Clothing processing equipment

Abstract

This invention relates to a garment processing apparatus that allows for a compact arrangement of the volume occupied by the drive unit that rotates the drum containing the garments, and the space between the rear of the drum and the rear panel of the cabinet. [Solution] The garment processing apparatus includes a drum for storing garments, a hot air supply unit disposed outside the drum for supplying hot air to the inside of the drum, and a drive unit disposed behind the drum and including a rotating shaft for rotating the drum, wherein the drum includes a drum body having an input opening defined on the front and providing a space for storing garments, and a drum back that is coupled to the rear end of the drum body, wherein the drum back includes a back body coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the drum body to form the back of the drum, and a recessed seat portion in the center of the back body, wherein the diameter of the seat portion is larger than the diameter of the drive unit so that at least a part of the drive unit is housed in the seat portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clothing treatment apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] A clothing treatment apparatus is a device that applies physical force to clothing to remove dust or foreign substances attached to the clothing, and includes a washing machine, a dryer, a refresher (styler), and the like.

[0003] A washing machine performs a washing process of supplying water and detergent to clothing to separate and remove foreign substances attached to the clothing.

[0004] A dryer is classified into an exhaust dryer or a circulation dryer, and commonly performs a drying process of producing hot air at a high temperature by a heater and exposing the hot air to clothing to remove moisture from the clothing.

[0005] Recently, a dryer is configured to omit a configuration for supplying water to or draining water from clothing, and also omit a tub for storing water in a cabinet, and perform a drying process intensively. As a result, the structure inside the dryer can be simplified, and hot air can be directly supplied to a drum for storing clothing to improve drying efficiency.

[0006] Such a dryer includes a drum for storing clothing, a hot air supply unit for supplying hot air to the drum, and a drive unit for rotating the drum. As a result, the dryer can supply hot air into the drum to dry the clothing stored in the drum, and rotate the drum to uniformly expose the surface of the clothing to the hot air. As a result, the entire surface of the clothing can come into contact with the hot air uniformly to complete drying.

[0007] On the other hand, in order for the drive unit to rotate the drum, it needs to be fixed inside the cabinet. In addition, when the drive unit rotates a rotating shaft coupled to the drum, it needs to be coupled parallel to the rotating shaft. However, since the dryer does not have a fixed tub inside the cabinet, there is a limit that the drive unit cannot be fixed to the tub like a washing machine.

[0008] To solve this problem, dryers were developed that fixed the drive unit to the back of the cabinet.

[0009] Figure 1 shows the structure of a conventional dryer in which the drive unit is connected to the back of the cabinet.

[0010] This dryer includes a cabinet 1 that forms the exterior, a drum 2 that is rotatably mounted inside the cabinet 1 to hold clothes, and a drive unit 3 that rotates the drum 2.

[0011] The drive unit 3 is positioned on the back of the drum 2 to rotate the drum 2, or it is coupled to and fixed to the back panel 11 that forms the back of the cabinet 1. This allows the drive unit 3 to be fixed to the cabinet 1 and rotate the drum 2.

[0012] The conventional dryer drive unit 3 described above commonly includes a stator 31 fixed to the rear panel 11, a rotor 32 rotated by the stator 31, and a rotating shaft 33 coupled to the rotor 32 to rotate the drum 2, and a reduction gear 37 that increases torque while decreasing the rpm of the rotating shaft 33 to rotate the drum 2.

[0013] Conventional dryers also commonly include a fixing part 4 that secures the drive unit 3 to the rear panel 11. The fixing part 4 includes either a first fixing part 41 that secures the stator 31 to the rear panel 11 or a second fixing part 42 that secures the rotating shaft 33 to the rear panel 11. This allows conventional dryers to arrange the rotating shaft 33 coupled to the drum 2 and the drive unit 3 in parallel, enabling stable rotation of the drum 2.

[0014] However, since the cabinet's rear panel 11 is made of thin steel plate, it can easily deform or vibrate even with very small external forces. Furthermore, the rear panel 11 is subjected not only to the load of the drive unit 3 but also to the load of the drum 2 via the rotating shaft 33, making it difficult to maintain its shape.

[0015] Furthermore, if the clothing is unevenly distributed within the drum 2, or repeatedly falls into the drum 2 during the rotation process, external forces are repeatedly transmitted to the back panel 11, causing the back panel 11 to vibrate.

[0016] If vibrations or external forces are transmitted to the rear panel 11, causing it to bend or deform even temporarily, a problem may arise where the rotating shaft 33 connecting the drive unit 3 and the drum 2 twists. This can generate unwanted vibrations and noise in the drive unit 3, and in severe cases, the rotating shaft 33 may be damaged. There is also the problem of unwanted noise being generated during the bending or deformation of the rear panel 11.

[0017] Furthermore, during the vibration of the rear panel 11, the distance between the rotor 32 and the stator 31 temporarily changes, which can cause the rotor 32 to collide with the stator 31 or generate unwanted vibrations and noise.

[0018] Furthermore, if the drive unit 3 also includes a reduction gear 37, the rotating shaft 33 coupled to the reduction gear 37 and the reduction shaft 33a connected from the reduction gear 37 to the drum 2 exist separately from each other. In this case, since the reduction gear 37 is supported by the rear panel 11 via the stator 31 and the rotating shaft 33, even slight deformation of the rear panel 11 can cause problems such as the reduction shaft 33a and the rotating shaft 33 twisting or shifting.

[0019] In other words, the reduction shaft 33a connected to the drum 2 changes position less due to the weight of the drum 2 than the rotating shaft 33 connected to the drive unit 3. Therefore, if the rear panel 11 is temporarily bent or deformed, the degree to which the rotating shaft 33 and the reduction shaft 33a tilt will differ, causing the rotating shaft 33 and the reduction shaft 33a to become misaligned.

[0020] Therefore, in conventional garment processing devices, the rotating shaft 33 and the reduction shaft 33a become misaligned each time the drive unit 3 operates, which not only makes it impossible to guarantee the reliability of the reduction gear 37, but also poses a risk of damage to the reduction gear 37.

[0021] On the other hand, in order to directly connect the drive unit 3 to the drum 200 in a dryer, it is necessary to connect a rotating shaft that transmits the power of the drive unit 3 to the drum 200. However, as mentioned above, the specific structure for connecting the drive unit 3 to the drum 200 is not clearly specified in conventional dryers, so it is conceivable to apply the structure used to connect the drum 200 and the drive unit 3 in a washing machine.

[0022] Figure 2 shows a conventional structure in which a rotating shaft is connected to a drum.

[0023] Referring to Figure 2(a), a conventional garment processing device includes a drum back 220 on the back of the drum 20 for coupling with a drive unit, and includes a spider 230 coupled to the drum back 220. The spider 230 is not only fixed to the drum back 220, but also extends to the circumferential surface of the drum to fix the drum 200 and form a rotating shaft 234 that rotates the drum 200.

[0024] As a result, the drum 200 has a rotating shaft 234 that protrudes outward via the spider 230, and the drive unit is coupled to the rotating shaft 234, causing the drum 200 to rotate by rotating the rotating shaft.

[0025] Referring to Figure 2(b), the spider 230 is typically resting on and fixed to a coupling surface 227 formed on the back surface 220 of the drum, or fixed by fixing bolts (n) or the like. The spider 230 includes a hub 231 that is centrally coupled to the back surface of the drum 220, blades 232 that extend radially from the hub 231, fastening holes 233 that protrude from the blades 232 and are fastened to fixing bolts (n), and a rotating shaft 234 that protrudes outward from the hub 231.

[0026] At this time, the drive unit includes a motor 63 that rotates the rotating shaft, and a bearing 61 that extends from the motor 63 and houses and supports the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft 234 is housed and supported by the bearing 61, and the bearing 61 further includes a coupling shaft 62 that is coupled to the rotating shaft 234 and transmits the power of the motor 63 to the rotating shaft 234. The coupling shaft 62 corresponds to another drive shaft that is rotated by the motor 63. The spider 230 needs to further extend a gear shaft 2341 that is coupled to the rotating shaft 234 separately from the bearing 61 or the coupling part 62 of the drive unit.

[0027] As a result, the conventional clothing treatment apparatus has a limitation in that, in order to rotate the drum 200, not only the spider 230 but also another configuration for housing and supporting the rotating shaft 234 is further required. Therefore, there is a problem that the lengths of the drum and the drive unit become unnecessarily long due to the above configuration.

[0028] Specifically, due to the spider 230 from which the rotating shaft 234 protrudes, it is necessary to secure the thickness (D) of the motor 63, which is an essential configuration for generating the power to rotate the drum 200, the thickness (T) of the coupling part 62, the own length (A1) of the rotating shaft 234 itself, and the support length (A2) of the bearing 61 that supports the rotating shaft. <于

[0029] <于 In other words, there is a problem that an additional length (A) including the own length (A1) by which the rotating shaft 234 is unnecessarily extended and the support length (A2) for housing and supporting it has to be unnecessarily secured.

[0030] At this time, since the lengths in the front and rear of the cabinet are limited, there is a problem that the length of the drum 200 is reduced by only the additional length (A), and the clothing accommodation volume is decreased. Of course, when the spider 230 is recessed and housed in the back surface 220 of the drum, the thickness of the drive unit can be further reduced by that amount, but still there is a problem that the washing volume in the drum is still reduced.

[0031] In addition, when the clothing treatment apparatus is a dryer, the drive unit of the dryer needs to include a speed reducer that reduces the rotation speed of the motor 63 and increases the torque.

[0032] Generally, a gearbox houses both shafts and changes the RPM of each shaft. Therefore, if the gearbox is positioned to rotate a drum coupled to a spider 230, the gearbox must house and support the rotating shaft 234 protruding from the drum 200, and also house and support the coupling shaft 62 coupled to the motor section 63. This imposes a limitation in that a certain amount of bearings must be secured to support these shafts.

[0033] Ultimately, the overall length of the gearbox increases further, which in turn increases the total thickness of the drive unit, resulting in the problem of not being able to secure sufficient drum volume within the cabinet.

[0034] Consequently, when a dryer is manufactured that directly rotates a rotating shaft protruding from the drum 200, there are fundamental limitations: the dryer cannot secure sufficient volume from the drum 200, or the cabinet is made unnecessarily long.

[0035] Therefore, due to these fundamental limitations, dryers equipped with a drive unit that directly rotates the drum only exist as patent documents, and no actual products have been manufactured. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0036] The present invention aims to provide a garment processing apparatus in which the free end of a rotating shaft that rotates the drum is inserted into and coupled to the drum, rather than having the rotating shaft extend from the drum.

[0037] The problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a garment processing device in which a rotating shaft extends from a power-generating drive unit and is directly inserted into or housed in a drum and coupled to it.

[0038] The problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a garment processing apparatus that can ensure sufficient drum length even when equipped with a motor that generates power and a reduction gear that converts and transmits the motor's output.

[0039] The problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a garment processing apparatus that includes a drum that rotates in direct connection with the free end of a rotating shaft.

[0040] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a garment processing apparatus that includes a drum to which a bushing portion for housing the free end of a rotating shaft is attached to the back of the drum.

[0041] The present invention aims to provide a garment processing device that can reduce the total thickness of the motor that generates power and the reduction gear.

[0042] The problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a garment processing apparatus that can maintain the rotational axis of a motor that provides rotational power to rotate a drum and a reduction gear that converts the rotational power into rpm and torque.

[0043] The problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a garment processing apparatus in which the reduction gear and motor can tilt or vibrate simultaneously. [Means for solving the problem]

[0044] This invention provides a structure that partially houses the drive unit (reducer) on the back of the drum. A space is formed on the back of the drum to partially house the reducer and the like.

[0045] The drum and the gearbox or drive unit are connected by a male-female coupling structure. That is, a rotating shaft extends from the drive unit, and the drum is connected to accommodate the free end of the rotating shaft.

[0046] The drum includes a separate bushing that accommodates the free end of the rotating shaft, and the space in which the bushing is located accommodates part of the reduction gear and at least part of the bearing that supports the rotating shaft.

[0047] The bushing section includes a pipe that extends into the drum and houses the rotating shaft. The bushing section also includes a disc-shaped coupling for connecting to the back of the drum.

[0048] An insertion section is formed in the pipe into which the output shaft extending from the reduction gear is inserted.

[0049] The back of the drum includes a seat portion that recesses into the drum's input opening and a mounting surface that protrudes again from the seat portion toward the back of the drum. The seat portion houses the drive unit and part of the rotating shaft, while the mounting surface houses part of the bushing.

[0050] The garment processing apparatus according to the present invention has a rotational coupling structure between a female drum and a male drive unit.

[0051] Specifically, it features a structure (bushing section) on the back of the drum that houses the rotating shaft.

[0052] A bushing is positioned in the center of the back of the drum, which is connected to the drive unit (reducer) shaft. The bushing has a housing groove into which the drive unit (reducer) shaft is housed and connected.

[0053] The housing groove of the bushing section is provided with serrations (gear grooves) on its inner circumferential surface. The rotating shaft may also be provided with serrations (screw gears) that align with the gear grooves.

[0054] The bushing section's housing groove is recessed and positioned within the drum.

[0055] The bushing is recessed inward from the back of the drum and is connected to the back of the drum. The bushing is made of a material with greater rigidity than the back of the drum.

[0056] The bushing portion has a coupling surface that extends diagonally from the housing groove toward the drive unit and is coupled to the back of the drum, and the bushing portion is formed in a conical shape.

[0057] On the other hand, the bushing portion has serrations only in the housing groove, and the bushing portion and the drum are connected by bolts or the like.

[0058] The garment processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a rear case that supports a reduction gear that converts the power output from the drive unit.

[0059] The drum is positioned on one side (the inside) of the rear case, and the drive unit or reduction gear is positioned on the other side (the outside) of the rear cabinet.

[0060] To reduce the volume of the drive unit or reduction gear protruding from the rear of the cabinet, the rear case is provided with a mounting groove that recesses into the drum.

[0061] Multiple brackets, to which the gearbox is attached, are connected and fixed into the mounting groove.

[0062] The back of the drum is positioned separately and apart from the rear case.

[0063] The back of the drum has a recessed seat section that faces the rear case and mounting groove.

[0064] The seat portion accommodates a mounting groove. The seat portion is shaped to correspond to the accommodating groove.

[0065] The seat portion can accommodate at least partially the reduction gear or drive unit.

[0066] The drive unit includes a motor section consisting of a stator and an outer rotor.

[0067] The gearbox is housed in at least part of the stator, and is directly coupled to the stator.

[0068] The seat portion has a support surface that extends inward or outward so as to support the bushing on the back of the drum.

[0069] The center of the sheet surface is provided with an mounting surface that is bent outward or inward again from the support surface, to which the bushing portion is attached.

[0070] The bushing is connected to the mounting surface by bolts or similar means.

[0071] The bushing portion includes a coupling surface supported by a protruding surface, a recessed surface extending from the coupling surface into the drum, and a shaft coupling portion extending again from the recessed surface to the outside of the drum and coupling with the shaft.

[0072] The bushing connects to the rotating shaft that protrudes from the reduction gear. [Effects of the Invention]

[0073] According to the present invention, the rotating shaft does not extend from the drum; rather, the free end of the rotating shaft that rotates the drum is inserted into and coupled to the drum.

[0074] According to the present invention, a rotating shaft can extend from a drive unit that generates power and be directly inserted into or housed in a drum for coupling.

[0075] According to the present invention, even if the drum is equipped with a motor that generates power and a reduction gear that converts and transmits the output of the motor, a sufficient length of drum can be secured.

[0076] According to the present invention, a drum that rotates in direct connection with the free end of the rotating shaft can be provided.

