Laundry treating apparatus and control method thereof

Abstract

The present application relates to a laundry treating apparatus including: a drum providing a space for accommodating laundry; a circulation passage providing a passage for guiding air discharged from the drum to the drum; a heat exchange unit including a circulation fan that moves air along the circulation passage, a first heat exchanger that dehumidifies the air moving along the circulation passage, and a second heat exchanger that heats the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger; a support unit including a support body supporting the bottom of the first heat exchanger and a support hole formed to pass through the support body, and dividing the circulation passage into an installation space in which the heat exchange unit is disposed and a drainage space through which condensed water generated in the first heat exchanger is discharged; a water collection unit provided outside the circulation passage, communicating with the drainage space, and having a storage unit for storing the condensed water discharged into the drainage space; and a residual water removal unit that sprays air into the drainage space such that the condensed water flowing into the drainage space moves to the water collection unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a laundry treatment device and a method for controlling the laundry treatment device. Background Art

[0002] Laundry treatment devices are a general term for devices that can wash washable items (objects to be washed) represented by clothes, dry dryable items (objects to be dried), and wash and dry objects.

[0003] Existing laundry treatment devices capable of drying have a structure including a drum providing a space for accommodating clothes, a circulation channel guiding the air discharged from the drum to the drum, a fan moving the air along the circulation channel, and a heat exchange assembly sequentially dehumidifying and heating the air introduced into the circulation channel (publication number: No. 10-2021-0063873).

[0004] The heat exchange assembly provided in the above structure includes a first heat exchanger cooling the air inside the circulation channel and a second heat exchanger heating the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger. The air discharged from the drum is condensed when passing through the first heat exchanger, so that a water collector for collecting condensate and a drainage channel for guiding the condensate to the water collector are provided below the first heat exchanger inside or outside the circulation channel.

[0005] In addition, in the above structure, the drainage channel communicates with a water collector provided outside the circulation channel. That is, in the above structure, when the condensate generated in the first heat exchanger falls into the drainage channel, the fallen condensate moves along the drainage channel and flows into the water collector to be stored in the water collector. In the above structure, the drainage channel has a structure inclined toward the water collector to allow the condensate to move to the water collector or a structure that transports the condensate to the water collector via a support hole when the water level of the condensate discharged into the drainage channel rises.

[0006] However, in the above structure, when the drainage channel is not inclined or when the amount of condensate discharged into the drainage channel is small, the condensate remains in the drainage space as it is. That is, in the above structure, the transportation of the condensate in the drainage channel depends only on the amount of condensate or the inclination angle of the drainage channel. Therefore, due to the attraction between the condensate and the drainage channel, a certain amount of condensate (residual water) always remains in the drainage channel.

[0007] Therefore, in the above structure, when the condensate (residual water) remains in the drainage channel, various pollutants such as mold or bacteria may accumulate over time, thus contaminating the entire circulation channel. When the heat exchange assembly operates while the circulation channel is contaminated, the pollutants remaining inside the circulation channel are introduced into the drum by the fan, which causes the odor or contamination of the objects to be washed. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical Problem

[0009] The present application aims to provide a laundry treatment device and a method for controlling the laundry treatment device, which can minimize condensate (residual water) remaining inside the circulation channel.

[0010] The present application aims to provide a laundry treatment device and a method for controlling the laundry treatment device, which can transfer condensate remaining in the drainage channel to a storage outside the circulation channel.

[0011] The present application aims to provide a laundry treatment device and a method for controlling the laundry treatment device, which can transfer condensate (residual water) remaining in the drainage channel to a water collector via a residual water remover that injects compressed air into the drainage space.

[0012] The present application aims to provide a laundry treatment device and a method for controlling the laundry treatment device, which can adjust the flow channel cross-sectional area of a support body communication hole that allows the first heat exchanger and the drainage space to communicate with each other when a flow channel regulator is provided in a support member that supports the first heat exchanger.

[0013] The present application aims to provide a laundry treatment device and a method for controlling the laundry treatment device, which includes a guiding assembly that guides air introduced into the circulation channel to a lower region of the first heat exchanger.

[0014] The present application aims to provide a laundry treatment device and a method for controlling the laundry treatment device, which separates condensate accumulated on a lower region of the first heat exchanger from the first heat exchanger, transfers the condensate to the drainage channel, and transfers the condensate transferred to the drainage channel to a storage to minimize condensate remaining inside the circulation channel.

[0015] Technical Solution

[0016] The present application provides a laundry treatment device, which includes: a drum configured to provide a space for accommodating laundry; a circulation channel configured to provide a channel for guiding the air discharged from the drum back to the drum; a heat exchange assembly including a circulation fan, a first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger, where the circulation fan moves the air along the circulation channel, the first heat exchanger dehumidifies the air moving along the circulation channel, and the second heat exchanger heats the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger; a support member including a support body that supports the lower part of the first heat exchanger and a support hole defined through the support body, wherein the support member divides the circulation channel into an installation space where the heat exchange assembly is placed and a drainage space where the condensate generated in the first heat exchanger is discharged through the support hole; a water collector provided outside the circulation channel and communicating with the drainage space, where the water collector has a reservoir for storing the condensate discharged into the drainage space; and a residual water remover that injects air into the drainage space so that the condensate introduced into the drainage space moves to the water collector.

[0017] The residual water remover may include: an air injector that injects air into the drainage space through one or more nozzles pointing to the drainage space; and an air supplier that supplies air to the air injector.

[0018] The air injector may include: a nozzle body that provides a space in which air can flow; an air nozzle provided on a surface of the nozzle body facing the drainage space to inject the air introduced into the nozzle body into the drainage space; and an air inlet provided on the nozzle body, where the air inlet has an air inlet hole that allows the nozzle body and the air supplier to communicate with each other.

[0019] The air supplier may include: an air motor that discharges air; and an air connection part having one side communicating with the air motor and an opposite side communicating with the air inlet, wherein the air connection part guides the air discharged from the air motor to the nozzle body.

[0020] The air nozzle may be provided on the front surface of the nozzle body, and the air supplier may communicate with the air inlet formed on the rear surface of the nozzle body facing the front surface of the nozzle body.

[0021] The air nozzle may be composed of a plurality of cleaning nozzles, the plurality of cleaning nozzles being arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined interval along the width direction of the nozzle body on the front surface of the nozzle body, and the diameters of the plurality of cleaning nozzles may become smaller in the direction away from the air inlet hole along the width direction of the nozzle body.

[0022] The air inlet hole may be defined to be closer to the side of the nozzle body that is farther from the water collector among the two sides of the nozzle body adjacent to the rear surface of the nozzle body based on the width direction of the nozzle body, and the plurality of cleaning nozzles may include a first nozzle, a third nozzle, and a second nozzle, the first nozzle being arranged closest to the center of the air inlet hole based on the width direction of the nozzle body, the third nozzle being arranged farthest from the center of the air inlet hole based on the width direction of the nozzle body, and the second nozzle being disposed between the first nozzle and the third nozzle.

[0023] The first nozzle may have a diameter larger than the diameters of the second nozzle and the third nozzle, and the second nozzle may have a diameter larger than the diameter of the third nozzle.

[0024] The center of the first nozzle may be on the same straight line as the center of the air inlet hole.

[0025] The residual water remover may further include an air cover connected to the air ejector and the air supplier from above, and the air cover may include: a main body cover connected to the air nozzle and the air supplier from above to at least partially cover the top surface of the air nozzle and the top surface of the air supplier; and a flow path cover connected to the main body cover from above and configured to guide the air introduced into the circulation flow path.

[0026] The flow path cover may include at least one curved surface to stably guide the air introduced into the circulation flow path.

[0027] The clothing treatment device may further include a flow path regulator disposed in the support member to be able to adjust the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole, wherein the flow path regulator is configured to adjust the amount of air passing through the drainage space.

[0028] The flow path regulator may include: a drainage rib including a plurality of rotatable rib bodies configured to rotate to cover at least a part of the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole; a link connected to the drainage rib such that the plurality of rotatable rib bodies rotate integrally; and a flow path driver configured to provide power to the link to rotate the drainage rib.

[0029] The flow path regulator may be configured to have multiple alignments, and the multiple alignments may include: a maximum flow path mode in which the rotatable rib bodies are vertically arranged relative to the support body such that the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole is maximized; and a minimum flow path mode in which the rotatable rib bodies are arranged parallel to the support body such that the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole is minimized.

[0030] The drainage rib may have the plurality of rotatable rib bodies arranged at a predetermined interval from each other in the front-rear direction of the support body and extending in the width direction of the support body, and a height of one side surface of the rotatable rib body that is arranged to be farther from the reservoir among the two side surfaces in the width direction may be smaller than a height of the opposite side surface of the rotatable rib body.

[0031] The laundry treating apparatus may further include: a drainage flow path provided in the drainage space along the front-rear direction of the drainage space, wherein the drainage flow path provides a space in which condensate discharged into the drainage space can move; and a drainage port allowing the drainage flow path and the reservoir to communicate with each other such that the condensate moving in the drainage flow path is introduced into the reservoir, and the drainage flow path may have a rear surface inclined to guide the condensate to the drainage port.

[0032] The rear surface of the drainage flow path may include: a flat surface provided parallel to the front surface of the drainage flow path; and a curved surface extending in a forward direction of the drainage flow path with a first curvature from a side of the flat surface that is positioned farther from the drainage port among both sides of the flat surface.

[0033] The support member may further include an extension body extending from the support body to the second heat exchanger. The extension body may include a guiding slit between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger that allows the installation space and the drainage space to communicate with each other. The guiding slit may extend along the width direction of the drainage space in the extension body. Among the two sides of the guiding slit in the width direction, the cross-sectional area of the flow path at the side that is set to be farther from the drain outlet in the width direction of the drainage space may be smaller than the cross-sectional area of the flow path at the opposite side of the guiding slit.

[0034] The guiding slit may include: a first slit defined at the side of the extension body that is farther from the drain outlet among the two sides of the extension body in the width direction; a third slit defined at the opposite side of the extension body; and a second slit defined to connect the first slit and the third slit. The cross-sectional area of the flow path of the first slit may be smaller than the cross-sectional area of the flow path of the third slit.

[0035] The first slit may extend from the second slit with a second curvature, and the first curvature and the second curvature may correspond to each other.

