Clothes treatment apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a clothes laundry treating apparatus. The clothes laundry treating apparatus includes a treatment chamber where clothes hung on a clothes hanger are accommodated, a clothes hanger support located in the treatment chamber to support the clothes hanger, wherein the clothes hanger support repeats a reciprocating motion between a first position and a second position, a driver that provides an operating force for the clothes hanger support to reciprocate, a moisture removal module that removes moisture from air in the treatment chamber, and a controller that controls the driver and controls a frequency of the reciprocating motion of the clothes hanger support, and the clothes laundry treating apparatus includes a first motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger support is maintained at a reference frequency, and a second motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger varies in a frequency range equal to or lower than the reference frequency.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clothes laundry treating apparatus.[Background]

[0002] In general, a clothes laundry treating apparatus is an apparatus that performs various tasks related to laundry (washing, drying, deodorizing, removing wrinkles, and the like), and is a concept that includes a washing machine that washes the laundry, a drying machine that dries the wet laundry, a refresher for removing odors or wrinkles from the laundry.

[0003] Recently, a clothes laundry treating apparatus, which treats clothes by hanging the clothes inside a cabinet, has become popular. Such clothes laundry treating apparatus is a home appliance that refreshes or sterilizes the clothes by supplying hot air, cold air, steam, or the like to the clothes. The clothes laundry treating apparatus may also be used when removing fine dust or drying the clothes that got wet in rain. For this reason, such clothes laundry treating apparatus may be referred to by various terms such as a refresher, a styler, a clothes purifier, a clothes care machine, and the like.

[0004] In particular, to remove the fine dust, remove the wrinkles, and dry the clothes better, the clothes care machine may include a clothes hanger support that may shake the entire clothes. That is, the clothes hanger support where the clothes are hung may include a hanger module that may reciprocate in a certain direction.

[0005] Korean Patent No. 10-1285890 (Prior Art Document 1) and Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2022-0031332 (Prior Art Document 2) disclose a hanger module that may reciprocate. Referring to prior literatures, a driver that may reciprocate a hanger bar on which a clothes hanger where clothes are hung is suspended to remove wrinkles and remove dust adhering to the clothes is disclosed.[Summary][Technical Problem]

[0006] The present disclosure is to provide a clothes laundry treating apparatus that may effectively treat clothes.

[0007] The present disclosure is to improve a wrinkle removal performance in a section of increasing a moisture content of clothes and removing wrinkles of the clothes.

[0008] The present disclosure is to improve drying uniformity of clothes when drying various types of clothes made of various materials in a section of reducing a moisture content of the clothes and drying the clothes.

[0009] The present disclosure is to improve drying uniformity of clothes and prevent damage to the clothes in a section of reducing a moisture content of the clothes and drying the clothes.

[0010] The present disclosure is to provide a frequency to effectively treat clothes in refreshing the clothes by vibrating the same.

[0011] Problems that the present disclosure is to solve are not limited by as described above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from a description below.[Technical Solutions]

[0012] The present disclosure provides a clothes laundry treating apparatus. The clothes laundry treating apparatus includes a treatment chamber where clothes hung on a clothes hanger are accommodated, a clothes hanger support located in the treatment chamber to support the clothes hanger, wherein the clothes hanger support repeats a reciprocating motion between a first position and a second position, a driver that provides an operating force for the clothes hanger support to reciprocate, a moisture removal module that removes moisture from air in the treatment chamber, and a controller that controls the driver and controls a frequency of the reciprocating motion of the clothes hanger support, and the clothes laundry treating apparatus includes a first motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger support is maintained at a reference frequency, and a second motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger varies in a frequency range equal to or lower than the reference frequency.

[0013] In an embodiment, the second motion mode may operate in a stroke of reducing the moisture content of the clothes.

[0014] In an embodiment, in a behavior of a sample hung on the clothes hanger, a shape of the sample when the sample is biased to one side may be defined as a first waveform, a shape of the sample when the sample is biased to the other side may be defined as a second waveform, and the reference frequency may be selected from a frequency range where two overlap points of the first waveform and the second waveform occur.

[0015] In an embodiment, the sample may be a cotton fabric having a width of 20cm and a length of 90cm and having a weight in a range of 140g / m 2< to 160g / m 2< .

[0016] In an embodiment, while the clothes hanger support reciprocates between the first position and the second position, the clothes hanger may reciprocate with one end and the other end thereof drawing an arc with respect to a central axis.

[0017] In an embodiment, the reference frequency may be selected from a range of 200rpm to 250rpm.

[0018] In an embodiment, the second motion mode may operate such that the frequency varies in a frequency range equal to or higher than a minimum frequency and equal to or lower than the reference frequency.

[0019] In an embodiment, the minimum frequency may be a frequency equal to or greater than 40% of the reference frequency.

[0020] In an embodiment, one cycle where the frequency varies in the second motion mode may be in a range of 20 seconds to 1 minute.

[0021] In an embodiment, during the one cycle in the second motion mode, the frequency may vary among a first frequency equal to or higher than the minimum frequency, a second frequency higher than the first frequency, and a third frequency higher than the second frequency and equal to or lower than the first frequency, and the one cycle may include a first section where the frequency varies from the first frequency to the third frequency during a first time period, and a second section where the frequency varies from the third frequency to the first frequency during a second time period shorter than the first time period.

[0022] In an embodiment, when a shape of the clothes when the clothes hung on the clothes hanger vibrate and are biased to one side is defined as a first waveform and a shape of the clothes when the clothes are biased to the other side is defined as a second waveform, in the second motion mode, a position of an overlap point of the first waveform and the second waveform may vary.

[0023] In an embodiment, the clothes laundry treating apparatus may perform a drying stroke of reducing a moisture content of the clothes as the moisture removal module operates to remove moisture from air in the treatment chamber, the clothes laundry treating apparatus may provide a plurality of clothes treatment courses including the drying stroke, and the plurality of clothes treatment courses may include a first treatment course of operating the clothes hanger support in the first motion mode while the drying stroke is performed, and a second treatment course of operating the clothes hanger support in the second motion mode while the drying stroke is performed.

[0024] In an embodiment, the clothes laundry treating apparatus may further include a steam supply that generates steam and supplies generated steam to the treatment chamber, the first treatment course may further include a steam stroke performed before the drying stroke is performed, wherein the steam stroke increases a moisture content by supplying steam to the clothes, and the clothes hanger support may move at a frequency higher than the reference frequency while the steam stroke is performed.

[0025] In an embodiment, the clothes laundry treating apparatus may further include a third motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger support varies in a frequency range equal to or higher than the reference frequency, and the clothes hanger support may operate in the third motion mode while the steam stroke is performed in the first treatment course.

[0026] In an embodiment, one cycle where the frequency varies in the third motion mode may be in a range of 20 seconds to 1 minute, during the one cycle in the third motion mode, the frequency may vary among a fourth frequency equal to or higher than the reference frequency, a fifth frequency higher than the fourth frequency, and a sixth frequency higher than the fifth frequency and equal to or lower than a maximum frequency, and the one cycle may include a first section where the frequency varies from the fourth frequency to the sixth frequency during a first time period, and a second section where the frequency varies from the sixth frequency to the fourth frequency during a second time period shorter than the first time period.

[0027] In an embodiment, an amplitude corresponding to a displacement based on the reciprocating motion of the clothes hanger support may be uniform in the first motion mode and the second motion mode.

[0028] In an embodiment, the clothes laundry treating apparatus may further include a steam supply that generates steam and supplies generated steam to the treatment chamber, the clothes laundry treating apparatus may include a steam stroke of increasing a moisture content of the clothes as the steam supply operates to supply steam to the clothes with steam supplied to the treatment chamber, and the clothes laundry treating apparatus may operate the third motion mode after the steam supply by the steam supply is stopped.

[0029] In an embodiment, the clothes laundry treating apparatus may further include a circulation fan that circulates air in the treatment chamber, and may operate the third motion mode while circulating air in the treatment chamber by operating the circulation fan.

[0030] In an embodiment, the clothes laundry treating apparatus may further include a steam supply that generates steam and supplies generated steam to the treatment chamber, the clothes laundry treating apparatus may include a steam stroke of increasing a moisture content of the clothes as the steam supply operates to supply steam to the clothes with steam supplied to the treatment chamber, and the clothes laundry treating apparatus may operate a third motion mode while circulating air in the treatment chamber by operating the circulation fan after the steam supply by the steam supply is stopped.

[0031] The present disclosure provides a hanger module. The hanger module includes a clothes hanger support supporting a clothes hanger, wherein the clothes hanger support repeats a reciprocating motion between a first position and a second position, a driver that provides an operating force for the clothes hanger support to reciprocate, and a controller that controls the driver and controls a frequency of the reciprocating motion of the clothes hanger support, and the hanger module includes a first motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger support is maintained at a reference frequency, and a third motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger varies in a frequency range equal to or lower than the reference frequency.

[0032] In an embodiment, the hanger module may operate in the third motion mode of reducing the moisture content of the clothes.

[0033] In an embodiment, in the hanger module, in a behavior of a sample hung on the clothes hanger, a shape of the sample when the sample is biased to one side may be defined as a first waveform, a shape of the sample when the sample is biased to the other side may be defined as a second waveform, and the reference frequency may be selected from a frequency range where two overlap points of the first waveform and the second waveform occur.

[0034] In an embodiment, the sample may be a cotton fabric having a width of 20cm and a length of 90cm and having a weight in a range of 140g / m 2< to 160g / m 2< .

[0035] In an embodiment, in the hanger module, while the clothes hanger support reciprocates between the first position and the second position, the clothes hanger may reciprocate with one end and the other end thereof drawing an arc with respect to a central axis.

[0036] In an embodiment, the reference frequency may be selected from a range of 200rpm to 250rpm.

[0037] In an embodiment, the third motion mode may operate such that the frequency varies in a frequency range equal to or higher than a minimum frequency and equal to or lower than the reference frequency.

[0038] In an embodiment, the minimum frequency may be a frequency equal to or greater than 40% of the reference frequency.

[0039] In an embodiment, one cycle where the frequency varies in the second motion mode may be in a range of 20 seconds to 1 minute.

[0040] In an embodiment, during the one cycle in the second motion mode, the frequency may vary among a first frequency equal to or higher than the minimum frequency, a second frequency higher than the first frequency, and a third frequency higher than the second frequency and equal to or lower than the first frequency, and the one cycle may include a first section where the frequency varies from the first frequency to the third frequency during a first time period, and a second section where the frequency varies from the third frequency to the first frequency during a second time period shorter than the first time period.

[0041] In an embodiment, when a shape of the clothes when the clothes hung on the clothes hanger vibrate and are biased to one side is defined as a first waveform and a shape of the clothes when the clothes are biased to the other side is defined as a second waveform, in the second motion mode, a position of an overlap point of the first waveform and the second waveform may vary.

[0042] The clothes laundry treating apparatus includes a treatment chamber where clothes hung on a clothes hanger are accommodated, a clothes hanger support located in the treatment chamber to support the clothes hanger, wherein the clothes hanger support repeats a reciprocating motion between a first position and a second position, a driver that provides an operating force for the clothes hanger support to reciprocate, a heat exchanger that removes moisture from air in the treatment chamber, a steam supply that generates steam and supplies generated steam to the treatment chamber, and a controller that controls the driver and controls a frequency of the reciprocating motion of the clothes hanger support, and the clothes laundry treating apparatus includes a first motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger support is maintained at a reference frequency, and a fourth motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger varies in a frequency range equal to or higher than the reference frequency.

[0043] In an embodiment, the fourth motion mode may operate in a stroke of increasing the moisture content of the clothes.

[0044] In an embodiment, in a behavior of a sample hung on the clothes hanger, a shape of the sample when the sample is biased to one side may be defined as a first waveform, a shape of the sample when the sample is biased to the other side may be defined as a second waveform, and the reference frequency may be selected from a frequency range where two overlap points of the first waveform and the second waveform occur.

