Laundry treating apparatus and method for controlling laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus wherein when a drying process is performed, the operation of a compressor is maintained until the drying process ends or clothing is completely dried, and a first heater or a second heater is operated together such that the temperature inside an inner case is raised to a set temperature or higher during the operation of the compressor.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is the National Phase of PCT International Application No. PCT / KR2024 / 001257, filed on Jan. 26, 2024, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) to Patent Application No. 10-2023-0010710, filed in the Republic of Korea on Jan. 27, 2023, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus and a method for controlling the same. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus that may perform a refreshing cycle such as sterilization, wrinkle removal, deodorization, and drying of laundry by supplying steam and hot air to the laundry, and a method for controlling the same.BACKGROUND

[0003] Generally, among laundry treating apparatus, a dryer equipped with a rotatable drum and a laundry manager equipped with an inner casing in which laundry is hung in a floating state may perform a drying cycle to remove moisture from the laundry.

[0004] Wrinkles or creases formed in the laundry may be removed only when all three elements of a moisture content, a temperature, and a physical force are satisfied. However, the dryer and the laundry manager are set up such that it is difficult to secure a period that satisfies all the three elements in the drying cycle.

[0005] As a result, the dryer and the laundry manager may dry the laundry while supplying hot air, but the wrinkles or the creases existing in the laundry may not be easily removed.

[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a principle of removing wrinkles from laundry.

[0007] Referring to (a) in FIG. 1, fibers constituting laundry L may be woven in an order of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. That is, fiber 1, fiber 2, fiber 3, fiber 4, and fiber 5 may be connected to each other by a physical bond I.

[0008] However, depending on an internal chemical structure, when such fibers rub or come into contact with each other, a chemical bond II such as a covalent bond, a hydrogen bond, and an intermolecular bond between the fibers may occur. For example, the fiber 1 and the fiber 3 may not be connected to each other by the physical bond I, but may be connected to each other by the chemical bond II, and the fiber 3 and the fiber 5 may also not be connected to each other by the physical bond I, but may be connected to each other by the chemical bond II.

[0009] Therefore, such a chemical bond II occurs by being concentrated at least in a portion on the laundry L, and an arrangement or a placement of the fibers where the chemical bonds II occur becomes different, and eventually, the wrinkles or the creases occur.

[0010] Because the wrinkles and the creases are created by the chemical bonds II, they are not able to be removed by a simple physical force alone. The wrinkles and the creases are able to be removed only by resolving the chemical bonds II.

[0011] Referring to (b) in FIG. 1, to remove the wrinkles and the creases, moisture that may release the chemical bond II is first required. When water is injected to the chemical bond II between the fibers, the chemical bond II may be weakened or resolved.

[0012] An amount of moisture that may remove the wrinkles and the creases may be determined by the moisture content of the laundry. It is generally known that a moisture content between 5 and 45 percent is required. Therefore, the moisture content between 5 and 45 percent may be defined as a removal moisture content.

[0013] When the laundry contains moisture with a content greater than the removal moisture content, the water rather additionally bonds the fibers, resulting in no wrinkle and crease removal effect. On the other hand, when moisture with a content smaller than the removal moisture content exists in the laundry, the chemical bond II between the fibers is not able to be removed, resulting in no wrinkle and crease removal effect.

[0014] Referring to (c) in FIG. 1, to remove the wrinkles and the creases, heat or energy required to resolve the chemical bond II is required. When the chemical bond II between the fibers is supplied with heat, the bond between the fibers with the chemical bond II may be weakened. The heat or the energy for removing the wrinkles and the creases may be achieved when a temperature at which the fibers come into contact is equal to or higher than a set temperature. The set temperature may correspond to a temperature higher than a room temperature, and may be set to, for example, 36 degrees.

[0015] When water is injected to the fibers and a high temperature environment higher than the set temperature is reached, the chemical bond II may become very weak.

[0016] Referring to (d) in FIG. 1, to remove the wrinkles and the creases, a physical force capable of changing the arrangement of the fibers is required. The physical force may include a tensile force capable of arranging the fibers in an order in which they are connected to each other by the physical bond I. A physical force capable of generating the tensile force may be defined as a removal physical force.

[0017] Referring to (e) in FIG. 1, when the chemical bond II occurs between the fibers constituting the laundry L and the wrinkles and the creases are formed in the laundry, and when the conditions of the removal moisture content, the set temperature, and the removal physical force are all satisfied, the chemical bond II may be removed, and the fibers may be properly arranged in the order in which they are connected to each other by the physical bond I. As a result, the wrinkles and the creases may be removed.

[0018] As a result, the removal moisture content, the set temperature, and the removal physical force may be considered as the conditions for removing the wrinkles and the creases.

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a situation in which laundry is dried in a dryer.

[0020] The dryer may accommodate the laundry in a drum D, and may perform a drying cycle of supplying hot air to remove moisture from the laundry.

[0021] Referring to (a) in FIG. 2, at the beginning of the drying cycle, the moisture content of the laundry L is generally equal to or higher than the removal moisture content. Further, sufficient heat H may not be applied into the drum D.

[0022] Even when the drum D rotates, the laundry with the high moisture content is clumped together, so that the proper tensile force is not applied to the laundry.

[0023] As a result, the removal conditions are not achieved at the beginning of the drying cycle, so that the wrinkles in the laundry are not able to be removed.

[0024] Referring to (b) in FIG. 2, at the middle of the drying cycle, the moisture content of the laundry L may reach the removal moisture content. However, because a large amount of moisture contained in the laundry L is vaporized, most of the heat H supplied into the drum D may be removed as latent heat of vaporization.

[0025] Therefore, the temperature inside the drum D does not reach a temperature equal to or higher than the set temperature. Therefore, even at the middle of the drying cycle, the removal conditions are not fully achieved, so that the wrinkles in the laundry are not able to be removed.

[0026] Referring to (c) in FIG. 2, at the end of the drying cycle, as most of moisture contained in the laundry L has evaporated, an amount of heat absorbed as the latent heat of vaporization may rapidly decrease.

[0027] Therefore, the temperature inside the drum D rapidly increases to the set temperature or higher to satisfy the removal temperature.

[0028] In addition, because the laundry is in the dried state, the laundry may be separated from each other and dropped in the rotating drum D. Therefore, the removal physical force condition may also be achieved.

[0029] However, because the laundry L has been mostly dried, the moisture content of the laundry is lower than the removal moisture content.

[0030] Therefore, even at the end of the drying cycle, the removal conditions are not achieved, so that the wrinkles in the laundry are not able to be removed.

[0031] As a result, it is difficult to form a period that satisfies all the removal conditions in the entire drying process in the dryer.

[0032] Therefore, there is a fundamental problem that the wrinkles of the laundry are not able to be removed in the process of performing the drying cycle with the existing laundry treating apparatus.

[0033] As a result, there is a limitation that a user is required to separately iron the laundry to remove the wrinkles or put ice or the like into the drum to satisfy the removal moisture content condition at the end of the drying cycle.

[0034] Recently, a laundry treating apparatus that may spray steam at the end of the drying cycle to satisfy the removal conditions at the end of the drying cycle has also appeared.

[0035] However, the existing laundry treating apparatus is able to remove the wrinkles, but there is a problem that the drying cycle is delayed and energy waste is inevitable because additional moisture has to be supplied to the dried laundry at the end of the drying cycle and then the laundry has to be dried again.

[0036] Furthermore, the existing laundry treating apparatus has a control limitation that an operation of a compressor has to be stopped to block power consumption exceeding an allowable power amount in a process of operating a heater to supply steam. Therefore, steam should be supplied after the drying cycle is finished and the compressor should be operated again for drying, or the compressor should be stopped during the drying cycle and then operated again after the steam supply, which causes not only a delay in the drying cycle, but also a rapid decrease in a drying efficiency.

[0037] The existing laundry treating apparatus is not able to automatically remove the wrinkles and the creases from the laundry during the drying cycle process of removing moisture from the laundry.SUMMARYTechnical Problem

[0038] The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of removing wrinkles and creases from laundry during a drying cycle.

[0039] The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of maintaining operation of a compressor without interruption even when steam is supplied to remove wrinkles and creases from laundry.

[0040] The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of securing a period satisfying removal conditions during a drying cycle of removing moisture from laundry.

[0041] The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of removing wrinkles and creases from laundry while maintaining energy efficiency and preventing drying delay during a drying cycle.Technical Solutions

[0042] To solve the above-described problems, the present disclosure provides a laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet, an inner casing disposed inside the cabinet to accommodate laundry therein, a machine room including a heat supplier that supplies hot air into the inner casing and a steam supplier that supplies steam into the inner casing, a controller that is disposed in the machine room and performs a drying course of drying the laundry by controlling the heat supplier and the steam supplier, and a temperature sensor that is disposed in the inner casing or in the machine room and senses a temperature of air inside the inner casing.

[0043] The heat supplier may include a circulation duct circulating air discharged from the inner casing, a heat exchanger that is installed in the circulation duct and dehumidifies and reheats air, and a compressor that compresses a refrigerant to exchange heat with air and supplies the compressed refrigerant to the heat exchanger.

[0044] The steam supplier may include a steam casing constructed to store water to generate steam therein, a first heater that is accommodated in the steam casing and heats water to generate steam, and a second heater that is disposed to be spaced apart from the first heater and heats water to generate steam.

[0045] The controller may, when the drying course is performed, maintain operation of the compressor until the drying course ends or the drying of the laundry is completed.

[0046] The controller may operate the first heater or the second heater together to increase a temperature inside the inner casing to a set temperature or higher while the compressor is in operation.

[0047] The controller may stop the operation of the first heater or the second heater before a constant rate period where a temperature increase rate inside the inner casing decreases to a reference value or lower is completed.

[0048] The controller may maintain the operation of the first heater or the second heater for a set time period in a period where the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0049] The controller may intermittently and repeatedly operate the first heater or the second heater to prevent the temperature inside the inner casing from rising to a limit temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0050] The controller may stop the operation of the first heater or the second heater in a period where a temperature change amount inside the inner casing is equal to or smaller than a specific amount during the operation of the compressor.

[0051] The controller may block the operation of the first heater or the second heater before the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing becomes greater than the reference value again.

[0052] The controller may block the operation of the steam heater after the temperature inside the inner casing reaches a drying temperature higher than the target temperature.

[0053] The second heater may be set to generate less steam than the first heater.

[0054] An amount of steam generated from the second heater may be set to 50 to 150% of a dehumidification amount of the heat exchanger.

[0055] The hanger may further include a moving hanger disposed inside the inner casing to hang the laundry thereon, wherein the moving hanger is operated to shake the laundry.

[0056] The controller may operate the moving hanger in a period where the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or higher than the set temperature or while the first heater or the second heater is in operation.

[0057] The controller may operate the moving hanger at a first frequency or stop the moving hanger in a period where the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or lower than the set temperature. The controller may operate the moving hanger at a second frequency higher than the first frequency in the period where the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0058] The controller may operate the moving hanger at a third frequency lower than the second frequency, after operating the moving hanger at the second frequency for a reference time period.

[0059] The controller may operate the moving hanger at the third frequency lower than the second frequency when a temperature increase rate inside the inner casing becomes greater than a reference value or the temperature inside the inner casing reaches a drying temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0060] The first frequency may be set lower than the third frequency.

[0061] When the drying course is performed, the controller may maintain operation of the compressor until the drying course ends or the drying of the laundry is completed, and operate the moving hanger such that an operation period thereof at least partially overlaps a period where the steam heater is in operation.

[0062] The controller may, when the moving hanger has been operated before the operation of the steam heater, operate the moving hanger faster in the period where the steam heater is in operation.

[0063] The controller may, when the operation of the moving hanger has been blocked before the operation of the steam heater, operate the moving hanger in the period where the steam heater is in operation.

[0064] The controller may, when the moving hanger is operated while the steam heater is in operation, not operate the moving hanger or operate the moving hanger slowly after the operation of the steam heater ends.

[0065] The controller may, when the moving hanger is operated while the steam heater is in operation, maintain an operating speed of the moving hanger for a certain period of time when the operation of the steam heater ends.

[0066] The controller may operate the steam heater while the compressor is in operation.

[0067] The controller may set an operating frequency of the moving hanger differently depending on the temperature inside the inner casing.

[0068] The controller may operate the moving hanger at a first frequency until the temperature inside the inner casing reaches a set temperature, and may operate the moving hanger at a second frequency higher than the first frequency after the temperature inside the inner casing reaches the set temperature.

[0069] The controller may operate the moving hanger at a third frequency lower than the second frequency in a period after the temperature inside the inner casing reaches a drying temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0070] The controller may operate the moving hanger at the second frequency for a set time period and then operate the moving hanger at a third frequency lower than the second frequency.

[0071] The second frequency may be set as the highest frequency at which the moving hanger is operated during the course.

[0072] The controller may operate the steam supplier to increase the temperature inside the inner casing to the set temperature or higher.

[0073] The controller may operate the moving hanger at the second frequency such that an operation period thereof at least partially overlaps a period where the steam supplier is in operation.

[0074] The controller may operate the moving hanger at the second frequency after the steam supplier starts operating.

[0075] The controller may, when the drying cycle is performed, maintain the operation of the compressor until the drying cycle ends or the drying of the laundry is completed, and control the steam heater such that steam is supplied into the inner casing while the compressor is in operation.

[0076] The controller may operate the steam heater first and then operate the compressor.

[0077] The controller may operate the first heater and the second heater first, and operate the compressor and the first heater or the second heater simultaneously.

[0078] Even when the operation of the first heater or the second heater ends, the operation of the compressor may be maintained.Advantageous Effects

[0079] The present disclosure may remove the wrinkles and the creases from the laundry during the drying cycle.

[0080] The present disclosure may maintain the operation of the compressor without the interruption even when steam is supplied to remove the wrinkles and the creases from the laundry.

[0081] The present disclosure may secure the period satisfying the removal conditions during the drying cycle of removing moisture from the laundry.

[0082] The present disclosure may remove the wrinkles and the creases from the laundry while maintaining the energy efficiency and preventing the drying delay during the drying cycle.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] FIG. 1 illustrates conditions for removing wrinkles and creases.

[0084] FIG. 2 illustrates whether removal conditions of an existing dryer are achieved.

[0085] FIG. 3 illustrates an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0086] FIG. 4 illustrates a machine room structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0087] FIG. 5 illustrates a circulation duct structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0088] FIG. 6 illustrates a heat supplier structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0089] FIG. 7 illustrates a blower fan structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0090] FIG. 8 illustrates an inlet duct structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0091] FIG. 9 illustrates a steam supplier structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0092] FIG. 10 illustrates a steam heater structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0093] FIG. 11 illustrates inside of a steam casing of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0094] FIG. 12 illustrates an internal structure of a steam supplier of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0095] FIG. 13 illustrates a flow channel structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0096] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a flow channel structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0097] FIG. 15 illustrates movement directions of steam and water of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0098] FIG. 16 illustrates a moving hanger structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0099] FIG. 17 illustrates an operating scheme of a moving hanger of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0100] FIG. 18 illustrates components of a moving hanger of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0101] FIG. 19 illustrates a moving hanger structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0102] FIG. 20 illustrates an operating structure of a moving hanger of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0103] FIG. 21 illustrates a process of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure performing a course for treating laundry.

[0104] FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment of performing a drying course of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0105] FIG. 23 illustrates a progress of a drying cycle in FIG. 22.

[0106] FIG. 24 illustrates another embodiment of a drying course performed in a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0107] FIG. 25 illustrates a state of a laundry treating apparatus when a control method in FIG. 24 is performed.

[0108] FIG. 26 illustrates another embodiment of a drying course performed in a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.BEST MODE

[0109] FIG. 3 illustrates an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure.

[0110] Referring to (a) in FIG. 3, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 100 forming the outer appearance thereof, and a door 400 pivotably coupled to the cabinet 100.

[0111] The door 400 may include a main body 410 forming a front surface of the cabinet 100, and an installation body 420 extending from one side of the main body 410 and on which a display that displays information of the laundry treating apparatus may be installed.

[0112] The installation body 420 may be constructed to form a step 430 in a rearward direction of the cabinet 100 from the main body 410.

[0113] In one example, at least a portion of the installation body 420 may be disposed at the rear of the main body 410 so as to overlap the same in a front and rear direction. Accordingly, the step 430 may function as a handle.

[0114] The installation body 420 may be made of a different material from or have a different color from the main body 410. In addition, the installation body 420 may be made of a translucent material through which light emitted from the display may be transmitted.

[0115] Referring to (b) in FIG. 3, an inner casing 200 having an accommodation space 220 for accommodating laundry may be disposed inside the cabinet 100. The inner casing 200 may have an opening 210 through which the laundry enters and exits at a front side, and the opening 210 may be shielded by the door 400.

[0116] The inner casing 200 may be made of a plastic resin material, and may be made of a reinforced plastic resin material that does not deform even when exposed to air at a temperature higher than a room temperature or heated air (hereinafter, hot air) and steam or moisture.

[0117] The inner casing 200 may have a height greater than a width. As a result, the laundry may be accommodated in the accommodation space 220 without being folded or wrinkled.

[0118] The laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may include a hanger 1000 capable of hanging the laundry in the accommodation space 220 of the inner casing 200.

[0119] The hanger 1000 may be seated on an upper portion of an inner surface of the inner casing 200 and hang the laundry in a state of being stretched or unfolded from the top to the bottom.

[0120] As a result, the laundry may be accommodated inside the inner casing 200 without being wrinkled.

[0121] In addition, the hanger 1000 may be equipped to hang a plurality of laundry items. The hanger 1000 may hang the plurality of laundry items while spacing them apart from each other in a width direction of the inner casing 200.

[0122] Therefore, even when the plurality of laundry items are accommodated in the inner casing 200, they may be hung without being in contact or interfering with each other. As a result, not only are the plurality of laundry items not damaged, but the entire laundry may be evenly exposed to hot air and steam.

[0123] That is, the hanger 1000 may be equipped as a simple holder that is installed on the upper portion of the inner casing 200 and fix the laundry in a floating state inside the accommodation space 220.

[0124] Alternatively, the hanger 1000 may be equipped as a moving hanger 1000 that is seated on a top surface of the inner casing 200 and shakes the laundry.

[0125] The moving hanger 1000 may reciprocate or rotate in a reciprocating manner on the upper portion of the inner casing 200. Accordingly, the laundry hung on the moving hanger 1000 may be shaken in the accommodation space 220 to remove foreign substances or the like, and may be effectively exposed to supplied steam or hot air.

[0126] A detailed structure and functions of the moving hanger 1000 will be described later.

[0127] A pressurizer assembly 520 capable of pressurizing the laundry may be disposed on an inner surface of the door 400.

[0128] The pressurizer assembly 520 may include a support 522 that is fixed to the inner surface of the door 400 and supports one surface of the laundry, and a pressurizer 521 that pressurizes the laundry supported by the support 522.

[0129] The pressurizer 521 may move toward or away from the support 522. For example, the pressurizer 521 may be pivotable with respect to the support 522 or the inner surface of the door 400.

[0130] Therefore, the pressurizer 521 and the support 522 may pressurize both surfaces of the laundry to remove wrinkles from the laundry and create intended creases.

[0131] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may have a machine room 300 in which various apparatuses to supply at least one of hot air and steam to the accommodation space 220 or to absorb, purify or dehumidify, and then discharge outside air of the cabinet 100 are installed.

[0132] A controller capable of controlling the laundry treating apparatus may be built into and installed in the machine room 300. In one example, the controller may also be installed inside the door 400.

[0133] The controller may be equipped as a PCB that controls one or more of electronic parts of the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure and performs any course for treating the laundry.

[0134] The machine room 300 may be disposed to be separated or partitioned from the inner casing 200, but may be in communication with the inner casing 200.

[0135] The machine room 300 may be disposed under the inner casing 200. Accordingly, when hot air and steam having a low specific gravity are supplied to the inner casing 200, the hot air and steam may be naturally supplied to the laundry.

[0136] The machine room 300 may include a heat supplier 340 capable of supplying hot air into the inner casing 200. The heat supplier 340 may be equipped as a heat pump system, or may be equipped as a heater that directly heats air with electric energy.

[0137] When the heat supplier 340 is equipped as the heat pump system, the heat supplier 340 may dehumidify and heat air discharged from the inner casing 200 again and supply the air to the inner casing 200. A detailed structure thereof will be described later.

[0138] The machine room 300 may include a steam supplier 800 capable of supplying steam into the inner casing 200. The steam supplier 800 may be equipped to directly supply steam into the inner casing 200. A detailed structure thereof will be described later.

[0139] To this end, the inner casing 200 may include a plurality of through-holes 230 extending through one surface thereof and being in communication with the machine room 300.

[0140] Air in the accommodation space 220 may be supplied to the machine room 300 via the through-holes 230, and at least one of hot air and steam generated in the machine room 300 may be supplied to the accommodation space 220.

[0141] The through-holes 230 may include an inlet hole 231 defined to extend through a bottom surface of the inner casing 200 to introduce air inside the inner casing 200 into the machine room 300, and an exhaust hole 232 spaced apart from the inlet hole 231 and extending through the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 to discharge hot air generated in the machine room 300 into the inner casing 200.

[0142] The exhaust hole 232 may be defined in the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 so as to be closer to a rear surface of the inner casing 200 than to a front surface of the inner casing 200 or the door 400.

[0143] In addition, the exhaust hole 232 may be defined at an angle to the ground between the bottom surface and the rear surface of the inner casing 200. The exhaust hole 232 may be defined to face the moving hanger 1000, thereby inducing the hot air to be supplied toward the laundry.

[0144] The inlet hole 231 may be defined in the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 so as to be closer to the front surface of the inner casing 200 or the door 400 than to the rear surface of the inner casing 200.

[0145] The inlet hole 231 may be defined as far away from the exhaust hole 232 as possible, thereby preventing air discharged from the exhaust hole 232 from being directly absorbed into the inlet hole 231 without reaching the laundry.

[0146] The through-holes 230 may further include a steam hole 233 that extends through the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 and guides steam generated from the steam supplier 800 into the inner casing 200.

[0147] The steam hole 233 may be defined closer to the exhaust hole 232 than to the inlet hole 231. For example, the steam hole 233 may be defined on one side of the exhaust hole 232.

[0148] In one example, the machine room 300 may further include a water supply tank 30 that may supply water to the steam supplier 800, and a drain tank 40 in which condensed water condensed in the heat supplier 340 is collected.

[0149] The water supply tank 30 and the drain tank 40 may be detachable from a front side of the machine room 300. Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may be freely installed without being restricted by a water supply source or a drainage source.

[0150] In one example, the machine room 300 may further include a drawer 50 that is extended and retracted in a front and rear direction and has a separate accommodation space. For example, the drawer 50 may store a steam generator or an iron.

[0151] FIG. 4 illustrates a machine room structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0152] (a) in FIG. 4 is a front view of the machine room 300, and (b) in FIG. 4 is a rear view of the machine room 300.

[0153] Inside the machine room 300, components to supply hot air to a laundry treatment space, circulate air inside the laundry treatment space, supply steam to the laundry treatment space, or purify air outside the cabinet may be disposed.

[0154] The machine room 300 may include a base 310 that has a space for supporting or installing various apparatuses. The base 310 may provide an area size for the installation of the various apparatuses.

[0155] The base 310 may have a circulation duct 320 installed thereon through which air introduced from the inner casing 200 or outside the cabinet 100 moves.

[0156] The circulation duct 320 may be formed in a casing shape with an open top surface, and some components of the heat supplier 340 may be installed inside the circulation duct 320.

[0157] When the heat supplier 340 is equipped as the heat pump system, a heat exchanger 341 and 343 to be described later and a compressor 342 that supplies a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to the heat exchanger may be included inside the circulation duct 320.

[0158] The heat exchanger 341 and 343 may be accommodated inside the circulation duct 320 and cool and dehumidify air flowing through the circulation duct 320 or heat the air to generate hot air.

[0159] When the circulation duct 320 is constructed to suck air from the outside of the cabinet 100, an outside air duct 370 that sucks outside air may be installed in front of the circulation duct 320.

[0160] The circulation duct 320 may be in communication with the outside air duct 370 and may selectively suck outside air.

[0161] The water supply tank and the drain tank may be detachably coupled to a front surface of the circulation duct 320. The water supply tank 30 and the drain tank 40 may be seated and disposed on top of the outside air duct 370.

[0162] The circulation duct 320 may be coupled to the base 310, but may be formed integrally with the base 310. For example, the base 310 and the circulation duct 320 may be manufactured by injection molding.

[0163] The machine room 300 may include a base cover 360 that allows the circulation duct 320 and the inlet hole 231 to be in communication with each other.

[0164] The base cover 360 may be coupled to an upper portion of the circulation duct 320 and guide air sucked from the inlet hole 231 into the circulation duct 320.

[0165] The base cover 360 may block air inside the circulation duct 320 from being discharged to the outside by shielding a top surface of the circulation duct 320. A lower portion of the base cover 360 and the top surface of the circulation duct 320 may form one surface of a flow channel of the circulation duct 320.

[0166] The base cover 360 may include an inlet portion 362 connecting the inlet hole 231 with the circulation duct 320. The inlet portion 362 may be formed in a duct shape to serve as an intake duct that delivers air inside the inner casing 200 to the circulation duct 320.

[0167] The machine room 300 may have the steam supplier 800 installed therein that is connected to the water supply tank 30 to receive water, generates steam, and supplies steam to the inner casing 200. The steam supplier 800 may be seated and disposed on top of the base cover 360.

[0168] The steam supplier 800 may be disposed outside the circulation duct 320. As a result, the steam supplier 800 may be prevented from interfering with the movement of air flowing through the circulation duct 320 or from heating the air.

[0169] In addition, the steam supplier 800 may be disposed so as to be spaced apart from the inlet portion 362. For example, the steam supplier 800 may be disposed at the rear of the inlet portion 362.

[0170] The machine room 300 may include a fan installation portion 350 that allows the circulation duct 320 and the inner casing 200 to be in communication with each other. The fan installation portion 350 may include a blower fan 353 that provides power to move air inside the circulation duct 320 in one direction, and a fan housing 351 that accommodates the blower fan 353 therein and is coupled to or extends from the circulation duct 320.

[0171] The fan installation portion 350 may include an exhaust duct 352 that allows the circulation duct 320 and the exhaust hole 232 to be in communication with each other.

[0172] The exhaust duct 352 may have a cross-section extending from the fan housing 351 toward the exhaust hole 232 with an area size corresponding to that of the exhaust hole 232.

[0173] As a result, air inside the inner casing 200 may be introduced via the base cover 360, pass through the circulation duct 320, and then be supplied back into the inner casing 200 via the fan installation portion 350.

[0174] In one example, the base 310 may include a compressor installation portion 313 in which the compressor 342 that supplies the refrigerant to the heat exchanger 341 and 343 is installed. The compressor installation portion 313 may be disposed outside the circulation duct 320.

[0175] In addition, the base 310 may have a controller 700 installed thereon that controls the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0176] The base 310 may include a controller installation portion 312 that defines a space in which the controller 700 may be inserted from under the circulation duct 320.

[0177] The controller 700 may control all electronically controlled electronic parts such as the compressor 342, the steam supplier 800, and the blower fan 353.

[0178] Because the controller 700 is inserted onto and supported by the base 310, vibrations generated from the moving hanger 1000 or the laundry may be blocked from being transmitted to the controller 700 or may be attenuated and transmitted to the controller 700.

[0179] In addition, as the controller 700 is installed on the base 310, an occurrence of noise or control errors caused by small separation distances from all of the electronic parts in the machine room 300 may be prevented.

[0180] In the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, the steam supplier 800 is disposed on the circulation duct 320 and the controller 700 is disposed under the circulation duct 320. Accordingly, the circulation duct 320 may be formed in a straight duct shape between the steam supplier 800 and the controller 700. As a result, a flow resistance of air passing through the circulation duct 320 may be minimized.

[0181] The circulation duct 320, the outside air duct 370, the steam supplier 800, the controller 700, and the heat supplier 340 may all be installed on the base 310, so that the base 310 may be equipped as a single module. Accordingly, most of the electronic parts may be easily installed, maintained, and repaired as the base 310 is extended from and retracted into the machine room 300 in the front and rear direction.

[0182] FIG. 5 illustrates a machine room base structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0183] (a) in FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the base 310, and (b) and (c) in FIG. 5 are rear perspective views of the base 310.

[0184] The base 310 may be installed on a base plate forming a bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus. The base 310 itself may form the bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus.

[0185] The base 310 may include a base bottom 311 forming a support surface. The base bottom 311 may form the bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus. In addition, the base bottom 311 may be installed on a top surface of a bottom surface of the cabinet 100 forming the bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus.

[0186] The base 310 may be formed integrally with the circulation duct 320 that forms at least a portion of a flow channel through which air moves. The circulation duct 320 may be formed by extending upward from the base bottom 311.

[0187] The circulation duct 320 may include a duct body 321 that extends from the base bottom 311 to form the flow channel, a heat exchanger installation portion 3212 that provides a space in which an evaporator 341 or a condenser 343 is installed inside the duct body 321, and an air outlet 323 disposed at the rear of the duct body 321 and through which air in the duct body 321 is discharged.

[0188] The air outlet 323 may be formed in a pipe shape that extends rearward from the duct body 321. A diameter of the air outlet 323 may be smaller than a width of the duct body 321.

[0189] The air outlet 323 may be connected to the fan housing 350. Air discharged from the air outlet 323 may be guided into the inner casing 200 via the fan housing 350.

[0190] The circulation duct 320 may include an outside air intake portion 322 defined to extend through a front surface of the duct body 321.

[0191] The outside air intake portion 322 may be in communication with the outside air duct 370. The outside air duct 370 may be seated and supported in front of the outside air intake portion 322.

[0192] The circulation duct 320 may include a damper that opens and closes the outside air intake portion 322. By the opening and closing of the damper, outside air may be allowed or blocked from flowing into the circulation duct 320.

[0193] The base 310 may include a compressor installation portion 312 that provides a space in which the compressor 342 is installed. The compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed on one side of the base bottom 311 and may be formed integrally with the base bottom 311.

[0194] The compressor installation portion 312 may have a protrusion formed thereon that may support the compressor 342. The compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed to be rearwardly off-centered on the base 310. The compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed to at least partially overlap the air outlet 323 in the width direction.

[0195] The compressor installation portion 312 may have a buffer member installed thereon that reduces vibration transmitted from the compressor 342. The buffer member may be fixed to the protrusion.

[0196] The base 310 may include a controller installation portion 313 in which the controller 700 is installed. The controller installation portion 313 may be formed between the base bottom 311 and the circulation duct 320. The controller installation portion 313 may be formed between the base bottom 311 and a bottom surface of the circulation duct 320. The controller installation portion 313 may be formed under the circulation duct 320 in a duct shape in which one of a front side and a rear side is open.

[0197] FIG. 6 illustrates a circulation duct structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0198] The circulation duct 320 may extend upward from the base bottom to form the flow channel through which air flows. The circulation duct 320 may include the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 that provides the space in which the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 are installed. The heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be defined inside the duct body 321.

[0199] The duct body 321 may have an open top surface. The condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 may be installed by being inserted via the opening of the duct body 321.

[0200] The opening of the duct body 321 may be shielded by the base cover 360, and the base cover 360 and the duct body 321 may form the flow channel of the circulation duct 320.

[0201] A front surface of the duct body 321 may be spaced rearwardly apart from a front end of the base bottom 311.

[0202] Accordingly, the base bottom 311 may secure a support surface 3111 on which at least one of the water supply tank 30, the drain tank 40, and the outside air duct 370 described above is installed and supported.

[0203] In one example, the heat supplier 340 may include the evaporator 341 that is installed inside the circulation duct 320 and equipped as a heat exchanger that cools and dehumidifies air introduced into the circulation duct 320, the condenser 343 that is equipped as a heat exchanger that heats air that has passed through the evaporator 341 and forms hot air, the compressor 342 that supplies the refrigerant that exchanges heat with the air to the condenser 343 and is disposed outside the circulation duct 320, and an expansion valve 344 that expands and cools the refrigerant that has passed through the condenser 343.

[0204] In one example, as the duct body 321 is integrally formed with the base 310, a greater height of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be secured, and heights of the condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 may also be increased. As a result, widths in the front and rear direction of the condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 may be reduced, so that the number of refrigerant tubes passing through the condenser 343 and the evaporator may be reduced. Accordingly, there is an effect of reducing a flow loss of air passing through the condenser 343 and the evaporator.

[0205] In one example, a sum of a length of the evaporator 341 and a length of the condenser 343 may be smaller than a length of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212. Accordingly, the length in the front and rear direction of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be equal to or smaller than half of a length of the duct body 321.

[0206] Accordingly, because the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be sufficiently spaced apart from the outside air intake portion 322, sufficient space may be secured inside the circulation duct 320 for outside air and air inside the inner casing 200 to be introduced.

[0207] In one example, the inside of the duct body 321 may include an installation partition wall 3211 that partitions the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 from the outside of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212. The installation partition wall 3211 may protrude from a side surface of the duct body 321 and support a front side of the evaporator 341.

[0208] In addition, the duct body 321 may extend rearwards with a width expanded starting from the installation partition wall 3211.

[0209] As a result, a width of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be greater than half a width of the base 310. Additionally, a width of the circulation duct 320 may be greater than half the width of the base 310.

[0210] A width of the condenser 343 and a width of the evaporator 341 may also be greater than half of the entire width of the base 310. As described above, when the widths of the condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 are secured, there is an effect of sufficiently securing a heat exchange capacity.

[0211] In addition, the fan housing 350 may be disposed to overlap the condenser 343 or the evaporator 341 in the front and rear direction. Therefore, air that has passed through the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 may be introduced into the fan housing 350 without bending of the flow channel. That is, air introduced into the circulation duct 320 has an effect of minimizing the flow loss because the flow channel is not bent during the process of moving to the fan housing. The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a temperature sensor S1 that senses a temperature inside the inner casing 200 or a temperature of air introduced into the circulation duct 320 from inside the inner casing 200, and a refrigerant sensor S2 that senses a temperature of the refrigerant circulating through the heat supplier.

[0212] The temperature sensor S1 may be installed on an inner wall of the circulation duct 320, and the refrigerant sensor S2 may be disposed at a discharge side of the compressor 342.

[0213] FIG. 7 illustrates a structure of the air outlet 323 of the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0214] The base 310 may include the air outlet 323 that discharges treated air toward the fan housing.

[0215] The air outlet 323 may allow the inside of the circulation duct 320 or the duct body 321 to be in communication with the fan housing 350. The air outlet 323 may be formed in a bell mouth shape. By being formed in the bell mouth shape, the air outlet 323 may reduce the flow loss of air and improve an air circulation efficiency.

[0216] An air discharge tube 3232 of the air outlet 323 may be formed in a pipe shape. In a mold removal process based on a parting line 3233, a mold placed in front of the parting line 3233 may be pulled out forward, and a mold placed at the rear of the parting line 3233 may be pulled out rearward.

[0217] The fan installation portion 350 may be supported by being coupled to the air discharge tube 3232. The fan housing 351 may have a coupling hole coupled with an outer circumferential surface of the air discharge tube 3232, and the blower fan 353 may be placed in the coupling hole.

[0218] The fan housing 351 may include the exhaust duct 352 extending from an outer circumferential surface or an outer side of the blower fan 353 to the exhaust hole 232.

[0219] The fan housing 351 and the exhaust duct 352 may form therein a flow channel where the blower fan 353 may be accommodated and through which air may move.

[0220] A motor that rotates the blower fan 353 may be supported by being coupled to an outer side of the fan housing 351.

[0221] FIG. 8 illustrates a structure of a base cover of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0222] The base cover 360 may be coupled to the top surface of the circulation duct 320 to prevent the inside of the circulation duct 320 from being exposed.

[0223] The base cover 360 may include an inlet body 361 coupled to the top surface of the circulation duct 320 and allowing the inner casing 200 and the circulation duct 320 to be in communication with each other, and a shielding body 363 extending from the inlet body 361 and shielding the circulation duct 320.

[0224] The inlet body 361 may be formed in a duct shape and allow the inlet hole 231 of the inner casing and the inside of the circulation duct 320 to be in communication with each other. The inlet body 361 may protrude further upwardly of the shielding body 363.

[0225] The inlet body 361 may be positioned forward of the evaporator 341 so as not to face the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343, and may be positioned forward of the partition wall 3211.

[0226] The inlet body 361 may serve as an inlet duct that moves air in the inner casing 200 to the circulation duct 320.

