Laundry care apparatus

Abstract

The laundry care apparatus includes: a housing having an inlet for laundry to be washed formed on a front surface of the housing; a tub provided in the housing, storing water, and including a tub back forming a rear side of the tub; a drum rotatably disposed in the tub and accommodating laundry to be washed; and a drying device disposed above the tub and for removing moisture in air discharged from the tub and supplying heated air to the tub, in which the tub back includes: a plurality of reinforcing ribs protruding rearward to reinforce rigidity of the tub back; and a tub duct in a partial region of the tub back for guiding air discharged from the tub to the drying device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to garment care equipment including a drying unit. Background Technology

[0002] Garment care equipment can refer to any apparatus used to handle and / or care for clothing. Garment care equipment can include washing machines and dryers.

[0003] A washing machine is a device that uses the driving force of a drum motor to agitate the clothes, water, and detergent together, and washes the clothes in the drum through mutual friction.

[0004] Regardless of the type of washing machine, the processes performed by the washing machine include: a washing process in which detergent and water are supplied to a tub containing the laundry and the laundry is washed while the drum is rotating; a rinsing process in which the laundry is rinsed by supplying water to the tub and rotating the drum; and a spin-drying process in which water is drained from the tub and the drum is rotated to remove water from the laundry.

[0005] The process performed by a washing machine may include a drying process that dries laundry by blowing heat generated by a drying unit into a space containing the laundry. The washing machine may include a drying unit for performing the drying process. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] Embodiments of this disclosure provide garment care equipment with an improved structure to improve the space utilization within the garment care equipment.

[0008] Embodiments of this disclosure provide a garment care device in which an exhaust channel is integrally formed with a portion of the back of the tub.

[0009] Embodiments of this disclosure provide garment care equipment with an improved structure to enhance the rigidity of the tub.

[0010] The technical objectives that can be achieved by this disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical objectives will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains from the following description.

[0011] Technical solution

[0012] According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a garment care device may include: a housing including a laundry inlet formed on the front; a tub disposed within the housing and configured to store water and including a tub back forming the rear side of the tub; a drum configured to rotate within the tub and accommodate laundry; and a drying device disposed above the tub and configured to remove moisture from air discharged from the tub and supply heated air to the tub, wherein the tub back may include: a plurality of reinforcing ribs projecting rearward to reinforce the rigidity of the tub back; and a tub conduit formed in a portion of the tub back and configured to guide air discharged from the tub to the drying device, and including a tub exhaust port configured to discharge air from the tub and a recessed portion further forward than the rear ends of the plurality of reinforcing ribs.

[0013] According to an example embodiment of this disclosure, a garment care device may include: a housing including an inlet for laundry formed on a front portion; a tub disposed within the housing and configured to store water, and including a tub back including a plurality of reinforcing ribs and a tub conduit, wherein the plurality of reinforcing ribs project rearward to reinforce the rigidity of the tub back, and the tub conduit including a tub vent formed in a portion of the tub back and configured to discharge air from the tub, and a recessed portion disposed around the tub vent and recessed further forward than the rear ends of the plurality of reinforcing ribs; a drum configured to rotate within the tub and to receive garments; and a drying device disposed above the tub and configured to remove moisture from the air discharged from the tub and supply heated air to the tub, and may further include: a conduit cover coupled to the tub to form an exhaust passage by covering the tub conduit, the exhaust passage being configured to guide air discharged through the tub vent to the drying device. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a garment care device according to various embodiments; Figure 2 These are cross-sectional views of garment care devices according to various embodiments; Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view showing a portion of components disposed in a garment care device according to various embodiments; Figure 4 This illustrates various embodiments. Figure 3 A magnified view of B; Figure 5 This illustrates various embodiments in relation to Figure 3 Exploded perspective view of a portion of a component in a garment care device, viewed from different angles; Figure 6This is an exploded perspective view showing a portion of the components of a garment care device according to various embodiments; Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the back of the bucket according to various embodiments; Figure 8 This illustrates insertion according to various embodiments. Figure 7 A diagram of the bearing housing in the back of the barrel; Figure 9 This illustrates various embodiments. Figure 8 The bearing housing is inserted into Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the state inside the barrel back; Figure 10 This is a partial perspective sectional view of the exhaust channel according to various embodiments; Figure 11 This is an exploded perspective view showing the connection state of the barrel back and pipe cover according to various embodiments; Figure 12 and Figure 13 This illustrates the intercept along line Z-Z' according to various embodiments. Figure 11 An enlarged view of the area where the barrel back and pipe cover connect; Figure 14 This illustrates various embodiments. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the casing and garment care equipment; Figure 15 This illustrates the various embodiments along with Figure 14 Different line segments Figure 1 An enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of a garment care device; Figure 16 This is a rear perspective view of a barrel according to various embodiments; and Figure 17 This illustrates the configuration according to various embodiments for insertion into Figure 16 A three-dimensional view of the bearing housing in the barrel. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The various embodiments and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technology disclosed herein to a particular form, and this disclosure should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents and / or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

[0016] When describing the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals may be used to denote the same elements.

[0017] Unless otherwise stated in this document or clearly contradicted by the context, singular expressions may include plural expressions.

[0018] The expressions “A or B”, “at least one of A and / or B”, “one or more of A and / or B”, “A, B or C”, “at least one of A, B and / or C”, or “one or more of A, B and / or C” as used herein may include any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

[0019] The term "and / or" includes a combination of related items or any one of the related items.

[0020] In this document, the terms “first,” “second,” “first,” “second,” etc., may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, but do not limit the element in any other way (e.g., in terms of importance or order).

[0021] When an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as “connected” or “linked” to another element (e.g., a second element), the first element may be connected to the second element directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or via a third element.

[0022] The terms “comprising”, “having”, etc., are used to enumerate features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more features, elements, steps, operations, components, or combinations thereof.

[0023] When an element is referred to as being “connected,” “joined,” “supported,” or “in contact” with another element, this includes not only cases where the element is directly connected, joined, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the element is indirectly connected, joined, supported, or in contact through a third element.

[0024] Throughout the disclosure, when an element is “on” another element, this includes not only the case where the element is in contact with another element, but also the case where there is another element between the two elements.

[0025] Washing machines according to various embodiments can perform washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying processes. A washing machine is an example of a garment care appliance, and a garment care appliance is a concept that includes, but is not limited to, a device capable of washing clothes (objects to be washed and objects to be dried), a device capable of drying clothes, and a device capable of washing and drying clothes.

[0026] Washing machines according to various embodiments may include top-loading washing machines in which the laundry inlet for inserting or removing laundry is configured to face upwards, or front-loading washing machines in which the laundry inlet is configured to face forward. Washing machines according to various embodiments may include loading types of washing machines other than top-loading and front-loading washing machines.

[0027] In top-loading washing machines, water flow generated by a rotating body such as an agitator is used to wash laundry. In front-loading washing machines, laundry is washed by repeatedly raising and lowering the drum. Front-loading washing machines may include a dryer-combination washing machine capable of drying laundry stored in the drum. The dryer-combination washing machine may include a hot air supply device for supplying hot air to the drum and a condenser device for removing moisture from the air discharged from the drum. For example, the dryer-combination washing machine may include a heat pump device. Washing machines according to various embodiments may include washing machines using washing methods other than those described above.

[0028] The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a housing in which various components are housed. The housing may be configured as a box with an inlet for laundry on one side.

[0029] The washing machine may include a door for opening and closing the inlet for laundry. The door may be rotatably mounted to the housing via hinges. At least a portion of the door may be transparent or translucent to allow visibility into the interior of the housing.

[0030] A washing machine may include a tub disposed within a housing to store water. The tub may be formed in a basic cylindrical shape having a tub opening formed on one side thereon. The tub may be disposed within the housing such that the tub opening corresponds to the inlet of the laundry.

[0031] The drum can be connected to the housing via a damper. The damper absorbs the vibrations generated when the drum rotates and reduces the vibrations transmitted to the housing.

[0032] A washing machine may include a drum configured to hold clothes to be washed.

[0033] The drum can be positioned inside the tub such that a drum opening on one side corresponds to the laundry inlet and the tub opening. Laundry can pass sequentially through the laundry inlet, the tub opening, and the drum opening, and is then either contained in or removed from the drum.

[0034] The drum can perform each operation—washing, rinsing, and / or spin drying—while rotating inside the tub. Multiple through-holes can be formed in the cylindrical wall of the drum to allow water stored in the tub to be introduced into or drained from the drum.

[0035] The washing machine may include a drive unit configured to rotate the drum. The drive unit may include a drive motor and a rotating shaft for transmitting the driving force generated by the drive motor to the drum. The rotating shaft may penetrate the tub to connect to the drum.

[0036] The drive unit can perform corresponding operations for washing, rinsing, and / or rotary drying or drying by rotating the drum in the forward or reverse direction.

[0037] The washing machine may include a water supply device configured to supply water to the tub. The water supply device may include a water supply pipe and a water supply valve disposed within the water supply pipe. The water supply pipe may be connected to an external water source. The water supply pipe may extend from the external water source to a detergent supply device and / or the tub. Water may be supplied to the tub through the detergent supply device. Water may also be supplied to the tub without passing through the detergent supply device.

[0038] The water supply valve can open or close the water supply pipe in response to an electrical signal from the controller. The water supply valve can allow or prevent water from being supplied to the tank from an external water source. The water supply valve may include a solenoid valve configured to open and close in response to an electrical signal.

