Laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus, including: a cabinet including a front panel having an opening; an accommodating part which is arranged inside the box body and accommodates the clothes that are put through the opening; the door is arranged on the front panel and is used for opening and closing the opening; the front panel is provided with a door seating part, and the door seating part is recessed towards the interior of the box body and accommodates at least one part of the door which closes the opening; a gap between an edge of the door seating portion and an edge of the door is exposed forward. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a laundry treating apparatus having a door seating portion that accommodates at least a part of a door.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a garment handling apparatus, specifically a garment handling apparatus comprising a door with an opening for opening and closing to allow garments to be inserted. Background Technology

[0002] A garment processing device is a device capable of performing various processing procedures for garments, such as a washing process that involves placing clothes, bedding, etc. (hereinafter referred to as laundry) inside a drum to remove contaminants from the laundry, or a drying process that removes moisture from the garments.

[0003] The garment processing apparatus may include a box-shaped exterior and may include a receiving section disposed inside the box to hold garments. Additionally, if water is used in the garment processing, an outer tub may be disposed inside the box, and the receiving section may be disposed inside the outer tub.

[0004] On the other hand, the box body may have an opening that communicates with the interior of the receiving compartment. The user can insert clothing into the receiving compartment through the opening.

[0005] The garment handling device may include a door for opening and closing the opening. The door may be located within the housing and may be in an open state (open opening) or a closed state (closed opening).

[0006] The door can be attached to the housing via a hinge. The door can rotate around the hinge, thereby rotating to either the open state or the closed state.

[0007] In related document KR 10-2015-0053145 A1, a garment handling device with a door on the front of the box is disclosed. In the garment handling device of the related document, the door can be rotated to fit tightly against the box, thereby closing the opening, and rotated to move away from the box, thereby opening the opening.

[0008] In addition, in the clothing handling apparatus described in the relevant literature, a door mounting section can be provided in the housing to accommodate a door in a closed state. The door can be mounted in the door mounting section, thereby sealing the door.

[0009] However, the door in the relevant literature has a larger area than the door mounting portion, covering the door mounting portion from the front. In this case, the amount of the door protruding forward from the front where the door mounting portion is located increases, thereby occupying the space in front of the housing.

[0010] As the door protrudes further forward from the cabinet, users need to use the clothing handling device in a position that is separated from the front of the cabinet, which may increase inconvenience and prevent other items from being placed in front of the clothing handling device.

[0011] Therefore, reducing the front protrusion of the door is an important issue in terms of ease of use and space utilization of the garment handling device. Furthermore, improving the visual integrity of the front of the unit, including the door, for the user is also an important issue.

[0012] On the other hand, in order to ensure smooth rotation of the door, a gap can be formed between the edge of the door mounting part and the edge of the door. As the door is used for a longer period of time, the door may sink due to its own weight. As a result, the lower end of the door may come into contact with the door mounting part and hinder the rotation of the door.

[0013] In addition, the gap usually has a uniform width across the entire perimeter of the door; however, the gap on the side of the door that engages with the hinge must have a width that ensures a range of rotation centered on the hinge.

[0014] However, if the width of the gap is increased to take into account the hinge portion on the side of the door, thereby uniformly increasing the width of the entire perimeter of the door, the product integrity of the garment handling device may be reduced due to the unnecessary increase in the area of ​​the door mounting portion.

[0015] Therefore, developing a garment handling device that effectively designs the gap formed around the door and includes a door mounting portion capable of effectively accommodating the door has become an important topic in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0016] The purpose of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a clothing handling device having a door mounting portion having at least a portion of a door.

[0017] Furthermore, the objective of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a garment handling device that can effectively form a gap between the door mounting portion and the door while taking into account the usability of the door.

[0018] Furthermore, the objective of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a clothing handling device that can effectively maintain the usability of a door even when it sags due to its own weight.

[0019] Furthermore, an objective of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a clothing handling apparatus including a door mounting portion that enables the door to rotate smoothly and suppresses unnecessary area increase.

[0020] Furthermore, the objective of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a clothing handling device capable of effectively reducing the amount of protrusion of a door that protrudes from the front panel to the front.

[0021] In addition, the purpose of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a garment handling device that can provide users with a visually flattened appearance for the front panel and door.

[0022] A garment handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a door mounting portion. At least a portion of a door in a closed opening state can be accommodated in the door mounting portion, and a gap is formed between the edge of the door mounting portion and the edge of the door.

[0023] The gap protrudes towards the user's front, thereby reducing the amount of the door protruding forward and providing the user with a unified appearance for the door and the gap, thus improving product integrity.

[0024] The gap has different widths at one and another along the edge of the door, thereby improving the door's functionality and aesthetic integrity.

[0025] This garment handling apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a receiving section, and a door. The housing includes a front panel with an opening, and the receiving section is disposed inside the housing to receive garments inserted through the opening.

[0026] A door is provided on the front panel to open and close the opening. A door mounting portion is provided on the front panel, which is recessed into the interior of the housing to accommodate at least a portion of the door that closes the opening.

[0027] The gap between the edge of the door mounting portion and the edge of the door can be exposed forward. The gap can be exposed forward along the entire edge of the door mounting portion.

[0028] The cross-sectional area of ​​the door mounting portion can be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the door, and the gap can completely surround the door. The edges of the door mounting portion and the edges of the door can be rounded, and the gap can protrude forward in a circular shape that surrounds the door.

[0029] The gap may include: a first portion having a first thickness; and a second portion having a second thickness different from the first thickness. The gap may include: an upper gap located at the upper end of the door mounting portion; and a lower gap located at the lower end of the door mounting portion; the thickness of the lower gap may be greater than the thickness of the upper gap.

[0030] The door can be rotatably attached to the front panel via a hinge on one side of the width direction of the housing; the gap may include: a gap at one end located at one end of the width direction of the door mounting portion; and a gap at the other end located at the other end of the width direction of the door mounting portion; the thickness of the gap at one end may be greater than the thickness of the gap at the other end.

[0031] The center of the door, viewed from the front, may be located at a different position than the center of the door mounting portion. The center of the door, viewed from the front, may be located higher than the center of the door mounting portion.

[0032] The center of the door mounting portion, viewed from the front, can be located higher than the center of the housing, and the center of the door can be located higher than the center of the door mounting portion.

[0033] The door can be rotatably attached to the front panel via a hinge on one side of the width direction of the housing; the center of the door, viewed from the front, can be spaced apart from the center of the door mounting portion on the other side of the width direction.

[0034] The door may include: a door frame rotatably coupled to the front panel and including a through hole facing the opening; and a door cover disposed on the front of the door frame and covering the through hole.

[0035] The door cover may be made of glass and be translucent so that the through-hole can be visually identified from the outside of the enclosure. The door cover may protrude further forward than the front panel.

[0036] A frame perimeter portion may be provided on the edge of the door frame, the frame perimeter portion protruding forward and extending along the perimeter surface of the door cover; a portion of the frame perimeter portion may be accommodated in the door mounting portion, and the remaining portion may protrude forward from the door mounting portion.

[0037] The door frame may include: an inner frame disposed toward the door mounting portion; and an outer frame located in front of the inner frame; the door cover may be disposed on the front of the outer frame; at least a portion of the outer frame may be accommodated in the door mounting portion, and the remaining portion may protrude forward toward the door mounting portion.

[0038] The outer frame may have a frame perimeter portion that protrudes forward and extends along the perimeter of the door cover; at least a portion of the frame perimeter portion in the door frame may be accommodated in the door mounting portion, and the remaining portion may protrude forward from the door mounting portion.

[0039] The door cover may protrude forward further than the periphery of the frame. The front end of the door frame may be on the same plane as the front of the front panel.

[0040] A frame perimeter portion may be provided on the edge of the door frame, the frame perimeter portion protruding forward and extending along the perimeter surface of the door cover; the frame perimeter portion may correspond to the front end of the door frame.

[0041] The outer frame can be accommodated within the door mounting portion to prevent it from protruding further forward than the front panel. The door cover can protrude further forward than the front end of the door frame.

[0042] An embodiment of the present invention may further include a control panel disposed on the front panel, positioned between the door and the upper end of the front panel, and operated by a user.

[0043] The control panel has straight edges at the top and bottom, which extend parallel to the width direction of the housing. Curved edges that connect to the straight edges can be provided on both sides of the width direction.

[0044] A frame perimeter portion is provided at the edge of the door frame, the frame perimeter portion protrudes forward and extends along the perimeter surface of the door cover; at least a portion of the frame perimeter portion is accommodated in the door mounting portion.

