Clothing processing equipment

Abstract

To provide a clothing treatment device which performs wrinkle stretching by exposing an object to be treated such as clothing and the like to steam, and is constituted so that air inside a storage part can be replaced with outside air after finishing the operation.SOLUTION: A clothing treatment device 100 includes: a housing 1 having an outer shell 2 having a storage part 5 for storing an object 4 to be treated, and having an opening on a front surface, and a door 3 for opening / closing the opening; a holding part (suspension part 8) for holding the object 4 to be treated in the storage part 5; an air treatment device 6 for treating air in the storage part 5 and for circulating it; a steam supply device 13 for supplying steam to the inside of the storage part 5; a vent port 31 provided at a case 5a for forming the storage part 5, and for communicating the inside and outside of the case 5a; an opening / closing device 32 for opening / closing the vent port 31; and a control part 40 for executing a treatment operation. The vent port 31 is opened after finishing the operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a laundry processing apparatus that improves the state of objects to be processed such as clothing by applying steam, heat, external force, or the like. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A laundry processing machine described in Patent Document 1 includes a storage space that receives laundry therein, a circulation duct communicating with the storage space, a first condensing device provided along the circulation duct for supplying dry air obtained by removing moisture from air to the storage space, and a second condensing device that is independent of the first condensing device, is provided along the circulation duct, and further removes moisture from the dry air supplied to the storage space to increase the dryness of the air. PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0003] PATENT DOCUMENT 1 Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-247899 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] The present disclosure provides a laundry processing apparatus configured such that, in a laundry processing apparatus that exposes objects to be processed such as clothing to steam to smooth wrinkles and the like, air in a storage portion can be exchanged with outside air after operation is completed. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0005] The laundry processing apparatus according to the present disclosure is: clothing a housing having an outer shell that has a storage portion for storing an object to be processed and has an opening on a front surface, and a door that opens and closes the opening, and the clothing a holding portion that holds the object to be processed, an air processing device that processes and circulates air in the storage portion, and steam into the storage portion The system comprises a steam supply device, a vent provided in the case forming the housing section that connects the inside and outside of the case, an opening / closing device for opening and closing the vent, and a control unit for performing processing operations. The opening and closing device comprises a lid for opening and closing the vent, an opening and closing motor for driving the lid, and a biasing unit for biasing the lid. When the control unit energizes the opening and closing motor during processing, the lid moves in a direction that closes the vent, and when the power to the opening and closing motor is stopped after the operation is completed, the lid moves in a direction that opens the vent by the biasing unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The garment processing device in this disclosure can exchange the air inside the storage compartment with outside air by connecting the inside and outside of the storage compartment. This makes it possible to discharge moisture remaining in the air processing device or odors adhering to the inner wall and air passage of the storage compartment, thereby preventing them from accumulating inside the storage compartment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the garment processing device in Embodiment 1 [Figure 2] Perspective view showing the machine room of the garment processing device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] Side cross-sectional view of the garment processing device in Embodiment 1 [Figure 4] Schematic diagram of the air treatment device and steam supply device of the garment processing device in Embodiment 1 [Figure 5] Schematic diagram of the operating section of the garment processing apparatus in Embodiment 1 [Figure 6] Flowchart of the wrinkle removal operation of the garment processing device in Embodiment 1 [Figure 7A] Plan view of the vicinity of the opening / closing device in the state in which the ventilation opening of the garment processing device in Embodiment 1 is open. [Figure 7B] Side cross-sectional view of the garment processing device near the opening / closing device with the vent opening in the open state in Embodiment 1 [Figure 8A] Plan view of the vicinity of the opening / closing device in the closed state of the ventilation opening of the garment processing device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 8B] Side cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the opening / closing device of the garment processing device in the closed state in Embodiment 1 [Figure 9] Schematic diagram of the air treatment device and steam supply device of the garment processing device in Embodiment 1 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) To remove wrinkles from clothing and other garments, spraying high-temperature steam onto the wrinkled areas, similar to a steam iron, is an effective method. Conventional garment processing devices suspend the garments inside the unit and expose them to steam, drying them and thus performing garment processing such as wrinkle removal and deodorization. Such garment processing devices allow for the storage of the garments inside the unit after the processing cycle is complete. Users may also use the garment processing device as a temporary storage unit for items they do not intend to process, effectively using it as a closet.

