Laundry treatment apparatus and method for controlling the same

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 part provided with a circulation fan for moving air along the circulation passage, a first heat exchanger for dehumidifying air passing through and moving along the circulation passage, and a second heat exchanger extending through the first heat exchanger; and a guide portion provided in the circulation passage so as to be able to guide the air introduced into the circulation passage to a lower region of the first heat exchanger.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a clothing processing device and a control method for the clothing processing device. Background Art

[0002] The laundry treating apparatus is a general term for apparatuses capable of washing washable objects (washing targets) represented by laundry, drying dryable objects (drying targets), and washing and drying the targets.

[0003] An existing clothing processing device capable of drying includes: a drum, which provides a space for accommodating clothes; a circulation flow channel, which guides air discharged from the drum to the drum; a fan, which moves the air along the circulation flow channel; and a heat exchanger assembly, which dehumidifies and heats the air introduced into the circulation flow channel in sequence (publication number 10-2021-0063873).

[0004] The heat exchanger assembly in the above-described structure includes a first heat exchanger that cools the air within the circulation channel and a second heat exchanger that heats the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger. Because the air exhausted from the drum condenses as it passes through the first heat exchanger, a water collector for collecting condensed water and a drainage channel for directing the water to the water collector are provided below the first heat exchanger, either inside or outside the circulation channel.

[0005] However, the above structure has a problem: when the heat exchanger assembly is stopped, condensed water does not flow from the first heat exchanger into the drain flow channel, but instead remains accumulated on the lower portion of the first heat exchanger. Furthermore, the first heat exchanger may include multiple fins to increase the contact area with the air flowing within the circulation flow channel. In this case, due to the water bridging phenomenon, condensed water may accumulate in the narrow spaces between adjacent fins at the lower portion of the first heat exchanger, connecting the fins like a bridge. Condensed water that accumulates on the first heat exchanger, where the fins are connected, does not easily evaporate and remains on the first heat exchanger.

[0006] As described above, in the above-described structure, as various contaminants such as mold and bacteria accumulate over time, condensed water (residual water) remaining on the first heat exchanger may contaminate the entire interior of the circulation flow channel. When the heat exchanger assembly is operated in a state in which the circulation flow channel is contaminated, there is a problem in that the contaminants remaining inside the circulation flow channel are introduced into the drum through the fan, and may also cause odor or contamination of the drying target. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] An object of the present application is to provide a laundry treating apparatus and a control method of the laundry treating apparatus, which can minimize residual condensed water on a first heat exchanger that condenses air introduced into a circulation flow channel.

[0009] The present application aims to provide a laundry processing apparatus and a control method of the laundry processing apparatus, which can remove condensed water remaining on the lower area of the first heat exchanger by allowing air introduced into a circulation flow channel to pass through the lower area of the first heat exchanger in a concentrated manner.

[0010] An object of the present application is to provide a laundry treating apparatus and a control method of the laundry treating apparatus, which can drain residual water accumulated on a lower area of a first heat exchanger to a drainage space below the first heat exchanger.

[0011] The purpose of the present application is to provide a clothing processing device and a control method for the clothing processing device, which can prevent condensed water remaining on a first heat exchanger from moving to a second heat exchanger arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger by introducing the flow of air into a circulation channel.

[0012] The object of the present application is to provide a laundry processing device and a control method of the laundry processing device, which can minimize splashing of washing water to other places other than the first heat exchanger when washing the first heat exchanger by spraying washing water from a washing nozzle provided on the first heat exchanger.

[0013] Technical Solution

[0014] The present application provides a clothing processing device, which includes: a drum, which provides a space for accommodating clothes; a circulation flow channel, which provides a path for guiding air discharged from the drum to the drum; a heat exchanger assembly, which includes a circulation fan, a first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger, the circulation fan causes the air to move along the circulation flow channel, the first heat exchanger dehumidifies the air passing through the first heat exchanger while moving along the circulation flow channel, and the second heat exchanger heats the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger; and a guide, which is located inside the circulation flow channel and guides the air introduced into the circulation flow channel to a lower area of the first heat exchanger.

[0015] The guide member can be configured to adjust a plurality of modes of flow path cross-sectional area for air passing through the first heat exchanger, and the plurality of modes can include a first mode for maximizing the cross-sectional area of air introduced into the first heat exchanger and a second mode for minimizing the cross-sectional area of air introduced into the first heat exchanger.

[0016] The first mode may be set to a mode in which both an upper region of the first heat exchanger and a lower region of the first heat exchanger are opened, and the second mode may be set to a mode in which at least a portion of the lower region of the first heat exchanger is opened.

[0017] The guide may include a first guide disposed in front of the first heat exchanger and adjusting a cross-sectional area of a front surface of the first heat exchanger.

[0018] The first guide may include a first induction body covering at least a portion of the front surface of the first heat exchanger and being pivotable about one end of the first induction body.

[0019] The first induction body may have an area size covering 60% to 90% of a cross-sectional area of the front surface of the first heat exchanger.

[0020] One end of the first induction body may be disposed parallel to an upper end of the first heat exchanger.

[0021] The opposite ends of the first induction body may be disposed in parallel with a position spaced apart from an upper end of the first heat exchanger by 60% to 90% of a vertical dimension of the first heat exchanger.

[0022] The first guide may include: a first auxiliary body extending from one end of the first guide at a predetermined angle; and a first shaft provided on the first auxiliary body, positioned at a point higher than the first sensing body, and forming a pivot axis of the first sensing body.

[0023] The guide may further include a second guide provided at a rear portion of the first heat exchanger and controlling a movement path of air discharged from the first heat exchanger.

[0024] The second guide may include a second induction body covering at least a portion of a rear surface of the first heat exchanger and being pivotable about one end of the second induction body.

[0025] The second induction body may have one end disposed parallel to an upper end of the first heat exchanger and have the same area as that of the first induction body.

[0026] The second induction body may have one end disposed parallel to an upper end of the first heat exchanger and have an area size covering an entire rear surface of the first heat exchanger.

[0027] The second guide may include: a second auxiliary body extending from one end of the second guide at a predetermined angle; and a second shaft provided on the second auxiliary body, positioned at a point higher than the second sensing body, and forming a pivot axis of the second sensing body.

[0028] The laundry processing apparatus may further include a support member that divides the circulation flow channel into an installation space in which the heat exchanger assembly is provided and a drainage space for discharging condensed water generated in the first heat exchanger, and the support member may include a support body that supports the bottom of the first heat exchanger and a support body communication hole defined in the support body.

[0029] The clothes treating apparatus may further include a stopper protruding from the support body and positioned at a rear portion of the first heat exchanger, wherein the stopper prevents contact between the second guide and the first heat exchanger.

[0030] The support member may include: an auxiliary body extending from the support body in a direction of the second heat exchanger; and an auxiliary body communication hole defined in the auxiliary body to allow air in the drainage space to be discharged to a space between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.

[0031] The clothing processing apparatus may further include: a sump, which is connected to the drainage space and is configured to store condensed water in the sump; a washing nozzle, which is disposed in the installation space and is configured to discharge the condensed water to the first heat exchanger; and a drainage pump, which is configured to transfer the condensed water stored in the sump to the washing nozzle.

[0032] The wash nozzle may be positioned between the first guide and the second guide.

[0033] The present application provides a control method for a clothes processing device, the clothes processing device comprising: a cabinet; a drum, the drum being arranged inside the cabinet and being configured to accommodate clothes in the drum; a circulation flow channel, the circulation flow channel being configured to guide air discharged from the drum to the drum; a heat exchanger assembly, the heat exchanger assembly comprising a circulation fan configured to move air along the circulation flow channel, a first heat exchanger configured to dehumidify the air moving along the circulation flow channel, and a second heat exchanger configured to heat the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger; and a guide member, the guide member The guide is located inside the circulation channel and is configured to guide the air introduced into the circulation channel to the lower area of the first heat exchanger. The control method of the clothing processing device includes: a drying step, operating the circulation fan, and setting the guide to a first mode of opening both the upper area and the lower area of the first heat exchanger; and a residual water removal step, operating the circulation fan, and setting the guide to a second mode of opening only the lower area of the first heat exchanger to guide the air introduced into the circulation channel to the lower area of the first heat exchanger.

