Laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

A laundry treating apparatus is configured to reduce a volume independently occupied by a driver that rotates a drum in which laundry is accommodated and a volume of a space defined between a rear surface of the drum and a cabinet rear panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a garment processing device. Background Technology

[0002] Clothing treatment equipment includes washing machines, dryers, air fresheners (clothing care machines), etc., which are devices that can remove dust or foreign objects attached to clothing by applying physical force to the clothing.

[0003] The washing machine is configured to perform a washing process that separates and removes foreign objects from the clothes by supplying water and detergent to them.

[0004] Dryers are divided into exhaust dryers and recirculation dryers. Exhaust dryers and recirculation dryers are typically designed to remove moisture from clothes by generating high-temperature hot air with a heater and exposing the hot air to the clothes.

[0005] Recently, dryers have been designed to perform the drying process in a centralized manner by omitting components within the machine casing for supplying or draining water from the clothes, as well as an outer drum for holding the water. This offers the advantage of improving drying efficiency by directly supplying hot air to the drum containing the clothes while simplifying the internal structure of the dryer.

[0006] This type of dryer may include a drum containing clothes, a hot air supply that supplies hot air to the drum, and a drive that rotates the drum. Therefore, the dryer is able to dry clothes contained in the drum by supplying hot air to the drum and by rotating the drum to evenly expose the surface of the clothes to the hot air. Thus, drying is completed because the entire surface of the clothes is in uniform contact with the hot air.

[0007] In one example, the drive needs to be fixed inside the housing to rotate the drum. Furthermore, when the drive is configured to rotate the rotating shaft connected to the drum, it is necessary for the drive to be parallel to the rotating shaft. However, since the dryer does not have an outer tub fixed inside the housing, there is a limitation: the drive cannot be fixed to the outer tub as it is to a washing machine.

[0008] To address this problem, a dryer is proposed that fixes the drive to the rear surface of the housing.

[0009] Figure 1 The structure of a dryer of the related technology is shown, wherein the drive is attached to the rear surface of the housing.

[0010] Such a dryer may include: a housing 1 forming the exterior of the dryer, a drum 2 rotatably disposed within the housing 1 to accommodate clothing, and a drive 3 configured to rotate the drum 2.

[0011] The driver 3 can be disposed on the rear surface of the roller 2 and configured to rotate the roller 2, and can be connected and fixed to the rear panel 11 forming the rear surface of the housing 1. Therefore, the driver 3 can be fixed to the housing 1 and rotate the roller 2.

[0012] In the dryer described above, the drive 3 typically includes a stator 31 fixed to the rear panel 11, a rotor 32 rotated by the stator 31, and a rotating shaft 33 connected to the rotor 32 to rotate the drum 2, and includes a reducer 37 configured to rotate the drum 2 by reducing the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 33 while increasing the torque.

[0013] Furthermore, dryers of the related art typically include a fixing portion 4 for securing the drive 3 to the rear panel 11. The fixing portion 4 may include at least one of a first fixing portion 41 for securing the stator 31 to the rear panel 11 and a second fixing portion 42 for securing the rotating shaft 33 to the rear panel 11. Therefore, dryers of the related art are capable of stably rotating the drum 2 by arranging the rotating shaft 33 connected to the drum 2 and the drive 3 parallel to each other.

[0014] However, since the rear panel 11 of the housing is made of thin steel sheet, even a relatively small external force can easily deform or vibrate the rear panel 11. In addition, since the rear panel 11 receives not only the load of the drive 3, but also the load of the roller 2 through the rotating shaft 33, it may be difficult for the rear panel 11 to maintain its shape.

[0015] In addition, when the clothes inside the drum 2 are eccentric or repeatedly fall into the drum 2 as the drum 2 rotates, the repeated external force may be transmitted to the back panel 11, which may cause the back panel 11 to vibrate.

[0016] When vibration or external force is transmitted to the rear panel 11, and the rear panel 11 is even temporarily bent or deformed, the rotating shaft 33 connecting the drive 3 and the roller 2 may also be twisted. Therefore, unnecessary vibration or noise may occur in the drive 3, and in severe cases, the rotating shaft 33 may be damaged. In addition, there is the problem that unnecessary noise is generated when the rear panel 11 is bent or deformed.

[0017] Furthermore, when the rear panel 11 vibrates, the distance between the rotor 32 and the stator 31 temporarily changes, so the rotor 32 may collide with the stator 31 or generate unnecessary vibration and noise.

[0018] Furthermore, when the drive 3 also includes a reducer 37, the rotating shaft 33 connected to the reducer 37 and the reduction shaft 33a connected from the reducer 37 to the roller 2 are separated from each other. In this respect, since the reducer 37 is supported on the rear panel 11 by the stator 31 or the rotating shaft 33, even a slight deformation of the rear panel 11 may cause the reduction shaft 33a and the rotating shaft 33 to become misaligned or displaced.

[0019] In other words, due to the load on the roller 2, the positional change of the reduction shaft 33a connected to the roller 2 may be less than the positional change of the rotating shaft 33 connected to the driver 3. Therefore, when the rear panel 11 is temporarily bent or deformed, the tilt angles of the rotating shaft 33 and the reduction shaft 33a become different from each other, thereby causing the rotating shaft 33 and the reduction shaft 33a to be misaligned with each other.

[0020] Therefore, each time the drive 3 operates, due to the misalignment of the rotating shaft 33 and the reduction shaft 33a, the garment processing equipment of the related technology cannot guarantee the reliability of the reducer 37, and there is a problem that the reducer 37 may be damaged.

[0021] In one example, in order to directly connect the drive 3 to the drum 200 in a dryer, it is necessary to connect the rotating shaft that transmits the power of the drive 3 to the drum 200. However, as mentioned above, in dryers of the related art, no specific structure for connecting the drive 3 to the drum 200 is specified. Therefore, it is possible to consider applying a structure that connects the drum 200 of the washing machine and the drive 3 to each other.

[0022] Figure 2 A related technical structure for connecting a rotating shaft to a drum is shown.

[0023] Reference Figure 2 In (a) of the related art, the garment handling apparatus has a rear surface 220 of a drum for connection with a drive on the rear surface of the drum 20, and a spider 230 connected to the rear surface 220 of the drum. The spider 230 is not only fixed to the rear surface 220 of the drum, but also extends to the circumferential surface of the drum to fix the drum 200 and form a rotating shaft 234 for rotating the drum 200.

[0024] Therefore, the roller 200 may have a rotating shaft 234 that protrudes outward due to the star wheel 230, and a driver may be connected to the rotating shaft 234 to rotate the roller 200 by rotating the rotating shaft.

[0025] Reference Figure 2In (b), the star wheel 230 can be substantially fixed by being mounted on a connecting surface 227 formed on the rear surface 220 of the roller, and can be fixed by a fixing bolt n or the like. The star wheel 230 includes a hub 231 connected to the center of the rear surface 220 of the roller 2, blades 232 extending radially from the hub 231, fastening holes 233 protruding from the blades 232 to be fastened to the fixing bolt n, and a rotating shaft 234 protruding outward from the hub 231 and extending therefrom.

[0026] In this respect, the drive may include a motor 63 for rotating the rotating shaft, and a shaft receiving portion 61 extending from the motor 63 to receive and support the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft 234 may be received and supported in the shaft receiving portion 61, and the shaft receiving portion 61 may further include a connecting shaft 62 coupled to the rotating shaft 234 to transmit power from the motor 63 to the rotating shaft 234. The connecting shaft 62 may correspond to a separate drive shaft rotated by the motor 63. In the star wheel 230, a gear shaft 2341, which should be independently coupled to the shaft receiving portion 61 or the connecting shaft 62 of the drive, needs to extend further from the rotating shaft 234.

[0027] Therefore, the garment handling equipment of the related technology has limitations, namely, in order to make the roller 200 rotate, separate components are required to accommodate and support the rotating shaft 234 and the star wheel 230. Therefore, the problem is that the presence of these components necessitates an unnecessarily extended length for the roller and the drive unit.

[0028] Specifically, since the rotating shaft 234 extends from its protruding star wheel 230, in addition to the thickness D of the motor (the motor is a necessary component to generate the power to rotate the roller 200) 63 and the thickness T of the connecting shaft 62, it is also necessary to further ensure the length A1 of the rotating shaft 234 itself and the support length A2 of the shaft receiving portion 61 that needs to support the rotating shaft.

[0029] In other words, the problem is that it is necessary to unnecessarily ensure that an additional length A is included, which includes the unnecessarily extended length A1 of the rotating shaft 234 itself and the support length A2 of the shaft receiving portion 61 that needs to accommodate and support the rotating shaft 234 therein.

[0030] In this respect, the length of the casing in the front-to-back direction is limited, so the problem is that the length of the drum 200 is reduced due to the additional length A, which leads to a reduction in the amount of laundry it can hold. In one example, when the star wheel 230 is pressed down and housed in the rear surface 220 of the drum, there is a problem that the washing volume inside the drum is still reduced even though the thickness of the drive may be reduced further.

[0031] In addition, when the garment handling equipment is configured as a dryer, the dryer's drive should have a reducer that reduces the speed of the motor 63 and increases the torque.

[0032] Generally, a speed reducer is provided to accommodate two shafts and change their rotational speeds. Therefore, when the speed reducer is configured to rotate the roller connected to the star wheel 230, the speed reducer should also accommodate and support the rotating shaft 234 protruding from the roller 200, and should also accommodate and support the connecting shaft 62 connected to the motor 63. Therefore, the limitation is that the shaft accommodating portion must be fixed in such a way as to support these shafts.

[0033] As a result, the overall length of the reducer increased further, and therefore the overall thickness of the drive became larger, making it impossible to guarantee sufficient drum volume within the housing.

[0034] Therefore, when manufacturing a dryer in which a rotating shaft protruding directly from the drum 200 rotates, the basic limitation of the dryer is that the volume of the drum 200 cannot be adequately guaranteed, or the casing must be unnecessarily long.

[0035] Therefore, in the prior art, due to this fundamental limitation, dryers equipped with drives that directly rotate existing drums exist only as patent documents and cannot appear as actual products. Summary of the Invention

[0036] Technical issues

[0037] This disclosure provides a garment handling apparatus in which a rotating shaft does not extend from a drum, but the free end of the rotating shaft that rotates the drum is inserted into and connected to the drum.

[0038] This disclosure provides a garment handling apparatus in which a rotating shaft extends from a power-generating drive and can be directly inserted into or housed in and connected to a drum.

[0039] This disclosure provides a garment processing apparatus that can adequately ensure the length of the roller even when equipped with a motor that generates power and a reducer that can convert the output of the motor and transmit the converted output of the motor.

[0040] This disclosure provides a garment processing apparatus having a drum that is directly connected to the free end of a rotating shaft and rotates.

[0041] This disclosure provides a garment processing apparatus having a roller with a bushing mounted on its rear surface for accommodating the free end of a rotating shaft therein.

[0042] This disclosure provides a garment processing apparatus that can reduce the overall thickness of the power-generating motor and reducer.

[0043] This disclosure provides a garment processing apparatus that maintains the rotational shafts of a motor and a reducer, the motor providing rotational power to rotate a drum, and the reducer converting the rotational power into speed and torque.

[0044] This disclosure provides a garment handling apparatus in which a reducer and a motor can simultaneously tilt or vibrate.

[0045] Technical solution

[0046] This disclosure provides a structure in which a drive (reducer) can be partially accommodated on the rear surface of a roller. A space can be defined in the rear surface of the roller for partially accommodating the reducer, etc.

[0047] The roller and the reducer or drive can be coupled in a concave-convex coupling structure. That is, the rotating shaft can extend from the drive, and the roller can be coupled to the rotating shaft by accommodating the free end of the rotating shaft therein.

[0048] The roller may have a separate bushing in which the free end of the rotating shaft is accommodated, and a portion of the reducer and at least a portion of the bearing that supports the rotating shaft may be accommodated in the space provided by the bushing.

[0049] The bushing may include a tube extending into the roller to house the rotating shaft therein. The bushing may include a connecting portion formed in a disc shape for engagement with the rear surface of the roller.

[0050] The tube may have an insertion portion into which the output shaft extending from the reducer is inserted.

[0051] The rear surface of the roller may include a housing portion recessed into the garment inlet of the roller, and a mounting surface projecting rearward from the housing portion toward the rear surface of the roller. The housing portion may accommodate portions of the drive and rotating shaft therein, while the mounting surface may accommodate portions of the bushing therein.

[0052] The garment processing apparatus according to this disclosure may have a rotary connection structure of a roller (concave) + a drive (convex).

[0053] Specifically, a structure (bushing) for accommodating the rotating shaft can be formed on the rear surface of the roller.

[0054] The bushing connected to the drive (reducer) shaft can be located at the center of the rear surface of the roller, and the bushing can include a receiving groove in which the drive (reducer) shaft is received and connected.

[0055] The bushing's receiving groove may have serrations (gear grooves) defined in the inner circumferential surface. Furthermore, the rotating shaft may have serrations (helical gears) that match the gear grooves.

[0056] The bushing's receiving groove can be recessed into the roller.

[0057] The bushing can be recessed into and connected to the rear surface of the roller. The bushing can be made of a material with higher rigidity than the material of the rear surface of the roller.

[0058] The bushing may have a coupling surface that extends obliquely from the receiving groove in the direction of the drive to engage with the rear surface of the roller, and the bushing may be formed in a tapered shape.

[0059] In one example, the bushing may only have serrations in the receiving groove, and the bushing and the roller may be connected to each other using bolts or the like.

[0060] The garment processing apparatus according to this disclosure may include a rear housing capable of supporting a reducer that converts the power output from a drive.

[0061] The roller can be mounted on one surface (inner surface) of the rear housing, while the drive or reducer can be mounted on the other surface (outer surface) of the rear housing.

[0062] To reduce the volume of the drive or reducer protruding from the rear surface of the housing, the rear housing may have a mounting groove recessed into the roller.

[0063] Multiple brackets connected to the reducer can be connected to and fixed in the mounting slot.

[0064] The rear surface of the roller can be set separately and spaced apart from the rear shell.

[0065] The rear surface of the roller may have a recessed portion that faces the rear shell and the mounting groove.

[0066] The mounting portion can be partially accommodated in the mounting groove. The mounting portion can be shaped to correspond to the shape of the receiving groove.

[0067] The mounting section can also at least partially accommodate the reducer or drive.

[0068] The drive may include a motor consisting of a stator and an outer rotor.

[0069] The reducer can be at least partially housed within the stator, and the reducer can be directly connected to the stator.

[0070] The mounting portion may have an inwardly or outwardly curved support surface, thereby supporting the bushing on the rear surface of the roller.

[0071] The mounting surface, which bends inward or outward from the support surface and connects with the bushing, can be formed at the center of the mounting surface.

[0072] The bushing can be connected to the mounting surface using bolts or the like.

[0073] The bushing may include: a connecting surface supported on a protruding surface; a recessed surface extending from the connecting surface into the roller; and a shaft connecting portion extending from the recessed surface toward the outside of the roller and connecting to the shaft.

[0074] The bushing can be connected to the rotating shaft that is normally located in the reducer.

[0075] Beneficial effects of the invention

[0076] The effect of this disclosure is that the rotating shaft does not extend from the drum, but the free end of the rotating shaft that rotates the drum is inserted into the drum and connected to the drum.

[0077] The advantage of this disclosure is that the rotating shaft can extend from the power-generating drive and can be directly inserted into or housed within the drum.

[0078] The advantage of this disclosure is that even when a reducer is provided that generates power from a motor and converts the output of the motor and transmits the converted output of the motor, the length of the roller can be adequately ensured.

[0079] The advantage of this disclosure is that it provides a drum with a free end that is directly connected to and rotates on a rotating shaft.

[0080] The advantage of this disclosure is that it has a roller on which a bushing can be mounted on the rear surface for receiving the free end of a rotating shaft. Attached Figure Description

[0081] Figure 1 A garment processing device based on related technologies is shown.

[0082] Figure 2 The connection structure is shown, in which the rollers of the garment handling device of the related technology are convex, while the drive is concave.

[0083] Figure 3 The appearance of the garment processing device 10 according to this disclosure is shown.

[0084] Figure 4 The internal configuration of a garment processing device according to this disclosure is shown.

[0085] Figure 5 A roller of a garment processing apparatus according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0086] Figure 6 The internal structure of the garment processing device according to this disclosure is shown.

[0087] Figure 7 The support structure of the roller of the garment processing apparatus according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0088] Figure 8 The structure of the rear housing of the garment processing device according to this disclosure is shown.

[0089] Figure 9 The structure showing the connection between the driver and the rear housing is illustrated.

[0090] Figure 10 A speed reducer for a garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure is shown.