[0045] The door frame includes: an inner frame disposed toward the door mounting portion; and an outer frame located in front of the inner frame; the door cover is disposed on the front of the outer frame; at least a portion of the outer frame is accommodated in the door mounting portion.

[0046] A frame perimeter portion is provided at the edge of the outer frame, the frame perimeter portion protrudes forward and extends along the perimeter surface of the door cover; at least a portion of the frame perimeter portion in the door frame is accommodated in the door mounting portion.

[0047] A frame perimeter is provided at the edge of the door frame, the frame perimeter protrudes forward and extends along the perimeter surface of the door cover; the front of the frame perimeter is on the same surface as the front of the front panel.

[0048] Embodiments of the present invention can provide a clothing handling device having a door mounting portion that accommodates at least a portion of a door.

[0049] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention can provide a garment handling device that can effectively form a gap between the door mounting portion and the door while taking into account the usability of the door.

[0050] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention provide a garment handling device that can effectively maintain the usability of a door even when it sags due to its own weight.

[0051] In addition, embodiments of the present invention can provide a clothing handling device including a door mounting portion that allows the door to rotate smoothly and suppresses unnecessary area increase.

[0052] In addition, embodiments of the present invention can provide a clothing handling device that can effectively reduce the amount of protrusion of a door that protrudes from the front panel to the front.

[0053] In addition, embodiments of the present invention can provide a garment handling device that can give users a visually flattened appearance for the front panel and door. Attached Figure Description

[0054] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a garment processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the configuration of a garment processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention stacked on top of an additional processing apparatus.

[0056] Figure 3 This is a front view of a garment processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Figure 4 This is a side view of a clothing processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing the interior of a garment processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the control panel of a garment processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the door of a garment handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Figure 8 It means Figure 7 The diagram shows the door rotating into its open state.

[0062] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the gap formed between the edge of the door mounting portion and the edge of the door in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Figure 10 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the upper gap at the top of the door and the lower gap at the bottom of the door in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Figure 11 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the gap at one end of the door on one side and the gap at the other end on the other side in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the center of the door mounting portion and the center of the door in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view of a door according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the side.

[0067] Figure 14 This diagram illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the door protrudes further forward than the front panel.

[0068] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing the front end of the door frame and the door cover in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Figure 16 This diagram illustrates an embodiment of the present invention where the door does not protrude forward from the front panel.

[0070] Figure 17 This is a diagram showing a door button and a pressure part provided on a door in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Figure 18 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing a door rotated by a door button or a pressure unit in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Figure 19 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the door locking part of a fixed door in one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0073] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention.

[0074] However, the present invention can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described. Furthermore, for the purpose of clearly illustrating the invention in the accompanying drawings, parts unrelated to the description have been omitted, and similar parts are given similar reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0075] In this specification, repeated descriptions of the same constituent elements have been omitted.

[0076] Furthermore, in this specification, when a structural element is referred to as being "connected" or "joined" to another structural element, it should be understood that although the structural element may be directly connected or joined to another structural element, there may be other structural elements between them. Conversely, in this specification, when a structural element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly joined" to another structural element, it should be understood that there are no other structural elements between them.

[0077] Furthermore, the terminology used in this specification is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0078] Furthermore, in this specification, unless otherwise defined, singular expressions may include plural expressions.

[0079] Furthermore, in this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” should be understood as indicating the presence of features, figures, steps, actions, structural elements, components, or combinations thereof disclosed in this specification, rather than as precluding the presence or additional possibilities of one or more other features, figures, steps, actions, structural elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0080] Furthermore, in this specification, the term "and / or" includes a combination of a plurality of stated items or any one of a plurality of stated items. In this specification, "A or B" may include "A" or "B" or "both A and B".

[0081] Figure 1 A front perspective view of a garment processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0082] In one embodiment of the present invention, the garment processing device 1 is configured to process garments. Garment processing can include various methods such as washing and drying. The garment processing device 1 includes a housing 10.

[0083] The housing 10 can form the appearance of the garment handling device 1 and can have a space for various configurations to be arranged inside. The housing 10 can have a generally hexahedral shape and can include a plurality of panels defining each face.

[0084] For example, the housing 10 may include a front panel 11, side panels, a top panel, a back panel, etc. A plurality of said panels may be combined with each other to form the housing 10.

[0085] The box 10 may have an opening 15. The opening 15 may connect the outside and the inside of the box 10. The user can put clothes into the box 10 through the opening 15.

[0086] The opening 15 can be located in various positions on the box body 10. For example, the opening 15 can be located on the front panel 11 of the box body 10. The user can be positioned in front of the box body 10 and can put clothes into the box body 10 through the opening 15.

[0087] A receiving section 20 may be provided inside the housing 10. The receiving section 20 may be provided inside the housing 10 to accommodate clothing that is put in through the opening 15. The receiving section 20 will be described in detail later.

[0088] One embodiment of the present invention may include a control panel 80. The control panel 80 may be configured to be exposed to the outside of the housing 10. A user can use the garment handling device 1 by operating the control panel 80 or based on information provided from the control panel 80. The control panel 80 will be described in detail later.

[0089] One embodiment of the present invention may include a door 100. The door 100 may be disposed on the front panel 11 and may open and close the opening 15. Furthermore, the door 100 may be disposed on the front panel 11 and open and close the opening 15; in the closed state DC of the opening 15, at least a portion of the door 100 may be accommodated in the door mounting portion 200. The door 100 will be described in detail later.

[0090] Figure 2 A garment processing device 1, disposed above an additional processing device 2, is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention. The garment processing device 1 of this embodiment is configured together with an external device such as the additional processing device 2, thereby enabling the execution of associated garment processing procedures.

[0091] For example, the additional processing device 2 can perform clothing processing independently of the clothing processing device 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. That is, the additional processing device 2 supports the clothing processing device 1 upwards and can accommodate and process clothing inside it.

[0092] The garment processing device 1 of one embodiment of the present invention can also be designed to be used with an additional processing device 2. For example, the top surface of the additional processing device 2 may have a shape for supporting the garment processing device 1.

[0093] The additional processing device 2 can be configured to be open from the front so that a user located in front of the clothing processing device 1 can easily use the additional processing device 2.

[0094] The front of the additional processing device 2 and the front of the garment processing device 1 can together form the front of a single product. For example, the front of the additional processing device 2 and the front of the garment processing device 1 can be located on the same plane.

[0095] The aforementioned control panel 80 may be configured to provide information about the garment processing device 1 and the additional processing device 2, or to receive user command signals.

[0096] on the other hand, Figure 3 The front of a garment processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 The front of the garment processing device 1 and the aforementioned additional processing device 2 are shown together.

[0097] The front panel 11 of the enclosure 10 may be equipped with the aforementioned control panel 80 and door 100. The front panel 11 may include: an opening 15, which is opened and closed by the door 100; and a control panel opening 16, configured to expose the control panel 80 to the outside.

[0098] The front panel 11 of the housing 10 can be configured such that, when viewed from the front, there are no other openings 15 besides the aforementioned opening 15 and the control panel opening 16. Thus, an embodiment of the present invention can provide the user with a simple appearance and improve the user's ease of identification of the various components of the product.

[0099] Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, the front surfaces of the garment processing device 1 and the additional processing device 2 can together form a single plane. Therefore, the user can visually identify the two processing devices as a single, integrated unit.

[0100] on the other hand, Figure 4 The side view of a garment processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 The side views of the garment processing device 1 and the aforementioned additional processing device 2 are shown together.

[0101] The height of the garment processing device 1 may be greater than that of the additional processing device 2. In this case, the garment processing device 1 may be advantageous for processing relatively large volumes of garments, while the additional processing device 2 may be advantageous for quickly processing relatively small volumes of garments.

[0102] The additional processing device 2 may include a drawer 3 extending forward, and the drawer 3 may be provided with an additional holding section 4 for holding clothing. The front of the drawer 3 may correspond to the front of the additional processing device 2.

[0103] The front of the additional processing device 2 can protrude upwards from the additional processing device 2, thereby allowing it to be disposed at the lower part of the garment processing device 1. In this case, the upper end of the front of the additional processing device 2 can be located in front of the side of the garment processing device 1.

[0104] That is, the front of the garment processing device 1 can be defined by the aforementioned front panel 11 and a portion of the front of the additional processing device 2.

[0105] on the other hand, Figure 5 The interior of a garment processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 5 The interior of the additional processing device 2, in addition to the clothing processing device 1, is also shown.