[0077] According to the present invention, a drum can be provided to which a bushing portion for housing the free end of a rotating shaft is attached to the back of the drum. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0078] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing a conventional garment processing device. [Figure 2] This diagram shows a coupling structure in a conventional garment processing device where the drum is the male component and the drive unit is the female component. [Figure 3] This figure shows the external appearance of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows the internal configuration of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows the drum of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 6]This figure shows the internal structure of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows the structure that supports the drum of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows the rear case structure of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the structure in which the drive unit is connected to the rear case. [Figure 10] This figure shows a reduction gear for a clothing processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure shows the coupling structure of the gearbox and stator in the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 12] This figure shows the final coupling structure of the drive unit of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 13] This figure shows the structure in which the drum and the shaft of the drive unit of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention are connected. [Figure 14] This figure shows the structure of the bushing portion of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 15] This figure shows a compact arrangement of the drive unit of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 16] This figure shows another embodiment of the bushing portion and drum back of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 17] This figure shows a compact arrangement of components positioned behind the drum of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0079] The embodiments described herein will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In this specification, even if the embodiments are different from each other, identical or similar reference numerals will be used for identical or similar components, and their descriptions will be omitted. The singular expressions used in this invention include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, in describing the invention, if it is determined that a specific description of known technology related to the invention would unnecessarily obscure the gist of the invention, such detailed description will be omitted. The attached drawings are intended to facilitate an understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and the technical ideas disclosed herein should not be limited by the attached drawings.

[0080] Figure 3 shows the external appearance of the garment processing apparatus 10 according to the present invention.

[0081] A garment processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 100 that forms the exterior.

[0082] The cabinet 100 includes a front panel 110 that forms the front surface of the garment processing device, and the front panel 110 is equipped with an input opening 111 that communicates with a drum 200 (described later) and a door 130 that is rotatably connected to the cabinet and opens and closes the input opening 111.

[0083] A control panel 117 is provided on the front panel 110. The control panel 117 includes an input unit 118 into which control commands are input from the user, and a display unit 119 that outputs information such as control commands that the user can select. Control commands include a drying course or drying option that performs a series of drying processes. The control panel 177 includes a main control unit that controls the commands to perform the drying course or drying option.

[0084] The input unit 118 includes a power supply request unit that requests power supply to the garment processing device, a course input unit that allows the user to select a desired course from a number of courses, and an execution request unit that requests the start of the course selected by the user.

[0085] The display unit 119 includes either a display panel capable of outputting text and graphics, or a speaker capable of outputting audio signals and sound.

[0086] On the other hand, the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a water storage unit 7 for separately storing moisture generated during the garment drying process. The water storage unit 7 includes a water storage tank that can be pulled out to the outside from one side of the front panel 110. The water storage tank collects condensed water transmitted from the washing pump, which will be described later. This allows the user to pull out the water storage tank from the cabinet 1 to remove the condensed water and then reattach it to the cabinet 100. Therefore, the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention can be used even in places where there are no sewer pipes or the like.

[0087] On the other hand, the water storage unit 7 is located above the door 130. This means that when the user pulls the water storage tank out from the front panel 110, they have to bend their waist slightly.

[0088] On the other hand, the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a steam unit 195 that supplies steam to the garment (or inside the cabinet). The steam unit 195 generates steam using condensed water discharged from the garment, or generates steam by receiving a supply of fresh water other than condensed water. The steam unit 195 generates steam by heating water, using ultrasound, or vaporizing it.

[0089] The steam unit 195 generates steam by receiving a fixed amount of water, and therefore occupies a fixed volume. At this time, the front panel 110 of the cabinet is provided with a door and a control panel 117, and the rear panel 120 of the cabinet is provided with ducts for supplying and exhausting air to the drum, as well as a water supply unit. Therefore, it is advantageous to place the steam unit 195 inside the side panel 140 of the cabinet.

[0090] Furthermore, the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a steam control unit 800 for separately controlling the steam unit 195. The steam control unit 800 is provided on the control panel 117, but in order to prevent overloading of the control panel 117 and to prevent an increase in manufacturing costs, it may be provided as a separate control panel.

[0091] The steam control unit 800 is provided adjacent to the steam unit 195. The steam control unit 800 is installed on the side panel 140 on which the steam unit 195 is located, and the length of control lines and other connections to the steam unit 195 can be reduced.

[0092] Since the steam unit 195 supplies steam that comes into contact with clothing, it is desirable to generate steam using fresh water. The water collected in the water reservoir 7 is generated from clothing and may contain lint or other foreign substances, making it unsuitable for steam generation.

[0093] Therefore, the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention supplies water to the steam unit 195, but includes a water supply unit 160 that is separate from the water storage unit 7. The water supply unit 160 either stores fresh water or receives fresh water from an external source and supplies it to the steam unit 195.

[0094] For example, the water supply unit 160 includes an external supply unit 180 that receives water from an external water source and transmits it to the steam unit 195, and an internal supply unit 170 that separately stores fresh water and supplies it to the steam unit 195.

[0095] The internal supply unit 170 is provided separately from the water storage unit 7 and includes a water tank 171 for storing fresh water. The water tank 171 and the steam unit 195 are installed at different heights so that water from the water tank 171 is supplied to the steam unit 195 by its own weight.

[0096] If it is not possible to ensure a sufficient difference in installation height between the water tank 171 and the steam unit 195, it is desirable to also install a water pump 172. The presence of the water pump 430 allows for more compact use of the space within the cabinet 1.

[0097] Accordingly, the water supply unit 160 further includes a water pump 172 that supplies water from the water tank 171 to the steam unit 195, and a tank housing 173 that houses the water tank 171 and the water pump 172 inside the cabinet.

[0098] The external supply unit 180 is connected to an external water source and includes a direct water valve to which water is supplied.

[0099] Furthermore, the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a determination unit 196 that determines which of the external supply unit 180 and the internal supply unit 170 should be used preferentially to supply water to the steam unit 195.

[0100] The decision unit 196 determines which of the external supply unit 500 and the internal supply unit 400 should be used first.

[0101] The water tank 171 stores fresh water. It is desirable that the water tank 171 be installed exposed to the outside of the cabinet 100 so that it can be refilled with fresh water as needed.

[0102] On the other hand, the water tank 171 may be provided in a retractable form within the cabinet 100. This allows the user to easily refill the water tank 171 by pulling it out of the cabinet 100.

[0103] The water tank 171 is pulled out via the front panel 110. However, if the water storage tank is also pulled out via the front panel 110, the area occupied by the control panel 117 makes it difficult to secure enough space for the water tank 171 to be pulled out.

[0104] Therefore, the water tank 171 can be extended through the upper panel 130 to prevent interference with the control panel 117.

[0105] On the other hand, since both the water tank 171 and the water storage unit 7 store water, users may confuse them. Therefore, in the clothing processing apparatus according to the present invention, the direction and position in which the water tank 171 and the water storage unit 7 are exposed from the cabinet may be different.

[0106] Specifically, the water tank 171 is exposed on the upper panel 130, and the water storage section 7 is exposed on the front panel 11. This prevents users from confusing the water tank 171 with the water storage section 7, even when both are provided. Furthermore, since the water tank 171 stores fresh water and must maintain the freshness of the stored water, its volume is relatively smaller than that of the water storage section 7. Therefore, users can also distinguish between the water tank 171 and the water storage section 7 by the difference in volume.

[0107] Since the water tank 171 has a smaller volume than the water storage section 7, it can be easily pulled out from the top. Therefore, the water tank 171 can be installed so that it can be pulled out upward from the upper panel 130. As a result, since the pulling directions of the water tank 171 and the water storage section 7 are different, the possibility of user confusion is further reduced.

[0108] The upper panel 130 of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a tank pull-out hole or pull-out hole 131 for exposing the water tank 171 to the outside or for pulling the tank 171 out of the cabinet. The tank pull-out hole 131 has a cross-sectional area corresponding to or slightly larger than that of the water tank 171.

[0109] The upper panel 130 further includes a drawer cover 132 that shields the tank pull-out hole 131 to prevent the water tank 171 from being pulled out unintentionally.

[0110] The garment processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a filter to remove foreign substances from the circulating flow path. The front panel 110 is provided with a filter mounting hole 113 into which the filter is pulled out or inserted.

[0111] Figure 4 shows the inside of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0112] The garment processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a drum 200 housed in a cabinet 100 for holding garments, a drive unit (M) for rotating the drum 200, and a hot air supply unit 900 for supplying hot air to the drum 200.

[0113] The drum 200 is cylindrical and holds the clothing. Furthermore, since there is no need to put water into the drum 200, and there is no need to discharge the condensed water inside the drum 200 to the outside, through holes provided around the drum 200 can be omitted.

[0114] The drive unit (M) is directly connected to the drum 200 to rotate it. For example, the drive unit (M) is a DD (Direct Drive unit) type. This allows the drive unit (M) to control the rotation direction or rotation speed of the drum 200 by directly rotating the drum 200 without the need for a belt and pulley system.

[0115] Typically, in a DD-type washing machine, the drive unit (M) is coupled to and fixed to a tub that houses the drum 200, and the drum 200 is coupled to the drive unit (M) and supported by the tub. However, in the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention, since the focus is on the drying process, the tub that is fixed to the cabinet 100 to house the drum 200 is omitted.

[0116] As a result, the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a support portion 400 for fixing or supporting the drum 200 or drive unit (M) within the cabinet 100.

[0117] The support section 400 includes a front case 410 provided in front of the drum 200 and a rear case 420 provided behind the drum 200. The front case 410 and the rear case 420 are plate-shaped and are provided so that the front and rear of the drum 200 face each other. The distance between the front case 410 and the rear case 420 is set to be the same as the length of the drum 200 or longer than the length of the drum 200. The front case 410 and the rear case 420 are fixed and supported to the bottom surface of the cabinet 100 and to the hot air supply section 900 described later.

[0118] Since the input opening of the drum 200 is located at the front, it is preferable that the drive unit (M) be located in the rear case 420 rather than the front case. The rear case 420 is formed such that the drive unit (M) is mounted and supported in the area facing the rear of the drum 200. This allows the drive unit (M) to rotate the drum 200 while its position is stably fixed via the rear case 420.

[0119] Either the front case 410 or the rear case 420 rotatably supports the drum 200. Either the front case 410 or the rear case 420 rotatably accommodates the front or rear end of the drum 200.

[0120] For example, the front of the drum 200 is housed in the front case 410 and rotatably supported, while the rear of the drum 200 is separated from the rear case 420 and connected to a drive unit (M) attached to the rear case 420, thereby being indirectly supported by the rear case 420. This minimizes the area in which the drum 200 contacts or rubs against the support unit 400, thereby blocking the generation of unwanted noise and vibration.

[0121] Of course, the drum 200 may be rotatably supported by both the front case 410 and the rear case 420.

[0122] The hot air supply unit 900 forms a circulation channel that discharges air from inside the drum 200 to the outside and introduces it back into the drum 200. The circulating air is heated and its moisture is condensed to dry the clothes stored in the drum 200.

[0123] The hot air supply unit 900 is preferably positioned at the bottom of the drum 200, with the drum 200's inlet located at a relatively high position, allowing the user to easily pull out the clothes inside the drum 200.

[0124] The hot air supply unit 900 includes a plurality of heat exchangers that cool or heat the air flowing inside, and also includes a cleaning unit 940 that removes foreign substances attached to the heat exchangers using condensed water in the air.

[0125] The hot air supply unit 900 supplies air into the drum 200 via the front case 410 and discharges the air toward the rear case 420.

[0126] A duct cover 430 is attached to the rear case 420, which guides the hot air supplied from the hot air supply unit 900 to the back of the drum 200. The duct cover 430 exposes the drive unit (M) to the outside and cools the drive unit (M). The cabinet 100 further includes a shielding plate 120 that prevents the duct cover 430 and the drive unit (M) from being exposed to the outside, thereby preventing safety accidents.

[0127] The front-to-back length (T1) of the cabinet is the length from the front case 410 to the rear panel 120. Strictly speaking, the length of the cabinet is from the front panel 120 to the rear panel 120, but since the space from the front case 410 to the rear panel 120 corresponds to the allowable space in which the internal configuration of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention is provided, the length of the allowable space (T1 = allowable length) is simply referred to as the length of the cabinet.

[0128] Once the allowable length (T1) is determined, the length of the drum 200 (T2) and the length of the drive unit (T3) are determined. The allowable length (T1) includes the drum length (T2) and the drive unit length (T3), and is equal to or less than the sum of the drum length (T2) and the drive unit length (T3).

[0129] On the other hand, if the rear panel 120 is omitted, the rear case 420 may form the back of the cabinet.

[0130] Figure 5 shows the drum of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0131] The drum 200 of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention is not rotated indirectly by being coupled to a belt or the like, but is rotated by being directly coupled to the drive unit (M). Therefore, unlike conventional dryer drums which are cylindrical with open front and rear, the drum 200 of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention is shielded at the rear and directly coupled to the drive unit (M).

[0132] Specifically, the drum 200 includes a drum body 210 formed in a cylindrical shape for accommodating clothing, and a drum back 220 that is attached to the rear of the drum body 210 to form the back of the drum.

[0133] The drum back surface 220 shields the rear of the drum body 210 and provides a space that is directly connected to the drive unit (M). That is, the drum back surface 220 is connected to the drive unit (M) and power is directly supplied to rotate the drum body 210. As a result, an opening 211 into which clothes are inserted is formed at the front of the drum body 210, and the rear is shielded by the drum back surface 220.

[0134] A bushing portion 300, which is coupled to the drive unit (M), is connected to the back surface 220 of the drum. The bushing portion 300 is provided on the back surface 220 of the drum and forms the rotation center of the drum 200. The bushing portion 300 may be formed integrally with the back surface 220 of the drum, but in order to firmly connect with the rotation shaft extending from the drive unit (M), it is made of a material that is more rigid and durable than the back surface 220 of the drum. The bushing portion 300 is coupled in the middle of the back surface 220 of the drum.

[0135] The drum back surface 220 includes a circumferential portion 221 that is coupled to the outer surface of the drum body 210, and a seat portion 223 provided inside the circumferential portion 221 and coupled to the drive unit (M). The seat portion 223 may include a through hole through which a bushing portion 300 is coupled and which accommodates the bushing portion 300.

[0136] Between the circumferential portion 221 and the sheet portion 223, there is an intake hole 224 that guides the hot air supplied from the hot air supply unit 900 into the drum body 210. The intake hole 224 consists of a plurality of holes that penetrate the back surface 220 of the drum, or it consists of a mesh-like net.

[0137] To prevent a reduction in the rigidity of the drum back surface 220 due to the intake holes 224, reinforcing ribs 225 are further provided to reinforce the rigidity of the drum back surface 220. The reinforcing ribs 225 extend radially from the outer circumferential surface of the seat portion 223 toward the inner circumferential surface of the circumferential portion 221. Furthermore, circumferential ribs 226 are provided, extending around the drum back surface 220 to connect the reinforcing ribs 225 to each other. The intake holes 224 are arranged between the reinforcing ribs 225, the circumferential ribs 226, the seat portion 223, and the circumferential portion 221, so that the shape can be maintained even when rotational force is transmitted to the drum back surface 220 from the drive unit (M) by the reinforcing ribs 225 and the circumferential ribs 226.

[0138] On the other hand, the outer surface of the drum body 210 is provided with one or more reinforcing beads 212 to reinforce the rigidity of the drum body 210. The reinforcing beads 212 may be recessed or protrude inward or outward along the circumference of the drum body 210, and multiple beads may be spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the drum body 210.

[0139] This prevents the drum body 210 from twisting, even if a large amount of clothing is placed inside it or if rotational force is suddenly transmitted via the drive unit (M).

[0140] As a result, the drum 200 of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention rotates not by a belt or the like, but by the drum's back surface 220 being directly connected to the drive unit (M).