[0034] The clothing processing device may further include: a support member configured to support the lower area of the first heat exchanger and divide the circulation flow channel into an installation space in which the heat exchanger assembly is provided and a drainage space for discharging condensed water generated in the first heat exchanger; a washing nozzle configured to discharge condensed water to the upper area of the first heat exchanger; a washing valve configured to open and close the washing nozzle; a sump, the sump is connected to the drainage space and configured to store condensed water in the sump; and a drain pump configured to transfer the condensed water stored in the sump to the washing nozzle, and the control method of the clothing processing device may further include a cleaning step, after the drying step is completed, stopping the cycle, setting the guide member to the second mode, operating the drain pump, and opening the cleaning valve.

[0035] Beneficial effects

[0036] The present application provides a clothes treating apparatus and a control method of the clothes treating apparatus, which can minimize the residual condensed water on a first heat exchanger that condenses air introduced into a circulation flow channel.

[0037] In addition, the present application provides a laundry processing apparatus and a control method of the laundry processing apparatus, which can remove condensed water remaining on the lower area of the first heat exchanger by allowing air introduced into the circulation flow channel to intensively pass through the lower area of the first heat exchanger.

[0038] In addition, the present application provides a clothes treating apparatus and a control method of the clothes treating apparatus, which can drain residual water accumulated on a lower area of a first heat exchanger to a drainage space below the first heat exchanger.

[0039] In addition, the present application provides a clothing processing device and a control method for the clothing processing device, which can prevent condensed water remaining on the first heat exchanger from moving to a second heat exchanger arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger by introducing the flow of air into the circulation channel.

[0040] The present application provides a laundry treating apparatus and a control method of the laundry treating apparatus, which can minimize splashing of washing water to other places except the first heat exchanger when washing the first heat exchanger by spraying washing water from a washing nozzle provided on the first heat exchanger. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is an example of a clothes treating appliance.

[0042] Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view of a clothes processing device.

[0043] Figure 4 2 is a diagram showing that a heat exchanger assembly, a support member, and a guide member are arranged inside a circulation flow channel.

[0044] Figure 5 1 is a diagram showing the circulation flow path, the support member, and the drainage system in a state where the duct cover is opened.

[0045] Figure 6 1 is a diagram showing a washing member, a drainage system, and a flow path regulator in a state where the duct cover is closed.

[0046] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a washing member, a drainage system, and a flow path regulator.

[0047] Figure 8 is an example of a flow channel regulator.

[0048] Figure 9 2 is a diagram showing a support member and a guide member provided in a circulation flow channel.

[0049] Figure 10 (a) is a diagram showing a state where the guide is opened, and Figure 10 (b) is a diagram showing a state where the guide is closed.

[0050] Figure 11 It is a diagram showing the airflow inside the circulation flow path in a state where the guide is opened.

[0051] Figure 12 It is a diagram showing the airflow inside the circulation flow path in a state where the guide is closed.

[0052] Figure 13 It is a simulation diagram showing that the washing nozzle is opened in a state where the guide is closed.

[0053] Figure 14 is an example of a control method in which the residual water removing step is performed after the drying step.

[0054] Figure 15 is an example of a control method in which a cleaning step and a residual water removing step are performed after a drying step. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration or control method of the device to be described below is only used to describe the embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the reference numerals used in the same manner in this document represent the same components.

[0056] Certain terminology is used in this document for descriptive purposes only and is not intended to be limiting of the embodiments shown.

[0057] For the purpose of describing the present disclosure, a description will be made based on a spatial rectangular coordinate system consisting of an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are orthogonal to each other. Each axial direction (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction) refers to the two directions in which each axis extends. The "+" sign appended before each axial direction (+X-axis direction, +Y-axis direction, and +Z-axis direction) refers to the positive direction, i.e., one of the two directions in which each axis extends. The "-" sign appended before each axial direction (-X-axis direction, -Y-axis direction, and -Z-axis direction) refers to the negative direction, i.e., the other of the two directions in which each axis extends.

[0058] The expressions involving directions described below, such as "front (+X) / back (-X) / left (+Y) / right (-Y) / up (+Z) / down (-Z)", are defined along the XYZ coordinate axis, but are intended to describe the present disclosure so that the present disclosure can be clearly understood, and each direction can be defined differently according to the references.

[0059] The use of terms such as "first, second, and third" before the components mentioned below is only to avoid confusion between the components and has nothing to do with the order, importance, or hierarchy between the components. For example, it is possible to implement an invention that only includes the second component but does not include the first component.

[0060] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, singular expressions used in this document include plural expressions.

[0061] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a laundry treating apparatus and a method of controlling the laundry treating apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0062] Reference Figure 1 The laundry processing apparatus 100 may include a cabinet 1. Inside the cabinet 1, a drum (accommodating portion) 17 arranged inside the cabinet 1 and accommodating drying targets (hereinafter referred to as laundry) therein, and a circulation flow channel 2 and a heat exchanger assembly 3 for removing moisture from the laundry in the drum 17 may be provided.

[0063] The cabinet 1 may include a front surface 11 positioned at the front side of the laundry treating apparatus 100 , a rear surface 12 positioned at the rear side of the laundry treating apparatus 100 , and a base 13 forming a bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus 100 .

[0064] A control panel (not shown) may be provided on the front surface 11. The control panel may include a display 114 that displays control commands selectable by a user and an input unit 113 that allows the user to select a control command displayed on the display 114.

[0065] Reference Figure 2 The front surface 11 is provided with a cabinet entrance 111 for putting in and taking out clothes. The cabinet entrance 111 can be closed by a door 115 pivotally fixed to the front surface 11.

[0066] Reference Figure 3 , the accommodating portion may be provided as a drum (accommodating portion) 17 rotatably provided inside the cabinet 1. The drum 17 may be provided as a cylindrical drum body 171 having an open front surface and a rear surface.

[0067] In order to rotatably support the drum body 171 , the cabinet 1 may include a front panel 14 rotatably supporting the front surface of the drum body 171 and a rear panel 15 rotatably supporting the rear surface of the drum body 171 .

[0068] The front panel 14 may include: a front panel body 141 fixed to the front surface 11 or the cabinet 1 ; a drum inlet 142 defined to extend through the front panel body; and a drum exhaust hole 143 that discharges air inside the drum body 171 to the circulation flow channel 2 .

[0069] The drum inlet 142 may be connected to the cabinet inlet 111 . Therefore, when the door 115 opens the cabinet inlet 111 , the user may put laundry into the drum main body 171 or take laundry out of the drum main body 171 via the cabinet inlet 111 and the drum inlet 142 .

[0070] In order to filter the air discharged from the drum body 171 , a filter detachable from the front panel body 141 may be provided in the drum exhaust hole 143 .

[0071] The rear panel 15 may include a rear panel body 151 fixed to the rear surface 12 or the cabinet 1 , and a drum supply hole 152 defined to extend through the rear panel body 151 .

[0072] The drum body 171 can 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 connecting a rotation shaft of the drum motor and a circumferential surface of the drum body 171.

[0073] In order to agitate the laundry inside the drum body 171, a lifter 172 may be further provided inside the drum body 171. The lifter 172 may be formed as a plate protruding from a circumferential surface of the drum body 171 toward a rotation center of the drum body.

[0074] Reference Figure 4 The circulation flow channel 2 may include: a first duct (exhaust duct) 21 connected to the drum exhaust hole 143; a second duct (supply duct) 22 connected to the drum supply hole 152; and a third duct (connection duct) 23 connecting the first duct 21 with the second duct 22. The connection duct 23 may be fixed to the base 13.

[0075] The first duct 21 may provide a passage for guiding the air inside the drum 17 to the connecting duct 23 when a circulation fan 36, described later, operates. That is, the first duct 21 may allow the drum 17 and the connecting duct 23 to communicate with each other, and when the circulation fan 36 operates, the air inside the drum 17 may be introduced into the circulation flow path 2 via the first duct 21.