[0091] Figure 11 The connection structure of the reducer and stator of the garment processing apparatus according to this disclosure is shown.

[0092] Figure 12 The final connection structure of the drive of the garment handling device according to this disclosure is shown.

[0093] Figure 13 The structure of the drive and roller shafts of the garment processing apparatus according to this disclosure are interconnected.

[0094] Figure 14 The structure of the bushing of the garment handling device according to this disclosure is shown.

[0095] Figure 15 The structure of the garment processing device according to the present disclosure shows that the components of the drive are compactly arranged therein.

[0096] Figure 16 Another embodiment of the bushing and roller back surface of the garment handling apparatus according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0097] Figure 17 The structure shown is such that components disposed at the rear of the roller of the garment processing apparatus according to the present disclosure are compactly disposed therein. Detailed Implementation

[0098] The embodiments described herein will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout this specification, even in different embodiments, the same and similar reference numerals are assigned to the same and similar parts, and their descriptions are replaced by the first description. When used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context explicitly specifies otherwise. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments disclosed herein, detailed descriptions of related known techniques are omitted when it is determined that such detailed descriptions might obscure the essential points of the disclosed embodiments. Moreover, the accompanying drawings are provided only for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and it should be noted that the technical ideas disclosed herein should not be construed as being limited by the drawings.

[0099] Figure 3 The appearance of the garment processing device 10 according to this disclosure is shown.

[0100] A garment processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing 100 forming its appearance.

[0101] The housing 100 may include a front panel 110 that defines the front surface of the garment handling apparatus. The front panel 110 has a garment inlet 111 that may be defined therein to communicate with the roller 200 described later, and a door 130 that is pivotally connected to the housing for opening and closing the garment inlet 111.

[0102] Control panel 117 may be mounted on front surface 110. Control panel 117 may include an input unit 118 for receiving control commands from a user, and a display 119 for outputting information such as user-selectable control commands. The control commands may include a drying process or drying options capable of executing a series of drying procedures. A main controller that controls commands for executing the drying process or drying options may be mounted in control panel 117.

[0103] The input unit 118 can be configured to include: a power request unit for requesting power to the garment processing device; a process input unit for allowing the user to select a desired process from multiple processes; and an execution request unit for requesting the start of the process selected by the user.

[0104] The display 119 can be configured to include at least one of a display panel capable of outputting text and graphics (figures, numbers) and a speaker capable of outputting audio signals and sounds.

[0105] In one example, the garment processing device according to this disclosure may include a water storage section 7 configured to separately store moisture generated during the drying process. The water storage section 7 may include a water tank configured to be drawn outwards from one side of the front surface 110. The water tank may be configured to collect condensate delivered from the cleaning pump described later. Therefore, the user can remove the water tank from the housing 1 to remove the condensate, and then reinstall the water tank in the housing 1. Thus, the garment processing device according to this disclosure can be placed anywhere where there are no drains or similar installations.

[0106] In one example, the water reservoir 7 can be positioned above the door 130. Therefore, when the water reservoir is pulled out from the front surface 110, the user can bend over relatively less.

[0107] In one example, the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure may further include a steam supply 195 capable of supplying steam to the garment or to the housing. The steam supply 195 may be configured to generate steam using condensate discharged from the garment, or it may be configured to generate steam by receiving fresh water instead of condensate. The steam supply 195 may generate steam by heating the water, using ultrasound, or vaporizing the water.

[0108] Because the steam supply unit 195 is configured to generate steam by receiving a certain amount of water, it may occupy a certain volume. In this respect, the door and control panel 117 are mounted on the front surface 110 of the housing, while the pipes for supplying / exhausting air to / from the drum, the water supply unit, etc., can be mounted on the rear panel 120 of the housing. Therefore, the steam supply unit 195 can be advantageously mounted on the inner surface of the side panel 140 of the housing.

[0109] Furthermore, the garment processing equipment according to this disclosure may include a steam controller 800, which is configured to independently control the steam supply 195. The steam controller 800 may be mounted on a control panel 117, but a separate control panel may be provided to prevent overloading of the control panel 117 and to prevent increased production costs.

[0110] The steam controller 800 can be installed next to the steam supply 195. The steam controller 800 can also be installed on the side plate 140 where the steam supply 195 is mounted, in order to reduce the length of control lines and the like connected to the steam supply 195.

[0111] Since the steam supply unit 195 provides steam that can come into contact with clothing, it is preferable to generate steam using clean water. Because the water collected in the water reservoir 7 is generated from clothing, it is highly likely that the water collected in the water reservoir 7 will contain lint or foreign objects. Therefore, the water collected in the water reservoir 7 may not be suitable for generating steam.

[0112] Therefore, the garment processing apparatus according to this disclosure can supply water to the steam supply unit 195, but may include a water supply unit 160 independent of the water storage unit 7. The water supply unit 160 may be configured to store clean water therein, or to receive clean water from the outside and supply clean water to the steam supply unit 195.

[0113] For example, water supply unit 160 may include an external water supply unit 180 and an internal water supply unit 170. The external water supply unit can receive water from an external water source and deliver the water to the steam supply unit 195, while the internal water supply unit can store clean water separately and supply the clean water to the steam supply unit 195.

[0114] The internal water supply unit 170 may further include a water tank 171, which is separately disposed from the water storage section 7 for storing clean water therein. The garment handling device according to this disclosure may also be configured such that the water tank 171 and the steam supply unit 195 are installed at different vertical heights, such that water in the water tank 171 is supplied to the steam supply unit 195 by self-load.

[0115] When the vertical height difference between the water tank 171 and the steam supply unit 195 cannot be guaranteed, it may be necessary to install an additional water pump 172. Furthermore, the advantage of having an additional water pump 172 is that the internal space of the housing 1 can be utilized more efficiently.

[0116] Therefore, the water supply unit 160 may further include a water pump 172 and a water tank housing 173, the water pump being configured to supply water from the water tank 171 to the steam supply unit 195, and the water tank housing positioning the water tank 171 and the water pump 172 within the housing.

[0117] The external water supply unit 180 may include a direct water valve connected to an external water source for receiving water.

[0118] Furthermore, the garment processing apparatus according to this disclosure may further include a determining unit 196 that determines whether to supply water to the steam supply unit 195 by prioritizing the use of either the external water supply unit 180 or the internal water supply unit 170.

[0119] The determining unit 196 can be structurally configured to determine which of the external water supply 180 and the internal water supply 170 should be used preferentially.

[0120] In one example, water tank 171 may be configured to store fresh water therein. Preferably, water tank 171 is configured to be exposed outside the housing 100 so that it can be frequently filled with fresh water.

[0121] In one example, the water tank 171 can be configured to be pulled out from the housing 100. Therefore, the user can conveniently fill the tank with water by pulling the water tank 171 out of the housing 100.

[0122] The water tank 171 can be configured to be pulled out through the front surface 110. However, when the water reservoir is also configured to be pulled out through the front surface 110, it may be difficult to ensure the area available for pulling out the water tank 171 due to the area on the front surface 110 occupied by the control panel 117.

[0123] Therefore, the water tank 171 can be configured to be pulled out through the top plate 130, thereby preventing interference with the control panel 117.

[0124] From another perspective, since both the water tank 171 and the water storage section 7 are configured to store water, users may be confused. Therefore, the garment handling device according to this disclosure can be configured such that the water tank 171 and the water storage section 7 protrude from the casing in different directions and at different positions.

[0125] Therefore, the water tank 171 can be positioned to protrude through the top plate 130, while the water storage section 7 can be positioned to protrude through the front surface 110. Thus, even with both the water tank 171 and the water storage section 7 present, user confusion can be prevented. Furthermore, the water tank 171 can have a volume much smaller than the water storage section 7, because the water tank 171 must store clean water and maintain the freshness of the stored water. Therefore, the user can distinguish between the water tank 171 and the water storage section 7 by their volume difference.

[0126] Since the volume of the water tank 171 is smaller than that of the water storage section 7, the water tank 171 can be easily pulled upwards. Therefore, the water tank 171 can be configured to be pulled upwards from the top plate 130. Therefore, since the water tank 171 and the water storage section 7 are pulled out in different directions, the possibility of user confusion can be further reduced.

[0127] According to the present disclosure, the top plate 130 of the garment processing apparatus may include a water tank extraction hole or extraction hole 131 defined therein, configured such that the water tank 171 can be exposed to the outside or the water tank 171 can be extracted to the outside of the housing. The cross-sectional area of ​​the water tank extraction hole 131 may correspond to or be slightly larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the water tank 171.

[0128] The top plate 130 may further include a pull-out cover 132, which is configured to cover the water tank pull-out hole 131 to prevent the water tank 171 from being pulled out arbitrarily.

[0129] The garment processing apparatus according to this disclosure may further include a filter capable of removing foreign matter from the circulating flow channel. A filter mounting hole 113 may be defined in the front surface 110 through which the filter is pulled out or inserted.

[0130] Figure 4 The interior of a garment processing device according to this disclosure is shown.

[0131] The garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure may include: a roller 200 housed in a housing 100 for holding garments; a driver M for rotating the roller 200; and a hot air supply 900 configured to supply hot air to the roller 200.

[0132] The roller 200 can be formed in a cylindrical shape to accommodate clothing. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to put water into the roller 200, and the condensed water inside the roller 200 does not need to be drained to the outside, the through hole defined along the circumference of the roller 200 can be omitted.

[0133] The driver M can be configured to be directly connected to the roller 200 to rotate the roller 200. For example, the driver M can be of the direct drive unit (DD) type. Therefore, by omitting components such as belts and pulleys, the driver M can control the rotation direction or speed of the roller 200 by directly rotating the roller 200.

[0134] Generally, in the case of a DD-type washing machine, the drive M can be connected to and fixed to the outer tub in which the drum 200 is housed, and the drum 200 can be connected to the drive M and supported by the outer tub. However, since the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure is configured to centrally perform the drying process, the outer tub fixed to the housing 100 to house the drum 200 is omitted.

[0135] Therefore, the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure may further include a support 400, which is configured to fix or support the drive M or the roller 200 within the housing 100.

[0136] The support member 400 may include a front housing 410 disposed in front of the roller 200 and a rear housing 420 disposed behind the roller 200. The front housing 410 and the rear housing 420 may be plate-shaped and respectively positioned to face the front and rear surfaces of the roller 200. The distance between the front housing 410 and the rear housing 420 may be the same as the length of the roller 200 or may be greater than the length of the roller 200. The front housing 410 and the rear housing 420 may be fixed to and supported by the bottom surface of the housing 100 (or the hot air supply 900 described later).

[0137] Because the garment inlet of the roller 200 is defined on the front surface of the roller 200, the actuator M is preferably mounted in the rear housing 420 rather than the front housing. The rear housing 420 can be configured such that the actuator M is mounted and supported in the area of ​​its rear surface facing the roller 200. Therefore, the actuator M can be configured to rotate the roller 200 while its position is stably fixed by the rear housing 420.

[0138] At least one of the front housing 410 and the rear housing 420 can rotatably support the roller 200. At least one of the front housing 410 and the rear housing 420 can rotatably accommodate the front end or the rear end of the roller 200 therein.

[0139] For example, the front portion of the roller 200 can be accommodated and rotatably supported in the front housing 410, while the rear portion of the roller 200 can be spaced apart from the rear housing 420 and indirectly supported by the rear housing 420 through connection with the driver M. Therefore, the area of ​​contact or friction between the roller 200 and the support 400 can be minimized, and unwanted noise or vibration can be prevented.

[0140] In one example, the roller 200 can be configured to be rotatably supported by both the front shell 410 and the rear shell 420.

[0141] The hot air supply unit 900 can define a circulation channel for discharging air from the drum 200 to the outside and introducing air into the drum 200, and can dry the clothes contained in the drum 200 by heating the circulating air or condensing the moisture in the circulating air.

[0142] Preferably, the hot air supply 900 is arranged below the drum 200, so that the clothing inlet of the drum 200 is arranged at a relatively high position, and the user can easily remove the clothing located in the drum 200.

[0143] The hot air supply unit 900 may have multiple heat exchangers installed therein for cooling or heating the air flowing therein, and may have a washer 940 installed therein for removing foreign matter adhering to the heat exchangers using condensate water in the air.

[0144] The hot air supply unit 900 can be configured to receive air from inside the roller 200 through the front housing 410 and discharge the air toward the rear housing 420.

[0145] A pipe cover 430 may be coupled to the rear housing 420, the pipe cover guiding hot air supplied from the hot air supply 900 to the rear surface of the roller 200. The pipe cover 430 may be configured to expose the drive M to the outside for cooling. The housing 100 may further include a baffle 120 that prevents accidents by preventing the pipe cover 430 and the drive M from being exposed to the outside.

[0146] The length T1 in the front-to-back direction of the housing can be defined as the length from the front cover 410 to the rear panel 120. Strictly speaking, the length from the front panel 110 to the rear panel 120 is the length of the housing. However, since the length from the front cover 410 to the rear panel 120 corresponds to the permissible space in which the internal components of the garment handling device according to this disclosure can be installed, the length of this permissible space (T1 = permissible length) can be simply referred to as the length of the housing.

[0147] When the allowable length T1 is determined, the length T2 of the roller 200 and the length T3 of the driver can be determined. Furthermore, the allowable length T1 can include the roller length T2 and the driver length T3, and can be equal to or less than the sum of the roller length T2 and the driver length T3.

[0148] In one example, when the rear panel 120 is omitted, the rear cover 420 can form the rear surface of the housing.

[0149] Figure 5 A roller of a garment processing apparatus according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0150] The roller 200 of the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure rotates by direct connection to the drive M, rather than indirectly by connection to a belt or the like. Therefore, unlike the rollers of related art dryers that are cylindrical with open front and rear surfaces, the roller 200 of the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure is configured to be directly connected to the drive M, since the rear of the roller 200 is shielded.

[0151] Specifically, the roller 200 may include: a roller body 210 formed in a cylindrical shape for holding clothing therein; and a roller rear surface 220 connected to the rear end of the roller body 210 to form the rear surface of the roller.

[0152] The rear surface 220 of the roller can be configured to shield the rear of the roller body 210 to provide space for direct connection to the drive M. That is, the rear surface 220 of the roller can be configured to rotate the roller body 210 by connecting to the drive M and directly receiving power from the drive M. Therefore, the garment inlet 211 into which garments are placed can be defined in the front surface of the roller body 210, and the rear of the roller body 210 can be shielded by the rear surface 220 of the roller.

[0153] The rear surface 220 of the roller may have a bushing portion 300 that can be coupled to the drive M. The bushing portion 300 may be disposed in the rear surface 220 of the roller to form the rotation center of the roller 200. The bushing portion 300 may be integrally formed with the rear surface 220 of the roller, but may be made of a material that is more rigid or more durable than the material of the rear surface 220 of the roller in order to be securely coupled to a rotating shaft extending from the drive M. The bushing portion 300 may be positioned and coupled to the center of the rear surface 220 of the roller.

[0154] The rear surface 220 of the roller may include a circumferential portion 221 that connects to the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 210 and a mounting portion 223 that extends inward from the circumferential portion 221 and can be connected to the drive M. A bushing portion 300 may be accommodated in and connected to the mounting portion 223, and the mounting portion 223 may include a through hole defined therein through which the bushing portion 300 may pass and be accommodated.

[0155] A suction hole 224 may be defined between the circumferential portion 221 and the mounting portion 223, which guides hot air supplied from the hot air supplier 900 into the roller body 210. The suction hole 224 may consist of a plurality of holes defined to pass through the rear surface 220 of the roller, or it may be formed as a mesh-type net.

[0156] To prevent the rigidity of the rear surface 220 of the roller from decreasing due to the suction hole 224, reinforcing ribs 225 can be further provided to enhance the rigidity of the rear surface 220. The reinforcing ribs 225 can extend radially from the outer peripheral surface of the mounting portion 223 toward the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential portion 221. Furthermore, circumferential ribs 226 extending in the circumferential direction of the rear surface 220 can be further provided to connect the reinforcing ribs 225 to each other. The suction hole 224 can be defined between the reinforcing ribs 225, the circumferential ribs 226, the mounting portion 223, and the circumferential portion 221, and its shape can be maintained even when the rear surface 220 receives rotational force transmitted from the driver M by the reinforcing ribs 225 and the circumferential ribs 226.

[0157] In one example, one or more reinforcing beads 212 may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 210 to enhance the rigidity of the roller body 210. The reinforcing beads 212 may be recessed inward or protruded outward along the circumference of the roller body 210. Multiple reinforcing beads 212 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the roller body 210.