[0141] Therefore, even if the drive unit (M) changes its rotation direction or increases its rotation speed, the drum 200 of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention can immediately reflect this and rotate accordingly.

[0142] Figure 6 shows the internal configuration of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0143] As described above, the drum 200 is cylindrical and includes a drum body 210 that is open at the front and rear, and a drum back surface 220 that is coupled to the rear of the drum body 210 and shields the rear of the drum body 210.

[0144] The bushing portion 300 is directly connected to the rotating shaft extending from the drive unit (M).

[0145] The front case 410 includes a front plate 411 that forms the main body and an input communication hole 412 that penetrates the front plate 411 and accommodates the front of the drum body 210 or the input opening 211. A gasket 413 that accommodates the drum body 210 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the input communication hole 412.

[0146] The gasket 413 rotatably supports the input port 211 of the drum body 210 and is in contact with the outer surface of the input port 211. The gasket 413 prevents hot air from inside the drum 200 from leaking between the drum body 210 and the front plate 411. The gasket 413 is made of a plastic resin series or an elastic material, and another sealing member can be further bonded to the inner surface of the gasket 413 to prevent clothes or hot air from detaching from the input port 211 of the drum body 210 to the front plate 411.

[0147] Meanwhile, a duct communication hole 419 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the gasket 413 or the input communication hole 412, communicating with the drum body 210 and allowing the air introduced into the drum body 210 to be discharged. Inside the front plate 411, a flow path is provided that connects the duct communication hole 419 to the hot air supply unit 900. As a result, the duct communication hole 419 guides the air discharged from the drum body 210 to be supplied to the hot air supply unit 900.

[0148] A filter member is provided in the duct connection hole 419 to block foreign substances and lint discharged from the drum 200 from being introduced into the hot air supply unit 900.

[0149] The front case 410 is provided with front wheels 415 that are in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the drum body 210 and rotatably support the drum 200. The front wheels 415 support the outer circumferential surface of the input opening of the drum body 210, and multiple front wheels 415 are spaced apart along the outer circumferential surface of the input communication hole 412. The front wheels 415 support the lower part of the drum body 210 and rotate together with the drum 200 when it rotates.

[0150] Furthermore, a stopper 500 is attached to the front case 410 to prevent the drum body 210 from detaching. The stopper 500 may be located in a stopper mounting section 416 on the front case 410 above the input communication hole 412.

[0151] The front case 410 is provided with a tank support hole 414 through which the water storage tank of the water storage tank 7 is pulled out or supported. The tank support hole 414 is provided in the area of ​​the front panel 110 corresponding to the part where the water storage tank 7 is located, and is formed by penetrating the front case 410.

[0152] A cutout 417 is provided at the bottom of the front case 410, which is supported by the hot air supply unit 900. The cutout 417 prevents the front case 410 from interfering with the hot air supply unit 900. The cutout 417 communicates with the supply duct of the hot air supply unit 900 and transmits the air inside the drum supplied to the duct communication hole 419 to the hot air supply unit 900.

[0153] The hot air supply unit 900 includes a circulation channel 920 through which air discharged from the drum 200 circulates. The circulation channel 920 is duct-shaped and located outside the drum 200. The circulation channel 920 includes a supply duct 921 that communicates with a duct communication hole 419 and through which air from the drum 200 is supplied, a moving duct 922 through which the air supplied from the supply duct 921 moves, and an exhaust duct 923 through which the air that has passed through the moving duct 922 is discharged.

[0154] The supply duct 921 communicates with the cutout 417 of the front case 410 and with a flow path provided inside the front case 410. The movable duct 922 extends from the end of the supply duct 921 toward the rear of the drum 200, and the discharge duct 923 is provided at the end of the movable duct 922 to guide air to the drum 200.

[0155] Meanwhile, the hot air supply unit 900 is equipped with a heat pump 950 for cooling or heating air. The heat pump 950 is located inside the moving duct 922 and includes an evaporator 951 that cools the air and condenses the moisture contained in the air, and a condenser 952 that is located downstream of the evaporator 951 or away from the discharge duct 923 and reheats the air. The heat pump 950 further includes an expansion valve that cools the refrigerant that has passed through the condenser 952 and guides it back to the evaporator 951, and a compressor 953 that pressurizes and heats the refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator 951 and supplies it to the condenser 952. The compressor 953 is located outside the moving duct 922.

[0156] The evaporator 951 and condenser 952 consist of heat exchangers through which the refrigerant flows.

[0157] The hot air supply unit 900 further includes a connector 930 that communicates with the discharge duct 923 and directs the hot air to the rear of the drum 200 or to the duct cover 430. The connector 930 is located above the discharge duct 923 and directs the hot air, which has been heated by passing through the condenser 952, to a location behind the discharge duct 923.

[0158] On the other hand, the hot air supply unit 900 further includes a blower fan 9531 that moves the air inside the drum 200 to the supply duct 921 or introduces the air that has passed through the exhaust duct 923 into the drum 200. The blower fan 9531 is located inside the exhaust duct 923 and is controlled by the main control unit together with the drive unit (M).

[0159] The rear case 420 includes a rear plate 421 facing the front plate 411. The rear case 420 includes a mounting portion 429 to which the drive unit (M) is coupled and mounted. The mounting portion 429 penetrates the rear case 420, and the drive unit (M) is attached to the mounting portion 429 and fixed inside the cabinet 100. The mounting portion 429 supports the load of the drive unit (M) and positions the drive unit (M) corresponding to the back surface 220 of the drum.

[0160] The rear plate 421 is further formed with an air transfer hole 423 through which air flows in, communicating with the connector 930, and a communication hole 424 that discharges the air that has passed through the air transfer hole 423 to the back of the drum 220.

[0161] A duct cover 430 is attached to the back of the rear plate 421, forming a flow path that directs air flowing in via the connector 930 to the intake hole 224 provided on the back of the drum 220.

[0162] The duct cover 430 is connected to the rear plate 421, but is separated from the intake port 224, forming a space between the rear plate 421 and the duct cover 430 through which air can move.

[0163] The duct cover 430 shields the communication holes 424 so that all of them are not exposed to the outside. As a result, all the air that flows into the duct cover 430 is discharged through the communication holes 424, preventing leakage to the outside. To prevent interference with the drive unit (M), the duct cover 430 houses the drive unit (M) at a distance from the outer surface of the drive unit (M), and exposes the drive unit (M) to the outside in order to induce cooling of the drive unit (M).

[0164] On the other hand, the duct cover 430 is heated by hot air, and the drive unit (M) also has a rotating rotor, so a rear panel 120 is positioned behind the duct cover 430 to shield it. The rear panel 120 is connected to the rear case 420 to block the duct cover 430 and the drive unit (M) from being exposed to the outside. It is positioned at a distance from the duct cover 430 and the drive unit (M).

[0165] The drive unit (M) includes a motor unit 600 that provides power to rotate the drum 200. The motor unit 600 includes a stator 610 that generates a rotating magnetic field and a rotor 620 that is rotated by the stator 610.

[0166] The rotor 620 is an outer rotor type that houses the stator 610 and rotates around the stator 610. In this case, a rotating shaft may be connected to the rotor 620 and pass through the stator 610 and the mounting portion 429 to directly connect to the drum 200. In this case, the rotor 620 directly transmits the power to rotate the drum 200.

[0167] Meanwhile, the rotor 620 rotates at a high RPM by the stator 610. For example, it rotates at a higher RPM than the RPM at which the clothes inside the drum 200 can rotate while remaining attached to the inner wall of the drum 200.

[0168] However, if the clothes inside the drum 200 remain attached to the inner wall of the drum 200 while it rotates, the parts attached to the inner wall of the drum are not exposed to the hot air, which leads to a problem of reduced drying efficiency.

[0169] If the rotor 620 rotates at a low RPM so that the clothes do not adhere to the inner wall of the drum 200 but roll or are agitated, a problem arises where the output and torque generated by the drive unit (M) cannot be properly utilized.

[0170] Accordingly, the drive unit (M) of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a reduction gear 700 that increases torque while utilizing the maximum output of the motor unit 600 by reducing the RPM.

[0171] The gearbox 700 connects the motor unit 600 and the drum 200. The gearbox 700 converts the power from the motor unit 600 to rotate the drum 200. The gearbox 700 is positioned between the motor unit 600 and the drum 200, receives power from the motor unit 600, converts it, and transmits it to the drum 200. The gearbox 700 converts the rotor's RPM to a lower RPM, but increases the torque value before transmitting it to the drum 200.

[0172] Specifically, the reduction gear 700 is coupled to a drive shaft 630 that extends from the rotor 610 and rotates together with the rotor 610. Inside the reduction gear 700 is a gearbox that meshes with the drive shaft 630 and rotates to change the rpm of the drive shaft 630, thereby increasing torque. The gearbox is coupled to a rotating shaft 740 that is connected to the drum 200 and rotates the drum. Therefore, when the drive shaft 630 rotates, the rotating shaft 740 rotates at a lower RPM than the drive shaft 630, but can rotate with greater torque.

[0173] The performance of such a reduction gear 700 depends on whether the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 remain coaxial. That is, if the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 become misaligned, the connection between the components of the gearbox within the reduction gear 700 and either the drive shaft 630 or the rotating shaft 740 may loosen or be completely released. Consequently, the power from the drive shaft 630 may not be properly transmitted to the rotating shaft 740, or the drive shaft 630 may slip.

[0174] Furthermore, even if the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 are temporarily misaligned, the gearbox inside the reduction gear 700 will shift and collide, generating unwanted vibrations and noise.

[0175] Furthermore, if the angle at which the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 temporarily shift becomes large, there is a risk that the gearbox inside the reduction gear 700 may completely detach from its correct position or be damaged.

[0176] As a result, if the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 cannot maintain coaxial alignment or are not positioned parallel to each other, even temporarily, the performance of the reduction gear 700 cannot be guaranteed, and the drum 200 cannot rotate as intended.

[0177] Therefore, typically, clothing processing devices equipped with a gearbox fix the gearbox and motor unit to a support that maintains its original, undeformed state even when external forces are applied.

[0178] For example, in the case of a washing machine, a method is applied in which the drum-containing tub is first fixed to the cabinet, and then the motor unit and reduction gear are secondarily fixed to a rigid bearing housing that is built into the tub using an injection molding method. Alternatively, a fixing steel plate attached to the tub is placed on the outside of the tub, and the motor unit and reduction gear are fixed to the fixing steel plate.

[0179] As a result, even if considerable vibration occurs in the tab, the reducer and drive unit will tilt or vibrate together with the bearing housing and fixed steel plate. Consequently, the reducer and drive unit themselves can maintain a constantly coupled state, and the coaxial state of the drive shaft and the rotating shaft can be maintained.

[0180] However, since the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention is a dryer, the configuration of tabs fixed inside the cabinet is omitted. Also, since the rear panel 120 of the cabinet is made of a relatively thin plate, even if the stator 610 is fixed, the rear panel 120 easily vibrates or bends due to the repulsive force when the rotor 620 or drive shaft 630 rotates. When the rear panel 120 vibrates or temporarily bends, the rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630, which are arranged in conjunction with the drum 200, bend, causing a problem of misalignment between the rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630.

[0181] Furthermore, since the rear panel 120 is made of thin steel plate, it cannot fully support the reduction gear 700 and the motor unit 600. For example, if the reduction gear 700 and the motor unit 600 are coupled to the rear panel 120 in parallel, a rotational moment is generated due to the overall length and weight of the reduction gear 700 and the motor unit 600, causing the reduction gear 700 to sag downwards. As a result, the rotating shaft 740 coupled to the drum becomes misaligned with the reduction gear 700 and cannot maintain coaxiality with the drive shaft 630.

[0182] Furthermore, the rear panel 120 cannot even support the motor unit 600 itself. The rear panel 120 will bend downwards on one side where the motor unit 600 is mounted due to the weight of the motor unit 600. The rear panel 120 is not originally designed to support the motor unit 600 itself.

[0183] On the other hand, it is conceivable that the stator 620 is coupled to the rear case 420 to support the motor unit 600. If a large amount of clothing is stored in the drum 200 or if eccentricity occurs, the rotating shaft 740 may shift along with the arrangement of the clothing each time the drum 200 rotates. In this case, since the stator 610 is separated from the drum 200 and fixed to the rear case 420, the rotating shaft 740 vibrates with a different amplitude or tilts at a different angle than the stator 610. Consequently, the rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630 cannot maintain coaxiality.

[0184] Furthermore, the drum 200 is supported by the front case 410 and the rear case 420, or its installation position is fixed at a certain level by the stopper 500 described later. Therefore, the position of the rotating shaft 740 connected to the drum 200 is also fixed at a certain level. Consequently, even if vibration occurs in the drum 200, the vibration is dampened by either the front case 410 or the rear case 420 or the stopper 500.

[0185] However, if vibrations generated in the drum 200 are transmitted to the motor unit 600, even if the reduction gear 700 and the motor unit 600 are fixed to the rear case 420, the vibration amplitude of the motor unit 600 and the rear case 420 will be greater than the vibration amplitude of the rotating shaft 740. In this case as well, there is a possibility that the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 will not be able to maintain coaxial alignment.

[0186] To solve this problem, the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention couples and fixes the motor unit 600 to the reduction gear 700. In other words, the reduction gear 700 itself acts as the reference point for the entire drive unit (M). That is, the reduction gear 700 acts as the reference for the vibration and tilt angle of the entire drive unit (M).

[0187] Since the motor unit 600 is not fixed to any other component of the garment processing device, but only to the reduction gear 700, if vibration or external force is transmitted to the drive unit (M), and the reduction gear 700 tilts or vibrates, the motor unit 600 will always tilt or vibrate simultaneously with the reduction gear 700.

[0188] As a result, the reduction gear 700 and the drive unit 600 form a single vibration system, and the reduction gear 700 and the drive unit 600 do not move relative to each other, maintaining a fixed state.

[0189] Of the drive unit 600, the stator 610 is directly coupled to and fixed to the reduction gear 700. As a result, the position of the drive shaft 630 relative to the reduction gear 700 does not change. The center of the drive shaft 630 and the center of the reduction gear 700 are aligned with each other, and the drive shaft 630 rotates while maintaining coaxiality with the center of the reduction gear 700.

[0190] The terms coaxial and coincident as described above do not mean physically perfect coaxiality and coincidence, but rather are concepts that allow for a range of errors that is mechanically acceptable or a level that a person skilled in the art would recognize as coaxial or coincident. For example, a range in which the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 are offset by 5° can be defined as coaxial or coincident.

[0191] The drive shaft 630 rotates relative to the reduction gear 700, but is fixed to prevent tilting, and the stator 610 is also fixed to the reduction gear 700, so the distance between the stator 610 and the rotor 620 is always maintained. As a result, collisions between the stator 610 and the rotor 620 are prevented, and noise and vibrations caused by the change in the center of rotation as the rotor 620 rotates around the stator 610 can be blocked in principle.

[0192] The rotating shaft 740 extends towards the drum 200 within the reduction gear 700, vibrates with the reduction gear 700, and tilts with the reduction gear 700. In other words, the rotating shaft 740 is only provided to rotate within the reduction gear 700, and its position is fixed. As a result, the rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630 are always positioned parallel to each other, forming a coaxial structure. In other words, the centers of the rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630 remain aligned.

[0193] The gearbox 700 and motor unit 600 are positioned along the first axis (S1), which is parallel to the ground, when there is no load on the drum 200 or when the motor unit 600 is not operating. The drive shaft 630 and rotating shaft 740 are also positioned parallel to the first axis (S1).

[0194] However, if vibration occurs in the drum 200 or the motor section 600, the vibration is transmitted to the reduction gear 700, causing the reduction gear 700 to vibrate or tilt, which temporarily causes the reduction gear 700 to tilt toward the second shaft (S2).

