Clothing treatment apparatus and method for controlling clothing treatment apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a clothing treatment apparatus that comprises: a tub for storing water; a drum that is rotatably provided inside the tub and accommodates objects to be treated; a detergent storage unit for storing a detergent; a connector that connects the detergent storage unit and the tub; a storage unit first water supply pipe and a storage unit second water supply pipe, which are provided as separate flow paths and supply water to the detergent storage unit; and a connector water supply pipe for supplying water to the connector. The method comprises: a first water supply step for supplying water to the tub by opening one of the storage unit first water supply pipe or the storage unit second water supply pipe; a second water supply step for supplying water to the tub by opening the connector water supply pipe; and a third water supply step for supplying water to the tub by opening the other of the storage unit first water supply pipe or the storage unit second water supply pipe when water is not supplied to the tub via the connector water supply pipe.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clothing treatment apparatus and a method of controlling the clothing treatment apparatus.BACKGROUND

[0002] A clothing treatment apparatus refers to a washing machine that washes a treatment target such as clothing through a washing operation, or a dryer that dries the treatment target through a drying operation. In general, a washing machine and a dryer may be provided as separate devices. However, to overcome space limitations and improve convenience of a user, there is a clothing treatment apparatus capable of simultaneously performing both washing and drying.

[0003] To perform the washing operation, the clothing treatment apparatus includes a cabinet, a tub in which water is stored, a drum providing a space in which the treatment target is accommodated, a driving unit fixed to the tub and configured to rotate the drum, a support configured to support the tub, a water supply unit configured to supply water to the tub, and a drain unit configured to drain water from the tub.

[0004] To perform the drying operation, the clothing treatment apparatus includes a flow path unit configured to draw air from inside the tub and supply the air back to the tub, and a heat exchange unit provided in the flow path unit and configured to sequentially perform dehumidification and heating of the air.

[0005] That is, some conventional clothing treatment apparatuses include both a device for the washing operation and a device for the drying operation inside one cabinet, thereby allowing the washing operation and the drying operation to be selectively performed according to user convenience.

[0006] The conventional clothing treatment apparatus having the above-described structure has a problem in that the above-described structure is difficult to apply to a commercial clothing treatment apparatus that is required to frequently and rapidly treat a large number of treatment targets. That is, a commercial clothing treatment apparatus requires a treatment space capable of accommodating heavy and bulky clothing and a heat exchange unit for rapid washing and drying of a treatment target. Therefore, it is difficult to install both a device for the washing operation and a device for the drying operation in a cabinet having a limited volume. Although both the device for the washing operation and the device for the drying operation may be installed by designing the cabinet to have a large volume, there is a problem in that manufacturing or transportation is difficult in this case. Accordingly, for a commercial clothing treatment apparatus, coupling or arrangement between the device for the washing operation and the device for the drying operation is one important design consideration.

[0007] In addition, for the commercial clothing treatment apparatus, reduction of a washing time or a drying time is one important design consideration.DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

[0008] The present disclosure is directed to providing a clothing treatment apparatus capable of reducing a water supply time through a plurality of water supply flow paths that guide water to a tub, and a method of controlling the clothing treatment apparatus.

[0009] The present disclosure is directed to providing a clothing treatment apparatus capable of determining whether water is supplied to the tub through each water supply flow path, and a method of controlling the clothing treatment apparatus.

[0010] The present disclosure is directed to providing a clothing treatment apparatus capable of supplying water to the tub through one or more other water supply flow paths when water is not supplied to the tub through some of a plurality of water supply flow paths, and a method of controlling the clothing treatment apparatus.Technical Solution

[0011] The present disclosure provides a method of controlling a clothing treatment apparatus including: a tub in which water is stored; a drum rotatably provided inside the tub and configured to accommodate treatment targets; a detergent storage unit in which detergent is stored; a connection portion connecting the detergent storage unit and the tub; a first storage unit water supply pipe and a second storage unit water supply pipe configured to supply water to the detergent storage unit and provided as flow paths separated from each other; and a connection portion water supply pipe configured to supply water to the connection portion.

[0012] The control method may include: a first water supply step of supplying water to the tub by opening one of the first storage unit water supply pipe and the second storage unit water supply pipe; a second water supply step of supplying water to the tub by opening the connection portion water supply pipe; and a third water supply step of supplying water to the tub by opening a remaining one of the first storage unit water supply pipe and the second storage unit water supply pipe when water is not supplied to the tub through the connection portion water supply pipe.

[0013] The first water supply step and the second water supply step may be performed simultaneously.

[0014] The control method may further include: a first detection step of determining whether water is supplied through the first storage unit water supply pipe during execution of the first water supply step; and a second detection step of determining whether water is supplied through the connection portion water supply pipe during execution of the second water supply step.

[0015] When it is determined in the first detection step that water is not supplied through the first storage unit water supply pipe, the control method may terminate the first water supply step, the second water supply step, and the third water supply step.

[0016] The control method may further include a notification step of notifying a user of a water supply error when it is determined in the first detection step that water is not supplied through the first storage unit water supply pipe.

[0017] The first detection step may be performed by a first water supply detection unit configured to detect whether water moves along the first storage unit water supply pipe or to detect a water level inside the tub, and the second detection step may be performed by a second water supply detection unit configured to detect whether water moves along the connection portion water supply pipe or to detect the water level inside the tub.

[0018] The connection portion water supply pipe may include a first connection portion water supply pipe and a second connection portion water supply pipe configured to supply water to the connection portion, and the second water supply step may include supplying water to the connection portion through the first connection portion water supply pipe and the second connection portion water supply pipe.

[0019] The connection portion water supply pipe may include a first connection portion water supply pipe configured to guide one of cold water and hot water to the connection portion; and a second connection portion water supply pipe configured to guide the other one of the cold water and the hot water to the connection portion. The second water supply step may include supplying water to the connection portion through the first connection portion water supply pipe and the second connection portion water supply pipe.

[0020] Water supply through the first connection portion water supply pipe and water supply through the second connection portion water supply pipe may be performed simultaneously.

[0021] The second water supply detection unit may include a first sensor configured to detect whether water moves along the first connection portion water supply pipe; and a second sensor configured to detect whether water moves along the second connection portion water supply pipe. The third water supply step may be performed when water is not supplied to the tub through at least one of the first connection portion water supply pipe and the second connection portion water supply pipe.

[0022] The control method may include: a load amount detection step performed before start of the first water supply step and configured to determine an amount of the treatment targets accommodated inside the drum; a time setting step of determining a set time, which is a time required for treatment of the treatment targets, based on the amount of the treatment targets; and a display step of notifying a user of the set time.

[0023] When the third water supply step is started, the control method may further include an adjustment step of resetting the set time.

[0024] When the set time determined in the time setting step is different from the time reset in the adjustment step, the display step may include notifying the user of the time reset in the adjustment step.Advantageous Effects

[0025] According to the present disclosure, a clothing treatment apparatus capable of reducing a water supply time through a plurality of water supply flow paths that guide water to a tub, and a method of controlling the clothing treatment apparatus may be provided.

[0026] According to the present disclosure, a clothing treatment apparatus capable of determining whether water is supplied to the tub through each water supply flow path, and a method of controlling the clothing treatment apparatus may be provided.

[0027] According to the present disclosure, a clothing treatment apparatus capable of supplying water to the tub through one or more other water supply flow paths when water is not supplied to the tub through some of a plurality of water supply flow paths, and a method of controlling the clothing treatment apparatus may be provided.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an example of a clothing treatment apparatus. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an example of a first treatment apparatus. FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a tub, a drum, and a driving unit provided in the first treatment apparatus. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a water supply unit and , and FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a connection portion. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a first water supply flow path, a second water supply flow path, a first water supply valve, and a second water supply valve. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an example of a second treatment apparatus. FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a first flow path unit and a second flow path unit provided in the second treatment apparatus. FIG. 12 illustrates an example of the second flow path unit and a heat exchange unit. FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a third flow path unit. FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a method of controlling the clothing treatment apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The configuration or control method of the apparatus described below is merely for describing embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Reference numerals used identically throughout the disclosure denote identical components.

[0030] A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the disclosure, terms such as "include," "be provided with," or "have" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the disclosure, and do not, unless otherwise specifically defined, preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0031] Expressions indicating a relative or absolute arrangement, such as "in a direction," "along a direction," "parallel," "perpendicular," "centered on," "concentric," or "coaxial," not only indicate such an arrangement in a strict sense, but also indicate a state of relative displacement within a tolerance or with an angle or distance to an extent that the same function is obtained.

[0032] In addition, terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first" and "second," used in the disclosure may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms, and the terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component. Accordingly, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component.

[0033] In addition, terms such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "side," "front end," "rear end," "upper end," and "lower end" used in the disclosure are defined based on the drawings or based on a configuration or a state of arrangement / disposition between configurations, and shapes and positions of the respective configurations are not limited by the terms.

[0034] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a clothing treatment apparatus and a control method of the clothing treatment apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the clothing treatment apparatus 100 may include a first treatment apparatus 100a (a processing module, a clothing treatment module, a washing module) configured to provide a space for washing or drying a treatment target such as clothing, and a second treatment apparatus 100b (a drying module, a heat exchange module, a detachable module, an air treatment module) detachably coupled to the first treatment apparatus 100a and configured to dry the treatment target introduced into the first treatment apparatus.

