Clothing treatment apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed is a clothing treatment apparatus. A clothing treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a cabinet including a front panel having an opening; an accommodation unit provided inside the cabinet to accommodate laundry inserted through the opening; and a door provided on the front panel to open and close the opening, wherein the front panel includes a door seating unit recessed toward the inside of the cabinet and accommodating at least a part of the door when the door has closed the opening, and a gap between the edge of the door seating unit and the edge of the door is exposed from the front.

Description

Garment processing equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a clothing treatment device, and more particularly, to a clothing treatment device including a door that opens and closes an opening through which clothing is introduced.

[0002] A clothing treatment device is a device that can perform various treatment courses for treating clothing, such as a washing course to remove contamination from laundry or a drying course to remove moisture from clothing, by placing clothing, bedding, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “laundry”) inside a drum.

[0003] A garment treatment device may include a cabinet forming an exterior, and a receiving portion provided within the cabinet for receiving garments. Furthermore, if water is used in the garment treatment process, a tub may be provided within the cabinet, and the receiving portion may be installed within the tub.

[0004] Meanwhile, an opening may be formed in the cabinet, and the opening may be connected to the interior of the receiving compartment. A user may insert clothing into the receiving compartment through the opening.

[0005] The garment treatment device may include a door for opening and closing the opening. The door may be provided on the cabinet and may be positioned in an open state to open the opening or in a closed state to close the opening.

[0006] The door can be connected to the cabinet via a hinge. The door can be rotated about the hinge to correspond to the open state or the closed state.

[0007] Related document KR 10-2015-0053145 A1 discloses a garment treatment device having a door on the front of a cabinet. In the garment treatment device of the related document, the door rotates to close against the cabinet to close the opening, and rotates away from the cabinet to open the opening.

[0008] In addition, in the clothing treatment device of the related document, the cabinet is provided with a door mounting portion so that a door with the opening closed can be mounted, and the door can be mounted on the door mounting portion to seal the door.

[0009] However, the door of the related document has a larger area than the door mounting portion and is provided to cover the door mounting portion from the front. In this case, the door protrudes forward from the front side where the door mounting portion is provided, thereby occupying space in the front of the cabinet.

[0010] As the door protrudes further forward in the cabinet, the user may have to use the clothes handler while standing further forward from the cabinet, which may increase inconvenience and may interfere with placing other items in front of the clothes handler.

[0011] Therefore, reducing the forward protrusion of the door becomes an important issue in terms of the usability and space utilization of the clothes handling device, and furthermore, improving the visual completeness of the front surface including the door facing the user in the cabinet becomes an important issue.

[0012] Meanwhile, a gap may be formed between the edge of the door mounting portion and the edge of the door to ensure smooth rotation of the door. However, as the period of use of the door increases, the door may sag due to its own weight, and as a result, the bottom of the door may come into contact with the door mounting portion, hindering the rotation of the door.

[0013] In addition, the gap generally has a uniform width around the entire perimeter of the door, but the gap on one side of the door that is connected to the hinge needs to have a width that can secure a rotation range centered on the hinge.

[0014] However, if the width of the entire door circumference is uniformly increased by increasing the width of the gap considering the hinge portion on the one side of the door, the external appearance of the garment processing device may be deteriorated due to an unnecessary increase in the area of ​​the door mounting portion.

[0015] Therefore, the development of a garment processing device that efficiently designs a gap formed around a door and includes a door mounting portion that can effectively accommodate a door has become an important task in this technical field.

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a garment treatment device having a door mounting portion that accommodates at least a portion of a door.

[0017] In addition, embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a clothing processing device in which a gap between a door mounting portion and a door can be efficiently formed in consideration of the usability of the door.

[0018] In addition, embodiments of the present invention seek to provide a clothes handling device that can effectively maintain the usability of a door even when the door sags due to its own weight.

[0019] In addition, embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a garment treatment device including a door mounting portion that enables the door to rotate smoothly and suppresses unnecessary area increase.

[0020] In addition, embodiments of the present invention seek to provide a clothes treatment device capable of effectively reducing the protrusion amount of a door protruding forward from a front panel.

[0021] In addition, embodiments of the present invention seek to provide a garment treatment device capable of providing a user with a flat appearance of the front panel and the door.

[0022] A garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a door mounting portion. The door mounting portion can accommodate at least a portion of a door with its opening closed, and a gap is formed between the edge of the door mounting portion and the edge of the door.

[0023] The above gap can be exposed forward from where the user is positioned, thereby reducing the forward protrusion of the door, and can improve the completeness of the product by providing the user with a unified appearance of the door and the above gap.

[0024] The above gap has different widths at different points along the edge of the door, thereby improving both the functionality and the appearance of the door.

[0025] A garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a cabinet, a receiving portion, and a door. The cabinet includes a front panel having an opening, and the receiving portion is provided within the cabinet to receive garments fed through the opening.

[0026] A door is provided on the front panel to open and close the opening. The front panel is provided with a door mounting portion that is recessed toward the interior of the cabinet and accommodates at least a portion of the door that closes the opening.

[0027] A gap between the edge of the door mounting portion and the edge of the door may be exposed forward. The gap may be exposed forward along the entire edge of the door mounting portion.

[0028] The door mounting portion may be formed to have a cross-sectional area larger than that of the door, such that the gap surrounds the door as a whole. The edge of the door mounting portion and the edge of the door may have a circular shape, and the gap may be exposed forward to have a circular shape surrounding the door.

[0029] The gap may include a first point having a first thickness and a second point having a second thickness different from the first thickness. The gap may include an upper gap located at an upper portion of the door mounting portion and a lower gap located at a lower portion of the door mounting portion, and the thickness of the lower gap may be greater than the thickness of the upper gap.

[0030] The door is rotatably connected to the front panel via a hinge portion on one widthwise side of the cabinet, and the gap includes an end gap located at one widthwise end of the door mounting portion and an end gap located at the other widthwise end of the door mounting portion, and the thickness of the end gap may be greater than the thickness of the end gap.

[0031] The center of the door as viewed from the front may have a different position from the center of the door mounting portion. The center of the door as viewed from the front may be located higher than the center of the door mounting portion.

[0032] The center of the door mounting portion as viewed from the front may be located above the center of the cabinet, and the center of the door may be located above the center of the door mounting portion.

[0033] The door is rotatably connected to the front panel via a hinge portion on one widthwise side of the cabinet, and the center of the door as viewed from the front can be spaced apart from the center of the door mounting portion on the other widthwise side.

[0034] The above door may include a door frame that is rotatably coupled to the front panel and includes a through hole facing the opening, and a door cover provided on the front of the door frame and covering the through hole.

[0035] The above door cover may be made of glass and may have light transmittance so that the through hole can be visually identified from outside the cabinet. The door cover may protrude forward from the front panel.

[0036] The edge of the door frame is provided with a frame perimeter that protrudes forward and extends along the perimeter of the door cover, and a part of the frame perimeter can be accommodated in the door mounting portion and the remainder can protrude forward of the door mounting portion.

[0037] The door frame includes an inner frame positioned toward the door mounting portion and an outer frame positioned in front of the inner frame, and the door cover is provided on the front of the outer frame, and a part of the outer frame can be accommodated in the door mounting portion and the remainder can protrude in front of the door mounting portion.

[0038] The outer frame may be provided with a frame perimeter portion that protrudes forward and extends along the perimeter of the door cover, and the door frame may be provided such that a portion of the frame perimeter portion is received in the door mounting portion and the remainder protrudes forward of the door mounting portion.

[0039] The above door cover may protrude forward beyond the frame perimeter. The front end of the door frame may be positioned on the same plane as the front surface of the front panel.

[0040] The edge of the door frame is provided with a frame perimeter that protrudes forward and extends along the perimeter of the door cover, and the frame perimeter may correspond to the front end of the door frame.

[0041] The above outer frame may be accommodated in the door mounting portion so as not to protrude forward beyond the front panel. The door cover may protrude forward beyond the front end of the door frame.

[0042] One embodiment of the present invention may further include a control panel provided on the front panel and disposed between the door and the upper portion of the front panel to be operated by a user.

[0043] The above control panel may be provided with a straight border extending parallel to the width direction of the cabinet at the top and bottom, and a curved border connected to the straight border may be provided on each side of the width direction.

[0044] Embodiments of the present invention can provide a garment treatment device having a door mounting portion that accommodates at least a portion of a door.

[0045] In addition, embodiments of the present invention can provide a clothing treatment device in which a gap between a door mounting portion and a door can be efficiently formed in consideration of the usability of the door.