[0106] As described above, one embodiment of the present invention is capable of performing various processes such as washing and drying of clothing. Hereinafter, as an example, the structure of the clothing processing apparatus 1 of an embodiment of the present invention capable of performing washing and drying of clothing will be described.

[0107] One embodiment of the present invention may include an outer tank 30. The outer tank 30 may be disposed inside the housing 10, and water may be stored inside the outer tank 30.

[0108] The receiving section 20 can be rotatably disposed inside the outer tub 30, and can hold clothing inside.

[0109] The outer barrel 30 and the receiving portion 20 may each have a cylindrical shape. The outer barrel 30 may include a forward-facing outer barrel opening 31, and the receiving portion 20 may include a forward-facing receiving opening 21.

[0110] The outer tub opening 31 and the receiving opening 21 can respectively face the opening 15 of the aforementioned box 10. Thus, clothes put in through the opening 15 of the box 10 can be received into the interior of the receiving part 20 via the outer tub opening 31 and the receiving opening 21.

[0111] The receiving part 20, also referred to as a roller, may have a plurality of holes on its peripheral surface to allow water stored in the outer barrel 30 to flow into the interior. The aforementioned receiving opening 21 may be formed on the front side of the receiving part 20, and the back side of the receiving part 20 may be directly or indirectly connected to a rotating shaft for rotation.

[0112] One embodiment of the present invention may include a drive unit 70, which may be coupled to the back of the outer tub 30 or the housing 10. The drive unit 70 can provide rotational force to the roller via the rotation axis.

[0113] One embodiment of the present invention may include a water supply unit 40. The water supply unit 40 may be connected to a water source outside the tank 10 to receive water and supply water to the interior of the outer tank 30. The water supply unit 40 may include a water supply pipe for water flow and a water supply valve for switching the water flow on and off.

[0114] One embodiment of the present invention may include a drain section 60. The drain section 60 may be disposed below the outer tub 30 and may drain water from the outer tub 30. The drain section 60 may include a drain pipe communicating with the outer tub 30 and the outside of the housing 10 and a drain pump for creating a flow of water.

[0115] One embodiment of the present invention may include a detergent section 50. The detergent section 50 can supply detergent to the interior of the outer tub 30. The detergent section 50 can store detergent and is connected to a water supply section 40 or a drain section 60, thereby enabling the supply of detergent to the interior of the outer tub 30.

[0116] For example, the detergent unit 50 can be connected to the drain unit 60, which can include a circulation path and a circulation pump for circulating water inside the outer tub 30. The detergent unit 50 can supply detergent into the circulation path, thereby providing detergent into the outer tub 30.

[0117] One embodiment of the present invention may include an air supply unit 90. The air supply unit 90 performs the drying process of clothes by supplying hot, dry air into the outer tub 30. The air supply unit 90 can be located in various positions. For example, the air supply unit 90 can be disposed above the outer tub 30 and can be fixed to the outer tub 30 or the housing 10.

[0118] The air supply unit 90 can receive air from inside the outer tub 30, process it to a high temperature for drying, and then supply it back into the outer tub 30. That is, one embodiment of the present invention can be a circulating drying type in which the air in the outer tub 30 is circulated to perform the drying process of clothes.

[0119] On the other hand, as mentioned above, the additional processing device 2 can be disposed below the garment processing device 1. The additional processing device 2 may include an additional housing that forms the appearance of and supports the housing 10 of the garment processing device 1.

[0120] An additional storage compartment 4 for storing clothing may be provided inside the additional box. The additional storage compartment 4 includes the aforementioned drawer 3, which can be extended forward from the additional box.

[0121] The front of the additional housing can be opened, and the drawer 3 can be extended forward through the open front of the additional housing. The drawer 3 may include a front portion that constitutes the front of the additional processing device 2, and as mentioned above, the front portion can form the same plane as the front panel 11 of the clothing processing device 1.

[0122] In addition, for the purpose of processing clothing, the additional processing device 2 may, as needed, include at least one of the following: an additional outer tub, an additional drive unit, an additional water supply unit, an additional drainage unit, an additional detergent unit, and an additional air supply unit, similar to the clothing processing device 1.

[0123] on the other hand, Figure 6 The control panel 80 of a garment processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0124] The control panel 80 is located on the front panel 11, positioned between the door 100 and the upper end of the front panel 11, and can be operated by the user.

[0125] The control panel 80 may include an output area 83 for displaying the image. A display for displaying the image may be disposed inside the output area 83. The output area 83 may be translucent and may overlap with the display. A touch film or similar device may be configured in the output area 83 to sense user touch on the image.

[0126] Users can receive information from the clothing processing device 1 through the screen, and users can confirm the response of the clothing processing device 1 based on the input command signal.

[0127] The control panel 80 may be equipped with operation buttons 84 for user operation. The user can command the garment processing device 1 by operating the operation buttons 84 or touching the output area 83.

[0128] The operation button 84 can be of various types, such as a mechanical button with varying physical protrusion or a touch button that senses the user's touch through a touch film.

[0129] The operation buttons 84 may be multiple and may include at least one of a power button for determining whether to apply power to the garment processing device 1 and an execution button for commanding the garment processing process to the garment processing device 1.

[0130] On the other hand, the control panel 80 may have straight edges 81 at the top and bottom, the straight edges 81 extending parallel to the width direction of the housing 10, and curved edges 82 connected to the straight edges 81 may be provided on both sides of the width direction.

[0131] The edge of the control panel 80 can also be defined as the boundary line of the front panel 11. The edge of the control panel 80 can correspond to the edge of the control panel opening 16 of the aforementioned front panel 11.

[0132] The edges of the control panel 80 may include straight edges 81 and curved edges 82. Straight edges 81 may be configured at the top and bottom of the control panel 80, and curved edges 82 may be configured on both sides of the control panel 80 with the width direction of the housing 10 as a reference.

[0133] The straight edge 81 may be parallel to the width direction of the housing 10. The curved edge 82 may be arc-shaped. The two ends of the curved edge 82 may be connected to different straight edges 81 respectively.

[0134] Therefore, the pair of straight edges 81 can be connected by the curved edges 82, and the pair of straight edges 81 and the pair of curved edges 82 can together define a closed section, defining the edge of the control panel 80.

[0135] on the other hand, Figure 7 The door 100 of a garment processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0136] The door 100 may be located below the control panel 80. The door 100 may include a door frame 110 and a door cover 150.

[0137] The door frame 110 can be rotatably attached to the front panel 11 via a hinge portion 180, which will be described later. The hinge portion 180 can be provided on one side of the door frame 110, allowing it to rotate around that side.

[0138] The door frame 110 can be tightly attached to the front panel 11 in the closed state DC of the opening 15 of the aforementioned housing 10, and can be separated from the front panel 11 in the open state DO of the opening 15.

[0139] A door cover 150 may be provided on the front of the door frame 110. The door cover 150 may form the front of the door 100. The door cover 150 may cover the front 122 of the door frame 110 and may protrude towards the front of the housing 10.

[0140] The door frame 110 may include a through hole 115. The through hole 115 may penetrate the door frame 110 and connect the exterior of the housing 10 and the opening 15 of the housing 10. In the closed state DC of the door 100, the through hole 115 may face the opening 15.

[0141] The through-hole 115 can be closed from the front by the door cover 150. This prevents objects outside the door 100 from flowing into the through-hole 115.

[0142] Additionally, the door cover 150 may be translucent, allowing the through-hole 115 to be visually identified from the front of the door 100. The door cover 150 may be made of materials such as glass or plastic, with at least a portion of the area overlapping the through-hole 115 being transparent, allowing the user to visually identify the through-hole 115 covered by the door cover 150 and the opening 15 of the housing 10, and to visually confirm the clothing contained in the receiving section 20 through the through-hole 115 and the opening 15.

[0143] On the other hand, a door mounting portion 200 may be provided on the front panel 11 to accommodate at least a portion of the door 100. The door mounting portion 200 provides space to accommodate the door 100 with the closed opening 15, thereby reducing the amount of the front protrusion of the door 100.

[0144] Furthermore, the edge 205 of the door mounting portion 200 and the edge 105 of the door 100 can be spaced apart to form a gap 300. Due to the gap 300, the door 100 housed in the door mounting portion 200 can rotate smoothly without interfering with the structure of the door mounting portion 200.

[0145] In one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the gap 300 may be exposed forward without being obstructed by the door 100. The gap 300 may be formed along the entire edge 105 of the door 100, and may be formed to be exposed forward as a whole, completely surrounding the door 100. The gap 300 will be described in detail later.