[0036] The present application provides a method for controlling a laundry treating apparatus, the laundry treating apparatus comprising: a drum configured to provide a space for accommodating laundry; a circulation passage configured to provide a passage for guiding air discharged from the drum to the drum; a heat exchange assembly including a circulation fan, a first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger, the circulation fan causing air to move along the circulation passage, the first heat exchanger dehumidifying the air moving along the circulation passage, and the second heat exchanger heating the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger; a support member configured to divide the circulation passage into an installation space in which the heat exchange assembly is placed and a drainage space into which condensate generated in the first heat exchanger is discharged; a water collector communicating with the drainage space and including a reservoir for storing the condensate discharged into the drainage space; a guiding assembly configured to guide air introduced into the circulation passage to a lower region of the first heat exchanger; a residual water remover configured to inject compressed air into the drainage space so that the condensate introduced into the drainage space is forcibly transferred to the water collector; and a passage regulator provided in the support member and configured to regulate an amount of air passing through the drainage space, the method for controlling the laundry treating apparatus including: a drying step of operating the circulation fan and opening the guiding assembly to remove moisture from the laundry accommodated in the drum; a first residual water removal step of operating the circulation fan and closing the guiding assembly to allow the air introduced into the circulation passage to pass through the lower region of the first heat exchanger, thereby separating the condensate from the lower region of the first heat exchanger; and a second residual water removal step of stopping the circulation fan, operating the residual water remover, and operating the passage regulator to transfer the condensate discharged into the drainage space to the reservoir.

[0037] Advantageous effects

[0038] The present application provides a laundry treating apparatus and a method for controlling the laundry treating apparatus, which can minimize condensate (residual water) remaining inside the circulation passage.

[0039] The present application provides a laundry treating apparatus and a method for controlling the laundry treating apparatus, which can transfer condensate remaining in the drainage passage to a reservoir outside the circulation passage.

[0040] The present application provides a laundry treating apparatus and a method for controlling the laundry treating apparatus, which can transfer condensate (residual water) remaining in the drainage passage to the water collector via a residual water remover that injects compressed air into the drainage space.

[0041] The present application provides a laundry treating apparatus and a method for controlling the laundry treating apparatus. When a flow path regulator is disposed in a support member that supports the first heat exchanger, the laundry treating apparatus can adjust the flow path cross-sectional area of a support body communication hole that allows the first heat exchanger and a drainage space to communicate with each other.

[0042] The present application provides a laundry treating apparatus and a method for controlling the laundry treating apparatus. The laundry treating apparatus includes a guiding assembly that guides air introduced into a circulation flow path to a lower region of the first heat exchanger.

[0043] The present application provides a laundry treating apparatus and a method for controlling the laundry treating apparatus. The laundry treating apparatus separates condensate accumulated on a lower region of the first heat exchanger from the first heat exchanger, transfers the condensate to a drainage flow path, and transfers the condensate transferred to the drainage flow path to a reservoir, so as to minimize the condensate remaining inside the circulation flow path. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Figure 1 and Figure 2 are examples of a laundry treating apparatus.

[0045] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a laundry treating apparatus.

[0046] Figure 4 is an example of a circulation flow path.

[0047] Figure 5 is an example of a circulation flow path equipped with a flow path regulator and a residual water remover.

[0048] Figure 6 are examples of a support member, a flow path regulator, a reservoir, and a residual water remover.

[0049] Figure 7 are examples of a support member, a flow path regulator, and a residual water remover disposed in a circulation flow path.

[0050] Figure 8 is an example of a residual water remover.

[0051] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a residual water remover.

[0052] Figure 10 are examples of a support member and a flow path regulator.

[0053] Figure 11 is an example of a flow path regulator.

[0054] Figure 12This is an example showing the operation of a flow channel regulator.

[0055] Figure 13 These are examples of a drainage flow channel, a support member, and a residual water remover.

[0056] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram showing the movement of air in the drainage flow channel.

[0057] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram showing the movement of air based on the operations of the flow channel regulator and the residual water remover.

[0058] Figure 16 These are examples of a guiding assembly.

[0059] Figure 17 This is an example showing the operation of the guiding assembly.

[0060] Figure 18 This is an embodiment of a control method for performing a residual water removal step.

[0061] Figure 19 This is another embodiment of a control method for performing a residual water removal step. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0062] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configurations or control methods of the devices to be described below are only for describing the embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same components in this document.

[0063] The specific terms used in this document are only for convenience of description and are not intended to limit the disclosed embodiments.

[0064] For the purpose of describing the present disclosure, a three-dimensional rectangular coordinate system composed of an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis orthogonal to each other will be used. Each axial direction (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction) represents two directions in which each axis extends. Attaching a "+" sign (+X-axis direction, +Y-axis direction, and +Z-axis direction) before each axial direction represents the positive direction, that is, one of the two directions in which each axis extends. Attaching a "-" sign (-X-axis direction, -Y-axis direction, and -Z-axis direction) before each axial direction represents the negative direction, that is, the other of the two directions in which each axis extends.

[0065] The expressions related to directions described below, such as "front (+X) / rear (-X) / left (+Y) / right (-Y) / up (+Z) / down (-Z)", are defined along the XYZ coordinate axes, but are intended to describe the present disclosure so that the present disclosure can be clearly understood, and each direction can be differently defined according to the reference.

[0066] The terms using expressions such as "first, second, and third" attached before the components mentioned below are only for avoiding confusion of the components referred to, and have nothing to do with the order, importance, or master-slave relationship between the components. For example, an invention including only the second component without including the first component can be implemented.

[0067] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular expressions used in this document include plural expressions.

[0068] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a laundry treating apparatus and a method for controlling the laundry treating apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0069] Figure 1 and Figure 2 are examples of a laundry treating apparatus.

[0070] Referring to Figure 1 , the laundry treating apparatus 100 may include a cabinet 1. Inside the cabinet 1, a drum (accommodating part) 17 disposed inside the cabinet 1 and for accommodating an object to be washed (hereinafter referred to as laundry) therein and a circulation channel 2 and a heat exchange component 3 for removing moisture from the laundry in the drum 17 may be provided.

[0071] The cabinet 1 may include a front surface 11 located at the front side of the laundry treating apparatus 100, a rear surface 12 located at the rear side of the laundry treating apparatus 100, and a base 13 forming the bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus 100.

[0072] A control panel (not shown) may be provided on the front surface 11. The control panel may include a display 114 for displaying control commands that can be selected by a user and an input unit 113 for allowing the user to select the control commands displayed on the display 114.

[0073] Referring to Figure 2 , a cabinet entrance 111 for inserting and removing laundry may be defined in the front surface 11, and the cabinet entrance 111 may be closed by a door 115 pivotally fixed to the front surface 11. The user may accommodate the laundry in the drum 17 via the cabinet entrance 111 exposed when the door 115 is opened.

[0074] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a laundry treating apparatus.

[0075] Referring to Figure 3 , the accommodating part may be defined as a drum (accommodating part) 17 rotatably provided inside the cabinet 1. The drum 17 may be equipped with a cylindrical drum body 171 having open front and rear surfaces.

[0076] To rotatably support the drum body 171, the cabinet 1 may include a front panel 14 that rotatably supports the front surface of the drum body 171 and a rear panel 15 that rotatably supports the rear surface of the drum body 171.

[0077] The front panel 14 may include: a front panel body 141 that is fixed to the front surface 11 or the cabinet 1; a drum inlet 142 that is defined to extend through the front panel body; and a drum exhaust hole 143 that discharges the air inside the drum body 171 to the circulation passage 2.

[0078] The drum inlet 142 may be connected to the cabinet inlet 111. Thus, when the door 115 opens the cabinet inlet 111, the user can put clothes into the drum body 171 or take clothes out of the drum body 171 via the cabinet inlet 111 and the drum inlet 142.

[0079] To filter the air discharged from the drum body 171, the drum exhaust hole 143 may include a filter that is detachable from the front panel body 141.

[0080] The rear panel 15 may include: a rear panel body 151 that is fixed to the rear surface 12 or the cabinet 1; and a drum supply hole 152 that is defined to extend through the rear panel body 151.

[0081] The drum body 171 may be rotated by a driver 18 provided inside the cabinet 1. The driver 18 may be composed of a drum motor 181 fixed to the base 13 and a belt 182 that connects the rotating shaft of the drum motor to the circumferential surface of the drum body 171.

[0082] To agitate the clothes inside the drum body 171, a lifter 172 may also be provided inside the drum body 171. The lifter 172 may be configured as a plate that protrudes from the circumferential surface of the drum body 171 toward the rotation center of the drum body.

[0083] Figure 4 is an example of a circulation passage.

[0084] Refer to Figure 4 , the circulation passage 2 may include: a first pipe (exhaust pipe) 21 that is connected to the drum exhaust hole 143; a second pipe (supply pipe) 22 that is connected to the drum supply hole 152; and a third pipe (connecting pipe) 23 that connects the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 22. The connecting pipe 23 may be fixed to the base 13.

[0085] The first duct 21 can provide such a passage that when the circulation fan 36 described later operates, the air inside the drum 17 is discharged through this passage to the connection duct 23. That is to say, the first duct 21 can allow the drum 17 and the connection duct 23 to communicate with each other, and when the circulation fan 36 operates, the air inside the drum 17 can be introduced into the circulation passage 2 via the first duct 21.

[0086] The second duct 22 can provide such a passage that when the circulation fan 36 operates, the air moving inside the third duct (connection duct) 23 can be supplied to the drum 17 through this passage. The second duct 22 can allow the drum 17 and the connection duct 23 to communicate with each other, and when the circulation fan 36 operates, the air inside the connection duct 23 can be supplied to the drum 17 via the second duct 22.

[0087] The heat exchange assembly 3 can be disposed in the third duct (connection duct) 23. The air introduced into the connection duct 23 from the drum 17 via the first duct 21 can pass through the heat exchange assembly 3 disposed in the connection duct 23 and is again supplied to the drum 17 via the connection duct 23.

[0088] In addition, the air introduced into the connection duct 23 can undergo a condensation and heating process when passing through the heat exchange assembly 3. The condensate generated during these processes can be separately collected in the water collector via the drainage passage described later, and the air from which the condensate has been removed can be supplied to the drum 17 again. The connection duct 23 can include a duct main body 231 fixed to the base 13 and a duct cover 232 forming the top surface of the duct main body.

