Garment treatment apparatus and control method of same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a garment treatment apparatus including a protruding part protruding into an accommodation space to prevent hanging garments from coming into contact with or rubbing against an inner wall.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clothing treatment apparatus and a control method thereof. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a clothing treatment apparatus and a control method thereof, which are capable of performing a refresh process such as sterilization, wrinkle removal, deodorization, and drying of clothing by supplying steam and hot air to the clothing.BACKGROUND

[0002] In the related art, a clothing treatment apparatus has appeared, which is capable of performing deodorization, wrinkle removal, and drying of clothing by supplying hot air and steam to the clothing suspended in an accommodating space while being hung at an upper portion Thus, when the clothing is in a wet state, since the clothing receives hot air and steam while being suspended downward by gravity, wrinkles are capable of being removed during the drying process. When the clothing is in a dry state, hot air and steam may be evenly supplied to the entire area, thereby improving deodorization performance.

[0003] Recently, a clothing treatment apparatus has appeared in which a hanger or a hanger part H for holding clothing in an accommodating space is configured to swing. The clothing treatment apparatus has provided a physical force to the clothing by reciprocating movement or reciprocating rotation of the hanger part H.

[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional clothing treatment apparatus.

[0005] The clothing treatment apparatus may include: a hanger part H disposed at an upper portion inside a cabinet C; and a machine room M provided at a lower portion and configured to generate hot air and steam to be supplied toward clothing L hung on the hanger part H.

[0006] The clothing hung on the hanger part H may form a wave and vibrate or vibrate from side to side during the swinging of the hanger part H. Thus, tension is applied to the clothing to more effectively remove wrinkles, shake off foreign substances such as dust adhering to the surface of the clothing, and evenly expose the surface of the clothing to the supplied steam and hot air.

[0007] However, when an upper garment having long sleeves is hung on the hanger part H, the long-sleeve portion or sleeve portion of the upper garment is likely to be subjected to a force to radially spread from the hanger part 900 or move away radially from the hanger part 900 as the hanger part H vibrates. Accordingly, the long-sleeve portion of the upper garment may come into contact with or rub against the inner wall of a chamber accommodating the clothing when the hanger part H moves or rotates, thereby causing unnecessary noise or potentially damaging the clothing.

[0008] Furthermore, in the case of a general upper garment, it is common that one or more buttons B are coupled and exposed to the outside at a portion adjacent to the end of the long sleeve due to design elements. When the hanger part 900 swings, the buttons may further move toward and strike the inner wall of the chamber by centrifugal force. In this case, excessive vibration and noise may occur, and not only the clothing but also the clothing treatment apparatus may be damaged.DISCLOSURE TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0009] The present disclosure aims to provide a clothing treatment apparatus capable of preventing or minimizing clothing from coming into contact or colliding with an inner wall even when the clothing is shaken in the clothing treatment apparatus capable of accommodating the clothing in an unfolded condition in the accommodating space.

[0010] The present disclosure aims to provide a clothing treatment apparatus capable of preventing or minimizing vibration, noise, and impact generated when clothing swings.

[0011] The present disclosure aims to provide a clothing treatment apparatus capable of maintaining clothing in a state of being spaced apart from an inner wall.TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0012] To achieve the above objects, the present disclosure provides a clothing treatment apparatus including: a cabinet; an inner case provided inside the cabinet and configured to define an accommodating space for mounting clothing; a machinery room disposed below the inner case and configured to supply at least one of steam and air into the accommodating space; and a moving hanger configured to mount clothing at an upper portion of the accommodating space and shake the clothing,

[0013] The inner case may include a protrusion part protruding into the accommodating space and configured to prevent the mounted clothing from coming into contact with or rubbing against the inner case.

[0014] The moving hanger may include: a driving part disposed at an upper portion of the inner case; a power transmission part connected to the driving part and configured to perform reciprocating movement or reciprocating rotation in the accommodating space; and a mounting part coupled to a lower portion of the power transmission part on which a hanger part for mounting the clothing is seated. The protrusion part may be configured to protrude from a surface of the inner case facing at least one of both sides of the hanger part.

[0015] The mounting part may be configured to support the hanger part such that both sides of the hanger part are arranged in a front-rear direction, and the protrusion part may be disposed on an inner rear surface of the inner case.

[0016] The protrusion part may be configured to extend in a width direction of the inner case.

[0017] A plurality of mounting parts and a plurality of hanger parts may be provided, in other words, the mounting part and the hanger part are provided in plurality and a plurality of the mounting part and a plurality of the hanger part arranged to be spaced apart in a width direction of the inner case.

[0018] The protrusion part may be configured to extend equal to or greater than a total spacing of the mounting parts or the hanger parts.

[0019] The protrusion part may be disposed such that both ends of the protrusion part are spaced apart from both side surfaces of the inner case.

[0020] The protrusion part may be formed such that a width in a left-right direction is greater than a thickness in a front-rear direction.

[0021] The protrusion part may be disposed at a middle height of the inner case or disposed closer to an upper surface of the inner case than to a lower surface of the inner case.

[0022] The protrusion part may be disposed in a region spaced downward by 200 millimeters (mm) and 700 mm from an upper portion of the inner case or from the hanger part seated on the mounting part.

[0023] The protrusion part may be formed to have a heightwise width of 20 to 40 mm.

[0024] The protrusion part may be comprises a outer surface protruded 15 to 30 millimeters from an inner surface of the inner case.

[0025] The protrusion part may include: a holder disposed on an inner surface of the inner case; a main body part coupled to the holder and protruding toward the accommodating space; and a protrusion part cover coupled to a front portion of the main body part and configured to be capable of contacting the clothing.

[0026] The protrusion part cover may be formed to have a larger area than the main body part and the holder.

[0027] The protrusion part may further include a light emitting unit coupled to the main body part and configured to irradiate light into the accommodating space.

[0028] The light emitting unit may be disposed on at least one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the main body part

[0029] The clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a door coupled to the cabinet and configured to open and close the accommodating space. The light emitting unit may be configured to irradiate light when the door is openedADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

[0030] According to the present disclosure, even when clothing is configured to swing in a clothing treatment apparatus in which the clothing is capable of being accommodated in a spread state within an accommodating space, it is possible to prevent or minimize contact or collision of the clothing with an inner wall.

[0031] According to the present disclosure, vibration, noise, and impact generated when clothing swings may be blocked or minimized.

[0032] According to the present disclosure, clothing may be maintained in a state of being spaced apart from an inner wall.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional clothing treatment apparatus. FIG. 2 illustrates an exterior of a clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a structure of a machine room. FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a moving hanger of the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of the moving hanger. FIG. 6 illustrates the moving hanger of the present disclosure separated from an inner case. FIG. 7 illustrates an operation method of the moving hanger of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 illustrates characteristics of clothing mounted on the moving hanger. FIG. 9 illustrates a region in which the clothing mounted on the moving hanger is capable of contacting an inner surface of the inner case. FIG. 10 illustrates a structure of a protrusion part for preventing clothing from coming into contact with or rubbing against the inner case. FIG. 11 illustrates effects of the protrusion part. FIG. 12 illustrates a specific structural embodiment of the protrusion part. FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment for controlling a lighting unit provided in the protrusion part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Even though different embodiments are described, like reference numerals designate like or similar elements, and repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted. In the present specification, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of well-known related technologies may be omitted when it is deemed that the descriptions could obscure the gist of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are provided merely for facilitating understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the technical spirit of the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited by the drawings.

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates an exterior of a clothing treatment apparatus 1 of the present disclosure.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 2(a), the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 10 forming an exterior and a door 11 rotatably coupled to the cabinet 10.

[0037] The door 11 may be provided with the same height and width as a front surface of the cabinet 10. The door 11 may form a front surface of the clothing treatment apparatus 1.

[0038] The door 11 may be provided with an input part for receiving a command to operate the clothing treatment apparatus 1 and a display part for indicating an operating state of the clothing treatment apparatus 1 to the outside through visual, auditory, or other means.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 2(b), an inner case 20 having an accommodating space 21 for accommodating clothing may be provided inside the cabinet 10. The inner case 20 may be provided with an opening at a front side through which clothing is taken in and out of the accommodating space 21, and the opening 21 may be closed by the door 11.