[0227] The inlet body 361 may have the inlet portion 362 therein through which air in the inner casing 200 may pass.

[0228] Specifically, the base cover 360 may include a first rib 362a extending along a width direction of the inlet body 361, and a second rib 362b extending along the width direction of the inlet body 361 and spaced rearwardly apart from the first rib 362a.

[0229] The first rib 362a and the second rib 362b may be arranged in parallel with each other. The first rib 362a and the second rib 362b may be formed in a plate shape extending in a vertical direction, and heights thereof may correspond to a height of the inlet body 361.

[0230] A front edge of the inlet body 361 and the first rib 362a may form a first inlet 3621, the first rib 362a and the second rib 362b may form a second inlet 3622, and the second rib 362b and a rear edge of the inlet body 361 may form a third inlet 3623.

[0231] The first inlet 3621 and the third inlet 3622 may have the same area size, and the second inlet 3622 may have a smaller area size than the first inlet 3621 and the third inlet 3622.

[0232] The base cover 360 may include a damper assembly 364 that opens and closes the inlet portion 362, and a driver 365 coupled to the damper assembly 364 to control the opening and closing of the damper assembly 364.

[0233] The damper assembly 364 may include a first damper 3641 that opens and closes the first inlet 3621, and a second damper 3642 that opens and closes the third inlet 3623.

[0234] The first damper 3641 may be formed in a plate shape with an area size corresponding to that of the first inlet 3621, and may be disposed inside the first inlet 3621 and rotatably coupled to both side surfaces of the inlet body 361.

[0235] The second damper 3642 may be formed in a plate shape with an area size corresponding to that of the third inlet 3622, and may be disposed inside the third inlet 3622 and rotatably coupled to both side surfaces of the inlet body 361.

[0236] The second inlet 3622 may be equipped with a blocking filter 366 that allows air to pass therethrough, but is able to filter out foreign substances such as fine dust and lint.

[0237] The blocking filter 366 may be inserted into the second inlet 3622 and partition the first inlet 3621 and the third inlet 3623 from each other. The blocking filter 366 may be disposed in the second inlet 3622 and extend so as to be in contact with the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320.

[0238] The blocking filter 366 may be equipped as a filter capable of filtering even the moisture. For example, the blocking filter 366 may be equipped as a HEPA filter or the like.

[0239] In one example, the second inlet 3622 may further be coupled with a shielding member that shields the second inlet 3622 when the blocking filter 366 is inserted.

[0240] The driver 365 may include a motor that provides power to selectively rotate the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642, and a plurality of gear members that may selectively rotate the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642 while being engaged with the motor and rotating.

[0241] Because of the driver 365, the first inlet 3621 and the third inlet 3623 may be selectively opened.

[0242] Because of the driver 365, air contained inside the inner casing 200 may be introduced into the circulation duct 320 along the first inlet 3621, and may be introduced into the circulation duct 320 along the third inlet 3623.

[0243] In one example, the driver 365 may control the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642 to open both the first inlet 3621 and the third inlet 3623, and may control the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642 to close both the first inlet 3621 and the third inlet 3623.

[0244] The driver 365 may be formed in any structure as long as it is able to rotate the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642. For example, the driver 365 may be equipped as a combination of the motor, a driving gear that rotates by the motor, and a driven gear that is coupled to the first damper and the second damper and rotates by the rotation of the driving gear.

[0245] The base cover 360 may include the shielding body 363 that may extend from the inlet body 361 and may shield the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343. The shielding body 363 may be formed in a plate shape.

[0246] The base cover 360 may be detachably coupled to the top surface of the circulation duct 320 via an inlet hook 3612 that extends from a bottom surface of the inlet body 361.

[0247] The circulation duct 320 may have a coupling portion that is detachably coupled to the inlet hook 3612.

[0248] FIG. 9 illustrates an installation structure of a steam supplier.

[0249] The steam supplier 800 may be supported by being seated on the base cover 360.

[0250] The steam supplier 800 may include a steam generator 810 that is seated on the base cover 360 and stores water that generates the steam.

[0251] The steam supplier 800 may further include an installation bracket 870 that may fix the steam generator 810 to the base cover 360.

[0252] The installation bracket 870 may be coupled to the base cover 360 to fix the steam generator 810.

[0253] The installation bracket 870 may include a lower panel 871 that supports a bottom surface of the steam generator 810 and a side panel 872 that supports both side surfaces of the steam generator 810 on the lower panel 871.

[0254] The installation bracket 870 may further include one or more fixing clips 873 that extend from the side panel 872 to prevent the steam generator 810 from being deviated.

[0255] The fixing clips 873 may be detachable from a top surface or a side surface of the steam generator 810.

[0256] The compressor 342 may be placed downward of the steam supplier 800.

[0257] The installation bracket 870 may block heat generated from the compressor or heat generated from the refrigerant compressed in the compressor from being transferred to the steam supplier 800.

[0258] The installation bracket 870 may also block fire from being transferred to the steam supplier 800 in the event of the fire occurring in the compressor 342.

[0259] In one example, the base cover 360 may include a fastener 3631 disposed in the shielding body 363 and detachably coupled to the steam supplier 800. The fastener 3631 may have a structure that is detachably coupled to a protrusion protruding from a lower portion of the steam generator 810.

[0260] Accordingly, even when a great amount of water is contained inside the steam generator 810, the steam generator 810 may be stably seated on the base cover 360.

[0261] In addition, because the steam generator 810 is disposed upward of the circulation duct 320 and has a smaller distance from the inner casing 200, condensation of steam generated in the steam generator 810 before reaching the inner casing 200 may be minimized.

[0262] FIG. 10 illustrates a detailed structure of the steam supplier.

[0263] Referring to (a) in FIG. 10, the steam supplier 800 may include the steam generator 810 that may receive and store water to generate steam, and a steam heater 840 that is accommodated in the steam generator 810 and heats the water to generate steam.

[0264] The steam generator 810 may be formed in a casing shape that defines a space that accommodates the steam heater 840.

[0265] For example, the steam generator 810 may be formed in a casing shape with an open top and may accommodate the steam heater 840 therein.

[0266] The steam supplier 800 may further include a casing cover 820 that is coupled to the steam generator 810 to prevent the steam heater 840 from being exposed to the outside and to prevent water from leaking out.

[0267] The casing cover 820 may include, installed therein, a water level sensor 850 that senses a water level of the steam generator 810, and a steam sensor 860 that senses a temperature inside the steam generator 810 or senses whether steam is generated inside the steam generator 810.

[0268] Referring to (b) in FIG. 10, the steam generator 810 may include a casing body 811 that provides a space for storing the water and accommodating the steam heater 840 therein.

[0269] The casing body 811 may be formed in a shape with an open top, so that various components may be easily installed inside the casing body 811.

[0270] The casing body 811 may include a heater insertion hole 8111 extending through one side thereof and through which the heater 840 may be inserted or withdrawn.

[0271] The casing body 811 may include a recovery tube 814 that receives water to generate steam inside.

[0272] The recovery tube 814 may discharge water contained inside the casing body 811 to the outside.

[0273] The recovery tube 814 may be maintained in a closed state by a shielding plug 8141 so as to be opened only when removing residual water inside the steam generator 810, and may include a shielding clip 8142 that maintains the shielding plug 8141 in a state coupled to the recovery tube 814 such that the shielding plug 8141 is prevented from being arbitrarily separated.

[0274] As a result, when repairing the steam generator 800 or preventing freezing or the like of the steam generator 800, water inside the steam generator 800 may be discharged via the recovery tube 814.

[0275] In one example, the recovery tube 814 may receive water from the water supply tank 30. Details will be described later.

[0276] In one example, a heater fixer 830 capable of supporting or fixing the steam heater 840 may be installed inside the casing body 811. The heater fixer 830 may include a support clip 831 that fixes the steam heater 840, and a clip fastening member 833 that fixes the support clip 831 to the casing body 811.

[0277] The support clip 831 may accommodate therein or surround at least a portion of the steam heater 840.

[0278] In one example, the steam supplier 800 may include a water supply tube 815 that receives water. The water supply tube 815 may be in communication with the water supply tank 30 to receive water.

[0279] The water supply tube 815 may be disposed on the casing cover 820 or may be disposed on an upper portion of the steam generator 810. Thereby, water may be prevented from flowing back through the water supply tube 815.

[0280] The steam supplier 800 may include a steam tube 813 that discharges steam generated by the operation of the steam heater 840 to the outside. The steam tube 813 may also be disposed on the upper portion of the casing cover 820, so that water may be prevented from being arbitrarily discharged into the steam tube 813.

[0281] The steam tube 813 may be in communication with the steam hole 233 of the inner casing 200.

[0282] The casing cover 820 may include a water level sensor hole 854 in which the water level sensor may be installed.

[0283] The water level sensor 850 may include one or more contact protrusions 852 that are inserted into the water level sensor hole 854 and immersed in water to sense the water level, and a sensor body 851 that is coupled to the water level sensor hole 854 or supported by the casing cover 820 so as to maintain the contact protrusions 852 in a floating state inside the steam generator 810.

[0284] The sensor body 851 may be coupled to the casing cover 820 via a sensor fastening member 853.

[0285] In one example, the casing cover 820 may include an insertion hole 864 in which the steam sensor 860 may be installed. The steam sensor 860 may include a sensing device 861 that is inserted into the insertion hole 864 to sense whether steam is generated inside the steam generator 810, a support member 863 that fixes the sensing device 861 to the casing cover 820, and a coupling member 862 that couples the support member 863 to the casing cover 820.

[0286] The sensing device 861 may be equipped as a humidity sensor or a temperature sensor and may sense whether steam is generated inside the steam generator 810.

[0287] In one example, the casing cover 820 may be equipped with a cover hook 821 that may extend forward and may be coupled to the base cover 860.

[0288] In addition, a fixing protrusion 822 capable of fixing a lower portion of the inner casing 200 or a separate steam discharger 900 may be disposed at a rear side of the casing cover 820.

[0289] The steam heater 840 may be inserted into the heater insertion hole 8111 and accommodated in the steam generator 810 and may heat water by receiving power.

[0290] The steam heater 840 may be equipped as a sheath heater or the like, and may be controlled by the controller 700 such that operation and stopping thereof may be repeated.

[0291] The steam heater 840 may include a first heater 841 that receives first power and heats water and a second heater 842 that receives power smaller than the first power and heats water.

[0292] As a result, the second heater 842 may heat a smaller amount of water and generate less steam compared to the first heater 841.

[0293] The first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may consume maximum heater power allowed for the steam heater 840 in the laundry treating apparatus in a divided manner. That is, when the first heater 841 consumes a portion of the maximum heater power, the second heater 842 may consume the remainder of the maximum heater power.

[0294] For example, when the general maximum heater power allowable for the steam heater 840 is 1500W, the first heater 841 may consume 880W, and the second heater 842 may consume 600W. As such, the power may be less distributed by 20W in consideration of errors or the like.

[0295] In one example, the steam heater 840 may include three or more heaters. For example, the first heater 841, the second heater 842, and a third heater 843 may be included, and the first heater 841, the second heater 842, and the third heater 843 may consume the maximum heater power in a divided manner.

[0296] Hereinafter, a description will be made based on the steam heater 840 being composed of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842.

[0297] The first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be formed as U-shaped metal pipes.

[0298] The steam heater 840 may include a heater sealer 843 that may fix the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 and seal a heater through-hole 8111, and may include a terminal assembly 844 that supplies current to the first heater 841 and the second heater 842.

[0299] The terminal assembly 844 may include a first terminal 844a that supplies the current to the first heater 841 and a second terminal 844b that supplies the current to the second heater 842.

[0300] The first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be arranged at the same vertical level. Therefore, the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may heat water at the same water level and generate steam.

[0301] Accordingly, the controller 700 may control an amount of steam generated and an amount of power consumed by using both or selectively the first heater 841 and the second heater 842.

[0302] FIG. 11 illustrates the inside of the steam generator.

[0303] The steam generator 810 may have a heating space 817 that stores water inside and accommodates the steam heater 840 therein.

[0304] In addition, the steam generator 810 may receive water to generate steam via a water supply hose 8151 connected to the water supply tube 815.

[0305] In one example, steam generated by the operation of the steam heater 840 in the steam generator 810 may be discharged to the outside of the steam supplier 800 via a steam discharge tube 813 along a steam hose 8131.

[0306] The steam hose 8131 may be in communication with the steam hole 233 of the inner casing 200.

[0307] In one example, the steam generator 810 may include a separation partition wall 812 that may separate the heating space 817 and the water level sensor 850 from each other. That is, the separation partition wall 812 may be constructed to separate the steam heater 840 and the water level sensor 850 from each other, and may be disposed to be off-centered to one side of the casing body 811.

[0308] The water level sensor 850 may be disposed between the separation partition wall 812 and an inner surface of the casing body 811.

[0309] As a result, vibration of water occurring when water boils may be prevented from being transmitted to the water level sensor 850, and heat generated in the steam heater 840 may be prevented from being directly transmitted to the water level sensor 850.

[0310] FIG. 12 illustrates a steam supplier in which the steam heater is installed.

[0311] Referring to (a) in FIG. 12, the steam sensor 860 may be disposed upward of the steam heater 840 and sense the temperature inside the steam generator 810 or the like. Accordingly, the steam sensor 860 may sense that steam is generated when a temperature of water reaches 100 degrees or a high temperature.

[0312] The steam heater 840 may be supported by the support clip 832, so that the steam heater 840 may be prevented from coming into contact with the bottom surface of the steam generator 810 or the like.

[0313] In addition, an upper portion thereof may be surrounded by the fixing clip 831 to prevent a water level at which the steam heater 840 is disposed from varying.

[0314] Referring to (b) in FIG. 12, the heater sealer 844 of the steam heater 840 may include a first support hole 8441 through which the first heater 841 extends and is supported, and a second support hole 8442 through which the second heater 842 extends and is supported.

[0315] A first length L1 at which the first support hole 8441 is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the steam generator 810 and a second length L2 at which the second support hole 8442 is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the steam generator 810 may be equal to each other.

[0316] Even when the first support hole 8441 and the second support hole 8442 have different diameters, installation vertical levels thereof may be equal to each other.

[0317] Accordingly, the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may heat water at the same water level to generate steam.

[0318] FIG. 13 illustrates in detail a steam supply structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0319] Steam generated inside the steam generator 810 may be directly supplied into the inner casing 200 via the steam tube 813.

[0320] However, when steam is directly supplied into the inner casing 200 via the steam tube 813, there is a concern that water contained in the steam generator 810 may also be supplied into the inner casing 200.

[0321] In addition, there is a concern that water heated in the steam generator 810 may heat the bottom surface of the inner casing 200, causing heat damage to the inner casing 200.

[0322] To prevent this, the steam supplier 800 of the present disclosure may further include a steam nozzle 900 that receives steam generated from the steam generator 810 and supplies steam to the inner casing 200.

[0323] The steam nozzle 900 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the steam generator 810, and may be constructed to receive only steam generated in the steam generator 810 and not to receive water contained in the steam generator 810.

[0324] For example, the steam nozzle 900 may be disposed upward of the steam generator 810 and connected to the steam tube 813. Accordingly, steam generated in the steam generator 810 may rise by a density difference and be supplied to the steam nozzle 900 along the steam tube 813, and water contained in the steam generator 810 may not be introduced into the steam tube 813 or the steam nozzle 900 because of gravity.

[0325] The steam nozzle 900 may be disposed between the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 and the steam generator 810, and may be in communication with the steam hole 233.

[0326] In one example, the steam supplier 800 of the present disclosure receives water from the water supply tank 30 and generates steam.

[0327] To this end, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a water supply pump 880 that supplies water contained in the water supply tank 30 to the steam supplier 800.

[0328] The steam supplier 800 may further include a supply tube 890 that may guide water contained in the water supply tank 30 to the water supply pump 880.

[0329] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include the water supply tube 815 that guides water discharged from the water supply pump 880 to the steam supplier 800. The water supply tube 815 may be formed in a shape of the water supply hose 8151 made of rubber.

[0330] As a result, the water supply pump 880 may receive water from the supply tube 890 that is connected to the water supply tank 30. In addition, the water supply pump 880 may discharge water to the steam supplier 800 via the water supply tube 881.

[0331] The steam supplier 800 may be viewed as including the water supply pump 880 that provides power to supply water contained in the water supply tank 30 to the steam generator 810.

[0332] The supply tube 890 may be equipped as a hose connecting the water supply tank 30 with the water supply pump 880, and the water supply tube 881 may be equipped as a hose coupled to the water supply pump 880.

[0333] In one example, the water supply tube 815 may directly connect the water supply pump 880 with the steam generator 810. Accordingly, water supplied from the water supply pump 880 may be directly supplied to the steam generator 810, heated by the steam heater 840, and generated as steam. The steam may be supplied to the steam nozzle 900 via the steam tube 813 and delivered to the inner casing 200.

[0334] However, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the water supply tube 815 may directly connect the water supply pump 880 with the steam nozzle 900.

[0335] In other words, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may supply water contained in the water supply tank 30 to the steam nozzle 900 instead of the steam generator 810. Water supplied from the water supply pump 880 may be directly supplied to the steam nozzle 900.

[0336] The water supply pump 880 may not be directly connected to the steam generator 810. It may be considered that the water supply pump 880 is in communication with the steam generator 810 via the steam nozzle 900.

[0337] The steam nozzle 900 may receive water contained in the water supply tank 30 via the water supply pump 880. Water supplied to the steam nozzle 900 may be delivered to the steam generator 810.

[0338] Because the steam nozzle 900 is disposed upward of the steam generator 810, water supplied to the steam nozzle 900 may be automatically supplied to the steam generator 810.

[0339] As a result, the steam nozzle 900 may be constructed to receive water contained in the water supply tank 30 via the water supply pump 880 and deliver water to the steam generator 810.

[0340] The steam supplier 800 may further include a recovery tube 815 connecting the steam nozzle 900 with the steam generator 810. The recovery tube 815 may supply, to the steam generator 810, water temporarily contained by being supplied to the steam nozzle 900.

[0341] Therefore, the steam tube 813 through which steam is introduced into the steam nozzle 900 and the recovery tube 815 through which water is discharged from the steam nozzle 900 may be equipped as separate flow channels.

[0342] Therefore, water supplied from the steam nozzle 900 may be prevented from interfering with the movement of steam supplied from the steam generator 810.

[0343] In one example, the recovery tube 815 may be formed in a U-shape. That is, a partial area between both ends of the recovery tube 815 may be disposed at a lower vertical level. As a result, a certain amount of water may be accumulated in the recovery tube 815 as in a water trap, so that steam or water supplied from the steam generator 810 may be prevented from being re-introduced via the recovery tube 815.

[0344] The steam tube 813 may include the steam hose 8131 connecting the steam nozzle 900 with the steam generator 810. The steam hose 8131 may be made of a rubber material.

[0345] The recovery tube 815 may be formed separately from the steam tube 813 and may be disposed to be spaced apart from the steam tube 813. The recovery tube 815 may include a recovery hose 8151 connecting the steam nozzle 900 with the steam generator 810. The recovery hose 8151 may be made of a rubber material.

[0346] The steam generator 810 may receive and accommodate therein water supplied to the steam nozzle 900. Because the steam generator 810 is not directly connected to the water supply pump 880, there is no possibility that water introduced into the steam generator 810 will flow back into the water supply pump 880.

[0347] In addition, because the steam nozzle 900 is disposed upward of the steam generator 810 and the steam nozzle 900 is connected to the steam generator 810 via the recovery tube 815, water supplied to the steam nozzle 900 may be automatically supplied to the steam generator 810 by gravity. As a result, water supplied to the steam nozzle 900 from the water supply pump 880 has no possibility of flowing back into the water supply pump 880.

[0348] As a result, a check valve may be omitted between the water supply pump 880 and the steam nozzle 900 or the steam generator 810. Therefore, the water supply tube 881 may be formed as a single water supply hose. A flow channel for supplying water to the steam supplier 800 may be simplified, and a possibility of leakage from the flow channel may be reduced accordingly.

[0349] In addition, a large amount of water may be supplied to the steam nozzle 900 at a considerable pressure via the water supply pump 880. As a result, foreign substances, bacteria that are growing, or the like accumulated in the steam nozzle 900 may be washed by water supplied to the steam nozzle 900 and washed down into the steam generator 810. Therefore, the steam nozzle 900 may always be maintained in a clean state, and a flow of supplied steam may be prevented from being obstructed.

[0350] In one example, when steam supplied from the steam nozzle 900 is condensed, condensed water may be re-introduced into the steam generator 810 via the recovery tube 815. That is, condensed water generated in the steam nozzle 900 may be recovered to the steam generator 810 in the same direction as a movement direction of water supplied from the water supply pump 880, and may be recycled as water that generates the steam. Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may prevent a rapid decrease in a water level of the water supply tank 30 and also prevent waste of water.

[0351] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a flow channel structure of a steam supplier of the present disclosure.

[0352] Water supplied from the water supply pump 880 may be supplied to the steam nozzle 900 along the water supply tube 881.

[0353] The steam nozzle 900 may supply received water to the steam generator 810.

[0354] The steam generator 810 may receive water via the recovery tube 815.

[0355] When water is heated by the steam heater 840 and steam is generated in the steam generator 810, the steam may be supplied to the steam nozzle 900 along the steam tube 813.

[0356] In this regard, the recovery tube 815 and the steam tube 813 may be separated from each other and disposed in the steam generator 810.

[0357] Steam condensed in the steam nozzle 900 may be re-introduced into the steam generator 810 via the recovery tube 815.

[0358] A hose connected to the outside may be omitted in the steam generator 810, except for the recovery tube 815 and the steam tube 813 connected to the steam nozzle 900. That is, because the water supply pump 880 may not be directly connected to the steam generator 810, a hose connecting the water supply pump 880 with the steam generator 810 may be omitted.

[0359] Therefore, because the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure only needs to have the water supply tube 881, the recovery tube 815, and the steam tube 813 as the flow channels related to steam, the flow channel structure may be simplified.

[0360] In addition, the steam nozzle 900 may be disposed upward of the steam generator 810. Therefore, water supplied to the steam nozzle 900 may be entirely guided to the steam generator 810 without the separate check valve.

[0361] Therefore, when water supplied from the water supply pump 880 is supplied to the steam nozzle 900, water supplied to the steam nozzle 900 is entirely guided to the steam generator 810, so that the possibility of water flowing back from the steam nozzle 900 to the water supply pump 880 is blocked.

[0362] Therefore, the check valve may be omitted between the water supply pump 880 and the steam nozzle 900.

[0363] In addition, because the check valve does not need to be installed in the water supply tube 880, the water supply tube 880 does not need to be equipped as a plurality of parts and thus is able to be equipped as one hose. As a result, not only the flow channel structure may further be simplified, but also installation and repair of the flow channel may be simplified, and the possibility of leakage may further be reduced.

[0364] FIG. 15 illustrates a flow channel structure of the steam nozzle.

[0365] The steam nozzle 900 may include a supply container 910 that may receive steam from the steam casing 810 or receive water from the water supply pump 880 and accommodate the same.

[0366] The supply container 910 may be formed in a casing shape having an internal space that may receive and accommodate water or steam therein.

[0367] The water supply tube 881 may be connected to the supply container 910 at a place higher than a bottom surface of the supply container 910. For example, the water supply tube 881 may be coupled to a side surface of the supply container 910. As a result, water supplied to the supply container 910 may be prevented from flowing back into the water supply tube 881.

[0368] The water supply tube 881 may be connected to the supply container 910 at a place higher than the recovery tube 815. For example, the recovery tube 815 may be disposed such that one end thereof is coupled to the bottom surface of the supply container 910 and the other end thereof is coupled to the steam generator 810. Accordingly, water supplied to the water supply tube 881 may be automatically introduced into the recovery tube 815.

[0369] In addition, the recovery tube 815 may be formed in a U-shape so as to accommodate a certain amount of water inside.

[0370] In one example, the recovery tube 815 may be disposed adjacent to the water supply tube 881. As a result, water supplied to the water supply tube 811 may not remain in the supply container 810 and may quickly flow into the steam casing 810.

[0371] In one example, the steam tube 813 may have one end coupled to a lower portion of the supply container 910 and the other end coupled to an upper end of the steam generator 810 or the steam cover 820. As a result, steam generated in the steam generator 810 may be automatically supplied to the supply container 910 because of the density difference.

[0372] The steam tube 813 may be connected to a higher place of the supply container 910 than the recovery tube 815. In addition, the steam tube 813 may be disposed further away from the water supply tube 881 than the recovery tube 815.

[0373] Therefore, water supplied to the supply container 910 may not flow back to the steam tube 813 and may be supplied more to the recovery tube 815.

[0374] The steam tube 813 may be coupled to the bottom surface of the supply container 910.

[0375] The bottom surface of the supply container 910 may be constructed such that a portion where the recovery tube 815 is coupled is lower and a portion where the steam tube 813 is coupled is higher. To this end, the bottom surface of the supply container 910 may have a step formed thereon or may be inclined.

[0376] The steam nozzle 900 may further include a container cover 920 coupled to an upper portion of the supply container 910. The container cover 920 may include a steam spray hole 923 defined through an upper portion thereof. The steam spray hole 923 may be in communication with the inside of the inner casing 200.

[0377] The supply container 910 may be formed in a box shape with an open top, and the container cover 920 may shield the top of the supply container 910.

[0378] Steam supplied via the steam tube 813 may be discharged through the steam spray hole 923 and supplied into the inner casing 200.

[0379] The steam tube 813 may be disposed between the steam spray hole 923 and an inner surface of the supply container 910. The steam spray hole 923 may be defined between the water supply tube 881 and the steam tube 813, and may be defined between the recovery tube 815 and the steam tube 813. Accordingly, steam condensed without being discharged through the steam spray hole 923 may be discharged through the recovery tube 815 without remaining inside the supply container 910.

[0380] The steam spray hole 923 may be positioned at a center based on a width direction of the container cover 920.

[0381] The container cover 920 may be coupled to the supply container 910 via hook coupling or the like. As a result, a separate fastening member that couples the container cover 920 with the supply container 910 may be omitted.

[0382] Because the supply container 910 has the open top, it may be advantageous for the supply container 910 to install various shapes or structures inside, and it may be advantageous for the container cover 920 to install various structures on a bottom.

[0383] Based on the steam spray hole 923, the water supply tube 881 and the recovery tube 815 are disposed at one side of the supply container 910, and the steam tube 813 is disposed at the other side of the supply container 910.

[0384] That is, the water supply tube 881 and the recovery tube 815 may be arranged adjacent to each other, and the steam tube 813 may be disposed further away from the water supply tube 881 than the recovery tube 815.

[0385] Accordingly, water moving to the water supply tube 881 may be supplied to the supply container 910 along a direction I. Water supplied to the supply container 910 may be immediately discharged to the recovery tube 815 along a direction II and supplied to the steam generator 810. Steam supplied from the steam tube 813 may be supplied to the supply container 910 along a direction III and discharged to the steam spray hole 932, and condensed water may be discharged to the recovery tube 815 along the direction II and re-supplied to the steam generator 810.

[0386] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the moving hanger 1000 will be described in detail.

[0387] The moving hanger 1000 may linearly reciprocate within the inner casing 200. Accordingly, the laundry may be shaken while linearly reciprocating within the inner casing 200.

[0388] The moving hanger 1000 may shake the laundry periodically at various frequencies.

[0389] For example, the moving hanger 1000 may have a structure similar to that in Korean Patent No. 10-1285890.

[0390] In addition, the moving hanger 1000 may shake the laundry while rotating the laundry in a reciprocating manner within the inner casing.

[0391] That is, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, as long as the laundry may be shaken in the inner casing, the moving hanger 1000 may have any structure.

[0392] Hereinafter, the structure of the moving hanger 1000 for rotating the laundry in a reciprocating manner will be described.

[0393] FIG. 16 illustrates an upper structure of an inner casing of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0394] The moving hanger 1000 of the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may include a power transmitter 1400 that is disposed in an upper portion of the inner casing 200 and shakes a clothes hanger 1900.

[0395] A hanger 1700 on which the clothes hanger 1900 may be seated or hung may be disposed on a lower portion of the power transmitter 1400.

[0396] Therefore, when the power transmitter 1400 moves, the hanger 1700 moves and the clothes hanger 1900 hung on the hanger 1700 shakes, so that the effect of the laundry being shaken may occur.

[0397] The power transmitter 1400 may include a plurality of power transmitters, and the hanger 1700 coupled to the power transmitter 1400 may also include a plurality of hangers. Accordingly, a large number of laundry items corresponding to the number of power transmitters 1400 may be hung inside the inner casing 200 and refreshed.

[0398] The moving hanger 1000 may further include a driver 1200 that provides power to move the power transmitter 1400.

[0399] As long as the driver 1200 is able to transmit the power to the power transmitter 1400, it may be disposed so as to be exposed inside the inner casing 200. However, because the driver 1200 operates by receiving electric energy, it is preferable that exposure thereof to steam or hot air is blocked.

[0400] Accordingly, the driver 1200 may be disposed between a top surface of the inner casing 200 and the cabinet 100 and be blocked from being exposed to the accommodation space 220.

[0401] The power transmitter 1400 may receive the power from the driver 1200 by extending through the inner casing 200 and transmit the same to the hanger 1700.

[0402] The power transmitter 1400 may extend through the top surface of the inner casing 200 and extend into the accommodation space 220. A lower end of the power transmitter 1400 may be exposed to the accommodation space 220 and an upper end of the power transmitter 1400 may be exposed to a portion above the inner casing 200.

[0403] The power transmitter 1400 may be formed in a rod shape, a tube shape, a plate shape, or the like whose length is greater than a thickness.

[0404] In one example, the top surface of the inner casing 200 may support loads of the power transmitter 1400 and the driver 1200. The laundry is hung on and moves on the power transmitter 1400, and the load of the driver 1200 is also relatively great. Therefore, to stably install the moving hanger 1000 on the top surface of the inner casing 200, the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may further include a supporter 1800.

[0405] The supporter 1800 may be disposed on top of the inner casing 200, and may be supported by being coupled to the cabinet 100. The supporter 1800 may be made of a metal material that is durable and difficult to deform.

[0406] The power transmitter 1400 and the driver 1200 may be disposed on top of the inner casing 200 by being seated on the supporter 1800. The power transmitter 1400 may extend through the supporter 1800 into the accommodation space 220.

[0407] In one example, the driver 1200 includes a motor that rotates a rotation shaft. The driver 1200 may move the power transmitter 1400 with power that rotates the rotation shaft.

[0408] However, it may be difficult to shake the power transmitter 1400 with a sufficient displacement by simply rotating the rotation shaft in place.

[0409] Therefore, the moving hanger1000 may further include a displacement generator 1300 that is coupled to the rotation shaft rotated by the motor and generates the sufficient displacement (a change amount in location) to allow the power transmitter 1400 to move.

[0410] The displacement generator 1300 may be connected or coupled to the driver 1200.

[0411] For example, the displacement generator 1300 may transmit the power of the driver 1200 to the power transmitter 1400.

[0412] The displacement generator 1300 may include an eccentric shaft that rotates along a trajectory greater than a diameter of the rotation shaft. The eccentric shaft may be directly coupled to the rotation shaft of the driver 1200, but may be eccentrically coupled to or extended from a power shaft 1240 that rotates by the rotation shaft.

[0413] The displacement generator 1300 may be formed in any configuration as long as it is able to generate a displacement that causes the power transmitter 1400 to reciprocate within a certain range. A detailed structure thereof will be described later.

[0414] When the driver 1200 operates, the power generated from the rotation shaft may generate the displacement of the displacement generator 1300, and the power transmitter 1400 may move based on the displacement of the displacement generator 1300.

[0415] The displacement generator 1300 may directly move the power transmitter 1400, but may move the power transmitter 1400 via an additional component.

[0416] The moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure may reciprocate the power transmitter 1400.

[0417] In addition, the moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure may rotate the power transmitter 1400. Specifically, the moving hanger 1000 may rotate the power transmitter 1400 in a reciprocating manner within a certain angular range rather than linearly reciprocating the power transmitter 1400.

[0418] The power transmitter 1400 may rotate in a reciprocating manner clockwise or counterclockwise at a home location, and the laundry hung on the power transmitter 1400 may also rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. The power transmitter 1400 may rotate by the moving hanger 1000, but may not move while varying the location thereof to the left or right.

[0419] Even when the laundry rotates by the power transmitter 1400 inside the inner casing 200, a movement of a center of gravity inside the inner casing 200 may be restricted. Therefore, even when the moving hanger 1000 operates, vibrations occurring inside the inner casing 200 may be drastically reduced, and noise generation may also be minimized.

[0420] To this end, the moving hanger 1000 may further include a reciprocating rotation converter 1500 that converts continuous rotation energy generated from the driver 1200 or the displacement generator 1300 into the reciprocating rotation motion of the power transmitter 1400.

[0421] The reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may connect the displacement generator 1300 with the power transmitter 1400. The reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may connect the displacement generator 1300 with the power transmitter 1400 at a location above the inner casing 200. The reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may be prevented from being exposed to the accommodation space 220, thereby preventing the laundry from being damaged by the reciprocating rotation converter 1500.

[0422] In one example, the moving hanger 1000 may rotate only one of the plurality of power transmitters 1400 in a reciprocating manner.

[0423] However, when only one power transmitter 1400 is rotated, laundry hung on the rotating power transmitter may collide with laundry hung on another power transmitter 1400 and be damaged. In addition, there is a concern that the impact may be transmitted to the moving hanger 1000 and the moving hanger 1000 may be damaged.

[0424] Therefore, it is preferable that the moving hanger 1000 rotates all of the plurality of power transmitters 1400.

[0425] The moving hanger 1000 may integrally rotate the plurality of power transmitters 1400. The moving hanger 1400 may simultaneously rotate the plurality of power transmitters 1400 by the same angle. As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may prevent the power transmitters 1400 from colliding with each other.

[0426] It may be advantageous for the power generated from the driver 1200 to be directly transmitted to the plurality of power transmitters 1400 in rotating all of the power transmitters 1400.

[0427] However, when the driver 1200 directly transmits the power to each of the power transmitters 1400, a structure connecting the driver 1200 with all of the power transmitters 1400 may become complicated.

[0428] In addition, when the driver 1200 includes a plurality of drivers or when there are a plurality of components that connect the driver 1200 to all of the power transmitters 1400, excessive load may be applied to the inner casing 200 or the supporter 1800. In addition, inconvenience of having to control the plurality of drivers 1200 may also occur.

[0429] In addition, when the displacement generator 1300 and the reciprocating rotation converter1500 are connected to transmit the power transmitted from one driver 1200 to each of all the power transmitters 1400, an arrangement and structures of the displacement generator 1300 and the reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may become complicated, which may lower reliability.

[0430] Therefore, the moving hanger 1000 may be designed such that one driver 1200 generates the power to rotate the plurality of power transmitters 1400.

[0431] In addition, the moving hanger 1000 may be designed such that the power generated by the driver 1200 is preferentially transmitted to some of the power transmitters 1400 or some of the reciprocating rotation converters 1500 and the remaining power transmitters 1400 or the remaining reciprocating rotation converters 1500 secondarily receive the power.

[0432] For example, the reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may receive the power transmitted from the driver 1200 or the displacement generator 1300 and transmit the same to some of the power transmitters 1400. That is, the moving hanger 1000 may be designed such that the power generated by the driver 1200 is intensively transmitted to one reciprocating rotation converter 1500, so that a power transmission structure may be designed simply and a power loss may be minimized.

[0433] The moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure may transmit the power transmitted from the driver 1200 to one reciprocating rotation converter 1500, thereby rotating a specific power transmitter 1400 connected to the reciprocating rotation converter 1500.

[0434] In addition, the moving hanger 1000 may further include a connector 1600 that transmits the power transmitted to the specific power transmitter 1400 to another power transmitter 1400.

[0435] For example, the connector 1600 may connect the plurality of power transmitters 1400 to each other. Accordingly, when one power transmitter 1400 rotates, the connector 1600 may rotate all of the plurality of power transmitters 1400.

[0436] FIG. 17 illustrates an operation scheme of a moving hanger of the present disclosure.

[0437] Referring to (a) in FIG. 17, the power transmitter 1400 may rotate to the right by the reciprocating rotation converter 1500 when the driver 1200 operates. At this time, the power transmitters 1400 connected to the connector 1600 may also all rotate to the right.

