Clothing treatment apparatus

Abstract

The present invention is related to a clothing treatment apparatus including: a cabinet including a front panel having an inlet and a first mounting hole located above the inlet; a door provided on the front panel and capable of opening and closing the inlet; a receiving unit which is provided inside the cabinet and in which a treatment target supplied to the inlet is stored; a control panel that is provided in the first mounting hole and forms a part of the front panel, and that has a light transmitting area and a non-light transmitting area positioned between the light transmitting area and the door; a display unit that is provided inside the cabinet and outputs visual information to the outside of the cabinet through the light transmitting area; and a first input unit that is provided in the non-light transmitting area and receives a control command from a user, and that is positioned between the lower end of the light transmitting area and the lower end of the control panel.

Description

Garment processing equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a clothing treatment device.

[0002] A clothing treatment device is a general term for a washing machine that washes laundry items, a dryer that dries laundry items, and a device that can perform both washing and drying of items to be treated (laundry items, drying items).

[0003] The heat exchanger equipped in a conventional dryer is a means for supplying dry air to a space (drum) where the subject matter is accommodated. The heat exchanger equipped in an exhaust type dryer is equipped with a duct that supplies outside air to the drum and a heater that heats the air introduced through the duct, and the heat exchanger equipped in a circulation type dryer is equipped with a circulation path that resupplies air withdrawn from the drum to the drum, a heat absorber that is equipped inside the circulation path to remove moisture (dehumidify) from the air, and a heater that heats the air that has passed through the heat absorber.

[0004] Because commercial dryers can handle large and heavy items and perform a high number of drying cycles, the heat exchangers in commercial dryers need to be designed differently from those in household dryers. In other words, the capacity and output of the heat exchanger in a commercial dryer need to be greater than those in a household dryer.

[0005] Since a dryer equipped with a heat pump as a heat exchanger must be configured so that air moving along a circulation path exchanges heat with a refrigerant, the dryer requires a fan that causes air drawn from a drum to pass through a heat absorber and heater of the heat pump and then move to the drum, and a control unit that controls the heat pump so that the refrigerant circulates through the heat absorber and heater.

[0006] A dryer equipped with a heat exchanger having a large capacity or output is advantageous in that the amount of air moved by the fan increases, but increasing the amount of air moved by the fan may cause a problem in that the noise generated by the fan increases.

[0007] In addition, since a dryer equipped with a heat exchanger having a large capacity or output places a large load on the control unit, if the control unit cannot be effectively cooled, a phenomenon in which the drying efficiency is reduced may occur.

[0008] Meanwhile, conventional dryers rotate a drum containing the material to effectively exchange heat between the material and the air, supplying drying air to the drum. Because the drums in commercial dryers can be larger and heavier than those in household dryers, commercial dryers require a drive unit designed to effectively rotate these heavy, bulky drums.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a garment treatment device having a highly visible and user-friendly interface.

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a garment processing device having an interface that efficiently uses the space provided by the front panel and has high visibility and user convenience through the positions and shapes of the components exposed on the front panel.

[0011] The present invention aims to provide a clothing treatment device capable of effectively cooling a heat exchanger or a control unit.

[0012] The present invention provides a garment treatment device comprising: a cabinet including a front panel having an inlet, a first mounting hole positioned above the inlet; a door provided on the front panel and capable of opening and closing the inlet; a receiving portion provided inside the cabinet for storing a processing object supplied to the inlet; a control panel provided in the first mounting hole and forming a part of the front panel, the control panel having a transparent area and a non-transparent area positioned between the transparent area and the door; a display provided inside the cabinet for outputting visual information to the outside of the cabinet through the transparent area; and a first input portion provided in the non-transparent area for receiving a control command from a user and positioned between a lower end of the transparent area and a lower end of the control panel.

[0013] The first input unit may be provided with at least one of a contact sensor that detects whether the user's body is in contact with the non-transparent area, a button input unit that is provided to penetrate the non-transparent area, or a rotation input unit that is rotatably coupled to the non-transparent area.

[0014] The shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the top of the control panel can be set to be less than or equal to the shortest vertical distance between the bottom of the control panel and the top of the door.

[0015] The shortest vertical distance between the bottom of the control panel and the top of the door can be set to a length less than 1.5 times the shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the top of the control panel.

[0016] The diameter of the above door can be set to be 4 to 6 times the diameter of the above control panel.

[0017] The height of the above front panel can be set to be 9 to 12 times the diameter of the above control panel.

[0018] The width of the above front panel can be set to be 6 times or more and 6.5 times or less than the diameter of the above control panel.

[0019] The above control panel may be provided in a shape with the same height and width.

[0020] The above control panel may be provided in a circular shape with a constant diameter.

[0021] The center of the above door and the center of the above control panel can be positioned on the same vertical line.

[0022] A vertical line passing through the right end of the control panel may be positioned between a first vertical line spaced apart from the center of the door to the right by 1 / 8 of the door diameter and a second vertical line spaced apart from the center of the door to the right by 1 / 16 of the door diameter.

[0023] A vertical line passing through the left end of the control panel may be positioned between a third vertical line spaced from the center of the door to the left by 1 / 8 of the door diameter and a fourth vertical line spaced from the center of the door to the left by 1 / 16 of the door diameter.

[0024] The shortest horizontal distance between the left edge of the front panel and the left end of the control panel may be the same as the shortest horizontal distance between the right edge of the front panel and the right end of the control panel.

[0025] The shortest horizontal distance between the side edge of the front panel and the control panel may be set to be at least two times and at most three times the width of the control panel.

[0026] The height of the above front panel can be set to be at least 2 times and at most 2.5 times the diameter of the door.

[0027] The width of the above front panel can be set to 1.5 times or less of the diameter of the door.