[0076] The second duct 22 may provide a passage through which air moving inside the third duct (connecting duct) 23 may be supplied to the drum 17 when the circulation fan 36 operates. The second duct 22 may allow the drum 17 and the connecting duct 23 to communicate with each other, and when the circulation fan 36 operates, air inside the connecting duct 23 may be supplied to the drum 17 via the second duct 22.

[0077] The heat exchanger assembly 3 may be provided in the third duct (connecting duct) 23. Air introduced from the drum 17 into the connecting duct 23 via the first duct 21 may pass through the heat exchanger assembly 3 provided in the connecting duct 23 and may be supplied to the drum 17 again via the connecting duct 23.

[0078] In addition, the air introduced into the connecting pipe 23 can pass through the heat exchanger assembly 3 and undergo condensation and heating processes. The condensed water generated in these processes can be separately collected in the sump via the drainage flow channel described later, and the air from which the condensed water is removed can be supplied to the drum 17 again.

[0079] The heat exchanger assembly 3 may include a circulation fan 36 that moves air along the circulation flow path 2 , and heat pumps 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , and 35 that sequentially dehumidify and heat the air moving along the circulation flow path 2 .

[0080] The circulation fan 36 may include a fan impeller 361 positioned inside the circulation flow channel 2 and a fan motor 362 positioned outside the circulation flow channel 2 and rotating the fan impeller 361 .

[0081] The heat pump may include: a refrigerant pipe 33, which forms a flow channel for the refrigerant to circulate; a compressor 34, which allows the refrigerant to move along the refrigerant pipe 33; a first heat exchanger 31, which is fixed to the refrigerant pipe 33 and transfers the heat of the air introduced into the connecting pipe 23 to the refrigerant; a second heat exchanger 32, which is fixed to the refrigerant pipe 33 and transfers the heat of the refrigerant to the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger 31; and a regulating valve 35, which adjusts the pressure of the refrigerant.

[0082] The connection duct 23 may include a duct body 231 fixed to the base 13 and a duct cover 232 forming a top surface of the duct body.

[0083] The first heat exchanger 31 is disposed farther from the circulation fan 36 than the second heat exchanger 32. When the circulation fan 36 is in operation, air may move in the direction of the first duct 21, the connecting duct 23, and the second duct 22. In this case, the air introduced into the circulation flow channel 2 may first pass through the first heat exchanger 31. In other words, based on the movement of the air introduced into the circulation flow channel, the first heat exchanger 31 may be disposed upstream of the second heat exchanger 32 so that the introduced air may first pass through the first heat exchanger 31.

[0084] In addition, a support member 4 supporting the bottom surface of the first heat exchanger 31 may be provided in the circulation channel 2. The support member 4 may divide the interior of the connecting pipe 23 into an installation space 233 where the first heat exchanger 31 is located and an external drainage space 235 for guiding condensed water to the circulation channel.

[0085] In this regard, the term "divided" may be used to refer to the functional separation of the first space (installation space) 233 and the second space (drainage space) 235 from each other, and is not necessarily limited to the meaning of physically dividing or blocking them from each other. As described above, the reason for dividing the circulation flow channel into the installation space and the drainage space may be intended to functionally place the heat exchanger assembly 3 in the installation space so that the air introduced into the circulation flow channel 2 passes through the heat exchanger assembly 3 and is then supplied to the drum 17 again, and to provide a channel for removing condensed water discharged from the air that has passed through the heat exchanger assembly 3 from the circulation flow channel 2 separated from the air in the drainage flow channel.

[0086] When the heat exchanger assembly 3 is in operation, the air inside the drum 17 is introduced into the connecting duct 23 via the first duct 21 by the circulation fan 36. The air introduced into the connecting duct 23 is introduced into the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31. The air introduced into the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31 condenses in the process of exchanging heat with the first heat exchanger 31 (that is, condensed water may be generated in the first heat exchanger 31). The air from which the condensed water is removed when passing through the first heat exchanger may flow to the second heat exchanger 32 via the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31. The air from which the condensed water is removed by the first heat exchanger 31 is heated when passing through the second heat exchanger 32. The heated air may be supplied to the drum 17 again via the second duct 22.

[0087] In one example, condensed water generated in the first heat exchanger 31 may be moved to the drain space 235 via the support body communication hole 411 described later. The condensed water moved to the drain space 235 may be moved along the drain flow path 236 forming the bottom surface of the drain space 235 and then pass through the drain hole 237 to be discharged to the outside of the circulation flow channel 2. The condensed water discharged to the outside of the circulation flow channel 2 may be moved to the storage device 61 described later and stored therein.

[0088] More specifically, condensed water generated in the first heat exchanger 31 and air flowing inside the circulation flow channel may be introduced into the drainage space 235. In this regard, the condensed water in the drainage space may be discharged to the sump via the drainage flow channel 236 and the drainage hole 237, and air may be introduced into the installation space via the extended body communication hole 421, and then mixed with the air discharged from the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31, and then resupplied to the drum 17 via the second duct 22.

[0089] like Figure 5As shown in FIG, the installation space 233 of the duct body 231 may include a first installation portion 233a where the first heat exchanger 31 is installed, a second installation portion 233b where the second heat exchanger 32 is installed, and a third installation portion 233c where the circulation fan 36 is accommodated. The air introduced into the circulation flow channel 2 may be supplied to the drum 17 again while passing through the heat exchanger assembly 3 in the installation space.

[0090] The drainage space 235 is positioned below the installation space 233, and a drainage flow channel 236 is provided in the drainage space 235. The drainage space 235 may be a space through which condensed water generated in the first heat exchanger 31 moves.

[0091] Specifically, the air introduced into the circulation flow channel 2 may condense while passing through the first heat exchanger 31, and the condensed water may be discharged. The condensed water may pass through the support body communication hole 411 described later and be discharged to the drainage space 235. The condensed water discharged into the drainage space 235 may be collected in the storage device 61 via the drainage flow channel 236 and the drainage hole 237 described later, and discharged to the outside of the circulation flow channel 2. The drainage hole 237 may allow the drainage flow channel 236 and the storage device 61 to communicate with each other.

[0092] That is, the moisture of the drying object contained in the drum 17 passes through the circulation flow path 2 together with the air inside the drum 17. The moisture discharged from the air can be moved to the storage device 61 via the drainage space 235, moved to the outside of the circulation flow path 2, and then discharged to the drainage tank 62. In this regard, the air from which the moisture is removed can be introduced into the drum 17 again, thereby drying the drying object contained in the drum 17.

[0093] like Figure 9 As shown in FIG, the guide member 9 can be provided in the installation space 233. The guide member 9 can adjust the flow direction of the air passing through the first heat exchanger 31 by adjusting the cross-sectional area of the circulation flow channel 2. Specifically, the guide member 9 can adjust the direction of the air passing through the first heat exchanger 31 by adjusting the flow channel cross-sectional area of the installation space 233 (preferably, the first installation portion 233a) in which the first heat exchanger 31 is installed. Therefore, the guide member 9 can concentrate the air introduced into the circulation flow channel 2 to the lower area of the first heat exchanger 31.

[0094] The guide member 9 may include a first guide member 91 disposed in front of the first heat exchanger 31 and a second guide member 92 disposed at the rear of the first heat exchanger 31. Furthermore, each of the first guide member 91 and the second guide member 92 may pivot about one end thereof. To this end, the guide member 9 may further include a guide member driver 93 that provides the power required for the pivoting of the first guide member 91 and the second guide member 92.

[0095] The guide member 9 can pivot about one end thereof and can adjust the cross-sectional area (flow path cross-sectional area) of the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31 and / or the rear surface of the first heat exchanger 31, thereby adjusting the flow of air passing through the first heat exchanger 31 (air flowing into and out of the first heat exchanger 31).