[0046] In addition, embodiments of the present invention can provide a clothes handling device that can effectively maintain the usability of a door even when the door sags due to its own weight.

[0047] In addition, embodiments of the present invention can provide a garment treatment device including a door mounting portion that allows the door to rotate smoothly and suppresses unnecessary area increase.

[0048] In addition, embodiments of the present invention can provide a clothes treatment device that can effectively reduce the protrusion amount of a door protruding forward from the front panel.

[0049] In addition, embodiments of the present invention can provide a garment treatment device that can provide a user with a flat appearance of the front panel and the door.

[0050] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a clothing treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention stacked on an additional treatment device.

[0052] Figure 3 is a front view of a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 4 is a side view of a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a control panel of a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a door of a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Figure 8 is a drawing showing the door of Figure 7 rotated to an open state.

[0058] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a gap formed between the edge of the door mounting portion and the edge of the door in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing an upper gap located at the top of a door and a lower gap located at the bottom of the door in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a one-end gap located at one end of a door and an other-end gap located at the other end in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Fig. 12 is a drawing showing the center of the door mounting portion and the center of the door in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a door viewed from the side in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] FIG. 14 is a drawing showing an embodiment of the present invention in which a door is provided to protrude forward from the front panel.

[0064] Fig. 15 is a drawing showing a front end of a door frame and a door cover in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] FIG. 16 is a drawing showing an embodiment of the present invention in which a door is provided so as not to protrude forward from the front panel.

[0066] Fig. 17 is a drawing showing a door button and a pressurizing part provided on a door in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Fig. 18 is a drawing showing a door that rotates by a door button or a pressurizing part in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] Fig. 19 is a drawing showing a door locking part for fixing a door in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, an embodiment of the present invention is described in detail so that a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily practice it.

[0070] However, the present invention can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description have been omitted, and similar parts have been designated with similar reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0071] In this specification, duplicate descriptions of identical components are omitted.

[0072] Additionally, when a component is referred to herein as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may be other components present in between. Conversely, when a component is referred to herein as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components present in between.

[0073] Additionally, the terms used herein are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0074] Also, in this specification, singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0075] In addition, in this specification, it should be understood that terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to specify only the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0076] Also, in this specification, the term 'and / or' includes a combination of multiple listed items or any item among multiple listed items. In this specification, 'A or B' can include 'A', 'B', or 'both A and B'.

[0077] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a clothing treatment device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] In one embodiment of the present invention, a garment treatment device (1) is provided to treat garments. The garment treatment may be of various types, such as washing or drying. The garment treatment device (1) includes a cabinet (10).

[0079] The cabinet (10) may form the exterior of the garment treatment device (1) and may have a space within which various configurations may be arranged. The cabinet (10) may have a roughly hexahedral shape and may include panels defining each face.

[0080] For example, the cabinet (10) may include a front panel (11), a side panel, a top panel, a rear panel, etc. The plurality of panels may be mutually combined to form the cabinet (10).

[0081] An opening (15) may be provided in the cabinet (10). The opening (15) may connect the exterior and interior of the cabinet (10). A user may insert clothing into the cabinet (10) through the opening (15).

[0082] The above opening (15) may be provided at various locations in the cabinet (10). For example, the opening (15) may be provided on the front panel (11) of the cabinet (10). A user may be positioned at the front of the cabinet (10) and insert clothing into the cabinet (10) through the opening (15).

[0083] A receiving portion (20) may be provided inside the cabinet (10). The receiving portion (20) is provided inside the cabinet (10) and can receive clothing that is introduced through the opening (15). A detailed description of the receiving portion (20) will be provided later.

[0084] One embodiment of the present invention may include a control panel (80). The control panel (80) may be provided so as to be externally exposed to the cabinet (10). A user may operate the control panel (80) or use the garment treatment device (1) based on information provided by the control panel (80). A detailed description of the control panel (80) will be provided below.

[0085] One embodiment of the present invention may include a door (100). The door (100) is provided on the front panel (11) and can open and close the opening (15). In addition, the door (100) is provided on the front panel (11) and opens and closes the opening (15), and at least a portion of the door (100) can be accommodated in the door mounting portion (200) when the opening (15) is in a closed state (DC). A detailed description of the door (100) will be described later.

[0086] FIG. 2 illustrates a garment treatment device (1) positioned above an additional treatment device (2) according to one embodiment of the present invention. The garment treatment device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention can be positioned together with an external device such as the additional treatment device (2) to perform a treatment process for linked garments.

[0087] For example, the additional processing device (2) can perform processing of clothes separately from the clothes processing device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention. That is, the additional processing device (2) can support the clothes processing device (1) upward and accommodate and process clothes inside.

[0088] A garment treatment device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be designed to be used together with an additional treatment device (2). For example, the upper surface of the additional treatment device (2) may have a shape for supporting the garment treatment device (1).

[0089] The above additional processing device (2) may be provided so that the interior is open through the front so that a user positioned in front of the above clothing processing device (1) can easily use the above additional processing device (2).

[0090] The front of the additional processing device (2) and the front of the garment processing device (1) may be arranged to form the front of a single product. For example, the front of the additional processing device (2) and the front of the garment processing device (1) may be positioned on the same plane.

[0091] The control panel (80) described above can be provided to provide information on not only the garment treatment device (1) but also the additional treatment device (2) or to receive a user's command signal.

[0092] Meanwhile, Fig. 3 illustrates the front of a garment treatment device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 illustrates the front of the garment treatment device (1) and the aforementioned additional treatment device (2) together.

[0093] The aforementioned control panel (80) and door (100) may be arranged on the front panel (11) of the cabinet (10). The front panel (11) may include an opening (15) that is opened and closed by the door (100) and a control opening (15) for installing the control panel (80) so that it is exposed to the outside.

[0094] The front panel (11) of the cabinet (10) may be designed so that, when viewed from the front, no other openings (15) exist other than the opening (15) and the control opening (15). Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention can provide a simple appearance to the user and improve the user's convenience in recognizing each component of the product.

[0095] Additionally, as described above, the front surfaces of the garment treatment device (1) and the additional treatment device (2) may be arranged to form a single plane. Accordingly, a user may externally perceive the two treatment devices as a single integrated device.

[0096] Meanwhile, Fig. 4 illustrates a side view of a garment treatment device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 illustrates the side views of the garment treatment device (1) and the aforementioned additional treatment device (2) together.

[0097] The above-mentioned garment treatment device (1) may be higher in height than the above-mentioned additional treatment device (2). In this case, the garment treatment device (1) may be advantageous in processing relatively large-capacity garments, and the above-mentioned additional treatment device (2) may be advantageous in quickly processing relatively small-capacity garments.

[0098] The additional processing device (2) may include a drawer (3) that extends forward, and the drawer (3) may be provided with an additional receiving portion (4) for receiving clothing. The front of the drawer (3) may correspond to the front of the additional processing device (2).

[0099] The front of the additional processing device (2) may protrude upward from the additional processing device (2) and be positioned below the garment processing device (1). In this case, the upper end of the front of the additional processing device (2) may be positioned in front of the side of the garment processing device (1).

[0100] That is, the front of the above clothing treatment device (1) can be defined by the front panel (11) described above and a portion of the front of the above additional treatment device (2).

[0101] Meanwhile, Fig. 5 illustrates the interior of a garment treatment device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 also illustrates the interior of the additional treatment device (2) along with the garment treatment device (1).

[0102] As described above, one embodiment of the present invention can perform various processes such as washing and drying of clothing. Hereinafter, as an example, a structure of a clothing treatment device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention capable of performing both washing and drying of clothing will be described.

[0103] One embodiment of the present invention may include a tub (30). The tub (30) may be provided inside the cabinet (10) and configured to store water therein.

[0104] The receiving portion (20) may be provided to be rotatable within the tub (30) and may be provided to receive clothing therein.

[0105] The tub (30) and the receiving portion (20) may each have a cylindrical shape. The tub (30) may include a tub (30) opening (31) facing forward, and the receiving portion (20) may include a receiving opening (21) facing forward.

[0106] The above tub (30) opening (31) and the receiving opening (21) can each face the opening (15) of the aforementioned cabinet (10). Accordingly, clothes fed through the opening (15) of the cabinet (10) can pass through the tub (30) opening (31) and the receiving opening (21) and be received inside the receiving portion (20).

[0107] The receiving portion (20) may be referred to as a drum, and a plurality of holes may be provided on the circumference so that water stored in the tub (30) may flow into the interior. The front of the receiving portion (20) may be formed with the aforementioned receiving opening (21), and the rear of the receiving portion (20) may be directly or indirectly coupled to a rotational axis for rotation.

