Garment processing apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to a garment processing apparatus comprising: a cabinet comprising a front panel having an introduction opening, a rear panel for forming the rear surface, an upper panel for forming the upper surface, and a first side panel and a second side panel for forming both side surfaces, respectively; a tub comprising a tub body provided inside the cabinet to store water, and a tub introduction opening provided in the tub body so as to communicate with the introduction opening; a drum rotatably provided inside the tub so as store garments; an air supply unit comprising a chamber body positioned between the upper panel and the tub body, a filtering chamber and a heat-exchange chamber provided in the chamber body and connected to each other, a chamber supply channel for guiding air inside the tub body to the filtering chamber, and a tub supply channel for guiding air discharged from the heat exchange chamber to the tub body; a filtering unit provided in the filtering chamber so as to filter air; and a heat exchange unit provided in the heat exchange chamber so as to successively perform dehumidification and heating of the air supplied from the filtering chamber. The chamber body has at least two surfaces fixed to the cabinet so as to be positioned between the tub body and the upper panel.

Description

Garment processing equipment

[0001] This application relates to a clothing treatment device.

[0002] A clothing treatment device is a concept that includes a washing machine that washes laundry (hereinafter referred to as “clothes”), a dryer that dries dry items (hereinafter referred to as “clothes”), and a combined washing machine and dryer that can wash and dry clothes.

[0003] A clothing treatment device capable of drying clothes removes moisture from clothes by supplying high-temperature air (hot air) to the clothes. Depending on the air flow method, it can be divided into a device with an exhaust-type drying section and a device with a circulation-type (condensation) drying section.

[0004] The exhaust type drying unit supplies hot air to the space where clothes are stored, but the air that has completed heat exchange with the clothes is discharged outside the clothes processing unit, while the circulation type drying unit supplies hot air to the space where clothes are stored, but the air that has completed heat exchange with the clothes is dehumidified and heated, and then supplied back to the clothes.

[0005] The clothing treatment device equipped with the above-mentioned circulating drying unit includes an air supply unit that forms an air circulation path, and a heat exchange unit that dehumidifies and heats air moving along the air supply unit.

[0006] Since the air supply unit and heat exchange unit described above are large in volume and may generate vibration or noise, the installation location and fixing structure of the air supply unit and heat exchange unit inside a clothing treatment device with limited space were among the important design considerations.

[0007] Furthermore, in a garment treatment device equipped with the above-mentioned circulating drying unit, foreign substances discharged from garments during the drying process may enter the air supply unit or the heat exchange unit and remain there. Therefore, filtration and removal of foreign substances have also been important design considerations for garment treatment devices.

[0008] The present application aims to provide a clothing treatment device capable of improving the durability of an air supply unit and a heat exchange unit and minimizing noise and vibration.

[0009] In addition, the present application aims to solve the problem of providing a clothing treatment device that can reduce the space required for installing an air supply unit and a heat exchange unit.

[0010] In addition, the present application aims to solve the problem of providing a clothing treatment device capable of minimizing the inflow of foreign substances into the air supply unit and the heat exchange unit.

[0011] In addition, the present application aims to solve the problem of providing a clothing treatment device and a method for controlling the clothing treatment device that can effectively remove foreign substances remaining in an air circulation path.

[0012] The present invention provides a clothes treatment device comprising: a cabinet having a front panel having an inlet formed therein, a rear panel forming a rear surface, an upper panel forming an upper surface, and first and second side panels forming both sides; a tub body provided inside the cabinet to store water, and a tub provided in the tub body and having a tub inlet communicating with the inlet; a drum rotatably provided inside the tub to store clothes; an air supply unit having a chamber body positioned between the upper panel and the tub body, a filtration chamber and a heat exchange chamber provided in the chamber body and communicating with each other, a chamber supply path for guiding air inside the tub body to the filtration chamber, and a tub supply path for guiding air discharged from the heat exchange chamber to the tub body; a filtration unit provided in the filtration chamber to filter air; and a heat exchange unit provided in the heat exchange chamber to sequentially dehumidify and heat air supplied from the filtration chamber.

[0013] The chamber body may be positioned between the tub body and the upper panel by having at least two sides fixed to the cabinet.

[0014] The above clothing treatment device includes a front support frame fixed inside the cabinet so as to be positioned between the front panel and the chamber body; one end of the chamber body can be fixed to the support frame, and the other end can be fixed to the rear panel.

[0015] The above front support frame may be fixed to the front panel and positioned at the rear of the front panel, or may be fixed to the first side panel and the second side panel and positioned at the rear of the front panel.

[0016] The garment treatment device further includes a front support frame fixed inside the cabinet so as to be positioned between the front panel and the chamber body; and a rear support frame fixed inside the cabinet so as to be positioned between the rear panel and the chamber body; one end of the chamber body may be fixed to the front support frame, and the other end of the chamber body may be fixed to the rear support frame.

[0017] The rear support frame may be fixed to the rear panel and positioned at the front of the rear panel, or may be fixed to the first side panel and the second side panel and positioned at the front of the rear panel.

[0018] The above clothing treatment device may further include an upper support frame that is fixed to the first side panel and the second side panel and is positioned between the upper panel and the chamber body, and to which the upper surface of the chamber body is fixed.

[0019] The heat exchange unit may include a first heat exchanger provided in the heat exchange chamber to dehumidify air supplied from the filtration chamber, a second heat exchanger provided in the heat exchange chamber to heat air that has passed through the first heat exchanger, a refrigerant pipe that provides a refrigerant circulation path and passes through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and a compressor located outside the heat exchange chamber to move the refrigerant along the refrigerant pipe.

[0020] The air supply unit may further include a compressor mounting unit that extends from the chamber body toward the rear panel, is positioned at the upper portion of the tub body, and provides a space in which the compressor is fixed.

[0021] The above clothing treatment device may further include a front fastening part provided in the chamber body and fixed to the front support frame; a rear fastening part provided in the chamber body and fixed to the rear panel; and an upper fastening part provided in the chamber body and fixed to the upper support frame.

[0022] The above clothing treatment device may further include a front fixing hole penetrating the front support frame, and the front surface fastening portion may be provided with a fastening projection protruding from the chamber body toward the front support frame and inserted into the front panel fastening hole.