[0089] The heat exchange assembly 3 can include: a circulation fan 36 that moves air along the circulation passage 2; and heat pumps 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 that sequentially dehumidify and heat the air moving along the circulation passage 2.

[0090] The circulation fan 36 can include a fan impeller 361 located inside the circulation passage 2 and a fan motor 362 located outside the circulation passage 2 that rotates the fan impeller 361.

[0091] The heat pump can include: a refrigerant pipe 33 that forms a passage for the refrigerant to circulate through; a compressor 34 that moves the refrigerant along the refrigerant pipe 33; a first heat exchanger 31 fixed to the refrigerant pipe 33 that transfers the heat of the air introduced into the connection duct 23 to the refrigerant; a second heat exchanger 32 fixed to the refrigerant pipe 33 that transfers the heat of the refrigerant to the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger 31; and a regulating valve 35 that regulates the pressure of the refrigerant.

[0092] The first heat exchanger 31 is positioned further away from the circulation fan 36 than the second heat exchanger 32. When the circulation fan 36 operates, air can move in the directions of the first duct 21, the connection duct 23, and the second duct 22. In this case, the air introduced into the circulation passage 2 can first pass through the first heat exchanger 31. In other words, based on the movement of air inside the circulation passage, the first heat exchanger 31 is positioned upstream of the second heat exchanger 32 so that the air introduced into the connection duct 23 can first pass through the first heat exchanger 31.

[0093] The first heat exchanger 31 can be an evaporator in a heat pump. The first heat exchanger 31 can absorb heat from the surroundings and condense the air passing through the first heat exchanger 31. The air passing through the first heat exchanger 31 can discharge condensate while being condensed. The air that has passed through the first heat exchanger 31 can be introduced into the second heat exchanger 32 in a state where moisture (condensate) has been removed therefrom. The second heat exchanger can be configured as a condenser in a heat pump, and the air that has passed through the second heat exchanger 32 will be heated.

[0094] In addition, the circulation passage 2 can include a support member 4 that supports the bottom surface of the first heat exchanger 31. The support member 4 can divide the interior of the connection duct 23 into an installation space 233 where the first heat exchanger 31 is located and a drainage space 235 that guides condensate to the outside of the circulation passage.

[0095] Here, the term "divide" can be used to mean that the first space (installation space) 233 and the second space (drainage space) 235 are functionally separated from each other, and is not necessarily limited to the meaning of physically separating or blocking them from each other. The reason for dividing the circulation passage into an installation space and a drainage space in this way can be to functionally place the heat exchange assembly 3 in the installation space so that the air introduced into the circulation passage 2 passes through the heat exchange assembly 3 and is then supplied to the drum 17 again, and to provide a passage in the drainage passage for removing the condensate discharged from the air that has passed through the heat exchange assembly 3 separately from the air from the circulation passage 2.

[0096] As Figure 6 shown, the support member 4 can include: a support body 41 that supports the first heat exchanger 31; and an extension body 42 that extends from the support body 41 in the direction where the second heat exchanger 32 is located.

[0097] As Figure 7 shown, the support body 41 can have a support hole 411 to discharge the condensate generated in the first heat exchanger 31 to the drainage space 235. The condensate generated when passing through the first heat exchanger 31 can be discharged to the drainage space 235 via the support hole 411.

[0098] The extension body 42 may have a guiding slit 421 that allows the air introduced into the drainage space 235 to move from the space between the first heat exchanger 31 and the second heat exchanger 32 to the installation space 233. The air introduced into the drainage space 235 may move to the installation space 233 via the guiding slit 421 communicating with the extension body 42.

[0099] The installation space 233 may include a first installation portion 233a in which the first heat exchanger 31 is installed, a second installation portion 233b in which the second heat exchanger 32 is installed, and a third installation portion 233c in which the circulation fan 36 is accommodated. The air introduced into the circulation flow path 2 may be supplied again to the drum 17 while passing through the heat exchange assembly 3 in the installation space.

[0100] The drainage space 235 is located below the installation space 233, and a drainage channel 236 is provided in the drainage space 235. The drainage channel 236 may be a passage through which condensate moves. The condensate discharged from the air passing through the first heat exchanger 31 may be discharged into the drainage space 235 via the support holes 411. The condensate discharged into the drainage space 235 may move along the drainage channel 236 in the drainage space 235.

[0101] The drainage channel 236 may have a drainage port 237. The drainage port 237 may be located downstream based on the air flow direction. The drainage port 237 is a device for allowing the drainage space 235 and the drainage channel 236 to communicate with a reservoir 61 located outside the circulation flow path 2. The reservoir 61 may be configured as a space in which condensate is collected. That is, the condensate discharged into the drainage space 235 may move along the drainage channel 236 and be collected in the reservoir 61 via the drainage port 237.

[0102] Furthermore, for the natural discharge of the condensate (for the condensate to move from the drainage channel 236 to the reservoir 61 by gravity), the bottom surface of the reservoir 61 may be positioned at a point lower than the drainage port 237, and the drainage channel 236 may be configured as an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the drainage port 237.

[0103] The laundry treating apparatus having the above structure is configured to remove the condensate discharged into the drainage space 235 via the inclination of the drainage space 235, the vertical height difference between the drainage channel 236 and the reservoir 61, and the vertical height of the drainage port 237.

[0104] However, due to the limited space inside the cabinet 1, there are limitations in increasing the inclination of the drainage channel 236 or the vertical height difference between the reservoir 61 and the drain outlet 237. Therefore, the laundry treatment apparatus having the above structure may have a problem in that condensate does not move from the drainage channel 236 to the drain outlet 237 but remains. The remaining condensate (residual water) may be contaminated by various pollution sources such as the appearance of mold over time, and when the condensate is contaminated, the circulation channel 2 may also be contaminated together. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the condensate inside the circulation channel 2 or minimize the condensate inside the circulation channel 2 by transferring the condensate remaining in the drainage channel 236 to the reservoir 61 via the drain outlet 237.

[0105] Figure 5 is an example of a circulation channel equipped with a flow path regulator and a residual water remover.

[0106] Referring to Figure 5 , in order to minimize the problem of condensate remaining in the drainage space 235 as described above, the laundry treatment apparatus 100 may include a flow path regulator 5 that is disposed in the support member 4 and is capable of adjusting the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole 411. In addition, in order to minimize the above problem, the laundry treatment apparatus 100 may include a residual water remover 7 that is disposed at the front side of the circulation channel 2 and jets compressed air toward the drainage space 235.

[0107] As Figure 10 and Figure 11 shown in, the flow path regulator 5 is disposed in the support member 4 and is capable of adjusting the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole 411. As will be described later, the flow path regulator 5 further includes a drainage rib 51 having a plurality of rotatable rib bodies 511, a link 53 that connects the plurality of rib bodies 511 to be operated integrally, and a flow path driver 55 that supplies power to the drainage rib 51 or the link 53 to rotate (change) the drainage rib 51. The drainage rib 51 can adjust the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole 411 by changing its angle based on the support member 4. The specific structure and operating principle of the flow path regulator 5 will be described later.

[0108] As Figure 7 shown in, the residual water remover 7 includes an air supplier 73 that generates compressed air and an air ejector 71 that receives the compressed air from the air supplier 73 and jets it.

[0109] The residual water remover 7 is configured to jet air, preferably compressed air. The residual water remover 7 may be disposed in the circulation channel 2 to jet the compressed air from the front side of the drainage space 235 toward the rear side of the drainage space 235.

[0110] Here, the front side of the circulation channel 2 may refer to the space adjacent to the first pipe 21 through which air is introduced, and the rear side of the circulation channel 2 may refer to the space adjacent to the second pipe 22 through which air is discharged. The specific structure and operating principle of the residual water remover will be described later.

[0111] Figure 6 And Figure 7 is a view showing the support, the flow channel regulator, the reservoir, and the residual water remover. Figure 7 is a view showing the support, the flow channel regulator, and the residual water remover disassembled from the circulation channel.

[0112] Referring together to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , a water collector 6 may be provided on the base 13, where condensate generated when air passing through the first heat exchanger 31 is condensed is stored in the water collector.

[0113] The water collector 6 may include: a reservoir 61 provided on the base 13 and storing condensate therein; and a lid 62 closing the open top surface of the reservoir body. Since a drain port 237 is provided on the circumferential surface of the reservoir 61, the reservoir 61 communicates with the inside of the circulation channel 2 via the drain port 237.

[0114] The water collector 6 may be located outside the circulation channel 2. In this case, the water collector 6 may be connected to the drain space 235 via the drain port 237 provided to extend through the connection pipe 23. Preferably, a drain channel 236 is provided on the bottom surface of the connection pipe 23 and guides the condensate to the drain port 237.

[0115] The condensate stored in the water collector 6 may be discharged to a drain tank via a drainage device (not shown) including a drain pump. The drain tank may be located at a point higher than the water collector 6. The drain tank may be withdrawn from the cabinet 1.

[0116] As Figure 3 shown, the drain tank may be withdrawn from the cabinet 1 and provide a space in which condensate is stored. A withdrawal hole 112 for the extension and retraction of the drawer 81 may be defined in the front surface 11 of the cabinet, and a tank housing 16 providing a space in which the drain tank is accommodated may be provided inside the cabinet 1.

[0117] The condensate discharged from the water collector 6 via the drainage device may move to the tank housing 16 via the supply pipe 72, and the condensate discharged from the supply pipe 72 may move to the drain tank. The user can remove the condensate stored inside the drain tank by withdrawing the drain tank from the front surface 11.

[0118] In one example, as Figure 7As shown, the support member 4 may further include fasteners 43 and 44 that fix the support body 41 and the extension body 42 to the connection pipe 23. The fastening protrusions 43 protrude from two side surfaces of the support body 41, and the fastening grooves 44 are defined in the connection pipe 23 to receive the fastening protrusions 43 therein. The fastening grooves 44 may be provided in the first installation space.

[0119] By inserting the fastening protrusions 43 into the fastening grooves 44, the support member 4 is installed in the connection pipe 23 within the circulation flow path 2. Accordingly, the support member 4 can support the first heat exchanger 31 installed in the first installation portion 233a.

[0120] The residual water remover 7 may be installed in the air installation space 23a defined at the front side of the connection pipe 23. The air installation space 23a may be defined at the front side of the circulation flow path 2 so as to be positioned upstream based on the air introduced into the circulation flow path. That is, the air installation space 23a may be defined at the front side (+Z-axis direction) of the circulation flow path 2. The residual water remover 7 is arranged such that the air ejector 71 ejects air into the air installation space 23a toward the rear side of the circulation flow path 2 (the rear side of the drainage space).