[0158] Therefore, even when a large amount of clothing is contained in the drum body 210 or when a sudden rotational force is transmitted through the driver M, the drum body 210 can be prevented from being twisted.

[0159] Therefore, the roller 200 of the garment processing device according to this disclosure can rotate without being driven by a belt or the like, but can rotate directly when the rear surface 220 of the roller is connected to the driver M.

[0160] Therefore, even when the drive M changes its rotation direction or has a large rotational acceleration, the roller 200 of the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure can rotate immediately in response to this.

[0161] Figure 6 The internal configuration of a garment processing device according to this disclosure is shown.

[0162] As described above, the roller 200 may include: a roller body 210, which is formed as a cylinder having an open front surface and a rear surface; and a roller rear surface 220 connected to the rear end of the roller body 210 to cover the rear portion of the roller body 210.

[0163] The rotating shaft extending from the driver M can be directly connected to the bushing portion 300.

[0164] The front housing 410 may include: a front plate 411 forming the main body; and an inlet communication hole 412 penetrating the front plate 411 to receive the front portion of the roller body 210 or the clothing inlet 211. A gasket 413 housing the roller body 210 therein may be disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the inlet communication hole 412.

[0165] The gasket 413 can rotatably support the garment inlet 211 of the roller body 210 and can be arranged to contact the outer peripheral surface of the garment inlet 211. The gasket 413 prevents hot air within the roller 200 from leaking between the roller body 210 and the front plate 411. The gasket 413 can be made of a plastic resin-based material or can be formed as an elastic body. An additional separate sealing component can be connected to the inner peripheral surface of the gasket 413 to prevent garments or hot air from accidentally entering the front plate 411 from the garment inlet 211 of the roller body 210.

[0166] In one example, a conduit connection 419 may be defined in the inner circumferential surface of the inlet connection 412 or the gasket 413, communicating with the roller body 210 and through which air entering the roller body 210 is discharged. A flow passage connecting the conduit connection 419 to the hot air supply 900 may be defined in the front plate 411. Thus, the conduit connection 419 can guide air discharged from the roller body 210 to be supplied to the hot air supply 900.

[0167] A filter element that prevents foreign objects, lint, etc. discharged from the roller 200 from entering the hot air supply unit 900 can be installed in the pipe connection hole 419.

[0168] A front wheel 415 may be mounted on the front housing 410 and arranged to contact the outer peripheral surface of the roller body 210 to rotatably support the roller 200. The front wheel 415 may be configured to support the outer peripheral surface of the garment inlet of the roller body 210 and may include a plurality of front wheels spaced apart from each other along the outer peripheral surface of the inlet communication hole 412. The front wheel 415 may be configured to rotate together with the roller 200 while supporting the lower part of the roller body 210.

[0169] In addition, a stop 500 to prevent the roller body 210 from deviating can be connected to the front housing 410. The stop 500 can be provided on a stop mounting portion 416, which is provided on the front housing 410 and located above the inlet communication hole 412.

[0170] The front housing 410 may have a groove support hole 414 defined therein, through which the water storage tank of the water storage section 7 can be pulled out or supported. The groove support hole 414 may be installed in an area corresponding to the portion of the water storage section 7 arranged in the front surface 110, and may be defined by the front housing 410.

[0171] A cutout 417, which can be supported by the hot air supply 900, may be defined at the bottom of the front housing 410. The presence of the cutout 417 prevents interference between the front housing 410 and the hot air supply 900. The cutout 417 may be configured to communicate with the supply conduit of the hot air supply 900 to transfer air supplied from inside the roller to the conduit connection hole 419 to the hot air supply 900.

[0172] The hot air supply unit 900 may include a circulation flow channel 920 through which air discharged from the drum 200 is circulated. The circulation flow channel 920 may be formed in the shape of a pipe disposed outside the drum 200. The circulation flow channel 920 may include: a supply pipe 921 communicating with a pipe connection hole 419 through which air from the drum 200 is supplied; a flow pipe 922 through which air supplied from the supply pipe 921 flows; and an exhaust pipe 923 through which air that has flowed through the flow pipe 922 is discharged.

[0173] The supply conduit 921 may be arranged to communicate with the cutout 417 of the front housing 410 to communicate with the flow passage installed within the front housing 410. The flow conduit 922 may be configured to extend from the distal end of the supply conduit 921 toward the rear of the roller 200, and the discharge conduit 923 may be provided at the distal end of the flow conduit 922 to guide air to the roller 200.

[0174] In one example, the hot air supply 900 may have a heat pump 950 installed therein, capable of cooling and heating the air therein. The heat pump 950 may include: an evaporator 951 installed within a flow duct 922 to cool the air, thereby condensing moisture contained in the air; and a condenser 952 configured to be spaced downstream of the evaporator 951 or toward a discharge duct 923 to reheat the air. The heat pump 950 may further include: an expansion valve that cools the refrigerant that has passed through the condenser 952 and guides the refrigerant back to the evaporator 951; and a compressor 953 that pressurizes and heats the refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator 951 and supplies the pressurized and heated refrigerant to the condenser 952. The compressor 953 may be located outside the flow duct 922.

[0175] Evaporator 951 and condenser 952 may be provided as heat exchangers through which refrigerant flows.

[0176] The hot air supply unit 900 may further include a connector 930 communicating with the exhaust duct 923 to direct hot air to the rear of the roller 200 or to the duct cover 430. The connector 930 may be positioned above the exhaust duct 923 to direct hot air heated by the condenser 952 to a portion of the exhaust duct 923 at its rear.

[0177] In one example, the hot air supply 900 may further include a blower fan 9531 that directs air within the drum 200 toward the supply duct 921 or directs air that has already flowed through the exhaust duct 923 into the drum 200. The blower fan 9531 may be installed within the exhaust duct 923 and may be controlled by a main controller together with the drive M.

[0178] The rear housing 420 may include a rear plate 421 positioned facing the front plate 411. The rear housing 420 may include a mounting portion 429 to which the drive M is coupled and located. The mounting portion 429 may be configured to pass through the rear housing 420, and the drive M may be mounted on the mounting portion 429 and secured within the housing 100. The mounting portion 429 may support the load of the drive M and may mount the drive M at a position corresponding to the position of the rear surface 220 of the roller.

[0179] In one example, the rear plate 421 may further include: an airflow hole 423 communicating with the connector 930 and through which air is introduced; and a communication hole 424 that discharges the air that has passed through the airflow hole 423 to the rear surface 220 of the roller.

[0180] A pipe cover 430 defining a flow channel can be attached to the rear surface of a rear plate 421, the flow channel being used to direct air introduced through connector 930 to a suction hole 224 defined in the rear surface 220 of the roller.

[0181] The pipe cover 430 can be attached to the rear plate 421 and spaced apart from the suction port 224 to define the space for air to flow between the rear plate 421 and the pipe cover 430.

[0182] The pipe cover 430 can be configured to shield the communication holes 424, thus preventing all communication holes 424 from being exposed to the outside. Therefore, all air introduced into the pipe cover 430 can be vented into the communication holes 424, preventing leakage to the outside. The pipe cover 430 can accommodate the driver M by being spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the driver M to prevent interference with the driver M, but can expose the driver M to the outside for cooling.

[0183] In one example, the pipe cover 430 can be heated by hot air, and the actuator M also has a rotating rotor, so the rear panel 120 can be disposed at the rear of the pipe cover 430 to shield the actuator M. The rear panel 120 can be coupled to the rear housing 420 to prevent the pipe cover 430 and the actuator M from being exposed to the outside. The rear panel 120 can be configured to be spaced apart from the pipe cover 430 and the actuator M.

[0184] The driver M may include a motor 600 that provides power to rotate the roller 200. The motor 600 may include a stator 610 that generates a rotating magnetic field and a rotor 620 that is rotated by the stator 610.

[0185] The rotor 620 can be an external rotor type, used to house the stator 610 and rotate it along the circumference of the stator 610. In this respect, a rotating shaft can be connected to the rotor 620 and can be directly connected to the drum 200 via the stator 610 and the mounting portion 429. In this case, the rotor 620 can directly transmit power to rotate the drum 200.

[0186] In one example, rotor 620 can be rotated at a high speed by stator 610. For example, rotor 620 can rotate at a speed much greater than the speed at which clothing inside roller 200 can rotate while adhering to the inner wall of roller 200.

[0187] However, when the clothes inside the drum 200 rotate while continuously adhering to the inner wall of the drum 200, there is a problem that the drying efficiency decreases because the part of the clothes adhering to the inner wall of the drum is not exposed to the hot air.

[0188] When the rotor 620 rotates at a low speed to roll or agitate the clothes inside the drum 200 without causing the clothes inside the drum to adhere to the inner wall of the drum 200, there may be a problem that the output or torque that can be generated by the driver M cannot be properly utilized.

[0189] Therefore, the drive M of the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure may further include a reducer 700, which is capable of increasing torque while utilizing the maximum output of the motor 600 by reducing the rotational speed.

[0190] The reducer 700 can be configured to connect the motor 600 to the drum 200. The reducer 700 can convert the power of the motor 600 into the rotation of the drum 200. The reducer 700 can be positioned between the motor 600 and the drum 200 to receive power from the motor 600, convert that power, and transmit the converted power to the drum 200. The reducer 700 is configured to convert the rotor's rotational speed to a lower speed but increase the torque value, and transmit power to the drum 200 corresponding to the reduced speed and increased torque value.

[0191] Specifically, the reducer 700 can be coupled to a drive shaft 630 that extends from and rotates with the rotor 620. The reducer 700 includes a gearbox that engages with the drive shaft 630 to rotate, thereby changing the rotational speed of the drive shaft 630 but increasing the torque. This gearbox is also coupled to a rotating shaft 740, which is connected to a roller 200 to rotate the roller. Therefore, while the drive shaft 630 rotates, the rotating shaft 740 rotates at a lower speed than the drive shaft 630, but can rotate with a greater torque.

[0192] The performance of this reducer 700 depends on whether the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 can remain coaxial with each other. That is, when the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 are misaligned, there is a risk that the connection between the gearbox components forming the interior of the reducer 700 and at least one of the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 may become loose or be released. Therefore, the power from the drive shaft 630 may not be properly transmitted to the rotating shaft 740, or the drive shaft 630 may be ineffective.

[0193] Furthermore, even if the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 are temporarily misaligned, the gearboxes inside the reducer 700 may also misalign and collide with each other, resulting in unnecessary vibration or noise.

[0194] Furthermore, even when the angle of misalignment between the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 temporarily increases, there is a risk that the gearbox inside the reducer 700 may completely deviate from its normal position or be damaged.

[0195] Therefore, even if the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 are not temporarily kept coaxial or not arranged side by side, there may be problems such as the performance of the reducer 700 not being guaranteed and the roller 200 not rotating as expected.

[0196] Therefore, garment processing equipment with a speed reducer usually fixes the speed reducer and motor to the support body, so that the support body can maintain its original state without deformation even when external forces are generated.

[0197] For example, the washing machine can employ a scheme in which the outer tub, which houses the drum, is primarily fixed to the machine casing, and then the motor and reducer are subsequently fixed to a support housing made of a rigid body embedded in the outer tub using an injection molding method. Alternatively, a scheme can be adopted in which a fixing steel plate (connected to the outer tub from the outside) is placed, and the motor and reducer are fixed to the fixing steel plate.

[0198] Therefore, even when significant vibrations occur within the outer casing, the reducer and drive may tilt or vibrate together with the supporting housing or fixed steel plate. Consequently, the reducer and drive themselves can always be connected to each other, and the drive shaft and rotating shaft can remain coaxial.

[0199] However, since the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure is formed as a dryer, the outer drum fixed inside the casing is omitted. Furthermore, even when the rear panel 120 of the casing is formed as a relatively thin plate and the stator 610 is fixed to the rear panel, the rear panel 120 can easily vibrate or bend due to repulsive forces when the rotor 620 rotates or the drive shaft 630 rotates. When the rear panel 120 vibrates or bends even temporarily, the rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630, which are configured to connect to the drum 200, are bent, and therefore, the rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630 may become misaligned with each other.

[0200] Furthermore, since the rear panel 120 is formed of a thin steel plate, it may not be able to support both the reducer 700 and the motor 600. For example, when the reducer 700 and the motor 600 are connected in parallel to the rear panel 120, the reducer 700 may sag downwards due to the rotational torque generated by the total length and self-load of the reducer 700 and the motor 600. Consequently, the rotating shaft 740, which is itself connected to the roller, may be misaligned with the reducer 700, and therefore, the rotating shaft 740 may not remain coaxial with the drive shaft 630.

[0201] Even the rear panel 120 may not be able to support the motor 600 itself. One surface of the rear panel 120 on which the motor 600 is mounted may bend downwards due to the self-load of the motor 600. From the outset, the rear panel 120 may not have been a suitable component for connection to the motor 600 itself.

[0202] In one example, the motor 600 may be supported when the stator 610 is connected to the back housing 420. When a large amount of clothing is contained within the drum 200 or when eccentricity occurs, the rotating shaft 740 may become misaligned along the arrangement of the clothing whenever the drum 200 rotates. In this respect, since the stator 610 is separated from the drum 200 and fixed to the back housing 420, the rotating shaft 740 may vibrate with a different amplitude than the stator 610, or tilt at a different angle than the stator 610. Therefore, the rotating shaft 740 may not remain coaxial with the drive shaft 630.

[0203] From another perspective, the roller 200 can be supported by the front housing 410 and the rear housing 420, or the mounting position of the roller 200 can be fixed at a certain level by the stop 500, which will be described later. Therefore, the position of the rotating shaft 740 connected to the roller 200 can also be fixed at a certain level. Thus, even if vibration occurs in the roller 200, the vibration can be buffered by at least one of the front housing 410 and the rear housing 420, or by the stop 500.

[0204] However, when the vibration generated in the drum 200 is transmitted to the motor 600, even when the reducer 700 and the motor 600 are fixed to the rear housing 420, the vibration amplitude of the motor 600 and the rear housing 420 can be greater than the vibration amplitude of the rotating shaft 740. Even at this time, there may be a problem that the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 cannot remain coaxial with each other.

[0205] To solve this problem, the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure can fix the motor 600 by connecting the motor 600 to the reducer 700. In other words, the reducer 700 itself can serve as a reference point for the entire drive M, that is, the reducer 700 can serve as a reference for the amount of vibration and tilt angle of the entire drive M.

[0206] Because the motor 600 is fixed only to the reducer 700 and not to another part of the garment handling equipment, when vibration is transmitted to the driver M or an external force is transmitted, when the reducer 700 tilts or vibrates, the motor 600 can always tilt or vibrate simultaneously with the reducer 700.

[0207] Therefore, the reducer 700 and the driver 600 can form a vibration system, and the reducer 700 and the driver 600 can remain fixed to each other without relative motion.

[0208] The stator 610 of the drive 600 can be directly connected to the reducer 700 for fixation. Therefore, the mounting position of the drive shaft 630 relative to the reducer 700 does not need to be changed. The center of the drive shaft 630 and the center of the reducer 700 can be arranged to coincide with each other, and the drive shaft 630 can rotate while remaining coaxial with the center of the reducer 700.

[0209] The terms “coaxial” and “coincident” mentioned above do not imply a physically perfect coaxial and coincident state, but rather accept the concept of an acceptable range of error in mechanical engineering or a horizontal range acceptable to those skilled in the art as coaxial or coincident. For example, a range in which the drive shaft 630 and the rotary shaft 740 are misaligned with each other by 5 degrees or less can be defined as coaxial or coincident.

[0210] Since the drive shaft 630 rotates relative to the reducer 700 but is fixed to prevent tilting, and the stator 610 is also fixed to the reducer 700, the distance between the stator 610 and the rotor 620 can always be maintained. Therefore, collisions between the stator 610 and the rotor 620 can be prevented, and noise or vibration that may occur when the rotor 620 rotates relative to the stator 610 and its center of rotation changes can be fundamentally prevented.

[0211] The rotating shaft 740 can be configured to extend towards the roller 200 inside the reducer 700, vibrate with the reducer 700, and tilt with the reducer 700. That is, the rotating shaft 740 can be configured to rotate only within the reducer 700, and its mounting position can be fixed. Therefore, the rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630 can always be arranged parallel to each other and can be coaxial with each other. In other words, the center of the rotating shaft 740 and the center of the drive shaft 630 can remain coincident.

[0212] The reducer 700 and motor 600 can be designed such that when there is no load on the roller 200 or the motor 600 is not in operation, the reducer and motor are arranged along a first axis S1 parallel to the ground. The drive shaft 630 and the rotation shaft 740 can also be arranged parallel to the first axis S1.

[0213] However, when vibration occurs in the drum 200 or the motor 600, the vibration is transmitted to the reducer 700, and the reducer 700 vibrates or tilts, so the reducer 700 can be temporarily tilted toward the second axis S2.

