Balancer, clothing treatment apparatus having balancer, and method for manufacturing balancer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a balancer, a clothing treatment apparatus having the balancer, and a method for manufacturing the balancer. The balancer comprises: a first body formed in a ring shape to form a flow groove in which a balancing member moves; a second body having a ring shape and fused to the first body to form a moving space in which the balancing member moves along the flow groove; and a support protrusion protruding from an inner circumferential surface of the first body towards the center of the first body, such that the first body is supported radially from the center of the first body.

Description

Balancer, clothing treatment device having a balancer, and method for manufacturing a balancer

[0001] The present invention relates to a balancer, a garment treatment device having a balancer, and a method for manufacturing the balancer, and more specifically, to a balancer that compensates for the unbalance of a drum, a garment treatment device having a balancer, and a method for manufacturing the balancer.

[0002] A garment treatment device refers to a washing machine, which washes items like clothing through a washing cycle, and a dryer, which dries items through a drying cycle. While washing machines and dryers are typically installed as separate units, there are garment treatment devices that can perform both washing and drying simultaneously to overcome space constraints and enhance user convenience.

[0003] In order to execute the washing process, the clothing treatment device is provided with a cabinet, a tub for storing water, a drum providing a space for accommodating the subject of treatment, a driving unit fixed to the tub and rotating the drum, a support unit for supporting the tub, a water supply unit for supplying water to the tub, and a drain unit for draining water from the tub.

[0004] Meanwhile, in order to execute the drying process, the clothing treatment device is equipped with a flow path for extracting air from inside the tub and resupplying it to the tub, and a heat exchanger provided in the flow path for sequentially performing dehumidification and heating of the air.

[0005] That is, among the conventional clothing treatment devices, there were some that had both a device for washing and a device for drying inside the cabinet, so that the washing and drying operations could be selectively performed according to the user's convenience.

[0006] Conventional garment treatment devices with the aforementioned structure have difficulties in applying them to commercial garment treatment devices that require frequent and rapid processing of large volumes of items. Specifically, commercial garment treatment devices require processing space capable of accommodating heavy and bulky garments, as well as a heat exchanger for rapid washing and drying of the items. Therefore, it has been difficult to install both washing and drying devices in a cabinet with limited space. While it is possible to install both washing and drying devices by designing the cabinet to be larger, this approach presents challenges in terms of manufacturing and transport.

[0007] Therefore, for commercial garment treatment equipment, the coupling or arrangement between the washing and drying devices was one of the important design considerations.

[0008] Meanwhile, in the case of drums that provide a space for receiving the objects to be processed in existing commercial clothing processing equipment, drums of relatively larger sizes are used compared to those used in home clothing processing equipment, and a structure that can reinforce the strength of such drums is required.

[0009] In addition, in the case of drums of existing commercial clothing processing equipment, they are manufactured by pressing metal plates of a certain thickness, and processing is done using a large press mold corresponding to the plate forming the drum.

[0010] Therefore, a relatively large amount of cost is consumed in manufacturing press molds, and a manufacturing method that can reduce the cost of press molds for processing such drums is needed.

[0011] Additionally, in existing commercial garment treatment equipment, eccentric rotation may occur due to imbalance of the treated object. To compensate for this, a balancer may be installed on the drum. The shape of the balancer, installed on the drum, is a critical design criterion.

[0012] In the case of such a balancer, two or more members forming a moving space for the balancer member to move can be formed by press injection molding a synthetic resin material, inserting a balancing member, and then fusing each member through ultrasonic welding.

[0013] Meanwhile, these balancers may experience shrinkage deformation when the synthetic resin cools depending on conditions such as thickness and size during injection molding, and this shrinkage deformation may cause the roundness and flatness (degree of flatness) of the balancer to become uneven, and deformation may occur in the injected parts during ultrasonic welding of each part.

[0014] Therefore, there is a need for a balancer and a method for manufacturing the balancer that can improve the roundness and one-sidedness that are deformed due to shrinkage during injection molding when manufacturing an existing balancer through ultrasonic welding.

[0015] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a clothing treatment device having a first treatment device that provides a washing space or drying space for a treatment target, and a second treatment device that is detachably mounted on the first treatment device and supplies air to the treatment target.

[0016] In addition, the present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a clothing treatment device capable of reducing volume by efficiently arranging a flow path and a heat exchanger in a second treatment device.

[0017] In addition, the present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a clothing treatment device including a drum that can prevent deformation and impact due to imbalance that may occur when the drum rotates by reinforcing the strength of the drum.

[0018] In addition, the present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a clothing treatment device having a balancer for compensating for imbalance due to a treatment object that occurs when the drum rotates.

[0019] In addition, the present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a balancer that can reduce manufacturing defects of the balancer by compensating for shrinkage deformation during fusion of the balancer even when shrinkage deformation occurs due to cooling during injection molding of the balancer to compensate for unbalance occurring during rotation of the drum.

[0020] In addition, the present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a balancer that can reduce manufacturing defects of the balancer by improving the fusion structure of the balancer to compensate for unbalance that occurs when the drum rotates.

[0021] In addition, the present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a method for manufacturing a balancer that can reduce manufacturing defects of the balancer by improving a method for manufacturing a balancer for compensating for unbalance that occurs when a drum rotates.

[0022] Meanwhile, the purposes of the present invention are not limited to the purposes mentioned above, and other purposes not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0023] In order to achieve the above object, a balancer according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably comprises a first body formed in a ring shape so as to form a flow groove in which a balancing member flows, a second body in a ring shape that is fused to the first body and forms a movement space in which the balancing member moves along the flow groove, and a support protrusion that protrudes from an inner circumferential surface of the first body toward the center of the first body so that the first body is supported in a radial direction at the center of the first body.

[0024] Here, the first body includes a first body portion in which a first flow groove is formed that extends along the ring shape of the first body and is formed so that the upper portion is open, and it is preferable that the support protrusion protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the first body portion toward the center of the first body.

[0025] In addition, the first body part has an outer wall forming the outer periphery of the first flow groove and an inner wall forming the inner periphery of the first flow groove, and it is preferable that the inner wall be formed to be relatively thicker than the outer wall.

[0026] Here, it is preferable that the inner wall has a first inner wall forming the inner wall of the first flow groove, and a second inner wall extending and bending from the first inner wall to form the inner wall of the first body portion.

[0027] Meanwhile, it is preferable that a space extending along the first body portion is formed between the first inner wall and the second inner wall.

[0028] Here, it is preferable that a plurality of reinforcing ribs are further formed in the space to support the first inner wall and the second inner wall.

[0029] In addition, it is preferable that the support protrusion further includes a first inclined surface that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the second inner wall and slopes downward toward the center of the first body portion.

[0030] In addition, the support protrusion is formed in the shape of a rib that slopes downward toward the center of the first body part, and it is preferable that a support rib that supports the support protrusion is further formed between the outer surface of the second inner wall and the support protrusion.

[0031] Here, it is preferable that the support protrusion is formed to slope downward from the outer surface of the second inner wall toward the center of the first body portion and to have a thickness of 1 mm to 2 mm.

[0032] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the support rib further has a second inclined surface formed upwardly toward the end of the support protrusion on the second inner wall.

[0033] Here, it is preferable that the thickness of the support rib is formed to a thickness of 1 mm to 2 mm.

[0034] Additionally, in the 8th paragraph, it is preferable that the thickness of the support rib decreases as it extends from the second inner wall toward the support protrusion.

[0035] Here, it is preferable that the thickness of the support rib decreases from 1.5 mm to 1 mm as it extends from the second inner wall toward the support protrusion.

[0036] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the support protrusion further includes a first inclined surface that protrudes from the inner surface of the first body portion and slopes downward toward the center of the first body portion.

[0037] Here, the support protrusion is formed in the shape of a rib that slopes downward toward the center of the first body part, and it is preferable that a support rib that supports the support protrusion is further formed between the first body part and the support protrusion.

[0038] In addition, it is preferable that the support protrusion is formed to slope downward toward the center of the first body portion and have a thickness of 1 mm to 2 mm.

[0039] Here, it is preferable that the support rib further has a second inclined surface formed that slopes upward toward the end of the support protrusion in the first main body portion.

[0040] Additionally, it is preferable that the thickness of the support rib be formed to a thickness of 1 mm to 2 mm.

[0041] Here, it is preferable that the thickness of the support rib decreases as it extends from the first body part to the support protrusion.

[0042] Here, it is preferable that the thickness of the support rib is reduced from 1.5 mm to 1 mm as it extends from the first body portion to the support protrusion.

[0043] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the first body and the support protrusion are formed to have the same center.

[0044] In addition, it is preferable that the second body includes a second body portion in which a second flow groove is formed to cover the first flow groove and form a space in which the balancing member moves, and at least one pair of guide ribs extending along the outer surface or inner surface of the upper surface of the second body portion.

[0045] Here, it is preferable to further include a partition rib formed at a certain interval between the pair of guide ribs to divide the space between the pair of guide ribs.

[0046] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the first body has a first fusion portion formed along the outer and inner ends of the first flow groove on the upper surface of the first body portion, and the second body further has a second fusion portion formed along the outer and inner ends of the second flow groove on the lower surface of the second body portion and fused to the first fusion portion.

[0047] In order to achieve the above object, a method for manufacturing a balancer according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a first body formed in a ring shape so as to form a flow groove in which a balancing member flows and including a supporting protrusion protruding from an inner circumferential surface of the ring shape, and a second body formed in a ring shape so as to form a movement space in which the balancing member moves along the flow groove and fused to the first body, wherein the method for manufacturing the balancer preferably includes the steps of: a step of seating the first body; a step of extending from the center of the first body in a radial direction of the first body to support the supporting protrusion in the radial direction; a step of seating the second body on the first body; and a step of applying vibration to the second body to fuse the first body and the second body.

[0048] Here, the first body includes a first body portion having a first flow groove extending along a ring shape and having an open upper portion and a first fusion portion extending along the outer and inner surfaces of the first flow groove, and the second body includes a second body portion having a second flow groove covering the first flow groove and forming a space in which the balancing member moves, and a second fusion portion extending along the outer and inner surfaces of the second flow groove and fusion-bonded to the first fusion portion, and it is preferable that the first fusion portion and the second fusion portion are fused in the step of fusion-bonding the first body and the second body.

[0049] Here, the support protrusion protrudes from the inner surface of the first body part toward the center of the first body part, and it is preferable that the support protrusion is supported in the radial direction of the first body part.

[0050] Meanwhile, the first body part has an outer wall forming the outer side of the first flow groove, and an inner wall forming the inner side of the first flow groove and being formed to be relatively thicker than the outer wall, and it is preferable that the support protrusion is supported by protruding from the inner wall toward the center of the body.

[0051] In addition, the first body part has an outer wall forming the outer side of the first flow groove, an inner wall forming the inner side of the first flow groove and being formed to be relatively thicker than the outer wall, and the inner wall further includes a first inner wall forming the inner surface of the first flow groove, a second inner wall spaced apart from the first inner wall forming the inner surface of the body, and a reinforcing rib formed between the first inner wall and the second inner wall, and it is preferable that the support protrusion is supported by protruding from the second inner wall toward the center of the body.

[0052] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the support protrusion further includes a first inclined surface that slopes downward toward the center of the body, and that the first body is supported by pressure in the radial and downward directions when the first inclined surface is pressed.

[0053] In addition, the support protrusion is formed in the shape of a downwardly sloping rib, and it is preferable that a support rib for supporting the support protrusion is further provided.

[0054] Here, it is preferable that the support rib further be formed with a second inclined surface that slopes upward toward the end of the support protrusion.

[0055] Additionally, it is preferable that the first body and the support protrusion are formed to have the same center.

[0056] Meanwhile, it is preferable that a pair of guide ribs extending along the ring shape of the second body to transmit the vibration and a partition rib dividing the space between the pair of guide ribs are formed on the outer surface or inner surface of the upper surface of the second body.

[0057] In order to achieve the above object, a garment treatment device having a balancer according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a first cabinet, a tub provided inside the first cabinet to provide a space for storing water, a drum rotatably provided inside the tub to input a treatment object and having a balancer provided at the front or rear, wherein the balancer comprises a first body formed in a ring shape to form a flow groove in which a balancing member flows, and a second body formed in a ring shape to form a movement space in which the balancing member moves along the flow groove by being fused to the first body, and the first body preferably includes a support protrusion protruding from an inner circumferential surface toward the center of the first body so as to be supported in a radial direction of the first body at the center of the first body.

[0058] Here, the first body includes a first body portion in which a first flow groove is formed to extend along the ring shape of the first body and to be open at the top, and it is preferable that the support protrusion protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the first body portion toward the center of the body portion.

[0059] Meanwhile, the first body has an outer wall forming the outer periphery of the first flow groove and an inner wall forming the inner periphery of the first flow groove, and it is preferable that the inner wall be formed to be relatively thicker than the outer wall.

[0060] Here, it is preferable that the inner wall is formed by a first inner wall forming the inner wall of the first flow groove, a second inner wall spaced apart from the first inner wall and forming the inner wall of the first body part, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs are further formed between the first inner wall and the second inner wall.

[0061] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the support protrusion further includes a first inclined surface that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the inner wall and slopes downward toward the center of the first body portion.

[0062] Here, the support protrusion is formed in the shape of a rib that slopes downward toward the center of the first body part, and it is preferable that a support rib that supports the support protrusion is further formed between the inner surface of the first body part and the support protrusion.

[0063] In addition, it is preferable that the support rib further has a second inclined surface formed upwardly toward the end of the support protrusion on the inner wall.