[0096] Furthermore, the guide member 9 can perform multiple modes for adjusting the cross-sectional area of the front surface 311 and / or the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31. The multiple modes may include a first mode in which the front surface 311 and the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31 are fully opened, and a second mode in which at least a portion of the front surface 311 and the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31 are covered to adjust the moving direction of the air passing through the first heat exchanger 31. The operation of the guide member 9 and the resulting air flow will be described in detail later.

[0097] Reference Figure 5 The support member 4 may include: a support body 41 on which the bottom surface of the first heat exchanger 31 is supported; an extension body 42 extending from the support body toward the second heat exchanger 32; and fasteners 43 and 44, which fix the support body 41 and the extension body 42 to the connecting pipe 23.

[0098] The support body communication hole 411 is defined in the support body 41 so that condensed water discharged from the air passing through the first heat exchanger 31 can be discharged to the drainage space. As described above, the condensed water generated in the first heat exchanger 31 can fall from the lower portion of the first heat exchanger 31 and be discharged from the installation space 233 to the drainage space 235 through the support body communication hole 411.

[0099] Extension body communication holes 421 may be defined in extension body 42 to allow air introduced into the drain space to flow into the installation space. Extension body communication holes 421 may be defined in extension body 42 to be positioned between first heat exchanger 31 and second heat exchanger 32. This is to prevent condensed water that has not yet moved to drain space 235 via support body communication holes 411 from moving along the airflow within connecting duct 23 to second heat exchanger 32. Extension body communication holes 421 may be a means for discharging air from drain space 235 into installation space 233.

[0100] The base 13 may include a sump 6 in which condensed water generated when the air passing through the first heat exchanger 31 is condensed is stored.

[0101] The water collector 6 may be located outside the circulation flow channel 2. In this case, the water collector 6 may be connected to the drainage space 235 via a drainage hole 237 defined to extend through the connection pipe 23, and a drainage flow channel 236 may be formed on the bottom surface of the connection pipe 23 and guide the condensed water to the drainage hole 237.

[0102] For natural drainage of condensed water (for condensed water to move from the drainage channel to the collector by gravity), the bottom surface of the collector 6 can be located at a point lower than the drainage hole 237, and the drainage channel 236 can be formed as an inclined surface inclined downward toward the drainage hole 237.

[0103] In one example, the base 13 may include a storage device (first water collector) 61 for storing condensed water generated when the air passing through the first heat exchanger 31 is condensed. Figure 5 A case where the storage device 61 is located outside the connection pipe 23 is shown as an example. In this case, the storage device 61 and the connection pipe 23 may be connected to each other via the drain hole 237.

[0104] As described above, the bottom surface of the storage device 61 may be located at a point lower than the bottom surface of the first mounting portion 233a, so that condensed water falling from the first heat exchanger 31 to the bottom surface of the first mounting portion 233a is naturally drained to the storage device (first sump) 61. The condensed water discharged from the first heat exchanger 31 may be discharged to the drainage space, move along the drainage flow path 236, and then be introduced into the storage device 61 via the drainage hole 237. In this regard, the drainage flow path 236 may be inclined downward toward the drainage hole 237 so that the condensed water easily moves to the drainage hole 237.

[0105] That is, condensed water generated in the first heat exchanger 31 may fall into the drainage space 235 , move along the drainage flow path 236 in the direction of the drainage hole 237 , and flow into the storage device 61 through the drainage space 235 and be collected.

[0106] like Figure 6 As shown in FIG, the condensed water collected in the storage device 61 may be moved to the drainage tank 62 via the drainage system 63 and the flow channel regulator 7 and removed from the cabinet, or may be supplied to the first heat exchanger 31 via the washing nozzle of the washing member 5. This will be described later.

[0107] The laundry treatment apparatus 100 may include a washing member 5 for washing the first heat exchanger 31. The washing member 5 may include washing nozzles 51, 52, and 53 disposed adjacent to an upper portion of the first heat exchanger 31. As will be described later, when the washing member 5 including the washing nozzles 51, 52, and 53 operates, washing water may be discharged to the first heat exchanger 31 via the washing nozzles 51, 52, and 53. Here, the washing water may refer not only to condensed water generated in the first heat exchanger 31 and introduced into the storage device 61, but also to all fluids separately supplied for washing the first heat exchanger 31.

[0108] The washing unit 5 may further include a nozzle valve (not shown) for opening and closing the washing nozzles 51, 52, and 53. The washing water discharged to the first heat exchanger 31 may wash away various dust, lint, or various pollutants accumulated in the first heat exchanger 31. The washing unit 5 will be described in detail later.

[0109] The drainage system 63 may include a drainage pump 631 that drains the condensed water in the storage device 61 and a drainage pipe 632 that connects the drainage pump 631 with the case supply port 711 .

[0110] When the drain pump 631 is operated, condensed water inside the storage device 61 is supplied to the flow channel regulator 7 via the drain pipe 632, and the flow channel regulator 7 supplies the condensed water to the washing nozzles 51, 52 and 53 at the set positions via the nozzle valve. Therefore, the laundry treatment apparatus 100 can hygienically manage the first heat exchanger 31.

[0111] In one example, if Figure 7 As shown in , when the flow channel regulator 7 guides the condensed water to the tank water supply pipe 728 with the drainage system 63 operating, the condensed water in the storage device 61 will move to the drainage tank 62.

[0112] The condensed water stored in the storage device 61 can be discharged to the drainage box (second water collector) 62 via the drainage system 63. The drainage box 62 can be located at a higher position than the storage device 61. The drainage box 62 can include a drawer 621 that can be withdrawn from the cabinet 1 and provides a space in which the condensed water is stored, and a drawer through-hole 622 that is defined to extend through the top surface of the drawer 621.

[0113] In this regard, an outlet 112 for extraction and retraction of the drawer 621 may be defined in the front surface 11 , and a box case 16 providing a space in which the drawer 621 is accommodated may be provided inside the cabinet 1 .

[0114] Condensed water discharged from the storage device (first water collector) 61 via the drainage system 63 can be moved to the tank housing 16 via the tank water supply pipe 728, and condensed water discharged from the tank water supply pipe 728 can be moved into the drawer 621 via the drawer through-hole 622. The process in which the condensed water moves from the storage device (first water collector) 61 to the drainage tank (second water collector) 62 will be described in detail later.

[0115] The washing member 5 may be composed of a plurality of nozzles fixed to the duct cover 232 and spraying water toward the first heat exchanger 31 . Figure 7 As an example, the washing member 5 is shown as consisting of a first nozzle 51, a second nozzle 52, and a third nozzle 53, and these three nozzles can be arranged along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the duct cover 232. The washing member 5 may include a nozzle valve (not shown) capable of opening and closing the washing nozzles 51, 52, and 53. The nozzle valve can be controlled by a controller and independently open and close the washing nozzles 51, 52, and 53.

[0116] In one example, the condensed water stored in the storage device 61 may be supplied to the washing member 5 , or may be supplied to the drain tank 62 via the flow channel regulator 7 .

[0117] The tank case 16 is connected to the storage device 61 via the recovery pipe 633. Therefore, the condensed water overflowing from the drain tank 62 can be recovered to the storage device 61 via the recovery pipe 633.

[0118] In other words, the condensed water introduced into the storage device 61 can be discharged to the outside of the storage device 61 by the drain pump 631 of the drainage system 63. In this regard, the controller can control the flow channel regulator 7 to transfer the condensed water discharged from the storage device 61 to the washing nozzles 51, 52 and 53 of the washing member 5 and wash the first heat exchanger 31 or transfer the condensed water to the drainage tank 62.

[0119] Reference Figure 8 The flow channel regulator 7 includes a housing composed of a housing body 71 and a housing cover 72. One surface of the housing body 71 may be formed in an open shape, and the housing cover 72 may close the open surface of the housing body 71. One of the housing body 71 and the housing cover 72 may be fixed to the top surface (pipe cover) 232 of the connecting pipe 23.

[0120] The housing body 71 and the housing cover 72 are coupled to each other to define a space 75 in which water (condensed water) supplied from the drainage system 63 is stored, and the housing body 71 includes a housing supply port 711 through which the condensed water is introduced into the space 75 .