[0028] The above clothing treatment device may further include a second mounting hole provided on the front panel and positioned at a higher point than the cabinet penetration hole; and a second input unit provided in the second mounting hole for payment of an amount displayed on the display.

[0029] The above garment treatment device may further include a second mounting hole provided on the front panel and positioned at a higher point than the inlet; and a second input unit provided in the second mounting hole for inputting a control command to stop or end the operation of the garment treatment device.

[0030] The height of the above control panel is set longer than the height of the second mounting hole, and the height of the second mounting hole can be set longer than the height of the second input unit.

[0031] The height of the above output area may be provided to be the same as the height of the second mounting hole.

[0032] The shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the center of the control panel, the shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the center of the second input unit, and the shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the center of the second mounting hole can be set to be the same.

[0033] The shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the center of the control panel may be set longer than the shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the center of the second input unit, and the shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the center of the second input unit may be set longer than the shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the center of the second mounting hole.

[0034] Based on the top of the front panel, the center of the second input unit may be positioned at a point lower than the center of the second mounting hole.

[0035] The width of the above control panel may be set longer than the width of the second mounting hole, and the width of the second mounting hole may be set longer than the width of the second input unit.

[0036] The present invention provides a garment treatment device having a highly visible and user-friendly interface.

[0037] The present invention provides a garment processing device having an interface that efficiently uses the space provided by the front panel and has high visibility and user convenience through the positions and shapes of the components exposed on the front panel.

[0038] The present invention provides a clothing treatment device capable of effectively cooling a heat exchanger or a control unit.

[0039] Figures 1, 2, and 3 illustrate an example of a garment treatment device comprising a first treatment device and a second treatment device.

[0040] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate examples of a receiving section, an exhaust section, and a drum provided in the first processing device.

[0041] Figures 6, 7, and 8 illustrate examples of a second processing device.

[0042] Figure 9 illustrates an example of the operation of a heat exchanger.

[0043] Figure 10 illustrates an example of an interface.

[0044] Figures 11 to 13 illustrate examples of an interface and a second input unit.

[0045] Figures 14 (a) and 14 (b) illustrate examples of the second input unit.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a garment treatment device and its control method will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a clothing treatment device (100) may be provided to include a first treatment device (100a, clothing treatment module) that provides a space for accommodating a treatment object (clothing, etc.) and a space for heat exchange between the treatment object and air, and a second treatment device (100b, air treatment module) that heat-exchanges air that has completed heat exchange with the treatment object with a refrigerant.

[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the second processing device (100b) can be detachably fixed to one side of the first processing device (100a), and the air supplied to the first processing device (100a) through the second processing device (100b) can be high-temperature dry air (air having a temperature higher than room temperature and a humidity lower than that of air at room temperature).

[0054] The above first treatment device (100a) may be provided to include a cabinet (1, first cabinet), a receiving section (2, 4) provided inside the first cabinet to receive a treatment target, and an exhaust section (3, first exhaust section) that guides air discharged from the receiving section to the second treatment device (100b) (to the outside of the first treatment device).

[0055] The first cabinet (1) may be provided to include a front panel (11, first front panel) forming the front surface of the garment treatment device (100), and a rear panel (12, first rear panel) providing a space in which the second treatment device (100b) is mounted.

[0056] The first front panel (11) may be provided with a first panel body (11a) and a second panel body (11b). The first panel body (11a) may be provided as a panel fixed to the first processing device (100a), and the second panel body (11b) may be provided as a panel detachable from the first processing device (100a).

[0057] The first panel body (11a) is provided with an inlet (111) that is connected to the receiving portion (2, 4), and the second panel body (11b) 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).

[0058] The first panel body (11a) may be provided with an interface (14) for controlling the garment treatment device (100) and a door (113) for opening and closing the inlet (111), and the rear panel (12) may be provided with a supply port (121) connected to the chamber discharge hole (652) of the second treatment device (100b) and an outlet (123) connected to the chamber inlet hole (651) of the second treatment device.

[0059] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the receiving portion may be provided to include a drum (4) that provides a space for receiving a processing object, and a housing (2) that is fixed inside the first cabinet (1) and provides a space for receiving the drum (4). The drum (4) may be rotatably fixed inside a receiving chamber (21) of the housing.

[0060] The front surface of the receiving chamber (21) may be provided to be closed by the first panel body (11a), and the rear surface of the receiving chamber (21) may be provided to be closed by the first rear panel (12). The front surface (front open surface) of the receiving chamber (21) may be provided in a shape that surrounds the inlet (111), and the rear surface (rear open surface) of the receiving chamber (21) may be provided in a shape that surrounds the supply port. Therefore, the inlet (111) and the supply port provided in the first rear panel (12) may be viewed as being connected to each other through the receiving chamber (21).

[0061] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the receiving chamber (21) may be provided to include an upper surface (22), a lower surface (23, bottom surface), a first side surface (24), and a second side surface (25). The upper surface (22) may be provided to be spaced apart from the upper surface of the first cabinet (1), the first side surface (24) may be provided to contact the first side surface of the first cabinet (1), and the second side surface (25) may be provided to contact the second side surface of the first cabinet (1).

[0062] In order to prevent air introduced into the receiving chamber (21) through the supply port (121) from leaking into the space formed between the front surface of the receiving chamber (21) and the first front panel (11), a chamber sealer (211) may be provided on the front surface of the receiving chamber (21).

[0063] The above first exhaust section (3) may be provided to include an exhaust chamber (31, first exhaust chamber) forming a space separated from the receiving chamber (21), an exhaust duct (34) guiding air introduced into the first exhaust chamber (31) to the second processing device (100b), and an exhaust fan (35, first exhaust fan) provided inside the exhaust duct.