[0438] Referring to (b) in FIG. 17, the power transmitter 1400 may rotate to the left by the reciprocating rotation converter 1500 when the driver 1200 operates further. At this time, the power transmitters 1400 connected to the connector 1600 may also all rotate to the left.

[0439] As this process is repeated, the power transmitter 1400 may rotate left and right.

[0440] In this regard, the power transmitter 1400 may be constructed to rotate left and right while being fixed at a home location. The power transmitter 1400 may be fixed to the supporter 1800 such that there is no change in location in a front and rear direction and a left and right direction when rotating.

[0441] The power transmitter 1400 may be fixed such that the location thereof does not change based on a vertical direction, the front and rear direction, and a width direction.

[0442] However, the power transmitter 1400 may be constructed to rotate left and right with the vertical direction or a height direction in which the power transmitter extends as a rotation axis. As a result, when the driver 1200 operates, the hanger 1700 may rotate left and right in a reciprocating manner with the power transmitter 1400 as a shaft, and the location thereof may not be changed.

[0443] Referring to (c) in FIG. 17, the clothes hanger 1900 may include a ring 1910 hung on the hanger 1700 and a seating portion 1900 coupled to the ring 1910. A surface modifier 950 that prevents the laundry from slipping may be disposed on a surface of the seating portion 1950.

[0444] The seating portion 1950 may be symmetrical in the left and right direction with the ring 1910 as a center. The clothes hanger 1900 may be hung on the hanger 1700 such that the seating portion 1950 is directed in the front and rear direction.

[0445] When the power transmitter 1400 rotates to the left, in the clothes hanger 1900, based on the 1910, a left side of the seating portion 1950 may rotate to the left and a right side of the seating portion 1950 may rotate to the right. In this regard, an angle I by which the left side of the seating portion 1950 rotates may be the same as an angle (theta) by which the right side of the seating portion 1950 rotates, and a distance at which the left side of the seating portion 1950 moves may be the same as a distance at which the right side of the seating portion 1950 moves.

[0446] As a result, based on the clothes hanger 1900, a weight and a force moving to the left may be the same as a weight and a force moving to the right, and thus they may be offset from each other.

[0447] Similarly, even when the power transmitter 1400 rotates to the right, the weight and the force moving to the left may be the same as the weight and the force moving to the right based on the clothes hanger 1900 accordingly, and thus they will be offset from each other.

[0448] As a result, even when the power transmitter 1400 rotates, the forces applied to the clothes hanger 1900 may be offset from each other, and as a result, a vibration force or an excitation force, or an inertial force generated from the clothes hanger 1900 itself may be minimized. Accordingly, an inertial force or the like generated from the plurality of power transmitters 1400 may be minimized, so that vibration or noise occurring from the entire moving hanger 1000 may be minimized, and vibration or noise occurring from the entire laundry treating apparatus 1 may be drastically reduced.

[0449] As a result, even when the driver 1200 rotates at a maximum output, the vibration occurring from the moving hanger 1000 or the entire laundry treating apparatus 1 may not be significant.

[0450] Instead, because each of surfaces of the laundry hung on the clothes hanger 1900 rotates left and right and is shaken, a shaking force may be greatly secured.

[0451] As described above, the power transmitter 1400 may extend through the inner casing 200 and receive the power to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise in a reciprocating manner. As a result, the power transmitter 1400 may rotate left and right in a reciprocating manner while the location thereof is fixed at the upper portion of the inner casing 200. The power transmitter 1400 is fixed such that the location thereof is not changed in the vertical direction and the left and right direction. In addition, not only an upper portion of the power transmitter 1400 but also a lower portion thereof is fixed so as not to vary in location in the vertical direction and the left and right direction.

[0452] That is, the power transmitter 1400 may be constructed to rotate in a reciprocating manner within a certain angle range without achieving 360-degree rotation while a center of rotation thereof is fixed.

[0453] As a result, no matter how fast the power transmitter 1400 rotates, the clothes hanger 1900 is fixed in location and one end thereof rotates or moves to one side and the other end thereof rotates or moves to the other side, so that the forces and the vibrations transmitted to the power transmitter 1400 may be offset from each other.

[0454] Therefore, the vibration and the noise occurring inside the inner casing 200 by the power transmitter 1400, the hanger 1700, and the clothes hanger 1900 may be minimized.

[0455] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may rotate the driver 1200 at a higher RPM to reciprocate the power transmitter 1400 at a higher frequency. Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may shake the laundry more strongly.

[0456] In addition, the moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure may be constructed such that the power transmitter 1400 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise in a reciprocating manner in place. Therefore, as described above, no matter how fast the clothes hanger 1900 rotates, the vibrations or inertial forces generated by the clothes hanger 1900 and the laundry may be offset from each other when transmitted to the power transmitter 1400.

[0457] As a result, even when the driver 1200 rotates at a certain RPM or higher, the moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure may not be damaged, and vibration or noise exceeding a threshold value may be prevented from occurring in the laundry treating apparatus.

[0458] Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate the driver 1200 faster than that in a laundry treating apparatus using an existing moving hanger, and may shake the laundry more strongly by operating the power transmitter 1400 at a higher frequency.

[0459] Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may more reliably remove foreign substances on the laundry via the moving hanger 1000 and more effectively remove wrinkles from the laundry. In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may more quickly excite the laundry and more expose the laundry to supplied steam.

[0460] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may freely adjust the RPM of the driver 1200 to adjust an operation frequency or an operation cycle of the power transmitter 1400 based on a course.

[0461] FIG. 18 illustrates an embodiment of the moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure.

[0462] The moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure may transmit the power of the driver 1200 to only one of the plurality of power transmitters 1400 and transmit the power transmitted to the specific power transmitter 1400 to the remaining power transmitters 1400 via the connector 1600.

[0463] The displacement generator 1300 or the reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may intensively transmit the power generated by one driver 1200 to one power transmitter 1400. The connector 1600 may transmit the power transmitted to the specific power transmitter 1400 to all of the power transmitters 1400.

[0464] The connector 1600 may be formed as a rigid body such that a length thereof does not vary, and may connect all of the power transmitters 1400 to each other.

[0465] Accordingly, all of the power transmitters 1400 may rotate in the same direction and by the same angle simultaneously when the connector 1600 moves. As a result, the moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure may rotate the plurality of power transmitters 1400 in a reciprocating manner simultaneously and by the same angle with one driver 1200.

[0466] The moving hanger 1000 may include the driver 1200 that is fixed to a top of the inner casing 200 and provides the power for moving the power transmitter, the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 1500 that are respectively coupled to the plurality of power transmitters 1400, receive the power from the driver 1200, and rotate such that a rotation direction thereof is repeatedly changed, and the connector 1600 that is connects the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters to each other.

[0467] The connector 1600 may include a link bar that connects the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 1500 to each other and integrally rotates the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 1500.

[0468] The connector 1600 may be equipped as a single part.

[0469] The connector 1600 may also connect all of the power transmitters 1400 to each other.

[0470] However, when the connector 1600 is constructed to connect the reciprocating rotation converters 1500 to each other, the connector 1600 may be installed upward of the supporter 1800, thereby preventing the connector 1600 from being exposed inside the inner casing 200.

[0471] The connector 1600 may be coupled to the reciprocating rotation converter 1500 by being disposed forward or rearward thereof, and at least one of the displacement generator 1300 and the driver 1200 may be disposed rearward or forward of the reciprocating rotation converter 1500 so as to be located opposite to the connector 1600. Accordingly, the connector 1600 may be prevented from interfering with the driver 1200.

[0472] The connector 1600 may reciprocate in the width direction of the inner casing 200 and rotate the plurality of the reciprocating rotation converters 1500.

[0473] The driver 1200 may include a motor 1210 that rotates a rotation shaft 1210, the power shaft 1240 that rotates together when the rotation shaft 1210 rotates, and a transmission member 1230 that connects the power shaft 1240 with the rotation shaft 1210 and transmits a rotational power of the rotation shaft 1210 to the power shaft 1240.

[0474] The motor 1210 may be fixed to the top of the inner casing 200 and rotate the rotation shaft 1220. However, the rotation shaft 1220 is constructed to rotate at a speed that is too high compared to an appropriate cycle for the motor 1210 to rotate the power transmitter 1400 in a reciprocating manner. When considering this, there is a concern that when an RPM of the rotation shaft is lowered, an output of the motor 1210 may not be transmitted to the power transmitter 1400.

[0475] To solve such a problem, the transmission member 1230 may transmit an output of the rotation shaft 1220 as is to the power transmitter 1400, but by lowering the RPM of the rotation shaft 1220.

[0476] The transmission member 1230 may rotate by being connected to the rotation shaft 1220, but may rotate with a diameter greater than that of the rotation shaft 1220. Accordingly, the transmission member 1230 may transmit the torque of the rotation shaft 1220 while rotating slower than the rotation shaft 1220.

[0477] The power shaft 1240 may rotate by the transmission member 1230, may be formed separately from the rotation shaft 1230, and may directly transmit the power to the power transmitter 1400.

[0478] The reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may be coupled to the power transmitter 1400 and be rotatable together with the power transmitter 1400.

[0479] The reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may include a reciprocating lever 1510 coupled to the upper portion of the power transmitter 1400 to rotate the power transmitter 1400.

[0480] The reciprocating lever 1510 may be formed in a rib or rod shape with a center of rotation coupled to a support shaft 1410.

[0481] The reciprocating levers 1510 may be respectively coupled to upper ends of the plurality of the power transmitters 1400, and some of the reciprocating levers 1510 may be connected to the transmission member 1230 and receive the power from the motor 1210.

[0482] The reciprocating lever 1510 may rotate in a reciprocating manner by a certain angle when the transmission member 1230 is rotated by the motor 1210. The power transmitter 1400 may be coupled to a center of rotation of the reciprocating lever 1510 and may rotate together with the reciprocating lever 1510.

[0483] The plurality of reciprocating levers 1510 may be connected to each other by the connector 1600.

[0484] The connector 1600 may connect respective one ends of the plurality of reciprocating levers 1510 to each other.

[0485] Therefore, when any one of the plurality of reciprocating levers 1510 rotates, the connector 1600 moves, so that the plurality of reciprocating levers 1510 may rotate simultaneously and at the same time.

[0486] The power transmitter 1400 and the reciprocating lever 1510 may be supported by the supporter 1800. In addition, the motor 1210 and the transmission member 1230 may also be supported by the supporter 1800.

[0487] FIG. 19 illustrates the moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure separated from the inner casing 200.

[0488] The power transmitter 1400 may extend downward through the inner casing, and the hanger 1700 may be coupled to the lower portion of the power transmitter 1400.

[0489] Each reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may be coupled to each power transmitter 1400, and may be coupled to the upper portion of the power transmitter 1400 to be easily connected to the driver 1200.

[0490] The power transmitter 1400 and the reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may respectively include the plurality of power transmitters and the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters arranged to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance along the width direction of the inner casing.

[0491] The connector 1600 connects the plurality of power transmitters 1400 or the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 1500 to each other. Thus, the connector 1600 may simultaneously rotate an entirety of the plurality of power transmitters 1400 or the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 1500.

[0492] The power transmitter 1400 may include the support shaft 1410 that extends through the upper portion of the inner casing 200 and is coupled to the reciprocating lever1510.

[0493] The support shaft 1410 may extend through the supporter 1800 and be exposed to a place above the supporter 1800 or above the inner casing 200.

[0494] The power transmitter 1400 may include an auxiliary support 1420 coupled to the support shaft 1410 and exposed to the accommodation space. The auxiliary support 1420 may be formed in a rod shape, and the hanger 1700 may be coupled and fixed to a lower portion of the auxiliary support 1420.

[0495] The auxiliary support 1420 may be fixed to the support shaft 1410 and rotate together with the support shaft 1410. Accordingly, when the support shaft 1410 rotates by the reciprocating lever 1510, the auxiliary support 1420 coupled to the support shaft 1410 may also rotate, thereby allowing the hanger 1700 to rotate left and right.

[0496] The reciprocating levers 1510 may include a main lever 1511 that receives the power directly from the driver 1200 and rotates in a reciprocating manner, and an auxiliary lever 1512 that receives the power from the main lever 1511 via the connector 1600.

[0497] The main lever 1511 may be equipped as a single part and may directly receive the power from the driver 1200.

[0498] In the driver 1200, the motor 1210 may include a vertical motor 1211 coupled to the supporter 1800, and a vertical rotation shaft 1221 that rotates by the vertical motor 1211.

[0499] The transmission member 1230 may include a power pulley 1231 that is coupled to the vertical rotation shaft 1221 and rotates together with the vertical rotation shaft 1221, a transmission pulley 1232 that is coupled to the power shaft 1240 and rotates the power shaft 1240, and a belt 1233 that connects respective portions of outer circumferential surfaces of the power pulley 1231 and the transmission pulley 1232 to each other.

[0500] The transmission member 1230 may further include a pulley support 1224 that rotatably supports the power shaft 1240 and the transmission pulley 1232. The pulley support 1224 may support the transmission pulley 1232 so as to be disposed in parallel with the power pulley 1231, and may be seated on the supporter 1800.

[0501] The power shaft 1240 may transmit the power transmitted from the rotation shaft 1220 to one of both ends of the main lever 1511.

[0502] The displacement generator 1300 may be coupled to the power shaft 1240 and receive the power. In addition, the displacement generator 1300 may be connected to the main lever 1511 and rotate the main lever 1511 in a reciprocating manner around the support shaft 1410.

[0503] For example, the displacement generator 1300 may include an eccentric shaft that is eccentrically connected to the power shaft 1240 and rotates at a predetermined radius around a center of rotation of the power shaft 1240.

[0504] The displacement generator 1300 may be connected to a distal end of the main lever 1511. The displacement generator 1300 may rotate by the power shaft 1240 and rotate the distal end of the main lever 1511 in a reciprocating manner around the support shaft 1410.

[0505] The connector 1600 may include a link bar 1610 that connects one of both ends of the main lever 1511 that is not connected to the power shaft 1240 or the displacement generator 1300 with one end of the auxiliary lever 1512.

[0506] The auxiliary lever 1512 may be rotatably coupled to a remaining support shaft 1410 that is not connected to the main lever 1511, and may extend in one direction and be connected to the link bar 1610 at a portion thereof connected to the support shaft 1410.

[0507] The link bar 1610 may be formed in a shape of a straight frame connecting one end of the main lever 1511 with respective one ends of the auxiliary levers 1512. In this regard, one end of the main lever 1511 and one end of the auxiliary lever 1512 may be arranged parallel to each other based on the link bar 1610 or the width direction.

[0508] The link bar 1610 may be equipped as a single part and rotate the main lever 1511 and the auxiliary levers 1512 simultaneously and at the same time around respective support shafts 1410.

[0509] The inner casing 200 may include the through-holes 230 that allow portions of the supporter 1800 to be accommodated therein, exposing the power transmitters 1400 to the accommodation space 220.

[0510] The through-holes 230 may be defined in a top surface 22 of the inner casing, and the through-holes 230 may be defined along a direction in which the power transmitters 1400 are arranged.

[0511] For example, the power transmitters 1400 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the width direction of the inner casing, and the through-holes 230 may be defined along the width direction of the inner casing.

[0512] The laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may further include a support frame 120 that is disposed outward of the inner casing and supports the cabinet 100.

[0513] The support frame 120 may be disposed at each location corresponding to an edge of the cabinet 100 or an edge of the inner casing 200 and may be made of a metal material that maintains the outer appearance of the laundry treating apparatus. The supporter 1800 may prevent unnecessary impact or load from being transmitted to the top surface 220 of the inner casing as both ends of the supporter 1800 are seated and supported on the support frame 120.

[0514] FIG. 20 illustrates an operation scheme of the moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure.

[0515] Referring to (a) in FIG. 20, the main lever 1511 may include a main body 15111 coupled to the support shaft 1410 and coupled to the connecting bar 1610.

[0516] The main body 15111 may include a main center hole 15115 coupled to the support shaft 1410 and capable of rotating the support shaft 1410, and the main body 15111 may extend to both sides from the main center hole 15115.

[0517] The main body 15111 may have a main reception hole 15112 that receives the power from the driver 1200 at one end, and may have a main transmission hole 15113 into which the connecting bar 1610 is seated and coupled at the other end.

[0518] The main body 15111 may further include a stepped portion 15114 that extends from the center hole to the main receiving hole 15112, but forms a step. Because of the stepped portion 15114, one end of the main body 15111 or the main transmission hole 15113 may be positioned lower than the main center hole 15115.

[0519] Accordingly, an extension length of the power shaft 1240 or the eccentric shaft 1310 disposed upward of the main center hole 15115 from the transmission member 1230 may be secured.

[0520] In one example, the auxiliary lever 1512 may include an auxiliary body 15121 having an auxiliary center hole 15125 coupled to the support shaft 1410 and an auxiliary transmission hole 15123 that extends on one side of the auxiliary center hole 15125 and is coupled to the link bar 1610.

[0521] The auxiliary body 15121 may have a smaller length than the main body 15111.

[0522] A distance from the main center hole 15115 to the main transmission hole 15113 may be set to be the same as a distance from the auxiliary center hole 15125 to the auxiliary transmission hole 15123.

[0523] The link bar 1610 may be seated on top of the auxiliary transmission hole 15123 and the main transmission hole 15113 and connect the auxiliary lever 1512 and the main lever 1511 to each other.

[0524] Referring to (b) in FIG. 20, the driver 1200 may be constructed such that the power shaft 1240 is inserted into the main reception hole 15112. Accordingly, the power shaft 1240 may be directly rotated to rotate the main reception hole 15112 left and right.

[0525] In other words, the rotation of the power shaft 1240 alone may not generate sufficient displacement to rotate the main reception hole 15112 left and right with respect to the main center hole 15115.

[0526] To this end, the displacement generator 1300 may be coupled to the power shaft 1240 to generate a displacement greater than a rotation radius of the power shaft 1240.

[0527] The displacement generator 1300 may convert a stationary rotational motion of the power shaft 1240 into a displacement motion of reciprocating within a predetermined range. The displacement motion may be transmitted to the reciprocating rotation converter 1500, so that the power transmitter 1400 may rotate in a reciprocating manner.

[0528] As described above, the displacement generator 1300 may include the eccentric shaft 1310 that extends from the power shaft 1240 and rotates at a predetermined radius along a trajectory.

[0529] The eccentric shaft 1310 may have a diameter smaller than that of the power shaft 1240, and may be coupled to or extended from the power shaft 1240 at a certain distance from a center of rotation of the power shaft 1240.

[0530] Accordingly, the eccentric shaft 1310 may rotate in a circle with a radius of the distance from the power shaft 1240 when the power shaft 1240 rotates.

[0531] The diameter of the eccentric shaft 1310 may be set smaller than a diameter or a width of the main reception hole 15112.

[0532] The eccentric shaft 1310 may be inserted into and supported in the main reception hole 15112.

[0533] However, the radius of rotation of the eccentric shaft 1310 may be set to be greater than a width or a diameter of the main reception hole 15112. As a result, when the eccentric shaft 1310 rotates, the main reception hole 15112 may be pushed by the eccentric shaft 1310 and move left and right with respect to the main center hole 15115.

[0534] As a result, when the eccentric shaft 1310 rotates in a specific direction x, the main reception hole 15112 of the main body 1511 may also rotate in a reciprocating manner along a specific direction y. As a result, the center hole 15115 of the main body may also rotate in the same direction as the main reception hole 15112, and the main transmission hole 15113 may rotate in a reciprocating manner in a direction z opposite to the specific direction.

[0535] When the eccentric shaft 1310 rotates, the support shaft 1410 may rotate in a reciprocating manner with the main center hole 15115, so that the power transmitter 1400 may rotate in a reciprocating manner. Further, the main transmission hole 15113 may also rotate in a reciprocating manner to reciprocate the link bar 1610, so that the auxiliary lever 1521 may rotate in a reciprocating manner around the auxiliary center hole 15125 and the support shaft 1410. The power transmitter 1400 coupled to the auxiliary lever 1521 may also rotate in a reciprocating manner.

[0536] The power transmitter 1400 may have screw threads formed along a circumference of an upper portion of the support shaft 1410.

[0537] Each of the main transmission hole 15113 and the auxiliary center hole 15125 may be directly coupled to and fixed to the support shaft 1410 using the screw threads or the like.

[0538] However, the power transmitter 1400 may further include a transmitter coupling portion 1415 coupled to the screw threads of the support shaft 1410 such that the support shaft 1410 extends through each of the main transmission hole 15113 and the auxiliary center hole 15125 as it is and then is fixed to each of the main transmission hole 15113 and the auxiliary center hole 15125.

[0539] Therefore, the support shaft 1410 and the reciprocating lever 1510 may be coupled to each other by the transmitter coupling portion 1415 and thus the support shaft 1410 and the reciprocating lever 1510 may rotate simultaneously.

[0540] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the controller 700 of the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure performs any course based on the above configuration will be described.

[0541] FIG. 21 illustrates a process in which a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure performs a course for treating laundry.

[0542] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may have the allowable power amount set as a maximum power amount that may be used. The controller 700 of the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may be set to block power supply when sensing that a power consumption is equal to or greater than the allowable power amount.

[0543] The allowable power amount may be smaller than a power consumption when the first heater 841, the second heater 842, and the compressor 342 are operated simultaneously. As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure is set such that the simultaneous operation of the entire steam heater 840 and the compressor 342 is not available.

[0544] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure is set to be unable to operate the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 simultaneously while the compressor 342 is in operation and to be unable to operate the compressor 342 while the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 are in simultaneous operation.

[0545] Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may be set to be unable to supply a suppliable maximum amount of steam together while hot air is supplied into the inner casing.

[0546] However, the allowable power amount may be greater than a power consumption when the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 are operated simultaneously. In addition, the allowable power amount may be greater than a power consumption when the first heater 841 and the compressor 342 are operated simultaneously. In addition, the allowable power amount may be greater than a power consumption when the second heater 842 and the compressor 342 are operated simultaneously.

[0547] As a result, the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be operated simultaneously, the first heater 841 and the compressor 342 may be operated simultaneously, and the second heater and the compressor 342 may be operated simultaneously.

[0548] Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may supply the suppliable maximum amount of steam into the inner casing by simultaneously operating the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 when the compressor 342 is not in operation.

[0549] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may simultaneously operate the compressor 342 and one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842, thereby simultaneously supplying hot air into the inner casing 200 while supplying steam into the inner casing 200 or simultaneously supplying steam into the inner casing 200 while supplying hot air.

[0550] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may simultaneously operate the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 at the beginning to rapidly heat water inside the steam generator 810 and generate steam first. Thereafter, when steam is generated, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate only one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 to maintain a temperature of the water at a boiling point or the like and continue to generate steam.

[0551] However, in this case, a spray amount of steam may be reduced compared to that when the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 are in simultaneous operation after steam is generated.

[0552] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may adjust a supply amount of steam by operating only one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842. Therefore, even for materials vulnerable to moisture and temperature, such as silk or cashmere, a refreshing cycle may be sufficiently performed with only a small amount of steam supplied.

[0553] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may use only one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 when supplying steam into the inner casing, and thus may reduce an amount of power required to supply steam.

[0554] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may quickly increase a temperature inside the inner casing by operating the compressor 342 together with the supply of steam. As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may quickly complete a drying course that removes moisture from wet laundry, the refreshing cycle that sterilizes, deodorizes, and removes wrinkles from the laundry, or the like.

[0555] (a) in FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment of a method for controlling the present laundry treating apparatus.

[0556] When a refreshing course of performing the refreshing cycle or a standard course is performed, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a steam preparation step A1 of operating the steam heater to heat water, and a steam spray step A2 of, when water is heated and steam is generated during the steam preparation step A1, supplying the steam to the laundry.

[0557] In general, a purpose of the refreshing cycle is to supply moisture to the laundry in a dry state, so that a large amount of steam is required to be sprayed to the laundry.

[0558] Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may simultaneously operate the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 in both the steam preparation step A1 and the steam spray step A2.

[0559] In the steam preparation step A1 and the steam spray step A2, considering the allowable power amount, the compressor 342 may not be operated.

[0560] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure performs a waiting step A3 of providing time for the laundry to absorb moisture with supplied steam.

[0561] After performing the waiting step A3 for a certain period of time, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure performs a cooling step A4 of further lowering a surface temperature of the laundry and operating only the blower fan before operating the compressor. With the cooling step A4, heat damage to the laundry may be prevented.

[0562] When the temperature inside the inner casing 200 is lowered and a moisture content of the laundry is sufficient, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure performs a drying step A5 of operating at least one of the compressor 342 and the blower fan 351.

[0563] With the drying step A5, moisture contained in the laundry may be dried while performing the refreshing cycle such as the deodorization and the wrinkle removal of the laundry. The drying step A5 has the greatest duration compared to all the previously performed steps.

[0564] In one example, because the compressor is not operated in the steam spray step A2, hot air is not able to be supplied. Therefore, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 and a temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the heat supplier 400 are relatively low until reaching the drying step A5.

[0565] Therefore, in the control method described above, the drying step A5 should last a relatively long time to ensure a refreshing performance including one of complete drying, sterilization, deodorization, and wrinkle removal of the laundry.

[0566] (b) in FIG. 21 illustrates another embodiment of a method for controlling a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0567] However, as described above, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate some heaters and the compressor simultaneously because there are the plurality of separate heaters.

[0568] For example, because the steam heater 840 includes the first heater 841 and the second heater 842, either the first heater 841 or the second heater 842 and the compressor may be operated simultaneously. Using this, the refreshing cycle may be performed in a different way.

[0569] Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may quickly increase the temperature inside the inner casing 200 before the drying step by operating the heater and the compressor simultaneously before the drying step. This allows for faster achievement of temperature and time required for the complete drying, the sterilization, the deodorization, and the wrinkle removal of the laundry.

[0570] As a result, the duration of the drying step may be reduced compared to before. In addition, the duration of the drying step may be set to the greatest in the refreshing cycle. By reducing the duration of the drying step, a duration of the entire refreshing cycle may be greatly reduced. In addition, energy efficiency may also be greatly increased by reducing an operating time of the compressor.

[0571] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a steam preparation step bl of operating all the heaters of the steam heater 840 to supply steam to the laundry when any course capable of refreshing or managing the laundry is performed.

[0572] Because the steam preparation step bl may reduce the refreshing cycle duration as the steam is generated faster, the controller 700 may operate all of the heaters of the steam heater 840.

[0573] In other words, in the steam preparation step b1, the controller 700 may heat water using maximum power of the steam heater 840.

[0574] When the steam heater 840 is composed of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842, the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be operated simultaneously to heat water.

[0575] When it is sensed via the sensing device 860 that steam is generated inside the steam casing 810 in the steam preparation step b1, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a preheating step B2 of operating only some of the heaters of the steam heater 840.

[0576] That is, after steam is generated in the steam casing 810, even when only one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 is operated, steam may be continuously generated and supplied to the inner casing 200.

[0577] In the preheating step B2, the controller 700 may operate only one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 to supply steam into the inner casing 200.

[0578] Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may increase the moisture content of the laundry by increasing the temperature inside the inner casing 200 with the steam from the preheating step B2. In addition, because only some heaters of the steam heater 840 are used in the preheating step B2, extra power may be secured.

[0579] In the preheating step B2, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate one or more of the compressor 342 and the blower fan 351. As a result, hot air may also be supplied into the inner casing 200.

[0580] As a result, in a partial period of the preheating step B2, the compressor 342, the blower fan 351, and some heaters of the steam heater 840 may be operated together in an overlapping manner.

[0581] In the preheating step B2, the compressor 342 and one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be operated simultaneously. Steam and hot air may be supplied simultaneously into the inner casing 200.

[0582] When the compressor 342 and one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 are operated simultaneously, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may be increased from the beginning of the refreshing cycle, and higher temperature air may be introduced into the evaporator 341. As a result, a heat exchange performance of the evaporator 341 may be enhanced, and the condenser 343 may be heated to a higher temperature. Accordingly, hot air at the higher temperature may be supplied into the inner casing 200, so that the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may reach an optimum temperature or a minimum temperature required for the refreshing cycle more quickly. Accordingly, a duration of a subsequent refreshing cycle may be significantly shortened.

[0583] In addition, an overall performance coefficient (cop) of the heat supplier 340 may also be increased.

[0584] The preheating step B2 may include one or more of a period in which the compressor 342 and one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 are operated simultaneously and a period in which only the compressor 342 is operated.

[0585] For example, in the preheating step B2, not only a period in which the steam heater 840 and the compressor 342 are operated simultaneously may exist, but also a period in which only the compressor 342 is operated may exist.

[0586] However, it is preferable that the period in which only the compressor 342 is operated is disposed after the period in which the steam heater 840 and the compressor 342 are operated.

[0587] This is because it is more advantageous in operating the heat supplier 340 when air with a high heat capacity is supplied to the evaporator 341 before the compressor 342 is operated. That is, when the steam is supplied to the inner casing 200 via the steam heater 840, not only does the temperature inside the inner casing 200 rise, but an absolute humidity also increases, so that air having the high heat capacity may come into contact with the evaporator 341.

[0588] Specifically, the preheating step B2 may include a first period in which the compressor 342 and one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 are operated and a second period in which the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 are stopped from being operated and only the compressor 342 is operated.

[0589] With the first period, hot air and steam may be supplied to the inner casing 200, thereby increasing the temperature inside the inner casing 200 and an amount of heat of air flowing into the circulation duct 320.

[0590] With the second period, hot air may be supplied into the inner casing 200 in earnest, thereby satisfying a minimum temperature condition for performing the refreshing such as the deodorization, the wrinkle removal, and the sterilization of the laundry.

[0591] In the preheating period B2, the first heater 841 may be operated. As a result, a larger amount of steam may be supplied into the inner casing 200 than when the first heater 841 is operated, thereby further increasing the temperature inside the inner casing 200 and the amount of heat of air flowing into the circulation duct 320.

[0592] Alternatively, the second heater 841 may be operated in the preheating period B2.

[0593] Accordingly, the preheating period B2 may gradually increase the temperature inside the inner casing 200 and maintain the increased temperature for a longer period of time and more stably. Accordingly, a time required for sterilization or the like may be secured.

[0594] In addition, the laundry may be prevented from being deformed by high humidity.

[0595] In one example, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may be set to stop the operation of the steam heater 840 when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 rapidly increases or when the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 342 exceeds a marginal temperature in the preheating period B2.

[0596] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may be set such that one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 repeats operation and stopping (ON / OFF) in the preheating period B2. That is, when the temperature of the refrigerant approaches or exceeds the marginal temperature, the controller 700 may stop the operation of the steam heater 840 in operation, and when the temperature of the refrigerant reaches a safe temperature lower than the marginal temperature, the controller 700 may operate the steam heater 840 again in a repeating manner. In addition, when the temperature inside the inner casing approaches or exceeds a target temperature, the controller 700 may stop the operation of the steam heater 840 in operation, and when the internal temperature reaches a cooling temperature lower than the target temperature, the controller 700 may operate the steam heater 840 again in a repeating manner.

[0597] In one example, even when the steam heater 840 is intermittently operated, because the purpose of the preheating period B2 is to rapidly increase the temperature inside the inner casing 200, an operation duration of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be set greater than a stop duration thereof.

[0598] The preheating period B2 may be performed for a set time period and may be ended when the temperature inside the inner casing or the temperature of the refrigerant maintains a certain temperature for a certain period of time or longer.

[0599] When the preheating period B2 is completed, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a steam spray step B3 of supplying steam to the inner casing 200 in earnest. In the steam spray step B3, the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be operated simultaneously to supply a large amount of steam to the inner casing 200.

[0600] Because the steam spray step B3 is performed in a state in which the laundry hung in the inner casing 200 was heated to a certain level in the preheating step B2, the moisture content of the entire laundry may significantly increase.

[0601] The steam spray step B3 may be performed for a shorter period of time than the steam spray step A2 for which the preheating step B2 was not performed. This is because an amount of steam to be additionally supplied is set to be small because a certain level of steam has already been supplied in the preheating step B2.

[0602] The steam spray step B3 may be ended when a guaranteeing time period for the laundry to be sufficiently moistened elapses.

[0603] When the steam spray step B3 is ended, a drying step B6 of drying the laundry with hot air may be performed. However, when the steam spray step B3 is ended, a waiting step B4 of waiting for a certain period of time to secure time for steam sprayed into the inner casing 200 to penetrate the entire laundry may be additionally performed first.

[0604] The waiting step B4 may correspond to a state in which the steam heater 840 and the compressor 342 are not operated.

[0605] With the waiting step B4, steam sprayed into the inner casing may be prevented from evaporating immediately before the laundry is moistened, and the laundry may be prevented from being damaged by a rapid increase of the surface temperature of the laundry resulted from additional hot air supply in a state in which the surface temperature of the laundry has increased by steam.

[0606] The drying step B6 is a step of operating the compressor 342 to supply hot air to the inner casing 200 in earnest. Therefore, when hot air is supplied immediately when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 has not fallen to the safe temperature or lower, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may rise to the limit temperature or higher, which may damage the laundry.

[0607] Therefore, a cooling step B5 of operating the blower fan 352 may be performed before the drying step B6 is performed. In the cooling step B5, the controller 700 may operate the blower fan 352, but may block the operation of the compressor 342 and the steam heater 340.

[0608] In the cooling step B5, air inside the inner casing 200 may be cooled while circulating along the circulation duct 200.

[0609] When the temperature inside the inner casing 200 drops to the safe temperature or lower or the cooling step B5 is performed for a required period of time, the cooling step B5 may be ended.

[0610] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform the drying step B6 of supplying hot air to the laundry. The drying step B6 may be performed until the moisture content of the laundry drops to a certain level or lower.

[0611] The controller 700 may sense the temperature inside the inner casing 200 or the temperature of the refrigerant to recognize that the moisture content is reduced to the certain level or lower.

[0612] For example, when the moisture content of the laundry is high, even when the drying step B6 is performed, a temperature of air introduced back into the circulation duct 320 may not increase or may not increase rapidly even when it does because of the latent heat of vaporization.

[0613] However, when the laundry is mostly dried and the moisture content is equal to or lower than the certain level, the temperature of air introduced into the circulation duct 320 may rapidly increase because the latent heat of vaporization is low, and may ultimately correspond to a temperature of hot air.

[0614] This may cause the temperature of the refrigerant to move in a similar pattern to the temperature of air introduced into the circulation duct 320.

[0615] When the controller 700 senses that the moisture content of the laundry is decreasing, the drying of the laundry is sufficiently achieved, and a minimum time period required for refreshing elapses, the controller 700 may end the drying step B6.

[0616] Alternatively, the controller 700 may end the drying step B6 when a period of time during which the laundry is exposed to a temperature equal to or higher than a minimum drying temperature condition reaches the minimum time period.

[0617] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may significantly reduce a duration of the drying step B6 by further placing the preheating step B2 before the drying step B6 to increase a total period of time during which the temperature inside the inner casing 200 is equal to or higher than the minimum condition temperature.

[0618] In one example, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may keep the compressor 342 stopped after it has been operated and subsequently stopped in the preheating period B2, until the drying step B6 is performed.

[0619] FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment of performing a drying course of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0620] When the drying course is performed, a drying course in which a first step or a heating step, a second step or a constant rate step, a third step or a falling rate step, and a fourth step or a cooling step are performed in order may be performed.

[0621] Wet laundry or laundry with a moisture content higher than the removal moisture content may be hung inside the inner casing 200.

[0622] Referring to (a) in FIG. 22, when the first step is performed, at least one of the compressor 342 and the blower fan 352 may be operated. Accordingly, as the refrigerant is heated, air inside the inner casing 200 may also be heated, and the air may be circulated through the inner casing 200 and the circulation duct 320 while the temperature thereof gradually increases by the blower fan 352. In this process, moisture in the laundry may begin to evaporate.

[0623] Referring to (b) in FIG. 22, when the first step continues for a certain period of time, high-temperature air (hot air) capable of vaporizing moisture in the laundry is supplied into the inner casing 200. During this process, moisture contained in the laundry may gradually evaporate, and more latent heat of vaporization may be absorbed from hot air. As a result, the constant rate step in which even though hot air is being supplied into the inner casing 200, a temperature increase rate inside the inner casing 200 falls to a reference value or lower or the temperature inside the inner casing 200 is maintained may be performed.

[0624] For example, the reference value may be set to an increase rate of 1 degree per minute or 0.3 degrees per minute, but this is merely an embodiment. As long as the first step and the second step may be distinguished from each other, it may be set to any rate of temperature increase over time.

