Laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to a laundry treating apparatus, comprising: a treating space having a front surface in which an insertion opening is formed, a back surface provided at a position facing the front surface, and first and second side surfaces connecting the front surface and the back surface, the treating space providing a space in which laundry is accommodated; a supply device for supplying at least one of air and steam to the processing space; the retainers are respectively fixed on the first side surface and the second side surface; and a support body supported by the holder and dividing the processing space into an upper space and a lower space. The holder includes: a holder body fixed to the first side surface or the second side surface; a through-hole provided in one surface of the holder body, the one surface facing one of the first side surface and the second side surface to which the holder body is fixed; a light source provided inside the holder body; and a light guide part which is formed in a rod shape inside the holder main body and transmits light supplied from the light source in the longitudinal direction of the through hole.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Clothing handling equipment refers to devices developed for washing and drying clothes in homes and laundromats, as well as removing wrinkles from clothes. Equipment classified as clothing handling equipment includes washing machines for washing clothes, dryers for drying clothes, combined washing and drying washing machines, garment care machines for refreshing clothes, and steamers for removing wrinkles from clothes, etc.

[0003] In particular, a garment cleaning machine is a device that keeps clothes comfortable and clean. It removes dust adhering to clothing, eliminates odors, dries clothes, and adds fragrance. Additionally, it prevents static electricity, uses dehumidified air or steam to remove wrinkles, and sterilizes and disinfects clothing.

[0004] Conventional garment handling devices include a light-emitting unit that illuminates the processing space that holds the garments. However, the light-emitting unit in these devices emits light from the top to the bottom of the processing space, resulting in uneven brightness across the entire space. If different areas of the processing space have varying brightness, it can make it difficult to check for foreign objects on the garments and cause glare for the user. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Purpose of the invention

[0006] The problem to be solved by this application is to provide a clothing processing device that can uniformly maintain the brightness of the processing space containing the processing object.

[0007] In addition, the problem to be solved by this application is to provide a clothing processing device in which a light source and a light guide are provided in the holding member of the support body that provides a space for placing the processing object.

[0008] Technical solution

[0009] This application provides a garment processing apparatus, comprising: a processing space having a front surface with an inlet, a back surface disposed opposite to the front surface, a first side surface and a second side surface connecting the front surface and the back surface, providing space for accommodating garments; a supply device for supplying at least one of air and steam to the processing space; a retaining member fixed to the first side surface and the second side surface respectively; and a space forming portion having a supporting body, the supporting body being supported by the retaining member and dividing the processing space into an upper space and a lower space.

[0010] The retainer may include: a retainer body fixed to the first side or the second side; a through hole disposed on one side of the retainer body, the side facing the side of the first side or the second side on which the retainer body is fixed; a light source disposed inside the retainer body; and a light guide formed in the shape of a bar inside the retainer body to transmit light supplied from the light source along the length direction of the through hole.

[0011] The through hole can be formed as a slit whose length is longer than its height.

[0012] The light source can be configured as a single LED that emits light from one end of the light guide portion, which is shaped like a rod.

[0013] The light source is fixed to the main body of the retainer and is in contact with one end of the light guide.

[0014] The light source may include: a first LED that emits light toward one end of the rod-shaped light guide portion; and a second LED that emits light toward the other end of the light guide portion.

[0015] The light guide can be fixed to the main body of the retainer and the through hole can be closed.

[0016] The garment handling device may further include a sealing part that blocks external air from flowing into the space between the light guide and the through hole.

[0017] The processing device may further include a diffusion section disposed in the light guide section and diffusing light supplied from the light source into the interior of the light guide section.

[0018] The diffuser portion can be formed as a plurality of grooves disposed in the light guide portion along the length direction of the through hole.

[0019] The width of the plurality of grooves and the spacing between the plurality of grooves can be set differently depending on the distance between the respective groove and the light source.

[0020] The width of each groove can be set to be shorter the further away from the light source.

[0021] The spacing between each of the grooves can be set to be shorter the further away from the light source.

[0022] At least one of the depth of the plurality of grooves and the vertex curvature of the plurality of grooves can be set differently according to the distance between the respective groove and the light source.

[0023] The depth of the plurality of grooves can be set to be shallower the further away from the light source.

[0024] The curvature of the vertices of the plurality of grooves can be set to decrease as they move further away from the light source.

[0025] The retainer body may include: a lower body forming the lower surface of the retainer body and supporting the light guide; and an upper body fixed to the lower body forming the upper surface of the retainer body and covering the upper surface of the light guide; the thickness of the lower body may be set to be thicker than the thickness of the upper body.

