Garment processing device control method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a garment processing device. The garment processing device comprises: a drum into which objects to be dried are introduced; a blower for circulating air in the drum; a heat pump comprising a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger so as to dehumidify/heat air; a water collector for collecting condensed water generated in the first heat exchanger; a condensed water pump for discharging condensed water from the water collector; and a channel switching valve for switching a condensed water discharge channel or a channel for washing the first heat exchanger. The method comprises: a first water level sensing step for sensing the level of water in the water collector; a first water discharge step for operating the condensed water pump and simultaneously slowing down the operation of the blower for a predetermined time upon sensing in the first water level sensing step that the level of water in the water collector has reached the top level; a second water level sensing step for sensing the number of times the level of water in the water collector reaches the top level for a present time after the first water discharge step; a channel switching valve initializing step for initializing the channel position of the channel switching valve if the number of times the level of water in the water collector reaches the top level, sensed in the second water level sensing step, reaches a preset number of times; and a second water discharge step for discharging condensed water by operating the condensed water pump for discharging condensed water and simultaneously slowing down or stopping the operation of the blower after the channel switching valve initializing step.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method for controlling a laundry treating apparatus, the laundry treating apparatus including a drum configured to receive one or more objects to be dried therein, a blower configured to circulate air in the drum, a heat pump including a first heat exchanger configured to dehumidify or heat the air, a water collector configured to collect condensate generated from the first heat exchanger, a condensate pump configured to drain the condensate from the water collector, and a flow channel switching valve configured to control at least one of a drain flow channel for draining the condensate or a supply flow channel for washing the first heat exchanger, the method comprising:
 sensing a water level of the condensate in the water collector;   draining the condensate by decelerating the blower for a period of time while operating the condensate pump based on sensing the water level corresponding to a full water level;   counting a number of times that the water level in the water collector reaches the full water level for a set period after draining the condensate;   initializing a flow channel location of the flow channel switching valve based on the number of times of reaching the full water level being greater than or equal to a set number of times; and   draining the condensate by decelerating or stopping the blower while operating the condensate pump after initializing the flow channel location.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein sensing the water level comprises:
 determining that the water level in the water collector corresponds to the full water level based on sensing the full water level for a first number of times or more during a first water level sensing time period.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein draining the condensate comprises:
 operating the condensate pump; and   decelerating the blower based on the flow channel switching valve being switched to a drainage location while operating the condensate pump.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein counting the number of times that the water level in the water collector reaches the full water level comprises:
 performing a sensing operation for sensing the water level in the water collector after draining the condensate.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein sensing the water level comprises:
 sensing the water level in the water collector based on sensing that the water level in the water collector is lower than a set water level in the sensing operation.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 sensing a change of the water level in the water collector based on the water level in the water collector exceeding the set water level.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein sensing the change of the water level comprises sensing the change of the water level in the water collector during a second water level sensing time period. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein sensing the change of the water level comprises:
 sensing the water level in the water collector based on determining that the water level in the water collector does not change within the second water level sensing time period; and   counting a number of times that the water level reaches the full water level during the second water level sensing time period.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein counting the number of times that the water level reaches the full water level during the second water level sensing time period comprises:
 maintaining operation of the condensate pump based on sensing the full water level for a second number of times or less during the second water level sensing time period; and   initializing the flow channel switching valve based on sensing the full water level for the second number of times or more during the second water level sensing time period.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the number of times that the water level reaches the full water level is determined based on sensing the water level in the water collector at least twice during the second water level sensing time period. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the flow channel switching valve comprises:
 the drain flow channel configured to drain the condensate;   a plurality of washing flow channels configured to supply the condensate for washing the first heat exchanger;   a switcher scroll configured to rotate to thereby open the drain flow channel and the plurality of washing flow channels based on a rotation angle of the switcher scroll; and   a stopper disposed between the drain flow channel and the plurality of washing flow channels and configured to limit rotation of the switcher scroll.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein initializing the flow channel switching valve comprises:
 rotating the switcher scroll in a first direction or a second direction opposite to the second direction; and   controlling the rotation angle of the switcher scroll such that the switcher scroll passes (i) a location of the drain flow channel adjacent to the stopper or (ii) one of locations of the plurality of washing flow channels adjacent to the stopper.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein draining the condensate by decelerating or stopping the blower after initializing the flow channel location comprises:
 stopping operation of the blower based on the flow channel switching valve being switched to a drainage location while operating the condensate pump.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 sensing the water level in the water collector based on draining the condensate after initializing the flow channel location,   wherein sensing the water level in the water collector based on draining the condensate after initializing the flow channel location comprises:
 performing an sensing operation for sensing the water level based on the water level in the water collector being lower than or equal to a set water level, and 
 stopping operation of the laundry treating apparatus based on the water level in the water collector being higher than or equal to the set water level. 
   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 notifying a user based on the water level in the water collector being higher than or equal to the set water level after draining the condensate.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein draining the condensate by decelerating or stopping the blower after initializing the flow channel location comprises:
 decelerating operation of the blower based on the flow channel switching valve being switched to a drainage location while operating the condensate pump.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising:
 sensing the water level of the condensate based on draining the condensate after initializing the flow channel location,   wherein sensing the water level of the condensate based on draining the condensate after initializing the flow channel location comprises:
 performing an sensing operation for sensing the water level based on the water level in the water collector being lower than or equal to a set water level, and 
 stopping operation of the laundry treating apparatus based on the water level in the water collector being higher than or equal to the set water level. 
   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising:
 notifying a user based on the water level in the water collector being higher than or equal to the set water level in after draining the condensate.