[0625] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 in the second step. The clothes hanger 1900 hung on the moving hanger 1000 may reciprocate or vibrate. Thus, the removal physical force condition may be achieved in the constant rate step.

[0626] In the second step, the moisture content of the laundry gradually decreases from 100 percent, so that the removal moisture content may be reached. However, in the second step, moisture contained in the laundry evaporates and continuously absorbs the latent heat of vaporization from air inside the inner casing 200, so that the temperature inside the inner casing 200 is lower than the set temperature.

[0627] The set temperature may be defined as a temperature at which wrinkle removal of the laundry may begin. For example, the set temperature may correspond to 37 degrees Celsius.

[0628] Referring to (c) in FIG. 22, when the second step is performed for a certain period of time or longer, the moisture content of the laundry becomes lower than the removal moisture content. From this time, an amount of moisture evaporating from the laundry decreases rapidly, so that an amount of latent heat of vaporization absorbed from air inside the inner casing 200 also decreases. As a result, the third step in which the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing 200 increases to the reference value or higher may be performed.

[0629] When the third step starts, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 reaches the set temperature. Specifically, in the third step, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may reach a drying temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0630] For example, the drying temperature may be set to be equal to or higher than 50 degrees.

[0631] In addition, when the third step is performed, the laundry has been almost completely dried, so that the moisture content of the laundry drops to be lower than 5%, which is much lower than the removal moisture content.

[0632] When the third step is performed for a certain period of time or longer, the controller 700 may finish the drying course. The controller 700 may perform the fourth step of stopping the operation of the compressor 342 and operating the blower fan 352 until the temperature inside the inner casing 200 drops to be equal to or lower than the safe temperature, which is lower than the set temperature.

[0633] The safe temperature may correspond to a room temperature. For example, the safe temperature may be set to 25 degrees.

[0634] Referring to (d) in FIG. 22, the controller 700 may additionally perform a removal step of removing the wrinkles and the creases from the laundry.

[0635] The steam heater 840 may be operated to supply steam into the inner casing 200. As a result, the moisture content of the laundry inside the inner casing 200 may increase again to the removal moisture content.

[0636] In addition, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 to apply the removal physical force to the laundry.

[0637] As a result, in the removal step, the controller 700 may simultaneously operate the steam heater 840 and the moving hanger 1000 to remove the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry.

[0638] Because the removal step is additionally performed after the fourth step, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may be higher than the set temperature. Therefore, in the removal step, the controller 700 may stop the operation of the compressor.

[0639] When the removal step is performed, the cooling step of lowering the temperature inside the inner casing 200 to the safe temperature lower than the set temperature may be performed. In the cooling step, the blower fan 352 may be operated, and the operation of the steam heater 840 and the compressor 342 may be blocked.

[0640] In one example, in one of the removal step and the cooling step, the compressor 342 may be re-operated to dry moisture supplied from the steam heater 840.

[0641] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may completely dry the laundry up to the fourth step, and then additionally perform the removal step to remove the wrinkles and the creases from the laundry.

[0642] FIG. 23 illustrates a progress of a drying course in FIG. 22.

[0643] Referring to (a) and (b) in FIG. 23, when the drying course is performed, the compressor 342 may start operating, and the operation of the compressor 342 may be maintained without interruption until the drying course is ended.

[0644] In addition, while the compressor 342 is in operation, the blower fan 352 may also be operated simultaneously.

[0645] As a result, hot air may be continuously supplied into the inner casing 200 while the drying course is performed.

[0646] When the compressor 342 starts operating, the first step in which the temperature inside the inner casing 200 gradually increases until the temperature of the refrigerant increases may be performed.

[0647] Thereafter, when the heating of the refrigerant is completed, the second step in which hot air is supplied into the inner casing 200 to vaporize moisture contained in the laundry, and the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing 200 becomes lower than the reference value may be performed.

[0648] In the second step, the set temperature may not be reached because of the latent heat of vaporization of the laundry.

[0649] Thereafter, when the moisture content of the laundry becomes lower than 5 percent, the fourth step in which the temperature inside the inner casing 200 goes beyond the set temperature and continuously increases to a temperature equal to or higher than the drying temperature may be performed.

[0650] Because the compressor 342 is always maintained in operation, the operation of the steam heater 342 may be blocked, which may reduce a power consumption of the entire laundry treating apparatus. In addition, in the drying course, because the moisture content of the laundry is high, steam may not be supplied to the laundry.

[0651] The moving hanger 1000 may be operated to shake the laundry. As a result, not only may moisture contained in the laundry be removed, but the entire laundry may be evenly exposed to hot air.

[0652] Alternatively, because the weight of the laundry is great in a period where the moisture content of the laundry is higher than the removal moisture content as in the first step, the operation of the moving hanger 1000 may be blocked.

[0653] As a result, when the wrinkle removal step is not performed, there may not be a period that satisfies all the removal conditions up to the fourth step in the embodiments of the present disclosure illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23. Therefore, in such an embodiment of the drying course control method, the laundry may be dried quickly, but the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry may not be removed.

[0654] FIG. 24 illustrates another embodiment of a drying course performed in a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0655] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may supply steam into the inner casing during an initial period of the drying course.

[0656] When the moisture content of the laundry is high, even when steam is supplied to the laundry, the moisture content of the laundry does not increase significantly or is almost maintained, so that more energy is not required to remove moisture caused by steam. In addition, because the steam does not lose heat as the latent heat of vaporization or the like, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may be rapidly increased.

[0657] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may achieve the removal conditions by supplying steam at the initial stage of the drying course to increase the temperature inside the inner casing to the set temperature or higher. Therefore, the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry may be automatically removed.

[0658] Referring to (a) in FIG. 24, when the drying course is performed, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform the first step of operating the compressor 342 and the blower fan 352 to supply heated air into the inner casing 200.

[0659] In the first step, the controller 700 may operate the steam heater 840.

[0660] Specifically, the controller 700 may operate one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 to generate steam while the compressor 342 is in operation.

[0661] That is, the controller 700 may operate the compressor 342 first, and then operate one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 simultaneously with the operation of the compressor 342.

[0662] In addition, the controller 700 may operate the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 simultaneously to first heat water contained in the steam casing 381, and then operate the compressor 342. Thereafter, one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be operated to supply steam.

[0663] That is, the controller 700 may operate the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 first, and then operate the compressor 342 later.

[0664] However, even in this case, because the operation of one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 is stopped before the compressor 342 starts operating, only one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be operated while the compressor 342 is in operation.

[0665] Therefore, it may be seen that one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 is operated while the compressor 342 is already in operation.

[0666] The controller 700 may simultaneously supply hot air and steam into the inner casing 200 by simultaneously operating the compressor 342 and one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 during at least a partial period of the first step. As a result, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may rise to the set temperature or higher from the first step.

[0667] The controller 700 may simultaneously operate the compressor 342 and one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 from the start of the first step, but may simultaneously operate the compressor 842 and one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 after a certain period of time passes after the start of the first step.

[0668] As such, the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be operated simultaneously and the operation of the compressor 342 may be blocked at the beginning of the first step to secure time for boiling water first, or even when the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 are not operated simultaneously at the beginning of the first step, steam may be prevented from being supplied from the initial stage when the moisture content of the laundry is too high.

[0669] In the first step, because of the operation of the steam heater 840, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may rise to the limit temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0670] The limit temperature may be set to a temperature that ensures that the temperature inside the inner casing 200 does not decrease to the set temperature or lower even when steam is not supplied and moisture contained in the laundry evaporates.

[0671] The limit temperature may be set to a specific temperature or may be defined as a temperature that is increased by a certain % (based on 0 degrees Celsius) or a certain temperature from an initial temperature.

[0672] For example, the limit temperature may correspond to 45 degrees Celsius or a temperature that is increased by 100% or 30 degrees from the initial temperature.

[0673] Referring to (b) in FIG. 24, when the first step passes and the second step is activated, the moisture content of the laundry may reach the removal moisture content.

[0674] In addition, because the steam supply and the hot air supply are simultaneously performed in the first step, the moisture content of the laundry may reach the removal moisture content during the first step.

[0675] As a result, the laundry may be in the removal moisture content state during a specific period across the first step and the second step.

[0676] Also in the second step, steam may be supplied into the inner casing 200 during an initial period. This may prevent the temperature inside the inner casing 200 from dropping to the set temperature or lower because of the latent heat of vaporization.

[0677] In addition, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 in the second step. Therefore, the removal physical force may be applied to the laundry.

[0678] In one example, the controller 700 may also operate the moving hanger 1000 from the first step.

[0679] As a result, all wrinkle removal conditions may be satisfied in the second step.

[0680] Referring to (c) in FIG. 24, when the second step is performed and the moisture content of the laundry drops to the removal moisture content or lower, the third step may be performed.

[0681] However, because all wrinkles have been removed in the second step, the third step may be performed in a state in which there are no wrinkles or creases in the laundry.

[0682] In the third step, because the moisture content of the laundry is low, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may rise to the drying temperature or higher.

[0683] In the third step, the operation of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be completely blocked. As a result, an unnecessary cycle of increasing the moisture content of the dried laundry may be omitted, and the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may be prevented from becoming too high.

[0684] Referring to (d) in FIG. 24, when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 rises to be equal to or higher than the drying temperature, which may ensure the drying of the laundry, or when a drying time period elapses at the temperature equal to or higher than the drying temperature, the controller 700 may perform the fourth step described above as is.

[0685] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform the first to fourth steps to omit an additional wrinkle removal step after the laundry is dried.

[0686] It may be seen that the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure includes the wrinkle removal step in the drying course or automatically performs the wrinkle removal step.

[0687] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may automatically remove the wrinkles and the creases from the laundry while performing the drying course.

[0688] That is, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may omit the cycle itself of additionally supplying steam after the moisture content of the laundry drops to 5% or lower and then drying the laundry again. In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may also omit stopping the operation of the compressor and then reoperating the same to operate both the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 until the end of the drying course. In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may omit the inefficient process of increasing the moisture content of the laundry again in the period with the moisture content equal to or lower than the removal moisture content.

[0689] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may automatically remove the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry during the drying course, and may prevent an occurrence of a drying delay or a reduction in drying efficiency resulted from the removal of the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry.

[0690] Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may allow the user to skip taking an additional measure to remove the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry separately.

[0691] FIG. 25 illustrates a control state of a laundry treating apparatus when a control method in FIG. 24 is performed.

[0692] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 simultaneously with the compressor 342 during the operation of the compressor 342 in the first step. As a result, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may rise faster and higher. As a result, even when the moisture content of the laundry is too high and has not yet reached the removal moisture content, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may rise to the set temperature or higher from the first step.

[0693] In one example, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, because the temperature inside the inner casing 200 rises to the set temperature or higher and reaches the limit temperature because of the simultaneous operation of the steam heater 840 and the compressor 342, an effect of setting a duration of the first step longer is derived.

[0694] In addition, because the first step is completed at a high temperature, an effect of shortening at least one of the second step and the third step may also be derived.

[0695] For example, the first step is usually ended at a first time point t1 after the compressor 342 starts operating and an operating rpm thereof reaches a maximum rpm. However, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, because the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing 200 is equal to or greater than the reference value in a period from the first time point t1 to a third time point t3, the first step is performed until the third time point t3.

[0696] In addition, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing 200 starts to become smaller than the reference value after the third time point t3.

[0697] Therefore, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, the second step may start from the third time point t3.

[0698] In addition, because the temperature increase rate rises to become equal to or greater than the reference value again from a seventh time point t7, the third step may be considered to start from the seventh time point, and because the temperature inside the inner casing 200 exceeds the drying temperature from an eighth time point, the third step may be considered to be performed from the seventh time point t7 to the eighth time point t8.

[0699] The fourth step may be performed from the eighth time point to a ninth time point when the operation of the compressor 342 ends.

[0700] Originally in an embodiment of the drying course in which steam is not supplied to the inner casing 200, the falling rate step continues even after the ninth time point, but in the embodiment of the drying course in which steam and hot air are supplied simultaneously at the beginning, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 is maintained higher than the set temperature, so that the drying course may be ended at the eighth time point. That is, the embodiment in FIG. 24 may significantly shorten the duration of the drying course compared to the embodiment in FIG. 22.

[0701] Referring to (a) and (b) in FIG. 25, the controller 700 may maintain the operation of the compressor 342 from an initial time point t0 when the operation of the compressor starts until the ninth time point t9 when the drying course ends.

[0702] The controller 700 may operate the compressor 342 from the initial time point t0 and maintain the operation until the ninth time point t9 when the drying course ends.

[0703] The controller 700 may operate the compressor 342 and the blower fan 352 simultaneously from the first step to the third step, and may operate the blower fan 352 but not the compressor 342 in the fourth step.

[0704] Referring to (c) in FIG. 25, the controller 700 may operate the steam heater 840 first before operating the compressor 342.

[0705] The controller 700 may operate the entire steam heater 840 at maximum power before the initial time point to to quickly heat water contained in the steam casing 810. For example, before operating the compressor 342, the controller 700 may operate the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 simultaneously to generate steam as quickly as possible.

[0706] The controller 700 may operate the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 simultaneously, and when steam is generated, operate only one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842.

[0707] The controller 700 may start operating the compressor 342 when one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 is in operation.

[0708] Alternatively, the controller 700 may operate one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 after the compressor 342 starts operating.

[0709] Alternatively, the controller 700 may operate the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 simultaneously before the initial time point to to heat the water to a certain level, and when the initial time point t0 is reached, may operate the compressor 342 while operating one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 to further heat the water.

[0710] Alternatively, the controller 700 may operate the compressor 342 at the initial time point to first, and then operate one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 after the initial time point t0 to heat the water. Accordingly, while the compressor 342 is in operation, some heaters of the steam heater840 may be operated to heat water, and when the first time point t1 is reached, steam may be finally generated and supplied into the inner casing 200 from the first time point to.

[0711] In any case, when the compressor 342 starts operating, the operation of the compressor 342 may not be blocked until the third step ends, and hot air may be supplied into the inner casing 200 first and then steam may be supplied.

[0712] As a result, the controller 700 may operate the steam heater 840 from the first step to supply steam into the inner casing 200.

[0713] The controller 700 may maintain the operation of the steam heater 840 until the temperature inside the inner casing 200 rises to the set temperature or higher. In other words, the operation of the first heater 841 or the second heater 842 may be maintained.

[0714] In addition, the controller 700 may maintain the operation of the steam heater 840 even after the temperature inside the inner casing 200 rises to the set temperature or higher. For example, the controller 700 may maintain the operation of the heater in operation between the first heater 842 and the second heater 842 until the temperature inside the inner casing 200 rises to the limit temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0715] This is because the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may drop below the set temperature again as moisture in the laundry inside the inner casing 200 evaporates and absorbs the latent heat of vaporization when the operation of the steam heater 840 is stopped even when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0716] Therefore, the controller 700 may maintain the operation of the first heater 841 or the second heater 842 until the second step is activated, in which the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing 200 is equal to or smaller than the reference value, even when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 rises to the set temperature or higher.

[0717] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may maintain the temperature inside the inner casing 200 equal to or higher than the set temperature during at least partial periods of the first step and the second step, thereby satisfying the condition of removing the wrinkles and the creases from the laundry.

[0718] The controller 700 may stop the operation of the first heater 841 or the second heater 842 when the second step is activated or the temperature inside the inner casing 200 reaches the limit temperature. That is, the controller 700 may stop the supply of steam into the inner casing 200 when the second step is activated or the temperature inside the inner casing 200 reaches the limit temperature. This may prevent the moisture content of the laundry from unnecessarily increasing or not decreasing.

[0719] In one example, the controller 700 may continuously supply steam by maintaining the operation of the first heater 841 or the second heater 842 until at least a partial period of the second step. This may completely prevent the temperature inside the inner casing 200 from dropping to the set temperature or lower.

[0720] The moisture content of the laundry begins to decrease from the first step because the laundry begins to dry from the first step.

[0721] Even when the initial moisture content of the laundry is 100% because the laundry hung in the inner casing 200 is completely wet, the moisture content of the laundry may enter the removal moisture content range from the second time point t2, which is before the third time point entering the second step. In other words, the moisture content of the laundry may drop to 45 percent from the first step.

[0722] In addition, from the second time point t2 to the sixth time point t6 or the fifth time point t5 earlier than the sixth time point corresponding to the second step, the moisture content of the laundry may be within a range of 45% to 5% and thus the removal moisture content condition may be satisfied as it is.

[0723] In addition, the moisture content of the laundry may deviate from the removal moisture content range before the sixth time point, which is before the seventh time point when the third step is performed.

[0724] In summary, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, between the second time point and the sixth time point respectively corresponding to the first step and the second step, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 is higher than the set temperature and the laundry is in the removal moisture content state.

[0725] Therefore, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 and transmit the removal physical force to the laundry during a period composed of a partial period of the first step and a partial period of the second step, which is between the second time point and the sixth time point.

[0726] As a result, because the removal conditions are all satisfied during the period composed of the partial period of the first step and the partial period of the second step, which is between the second time point and the sixth time point, the period may be set as a wrinkle removal period A.

[0727] In other words, the wrinkle removal period A may be defined as a period in which the temperature of the hung laundry is equal to or higher than the set temperature and the moisture content of the laundry corresponds to the removal moisture content, and in which all the removal conditions are satisfied when only the removal physical force is applied.

[0728] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate the moving hanger 1000 at least during the wrinkle removal period A.

[0729] The controller 700 may also intermittently operate the steam heater 840 operating in the wrinkle removal period A. That is, the controller 700 may operate the first heater 841 or the second heater 842 by repeatedly turning it ON / OFF. This may prevent excessive steam from being supplied, prevent the temperature inside the inner casing 200 from rapidly rising, and maintain reliability of the compressor.

[0730] From another perspective, the controller 700 may intermittently operate the steam heater 840 when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 corresponds to the limit temperature higher than the set temperature. The limit temperature may correspond to a temperature at which a temperature of the refrigerant introduced into the compressor 342 or a temperature of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor 342 may become a marginal temperature that threatens the reliability of the compressor 342.

[0731] For example, the marginal temperature may correspond to 90 degrees Celsius.

[0732] Therefore, the controller 700 may intermittently operate the first heater 841 or the second heater 842 in a temperature range equal to or higher than the limit temperature.

[0733] In the wrinkle removal period A, the controller 700 may supply steam into the inner casing 200, but may stop the operation of the steam heater 840 at the third time point t3, which is earlier than the sixth time point t6 at which the wrinkle removal period A ends. This may prevent an unnecessary increase in humidity inside the inner casing 200 or waste of energy in the wrinkle removal period A.

[0734] The wrinkle removal period A may be set between the second time point and the sixth time point, but may be set shorter than that as long as it includes a set time period, which is a minimum time period for the wrinkles to be removed between the second time point and the sixth time point.

[0735] That is, during the set time period within the wrinkle removal period A, the controller 700 may shake the moving hanger 1000 or operate the steam heater 840 to maintain the temperature equal to or higher than the set temperature. That is, steam may be supplied into the inner casing 200 until the set time period ends, and after the set time period elapses, the operation of the steam heater 840 may be blocked even before the sixth time point.

[0736] For example, the set time period may correspond to 15 minutes.

[0737] Referring to (d) in FIG. 25, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 for at least the set time period in the wrinkle removal period A.

[0738] When the controller 700 has not operated the moving hanger 1000 before the wrinkle removal period A, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 for at least the set time period in the wrinkle removal period A.

[0739] Therefore, when the moving hanger 1000 is operated while the steam heater 840 is in operation, even when the operation of the steam heater is ended, when the set time period has not elapsed, the moving hanger 1000 may maintain an operating speed for a certain period of time until the set time period elapses.

[0740] That is, even when the steam heater 840 is not operated for the set time period, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may be maintained at the temperature equal to or higher than the set temperature. However, the moving hanger 1000 should be operated for the set time period to achieve the removal physical force condition. For example, the operation of the steam heater 840 may be blocked at the third time point t3, but the operation of the moving hanger 1000 may be maintained at least until the sixth time point t6.

[0741] When the control method described above is analyzed from a perspective of the operation of the moving hanger 1000 and the steam heater 840, it may be interpreted as follows.

[0742] The moving hanger 1000 may be operated such that an operation period thereof at least partially overlaps the period in which the steam heater 840 is in operation.

[0743] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 in a period in which the temperature inside the inner casing 200 is at least equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0744] In addition, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 while the first heater 841 or the second heater 842 is in operation.

[0745] In addition, when the controller 700 has operated the moving hanger at a first frequency (1 rpm) before the wrinkle removal period A, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger at a second frequency (2 rpm) that is higher than the first frequency in the wrinkle removal period A.

[0746] When the controller 700 starts operating the moving hanger 1000 before the steam heater 840 starts operating, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 faster in the period in which the steam heater 840 is in operation.

[0747] When the controller 700 has not operated the moving hanger 1000 before the steam heater 840 starts operating, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 in at least a partial period of the period in which the steam heater 840 is in operation.

[0748] As such, by applying a physical force equal to or greater than the removal physical force to the laundry in the wrinkle removal period A, the removal conditions may be further satisfied, so that the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry may be reliably removed.

[0749] After the wrinkle removal period A, the controller 700 may stop operating the moving hanger 1000 or operate the moving hanger 1000 at a third frequency (3 rpm) that is lower than the second frequency. As such, overload of the moving hanger 1000 may be prevented and energy may be saved during the drying course.

[0750] The first frequency may be set lower than the third frequency. This may prevent the moving hanger 1000 from consuming excessive energy to shake heavy laundry with high moisture content, and minimize vibration occurring throughout the laundry treating apparatus.

[0751] When operating the moving hanger 1000 while the steam heater 840 is in operation, the controller 700 may not operate the moving hanger 1000 or may operate the moving hanger 1000 slowly after the operation of the steam heater 840 is ended.

[0752] The controller 700 may control the period in which the steam supplier 800 is in operation and the period in which the moving hanger 1000 is in operation at the second frequency to at least partially overlap each other.

[0753] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency after the steam supplier 800 starts operating.

[0754] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate the moving hanger 1000 or operate the same fastest during at least partial periods of the first step and the second step, and may not operate the moving hanger 1000 or operate the same slowest therebefore.

[0755] When the above process is described based on the operation of the moving hanger 1000, it may be analyzed as follows.

[0756] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the first frequency or maintain the same in the stopped state during a period in which the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or lower than the set temperature. In addition, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency higher than the first frequency during the period in which the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0757] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency for a reference time period, and then operate the same at the third frequency lower than the second frequency.

[0758] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the third frequency that is lower than the second frequency when the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing becomes higher than the reference value or when the temperature inside the inner casing reaches the drying temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0759] The controller 700 may set the operation frequency of the moving hanger 1000 differently depending on the temperature inside the inner casing 200.

[0760] Specifically, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the first frequency until the temperature inside the inner casing reaches the set temperature, and may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency that is higher than the first frequency after the temperature inside the inner casing reaches the set temperature.

[0761] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the third frequency that is lower than the second frequency in a period after the temperature inside the inner casing reaches the drying temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0762] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency for the set time period, and then operate the same at the third frequency lower than the second frequency.

[0763] The second frequency (2 rpm) may be set as the highest frequency at which the moving hanger is operated during the course.

[0764] When the moisture content of the laundry becomes lower than the removal moisture content, the third step may be performed. The third step corresponds to a period in which the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing 200 becomes greater than the reference value again. The wrinkle removal period A may be ended before the third step. Accordingly, the steam heater 840 may be ended before the third step, and the operation of the steam heater 840 may be blocked during the third step and thereafter.

[0765] When the temperature inside the inner casing 200 becomes equal to or higher than the drying temperature, the controller 700 may stop operating the compressor 342 and maintain the operation of the blower fan 352 in at least a partial period.

[0766] In one example, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate the second heater 842 when the steam heater 840 is operated simultaneously with the compressor 342 in the drying course including the wrinkle removal period A. This may allow less steam to be supplied into the inner casing 200, thereby blocking a possibility of the moisture content of the laundry rather increasing, and focusing on raising only the temperature inside the inner casing 200 to the set temperature or higher.

[0767] An amount of power of the second heater 842 may be set such that an amount of steam generated from the second heater 842 corresponds to 50 to 150% of a dehumidification amount of the evaporator.

[0768] In addition, an amount of water used and energy consumption when raising the temperature inside the inner casing 200 to the set temperature or higher may be minimized.

[0769] In one example, the steam heater 840 stops operating at least during the second step, and the second step corresponds to a period in which the temperature increase rate is equal to or smaller than the reference value or in which a temperature change amount inside the inner casing 200 is equal to or smaller than a specific amount, so that it may be considered that the operation of the first heater or the second heater is stopped in the period in which the temperature change amount inside the inner casing is equal to or smaller than the specific amount.

[0770] The specific amount may correspond to 5 degrees.

[0771] In addition, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, the steam supply is blocked after the third step in the control method, so that it may be considered that the operation of the steam heater is blocked after the drying temperature is reached.

[0772] FIG. 26 illustrates another embodiment of a drying course performed in a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0773] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may not operate the steam heater 840 and the compressor 342 simultaneously in the wrinkle removal period A.

[0774] That is, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may always operate the steam heater 840 at the maximum power, and the steam heater 840 may be designed as a single heater, not as the first heater and the second heater.

[0775] In the following, a description will be made focusing on different contents to avoid redundant descriptions with the above-described embodiment.

[0776] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a preparation step of operating the compressor 342 to increase a temperature of the refrigerant circulating through the heat supplier 340 when the drying course is performed.

[0777] The preparation step may correspond to increasing an operating RPM of the compressor 342 to a maximum RPM to increase the temperature of the refrigerant to a target temperature at which the drying course may be performed.

[0778] The preparation step may be performed until a time point a ta.

[0779] When the preparation step is performed, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a first step of operating the steam heater 840.

[0780] The first step may correspond to operating the single heater at maximum output when the steam heater 840 is equipped as the single heater, and operating all heaters when the steam heater 840 is equipped as the plurality of heaters.

[0781] When the steam heater 840 is operated at the maximum output, it is not able to be operated simultaneously with the compressor 342. However, the steam heater 840 may be operated at the maximum output to more quickly raise the temperature inside the inner casing 200 to the set temperature or higher.

[0782] The controller 700 may raise the temperature inside the inner casing 200 to a guaranteeing temperature that is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0783] The guaranteeing temperature may correspond to a temperature that may ensure that the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may be maintained at the temperature equal to or higher than the set temperature for a set time period when the operation of the steam heater 840 is stopped and the compressor 342 is operated again.

[0784] The first step may be performed up to a time point b tb.

[0785] In the first step, the controller 700 may always maintain the operation of the steam heater 840, but may also intermittently and repeatedly operate the steam heater 840.

[0786] When the first step is completed, the controller 700 may block the operation of the steam heater 840 and operate the compressor 342 and the blower fan 352.

[0787] When the blower fan 352 is operated and air is introduced into the inner casing 200, moisture contained in the laundry evaporates, so that the latent heat of vaporization may be absorbed, and the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may decrease and may become lower than the set temperature before reaching a time point c tc.

[0788] However, because of the previously performed preheating step and the operation of the compressor 342, hot air is supplied, and thus the temperature inside the inner casing 200 stops decreasing and increases. Therefore, from the time point c, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may become higher than the set temperature again.

[0789] From the time point b tb to the time point c te and to a time point d tb thereafter at which the temperature increase rate is equal to or higher than the reference value, the temperature increase rate is always equal to or lower than the reference value. Therefore, a period from the time point b tb to the time point d td may be defined as a second step.

[0790] The wrinkle removal period A may be satisfied when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 reaches the set temperature during the second step.

[0791] The wrinkle removal period A is the period in which the temperature of the hung laundry is equal to or higher than the set temperature and the moisture content of the laundry corresponds to the removal moisture content, and corresponds to the period in which all the removal conditions are satisfied when only the removal physical force is applied.

[0792] The controller 700 may enter the wrinkle removal period A when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 starts to reach the set temperature at least secondarily.

[0793] The wrinkle removal period A is satisfied in the second step. That is, in the second step, the moisture content of the laundry satisfies the removal moisture content, and the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0794] Therefore, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at least in the wrinkle removal period A during the drying course. As a result, the removal physical force may be applied to the laundry.

[0795] As a result, because the removal conditions are all achieved in the wrinkle removal period A, the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry may be removed.

[0796] The wrinkle removal period A may be completed before the time point d td at which the third step in which the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing 200 becomes greater than the reference value is activated.

[0797] The third step may be performed until a time point f tf when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 becomes equal to or higher than the drying temperature.

[0798] From the second step to the third step, the operation of the compressor 342 may be maintained, and the operation of the steam heater 840 may be blocked.

[0799] Referring to (d) in FIG. 26, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 in the wrinkle removal period A. When the controller 700 has not operated the moving hanger 1000 before the wrinkle removal period A, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at least for a set time period in the wrinkle removal period A.

[0800] The controller 700 may be set such that the operation of the compressor 342 and the operation of the moving hanger 1000 overlap each other in at least a partial period, but the operation of the compressor 342 and the operation of the steam heater 840 do not overlap each other.

[0801] In addition, the moving hanger 1000 may be operated simultaneously while the steam heater 840 is in operation. The moving hanger 1000 may be operated before and after the operation of the steam heater 840.

[0802] In addition, when the controller 700 has operated the moving hanger at the first frequency (1 rpm) before the wrinkle removal period A, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger at the second frequency (2 rpm) that is higher than the first frequency in the wrinkle removal step A.

[0803] Thus, by applying the physical force equal to or greater than the removal physical force to the laundry in the wrinkle removal period A, the removal conditions may be further satisfied, and thus the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry may be reliably removed.

[0804] After the wrinkle removal period A, the controller 700 may stop operating the moving hanger 1000 or operate the moving hanger 1000 at the third frequency (3 rpm) that is lower than the second frequency. Thus, the overload of the moving hanger 1000 may be prevented and the energy may be saved in the drying course.

[0805] The first frequency may be set lower than the third frequency. This may prevent the moving hanger 1000 from consuming the excessive energy to shake the heavy laundry with the high moisture content, and minimize the vibration occurring throughout the laundry treating apparatus.

[0806] When operating the moving hanger 1000 while the steam heater 840 is in operation, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 faster for at least a partial period after the operation of the steam heater 840 is ended. In addition, the moving hanger 1000 may be operated more slowly thereafter.

[0807] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency after the steam supplier 800 starts operating.

[0808] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate the moving hanger 1000 or operate the same fastest during at least a partial period of the constant rate step, and may not operate the moving hanger 1000 or operate the same slowest therebefore.

[0809] When the above process is described based on the operation of the moving hanger 1000, it may be analyzed as follows.

[0810] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the first frequency or maintain the same in the stopped state during the period in which the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or lower than the set temperature.

[0811] In addition, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency that is higher than the first frequency from a period in which the temperature inside the inner casing becomes equal to or higher than the set temperature for a second time.

[0812] After operating the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency for the set time period, the controller 700 may operate the same at the third frequency that is lower than the second frequency.

[0813] When the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing becomes higher than the reference value or when the temperature inside the inner casing reaches the drying temperature higher than the set temperature, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the third frequency that is lower than the second frequency.

[0814] The controller 700 may set the operating frequency of the moving hanger 1000 differently depending on the temperature inside the inner casing 200.

[0815] Specifically, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the first frequency until the temperature inside the inner casing rises and reaches the set temperature for the second time, and may operate the moving hanger at the second frequency that is higher than the first frequency after the temperature inside the inner casing rises and reaches the set temperature for the second time.

[0816] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the third frequency that is lower than the second frequency during the period after the temperature inside the inner casing reaches the drying temperature that is higher than the set temperature.

[0817] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency for the set time period and then operate the same at the third frequency that is lower than the second frequency.

[0818] The second frequency (2 rpm) may be set as the highest frequency at which the moving hanger is operated during the course.

[0819] When the temperature inside the inner casing 200 becomes equal to or higher than the drying temperature, the controller 700 may stop the operation of the compressor 342 and maintain the operation of the blower fan 352 in at least a partial period.

[0820] The present disclosure may be modified and implemented in various forms, so that the scope of the rights thereof is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, when a modified embodiment includes an element of the claims of the present disclosure, it should be considered to fall within the scope of the rights of the present disclosure.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0109]FIG. 3 illustrates an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure.

[0110]Referring to (a) in FIG. 3, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 100 forming the outer appearance thereof, and a door 400 pivotably coupled to the cabinet 100.

[0111]The door 400 may include a main body 410 forming a front surface of the cabinet 100, and an installation body 420 extending from one side of the main body 410 and on which a display that displays information of the laundry treating apparatus may be installed.

[0112]The installation body 420 may be constructed to form a step 430 in a rearward direction of the cabinet 100 from the main body 410.

[0113]In one example, at least a portion of the installation body 420 may be disposed at the rear of the main body 410 so as to overlap the same in a front and rear direction. Accordingly, the step 430 may function as a handle.

[0114]The installation body 420 may be made of a differen...

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is the National Phase of PCT International Application No. PCT / KR2024 / 001257, filed on Jan. 26, 2024, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) to Patent Application No. 10-2023-0010710, filed in the Republic of Korea on Jan. 27, 2023, all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus and a method for controlling the same. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus that may perform a refreshing cycle such as sterilization, wrinkle removal, deodorization, and drying of laundry by supplying steam and hot air to the laundry, and a method for controlling the same.BACKGROUND

[0003] Generally, among laundry treating apparatus, a dryer equipped with a rotatable drum and a laundry manager equipped with an inner casing in which laundry is hung in a floating state may perform a drying cycle to remove moisture from the laundry.

[0004] Wrinkles or creases formed in the laundry may be removed only when all three elements of a moisture content, a temperature, and a physical force are satisfied. However, the dryer and the laundry manager are set up such that it is difficult to secure a period that satisfies all the three elements in the drying cycle.

[0005] As a result, the dryer and the laundry manager may dry the laundry while supplying hot air, but the wrinkles or the creases existing in the laundry may not be easily removed.

[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a principle of removing wrinkles from laundry.

[0007] Referring to (a) in FIG. 1, fibers constituting laundry L may be woven in an order of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. That is, fiber 1, fiber 2, fiber 3, fiber 4, and fiber 5 may be connected to each other by a physical bond I.

[0008] However, depending on an internal chemical structure, when such fibers rub or come into contact with each other, a chemical bond II such as a covalent bond, a hydrogen bond, and an intermolecular bond between the fibers may occur. For example, the fiber 1 and the fiber 3 may not be connected to each other by the physical bond I, but may be connected to each other by the chemical bond II, and the fiber 3 and the fiber 5 may also not be connected to each other by the physical bond I, but may be connected to each other by the chemical bond II.

[0009] Therefore, such a chemical bond II occurs by being concentrated at least in a portion on the laundry L, and an arrangement or a placement of the fibers where the chemical bonds II occur becomes different, and eventually, the wrinkles or the creases occur.

[0010] Because the wrinkles and the creases are created by the chemical bonds II, they are not able to be removed by a simple physical force alone. The wrinkles and the creases are able to be removed only by resolving the chemical bonds II.

[0011] Referring to (b) in FIG. 1, to remove the wrinkles and the creases, moisture that may release the chemical bond II is first required. When water is injected to the chemical bond II between the fibers, the chemical bond II may be weakened or resolved.

[0012] An amount of moisture that may remove the wrinkles and the creases may be determined by the moisture content of the laundry. It is generally known that a moisture content between 5 and 45 percent is required. Therefore, the moisture content between 5 and 45 percent may be defined as a removal moisture content.

[0013] When the laundry contains moisture with a content greater than the removal moisture content, the water rather additionally bonds the fibers, resulting in no wrinkle and crease removal effect. On the other hand, when moisture with a content smaller than the removal moisture content exists in the laundry, the chemical bond II between the fibers is not able to be removed, resulting in no wrinkle and crease removal effect.

[0014] Referring to (c) in FIG. 1, to remove the wrinkles and the creases, heat or energy required to resolve the chemical bond II is required. When the chemical bond II between the fibers is supplied with heat, the bond between the fibers with the chemical bond II may be weakened. The heat or the energy for removing the wrinkles and the creases may be achieved when a temperature at which the fibers come into contact is equal to or higher than a set temperature. The set temperature may correspond to a temperature higher than a room temperature, and may be set to, for example, 36 degrees.

[0015] When water is injected to the fibers and a high temperature environment higher than the set temperature is reached, the chemical bond II may become very weak.