[0040] The inner case 20 may have a height greater than a width. Thus, the clothing may be accommodated in the accommodating space 21 in a state of not being folded or wrinkled.

[0041] The clothing treatment apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may include a moving hanger 100 for holding clothing in the accommodating space 21 of the inner case 20. The moving hanger 100 may hold the clothing at an upper portion of the accommodating space 21. When the clothing is held on the moving hanger 100, the clothing may be suspended in the air inside the accommodating space 21 in a state of being extended in a height direction. Thus, the clothing held in the accommodating space 21 may be evenly exposed to hot air and steam, and wrinkles may be removed by the weight thereof.

[0042] The moving hanger 100 may include a hanger part 900 for holding clothing, which is mounted so as to be exposed to an inner upper surface of the inner case 20.

[0043] The moving hanger 100 may be configured to reciprocate left and right on an upper surface of the inner case 20 or reciprocally rotate in a left-right direction so as to swing the clothing.

[0044] The clothing treatment apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may further include a pressing part 40 coupled to an inner surface of the door 11 to fix clothing.

[0045] The pressing part 40 may be rotatably coupled to an inner side of the door 11 and configured provided to the clothing fixed to the inner surface of the door 11 toward the inner surface of the door 11.

[0046] The pressing part 50 may be configured to form intended creases on both sides of the clothing.

[0047] The clothing treatment apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may further include a machine room 30 in which various devices are installed for supplying one or more of hot air or steam to the accommodating space 21 or for purifying or dehumidifying external air of the cabinet 10.

[0048] The machine room 30 may be disposed to be separated or partitioned from the inner case 20 and configured to communicate with the inner case 20.

[0049] The machine room 30 may be disposed below the inner case 20. Thus, when hot air and steam having a small specific gravity are supplied to the inner case 20, the hot air and steam may be naturally supplied to the clothing.

[0050] The machine room 30 may include: a circulation duct for circulating air inside the inner case 20; and a plurality of heat exchangers disposed on the circulation duct and configured to cool and condense the air and heat the air.

[0051] The machine room 30 may be provided with a heat pump system including a compressor connected to the plurality of heat exchangers and configured to compress a refrigerant for cooling or heating the air.

[0052] The machine room 30 may also be provided with a steam supply part 50, which will be described later, configured to supply steam into the inner case 20. The steam supply part 50 may generate steam by heating water. The clothing accommodated in the inner case 20 may be exposed to hot air generated by the heat pump system and steam generated by the steam supply part 50, thereby undergoing deodorization, sterilization, wrinkle removal, and drying.

[0053] A water tank 31 configured to supply water for generating the steam and a drainage tank 32 configured to collect water condensed in the circulation duct may be provided at a front portion of the machine room 30.

[0054] The water tank 31 and the drainage tank 32 may be detachably provided at the front portion of the machine room 30. Thus, even when the clothing treatment apparatus 1 of the present disclosure is not disposed near a water supply source or a drain, a user may detach and carry the water tank 31 and the drainage tank 32 whenever necessary.

[0055] The water tank 31 and the drainage tank 32 may be arranged side by side along a width direction of the machine room 30.

[0056] In addition, the machine room 30 may further include a drawer 33 for accommodating items required for managing the clothing. The drawer 33 may be configured to be drawn out from the machine room 30 and may have a space for accommodating items such as an iron therein.

[0057] The clothing treatment apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may include a mounting stand 60 in the inner case 20 on which a separate shelf is seated. The mounting stand 60 may protrude from both side surfaces of the inner case 20 at the same height.

[0058] The mounting stand 60 may include a light emitting part installed in the inner case 20 to irradiate light inside the inner case 20. The light emitting part may be configured to irradiate light toward an inner surface of the inner case 20 so as to prevent glare.

[0059] The inner case 20 may include a discharge hole 28 formed in a bottom surface or a lower surface 28 disposed above the machine room 30 to discharge air of the accommodating space 21 to the machine room 30, and a supply hole 29 spaced apart from the discharge hole 28 to receive one or more of hot air and steam from the machine room 30.

[0060] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a structure of the machine room.

[0061] The machine room 30 may be disposed below the inner case 20 to provide a space in which the heat pump system 80 and the steam supply part 50 are installed. The machine room 30 may include a duct 90 providing a flow path for circulating air inside the inner case 20.

[0062] The duct 90 may form a circulation flow path communicating with an inlet and an outlet of the inner case 20 and form a space through which air inside the inner case 20 moves. A blowing fan may be provided inside the duct 90. The blowing fan may generate a pressure difference for sucking and discharging air inside the accommodating space 21.

[0063] The duct may be formed in a rectangular shape with an upper portion partially opened, and a separate cover may be coupled to the upper portion to complete an internal flow path. The duct 90 may include: an inlet duct 91 communicating with the inner case 20 to introduce air; a discharge duct 92 spaced apart from the inlet duct 91 and communicating with the inner case 20 to discharge air; and a transfer duct 93 connecting the inlet duct 91 and the discharge duct 92 to form a flow path through which air moves.

[0064] The heat pump system 80 may include an evaporator 81 accommodated in the duct 90 and configured to cool air, a condenser 82 configured to heat air having passed through the evaporator 81 to generate hot air, and a compressor 83 configured to heat a refrigerant by compressing the refrigerant having passed through the evaporator 81 and supply the heated refrigerant to the condenser 82. The heat pump system 80 may further include an expansion valve configured to expand and cool the refrigerant having passed through the condenser 82 and deliver the cooled refrigerant to the evaporator 81.

[0065] The evaporator 81 and the condenser 82 may be accommodated in the transfer duct 93, and the compressor 83 and the expansion valve may be disposed outside the duct 90.

[0066] The evaporator 81 and the condenser 83 may be arranged along a direction in which air moves. For example, the evaporator 81 may be disposed closer to the inlet duct 91 than to the condenser 83, and the condenser 83 may be disposed closer to the discharge duct 92 than to the evaporator 81.

[0067] The steam supply part 50 may be disposed inside the duct 90.

[0068] The steam supply part 50 may be disposed outside the duct 90 so as not to interfere with a flow of air moving along the duct 90.

[0069] The steam supply part 50 may include a steam generator 51 configured to receive and store water and generate steam by heating the water with a heater therein, and a steam nozzle 52 configured to supply the steam generated by the steam generator 51 to the accommodating space 21.

[0070] The steam nozzle 52 may be configured to communicate with the inner case 20 and may be disposed adjacent to the discharge duct 92. The steam generator 51 may be seated on and supported by an upper portion of the duct 90 and may be configured to support the steam nozzle 52.

[0071] The steam supply part 50 may further include a return pipe 54 communicating the steam nozzle 52 with the steam generator 51.

[0072] The return pipe 54 may return water condensed in the steam nozzle 52 without being discharged to the outside back to the steam generator 51. The steam nozzle 52 may be disposed above the steam generator 51 such that steam is naturally supplied to the inner case 20 by a density difference, and the water may be returned to the steam generator 51 by gravity.

[0073] The steam nozzle 52 is not a simple hose. That is, the steam nozzle 52 may be formed in a case shape made of a plastic material or the like, in which one or more of steam, air, and water may be accommodated.

[0074] The steam supply part 50 may further include a steam pipe 53 connecting the steam generator 51 and the steam nozzle 52. Steam generated in the steam generator 51 may be supplied to the steam nozzle 52 through the steam pipe 53 and then supplied into the inner case 20.

[0075] The machine room 30 may further include a water supply part 60 configured to supply water for generating steam in the steam supply part 50.

[0076] The water supply part 60 may be configured to receive water from the water tank 31 seated at the front portion of the machine room 30 and supply the water to the steam supply part 50.

[0077] The water supply part 60 may include a water supply pipe 61 for receiving water from the water tank 31, a supply pipe 63 for supplying the water of the water supply pipe 61 to the steam supply part 50, and a water supply pump 62 for providing power to supply the water in the water supply pipe 61 to the supply pipe 63.

[0078] The water tank 31 may be detachably provided at a front portion of the duct 90, and the water supply pump 62 may be disposed outside the duct 90.