[0121] The condensate discharged via the drainage flow path 236 may be moved along the drainage flow path 236 to the rear side of the drainage space 235 by the compressed air of the air ejector 71 and then introduced into the reservoir 61 via the drain port 237.

[0122] Figure 8 is an example of a residual water remover. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the residual water remover.

[0123] Referring together to Figure 8 and Figure 9 the residual water remover 7 may include: an air ejector 71 that ejects air; an air supplier 73 that supplies air to the air ejector 71; and an air cover 75 that surrounds at least a part of the air ejector 71 and the air supplier 73.

[0124] The air ejector 71 is configured to eject the supplied compressed air. The air ejector 71 may include: a nozzle body 711 having a cavity defined therein to allow air to move; an air nozzle 713 that ejects the air introduced into the nozzle body; and an air inlet 715 formed on the nozzle body to allow air to be introduced.

[0125] The nozzle body 711 may include a front surface 7111 and a rear surface 7112 facing the front surface 7111. The front surface 7111 may point to the rear side of the drainage space 235. That is, the air nozzle 713 is provided on the front surface 7111 and injects compressed air toward the drainage space 235.

[0126] In addition, the front surface 7111 may be formed in a circular shape (formed with a curved surface). This is to avoid interference with the flow of air introduced into the circulation channel because the residual water remover 7 is provided in the air installation space 23a.

[0127] The rear surface 7112 of the nozzle body 711 may face the air supplier 73 to be described later. The rear surface 7112 may be arranged to face the front side of the circulation channel 2.

[0128] The rear surface 7112 of the nozzle body 711 may have an air inlet 715 to be described later, so that compressed air generated from the air supplier 73 can be introduced.

[0129] The front surface 7111 of the nozzle body 711 includes a fastening groove 712 defined at a position corresponding to the fastening cover groove 7511a to be described later. The fastening groove 712 may include a first fastening groove 712a, a second fastening groove 712b, and a third fastening groove 712c defined along the width direction of the front surface 7111 of the nozzle body 711. The fastening cover groove 7511a and the fastening groove 712 may be coupled to each other via a fastening member such as a bolt or a nut, or may be coupled to each other in a form such as an assembly connection. However, preferably, the coupling of the fastening groove 712 and the fastening cover groove 7511a does not affect the air injection of the air nozzle 713.

[0130] The air nozzle 713 may include one or more air nozzles. The air nozzle 713 may be configured as a plurality of nozzles arranged along the width direction of the nozzle body 711 and extending through the front surface 7111 of the nozzle body 711. That is, the air nozzle 713 may include a first nozzle 713a, a second nozzle 713b, and a third nozzle 713c arranged along the width direction of the nozzle body 711 (based on the width direction of the circulation channel). The third nozzle 713c may be arranged closest to the drain port 237 based on the width direction of the nozzle body 711.

[0131] The air nozzle 713 can be disposed on the front surface 7111 of the nozzle body 711 adjacent to the bottom surface of the nozzle body 711. Alternatively, the air nozzle 713 can be formed at the corner where the front surface 7111 of the nozzle body 711 and the bottom surface of the nozzle body 711 intersect. When the air nozzle 713 is formed in this way, the air discharged from the nozzle body 711 will easily move along the bottom surface of the drain channel 236 to the rear side of the drain channel 236.

[0132] That is, in order to more effectively convey the condensate remaining on the bottom of the drain channel 236 toward the drain port 237, it is preferable that the air nozzle 713 is also disposed on the front surface 7111 of the nozzle body 711 at a point close to the bottom of the drain channel 236. In one example, as long as the air nozzle 713 is disposed on the front surface 7111 of the nozzle body 711, there is no need to limit the structure of the air nozzle to the above shape, position, etc.

[0133] The air inlet 715 can be disposed on the nozzle body 711 at a position facing the air nozzle 713. More specifically, the air inlet 715 can be disposed on the rear surface 7112 of the nozzle body 711. The air inlet 715 supplies compressed air to the nozzle body 711 via the air inlet hole 715a.

[0134] The air inlet 715 can protrude outward from the rear surface 7112 of the nozzle body 711. When the air inlet is configured in this way, the air inlet 715 can be inserted into the air connection portion 731 described later, thereby preventing the leakage of compressed air to the outside (improving the fastening strength between the air supplier and the air inlet).

[0135] That is, the air inlet 715 can be not only a component that couples the air supplier 73 to the nozzle body 711, but also a component that supplies the compressed air generated in the air supplier 73 to the nozzle body 711.

[0136] In addition, it is preferable that the air inlet 715 is disposed on the surface facing the air nozzle 713. When the air inlet 715 is not arranged in this way, the air introduced via the air inlet 715 will hit one surface of the nozzle body 711 where the air nozzle 713 is not provided, and then will move to the air nozzle 713. When the air hits one surface of the nozzle body 711, vortices may occur inside the nozzle body 711, which may cause a decrease in the pressure of the compressed air.

[0137] The air supplier 73 includes an air connection portion 731 communicating with the air inlet 715 and an air generator 733 that discharges compressed air to the air connection portion 731.

[0138] The air connection portion 731 has one side communicating with the nozzle body 711 via the air inlet 715 and the other side connected to the air generator 733, so that compressed air can be introduced into the nozzle body 711. The air connection portion 731 may include an air discharge hole 731a communicating with the air inlet hole 715a. When the air inlet 715 is inserted into and connected to one side of the air connection portion 731, the diameter of the air discharge hole 731a is equal to or greater than the diameter of the air inlet 715 and is set to be greater than the air inlet hole 715a.

[0139] The air generator 733 can generate compressed air or form an air flow that makes the external air move in one direction. The air generator 733 can inhale the external air outside the air generator 733, compress it, and then discharge it to the air connection portion 731. The air generator 733 may be composed of an impeller (not shown), an impeller shaft (not shown), and a motor that rotates the impeller shaft.

[0140] Here, the compressed air can be defined as air having a pressure greater than the pressure of the air existing inside the circulation passage 2. The air generator 733 can be configured as a device for moving the external air to the air connection portion 731, so that the air pressure increases when passing through the air inlet hole 715a and the air nozzle 713. The air generator 733 is not limited to the above structure or form as long as it can supply air to the air connection portion 731.

[0141] The air cap 75 includes: a main body cap 751 that surrounds at least a part of the air ejector 71 and the air supplier 73; and a guide cap 753 that is coupled to the main body cap 751 and provides a moving path for the air introduced into the circulation passage.

[0142] The main body cap 751 may include a first cap 7511 that surrounds at least a part of the front surface 7111 of the nozzle body 711, and a second cap 7513 that is disposed at the rear of the first cap 7511 and surrounds at least a part of the air supplier 73. The main body cap 751 can protect the air ejector 71 and the air supplier 73 from external impacts, air, or moisture. In addition, the release of the connection between the air ejector 71 and the air supplier 73 can be prevented.

[0143] The first cover 7511 can surround at least a part of the top surface and the front surface 7111 of the nozzle body 711. When the front surface 7111 of the nozzle body 711 is rounded such that the length in the front - rear direction of its lower end is greater than the length in the front - rear direction of its upper end, the first cover 7511 can be formed in a shape corresponding to the roundness of the front surface 7111. With this shape, the resistance to the flowing air can be reduced, and the eddy current phenomenon can be reduced via the front surface 7111, thereby promoting the air movement in the circulation channel 2.

[0144] The first cover 7511 can include a fastening cover groove 7511a communicating with the fastening groove 712. The number of the fastening cover grooves 7511a is preferably the same as the number of the fastening grooves 712, but as Figure 9 shown, the number of the fastening cover grooves 7511a can be less than the number of the fastening grooves 712.

[0145] As will be described later, when the diameter of the first nozzle 713a is large, the first fastening groove 712a can be defined to be smaller or omitted. In this regard, when the first fastening groove 712a is smaller or does not exist, the fastening cover groove 7511a can be fastened to the nozzle body 711 via the second fastening groove 712b and the third fastening groove 712c.

[0146] The second cover 7513 extends rearward from the first cover 7511. The second cover 7513 is arranged to cover at least a part of the air supplier 73 or at least a part of the air injector 71 and the air supplier 73. The second cover 7513 can prevent the air generator 733 and the air connection part 731 from disconnecting and support these components.

[0147] The second cover 7513 includes a top surface 7514 and a side surface 7515 that extends from the top surface 7514 along the width direction and forms the side surface. Considering the volume of the air generator 733, a top hole 7513a can be defined in the top surface 7514. This allows for a compact configuration while utilizing limited space.

[0148] Furthermore, the top hole 7513a can be defined considering the size of the air generator 733. That is, the air generator 733 can be fitted into the top hole 7513a (enhancing the fastening force and reducing the vibration of the air generator).

[0149] The guide cover 753 can be coupled to the upper part of the main body cover 751 and guide the air introduced into the circulation channel 2 toward the front side of the circulation channel 2. The guide cover can be inclined so as to minimize the eddy current caused by the friction with the air and can have one or more curved surfaces.

[0150] The guide cover 753 can be formed into a streamlined shape to minimize interference with the air introduced into the circulation flow path 2. The guide cover 753 includes: a first curved surface 7533 that is coupled to the top surface 7514 of the main body cover 751 and extends upward; and a second curved surface 7531 that has a curvature different from that of the first curved surface and extends upward.

[0151] The second curved surface 7531 can be provided in the upper region of the guide cover 753. That is, the second curved surface 7531 can be the component that the air introduced into the circulation flow path 2 by the residual water remover 7 first contacts. Therefore, the second curved surface 7531 can be rounded downward to minimize friction with the introduced air.

[0152] The first curved surface 7533 can extend downward from the lower end of the second curved surface 7531 and can be rounded relative to the second curved surface 7531. That is, the first curved surface 7533 can be formed into a shape that is rounded upward to guide the air guided through the second curved surface 7531 toward the front side of the circulation flow path 2.

[0153] In addition, the first curved surface 7533 can include a cover chamfer 7533a on one side based on the width direction. When the residual water remover 7 is installed in the air installation space 23a of the connection pipe, the cover chamfer 7533a can minimize interference with surrounding components.