[0036] The first treatment apparatus 100a may include a first cabinet 1, and the second treatment apparatus 100b may include a second cabinet 6. As illustrated in the drawings, the second treatment apparatus 100b may be provided above the first treatment apparatus 100a, and in this case, the appearance of the clothing treatment apparatus 100 may be formed by a combination of the first cabinet 1 and the second cabinet 6.

[0037] The first cabinet 1 may include a front panel 11 (first front panel) forming a front surface of the first treatment apparatus 100a, a side panel 12 (first side panel) connected to the first front panel to form a side surface of the first treatment apparatus 100a, and a rear panel 13 (first rear panel) provided at a position facing the first front panel 11 and forming a rear surface of the first treatment apparatus 100a.

[0038] A control panel 112 for controlling the clothing treatment apparatus 100 may be provided on the first front panel 11. The control panel 112 may be configured to control only one of the first treatment apparatus 100a and the second treatment apparatus 100b, or may be configured to control both the first treatment apparatus 100a and the second treatment apparatus 100b. The control panel 112 may include a display configured to display a control command selectable by a user, and an input unit configured to receive a control command from the user.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first front panel 11 may include a first panel body 113 and a second panel body 114. The first panel body 113 may be provided as a panel fixed to the first treatment apparatus 100a and forming a mounting space for the control panel 112, and the second panel body 114 may be provided as a panel detachable from the first treatment apparatus 100a.

[0040] The first panel body 113 may include a cabinet through-hole 111 communicating with the inside of the first treatment apparatus 100a, and the second panel body 114 may be provided at a position at which at least some of components provided inside the first treatment apparatus 100a are exposed to the outside of the first treatment apparatus 100a.

[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates a case in which the first panel body 113 is configured to form an upper region of the first front panel 11, and the second panel body 114 is configured to form a lower region of the first front panel 11.

[0042] The first side panel 12 may include a left panel 121 (first left panel) forming a left surface of the first treatment apparatus 100a (a part of a left surface of the clothing treatment apparatus), and a right panel 122 (first right panel) forming a right surface of the first treatment apparatus 100a (a part of a right surface of the clothing treatment apparatus).

[0043] The first treatment apparatus 100a may include a mounting space 15 to which the second treatment apparatus 100b is fixed. The mounting space 15 may be provided as an open space formed on an upper surface of the first cabinet 1. FIG. 2 illustrates a case in which the mounting space 15 is formed by an upper end of the first front panel 11, an upper end of the first left panel 121, an upper end of the first right panel 122, and an upper end of the first rear panel 13.

[0044] The height of the first front panel 11 and the height of the first rear panel 13 may be set to be greater than the height of the first left panel 121 and the height of the first right panel 122 (H1). When the heights of the first front panel 11 and the first rear panel 13 are set to be greater than the heights of the side panels 121 and 122, positioning and fixing of the second treatment apparatus 100b may be facilitated when the second treatment apparatus 100b is mounted in the mounting space 15, and the overall height of the clothing treatment apparatus 100 may also be reduced.

[0045] In addition, when the height of the first front panel 11 is set to be greater than the heights of the side panels 121 and 122, an increase in the height of the clothing treatment apparatus 100 may be minimized while forming a space in which other devices (devices such as a detergent storage unit) may be installed on the first front panel 11. The first front panel 11 may have the same height as the first rear panel 13, or may have a height different from the height of the first rear panel 13.

[0046] A first controller 19 for controlling at least one of the first treatment apparatus 100a and the second treatment apparatus 100a may be provided inside the first cabinet 1. The first controller 19 may be configured to receive a control signal from the input unit of the control panel 112, or may be configured to transmit a control signal requesting display of information on the display of the control panel 112. The first controller 19 may be fixed to the first rear panel 13 and positioned inside the first cabinet 1.

[0047] An accommodating portion 2 forming a washing space or a drying space for a treatment target may be provided inside the first cabinet 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a case in which the accommodating portion 2 includes a tub 2a forming a space for water and a movement path of air, and a drum 2b rotatably provided inside the tub and forming a space in which the treatment target is accommodated.

[0048] The tub 2a may include a tub body 21 configured to provide a space in which water is stored, the tub body 21 being fixed inside the first cabinet 1 through a tub support 23.

[0049] The tub body 21 may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The tub body 21 may include a tub front surface 21a provided in a direction facing the first front panel 11, a tub rear surface 21b provided in a direction facing the first rear panel 13, and a tub circumferential surface 21c connecting the front surface and the rear surface of the tub body.

[0050] The tub front surface 21a may include an introduction port 211 communicating with the inside of the drum 2b, and a mounting tube 212 provided in a shape surrounding the introduction port 211 and protruding from the tub front surface 21a toward the cabinet through-hole 111.

[0051] That is, the mounting tube 212 may be provided as a cylinder protruding from the tub front surface 21a toward the first front panel 11, and the introduction port 211 may be provided as a hole passing through the tub front surface 21a and positioned inside the mounting tube 212.

[0052] The mounting tube 212 may not only provide a mounting space for a spray unit to be described later, but may also serve as a means for guiding the treatment target introduced into the drum 2b through the cabinet through-hole 111 to the introduction port 211.

[0053] The introduction port 211 may be opened and closed by a door 22 rotatably fixed to the tub front surface 21a. As illustrated in FIG. 2, since the door 22 is rotatably fixed to the tub body 21, rather than being rotatably fixed to the first front panel 11, the cabinet through-hole 111 is preferably configured to have a size and a position that do not interfere with rotation of the door 22 (rotation for opening or closing the introduction port).

[0054] That is, when the introduction port 211 is closed, the door 22 remains exposed to the outside of the first cabinet 1 through the cabinet through-hole 111. However, when the introduction port 211 is opened, the door 22 may rotate toward the outside of the first cabinet 1 through the cabinet through-hole 111.

[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the tub 2a may include a door mounting portion 224 to fix the door 22 to the tub front surface 21a. The door mounting portion 224 may include a first mounting cover 225 fixed to the tub front surface 21a and surrounding the mounting tube 212, and a second mounting cover 226 fixed to the first mounting cover 225 and to which a hinge 227 of the door is mounted. The door mounting portion 224 may include an introduction port communication hole 228 such that the introduction port 211 is not closed by the door mounting portion 224.

[0056] The tub 2a may be connected to the second treatment apparatus 100b through a tub air supply unit 24 and a tub exhaust unit 25. That is, the second treatment apparatus 100b may be detachably connected to the tub air supply unit 24 and the tub exhaust unit 25.

[0057] The tub air supply unit 24 may be configured to supply air into the tub body 21 through the mounting tube 212, and the tub exhaust unit 25 may be configured to discharge air inside the tub body 21 to the outside of the tub through the tub circumferential surface 21c.

[0058] The tub air supply unit 24 may include a first air supply hole 241 and a second air supply hole 242 provided in the mounting tube 212. The tub air supply unit 24 may include a distribution pipe 243 configured to guide air to the air supply holes 241 and 242.

[0059] The first air supply hole 241 and the second air supply hole 242 may be configured to pass through the mounting tube 212 and communicate with the introduction port 211. The distribution pipe 243 may include a connection pipe 243a connected to the second treatment apparatus 100b, a first branch pipe 243b configured to guide a portion of air introduced into the connection pipe to the first air supply hole 241, and a second branch pipe 243c configured to guide a portion of air introduced into the connection pipe to the second air supply hole 242.

[0060] In order for the clothing treatment apparatus 100 to perform washing or drying of a large number of treatment targets, the tub body 21 and the drum 2b need to be designed to have large volumes. Since the drum 2b is supported by the tub rear surface 21b and needs to be rotatable inside the body 21, durability of the tub body 21 is important in order to design the drum 2b to have a large volume. Therefore, the tub body 21 may be made of a metal material.

[0061] When the tub body 21 is made of a metal material, the mounting tube 212 is preferably made of a metal material, whereas the distribution pipe 243 may be made of a material different from that of the mounting tube 212. Molding the distribution pipe 243 including the above-described first branch pipe and second branch pipe using a material such as plastic rather than metal may be advantageous in terms of cost and time. Therefore, when the distribution pipe 243 and the mounting tube 212 are made of different materials, the first treatment apparatus 100a may further include a bracket 244 connecting the distribution pipe 243 to the mounting tube 212.

[0062] The distribution pipe 243 may be provided as a flow path protruding from the mounting tube 212 toward the second treatment apparatus 100b. A free end of the connection pipe 243a (a portion to which the second treatment apparatus is connected) may be configured to be exposed to the outside of the first treatment apparatus 100a through the mounting space 15 of the first cabinet 1. That is, the free end of the connection pipe 243a may be configured to be located at a position higher than at least one of an upper end of the first front panel 11, an upper end of the first rear panel 13, or upper ends of the first side panels 121 and 122. This is to facilitate coupling between the first treatment apparatus 100a and the second treatment apparatus 100b.

[0063] The tub exhaust unit 25 may be provided as an exhaust pipe protruding from the tub circumferential surface 21c toward the second treatment apparatus 100b. That is, the tub exhaust unit 25 may be provided as an exhaust pipe protruding toward the mounting space 15 formed on an upper surface of the first treatment apparatus 100a.