[0079] The supply pipe 63 may be configured to be in communication with the steam generator 51 and supply water to the steam generator 51.

[0080] Alternatively, the supply pipe 63 may be configured to be in communication with the steam nozzle 52 and supply water to the steam nozzle 52. That is, the water supply part 60 may be configured to directly supply water to the steam nozzle 52 and indirectly supply the water to the steam generator 51 through the return pipe 54. Thus, the flow path structure may be simplified.

[0081] The machine room 30 may further include a drainage part 70 configured to collect water condensed in the evaporator 81 into the drainage tank 32.

[0082] The drainage part 70 may include a discharge pipe 71 configured to be in communication with a lower surface of the duct 90 and discharge water collected at a lower portion of the duct 90 to an outside of the duct 90, a drainage pump 72 configured to supply the water discharged through the discharge pipe 71 to the drainage tank 32, and a drainage pipe 73 configured to supply the water supplied to the drainage pump 72 to the drainage tank 32.

[0083] The drainage part 70 may further include a return duct 74 configured to guide water in the drainage tank 32 back into the duct 90 by communicating the duct 90 with the drainage tank 32. Thus, even when the drainage tank 32 is full, water collected in the drainage tank 32 may be prevented from leaking to the outside.

[0084] When performing a clothing refreshing process to carry out sterilization, deodorization, wrinkle removal, drying, and the like, the clothing treatment apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may supply hot air and steam into the inner case 20 through the machine room 30 at an appropriate timing. In addition, the clothing treatment apparatus 1 may condense moisture discharged from the inner case 20 and collect the condensed moisture in the drainage tank 32.

[0085] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the moving hanger 100 of the clothing treatment apparatus 1 of the present disclosure.

[0086] The moving hanger 100 of the present disclosure may be disposed above the inner case 20 and include a power transmission part 400 configured to swing the hanger part 900.

[0087] The power transmission part 400 may be configured to penetrate an upper surface 25 of the inner case 20. The power transmission part 400 may be formed in a bar shape, a tubular shape, or a plate shape having a length greater than a thickness.

[0088] A mounting part 700, on which the hanger part 900 may be seated or held, may be provided at a lower portion of the power transmission part 400. Thus, when the power transmission part 400 moves, the mounting part 700 may also move, and the hanger part 900 mounted on the mounting part 700 may swing, thereby providing an effect of shaking the clothing.

[0089] The mounting part 700 may be integrally formed with the power transmission part 400. Alternatively, the mounting part 700 may be provided as a separate component and mounted on the power transmission part 400.

[0090] A plurality of power transmission parts 400 may be provided, and a plurality of mounting parts 700 may also be mounted on the power transmission part 400. Thus, a large amount of clothing corresponding to the number of power transmission parts 400 may be mounted inside the inner case 20 and refreshed.

[0091] The moving hanger 100 may include a driving part 200 configured to provide power for moving the power transmission part 400.

[0092] The driving part 200 is supplied with electric energy to operate, and therefore it is preferable to be shielded from exposure to steam or hot air. Accordingly, the driving part 200 may be disposed between an upper surface of the inner case 20 and an upper panel of the cabinet 10 so as not to be exposed to the accommodating space 21.

[0093] The power transmission part 400 may penetrate the upper surface 25 of the inner case 20 and receive power from the driving part 200. The power transmission part 400 may extend downward through an upper portion of the inner case 20 such that a lower end thereof is exposed to the accommodating space 21.

[0094] The upper surface of the inner case 20 may be configured to support the loads of the power transmission part 400 and the driving part 200. However, since clothing is mounted on and moved by the power transmission part 400, the driving part 200 is relatively heavy. Accordingly, the clothing treatment apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may further include a support part 800 for stably installing the moving hanger 100 on the upper surface of the inner case 20.

[0095] The support part 800 may be disposed on an upper portion of the inner case 20 and supported by coupling to the cabinet 10. The support part 800 may be made of a metal material having high rigidity.

[0096] The power transmission part 400 and the driving part 200 may be seated on the support part 800 and disposed above the inner case 20.

[0097] The driving part 200 includes a motor configured to rotate a rotation shaft. The driving part 200 may be configured to move the power transmission part 400 by driving power for rotating the rotation shaft.

[0098] However, mere rotation of the rotation shaft in place may not be sufficient to swing the power transmission part 400 with an adequate displacement.

[0099] Accordingly, the moving hanger 100 may further include a displacement generating part 300 coupled to the rotation shaft and configured to generate a sufficient displacement for moving the power transmission part 400.

[0100] The displacement generating part 300 may connect the rotation shaft and the power transmission part 400 and may be configured to transmit power of the rotation shaft to the power transmission part 400.

[0101] The displacement generating part 300 may include an eccentric shaft configured to rotate with a trajectory larger than a diameter of the rotation shaft by the rotation shaft. The eccentric shaft may generate a displacement that causes the power transmission part 400 to reciprocate within a certain range.

[0102] Thus, when the driving part 200 operates, power generated by the rotation shaft may be transmitted to the power transmission part 400 to allow the power transmission part 400 to reciprocate within a certain range.

[0103] The moving hanger 100 may be configured to swing the clothing by reciprocally rotating the power transmission part 400, rather than by reciprocating the power transmission part 400 left and right.

[0104] Specifically, the moving hanger 100 may be configured to reciprocally rotate the power transmission part 400 within a certain angular range, rather than to linearly reciprocate the power transmission part 400.

[0105] Thus, the power transmission part 400 may be configured to reciprocally rotate left and right at a fixed position, and clothing mounted on the power transmission part 400 may also reciprocally rotate left and right without linearly reciprocating left and right.

[0106] As a result, even when the clothing rotates due to the power transmission part 400 inside the inner case 20, movement of a center of gravity inside the inner case 20 may be limited. Accordingly, even when the moving hanger 100 operates, vibration generated inside the inner case 20 may be significantly reduced, and consequently, noise generation may also be minimized.

[0107] The moving hanger 100 may further include a reciprocating rotation part 500 configured to convert continuous rotational energy generated from the driving part 200 or the displacement generating part 300 into reciprocating rotational motion of the power transmission part 400.

[0108] The reciprocating rotation part 500 may be configured to connect the displacement generating part 300 and the power transmission part 400 to each other. The reciprocating rotation part 500 may be configured to connect the displacement generating part 300 and the power transmission part 400 to each other above the inner case 20 so as to prevent the clothing from being damaged by the moving hanger 100.

[0109] The moving hanger 100 may be configured to reciprocally rotate only one of the plurality of power transmission parts 400.

[0110] However, when only one power transmission part 400 rotates, clothing mounted on the rotating power transmission part 400 may collide with clothing mounted on another power transmission part 400, which may cause damage to the clothing or damage to the moving hanger 100.

[0111] Accordingly, it is preferable that the moving hanger 100 be configured to rotate all of the plurality of power transmission parts 400. In addition, the moving hanger 100 may be configured to simultaneously rotate the plurality of power transmission parts 400 at the same angle. Thus, collision between the power transmission parts 400 may be prevented.

[0112] In the moving hanger 100, directly transmitting power of the driving part 200 to all of the plurality of power transmission parts 400 may be advantageous for controlling rotation of all the power transmission parts 400.

[0113] However, when a plurality of driving parts 200 are provided to transmit power to each of the power transmission parts 400, an excessive load may be applied to an upper portion of the inner case 20, and inconvenience may occur in controlling the plurality of driving parts 200.

[0114] Therefore, the moving hanger 100 may be configured such that a single driving part 200 rotates the plurality of power transmission parts 400.

[0115] In this case, when power transmitted from a single driving part 200 is connected such that the displacement generating part 300 and the reciprocating rotation part 400 respectively transmit the power to all of the power transmission parts 400, the arrangement and structure of the displacement generating part 300 and the reciprocating rotation part 400 may become complicated, thereby reducing reliability.

[0116] Accordingly, the moving hanger 100 of the present disclosure may be configured to transmit power generated from the driving part 200 to only a portion of the plurality of power transmission parts 400. The reciprocating rotation part 500 may be configured to transmit power provided from the driving part 200 or the displacement generating part 300 to only a portion of the power transmission parts 400. Thus, since the configuration of the reciprocating rotation part 500 becomes simplified, reliability in transmitting power may be ensured.