[0214] In this respect, since the motor 600 is connected to the reducer 700, the motor 600 can vibrate or tilt together with the reducer 700, thus arranging itself parallel to the second axis S2. Accordingly, the drive shaft 630 and the rotation shaft 740 can also be arranged parallel to the second axis S2.

[0215] Therefore, even when the reducer 700 is tilted, the motor 600 can move as a whole with the reducer 700, and the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 can remain coaxial with each other.

[0216] Therefore, since the drive shaft 630 and the rotation shaft 740 are always inclined relative to the reducer 700, the reducer 700 can serve as the point of action P1 of a lever or seesaw. That is, the reducer 700 can be used as the first point of action P1 of a vibration system including the motor 600. In one example, the reducer 700 is connected to the roller 200 via the rotation shaft 740, and the roller 200 is spaced apart from the rear housing 420 so that the load of the roller 200 can be transmitted to the reducer 700. The system including the roller 200 and the motor 600 can form a vibration system, and the reducer 700 can be used as the reference point or point of action p1 of this vibration system.

[0217] Even if the reducer 700 itself is used as the center or point of action P1 of the vibration system, the reducer 700 must be fixed or supported within the housing 100.

[0218] Therefore, the reducer 700 can be securely connected to the rear housing 420. In this case, since the reducer 700 will tilt or vibrate when connected to the rear housing 420, it can be seen that the rear housing 420 serves as the center of the vibration system including the reducer 700, the motor 600, and the roller 200. Even in this case, the motor 600 can be connected and fixed only to the reducer 700, without being directly connected to the rear housing 420, although the motor 600 can contact the rear housing 420.

[0219] Specifically, the mounting portion 429 of the rear housing 420 can be used as the second point of action P2 of the lever or seesaw formed by the reducer 700, the motor 600 and the roller 200.

[0220] The reducer 700, motor 600, and roller 200, after being arranged parallel to the first axis S1, can be made parallel to the third axis S3. The third axis S3 can pass through the reducer 700 connected to the rear housing 420. In this respect, since the reducer 700 and motor 600 are connected to each other, the motor 600 can also be arranged parallel to the third axis S3.

[0221] Therefore, the drive 600 and the roller 200 are connected to the reducer 700 so that the drive 600 and the roller 200 can tilt parallel to each other or vibrate simultaneously relative to the reducer 700.

[0222] According to this disclosure, the roller 200 of the garment handling apparatus is supported by a reducer 700 and is not connected to a belt. Therefore, when the roller 200 is rotated by the reducer 700, the roller 200 may be lifted upward or tilted downward by centrifugal force or the like.

[0223] To prevent this, the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure may further include a stop 500 for fixing the position of the roller 200. The stop 500 may include a front stop 510 disposed in front of the roller 200 and a rear stop 520 disposed behind the roller.

[0224] In this respect, the roller 200 can be lifted upward relative to the rotation axis 740. Therefore, the front stop 510 can be configured to contact the upper front part of the roller.

[0225] Furthermore, the roller 200 may sag downwards due to the weight of the clothing. Therefore, the rear stop 520 can be configured to contact the lower rear portion of the roller 200.

[0226] The front stop 510 can be connected to the mounting portion 416 of the front housing 410, while the rear stop 520 can be supported on the upper part of the heat exchanger 950.

[0227] Figure 7 A stop 500 is shown, which supports the roller 200 of the garment handling device according to the present disclosure.

[0228] The roller 200 is connected to the free end of the rotating shaft 740 and rotates. The rotating shaft 740 can be fixed to the reducer 700 to prevent misalignment with the reducer 700.

[0229] However, due to the load of the clothing or the falling of clothing during rotation, the roller 200 may be misaligned upwards or downwards. Therefore, the roller 200 may be misaligned upwards or downwards relative to the free end of the rotation shaft 740.

[0230] In particular, the roller 200 can vibrate or tilt independently of the free end of the rotating shaft 740. That is, the roller 200 can be made of a material with elastic force, thus allowing for a certain degree of deformation. This is to prevent excessive vibration or external force from being transmitted to the rotating shaft 740, thereby preventing the rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630 from becoming misaligned with each other.

[0231] Furthermore, since the roller 200 is not fixed by a belt or the like, excessive vibration energy may occur when the roller 200 rotates while containing clothing.

[0232] In one example, a front housing 410 and a rear housing 420 are respectively disposed in front of and behind the roller 200. The front housing 410 can avoid direct contact with the front surface of the roller 200 via the inlet communication hole 412 and the washer 413. However, since the rear surface of the roller 200 is directly connected to the rotating shaft 740, the rear portion of the roller body 210 is shielded by the rear surface 220 of the roller, and the mounting portion 429 of the drive M must be installed on the portion of the rear housing 420 directly facing the rear surface 220 of the roller. In other words, the rear housing 420 cannot have a surface defined as a through hole facing the roller, unlike the front housing 410.

[0233] Therefore, when the rear shell 420 rotatably supports the rear part or rear surface of the roller 200 like the front shell 410, there is a risk of direct friction and collision between the rear surface 220 of the roller and the rear shell 420.

[0234] Specifically, the rear housing 420 has many components that interfere with the rear surface 220 of the roller due to the roller receiving groove 422 (described later), the air flow hole 423, and the mounting portion 429. In this case, when the rear housing 420 directly supports the roller 200, the rear surface 220 of the roller and the rear housing 420 may be worn or damaged.

[0235] Therefore, the rear shell 420 needs to maintain a certain distance from the roller 200, and the rear shell 420 itself may not be able to directly support the roller 200.

[0236] Furthermore, when the roller 200 contains a large amount of clothing, it can rotate while moving along the direction of the front shell 410 or the rear shell 420, since there is no belt or the like.

[0237] Taking this into full consideration, the garment handling apparatus of this disclosure may further include a stop 500 to limit the movement of the roller 200 within permissible limits.

[0238] The stop 500 may include: a front stop 510 connected to the front housing 410 to support the upper front end of the roller; a support wheel 533 rotatably disposed on the front housing 410 to support the lower front end of the roller; and a rear stop 520 connected to the rear housing 420 to support the lower rear end of the roller.

[0239] The roller 200 can be rotated by being supported by the driver M and the support wheel 533, and the front stop 510 and the rear stop 520 can be configured to restrict the roller 200 only when the roller 200 moves excessively. Therefore, the front stop 510 and the rear stop 520 can buffer the vibration or temporary impact of the roller 200, and can prevent the front stop 510 and the rear stop 520 from damaging the roller 200.

[0240] Reference Figure 7In (a), the front stop 510 may include: a fixed plate 5111 connected to the stop mounting portion 416 of the front housing 410; a lever plate 5112 extending rearward from the fixed plate 5111; an extension plate 5113 extending downward from the lever plate 5112; a support plate 512 extending from the extension plate 5113 and disposed at the upper front end of the roller 200; and a felt 513 connected to the lower part of the support plate 512 and in contact with the roller 200.

[0241] Therefore, when the roller 200 is lifted upward, while the lever plate 5112 and the extension plate 5113 are lifted upward to a certain extent, the front stop 510 can absorb the impact force of the roller 200, and the felt 513 can rub against the front of the roller 200 to limit the roller 200 from being lifted excessively upward.

[0242] The outer peripheral surface of the garment inlet 211 of the roller 200 may include a contact portion 213 having a diameter smaller than that of the roller body 210, for contact with the support wheel 533 or the felt 513. Thus, the felt 513 and the support wheel 533 are precisely positioned on the contact portion 213 to restrict the movement of the roller 200.

[0243] The front stop 510 can be configured to be spaced at a specific distance from the upper front end of the roller. This specific distance may correspond to the distance by which the roller 200 may deviate from the washer 413 during rotation, or the range by which the roller 200 may excessively twist the rotating shaft 740.

[0244] Reference Figure 7 In (b) of the front stop 510, the support plate 512 and the felt 513 may be formed as a contact wheel 532, which rotatably contacts the contact portion 213.

[0245] Therefore, the support wheel 533 can support the lower part of the contact portion 213, and the contact wheel can support the upper part of the contact portion 213 to prevent the roller 200 from deviating from the inlet communication hole 412.

[0246] Reference Figure 7 Therefore, as shown in (c), the rear housing 420 and the roller 200 can be spaced apart from each other. The rear stop 520 and the driver M can support the rear of the roller 200, and the rear stop 520 can prevent the roller 200 from approaching the rear housing 420 excessively. Thus, damage caused by friction or contact between the rear housing 420 and the roller 200 can be prevented.

[0247] A rear stop 520 can be provided in front of the rear shell 420 to prevent the rear surface 220 of the roller from contacting and colliding with the rear shell 420. When the roller 200 rotates while containing clothing, since the roller 200 is not fixed by a belt, the roller 200 not only moves up or down, but also generates an external force that moves forward or backward.

[0248] Because the rear housing 420 supports the load of the driver M, the rear housing 420 must be made of a material with a thickness greater than that of the front housing 410 or a rigidity greater than that of the front housing 410. Therefore, when the roller 200 moves downward, since the rear housing 420 supports the roller 200 without cushioning its movement, it can generate a repulsive force that pushes the roller 200 upward.

[0249] During this process, the roller 200 may be forcefully pressed against the front housing 410, and in severe cases, the door 130 may be forcibly opened.

[0250] Therefore, the rear stop 520 can be spaced a reference distance from the rear surface of the roller 200 to allow the roller 200 to move rearward to a certain extent. This prevents the roller 200 from excessively pressing against the front housing 410.

[0251] The reference distance can be defined as the distance at which the rear surface of the roller 200 and the rear stop 520 can contact and support each other when the amount of clothing equal to or greater than the reference amount of clothing is contained in the roller 200 and the roller 200 is pushed backward while rotating.

[0252] Therefore, the rear stop 520 supports the roller 200 only when the roller 200 has moved rearward a reference distance, thereby preventing wear on the rear stop 520. A felt that can contact the roller 200 can be attached to the rear stop 520.

[0253] In addition, the roller 200 and the rear shell 420 can be set to be spaced apart from each other by a certain distance, which is equal to or greater than a reference distance.

[0254] The rear stop 520 may include: a support connection portion 521 supported on the bottom surface of the hot air supply 900 or the housing 100; a support leg 522 extending from the support connection portion 521 toward the roller 200; an extension portion 524 extending forward obliquely from the support leg 522; and a limiting portion 525 extending from the extension portion 524 to face the rear surface 220 of the roller.

[0255] The support leg 522 may further have a cutting groove 523 defined therein to enhance rigidity.

[0256] The extension 524 extends obliquely from the support leg 522 to enhance the rigidity of the entire rear stop 520, while also cushioning the external force applied from the roller 200 to some extent.

[0257] The extension 524 may include an inclined extension 5241 extending forward from the support leg 522, and a straight extension 5242 extending upward from the inclined extension 5241.

[0258] The limiting portion 525 may include: a spacer 5251 extending rearward from the straight extension 5242 and spaced apart from the rear surface 220 of the roller; and a load support 5252 extending from the spacer 5251 and disposed facing the lower portion of the rear surface 220 of the roller.

[0259] To enhance the rigidity of the load support 5252, a bending portion 5253 may be further installed, which is provided through the free end of the bending load support 5252.

[0260] The rear stop 520 can be blocked by the partition 5251 to prevent direct contact with the rear surface of the roller 200. Instead, it can allow the roller 200 to move rearward to a certain extent.

[0261] Therefore, the rear housing 420 can be positioned between the rear stop 520 and the reducer 700 or the driver 600.

[0262] In one example, the rear stop 520 may be positioned at a distance from the lower part of the roller. This distance may correspond to the distance by which the roller 200 deviates from the sealing portion 490-450 or the distance by which the roller 200 excessively twists the rotation axis 740.

[0263] In other words, the straight extension 5242 can be configured to be spaced a certain distance from the rear surface of the roller 200.

[0264] Figure 8 The structure of the rear cover 420 of the rear cover of this disclosure is shown.

[0265] The motor 600 is connected and fixed to the reducer 700. Therefore, even though the reducer 700 itself serves as a reference for the position and vibration of the drive M, the reducer 700 needs to be supported when it is set on the rear surface of the roller 200 in order to rotate the roller 200.

[0266] Therefore, the reducer 700 can be mounted on the rear housing 420 and supported within the housing 100. However, the motor 600 and the roller 200 can be arranged spaced apart from the rear housing 420. This is to prevent the motor 600 or the roller 200 from interfering with components other than the reducer 700 and to move independently of the reducer 700.

[0267] Therefore, the rear housing 420 can be used as the point of action of a seesaw in a rotating or vibrating system including a reducer 700, a motor 600, and a roller 200.

[0268] The rear housing 420 may include: a rear plate 421 disposed on the rear surface of the roller 200 and positioned facing the front plate 411; and a roller receiving groove 422 protruding from the rear plate 421 to have a shape corresponding to the rear surface 220 of the roller. The roller receiving groove 422 may be spaced apart from the rear surface 220 of the roller, but may protrude from the rear plate 421 to have a diameter and depth for partially receiving the outer peripheral surface of the rear surface 220 of the roller. That is, the roller receiving groove 422 may protrude from the rear plate 421 by a first height L1 so that the rear surface 220 of the roller is partially received in the front portion of the rear plate 421. A plurality of connecting holes 424 may be defined in the roller receiving groove 422, the connecting holes facing the suction holes 224 of the rear surface 220 of the roller and allowing air to pass through therethrough. A reinforcing bend 426 may be provided between two adjacent connecting holes 424, each reinforcing bend capable of enhancing rigidity. Each reinforcing bend 426 is configured to be recessed or protruding between two adjacent connecting holes 424 to prevent weakening of the rigidity of a portion of the rear plate 421 located between the two adjacent connecting holes 424. The plurality of connecting holes 424 are components that allow hot air supplied from the hot air supply 900 to be supplied to the roller 200. In this respect, since the roller receiving groove 422 accommodates the rear surface 220 of the roller, hot air discharged from the connecting holes 424 can be supplied to the suction holes 224. In one example, the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure may further include a sealing portion 450 configured to seal the space between the roller receiving groove 422 and the rear surface 220 of the roller, and the sealing portion 450 may be accommodated and mounted in the roller receiving groove 422.

[0269] Therefore, the roller receiving groove 422 can provide space in which the sealing part 450 can be installed, and strengthen the rigidity of the back plate 421.

[0270] The mounting portion 490 can be provided by being recessed into the roller receiving groove 422 in a direction opposite to the direction in which it protrudes from the roller receiving groove 422. The mounting portion 490 can be provided by being recessed to a depth L2 from the inner circumferential surface of the roller receiving groove 422. The mounting portion 490 is provided by being recessed into the roller receiving groove 422 so that the rigidity of the roller receiving groove 422 can also be strengthened, and at the same time, the overall rigidity of the rear plate 421 can be strengthened.

[0271] Furthermore, the mounting portion 490 can be recessed forward into the roller receiving groove 422 L2 to be positioned closer to the rear surface 220 of the roller. Therefore, the distance between the reducer 700, which is mounted and fixed to the mounting portion 490, and the rear surface 220 of the roller can be reduced, and the length of the rotating shaft 740 connecting the reducer 700 and the rear surface 220 of the roller can be further reduced. This not only ensures the durability of the rotating shaft 740 but also reduces the range of angles at which the rotating shaft 740 can be twisted.

[0272] Furthermore, the mounting portion 490 may be recessed into the roller receiving groove 422, but may have a diameter larger than that of the reducer 700 and the driver 600. Therefore, at least a portion of the reducer 700 and the motor 600 may be accommodated in the mounting portion 490 to reduce the overall thickness of the housing 100.

[0273] Mounting portion 490 may include: a shaft through-hole 4291 through which a rotating shaft 740 extending from the reducer 700 through the rear plate 421 passes; a mounting surface 4292 disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft through-hole 4291 to support the reducer 700; and a mounting groove 4294 extending rearward from the mounting surface 4292 toward the roller receiving groove. A fastening portion 4293, which engages with the reducer 700 or the coupling portion 800 to connect the reducer 700 to the mounting surface 4292, may be mounted on the mounting surface 4292.

[0274] In one example, at least a portion of the reducer 700 or the motor 600 may be accommodated in the mounting slot 4294. Accordingly, a wire support slot 4295 for supplying current to the stator 610 may be defined by an outward recess from the mounting slot 4294. The diameter of the mounting slot 4294 may be larger than the diameter of the driver M.

[0275] In one example, the rear housing 420 may further include an airflow hole 423 for conveying hot air supplied from the connector 930 to the pipe cover 430. Air introduced into the airflow hole 423 may be introduced along the pipe cover 430 into the communication hole 424.