[0039] The washing machine may include a detergent supply device configured to supply detergent to the tub. The detergent supply device may include a manual detergent supply device that requires a user to input the amount of detergent for each wash, and an automatic detergent supply device that stores a large quantity of detergent and automatically dispenses a predetermined amount of detergent during the wash cycle. The detergent supply device may include a detergent dispenser for storing the detergent. The detergent supply device may be configured to supply detergent to the tub during water supply. Water supplied via a water supply pipe may be mixed with the detergent through the detergent supply device. The water mixed with the detergent may be supplied to the tub. The term "detergent" is used to encompass detergent for pre-wash, detergent for main wash, fabric softener, bleach, etc., and the detergent dispenser may be divided into a storage area for pre-wash detergent, a storage area for main wash detergent, a storage area for fabric softener, and a storage area for bleach.

[0040] The washing machine may include a drainage device configured to drain water contained in the tub to the outside. The drainage device may include a drain pipe extending from the bottom of the tub to the outside of the housing, a drain valve disposed on the drain pipe to open and close the drain pipe, and a pump disposed on the drain pipe. The pump may pump water from the drain pipe to the outside of the housing.

[0041] The washing machine may include a control panel disposed on one side of the casing. The control panel provides a user interface for interaction between the user and the washing machine. The user interface may include at least one input interface and at least one output interface.

[0042] At least one input interface can convert sensing information received from the user into an electrical signal.

[0043] At least one input interface may include a power button, an operation button, a process selection dial (or process selection button), and a wash / rinse / tumble dry setting button. At least one input interface may include a touch switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touchpad, a touch screen, a knob, and / or a microphone.

[0044] At least one output interface can visually or audibly transmit information related to the operation of the washing machine to the user.

[0045] For example, at least one output interface can transmit information related to the washing process, the washing machine's operating time, and the wash / rinse / tumble dry settings to the user. Information related to the operation of the washing machine can be output via a screen, indicator, or voice. At least one output interface may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light-emitting diode (LED) panel, or a speaker.

[0046] The washing machine may include a communication module comprising various communication circuits for wired and / or wireless communication with external devices.

[0047] The communication module may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module and a long-range wireless communication module.

[0048] The communication module can send data to or receive data from external devices (e.g., servers, user devices, and / or home appliances). For example, the communication module can establish communication with servers and / or user devices and / or home appliances, and send and receive various types of data.

[0049] For communication, the communication module can establish a direct (e.g., wired) or wireless communication channel between external devices and support communication performance through the established communication channel. According to embodiments, the communication module may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a Local Area Network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the respective communication module can communicate with external devices through a first network (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, or the Infrared Data Association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network such as a traditional cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or a WAN)). These various types of communication modules can be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips).

[0050] Short-range wireless communication modules may include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth communication modules, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication modules, near-field communication modules, WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication modules, Zigbee communication modules, Infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication modules, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication modules, ultra-wideband (UWB) communication modules, Ant+ communication modules, and microwave (uWave) communication modules.

[0051] Long-range wireless communication modules may include communication modules that perform various types of long-range wireless communication, and may include mobile communication circuitry. The mobile communication circuitry uses at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network to transmit and receive wireless signals.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the communication module can communicate with external devices such as servers, user devices, and other household appliances via an access point (AP). The access point (AP) can connect the local area network (LAN) to which the washing machine or user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The washing machine or user device can connect to the server via the WAN. The controller can control various components of the washing machine (e.g., drive motor and water supply valve). The controller may include various circuits configured to control various components of the washing machine according to user input to perform at least one operation including water supply, washing, rinsing, and / or tumble drying. For example, the controller may control the drive motor to adjust the rotational speed of the drum or control the water supply valve of the water supply device to supply water to the tub.

[0053] The controller may include hardware such as a CPU and / or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the controller may include: at least one memory for storing algorithmic and program type data for controlling the operation of components in a washing machine; and at least one processor configured to perform the aforementioned operations using data stored in the at least one memory. Processors according to embodiments of this disclosure may include various processing circuitry and / or multiple processors. For example, as used herein, including the claims, the term "processor" may include various processing circuitry comprising at least one processor, wherein one or more of the at least one processor may be configured to perform the various functions described herein individually and / or collaboratively in a distributed manner. As used herein, when "processor," "at least one processor," and "one or more processors" are described as being configured to perform multiple functions, these terms cover, for example, but not limited to, a situation where one processor performs some of the stated functions while another(s) processors perform others of the stated functions, and also cover a situation where a single processor can perform all of the stated functions. Furthermore, at least one processor may include, for example, a combination of processors performing the various stated / disclosed functions in a distributed manner. At least one processor may run program instructions to implement or perform various functions. The memory and processor may each be implemented as separate chips. The processor may include one or more processor chips, or one or more processing cores. The memory may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks. Alternatively, the memory and processor may be implemented as a single chip.

[0054] In the following, garment care apparatuses according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the present disclosure is described below based on a dryer-washer combination, the garment care apparatuses according to various embodiments are not limited thereto and can be applied to various apparatuses used for handling and / or caring for garments.

[0055] Throughout the entire process, the directions forward, backward, up, down, left, and right are collectively referred to as based on... Figure 1 The direction shown. In Figure 1 The diagram shows the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions that are perpendicular to each other, where the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis directions refer to the forward, left, and up directions, respectively.

[0056] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a garment care device according to various embodiments. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a garment care device according to various embodiments. Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view showing a portion of a component disposed in a garment care device according to various embodiments. Figure 4 This illustrates various embodiments. Figure 3 A magnified view of B. Figure 5 This illustrates various embodiments in relation to Figure 3 An exploded perspective view of a portion of a component in a garment care device, viewed from different angles. Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view showing a portion of the components of a garment care device according to various embodiments.

[0057] Reference Figures 1 to 6 (For example, including) Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 According to the embodiment, the garment care device 1 can be a dryer-washing machine. The garment care device 1 includes a housing 10 forming the outside, a tub 20 for containing water during washing or rinsing, a drum 30 for containing clothes to be washed, and a drive motor 42 for rotating the drum 30.

[0058] The housing 10 can be configured in a substantially hexahedral shape. In other words, the housing 10 can be box-shaped. The housing 10 may include frames 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e, such as an upper frame 10a forming the upper surface of the housing 10, a front frame 10b and a rear frame 10c forming the front and rear surfaces of the housing 10 respectively, and a side frame 10d and a lower frame 10e connecting the front frame 10b and the rear frame 10c and forming the side and lower surfaces of the housing 10.

[0059] A laundry inlet 14 may be formed in the front frame 10b of the housing 10 to allow laundry to be inserted into or removed from the drum 30. The laundry inlet 14 may be opened and closed via a door 13 mounted on the front frame 10b of the housing 10.

[0060] The garment care device 1 may include a door 13 for opening and closing the laundry inlet 14. The door 13 may be rotatably mounted to the housing 10 via hinges. At least a portion of the door 13 may be transparent or translucent to allow visibility into the interior of the housing 10. For example, the door 13 may include tempered glass.

[0061] The garment care device 1 may include a lower door 18 configured to provide access to a lower detergent supply device 95a. The garment care device 1 may include an upper door 19 configured to provide access to an upper detergent supply device 95b and a filter 81.

[0062] The control panel 11 may be disposed on the upper portion of the front frame 10b of the housing 10 to control the operation of the garment care device 1. The control panel 11 provides a user interface for interaction between the user and the garment care device 1. The control panel 11 may include an input device for inputting operations of the garment care device 1 and a display for displaying various information about the garment care device 1. For example, the control panel 11 may include a display panel capable of touch input. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the control panel may include various types of input devices and displays.

[0063] The garment care device 1 may include a bucket 20 disposed inside a housing 10 to store water. The bucket 20 may be configured in a substantially cylindrical shape with an opening formed on one side, and may be configured inside the housing 10 to allow the bucket opening to correspond to the inlet 14 for the laundry. The bucket opening may face generally forward.

[0064] The barrel 20 may include a barrel body 22a corresponding to the side surface of the cylinder. The barrel body 22a may be configured as a cylindrical shape with openings on both the front and rear sides. The barrel opening may be located at the front of the barrel body 22a. The diameter of the barrel opening may be similar to or smaller than the diameter of the barrel body 22a. The barrel 20 may include a barrel back 200 forming the rear surface of the barrel 20. The barrel back 200 may be located at the rear (rear side) of the barrel body 22a. The barrel back 200 may cover the rear side of the barrel body 22a. The barrel back 200 may have a size and shape corresponding to the open rear surface of the barrel body 22a to cover the open rear surface of the barrel body 22a. The barrel back 200 may have a diameter similar to / corresponding to the diameter of the barrel body 22a.

[0065] The drum 20 can be connected to the housing 10 via a damper 16. The damper 16 can absorb the vibrations generated when the drum 30 rotates, thereby reducing the vibrations transmitted to the housing 10.

[0066] The garment care device 1 may include a drum 30 for holding clothes to be washed. The drum 30 may be cylindrical in shape. The drum 30 may be housed within the housing 10.

[0067] The drum 30 can be rotated by receiving power from the drive unit 40. The drive unit 40 for rotating the drum 30 will be described later.

[0068] The drum 30 can rotate inside the tub 20 and perform each operation according to the washing, rinsing and / or spin-drying process. A plurality of through holes 32a can be formed in the cylindrical wall of the drum 30 to allow water stored in the tub 20 to be introduced into or drained from the drum 30.

[0069] The garment care device 1 may include a water supply device 90 to supply water to a tub 20. The water supply device 90 may be located above the tub 20. The water supply device 90 may be located behind a drying device (e.g., including a heat pump module) 70.

[0070] The garment care device 1 may include a detergent supply device 95 for supplying detergent to a tub 20. The detergent supply device 95 may include an upper detergent supply device 95b and a lower detergent supply device 95a. The upper detergent supply device 95b may be positioned above the tub 20. The lower detergent supply device 95a may be positioned below the tub 20. The term "detergent" may include, for example, but not limited to, detergents for pre-washing, detergents for main washing, fabric softeners, bleach, etc.