[0146] on the other hand, Figure 8 A door mounting section 200 provided in a garment handling apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 8 The door 100 of the open box 10 is shown in the open state of the opening 15 of the open box 10.

[0147] In one embodiment of the present invention, a door mounting portion 200 may be provided on the front panel 11, the door mounting portion 200 being recessed into the housing 10 to accommodate at least a portion of the door 100 that closes the opening 15.

[0148] A door mounting portion 200 may be disposed on a front panel 11, the front panel 11 having a door 100 and an opening 15. The opening 15 may be located within the door mounting portion 200. The door mounting portion 200 may surround the opening 15.

[0149] A portion of the front panel 11 may be recessed toward the interior of the housing 10, i.e., rearward, to form a door mounting portion 200. The door mounting portion 200 is recessed rearward from the front panel 12 defined in the front panel 11, thereby forming a space to accommodate at least a portion of the door 100.

[0150] The door mounting portion 200 may include a mounting peripheral surface 201 and a mounting recessed surface 202. The mounting peripheral surface 201 may extend rearward from the front surface 12 of the front panel 11, and the mounting recessed surface 202 may be offset rearward from the front surface 12 of the front panel 11, so that it can be connected to the mounting peripheral surface 201.

[0151] The door 100 can be engaged with a hinge portion 180 provided in the door mounting portion 200. That is, the hinge portion 180 allows the door 100 to be rotatably engaged with the door mounting portion 200. The hinge portion 180 can be located on the mounting recess surface 202.

[0152] The door mounting portion 200 may include a door locking portion 190 for securing the door 100 that closes the opening 15. The door 100 may include a locking protrusion 195 that is detachably coupled to the door locking portion 190.

[0153] on the other hand, Figure 9 The illustration shows a garment handling apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a gap 300 is defined between the door mounting portion 200 and the door 100. Hereinafter, it is preferred to refer to the aforementioned... Figure 7 Refer to together Figure 9 The gap of 300 is explained.

[0154] As previously described, in one embodiment of the present invention, a gap 300 may be formed between the edge 205 of the door mounting portion 200 and the edge 105 of the door 100. Due to the gap 300, interference between the door 100 and the door mounting portion 200 is prevented when the door 100, mounted on the door mounting portion 200, rotates, thereby improving the usability of the door 100.

[0155] The edge 105 of the door 100 and the edge 205 of the door mounting portion 200 may be spaced apart from each other. The gap 300 may be a portion of a space defined inside the door mounting portion 200. The gap 300 may extend along the edge 105 of the door 100.

[0156] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gap 300 between the edge 205 of the door mounting portion 200 and the edge 105 of the door 100 can be exposed forward. That is, the edge 105 of the door 100 can be configured not to obstruct the gap 300 from the front.

[0157] The gap 300 can protrude forward from the entire edge 205 of the door mounting portion 200. For example, the door mounting portion 200 is configured to have a cross-sectional area larger than that of the door 100, so that the gap 300 can completely surround the door 100.

[0158] In other words, the radius of the door mounting portion 200 can be larger than the radius of the door 100. As a result, the depth to which the door 100 is accommodated in the door mounting portion 200 can be increased, and the amount by which the door 100 protrudes forward can be reduced.

[0159] This reduces the space required in front of the housing 10, decreases the distance between the user and the housing 10, and allows for a flat design of the front panel 11, thereby improving the overall product integrity in appearance.

[0160] In addition, the edge 205 of the door mounting portion 200 and the edge 105 of the door 100 may have a circular shape, and the gap 300 may protrude forward in a circular shape that surrounds the door 100.

[0161] If the front panel 11 is viewed from the front, an annular gap 300 can be formed around the circular door 100. Thus, by arranging a plurality of components with a uniform circular design, the product's appearance can be improved.

[0162] on the other hand, Figure 10 (a) and (b) show portions of the gap 300 located at different points from each other. Figure 10(a) shows the upper end gap 310 located on the upper end side of the door 100. Figure 10 (b) shows the lower end gap 320 located on the lower end side of the door 100.

[0163] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gap 300 defined along the edge 105 of the door 100 and exposed towards the front of the housing 10 may have different thicknesses at various locations. Here, the thickness may refer to the distance between the edge 105 of the door 100 and the edge 205 of the door mounting portion 200. Alternatively, the thickness may refer to the width of the gap 300 relative to the radial direction of the door 100.

[0164] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gap 300 may include a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion having a second thickness different from the first thickness. That is, the gap 300 may include a plurality of portions with different thicknesses.

[0165] The gap 300 can be understood as the space ensured between the door mounting portion 200 and the door 100. Therefore, the required thickness of different parts of the gap 300 may vary. For example, a portion of the gap 300 that is adjacent to a certain component of the door 100 may need to ensure a larger distance between itself and the door mounting portion 200 than other portions.

[0166] However, if the overall thickness of the gap 300 is determined based on the maximum required thickness of the gap 300 as a whole, the gap 300 as a whole may have an unnecessary increase in thickness, which may damage the appearance of the product and may be detrimental to the stable installation of the door 100.

[0167] Conversely, if the thickness of the gap 300 as a whole is set based on the position with the minimum thickness in the gap 300, structural interference may occur between the door 100 and the door mounting part 200 in a part of the door 100, which may cause the door 100 to be unable to rotate smoothly.

[0168] Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the edge 105 of the door 100 is determined differently at different locations of the gap 300, thereby enabling the formation of an effective gap 300.

[0169] For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the gap 300 includes an upper gap 310 located at the upper end of the door mounting portion 200 and a lower gap 320 located at the lower end of the door mounting portion 200, wherein the thickness of the lower gap 320 may be greater than the thickness of the upper gap 310.

[0170] In one embodiment of the present invention, the door 100 may be disposed on the front panel 11. Therefore, over time, the weight of the door 100 may affect its position. For example, the position of the door 100 determined in the initial design may gradually move downward over time due to the weight of the door 100.

[0171] That is, over time, due to its own weight, the door 100 may sink. If this sinking occurs, the lower end of the door 100 will come into contact with the door mounting portion 200, which may cause noise or prevent the door 100 from being accommodated in the door mounting portion 200 when the door 100 rotates.

[0172] With this in mind, in one embodiment of the invention, the gap 300 can be determined such that the thickness of the lower gap 320 is greater than the thickness of the upper gap 310. In this case, the deviation between the upper gap 310 and the lower gap 320 can be set in various ways as needed. Experimentally or theoretically, the thickness of the upper gap 310 and the lower gap 320 is set by the amount of sinking that occurs after a specific time, compensating for the gate 100, so that the upper gap 310 and the lower gap 320 have substantially the same thickness.

[0173] on the other hand, Figure 11 (a) and (b) show the gap 330 located on one end of the door 100 with reference to the width direction of the box 10 and the gap 340 located on the other end of the door 100. Figure 11 (a) shows a gap 330 at one end of the door 100 located on one side in the width direction. Figure 11 (b) shows the gap 340 at the other end of the door 100 located on the other side of the width direction.

[0174] In one embodiment of the present invention, the door 100 is rotatably connected to the front panel 11 on one side of the box body 10 in the width direction via a hinge portion 180.

[0175] The gap 300 may include a one-end gap 330 located at one end of the door mounting portion 200 in the width direction and a other-end gap 340 located at the other end of the door mounting portion 200 in the width direction, wherein the thickness of the one-end gap 330 may be greater than the thickness of the other-end gap 340.

[0176] Specifically, a hinge portion 180 may be attached to one side of the door 100, taking the width direction as a reference. However, the hinge portion 180 does not rotate around a complete end located on the side of the door 100; the rotation center of the hinge portion 180 may be located at a position separated from the end by a predetermined distance.

[0177] That is, the hinge axis, which becomes the rotation center of the door 100, can be located at a predetermined distance from one end of the door 100. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure, within the one-end gap 330 defined at one end of the door 100, sufficient space for one end of the door 100 to rotate when the door 100 rotates around the hinge axis.

[0178] However, as mentioned above, if the overall thickness of the gap 300 is set to the thickness required in the gap 330 at one end of the door 100, the gap 300 becomes too large, which may reduce the product's appearance and, furthermore, reduce the stability of the door 100's placement.

[0179] Therefore, the thickness of the gap 330 at one end of the door 100 can be made to be greater than the thickness of the gap 340 at the other end, which is located on the opposite side of the gap 330 at one end of the door 100 with reference to the center of the door 100.

[0180] The gap 300 can gradually decrease in thickness as it moves away from the gap 330 at one end. That is, the gap 300 can achieve a continuous thickness change with the gap 330 at one end as the center.