[0276] Figure 9 The motor 600 of the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure is shown connected to the reducer 700.

[0277] The reducer 700 can be mounted and supported on the mounting portion 429 to rotate the roller 200. The stator 610 can be directly coupled and fixed to the reducer 700 and can be spaced apart from the mounting portion 429. The rotor 620 can be supported by the reducer 700 via a drive shaft 630 coupled to the reducer 700 and can be provided to rotate relative to the stator 610.

[0278] Since the stator 610 is connected to the reducer 700, the reducer 700 and the motor 600 can be arranged parallel to each other, along the same axis S. The motor 600 can have a center of rotation located on the same axis S, and the reducer 700 can also have a center of rotation located on the same axis S.

[0279] Therefore, the rotor 620 can also rotate relative to the same axis S, and the rotating shaft 740 extending from the reducer 700 can also rotate relative to the same axis S.

[0280] The reducer 700 can be directly connected to secure the stator 610. The stator 610 can be arranged spaced apart from the rear housing 420 and spaced apart from the mounting portion 429.

[0281] In one example, the stator 610 can be supported by contact with the rear housing 420, and can also be additionally connected to the rear housing 420 when the stator 610 is directly fixed to the reducer 700.

[0282] Because the stator 610 is connected to the reducer 700, and the reducer 700 changes the rotational speed of the drive shaft 630 to rotate the rotating shaft 740, the roller 200 can also rotate relative to the same axis S.

[0283] Even when the reducer 700 vibrates or rotates and the same axis S is misaligned, the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 can be set parallel to the same axis S.

[0284] Therefore, the reducer 700 can be connected to and fixed to the rear housing 420.

[0285] Because the reducer 700 is connected to the rear of the rear housing 420, and the roller 200 is located in front of the rear housing 420, the rear housing 420 can be positioned between the roller 200 and the reducer 700.

[0286] When the drum rotation shaft 740 passes through the rear housing 420, the reducer 700 can rotate the drum and support the load of the drum through the drum rotation shaft 740.

[0287] Furthermore, it can be seen that the rear housing 420 is disposed between the roller 200 and the motor 600. The reducer 700 can be disposed between the roller 200 and the motor 600 so as to be supported by the rear housing 420.

[0288] In this respect, both the roller 200 and the motor 600 can be completely separated from the rear housing 420. Therefore, the reducer 700 can be used as a support center for the roller 200 and the motor 600.

[0289] Furthermore, it can be seen that the roller 200 is positioned in front of and spaced apart from the rear housing 420, the motor is positioned behind and spaced apart from the rear housing 420, and the reducer 700 is connected to the rear housing from the rear by passing through the rear housing to connect the motor 600 and the roller 200 to each other.

[0290] Therefore, the roller 200 and the motor 600 can be configured to transfer at least a portion of the load to the rear housing 420 via the reducer 700.

[0291] Therefore, the motor 600, the reducer 700, and the roller 200 can tilt or vibrate simultaneously relative to the rear housing 420.

[0292] Furthermore, since the stator 610 is fixed to the reducer 700, the drive shaft 630 can tilt together with the reducer 700 or vibrate simultaneously with the reducer 700.

[0293] Figure 10 The appearance of the speed reducer 700 is shown.

[0294] The reducer 700 may include reducer housings 710 and 720 that form the exterior of the reducer 700 and house the gearbox therein. The reducer housing may include a first housing 710 facing the motor 600 and a second housing 720 facing the roller 200.

[0295] Reference Figure 10 In (a), most of the gearbox within the reducer 700 can be housed within the first housing 710, while the second housing 720 can be configured to shield the interior of the reducer 700. Therefore, the length of the roller 200 can be further extended by reducing the overall thickness of the reducer 700.

[0296] The second housing 720 may include: a blocking body 722 configured to shield the first housing 710; a connecting body 721 extending along the circumference of the blocking body 722 and connected to the first housing 710; and a shaft support 723 configured to support a rotating shaft 740 in the blocking body 722.

[0297] The blocking body 722 can be formed in the shape of a disc, and the connecting body 721 can extend from the blocking body 722 toward a part of the first housing 710, while having a certain thickness.

[0298] In one example, the connecting body 721 may be disposed in the first housing 710 to connect the blocking body 722.

[0299] The shaft support 723 prevents the rotating shaft 740 from becoming misaligned, thus maintaining alignment between the rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630.

[0300] The fastening part 780 can be installed on the connecting body 721. The fastening part has a certain thickness to fix the reducer 700 to the stator 610 or the mounting part 429.

[0301] The fastening portion 780 may protrude outward from the coupling body 721 and may be integrally formed with the coupling body 721. The fastening portion 780 may include at least one of a fastening protrusion 781 that can be engaged with the stator 610 and a coupling protrusion 782 that can be engaged with the mounting portion 429. The coupling protrusion 782 may include a plurality of coupling protrusions spaced apart from each other along the outer peripheral surface of the coupling body 721, and the plurality of coupling protrusions may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other at the same angle relative to the shaft receiving portion 713.

[0302] Reference Figure 10 In (b), the first housing 710 is formed in a multi-step shape to accommodate gears of various diameters. Generally, the gearbox coupled to the reducer 700 may include: a sun gear; planetary gears orbiting the sun gear; and a ring gear housing the planetary gears therein to cause them to rotate. The first housing 710 may include: a ring gear housing 711, coupled to the second housing 720 and housing the ring gear therein; and a planetary gear housing 712, extending from the ring gear housing 711 away from the second housing 720, thereby housing one end of the planetary gear therein.

[0303] The diameter of the planetary gear housing 712 can be smaller than that of the ring gear housing 711. However, the centers of the planetary gear housing 712 and the ring gear housing 711 can be designed to be located on the same axis S.

[0304] A drive shaft 630, rotatably connected to the rotor 620, can be connected to the planetary gear housing 712. The drive shaft 630 can be inserted into the first housing 710 and rotatably supported by a gearbox within the first housing 710.

[0305] A shim 640 for rotatably supporting the rotor 620 may be disposed on one surface of the planetary gear housing 712, and a shim protrusion 7121 may be mounted thereon, to which the shim 640 is engaged and secured. Furthermore, the planetary gear housing 712 may include a shim connection hole 7122 defined therein, to which the shim 640 may be rotatably connected.

[0306] The gasket protrusion 7121 and the gasket connecting hole 7122 may each include a plurality of gasket protrusions and a plurality of gasket connecting holes arranged at an angle to each other relative to the drive shaft 630.

[0307] The fastening protrusion 781 may have a larger cross-sectional area and thickness than the connecting protrusion 782. Therefore, the connection force between the fastening protrusion 781 and the stator 610 can be strengthened, and vibrations transmitted from the stator 610 can be more easily tolerated.

[0308] The stator 610 can be mounted on the fastening protrusion 781 and connected to the fastening protrusion 781 by a separate fastening member. The fastening protrusion may have a fastening protrusion hole 7811 defined therein, to which the fastening member fastened by the stator 610 can be fastened, and the fastening protrusion hole 7811 may have a thread formed therein, which can be engaged with the fastening member.

[0309] Figure 11 The structure of the connection between the stator 610 and the reducer 700 is shown.

[0310] The stator 610 may include: a body 611, fixed to the reducer 700 and forming an annular shape; a fixing rib 612, extending from the inner circumferential surface of the body 611 and connected to a fastening protrusion 781; a tooth 614, extending from the outer circumferential surface of the body 611 along the circumference of the body 611 and winding a coil around the tooth; a pole shoe 615, disposed at the free end of the tooth 614 to prevent the coil from deviating; and a terminal 616, controlling the current supply to the coil.

[0311] The main body 611 may have a receiving space 613. The fixing rib 612 may include a plurality of fixing ribs disposed inside the main body 611 and spaced apart from each other at a certain angle relative to the receiving space 613. A fixing rib hole 6121 may be defined inward from the fixing rib 612, and a fixing member connected to the fastening protrusion 781 is installed in the fixing rib hole.

[0312] Because the stator 610 is directly connected to the reducer 700, the reducer 700 can be connected to the stator 610 by being at least partially housed in the stator 610.

[0313] In particular, when the reducer 700 is housed within the stator 610, the overall thickness of the drive M can be reduced to further increase the volume of the roller 200. Furthermore, when the reducer 700 is housed within the stator 610, the rotating shaft 740 of the reducer 700 and the drive shaft 630 can be more precisely kept coaxial with each other.

[0314] Therefore, the diameter of the reducer 700 can be smaller than the diameter of the body 611. That is, the maximum diameter of the first housing 710 and the second housing 720 can be smaller than the diameter of the body 611. Thus, at least a portion of the reducer 700 can be accommodated and disposed within the body 611. However, the fastening protrusion 781 can extend to overlap with the fixing rib 612 in the reducer housing. Thus, the fastening protrusion 781 can be coupled to the fixing rib 612, and portions of the first housing 710 and the second housing 720 can be located within the body 611.

[0315] The fixing rib 612 may include a first fixing rib 612a that is directly connected to the fastening protrusion 781, and a second fixing rib 612b that is not directly connected to the fastening protrusion 781 but can support the fastening protrusion 781 or the first housing 710.

[0316] The connecting protrusion 782 can be configured to be misaligned with the fastening protrusion 781 to prevent interference with the fastening protrusion 781.

[0317] Figure 12 The structure of the connection between the motor 600 and the reducer 700 is shown.

[0318] The stator 610 is connected to the reducer 700. The stator 610 may be connected to one surface of the reducer 700, but may also be connected to a fastening protrusion 781 protruding outward from the housing of the reducer 700, so that at least a portion of the reducer housing can be accommodated within the body 611. Therefore, the center of the body 611, the center of the reducer 700, and the rotation shaft 740 can always be coaxial with each other.

[0319] In one example, the rotor 620 can be configured to house the stator 610 while being spaced apart from the pole shoes 615. Since the drive shaft 630 is fixedly housed in the reducer 700 within the body 611, the clearance G1 between the rotor 620 and the stator 610 can always be maintained.

[0320] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the rotor 620 and stator 610 from colliding with each other or rotating while being temporarily twisted in the stator 610, thereby preventing noise or unnecessary vibration.

[0321] In one example, the virtual first diameter line D1 passing through the center of the reducer 700 and the center of the drive shaft 630, the virtual second diameter line D2 passing through the center of the body 611, and the virtual third diameter line D3 passing through the center of the rotor 620 can all be set at the rotation center of the drive shaft 630.

[0322] Therefore, since the reducer 700 itself becomes the rotation center of the drive shaft 630, and the stator 610 is directly fixed to the reducer 700, the drive shaft 630 can be prevented from being misaligned with the reducer 700. Thus, the reliability of the reducer 700 can be guaranteed.

[0323] Figure 13 The structure in which the roller 200 is connected to the driver M is shown.

[0324] The roller 200 and the drive M are installed inside the housing 100. In this respect, in order to increase the drying capacity, it is necessary to increase at least one of the diameter and length of the roller 200. Accordingly, the volume of the housing 100 will also increase.

[0325] In this regard, since the height and length of the housing 100 are fixed or standardized, it may be necessary to increase the length of the roller 200 as much as possible in order to expand the drying capacity inside the housing 100.

[0326] As the length T3 of the drive increases, the length T2 of the drum decreases, thus reducing the drying capacity of the drum. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the length T3 of the drive to ensure the length T2 of the drum is maintained as much as possible (see...). Figure 4 ).

[0327] In order to extend the rotating shaft from the drum 200, and in order to connect the drive M while supporting the rotating shaft extending from the drum, the length of the drive M is increased in the direction of the rotating shaft to fully support and accommodate the rotating shaft.

[0328] Furthermore, when the reducer 700 is installed in the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure, the reducer 700 can only extend in the direction of the rotating shaft to accommodate and support the rotating shaft extending from the roller without causing the rotating shaft to twist. As the total length T3 of the drive M increases, there is a risk that the length T2 of the roller 200 may decrease.

[0329] Furthermore, the gearbox connected to the drive shaft 630 is located within the reducer 700, and the gearbox has a complex construction. In this case, since the rotating shaft extending from the roller 200 and the gearbox cannot be manufactured as a single unit, a separate component must be added to connect the rotating shaft extending from the roller 200 to the gearbox.

[0330] Therefore, the volume of the reducer 700 can be further increased, thereby further reducing the length T2 of the roller 200.

[0331] Furthermore, in order for the rotating shaft to protrude and extend from the rear surface 220 of the drum, a star-shaped wheel extending toward the circumference of the rear surface 220 of the drum or the inner circumferential surface of the drum body 210 is necessary so that the rotating shaft can be fixed to the rear surface 220 of the drum. When the star-shaped wheel is connected to the rear surface 220 of the drum, the total length T2 of the drum can be reduced, or the internal volume of the drum can be reduced due to the thickness of the star-shaped wheel.

[0332] Therefore, when the driver M accommodates the rotating shaft extending from the roller and is connected in a concave-convex coupling to rotate (similar to the roller in the related art (driver: concave; roller: convex)), the length T3 of the top of the driver at the outer side of the rear surface 220 of the roller is unnecessarily increased, and the length T2 of the roller 200 is reduced by that much.

[0333] Therefore, the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure can be configured such that the rotating shaft 740 extends from the driver M, and the roller 200 is connected to the rotating shaft 740 for rotation. In other words, the rotating shaft 740 can protrude from the driver, and the roller 200 can be connected to the free end of the rotating shaft 740 for rotation (driver: convex; roller: concave).

[0334] The center of the rear surface 220 of the drum can be connected to the free end of the rotating shaft 740 extending from the reducer 700 to receive the rotational force provided by the rotating shaft 740 to rotate the drum body 210.

[0335] From another perspective, since the roller 200 is rotatably supported by stop members 500 such as support wheels 533 and front housings, the roller 200 can rotate easily when only rotational force is applied to it. Therefore, when the rotating shaft 740 extending from the reducer 700 applies only rotational force to the roller 200, the roller 200 can rotate easily.

[0336] Furthermore, since the rotating shaft 740 is housed and supported in the reducer 700, the rear surface 220 of the roller does not require a star wheel to support the rotating shaft 740 and thus is not twisted.

[0337] Therefore, the rotating shaft 740 supported in the reducer 700 can be easily connected to the rear surface 220 of the drum to rotate the drum 200.

[0338] The reducer 700 can be directly coupled to the rear surface 220 of the roller. However, the rear surface 220 of the roller needs to have considerable thickness and rigidity in order to be securely coupled to the rotating shaft 740. In this case, the weight of the roller 200 may increase unnecessarily, and more energy may be consumed when the reducer 700 rotates the roller 200.

[0339] Therefore, the bushing portion 300, which is configured to be connected to the rotating shaft 740, can be additionally connected to the rear surface 220 of the roller. That is, the bushing portion 300 can be made of a robust material or manufactured to be thicker so as to maintain its shape and rigidity even when connected to the rotating shaft 740 and its rotational direction is changed or it is rapidly accelerated and rotated. Furthermore, the rear surface 220 of the roller can be made of a material softer than the bushing portion 300, or it can be manufactured to be thinner than the bushing portion 300.

[0340] Therefore, the rotating shaft 740 extending from the reducer 700 can be connected to the bushing portion 300, and the bushing portion 300 can be connected to the rear surface 220 of the roller.

[0341] The rear surface 220 of the roller may include a circumferential portion 221 for shielding the rear of the roller body 210 and a mounting portion 223 extending inward from the circumferential portion 221 and connected to the bushing portion 300. The circumferential portion 221 may have a suction hole through which hot air supplied from the hot air supplier 900 is introduced into the roller body 210, and the outer circumferential surface of the circumferential portion 221 may have a connecting bend 2211 that can be securely connected to the rear surface of the roller body 210.

[0342] The mounting portion 223 may be located at the center of the rear surface 220 of the roller and may have a diameter that is the same as or larger than that of the bushing portion 300. The mounting portion 223 may have a mounting hole 222 defined at its center, in which a portion of the bushing portion 300 connected to the shaft may be accommodated.

[0343] The mounting portion 223 can be recessed inward from the circumferential portion 221. The mounting portion 223 can be recessed into the circumferential portion 221 to enhance the overall rigidity of the rear surface 220 of the roller and to distribute the rotational force to maintain the shape of the rear surface 220 of the roller even when it is connected to the bushing portion 300.

[0344] The mounting portion 223 has a diameter larger than that of the reducer 700 and larger than that of the mounting portion 429, and is recessed forward from the rear surface 220 of the roller so that at least a portion of the driver M can be accommodated.

[0345] Therefore, by reducing the distance between the roller 200 and the driver M, the length of the rotating shaft 740 can be further reduced, and the length T2 of the roller can be further increased.

