Clothes care cabinet
By setting multiple hot air duct outlets in the garment care cabinet and using a switching device to control their connection status, the problem of uneven hot air distribution in the garment care cabinet is solved, achieving a more uniform and thorough garment care effect.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410533486.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-31
AI Technical Summary
In existing garment care cabinets, especially in the higher care chambers, garments far from the hot air outlet cannot receive adequate hot air treatment.
Multiple hot air duct outlets are set in the garment care cabinet, and the connection between the hot air ducts and the care chamber is controlled by a switching device, so that hot air can blow on the clothes from different positions, including from the top and sides, and even the door, forming a multi-directional hot air path.
The garment care cabinet achieves more even and thorough hot air treatment of underwear, improving the drying, sterilization, and deodorization effects, and in particular, solving the problem of uneven treatment of clothes far from the hot air outlet.
Smart Images
Figure CN120867073A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] This invention relates to a garment care cabinet in which garments can be treated with hot air. More particularly, this invention relates to a hot air supply device. [Background Technology]
[0002] A garment care cabinet consists of a cabinet body and a care chamber located within the cabinet. Garments are hung in the care chamber. A hot air supply unit delivers hot air into the care chamber. The hot air blows onto the garments, thereby providing drying, sterilization, and deodorization services.
[0003] Because the nursing compartment is generally large, especially in height, clothing that is obstructed by clothing or located far from the hot air outlet may not receive sufficient hot air treatment. Therefore, improvements are needed. [Summary of the Invention]
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to at least partially improve upon the shortcomings of the prior art.
[0005] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a garment care cabinet, comprising: a cabinet body with an open front; a door capable of closing the opening; a care chamber located within the cabinet body; a hanging device disposed within the cabinet body for hanging garments; a hot air supply device for supplying hot air into the care chamber; and a control device configured to run at least one garment care program, and during the operation of at least one garment care program, to cause the hot air supply device to supply hot air into the care chamber. The hot air supply device includes a hot air channel having a first outlet and a second outlet, and a switching device is provided on the hot air channel, allowing the hot air channel to selectively communicate with the care chamber through at least one of the first outlet and the second outlet.
[0006] An optional embodiment further includes: the switching device includes a movable guide plate located within the hot air channel, and a driving device for driving the guide plate to move; when the guide plate moves to a first position, the hot air channel communicates with the nursing cavity through the first outlet; when the guide plate moves to a second position, the hot air channel communicates with the nursing cavity through the second outlet.
[0007] An optional embodiment includes: the first outlet and the second outlet communicating with the upper part of the nursing cavity.
[0008] An optional embodiment includes: the first outlet is located on one side of the suspension device, and the second outlet is located on the other side of the suspension device.
[0009] An optional embodiment includes: in the depth direction of the garment care cabinet, the first outlet is located closer to the front of the door, and the second outlet is located further away from the rear of the door.
[0010] Optionally, the switching device includes a movable guide plate located within the hot air channel, the guide plate being close to the first outlet, the guide plate having a first position, at which point the hot air channel communicates with the nursing cavity through the first outlet, and the outer end of the guide plate extends vertically downwards or away from the door towards the rear of the nursing cavity.
[0011] An optional embodiment includes: the guide plate has a third position, in which the hot air channel communicates with the nursing cavity through the first outlet, and the outer end of the guide plate extends into the nursing cavity and extends toward the door.
[0012] Optionally, in the first and third positions of the guide plate, the inner end of the guide plate is located within the hot air channel, and the passage between the hot air channel and the second outlet is cut off.
[0013] An optional embodiment includes a second position in which the hot air channel communicates with the nursing cavity through the second outlet.
[0014] An optional embodiment includes: at a second position on the guide plate, the guide plate cuts off the passage between the hot air channel and the first outlet.
[0015] An optional embodiment includes: the guide plate has a fourth position, in which the hot air channel communicates with the nursing cavity through both the first outlet and the second outlet.
[0016] Optionally, the control device is configured to control the switching device during the operation of at least one garment care program, thereby allowing the hot air channel and the care chamber to have different communication states at different stages of the program.
[0017] The control device can also be configured to:
[0018] In the first stage of the procedure, the hot air duct is connected to the nursing cavity through the first outlet, and the second outlet is disconnected from the hot air duct; and
[0019] In the second stage of the procedure, the hot air duct is connected to the nursing cavity through the second outlet, and the first outlet is isolated from the hot air duct; and / or
[0020] In the third stage of the process, both the first outlet and the second outlet are connected to the hot air channel.