[0045] In an embodiment, the sample may be a cotton fabric having a width of 20cm and a length of 90cm and having a weight in a range of 140g / m 2< to 160g / m 2< .

[0046] In an embodiment, while the clothes hanger support reciprocates between the first position and the second position, the clothes hanger may reciprocate with one end and the other end thereof drawing an arc with respect to a central axis.

[0047] In an embodiment, the reference frequency may be selected from a range of 200rpm to 250rpm.

[0048] In an embodiment, the fourth motion mode may operate such that the frequency varies in a frequency range equal to or higher than the reference frequency and equal to or lower than a maximum frequency.

[0049] In an embodiment, the maximum frequency may be a frequency generated by a maximum output of the driver.

[0050] In an embodiment, one cycle where the frequency varies in the fourth motion mode may be in a range of 20 seconds to 1 minute.

[0051] In an embodiment, during the one cycle in the fourth motion mode, the frequency may vary among a first frequency equal to or higher than the reference frequency, a second frequency higher than the first frequency, and a third frequency equal to or higher than the second frequency and equal to or lower than a maximum frequency, and the one cycle may include a first section where the frequency varies from the first frequency to the third frequency during a first time period, and a second section where the frequency varies from the third frequency to the first frequency during a second time period shorter than the first time period.

[0052] In an embodiment, when a shape of the clothes when the clothes hung on the clothes hanger vibrate and are biased to one side is defined as a first waveform and a shape of the clothes when the clothes are biased to the other side is defined as a second waveform, in the fourth motion mode, a position of an overlap point of the first waveform and the second waveform may vary.

[0053] In an embodiment, the clothes laundry treating apparatus may perform a steam stroke of increasing a moisture content of the clothes as the steam supply operates to supply moisture to air in the treatment chamber, the clothes laundry treating apparatus may provide the plurality of clothes treatment courses including the steam stroke, and the plurality of clothes treatment courses may include a first treatment course of operating the clothes hanger support in the fourth motion mode while the steam stroke is performed, and a second treatment course of operating the clothes hanger support at a frequency lower than the reference frequency while the steam stroke is performed.

[0054] In an embodiment, the first treatment course may further include a drying stroke performed after the steam stroke is performed, wherein the drying stroke reduces a moisture content of the clothes, and the clothes hanger support may move at a frequency equal to or lower than the reference frequency while the drying stroke is performed.

[0055] In an embodiment, the clothes laundry treating apparatus may further include a third motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger support varies in a frequency range equal to or lower than the reference frequency, and the clothes hanger support may operate in the third motion mode while the drying stroke is performed in the first treatment course.

[0056] In an embodiment, one cycle where the frequency varies in the third motion mode may be in a range of 20 seconds to 1 minute, during the one cycle in the third motion mode, the frequency may vary among a fourth frequency equal to or higher than the reference frequency, a fifth frequency higher than the fourth frequency, and a sixth frequency higher than the fifth frequency and equal to or lower than a maximum frequency, and the one cycle may include a first section where the frequency varies from the fourth frequency to the sixth frequency during a first time period, and a second section where the frequency varies from the sixth frequency to the fourth frequency during a second time period shorter than the first time period.

[0057] In an embodiment, an amplitude corresponding to a displacement based on the reciprocating motion of the clothes hanger support may be uniform in the first motion mode, the fourth motion mode, and the third motion mode.

[0058] The present disclosure provides a hanger module. The hanger module includes a clothes hanger support supporting a clothes hanger, wherein the clothes hanger support repeats a reciprocating motion between a first position and a second position, a driver that provides an operating force for the clothes hanger support to reciprocate, and a controller that controls the driver and controls a frequency of the reciprocating motion of the clothes hanger support, and the hanger module includes a first motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger support is maintained at a reference frequency, and a fourth motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger varies in a frequency range equal to or higher than the reference frequency.

[0059] In an embodiment, the fourth motion mode may operate in a stroke of increasing the moisture content of the clothes.

[0060] In an embodiment, in a behavior of a sample hung on the clothes hanger, a shape of the sample when the sample is biased to one side may be defined as a first waveform, a shape of the sample when the sample is biased to the other side may be defined as a second waveform, and the reference frequency may be selected from a frequency range where two overlap points of the first waveform and the second waveform occur.

[0061] In an embodiment, the sample may be a cotton fabric having a width of 20cm and a length of 90cm and having a weight in a range of 140g / m 2< to 160g / m 2< .

[0062] In an embodiment, while the clothes hanger support reciprocates between the first position and the second position, the clothes hanger may reciprocate with one end and the other end thereof drawing an arc with respect to a central axis.

[0063] In an embodiment, the reference frequency may be selected from a range of 200rpm to 250rpm.

[0064] In an embodiment, the fourth motion mode may operate such that the frequency varies in a frequency range equal to or higher than the reference frequency and equal to or lower than a maximum frequency.

[0065] In an embodiment, the maximum frequency may be a frequency generated by a maximum output of the driver.

[0066] In an embodiment, one cycle where the frequency varies in the fourth motion mode may be in a range of 20 seconds to 1 minute.

[0067] In an embodiment, during the one cycle in the fourth motion mode, the frequency may vary among a first frequency equal to or higher than the reference frequency, a second frequency higher than the first frequency, and a third frequency equal to or higher than the second frequency and equal to or lower than a maximum frequency, and the one cycle may include a first section where the frequency varies from the first frequency to the third frequency during a first time period, and a second section where the frequency varies from the third frequency to the first frequency during a second time period shorter than the first time period.

[0068] In an embodiment, when a shape of the clothes when the clothes hung on the clothes hanger vibrate and are biased to one side is defined as a first waveform and a shape of the clothes when the clothes are biased to the other side is defined as a second waveform, in the fourth motion mode, a position of an overlap point of the first waveform and the second waveform may vary.

[0069] The present disclosure provides a clothes laundry treating apparatus. The clothes laundry treating apparatus includes a treatment chamber where clothes hung on a clothes hanger are accommodated, a clothes hanger support located in the treatment chamber to support the clothes hanger, wherein the clothes hanger support repeats a reciprocating motion between a first position and a second position, a driver that provides an operating force for the clothes hanger support to reciprocate, a moisture removal module that removes moisture from air in the treatment chamber, a steam supply that generates steam and supplies generated steam to the treatment chamber, and a controller that controls the driver and controls a frequency of the reciprocating motion of the clothes hanger support, the clothes laundry treating apparatus performs a steam stroke of increasing a moisture content of the clothes as the steam supply operates to supply moisture to air in the treatment chamber, and a drying stroke of reducing the moisture content of the clothes as the heat exchanger operates, the clothes laundry treating apparatus includes a first motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger support is maintained at a reference frequency, and a fourth motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger varies in a frequency range equal to or higher than the reference frequency, a plurality of clothes treatment courses including one or more of the steam stroke and the drying stroke are provided, a first treatment course, one of the plurality of clothes treatment courses, includes the steam stroke and the drying stroke performed after the steam stroke, and the first treatment course includes operating the clothes hanger support in the fourth motion mode while the steam stroke is performed, and operating the clothes hanger support in the first motion mode while the drying stroke is performed.

[0070] In an embodiment, in a behavior of a sample hung on the clothes hanger, a shape of the sample when the sample is biased to one side may be defined as a first waveform, a shape of the sample when the sample is biased to the other side may be defined as a second waveform, and the reference frequency may be selected from a frequency range where two overlap points of the first waveform and the second waveform occur.

[0071] In an embodiment, the sample may be a cotton fabric having a width of 20cm and a length of 90cm and having a weight in a range of 140g / m 2< to 160g / m 2< .

[0072] In an embodiment, while the clothes hanger support reciprocates between the first position and the second position, the clothes hanger may reciprocate with one end and the other end thereof drawing an arc with respect to a central axis.

[0073] In an embodiment, the reference frequency may be selected from a range of 200rpm to 250rpm.

[0074] In an embodiment, the fourth motion mode may operate such that the frequency varies in a frequency range equal to or higher than the reference frequency and equal to or lower than a maximum frequency.

[0075] In an embodiment, the maximum frequency may be a frequency generated by a maximum output of the driver.

[0076] In an embodiment, one cycle where the frequency varies in the fourth motion mode may be in a range of 20 seconds to 1 minute.

[0077] In an embodiment, during the one cycle in the fourth motion mode, the frequency may vary among a first frequency equal to or higher than the reference frequency, a second frequency higher than the first frequency, and a third frequency equal to or higher than the second frequency and equal to or lower than a maximum frequency, and the one cycle may include a first section where the frequency varies from the first frequency to the third frequency during a first time period, and a second section where the frequency varies from the third frequency to the first frequency during a second time period shorter than the first time period.

[0078] In an embodiment, when a shape of the clothes when the clothes hung on the clothes hanger vibrate and are biased to one side is defined as a first waveform and a shape of the clothes when the clothes are biased to the other side is defined as a second waveform, in the fourth motion mode, a position of an overlap point of the first waveform and the second waveform may vary.

[0079] In an embodiment, the clothes laundry treating apparatus may further include a pre-steam stroke performed before the steam stroke is performed, wherein the pre-steam stroke performs an operation of dusting the clothes while the steam supply generates steam for the steam stroke, and a second motion mode operating to maintain the frequency of the clothes hanger support at a maximum frequency, and the first treatment course may operate the clothes hanger support in the second motion mode while the pre-steam stroke is performed.

[0080] In an embodiment, the clothes laundry treating apparatus may further include a stay stroke performed after the steam stroke, wherein the stay stroke stops supplying steam and maintains the heat exchanger in a non-operating state, and the first treatment course may operate the clothes hanger support in the second motion mode while the pre-steam stroke is performed.

[0081] In an embodiment, a second treatment course, one of the plurality of clothes treatment courses, may include the steam stroke and the drying stroke performed after the steam stroke, and the second treatment course may include operating the clothes hanger support at a frequency lower than the reference frequency while the steam stroke is performed, and operating the clothes hanger support at a frequency lower than the reference frequency while the drying stroke is performed.

[0082] In an embodiment, the clothes laundry treating apparatus may further include a third motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger support varies in a frequency range equal to or lower than the reference frequency, and the clothes hanger support may operate in the third motion mode while the drying stroke is performed in the second treatment course.

[0083] In an embodiment, the clothes laundry treating apparatus may further include a third motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger support varies in a frequency range equal to or lower than the reference frequency, and a third treatment course, one of the plurality of clothes treatment courses, may include the drying stroke, and the clothes hanger support may operate in the third motion mode while the drying stroke is performed in the third treatment course.

[0084] In an embodiment, one cycle where the frequency varies in the third motion mode may be in a range of 20 seconds to 1 minute, during the one cycle in the third motion mode, the frequency may vary among a fourth frequency equal to or higher than the reference frequency, a fifth frequency higher than the fourth frequency, and a sixth frequency higher than the fifth frequency and equal to or lower than a maximum frequency, and the one cycle may include a first section where the frequency varies from the fourth frequency to the sixth frequency during a first time period, and a second section where the frequency varies from the sixth frequency to the fourth frequency during a second time period shorter than the first time period.

[0085] In an embodiment, an amplitude corresponding to a displacement based on the reciprocating motion of the clothes hanger support may be uniform in the first motion mode, the fourth motion mode, a second motion mode, and the third motion mode.[Advantageous Effects]

[0086] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the clothes may be effectively treated.

[0087] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the great wrinkle removal performance may be obtained in the section of increasing the moisture content of the clothes and removing the wrinkles of the clothes.

[0088] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the high drying uniformity of the clothes may be obtained when drying the various types of clothes made of the various materials in the section of reducing the moisture content of the clothes and drying the clothes.

[0089] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the drying uniformity of the clothes may be improved, but the damage to the clothes may be minimized in the section of reducing the moisture content of the clothes and drying the clothes.