[0026] The garment handling device may further include a fixing body, which fixes the retaining body to the first side or the second side, maintaining the interval between the side where the retaining body is fixed and the through hole.

[0027] Beneficial effects

[0028] This application provides a clothing processing device that can uniformly maintain the brightness of the processing space containing the processed object.

[0029] In addition, this application provides a clothing processing device in which a light source and a light guide are provided in the holding member of a support body that provides a space for placing the processing object. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of a garment handling device.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of an air supply device.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of a steam supply device.

[0033] Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of a retainer for fixing the main body.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of a light guide portion disposed on a retainer.

[0035] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the retainer. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise defined, all terms in this specification have the same general meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. If any term used in this specification conflicts with its general meaning, the definition used in this specification shall prevail.

[0037] like Figure 1As shown, the garment processing device 100 may include: a housing 1, forming the exterior; a processing space 11, disposed inside the housing, providing space for accommodating the object to be processed (hereinafter, garments); and a placement space 13, on which supply devices 3 and 4 are installed to provide fluid to the processing space 11. The processing space 11 and the placement space 13 may be separated from each other by a partition wall 15.

[0038] The front 113 of the housing 1 is provided with an inlet 111 communicating with the processing space 11 and a mounting groove 131 providing space for installing at least one of the drain section 5 and the water supply section 6. The water supply section 6 is configured to supply water to the supply devices 3 and 4, and the drain section 5 is configured to store water discharged from the supply devices 3 and 4.

[0039] The inlet 111 can be opened and closed by a door 17 rotatably fixed to the housing 1. The door 17 can be configured to open and close only the inlet 111, or it can be configured as shown in the figure to open and close the inlet 111 and expose the mounting groove 131 (exposing the drainage and water supply parts).

[0040] A hanging support 2 may be provided on the upper surface 118 of the processing space 11, and clothes or clothes hangers with clothes can be detachably fixed to the hanging support 2. A first connecting hole 151, a second connecting hole 152 and a third connecting hole 153 connecting the processing space 11 and the setting space 13 may be provided on the partition wall 15.

[0041] The processing space 11 may be provided with a space forming part 7 for placing clothing. The space forming part 7 may include: a support body 71 providing space for supporting clothing; and a retaining member 73 fixed to the processing space 11 and fixing the position of the support body 71. The support body 71 may be configured as a board dividing the interior of the processing space 11 into an upper space and a lower space.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the suspension support 2 may include: a support rod 21, fixed to the upper surface 118 of the processing space, for supporting clothing; and a drive unit 22, for vibrating the support rod 21 inside the processing space 11.

[0043] The supply devices 3 and 4 may include at least one of an air supply device 3 that supplies air to the processing space 11 and a steam supply device 4 that supplies steam to the processing space 11.

[0044] The air supply device 3 can remove moisture from the air discharged from the processing space 11, heat the dehumidified air, and supply the heated air to the processing space 11.

[0045] The air supply device 3 may include: a pipe 31 connecting the first connecting hole 151 and the second connecting hole 152; a fan 32 rotatably disposed inside the pipe to move air from the first connecting hole 151 to the second connecting hole 152; and heat exchangers 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37 to sequentially dehumidify and heat the air flowing into the pipe 31.

[0046] The heat exchanger may be constructed using a heat pump. Specifically, the heat exchanger may include: a refrigerant pipe 37 forming a refrigerant circulation path; an evaporator 33 (located between the first connecting hole and the fan), fixed to the refrigerant pipe 37 and located inside the pipe 31; and a condenser 34 (located between the evaporator and the fan), fixed to the refrigerant pipe 37 and located inside the pipe 31. The refrigerant can be circulated along the refrigerant pipe 37 using a compressor 36 fixed outside the pipe 31. The refrigerant pipe 37 may have a means (pressure regulator) for regulating the pressure of the refrigerant moving from the condenser to the evaporator.

[0047] Air discharged from the processing space 11 can be condensed while passing through the evaporator 33. Condensate discharged from the air passing through the evaporator 33 can be discharged from the pipe 31 via the drain section 5.

[0048] The drainage section 5 may include: a drainage tank 51, detachably fixed to the mounting groove 131; a first drainage pipe 531, which guides the condensate inside the pipe 31 to the drainage pump 53; and a second drainage pipe 532, which guides the condensate discharged from the drainage pump 53 to the drainage tank 51.