[0108] One embodiment of the present invention may include a driving unit (70), and the driving unit (70) may be coupled to the rear of the tub (30) or the cabinet (10). The driving unit (70) may provide rotational force to the drum through the rotational shaft.

[0109] One embodiment of the present invention may include a water supply unit (40). The water supply unit (40) may be connected to a water supply source outside the cabinet (10) to receive water, and may be provided to supply water into the tub (30). The water supply unit (40) may include a water supply pipe for the flow of water, a water supply valve for controlling the flow of water, and the like.

[0110] One embodiment of the present invention may include a drainage unit (60). The drainage unit (60) may be positioned below the tub (30) and may be provided to drain water from the tub (30). The drainage unit (60) may include a drainage pipe connecting the tub (30) and the outside of the cabinet (10) and a drainage pump for forming a flow of water.

[0111] One embodiment of the present invention may include a detergent compartment (50). The detergent compartment (50) may be configured to supply detergent into the tub (30). The detergent compartment (50) may store detergent, and the detergent compartment (50) may be connected to a water supply compartment (40) or a drainage compartment (60) to supply detergent into the tub (30).

[0112] For example, the detergent unit (50) may be connected to the drain unit (60), and the drain unit (60) may include a circulation path through which water circulates inside the tub (30) and a circulation pump, and the detergent unit (50) may supply detergent into the circulation path to provide detergent into the tub (30).

[0113] One embodiment of the present invention may include an air supply unit (90). The air supply unit (90) may supply high-temperature, dry air into the tub (30) to perform a drying process for clothes. The air supply unit (90) may be provided in various locations. For example, the air supply unit (90) may be positioned above the tub (30) and fixed to the tub (30) or the cabinet (10).

[0114] The air supply unit (90) can receive air from inside the tub (30), process it at high temperature and dry it, and then supply it back into the tub (30). That is, one embodiment of the present invention may be a circulation drying type in which the air in the tub (30) circulates and the drying process of clothes proceeds.

[0115] Meanwhile, as described above, the additional processing device (2) may be placed below the garment processing device (1). The additional processing device (2) may include an additional cabinet that forms an exterior and supports the cabinet (10) of the garment processing device (1).

[0116] An additional storage compartment (4) for storing clothing may be provided inside the additional cabinet, and the additional storage compartment (4) may be included in the drawer (3) described above and may be pulled out forward from the additional cabinet.

[0117] The above additional cabinet can have an open front, and the drawer (3) can be pulled out forward through the open front of the additional cabinet. The drawer (3) can include a front portion forming the front of the additional processing device (2), and the front portion can form the same plane as the front panel (11) of the garment processing device (1) as described above.

[0118] In addition, the additional treatment device (2) may include at least one of an additional tub (30), an additional driving unit, an additional water supply unit, an additional drain unit, an additional detergent unit, and an additional air supply unit, similar to the above clothing treatment device (1), as needed for the treatment of clothing.

[0119] Meanwhile, FIG. 6 illustrates a control panel (80) of a garment treatment device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0120] The above control panel (80) is provided on the front panel (11) and is placed between the door (100) and the upper part of the front panel (11) so that it can be operated by a user.

[0121] The control panel (80) may include an output area (83) where a screen is output. A display for outputting the screen may be provided on the inside of the output area (83), and the output area (83) may be transparent and overlap with the display. A touch film or the like may be arranged in the output area (83) to detect a user's touch on the screen.

[0122] The user can receive information about the clothing treatment device (1) through the screen and check the response of the clothing treatment device (1) based on a command signal input by the user.

[0123] The control panel (80) may be equipped with an operation button (84) that can be operated by the user. The user can command the garment treatment device (1) by operating the operation button (84) or touching the output area (83).

[0124] The above operation button (84) may be of various types, such as a mechanical button with a changeable physical protrusion or a touch-type button that detects the user's touch through a touch film, etc.

[0125] The above operation buttons (84) may be plural and may include at least one of a power button for determining whether to turn on the power of the garment treatment device (1) and an execution button for commanding the garment treatment device (1) to perform a garment treatment process.

[0126] Meanwhile, the control panel (80) may be provided with a straight edge (81) extending parallel to the width direction of the cabinet (10) at the upper and lower ends, and a curved edge (82) connected to the straight edge (81) may be provided on both sides of the width direction.

[0127] The border of the control panel (80) may be defined as a boundary line for the front panel (11). The border of the control panel (80) may correspond to the border of the control opening (15) of the front panel (11) described above.

[0128] The border of the control panel (80) may include a straight border (81) and a curved border (82). The straight border (81) may be arranged at the top and bottom of the control panel (80), and the curved border (82) may be arranged at each of the two sides of the control panel (80) based on the width direction of the cabinet (10).

[0129] The above straight edge (81) may be parallel to the width direction of the cabinet (10). The above curved edge (82) may have an arc shape. Both ends of the above curved edge (82) may be connected to another straight edge (81).

[0130] Accordingly, the pair of straight edges (81) can be connected by the curved edges (82), and the pair of straight edges (81) and the pair of curved edges (82) together define one closed cross-section and can define the edges of the control panel (80).

[0131] Meanwhile, FIG. 7 illustrates a door (100) of a clothing treatment device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0132] The above door (100) may be positioned lower than the control panel (80). The door (100) may include a door frame (110) and a door cover (150).

[0133] The door frame (110) can be rotatably connected to the front panel (11) through a hinge portion (180) to be described later. The door frame (110) can be provided with the hinge portion (180) on one side and can rotate around the one side.

[0134] The door frame (110) can be in close contact with the front panel (11) in the closed state (DC) of the opening (15) of the cabinet (10) described above, and can be spaced apart from the front panel (11) in the open state (DO) of the opening (15).

[0135] A door cover (150) may be provided on the front of the door frame (110). The door cover (150) may form the front of the door (100). The door cover (150) may cover the front (122) of the door frame (110) and may be exposed toward the front of the cabinet (10).

[0136] The door frame (110) may include a through hole (115). The through hole (115) may penetrate the door frame (110) and connect the exterior of the cabinet (10) with the opening (15) of the cabinet (10). In the closed state (DC) of the door (100), the through hole (115) may be positioned to face the opening (15).

[0137] The above through hole (115) can be closed from the front by the door cover (150). Accordingly, an object existing outside the door (100) can be prevented from entering the through hole (115).

[0138] In addition, the door cover (150) may have a light-transmitting property so that the through-hole (115) can be visually identified from the front of the door (100). The door cover (150) may be made of a material such as glass or plastic, and at least a portion of the area overlapping the through-hole (115) is provided to be transparent so that a user can visually identify the through-hole (115) covered by the door cover (150) and the opening (15) of the cabinet (10), and can visually check clothing contained in the receiving portion (20) through the through-hole (115) and the opening (15).

[0139] Meanwhile, the front panel (11) may be provided with a door mounting portion (200) that accommodates at least a portion of the door (100). The door mounting portion (200) provides a space in which the door (100) with the opening (15) closed is accommodated, thereby reducing the forward protrusion of the opening (15).

[0140] In addition, a gap (300) may be formed between the edge (205) of the door mounting portion (200) and the edge (105) of the door (100). The door (100) accommodated in the door mounting portion (200) may rotate smoothly without structural interference with the door mounting portion (200) due to the gap (300).

[0141] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the gap (300) may be exposed forward without being obscured by the door (100). The gap (300) may be formed along the entire edge (105) of the door (100), and the gap (300) may be exposed forward as a whole and may be formed to surround the door (100) as a whole. A detailed description of the gap (300) will be provided below.

[0142] Meanwhile, Fig. 8 illustrates a door mounting portion (200) provided in a garment treatment device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 illustrates a door (100) in an open state (DO) that opens an opening (15) of a cabinet (10).

[0143] In one embodiment of the present invention, the front panel (11) may be provided with a door mounting portion (200) that accommodates at least a portion of the door (100) that is recessed toward the inside of the cabinet (10) and closes the opening (15).

[0144] A door mounting portion (200) may be provided on a front panel (11) having a door (100) and an opening (15). The opening (15) may be positioned within the door mounting portion (200). The door mounting portion (200) may be provided to surround the opening (15).

[0145] The door mounting portion (200) may be formed by recessing a portion of the front panel (11) toward the interior of the cabinet (10), i.e., toward the rear. The door mounting portion (200) may be recessed from the front (12) defined in the front panel (11) toward the rear to form a space in which at least a portion of the door (100) is accommodated.