[0090] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the clothes may be effectively treated in refreshing the clothes by vibrating the same.

[0091] Effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the present document and the accompanying drawings to which the present disclosure pertains.[Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0092] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of a clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the door 20 of the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 is opened, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hanger module 100 according to a first embodiment of reciprocating the clothes hanger 900. FIG. 4 shows an operation scheme of the hanger module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the hanger module 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 shows the hanger module 100 according to the first embodiment separated from the inner casing 30. FIG. 7 shows a coupled structure of a driver and a displacement generator. FIG. 8 shows an exploded perspective view of the hanger module 100 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 9 shows an operation scheme of the hanger module 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an additional diagram to illustrate a process in which the reciprocating rotation converter 500 rotates in the reciprocating manner. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically expressing a movement of the clothes hanger 900 by the hanger module 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 shows a hanger module 100' in a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 shows a structure in which the support bar 120' of the hanger module 100' according to the second embodiment moves left and right. FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically expressing a movement of the clothes hanger 900 by the hanger module 100' according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram for illustrating a range of frequency defined to be a reference frequency, and shows a record of a lateral behavior of a sample M. FIG. 16 shows the behavior of the sample M based on the frequency. FIG. 17 shows behaviors of a hemp sample, a cotton sample, and a silk sample as a result of being excited at a reference frequency. FIG. 18 shows behaviors of a hemp sample, a cotton sample, and a silk sample as a result of being excited at a low frequency that is equal to or lower than a reference frequency. FIG. 19 is a chart showing a frequency applied to clothes by the hanger modules 100 and 100'. With reference to FIG. 20, six motion modes provided by the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 21 is a graph illustrating frequency variation of a third motion mode. FIG. 22 is a graph illustrating frequency variation of a fourth motion mode. FIG. 23 is a chart illustrating an operation state of each component for each stroke according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 24 is a chart showing an embodiment of a treatment course provided by the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 and a motion mode of a hanger module for each stroke. FIG. 25 is a chart showing an embodiment of a treatment course of the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 and a motion mode of a hanger module for each drying stroke. FIG. 26 is an embodiment of a machine room of the clothes laundry treating apparatus [Best Mode]

[0093] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. A configuration of a device or a method for controlling the same to be described below is only for describing an embodiment of the present disclosure, not for limiting the scope of the present disclosure, and reference numerals used the same herein refer to the same components.

[0094] Specific terms used herein are only for convenience of description and are not used as a limitation of the illustrated embodiment.

[0095] For example, expressions indicating that things are in the same state, such as "same", "equal", "homogeneous", and the like, not only indicate strictly the same state, but also indicate a state in which a tolerance or a difference in a degree to which the same function is obtained exists.

[0096] In addition, it will be understood that when a component is referred to as being 'connected to' or 'coupled to' another component herein, it may be directly connected to or coupled to the other component, or one or more intervening components may be present. On the other hand, it will be understood that when a component is referred to as being 'directly connected to' or 'directly coupled to' another component herein, there are no other intervening components.

[0097] It should be understood that the terms 'comprises', 'comprising', 'includes', and 'including' when used herein, specify the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described herein, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, or combinations thereof.

[0098] For example, expressions indicating a relative or absolute arrangement such as "in a certain direction", "along a certain direction", "parallel", "orthogonal", "central", "concentric", "coaxial", or the like not only strictly indicate such arrangement, but also indicate a state in which a relative displacement is achieved with a tolerance, or an angle or a distance that achieves the same function.

[0099] In order to describe the present disclosure, the description below will be achieved on the basis of a spatial orthogonal coordinate system with an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis orthogonal to each other. Each axial direction (an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction, or a Z-axis direction) means both directions in which each axis extends. Adding a '+' sign in front of each axial direction (a +X-axis direction, a +Y-axis direction, or a +Z-axis direction) means a positive direction, which is one of the two directions in which each axis extends. Adding a '-' sign in front of each axial direction (a -X-axis direction, a -Y-axis direction, or a - Z-axis direction) means a negative direction, which is the other of the two directions in which each axis extends.

[0100] Expressions referring to directions such as "front (+Y) / rear (-Y) / left (+X) / right (-X) / up (+Z) / down (-Z)" to be mentioned below are defined based on a XYZ coordinate axis. However, this is to describe the present disclosure such that the present disclosure may be clearly understood. In one example, each direction may be defined differently depending on the standard.

[0101] The use of terms such as 'first, second, third' in front of the components to be mentioned below is only to avoid confusion of the components referred to, and is independent of the order, importance, or master-slave relationship between the components. For example, an invention including only the second component without the first component may also be implemented.

[0102] Singular expressions used herein include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0103] In addition, herein, the term 'and / or' includes a combination of a plurality of listed items or any of the plurality of listed items. Herein, 'A or B' may include 'A', 'B', or 'both A and B'.

[0104] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of a clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the outer appearance of the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment will be described.

[0105] A cabinet 10 forms the outer appearance of the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1. The cabinet 10 may have a height that is greater than a width (a width in a left and right direction) and a thickness (a width in a front and rear direction).

[0106] A door 20 is located at a front side of the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1. The door 20 is coupled to the cabinet 10 from the front. In an embodiment, the door 20 is coupled to the cabinet 10. The door 20 may be provided as a hinged door. The door 20 may be hinge-coupled to the cabinet 10. The door 20 may pivot around the hinge<State in which treatment chamber 35 is open by opening door 20>

[0107] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the door 20 of the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 is opened, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, the interior exposed to a user while the door 20 is opened will be described.

[0108] An inner casing 30 accommodates clothes therein and defines the treatment chamber 35, which is a space where the clothes are treated. The inner casing 30 is located inside the cabinet 10. A front side of the inner casing 30 is open to allow the clothes to be inserted, defining an opening. The opening of the inner casing 30 may be shielded by the door 20.

[0109] The clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 may have a machine room 40 in which various devices that may supply one or more of hot air and steam to the treatment chamber 35 or purify or dehumidify external air of the cabinet 10 are installed.

[0110] The machine room 40 may be defined separately or partitioned from the inner casing 30. The machine room 40 may be in communication with the inner casing 30. The machine room 40 may be defined under the inner casing 30. The machine room 40 may be defined under the inner casing 30. As a result, when hot air and steam, which have small specific gravity, are supplied to the inner casing 30, hot air and steam may be naturally supplied to the clothes.

[0111] The processing chamber 35 and the machine compartment may be separated and partitioned by the inner case 30 of a floor portion 30a of the processing chamber 35. A plurality of openings may be formed in the wall of the inner case 30 defining the processing chamber 35 to communicate with the machine compartment. In the embodiment, the plurality of openings may be formed in the floor portion 30a. In the embodiment, air of the processing chamber 35 may move to the machine compartment through the openings, and one or more of hot air and steam generated in the machine compartment may move to the processing chamber 35. In the embodiment, a first opening 31, a second opening 33, and a third opening 32 may be formed in the inner case 30.

[0112] The first opening 31 is a passage through which air inside the inner case 30 flows toward the machine compartment. The first opening 31 communicates with a circulation duct 90. The second opening 33 is a passage through which air supplied from the machine compartment flows towards the inner case 30. The second opening 33 communicates with a circulation duct 90. The third opening 32 is a passage through which steam supplied from the machine compartment flows towards the inner case 30. The third opening 33 communicates with a steam supply 80.

[0113] The machine room 40 will be described in more detail with further reference to FIG. 26. The machine room 40 includes a circulation duct 90 that forms a circulation flow channel 91 that intakes air inside the inner casing 30 and discharges the air back to the inner casing 30. The machine room 40 is provided with a circulation fan (95) that causes air to flow through the circulation flow channel 91. Additionally, a heat exchanger 70 that is disposed on the circulation duct 90 to cool and condense the air and heat air may be included. The heat exchanger 70 is a moisture removal module according to an embodiment. The machine room 40 may be equipped with a heat pump system including a compressor that is connected to the heat exchanger 70 and is able to compress a refrigerant that cools or heats air. When necessary, an exhaust apparatus using a heater, a zeolite apparatus, and the like may be applied as the moisture removal module.

[0114] The clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 further includes a steam supply 80. The steam supply 80 may be disposed in the machine room 40. The steam supply 80 may supply steam to the treatment chamber 35. The steam supply may include a steam generator that generates steam from water. The clothes accommodated in the treatment chamber 35 may be deodorized, sterilized, and wrinkle-removed by being exposed to hot air and steam.

[0115] A water supply tank 51 and a drain tank 52 may be disposed at a front side of the machine room 40. The water supply tank 51 is a tank that stores water for generating steam. The water supply tank 51 is connected to the steam supply in a fluid manner. Water stored in the water supply tank 51 may be supplied to the steam supply. The drain tank 52 collects water condensed in the circulation duct and the treatment chamber 35.

[0116] The water supply tank 51 and the drain tank 52 may be detachable. Accordingly, even when the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 is not installed near a water source or a drainage hole, the user may remove and transport the water supply tank 51 and the drain tank 52 whenever necessary.

[0117] The controller P may be disposed in the machine room 40. The controller P may also be disposed at the door 20. The controller P can control each electrical component of the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1. Additionally, the controller P is able to receive user commands from the input unit and control each electrical component of the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 according to the commands. In an embodiment, the input unit may be disposed on the door 20. The input unit may also be a personal mobile device of the user that wirelessly interacts with the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1.

[0118] Additionally, the machine room 40 may further include a drawer 53 that accommodates items or the like necessary for managing the clothes. The drawer 53 may be extendable from the machine room 40. A space where the items such as an iron may be accommodated may be defined inside the drawer 53.

[0119] A clothes hanger support 700 (see FIG. 3) that may hang the clothes in the treatment chamber 35 may be disposed at an upper portion of an inner surface of the inner casing 30. The clothes hanger support 700 may be fixed to a top surface of the inner casing 30.

[0120] The clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment may include a clothes hanger 900 that may hang the clothes in the treatment chamber 35. The clothes hanger 900 is a component that may hang the clothes in an unfolded state.

[0121] The clothes hanger 900 may be seated on the clothes hanger support 700. The clothes hanger 900 (see FIG. 3) may be supported on the clothes hanger support 700. The clothes hanger 900 may be detachable from the clothes hanger support 700. When the clothes are hung on the clothes hanger support 700, the clothes may be disposed suspended in air inside the treatment chamber 35.

[0122] The clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment shakes the clothes hanger 900 to remove foreign substances, dust, and the like from the clothes hung on the clothes hanger 900. When the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment shakes the clothes, the foreign substances, the dust, and the like from the clothes may be shaken off, and wrinkles formed on the clothes may also be removed. To shake the clothes hanger 900, the clothes hanger support 700 may reciprocate in a width direction within the inner casing 30 or may reciprocate at a set angle around a rotation axis.

[0123] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hanger module 100 according to a first embodiment of reciprocating the clothes hanger 900.

[0124] The hanger module 100 is disposed at an upper portion of the inner casing 30. The hanger module 100 may include a driver 200, a displacement generator 300, and a power transmitter 400.

[0125] The power transmitter 400 is a component that shakes the clothes hanger support 700. The clothes hanger support 700 may be disposed at a lower side of the power transmitter 400. When the power transmitter 400 moves, the clothes hanger support 700 moves. When the clothes hanger support 700 moves, the clothes hanger 900 mounted on the clothes hanger support 700 may shake, causing the effect of the clothes being shaken off.

[0126] The power transmitter 400 may include a plurality of power transmitters. The clothes hanger support 700 that is coupled to the power transmitter 400 may also include a plurality of clothes hanger supports.

[0127] The driver 200 provides power to move the power transmitter 400. The driver 200 may be exposed inside the inner casing 30 as long as it is able to transmit the power to the power transmitter 400. However, because the driver 200 operates by receiving electric energy, it is desirable to block exposure to steam or hot air. In an embodiment, the driver 200 is disposed between the top surface of the inner casing 30 and the cabinet 10. Because the driver 200 according to an embodiment is located outside the treatment chamber 35, it is not exposed to steam or hot air.