[0064] In addition, it is preferable that the thickness of the support rib decreases as it extends from the first body part to the center of the first body part.

[0065] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the first body and the support protrusion are formed to have the same center.

[0066] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the second body includes a second body portion in which a second flow groove is formed to cover the first flow groove and form a space in which the balancing member moves, and a pair of guide ribs extending along the ring shape of the second body on the outer or inner surface of the upper surface of the second body portion.

[0067] Here, it is preferable to further include a partition rib formed at a certain interval between the pair of guide ribs to divide the space between the pair of guide ribs.

[0068] In addition, it is preferable that the first body includes a first fusion portion formed along the outer and inner ends of the first flow groove on the upper surface of the first body portion, and the second body further includes a second fusion portion formed along the outer and inner ends of the second flow groove on the lower surface of the second body portion and fused to the first fusion portion.

[0069] Meanwhile, the drum includes a cylindrical drum body, an inlet for feeding the processing object into it, a front drum plate fastened to the front of the drum body, a drum shaft connected to the driving unit, and a rear drum plate fastened to the rear of the drum body, and it is preferable that the balancer is selectively installed in a direction opposite to the front drum plate or the rear drum plate.

[0070] Here, it is preferable that a front curling portion and a rear curling portion are formed at the front and rear of the drum body, that the front drum plate has a front plate curling portion formed on the outer surface thereof that is curlingly coupled to the front curling portion, and that the rear drum plate has a rear plate curling portion formed on the outer surface thereof that is curlingly coupled to the rear curling portion.

[0071] Meanwhile, it is preferable that the first treatment device further includes a mounting space provided on one side of the first cabinet to connect the inside of the first cabinet with the outside, a tub air supply unit capable of supplying air to the tub, and a tub exhaust unit capable of exhausting air inside the tub, and further includes a second treatment device that is detachably fixed to the first cabinet through the mounting space and supplies air to the tub to dry the treatment target inside the drum.

[0072] Here, the second treatment device preferably includes a flow path section having an exhaust duct connected to the tub exhaust section, an air supply duct connected to the tub air supply section, a heat exchange duct connected to the exhaust duct, and a blower duct having a fan for moving air and connecting the heat exchange duct and the air supply duct; a heat exchange section having a first heat exchanger provided in the heat exchange duct to dehumidify air, a second heat exchanger provided in the heat exchange duct to heat air, a refrigerant pipe forming a circulation path of refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and a compressor for moving the refrigerant along the refrigerant pipe; and a second cabinet having a support frame mounted on the first cabinet, a communication space provided on one surface of the support frame and communicating with the mounting space, and a support panel fixed to the support frame to divide the communication space into an open surface and a closed surface and provide a space to which at least one of the heat exchange duct and the blower duct is fixed.

[0073] According to the garment treatment device according to the present invention, there is an effect of providing a garment treatment device including a first treatment device that provides a washing space or drying space for a treatment target, and a second treatment device that is detachably mounted on the first treatment device and supplies air to the treatment target.

[0074] In addition, according to the clothing treatment device according to the present invention, there is an effect of providing a clothing treatment device that can reduce volume by efficiently arranging the flow path and heat exchanger in the second treatment device.

[0075] In addition, according to the garment treatment device according to the present invention, there is an effect of providing a garment treatment device including a drum that can prevent deformation and impact due to imbalance that may occur when the drum rotates by reinforcing the strength of the drum.

[0076] In addition, according to the garment treatment device having a balancer according to the present invention, there is an effect of being able to provide a garment treatment device having a balancer for compensating for unbalance occurring when the drum rotates.

[0077] In addition, the balancer according to the present invention has the effect of providing a balancer that can reduce manufacturing defects of the balancer due to shrinkage deformation upon cooling during injection molding of the balancer to compensate for unbalance occurring during rotation of the drum.

[0078] In addition, the balancer according to the present invention has the effect of reducing manufacturing defects of the balancer by improving the fastening structure of the balancer to compensate for imbalance caused by the processing target when the drum rotates.

[0079] In addition, according to the method for manufacturing a balancer according to the present invention, there is an effect of reducing manufacturing defects in the balancer by improving the method for manufacturing the balancer for compensating for unbalance occurring when the drum rotates.

[0080] Meanwhile, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0081] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a clothing treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of a clothing treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a first processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Figure 4 is a side perspective view showing a first processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Figure 5 is an exploded cross-sectional perspective view showing the main configuration of a first processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] Figure 6 is a rear perspective view showing the internal configuration of a first processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a second processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] Figure 8 is a plan view showing the internal structure of a second processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the main configuration of a second processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] Figure 10 is a simplified diagram showing the combination of a first processing device and a second processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a drum of a first processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the internal structure of a drum according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a drum and a balancer attached to the drum according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] Fig. 14 is a rear view showing the rear surface of a balancer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] Fig. 15 is a front view showing the front of a balancer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of Figure 15.

[0097] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of Figure 15.

[0098] Fig. 18 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing a state before fastening of a balancer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] Fig. 19 is a simplified diagram showing the bottom surface of a support protrusion of a balancer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] Figure 20 is a flowchart showing a process of joining a balancer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] Figure 21 is a simplified diagram showing a support structure of a fusion device for fusion of a balancer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] Figure 22 is a simplified diagram briefly showing the fusion process of a balancer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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.

[0108] Below, a preferred embodiment of a garment treatment device is described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0109] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a clothing treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal structure of a clothing treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0110] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a clothing treatment device (100) may be provided to include a first treatment device (100a, treatment module, washing module) that provides a space for washing or drying a treatment target such as clothing, and a second treatment device (100b) that is detachably coupled to the first treatment device (100a, drying module, heat exchange module, detachable module) for drying a treatment target put into the first treatment device.

[0111] The first treatment device (100a) may be provided to include a first cabinet (1), and the second treatment device (100b) may be provided to include a second cabinet (6). As shown in the drawing, the second treatment device (100b) may be provided to be positioned above the first treatment device (100a), and in this case, the exterior of the clothing treatment device (100) may be formed by a combination of the first cabinet (1) and the second cabinet (6).

[0112] The first cabinet (1) may be provided to include a front panel (11, first front panel) forming the front surface of the first processing device (100a), a side panel (12, first side panel) connected to the first front panel (11) to form a side surface of the first processing device (100a), and a rear panel (13, first rear panel) provided at a position facing the first front panel (11) to form the rear surface of the first processing device (100a).

[0113] The first front panel (11) may be provided with a control panel (112) for controlling the garment treatment device (100). The control panel (112) may be provided to control only one of the first treatment device (100a) and the second treatment device (100b), or may be provided to control both the first treatment device (100a) and the second treatment device (100b). The control panel (112) may be provided with a display unit for displaying control commands selectable by the user, and an input unit for receiving control commands from the user.

[0114] A detergent storage unit (41) forming a space for storing detergent may be provided on one side of the first front panel (11) (specifically, one side of the control panel (112)). The detergent storage unit (41) may be formed in a drawer shape and may be provided so as to be withdrawable to the front of the first front panel (11).

[0115] The first front panel (11) may be provided with a first panel body (113) and a second panel body (114). The first panel body (113) may be provided as a panel fixed to the first treatment device (100a) to form a mounting space for the control panel (112) and the detergent storage unit (41), and the second panel body (114) may be provided as a panel detachable from the first treatment device (100a).

[0116] FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the first panel body (113) forms the upper region of the first front panel (11) and the second panel body (114) forms the lower region of the first front panel (11).

[0117] The first side panel (12) may be provided to include a left panel (121, first left panel) forming the left side of the first processing device (100a) (part of the left side of the garment processing device), and a right panel (122, first right panel) forming the right side of the first processing device (100a) (part of the right side of the garment processing device).

[0118] The first panel body (113) is provided to include a cabinet penetration hole (111) that communicates with the inside of the first processing device (100a), and the second panel body (114) can be provided at a position where at least some of the components provided inside the first processing device (100a) can be exposed to the outside of the first processing device (100a).

[0119] The second processing device (100b) may be provided to include a second cabinet (6), a flow path (7, 8, see FIG. 7) provided inside the second cabinet (6), and a heat exchanger (9, see FIG. 7) provided in the flow path to remove moisture from the air (dehumidify) or heat the air.

[0120] The second cabinet (6) may include a front panel (67, second front panel) forming the front surface of the second cabinet (6), a side panel (65, second side panel) forming the side surface of the second cabinet (6), a rear panel (64, second rear panel) forming the rear surface of the second cabinet (6), and an upper panel (66) forming the upper surface of the second cabinet (6).

[0121] An outside air supply port (81) through which outside air is introduced into the inside of the second cabinet (6) may be provided on the upper portion of the second front panel (67). The outside air supply port (81) may be provided on the side of the second front panel (67) or on the lower surface of the second front panel (67).

[0122] The first processing device (100a) may be provided with a mounting space (15) to which the second processing device (100b) is fixed, as shown in Fig. 2. The mounting space (15) may be provided as an open space formed on the upper surface of the first cabinet (1).

[0123] Here, FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the mounting space (15) is formed by the upper portion of the first front panel (11), the upper portion of the first left panel (121), the upper portion of the first right panel (122), and the upper portion of the first rear panel (13).

[0124] The height of the first front panel (11) and the height of the first rear panel (13) can be set higher (H1) than the height of the first left panel (121) and the height of the first right panel (122). When the heights of the first front panel (11) and the first rear panel (13) are set higher than the side panels (121, 122), not only is it advantageous for positioning and fixing the second treatment device (100b) when mounting it in the mounting space (15), but there is also an effect of reducing the height of the entire garment treatment device (100).

[0125] In addition, if the first front panel (11) is set higher than the side panels (121, 122), it will be possible to create a space in which other devices (such as a detergent storage unit) can be installed in the first front panel (11) while minimizing the increase in the height of the clothing treatment device (100). The first front panel (11) may be set to the same height as the first rear panel (13), or may be provided at a different height from the first rear panel (13).

[0126] A first control unit (19) for controlling at least one of the first processing device (100a) and the second processing device (100a) may be provided inside the first cabinet (1). The first control unit (19) may be provided to receive a control signal from an input unit of the control panel (112) or to transmit a control signal requesting the display of information on a display unit of the control panel (112). The first control unit (19) may be fixed to the first rear panel (13) and positioned inside the first cabinet (1).

[0127] A receiving portion (2) forming a washing space or drying space for the subject matter may be provided within the first cabinet (1). The receiving portion (2) may be provided with a tub (2a) forming a space for water and a path for air movement, and a drum (2b) rotatably provided within the tub to form a processing space in which the subject matter is received.

[0128] The above tub (2a) may be provided to include a tub body (21) that provides a space for storing water and is fixed inside the first cabinet (1) via a tub support member (23).

[0129] The above tub body (21) may be provided in a cylindrical shape with an empty interior. The tub body (21) may be provided to include a tub front surface (21a) provided in a direction facing the first front panel (11), a tub rear surface (21b) provided in a direction facing the first rear panel (13), and a tub circumference (21c) connecting the front surface and the rear surface of the tub body.

[0130] The front surface (21a) of the tub may be provided with an inlet (211) communicating with the inside of the drum (2b), and a mounting pipe (212) that is provided in a shape that surrounds the inlet (211) and protrudes from the front surface (21a) of the tub toward the cabinet penetration hole (111).

[0131] That is, the mounting pipe (212) is provided as a cylinder protruding from the front surface (21a) of the tub toward the first front panel (11), and the inlet (211) is provided as a hole penetrating the front surface (21a) of the tub, but may be provided so as to be located inside the mounting pipe (212).

[0132] The above-mentioned mounting pipe (212) not only provides a mounting space for the injection unit or the tub air supply unit to be described later, but can also be a means for guiding the treatment target fed into the drum (2b) through the cabinet penetration hole (111) to the input port (211).

[0133] The above-mentioned inlet (211) can be opened and closed by a door (22) rotatably fixed to the front surface (21a) of the tub. Since the door (22) is not rotatably fixed to the first front panel (11) but is rotatably fixed to the tub body (21), it is preferable that the cabinet penetration hole (111) be provided in a size and position that does not interfere with the rotation of the door (22) (rotation for opening or closing the inlet).

[0134] That is, when the input port (211) is closed, the door (22) remains exposed to the outside of the first cabinet (1) through the cabinet penetration hole (111). However, when the input port (211) is opened, the door (22) can rotate toward the outside of the first cabinet (1) through the cabinet penetration hole (111).

[0135] In addition, the second processing device (100b) may be provided with a frame panel (62) on the inside of the front panel (67, second front panel) forming the front surface of the second cabinet (6). The frame panel (62) may be provided to form a space in which a portion of the duct section (7, 8, see FIG. 7) is supported.

[0136] The second front panel (67) may be provided in a shape that surrounds the frame panel (62) so that the frame panel (62) is not exposed to the outside. In addition, the second front panel (67) may be rotatably fixed to the support frame (61), the frame panel (62), or the upper panel (66) so that the user can easily access the frame panel (62).

[0137] The above frame panel (62) may be provided with a first panel door (624) and a second panel door (626) that are rotatably fixed to the frame panel (62) and open and close to connect the inside of the second cabinet (6) with the outside.

[0138] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a first processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a side perspective view showing a first processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0139] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tub (2a) can be supported by a first support body (231) forming the bottom surface of the garment treatment device (100), a second support body (235) to which the tub body (21) is fixed and positioned above the first support body (23), and a damper (236) and a spring (237) arranged between the first support body (231) and the second support body (235).