[0071] The garment care device 1 may include a drain device 93 to drain water contained in a bucket 20 to the outside. The drain device 93 may be located below the bucket 20. The drain device 93 may include a drain pump 93a, a connecting hose 93b, and a drain hose, wherein the drain pump 93a is used to drain water in the bucket 20 to the outside of the housing 10, the connecting hose 93b connects the bucket 20 and the drain pump 93a to allow water in the bucket 20 to be introduced into the drain pump 93a, and the drain hose is used to guide the water pumped by the drain pump 93a to the outside of the housing 10.

[0072] The barrel 20 can be supported by a damper 16. The damper 16 can connect the lower frame 10e of the housing 10 and the outer surface of the barrel 20. In addition to the lower frame, the damper 16 can be located on the upper, left, and right sides of the housing 10 to support the barrel 20.

[0073] A water supply device 90 can be installed above the tub 20 to supply washing water to the tub 20. The water supply device 90 can be installed after the drying device 70.

[0074] The roller 30 may include a roller body 32, a front part of the roller 31, and a rear part of the roller 34.

[0075] The drum body 32 can be formed into a hollow cylindrical shape with an open front end and a rear end. Multiple through holes 32a can be formed in the cylindrical drum body 32 to allow water stored in the tub 20 to be introduced into or drained from the drum 30. At least one lifter 33 can be mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the drum body 32 to lift and drop laundry as the drum 30 rotates.

[0076] The front part 31 of the roller can be located at the front end of the roller body 32, and the rear part 34 of the roller can be located at the rear end of the roller body 32.

[0077] A connecting hole 35 may be formed on the side surface of the roller body 32. The connecting hole 35 may also be formed at the rear end of the roller body 32 to allow connection to the rear part of the roller 34. Multiple connecting holes 35 may be formed. The connecting holes 35 may be fixedly mounted on the flange shaft 60 in the rear part of the roller 34. The connecting holes 35 may be formed to correspond to the flange shaft 60. The connecting holes 35 may be spaced at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the roller body 32 to correspond to the flange shaft 60.

[0078] The front part 31 of the roller can correspond to the front opening of the roller body 32. The rear part 34 of the roller can correspond to the rear opening of the roller body 32.

[0079] The rear portion 34 of the roller may be formed in a disc shape to close the rear end opening of the roller body 32. In embodiments of this disclosure, a plurality of holes may be formed in the rear portion 34 of the roller to allow air to flow easily from the inside of the roller to the outside.

[0080] The garment care device 1 may include a drive unit 40 to rotate a roller 30. The drive unit 40 may include a drive motor 42 and a rotation shaft 41 connected to the roller 30 to transmit the driving force generated by the drive motor 42 to the roller 30. The rotation shaft 41 for transmitting the power of the drive motor 42 may be connected to the rear portion 34 of the roller 30. The roller 30 may be rotated in a tub 20 by the rotational force transmitted via the rotation shaft 41.

[0081] The drive motor 42 can be located outside the drum 20. The drive motor 42 can be connected to the drum 30 via a rotating shaft 41. The rotating shaft 41 can penetrate the back 200 of the drum 20 and can be rotatably supported by a bearing 52 and a bearing housing 51.

[0082] The drive motor 42 may include a stator fixed to the outside of the drum back 200 and a rotor rotatable and connected to a rotating shaft 41. The rotor may interact electromagnetically with the stator to convert rotational electromagnetic force into mechanical rotational force. The rotation of the rotor may be transmitted to the drum 30 via the rotating shaft 41.

[0083] The rear part 34 of the roller can be connected to the rotating shaft 41 via a flange shaft 60. The flange shaft 60 can transmit power to the drive motor 42.

[0084] The flange shaft 60 may include a hub portion 61 disposed at the center of the rear portion 34 of the roller and a plurality of flange portions 62 extending radially from the hub portion 61. A shaft connection portion 63 may be formed at the center of the hub portion 61 for mounting the rotating shaft 41.

[0085] Multiple flange portions 62 may be formed around the hub portion 61 at approximately 120-degree intervals. The multiple flange portions 62 may be formed to correspond to the diameter of the rear portion 34 of the roller. Multiple fastening holes 64 may be formed at one end of each of the flange portions 62. The multiple fastening holes 64 may be formed to correspond to the coupling holes 35 of the roller 30. In embodiments of this disclosure, although two fastening holes formed in one flange portion are shown as an example, this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the arrangement and number of fastening holes may vary depending on the size and shape of the roller and the flange portions.

[0086] A rotating shaft 41 can be disposed between the drum 30 and the drive motor 42. One end of the rotating shaft 41 can be connected to the rear part 34 of the drum, and the other end of the rotating shaft 41 can extend to the outside of the drum back 200. When the drive motor 42 rotates the rotating shaft 41, the drum 30 connected to the rotating shaft 41 can rotate around the rotating shaft 41.

[0087] The bearing housing 51 is mounted in the barrel back 200 to rotatably support the rotating shaft 41. The bearing housing 51 may be made of aluminum alloy. For example, the bearing housing 51 may be made of aluminum die casting (ALDC). However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the bearing housing 51 may be made of stainless steel. It is sufficient that the bearing housing 51 is made of a material stronger than the material forming the barrel 20.

[0088] When the barrel 20 is injection molded, the bearing housing 51 can be inserted into the barrel back 200. For example, the barrel 20 can be formed by inserting the bearing housing 51 into a mold (not shown) for forming the barrel 20, and then injecting molten resin into the mold. In this way, the barrel 20 and the bearing housing 51 inserted into the barrel back 200 can be integrally formed.

[0089] Bearing 52 (for example, see Figure 8 It can be installed between the bearing housing 51 and the rotating shaft 41 to allow the rotating shaft 41 to rotate smoothly.

[0090] The garment care device 1 may include a drying device 70 for drying garments contained in a drum 30. The drying device 70 can heat air and supply heated air into the interior of the drum 20. The drying device 70 can dry and heat air discharged from the drum 20 and circulate the dried and heated air within the drum 20 to dry the garments in the drum 30. According to various embodiments, the drying device 70 may be positioned above the drum 20.

[0091] The drying device 70 may include a drying chamber 70a in which a heat pump for drying air can be installed. The drying chamber 70a may include a drying base 70b and a drying cover 70c coupled to the drying base 70b to form a flow channel through which air can pass. The drying cover 70c may cover the open upper surface of the drying base 70b.

[0092] The drying apparatus 70 according to various embodiments can be configured as a heat pump type. The drying apparatus 70 may include a compressor 71, a condenser 72, an evaporator 73, an expansion valve, and a refrigerant pipe 75 for allowing the refrigerant to circulate and exchange heat. The compressor 71, condenser 72, evaporator 73, etc., constituting the heat pump, can be housed within the drying chamber 70a. For example, the drying apparatus 70 can be installed as a single module into the garment care device 1.

[0093] Compressor 71 compresses the refrigerant, and the compressed, high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant can move to condenser 72. Condenser 72 can cool the refrigerant to heat the surrounding air. The heated air can flow into drum 30 to dry clothes.

[0094] The refrigerant, expanding through the expansion valve, absorbs heat from the evaporator 73 and cools the surrounding air. In other words, the evaporator 73 removes moisture by cooling the hot, humid air that has passed through the interior of the drum 30. The dehumidified air then passes through the condenser 72 and is reheated while exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the condenser 72. That is, the condenser 72 can heat the air that has passed through the evaporator 73. The condenser 72 and the evaporator 73 can be referred to as heat exchangers.

[0095] In addition to a heat pump, the drying apparatus 70 may also include a heater 80 to improve drying efficiency. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the drying apparatus 70 may be configured as a heater type that only includes the heater 80, rather than a heat pump type.

[0096] Heater 80 can heat the air introduced into drying unit 70. Heater 80 can be disposed in heating channel 77. Heater 80 can be disposed downstream of condenser 72. In addition, heater 80 can be configured to be small in size to minimize / reduce channel resistance. For example, heater 80 can be a sheathed heater.

[0097] An inlet channel 76 for air discharged from the barrel 20 into it can be formed in the drying apparatus 70. A heating channel 77 can be formed in the drying apparatus 70 for heat exchange with the air introduced into the drying apparatus 70 through the inlet channel 76. The drying apparatus 70 can be provided with a supply channel 78 through which the air undergoing heat exchange while passing through the heating channel 77 is supplied to the barrel 20. The inlet channel 76 is configured to allow air passing through the interior of the barrel 20 to flow into the drying apparatus 70. The inlet channel 76 can be located above the barrel 20. The inlet channel 76 can communicate with an exhaust channel P formed at the rear of the barrel 20.

[0098] The drying apparatus 70 may include an inlet guide 76a connected to the drum 20. The inlet guide 76a guides air discharged from the drum 20 to an inlet passage 76. The inlet passage 76 can communicate with an exhaust passage P formed in the drum 20 via the inlet guide 76a. Air that has passed through the exhaust passage P can flow into the inlet passage 76 of the drying apparatus 70 through the inlet guide 76a.

[0099] A filter 81 may be provided in the inlet channel 76 to filter out foreign matter such as lint contained in the air flowing in from the barrel 20 through the exhaust channel P. The air flowing into the inlet channel 76 can flow through the filter 81 into the heating channel 77.

[0100] The condenser 72 and evaporator 73 can be arranged within the heating channel 77. Because the introduced air has already passed through the interior of the tank 20, the introduced air may be hot and humid. The hot and humid air can be cooled in the evaporator 73 arranged in the heating channel 77 to remove moisture. Then, the air can be reheated while passing through the condenser 72.

[0101] The supply channel 78 can return the air heated while passing through the condenser 72 to the tank 20. The supply channel 78 can communicate with the heating channel 77 and extend downward to discharge the heated air toward the air inlet 26 of the tank 20.