[0021] An optional embodiment includes: the control device is configured to: in the later stage of running at least one garment care procedure, control the drive device of the switching device to move the guide plate driven by the drive device to a third position, at which time the hot air channel communicates with the care cavity through the first outlet, and the outer end of the guide plate extends into the care cavity and extends toward the door.
[0022] Optional embodiments include: the control device is configured such that the program includes a heating phase and a cooling phase, wherein in the heating phase, the hot air supply device supplies heated hot air, and in the cooling phase, the hot air supply device only circulates air; and in the cooling phase of the program, the drive device of the switching device is controlled to move the guide plate to the third position.
[0023] Where technical conditions permit, the above embodiments can be combined in various arbitrary ways.
[0024] According to various embodiments of the garment care cabinet of the present invention, the hot air channel has multiple outlets, and a switching device can selectively connect each outlet to the care chamber. Because the first and second outlets are located at different positions, the hot air paths formed within the care chamber are different, allowing for multi-directional and more even hot air care of the garments within the care chamber. In some embodiments, the switching device can also direct hot air onto the door to dry condensation formed on the door, or to treat garments hanging on the door with hot air.
[0025] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrates some specific embodiments of the present invention. Various other advantages of the present invention will also be selectively described below with reference to these specific embodiments. Some benefits of the present invention, even if not explicitly stated, are readily apparent to those skilled in the art through simple deduction, and therefore will not be exhaustively listed below. [Attached Image Description]
[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a garment care cabinet according to one embodiment.
[0027] Figure 2A This is a partial schematic diagram of a garment care cabinet, showing the switching device in its first working state. The area within the dashed box on the right is an enlarged view of the area within the dashed box in the schematic diagram on the left.
[0028] Figure 2B This is a partial schematic diagram of a garment care cabinet, showing the switching device in its second operating state.
[0029] Figure 2C This is a partial schematic diagram of a garment care cabinet, showing the switching device in its third operating state. The area within the dashed box on the right is an enlarged view of the area within the dashed box in the schematic diagram on the left.
[0030] Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the switching device. [Specific Implementation Examples]
[0031] To make the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial technical effects of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention. Various embodiments may share the same view or multiple views for description, but not all features appearing in the same view should be interpreted as features that an embodiment must possess. Instead, they can be combined in any suitable manner as long as they are not technically mutually exclusive. Moreover, for the sake of brevity, different embodiments of different aspects may be presented in the same specific design; however, such presentation does not mean that embodiments of these aspects should appear together. The disassembly and / or combination of all possible embodiments and / or technical features should also take into account the description in the specification and what a person skilled in the art can directly and unambiguously determine based on the description in the specification.
[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the garment care cabinet 100 includes a cabinet body 1 with an open opening 2 at the front. A door 3 closes the opening 2. A care chamber 4 is formed inside the cabinet body 1. A hot air supply device 5 supplies hot air into the care chamber 4. A hanging device 6 is provided inside the care chamber 4 for hanging garments. After the garments come into contact with the hot air, they undergo drying, sterilization, deodorization, and wrinkle reduction treatments.
[0033] In particular, the condenser 7 is fluidly connected to the care chamber 4, cooling the humid air from the care chamber 4, thereby condensing the moisture in the air. During the drying operation, the hot air supply device 5 heats the air to form hot air A1, which is then introduced into the care chamber 4. The hot air comes into contact with the clothes in the care chamber 4, heating the clothes and causing the moisture to evaporate. At this point, the hot air A1 becomes a high-temperature, high-humidity airflow. The high-temperature, high-humidity airflow leaves the care chamber 4 from the outlet 41 and enters the condenser 7. After being cooled and dehumidified by the condenser 7, the moisture is condensed, and the air becomes cold, dry air A2. In a preferred embodiment, the condenser 7 and the hot air supply device 5 are fluidly connected through a pipe 11, forming an air circulation between the hot air supply device 5, the care chamber 4, and the condenser 7. In this embodiment, the cold, dry air A2 enters the hot air supply device 5, is reheated, and then re-enters the care chamber 4, thus repeating the cycle until the clothes are dried.
[0034] The condensing device 7 can be of various known forms, such as heat pump type, air-cooled type, water-cooled type, etc.
[0035] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the hot air supply device 5 is positioned above the care chamber 4, allowing hot air A1 to blow from above onto the clothing suspended within the care chamber 4. The condenser 7 is positioned below the care chamber 4. The outlet 41 exits the hot air A1 from the bottom of the care chamber 4. The invention is not limited to this layout; in other alternative embodiments, the hot air supply device 5 may be positioned below the care chamber 4, thereby blowing hot air upwards. The condenser 7 may be positioned above the care chamber 4.