[0154] The air introduced into the circulation flow path 2 can gradually change its moving direction toward the front side of the circulation flow path 2 via the second curved surface 7531, the first curved surface 7533, and the first cover 7511. That is, the air cover 75 can prevent interference, vortex phenomena, etc. that may occur when the air injector 71 and the air supplier 73 are provided in the circulation flow path 2.

[0155] Figure 10 are examples of the support member and the flow path regulator.

[0156] Referring to Figure 10 , the support member 4 can include a plurality of support holes 411 that extend through the support body 41. The support member 4 can include a partition body 412 that is longitudinally provided along the width direction of the support body 41 and separates the support holes 411 from each other.

[0157] The partition body 412 can be configured as a wall that separates a plurality of support holes 411 from each other. The first heat exchanger 31 can be disposed on the top surface of the partition body 412. In addition, the partition body 412 can support at least one side of a rib body 511 described later. As will be described later, when the rib body 511 rotates, the partition body 412 can also function as a stopper that prevents the rib body 511 from rotating by an angle equal to or greater than a predetermined angle.

[0158] In addition, the support body 41 can include rib grooves 41a into which shaft protrusions 513a of a rib shaft 513 described later are inserted. The rib grooves 41a can be defined at one or both sides of the support body 41.

[0159] In addition, the support 4 can include a guide slit 421 that extends in the width direction in the extension body 42. The guide slit 421 can be inclined or rounded from one end of the support body 41 (the end of the support body away from the drain port) toward the other end of the support body 41 (the end of the support body close to the drain port).

[0160] A flow path regulator 5 can be provided in the support body 41. The flow path regulator 5 can include a drain rib (rib portion) 51, and the drain rib 51 can include a rib body 511 that can adjust the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole 411 and a rib shaft 513 that forms the rotation center of the rib body.

[0161] The rib body 511 can be configured such that a shaft protrusion 513a that constitutes one end of the rib shaft 513 is received in the rib groove 41a. Since the rib body 511 can rotate based on the shaft protrusion 513a, the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole 411 can be adjusted.

[0162] Figure 11 is an example of a flow path regulator.

[0163] Referring to Figure 11 , the drain rib 51 can be composed of a plurality of rotatable rib bodies 511. The flow path regulator 5 can include a link 53 that connects the plurality of rotatable rib bodies 511 to each other such that the plurality of rib bodies 511 rotate simultaneously, and a flow path driver 55 that provides power to rotate the link 53. The flow path driver 55 can rotate the drain rib 51.

[0164] The drain rib 51 can include a rib body 511 that extends in the width direction of the support hole 411 and a rib shaft 513 that forms the rotation center of the rib body 511.

[0165] The rib main body 511 can extend along the width direction of the support hole 411, and the link shaft 511a can be provided at one end of the rib main body 511. The number of rib main bodies 511 can be the same as the number of support holes 411. The link shaft 511a can be coupled to a link 53 described later.

[0166] In addition, the height h1 of one side of the rib main body 511 where the link shaft 511a is provided can be set to be smaller than the height h2 of the other side of the rib main body 511. Since the diameter of the first nozzle 713a can be larger than the diameters of other nozzles, by reducing the height h1 of the side of the rib main body 511 close to the first nozzle 713a, it is possible to prevent the air discharged from the first nozzle 713a from being excessively introduced into the installation space 233.

[0167] In response to this, the length of the partition main body 412 in the front-rear direction on one side can be larger than the length in the front-rear direction on the other side. Therefore, in the third flow path mode (where the rib main body 511 is horizontally arranged parallel to the support main body 41) described later, the drain rib 51 can minimize the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole 411.

[0168] The rib shaft 513 can be provided at the upper end of the rib main body 511. The rib shaft 513 can have a shaft protrusion 513a forming one end thereof, and the shaft protrusion can be inserted into the rib groove 41a.

[0169] In addition, the shaft protrusion 513a of the rib shaft 513 can be connected to a connector 551 of a flow path driver 55 described later, and constitutes a drive shaft that can rotate together with the drain rib 51. The shaft protrusion 513a of the rib shaft that is not connected to the connector 551 (the rib shaft is not directly connected to the flow path driver) can constitute a driven shaft that provides a shaft that can rotate together with the rib main body 511. In addition, the link shaft 511a can protrude from the center to one side along the height direction of the rib main body 511. Specific details thereof will be described later.

[0170] In addition, the rib shaft 513 can include an auxiliary protrusion 513b provided at the other end of the rib main body 511. The auxiliary protrusion 513b is inserted into the rib groove 41a and can rotate. Since the flow path driver 55 is not directly connected to the auxiliary protrusion 513b, all the auxiliary protrusions 513b can be configured as driven shafts.

[0171] That is, as the shaft protrusion 513a at one end and the auxiliary protrusion 513b at the other end are inserted into the rib groove 41a, the rib main body 511 can rotate. Therefore, the load applied to the rib main body 511 can be reduced, thereby preventing the rib main body 511 from bending or breaking.

[0172] The connecting rod 53 can connect multiple rotatable rib bodies 511 to each other such that the multiple rotatable rib bodies 511 can rotate integrally. The connecting rod 53 includes: a connecting rod main body 531 that extends along a corresponding side of the multiple rotatable rib bodies 511; and a connecting rod protrusion 533 that has a connecting rod hole (not shown) into which a connecting rod shaft 511a can be inserted.

[0173] The connecting rod main body 531 extends in the front-rear direction along one side of the drainage rib 51. The connecting rod main body 531 can connect the multiple rotatable rib bodies 511 that are respectively inserted into the multiple connecting rod protrusions 533 to each other.

[0174] The connecting rod protrusion 533 protrudes from the connecting rod main body 531, and the connecting rod protrusion 533 includes a connecting rod hole (not shown) into which the connecting rod shaft 511a is inserted. The number of the connecting rod protrusions 533 can be the same as the number of the rib bodies 511. The spacing between the rib bodies 511 can be determined by the spacing at which the connecting rod protrusions 533 are arranged. The spacing between the multiple connecting rod protrusions 533 can be uniform such that the spacing between the rib bodies 511 is uniform.

[0175] The flow path driver 55 can be connected to one of the shaft protrusions 513a of the multiple rotatable rib bodies 511 to provide the power required for the rotation of the drainage rib 51. The flow path driver 55 can preferably be equipped as a motor having a rotating shaft. The flow path driver 55 can be connected to one shaft protrusion 513a via a connector 551.

[0176] The connector 551 can connect the rotating shaft (not shown) of the flow path driver 55 and the shaft protrusion 513a to each other. In addition, the connector 551 can space the drainage rib 51 and the flow path driver 55 apart by a predetermined spacing such that the connecting rod main body 531 can be disposed between the drainage rib 51 and the flow path driver 55.

[0177] Figure 12 is an example showing the operation of the flow path regulator. Figure 12 (a) in shows a diagram of a first flow path mode (maximum flow path mode), Figure 12 (b) in shows a diagram of a second flow path mode, and Figure 12 (c) in shows a diagram of a third flow path mode (minimum flow path mode).

[0178] Refer to Figure 12 (a), (b), and (c) in together, the flow path regulator 5 can be configured in multiple modes capable of adjusting the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole 411.

[0179] The flow channel regulator 5 can control the rib main body 511 such that the rib main body 511 rotates relative to the support member 4 within a range of 0 degrees to 180 degrees. More preferably, in order to prevent interference between the plurality of rotatable rib main bodies 511 and the partition main body 412, the rib main body 511 can rotate within a range of 0 degrees to 90 degrees. In addition, the flow channel regulator 5 can adjust the flow channel cross-sectional area of the support hole 411 via two shafts (the link shaft 511a and the rib shaft 513).

[0180] More specifically, when one rib shaft (shaft protrusion) 513 rotates through the flow channel driver 55, the plurality of rotatable rib main bodies 511 connected to each other via the link 53 will rotate around their respective shaft protrusions 513a. Based on this figure, when the rib main body 511 rotates clockwise, the link 53 moves toward the upper left side. When the above-mentioned shaft protrusion 513a rotates clockwise inside the rib groove 41a, the link protrusion 533 can rotate counterclockwise via the link shaft 511a.

[0181] Referring to Figure 12 in (a), the rib main body 511 is vertically aligned based on the support hole 411. In this regard, the flow channel cross-sectional area of the support hole 411 can be maximized. The alignment of the drain rib 51 in this way is defined as the first flow channel mode.

[0182] As will be described later, when it is necessary to discharge the condensate discharged from the first heat exchanger 31 to the drain channel (during a drying step or the like), the flow channel regulator 5 can be aligned in the first flow channel mode. Therefore, the condensate discharged from the first heat exchanger 31 provided on the rib main body 511 can be smoothly discharged to the drain channel provided below the rib main body 511.

[0183] Figure 12 in (b) shows the flow channel regulator 5 aligned in the second flow channel mode. The second flow channel mode is a mode in which the rib main body 511 is aligned between the first flow channel mode and the third flow channel mode to be described later. In the second flow channel mode, the rib main body 511 can rotate relative to the support hole 411 or the support main body 41 within a range of 40 degrees to 70 degrees. The alignment of the rib main body 511 at a predetermined angle in this way is defined as the second flow channel mode.

[0184] As will be described later, when the second flow channel mode is executed, the residual water remover 7 can eject compressed air. When the residual water remover 7 ejects compressed air in the second flow channel mode, the compressed air can pass through the area below the first heat exchanger along the rib main body 511. That is, when the flow channel regulator 5 is aligned in the second flow channel mode while the residual water remover 7 operates, not only can the residual water in the drain channel 236 be removed, but also the condensate remaining at the bottom of the first heat exchanger and on the drain rib 51 can be removed.

[0185] Figure 12 In (c), the flow path regulator 5 is aligned in the third flow path mode. The third flow path mode is a mode in which the rib main body 511 is aligned parallel to the support hole 411 or the support main body 41. When the rib main body 511 is aligned in the third flow path mode, the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole 411 can be minimized. The mode in which the rib main body 511 is aligned so that the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole 411 is minimized (the mode in which the rib main body is horizontally aligned with the support main body) is defined as the third flow path mode.

[0186] As will be described later, when the residual water remover 7 operates in the third flow path mode, compressed air is centrally ejected into the drainage space 235, increasing the pressure of the air ejected into the drainage flow path 236. Therefore, the condensate remaining in the drainage flow path 236 can be more effectively transferred to the drain port 237.