[0346] The mounting portion 223 may include a receiving surface 2231 extending inwardly from the inner circumferential surface of the circumferential portion 221 from the roller body 210, and a support surface 2232 extending from the receiving surface 2231 to face the driver M. A mounting surface 2233 may be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the support surface 2232, on which the bushing portion 300 may be mounted and fixed. A mounting hole 222 may be defined in the inner circumferential surface of the mounting surface 2233, the diameter of which may be equal to or greater than the diameter of the bushing portion 300, and may further define a connecting groove 2234 for connection to the bushing portion 300 by bolts or welding.

[0347] The bushing portion 300 can be fixed to the mounting surface 2233 and connected to the rear surface 220 of the roller, and can also be connected to the free end of the rotating shaft 740.

[0348] The bushing portion 300 can be connected to the rotating shaft 740 by accommodating the free end of the rotating shaft 740 therein or by partially accommodating the free end of the rotating shaft 740. Therefore, the connection force between the rotating shaft 740 and the bushing portion 300 can be strengthened.

[0349] In one example, the rotation shaft 740 may not be circular, but rather elliptical or track-shaped, with two opposing sides being semicircular and the remaining two opposing sides being straight. Furthermore, the bushing portion 300 may be configured such that its cross-section makes surface contact with the elliptical or track-shaped rotation shaft 740. This prevents the rotation shaft 740 from rotating futilely within the bushing portion 300.

[0350] Figure 14 An embodiment of the bushing portion 300 is shown.

[0351] Reference Figure 14 In (a), the bushing portion 300 may include: a connecting surface 310 on which the connecting groove 2234 may be disposed and fixed; and a shaft connecting portion 320 disposed inside the connecting surface 310 and connected to the rotating shaft 740. The connecting surface 310 may be formed in the form of a plate and may be supported when the connecting groove 2234 is disposed thereon.

[0352] The bushing portion 300 may have a recessed surface 330 that is recessed inside the inner peripheral surface of the connecting surface 310 to further accommodate the rotating shaft 740 therein, and the shaft connecting portion 320 may be positioned within the recessed surface 330.

[0353] The shaft connection portion 320 can be formed into a tube shape capable of connecting the rotating shaft 740, and can be configured to extend forward or backward from the inner peripheral surface of the recessed surface 330.

[0354] The recessed surface 330 can be formed into a conical shape to be inserted into the mounting hole 222 and to contact and be supported by the inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole 222.

[0355] Reference Figure 14 In (b), the coupling surface 310 may include a plurality of bushing coupling portions 312, which are configured to extend radially relative to the recessed surface 330 or the shaft coupling portion 320.

[0356] The bushing connection portion 312 may further protrude outward from the connection surface 310. The distance from the recessed surface 330 to the outer surface of the bushing connection portion 312 may be greater than the distance from the recessed surface 330 to the portion of the connection surface 310 where the bushing connection portion 312 is not formed. The bushing connection portion 312 may further increase the area of ​​the connection surface 310.

[0357] Furthermore, the bushing connection portion 312 may protrude further from the connection surface 310 in the thickness direction. That is, the bushing connection portion 312 may be thicker than the connection surface 310, or may be formed as the connection surface 310 is pressed in the thickness direction.

[0358] The bushing connection portion 312 may protrude from the connection surface 310 in the direction opposite to the recessed surface 330.

[0359] The bushing connection portion 312 can be fixed by being placed in the connection groove 2234 of the placement portion 223, and can be welded to the connection groove 2234, or fastened to the connection groove 2234 by fastening members such as bolts.

[0360] The bushing connection portion 312 may further include a connection hole 311 through which the fastening member can be connected. The bushing connection portion 312 may further protrude from the connection surface 310 in the thickness direction or in an outward direction to effectively distribute the external force applied from the fastening member.

[0361] The bushing connection portions 312 can be configured to be spaced apart from each other at the same angle relative to the recessed surface 330 or the shaft connection portion 320. That is, when the number of bushing connection portions 312 is n, the bushing connection portions 312 can be spaced apart from each other by 360 / n degrees. For example, when the number of bushing connection portions 312 is 6, the bushing connection portions 312 can be spaced apart from each other by 60 degrees.

[0362] In one example, the bushing connection portion 312 may protrude from the connection surface 310 in two steps. That is, the bushing connection portion 312 may protrude from the connection surface 310 with a relatively large diameter, and may further protrude from the protrusion with a relatively small diameter. Therefore, the bushing connection portion 312 itself can effectively distribute the external force transmitted from the connecting member, and the surface area connected with the connecting member can be increased.

[0363] Furthermore, the connecting groove 2234 defined in the mounting portion 223 on the rear surface 220 of the roller is also formed in two steps in the same manner as the bushing connecting portion 312, so that the connecting surface area of ​​the connecting groove 2234 and the bushing connecting portion 312 can be increased.

[0364] Furthermore, the bushing connection portion 312 can be immediately placed and fixed in the connection groove 2234, thereby making it easy to determine the installation position of the bushing portion 300 and facilitating the connection process of the connecting components.

[0365] In one example, the shaft connection portion 320 may include a connection body 321 to which the rotating shaft 740 is connected. The connection body 321 may be formed in a tubular shape such that the free end of the rotating shaft 740 can make surface contact with and be accommodated within the connection body 321. The connection body 321 may have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the rotating shaft 740.

[0366] The connecting body 321 may include an inner groove 322 in which the rotating shaft 740 is partially inserted and fixed, and the inner groove 322 may have an area corresponding to the area of ​​the rotating shaft 740. The inner peripheral surface of the inner groove 322 may be in surface contact with the rotating shaft 740. That is, the inner groove 322 may have the same shape as the cross-sectional shape of the rotating shaft 740, and may connect and contact the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 740.

[0367] Furthermore, the connecting body 321 may include a connecting plate 323 disposed within the inner groove 322 facing the free end of the rotating shaft 740. The connecting plate 323 may be configured to face the free end of the rotating shaft 740 and to contact and support the free end of the rotating shaft 740. The connecting plate 323 may determine the length of the rotating shaft 740 inserted into the shaft connecting portion 320. Furthermore, even when impact or vibration is transmitted to the rotating shaft 740, the connecting plate 323 may prevent the rotating shaft 740 from being over-inserted.

[0368] Furthermore, the connecting plate 323 may have a rotating shaft connecting groove 3231 defined therein, through which a connecting member capable of connecting to the free end of the rotating shaft passes. The connecting member can be connected by passing through the rotating shaft connecting groove 3231 and through the rotating shaft 740.

[0369] Therefore, it can prevent the rotating shaft 740 from deviating arbitrarily or being removed from the bushing portion 300. In addition, even when the roller 200 vibrates in the back-and-forth direction, the position of the connecting plate 323 connected to the rotating shaft 740 can always be fixed.

[0370] The inner groove 322 can securely fix the rotating shaft 740 so that it does not rotate in vain. For this purpose, a threaded or groove gear 3221 that can improve the contact force with the rotating shaft 740 can be provided on the inner circumferential surface of the inner groove 322.

[0371] The saw teeth that can engage with the slotted gear 3221 can be set on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 740.

[0372] Therefore, when the rotating shaft 740 rotates, the bushing portion 300 rotates at the same speed as the rotating shaft 740, and the bushing portion 300 can rotate the roller 200.

[0373] In one example, when the cross-section of the rotating shaft 740 is not circular but has a straight portion like a polygon or a track shape, and when the cross-section of the inner groove 322 also has a shape corresponding to the shape of the cross-section of the rotating shaft 740, the rotational force and rotational direction of the rotating shaft 740 can be immediately transmitted to the inner groove 322.

[0374] Therefore, even when the rotating shaft 740 accelerates rapidly or changes its rotation direction rapidly, the inner groove 322 can immediately accelerate rapidly along with the rotating shaft 740, or change its rotation direction rapidly. Thus, the rotation of the roller 200 can be controlled together with the rotating shaft 740.

[0375] In one example, the connecting plate 323 may be spaced apart from both ends of the connecting body 321 by a certain length. That is, the connecting plate 323 may be positioned inside the connecting body 321, and an outer groove may be defined at the free end of the connecting body 321 up to the connecting plate 323.

[0376] The free end of the connecting body 321 can accommodate the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member inserted into the connecting groove 3231 by the outer groove, and can prevent the connecting member from being exposed to the outside of the bushing portion 300.

[0377] In one example, the recessed surface 330 may be recessed from the coupling surface 310 by a first length B1. The first length B1 may be set to a length less than the diameter of the coupling surface 310 or the diameter of the recessed surface 330.

[0378] Therefore, the depth of the rotating shaft 740 housed in the bushing portion 300 can be increased to be as much as the depth of the recessed surface 330 and the depth of the shaft connection portion 320. Thus, since the recessed surface 330 is positioned in front of the rear surface 220 of the roller (in the direction of the garment inlet 211), the free end of the rotating shaft 740 can also be housed in front of the rear surface 220 of the roller (in the direction of the garment inlet of the roller). In other words, the rotating shaft 740 can be deeply connected to the roller 200 to such an extent that the free end of the rotating shaft 740 is positioned within the roller body 210.

[0379] Therefore, even when the rotating shaft 740 is rotating, the twisting of the roller body 210 can be eliminated, and the bushing portion 300 can receive the rotational force of the rotating shaft 740 more effectively.

[0380] In one example, due to the presence of the recessed surface 330 and the shaft connection portion 320, the bushing portion 300 is recessed into the roller body 210 only from the rear surface 220 of the roller, and the rear surface 220 of the roller can be positioned behind the free end of the rotating shaft 740 and the shaft connection portion 320 (in the direction of the drive).

[0381] Therefore, while the area where the rotating shaft 740 and the roller 200 are interconnected is increased, the volume of the roller 200 can also be increased.

[0382] In one example, in the shaft connection portion 320, the connection body 321 can be configured to extend in the direction opposite to the recessed surface 330.

[0383] In other words, when the recessed surface 330 extends away from the coupling surface 310 and away from the driver M, the coupling body 321 can extend closer to the driver M from the inner peripheral surface of the recessed surface 330.

[0384] The connecting body 321 can extend from the inner peripheral surface of the recessed surface 330 by a length that is less than the length of the recessed surface 330 extending from the connecting surface 310.

[0385] Therefore, the bushing portion 300 can be prevented from being too long, and the rotating shaft 740 can be connected when at least a portion of the rotating shaft 740 is accommodated in the recessed surface 330. That is, the interior space of the recessed surface 330 can be used as the space where the rotating shaft 740 is connected.

[0386] In one example, the coupling body 321 may further include a portion that extends from the recessed surface 330 away from the driver M. That is, the coupling body 321 may be configured to extend simultaneously from the inner peripheral surface of the recessed surface 330 in the front-back direction (the direction away from and the direction towards the driver).

[0387] Figure 15 An embodiment in which the driver M is coupled to the roller 200 is shown.

[0388] The reducer 700 can be securely connected to the rear housing 420.

[0389] The motor 600 and the reducer 700 can be located together at the rear of the rear housing 420, while the rear surface 220 of the roller can be located in front of the rear housing 420 and the reducer 700.

[0390] The stator 610 of the motor 600 is spaced apart from the rear housing 420, and the terminals 616 that supply current to the stator 610 can be positioned close to or in contact with the rear housing 420, but not connected to or fixed to the rear housing 420.

[0391] The rotor 620 may include: a permanent magnet 623 facing the stator 610; a mounting body 622 to which the permanent magnet 623 is coupled, wherein the mounting body 622 is spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the stator 610; and a rotor body 621 extending from the mounting body 622 and rotating when facing the stator 610. The rotor body 621 may be formed in a disc shape having a diameter larger than that of the stator 610, and the mounting body 622 may be configured such that the outer peripheral surface of the stator 610 is received within the outer peripheral surface of the rotor body 621. The rotor body 621 may have a drive shaft 630 coupled to its center and may define a plurality of inlet holes passing through the area between the drive shaft 630 and the mounting body 622 to allow air to be injected into the stator 610.

[0392] The drive shaft 630 can be connected to a stud 631 that is centrally connected to the rotor body 621 and extends into the reducer 700.

[0393] A shim 640 may be coupled to a drive shaft 630, and the shim is configured to rotatably support the inner surface of the rotor body 621. The shim 640 may include a coupling shim 642 coupled to the drive shaft 630, and a support shim 641 for supporting the rotor body 621 from the coupling shim 642.

[0394] The shim 640 prevents the rotor 620 and drive shaft 630 from being twisted during rotation.

[0395] In one example, the shim 640 may not be connected to the rotor 620, but may be connected to the reducer 700 to rotatably support the rotor 620.

[0396] The first housing 710 of the reducer 700 can be configured to face the rotor body 621, and the second housing 720 can be connected to the first housing 710 to face the rear surface 220 of the drum.

[0397] The gearbox 730 may be disposed within the first housing 710 and the second housing 720. The gearbox 730 may include: a sun gear 731 disposed at or connected to the free end of the drive shaft 630; at least one planet gear 732 configured to engage and rotate with the sun gear 731; a ring gear 733 connected to the outer peripheral surface of the planet gear 732 to cause rotation of the planet gear 732; and a planetary gear carrier 734 rotatably supporting a plurality of planet gears 732.

[0398] Planetary gears 732 may be arranged along the circumference of sun gear 731. Each planetary gear 732 may include: a first planetary body 7321, which engages and rotates with sun gear 731 and ring gear 733; a second planetary body 7322, which may have a smaller diameter than the first planetary body 7321; and a gear shaft 7323, which rotatably supports the first planetary body 7321 and the second planetary body 7322 to planetary gear carrier 734.

[0399] When the sun gear 731 rotates, the planet gear 732 rotates to make the gear shaft 7323 rotate, which in turn makes the planet gear carrier 734 rotate.

[0400] The planetary gear carrier 734 may include a first planetary gear carrier 7341 connected to one end of the gear shaft 7323 and a second planetary gear carrier 7342 connected to the other end of the gear shaft 7323.

[0401] The first planetary gear carrier 7341 and the second planetary gear carrier 7342 can be formed in a ring or a disk shape.

[0402] In one example, the rotation shaft 740 may extend from the rotation center of the second planetary gear carrier 7342. The rotation shaft 740 may be integrally formed with the second planetary gear carrier 7342, or it may be connected to and extend from the second planetary gear carrier 7342.

[0403] The first housing 710 may include: a ring gear housing 711 configured to fix the outer peripheral surface of the first planetary body 7321 or the outer peripheral surface of the ring gear 733; a planetary gear housing 712 extending from the ring gear housing 711 to rotatably accommodate the second planetary body 7322 and the first planetary gear carrier 7341; and a shaft receiving portion 713 extending from the planetary gear housing 712 to rotatably support the drive shaft 630.

[0404] The ring gear housing 711 may form a side surface of the first housing 710, while the planetary gear housing 712 may form at least a portion of that side surface and the surface of the first housing 710 facing the rotor 620. The shaft receiving portion 713 may be formed as a tubular shape extending inwardly from the planetary gear housing 712. The shaft receiving portion 713 may be disposed within a space defined when the diameter of the second planetary body 7322 is smaller than the diameter of the first planetary body 7321. A drive bearing 770 for rotatably supporting the drive shaft 630 may be included on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft receiving portion 713. The drive bearing 770 may include a plurality of drive bearings spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the drive shaft 630.

[0405] Therefore, the drive bearing 770 and the shaft housing 713 do not protrude outside the reducer 700, but are disposed inside the reducer 700 to reduce the length of the space for arranging the drive shaft 630. In other words, the volume of the reducer 700 itself can be reduced, and the distance between the reducer 700 and the motor 600 can also be reduced.

[0406] Therefore, the overall thickness of the driver M can be reduced, and the drive shaft 630 can be prevented from being twisted by connecting the stator 610 closer to the reducer 700.

[0407] Furthermore, since the drive bearing 770 and the shaft receiving portion 713 are located inside the reducer 700, the drive shaft 630 is brought closer to the reducer 700 so that the reducer 700 can be accommodated and located inside the stator 610. Therefore, at least a portion of the reducer 700 can be installed by utilizing the space of the motor 600.

[0408] Therefore, the length of the roller 200 disposed between the rear shell 420 and the front shell 410 can be further extended, and the volume of the roller 200 can be increased.

[0409] In one example, the second housing 720 may include: a coupling body 721 coupled to the ring gear housing 711; a blocking body 722 configured to shield the gearbox 730 relative to the coupling body 721; and a shaft support 723 extending from the blocking body 722 to rotatably support the rotating shaft 740. The shaft support 723 may be formed in a tubular shape extending from the blocking body 722, and a shaft bearing 760 for rotatably supporting the rotating shaft 740 may be mounted within the shaft support 723.