[0009] The garment processing device can perform various processing operations in addition to wrinkle removal, including deodorization. However, depending on the condition of the garments before processing, moisture may remain in the air processing device in the machine room after the user has used the garment processing device, or odors may adhere to the inner walls of the containment area and the air ducts. Over time, this moisture or odor may accumulate in the containment area, potentially causing malfunctions.

[0010] Therefore, the inventors focused on suppressing the occurrence of these problems, which led to the provision of the subject matter of this disclosure.

[0011] This disclosure provides a garment processing device that solves this problem by opening a vent in the storage section to exchange the air inside the storage section with outside air, thereby discharging moisture from remaining in the air processing device or odors adhering to the inner wall and air passage of the storage section, and preventing them from accumulating inside the storage section.

[0012] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted.

[0013] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0015] [1-1. Basic Configuration of Clothing Processing Apparatus] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a clothing processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view in which a liquid tank device 80 provided at the lower front portion in FIG. 1 is removed to expose a machine room 7.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, a housing 1 of the clothing processing apparatus 100 includes an outer shell 2 having an opening on the front surface, and a door 3 for opening and closing this opening. A storage portion 5 in which an object to be treated 4 such as clothing is stored is provided so as to be enclosed in an upper space inside the housing 1. That is, the inner surface of the door 3 forms the storage portion 5. A seal member 3a is attached to the outer periphery of the inner surface of the door 3 in alignment with the opening of the storage portion 5. The seal member 3a is formed of a flexible material such as rubber. Thereby, the storage portion 5 becomes a closed space when the door 3 is closed, and airtightness is maintained.

[0017] The liquid tank device 80 includes a water supply tank 15, a drainage tank 18, and a tank storage portion 81 (see FIG. 3), and is provided at the front portion of the lower space inside the housing 1. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, a machine room 7 in which the air processing device 6 and the like are accommodated is provided at the rear portion of the lower space inside the housing 1. The object to be treated 4 includes not only all clothing and small articles worn by people, but also all textile products such as handkerchiefs, towels, cloth bags and other small articles.

[0018] A suspension section 8 for suspending a hanger 4a on which the object to be processed 4 is hung is provided in the upper part of the storage section 5. The suspension section 8 may be provided with a swinging mechanism for swinging the suspended object to be processed 4. In addition, shelves 8a or hooks for holding small items may be provided, and these together with the suspension section 8 are referred to as the holding section. An air treatment device 6 for heating, dehumidifying, and circulating the air in the storage section 5, and a steam supply device 13 for supplying steam into the storage section 5 are provided in the machine room 7.

[0019] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the garment processing device 100 in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the storage section 5 is formed by a case 5a separate from the outer shell 2, and is configured to have a space between it and the outer shell 2. A ventilation opening 31 and an opening / closing device 32 for opening and closing the ventilation opening 31 are provided on the top surface of the case 5a. The ventilation opening 31 is opened when the garment processing device 100 is stopped, and serves as an inlet and outlet for the air inside the storage section 5 to be naturally ventilated through the space between it and the outer shell 2.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the machine room 7 is equipped with an air treatment device 6 and a steam supply device 13. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the air treatment device 6 and steam supply device 13 shown in Figure 3.

[0021] The air treatment device 6 includes a dehumidifying unit 10, an air heating unit 9, a blowing unit 11, and an air passage 12 connecting them. The air passage 12 has an intake port 12a opening at the front of the lower surface of the housing unit 5, and an outlet port 12b opening at the rear of the lower surface of the housing unit 5. The blowing unit 11 has a fan 11a and a motor 11b, and draws in air from the housing unit 5 through the intake port 12a, blows it out through the outlet port 12b to circulate it, and agitates the air inside the housing unit 5. The dehumidifying unit 10 dehumidifies the circulating air during the drying process of the processing operation to promote the drying of the workpiece 4. Similarly, the air heating unit 9 raises the temperature of the air inside the housing unit 5 to promote the evaporation of moisture contained in the workpiece 4.

[0022] A drain tank 18 for storing the condensed water collected by the dehumidification unit 10 is provided via a water collection unit 19 and a drain pump 20 from the dehumidification unit 10. The lower surface of the storage unit 5 is sloped to collect the condensed water that drips down from the inner wall of the storage unit 5, and a recovery pipe (not shown) is provided to guide the condensed water to the water collection unit 19. As a result, even if the inside of the storage unit 5 becomes highly humid and condensed water is generated on the inner wall, it is collected without leaking outside the main body. The drain tank 18, which functions as a water storage unit, is provided to be detachable so that the user can dispose of the accumulated water.

