Clothes treatment apparatus

Abstract

A clothes treatment apparatus is provided. The clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet having an inlet on a front surface thereof, a drum provided to be rotatable inside the cabinet, and a drive device configured to rotate the drum, wherein at least a portion of the cabinet is formed of a vibration damping steel plate including a steel sheet and a viscoelastic resin provided on one surface of the steel sheet.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application is a continuation application, claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. § 365(c), of an International application No. PCT / KR 2024 / 011681, filed on Aug. 7, 2024, which is based on and claims the benefit of a Korean patent application number 10-2023-0136039, filed on Oct. 12, 2023, in the Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND1. Field

[0002] The disclosure relates to a clothes treatment apparatus.2. Description of Related Art

[0003] A clothes treatment apparatus refers to a device that treats laundry by washing or drying such clothes. The clothes treatment apparatus includes a washing machine, a dryer, a combination washer and dryer, and the like.

[0004] A washing machine is a device that washes clothes or bedding or the like using moisture, and a dryer is a device that dries clothes or bedding or the like by removing moisture. The clothes treatment apparatus may include a drum therein. The drum may form a washing chamber or a drying chamber inside a cabinet.

[0005] As the drum rotates, clothes may be washed or dried inside the washing chamber or drying chamber. Upon rotation of the drum, the clothes received therein may be rotated and moved by a lifter to increase the efficiency of the washing and drying process. In some cases, when a clothes treatment apparatus is arranged and used indoors, inconvenience may occur due to noise or vibration.

[0006] During the process of rotation of the drum, depending on the type of clothes, noise may be generated as clothes collide with the drum inside. In addition, noise from other electrical components, such as a motor, may also be added to the noise. In this time, reducing the noise generated by the clothes treatment apparatus may increase the ease of user for the user.

[0007] With the trend of developing and applying eco-friendly technologies to products, the thickness of the frame, which forms the majority of the appearance of the clothes treatment apparatus, may be reduced. As the thickness decreases, noise and vibration reduction performance may be degraded or dents may occur.

[0008] The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.SUMMARY

[0009] Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and / or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide a clothes treatment apparatus that reduces noise and vibration.

[0010] Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a clothes treatment apparatus including a frame with high impact resistance and dent resistance.

[0011] Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a clothes treatment apparatus that is eco-friendly and may reduce manufacturing costs by reducing the amount of steel sheet used.

[0012] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

[0013] In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a clothes treatment apparatus is provided. The clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet having an inlet on a front surface thereof, a drum provided to be rotatable inside the cabinet, and a drive device configured to rotate the drum, wherein at least a portion of the cabinet is formed of a vibration damping steel plate including a steel sheet and a viscoelastic resin provided on one surface of the steel sheet.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a clothes treatment apparatus is provided. The clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet, a drum provided to be rotatable within the cabinet, and a drive device configured to rotate the drum, wherein the cabinet includes a side frame including at least one bead and forming a side surface of the cabinet, wherein the side frame includes a vibration damping steel plate including a steel sheet and a viscoelastic resin in contact with the steel sheet, and wherein a thickness of the steel sheet is 0.5 mm or more and 0.65 mm or less.

[0015] According to the disclosure, noise and vibration generated from the clothes treatment apparatus is reduced.

[0016] According to the disclosure, manufacturing costs are reduced, and an environmentally friendly, impact-resistant and dent-resistant are obtained.

[0017] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses various embodiments of the disclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a side frame of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0024] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a vibration damping steel plate applied to a cabinet of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0025] Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0027] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0028] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

[0029] In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

[0030] In the disclosure, phrases, such as “A or B,”“at least one of A and B,”“at least one of A or B,”“A, B or C,”“at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

[0031] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0032] Terms such as “1st,”“2nd,”“primary,” or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the element in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

[0033] When an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being “(functionally or communicatively) coupled” or “connected” to another element (e.g., a second element), the first element may be connected to the second element, directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third element.

[0034] It will be understood that when the terms “includes,”“comprises,”“including,” and / or “comprising” are used in the disclosure, they specify the presence of the specified features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

[0035] When a given element is referred to as being “connected to,”“coupled to,”“supported by” or “in contact with” another element, it is to be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element. When a given element is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element through a third element.

[0036] It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.