[0064] The first exhaust chamber (31) may be provided inside the first cabinet (1) so as to be positioned at the lower portion of the receiving chamber (21), and may be connected to the receiving chamber (21) through a chamber communication hole (32) provided to penetrate the lower surface (23) of the receiving chamber (penetrating the upper surface of the first exhaust chamber).

[0065] One side of the first exhaust chamber (31) may be configured to be opened and closed by the second panel body (11b). Fig. 3 illustrates an example in which the second panel body (11b) is configured to open and close an open surface formed in front of the first exhaust chamber (31).

[0066] The second panel body (11b) may be provided as a panel that can be detachably attached to the first cabinet (1), or may be provided as a panel whose end is rotatably fixed to the first cabinet (1). The second panel body (11b) may be provided to form the front surface (first front panel, 11) of the first processing device (100a) together with the first panel body (11a).

[0067] In order to filter the air introduced into the first exhaust chamber (31), a filter (36) may be provided inside the first exhaust chamber (31). In order to increase the filtration amount, the filter (36) may be fixed at an angle inside the first exhaust chamber (31). That is, the filter (36) may be fixed to the first exhaust chamber (31) so that the upper end is closer to the second panel body (11b) than the lower end (see FIG. 3), or may be fixed so that the lower end is closer to the second panel body (11b) than the upper end (see FIG. 5). Unlike as shown in the drawing, the filter (36) may also be provided in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the first exhaust chamber (31).

[0068] The above drum (4) may be provided as a drum body (41) that is rotatably installed inside the receiving chamber (21) and stores the processing target.

[0069] The drum body (41) is provided in a cylindrical shape with an empty interior, and a drum support member (45) that supports a lower circumference of the drum body (41) (a circumference of the drum body located below a horizontal line passing through the center of rotation of the drum body) may be provided in the receiving chamber (21). The drum support member (45) may be provided as a roller that is rotatably fixed inside the receiving chamber (21), and may be provided at each corner where the lower surface (23) and both sides (24, 25) of the receiving chamber (21) meet.

[0070] As illustrated in Fig. 4, a drum inlet (413) communicating with the inlet (111) may be provided on the front surface (drum front surface, 411) of the drum body (41). Accordingly, objects to be processed, such as clothing, introduced into the inlet (111) can move into the drum body (41) through the drum inlet (413).

[0071] A lifter (415) may be provided inside the drum body (41). The lifter (415) may be provided as a board that protrudes from the circumference of the drum body (41) toward the center of rotation of the drum body. The lifter (415) has the effect of promoting heat exchange between the treatment object and air by causing the treatment object to drop or roll inside the drum body (41) when the drum body (41) rotates.

[0072] A drum rotation shaft (44) may be provided on the rear surface (412) of the drum body. Accordingly, the circumference of the drum body (41) may be supported on the lower surface (23) of the receiving chamber via the drum support member (45), and the rear surface (412) of the drum body may be rotatably supported on the first rear panel (12) via the drum rotation shaft (44).

[0073] As illustrated in Fig. 5, a drum supply port (42) may be provided on the rear surface (412) of the drum body to guide air supplied from the supply port (121) into the interior of the drum body (41). The drum rotation axis (44) may be provided at the center of the rear surface (412) of the drum body, and the drum supply port (42) may be provided with a plurality of drum penetration holes arranged to surround the drum rotation axis (44).

[0074] Air introduced into the drum body (41) through the drum supply port (42) can be discharged to the receiving chamber (21) through the drum exhaust port (43). As illustrated in FIG. 4, the circumference of the drum body (41) can be divided into a front circumference (416) connected to the drum front surface (411) and a rear circumference (417) connected to the drum rear surface (412), and the drum exhaust port (43) can be provided as a plurality of through holes provided in the front circumference (416).

[0075] In order to facilitate the movement of air discharged from the drum exhaust port (43) to the exhaust chamber (31) (to improve drying efficiency), it is preferable that at least a portion of the chamber communication hole (32) be provided so that the drum exhaust port (43) is positioned within a space projected on the lower surface (23) of the receiving chamber.

[0076] The lower surface (23) of the receiving chamber and the upper surface of the first exhaust chamber (31) may be provided as the same surface. That is, the receiving chamber (21) and the first exhaust chamber (31) may be provided as spaces separated from each other through the lower surface (23). In this case, the chamber communication hole (32) may be provided as a hole penetrating the lower surface (23).

[0077] To ensure that the air supplied through the supply port (121) flows directly into the drum body (41) (to improve drying efficiency), a guide path (122) may be further provided inside the receiving chamber (21).

[0078] The above guide passage (122) may be provided in a pipe shape such that one end contacts the first rear panel (12) to surround the supply port (121), and the other end contacts the rear surface (412) of the drum body to surround the entire drum supply port (42). The guide passage (122) may be provided to be fixed to the first rear panel (12), or may be provided to be fixed to the rear surface (412) of the drum body. Fig. 4 illustrates an example in which the guide passage (122) is fixed to a guide bracket (124) provided on the first rear panel (12).

[0079] As shown in Fig. 5, when the first exhaust fan (35) operates, the air inside the receiving chamber (21) moves from the receiving chamber (21) to the first exhaust chamber (31) through the chamber communication hole (32), and the air inside the first exhaust chamber (31) is supplied to the second treatment device (100b) through the exhaust duct (34) and the outlet (123).

[0080] The air supplied to the second treatment device (100b) through the chamber inlet hole (651) is dehumidified and heated by the heat exchange unit (7), and the air that has passed through the heat exchange unit (7) is discharged from the second treatment device (100b) through the chamber discharge hole (652). The air discharged from the chamber discharge hole (652) will move into the drum body (41) through the supply port (121), the guide path (122), and the drum supply port (42) and exchange heat with the treatment target.