[0181] on the other hand, Figure 12 The center CD of the door 100 and the center CR of the door mounting portion 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown.

[0182] As previously mentioned, the gap 300 defined between the edge 205 of the door mounting portion 200 and the edge 105 of the door 100 can have different thicknesses at different locations. In other words, the center CD of the door 100 viewed from the front can have a different position than the center CR of the door mounting portion 200.

[0183] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the center CD of the door 100 viewed from the front can be located higher than the center CR of the door mounting portion 200. Therefore, the thickness of the lower end gap 320 in the gap 300 can be greater than the thickness of the upper end gap 310, thus suppressing structural interference between the lower end of the door 100 and the door mounting portion 200 even if the door 100 sinks due to its own weight.

[0184] Furthermore, the position of the door mounting portion 200 can correspond to the position of the opening 15 of the aforementioned box body 10, and the position of the opening 15 can correspond to the positions of the aforementioned outer barrel 30 and the receiving portion 20. In one embodiment of the present invention, for user convenience, the height of the opening 15 can be located above the center of the front panel 11.

[0185] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the center of the opening 15 may be located above the center of the front panel 11, and thus the center CR of the door mounting portion 200 may also be located above the center of the front panel 11.

[0186] Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the center CR of the door mounting portion 200 viewed from the front may be located above the center of the housing 10, and the center CD of the door 100 may be located above the center CR of the door mounting portion 200.

[0187] On the other hand, as mentioned above, the door 100 can be rotatably attached to the front panel 11 via a hinge portion 180 on one side of the width direction of the housing 10.

[0188] Furthermore, the center CD of the door 100, viewed from the front, can be spaced apart from the center CR of the door mounting portion 200 in the opposite direction of the width. Therefore, the thickness of the gap 330 at one end of the door 100 can be greater than the thickness of the gap 340 at the other end of the door 100, ensuring sufficient space for one end of the door 100 to rotate.

[0189] on the other hand, Figure 13 A cross-section of a door 100 disposed in a door mounting portion 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Hereinafter, reference will be made to... Figure 13 This explains the structure of door 100.

[0190] In one embodiment of the present invention, the door 100 may include a door frame 110 and a door cover 150. The door frame 110 may be rotatably coupled to the front panel 11. The door frame 110 may correspond to the body of the door 100, and the hinge portion 180 may be coupled to the door frame 110.

[0191] In the closed state DC of opening 15, the door frame 110 can be accommodated in the door mounting portion 200. The aforementioned through hole 115 can be formed in the door frame 110.

[0192] The door cover 150 can be disposed on the front 122 of the door frame 110. The door cover 150 can be glued to the front 122 of the door frame 110 or attached to the front 122 of the door frame 110 using other connecting members.

[0193] The door cover 150 can cover the front 122 of the door frame 110. Therefore, the door cover 150 protrudes towards the front of the housing 10 and can be defined as the front of the door 100. The door cover 150 can cover the through hole 115.

[0194] The door cover 150 may be made of glass and be translucent so that the through hole 115 can be visually identified from the outside of the box 10. The user can visually identify the clothing contained inside the box 10 through the door cover 150, the through hole 115, and the opening 15.

[0195] The door frame 110 may include an inner frame 130 and an outer frame 120. The inner frame 130 and the outer frame 120 may be combined with each other to form the door frame 110. In the door frame 110, the inner frame 130 may be disposed toward the interior of the housing 10, and the outer frame 120 may be disposed toward the exterior of the housing 10.

[0196] The outer frame 120 can be disposed on the front side of the inner frame 130. The outer frame 120 can cover the front side of the inner frame 130. An outer hole can be formed in the outer frame 120, and an inner hole can be formed in the inner frame 130. The outer hole and the inner hole can together form the through hole 115.

[0197] An inner window 170 may be provided in the door frame 110. The inner window 170 may be provided on the rear side of the door frame 110, and the through hole 115 may be closed from the rear side of the door frame 110.

[0198] The inner window 170 can be attached to the inner frame 130, or it can be attached together with the outer frame 120 and the inner frame 130 at the joint. The inner window 170 can cover the inner hole of the inner frame 130 and can have a shape that protrudes from the inner hole into the interior of the housing 10.

[0199] The through-hole 115 of the door frame 110 can be closed at the front by the door cover 150 and at the rear by the inner window 170. Thus, the through-hole 115 of the door frame 110 can be sealed from the outside.

[0200] Similar to the door cover 150, the inner window 170 is made of glass or plastic, thus allowing light to pass through. Therefore, the user can visually inspect the interior of the enclosure 10 from the front of the enclosure 10 through the door cover 150 and the inner window 170.

[0201] on the other hand, Figure 14 A portion of the cross-section of the door 100, which is installed in the door mounting section 200, is shown. Figure 14 The diagram shows a portion of the door frame 110 protruding forward toward the front panel 11.

[0202] As mentioned above, in one embodiment of the present invention, by reducing the forward protrusion of the door 100, the ease of use, the product's aesthetic integrity, and space utilization can be improved.

[0203] However, when the door 100 is housed as a whole inside the door mounting portion 200, that is, when the door 100 as a whole is located further back than the front 12 of the front panel 11, it may be difficult to configure the door 100 as a whole to be located further back than the front 12 of the front panel 11.

[0204] For example, the door mounting portion 200, which houses the door 100 as a whole, needs to increase the depth of the recess from the front panel 11. However, due to other components such as the outer barrel 30 existing inside the housing 10, there may be limitations in increasing the depth of the recess of the door mounting portion 200.

[0205] Furthermore, changes such as increasing the front-to-back length of the housing 10 in order to provide a door mounting section 200 for the overall housing door 100 may be detrimental to the purpose of housing the overall housing door 100.

[0206] Furthermore, simply accommodating the entire door 100 within the door mounting section 200 can make the door 100 appear more recessed than the front panel 11 when viewed from the front, thus reducing the overall integrity of the product.

[0207] Therefore, one embodiment of the present invention aims to improve space utilization and product integrity by effectively reducing the forward protrusion of the door 100 and appropriately determining the position for accommodating the door 100.

[0208] Reference Figure 14 The front end 112 of the door frame 110 may be located further forward than the front panel 11. A portion of the door frame 110 may be accommodated in the door mounting portion 200, and the remainder may protrude to be located further forward than the front panel 11.

[0209] The front end 112 of the door frame 110 may be located further forward than the front end 12 of the front panel 11. Here, the front end 12 of the front panel 11 may refer to the side of the front panel 11 that is exposed forward and is substantially perpendicular to the ground. The front end 12 of the front panel 11 may include at least a portion surrounding the door mounting portion 200.

[0210] Figure 14 The diagram shows a virtual first surface P1 where the front surface 12 of the front panel 11 is located, and a virtual second surface P2 where the front end 112 of the door frame 110 is located. The first surface P1 and the second surface P2 can be defined as perpendicular to the ground. Here, the ground can refer to the bottom surface of the location where the clothing handling device 1 is installed. The second surface P2 can be located further forward than the first surface P1.

[0211] The depth at which the door frame 110 is accommodated in the door mounting portion 200 can be determined in various ways. In order to accommodate the door frame 110, the door mounting portion 200 can have a larger area than the door 100.

[0212] As an example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the door frame 110 may include a frame periphery 118 that protrudes forward from its edge.

[0213] The peripheral portion 118 of the frame can protrude forward from the front surface 122 of the door frame 110 and can extend along the periphery of the door cover 150 disposed on the front surface 122 of the door frame 110. The peripheral portion 118 of the frame can protrude forward from the edge of the door frame 110, thereby extending along the peripheral surface 155 of the door cover 150. The peripheral portion 118 of the frame can be provided in a ring shape on the front surface 122 of the door frame 110.

[0214] The front face 122 of the aforementioned outer frame 120 may correspond to the front face 122 of the door frame 110. The periphery 118 of the frame may protrude forward from the edge of the aforementioned outer frame 120. However, if necessary, the periphery 118 of the frame may also protrude forward from the inner frame 130.

[0215] In one embodiment of the present invention, the front end 112 of the frame peripheral portion 118 may be located further forward than the front surface 12 of the front panel 11. A portion of the frame peripheral portion 118 may be configured further rearward than the front surface 12 of the front panel 11, and the remainder may be configured further forward than the front surface 12 of the front panel 11. A portion of the frame peripheral portion 118 may be accommodated in the door mounting portion 200, and the remainder may protrude forward of the door mounting portion 200.