[0036] The garment care cabinet 100 also includes a control device 8. The control device 8 can control the hot air supply device 5 and / or the condenser device 7 according to a program setting. The control device 8 is configured to run at least one garment care program, and during the operation of at least one garment care program, the hot air supply device 5 delivers hot air into the care chamber 4. The condenser device 7 may not operate in some garment care programs, such as those for heating, wrinkle removal, sterilization, and deodorization.
[0037] like Figure 2A , 2B As shown in Figure 2C, the hot air supply device 5 includes a hot air passage 50, a heating device 51 located within the air passage 50, and a blower 52. Under the action of the blower 52, air in the pipe 11 enters the hot air passage 50 after passing through the blower 52. The heating device 51 heats the passing air to form hot air A1. The hot air passage 50 has a first outlet 501 and a second outlet 502. The first outlet 501 and the second outlet 502 are respectively in fluid communication with the wall 40 of the nursing cavity 4, so that hot air A1 can enter the nursing cavity 4 through the first outlet 501 and / or the second outlet 502.
[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the first outlet 501 and the second outlet 502 communicate with the upper part of the nursing cavity 4, particularly with the top of the nursing cavity 4, or one outlet communicates with the top of the nursing cavity 4 and the other outlet communicates with a slightly lower position in the upper part of the nursing cavity 4, particularly, for example, a slightly lower position near the rear of the nursing cavity 4. Here, "rear" refers to the side in the depth direction that is farther away from the door body 3.
[0039] In a preferred embodiment, in the depth direction of the garment care cabinet 100, the first outlet 501 is located closer to the front of the door 3, and the second outlet 502 is located further away from the rear of the door 3.
[0040] Preferably, the first outlet 501 is located on one side of the hanging device 6, and the second outlet 502 is located on the other side of the hanging device 6. Thus, the hanging device 6 is spatially sandwiched between the first outlet 501 and the second outlet 502. When clothing is hung on the hanging device 6, air can be blown onto the clothing from both sides. This blowing from both sides can be simultaneous, or air can be blown from one side first, and then from the other side. How to achieve this switching of blowing modes will be described in detail below. Furthermore, not limited to what is shown in the accompanying drawings, the "one side" and "the other side" mentioned above can be the front and back sides in the depth direction, the left and right sides in the width direction, or the top and bottom sides in the height direction.
[0041] The hot air duct 50 includes a first branch 503 and a second branch 504. A first outlet 501 is located at the end of the first branch 503, and a second outlet 502 is located at the end of the second branch 504. A switching device 10 is disposed at the connection between the first branch 503 and the second branch 504, and can switch the communication state between the first outlet 501, the second outlet 502, and the nursing cavity 4, specifically enabling at least one of the first outlet 501 and the second outlet 502 to selectively communicate with the nursing cavity 4.
[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, the switching device 10 includes a movable guide plate 12 located within the hot air duct 50, and a drive device 13 for moving the guide plate 12. A transmission device 14 drives the drive device 13 and the guide plate 12, thus making the guide plate 12 movable. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the guide plate 12 is mounted to the bracket 16 via a pivot 15. Driven by the drive device 13, the guide plate 12 can rotate relative to the bracket 16. In other embodiments, it is possible for the guide plate 12 to move in other ways, such as translation. At at least some locations, a portion of the edges 121, 122 of the guide plate 12 can contact and engage with the inner wall 505 of the hot air passage 50, thereby blocking airflow in a certain direction.
[0043] like Figure 2A As shown, the guide plate 12 is close to the first outlet 501. When the guide plate 12 moves to the first position, the outer end 121 of the guide plate 12 extends into the care chamber 4, extending vertically downwards towards the care chamber 4, or towards the rear of the care chamber 4 away from the door 3. The hot air channel 50 communicates with the care chamber 4 through the first outlet 501. The hot air A1 then blows from front to back towards the clothes on the hanging device 6 under the guidance of the guide plate 12. At this time, the inner end 122 of the guide plate 12 contacts and engages with the inner wall 505 of the hot air channel 50, so that the passage between the hot air channel 50 and the second outlet 502 is cut off.