[0081] The air that has completed heat exchange inside the drum body (41) moves to the first exhaust chamber (31) through the drum exhaust port (43) and the chamber communication hole (32), and the air inside the first exhaust chamber (31) moves to the chamber inlet hole (651) through the filter (36) and the exhaust duct (34).

[0082] The drum body (41) may be provided to rotate by a driving unit (5). The driving unit (5) may be provided to include a motor (51) that operates according to a control signal of a first control unit, and a belt (512) that connects a rotational shaft (driving shaft, 511) of the motor and a circumference of the drum body (41). The belt (512) may be provided to connect a rear circumference (417) of the drum body and the driving shaft (511).

[0083] The above motor (51) is characterized in that it is fixed to the receiving chamber (21) or the first cabinet (1) and is positioned at a point higher than the drum body (41) in the external space of the receiving chamber (21). When the motor (51) is fixed so that the driving shaft (511) is positioned at a point higher than the uppermost end of the drum body (41), the tension of the belt (512) will be maintained by the weight of the drum body (41).

[0084] The above motor (51) can be fixed to the upper surface (22) of the receiving chamber, and the upper surface (22) of the receiving chamber can be provided with a chamber penetration hole (223) through which the belt (512) is inserted into the receiving chamber (21).

[0085] In order to prevent air inside the receiving chamber (21) from leaking into the first cabinet (1) through the chamber penetration hole (223), the clothing treatment device (100) may further be provided with a penetration hole cover (28).

[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the second processing device (100b) may be provided to include a cabinet (6, second cabinet) detachably fixed to the rear surface (12, first rear panel) of the first processing device (100a), and a heat exchange unit (7) provided inside the second cabinet (6).

[0087] The second cabinet (6) may be provided to include a base panel (63) forming the bottom surface of the second processing device, a front panel (61, second front panel) provided on a surface facing the first rear panel (12) and forming one side of the second processing device, a rear panel (62, second rear panel) forming the other side of the second processing device, and an upper panel (64) forming the upper surface of the second processing device.

[0088] Inside the second cabinet (6), a first flow path (65, first heat exchange chamber) and a second flow path (66, 67) may be provided.

[0089] The above first flow path (65) forms an air movement path parallel to the height direction (Y-axis direction) of the second treatment device (100b), and may be provided as a first heat exchange chamber in which the first heat exchanger (71) and the second heat exchanger (72) provided in the heat exchange unit (7) are mounted.

[0090] The second flow path (66, 67) may be provided with a second heat exchange chamber (66) in which a third heat exchanger (73) provided in the heat exchange section (7) is mounted, and a mounting chamber (67) in which a compressor provided in the heat exchange section (7) is mounted. The second heat exchange chamber (66) and the mounting chamber (67) may be provided so as to be connected to each other to form a single flow path through which air can move along the height direction of the second treatment device.

[0091] It is preferable that the first flow path (65) and the second flow path (66, 67) are formed as independent flow paths, and FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which the two flow paths are formed through a partition wall (613) that divides the interior of the second cabinet (6).

[0092] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the first flow path (65) receives air discharged from the first treatment device (100a) through the chamber inlet hole (651), and air inside the first flow path (65) can be supplied to the first treatment device (100a) through the chamber discharge hole (652).

[0093] The second rear panel (62) may be provided to include a chamber first rear panel (621) forming the rear surface of the first flow path (65), and a chamber second rear panel (622) forming the rear surface of the second flow path (66, 67).

[0094] The second treatment device (100b) may be equipped with an exhaust unit (69, second exhaust unit). The second exhaust unit (69) is a means for moving air along the second flow path (66, 67), and the second exhaust unit (69) may be equipped to include an exhaust chamber (691, second exhaust chamber) connecting the second flow path (66, 67) and the outside of the second cabinet (6), and an exhaust fan (692, second exhaust fan) for moving air along the exhaust chamber (691).

[0095] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the heat exchange unit (7) may be provided with a refrigerant passage (76) forming a refrigerant circulation passage, a first heat exchanger (71) fixed to the refrigerant passage (76) and positioned inside the first passage section (65) to absorb heat from air, a second heat exchanger (72) fixed to the refrigerant passage (76) and positioned inside the first passage section (65) to release heat to air passing through the first heat exchanger (71), a third heat exchanger (73) fixed to the refrigerant passage (76) and positioned in the second heat exchange chamber (66), a compressor (74) located in the mounting chamber (67) to move the refrigerant along the refrigerant passage (76), and a passage switching unit (75) to control the movement path of the refrigerant passing through the second heat exchanger (72).

[0096] The first heat exchanger (71) is a means (evaporator, or heat absorber) that absorbs heat from the air flowing into the first flow path (65) and removes water vapor contained in the air (condenses water vapor). The second heat exchanger (72) is a means (condenser, or heat generator) that releases heat to the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger and heats the air.

[0097] The first heat exchanger (71) is preferably positioned below the second heat exchanger (72) and is inclined downward toward the bottom surface of the first flow path (65). When the first heat exchanger (71) is fixed to the first flow path (65) with an inclined structure, it is effective in easily removing condensate from the surface of the first heat exchanger (71).

[0098] In addition, when the first heat exchanger (71) is fixed to the first flow path (65) in an inclined structure, the first heat exchanger (71) having a heat exchange area larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow path (65) can be mounted, and through this, the air and the first heat exchanger (71) have the effect of more effectively exchanging heat with the air.