[0146] The door mounting portion (200) may include a mounting circumference surface (201) and a mounting depression surface (202). The mounting circumference surface (201) may extend rearward from the front surface (12) of the front panel (11), and the mounting depression surface (202) may be offset rearward from the front surface (12) of the front panel (11) and connected to the mounting circumference surface (201).

[0147] The door (100) can be coupled to a hinge (180) provided on a door mounting portion (200). That is, the hinge (180) can rotatably couple the door (100) to the door mounting portion (200). The hinge (180) can be positioned on a mounting depression (202).

[0148] The door fixing member (200) may include a door locking member (190) for fixing the door (100) with the opening (15) closed. The door (100) may include a locking projection (195) that is detachably coupled to the door locking member (190).

[0149] Meanwhile, FIG. 9 illustrates a gap (300) defined between a door mounting portion (200) and a door (100) in a garment treatment device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the following description of the gap (300), it is preferable to refer to FIG. 7 described above together with FIG. 9.

[0150] As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, a gap (300) may be formed between the edge (205) of the door mounting portion (200) and the edge (105) of the door (100). By virtue of the gap (300), interference between the door (100) and the door mounting portion (200) is prevented when the door (100) mounted on the door mounting portion (200) rotates, thereby improving the usability of the door (100).

[0151] The edge (105) of the door (100) and the edge (205) of the door mounting portion (200) may be spaced apart from each other. The gap (300) may be a portion of a space defined within the door mounting portion (200). The gap (300) may extend along the edge (105) of the door (100).

[0152] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gap (300) between the edge (205) of the door mounting portion (200) and the edge (105) of the door (100) may be exposed toward the front. That is, the edge (105) of the door (100) may be provided so as not to obscure the gap (300) from the front.

[0153] The gap (300) may be exposed forward from the entire edge (205) of the door mounting portion (200). For example, the door mounting portion (200) may be formed to have a larger cross-sectional area than the door (100) so that the gap (300) surrounds the door (100) as a whole.

[0154] In other words, the radius of the door mounting portion (200) may be greater than the radius of the door (100). Accordingly, the depth at which the door (100) is accommodated in the door mounting portion (200) may be increased, and the amount by which the door (100) protrudes forward may be reduced.

[0155] Through this, the space required in front of the cabinet (10) can be reduced, the distance between the user and the cabinet (10) can be reduced, and a flat design for the front panel (11) can be provided, thereby improving the product's appearance.

[0156] In addition, the edge (205) of the door mounting portion (200) and the edge (105) of the door (100) have a circular shape, and the gap (300) can be exposed forward to have a circular shape surrounding the door (100).

[0157] When the front panel (11) is viewed from the front, a ring-shaped gap (300) surrounding a circular door (100) can be formed, and accordingly, components having a unified circular design can be arranged, thereby improving the product's external appearance.

[0158] Meanwhile, FIG. 10 illustrates portions located at different points of the gap (300). FIG. 10a illustrates an upper gap (310) located at the upper side of the door (100), and FIG. 10b illustrates a lower gap (320) located at the lower side of the door (100).

[0159] In one embodiment of the present invention, a gap (300) defined along the edge (105) of the door (100) and exposed toward the front of the cabinet (10) may have different thicknesses at different points. Here, the thickness may refer to the distance between the edge (105) of the door (100) and the edge (205) of the door mounting portion (200). In addition, the thickness may refer to the width of the gap (300) based on the radial direction of the door (100).

[0160] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gap (300) may include a first point having a first thickness and a second point having a second thickness different from the first thickness. That is, the gap (300) may include points having different thicknesses.

[0161] The gap (300) can be understood as a space secured between the door mounting portion (200) and the door (100), and therefore, the required thickness may differ depending on the point of the gap (300). For example, a portion of the gap (300) located adjacent to a component provided on the door (100) may need to have a greater distance from the door mounting portion (200) than other portions.

[0162] However, if the overall thickness of the gap (300) is determined based on the maximum thickness required for the entire gap (300), an unnecessary increase in thickness may occur for the entire gap (300), which may damage the appearance of the product and be detrimental to the stable installation of the door (100).

[0163] Conversely, if the thickness of the entire gap (300) is set based on the point having the minimum thickness in the gap (300), structural interference between the door (100) and the door mounting portion (200) may occur in a part of the door (100), and thus smooth rotation of the door (100) may not occur.

[0164] Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention enables formation of an efficient gap (300) by determining a different thickness at each point of the gap (300) along the edge (105) of the door (100).

[0165] For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the gap (300) includes an upper gap (310) located at the upper end of the door mounting portion (200) and a lower gap (320) located at the lower end of the door mounting portion (200), and the thickness of the lower gap (320) may be greater than the thickness of the upper gap (310).

[0166] In one embodiment of the present invention, the door (100) may be provided on the front panel (11), and thus, the self-weight of the door (100) may affect the position of the door (100) over time. For example, the position of the door (100) determined in the initial design may gradually move downward over time due to the self-weight of the door (100).

[0167] That is, as the door (100) ages due to its own weight, sagging may occur, and if the degree of sagging becomes severe, the lower part of the door (100) and the door mounting portion (200) may come into contact, causing noise when the door (100) rotates or preventing the door (100) from being accommodated in the door mounting portion (200).

[0168] In consideration of this, in one embodiment of the present invention, the gap (300) may be determined to have a thickness greater than that of the lower gap (320) than that of the upper gap (310). At this time, the deviation between the upper gap (310) and the lower gap (320) may be set in various ways as needed, and the thickness of the upper gap (310) and the lower gap (320) may be set so that the upper gap (310) and the lower gap (320) have substantially the same thickness by compensating for the amount of sagging that occurs in the door (100) after a certain period of time, either experimentally or theoretically.

[0169] Meanwhile, FIG. 11 illustrates a gap (300) located at one end of the door (100) in the width direction of the cabinet (10) and a gap (300) located at the other end of the door (100). FIG. 11a illustrates a one-end gap (330) located at one end of the door (100) in the width direction, and FIG. 11b illustrates a other-end gap (340) located at the other end of the door (100) in the width direction.

[0170] In one embodiment of the present invention, the door (100) is rotatably connected to the front panel (11) through a hinge (180) on one side of the width direction of the cabinet (10),

[0171] The above gap (300) includes a one-end gap (330) located at one end of the width direction of the door mounting portion (200) and a second-end gap (340) located at the other end of the width direction of the door mounting portion (200), and the thickness of the first-end gap (330) may be greater than the thickness of the second-end gap (340).

[0172] Specifically, a hinge part (180) may be coupled to the one side of the door (100) based on the width direction. However, the hinge part (180) may not be arranged to rotate around a complete end positioned on the one side of the door (100), but may be arranged so that the center of rotation is positioned at a point spaced a predetermined distance from the end.

[0173] That is, the hinge axis, which is the center of rotation of the door (100), may be located at a point spaced apart by a predetermined distance from one end of the door (100). Therefore, when the door (100) rotates around the hinge axis in the one-end gap (330) defined at one end of the door (100), it is necessary to secure sufficient space for one end of the door (100) to rotate.

[0174] However, as described above, if the thickness of the entire gap (300) is set to the thickness required for the gap (330) of the door (100), the gap (300) may become excessively large overall, which may lower the product's appearance and further reduce the stability of the door (100).

[0175] Accordingly, the thickness of the one-end gap (330) of the door (100) can be formed to be greater than the thickness of the other-end gap (340) located on the opposite side of the one-end gap (330) of the door (100) based on the center of the door (100).

[0176] The above gap (300) may be designed so that the thickness gradually decreases as it moves away from the end gap (330). That is, the gap (300) may have a continuous thickness change centered on the end gap (330).

[0177] Meanwhile, FIG. 12 illustrates the center (CD) of the door (100) and the center (CR) of the door mounting portion (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0178] As described above, the gap (300) defined between the edge (205) of the door mounting portion (200) and the edge (105) of the door (100) may have different thicknesses depending on the position, and in other words, the center (CD) of the door (100) as viewed from the front may have a different position from the center (CR) of the door mounting portion (200).

[0179] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the center (CD) of the door (100) as viewed from the front may be positioned higher than the center (CR) of the door mounting portion (200). Accordingly, the thickness of the lower gap (320) among the gaps (300) may be greater than the thickness of the upper gap (310), and structural interference between the lower end of the door (100) and the door mounting portion (200) may be suppressed even when the door (100) sags due to its own weight.

[0180] In addition, the position of the door mounting portion (200) may correspond to the position of the opening (15) of the cabinet (10) described above, and the position of the opening (15) may correspond to the positions of the tub (30) and the receiving portion (20) described above. In one embodiment of the present invention, the height of the opening (15) may be positioned above the center of the front panel (11) for the convenience of use by the user.