[0049] The mounting space 13 can be connected to the mounting groove 131 through the mounting groove connecting hole 132, and the second drain pipe 532 can be connected to the drain tank 51 through the mounting groove connecting hole 132. In this case, the drain tank 51 may include: a drain tank connecting pipe, into which the second drain pipe 532 is inserted; and a drain tank valve 511 to control the opening and closing of the drain tank connecting pipe.

[0050] The second drain pipe 532 can not only be exposed to the mounting groove 131 through the mounting groove communication hole 132, but also can be inserted into the drain tank connecting pipe when the drain tank 51 is fixed in the mounting groove 131. When the second drain pipe 532 is inserted into the drain tank connecting pipe, the drain tank valve 511 can be configured as a check valve to open the drain tank connecting pipe.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, the steam supply device 4 may include: a storage section 41 disposed in the set space 13 for storing water; a heating section 43 for heating the water inside the storage section; and a supply pipe 44 for guiding steam discharged from the storage section 41 to the processing space 11. One end of the supply pipe 44 may be fixed to the storage section 41, and the other end may be fixed to the third connecting hole 153 of the partition wall.

[0052] The steam supply device 4 can receive water through the water supply section 6. The water supply section 6 may include: a water tank 61, detachably fixed in the mounting groove 131; a water pump 63, fixed in the installation space 13; a first water supply pipe 631, guiding water from the water tank 61 to the water pump 63; and a second water supply pipe 632, guiding water discharged from the water pump 63 to the storage section 41.

[0053] The water supply tank 61 may include: a water supply tank connecting pipe, wherein the first water supply pipe 631 is inserted into the water supply tank connecting pipe; and a water supply tank valve 611, which controls the opening and closing of the water supply tank connecting pipe.

[0054] The first water supply pipe 631 can not only be exposed to the mounting groove 131 through the mounting groove communication hole 132, but also can be inserted into the water supply tank connecting pipe when the water supply tank 61 is fixed in the mounting groove 131. When the first water supply pipe 631 is inserted into the water supply tank connecting pipe, the water supply tank valve 611 can be configured as a check valve to open the water supply tank connecting pipe.

[0055] like Figure 4 As shown, the storage unit 41 may include: an inlet 411, to which the second water supply pipe 632 is fixed; and an outlet 412 to which the supply pipe 44 is fixed. The storage unit 41 can receive water through the inlet 411 and discharge internal steam through the outlet 412.

[0056] The heating unit 43 may include a first heater 431 and a second heater 432 located inside the storage unit 41. The power (capacity, W) of the first heater 431 and the power of the second heater 432 may be set to be different. As an example, Figure 4 This illustrates a scenario where the power of the first heater 431 is set to be greater than the power of the second heater 432.

[0057] The steam supply device 4 may further include a temperature detection unit 46 for detecting the temperature of the water stored in the storage section 41. The temperature detection unit 46 may be fixed to the bottom surface of the storage section 41.

[0058] The steam supply device 4 may include a water level detection unit 45 for detecting the amount of water stored in the storage section 41. The water level detection unit 45 may include a first electrode 451, a second electrode 452, and a common electrode 454 extending from the upper surface of the storage section 41 toward the bottom surface of the storage section 41.

[0059] When the second heater 432 is located at a position higher than the first heater 431, the free end of the first electrode 451 can be located between the first heater 431 and the second heater 432, the free end of the second electrode 453 can be located at a position higher than the second heater 432, and the height of the free end of the common electrode 454 can be set to be the same as the height of the free end of the first electrode 451.

[0060] If the free end of the first electrode 451 and the free end of the common electrode 454 are connected by water supplied to the storage unit 41, the control unit (not shown) can determine that the water level in the storage unit 41 is the height of the free end of the first electrode 451. On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the free end of the second electrode 452 and the free end of the common electrode 454 are connected by water supplied to the storage unit 41, the control unit will determine that the water level in the storage unit 41 is the height of the free end of the second electrode 452. The height of the free end of the second electrode 452 can be set to be the same as the highest water level in the storage unit 41.

[0061] In order to measure the voltage of the power supplied to the heating unit 43, the clothing processing device 100 may also include a voltage detection unit (voltage detection circuit, etc.) 8.

[0062] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of the retaining member 73 that constitutes the space forming part 7.

[0063] The retainer 73 can be disposed on at least one of the first side 115 and the second side 116 of the processing space 11 and support the support body 71. As an example, Figure 5 The illustration shows the retainer 73 comprising a first retainer 73a fixed to the first side 115 and a second retainer 73b fixed to the second side 116.