[0102] The supply channel 78 may include a blower 78a that allows air to flow into the drum 20. According to an embodiment, the blower 78a may be disposed in the supply channel 78. The blower 78a can cause air from the heating channel 77 and the supply channel 78 to flow into the drum 30. For example, the blower 78a may include a Silco fan.

[0103] In the garment care apparatus 1 according to an embodiment, the supply channel 78 can be configured to allow air to move downwards from below a blower 78a located at the front of the drying base 70b. The supply channel 78 extends downwards from the blower 78a and connects the blower 78a and the air inlet 26 of the drum 20. The supply channel 78 extends below the blower 78a, thereby minimizing / reducing the front-to-back volume. In other words, the increase in volume of the garment care apparatus 1 in the front-to-back direction due to the supply channel 78 can be prevented, minimized, and / or reduced.

[0104] Using the above configuration, the air that has passed through the heating channel 77 can be introduced into the supply channel 78 by the blower 78a, move down along the supply channel 78 to the blower 78a, and then be discharged into the tank 20 through the air inlet 26.

[0105] Reference Figure 3 The washing machine according to an embodiment may include a diaphragm 23 connecting the tub opening of the tub 20 and the laundry inlet 14 of the housing 10. The diaphragm 23 connects the laundry inlet 14 and the tub opening. Regardless of whether vibration occurs during the washing process, the diaphragm 23 can prevent and / or reduce / prevent laundry placed in the laundry inlet 14 from falling between the housing 10 and the tub 20, and can also be used to connect the front end of the tub 20 and the housing 10. For this purpose, the diaphragm 23 may be formed of an elastic material. For example, the diaphragm 23 may include a plastic material such as rubber or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

[0106] Reference Figure 4 In the washing machine according to an embodiment, the diaphragm 23 may include a pipe portion 24 configured to connect to a supply pipe 78b forming a supply flow channel 78. The pipe portion 24 may extend upward from one side of the diaphragm 23, which has a cylindrical shape open on both sides. A flow channel may be formed inside the pipe portion 24 to allow airflow. The pipe portion 24 may be formed adjacent to the upper end of the diaphragm 23. The pipe portion 24 may be integrally formed with the diaphragm 23 and have the same material. Alternatively, the pipe portion 24 may be separately disposed from the diaphragm 23 and may be connected to the diaphragm 23. Furthermore, the pipe portion 24 may be separately disposed from the diaphragm 23 and the tub 20 and may be connected to the tub 20. The pipe portion 24 may be integrally formed with the tub 20.

[0107] An opening 24a may be formed at one end of the pipe portion 24. Opening 24a may refer to the air inlet 26 described above. An outlet 78c may be formed at one end of the supply pipe 78b that forms the supply flow channel 78. Opening 24a and outlet 78c may have corresponding sizes and shapes. When the pipe portion 24 and the supply pipe 78b are connected, opening 24a and outlet 78c may be substantially the same hole. When the pipe portion 24 and the supply pipe 78b are connected, opening 24a and outlet 78c may each be an air inlet 26.

[0108] The garment care device 1 may include an exhaust duct P that allows air discharged from inside the drum 20 to flow into the drying unit 70. Air that has passed through the exhaust duct P may flow into the inlet duct 76 of the drying unit 70. For example, the exhaust duct P may be located at the rear of the drum 20.

[0109] Air can circulate through the interior of the barrel 20 and the drying device 70 via the exhaust channel P, the inlet channel 76, the heating channel 77 and the supply channel 78.

[0110] In the garment care device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the air discharged to the rear of the drum 20 can flow through the exhaust channel P into the inlet channel 76 of the drying device 70 located above the drum 20, then pass through the heating channel 77 and the supply channel 78 in sequence, and then be sent back to the interior of the drum 20.

[0111] A barrel exhaust port 220 may be formed in the barrel back 200 to allow air in the barrel 20 to be discharged to the rear of the barrel 20. The air discharged through the barrel exhaust port 220 may flow into the inlet channel 76 along the exhaust channel P.

[0112] In the garment care device 1 according to the embodiment, the exhaust channel P can be formed by connecting the pipe cover 100 to the tub back 200. The exhaust channel P can also be formed by connecting the pipe cover 100 to the tub pipe 213, which will be described later.

[0113] According to an embodiment, the back of the bucket 200 may include reinforcing ribs 201 formed on the rear surface of the back of the bucket 200 (e.g., see...). Figure 7 The barrel back 200 and the barrel pipe 213 formed on the rear surface of the barrel back 200. The front surface of the barrel back 200 may refer to the side of the barrel back 200 disposed inside the barrel 20, and the rear surface of the barrel back 200 may refer to the other side of the barrel back 200 disposed outside the barrel 20. In addition, the front surface of the barrel back 200 may be referred to as the inner surface of the barrel back 200, and the rear surface of the barrel back 200 may be referred to as the outer surface of the barrel back 200.

[0114] The reinforcing rib 201 can be formed to enhance the rigidity of the barrel back 200. The reinforcing rib 201 can protrude rearward from the rear surface of the barrel back 200.

[0115] The barrel conduit 213 may include a recessed portion 210 and a partition rib 230. The recessed portion 210 may be formed around the barrel vent 220 and may refer to the portion in which the reinforcing rib 201 is not formed or is recessed forward beyond the rear end of the reinforcing rib 201. The recessed portion 210 may be formed with a front-to-back width narrower than the portion in which the reinforcing rib 201 is formed in the barrel back 200. That is, the front-to-back width of the recessed portion 210 may be smaller than the front-to-back width of the portion in which the reinforcing rib 201 is formed. Therefore, the recessed portion 210 may be recessed from the barrel back 200. In other words, the recessed portion 210 may be formed such that a portion of the barrel back 200 is formed in a stepped manner. Furthermore, the portion of the rear surface of the barrel back 200 in which the reinforcing rib 201 is not formed may be referred to as the recessed portion 210. The partition rib 230 may refer to a protrusion formed along the edge of the recessed portion 210. The partition rib 230 may protrude from the edge of the recessed portion 210 to the rear of the barrel back 200. The partition rib 230 can form the sidewall of the exhaust channel P. The front-to-back width of the partition rib 230 can be greater than or equal to the front-to-back width of the reinforcing rib 201. The front-to-back width of the partition rib 230 can be referred to as the height of the partition rib 230. The front-to-back width of the reinforcing rib 201 can be referred to as the height of the reinforcing rib 201.

[0116] The heated air in the drying unit 70 can flow into the tub 20 and then be supplied to the drum 30. In this case, it is necessary to ensure the area of ​​the hot air supplied to the drum 30 in contact with the clothes to be washed. The longer the distance and time the heated air flows in the drum 30, the more air can come into contact with the clothes to be washed. Therefore, the tub exhaust port 220 can be formed at a position opposite to the air inlet 26, through which the heated air in the drying unit 70 flows into the tub 20.

[0117] The air heated in the drying device 70 flows into the drum 20 through its air inlet 26, and the air in the drum 20 is discharged through its drum exhaust port 220, which can be kept as far apart as possible. For this reason, when the drum 20 is viewed from the front or the rear, the air inlet 26 and the drum exhaust port 220 can be located diagonally opposite each other.

[0118] For example, if the air inlet 26 is formed on the upper right side of the front of the tub 20 or adjacent to the upper right side of the front of the tub 20, the tub exhaust port 220 can be formed on the lower left side of the tub back 200 or adjacent to the lower left side of the tub back 200. In this case, the heated air moves from the upper right side of the front of the tub 20 toward the lower left side of the tub back 200, and thus the heated air can move in a similar direction inside the drum 30 provided in the tub 20. That is, the heated air can move diagonally from the upper right side of the front of the drum 30 toward the lower left side of the rear of the drum 30. Therefore, the movement path of the heated air in the drum 30 can be as long as possible. As the movement path of the heated air increases, the heated air can come into contact with the clothes to be washed in the drum 30 over a large area for a longer time, and thus the drying efficiency of the garment care device 1 can be improved.

[0119] However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the air inlet 26 and the barrel exhaust port 220 may be arranged in different locations depending on the area of ​​each of the air inlet 26 and the barrel exhaust port 220 and / or the air capacity of the blower 78a.

[0120] The exhaust channel P can be formed by a pipe cover 100 covering one open side of the recessed portion 210. The exhaust channel P can be a single channel formed together by the recessed portion 210 and the pipe cover 100.

[0121] The pipe cover 100 can be attached to the drum back 200. The pipe cover 100 can form an exhaust channel P through which air discharged through the drum exhaust port 220 flows to the drying unit 70. Specifically, the pipe cover 100 can be attached to cover an open side of a recess 210 formed in the drum back 200. The method of attaching the pipe cover 100 to the drum back 200 will be described later.

[0122] The barrel 20 may include a pipe connection portion 270 that projects outward from the barrel body 22a in a radial direction. For example, the pipe connection portion 270 may project upward from the rear end of the barrel body 22a. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the pipe connection portion 270 may be positioned in various ways depending on the location of the drying device 70.

[0123] The pipe connection portion 270 can connect the inlet guide 76a of the drying device 70 and the barrel pipe 213. The pipe connection portion 270, together with the recessed portion 210, the partition rib 230 and the pipe cover 100, can form part of the exhaust channel P.

[0124] The pipe cover 100 can cover the barrel pipe 213 and the pipe connection portion 270. The pipe cover 100 can cover the open side of the barrel pipe 213 and the rear side of the open portion 270. The pipe cover 100 covers the recessed portion 210 and the pipe connection portion 270, thereby forming an exhaust channel P. Since the exhaust channel P is connected to the inlet channel 76, the air flowing into the exhaust channel P through the barrel exhaust port 220 formed in the barrel back 200 can move upward along the exhaust channel P and flow into the drying device 70 through the inlet channel 76.