[0140] The above tub (2a) may be provided with a door mounting portion (224) for fixing the door (22) to the front surface (21a) of the tub. The door mounting portion (224) may be provided to include a first mounting cover (225) that is fixed to the front surface (21a) of the tub and surrounds the mounting pipe (212), and a second mounting cover (226) that is fixed to the first mounting cover (225) and provides a space for fixing a hinge (227) of the door. To prevent the inlet (211) from being closed by the door mounting portion (224), the door mounting portion (224) may be provided with an inlet communication hole (228).

[0141] The above tub (2a) can be connected to the second treatment device (100b) via the tub air supply part (24) and the tub exhaust part (25). That is, the second treatment device (100b) can be detachably connected to the tub air supply part (24) and the tub exhaust part (25).

[0142] The above tub air supply unit (24) may be provided to supply air into the inside of the tub body (21) through the mounting pipe (212), and the above tub exhaust unit (25) may be provided to discharge air inside the tub body (21) to the outside of the tub (2a) through the tub circumference (21c).

[0143] The above tub air supply unit (24) may be provided to include a first air supply hole (241) and a second air supply hole (242) provided in the mounting pipe (212), and a distribution pipe (243) that guides air to each of the air supply holes (241, 242).

[0144] The first air supply hole (241) and the second air supply hole (242) may be provided to pass through the mounting pipe (212) and communicate with the inlet (211). The distribution pipe (243) may be provided to include a connection pipe (243a) connected to the second treatment device (100b), a first branch pipe (243b) that guides some of the air introduced into the connection pipe to the first air supply hole (241), and a second branch pipe (243c) that guides some of the air introduced into the connection pipe to the second air supply hole (242).

[0145] In order for the above-mentioned clothing treatment device (100) to perform washing or drying of a large number of items to be treated, the volume of the tub body (21) and the volume of the drum (2b) need to be designed to be large. Since the drum (2b) must be supported by the rear surface (21b) of the tub and be rotatable within the body (21), the durability of the tub body (21) is important in order to design the volume of the drum (2b) to be large. Therefore, the tub body (21) may be formed of a metal material.

[0146] When the tub body (21) is made of a metal material, it is preferable that the mounting pipe (212) is also made of a metal material, but the distribution pipe (243) may be made of a different material from the mounting pipe (212). The distribution pipe (243) provided with the first branch pipe (243b) and the second branch pipe (243c) described above may be advantageous in terms of cost and time to be formed of a material such as plastic rather than metal. Therefore, when the distribution pipe (243) and the mounting pipe (212) are made of different materials, the first treatment device (100a) may further include a bracket (244) that connects the distribution pipe (243) to the mounting pipe (212).

[0147] The above distribution pipe (243) may be provided as a flow path protruding from the above mounting pipe (212) toward the second processing device (100b). Meanwhile, the free end (the portion to which the second processing device is connected) of the above connection pipe (243a) may be provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the first processing device (100a) through the mounting space (15) of the first cabinet (1).

[0148] That is, the free end of the connecting pipe (243a) may be positioned at a point higher than at least one of the upper end of the first front panel (11), the upper end of the first rear panel (13), and the upper end of the first side panel (121, 122). This is to facilitate the coupling of the first processing device (100a) and the second processing device (100b).

[0149] The above tub exhaust part (25) may be provided as an exhaust pipe protruding from the tub circumference (21c) toward the second processing device (100b). That is, the above tub exhaust part (25) may be provided as an exhaust pipe protruding toward the mounting space (15) formed on the upper surface of the above first processing device (100a).

[0150] The free end of the above tub exhaust section (25) (the portion to which the second treatment device (100b) is connected) may be positioned at a point higher than at least one of the upper end of the first front panel (11), the upper end of the first rear panel (13), and the upper end of the first side panel (121, 122). This is to facilitate the coupling of the first treatment device (100a) and the second treatment device (100b).

[0151] Unlike the above, the free end of the tub exhaust part (25) may be positioned lower than the upper end of the side panel (12). This is to reduce the height of the garment treatment device (100).

[0152] The above door (22) may be provided to include a door frame (221) rotatably fixed to the hinge (227), a door frame penetration hole (222) provided to penetrate the door frame, and a door window (223) fixed to the door frame (221) to close the door frame penetration hole.

[0153] The above door frame penetration hole (222) is provided at a position corresponding to the input port (211) (a position connected to the input port), and the door window (223) may be provided with a light-transmitting material. In this case, the user will be able to check the inside of the drum (2b) from the outside of the first processing device (100a).

[0154] The above door window (223) may be provided to include a first window (223a) fixed to the door frame (221) so as to be exposed to the outside through the cabinet penetration hole (111), and a second window (223b) fixed to the door frame (221) so as to be located inside the mounting pipe (212).

[0155] The first window (223a) may be provided with glass that is positioned in the cabinet penetration hole (111) and forms a part of the first front panel (11), and the second window (223b) may be provided with glass that protrudes from the door frame (221) toward the inlet (211).

[0156] The above tub body (21) is supplied with water through the water supply unit (4), and the water inside the tub body (21) can be discharged to the outside of the clothing treatment device (100) through the drain unit (28).

[0157] The above drainage unit (28) may be provided to include a drainage pipe (281) that guides water inside the tub body (21) to the outside of the first cabinet (1). The drainage pipe (281) may be provided with one end fixed to the lower space of the tub circumference (21c) (an area of ​​the tub circumference located below a horizontal line passing through the center of the inlet) and the other end as a hose that penetrates the first rear panel (13).

[0158] The above drain pipe (281) may be provided to discharge water inside the tub body (21) to the outside of the first cabinet (1) using gravity, or may be provided to discharge water inside the tub body (21) to the outside of the first cabinet (1) through a drain pump. Fig. 4 illustrates the former case as an example, and in this case, the drain unit (28) may further be provided with a drain valve (282) that controls the opening and closing of the drain pipe (281) according to a control signal of the first control unit (19).

[0159] The above drainage unit (28) may further be equipped with a drainage filter that filters water flowing into the drainage pipe (281), and the drainage filter may be provided so as to be detachable from the drainage pipe (281). The drainage valve (282) and the drainage filter may be provided at a location exposed to the outside when the second panel body (114) is separated from the first treatment device (100a).

[0160] FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional perspective view showing the main configuration of a first processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view showing the internal configuration of the first processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0161] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the drum (2b) is provided in a cylindrical shape with an empty interior. The drum (2b) may include a front drum plate (26b) forming the front of the drum (2b), a drum body (26a) forming the outer circumference of the drum (2b), a rear drum plate (26c) forming the rear of the drum (2b), and a reinforcing plate (26d) for reinforcing the strength of the rear drum plate (26c).

[0162] The front drum plate (26b) may be formed with a drum inlet (261b) that communicates with the inlet (211), and a plurality of drum penetration holes (263a) that communicate the inside of the drum body (26a) with the inside of the tub body (21) may be formed on the circumference of the drum body (26a), and a drum shaft (260a) that is connected to a driving unit (27) to be described later may be connected to the rear drum plate (26c).

[0163] In addition, a plurality of lifters (26e) may be provided inside the drum body (26a) so that the object to be treated can be repeatedly raised and lowered inside the drum body (26a) when the drum body (26a) rotates (so that the washing power can be increased).

[0164] The drum body (26a) can be rotated by a drum shaft (260a) and a driving unit (27). The drum shaft (260a) is fixed to the rear surface of the drum body (26a) and is provided to penetrate the rear surface (21b) of the tub, and the driving unit (27) can be provided to be positioned on the outside of the tub body (21) and to rotate the drum shaft (260a).

[0165] In addition, a front balancer (26f) and a rear balancer (26f) may be provided on the outer side of the front drum plate (26b) and the outer side of the rear drum plate (26c) to compensate for unbalance caused by eccentricity of the processing target when the drum (2b) rotates.

[0166] Meanwhile, the detailed structure and combination of the drum (2b) and front / rear balancer (26f) described above will be described in detail with reference to a separate drawing after the description of the first processing device (100a) and the second processing device (100b) is completed.

[0167] The above tub (2a) forms a space in which water is stored and at the same time forms a space in which the drum (2b) can be rotatably installed inside. The above tub (2a) may include a tub body (21) fixed to the inside of the first cabinet (1) via a tub support member (23), a tub front surface (21a) provided in a direction facing the first front panel (11), a tub rear surface (21b) provided in a direction facing the first rear panel (13), and a tub circumference (21c) connecting the front surface and the rear surface of the tub body.

[0168] The front surface (21a) of the tub may be formed with an inlet (211) communicating with the inside of the drum (2b) and a mounting pipe (212) on which a door (22) for opening and closing the inlet (211) is mounted. The rear surface (21b) of the tub may be provided with a bearing housing (272) that rotatably fixes the drum shaft (260a) to the tub body (21), a motor (273) that is fixed to the tub support (23) and controlled by the first control unit (19), and a power transmission unit that transmits the power of the motor (273) to the drum shaft (260a).

[0169] The above bearing housing (272) can be fixed to the rear surface (21b) of the tub via a driving unit support body (271). The driving unit support body (271) can be provided to include a hub to which the bearing housing (272) is fixed, and a plurality of hub fixing bars radially arranged from the hub.

[0170] The rear surface (21b) of the above tub is provided with a tub rear surface through hole, and the hub is provided with a hub through hole connected to the tub rear surface through hole. The drum shaft (260a) is exposed to the outside of the tub body (21) through the tub rear surface through hole and the hub through hole, and the drum shaft (260a) exposed to the outside of the tub body (21) can be rotatably fixed to the hub through the bearing housing (282).

[0171] The above tub body (21) can be fixed to the second support body (235) through a tub fixing part (238), and the tub fixing part (238) can be provided to include a first strap (238a, a first strap) and a second strap (238b) that fix the tub circumference (21c) to the second support body (235).

[0172] The first strap (238a) may be provided to fix the front area of ​​the tub circumference (21c) to the second support body (235), and the second strap (238b) may be provided to fix the rear area of ​​the tub circumference (21c) to the second support body (235).

[0173] The above tub (2a) can transmit vibration generated from the drum (2b) according to the rotation of the drum (2b). The tub (2a) and the second support body (235) may further be provided with a tub weight to dampen vibration transmitted from the drum (2b).

[0174] The above tub weight may be provided to include at least one of a first weight (239a) fixed to the second support body (235) and a second weight (239b) fixed to the tub circumference (21c).

[0175] The first weight (239a) may be fixed to the front surface of the second support body (235) (see FIG. 4). Alternatively, the second weight (239b) may be fixed to the first strap (238a) (see FIG. 6). Both the first weight (239a) and the second weight (239b) are positioned in the front area of ​​the tub body (21), taking into account that the driving unit (27) is provided in the rear area of ​​the tub body (21).

[0176] The power transmission unit may be provided to include a first pulley (275) fixed to the rotational axis (274) of the motor, a second pulley (276) fixed to the drum axis (260a), and a belt (277) connecting the two pulleys.

[0177] Unlike what is shown in the drawing, the power transmission unit may be provided with a first gear fixed to the rotational shaft (274) of the motor and a second gear fixed to the drum shaft (260a). Furthermore, the power transmission unit may be provided to further include a third gear that is provided to connect the first gear and the second gear and sets the rotational speed of the drum body (26) (sets the rotational speed of the second gear).

[0178] As mentioned above, the tub body (21) is fixed inside the first cabinet (1) through the tub support (23) and is supplied with water through the water supply unit (4).

[0179] The above water supply unit (4) is a means for guiding water provided from a water source located outside the clothing treatment device (100) to the tub body (21). The water supply unit (4) may be provided as a path that directly connects the water source and the tub body (21), or may be provided as a path that supplies detergent together with water supplied from the water source to the tub body (21).

[0180] The above water supply unit (4) may be provided to include a detergent storage unit (41) forming a space where detergent is stored, a storage unit water supply pipe (42) supplying water supplied from the water source to the detergent storage unit (41), a water supply valve (44, see FIG. 3) controlling the opening and closing of the storage unit water supply pipe (42) according to a control signal of the first control unit (19), and a tub supply pipe (46) supplying liquid (water, or a mixture of water and detergent) discharged from the detergent storage unit (41) to the tub body (21).

[0181] The above first processing device (100a) may be provided with a communication part (29, outside air communication part) that can discharge air inside the tub body (21) to the outside or supply outside air to the tub body (21).

[0182] Water may remain in the above tub body (21) and drum body (26), and the clothing treatment device (100) equipped with the above communication part (29) has the effect of enabling hygienic management of the tub (2a) and the drum (2b) by reducing the possibility of water remaining in the tub body and drum body.

[0183] In addition, the clothing treatment device (100) equipped with the above-mentioned connecting portion (29) can prevent the inside of the tub body (21) from being sealed even when the door (22) closes the inlet (211). Therefore, the clothing treatment device (100) can prevent an accident that may occur due to the tub body (21) being sealed.

[0184] In order to prevent the fluid (water, foam, foreign matter) inside the tub body (21) from being discharged to the outside of the first cabinet (1) through the above-mentioned communication portion (29), the first treatment device (100a) may be provided with a connection portion (5) that connects the flow path formed by the water supply portion (4) and the flow path formed by the communication portion (29).

[0185] The tub supply pipe (46) may be fixed to a region higher than the horizontal line (L1) passing through the drum shaft (260a) among the rear surface (21b) of the tub. When water begins to be supplied inside the tub body (21), the pressure in the region higher than the horizontal line (L1) will be lower than the pressure in the region lower than the horizontal line (L1) among the internal space of the tub body (21). Therefore, it is preferable that one end of the tub supply pipe (46) be fixed to a point higher than the horizontal line (L1). Since vibration when the drum body (26) rotates can be transmitted to the tub body (21), at least a portion of the tub supply pipe (46) may be provided as a corrugated pipe.