[0195] At this time, the motor unit 600 is coupled to the reduction gear 700, so it vibrates together with the reduction gear 700 or tilts and is positioned parallel to the second shaft (S2). Consequently, the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 are also positioned parallel to the second shaft (S2).

[0196] As a result, even if the reduction gear 700 is tilted, the motor unit 600 moves together with the reduction gear 700, and the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 remain coaxial.

[0197] Therefore, the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 are always tilted with respect to the reduction gear 700, so the reduction gear 700 acts as the point of application (P1) of a lever or seesaw. That is, the reduction gear 700 acts as the first point of application (P1) of the vibration system including the motor unit 600. On the other hand, the reduction gear 700 is coupled to the drum 200 via the rotating shaft 740, and the drum 200 is separated from the rear case 420, so the load of the drum 200 is transmitted to the reduction gear 700. The reduction gear 700 not only affects the motor unit 600, but the system including the drum 200 forms a single vibration system, and the reduction gear 700 can act as the reference or point of application (P1) of the vibration system.

[0198] Even if the reduction gear 700 itself acts as the center or point of action (P1) of the vibration system, it must be fixed or supported within the cabinet 100.

[0199] For this purpose, the reduction gear 700 is coupled and fixed to the rear case 420. In this case, the reduction gear 700 tilts or vibrates while coupled to the rear case 420, so it can be said that the rear case 420 plays the role of the center of the vibrating system, which includes the reduction gear 700, the motor unit 600, and the drum 200. Even in this case, although the motor unit 600 can come into contact with the rear case 420, it is not directly coupled to it, but is coupled and fixed only to the reduction gear 700.

[0200] Specifically, the mounting portion 429 of the rear case 420 acts as the second point of action (P2) of the lever or seesaw formed by the reduction gear 700, the motor unit 600, and the drum 200.

[0201] After the reduction gear 700, motor unit 600, and drum 200 are arranged parallel to the first axis (S1), the reduction gear 700 becomes parallel to the third axis (S3). The third axis (S3) passes through the reduction gear 700 which is coupled to the rear case 420. At this time, since the reduction gear 700 and the motor unit 600 are coupled, the motor unit 600 also becomes parallel to the third axis (S3).

[0202] Ultimately, the drive unit 600 and the drum 200 are coupled to the reduction gear 700, and the drive unit 600 and the drum 200 tilt parallel to each other or vibrate simultaneously with respect to the reduction gear 700.

[0203] In the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention, the drum 200 is not connected to a belt but is supported by a reduction gear 700. Therefore, when the drum 200 rotates due to the reduction gear 700, it is lifted upward or tilted downward due to centrifugal force or the like.

[0204] To prevent this, the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a stopper 500 for fixing the position of the drum 200. The stopper 500 includes a front stopper 510 positioned in front of the drum 200 and a rear stopper 520 positioned behind the drum.

[0205] At this time, the drum 200 is lifted upward with respect to the rotation axis 740. Therefore, the front stopper 510 is positioned to contact the upper front part of the drum.

[0206] Furthermore, the drum 200 may sag downwards due to the weight of the clothes. Therefore, the rear stopper 520 is positioned to contact the lower rear side of the drum 200.

[0207] The front stopper 510 is connected to the mounting portion 416 of the front case 410, and the rear stopper 520 is supported on the upper part of the heat exchange section 900.

[0208] Figure 7 shows a stopper 500 that supports the drum 200 of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0209] The drum 200 rotates by being coupled to the free end of the rotating shaft 740. The rotating shaft 740 is fixed to the reduction gear 700 to prevent it from shifting away from the reduction gear 700.

[0210] However, the drum 200 may shift upward or downward due to the weight of the clothing or the clothing falling during rotation. As a result, the drum 200 may shift upward or downward relative to the free end of the rotation axis 740.

[0211] In particular, the drum 200 vibrates or tilts independently with respect to the free end of the rotating shaft 740. That is, the drum 200 is made of an elastic material that allows for a certain level of deformation. This prevents transient vibrations and external forces from being transmitted to the rotating shaft 740, thereby preventing misalignment of the rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630.

[0212] Furthermore, since the drum 200 is not fixed by belts or other means, excessive vibrational energy is generated when it rotates with clothes inside.

[0213] On the other hand, a front case 410 and a rear case 420 are positioned in front of and behind the drum 200. The front case 410 can avoid direct contact with the front of the drum 200 via an input communication hole 412 and a gasket 413. However, since the back of the drum 200 is directly coupled to the rotating shaft 740, the rear of the drum body 210 is shielded by the drum back surface 220, and the rear case 420 must have a mounting portion 429 for fixing the drive unit (M) in the portion directly opposite the drum back surface 220. In other words, the rear case 420 cannot have one side facing the drum arranged as a through hole, as the front case 410 does.

[0214] Therefore, if the rear case 420 rotatably supports the rear or back of the drum 200 like the front case 410, there is a risk of direct friction and collision between the drum back surface 220 and the rear case 420.

[0215] Specifically, the rear case 420 has many parts that interfere with the drum rear surface 220 due to the drum housing groove 422, air transfer hole 423, and mounting portion 429, which will be described later. If the rear case 420 directly supports the drum 200 in this situation, the drum rear surface 220 and the rear case 420 may wear down or break.

[0216] Therefore, the rear case 420 must maintain a certain distance from the drum 200, and the rear case 420 itself cannot directly support the drum 200.

[0217] Furthermore, when the drum 200 is loaded with a large amount of clothing and rotates, it may move towards the front case 410 or rear case 420 as it rotates, since there are no belts or other fasteners.

[0218] Taking all of these factors into consideration, the garment processing apparatus of the present invention further includes a stopper 500 that limits the movement of the drum 200 to an acceptable range.

[0219] The stopper 500 includes a front stopper 510 coupled to the front case 410 to support the front upper end of the drum, a support wheel 533 rotatably mounted on the front case 410 to support the front lower end of the drum, and a rear stopper 520 coupled to the rear case 420 to support the rear lower end of the drum.

[0220] The drum 200 is supported and rotated by the drive unit (M) and support wheel 533, and a front stopper 510 and a rear stopper 520 are provided to limit the movement of the drum 200 only when it is moving transiently. This allows the front stopper 510 and the rear stopper 520 to mitigate vibrations and temporary shocks of the drum 200, preventing the front stopper 510 and the rear stopper 520 from damaging the drum 200.

[0221] Referring to Figure 7(a), the front stopper 510 includes a fixed plate 5111 connected to a stopper mounting portion 416 of the front case 410, a lever plate 5112 extending rearward from the fixed plate 5111, an extension plate 5113 extending downward from the lever plate 5112, a support plate 512 provided at the upper front end of the drum 200 on the support plate 5113, and a felt 513 connected to the lower part of the support plate 512 and in contact with the drum 200.

[0222] As a result, when the drum 200 is lifted upward, the front stopper 510 absorbs the impact of the drum 200 while the lever plate 5112 and extension plate 5113 are lifted upward to a certain level, and the felt 513 rubs against the front of the drum 200 to limit the upward lift of the drum 200.

[0223] The outer surface of the input opening 211 of the drum 200 extends to a diameter smaller than that of the drum body 210 and includes a contact area 213 that the support wheels 533 and felt 513 make contact with. This ensures that the felt 513 and support wheels 533 are precisely placed on the contact area 213, thereby restricting the movement of the drum 200.

[0224] The front stopper 510 is positioned at a specific distance from the front upper end of the drum. The specific distance is either the distance at which the drum 200 can detach from the gasket 413 during rotation, or the range at which the drum 200 can transiently twist the rotation shaft 740.

[0225] Referring to Figure 7(b), the front stopper 510 consists of a support plate 512 and a contact wheel 532 in which the felt 513 rotatably contacts the ground portion 213.

[0226] This allows the support wheel 533 to support the lower part of the ground contact portion 213 and the contact wheel to support the upper part of the ground contact portion 213, thereby preventing the drum 200 from coming out of the input communication hole 412.

[0227] Referring to Figure 7(c), the rear case 420 and the drum 200 are separated, the rear stopper 520 and the drive unit (M) support the rear of the drum 200, and if the drum 200 approaches the rear case 420 too closely, the rear stopper 520 prevents it. As a result, damage due to friction or contact between the rear case 420 and the drum 200 can be prevented.

[0228] The rear stopper 520 is positioned in front of the rear case 420 to prevent the drum rear 220 from contacting and colliding with the rear case 420. When clothing is placed in the drum 200 and it rotates, the drum 200 is not fixed by a belt, so it generates external forces that cause it to move not only upward or downward, but also forward or backward.

[0229] Since the rear case 420 supports the load of the drive unit (M), it needs to be made of a material that is thicker or has greater rigidity than the front case 410. Consequently, when the drum 200 moves downward, the rear case 420 supports the movement of the drum 200 without buffering it, which may actually generate a repulsive force that pushes the drum 200 upward.

[0230] During this process, the drum 200 is strongly pressed against the front case 410, and in severe cases, the door 130 is forcibly opened.

[0231] Therefore, the rear stopper 520 can allow the drum 200 to move backward to a certain extent, maintaining a reference distance from the rear of the drum 200. This prevents the drum 200 from excessively pressurizing the front case 410.

[0232] The standard interval is the distance at which the back of the drum 200 and the rear stopper 520 can be in contact and supported when the drum 200 is filled with more than the standard amount of clothing and is pushed backward as it rotates.

[0233] This allows the rear stopper 520 to support the drum 200 only when the drum 200 moves backward by a reference distance, thus preventing wear on the rear stopper 520. A felt is attached to the rear stopper 520 that contacts the drum 200.

[0234] Furthermore, the drum 200 and the rear case 420 are positioned at a distance greater than the standard interval.

[0235] The rear stopper 520 includes a support coupling portion 521 supported by the bottom surface of the cabinet 100 or the hot air supply unit 900, a support leg portion 522 extending from the support coupling portion 521 toward the drum 200, an extension portion 524 extending diagonally forward from the support leg portion 522, and a limiting portion 525 extending from the extension portion 524 toward the rear surface 220 of the drum.

[0236] The support leg 522 is further equipped with an internal cut groove 523 to enhance its rigidity.

[0237] The extension 524 extends diagonally from the support leg 522, cushioning the external force applied from the drum 200 to a certain extent and strengthening the overall rigidity of the rear stopper 520.

[0238] The extension 524 includes an inclined extension 5241 extending forward from the support leg 522 and a straight extension 5242 extending upward from the inclined extension 5241.

[0239] The limiting portion 525 includes a separation portion 5251 that extends rearward from the straight extension portion 5242 and is positioned at a distance from the drum back surface 220, and a load support portion 5252 that is provided in the separation portion 5251 so as to face the lower part of the drum back surface 220.

[0240] To reinforce the rigidity of the load-supporting portion 5252, a curved portion 5253 is further provided, which is formed by bending the free end of the load-supporting portion 5252.

[0241] The rear stopper 520 can prevent direct contact with the rear of the drum 200 by the separation portion 5251. On the contrary, it allows the drum 200 to move a certain level towards the rear.

[0242] As a result, the rear case 420 is positioned between the rear stopper 520 and the reduction gear 700 or the drive unit 600.

[0243] On the other hand, the rear stopper 420 is positioned at a certain distance from the bottom of the drum. This certain distance corresponds to the distance at which the drum 200 deviates from the sealing portion 490, or the distance at which the rotating shaft 740 is transiently distorted.

[0244] In other words, the straight extension 5242 is positioned a certain distance away from the rear of the drum 200.

[0245] Figure 8 shows the structure of the rear case 420 according to the present invention.

[0246] The motor unit 600 is coupled to and fixed to the reduction gear 700, and even though the reduction gear 700 itself becomes the reference for the position and vibration of the drive unit (M), the reduction gear 700 needs to be supported in a position on the back of the drum 200 in order to rotate the drum 200.

[0247] Therefore, the gearbox 700 is mounted on the rear case 420 and supported within the cabinet 100. However, the motor unit 600 and the drum 200 are positioned separately from the rear case 420. This prevents the motor unit 600 or the drum 200 from being interfered with by other components other than the gearbox 700 and moving independently of the gearbox 700.

[0248] As a result, the rear case 420 acts as the point of action of a seesaw in the vibration system or rotation system, which includes the reduction gear 700, the motor unit 600, and the drum 200.

[0249] The rear case 420 includes a rear plate 421 positioned on the back of the drum 200 and facing the front plate 411, and a drum housing groove 422 that protrudes from the rear plate 421 and faces the drum back surface 220. The drum housing groove 422 is spaced away from the drum back surface 220 and is formed to protrude from the rear plate 421 with a diameter and depth that accommodates a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the drum back surface 220. That is, the drum housing groove 422 protrudes from the rear plate 421 by a first height (L1) so that a portion of the drum back surface 220 is accommodated in front of the rear plate 421. The drum housing groove 422 is provided with a plurality of communication holes 424 that face the intake holes 224 of the drum back surface 220 and through which air passes. Reinforcement bent portions 426 are provided between the communication holes 424 to enhance rigidity. The reinforced bent portion 426 is formed recessed or protruding between the communication holes 424, preventing the rigidity of the rear plate 421 positioned between the communication holes 424 from being weakened. The multiple communication holes 424 are configured to supply hot air from the hot air supply unit 900 to the drum 200. At this time, since the drum housing groove 422 houses the drum back surface 220, the hot air discharged from the communication holes 424 is guided to be supplied to the suction holes 224. On the other hand, the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a sealing portion 450 that seals the space between the drum housing groove 422 and the drum back surface 220, and the sealing portion 450 is housed and attached in the drum housing groove 422.

[0250] As a result, the drum housing groove 422 not only strengthens the rigidity of the rear plate 421, but also provides a space for the sealing portion 450 to be provided.

[0251] The mounting portion 490 is recessed into the drum housing groove 422 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the drum housing groove 422 protrudes. The mounting portion 490 is formed by recessing from the inner circumferential surface of the drum housing groove 422 to a depth of L2. By recessing the mounting portion 490 into the drum housing groove 422, the rigidity of the drum housing groove 422 is strengthened, and at the same time, the overall rigidity of the rear plate 421 can be strengthened.

[0252] Furthermore, the mounting portion 490 is recessed forward by L2 from the drum housing groove 422, so that it is positioned closer to the drum back surface 220. This reduces the distance between the reduction gear 700, which is attached and fixed to the mounting portion 490, and the drum back surface 220. Consequently, the length of the rotating shaft 740 connecting the reduction gear 700 and the drum back surface 220 is also reduced, which not only ensures the durability of the rotating shaft 740 but also reduces the angular range in which the rotating shaft 740 can be distorted.

[0253] Furthermore, although the mounting portion 490 is recessed into the drum housing groove 422, it is formed to be larger than the diameter of the reduction gear 700 and the drive unit 600. As a result, at least a portion of the reduction gear 700 and the motor unit 600 can be housed in the mounting portion 490, thereby reducing the overall thickness of the cabinet 100.

[0254] The mounting portion 490 includes a shaft through-hole 4291 through which a rotating shaft 740 extending from the reduction gear 700 passes through the rear plate 421, a mounting surface 4292 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft through-hole 4291 to support the reducer 700, and a mounting groove 4294 extending rearward from the mounting surface 4292 into the drum housing groove. The mounting surface 4292 is provided with a fastening portion 4293 which is connected to the reduction gear 700 or a connecting portion 800 that connects the reduction gear 700 to the mounting surface 4292.

[0255] On the other hand, at least a portion of the reduction gear 700 or the motor section 600 is housed in the mounting groove 4294. Therefore, the wire support groove 4295, on which the wires supplying current to the stator 610 are placed, is formed by recessing outward from the mounting groove 4294. The mounting groove 4294 is formed to be larger than the diameter of the drive section (M).

[0256] The rear case 420 is further equipped with air transfer holes 423 that transmit hot air supplied from the connector 930 to the duct cover 430. The air that flows into the air transfer holes 423 flows along the duct cover 430 into the communication holes 424.