[0128] The power transmitter 400 may be disposed to extend through the inner casing 30. The power transmitter 400 may extend through the top surface of the inner casing 30 and extend into the treatment chamber 35. An upper end of the power transmitter 400 is disposed upwardly of the top surface of the inner casing 30. A lower end of the power transmitter 400 is located in the treatment chamber 35. The power transmitter 400 may receive the power from the driver 200 and transmit the power to the clothes hanger support 700.

[0129] In an embodiment, the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 may further include a sealing member that may seal an area of the inner casing 30 through which the power transmitter 400 extends.

[0130] The sealing member may include a support bearing or the like that is coupled to a hole that allows the power transmitter 400 to extend therethrough at the inner casing 30 and a support 800 and rotatably supports the power transmitter 400. The sealing member may block air and steam supplied to the treatment chamber 35 from leaking.

[0131] The top surface of the inner casing 30 may support loads of the power transmitter 400 and the driver 200. The clothes move by being hung on the power transmitter 400, and the load of the driver 200 is relatively great. Accordingly, the support 800 may be further disposed on the top surface of the inner casing 30. The support 800 supports a load of the hanger module 100 such that the hanger module 100 may be installed stably.

[0132] The support 800 may be disposed on top of the inner casing 30. The support 800 may be supported by being coupled to the cabinet 10. The support 800 may be made of a metal material that is durable and difficult to deform.

[0133] The power transmitter 400 and the driver 200 may be seated on the support 800. The power transmitter 400 may extend through the support 800 and extend to the treatment chamber 35.

[0134] The driver 200 includes a motor that rotates a rotation shaft. The driver 200 may move the power transmitter 400 using power generated by the rotation of the rotation shaft.

[0135] It may be difficult to shake the power transmitter 400 with sufficient displacement merely by rotating the rotation shaft in place. In an embodiment, the hanger module 100 may further include the displacement generator 300. The displacement generator 300 is coupled to the rotation shaft rotated by the motor and generates sufficient displacement for the power transmitter 400 to move. The displacement generator 300 may be connected to or coupled to the driver 200. The displacement generator 300 may transmit the power of the driver 200 to the power transmitter 400. The displacement generator 300 may include an eccentric shaft that rotates along a trajectory larger than a diameter of the rotation shaft. Details will be described with reference to other drawings. The displacement generator 300 may be any component as long as it may generate a displacement that causes the power transmitter 400 to reciprocate over a certain range. A detailed structure thereof will be described later.

[0136] FIG. 4 shows an operation scheme of the hanger module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure

[0137] The hanger module 100 may reciprocate the power transmitter 400.

[0138] The displacement generator 300 may directly move the power transmitter 400, but may also move the power transmitter 400 via an additional component. The hanger module 100 rotates the power transmitter 400 in a reciprocating manner. The power transmitter 400 may perform a reciprocating swing motion clockwise or counterclockwise in position, and the clothes hung on the power transmitter 400 may also perform the reciprocating swing motion clockwise or counterclockwise. The power transmitter 400 may rotate by the hanger module 100, but may not move while varying the position thereof to the left or right.

[0139] Even when the clothes vibrate inside the inner casing 30 because of the power transmitter 400, a movement of a center of gravity inside the inner casing 30 may be limited. Therefore, even when the hanger module 100 operates, vibration occurring inside the inner casing 30 may be drastically reduced and noise occurrence may be minimized.

[0140] The hanger module 100 may further include a reciprocating rotation converter 500 that converts continuous rotational energy generated by the driver 200 or the displacement generator 300 into a reciprocating rotation motion of the power transmitter 400.

[0141] The reciprocating rotation converter 500 may connect the displacement generator 300 and the power transmitter 400 to each other. The reciprocating rotation converter 500 may connect the displacement generator 300 and the power transmitter 400 to each other upwardly of the inner casing 30. The reciprocating rotation converter 500 may be prevented from being exposed to an accommodating space 21, thereby preventing the clothes from being damaged by the reciprocating rotation converter 500.

[0142] The hanger module 100 may rotate a plurality of power transmitters 400 integrally. The hanger module 100 may rotate the plurality of power transmitters 400 at the same time at the same angle. It may be advantageous in rotating all of the power transmitters 400 for the power generated by the driver 200 to be directly transmitted to the plurality of power transmitters 400. However, when the driver 200 directly transmits the power to each of the all power transmitters 400, a structure of connecting the driver 200 to all of the power transmitters 400 may become complicated. Additionally, when the driver 200 includes a plurality of drivers or there are a plurality of components in the driver 200 connecting all of the power transmitters 400, an excessive load may be applied to the inner casing 30 or the support 800. Additionally, inconvenience of having to control the plurality of drivers 200 may be caused. In addition, when the displacement generator 300 and the reciprocating rotation converter 500 are connected such that the power transmitted from the single driver 200 is transmitted to all of the power transmitters 400, an arrangement and structures of the displacement generator 300 and the reciprocating rotation converter 500 may become complicated, deteriorating reliability. Therefore, the hanger module 100 may be constructed such that the single driver 200 generates the power to rotate the plurality of power transmitters 400.

[0143] The hanger module 100 may be constructed such that the power generated by the driver 200 is preferentially transmitted to some power transmitters 400 or some reciprocating rotation converters 500 and the remaining power transmitters 400 or the remaining reciprocating rotation converters 500 receive the power secondarily. For example, the reciprocating rotation converter 500 may receive the power transmitted from the driver 200 or the displacement generator 300 and transmit the power to some power transmitters 400. In other words, the hanger module 100 may be constructed to centrally transmit the power generated by the driver 200 to the single reciprocating rotation converter 500, allowing a power transmission structure to be designed simply and power loss to be minimized.

[0144] The hanger module 100 according to an embodiment transmits the power transmitted from the driver 200 to the single reciprocating rotation converter 500. The power transmitted from the driver 200 may rotate a specific power transmitter 400 connected to the reciprocating rotation converter 500. In addition, the hanger module 100 may further include a connector 600 to transmit the power transmitted to the specific power transmitter 400 to another power transmitter 400. For example, the connector 600 may connect the plurality of power transmitters 400 to each other. Accordingly, when the single power transmitter 400 rotates, the connector 600 may rotate all of the plurality of power transmitters 400.

[0145] Refer to (a) in FIG. 4. When the driver 200 operates, the power transmitter 400 may be rotated to the right by the reciprocating rotation converter 500. In this regard, all of the power transmitters 400 connected to the connector 600 may also rotate to the right.

[0146] Refer to (b) in FIG. 4. When the driver 200 operates further, the power transmitter 400 may be rotated to the left by the reciprocating rotation converter 500. In this regard, all of the power transmitters 400 connected to the connector 600 may also rotate to the left.

[0147] As such process is repeated, the power transmitter 400 may rotate left and right.

[0148] In this regard, the power transmitter 400 may be constructed to rotate left and right while fixed in position. The power transmitter 400 may be fixed to the support 800 such that there is no change in the position in all directions when rotating. The power transmitter 400 may be fixed such that the position thereof does not change in a vertical direction, a front and rear direction, and the width direction. However, the power transmitter 400 may rotate left and right using the vertical direction or a height direction in which the power transmitter 400 extends as a rotation axis. As a result, when the driver 200 operates, the clothes hanger support 700 may perform the reciprocating swing motion left and right with the power transmitter 400 as a shaft thereof.

[0149] Refer to (c) in FIG. 4. The clothes hanger 900 according to an embodiment may include a hook 910 and a seating portion 920. The hook 910 is a component to be seated on the clothes hanger support 700. As the hook 910 is seated on the clothes hanger support 700, the clothes hanger 900 may be hung on the clothes hanger support 700.

[0150] The seating portion 920 is a component on which the clothes are seated. The seating portion 920 and the hook 910 are coupled to each other. An anti-slip portion 950 may be disposed on a surface of the seating portion 920 to prevent the clothes from slipping. The seating portion 920 may be symmetrical around the hook 910. The clothes hanger 900 may be hung on the clothes hanger support 700 such that a longitudinal direction of the seating portion 920 becomes the front and rear direction of the cabinet 10.

[0151] The power transmitter 400 may rotate in the reciprocating manner at a certain angle smaller than 360 degrees with a rotation center fixed. When the power transmitter 400 rotates to the left, the clothes hanger 900 may rotate a left side of the seating portion 920 to the left and a right side of the seating portion 920 to the right based on the hook 910. In this regard, an angle I at which the left side of the seating portion 920 rotates is equal to an angle (theta; θ) at which the right side of the seating portion 920 rotates. A distance that the left side of the seating portion 920 moves may be equal to a distance that the right side of the seating portion 920 moves.

[0152] The hanger module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may rotate the driver 200 at a higher RPM to reciprocate the power transmitter 400 at a higher frequency. The clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may freely adjust the RPM of the driver 200, thereby adjusting the operation frequency or an operation cycle of the power transmitter 400 to suit a course.

[0153] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the hanger module 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0154] The hanger module 100 may transmit the power of the driver 200 to only one of the plurality of power transmitters 400 and transmit the power transmitted to the specific power transmitter 400 to the remaining power transmitters 400 via the connector 600.

[0155] The displacement generator 300 or the reciprocating rotation converter 500 may centrally transmit the power generated by the single driver 200 to the single power transmitter 400. The connector 600 may transmit the power transmitted to the specific power transmitter 400 to all of the power transmitters 400. The connector 600 may be formed as a rigid body, so that a length thereof does not vary. The connector 600 may connect all of the power transmitters 400 to each other. All of the power transmitters 400 may rotate simultaneously in the same direction and at the same angle when the connector 600 moves. The hanger module 100 may move the plurality of power transmitters 400 at the same angle at the same time or simultaneously with the single driver 200.

[0156] The hanger module 100 may include the driver 200, the reciprocating rotation converter 500, and the connector 600. The driver 200 is fixed on the inner casing 30 and provides the power for the power transmitter 400 to move. The reciprocating rotation converter 500 includes a plurality of reciprocating rotation converters. The plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 500 are coupled to the plurality of power transmitters 400, respectively. The reciprocating rotation converter 500 receives the power from the driver 200 and rotates such that a rotation direction thereof changes repeatedly. The connector 600 connects the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 500 to each other.

[0157] The connector 600 may include a link bar. The link bar connects the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 500 to each other and rotates the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 500 integrally. The single connector 600 may be disposed. The connector 600 may connect all of the power transmitters 400 to each other. The connector 600 may be coupled to one of a front side and a rear side of the reciprocating rotation converter 500. One or more of the displacement generator 300 and the driver 200 may be coupled with the other of the front side and the rear side of the reciprocating rotation converter 500. One or more of the displacement generator 300 and the driver 200 may be disposed on the other of the front side and the rear side of the reciprocating rotation converter 500. The connector 600 and the driver 200 may not interfere.

[0158] The connector 600 may reciprocate in the width direction of the inner casing 30 and rotate the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 500.

[0159] The driver 200 may include a motor 210, a transmitter 230, and a power shaft 240. The motor 210 rotates a rotation shaft 220. The power shaft 240 rotates together when the rotation shaft 220 rotates. The transmitter 230 connects the power shaft 240 with the rotation shaft 220 and transmits a rotational force of the rotation shaft 220 to the power shaft 240.

[0160] The motor 210 is fixed on the inner casing 30 and rotates the rotation shaft 220. The rotation shaft 220 rotates at a speed that is much higher than an appropriate cycle for rotating the power transmitter 400 in the reciprocating manner. When the RPM of the rotation shaft 220 is lowered considering the same, there is a risk that an output of the motor 210 may not be transmitted to the power transmitter 400. The transmitter 230 may transmit the output of the rotation shaft 220 as is to the power transmitter 400, but may transmit the same by lowering the RPM of the rotation shaft 220.

