Clothing treatment device

Abstract

To solve the described problem, the present disclosure relates to a clothing treatment device which comprises: a cabinet; an inner case provided inside the cabinet to provide an accommodation space in which clothing is accommodated; a machine chamber provided so as to communicate with the inner case and provided with heaters for generating steam to be supplied to the inner case and a compressor for generating hot air to be supplied to the inner case; through-holes provided so as to penetrate through the inner case to communicate with the machine chamber and introducing hot air and steam generated in the machine chamber into the inner case; and a hat treatment device provided inside the inner case so as to communicate with the through-holes to supply the hot air or steam to a hat, wherein the hat treatment device comprises body units provided so as to communicate with the through-holes to provide a space in which the hot air or steam flows and a hat fixing unit provided so as to communicate with the body units to support the inside of a hat and discharge the hot air or steam to the hat.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus capable of sterilizing a hat.[Background]

[0002] In general, a laundry treating apparatus is a concept including a washing machine that moistens laundry into wet laundry and removes foreign substances via a chemical action of a detergent and a physical action such as drum rotation, and a dryer that dries the wet laundry using hot air and steam.

[0003] However, in recent years, a laundry care apparatus that keeps the laundry fresh and clean without wetting the dry laundry in water has emerged. Such a laundry care apparatus is able to perform a refreshing cycle of deodorizing, drying, or sterilizing the laundry by supplying steam or hot air in a state in which the laundry is hung.

[0004] Such a laundry care apparatus is able to selectively add a scent to the laundry, and in recent years, it has taken up an important portion of the laundry treating apparatuses in addition to the washing machines and the dryers.

[0005] Referring to Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2020-0057545, the existing laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet forming an outer appearance of the apparatus, and an inner casing disposed inside the cabinet and in which the laundry is hung.

[0006] The laundry treating apparatus may include, under the inner casing, a circulation duct that circulates air in the inner casing, a heat exchanger that is disposed in the circulation duct and exchanges heat with the air, and a compressor that supplies a high-temperature refrigerant to the heat exchanger. When the compressor is operated, hot air may be supplied to the inner casing, so that a temperature inside the inner casing may be increased and the laundry may be dried or sterilized.

[0007] There is a need to dry or sterilize not only the laundry but also a hat. Accordingly, referring to Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2017-0014454, the hat is treated with steam by attaching and detaching a hat washing apparatus to and from a steam generator.

[0008] However, the hat washing apparatus requires an apparatus for generating steam separately, and is difficult to be installed in the laundry treating apparatus.

[0009] In addition, because a size of the hat that may be mounted in the hat washing apparatus is limited, it is difficult to wash a hat having a small size.

[0010] Accordingly, there is a need to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of washing the hat using hot air or steam generated in the laundry treating apparatus.

[0011] In addition, there is a need to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of washing the hat regardless of the size of the hat.[Summary][Technical Problem]

[0012] The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of sterilizing a hat using steam or hot air generated in a machine room.

[0013] The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of sterilizing a hat by supplying steam or hot air to the hat regardless of a size or a shape of the hat.

[0014] The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of increasing user convenience by providing a detachable hat treating apparatus in an inner casing.[Technical Solutions]

[0015] To solve the above problems, the present disclosure provides a laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet, an inner casing disposed inside the cabinet and providing an accommodation space where laundry is accommodated, a machine room in communication with the inner casing, wherein the machine room includes a heater generates steam supplied to the inner casing and a compressor generates hot air supplied to the inner casing, a through-hole defined to extend through the inner casing so as to be in communication with the machine room, wherein the through-hole is constructed to introduce hot air and steam generated in the machine room into the inner casing, and a hat treating apparatus disposed inside the inner casing so as to be in communication with the through-hole, wherein the hat treating apparatus supplies hot air or steam to a hat, wherein the hat treating apparatus includes a body in communication with the through-hole and providing a space where hot air or steam flows, and a hat fixer in communication with the body and constructed to support an inside of the hat, wherein the hat fixer is constructed to discharge hot air or steam to the hat.

[0016] The hat fixer may be constructed to expand in volume inside the hat by hot air or steam introduced from the body.

[0017] The hat fixer may include a fixer body constructed to support the hat and having a volume variable based on an amount of hot air or steam introduced from the body, and a fixer communication hole defined in the fixer body and constructed to supply hot air or steam into the hat.

[0018] The body may further include an internal duct in communication with the through-hole and the hat fixer and constructed to guide hot air or steam to flow to the hat fixer.

[0019] The internal duct may include an inflow hole defined to be in communication with the through-hole and constructed to introduce hot air or steam discharged from the through-hole thereinto.

[0020] The body may further include a supporter seated on a bottom surface of the inner casing and supporting the internal duct.

[0021] The supporter may include a supporter bottom surface forming a bottom surface of the supporter, and a supporter leg rotatably disposed on the supporter bottom surface and seated on the bottom surface of the inner casing.

[0022] The supporter leg may be withdrawable from the supporter bottom surface toward the bottom surface of the inner casing.

[0023] The laundry treating apparatus may further include a cover disposed on top of the body and where the hat is seated, the cover may include a cover communication hole defined through a portion of the cover and allowing the internal duct to be in communication with the hat fixer, and the laundry treating apparatus may further include a lid movably disposed on the body and constructed to selectively shield the cover communication hole.

[0024] The body may include a supporter body supporting the internal duct, and a guide rail formed by protruding a portion of the supporter body, and the guide rail may be constructed to guide a movement of the lid.

[0025] The body may be constructed to be selectively coupled to or separated from the through-hole, so that the hat treating apparatus is detachable from the inner casing.

[0026] The laundry treating apparatus may further include a coupling portion extending through the body to couple the body to the through-hole.

[0027] The coupling portion may include a coupling spring disposed in the body so as to be compressible by a user, and a coupling hook connected to the coupling spring and selectively coupled to the through-hole, and the coupling hook may be separated from the through-hole when the coupling spring is compressed.

[0028] The laundry treating apparatus may further include a storage hanger protruding from an inner surface of the inner casing and where the hat treating apparatus is seated.

[0029] The hat treating apparatus may further include a storage hook formed by recessing the body and seated on the storage hanger.[Advantageous Effects]

[0030] The present disclosure may sterilize the hat using steam or hot air generated in the machine room.

[0031] The present disclosure may sterilize the hat by supplying steam or hot air to the hat regardless of the size or the shape of the hat.

[0032] The present disclosure may increase the user convenience by providing the detachable hat treating apparatus in the inner casing.[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a lower portion of an inner casing of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates a structure of a machine room of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a machine room base structure of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates a circulation duct structure of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates a shape of a circulation duct of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the circulation duct. FIG. 8 illustrates a structure of the air outlet 323 of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. FIG. 9 illustrates a structure of a base cover of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. FIG. 10 illustrates a structure of an outside air duct. FIG. 11 illustrates a flow of air flowing through the circulation duct. FIG. 12 illustrates an installation structure of a steam supplier. FIG. 13 illustrates a detailed structure of the steam supplier. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a hat treating apparatus of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. FIG. 15 is a top view of the hat treating apparatus. FIG. 16 illustrates a detailed structure of a supporter of the hat treating apparatus. FIG. 17 illustrates a detailed structure of a cover of the hat treating apparatus. FIG. 18 illustrates a detailed structure of an internal duct of the hat treating apparatus. FIG. 19 illustrates detailed structures of a coupling portion, a lid, and a hat fixer of the hat treating apparatus. FIG. 20 illustrates a structure in which the hat treating apparatus is coupled to the inner casing. FIG. 21 illustrates a detailed structure of the lid. FIG. 22 illustrates a movement process of the lid. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the hat treating apparatus when the hat treating apparatus is stored on an inner surface of the inner casing. [Best Mode]

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the present document, the same or similar reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar components even in different embodiments, and a description thereof is replaced with the first description. As used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, in describing the embodiments disclosed herein, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed descriptions will be omitted. In addition, it should be noted that the attached drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein and should not be construed as limiting the technical idea disclosed herein.

[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure.

[0036] Referring to (a) in FIG. 1, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may include a cabinet 100 forming the outer appearance of the apparatus and a door 20 pivotably coupled to the cabinet 100.