[0121] The housing cover 72 includes washing member supply ports 721, 722, and 723 for discharging water from the flow path regulator 7 to the washing member 5. As described above, when the washing member 5 is composed of three washing nozzles 51, 52, and 53, the washing member supply ports may include a first nozzle supply port 721, a second nozzle supply port 722, and a third nozzle supply port 723.

[0122] The condensed water discharged from the washing member supply ports 721 , 722 , and 723 is supplied to each nozzle of the washing member 5 via each washing member water supply pipe. Figure 8 A case is shown as an example in which the washing member water supply pipe is composed of a first water supply pipe 725 connecting the first nozzle supply port 721 to the first nozzle 51, a second water supply pipe 726 connecting the second nozzle supply port 722 to the second nozzle 52, and a third water supply pipe 727 connecting the third nozzle supply port 723 to the third nozzle 53.

[0123] The cover 72 may include a tank supply port 724 for guiding water inside the flow channel regulator 7 to the drain tank 62. The tank water supply pipe 728 connects the tank supply port 724 to the tank housing 16.

[0124] In order to control the opening and closing of the above-mentioned supply ports 721 , 722 , 723 , and 724 , a valve 73 and a valve motor 74 controlling the operation of the valve may be provided in the flow passage regulator 7 .

[0125] The valve 73 may include a disk (valve body) 731 and a disk through-hole 732 defined to extend through the disk, which divides the internal space 75 of the flow path regulator into spaces where supply ports 721 , 722 , 723 and 724 are located and a space where the housing supply port 711 is located.

[0126] The disk 731 may be fixed to a valve body rotation shaft 741 provided to extend through the housing body 71. Therefore, when the valve body rotation shaft 741 is rotated by the valve motor 74, the position of the disk through-hole 732 defined in the disk 731 may vary.

[0127] The first nozzle supply port 721, the second nozzle supply port 722, the third nozzle supply port 723, and the tank supply port 724 are arranged on a rotation path of the disk through-hole 732 by the valve motor 74. Therefore, when the position of the disk through-hole 732 is controlled via the valve motor 74, only a desired supply port among the four supply ports can be opened.

[0128] Reference Figure 9The guide member 9 may be disposed adjacent to the first heat exchanger 31. As described above, when the heat exchanger assembly 3 operates, condensed water may be generated in the first heat exchanger 31. The condensed water generated in the first heat exchanger 31 accumulates on the lower portion of the first heat exchanger 31 while moving downward due to gravity. As the amount of condensed water accumulated on the lower portion of the first heat exchanger 31 gradually increases, the condensed water drips downward from the first heat exchanger 31 due to its own weight and is discharged into the drainage space 235 through the support body communication hole 411.

[0129] However, when the heat exchanger assembly 3 is stopped, condensed water is no longer generated in the first heat exchanger 31, so that condensed water that has not yet fallen by accumulating on the lower portion (lower area) of the first heat exchanger 31 may remain in a state of accumulating on the lower portion of the first heat exchanger 31. This residual water (condensed water that has not yet been discharged from the first heat exchanger 31) may be contaminated by dust and contaminants over time, such as mold formation. When the first heat exchanger 31 is contaminated, the entire circulation flow channel 2 is also contaminated, and the drying target of the drum 17 may also be contaminated.

[0130] The present disclosure can remove residual water by centrally guiding the air introduced into the circulation flow channel 2 to the lower area of the first heat exchanger 31 using the guide 9. Here, removing residual water means separating condensed water (residual water) from the first heat exchanger 31 by air pressure.

[0131] Specifically, the guide member 9 can adjust the flow channel cross-sectional area inside the circulation flow channel 2 through which the air moves to guide the air introduced into the circulation flow channel 2 to the lower regions 311b and 312b of the first heat exchanger 31. That is, the guide member 9 can cover the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31 and the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31 so that at least a portion of the lower regions 311b and 312b of the first heat exchanger 31 is opened.

[0132] The front surface 311 and the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31 may be divided into upper areas 311 a and 312 a and lower areas 311 b and 312 b , respectively.

[0133] That is, the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31 may include a front upper region 311 a and a front lower region 311 b , and the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31 may include a rear upper region 312 a and a rear lower region 312 b .

[0134] The upper regions 311a and 312a of the first heat exchanger 31 may refer to regions from the uppermost end to the midpoint of the first heat exchanger 31. The lower regions 311b and 312b of the first heat exchanger 31 may refer to regions from the lowermost end to the midpoint of the first heat exchanger 31.

[0135] The upper regions 311a and 312a of the first heat exchanger 31 may refer to regions within a range of 0% to 50% (excluding 0% and including 50%) of the vertical dimension from the uppermost end of the first heat exchanger 31. The lower regions 311b and 312b of the first heat exchanger may refer to regions within a range of 50% to 100% (excluding 50% and including 100%) of the vertical dimension from the uppermost end of the first heat exchanger 31.

[0136] As described above, the guide 9 may 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 into or out of the first heat exchanger 31 .

[0137] The guide member 9 may cover the first heat exchanger 31 so that the air introduced into the circulation flow path passes through only at least a portion (60% to 90%) of the first heat exchanger 31. That is, the guide member 9 may cover the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31 and the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31 so that only at least a portion of the lower regions 311b and 312b of the first heat exchanger are opened.

[0138] The guide member 9 may include a first guide member 91 disposed in front of the first heat exchanger 31; a second guide member 92 disposed at the rear of the first heat exchanger 31; and a guide member driver 93 that provides power to pivot the first and second guide members 91, 92. The first and second guide members 91, 92 may be pivoted about a first axis 91a and a second axis 92a, respectively, by the guide member driver 93. The first and second guide members 91, 92 may be pivoted simultaneously by a single motor and a connecting belt (not shown), or may be pivoted simultaneously or independently by including a first motor 931 and a second motor 932, respectively.

[0139] The first guide member 91 is provided in front of the first heat exchanger 31 and is capable of adjusting the flow passage cross-sectional area in front of the first heat exchanger 31. That is, the first guide member 91 can adjust the flow passage cross-sectional area of a portion of the installation space 233 in front of the first heat exchanger 31 into which air is introduced from the front (or the front cross-sectional area or the front opening area of the first heat exchanger 31).

[0140] like Figure 10 As shown in FIG. 2( a ), the first guide 91 may include a first induction body 911 covering at least a portion of the front surface of the first heat exchanger 31 .

[0141] 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 is physically sealed or blocked. When air is introduced into the first heat exchanger 31 via the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31, the first guide member 91 can at least partially cover the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31 with the first induction body 911.

[0142] like Figure 10 As shown in (b), one end of the first induction body 911 disposed at the top may be disposed parallel to the upper end of the first heat exchanger 31, and the first induction body 911 may have an area size capable of covering at least a portion of the front surface of the first heat exchanger 31. In other words, the first induction body 911 may cover the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31, such that the front lower area 311b of the first heat exchanger 31 is at least partially exposed (open).

[0143] Furthermore, the first induction body 911 may cover 65% to 95% of the uppermost portion of the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31. In other words, the first induction body 911 may have an area size capable of opening 5% to 35% of the lowermost portion of the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31.

[0144] More preferably, the first induction body 911 may cover 80% to 90% of the uppermost portion of the front surface 311 relative to the first heat exchanger 31. This is because condensed water (residual water) accumulates primarily on the lower regions 311b and 312b of the first heat exchanger 31 by its own weight.

[0145] Reference Figure 10 The first guide 91 may include a first auxiliary body 912 extending at a predetermined angle from one end of the first induction body 911. The first auxiliary body 912 extends from one end of the first induction body 911 disposed adjacent to the upper end of the first heat exchanger 31 at a predetermined angle R1.

[0146] In this case, the first shaft 91a may be provided at one end of the first auxiliary body 912 disposed away from one end of the first inductive body 911, and the first shaft 91a may form a pivot center of the first auxiliary body 912. When the first inductive body 911 is pivotable about one end of the first auxiliary body 912 bent at a predetermined angle, interference between the first inductive body 911 and the first heat exchanger 31 may be avoided when the first guide 91 pivots.