[0410] The shaft support 760 may include a plurality of shaft supports spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft 740.

[0411] The free end of the rotating shaft 740 can be inserted into and connected to the rear surface 220 of the drum. In this respect, the rotating shaft 740 and the rear surface 220 of the drum can be arranged as close to each other as possible. At least one shaft support 760 can be provided in front of the rear surface 220 of the drum.

[0412] When the drive shaft 630 is rotated by the rotor 620, the sun gear 731 rotates, and the planetary gear 732 engages and rotates with the sun gear 731. The first planetary body 7321 engages and rotates with the ring gear 733; however, since the ring gear 733 is fixed, the first planetary body 7321 rotates along the circumference of the sun gear 731 by a reaction force.

[0413] Planetary gear 732 rotates gear shaft 7323, and thus planetary gear carrier 734 rotates. As planetary gear carrier 734 rotates, rotation shaft 740 extending from second planetary gear carrier 7342 rotates.

[0414] In this respect, since the planetary gear 732 engages with the sun gear 731, even when the planetary gear 732 rotates in the opposite direction to the engagement of the sun gear 731, when the planetary gear 732 rotates relative to the ring gear 733, the planetary gear carrier 734 also rotates in the same direction as the sun gear 731 by the reaction force. Therefore, the rotation shaft 740 rotates in the same direction as the sun gear 731.

[0415] In one example, because the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of planetary gear 732 and the diameter of planetary gear carrier 734 are larger than the diameter of sun gear 731, rotating shaft 740 rotates at a lower speed than sun gear 731. Correspondingly, rotating shaft 740 rotates at a lower speed than drive shaft 630. However, since no energy is wasted except for frictional losses, the power transmitted to drive shaft 630 can be transmitted to rotating shaft 740. Therefore, due to the reduced rotational speed of rotating shaft 740, the torque as rotational force can be amplified.

[0416] Because the reducer 700 converts the power corresponding to low torque and high speed generated by the motor 600 into power corresponding to high torque and low speed, it can be defined as the reducer 700 converting the power of the motor 600 and transmitting the converted power to the roller 200.

[0417] In one example, the axial direction of the drive shaft 630 and the axial direction of the rotation shaft 740 can be coaxial with each other. In this respect, since the drive shaft 630 is supported inside the reducer 700 and the stator 610 is also fixedly connected to the reducer 700, the orientation formed by the drive shaft 630 and the reducer 700 can be maintained almost at all times.

[0418] In this respect, since the gearbox 730 is fixed within the reducer 700 via a gear connection, and the rotating shaft 740 is also fixed within the gearbox 730 via the reducer housing 720 and the bearing 770, the direction in which the rotating shaft 740 extends from the reducer 700 can be maintained almost always. Therefore, the rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630 can remain almost always coaxial with each other. The rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630 can tilt together with the reducer housing or vibrate simultaneously with the reducer housing.

[0419] The rotating shaft 740 is connected to the bushing portion 300 by a shaft support 723 extending from the second housing 720. Specifically, the rotating shaft 740 may be rotatably supported by at least one first support 760 disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft support 723, and the free end of the rotating shaft 740 may be inserted into and secured to the shaft connection portion 320.

[0420] The following section describes a structure that ensures the length of the roller 200 by minimizing the space occupied independently by the drive M within the housing.

[0421] The total length T3 of the drive M can correspond to the length from the rear surface of the rotor 620 to the free end of the rotating shaft 740. In this respect, when the drive M occupies a volume corresponding to the total length T3 independently in the housing 100, the length T2 of the roller 200 that can be set in the housing 100 is reduced, so the volume that can accommodate clothes can be reduced, and the space utilization rate within the housing 100 can be greatly reduced.

[0422] Therefore, the garment processing apparatus according to this disclosure can compactly arrange the components of the driver M, or can reduce the space occupied by the driver M independently relative to the roller 200 or the back cover 420, thereby setting the total length T3 of the driver M to be less than the sum of the thicknesses of the components of the driver M.

[0423] First, the total length T3 of the driver M can be set to be less than the sum of the thickness T31 of the motor 600 corresponding to the thickness of the stator 610 and the rotor 620, the overall thickness T32 of the reducer 700, and the length T33 of the portion of the rotating shaft 740 exposed to the outside from the reducer 700.

[0424] Specifically, the reducer 700 can be at least partially housed in the stator 610. That is, the reducer 700 can be configured using the internal space of the stator 610 and can be housed in the stator 610 by an overlap length E1. The overlap length E1 can correspond to the length from the fastening portion 728 to the shaft receiving portion 713.

[0425] Therefore, due to the overlap length E1, the actual length T3X of the motor 600 and the reducer 700 can be set to be less than the sum of the thickness T31 of the motor 600 and the length T32 of the reducer. Thus, the space occupied by the motor 600 and the reducer 700 can be reduced primarily by the overlap length E1.

[0426] The overlap length E1 corresponds to the length reduced by the reducer 700 and the motor 600 themselves.

[0427] The length occupied by the driver M can be reduced by its placement relationship with another component.

[0428] Because the reducer 700 is connected to and supported by the rear housing 420, while the motor 600 is not fixed to the rear housing 420, the reducer 700 and the motor 600 are positioned on the rear surface of the rear housing 420. The length occupied by the driver 600 and the reducer 700 in the rear housing 420 can be defined as the mounting length T3Y.

[0429] In this respect, the roller 200 is positioned in front of the rear housing 420 to be separated from the rear housing 420 by a separation distance G so as not to interfere with the rear housing 420 during rotation.

[0430] Therefore, the reducer 700 and the motor 600 are configured to occupy as much independent space as the installation length T3Y on the rear surface of the rear housing 420 and to be separated from the roller 200 by a separation distance G. When the length T33 of the rotating shaft 740 is taken into account, the length T3 occupied by the driver M may include at least the sum of the installation length T3Y and the separation distance G.

[0431] To reduce the length T3 of the drive M, the rear housing 420 can be configured such that the mounting portion 429 is recessed towards the rear surface 220 of the drum or the bushing portion 300 to accommodate a depth L2. Furthermore, the diameter of the mounting portion 429 can be larger than the diameter of the rotor 620. That is, the mounting groove 4294 can extend recessed or angled to accommodate a depth L2 from the rear plate 421 to the mounting surface 4292. Therefore, the mounting portion 429 ensures space for accommodating at least one of the reducer 700 and the motor 600.

[0432] When the reducer 700 and the motor 600 are housed and arranged in the mounting portion 429, the reducer 700 and the motor 600 can be arranged closer to the rear surface 220 of the roller by a greater depth L2 than closer to the rear plate 421.

[0433] Therefore, the mounting length T3Y of the reducer 700 and the motor 600 can overlap with the separation distance G, and the reducer 700 and the motor 600 can be configured to at least partially overlap each other in the space corresponding to the separation distance G.

[0434] Therefore, portions of the volume of the motor 600 and the reducer 700 corresponding to the accommodating depth L2 of the installation length T3Y can be placed in the space corresponding to the separation distance G.

[0435] Therefore, the space used by the motor 600 and the reducer 700 within the housing 100, independent of the roller 200, can reduce the accommodating depth L2.

[0436] Furthermore, because the reducer 700 becomes closer to the roller 200 in terms of the accommodating depth L2 due to the mounting portion 490, the length T33 of the rotating shaft 740 can be further reduced, thus reducing the overall length T3 of the drive.

[0437] In one example, at least a portion of the gearbox 730 of the reducer 700 may be made of a non-metallic material. For example, at least one of the sun gear 731, planetary gear 732, ring gear 733, and planetary carrier 734 may be made of a non-metallic material or a resin-based material.

[0438] When the sun gear 731, planetary gear 732, ring gear 733, and planetary gear carrier 734 are made of solid metal materials, durability can be ensured and power can be transmitted accurately even if the sun gear 731, planetary gear 732, ring gear 733, and planetary gear carrier 734 are formed in a small size, thus improving the reliability of the reducer 700.

[0439] However, when the sun gear 731, planetary gear 732, ring gear 733 and planetary gear carrier 734 are made of metal, the weight of the gearbox 730 increases, making it not only more difficult to fix or support the reducer 700 in the housing 100, but also the heat generated from the motor 600 is transferred to the gearbox 730, so the reducer 700 may overheat.

[0440] Furthermore, when the sun gear 731, planet gear 732, ring gear 733, and planetary gear carrier 734 are all made of metal, the vibrations transmitted to the rotating shaft 740 or drive shaft 630 are transmitted accurately. Therefore, one of the sun gear 731, planet gear 732, ring gear 733, and planetary gear carrier 734 may be damaged, or the rotating shaft 740 or drive shaft 630 may be twisted.

[0441] Therefore, at least one of the sun gear 731, planet gear 732, ring gear 733, and planetary gear carrier 734 can be made of a non-metallic material. For example, at least one of the rotating shaft 740 and drive shaft 630 can be made of a resin-based material (such as reinforced plastic).

[0442] This not only reduces the load on the gearbox 730 itself, but also blocks heat transfer from the motor 600, and partially buffers the vibrations transmitted to the sun gear 731, planetary gear 732, ring gear 733 and planetary gear carrier 734.

[0443] However, when at least one of the sun gear 731, planetary gear 732, ring gear 733 and planetary gear carrier 734 is made of a non-metallic material, its volume may become larger than when it is made of a metallic material, and the reducer thickness T32 may increase.

[0444] In this respect, since the mounting portion 429 is recessed from the rear plate 421 to accommodate a depth L2, the increased reducer thickness T32 can be adequately buffered. Furthermore, the bushing portion 300 can accommodate the rotating shaft 740 or shaft support 723 of the reducer 700 via the recessed surface 330, thereby reducing the increased reducer thickness T32.

[0445] In one example, when the rotating shaft 740 is excessively shortened, there may be a problem that the power generated from the drive M cannot be transmitted to the roller 200 because the area where the rotating shaft 740 is connected to the roller 200 or the bushing portion 300 cannot be adequately ensured.

[0446] Even so, when the rotating shaft 740 is formed to be long, there may be an adverse effect of increasing the total length T3 of the driver M.

[0447] Therefore, the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure includes a bushing portion 300 comprising a recessed surface 330 that is recessed into the roller 200. Due to the presence of the recessed surface 330, the bushing portion 300 allows the shaft connection portion 320 to be positioned inside the roller 200.

[0448] Therefore, even when its length is sufficiently ensured, the rotating shaft 740 extending from the reducer 700 can be supported and connected to the shaft connection portion 320, and can be positioned inside the roller 200 due to the presence of the recessed surface 330.

[0449] Therefore, a portion of the rotating shaft 740 corresponding to at least a portion of its length T33 is disposed inside the roller 200 due to the bushing portion 300, thus reducing the space occupied by the rotating shaft 740 independently of the roller 200.

[0450] In one example, the reducer 700 can be configured such that the shaft support 723 supporting the rotating shaft 740 passes through the mounting portion 429.

[0451] In other words, the shaft support 723 can extend from the second housing 720 located on the rear surface of the mounting portion 429 toward the bushing portion 300 by an extension length T3Z.

[0452] Therefore, the actual length T3X of the reducer 700 and the motor 600 can be obtained by adding the installation length T3Y and the extension length T3Z.

[0453] Therefore, the reducer 700 and the bushing portion 300 can also be brought closer to each other, and the length of the rotating shaft 740 can be further reduced by that much.

[0454] The extension length T3Z can correspond to the length extending from the second housing 720, so that at least a portion of the shaft support 723 can be disposed inside the bushing portion 300. For example, the shaft support 723 can be disposed inside the recessed surface 330, such that at least one of the first support members 760 disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft support 723 can be disposed inside the bushing portion 300.

[0455] The extension length T3Z can overlap with the separation length G. Specifically, the extension length T3Z can overlap the length by which the mounting portion 429 and the bushing portion 300 are spaced apart from each other, and can be greater than the length by which the mounting portion 429 and the bushing portion 300 are spaced apart from each other.

[0456] Therefore, since a portion of the reducer 700 is located within the bushing portion 300, the thickness of the reducer 700 itself, independent of the roller 200, can be further reduced by the overlap length of the extension length T3Z and the bushing portion 300.

[0457] Furthermore, since the shaft support 723 is spaced apart from the reducer 700 by an extension length T3Z, a portion of the rotating shaft 740 with a length T33 (i.e., the rotating shaft 740 extends from the reducer 700 and is independent of the length occupied by the reducer 700) can be provided only within the drum 200.

[0458] Therefore, the drive unit M can be configured independently without being completely spaced from the rear surface of the roller 200. Thus, the components of the drive unit M are arranged in a most compact manner by utilizing as much space as possible the receiving depth L2 of the mounting portion 492, the depth B1 of the recessed surface 330, and the extension length T3Z of the shaft support 723. Therefore, the space occupied by the drive unit M in the housing can be only as much as the thickness T3R of the rear plate 421 exposed from the rear surface.

[0459] In other words, by utilizing at least one of the following: the space inside the stator 610, the space between the rear surface 220 of the roller and the rear housing 420 by the mounting portion 429, the space between the reducer 700 and the roller 200 by the shaft support 723, and the space inside the roller body 210 by the bushing portion 300, the drive M can ensure a compact region T3C in which the drive M may not be exposed to the rear surface of the rear housing 420.

[0460] Therefore, the thickness occupied by the driver M within the housing is only the exposed thickness T3R, that is, the thickness of the area exposed from the rear housing 420, which is the thickness of the entire driver M minus the thickness corresponding to the compact region T3C.

[0461] Therefore, the drive M can additionally occupy only the exposed thickness T3R within the allowable length T1 inside the housing 100, and can not independently occupy the compact thickness T3C, and the length T2 of the roller can be ensured to be greater by the maximum thickness T3C of the compact area.

[0462] Figure 16 Another embodiment of the bushing portion 300 and the rear surface 220 of the roller is shown.

[0463] The bushing portion 300 may include: a coupling surface 310 that can be disposed on the rear surface 220 of the drum; a shaft coupling portion 320 that can be coupled to the rotating shaft 740; and a recessed surface 330 that causes the shaft coupling portion 320 to be positioned in front of the rear surface 220 of the drum. In this respect, the recessed surface 330 may extend from the coupling surface 310 by a second length B2, which is set to be greater than at least one of the diameter of the coupling surface 310, the diameter of the mounting hole 222, and the diameter of the recessed surface 330. That is, the recessed surface 330 may extend deeper into the drum body 210 to accommodate a greater portion of the rotating shaft 740 therein. Therefore, the length occupied by the rotating shaft 740 outside the rear surface 220 of the drum can be further reduced, and the additional area occupied by the drive M can be further reduced.

[0464] In one example, on the rear surface 220 of the drum, a receiving surface 2231 extends from the circumferential portion 221 by a length greater than the second length B2. The diameter of the receiving surface 2231 may be greater than the diameter of the rotor 620 or the stator 610, and may also be greater than the diameter of the mounting portion 429. Therefore, the rear surface 220 of the drum may be configured to receive at least a portion of the mounting portion 429 via the receiving surface 2231.

[0465] The receiving surface 2231 may further include an avoidance groove 2231a that is recessed outward to avoid the wire support groove 4295 defined in the mounting portion 429.

[0466] Furthermore, the mounting portion 223 can utilize the space inside the receiving surface 2231 to minimize the space occupied by the bushing portion 300 inside the roller body 210. In other words, the bushing portion 300 can reduce the overall length of the drive M by utilizing the interior of the roller body 210 as space for accommodating the rotating shaft 740, but the mounting portion 223 can be configured such that the space occupied by the bushing portion 300 inside the roller body 210 can also be reduced.

[0467] For this purpose, the mounting portion 223 can be configured to protrude considerably, such that the mounting surface 2233 on which the bushing portion 300 is mounted in the support surface 2232 becomes closer to the driver M. In other words, the mounting surface 2233 can protrude in a direction opposite to the direction along which the receiving surface 2231 is recessed and extends from the support surface 2232.

[0468] The coupling surface 310 of the bushing portion 300 can be positioned closer to the driver M than the support surface 2232, since the mounting surface 2233 protrudes beyond the rear roller surface 220 from the support surface 2232.

[0469] The connecting groove 2234 may further protrude from the mounting surface 2233 toward the driver M, and the bushing connecting portion 312 may be configured to receive the connecting groove 2234 therein, so that the bushing portion 300 can be more securely fixed to the mounting portion 223.

[0470] Furthermore, since the mounting surface 2233 is configured to bend into the support surface 2232, the load on the bushing portion 300 is distributed, thus further enhancing the rigidity of the mounting portion 223. Additionally, the connecting groove 2234 extends from the mounting surface 2233, not only reinforcing the rigidity of the connecting surface 310 but also firmly supporting the fastening members that can be secured via the connecting groove 2234.