[0037] A washing machine according to various embodiments may perform washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying processes. The washing machine is an example of a clothes treatment apparatus, and the clothes treatment apparatus may be a concept including a device capable of washing clothes (objects to be washed, and laundry), a device capable of drying clothes, and a device capable of washing and drying clothes.

[0038] The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a top-loading washing machine in which a laundry inlet for inserting or removing laundry is provided to face upward, or a front-loading washing machine in which a laundry inlet is provided to face forward. The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a washing machine of a loading type other than the top-loading washing machine and the front-loading washing machine.

[0039] For the top-loading washing machine, laundry may be washed using water current generated by a rotating body such as a pulsator. For the front-loading washing machine, laundry may be washed by repeatedly lifting and lowering laundry by rotating a drum. The front-loading washing machine may include a dryer combined washing machine capable of drying laundry stored in a drum. The dryer combined washing machine may include a hot air supply device for supplying high-temperature air into the drum and a condensing device for removing moisture from air discharged from the drum. For example, the dryer combined washing machine may include a heat pump device. The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a washing machine using a washing method other than the above-described washing method.

[0040] The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a housing accommodating various components therein. The housing may be provided in the form of a box including a laundry inlet on one side thereof.

[0041] The washing machine may include a door for opening and closing the laundry inlet. The door may be rotatably mounted to the housing by a hinge. At least a portion of the door may be transparent or translucent to allow the inside of the housing to be visible.

[0042] The washing machine may include a tub disposed within the housing to store water. The tub may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a tub opening formed on one side thereof. The tub may be disposed inside the housing in such a way that the tub opening corresponds to the laundry inlet.

[0043] The tub may be connected to the housing by a damper. The damper may absorb vibration generated when the drum rotates, and the damper may reduce vibration transmitted to the housing.

[0044] The washing machine may include a drum provided to accommodate laundry.

[0045] The drum may be disposed inside the tub such that a drum opening provided on one side of the drum corresponds to the laundry inlet and the tub opening. Laundry may pass sequentially through the laundry inlet, the tub opening, and the drum opening and then be received in the drum or removed from the drum.

[0046] The drum may perform each operation according to washing, rinsing, and / or spin-drying while rotating in the tub. A plurality of through holes may be formed in a cylindrical wall of the drum to allow water stored in the tub to be introduced into or to be discharged from the drum.

[0047] The washing machine may include a driving device configured to rotate the drum. The driving device may include a drive motor and a rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force generated by the drive motor to the drum. The rotating shaft may penetrate the tub to be connected to the drum.

[0048] The driving device may perform respective operations according to washing, rinsing, and / or spin-drying, or drying processes by rotating the drum in a forward or reverse direction.

[0049] The washing machine may include a water supply device configured to supply water to the tub. The water supply device may include a water supply pipe and a water supply valve disposed in the water supply pipe. The water supply pipe may be connected to an external water supply source. The water supply pipe may extend from an external water supply source to a detergent supply device and / or the tub. Water may be supplied to the tub through the detergent supply device. Alternatively, water may be supplied to the tub without passing through the detergent supply device.

[0050] The water supply valve may open or close the water supply pipe in response to an electrical signal from a controller. The water supply valve may allow or block the supply of water to the tub from an external water supply source. The water supply valve may include a solenoid valve configured to open or close in response to an electrical signal.

[0051] The washing machine may include the detergent supply device configured to supply detergent to the tub. The detergent supply device may include a manual detergent supply device that requires a user to enter detergent to be used for each washing, and an automatic detergent supply device that stores a large amount of detergent and automatically adds a predetermined amount of detergent during washing. The detergent supply device may include a detergent container for storing detergent. The detergent supply device may be configured to supply detergent into the tub during a water supply process. Water supplied through the water supply pipe may be mixed with detergent via the detergent supply device. Water mixed with detergent may be supplied into the tub. Detergent is used as a term including detergent for pre-washing, detergent for main washing, fabric softener, bleach, etc., and the detergent container may be partitioned into a storage region for the pre-washing detergent, a storage region for the main washing detergent, a storage region for the fabric softener, and a storage region for the bleach.

[0052] The washing machine may include a drainage device configured to discharge water contained in the tub to the outside. The drainage device may include a drain pipe extending from a bottom of the tub to the outside of the housing, a drain valve disposed on the drain pipe to open or close the drain pipe, and a pump disposed on the drain pipe. The pump may pump water from the drain pipe to the outside of the housing.