[0147] The first guide member 91 may further include a plurality of first guide ribs 913 protruding from one or more of the first induction body 911 and the first auxiliary body 912. When the first guide member 91 is closed (described later), the first guide ribs 913 guide air that has come into contact with the first induction body 911 or the first auxiliary body 912 to easily move to a lower region of the first heat exchanger 31.

[0148] That is, since the plurality of first guide ribs 913 are provided, the air contacting the first guide member 91 is guided to the lower region of the first heat exchanger 31 in the width direction of the first heat exchanger 31 without interference. In addition, the mechanical rigidity of the first guide member 91 can be improved by the first guide ribs 913.

[0149] The second guide member 92 is provided at the rear portion of the first heat exchanger 31 and is capable of adjusting the cross-sectional area of the flow passage at the rear portion of the first heat exchanger 31. In other words, the second guide member 92 can adjust the cross-sectional area of the flow passage at the rear portion of the first heat exchanger 31 (the cross-sectional area of the flow passage at the rear portion of the first heat exchanger 31, the cross-sectional area of the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31, or the rear opening area).

[0150] Here, "covering" can be interpreted as having the same meaning as described with respect to the first guide member 91. This means that the air introduced into the circulation flow channel 2 is prevented from flowing directly from the interior of the first heat exchanger 31 to the space at the rear of the first heat exchanger 31. In other words, when the air is discharged to the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31, the second guide member 92 can cover at least a portion of the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31. Therefore, the fact that the second guide member covers the rear surface of the first heat exchanger does not necessarily mean that the second guide member physically blocks or seals the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31.

[0151] The second guide 92 may include a second induction body 921 covering at least a portion of the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31. The second induction body 921 is a device for adjusting a cross-sectional area of the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31.

[0152] One end of the second induction body 921 disposed at the top may be disposed parallel to the upper end of the first heat exchanger 31 and may have an area size capable of at least partially covering the rear surface of the first heat exchanger 31. In other words, the second induction body 921 may cover the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31 such that at least a portion of the rear lower region 312b of the first heat exchanger 31 is exposed (open).

[0153] The second induction body 921 may have a shape that covers 80% to 100% of the uppermost portion of the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31. In other words, the second induction body 921 may have a shape that opens 0% to 20% of the lowermost portion of the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31.

[0154] The second induction body 921 may have a shape capable of covering the entire rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31. This is to prevent the air passing through the first heat exchanger 31 from moving to the second heat exchanger 32 together with the condensed water.

[0155] The second guide 92 may include a second auxiliary body 922 extending at a predetermined angle from one end of the second induction body 921. The second auxiliary body 922 extends from one end of the second induction body 921 disposed adjacent to the upper end of the first heat exchanger 31 at a predetermined angle R2.

[0156] In this case, the second shaft 92a may be provided at one end of the second auxiliary body 922 disposed away from one end of the second inductive body 921, and the second shaft 92a may form a pivot center of the second auxiliary body 922. When the second shaft 92a is provided in the second auxiliary body 922 extending at a predetermined angle from the second inductive body 921, interference between the second inductive body 921 and the first heat exchanger 31 may be avoided when the second guide 92 pivots.

[0157] In one example, the second angle R2 of the second auxiliary body 922 is greater than the first angle R1 of the first auxiliary body 912. Since the first auxiliary body 912 is located upstream of the second auxiliary body 922, when the first angle R1 is set to an angle close to a right angle, the effect of firmly supporting the first induction body 911 can be expected. On the other hand, since the second auxiliary body 922 is located downstream of the first auxiliary body 912, the second angle R2 can be set to be smaller than the first angle R1 to guide the air discharged from the first heat exchanger 31.

[0158] like Figure 10 As shown in FIG, the second guide member 92 may further include a plurality of second guide ribs 923 protruding from one or more of the second sensing body 921 and the second auxiliary body 922. The second guide ribs 923 may improve the mechanical rigidity of the second sensing body 921 or the second auxiliary body 922.

[0159] Figure 10 (a) in FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state where the guide 9 is opened (first mode), and Figure 10(b) is a diagram showing a state where the guide 9 is closed (second mode). As described above, the guide 9 can be controlled to execute various modes capable of adjusting the flow path cross-sectional area of the first heat exchanger 31 (area through which air can pass).

[0160] Will refer to Figure 10 (a) in FIG. 1 describes the first mode. The first mode is a mode in which the guide 9 opens the front and rear surfaces of the first heat exchanger 31 (a guide-open mode). That is, in the first mode, the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31 and the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31 are uncovered. In this first mode, the first guide 91 and the second guide 92 do not cover the first heat exchanger 31 (or minimize the coverage of the first heat exchanger 31).

[0161] Will refer to Figure 10 (b) in FIG. 2 describes the second mode. The second mode is a mode in which the guide member 9 covers the front surface 311 and the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31 so that the air introduced into the circulation flow channel 2 can be guided to the lower area of the first heat exchanger 31. In other words, the second mode can be referred to as a mode in which both the first guide member 91 and the second guide member 92 pivot to cover the first heat exchanger 31 (a guide closed mode). Depending on the shape or structure of the guide member, the lower areas 311b and 312b of the first heat exchanger 31 can remain at least partially open in the second mode.

[0162] In other words, the open state in this document refers to a state in which air can flow freely through the first heat exchanger 31 when the first guide member 91 or the second guide member 92 does not cover the first heat exchanger 31, and the closed state refers to a state in which the first guide member 91 or the second guide member 92 covers at least a portion of the first heat exchanger 31 to control the direction of movement of the air.

[0163] In other words, the first mode of the guide member 9 may mean that the guide member 9 is set so that both the first guide member 91 and the second guide member 92 are opened to open both the upper area and the lower area of the first heat exchanger 31, and the second mode may mean that the guide member 9 is set so that both the first guide member 91 and the second guide member 92 are closed to open at least a part of the lower area of the first heat exchanger 31.

[0164] In one example, most preferably, in the second mode, the first guide member 91 can cover at least a portion of the front surface 311 of the first heat exchanger 31 (or the front flow passage cross-sectional area of the first heat exchanger), so that only at least a portion of the front lower region of the first heat exchanger 31 is opened or exposed, and the second guide member 92 can cover the entirety (100%) of the rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31 (the rear flow passage cross-sectional area of the first heat exchanger). As will be described later, the reason why the second guide member 92 covers the entire rear flow passage cross-sectional area of the first heat exchanger 31 is to prevent air introduced into the first heat exchanger 31 from moving to the second heat exchanger 32 together with condensed water.

[0165] Furthermore, when the first guide 91 and the second guide 92 operate independently, the plurality of modes may further include a third mode and a fourth mode.

[0166] The third mode is a mode in which the first guide 91 and the second guide 92 are arranged so that the front surface of the first heat exchanger 31 is covered and the rear surface thereof is opened, and the fourth mode is a mode in which the first guide 91 and the second guide 92 are arranged so that the front surface of the first heat exchanger 31 is opened and the rear surface thereof is covered. That is, the third mode refers to a state in which the first guide 91 is closed and the second guide 92 is opened, and the fourth mode refers to a state in which the first guide 91 is opened and the second guide 92 is closed.

[0167] Figure 11 is a diagram showing the flow of air moving inside the circulation flow path in a state where the guide 9 is opened, and Figure 12 1 and 2 are diagrams showing the flow of air moving inside the circulation flow path in a state where the guide 9 is closed.

[0168] Reference Figure 11 , it can be seen that, in the state where the guide member 9 is set to be in the first mode (the state where the guide member 9 is open), the air introduced into the circulation flow channel sequentially passes through the first heat exchanger 31 and the second heat exchanger 32. The movement of the air introduced into the circulation flow channel 2 and the movement of the condensed water generated in the first heat exchanger 31 while the heat exchanger assembly 3 is operating have been described above.

[0169] Reference Figure 12 When the guide member 9 is set to the second mode (the guide member 9 is closed), the air introduced into the circulation flow path is introduced into the first heat exchanger 31 through the front surface of the first heat exchanger 31, more preferably through the front lower region of the first heat exchanger 31. Since the rear surface of the first heat exchanger 31 is completely covered by the second guide member 92, the air introduced into the first heat exchanger 31 is introduced into the drainage space together with the condensed water through the support body communication hole.