[0064] A free end of the tub exhaust unit 25 (a portion to which the second treatment apparatus is connected) may be configured to be located at a position higher than at least one of an upper end of the first front panel 11, an upper end of the first rear panel 13, or upper ends of the first side panels 121 and 122. This is to facilitate coupling between the first treatment apparatus 100a and the second treatment apparatus 100b. On the other hand, the free end of the tub exhaust unit 25 may be configured to be located at a position lower than an upper end of the side panel 12. This is to reduce the height of the clothing treatment apparatus 100.

[0065] The tub body 21 may receive water through a water supply unit 4, and water inside the tub body 21 may be discharged to the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus 100 through a drain unit 28.

[0066] The drain unit 28 may include a drain pipe 281 configured to guide water inside the tub body 21 to the outside of the first cabinet 1. One end of the drain pipe 281 may be fixed to a lower region of the tub circumferential surface 21c (a region of the tub circumferential surface located below a horizontal line passing through the center of the introduction port), and the other end of the drain pipe 281 may be formed as a hose passing through the first rear panel 13.

[0067] The drain pipe 281 may be configured to discharge water inside the tub body 21 to the outside of the first cabinet 1 by using gravity, or may be configured to discharge water inside the tub body 21 to the outside of the first cabinet 1 through a drain pump. FIG. 3 illustrates the former case, and in this case, the drain unit 28 may further include a drain valve 282 configured to control opening and closing of the drain pipe 281 according to a control signal of the first controller 19.

[0068] The drain unit 28 may further include a drain filter configured to filter water introduced into the drain pipe 281, and the drain filter may be configured to be detachable from the drain pipe 291. The drain valve 292 and the drain filter may be provided at positions exposed to the outside of the first cabinet when the second panel body 114 is separated from the first treatment apparatus 100a.

[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the drum 2b may include a drum body 26 provided in a hollow cylindrical shape and positioned inside the tub body 21.

[0070] A drum introduction port 261 communicating with the introduction port 211 may be provided on a front surface of the drum body 26, and a plurality of drum through-holes 263 communicating the inside of the drum body with the inside of the tub body 21 may be provided on a circumferential surface of the drum body 26.

[0071] A plurality of lifters 262 may be provided inside the drum body 26 such that the treatment target may repeatedly rise and fall inside the drum body when the drum body 26 rotates (to increase washing performance).

[0072] The drum body 26 may be rotated by a drum shaft 264 and a driving unit 27. The drum shaft 264 may be fixed to a rear surface of the drum body 26 and configured to pass through the tub rear surface 21b, and the driving unit 27 may be positioned outside the tub body 21 and configured to rotate the drum shaft 264.

[0073] The driving unit 27 may include a bearing housing 272 fixed to the tub rear surface 21b and rotatably fixing the drum shaft 264 to the tub body 21, a motor 273 fixed to the tub support 23, and a power transmission unit configured to transmit power of the motor to the drum shaft 264. The motor 273 may be configured to be controlled by the first controller 19.

[0074] The bearing housing 272 may be fixed to the tub rear surface 21b through a driving unit support body 271. The driving unit support body 271 may include a hub to which the bearing housing 272 is fixed, and a plurality of hub fixing bars radially arranged from the hub.

[0075] A tub rear surface through-hole may be provided in the tub rear surface 21b, and a hub through-hole connected to the tub rear surface through-hole may be provided in the hub. The drum shaft 264 may be exposed to the outside of the tub body 21 through the tub rear surface through-hole and the hub through-hole, and the drum shaft 264 exposed to the outside of the tub body 21 may be rotatably fixed to the hub through the bearing housing 272.

[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the power transmission unit may include a first pulley 275 fixed to a rotation shaft 274 of the motor, a second pulley 276 fixed to the drum shaft 264, and a belt 277 connecting the two pulleys.

[0077] Contrary to what is illustrated in the drawings, the power transmission unit may be provided as a first gear fixed to the rotation shaft 274 of the motor and a second gear fixed to the drum shaft 264. Furthermore, the power transmission unit may further include a third gear configured to connect the first gear and the second gear and set the rotational speed of the drum body 26 (set the rotational speed of the second gear).

[0078] As described above, the tub body 21 is fixed inside the first cabinet 1 through the tub support 23 and receives water through the water supply unit 4.

[0079] The tub support 23 may include a first support body 231 forming a bottom surface of the clothing treatment apparatus 100, and a second support body 235 providing a space to which the tub body 21 is fixed and positioned above the first support body 23.

[0080] The tub body 21 may be fixed to the second support body 235 through a tub fixing portion 238, and the tub fixing portion 238 may include a first strap 238a and a second strap 238b configured to fix the tub circumferential surface 21c to the second support body 235.

[0081] The first strap 238a may be configured to fix a front region of the tub circumferential surface 21c to the second support body 235, and the second strap 238b may be configured to fix a rear region of the tub circumferential surface 21c to the second support body 235.

[0082] To reduce vibration of the tub body 21, the second support body 235 may be connected to the first support body 231 through a damper 236 and a spring 237.

[0083] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the water supply unit 4 is a means for guiding water provided from a water supply source positioned outside the clothing treatment apparatus 100 to the tub body 21. The water supply unit 4 may be provided as a flow path directly connecting the water supply source and the tub body 21, or may be provided as a flow path for supplying detergent to the tub body 21 together with water supplied from the water supply source.

[0084] The water supply unit 4 may include a detergent storage unit 41 forming a space in which detergent is stored, a storage unit water supply pipe 42 (first water supply flow path) configured to supply water supplied from the water supply source to the detergent storage unit 41, a first water supply valve 47 (storage unit valve) configured to control opening and closing of the storage unit water supply pipe 42 according to a control signal of the first controller 19, and a tub supply pipe 46 configured to supply liquid (water or a mixture of water and detergent) discharged from the detergent storage unit 41 to the tub body 21.

[0085] The detergent storage unit 41 may include a housing 41a and 41b fixed inside the first cabinet 1, and a drawer 41c including a detergent storage space 416 in which detergent is stored and configured to be withdrawn from the housing.

[0086] The housing may include a housing body 41a fixed to the first front panel 11 and positioned inside the first cabinet 1, and a housing cover 41b fixed to the housing body and forming an upper surface of the detergent storage unit 41. The first front panel 11 may include a drawer outlet through which the drawer 41c is withdrawn from the housing to the outside of the first cabinet 1.

[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the detergent storage space 416 provided in the drawer 41c may include a plurality of spaces such that detergents may be separately stored. FIG. 6 illustrates a case in which the detergent storage space 416 includes a first storage portion 417, a second storage portion 418, and a third storage portion 419.

[0088] The first storage portion 417 may be provided as a space in which a first detergent used in a washing operation (a detergent for main washing) is stored. The second storage portion 418 may be provided as a space in which a second detergent used in a washing operation (a detergent for pre-washing, a washing operation performed before the washing operation using the first detergent) is stored. The third storage portion 419 may be provided as a space in which a third detergent used in a rinsing operation (an additive, a fabric softener, bleach, or the like) is stored.

[0089] A first outlet 417a communicating with the housing body 41a may be provided on one surface of the first storage portion 417. A second outlet 418a communicating with the housing body 41a may be provided on one surface of the second storage portion 418. A third outlet 419a communicating with the housing body 41a may be provided on one surface of the third storage portion 419.

[0090] A housing outlet 411 may be provided on one surface of the housing body 41a, and the housing cover 41b may include housing flow paths 412, 413, 414, and 415 configured to supply water to the drawer 41c.

[0091] The housing flow paths may include a first flow path 412 configured to supply water to the first storage portion 417, a second flow path 413 configured to supply water to the second storage portion 418, and a third flow path 414 configured to supply water to the third storage portion 419.

[0092] In this case, the storage unit water supply pipe 42 may include a first flow path water supply pipe 421 configured to supply water to the first flow path 412, a second flow path water supply pipe 422 configured to supply water to the second flow path 413, and a third flow path water supply pipe 423 configured to supply water to the third flow path 414.

[0093] The first water supply valve 47 may be configured to control opening and closing of the first flow path water supply pipe 412, the second flow path water supply pipe 413, and the third flow path water supply pipe 414 according to a control signal of the first controller 19.

[0094] Water supplied to the first flow path 412 moves to the housing body 41a through the first storage portion 417 and the first outlet 417a, water supplied to the second flow path 413 moves to the housing body 41a through the second storage portion 418 and the second outlet 418a, and water supplied to the third flow path 414 moves to the housing body 41a through the third storage portion 419 and the third outlet 419a.

[0095] The water and detergent discharged from the drawer 41c to the housing body 41a may move to the outside of the housing body 41a through the housing outlet 411, and the water and detergent discharged from the housing body 41a may move to the tub body 21 through the tub supply pipe 46.

[0096] The housing cover 41b may further include a spray unit supply flow path 415 (fourth flow path) configured to supply water to a spray unit 3. In this case, the first water supply flow path 42 may further include a fourth flow path water supply pipe 424 connecting the water supply source and the fourth flow path 415. The fourth flow path water supply pipe 424 may be configured such that opening and closing thereof is controlled by the first water supply valve 47.

[0097] The first water supply valve 47 may include a first valve 471 (first storage unit valve) configured to control opening and closing of the first flow path water supply pipe 421, a second valve 472 (second storage unit valve) configured to control opening and closing of the second flow path water supply pipe 422, a first valve 473 (third storage unit valve) configured to control opening and closing of the third flow path water supply pipe 423, and a fourth valve 474 (fourth storage unit valve) configured to control opening and closing of the fourth flow path water supply pipe 424.