[0186] The first communication pipe (291) may be fixed to an area higher than a horizontal line (L1) passing through the drum shaft (260a) among the rear surface (21b) of the tub to connect the tub body (21) to the exhaust chamber (515), and the second communication pipe (292) may be provided to connect the drain pipe (281) and the connection portion (5).

[0187] The first communication pipe (291) is connected to the internal space of the tub body (21) through the rear surface (21b) of the tub, and the second communication pipe (292) is connected to the drain pipe (281) so that water or foam flowing into the exhaust chamber (515) can be guided to the drain pipe (281) and discharged to the outside of the clothing treatment device (100).

[0188] Meanwhile, the air supplied to the tub body (21) through the tub supply part (24) can maintain high drying efficiency when supplied to the second treatment device (100b) through the tub exhaust part (25). In the clothing treatment device (100) equipped with the communication part (29), some of the air inside the tub body (21) can be exhausted to the outside through the first communication pipe (291).

[0189] In order to reduce the above-described phenomenon, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first communication pipe (291) may be set smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the tub exhaust part (25). The cross-sectional area of ​​the second communication pipe (292) may be set equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the first communication pipe (291), or may be set smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first communication pipe (291).

[0190] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a second processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the second processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the main configuration of the second processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0191] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the second processing device (100b) may be provided to include a second cabinet (6), a flow path (7, 8) provided inside the second cabinet (6), and a heat exchanger (9) provided in the flow path to remove moisture from the air (dehumidify) or heat the air.

[0192] The second cabinet (6) may include a support frame (61) mounted on the first cabinet (1), a side panel (65, second side panel) fixed to the support frame (61) to form a side surface of the second cabinet, a rear panel (64, second rear panel) fixed to the support frame (61) to form a rear surface of the second cabinet, and an upper panel (66) fixed to the support frame (61) to form an upper surface of the second cabinet.

[0193] The second side panel (65) may be provided with a left panel (651, second left panel) forming the left side of the second cabinet (6), and a right panel (652, second right panel) forming the right side of the second cabinet (6).

[0194] The second rear panel (64) may be provided with a panel exhaust port (641) that connects the interior of the second cabinet (6) with the exterior. Accordingly, through the panel exhaust port (641), air inside the second cabinet (6) can be discharged to the exterior, and outside air can be introduced into the interior of the second cabinet (6).

[0195] A frame panel (62) may be provided on the front surface of the above support frame (61). The frame panel (62) may be provided to form a space in which a portion of the above-described guiding section (7, 8) is supported.

[0196] Furthermore, the support frame (61) may be provided with a front panel (67, second front panel) forming the front surface of the second cabinet (6). The second front panel (67) may be provided in a shape that surrounds the frame panel (62) so that the frame panel (62) is not exposed to the outside. In addition, to allow a user to easily access the frame panel (62), the second front panel (67) may be provided to be rotatably coupled to the support frame (61), the frame panel (62), or the upper panel (66) so as to open and close the frame panel (62).

[0197] The second front panel (67) may be provided to be rotatable toward the upper portion of the second cabinet (6), and the frame panel (62) may be provided to be rotatable toward the lower portion of the second cabinet (6). That is, the rotation axis of the second front panel (67) may be fixed to the upper portion of the upper panel (66) or the support frame (61), and the rotation axis of the frame panel (62) may be fixed to the lower portion of the support frame (61).

[0198] When the second cabinet (6) is mounted on the first cabinet (1), the lower end of the second side panel (651, 652) may be connected in parallel to the upper end of the first side panel (121, 122) of the first processing device (0), and the lower end of the second rear panel (64) may be connected in parallel to the upper end of the first rear panel (13). Meanwhile, when the second cabinet (6) is mounted on the first cabinet (1), the second front panel (67) may be provided to be positioned on the same plane as the first front panel (11).

[0199] The front surface of the support frame (61) is closed by the frame panel (62), both sides of the support frame (61) are closed by the second side panels (651, 652), the upper surface of the support frame (61) is closed by the upper panel (66), and the rear surface of the support frame (61) can be closed by the second rear panel (64).

[0200] The above frame panel (62) may be provided with a first panel through hole (621), a second panel through hole (622), and a third panel through hole (623) that connect the inside of the second cabinet (6) with the outside.

[0201] The panel first door (624) may be rotatably provided on the frame panel (62) through the panel first through hole (621), and the panel second door (626) may be rotatably provided on the frame panel (62) through the panel second through hole (622).

[0202] The first door (624) of the panel may be provided with a space for mounting a second control unit (63) that controls the second processing device (100b). In this case, the first through-hole (621) of the panel may be a control unit outlet that exposes the second control unit (63) to the outside of the second cabinet (6).

[0203] The above-mentioned euro portion (7, 8) may be equipped with a filter for filtering air discharged from the tub body (21), and the second panel through-hole (622) may be a filter outlet for drawing the filter out to the outside of the second cabinet (6).

[0204] The above panel third penetration hole (623) can be a means (panel air inlet) for supplying air from outside the second cabinet (6) to the euro section (7, 8).

[0205] A second flow passage (8) may be provided on the inside of the above support frame (61). The second flow passage (8) serves as a means for introducing outside air into the interior of the second cabinet (6), and may be fixed to the support frame (61) or the second side panel (651, 652).

[0206] The above second euro section (8) can be located in the left or right area of ​​the front space of the second cabinet (6).

[0207] The second cabinet (6) may further be provided with a fixing frame (619) for fixing the second flow path (8). The fixing frame (619) may be provided to connect the lower frame (611) and the upper frame (617) (for reinforcing the strength of the support frame), or may be provided to be fixed to the second side panel (651, 652) and positioned in the front space. In this case, the second flow path (8) may be positioned in a space (corner area of ​​the front space) formed between the second side panel (651, 652), the frame panel (62), and the air supply duct (721) in the front space.

[0208] The internal space of the first cabinet (1) is connected to the outside through the mounting space (15). In order to connect the internal space of the first cabinet (1) and the internal space of the support frame (61), a communication space (612) connected to the mounting space (15) may be provided on the bottom surface of the support frame (61).

[0209] The above support frame (61) may be provided with a support panel (613) that divides the communication space (612) into an open side and a closed side. The closed side refers to an area of ​​the communication space (612) where the support panel (613) is positioned, and the open side may be defined as an area of ​​the communication space (612) where the support panel (613) is not positioned. Since the communication space (612) is connected to the mounting space (15), the mounting space (15) can also be viewed as being divided into an open side and a closed side by the support panel (613).

[0210] The interior of the above support frame (61) can be divided into a front space where the frame panel (62) is positioned and a rear space where the second rear panel (64) is positioned, and the support panel (613) can be fixed to the lower frame (611) and positioned in the rear space.

[0211] The above front space may be defined as a space located above the open surface (a space located above the tub air supply part (24)), and the above rear space may be defined as a space located above the closed surface. The frame panel (62) will form one side of the front space, and the second rear panel (64) will form one side of the rear space.

[0212] The above support panel (613) may be provided to include a support body (614) that supports a part of the configuration of the above-described euro section (7, 8) or a part of the configuration of the above-described heat exchange section (9), and a fixing body (615) that fixes the support body (614) to the above-described lower frame (611) (see FIG. 9).

[0213] The above support body (614) may be provided to be positioned at a lower point than the lower frame (611). That is, the lowermost end of the support body (614) may be provided to be positioned at a lower point than the bottom surface (communication space, the lowermost end of the lower frame) of the support frame (61). When the second cabinet (6) is mounted on the first cabinet (1), the bottom edge of the support frame (61) will be supported by the panels (11, 12, 13) of the first cabinet forming the mounting space (15), and the support body (614) will be positioned inside the first cabinet (1). That is, when the second cabinet (6) is fixed on the first cabinet (1), the support body (614) will be positioned at a lower point than the upper end of the first side panel (12).

[0214] Since the above support panel (613) is provided to support the above-mentioned euro section (7, 8) or heat exchange section (9), if the above-mentioned support body (614) is provided to be positioned at a lower point than the above-mentioned lower frame (611), the effect of reducing the height of the entire garment treatment device (100) can be expected.

[0215] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the flow path may be provided to include a first flow path (7) that is connected to the tub body (21) to form an air circulation path, and a second flow path (8) that forms an outside air movement path.

[0216] The first flow path (7) may be provided to include an exhaust flow path (71) connected to the tub exhaust part (25), an air supply flow path (72) connected to the tub air supply part (24), a heat exchange flow path (73) connected to the exhaust flow path, and a blower flow path (74) equipped with a fan for moving air and connecting the heat exchange flow path (73) and the air supply flow path (72).

[0217] The above exhaust path (71) may be provided as an exhaust duct (711) that is detachably fixed to the tub exhaust section (25) of the first treatment device (100a). In order to reduce vibration of the tub body (21) to the heat exchange path (73), an exhaust path corrugation (712) may be provided in at least a portion of the exhaust duct (711).

[0218] The above-mentioned air supply path (72) may be provided with an air supply duct (721) that is fixed to the air blower path (74) and provides a path for air to travel through the air blower path. In order to reduce the vibration of the tub body (21) from being transmitted to the air supply duct (721), an air supply path fold (722) may be provided in at least a portion of the air supply duct (721) or at one end of the air supply duct (721).

[0219] The above heat exchange path (73) may be provided with a heat exchange duct (73b) fixed to the support panel (613). The heat exchange duct (73b) may be provided to include a first heat exchange duct (734) in which a first heat exchanger (91) provided in the heat exchange unit (9) is mounted, a second heat exchange duct (735) in which a second heat exchanger (92) provided in the heat exchange unit (9) is mounted, and a connecting duct (736) connecting the heat exchange ducts (734, 735).

[0220] The above heat exchange duct (73b) may be fixed to the bottom surface (support body, 614) of the support panel (613), or may be fixed to a duct mounting portion (616) provided on the support panel (613). The duct mounting portion (616) is a means for protruding from the support body (614) toward the heat exchange duct (73b) to maintain a gap between the bottom surface of the heat exchange duct (73b) and the support body (614).

[0221] Since the air that flows into the first heat exchange duct (73b) from the tub body (21) through the exhaust duct (711) is condensed while passing through the first heat exchanger (91), condensate may remain inside the heat exchange duct (73b). In order to discharge the condensate remaining inside the heat exchange duct (73b), the second treatment device (100b) may be provided with a condensate discharge unit (75). The condensate discharge unit (75) may be provided in a space formed between the bottom surface of the heat exchange duct (73b) and the support body (614) by the duct mounting unit (616).

[0222] The above condensate drain pipe (76) may be provided to include a first condensate drain pipe (761) fixed to the support body (614) and connected to the first chamber drain pipe (758), and a second condensate drain pipe (762) fixed to the support body (614) and connected to the second chamber drain pipe (759).

[0223] The above condensate first drain pipe (761) and the above condensate second drain pipe (762) are means for guiding condensate to the outside of the second cabinet (6), and the above condensate first drain pipe (761) and the above condensate second drain pipe (762) can be provided to guide condensate to the drain pipe (281) provided in the above first treatment device (100a).

[0224] The above heat exchange duct (73b) may be provided so as to be directly connected to the exhaust duct (711), or may be provided so as to be connected to the exhaust duct (711) through a filter duct (73a). The filter duct (73a) is a space in which a filter (733) for filtering the air supplied to the exhaust duct (711) is installed.

[0225] A filter outlet (731) communicating with the second panel penetration hole (622) may be provided on one side of the filter duct (73a), and an exhaust duct connection portion (732) connected to the exhaust duct (711) may be provided on the other side of the filter duct (73a). The filter outlet (731) is provided on the front side (the side facing the frame panel) of the filter duct (73a), and the exhaust duct connection portion (732) is provided on the bottom side of the filter duct (73a), as an example.

[0226] The above-mentioned airflow path (74) may be provided to include a blower duct (74a) that is fixed to the support panel (613) and connects the heat exchange duct (73b) and the air supply duct (721), and a blower fan (first flow fan, 74b) that moves air along the first flow path (7).

[0227] The second flow path (8) may be provided to include a first outside air duct (82) provided inside the second cabinet (6) and through which outside air is introduced, a second outside air duct (83) connected to the first outside air duct (82) and equipped with a third heat exchanger (93) provided in the heat exchanger (9), and a second flow fan (84) for moving air.

[0228] The first external air duct (82) is formed to be connected to the panel supply hole (623) provided in the frame panel (62). The first external air duct (83) is provided as a flow path extending along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the second cabinet.

[0229] The second external air duct (83) may be provided as a flow path extending along the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the second cabinet. The second external air duct (83) is provided in a shape extending along the height direction of the second cabinet (6), and the second flow fan (84) is provided in the second external air duct (83) to reduce the possibility of the second flow fan (84) overheating.

[0230] When the second treatment device (100b) is in operation, heated air is supplied to the tub body (21), so the temperature of the circumferential surface of the tub body (21) rises. Since the second flow path (8) is located at the upper portion of the tub body (21), if the second flow fan (84) is located close to the tub body (21), there is a possibility of overheating due to heat emitted to the outside of the tub body (21). However, if the second flow path (8) is configured as described above, the possibility of overheating of the second flow fan (84) can be significantly reduced.