[0216] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, only a portion of the front side of the door frame 110 of the door 100 protrudes further forward than the front side 12 of the front panel 11, while the remaining portion is accommodated in the door mounting portion 200, thereby improving the effectiveness of the configuration relationship between other components while minimizing the protrusion of the door 100.

[0217] On the other hand, the door 100 may include the aforementioned inner frame 130 and outer frame 120, the inner frame 130 may be disposed toward the door mounting portion 200, and the outer frame 120 may be located in front of the inner frame 130.

[0218] The door cover 150 can be disposed on the front 122 of the outer frame 120, a part of the outer frame 120 is accommodated in the door mounting portion 200, and the remaining part can protrude forward of the door mounting portion 200.

[0219] In other words, a portion of the outer frame 120 may be located further back than the front 12 of the front panel 11, and the remaining portion may be located further forward than the front 12 of the front panel 11.

[0220] The front 122 of the outer frame 120 can be located further rearward than the front 12 of the front panel 11. As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the outer frame 120 located on the front side of the door frame 110 can be accommodated in the door mounting portion 200, and the remaining portion can protrude further forward than the front panel 11, thereby determining the effective position of the door 100.

[0221] On the other hand, the outer frame 120 may include a cover mounting portion 125 that is recessed rearward to provide space for at least a portion of the cover 150 to be inserted.

[0222] The cover mounting portion 125 may include a space that opens forward to accommodate the cover 150. The cover mounting portion 125 may be defined by the aforementioned frame periphery 118 and the front surface 122 of the outer frame 120.

[0223] For example, the periphery of the cover mounting portion 125 may correspond to the periphery of the frame 118, and the recessed surface of the cover mounting portion 125 may be the front surface 122 of the outer frame 120. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the recessed surface of the cover mounting portion 125 may be located further rearward than the front surface 12 of the front panel 11.

[0224] In one embodiment of the invention, the front 122 of the outer frame 120 or the recessed surface of the cover mounting portion 125 is located further rearward than the front 12 defined in the front panel 11, thereby limiting the minimum capacity of the door 100. In this case, the majority of the door 100 is located within the door mounting portion 200, thereby significantly reducing the amount of the front protrusion of the door 100.

[0225] On the other hand, the door frame 110 may include a frame joint 140 for joining the outer frame 120 and the inner frame 130 together.

[0226] A portion of the frame joint 140 may be disposed on the outer frame 120, and the remainder may be disposed on the inner frame 130. The portion of the frame joint 140 may be disposed on the rear side of the outer frame 120, and the remainder may be disposed on the front side of the inner frame 130.

[0227] The frame joint 140, which connects the inner frame 130 and the outer frame 120, can be located further rearward than the front surface 12 of the front panel 11. That is, the frame joint 140 does not need to protrude forward from the front surface 12 of the front panel 11. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, the amount of forward protrusion of the door 100 can be limited.

[0228] The frame joint 140 may include a first joint 141 and a second joint 142.

[0229] The first joint 141 can protrude from one edge of the inner frame 130 and the edge of the outer frame 120 towards the other. As an example, Figure 14 A first joint 141 protruding from the inner frame 130 toward the outer frame 120 is shown.

[0230] The second connecting portion 142 can protrude from the other side toward the first side and is arranged radially along the opening 15 outside the first connecting portion 141, thereby allowing it to engage with the first connecting portion 141. As an example, Figure 14 A second joint 142 protruding from the outer frame 120 toward the inner frame 130 is shown.

[0231] The first joint 141 and the second joint 142 may each have a ring shape forming a closed cross section. If necessary, at least one of the first joint 141 and the second joint 142 may also have the shape of ribs arranged at intervals along the periphery of the door frame 110.

[0232] On the other hand, the frame joint 140 may also include a support 143. The support 143 may protrude radially from one of the edges of the inner frame 130 and the outer frame 120 along the opening 15, thereby supporting the end of the second joint 142 forward or backward.

[0233] As an example, Figure 14 A ring-shaped support portion 143 is shown, which protrudes radially outward from the edge of the inner frame 130 toward the door 100 and extends along the edge of the inner frame 130. The support portion 143 can support the rear end of the second joint portion 142 forward.

[0234] On the other hand, the front surface 152 of the door cover 150 can define the front surface of the door 100. In one embodiment of the invention, the edge 153 of the front surface 152 of the door cover 150 can be located further forward than the front end 112 of the frame perimeter 118. In one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the door cover 150 can be located further forward than the front surface 12 of the front panel 11.

[0235] Figure 14The virtual third surface P3, located at the edge 153 of the front surface 152 of the door cover 150, is shown. The third surface P3 can be defined as perpendicular to the ground and can be located further forward than the second surface P2.

[0236] This can suppress the recessed design effect of the door cover 150 of the door 100 towards the rear of the front panel 11 and provide a planar effect for the front panel 11.

[0237] However, the front end of the door cover 150 does not necessarily have to be in front of the front end 112 of the door frame 110. Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the edge 153 of the front surface 152 of the door cover 150 and the front end 112 of the peripheral portion 118 of the frame can also be located together on a plane perpendicular to the ground.

[0238] On the other hand, the door cover 150 may protrude further forward than the front panel 11. (See reference...) Figure 14 The third surface P3 defined by the door cover 150 can be located further forward than the first surface P1 defined by the front panel 11.

[0239] Thus, visually, the door cover 150 and the front 12 of the front panel 11 can be positioned on the same plane. Specifically, the interior of the housing 10, such as the interior of the receiving section 20, can be visually exposed to the outside through the opening 15 of the housing 10 and the through hole 115 of the door 100.

[0240] However, the interior of the housing 10 is a space without light-emitting elements and is shielded from the outside, so the brightness is low. The door 100 with the through hole 115 can also have relatively low brightness.

[0241] Furthermore, in order to eliminate the visual difference between the through hole 115 and the rest of the portion, the door cover 150 may be configured to have a brightness corresponding to the through hole 115, at least in the portion other than the through hole 115.

[0242] Therefore, in one embodiment of the invention, the door cover 150 may have a color with a lower brightness than the front panel 11. Thus, in various ways, the door 100 may have a low brightness in relation to the front panel 11 or in a general viewpoint, thereby creating the visual effect that the door 100 is recessed by a predetermined amount from the front panel 11 into the housing 10.

[0243] In one embodiment of the present invention, in order to provide the user with the visual effect that the door 100 with the cover 150 and the front 12 of the front panel 11 coexist on the same plane, the edge 153 of the front 152 of the cover 150 or the front end 112 of the door frame 110, which is corresponding to the front end of the door 100, can protrude forward by a predetermined amount than the front 12 of the front panel 11.

[0244] For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the edge 153 of the front surface 152 of the door cover 150 may be located further forward than the front surface 12 of the front panel 11. The door cover 150 may be configured such that its center protrudes further than the edge 153 of the front surface 152. However, in one embodiment of the invention, at least the edge 153 of the front surface 152 of the door cover 150 may be located further forward than the front surface 12 of the front panel 11.

[0245] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the front surface 152 of the door cover 150 is a plane perpendicular to the ground and can be located further forward than the front surface 12 of the front panel 11. That is, the front surface 152 of the door cover 150 can be located together with the edge 153 of the aforementioned front surface 152 of the door cover 150 on the same plane perpendicular to the ground, for example, a third plane P3, which can be located further forward than the first plane P1 corresponding to the front surface 12 of the front panel 11.

[0246] On the other hand, in addition to the visual effect of the door 100 mentioned above, an embodiment of the present invention also aims to limit the amount of forward protrusion of the door 100. Thus, in an embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the door cover 150 may be located further back than the front 12 of the front panel 11, and the edge 153 of the front 152 of the door cover 150 may be located further forward than the front 12 of the front panel 11.

[0247] On the other hand, as previously mentioned, the door cover 150 may protrude further forward than the front end 112 of the door frame 110. The second side P2 defined by the front face 122 of the door frame 110 may be located further rearward than the third side P3 defined by the edge 153 of the front face 152 of the door cover 150.

[0248] Therefore, the door cover 150, which has low brightness, is actually located further forward than the front panel 11, thereby improving the visual effect of forming the same surface as the front side 12 of the front panel 11.

[0249] However, as mentioned above, the door cover 150 does not necessarily protrude further forward than the door frame 110. In one embodiment of the present invention, the edge 153 of the front surface 152 of the door cover 150 is located on a virtual surface perpendicular to the ground together with the front end 112 of the door frame 110, or it may be located further forward than the front end 112 of the door frame 110.

[0250] On the other hand, the aforementioned frame periphery 118 can protrude forward from the edge of the outer frame 120, and a portion of the frame periphery 118 in the door frame 110 can be accommodated in the door mounting portion 200, while the remaining portion can protrude forward from the door mounting portion 200.