[0170] That is, when the circulation fan is operated in a state where the first guide member 91 and the second guide member 92 are set to the second mode, the air can separate the condensed water (residual water) accumulated on the lower area of the first heat exchanger 31 from the first heat exchanger and move the separated condensed water to the drain space. In this regard, the condensed water separated from the first heat exchanger will move to the storage device 61 via the drain flow path.

[0171] In one example, the air moved to the drainage space 235 can be reintroduced into the installation space 233 via the extension body communication hole 421. In this process, the process of the condensed water discharged from the first heat exchanger 31 moving along the drainage flow path to the storage device 61 can be accelerated. The air introduced into the circulation flow path can move to the installation space between the first heat exchanger 31 and the second heat exchanger 32 via the extension body communication hole 421 and pass through the second heat exchanger 32. Therefore, Figure 12 It may be a layout diagram of the interior of the circulation flow channel in the residual water removal step described later.

[0172] Figure 13 It is a simulation diagram showing that the washing nozzle is opened in a state where the guide 9 is closed.

[0173] Reference Figure 13 , it can be seen that, in a state in which the guide 9 is closed (or set to be in the second mode), wash water is sprayed by the wash nozzle to the upper portion of the first heat exchanger 31. When the wash water is sprayed by the wash nozzle to the first heat exchanger 31, the wash water can wash away various contaminants such as dust and lint adsorbed to the exposed portion of the first heat exchanger 31 while moving from the upper portion of the first heat exchanger 31 to the lower portion thereof.

[0174] In this regard, when the wash water is scattered toward the front or rear of the first heat exchanger 31, the wash water can be introduced into the second heat exchanger 32 when the circulation fan 36 operates, so that the guide 9 can be maintained in a closed state (or set to a state in the second mode).

[0175] That is, when the drying step and the residual water removal step are performed in a state where the guide 9 is closed (a state where the guide 9 is set to the second mode), the guide 9 can be used to guide the air introduced into the circulation flow channel 2 to the lower area of the first heat exchanger 31. In addition, when the cleaning step (the step of washing the first heat exchanger via the washing member) is performed in a state where the guide 9 is closed (a state where the guide 9 is set to the second mode), the guide 9 can prevent the wash water discharged from the wash nozzle from scattering toward the front or rear of the first heat exchanger 31.

[0176] The support member 4 may further include a stopper 45. The stopper may be formed to protrude from the support member 4 at the rear of the first heat exchanger 31. The stopper 45 may prevent interference with the first heat exchanger 31 while the second guide 92 is set to be in the second mode. Figure 13 The case where the stopper 45 protrudes from the support member 4 is shown as an example, but the stopper 45 can protrude from the second guide member 92. Figure 13 , the stopper 45 can prevent the second guide member 92 from pivoting counterclockwise.

[0177] In one example, the support member 4 may further include a guide slit (not shown) that is recessed so that when the guide member 9 is set to the second mode, the free end of the second induction body 921 is inserted into the support member 4, preferably into the extension body 42. The free end of the second induction body 921 can be inserted into the guide slit to prevent air from directly moving from the first heat exchanger 31 to the second heat exchanger 32.

[0178] Figure 14 A control method for performing a drying step and a residual water removal step according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, and Figure 15 A method of performing a drying step, a cleaning step, and a residual water removing step according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0179] Reference Figure 14 , the control method of the laundry processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a drying step of removing moisture from the laundry stored in the drum 17 and a residual water removal step of operating the guide member 9 to allow the air introduced into the circulation flow channel 2 to pass through the lower area of the first heat exchanger 31 in a concentrated manner after the drying step is completed.

[0180] The drying step may be set as a step of operating the compressor 34 and the circulation fan 36. The drying step may be set as a step of stopping the operation of the compressor 34 and operating the circulation fan 36.

[0181] When the circulation fan 36 is operated in the drying step, air inside the drum 17 is introduced into the circulation flow passage 2 via the first duct 21 , passes through the heat exchanger assembly 3 , and is then supplied back to the drum 17 via the second duct 22 .

[0182] During the drying step, the guide member 9 is arranged to open the first heat exchanger 31 to maximize the surface area of contact between the air moving inside the circulation flow channel 2 and the first heat exchanger 31. Here, the opening of the guide member 9 may mean that the guide member 9 is arranged so as not to cover the flow channel cross-sectional area of the first heat exchanger 31, thereby maximizing the flow channel cross-sectional area of the air passing through the first heat exchanger 31 (first mode).

[0183] In one example, if Figure 14 As shown in FIG, considering the operating time of the guide 9 (the operating time of the motor), the first mode can end a first time (first delay time) t1 earlier than the residual water removal step. However, this is only one embodiment, and the guide 9 can be continuously kept open (maintaining the first mode) until the drying step ends (t1 = 0 seconds).

[0184] In the residual water removing step, the circulation fan 36 may be operated, and the drain pump 631 may be operated to drain condensed water generated in the drying step and collected in the storage device.

[0185] In the residual water removal step, the guide member 9 is configured to close the first heat exchanger 31. Here, closing the first heat exchanger 31 by the guide member 9 does not mean closing the first heat exchanger 31 so that air is not introduced into or discharged from the first heat exchanger 31, but may mean that the guide member 9 is configured so that the air introduced into the circulation flow channel 2 passes through the lower area of the first heat exchanger 31 in a concentrated manner (second mode).

[0186] As described above, the second mode may mean that the first guide 91 is arranged so that the front lower area 311b of the first heat exchanger 31 is at least partially opened (closing the front surface of the first heat exchanger from its uppermost end by 80% to 90%), and the second guide 92 is arranged to cover the entire rear surface 312 of the first heat exchanger 31 (see FIG. Figure 10 (b) in the figure.

[0187] The second mode (in which the guide is closed) may be set as a mode in which air introduced into the circulation flow channel 2 does not pass through the rear surface of the first heat exchanger 31 but moves to the drainage space 235 via the support body communication hole 411 together with condensed water.

[0188] In the residual water removal step, the condensed water moved to the drain space 235 may move to the storage device along the drain flow path 236 and may be discharged to the washing member 5 or the drain tank 62 via the drain pump.

[0189] In one example, the operation of the circulation fan 36 may be ended (turned off) at the second time (preparation time) t2 before the end of the residual water removal step. In this case, the effect of removing the residual water at the lower area of the first heat exchanger 31 during the second time t2 may not be expected to be large, but the effect of helping the condensed water to move to the storage device by reducing the negative pressure inside the drain flow channel (discharging as much condensed water as possible via the drain pump) can be expected.

[0190] That is, the operation of the circulation fan 36 may end a second time t2 earlier than the end of the operation of the drain pump and the closing of the guide 9. Since this is only one embodiment, the operation of the circulation fan 36 may end at the same time as the end of the operation of the drain pump (t2=0 seconds).

[0191] Furthermore, the control method may further include a pilot initialization step in which pilot 9 is opened again after the residual water removal step (first mode). In this case, when pilot 9 is opened during the pilot initialization step, there is a possibility that condensed water generated in first heat exchanger 31 may be transferred to second heat exchanger 32 by the flow of air within circulation flow channel 2. This problem can be minimized by terminating the operation of circulation fan 36 during the residual water removal step by a second time t2, earlier than the start of the pilot initialization step.

[0192] In the boot initialization step, the circulation fan 36 and the drain pump 631 may not operate, and the guide 9 may maintain the first mode.

[0193] Reference Figure 15 The method for controlling the laundry treating apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a drying step of removing moisture from the laundry stored in the drum 17, a cleaning step of spraying wash water to the first heat exchanger 31 by controlling the wash nozzle to wash the first heat exchanger 31, and a residual water removing step of operating the guide member 9 after the drying step is completed to allow air introduced into the circulation flow channel 2 to centrally pass through the lower region of the first heat exchanger 31. Since the drying step and the residual water removing step have been described above, redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0194] After the drying step, a cleaning step of washing the first heat exchanger 31 can be performed. During the drying step, the guide member 9 maintains the first mode. The first mode can end a first time t1 earlier than the start of the cleaning step. However, since this is only one embodiment, the first mode can end when the drying step ends (t1 = 0 seconds).