[0037] The door 20 may include a main body 21 forming a front surface of the cabinet 100, and an installation body 22 extending from one side of the main body 21 and on which a display that displays information of the laundry treating apparatus may be installed.

[0038] The installation body 22 may be constructed to form a step 23 in a rearward direction of the cabinet 100 from the main body 21.

[0039] In one example, at least a portion of the installation body 22 may be disposed at the rear of the main body 21 so as to overlap the same in a front and rear direction. Accordingly, the step 23 may function as a handle.

[0040] The installation body 22 may be made of a different material from or have a different color from the main body 21. In addition, the installation body 22 may be made of a translucent material through which light emitted from the display may be transmitted.

[0041] Referring to (b) in FIG. 1, an inner casing 200 having an accommodation space 220 for accommodating laundry may be disposed inside the cabinet 100. The inner casing 200 may have an opening 210 through which the laundry enters and exits at a front side, and the opening 210 may be shielded by the door 20.

[0042] The inner casing 200 may be made of a plastic resin material, and may be made of a reinforced plastic resin material that does not deform even when exposed to air at a temperature higher than a room temperature or heated air (hereinafter, hot air) and steam or moisture.

[0043] The inner casing 200 may have a height greater than a width. As a result, the laundry may be accommodated in the accommodation space 220 without being folded or wrinkled.

[0044] The laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may include a mounting portion 500 capable of hanging the laundry in the accommodation space 220 of the inner casing 200.

[0045] The mounting portion 500 may include a hanger 510 disposed on a top surface of the inner casing 200 to hang the laundry thereon.

[0046] When the laundry is hung on the hanger 510, the laundry may be disposed in a state of floating in air inside the accommodation space 220.

[0047] In one example, the mounting portion 500 may further include a pressurizer assembly 520 coupled to an inner surface of the door 20 to fix the laundry.

[0048] The hanger 510 may be formed in a bar shape disposed along a width direction of the inner casing 200 and support a clothes hanger on which the laundry is hung. In addition, as illustrated, the hanger 510 may be formed in a shape of the clothes hanger such that the laundry is directly hung thereon.

[0049] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include an excitation unit that vibrates the hanger 510 to remove foreign substances such as fine dust attached to the laundry.

[0050] The mounting portion 500 may include the pressurizer assembly 520 disposed on the door 20 to press and fix the laundry. The pressurizer assembly 520 may include a support 522 that is fixed to the inner surface of the door 20 and supports one surface of the laundry, and a pressurizer 521 that pressurizes the laundry supported by the support 522.

[0051] The pressurizer 521 may move toward or away from the support 522. For example, the pressurizer 521 may be pivotable with respect to the support 522 or the inner surface of the door 20.

[0052] Therefore, the pressurizer 521 and the support 522 may pressurize both surfaces of the laundry to remove wrinkles from the laundry and create intended creases.

[0053] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may have a machine room 300 in which various apparatuses to supply at least one of hot air and steam to the accommodation space 220 or to purify or dehumidify outside air of the cabinet 100 are installed.

[0054] The machine room 300 may be disposed to be separated or partitioned from the inner casing 200, but may be in communication with the inner casing 200.

[0055] The machine room 300 may be disposed under the inner casing 200. Accordingly, when hot air and steam having a low specific gravity are supplied to the inner casing 200, the hot air and steam may be naturally supplied to the laundry.

[0056] The machine room 300 may include a heat supplier 340 capable of supplying hot air into the inner casing 200. The heat supplier 340 may be equipped as a heat pump system, or may be equipped as a heater that directly heats air with electric energy.

[0057] When the heat supplier 340 is equipped as the heat pump system, the heat supplier 340 may dehumidify and heat air discharged from the inner casing 200 again and supply the air to the inner casing 200. A detailed structure thereof will be described later.

[0058] In one example, a water supply tank 30 that may supply water to a steam supplier 800 and a drain tank 40 in which condensed water condensed in the heat supplier 340 is collected may be disposed in a front side of the machine room 300.

[0059] The water supply tank 30 and the drain tank 40 may be detachable from the front side of the machine room 300. Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may be freely installed without being restricted by a water supply source or a drainage source.

[0060] In one example, a drawer 50 that is extended and retracted in a front and rear direction and has a separate accommodation space may be further disposed in the front side of the machine room 300. For example, the drawer 50 may store a steam generator or an iron.

[0061] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom surface of an inner casing of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0062] The machine room 300 may include the steam supplier 800 capable of supplying steam into the inner casing 200. The steam supplier 800 may be equipped to directly supply steam into the inner casing 200. A detailed structure thereof will be described later.

[0063] To this end, the inner casing 200 may include a plurality of through-holes 230 extending through one surface thereof and being in communication with the machine room 300.

[0064] Air in the accommodation space 220 may be supplied to the machine room 300 via the through-holes 230, and at least one of hot air and steam generated in the machine room 300 may be supplied to the accommodation space 220.

[0065] The through-holes 230 may include an inlet hole 231 defined to extend through a bottom surface of the inner casing 200 such that air inside the inner casing 200 is discharged or absorbed into the machine room 300 therethrough, and an exhaust hole 232 defined to extend through the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 to discharge hot air generated in the machine room 300 into the inner casing 200.

[0066] The exhaust hole 232 may be defined in the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 so as to be closer to a rear surface of the inner casing 200. For example, the exhaust hole 232 may be defined at an angle to the ground between the bottom surface and the rear surface of the inner casing 200, and face the hanger 510.

[0067] Further, the inlet hole 231 may be defined in the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 so as to be closer to the front surface of the inner casing 200. Accordingly, the inlet hole 231 may be defined to be spaced apart from the exhaust hole 232.

[0068] The through-holes 230 may further include a steam hole 233 through which steam generated by the steam supplier 800 is supplied. The steam hole 233 may be defined on one side of the exhaust hole 232.

[0069] FIG. 3 illustrates a structure of a machine room of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0070] (a) in FIG. 3 is a front view of the machine room 300, and (b) in FIG. 3 is a rear view of the machine room 300.

[0071] Inside the machine room 300, components to supply hot air to a laundry treatment space, circulate air inside the laundry treatment space, supply steam to the laundry treatment space, or purify air outside the cabinet may be disposed.

[0072] The machine room 300 may include a base 310 that has a space for supporting or installing various apparatuses. The base 310 may provide an area size for the installation of the various apparatuses.

[0073] The base 310 may have a circulation duct 320 installed thereon through which air introduced from the inner casing 200 or outside the cabinet 100 moves.

[0074] The circulation duct 320 may be formed in a casing shape with an open top surface, and some components of the heat supplier 340 may be installed inside the circulation duct 320.

[0075] When the heat supplier 340 is equipped as the heat pump system, a heat exchanger 341 and 342 to be described later and a compressor 342 that supplies a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to the heat exchanger may be included inside the circulation duct 320.

[0076] The heat exchanger 341 and 342 may be accommodated inside the circulation duct 320 and cool and dehumidify air flowing through the circulation duct 320 or heat the air to generate hot air.

[0077] When the circulation duct 320 is constructed to suck air from the outside of the cabinet 100, an outside air duct 370 that sucks outside air may be installed in front of the circulation duct 320.

[0078] The circulation duct 320 may be in communication with the outside air duct 370 and may selectively suck outside air.

[0079] The water supply tank and the drain tank may be detachably coupled to a front surface of the circulation duct 320. The water supply tank 3 and the drain tank 4 may be seated and disposed on top of the outside air duct 370.

[0080] The circulation duct 320 may be coupled to the base 310, but may be formed integrally with the base 310. For example, the base 310 and the circulation duct 320 may be manufactured by injection molding.

[0081] The machine room 300 may include a base cover 360 that allows the circulation duct 320 and the inlet hole 231 to be in communication with each other.

[0082] The base cover 360 may be coupled to an upper portion of the circulation duct 320 and guide air sucked from the inlet hole 231 into the circulation duct 320.

[0083] The base cover 360 may block air inside the circulation duct 320 from being discharged to the outside by shielding a top surface of the circulation duct 320. A lower portion of the base cover 360 and the top surface of the circulation duct 320 may form one surface of a flow channel of the circulation duct 320.

[0084] The base cover 360 may include an inlet portion 362 connecting the inlet hole 231 with the circulation duct 320. The inlet portion 362 may be formed in a duct shape to serve as an air intake duct that delivers air inside the inner casing 200 to the circulation duct 320.