[0117] The moving hanger 100 may further include a connection part 600 configured to transmit power provided to a specific power transmission part 400 to another power transmission part 400.

[0118] For example, the connection part 600 may be configured to connect the plurality of power transmission parts 400 to each other. Thus, when any one of the power transmission parts 400 rotates, adjacent or spaced power transmission parts 400 may also rotate.

[0119] Specifically, the moving hanger 100 may be configured to transmit power of the driving part 200 to only one of the plurality of power transmission parts 400 and transmit the power provided to the power transmission part to the remaining power transmission parts 400 through the connection part 600.

[0120] The displacement generating part 300 or the reciprocating rotation part 400 may be configured to intensively transmit power generated from a single driving part 200 to one power transmission part 400. The connection part 600 may transmit the power provided to a specific power transmission part 400 to all of the power transmission parts 400.

[0121] The connection part 600 may be formed as a rigid body to connect all of the power transmission parts 400, and all of the power transmission parts 400 may be configured to simultaneously rotate in the same direction and at the same angle by the connection part 600.

[0122] Thus, the moving hanger 100 of the present disclosure may reciprocally rotate the plurality of power transmission parts 400 simultaneously at the same angle by a single driving part 200 with a simple configuration.

[0123] FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of the moving hanger 100.

[0124] The moving hanger 100 may include: a driving part 200 fixed to an upper portion of the inner case 20 and configured to provide power for moving the power transmission part; a plurality of reciprocating rotation parts 500 respectively coupled to the plurality of power transmission parts 400 and configured to rotate such that a rotation direction is repeatedly changed by receiving the power from the driving part 200; and a connection part 600 configured to connect the plurality of reciprocating rotation parts to each other.

[0125] The connection part 600 may include a singular link configured to connect the plurality of reciprocating rotation parts 500 and integrally rotate the plurality of reciprocating rotation parts 500.

[0126] The connection part 600 may also be configured to connect the power transmission parts 400.

[0127] When the connection part 600 is configured to connect the reciprocating rotation parts 500, the connection part 600 may be installed above the support part 800 so as not to be exposed inside the inner case 20.

[0128] When the connection part 600 is provided as the singular link, interference between the driving part 200 and the connection part 600 may be minimized.

[0129] For example, the singular link may be coupled to a front side or a rear side of the reciprocating rotation part 500, and the displacement generating part 300 or the driving part 200 may be disposed at a rear side or a front side of the reciprocating rotation part 500, which will be described later.

[0130] The connection part 600 may be configured to reciprocate in a width direction of the inner case 20 and rotate the plurality of reciprocating rotation parts 500.

[0131] The driving part 200 may include: a motor 210 configured to rotate a rotation shaft 210; a power shaft 240 configured to rotate together when the rotation shaft 210 rotates; and a conversion part 230 configured to connect the power shaft 240 and the rotation shaft 210 to transmit rotational force of the rotation shaft 210 to the power shaft 240.

[0132] The motor 210 may be fixed to an upper portion of the inner case 20 and may be configured to rotate the rotation shaft 220. However, the rotation shaft 220 may be configured to rotate at a speed faster than an appropriate cycle for reciprocally rotating the power transmission part 400 by the motor 210. Accordingly, when the Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) of the rotation shaft is reduced, output of the motor 210 may not be transmitted to the power transmission part 400.

[0133] To solve this problem, the conversion part 230 may be configured to directly transmit output of the rotation shaft 220 to the power transmission part 400 while reducing the RPM of the rotation shaft 220.

[0134] The conversion part 230 may be connected to the rotation shaft 220 and configured to rotate, and the conversion part 230 may have a larger diameter than the rotation shaft 220. Thus, the conversion part 230 may rotate more slowly than the RPM of the rotation shaft 220 while transmitting an increased torque of the rotation shaft 220.

[0135] The power shaft 240 may be configured to rotate by the conversion part 230. The power shaft 240 may be provided separately from the rotation shaft 220 and may directly transmit power to the power transmission part 400.

[0136] The reciprocating rotation part 500 may be coupled to the power transmission part 400 and may be configured to rotate together with the power transmission part 400.

[0137] The reciprocating rotation part 500 may be coupled to an upper portion of the power transmission part 400 and may include a reciprocating lever 510 configured to rotate the power transmission part 400.

[0138] The reciprocating lever 510 may be provided in a rib or bar shape with a rotation center coupled to a support shaft 410.

[0139] The reciprocating lever 510 may be coupled to upper ends of the plurality of power transmission parts 400, and some reciprocating levers 510 may be connected to the conversion part 230 so as to receive power of the motor 210.

[0140] The reciprocating lever 510 may be configured to reciprocally rotate at a certain angle when the conversion part 230 rotates by the motor 210. The power transmission part 400 may be coupled to a rotation center of the reciprocating lever 510 and may be configured to rotate together with the reciprocating lever 510.

[0141] A plurality of reciprocating levers 510 may be connected and arranged by the connection part 600.

[0142] The connection part 600 may be configured to connect ends of the plurality of reciprocating levers 510.

[0143] Thus, when any one of the plurality of reciprocating levers 510 rotates, the connection part 600 may move such that the plurality of reciprocating levers 510 rotate simultaneously.

[0144] The power transmission part 400 and the reciprocating lever 510 may be supported by the support part 800. In addition, the motor 210 and the conversion part 230 may also be supported by the support part 800.

[0145] FIG. 6 illustrates the moving hanger 100 of the present disclosure separated from the inner case 20.

[0146] The power transmission part 400 may extend from an upper portion of the inner case to a lower portion of the inner case, and the mounting part 700 may be coupled to a lower portion of the power transmission part 400.

[0147] The reciprocating rotation part 500 may be coupled to each power transmission part 400. Specifically, the reciprocating rotation part 500 may be coupled to an upper portion of the power transmission part 400 so as to be easily connected to the driving part 200.

[0148] The power transmission parts 400 and the reciprocating rotation parts 500 may be provided in plurality and disposed at predetermined intervals along a width direction of the inner case.

[0149] The connection part 600 may be configured to connect the plurality of power transmission parts 400 or the plurality of reciprocating rotation parts 500 to each other. Thus, the connection part 600 may be configured to simultaneously rotate all of the plurality of power transmission parts 400 or the plurality of reciprocating rotation parts 500.

[0150] The power transmission part 400 may include the support shaft 410 that penetrates an upper portion of the inner case 20 and is coupled to the reciprocating lever 510.

[0151] The support shaft 410 may penetrate the support part 800 and may be exposed above the support part 800 or above the inner case 20.

[0152] The power transmission part 400 may include an auxiliary support part 420 coupled to the support shaft 410 and exposed to the accommodating space. The auxiliary support part 420 may be formed in a bar shape, and the mounting part 700 may be coupled and fixed to a lower portion of the auxiliary support part 420.

[0153] The auxiliary support part 420 may be fixed to the support shaft 410 and may be configured to rotate together with the support shaft 410. Thus, when the support shaft 410 rotates by the reciprocating lever 510, the auxiliary support part 420 coupled to the support shaft 410 may also rotate, and the mounting part 700 may rotate left and right.

[0154] The reciprocating lever 510 may include: a main lever 511 configured to reciprocally rotate by directly receiving power from the driving part 200; and an auxiliary lever 512 configured to receive power from the main lever 511 through the connection part 600.

[0155] The main lever 511 may be provided in singular and may be configured to directly receive power from the driving part 200.

[0156] In the driving part 200, the motor 210 may include a vertical motor 211 coupled to the support part 800 and a vertical rotation shaft 221 rotated by the vertical motor 211.

[0157] The conversion part 230 may include: a driving pulley 231 coupled to the vertical rotation shaft 221 and configured to rotate together with the vertical rotation shaft 221; a transmission pulley 232 coupled to the power shaft 240 and configured to rotate the power shaft 240; and a belt 233 connecting a portion of outer circumferential surfaces of the driving pulley 231 and the transmission pulley 232.

[0158] The conversion part 230 may further include a pulley support part 224 configured to rotatably support the power shaft 240 and the transmission pulley 232. The pulley support part 224 may be configured to support the transmission pulley 232 such that the transmission pulley 232 is arranged in parallel with the driving pulley 231. The pulley support part 224 may be seated on the support part 800.