[0098] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first treatment apparatus 100a may include a communication portion 29 (outside air communication portion) configured to discharge air inside the tub body 21 to the outside or supply outside air to the tub body 21.

[0099] Water may remain in the tub body 21 and the drum body 26, and the clothing treatment apparatus 100 including the communication portion 29 may enable hygienic management of the tub and the drum by reducing a possibility of water remaining in the tub body and the drum body.

[0100] In addition, the clothing treatment apparatus 100 including the communication portion 29 may prevent the inside of the tub body 21 from being sealed even when the door 22 closes the introduction port 211. Accordingly, the clothing treatment apparatus 100 may prevent an accident that may occur due to sealing of the tub body 21.

[0101] To prevent fluid (water, bubbles, or foreign substances) inside the tub body 21 from being discharged to the outside of the first cabinet 1 through the communication portion 29, the first treatment apparatus 100a may include a connection portion 5 connecting a flow path formed by the water supply unit 4 and a flow path formed by the communication portion 29.

[0102] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of the connection portion 5. The connection portion 5 may include a connection body 51 fixed inside the first cabinet 1, a water supply chamber 511 provided in the connection body 51 and forming a flow path configured to guide liquid discharged from the detergent storage unit 41 to the tub body 21, and an exhaust chamber 515 provided in the connection body 51 and forming a flow path configured to discharge air inside the tub body 21 to the outside or supply outside air to the tub body 21.

[0103] The water supply chamber 511 receives liquid through a water supply chamber inlet 512, and liquid introduced into the water supply chamber 511 is discharged to the outside of the water supply chamber 511 through a water supply chamber outlet 513.

[0104] The water supply chamber inlet 512 may be connected to the housing outlet 411 of the detergent storage unit through a connection body supply pipe 45, and the water supply chamber outlet 513 may be connected to the tub body 21 through the tub supply pipe 46.

[0105] The water supply chamber inlet 512 may be provided on an upper surface 519 (connection portion cover) of the connection body 51, and the water supply chamber outlet 513 may be provided on a lower surface of the connection body 51.

[0106] The exhaust chamber 515 may be connected to the tub through an exhaust chamber inlet 516 configured to pass through the connection body 51 (configured to receive air), and may communicate with outside air through an exhaust chamber outlet 517 configured to pass through the connection body 51 (configured to discharge air). The exhaust chamber inlet 516 may be provided on a surface facing the tub rear surface 21b among side surfaces of the connection body 51, and the exhaust chamber outlet 517 may be provided on a side surface or a lower surface of the connection body 51.

[0107] The communication portion 29 may include a first communication pipe 291 connecting the tub body 21 and the exhaust chamber inlet 516, and a second communication pipe 292 connected to the exhaust chamber outlet 517. The second communication pipe 292 may be configured to guide air inside the exhaust chamber 515 to the inside of the first cabinet 1 or to the outside of the first cabinet 1.

[0108] The water supply chamber 511 and the exhaust chamber 515 may be configured to form spaces separated from each other by a connection portion partition wall 518, and the connection portion partition wall 518 may include a chamber communication hole or a chamber communication groove 518a communicating an upper space of the water supply chamber 511 with an upper space of the exhaust chamber 515.

[0109] Since the first communication pipe 291 is connected to the tub body 21 through the tub rear surface 21b, water or bubbles inside the tub body 21 may flow backward to the exhaust chamber 515 through the first communication pipe 291. When the chamber communication hole or the chamber communication groove 518a is provided in the connection portion partition wall 518, the first treatment apparatus 100a may return water or bubbles that have flowed backward to the exhaust chamber 515 to the tub body 21 through the water supply chamber 511.

[0110] A portion of air supplied to the tub body 21 through the tub air supply unit 24 may be introduced into the water supply chamber 511 through the tub supply pipe 46, or may be introduced into the water supply chamber 511 through the first communication pipe 291 and the chamber communication hole 518a.

[0111] When air introduced into the water supply chamber 511 flows backward to the detergent storage unit 41, drying efficiency may decrease (the execution time of a drying operation may increase), and condensate may remain inside the housing 41a and 41b of the detergent storage unit 41 or in the drawer 41c.

[0112] To mitigate the above-described issue, the connection body 51 may further include a blocking portion 52. The blocking portion 52 is a means for blocking air introduced from the tub body 21 into the connection body 51 from moving to the detergent storage unit 41.

[0113] FIG. 7 illustrates a case in which the blocking portion 52 is provided as a water trap formed inside the water supply chamber 511. The blocking portion 52 may include a storage portion 521 configured to form a bottom surface of the water supply chamber 511 and provide a space in which liquid is stored, and an extension pipe 522 extending from an upper surface 519 of the connection body (an upper surface of the water supply chamber) toward the bottom surface of the water supply chamber 511.

[0114] The storage portion 521 may be provided as a groove in which the bottom surface of the water supply chamber 511 is concavely bent, and the extension pipe 522 may be provided as a flow path extending from the water supply chamber inlet 512 toward the storage portion 521. A free end of the extension pipe 522 (one end of the extension pipe in which an outlet is formed) is preferably configured to have a length capable of maintaining a state in which the free end is submerged in liquid stored in the storage portion 521. For example, the length of the extension pipe 522 may be set such that the free end of the extension pipe is located at a position lower than the highest water level of the storage portion 521.

[0115] On the other hand, the blocking portion may be provided as a water trap formed in the tub supply pipe 46 or a check valve configured to control opening and closing of the tub supply pipe 46.

[0116] The water trap formed in the tub supply pipe 46 may be formed by arranging a portion of the tub supply pipe 46 at a position lower than an outlet of the tub supply pipe (one end of the tub supply pipe connected to the tub rear surface). The check valve may be provided as a valve having a structure in which the water supply chamber outlet 513 is opened by water supplied into the water supply chamber 511.

[0117] To increase the amount of water supplied to the tub body 21 (to quickly supply water to the tub body), the water supply unit 4 may further include a connection portion water supply pipe 43 (second water supply flow path) directly connecting the water supply source and the water supply chamber 511.

[0118] The connection portion water supply pipe 43 may further include at least one of a first connection portion water supply pipe 431 configured to supply water to the tub supply pipe 46 (supply water to the water supply chamber outlet), and a second connection portion water supply pipe 432 configured to supply water to the blocking portion 52 (supply water to the storage portion or the water trap). Opening and closing of the first connection portion water supply pipe 431 and the second connection portion water supply pipe 432 may be controlled by a second water supply valve 48 (connection portion valve).

[0119] The second water supply valve 44 may include a first connection portion valve 481 configured to control opening and closing of the first connection portion water supply pipe 431 according to a control signal of the first controller 19, and a second connection portion valve 482 configured to control opening and closing of the second connection portion water supply pipe 432.

[0120] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the tub supply pipe 46 may be fixed to a region of the tub rear surface 21b higher than a horizontal line L1 passing through the drum shaft 264. When water starts to be supplied into the tub body 21, the pressure in a region higher than the horizontal line L1 in the internal space of the tub body 21 may be lower than the pressure in a region lower than the horizontal line L1. Therefore, one end of the tub supply pipe 46 is preferably fixed to a position higher than the horizontal line L1. Since vibration may be transmitted to the tub body 21 and the connection body 51 when the drum body 26 rotates, at least a portion of the tub supply pipe 46 may be provided as a corrugated pipe.

[0121] The first communication pipe 291 may be fixed to a region of the tub rear surface 21b higher than the horizontal line L1 passing through the drum shaft 264 and may be configured to connect the tub body 21 to the exhaust chamber 515, and the second communication pipe 292 may be configured to connect the drain pipe 281 and the exhaust chamber outlet 517.

[0122] Since the first communication pipe 291 is connected to the internal space of the tub body 21 through the tub rear surface 21b, water or bubbles inside the tub body 21 may be introduced into the exhaust chamber 515 through the first communication pipe 291. When the second communication pipe 292 is connected to the drain pipe 281, water or bubbles introduced into the exhaust chamber 515 may be guided to the drain pipe 281 and discharged to the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus 100.

[0123] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the connection body 51 may further include an outside air communication hole 293 configured to discharge air introduced into the exhaust chamber 515 to the inside of the first cabinet 1 or introduce air inside the first cabinet 1 into the exhaust chamber 515.

[0124] In preparation for a case in which a detergent supply device (not illustrated) is provided in the first treatment apparatus 100a (in preparation for a case in which a standalone detergent supply device is added), the connection body 51 may further include a detergent supply pipe 514 configured to guide detergent supplied from the detergent supply device to the water supply chamber 511.

[0125] The detergent supply device may include a second detergent storage unit provided inside the first cabinet 1 and configured to provide a space in which detergent is stored, a detergent pump provided inside the first cabinet 1 and configured to move detergent stored in the second detergent storage unit, and a detergent supply flow path connecting the detergent pump and the detergent supply pipe 514.

[0126] The detergent supply pipe 514 may be provided as a pipe fixed to the side surface or the upper surface 519 of the connection body 51, and may be configured to be opened and closed by a cap or the like. Accordingly, when the detergent supply device is added, the first treatment apparatus 100a may supply detergent to the tub body 21 through the water supply chamber 511.

[0127] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the first treatment apparatus 100a may include the spray unit 3. The spray unit 3 is a means fixed to the mounting tube 212 and configured to spray water to the door 22 or the inside of the drum body 26. That is, the spray unit 3 may receive water through a spray unit supply pipe 31 connected to the fourth flow path 415. The spray unit 3 may be fixed to a spray unit mounting hole 213 (see FIG. 3) provided in the mounting tube 212, or may be fixed to the bracket 224.