[0125] Although not shown, the pipe connection portion 270 can be configured as a rectangular parallelepiped shape with its upper surface open and its rear surface closed, through which only air is discharged. In this case, the pipe cover 100 can cover only the barrel pipe 213.

[0126] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the back of a bucket according to various embodiments. Figure 8 This illustrates insertion according to various embodiments. Figure 7 A diagram of the bearing housing in the back of the barrel. Figure 9 This illustrates various embodiments. Figure 8 The bearing housing is inserted into Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the state of the barrel back. Figure 10 This is a partial perspective sectional view of the exhaust channel according to various embodiments.

[0127] Reference Figures 7 to 10 (For example, Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 The barrel 20 may include a plurality of reinforcing ribs 201 to enhance the rigidity of the barrel back 200. At least a portion of the barrel back 200 may not have multiple reinforcing ribs 201 formed, and a recessed portion 210 for forming an exhaust channel P may be provided.

[0128] The barrel through-hole 240 through which the rotating shaft 41 passes can be located in the center of the barrel back 200. The barrel exhaust port 220 connected to the exhaust channel P can be formed on a lower side of the barrel back 200.

[0129] Hot air supplied to the drum 20 through the supply channel 78 can flow into the drum 30, absorb moisture from the clothes to be washed in the drum 30, become humid air, and be discharged from the drum 30 and the drum 20. In this process, the heated air needs to be distributed throughout the drum 30 to effectively remove moisture from the clothes and improve drying efficiency. For this purpose, it is necessary to ensure that the flow channel connects from the front to the rear of the drum 30, and to reduce the amount of heated air discharged through the multiple through-holes 32a formed in the cylindrical drum body 32 before the heated air reaches the rear of the drum 30. According to this disclosure, a drum exhaust port 220 can be formed in the drum back 200 to increase the amount of heated air discharged to the rear of the drum 30.

[0130] Hot air supplied to the air inlet 26 of the barrel 20 can be discharged from the barrel 20 through the barrel exhaust port 220 formed in the barrel back 200. To allow the humid air discharged from the barrel 20 to move back to the drying device 70, a flow channel connecting the barrel back 200 and the drying device 70 is required. According to an embodiment, the exhaust flow channel P can be configured to move the humid air discharged from the barrel 20 back to the drying device 70.

[0131] Meanwhile, the bearing housing 51 is mounted on the barrel back 200, and the barrel back 200 needs to have sufficient rigidity to withstand the pressure and load caused by the water stored in the barrel 20. For this purpose, multiple reinforcing ribs 201 can be formed on the barrel back 200. Because the reinforcing ribs 201 protrude rearward from the rear surface of the barrel back 200, the front-rear thickness of the barrel back 200 increases the length of the protruding reinforcing ribs 201. In the structure described above, in order to install individual pipes on the reinforcing ribs 201 of the barrel back 200, it is necessary to ensure that the capacity of the housing 10 is the same as the size of the pipe. In other words, the internal space of the housing 10 needs to increase the front-rear thickness of the pipes individually mounted on the barrel back 200 in the front-rear direction.

[0132] According to this disclosure, the reinforcing rib 201 may not be formed on a portion of the barrel back 200 to allow that portion of the barrel back 200 to function as a flow channel. A portion of the barrel back 200 can be considered recessed when the length from the front surface of the barrel back 200 to the rear end of the reinforcing rib 201 is considered the thickness of the barrel back 200. In this disclosure, the recessed portion 210 formed in the barrel back 200 may refer to the area extending from the barrel exhaust port 220 of the barrel back 200 to the upper portion of the barrel back 200, where the reinforcing rib 201 is not formed, or protrudes less than the reinforcing rib 201.

[0133] Multiple reinforcing ribs 201 may be formed at the rear of the barrel back 200. The multiple reinforcing ribs 201 may include annular reinforcing ribs 201a and radial reinforcing ribs 201b. The annular reinforcing ribs 201a may have different radii centered on the barrel through hole 240.

[0134] Radial reinforcing ribs 201b may extend radially from the barrel through-hole 240. Furthermore, radial reinforcing ribs 201b may extend through annular reinforcing ribs 201a. Multiple reinforcing ribs 201 may enhance the rigidity of the barrel back 200. The multiple reinforcing ribs 201 may include annular reinforcing ribs 201a having the same center as the center C of the barrel through-hole 240. Annular reinforcing ribs 201a may have different radii. The multiple reinforcing ribs 201 may include radial reinforcing ribs 201b extending radially from the barrel through-hole 240. Radial reinforcing ribs 201b may extend through annular reinforcing ribs 201a.

[0135] The back of the bucket 200 may include a partition rib 230 projecting to the rear of the back of the bucket 200 to separate a portion of the back of the bucket 200 forming a recessed portion 210 from the remainder of the back of the bucket 200. The partition rib 230 may be formed around the recessed portion 210. The partition rib 230 may be formed along the edge of the pipe connection portion 270 and the edge of the recessed portion 210.

[0136] The height of the partition rib 230 can be greater than the height of the multiple reinforcing ribs 201. This means that the partition rib 230 protrudes significantly more towards the rear of the barrel back 200 than the multiple reinforcing ribs 201 do. In other words, the partition rib 230 can protrude significantly more towards the rear of the barrel back 200 than the multiple reinforcing ribs 201 do.

[0137] The partition rib 230 may include an outer partition rib 231, an inner partition rib 232, and a connecting partition rib 233.

[0138] An outer partition rib 231 can be disposed on one side of the barrel vent 220 in the radial direction of the barrel back 200. An inner partition rib 232 can be disposed on the other side of the barrel vent 220 in the radial direction of the barrel back 200. A connecting partition rib 233 can connect the outer partition rib 231 and the inner partition rib 232. The outer partition rib 231 can be disposed further away from the barrel through hole 240 in the radial direction of the barrel back 200 than the inner partition rib 232. Therefore, one side of the barrel vent 220 can be referred to as the outer side of the barrel vent 220, and the other side of the barrel vent 220 can be referred to as the inner side of the barrel vent 220.

[0139] The inner partition rib 232 may extend from the annular reinforcing rib 201a to form a circular rib together with the annular reinforcing rib 201a. The outer partition rib 231 may be formed along the edge of the disc-shaped barrel back 200. The outer partition rib 231 may project rearward from the rear edge of the barrel back 200. As described above, the inner partition rib 232 may project much further rearward than the annular reinforcing rib 201a, which forms a circular rib together with the inner partition rib 232. The outer partition rib 231 may project toward the rear of the barrel back 200 to allow the rear end of the outer partition rib 231 to lie in the same plane as the rear end of the inner partition rib 232.

[0140] The barrel back 200 may include a plurality of screw holes 2121 spaced apart from each other along the partition ribs 230. The plurality of screw holes 2121 may be formed outside the recessed portion 210. The plurality of screw holes 2121 may be formed adjacent to each of the outer partition rib 231, the inner partition rib 232 and the connecting partition rib 233.

[0141] The pipe cover 100 can be connected to a plurality of screw holes 2121. The plurality of screw holes 2121 can be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The plurality of screw holes 2121 can be formed by tapping for fastening screws. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and holes for fastening rivets, etc., can also be formed.

[0142] Reference Figure 7 The exhaust port 220 can be formed in the back of the barrel 200 to expel air from the barrel 20.

[0143] Multiple barrel vents 220 can be formed. The multiple barrel vents 220 can be spaced apart from each other. The multiple barrel vents 220 can be spaced apart from each other along the recessed portion 210.

[0144] The barrel vent 220 may include a first barrel vent 221 formed on the lower side of the recessed portion 210, a second barrel vent 222 formed above the first barrel vent 221, and a third barrel vent 223 formed above the second barrel vent 222.

[0145] The first vent 221 may be formed on the underside of the recess 210. The first vent 221 may include a drain trough 221a to allow wash water to drain into the tub 20 without any residue. The drain trough 221a may be inclined toward the interior of the tub 20.

[0146] The second barrel exhaust port 222 can be formed above the first barrel exhaust port 221. The second barrel exhaust port 222 and the first barrel exhaust port 221 are arranged with a gap between them, and therefore, compared with the case where the second barrel exhaust port 222 and the first barrel exhaust port 221 are integrally formed, the reduction in rigidity of the barrel back 200 can be prevented / reduced, and the air flow rate can be ensured.

[0147] The third exhaust port 223 can be formed above the second exhaust port 222. Similarly, this can prevent / reduce the reduction in rigidity of the barrel back 200 and ensure airflow.

[0148] Furthermore, the first barrel vent 221 and the second barrel vent 222 can be located below the horizontal line of the center C of the barrel through hole 240 passing through the barrel back 200. That is, based on the center line of the barrel through hole 240, the penetration area on the lower side of the barrel vent 220 can be formed to be larger than the penetration area on the upper side of the barrel vent 220.

[0149] As described above, the drying device 70 is positioned above the drum 20, and therefore the inlet channel 76 and the supply channel 78 can extend above the upper side of the drum 20. Therefore, in order for the air discharged through the supply channel 78 to effectively contact the clothes to be washed in the drum 30, a penetration area of ​​the drum exhaust port 220 larger than that above the recessed portion 210 needs to be formed on the lower side of the recessed portion 210.

[0150] In other words, if the penetration area of ​​the drum exhaust port 220 is larger on the upper side of the recessed portion 210 than on the lower side of the recessed portion 210, the air circulating through the drying device 70 may concentrate on the upper part of the drum 30. That is to say, the drying efficiency of the laundry contained in the drum 30 may be reduced.

[0151] However, to ensure sufficient flow rate, the barrel vent 220 may include a region formed above the center of the barrel back 200. For example, the barrel vent 220 may include a third barrel vent 223 formed above the center of the barrel back 200.