[0023] The above clothing treatment device may further include an insulating part provided in the front fixing hole and surrounding the circumference of the front surface fastening part.

[0024] The upper surface fastening portion may be provided to connect the compressor mounting portion and the upper frame.

[0025] The above clothing treatment device may further include a rear panel first through-hole and a rear panel second through-hole provided to penetrate the rear panel; the rear surface fastening portion may include a support protrusion protruding from the compressor mounting portion and inserted into the rear panel first through-hole, capable of setting the position of the chamber body; and a fixing groove provided on the compressor fixing portion and to which a bolt inserted into the rear panel second through-hole is fixed.

[0026] The above filtration chamber and the heat exchange chamber are arranged parallel to the width direction of the tub body, and the chamber supply path connects the upper circumferential surface of the tub body and the filtration chamber, but may be provided parallel to the length direction of the tub body.

[0027] The above clothing treatment device further includes a mounting hole penetrating the upper panel and communicating with the filtration chamber, and the filtration unit can be detachably installed in the filtration chamber through the mounting hole.

[0028] The above filtering unit may include a cover having a shape capable of closing the mounting hole; a support body fixed to the cover and positioned inside the filtering chamber; and a mesh provided on the support body to separate foreign substances from the air.

[0029] The present application provides a clothing treatment device capable of improving the durability of an air supply unit and a heat exchange unit and minimizing noise and vibration.

[0030] In addition, the present application provides a clothing treatment device that can reduce the space required for installing an air supply unit and a heat exchange unit.

[0031] In addition, the present application provides a clothing treatment device capable of minimizing the inflow of foreign substances into an air supply unit and a heat exchange unit.

[0032] In addition, the present application provides a clothing treatment device capable of effectively removing foreign substances remaining in an air circulation path and a method for controlling the clothing treatment device.

[0033] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate examples of a clothing treatment device.

[0034] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a detergent supply unit.

[0035] Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 illustrate examples of an air supply unit and a heat exchange unit.

[0036] Figures 8, 9, and 10 illustrate examples of structures for fixing an air supply unit and a heat exchange unit.

[0037] Figure 11 illustrates an example of a filter unit.

[0038] Figures 12, 13, and 14 illustrate examples of a washing unit.

[0039] Figures 15 and 16 illustrate other embodiments of the washing unit.

[0040] Figures 17 and 18 illustrate an example of a control method for removing foreign substances remaining in the inlet connection part and chamber supply path.

[0041] The configuration or control method of the device described below is only for explaining an embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and reference numbers used identically throughout the specification represent identical components.

[0042] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "comprise," "include," or "have" are intended to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and therefore, unless specifically defined, do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0043] Expressions indicating relative or absolute arrangements, such as "in which direction", "along which direction", "parallel", "perpendicularly", "centered", "concentric" or "coaxial", not only strictly indicate such arrangements, but also indicate a state of relative displacement with an angle or distance such that tolerance or the same function is obtained.

[0044] Additionally, terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., used herein may be used to describe various components; however, these components are not limited by these terms, and these terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. Accordingly, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component.

[0045] In addition, terms such as “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “front end,” “rear end,” “top,” and “bottom” used in this specification are defined based on the drawings or defined based on the configuration or arrangement / arrangement state between configurations, and the shape and position of each configuration are not limited by these terms.

[0046] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a garment treatment device and its control method will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a clothing treatment device (100), and the clothing treatment device (100) may be provided to include a cabinet (1) forming an exterior.

[0048] The above cabinet (1) may be provided to include a front panel (11) forming the front surface of the garment treatment device, a rear panel (13) forming the rear surface of the garment treatment device, side panels (12) forming both sides of the garment treatment device, and an upper panel (14) forming the upper surface of the garment treatment device.

[0049] The front panel (11) is provided with an inlet (111) for the entry and exit of clothing, and the inlet (111) may be provided to be opened and closed by a door (113) rotatably fixed to the front panel (11). The side panel (12) may be provided with a first side panel (121) and a second side panel (123) forming the right and left sides of the clothing treatment device.

[0050] The above clothing treatment device (100) may be equipped with a base panel (15) forming a bottom surface. In this case, at least one of the front panel, the rear panel, and the side panel may be fixed to the base panel (15).

[0051] For example, the first side panel (121) and the second side panel (123) may be fixed to the base panel (15), the front panel (11) may be provided to connect the front surfaces of the side panels (121, 123), and the rear panel (13) may be provided to connect the rear surfaces of the side panels (121, 123).

[0052] In order to securely connect the front panel (11) and the side panel (12), and the rear panel (13) and the side panel (12), the garment treatment device (100) may further be provided with a connecting frame.

[0053] The above connecting frame (not shown) may be provided with a bar-shaped metal or the like that is fixed to the base panel (15) and extends in the height direction of the cabinet (1). The connecting frame may be provided so as to be positioned at the corner where the front panel (11) and the side panel (12) meet, and at the corner where the rear panel (13) and the side panel (12) meet.

[0054] The upper panel (14) may be fixed to the upper surface edge of the side panels (121, 123) and the upper surface edge of the rear panel (13). Unlike what is shown in the drawing, the upper panel (14) may be fixed to the upper surface edge of the front panel (11), the upper surface edge of the side panel (12), and the upper surface edge of the rear panel (13).

[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the clothing treatment device (100) may include a tub (2) provided inside the cabinet (1) to provide a space for storing water, and a drum (3) rotatably provided inside the tub to provide a space for storing clothing.

[0056] The above tub (2) may be provided to include a tub body (21) in which water is stored, and a tub support member (22) that secures the tub body (21) to the inside of the cabinet (1).

[0057] The above tub body (21) may be provided in a cylindrical shape with an empty interior, and the tub support member (22) may be provided with a damper that fixes the lower space of the tub body (21) to the base panel (15), and a spring that fixes the upper space of the tub body (21) to the cabinet.

[0058] The above tub body (21) can receive water through the water supply unit (23) and discharge the stored water to the outside of the cabinet (1) through the drain unit (24).