[0053] The washing machine may include a control panel disposed on one side of the housing. The control panel may provide a user interface for interaction between a user and the washing machine. The user interface may include at least one input interface and at least one output interface.

[0054] The at least one input interface may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.

[0055] The at least one input interface may include a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial (or a course selection button), and a washing / rinsing / spin-drying setting button. The at least one input interface may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and / or a microphone.

[0056] The at least one output interface may visually or audibly transmit information related to the operation of the washing machine to a user.

[0057] For example, the at least one output interface may transmit information related to a washing course, operation time of the washing machine, and washing / rinsing / spin-drying settings to the user. Information about the operation of the washing machine may be output via a screen, an indicator, or a voice. The at least one output interface may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, or a speaker.

[0058] The washing machine may include a communication module for wired and / or wireless communication with an external device.

[0059] The communication module may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module and a long-range wireless communication module.

[0060] The communication module may transmit data to an external device (e.g., a server, a user device, and / or a home appliance) or receive data from the external device. For example, the communication module may establish communication with a server and / or a user device and / or a home appliance, and transmit and receive various types of data.

[0061] For the communication, the communication module may establish a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the external devices, and support the performance of the communication through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the communication module may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module may communicate with an external device through a first network (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a fifth generation (5G) network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be integrated as a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., multiple chips).

[0062] The short-range wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, and a Zigbee communication module, an IrDA communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, an ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0063] The long-range wireless communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-range wireless communication, and may include a mobile communication circuitry. The mobile communication circuitry transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server in a mobile communication network.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the communication module may communicate with an external device such as a server, a user device and other home appliances through an access point (AP). The AP may connect a LAN, to which a washing machine or a user device is connected, to a WAN to which a server is connected. The washing machine or the user device may be connected to the server via the WAN. The controller may control various components of the washing machine (e.g., the drive motor, and the water supply valve). The controller may control various components of the washing machine to perform at least one operation including water supply, washing, rinsing, and / or spin-drying according to a user input. For example, the controller may control the drive motor to adjust the rotational speed of the drum or control the water supply valve of the water supply device to supply water to the tub.

[0065] The controller may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the controller may include at least one memory for storing an algorithm and program-type data for controlling the operation of components in the washing machine, and at least one processor configured to perform the above-mentioned operation by using the data stored in the at least one memory. The memory and the processor may each be implemented as separate chips. The processor may include one or more processor chips or may include one or more processing cores. The memory may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.

[0066] It should be appreciated that the blocks in each flowchart and combinations of the flowcharts may be performed by one or more computer programs which include instructions. The entirety of the one or more computer programs may be stored in a single memory device or the one or more computer programs may be divided with different portions stored in different multiple memory devices.

[0067] Any of the functions or operations described herein can be processed by one processor or a combination of processors. The one processor or the combination of processors is circuitry performing processing and includes circuitry like an application processor (AP, e.g. a central processing unit (CPU)), a communication processor (CP, e.g., a modem), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU) (e.g., an artificial intelligence (AI) chip), a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) chip, a Bluetooth®chip, a global positioning system (GPS) chip, a near field communication (NFC) chip, connectivity chips, a sensor controller, a touch controller, a finger-print sensor controller, a display driver integrated circuit (IC), an audio CODEC chip, a universal serial bus (USB) controller, a camera controller, an image processing IC, a microprocessor unit (MPU), a system on chip (SoC), an IC, or the like.

[0068] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0069] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a clothes treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0070] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the clothes treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0071] The clothes treatment apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be, for example, a washing machine 1a. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the washing machine 1a may include a cabinet 11 that accommodates various components therein. The cabinet 11 may be provided in the form of a box with an inlet (or an opening) 12 formed on one side.

[0072] The washing machine 1a may include a front frame 11a forming a front surface. The inlet 12 may be formed in the front frame 11a. The washing machine 1a may include a door 13 for opening and closing the inlet 12. The door 13 may be rotatably mounted to the cabinet 11 by a hinge. At least a portion of the door 13 may include a transparent or translucent portion to allow viewing of the interior.