[0099] In order to remove the condensate falling from the first heat exchanger (71), a drainage part may be provided on the bottom surface of the first flow path (65). The drainage part may be provided to include a collection chamber (654) provided on the bottom surface of the first flow path (65) to provide a space for storing condensate, and a drain pipe (655) for discharging condensate from the collection chamber (654) to the outside of the second cabinet (6).

[0100] The third heat exchanger (73) may perform the same function (heat absorption function) as the first heat exchanger, or may perform the same function (heat generation function) as the second heat exchanger. Fig. 9 illustrates an example of the flow path conversion part (75) that enables the function conversion of the third heat exchanger (73).

[0101] The above-described refrigerant conversion unit (755) may be provided to include a valve body (751) that provides a space for storing refrigerant, a refrigerant inlet (752) that introduces refrigerant into the valve body, a first connection pipe (753) that connects the inside of the valve body (751) with the outside, a second connection pipe (754) that connects the inside of the valve body (751) with the outside, a third connection pipe (755) that connects the inside of the valve body (751) with the outside, and a conversion valve (756) that is movably provided within the valve body and connects two of the three connection pipes to each other.

[0102] The above switching valve (756) may be provided to reciprocate between a first point and a second point that are preset. At the first point, the switching valve (756) may be provided to connect the second connecting pipe (754) and the third connecting pipe (755) (the refrigerant inlet is connected to the first connecting pipe), and at the second point, the switching valve (756) may be provided to connect the first connecting pipe (753) and the second connecting pipe (754) (the refrigerant inlet is connected to the third connecting pipe).

[0103] In this case, the refrigerant passage (76) includes a first refrigerant pipe (761) that guides the refrigerant discharged from the compressor (74) to the second heat exchanger (72), a second refrigerant pipe (762) that guides the refrigerant that has passed through the second heat exchanger (72) (refrigerant that has completed heat exchange with air in the second heat exchanger) to the refrigerant inlet (752), and a third refrigerant pipe (763) that guides the refrigerant discharged from the first connection pipe (753) to the third heat exchanger (73). A control valve (77) that controls the pressure of the refrigerant may be provided in the third refrigerant pipe (763).

[0104] In addition, the refrigerant passage (76) may be provided to include a fourth refrigerant pipe (764) that guides the refrigerant that has passed through the third heat exchanger (73) to the third connecting pipe (755), a fifth refrigerant pipe (765) that guides the refrigerant discharged from the second connecting pipe (754) to the first heat exchanger (71), and a sixth refrigerant pipe (766) that guides the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger (71) to the compressor (74).

[0105] By means of the above-mentioned euro conversion unit (75), the third heat exchanger (73) can be supplied with refrigerant that has passed through the control valve (77), or can be supplied with refrigerant that has not passed through the control valve (77).

[0106] The process of removing moisture from the treatment target (drying process) can proceed more quickly as the amount of heat exchange between the refrigerant and air passing through the first heat exchanger (71) and the amount of heat exchange between the refrigerant and air passing through the second heat exchanger (72) increase. If the cross-sectional area of ​​the first heat exchanger (71) and the cross-sectional area of ​​the second heat exchanger (72) are designed to be large in order to increase the amount of heat exchange, the problem of the overall volume of the second treatment device (100b) increasing due to the increase in the volume of the heat exchange unit (7) may occur, and in some cases, the problem of the compressor overheating may occur.

[0107] The above heat exchange unit (7) can switch the function of the third heat exchanger (73) between the heat absorption function and the heat generation function through the above-mentioned flow conversion unit (75). Therefore, the heat exchange unit (7) can supply high-temperature dry air to the first treatment device (100a) more quickly and effectively by setting the function of the third heat exchanger (73) to either the heat absorption function or the heat generation function in a specific section during the execution of the drying cycle divided into the preheating section, the constant rate section, and the deceleration section.

[0108] The above preheating period is defined as a period in which the dryness hardly changes and the temperature of the clothing increases, the above constant drying rate period is defined as a period in which the dryness rapidly increases (the moisture content rapidly decreases) and the temperature of the clothing hardly changes, and the above falling drying rate period can be defined as a period in which the dryness hardly changes and the temperature of the clothing increases.

[0109] At the beginning of the drying cycle (preheating section), the temperature of the air discharged from the drum body (41) (the temperature of the air flowing into the first heat exchange chamber) is low. Therefore, at the beginning of the drying cycle, the temperature of the air supplied to the drum body (41) can be increased only by increasing the amount of energy absorbed by the refrigerant (heat absorption), thereby shortening the time required to enter the constant rate section (shortening the time required to proceed with the preheating section).

[0110] Figure 9 illustrates a case where the switching valve (756) is located at the first point. In this case, the switching valve (756) can guide the refrigerant that has passed through the second heat exchanger (72) to the control valve (77), and the refrigerant that has passed through the control valve (77) will pass through the third heat exchanger (73) and then be supplied to the first heat exchanger (71) via the valve body (751).

[0111] Accordingly, when the second exhaust fan (92) is in operation, the refrigerant passing through the third heat exchanger (73) can absorb heat energy from the air moving along the second flow path (66, 67). Accordingly, the heat exchanger (7) can shorten the execution time (drying time) of the drying cycle by shortening the execution time of the preheating section.

[0112] Meanwhile, in the latter half of the drying cycle (after the latter half of the constant rate section, or the above-described deceleration section), the temperature of the air discharged from the drum body (41) is high, so the amount of energy absorbed by the refrigerant increases. Therefore, in the latter half of the drying cycle, the heat absorbed by the refrigerant must be quickly released to bring forward the end point of the drying cycle and stably control the heat exchanger (7) (to prevent overheating of the compressor, etc.).

[0113] When the above switching valve (756) is located at the second point, the refrigerant that has passed through the second heat exchanger (72) will be supplied to the third heat exchanger (73), and the refrigerant that has passed through the third heat exchanger will be supplied to the first heat exchanger (71) through the control valve (77) and the valve body (751).