[0016] Referring to (d) in FIG. 1, to remove the wrinkles and the creases, a physical force capable of changing the arrangement of the fibers is required. The physical force may include a tensile force capable of arranging the fibers in an order in which they are connected to each other by the physical bond I. A physical force capable of generating the tensile force may be defined as a removal physical force.

[0017] Referring to (e) in FIG. 1, when the chemical bond II occurs between the fibers constituting the laundry L and the wrinkles and the creases are formed in the laundry, and when the conditions of the removal moisture content, the set temperature, and the removal physical force are all satisfied, the chemical bond II may be removed, and the fibers may be properly arranged in the order in which they are connected to each other by the physical bond I. As a result, the wrinkles and the creases may be removed.

[0018] As a result, the removal moisture content, the set temperature, and the removal physical force may be considered as the conditions for removing the wrinkles and the creases.

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a situation in which laundry is dried in a dryer.

[0020] The dryer may accommodate the laundry in a drum D, and may perform a drying cycle of supplying hot air to remove moisture from the laundry.

[0021] Referring to (a) in FIG. 2, at the beginning of the drying cycle, the moisture content of the laundry L is generally equal to or higher than the removal moisture content. Further, sufficient heat H may not be applied into the drum D.

[0022] Even when the drum D rotates, the laundry with the high moisture content is clumped together, so that the proper tensile force is not applied to the laundry.

[0023] As a result, the removal conditions are not achieved at the beginning of the drying cycle, so that the wrinkles in the laundry are not able to be removed.

[0024] Referring to (b) in FIG. 2, at the middle of the drying cycle, the moisture content of the laundry L may reach the removal moisture content. However, because a large amount of moisture contained in the laundry L is vaporized, most of the heat H supplied into the drum D may be removed as latent heat of vaporization.

[0025] Therefore, the temperature inside the drum D does not reach a temperature equal to or higher than the set temperature. Therefore, even at the middle of the drying cycle, the removal conditions are not fully achieved, so that the wrinkles in the laundry are not able to be removed.

[0026] Referring to (c) in FIG. 2, at the end of the drying cycle, as most of moisture contained in the laundry L has evaporated, an amount of heat absorbed as the latent heat of vaporization may rapidly decrease.

[0027] Therefore, the temperature inside the drum D rapidly increases to the set temperature or higher to satisfy the removal temperature.

[0028] In addition, because the laundry is in the dried state, the laundry may be separated from each other and dropped in the rotating drum D. Therefore, the removal physical force condition may also be achieved.

[0029] However, because the laundry L has been mostly dried, the moisture content of the laundry is lower than the removal moisture content.

[0030] Therefore, even at the end of the drying cycle, the removal conditions are not achieved, so that the wrinkles in the laundry are not able to be removed.

[0031] As a result, it is difficult to form a period that satisfies all the removal conditions in the entire drying process in the dryer.

[0032] Therefore, there is a fundamental problem that the wrinkles of the laundry are not able to be removed in the process of performing the drying cycle with the existing laundry treating apparatus.

[0033] As a result, there is a limitation that a user is required to separately iron the laundry to remove the wrinkles or put ice or the like into the drum to satisfy the removal moisture content condition at the end of the drying cycle.

[0034] Recently, a laundry treating apparatus that may spray steam at the end of the drying cycle to satisfy the removal conditions at the end of the drying cycle has also appeared.

[0035] However, the existing laundry treating apparatus is able to remove the wrinkles, but there is a problem that the drying cycle is delayed and energy waste is inevitable because additional moisture has to be supplied to the dried laundry at the end of the drying cycle and then the laundry has to be dried again.

[0036] Furthermore, the existing laundry treating apparatus has a control limitation that an operation of a compressor has to be stopped to block power consumption exceeding an allowable power amount in a process of operating a heater to supply steam. Therefore, steam should be supplied after the drying cycle is finished and the compressor should be operated again for drying, or the compressor should be stopped during the drying cycle and then operated again after the steam supply, which causes not only a delay in the drying cycle, but also a rapid decrease in a drying efficiency.

[0037] The existing laundry treating apparatus is not able to automatically remove the wrinkles and the creases from the laundry during the drying cycle process of removing moisture from the laundry.SUMMARYTechnical Problem

[0038] The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of removing wrinkles and creases from laundry during a drying cycle.

[0039] The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of maintaining operation of a compressor without interruption even when steam is supplied to remove wrinkles and creases from laundry.

[0040] The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of securing a period satisfying removal conditions during a drying cycle of removing moisture from laundry.

[0041] The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of removing wrinkles and creases from laundry while maintaining energy efficiency and preventing drying delay during a drying cycle.Technical Solutions

[0042] To solve the above-described problems, the present disclosure provides a laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet, an inner casing disposed inside the cabinet to accommodate laundry therein, a machine room including a heat supplier that supplies hot air into the inner casing and a steam supplier that supplies steam into the inner casing, a controller that is disposed in the machine room and performs a drying course of drying the laundry by controlling the heat supplier and the steam supplier, and a temperature sensor that is disposed in the inner casing or in the machine room and senses a temperature of air inside the inner casing.

[0043] The heat supplier may include a circulation duct circulating air discharged from the inner casing, a heat exchanger that is installed in the circulation duct and dehumidifies and reheats air, and a compressor that compresses a refrigerant to exchange heat with air and supplies the compressed refrigerant to the heat exchanger.

[0044] The steam supplier may include a steam casing constructed to store water to generate steam therein, a first heater that is accommodated in the steam casing and heats water to generate steam, and a second heater that is disposed to be spaced apart from the first heater and heats water to generate steam.

[0045] The controller may, when the drying course is performed, maintain operation of the compressor until the drying course ends or the drying of the laundry is completed.

[0046] The controller may operate the first heater or the second heater together to increase a temperature inside the inner casing to a set temperature or higher while the compressor is in operation.

[0047] The controller may stop the operation of the first heater or the second heater before a constant rate period where a temperature increase rate inside the inner casing decreases to a reference value or lower is completed.

[0048] The controller may maintain the operation of the first heater or the second heater for a set time period in a period where the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0049] The controller may intermittently and repeatedly operate the first heater or the second heater to prevent the temperature inside the inner casing from rising to a limit temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0050] The controller may stop the operation of the first heater or the second heater in a period where a temperature change amount inside the inner casing is equal to or smaller than a specific amount during the operation of the compressor.

[0051] The controller may block the operation of the first heater or the second heater before the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing becomes greater than the reference value again.

[0052] The controller may block the operation of the steam heater after the temperature inside the inner casing reaches a drying temperature higher than the target temperature.

[0053] The second heater may be set to generate less steam than the first heater.

[0054] An amount of steam generated from the second heater may be set to 50 to 150% of a dehumidification amount of the heat exchanger.

[0055] The hanger may further include a moving hanger disposed inside the inner casing to hang the laundry thereon, wherein the moving hanger is operated to shake the laundry.

[0056] The controller may operate the moving hanger in a period where the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or higher than the set temperature or while the first heater or the second heater is in operation.

[0057] The controller may operate the moving hanger at a first frequency or stop the moving hanger in a period where the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or lower than the set temperature. The controller may operate the moving hanger at a second frequency higher than the first frequency in the period where the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0058] The controller may operate the moving hanger at a third frequency lower than the second frequency, after operating the moving hanger at the second frequency for a reference time period.

[0059] The controller may operate the moving hanger at the third frequency lower than the second frequency when a temperature increase rate inside the inner casing becomes greater than a reference value or the temperature inside the inner casing reaches a drying temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0060] The first frequency may be set lower than the third frequency.

[0061] When the drying course is performed, the controller may maintain operation of the compressor until the drying course ends or the drying of the laundry is completed, and operate the moving hanger such that an operation period thereof at least partially overlaps a period where the steam heater is in operation.

[0062] The controller may, when the moving hanger has been operated before the operation of the steam heater, operate the moving hanger faster in the period where the steam heater is in operation.

[0063] The controller may, when the operation of the moving hanger has been blocked before the operation of the steam heater, operate the moving hanger in the period where the steam heater is in operation.

[0064] The controller may, when the moving hanger is operated while the steam heater is in operation, not operate the moving hanger or operate the moving hanger slowly after the operation of the steam heater ends.

[0065] The controller may, when the moving hanger is operated while the steam heater is in operation, maintain an operating speed of the moving hanger for a certain period of time when the operation of the steam heater ends.

[0066] The controller may operate the steam heater while the compressor is in operation.

[0067] The controller may set an operating frequency of the moving hanger differently depending on the temperature inside the inner casing.

[0068] The controller may operate the moving hanger at a first frequency until the temperature inside the inner casing reaches a set temperature, and may operate the moving hanger at a second frequency higher than the first frequency after the temperature inside the inner casing reaches the set temperature.

[0069] The controller may operate the moving hanger at a third frequency lower than the second frequency in a period after the temperature inside the inner casing reaches a drying temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0070] The controller may operate the moving hanger at the second frequency for a set time period and then operate the moving hanger at a third frequency lower than the second frequency.

[0071] The second frequency may be set as the highest frequency at which the moving hanger is operated during the course.

[0072] The controller may operate the steam supplier to increase the temperature inside the inner casing to the set temperature or higher.

[0073] The controller may operate the moving hanger at the second frequency such that an operation period thereof at least partially overlaps a period where the steam supplier is in operation.

[0074] The controller may operate the moving hanger at the second frequency after the steam supplier starts operating.

[0075] The controller may, when the drying cycle is performed, maintain the operation of the compressor until the drying cycle ends or the drying of the laundry is completed, and control the steam heater such that steam is supplied into the inner casing while the compressor is in operation.

[0076] The controller may operate the steam heater first and then operate the compressor.

[0077] The controller may operate the first heater and the second heater first, and operate the compressor and the first heater or the second heater simultaneously.

[0078] Even when the operation of the first heater or the second heater ends, the operation of the compressor may be maintained.Advantageous Effects

[0079] The present disclosure may remove the wrinkles and the creases from the laundry during the drying cycle.

[0080] The present disclosure may maintain the operation of the compressor without the interruption even when steam is supplied to remove the wrinkles and the creases from the laundry.

[0081] The present disclosure may secure the period satisfying the removal conditions during the drying cycle of removing moisture from the laundry.

[0082] The present disclosure may remove the wrinkles and the creases from the laundry while maintaining the energy efficiency and preventing the drying delay during the drying cycle.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] FIG. 1 illustrates conditions for removing wrinkles and creases.

[0084] FIG. 2 illustrates whether removal conditions of an existing dryer are achieved.

[0085] FIG. 3 illustrates an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0086] FIG. 4 illustrates a machine room structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0087] FIG. 5 illustrates a circulation duct structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0088] FIG. 6 illustrates a heat supplier structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0089] FIG. 7 illustrates a blower fan structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0090] FIG. 8 illustrates an inlet duct structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0091] FIG. 9 illustrates a steam supplier structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0092] FIG. 10 illustrates a steam heater structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0093] FIG. 11 illustrates inside of a steam casing of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0094] FIG. 12 illustrates an internal structure of a steam supplier of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0095] FIG. 13 illustrates a flow channel structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0096] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a flow channel structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0097] FIG. 15 illustrates movement directions of steam and water of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0098] FIG. 16 illustrates a moving hanger structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0099] FIG. 17 illustrates an operating scheme of a moving hanger of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0100] FIG. 18 illustrates components of a moving hanger of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0101] FIG. 19 illustrates a moving hanger structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0102] FIG. 20 illustrates an operating structure of a moving hanger of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0103] FIG. 21 illustrates a process of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure performing a course for treating laundry.

[0104] FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment of performing a drying course of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0105] FIG. 23 illustrates a progress of a drying cycle in FIG. 22.

[0106] FIG. 24 illustrates another embodiment of a drying course performed in a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0107] FIG. 25 illustrates a state of a laundry treating apparatus when a control method in FIG. 24 is performed.

[0108] FIG. 26 illustrates another embodiment of a drying course performed in a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.BEST MODE

[0109] FIG. 3 illustrates an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure.

[0110] Referring to (a) in FIG. 3, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 100 forming the outer appearance thereof, and a door 400 pivotably coupled to the cabinet 100.

[0111] The door 400 may include a main body 410 forming a front surface of the cabinet 100, and an installation body 420 extending from one side of the main body 410 and on which a display that displays information of the laundry treating apparatus may be installed.

[0112] The installation body 420 may be constructed to form a step 430 in a rearward direction of the cabinet 100 from the main body 410.

[0113] In one example, at least a portion of the installation body 420 may be disposed at the rear of the main body 410 so as to overlap the same in a front and rear direction. Accordingly, the step 430 may function as a handle.

[0114] The installation body 420 may be made of a different material from or have a different color from the main body 410. In addition, the installation body 420 may be made of a translucent material through which light emitted from the display may be transmitted.

[0115] Referring to (b) in FIG. 3, an inner casing 200 having an accommodation space 220 for accommodating laundry may be disposed inside the cabinet 100. The inner casing 200 may have an opening 210 through which the laundry enters and exits at a front side, and the opening 210 may be shielded by the door 400.

[0116] The inner casing 200 may be made of a plastic resin material, and may be made of a reinforced plastic resin material that does not deform even when exposed to air at a temperature higher than a room temperature or heated air (hereinafter, hot air) and steam or moisture.

[0117] The inner casing 200 may have a height greater than a width. As a result, the laundry may be accommodated in the accommodation space 220 without being folded or wrinkled.

[0118] The laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may include a hanger 1000 capable of hanging the laundry in the accommodation space 220 of the inner casing 200.

[0119] The hanger 1000 may be seated on an upper portion of an inner surface of the inner casing 200 and hang the laundry in a state of being stretched or unfolded from the top to the bottom.

[0120] As a result, the laundry may be accommodated inside the inner casing 200 without being wrinkled.

[0121] In addition, the hanger 1000 may be equipped to hang a plurality of laundry items. The hanger 1000 may hang the plurality of laundry items while spacing them apart from each other in a width direction of the inner casing 200.

[0122] Therefore, even when the plurality of laundry items are accommodated in the inner casing 200, they may be hung without being in contact or interfering with each other. As a result, not only are the plurality of laundry items not damaged, but the entire laundry may be evenly exposed to hot air and steam.

[0123] That is, the hanger 1000 may be equipped as a simple holder that is installed on the upper portion of the inner casing 200 and fix the laundry in a floating state inside the accommodation space 220.

[0124] Alternatively, the hanger 1000 may be equipped as a moving hanger 1000 that is seated on a top surface of the inner casing 200 and shakes the laundry.

[0125] The moving hanger 1000 may reciprocate or rotate in a reciprocating manner on the upper portion of the inner casing 200. Accordingly, the laundry hung on the moving hanger 1000 may be shaken in the accommodation space 220 to remove foreign substances or the like, and may be effectively exposed to supplied steam or hot air.

[0126] A detailed structure and functions of the moving hanger 1000 will be described later.

[0127] A pressurizer assembly 520 capable of pressurizing the laundry may be disposed on an inner surface of the door 400.

[0128] The pressurizer assembly 520 may include a support 522 that is fixed to the inner surface of the door 400 and supports one surface of the laundry, and a pressurizer 521 that pressurizes the laundry supported by the support 522.

[0129] The pressurizer 521 may move toward or away from the support 522. For example, the pressurizer 521 may be pivotable with respect to the support 522 or the inner surface of the door 400.

[0130] Therefore, the pressurizer 521 and the support 522 may pressurize both surfaces of the laundry to remove wrinkles from the laundry and create intended creases.

[0131] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may have a machine room 300 in which various apparatuses to supply at least one of hot air and steam to the accommodation space 220 or to absorb, purify or dehumidify, and then discharge outside air of the cabinet 100 are installed.

[0132] A controller capable of controlling the laundry treating apparatus may be built into and installed in the machine room 300. In one example, the controller may also be installed inside the door 400.

[0133] The controller may be equipped as a PCB that controls one or more of electronic parts of the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure and performs any course for treating the laundry.

[0134] The machine room 300 may be disposed to be separated or partitioned from the inner casing 200, but may be in communication with the inner casing 200.

[0135] The machine room 300 may be disposed under the inner casing 200. Accordingly, when hot air and steam having a low specific gravity are supplied to the inner casing 200, the hot air and steam may be naturally supplied to the laundry.

[0136] The machine room 300 may include a heat supplier 340 capable of supplying hot air into the inner casing 200. The heat supplier 340 may be equipped as a heat pump system, or may be equipped as a heater that directly heats air with electric energy.

[0137] When the heat supplier 340 is equipped as the heat pump system, the heat supplier 340 may dehumidify and heat air discharged from the inner casing 200 again and supply the air to the inner casing 200. A detailed structure thereof will be described later.

[0138] The machine room 300 may include a steam supplier 800 capable of supplying steam into the inner casing 200. The steam supplier 800 may be equipped to directly supply steam into the inner casing 200. A detailed structure thereof will be described later.

[0139] To this end, the inner casing 200 may include a plurality of through-holes 230 extending through one surface thereof and being in communication with the machine room 300.

[0140] Air in the accommodation space 220 may be supplied to the machine room 300 via the through-holes 230, and at least one of hot air and steam generated in the machine room 300 may be supplied to the accommodation space 220.

[0141] The through-holes 230 may include an inlet hole 231 defined to extend through a bottom surface of the inner casing 200 to introduce air inside the inner casing 200 into the machine room 300, and an exhaust hole 232 spaced apart from the inlet hole 231 and extending through the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 to discharge hot air generated in the machine room 300 into the inner casing 200.

[0142] The exhaust hole 232 may be defined in the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 so as to be closer to a rear surface of the inner casing 200 than to a front surface of the inner casing 200 or the door 400.

[0143] In addition, the exhaust hole 232 may be defined at an angle to the ground between the bottom surface and the rear surface of the inner casing 200. The exhaust hole 232 may be defined to face the moving hanger 1000, thereby inducing the hot air to be supplied toward the laundry.

[0144] The inlet hole 231 may be defined in the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 so as to be closer to the front surface of the inner casing 200 or the door 400 than to the rear surface of the inner casing 200.

[0145] The inlet hole 231 may be defined as far away from the exhaust hole 232 as possible, thereby preventing air discharged from the exhaust hole 232 from being directly absorbed into the inlet hole 231 without reaching the laundry.

[0146] The through-holes 230 may further include a steam hole 233 that extends through the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 and guides steam generated from the steam supplier 800 into the inner casing 200.

[0147] The steam hole 233 may be defined closer to the exhaust hole 232 than to the inlet hole 231. For example, the steam hole 233 may be defined on one side of the exhaust hole 232.

[0148] In one example, the machine room 300 may further include a water supply tank 30 that may supply water to the steam supplier 800, and a drain tank 40 in which condensed water condensed in the heat supplier 340 is collected.

[0149] The water supply tank 30 and the drain tank 40 may be detachable from a front side of the machine room 300. Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may be freely installed without being restricted by a water supply source or a drainage source.

[0150] In one example, the machine room 300 may further include a drawer 50 that is extended and retracted in a front and rear direction and has a separate accommodation space. For example, the drawer 50 may store a steam generator or an iron.

[0151] FIG. 4 illustrates a machine room structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0152] (a) in FIG. 4 is a front view of the machine room 300, and (b) in FIG. 4 is a rear view of the machine room 300.

[0153] Inside the machine room 300, components to supply hot air to a laundry treatment space, circulate air inside the laundry treatment space, supply steam to the laundry treatment space, or purify air outside the cabinet may be disposed.

[0154] The machine room 300 may include a base 310 that has a space for supporting or installing various apparatuses. The base 310 may provide an area size for the installation of the various apparatuses.

[0155] The base 310 may have a circulation duct 320 installed thereon through which air introduced from the inner casing 200 or outside the cabinet 100 moves.

[0156] The circulation duct 320 may be formed in a casing shape with an open top surface, and some components of the heat supplier 340 may be installed inside the circulation duct 320.

[0157] When the heat supplier 340 is equipped as the heat pump system, a heat exchanger 341 and 343 to be described later and a compressor 342 that supplies a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to the heat exchanger may be included inside the circulation duct 320.

[0158] The heat exchanger 341 and 343 may be accommodated inside the circulation duct 320 and cool and dehumidify air flowing through the circulation duct 320 or heat the air to generate hot air.

[0159] When the circulation duct 320 is constructed to suck air from the outside of the cabinet 100, an outside air duct 370 that sucks outside air may be installed in front of the circulation duct 320.

[0160] The circulation duct 320 may be in communication with the outside air duct 370 and may selectively suck outside air.

[0161] The water supply tank and the drain tank may be detachably coupled to a front surface of the circulation duct 320. The water supply tank 30 and the drain tank 40 may be seated and disposed on top of the outside air duct 370.

[0162] The circulation duct 320 may be coupled to the base 310, but may be formed integrally with the base 310. For example, the base 310 and the circulation duct 320 may be manufactured by injection molding.

[0163] The machine room 300 may include a base cover 360 that allows the circulation duct 320 and the inlet hole 231 to be in communication with each other.

[0164] The base cover 360 may be coupled to an upper portion of the circulation duct 320 and guide air sucked from the inlet hole 231 into the circulation duct 320.

[0165] The base cover 360 may block air inside the circulation duct 320 from being discharged to the outside by shielding a top surface of the circulation duct 320. A lower portion of the base cover 360 and the top surface of the circulation duct 320 may form one surface of a flow channel of the circulation duct 320.

[0166] The base cover 360 may include an inlet portion 362 connecting the inlet hole 231 with the circulation duct 320. The inlet portion 362 may be formed in a duct shape to serve as an intake duct that delivers air inside the inner casing 200 to the circulation duct 320.

[0167] The machine room 300 may have the steam supplier 800 installed therein that is connected to the water supply tank 30 to receive water, generates steam, and supplies steam to the inner casing 200. The steam supplier 800 may be seated and disposed on top of the base cover 360.

[0168] The steam supplier 800 may be disposed outside the circulation duct 320. As a result, the steam supplier 800 may be prevented from interfering with the movement of air flowing through the circulation duct 320 or from heating the air.

[0169] In addition, the steam supplier 800 may be disposed so as to be spaced apart from the inlet portion 362. For example, the steam supplier 800 may be disposed at the rear of the inlet portion 362.

[0170] The machine room 300 may include a fan installation portion 350 that allows the circulation duct 320 and the inner casing 200 to be in communication with each other. The fan installation portion 350 may include a blower fan 353 that provides power to move air inside the circulation duct 320 in one direction, and a fan housing 351 that accommodates the blower fan 353 therein and is coupled to or extends from the circulation duct 320.

[0171] The fan installation portion 350 may include an exhaust duct 352 that allows the circulation duct 320 and the exhaust hole 232 to be in communication with each other.

[0172] The exhaust duct 352 may have a cross-section extending from the fan housing 351 toward the exhaust hole 232 with an area size corresponding to that of the exhaust hole 232.

[0173] As a result, air inside the inner casing 200 may be introduced via the base cover 360, pass through the circulation duct 320, and then be supplied back into the inner casing 200 via the fan installation portion 350.

[0174] In one example, the base 310 may include a compressor installation portion 313 in which the compressor 342 that supplies the refrigerant to the heat exchanger 341 and 343 is installed. The compressor installation portion 313 may be disposed outside the circulation duct 320.

[0175] In addition, the base 310 may have a controller 700 installed thereon that controls the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0176] The base 310 may include a controller installation portion 312 that defines a space in which the controller 700 may be inserted from under the circulation duct 320.

[0177] The controller 700 may control all electronically controlled electronic parts such as the compressor 342, the steam supplier 800, and the blower fan 353.

[0178] Because the controller 700 is inserted onto and supported by the base 310, vibrations generated from the moving hanger 1000 or the laundry may be blocked from being transmitted to the controller 700 or may be attenuated and transmitted to the controller 700.

[0179] In addition, as the controller 700 is installed on the base 310, an occurrence of noise or control errors caused by small separation distances from all of the electronic parts in the machine room 300 may be prevented.

[0180] In the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, the steam supplier 800 is disposed on the circulation duct 320 and the controller 700 is disposed under the circulation duct 320. Accordingly, the circulation duct 320 may be formed in a straight duct shape between the steam supplier 800 and the controller 700. As a result, a flow resistance of air passing through the circulation duct 320 may be minimized.

[0181] The circulation duct 320, the outside air duct 370, the steam supplier 800, the controller 700, and the heat supplier 340 may all be installed on the base 310, so that the base 310 may be equipped as a single module. Accordingly, most of the electronic parts may be easily installed, maintained, and repaired as the base 310 is extended from and retracted into the machine room 300 in the front and rear direction.

[0182] FIG. 5 illustrates a machine room base structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0183] (a) in FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the base 310, and (b) and (c) in FIG. 5 are rear perspective views of the base 310.

[0184] The base 310 may be installed on a base plate forming a bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus. The base 310 itself may form the bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus.

[0185] The base 310 may include a base bottom 311 forming a support surface. The base bottom 311 may form the bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus. In addition, the base bottom 311 may be installed on a top surface of a bottom surface of the cabinet 100 forming the bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus.

[0186] The base 310 may be formed integrally with the circulation duct 320 that forms at least a portion of a flow channel through which air moves. The circulation duct 320 may be formed by extending upward from the base bottom 311.

[0187] The circulation duct 320 may include a duct body 321 that extends from the base bottom 311 to form the flow channel, a heat exchanger installation portion 3212 that provides a space in which an evaporator 341 or a condenser 343 is installed inside the duct body 321, and an air outlet 323 disposed at the rear of the duct body 321 and through which air in the duct body 321 is discharged.

[0188] The air outlet 323 may be formed in a pipe shape that extends rearward from the duct body 321. A diameter of the air outlet 323 may be smaller than a width of the duct body 321.

[0189] The air outlet 323 may be connected to the fan housing 350. Air discharged from the air outlet 323 may be guided into the inner casing 200 via the fan housing 350.

[0190] The circulation duct 320 may include an outside air intake portion 322 defined to extend through a front surface of the duct body 321.

[0191] The outside air intake portion 322 may be in communication with the outside air duct 370. The outside air duct 370 may be seated and supported in front of the outside air intake portion 322.

[0192] The circulation duct 320 may include a damper that opens and closes the outside air intake portion 322. By the opening and closing of the damper, outside air may be allowed or blocked from flowing into the circulation duct 320.

[0193] The base 310 may include a compressor installation portion 312 that provides a space in which the compressor 342 is installed. The compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed on one side of the base bottom 311 and may be formed integrally with the base bottom 311.

[0194] The compressor installation portion 312 may have a protrusion formed thereon that may support the compressor 342. The compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed to be rearwardly off-centered on the base 310. The compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed to at least partially overlap the air outlet 323 in the width direction.

[0195] The compressor installation portion 312 may have a buffer member installed thereon that reduces vibration transmitted from the compressor 342. The buffer member may be fixed to the protrusion.

[0196] The base 310 may include a controller installation portion 313 in which the controller 700 is installed. The controller installation portion 313 may be formed between the base bottom 311 and the circulation duct 320. The controller installation portion 313 may be formed between the base bottom 311 and a bottom surface of the circulation duct 320. The controller installation portion 313 may be formed under the circulation duct 320 in a duct shape in which one of a front side and a rear side is open.

[0197] FIG. 6 illustrates a circulation duct structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0198] The circulation duct 320 may extend upward from the base bottom to form the flow channel through which air flows. The circulation duct 320 may include the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 that provides the space in which the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 are installed. The heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be defined inside the duct body 321.

[0199] The duct body 321 may have an open top surface. The condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 may be installed by being inserted via the opening of the duct body 321.

[0200] The opening of the duct body 321 may be shielded by the base cover 360, and the base cover 360 and the duct body 321 may form the flow channel of the circulation duct 320.

[0201] A front surface of the duct body 321 may be spaced rearwardly apart from a front end of the base bottom 311.

[0202] Accordingly, the base bottom 311 may secure a support surface 3111 on which at least one of the water supply tank 30, the drain tank 40, and the outside air duct 370 described above is installed and supported.

[0203] In one example, the heat supplier 340 may include the evaporator 341 that is installed inside the circulation duct 320 and equipped as a heat exchanger that cools and dehumidifies air introduced into the circulation duct 320, the condenser 343 that is equipped as a heat exchanger that heats air that has passed through the evaporator 341 and forms hot air, the compressor 342 that supplies the refrigerant that exchanges heat with the air to the condenser 343 and is disposed outside the circulation duct 320, and an expansion valve 344 that expands and cools the refrigerant that has passed through the condenser 343.

[0204] In one example, as the duct body 321 is integrally formed with the base 310, a greater height of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be secured, and heights of the condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 may also be increased. As a result, widths in the front and rear direction of the condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 may be reduced, so that the number of refrigerant tubes passing through the condenser 343 and the evaporator may be reduced. Accordingly, there is an effect of reducing a flow loss of air passing through the condenser 343 and the evaporator.

[0205] In one example, a sum of a length of the evaporator 341 and a length of the condenser 343 may be smaller than a length of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212. Accordingly, the length in the front and rear direction of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be equal to or smaller than half of a length of the duct body 321.

[0206] Accordingly, because the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be sufficiently spaced apart from the outside air intake portion 322, sufficient space may be secured inside the circulation duct 320 for outside air and air inside the inner casing 200 to be introduced.

[0207] In one example, the inside of the duct body 321 may include an installation partition wall 3211 that partitions the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 from the outside of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212. The installation partition wall 3211 may protrude from a side surface of the duct body 321 and support a front side of the evaporator 341.

[0208] In addition, the duct body 321 may extend rearwards with a width expanded starting from the installation partition wall 3211.

[0209] As a result, a width of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be greater than half a width of the base 310. Additionally, a width of the circulation duct 320 may be greater than half the width of the base 310.

[0210] A width of the condenser 343 and a width of the evaporator 341 may also be greater than half of the entire width of the base 310. As described above, when the widths of the condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 are secured, there is an effect of sufficiently securing a heat exchange capacity.

[0211] In addition, the fan housing 350 may be disposed to overlap the condenser 343 or the evaporator 341 in the front and rear direction. Therefore, air that has passed through the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 may be introduced into the fan housing 350 without bending of the flow channel. That is, air introduced into the circulation duct 320 has an effect of minimizing the flow loss because the flow channel is not bent during the process of moving to the fan housing. The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a temperature sensor S1 that senses a temperature inside the inner casing 200 or a temperature of air introduced into the circulation duct 320 from inside the inner casing 200, and a refrigerant sensor S2 that senses a temperature of the refrigerant circulating through the heat supplier.

[0212] The temperature sensor S1 may be installed on an inner wall of the circulation duct 320, and the refrigerant sensor S2 may be disposed at a discharge side of the compressor 342.

[0213] FIG. 7 illustrates a structure of the air outlet 323 of the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0214] The base 310 may include the air outlet 323 that discharges treated air toward the fan housing.

[0215] The air outlet 323 may allow the inside of the circulation duct 320 or the duct body 321 to be in communication with the fan housing 350. The air outlet 323 may be formed in a bell mouth shape. By being formed in the bell mouth shape, the air outlet 323 may reduce the flow loss of air and improve an air circulation efficiency.

[0216] An air discharge tube 3232 of the air outlet 323 may be formed in a pipe shape. In a mold removal process based on a parting line 3233, a mold placed in front of the parting line 3233 may be pulled out forward, and a mold placed at the rear of the parting line 3233 may be pulled out rearward.

[0217] The fan installation portion 350 may be supported by being coupled to the air discharge tube 3232. The fan housing 351 may have a coupling hole coupled with an outer circumferential surface of the air discharge tube 3232, and the blower fan 353 may be placed in the coupling hole.

[0218] The fan housing 351 may include the exhaust duct 352 extending from an outer circumferential surface or an outer side of the blower fan 353 to the exhaust hole 232.

[0219] The fan housing 351 and the exhaust duct 352 may form therein a flow channel where the blower fan 353 may be accommodated and through which air may move.

[0220] A motor that rotates the blower fan 353 may be supported by being coupled to an outer side of the fan housing 351.

[0221] FIG. 8 illustrates a structure of a base cover of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0222] The base cover 360 may be coupled to the top surface of the circulation duct 320 to prevent the inside of the circulation duct 320 from being exposed.

[0223] The base cover 360 may include an inlet body 361 coupled to the top surface of the circulation duct 320 and allowing the inner casing 200 and the circulation duct 320 to be in communication with each other, and a shielding body 363 extending from the inlet body 361 and shielding the circulation duct 320.

[0224] The inlet body 361 may be formed in a duct shape and allow the inlet hole 231 of the inner casing and the inside of the circulation duct 320 to be in communication with each other. The inlet body 361 may protrude further upwardly of the shielding body 363.

[0225] The inlet body 361 may be positioned forward of the evaporator 341 so as not to face the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343, and may be positioned forward of the partition wall 3211.

[0226] The inlet body 361 may serve as an inlet duct that moves air in the inner casing 200 to the circulation duct 320.

[0227] The inlet body 361 may have the inlet portion 362 therein through which air in the inner casing 200 may pass.

[0228] Specifically, the base cover 360 may include a first rib 362a extending along a width direction of the inlet body 361, and a second rib 362b extending along the width direction of the inlet body 361 and spaced rearwardly apart from the first rib 362a.

[0229] The first rib 362a and the second rib 362b may be arranged in parallel with each other. The first rib 362a and the second rib 362b may be formed in a plate shape extending in a vertical direction, and heights thereof may correspond to a height of the inlet body 361.

[0230] A front edge of the inlet body 361 and the first rib 362a may form a first inlet 3621, the first rib 362a and the second rib 362b may form a second inlet 3622, and the second rib 362b and a rear edge of the inlet body 361 may form a third inlet 3623.

[0231] The first inlet 3621 and the third inlet 3622 may have the same area size, and the second inlet 3622 may have a smaller area size than the first inlet 3621 and the third inlet 3622.

[0232] The base cover 360 may include a damper assembly 364 that opens and closes the inlet portion 362, and a driver 365 coupled to the damper assembly 364 to control the opening and closing of the damper assembly 364.

[0233] The damper assembly 364 may include a first damper 3641 that opens and closes the first inlet 3621, and a second damper 3642 that opens and closes the third inlet 3623.

[0234] The first damper 3641 may be formed in a plate shape with an area size corresponding to that of the first inlet 3621, and may be disposed inside the first inlet 3621 and rotatably coupled to both side surfaces of the inlet body 361.

[0235] The second damper 3642 may be formed in a plate shape with an area size corresponding to that of the third inlet 3622, and may be disposed inside the third inlet 3622 and rotatably coupled to both side surfaces of the inlet body 361.

[0236] The second inlet 3622 may be equipped with a blocking filter 366 that allows air to pass therethrough, but is able to filter out foreign substances such as fine dust and lint.

[0237] The blocking filter 366 may be inserted into the second inlet 3622 and partition the first inlet 3621 and the third inlet 3623 from each other. The blocking filter 366 may be disposed in the second inlet 3622 and extend so as to be in contact with the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320.

[0238] The blocking filter 366 may be equipped as a filter capable of filtering even the moisture. For example, the blocking filter 366 may be equipped as a HEPA filter or the like.

[0239] In one example, the second inlet 3622 may further be coupled with a shielding member that shields the second inlet 3622 when the blocking filter 366 is inserted.

[0240] The driver 365 may include a motor that provides power to selectively rotate the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642, and a plurality of gear members that may selectively rotate the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642 while being engaged with the motor and rotating.

[0241] Because of the driver 365, the first inlet 3621 and the third inlet 3623 may be selectively opened.

[0242] Because of the driver 365, air contained inside the inner casing 200 may be introduced into the circulation duct 320 along the first inlet 3621, and may be introduced into the circulation duct 320 along the third inlet 3623.

[0243] In one example, the driver 365 may control the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642 to open both the first inlet 3621 and the third inlet 3623, and may control the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642 to close both the first inlet 3621 and the third inlet 3623.

[0244] The driver 365 may be formed in any structure as long as it is able to rotate the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642. For example, the driver 365 may be equipped as a combination of the motor, a driving gear that rotates by the motor, and a driven gear that is coupled to the first damper and the second damper and rotates by the rotation of the driving gear.

[0245] The base cover 360 may include the shielding body 363 that may extend from the inlet body 361 and may shield the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343. The shielding body 363 may be formed in a plate shape.

[0246] The base cover 360 may be detachably coupled to the top surface of the circulation duct 320 via an inlet hook 3612 that extends from a bottom surface of the inlet body 361.

[0247] The circulation duct 320 may have a coupling portion that is detachably coupled to the inlet hook 3612.

[0248] FIG. 9 illustrates an installation structure of a steam supplier.

[0249] The steam supplier 800 may be supported by being seated on the base cover 360.