[0059] The above water supply unit (23) may be provided to include a water supply source connection pipe (232) connected to a water source, a tub water supply pipe (231) that supplies water to the tub body (21), and a water supply valve (233) that connects the water supply source connection pipe and the tub water supply pipe. The water supply valve (233) may be provided to be fixed to the rear panel (13) and control the opening and closing of the water supply source connection pipe (232).

[0060] The above drainage unit (24) may be provided to include a pump (243), a first drainage pipe (241) that guides water inside the tub body (21) to the pump (243), and a second drainage pipe (242) that guides water discharged from the pump (243) to the outside of the cabinet (1).

[0061] A tub inlet (211) is provided on the front surface of the tub body (21), and the tub inlet (211) can be connected to the inlet (111) of the cabinet through an inlet connection part (4). In order to minimize the vibration of the tub body (21) from being transmitted to the front panel (11), the inlet connection part (4) is preferably provided with a material such as rubber.

[0062] The above drum (3) may be provided with a cylindrical drum body (31) having an empty interior. A drum inlet (311) may be provided on one side of the drum body (31) (a side of the drum body facing the tub inlet), and a drum penetration hole (312) may be provided on the circumference and rear surface of the drum body (31) to connect the inside of the drum body with the inside of the tub body.

[0063] The drum body (31) can be rotated by means of a driving unit, and the driving unit may be provided to include a stator (34) fixed to the rear surface of the tub body (21) to form a rotating magnetic field, a rotor (35) positioned outside the tub body (21) to rotate by the rotating magnetic field, and a rotational shaft (33) that penetrates the rear surface of the tub body (21) and connects the drum body (31) and the rotor (35).

[0064] In order to supply detergent to the above tub body (21), the garment treatment device (100) may be equipped with a detergent supply unit (5).

[0065] As shown in FIG. 3, the detergent supply unit (5) may be provided to include a housing (51) fixed to the cabinet (1), a drawer (52) that provides a space for storing detergent and can be withdrawn from the housing (51), and a supply pump (53) that moves the detergent stored in the drawer to the tub body (21).

[0066] The above housing (51) may be fixed to the base panel (15) or may be fixed to a mounting panel (151) fixed to the base panel (15). The mounting panel (151) may be provided as a panel that is fixed to the base panel (15) and positioned on the front surface of the cabinet (1).

[0067] A drawer inlet (511) for entry and exit of the drawer (52) is provided on the front surface of the housing (51), and a mounting panel through-hole exposing the drawer inlet (511) may be provided on the mounting panel (151).

[0068] The above drawer (52) may be provided with a storage section (521) that provides a space for storing detergent, a detergent supply port (523) that can supply detergent to the storage section (521), a detergent discharge port (525) through which detergent from the storage section (521) is discharged, and a valve (527) that controls the opening and closing of the detergent discharge port. The detergent supply port (523) may be provided as an upper surface penetration hole penetrating the upper surface of the storage section (521) and may be provided to be opened and closed by a lid.

[0069] The above valve (527) may be provided as a check valve that controls the opening and closing of the detergent discharge port (525) by the supply pump (53). That is, the valve (527) may be provided to open the detergent discharge port (525) when the drawer (52) is inserted into the housing (51) and the inlet pipe of the supply pump (53) comes into contact with the valve (527), and to close the detergent discharge port (525) when the drawer (52) is withdrawn from the housing (51) and the inlet pipe of the supply pump (53) does not come into contact with the valve (527).

[0070] The above supply pump (53) may be equipped with a pump of various structures as long as it can move the detergent discharged through the detergent discharge port (525) to the tub body (21).

[0071] The detergent discharged from the above supply pump (53) is supplied to the tub body (21) through the detergent supply pipe (533). The detergent supply pipe (533) may be provided as a path connecting the supply pump (53) and the circumference of the tub body (21), or as a path connecting the supply pump (53) and the inlet connection part (4).

[0072] The above inlet connection part (4) may be provided as a connecting body (41) that connects the inlet (111) of the cabinet and the tub inlet (211). In this case, the detergent supply pipe (533) may be provided as a path that connects the supply pump (53) and the connecting body (41). In addition, the connecting body (41) may be provided with a water supply path (42) to which the tub water supply pipe (231) is connected.

[0073] Although not shown in the drawing, if the clothing treatment device (100) is provided with a circulation path for circulating water inside the tub body (21), the detergent supply pipe (553) may be provided to connect the supply pump (53) and the circulation path.

[0074] In order to dry clothes stored in the drum body (31), the clothes treatment device (100) may be equipped with an air supply unit (6) and a heat exchange unit (7).

[0075] As shown in Fig. 4, the air supply unit (6) is located at the upper portion of the tub body (21) and may include a body (61, chamber body) having a chamber (611, 612) therein, a chamber supply path (62) that guides air inside the tub body (21) to the chamber, and a tub supply path (63) that guides air discharged from the chamber to the tub body (21).

[0076] The chamber provided in the above body (61) may be provided to include a filtration chamber (611) in which a filtration unit (8) is mounted, and a heat exchange chamber (612) in which a heat exchanger (71, 72) provided in the heat exchange unit (7) is located.

[0077] In this case, the chamber supply path (62) may be provided to connect the tub exhaust port (212) provided in the tub body (21) and the filtration chamber (611), and the tub supply path (63) may be provided to connect the heat exchange chamber (612) and the inlet connection part (4).

[0078] As mentioned above, the inlet connection part (4) may be provided as a cylindrical connection body (41) that connects the cabinet and the inlets (111, 211) of the tub, and an air supply path (43) may be provided on the circumference of the connection body (41). In this case, the tub supply path (63) may be provided to connect the heat exchange chamber (612) and the air supply path (43).

[0079] In order to minimize heat loss occurring during movement through the above-mentioned tub supply path (63) and to minimize the resistance of the flow path, it is preferable that the above-mentioned supply path (43) be positioned above the horizontal line (H) passing through the center of the above-mentioned connecting body (41).

[0080] As shown in Fig. 5, the chamber supply path (62) may be provided as a path in which at least a portion of the path is formed of a corrugated pipe (621).