[0161] The transmitter 230 is connected to the rotation shaft 220 and rotates. The transmitter 230 may rotate with a diameter larger than that of the rotation shaft 220. The transmitter 230 may transmit a torque of the rotation shaft 220 while rotating with an RPM lower than the RPM of the rotation shaft 220.

[0162] The power shaft 240 may rotate by the transmitter 230. The power shaft 240 is disposed separately from the rotation shaft 220. The power shaft 240 is a component that directly transmits the power to the power transmitter 400.

[0163] The reciprocating rotation converter 500 may be coupled to the power transmitter 400 and be rotatable together with the power transmitter 400. The reciprocating rotation converter 500 may include a reciprocating lever 510. The reciprocating lever 510 is a component that is coupled to an upper portion of the power transmitter 400 and rotates the power transmitter 400. A rotation center of the reciprocating lever 510 may be coupled to a support shaft 410 (see FIG. 6) of the power transmitter 400. The reciprocating lever 510 may be formed in a rib or bar shape.

[0164] The reciprocating lever 510 may be coupled to an upper end of each of the plurality of power transmitters 400. Some reciprocating levers 510 may be connected to the transmitter 230 to receive the power from the motor 210. The reciprocating lever 510 may reciprocate at a certain angle when the transmitter 230 rotates by the motor 210. The power transmitter 400 may be coupled to the rotation center of the reciprocating lever 510 and rotate together with the reciprocating lever 510. A plurality of reciprocating levers 510 may be arranged to be connected to each other via the connector 600. The connector 600 may connect respective ends of the plurality of reciprocating levers 510 on one side to each other. When one of the plurality of reciprocating levers 510 rotates, the connector 600 moves, so that the plurality of reciprocating levers 510 may rotate simultaneously and at the same time.

[0165] The motor 210 may be supported on the support 800. The transmitter 230 may be supported on the support 800. The power transmitter 400 may be supported on the support 800. The reciprocating lever 510 may be supported on the support 800.

[0166] FIG. 6 shows the hanger module 100 according to the first embodiment separated from the inner casing 30.

[0167] The power transmitter 400 may extend downward from a location above the inner casing 30. The clothes hanger support 700 may be coupled to a lower portion of the power transmitter 400.

[0168] The reciprocating rotation converter 500 may be coupled to each of the power transmitter 400. The reciprocating rotation converter 500 may be coupled to an upper portion of the power transmitter 400 and may be easily connected to the driver 200.

[0169] The power transmitter 400 and the reciprocating rotation converter 500 may include the plurality of power transmitters and the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters, respectively, that are spaced by a certain distance apart from each other along the width direction of the inner casing 30.

[0170] The connector 600 connects the plurality of power transmitters 400 to each other or the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 500 to each other. The connector 600 may rotate all of the plurality of power transmitters 400 or all of the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 500 simultaneously.

[0171] The power transmitter 400 may include the support shaft 410. The support shaft 410 extends through the top surface of the inner casing 30 and is coupled to the reciprocating lever 510. The support shaft 410 may extend through the support 800 and be exposed upwardly of the support 800 or the inner casing 30.

[0172] The power transmitter 400 may include an auxiliary support 420 that is coupled to the support shaft 410 and exposed into the treatment chamber 35. The auxiliary support 420 may be formed in a bar shape. The clothes hanger support 700 may be coupled and fixed to a lower portion of the auxiliary support 420. The auxiliary support 420 may be fixed to the support shaft 410 and rotate together with the support shaft 410. When the support shaft 410 rotates by the reciprocating lever 510, the auxiliary support 420 may also rotate, allowing the clothes hanger support 700 to rotate left and right.

[0173] The reciprocating lever 510 may include a main lever 511 and an auxiliary lever 512. The main lever 511 receives the power directly from the driver 200 and rotates in a reciprocating manner. The auxiliary lever 512 receives the power from the main lever 511 via the connector 600. The single main lever 511 may be disposed. The auxiliary lever 512 may include a plurality of auxiliary levers.

[0174] In the driver 200, the motor 210 may include a vertical motor 211 and a vertical rotation shaft 221. The vertical motor 211 is coupled to the support 800. The vertical rotation shaft 221 is rotated by the vertical motor 211.

[0175] The transmitter 230 may include a power pulley 231, a transmission pulley 232, and a belt 233. The power pulley 231 is coupled to the vertical rotation shaft 221 and rotates together with the vertical rotation shaft 221. The transmission pulley 232 is coupled to the power shaft 240 and rotates the power shaft 240. The belt 233 connects a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the power pulley 231 and a portion of an outer circumferential surface the transmission pulley 232 to each other.

[0176] The transmitter 230 may further include a pulley support 234 that rotatably supports the power shaft 240 and the transmission pulley 232. The pulley support 234 may support the transmission pulley 232 to be disposed parallel to the power pulley 231. The pulley support 234 may be seated on the support 800.

[0177] The power shaft 240 may transmit the power transmitted from the rotation shaft 220 to one of both ends of the main lever 511.

[0178] FIG. 7 shows a coupled structure of a driver and a displacement generator. The displacement generator 300 may be coupled to the power shaft 240 to receive the power. The displacement generator 300 may be connected to the main lever 511 and may rotate the main lever 511 in the reciprocating manner around the support shaft 410. The displacement generator 300 may include an eccentric shaft 310 that is eccentrically coupled to the power shaft 240 and rotates at a certain radius based on a rotation center of the power shaft 240.

[0179] The transmission pulley 232 may be formed in a disk shape, and the power shaft 240 may be firmly coupled to an inner side of the transmission pulley 232. The power shaft 240 may include a shaft body 241 and a shaft boss 242. The shaft body 241 is coupled to the transmission pulley 232 and extends toward the main lever 511. The shaft boss 242 is coupled to an upper end of the shaft body 241 and fixed to the transmission pulley 232.

[0180] The pulley support 234 of the transmitter 230 may be seated on the support 800 and rotatably support the shaft body 241 and also support a load of the transmission pulley 232. The pulley support 234 may be made of metal.

[0181] The displacement generator 300 may include the eccentric shaft 310 that may rotate by being inserted into a main accommodating hole 5112 at an end of the power shaft 240. In an embodiment, the main accommodating hole 5112 is defined in a shape of a hole, but because it is sufficient as long as the power shaft 240 is able to be inserted thereinto and rotated, the main accommodating hole 5112 may be defined in a shape of a groove. The eccentric shaft 310 may rotate along a trajectory with a diameter larger than that of a central shaft of the power shaft 240.

[0182] A main body 511 may be fixed by being coupled to the support shaft 410 that extends through the inner casing 30 or the support 800. The main body 511 may have a rotation center coupled to the support shaft 410 and may have one end accommodating the eccentric shaft 310 therein. The power transmitter 400 may include the support shaft 410 and the auxiliary support 420 extending from the support shaft 410. The auxiliary support 420 may accommodate a portion of the support shaft 410 therein and be coupled to the support shaft 410.

[0183] The support 800 may seat a support bearing 530, which rotatably supports the support shaft 410, on a top surface thereof. The main body 511 may be coupled onto the support bearing 530. It may support loads of the clothes hanger support 700 and the clothes hanger 900 transmitted to the power transmitter 400. In the power transmitter 400, the support shaft 410 supports a load of the auxiliary support 420. The support bearing 530 and the main lever 511 support the load of the support shaft 410. The support bearing 530 and the auxiliary lever 512 also support the load of the support shaft 410 coupled thereto. Loads of the support bearing 530 and the reciprocating lever 510 are supported on the support 800 via the support bearing 530. As a result, the support 800 may support a load of an entirety of the hanger module 100 and may be fixed to the cabinet 10.

[0184] FIG. 8 shows an exploded perspective view of the hanger module 100 according to a first embodiment.

[0185] The power transmitter 400 may include the support shaft 410 and the auxiliary support 420. The support shaft 410 extends through the top surface of the inner casing 30 and is coupled to the reciprocating lever 510. The auxiliary support 420 is coupled to the support shaft 410 and disposed in the treatment chamber 35. The auxiliary support 420 is coupled with the clothes hanger 900 or the clothes hanger support 700, which is to hang the clothes.

[0186] The support shaft 410 may be formed in a cylindrical shape with a length greater than a diameter. The support shaft 410 may be easily rotated by the reciprocating lever 510. The support shaft 410 may have a diameter much smaller than that of the auxiliary support 420, so that the support shaft 410 may extend through the inner casing or the support 800 in a smaller area. Therefore, a possibility that hot air or steam supplied to the accommodating space leaks to a space above the inner casing 30 may be further reduced.

[0187] The auxiliary support 420 may have a cross-sectional area greater than that of the support shaft 410 and thus have a length greater than that of the support shaft 410. The auxiliary support 420 may secure rigidity and area size to rotate the clothes hanger support 700 and the clothes hanger 900 while supporting those.

[0188] The support 800 may include a support plate 810 through which the support shaft 410 extends and on which the driver 200 may be supported. support plate 810 The support plate 810 may be made of a metal plate to ensure rigidity and durability, and may extend in the direction in which the plurality of power transmitters 400 are arranged. The support 800 may include an extending body 812 extending upward from both ends of the support plate 810 to define a space where the driver 200 and the reciprocating rotation converter 500 are seated between the inner casing 30 and an upper portion of the cabinet 10, and a seating body 813 extending from the extending body 812 to be seated on a support frame 12.

[0189] The support 800 may include a shaft receiving portion 820 through which the support shaft 410 may extend.

[0190] The shaft receiving portion 820 may include a plurality of shaft receiving portions so as to be disposed at positions respectively corresponding to the positions where the power transmitters 400 are disposed, and the plurality of shaft receiving portions may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the support plate 810.

[0191] The support 800 may further include an auxiliary plate 880 coupled to a lower portion of the support plate 810. The auxiliary plate 880 may be made of resin and may accommodate a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the power transmitter 400 therein.

[0192] The auxiliary plate 880 may include a plurality of accommodating holes 882 that are defined under the support plate 810 and rotatably accommodate the power transmitters 400 therein, respectively, a plurality of extending steps 883 that respectively extend from the accommodating holes 882 to have a width greater than that of the accommodating hole 882, and a fixed plate 881 that extends from the extending steps 883, faces the support plate 810, and is able to be coupled to and fixed to the support plate 810.

[0193] The accommodating hole 882 may be defined at the upper end of the support shaft 410 or the auxiliary support 420 to prevent hot air or air from being discharged into the shaft penetration portion 820. The extending step 883 may serve to distribute a load or an impact transmitted to the auxiliary plate 880 and may serve to prevent collision or interference between the accommodating hole 882 and the clothes hanger 900.

[0194] The support 800 may further include a seating plate 860 mounted on top of the support plate 810.

[0195] The seating plate 860 may serve to support a bearing seated on the shaft receiving portion 820 and at the same time prevent the reciprocating lever 510 and the connector 600 from colliding with or rubbing against the support plate 810.

[0196] The seating plate 860 may include a seating board 861. The seating board 861 is seated on top of the support plate 810. A seating hole 862 that extends through the seating board 861 and is defined in an area corresponding to the shaft receiving portion 820 may be defined in the seating board 861.

[0197] The reciprocating lever 510 may include the main lever 511 that receives the power directly from the driver 200 and the auxiliary lever 512 that receives the power from the main lever 511 via the connector 600. The main lever 511 and the auxiliary lever 512 may be coupled to each support shaft 410 and rotate using the support shaft 410 as a rotation center thereof.

[0198] A link bar 610 may include a link body 611 and a connection hook 612. The link body 611 may be seated on the main lever 511 and the auxiliary lever 512 and may connect the main lever 511 and the auxiliary lever 512 to each other. The connection hook 612 may protrude from the link body 611 and may be rotatably disposed on the main lever 511 and the auxiliary lever 512. When the link bar 610 rotates left and right, the main lever 511 or the auxiliary lever 512 may rotate left and right in a reciprocating manner.

