one or more processors 140′ may control various elements of the electronic apparatus 100′ to perform at least one cycle that includes supplying of water, washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying according to a user input. For example, the one or more processors 140′ may control the driving motor to adjust the rotation speed of the drum, or control the water supply valve of the water supply device to supply water to the tub 113′.

Meanwhile, methods according to the various embodiments of the disclosure described above may be implemented in an application form installable in an electronic apparatus of the related art. Alternatively, methods according to the various embodiments of the disclosure described above may be performed using a deep learning-based trained neural network (or deep trained neural network), that is, a learning network model. In addition, the methods according to the various embodiments of the disclosure described above may be implemented with only a software upgrade, or a hardware upgrade of the electronic apparatus of the related art. In addition, the various embodiments of the disclosure described above may be performed through an embedded server provided in the electronic apparatus, or an external server of the electronic apparatus.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the various embodiments described above may be implemented with software including instructions stored in a machine-readable storage media (e.g., computer). The machine may call stored instructions from a storage medium, and as an apparatus operable according to the called instructions, may include the electronic apparatus according to the above-mentioned embodiments. Based on a command being executed by the processor, the processor may directly or using other elements under the control of the processor perform a function relevant to the command. The command may include a code generated by a compiler or executed by an interpreter. A machine-readable storage medium may be provided in a form of a non-transitory storage medium. Herein, ‘non-transitory’ merely means that the storage medium is tangible and does not include a signal, and the term does not differentiate data being semi-permanently stored or being temporarily stored in the storage medium.

In addition, according to an embodiment, a method according to the various embodiments described above may be provided included a computer program product. The computer program product may be exchanged between a seller and a purchaser as a commodity. The computer program product may be distributed in a form of the machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or distributed online through an application store (e.g., PLAYSTORE™). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be stored at least temporarily in a storage medium such as a server of a manufacturer, a server of an application store, or a memory of a relay server, or temporarily generated.

Each of the elements (e.g., a module or a program) according to the various embodiments described above may be configured as a single entity or a plurality of entities, and a portion of sub-elements of the above-mentioned relevant sub-elements may be omitted, or other sub-elements may be further included in the various embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, a portion of the elements (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into one entity to perform the same or similar functions performed by each of the relevant elements prior to integration. Operations performed by a module, a program, or another element, in accordance with various embodiments, may be executed sequentially, in a parallel, repetitively, or in a heuristic manner, or at least a portion of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted or a different operation may be added.

It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure according to the claims and description in the specification can be realized in the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software.

Any such software may be stored in non-transitory computer readable storage media. The non-transitory computer readable storage media store one or more computer programs (software modules), the one or more computer programs include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to perform a method of the disclosure.

Any such software may be stored in the form of volatile or non-volatile storage such as, for example, a storage device like read only memory (ROM), whether erasable or rewritable or not, or in the form of memory such as, for example, random access memory (RAM), memory chips, device or integrated circuits or on an optically or magnetically readable medium such as, for example, a compact disk (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), magnetic disk or magnetic tape or the like. It will be appreciated that the storage devices and storage media are various embodiments of non-transitory machine-readable storage that are suitable for storing a computer program or computer programs comprising instructions that, when executed, implement various embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, various embodiments provide a program comprising code for implementing apparatus or a method as claimed in any one of the claims of this specification and a non-transitory machine-readable storage storing such a program.

While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.