[0081] The above tub supply path (63) may be provided to include a fan housing (631) connecting the heat exchange chamber (612) and the air supply path (43), and a fan (634) provided inside the fan housing (631) to move air.

[0082] The fan housing (631) may be provided to include a housing inlet (632) that guides air discharged from the heat exchange chamber (612) to the fan (634) and a housing outlet (633) that guides air discharged from the fan (634) to the air supply path (43).

[0083] The above fan (634) may be equipped with an impeller rotatably fixed inside the fan housing, and a motor fixed to the outside of the fan housing to rotate the impeller.

[0084] The above heat exchange unit (7) may include a first heat exchanger (71) and a second heat exchanger (72) provided in the heat exchange chamber (612), a refrigerant pipe (75) that provides a refrigerant circulation path and passes through the first heat exchanger (71) and the second heat exchanger (72), a compressor (73) located outside the heat exchange chamber (612) and moving the refrigerant along the refrigerant pipe (75), and a pressure regulator (74) that controls the pressure of the refrigerant circulating along the refrigerant pipe.

[0085] The first heat exchanger (71) is a means for cooling the air introduced into the heat exchange chamber (612) (a means for removing moisture from the air), and the second heat exchanger (72) is a means for heating the dehumidified air.

[0086] The refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger (71) absorbs heat from the air and vaporizes, and the vaporized refrigerant is supplied to the second heat exchanger (72) through the compressor (73), and the refrigerant condensed while passing through the second heat exchanger (72) is supplied again to the first heat exchanger (71) through the pressure regulator (74).

[0087] As illustrated in Fig. 6, the filtration chamber (611) is provided with an inlet (615), and the heat exchange chamber (612) is provided with an exhaust port (616). The inlet (615) is a means for introducing air supplied from the chamber supply path (62) into the filtration chamber (611), and the exhaust port (616) is a means for discharging air discharged from the heat exchange chamber (612) into the tub supply path (63).

[0088] In order to secure the chamber supply path (62) and the tub supply path (63) to the body (61), the air supply unit (6) may be provided with a first connection part (617) and a second connection part (619).

[0089] The first connecting portion (617) may be provided on the rear surface (the surface facing the rear panel) of the body (61) and may be provided as a pipe-shaped passage that surrounds the air supply port (615), and the second connecting portion (619) may be provided on the side surface (the surface facing the first side panel) of the body (61) and may be provided as a pipe-shaped passage that surrounds the exhaust port (616). When the fan housing (631) is fixed to the body (61), the second connecting portion (619) may be provided to be connected to or inserted into the housing inlet (632) of the fan housing.

[0090] As illustrated in Fig. 7, the filtration chamber (611) and the heat exchange chamber (612) may be provided as spaces having an open upper surface. The open upper surface (upper open surface) of the filtration chamber (611) may be provided to be closed by a filtration unit (8) to be described later, and the open upper surface of the heat exchange chamber (612) may be provided to be closed by a cover (613).

[0091] Furthermore, the body (61) may further be provided with a condensate discharge unit (65) for discharging condensate inside the heat exchange chamber (612).

[0092] The above condensate discharge unit (65) may be provided to include a condensate discharge port (651) that penetrates one surface of the body (61) and is connected to the heat exchange chamber (612), and a condensate discharge pipe (653) that connects the condensate discharge port (651) and the drain unit (24).

[0093] The above body (61) may be provided with a compressor mounting portion (614) that supports the compressor (73).

[0094] The compressor mounting portion (614) is a space where the compressor (73) is mounted, and may be provided with a support plate extending from the body (61) toward the rear panel (13) so that the compressor (73) is positioned above the tub body (21).

[0095] The above-described body (61) forms a single mounting space in which the filtration chamber (611), the heat exchange chamber (612), and the compressor mounting portion (614) are connected without a separate fastening means, so that the assembly of the air supply portion (6) and the heat exchange portion (7) is easy.

[0096] In order to control the temperature of the compressor (73) fixed to the compressor mounting portion (614), the heat exchange portion (7) may further be provided with a cooling portion (77). Fig. 7 illustrates an example in which the cooling portion (77) is provided as a fan fixed to the cover (613).

[0097] As shown in Fig. 8, it is preferable that the air supply unit (6) and heat exchange unit (7) described above be positioned between the upper panel (14) and the upper surface of the tub body (21).

[0098] As described above, since the detergent supply unit (5) and the drain unit (24), etc. are provided at the bottom of the tub body (21), in order to install the air supply unit (6) and the heat exchange unit (7) at the bottom of the tub body (21), the volume of the cabinet (1) must be increased to provide a separate space for installation at the bottom of the tub body (21). However, if the air supply unit (6) and the heat exchange unit (7) are installed at the top of the tub body (21), the space required for installing the air supply unit (6) and the heat exchange unit (7) can be minimized (the volume of the cabinet can be minimized).

[0099] Meanwhile, in order to minimize the installation space of the air supply unit (6) and the heat exchange unit (7) and to minimize the flow resistance (air movement distance) of air moving from the tub body (21) to the chamber supply path (62), the filtration chamber (611) and the heat exchange chamber (612) may be arranged parallel to the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the tub body, and the chamber supply path (62) may be arranged parallel to the length direction (X-axis direction) of the tub body.

[0100] In addition, it is preferable that the chamber supply path (62) be positioned at a point closer to the horizontal line (L) passing through the center of the upper space of the tub body (21) than the second side panel (123). This is to utilize the space between the horizontal line (L) and the second side panel (123) as an installation space for a steam generator (which generates steam and supplies it to the tub), a control module, a detergent supply unit (which supplies detergent to the tub), etc.

[0101] Furthermore, the tub supply path (63) may be positioned in a space formed between the front panel (11), the first side panel (121), and the upper circumferential surface of the tub body (21).

[0102] When the air supply unit (6) and the heat exchange unit (7) are positioned between the upper panel (14) and the tub body (21), minimizing the transmission of vibration of the tub body (21) to the air supply unit (6) and the heat exchange unit (7) is advantageous for maintaining the durability of the air supply unit (6) and the heat exchange unit (7).

[0103] In order to minimize the vibration of the tub body (21) from being transmitted to the body (61), the body (61) may be provided so that at least two surfaces are fixed to the cabinet (1).