[0073] The washing machine 1a may include a tub 20 provided inside the cabinet 11 to store water. The tub 20 may be provided in a substantially cylindrical shape with a tub opening 22 formed on one side, and may be disposed inside the cabinet 11 such that the tub opening 22 is positioned to correspond to the inlet 12.

[0074] The tub 20 may be connected to the cabinet 11 by a damper 29. The damper 29 may absorb vibrations generated during rotation of a drum 100a to attenuate vibrations transmitted to the cabinet 11.

[0075] The washing machine 1a may include the drum 100a configured to receive laundry.

[0076] The drum 100a may be disposed inside the tub 20 such that a drum opening 111a provided on one side corresponds to the inlet 12 and the tub opening 22. Laundry may be inserted into or removed from the drum 100a by passing sequentially through the inlet 12, the tub opening 22, and the drum opening 111a.

[0077] The drum 100a may include the drum opening 111a provided for loading or unloading laundry. At least one lifter 35 may be installed on an inner circumferential surface of the drum 100a to allow the laundry to be lifted and dropped as the drum 100a rotates.

[0078] The washing machine 1a may include a drive device 40 configured to rotate the drum 100a. The drive device 40 may include a drive motor and a rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force generated from the drive motor to the drum 100a. The rotating shaft may pass through the tub 20 and be connected to the drum 100a.

[0079] The cabinet 11 may include side frames 11b on opposite sides to protect the parts and other electrical components disposed inside and to form an exterior appearance. The side frame 11b may have a substantially wide plate shape.

[0080] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the clothes treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0081] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the clothes treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the clothes treatment apparatus 1 may, for example, be a dryer 1b. The dryer 1b may include a cabinet 61 that accommodates various components therein. The cabinet 61 may be provided in the form of a box with an inlet formed on one side.

[0083] The dryer 1b may include a front frame 61a forming a front surface. An inlet 62 may be formed in the front frame 61a. The dryer 1b may include a door 63 for opening and closing the inlet 62. The door 63 may be rotatably mounted to the cabinet 61 by a hinge. At least a portion of the door 63 may include a transparent or translucent portion to allow viewing of the interior.

[0084] The cabinet 61 may include side frames 61b on opposite sides to protect the parts and other electrical components disposed inside and to form an exterior appearance. The side frame 61b may have a substantially wide plate shape.

[0085] The dryer 1b may include a drum 100b configured to receive laundry, and may include a drum opening 111b provided for insertion of laundry. The drum 100b may be disposed inside the cabinet 61 such that the drum opening 111b provided on one side corresponds to the inlet 62. Laundry may be inserted into or removed from the drum 100b by passing sequentially through the inlet 62 and the drum opening 111b. The drum 100b may be rotatably provided inside the cabinet 61.

[0086] The dryer 1b may include a drive device 90 configured to rotate the drum. The drive device 90 may include a drive motor and a rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force generated from the drive motor to the drum.

[0087] The drum 100b may include a discharge hole 121 through which air is drawn into the interior of the drum 100b. The air in the drum 100b may be discharged to an outside of the drum 100b through the drum opening 111b. The discharge hole 121 may be located on a side opposite to the side on which the drum opening 111b of the drum 100b is located. In an example, the discharge hole 121 may be located at a rear side of the drum 100b, and the drum opening 111b may be located at a front side of the drum 100b.

[0088] At least one lifter 85 may be provided inside the drum 100b. The lifter 85 may lift and drop an object, causing the object to contact hot air while suspended in the space inside the drum 100b.

[0089] A heat pump for heating and condensing air may be provided inside the cabinet 61. An evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, an expansion device, and the like, which constitute the heat pump, may be arranged on a lower portion of the drum 100b.

[0090] In a drying mode, a closed flow path may be formed inside the cabinet of the dryer 1b. Here, the closed flow path may be a movement path of air (see arrows in FIG. 4) through which air in the cabinet 61 is configured to circulate the heat pump and the drum.

[0091] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a side frame of a cabinet of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 5, the side frames 11b; 61b of the cabinet 11; 61 may form an outer surface of the cabinet 11; 61 and may be directly exposed to impacts from the outside. In addition, the side frames 11b; 61b may be directly exposed to impacts generated inside the cabinet 11; 61. Thus, the side frames 11b; 61b may need to be formed from a material with sufficiently high strength. To increase the strength, a material itself may be used as with a high strength material, or the thickness of the frame may be increased. However, this may cause problems such as an increase in manufacturing costs.