[0231] Meanwhile, the external air supply port (81) may be provided on the upper surface of the second front panel (67), the side surface of the second front panel (67), or the lower surface of the second front panel (67). However, if the external air supply port (81) is provided on the upper surface of the second front panel (67), it will be advantageous to supply external air to the second flow path (8).

[0232] The above heat exchange unit (9) may be provided to include the first heat exchanger (91) provided in the first heat exchange duct (734) to remove moisture from air, the second heat exchanger (92) provided in the second heat exchange duct (735) to heat air, the third heat exchanger (93) provided in the second flow path (8) to exchange heat with outside air, a refrigerant pipe (96) forming a circulation path of refrigerant passing through the heat exchangers (91, 92, 93), and a compressor (94) to move the refrigerant along the refrigerant pipe.

[0233] Meanwhile, the second flow path (8) may be provided in the left area of ​​the front space, and the compressor (94) and the heat exchangers (91, 92) may be provided in the right area of ​​the rear space. The second flow path (8) may be provided in the corner area of ​​the front space formed by the frame panel (62) and the second left panel (651), and the compressor (94) may be provided in the corner area of ​​the rear space formed by the second right panel (652) and the second rear panel (64).

[0234] In order to form a space in which the compressor (94) is mounted in the corner area of ​​the rear space, the first heat exchange duct (734) and the second heat exchange duct (735) may be connected at a preset angle. That is, the connection duct (736) may be inclined at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to a straight line parallel to the second heat exchange duct (735) to connect the first heat exchange duct (734) and the second heat exchange duct (735). In this case, the compressor (94) may be fixed to the support panel (613) and positioned between the connection duct (736) and the corner of the rear space.

[0235] In order to facilitate coupling or separation of the second treatment device (100b) to or from the first treatment device (100a), at least one of the free end (the portion having the exhaust path fold) of the exhaust duct (711) and the free end (the portion having the supply path fold) of the air supply duct (721) may be positioned on the open surface of the communication space (612).

[0236] In addition, the tub supply part (24) and the tub exhaust part (25) may be provided to be positioned below the open surface. Furthermore, the tub supply part (24) may be provided to protrude from the mounting pipe (212) toward the open surface, and the tub exhaust part (25) may be provided to protrude from the circumferential surface (21c) of the tub body toward the open surface (see FIG. 10).

[0237] In order to facilitate the coupling or separation of the second treatment device (100b) to or from the first treatment device (100a), at least one of the free end (the part where the supply duct is connected) of the tub air supply part (24) and the free end (the part where the exhaust duct is connected) of the tub exhaust part (25) may be positioned at a point higher than the top of the first cabinet (1).

[0238] Figure 10 is a simplified diagram showing the combination of a first processing device and a second processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0239] Fig. 10 illustrates an example in which the free end (the part where the air supply duct is connected) of the above-mentioned tub air supply part (24) is located at a point higher than the top of the first cabinet (1).

[0240] When the upper part of the first front panel (11) or the upper part of the first rear panel (13) is positioned (H1) higher than the upper part of the first side panel (121, 122), the free end of the tub air supply part (24) may be positioned higher than the upper part of the first front panel (11) or the upper part of the first rear panel (13).

[0241] Meanwhile, as described above, the bottom surface (support body, 614) of the support panel (613) is positioned (H2) at a point lower than the lowest point of the support frame (61), and the heat exchange path (73) and the air blower path (74) are fixed to the bottom surface of the support panel (613), so that the present invention can reduce the overall height of the clothing treatment device (100).

[0242] Hereinafter, the drum, which is the main component of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0243] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a drum of a first processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the internal structure of a drum according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a drum and a balancer connected to the drum according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0244] The drum (2b) may be formed in a cylindrical shape with an open front that forms a processing space into which a processing target is introduced. The drum (2b) may include a front drum plate (26b) that forms a front surface of the drum (2b), a rear drum plate (26c) that forms a rear surface of the drum (2b), a drum body (26a) that connects the front drum plate (26b) and the rear drum plate (26c) to form a space for the processing target, and a reinforcing plate (26d) that is coupled to the outside of the rear drum plate (26c) to reinforce the strength of the rear drum plate (26c).

[0245] A pair of balancers (26f) may be further provided on the front and rear outer sides of the drum (2b). Specifically, a front balancer (26f) is provided on the outer side of the front drum plate (26b) to compensate for unbalance caused by a processing target when the drum (2b) rotates, and a rear balancer (26f) is provided on the outer side of the rear drum plate (26c) to compensate for unbalance caused by a processing target when the drum (2b) rotates.

[0246] Here, the front balancer (26f) and the rear balancer (26f) are balancers of the same configuration and are installed in a symmetrical shape on the front drum plate (26b) and the rear drum plate (26c), respectively.

[0247] Accordingly, the front balancer (26f) and the rear balancer (26f) can be formed with the same configuration, and only the installation direction is different when installed on the front drum plate (26b) and the rear drum plate (26c). In the present invention, for the convenience of explanation, the front balancer (26f) and the rear balancer (26f) are described separately, and this is only a name for explaining the installation position of the balancer (26f).

[0248] The front balancer (26f) and the rear balancer (26f) will be described in detail again after the description of the drum (2b) is completed.

[0249] The above drum body (26a) forms the outer surface of the cylindrical drum (2b), and can be formed into a cylindrical shape by, for example, pressing a metal plate of a predetermined thickness or drawing processing, which is a type of pressing processing. The following description will be based on a state in which the drum body (26a) is formed into a cylindrical shape.

[0250] In the drum body (26a), a plurality of holes for discharging water included in the treatment target introduced into the drum (2b) may be formed across the entire surface of the drum body (26a). In addition, in the drum body (26a), a plurality of balancer fastening holes (264a, 266a) for fixing the front balancer (26f) and the rear balancer (26f) may be formed at corner portions corresponding to the front and rear sides of the drum (2b).

[0251] A body front balancer fastening hole (264a) is formed in the body front curling part (262a) to secure the front balancer (26f), and a body rear balancer fastening hole (266a) is formed in the body rear curling part (265a) to secure the rear balancer (26f).

[0252] The above body front balancer fastening hole (264a) and the above body rear balancer fastening hole (266a) can be each penetrated by separate fastening members to fix the front balancer (26f) and the above rear balancer (26f).

[0253] The above body front balancer fastening hole (264a) and the body rear balancer fastening hole (266a) may be formed to be connected to the front balancer fastening hole (264b) of the front drum plate (26b) and the rear balancer fastening hole (264c) of the rear drum plate (26c), which will be described later, respectively.

[0254] That is, the front balancer (26f) can be fixed by a fastening member penetrating the body front balancer fastening hole (264a) and the front balancer fastening hole (264b), and the rear balancer (26f) can be fixed by a fastening member penetrating the body rear balancer fastening hole (266a) and the rear balancer fastening hole (264c). (See FIGS. 15 and 16)

[0255] A plurality of lifters (26e) may be provided on the inside of the drum body (26a) to increase the flow of the processing target placed inside the drum (2b) when the drum (2b) rotates. The lifter (26e) may be basically inserted into the lifter fastening hole (261a) formed in the drum body (26a) to be fixed in position, and may be fixed by a lifter installation hole (261a') adjacent to the lifter fastening hole (261a). The lifter (26e) may be fixed to the inner wall of the drum body (26a) by a separate fastening member (not shown) penetrating the lifter fastening hole (261a) from the outside of the drum (2b).

[0256] The front drum plate (26b) is formed in a ring shape with a drum inlet (261b) formed in the center for feeding the processing object, and the inner surface adjacent to the drum inlet (261b) is formed with a front inclined surface (262b) that protrudes toward the tub inlet (211) of the tub (2a). By the front inclined surface (262b), the tub inlet (211) and the drum inlet (261b) can be formed to be relatively adjacent to each other.

[0257] A front plate curling portion (263b) is formed on the outer circumference of the front drum plate (26b) to be coupled with the front side of the drum body (26a). The front plate curling portion (263b) is formed to be bent from the outer circumference of the front drum plate (26b) toward the front side of the drum (2b), and the outer circumference of the front plate curling portion (263b) can be formed to be in close contact with the inner circumference of the body front curling portion (262a) of the drum body (26a).

[0258] A front balancer mounting surface (266b) is formed between the front inclined surface (262b) of the front drum plate (26b) and the front plate curling portion (263b) to form a space for installing the front balancer (26f). A front balancer mounting groove (265b) may be formed on the front balancer mounting surface (266b) to which a mounting portion (266f) formed on the front balancer (26f) is mounted.

[0259] The above front balancer fastening fixing groove (265b) may be formed in multiple positions corresponding to the fastening portion (266f) formed on the front balancer (26f) described later, and the fastening position of the front balancer (26f) may be determined by the fastening portion (266f) of the front balancer (26f) being fastened to the front balancer fastening fixing groove (265b).

[0260] Here, the front balancer fastening fixing groove (265b) and the fastening portion (266f) of the front balancer can be arranged at a certain angle based on the center of the front balancer (26f), and the arrangement of the front balancer fastening fixing groove (265b) and the fastening portion (266f) will be described in detail in the description of the manufacturing of the drum body (26a).

[0261] In the above front plate curling part (263b), a front balancer fastening hole (264b) may be formed for a separate fastening member (not shown) to be inserted and connected to the fastening part (266f) of the front balancer (26f).

[0262] The front balancer fastening hole (264b) may be formed at the same position as the body front balancer fastening hole (264a) formed in the body front curling part (262a) of the drum body (26a), and a separate fastening member may pass through the body front balancer fastening hole (264a) of the body front curling part (262a) and the front balancer fastening hole (264b) of the front plate curling part (263b), thereby allowing the front balancer (26f) to be fixed to the front of the drum (2b).

[0263] The rear drum plate (26c) is formed in a circular shape with a drum shaft fastening portion (162c) formed at the center thereof so that a drum shaft (260a) is fastened thereto, and a rear inclined surface (262c) is formed between the outer surface of the rear drum plate (26c) and the drum shaft fastening portion (162c) so that the center of the rear drum plate (26c) protrudes inwardly of the drum (2b). That is, the drum fastening portion (266f) to which the drum shaft (260a) is fastened can be substantially located on the inside of the drum (2b).

[0264] The above rear inclined surface (262c) is intended to enable the rear drum plate (26c) to form a predetermined strength as the rear drum plate (26c) and the reinforcing plate (26d) are fastened.

[0265] A rear plate curling portion (263c) is formed on the outer surface of the rear drum plate (26c) to be coupled with the rear side of the drum body (26a). The rear plate curling portion (263c) is formed to be bent from the outer surface of the rear drum plate (26c) toward the rear of the drum (2b), and the outer surface of the rear plate curling portion (263c) can be formed to be in close contact with the inner surface of the body rear curling portion (265a) of the drum body (26a).

[0266] Accordingly, the rear plate curling portion (263c) of the rear drum plate (26c) and the body rear curling portion (265a) of the drum body (26a) can be curled toward the outside of the drum (2b), thereby joining the rear drum plate (26c) and the rear of the drum body (26a). (See Fig. 13)

[0267] A rear balancer mounting surface (266c) is formed between the rear inclined surface (262c) of the rear drum plate (26c) and the rear plate curling portion (263c) to form a space for installing the rear balancer (26f). A rear balancer mounting groove (265c) may be formed on the rear balancer mounting surface (266c) to which a mounting portion (266f) formed on the rear balancer (26f) is mounted.

[0268] The rear balancer fastening fixing groove (265c) may be formed in multiple positions corresponding to the fastening portion (266f) formed on the rear balancer (26f) described later, and the fastening position of the rear balancer (26f) may be determined by the fastening portion (266f) of the rear balancer (26f) being fixed in the rear balancer fastening fixing groove (265c).

[0269] Here, the rear balancer fastening mounting groove (265c) and the fastening portion (266f) of the rear balancer can be arranged at a certain angle based on the center of the rear balancer (26f), and the arrangement of the rear balancer fastening mounting groove (265c) and the fastening portion (266f) will be described in detail in the description of the manufacturing of the drum body (26a).

[0270] In the rear plate curling part (263c), a rear balancer fastening hole (264c) may be formed for a separate fastening member (not shown) to be inserted and connected to the fastening part (266f) of the rear balancer (26f).

[0271] The rear balancer fastening hole (264c) may be formed at the same position as the body rear balancer fastening hole (266a) formed in the body rear curling part (265a) of the drum body (26a), and a separate fastening member may pass through the body rear balancer fastening hole (266a) of the body rear curling part (265a) and the rear balancer fastening hole (264c) of the rear plate curling part (263c), thereby allowing the rear balancer (26f) to be fixed to the rear of the drum (2b).

[0272] The above reinforcing plate (26d) is fixed to the back surface of the rear drum plate (26c) to reinforce the strength of the rear drum plate (26c). That is, the drum shaft (260a) for rotating the drum (2b) is connected to the rear drum plate (26c), and a processing object is fed into the drum (2b), so that a relatively large load may be applied between the rear drum plate (26c) and the drum shaft (260a). Therefore, reinforcement of the rear drum plate (26c) to which the drum shaft (260a) is connected is required.

[0273] The above reinforcing plate (26d) is formed in a circular shape with a predetermined thickness, and a drum shaft hole (262d) into which the drum shaft (260a) is inserted may be formed in the central portion. The above reinforcing plate (26d) may be formed using a plate material that is relatively thicker than the rear drum plate (26c).

[0274] The shape of the cross-section formed by the reinforcing plate (26d) coupled to the rear drum plate (26c) is formed in a right-angled triangle shape based on the drum shaft (260a), so that the strength between the drum shaft (260a) connected to the rear drum plate (26c) can be reinforced.