[0199] The reciprocating lever 510 may further include a link bearing 513. The link bearing 513 may include a plurality of link bearings. The link bearing 513 is coupled to one end of the main lever 511 and rotatably supports the connection hook 612. The link bearing 513 is coupled to one end of the auxiliary lever 512 and rotatably supports the connection hook 612.

[0200] The reciprocating rotation converter 500 may further include the support bearing 530 that may rotatably support the support shaft 410 or the reciprocating lever 510. The support bearing 530 may rotatably accommodate the support shaft 410 therein and may be seated in the shaft receiving portion 820. The reciprocating lever 510 may be disposed on the support bearing 530. The support bearing 530 may include a plurality of stacked support bearings or may be formed as a ball bearing, an oilless bearing, or a bushing.

[0201] The seating plate 860 may support the support bearing 530, and may block hot air or moisture from being exposed via an outer circumferential surface of the support bearing 530. The auxiliary plate 880 may also be disposed under the support bearing 530 to block hot air or moisture from being exposed via the outer circumferential surface of the support bearing 530.

[0202] FIG. 9 shows an operation scheme of the hanger module 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0203] The main lever 511 may include a main body 5111. The main body 5111 is coupled to the support shaft 410 and coupled to the link bar 610. The main body 5111 may include a main center hole 5115 that may be coupled to the support shaft 410 and may rotate the support shaft 410. The main body 5111 may extend from the main center hole 5115 to both sides. The main body 5111 may include a main accommodating hole 5112 that receives the power from the driver 200 at one end, and may include a main transmission hole 5113 onto which the link bar 610 is seated and coupled at the other end.

[0204] The auxiliary lever 512 may include an auxiliary body 5121 and an auxiliary center hole 5125. The auxiliary center hole 5125 is coupled to the support shaft 410. The auxiliary body 5121 is formed to extend from the auxiliary center hole 5125 to one side. The auxiliary body 5121 has an auxiliary transmission hole 5123 that is coupled to the link bar 610. The auxiliary body 5121 may have a length smaller than that of the main body 5111.

[0205] A distance from the main center hole 5115 to the main delivery hole 5113 may be set to be equal to a distance from the auxiliary center hole 5125 to the auxiliary transmission hole 5123. The link bar 610 may be seated on the auxiliary transmission hole 5123 and the main transmission hole 5113 and may connect the auxiliary lever 512 and the main lever 511 to each other.

[0206] Refer to (b) in FIG. 9. The driver 200 may be constructed such that the power shaft 240 is inserted into the main accommodating hole 5112. As a result, the power shaft 240 may be directly rotated to rotate the main accommodating hole 5112 to the left and right.

[0207] The eccentric shaft 310 is accommodated in the main accommodating hole 5112. A diameter of the eccentric shaft 310 may be set smaller than a diameter or a width of the main accommodating hole 5112. Accordingly, the eccentric shaft 310 may be inserted into and supported in the main accommodating hole 5112. A certain radius at which the eccentric shaft 310 rotates may be set larger than the width or the diameter of the main accommodating hole 5112. As a result, when the eccentric shaft 310 rotates, the main accommodating hole 5112 may be pushed by the eccentric shaft 310 and may move left and right based on the main center hole 5115.

[0208] When the eccentric shaft 310 rotates in a specific direction, the main accommodating hole 5112 of the main body 511 may also reciprocate along a certain direction, and as a result, the central hole 5115 of the main body 511 may also move in the same direction as the main accommodating hole 5112, and the main transmission hole 5113 may reciprocate in an opposite direction of the certain direction.

[0209] When the eccentric shaft 310 rotates, the support shaft 410 may rotate in the reciprocating manner along with the main center hole 5115, allowing the power transmitter 400 to rotate in the reciprocating manner, and the main transmission hole 5113 may also rotate in the reciprocating manner to reciprocate the link bar 610, allowing the auxiliary lever 512 to rotate in the reciprocating manner around the auxiliary center hole 5125 and the support shaft 410. The power transmitter 400 coupled to the auxiliary lever 512 may also rotate in the reciprocating manner.

[0210] The power transmitter 400 may have a thread along a circumference of an upper portion of the support shaft 410. The main transmission hole 5113 and the auxiliary center hole 5125 may be directly coupled and fixed to the support shaft 410 using the thread or the like.

[0211] The support shaft 410 of the power transmitter 400 may further include a transmission coupling portion 415 that extends through the main transmission hole 5113 and the auxiliary center hole 5125 and then is coupled to the thread of the support shaft 410 to fix the support shaft 410 to the main transmission hole 5113 and the auxiliary center hole 5125. Because of the transmission coupling portion 415, the support shaft 410 and the reciprocating lever 510 may coupled to each other and may rotate simultaneously.

[0212] FIG. 10 is an additional diagram to illustrate a process in which the reciprocating rotation converter 500 rotates in the reciprocating manner.

[0213] As shown in (b) in FIG. 10, the eccentric shaft 310 may be disposed at a position I and disposed at one end or a distal end of the main accommodating hole 5112. Thereafter, when the power shaft 240 rotates 90 degrees clockwise, because the eccentric shaft 310 is spaced by 1 / 2R apart from a rotation center of the power shaft 240, the eccentric shaft 310 may move by 1 / 2R to the right. The main center hole 5112 also moves to the right, and the main body 5111 rotates the support shaft 410 clockwise. Accordingly, the power transmitter 400 coupled to the main lever 511 rotates clockwise, and the clothes hanger support 700 coupled to the power transmitter 400 and the clothes hanger 900 hung on the clothes hanger support 700 also rotate clockwise. Accordingly, the clothes also rotate clockwise.

[0214] In one example, the main transmission hole 5113 moves in a direction opposite to that of the main accommodating hole 5112 around the support shaft 410 and moves to the left. Therefore, by moving the connector 600 to the left and moving all of the auxiliary levers 512 coupled to the connector 600 to the left, all of the power transmitters 400 coupled to the auxiliary levers 512 may be rotated clockwise.

[0215] Thereafter, when the eccentric shaft 310 rotates 90 degrees, it is disposed at a position III, and when the eccentric shaft 310 rotates 180 degrees, it is disposed at a position IV. In this process, the main center hole 5112 moves to the left again and then further to the left, and the main lever 511 moves counterclockwise. As a result, a state of the main lever 511 may be changed from (b) to (a). In this process, the power transmitter 400 coupled to the main lever 511 rotates clockwise, and the clothes hanger support 700 coupled to the power transmitter 400 and the clothes hanger 900 hung on the clothes hanger support 700 also rotate counterclockwise. Accordingly, the clothes also rotate counterclockwise.

[0216] In one example, the main transmission hole 5113 moves opposite to the main accommodating hole 5112 around the support shaft 410 and moves to the right. Therefore, by moving the connector 600 to the right and moving all of the auxiliary levers 512 coupled to the connector 600 to the left, all of the power transmitters 400 coupled to the auxiliary levers 512 may be rotated counterclockwise.

[0217] When the power shaft 240 continuously rotates clockwise, the eccentric shaft 310 may also rotate continuously and the above-described process may be repeated infinitely. When the power shaft 240 continuously rotates counterclockwise, the eccentric shaft 310 may also continuously rotate counterclockwise, and the above-described process may be repeated infinitely in a reverse order. As a result, the clothes may be shaken left and right around the support shaft 410 of the mounted power transmitter 400.

[0218] FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically expressing a movement of the clothes hanger 900 by the hanger module 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0219] The hanger module 100 according to the first embodiment causes the clothes hanger 900 to reciprocate within a range of a set angle (theta) with a center 901 as a center O. According to the first embodiment, the clothes hanger 900 may reciprocate from a first position P1 to a second position P2 and from the second position P2 to the first position P1. Because the clothes hanger 900 is hung on the clothes hanger support 700, a position of the clothes hanger support 700 (see FIG. 4), which positions the clothes hanger 900 at the first position P1, is referred to as the first position, and a position of the clothes hanger support 700, which positions the clothes hanger 900 at the second position P2, is referred to as the second position. According to the first embodiment, displacements of the clothes hung on the clothes hanger 900 are different from each other at the center 901 and at an end 902. According to an embodiment, a minimum displacement may occur at the center 901, and the displacement at the center 901 may be Xmin. Xmin may be 0. A maximum displacement may occur at the end 902, and the displacement at the end may be Xmax. When moving from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the maximum displacement Xmax occurs at the end 902 of the clothes hanger 900. The minimum displacement Xmin occurs at the rotation center 901 of the clothes hanger. That is, while moving from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the displacement occurs differently depending on the position of the clothes hanger 900. Because a force transmitted to the clothes is proportional to an acceleration, a force transmitted from the end 901 is greater than a force transmitted from the center 902. Therefore, in the first embodiment, a displacement at a reference portion 903, which is a middle position between the end 902, which is a position where the maximum displacement occurs, and the center 901, which is the position where the minimum displacement occurs, is defined as a reference displacement Xref.

[0220] The force generated on the clothes according to the first embodiment may be mathematically defined as follows. Force generated on clothes = mX ref t 2 m: weight of clothes, Xref: reference displacement, t=time taken to move from P1 to P2

[0221] FIG. 12 shows a hanger module 100' in a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0222] The hanger module 100' may include a support bar 120', a clothes hanger support 700', and a driver 400'.

[0223] The driver 400' may include a motor 451' that is fixed above the support bar 120' and rotates a rotation shaft 453'. The driver 400' may include an eccentric shaft 455' that is coupled to the rotation shaft 453' and rotates in a trajectory larger than a rotation diameter of the rotation shaft 453'.

[0224] A reciprocation inducer 500' that accommodates the eccentric shaft 455' therein and receives the power may be installed at a center of the support bar 120'. The eccentric shaft 455' may move along rotation of the rotation shaft 453' and reciprocate the reciprocation inducer 500' left and right while being coupled to the reciprocation inducer 500'. The eccentric shaft 455' may rotate by being coupled to a distal end of a connecting shaft 452' coupled to a distal end of the rotation shaft 453'.

[0225] FIG. 13 shows a structure in which the support bar 120' of the hanger module 100' according to the second embodiment moves left and right.

[0226] The reciprocation inducer 500' may include a slit 541' that is formed in a thickness direction of the support bar 120' and accommodates the eccentric shaft 455' therein.

[0227] Refer to (a) in FIG. 13. The eccentric shaft 455' may be inserted into the slit 541' and rotate in an arc trajectory using a distance R from the rotation shaft 453' as a radius. The support bar 120' may be fixed so as to be moveable only in the left and right direction in the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1, so that the support bar 120' does not move forward or rearward.

[0228] Refer to (b) in FIG. 13. When the eccentric shaft 455' rotates 90 degrees to the right, the slit 541' may move by R to the right along with the eccentric shaft 455' because the eccentric shaft 455' has moved by R to the right. As a result, the support bar 120' moves to the right.

[0229] In such manner, when the eccentric shaft 455' rotates 180 degrees to the left, the slit 541' will move to the left, and the support bar 120' will also move to the left. When rotation shaft 453' rotates once, the support bar 120' may reciprocate left and right once, and when the rotation shaft 453' rotates continuously, the support bar 120' will reciprocate left and right several times. The clothes hanger 900 may be hung on the clothes hanger support 700'. The clothes hung on the clothes hanger support 700' may be excited left and right, causing foreign substances or dust to be removed.

[0230] FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically expressing a movement of the clothes hanger 900 by the hanger module 100' according to the second embodiment.

[0231] The hanger module 100' according to the second embodiment allows the clothes hanger 900 to reciprocate from the first position P1 to the second position P2. The first position P1 is a position moved to the right from a reference position P0. The second position P2 is a position moved to the left from the reference position P0. The first position P1 is a maximum displacement in the right direction. The second position P2 is a maximum displacement in the left direction.