[0114] Therefore, when the exhaust fan (35) is operated, the second heat exchanger (72) can release heat to the air moving along the first heat exchange chamber (65), and when the second exhaust fan (92) is operated, the third heat exchanger (73) can release heat to the air moving along the second flow path. Therefore, the heat exchange unit (7) can effectively release heat absorbed by the refrigerant in the latter part of the drying cycle, thereby shortening the drying time and preventing overheating of the compressor.

[0115] The heat exchanger (7) described above can be controlled by a control unit (8, second control unit), and the second control unit (8) can be provided in the third flow path (68). As shown in Fig. 8 (b), the third flow path (68) can be provided as a flow path for supplying outside air to the space between the third heat exchanger (73) and the second exhaust fan (69) when the second exhaust fan (692) is in operation.

[0116] The second control unit (8) may be provided to include a board fixing plate (81) located inside the third flow path (68), a circuit board (83) fixed to the board fixing plate (81), and a control circuit provided on the circuit board (83) to control the heat exchange unit (7).

[0117] The above board fixing plate (81) can be fixed to one side (mounting side, 661) of the second heat exchange chamber. The control circuit provided in the circuit board (83) can be provided as a circuit capable of controlling at least one of the compressor (74) and the control valve (77), and an inverter circuit or inverter driver that controls the rotational speed (operating frequency) of the compressor (74) can be an example.

[0118] For cooling the control circuit, the second control unit (8) may be provided with a cooling unit (84). The cooling unit (84) may be provided with a plurality of cooling fins that are fixed to the circuit board (83) and connected to the control circuit. That is, the cooling unit (84) may be provided by arranging a plurality of cooling fins parallel to the height direction (Y-axis direction) of the second heat exchange chamber (66) so as to be spaced apart along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the second heat exchange chamber (66).

[0119] The cooling unit (84) may be provided to exchange heat with air moving along the third flow path (68). To this end, a chamber supply port (662) connecting the third flow path (68) and the second heat exchange chamber (66) may be provided on the mounting surface (661), and the cooling unit (84) may be provided to be positioned at the chamber supply port (662).

[0120] In order to facilitate the supply of air from the third flow path (68) to the second heat exchange chamber (66) through the chamber supply port (662) (to facilitate heat exchange of the cooling unit), the clothing treatment device (100) may further be provided with flow path forming parts (821, 822). Fig. 7 illustrates an example in which the flow path forming parts (821, 822) are provided on the board fixing plate (81). The flow path forming parts may be provided as a first spacer (821) and a second spacer (822) provided on opposite ends of the board fixing plate (81) to maintain a gap between the board fixing plate (81) and the mounting surface (661).

[0121] Fig. 10 illustrates an example of an interface (14) provided in the above clothing treatment device.

[0122] The first front panel (11) may be provided with a first mounting hole (115) and a second mounting hole (116) located above the inlet (111). The first mounting hole (115) may be provided as a hole penetrating the first front panel (11) so as to be located above the inlet (111), and the second mounting hole (116) may be provided as a hole penetrating the first front panel (11) so as to be located on one of the left and right sides of the first mounting hole (115). The first mounting hole (115) may be provided as a circular hole with a constant diameter, and the second mounting hole (116) may be provided as a square or rectangular hole.

[0123] The above interface (14) may be provided to include a control panel (141) that is provided in the first mounting hole (115) and forms a part of the first front panel (11), a display (145) that is fixed inside the first cabinet (1) and outputs visual information, and a first input unit (146) that receives a control command from a user.

[0124] The above control panel (141) may be provided to include a transparent area (142) and non-transparent areas (143, 144). The non-transparent area may be provided only with a second non-transparent area (144) located between the transparent area (142) and the inlet (111), or may be provided to include both a first non-transparent area (143) located above the transparent area (142) and a second non-transparent area (144) located below the transparent area (142).

[0125] In order to enable visual information to be confirmed from the outside of the first cabinet (1) through the light-emitting area (142), the display (145) can be fixed to the first front panel (11) so as to be positioned at the rear of the light-emitting area (142).

[0126] The above display (145) is fixed to the first front panel (11) and is located inside the first cabinet (1), and the output area where visual information is output among the spaces provided by the display (145) can be provided to overlap the light-transmitting area (142).

[0127] The above display (145) can be provided in various shapes as far as possible to output visual information, and can be provided as a rectangular LCD panel or LED panel as shown in the drawing.

[0128] The width of the display (145) may be set longer than the width of the control panel (141), and the height of the display (145) may be set shorter than the height of the control panel. When the control panel (141) is provided in a circular shape, the width of the display (145) may be set longer than the diameter of the control panel (141), and the height of the display (145) may be set shorter than the diameter of the control panel.

[0129] The upper part of the output area of ​​the display (145) may be set by the upper part of the light-transmitting area (142), and the lower part of the output area of ​​the display (145) may be set by the lower part of the light-transmitting area (142).

[0130] That is, the horizontal line passing through the upper part of the output area of ​​the display (145) may be provided to pass through the same point as the upper part of the light-transmitting area (142) or a point higher than the upper part of the light-transmitting area (142), and the horizontal line passing through the lower part of the output area of ​​the display (145) may be provided to pass through the same point as the lower part of the light-transmitting area (142) or a point lower than the lower part of the light-transmitting area (142).

[0131] Unlike the above, the horizontal line passing through the upper part of the output area of ​​the display (145) may be provided to pass through a point lower than the upper part of the light-transmitting area (142), and the horizontal line passing through the lower part of the output area of ​​the display (145) may be provided to pass through a point higher than the lower part of the light-transmitting area (142).