[0023] The air treatment device 6 may be composed of, for example, a known heat pump unit. The heat pump unit is composed of a compressor, condenser, expander, and evaporator connected by refrigerant piping, and heat exchange is performed by circulating refrigerant within the refrigerant piping. In the heat pump unit, the condenser corresponds to the air heating unit 9, and the evaporator corresponds to the dehumidification unit 10. If the air heating unit 9 and the dehumidification unit 10 are composed of a heat pump unit, drying operation can be performed efficiently with low power consumption without forcibly discharging moisture to the outside of the housing 1 as mere ventilation, or without using a large amount of cooling water for dehumidification like a water cooling system.

[0024] The steam supply device 13 includes a water supply unit 14 for storing the supplied water, a steam generation unit 16, and a steam discharge unit 17. The water supply unit 14 includes a detachable water supply tank 15, a connection unit 14a to which the water supply tank 15 is connected to the main body, a water level detection unit 50 for detecting the water level in the water supply tank 15, a water supply pump 14b, and a water supply pipe 14c connecting these. The water level detection unit 50 is provided between the connection unit 14a and the water supply pump 14b. In other words, the water level detection unit 50 is not installed in the detachable water supply tank 15, but is fixed to the main body.

[0025] The steam generation unit 16 includes a container 16a for storing water and steam, and a water heating unit 16b for heating and evaporating the water. A water supply pipe 14c from a water supply pump 14b is connected to the container 16a. The steam discharge unit 17 includes a steam pipe 17a and a discharge port 17b connected to the steam generation unit 16. The discharge port 17b opens into the housing unit 5 at the end of the steam pipe 17a. The discharge port 17b may be formed so that high-temperature steam does not directly hit the workpiece 4. This suppresses deterioration of the material due to the heat of the higher-temperature steam. A drainage path may also be provided to guide condensed water generated by condensation near the discharge port 17b to a water collection unit 19. Furthermore, a control valve or the like may be provided to detect the pressure of the steam in the container 16a and control the discharge.

[0026] A control unit 40 that executes the processing operation of the garment processing device 100 is provided in an arbitrary location, such as the space above and behind the storage compartment 5. An operation unit 41 for setting the operation of the garment processing device 100 is provided on the front of the door 3. As shown in Figure 1, an open / close detection unit 42 for detecting the open / closed state of the door 3 may also be provided in a predetermined location, such as the front of the machine room 7. Furthermore, a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature inside the storage compartment 5 may be provided in a predetermined location, such as the inner wall of the storage compartment 5.

[0027] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the operation unit 41 of the garment processing device 100. The control unit 40 includes control of operation courses such as drying, wrinkle removal, and sterilization / deodorization, and includes processing conditions such as "standard," "quick," and "thorough" depending on the operation course. It is configured to perform operation control according to these settings made by the user. The operation unit 41 is provided with operation course setting buttons, start / pause buttons, and other settings displays, time displays, and warning displays. Processing conditions may also include material settings for the garment to be processed 4. A separate power switch may be provided on the operation unit 41. Furthermore, the power switch may be configured to turn on by electrostatic detection when the user touches anywhere on the operation unit 41, or by detection by the door 3 opening / closing detection unit 42. Furthermore, the operation unit, including the control unit, may be configured to automatically turn off if there is no user operation for a predetermined period of time T.

[0028] The control unit 40 includes, for example, a steam supply process in the wrinkle-smoothing operation, which involves controlling the steam supply device 13 to generate steam in the steam generation unit 16. At this time, the control unit 40 operates the water supply pump 14b to supply water to the container 16a of the steam generation unit 16, and energizes the water heating unit 16b to heat the supplied water to generate steam, which is then released into the containment unit 5.

[0029] The control unit 40 controls the temperature inside the storage section 5 to reach a predetermined temperature. As a result, the temperature inside the storage section 5 rises and steam fills the space, causing the workpiece 4 to absorb more moisture and become easier to smooth out wrinkles.