[0085] The machine room 300 may have the steam supplier 800 installed therein that is connected to the water supply tank 3 to receive water, generates steam, and supplies steam to the inner casing 200. The steam supplier 800 may be seated and disposed on top of the base cover 360.

[0086] The steam supplier 800 may be disposed at the rear of the inlet portion 362.

[0087] The machine room 300 may include a fan installation portion 350 that allows the circulation duct 320 and the inner casing 200 to be in communication with each other. The fan installation portion 350 may include a blower fan 353 that provides power to move air inside the circulation duct 320 in one direction, and a fan housing 351 that accommodates the blower fan 353 therein and is coupled to or extends from the circulation duct 320.

[0088] The fan installation portion 350 may include an exhaust duct 352 that allows the circulation duct 320 and the exhaust hole 232 to be in communication with each other.

[0089] The exhaust duct 352 may have a cross-section extending from the fan housing 351 toward the exhaust hole 232 with an area size corresponding to that of the exhaust hole 232.

[0090] As a result, air inside the inner casing 200 may be introduced via the base cover 360, pass through the circulation duct 320, and then be supplied back into the inner casing 200 via the fan installation portion 350.

[0091] In one example, the base 310 may include a compressor installation portion 313 in which the compressor 342 that supplies the refrigerant to the heat exchanger 341 and 343 is installed. The compressor installation portion 313 may be disposed outside the circulation duct 320.

[0092] In addition, the base 310 may have a controller or a control panel C installed thereon that controls the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0093] The base 310 may include a controller installation portion 313 that defines a space in which the controller C may be inserted from under the circulation duct 320.

[0094] The controller C may control all electronically controlled components such as the compressor 342, the steam supplier 800, and the blower fan 353.

[0095] Because the controller C is inserted onto and supported by the base 310, vibration or impact applied to the controller C may be buffered. In addition, because the controller C is disposed close to all of the electronic components, an occurrence of control errors such as noise may be minimized.

[0096] Further, the steam supplier is disposed on the circulation duct 320 and the controller C is disposed under the circulation duct 320. Accordingly, the circulation duct 320 may be formed in a straight duct shape between the steam supplier 800 and the controller C. As a result, a flow resistance of air passing through the circulation duct 320 may be minimized.

[0097] The circulation duct 320, the outside air duct 370, the steam supplier 800, the controller C, and the heat supplier 340 may be disposed on the base 310 in a module form.

[0098] Accordingly, the base 310 may be easily installed and maintained while being extended from and retracted into the machine room 300 in the front and rear direction.

[0099] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a machine room base structure of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0100] (a) in FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the base 310, and (b) and (c) in FIG. 4 are rear perspective views of the base 310.

[0101] The base 310 may be installed on a base plate forming a bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus. The base 310 itself may form the bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus.

[0102] The base 310 may include a base bottom 311 forming a support surface. The base bottom 311 may form the bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus. In addition, the base bottom 311 may be installed on a top surface of a bottom surface of the cabinet 100 forming the bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus.

[0103] The base 310 may be formed integrally with the circulation duct 320 that forms at least a portion of a flow channel through which air moves. The circulation duct 320 may be formed by extending upward from the base bottom 311.

[0104] The circulation duct 320 may include a duct body 321 that extends from the base bottom 311 to form the flow channel, a heat exchanger installation portion 3212 that provides a space in which an evaporator 341 or a condenser 343 is installed inside the duct body 321, and an air outlet 323 disposed at the rear of the duct body 321 and through which air in the duct body 321 is discharged.

[0105] The air outlet 323 may be formed in a pipe shape that extends rearward from the duct body 321. A diameter of the air outlet 323 may be smaller than a width of the duct body 321.

[0106] The air outlet 323 may be connected to the fan housing 350. Air discharged from the air outlet 323 may be guided into the inner casing 200 via the fan housing 350.

[0107] The circulation duct 320 may include an outside air intake portion 322 defined to extend through a front surface of the duct body 321.

[0108] The outside air intake portion 322 may be in communication with the outside air duct 370. The outside air duct 370 may be seated and supported in front of the outside air intake portion 322.

[0109] The circulation duct 320 may include a damper that opens and closes the outside air intake portion 322. By the opening and closing of the damper, outside air may be allowed or blocked from flowing into the circulation duct 320.

[0110] The base 310 may include a compressor installation portion 312 that provides a space in which the compressor 342 is installed. The compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed on one side of the base bottom 311 and may be formed integrally with the base bottom 311.

[0111] The compressor installation portion 312 may have a protrusion formed thereon that may support the compressor 342. The compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed to be rearwardly off-centered on the base 310. The compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed to at least partially overlap the air outlet 323 in the width direction.

[0112] The compressor installation portion 312 may have a buffer member installed thereon that reduces vibration transmitted from the compressor 342. The buffer member may be fixed to the protrusion.

[0113] The base 310 may include a controller installation portion 313 in which the controller C is installed. The controller installation portion 313 may be formed between the base bottom 311 and the circulation duct 320. The controller installation portion 313 may be formed between the base bottom 311 and a bottom surface of the circulation duct 320. The controller installation portion 313 may be formed under the circulation duct 320 in a duct shape in which one of a front side and a rear side is open.

[0114] FIG. 5 illustrates a circulation duct structure of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0115] The circulation duct 320 may extend upward from the base bottom to form the flow channel through which air flows. The circulation duct 320 may include the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 that provides the space in which the evaporator 341 and the condenser 342 are installed. The heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be defined inside the duct body 321.

[0116] The duct body 321 may have an open top surface. The condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 may be installed by being inserted via the opening of the duct body 321.

[0117] The opening of the duct body 321 may be shielded by the base cover 360, and the base cover 360 and the duct body 321 may form the flow channel of the circulation duct 320.

[0118] A front surface of the duct body 321 may be spaced rearwardly apart from a front end of the base bottom 311.

[0119] Accordingly, the base bottom 311 may secure a support surface 3111 on which at least one of the water supply tank 3, the drain tank 4, and the outside air duct 370 described above is installed and supported.

[0120] In one example, the heat supplier 340 may include the evaporator 341 that is installed inside the circulation duct 320 and equipped as a heat exchanger that cools and dehumidifies air introduced into the circulation duct 320, the condenser 343 that is equipped as a heat exchanger that heats air that has passed through the evaporator 341 and generates hot air, the compressor 342 that supplies the refrigerant that exchanges heat with the air to the condenser 343 and is disposed outside the circulation duct 320, and an expansion valve 344 that expands and cools the refrigerant that has passed through the condenser 343.

[0121] In one example, as the duct body 32 is integrally formed with the base 310, a greater height of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be secured, and heights of the condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 may also be increased.

[0122] As a result, widths in the front and rear direction of the condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 may be reduced, so that the number of refrigerant tubes passing through the condenser and the evaporator may be reduced. Accordingly, there is an effect of reducing a flow loss of air passing through the condenser and the evaporator.

[0123] In one example, a sum of a length of the evaporator 341 and a length of the condenser 343 may be smaller than a length of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212. Accordingly, the length in the front and rear direction of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be equal to or smaller than half of a length of the duct body 321.

[0124] Accordingly, because the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be sufficiently spaced apart from the outside air intake portion 322, sufficient space may be secured inside the circulation duct 320 for outside air and air inside the inner casing 200 to be introduced.

[0125] In one example, the inside of the duct body 321 may include an installation partition wall 3211 that partitions the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 from the outside of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212. The installation partition wall 3211 may protrude from a side surface of the duct body 321 and support a front side of the evaporator 341.

[0126] In addition, the duct body 321 may extend rearwards with a width expanded starting from the installation partition wall 3211.

[0127] As a result, a width of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be greater than half a width of the base 310. Additionally, a width of the circulation duct 320 may be greater than half the width of the base 310.

[0128] A width of the condenser 343 and a width of the evaporator 341 may also be greater than half of the entire width of the base 310.

[0129] As described above, when the widths of the condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 are secured, there is an effect of sufficiently securing a heat exchange capacity.

[0130] In addition, the fan housing 350 may be disposed to overlap the condenser 343 or the evaporator 341 in the front and rear direction. Therefore, air that has passed through the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 may be introduced into the fan housing 350 without bending of the flow channel. That is, air introduced into the circulation duct 320 has an effect of minimizing the flow loss because the flow channel is not bent during the process of moving to the fan housing.