[0128] To detect whether water is supplied to the tub body 21, or the amount of water supplied to the tub body, the first treatment apparatus 100a may include a water supply detection unit.

[0129] FIG. 8 illustrates a case in which the water supply detection unit includes a first water supply detection unit 491 configured to detect the amount of water supplied to the tub body 21 through the storage unit water supply pipe 42, and a second water supply detection unit 492 configured to detect the amount of water supplied to the tub body 21 through the connection portion water supply pipe 43.

[0130] The first water supply detection unit 491 may be a flow rate sensor provided in the first flow path water supply pipe 421. When the first flow path water supply pipe 421 including the first water supply detection unit 491 is defined as a first storage unit water supply pipe, flow path water supply pipes 422, 423, and 424 in which the first water supply detection unit 491 is not provided may be defined as a second storage unit water supply pipe.

[0131] The second water supply detection unit 492 may include a first sensor 492a provided in the first connection portion water supply pipe 431, and a second sensor 492b provided in the second connection portion water supply pipe 432. The first sensor 492a and the second sensor may be provided as a flow rate sensor provided in the first connection portion water supply pipe 431, and the second sensor 492b may be provided as a flow rate sensor provided in the second connection portion water supply pipe 432.

[0132] The first connection portion water supply pipe 431 may be configured to supply one of water at a first temperature (cold water) and water at a second temperature (hot water) to the connection portion 5, and the second connection portion water supply pipe 432 may be configured to supply the other one of cold water and hot water to the connection portion 5. On the other hand, the first connection portion water supply pipe 431 and the second connection portion water supply pipe 432 may be configured to supply water having the same temperature to the connection portion 5.

[0133] Contrary to what is illustrated in the drawings, the first water supply detection unit 491 and the second water supply detection unit 492 may be provided as water level sensors configured to detect a water level inside the tub body 21.

[0134] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the second treatment apparatus 100b.

[0135] The second treatment apparatus 100b may include the second cabinet 6, flow path units 7 and 8 provided inside the second cabinet 6, and a heat exchange unit 9 provided in the flow path units and configured to remove moisture from air (dehumidify air) or heat air.

[0136] The second cabinet 6 may include a support frame 61 mounted to the first cabinet 1, a side panel 65 (second side panel) fixed to the support frame 61 and configured to form a side surface of the second cabinet, a rear panel 64 (second rear panel) fixed to the support frame 61 and configured to form a rear surface of the second cabinet, and an upper panel 66 fixed to the support frame 61 and configured to form an upper surface of the second cabinet.

[0137] The second side panel 65 may include a left panel 651 (second left panel) configured to form a left surface of the second cabinet, and a right panel 652 (second right panel) configured to form a right surface of the second cabinet.

[0138] The second rear panel 64 may include a panel exhaust port 641 communicating the inside of the second cabinet 6 with the outside. Accordingly, through the panel exhaust port 641, air inside the second cabinet 6 may be discharged to the outside, and outside air may be introduced into the second cabinet 6.

[0139] A frame panel 62 may be provided on a front surface of the support frame 61. The frame panel 62 may be configured to form a space in which a portion of the flow path units 7 and 8 is supported.

[0140] Furthermore, the support frame 61 may include a front panel 67 (second front panel) configured to form a front surface of the second cabinet. The second front panel 67 may be provided in a shape surrounding the frame panel 62 such that the frame panel 62 is not exposed to the outside. In addition, to allow a user to easily access the frame panel 62, the second front panel 67 may be rotatably fixed to the support frame 61, the frame panel 62, or the upper panel 66.

[0141] The second front panel 67 may be configured to be rotatable toward an upper portion of the second cabinet 6. In this case, a rotation shaft of the second front panel 67 may be provided in the upper panel 66, an upper region of the support frame 61, or an upper region of the frame panel 62. Contrary to what is illustrated in the drawings, the frame panel 62 may be configured to be rotatable toward a lower portion of the second cabinet 6.

[0142] When the second cabinet 6 is mounted to the first cabinet 1, lower ends of the second side panels 651 and 652 may be connected to an upper end of the first side panel 12 of the first treatment apparatus, and a lower end of the second rear panel 64 may be connected to an upper end of the first rear panel 13. When the second cabinet 6 is mounted to the first cabinet 1, the second front panel 67 may be positioned on the same plane as the first front panel 11.

[0143] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the support frame 61 may include a lower frame 611 detachably coupled to the mounting space 15 of the first cabinet 1, an upper frame 617 positioned above the lower frame 611 and to which the upper panel 66 is fixed, and a connection frame 618 connecting the frames 611 and 617.

[0144] A front surface of the support frame 61 may be closed by the frame panel 62, both side surfaces of the support frame 61 may be closed by the second side panels 651 and 652, an upper surface of the support frame 61 may be closed by the upper panel 66, and a rear surface of the support frame 61 may be closed by the second rear panel 64.

[0145] As described above, the internal space of the first cabinet 1 communicates with the outside through the mounting space 15. To connect the internal space of the first cabinet 1 and the internal space of the support frame 61, a communication space 612 communicating with the mounting space 15 may be provided on a bottom surface of the support frame 61.

[0146] The support frame 61 may include a support panel 613 dividing the communication space 612 into an open surface and a closed surface. The closed surface may mean a region of the communication space 612 in which the support panel 613 is positioned, and the open surface may be defined as a region of the communication space 612 in which the support panel 613 is not positioned. Since the communication space 612 is configured to communicate with the mounting space 15, the mounting space 15 may also be considered to be divided into an open surface and a closed surface by the support panel 613.

[0147] The inside of the support frame 61 may be divided into a front space 6a in which the frame panel 62 is positioned and a rear space 6b in which the second rear panel 64 is positioned. The support panel 613 may be fixed to the lower frame 611 and positioned in the rear space 6b.

[0148] The front space 6a may be defined as a space positioned above the open surface (a space positioned above the tub air supply unit), and the rear space 6b may be defined as a space positioned above the closed surface. The frame panel 62 may form one surface of the front space 6a, and the second rear panel 64 may form one surface of the rear space 6b.

[0149] The support panel 613 may be fixed to the lower frame 611 and provided along a width direction of the clothing treatment apparatus (Y-axis direction) or a length direction of the clothing treatment apparatus (X-axis direction). FIG. 10 illustrates a case in which the support panel 613 is provided along the width direction of the clothing treatment apparatus.

[0150] The support panel 613 may include a support body 614 configured to support a portion of the flow path units 7 and 8 or a portion of the heat exchange unit 9, and a fixing body 615 fixing the support body 614 to the lower frame 611.

[0151] The support body 614 may be located at a position lower than the lower frame 611. That is, a lowermost end of the support body 614 may be located at a position lower than a bottom surface (the communication space, a lowermost end of the lower frame) of the support frame 61. When the second cabinet 6 is mounted to the first cabinet 1, an edge of the bottom surface of the support frame 61 may be supported by the panels 11, 12, and 13 of the first cabinet forming the mounting space 15, and the support body 614 may be positioned inside the first cabinet 1. That is, when the second cabinet 6 is fixed to the first cabinet 1, the support body 614 may be located at a position lower than an upper end of the first side panel 12.

[0152] Since the support panel 613 is configured to support the flow path units 7 and 8 or the heat exchange unit 9, when the support body 614 is positioned lower than the lower frame 611, the overall height of the clothing treatment apparatus 100 may be expected to be reduced.

[0153] The frame panel 62 may include a first panel through-hole 621, a second panel through-hole 622, and a third panel through-hole 623 communicating the inside of the second cabinet 6 with the outside.

[0154] The first panel through-hole 621 may be configured to be opened and closed by a first panel door 624 rotatably fixed to the frame panel 62, and the second panel through-hole 622 may be configured to be opened and closed by a second panel door 626 rotatably fixed to the frame panel 62.

[0155] The first panel door 624 may include a space in which a second controller 63 for controlling the second treatment apparatus 100b is mounted. In this case, the first panel through-hole 621 may serve as a controller outlet exposing the second controller 63 to the outside of the second cabinet 6.

[0156] The second controller 63 may be provided as a circuit board 637 for controlling the second treatment apparatus 100a, and the circuit board 637 includes a control circuit configured to control at least one of the flow path units 7 and 8 or the heat exchange unit 9.

[0157] The second controller 63 may be fixed to the frame panel 62 or the first panel door 624 through a board fixing portion 631. The board fixing portion 631 may include a fixing plate 632 to which the circuit board 637 is fixed, and a spacer 633 fixing the fixing plate 632 to the first panel door 624.

[0158] The flow path units 7 and 8 may include a filter configured to filter air discharged from the tub body 21, and the second panel through-hole 622 may serve as a filter outlet through which the filter is withdrawn to the outside of the second cabinet 6.

[0159] The third panel through-hole 623 may serve as a means (panel air supply port) for supplying air outside the second cabinet 6 to the flow path units 7 and 8.

[0160] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the flow path unit may include a first flow path unit 7 connected to the tub body 21 and forming a circulation flow path of air, and a second flow path unit 8 forming a movement path of outside air.

[0161] The first flow path unit 7 may include an exhaust flow path 71 connected to the tub exhaust unit 25, an air supply flow path 72 connected to the tub air supply unit 24, a heat exchange flow path 73 connected to the exhaust flow path, and a blowing flow path 74 having a fan configured to move air mounted therein and connecting the heat exchange flow path 73 and the air supply flow path 72.