[0251] The door cover 150 may protrude further forward than the periphery of the frame 118. A rearwardly recessed cover mounting portion 125 may be provided on the front side 122 of the door frame 110. A portion of the door cover 150 may be accommodated in the cover mounting portion 125, and the remaining portion may protrude further forward than the door frame 110.

[0252] on the other hand, Figure 15 A door cover 150 is shown that protrudes further forward than the front end 112 of the door frame 110.

[0253] Reference Figure 15 The door cover 150 may include a connecting surface 157 that connects the edge 153 of the front surface 152 of the door cover 150 and the front end of the peripheral surface 155 of the door cover 150.

[0254] Specifically, the front 152 of the door cover 150 may face forward and be exposed outward. The front 152 of the door cover 150 may be generally circular. The front 152 of the door cover 150 may correspond to the front of the door 100.

[0255] The peripheral surface 155 of the door cover 150 may have an annular shape extending along the edge of the door cover 150, and may face and contact the frame protrusion. The connecting surface 157 may connect the front surface 152 and the peripheral surface 155 of the door cover 150, and at least a portion of it may be exposed forward from the door 100.

[0256] The connecting surface 157 can be a surface located between the front surface 152 and the peripheral surface 155 of the door cover 150. One end of the connecting surface 157 can be connected to the edge 153 of the front surface 152, and the other end can be connected to the front end of the peripheral surface 155.

[0257] The connecting curved surface 157 can correspond to the front side edge of the door cover 150. Due to the connecting curved surface 157, the front side edge exposed to the user can be formed into an arc shape, thereby improving the safety of use and the ease of operation of the door cover 150.

[0258] In one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the connecting surface 157 may protrude further forward than the front panel 11. That is, at least a portion of the connecting surface 157 may protrude further forward than the front end 112 of the door frame 110.

[0259] The front end of the connecting surface 157 can be located further forward than the front end 112 of the door frame 110, and the rear end of the connecting surface 157 can be located further backward than the front end 112 of the door frame 110. Therefore, the second surface P2 can traverse the connecting surface 157.

[0260] The front end of the connecting surface 157, i.e. the edge 153 of the front surface 152 of the door cover 150, can be located further forward than the front end 112 of the door frame 110, and the rear end of the connecting surface 157, i.e. the front end of the peripheral surface 155 of the door cover 150, can be located further backward than the front end 112 of the door frame 110.

[0261] That is, at least a portion of the peripheral surface 155 of the door cover 150 may be located further rearward than the front surface 12 of the front panel 11. The peripheral surface 155 of the door cover 150 may be located further rearward than the front end 112 of the door frame 110.

[0262] The peripheral surface 155 of the door cover 150 can be integrally housed within the cover mounting portion 125 of the door frame 110. The front end of the peripheral surface 155 of the door cover 150 can also be located on the aforementioned first surface P1.

[0263] on the other hand, Figure 16 A door 100 is shown in an embodiment of the present invention where the door frame 110 does not protrude forward from the front panel 11. Hereinafter, reference will be made to... Figure 16 The structure of the door frame 110 being housed as a whole in the door mounting part 200 will be described.

[0264] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, as previously described, in terms of space utilization among other components, a portion of the door 100 may protrude forward toward the front panel 11, but as with the case where the size of the door 100 is reduced, the door frame 110 may also be accommodated as a whole within the door mounting portion 200.

[0265] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the door frame 110 can be accommodated in the door mounting portion 200 to prevent it from protruding further forward than the front panel 11. As mentioned above, situations that can overcome problems such as space utilization with the internal structure of the housing 10, such as reducing the size of the door 100 or increasing the overall size of the housing 10 for other reasons, can be overcome by accommodating the door frame 110 as a whole in the door mounting portion 200. In this case, it may be advantageous to minimize the forward protrusion of the door 100.

[0266] In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer frame 120 of the door frame 110 can be accommodated in the door mounting portion 200 to prevent it from protruding further forward than the front panel 11. Furthermore, the peripheral portion 118 of the frame can be disposed on the outer frame 120, corresponding to the front end 112 of the door frame 110.

[0267] As described above, the door 100 can be positioned in the door mounting portion 200 such that the front end 112 of the frame periphery portion 118, corresponding to the front end 112 of the door frame 110, is located within the door mounting portion 200. That is, the door 100 can be accommodated in the door mounting portion 200 to prevent the front end 112 of the frame periphery portion 118 from protruding further forward than the front panel 11.

[0268] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, in terms of the aforementioned realization of a planar image on the front and the utilization of the internal space of the housing 10, even if the door frame 110 is accommodated as a whole in the door mounting portion 200, it is necessary to restrict the position of the front end 112 of the door frame 110.

[0269] For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the front end 112 of the door frame 110 may be located on the same surface as the front surface 12 of the front panel 11. That is, the second surface P2 formed by the front end 112 of the door frame 110 and the first surface P1 formed by the front surface 12 of the front panel 11 may be on the same surface.

[0270] In other words, the front end 112 of the periphery 118 of the frame can be located on the same plane as the front surface 12 of the front panel 11. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion of the door 100 relative to the front panel 11 is minimized, and a planar impression of the front of the housing 10 and the interior space of the housing 10 are ensured.

[0271] On the other hand, the edge 153 of the front surface 152 of the door cover 150 may be located further forward than the front surface 12 of the front panel 11. The front surface 152 of the door cover 150 may be a plane perpendicular to the ground and may be located further forward than the front surface 12 of the front panel 11.

[0272] However, the door cover 150 does not need to be located in front of the front panel 12 of the front panel 11 as a whole. A part of the door cover 150 can be accommodated in the door mounting portion 200, so that it can be located behind the front panel 12 of the front panel 11.

[0273] The edge 153 of the front surface 152 of the door cover 150 may be located further rearward than the front end 112 of the door frame 110. The edge 153 of the front surface 152 of the door cover 150 may be located further forward than the front surface 12 of the front panel 11. The edge 153 of the front surface 152 of the door cover 150 may protrude further forward than the periphery 118 of the frame.

[0274] on the other hand, Figure 17 A door button 192 and a pressure part 193 provided on a door 100 are shown according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0275] Specifically, as mentioned above, if the amount by which the door 100 protrudes from the door mounting portion 200 is reduced, then the door 100 cannot guarantee the portion where the handle portion is provided, and thus the handle portion can be omitted.

[0276] In one embodiment of the invention, since the door 100, which gives the impression that it is located on the same plane as the front 12 of the front panel 11, is unlikely to have a handle or other similar configuration for the user to hold, it is necessary to ensure that an additional door 100 provides a mechanism.

[0277] In one embodiment of the present invention, the door 100 may include the door button 192 and the pressure part 193. The door 100 may be kept in a closed state DC by the aforementioned door locking part 190, which may be provided in the housing 10 to restrict the forward rotation of the door 100 in the closed state DC housed in the door mounting part 200.

[0278] On the other hand, if the door button 192 or the pressure unit 193 is operated, the door locking unit 190 can release the door 100 from the lock, thereby allowing the door 100 to be pushed forward by a predetermined amount.

[0279] In the closed state DC, where there is no part of the door 100 that the user can hold, the door button 192 or the pressure part 193 is operated to minimize the forward protrusion of the door 100 and guide the rotation of the door 100 to open it, making it possible for the user to hold it.

[0280] Door button 192 is exposed to the front of door 100. Door button 192 can be operated by the user, thereby allowing the user to input a lock release command on the door locking part 190.

[0281] Door button 192 can be of various types. Door button 192 can be a mechanical button whose protrusion is changed by physical operation or a touch button that senses the user's touch by having a touch film or the like.

[0282] For ease of use, the door button 192 can be located above the horizontal center line of the door 100. The door button 192 can be located between the upper edge of the periphery of the door 100 and the horizontal center line of the door 100.

[0283] If the door button 192 located on the front of the door 100 is operated, the door locking part 190 can release the door 100 from its restraint and push the door 100 forward.

[0284] If the user operates the door button 192, the lock release command generated by the user can be transmitted to the door locking unit 190 through the control unit. The door locking unit 190 can push the door 100 forward by an elastic body or the like, and the door locking unit 190 will be described in detail later.

[0285] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the door button 192, the door 100 may also include a pressure portion 193. The pressure portion 193 is the area for physically pressurizing the door locking portion 190, and therefore may be configured to overlap with or be adjacent to the door locking portion 190.

[0286] If the door 100, whose forward rotation is restricted, is pressed toward the housing 10, the door locking part 190 can release the restriction on the door 100 and push the door 100 forward.