[0131] FIG. 6 illustrates a shape of a circulation duct of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0132] The base bottom 310 and the circulation duct 320 of the base 310 may be integrally formed via injection molding.

[0133] A mold forming an inner surface of the duct body 321 may be withdrawn upward from the inside of the duct body 321 and removed. In this case, to facilitate the withdrawal of the mold, a wall surface of the duct body 321 may be inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the removal direction of the mold.

[0134] A width of a bottom surface 321a of the duct body 321 may be greater than a width of a top surface 321b of the duct body 321.

[0135] Specifically, a distance between the wall surfaces of the duct body 321 facing each other may increase as a distance from the base bottom 311 increases. A distance between a left side surface and a right side surface of the circulation flow channel facing each other may be increased along the withdrawal direction of the mold. Accordingly, the removal of the mold may be facilitated.

[0136] In one example, the air outlet 323 may include an air extension tube 3231 extending from a rear side of the duct body 321 such that a diameter or a width thereof decreases, and an air discharge tube 3232 extending from the air extension tube 3231 in a pipe shape having a uniform diameter to define a hollow 3233 therein. The air extension tube 3231 may perform a function of a nozzle, thereby increasing a speed of discharged air.

[0137] In addition, a mold for molding the air outlet 323 may be removed as shown in the above drawing. After being withdrawn forward from the inside of the air outlet 323 toward the inside of the circulation duct 320, it may be removed toward the open top surface of the circulation duct 320. The air outlet 323 may be formed in a structure in which the mold is easily withdrawn in this process.

[0138] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the circulation duct.

[0139] The installation partition wall 3211 may be formed by protruding inward from the inner wall of the duct body 321 or by recessing an outer wall of the circulation duct inward.

[0140] The heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be formed between the heat exchanger installation partition wall 3211 and the air outlet 323.

[0141] The mold forming the air outlet 323 may be withdrawn forward of the air outlet 323 and then withdrawn upward to be removed. When the mold forming the air outlet 323 is withdrawn forward from the inside of the air outlet 323, it is necessary to prevent interference with the heat exchanger installation partition wall. To this end, a design value of the air outlet 323 may be adjusted.

[0142] Specifically, when the air outlet 323 is molded, a mold for molding a front side and a mold for molding a rear side may be separately equipped based on a parting line 3233 of the air outlet 323 in the drawing. Accordingly, removal directions of the molds may be different from each other. The mold for forming the portion located in front of the parting line of the air outlet 323 may be withdrawn forward, and the mold for forming the portion located at rear of the parting line of the air outlet 323 may be withdrawn rearward.

[0143] That is, to prevent the mold withdrawn forward from interfering with the heat exchanger installation partition wall during the withdrawal process, in the drawing, a distance 1 323a may be smaller than a distance 2 321c. The distance 1 323a may mean a distance between the parting line of the air outlet 323 and a front end of the air outlet 323. In addition, the distance 1 323a may mean a distance between the parting line of the air outlet 323 and a rear opening of the circulation duct. The distance 2 321c may mean a distance between the front end of the air outlet 323 and the heat exchanger installation partition wall. In addition, the distance 2 323a may mean a distance between the rear opening of the circulation duct and the heat exchanger installation partition wall 3211.

[0144] FIG. 8 illustrates a structure of the air outlet 323 of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0145] The base 310 may include the air outlet 323 that discharges treated air toward the fan housing.

[0146] The air outlet 323 may allow the inside of the circulation duct 320 or the duct body 321 to be in communication with the fan housing 350. The air outlet 323 may be formed in a bell mouth shape. By being formed in the bell mouth shape, the air outlet 323 may reduce the flow loss of air and improve air circulation efficiency.

[0147] The air discharge tube 3232 of the air outlet 323 may be formed in a pipe shape, and, based on the parting line 3233, the mold disposed in front of the parting line 3233 may be withdrawn forward and the mold disposed at the rear of the parting line 3233 may be withdrawn rearward in the mold removal process.

[0148] The fan installation portion 350 may be coupled to and supported by the air discharge tube 3232. The fan housing 351 may include a coupling hole coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the air discharge tube 3232, and the blower fan 353 may be disposed in the coupling hole.

[0149] The fan housing 351 may include the exhaust duct 352 extending from an outer circumferential surface or the outside of the blower fan 353 to the exhaust hole 232.

[0150] The fan housing 351 and the exhaust duct 352 may accommodate the blower fan 353 therein and form a flow channel through which air may move.

[0151] A motor for rotating the blower fan 353 may be coupled to and supported at a location outside of the fan housing 351.

[0152] FIG. 9 illustrates a structure of a base cover of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0153] The base cover 360 may be coupled to the top surface of the circulation duct 320 to prevent the inside of the circulation duct 320 from being exposed.

[0154] The base cover 360 may include an inlet body 361 coupled to the top surface of the circulation duct 320 and allowing the inner casing 200 and the circulation duct 320 to be in communication with each other, and a shielding body 363 extending from the inlet body 361 and shielding the circulation duct 320.

[0155] The inlet body 361 may be formed in a duct shape and allow the inlet hole 231 of the inner casing and the inside of the circulation duct 320 to be in communication with each other. The inlet body 361 may protrude further upwardly of the shielding body 363.

[0156] The inlet body 361 may be positioned forward of the evaporator 341 so as not to face the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343, and may be positioned forward of the partition wall 3211.

[0157] The inlet body 361 may serve as an inlet duct that moves air in the inner casing 200 to the circulation duct 320.

[0158] The inlet body 361 may have the inlet portion 362 therein through which air in the inner casing 200 may pass.

[0159] Specifically, the base cover 360 may include a first rib 362a extending along a width direction of the inlet body 361, and a second rib 362b extending along the width direction of the inlet body 361 and spaced rearwardly apart from the first rib 362a.

[0160] The first rib 362a and the second rib 362b may be arranged in parallel with each other. The first rib 362a and the second rib 362b may be formed in a plate shape extending in a vertical direction, and heights thereof may correspond to a height of the inlet body 361.

[0161] A front edge of the inlet body 361 and the first rib 362a may form a first inlet 3621, the first rib 362a and the second rib 362b may form a second inlet 3623, and the second rib 362b and a rear edge of the inlet body 361 may form a third inlet 3622.

[0162] The first inlet 3621 and the third inlet 3622 may have the same area size, and the second inlet 3622 may have a smaller area size than the first inlet 3621 and the third inlet 3622.

[0163] The base cover 360 may include a damper assembly 364 that opens and closes the inlet portion 362, and a driver 365 coupled to the damper assembly 364 to control the opening and closing of the damper assembly 364.

[0164] The damper assembly 364 may include a first damper 3641 that opens and closes the first inlet 3621, and a second damper 3642 that opens and closes the third inlet 3623.

[0165] The first damper 3641 may be formed in a plate shape with an area size corresponding to that of the first inlet 3621, and may be disposed inside the first inlet 3621 and rotatably coupled to both side surfaces of the inlet body 361.

[0166] The second damper 3642 may be formed in a plate shape with an area size corresponding to that of the third inlet 3622, and may be disposed inside the third inlet 3622 and rotatably coupled to both side surfaces of the inlet body 361.

[0167] The second inlet 3623 may be equipped with a blocking filter 366 that allows air to pass therethrough, but is able to filter out foreign substances such as fine dust and lint.

[0168] The blocking filter 366 may be inserted into the second inlet 3622 and partition the first inlet 3621 and the third inlet 3623 from each other. The blocking filter 366 may be disposed in the second inlet 3622 and extend so as to be in contact with the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320.

[0169] The blocking filter 366 may be equipped as a filter capable of filtering even the moisture. For example, the blocking filter 366 may be equipped as a HEPA filter or the like.

[0170] In one example, the second inlet 3623 may further be coupled with a shielding member that shields the second inlet 3623 when the blocking filter 366 is inserted.

[0171] The driver 365 may include a motor that provides power to selectively rotate the first damper 364 and the second damper 365, and a plurality of gear members that may selectively rotate the first damper 364 and the second damper 365 while being engaged with the motor and rotating.

[0172] Because of the driver 365, the first inlet 3611 and the third inlet 3623 may be selectively opened.

