Method for controlling a fabric treatment apparatus

Abstract

A method for controlling a fabric treatment apparatus including a case that defines treating space, a steam supply device, and a dry air supply device is provided. The method includes a steam mode, a dry mode, and a storing mode. In the steam mode, steam is supplied to the treating space by operating the steam supply device. In the dry mode, dry air is supplied to the treating space by operating the dry air supply device. In the storing mode, a humidity level in the treating space is controlled by operating at least one of the steam supply device and the dry air supply device.

1 . A method for controlling a fabric treatment apparatus including a case that defines a treatment space, a steam supply device that supplies steam to the treatment space, and a dry air supply device that supplies dry air into the space, the method comprising:
 initiating a steam mode and supplying steam to the treatment space by operating the steam supply device;   initiating a dry mode and supplying dry air to the treatment space by operating the dry air supply device; and   initiating a storing mode and selectively controlling the steam supply device and the dry air supply device so as to maintain a humidity level in the treatment space within a predetermined range.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein initiating the storing mode comprises initiating the storing mode after the steam mode or the dry mode is terminated. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising receiving, in an operating unit that controls operation of the apparatus, a termination command, and terminating the storing mode based on the termination command. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising temporarily stopping the storing mode when a door coupled to the case opens, and resuming the storing mode when the door closes. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising automatically terminating the storing mode when a door coupled to the case opens, and resuming the storing mode based on an input received by an operating unit that controls operation of the apparatus. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein initiating the storing mode comprises sensing a humidity level in the treatment space using a humidity sensor and maintaining a humidity level in the treatment space between a first predetermined value and a second predetermined value that is less than the first predetermined value. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising operating the dry air supply device until the humidity level sensed by the humidity sensor is greater than or equal to the second predetermined value if the sensed humidity level is less than the second predetermined value in the storing mode. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising operating the steam supply device until the humidity level sensed by the humidity sensor is less than or equal to the first predetermined value if the sensed humidity level is greater than the first predetermined value in the storing mode. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising setting or modifying the first and second predetermined values using an operating unit that controls operation of the apparatus. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the storing mode comprises performing a storing cycle, wherein the storing cycle comprises stopping the dry air supply device and the steam supply device for a first predetermined elapsed time, and operating at least one of the dry air supply device or steam supply device for a second predetermined elapsed time. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising repeating the storing cycle until a termination command is received. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the termination command comprises a signal indicating that a door coupled to the case has been opened or a signal that a termination request has been input into an operating unit that controls operation of the apparatus. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising setting or modifying the first and second predetermined times using an operating unit that controls operation of the apparatus. 
   
   
       14 . A method for controlling a fabric treatment apparatus, the method comprising:
 initiating a steam mode and supplying steam to a treatment space;   initiating a dry mode and supplying dry air to the treatment space; and   initiating a storing mode, comprising selectively supplying steam and dry air to the treatment space until a command is received to terminate the storing mode.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the command comprises a signal indicating that a door of the treatment space has been opened. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the command comprises a signal that a termination request has been input into an operating unit that controls operation of the apparatus. 
   
   
       17 . A fabric treatment apparatus, comprising:
 a main body that defines a treatment space;   a door coupled to the main body and configured to selectively open and close the treatment space;   a treatment unit in communication with the main body, wherein the treatment unit comprises:
 a steam supply configured to supply steam to the treatment space; and 
 a dry air supply configured to supply dry air to the treatment space; and 
   a controller configured to selectively operate the steam supply and the dry air supply so as to maintain a humidity level in the treatment space within a predetermined range.   
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a humidity sensor configured to sense a humidity level in the treatment space and to transmit a corresponding signal to the controller; and   an operating unit configured to receive external operating commands and to transmit corresponding signals to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate the steam supply and the dry air supply based on the humidity level sensed by the humidity sensor and the operating commands received by the operating unit and the corresponding signals transmitted thereto.   
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a timer configured to monitor elapsed time of operation of the steam supply and the dry air supply and to transmit corresponding signals to the controller; and   an operating unit configured to receive external operating commands and to transmit corresponding signals to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate the steam supply and the dry air supply based on the elapsed time of operation measured by the timer and the operating commands received by the operating unit and the corresponding signals transmitted thereto.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a door sensor configured to sense an opening and closing of the door and to transmit a corresponding signal to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate the steam supply and the dry air supply based on an opened or closed state of the door sensed by the door sensor.   
   
   
       21 . A fabric treatment apparatus, comprising:
 a main body that defines a treatment space;   a door coupled to the main body that selectively opens and closes the treatment space;   a treatment unit in communication with the main body;   at least one set of nozzles provided at a position below a middle of the treatment space, wherein the at least one set of nozzles are configured to receive steam from the treatment unit and to discharge the received steam into the treatment space.