[0030] Furthermore, during the wrinkle-removing operation, the control unit 40 may operate the air treatment device 6 after the steam supply process to dehumidify and heat the air in the containment unit 5 and circulate it in a drying process. This promotes the drying of the workpiece 4.

[0031] [1-2. Basic Operation of Garment Processing Equipment] As an example, the operation of the wrinkle-removing operation of the garment processing apparatus configured as described above will be explained. Figure 6 shows the flowchart of the wrinkle-removing operation of the garment processing apparatus in this embodiment. This is a step-by-step explanation.

[0032] Step 1: The user opens the door 3 of the garment processing device 100 and places the garment or other item to be processed 4 on the suspension part 8 above the storage section 5. After placing the item, the user closes the door 3.

[0033] Step 2: The user operates the control panel 41 located on the front of door 3. First, set the desired operating course (in this embodiment, "wrinkle removal") using the operating course setting button. Next, select the condition setting corresponding to the operating course. Then, press the start / pause button to start the wrinkle removal operation.

[0034] Step 3: The control unit 40 sets the temperature and processing time of the storage unit 5 according to the user's settings, and the processing operation is started. In addition, the swinging motion of the suspension unit 8 may be set. In the wrinkle-removing operation, the swinging motion of the workpiece 4 can promote wrinkle removal.

[0035] Step 4: The wrinkle-removing operation is performed for a predetermined processing time according to the settings.

[0036] Step 5: Once the processing time has elapsed, the drying process will be executed as appropriate. The control unit will issue a predetermined notification when the drying process is complete and terminate the wrinkle-removing operation.

[0037] As described above, the wrinkle-removing operation of the workpiece 4 includes a steam supply step in which the workpiece 4 is exposed to steam in the containment section 5, and a drying step in which it is subsequently dried with air. As a result, the workpiece 4 being treated with the garment processing device 100 has wrinkles removed and alleviated. A deodorizing effect is also achieved by the steam. Furthermore, drying reduces the effort required for the user to iron the garment. In addition, if the material setting is configured, the operating conditions in the steam supply step are set differently according to the material of the fabric, so that even workpieces 4 made of materials that are difficult to wrinkle can be treated with more efficient wrinkle removal.

[0038] [1-3. Configuration and operation of the opening and closing device at the ventilation opening of the storage section] In the garment processing device 100, as shown in Figure 3, the storage section 5 is formed by a case 5a separate from the outer shell 2, and is configured to have a space between it and the outer shell 2. A ventilation opening 31 and an opening / closing device 32 for opening and closing the ventilation opening 31 are provided on the top surface of the case 5a. The ventilation opening 31 is opened after the garment processing device 100 has finished operating, and serves as an inlet and outlet for natural ventilation of the air inside the storage section 5 through the space between it and the outer shell 2. The space between the case 5a and the outer shell 2 can be considered to be substantially equivalent to the outside air, as the outer shell 2 has connection parts and assembly openings on each surface.

[0039] The configuration of the opening / closing device 32 will be explained using Figures 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B. Figures 7A and 7B show the opening / closing device 32 in the open state of the vent 31 of the garment processing device 100 in this embodiment. Figures 8A and 8B show the opening / closing device 32 in the closed state of the vent 31 of the garment processing device 100 in this embodiment.

[0040] As shown in Figure 7A, the vent 31 is provided on the top surface of the case 5a and has multiple short, slit-shaped openings arranged side by side. The opening / closing device 32 is disposed on the outside of the top surface of the case 5a so as to be able to open and close the vent 31. The opening / closing device 32 includes an air passage section 33 that covers the vent 31 and has an upper end opening formed at an angle, a sealing section 34 provided around the entire circumference of the upper end opening of the air passage section 33, a cover 35 that opens and closes the upper end opening of the air passage section 33, an opening / closing motor 37 that drives the cover 35 via a link 36, and a biasing section 38 that biases the cover 35 in the opposite direction to the opening / closing motor 37.

[0041] The cover 35 is supported at an angle to match the slope of the upper opening of the air passage 33 and is configured to slide horizontally. The opening / closing motor 37 is connected to the cover 35 via a link 36 and moves the diagonally positioned cover 35 linearly horizontally at the same angle. When energized, the opening / closing motor 37 is driven only in the direction of closing the cover 35, and when the power is removed, the driving force is also removed, and it becomes free to rotate by external force. In other words, the opening / closing motor 37 moves the cover 35 in the direction of the opening / closing motor 37. As a result, the cover 35 closes the upper opening of the air passage 33 via the sealing portion 34.