[0104] FIG. 9 illustrates an example in which the front surface of the body (61) is fixed to the front support frame (161) and the rear surface of the body (61) is fixed to the rear panel (13).

[0105] The above front support frame (161) may be provided as a panel that is fixed inside the cabinet (1) and positioned between the front panel (11) and the body (61).

[0106] The above front support frame (161) may be fixed to the above-described connecting frame (not shown) and positioned at the rear of the front panel (11), may be fixed to the front surface of the first side panel (121) and the front surface of the second side panel (123) and positioned at the rear of the front panel (11), or may be fastened to the rear surface of the front panel (11) and positioned inside the cabinet (1).

[0107] The above body (61) can be fixed to the front support frame (161) and the rear panel (13) through a fastening member.

[0108] The above fastening part may include a front fastening part (641) provided on the body (61) and fixed to the front support frame (161), and a rear fastening part (643) provided on the body (61) and fixed to the rear panel (13).

[0109] The front fastening portion (641) may be provided as a fastening projection protruding from one side (the side facing the front support frame) of the body (61). In this case, the front support frame (161) may be provided with a front fixing hole (162) into which the front fastening portion (641) is inserted.

[0110] In order to minimize the vibration generated in the body (61) when the fan (634) of the air supply unit or the compressor (73) of the heat exchange unit is operated from being transmitted to the front support frame (161) and to minimize the vibration of the cabinet (1) from being transmitted to the body (61), an insulation part (163) may be further provided in the front fixing hole (162).

[0111] As shown in Fig. 10 (a), the insulating part (163) may be provided with an elastic body (rubber, etc.) that is fixed to the front fixing hole (162) and wraps around the circumference of the front surface fastening part (641).

[0112] As shown in Fig. 10 (b), the rear surface fastening portion (643) may be provided to include at least one of a support protrusion (643a) and a fastening groove (643b, rear fastening groove) provided on one side (the side facing the rear panel) of the body (61).

[0113] When the rear surface fastening portion (643) is provided with the support protrusion (643a) and the rear fastening groove (643b), the rear panel (13) may be provided with a rear panel first through hole (131) and a rear panel second through hole (132).

[0114] As shown in Fig. 9, the first through-hole (131) of the rear panel may be provided as a hole through which the support protrusion (643a) is inserted by penetrating the rear panel (13), and the second through-hole (132) of the rear panel may be provided as a hole through which a rear fastening member (bolt, etc.) may be coupled to the rear fastening groove (643b).

[0115] The front fastening portion (641) and the support protrusion (643a) above can be a means for temporarily assembling the body (61) to the cabinet (1). That is, a worker can temporarily fix the position of the body (61) by inserting the front fastening portion (641) into the front fixing hole (162) and then inserting the support protrusion (643a) into the rear panel first through-hole (131).

[0116] Referring to FIG. 10, when the body (61) is assembled to the cabinet (1), the worker can fix the body (61) to the front support frame (161) by fixing the front fastening member (bolt, etc.) to the fastening groove (642, front fastening groove) of the front surface fastening part, and can fix the body (61) to the rear panel (13) by fixing the rear fastening member to the rear fastening groove (643b).

[0117] As shown in the drawing, the front fastening portion (641) may be provided in a space forming the front surface of the heat exchange chamber (612) among the spaces provided by the body (61), and the rear fastening portion (643) may be provided in a rear surface of the compressor mounting portion (614) among the spaces provided by the body (61). This is because the front fastening portion (641) and the rear fastening portion (643) are arranged in a diagonal direction of the body (61) so that the body (61) can be more stably fixed.

[0118] Unlike the above, the rear surface fastening portion (643) may be provided to be fixed to a rear support frame (not shown) located between the rear surface of the body (61) and the rear panel (13).

[0119] The rear support frame may be fixed to the connecting frame, may be a panel fixed to the two side panels (121, 123), and may be fixed to the rear panel (13). The rear support frame may be provided with a support protrusion penetration hole (not shown) into which the support protrusion (643a) is inserted, and a communication hole (not shown) communicating with the rear fastening hole (643b).

[0120] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the garment treatment device (100) may further include an upper support frame (164) that secures at least a portion of the upper surface of the body (61) to the cabinet (1).

[0121] The upper support frame (164) may be provided as a panel that is fixed to the first side panel (121) and the second side panel (123) and positioned between the upper panel (14) and the body (61). That is, the upper support frame (164) may be provided as a panel that is fixed at one end to the upper surface of the first side panel (121) and at the other end to the upper surface of the second side panel (123).

[0122] The above body (61) can be fixed to the upper support frame (164) via an upper surface fastening portion (645). The upper surface fastening portion (645) can be provided as a fastening projection that protrudes from the upper surface of the compressor mounting portion (614) and fixes the compressor mounting portion (614) to the upper support frame (164). Fig. 9 illustrates an example in which the upper surface fastening portions (645) are provided on both sides of the edge of the compressor mounting portion (614).

[0123] The upper surface fastening portion (645) may be provided with an upper fastening hole into which an upper fastening member (bolt, etc.) is fastened, and the upper support frame (164) may be provided with an upper surface fixing hole (165) through which the upper fastening member passes.

[0124] When the body (61) is fixed to the cabinet (1) through the front support frame (161), the rear panel (13), and the upper support frame (164), the clothing treatment device (100) can stably fix the air supply unit (6) and the heat exchange unit (7) (which is advantageous for maintaining the durability of the air supply unit and the heat exchange unit), and the vibration of the tub body (21) can be minimized from being transmitted to the body (21).

[0125] In addition, when the body (61) is fixed to the cabinet (1) through the front support frame (161), the rear panel (13), and the upper support frame (164), the vibration generated during the operation of the fan (634) and the compressor (73) is transmitted to the side panel (12), the rear panel (13), and the base panel (15), and the vibration transmitted to the base panel (15) can be absorbed by a large weight such as a tub fixed to the base panel (15). Therefore, the garment treatment device (100) having the above-described structure will be able to minimize the vibration or noise of the fan (634) and the compressor (73).