[0159] The power shaft 240 may be configured to transmit power provided from the rotation shaft 220 to one end of both ends of the main lever 511.

[0160] The power shaft 240 may be coupled to the displacement generating part 300, which will be described later, and may reciprocally rotate the main lever 511 about the support shaft 410.

[0161] The connection part 600 may include a link bar 610 configured to connect an end of the main lever 511, which is not connected to the power shaft 240 among both ends of the main lever 511, and one end of the auxiliary lever 512.

[0162] The auxiliary lever 512 may be rotatably coupled to the support shaft 410. The auxiliary lever 512 may extend in one direction from a portion coupled to the support shaft 410 so as to be connected to the link bar 610.

[0163] The link bar 610 may be formed in a linear frame shape connecting one end of the main lever 511 and ends of the auxiliary levers 512. In this case, the end of the main lever 511 and the ends of the auxiliary levers 512 may be arranged side by side with respect to the link bar 610 or a width direction.

[0164] The link bar 610 may be provided in singular. The link bar 610 may be configured to rotate the main lever 511 and the auxiliary lever 512 simultaneously about the support shaft 410.

[0165] The inner case 20 may be provided with a through-hole 23 in which a portion of the support part 800 is seated and which exposes the power transmission part 400 to the accommodating space 22.

[0166] The through-hole 23 may be provided in an upper surface 22 of the inner case, and the through-hole 23 may be formed along a direction in which the power transmission part 400 is disposed.

[0167] For example, the power transmission parts 400 may be disposed spaced apart from each other along a width direction of the inner case, and the through-hole 23 may be disposed along the width direction of the inner case.

[0168] The clothing treatment apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may further include a support frame 12 disposed outside the inner case and configured to support the cabinet 10.

[0169] The support frame 12 may be made of a metal material and may be disposed at each position corresponding to the corner of the cabinet 1 or the corner of the inner case 20 so as to maintain the exterior of the clothing treatment apparatus. Since the support part 800 has both ends seated on and supported by the support frame 12, the support part 800 may prevent unnecessary impact or load from being transmitted to the upper surface 22 of the inner case.

[0170] FIG. 7 illustrates an operating method of the moving hanger of the present disclosure.

[0171] Referring to FIG. 7(a), when the driving part 200 operates, the power transmission part 400 may rotate to the right by the reciprocating rotation part 500. In this case, the power transmission parts 400 connected to the connection part 600 may also rotate to the right.

[0172] Referring to FIG. 7(b), when the driving part 200 further operates, the power transmission part 400 may rotate to the left by the reciprocating rotation part 500. In this case, the power transmission parts 400 connected to the connection part 600 may also rotate to the left.

[0173] As this process is repeated, the power transmission part 400 may rotate left and right.

[0174] The power transmission part 400 may be configured to rotate left and right while being fixed at a reference position. The power transmission part 400 may be fixed to the support part 800 such that no positional change occurs in forward, backward, left, or right directions during the rotation.

[0175] The power transmission part 400 may be fixed such that the power transmission part 400 does not move in an up-down direction, a front-rear direction, or a width direction.

[0176] However, the power transmission part 400 may be configured to rotate left and right about a vertical direction or height direction in which the power transmission part extends as a rotation axis. As a result, when the driving part 200 operates, the mounting part 700 may reciprocally rotate left and right about the power transmission part 400 without positional movement.

[0177] Referring to FIG. 7(c), the hanger part 900 may include: a ring part 910 mounted on the mounting part 700; and seating parts 920 and 930 coupled to the ring part 910 on which clothing is mounted.

[0178] The seating part may include: a first seating part 920 extending from one side of the ring part 910; and a second seating part 930 extending from the other side of the ring part 910.

[0179] The first seating part 920 and the second seating part 930 may be arranged side by side and may be configured to hold one side and the other side of clothing.

[0180] When the ring part 910 is mounted, the mounting part 700 may be formed such that the first seating part 920 and the second seating part 930 are arranged in the front-rear direction.

[0181] For example, the first seating part 920 may be disposed toward a rear surface 23 of the inner case 20, and the second seating part 930 may be disposed toward the opening or door 11 of the inner case 20.

[0182] When the ring part 910 is mounted on the mounting part 700, the first seating part 920 and the second seating part 930 may also be arranged in a left-right direction, which is a lateral direction of the inner case 20. In this case, when a plurality of hanger parts 900 are mounted on the moving hanger 100, the hanger parts 900 have to be arranged in the front-rear direction, and clothing mounted at the rear side may be difficult to be taken in and out due to clothing mounted at the front side.

[0183] Accordingly, when the ring part 910 is mounted, the mounting part 700 may be configured such that the first seating part 920 and the second seating part 930 are arranged in the front-rear direction.

[0184] Thus, the plurality of hanger parts 900 may be arranged in the width direction of the inner case 200 such that clothing mounted on the plurality of hanger parts 900 may be separated from or mounted on the hanger parts 900 or the mounting part 700 without interference from other clothing.

[0185] The first seating part 920 and the second seating part 930 may be symmetrically provided with respect to the ring part 910.

[0186] When the moving hanger 100 operates and the power transmission part 400 rotates counterclockwise, the hanger part 900 may rotate such that the first seating part 920 rotates to the left and the second seating part 930 rotates to the right with respect to the ring part 910.

[0187] At this time, an angle (I) by which the first seating part 920 rotates may be the same as an angle (θ) by which the second seating part 930 rotates, and a distance by which the first seating part 920 moves may be the same as a distance by which the second seating part 930 moves.

[0188] As a result, with respect to the hanger part 900, the weight and force of the clothing moving to the left and the weight and force of the clothing moving to the right may be the same and cancel each other out.

[0189] Similarly, when the power transmission part 400 rotates clockwise, the weight and force moving to the left with respect to the ring part 910 and the weight and force moving to the right with respect to the ring part 910 may be the same and cancel each other out.

[0190] As a result, even when the power transmission part 400 rotates, the forces applied to the hanger part 900 may cancel each other out, thereby minimizing the vibration force, excitation force, or inertial force generated in the hanger part 900. Accordingly, inertial forces generated from the plurality of power transmission parts 400 may be minimized, and thus, vibration or noise generated in the entire moving hanger 100 may be minimized. Furthermore, vibration or noise generated in the entire clothing treatment apparatus 1 may be drastically reduced.

[0191] Consequently, even when the driving part 200 is driven at maximum output, vibration generated in the moving hanger 100 or the entire clothing treatment apparatus 1 may not be significant. Furthermore, since respective surfaces of clothing mounted on the hanger part 900 are shaken while rotating left and right, a high dust-removing effect may be secured.

[0192] FIG. 8 illustrates characteristics of clothing mounted on the moving hanger.

[0193] Meanwhile, only an upper portion of clothing L may be mounted on the moving hanger 100, and both side portions and a lower portion thereof may be arranged in a state of being unfixed and suspended in the accommodating space 21.

[0194] Accordingly, the clothing L may move relatively freely except for the portion mounted on the moving hanger 100.

[0195] When the clothing L is an upper garment such as a suit, a coat, or a shirt, the clothing L may be longer than the width of the hanger part 900 due to both sleeve portions. Thus, the clothing L may have a high possibility of coming into contact with an inner wall of the inner case 20 when the moving hanger 100 is driven.

[0196] In addition, when the clothing L is a lower garment, since a width difference from an upper end fixed to the moving hanger 100 to a lower end thereof is not large, the lower garments have a low possibility of colliding with the inner wall of the inner case 20. Therefore, the following description will be given based on the case where the clothing L is an upper garment.

[0197] Even when the clothing L is provided in various types such as a coat, a half coat, a shirt, or a one-piece dress, lengths of sleeve portions of the clothing L may be formed similarly.

[0198] When the clothing L is mounted on the hanger part 900, since a seating surface of the hanger part 900 is spaced downward from the upper surface 25 of the inner case 20 by a length corresponding to the mounting part 700 and the ring part 910, the clothing L is mounted in the accommodating space 21 while being spaced apart by a first distance L1 corresponding to a spacing between the upper surface 25 of the inner case 20 and the seating surface of the hanger part 900.