[0162] The exhaust flow path 71 may be provided as an exhaust duct 711 detachably fixed to the tub exhaust unit 25 of the first treatment apparatus. To reduce transmission of vibration of the tub body 21 to the heat exchange flow path 73, an exhaust flow path corrugated portion 712 may be provided in at least a portion of the exhaust duct 711.

[0163] The air supply flow path 72 may be provided as an air supply duct 721 fixed to the blowing flow path 74 and providing a movement path of air discharged from the blowing flow path. To reduce transmission of vibration of the tub body 21 to the air supply duct 721, an air supply flow path corrugated portion 722 may be provided in at least a portion of the air supply duct 721 or at one end of the air supply duct 721.

[0164] The heat exchange flow path 73 may be provided as a heat exchange duct 73b fixed to the support panel 613. The heat exchange duct 73b may include a first heat exchange duct 734 in which a first heat exchanger provided in the heat exchange unit 9 is mounted, a second heat exchange duct 735 in which a second heat exchanger provided in the heat exchange unit 9 is mounted, and a connection duct 736 connecting the heat exchange ducts 734 and 735.

[0165] The heat exchange duct 73b may be fixed to a bottom surface of the support panel 613 (the support body 614), or may be fixed to a duct seating portion 616 provided in the support panel 613. The duct seating portion 616 is a means protruding from the support body 614 toward the heat exchange duct 73b and maintaining a distance between a bottom surface of the heat exchange duct 73b and the support body 614.

[0166] As described later, since air introduced from the tub body 21 into the first heat exchange duct 73b through the exhaust duct 711 is condensed while passing through the first heat exchanger, condensate may remain inside the heat exchange duct 73b. The second treatment apparatus 100b may include a condensate discharge portion 75 for discharging condensate remaining inside the heat exchange duct 73b. The condensate discharge portion 75 may be provided in a space formed, by the duct seating portion 616, between the bottom surface of the heat exchange duct 73b and the support body 614.

[0167] The heat exchange duct 73b may be directly connected to the exhaust duct 711, or may be connected to the exhaust duct 711 through a filter duct 73a. The filter duct 73a is a space in which a filter 733 configured to filter air supplied to the exhaust duct 711 is mounted.

[0168] A filter outlet 731 communicating with the second panel through-hole 622 may be provided on one surface of the filter duct 73a, and an exhaust duct connection portion 732 connected to the exhaust duct 711 may be provided on another surface of the filter duct 73a. FIG. 11 illustrates a case in which the filter outlet 731 is provided on a front surface of the filter duct 73a (a surface facing the frame panel), and the exhaust duct connection portion 732 is provided on a bottom surface of the filter duct 73a.

[0169] The blowing flow path 74 may include a blowing duct 74a fixed to the support panel 613 and connecting the heat exchange duct 73b and the air supply duct 721, and a blowing fan 74b (first flow path fan) configured to move air along the first flow path unit 7.

[0170] The second flow path unit 8 is a means for introducing outside air into the second cabinet 6, and may be fixed to the support frame 61 or the second side panels 651 and 652 and positioned in a left region or a right region of the front space 6a.

[0171] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the second flow path unit 8 may include a first outside air duct 82 provided inside the second cabinet 6 and into which outside air is introduced, a second outside air duct 83 connected to the first outside air duct 82 and including a third heat exchanger 93 provided in the heat exchange unit 9, and a second flow path fan 84 configured to move air.

[0172] The first outside air duct 83 may be provided as a flow path extending along a length direction of the second cabinet (X-axis direction), and the second outside air duct 83 may be provided as a flow path extending along a height direction of the second cabinet (Z-axis direction). A duct through-hole 831 configured to discharge air to the second flow path fan 84 may be provided on one surface of the second outside air duct 83.

[0173] The second flow path fan 84 may include a second fan housing 841 fixed to the second outside air duct 83, closing the duct through-hole 831, and including a second impeller 846, a housing inlet 842 connected to the duct through-hole 831 and configured to introduce air into the second fan housing 841, a housing outlet 843 configured to discharge air inside the second fan housing 841 into the second cabinet 6, and a second fan motor 845 fixed to the second fan housing 841 and configured to rotate the second impeller 846.

[0174] When the second impeller 846 is rotated by the second fan motor 845, outside air may be introduced into the second fan housing 841 through the first outside air duct 82 and the second outside air duct 83, and air inside the second fan housing 841 may be discharged into the second cabinet 6 through the housing outlet 843. Air discharged into the second cabinet 6 may be discharged to the outside of the second cabinet 6 through the panel exhaust port 641 provided in the second rear panel 64.

[0175] The reason why the second outside air duct 83 is provided in a shape extending along the height direction of the second cabinet 6 and the second flow path fan 84 is provided in the second outside air duct 83 is to reduce a possibility of overheating of the second flow path fan 84.

[0176] When the second treatment apparatus 100b operates, heated air is supplied to the tub body 21, and thus the temperature of the circumferential surface of the tub body 21 increases. Since the second flow path unit 8 is positioned above the tub body 21, when the second flow path fan 84 is positioned close to the tub body 21, the temperature of the second flow path fan 84 may increase due to heat emitted to the outside of the tub body 21. However, when the second flow path unit 8 is configured as described above, a possibility of overheating of the second flow path fan 84 may be significantly reduced.

[0177] As illustrated in FIG. 13, one surface of the first outside air duct 82 may be fixed to the frame panel 62, and another surface of the first outside air duct 82 may be fixed to a fixing frame 619.

[0178] The first outside air duct 82 may be configured to receive outside air through at least one of a first inlet 821 and a second inlet 822. The first inlet 821 may be configured to be connected to a panel air supply port 623 provided in the frame panel 62, and the second inlet 822 may be configured to receive outside air through a third flow path unit 85 provided in the first panel door 624 or the board fixing portion 631.

[0179] The third flow path unit 85 may be provided as a flow path formed by the fixing plate 632 and two spacers 633 provided on both side surfaces of the fixing plate. To supply air to the third flow path unit 85, the first panel door 624 may include a front space communication hole 851 and a third flow path fan 852. The front space communication hole 851 may be configured to pass through the first panel door 624 and communicate a space between the two spacers 633 with the inside of the second front panel 67, and the third flow path fan 852 may be configured to supply air inside the second front panel 67 to the front space communication hole 851.

[0180] Air introduced into the third flow path unit 85 may be discharged to the first inlet 821 of the second flow path unit or to the inside of the second cabinet 6 through a third flow path unit outlet.

[0181] FIG. 13 illustrates a case in which the third flow path unit outlet includes a first outlet 85a of the third flow path unit connected to the second inlet 822 (configured to discharge air to the second inlet), and a second outlet 85b of the third flow path unit configured to discharge air to the inside of the second cabinet 6.

[0182] To cool the control circuit provided in the circuit board 637, a heat dissipation portion 638 (heat exchange fins) may be provided inside the third flow path unit 85. The heat dissipation portion 638 may be provided as a plurality of metal plates passing through the fixing plate 632 such that one end is connected to the control circuit and the other end is positioned inside the third flow path unit 85. The plurality of metal plates constituting the heat dissipation portion 638 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a width direction of the third flow path unit 85.

[0183] The first inlet 821 and the second inlet 822 may be configured to receive air outside the second cabinet 6 through an outside air supply port 81 provided in the second front panel 67. Although FIG. 13 illustrates a case in which the outside air supply port 81 is provided on an upper surface of the second front panel 67, the outside air supply port 81 may be provided on a side surface of the second front panel 67 or a lower surface of the second front panel 67.

[0184] The heat exchange unit 9 may include a first heat exchanger 91 provided in the first heat exchange duct 734 and configured to remove moisture from air, a second heat exchanger 92 provided in the second heat exchange duct 735 and configured to heat air, a third heat exchanger 93 provided in the second flow path unit 8 and configured to exchange heat with outside air, a refrigerant pipe 96 forming a circulation flow path of refrigerant passing through the heat exchangers 91, 92, and 93, and a compressor 94 configured to move refrigerant along the refrigerant pipe.

[0185] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the refrigerant pipe 96 may include a control valve 97 configured to adjust the pressure of refrigerant, and a switching portion 95 configured to control a movement path of refrigerant discharged from the second heat exchanger 92.

[0186] The refrigerant pipe 96 may include a first refrigerant flow path 961 configured to guide refrigerant discharged from the compressor 94 to the second heat exchanger 92, a second refrigerant flow path 962 configured to guide refrigerant passing through the second heat exchanger 92 (refrigerant that completes heat exchange with air in the second heat exchanger) to the switching portion 95, third and fourth refrigerant flow paths 963 and 964 connecting the switching portion 95 and the third heat exchanger 93, a fifth refrigerant flow path 965 connecting the switching portion 95 and the first heat exchanger 91, and a sixth refrigerant flow path 966 configured to guide refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger 91 to the compressor 94. In this case, the control valve 97 may be provided in the third refrigerant flow path 963 and positioned between the switching portion 95 and the third heat exchanger 93.

[0187] The switching portion 95 may supply refrigerant supplied through the second refrigerant flow path 962 to the third refrigerant flow path 963 or to the fourth refrigerant flow path 964.