[0152] Furthermore, the distance between the first barrel exhaust port 221, the second barrel exhaust port 222, and the third barrel exhaust port 223 can be set to a distance that maintains the structural rigidity of the barrel 20 and the barrel back 200, while the second barrel exhaust port 222 and the third barrel exhaust port 223 are arranged as close as possible to the first barrel exhaust port 221. Moreover, this distance can be set to a theoretically calculated value or an experimental value obtained through repeated experiments.

[0153] Although three barrel vents 220 are shown in the accompanying drawings, this disclosure is not limited thereto. The shape and number of barrel vents 220 can vary. For example, barrel vents 220 can be densely arranged small holes, or they can have a grid or lattice shape.

[0154] The barrel 20 can be formed of plastic material. The bearing housing 51 can be inserted into the barrel back 200. That is, when the barrel 20 is injection molded, the barrel 20 can be injection molded while the bearing housing 51 is inserted.

[0155] Reference Figure 8The bearing housing 51 may include a material with higher rigidity than the material forming the barrel 20. The bearing housing 51 may be formed of die-cast aluminum (ALDC) or stainless steel.

[0156] The bearing housing 51 can be inserted into the barrel back 200 to enhance the rigidity of the barrel back 200. For example, the recessed reinforcing portion 511 of the bearing housing 51 can enhance the rigidity of the recessed portion 210 of the barrel back 200.

[0157] A barrel through-hole 240 can be formed in the barrel back 200 through which the rotating shaft 41 of the drive motor 42 passes. A bearing 52 can be inserted into the barrel through-hole 240 and rotatably support the rotating shaft 41.

[0158] The load caused by the water and laundry contained in the drum 30 is transmitted through the rotating shaft 41 and bearing 52 to the drum back 200, which forms the drum through-hole 240. Because the rigidity of the drum back 200 is insufficient to support the load, the bearing housing 51 can be disposed in the drum back 200.

[0159] According to an embodiment, the bearing housing 51 may be disc-shaped with substantially the same diameter as the disc-shaped barrel back 200.

[0160] Typically, the bearing housing 51 may have a diameter smaller than that of the barrel back 200. However, according to this disclosure, the diameter of the bearing housing 51 may be equal to or similar to that of the barrel back 200.

[0161] As described above, a barrel vent 220 can be formed in the barrel back 200 to discharge air from the barrel 20, and a recessed portion 210 forming the barrel conduit 213 can be formed around the barrel vent 220 to smooth the airflow. However, since the barrel vent 220 formed through the barrel back 200 and the recessed portion 210 around the barrel vent 220 do not form reinforcing ribs 201, the rigidity of the barrel back 200 may be reduced. To enhance the rigidity of the barrel back 200, the bearing housing 51 according to the embodiment can be configured to have a diameter and shape that are substantially the same as those of the barrel back 200.

[0162] Air needs to be discharged through a barrel vent 220 located in the recessed portion 210. The barrel back 200 may include a barrel vent 220 formed to discharge air from the barrel 20. In addition, the bearing housing 51 may include a housing vent 520.

[0163] The housing vent 520 can be formed to correspond to the barrel vent 220. In the case of forming multiple barrel vents 220, multiple housing vents 520 can also be formed. That is, when the barrel back 200 is injection molded, the bearing housing 51 can be inserted into the barrel back 200 to allow the housing vent 520 and the barrel vent 220 to overlap in position.

[0164] The housing vent 520 may include a first housing vent 521 corresponding to the first barrel vent 221. The first housing vent 521 may be formed below the recessed reinforcing portion 511.

[0165] The first housing vent 521 may include a housing drain groove 521a corresponding to the drain groove 221a formed in the first barrel vent 221. Like the drain groove 221a, the housing drain groove 521a may be inclined toward the interior of the barrel 20.

[0166] The housing exhaust port 520 may include a second housing exhaust port 522 corresponding to the second barrel exhaust port 222 and a third housing exhaust port 523 corresponding to the third barrel exhaust port 223.

[0167] The second housing vent 522 may be formed above the first housing vent 521. In addition, the third housing vent 523 may be formed above the second housing vent 522.

[0168] Similarly, the recessed reinforcing portion 511 of the bearing housing 51 can be formed to correspond to the recessed portion 210 of the barrel back 200. When the barrel back 200 is injection molded, the bearing housing 51 can be inserted to allow the recessed reinforcing portion 511 and the recessed portion 210 to overlap in position.

[0169] The barrel back 200 may include a stepped portion 211 to increase the cross-sectional area of ​​the exhaust channel P. The stepped portion 211 may be formed by a stepped portion of the recessed portion 210 extending forward from the remaining portion of the recessed portion 210.

[0170] The front ends of the recessed portion 210 and the pipe connection portion 270 can be spaced apart in the front-rear direction. In other words, the front end of the pipe connection portion 270, which forms part of the exhaust passage P, can be located in front of the recessed portion 210. The stepped portion 211 can extend obliquely from the recessed portion 210 toward the pipe connection portion 270 to connect the front ends of the recessed portion 210 and the pipe connection portion 270. The stepped portion 211 can be formed to facilitate airflow on the downstream side of the exhaust passage P connected to the inlet passage 76.

[0171] The bearing housing 51 may include a clearance portion 311 corresponding to the stepped portion 211. Because the bearing housing 51 is not easily inserted into a portion that is much more recessed than the recessed portion 210, the clearance portion 311 can be formed to avoid such a portion. The clearance portion 311 may be formed in the portion of the recessed reinforcing portion 310 corresponding to the stepped portion 211. The clearance portion 311 may refer to a groove or hole having a shape corresponding to the stepped portion 211. Because the clearance portion 311 is a groove or hole with a shape corresponding to the stepped portion 211, the bearing housing 51 may not be inserted into the interior of the stepped portion 211. That is, the bearing housing may not be formed in the region corresponding to the stepped portion 211 of the barrel back 200. The bearing housing 51 may include a clearance portion 510a corresponding to the stepped portion 211. Because the bearing housing 51 is not easily inserted into a portion that is much more recessed than the recessed portion 210, the clearance portion 510a can be formed to avoid such a portion. The avoidance portion 510a can be formed in the portion of the groove reinforcement portion 511 that corresponds to the step portion 211.

[0172] The recessed portion 210 and the pipe connection portion 270 can be formed in a stepped manner. The stepped portion 211 can be formed by making the portion of the recessed portion 210 adjacent to the pipe connection portion 270 recessed. The flow velocity can be reduced due to the step formed in the exhaust channel P between the stepped portion 211 and the pipe connection portion 270. Therefore, the stepped portion 211 can be formed to ensure the flow velocity of the air flowing into the pipe connection portion 270.

[0173] The bearing housing 51 may include a plurality of housing ribs 510 corresponding to a plurality of ribs 201 formed in the barrel back 200. The plurality of housing ribs 510 may be formed to correspond to the plurality of ribs 201 formed in the barrel back 200.

[0174] Multiple housing ribs 510 may be formed to correspond to annular reinforcing ribs 201a and radial reinforcing ribs 201b including multiple ribs 201. Multiple ribs 201 are not formed in the portion of the barrel back 200 that forms the recessed portion 210, and similarly, in the bearing housing 51, multiple housing ribs 510 may not be formed in the recessed reinforcing portion 511.

[0175] Figure 11 This is a perspective view showing the connection state of the barrel back and pipe cover according to various embodiments. Figure 12 and Figure 13 This illustrates the intercept along line Z-Z' according to various embodiments. Figure 11 An enlarged view of the area where the barrel back and pipe cover connect.

[0176] The pipe cover 100 can be attached to the back of the bucket 200. The pipe cover 100 can be attached to cover the recessed portion 210 of the back of the bucket 200.

[0177] The pipe cover 100 may include a cover portion 120 formed to correspond to the recess 210 so as to cover the recess 210. The pipe cover 100 may include a connecting portion 130 that bends from the fastening flange portion 110 and connects the cover portion 120 and the fastening flange portion 110.

[0178] The cap portion 120 may protrude outward beyond the fastening flange portion 110. When the pipe cap 100 is attached to the barrel 20, the cap portion 120 may protrude in a direction away from the recessed portion 210.

[0179] The connecting portion 130 may extend outward to allow the cover portion 120 to protrude from the fastening flange portion 110. In other words, when the pipe cover 100 is positioned to cover the recessed portion 210, the connecting portion 130 extends rearward, and therefore the cover portion 120 extends rearward.

[0180] Although not shown, the pipe cover 100 may be formed in a plate-like shape in which the cover portion 120 and the fastening flange portion 110 are integrally formed. The shape of the pipe cover 100 is not limited, as long as the pipe cover 100 can cover the recessed portion 210.

[0181] Although the pipe cover 100 is shown being fastened to the barrel back 200 by screws, the connection method is not limited to this. For example, the pipe cover 100 can be connected without a separate fastening device such as a snap-fit ​​or latch.

[0182] The pipe cover 100 may include a material having a higher rigidity than the material forming the barrel 20. For example, like the bearing housing 51, the pipe cover 100 may be made of die-cast aluminum (ALDC) or stainless steel. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient that the pipe cover 100 has a higher rigidity than the material forming the barrel 20.

[0183] The pipe cover 100 may include a fastening flange portion 110 in which fastening holes 110a are formed. The fastening flange portion 110 may be provided with a plurality of fastening holes 110a. The plurality of fastening holes 110a may be spaced apart from each other along the fastening flange portion 110.

[0184] Reference Figure 12 The multiple fastening holes 110a can be formed to correspond to the multiple screw holes 2121a formed in the barrel back 200. The pipe cover 100 and the barrel back 200 can be fastened by screws inserted into the multiple fastening holes 110a and the multiple screw holes 2121a.

[0185] Although not shown, a fastening structure can also be formed in the fastening portion 51a of the bearing housing 51 by tapping. A screw can pass through the threaded hole 2121a and can be inserted into the fastening portion 51a. That is, the pipe cover 100 can be connected to both the barrel back 200 and the bearing housing 51.