[0042] Furthermore, the lid 35 is biased in the opposite direction to the opening / closing motor 37, i.e., in the opening direction, by a biasing part 38 made of a spring or the like. This biasing force is set to be smaller than the driving force of the opening / closing motor 37. Therefore, when the opening / closing motor 37 is driven, the biasing part 38 is stretched along with the movement of the lid 35. Then, when the power to the opening / closing motor 37 is cut off, the opening / closing motor 37 becomes rotatable, and the biasing force caused by the stretching of the biasing part 38 moves the lid 35 in the opening direction. As a result, the lid 35 opens the upper end opening of the air passage 33.

[0043] According to the switchgear 32 described above, the vent opening 31 is closed by energizing the switchgear motor 37 during processing operation, and the vent opening 31 is opened simply by stopping the power supply to the switchgear motor 37. Therefore, there is no need to drive the switchgear motor 37 when the operation is stopped, and the vent opening can always be opened when the operation is stopped. In other words, even if the user consciously turns off the power switch or there is a power outage, the vent opening 31 will be opened when the power supply to the switchgear motor 37 is stopped.

[0044] In this embodiment, the air passage 33 communicates with the vent 31 of the case 5a. Therefore, the lid 35 effectively opens and closes the vent 31.

[0045] When the garment processing device 100 is stopped from processing the garment 4, the vent 31 is open. During processing, the control unit 40 drives the opening / closing motor 37 to close the vent 31. The timing of closing is not particularly limited and can be from when the power is turned on until processing begins. This allows the garment processing device 100 to efficiently perform the predetermined processing on the garment 4 without leaking air from the storage unit 5 and the air processing device 6 to the outside. The vent 31 may be opened depending on the situation once processing is started, such as during the deodorization and drying processes.

[0046] When the processing operation is completed, the control unit 40 stops supplying power to the opening / closing motor 37. As a result, the opening / closing motor 37 loses its driving force and rotates in the reverse direction due to the biasing force of the biasing unit 38. This causes the cover 35 to open the upper end opening of the air passage 33 and the ventilation opening 31.

[0047] In this way, when the ventilation opening 31 is opened, the storage section 5 communicates with the outside, and air inside the storage section 5 can enter and exit as shown by arrow A. Therefore, the clothing processing device 100 can connect the inside and outside of the storage section 5 and exchange the air inside the storage section 5 with outside air.

[0048] The garment processing device 100 has a dehumidifying unit 10 in the air processing device 6 and a steam generating unit 16 in the steam supply device 13, and has water channels for supplying and draining water to these. Even if steam is generated to remove wrinkles from the garment 4, and the garment 4 is dehumidified and dried, the parts of the garment processing device 100 to which moisture adheres may not dry completely and moisture may remain. In addition, some garments 4 to be processed may contain odors from use, and even if deodorization is performed, odors may adhere to and remain on the inner wall of the containment unit 5 and the air passage 12, etc.

[0049] However, as in this embodiment, by replacing the air inside the containment section 5 with outside air, these remaining moisture or odors can be discharged and prevented from accumulating inside the containment section.

[0050] Furthermore, by providing at least one ventilation opening 31 in the case 5a of the storage section 5, the air inside the storage section 5 is replaced due to temperature differences or differences in the concentration of various substances inside and outside.

[0051] [1-4. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the garment processing apparatus 100 comprises a housing 1 having an outer shell 2 having an opening on the front and a storage section 5 for accommodating the items to be processed 4, a door 3 for opening and closing the opening, a holding section (suspension section 8) for holding the items to be processed 4 within the storage section 5, an air processing apparatus 6 for processing and circulating the air within the storage section 5, a steam supply apparatus 13 for supplying steam into the storage section 5, a vent 31 provided in the case 5a forming the storage section 5 and connecting the inside and outside of the case 5a, an opening / closing device 32 for opening and closing the vent 31, and a control unit 40 for executing processing operations, wherein the vent 31 is opened after the operation is completed.