[0093] To address such problems, the side frames 11b; 61b may include at least one bead 14; 64. The bead 14; 64 may be recessed toward an inner or outer direction of the cabinet 11; 61. The bead 14; 64 may improve the mechanical strength of the side frames 11b; 61b, and the thickness of the material required for forming may be reduced. Accordingly, the amount of raw material used may be reduced, and may be helpful in reducing the weight of the product.

[0094] Furthermore, when the thickness of the material used for the side frames 11b; 61b is thin, the lack of rigidity may cause the side frames 11b; 61b to be depressed and dented even when a small amount of pressure is applied. By adding the bead 14; 64 to the side frames 11b; 61b, the dents in the side frames 11b; 61b may be prevented.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 5, the bead 14; 64 of the side frames 11b; 61b is shown to have a substantially annular ring shape, but the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the bead 14; 64 may be formed in various shapes, such as elongated longitudinally or radially.

[0096] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a vibration damping steel plate applied to a cabinet of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 6, when the clothes treatment apparatus 1 is operated indoors, a user may feel uncomfortable due to noise and vibration generated by laundry colliding with the drum 100a; 100b, or due to noise and vibration generated by electrical components of the clothes treatment apparatus 1, such as the drive device.

[0098] To address such issues, at least a portion of the cabinet 11; 61 of the clothes treatment apparatus 1 may be formed of the vibration damping steel plate 140. More specifically, the side frames 11b; 61b of the cabinet 11; 61 may include the vibration damping steel plate 140 made of a steel sheet 141 and a viscoelastic resin 142. However, it is not necessary that only the side frames 11b; 61b have the vibration damping steel plate 140 applied, and the front frames 11a; 61a and the rear frames 11c; 61c may also include the vibration damping steel plate 140 as long as it does not affect the forming process. In this case, noise and vibration may be further reduced.

[0099] The vibration damping steel plate 140 may be an unconstrained vibration damping steel plate with the steel sheet 141 and the viscoelastic resin 142 bonded thereto. The vibration damping steel plate 140 may convert vibration energy into thermal energy when an external force, such as noise and vibration, is applied to the vibration damping steel plate 140. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other words, the cabinet 11; 61 may include a constrained vibration damping steel plate.

[0100] When an unconstrained vibration damping steel plate is used as the vibration damping steel plate 140, the viscoelastic resin 142 of the vibration damping steel plate 140 of the side frames 11b; 61b may be provided toward an inner side of the cabinet 11; 61. In addition, the steel sheet 141 of the vibration damping steel plate 140 of the side frames 11b; 61b may be provided toward an outer side of the cabinet 11; 61.

[0101] The outer side of the side frames 11b; 61b may be coated by a pre-coated-metal (PCM) method. The PCM method may be configured as a process using the side frames 11b; 61b and an organic coating layer. The process may be carried out by applying a paint to a surface of the side frames 11b; 61b and heating and curing the paint to a certain temperature. However, the method of coating the side frames 11b; 61b of the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0102] The viscoelastic resin 142 of the vibration damping steel plate 140 may specifically include an acrylic-based or polyester-based viscoelastic resin. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0103] One surface 142a of the viscoelastic resin may be in contact with the steel sheet 141 through the adhesion of the viscoelastic resin 142. Furthermore, in the clothes treatment apparatus 1, the other surface 142b of the viscoelastic resin of the side frames 11b; 61b may be arranged to face the interior of the cabinet 11; 61.

[0104] In case the viscoelastic resin 142 melts, it may affect the electrical components inside the cabinet 11; 61. Thus, the viscoelastic resin 142 may be subject to curing.

[0105] When a thickness d2 of the viscoelastic resin 142 is excessively thick, the strength of the vibration damping steel plate 140 may be reduced, which may result in increased noise. And, when it is excessively thin, the vibration damping effect may be reduced. Thus, the thickness d2 of the viscoelastic resin 142 may be 20 μm or more and 100 μm or less. However, the thickness d2 of the viscoelastic resin 142 is not necessarily limited thereto, and it is sufficient that it is formed to reduce noise and secure appropriate strength.