[0044] like Figure 2CAs shown, when the guide plate 12 moves to the third position, the outer end 121 of the guide plate 12 extends into the nursing cavity 4, with its extension direction facing the door 3. Simultaneously, the hot air channel 50 connects to the nursing cavity 4 through the first outlet 501. Hot air A1 then blows towards the door 3 under the guidance of the guide plate 12. At this time, the inner end 122 of the guide plate 12 contacts and engages with the inner wall 505 of the hot air channel 50, thereby cutting off the passage between the hot air channel 50 and the second outlet 502. Blowing hot air A1 towards the door 3 is advantageous in some scenarios. For example, when condensation easily adheres to the door, or when clothing is hanging on the door 3.
[0045] exist Figure 2A and Figure 2C In the embodiment shown, the inner wall 505 of the hot air channel 50 has an arc-shaped portion. During the process of the guide plate 12 rotating from the first position to the third position or rotating in the opposite direction, the inner end 122 of the guide plate 12 always remains in contact with the arc-shaped portion.
[0046] In other embodiments, an elastic edge may be provided at the inner end 122 of the guide plate 12, so that the inner end 122 of the guide plate 12 may remain in contact with the inner wall 505 of the hot air channel 50 during rotation between the two positions.
[0047] like Figure 2B As shown, when the guide plate 12 moves to the second position, the outer end 121 of the guide plate 12 contacts the inner wall 505 of the hot air channel 50, and the inner end 122 of the guide plate 12 leaves the inner wall 505 of the hot air channel 50. Thus, the passage between the hot air channel 50 and the first outlet 501 is cut off, while the second branch 504 is opened, and the hot air channel 50 connects to the care chamber 4 through the second outlet 502. Hot air A1 then enters from the rear of the care chamber 4, and more importantly, blows onto the clothing from the other side of the hanging device 6, changing the position of direct contact between the hot air and the clothing.
[0048] In an embodiment not shown in the accompanying drawings, the guide plate 12 has a fourth position. In this fourth position, the hot air channel 50 is connected to the nursing cavity 4 through the first outlet 501 and the second outlet 502. At this time, neither the outer end 121 nor the inner end 122 of the guide plate 12 is in contact with the inner wall 505 of the hot air channel 50, and both the first branch 503 and the second branch 504 are connected. Thus, hot air can be blown into the nursing cavity 4 simultaneously from both outlets 501 and 502.
[0049] The aforementioned features of the garment care cabinet 100 provide the necessary hardware conditions for optimizing the garment care program. Based on this, by setting the garment care program, the control device 8 can control the switching device 10, providing a superior garment care effect.
[0050] The control device 8 is configured to control the switching device 10 during the operation of at least one garment care program, thereby enabling the hot air channel 50 and the care chamber 4 to have different communication states at different stages of the program.
[0051] For example, control device 8 can be configured as follows:
[0052] In the first stage of the procedure, the hot air duct 50 is connected to the nursing chamber 4 through the first outlet 501, and the second outlet 502 is disconnected from the hot air duct 50; and
[0053] In the second stage of the procedure, the hot air duct 50 is connected to the nursing cavity 4 through the second outlet 502, and the first outlet 501 is isolated from the hot air duct 50; and / or
[0054] In the third stage of the procedure, both the first outlet 501 and the second outlet 502 are connected to the hot air channel 50, so that hot air enters the nursing chamber 4 simultaneously through the first outlet 501 and the second outlet 502.
[0055] The order of the first, second, and third stages is not based on the literal order, but can be any suitable order.
[0056] With this setup, hot air can blow on the clothes from different directions, resulting in a more even treatment effect.
[0057] In some embodiments, the control device 8 is configured to control the drive device 13 of the switching device 10 during the later stages of running at least one garment care program, causing the guide plate 12 driven by the drive device 13 to move to a first position, at which time hot air from the hot air channel 50 blows toward the door body 3, thereby drying any condensate that may be attached to the door body 3.
[0058] In a more specific embodiment, the control device 8 is configured such that the program includes a heating phase and a cooling phase. During the heating phase, the hot air supply device 5 supplies heated air; during the cooling phase, the heating element 51 of the hot air supply device 5 is turned off, and only the blower 52 is turned on, thus circulating only air. During the heating phase of the program, the control device 8 can control the switching device 10 to position the guide plate 12 in any one of the first, second, and fourth positions, or to remain in at least two of these positions for a period of time. During the cooling phase of the program, the control device 8 controls the drive device 13 of the switching device 10 to move the guide plate 12 to the first position. At this time, the air still has residual heat, which can dry any condensation that may adhere to the door 3, keeping the garment care cabinet 100 dry after the program ends.
[0059] The various specific embodiments described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only. Any modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the basic technical concept of this invention are within the protection scope of this invention.