[0195] During the cleaning step, the circulation fan 36 is not operated, and the drain pump 631 is operated. In addition, since the washing nozzle is opened during the cleaning step, the first heat exchanger 31 can be washed with washing water. Opening the washing nozzle refers to the result of discharging or spraying washing water through the washing nozzle, and is therefore not limited to opening the flow channel of the washing nozzle itself. Specifically, opening the washing nozzle may include the following two aspects: operating the flow channel regulator to guide the condensed water discharged from the drain pump to the washing nozzle so that the washing water is discharged through the washing nozzle; and opening the washing nozzle through the washing valve.

[0196] In one example, when wash water splashes toward the front or rear of the first heat exchanger 31, the wash water may be introduced into the second heat exchanger 32 when the circulation fan 36 is operated in a subsequent step, and thus it is necessary to allow the wash water to concentrate on washing only the first heat exchanger 31. Therefore, in the cleaning step, the guide 9 may be in a closed state.

[0197] Here, closing of the guide 9 may mean as described above with reference to Figure 14 As described above, the guide 9 is set in the second mode so that the front flow passage cross-sectional area of the first heat exchanger 31 is covered by 60% to 90%, and the rear flow passage cross-sectional area (rear surface area) of the first heat exchanger 31 is covered by 100%.

[0198] When the wash nozzle is opened and the guide 9 is closed in the cleaning step, splashing of wash water toward the front or rear of the first heat exchanger 31 may be minimized.

[0199] When the cleaning step is finished, the residual water removal step is performed. In the residual water removal step, as described above, the circulation fan 36 and the drain pump 631 are operated, and the guide 9 maintains the second mode.

[0200] As described above, the operation of the circulation fan 36 may end at the second time t2 earlier than the end of the residual water removal step (the end of the operation of the drain pump). However, this is only one embodiment, and the operation of the circulation fan 36 may end at the same time as the end of the drain pump (t2=0 seconds).

[0201] When the residual water removal step is finished, the control method may perform a guide initialization step, in which the guide 9 is set to the first mode again.

[0202] The structure and control method of the laundry processing device described above are intended to describe examples of the present disclosure and can be modified and implemented in various forms, so that the scope of its rights is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Therefore, when the modified embodiments include elements of the claims of the present disclosure, they should be deemed to belong to the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A clothes processing device, comprising: a drum configured to provide a space for accommodating laundry; a circulation flow passage configured to provide a path for guiding air exhausted from the drum to the drum; a heat exchanger assembly comprising a circulation fan, a first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger, the circulation fan being configured to move air along the circulation flow path, the first heat exchanger being configured to dehumidify the air passing through the first heat exchanger while moving along the circulation flow path, and the second heat exchanger being configured to heat the air having passed through the first heat exchanger; as well as A guide is located inside the circulation flow channel and is configured to guide air introduced into the circulation flow channel to a lower region of the first heat exchanger.

2. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The guide member is configured to be arranged in a plurality of patterns capable of adjusting a flow passage cross-sectional area for air passing through the first heat exchanger. The plurality of modes include a first mode that maximizes a cross-sectional area of air introduced into the first heat exchanger and a second mode that minimizes a cross-sectional area of air introduced into the first heat exchanger.

3. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The first mode is set to a mode in which both the upper region of the first heat exchanger and the lower region of the first heat exchanger are opened, The second mode is set to a mode in which at least a portion of the lower region of the first heat exchanger is opened.

4. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: The guide includes a first guide disposed in front of the first heat exchanger and configured to adjust a cross-sectional area of a front surface of the first heat exchanger. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein: The first guide includes a first induction body configured to cover at least a portion of the front surface of the first heat exchanger and to be pivotable about one end of the first induction body. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein: The first induction body has an area size covering 60% to 90% of a cross-sectional area of the front surface of the first heat exchanger.

7. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: One end of the first induction body is disposed parallel to an upper end of the first heat exchanger.

8. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: The opposite ends of the first induction body are disposed in parallel with a position spaced apart from an upper end of the first heat exchanger by 60% to 90% of a vertical dimension of the first heat exchanger.

9. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: The first guide member includes: a first auxiliary body extending from one end of the first guide at a predetermined angle; and A first shaft is provided on the first auxiliary body, is positioned at a point higher than the first inductive body, and forms a pivot axis of the first inductive body.

10. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein The guide further includes a second guide provided at a rear portion of the first heat exchanger and configured to control a movement path of air discharged from the first heat exchanger. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein: The second guide includes a second induction body configured to cover at least a portion of a rear surface of the first heat exchanger and pivotable about one end of the second induction body.

12. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein The second induction body has one end disposed parallel to the upper end of the first heat exchanger and has the same area as that of the first induction body.

13. The clothes treating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein The second induction body has one end disposed parallel to the upper end of the first heat exchanger and has an area size covering the entire rear surface of the first heat exchanger.

14. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein The second guide member includes: a second auxiliary body extending from one end of the second guide at a predetermined angle; and A second shaft is provided on the second auxiliary body, is positioned at a point higher than the second inductive body, and forms a pivot axis of the second inductive body.

15. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising a support member configured to divide the circulation flow path into an installation space in which the heat exchanger assembly is installed and a drainage space for draining condensed water generated in the first heat exchanger. in, The support member includes a support body supporting a bottom portion of the first heat exchanger and a support body communication hole defined in the support body. 16 . The clothes treating apparatus according to claim 15 , further comprising a stopper protruding from the support body and positioned at a rear portion of the first heat exchanger, wherein The stopper prevents contact between the second guide and the first heat exchanger.

17. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 15, wherein The support member comprises: an auxiliary body extending from the support body in a direction of the second heat exchanger; and An auxiliary body communication hole is defined in the auxiliary body to allow air in the drainage space to be discharged to a space between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.

18. The laundry processing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising: a water collector communicating with the drainage space and configured to store condensed water in the water collector; a washing nozzle disposed in the installation space and configured to discharge condensed water to the first heat exchanger; as well as A drain pump is configured to transfer condensed water stored in the sump to the washing nozzle.

19. The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 18, wherein The washing nozzle is positioned between the first guide and the second guide.

20. A method for controlling a clothes processing device, the clothes processing device comprising: Cabinets; a drum disposed inside the cabinet and configured to accommodate laundry therein; a circulation flow passage configured to guide air exhausted from the drum to the drum; a heat exchanger assembly comprising a circulation fan configured to move air along the circulation flow path, a first heat exchanger configured to dehumidify the air moving along the circulation flow path, and a second heat exchanger configured to heat the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger; and a guide member located inside the circulation flow channel and configured to guide air introduced into the circulation flow channel to a lower area of the first heat exchanger, the control method of the laundry processing apparatus comprising: a drying step of operating the circulation fan and setting the guide member to a first mode for opening both the upper area and the lower area of the first heat exchanger; as well as The residual water removing step operates the circulation fan and sets the guide member to a second mode that opens only the lower region of the first heat exchanger to guide air introduced into the circulation flow passage to the lower region of the first heat exchanger.

21. The control method of the laundry processing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein: The laundry processing apparatus further comprises: a support member configured to support the lower area of the first heat exchanger and divide the circulation flow path into an installation space in which the heat exchanger assembly is provided and a drainage space for discharging condensed water generated in the first heat exchanger; a washing nozzle configured to discharge condensed water to the upper area of the first heat exchanger; a washing valve configured to open and close the washing nozzle; a water collector connected to the drainage space and configured to store condensed water in the water collector; and a drainage pump configured to transfer the condensed water stored in the water collector to the washing nozzle. Wherein, the control method of the laundry processing device further includes a cleaning step, after the drying step is completed, stopping the cycle, setting the guide member to the second mode, operating the drain pump, and opening the cleaning valve.

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