[0250] The steam supplier 800 may include a steam generator 810 that is seated on the base cover 360 and stores water that generates the steam.

[0251] The steam supplier 800 may further include an installation bracket 870 that may fix the steam generator 810 to the base cover 360.

[0252] The installation bracket 870 may be coupled to the base cover 360 to fix the steam generator 810.

[0253] The installation bracket 870 may include a lower panel 871 that supports a bottom surface of the steam generator 810 and a side panel 872 that supports both side surfaces of the steam generator 810 on the lower panel 871.

[0254] The installation bracket 870 may further include one or more fixing clips 873 that extend from the side panel 872 to prevent the steam generator 810 from being deviated.

[0255] The fixing clips 873 may be detachable from a top surface or a side surface of the steam generator 810.

[0256] The compressor 342 may be placed downward of the steam supplier 800.

[0257] The installation bracket 870 may block heat generated from the compressor or heat generated from the refrigerant compressed in the compressor from being transferred to the steam supplier 800.

[0258] The installation bracket 870 may also block fire from being transferred to the steam supplier 800 in the event of the fire occurring in the compressor 342.

[0259] In one example, the base cover 360 may include a fastener 3631 disposed in the shielding body 363 and detachably coupled to the steam supplier 800. The fastener 3631 may have a structure that is detachably coupled to a protrusion protruding from a lower portion of the steam generator 810.

[0260] Accordingly, even when a great amount of water is contained inside the steam generator 810, the steam generator 810 may be stably seated on the base cover 360.

[0261] In addition, because the steam generator 810 is disposed upward of the circulation duct 320 and has a smaller distance from the inner casing 200, condensation of steam generated in the steam generator 810 before reaching the inner casing 200 may be minimized.

[0262] FIG. 10 illustrates a detailed structure of the steam supplier.

[0263] Referring to (a) in FIG. 10, the steam supplier 800 may include the steam generator 810 that may receive and store water to generate steam, and a steam heater 840 that is accommodated in the steam generator 810 and heats the water to generate steam.

[0264] The steam generator 810 may be formed in a casing shape that defines a space that accommodates the steam heater 840.

[0265] For example, the steam generator 810 may be formed in a casing shape with an open top and may accommodate the steam heater 840 therein.

[0266] The steam supplier 800 may further include a casing cover 820 that is coupled to the steam generator 810 to prevent the steam heater 840 from being exposed to the outside and to prevent water from leaking out.

[0267] The casing cover 820 may include, installed therein, a water level sensor 850 that senses a water level of the steam generator 810, and a steam sensor 860 that senses a temperature inside the steam generator 810 or senses whether steam is generated inside the steam generator 810.

[0268] Referring to (b) in FIG. 10, the steam generator 810 may include a casing body 811 that provides a space for storing the water and accommodating the steam heater 840 therein.

[0269] The casing body 811 may be formed in a shape with an open top, so that various components may be easily installed inside the casing body 811.

[0270] The casing body 811 may include a heater insertion hole 8111 extending through one side thereof and through which the heater 840 may be inserted or withdrawn.

[0271] The casing body 811 may include a recovery tube 814 that receives water to generate steam inside.

[0272] The recovery tube 814 may discharge water contained inside the casing body 811 to the outside.

[0273] The recovery tube 814 may be maintained in a closed state by a shielding plug 8141 so as to be opened only when removing residual water inside the steam generator 810, and may include a shielding clip 8142 that maintains the shielding plug 8141 in a state coupled to the recovery tube 814 such that the shielding plug 8141 is prevented from being arbitrarily separated.

[0274] As a result, when repairing the steam generator 800 or preventing freezing or the like of the steam generator 800, water inside the steam generator 800 may be discharged via the recovery tube 814.

[0275] In one example, the recovery tube 814 may receive water from the water supply tank 30. Details will be described later.

[0276] In one example, a heater fixer 830 capable of supporting or fixing the steam heater 840 may be installed inside the casing body 811. The heater fixer 830 may include a support clip 831 that fixes the steam heater 840, and a clip fastening member 833 that fixes the support clip 831 to the casing body 811.

[0277] The support clip 831 may accommodate therein or surround at least a portion of the steam heater 840.

[0278] In one example, the steam supplier 800 may include a water supply tube 815 that receives water. The water supply tube 815 may be in communication with the water supply tank 30 to receive water.

[0279] The water supply tube 815 may be disposed on the casing cover 820 or may be disposed on an upper portion of the steam generator 810. Thereby, water may be prevented from flowing back through the water supply tube 815.

[0280] The steam supplier 800 may include a steam tube 813 that discharges steam generated by the operation of the steam heater 840 to the outside. The steam tube 813 may also be disposed on the upper portion of the casing cover 820, so that water may be prevented from being arbitrarily discharged into the steam tube 813.

[0281] The steam tube 813 may be in communication with the steam hole 233 of the inner casing 200.

[0282] The casing cover 820 may include a water level sensor hole 854 in which the water level sensor may be installed.

[0283] The water level sensor 850 may include one or more contact protrusions 852 that are inserted into the water level sensor hole 854 and immersed in water to sense the water level, and a sensor body 851 that is coupled to the water level sensor hole 854 or supported by the casing cover 820 so as to maintain the contact protrusions 852 in a floating state inside the steam generator 810.

[0284] The sensor body 851 may be coupled to the casing cover 820 via a sensor fastening member 853.

[0285] In one example, the casing cover 820 may include an insertion hole 864 in which the steam sensor 860 may be installed. The steam sensor 860 may include a sensing device 861 that is inserted into the insertion hole 864 to sense whether steam is generated inside the steam generator 810, a support member 863 that fixes the sensing device 861 to the casing cover 820, and a coupling member 862 that couples the support member 863 to the casing cover 820.

[0286] The sensing device 861 may be equipped as a humidity sensor or a temperature sensor and may sense whether steam is generated inside the steam generator 810.

[0287] In one example, the casing cover 820 may be equipped with a cover hook 821 that may extend forward and may be coupled to the base cover 860.

[0288] In addition, a fixing protrusion 822 capable of fixing a lower portion of the inner casing 200 or a separate steam discharger 900 may be disposed at a rear side of the casing cover 820.

[0289] The steam heater 840 may be inserted into the heater insertion hole 8111 and accommodated in the steam generator 810 and may heat water by receiving power.

[0290] The steam heater 840 may be equipped as a sheath heater or the like, and may be controlled by the controller 700 such that operation and stopping thereof may be repeated.

[0291] The steam heater 840 may include a first heater 841 that receives first power and heats water and a second heater 842 that receives power smaller than the first power and heats water.

[0292] As a result, the second heater 842 may heat a smaller amount of water and generate less steam compared to the first heater 841.

[0293] The first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may consume maximum heater power allowed for the steam heater 840 in the laundry treating apparatus in a divided manner. That is, when the first heater 841 consumes a portion of the maximum heater power, the second heater 842 may consume the remainder of the maximum heater power.

[0294] For example, when the general maximum heater power allowable for the steam heater 840 is 1500W, the first heater 841 may consume 880W, and the second heater 842 may consume 600W. As such, the power may be less distributed by 20W in consideration of errors or the like.

[0295] In one example, the steam heater 840 may include three or more heaters. For example, the first heater 841, the second heater 842, and a third heater 843 may be included, and the first heater 841, the second heater 842, and the third heater 843 may consume the maximum heater power in a divided manner.

[0296] Hereinafter, a description will be made based on the steam heater 840 being composed of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842.

[0297] The first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be formed as U-shaped metal pipes.

[0298] The steam heater 840 may include a heater sealer 843 that may fix the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 and seal a heater through-hole 8111, and may include a terminal assembly 844 that supplies current to the first heater 841 and the second heater 842.

[0299] The terminal assembly 844 may include a first terminal 844a that supplies the current to the first heater 841 and a second terminal 844b that supplies the current to the second heater 842.

[0300] The first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be arranged at the same vertical level. Therefore, the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may heat water at the same water level and generate steam.

[0301] Accordingly, the controller 700 may control an amount of steam generated and an amount of power consumed by using both or selectively the first heater 841 and the second heater 842.

[0302] FIG. 11 illustrates the inside of the steam generator.

[0303] The steam generator 810 may have a heating space 817 that stores water inside and accommodates the steam heater 840 therein.

[0304] In addition, the steam generator 810 may receive water to generate steam via a water supply hose 8151 connected to the water supply tube 815.

[0305] In one example, steam generated by the operation of the steam heater 840 in the steam generator 810 may be discharged to the outside of the steam supplier 800 via a steam discharge tube 813 along a steam hose 8131.

[0306] The steam hose 8131 may be in communication with the steam hole 233 of the inner casing 200.

[0307] In one example, the steam generator 810 may include a separation partition wall 812 that may separate the heating space 817 and the water level sensor 850 from each other. That is, the separation partition wall 812 may be constructed to separate the steam heater 840 and the water level sensor 850 from each other, and may be disposed to be off-centered to one side of the casing body 811.

[0308] The water level sensor 850 may be disposed between the separation partition wall 812 and an inner surface of the casing body 811.

[0309] As a result, vibration of water occurring when water boils may be prevented from being transmitted to the water level sensor 850, and heat generated in the steam heater 840 may be prevented from being directly transmitted to the water level sensor 850.

[0310] FIG. 12 illustrates a steam supplier in which the steam heater is installed.

[0311] Referring to (a) in FIG. 12, the steam sensor 860 may be disposed upward of the steam heater 840 and sense the temperature inside the steam generator 810 or the like. Accordingly, the steam sensor 860 may sense that steam is generated when a temperature of water reaches 100 degrees or a high temperature.

[0312] The steam heater 840 may be supported by the support clip 832, so that the steam heater 840 may be prevented from coming into contact with the bottom surface of the steam generator 810 or the like.

[0313] In addition, an upper portion thereof may be surrounded by the fixing clip 831 to prevent a water level at which the steam heater 840 is disposed from varying.

[0314] Referring to (b) in FIG. 12, the heater sealer 844 of the steam heater 840 may include a first support hole 8441 through which the first heater 841 extends and is supported, and a second support hole 8442 through which the second heater 842 extends and is supported.

[0315] A first length L1 at which the first support hole 8441 is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the steam generator 810 and a second length L2 at which the second support hole 8442 is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the steam generator 810 may be equal to each other.

[0316] Even when the first support hole 8441 and the second support hole 8442 have different diameters, installation vertical levels thereof may be equal to each other.

[0317] Accordingly, the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may heat water at the same water level to generate steam.

[0318] FIG. 13 illustrates in detail a steam supply structure of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0319] Steam generated inside the steam generator 810 may be directly supplied into the inner casing 200 via the steam tube 813.

[0320] However, when steam is directly supplied into the inner casing 200 via the steam tube 813, there is a concern that water contained in the steam generator 810 may also be supplied into the inner casing 200.

[0321] In addition, there is a concern that water heated in the steam generator 810 may heat the bottom surface of the inner casing 200, causing heat damage to the inner casing 200.

[0322] To prevent this, the steam supplier 800 of the present disclosure may further include a steam nozzle 900 that receives steam generated from the steam generator 810 and supplies steam to the inner casing 200.

[0323] The steam nozzle 900 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the steam generator 810, and may be constructed to receive only steam generated in the steam generator 810 and not to receive water contained in the steam generator 810.

[0324] For example, the steam nozzle 900 may be disposed upward of the steam generator 810 and connected to the steam tube 813. Accordingly, steam generated in the steam generator 810 may rise by a density difference and be supplied to the steam nozzle 900 along the steam tube 813, and water contained in the steam generator 810 may not be introduced into the steam tube 813 or the steam nozzle 900 because of gravity.

[0325] The steam nozzle 900 may be disposed between the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 and the steam generator 810, and may be in communication with the steam hole 233.

[0326] In one example, the steam supplier 800 of the present disclosure receives water from the water supply tank 30 and generates steam.

[0327] To this end, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include a water supply pump 880 that supplies water contained in the water supply tank 30 to the steam supplier 800.

[0328] The steam supplier 800 may further include a supply tube 890 that may guide water contained in the water supply tank 30 to the water supply pump 880.

[0329] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may further include the water supply tube 815 that guides water discharged from the water supply pump 880 to the steam supplier 800. The water supply tube 815 may be formed in a shape of the water supply hose 8151 made of rubber.

[0330] As a result, the water supply pump 880 may receive water from the supply tube 890 that is connected to the water supply tank 30. In addition, the water supply pump 880 may discharge water to the steam supplier 800 via the water supply tube 881.

[0331] The steam supplier 800 may be viewed as including the water supply pump 880 that provides power to supply water contained in the water supply tank 30 to the steam generator 810.

[0332] The supply tube 890 may be equipped as a hose connecting the water supply tank 30 with the water supply pump 880, and the water supply tube 881 may be equipped as a hose coupled to the water supply pump 880.

[0333] In one example, the water supply tube 815 may directly connect the water supply pump 880 with the steam generator 810. Accordingly, water supplied from the water supply pump 880 may be directly supplied to the steam generator 810, heated by the steam heater 840, and generated as steam. The steam may be supplied to the steam nozzle 900 via the steam tube 813 and delivered to the inner casing 200.

[0334] However, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the water supply tube 815 may directly connect the water supply pump 880 with the steam nozzle 900.

[0335] In other words, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may supply water contained in the water supply tank 30 to the steam nozzle 900 instead of the steam generator 810. Water supplied from the water supply pump 880 may be directly supplied to the steam nozzle 900.

[0336] The water supply pump 880 may not be directly connected to the steam generator 810. It may be considered that the water supply pump 880 is in communication with the steam generator 810 via the steam nozzle 900.

[0337] The steam nozzle 900 may receive water contained in the water supply tank 30 via the water supply pump 880. Water supplied to the steam nozzle 900 may be delivered to the steam generator 810.

[0338] Because the steam nozzle 900 is disposed upward of the steam generator 810, water supplied to the steam nozzle 900 may be automatically supplied to the steam generator 810.

[0339] As a result, the steam nozzle 900 may be constructed to receive water contained in the water supply tank 30 via the water supply pump 880 and deliver water to the steam generator 810.

[0340] The steam supplier 800 may further include a recovery tube 815 connecting the steam nozzle 900 with the steam generator 810. The recovery tube 815 may supply, to the steam generator 810, water temporarily contained by being supplied to the steam nozzle 900.

[0341] Therefore, the steam tube 813 through which steam is introduced into the steam nozzle 900 and the recovery tube 815 through which water is discharged from the steam nozzle 900 may be equipped as separate flow channels.

[0342] Therefore, water supplied from the steam nozzle 900 may be prevented from interfering with the movement of steam supplied from the steam generator 810.

[0343] In one example, the recovery tube 815 may be formed in a U-shape. That is, a partial area between both ends of the recovery tube 815 may be disposed at a lower vertical level. As a result, a certain amount of water may be accumulated in the recovery tube 815 as in a water trap, so that steam or water supplied from the steam generator 810 may be prevented from being re-introduced via the recovery tube 815.

[0344] The steam tube 813 may include the steam hose 8131 connecting the steam nozzle 900 with the steam generator 810. The steam hose 8131 may be made of a rubber material.

[0345] The recovery tube 815 may be formed separately from the steam tube 813 and may be disposed to be spaced apart from the steam tube 813. The recovery tube 815 may include a recovery hose 8151 connecting the steam nozzle 900 with the steam generator 810. The recovery hose 8151 may be made of a rubber material.

[0346] The steam generator 810 may receive and accommodate therein water supplied to the steam nozzle 900. Because the steam generator 810 is not directly connected to the water supply pump 880, there is no possibility that water introduced into the steam generator 810 will flow back into the water supply pump 880.

[0347] In addition, because the steam nozzle 900 is disposed upward of the steam generator 810 and the steam nozzle 900 is connected to the steam generator 810 via the recovery tube 815, water supplied to the steam nozzle 900 may be automatically supplied to the steam generator 810 by gravity. As a result, water supplied to the steam nozzle 900 from the water supply pump 880 has no possibility of flowing back into the water supply pump 880.

[0348] As a result, a check valve may be omitted between the water supply pump 880 and the steam nozzle 900 or the steam generator 810. Therefore, the water supply tube 881 may be formed as a single water supply hose. A flow channel for supplying water to the steam supplier 800 may be simplified, and a possibility of leakage from the flow channel may be reduced accordingly.

[0349] In addition, a large amount of water may be supplied to the steam nozzle 900 at a considerable pressure via the water supply pump 880. As a result, foreign substances, bacteria that are growing, or the like accumulated in the steam nozzle 900 may be washed by water supplied to the steam nozzle 900 and washed down into the steam generator 810. Therefore, the steam nozzle 900 may always be maintained in a clean state, and a flow of supplied steam may be prevented from being obstructed.

[0350] In one example, when steam supplied from the steam nozzle 900 is condensed, condensed water may be re-introduced into the steam generator 810 via the recovery tube 815. That is, condensed water generated in the steam nozzle 900 may be recovered to the steam generator 810 in the same direction as a movement direction of water supplied from the water supply pump 880, and may be recycled as water that generates the steam. Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may prevent a rapid decrease in a water level of the water supply tank 30 and also prevent waste of water.

[0351] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a flow channel structure of a steam supplier of the present disclosure.

[0352] Water supplied from the water supply pump 880 may be supplied to the steam nozzle 900 along the water supply tube 881.

[0353] The steam nozzle 900 may supply received water to the steam generator 810.

[0354] The steam generator 810 may receive water via the recovery tube 815.

[0355] When water is heated by the steam heater 840 and steam is generated in the steam generator 810, the steam may be supplied to the steam nozzle 900 along the steam tube 813.

[0356] In this regard, the recovery tube 815 and the steam tube 813 may be separated from each other and disposed in the steam generator 810.

[0357] Steam condensed in the steam nozzle 900 may be re-introduced into the steam generator 810 via the recovery tube 815.

[0358] A hose connected to the outside may be omitted in the steam generator 810, except for the recovery tube 815 and the steam tube 813 connected to the steam nozzle 900. That is, because the water supply pump 880 may not be directly connected to the steam generator 810, a hose connecting the water supply pump 880 with the steam generator 810 may be omitted.

[0359] Therefore, because the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure only needs to have the water supply tube 881, the recovery tube 815, and the steam tube 813 as the flow channels related to steam, the flow channel structure may be simplified.

[0360] In addition, the steam nozzle 900 may be disposed upward of the steam generator 810. Therefore, water supplied to the steam nozzle 900 may be entirely guided to the steam generator 810 without the separate check valve.

[0361] Therefore, when water supplied from the water supply pump 880 is supplied to the steam nozzle 900, water supplied to the steam nozzle 900 is entirely guided to the steam generator 810, so that the possibility of water flowing back from the steam nozzle 900 to the water supply pump 880 is blocked.

[0362] Therefore, the check valve may be omitted between the water supply pump 880 and the steam nozzle 900.

[0363] In addition, because the check valve does not need to be installed in the water supply tube 880, the water supply tube 880 does not need to be equipped as a plurality of parts and thus is able to be equipped as one hose. As a result, not only the flow channel structure may further be simplified, but also installation and repair of the flow channel may be simplified, and the possibility of leakage may further be reduced.

[0364] FIG. 15 illustrates a flow channel structure of the steam nozzle.

[0365] The steam nozzle 900 may include a supply container 910 that may receive steam from the steam casing 810 or receive water from the water supply pump 880 and accommodate the same.

[0366] The supply container 910 may be formed in a casing shape having an internal space that may receive and accommodate water or steam therein.

[0367] The water supply tube 881 may be connected to the supply container 910 at a place higher than a bottom surface of the supply container 910. For example, the water supply tube 881 may be coupled to a side surface of the supply container 910. As a result, water supplied to the supply container 910 may be prevented from flowing back into the water supply tube 881.

[0368] The water supply tube 881 may be connected to the supply container 910 at a place higher than the recovery tube 815. For example, the recovery tube 815 may be disposed such that one end thereof is coupled to the bottom surface of the supply container 910 and the other end thereof is coupled to the steam generator 810. Accordingly, water supplied to the water supply tube 881 may be automatically introduced into the recovery tube 815.

[0369] In addition, the recovery tube 815 may be formed in a U-shape so as to accommodate a certain amount of water inside.

[0370] In one example, the recovery tube 815 may be disposed adjacent to the water supply tube 881. As a result, water supplied to the water supply tube 811 may not remain in the supply container 810 and may quickly flow into the steam casing 810.

[0371] In one example, the steam tube 813 may have one end coupled to a lower portion of the supply container 910 and the other end coupled to an upper end of the steam generator 810 or the steam cover 820. As a result, steam generated in the steam generator 810 may be automatically supplied to the supply container 910 because of the density difference.

[0372] The steam tube 813 may be connected to a higher place of the supply container 910 than the recovery tube 815. In addition, the steam tube 813 may be disposed further away from the water supply tube 881 than the recovery tube 815.

[0373] Therefore, water supplied to the supply container 910 may not flow back to the steam tube 813 and may be supplied more to the recovery tube 815.

[0374] The steam tube 813 may be coupled to the bottom surface of the supply container 910.

[0375] The bottom surface of the supply container 910 may be constructed such that a portion where the recovery tube 815 is coupled is lower and a portion where the steam tube 813 is coupled is higher. To this end, the bottom surface of the supply container 910 may have a step formed thereon or may be inclined.

[0376] The steam nozzle 900 may further include a container cover 920 coupled to an upper portion of the supply container 910. The container cover 920 may include a steam spray hole 923 defined through an upper portion thereof. The steam spray hole 923 may be in communication with the inside of the inner casing 200.

[0377] The supply container 910 may be formed in a box shape with an open top, and the container cover 920 may shield the top of the supply container 910.

[0378] Steam supplied via the steam tube 813 may be discharged through the steam spray hole 923 and supplied into the inner casing 200.

[0379] The steam tube 813 may be disposed between the steam spray hole 923 and an inner surface of the supply container 910. The steam spray hole 923 may be defined between the water supply tube 881 and the steam tube 813, and may be defined between the recovery tube 815 and the steam tube 813. Accordingly, steam condensed without being discharged through the steam spray hole 923 may be discharged through the recovery tube 815 without remaining inside the supply container 910.

[0380] The steam spray hole 923 may be positioned at a center based on a width direction of the container cover 920.

[0381] The container cover 920 may be coupled to the supply container 910 via hook coupling or the like. As a result, a separate fastening member that couples the container cover 920 with the supply container 910 may be omitted.

[0382] Because the supply container 910 has the open top, it may be advantageous for the supply container 910 to install various shapes or structures inside, and it may be advantageous for the container cover 920 to install various structures on a bottom.

[0383] Based on the steam spray hole 923, the water supply tube 881 and the recovery tube 815 are disposed at one side of the supply container 910, and the steam tube 813 is disposed at the other side of the supply container 910.

[0384] That is, the water supply tube 881 and the recovery tube 815 may be arranged adjacent to each other, and the steam tube 813 may be disposed further away from the water supply tube 881 than the recovery tube 815.

[0385] Accordingly, water moving to the water supply tube 881 may be supplied to the supply container 910 along a direction I. Water supplied to the supply container 910 may be immediately discharged to the recovery tube 815 along a direction II and supplied to the steam generator 810. Steam supplied from the steam tube 813 may be supplied to the supply container 910 along a direction III and discharged to the steam spray hole 932, and condensed water may be discharged to the recovery tube 815 along the direction II and re-supplied to the steam generator 810.

[0386] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the moving hanger 1000 will be described in detail.

[0387] The moving hanger 1000 may linearly reciprocate within the inner casing 200. Accordingly, the laundry may be shaken while linearly reciprocating within the inner casing 200.

[0388] The moving hanger 1000 may shake the laundry periodically at various frequencies.

[0389] For example, the moving hanger 1000 may have a structure similar to that in Korean Patent No. 10-1285890.

[0390] In addition, the moving hanger 1000 may shake the laundry while rotating the laundry in a reciprocating manner within the inner casing.

[0391] That is, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, as long as the laundry may be shaken in the inner casing, the moving hanger 1000 may have any structure.

[0392] Hereinafter, the structure of the moving hanger 1000 for rotating the laundry in a reciprocating manner will be described.

[0393] FIG. 16 illustrates an upper structure of an inner casing of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0394] The moving hanger 1000 of the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may include a power transmitter 1400 that is disposed in an upper portion of the inner casing 200 and shakes a clothes hanger 1900.

[0395] A hanger 1700 on which the clothes hanger 1900 may be seated or hung may be disposed on a lower portion of the power transmitter 1400.

[0396] Therefore, when the power transmitter 1400 moves, the hanger 1700 moves and the clothes hanger 1900 hung on the hanger 1700 shakes, so that the effect of the laundry being shaken may occur.

[0397] The power transmitter 1400 may include a plurality of power transmitters, and the hanger 1700 coupled to the power transmitter 1400 may also include a plurality of hangers. Accordingly, a large number of laundry items corresponding to the number of power transmitters 1400 may be hung inside the inner casing 200 and refreshed.

[0398] The moving hanger 1000 may further include a driver 1200 that provides power to move the power transmitter 1400.

[0399] As long as the driver 1200 is able to transmit the power to the power transmitter 1400, it may be disposed so as to be exposed inside the inner casing 200. However, because the driver 1200 operates by receiving electric energy, it is preferable that exposure thereof to steam or hot air is blocked.

[0400] Accordingly, the driver 1200 may be disposed between a top surface of the inner casing 200 and the cabinet 100 and be blocked from being exposed to the accommodation space 220.

[0401] The power transmitter 1400 may receive the power from the driver 1200 by extending through the inner casing 200 and transmit the same to the hanger 1700.

[0402] The power transmitter 1400 may extend through the top surface of the inner casing 200 and extend into the accommodation space 220. A lower end of the power transmitter 1400 may be exposed to the accommodation space 220 and an upper end of the power transmitter 1400 may be exposed to a portion above the inner casing 200.

[0403] The power transmitter 1400 may be formed in a rod shape, a tube shape, a plate shape, or the like whose length is greater than a thickness.

[0404] In one example, the top surface of the inner casing 200 may support loads of the power transmitter 1400 and the driver 1200. The laundry is hung on and moves on the power transmitter 1400, and the load of the driver 1200 is also relatively great. Therefore, to stably install the moving hanger 1000 on the top surface of the inner casing 200, the laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may further include a supporter 1800.

[0405] The supporter 1800 may be disposed on top of the inner casing 200, and may be supported by being coupled to the cabinet 100. The supporter 1800 may be made of a metal material that is durable and difficult to deform.

[0406] The power transmitter 1400 and the driver 1200 may be disposed on top of the inner casing 200 by being seated on the supporter 1800. The power transmitter 1400 may extend through the supporter 1800 into the accommodation space 220.

[0407] In one example, the driver 1200 includes a motor that rotates a rotation shaft. The driver 1200 may move the power transmitter 1400 with power that rotates the rotation shaft.

[0408] However, it may be difficult to shake the power transmitter 1400 with a sufficient displacement by simply rotating the rotation shaft in place.

[0409] Therefore, the moving hanger1000 may further include a displacement generator 1300 that is coupled to the rotation shaft rotated by the motor and generates the sufficient displacement (a change amount in location) to allow the power transmitter 1400 to move.

[0410] The displacement generator 1300 may be connected or coupled to the driver 1200.

[0411] For example, the displacement generator 1300 may transmit the power of the driver 1200 to the power transmitter 1400.

[0412] The displacement generator 1300 may include an eccentric shaft that rotates along a trajectory greater than a diameter of the rotation shaft. The eccentric shaft may be directly coupled to the rotation shaft of the driver 1200, but may be eccentrically coupled to or extended from a power shaft 1240 that rotates by the rotation shaft.

[0413] The displacement generator 1300 may be formed in any configuration as long as it is able to generate a displacement that causes the power transmitter 1400 to reciprocate within a certain range. A detailed structure thereof will be described later.

[0414] When the driver 1200 operates, the power generated from the rotation shaft may generate the displacement of the displacement generator 1300, and the power transmitter 1400 may move based on the displacement of the displacement generator 1300.

[0415] The displacement generator 1300 may directly move the power transmitter 1400, but may move the power transmitter 1400 via an additional component.

[0416] The moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure may reciprocate the power transmitter 1400.

[0417] In addition, the moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure may rotate the power transmitter 1400. Specifically, the moving hanger 1000 may rotate the power transmitter 1400 in a reciprocating manner within a certain angular range rather than linearly reciprocating the power transmitter 1400.

[0418] The power transmitter 1400 may rotate in a reciprocating manner clockwise or counterclockwise at a home location, and the laundry hung on the power transmitter 1400 may also rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. The power transmitter 1400 may rotate by the moving hanger 1000, but may not move while varying the location thereof to the left or right.

[0419] Even when the laundry rotates by the power transmitter 1400 inside the inner casing 200, a movement of a center of gravity inside the inner casing 200 may be restricted. Therefore, even when the moving hanger 1000 operates, vibrations occurring inside the inner casing 200 may be drastically reduced, and noise generation may also be minimized.

[0420] To this end, the moving hanger 1000 may further include a reciprocating rotation converter 1500 that converts continuous rotation energy generated from the driver 1200 or the displacement generator 1300 into the reciprocating rotation motion of the power transmitter 1400.

[0421] The reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may connect the displacement generator 1300 with the power transmitter 1400. The reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may connect the displacement generator 1300 with the power transmitter 1400 at a location above the inner casing 200. The reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may be prevented from being exposed to the accommodation space 220, thereby preventing the laundry from being damaged by the reciprocating rotation converter 1500.

[0422] In one example, the moving hanger 1000 may rotate only one of the plurality of power transmitters 1400 in a reciprocating manner.

[0423] However, when only one power transmitter 1400 is rotated, laundry hung on the rotating power transmitter may collide with laundry hung on another power transmitter 1400 and be damaged. In addition, there is a concern that the impact may be transmitted to the moving hanger 1000 and the moving hanger 1000 may be damaged.

[0424] Therefore, it is preferable that the moving hanger 1000 rotates all of the plurality of power transmitters 1400.

[0425] The moving hanger 1000 may integrally rotate the plurality of power transmitters 1400. The moving hanger 1400 may simultaneously rotate the plurality of power transmitters 1400 by the same angle. As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may prevent the power transmitters 1400 from colliding with each other.

[0426] It may be advantageous for the power generated from the driver 1200 to be directly transmitted to the plurality of power transmitters 1400 in rotating all of the power transmitters 1400.

[0427] However, when the driver 1200 directly transmits the power to each of the power transmitters 1400, a structure connecting the driver 1200 with all of the power transmitters 1400 may become complicated.

[0428] In addition, when the driver 1200 includes a plurality of drivers or when there are a plurality of components that connect the driver 1200 to all of the power transmitters 1400, excessive load may be applied to the inner casing 200 or the supporter 1800. In addition, inconvenience of having to control the plurality of drivers 1200 may also occur.

[0429] In addition, when the displacement generator 1300 and the reciprocating rotation converter1500 are connected to transmit the power transmitted from one driver 1200 to each of all the power transmitters 1400, an arrangement and structures of the displacement generator 1300 and the reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may become complicated, which may lower reliability.

[0430] Therefore, the moving hanger 1000 may be designed such that one driver 1200 generates the power to rotate the plurality of power transmitters 1400.

[0431] In addition, the moving hanger 1000 may be designed such that the power generated by the driver 1200 is preferentially transmitted to some of the power transmitters 1400 or some of the reciprocating rotation converters 1500 and the remaining power transmitters 1400 or the remaining reciprocating rotation converters 1500 secondarily receive the power.

[0432] For example, the reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may receive the power transmitted from the driver 1200 or the displacement generator 1300 and transmit the same to some of the power transmitters 1400. That is, the moving hanger 1000 may be designed such that the power generated by the driver 1200 is intensively transmitted to one reciprocating rotation converter 1500, so that a power transmission structure may be designed simply and a power loss may be minimized.

[0433] The moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure may transmit the power transmitted from the driver 1200 to one reciprocating rotation converter 1500, thereby rotating a specific power transmitter 1400 connected to the reciprocating rotation converter 1500.

[0434] In addition, the moving hanger 1000 may further include a connector 1600 that transmits the power transmitted to the specific power transmitter 1400 to another power transmitter 1400.

[0435] For example, the connector 1600 may connect the plurality of power transmitters 1400 to each other. Accordingly, when one power transmitter 1400 rotates, the connector 1600 may rotate all of the plurality of power transmitters 1400.

[0436] FIG. 17 illustrates an operation scheme of a moving hanger of the present disclosure.

[0437] Referring to (a) in FIG. 17, the power transmitter 1400 may rotate to the right by the reciprocating rotation converter 1500 when the driver 1200 operates. At this time, the power transmitters 1400 connected to the connector 1600 may also all rotate to the right.

[0438] Referring to (b) in FIG. 17, the power transmitter 1400 may rotate to the left by the reciprocating rotation converter 1500 when the driver 1200 operates further. At this time, the power transmitters 1400 connected to the connector 1600 may also all rotate to the left.

[0439] As this process is repeated, the power transmitter 1400 may rotate left and right.

[0440] In this regard, the power transmitter 1400 may be constructed to rotate left and right while being fixed at a home location. The power transmitter 1400 may be fixed to the supporter 1800 such that there is no change in location in a front and rear direction and a left and right direction when rotating.

[0441] The power transmitter 1400 may be fixed such that the location thereof does not change based on a vertical direction, the front and rear direction, and a width direction.

[0442] However, the power transmitter 1400 may be constructed to rotate left and right with the vertical direction or a height direction in which the power transmitter extends as a rotation axis. As a result, when the driver 1200 operates, the hanger 1700 may rotate left and right in a reciprocating manner with the power transmitter 1400 as a shaft, and the location thereof may not be changed.

[0443] Referring to (c) in FIG. 17, the clothes hanger 1900 may include a ring 1910 hung on the hanger 1700 and a seating portion 1900 coupled to the ring 1910. A surface modifier 950 that prevents the laundry from slipping may be disposed on a surface of the seating portion 1950.

[0444] The seating portion 1950 may be symmetrical in the left and right direction with the ring 1910 as a center. The clothes hanger 1900 may be hung on the hanger 1700 such that the seating portion 1950 is directed in the front and rear direction.

[0445] When the power transmitter 1400 rotates to the left, in the clothes hanger 1900, based on the 1910, a left side of the seating portion 1950 may rotate to the left and a right side of the seating portion 1950 may rotate to the right. In this regard, an angle I by which the left side of the seating portion 1950 rotates may be the same as an angle (theta) by which the right side of the seating portion 1950 rotates, and a distance at which the left side of the seating portion 1950 moves may be the same as a distance at which the right side of the seating portion 1950 moves.

[0446] As a result, based on the clothes hanger 1900, a weight and a force moving to the left may be the same as a weight and a force moving to the right, and thus they may be offset from each other.

[0447] Similarly, even when the power transmitter 1400 rotates to the right, the weight and the force moving to the left may be the same as the weight and the force moving to the right based on the clothes hanger 1900 accordingly, and thus they will be offset from each other.

[0448] As a result, even when the power transmitter 1400 rotates, the forces applied to the clothes hanger 1900 may be offset from each other, and as a result, a vibration force or an excitation force, or an inertial force generated from the clothes hanger 1900 itself may be minimized. Accordingly, an inertial force or the like generated from the plurality of power transmitters 1400 may be minimized, so that vibration or noise occurring from the entire moving hanger 1000 may be minimized, and vibration or noise occurring from the entire laundry treating apparatus 1 may be drastically reduced.

[0449] As a result, even when the driver 1200 rotates at a maximum output, the vibration occurring from the moving hanger 1000 or the entire laundry treating apparatus 1 may not be significant.

[0450] Instead, because each of surfaces of the laundry hung on the clothes hanger 1900 rotates left and right and is shaken, a shaking force may be greatly secured.

[0451] As described above, the power transmitter 1400 may extend through the inner casing 200 and receive the power to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise in a reciprocating manner. As a result, the power transmitter 1400 may rotate left and right in a reciprocating manner while the location thereof is fixed at the upper portion of the inner casing 200. The power transmitter 1400 is fixed such that the location thereof is not changed in the vertical direction and the left and right direction. In addition, not only an upper portion of the power transmitter 1400 but also a lower portion thereof is fixed so as not to vary in location in the vertical direction and the left and right direction.

[0452] That is, the power transmitter 1400 may be constructed to rotate in a reciprocating manner within a certain angle range without achieving 360-degree rotation while a center of rotation thereof is fixed.

[0453] As a result, no matter how fast the power transmitter 1400 rotates, the clothes hanger 1900 is fixed in location and one end thereof rotates or moves to one side and the other end thereof rotates or moves to the other side, so that the forces and the vibrations transmitted to the power transmitter 1400 may be offset from each other.