[0106] When a thickness d1 of the steel sheet 141 is excessively thick, there may be difficulties in forming the bead 14; 64 or in combining with other configurations. Further, when it is excessively thin, the strength of the vibration damping steel plate 140 may not be secured. Accordingly, the thickness d1 of the steel sheet 141 may be 500 μm or more and 650 μm or less. However, the thickness d1 of the steel sheet 141 is not necessarily limited thereto, and it is sufficient to secure the adequate strength of the side frames 11b; 61b and to reduce noise for improved ease of use.

[0107] The side frames 11b; 61b may be provided in a plurality to cover both side surfaces of the clothes treatment apparatus 1, and may be formed equally or symmetrically in shape. Accordingly, manufacturing costs may be reduced.

[0108] When a ratio of the thickness d2 of the viscoelastic resin 142 to the thickness d1 of the steel sheet 141 is excessively large, the strength of the vibration damping steel plate 140 may be reduced, which may result in increased noise. Further, when the ratio d2 / d1 of the thickness d2 of the viscoelastic resin 142 to the thickness d1 of the steel sheet 141 is excessively small, there may be difficulties in the forming process of the bead 14; 64, or the vibration damping effect may be reduced.

[0109] Therefore, the ratio d2 / d1 of the thickness d2 of the viscoelastic resin 142 to the thickness d1 of the steel sheet 141 may be 1 / 35 or more and 1 / 5 or less.

[0110] To secure sufficient impact resistance and dent resistance of the vibration damping steel plate 140, a high-strength steel sheet with a high yield strength may be used for the vibration damping steel plate 140. Specifically, a high-strength steel sheet with a yield strength of 280 MPa or more and 380 MPa or less may be used.

[0111] When the yield strength of the steel sheet 141 is excessively high, the elongation may be reduced. A lower elongation may result in damage to the vibration damping steel plate 140, such as cracks, during the forming process of the bead 14; 64 of the vibration damping steel plate 140 or during the joining with other configurations. Conversely, when the yield strength is excessively low, the strength of the vibration damping steel plate 140 may not be secured and may not provide sufficient impact resistance. Accordingly, the yield strength of the steel sheet 141 used for the vibration damping steel plate 140 may be greater than or equal to 280 MPa and less than or equal to 380 MPa.

[0112] The steel sheet 141 may mainly use carbon steel containing carbon. When the carbon content in the steel sheet 141 is excessively high, it may be a hard steel sheet and may be difficult to machine. Conversely, when the carbon content in the steel sheet 141 is low, it may be a soft steel sheet, which is easy to machine but may not be strong enough to protect the electrical components inside the cabinet 11; 61 from impact. Accordingly, the carbon content of the steel sheet 141 used for the vibration damping steel plate 140 may be 1 ppm or more and 100 ppm or less.

[0113] The vibration damping steel plate 140 used for the side frames 11b; 61b may include the bead 14; 64. To secure the formability of the vibration damping steel plate 140 for forming the bead 14; 64 on the vibration damping steel plate 140, the elongation of the steel sheet 141 may be 30% or more and 50% or less.

[0114] The side frames 11b; 61b may have all of the above-described characteristics of the vibration damping steel plate 140, the steel sheet 141, and the viscoelastic resin 142, and may also be formed with the vibration damping steel plate 140 that does not satisfy some of characteristics, as long as the performance is secured according to the combination of each.

[0115] The clothes treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the cabinet 11; 61 having an inlet 12; 62 on a front thereof, the drum 100a; 100b rotatably provided inside the cabinet 11; 61, and the drive device 40; 90 configured to rotate the drum 100a; 100b, wherein at least a portion of the cabinet 11; 61 is formed of the vibration damping steel plate 140 comprising the steel sheet 141 and the viscoelastic resin 142 provided on one surface of the steel sheet 141.

[0116] One surface 142a of the viscoelastic resin 142 may be configured to be bonded to the steel sheet.

[0117] The thickness d1 of the steel sheet 141 may be 0.5 mm or more and 0.65 mm or less.

[0118] The thickness d2 of the viscoelastic resin 142 may be 20 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0119] The ratio of the thickness d2 of the viscoelastic resin 142 to the thickness d1 of the steel sheet 141 may be 1 / 35 or more and 1 / 5 or less.

[0120] The yield strength of the steel sheet 141 may be 280 MPa or more and 380 MPa or less.