[0471] Figure 17 One embodiment is shown in which the driver M is coupled to the rear surface 220 of the roller having a mounting portion 223 and a mounting surface 2233.

[0472] As above Figure 15 As seen, the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure is provided such that the total thickness T3 of the drive M is less than the sum of the thickness T31 of the stator 610 or motor 600, the thickness T32 of the reducer 700, and the thickness T33 of the rotating shaft 740. This is because the stator 610, reducer 700, and rotating shaft 740 are compactly arranged to reduce the total thickness of the drive M.

[0473] For example, the reducer 700 is arranged within the internal space of the stator 610 such that the mounting spaces of the stator 610 and the reducer 700 overlap. Therefore, the total thickness of the motor 600 and the reducer 700 is less than the sum of the thicknesses of the motor 600 and the reducer 700, allowing the area occupied by the driver M itself to be reduced. Consequently, the length T2 of the roller can be increased by the overlap length of the motor 600 and the reducer 700.

[0474] Furthermore, in the mounting section 429, the mounting surface 4292 is recessed to a receiving depth L2 from the rear plate 421 toward the rear surface 220 of the roller via the mounting groove 4294. Therefore, even when the reducer 700 and the motor 620 are mounted on the rear surface of the rear plate 420, the reducer 700 and the motor 620 can be positioned closer to the roller 200 by the receiving depth L2.

[0475] Accordingly, the actuator M can reduce its volume by reducing its thickness and by utilizing the space between the rear surface 220 of the roller and the rear plate 420. Therefore, since the actuator M can utilize the space between the rear surface 220 of the roller and the rear plate 420, the rear panel 120 disposed on the rear surface of the actuator M can be disposed closer to the rear plate 420.

[0476] According to the garment handling apparatus of this disclosure, the back plate 421 can be positioned closer to the back panel 120 than the back shell 420. Therefore, since the back plate 421 can be positioned rearward by the accommodating depth L2, the length T2 of the roller can be further increased by the accommodating depth L2.

[0477] So far, the description has focused on compactly arranging the components of the driver M by maximizing the area defined at the rear of the rear surface 220 of the roller.

[0478] Furthermore, the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure can utilize the internal space of the drum body 210 to compactly position the drive M toward the drum 200.

[0479] According to the garment handling apparatus of this disclosure, the space occupied by the roller 200 and the space occupied by the rear shell 420 or the drive M can be arranged to overlap as much as possible. Therefore, the space occupied by the roller 200, the rear shell 420 and the drive M can be saved.

[0480] For example, the garment handling apparatus according to this disclosure can house the drive M inside the drum body 210 or in a portion of the garment holding space. Therefore, the space occupied by the drive M within the housing 100, independent of the drum 200, can be reduced.

[0481] Specifically, the garment processing apparatus according to this disclosure may use a portion of the space occupied by the roller 200 within the housing 100 as a roller space utilization area C, and at least one of the bushing portion 300, the drive M, and the rear housing 420 may be at least partially disposed in this roller space utilization area.

[0482] The drum space utilization area C can correspond to a region that is part of the garment holding space inside the drum 200. This part serves as the space in which at least one of the liner portion 300, the drive unit M, and the back cover 420 can be disposed.

[0483] The drum space utilization area C may include the space defined by the placement portion 223 recessed from the rear surface 220 of the drum toward the garment inlet 211 of the drum.

[0484] The placement portion 223 can be recessed from the rear surface 220 of the drum by a length C1. That is, the receiving surface 2231 of the placement portion 223 can extend obliquely from the inner circumferential surface of the circumferential portion 221 toward the garment inlet 211 by a length C1. Therefore, the space defined in the outer surface of the rear surface 220 of the drum, corresponding to the length C1, can be included in the drum space utilization area C.

[0485] The diameter of the receiving surface 2231 can be larger than the diameter of the mounting portion 429. Therefore, the receiving surface 2231 can accommodate at least a portion of the mounting portion 429, and one surface of the receiving surface 2231 and at least one surface of the mounting portion 429 can be arranged to face each other. Thus, a portion of the rear housing 420 can be disposed in the roller space utilization area C.

[0486] The separation distance G between the rear surface 220 of the roller and the rear shell 420 can vary depending on the roller space utilization area C. For example, the circumferential portion 221 and the rear shell 420 can be spaced apart by a first gap Ga, and the support surface 2232 and the mounting surface 4292 can be spaced apart by a second gap Gb, which is set to be greater than the first gap Ga.

[0487] In other words, the second gap Gb between the support surface 2232 and the mounting surface 4292 can be guaranteed to be relatively large, but the first gap Ga, independent of the driver M, can be set to be relatively small, so that the separation space G between the roller 200 and the rear shell 420 can be effectively utilized.

[0488] In one example, the reducer 700 or the motor 600 can be accommodated and mounted in the mounting portion 429. Thus, when the mounting portion 429 is accommodated in the receiving surface 2231, at least a portion of the reducer 700 and the motor 600 can be positioned in the roller space utilization area C.

[0489] Therefore, at least a portion of the drive M is disposed in the drum space utilization area C, so that the exposed area T3R independently occupied by the drive M at the rear of the drum 200 can be minimized as much as possible.

[0490] In one example, the space outside the roller space utilization area C can be considered as the space utilized by the roller 200. In other words, with regard to the roller, because the rear surface 220 of the roller can be arranged in a more rearward position, which is the area in which the drive unit M is located or the position of the side surface of the drive unit M, the length T2 of the roller can be further extended.

[0491] The roller 200 accommodates part or all of the driver M by means of the placement portion 223, such that the rear surface 220 of the roller can be positioned further back than the front surface of the driver M, so that the roller length T2 can be increased as much as possible, and the internal volume of the roller can be further extended to the area corresponding to the accommodating length C1.

[0492] Therefore, due to the utilization of the drum space area C, the garment processing apparatus according to this disclosure can not only compactly install the components of the drive M, but also ensure the largest possible drying volume.

[0493] The roller space utilization area C may further include the space occupied by the bushing portion 300 in the rear surface 220 of the roller.

[0494] Since the bushing portion 300 is a component connected to the rotating shaft 740, when the bushing portion 300 protrudes from the rear surface 220 of the roller and is connected to the rotating shaft 740, the bushing portion 300 can be positioned rearward from the rear surface 220 of the roller by accommodating length C1.

[0495] However, instead of placing the space occupied by the bushing portion 300 outside the roller 200, the space occupied by the bushing portion 300 can be placed inside the roller 200 to reduce the space occupied by the bushing portion 300 alone.

[0496] In the bushing portion 300, when the connecting surface 310 is connected to the rear surface 220 of the roller, the recessed surface 330 can extend from the rear surface 220 of the roller into the roller body by a first length B1 or a second length B2. In addition, the shaft connecting portion 320, which houses the rotating shaft 740 therein, can extend further along the direction of the garment inlet 211 on the inner circumferential surface of the recessed surface 330.

[0497] Specifically, the recessed surface 330 and the shaft connection portion 320 can be located inside the roller 200 up to the total bushing length C3, and the roller space utilization area C can be further expanded.

[0498] Therefore, since the bushing portion 300 is located inside the roller 200 for as long as the bushing length C3, the volume occupied by the bushing portion 300 independently of the roller 200 can be minimized.

[0499] Therefore, the length of the space occupied independently by the bushing portion 300 of the allowable length T1 is reduced, so that the space for fixing the drive M can be increased, or the roller length T2 can be further increased.

[0500] In one example, the bushing length C3 of the bushing portion 300 can be considered as the length of the rotating shaft 740 housed inside the roller 200. That is, the rotating shaft 740 can be housed inside the roller 200 up to the bushing length C3, so that the roller 200 and the drive M can be compactly arranged closer to each other.

[0501] Therefore, the length of the rotating shaft 740 extending from the second housing 720 of the reducer can be reduced, and the rotating shaft 740 can be prevented from being twisted in the reducer 700 as much as possible.

[0502] From the viewpoint of the roller 200, since the bushing length C3 is included in the roller space utilization area C, the rear surface 220 of the roller can be positioned further rearward than the free end of the rotation shaft 740. Therefore, the roller 200 can utilize the space in which the rotation shaft 740 extends from the rear surface 220 of the roller and is independently configured as a garment holding space.

[0503] In other words, the roller length T2 can ensure a larger size.

[0504] In one example, the mounting surface 2233 may extend a fixed length C2 further outward from the support surface 2232 toward the outer side of the rear surface 220 of the roller. Therefore, the fixed length C2 may overlap with the receiving length C1. Due to the presence of the fixed length C2, the space corresponding to the receiving length C1 can be used both as space for setting the driver M or mounting portion and as space for setting the bushing portion 300.

[0505] Therefore, the area corresponding to the accommodating length C1 can correspond to the space where the driver M, the mounting portion 429 and the roller 200 are mounted to overlap each other, and can also correspond to the space where the bushing portion 300 and the roller 200 are mounted to overlap each other.

[0506] Because the mounting surface 2233 is located on the inner circumferential surface of the support surface 2232, the diameter of the mounting surface 2233 is smaller than the diameters of the outer circumferential surfaces of the receiving surface 2231 and the support surface 2232. Furthermore, the fixed length C2 is smaller than the receiving length C1. This is to prevent the mounting surface 2233 from excessively bending on the support surface 2232, and also to prevent the mounting surface 2233 from interfering with the driver M.

[0507] Accordingly, the volume of the region corresponding to the fixed length C2 in the rear surface 220 of the roller is smaller than the volume of the region corresponding to the accommodating length C1 in the rear surface 220 of the roller.

[0508] In one example, since the mounting surface 2233 protrudes from the support surface 2232 by a fixed length C2, the connecting surface 310 of the bushing portion 300 can be positioned closer to the mounting portion 429 and closer to the reducer 700.

[0509] Therefore, the length of the rotating shaft 740 can be further reduced, and the rear surface 220 of the roller and the reducer 700 can become closer to each other. For example, the rotating shaft 740 can be positioned so close to the rear surface 220 of the roller that the first support 760 supporting the rotating shaft 740 in the reducer 700 is positioned within the recessed surface 330.

[0510] To this end, it can be further ensured that the rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630 are installed parallel to each other, and the possibility of the rotating shaft 740 bending or being damaged can be prevented even under the load of the roller 200 and the clothes.

[0511] In summary, due to the presence of the roller space utilization area C, the components of the driver M can be compactly positioned toward the rear surface 220 of the roller.

[0512] The accommodating length C1 allows the reducer 700 and motor 600 to approach the rear surface 220 of the roller, and the reducer 700 and motor 600 can be brought closer to the mounting surface 2233 by the fixed length C2.

[0513] Furthermore, by moving the bushing length C3 toward the roller 200 from the free end of the rotating shaft 740, the reducer 700 and the motor 600 can approach the rear surface 220 of the roller.

[0514] Therefore, the actual length T3 of the drive M, which occupies the area independently at the rear of the rear surface 220 of the roller within the housing, can be reduced to the length of the actual exposed area T3R. The actual exposed area T3R corresponds to the area where the drive M protrudes further rearward and is exposed than the rear plate 421.

[0515] The thickness of the actual exposed area T3R can be less than 1 / 2 or 1 / 3 of the total thickness T3 of the driver M, so that the driver length T3 occupied by the driver of the allowable length T1 can be shortened by that amount, and the roller length T2 can be further increased.

[0516] This disclosure can be implemented in various forms, and therefore its scope is not limited to the embodiments described above. Therefore, when modified embodiments include components from the claims of this disclosure, the modified embodiments should be considered to fall within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A garment processing device, comprising: A roller, configured to hold clothing inside; A hot air supply unit is disposed outside the drum and configured to supply hot air into the drum; as well as The driver includes a rotating shaft configured to rotate the roller. The roller includes: The roller body has a garment inlet and defines a space, the space being configured to receive the garment through the garment inlet. The rear surface of the roller is connected to the roller body, and The rear surface of the roller includes: The rear surface body is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the roller body and defines the rear surface of the roller. The mounting portion is recessed at the rear surface of the body. The diameter of the mounting portion is larger than the diameter of the driver, such that at least a portion of the driver is accommodated in the mounting portion.

2. The garment processing equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The driver includes: Motor; and The speed reducer is configured to change the speed and torque of the motor and allow the rotating shaft to rotate based on the changed speed and torque of the motor. The speed reducer is at least partially disposed at the mounting portion on the rear surface of the roller.

3. The garment processing equipment according to claim 2, wherein, The speed reducer includes: A first housing rotatably supports a drive shaft configured to be rotated by the motor; A gearbox, housed in the first housing, is configured to change the rotational speed of the drive shaft and rotate the drive shaft; and A second housing is coupled to the first housing and houses the gearbox therein, wherein the second housing rotatably supports the rotating shaft of the drive. The second housing is at least partially disposed at the mounting portion on the rear surface of the roller.

4. The garment processing equipment according to claim 3, wherein, The second housing includes: The housing body is connected to the first housing and houses the gearbox therein; An extension body that extends from the housing body and accommodates a portion of the drive's rotational shaft therein; and Multiple support members, spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the extended body, rotatably support the rotating shaft of the driver. At least one of the plurality of support members is housed in the mounting portion.

5. The garment processing equipment according to claim 2, wherein, The motor includes: The stator, connected to the reducer and configured to generate a rotating magnetic field; and The rotor is configured to rotate by the rotating magnetic field and cause the drive shaft of the reducer to rotate. At least a portion of the stator is disposed at the mounting portion on the rear surface of the roller.

6. The garment processing equipment according to claim 5, wherein, The rear surface body of the rear surface of the roller is disposed on the surface of the stator.

7. The garment processing equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The bushing is connected to the mounting portion and supports the free end of the rotating shaft of the drive.

8. The garment processing equipment according to claim 7, wherein, The mounting portion on the rear surface of the roller includes: A receiving surface is recessed from the rear surface of the roller toward the garment inlet; A supporting surface extends from the receiving surface and faces the driver; and A mounting surface is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the supporting surface, wherein the bushing is disposed on and supported by the mounting surface, and The diameter of the receiving surface is larger than the diameter of the driver, and at least a portion of the driver is received therein.

9. The garment processing equipment according to claim 8, wherein, The mounting surface protrudes from the support surface toward the driver.

10. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The mounting surface is recessed from the support surface in a direction opposite to the recessed direction of the receiving surface.

11. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, The mounting surface also includes a coupling groove protruding toward the driver, and The bushing is fixed to the mounting surface.

12. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The bushing includes: The connecting surface is connected to the mounting surface; A recessed surface extending from the coupling surface and receiving at least a portion therein the rotating shaft of the drive; and The shaft connection portion is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the recessed surface and connected to the free end of the rotating shaft of the driver. The recessed surface extends away from the driver.

13. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, Based on the coupling surface that is connected to the mounting surface, the shaft coupling portion and the recessed surface of the bushing are arranged closer to the garment inlet than the mounting surface.

14. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, The recessed surface of the bushing and the shaft connection portion are positioned inside the roller body.

15. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, The recessed surface extends away from the coupling surface from the drive, and the free end of the rotating shaft is located inside the roller body.

16. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, The recessed surface extends from the coupling surface away from the driver, and The shaft connection portion includes a connection body that extends from the recessed surface toward the driver and houses the rotating shaft of the driver therein.

17. A garment processing device, comprising: A roller, having a garment inlet and configured to hold garments therein; A hot air supply unit is disposed outside the drum and configured to supply hot air into the drum; The motor is configured to rotate the drive shaft; A speed reducer, connected to the drive shaft, is configured to rotate at a speed lower than that of the drive shaft. The reducer includes a rotating shaft connected to the roller, and The rear housing is disposed between the roller and the motor. The reducer is connected to the rear housing. The roller includes a mounting portion that is recessed toward the garment inlet. The rear housing includes a rear plate disposed between the roller and the reducer, and a mounting portion disposed on the rear plate, wherein the reducer is mounted on the rear plate. At least a portion of the mounting portion is housed within the placement portion.

18. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein, The reducer also includes a gearbox, which engages with the drive shaft and is configured to change the rotational speed of the drive shaft and transmit power to the rotating shaft corresponding to the changed rotational speed. At least a portion of the gearbox is made of a non-metallic material, thereby reducing the load or vibration transmitted to the rear housing.

19. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein, The motor includes: A stator, configured to generate a rotating magnetic field, the rotating magnetic field being configured to rotate the drive shaft, wherein the stator is connected to the reducer; and The rotor, connected to the drive shaft and rotated by the rotating magnetic field, At least a portion of the gearbox is made of a material that limits deformation caused by the heat generated by the motor, or is made of a non-metallic material, thereby limiting the transfer of heat through the gearbox.

20. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein, The non-metallic materials include resin-based materials.

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