[0257] Figure 9 shows that the motor unit 600 of the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention is coupled to the reduction gear 700.

[0258] The gearbox 700 is mounted and supported at the mounting section 429 and rotates the drum 200. The stator 610 is directly coupled to and fixed to the gearbox 700 and separated from the mounting section 429. The rotor 620 is supported by the gearbox 700 by a drive shaft 630 coupled to the gearbox 700 and rotates the stator 610.

[0259] The stator 610 is coupled to the reduction gear 700, so that the reduction gear 700 and the motor unit 600 are arranged in a parallel coaxial direction (S). The rotation center of the motor unit 600 is located coaxially (S), and the rotation center of the reduction gear 700 is also located coaxially (S).

[0260] As a result, the rotor 620 also rotates with respect to the coaxial axis (S), and the rotating shaft 740 extending from the reduction gear 700 can also rotate with respect to the coaxial axis (S).

[0261] The reduction gear 700 is directly coupled to the stator 610 to fix it in place. The stator 610 is positioned away from the rear case 420 or away from the mounting portion 429.

[0262] Of course, the stator 610 may be supported in contact with the rear case 420, or it may be further coupled to the rear case 420 if it is directly fixed to the reduction gear 700.

[0263] The stator 610 is coupled to the reduction gear 700, which converts the rpm of the drive shaft 630 to rotate the rotating shaft 740, so the drum 200 can also rotate with respect to the coaxial shaft (S).

[0264] Even if the reduction gear 700 vibrates or rotates and the coaxial axis (S) becomes misaligned, the drive shaft 630 and the rotating shaft 740 remain arranged parallel to the coaxial axis (S).

[0265] As a result, the reduction gear 700 is coupled to and fixed to the rear case 420.

[0266] The reduction gear 700 is coupled to the rear of the rear case 420, and the drum 200 is positioned in front of the rear case 420, so the rear case 420 is positioned between the drum 200 and the reduction gear 700.

[0267] The gearbox 700 has a drum rotation shaft 740 that passes through the rear case 420 to rotate the drum, and the drum load is supported via the drum rotation shaft 740.

[0268] The rear case 420 is positioned between the drum 200 and the motor unit 600. The reduction gear 700 is positioned between the drum 200 and the motor unit 600 and is supported by the rear case 420.

[0269] In this configuration, the drum 200 and the motor unit 600 are positioned completely separate from the rear case 420. Therefore, the reduction gear 700 acts as the support center for the drum 200 and the motor unit 600.

[0270] Furthermore, the drum 200 is positioned at a distance in front of the rear case 420, and the motor unit is positioned at a distance behind the rear case 420. The reduction gear 700 connects the motor unit 600 and the drum 200 by passing through the rear case from the rear and connecting them to each other.

[0271] Therefore, the drum 200 and the motor unit 600 can transmit at least a portion of the load to the rear case 420 via the reduction gear 700.

[0272] As a result, the motor unit 600, the reduction gear 700, and the drum 200 tilt or vibrate simultaneously with respect to the rear case 420.

[0273] Furthermore, since the stator 610 is fixed to the reduction gear 700, the drive shaft 630 either tilts together with the reduction gear 700 or vibrates simultaneously with the reduction gear 700.

[0274] Figure 10 shows the external appearance of the gearbox 700.

[0275] The reducer 700 includes reducer housings 710 and 720 that form the exterior and house the gearbox inside. The reducer housings include a first housing 710 facing the motor section 600 and a second housing 720 facing the drum 200.

[0276] Referring to Figure 10(a), most of the gearbox within the reducer 700 is housed inside the first housing 710, while the second housing 720 shields the inside of the reducer 700. This allows for a reduction in the overall thickness of the reducer 700, further extending the length of the drum 200.

[0277] The second housing 720 includes a shielding body 722 that shields the first housing 710, a coupling body 721 that extends along the circumference of the shielding body 722 and is coupled to the first housing 710, and a shaft support portion 723 that supports the rotating shaft 740 in the shielding body 722.

[0278] The blocking body 722 is disc-shaped, and the connecting body 721 extends from the blocking body 722 toward a part of the first housing 710 with a certain thickness.

[0279] Of course, the coupling body 721 may be provided on the first housing 710 and coupled to the blocking body 722.

[0280] The shaft support portion 723 prevents the rotating shaft 740 from shifting and maintains the alignment of the rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630.

[0281] The coupling body 721 is provided with fastening portions 780 having a certain thickness for fixing the reduction gear 700 to the stator 610 or the mounting portion 429.

[0282] The fastening part 780 protrudes externally from the coupling body 721 and is formed integrally with the coupling body 721. The fastening part 780 includes either a fastening protrusion 781 coupled to the stator 610 or a coupling protrusion 782 coupled to the mounting part 429. A plurality of fastening protrusions 781 are provided at intervals along the outer peripheral surface of the coupling body 721 and are arranged at the same angular intervals with respect to the shaft accommodating part 713.

[0283] Referring to FIG. 10(b), the first housing 710 is formed in multiple stages to accommodate gears of various diameters. Generally, a gear box coupled to the speed reducer 700 includes a sun gear, a planetary gear that revolves around the sun gear, and a ring gear that accommodates the planetary gear and allows the planetary gear to rotate. The first housing 710 is coupled to the second housing 720 and includes a ring gear housing 711 that accommodates the ring gear, and a planetary gear housing 712 that extends away from the second housing 720 from the ring gear housing 711 and accommodates one end of the planetary gear.

[0284] The planetary gear housing 712 is formed with a smaller diameter than the ring gear housing 711. However, the centers of the planetary gear housing 712 and the ring gear housing 711 are arranged coaxially (S) with each other.

[0285] A drive shaft 630 that is rotatably coupled to the rotor 620 is coupled to the planetary gear housing 712. The drive shaft 630 is inserted into the first housing 710 and is rotatably supported by a gear box within the first housing 710.

[0286] A cleaning part 640 that rotatably supports the rotor 620 is placed on one surface of the planetary gear housing 712, and a cleaning protrusion 7121 to which the cleaning part 640 is coupled and fixed is provided. The planetary gear housing 712 also includes a cleaning coupling hole 7122 to which the cleaning part 640 is rotatably coupled.

[0287] A plurality of cleaning protrusions 7121 and cleaning coupling holes 7122 are provided at a certain angular interval with respect to the drive shaft 630.

[0288] The fastening projection 781 is formed thicker and has a larger cross-sectional area than the connecting projection 782. This strengthens the coupling force between the fastening projection 781 and the stator 610, making it easier to withstand vibrations transmitted from the stator 610.

[0289] The stator 610 is placed on the fastening projection 781 and connected to the fastening projection 781 by another fixing member. The fastening projection penetrates the stator 610 and forms a fastening projection hole 7811 through which the fixing member is fastened, and the fastening projection hole 7811 has screw threads formed inside for connection with the fixing member.

[0290] Figure 11 shows the structure in which the stator 610 is coupled to the reduction gear 700.

[0291] The stator 610 includes a ring-shaped main body 611 fixed to the reduction gear 600, a fixing rib 612 extending from the inner circumferential surface of the main body 611 and coupled to a fastening projection 781, teeth 614 extending from the outer circumferential surface along the circumference of the main body 611 around which a coil is wound, a pole shoe 615 provided at the free end of the teeth 614 to prevent the coil from coming off, and a terminal 616 for controlling the supply of current to the coil.

[0292] The main body 611 has an internal storage space 613, and multiple fixing ribs 612 are provided within the main body 611 at a certain angle apart from the storage space 613, and the inside of the fixing ribs 612 includes fixing rib holes 6121 into which fixing members are provided that are connected to fastening projections 781.

[0293] Since the stator 610 is directly coupled to the reduction gear 700, the reduction gear 700 is coupled to the stator 610, with at least a portion of it housed within it.

[0294] In particular, when the reduction gear 700 is housed in the stator 610, the overall thickness of the drive unit (M) is reduced, allowing for a further expansion of the drum 200's volume. Also, when the reduction gear 700 is housed in the stator 610, the rotation shaft 740 and drive shaft 630 of the reduction gear 700 can maintain coaxial alignment with greater precision.

[0295] For this reason, the gearbox 700 is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the main body 611. That is, the first housing 710 and the second housing 720 are formed to have a maximum diameter smaller than the diameter of the main body 611. As a result, at least a portion of the gearbox 700 is housed and positioned within the main body 611. However, the fastening projection 781 is extended in the gearbox housing to overlap with the fixing rib 612. As a result, the fastening projection 781 is coupled to the fixing rib 612, and portions of the first housing 710 and the second housing 720 can be located within the main body 611.

[0296] The fixing rib 612 includes a first fixing rib 612a that is directly connected to the fastening projection 781, and a second fixing rib 612b that is not directly connected to the fastening projection 781 but supports the fastening projection 781 and the first housing 710.

[0297] The connecting projection 782 is positioned offset from the fastening projection 781, preventing interference with the fastening projection 781.

[0298] Figure 12 shows a structure in which the motor unit 600 is coupled to the reduction gear 700.

[0299] The stator 610 is coupled to the reduction gear 700. It may be coupled to one side of the reduction gear 700, or to a fastening projection 781 that protrudes outward from the housing of the reduction gear 700, so that at least a portion of the reduction gear housing is housed inside the main body 611. This ensures that the center of the main body 611, the center of the reduction gear 700, and the rotation axis 630 are always coaxial.

[0300] Meanwhile, the rotor 620 houses the stator 610 at a constant distance from the pole shoe 615. Since the rotor 620 is fixed to the reduction gear 700, whose drive shaft 630 is housed in the main body 611, the distance (G1) between the rotor 620 and the stator 610 is always maintained.

[0301] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the rotor 620 from colliding with the stator 610 or rotating in a temporarily distorted state from the stator 610, and to block the generation of unnecessary noise and vibration.

[0302] On the other hand, a virtual first diameter line (D1) passing through the center of the speed reducer 700 and the center of the drive shaft 630, a virtual second diameter line (D2) passing through the center of the main body 611, and a virtual third diameter line (D3) passing through the center of the rotor 620 are all arranged at the center of rotation of the drive shaft 630.

[0303] As a result, the speed reducer 700 itself becomes the center of rotation of the drive shaft 630, and the stator 610 is directly fixed to the speed reducer 700, so that the drive shaft 630 is blocked from being misaligned with the speed reducer 700. As a result, the reliability of the speed reducer 700 can be guaranteed.

[0304] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a structure in which the drum 200 is coupled to the drive unit (M).

[0305] The drum 200 and the drive unit (M) are provided in the cabinet 100. At this time, in order to increase the drying capacity, it is necessary to increase either the diameter or the length of the drum 200, and thereby the volume of the cabinet 100 also increases.

[0306] At this time, since the height and length of the cabinet 100 are determined or standardized, it is necessary to increase the length of the drum 200 to the maximum in order to increase the drying capacity within the cabinet 100.

[0307] As the length (T3) of the drive unit becomes longer, the length (T2) of the drum decreases and the drying capacity of the drum becomes smaller. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the length (T3) of the drive unit to ensure the maximum length (T2) of the drum (see FIG. 4).

[0308] In order for a rotating shaft to extend from the drum 200 and the drive unit (M) to be coupled while supporting the rotating shaft protruding from the drum, the drive unit (M) becomes longer in the direction of the rotating shaft in order to sufficiently support and accommodate the rotating shaft.

[0309] Furthermore, if a reduction gear 700 is included, as in the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention, the reduction gear 700 must be formed to be long in the direction of the rotation axis in order to accommodate and support the rotation axis extending from the drum without deformation. This may increase the total length (T3) of the drive unit (M) and reduce the length (T2) of the drum 200.

[0310] Furthermore, the reduction gear 700 is equipped with a gearbox coupled to the drive shaft 630, and the gearbox has a complex configuration. In this situation, since the rotating shaft extending from the drum 200 and the gearbox cannot be manufactured as a single unit, another component must be added to connect the rotating shaft extending from the drum 200 to the gearbox.

[0311] Therefore, the volume of the reduction gear 700 is further increased, and the length (T2) of the drum 200 is further reduced.

[0312] Furthermore, for the rotating shaft to protrude and extend from the drum back surface 220, a spider configuration is required that extends around the drum back surface 220 and toward the inner surface of the drum body 210 so that the rotating shaft is fixed to the drum back surface 220. When the spider is coupled to the drum back surface 220, the total length (T2) of the drum is reduced by the thickness of the spider, or the internal volume of the drum is reduced.

[0313] As a result, if the drive unit (M) is connected to the rotating shaft extending from the drum by a male-to-female coupling, as in a conventional drum (drive unit: female, drum: male), the length of the end of the drive unit (T3) from the outside of the drum back surface 220 increases unnecessarily, and the length of the drum 200 (T2) decreases accordingly.

[0314] Therefore, in the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention, a rotating shaft 740 extends from the drive unit (M), and the drum 200 rotates in conjunction with the rotating shaft 740. In other words, the rotating shaft 740 protrudes from the drive unit, and the drum 200 rotates in conjunction with the free end of the rotating shaft 740 (drive unit: male, drum: female).

[0315] The center of the drum back surface 220 is connected to the free end of the rotating shaft 740 extending from the reduction gear 700, and the drum body 210 rotates in response to the rotational force provided by the rotating shaft 740.

[0316] On the other hand, since the drum 200 is rotatably supported by a stopper 500 such as a support wheel 533 and the front case, it can easily rotate simply by applying rotational force to the drum 200. Therefore, the drum 200 can easily rotate simply by applying rotational force to the drum 200 by the rotating shaft 740 extending from the reduction gear 700.

[0317] Furthermore, since the rotating shaft 740 is housed and supported by the reduction gear 700, the drum back surface 220 does not require a spider to support the rotating shaft 740 in a way that prevents distortion.

[0318] Therefore, the rotating shaft 740 supported by the reduction gear 700 can be simply coupled to the back surface 220 of the drum, thereby allowing the drum 200 to rotate.

[0319] The gearbox 700 is directly coupled to the back of the drum 220. However, the back of the drum 220 requires considerable thickness and rigidity to be firmly coupled to the rotating shaft 740. In this case, the weight of the drum 200 is unnecessarily increased, and a lot of energy is consumed when the gearbox 700 rotates the drum 200.

[0320] Therefore, a bushing portion 300 is further connected to the back surface 200 of the drum, which connects to the rotating shaft 740. Specifically, the bushing portion 300 is made of a strong material or is made thick so that it can maintain its shape and rigidity even when the direction of rotation is changed or when it rotates rapidly after connecting to the rotating shaft 740, while the back surface 220 of the drum is made of a softer material or is made thinner than the bushing portion 300.

[0321] As a result, the rotating shaft 740 extending from the reduction gear 700 is coupled to the bushing portion 300, and the bushing portion 300 is coupled to the back surface 220 of the drum.

[0322] The drum back surface 220 includes a circumferential portion 221 that shields the rear of the drum body 210, and a seat portion 223 provided inside the circumferential portion 221 to which the bushing portion 300 is connected. The circumferential portion 221 is provided with an intake hole for introducing hot air supplied from the hot air supply unit 900 into the drum body 210, and the outer circumferential surface of the circumferential portion 2211 is provided with a connecting bent portion 2211 that connects and fixes to the rear surface of the drum body 210.

[0323] The seat portion 223 is located in the center of the drum back surface 220 and is formed to be equal to or larger than the diameter of the bushing portion 300. A mounting hole 222 is formed in the center of the seat portion 223, which accommodates a portion of the bushing portion 300 that is coupled to the shaft.

[0324] The seat portion 223 retracts inward from the circumferential portion 221. The seat portion 223 retracts from the circumferential portion 221, strengthening the overall rigidity of the drum back surface 220, and even when the bushing portion 300 is connected to the seat portion 223 and subjected to rotational force, the rotational force is distributed and the shape of the drum back surface 220 can be maintained.