[0199] In general, when the clothing L is a long-sleeved garment, a button B disposed in a sleeve portion of the clothing L is not disposed at an end of the sleeve portion but is disposed in a region spaced upward from the end of the sleeve portion by a third length L3 for decoration and functionality.

[0200] As a result, the sleeve portion of the clothing L is arranged to be spaced downward from the upper surface 25 of the inner case 20 by a first length L1, a second length L2, which is from the seating surface to the button B, and a third length L3, which is from the button B to the sleeve end.

[0201] The first length L1 may be determined according to specifications of the moving hanger 100, and the second length L2 and the third length L3 may be determined according to specifications of the clothing. In this case, based on various sizes of products for adult men and women, the second length L2 corresponds to at least 683 mm at most 828 mm, and the third length L3 corresponds to 30 to 40 mm.

[0202] Meanwhile, the button B is disposed spaced apart from the end of the long-sleeve portion of the clothing L by the third length L3, and the third length L3 is significantly shorter than the second length L2. Thus, if a lower portion of a region corresponding to the second length L2 in the long-sleeve portion of the clothing L does not come into contact with or collide with the inner surface of the inner case 20, an entire region corresponding to the third length L3 may not come into contact with or collide with the inner surface of the inner case 20.

[0203] Accordingly, the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may prevent a portion corresponding to a lower region of the second length L2 from coming into contact with the inner wall of the inner case 20, regardless of the type of clothing in the inner case 20, thereby preventing vibration and noise and also preventing damage to the clothing L and the inner case 20.

[0204] FIG. 9 illustrates a region in which the clothing mounted on the moving hanger is capable of contacting the inner surface of the inner case.

[0205] The moving hanger 100 is installed at an upper portion of the inner case 20, and the hanger part 900 is disposed to be spaced apart from the upper surface 25 by the first length L1.

[0206] In addition, the button B is not disposed up to a position spaced apart from the hanger part 900 by the second length L2.

[0207] As a result, a region up to a fourth length L4, which is the sum of the first length L1 and the second length L2, from the hanger part 900, corresponds to a region in which the button B is not formed.

[0208] The button B is intensively disposed in a region spaced downward from the upper surface 25 of the inner case 20 by the third length L3 below the fourth length L4.

[0209] In the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure, the clothing L may be configured to be spaced apart from the inner wall of the inner case 20 in an installation region A located above a region where the third length L3 is disposed and below a region where the second length L2 is disposed.

[0210] Thus, since a clothing region disposed in the installation region A is spaced apart from the inner case 20, a clothing region disposed at the third length L3 may also be spaced apart from the inner case 20, and the button B formed on the clothing disposed at the third length L3 may be prevented from colliding with or coming into contact with the inner wall of the inner case 20.

[0211] The installation region A may be formed closer to the upper surface 25 than to a lower surface 27 of the inner case 20. For example, the fourth length L4 may be equal to or shorter than a fifth length L5. Even when the fourth length L4 is formed longer than the fifth length L5, since the installation region A is spaced shorter than the fourth length L4 from the upper surface 25 of the inner case 20, the installation region A may be disposed at the middle height or above the middle height of the inner case 20.

[0212] The installation region A may be located 20 to 35 mm above the button so as to prevent the clothing from coming into contact or colliding with the inner case 20.

[0213] In summary, the installation region A may be disposed in a region corresponding to the second length L2, for example between about 200 mm and about 700 mm, or at an intermediate position around 280 mm, from the upper surface of the inner case or from the hanger part 900 mounted on the mounting part.

[0214] As a result, the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may be configured to space apart from the inner case 20 a region of the clothing L mounted on the hanger part 900 that faces an installation region A located 20 to 35 mm above the button B, thereby preventing the clothing L from coming into contact with, rubbing against, or colliding with the inner case 20.

[0215] Specifically, the installation region A may be located 20 to 35 mm above a region spaced 683 mm downward from the upper surface 25 of the inner case 20. Accordingly, even when the clothing L is longer than 683 mm, the installation region A may always be positioned above the button B. The clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure may be configured to dispose a protrusion part 1000 protruding inward from a surface of the inner case 20 corresponding to the installation region A.

[0216] For example, the protrusion part 1000 may be disposed in the installation region A located about 200 mm to 700 mm from the upper surface 25 of the inner case 20.

[0217] The protrusion part 1000 may be configured to protrude inward from the inner case 20 and may come into contact with or press against a region of the clothing L facing the installation region A, thereby preventing the button B and sleeve end of the clothing L from coming into contact with or rubbing against the inner wall of the inner case 20.

[0218] When the clothing L does not have a long-sleeve portion or is a lower garment, no portion of the clothing L mounted on the hanger part 900 reaches the inner wall of the inner case 20, and thus the clothing mounted on the hanger part 900 may be fundamentally prevented from coming into contact with the inner wall of the inner case 20.

[0219] A width L7 of the protrusion part 1000 in the left-right direction may be formed to be less than or equal to a width L8 of one surface of the inner case 20. Accordingly, the protrusion part 1000 may prevent both side surfaces of the inner case 20 from being pressed or damaged during installation due to design tolerance and assembly tolerance.

[0220] In addition, the width L7 of the protrusion part 1000 may be formed longer than a total width L6 of the plurality of hanger parts 900 or a total width L6 of the plurality of mounting parts 700. For example, the width L7 of the protrusion part 1000 may be configured to be longer than the width L6 of the moving hanger 100.

[0221] Thus, regardless of which hanger part 900 among the plurality of hanger parts 900 the clothing is mounted on, the sleeve end or button B of the clothing may be prevented from coming into contact with the inner wall of the inner case 20, and sleeve ends or buttons B of all clothing mounted on the plurality of hanger parts 900 may be prevented from coming into contact with the inner wall of the inner case 20.

[0222] Furthermore, when the mounting part 700 rotates in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the sleeve ends and buttons B of the clothing may be prevented from coming into contact with the inner wall of the inner case 20 during an entire process of reciprocating in the width direction of the inner case 20.

[0223] The protrusion part 1000 may be installed in any region of the inner surface of the inner case 20 as long as the region corresponds to the installation region A.

[0224] For example, the protrusion part 1000 may protrude toward the accommodating space 21 from at least one of both side surfaces 22 of the inner case 20.

[0225] However, since the clothing L has a high possibility of colliding or interfering with a surface facing at least one of a first seating surface 920 and a second seating surface 930, which correspond to extension directions of the first seating surface 920 and the second seating surface 930 on both sides of the hanger part 900, it is preferable that the protrusion part 1000 be disposed to protrude from a surface of the inner case 20 facing at least one of the first seating surface 920 and the second seating surface 930.

[0226] Since the first seating surface 920 faces the rear surface 23 of the inner case 20 and the second seating surface 930 faces the door 40, both side surfaces of the hanger part 900 are arranged in the front-rear direction, and thus the protrusion part 1000 may be disposed on the rear surface 23 of the inner case 20.

[0227] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the protrusion part for preventing clothing from coming into contact with or rubbing against the inner case.

[0228] The protrusion part 1000 may be formed to extend from the rear surface 23 of the inner case 20 in a width direction. Thus, when the plurality of mounting parts 700 and hanger parts 900 are arranged to be spaced apart in the width direction inside the inner case 20, sleeve ends or buttons B of a plurality of pieces of clothing may be prevented from coming into contact with, rubbing against, or colliding with the rear surface 23 of the inner case 20.

[0229] The width L7 of the protrusion part 1000 may be formed longer than the total width L6 of the hanger parts 900 or the total width L6 of the mounting parts 700.

[0230] The width L7 of the protrusion part 1000 may be set to be longer than the rotation radius of the sleeve end or button B of the clothing mounted on the hanger part 900.

[0231] In addition, the protrusion part 1000 may be formed such that the width L7 in the left-right direction is longer than the thickness or height in the front-rear direction.

[0232] The protrusion part 1000 may be disposed to be spaced apart from both side surfaces of the inner case 20 by a tenth length L10. Thus, it is possible to prevent the protrusion part 1000 from damaging both side surfaces of the inner case 20. Hot air or steam may be guided to pass through a region between the protrusion part 1000 and both side surfaces of the inner case 20, thereby preventing the protrusion part 1000 from interfering with movement of the hot air and steam.