[0186] In this configuration, the pipe cover 100 can be connected to the barrel back 200. Because the pipe cover 100 has higher rigidity than the barrel back 200, the rigidity of the exhaust channel P can be ensured. Furthermore, because the bearing housing 51, which has higher rigidity than the barrel back 200, is inserted into the barrel back 200, a connection with the... Figure 12 The bearing housing 51 and the pipe cover 100 are directly connected with the same level of rigidity reinforcement, which will be described later.

[0187] Reference Figure 13 , describes with Figure 12 The connection structure varies depending on the embodiment.

[0188] The bearing housing 51 may include a fastening portion 51b protruding through the barrel back 200. For example, the fastening portion 51b may protrude rearward through a fastening protrusion 2121b formed on the barrel back 200. That is, the fastening portion 51b may protrude rearward through the fastening protrusion 2121b.

[0189] and Figure 12 Similar to the threaded hole 2121a, the fastening structure can be formed in the fastening portion 51b of the bearing housing 51 by tapping, but is not limited thereto. The hole can be formed for connection by rivets.

[0190] The fastening hole 110a of the pipe cover 100 and the fastening part 51b of the bearing housing 51 can be positioned to correspond to each other. When the fastening hole 110a is positioned to correspond to the fastening part 51b, a screw can be inserted.

[0191] The pipe cover 100 can be formed of the same material as the bearing housing 51. For example, both the pipe cover 100 and the bearing housing 51 can be formed of aluminum die casting (ALDC) or stainless steel. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the materials of the pipe cover 100 and the bearing housing 51 are sufficient as long as they are formed of materials with higher rigidity than the material forming the barrel 20.

[0192] In this case, the pipe cover 100 can be directly connected to the bearing housing 51. By directly connecting the pipe cover 100 and the bearing housing 51, the rigidity of the exhaust channel P can be strengthened. For example, if the pipe cover 100 and the bearing housing 51 are formed of aluminum die casting (ALDC), it is similar to forming the exhaust channel P by ALDC, and thus the rigidity of the exhaust channel P can be strengthened.

[0193] Figure 14 This illustrates the intercept along line X-X' according to various embodiments. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the casing and garment care equipment. Figure 15 This illustrates the intercept along line Y-Y' according to various embodiments. Figure 1 An enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of a garment care device.

[0194] Reference Figure 14 The barrel 20 can be tilted forward. That is, the opening on the opposite side of the barrel 200 can face upward and forward. Therefore, the barrel back 200 can face downward and backward. In other words, the barrel 20 can be tilted relative to the rear frame 10c of the housing 10.

[0195] The distance between the rear frame 10c and the barrel back 200 can increase towards the lower part of the rear frame 10c. Conversely, the distance between the rear frame 10c and the barrel back 200 can decrease towards the upper part of the rear frame 10c.

[0196] If the pipe cover 100 has a predetermined thickness, it may interfere with the upper part of the rear frame 10c (which is at a short distance from the rear frame 10c). In this case, noise or other issues may occur due to vibrations generated during the operation of the garment care device 1.

[0197] To prevent / reduce the above situation, the pipe cover 100 may include a cover tilting portion 122, in which the protruding length of the portion connected to the lower side of the barrel back 200 is formed to be longer than the protruding length of the portion connected to the upper side of the barrel back 200. The cover tilting portion 122 may be formed only on a portion of the upper part of the pipe cover 100.

[0198] For example, the inclined cap portion 122 can be configured to allow the length of the rearward projection from the fastening flange portion 110 to increase toward the underside of the barrel back 200, so as to space it at a predetermined distance from the rear frame 10c of the housing 10. That is, the rearward extension of the connecting portion 130 is longer at the portion connected to the underside of the barrel back 200 than at the portion connected to the upper side of the barrel back 200.

[0199] In this case, the cross-sectional area of ​​the exhaust channel P in the portion connected to the upper side of the barrel back 200 may be reduced, and therefore the flow velocity may also be reduced. To prevent this, the recessed portion 210 may include a stepped portion 211 formed above the recessed portion 210. The stepped portion 211 may be formed adjacent to the pipe connection portion 270.

[0200] The stepped portion 211 can be formed by recessing at least a portion of the recessed portion 210 into the interior of the barrel 20. That is, the stepped portion 211 can be formed by recessing forward above the recessed portion 210. However, the shape of the stepped portion 211 is not limited to this and can be similar to... Figure 16 and Figure 17 It is formed as shown in the diagram, such as the flow channel expansion portion 211A, which will be described later.

[0201] Reference Figure 15 The housing 10 may include a rear recessed portion 10ca in which a portion of the rear frame 10c is recessed outward in a stepped manner. In other words, the rear recessed portion 10ca may protrude from the rear frame 10c in a direction away from the pipe cover 100. The rear recessed portion 10ca may be formed to be spaced apart from a portion in which the rotation axis 41 protrudes rearward. The rear recessed portion 10ca may be the rearmost portion of the rear frame 10c.

[0202] The cover portion 120 of the pipe cover 100 can be formed to be spaced apart from the rear frame 10c of the housing 10 by a predetermined distance. Specifically, the cover portion 120 can be formed to be spaced apart from the rear recessed portion 10ca of the housing 10 and the rear frame 10c by a predetermined distance.

[0203] Because the pipe cover 100 is located at the rear of the barrel back 200, it can be adjacent to the rear frame 10c. To space the pipe cover 100 from the rear frame 10c by a predetermined distance, the extension length of the connecting portion 130 between the cover portion 120 and the fastening flange portion 110 can be made short. That is, the pipe cover 100 can be made thin.

[0204] However, if the pipe cover 100 is thin, the flow velocity through the exhaust channel P may decrease. To prevent this, the pipe cover 100 is required to have a maximum thickness.

[0205] The cover portion 120 of the pipe cover 100 can be formed to correspond to the rear frame 10c and the rear recess 10ca. A portion of the cover portion 120 can be formed in a stepped manner to be spaced apart from the rear frame 10c and the rear recess 10ca by a predetermined distance.

[0206] The cover portion 120 can be formed with a portion protruding toward the rear recessed portion 10ca. The portion of the cover portion 120 corresponding to the rear recessed portion 10ca can protrude toward the rear recessed portion 10ca. That is, the portion of the cover portion 120 corresponding to the rear recessed portion 10ca can be formed in a stepped shape starting from the rear frame 10c rather than the portion of the rear recessed portion 10ca. However, the shape of the pipe cover 100 is not limited to this and can be configured in any shape, as long as the pipe cover 100 can be spaced apart from the rear frame 10c by a predetermined distance.

[0207] Figure 16 This is a rear perspective view of a bucket according to various embodiments. Figure 17 This illustrates the configuration according to various embodiments for insertion into Figure 16 A three-dimensional view of the bearing housing in the barrel.

[0208] The following text describes the relationship with Figures 1 to 15 Different embodiments are described. See references. Figure 16 and Figure 17 The embodiments of this disclosure are described in more detail. (and) Figures 1 to 14 The same parts in the embodiments shown are given the same reference numerals, and therefore will not be described in detail here.

[0209] Reference Figure 16 and Figure 17 The barrel back 200A may include a flow channel expansion portion 211A formed in the recessed portion 210A. The flow channel expansion portion 211A may be formed above the recessed portion 210A. That is, the flow channel expansion portion 211A may be formed adjacent to the pipe connection portion 270.

[0210] As described above, in the portion adjacent to the pipe connection portion 270 (i.e., the upper side of the barrel back 200A), the cross-sectional area of ​​the exhaust channel P may be reduced, and therefore the channel expansion portion 211A is preferably formed on the upper side of the barrel back 200A.

[0211] The flow channel expansion portion 211A can be formed by cutting a portion of the barrel 20. For example, the flow channel expansion portion 211A can be formed by cutting a portion of the barrel back 200A and the barrel body 22a.

[0212] The barrel back 200A may include a first barrel vent 221A formed below the recessed portion 210A and a second barrel vent 222A formed above the first barrel vent 221A. The barrel 20A according to this disclosure may include two barrel vents 220A.

[0213] A drain trough 221Aa can be formed in the first vent 221A of the tub to allow washing water to drain into the tub 20A without any residue.

[0214] The bearing housing 51A may include a first housing exhaust port 521A corresponding to the first barrel exhaust port 221A and a second housing exhaust port 522A corresponding to the second barrel exhaust port 222A.

[0215] In the first housing vent 521A, the housing drainage groove 521Aa can be formed to correspond to the barrel drainage groove 221Aa formed in the first barrel vent 221A. The flow channel expansion portion 211A may include a portion of the barrel vent 220A formed in the recessed portion 210A of the barrel back 200A. That is, the flow channel expansion portion 211A may be formed across the barrel back 200A and the barrel body 22a. The bearing housing 51A may be formed to correspond to the shape of the barrel back 200A. The bearing housing 51A may include a clearance portion 510aA corresponding to the flow channel expansion portion 211A.

[0216] The flow channel expansion portion 211A may include a first partial flow channel expansion portion 211Aa and a second partial flow channel expansion portion 211Ab. In the first partial flow channel expansion portion 211Aa, a portion of the recessed portion 210A is cut off, and in the second partial flow channel expansion portion 211Ab, a portion of the barrel body 22a is cut off. The first partial flow channel expansion portion 211Aa can perform the same function as the barrel exhaust port 220. Because the bearing housing 51A is not inserted into the barrel body 22a, the bearing housing 51A may not have a shape corresponding to the second partial flow channel expansion portion 211Ab.

[0217] Although two barrel vents 220A and a single flow channel expansion portion 211A are shown, a configuration of two barrel vents 220A and one flow channel expansion portion 211A can have a similar effect to three barrel vents 220.