[0325] The seat portion 223 is larger than the diameter of the reduction gear 700 and larger than the diameter of the mounting plate 429, and is recessed forward from the drum back surface 220 to accommodate at least a part of the drive unit (M).

[0326] This allows for a reduction in the distance between the drum 200 and the drive unit (M), further reducing the length of the rotating shaft 740, and also increasing the length of the drum (T2).

[0327] The seat portion 223 includes a receiving surface 2231 extending from the inner surface of the circumferential portion 221 into the inside of the drum body 210, and a support surface 2232 extending from the receiving surface 2231 and facing the drive unit (M). The inner surface of the support surface 2232 is provided with an installation surface 2233 to which the bushing portion 300 is fixed. The inner surface of the installation surface 2233 is provided with mounting holes 222, and the installation surface 2233 is formed to be equal to or larger than the diameter of the bushing portion 300, and is further provided with a coupling groove 2234 to which the bushing portion 300 is connected by bolts or welding.

[0328] The bushing portion 300 is fixed to the mounting surface 2233 and connected to the back surface 220 of the drum, and is connected to the free end of the rotating shaft 740.

[0329] The bushing portion 300 accommodates and connects the free end of the rotating shaft 740, and also accommodates and connects a portion of the rotating shaft 740. This strengthens the connection between the rotating shaft 740 and the bushing portion 300.

[0330] On the other hand, the rotating shaft 740 is not circular, but is formed in an elliptical shape, or a track shape with semicircular sides and straight sides on the other. The bushing portion 300 is in surface contact with the rotating shaft 740, which has an elliptical and track-shaped cross-section. This prevents the rotating shaft 740 from spinning freely within the bushing portion 300.

[0331] Figure 14 shows one embodiment of the bushing portion 300.

[0332] Referring to Figure 14(a), the bushing portion 300 comprises a coupling surface 310 to which the coupling groove 2234 is fixed, and an axial coupling portion 320 provided inside the coupling surface 310 to which the rotating shaft 740 is coupled. The coupling surface 310 is formed in a plate shape and is placed and supported in the coupling groove 2234.

[0333] The bushing portion 300 is provided with a recessed surface 330 that recesses inward from the inner circumferential surface of the coupling surface 310 to further accommodate the rotating shaft 740, and the shaft coupling portion 320 is located inside the recessed surface 330.

[0334] The shaft coupling portion 320 is formed in a pipe shape that connects to the rotating shaft 740 and extends forward or backward from the inner circumferential surface of the recessed surface 330.

[0335] The recessed surface 330 may be formed in a cylindrical cone shape and inserted into the mounting hole 222, and supported in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole 222.

[0336] Referring to Figure 14(b), the coupling surface 310 includes a plurality of bushing coupling portions 312 that are arranged radially with respect to the recessed surface 330 or the axial coupling portion 320.

[0337] The bushing joint portion 312 protrudes further outward from the joint surface 310. The distance from the recessed surface 330 to the outer surface of the bushing joint portion 312 is longer than the distance from the recessed surface 330 to the joint surface 310 where the bushing joint portion 312 is not formed. The bushing joint portion 312 can further expand the area of ​​the joint surface 310.

[0338] Furthermore, the bushing joint portion 312 protrudes more from the joint surface 310 in the thickness direction. That is, the bushing joint portion 312 is formed to be thicker than the joint surface 310, or the joint surface 310 is formed by pressurizing in the thickness direction.

[0339] The bushing joint portion 312 is provided so as to protrude from the joint surface 310 in the direction opposite to that of the recessed surface 330.

[0340] The bushing joint 312 is fixed to the joint groove 2234 of the seat portion 223 and is welded to the joint groove 2234 or fastened with fastening members such as bolts.

[0341] The bushing joint 312 is further provided with a connecting hole 311 through which a fastening member passes and connects. The bushing joint 312 protrudes further from the connecting surface 310 in the thickness direction or outward direction, so that it can effectively distribute the external force applied to the fastening member.

[0342] The bushing joints 312 are spaced at the same angle relative to the recessed surface 330 or the axial joint 320. That is, if there are n bushing joints 312, they are spaced 360 / n° apart. For example, if there are 6 bushing joints 312, they are spaced 60° apart.

[0343] On the other hand, the bushing joint portion 312 protrudes from the coupling surface 310 in two stages. That is, it protrudes from the coupling surface 310 with a relatively wide diameter, and then protrudes further from that protruding portion with a relatively narrow diameter. As a result, the bushing joint portion 312 itself can effectively disperse the external force transmitted from the coupling member, and an effect of increasing the surface area that connects with the coupling member can be expected.

[0344] Furthermore, the coupling groove 2234 formed in the seat portion 223 of the drum back surface 220 is also formed in two stages, similar to the bushing coupling portion 312, which increases the contact area between the coupling groove 2234 and the bushing coupling portion 312.

[0345] Furthermore, since the bushing coupling portion 312 is immediately fixed in the coupling groove 2234, the installation position of the bushing portion 300 can be easily determined, and the process of joining the coupling members becomes easier.

[0346] On the other hand, the shaft coupling portion 320 includes a coupling body 321 to which the rotating shaft 740 is coupled. The coupling body 321 is formed in a pipe shape, and the free end of the rotating shaft 740 is housed in surface contact with it, and has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the rotating shaft 740.

[0347] The coupling body 321 includes an internal groove 322 into which a portion of the rotating shaft 740 is inserted and fixed. The internal groove 322 is formed to have an area corresponding to the area of ​​the rotating shaft 740. The inner circumferential surface of the internal groove 322 is in surface contact with the rotating shaft 740. That is, the internal groove 322 is formed to have the same cross-sectional shape as the rotating shaft 740 and is coupled by contacting the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 740.

[0348] The coupling body 321 also includes a coupling plate 324 provided inside the internal groove 322 and facing the free end of the rotating shaft 740. The coupling plate 323 is provided facing the surface of the free end of the rotating shaft 740 and can also be in contact with and support the free end of the rotating shaft 740. The coupling plate 323 determines the length to which the rotating shaft 740 is inserted into the shaft coupling portion 320. The coupling plate 323 can also prevent the rotating shaft 740 from being inserted transiently even if shocks or vibrations are transmitted to the rotating shaft 740.

[0349] The coupling plate 323 also has a rotating shaft coupling groove 3231 through which a coupling member, which is coupled to the free end of the rotating shaft, passes. The coupling member passes through the rotating shaft coupling groove 3231 and is coupled to the rotating shaft 740.

[0350] This prevents the rotating shaft 740 from being arbitrarily detached or separated from the bushing portion 300. Furthermore, even if the drum 200 vibrates in the front-rear direction, the position in which the coupling plate 323 is coupled to the rotating shaft 740 remains fixed.

[0351] The internal groove 322 firmly fixes the rotating shaft 740 so that it does not rotate unnecessarily. For this purpose, the inner circumferential surface of the internal groove 322 is provided with a threaded or grooved gear 3221 that improves the contact force with the rotating shaft 740.

[0352] The outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 740 may have serrations that connect to the groove gear 3221.

[0353] As a result, when the rotating shaft 740 rotates, the bushing portion 300 rotates at the same rpm as the rotating shaft 740, and the bushing portion 300 rotates the drum 200.

[0354] On the other hand, if the cross-section of the rotating shaft 740 is not circular but has a polygonal or track-like shape with straight sections, and the cross-section of the internal groove 322 is formed to correspond to the cross-section of the rotating shaft 740, then the rotational force and direction of rotation of the rotating shaft 740 are immediately transmitted to the internal groove 322.

[0355] As a result, even if the rotating shaft 740 accelerates rapidly or its direction of rotation changes abruptly, the internal groove 322 immediately accelerates rapidly along with the rotating shaft 740 or its direction of rotation changes abruptly. Consequently, the rotation of the drum 200 is controlled in the same way as the rotating shaft 740.

[0356] On the other hand, the coupling plate 323 is spaced a certain distance from both ends of the coupling body 321. That is, the coupling plate 323 is located inside the coupling body 321, and an external groove is formed from the free end of the coupling body 321 up to the coupling plate 323.

[0357] The free end of the coupling body 321 accommodates the outer circumferential surface of the coupling member inserted into the coupling groove 3231 via an external groove, preventing the coupling member from being exposed to the outside of the bushing portion 300.

[0358] On the other hand, the recessed surface 330 is recessed from the bonding surface 310 by a first length (B1). The first length (B1) is set to a length smaller than the diameter of the bonding surface 310 or the diameter of the recessed surface 330.

[0359] As a result, the rotating shaft 740 is housed not only in the shaft coupling portion 321, but also in the bushing portion 300 to an even greater depth by the depth of the recessed surface 330. Therefore, since the recessed surface 330 is located in front of the drum back surface 220 (towards the input port) 211, the free end of the rotating shaft 740 may also be housed in front of the drum back surface 220 (towards the drum input port). In other words, the free end of the rotating shaft 740 may be deeply coupled to the drum 200 to the extent that it is located inside the drum body 210.

[0360] As a result, distortion of the drum body 210 is eliminated even when the rotating shaft 740 rotates, and the rotational force of the rotating shaft 740 can be transmitted to the bushing section 300 more effectively.

[0361] The bushing portion 300 is recessed into the drum body 210 from the drum back surface 220 by the recessed surface 330 and the shaft coupling portion 320, and the drum back surface 220 is positioned behind (towards the drive unit) the free end of the rotating shaft 740 and the shaft coupling portion 320.

[0362] As a result, the area where the rotating shaft 740 and the drum 200 are connected increases, and at the same time, the volume of the drum 200 also increases.

[0363] On the other hand, in the axial coupling portion 320, the coupling body 321 extends in the opposite direction to the recessed surface 330.

[0364] In other words, as the recessed surface 330 extends away from the drive unit (M) from the coupling surface 310, the coupling body 321 extends closer to the drive unit (M) from the inner circumferential surface of the recessed surface 330.

[0365] The recessed surface 330 of the connecting body 321 extends from the inner circumferential surface of the recessed surface 330, with the recessed surface 330 being shorter in length than the length extending from the connecting surface 310.

[0366] This prevents the bushing portion 300 from becoming excessively long, and at least a portion of the rotating shaft 740 is housed and coupled inside the recessed surface 330. In other words, the internal space of the recessed surface 330 can be utilized as the space to which the rotating shaft 740 is coupled.

[0367] Of course, the coupling body 321 also includes a portion that extends away from the drive unit (M) from the recessed surface 330. That is, the coupling body 321 may extend simultaneously in the front-rear direction (away from or towards the drive unit) from the inner circumferential surface of the recessed surface 330.

[0368] Figure 15 shows one embodiment in which the drive unit (M) is coupled to the drum 200.

[0369] The reduction gear 700 is fixed and coupled to the rear case 420.

[0370] The motor unit 600 is positioned behind the reduction gear 700 and the rear case 420, while the drum back surface 220 is positioned in front of the rear case 420 and the reduction gear 700.

[0371] The stator 610 of the motor unit 600 is positioned away from the rear case 420, and the terminal 616 that supplies current to the stator 610 is positioned near the rear case 420, or can be in contact with the rear case 420 but is not coupled to or fixed to the rear case 420.

[0372] The rotor 620 includes a permanent magnet 623 facing the stator 610, a mounting body 622 to which the permanent magnet 623 is coupled and which is provided spaced apart from the outer surface of the stator 610, and a rotor body 621 extending from the mounting body 622 and rotating opposite the stator 610. The rotor body 621 is formed in a disc shape larger than the diameter of the stator 610, and the mounting body 622 is provided so as to accommodate the outer surface of the stator 610 with the outer surface of the rotor body 621. A drive shaft 630 is coupled to the center of the rotor body 621, and a plurality of inlet holes are formed that penetrate between the drive shaft 630 and the mounting body 622 to inject air into the stator 610.

[0373] The drive shaft 630 is coupled to a stud 631 which is connected to the center of the rotor body 621 and extends into the reduction gear 700.

[0374] A cleaning unit 640 is connected to the drive shaft 630, which rotatably supports the inner surface of the rotor body 621. The cleaning unit 640 includes a connected cleaning unit 642 that is connected to the drive shaft 630, and a supporting cleaning unit 641 that supports the rotor body 620 with respect to the connected cleaning unit 642.

[0375] The cleaning unit 640 prevents the rotor 620 and drive shaft 630 from becoming distorted while they are rotating.

[0376] Of course, the cleaning unit 640 does not have to be coupled to the rotor 620, but may be coupled to the reduction gear 700 to rotatably support the rotor 620.

[0377] The first housing 710 of the reduction gear 700 faces the rotor body 620, and the second housing 720 is coupled to the first housing 710 and faces the back surface 220 of the drum.

[0378] A gearbox 730 is provided inside the first housing 710 and the second housing 720. The gearbox 730 includes a sun gear 731 provided at or coupled to the free end of the drive shaft 630, at least one planetary gear 732 that meshes with the sun gear 731 and rotates, a ring gear 733 coupled to the outer surface of the planetary gear 732 to guide the rotation of the planetary gear 732, and a carrier 734 that rotatably supports the plurality of planetary gears 732.

[0379] The planetary gears 732 are arranged around the sun gear 731, and each planetary gear 732 includes a first planetary body 7321 that rotates in mesh with the sun gear 731 and the ring gear 733, a second planetary body 7322 formed with a smaller diameter than the first planetary body 7321, and a gear shaft 7323 that rotatably supports the first planetary body 7321 and the second planetary body 7322 on the carrier 734.

[0380] When the solar gear 731 rotates, the planetary gear 732 rotates, which in turn rotates the gear shaft 7323, causing the carrier 734 to rotate.

[0381] The carrier 734 includes a first carrier 7341 coupled to one end of the gear shaft 7323 and a second carrier 7342 coupled to the other end of the gear shaft 7323.

[0382] The first carrier 7341 and the second carrier 7342 are formed in a ring shape or a disc shape.

[0383] On the other hand, a rotating shaft 740 extends from the rotation center of the second carrier 7342. The rotating shaft 740 is either provided integrally with the second carrier 7342 or extends coupled to the second carrier 7342.

[0384] The first housing 710 includes a ring gear housing 711 that fixes the outer surface of the first planetary body 732 or the outer surface of the ring gear 733, a planetary gear housing 712 that extends from the ring gear housing 711 to rotatably house the second planetary body 732 and the first carrier 7341, and a shaft housing portion 713 that extends from the planetary gear housing 712 and rotatably supports the drive shaft 630.

[0385] The ring gear housing 711 forms the side surface of the first housing 710, and the planetary gear housing 712 forms a part of the side surface of the first housing 710 and one surface facing the rotor 620. The shaft housing portion 713 is formed in the shape of a pipe extending inward from the planetary gear housing 712. The shaft housing portion 713 is positioned in a space in which the second planetary body 732 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the first planetary body 731. Drive bearings 770 that rotatably support the drive shaft 630 are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft housing portion 713. Multiple drive bearings 770 are provided spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the drive shaft 630.

[0386] As a result, the drive bearing 770 and the shaft housing 713 do not protrude outside the reduction gear 700, and are positioned inside the reduction gear 700, thereby reducing the distance between them and the drive shaft 630. In other words, the volume of the reduction gear 700 itself is reduced, and the distance between the reduction gear 700 and the motor unit 600 can also be reduced.

[0387] Therefore, the overall thickness of the drive unit (M) can be reduced, and the stator 610 can be coupled more closely to the reduction gear 700, preventing distortion of the drive shaft 630.

[0388] Furthermore, because the drive bearing 770 and the shaft housing 713 are located within the reduction gear 700, the drive shaft 630 approaches the reduction gear 700, and the reduction gear 700 is housed and positioned within the stator 610. As a result, at least a portion of the reduction gear 700 can be positioned by utilizing the space of the motor section 600.