[0126] Fig. 11 illustrates an example of the filter unit (8), and the filter unit (8) can be detachably installed in the filter chamber (611) through the upper panel (14).

[0127] That is, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the upper panel (14) may further be provided with a mounting hole (filter mounting hole, 141) that exposes the filtration chamber (611) to the outside of the cabinet (1), and the filter unit (8) may be inserted into the filtration chamber (611) through the mounting hole (141) or may be withdrawn from the filtration chamber (611).

[0128] As shown in Fig. 11, the filtering unit (8) may be provided to include a cover (81) having a closable shape for the open upper surface of the filtering chamber (611), a support body (82) fixed to the cover (81) and positioned inside the filtering chamber (611), and a mesh (825, 826, 827) provided on the support body (82) to separate foreign substances from the air.

[0129] The cover (81) may be provided in various shapes as long as it can close the open upper surface of the filtration chamber (611) (chamber communication hole that penetrates the body and connects the mounting hole and the filtration chamber). FIG. 11 illustrates an example in which the cover (81) is provided in a shape that can close the chamber communication hole and the mounting hole (141). The cover (81) may be provided with a handle (811).

[0130] The above support body (82) is a means for forming a path through which air moves by being fixed to the cover (81). An intake port (821) may be provided on one side of the support body (82), and a number of through holes (823) may be provided on the side where the intake port is not formed.

[0131] The above intake port (821) is provided on a surface facing the supply port (615) of the filtration chamber among the spaces provided by the above support body (82), and the through hole (823) can be provided on both sides and the bottom surface of the above support body.

[0132] The above mesh may be provided to include a first mesh (825) that is fixed to the support body (82) and forms one of the left and right sides of the support body, a second mesh (827) that is fixed to the support body (82) and forms the other one of the left and right sides of the support body, and a third mesh (829) that is fixed to the support body (82) and forms the bottom side of the support body.

[0133] Accordingly, the air supplied to the filtration chamber (611) through the chamber supply path (62) is supplied into the support body (82) through the intake port (821), and the air inside the support body (82) can move into the heat exchange chamber (612) through the through hole (823). In this process, foreign substances contained in the air will be filtered by the mesh (825, 827, 829).

[0134] Since the above meshes are provided on three surfaces of the support body (2) (since the filter unit has three filtering surfaces), the filtering capacity is greater than that of a conventional filter unit having one filtering surface.

[0135] The clothing treatment device (100) of the above-described structure has a possibility that foreign substances may remain in the chamber supply path (62).

[0136] When the above air supply unit (6) and heat exchange unit (7) are in operation, the air dehumidified and heated in the heat exchange chamber (612) is supplied to the tub body (21) through the tub supply passage (63).

[0137] Air supplied into the tub body (21) and having completed heat exchange with clothing is supplied to the filtration chamber (611) through the chamber supply path (62), and foreign substances present in the air supplied to the filtration chamber (611) are removed by the filtration unit (8). The air from which foreign substances have been removed in the filtration unit (8) moves to the heat exchange chamber (612) and is dehumidified and heated by the first heat exchanger (71) and the second heat exchanger (72).

[0138] In the drying process described above, foreign substances contained in the air can be filtered out through the filter (8), but some foreign substances may remain in the chamber supply path (62). If the chamber supply path (62) is made of an elastic material such as rubber or has a structure of the corrugated pipe (621), there is an effect of minimizing the transmission of vibration of the tub body (21) to the body (61), but the possibility of foreign substances remaining cannot be ruled out.

[0139] In order to remove foreign substances remaining in the chamber supply path (62), the clothing treatment device (100) may be equipped with a washing unit.

[0140] Fig. 12 illustrates an example of a cleaning unit (9) capable of removing foreign substances through a ring-shaped water stream sprayed onto the inner surface of the chamber supply path (62).

[0141] The above washing part (9) can be fixed to the body (61) through the first connecting part (617), and the drawing shows an example of a structure in which the washing part (9) is inserted into the first connecting part (617) and fixed to the body (61).

[0142] The washing unit (9) may be fixed to the body (61) so as to be positioned inside the filtration chamber (611), but in this case, the filtration capacity may be reduced if the volume of the filtration chamber (611) is not increased. Therefore, it is preferable that the position of the washing unit (9) be set according to the filtration capacity of the clothing treatment device (100).

[0143] The washing unit (9) may be provided to receive water through the water supply unit (23). That is, the water supply unit (23) may further include a washing unit water supply pipe (234) branching from the tub water supply pipe (231) and supplying water to the washing unit (9). In this case, the clothing treatment device (100) will be able to wash the chamber connection pipe (62) every time water is supplied to the tub body (21).

[0144] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of the washing unit (9), and the washing unit (9) may include a washing body (91) that is inserted and fixed to the first connecting portion (617), a body penetration hole (911) that passes through the washing body (91) and introduces air supplied from the chamber supply path (62) into the filtration chamber (611), a ring-shaped washing path (913) that surrounds the body penetration hole (911), and a supply port (915) that passes through the washing body (91) and supplies water to the washing path (913).

[0145] As shown in Fig. 14 (a), the washing path (913) may be provided as a circulation path that circulates water introduced into the supply port (915) along the circumference of the body penetration hole (911).

[0146] One side of the washing body (91) (the side of the washing body facing the chamber supply path) may be provided with a spray unit (917) that sprays water inside the washing path (913) onto the inner surface of the chamber supply path (62). As illustrated in Fig. 13, the spray unit (917) may be provided with a plurality of spray holes (917a) arranged in a ring shape.

[0147] The washing unit (9) of the above-described structure forms a ring-shaped water stream with water discharged through the spray unit (917), and the ring-shaped water stream can wash the entire inner surface of the chamber supply path (62). Therefore, the clothing treatment device (100) equipped with the washing unit (9) can minimize the phenomenon of foreign substances remaining in the chamber supply path (62).

[0148] In order to facilitate the movement of water discharged from the above injection hole (917a) toward the inner circumferential surface of the chamber supply path (62), a guide may be further provided in the washing section (9).

[0149] As shown in Fig. 14 (b), the guide (92) may be provided as an inclined surface that extends from the edge of the body penetration hole (911) toward the edge of the cleaning body (91) (inner surface of the chamber supply path), but is inclined in a direction away from the cleaning body (91).