[0181] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the center of the opening (15) can be positioned above the center of the front panel (11), and accordingly, the center (CR) of the door mounting portion (200) can also be positioned above the center of the front panel (11).

[0182] Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the center (CR) of the door mounting portion (200) as viewed from the front may be positioned higher than the center of the cabinet (10), and the center (CD) of the door (100) may be positioned higher than the center (CR) of the door mounting portion (200).

[0183] Meanwhile, as described above, the door (100) can be rotatably connected to the front panel (11) via a hinge (180) on one side of the width direction of the cabinet (10).

[0184] In addition, the center (CD) of the door (100) as viewed from the front may be spaced apart from the center (CR) of the door mounting portion (200) in the width direction. Accordingly, the thickness of the one-end gap (330) of the door (100) may be greater than the thickness of the other-end gap (340) of the door (100), and a space in which one end of the door (100) can rotate may be secured.

[0185] Meanwhile, Fig. 13 illustrates a cross-section of a door (100) mounted on a door mounting portion (200) in one embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the door (100) is described below with reference to Fig. 13.

[0186] In one embodiment of the present invention, a door (100) may include a door frame (110) and a door cover (150). The door frame (110) may be rotatably coupled to the front panel (11). The door frame (110) may correspond to the body of the door (100), and a hinge portion (180) may be coupled to the door frame (110).

[0187] In the closed state (DC) of the opening (15), the door frame (110) can be accommodated in the door mounting portion (200). The door frame (110) can have the above-described through hole (115) formed.

[0188] The door cover (150) can be placed on the front side (122) of the door frame (110). The door cover (150) can be bonded to the front side (122) of the door frame (110) or bonded using other bonding materials.

[0189] The door cover (150) may be provided to cover the front side (122) of the door frame (110), and thus the door cover (150) may be exposed to the front side of the cabinet (10) and may be defined as the front side of the door (100). The door cover (150) may be provided to cover the through hole (115).

[0190] The above door cover (150) may be made of glass and may have light transmittance so that the through hole (115) can be visually identified from the outside of the cabinet (10). A user can visually identify clothing stored inside the cabinet (10) through the door cover (150), the through hole (115), and the opening (15).

[0191] The door frame (110) may include an inner frame (130) and an outer frame (120). The inner frame (130) and the outer frame (120) may be combined with each other to form the door frame (110). In the door frame (110), the inner frame (130) may be arranged toward the inside of the cabinet (10), and the outer frame (120) may be arranged toward the outside of the cabinet (10).

[0192] The outer frame (120) may be arranged on the front surface of the inner frame (130). The outer frame (120) may be arranged to cover the front surface of the inner frame (130). An outer hole may be formed in the outer frame (120), an inner hole may be formed in the inner frame (130), and the outer hole and the inner hole may together form the through hole (115).

[0193] The above door frame (110) may be provided with an inner window (170). The inner window (170) may be provided on the rear side of the door frame (110) and may close the through hole (115) on the rear side of the door frame (110).

[0194] The inner window (170) may be coupled to the inner frame (130) or may be coupled together at a joint portion of the outer frame (120) and the inner frame (130). The inner window (170) may be provided to cover the inner hole of the inner frame (130) and may have a shape that protrudes from the inner hole toward the inside of the cabinet (10).

[0195] The through hole (115) of the door frame (110) can be closed from the front by the door cover (150) and from the rear by the inner window (170). Accordingly, the through hole (115) of the door frame (110) can be sealed from the outside.

[0196] The inner window (170) may be made of glass or plastic, similar to the door cover (150), and may have light transmittance. Accordingly, a user can visually check the interior of the cabinet (10) through the door cover (150) and the inner window (170) from the front of the cabinet (10).

[0197] Meanwhile, Fig. 14 illustrates a portion of a cross-section of a door (100) mounted on a door mounting portion (200). Fig. 14 illustrates a portion of a door frame (110) protruding forward of the front panel (11).

[0198] As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, the door (100) can reduce the amount of forward protrusion to improve usability, product appearance, and space utilization.

[0199] However, when the door (100) is accommodated as a whole inside the door mounting portion (200), that is, when the door (100) as a whole is positioned rearward of the front surface (12) of the front panel (11), it may be difficult for the door (100) as a whole to be positioned rearward of the front surface (12) of the front panel (11).

[0200] For example, the door mounting portion (200) that accommodates the door (100) as a whole must have an increased depth recessed from the front panel (11), but there may be restrictions on increasing the recessed depth of the door mounting portion (200) due to other components such as a tub (30) existing inside the cabinet (10).

[0201] In addition, changes such as increasing the front-rear length of the cabinet (10) to provide a door mounting portion (200) for the overall accommodation of the door (100) may be unfavorable changes that run counter to the purpose of accommodating the door (100) as a whole.

[0202] Furthermore, simply allowing the door (100) to be fully accommodated in the door mounting portion (200) may be a factor that reduces the completeness of the product, as the door (100) may be identified as having a position that is more recessed than the front panel (11) when viewed from the front.

[0203] Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention aims to improve space utilization and product completeness by appropriately determining the location where the door (100) is accommodated while effectively reducing the forward protrusion of the door (100).

[0204] Referring to Fig. 14, the front end (112) of the door frame (110) may be positioned forward of the front panel (11). The door frame (110) may protrude so that a portion thereof is received in the door mounting portion (200) and the remainder thereof is positioned forward of the front panel (11).

[0205] The front end (112) of the door frame (110) may be positioned forward of the front surface (12) of the front panel (11). Here, the front surface (12) of the front panel (11) may refer to a surface exposed forward from the front panel (11) and a surface that is approximately perpendicular to the ground. The front surface (12) of the front panel (11) may include at least a portion surrounding the door mounting portion (200).

[0206] Fig. 14 illustrates a virtual first surface (P1) where the front surface (12) of the front panel (11) is located and a virtual second surface (P2) where the front end (112) of the door frame (110) is located. The first surface (P1) and the second surface (P2) may be defined perpendicular to the ground, where the ground may mean the floor surface of the place where the garment treatment device (1) is installed, and the second surface (P2) may be located forward of the first surface (P1).

[0207] The depth at which the door mounting portion (200) is accommodated in the door frame (110) can be determined in various ways. To accommodate the door frame (110), the door mounting portion (200) can be designed to have a larger area than the door (100).

[0208] For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the door frame (110) may include a frame perimeter (118) that protrudes forward from its edge.

[0209] The above frame perimeter (118) may protrude forward from the front surface (122) of the door frame (110) and may extend along the perimeter of the door cover (150) disposed on the front surface (122) of the door frame (110). The frame perimeter (118) may protrude forward from the edge of the door frame (110) and extend along the perimeter surface (155) of the door cover (150). The frame perimeter (118) may be provided in a ring shape on the front surface (122) of the door frame (110).

[0210] The front surface (122) of the aforementioned outer frame (120) may correspond to the front surface (122) of the aforementioned door frame (110). The frame perimeter (118) may protrude forward from the edge of the aforementioned outer frame (120). However, if necessary, the frame perimeter (118) may also protrude forward from the inner frame (130).

[0211] In one embodiment of the present invention, the front end (112) of the frame perimeter (118) may be positioned forward of the front surface (12) of the front panel (11). A portion of the frame perimeter (118) may be positioned rearward of the front surface (12) of the front panel (11), and the remainder may be positioned forward of the front surface (12) of the front panel (11). A portion of the frame perimeter (118) may be accommodated in the door mounting portion (200), and the remainder may protrude forward of the door mounting portion (200).

[0212] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, only a portion of the front side of the door frame (110) of the door (100) protrudes forward from the front side (12) of the front panel (11), and the remainder is accommodated in the door mounting portion (200), thereby minimizing the protrusion amount of the door (100) and improving the efficiency of the arrangement relationship between other components.

[0213] Meanwhile, the door (100) may include the inner frame (130) and outer frame (120) described above, and the inner frame (130) may be positioned toward the door mounting portion (200), and the outer frame (120) may be positioned in front of the inner frame (130).

[0214] The above door cover (150) is provided on the front side (122) of the outer frame (120), and a part of the outer frame (120) can be accommodated in the door mounting portion (200) and the remainder can protrude forward of the door mounting portion (200).

[0215] In other words, the part of the outer frame (120) may be positioned rearward of the front surface (12) of the front panel (11) and the remainder may be positioned forward of the front surface (12) of the front panel (11).