[0173] Because of the driver 365, air contained inside the inner casing 200 may be introduced into the circulation duct 320 along the first inlet 3621, and may be introduced into the circulation duct 320 along the third inlet 3623.

[0174] In one example, the driver 365 may control the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642 to open both the first inlet 3611 and the third inlet 3623, and may control the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642 to close both the first inlet 3611 and the third inlet 3623.

[0175] The driver 365 may be formed in any structure as long as it is able to rotate the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642. For example, the driver 365 may be equipped as a combination of the motor, a driving gear that rotates by the motor, and a driven gear that is coupled to the first damper and the second damper and rotates by the rotation of the driving gear.

[0176] The base cover 360 may include the shielding body 363 that may extend from the inlet body 361 and may shield the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343. The shielding body 363 may be formed in a plate shape.

[0177] The base cover 360 may be detachably coupled to the top surface of the circulation duct 320 via an inlet hook 3612 that extends from a bottom surface of the inlet body 361.

[0178] The circulation duct 320 may have a coupling portion that is detachably coupled to the inlet hook 3612.

[0179] FIG. 10 illustrates a structure of an outside air duct.

[0180] Referring to (a) in FIG. 10, the outside air duct 370 may be coupled to the base 310.

[0181] The outside air duct 370 may be in communication with the outside air intake portion 322.

[0182] The outside air duct 370 may include an outside air damper 373 that opens and closes the outside air intake portion 322 and an outside air driver 374 that rotates the outside air damper 373 to selectively open the outside air intake portion 322.

[0183] The outside air damper 373 may be formed in a plate shape capable of sealing the outside air intake portion 322, and may be rotatably coupled to both side surfaces of the outside air intake portion 322.

[0184] The outside air driver 374 may be equipped as an actuator coupled to the outside air duct 370 or the circulation duct 320 to rotate the outside air damper 373.

[0185] The outside air duct 370 may include an extension duct 372 extending forward from the outside air intake portion 322 at a location in front of the outside air intake portion 322, and an air intake duct 371 extending forward from the extension duct 372 and allowing outside air to be introduced thereinto.

[0186] The air intake duct 371 may extend from a lower portion of the extension duct 372, and the water supply tank 3 and the drain tank 4 may be disposed on top of the air intake duct 371. The water supply tank 3 and the drain tank 4 may be coupled to or seated on the air intake duct 371.

[0187] The air intake duct 371 may include, at one end or a free end thereof, an outside air port 3711 through which outside air is sucked and a partition rib 3712 that partitions the outside air port 3711.

[0188] The outside air port 3711 may be disposed downward of the door 20 so as not to be shielded by the door 20.

[0189] The partition rib 3712 may be constructed to partition the inside of the outside air port 3711 to block the foreign substances or a user's body from being introduced.

[0190] Referring to (b) in FIG. 10, when the outside air driver 374 opens the outside air intake portion 322 by rotating the outside air damper 373, the air intake duct 371 and the circulation duct 320 may be in communication with each other.

[0191] In this regard, when the blower fan 352 is operated, air outside the cabinet may be introduced into the circulation duct 320. When the compressor 342 is operated, the outside air may be dehumidified while passing through the circulation duct 320 and supplied into the inner casing 200.

[0192] The door 20 may further include a door outlet that discharges air inside the inner casing 200 to the outside, and a discharge damper that selectively opens and closes the door outlet. The door outlet may be disposed to face the accommodation space of the inner casing 200.

[0193] Accordingly, the dehumidified air may be discharged to the door outlet.

[0194] In addition, the outside air may be filtered while passing through the blocking filter 366 and discharged to the outside of the cabinet 100 again.

[0195] FIG. 11 illustrates a flow of air flowing through the circulation duct.

[0196] Referring to (a) in FIG. 11, the outside air damper 373 may be controlled to shield the outside air intake portion 322, the first damper 3641 may be controlled to open the first inlet 3621, and the second damper 3642 may be controlled to shield the third inlet 3622.

[0197] When the blower fan 352 is operated, air inside the inner casing 200 may be introduced into the first inlet 3621 and may be filtered while passing through the blocking filter 366.

[0198] When the compressor 342 is operated, air that has passed through the blocking filter 366 may be dehumidified and heated while passing through the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343.

[0199] Air that has also passed through the heat exchanger may pass through the fan installation portion 350 and be supplied into the inner casing 200.

[0200] This state may be a state in which steam is not supplied to the inner casing 200. This is because when steam is supplied to the inner casing 200, the moisture wets the blocking filter 366 so that a performance of the blocking filter 366 may not be guaranteed.

[0201] As a result, when steam is not supplied to the inner casing 200, before steam is supplied to the inner casing 200, or when humidity is lowered even after steam is supplied to the inner casing 200, air inside the inner casing 200 may pass through the first inlet 3641 and pass through the blocking filter 366 to filter the foreign substances such as lint.

[0202] Referring to (b) in FIG. 11, the outside air damper 373 may be controlled to shield the outside air intake portion 322, the first damper 3641 may be controlled to shield the first inlet 3621, and the second damper 3642 may be controlled to open the third inlet 3622.

[0203] When the blower fan 352 is operated, air inside the inner casing 200 may be introduced into the third inlet 3622. Because the third inlet 3622 is disposed downstream of the blocking filter 366, air introduced into the third inlet 3622 may not pass through the blocking filter 366.

[0204] When the compressor 342 is operated, air that has passed through the blocking filter 366 may be dehumidified and heated while passing through the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343.

[0205] Air that has also passed through the heat exchanger may pass through the fan installation portion 350 and be supplied into the inner casing 200.

[0206] As a result, when steam is supplied to the inner casing 200 or the humidity inside the inner casing 200 is very high, air in the inner casing 200 may be introduced into the third inlet 3622 and may be blocked from being introduced into the first inlet 3621, thereby preventing the blocking filter 366 from being exposed to moisture.

[0207] Referring to (c) in FIG. 11, the outside air damper 373 may be controlled to open the outside air intake portion 322, the first damper 3641 may be controlled to shield the first inlet 3621, and the second damper 3642 may be controlled to shield the third inlet 3622.

[0208] When the blower fan 352 is operated, air inside the inner casing 200 may be blocked from being introduced into the inlet portion 362, and only outside air of the cabinet 100 may be introduced into the circulation duct 320 and pass through the blocking filter 366. Accordingly, the foreign substances such as fine dust contained in outside air may be filtered by the blocking filter 366.

[0209] When the compressor 342 is operated, air that has passed through the blocking filter 366 may be dehumidified while passing through the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343.

[0210] Air that has also passed through the heat exchanger may pass through the fan installation portion 350 and be supplied into the inner casing 200 to supply fresh hot air to the laundry.

[0211] In this regard, when the door 20 is equipped with an apparatus that discharges air inside the inner casing 200 to the outside, air outside the cabinet may be discharged in a purified and dehumidified state while passing through the blocking filter 366 and the heat supplier 340.

[0212] As a result, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, the controller C may control the outside air driver 374 and the inflow driver 365 to determine flow directions of air inside the inner casing 200 and air outside the cabinet.

[0213] FIG. 12 illustrates an installation structure of a steam supplier.

[0214] The steam supplier 800 may be seated on and supported by the base cover 360.

[0215] The steam supplier 800 may include a steam casing 810 that is seated on the base cover 360 and stores water that generates the steam.

[0216] The steam supplier 800 may further include an installation bracket 870 that may fix the steam casing 810 to the base cover 360.

[0217] The installation bracket 870 may be coupled to the base cover 360 to fix the steam casing 810.

[0218] The installation bracket 870 may include a lower panel 871 that supports a bottom surface of the steam casing 810 and a side panel 872 that supports both side surfaces of the steam casing 810 on the lower panel 871.

[0219] The installation bracket 870 may further include one or more fixing clips 873 that extend from the side panel 872 to prevent the steam casing 810 from being deviated.

[0220] The fixing clips 873 may be detachable from a top surface or a side surface of the steam casing 810.

[0221] The compressor 342 may be placed downward of the steam supplier 800.

[0222] The installation bracket 870 may block heat generated from the compressor or heat generated from the refrigerant compressed in the compressor from being transferred to the steam supplier 800.

[0223] The installation bracket 870 may also block fire from being transferred to the steam supplier 800 in the event of the fire occurring in the compressor 342.