[0052] This configuration allows the garment processing device 100 to communicate the inside and outside of the storage section 5, thereby exchanging the air inside the storage section 5 with outside air. This prevents moisture remaining in the air processing device or odors adhering to the inner wall and air duct of the storage section from accumulating inside the storage section.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the opening and closing device 32 of the garment processing apparatus 100 includes a lid 35 that opens and closes the ventilation opening 31, an opening and closing motor 37 that drives the lid 35 in the closing direction, and a biasing unit 38 that biases the lid 35 in the opening direction.

[0054] With this configuration, the vent 31 is closed by energizing the opening / closing motor 37 during processing operation, and the vent 31 is opened simply by stopping the power supply to the opening / closing motor 37. Therefore, there is no need to drive the opening / closing motor 37 when the operation is stopped, and the vent 31 can always be opened when the operation is stopped.

[0055] (Embodiment 2) [2-1. Structure and Function] Embodiment 1 described a configuration in which one ventilation opening 31 is provided in the case 5a of the housing section 5. However, for ventilation, multiple openings are more effective, especially if they are provided both vertically and horizontally.

[0056] In the garment processing device 100, in addition to the configuration described in Embodiment 1, an additional vent 31 may be provided at the bottom of the case 5a, for example. Alternatively, it may be provided in the air passage 12 of the air processing device 6, and in particular, it may be provided near the intake port 12a or the outlet port 12b. An example of providing it near the intake port 12a will be described below. Note that the configuration and operation of the garment processing device 100 described in Embodiment 1 are the same and will be used by reference.

[0057] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the air treatment device 6 and steam supply device 13 shown in Figure 4, with an additional communication port 61 added. The communication port 61 is connected to the air supply passage 12 via a connecting passage 62. This connecting passage 62 may also constitute an overflow channel in the drainage tank 18, which discharges wastewater into the air supply passage 12 when the tank overflows and directs it to a water collection section 19 that drains condensed water from the dehumidification section 10. The overflow port 18a of the drainage tank 18 and the connecting passage 62 are not connected in a watertight manner like the connection part 14a of the water supply section 14, and the communication port 61 is configured to be open to the space of the machine room 7 or tank housing section 81 that communicates with the outside air. In other words, the communication port 61 may be provided in the overflow channel.

[0058] When the garment processing device 100 is stopped, the vent 31 is open. During the processing operation of the workpiece 4, the control unit 40 drives the opening / closing motor 37 to close the vent 31.

[0059] When the processing operation is completed, the control unit 40 stops supplying power to the switching motor 37. As a result, the opening / closing motor 37 loses its driving force and rotates in the reverse direction due to the biasing force of the biasing unit 38. This causes the lid 35 to open the upper end opening of the air passage 33 and the vent 31. With the vent 31 opened in this way, the housing 5 communicates with the outside, and air can enter and exit the housing 5 as shown by arrow A.

[0060] Furthermore, the communication opening 61 added in this embodiment allows the ventilation opening 31 at the top and the communication opening 61 at the bottom to act as air inlets and outlets for each other through the storage section 5 and the air duct 12. As a result, the garment processing device 100 can more efficiently exchange the air inside the storage section 5 with outside air by connecting the inside and outside of the storage section 5 through multiple openings at the top and bottom. This effectively prevents moisture remaining in the air processing device 6 or odors adhering to the inner wall of the storage section 5 and the air duct 12 from accumulating inside the storage section 5.

[0061] Furthermore, the connecting passage 62 can be used as both an overflow channel that drains condensed water from the dehumidifying section 10 to the water collection section 19, and the connecting port 61 can be used as an overflow channel for the drainage tank 18. This eliminates the need to provide each separately, thus reducing the cost burden.

[0062] [2-2. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the garment processing apparatus 100 comprises a housing 1 having an outer shell 2 having an opening on the front and a storage section 5 for accommodating the items to be processed 4, and a door 3 for opening and closing the opening, a holding section (suspension section 8) for holding the items to be processed 4 within the storage section 5, an air processing apparatus 6 for processing and circulating the air within the storage section 5, a steam supply apparatus 13 for supplying steam into the storage section 5, a vent 31 provided in the case 5a forming the storage section 5 to connect the inside and outside of the case 5a, an opening / closing device 32 for opening and closing the vent 31, and a control unit 40 for executing processing operations. Furthermore, the lower part of the storage section 5 or the air passage 12 of the air processing apparatus 6 has a communication port 61 that communicates with the outside air, and the vent 31 is opened after the operation is completed.