[0233] The longer the length by which the protrusion part 1000 protrudes from the rear surface 23 of the inner case 20, the lower a possibility that the clothing L comes into contact with the rear surface 23 of the inner case 20.

[0234] However, the longer the length by which the protrusion part 1000 protrudes from the rear surface 23 of the inner case 20, the more the protrusion part 1000 may interfere with movement of hot air or steam supplied from the machinery room 30.

[0235] However, if the length by which the protrusion part 1000 protrudes from the rear surface 23 of the inner case 20 is small, there may be a risk that the sleeve end or button of the clothing L collides with the inner case 20.

[0236] Accordingly, the protrusion part 1000 may protrude by a ninth length L9 from the rear surface 23 of the inner case 20. The ninth length L9 may be set greater than the diameter of the button.

[0237] As a result of experiments on flow analysis and lengths capable of preventing impact on the button B, it was confirmed that the ninth length L9 is preferably set to 15 to 35 mm. In addition, through flow analysis, it was confirmed that when the protrusion part 1000 protrudes by 20 mm, the button B and sleeve end of the clothing mounted on the hanger part 900 may be maintained in a state of being spaced apart from the inner surface of the inner case 20 while movement of hot air and steam is not restricted.

[0238] As a result, the protrusion part 1000 may be formed to protrude 20 to 35 mm from one surface of the inner case 20. The protrusion part 1000 may have a height corresponding to 20 to 35 mm of the installation region A and a width spaced apart by the tenth length L10 from both side surfaces of the inner case 20.

[0239] The tenth length L10 may be set in a range of 10 to 50 mm.

[0240] Meanwhile, since the protrusion part 1000 is installed in a range corresponding to the installation region A, the protrusion part 1000 may be disposed at a middle height of the inner case 20 or may be disposed closer to the upper surface 25 than to the lower surface 27 of the inner case 20.

[0241] FIG. 11 illustrates effects of the protrusion part.

[0242] FIG. 11(a) illustrates a conventional clothing treatment apparatus with no protrusion.

[0243] Since the inner case 20 includes no protrusion, there is no configuration to push clothing L into the accommodating space 21.

[0244] Accordingly, when the clothing L such as an upper garment is mounted on the hanger part 900, the sleeve end or button B of the clothing may come into contact with the rear surface of the inner case 20.

[0245] In this case, when the moving hanger 100 operates and the hanger part 900 performs reciprocating movement or reciprocating rotation, the sleeve end and button B of the clothing L may frequently collide with or rub against the rear surface of the inner case 20, and considerable noise or vibration may occur.

[0246] FIG. 11(b) illustrates the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure provided with the protrusion part 1000.

[0247] When the protrusion part 1000 is disposed on the inner surface of the inner case 20, a portion of the clothing mounted on the hanger part 900 that droops or extends toward the inner surface of the inner case 20 may be pressed toward the accommodating space 21 by the protrusion part 1000.

[0248] Since the protrusion part 1000 is installed inside the installation region A, the protrusion part 1000 is positioned above the sleeve end of the clothing. That is, the protrusion part 100 is disposed above a region where the button B is installed.

[0249] Accordingly, the protrusion part 1000 may be in contact with an upper region of the button B of the clothing L and may push the clothing L toward the accommodating space 21 from the inner surface of the inner case 20, and the button B and sleeve end of the clothing may always be maintained in a state of being spaced apart from the inner surface of the inner case 20.

[0250] For example, when the long-sleeve portion of the clothing L is spaced apart from the rear surface 23 of the inner case 20 by the ninth length L9 corresponding to the protrusion part thickness of the protrusion part 1000, the long-sleeve portion and button B of the clothing L may be disposed to be spaced apart from the rear surface 23 of the inner case 20 by an eleventh length L11 longer than the ninth length L9.

[0251] In this state, even when the hanger part 900 performs reciprocating movement or reciprocating rotation, the sleeve end and button B of the clothing L may be maintained in a state of being spaced apart from the rear surface 23 of the inner case 20. Furthermore, since the protrusion part 1000 is also installed in the installation region A, there is no possibility of coming into contact with the button B.

[0252] Accordingly, even when the moving hanger 100 is driven at a higher speed, the clothing L and the inner case 20 may not come into contact with each other, thereby preventing generation of vibration and noise and also preventing damage to the clothing and the inner case.

[0253] FIG. 12 illustrates a specific structural embodiment of the protrusion part.

[0254] The protrusion part 1000 may include: a holder 1100 disposed on the inner surface of the inner case; and a main body part 1200 coupled to the holder 1100 and protruding toward the accommodating space.

[0255] The holder 1100 may be integrally formed with the inner surface of the inner case 20, or may be detachably provided on the inner surface of the inner case 20.

[0256] The holder 1100 may be made of a material having higher rigidity than the inner case 20. Thus, the holder 1100 may stably support the main body part 1200 and serve to protect the inner case 20.

[0257] The main body part 1200 may be configured to secure a length by which the protrusion part 1000 protrudes from the inner surface of the inner case 20. Thus, the holder 1100 may be prevented from excessively protruding and thereby weakening durability, and the protrusion part 1000 may protrude with a sufficient length without being limited by the configuration or material of the inner case 20.

[0258] The main body part 1200 may be made of a material stronger than the inner case 20 and serve to support or protect electrical components when the electrical components are disposed inside the protrusion part 1000.

[0259] A rear surface of the main body part 1200 may be detachably provided to the holder 1100, and a front surface of the main body part 1200 may be configured to have the same area as or a larger area than the holder 1100.

[0260] The protrusion part 1000 may include a protrusion part cover 1300 coupled to a front portion of the main body part 1200 and configured to be capable of contacting the clothing.

[0261] The area of the protrusion part cover 1300 may be formed larger than that of the main body part 1200 and the holder 1100. The protrusion part cover 1300 may be provided to secure an area where the protrusion part 1000 comes into contact with the clothing L. Thus, the protrusion part cover 1300 may prevent the main body part 1200 and the holder 1100 from being formed with an excessive area and minimize interference with movement of hot air or steam supplied upward from the machinery room 30 due to the main body part 1200 and the holder 1100.

[0262] The protrusion part cover 1300 may be provided in a plate shape having a small thickness and a large area. The protrusion part cover 1300 may be configured to be in direct contact with the clothing L and may be made of a material having low friction.

[0263] In addition, the protrusion part cover 1300 may be made of a material having higher elasticity or greater aesthetic quality than the holder 1100 and the main body part 1200.

[0264] Thus, the protrusion part 1000 may secure rigidity through the holder 1100 and the main body part 1200 and secure the ninth length L9 protruding toward the accommodating space 21 through the main body part 1200. Through the protrusion part cover 1300, the protrusion part 1000 may secure a heightwise dimension and the width L7 so as to be disposed in the installation region A.

[0265] The protrusion part 1000 may further include a light emitting unit 1500 coupled to the main body part 1200 and configured to irradiate light into the accommodating space.

[0266] The light emitting unit 1500 may be connected to and controlled by a controller or the like disposed inside the inner case.

[0267] Alternatively, the protrusion part 1000 may be provided as an integrated module. That is, the protrusion part 1000 may be provided as a complete module such that at least one of fabrication, transportation, installation, repair, and replacement of the protrusion part 1000 is possible separately from the clothing treatment apparatus.

[0268] The holder 1100 may be detachably provided on the inner wall of the inner case 20 to facilitate supply of electric power. Accordingly, components for controlling the light emitting unit 1500 may be provided in the holder 1100.

[0269] For example, the holder 1100 may include a holder body 1100 coupled to the rear surface 23 of the inner case 20, and a control panel 1120 disposed in the holder body 1100 to control the light emitting unit 1500.

[0270] The holder body 1100 may be provided in a plate shape.

[0271] The holder 1100 may further include a support part 1130 protruding from the holder body 1100 and configured to be coupled to the main body part 1200 or support the main body part 1200.

[0272] Meanwhile, since electrical components may be disposed inside the holder 1100, the holder 1100 may further include a shielding part 1150 protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the holder body 110.