Claims
1. Garment care cabinet, including: Cabinet (1), the front of which has an open opening (2); Door body (3), closing the opening; Nursing cavity (4) is located inside the cabinet; A hanging device (6) is provided inside the cabinet for hanging clothes; A hot air supply device (5) delivers hot air into the nursing cavity; The control device (8) is configured to run at least one garment care program, and during the operation of at least one garment care program, to cause the hot air supply device to deliver hot air into the care cavity. Its features are: The hot air supply device (5) includes a hot air channel (50) having a first outlet (501) and a second outlet (502). A switching device (10) is provided on the hot air channel so that the hot air channel can be selectively connected to the nursing cavity through at least one of the first outlet and the second outlet.
2. The garment care cabinet as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The switching device (10) includes a movable guide plate (12) located in the hot air channel and a driving device (13) for driving the guide plate to move. When the guide plate moves to the first position, the hot air channel (50) is connected to the nursing cavity (4) through the first outlet (501). When the guide plate moves to the second position, the hot air channel (50) is connected to the nursing cavity (4) through the second outlet (502).
3. The garment care cabinet as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The first outlet and the second outlet communicate with the upper part of the nursing cavity.
4. The garment care cabinet as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The first outlet (501) is located on one side of the suspension device (6), and the second outlet (502) is located on the other side of the suspension device (6).
5. The garment care cabinet as described in claim 1, characterized in that: In the depth direction of the garment care cabinet, the first outlet (501) is located closer to the front of the door (3), and the second outlet (502) is located further away from the rear of the door (3).
6. The garment care cabinet as described in any one of claims 5, characterized in that: The switching device (10) includes a movable guide plate (12) located in the hot air channel (50), the guide plate being close to the first outlet (501), the guide plate having a first position, at which time the hot air channel (50) is connected to the nursing cavity (4) through the first outlet (501), and the outer end (121) of the guide plate extends vertically downward, or away from the door (3) toward the rear of the nursing cavity (4).
7. The garment care cabinet as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The guide plate (12) has a third position, at which time the hot air channel (50) is connected to the nursing cavity (4) through the first outlet (501), and the outer end (121) of the guide plate extends into the nursing cavity (4) and the extending direction is toward the door (3).
8. The garment care cabinet as described in claim 7, characterized in that: At the first and third positions of the guide plate (12), the inner end (122) of the guide plate is located inside the hot air channel (50) and cuts off the passage between the hot air channel (50) and the second outlet (502).
9. The garment care cabinet as described in any one of claims 5-8, characterized in that: The guide plate (12) has a second position, in which the hot air channel (50) communicates with the nursing cavity (4) through the second outlet (502).
10. The garment care cabinet as described in claim 9, characterized in that: At the second position of the guide plate (12), the guide plate cuts off the passage between the hot air channel (50) and the first outlet (501).
11. The garment care cabinet as described in claim 10, characterized in that: The guide plate (12) has a fourth position, in which the hot air channel (50) communicates with the nursing cavity (4) through the first outlet (501) and the second outlet (502).
12. The garment care cabinet as described in any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that: The control device (8) is configured to control the switching device (10) during the operation of at least one garment care program, so that the hot air channel (50) and the care chamber (4) have different communication states at different stages of the program.
13. The garment care cabinet as described in claim 12, characterized in that: The control device (8) is configured to: In the first stage of the procedure, the hot air channel (50) is connected to the nursing cavity (4) through the first outlet (501), and the second outlet (502) is disconnected from the hot air channel (50); and In the second stage of the procedure, the hot air channel (50) is connected to the nursing cavity through the second outlet (502), and the first outlet (501) is disconnected from the hot air channel (50); and / or In the third stage of the process, both the first outlet (501) and the second outlet (502) are connected to the hot air channel (50).
14. The garment care cabinet as described in claim 12, characterized in that: The control device (8) is configured to control the drive device (13) of the switching device (10) during the later stage of running at least one garment care program, so that the guide plate (12) driven by the drive device moves to a third position. At this time, the hot air channel (50) is connected to the care chamber (4) through the first outlet (501), and the outer end (121) of the guide plate extends into the care chamber (4) and the extending direction is toward the door (3).
15. The garment care cabinet as described in claim 14, characterized in that: The control device (8) is configured such that the program includes a heating stage and a cooling stage, wherein in the heating stage, the hot air supply device (5) supplies heated hot air, and in the cooling stage, the hot air supply device (5) circulates only air, and in the cooling stage of the program, the drive device (13) of the switching device (10) is controlled to move the guide plate (12) to the third position.