[0188] When the switching portion 95 supplies refrigerant to the third refrigerant flow path 963, the refrigerant passes through the control valve 97 and is then supplied to the third heat exchanger 93. The refrigerant passing through the third heat exchanger 93 returns to the switching portion 95 through the fourth refrigerant flow path 964 and is then supplied to the first heat exchanger 91 through the fifth refrigerant flow path 965. In this case, the third heat exchanger 93 performs the same function (heat absorption function) as the first heat exchanger 91.

[0189] When the switching portion 95 supplies refrigerant to the fourth refrigerant flow path 964, the refrigerant is supplied to the third heat exchanger 93. The refrigerant passing through the third heat exchanger 93 returns to the switching portion 95 through the third refrigerant flow path 963 and the control valve 97 and is then supplied to the first heat exchanger 91 through the fifth refrigerant flow path 965. In this case, the third heat exchanger 93 performs the same function (heat generation function) as the second heat exchanger 92.

[0190] As illustrated in FIG. 13, when the second impeller 846 is rotated by the second fan motor 845, outside air is introduced into the second front panel 67 through the outside air supply port 81.

[0191] A portion of the outside air introduced into the second front panel 67 is supplied to the first inlet 821 through the panel air supply port 623. When the third flow path fan 852 operates, a portion of the outside air introduced into the second front panel 67 is supplied to the third flow path unit 85.

[0192] A portion of air inside the third flow path unit 85 is supplied to the second inlet 822 through the first outlet 85a of the third flow path unit, and a portion of air inside the third flow path unit 85 is discharged into the second cabinet 6 through the second outlet 85b of the third flow path unit. Since the heat dissipation portion 638 is provided inside the third flow path unit 85, the clothing treatment apparatus 100 may cool the control circuit of the circuit board 637 through a process of supplying outside air to the second flow path unit 8.

[0193] Air introduced into the first outside air duct 82 through the first inlet 821 and the second inlet 822 moves to the second fan housing 841 along the second outside air duct 83, and in this process, refrigerant passing through the third heat exchanger 93 may exchange heat with outside air.

[0194] Air introduced into the second fan housing 841 may be discharged into the second cabinet 6 through the housing outlet 843. In this case, the housing outlet 843 may be configured to discharge air toward a first fan motor 748 fixed to the blowing duct 74a.

[0195] When the second treatment apparatus 100b operates, the temperatures of the second heat exchanger 92, the compressor 94, and the first fan motor 748 increase, and when the temperatures of the above-described devices become excessively high, drying efficiency may decrease. When the housing outlet 843 is configured to discharge air toward the first fan motor 748, the clothing treatment apparatus 100 may prevent the temperature of the first fan motor 748 from increasing excessively.

[0196] The second outlet 85b of the third flow path unit discharges air inside the third flow path unit 85 into the second cabinet 6, thereby causing air inside the second cabinet 6 to move to the outside of the second cabinet 6 through the panel exhaust port 641. Accordingly, the clothing treatment apparatus 100 may prevent the temperatures of the second heat exchanger 92, the compressor 94, and the first fan motor 748 provided in the rear space 6b from increasing excessively.

[0197] As described above, the third heat exchanger 93 may perform a heat generation function or a heat absorption function based on control by the switching portion 95. A time point at which the third heat exchanger 93 switches the function may be adjusted by the second controller 63 controlling the switching portion 95. For example, the function of the third heat exchanger 93 may be set as a heat absorption function in an early stage of a drying operation (a region in which a degree of dryness is less than a reference degree of dryness), and may be set as a heat generation function in a late stage of the drying operation (a region in which the degree of dryness is greater than or equal to the reference degree of dryness).

[0198] In any case, in terms of drying efficiency, it is advantageous for the third heat exchanger 93 to be configured to exchange heat with outside air, rather than to exchange heat with air moving along the first flow path unit 7 (air discharged from the tub body). Since the temperature of the rear space 6b is likely to become higher than the temperature of the front space 6a when the second treatment apparatus 100b operates, the second flow path unit 8 is preferably provided in the front space 6a, which has fewer factors causing a temperature increase than the rear space 6b and is advantageous for introduction of outside air.

[0199] To maximize a distance between a component whose temperature increases when the second treatment apparatus 100b operates and the second flow path unit 8, the second flow path unit 8 and the compressor 94, or the second flow path unit 8 and the heat exchangers 91 and 92 may be arranged in a diagonal direction inside the second cabinet 6.

[0200] That is, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the second flow path unit 8 may be provided in a left region of the front space 6a, and the compressor 94 and the heat exchangers 91 and 92 may be provided in a right region of the rear space 6b. The second flow path unit 8 may be provided in a corner region of the front space 6a formed by the frame panel 62 and the second left panel 651, and the compressor 94 may be provided in a corner region of the rear space 6b formed by the second right panel 652 and the second rear panel 64.

[0201] To form a space in which the compressor 94 is mounted in the corner region of the rear space 6b, the first heat exchange duct 734 and the second heat exchange duct 735 may be connected at a predetermined angle. That is, the connection duct 736 may be provided to be inclined at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to a straight line parallel to the second heat exchange duct 735, and may connect the first heat exchange duct 734 and the second heat exchange duct 735. In this case, the compressor 94 may be fixed to the support panel 613 and positioned between the connection duct 736 and a corner of the rear space 6b.

[0202] FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a method of controlling the clothing treatment apparatus 100.

[0203] According to the control method of FIG. 14, an operation time (a washing time) of the first treatment apparatus or an operation time (the sum of a washing time and a drying time) of the clothing treatment apparatus may be reduced by reducing a time for supplying water to the tub body 21 (a water supply time). In addition, according to the control method of FIG. 14, when an error or a failure occurs in configurations for reducing the water supply time, an increase in the water supply time may be minimized.

[0204] The control method may include a load amount detection step (S10) of determining the amount of treatment targets introduced into the drum body 26, a water supply amount setting step (S20) of setting a water supply amount according to the determined amount of treatment targets, and a time setting step (S20) of setting an expected time according to the determined amount of treatment targets.

[0205] The load amount detection step (S10) may include determining the amount of treatment targets by comparing, with a predetermined reference current amount, the amount of current supplied to the motor 273 of the drum driving unit to accelerate the drum body 26 to a predetermined rotation angle or a predetermined number of rotations.

[0206] The water supply amount setting step (S20) determines a water supply amount required for treatment (washing operation) of the treatment targets introduced into the drum body 26. The water supply amount setting step (S20) may include selecting, by the first controller 19, water supply amount data corresponding to the amount of treatment targets measured in the load amount detection step (S10) from among a plurality of pieces of water supply amount data predetermined according to the amount of treatment targets.

[0207] The time setting step (S30) determines a time required for treatment of the treatment targets introduced into the drum body 26. The time setting step (S30) may include selecting, by the first controller 19, time data corresponding to the amount of treatment targets measured in the load amount detection step (S10) from among a plurality of pieces of time data predetermined according to the amount of treatment targets.

[0208] The water supply amount setting step (S20) and the time setting step (S30) may be performed simultaneously or may be set to be performed sequentially.

[0209] When a treatment time is determined through the time setting step (S30), the control method may perform a display step (S40) of notifying a user of an expected treatment time (a set time).

[0210] The display step (S40) may include outputting the set time as characters or a graph on a display provided in the control panel 112, or notifying the user of the set time through a sound output unit such as a speaker provided in the clothing treatment apparatus 100. The display step (S40) may be continuously performed until the control method ends, and the display may be controlled to subtract a time for which the clothing treatment apparatus 100 has operated from the set time and to display the resulting time.

[0211] During execution of the time setting step (S30) or when the time setting step (S30) is completed, the control method performs a water supply step.

[0212] The water supply step supplies water to the tub body 21. The water supply step may be performed through the first water supply flow path 42 (the storage unit water supply pipe) and the second water supply flow path 43 (the connection portion water supply pipe) configured to connect a water supply source provided in a space in which the clothing treatment apparatus 100 is installed (provided outside the clothing treatment apparatus) to the tub body.

[0213] The water supply step may include a first water supply step (S51) of supplying water to the tub body 21 through the first water supply flow path 42, and a second water supply step (S52) of supplying water to the tub body 21 through the second water supply flow path 43.

[0214] The first water supply step (S51) and the second water supply step (S52) may be performed with a time difference or may be performed sequentially, but are preferably performed simultaneously. As described above, a commercial clothing treatment apparatus needs to treat a large amount of treatment targets in a short time. Therefore, when the first water supply step (S51) and the second water supply step (S52) are performed simultaneously, the set time (S30) may be reduced by reducing the water supply time.

[0215] As described above, the first water supply flow path 42 may include a plurality of flow path water supply pipes 421, 422, 423, and 424. Hereinafter, the flow path water supply pipe 421 in which the first water supply detection unit 491 is provided is defined as the first storage unit water supply pipe 421, and the flow path water supply pipes 422, 423, and 424 in which the first water supply detection unit 491 is not provided are defined as the second storage unit water supply pipe 422. In this case, the first water supply step (S51) may include supplying water to the tub body 21 by opening the first storage unit water supply pipe 421 among the two storage unit water supply pipes.

[0216] The second water supply flow path 43 may include the first connection portion water supply pipe 431 and the second connection portion water supply pipe 432. The second water supply step (S52) may include using only one of the two connection portion water supply pipes 431 and 432, or may include using both of the two connection portion water supply pipes 431 and 432.