[0273] The shielding part 1150 may have a thickness sufficient to prevent an internal space between the holder 1100 and the main body part 1200 from being exposed to the outside.

[0274] Meanwhile, the protrusion part 1000 may further include a sealing member 1400 capable of sealing the inside of the holder 1100. The sealing member 1400 may be an elastic member configured to be disposed along at least one of an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface of the shielding part 1150.

[0275] The holder 1100 may further include a sealer support part 1140 protruding along an inner circumferential surface of the shielding part 1150 inside the shielding part 1150. The sealer support part 1140 may be spaced apart by a distance equal to or less than a thickness of the shielding part 1150 and the sealing member 1400, and the sealing member 1400 may be coupled and fixed between the sealer support part 1140 and the shielding part 1150.

[0276] The main body part 1200 may include: a main body 1220 provided to support the protrusion part cover 1300; and an installation stand 1210 protruding from the main body 1220 toward the holder 1100 and detachably coupled to the holder 1100 or configured to support at least one of the light emitting unit 1500 and the sealing member 1400.

[0277] The main body 1220 may include a seating protrusion 1240 protruding from a front surface thereof and coming into contact with the protrusion part cover 1300.

[0278] A plurality of seating protrusions 1240 may be provided, and the plurality of seating protrusions 1240 may be arranged to be spaced apart along a width direction of the protrusion part cover 1300 on the main body 1220. Thus, the protrusion part cover 1300 may be disposed on a front surface of the main body 1220 without being inclined in a specific direction, and an impact transmitted from the protrusion part cover 1300 may be absorbed.

[0279] The main body part 1200 may further include a detachable part 1230 protruding rearward from the main body 1220 and detachably coupled to the support part 1130. Since the detachable part 1230 is integrally formed with the main body 1220, a region of a front surface of the main body 1220 corresponding to the detachable part 1230 may be formed in a recessed shape in consideration of molding.

[0280] A rear surface of the main body 1220 may be in contact with the sealing member 1400 to block hot air or steam from being introduced into the holder 1100.

[0281] The light emitting unit 1500 may be disposed along the width direction of the protrusion part 1000 and may be configured to irradiate light into the accommodating space 21.

[0282] The light emitting unit 1500 may be disposed between a main body cover 1300 and the inner surface of the inner case 20. The light emitting unit 1500 and may be disposed inside a circumference of the main body cover 1300 so as not to be exposed to the outside of the main body cover 1300.

[0283] Thus, light irradiated from the light emitting unit 1500 may not be directly irradiated toward the accommodating space 21 or the opening, but the light may be shielded by the main body cover 1300 and irradiated along the inner surface of the inner case 20 like indirect lighting.

[0284] As a result, even when the light emitting unit 1500 is disposed on the inner surface of the inner case 20, glare may be prevented, and identification of a state inside the accommodating space 21 may be enhanced.

[0285] The light emitting unit 1500 may be seated on the installation stand 1210 of the main body part 1200.

[0286] For example, when the installation stand 1210 protrudes in the width direction from an upper rear portion and a lower rear portion of the main body 122, the light emitting unit 1500 may be disposed on at least one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the main body part 1200 along the width direction of the main body part 1200.

[0287] The light emitting unit 1500 may allow a user to easily check a state in which clothing mounted on the hanger part 900 comes into contact with or is pressed by the protrusion part 1000.

[0288] Meanwhile, the light emitting unit 1500 may be installed in any region as long as the light emitting unit 1500 is capable of being shielded by a discharge cover 1300 through the opening.

[0289] For example, the light emitting unit 1500 may be disposed on both the upper portion and lower portion of the main body part 1200. Alternatively, the light emitting unit 1500 may be disposed on both side surfaces of the main body part 1200 or may be disposed along a circumference of the main body part 1200.

[0290] The light emitting unit 1500 may be installed inside the holder 1100 and may be configured to irradiate light toward the outside of the holder 1100.

[0291] Alternatively, the light emitting unit 1500 may be installed on the inner surface of the inner case 20 facing the protrusion part cover 1300.

[0292] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment for controlling a lighting unit provided in the protrusion part.

[0293] Since the purpose of the light emitting unit 1500 is to allow a user to easily check the state of the accommodating space 21 or clothing mounted on the hanger part 900, the light emitting unit 1500 may be configured to irradiate light when the accommodating space 21 is opened by the door 40.

[0294] The light emitting unit 1500 may be configured to irradiate light upward, downward, leftward, rightward, or along the entire circumference of the protrusion part 1000. Thus, the number of lighting units for irradiating light inside the inner case 20 may be reduced or omitted.

[0295] When the accommodating space 21 is closed by the door 40, the supply of current to the light emitting unit 1500 may be interrupted. Accordingly, after the door 40 is closed, safety accidents such as electric leakage or short circuit in the light emitting unit 1500 may be fundamentally prevented when hot air or steam is supplied.

[0296] The present disclosure may be embodied in various forms, and the scope of rights is not limited to the embodiments described above. Therefore, if a modified embodiment includes elements of the claims of the present disclosure, the embodiment shall be construed as falling within the scope of rights of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A clothing treatment apparatus comprising: a cabinet; an inner case provided inside the cabinet and configured to define an accommodating space for mounting clothing; a machinery room disposed below the inner case and configured to supply at least one of steam and air into the accommodating space; and a moving hanger configured to mount clothing at an upper portion of the accommodating space and configured to shake the clothing, wherein the inner case comprises a protrusion part protruding into the accommodating space to prevent the mounted clothing from coming into contact with the inner case or from rubbing against the inner case.

2. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the moving hanger comprises: a driving part disposed at an upper portion of the inner case; a power transmission part connected to the driving part and configured to perform reciprocating movement or reciprocating rotation in the accommodating space; and a mounting part coupled to a lower portion of the power transmission part and configured to seat a hanger part on which the clothing is mounted, and wherein the protrusion part is configured to protrude from a surface of the inner case facing at least one of both sides of the hanger part.

3. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mounting part is provided to support the hanger part such that both sides of the hanger part are arranged in a front-rear direction, and wherein the protrusion part is disposed on an inner rear surface of the inner case.

4. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 2, wherein the protrusion part is disposed to extend in a width direction of the inner case.

5. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mounting part and the hanger part are provided in plurality and a plurality of the mounting part and a plurality of the hanger part arranged to be spaced apart in a width direction of the inner case, and wherein the protrusion part is disposed to extend equal to or greater than a total spacing of the plurality of the mounting part or the plurality of the hanger part.

6. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 5, wherein the protrusion part is disposed such that both ends of the protrusion part are spaced apart from both side surfaces of the inner case.

7. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protrusion part is formed such that a width in a left-right direction is greater than a thickness in a front-rear direction.

8. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 7, wherein the protrusion part is disposed at a middle height of the inner case or disposed closer to an upper surface of the inner case than to a lower surface of the inner case.

9. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 7, wherein the moving hanger comprises: a driving part disposed at an upper portion of the inner case; a power transmission part connected to the driving part and configured to perform reciprocating movement or reciprocating rotation in the accommodating space; and a mounting part coupled to a lower portion of the power transmission part on which a hanger part for mounting the clothing is seated,, and wherein the protrusion part is disposed in a region spaced downward by 280 millimeters to 700 millimeters from an upper surface of the inner case or from the hanger part seated on the mounting part.

10. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 7, wherein the protrusion part is formed to have a heightwise width of 20 to 40 millimeters.

11. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 7, wherein the protrusion part comprises a outer surface protruded 15 to 30 millimeters from an inner surface of the inner case.

12. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protrusion part comprises: a holder disposed on an inner surface of the inner case; a main body part coupled to the holder and protruding toward the accommodating space; and a protrusion part cover coupled to a front portion of the main body part to be capable of contacting the clothing.

13. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 12, wherein the protrusion part cover is formed to have a larger area than the main body part and the holder.

14. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 12, wherein the protrusion part further comprises a light emitting unit coupled to the main body part to irradiate light into the accommodating space.

15. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 14, wherein the light emitting unit is disposed on at least one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the main body part.

16. The clothing treatment apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a door coupled to the cabinet to open and close the accommodating space, wherein the light emitting unit is configured to irradiate light when the door is opened.

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