[0454] Therefore, the vibration and the noise occurring inside the inner casing 200 by the power transmitter 1400, the hanger 1700, and the clothes hanger 1900 may be minimized.

[0455] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may rotate the driver 1200 at a higher RPM to reciprocate the power transmitter 1400 at a higher frequency. Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may shake the laundry more strongly.

[0456] In addition, the moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure may be constructed such that the power transmitter 1400 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise in a reciprocating manner in place. Therefore, as described above, no matter how fast the clothes hanger 1900 rotates, the vibrations or inertial forces generated by the clothes hanger 1900 and the laundry may be offset from each other when transmitted to the power transmitter 1400.

[0457] As a result, even when the driver 1200 rotates at a certain RPM or higher, the moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure may not be damaged, and vibration or noise exceeding a threshold value may be prevented from occurring in the laundry treating apparatus.

[0458] Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate the driver 1200 faster than that in a laundry treating apparatus using an existing moving hanger, and may shake the laundry more strongly by operating the power transmitter 1400 at a higher frequency.

[0459] Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may more reliably remove foreign substances on the laundry via the moving hanger 1000 and more effectively remove wrinkles from the laundry. In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may more quickly excite the laundry and more expose the laundry to supplied steam.

[0460] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may freely adjust the RPM of the driver 1200 to adjust an operation frequency or an operation cycle of the power transmitter 1400 based on a course.

[0461] FIG. 18 illustrates an embodiment of the moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure.

[0462] The moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure may transmit the power of the driver 1200 to only one of the plurality of power transmitters 1400 and transmit the power transmitted to the specific power transmitter 1400 to the remaining power transmitters 1400 via the connector 1600.

[0463] The displacement generator 1300 or the reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may intensively transmit the power generated by one driver 1200 to one power transmitter 1400. The connector 1600 may transmit the power transmitted to the specific power transmitter 1400 to all of the power transmitters 1400.

[0464] The connector 1600 may be formed as a rigid body such that a length thereof does not vary, and may connect all of the power transmitters 1400 to each other.

[0465] Accordingly, all of the power transmitters 1400 may rotate in the same direction and by the same angle simultaneously when the connector 1600 moves. As a result, the moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure may rotate the plurality of power transmitters 1400 in a reciprocating manner simultaneously and by the same angle with one driver 1200.

[0466] The moving hanger 1000 may include the driver 1200 that is fixed to a top of the inner casing 200 and provides the power for moving the power transmitter, the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 1500 that are respectively coupled to the plurality of power transmitters 1400, receive the power from the driver 1200, and rotate such that a rotation direction thereof is repeatedly changed, and the connector 1600 that is connects the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters to each other.

[0467] The connector 1600 may include a link bar that connects the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 1500 to each other and integrally rotates the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 1500.

[0468] The connector 1600 may be equipped as a single part.

[0469] The connector 1600 may also connect all of the power transmitters 1400 to each other.

[0470] However, when the connector 1600 is constructed to connect the reciprocating rotation converters 1500 to each other, the connector 1600 may be installed upward of the supporter 1800, thereby preventing the connector 1600 from being exposed inside the inner casing 200.

[0471] The connector 1600 may be coupled to the reciprocating rotation converter 1500 by being disposed forward or rearward thereof, and at least one of the displacement generator 1300 and the driver 1200 may be disposed rearward or forward of the reciprocating rotation converter 1500 so as to be located opposite to the connector 1600. Accordingly, the connector 1600 may be prevented from interfering with the driver 1200.

[0472] The connector 1600 may reciprocate in the width direction of the inner casing 200 and rotate the plurality of the reciprocating rotation converters 1500.

[0473] The driver 1200 may include a motor 1210 that rotates a rotation shaft 1210, the power shaft 1240 that rotates together when the rotation shaft 1210 rotates, and a transmission member 1230 that connects the power shaft 1240 with the rotation shaft 1210 and transmits a rotational power of the rotation shaft 1210 to the power shaft 1240.

[0474] The motor 1210 may be fixed to the top of the inner casing 200 and rotate the rotation shaft 1220. However, the rotation shaft 1220 is constructed to rotate at a speed that is too high compared to an appropriate cycle for the motor 1210 to rotate the power transmitter 1400 in a reciprocating manner. When considering this, there is a concern that when an RPM of the rotation shaft is lowered, an output of the motor 1210 may not be transmitted to the power transmitter 1400.

[0475] To solve such a problem, the transmission member 1230 may transmit an output of the rotation shaft 1220 as is to the power transmitter 1400, but by lowering the RPM of the rotation shaft 1220.

[0476] The transmission member 1230 may rotate by being connected to the rotation shaft 1220, but may rotate with a diameter greater than that of the rotation shaft 1220. Accordingly, the transmission member 1230 may transmit the torque of the rotation shaft 1220 while rotating slower than the rotation shaft 1220.

[0477] The power shaft 1240 may rotate by the transmission member 1230, may be formed separately from the rotation shaft 1230, and may directly transmit the power to the power transmitter 1400.

[0478] The reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may be coupled to the power transmitter 1400 and be rotatable together with the power transmitter 1400.

[0479] The reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may include a reciprocating lever 1510 coupled to the upper portion of the power transmitter 1400 to rotate the power transmitter 1400.

[0480] The reciprocating lever 1510 may be formed in a rib or rod shape with a center of rotation coupled to a support shaft 1410.

[0481] The reciprocating levers 1510 may be respectively coupled to upper ends of the plurality of the power transmitters 1400, and some of the reciprocating levers 1510 may be connected to the transmission member 1230 and receive the power from the motor 1210.

[0482] The reciprocating lever 1510 may rotate in a reciprocating manner by a certain angle when the transmission member 1230 is rotated by the motor 1210. The power transmitter 1400 may be coupled to a center of rotation of the reciprocating lever 1510 and may rotate together with the reciprocating lever 1510.

[0483] The plurality of reciprocating levers 1510 may be connected to each other by the connector 1600.

[0484] The connector 1600 may connect respective one ends of the plurality of reciprocating levers 1510 to each other.

[0485] Therefore, when any one of the plurality of reciprocating levers 1510 rotates, the connector 1600 moves, so that the plurality of reciprocating levers 1510 may rotate simultaneously and at the same time.

[0486] The power transmitter 1400 and the reciprocating lever 1510 may be supported by the supporter 1800. In addition, the motor 1210 and the transmission member 1230 may also be supported by the supporter 1800.

[0487] FIG. 19 illustrates the moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure separated from the inner casing 200.

[0488] The power transmitter 1400 may extend downward through the inner casing, and the hanger 1700 may be coupled to the lower portion of the power transmitter 1400.

[0489] Each reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may be coupled to each power transmitter 1400, and may be coupled to the upper portion of the power transmitter 1400 to be easily connected to the driver 1200.

[0490] The power transmitter 1400 and the reciprocating rotation converter 1500 may respectively include the plurality of power transmitters and the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters arranged to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance along the width direction of the inner casing.

[0491] The connector 1600 connects the plurality of power transmitters 1400 or the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 1500 to each other. Thus, the connector 1600 may simultaneously rotate an entirety of the plurality of power transmitters 1400 or the plurality of reciprocating rotation converters 1500.

[0492] The power transmitter 1400 may include the support shaft 1410 that extends through the upper portion of the inner casing 200 and is coupled to the reciprocating lever1510.

[0493] The support shaft 1410 may extend through the supporter 1800 and be exposed to a place above the supporter 1800 or above the inner casing 200.

[0494] The power transmitter 1400 may include an auxiliary support 1420 coupled to the support shaft 1410 and exposed to the accommodation space. The auxiliary support 1420 may be formed in a rod shape, and the hanger 1700 may be coupled and fixed to a lower portion of the auxiliary support 1420.

[0495] The auxiliary support 1420 may be fixed to the support shaft 1410 and rotate together with the support shaft 1410. Accordingly, when the support shaft 1410 rotates by the reciprocating lever 1510, the auxiliary support 1420 coupled to the support shaft 1410 may also rotate, thereby allowing the hanger 1700 to rotate left and right.

[0496] The reciprocating levers 1510 may include a main lever 1511 that receives the power directly from the driver 1200 and rotates in a reciprocating manner, and an auxiliary lever 1512 that receives the power from the main lever 1511 via the connector 1600.

[0497] The main lever 1511 may be equipped as a single part and may directly receive the power from the driver 1200.

[0498] In the driver 1200, the motor 1210 may include a vertical motor 1211 coupled to the supporter 1800, and a vertical rotation shaft 1221 that rotates by the vertical motor 1211.

[0499] The transmission member 1230 may include a power pulley 1231 that is coupled to the vertical rotation shaft 1221 and rotates together with the vertical rotation shaft 1221, a transmission pulley 1232 that is coupled to the power shaft 1240 and rotates the power shaft 1240, and a belt 1233 that connects respective portions of outer circumferential surfaces of the power pulley 1231 and the transmission pulley 1232 to each other.

[0500] The transmission member 1230 may further include a pulley support 1224 that rotatably supports the power shaft 1240 and the transmission pulley 1232. The pulley support 1224 may support the transmission pulley 1232 so as to be disposed in parallel with the power pulley 1231, and may be seated on the supporter 1800.

[0501] The power shaft 1240 may transmit the power transmitted from the rotation shaft 1220 to one of both ends of the main lever 1511.

[0502] The displacement generator 1300 may be coupled to the power shaft 1240 and receive the power. In addition, the displacement generator 1300 may be connected to the main lever 1511 and rotate the main lever 1511 in a reciprocating manner around the support shaft 1410.

[0503] For example, the displacement generator 1300 may include an eccentric shaft that is eccentrically connected to the power shaft 1240 and rotates at a predetermined radius around a center of rotation of the power shaft 1240.

[0504] The displacement generator 1300 may be connected to a distal end of the main lever 1511. The displacement generator 1300 may rotate by the power shaft 1240 and rotate the distal end of the main lever 1511 in a reciprocating manner around the support shaft 1410.

[0505] The connector 1600 may include a link bar 1610 that connects one of both ends of the main lever 1511 that is not connected to the power shaft 1240 or the displacement generator 1300 with one end of the auxiliary lever 1512.

[0506] The auxiliary lever 1512 may be rotatably coupled to a remaining support shaft 1410 that is not connected to the main lever 1511, and may extend in one direction and be connected to the link bar 1610 at a portion thereof connected to the support shaft 1410.

[0507] The link bar 1610 may be formed in a shape of a straight frame connecting one end of the main lever 1511 with respective one ends of the auxiliary levers 1512. In this regard, one end of the main lever 1511 and one end of the auxiliary lever 1512 may be arranged parallel to each other based on the link bar 1610 or the width direction.

[0508] The link bar 1610 may be equipped as a single part and rotate the main lever 1511 and the auxiliary levers 1512 simultaneously and at the same time around respective support shafts 1410.

[0509] The inner casing 200 may include the through-holes 230 that allow portions of the supporter 1800 to be accommodated therein, exposing the power transmitters 1400 to the accommodation space 220.

[0510] The through-holes 230 may be defined in a top surface 22 of the inner casing, and the through-holes 230 may be defined along a direction in which the power transmitters 1400 are arranged.

[0511] For example, the power transmitters 1400 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the width direction of the inner casing, and the through-holes 230 may be defined along the width direction of the inner casing.

[0512] The laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure may further include a support frame 120 that is disposed outward of the inner casing and supports the cabinet 100.

[0513] The support frame 120 may be disposed at each location corresponding to an edge of the cabinet 100 or an edge of the inner casing 200 and may be made of a metal material that maintains the outer appearance of the laundry treating apparatus. The supporter 1800 may prevent unnecessary impact or load from being transmitted to the top surface 220 of the inner casing as both ends of the supporter 1800 are seated and supported on the support frame 120.

[0514] FIG. 20 illustrates an operation scheme of the moving hanger 1000 of the present disclosure.

[0515] Referring to (a) in FIG. 20, the main lever 1511 may include a main body 15111 coupled to the support shaft 1410 and coupled to the connecting bar 1610.

[0516] The main body 15111 may include a main center hole 15115 coupled to the support shaft 1410 and capable of rotating the support shaft 1410, and the main body 15111 may extend to both sides from the main center hole 15115.

[0517] The main body 15111 may have a main reception hole 15112 that receives the power from the driver 1200 at one end, and may have a main transmission hole 15113 into which the connecting bar 1610 is seated and coupled at the other end.

[0518] The main body 15111 may further include a stepped portion 15114 that extends from the center hole to the main receiving hole 15112, but forms a step. Because of the stepped portion 15114, one end of the main body 15111 or the main transmission hole 15113 may be positioned lower than the main center hole 15115.

[0519] Accordingly, an extension length of the power shaft 1240 or the eccentric shaft 1310 disposed upward of the main center hole 15115 from the transmission member 1230 may be secured.

[0520] In one example, the auxiliary lever 1512 may include an auxiliary body 15121 having an auxiliary center hole 15125 coupled to the support shaft 1410 and an auxiliary transmission hole 15123 that extends on one side of the auxiliary center hole 15125 and is coupled to the link bar 1610.

[0521] The auxiliary body 15121 may have a smaller length than the main body 15111.

[0522] A distance from the main center hole 15115 to the main transmission hole 15113 may be set to be the same as a distance from the auxiliary center hole 15125 to the auxiliary transmission hole 15123.

[0523] The link bar 1610 may be seated on top of the auxiliary transmission hole 15123 and the main transmission hole 15113 and connect the auxiliary lever 1512 and the main lever 1511 to each other.

[0524] Referring to (b) in FIG. 20, the driver 1200 may be constructed such that the power shaft 1240 is inserted into the main reception hole 15112. Accordingly, the power shaft 1240 may be directly rotated to rotate the main reception hole 15112 left and right.

[0525] In other words, the rotation of the power shaft 1240 alone may not generate sufficient displacement to rotate the main reception hole 15112 left and right with respect to the main center hole 15115.

[0526] To this end, the displacement generator 1300 may be coupled to the power shaft 1240 to generate a displacement greater than a rotation radius of the power shaft 1240.

[0527] The displacement generator 1300 may convert a stationary rotational motion of the power shaft 1240 into a displacement motion of reciprocating within a predetermined range. The displacement motion may be transmitted to the reciprocating rotation converter 1500, so that the power transmitter 1400 may rotate in a reciprocating manner.

[0528] As described above, the displacement generator 1300 may include the eccentric shaft 1310 that extends from the power shaft 1240 and rotates at a predetermined radius along a trajectory.

[0529] The eccentric shaft 1310 may have a diameter smaller than that of the power shaft 1240, and may be coupled to or extended from the power shaft 1240 at a certain distance from a center of rotation of the power shaft 1240.

[0530] Accordingly, the eccentric shaft 1310 may rotate in a circle with a radius of the distance from the power shaft 1240 when the power shaft 1240 rotates.

[0531] The diameter of the eccentric shaft 1310 may be set smaller than a diameter or a width of the main reception hole 15112.

[0532] The eccentric shaft 1310 may be inserted into and supported in the main reception hole 15112.

[0533] However, the radius of rotation of the eccentric shaft 1310 may be set to be greater than a width or a diameter of the main reception hole 15112. As a result, when the eccentric shaft 1310 rotates, the main reception hole 15112 may be pushed by the eccentric shaft 1310 and move left and right with respect to the main center hole 15115.

[0534] As a result, when the eccentric shaft 1310 rotates in a specific direction x, the main reception hole 15112 of the main body 1511 may also rotate in a reciprocating manner along a specific direction y. As a result, the center hole 15115 of the main body may also rotate in the same direction as the main reception hole 15112, and the main transmission hole 15113 may rotate in a reciprocating manner in a direction z opposite to the specific direction.

[0535] When the eccentric shaft 1310 rotates, the support shaft 1410 may rotate in a reciprocating manner with the main center hole 15115, so that the power transmitter 1400 may rotate in a reciprocating manner. Further, the main transmission hole 15113 may also rotate in a reciprocating manner to reciprocate the link bar 1610, so that the auxiliary lever 1521 may rotate in a reciprocating manner around the auxiliary center hole 15125 and the support shaft 1410. The power transmitter 1400 coupled to the auxiliary lever 1521 may also rotate in a reciprocating manner.

[0536] The power transmitter 1400 may have screw threads formed along a circumference of an upper portion of the support shaft 1410.

[0537] Each of the main transmission hole 15113 and the auxiliary center hole 15125 may be directly coupled to and fixed to the support shaft 1410 using the screw threads or the like.

[0538] However, the power transmitter 1400 may further include a transmitter coupling portion 1415 coupled to the screw threads of the support shaft 1410 such that the support shaft 1410 extends through each of the main transmission hole 15113 and the auxiliary center hole 15125 as it is and then is fixed to each of the main transmission hole 15113 and the auxiliary center hole 15125.

[0539] Therefore, the support shaft 1410 and the reciprocating lever 1510 may be coupled to each other by the transmitter coupling portion 1415 and thus the support shaft 1410 and the reciprocating lever 1510 may rotate simultaneously.

[0540] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the controller 700 of the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure performs any course based on the above configuration will be described.

[0541] FIG. 21 illustrates a process in which a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure performs a course for treating laundry.

[0542] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may have the allowable power amount set as a maximum power amount that may be used. The controller 700 of the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may be set to block power supply when sensing that a power consumption is equal to or greater than the allowable power amount.

[0543] The allowable power amount may be smaller than a power consumption when the first heater 841, the second heater 842, and the compressor 342 are operated simultaneously. As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure is set such that the simultaneous operation of the entire steam heater 840 and the compressor 342 is not available.

[0544] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure is set to be unable to operate the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 simultaneously while the compressor 342 is in operation and to be unable to operate the compressor 342 while the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 are in simultaneous operation.

[0545] Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may be set to be unable to supply a suppliable maximum amount of steam together while hot air is supplied into the inner casing.

[0546] However, the allowable power amount may be greater than a power consumption when the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 are operated simultaneously. In addition, the allowable power amount may be greater than a power consumption when the first heater 841 and the compressor 342 are operated simultaneously. In addition, the allowable power amount may be greater than a power consumption when the second heater 842 and the compressor 342 are operated simultaneously.

[0547] As a result, the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be operated simultaneously, the first heater 841 and the compressor 342 may be operated simultaneously, and the second heater and the compressor 342 may be operated simultaneously.

[0548] Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may supply the suppliable maximum amount of steam into the inner casing by simultaneously operating the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 when the compressor 342 is not in operation.

[0549] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may simultaneously operate the compressor 342 and one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842, thereby simultaneously supplying hot air into the inner casing 200 while supplying steam into the inner casing 200 or simultaneously supplying steam into the inner casing 200 while supplying hot air.

[0550] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may simultaneously operate the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 at the beginning to rapidly heat water inside the steam generator 810 and generate steam first. Thereafter, when steam is generated, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate only one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 to maintain a temperature of the water at a boiling point or the like and continue to generate steam.

[0551] However, in this case, a spray amount of steam may be reduced compared to that when the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 are in simultaneous operation after steam is generated.

[0552] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may adjust a supply amount of steam by operating only one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842. Therefore, even for materials vulnerable to moisture and temperature, such as silk or cashmere, a refreshing cycle may be sufficiently performed with only a small amount of steam supplied.

[0553] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may use only one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 when supplying steam into the inner casing, and thus may reduce an amount of power required to supply steam.

[0554] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may quickly increase a temperature inside the inner casing by operating the compressor 342 together with the supply of steam. As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may quickly complete a drying course that removes moisture from wet laundry, the refreshing cycle that sterilizes, deodorizes, and removes wrinkles from the laundry, or the like.

[0555] (a) in FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment of a method for controlling the present laundry treating apparatus.

[0556] When a refreshing course of performing the refreshing cycle or a standard course is performed, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a steam preparation step A1 of operating the steam heater to heat water, and a steam spray step A2 of, when water is heated and steam is generated during the steam preparation step A1, supplying the steam to the laundry.

[0557] In general, a purpose of the refreshing cycle is to supply moisture to the laundry in a dry state, so that a large amount of steam is required to be sprayed to the laundry.

[0558] Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may simultaneously operate the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 in both the steam preparation step A1 and the steam spray step A2.

[0559] In the steam preparation step A1 and the steam spray step A2, considering the allowable power amount, the compressor 342 may not be operated.

[0560] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure performs a waiting step A3 of providing time for the laundry to absorb moisture with supplied steam.

[0561] After performing the waiting step A3 for a certain period of time, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure performs a cooling step A4 of further lowering a surface temperature of the laundry and operating only the blower fan before operating the compressor. With the cooling step A4, heat damage to the laundry may be prevented.

[0562] When the temperature inside the inner casing 200 is lowered and a moisture content of the laundry is sufficient, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure performs a drying step A5 of operating at least one of the compressor 342 and the blower fan 351.

[0563] With the drying step A5, moisture contained in the laundry may be dried while performing the refreshing cycle such as the deodorization and the wrinkle removal of the laundry. The drying step A5 has the greatest duration compared to all the previously performed steps.

[0564] In one example, because the compressor is not operated in the steam spray step A2, hot air is not able to be supplied. Therefore, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 and a temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the heat supplier 400 are relatively low until reaching the drying step A5.

[0565] Therefore, in the control method described above, the drying step A5 should last a relatively long time to ensure a refreshing performance including one of complete drying, sterilization, deodorization, and wrinkle removal of the laundry.

[0566] (b) in FIG. 21 illustrates another embodiment of a method for controlling a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0567] However, as described above, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate some heaters and the compressor simultaneously because there are the plurality of separate heaters.

[0568] For example, because the steam heater 840 includes the first heater 841 and the second heater 842, either the first heater 841 or the second heater 842 and the compressor may be operated simultaneously. Using this, the refreshing cycle may be performed in a different way.

[0569] Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may quickly increase the temperature inside the inner casing 200 before the drying step by operating the heater and the compressor simultaneously before the drying step. This allows for faster achievement of temperature and time required for the complete drying, the sterilization, the deodorization, and the wrinkle removal of the laundry.

[0570] As a result, the duration of the drying step may be reduced compared to before. In addition, the duration of the drying step may be set to the greatest in the refreshing cycle. By reducing the duration of the drying step, a duration of the entire refreshing cycle may be greatly reduced. In addition, energy efficiency may also be greatly increased by reducing an operating time of the compressor.

[0571] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a steam preparation step bl of operating all the heaters of the steam heater 840 to supply steam to the laundry when any course capable of refreshing or managing the laundry is performed.

[0572] Because the steam preparation step bl may reduce the refreshing cycle duration as the steam is generated faster, the controller 700 may operate all of the heaters of the steam heater 840.

[0573] In other words, in the steam preparation step b1, the controller 700 may heat water using maximum power of the steam heater 840.

[0574] When the steam heater 840 is composed of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842, the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be operated simultaneously to heat water.

[0575] When it is sensed via the sensing device 860 that steam is generated inside the steam casing 810 in the steam preparation step b1, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a preheating step B2 of operating only some of the heaters of the steam heater 840.

[0576] That is, after steam is generated in the steam casing 810, even when only one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 is operated, steam may be continuously generated and supplied to the inner casing 200.

[0577] In the preheating step B2, the controller 700 may operate only one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 to supply steam into the inner casing 200.

[0578] Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may increase the moisture content of the laundry by increasing the temperature inside the inner casing 200 with the steam from the preheating step B2. In addition, because only some heaters of the steam heater 840 are used in the preheating step B2, extra power may be secured.

[0579] In the preheating step B2, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate one or more of the compressor 342 and the blower fan 351. As a result, hot air may also be supplied into the inner casing 200.

[0580] As a result, in a partial period of the preheating step B2, the compressor 342, the blower fan 351, and some heaters of the steam heater 840 may be operated together in an overlapping manner.

[0581] In the preheating step B2, the compressor 342 and one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be operated simultaneously. Steam and hot air may be supplied simultaneously into the inner casing 200.

[0582] When the compressor 342 and one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 are operated simultaneously, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may be increased from the beginning of the refreshing cycle, and higher temperature air may be introduced into the evaporator 341. As a result, a heat exchange performance of the evaporator 341 may be enhanced, and the condenser 343 may be heated to a higher temperature. Accordingly, hot air at the higher temperature may be supplied into the inner casing 200, so that the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may reach an optimum temperature or a minimum temperature required for the refreshing cycle more quickly. Accordingly, a duration of a subsequent refreshing cycle may be significantly shortened.

[0583] In addition, an overall performance coefficient (cop) of the heat supplier 340 may also be increased.

[0584] The preheating step B2 may include one or more of a period in which the compressor 342 and one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 are operated simultaneously and a period in which only the compressor 342 is operated.

[0585] For example, in the preheating step B2, not only a period in which the steam heater 840 and the compressor 342 are operated simultaneously may exist, but also a period in which only the compressor 342 is operated may exist.

[0586] However, it is preferable that the period in which only the compressor 342 is operated is disposed after the period in which the steam heater 840 and the compressor 342 are operated.

[0587] This is because it is more advantageous in operating the heat supplier 340 when air with a high heat capacity is supplied to the evaporator 341 before the compressor 342 is operated. That is, when the steam is supplied to the inner casing 200 via the steam heater 840, not only does the temperature inside the inner casing 200 rise, but an absolute humidity also increases, so that air having the high heat capacity may come into contact with the evaporator 341.

[0588] Specifically, the preheating step B2 may include a first period in which the compressor 342 and one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 are operated and a second period in which the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 are stopped from being operated and only the compressor 342 is operated.

[0589] With the first period, hot air and steam may be supplied to the inner casing 200, thereby increasing the temperature inside the inner casing 200 and an amount of heat of air flowing into the circulation duct 320.

[0590] With the second period, hot air may be supplied into the inner casing 200 in earnest, thereby satisfying a minimum temperature condition for performing the refreshing such as the deodorization, the wrinkle removal, and the sterilization of the laundry.

[0591] In the preheating period B2, the first heater 841 may be operated. As a result, a larger amount of steam may be supplied into the inner casing 200 than when the first heater 841 is operated, thereby further increasing the temperature inside the inner casing 200 and the amount of heat of air flowing into the circulation duct 320.

[0592] Alternatively, the second heater 841 may be operated in the preheating period B2.

[0593] Accordingly, the preheating period B2 may gradually increase the temperature inside the inner casing 200 and maintain the increased temperature for a longer period of time and more stably. Accordingly, a time required for sterilization or the like may be secured.

[0594] In addition, the laundry may be prevented from being deformed by high humidity.

[0595] In one example, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may be set to stop the operation of the steam heater 840 when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 rapidly increases or when the temperature of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 342 exceeds a marginal temperature in the preheating period B2.

[0596] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may be set such that one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 repeats operation and stopping (ON / OFF) in the preheating period B2. That is, when the temperature of the refrigerant approaches or exceeds the marginal temperature, the controller 700 may stop the operation of the steam heater 840 in operation, and when the temperature of the refrigerant reaches a safe temperature lower than the marginal temperature, the controller 700 may operate the steam heater 840 again in a repeating manner. In addition, when the temperature inside the inner casing approaches or exceeds a target temperature, the controller 700 may stop the operation of the steam heater 840 in operation, and when the internal temperature reaches a cooling temperature lower than the target temperature, the controller 700 may operate the steam heater 840 again in a repeating manner.

[0597] In one example, even when the steam heater 840 is intermittently operated, because the purpose of the preheating period B2 is to rapidly increase the temperature inside the inner casing 200, an operation duration of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be set greater than a stop duration thereof.

[0598] The preheating period B2 may be performed for a set time period and may be ended when the temperature inside the inner casing or the temperature of the refrigerant maintains a certain temperature for a certain period of time or longer.

[0599] When the preheating period B2 is completed, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a steam spray step B3 of supplying steam to the inner casing 200 in earnest. In the steam spray step B3, the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be operated simultaneously to supply a large amount of steam to the inner casing 200.

[0600] Because the steam spray step B3 is performed in a state in which the laundry hung in the inner casing 200 was heated to a certain level in the preheating step B2, the moisture content of the entire laundry may significantly increase.

[0601] The steam spray step B3 may be performed for a shorter period of time than the steam spray step A2 for which the preheating step B2 was not performed. This is because an amount of steam to be additionally supplied is set to be small because a certain level of steam has already been supplied in the preheating step B2.

[0602] The steam spray step B3 may be ended when a guaranteeing time period for the laundry to be sufficiently moistened elapses.

[0603] When the steam spray step B3 is ended, a drying step B6 of drying the laundry with hot air may be performed. However, when the steam spray step B3 is ended, a waiting step B4 of waiting for a certain period of time to secure time for steam sprayed into the inner casing 200 to penetrate the entire laundry may be additionally performed first.

[0604] The waiting step B4 may correspond to a state in which the steam heater 840 and the compressor 342 are not operated.

[0605] With the waiting step B4, steam sprayed into the inner casing may be prevented from evaporating immediately before the laundry is moistened, and the laundry may be prevented from being damaged by a rapid increase of the surface temperature of the laundry resulted from additional hot air supply in a state in which the surface temperature of the laundry has increased by steam.

[0606] The drying step B6 is a step of operating the compressor 342 to supply hot air to the inner casing 200 in earnest. Therefore, when hot air is supplied immediately when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 has not fallen to the safe temperature or lower, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may rise to the limit temperature or higher, which may damage the laundry.

[0607] Therefore, a cooling step B5 of operating the blower fan 352 may be performed before the drying step B6 is performed. In the cooling step B5, the controller 700 may operate the blower fan 352, but may block the operation of the compressor 342 and the steam heater 340.

[0608] In the cooling step B5, air inside the inner casing 200 may be cooled while circulating along the circulation duct 200.

[0609] When the temperature inside the inner casing 200 drops to the safe temperature or lower or the cooling step B5 is performed for a required period of time, the cooling step B5 may be ended.

[0610] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform the drying step B6 of supplying hot air to the laundry. The drying step B6 may be performed until the moisture content of the laundry drops to a certain level or lower.

[0611] The controller 700 may sense the temperature inside the inner casing 200 or the temperature of the refrigerant to recognize that the moisture content is reduced to the certain level or lower.

[0612] For example, when the moisture content of the laundry is high, even when the drying step B6 is performed, a temperature of air introduced back into the circulation duct 320 may not increase or may not increase rapidly even when it does because of the latent heat of vaporization.

[0613] However, when the laundry is mostly dried and the moisture content is equal to or lower than the certain level, the temperature of air introduced into the circulation duct 320 may rapidly increase because the latent heat of vaporization is low, and may ultimately correspond to a temperature of hot air.

[0614] This may cause the temperature of the refrigerant to move in a similar pattern to the temperature of air introduced into the circulation duct 320.

[0615] When the controller 700 senses that the moisture content of the laundry is decreasing, the drying of the laundry is sufficiently achieved, and a minimum time period required for refreshing elapses, the controller 700 may end the drying step B6.

[0616] Alternatively, the controller 700 may end the drying step B6 when a period of time during which the laundry is exposed to a temperature equal to or higher than a minimum drying temperature condition reaches the minimum time period.

[0617] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may significantly reduce a duration of the drying step B6 by further placing the preheating step B2 before the drying step B6 to increase a total period of time during which the temperature inside the inner casing 200 is equal to or higher than the minimum condition temperature.

[0618] In one example, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may keep the compressor 342 stopped after it has been operated and subsequently stopped in the preheating period B2, until the drying step B6 is performed.

[0619] FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment of performing a drying course of a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0620] When the drying course is performed, a drying course in which a first step or a heating step, a second step or a constant rate step, a third step or a falling rate step, and a fourth step or a cooling step are performed in order may be performed.

[0621] Wet laundry or laundry with a moisture content higher than the removal moisture content may be hung inside the inner casing 200.

[0622] Referring to (a) in FIG. 22, when the first step is performed, at least one of the compressor 342 and the blower fan 352 may be operated. Accordingly, as the refrigerant is heated, air inside the inner casing 200 may also be heated, and the air may be circulated through the inner casing 200 and the circulation duct 320 while the temperature thereof gradually increases by the blower fan 352. In this process, moisture in the laundry may begin to evaporate.

[0623] Referring to (b) in FIG. 22, when the first step continues for a certain period of time, high-temperature air (hot air) capable of vaporizing moisture in the laundry is supplied into the inner casing 200. During this process, moisture contained in the laundry may gradually evaporate, and more latent heat of vaporization may be absorbed from hot air. As a result, the constant rate step in which even though hot air is being supplied into the inner casing 200, a temperature increase rate inside the inner casing 200 falls to a reference value or lower or the temperature inside the inner casing 200 is maintained may be performed.

[0624] For example, the reference value may be set to an increase rate of 1 degree per minute or 0.3 degrees per minute, but this is merely an embodiment. As long as the first step and the second step may be distinguished from each other, it may be set to any rate of temperature increase over time.

[0625] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 in the second step. The clothes hanger 1900 hung on the moving hanger 1000 may reciprocate or vibrate. Thus, the removal physical force condition may be achieved in the constant rate step.

[0626] In the second step, the moisture content of the laundry gradually decreases from 100 percent, so that the removal moisture content may be reached. However, in the second step, moisture contained in the laundry evaporates and continuously absorbs the latent heat of vaporization from air inside the inner casing 200, so that the temperature inside the inner casing 200 is lower than the set temperature.

[0627] The set temperature may be defined as a temperature at which wrinkle removal of the laundry may begin. For example, the set temperature may correspond to 37 degrees Celsius.

[0628] Referring to (c) in FIG. 22, when the second step is performed for a certain period of time or longer, the moisture content of the laundry becomes lower than the removal moisture content. From this time, an amount of moisture evaporating from the laundry decreases rapidly, so that an amount of latent heat of vaporization absorbed from air inside the inner casing 200 also decreases. As a result, the third step in which the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing 200 increases to the reference value or higher may be performed.

[0629] When the third step starts, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 reaches the set temperature. Specifically, in the third step, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may reach a drying temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0630] For example, the drying temperature may be set to be equal to or higher than 50 degrees.

[0631] In addition, when the third step is performed, the laundry has been almost completely dried, so that the moisture content of the laundry drops to be lower than 5%, which is much lower than the removal moisture content.

[0632] When the third step is performed for a certain period of time or longer, the controller 700 may finish the drying course. The controller 700 may perform the fourth step of stopping the operation of the compressor 342 and operating the blower fan 352 until the temperature inside the inner casing 200 drops to be equal to or lower than the safe temperature, which is lower than the set temperature.

[0633] The safe temperature may correspond to a room temperature. For example, the safe temperature may be set to 25 degrees.

[0634] Referring to (d) in FIG. 22, the controller 700 may additionally perform a removal step of removing the wrinkles and the creases from the laundry.

[0635] The steam heater 840 may be operated to supply steam into the inner casing 200. As a result, the moisture content of the laundry inside the inner casing 200 may increase again to the removal moisture content.

[0636] In addition, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 to apply the removal physical force to the laundry.

[0637] As a result, in the removal step, the controller 700 may simultaneously operate the steam heater 840 and the moving hanger 1000 to remove the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry.

[0638] Because the removal step is additionally performed after the fourth step, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may be higher than the set temperature. Therefore, in the removal step, the controller 700 may stop the operation of the compressor.

[0639] When the removal step is performed, the cooling step of lowering the temperature inside the inner casing 200 to the safe temperature lower than the set temperature may be performed. In the cooling step, the blower fan 352 may be operated, and the operation of the steam heater 840 and the compressor 342 may be blocked.

[0640] In one example, in one of the removal step and the cooling step, the compressor 342 may be re-operated to dry moisture supplied from the steam heater 840.

[0641] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may completely dry the laundry up to the fourth step, and then additionally perform the removal step to remove the wrinkles and the creases from the laundry.

[0642] FIG. 23 illustrates a progress of a drying course in FIG. 22.

[0643] Referring to (a) and (b) in FIG. 23, when the drying course is performed, the compressor 342 may start operating, and the operation of the compressor 342 may be maintained without interruption until the drying course is ended.

[0644] In addition, while the compressor 342 is in operation, the blower fan 352 may also be operated simultaneously.

[0645] As a result, hot air may be continuously supplied into the inner casing 200 while the drying course is performed.

[0646] When the compressor 342 starts operating, the first step in which the temperature inside the inner casing 200 gradually increases until the temperature of the refrigerant increases may be performed.

[0647] Thereafter, when the heating of the refrigerant is completed, the second step in which hot air is supplied into the inner casing 200 to vaporize moisture contained in the laundry, and the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing 200 becomes lower than the reference value may be performed.

[0648] In the second step, the set temperature may not be reached because of the latent heat of vaporization of the laundry.