[0064] Although not shown in the figure, the retainer 73 may also include a third retainer that is fixed to the back side 114 of the processing space and supports the support body 71.

[0065] A retainer mounting hole (first retainer mounting hole) 112 for fixing the first retainer 73a can be provided on the first side 115, and a retainer mounting hole (second retainer retainer hole) 112 for fixing the second retainer 73b can be provided on the second side 116.

[0066] The first retainer 73a and the second retainer 73b may have the same structure or they may have different structures. Hereinafter, the description will be based on the case where the first retainer 73a and the second retainer 73b have the same structure.

[0067] The retainer 73 may include: a retainer body 731, which can be fixed to the first side 115 or the second side 116; a through hole 734, which is disposed on one side of the retainer body and faces the side 115, 116 of the retainer body 731 fixed to the first side 115 and the second side 116; a light source 74, which is fixed inside the retainer body 731; and a light guide 75, which transmits the light supplied from the light source 74 along the length direction of the through hole 734.

[0068] like Figure 6 As shown, the retaining body 731 may include: a lower body 732, forming the lower surface of the retaining body and supporting the light guide 75; and an upper body 733, forming the upper surface of the retaining body and covering the upper surface of the light guide 75. Considering the durability of the retaining body 731, preferably, the thickness T2 of the lower body is set to be thicker than the thickness T1 of the upper body.

[0069] The retainer body 731 can be fixed to the sides 115, 116 by means of a fixing body 735. The fixing body 735 can be formed in the shape of a bar protruding from opposite ends of the retainer body 731. Each fixing body 735 can be provided with a connecting protrusion 736, which is inserted into the retainer mounting hole 112 provided on each side 115, 116.

[0070] The through hole 734 can be formed into a slit shape with a length greater than its height (the length in the X-axis direction is greater than the length in the Z-axis direction). The light guide 75 can be fixed to the retainer body 731 to close the through hole 734.

[0071] In order to prevent air or moisture inside the processing space 11 from flowing into the space between the light guide 75 and the through hole 734, the retainer 73 may also include a sealing part 77.

[0072] The light source 74 can be configured as a light-emitting body fixed inside the holding member body 731 and emitting light toward one end of the light guide 75. For example, the light-emitting body can be an LED (light emitting diode).

[0073] like Figure 6 As shown, the light source 74 may include: a first LED 741 that emits light to the left end of the light guide portion 75; and a second LED 752 that emits light to the right end of the light guide portion 75; or, as shown... Figure 7 As shown, the light source 74 can also be composed of an LED that emits light to one end of the light guide 75.

[0074] In any case, the light source 74 can be fixed to the holding member body 731, maintaining contact with the light guide portion 75. This is because maintaining the contact between the light source 74 and the light guide portion 75 is beneficial for diffusing light along the light guide portion 75.

[0075] The light guide 75 can be constructed from a transparent or semi-transparent rod with a circular cross-sectional shape. For example... Figure 7 As shown, when light is incident only from one end of the light guide 75, the brightness of the left end of the light guide 75 adjacent to the light source 74 may be brighter than the brightness of the right end of the light guide 75 located on the opposite side of the light source 74. To minimize the brightness difference between the two ends of the light guide 75, a diffuser 76 may be provided in the light guide 75.

[0076] The diffuser 76 is a means provided on the light guide 75 and diffuses the light incident from the light source 74 into the interior of the light guide 75. For example, the diffuser 76 may be a plurality of grooves 762 provided along the length direction (X-axis direction) of the light guide.

[0077] A plane 761 may be provided on one side of the light guide portion 75 (the side of the light guide portion that is not exposed to the outside through the through hole), and a plurality of the grooves 762 may be located on the plane 761 to facilitate the forming of the plurality of grooves 762.

[0078] On the other hand, the width R of the plurality of grooves 762, the interval L between the plurality of grooves 762, the depth H of the plurality of grooves 762, and the vertex curvature of the plurality of grooves 762 can be set differently according to the distance between the respective groove and the light source 74.

[0079] like Figure 7As shown, the width of each groove can be set to be shorter the further away from the light source 74 (R1 > R2), and the spacing between each groove can be set to be shorter the further away from the light source 74 (L1 > L2). Furthermore, the depth of the plurality of grooves can be set to be shallower the further away from the light source 74 (H1 > H2), and the vertex curvature (vertex sharpness) of the plurality of grooves can be set to be smaller the further away from the light source.