[0187] Figure 13 In (a), it is a diagram showing the flow of air introduced into the circulation flow path when the flow path regulator 5 is aligned in the first flow path mode. Figure 13 In (b), it is a diagram showing the flow of compressed air ejected from the residual water remover 7 when the flow path regulator 5 is aligned in the second flow path mode, and Figure 13 In (c), it is a diagram showing the flow of compressed air ejected from the residual water remover 7 when the flow path regulator 5 is aligned in the third flow path mode.

[0188] Referring to Figure 13 In (a), when the flow path regulator 5 is aligned in the first flow path mode, the drainage rib 51 is aligned almost vertically with respect to the support member 4 (parallel to the communication direction of the support hole 411). Figure 13 In (a) may be a schematic diagram of a drying step described later.

[0189] When the heat exchange assembly 3 operates, the circulation fan 36 operates, and air is introduced into the circulation flow path 2. The air introduced into the circulation flow path 2 is introduced into the first heat exchanger 31 through the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31, and is discharged rearward of the first heat exchanger 31 through the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31. The air introduced into the circulation flow path 2 discharges condensate when passing through the first heat exchanger 31. In other words, when the heat exchange assembly 3 operates, condensate can be generated in the first heat exchanger 31.

[0190] The condensate generated in the first heat exchanger 31 accumulates on the first heat exchanger 31 and moves downward by its own weight, and when the amount of generated condensate increases, it drops from the first heat exchanger 31. The condensate falling from the bottom of the first heat exchanger 31 moves to the drainage flow path 236 through the support hole 411 of the support member 4.

[0191] In this regard, the flow path regulator 5 can effectively discharge the condensate discharged from the first heat exchanger 31 to the drain flow path 236 by maximizing the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole 411. That is, in order to smoothly discharge the condensate generated in the first heat exchanger 31 to the drain flow path 236, the flow path regulator 5 is aligned in the first flow path mode.

[0192] Refer to Figure 13 (b) in, which is a schematic view showing the operation of the residual water remover 7 in a state where the flow path regulator 5 is aligned in the second flow path mode. It can be seen that a part of the compressed air ejected from the residual water remover 7 moves along the drain flow path 236 to the drain port 237, and the remaining part moves along the rib main body 511 to the installation space 233 where the first heat exchanger 31 is located. Figure 13 (b) in can be an embodiment of the second residual water removal step described later.

[0193] The compressed air moving in the direction of the drain port 237 transports the condensate remaining in the drain flow path 236 to the drain port 237, so that the condensate is stored in the reservoir 61.

[0194] The compressed air moving along the drain rib 51 to the installation space 233 can separate the condensate remaining on the drain rib 51 and the bottom of the first heat exchanger 31 from the drain rib and the first heat exchanger. Therefore, when the residual water remover 7 operates in the second flow path mode, the condensate remaining in the drain flow path 236 or accumulated on the bottom of the drain rib 51 and the first heat exchanger 31 can be easily removed.

[0195] Figure 13 (c) in shows the air movement path when the residual water remover 7 operates while the flow path regulator 5 is aligned in the third flow path mode. It can be seen that the compressed air ejected from the residual water remover 7 moves along the drain flow path 236 to the rear side of the drain flow path 236. Figure 13 (c) in can be another embodiment of the second residual water removal step described later.

[0196] Since the flow path regulator 5 is aligned in the third flow path mode, the compressed air discharged from the residual water remover 7 is concentratedly ejected into the drain space 235. Since the compressed air ejected into the drain space 235 moves backward (in the -Z axis direction) along the drain flow path 236, the condensate remaining in the drain flow path 236 will move to the reservoir 61 via the drain port 237.

[0197] Figure 14 is an example of a drain flow path, a support, and a residual water remover, and Figure 15It is a schematic diagram showing the movement of air based on the operation of a flow path regulator and a residual water remover.

[0198] Referring to Figure 14 and Figure 15 , the residual water remover 7 can be arranged in front of the support 4 (in the +Z-axis direction) at a predetermined interval. As described above, the air nozzle 713 of the residual water remover 7 extends along the width direction of the nozzle body 711 on the front surface 7111. In this regard, the diameter of the air nozzle 713 can vary according to the position of the air inlet 715, so that compressed air can be discharged at a uniform pressure in the width direction.

[0199] Compared with the other nozzles 713b and 713c, the first nozzle 713a can be arranged closest to the air inlet hole 715a of the air inlet 715. In this case, as Figure 15 shown in, the diameter D1 of the first nozzle 713a can be larger than the diameter D2 of the second nozzle 713b and the diameter D3 of the third nozzle 713c, and the diameter D2 of the second nozzle 713b can be larger than the diameter D3 of the third nozzle 713c.

[0200] The reason why the diameter of the nozzle becomes smaller as it is arranged farther away from the air inlet hole 715a in the width direction is to ensure that the compressed air ejected through the multiple nozzles is evenly ejected in the width direction of the drainage channel 236. When the compressed air is not evenly discharged, the condensate remaining in the drainage channel 236 may not be evenly transported, or there may be a dead zone where condensate remains in the drainage channel 236.

[0201] Since the first nozzle 713a is the part that the compressed air introduced through the air inlet hole 715a first approaches, when the diameter D1 is larger, the movement of the compressed air inside the nozzle body 711 becomes stable. In addition, the pressure or discharge amount of the air discharged through the first nozzle 713a can be made uniform by the pressure or discharge amount of the air discharged through the third nozzle 713c.

[0202] Conversely, when the diameter D1 of the first nozzle 713a is the smallest and the diameter D3 of the third nozzle 713c is the largest, the amount of compressed air discharged through the third nozzle 713c arranged farther away decreases. That is, when D1 is smaller than D3, the pressure of the compressed air discharged through the first nozzle 713a becomes larger than the pressure of the compressed air discharged through the third nozzle 713c, so that the air may not be evenly discharged in the width direction but may be unevenly discharged.

[0203] That is to say, the air nozzle 713 can eject compressed air evenly into the drainage channel 236 along the width direction while being arranged parallel to the width direction on the front surface 7111 of the nozzle body 711.

[0204] In addition, the center of the air inlet hole 715a may coincide with the first nozzle 713a. Thus, the compressed air introduced into the nozzle body 711 can be directly discharged into the first nozzle 713a, thereby reducing the amount of air hitting the wall. In addition, the diameter D4 of the air inlet hole 715a may be larger than the diameter D1 of the first nozzle 713a. Thus, the compressed air can be stably introduced into the third nozzle 713c (which is positioned away from the air inlet hole 715a).

[0205] In one example, the guiding slit 421 is defined in the extension body 42. The guiding slit 421 provides a flow path through which air or compressed air introduced into the drainage space 235 can be introduced into the installation space 233. The guiding slit 421 may be configured such that based on its two sides in the width direction, the cross-sectional area V1 of the flow path at the side away from the drain port 237 is narrower than the cross-sectional area V2 of the flow path at the other side.

[0206] Thus, due to the difference in the cross-sectional area of the flow path, one side of the guiding slit 421 may have a higher air pressure, and the other side of the guiding slit 421 may have an air pressure lower than that of one side of the guiding slit 421.

[0207] That is, due to the difference in the cross-sectional area of the flow path (V2 - V1) between one side and the other side of the guiding slit 421, an air pressure difference is generated between one side and the other side of the guiding slit 421. Thus, the air passing through the guiding slit 421 can flow from one side of the guiding slit 421 to the other side of the guiding slit 421.

[0208] In addition, the guiding slit 421 may have a second curvature Rb at a position corresponding to the first curvature Ra, which will be described later, so as to include a curve.

[0209] The guiding slit 421 may include: a first slit defined in the extension body 42 along the width direction away from the drain port 237; a third slit defined in the extension body 42 along the width direction close to the drain port 237; and a second slit extending between the first slit and the third slit.

[0210] As Figure 14 shown, the first slit 421a forms one side of the guiding slit 421. That is, the cross-sectional area V1 of the flow path at one side of the guiding slit 421 is the cross-sectional area V1 at one side of the first slit 421a.

[0211] The first slit 421a may have a second curvature Rb. Specifically, the first slit 421a may extend forward (along the +Z axis direction) from one side of the second slit 421b with the second curvature Rb, which will be described later.

[0212] In addition, the first slit 421a may be configured such that the cross-sectional area V1 of the flow path on one side thereof is narrower than the cross-sectional area of the flow path on the other side thereof. Therefore, as described above, a pressure difference of air may occur such that the air can flow from one side of the guiding slit 421 to the other side.

[0213] The second slit 421b may connect the other side of the first slit 421a to one side of a third slit 421c, which will be described later. The dimensions of the cross-sectional area of the flow path on one side and the other side of the second slit 421b may be the same as each other, and the length of the second slit 421b in the width direction may be larger than the length of the first slit 421a or the third slit 421c.

[0214] In addition, the second slit 421b may be bent forward at a predetermined angle from one side of the third slit 421c and may extend to the first slit 421a. Therefore, the entire guiding slit 421 may be gently inclined.

[0215] The third slit 421c forms the other side of the guiding slit 421. That is, the cross-sectional area V2 of the flow path on the other side of the guiding slit 421 may be set to the cross-sectional area V2 of the other side of the third slit 421c.

[0216] Therefore, the guiding slit 421, more specifically, the first slit 421a, the second slit 421b, and the third slit 421c of the guiding slit 421 may cause a pressure difference via the difference in the cross-sectional area of the flow path. Due to this pressure difference in the width direction, the air or compressed air passing through the guiding slit 421 may move from one side to the other side.

[0217] As Figure 15 shown, the drain channel 236 may include: a curved surface 236a that extends rearward from one side of the two sides that is away from the drain port 237; and a flat surface 236b that forms the rear surface provided at the rear part (in the -Z axis direction) of the drain channel 236, but extends from the other side of the curved surface 236a to the drain port 237.

[0218] The curved surface 236a may extend from one side of the flat surface 236b, which will be described below, and may extend forward with a first curvature Ra. The curved surface 236a may guide the compressed air uniformly jetted in the width direction via the air nozzle 713 to the drain port 237. In addition, at the corner away from the drain port 237 where condensate may remain, the blind spot may be reduced.

[0219] The flat surface 236b may have one side extending from the other side of the curved surface 236a and the other side connected to the drain port 237. The flat surface 236b may be configured as the rear surface of the drain channel 236. The flat surface 236b is disposed in the width direction such that the flow direction of the condensate and air whose movement is bent via the curved surface 236a can be guided to the drain port 237.