[0224] In one example, the base cover 360 may include a fastener 3631 disposed in the shielding body 363 and detachably coupled to the steam supplier 800. The fastener 3631 may have a structure that is detachably coupled to a protrusion protruding from a lower portion of the steam casing 810.

[0225] Accordingly, even when a great amount of water is contained inside the steam casing 810, the steam casing 810 may be stably seated on the base cover 360.

[0226] In addition, because the steam casing 810 is disposed upward of the circulation duct 320 and has a smaller distance from the inner casing 200, condensation of steam generated in the steam casing 810 before reaching the inner casing 200 may be minimized.

[0227] FIG. 13 illustrates a detailed structure of the steam supplier.

[0228] Referring to (a) in FIG. 13, the steam supplier 800 may include the steam casing 810 that may receive and store water to generate steam, and a heater assembly 840 that is accommodated in the steam casing 810 and heats the water to generate steam.

[0229] The steam casing 810 may be formed in a casing shape with an open top and may accommodate the heater assembly 840 therein.

[0230] The steam supplier 800 may further include a casing cover 820 that is coupled to the steam casing 810 to prevent the heater assembly 840 from being exposed to the outside and to prevent water from leaking out.

[0231] The casing cover 820 may include, installed therein, a water level sensor 850 that senses a water level of the steam casing 810, and a steam sensor 860 that senses a temperature inside the steam casing 810 or senses whether steam is generated inside the steam casing 810.

[0232] Referring to (b) in FIG. 13, the steam casing 810 may include a casing body 811 that provides a space for storing the water and accommodating the heater assembly 840 therein.

[0233] The casing body 811 may be formed in a shape with an open top, so that various components may be easily installed inside the casing body 811.

[0234] The casing body 811 may include a heater insertion hole 8111 extending through one side thereof and through which the heater assembly 840 may be inserted or withdrawn.

[0235] The casing body 811 may include a recovery tube 814 capable of discharging water accommodated therein to the outside.

[0236] The recovery tube 814 may be maintained in a closed state by a shielding plug 8141 so as to be opened only when removing residual water inside the steam casing 810, and may include a shielding clip 8142 that maintains the shielding plug 8141 in a state coupled to the recovery tube 814 such that the shielding plug 8141 is prevented from being arbitrarily separated.

[0237] As a result, when repairing the steam casing 800 or preventing freezing or the like of the steam casing 800, water inside the steam casing 800 may be discharged via the recovery tube 814.

[0238] In one example, a heater fixer 830 capable of supporting or fixing the heater assembly 840 may be installed inside the casing body 811. The heater fixer 830 may include a fixing clip 831 that fixes the heater assembly 840, and a clip fastening member 833 that fixes the support clip 831 to the casing body 811.

[0239] The fixing clip 831 may accommodate therein or surround at least a portion of the heater assembly 840.

[0240] In one example, the steam supplier 800 may include a water supply tube 815 that receives water. The water supply tube 815 may be in communication with the water supply tank 30 to receive water.

[0241] The water supply tube 815 may be disposed on the casing cover 820 or may be disposed on an upper portion of the steam casing 810. Thereby, water may be prevented from flowing back through the water supply tube 815.

[0242] The steam supplier 800 may include a steam tube 813 that discharges steam generated by the operation of the heater assembly 840 to the outside. The steam tube 813 may also be disposed on the upper portion of the casing cover 820, so that water may be prevented from being arbitrarily discharged into the steam tube 813. The steam tube 813 may be in communication with the steam hole 233 of the inner casing 200.

[0243] The casing cover 820 may include a water level sensor hole 854 in which the water level sensor may be installed.

[0244] The water level sensor 850 may include one or more contact protrusions 852 that are inserted into the water level sensor hole 854 and immersed in water to sense the water level, and a sensor body 851 that is coupled to the water level sensor hole 854 or supported by the casing cover 820 so as to maintain the contact protrusions 852 in a floating state inside the steam casing 810.

[0245] The sensor body 851 may be coupled to the casing cover 820 via a sensor fastening member 853.

[0246] In one example, the casing cover 820 may include an insertion hole 864 in which the steam sensor 860 may be installed. The steam sensor 860 may include a sensing device 861 that is inserted into the insertion hole 864 to sense whether steam is generated inside the steam casing 810, a support member 863 that fixes the sensing device 861 to the casing cover 820, and a coupling member 862 that couples the support member 863 to the casing cover 820.

[0247] The sensing device 861 may be equipped as a humidity sensor or a temperature sensor and may sense whether steam is generated inside the steam casing 810.

[0248] In one example, the casing cover 820 may be equipped with a cover hook 821 that may extend forward and may be coupled to the base cover 860.

[0249] In addition, a fixing protrusion 822 capable of fixing a lower portion of the inner casing 200 or a separate steam discharger 900 may be disposed at a rear side of the casing cover 820.

[0250] The heater assembly 840 may be inserted into the heater insertion hole 8111 and accommodated in the steam casing 810 and may heat water by receiving power.

[0251] The heater assembly 840 may be equipped as a sheath heater or the like, and may be controlled by the controller C such that operation and stopping thereof may be repeated.

[0252] The heater assembly 840 may include a first heater 841 that receives first power and heats water and a second heater 842 that receives power smaller than the first power and heats water.

[0253] As a result, the second heater 842 may heat a smaller amount of water and generate more steam compared to the first heater 841.

[0254] The first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may consume maximum heater power allowed for the heater assembly 840 in the laundry treating apparatus in a divided manner. That is, when the first heater 841 consumes a portion of the maximum heater power, the second heater 842 may consume the remainder of the maximum heater power.

[0255] For example, when the general maximum heater power allowable for the steam heater 840 is 1500W, the first heater 841 may consume 60080W, and the second heater 842 may consume 880W. As such, the power may be less distributed by 20W in consideration of errors or the like.

[0256] In one example, the steam heater 840 may include three or more heaters. For example, the first heater 841, the second heater 842, and a third heater 843 may be included, and the first heater 841, the second heater 842, and the third heater 843 may consume the maximum heater power in a divided manner.

[0257] Hereinafter, a description will be made based on the heater assembly 840 being composed of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842.

[0258] The first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be formed as U-shaped metal pipes.

[0259] The heater assembly 840 may include a heater sealer 843 that may fix the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 and seal a heater through-hole 8111, and may include a terminal assembly 844 that supplies current to the first heater 841 and the second heater 842.

[0260] The terminal assembly 844 may include a first terminal 844a that supplies the current to the first heater 841 and a second terminal 844b that supplies the current to the second heater 842.

[0261] The first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be arranged at the same vertical level. Therefore, the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may heat water at the same water level and generate steam.

[0262] Accordingly, the controller C may control an amount of steam generated and an amount of power consumed by using both or selectively the first heater 841 and the second heater 842.

[0263] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a hat treating apparatus of a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

[0264] To solve the above-described problem, the present disclosure provides a laundry treating apparatus including the cabinet 100, the inner casing 200 that is disposed inside the cabinet 100 and provides the accommodation space 220 in which the laundry is accommodated, the heater assembly 840 that is in communication with the inner casing 200 and generates steam supplied to the inner casing 200, the machine room 300 that is equipped with the compressor 342 that generates hot air supplied to the inner casing 200, and the through-holes 230 that are defined to extend through the inner casing 200 so as to be in communication with the machine room 300 and introduces hot air and steam generated in the machine room 300 into the inner casing 200, and a hat treating apparatus 400 that is disposed inside the inner casing 200 so as to be in communication with the through-holes 230 and supplies hot air or steam to a hat, wherein the hat treating apparatus 400 includes a body 410 and 430 that is in communication with the through-holes 230 and provides a space in which the hot air or steam flows, and a hat fixer 460 that is in communication with the body 410 and 430 to support the inside of the hat and discharges the hot air or steam to the hat.

[0265] The through-holes 230 may include the exhaust hole 232 that extends through the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 and discharges hot air generated in the machine room 300 therethrough, and the steam hole 233 through which steam generated in the steam supplier 800 is supplied.

[0266] The body 410 and 430 may include an internal duct 430 that is in communication with the through-holes 230 and the hat fixer 460 and guides the hot air or steam to flow to the hat fixer 460, and a supporter 410 seated on the bottom surface 201 of the inner casing 200 and supporting the internal duct 430.