[0275] The outer circumference of the above reinforcing plate (26d) may be located on the inner side of the rear balancer mounting surface (266c). That is, the outer circumference of the above reinforcing plate (26d) may have a diameter that is larger than the rear inclined surface (262c) formed on the rear drum plate (26c) and smaller than the rear balancer mounting surface (266c).

[0276] A welding surface (261d) for welding to the rear balancer mounting surface (266c) may be formed on the outer surface of the reinforcing plate (26d). That is, the outer surface of the reinforcing plate (26d) may be fixed to the rear balancer mounting surface (266c) by welding.

[0277] Meanwhile, the outer circumferential surface of the reinforcing plate (26d) may be fastened to the rear drum plate (26c) by welding. That is, in the case of the existing drum (2b), the drum body (26a), the front drum plate (26b), and the rear drum plate (26c) were integrated through a separate welding process, but in the case of manufacturing the drum (2b) using welding, thermal deformation due to welding and formation of a welded portion for welding are essential. In addition, in the case of manufacturing the drum (2b) using welding, the desired dimensions and strength may be reduced depending on thermal deformation of the material due to welding.

[0278] Meanwhile, in the case of commercial washing machines, the amount of laundry to be processed is relatively large and, in such cases, maintaining the rigidity of the drum (2b) is one of the most important design goals.

[0279] In particular, if the front and rear rigidity of the drum (2b) is reduced, when the drum (2b) rotates during the drying process, an imbalance caused by the processing target may occur, and the shape of the drum (2b) may be deformed, or the drum (2b) itself may apply an impact to the inside of the tub (2a).

[0280] Therefore, as described above, when connecting the drum body (26a), the front drum plate (26b), and the rear drum plate (26c), a separate welding process is not performed, and by connecting both ends of the drum body (26a) and the front drum plate (26b) and the rear drum plate (26c) through a curling process, shape deformation and strength reduction that may occur due to welding can be prevented in advance.

[0281] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, the front balancer (26f) and the rear balancer (26f) will be described in detail. Meanwhile, as described above, the front balancer (26f) and the rear balancer (26f) of the present invention are balancers having the same structure but installed in different fastening directions at the front and rear of the drum. That is, the front balancer (26f) and the rear balancer (26f) are formed in the same shape, and can be distinguished into the front balancer (26f) and the rear balancer (26f) only depending on the installation position of the drum.

[0282] Therefore, for the convenience of explanation, the front balancer (26f) and the rear balancer (26f) will be collectively referred to as one balancer in the following description.

[0283] FIG. 14 is a rear view showing the back of a balancer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 15 is a front view showing the front of a balancer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing a state before fastening of a balancer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0284] As shown in FIGS. 14 to 18, the balancer (26f) forms a ring-shaped movement space for a balancer ball (not shown) to move inside, and a separate fluid (not shown) and a balancer ball are inserted to alleviate unbalancing of the drum (2b) by movement of the balancer ball as the drum (2b) rotates.

[0285] The above balancer (26f) may be provided with an inner body (264f) facing the drum (2b) side and an outer body (261f) facing the outside of the drum (2b). The inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) may be fused to form a space for movement of the balancer ball and fluid by ultrasonic fusion.

[0286] Meanwhile, the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) may be manufactured by press injection molding using a synthetic resin material. The inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) may be respectively injection molded and then bonded by ultrasonic welding, thereby forming a movement space in which the balancer ball moves.

[0287] Here, when the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) are injection-molded, the thickness of each part of each body is not uniform, and shrinkage occurs according to the synthetic resin material and thickness when cooling after the injection-molding of the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) due to the unevenness of each thickness. Therefore, after the injection-molding of the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f), the roundness and flatness of the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) may become uneven.

[0288] The inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) may be formed in a ring shape with a space formed in the center by being fused and joined to each other, and may be fastened to the drum so that the inner body (264f) side faces the front drum plate (26b) or the rear drum plate (26c).

[0289] The inner body (264f) includes an inner body portion (264f') formed in a ring shape as shown in FIGS. 14 and 18, and an inner flow groove (265f) is formed along the center of the ring-shaped inner body portion (264f') on one surface of the inner body portion (264f') facing the outer body (261f) to form a space for movement of a balancer ball and a fluid.

[0290] Meanwhile, the inner body part (264f') can form an outer wall (264fa) that forms the outer surface of the inner body part (264f') and at the same time forms one side wall of the inner flow groove (265f) in forming the inner flow groove (265f), and an inner wall (264fb) that forms the inner surface of the inner body part (264f') and at the same time forms the other side wall of the inner flow groove (265f).

[0291] Here, the thickness (T1) of the inner wall (264fb) may be formed to be relatively thicker than the thickness (T2) of the outer wall (264fa). The inner wall (264fb) may be formed with an inner support protrusion (2651f) to be described later, and the inner support protrusion (2651f) may be supported by a fusion device.

[0292] Accordingly, the thickness (T1) of the inner wall (264fb) can be formed to be relatively thicker than the thickness (T2) of the outer wall (264fa) in consideration of the inner support protrusion (2651f) being supported by the fusion device (not shown) to reinforce the strength.

[0293] Meanwhile, if the thickness (T1) of the inner wall (264fb) is formed to be relatively thicker than the thickness (T2) of the outer wall (264fa), shrinkage deformation may occur in the inner wall (264fb) depending on the cooling time of the inner wall (264fb) and the outer wall (264fa) during injection molding of the inner body (264f). This shrinkage deformation of the inner wall (264fb) may cause deformation in the roundness and flatness of the entire inner body (264f).

[0294] Meanwhile, in order to minimize shrinkage deformation as described above in the case of the inner wall (264fb), a space (264fe) may be formed inside the inner wall (264fb). To this end, the inner wall (264fb) may include a first inner wall (264fc) forming the other side wall of the inner flow groove (265f), and a second inner wall (264fd) extending from the first inner wall (264fc) and formed to be spaced apart from the first inner wall (264fc). A space (264fe) is formed between the first inner wall (264fc) and the second inner wall (264fd), and the first inner wall (264fc), the second inner wall (264fd), and the outer wall (264fa) can be formed with relatively similar thicknesses. Therefore, shrinkage deformation occurring in the inner wall (264fb) and the outer wall (264fa) formed by the first inner wall (264fc) and the second inner wall (264fd) can be minimized.

[0295] In addition, a reinforcing rib (264ff) may be further formed in the space (264fe) formed between the first inner wall (264fc) and the second inner wall (264fd) to reinforce the strength between the first inner wall (264fc) and the second inner wall (264fd). It is also preferable that the reinforcing rib (264ff) be formed with a similar thickness to the first inner wall (264fc) and the second inner wall (264fd). In this case, shrinkage deformation that may occur in the first inner wall (264fc), the second inner wall (264fd), and the reinforcing rib (264ff) can be minimized.

[0296] On the outer surface of the inner flow groove (265f) (i.e., the end of the outer wall (264fa), hereinafter referred to as the “outer surface of the inner flow groove (265f)”) and the inner surface (i.e., the end of the inner wall (264fb), hereinafter referred to as the “inner surface of the inner flow groove (265f)”), a plurality of inner fusion grooves (2641f to 2645f) and a plurality of inner fusion protrusions (2646f to 2648f) for fusion with the outer body (261f) may be formed to extend in a ring shape along the formation direction of the inner flow groove (265f).

[0297] Meanwhile, on the outer surface of the inner flow groove (265f), a first inner fusion groove (2641f), a first inner fusion protrusion (2646f), and a second inner fusion groove (2642f) are sequentially formed in an inward direction from the outer surface of the inner flow groove (265f).

[0298] The first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f) are formed deeper than the lower portion of the first inner fusion protrusion (2646f), and the upper portion of the first inner fusion protrusion (2646f) may be formed higher than the upper portions of the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f).

[0299] On the inner surface of the inner flow groove (265f), a third inner fusion groove (2643f), a second inner fusion protrusion (2632f), a fourth inner fusion groove (2644f), a third inner fusion protrusion (2648f), and a fifth inner fusion groove (2645f) are sequentially formed from the outer surface of the inner flow groove (265f) toward the inner surface.

[0300] The second inner fusion protrusion (2647f) and the third inner fusion protrusion (2648f) are arranged so that the fourth inner fusion groove (2644f) is formed between them in the same shape, and the third inner fusion groove (2643f) and the fifth inner fusion groove (2645f) are formed deeper than the fourth inner fusion groove (2644f).

[0301] The second inner fusion protrusion (2647f) and the third inner fusion protrusion (2648f) may be formed higher than the upper portions of the third inner fusion groove (2643f) and the fifth inner fusion groove (2645f).

[0302] A plurality of inner fusion grooves (2641f to 2645f) and a plurality of inner fusion protrusions (2646f to 2648f) formed on the inner body portion (264f') can be fused while intersecting with a plurality of outer fusion grooves (2636f to 2638f) and a plurality of outer fusion protrusions (2631f to 2635F) formed on the outer body portion (261f') described later.

[0303] The arrangement of the plurality of inner fusion grooves (2641f to 2645f) and the plurality of inner fusion protrusions (2646f to 2648f) formed in the inner body portion (264f') will be described in more detail after the description of the outer body (261f).

[0304] On the inner surface of the inner body (264f) (i.e., the inner surface facing the center of the balancer (26f)), inner support protrusions (2651f) for being supported by the fusion device when ultrasonic fusion is performed by supporting the fusion device to be described later can be continuously arranged along the inner surface of the inner body (264f).

[0305] Here, the inner support protrusion (2651f) may be formed on the inner surface of the inner wall (264fb) of the inner body portion (264f') or the inner surface of the second inner wall (264fd) forming the inner wall (264fb). For convenience of explanation, the inner support protrusion (2651f) is described below as being formed on the inner surface of the inner body (264f). However, the position of the inner support protrusion (2651f) is not limited, and it may be formed to extend toward the center of the inner body (264f) from any location forming the inner surface of the inner body (264f).

[0306] The inner support protrusion (2651f) protrudes from the inner body portion (264f') toward the center of the balancer (26f), and may be formed with an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the inner body portion (264f'). Each of the inner support protrusions (2651f) may be formed in an arc shape having the same center as the center of the inner body (264f).

[0307] Meanwhile, the inner support protrusion (2651f) may be formed on the inner surface of the inner body (264f), the inner surface of the inner body portion (264f') forming the inner surface of the inner body (264f), the inner wall (264fb) forming the inner body portion (264f'), or the second inner wall (264fd) forming the inner wall (264fb).

[0308] The formation position of the inner support protrusion (2651f) may be selectively formed in one of the components forming the inner surface of the inner body (264f). In the present invention, for the convenience of explanation, the formation on the inner surface of the inner body (264f) will be described as an example. However, the formation position of the inner support protrusion (2651f) is not limited, and it may be formed in any component forming the inner surface of the inner body (264f).

[0309] Meanwhile, in the case of a fusion device that ultrasonically fuses the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f), an inner body guide (G2, see FIG. 20) that supports the inner support protrusion (2651f) of the inner body (264f) is provided, and in the case of the inner body guide (G2), the inner support protrusion (2651f) can be concentric with the center of the inner body (264f) to support the inner body (264f).

[0310] The inner support protrusion (2651f) protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the inner body as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, and an upper inclined surface (2651fa) that slopes downward toward the inner body guide (G2) may be formed on the upper surface of the inner support protrusion (2651f) so as to be pressed toward the mounting portion (not illustrated) of the fusion device that supports the lower surface of the inner body (264f) when the inner body guide (G2) is fastened.

[0311] In addition, a lower inclined surface (2654fa) that slopes upward toward the inner body guide (G2) may be further formed at the lower portion of the inner support protrusion (2651f) so that the inner support protrusion (2651f) can be easily inserted into the inner body guide (G2) of the fusion device.

[0312] These inner support protrusions (2651f) may be formed by protruding in an integral shape from the inner surface of the inner body (264f). However, the inner body (264f) may be injection-molded using a synthetic resin material, and the volume of the inner support protrusions (2651f) may be relatively larger than the inner surface of the inner body (264f) on which the inner support protrusions (2651f) are formed.

[0313] If the volume of the inner support protrusion (2651f) is relatively larger than the inner surface of the inner body (264f) on which the inner support protrusion (2651f) is formed, cooling of the inner support protrusion (2651f) may be delayed during injection molding of the inner body (264f), and shrinkage deformation may occur in the inner support protrusion (2651f). If shrinkage deformation occurs in the inner support protrusion (2651f), it may not be supported in a normal position when supported by the inner body guide (G2).

[0314] Accordingly, the inner support protrusion (2651f) may be formed in the form of a plate-shaped rib extending from the inner circumferential surface of the inner body (264f). In the case of the inner support protrusion (2651f) in the form of a rib, it may extend downwardly in a slanted manner from the inner circumferential surface of the inner body (264f) toward the center of the inner body (264f), and the upper surface of the inner support protrusion (2651f) in the form of a rib may be formed as the upper inclined surface (2651fa).

[0315] In addition, a support rib (2654f) may be further formed at the lower portion of the rib-shaped inner support protrusion (2651f) to support the rib-shaped inner support protrusion (2651f). The rib-shaped inner support protrusion (2651f) may extend along the inner circumferential surface of the inner body (264f) to a certain length and may be formed at certain intervals on the inner body (264f).