[0287] In one embodiment of the present invention, the door locking part 190 can be automatically unlocked by operating the door button 192. Alternatively, it can be mechanically unlocked by applying pressure to the door 100 backward.

[0288] Specifically, the aforementioned door button 192 can be a mechanism that commands the door locking unit 190 to unlock via an electrical signal. If the unlocking command generated by the door button 192 is transmitted to the door locking unit 190, the door locking unit 190 can unlock itself and push the door 100.

[0289] However, if power is not supplied to the clothing handling device 1 of one embodiment of the present invention or if the power system malfunctions, the command using the door button 192 cannot be transmitted to the door locking unit 190, and the door locking unit 190 cannot unlock itself, which may make it difficult to rotate the door 100 to the open state DO.

[0290] In this situation, the door locking part 190 is physically released by the pressure part 193, so that the user can open the door 100.

[0291] The door locking part 190 can be opened by applying pressure in various ways. For example, the door locking part 190 may include a locking part 196 that locks the locking protrusion 195 of the aforementioned door 100 and restricts its forward movement. If pressure is applied to the housing 10 while the door 100 is locked, the locking part 196 moves and releases the forward movement restriction of the locking protrusion 195, thereby unlocking the door 100.

[0292] The pressurizing part 193 may be defined on the door cover 150. The pressurizing part 193 may be located in front of the door locking part 190 or may be arranged adjacent to the front area of ​​the door locking part 190. The pressurizing part 193 may be a mechanism that directly generates pressure when the user applies pressure or simply guides the user to the position where pressure is to be applied.

[0293] on the other hand, Figure 18 (a) and (b) show a door 100 switched between a closed state DC and an open state DO by a door locking part 190 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 (a) shows the door 100 in the state of being placed in the door mounting part 200 according to the locked state of the door locking part 190. Figure 18 (b) shows the door 100 rotating forward from the door mounting section 200 according to the unlocked state of the door locking section 190.

[0294] like Figure 18 As shown in (a), in one embodiment of the present invention, when the door 100 is in the closed state DC of the opening 15 of the enclosed housing 10, as previously described, the front of the door 100 housed in the door mounting portion 200 can be in a state that is approximately parallel to the front surface 12 of the front panel 11. Furthermore, in the closed state DC of the door 100, the door locking portion 190 restricts the rotation of the door 100, preventing the door 100 from rotating forward.

[0295] like Figure 18 As shown in (b), if the door locking part 190 switches from the locked state to the unlocked state, the door locking part 190 can push the door 100 forward, thereby allowing the door 100 to rotate about the hinge part 180, so that at least a part of the door 100 can rotate in a way that protrudes forward from the door mounting part 200.

[0296] At this point, the user rotates the door 100 to the desired degree, thereby exposing the opening 15 of the box 10 and allowing the clothes to be put into the opening 15.

[0297] on the other hand, Figure 19(a) and (b) show the operation of the door locking part 190 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19 (a) shows the door locking part 190 in the unlocked state of door 100. Figure 19 (b) shows the door locking part 190 in the locked state of door 100.

[0298] Reference Figure 19 In (a) and (b), door 100 may include a locking protrusion 195 protruding toward door locking portion 190. The locking protrusion 195 may protrude rearward from the inner frame 130 of door 100.

[0299] The door locking part 190 may include a cover into which the locking protrusion 195 is inserted, and may include a locking part 196, which locks the locking protrusion 195 inserted into the cover, thereby restricting the forward movement of the locking protrusion 195.

[0300] When the door 100 is in the open state DO, if the locking protrusion 195 located in front of the door locking part 190 is inserted into the door locking part 190 by the rotation of the door 100 in the closed state DC of the opening 15, the pressure generated by the locking protrusion 195 can be applied to the door locking part 190.

[0301] Due to the pressure applied by the locking protrusion 195, the locking portion 196 of the door locking portion 190 can move to the locked position. At least a portion of the locking portion 196 in the locked position can be located in front of the locking protrusion 195, thereby restricting the forward movement of the locking protrusion 195.

[0302] At this time, the door locking part 190 may be provided with a fixing part for fixing the position of the locking part 196 in the locked state, and the elastic part 197 provided in the door locking part 190 may be kept in a compressed state by the pressure of the locking protrusion 195.

[0303] On the other hand, if the aforementioned door button 192 is operated, the automatic release unit 198 provided in the door locking part 190 can receive the lock release command generated by the door button 192. If the automatic release unit 198 receives the lock release command, the fixing part is released, so that the locking part 196 can move from the locked position to the released position, thereby releasing the locking state of the locking protrusion 195.

[0304] If the forward movement of the locking protrusion 195 becomes free, the aforementioned elastic portion 197 can return from the compressed state to its initial state. At this time, the restoring force of the elastic portion 197 acts on the locking protrusion 195, thereby pushing the locking protrusion 195 forward. The locking protrusion 195 moves forward, thereby allowing the aforementioned door 100 to move forward.

[0305] On the other hand, if pressure is applied to the aforementioned pressure part 193 while the door locking part 190 is in the locked state, that is, if the door 100 applies a rearward pressure to the door locking part 190, the aforementioned fixing part of the door locking part 190 can be switched from the locked state to the unlocked state by a mechanical mechanism.

[0306] Thus, by applying pressure to the pressurizing part 193, the door locking part 190 can switch from the locked state to the unlocked state in a manner similar to the operation of the aforementioned door button 192, thereby pushing the locking protrusion 195 forward through the elastic part 197.

[0307] However, the operation of the door locking part 190 is not necessarily limited as described above. As needed, the locking protrusion 195 of the door 100 can be fixed or released in various ways.

[0308] Furthermore, the aforementioned door locking unit 190 describes the operation of the door button 192 and the pressurization caused by the pressurization unit 193 with a generally similar operation process. However, if necessary, the locking protrusion 195 can also be released from its fixed state by different mechanisms.

[0309] While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications and variations can be made to the invention without departing from the technical spirit of the invention as provided in the following claims, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A garment processing device, characterized in that, include: The enclosure includes a front panel with an opening; A receiving section is provided inside the box to receive clothing that is put in through the opening; as well as A door is provided on the front panel to open and close the opening; A door mounting portion is provided on the front panel, the door mounting portion being recessed into the interior of the housing to accommodate at least a portion of the door that closes the opening; The gap between the edge of the door mounting portion and the edge of the door protrudes forward.

2. The garment processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gap is exposed forward along the entire edge of the door mounting portion.

3. The garment processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-sectional area of ​​the door mounting portion is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the door, and the gap completely surrounds the door.

4. The garment processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gap includes: The first part has a first thickness; and The second part has a second thickness that is different from the first thickness.

5. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gap includes: The upper gap is located at the upper end of the door mounting portion; and The lower end gap is located at the lower end of the door mounting portion; The thickness of the lower end gap is greater than the thickness of the upper end gap.

6. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The door is rotatably attached to the front panel at one end of the box body in the width direction via a hinge. The gap includes: One end gap, located at one end of the width direction of the door mounting portion; and The other end gap is located at the other end of the width direction of the door mounting portion; The thickness of the gap at one end is greater than the thickness of the gap at the other end.

7. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The center of the door, when viewed from the front, is located at a different position than the center of the door mounting portion.

8. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, Viewed from the front, the center of the door is located higher than the center of the door mounting portion.

9. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The door is rotatably attached to the front panel on one side of the box body in the width direction via a hinge. Viewed from the front, the center of the door is separated from the center of the door mounting portion by the other side in the width direction.

10. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gate includes: A door frame, rotatably attached to the front panel, and including a through hole facing the opening; and A door cover is provided on the front of the door frame and covers the through hole.

11. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, A frame perimeter is provided at the edge of the door frame, the frame perimeter protruding forward and extending along the perimeter surface of the door cover; At least a portion of the periphery of the frame is accommodated in the door mounting portion.

12. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, The door frame includes: The inner frame is disposed toward the door mounting portion; and The outer frame is located in front of the inner frame; The door cover is located on the front of the outer frame; At least a portion of the outer frame is accommodated in the door mounting portion.

13. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that, A frame perimeter is provided at the edge of the outer frame, the frame perimeter protruding forward and extending along the perimeter surface of the door cover; At least a portion of the periphery of the door frame is accommodated in the door mounting portion.

14. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, A frame perimeter is provided at the edge of the door frame, the frame perimeter protruding forward and extending along the perimeter surface of the door cover; The front side of the perimeter of the frame is on the same plane as the front side of the front panel.

Images