[0063] This configuration allows the garment processing device 100 to communicate the inside and outside of the storage section 5 through multiple openings at the top and bottom, enabling more efficient exchange of air inside the storage section 5 with outside air. This effectively prevents moisture remaining in the air processing device 6 or odors adhering to the inner wall of the storage section 5 and the air duct 12 from accumulating inside the storage section 5.

[0064] Furthermore, the system may also include a drainage tank 18 for storing condensed water generated during the treatment operation, and the communication port 61 provided in the air supply passage 12 may be provided in the overflow passage connecting the drainage tank 18 to the air supply passage 12.

[0065] This configuration eliminates the need to individually install the communication port 61 as an overflow channel for the drainage tank 18, thereby reducing the cost burden.

[0066] (Other embodiments) As described above, Embodiments 1 and 2 have been explained as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited thereto and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted. Furthermore, it is possible to create new embodiments by combining the components described in Embodiment 1 above.

[0067] Therefore, other embodiments are illustrated below.

[0068] In Embodiment 2, as an example of the garment processing device 100, a single communication port 61 that communicates with the outside air is provided in the air supply passage 12, with the communication passage 62 also serving as an overflow passage. However, the device is not limited to this, and multiple communication ports 61 may be provided in the storage section 5 and the air supply passage 12, etc. With this configuration, the garment processing device 100 communicates with the inside and outside of the storage section 5. By connecting these openings, the air inside the containment section 5 can be exchanged with outside air more efficiently.

[0069] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the opening and closing device 32 is configured such that the lid 35 is closed by an opening and closing motor 37 and opened by a biasing unit 38, but it is not limited to this configuration. For example, it may be configured so that the lid can be closed and opened by the opening and closing motor 37 alone.

[0070] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the lid 35 is configured to slide to open and close the vent 31, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the lid 35 may be a rotating type with a hinge on one side. [Industrial applicability]

[0071] This disclosure is applicable to a garment processing device that suspends and stores garments and other items to be processed, and smooths out wrinkles in the fabric of the garments after they have been worn, folded and stored, washed, and washed and dried. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 1 cabinet 2 Outer shell 3 doors 3a Sealing member 4. Items to be processed 5. Storage Area 5a Case 6. Air treatment equipment 7 Machine room 8 Suspension part (holding part) 8a shelf 9. Air heating section 10 Dehumidification section 11. Air blower 11a Fan 11b Motor 12 Airflow passage 12a Inlet 12b Air outlet 13 Steam supply device 14 Water supply section 14a Connection part 14b Water supply pump 14c water supply pipe 15 Water tank 16 Steam generation section 16a container 16b Water heating section 17 Steam discharge section 17a Steam piping 17b Discharge port 18 Drainage tank 19. Water collection area 20 Drainage pumps 31 Ventilation holes 32 Switching device 33 Air passage section 34 Seal part 35 Lid 36 links 37 Opening / closing motor 38. Encouraging part 40 Control Unit 41 Operation section 42 Open / close detection unit 50 Water level detection unit 61 Connecting opening 62 Communication path 80 Liquid Tank System 81 Tank housing 100 Garment Processing Equipment

Claims

1. An outer shell having a storage compartment for storing clothing and an opening on the front, and a door for opening and closing the opening, A housing having, A holding section for holding the clothing within the storage section, An air treatment device for treating and circulating the air in the aforementioned containment section, A steam supply device that supplies steam into the aforementioned storage section, A ventilation opening is provided in the case forming the aforementioned housing section, which connects the inside and outside of the case. The system comprises an opening / closing device for opening and closing the aforementioned vent, and a control unit for performing processing operations. The opening and closing device comprises a lid that opens and closes the vent, an opening and closing motor that drives the lid, and a biasing unit that biases the lid. The garment processing apparatus comprises a control unit which, when the opening / closing motor is energized during processing, moves the lid in a direction that closes the vent, and when the power to the opening / closing motor is stopped after the operation is completed, moves the lid in a direction that opens the vent by the biasing unit.

2. The garment processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication port in the lower part of the housing or in the air passage of the air processing apparatus that communicates with the outside air.

3. Furthermore, the system is equipped with a drainage tank for storing condensed water generated by the processing operation, The garment processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication port provided in the airflow passage is provided in the overflow passage connected from the drain tank to the airflow passage.

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