[0316] When the inner support protrusion (2651f) is formed in a rib shape, deformation of the inner support protrusion (2651f) may occur when supported by the inner body guide (G2). The support rib (2654f) may be formed between the inner peripheral surface of the inner body (264f) and the lower portion of the inner support protrusion (2651f) in the rib shape to prevent deformation of the inner support protrusion (2651f) and support the inner support protrusion (2651f). A plurality of support ribs (2654f) may be formed at regular intervals on the inner peripheral surface of the inner body (264f) and the lower portion of the inner support protrusion (2651f).

[0317] Meanwhile, in the case of the inner support protrusion (2651f) and the support rib (2654f) in the form of ribs, it is preferable to have a thickness greater than a certain level in order to have a certain level of strength as a structure for being supported by the inner body guide (G2).

[0318] However, if the thickness of the inner support protrusion (2651f) and the support rib (2654f) is too thick, shrinkage deformation due to cooling may occur in the inner support protrusion (2651f) and the support rib (2654f) during injection molding of the inner body (264f).

[0319] In the case of the inner support protrusion (2651f) in the form of a rib, it may have a thickness of 1 mm to 2 mm in order to prevent shrinkage deformation that occurs during injection molding. Specifically, it is preferable that the inner support protrusion (2651f) in the form of a rib be formed with a thickness of 1.5 mm. Such a thickness of the inner support protrusion (2651f) can prevent shrinkage deformation due to cooling of the inner support protrusion (2651f).

[0320] In addition, in the case of the support rib (2654f), in order to prevent shrinkage deformation that occurs during injection molding, similar to the inner support protrusion (2651f) in the form of a rib, the support rib (2654f) may have a thickness of 1 mm to 2 mm. Specifically, the support rib (2654f) is preferably formed to have a thickness of 1.5 mm. Such a thickness of the support rib (2654f) can prevent shrinkage deformation due to cooling of the support rib (2654f).

[0321] Additionally, the thickness of the support rib (2654f) may be formed to become thinner as it moves toward the center of the inner body (264f). Specifically, the thickness of the support rib (2654f) may be 1.5 mm on the inner circumferential surface of the inner body (264f), and may become thinner to 1 mm as it moves toward the end of the support rib (2654f).

[0322] The lower inclined surface (2654fa) may be formed at the lower portion of the support rib (2654f). The lower inclined surface (2654fa) formed on the support rib (2654f) enables the inner support protrusion (2651f) to be easily inserted into the inner body guide (G2) of the fusion device.

[0323] The inner body (264f) may be formed with a plurality of fastening portions (266f) protruding from one surface facing the drum (2b) at positions corresponding to the front balancer fastening groove (265b) of the front drum plate (26b) and the rear balancer fastening groove (265c) of the rear drum plate (26c).

[0324] A fastening hole may be formed on the outer surface of the above-mentioned fastening portion (266f) (i.e., in the direction toward the outer circumferential surface of the balancer (26f)) to fasten the balancer (26f) to the drum body (26a). This fastening hole may be fixed by inserting a separate fastening member that penetrates each of the balancer fastening holes (264a, 266a) formed in the body front curling portion (262a) and the body rear curling portion (265a) of the drum body (26a).

[0325] A support protrusion (267f) may be further formed on one side of the above-mentioned fastening portion (266f) (i.e., the side facing the front balancer fastening groove (265b) or the rear balancer fastening groove (265c)) to be inserted into the inside of the front balancer fastening groove (265b) or the rear balancer fastening groove (265c) and to support the inner surface of the front balancer fastening groove (265b) or the rear balancer fastening groove (265c).

[0326] The above support protrusion (267f) can maintain the distance between the front balancer fastening groove (265b) or the rear balancer fastening groove (265c) and the fastening portion (266f) constant, thereby maintaining the installation state of the balancer (26f) constant.

[0327] The outer body (261f) includes an outer body portion (261f') formed in a ring shape as shown in FIGS. 15 and 18.

[0328] On one surface of the outer body part (261f') (i.e., the surface facing the inner body (264f)), an outer flow groove (262f) is formed to cover the inner flow groove (265f) of the inner body part (264f') and form a flow path through which the balancer ball and the fluid can move, and a plurality of outer fusion grooves (2636f~2638f) and a plurality of outer fusion protrusions (2631f~2635f) that intersect with a plurality of inner fusion grooves (2641f~2645f) and a plurality of inner fusion protrusions (2646f~2648f) formed on the inner body part (264f') can be formed on the outer and inner surfaces of the outer flow groove (262f).

[0329] On the other side of the outer body portion (261f') above, a number of ribs (2611f, 2612f, 2615f, 2616f) are formed to be supported by the fusion device, and the outer body guide (G1, see FIG. 20) of the fusion device can be supported without movement by the ribs (2611f, 2612f, 2615f, 2616f).

[0330] The outer flow groove (262f) of the outer body part (261f') forms a space for movement of the balancer ball and fluid along the center of the inner body part (264f') in a ring shape on one side facing the outer body (261f).

[0331] On the outer and inner surfaces of the outer flow groove (262f), a plurality of outer fusion grooves (2636f to 2638f) and a plurality of outer fusion protrusions (2631f to 2635f) are formed to extend in a ring shape along the formation direction of the outer flow groove (262f) and intersect with a plurality of inner fusion grooves (2641f to 2645f) and a plurality of inner fusion protrusions (2646f to 2648f) formed on the inner body (264f).

[0332] Specifically, on the outer surface of the outer flow groove (262f), a first outer fusion protrusion (2631f), a first outer fusion groove (2636f), and a second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) are sequentially formed in an inward direction from the outer surface of the outer flow groove (262f).

[0333] The first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) protrude to a length shorter than the depth of the first outer fusion groove (2636f) and the second inner fusion groove (2641f) of the inner body part (264f'). In addition, the first outer fusion groove (2636f) is formed to a length higher than the height of the first inner fusion protrusion (2646f) of the inner body part (264f').

[0334] That is, the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) of the outer body part are inserted into the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f) of the inner body part (264f'), and the first inner fusion protrusion (2646f) of the inner body part (264f') is formed to be inserted into the first outer fusion groove (2636f) of the outer body part (261f').

[0335] Here, the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) inserted into the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f) are formed to have a shorter length than the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f), so that when the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) are inserted, an excess space is formed inside the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f).

[0336] This excess space forms a space into which residual fusion material generated from each of the fusion protrusions (2646f to 2648f, 2631f to 2635f) and each fusion groove ((2641f to 2645f, 2636f to 2638f)) can flow and harden when the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) are ultrasonically fused. By utilizing the residual fusion material flowing into this excess space and hardening, the fusion of the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) can proceed and be maintained more effectively.

[0337] In addition, a first gap (Da) may be formed between the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f) into which the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) are inserted, so that a portion of the remaining fusion material generated between each fusion protrusion and each fusion groove can be discharged to the outside of the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f). (See FIG. 21)

[0338] In order to form the first gap (Da), the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) inserted into the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f) may be positioned eccentrically with respect to the centers of the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f).

[0339] That is, the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) are formed so that one side facing the first gap (Da) is eccentric from the center of the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f) and is in contact with the first gap (Da), and the side facing the first gap (Da) can be formed so as to be spaced apart and communicate with the first gap (Da).

[0340] The above first gap (Da) can be reduced to a second gap (Db) as the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) are fused, and as the second gap (Db) is formed, the remaining fused material introduced into the first gap is reduced to the second gap (Db) and hardened, thereby further improving the fusion force between each fusion projection and each fusion groove.

[0341] Meanwhile, the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) may be formed to be equal to or longer than the first gap (Da). That is, the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) may be formed to be adjacent to at least the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f) before the inner body and the outer body are fused, and to be inserted into the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f) after the start of fusion.

[0342] Accordingly, the molten material generated between the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) and the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f) can move to the first gap (Da) through a trap-shaped passage formed between the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) and the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f).

[0343] On the inner side of the outer flow groove (262f), a third outer fusion protrusion (2633f), a second outer fusion groove (2637f), a fourth outer fusion protrusion (2634f), a third outer fusion groove (2638f), and a fifth outer fusion protrusion (2635f) are sequentially formed from the outer side to the inner side of the outer flow groove (262f).

[0344] The second outer fusion groove (2637f) and the third outer fusion groove (2638f) are arranged so that the fourth outer fusion protrusion (2634f) is formed between them in the same shape, and the third outer fusion protrusion (2633f) and the fifth outer fusion protrusion (2635f) are formed higher than the fourth outer fusion protrusion (2634f).

[0345] The third outer fusion protrusion (2633f) and the fifth outer fusion protrusion (2635f) are inserted into the third inner fusion groove (2643f) and the fifth inner fusion groove (2645f) of the inner body part (264f'), and the fourth inner fusion protrusion (2634f) is formed to be inserted into the fourth inner fusion groove (2644f).

[0346] The length of the third outer fusion protrusion (2633f) and the fifth outer fusion protrusion (2635f) is formed shorter than the depth of the third inner fusion groove (2643f) and the fifth inner fusion groove (2645f), and when the third outer fusion protrusion (2633f) and the fifth outer fusion protrusion (2635f) are inserted into the third inner fusion groove (2643f) and the fifth inner fusion groove (2645f), an excess space is formed inside the third inner fusion groove (2643f) and the fifth inner fusion groove (2645f).

[0347] This excess space forms a space into which residual fusion material generated from each fusion protrusion and each fusion groove can flow and harden when the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) are ultrasonically fused. By virtue of the residual fusion material flowing into this excess space and hardening, the fusion of the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) can proceed and be maintained more effectively. The excess space can also be formed in the fourth inner fusion groove (2644f) into which the fourth outer fusion protrusion (2634f) is inserted.

[0348] In addition, a gap may be formed between the third inner fusion groove (2643f) and the fifth inner fusion groove (2645f) into which the third outer fusion protrusion (2633f) and the fifth outer fusion protrusion (2635f) are inserted so that a portion of the remaining fusion material generated between each fusion protrusion and each fusion groove can be discharged to the outside of the third inner fusion groove (2643f) and the fifth inner fusion groove (2645f).

[0349] As the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) are fused, the gap can be reduced, and as the gap is reduced, the remaining fusion material that has entered the gap is solidified in the reduced gap, thereby further improving the fusion strength between each fusion projection and each fusion groove.

[0350] On the other side of the outer body portion (261f') above, a plurality of guide ribs (2611f, 2612f, 2615f, 2616f) are formed to be supported by the fusion device, and the outer body guide (G1, see FIG. 20) of the fusion device can be supported without movement by the ribs (2611f, 2612f, 2615f, 2616f).

[0351] Specifically, the guide ribs (2611f, 2612f, 2615f, 2616f) can be formed co-centered on the outer surface of the outer body part (261f') along the ring shape of the outer body part (261f') on the outer surface of the outer body part (261f').

[0352] On the outer surface of the outer body part (261f'), a first outer guide rib (2611f) is formed in an inward direction from the outer surface of the outer body part (261f'), and a first inner guide rib (2612f) is formed at a predetermined distance from the first outer guide rib (2611f) to form an outer support surface (2614f).

[0353] The first outer guide rib (2611f) and the first inner guide rib (2612f) are formed to have the same center, and an outer partition rib (2643f) that divides a ring-shaped outer support surface (2614f) is formed between the first outer guide rib (2611f) and the first inner guide rib (2612f).

[0354] On the inner side of the outer body part (261f'), a second inner guide rib (2616f) is formed in the outer direction from the inner side of the outer body part (261f') and a second outer guide rib (2615f) is formed at a predetermined distance from the second inner guide rib (2616f) to form an inner support surface (2618f).

[0355] The second inner guide rib (2616f) and the second outer guide rib (2615f) are formed to have the same center, and an inner dividing rib (2617f) is formed between the second inner guide rib (2616f) and the second outer guide rib (2615f) to divide a ring-shaped inner support surface (2618f).

[0356] The outer support surface (2614f) partitioned by the outer dividing rib (2643f) and the inner support surface (2618f) partitioned by the inner dividing rib (2617f) are supported by the outer body guide (G1) of the fusion device to be described later, so as to support the outer body portion (261f') without movement, and enable the outer body (261f) to vibrate without movement loss during ultrasonic fusion.

[0357] Hereinafter, the fusion process of the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) forming the balancer (26f) will be described with reference to the attached drawing.

[0358] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a process for joining a balancer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 21 is a simplified diagram showing a support structure of a fusion device for fusion of a balancer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0359] As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the balancer (26f) of the present invention can be manufactured by fusing the outer body (261f) and the inner body (264f) using an ultrasonic fusing device.

[0360] The above-mentioned fusion device applies ultrasonic vibration (18 kHz or higher) to the objects to be joined, thereby joining the objects to be joined through frictional heat generated by the vibration energy. The bonding quality of the objects to be joined can be determined by the fixing state of the objects to be joined using this fusion device.

[0361] Although not shown, the above-mentioned fusion device may include a mounting portion (not shown) on which the inner body (264f) is mounted, an inner body guide (G2) that pressurizes and supports the inner body (264f) to the mounting portion, and an outer body guide (G1) that pressurizes the outer body (261f) toward the inner body (264f) and simultaneously applies ultrasonic vibration.

[0362] In order to fuse the outer body (261f) and the inner body (264f), the inner body (264f) is placed on the mounting portion of the fusion device (step S110). Meanwhile, the outer body (261f) and the inner body (264f) are each manufactured by injection molding using a synthetic resin material as described above, and shrinkage deformation may occur depending on the difference in cooling rate during injection molding. Therefore, deformation may occur in the roundness and flatness of the outer body (261f) and the inner body (264f).

[0363] The inner body (264f) secured to the above-described mounting portion is supported radially from the center of the inner body (264f) by the inner body guide (G2) and fixed to the mounting portion (step S120). An inner support protrusion (2651f) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner body (264f), and the inner support protrusion (2651f) is supported radially by the inner body guide (G2).