[0389] As a result, the length of the drum 200, which is positioned between the rear case 420 and the front case 410, can be further extended, and the volume of the drum 200 can be increased.

[0390] On the other hand, the second housing 720 includes a coupling body 721 coupled to the ring gear housing 711, a shielding body 722 that shields the gearbox 730 from the coupling body 721, and a shaft support portion 723 extending from the shielding body 722 and rotatably supporting the rotating shaft 740. The shaft support portion 723 is formed in the shape of a pipe extending from the shielding body 722, and a shaft bearing 760 that rotatably supports the rotating shaft 740 is provided inside the shaft support portion 723.

[0391] Multiple shaft bearings 760 are provided along the length of the rotating shaft 740 at regular intervals.

[0392] The free end of the rotating shaft 740 is inserted into and coupled to the drum back surface 220. At this time, the rotating shaft 740 and the drum back surface 220 are positioned as close together as possible. One of the shaft bearings 760 may be positioned in front of the drum back surface 220.

[0393] As the drive shaft 630 rotates due to the rotor 620, the sun gear 731 rotates, and the planetary gear 732 rotates in conjunction with it. The first planetary body 7321 rotates in conjunction with the ring gear 733, but since the ring gear 733 is fixed, the first planetary body 7321 rotates along the sun gear 731 due to the reaction force.

[0394] The planetary gear 732 rotates the gear shaft 7323, which in turn rotates the carrier 734. As the carrier 734 rotates, the rotating shaft 740 extending from the second carrier 734 rotates.

[0395] At this time, the planetary gear 732 meshes with the sun gear 731, so even if it rotates in the opposite direction while meshing with the sun gear 731, the carrier 734 rotates in the same direction as the sun gear 731 due to the reaction force as the planetary gear 732 rotates with the ring gear 733, and as a result, the rotation axis 740 rotates in the same direction as the sun gear 731.

[0396] On the other hand, since the diameter of the outer surface of the planetary gear 732 and the diameter of the carrier 734 are larger than the diameter of the sun gear 731, the rotating shaft 740 rotates at a lower rpm than the sun gear 731. Therefore, the rotating shaft 740 rotates at a lower rpm than the drive shaft 630. However, since no energy is wasted other than friction losses, the power transmitted to the drive shaft 630 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 740. Therefore, the lower the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 740, the greater the torque, which is the rotational force.

[0397] Since the reduction gear 700 converts the power corresponding to low torque and high rpm generated in the motor unit 600 into power corresponding to high torque and low rpm, it can be said that the reduction gear 700 converts the power of the motor unit 600 and transmits it to the drum 200.

[0398] On the other hand, the axial direction of the drive shaft 630 and the axial direction of the rotating shaft 740 are arranged to form coaxiality with each other. In this case, the drive shaft 630 is supported within the reduction gear 700, and the stator 610 is also fixed and coupled to the reduction gear 700, so the direction in which the drive shaft 630 makes contact with the reduction gear 700 is maintained to a certain extent.

[0399] In this configuration, the gearbox 730 is fixed within the reduction gear 700 using a gear coupling system, and the rotating shaft 740 is also fixed to the gearbox 730 by the reduction gear housing 720 and bearing 770. Therefore, in most cases, the direction in which the rotating shaft 740 extends from the reduction gear 700 is maintained, thereby maintaining coaxiality between the rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630. The rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630 either tilt together with the reduction gear housing or vibrate simultaneously with the reduction gear housing.

[0400] The rotating shaft 740 is supported by a shaft support portion 723 extending from the second housing 720 and coupled to the bushing portion 300. Specifically, the rotating shaft 740 is rotatably supported by one or more first bearings 760 provided on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft support portion 723, and its free end is inserted into and fixed in the shaft coupling portion 320.

[0401] The following describes a structure that minimizes the space occupied by the drive unit (M) alone within the cabinet in order to secure the length of the drum 200.

[0402] The total length (T3) of the drive unit (M) corresponds to the length from the rear surface of the rotor 620 to the free end of the rotating shaft 740. In this case, if the drive unit (M) alone occupies a volume corresponding to its total length (T3) in the cabinet 100, the drum length (T2) in which the drum 200 is positioned within the cabinet 100 is reduced, decreasing the volume that can accommodate clothing and significantly reducing the usable space within the cabinet 100.

[0403] Accordingly, the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention arranges the components of the drive unit (M) compactly or reduces the space occupied by the drive unit (M) alone with the drum 200 or rear case 420, so that the total length (T3) of the drive unit (M) is set to be less than the sum of the thicknesses of the components of the drive unit (M).

[0404] First, the total length (T3) of the drive unit (M) is formed to be shorter than the sum of the thickness (T31) of the motor unit 600, which corresponds to the thickness of the stator 610 and rotor 620, the overall thickness (T32) of the reduction gear 700, and the length (T33) of the rotating shaft 740 that is exposed to the outside from the reduction gear 700.

[0405] Specifically, at least a portion of the reduction gear 700 is housed within the stator 610. That is, the reduction gear 700 is positioned utilizing the internal space of the stator 610 and is housed within the stator 610 by an overlapping length (E1). The overlapping length (E1) corresponds to the length from the fastening portion 728 to the shaft housing portion 713.

[0406] As a result, the actual length (T3X) of the motor unit 600 and the reducer 700 is set to be smaller by the superimposed length (E1) than the sum of the thickness (T31) of the motor unit 600 and the length (T32) of the reducer. Therefore, the space occupied by the motor unit 600 and the reducer 700 can be reduced in advance by the superimposed length (E1).

[0407] The superimposed length (E1) corresponds to the length obtained by the reduction of the gearbox 700 and the motor unit 600 themselves.

[0408] The length of the drive unit (M) can be reduced by adjusting its arrangement with other components.

[0409] Since the reduction gear 700 is coupled to and supported by the rear case 420, and the motor unit 600 is not fixed to the rear case 420, the reduction gear 700 and the motor unit 600 are located on the rear surface of the rear case 420. The length occupied by the drive unit 600 and the reduction gear 700 within the rear case 420 is defined as the installation length (T3Y).

[0410] In this configuration, the drum 200 is positioned in front of the rear case 420, separated from it by a distance (G), so as not to interfere with the rear case 420 during rotation.

[0411] In the end, the reduction gear 700 and motor unit 600 are positioned on the rear of the rear case 420, occupying a separate space of installation length (T3Y), and are separated from the drum 200 by a separation distance (G). Therefore, considering the length of the rotating shaft 420 (T33), the length (T3) occupied by the drive unit (M) may include at least the sum of the installation length (T3Y) and the separation distance (G).

[0412] To reduce the length (T3) of the drive unit (M), the rear case 420 is formed such that the mounting portion 429 is recessed by a stowing depth (L2) toward the drum rear surface 220 or the bushing portion 300. The diameter of the mounting portion 429 is also formed to be larger than that of the rotor 620. That is, the mounting groove 4294 is recessed by a stowing depth (L2) or extends diagonally from the rear plate 421 to the mounting surface 4292. This allows the mounting portion 429 to secure space to accommodate either the reduction gear 700 or the motor portion 600.

[0413] When the reduction gear 700 and motor unit 600 are housed and positioned in the mounting section 429, the reduction gear 700 and motor unit 600 are positioned closer to the drum back surface 220 than the rear plate 421 by the housing depth (L2).

[0414] Ultimately, the installation length (T3Y) of the reduction gear 700 and the motor unit 600 overlaps with the separation distance (G), and at least a portion of the reduction gear 700 and the motor unit 600 overlaps with the space corresponding to the separation distance (G).

[0415] Therefore, the volume corresponding to the storage depth (L2) of the installation length (T3Y) of the motor unit 600 and the reduction gear 700 can be placed in the space corresponding to the separation distance (G).

[0416] As a result, the space required for the motor unit 600 and the reduction gear 700 to be used independently of the drum 200 within the cabinet 100 can be reduced by the storage depth (L2).

[0417] Furthermore, the mounting portion 490 brings the reduction gear 700 closer to the drum 200 by the same amount as the housing depth (L2), thus reducing the length (T3) of the rotating shaft 740 and thus reducing the overall length (T3) of the drive unit.

[0418] On the other hand, the gearbox 730 of the reducer 700 is made of non-metallic material in at least part. For example, one of the sun gear 731, planetary gear 732, ring gear 733, and carrier 734 is made of a non-metallic material or a resin series.

[0419] If the sun gear 731, planetary gear 732, ring gear 733, and carrier 734 are made of a robust metal material, not only can durability be guaranteed even if the sun gear 731, planetary gear 732, ring gear 733, and carrier 734 are made in a small size, but power can be transmitted directly, increasing the reliability of the reducer 700.

[0420] However, if the sun gear 731, planetary gear 732, ring gear 733, and carrier 734 are made of metal, the weight of the gearbox 730 will increase, making it difficult to fix or support the reducer 700 inside the cabinet 100. In addition, the heat generated in the motor section 600 may be directly transferred to the gearbox 730, potentially causing the reducer 700 to overheat.

[0421] Furthermore, if the sun gear 731, planetary gear 732, ring gear 733, and carrier 734 are all made of metal, vibrations transmitted to the rotating shaft 720 and drive shaft 630 will be transmitted directly, potentially causing damage to one of the sun gear 731, planetary gear 732, ring gear 733, or carrier 734, or distortion of the rotating shaft 720 or drive shaft 630.

[0422] Therefore, either the sun gear 731, planetary gear 732, ring gear 733, or carrier 734 will be made from a non-metallic material. For example, either the rotating shaft 720 or the drive shaft 630 will be made from a resin series such as reinforced plastic.

[0423] This not only reduces the load on the gearbox 730 itself, but also blocks heat transfer generated in the motor section 600, partially dampening vibrations transmitted to the sun gear 731, planetary gear 732, ring gear 733, and carrier 734.

[0424] However, if any of the sun gear 731, planetary gear 732, ring gear 733, or carrier 734 is made of a non-metallic material, the volume will be larger than when they are made of metal, and the thickness (T3) of the reducer will increase.

[0425] In this case, the mounting portion 429 is recessed from the rear plate 421 by the accommodation depth (L2), so the increased thickness (T3) of the reduction gear can be adequately cushioned. Furthermore, the bushing portion 300 accommodates the rotating shaft 740 or the shaft support portion 723 of the reduction gear 700 via the recessed surface 330, and the effect of reducing the increased thickness (T3) of the reduction gear can be expected.

[0426] On the other hand, if the rotating shaft 740 is forcibly shortened, it may not be possible to secure a sufficient surface area for connection with the drum 200 or the bushing portion 300, which could prevent the power generated by the drive unit (M) from being transmitted to the drum 200.

[0427] However, if the rotating shaft 740 is made longer, a counterproductive effect occurs: the total length (T3) of the drive unit (M) becomes longer.

[0428] Accordingly, the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a bushing portion 300 having a recessed surface 330 formed by recessing into the drum 200. The bushing portion 300 ensures that the axial coupling portion 320 is positioned inside the drum 200 by the recessed surface 330.

[0429] As a result, the rotating shaft 740 extending from the reduction gear 700 is supported and connected to the shaft coupling portion 320 with sufficient length, and can be positioned within the drum 200 by the recessed surface 330.

[0430] As a result, at least a portion of the length (T3) of the rotating shaft 740 is positioned inside the drum 200 by the bushing portion 300, thereby reducing the space occupied by the rotating shaft 740 and the drum 200 individually.

[0431] On the other hand, in the reduction gear 700, the shaft support portion 723 that supports the rotating shaft 740 passes through the mounting portion 429.

[0432] In other words, the shaft support portion 723 extends from the second housing 720 located on the back of the mounting portion 429 toward the bushing portion 300 by an extension length (T3Z).

[0433] In the end, the actual length (T3X) of the gearbox 700 and motor unit 600 is the sum of the installation length (T3Y) and the extension length (T3Z).

[0434] As a result, the reduction gear 700 and the bushing section 300 are brought even closer together, and the length of the rotating shaft 740 can be reduced accordingly.

[0435] The extension length (T3Z) corresponds to the length extending from the second housing 720 such that at least a portion of the shaft support portion 723 is positioned within the bushing portion 300. For example, the shaft support portion 723 is positioned within the recessed surface 330 such that at least a portion of the first bearing 760 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft support portion 723 is positioned within the bushing portion 300.

[0436] The extension length (T3Z) is superimposed on the separation length (G). Specifically, the extension length (T3Z) is superimposed on the distance between the mounting portion 429 and the bushing portion 300, and is formed to be longer than the distance between the mounting portion 429 and the bushing portion 300.

[0437] As a result, since a portion of the reduction gear 700 is located within the bushing portion 300, the thickness occupied by the reduction gear 700 itself independently of the drum 200 can be further reduced by the length of the extension (T3Z) and the overlapping length of the bushing portion 300.

[0438] Furthermore, since the shaft support portion 723 is separated from the reduction gear 700 by its extension length (T3Z), the length (T33) of the rotating shaft 740 that extends from the reduction gear 700 and occupies independently of the reduction gear 700 is located only within the drum 200.

[0439] As a result, the drive unit (M) does not need to be completely separated and independently positioned from the rear of the drum 200. Therefore, the drive unit (M) can be positioned as compactly as possible by utilizing only the space provided by the housing depth (L2) of the mounting portion 492, the depth (B1) of the recessed surface 330, and the extended length (T3Z) of the shaft support portion 723. As a result, the drive unit (M) can occupy only the exposed thickness (T3R) exposed from the rear of the rear plate 421 within the cabinet space.

[0440] In other words, the drive unit (M) can secure a compact area (T3C) that is not exposed on the rear surface of the rear case 420 by utilizing the space within the stator 610, utilizing the space between the drum rear surface 220 and the rear case 420 by the mounting portion 429, utilizing the space between the reduction gear 700 and the drum 200 by the shaft support portion 723, and utilizing the space within the drum body 210 by the bushing portion 300.

[0441] Therefore, the thickness occupied by the drive unit (M) within the cabinet is only the exposed thickness (T3R), which is the thickness of the area exposed from the rear case 420, obtained by subtracting the thickness corresponding to the compact area (T3C) from the total thickness (T3) of the drive unit (M).

[0442] Therefore, the drive unit (M) occupies only the exposed thickness (T3R) within the allowable length T1 in the cabinet 100, and does not occupy the compact thickness (T3C) on its own, and the length of the drum (T2) is made larger by the maximum thickness (T3C) of the compact area.

[0443] Figure 16 shows another embodiment of the bushing portion 300 and the drum back surface 220.

[0444] The bushing portion 300 includes a coupling surface 310 placed on the drum back surface 220, an axial coupling portion 320 that is coupled to the rotating shaft 740, and a recessed surface 330 that guides the axial coupling portion 320 to be positioned forward of the drum back surface 220. In this case, the recessed surface 330 extends by a second length (B2) set to be longer than any of the diameters of the coupling surface 310, the mounting hole 222, and the recessed surface 330. That is, the recessed surface 330 extends deeper into the drum body 210, allowing for the accommodation of more rotating shafts 740. This reduces the length of the rotating shaft 740 outside the drum back surface 220, and further reduces the additional area occupied by the drive unit (M).

[0445] On the other hand, on the drum back surface 220, the housing surface 2231 extends from the circumferential portion 221 and is longer than the second length (B2). The diameter of the housing surface 2231 is formed to be larger than the diameter of the rotor 620 or stator 610 and larger than the diameter of the mounting portion 429. As a result, the drum back surface 220 accommodates at least a portion of the mounting portion 429 with the housing surface 2231.

[0446] The housing surface 2231 further includes a wire avoidance groove 2231a that recesses outward to avoid the wire support groove 4295 provided in the mounting portion 429 and the like.