[0218] In this way, the cross-sectional area through which air can flow in the barrel 20 can be increased by the flow channel expansion portion 211A, and thus the flow velocity that can move through the pipe connection portion 270 can be increased.

[0219] According to an embodiment, a garment care device may include: a housing 10 having a laundry inlet 14 formed on the front of the housing 10; a tub 20 disposed within the housing and configured to store water; a drum 30 configured to rotate within the tub and accommodate laundry; and a drying unit 70 disposed above the tub and configured to remove moisture from air discharged from the tub and supply heated air to the tub. The tub may include a tub back 200 disposed on the rear surface of the tub and including: a plurality of reinforcing ribs projecting rearward to reinforce the rigidity of the tub back; and a tub conduit 213 formed in a portion of the tub back, configured to guide air discharged from the tub to the drying unit, and including a tub exhaust port 220 formed to discharge air from the tub and a recessed portion 210 further forward than the rear ends of the plurality of reinforcing ribs. According to this disclosure, space inside the washing machine can be ensured. According to this disclosure, the exhaust conduit can be integrally formed with the tub back. According to this disclosure, the rigidity of the tub in which the exhaust conduit is formed can be strengthened.

[0220] The garment care device may further include: a bearing housing comprising a material more robust than the drum, and configured to rotatably support a rotating shaft connected to the drum. The bearing housing may include a recessed reinforcing portion inserted into a recessed portion to enhance the rigidity of the recessed portion, and a housing vent corresponding to a drum vent. The bearing housing may include a recessed reinforcing portion corresponding to the recessed portion. According to this disclosure, the rigidity of the drum in which the vent passage is formed can be enhanced.

[0221] The garment care equipment may also include: a pipe cover 100, connected to the tub to cover the tub pipe, and configured to form an exhaust channel through the covered tub pipe for guiding air discharged through the tub exhaust port to the drying unit.

[0222] The pipe cover may be made of a material stronger than the barrel. According to this disclosure, the rigidity of the exhaust passage can be enhanced.

[0223] The tub may include a partition rib 212 projecting from the edge of a recessed portion toward the rear of the tub back. The tub may include a plurality of screw holes 2121 provided along the partition rib to allow connection of the tub cover.

[0224] The bearing housing may include a fastening portion 51a protruding through the back of the barrel. A pipe cap may be attached to the fastening portion of the bearing housing. According to this disclosure, the bearing housing and the pipe cap may be directly connected to each other.

[0225] The drum may also include a pipe connection portion 270 configured to connect the drying device to the drum pipe.

[0226] The pipe cover can be configured to cover the open side of the pipe connection.

[0227] The pipe cover may include a fastening flange portion 110 in which a plurality of fastening holes are formed. The pipe cover may include a cover portion 120 that projects from the fastening flange portion in a direction away from the recessed portion.

[0228] The housing may further include a rear frame and a rear recessed portion 10ca projecting from the rear frame in a direction away from the pipe cover. The cover portion may be formed with a protruding portion projecting toward the rear recessed portion. According to this disclosure, interference between the pipe cover and the housing can be prevented.

[0229] The bucket can be configured to tilt upwards toward the front of the bucket. The lid portion may include a lid tilting portion 121, which is formed to allow the length projecting from the fastening flange portion to increase toward the lower side of the bucket back, so as to space it at a predetermined distance from the rear frame of the housing. According to this disclosure, interference between the pipe lid and the housing can be prevented.

[0230] The barrel may also include a stepped portion 211 that recesses forward from the recessed portion to increase the cross-sectional area of ​​the exhaust channel. According to this disclosure, the reduction in flow velocity in the exhaust channel can be mitigated.

[0231] The stepped portion 211 can be formed by recessing at least a portion of the recessed portion 210 into the interior of the barrel. According to this disclosure, the reduction in flow velocity in the exhaust channel can be mitigated.

[0232] The barrel may include a flow channel expansion portion formed by cutting at least a portion of the barrel to increase the cross-sectional area of ​​the exhaust flow channel. According to this disclosure, the reduction in flow velocity in the exhaust flow channel can be mitigated.

[0233] Multiple exhaust vents can be installed. These exhaust vents can be spaced apart from each other.

[0234] According to an embodiment, the garment care device may include: a housing 10, with a laundry inlet 14 formed on the front of the housing 10; a tub 20 disposed within the housing to store water and including a tub back 200, the tub back 200 including a plurality of reinforcing ribs and a tub conduit 213, wherein the plurality of reinforcing ribs project rearward to enhance the rigidity of the tub back, and the tub conduit 213 including a tub vent 220 formed in a portion of the tub back to expel air from the tub and a recessed portion 210 disposed around the tub vent and further forward than the rear ends of the plurality of reinforcing ribs; a drum 30 configured to rotate within the tub and accommodate laundry; and a drying device 70 disposed above the tub and configured to remove moisture from the air expelled from the tub and supply heated air to the tub. The garment care device may further include: a conduit cover 100 coupled to the tub to form an exhaust channel P by covering the tub conduit, the exhaust channel P being used to guide air expelled through the tub vent to the drying device. According to this disclosure, space inside the washing machine can be ensured. According to this disclosure, the exhaust channel can be integrally formed with the tub back. According to this disclosure, the rigidity of the barrel in which the exhaust channel is formed can be strengthened.

[0235] The garment care device may also include: a bearing housing comprising a material stronger than the material of the drum, and configured to rotatably support a rotating shaft connected to the drum. The bearing housing may also include a recessed reinforcement portion inserted into the recessed portion to enhance the rigidity of the recessed portion, and a housing vent corresponding to the drum vent.

[0236] The bearing housing may include a fastening portion 51a protruding through the back of the barrel. A pipe cap may be attached to the fastening portion of the bearing housing.

[0237] The pipe cover may include a fastening flange portion 110 and a cover portion 120, wherein a plurality of fastening holes are formed in the fastening flange portion 110, and the cover portion 120 protrudes from the fastening flange portion in a direction away from the recessed portion.

[0238] The drum may also include a pipe connection portion 270 configured to connect the drying device to the drum pipe.

[0239] According to this disclosure, the space inside the washing machine can be ensured.

[0240] According to this disclosure, the exhaust channel can be integrally formed with the barrel back.

[0241] According to this disclosure, the rigidity of the barrel in which the exhaust channel is formed can be enhanced.

[0242] The effects that can be achieved through this disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0243] Although this disclosure has been shown and described in conjunction with specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that changes and modifications can be made to these embodiments, including the appended claims and their equivalents, without departing from the principles and scope of this disclosure. It will also be understood that any of the embodiments described herein can be used in conjunction with any other embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. Garment care equipment, including: The housing includes an inlet for laundry located at the front; A bucket, disposed within the housing and configured to store water, and including a bucket back forming the rear side of the bucket; A drum, configured to rotate within the tub and accommodate laundry; and A drying device is disposed above the drum and configured to remove moisture from the air discharged from the drum and to supply heated air to the drum. The back of the bucket includes: Multiple reinforcing ribs protrude rearward to enhance the rigidity of the barrel back, and A barrel duct, formed in a portion of the barrel back and configured to guide air discharged from the barrel to the drying device, includes a barrel exhaust port configured to discharge air from the barrel and a recessed portion further forward than the rear ends of the plurality of reinforcing ribs.

2. The garment care device according to claim 1 further includes: The bearing housing comprises a material stronger than that of the barrel and is configured to rotatably support a rotating shaft connected to the roller. The bearing housing includes a recessed reinforcing portion inserted into the recessed portion and configured to enhance the rigidity of the recessed portion, and a housing vent corresponding to the barrel vent.

3. The garment care device according to claim 2 further includes: A pipe cover is attached to the barrel to cover the barrel pipe and is configured to form an exhaust channel by covering the barrel pipe to guide air discharged through the barrel exhaust port to the drying device.

4. The garment care device according to claim 3, wherein, The pipe cover is made of a material that is stronger than the material of the barrel.

5. The garment care device according to claim 3, wherein, The barrel piping includes: Separating ribs protrude from the edge of the recessed portion toward the rear of the barrel back; and Multiple screw holes are provided along the partition rib and configured to allow the pipe cover to be connected.

6. The garment care device according to claim 3, wherein, The bearing housing includes a fastening portion protruding through the back of the barrel, and The pipe cover is connected to the fastening portion of the bearing housing.

7. The garment care device according to claim 3, wherein, The bucket also includes: The pipe connection is configured to connect the drying device to the barrel pipe.

8. The garment care device according to claim 7, wherein, The pipe cover is configured to cover the open side of the pipe connection portion.

9. The garment care device according to claim 3, wherein, The pipe cover includes: The fastening flange portion has a plurality of fastening holes formed therein; and The cover portion protrudes from the fastening flange portion in a direction away from the recessed portion.

10. The garment care device according to claim 9, wherein, The housing includes a rear frame and a rear recessed portion projecting from the rear frame in a direction away from the pipe cover, and The cover portion includes a protruding portion that projects toward the rear recessed portion.

11. The garment care device according to claim 9, wherein, The bucket is configured to tilt upwards toward the front of the bucket, and The cover portion includes a cover tilt portion configured to allow an increase in length protruding from the fastening flange portion toward the underside of the barrel back, so as to space a specified distance from the rear frame of the housing.

12. The garment care device according to claim 11, wherein, The barrel also includes a stepped portion that recesses forward from the recessed portion to increase the cross-sectional area of ​​the exhaust channel.

13. The garment care device according to claim 12, wherein, The stepped portion includes at least a portion of the recessed portion recessed into the interior of the barrel.

14. The garment care device according to claim 3, wherein, The barrel includes a flow channel expansion portion formed by at least one cut portion of the barrel to increase the cross-sectional area of ​​the exhaust flow channel.

15. The garment care device according to claim 1, wherein, Multiple exhaust ports are spaced apart from each other.

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