[0267] The hat fixer 460 may expand in volume by hot air or steam introduced from the body 410 and 430 inside the hat. The hat fixer 460 may be in communication with the body 410 and 430 and expand in volume as the hot air or steam is introduced, thereby being exposed to the outside of the body 410 and 430. Accordingly, regardless of a size or a shape of the hat, steam or hot air may be supplied into the hat to sterilize the same.

[0268] That is, the hot air or steam generated in the machine room 300 may be introduced into the body 410 and 430 via the through-hole 230, pass through the internal duct 430, and be introduced into the hat fixer 460.

[0269] Accordingly, even when a separate apparatus for generating steam or hot air is not disposed, the hat may be sterilized using steam or hot air generated in the machine room 300 of the laundry treating apparatus, thereby efficiently using energy.

[0270] The body 410 and 430 may be constructed to be selectively coupled to or separated from the through-holes 230, so that the hat treating apparatus 400 may be detachable from the inner casing 200.

[0271] A coupling portion 430 that passes through the body 410 and 430 and couples the body 410 and 430 to the through-holes 230 may be further included. The hat treating apparatus 400 may be coupled to at least one of the exhaust hole 232 and the steam hole 233.

[0272] Accordingly, the hat treating apparatus 400 may be attached to and detached from the inside of the inner casing 200, thereby increasing user convenience.

[0273] FIG. 15 is a top view of the hat treating apparatus.

[0274] The hat treating apparatus 400 may further include a cover 420 disposed on top of the body 410 and 430 and on which the hat is seated. The cover 420 may shield a portion of an upper portion of the body 410 and 430.

[0275] The cover 420 may include a cover communication hole 421 defined to extend through a portion of the cover 420 and allowing the internal duct 430 and the hat fixer 460 to be in communication with each other. The cover communication hole 421 may be defined above the internal duct 430. Accordingly, the steam or hot air flowing in the internal duct 430 may be guided to be introduced only into the hat fixer 460.

[0276] In one example, the hat treating apparatus 400 may further include a lid 450 coupled to the cover 420 to selectively shield a portion of the cover 420.

[0277] When the hot air or steam is not introduced, the hat fixer 460 fixed to the cover communication hole 421 may be protected by the lid 450.

[0278] The lid 450 may be movably disposed on the body 410. A detailed structure thereof will be described later.

[0279] FIG. 16 illustrates a detailed structure of a supporter of the hat treating apparatus.

[0280] The supporter 410 may include a supporter body 411 seated in the inner casing 200, and a supporter bottom surface 412 forming a bottom surface of the supporter 410.

[0281] The supporter 410 may include a supporter leg 413 rotatably disposed on the supporter bottom surface 412 and seated on the bottom surface 201 of the inner casing 200. Accordingly, because a height may be adjusted from the bottom surface 201 of the inner casing 200, horizontality of the hat treating apparatus 400 may be maintained.

[0282] The supporter leg 413 may be withdrawn from the supporter bottom surface 412 toward the bottom surface 201 of the inner casing 200.

[0283] The supporter 410 may include a leg fixer 414 disposed on the supporter bottom surface 412 to fix the supporter leg 413. Accordingly, when the hat treating apparatus 400 is not used, the supporter leg 413 may be rotated to be stored by being fixed to the supporter bottom surface 412, that is, the leg fixer 414.

[0284] The supporter 410 may include a cover insertion hole 416 coupled to the cover 420. Accordingly, the cover 420 may be coupled to the supporter 410.

[0285] FIG. 17 illustrates a detailed structure of a cover of the hat treating apparatus.

[0286] The cover 420 may include the cover communication hole 421 defined to extend through the portion of the cover 420 and allowing the internal duct 430 and the hat fixer 460 to be in communication with each other. The hat fixer 460 may be fixed to the cover 420 and expand in volume as the hot air or steam is introduced thereinto, thereby being exposed to the outside of the cover 420. Accordingly, the steam or hot air flowing in the internal duct 430 may be guided to be introduced only into the hat fixer 460.

[0287] The cover 420 may further include a cover leg 422 inserted into the cover insertion hole 416. Accordingly, the cover 420 may be coupled to the supporter 410.

[0288] The cover 420 may include a coupling portion installation portion 423 allowing the coupling portion 440 to extend therethrough. Accordingly, the cover 420 may be coupled to the through-holes 230, so that the hat treating apparatus 400 may be installed inside the inner casing 200.

[0289] FIG. 18 illustrates a detailed structure of an internal duct of the hat treating apparatus.

[0290] The internal duct 430 may include an internal duct body 431 disposed inside the support body 441, an internal duct bottom surface 432 that forms a bottom surface and is seated on the supporter bottom surface 412, and an inclined surface 433 that is inclined between the support body 441 and the internal duct body 431. The internal duct 430 may be installed inside the supporter 410. Accordingly, the internal duct 430 may be in communication with the through-holes 230 to guide the hot air or steam to flow to the hat fixer 460.

[0291] The internal duct 430 may include inflow holes 434 and 435 defined to be in communication with the through-holes 230 to introduce the hot air or steam discharged from the through-holes 230 thereinto. The inflow holes 434 and 435 may include a first inflow hole 434 defined to be in communication with the exhaust hole 232 and into which the hot air is introduced, and a second inflow hole 435 defined to be in communication with the steam hole 233 and into which the steam is introduced.

[0292] The first inflow hole 434 may have the same area size as the exhaust hole 232 and the second inflow hole 435 may have the same area size as the steam hole 233 to prevent the steam or hot air from being unnecessarily discharged to the outside.

[0293] The internal duct 430 may further include a separation rib 436 that separate the first inflow hole 434 and the second inflow hole 435 from each other.

[0294] FIG. 19 illustrates detailed structures of a coupling portion, a lid, and a hat fixer of the hat treating apparatus.

[0295] The coupling portion 440 may include a coupling spring 441 that is disposed in at least one of the body 410 and 430 and the cover 420 so as to be compressible by a user, and a coupling hook 442 connected to the coupling spring 441 to be selectively coupled to the through-holes 230. When the coupling spring 441 is compressed by the user, the coupling hook 442 may be separated from the through-holes 230.

[0296] The coupling spring 441 may be compressed in a width direction. Accordingly, when the user applies a pressure from the outside of the coupling spring 441, a length of the coupling spring 441 in the width direction may be reduced. Accordingly, because the coupling hook 442 connected to the coupling spring 441 becomes smaller than a width of the through-holes 230, the coupling hook 442 may be separated from the through-holes 230.

[0297] In this regard, the coupling hook 442 may be coupled to the exhaust holes 232, and the number of coupling hooks may be equal to the number of exhaust holes 232.

[0298] The coupling portion 440 may further include a coupling cover 443 that shields a portion of the coupling spring 441.

[0299] In one example, the lid 450 may be movably disposed in the supporter 410 to selectively shield the cover communication hole 421. The lid 450 may include a lid body 451 that shields the cover communication hole 421, and a lid fixer 452 connected to the lid body 451 and movable in the supporter 410. A width of the lid body 451 in a horizontal direction may be equal to a width of the supporter 410 in the horizontal direction. An area size of the lid body 451 may be greater than that of the cover communication hole 421.

[0300] The lid 450 may include a fixer rib 4521 extending from the lid fixer 452 and movable in the supporter 410. The fixer rib 4521 may be movable along a guide rail 415 to be described later, and may be coupled to the guide rail 415.

[0301] In one example, the hat fixer 460 may expand in volume by hot air or steam introduced into the hat from the body 410 and 430.

[0302] The hat fixer 460 may include a fixer body 461 that supports the hat and has a volume changing based on an amount of hot air or steam introduced from the body 410 and 430, and a fixer communication hole 462 defined in the fixer body to supply the hot air or steam into the hat. Accordingly, regardless of the size or the shape of the hat, steam or hot air may be supplied into the hat to sterilize the same.

[0303] Specifically, the steam or hot air may be generated in the machine room 300 and introduced into the internal duct 430 via the through-holes 230, and the introduced steam or hot air may flow from the inside of the fixer body 461 to the outside, that is, into the hat via the fixer communication hole 462. Accordingly, the hat treating apparatus 400 may sterilize the inside of the hat using the steam or hot air generated in the machine room 300.