[0220] As described above, when compressed air is jetted from the front side to the rear side of the drain channel 236 in the width direction via the residual water remover 7, the condensate remaining in the drain channel 236 is transported to the rear side of the drain channel 236 by the compressed air. At the rear side of the drain channel 236, an air flow toward the drain port 237 may occur due to the pressure difference generated by the flow channel cross-sectional area difference V2 - V1 of the guiding slit 421.

[0221] In addition, due to the first curvature Ra at the curved surface 236a of the drain channel 236, the air that has moved to the rear side of the drain channel 236 can move along the flat surface 236b toward the drain port 237.

[0222] In other words, the transportation of the condensate to the rear side of the drain channel 236 can be caused by the residual water remover 7, and the transportation of the condensate from the rear side of the drain channel 236 to the drain port 237 can be caused by the guiding slit 421 or / and the curved surface 236a and the flat surface 236b. Therefore, the condensate remaining in the drain channel 236 can be smoothly transported to the drain port 237.

[0223] Refer to Figure 16 , the laundry treating apparatus 100 may further include a guiding assembly 9 that can adjust the flow channel cross-sectional areas of the front surface 311 and the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31. The guiding assembly 9 can guide the air introduced into the circulation channel 2 to the lower regions 311b and 312b of the first heat exchanger 31, so that the condensate accumulated on the lower region of the first heat exchanger 31 can be smoothly transferred to the drain space 235.

[0224] In one example, the front surface 311 and the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31 may be respectively divided into an upper region 311a and 312a and a lower region 311b and 312b. The upper regions 311a and 312a of the first heat exchanger 31 may refer to the regions from the uppermost end to the midpoint along the height direction of the first heat exchanger 31. The lower regions 311b and 312b of the first heat exchanger 31 may refer to the regions from the lowermost end to the midpoint along the height direction of the first heat exchanger 31.

[0225] In other words, the upper regions 311a and 312a of the first heat exchanger 31 may refer to the regions within the range of 0% to 50% (excluding 0%, including 50%) of the vertical dimension from the uppermost end of the first heat exchanger. The lower regions 311b and 312b of the first heat exchanger may refer to the regions within the range of 50% to 100% (excluding 50%, including 100%) of the vertical dimension from the uppermost end of the first heat exchanger 31.

[0226] As described above, the guiding assembly 9 can adjust the opening area of the first heat exchanger 31 or the flow passage cross-sectional area of the installation space 233 to concentrate or guide the flow of air introduced into the first heat exchanger 31 or that has passed through the first heat exchanger 31.

[0227] The guiding assembly 9 can cover the first heat exchanger 31 such that the air introduced into the circulation flow passage only passes through at least a partial area (60% to 90%) of the first heat exchanger 31. That is, the guiding assembly 9 can cover the front surface 311 and the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31 such that at least a part of the lower regions 311b and 312b of the first heat exchanger are opened.

[0228] The guiding assembly 9 can include: a first guiding member 91 disposed in front of the first heat exchanger 31; a second guiding member 92 disposed at the rear of the first heat exchanger 31; and a guiding driver 93 that provides power such that the first guiding member 91 and the second guiding member 92 can pivot. The first guiding member 91 and the second guiding member 92 can pivot around a first axis 91a and a second axis 92a respectively through the guiding driver 93. The first guiding member 91 and the second guiding member 92 can pivot simultaneously through a single motor and a connecting belt (not shown), or can pivot simultaneously or independently by respectively including a first motor 931 and a second motor 932.

[0229] The first guiding member 91 is disposed in front of the first heat exchanger 31 and can adjust the flow passage cross-sectional area in front of the first heat exchanger 31. That is, the first guiding member 91 can adjust the flow passage cross-sectional area (or the front cross-sectional area or the front opening area of the first heat exchanger 31) of the part of the installation space 233 in front of the first heat exchanger where air is introduced from the front.

[0230] The first guiding member 91 can include a first guiding body 911 that covers at least a part of the front surface of the first heat exchanger 31.

[0231] Here, covering only means preventing the air introduced into the circulation flow path from being directly introduced into the first heat exchanger 31, but does not mean that the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31 is physically sealed or blocked. When air is introduced into the first heat exchanger 31 through the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31, the first guide member 91 may at least partially cover the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31 through the first induction body 911.

[0232] In one example, the guide assembly 9 may include a plurality of guide modes capable of adjusting the flow path cross-sectional area of the first heat exchanger 31. This will be described later.

[0233] Figure 17 (a) in shows a diagram of the movement of air when the guide assembly is open, and Figure 17 (b) in shows a diagram of the movement of air when the guide assembly is closed.

[0234] Referring to Figure 17 (a) in, the guide assembly 9 may be aligned in an open state (i.e., the first guide mode). Figure 17 (a) in may be the alignment of the guide assembly 9 in the drying step described later.

[0235] The first guide mode refers to a mode in which the front surface 311 and the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31 are not covered by the guide assembly 9, so that the air introduced into the circulation flow path 2 can pass through the first heat exchanger 31.

[0236] That is to say, the first guide mode refers to a state in which both the first guide member 91 and the second guide member 92 are open without covering the first heat exchanger 31 (or covering them to the minimum extent).

[0237] In this regard, when the heat exchange assembly 3 operates, the air introduced into the circulation flow path 2 can be introduced into the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31 and discharged to the rear surface 312. Therefore, the heat exchange between the first heat exchanger 31 and the air can be actively performed. That is to say, it can be seen that the air introduced into the circulation flow path in the state where the guide assembly 9 is aligned in the first mode (in the state where the guide assembly is open) sequentially passes through the first heat exchanger 31 and the second heat exchanger 32.

[0238] Figure 17 (b) in shows the second guide mode in which the guide assembly 9 is closed. Figure 17 The mode in (b) in may be the alignment of the guide assembly 9 in the first residual water removal step described later.

[0239] The second guiding mode can be a mode in which the guiding assembly 9 is arranged to cover the front surface 311 and the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31, so that the air introduced into the circulation channel 2 can be guided to the lower region of the first heat exchanger 31.

[0240] That is to say, the state in which both the first guiding member 91 and the second guiding member 92 pivot to cover the first heat exchanger 31 can be referred to as the second guiding mode or the closed state of the guiding assembly 9. In this regard, at least a part of the lower regions 311b and 312b of the first heat exchanger 31 can be opened.

[0241] In other words, the open state of the guiding assembly 9 in this document can mean that the first guiding member 91 or the second guiding member 92 is aligned in the first guiding mode, so that the first heat exchanger 31 is not covered, and thus air can flow freely through the first heat exchanger 31. The closed state of the guiding assembly 9 can mean that the first guiding member 91 or the second guiding member 92 is aligned in the second guiding mode of covering the front surface 311 and the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31, so that only at least a part of the first heat exchanger 31 is opened.

[0242] In addition, in the second guiding mode, the first guiding member 91 can cover the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31, so that at least a part of only the front lower region of the first heat exchanger 31 is opened or exposed, and the second guiding member 92 can cover the entire rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31. The reason why the second guiding member 92 covers the entire rear surface of the first heat exchanger 31 is to prevent the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger 31 from supplying condensate to the second heat exchanger 32.

[0243] In one example, when the first guiding member 91 and the second guiding member 92 operate independently, the multiple modes can include: a third guiding mode in which the guiding members are aligned so that the front surface of the first heat exchanger 31 is covered and its rear surface is opened; and a fourth guiding mode in which the guiding members are aligned so that the front surface of the first heat exchanger 31 is opened and its rear surface is covered. That is to say, in the third guiding mode, the first guiding member 91 is closed while the second guiding member 92 is opened. In the fourth guiding mode, the first guiding member 91 is opened while the second guiding member 92 is closed.

[0244] Refer to Figure 17 In (a) and (b) of, the flow of air inside the circulation channel based on the alignment of the guiding assembly 9 will be described.

[0245] Refer to Figure 17As shown in (a) thereof, it can be seen that the air introduced into the circulation channel in a state where the guiding component 9 is aligned in the first guiding mode sequentially passes through the first heat exchanger 31 and the second heat exchanger 32. The movement of the air introduced into the circulation channel 2 while the heat exchange component 3 is in operation and the movement of the condensate generated in the first heat exchanger 31 have been described above.

[0246] Referring to Figure 17 As shown in (b) thereof, the air introduced into the circulation channel in a state where the guiding component 9 is aligned in the second guiding mode is introduced into the first heat exchanger 31 via the front surface of the first heat exchanger 31, more preferably via the front lower region of the first heat exchanger 31. As described above, since the rear surface of the first heat exchanger 31 is completely covered by the second guiding member 92, the air introduced into the first heat exchanger 31 and the condensate are introduced into the drainage space via the support body through-hole.

[0247] That is to say, when the circulation fan operates in the second mode, the air is guided to move along the direction of the circulation channel in the lower region of the first heat exchanger 31. The guided air can separate the condensate (residual water) accumulated on the lower region of the first heat exchanger 31 from the first heat exchanger and move the condensate to the drainage space.

[0248] In this regard, the flow channel regulator 5 can be aligned in the first flow channel mode or the second flow channel mode so that the condensate can move to the drainage space 235.

[0249] Figure 18 is an embodiment of the control method for performing the residual water removal step, and Figure 19 is another embodiment of the control method for performing the residual water removal step.

[0250] Referring together to Figure 18 and Figure 19 , the method for controlling the laundry treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a drying step of removing moisture from the laundry stored in the drum 17; and a residual water removal step of removing or transporting the condensate generated after the drying step to the drain port 237.

[0251] In the drying step, the heat exchange component 3 and the circulation fan 36 are operated. When the circulation fan 36 operates, the air inside the drum 17 is introduced into the circulation channel 2 via the first duct 21, passes through the heat exchange component 3, and then is supplied back to the drum 17 via the second duct 22.

[0252] In the drying step, in order to maximize the surface area of the air moving inside the circulation channel 2 in contact with the first heat exchanger 31, the guiding assembly 9 is aligned in the first guiding mode. That is to say, since the guiding assembly 9 is open, the cross-sectional area of the channel that guides the air to the first heat exchanger 31 can be maximized. In addition, in the drying step, in order to smoothly discharge the condensate generated in the first heat exchanger 31 to the drainage space 235, the channel regulator 5 can be aligned in the first channel mode or the second channel mode.

[0253] Via the drying step, the moisture-containing air introduced into the circulation channel 2 can be dehumidified and heated when passing through the heat exchange assembly 3, and then re-supplied to the drum 17.