[0447] Furthermore, the seat portion 223 can minimize the space occupied by the bushing portion 300 within the drum body 210 by utilizing the space within the housing surface 2231. In other words, while the bushing portion 300 can reduce the overall length of the drive unit (M) by utilizing the space within the drum body 210 to house the rotating shaft 740, the seat portion 223 can also reduce the space occupied by the bushing portion 300 within the internal space of the drum body 210.

[0448] To this end, the seat portion 223 may protrude in such a way that the mounting surface 2233 on which the bushing portion 300 is placed on the support surface 2232 is closer to the drive unit (M). In other words, the mounting surface 2233 may protrude in the opposite direction to the direction in which the housing surface 2231 extends indented from the support surface 2232.

[0449] The coupling surface 310 of the bushing portion 300 is positioned closer to the drive unit (M) than the support surface 2232 because the mounting surface 2233 protrudes outward from the support surface 2232 and the back surface 220 of the drum.

[0450] The coupling groove 2234 is formed to protrude further from the mounting surface 2233 toward the drive unit (M), and the bushing coupling portion 312 is formed to accommodate the coupling groove 2234, so that the bushing portion 300 is firmly fixed by the seat portion 223.

[0451] Furthermore, since the mounting surface 2233 is formed by bending at the support surface 2232, the load on the bushing portion 300 is distributed, making the rigidity of the seat portion 223 stronger. In addition, the coupling groove 2234 protrudes from the mounting surface 2233, not only reinforcing the rigidity of the coupling surface 310, but also firmly supporting the fastening member that is fastened through the coupling groove 2234.

[0452] Figure 17 shows an embodiment in which a drive unit (M) is coupled to the drum back surface 220, which has a sheet portion 223 and an installation surface 2233.

[0453] As shown in Figure 15 above, in the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention, the overall thickness (T3) of the drive unit (M) is smaller than the sum of the thickness (T31) of the stator 610 or motor unit 600, the thickness (T32) of the reduction gear 700, and the thickness (T33) of the rotating shaft 740. This is because the stator 610, reduction gear 700, and rotating shaft 740 are compactly arranged to reduce the overall thickness of the drive unit (M).

[0454] For example, the reduction gear 700 is placed in the internal space of the stator 610, and the installation spaces of the stator 610 and the reduction gear 700 overlap. Therefore, the total thickness of the motor section 600 and the reduction gear 700 is smaller than the sum of the thickness of the motor section 600 and the thickness of the reduction gear 700, and the area occupied by the drive unit (M) itself can be reduced. Consequently, the length of the drum (T2) can be increased by the length of the overlap between the motor section 600 and the reduction gear 700.

[0455] Furthermore, at the mounting portion 429, the mounting surface 4292 is recessed from the rear plate 421 by a stowing depth (L2) toward the drum rear surface 220 via the mounting groove 4294. Therefore, even when the reduction gear 700 and motor unit 620 are positioned on the rear surface of the rear plate 420, the reduction gear 700 and motor unit 620 can be positioned closer to the drum 200 by a stowing depth L2.

[0456] Therefore, the drive unit (M) not only reduces its own thickness and thus its volume, but it can also utilize the space between the drum back surface 220 and the rear plate 420. As a result, since the drive unit (M) can utilize the space between the drum back surface 220 and the rear plate 420, the rear panel 120, which is located on the back of the drive unit (M), can be positioned closer to the rear plate 420.

[0457] The garment processing apparatus according to the present invention means that the rear plate 421 can be positioned closer to the rear panel 120 with respect to the rear case 420. Therefore, the rear plate 421 can be positioned further rearward by the storage depth (L2), and thus the length of the drum (T2) can be made further longer by the storage depth (L2).

[0458] The above explanation focused on maximizing the use of the rear space of the drum's back surface (220) to compactly arrange the drive unit (M).

[0459] In addition, the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention can utilize the internal space of the drum body 210 to compactly arrange the drive unit (M) toward the drum 200.

[0460] In the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention, the space occupied by the drum 200 and the space occupied by the rear case 420 or the drive unit (M) are arranged to overlap as much as possible. This makes it possible to save space occupied by the drum 200, the rear case 420, and the drive unit (M) all at once.

[0461] For example, in the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention, the drive unit (M) is located inside the drum body 210 or in a part of the garment storage space. As a result, the space occupied by the drive unit (M) separately from the drum 200 within the cabinet 100 is reduced.

[0462] Specifically, the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention uses a portion of the space occupied by the drum 200 within the cabinet 100 as a drum space utilization area (C) in which a portion of the bushing section 300, the drive section (M), and the rear case 420 are partially arranged.

[0463] The drum space utilization area (C) corresponds to the area in which a portion of the clothing storage space within the drum 200 is utilized as a space in which either the bushing section 300, the drive section (M), or the rear case 420 is located.

[0464] The drum space utilization area (C) includes the space formed by the sheet portion 223 that recedes from the back surface 220 of the drum toward the drum input opening 211.

[0465] The sheet portion 223 is recessed from the drum back surface 220 by a usable length (C1). That is, the receiving surface 2231 of the sheet portion 223 extends diagonally from the inner surface of the circumferential portion 221 toward the input opening 211 by a usable length (C1). As a result, the usable area (C) of the drum space includes a space corresponding to the usable length (C1) from the outer surface of the drum rear surface 220.

[0466] The accommodating surface 2231 is formed to be larger than the diameter of the mounting portion 429. Therefore, the accommodating surface 2231 accommodates at least a portion of the mounting portion 429, and one surface of the accommodating surface 2231 and at least one surface of the mounting portion 429 are positioned opposite each other. As a result, a portion of the rear case 420 is positioned in the drum space utilization area (C).

[0467] The drum space utilization area (C) allows for diversification of the separation length (G) between the drum back surface 220 and the rear case 420. For example, the circumferential portion 221 and the rear case 420 are separated by a first spacing (Ga), while the support surface 2232 and the mounting surface 4292 are separated by a second spacing (Gb) which is longer than the first spacing (Ga).

[0468] In other words, by ensuring a relatively long second distance (Gb) between the support surface 2232 and the mounting surface 4292, and setting a relatively short first distance (Ga) unrelated to the drive unit (M), the separation space (G) between the drum 200 and the rear case 420 can be efficiently utilized.

[0469] On the other hand, the reduction gear 700 or the motor unit 600 is housed and mounted in the mounting portion 429. Therefore, when the mounting portion 429 is housed in the housing surface 2231, at least a portion of the reduction gear 700 and the motor unit 600 are positioned in the drum space utilization area (C).

[0470] As a result, at least a portion of the drive unit (M) is positioned in the drum space utilization area (C), and the exposed area (T3R) occupied solely by the drive unit (M) from the rear of the drum 200 can be minimized.

[0471] On the other hand, the area outside the drum space utilization region (C) is also the space utilized by the drum 200. In other words, from the drum's perspective, the drum's rear surface 220 can be extended to the area where the drive unit (M) is located or to the side of the drive unit (M), thus further extending the drum's length (T2).

[0472] By housing part or all of the drive unit (M) via the seat portion 223, the drum rear surface 220 can be positioned to extend further back than the front surface of the drive unit (M). As a result, the drum length (T2) is maximized, and the volume inside the drum is further expanded by the area corresponding to the housing length (C1).

[0473] As a result, the garment processing apparatus according to the present invention not only allows for a compact drive unit (M) through the drum space utilization area (C), but also maximizes the drying volume.

[0474] The drum space utilization area (C) further includes the space occupied by the bushing portion 300 on the back surface 220 of the drum.

[0475] Since the bushing portion 300 is a component that connects to the rotating shaft 740, when it protrudes from the back surface 220 of the drum and connects, the bushing portion 300 is positioned at the storage length (C1).

[0476] However, by placing the space occupied by the bushing portion 300 inside the drum 200 instead of outside the drum 200, the space occupied by the bushing portion 300 alone can be reduced.

[0477] In the bushing portion 300, when the coupling surface 310 is coupled to the drum back surface 220, the recessed surface 330 extends from the drum back surface 220 into the drum body 210 by a first length (B1) or a second length (B2). Furthermore, the shaft coupling portion 320 that houses the rotating shaft 740 is further extended from the inner circumferential surface of the recessed surface 330 in the direction of the input opening 211.

[0478] Specifically, the recessed surface 330 and the axial connection portion 320 are located 200 inside the drum for a total bushing length (C3), and the usable drum space (C) is further expanded.

[0479] As a result, the bushing portion 300 is positioned within the drum 200 by only the bushing length (C3), so the volume occupied by the bushing portion 300 independently of the drum 200 can be minimized.

[0480] This reduces the space occupied by the bushing portion 300 alone within the allowable length (T1), thereby increasing the space available for the drive unit (M) or allowing the drum length (T2) to be increased further.

[0481] On the other hand, of the bushing portion 300, the bushing length (C3) is the length required to house the rotating shaft 740 within the drum 200. That is, the rotating shaft 740 is housed within the drum 200 by the length of the bushing (C3), making the length of the drum 200 and the drive unit (M) closer together and more compact.

[0482] This reduces the length of the rotating shaft 740 that extends from the second housing 720 of the reduction gear, thereby minimizing distortion of the rotating shaft 740 within the reduction gear 700.

[0483] From the perspective of the drum 200, since the bushing length (C3) is included in the drum space utilization area (C), the drum back surface 220 can be positioned behind the free end of the rotation axis 740. Therefore, the drum 200 can utilize a portion of the space where the rotation axis 740 extends independently from the drum back surface 220 as clothing storage space.

[0484] In other words, a longer drum length (T2) can be secured.

[0485] On the other hand, the mounting surface 2233 protrudes further from the support surface 2232 toward the outside of the drum rear surface 220 by a length of secured length (C2). In the end, the secured length (C2) is positioned to overlap with the storage length (C1). The secured length (C2) allows the space corresponding to the storage length (C1) to be used twice: as the space for the drive unit (M) or mounting part 429 and as the space for the bushing part 300.

[0486] As a result, the area corresponding to the storage length (C1) is the space where the drive unit (M) and mounting unit 429 and the drum 200 overlap, but it also corresponds to the space where the bushing unit 300 and the drum 200 overlap.

[0487] Since the mounting surface 2233 is located on the inner circumferential surface of the support surface 2232, the diameter of the mounting surface 2233 is smaller than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the support surface 2232 and the housing surface 2231. Also, the secured length (C2) is shorter than the housing length (C1). This prevents the mounting surface 2233 from being excessively bent on the support surface 2232, and at the same time prevents the mounting surface 2233 from interfering with the drive unit (M).

[0488] Therefore, the volume of the region corresponding to the reserved length (C2) on the back surface 220 of the drum is smaller than the volume of the region corresponding to the storage length (C1) on the back surface 220 of the drum.

[0489] On the other hand, as the mounting surface 2233 protrudes from the support surface 2232 by the secured length (C2), the seat surface 310 of the bushing portion 300 is positioned closer to the mounting portion 429 and closer to the reduction gear 700.

[0490] As a result, the length of the rotating shaft 740 is further reduced, bringing the drum back surface 220 and the reduction gear 700 closer together. For example, the rotating shaft 740 is positioned so close to the drum back surface 220 that the first bearing 760 supporting the rotating shaft 740 in the reduction gear 700 is located within the recessed surface 330.

[0491] This ensures that the rotating shaft 740 and the drive shaft 630 are positioned parallel to each other, thereby preventing the rotating shaft 740 from bending or breaking due to the load of the drum 200 and the clothing.

[0492] In summary, the drum space utilization area (C) allows for a compact arrangement of the drive unit (M) toward the back of the drum 220.

[0493] The reduction gear 700 and motor unit 600 are brought closer to the drum back surface 220 by the length of the storage length (C1), and the reduction gear 700 and motor unit 600 are brought closer to the mounting surface 2233 by the length of the secured length (C2).

[0494] Furthermore, by moving the free end of the rotating shaft 740 toward the drum 200 by the bushing length (C3), the reduction gear 700 and the motor unit 600 can be brought closer to the back surface 220 of the drum.

[0495] Therefore, the length of the area of ​​the drive unit (M) that occupies alone within the cabinet behind the drum rear 220 is reduced to the actual exposed area (T3R). The actual exposed area (T3R) corresponds to the area in which the drive unit (M) protrudes and is exposed behind the rear plate 421.

[0496] In reality, the thickness of the exposed area (T3R) is less than 1 / 2 or 1 / 3 of the total thickness (T3) of the drive unit (M). This allows the drive unit length (T3) occupied by the allowable length (T1) to be shortened, thereby allowing the drum length (T2) to be further increased.

[0497] The present invention can be implemented in various forms, and its scope of rights is not limited by the embodiments described above. Therefore, if a modified embodiment includes the elements of the claims of the present invention, it can be said to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A drum for storing clothes, A drive unit located behind the drum, including a drive unit that includes a rotating shaft for rotating the drum, The aforementioned drum is A drum body having a defined opening on the front and providing a space for storing the clothing, The drum back surface is coupled to the rear end of the drum body, The back of the drum is A rear body is coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the drum body to form the back surface of the drum, The rear body includes a sheet portion that is recessed toward the space, The sheet portion includes an installation surface that extends toward the drive unit from the surface of the back of the drum, in a dryer.

2. The sheet portion includes a receiving surface that extends inward into the space, The dryer according to claim 1, wherein the housing surface extends from the rear body by a length C1.

3. The aforementioned mounting surface extends from the aforementioned housing surface by a length C2, The dryer according to claim 2, wherein the length C1 is different from the length C2.

4. The dryer according to claim 3, wherein the length C1 is longer than the length C2.

5. The dryer according to claim 2, wherein the sheet portion includes a support surface disposed between the receiving surface and the installation surface.

6. The dryer according to claim 2, wherein the installation surface is recessed from the support surface in the opposite direction to the recession direction of the housing surface and is positioned inside the housing surface.

7. The dryer according to claim 2, wherein the diameter of the installation surface is shorter than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface of the housing surface.

8. The dryer according to claim 2, wherein the mounting surface further includes a coupling groove that protrudes toward the drive unit.

9. The dryer according to claim 2, wherein the housing surface has a diameter longer than the diameter of the drive unit in order to house at least a portion of the drive unit.

10. The dryer according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the sheet portion is longer than the diameter of the drive unit so that at least a part of the drive unit is housed in the sheet portion.

11. The aforementioned drive unit is A motor unit positioned behind the drum and providing power to the drum, The motor section includes a reduction gear for converting the power and transmitting the converted power to the rotating shaft, The dryer according to claim 10, wherein the reduction gear is at least partially housed and arranged in the seat portion.

12. The motor section is A stator coupled to the aforementioned reduction gear generates a rotating magnetic field, It includes a rotor that rotates due to the aforementioned rotating magnetic field and rotates the drive shaft, The dryer according to claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the stator is housed and arranged in the sheet portion.

13. The dryer according to claim 1, wherein a bushing portion for supporting the free end of the rotating shaft is coupled to the mounting surface.

14. The bushing portion is, A coupling surface that is coupled to the aforementioned mounting surface, A recessed surface extending from the aforementioned coupling surface and accommodating at least a portion of the rotation shaft, It includes an axial coupling portion that is arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the recessed surface and coupled to the free end of the rotating shaft, The dryer according to claim 13, wherein the recessed surface is configured to extend away from the drive unit.

15. The dryer according to claim 14, wherein the recessed surface and the shaft coupling portion are positioned closer to the input opening than the installation surface when the coupling surface is coupled to the installation surface.

16. The dryer according to claim 14, wherein the recessed surface and the shaft coupling portion are located inside the drum body.

17. The dryer according to claim 14, wherein the recessed surface extends from the coupling surface away from the drive unit, and as a result, the free end of the rotating shaft is located inside the drum body.

18. The aforementioned recessed surface extends from the coupling surface away from the drive unit, The dryer according to claim 15, wherein the shaft coupling portion includes a coupling body that extends from the recessed surface toward the drive portion and houses the rotating shaft.

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