[0304] FIG. 20 illustrates a structure in which the hat treating apparatus is coupled to the inner casing.

[0305] FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the hat treating apparatus 400 coupled to the through-holes 230.

[0306] The internal duct 430 may include the inflow holes 434 and 435 defined to be in communication with the through-holes 230 to introduce the hot air or steam discharged from the through-holes 230 thereinto. The inflow holes 434 and 435 may include the first inflow hole 434 defined to be in communication with the exhaust hole 232 and into which the hot air is introduced, and the second inflow hole 435 defined to be in communication with the steam hole 233 and into which the steam is introduced.

[0307] The coupling portion 440 may include the coupling spring 441 that is disposed in at least one of the body 410 and 430 and the cover 420 so as to be compressible by the user, and the coupling hook 442 connected to the coupling spring 441 to be selectively coupled to the through-holes 230. When the coupling spring 441 is compressed by the user, the coupling hook 442 may be separated from the through-holes 230.

[0308] The coupling spring 441 may be compressed in the width direction. Accordingly, when the user applies the pressure from the outside of the coupling spring 441, the length of the coupling spring 441 in the width direction may be reduced. Accordingly, because the coupling hook 442 connected to the coupling spring 441 becomes smaller than the width of the through-holes 230, the coupling hook 442 may be separated from the through-holes 230.

[0309] In this regard, the coupling hook 442 may be coupled to the exhaust hole 232, and the number of coupling hooks may be equal to the number of exhaust holes 232.

[0310] FIG. 21 illustrates a detailed structure of the lid.

[0311] FIG. 21 is a side view of the hat treating apparatus 400.

[0312] The supporter 410 may include the supporter body 411 supporting the internal duct 230 and the guide rail 415 formed by protruding a portion of the supporter body 411, and the guide rail 415 may guide the movement of the lid 450.

[0313] The guide rail 415 may be disposed along a front and rear direction of the inner casing 200. Accordingly, the lid 450 may be moved in the front and rear direction of the inner casing 200.

[0314] In one example, the lid 450 may be movably disposed in the supporter 410 to selectively shield the cover communication hole 421. The lid 450 may include the lid body 451 that shields the cover communication hole 421, and the lid fixer 452 connected to the lid body 451 and movable in the supporter 410. The width of the lid body 451 in the horizontal direction may be equal to the width of the supporter 410 in the horizontal direction. The area size of the lid body 451 may be greater than that of the cover communication hole 421.

[0315] The lid 450 may include the fixer rib 4521 extending from the lid fixer 452 and movably disposed in the supporter 410. The fixer rib 4521 may be movable along the guide rail 415 and may be coupled to the guide rail 415.

[0316] FIG. 22 illustrates a movement process of the lid.

[0317] The hat fixer 460 may be fixed to the cover 420 and expand in volume as the hot air or steam is introduced thereinto, thereby being exposed to the outside of the cover 420.

[0318] Referring to (a) in FIG. 22, the lid 450 may shield a portion of the cover 420. The lid 450 may shield the cover communication hole 421 to which the hat fixer 460 is fixed. Accordingly, when the user does not use the hat treating apparatus 400, the hat fixer 460 may be protected.

[0319] Referring to (b) in FIG. 22, the lid 450 may move along the guide rail 415 and open the cover communication hole 421. A space in which the volume of the hat fixer 460 is to be expanded may be secured.

[0320] Referring to FIG. (c) in FIG. 22, before the steam or hot air is introduced into the internal duct 430 via the through-holes 230, the user may place the hat on the cover 420. When the steam or hot air is introduced into the internal duct 430, the hat fixer 460 may expand in volume to support the inside of the hat, and the steam or hot air may be introduced into the hat via the fixer communication hole 462 to sterilize the hat.

[0321] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the hat treating apparatus when the hat treating apparatus is stored on an inner surface of the inner casing.

[0322] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the hat treating apparatus 400 taken along a height direction of the inner casing 200.

[0323] In one example, the user may selectively use the hat treating apparatus 400 by mounting or separating the same in or from the inner casing 200, that is, the through-holes 230.

[0324] Therefore, when not using the hat treating apparatus 400, the user may separate the hat treating apparatus 400 from the inner casing 200, that is, the through-holes 230 and store the same.

[0325] To this end, a storage hanger 240 protruding from the inner surface of the inner casing 200 and on which the hat treating apparatus 400 is seated may be further included. The storage hanger 240 may be disposed anywhere on one surface of the inner casing 200.

[0326] Accordingly, the user may store the hat treating apparatus 400 inside the inner casing 200 without having to store the same separately, thereby increasing user convenience.

[0327] According to an embodiment, the hat treating apparatus 400 may be stored by being seated on the storage hanger 240.

[0328] The storage hanger 240 may include a plurality of storage hangers to more stably seat the hat treating apparatus 400 thereon.

[0329] For storing the hat treating apparatus 400 in the inner casing 200 when not in use, the supporter 410 of the hat treating apparatus 400 may further include a storage hook 417 that is formed by recessing the supporter bottom surface 412 and is seated on the storage hanger 240 may be further included.

[0330] The hat treating apparatus 400 may be seated on the storage hanger 240 such that the coupling portion 440 is located at a lower portion thereof.

Claims

1. A laundry treating apparatus comprising: a cabinet; an inner casing disposed inside the cabinet and providing an accommodation space where laundry is accommodated; a machine room in communication with the inner casing, wherein the machine room includes a heater configured to generate steam supplied to the inner casing and a compressor configured to generate hot air supplied to the inner casing; a through-hole defined to extend through the inner casing so as to be in communication with the machine room, wherein the through-hole is constructed to introduce hot air and steam generated in the machine room into the inner casing; and a hat treating apparatus disposed inside the inner casing so as to be in communication with the through-hole, wherein the hat treating apparatus is configured to supply hot air or steam to a hat, wherein the hat treating apparatus is configured to include: a body in communication with the through-hole and providing a space where hot air or steam flows; and a hat fixer in communication with the body and constructed to support an inside of the hat, wherein the hat fixer is constructed to discharge hot air or steam to the hat.

2. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hat fixer is configured to be constructed to expand in volume inside the hat by hot air or steam introduced from the body.

3. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hat fixer is configured to include: a fixer body constructed to support the hat and having a volume variable based on an amount of hot air or steam introduced from the body; and a fixer communication hole defined in the fixer body and constructed to supply hot air or steam into the hat.

4. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further is configured to include an internal duct in communication with the through-hole and the hat fixer and is configured to guide hot air or steam to flow to the hat fixer.

5. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 4, wherein the internal duct is configured to include an inflow hole defined to be in communication with the through-hole and is configured to introduce hot air or steam discharged from the through-hole thereinto.

6. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 4, wherein the body further is configured to include a supporter seated on a bottom surface of the inner casing and supporting the internal duct.

7. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 6, wherein the supporter is configured to include: a supporter bottom surface forming a bottom surface of the supporter; and a supporter leg rotatably disposed on the supporter bottom surface and seated on the bottom surface of the inner casing.

8. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 7, wherein the supporter leg is configured to be withdrawable from the supporter bottom surface toward the bottom surface of the inner casing.

9. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a cover disposed on top of the body and where the hat is configured to be seated, wherein the cover is configured to include a cover communication hole defined through a portion of the cover and is configured to allow the internal duct to be in communication with the hat fixer, wherein the laundry treating apparatus further is configured to include a lid movably disposed on the body and is configured to selectively shield the cover communication hole.

10. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the body is configured to include: a supporter body supporting the internal duct; and a guide rail formed by protruding a portion of the supporter body, wherein the guide rail is is configured to guide a movement of the lid.

11. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is configured to be selectively coupled to or separated from the through-hole, so that the hat treating apparatus is configured to be detachable from the inner casing.

12. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a coupling portion extending through the body is configured to couple the body to the through-hole.

13. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 12, wherein the coupling portion is configured to include: a coupling spring disposed in the body so as to be compressible by a user; and a coupling hook connected to the coupling spring and selectively coupled to the through-hole, wherein the coupling hook is configured to be separated from the through-hole when the coupling spring is compressed.

14. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a storage hanger protruding from an inner surface of the inner casing and where the hat treating apparatus is configured to be seated.

15. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 14, wherein the hat treating apparatus further is configured to include a storage hook formed by recessing the body and seated on the storage hanger.

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