[0254] The residual water removal step is the step of removing the condensate generated in the drying step or transferring it to the drain port 237. The residual water removal step includes: a first residual water removal step of transferring the condensate remaining in the first heat exchanger 31 to the drainage space 235 or removing it; and a second residual water removal step of transferring the condensate remaining in the drainage space to the drain port 237 or removing it.

[0255] The first residual water removal step can be performed after the drying step. In the first residual water removal step, the circulation fan 36 can be operated, and the guiding assembly 9 can be in the second guiding mode. In this regard, a drain pump (not shown) can be operated to transfer the remaining condensate from the reservoir 61 to the storage tank. In this regard, the channel regulator 5 can stop operating and remain aligned in the first channel mode or the second channel mode as in the drying step. In the first residual water removal step, the residual water remover 7 can not be operated.

[0256] In the first residual water removal step, the air introduced into the circulation channel passes through the lower region of the first heat exchanger intensively through the guiding assembly 9. Therefore, in the drying step, the condensate generated in the first heat exchanger can be transferred to the drainage space 235.

[0257] The second residual water removal step can be performed after the drying step or after the first residual water removal step. In the second residual water removal step, the circulation fan 36 stops operating. In the second residual water removal step, the channel regulator 5 can be aligned in the second channel mode or the third channel mode. That is to say, the operation of the channel regulator 5 means that the channel regulator is aligned in a channel mode other than the first channel mode. In addition, the residual water remover 7 can be operated to inject compressed air into the drainage space 235. Therefore, in the first residual water removal step, the condensate transferred to the drainage channel can be transferred to the reservoir 61 via the drain port 237.

[0258] The principle of smoothly transporting the condensate remaining in the drainage channel to the drain port 237 has been described. In this regard, the drain pump can be operated to discharge the condensate introduced into the reservoir 61 to the drain tank.

[0259] In one example, the guiding assembly 9 can be aligned in the open state (i.e., in the first guiding mode) as shown in the figure, so that the air introduced into the installation space through the residual water remover 7 can move to the rear of the first heat exchanger 31. Alternatively, the guiding assembly 9 can be aligned in the closed state (i.e., in the second guiding mode) to prevent the air introduced into the installation space through the residual water remover 7 from moving to the second heat exchanger 32.

[0260] The second residual water removal step can be a step independent of the operation of the guiding assembly 9, as long as the flow channel regulator 5 and the residual water remover 7 are operated after the drying step or the first residual water removal step to remove the condensate inside the drainage channel 236.

[0261] The structure and control method of the above-mentioned laundry treatment device are examples of the present disclosure and can be implemented in various modified forms. Therefore, the scope of its rights is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Thus, when a modified embodiment includes the components of the claims of the present disclosure, it should be regarded as falling within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A laundry treatment device, the laundry treatment device comprising: A drum configured to provide a space for accommodating laundry; A circulation channel configured to provide a passage for guiding air discharged from the drum back to the drum; A heat exchange assembly including a circulation fan, a first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger. The circulation fan is configured to move air along the circulation channel. The first heat exchanger is configured to dehumidify the air moving along the circulation channel. The second heat exchanger is configured to heat the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger; A support member including a support body that supports a lower portion of the first heat exchanger and a support hole defined through the support body. The support member divides the circulation channel into an installation space in which the heat exchange assembly is placed and a drainage space through which condensate generated in the first heat exchanger is discharged via the support hole; A water collector disposed outside the circulation channel and in communication with the drainage space. The water collector has a reservoir for storing the condensate discharged into the drainage space; and A residual water remover configured to jet air into the drainage space so that the condensate introduced into the drainage space moves to the water collector.

2. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The residual water remover includes: An air injector configured to jet air into the drainage space via one or more nozzles directed toward the drainage space; and An air supplier configured to supply air to the air injector.

3. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The air injector includes: A nozzle body providing a space in which air can flow; An air nozzle disposed on a surface of the nozzle body facing the drainage space to jet the air introduced into the nozzle body into the drainage space; and An air inlet disposed on the nozzle body. The air inlet has an air inlet hole allowing the nozzle body and the air supplier to communicate with each other.

4. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The air supplier includes: An air motor configured to discharge air; and An air connection portion having one side in communication with the air motor and an opposite side in communication with the air inlet. The air connection portion guides the air discharged from the air motor to the nozzle body.

5. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, The air nozzle is disposed on the front surface of the nozzle body, wherein the air supplier is in communication with the air inlet formed on a rear surface of the nozzle body facing the front surface of the nozzle body.

6. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The air nozzle is composed of a plurality of cleaning nozzles, and the plurality of cleaning nozzles are arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval along the width direction of the nozzle body on the front surface of the nozzle body, wherein diameters of the plurality of cleaning nozzles become smaller in a direction away from the air inlet hole along the width direction of the nozzle body.

7. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The air inlet hole is defined to be on the side of the nozzle body closer to the rear surface of the nozzle body and farther from the water collector based on the width direction of the nozzle body among both sides of the nozzle body. Among them, the plurality of cleaning nozzles include a first nozzle, a third nozzle, and a second nozzle. The first nozzle is arranged closest to the center of the air inlet hole based on the width direction of the nozzle body. The third nozzle is arranged farthest from the center of the air inlet hole based on the width direction of the nozzle body. The second nozzle is arranged between the first nozzle and the third nozzle.

8. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, The first nozzle has a diameter larger than the diameters of the second nozzle and the third nozzle. Among them, the second nozzle has a diameter larger than the diameter of the third nozzle.

9. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The center of the first nozzle and the center of the air inlet hole are located on the same straight line.

10. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The residual water remover further includes an air cap connected to the air ejector and the air supply from above. Among them, the air cap includes: A main body cap that is connected to the air nozzle and the air supply from above to at least partially cover the top surface of the air nozzle and the top surface of the air supply; and A flow path cap that is connected to the main body cap from above and is configured to guide the air introduced into the circulation flow path.

11. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The flow path cap includes at least one curved surface to stably guide the air introduced into the circulation flow path.

12. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the laundry treating apparatus further includes a flow path regulator disposed in the support member so as to be able to adjust a flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole, where The flow path regulator is configured to regulate the amount of air passing through the drainage space.

13. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, The flow path regulator includes: A drainage rib, the drainage rib includes a plurality of rotatable rib bodies, and the plurality of rotatable rib bodies are configured to be rotatable to cover at least a part of the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole; A connecting rod that is connected to the drainage rib so that the plurality of rotatable rib bodies rotate integrally; and A flow path driver that is configured to provide power to the connecting rod so that the drainage rib rotates.

14. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, The flow path regulator is configured to have multiple alignments. Among them, the multiple alignments include: A maximum flow path mode, in which the rotatable rib bodies are arranged vertically with respect to the support body so that the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole is maximized; and A minimum flow path mode, in which the rotatable rib bodies are arranged parallel to the support body so that the flow path cross-sectional area of the support hole is minimized.

15. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, The drainage rib has the plurality of rotatable rib bodies, and the plurality of rotatable rib bodies are arranged at a predetermined interval from each other in the front-rear direction of the support body and extend in the width direction of the support body. Among them, the height of one side surface of the rotatable rib body that is arranged farther from the reservoir among the two side surfaces in the width direction is smaller than the height of the opposite side surface of the rotatable rib body.

16. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1, the clothing treatment device further includes: A drain channel is provided in the drainage space along the front-rear direction of the drainage space. The drain channel provides a space in which condensate discharged into the drainage space can move; and A drain port that allows the drain channel and the reservoir to communicate with each other, so that the condensate moving in the drain channel is introduced into the reservoir, wherein the drain channel has a rear surface that is inclined to guide the condensate to the drain port.

17. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 16, wherein, The rear surface of the drain channel includes: A flat surface that is provided parallel to the front surface of the drain channel; and A curved surface that extends in the forward direction of the drain channel with a first curvature from a side of the flat surface that is positioned farther from the drain port among the two sides of the flat surface.

18. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 17, wherein, The support member further includes an extension body that extends from the support body to the second heat exchanger, wherein the extension body includes a guiding slit that allows the installation space and the drainage space to communicate with each other between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, wherein the guiding slit extends along the width direction of the drainage space in the extension body, and the flow channel cross-sectional area at a side of the guiding slit that is arranged to be farther from the drain port in the width direction of the drainage space is smaller than the flow channel cross-sectional area at the opposite side of the guiding slit.

19. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 18, wherein, The guiding slit includes: A first slit that is defined at a side of the extension body that is farther from the drain port among the two sides of the extension body in the width direction; A third slit that is defined at the opposite side of the extension body; and A second slit that is defined to connect the first slit and the third slit, wherein the flow channel cross-sectional area of the first slit is smaller than the flow channel cross-sectional area of the third slit.

20. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 19, wherein, The first slit extends from the second slit with a second curvature, wherein the first curvature and the second curvature correspond to each other.

21. A method for controlling a laundry treatment device, the laundry treatment device comprising: A drum configured to provide a space for accommodating clothes; a circulation channel configured to provide a passage for guiding air discharged from the drum back to the drum; A heat exchange assembly including a circulation fan, a first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger. The circulation fan is configured to move air along the circulation channel. The first heat exchanger is configured to dehumidify the air moving along the circulation channel. The second heat exchanger is configured to heat the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger. A support member configured to divide the circulation channel into an installation space where the heat exchange assembly is placed and a drainage space where condensate generated in the first heat exchanger is discharged. A water collector is in communication with the drainage space and includes a reservoir for storing the condensate discharged into the drainage space. A guiding assembly configured to guide the air introduced into the circulation channel to a lower region of the first heat exchanger; A residual water remover configured to inject compressed air into the drainage space such that condensate introduced into the drainage space is forced to be conveyed to the water collector; And a flow path regulator provided in the support member and configured to regulate the amount of air passing through the drainage space, the method for controlling a laundry treatment apparatus comprising: A drying step of operating the circulation fan and opening the guiding assembly to remove moisture from the laundry accommodated in the drum; A first residual water removal step of operating the circulation fan and closing the guiding assembly to allow air introduced into the circulation flow path to pass through the lower region of the first heat exchanger, thereby separating condensate from the lower region of the first heat exchanger; and A second residual water removal step of stopping the circulation fan, operating the residual water remover, and operating the flow path regulator to convey condensate discharged into the drainage space to the reservoir.

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