[0150] Fig. 15 illustrates another embodiment of the washing unit (9).

[0151] The washing unit (9) according to the present embodiment also includes a washing body (91) mounted on the first connecting unit (617), a body penetration hole (911) penetrating the washing body (91) and introducing air supplied from the chamber supply path (62) into the chamber, and a supply port (915) penetrating the washing body (91) and communicating with the body penetration hole (911).

[0152] As shown in Fig. 16, the washing body (91) may be provided with a guide (93) that changes the water discharged from the supply port (915) into a ring-shaped water stream that rotates along the inner surface of the chamber supply path (62).

[0153] The above guide (93) may include a first guide body (931) that is inclined toward the supply port (915) from the washing body (91) and guides water discharged from the supply port (915) to the circumference of the chamber supply path (62), and a second guide body (932) that guides water moving by the first guide body (931) in the longitudinal direction (-X-axis direction) of the chamber supply path (62).

[0154] The above guide second body (932) may be provided with a sloped surface inclined toward the chamber supply path (62) from one side (the side facing the filtration chamber) of the above guide first body (931).

[0155] As illustrated in Fig. 15, water supplied through the water supply port (618) will form a vortex inside the chamber supply passage (62) by a water flow (C1) moving in the circumferential direction of the chamber supply passage (62) by the first guide body (931) and a water flow (C2) moving in the longitudinal direction of the chamber supply passage (62) by the second guide body (932). Therefore, the washing unit (9) equipped with the first guide body (931) and the second guide body (932) can wash the inside of the chamber supply passage (62) by a strong water flow.

[0156] Meanwhile, the washing unit (9) may further include a branch unit (933) that separates water (C1) moving along the first guide body (931) into a water stream (C2) moving toward the second guide body (932) and a water stream (C3) moving along the longitudinal direction (-X-axis direction) of the chamber supply path (62).

[0157] The clothing treatment device (100) of the above-described structure can wash the inlet connection part (4) and the chamber supply path (62) by controlling the rotation speed of the drum body (31).

[0158] When the rotation speed of the drum body (31) is increased, the water inside the tub body (21) forms a water stream that circulates along the circumference of the tub body (21), and the water stream can remove foreign substances remaining in the inlet connection part (4) and foreign substances remaining in the chamber supply path (62). This effect is possible because the detergent supply part (5) can open and close the path for supplying detergent to the tub body (21) by using the supply pump (53).

[0159] In a garment treatment device that does not have a means for opening and closing a path for supplying detergent to the tub body (21), if the rotation speed of the drum body (31) is increased to cause water inside the tub body (21) to circulate along the circumference of the tub body (21), a problem may occur in which water in the tub body (21) flows into the detergent supply unit. However, in the garment treatment device (100), the above-described problem does not occur even if the rotation speed of the drum body (31) is increased.

[0160] Below, an example of a control method for a clothing treatment device capable of implementing the above-described effect is described.

[0161] As illustrated in Fig. 17, the control method includes a water supply step (S10) and a washing step (S30). As illustrated in Fig. 18 (a), the water supply step (S10) may be provided as a step of supplying water to the tub body (21) until the reference water level (W1) set higher than the lowest point of the drum body (31) is reached.

[0162] The above water supply step (S10) is a process in which a control unit (not shown) controls the water supply valve (233) to supply water to the tub body (21), and the control unit can determine the amount of water supplied to the tub body (21) through a water level sensor (not shown, a means for detecting the water level inside the tub body).

[0163] The above reference water level (W1) is a value set to obtain the power required for water to move along the inner surface of the tub body (21) from the drum body (31). If the reference water level (W1) is high, a large amount of water will circulate along the inner surface of the tub body (21), making it easy to clean the inlet connection part (4) or the chamber supply path (62). However, if the reference water level (W1) is too high, the possibility that water may flow back into the air supply part (6) through the air supply path (43) provided in the inlet connection part (4) cannot be ruled out. Therefore, it is preferable that the reference water level (W1) be set higher than the lowest point of the drum body (31) and lower than the lowest point of the inlet connection part (4).

[0164] The above washing step (S30) is a step of rotating the drum body (31) at a preset washing rotation speed so that the water inside the tub body (21) circulates along the inner surface of the tub body. The washing rotation speed can be set to various rotation speeds as long as the water inside the tub body (21) can be introduced into the chamber supply path (62).

[0165] The above washing rotation speed can be set to a rotation speed that raises the water inside the tub body (21) to a point lower than the connection point (617) of the chamber supply path (62) and the filtration chamber (611). FIG. 18 (a) illustrates an example in which the washing rotation speed is set to a rotation speed that raises (W2) the water in the tub body (21) to at least a portion of the corrugated pipe (621).

[0166] When the drum body (31) is rotated at the above-described washing rotation speed, a water stream moving along the circumference of the tub body (21) is formed inside the tub body, and some of the water stream can wash the connecting body (41) of the inlet connection part. That is, in the washing step, some of the water stream inside the tub body (21) is supplied to the circumference of the connecting body (41), and in this process, foreign substances remaining in the connecting body (41) can be removed.

[0167] Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 18 (b), since the connecting body (41) is provided with an air supply passage (43) to which the tub supply passage (63) of the air supply unit is connected, if the water flow inside the tub body (21) is too strong, there is a possibility that water will flow into the air supply passage (43).

[0168] This phenomenon is more likely to occur the lower the connection point (44) between the tub supply path (63) and the connecting body (41). Therefore, it is preferable that the connection point (44) between the tub supply path (63) and the connecting body (41) be set higher than the horizontal line (H) passing through the center of the connecting body (41).

[0169] In addition, in order to minimize the phenomenon of water flowing into the air supply passage (43), it is preferable that the washing rotation speed be set to a rotation speed that raises the water inside the tub body (21) to a point lower than the connection point (44).

[0170] Through the above-described supply means (S10) system and the washing step (S30), the control method enables washing of the chamber supply path (62) and the connecting body (41).