[0216] The front side (122) of the outer frame (120) may be positioned further back than the front side (12) of the front panel (11). As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention, a part of the outer frame (120) positioned on the front side of the door frame (110) is accommodated in the door mounting portion (200) and the remainder protrudes forward from the front panel (11), thereby determining an efficient door (100) position.

[0217] Meanwhile, the outer frame (120) may include a cover mounting portion (125) that is recessed rearward to provide a space into which at least a portion of the door cover (150) is inserted.

[0218] The above cover mounting portion (125) may be open forward and include a space in which a door cover (150) is accommodated. The cover mounting portion (125) may be defined by the frame perimeter (118) and the front surface (122) of the outer frame (120) described above.

[0219] For example, the perimeter of the cover mounting portion (125) may correspond to the frame perimeter (118), and the sunken surface of the cover mounting portion (125) may be the front surface (122) of the outer frame (120). Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the sunken surface of the cover mounting portion (125) may be positioned rearward of the front surface (12) of the front panel (11).

[0220] One embodiment of the present invention can limit the minimum capacity of the door (100) by positioning the front surface (122) of the outer frame (120) or the sunken surface of the cover mounting portion (125) behind the front surface (12) defined in the front panel (11). In this case, most of the door (100) is positioned within the door mounting portion (200), so that the forward protrusion of the door (100) can be significantly reduced.

[0221] Meanwhile, the door frame (110) may include a frame joint (140) for the outer frame (120) and the inner frame (130) to be mutually coupled.

[0222] The frame joint (140) may be provided in part on the outer frame (120) and the remainder on the inner frame (130). The part of the frame joint (140) may be arranged on the rear side of the outer frame (120), and the remainder of the frame joint (140) may be arranged on the front side of the inner frame (130).

[0223] The frame joint (140) where the inner frame (130) and the outer frame (120) are joined to each other may be positioned rearward of the front surface (12) of the front panel (11). That is, the frame joint (140) may not protrude forward from the front surface (12) of the front panel (11). Through this, one embodiment of the present invention can limit the forward protrusion amount of the door (100).

[0224] The above frame joint (140) may include a first joint (141) and a second joint (142).

[0225] The first connecting portion (141) can protrude from one of the edges of the inner frame (130) and the edges of the outer frame (120) toward the other. As an example, FIG. 14 illustrates the first connecting portion (141) protruding from the inner frame (130) toward the outer frame (120).

[0226] The second connecting portion (142) protrudes from the other one toward the one, and is positioned on the outside of the first connecting portion (141) along the radial direction of the opening (15) so as to be connected to the first connecting portion (141). As an example, FIG. 14 illustrates a second connecting portion (142) protruding from the outer frame (120) toward the inner frame (130).

[0227] The first connecting portion (141) and the second connecting portion (142) may each have a ring shape forming a closed cross-section, and if necessary, at least one of the first connecting portion (141) and the second connecting portion (142) may have a rib shape spaced apart along the perimeter of the door frame (110).

[0228] Meanwhile, the frame joint (140) may further include a support member (143). The support member (143) may protrude from either the edge of the inner frame (130) or the edge of the outer frame (120) along the radial direction of the opening (15) to support the end of the second joint member (142) forward or backward.

[0229] As an example, Fig. 14 illustrates a ring-shaped support member (143) that protrudes radially outward from the edge of the inner frame (130) of the door (100) and extends along the edge of the inner frame (130). The support member (143) can support the rear end of the second connecting member (142) forward.

[0230] Meanwhile, the front surface (152) of the door cover (150) may define the front surface of the door (100). In one embodiment of the present invention, the edge (153) of the front surface (152) of the door cover (150) may be positioned forward of the front end (112) of the frame perimeter (118). In one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the door cover (150) may be positioned forward of the front surface (12) of the front panel (11).

[0231] Fig. 14 illustrates a virtual third surface (P3) on which the edge (153) of the front surface (152) of the door cover (150) is positioned. The third surface (P3) may be defined perpendicular to the ground and may be positioned forward of the second surface (P2).

[0232] Through this, the door cover (150) of the door (100) can be suppressed from giving a design effect of being sunken toward the rear of the front panel (11) and a flattening effect of the front panel (11) can be provided.

[0233] However, the front end of the door cover (150) is not necessarily positioned in front of the front end (112) of the door frame (110). Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the edge (153) of the front surface (152) of the door cover (150) and the front end (112) of the frame periphery (118) may be positioned together on one surface perpendicular to the ground.

[0234] Meanwhile, the door cover (150) may protrude forward from the front panel (11). Referring to Fig. 14, the third surface (P3) defined by the door cover (150) may be positioned forward from the first surface (P1) defined by the front panel (11).

[0235] Through this, it is possible to present an effect that the door cover (150) is visually positioned on the same plane as the front surface (12) of the front panel (11). Specifically, the interior of the cabinet (10), such as the interior of the receiving portion (20), etc., can be visually exposed to the outside through the opening (15) of the cabinet (10) and the through hole (115) of the door (100) described above.

[0236] However, since the interior of the cabinet (10) is a space shielded from the outside and does not have a light source, the brightness is low, and the door (100) with the through hole (115) may also have a relatively low brightness.

[0237] Furthermore, in order to eliminate the visual difference between the through hole (115) and the remaining portion, the door cover (150) may be provided to have a brightness corresponding to the through hole (115) at least in a portion other than the through hole (115).

[0238] Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the door cover (150) may have a color with a lower brightness than the front panel (11). In this way, the door (100) may have a lower brightness in relation to the front panel (11) or from a general perspective, and accordingly, the door (100) may produce a visual effect in which a certain amount of the front panel (11) is recessed into the cabinet (10).

[0239] In one embodiment of the present invention, in order to provide a user with a visual effect as if the door (100) provided with the door cover (150) and the front surface (12) of the front panel (11) exist together on a single plane, the edge (153) of the front surface (152) of the door cover (150) or the front surface (112) of the door frame (110) that can correspond to the front surface of the door (100) can be positioned to protrude forward by a certain amount from the front surface (12) of the front panel (11).

[0240] For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the edge (153) of the front surface (152) of the door cover (150) may be positioned forward relative to the front surface (12) of the front panel (11). The door cover (150) may be provided so that the center thereof protrudes further than the edge (153) of the front surface (152). However, in one embodiment of the present invention, at least the edge (153) of the front surface (152) of the door cover (150) may be positioned forward relative to the front surface (12) of the front panel (11).

[0241] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the front surface (152) of the door cover (150) is a plane perpendicular to the ground and may be positioned forward of the front surface (12) of the front panel (11). That is, the front surface (152) of the door cover (150) may be positioned together with the edge (153) of the front surface (152) of the door cover (150) described above on the same plane perpendicular to the ground, for example, the third surface (P3), and the third surface (P3) may be positioned forward of the first surface (P1) corresponding to the front surface (12) of the front panel (11).

[0242] Meanwhile, in addition to the visual effect of the door (100) described above, one embodiment of the present invention seeks to limit the forward protrusion of the door (100), and accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, a part of the door cover (150) may be positioned rearward relative to the front surface (12) of the front panel (11), and the edge (153) of the front surface (152) of the door cover (150) may be positioned forward relative to the front surface (12) of the front panel (11).

[0243] Meanwhile, as described above, the door cover (150) may protrude forward from the front end (112) of the door frame (110). The second surface (P2) defined by the front surface (122) of the door frame (110) may be positioned rearward from the third surface (P3) defined by the edge (153) of the front surface (152) of the door cover (150).

[0244] Accordingly, the visual effect can be improved by positioning the door cover (150) which is designed to have low brightness on its own in front of the actual front panel (11) so as to form the same surface as the front surface (12) of the front panel (11).

[0245] However, as previously explained, the door cover (150) does not necessarily protrude forward from the door frame (110), and in one embodiment of the present invention, the edge (153) of the front surface (152) of the door cover (150) may be positioned together with the front end (112) of the door frame (110) on an imaginary plane perpendicular to the ground, or may be positioned forward from the front end (112) of the door frame (110).

[0246] Meanwhile, the frame perimeter (118) described above can protrude forward from the edge of the outer frame (120), and the door frame (110) can have a part of the frame perimeter (118) accommodated in the door mounting portion (200) and the remainder protruding forward of the door mounting portion (200).

[0247] The door cover (150) may protrude forward from the frame periphery (118), and a cover mounting portion (125) that is recessed rearward is provided on the front surface (122) of the door frame (110), and a portion of the door cover (150) may be accommodated in the cover mounting portion (125) and the remainder may protrude forward from the door frame (110).