[0132] Meanwhile, the side edges of the output area provided in the display (145) may be provided to be set by the side edge shape of the light-transmitting area (142). When the first mounting hole (115) is provided as a circular hole and the control panel (141) is provided as a circular panel that closes the first mounting hole (115), the left and right sides of the output area may be set in a curved shape.

[0133] The output area of ​​the display (145) is advantageous in terms of manufacturing cost, defects, and control when manufactured in a rectangular shape compared to manufacturing in a circular or other shape. Therefore, if the output area of ​​the display (145) is set to be defined by the light-transmitting area (142) of the control panel, the effect of providing an interface that is easy to manufacture, defects, and control while setting the shape of the output area to a shape other than a rectangular shape can be expected.

[0134] The above-mentioned opaque area (143, 144) may be provided as an area where the internal space of the first cabinet (1) or a device provided inside the first cabinet (1) cannot be seen from the outside of the first cabinet (1). Alternatively, the above-mentioned opaque area (143, 144) may be provided as an area where the internal space of the first cabinet (1) or a device provided inside the first cabinet (1) can be seen from the outside of the first cabinet (1), but has a lower light transmittance than the above-mentioned transparent area (142). That is, the above-mentioned transparent area (142) may be provided as an area with a high light transmittance, and the above-mentioned opaque areas (143, 144) may be provided as an area with a low light transmittance.

[0135] At least one of the first non-transparent area (143) and the second non-transparent area (144) may be provided with a first input unit (146) for receiving a control command from a user.

[0136] Fig. 10 illustrates an example in which the first input unit (146) is provided in the second non-transparent area (144). In the case where the height of the first front panel (11) is set high (e.g., in the case where the garment processing device is manufactured for commercial use), if the first input unit (146) is provided in the second non-transparent area (144), convenience for users of short stature can be improved.

[0137] The first input unit (146) provided in the second non-transparent area (144) may be provided to be located between the lower end of the transparent area (142) and the lower end of the control panel (141). Fig. 10 illustrates an example in which the first input unit (146) is located at the center of the second non-transparent area (144) in the height and width directions.

[0138] The first input unit (146) may be provided as a contact sensor that detects whether the user's body is in contact with the second non-transparent area (144), or may be provided as a button input unit that is provided to penetrate the second non-transparent area (144), or a rotation input unit that is rotatably coupled to the second non-transparent area (144).

[0139] The second mounting hole (116) is provided to be closed by an input panel (118), and the input panel may be provided with a second input section (147). The input panel (118) may be provided to form a part of the first front panel (11), and the second input section (147) may be provided to be fixed to the input panel (118).

[0140] The second input unit (147) may be provided as a means for inputting a control command to stop or terminate the operation of the garment treatment device (100). That is, when a user inputs a control command through the second input unit (147), the garment treatment device (100) may stop or terminate the operation of either the first treatment device (100a) or the second treatment device (100b), or may stop or terminate both the operation of the first treatment device (100a) and the operation of the second treatment device (100b).

[0141] As illustrated in Fig. 11, the vertical shortest distance (D1) between the upper end (P) of the first front panel (11) and the upper end of the control panel (141) may be set to be less than or equal to the vertical shortest distance (D2) between the lower end of the control panel (141) and the upper end of the door (22). For example, the vertical shortest distance (D2) between the lower end of the control panel (141) and the upper end of the door (22) may be set to be less than or equal to 1.5 times the vertical shortest distance (D1) between the upper end of the first front panel and the upper end of the control panel.

[0142] When the above clothing treatment device (100) is in operation, the door (22) can vibrate along the height direction of the first front panel (11). Therefore, if the vertical shortest distance (D2) between the lower end of the control panel (141) and the upper end of the door (22) is set longer than the vertical shortest distance (D1) between the upper end (P) of the first front panel and the upper end of the control panel (141), the phenomenon of the door (22) interfering with the interface can be prevented.

[0143] In order to facilitate the insertion and withdrawal of the processing target, it is necessary to set the diameter of the input port (111) to be long (the diameter of the door needs to be set to be long), in which case the installation space of the interface (14) may become narrow. Considering the convenience of insertion and withdrawal of the processing target and the visibility and usability of the interface (14), the diameter (R1) of the door (22) may be set to be 4 to 6 times the diameter (R2) of the control panel.

[0144] In addition, the height (H1) of the first front panel (11) may be set to be 9 to 12 times the diameter (R2) of the control panel, and the width (W1) of the first front panel may be set to be 6 to 6.5 times the diameter (R2) of the control panel. The control panel (141) may be provided as a polygonal panel having the same height (H3) and width, or may be provided as a circular panel having a constant diameter (R2).

[0145] The height (H3) of the control panel (141) may be set longer than the height (H4) of the second mounting hole (116), and the height (H4) of the second mounting hole may be set longer than the height (H5) of the second input unit (147).

[0146] Meanwhile, in order to enhance the aesthetic appeal and improve the visibility of the interface, the height (H2) of the light-emitting area (142) of the control panel may be set to be the same as the height (H4) of the second mounting hole (116).

[0147] As illustrated in Fig. 12, the vertical shortest distance (L2) between the top (P) of the first front panel (11) and the center of the control panel (141), the vertical shortest distance (L3) between the top (P) of the first front panel and the center of the second input unit (147), and the vertical shortest distance (L4) between the top of the first front panel and the center of the second mounting hole (116) can be set to be the same.

[0148] Unlike the above, the shortest vertical distance (L2) between the top of the first front panel and the center of the control panel is set longer than the shortest vertical distance (L3) between the top of the first front panel and the center of the second input unit, and the shortest vertical distance (L3) between the top of the first front panel and the center of the second input unit may be set longer than the shortest vertical distance (L4) between the top of the first front panel and the center of the second mounting hole.