[0232] According to the second embodiment, when moving from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the displacement of the clothes hanger 900 is uniform at all positions as X.

[0233] A force generated on the clothes according to the second embodiment may be mathematically defined as follows Force generated on clothes = mX t 2 m: weight of clothes, X: displacement, t=time taken to move from P1 to P2

[0234] Considering problems such as a space limitation of the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 and a collision between the clothes, the maximum displacement of the clothes hanger is limited. Therefore, Xmax, the maximum displacement of the first embodiment, and X, the maximum displacement of the second embodiment, may be substantially equal to each other. In an embodiment, Xmax and X may be in a range of 28mm to 84mm. Preferably Xmax and X may be in a range of 50mm to 60mm.

[0235] Considering that the force transmitted to the clothes in the apparatus according to the first embodiment is Xref rather than Xmax, the hanger module 100 according to the first embodiment is required to move at a frequency higher than that of the hanger module 100' according to the second embodiment.<Operation method of hanger module according to embodiment of present disclosure>

[0236] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the clothes are treated by reciprocating the clothes hanger 900 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. A reciprocating speed may be defined in frequency. The frequency may be defined in rpm units. The rpm may be the number of reciprocations per minute. According to an embodiment, when the rotation shaft 220 of the motor 210 rotates once, the clothes hanger 900 may go from the first position P1 to the second position P2 and then return to the first position P1, so that an rpm of the motor 210 may be equal to that of the clothes hanger 900.

[0237] A controller (not shown) may control the rpm of the clothes hanger 900. In an embodiment, the controller (not shown) may control the rpm of the clothes hanger 900 by controlling a rotation speed of the motor. The clothes hanger 900 may exercise at a reference frequency. In an embodiment, the reference frequency may be defined based on a standard as described below<Reference frequency>

[0238] FIG. 15 is a diagram for illustrating a range of frequency defined to be a reference frequency, and shows a record of a lateral behavior of a sample M.

[0239] Refer to FIG. 15. The sample M is in a state of being hung on the clothes hanger 900 inside the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1. The behavior of the sample M forms a waveform. The sample M is a cotton fabric, has a size of 20x90cm (width x height), and has a weight of 151g / m 2< . At the reference frequency, in the waveform based on the behavior of the sample M, there are two overlap points: a first waveform W1 when the sample is biased to one side, and a second waveform W2 when the sample is biased to the other side. When the two overlap points occur, a sufficient amplitude of the clothes is secured, and thus a treatment efficiency is high. When there are three overlap points, the amplitude of the clothes is not greater than that in the case of two overlap points, but when the clothes are moistened, an excessive impact may be applied and deformation of the clothes may occur. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the frequency in the range in which the number of overlap points of the two outermost waveforms formed based on the behavior of the sample M is 2 is defined as the reference frequency. According to the second embodiment, the reference frequency is in a range of 200rpm to 250rpm

[0240] FIG. 16 shows the behavior of the sample M based on the frequency.

[0241] Refer to FIG. 16. as a position shifts from left to right, the sample M is moved at a higher frequency. A range in which the number of overlap points is 2 is defined as the reference frequency. At frequencies lower than the reference frequency, there is one overlap point. There may be no overlap at frequencies lower than the reference frequency. At frequencies higher than the reference frequency, there may be three overlap points, or more than three overlap points may occur.

[0242] FIG. 17 shows behaviors of a hemp sample, a cotton sample, and a silk sample as a result of being excited at a reference frequency.

[0243] Sizes of the respective samples are equal to each other as 20x90cm (width x height). In an experimental example, when the cotton sample is excited at the reference frequency, two overlap points occur. When the hemp sample is excited at the same reference frequency, two overlap points occur. When the silk sample is excited at the same reference frequency, three overlap points occur.

[0244] FIG. 18 shows behaviors of a hemp sample, a cotton sample, and a silk sample as a result of being excited at a low frequency that is equal to or lower than a reference frequency.

[0245] In an experimental example, the low speed frequency is a frequency at which one overlap point occurs when the cotton sample is excited. When the hemp sample is excited at the same low frequency, 0 overlap points may occur. When the silk sample is excited at the same low frequency, two overlap points may occur.

[0246] As may be seen via the experimental examples of FIGS. 17 and 18, the better the drapability (flexibility) of fabric, the greater the number of overlap points at the same rpm. As the number of overlap points increases, a size of a formed antinode (a thick portion of the waveform) becomes smaller, and thus a degree to which a force is concentrated also changes.<Improvement of clothes treatment efficiency via variable frequency control>

[0247] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the frequency of exciting the clothes may be variably controlled, and the clothes treatment efficiency may be increased via the variable frequency control. The frequency applied to the clothes by the hanger modules 100 and 100' may be varied within a frequency range referenced via FIG. 19.

[0248] A first frequency, which is the lowest frequency, may be a frequency within a range in which at least one overlap point of the silk sample occurs. The first frequency may be equal to or greater than 40% of the reference frequency

[0249] The reference frequency is named a fourth frequency.

[0250] A sixth frequency, which is the highest frequency, may be a frequency based on a maximum output of the motor. The maximum output of the motor may be set considering vibration of the motor itself and noise caused by the vibration of the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1.

[0251] According to the hanger module 100 according to the first embodiment, the first frequency may be 120rpm, a second frequency may be 150rpm, a third frequency may be 200rpm, the fourth frequency may be 250rpm, a fifth frequency may be 300rpm, and the sixth frequency may be 350rpm.

[0252] According to the hanger module 100' according to the second embodiment, the first frequency may be 80rpm, the second frequency may be 110rpm, the third frequency may be 150rpm, the fourth frequency may be 180rpm, the fifth frequency may be 210rpm, and the sixth frequency may be 250rpm.

[0253] In the case of the first embodiment, the first frequency is 120rpm and the sixth frequency is 350rpm and thus a difference therebetween reaches 230rpm, so that more precise clothes treatment may be available compared to the second embodiment merely by varying the frequency because of the wide range of frequency, and a great clothes treatment performance may be expected.

[0254] With reference to FIG. 20, six motion modes provided by the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0255] The motion mode is a control method in which the hanger module 100 excites the clothes. The respective motion modes excite the clothes using different frequencies.

[0256] A first motion mode is a mode of exciting the clothes at the fourth frequency, which is the reference frequency. While operating in the first motion mode, the frequency does not vary from the fourth frequency. The first motion mode is a reference mode that treats all clothes other than clothes that require delicate care.

[0257] A second motion mode is a mode of exciting the clothes at the sixth frequency. While operating in the second motion mode, the frequency does not vary from the sixth frequency. The second motion mode is a mode of shaking the clothes at the maximum frequency using the maximum output of the motor to shake off dust from the clothes.

[0258] The third motion mode is a mode in which the frequency varies in a frequency range equal to or lower than the reference frequency. In an embodiment, the frequency may vary between the first frequency and the third frequency during one varying cycle. With further reference to FIG. 21, the third motion mode will be described. In the third motion mode, the frequency varies among the first frequency equal to or higher than the lowest frequency, the second frequency higher than the first frequency, and the third frequency higher than the second frequency and lower than the fourth frequency. The third motion mode may include a first section in which the frequency varies from the first frequency to the third frequency during a first time period (t0 to t2) and a second section in which the frequency varies from the third frequency to the first frequency during a second time period (t2 to t3) smaller than the first time period, during one cycle (t0 to t6: T1), which is one variable cycle. According to the third motion mode, when drying various clothes in a complex manner, wind may evenly pass through the clothes. In other words, the third motion mode may increase a drying efficiency of the clothes when applied to a section of reducing a moisture content of the clothes. In an embodiment, the hanger module 100 may operate in the third motion mode during a drying stroke. The varying cycle of the frequency may be set in a range of 20 seconds to 1 minute. When the varying cycle is shorter than 20 seconds, intended vibration may not be transmitted to the clothes. When the varying cycle is longer than 1 minute, sufficient frequency variation may not occur within a limited stroke time. However, the frequency varying cycle may be changed depending on design specifications.

[0259] The fourth motion mode is a mode in which the frequency varies within a frequency range equal to or higher than the reference frequency. In an embodiment, the frequency may vary between the fourth frequency and the sixth frequency during one varying cycle. With further reference to FIG. 22, the fourth motion mode will be described. In the fourth motion mode, the frequency varies among a frequency (the fourth frequency in an embodiment) equal to or higher than the reference frequency, the fifth frequency higher than the fourth frequency, and a frequency (the sixth frequency in an embodiment) equal to or higher than the fifth frequency and equal to or lower than the sixth frequency. The fourth motion mode may include a first section in which the frequency varies from the fourth frequency to the sixth frequency during the first time period (t0 to t2) and a second section in which the frequency varies from the sixth frequency to the fourth frequency during the second time period (t2 to t3) smaller than the first time period, during one cycle (t0 to t6: T1), which is one variable cycle. According to the fourth motion mode, a wrinkle removal performance may be improved by changing the position of the overlap point based on the wave of the clothes. The fourth motion mode may be applied to a section for wrinkle removal. The fourth motion mode may be applied to a section in which the moisture content increases. When the fourth motion mode is applied, a uniform wrinkle removal performance may be achieved.

[0260] The fifth motion mode is a mode of exciting the clothes at the first frequency. While operating in the fifth motion mode, the frequency does not vary from the first frequency. The fifth motion mode is a mode of treating knitwear that tends to stretch and blouses that are vulnerable to damage. According to the fifth motion mode, the stretching of the knitwear may be prevented and a clothes hanger mark on the clothes may be prevented.

[0261] The sixth motion mode is a mode of exciting the clothes at the second frequency. While operating in the sixth motion mode, the frequency does not vary from the second frequency. The sixth motion mode provides a force for the disarranged clothes to return to an original position thereof. At an end of the stroke, the hanger module 100 may operate in the sixth motion mode.

[0262] FIG. 23 is a chart illustrating an operation state of each component for each stroke according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0263] The clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment may provide 5 strokes. The clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 may include a pre-steam stroke (PreSteam), a pre-heat stroke (PreHeat), a steam stroke (Steam), a stay stroke (Stay), and a drying stroke (Drying).

[0264] The pre-steam stroke (PreSteam) is a stroke of heating water to generate steam. In the pre-steam stroke, the circulation fan operates (ON) while generating steam, allowing air inside the treatment chamber 35 to circulate. In this regard, the heat pump is left in a non-operating state (OFF).

[0265] The pre-heat stroke (Preheat) is a stroke of preheating the inside of the treatment chamber 35. In the pre-heat stroke, the heat pump operates (ON) to heat air inside the treatment chamber 35. Steam may be supplied to the treatment chamber 35 during the pre-heat stroke. During the pre-heat stroke, the circulation fan operates (ON), so that air inside the treatment chamber 35 may be circulated. The moisture content of the clothes may increase during the pre-heat stroke.

[0266] The steam stroke (Steam) is a stroke of increasing the moisture content of the clothes by supplying steam to the clothes. Steam may be supplied to the treatment chamber 35 during the steam stroke. During the steam stroke, the circulation fan operates (ON), so that air inside the treatment chamber 35 may be circulated. The moisture content of the clothes may increase during the steam stroke. In this regard, the heat pump is left in the non-operating state (OFF).

[0267] The stay stroke is a stroke of maintaining the moisture content of the clothes. No more steam is supplied during the stay stroke. During the stay stroke, the circulation fan operates (ON), so that air inside the treatment chamber 35 may be circulated. In this regard, the heat pump is left in the non-operating state (OFF). The stay stroke is a stroke that no longer supplies steam but does not operate to remove moisture with the moisture removal module. The moisture content of the clothes may be maintained during the stay stroke. During the stay stroke, the moisture content of the clothes may increase or decrease.