[0171] Furthermore, the control method may further include a foreign substance removal step (S20) of spraying water into the chamber supply path (62) through the washing unit (9). The foreign substance removal step (S20) may be provided to be executed before the start of the washing step (S30), or may be provided to be performed during the execution of the washing step (S30). Fig. 17 illustrates an example in which the foreign substance removal step (S20) is executed before the start of the washing step (S30).

[0172] As previously described, the washing unit (9) may be provided to receive water through the washing water supply pipe (234) branched from the tub water supply pipe (231) that supplies water to the tub body (21). In this case, the foreign matter removal step (S20) will be performed together with the water supply step (S10).

[0173] However, if a washing water valve (not shown) that controls the opening and closing of the washing water supply pipe (234) is provided, the foreign matter removal step (S30) may be executed during the water supply step (S10), during the washing step (S30), or after the washing step (S30) is completed.

[0174] Unlike the above, even if the washing water supply pipe (234) is provided as a path that directly connects the washing unit (9) and the water source but whose opening and closing are controlled through the washing water valve, the foreign matter removal step (S20) may be executed during the water supply step (S10), during the washing step (S30), or after the washing step (S30) is completed.

[0175] After completion of the above washing step (S30), the control method can execute a draining step (S40) for discharging water inside the tub body (21). Through this, foreign substances removed from the chamber supply path (62) or the connection body (41) can be discharged to the outside of the tub body (21).

[0176] The above-described control method is described based on the case where the washing rotation speed is set to a rotation speed capable of washing the chamber supply path (62) and the connecting body (41), but the washing rotation speed may be set to a rotation speed capable of washing only one of the chamber supply path (62) and the connecting body (41).

[0177] Since the above-described clothing treatment device and its control method are examples of the present invention, the scope of rights of the present application is not limited to the structure or control method illustrated in the drawings.

Claims

1. A cabinet having a front panel having an inlet formed therein, a rear panel forming a rear surface, an upper panel forming an upper surface, and a first side panel and a second side panel forming both sides; A tub body provided inside the cabinet to store water, and a tub having a tub inlet provided in the tub body and connected to the inlet; A drum rotatably provided inside the tub to store clothes; An air supply unit having a chamber body positioned between the upper panel and the tub body, a filtration chamber and a heat exchange chamber provided in the chamber body and communicating with each other, a chamber supply path for guiding air inside the tub body to the filtration chamber, and a tub supply path for guiding air discharged from the heat exchange chamber to the tub body; A filtering unit provided in the above filtering chamber to filter air; and A heat exchange unit is provided in the heat exchange chamber and sequentially performs dehumidification and heating of air supplied from the filtration chamber; A garment treatment device characterized in that the chamber body has at least two sides fixed to the cabinet and is positioned between the tub body and the upper panel.

2. In paragraph 1, A front support frame fixed inside the cabinet so as to be positioned between the front panel and the chamber body; A garment treatment device characterized in that the chamber body is fixed at one end to the support frame and at the other end to the rear panel.

3. In paragraph 2, A garment treatment device characterized in that the front support frame is fixed to the front panel and positioned at the rear of the front panel, or is fixed to the first side panel and the second side panel and positioned at the rear of the front panel.

4. In paragraph 1, A front support frame fixed inside the cabinet so as to be positioned between the front panel and the chamber body; and Further comprising a rear support frame fixed inside the cabinet so as to be positioned between the rear panel and the chamber body; A garment treatment device characterized in that one end of the chamber body is fixed to the front support frame, and the other end of the chamber body is fixed to the rear support frame.

5. In paragraph 2, A garment treatment device characterized by further comprising an upper support frame fixed to the first side panel and the second side panel and positioned between the upper panel and the chamber body, and to which the upper surface of the chamber body is fixed.

6. In paragraph 5, The heat exchange unit includes a first heat exchanger provided in the heat exchange chamber to dehumidify air supplied from the filtration chamber, a second heat exchanger provided in the heat exchange chamber to heat air that has passed through the first heat exchanger, a refrigerant pipe that provides a refrigerant circulation path and passes through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and a compressor located outside the heat exchange chamber to move the refrigerant along the refrigerant pipe. A garment treatment device characterized in that the air supply unit further includes a compressor mounting unit that extends from the chamber body toward the rear panel, is located at the upper portion of the tub body, and provides a space in which the compressor is fixed.

7. In paragraph 6, A front fastening member provided in the chamber body and fixed to the front support frame; A rear surface fastening member provided on the chamber body and fixed to the rear panel; A garment treatment device characterized in that it further includes an upper surface fastening part provided in the chamber body and fixed to the upper support frame.

8. In paragraph 7, Further comprising a front fixing hole penetrating the front support frame; A garment treatment device characterized in that the front surface fastening portion is provided with a fastening projection that protrudes from the chamber body toward the front support frame and is inserted into the front panel fixing hole.

9. In paragraph 8, A garment treatment device characterized by further comprising an insulating member provided in the front fixing hole and surrounding the circumference of the front surface fastening member.

10. In paragraph 7, A garment treatment device characterized in that the upper surface fastening part is provided to connect the compressor mounting part and the upper frame.

11. In paragraph 7, Further comprising a rear panel first through-hole and a rear panel second through-hole provided to penetrate the rear panel; A garment treatment device characterized in that the rear surface fastening part includes a support protrusion that protrudes from the compressor mounting part and is inserted into the first through-hole of the rear panel, and is capable of setting the position of the chamber body; and a fixing groove provided in the compressor fixing part and to which a bolt inserted into the second through-hole of the rear panel is fixed.

12. In paragraph 1, The above filtration chamber and the above heat exchange chamber are arranged parallel to the width direction of the tub body, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the chamber supply path connects the upper circumferential surface of the tub body and the filtration chamber and is provided parallel to the length direction of the tub body.

13. In paragraph 1, A clothing treatment device further comprising a mounting hole penetrating the upper panel and communicating with the filtration chamber, wherein the filtration unit is detachably attached to the filtration chamber through the mounting hole.

14. In paragraph 13, The above filtering part A cover having a shape that allows the above mounting hole to be closed; A support body fixed to the cover and positioned inside the filtration chamber; and A garment treatment device characterized by including a mesh provided on the support body to separate foreign substances from the air.

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