[0364] In the case of the inner body guide (G2), the inner support protrusion (2651f) is supported in the radial direction of the inner body (264f) in response to the designed roundness of the inner body (264f). Therefore, the inner body (264f) can be supported in a state having a roundness close to the designed roundness by being supported by the inner body guide (G2).

[0365] Here, in the case of the inner body (264f), an inner support protrusion (2651f) is formed along the inner surface of the inner body portion (264f'), and the inner support protrusion (2651f) is formed to form the same center as the inner body (264f).

[0366] The inner body guide (G2) is formed to support the inner side of the inner support protrusion (2651f) while extending in a radial direction of the inner body (264f) from the same center as the inner body (264f) and the inner support protrusion (2651f).

[0367] That is, the inner body guide (G2) can support the inner body (264f) while maintaining the circularity of the inner body (264f) by supporting it while expanding radially from the same center as the center of the inner body (264f).

[0368] Meanwhile, an insertion groove (G22) into which the inner support protrusion (2651f) is inserted is formed at the end of the inner body guide (G2), and an inclined pressure surface (G21) corresponding to the upper inclined surface (2651fa) of the inner support protrusion (2651f) is formed on the upper surface of the insertion groove (G22), and a radial pressure surface (G23) supporting the inner peripheral surface of the inner body (264f) may be formed on one side of the insertion groove (G22).

[0369] The upper inclined surface (2651fa) of the inner support protrusion (2651f) is formed to be inclined downward toward the center of the inner body (264f), and the inclined pressure surface (G21) is also formed to be inclined in the same direction as the upper inclined surface (2651fa).

[0370] Accordingly, as the inner body guide (G2) moves in the radial direction of the inner body (264f), the inclined pressure surface (G21) comes into contact with the upper inclined surface (2651fa) and presses the upper inclined surface (2651fa) downward.

[0371] Meanwhile, the inner body (264f) pressed downward by the inclined pressure surface (G21) is seated on the mounting portion, and the vertical support state can be fixed by the inner body guide (G2), and the designed flatness can be maintained and supported by the mounting portion.

[0372] The radial pressure surface (G23) of the inner body guide (G2) can fix the inner body (264f) by pressing the inner surface of the inner body (264f) as the inner support protrusion (2651f) is inserted into the insertion groove (G22).

[0373] That is, the inner body guide (G2) extends from the center of the inner body (264f) in the radial direction of the inner body (264f) so as to have the same center as the inner body (264f) and maintain the designed roundness of the inner body (264f) so as to fix the inner body (264f).

[0374] As described above, the inner body guide (G2) can improve the flatness of the inner body (264f) through vertical pressure of the inner body (264f), and can improve the roundness of the inner body (264f) through horizontal pressure.

[0375] Thereafter, the outer body (261f) is installed on the upper portion of the inner body (264f) supported by the inner body guide (G2) in the installation portion (step S130).

[0376] As the outer body is secured to the inner body, the outer fusion portion formed on the lower surface of the outer body (i.e., each fusion projection and each fusion groove formed on the lower surface of the outer body) and the inner fusion portion formed on the upper surface of the inner body (i.e., each fusion groove and each fusion protrusion formed on the upper surface of the inner body) intersect with each other to form a fusion position.

[0377] Thereafter, ultrasonic vibration is applied to the outer body using the outer body guide (step S140). The outer body guide (G1) may be formed in a ring shape corresponding to the shape of the outer body (261f), and an inner pressing protrusion (G11) and an outer pressing protrusion (G22) may be formed on the lower surface to pressurize the outer support surface (2614f) and the inner support surface (2618f) formed on the outer and inner surfaces of the outer body portion (261f').

[0378] The above outer pressure projection (G12) may be formed to protrude in a ring shape from the lower surface of the outer body guide (G1) so as to be inserted into the space formed between the first outer guide rib (2611f) and the first inner guide rib (2612f) of the outer body portion (261f').

[0379] Meanwhile, the outer support surface (2614f) formed by the first outer guide rib (2611f) and the first inner guide rib (2612f) is separated at a certain interval by the outer dividing rib (2643f), and the outer pressing protrusion (G12) is spaced at a certain interval corresponding to the outer support surface (2614f) partitioned by the outer dividing rib (2643f) and can press the outer body (261f).

[0380] The inner pressure projection (G11) may be formed to protrude in a ring shape from the lower surface of the outer body guide (G1) so as to be inserted into a space formed between the second outer guide rib (2615f) and the second inner guide rib (2616f) of the outer body portion (261f').

[0381] Meanwhile, the inner support surface (2618f) formed by the second outer guide rib (2615f) and the second inner guide rib (2616f) is divided at a certain interval by the inner dividing rib (2617f), and the inner pressing protrusion (G11) is spaced at a certain interval corresponding to the outer support surface (2614f) divided by the inner dividing rib (2617f) and can press the outer body (261f).

[0382] The above outer body guide (G1) can press the outer body (261f) toward the inner body (264f) from the upper portion of the outer body (261f) and simultaneously transmit horizontal ultrasonic vibrations to the outer body portion (261f') so that the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) can be fused together.

[0383] The outer body guide (G1) is formed in a ring shape, and the outer pressing protrusion (G12) and the inner pressing protrusion (G11) are inserted into the outer support surface (2614f) and the inner support surface (2618f) to support the outer body guide (G1), so that the horizontal ultrasonic vibration generated in the outer body guide (G1) can be effectively transmitted to the outer body (261f).

[0384] In addition, the outer support surface (2614f) and the inner support surface (2618f) are respectively divided at regular intervals by the outer dividing rib (2643f) and the inner dividing rib (2617f), and the outer pressure projection (G12) and the inner pressure projection (G11) can also be inserted at regular intervals corresponding to the outer support surface (2614f) and the inner support surface (2618f) divided by the outer dividing rib (2643f) and the inner dividing rib (2617f). In this case, the circumferential ultrasonic vibration generated from the outer body guide (G1) can also be effectively transmitted to the outer body (261f).

[0385] Thereafter, the outer fusion portion of the outer body (261f) and the inner fusion portion of the inner body (264f) are fused by ultrasonic vibration transmitted to the outer body (261f) through the outer body guide (G1), so that the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) can be fused (step S150).

[0386] Hereinafter, the state of fusion of the outer body (261f) and the inner body (264f) by the fusion device described above will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawing.

[0387] Figure 22 is a simplified diagram briefly showing the fusion process of a balancer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0388] As described above, the balancer (26f) is formed by a plurality of outer fusion protrusions (2631f to 2635f) and a plurality of outer fusion grooves (2636f to 2638f) formed on the outer body (261f), and a plurality of inner fusion grooves (2641f to 2645f) and a plurality of inner fusion protrusions (2646f to 2648f) formed on the inner body (264f) being cross-inserted with each other, so that the contact surfaces of each fusion protrusion (2631f to 2635f, 2646f to 2648f) and each fusion groove (2641f to 2645f, 2636f to 2638f) are fused by ultrasonic vibration.

[0389] Since a plurality of fusion protrusions (631f to 2635f, 2646f to 2648f) and a plurality of fusion grooves (2641f to 2645f, 2636f to 2638f) are formed on the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f), the fusion protrusions (2631f, 2632f, 2646f) and fusion grooves (2636f, 2641f, 2642f) formed on the outer surfaces of the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) will be described as an example.

[0390] As shown, the first inner fusion groove (2641f), the first inner fusion protrusion (2646f), and the second inner fusion groove (2642f) are sequentially formed on the outer surface of the inner body (264f), and the first outer fusion protrusion v, the first outer fusion groove (2636f), and the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) are sequentially formed on the outer body (261f).

[0391] The insertion state of each of the above fusion protrusions (2631f, 2632f, 2646f) and each of the above fusion grooves (2636f, 2641f, 2642f) will be described. The first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) is inserted into the first inner fusion groove (2641f), the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) is inserted into the second inner fusion groove (2642f), and the first inner fusion protrusion (2646f) is inserted into the first outer fusion groove (2636f).

[0392] At this time, the outer surface of the first inner fusion protrusion (2646f) and the inner surface of the first outer fusion groove (2636f) are positioned in contact with each other, and a residual space may be formed on the inner side of the first outer fusion groove (2636f). In addition, the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) may be spaced apart from the first inner fusion groove (2641f) by a predetermined distance to form a residual space, and the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) may be spaced apart from the second inner fusion groove (2642f) by a predetermined distance to form a residual space.

[0393] In addition, the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) form a first gap (Da), and the first gap (Da) can be communicated with a surplus space formed by the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and a surplus space formed by the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f).

[0394] Here, the first outer fusion projection (2631f) inserted into the second inner fusion groove (2642f) to form the first gap (Da) is positioned eccentrically with respect to the center of the second inner fusion groove (2642f).

[0395] That is, the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) is formed so that one side facing the first gap (Da) is eccentric from the center of the second inner fusion groove (2642f) and is in contact with the first gap (Da), and the side facing the first gap (Da) is spaced apart and communicates with the first gap (Da).

[0396] Accordingly, the molten material generated between the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f) can move toward the first gap (Da) through the space between the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f).

[0397] Meanwhile, the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) is formed to be equal to or longer than the first gap (Da). The first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) is adjacent to at least the second inner fusion groove (2642f) before the inner body and the outer body are fused together, and can be formed to be inserted into the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f) after the start of fusion.

[0398] Accordingly, the molten material generated between the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f) can move to the first gap (Da) through a trap-shaped passage formed between the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f).

[0399] As ultrasonic vibrations are generated in the inner body guide (G2) of the fusion device in the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) in the above-described state and pressure is applied simultaneously, the inner body (264f) is pressed against the outer body (261f), and melting occurs at the joint surface of the first inner fusion protrusion (2646f) and the first outer fusion groove (2636f) due to the ultrasonic vibration.

[0400] The molten material generated at the joint surface of the first inner fusion protrusion (2646f) and the first outer fusion groove (2636f) can flow into the excess space formed in the first inner fusion protrusion (2646f) and the first outer fusion groove (2636f).

[0401] In addition, the molten material generated at the joint surface of the first inner fusion protrusion (2646f) and the first outer fusion groove (2636f) can flow into the excess space formed by the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the excess space formed by the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f).

[0402] In addition, the molten material flowing into the excess space formed by the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the excess space formed by the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f) can be discharged into the first gap (Da) while filling the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f).

[0403] Thereafter, the molten material discharged through the first gap (Da) can fuse the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f) as the first gap (Da) is reduced to the second gap (Db) by the pressure of the inner body (264f) and the outer body.

[0404] According to the arrangement structure of the first outer fusion protrusion (2631f) and the first inner fusion groove (2641f) and the second outer fusion protrusion (2632f) and the second inner fusion groove (2642f) as described above and the formation of the first gap (Da), the inner body (264f) and the outer body (261f) can be more effectively fused and joined.

[0405] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, modifications to future embodiments of the present invention will not depart from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A first body formed in a ring shape so that a fluid groove is formed in which the balancing member flows, It has a ring-shaped second body that is fused to the first body and forms a moving space in which the balancing member moves along the flow groove. A balancer characterized by including a support protrusion that protrudes from the inner surface of the first body toward the center of the first body so that the first body is supported radially from the center of the first body.

2. In the first paragraph, the first body A first body part in which the flow groove is formed so that it extends along the ring shape of the first body and is formed so that the upper part is open; A balancer, characterized in that the above-mentioned supporting protrusion protrudes from the inner surface of the first body portion toward the center of the first body.

3. In the second paragraph, the first body part An outer wall forming the outer periphery of the above fluid groove, The above fluid groove has an inner wall forming an inner circumference, A balancer, characterized in that the inner wall is formed to be relatively thicker than the outer wall.

4. In the third paragraph, the inner wall A first inner wall forming the inner wall of the above fluid groove, A balancer characterized by having a second inner wall that is extended and bent from the first inner wall to form an inner wall of the first body portion.

5. A balancer according to claim 4, characterized in that a space extending along the first body portion is formed between the first inner wall and the second inner wall.

6. A balancer according to claim 5, characterized in that a plurality of reinforcing ribs are further formed in the space to support the first inner wall and the second inner wall.

7. A balancer according to claim 2, characterized in that the support projection further includes a first inclined surface that protrudes from the inner surface of the first body portion and slopes downward toward the center of the first body portion.

8. In paragraph 7, the support protrusion is formed in a rib shape that slopes downward toward the center of the first body part, A balancer characterized in that a support rib for supporting the support protrusion is further formed between the first body portion and the support protrusion.

9. A balancer according to claim 8, characterized in that the support rib is further formed with a second inclined surface that slopes upward from the first body portion toward the end of the support protrusion.

10. A balancer according to claim 8, characterized in that the thickness of the support rib decreases as it extends from the first body part to the support protrusion.

11. A balancer according to claim 1, characterized in that the first body and the support protrusion are formed to have the same center.

12. A garment treatment device including a first cabinet, a tub provided inside the first cabinet to provide a space for storing water, and a drum provided rotatably inside the tub to receive a treatment object and having a balancer provided at the front or rear, The above balancer A first body formed in a ring shape so that a fluid groove is formed in which the balancing member flows, A second body is formed in a ring shape so that a moving space is formed along the flow groove by being fused and joined to the first body, and the balancing member moves. A clothing treatment device characterized in that the first body includes a support protrusion that protrudes from the inner surface toward the center of the first body so as to be supported in the radial direction of the first body at the center of the first body.

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