[0248] Meanwhile, FIG. 15 shows a door cover (150) that protrudes forward from the front end (112) of the door frame (110).

[0249] Referring to FIG. 15, the door cover (150) may include a connecting curved surface (157) connecting the edge (153) of the front surface (152) of the door cover (150) and the front end of the peripheral surface (155) of the door cover (150).

[0250] Specifically, the front side (152) of the door cover (150) may face forward and be exposed to the outside. The front side (152) of the door cover (150) may be approximately circular. The front side (152) of the door cover (150) may correspond to the front side of the door (100).

[0251] The peripheral surface (155) of the door cover (150) may be a ring shape extending along the edge of the door cover (150), and may face the frame protrusion and come into contact with the frame protrusion. The connecting curved surface (157) may connect the front surface (152) of the door cover (150) and the peripheral surface (155), and at least a portion of the connecting curved surface may be exposed toward the front of the door (100).

[0252] The connecting surface (157) may be a surface positioned between the front surface (152) of the door cover (150) and the peripheral surface (155) of the door cover (150). One end of the connecting surface (157) may be connected to the edge (153) of the front surface (152), and the other end may be connected to the front end of the peripheral surface (155).

[0253] The connecting surface (157) may correspond to the front edge of the door cover (150), and the front edge exposed to the user by the connecting surface (157) may be formed to be rounded, thereby improving the safety of use and improving the ease of handling of the door cover (150).

[0254] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the connecting surface (157) may protrude forward from the front panel (11). That is, at least a portion of the connecting surface (157) may protrude forward from the front end (112) of the door frame (110).

[0255] The front end of the connecting surface (157) may be positioned forward of the front end (112) of the door frame (110), and the rear end of the connecting surface (157) may be positioned backward of the front end (112) of the door frame (110). Accordingly, the second surface (P2) may be positioned to cross the connecting surface (157).

[0256] The front end of the connecting surface (157), that is, the edge (153) of the front surface (152) of the door cover (150), may be positioned forward of the front end (112) of the door frame (110), and the rear end of the connecting surface (157), that is, the front end of the peripheral surface (155) of the door cover (150), may be positioned rearward of the front end (112) of the door frame (110).

[0257] That is, at least a part of the circumferential surface (155) of the door cover (150) may be positioned rearward of the front surface (12) of the front panel (11). The circumferential surface (155) of the door cover (150) may be positioned rearward of the front end (112) of the door frame (110).

[0258] The circumferential surface (155) of the door cover (150) can be accommodated as a whole within the cover mounting portion (125) of the door frame (110). The front end of the circumferential surface (155) of the door cover (150) can also be positioned on the first surface (P1) described above.

[0259] Meanwhile, Fig. 16 illustrates a door (100) in which the door frame (110) does not protrude forward from the front panel (11) in one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, with reference to Fig. 16, a structure in which the door frame (110) is accommodated in the door mounting portion (200) as a whole will be described.

[0260] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the door (100) may partially protrude forward of the front panel (11) in terms of space utilization with other configurations as described above, but the door frame (110) may also be accommodated in its entirety within the door mounting portion (200), such as when the size of the door (100) is reduced.

[0261] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the door frame (110) can be accommodated in the door mounting portion (200) so as not to protrude forward from the front panel (11). As described above, in a situation where problems such as ease of space utilization with the internal configuration of the cabinet (10) can be overcome, for example, when the size of the door (100) is reduced or the overall size of the cabinet (10) is increased for other reasons, the door frame (110) as a whole can be accommodated in the door mounting portion (200) as described above, and in this case, it can be advantageous in that the forward protrusion amount of the door (100) can be minimized.

[0262] In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer frame (120) of the door frame (110) may be accommodated in the door mounting portion (200) so as not to protrude forward from the front panel (11). Furthermore, the frame perimeter (118) may be provided in the outer frame (120) and may correspond to the front end (112) of the door frame (110).

[0263] As described above, the door (100) can be seated in the door mounting portion (200) such that the front end (112) of the frame perimeter (118) corresponding to the front end (112) of the door frame (110) is positioned within the door mounting portion (200). That is, the door (100) can be accommodated in the door mounting portion (200) such that the front end (112) of the frame perimeter (118) does not protrude forward beyond the front panel (11).

[0264] Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the present invention, in terms of implementing the previously described flat image of the front and utilizing the internal space of the cabinet (10), it is necessary to limit the position of the front end (112) of the door frame (110) even if the door frame (110) is accommodated in the door mounting portion (200) as a whole.

[0265] For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the front end (112) of the door frame (110) may be positioned on the same plane as the front end (12) of the front panel (11). That is, the second surface (P2) by the front end (112) of the door frame (110) may be on the same plane as the first surface (P1) by the front end (12) of the front panel (11).

[0266] In other words, the front end (112) of the frame perimeter (118) can be positioned on the same plane as the front surface (12) of the front panel (11). Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention can minimize the protrusion of the door (100) with respect to the front panel (11), and further, can secure a flat image for the front surface of the cabinet (10) and the internal space of the cabinet (10).

[0267] Meanwhile, the edge (153) of the front (152) of the door cover (150) may be positioned forward of the front (12) of the front panel (11). The front (152) of the door cover (150) is a plane perpendicular to the ground and may be positioned forward of the front (12) of the front panel (11).

[0268] However, the door cover (150) does not need to be positioned forward of the front surface (12) of the front panel (11) as a whole, and a part of the door cover (150) may be accommodated in the door mounting portion (200) and positioned backward of the front surface (12) of the front panel (11).

[0269] The edge (153) of the front (152) of the door cover (150) may be positioned rearward of the front end (112) of the door frame (110). The edge (153) of the front (152) of the door cover (150) may be positioned forward of the front (12) of the front panel (11). The edge (153) of the front (152) of the door cover (150) may protrude forward of the frame periphery (118).

[0270] Meanwhile, FIG. 17 illustrates a door button (192) and a pressurizing portion (193) provided on a door (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0271] Specifically, as described above, when the protrusion amount of the door (100) from the door mounting portion (200) is reduced, the door (100) may not have a portion for providing a handle, and thus the handle may be omitted.

[0272] In one embodiment of the present invention, a door (100) that provides an image positioned approximately on the same plane as the front surface (12) of the front panel (11) needs to secure a separate door (100) providing means, as it is difficult to have a handle portion or other similar configuration that is gripped by a user.

[0273] In one embodiment of the present invention, the door (100) may include the door button (192) and the pressurizing portion (193). The door (100) may be maintained in a closed state (DC) through the door locking portion (190) described above, and the door locking portion (190) may be provided in the cabinet (10) and arranged to restrict the forward rotation of the door (100) in the closed state (DC) accommodated in the door mounting portion (200).

[0274] Meanwhile, when the door button (192) or the pressurizing part (193) is operated, the door locking part (190) can unlock the door (100) and push the door (100) forward by a certain amount.

[0275] The door (100) that has no part that can be gripped by the user in the closed state (DC) can induce rotation of the door (100) while minimizing the forward protrusion of the door (100) by operating the door button (192) or the pressing part (193), thereby inducing opening of the door (100) and enabling the user to grip.

[0276] The door button (192) may be provided to be exposed on the front of the door (100). The door button (192) may be operated by a user to input an unlocking command for the door lock (190).

[0277] The door button (192) may be of various types. The door button (192) may be a mechanical button that is physically operated to change the amount of protrusion, or a touch-type button that detects the user's touch by having a touch film or the like.

[0278] The door button (192) may be positioned above the horizontal center line of the door (100) for ease of use. The door button (192) may be positioned between the upper part of the perimeter of the door (100) and the horizontal center line of the door (100).

[0279] When the door button (192) provided on the front of the door (100) is operated, the door lock (190) releases the restraint of the door (100) and can push the door (100) forward.

[0280] When the door button (192) is operated by the user, an unlocking command by the user can be transmitted to the door lock unit (190) through the control unit. The door lock unit (190) can push the door (100) forward using an elastic body or the like, and a detailed description of the door lock unit (190) will be described later.

[0281] Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the present invention, the door (100) may include a pressing portion (193) in addition to the door button (192). The pressing portion (193) is an area for physically pressing the door lock portion (190), and may be positioned overlapping or adjacent to the door lock portion (190).

[0282] When the door (100) with the forward rotation restricted is pressed toward the cabinet (10), the door lock (190) can release the restriction of the door (100) and push the door (100) forward.

[0283] In one embodiment of the present invention, the door lock (190) can be automatically unlocked by operating the door button (192), and further, can be mechanically unlocked by being pressed backward by the door (100).