[0268] The drying stroke (Drying) is a stroke of drying the clothes. The heat pump operates during the drying stroke. The heat pump removes moisture from air in the treatment chamber 35. During the drying stroke, the circulation fan operates (ON), so that air inside the treatment chamber 35 may circulate. Moist air in the treatment chamber 35 circulates through the circulation duct by the circulation fan, and moisture is removed by the heat pump. During the drying stroke, the moisture content of the clothes decreases.

[0269] The clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 provides various treatment courses. The treatment course is a combination of one or more of the pre-steam stroke (PreSteam), the pre-heat stroke (PreHeat), the steam stroke (Steam), the stay stroke (Stay), and the drying stroke (Drying).

[0270] While the pre-steam stroke (PreSteam), the pre-heat stroke (PreHeat), the steam stroke (Steam), the stay stroke (Stay), and the drying stroke (Drying) are in progress, the hanger modules 100 and 100' may operate in the first to sixth motion modes.

[0271] FIG. 24 is a chart showing an embodiment of a treatment course provided by the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 and a motion mode of a hanger module for each stroke.

[0272] A standard styling course may sequentially perform the pre-steam stroke (PreSteam), the pre-heat stroke (PreHeat), the steam stroke (Steam), the stay stroke (Stay), and the drying stroke (Drying). While the pre-steam stroke is in progress, the hanger modules 100 and 100' operate in the second motion mode. While the pre-heat stroke is in progress, the hanger modules 100 and 100' operate in the fourth motion mode. While the steam stroke is in progress, the hanger modules 100 and 100' operate in the fourth motion mode. While the stay stroke is in progress, the hanger modules 100 and 100' operate in the second motion mode. While the drying stroke is in progress, the hanger modules 100 and 100' operate in the first motion mode. According to the standard styling course of an embodiment, the wrinkles may be effectively removed because the clothes are excited in the fourth motion mode while the moisture content of the clothes increases.

[0273] A wool / knit styling course may sequentially perform the pre-steam stroke (PreSteam), the pre-heat stroke (PreHeat), the steam stroke (Steam), the stay stroke (Stay), and the drying stroke (Drying). While the pre-steam stroke (PreSteam), the pre-heat stroke (PreHeat), the steam stroke (Steam), and the stay stroke (Stay) are in progress, the hanger modules 100 and 100' do not operate. While the drying stroke is in progress, the hanger modules 100 and 100' operate in the fifth motion mode. According to the wool / knit styling course of an embodiment, because the clothes are excited in the fifth motion mode while the moisture content thereof is decreasing, the damage such as the stretching of the clothes may be prevented.

[0274] A silk styling course may sequentially perform the pre-steam stroke (PreSteam), the steam stroke (Steam), the stay stroke (Stay), and the drying stroke (Drying). While the pre-steam stroke (PreSteam), the steam stroke (Steam), the stay stroke (Stay), and the drying stroke (Drying) are in progress, the hanger modules 100 and 100' operate in the sixth motion mode. According to the silk styling course of an embodiment, silk damage may be minimized while increasing a silk treatment efficiency.

[0275] As an embodiment not shown in the chart, the hanger modules 100 and 100' may move at a frequency equal to or lower than the reference frequency in the stay stroke. For example, the hanger modules 100 and 100' may operate in the third motion mode, the fifth motion mode, or the sixth motion mode of operating at the frequency equal to or lower than the reference frequency.

[0276] As an embodiment not shown in the chart, the hanger modules 100 and 100' may operate in the third motion mode while the stay stroke (Stay) and / or the drying stroke (Drying) are in progress after the steam stroke. According to the third motion mode, when treating the various clothes in a complex manner, wind may evenly pass through the clothes. In other words, the third motion mode may increase the clothes treatment efficiency when applied while the circulation fan operates to circulate air. When operating in the third motion mode in the stay stroke (Stay), the moisture content of the clothes may be uniform. When operating in the third motion mode in the drying stroke (Drying), the drying efficiency of the clothes may be increased.

[0277] FIG. 25 is a chart showing an embodiment of a treatment course of the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 and a motion mode of a hanger module for each drying stroke.

[0278] In a standard drying course, the hanger modules 100 and 100' operate in the first motion mode when the drying stroke is in progress.

[0279] In a delicate low-temperature drying course, the hanger modules 100 and 100' operate in the fifth motion mode when the drying stroke is in progress. In the delicate low-temperature drying course, the clothes vibrate at the lowest speed to minimize the damage to the clothes.

[0280] In a time drying course, the hanger modules 100 and 100' operate in the sixth motion mode while the drying stroke is in progress. The time drying course is a course of reducing the damage to the clothes by vibrating the clothes at the frequency lower than the reference frequency, but increasing a treatment speed by vibrating the clothes at a frequency higher than that in the delicate low-temperature drying course. According to the sixth motion mode, the disarranged clothes may return to the original positions thereof and the clothes may be organized.

[0281] In a thick padded jacket drying course, the hanger modules 100 and 100' operate in the fifth motion mode while the drying stroke is in progress. In the thick padded jacket drying course, the clothes may vibrate at the lowest speed to ensure that a padded jacket remains fluffy.

[0282] In a complex clothes drying course, the hanger modules 100 and 100' operate in the third motion mode while the drying stroke is in progress. According to the complex clothes drying course, wind may evenly pass through the clothes, so that drying uniformity may be improved during the complex clothes drying.

[0283] In the first motion mode to the sixth motion mode, an amplitude corresponding to a displacement based on the reciprocating motion of the clothes hanger supports 700 and 700' is uniform. In the first embodiment, Xmin, Xmax, and Xref referred to in FIG. 11 are uniform at all of the first to sixth frequencies and are uniform in all of the first to sixth motion modes. In the second embodiment, X referred to in FIG. 14 is uniform at all of the first to sixth frequencies and is uniform in all of the first to sixth motion modes. As the amplitude is uniform, vibration noise of the clothes laundry treating apparatus 1 may be relatively constant, and as the frequency may vary, the clothes treatment efficiency such as the wrinkle removal performance, a dusting performance, and a drying performance may be improved.

[0284] As the specific embodiments have been illustrated herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the specific embodiments shown may be replaced by any reconfiguration calculated to achieve the same purpose and that the disclosed present disclosure may be applied differently in other environments. In other words, the present application should be understood as covering any application or change to the disclosure of the present disclosure. Following claims are not intended to be limited to the scope of the disclosure with respect to the specific embodiments herein. Therefore, when a modified embodiment includes components of the claims of the present disclosure, it should be regarded as falling within the scope of the rights of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A clothes laundry treating apparatus comprising: a treatment chamber where clothes hung on a clothes hanger are accommodated; a clothes hanger support located in the treatment chamber to support the clothes hanger, wherein the clothes hanger support is configured to repeat a reciprocating motion between a first position and a second position; a driver configured to provide an operating force for the clothes hanger support to reciprocate; a moisture removal module configured to remove moisture from air in the treatment chamber; and a controller configured to control the driver and control a frequency of the reciprocating motion of the clothes hanger support, wherein the clothes laundry treating apparatus includes: a first motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger support is maintained at a reference frequency; and a third motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger varies in a frequency range equal to or lower than the reference frequency.

2. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third motion mode operates in a stroke of reducing a moisture content of the clothes.

3. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein in a behavior of a sample hung on the clothes hanger, a shape of the sample when the sample is biased to one side is defined as a first waveform, a shape of the sample when the sample is biased to the other side is defined as a second waveform, and the reference frequency is selected from a frequency range where two overlap points of the first waveform and the second waveform occur.

4. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sample is a cotton fabric having a width of 20cm and a length of 90cm and having a weight in a range of 140g / m2 to 160g / m2.

5. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein while the clothes hanger support reciprocates between the first position and the second position, the clothes hanger reciprocates with one end and the other end thereof drawing an arc with respect to a central axis.

6. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 5, wherein the reference frequency is selected from a range of 200rpm to 250rpm.

7. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third motion mode operates such that the frequency varies in a frequency range equal to or higher than a minimum frequency and equal to or lower than the reference frequency.

8. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 7, wherein the minimum frequency is equal to or greater than 40% of the reference frequency.

9. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein one cycle where the frequency varies in the third motion mode is in a range of 20 seconds to 1 minute.

10. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 9, wherein during the one cycle in the third motion mode, the frequency varies among a first frequency equal to or higher than a minimum frequency, a second frequency higher than the first frequency, and a third frequency equal to or higher than the second frequency and equal to or lower than the first frequency, wherein the one cycle includes a first section where the frequency varies from the first frequency to the third frequency during a first time period, and a second section where the frequency varies from the third frequency to the first frequency during a second time period shorter than the first time period.

11. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein when a shape of the clothes when the clothes hung on the clothes hanger vibrate and are biased to one side is defined as a first waveform and a shape of the clothes when the clothes are biased to the other side is defined as a second waveform, in the third motion mode, a position of an overlap point of the first waveform and the second waveform varies.

12. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clothes laundry treating apparatus is configured to perform a drying stroke of reducing a moisture content of the clothes as the moisture removal module operates to remove moisture from air in the treatment chamber, wherein the clothes laundry treating apparatus provides a plurality of clothes treatment courses including the drying stroke, wherein the plurality of clothes treatment courses include: a first treatment course of operating the clothes hanger support in the first motion mode while the drying stroke is performed; and a second treatment course of operating the clothes hanger support in the third motion mode while the drying stroke is performed.

13. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a steam supply configured to generate steam and supply generated steam to the treatment chamber, wherein the first treatment course further includes a steam stroke performed before the drying stroke is performed, wherein the steam stroke increases the moisture content by supplying steam to the clothes, wherein the clothes hanger support moves at a frequency higher than the reference frequency while the steam stroke is performed.

14. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a fourth motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger support varies in a frequency range equal to or lower than the reference frequency, wherein the clothes hanger support operates in the fourth motion mode while the steam stroke is performed in the first treatment course.

15. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 14, wherein one cycle where the frequency varies in the fourth motion mode is in a range of 20 seconds to 1 minute, wherein during the one cycle in the fourth motion mode, the frequency varies among a fourth frequency equal to or higher than the reference frequency, a fifth frequency higher than the fourth frequency, and a sixth frequency higher than the fifth frequency and equal to or lower than a maximum frequency, wherein the one cycle includes a first section where the frequency varies from the fourth frequency to the sixth frequency during a first time period, and a second section where the frequency varies from the sixth frequency to the fourth frequency during a second time period shorter than the first time period.

16. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein an amplitude corresponding to a displacement based on the reciprocating motion of the clothes hanger support is uniform in the first motion mode and the third motion mode.

17. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a steam supply configured to generate steam and supply generated steam to the treatment chamber, wherein the clothes laundry treating apparatus includes a steam stroke of increasing a moisture content of the clothes as the steam supply operates to supply steam to the clothes with steam supplied to the treatment chamber, wherein the clothes laundry treating apparatus operates the third motion mode after the steam supply by the steam supply is stopped.

18. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a circulation fan configured to circulate air in the treatment chamber, wherein the clothes laundry treating apparatus operates the third motion mode while circulating air in the treatment chamber by operating the circulation fan.

19. The clothes laundry treating apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a steam supply configured to generate steam and supply generated steam to the treatment chamber, wherein the clothes laundry treating apparatus includes a steam stroke of increasing a moisture content of the clothes as the steam supply operates to supply steam to the clothes with steam supplied to the treatment chamber, wherein the clothes laundry treating apparatus operates a third motion mode while circulating air in the treatment chamber by operating the circulation fan after the steam supply by the steam supply is stopped.

20. A hanger module comprising: a clothes hanger support supporting a clothes hanger, wherein the clothes hanger support is configured to repeat a reciprocating motion between a first position and a second position; a driver configured to provide an operating force for the clothes hanger support to reciprocate; and a controller configured to control the driver and control a frequency of the reciprocating motion of the clothes hanger support, wherein the hanger module includes: a first motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger support is maintained at a reference frequency; and a third motion mode operating such that the frequency of the clothes hanger varies in a frequency range equal to or lower than the reference frequency.

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