[0649] Thereafter, when the moisture content of the laundry becomes lower than 5 percent, the fourth step in which the temperature inside the inner casing 200 goes beyond the set temperature and continuously increases to a temperature equal to or higher than the drying temperature may be performed.

[0650] Because the compressor 342 is always maintained in operation, the operation of the steam heater 342 may be blocked, which may reduce a power consumption of the entire laundry treating apparatus. In addition, in the drying course, because the moisture content of the laundry is high, steam may not be supplied to the laundry.

[0651] The moving hanger 1000 may be operated to shake the laundry. As a result, not only may moisture contained in the laundry be removed, but the entire laundry may be evenly exposed to hot air.

[0652] Alternatively, because the weight of the laundry is great in a period where the moisture content of the laundry is higher than the removal moisture content as in the first step, the operation of the moving hanger 1000 may be blocked.

[0653] As a result, when the wrinkle removal step is not performed, there may not be a period that satisfies all the removal conditions up to the fourth step in the embodiments of the present disclosure illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23. Therefore, in such an embodiment of the drying course control method, the laundry may be dried quickly, but the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry may not be removed.

[0654] FIG. 24 illustrates another embodiment of a drying course performed in a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0655] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may supply steam into the inner casing during an initial period of the drying course.

[0656] When the moisture content of the laundry is high, even when steam is supplied to the laundry, the moisture content of the laundry does not increase significantly or is almost maintained, so that more energy is not required to remove moisture caused by steam. In addition, because the steam does not lose heat as the latent heat of vaporization or the like, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may be rapidly increased.

[0657] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may achieve the removal conditions by supplying steam at the initial stage of the drying course to increase the temperature inside the inner casing to the set temperature or higher. Therefore, the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry may be automatically removed.

[0658] Referring to (a) in FIG. 24, when the drying course is performed, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform the first step of operating the compressor 342 and the blower fan 352 to supply heated air into the inner casing 200.

[0659] In the first step, the controller 700 may operate the steam heater 840.

[0660] Specifically, the controller 700 may operate one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 to generate steam while the compressor 342 is in operation.

[0661] That is, the controller 700 may operate the compressor 342 first, and then operate one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 simultaneously with the operation of the compressor 342.

[0662] In addition, the controller 700 may operate the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 simultaneously to first heat water contained in the steam casing 381, and then operate the compressor 342. Thereafter, one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be operated to supply steam.

[0663] That is, the controller 700 may operate the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 first, and then operate the compressor 342 later.

[0664] However, even in this case, because the operation of one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 is stopped before the compressor 342 starts operating, only one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be operated while the compressor 342 is in operation.

[0665] Therefore, it may be seen that one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 is operated while the compressor 342 is already in operation.

[0666] The controller 700 may simultaneously supply hot air and steam into the inner casing 200 by simultaneously operating the compressor 342 and one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 during at least a partial period of the first step. As a result, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may rise to the set temperature or higher from the first step.

[0667] The controller 700 may simultaneously operate the compressor 342 and one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 from the start of the first step, but may simultaneously operate the compressor 842 and one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 after a certain period of time passes after the start of the first step.

[0668] As such, the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be operated simultaneously and the operation of the compressor 342 may be blocked at the beginning of the first step to secure time for boiling water first, or even when the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 are not operated simultaneously at the beginning of the first step, steam may be prevented from being supplied from the initial stage when the moisture content of the laundry is too high.

[0669] In the first step, because of the operation of the steam heater 840, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may rise to the limit temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0670] The limit temperature may be set to a temperature that ensures that the temperature inside the inner casing 200 does not decrease to the set temperature or lower even when steam is not supplied and moisture contained in the laundry evaporates.

[0671] The limit temperature may be set to a specific temperature or may be defined as a temperature that is increased by a certain % (based on 0 degrees Celsius) or a certain temperature from an initial temperature.

[0672] For example, the limit temperature may correspond to 45 degrees Celsius or a temperature that is increased by 100% or 30 degrees from the initial temperature.

[0673] Referring to (b) in FIG. 24, when the first step passes and the second step is activated, the moisture content of the laundry may reach the removal moisture content.

[0674] In addition, because the steam supply and the hot air supply are simultaneously performed in the first step, the moisture content of the laundry may reach the removal moisture content during the first step.

[0675] As a result, the laundry may be in the removal moisture content state during a specific period across the first step and the second step.

[0676] Also in the second step, steam may be supplied into the inner casing 200 during an initial period. This may prevent the temperature inside the inner casing 200 from dropping to the set temperature or lower because of the latent heat of vaporization.

[0677] In addition, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 in the second step. Therefore, the removal physical force may be applied to the laundry.

[0678] In one example, the controller 700 may also operate the moving hanger 1000 from the first step.

[0679] As a result, all wrinkle removal conditions may be satisfied in the second step.

[0680] Referring to (c) in FIG. 24, when the second step is performed and the moisture content of the laundry drops to the removal moisture content or lower, the third step may be performed.

[0681] However, because all wrinkles have been removed in the second step, the third step may be performed in a state in which there are no wrinkles or creases in the laundry.

[0682] In the third step, because the moisture content of the laundry is low, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may rise to the drying temperature or higher.

[0683] In the third step, the operation of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 may be completely blocked. As a result, an unnecessary cycle of increasing the moisture content of the dried laundry may be omitted, and the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may be prevented from becoming too high.

[0684] Referring to (d) in FIG. 24, when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 rises to be equal to or higher than the drying temperature, which may ensure the drying of the laundry, or when a drying time period elapses at the temperature equal to or higher than the drying temperature, the controller 700 may perform the fourth step described above as is.

[0685] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform the first to fourth steps to omit an additional wrinkle removal step after the laundry is dried.

[0686] It may be seen that the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure includes the wrinkle removal step in the drying course or automatically performs the wrinkle removal step.

[0687] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may automatically remove the wrinkles and the creases from the laundry while performing the drying course.

[0688] That is, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may omit the cycle itself of additionally supplying steam after the moisture content of the laundry drops to 5% or lower and then drying the laundry again. In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may also omit stopping the operation of the compressor and then reoperating the same to operate both the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 until the end of the drying course. In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may omit the inefficient process of increasing the moisture content of the laundry again in the period with the moisture content equal to or lower than the removal moisture content.

[0689] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may automatically remove the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry during the drying course, and may prevent an occurrence of a drying delay or a reduction in drying efficiency resulted from the removal of the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry.

[0690] Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may allow the user to skip taking an additional measure to remove the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry separately.

[0691] FIG. 25 illustrates a control state of a laundry treating apparatus when a control method in FIG. 24 is performed.

[0692] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 simultaneously with the compressor 342 during the operation of the compressor 342 in the first step. As a result, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may rise faster and higher. As a result, even when the moisture content of the laundry is too high and has not yet reached the removal moisture content, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may rise to the set temperature or higher from the first step.

[0693] In one example, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, because the temperature inside the inner casing 200 rises to the set temperature or higher and reaches the limit temperature because of the simultaneous operation of the steam heater 840 and the compressor 342, an effect of setting a duration of the first step longer is derived.

[0694] In addition, because the first step is completed at a high temperature, an effect of shortening at least one of the second step and the third step may also be derived.

[0695] For example, the first step is usually ended at a first time point t1 after the compressor 342 starts operating and an operating rpm thereof reaches a maximum rpm. However, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, because the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing 200 is equal to or greater than the reference value in a period from the first time point t1 to a third time point t3, the first step is performed until the third time point t3.

[0696] In addition, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing 200 starts to become smaller than the reference value after the third time point t3.

[0697] Therefore, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, the second step may start from the third time point t3.

[0698] In addition, because the temperature increase rate rises to become equal to or greater than the reference value again from a seventh time point t7, the third step may be considered to start from the seventh time point, and because the temperature inside the inner casing 200 exceeds the drying temperature from an eighth time point, the third step may be considered to be performed from the seventh time point t7 to the eighth time point t8.

[0699] The fourth step may be performed from the eighth time point to a ninth time point when the operation of the compressor 342 ends.

[0700] Originally in an embodiment of the drying course in which steam is not supplied to the inner casing 200, the falling rate step continues even after the ninth time point, but in the embodiment of the drying course in which steam and hot air are supplied simultaneously at the beginning, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 is maintained higher than the set temperature, so that the drying course may be ended at the eighth time point. That is, the embodiment in FIG. 24 may significantly shorten the duration of the drying course compared to the embodiment in FIG. 22.

[0701] Referring to (a) and (b) in FIG. 25, the controller 700 may maintain the operation of the compressor 342 from an initial time point t0 when the operation of the compressor starts until the ninth time point t9 when the drying course ends.

[0702] The controller 700 may operate the compressor 342 from the initial time point t0 and maintain the operation until the ninth time point t9 when the drying course ends.

[0703] The controller 700 may operate the compressor 342 and the blower fan 352 simultaneously from the first step to the third step, and may operate the blower fan 352 but not the compressor 342 in the fourth step.

[0704] Referring to (c) in FIG. 25, the controller 700 may operate the steam heater 840 first before operating the compressor 342.

[0705] The controller 700 may operate the entire steam heater 840 at maximum power before the initial time point to to quickly heat water contained in the steam casing 810. For example, before operating the compressor 342, the controller 700 may operate the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 simultaneously to generate steam as quickly as possible.

[0706] The controller 700 may operate the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 simultaneously, and when steam is generated, operate only one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842.

[0707] The controller 700 may start operating the compressor 342 when one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 is in operation.

[0708] Alternatively, the controller 700 may operate one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 after the compressor 342 starts operating.

[0709] Alternatively, the controller 700 may operate the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 simultaneously before the initial time point to to heat the water to a certain level, and when the initial time point t0 is reached, may operate the compressor 342 while operating one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 to further heat the water.

[0710] Alternatively, the controller 700 may operate the compressor 342 at the initial time point to first, and then operate one of the first heater 841 and the second heater 842 after the initial time point t0 to heat the water. Accordingly, while the compressor 342 is in operation, some heaters of the steam heater840 may be operated to heat water, and when the first time point t1 is reached, steam may be finally generated and supplied into the inner casing 200 from the first time point to.

[0711] In any case, when the compressor 342 starts operating, the operation of the compressor 342 may not be blocked until the third step ends, and hot air may be supplied into the inner casing 200 first and then steam may be supplied.

[0712] As a result, the controller 700 may operate the steam heater 840 from the first step to supply steam into the inner casing 200.

[0713] The controller 700 may maintain the operation of the steam heater 840 until the temperature inside the inner casing 200 rises to the set temperature or higher. In other words, the operation of the first heater 841 or the second heater 842 may be maintained.

[0714] In addition, the controller 700 may maintain the operation of the steam heater 840 even after the temperature inside the inner casing 200 rises to the set temperature or higher. For example, the controller 700 may maintain the operation of the heater in operation between the first heater 842 and the second heater 842 until the temperature inside the inner casing 200 rises to the limit temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0715] This is because the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may drop below the set temperature again as moisture in the laundry inside the inner casing 200 evaporates and absorbs the latent heat of vaporization when the operation of the steam heater 840 is stopped even when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0716] Therefore, the controller 700 may maintain the operation of the first heater 841 or the second heater 842 until the second step is activated, in which the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing 200 is equal to or smaller than the reference value, even when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 rises to the set temperature or higher.

[0717] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may maintain the temperature inside the inner casing 200 equal to or higher than the set temperature during at least partial periods of the first step and the second step, thereby satisfying the condition of removing the wrinkles and the creases from the laundry.

[0718] The controller 700 may stop the operation of the first heater 841 or the second heater 842 when the second step is activated or the temperature inside the inner casing 200 reaches the limit temperature. That is, the controller 700 may stop the supply of steam into the inner casing 200 when the second step is activated or the temperature inside the inner casing 200 reaches the limit temperature. This may prevent the moisture content of the laundry from unnecessarily increasing or not decreasing.

[0719] In one example, the controller 700 may continuously supply steam by maintaining the operation of the first heater 841 or the second heater 842 until at least a partial period of the second step. This may completely prevent the temperature inside the inner casing 200 from dropping to the set temperature or lower.

[0720] The moisture content of the laundry begins to decrease from the first step because the laundry begins to dry from the first step.

[0721] Even when the initial moisture content of the laundry is 100% because the laundry hung in the inner casing 200 is completely wet, the moisture content of the laundry may enter the removal moisture content range from the second time point t2, which is before the third time point entering the second step. In other words, the moisture content of the laundry may drop to 45 percent from the first step.

[0722] In addition, from the second time point t2 to the sixth time point t6 or the fifth time point t5 earlier than the sixth time point corresponding to the second step, the moisture content of the laundry may be within a range of 45% to 5% and thus the removal moisture content condition may be satisfied as it is.

[0723] In addition, the moisture content of the laundry may deviate from the removal moisture content range before the sixth time point, which is before the seventh time point when the third step is performed.

[0724] In summary, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, between the second time point and the sixth time point respectively corresponding to the first step and the second step, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 is higher than the set temperature and the laundry is in the removal moisture content state.

[0725] Therefore, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 and transmit the removal physical force to the laundry during a period composed of a partial period of the first step and a partial period of the second step, which is between the second time point and the sixth time point.

[0726] As a result, because the removal conditions are all satisfied during the period composed of the partial period of the first step and the partial period of the second step, which is between the second time point and the sixth time point, the period may be set as a wrinkle removal period A.

[0727] In other words, the wrinkle removal period A may be defined as a period in which the temperature of the hung laundry is equal to or higher than the set temperature and the moisture content of the laundry corresponds to the removal moisture content, and in which all the removal conditions are satisfied when only the removal physical force is applied.

[0728] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate the moving hanger 1000 at least during the wrinkle removal period A.

[0729] The controller 700 may also intermittently operate the steam heater 840 operating in the wrinkle removal period A. That is, the controller 700 may operate the first heater 841 or the second heater 842 by repeatedly turning it ON / OFF. This may prevent excessive steam from being supplied, prevent the temperature inside the inner casing 200 from rapidly rising, and maintain reliability of the compressor.

[0730] From another perspective, the controller 700 may intermittently operate the steam heater 840 when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 corresponds to the limit temperature higher than the set temperature. The limit temperature may correspond to a temperature at which a temperature of the refrigerant introduced into the compressor 342 or a temperature of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor 342 may become a marginal temperature that threatens the reliability of the compressor 342.

[0731] For example, the marginal temperature may correspond to 90 degrees Celsius.

[0732] Therefore, the controller 700 may intermittently operate the first heater 841 or the second heater 842 in a temperature range equal to or higher than the limit temperature.

[0733] In the wrinkle removal period A, the controller 700 may supply steam into the inner casing 200, but may stop the operation of the steam heater 840 at the third time point t3, which is earlier than the sixth time point t6 at which the wrinkle removal period A ends. This may prevent an unnecessary increase in humidity inside the inner casing 200 or waste of energy in the wrinkle removal period A.

[0734] The wrinkle removal period A may be set between the second time point and the sixth time point, but may be set shorter than that as long as it includes a set time period, which is a minimum time period for the wrinkles to be removed between the second time point and the sixth time point.

[0735] That is, during the set time period within the wrinkle removal period A, the controller 700 may shake the moving hanger 1000 or operate the steam heater 840 to maintain the temperature equal to or higher than the set temperature. That is, steam may be supplied into the inner casing 200 until the set time period ends, and after the set time period elapses, the operation of the steam heater 840 may be blocked even before the sixth time point.

[0736] For example, the set time period may correspond to 15 minutes.

[0737] Referring to (d) in FIG. 25, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 for at least the set time period in the wrinkle removal period A.

[0738] When the controller 700 has not operated the moving hanger 1000 before the wrinkle removal period A, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 for at least the set time period in the wrinkle removal period A.

[0739] Therefore, when the moving hanger 1000 is operated while the steam heater 840 is in operation, even when the operation of the steam heater is ended, when the set time period has not elapsed, the moving hanger 1000 may maintain an operating speed for a certain period of time until the set time period elapses.

[0740] That is, even when the steam heater 840 is not operated for the set time period, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may be maintained at the temperature equal to or higher than the set temperature. However, the moving hanger 1000 should be operated for the set time period to achieve the removal physical force condition. For example, the operation of the steam heater 840 may be blocked at the third time point t3, but the operation of the moving hanger 1000 may be maintained at least until the sixth time point t6.

[0741] When the control method described above is analyzed from a perspective of the operation of the moving hanger 1000 and the steam heater 840, it may be interpreted as follows.

[0742] The moving hanger 1000 may be operated such that an operation period thereof at least partially overlaps the period in which the steam heater 840 is in operation.

[0743] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 in a period in which the temperature inside the inner casing 200 is at least equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0744] In addition, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 while the first heater 841 or the second heater 842 is in operation.

[0745] In addition, when the controller 700 has operated the moving hanger at a first frequency (1 rpm) before the wrinkle removal period A, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger at a second frequency (2 rpm) that is higher than the first frequency in the wrinkle removal period A.

[0746] When the controller 700 starts operating the moving hanger 1000 before the steam heater 840 starts operating, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 faster in the period in which the steam heater 840 is in operation.

[0747] When the controller 700 has not operated the moving hanger 1000 before the steam heater 840 starts operating, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 in at least a partial period of the period in which the steam heater 840 is in operation.

[0748] As such, by applying a physical force equal to or greater than the removal physical force to the laundry in the wrinkle removal period A, the removal conditions may be further satisfied, so that the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry may be reliably removed.

[0749] After the wrinkle removal period A, the controller 700 may stop operating the moving hanger 1000 or operate the moving hanger 1000 at a third frequency (3 rpm) that is lower than the second frequency. As such, overload of the moving hanger 1000 may be prevented and energy may be saved during the drying course.

[0750] The first frequency may be set lower than the third frequency. This may prevent the moving hanger 1000 from consuming excessive energy to shake heavy laundry with high moisture content, and minimize vibration occurring throughout the laundry treating apparatus.

[0751] When operating the moving hanger 1000 while the steam heater 840 is in operation, the controller 700 may not operate the moving hanger 1000 or may operate the moving hanger 1000 slowly after the operation of the steam heater 840 is ended.

[0752] The controller 700 may control the period in which the steam supplier 800 is in operation and the period in which the moving hanger 1000 is in operation at the second frequency to at least partially overlap each other.

[0753] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency after the steam supplier 800 starts operating.

[0754] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate the moving hanger 1000 or operate the same fastest during at least partial periods of the first step and the second step, and may not operate the moving hanger 1000 or operate the same slowest therebefore.

[0755] When the above process is described based on the operation of the moving hanger 1000, it may be analyzed as follows.

[0756] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the first frequency or maintain the same in the stopped state during a period in which the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or lower than the set temperature. In addition, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency higher than the first frequency during the period in which the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0757] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency for a reference time period, and then operate the same at the third frequency lower than the second frequency.

[0758] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the third frequency that is lower than the second frequency when the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing becomes higher than the reference value or when the temperature inside the inner casing reaches the drying temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0759] The controller 700 may set the operation frequency of the moving hanger 1000 differently depending on the temperature inside the inner casing 200.

[0760] Specifically, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the first frequency until the temperature inside the inner casing reaches the set temperature, and may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency that is higher than the first frequency after the temperature inside the inner casing reaches the set temperature.

[0761] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the third frequency that is lower than the second frequency in a period after the temperature inside the inner casing reaches the drying temperature higher than the set temperature.

[0762] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency for the set time period, and then operate the same at the third frequency lower than the second frequency.

[0763] The second frequency (2 rpm) may be set as the highest frequency at which the moving hanger is operated during the course.

[0764] When the moisture content of the laundry becomes lower than the removal moisture content, the third step may be performed. The third step corresponds to a period in which the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing 200 becomes greater than the reference value again. The wrinkle removal period A may be ended before the third step. Accordingly, the steam heater 840 may be ended before the third step, and the operation of the steam heater 840 may be blocked during the third step and thereafter.

[0765] When the temperature inside the inner casing 200 becomes equal to or higher than the drying temperature, the controller 700 may stop operating the compressor 342 and maintain the operation of the blower fan 352 in at least a partial period.

[0766] In one example, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate the second heater 842 when the steam heater 840 is operated simultaneously with the compressor 342 in the drying course including the wrinkle removal period A. This may allow less steam to be supplied into the inner casing 200, thereby blocking a possibility of the moisture content of the laundry rather increasing, and focusing on raising only the temperature inside the inner casing 200 to the set temperature or higher.

[0767] An amount of power of the second heater 842 may be set such that an amount of steam generated from the second heater 842 corresponds to 50 to 150% of a dehumidification amount of the evaporator.

[0768] In addition, an amount of water used and energy consumption when raising the temperature inside the inner casing 200 to the set temperature or higher may be minimized.

[0769] In one example, the steam heater 840 stops operating at least during the second step, and the second step corresponds to a period in which the temperature increase rate is equal to or smaller than the reference value or in which a temperature change amount inside the inner casing 200 is equal to or smaller than a specific amount, so that it may be considered that the operation of the first heater or the second heater is stopped in the period in which the temperature change amount inside the inner casing is equal to or smaller than the specific amount.

[0770] The specific amount may correspond to 5 degrees.

[0771] In addition, in the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure, the steam supply is blocked after the third step in the control method, so that it may be considered that the operation of the steam heater is blocked after the drying temperature is reached.

[0772] FIG. 26 illustrates another embodiment of a drying course performed in a laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure.

[0773] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may not operate the steam heater 840 and the compressor 342 simultaneously in the wrinkle removal period A.

[0774] That is, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may always operate the steam heater 840 at the maximum power, and the steam heater 840 may be designed as a single heater, not as the first heater and the second heater.

[0775] In the following, a description will be made focusing on different contents to avoid redundant descriptions with the above-described embodiment.

[0776] The laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a preparation step of operating the compressor 342 to increase a temperature of the refrigerant circulating through the heat supplier 340 when the drying course is performed.

[0777] The preparation step may correspond to increasing an operating RPM of the compressor 342 to a maximum RPM to increase the temperature of the refrigerant to a target temperature at which the drying course may be performed.

[0778] The preparation step may be performed until a time point a ta.

[0779] When the preparation step is performed, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may perform a first step of operating the steam heater 840.

[0780] The first step may correspond to operating the single heater at maximum output when the steam heater 840 is equipped as the single heater, and operating all heaters when the steam heater 840 is equipped as the plurality of heaters.

[0781] When the steam heater 840 is operated at the maximum output, it is not able to be operated simultaneously with the compressor 342. However, the steam heater 840 may be operated at the maximum output to more quickly raise the temperature inside the inner casing 200 to the set temperature or higher.

[0782] The controller 700 may raise the temperature inside the inner casing 200 to a guaranteeing temperature that is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0783] The guaranteeing temperature may correspond to a temperature that may ensure that the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may be maintained at the temperature equal to or higher than the set temperature for a set time period when the operation of the steam heater 840 is stopped and the compressor 342 is operated again.

[0784] The first step may be performed up to a time point b tb.

[0785] In the first step, the controller 700 may always maintain the operation of the steam heater 840, but may also intermittently and repeatedly operate the steam heater 840.

[0786] When the first step is completed, the controller 700 may block the operation of the steam heater 840 and operate the compressor 342 and the blower fan 352.

[0787] When the blower fan 352 is operated and air is introduced into the inner casing 200, moisture contained in the laundry evaporates, so that the latent heat of vaporization may be absorbed, and the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may decrease and may become lower than the set temperature before reaching a time point c tc.

[0788] However, because of the previously performed preheating step and the operation of the compressor 342, hot air is supplied, and thus the temperature inside the inner casing 200 stops decreasing and increases. Therefore, from the time point c, the temperature inside the inner casing 200 may become higher than the set temperature again.

[0789] From the time point b tb to the time point c te and to a time point d tb thereafter at which the temperature increase rate is equal to or higher than the reference value, the temperature increase rate is always equal to or lower than the reference value. Therefore, a period from the time point b tb to the time point d td may be defined as a second step.

[0790] The wrinkle removal period A may be satisfied when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 reaches the set temperature during the second step.

[0791] The wrinkle removal period A is the period in which the temperature of the hung laundry is equal to or higher than the set temperature and the moisture content of the laundry corresponds to the removal moisture content, and corresponds to the period in which all the removal conditions are satisfied when only the removal physical force is applied.

[0792] The controller 700 may enter the wrinkle removal period A when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 starts to reach the set temperature at least secondarily.

[0793] The wrinkle removal period A is satisfied in the second step. That is, in the second step, the moisture content of the laundry satisfies the removal moisture content, and the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0794] Therefore, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at least in the wrinkle removal period A during the drying course. As a result, the removal physical force may be applied to the laundry.

[0795] As a result, because the removal conditions are all achieved in the wrinkle removal period A, the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry may be removed.

[0796] The wrinkle removal period A may be completed before the time point d td at which the third step in which the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing 200 becomes greater than the reference value is activated.

[0797] The third step may be performed until a time point f tf when the temperature inside the inner casing 200 becomes equal to or higher than the drying temperature.

[0798] From the second step to the third step, the operation of the compressor 342 may be maintained, and the operation of the steam heater 840 may be blocked.

[0799] Referring to (d) in FIG. 26, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 in the wrinkle removal period A. When the controller 700 has not operated the moving hanger 1000 before the wrinkle removal period A, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at least for a set time period in the wrinkle removal period A.

[0800] The controller 700 may be set such that the operation of the compressor 342 and the operation of the moving hanger 1000 overlap each other in at least a partial period, but the operation of the compressor 342 and the operation of the steam heater 840 do not overlap each other.

[0801] In addition, the moving hanger 1000 may be operated simultaneously while the steam heater 840 is in operation. The moving hanger 1000 may be operated before and after the operation of the steam heater 840.

[0802] In addition, when the controller 700 has operated the moving hanger at the first frequency (1 rpm) before the wrinkle removal period A, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger at the second frequency (2 rpm) that is higher than the first frequency in the wrinkle removal step A.

[0803] Thus, by applying the physical force equal to or greater than the removal physical force to the laundry in the wrinkle removal period A, the removal conditions may be further satisfied, and thus the wrinkles and the creases of the laundry may be reliably removed.

[0804] After the wrinkle removal period A, the controller 700 may stop operating the moving hanger 1000 or operate the moving hanger 1000 at the third frequency (3 rpm) that is lower than the second frequency. Thus, the overload of the moving hanger 1000 may be prevented and the energy may be saved in the drying course.

[0805] The first frequency may be set lower than the third frequency. This may prevent the moving hanger 1000 from consuming the excessive energy to shake the heavy laundry with the high moisture content, and minimize the vibration occurring throughout the laundry treating apparatus.

[0806] When operating the moving hanger 1000 while the steam heater 840 is in operation, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 faster for at least a partial period after the operation of the steam heater 840 is ended. In addition, the moving hanger 1000 may be operated more slowly thereafter.

[0807] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency after the steam supplier 800 starts operating.

[0808] As a result, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may operate the moving hanger 1000 or operate the same fastest during at least a partial period of the constant rate step, and may not operate the moving hanger 1000 or operate the same slowest therebefore.

[0809] When the above process is described based on the operation of the moving hanger 1000, it may be analyzed as follows.

[0810] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the first frequency or maintain the same in the stopped state during the period in which the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or lower than the set temperature.

[0811] In addition, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency that is higher than the first frequency from a period in which the temperature inside the inner casing becomes equal to or higher than the set temperature for a second time.

[0812] After operating the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency for the set time period, the controller 700 may operate the same at the third frequency that is lower than the second frequency.

[0813] When the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing becomes higher than the reference value or when the temperature inside the inner casing reaches the drying temperature higher than the set temperature, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the third frequency that is lower than the second frequency.

[0814] The controller 700 may set the operating frequency of the moving hanger 1000 differently depending on the temperature inside the inner casing 200.

[0815] Specifically, the controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the first frequency until the temperature inside the inner casing rises and reaches the set temperature for the second time, and may operate the moving hanger at the second frequency that is higher than the first frequency after the temperature inside the inner casing rises and reaches the set temperature for the second time.

[0816] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the third frequency that is lower than the second frequency during the period after the temperature inside the inner casing reaches the drying temperature that is higher than the set temperature.

[0817] The controller 700 may operate the moving hanger 1000 at the second frequency for the set time period and then operate the same at the third frequency that is lower than the second frequency.

[0818] The second frequency (2 rpm) may be set as the highest frequency at which the moving hanger is operated during the course.

[0819] When the temperature inside the inner casing 200 becomes equal to or higher than the drying temperature, the controller 700 may stop the operation of the compressor 342 and maintain the operation of the blower fan 352 in at least a partial period.

[0820] The present disclosure may be modified and implemented in various forms, so that the scope of the rights thereof is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, when a modified embodiment includes an element of the claims of the present disclosure, it should be considered to fall within the scope of the rights of the present disclosure.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0109]FIG. 3 illustrates an outer appearance of a laundry treating apparatus 1 of the present disclosure.

[0110]Referring to (a) in FIG. 3, the laundry treating apparatus of the present disclosure may include a cabinet 100 forming the outer appearance thereof, and a door 400 pivotably coupled to the cabinet 100.

[0111]The door 400 may include a main body 410 forming a front surface of the cabinet 100, and an installation body 420 extending from one side of the main body 410 and on which a display that displays information of the laundry treating apparatus may be installed.

[0112]The installation body 420 may be constructed to form a step 430 in a rearward direction of the cabinet 100 from the main body 410.

[0113]In one example, at least a portion of the installation body 420 may be disposed at the rear of the main body 410 so as to overlap the same in a front and rear direction. Accordingly, the step 430 may function as a handle.

[0114]The installation body 420 may be made of a differen...

Claims

1-29. (canceled)30. A laundry treating apparatus comprising:a cabinet;an inner casing disposed inside the cabinet to accommodate laundry therein;a hanger disposed inside the inner casing and constructed to hang the laundry at a predetermined distance thereon;a machine room including a heat supplier configured to supply hot air into the inner casing and a steam supplier configured to supply steam into the inner casing;a controller disposed in the machine room and configured to perform a drying course of drying the laundry by controlling the heat supplier and the steam supplier; anda temperature sensor disposed in the inner casing or in the machine room and configured to sense a temperature of air inside the inner casing,wherein the heat supplier includes:a circulation duct circulating air discharged from the inner casing;a heat exchanger installed in the circulation duct and configured to dehumidify and reheat air; anda compressor configured to compress a refrigerant to exchange heat with air and supply the compressed refrigerant to the heat exchanger,wherein the steam supplier includes:a steam casing constructed to store water to generate steam therein;a first heater accommodated in the steam casing and configured to heat water to generate steam; anda second heater disposed to be spaced apart from the first heater and configured to heat water to generate steam, andwherein the controller is configured to:when the drying course is performed and the compressor starts operating, maintain the operation of the compressor until the drying course ends or the drying of the laundry is completed; andoperate the first heater or the second heater to increase a temperature inside the inner casing to a set temperature or higher while the compressor is in operation.

31. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 30, wherein the drying course includes:a first step where the temperature inside the inner casing rises to the set temperature or higher;a second step where a temperature increase rate inside the inner casing decreases to be equal to or smaller than a reference value after the first step; anda third step where the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing increases to be equal to or greater than the reference value after the second step, andwherein the controller is configured to stop the operation of the first heater or the second heater in the second step.

32. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 30, wherein the controller is configured to maintain the operation of the first heater or the second heater for a set time period in a period where the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

33. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 30, wherein the controller is configured to stop the operation of the first heater or the second heater when the temperature inside the inner casing reaches a limit temperature higher than the set temperature.

34. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 30, wherein the controller is configured to stop the operation of the first heater or the second heater in a period where a temperature change amount inside the inner casing is equal to or smaller than a specific amount during the operation of the compressor.

35. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 31, wherein the controller is configured to block the operation of the first heater or the second heater before the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing becomes greater than the reference value again.

36. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 35, wherein the controller is configured not to operate the first heater or the second heater after the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing becomes greater than the reference value.

37. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 30, wherein the hanger further includes a moving hanger disposed inside the inner casing to hang the laundry thereon, wherein the moving hanger is operated to shake the laundry, andwherein the controller is configured to operate the moving hanger in a period where the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or higher than the set temperature or while the first heater or the second heater is in operation.

38. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 37, wherein the controller is configured to:operate the moving hanger at a first frequency or stop the moving hanger in a period where the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or lower than the set temperature; andoperate the moving hanger at a second frequency higher than the first frequency in the period where the temperature inside the inner casing is equal to or higher than the set temperature.

39. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 38, wherein the controller is configured to operate the moving hanger at a third frequency lower than the second frequency, based on operating the moving hanger at the second frequency for a reference time period, andwherein the first frequency is set lower than the third frequency.

40. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 38, wherein the controller is configured to operate the moving hanger at the third frequency lower than the second frequency when a temperature increase rate inside the inner casing becomes greater than a reference value or the temperature inside the inner casing reaches a drying temperature higher than the set temperature.

41. A laundry treating apparatus comprising:a cabinet;an inner casing disposed inside the cabinet to accommodate laundry therein;a machine room including a heat supplier configured to supply hot air into the inner casing and a steam supplier configured to supply steam into the inner casing;a moving hanger disposed inside the inner casing to hang the laundry thereon, wherein the moving hanger is operated to shake the laundry; anda controller disposed in the machine room and configured to perform a drying course of drying the laundry by controlling at least one of the heat supplier, the steam supplier, and the moving hanger,wherein the heat supplier includes:a circulation duct circulating air discharged from the inner casing;a heat exchanger installed in the circulation duct and configured to dehumidify and reheat air, anda compressor configured to compress a refrigerant to exchange heat with air and supply the compressed refrigerant to the heat exchanger,wherein the steam supplier includes:a steam casing constructed to store water to generate steam therein; anda steam heater accommodated in the steam casing and configured to heat water to generate steam, andwherein when the drying course is performed, the controller is configured to:maintain operation of the compressor until the drying course ends or the drying of the laundry is completed; andoperate the moving hanger such that an operation period thereof at least partially overlaps a period where the steam heater is in operation.

42. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 41, wherein the controller is configured to operate the moving hanger faster in the period where the steam heater is in operation when the moving hanger has been operated before the operation of the steam heater.

43. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 41, wherein the controller is configured to operate the moving hanger in the period where the steam heater is in operation when the operation of the moving hanger has been blocked before the operation of the steam heater.

44. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 41, wherein the controller is configured to not operate the moving hanger or operate the moving hanger slowly after the operation of the steam heater ends when the moving hanger is operated while the steam heater is in operation.

45. A laundry treating apparatus comprising:a cabinet;an inner casing disposed inside the cabinet to accommodate laundry therein;a machine room including a heat supplier configured to supply hot air into the inner casing and a steam supplier configured to supply steam into the inner casing; anda controller disposed in the machine room and configured to perform a drying course of drying the laundry by controlling at least one of the heat supplier and the steam supplier,wherein the steam supplier includes:a steam casing constructed to store water to generate steam therein; anda steam heater accommodated in the steam casing and configured to heat water to generate steam, andwherein when the drying course is performed, the controller is configured to operate the steam heater such that steam is supplied into the inner casing.

46. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 45, wherein the heat supplier includes:a circulation duct circulating air discharged from the inner casing;a heat exchanger installed in the circulation duct and configured to dehumidify and reheat air; anda compressor configured to compress a refrigerant to exchange heat with air and supply the compressed refrigerant to the heat exchanger, andwherein the controller is configured to operate the compressor first and then operate the steam heater.

47. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 45, wherein the heat supplier includes:a circulation duct circulating air discharged from the inner casing;a heat exchanger installed in the circulation duct and configured to dehumidify and reheat air; anda compressor configured to compress a refrigerant to exchange heat with air and supply the compressed refrigerant to the heat exchanger, andwherein the drying course is set such that when the compressor starts operating, the operation of the compressor is maintained until the drying course ends.

48. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 45, wherein the drying course includes:a first step where a temperature inside the inner casing rises to a set temperature or higher;a second step where a temperature increase rate inside the inner casing decreases to be equal to or smaller than a reference value after the first step; anda third step where the temperature increase rate inside the inner casing increases to be equal to or greater than the reference value after the second step, andwherein the controller is configured to:operate the steam heater before the third step, andnot operate the steam heater during the third step or after the third step.

49. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 46, wherein the steam supplier includes:a steam casing constructed to store water to generate steam therein;a first heater accommodated in the steam casing and configured to heat water to generate steam, anda second heater disposed to be spaced apart from the first heater and configured to heat water to generate steam,wherein initially, the first heater and the second heater are operated, andwherein subsequently, the compressor and the first heater or the second heater are operated simultaneously.

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