[0080] Figure 8 This figure illustrates another embodiment of the retainer 73, which, according to this embodiment, is characterized by comprising: a plurality of light sources 74 fixed in the space provided by the retainer body 731 facing the through hole 731; and a cover (transparent or translucent material) 78 fixed to the retainer body 731, sealing the through hole 734. To prevent air or moisture from flowing into the interior of the retainer body 731, a sealing portion 77 is preferably provided between the edge of the cover 78 and the through hole 734.

[0081] The cross-section of the cover 78 can be formed to protrude from the surfaces 115 and 116 where the retainer 73 is provided. Figure 8 The figure shows an example of the cover 78 having a cross-section that is approximately triangular. If the cover 78 is shaped to protrude toward the surface on which the retainer is provided, then not only can light be provided to the surfaces 115 and 116 on which the retainer is provided, but also to the upper region and the lower region of the processing space 11.

[0082] In the garment processing apparatus 100 provided with the aforementioned retainer 73, the light emitted from the light source 74 is reflected by a plurality of sides 115, 116 of the processing space 11, so the garment processing apparatus 100 can illuminate the processing space 11 using indirect lighting.

[0083] When the light source 74 and the light guide 75 serve as indirect illumination for the processing space 11, light can be supplied evenly to the interior of the processing space 11 and glare can be prevented for the user. Furthermore, it is easy to identify any foreign objects remaining on clothing placed in the processing space 11.

[0084] Furthermore, since the light source 74 and the light guide 75 serve as indirect lighting, the processing space 11 can be illuminated with soft light, which can also be expected to have a favorable effect in terms of aesthetics.

[0085] This invention can be implemented in various forms and modifications; therefore, the scope of this invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Consequently, if any modified embodiment includes elements within the scope of the claims of this application, it should be considered to fall within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A garment processing device, characterized in that, include: The processing space has a front with an inlet, a back facing the front, a first side and a second side connecting the front and the back, and provides a space for accommodating clothing. A supply device supplies at least one of air and steam to the processing space; The retaining members are respectively fixed to the first side and the second side; as well as The supporting body, supported by the retaining member, divides the processing space into an upper space and a lower space; The retaining element includes: The retainer body is fixed to the first side or the second side; A through hole is provided on one side of the retainer body, and the side of the retainer body is fixed to one of the first side and the second side. The light source is disposed inside the main body of the retainer; and The light guide portion, formed in the shape of a rod inside the main body of the retainer, transmits light supplied from the light source along the length direction of the through hole.

2. The garment processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The through hole is formed as a slit whose length is longer than its height.

3. The garment processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The light source is configured as a single LED that emits light from one end of the light guide portion, which is shaped like a rod.

4. The garment processing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The light source is fixed to the main body of the retainer and is in contact with one end of the light guide.

5. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light source includes: The first LED emits light at one end of the two ends of the rod-shaped light guide; and The second LED emits light towards the other end of the light guide portion.

6. The garment handling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The light guide is fixed to the main body of the retainer and the through hole is closed.

7. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a sealing part that blocks external air from flowing into the space between the light guide and the through hole.

8. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a diffusion section disposed in the light guide section and diffuses the light supplied from the light source into the interior of the light guide section.

9. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The diffuser portion is formed as a plurality of grooves disposed in the light guide portion along the length direction of the through hole.

10. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, At least one of the width of the plurality of grooves and the spacing between the plurality of grooves is set differently according to the distance between the respective groove and the light source.

11. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, The width of each groove is set to be shorter the further away from the light source.

12. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, The spacing between each of the grooves is set to be shorter the further away from the light source.

13. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, At least one of the depth of the plurality of grooves and the vertex curvature of the plurality of grooves is set differently according to the distance between the respective groove and the light source.

14. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The depth of the plurality of grooves is set such that the further away from the light source, the shallower the groove.

15. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that, The curvature of the vertices of the plurality of grooves is set to decrease as they move further away from the light source.

16. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The retainer body includes: The lower main body forms the lower surface of the retaining member body and supports the light guide portion; and The upper body is fixed to the lower body, forming the upper surface of the retainer body and covering the upper surface of the light guide. The thickness of the lower main body is set to be greater than the thickness of the upper main body.

17. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that, It also includes a fixed body, The fixing body fixes the retaining body to the first side or the second side, maintaining the interval between the side where the retaining body is fixed and the through hole.

Images