[0121] The carbon content of the steel sheet 141 may be 1 ppm or more and 100 ppm or less.

[0122] The viscoelastic resin 142 may include polyester.

[0123] The elongation of the vibration damping steel plate 140 may be 30% or more and 50% or less.

[0124] The cabinet 11; 61 may include the side frame 11b; 61b including at least one bead 14; 64 and constituting a portion of an exterior of the cabinet 11; 61.

[0125] The viscoelastic resin 142 may include a foamed resin layer in which foam pores are formed.

[0126] The clothes treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the cabinet 11; 61, the drum 100a; 100b rotatably provided within the cabinet 11; 61, and the drive device 40; 90 configured to rotate the drum 100a; 100b, wherein the cabinet 11; 61 includes a side frame including at least one bead 14; 64 and forming a side surface of the cabinet 11; 61, wherein the side frame 11b; 61b includes the vibration damping steel plate 140 comprising the steel sheet 141 and the viscoelastic resin 142 in contact with the steel sheet 141, wherein the thickness d1 of the steel sheet 141 may be 0.5 mm or more and 0.65 mm or less.

[0127] The thickness d2 of the viscoelastic resin 142 may be 20 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

[0128] The yield strength of the steel sheet 141 may be 280 MPa or more and 380 MPa or less.

[0129] The carbon content of the steel sheet 141 may be 1 ppm or more and 100 ppm or less, and the elongation of the steel sheet 141 may be 30% or more and 50% or less.

[0130] The viscoelastic resin 142 may include a foamed resin layer in which foam pores are formed and polyester.

[0131] While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A clothes treatment apparatus, comprising:a cabinet having an inlet on a front surface thereof;a drum provided to be rotatable inside the cabinet; anda drive device configured to rotate the drum,wherein at least a portion of the cabinet is formed of a vibration damping steel plate comprising a steel sheet and a viscoelastic resin provided on one surface of the steel sheet.

2. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein one surface of the viscoelastic resin is configured to be bonded to the steel sheet.

3. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 2, wherein a thickness of the steel sheet is 0.5 mm or more and 0.65 mm or less.

4. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 2, wherein a thickness of the viscoelastic resin is 20 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

5. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 2, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the viscoelastic resin to a thickness of the steel sheet is 1 / 35 or more and 1 / 5 or less.

6. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 2, wherein a yield strength of the steel sheet is 280 MPa or more and 380 MPa or less.

7. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 2, wherein a carbon content of the steel sheet is 1 ppm or more and 100 ppm or less.

8. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 4, wherein the viscoelastic resin comprises polyester.

9. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 2, wherein an elongation of the vibration damping steel plate is 30% or more and 50% or less.

10. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cabinet comprises a side frame including at least one bead and constituting a portion of an exterior of the cabinet.

11. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 2, wherein the viscoelastic resin comprises a foamed resin layer in which foam pores are formed.

12. A clothes treatment apparatus, comprising:a cabinet;a drum provided to be rotatable within the cabinet; anda drive device configured to rotate the drum,wherein the cabinet comprises a side frame including at least one bead and forming a side surface of the cabinet,wherein the side frame comprises a vibration damping steel plate comprising a steel sheet and a viscoelastic resin in contact with the steel sheet, andwherein a thickness of the steel sheet is 0.5 mm or more and 0.65 mm or less.

13. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 12, wherein a thickness of the viscoelastic resin is 20 μm or more and 100 μm or less.

14. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 13, wherein a yield strength of the steel sheet is 280 MPa or more and 380 MPa or less.

15. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 14, wherein a carbon content of the steel sheet is 1 ppm or more and 100 ppm or less, and an elongation of the steel sheet is 30% or more and 50% or less.

16. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 12, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the viscoelastic resin to a thickness of the steel sheet is 1 / 35 or more and 1 / 5 or less.

17. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 12, wherein the viscoelastic resin comprises polyester.

18. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 12, wherein an elongation of the vibration damping steel plate is 30% or more and 50% or less.

19. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 12, wherein the viscoelastic resin comprises a foamed resin layer in which foam pores are formed.

20. The clothes treatment apparatus of claim 12, wherein the cabinet comprises a side frame including at least one bead and constituting a portion of an exterior of the cabinet.

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