[0149] When the height of the first front panel (11) is set high, the center of the second input unit (147) may be positioned at a point lower than the center of the second mounting hole (116) in consideration of the convenience of use for users with short stature.

[0150] The width (W2) of the above control panel may be set longer than the width (W3) of the second mounting hole (116), and the width (W4) of the second mounting hole may be set longer than the width of the second input unit (147).

[0151] As shown in Fig. 13, the center of the door (22) and the center of the control panel (141) can be positioned on the same vertical line (DC).

[0152] In this case, the vertical line (CR) passing through the right end of the control panel (141) may be positioned between a first vertical line (V1) spaced apart from the door center (DC) to the right by 1 / 8 of the door diameter (R1) and a second vertical line (V2) spaced apart from the door center (DC) to the right by 1 / 16 of the door diameter (R1).

[0153] Meanwhile, a vertical line (CL) passing through the left end of the control panel may be arranged to be located between a third vertical line (V3) spaced apart from the door center (DC) to the left by 1 / 8 of the door diameter and a fourth vertical line (V4) spaced apart from the door center (DC) to the left by 1 / 16 of the door diameter (R1).

[0154] Considering the aesthetic sense, the shortest horizontal distance (D3) between the left edge of the first front panel and the left end of the control panel can be set to be the same as the shortest horizontal distance (D4) between the right edge of the first front panel and the right end of the control panel.

[0155] In this case, the horizontal shortest distance (D3, D4) between the side edge of the first front panel (11) and the control panel (141) can be set to be at least two times and at most three times the width (W2) of the control panel.

[0156] Meanwhile, the height (H1) of the first front panel (11) may be set to be 2 to 2.5 times the door diameter (R1), and the width of the first front panel (W1) may be set to be 1.5 to 1.5 times the door diameter (R1).

[0157] As illustrated in Fig. 14, the second input unit (147) may be provided as a payment device for the amount displayed on the display (145) (visible from the outside through the light-transmitting area). Fig. 14 (a) illustrates a case where the second input unit (147) is provided as a card recognition unit (credit card payment device, etc.) provided on the input panel (118), and Fig. 14 (b) illustrates an example where the second input unit (147) is provided as a coin recognition unit provided on the input panel (118).

[0158] The above-described embodiment illustrates an example in which the clothing treatment device (100) is composed of a first treatment device (100a) and a second treatment device (100b), but the features illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 13 can also be applied to a clothing treatment device composed of only the first treatment device (100a).

[0159] Since the above-described clothing treatment device relates to an example of the present invention, the scope of the present invention cannot be limited to the above-described structure or control method.

Claims

1. A cabinet including a front panel having an inlet and a first mounting hole located above the inlet; A door provided on the front panel above and capable of opening and closing the input port; A storage compartment provided inside the cabinet, in which the processing target supplied through the inlet is stored; A control panel provided in the first mounting hole and forming a part of the front panel, the control panel having a light-transmitting area and a non-light-transmitting area positioned between the light-transmitting area and the door; A display provided inside the cabinet and outputting visual information to the outside of the cabinet through the light-emitting area; and A garment treatment device characterized by including a first input unit provided in the non-transparent area and configured to receive a control command from a user and located between the bottom of the transparent area and the bottom of the control panel.

2. In paragraph 1, The above first input section, A garment treatment device characterized by being provided with at least one of a contact sensor for detecting whether a user's body is in contact with the opaque area, a button input unit provided to penetrate the opaque area, or a rotation input unit rotatably coupled to the opaque area.

3. In paragraph 1, A clothes treatment device, characterized in that the shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the top of the control panel is set to be less than or equal to the shortest vertical distance between the bottom of the control panel and the top of the door.

4. In paragraph 1, A garment treatment device characterized in that the above control panel is provided in a shape with the same height and width.

5. In paragraph 1, A clothes treatment device characterized in that the center of the door and the center of the control panel are located on the same vertical line.

6. In paragraph 1, A clothing treatment device, characterized in that the shortest horizontal distance between the left edge of the front panel and the left end of the control panel is the same as the shortest horizontal distance between the right edge of the front panel and the right end of the control panel.

7. In paragraph 1, A second mounting hole provided on the front panel and positioned at a higher point than the cabinet penetration hole; and A garment treatment device characterized by further comprising a second input unit for payment of the amount displayed on the display and provided in the second mounting hole.

8. In paragraph 1, A second mounting hole provided on the front panel and positioned at a higher point than the inlet; and It further includes a second input unit for inputting a control command to stop or end the operation of the clothing treatment device, which is provided in the second mounting hole; A clothing treatment device characterized in that the height of the control panel is set longer than the height of the second mounting hole, and the height of the second mounting hole is set longer than the height of the second input unit.

9. In paragraph 8, A clothing processing device, characterized in that the height of the above output area is the same as the height of the second mounting hole.

10. In paragraph 8, A clothing treatment device, characterized in that the shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the center of the control panel, the shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the center of the second input unit, and the shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the center of the second mounting hole are set to be the same.

11. In paragraph 8, The shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the center of the control panel is set longer than the shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the center of the second input unit. A clothing treatment device, characterized in that the shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the center of the second input unit is set longer than the shortest vertical distance between the top of the front panel and the center of the second mounting hole.

12. In paragraph 8, A clothing treatment device, characterized in that the center of the second input section is located at a point lower than the center of the second mounting hole based on the upper part of the front panel.

13. In paragraph 8, The width of the above control panel is set longer than the width of the second mounting hole, A clothing treatment device, characterized in that the width of the second mounting hole is set longer than the width of the second input section.

Images