[0284] Specifically, the aforementioned door button (192) can be a means for commanding the door lock (190) to unlock via an electrical signal. When the unlock command generated via the door button (192) is transmitted to the door lock (190), the door lock (190) can unlock itself and push the door (100).

[0285] However, if power is not supplied to the clothing treatment device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention or a failure occurs in the power system configuration, the command using the door button (192) cannot be transmitted to the door lock unit (190), and the door lock unit (190) cannot release the lock state by itself, so there may be difficulty in rotating the door (100) to the open state (DO).

[0286] In this case, the user can open the door (100) by physically unlocking the door lock (190) through the pressurizing portion (193).

[0287] The way in which the door lock (190) is opened through a pressing force may vary. For example, the door lock (190) may include a catch (196) that catches the locking projection (195) of the door (100) described above and restricts forward movement. When a pressing force is applied toward the cabinet (10) while the door (100) is in a locked state, the catch (196) moves, releasing the forward movement restriction of the locking projection (195), thereby allowing the door (100) to be unlocked.

[0288] The pressurizing portion (193) may be defined in the door cover (150). The pressurizing portion (193) may be positioned in front of the door lock portion (190) or adjacent to the front area of ​​the door lock portion (190). The pressurizing portion (193) may directly generate a pressurizing force when a user presses, or may be provided as a means to simply guide the user to the position where the pressurizing portion should be positioned.

[0289] Meanwhile, FIG. 18 illustrates a door (100) that is switched between a closed state (DC) and an open state (DO) by a door locking unit (190) according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18a illustrates a door (100) that is seated on a door mounting unit (200) according to a locked state of the door locking unit (190), and FIG. 18b illustrates a door (100) that is rotated forward from the door mounting unit (200) according to an unlocked state of the door locking unit (190).

[0290] As shown in Fig. 18a, in one embodiment of the present invention, the door (100) is in a closed state (DC) in which the opening (15) of the cabinet (10) is closed, and as described above, the door (100) can be accommodated in the door mounting portion (200) so that the front surface of the door (100) is approximately parallel to the front surface (12) of the front panel (11). In addition, in the closed state (DC) of the door (100), the door lock portion (190) can restrict the rotation of the door (100) and prevent the door (100) from rotating forward.

[0291] As shown in Fig. 18b, when the door lock (190) is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, the door lock (190) can push the door (100) forward, and accordingly, the door (100) can be rotated around the hinge part (180) so that at least a portion thereof protrudes forward from the door mounting part (200).

[0292] At this time, the user can directly rotate the forward-rotated door (100) as much as desired to expose the opening (15) of the cabinet (10) and put clothes into the opening (15).

[0293] Meanwhile, FIG. 19 illustrates the operation process of a door lock (190) according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19a illustrates the door lock (190) of the door (100) in an unlocked state, and FIG. 19b illustrates the door lock (190) of the door (100) in a locked state.

[0294] Referring to Fig. 19, the door (100) may include a locking projection (195) protruding toward the door lock portion (190). The locking projection (195) may protrude rearward from the inner frame (130) of the door (100).

[0295] The door lock (190) may include a housing into which the locking projection (195) is inserted, and may include a catch (196) that catches the locking projection (195) inserted into the housing and restricts forward movement of the locking projection (195).

[0296] In the open state (DO) of the door (100), when the locking projection (195) located in front of the door locking part (190) is inserted into the door locking part (190) by the rotation of the door (100) for the closed state (DC) of the opening (15), the pressing force by the locking projection (195) can be applied to the door locking part (190).

[0297] The door lock (190) can have a catch (196) moved to a locked position by the pressing force of the locking projection (195), and at least a part of the catch (196) located at the locked position can be located in front of the locking projection (195) to restrict forward movement of the locking projection (195).

[0298] At this time, the door lock (190) may be provided with a fixing part for fixing the position of the locking part (196), and the elastic part (197) provided in the door lock (190) may be maintained in a compressed state by the pressing force of the locking protrusion (195).

[0299] Meanwhile, when the door button (192) described above is operated, an unlocking command by the door button (192) can be received by the automatic unlocking unit (198) provided in the door lock unit (190). When the unlocking command is received by the automatic unlocking unit (198), the fixing unit is released so that the engaging unit (196) can move from the locked position to the unlocked position, and accordingly, the engaging state of the locking projection (195) can be released.

[0300] When the forward movement of the locking protrusion (195) becomes free, the aforementioned elastic member (197) can be restored from the compressed state to its original state, and at this time, the restoring force of the elastic member (197) can act on the locking protrusion (195) to push the locking protrusion (195) forward. As the locking protrusion (195) moves forward, the aforementioned door (100) can be moved forward.

[0301] Meanwhile, when the aforementioned pressurizing portion (193) is pressed in the locked state of the door lock portion (190), that is, when a rearward pressing force is applied to the door lock portion (190) by the door (100), the door lock portion (190) can be switched from the locked state to the unlocked state through the aforementioned fixing portion mechanical mechanism.

[0302] Accordingly, through the pressure of the pressurizing portion (193), the door lock portion (190) can be switched from a locked state to an unlocked state in a similar manner to the operation situation of the door button (192) described above, and the locking projection (195) can be pushed forward through the elastic portion (197).

[0303] However, the operation process of the door lock (190) is not necessarily limited to the above, and may be arranged to fix or release the locking projection (195) of the door (100) in various ways as needed.

[0304] Furthermore, although the door lock unit (190) has been described as having a largely similar operating process in terms of the operating situation of the door button (192) and the pressing situation by the pressing unit (193), it may be provided to release the fixed state for the locking projection (195) through different mechanisms as needed.

[0305] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with respect to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be variously improved and modified without departing from the technical spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A cabinet comprising a front panel having an opening; A receiving section provided inside the cabinet for receiving clothes that are fed through the opening; and A door provided on the front panel to open and close the opening is included; The front panel is provided with a door mounting portion that is recessed into the cabinet and accommodates at least a portion of the door that closes the opening. A clothing processing device in which the gap between the edge of the door mounting portion and the edge of the door is exposed toward the front.

2. In paragraph 1, The above gap is a garment processing device that is exposed forward across the entire edge of the door mounting portion.

3. In paragraph 1, A clothing processing device in which the door fixing portion has a cross-sectional area larger than that of the door, and the gap is formed to surround the door as a whole.

4. In paragraph 1, A garment treatment device, wherein the gap includes a first point having a first thickness and a second point having a second thickness different from the first thickness.

5. In paragraph 1, The above gap includes an upper gap located at the upper end of the door mounting portion and a lower gap located at the lower end of the door mounting portion. A clothing processing device in which the thickness of the lower gap is greater than the thickness of the upper gap.

6. In paragraph 1, The above door is rotatably connected to the front panel through a hinge at one end in the width direction of the above cabinet, The above gap includes a one-end gap located at one end of the width direction of the door mounting portion and a other-end gap located at the other end of the width direction of the door mounting portion. A clothing processing device in which the thickness of the above-mentioned first gap is greater than the thickness of the above-mentioned second gap.

7. In paragraph 1, A clothing processing device in which the center of the door as viewed from the front is in a different position from the center of the door mounting portion.

8. In paragraph 1, A clothing processing device in which the center of the door as viewed from the front is positioned higher than the center of the door mounting portion.

9. In paragraph 1, The above door is rotatably connected to the front panel through a hinge on one side of the width direction of the cabinet, A clothing processing device in which the center of the door as viewed from the front is spaced apart from the center of the door mounting portion in the width direction.

10. In paragraph 1, The above door, A door frame rotatably coupled to the front panel and including a through hole facing the opening; and A clothing processing device including a door cover provided on the front of the door frame and covering the through hole.

11. In paragraph 10, The edge of the above door frame is provided with a frame perimeter that protrudes forward and extends along the perimeter of the door cover. A clothing processing device in which at least a portion of the frame perimeter is accommodated in the door mounting portion.

12. In paragraph 10, The above door frame, An inner frame positioned toward the door mounting portion; and An outer frame positioned in front of the inner frame; The above door cover is provided on the front of the above outer frame, A clothing processing device in which at least a portion of the outer frame is accommodated in the door mounting portion.

13. In paragraph 12, The outer frame edge is provided with a frame perimeter that protrudes forward and extends along the perimeter of the door cover. The above door frame is a clothing processing device in which at least a portion of the frame periphery is accommodated in the door mounting portion.

14. In paragraph 10, The edge of the above door frame is provided with a frame perimeter portion that protrudes forward and extends along the perimeter of the door cover; A clothing processing device in which the front of the above frame perimeter is positioned on the same plane as the front of the above front panel.

Images