[0217] The drawings illustrate the latter case. In this case, to reduce the water supply time, water supply through the first connection portion water supply pipe 431 and water supply through the second connection portion water supply pipe 432 are preferably performed simultaneously.

[0218] When the first water supply step (S51) is started, the controller performs a first detection step (S511) of determining whether water is supplied through the first storage unit water supply pipe 421, and a second detection step (S521) of determining whether water is supplied through the two connection portion water supply pipes 431 and 432.

[0219] The first detection step (S511) may be performed by a flow rate sensor (flow meter sensor) capable of detecting whether water moves along the first storage unit water supply pipe 421 or detecting the amount of water supplied to the tub body 21 through the first storage unit water supply pipe 421.

[0220] The second detection step (S521) may be performed by the first sensor 492a provided in the first connection portion water supply pipe 431 and the second sensor 492b provided in the second connection portion water supply pipe 432. The first sensor 492a may be provided as a flow rate sensor capable of detecting whether water moves along the first connection portion water supply pipe 431 or detecting the amount of water supplied to the tub body 21 through the first connection portion water supply pipe 431. The second sensor 492b may be provided as a flow rate sensor capable of detecting whether water moves along the second connection portion water supply pipe 432 or detecting the amount of water supplied to the tub body 21 through the second connection portion water supply pipe 432.

[0221] The first water supply detection unit 491 and the second water supply detection unit 492 may be provided as a single water level sensor capable of detecting the amount of water inside the tub body 21. The water level sensor may include a drain unit connection pipe configured to communicate with the inside of the tub body 21, and a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure inside the drain unit connection pipe. One end of the drain unit connection pipe may be connected to the drain pipe 281, and the other end of the drain unit connection pipe may be provided as a hose extending toward an upper surface of the first cabinet 1 along a height direction of the tub body 21.

[0222] Water inside the tub body 21 flows into the drain unit connection pipe through the drain pipe 281, and air inside the drain unit connection pipe is compressed between the water and the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may detect the pressure of air inside the drain unit connection pipe and transmit the detected pressure to the first controller 19, and the first controller 19 may detect the amount of water supplied into the tub body 21 based on the pressure inside the drain unit connection pipe.

[0223] When the first water supply detection unit 491 and the second water supply detection unit 492 are provided as the water level sensor described above, the first controller 19 may be configured to determine which of the first storage unit water supply pipe 421, the first connection portion water supply pipe 431, and the second connection portion water supply pipe 432 has not been opened by comparing the amount of water supplied to the tub body 21 for a predetermined time with a predetermined reference amount.

[0224] Although an amount supplied per unit time through the first storage unit water supply pipe 421, an amount supplied per unit time through the first connection portion water supply pipe 431, and an amount supplied per unit time through the second connection portion water supply pipe 432 are predetermined, the amount of water supplied through each of the water supply pipes 421, 431, and 432 may differ from a designed amount depending on the pressure of water discharged from the water supply source. Therefore, the first water supply detection unit 491 and the second water supply detection unit 492 are preferably provided as flow rate sensors provided in the respective water supply pipes 421, 431, and 432, rather than the water level sensor.

[0225] When it is determined in the second detection step (S521) that water does not move along the second water supply flow path 43, the control method may perform a third water supply step (S53) of opening the second storage unit water supply pipes 422, 423, and 424 provided in the first water supply flow path 42.

[0226] As described above, the second storage unit water supply pipe may include at least one of the second flow path water supply pipe 422, the third flow path water supply pipe 423, or the fourth flow path water supply pipe 424. The third water supply step (S53) may include opening at least one of the second flow path water supply pipe 422, the third flow path water supply pipe 423, or the fourth flow path water supply pipe 424.

[0227] Accordingly, even when it is difficult to supply water through the first connection portion water supply pipe 431 and the second connection portion water supply pipe 432 due to a failure or an error of the second water supply valve 48, the control method may prevent an increase in the water supply time by supplying water to the tub body 21 through the third water supply step (S53).

[0228] The third water supply step (S53) may be configured to be performed when water is not supplied to the tub body 21 through at least one of the first connection portion water supply pipe 431 and the second connection portion water supply pipe 432.

[0229] When the third water supply step (S53) is performed, the control method may perform an adjustment step (S60) of adjusting the set time determined in the time setting step (S30). This is because the set time may be changed due to execution of the third water supply step (S53).

[0230] Furthermore, when a time (a reset time) determined through the adjustment step (S60) is determined to be different from the set time determined in the time setting step (S30), the display step (S40) may change the time displayed on the display of the control panel 112 to the reset time. This is to notify the user of a change in the set time (to improve convenience).

[0231] When it is determined in the first detection step (S511) that water is not supplied to the tub body 21 through the first storage unit water supply pipe 421, the control method may perform a notification step (S513) of notifying the user of a water supply error.

[0232] When it is difficult to supply water to the tub body 21 through the first storage unit water supply pipe 421 (when the water supply error occurs), it may be difficult to supply detergent to the treatment targets, and washing performance may decrease. In addition, the set time may increase due to an increase in the water supply time. A decrease in washing performance may cause user dissatisfaction, and an increase in the set time may lead to an increase in cost for the user. Accordingly, when it is determined that the water supply error has occurred, the control method may stop operation of the clothing treatment apparatus 100.

[0233] When the water supply error is identified while only the first water supply step (S51) and the second water supply step (S52) are being performed, the control method may stop the first water supply step and the second water supply step. However, when the water supply error is identified during execution of the first water supply step (S51), the second water supply step (S52), and the third water supply step (S53), the control method may stop the first water supply step, the second water supply step, and the third water supply step.

[0234] When the above-described water supply error does not occur, the control method may end the first water supply step (S51) and the second water supply step (S53) when the set water supply amount is supplied to the tub body 21 (S70), and then may start a treatment operation (S80). The treatment operation may be a washing operation or a rinsing operation. When the treatment operation (S80) is performed for the set time (S90), the control method may end.

[0235] When the user inputs a control command for drying the treatment targets (a request for execution of a drying operation) through the input unit of the control panel 112, water stored in the tub body 21 may be discharged (a draining operation), water contained in the treatment targets may be removed (a spin-drying operation), and then the drying operation may be performed by operating the heat exchange unit 9 of the second treatment apparatus 100b.

[0236] Since the above-described clothing treatment apparatus relates to an example of the present disclosure, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described structure or control method.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a clothing treatment apparatus, the clothing treatment apparatus comprising: a tub in which water is stored; a drum rotatably provided inside the tub and configured to accommodate treatment targets; a detergent storage unit in which detergent is stored; a connection portion connecting the detergent storage unit and the tub; a first storage unit water supply pipe and a second storage unit water supply pipe configured to supply water to the detergent storage unit and provided as flow paths separated from each other; and a connection portion water supply pipe configured to supply water to the connection portion, the method comprising: a first water supply step of supplying water to the tub by opening one of the first storage unit water supply pipe and the second storage unit water supply pipe; a second water supply step of supplying water to the tub by opening the connection portion water supply pipe; and a third water supply step of supplying water to the tub by opening a remaining one of the first storage unit water supply pipe and the second storage unit water supply pipe when water is not supplied to the tub through the connection portion water supply pipe.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first water supply step and the second water supply step are performed simultaneously.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: a first detection step of determining whether water is supplied through the first storage unit water supply pipe during execution of the first water supply step; and a second detection step of determining whether water is supplied through the connection portion water supply pipe during execution of the second water supply step.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, when it is determined in the first detection step that water is not supplied through the first storage unit water supply pipe, the first water supply step, the second water supply step, and the third water supply step are terminated.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising a notification step of notifying a user of a water supply error when it is determined in the first detection step that water is not supplied through the first storage unit water supply pipe.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the first detection step is performed by a first water supply detection unit configured to detect whether water moves along the first storage unit water supply pipe or to detect a water level inside the tub, and wherein the second detection step is performed by a second water supply detection unit configured to detect whether water moves along the connection portion water supply pipe or to detect the water level inside the tub.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the connection portion water supply pipe comprises a first connection portion water supply pipe and a second connection portion water supply pipe configured to supply water to the connection portion, and wherein the second water supply step comprises supplying water to the connection portion through the first connection portion water supply pipe and the second connection portion water supply pipe.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the connection portion water supply pipe comprises: a first connection portion water supply pipe configured to guide one of cold water and hot water to the connection portion; and a second connection portion water supply pipe configured to guide the other one of the cold water and the hot water to the connection portion, and wherein the second water supply step comprises supplying water to the connection portion through the first connection portion water supply pipe and the second connection portion water supply pipe.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein water supply through the first connection portion water supply pipe and water supply through the second connection portion water supply pipe are performed simultaneously.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the second water supply detection unit comprises: a first sensor configured to detect whether water moves along the first connection portion water supply pipe; and a second sensor configured to detect whether water moves along the second connection portion water supply pipe, and wherein the third water supply step is performed when water is not supplied to the tub through at least one of the first connection portion water supply pipe and the second connection portion water supply pipe.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: a load amount detection step performed before start of the first water supply step and configured to determine an amount of the treatment targets accommodated inside the drum; a time setting step of determining a set time, which is a time required for treatment of the treatment targets, based on the amount of the treatment targets; and a display step of notifying a user of the set time.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising an adjustment step of resetting the set time when the third water supply step is started.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, when the set time determined in the time setting step is different from the time reset in the adjustment step, the display step comprises notifying the user of the time reset in the adjustment step.

Images